25m Distance Between Us

A Stellar Escape

Mario, possessing the Koopa King, carrying both Pauline and Peach, tore through the Cathedral doors and burned his way through the onslaught of enemies rushing at him, attempting to hinder his progress.

"Mario!" Pauline cried. "A Bullet Bill at 3:00!"

Mario-Bowser turned his head to the right and blasted a fireball, causing the Bullet Bill to explode upon impact. He turned back to Pauline. "I'm-a sick of those things, anyway!"

Peach looked far ahead and spotted the Odyssey, parked on the Lunar's edge, glistening in the beautiful sunlight, awaiting them. The sky framed it beautifully with its boundless stars. The trio had been too caught up in everything that went on to appreciate the splendor of the Moon and space in its entirety. Unfortunately, they would not be able to enjoy it to its fullest even now, as they were being hounded by Bowser's minions, all crying for Mario to get out of their King's body and drop dead.

A Chargin' Chuck attempted to ambush Mario-Bowser from behind a large Moon Cliff, but was bounced back by his own tackle, due to the great girth of Bowser's body. Mario-Bowser immediately split him in 3 fine-cut slices with his knifelike claws. The lack of gravity on the Moon caused his blood to float up into the aether and disappear slowly.

Mario-Bowser continued ramming through Moon rocks and made his way close to the Odyssey, when a blinding light formed in front of it. Kamek teleported in front of the Oddyssey and gestured for the trio to approach with a sinister smile and his wand in his other hand.

Pauline was not liking this. She took off one of her heels and threw it right at Kamek's head, the spike going right through his glasses and into his right eye. The Magikoopa wailed and Mario-Bowser kicked him as if he was training the Chargin' Chucks how to kick a football. Kamek's wails of hatred and agony could be heard as he slowly wafted away into the boundless vacuum of space.

Pauline clicked her tongue. "What a waste." The Mayor said, regretting having thrown her shoe.

The group made their way to the Odyssey, and Mario-Bowser issued for Peach and Pauline to go inside, and they did, joining his new pet dog. The dog barked at Mario-Bowser as he tried to squeeze in through the small doorway.

"I can't-a fit in." Mario stated frustratedly. "I have-a to get out of this fat piece-a shit!"

"But if you do that you'll die!" Peach shouted.

Pauline was rummaging through the drawers in Mario's ship. "Princess," she asked. "what does a 1-up Mushroom look like?"

"Huh?" Mario-Bowser looked at her in confusion. Suddenly it hit him like a group of Thwomps; he had kept a spare 1-up Mushroom that he had found during his travels to Fossil Falls. He didn't think it would come in handy, but still, the heroic plumber always liked to be prepared.

"A 1-up Mushroom has a green cap with white spots on it." Peach replied.

Pauline took it out. "This is it!"

At that moment, Mario leaped out of Bowser, casting the dazed Koopa King back onto the Lunar surface. The plumber then fell to his knees, blood continuing to pour out from where it left off earlier. "Give-a me... the Mushroom..." he said weakly, his eyes clouding over.

Quickly, Pauline passed it to Peach, who placed the Mushroom inside the weakened plumber's mouth.

It took a second, but Mario began to heal from his wounds.

A tear rolled down Princess Peach's cheek. She felt a whirlwind of emotions; fear, horror, and relief.

Mario slowly sat up and Pauline stared at him in awe. She could hardly believe it herself. A small smirk arose on her lips, and she playfully turned to him. "I guess I really was your 1-up girl, wasn't i?"