"Whaaat is this?" I thought, "I'm …not dead… but I'm falli…" my thoughts were silenced by a screaming spike next to me.

"Spike!"

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Mario!" he exclaimed with excitement.

"Spike, what the f!"

"Oh my gosh, yay!" His excitement continued to throw me in a state of confusion.

"Spike, why are we falling!?"

"I'm not falling, I'm floating down with you!"

"Then…why am I falling!?"

"You're not falling either!"

He pointed at my hat and I proceeded to feel around up there. There was no mistaking what I felt. I inhaled as much oxygen as my lungs could take before I burst into excitement and a smile stretched across my face.

"WIIIIIIIIINGS!" I screamed. It was exhilarating. I had no clue what I was doing, but the very concept that I could fly was nothing short of miracle.

We air-swam closer to one another, clasping hands in joy.

"Okay, okay! What do I do, How do I control it?"

"Um, I'm not sure. If I'm remembering what Bowser said correctly…Just….um… think! Think really hard where you want to go and It should work."

"Okay, I will try." I closed my eyes and though very hard about what I wanted. I imagined that it worked similar to the way that I used the power of the stars to exit from the paintings in the castle. And it worked like a charm. Soon, I slowed my descent to a halt, Spike stopping just beside me.

"That's it, Mario. Now you're really flying."

"It was simple enough, I guess. I've been controlling star power for a while now. No need for some kind of drawn out 'Teach Mario to fly' scenario."

Floating in the air, I was able to break and take a look around me. I had no idea where we were. All I knew is that it was beautiful. Clouds dancing across the sky, rainbows reflecting an explosion of hues, medieval pillars piercing those clouds – It was nothing less than amazing that Spike was able to record all of it.

We flew down atop one of the brick pillars and I sat down to take a break.

"So, spike?"

"Yeah?

"Is there a way tooo, you know…turn these off? It's my only hat, you know."

"I think it just wares off after a while."

"I see. Is there a way to get them back after that? Do I…look inside myself or some nonsense like that?"

"That's not how star powers work. Since this is your first one ever, I will let you in on a little secret. You can't use them whenever you want. In fact, you don't access them at all. Whenever you really need them, they will summon themselves. That's all there is to it."

"Aw, well that's depressing."

"Well get back up there while you can, buddy. Enjoy them."

I Jumped and jumped, but no matter how much I tried or imagined myself flying, I was still earthbound. I reached to my head and messaged the still active wings to verify that they were there.

"Spike," I called, "you seem to know everything about all this. You want to explain why this isn't working?"

"Oh right. The key is velocity, momentum, and altitude."

"In layman's terms, thanks"

"Hmmm… if I had to suggest anything that is within your scooope, I'd saaay…" He snapped his fingers. "That triple jump from a while back, remember!? It's perfect. It has all three properties."

"Heeey, you're right! You sure there's not a secret blue shell under that red one of yours?"

"Aw shucks"

I jogged to the backmost area atop the circular pillar on which we sat. I then ran as fast as I could, preparing for my now famed triple jump.

"One….two…Wahaoooow….argh" Just after I sprung from my third jump, the wings timed out and my face fell directly onto the concrete. Spike rushed over to me.

"Mario! You alright, bud?" I lifted my face from the concrete and Spike seemed to flinch at its condition.

"Ahiiiiii" I grasped my face with both hands, talking through them with a muffle. "Ooooh mio dio, quanto durano queste cose che durano la mia faccia mi sta uccidendo brutalmente potrei darti un pugno in faccia."

My heart was pounding for a second and the pain eventually subsided.

The time on those wings were a lot shorter than I thought.

The confusion on Spike's face would surely have made me laugh if I weren't in pain.

"What are you…"

"Kindness and respect, Spike… Kindness and respect."

"I'd say we've been here long enough, Mario. Let's get out of her so your face can heal. This chapter's been mostly exposition anyway."

We put our arms around one another and walked to the ledge of the pillar and looked down.

"What do you think, Mario? Should we take a chance?"

"Well, my face is throbbing and I don't exactly see any other way out of here. I say we jump."

And jump we did, falling through cloud upon cloud, our bodies eventual disintegrated and regenerated on the carpet in the center of peach's castle.

"We made it back." We sighed in unison.

I knew what was coming next. I wanted to talk more about having the ability to fly, but I couldn't. Fear began to wash over me again and Spike knew it. He placed his left hand over my right and we both stood up.

"Mario, look at me. We've got this. We've already come this far. And if we can do this, the journey might come to an end and theeen, our life as best pals can really begin."

Usually, I was the most optimistic person that I knew, but Spike had a way about him that was too optimistic.

We walked up the stairs of the grand hall in the castle. Once we reach the locked door in the center of the second floor, we turned left. Moments later, we came to the door – the one with the big star on it.

From the beginning, I knew it would come. All the events of my journey led up to that moment. I stood at the door in brief thought before shaking away my fear. I looked over a spike and he, me.

"You ready, pal?" I asked.

"I'm ready, friend."

I lifted my hand slowly to the door, bright golden aura from the star power surrounding my hand. I placed it on the door not long before it was forced to a part. The two sides slowly retracted from one another, revealing the long hallway that lay on the other side.

We crept, careful not to alert anything or anyone that may have been lurking in corners. The hallway was dimly lit by candles that lined the upper walls.

"Are you seeing anything?" I asked. Relaxing our guard just a little, we paced faster.

"No, no I'm not. That's strange considering where we are. Is there no one guarding this place?"

"I asked myself the same question. Keep your eyes open. I've got an eerie feeling."

After a few more moments of proceeding forward, I spotted something in the distance. I couldn't make it out at first, but it didn't take me long.

"We're seeing the same thing, aren't we?" Spike asked.

A lone and giant painting of the princess lied just ahead of us. I darted toward it, happy that I could finally confirm that what toad spoke to me earlier on was right. The princess was there.

"Mario wait! Slow down."

"We're too close to be slow. Speed up!"

It was then that I noticed. The closer I got to the painting; it was morphing into an image of a foul koopa-like beast. I knew it had to be him. I tried to slow down to catch wind, but my velocity was too great. Just before I could finally stop, I sprung a trap that opened the floor into certain doom.

"This is why I told you to slow down!' Scolded Spike as he flew down the pit with me.

"Well how was I supposed to know this was here?"

We fell for moments on end until finally, we hit solid.

It was cold, dark, and I seemed to be standing atop some sort of arena. The unrest hit me again.

"Spike, take cover. I don't want you in danger." He obliged.

The arena began to quake as I began to shiver. The massive footfalls prompted me to turn, meeting the gaze of my foe.

"So it's you?" The scaly beast growled. "You are the one who's impeding my work? THIS… little man!?"

I had never seen anything like him. Bowser…he had to be at least seven feet tall, his blazing hair and eyes to match did nothing more than compliment the spikes on his back. Together with his green and beige skin, he was the quintessence of fear itself.

He raised fist, punching me clear across the arena. Spike flew behind me and broke my fall.

"What are you doing, Mario?" He asked. "Why are you just standing there? Do something about him!"

"Spike," I responded, "I…I don't think I can do this. He is terrifying - like nothing I've ever faced."

Spike leaned down and whispered in my ear. It was something good, something I'd dare not spoil at the current time.

"Lakilester," Bowser called, "there you are. You work for a common primate now?" Bowser burst into hysterical laughter, almost tearing up.

"The stupidity…" he continued, "The foolishness…the complete insanity! I can't even look at you with a straight face." He continued laughing, holding his stomach to control his spasms.

Spike clenched his fists, lashing out in verbal fury. Hey lay my sore body to rest

"Shut up! The name is Spike and don't laugh at me! Mario is my friend. My…my best pal! But you wouldn't know anything about that, you greedy monster! You don't have any friends, only people who pretend to be your friend because they fear you."

What was I doing – lying on the ground after one punch? But then there was Spike, challenging Bowser while knowing he could do nothing to defend either of us. I was…so weak.

Bowser ended his laughter and cut his eyes at Spike.

"Peasant! Don't take my laughter for patience."

He dashed at Spike, full speed, hand fashion like a claw until he reached out and clasped it around Spikes neck.

"I could snap it right now, traitorous bastard. It would be so eeeasy. But not before you see that one die. So why don't you lie over there, like a good Lakitu."

He thrashed Spike to the opposite end of the arena, leaving him to struggle through coughing and massaging his neck.

Bowser turned to deal with me and I met him with a swift punch that sent him backing away from me. There was that glow again. My hand was encircled with that aura from the star power. I could feel it nursing me back to full strength, protecting me thereafter.

"Yes," Bowser declared, "I had forgotten all about the star power you've got. Yes indeed, I have to take you seriously."

I stood up, legs in stance, fists in formation, and brows furrowed like none other.

"Well this is certainly different than before." Bowser taunted. "You ready then, primate?"

And as if a flag had waved, we sprung toward each other, meeting in a clash and locked in melee. Claw for fist, we seemed almost evenly matched, Bowser winding me only slightly. Without the power of the stars behind my every blow, I'm sure he would already have killed me.

Feeling the effects of the battle, I began to slack, enough for Bowser to sneak in a clip of the leg, followed by an attempt to stomp me. I rolled out of the way, just barely missing the impact, but being forced away by the shock. In a pant, I rose to my feet. The effects of the battle were reaching him to.

"This is unexpected." He said. "Not too many of Rosalina's agents have been able to keep up like this. You've got my respect, Primate."

"It's Mario, and yes, I didn't expect to last this long myself."

Ready to go again, we both took our stances, looking at each other trying to find the best place to attack next. At least, that's what I was doing. No matter how hard I tried, no area on his body seemed unguarded. With a bulky and stocky build like his, it was to be expected.

"Well, Mario. I'd say that's long enough don't you think?"

He came at me, claws more fortified than before. I couldn't think of any offensive options, all I could do was cross my arms and block. He shredded my sleeves, pushing me further and further back. My arms were bruised and it was clear that the power from the stars were wavering. I was running out of time.

I took a chance and released my guard, ducking just slightly out of the range of his blow and sliding underneath his legs. It was the same trick from when I faced King Bob-omb. I had forgotten all about it. Met with his tail, I grabbed it with both my hands and held a firm grip. Bowser Growled in agony.

"Let go of me, primate. You think it's a fair fight if you play it like this!?"

"I don't care about a fair fight. All that matters is killing you and I don't care how I have to do it."

Foot after another I spun him around as fast as I could and when I felt ready, I tossed him from the arena.

"So long…King Bowser"

Spike, out of sight and mind, was still working on the plan that he had whispered in my ear. Didn't seem it would be needed.

Swaggered with victory, I walked toward the preoccupied Spike who might not have even noticed what just took place. And just as I was about to call his name, I heard a growl in the distance. I'm not sure how, but Bowser had sprung himself back to the arena.

"How di…"

"You really don't understand what it means to be a King, do you? If you thought that throwing me from my arena would end this, then you know nothing. Let me show you. Kammy!" He called as a magikoopa came from the shadows.

"Yes, your raunchiness?"

"As always, your magic is impressive. Now head above the castle and make sure everything is intact."

"Yes, your putridness"

"You see that there, Mario? Usually I like to do these sort of things without assistance, but if that's all you can do, I shouldn't be needing her anymore. You people think that fear isn't effective, but fear…IS loyalty."

Bowser stomped toward me and for a change; it was I began the laughing.

"What's the joke?" Bowser asked.

"You're the joke, your disgusting nasty ugliness." I responded. "You've been too distracted by me to notice what Spike's been up to."

I tilted my head behind me.

"Spike. Is it ready!?"

"Yes, sir! Blue-shelled spinies are lined around the arena. The rest is up to you, buddy."

Spike looked over at Bowser and floated closely, enough to divert his attention away from me.

"Bowser," Spike started, "You think that fear is loyalty, but that couldn't be any more stupid. I don't serve you anymore and I'm not afraid of you, and when there's no more fear, there's only betrayal."

That got to him. He made another clear attempt at Spike's life, but was impeded. I had him by the tail once more.

"Damnit! Not again!"

"You're not the most observant king, are you?" I taunted. "Can't even focus on more than one enemy."

Bowser tussled, struggling to get free.

"MARIO, I swear if you let me go I will kill you! No QUESTION. You better make your next move count."

I felt its power surging through me. I can't explain the feeling or describe where it was coming from, but I knew what it was, and it beckoned me to call its name.

"Wing cap!" I shouted. And the wings sprouted atop my hat. I'm not sure what activated them – adrenaline…pride. Whatever it was, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

I flew into the air, tail in hand, hovering above the center of the arena.

"You really better hope you don't fail, primate."

"Mario!" Lakitu shouted, "Doesn't matter which one, just aim and throw."

With one hand and all the remaining strength I could muster, I spun him in the hair, speed accelerating in no time. I tossed him down into one of the spinies and with an explosion of blue aura, the fight was over, and the battle was won.

I glided down and Spike ran at me with an embrace.

"You did it! I knew you could."

"Not without you, though." I looked upward. "You hear that Rosalina!? I couldn't have done it without him!"

Spike looked over at Bowser. "What're we going to do about him? He's not dead, just immobilized"

I walked over to Bowser's defeated body, prepared for questioning."

"Now where is the princes Peach? Restore the remaining power stars to the kingdom, or I will finish you off."

"Finish me off? Go ahead, Gwaha. I'm not even the real King."

"What do you mean!?"

"I am one of two clones of the great king, sent to test your power and make you stronger. The king has been looking for a rival, and it looks like he just might get one."

"So you mean, you're not going to tell me where she is?" The Bowser clone reached into his shell.

"Take this. It's the key to the lower level of the castle. Maybe you find her there, maybe you don't. But get stronger. Give King Bowser the fight he's been looking for."

After accepting the key, the bowser clone vanished.

"Mario," Spike called, "Your wing cap is still active. I've got six blue spinies lined around the arena, I'll take a few and you take a few and we fly out of here."

"Sounds good."

We hauled the spinies and flew out of the trap from whence we fell. Because of the plantlife outside the castle, we let them roam free, almost assured of their survival until maturity.

We journeyed back inside the castle and stood before the locked lower-level door. There were still other doors in the grand had that I had yet to unseal, but unless my mission required it, there was no reason to unseal those at the time.

"You fought toe to toe with the King, dude! I'm still shocked. I got it all on camera!" Spike proclaimed.

"It was hard, but still. It was only a clone. There is no telling what the real Bowser Is capable of. I probably shouldn't even unlock this door."

"Maybe you're right. Let's make a deal. If we unlock this door and the perils beyond are too much for our current level of strength, we'll come back and finish off what used to be the Whomp's fortress…deal?

"Deal"

And with that said, I inserted the key and twisted the lock, pushing open the double doors after.

Thinking back, it was clear that I was no longer the person I was the day I first set foot in the castle walls – no ordinary human, but a superhuman. I had become…Super Mario.

A/N: I would really like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading my fanfiction. It took me a long time to get around to finishing, but I am proud to say that this volume is officially complete! But the interest doesn't have to stop here!

I am restarting an audiobook project on behind the voice actors for this fanfiction. I already have a preview up for this fanfiction. You may check it out at this link. Comment the video if you have any interest of doing any of the character voices.

Thanks again! search youtube for : watch?v=zGwglKzzQMA :