Chapter 6: Honeymoon Derby

The previous evening

Mario tried not to focus on the pain in his leg as he and Toad lead Peach back to the castle. He had to perform a bit of an aerobatic feat with one of his jumps, one that resulted in pulling a muscle in his left leg. He had received a few other injures as well, several bruises and cuts, those that he usually received when he had to rescue Peach from Bowser.

"I still don't get it," Toad was right behind him. He had also received his fair share of injuries, including a deep cut that may have to receive stitches, but the small retainer refused to see a doctor, not until the princess was returned home. "Why don't you ever just kill him?"

"Killing him is not my main concern," Mario said. "My main concern is always making sure Peach is safe." That was all he cared about, if he managed to kill Bowser along the way then so be it.

"He has helped us out before," Peach added. There were a few tears in her gown, plus the bottom of her dress was dirty, splashed with mud, her hair was out of place, and she was developing a bruise on her right arm. "I would feel bad just to end his life."

"Even after all the times he has tried to kidnap you?" Toad asked.

"We can talk about this more in the morning," Mario said as they neared the castle entrance. "After we had rested, gotten medical attention, some sleep, and something to eat."

The two guardsmen stared at the battle weary trio in shock. "Princess," they both gasped in shock. "What happened to you?"

"I am perfectly fine," Peach lied. "You should both be more concerned about poor Mario and Toad."

"We are sorry," the older of the two guardsmen nodded. "We will send word for a medical team meet you in the front hall at once."

"Thank you," Mario said dryly as he limped past them. He had to wonder why they were hired in the first place. Whenever Bowser kidnaps Peach, they never do anything, just sit back and guard the castle, of course the first time Mario and Luigi arrived and went to rescue Peach the guards took on a more active roll, then again that was how they were turned into bricks, stone and horsehairs.

"Goodness," Toadsworth cried out as soon as the three of them had entered the hallway. "Princess look at you."

"Look at me?" She pointed at Mario and Toad. "Look at them."

"You are absolutely filthy," Toadsworth brushed the end of his cane against one of the mud stains on Peach's dress. "Mario, we are glad you brought her home safe and sound, but hopefully next time could you not allow her to get so dirty?"

"But Toadsworth," Peach protested.

"But nothing," Toadsworth held up a finger. "You are the royal heir to the throne, you have to keep up a respectable appearance."

"I'll make sure I'm not wearing my best dress the next time, Bowser kidnaps me," Peach said dryly.

"Toad!" A familiar voice squeaked as a small pink blur appeared by their side. "Oh no, what happened to your arm?"

"Junior got me good," Toad said as he tried not to flinch from Toadette's touch. "I was fighting him while Bowser took on Mario. The princess also helped."

"You did what?" The old mushroom turned around. His bushy gray moustache twitched. "Is that how you got your dress dirty?"

"Yes," Peach placed her hands on her hips. "I fought. I was the one who went and rescued everyone when Bowser captured Mario and Luigi. I can't always be a damsel in distress. I am no longer a child, and I know you are trying to groom me to be a proper queen someday, but I don't want to be the queen that sits back and lets everyone else do the work. I want to be the queen that is will fight for her land and her people, and right now I can't have you fuss over how clean or unclean my dress is, I need you to make sure Mario and Toad have been treated."

"Mario is also hurt?" Toadette asked. While Peach was arguing with Toadsworth the pink-haired girl was fussing over Toad. "Where does it hurt, Mario?"

"Mostly in my leg," Mario pointed at his injured leg. "I know I pulled something."

"If you pulled a muscle then you should sit down," Toadette said. "You both should sit down until the medical team has arrived. Where are they anyway?"

"They are coming as fast as they can," Toadsworth said. "They do have to gather their supplies you know."

"What about Luigi?" Toadette asked. "Is he hurt?"

"Luigi is with the Yoshis," Mario explained. "He went to Yo'ster Island for a visit, he had no idea this was going to happen." He should write a letter to Yoshi and send it via Parakarry, let Luigi know what was happening, but he would wait until the morning, after he had rested.

Luigi wasn't in the hotel to hear the argument between Wendy and the staff about the ruined sheets. He had a feeling they wouldn't be welcome back, due to the damage done to the bed, and the wrath of Wendy's temper. He could remember being on the opposite end of her wrath in the past, and that was quite frightening.

"Will that be all?" the mushroom behind the counter asked, snapping Luigi out of his thoughts.

"One pair of trunks, sunglasses, and sun block," Luigi nodded. He still wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea of walking around with nothing on but the shell on his back, and he had no idea how the sun was going to affect his new leathery skin. "And a package of Yoshi cookies." He pointed to one of the packages wrapped in blue.

"Yes sir," the toad quickly rang him up. He seemed to be eager for Luigi to get his stuff and leave, the whole time Luigi was in the store the cashier seemed nervous.

Luigi thanked him. He hoped he didn't cause everyone to run in fear of his new form.

"Argh," Wendy growled as she stormed away from the hotel. "I told them daddy was going to pay them the extra cost, but they wanted the money for it now. I told them where to send the bill."

"Did they still make you pay extra?" Luigi asked. He was surprised he still felt a bit nervous when she was angry, then again who knows how frightening he was going to look when he became angered.

"Yes, and I did give them some extra gold coins, but I told them to send the rest of the bill to daddy."

"Should I offer some money?" he felt very guilty for what happened the night before. After all he was the one who caused the scorch marks to appear on the ceiling.

"No dear," Wendy shook her head. "I made sure everything is settled, let's go on our honeymoon."

Several Yoshis had come to greet the two of them when they had arrived on Yo'ster isle, and to Luigi's surprise and relief, none of the dinosaurs were afraid of him.

"Welcome to Yo'ster isle," the motley crew of Yoshis greeted upon their arrival. Several left, leaving only two; one was a bright yellow female Yoshi with orange spines and wore a bright pink scarf and pink boots. The other was an elderly tan Yoshi with maroon hackles. One of his eyes was covered in a silver glaze. He did not wear boots but instead wore sandals.

"We love getting visitors," the yellow Yoshi said. "My name is Yolei and this is my grandfather." She pointed to the elderly dinosaur. "There is lots of stuff to do here. We have the mushroom derby races daily, you can watch, and you can participate by riding one of us. We also have a new mini golf game that was set up a few months ago." She spread out her arms. "There is also the beaches, everyone loves the beaches, you can swim, and make sand castles, look for seashells, play volleyball, have barbecues and everything."

"My granddaughter is a bit over excited," The elderly Yoshi said. "Not many speak your language. Those that have left only knew how to welcome people. Mine not real good. Yolei was top student."

"That is okay," Luigi said. "I think we both are looking forward to all the activities on the island." The mini golf game did sound like it would be like a lot of fun, and then there was the idea of Wendy in a bikini. He wasn't sure why that thought had intrigued him.

"Swimming in the ocean," Wendy said in a dreamy voice. "And laying out on the beach with my new husband." She grabbed onto Luigi's arm. "It's our honeymoon."

"Honeymoon?" Yolei clasped her hands together. "That is wonderful, isn't wonderful grandpa?"

"It is lovely," the elderly Yoshi nodded.

"Please forgive us," Luigi said." But the two of us needs to get settled."

"Would you like us to show you where the hotel is?" Yolei asked.

"We are staying with a friend," Wendy said. "Except it is sort of a surprise."

"Yeah," Luigi nodded. The biggest surprise was going to be for Yoshi when he sees the two of them.

Yoshi's home was really a hallowed out area in the hillside, but it came with a door and there were a few glass windows found amongst the grass. There were several small berry filled bushes in front of the hill and a path made out of pebbles leading up to it.

Luigi felt like his feet had turned to stone when they neared Yoshi's home. He knew he had to eventually go through with it and greet his dinosaur friend, as well as reveal his new form to Mario and the others.

"What is wrong?" Wendy asked.

"What if he is afraid of me?" He recalled how the toad in the shop in Marrymore was frightened of him. The other customers were trying to avoid him as well.

"The one thing I noticed about you and your friends is that you always stick together, no matter what. They will accept you as a Koopa."

"Thanks." He hoped she was right.

"He seems to be looking out the window," she pointed at one of the dark circles in the hillside. A surprised green and white face was staring back at them.

"Yoshi," Luigi waved to his friend.

The face left the window and a second later Yoshi stepped out of his house. "Koopas," the dinosaur frowned. "What are-" He paused for a few seconds. "One smells like a friend." He sniffed the air a few times. "You smell like Luigi, and you have cookies."

"It is me," Luigi smiled, he dare not grin. He didn't want to risk fighting Yoshi with his full set of sharp teeth, and hoped the four fangs that protruded from his upper jaw did not scare him at all. "And I brought you cookies

"You sound and smell like Luigi," Yoshi was confused. "And you brought me cookies, but you also look and smell like a Koopa."

"That's because he is one," Wendy leaned against Luigi's chest.

Luigi nodded. He stared into Yoshi's dark eyes. "I've been turned into a Koopa."

"And we are married," Wendy pressed her lips against Luigi's. He did not fight back; each new kiss from her was more appealing than the last time.

"Why would you want to be a Koopa?" Yoshi scratched the top of his head. "And why didn't you tell me about your wedding?"

"It was a last minute surprise." Wendy said. Surprise, which was a nice way of putting it.

"I didn't want to be a Koopa, but the spell is permanent," he stared at his hands. "And I am beginning to like some of the aspects." He was stronger than he used to be and he no longer had to find a fire flower to use fire. "You don't mind if we spend a few days here?" Luigi asked.

"It's our honeymoon," Wendy added.

"Sure," Yoshi nodded. "Let me help with your things." As he walked past Luigi he whispered. "We should talk."

Yoshi did not have much in the way of furniture. There wasn't even a real bed, just a circular mattress on one part of the room with a single blanket on it for his guests. There was also a desk and chair with a phone.

"What happened," Yoshi asked once Wendy stepped outside to walk around. "How did this happen?"

"Lets see first I was kidnapped, then taken to Bowser's, then I was turned into a Koopa, then I became married to Wendy then-" he stopped counting when he ran out of talons on his hand.

"Why did you agree?"

"I'm not certain," Luigi shrugged. "She had this wonderful scent, maybe Koopas give it off when they are wed, maybe if the male finds it so attractive he can't think then they are meant to be." He looked out the window to watch Wendy sniff a flower. "She does seem to get more attractive by the minute."

"You think she is pretty?" Yoshi asked.

Luigi nodded. "I think it must be the Koopa instincts."

"Uh oh, Luigi," Yoshi pointed outside the window. A blue Yoshi was checking Wendy out. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses and a spiked collar. "That's Boshi."

"I heard of him," Luigi stepped out. "Hey," he pointed at Boshi. "What do you think you are doing with my wife?"

The blue Yoshi stepped away from Wendy and made some strange grunts.

"What did he say?" Luigi asked. He couldn't understand their language and not many could speak his.

Yoshi's nostrils flared for a few seconds. "He said he wants to challenge me to another race, just one on one."

Boshi continued to speak in the Yoshi language for a few more minutes.

"He wants to ask Wendy if she would like to ride on his back for the race." Yoshi frowned while the blue dinosaur smiled.

"I have never ridden a Yoshi before. I think it might be fun," Wendy pat Boshi on top of the head while the blue Yoshi just smiled.

"Do you think it will be okay if she rides him?" Luigi asked. He had no idea what Boshi's true intentions were. Wait a second. Was he actually jealous?

"She will be fine," Yoshi turned to Boshi and spoke in their language. "I told him that I have accepted his challenge. Luigi would you care to ride on my back?"

"Are you sure?" Luigi asked. "I'm a bit heavier than I used to be, with this shell and all."

"I beat Boshi before with Mario on my back, and he is heavier than you. I even won a few races while carrying Wario on my back, and we know how heavy he is."

"Of course," Luigi chuckled at the image of Wario trying to ride Yoshi. You didn't break your back did you?"

"It was nothing that I couldn't handle," Yoshi shrugged.

The racetrack didn't seem too long to Luigi. He wouldn't cause a lot of strain on the dinosaur's back, not that Yoshi would tell him any different. He climbed on Yoshi's back and settled down in the soft red saddle and held on by grabbing his shoulders.

Wendy seemed to be pretty comfortable in Boshi's saddle, considering it was her first time. She noticed he was looking her way and smiled at him. He smiled back.

"Okay racers," Yolei shouted from the starting line. She repeated the words in the Yoshi language "On your mark, get set and" She dropped the two pink flags she was carrying.

Yoshi launched himself forward and Luigi felt the usual jolt he always did when he rode Yoshi. The wind whistled through his hair, and he could even feel his mustache being pressed against his face from the sheer force. It had been too long since he rode Yoshi for just fun.

It didn't seem long before they crossed the line. He had no idea who came across first.

"That was close," Wendy chuckled.

"And the winner," Yolei jumped up. "Is Yoshi, by a nose."

"Congrats old fried," Luigi rubbed the top of his friend's head. "How about we celebrate with some cookies?"

"Cookies?" Boshi turned towards them and spoke in the Yoshi language.

"He said if he knew we had cookies he would of made a bet," Yoshi translated.

"He seems to really like them if he can say them," Luigi chuckled. "Is it okay if he received a few?"

Yoshi shrugged. "Why not?"

Luigi slid out of the saddle and gave his friend a hug. He didn't think he could express how relieved Yoshi had accepted him for what he was, and no longer feared facing Mario.

"Cookies and then I need to send out a letter," Luigi said. He was already figuring out the best way to let Mario know what had happened, and that would be by showing him in person. He would just write that he had been through some changes.

"Then can we play some golf?" Yoshi asked in a hopeful tone.

"I'm looking forward to it," Luigi grinned.