A Path named Danger

## **Plot**

Lizel wakes up and plans on capturing Luigi for real by creating another scheme. Peach tells her that she can have breakfast with them and after they will try and see if there are any other homeless shelters that are open nearby. Lizel quickly retaliates this offer and says that she has a confession to make to her, saying that she comes from a strict family and that she told them she will be traveling out of the island for a school field trip when in reality she just wanted to spend time with Luigi, her biggest hero. Peach becomes guilt ridden once more and says that for the time being, they could really only have one more day with her in the castle, citing it is not a free hotel service, and that she is more than welcome to tag on the tours that go through the castle every once in a while. Lizel understands Peach's means and laments that she now has a time crunch, only one day to capture Luigi or else she will likely face harsh punishment. She pulls out a wristwatch and opens it to reveal a lullaby playing while a small photo of her and a certain other, seemingly her lover. She begins to silently weep but quickly brushes off her tears and says to herself that she "has no other choice".

Mario talks to Luigi about what he observed at the rift the day before. Luigi concludes it to just being one of them forgetting to patch it up after the Shadow Queen's defeat. Mario doesn't agree with his take and says that it is too much of a coincidence that Lizel appears at the castle after the rift had been opened. Luigi tells Mario to stop worrying and that he needs to relax from all the stress they have had to endure in past days. Mario ultimately agrees with Luigi and says he may just be too paranoid but only wants to protect the world, but especially him. Luigi tells him not to worry, as he could take care of himself. They decide to play with Squirt by competing in a basketball game. Mason and Toadette are also there and are winning the game. Lizel arrives and asks if she can play. They all agree on it but Lizel uses her secret powers from her staff to cheat her way through the game. Mario and the kids call her out on it with Luigi rightfully telling her that she has to play fairly in order for her dunks to count. She apologizes and plans on using her magic once more to knock out Luigi but immediately gets thrown out by Mario who swipes the ball from her. They all play a harsh game and at the end, they all bump into each other trying to slam the basketball but end up crashing on the floor. They all laugh it off with Lizel admitting that the event was quite fun, even though she had no idea how to play.

Mario goes to his room and meditates by himself, focusing on his inner power. He reaches into his mind and he becomes able to roam freely in his own mind, wondering to himself if Lizel is trustworthy and that if she even is from Earth. Mario suddenly sees a large shadow cast over him and realizes it is a culmination of his past fears and enemies. They took the forms of Bowser, The Shadow Queen, Fawful, The Shroob Princess and her twin sister the Queen, Cackletta. He becomes confused and hears a voice say, "It's already too late" before turning around to see a giant form of Luigi being controlled by Dimentio. Mario tells Luigi to wake up before Luigi raises his foot and seemingly stomps Mario, awakening him out of his trance. Mario breathes rapidly, now terrorized.

Lizel begins having second thoughts on her mission as a whole and what her purpose truly is. She laments to herself that she is only a bounty hunter, nothing more than that, but that she enjoys being on Earth more than she could have ever imagined. Peach asks her how her adjustment to the castle has been to which she replies that it has been a dream come true being with her biggest hero. Peach then goes on to say that life on Earth is something that should not be taken for granted as it is something that only happens once. Lizel takes her advice to heart and postpones her mission in the process.

Luigi goes into the castle to ask where Mario is and finds him visibly shaken. When asked what is troubling him, he answers nothing and only that he is cold. Luigi points out that it is nearly 90 degrees outside. Mario tells him not to worry, feeding him his own advice, saying not to stress. A large earthquake suddenly occurs and the team head outside. An army of Shy Guys armed with bullet bills along with lakitus armed with bob-ombs and spinys arrive and begin to wreak havoc. Mario becomes furious and assumes Bowser has reverted back to his former ways but is shocked to learn that isn't the case as a Kamek appears and says they have decided to revolt against Bowser as they got sick of his guilt-ridden days, stating they miss the evil days. The team jumps into action and takes down the army singlehandedly with Lizel having trouble deciding on fleeing back to the Macroverse and take Luigi while the others are distracted, or help them. Luigi sees Lizel charge towards him and fly right over him, using her magic to blast away a chunk of the enemies away. She helps them fight off the foes until they eventually retreat. Luigi asks why Lizel helped as she hardly even knows them. She said that she couldn't stand there and see their lives be in jeopardy. Mario takes this as the opportunity to apologize to Lizel as he admits to her that he always thought she was up to something malicious. Lizel accepts his apology and insists she should go back to the room to reflect on some things.

While in the room, she recieves a call from Dimentio through her wristwatch and is asked how the mission is going. She lies and says that the mission has gone haywire and she has been captured but will bring an earthling back as soon as possible before abruptly hanging up, saying it was signal problems.

Dimentio begins to get annoyed, saying why he has to do everything himself, cursing the fact that he is unable to cross into Earth. He tells Fawful he will find a way to break the curse, one way or another. Fawful looks into the distance, agreeing with Dimentio ominously but noticeably worried.