Heart of Dreams

Chapter 2

Mario finally came to and saw that he was in some sort of airport. He looked and saw that Peach was next to her, a bit of groggy. The red clad plumber looked as he saw Violet next to Toadsworth. Luigi was rolling around in fear as he flopped out of the basket and right on his face. He got up, turned around, and saw the basket of the blimp - was in perfect condition - as if no battle took place.

Luigi shouted, "Hey guys, I think you ought to see this!"

Everyone spun around and saw the basket that they were once in - perfectly fine.

Toadsworth stated, "Goodness!"

Peach asked, gasping a bit, "Was that our blimp?"

Mario answered, "It was our blimp. But I don't understand. If that was true, that would mean that there was no battle."

Violet took a better look and stated, "I'm not so sure about that, Mario. Take a look at this rope. Completely worn from that battle. We shouldn't have survived. But we survived alright - with either someone watching out over us or someone helped us."

There was an uneasy silence after Violet had said that, as a chill went down the heroes spines. Some of the people of Pi'illo Island greeted the visitors and showed them to the gaming stage. They told the tourists that Dr. Snoozemore was not able to meet them. It was there they met the MC and tour guide, Broque Monsieur. After sweeping up in the quiz and finding out that the local trouble was to only get excited about Pi'illo Island, the group finally arrived to Pi'illo Castle.

Peach gushed, "Oh my gosh, what a romantic castle!"

Toadsworth shrugged, "If you like that stuff."

Mario flirted with his girlfriend, "I know I do."

The mushroom princess giggled as the green clad ghost hunter fiddled with something in his pocket. It was a small box. Luigi turned to his girlfriend.

He asked, very nervous, "V - Violet?"

She looked at him and answered, "Yes, Luigi?"

Luigi was about to say something but Broque Monsieur caught their attention first with a welcome and another game for them to play before heading inside. It was there that they met up with Starlow yet again.

Starlow gushed, "Toadsworth! Mario! Peach! Violet! ...Luigi."

Luigi groaned in annoyance, "Hello to you too, Starlow."

Violet stated, giggling at her boyfriend, "Great to see you again!"

Toadsworth commented, "This is quite a surprise to see you here."

Peach replied, "I guess Star Sprites need rest and relaxation too!"

Mario responded, "Still great to see you, Starlow."

The Star Sprite smiled as everyone looked around the castle, sightseeing. Once again, Luigi sidelined Violet.

Violet questioned, "You wanted to ask me something?"

Luigi answered, "Yeah, I did."

Violet asked, "What is it?"

Luigi started to answer, "Well, Violet..."

Just when he was about to try and ask her again, something caught their attention. Broque Monsieur called them over and asked them to follow him into the attraction space. Everyone followed him as they saw a wooden stage there with a movie screen on it. The lights went out just then as the movie screen went on and on it was Dr. Snoozemore himself.

The doctor explained, "Mmm-yes, welcome! To Pi'illo Island! I am the administrator of this island, Dr. Snoozemore... Mm-yes, and I should like to tell you of the island's lore... A long time ago on this island... The Pi'illo folk lived in this place and called it Pi'illo Kingdom. But then, over a short span... The Pi'illo Kingdom suddenly fell and was no more... What happened to Pi'illo Kingdom? Mm-yes, this question still lingers. It is one of the mysteries that we are actively trying to solve today... Indeed, another of these mysteries sleep deep within Pi'illo Castle... Some say a treasure hides there since the time of the Pi'illo Kingdom... The deeper passages have only recently been discovered. What treasure do you suppose sleeps in this cazzzz...zzZzz..."

The screen went off as Peach stepped forward, all giddy from what she just saw.

She commented, "Oh my! Fascinating!"

Violet raised an eyebrow and questioned, "I don't get it, how'd a whole civilization disappear?"

Luigi answered, "That is a rather good question."

Mario stated, "Stranger things have happened."

Peach, who had gotten on the stage, fascinated by the fact there was a treasure in the castle was starting to look around more. Suddenly, the screen opened in the back behind her. Toadsworth hopped on with her.

He lectured, "Your Majesty, please! Step down at once! I sense calamity!"

Suddenly, the stage turned into a rocket-powered roller coaster, blasted Toadsworth and Peach into the back area.

Stalow said, worried, "Oh no!"

Mario cried out, "PEACH!"

Luigi stated, "It just took off with her and Toadsworth on it!"

Violet asked Broque Monsieur, "How did that happen?"

He explained, with his strong French accent, "Ah! Oui! I must tell you, back zere we found zis ancient hidden area. Zat platform was only recently installed for zee exploring... But it is in zee testing phase! Or at least it was... Zee pressure of zee petite footsies activated zee mechanism, honh? Oui! Technology, c'est magnifique!"

Starlow flew over the tracks and questioned, "So just what's back there, anyway? Nothing dangerous, right? RIGHT?"

Broque Monsieur answered, "I have not gone back zere myself. Non. Too damp for moi. But I hear... Zere is something back zere, oui. Something that protects zee treasure."

Luigi groaned, "Should've seen that coming."

Violet stated, shrugging, "It is to be expected."

Mario asked, "Is there a way to get back there? I have to save my girlfriend!"

Suddenly, the stage returned - without Peach and Toadsworth on it. Starlow begged for Mario, Luigi, and Violet to go back there to save the princess and her adviser. Mario was the first one on the stage. Violet was next and Luigi followed her. Starlow decided to go to. The staff member activated the ride as the four of them went into the back to search for Peach and Toadsworth.

...

Wishmaker1028: After much delay on my end, I was finally able to finish the second chapter! Can our heroes save Peach and Toadsworth? Find out in our next chapter! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!