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[center][b]Day/Time:[/b] Day Two - Noon
[b]Location:[/b] Tetris Castle Gardens - Mario's Funeral
[b]Tagging:[/b] [@Lmpkio][@Bright_Ops][@DracoLunaris][@Etherean Fire][@Lugubrious][@ToadRopes][@Zarkun][@Guardian Angel Haruki][@WingsOfBronze][@Nerevarine][/center]
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Guile noticed a tall shadow tumble over his shoulder and he turned his head to the right to see an older woman wearing white—of all colors. She was dressed like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine for middle-aged rich women. Did she have no respect? Her inquiry about the [i]party[/i] had answered that question. Cloud said nothing. Instead, he rose from his seat and headed toward the front of the congregation to pay Luigi his respects. Guile looked away from the witch after her vain and vulgar declarations. He instead looked ahead at Luigi—the one who would continue to suffer after everyone would sweep his brother’s death under the rug.

[color=1a7b30][b]“You should learn some respect,”[/b][/color] Guile told Bayonetta without looking at her. He wasn’t Mario’s brother, but he knew what it felt like to lose soldiers and Mario was that to him—one of his soldiers. Since Luigi was in command, he had blamed him. It was always the leader’s fault and he felt that Luigi needed to learn to take responsibility for anyone who dies whether he was directly or indirectly responsible for them. Deep down, Guile wondered if Mario had been the leader would there have been any causalities. Guile always thought Mario was a buffoon, but he surprised him every time by demonstrating why he was the champion of not just the Mushroom Kingdom, but Nintendo. Luigi had some big shoes—or more like, suspenders to fill. [color=1a7b30][b]“Mario was a brother, and one of my soldiers. You will not disrespect him or anyone from the Mushroom Kingdom in my presence if you wish to continue working for me.”[/b][/color]

Amidst all the weeping and merry-going, it came swift and it came sudden. It was a black and green streak, speeding toward Luigi from his right. As soon as it passed before the altar, time slowed momentarily to allow Luigi and maybe even Hapu to see a limbless hand fire out to grasp the vial of Mario particles and the red cap that had been on top of it before retracting. The stolen item disappeared into its green circular sack and the black cat thief was gone, having morphed into a black streak that was darting through the gardens toward the castle walls.

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[center][url=https://youtu.be/Opp9sns9z9Y]Chase Music[/url][/center]

Guile abruptly rose from his seat, staring in shock at the altar where Mario’s remains had once been. Rosalina had jumped from the passing breeze caused by the swift thief as it had dashed by and looked over at the altar to see that Mario was missing. Her hands went to her face as she gasped:

[color=6ecff6][b]“Oh no! Mario!”[/b][/color] She then looked at Luigi. [color=6ecff6][b]“I’ll have my Lumas follow it!”[/b][/color]

[color=6ecff6][b]“Lumas!”[/b][/color] she summoned.

Three stars winked into existence: one white, one yellow, and one red. They hovered before the cosmic Nintendo princess like loyal guards.

[color=6ecff6][b]“Follow that thief! He’s trying to escape the Castle!”[/b][/color]

The Lumas snapped a salute with their pointy hands and launched into the air like sparkling comets flying in an invert V formation.

[color=6ecff6][b]“You can follow my Lumas to see where the thief is going.”[/b][/color]

Cloud raced over to Luigi (if he was still standing there), Hapu, and Rosalina. [color=00a99d][b]“I’m gonna see if I can intercept him outside the castle!”[/b][/color]

Cloud wasn’t sure the thief was going to get that far, but if it managed to, he planned to be waiting to give chase. The creature was too fast for him to follow on foot and it seemed hopeless to chase the thing through the gardens.

Guile shouted next, [color=1a7b30][b]“Follow the thief! Don’t try to stop it! It must have a master!”[/b][/color]

What did a thief want with Mario’s hat and particles? Guile could only suspect that the creature wasn’t doing it for free. What thief ever stole objects that had no monetary gain?