Heart of Dreams

Chapter 9

As Luigi was getting patched up, Peach was still trembling from what happened. Violet was too but she was more worried about Luigi. Mario was refusing to leave Luigi's side as he was being treated. Prince Dreambert with with the mushroom princess as Starlow looked over at Violet.

The Star Sprite commented, "I've never seen you this worried."

Violet stated, "I do love Luigi, Starlow. He just lost a part of him, literally..."

Starlow huffed as she replied, "At least you have love."

Violet raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is that what's been bugging you?"

Starlow sighed sadly and answered, "Well...no. You see, when I went home after the last time we met, I actually was planning to take to this Star Sprite I really liked."

"You got crushed, huh," Violet questioned, though she suspected the answer.

"Pretty much," Starlow confirmed, sadly.

Violet stated, "The thing about a crush...sometimes you get crushed. Don't worry, there are plenty of guys out there for you."

Starlow looked at her and asked, "Think so?"

"Know so," Violet answered, with a smile.

The Star Sprite had a genuine smile for once.

Prince Dreambert commented, "So we need to stop Antasma and Bowser from getting to the Dream Stone in Dozing Sands."

Peach stated, "Mario, Luigi, and Violet will go check it out once we know Luigi is okay..."

Prince Dreambert questioned, "Please tell me, Your Highness, but who was that? That man we saw down in Dreams Deep?"

Peach didn't make eye contact with him as she answered, "I rather not talk about it."

"Apologies," Prince Dreambert stated.

"No, it's fine," Peach replied, "It's just complicated."

"I understand," Prince Dreambert responded.

"Thank you," Peach told him, making the prince nod.

...

While this was going on, the medics were all finished with patching up Luigi. All of the medics left but Mario refused to leave Luigi's side. Luigi had finally come to.

Mario asked, "Are you alright, Weegie?"

Luigi answered, "Yeah, I'm okay, Malleo."

Mario questioned, "What happened to you while we were in the dream world?"

Luigi explained, "After Mr. L got killed, my right side got seriously hurt. I think that's the side either Nastasia or Dimentio focused on while I was him."

Mario stated, "I got that but there is two more questions I have. One, what was Mr. L doing in the Dream's Deep in the first place? And two: why do keep sidelining Violet every chance you get?"

Luigi sighed as he answered, "I don't know. He went there, probably, on his own. As for Violet..." He paused and got out a box, showing it to Mario. He added, "See for yourself."

The red clad plumber opened the box and saw an engagement ring there.

Mario's eyes flew open in surprise as he asked, "You are planning to propose to Violet?"

Luigi replied, "That's the plan..."

...

After a good rest; Boss Brickle opened the gate for Mario, Luigi, Violet, Starlow, and Prince Dreambert. They headed off for Dozing Sands, while Peach waited at the castle. She hated it but she knew that she had to be protected. Toadsworth saw the concern in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. Peach returned it, though she was quite worried about Luigi. He had lost a part of himself forever. Mr. L might have been their enemy during the Chaos Heart incident, he was still apart of Luigi. Plus Mr. L did save them. While heading out for Dozing Sands, Prince Dreambert was puzzling over the message that Mr. L gave him.

Mr. L's voice replayed in his mind, "Do me a favor, dreamy. Tell them that the Purity Heart still lives..."

Prince Dreambert thought, 'What is the Purity Heart? And who was that...Mr. L?'

Violet brought Prince Dreambert out of his thoughts and commented, "I never thought that this would happen..."

Mario stated, "I happen to agree. None of us expected this."

Starlow blurted out, "Mind plugging me into this?!"

Luigi hissed, "Once I feel like it."

The Star Sprite and the Pi'illo Kingdom prince surprised but Mario and Violet were not. Finally, the group made it to Dozing Sands. After helping out a worker get to the top of a sand flow, by hamering in some underground monsters, they had learned how to tunnel underground. Finding the next Pi'illo, they got ready to travel to the dream world. When they arrived, Dreamy Luigi had a surprise for them.

Dreamy Luigi commented, "I want you guys to see something. The Luiginoids!"

Violet asked, "The what?"

Mario started to question, "What are you..."

Just then, Dreamy Luigi went into a constellation and came out with a dozen or more of Dreamy Luigi's - what Dreamy Luigi called Luiginoids.

Prince Dreambert stated, "I think these Luiginoids can help us through this!"

Mario cheered as he and Violet climbed the Luiginoids and used them like a giant stomping force.

Violet commented, "This is cool!"

Mario stated, "Yeah, very cool!"

Dreamy Luigi replied, "I knew you guys would like it. Though I still can't believe Mr. L is dead."

Prince Dreambert stated, "I am still confused as to whom he was..."

When no one said anything, they freed the Pi'illo, who told them that the Dream Stone was just beyond where they were at the current moment. It was towards the east. When they started to head towards in that direction, they ran into Britta, the head worker.

She yelled to the worker, "THAT ALL YOU GOT?! WORK THAT THING! THIS AIN'T BALLET, BUB! SWING LIKE YOU MEAN IT!"

The worker stammered, "Y - yes, ma'am!"

Violet whispered, "Poor guy..."

Luigi stated, "We have to help!"

Mario replied, "I happen to agree!"

Prince Dreambert looked around and commented, "Looks like this is Britta."

Starlow added, "And she sure is so mean!"

When they approached Britta about the Dream Stone, she actually laughed in their face. She thought they were there to work.

Britta told them, "Trust me, that's gotta be some kinda mistake."

The group wasn't so sure about that as Britta told them that if they wanted to look for the Dream Stone, they should try and figure out a way up the sand flow.

...

Wishmaker1028: Can our heroes stop the sand? One way to find out! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!