~Rosalina's POV~

''Why are we all gathering here?'' I asked a goomba.

''The leader is back.'' He excitedly said. ''If everyone gathers here then it means that he has some bad news... or good. You never know!''

The leader is back? Wasn't Toadsworth the leader?

''Is something wrong, Rosalina? You look a bit tense.'' Polari asked.

''I don't know... I can sense something. It's not a threat but it still feels... bad in some way.''

''Relax, you're surrounded by fighters,'' Waluigi assured me. ''If something happens they would make sure that you are safe.''

Everybody started to quiet down. We were all standing around a big table covered in maps of the Mushroom Kingdom and even other kingdoms. Toadsworth stood before it and looked a little troubled.

''Everyone, we have some bad news.'' He said.

That sentence made me feel anxious.

''Blue Flame came back at 5 o'clock this morning. To get here as quickly as possible he risked his life by going the short way through the Chain Chomp pass. He has some news about Luigi's whereabouts.''

Luigi?! They know where Luigi is?!

''So let's not dillydally. Please welcome our leader: Blue Flame.''

Toadsworth stepped aside and opened a door behind him. Everybody clapped their hands. I could see a big figure standing in the doorway, but it was not until he stepped out into the light that I could see who it was.

''LUDWIG?!'' All four of us exclaimed. Waluigi immediately summoned his whip in his hand while I took a defensive stance and Shawn and Polari hid behind me.

Ludwig was standing right across the table from us, not caring if we were scared of him. His hair was as well taken care of as ever, but his arms and legs were covered in bloody bandages. He smiled deviously. ''Hello, princess,'' He said, then looked at Waluigi. ''...and purple elf.''

''Toadsworth, what is Ludwig doing here?!'' Shawn asked.

''Now, now,'' Toadsworth said to try to calm us down. ''I know that you might not like him. But if it wasn't for him, this organization wouldn't even exist.''

''What?'' I said confused. ''You can't be serious! Why would he ever betray his father?''

''Because I've had enough of his shenanigans.'' Ludwig interrupted. We all went quiet as we saw Ludwig put his beloved wand down on the table and slowly backing away. ''There, now I have no way of attacking you or anyone here. Please calm down and try to cooperate with me. We have some serious news.''

We all cautiously agreed to cooperate with him for now. He let out a relieved sigh. ''Good. Now I have to tell you the news.''

''Go right ahead, Blue,'' Toadsworth said.

Ludwig put his hand on the table. ''A few hours ago my father received a message from King Boo. He told him that he had found a powerful spell surrounding a certain area in Boo's Woods, but he couldn't get past it. Here's the deal: the spell was never ordered to be there by anyone, and we all know that Luigi's mansion is located somewhere in Boo's Woods. This could only mean one thing: Luigi is hiding somewhere inside that spell area.''

''So... what you're saying is that Luigi is in there... and Bowser knows it?'' I asked.

''Unfortunately so, and this means that my father will do anything to get Luigi in his claws. We have to get there, break the spell's barrier and get Luigi to safety before he can.''

''But do you have anyone that can break spells?'' Polari asked.

Ludwig sighed. ''No... that's the problem. All of the people with strong magic abilities have been captured and thrown into the dungeons.''

''What about Daisy?'' I asked.

Ludwig looked directly at me. ''Daisy? She has magic?''

''Of course, she does,'' I said. ''She may not be a star-child and she never really uses magic but she has it. Maybe she can help us out? Maybe she was the one to help Luigi set up the spell in the first place?''

''Then it is decided, we need someone to go to Sarassaland and talk with Daisy,'' Toadsworth announced. ''Any volunteers?''

Everybody was completely silent.

''Not to be rude, sir, but... traveling to Sarasaland is hard,'' Flamy said, who I didn't even notice was in the room. ''Many of us don't have any passports, and the borders are teeming with guards.''

''Isn't there some way to get there?'' I asked. ''Maybe a secret path or something?''

''Now that I think about it, there is!'' Ludwig said and pointed at one of the maps on the table, showing the whole kingdom and its borders. ''It's through Thwomp Ruins, but the only reason that path is unguarded by anyone is that there's a giant tribe of spear guys living there. And they don't really like visitors.''

''Maybe I can talk to them?'' Shawn proposed. 

We all looked at him questioningly. ''Isn't their language different from yours?''

''My mother was a spear girl so I know a bit of their language.''

''Great!'' Ludwig exclaimed. ''Now, we need someone who can go with him.''

''I'll go,'' I said, which surprised everyone.

''What?!'' Toadsworth exclaimed. ''Princess, that is nonsense! You're too important to us, we cannot lose you.''

''Who said that you were going to lose me? I can do it.''

Waluigi put his hand on my shoulder. ''Rosie, I would listen to Toadsworth.''

''Are you doubting me?'' I teasingly asked.

''No, of course not!'' He quickly answered. ''But I'm just... getting kind of worried.''

''I believe in you, princess,'' Ludwig smirked. ''Let's get you ready for your mission.''

________________________________

''What do you think?'' The toadette asked.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn't used to dressing myself in black tight clothing, and it felt extremely thick as well.

''Why does it feel so thick and stiff?'' I asked.

''Protection.'' The toadette shortly answered. ''It's bulletproof, a lot of padding makes it feel thick and stiff at first. But you'll get used to it later.''

I walked out of the clothing room, Waluigi, Polari, and Shawn were already waiting for me outside.

''Wow, you look like a spy!'' Waluigi said as he stared at me as if he was enchanted.

''My eyes are up here,'' I said. ''And Shawn, where's your protective clothes?''

Shawn pulled up his skirt to reveal the bulletproof clothes underneath. ''I don't feel safe having it on the outside of my ordinary clothes.'' He shyly said as his mask's cheeks became slightly red.

We all went up the warp pipe and out of the factory. The sun was beginning to go down, making the sky brightly orange. A car was waiting for us outside that would take us to Thwomp Ruins. We stopped right outside it and as Shawn opened the back door and jumped inside I stared at Waluigi.

''Will you be okay without me for a while?'' I asked and put my hand on the side of his head, playing with his hair for a bit.

''I'll be fine.'' He smirked. ''I'm the greatest at everything, after all. This will be no biggie.''

''I really hope so,'' I said and quickly kissed him. ''Make sure to take care of Polari.''

''I'd say the same to you with Shawn. He can be a total emotional wreck sometimes.''

''I think I can manage.'' I chuckled. ''You can be an emotional wreck sometimes too, you know?''

''I am not!'' He said and crossed his arms.

''Liar~'' I teased him and went into the car. ''See you whenever we find Luigi.''

''Bye...'' He said while Polari sat down on his shoulder. ''Bye mama!'' He said.

I waved through the window as the car took off. Shawn was staring at me with dreamy eyes. ''What is it?'' I chuckled.

''I love your relationship.'' He sighed. ''You're so cute together.''

''Really?'' I said sarcastically. ''Other people often tell me that I should find someone better.''

Shawn looked worried.

''But why would I listen to those losers? What do they know about love?'' I added.

He leaned back in his seat. ''Heh, you're a good person, Rosalina. Waluigi was lucky to find you.''

Indeed he was.