It Stings

## **Plot**

Rosalina returns from Viewer's point and says that she has sealed the final rift in the world, as there was just enough serum for multiple openings unlike last time. Mario asks her if she knows how the seal serum ended up in New York and she responds that she too isn't sure how it was there. Bowser comes downstairs and says that he has finally fixed a piece of destruction caused from his and Mario's battle. It was revealed to be just a tiny crack that he patched up, nonetheless the team congratulates him. Daisy asks where the others are prompting Mario to wonder the same inquiry as they haven't been seen all afternoon. They look all over the castle, but find nobody left. They ask Bowser but he admits that he was up on the top floor patching up the crack in the wall.

They go outside towards the kingdom, asking the locals if they have seen any of them but find no leads. Mario worries that something is suspicious about their sudden disappearance, asking if Toadsworth has seen Peach. He becomes immediately on edge after learning they have all gone missing. Mario tells him to relax, citing that worrying will get them nowhere but feels his uneasiness growing ever so slightly.

Daisy suggests that they try asking Toadette where they have gone as she may have an idea. They go to her house which she reveals it's her birthday prompting the entire team to blast into a happy birthday song, even Bowser joining along albeit with wrong malicious themed lyrics. Toadette thanks them but says she hasn't seen anyone come to her house that day. Mario becomes even more nervous as he says he is sure Squirt would have surely paid her a visit. She becomes visibly disappointed in that she received no visitors but becomes concerned once the group tells her they can't find the others. She offers to help them find the others.

They are drawn into the hilly green fields outside the kingdom and Rosalina gains a sense of danger along with the bros. They tell the group that something sinister is nearby and that they're gonna need to proceed with caution. Mario cautiously walks ahead to observe what's behind a large bush but finds nothing to his relief. However, he turns around to find the entire team gone and he becomes transported to a dark void. He calls out for the others' to no response but hears Fawfuls' laugh. He recognizes the laugh and Fawful shows himself. Mario demands to know what he has done to the others. Fawful tells him that they are fine, but are currently being held captive in a mindscape only accessible through Luigi since he is the only one that can sleep on the Dream Rock. He tells him that Luigi will have to gain access to the dreamworld and find their souls since Fawful has them trapped. He then leaves a horrified Mario on the ground surrounded by the team, saying he passed out. Mario tells them the news and tells Luigi that he needs to go to the Luigiscape and form an alliance to save the others trapped in the Nightmare realm. Luigi begs that Mario helps him but he says he can't since he won't be asleep.

The group anxiously await for Luigi to fall asleep along with Mario, who holds his hand and tells him that everything will be okay and that he won't let go. Luigi falls asleep and enters the luigiscape. He calls the other Dreamy Luigis and they form a barricade ready to enter the Nightmare Realm. They defeat nightmare fuel enemies and REM foes. They forge on and find the others' souls being kept trapped by blue barriers. He tries to break them free but to no avail. Luigi then tries a tactic; to reach into their minds. He touches Peach and he is at a beach where the entire group is playing volleyball. Peach then suggests they all travel the world to which they all collectively agree on. It then switches to a darker tone of a younger Peach on her knees, begging Toadsworth to be let out and him telling her that she will never be able to leave. Luigi then switches off to Squirt, Mason, and Leroy who have all their memories combined into one, signifying they are all in the same dream. Squirt is still looking for the perfect gift for Toadette. Mason walks wondering if his parents truly do feel serious about his feeling towards him about wanting more freedom. Leroy walks father behind, afraid that he doesn't belong. Luigi then eyes Lizel who he is about to get into but Peach wakes up, confused. Luigi explains she is in the dreamworld and that she is free and needs to wake up. Peach asks him what he means but he tells her to hurry. She concentrates and wakes up in the real world, near Lizel who is still asleep. The kids also wake up with Luigi prompting them to do the same. The kids awake in the real world as well and Squirt tells Mason and Leroy to head to the castle while he goes to Toadette. Peach carries Lizel to the castle where she will not wake up. Mario tells Luigi to try and wake her up but he enters a seemingly empty void, where nothing is as it seems for her mind. Luigi yells for Lizel but changes his mind and runs back to the real world to tell the others what is happening. However, Fawful appears behind him, exclaiming "gotcha" before covering Luigi's mouth and transports him into his grasp. Luigi in the real world gets lifted into the air and Fawful reveals himself out of the dream holding him. Mario attempts to break him free but Fawful dodges every attack, noticeably having gained a better sense of strength. He says he has upgraded his tech and as a result received a buff in strength as well. Lizel also wakes up due to his power no longer being in effect. He tells Lizel to come along as Dimentio would be overjoyed to see she has succeeded in her mission, saying they will both take part in the heist success. Everyone becomes confused, asking a crying Lizel what he means. Fawful teases her, saying that he "blew up her little secret". He forces her to reveal that she was a bounty hunter from Dimentio and Fawful, her original purpose was to capture a being from Earth to perform tests on and in turn, gain access to Earth. The team becomes shocked to learn this news with Fawful also dropping another bombshell, revealing that her real name is Timpani. The shocking revelation is brought to light that Lizel is actually Timpani, the woman who helped her lost lover Blumiere in the "bedtime story" that Lizel read, further revealing that entire story was her own past, explaining why she was so hesistant on talking about it and why Luigi saw nothing but an empty black void in her mind. To add insult to injury, Fawful mentions out loud on how Luigi was destined to have something bad happen to him after seeing the lights. Luigi becomes confused and is able to have his mouth break free for a moment, asking Mario what he is talking about. Fawful grins and realizes what happened, teasing Mario on how he hasn't told him the truth, leading Rosalina to also become puzzled, asking Mario if he truly did tell him. Mario is too in shock to answer but Luigi becomes furious, saying that Mario knew this would happen to him and never warned him. Mario admits the truth but also admits he didn't want to believe it or tell Luigi about it since he figured it would only stress him out more. Squirt returns and is overjoyed to see Toadette but becomes horrified after seeing what is unfolding. Fawful swipes Lizel off her feet and kidnaps Luigi, taking him away to the Macroverse. Mario is left screaming for Luigi, dropping to his knees while the others are left trying to comprehend what just happened.

To Be Continued flashes on screen.