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Mario & Luigi: Fallen Wishes

Chapter 1: Dozing in the Dunes

Mario and Luigi take refuge in Doop Doop Dunes to escape the perils of Commander Nox and devise a plan to thwart her schemes, but it appears there is still more work to be done before they set off.

~~~

A story created by my mind and built with @luigiman64, @blueshidx and I’s cooking, Mario & Luigi: Fallen Wishes! Very happy to bring this work to life alongside them.

Certain characters and settings belong to Nintendo, Intelligent Systems, and AlphaDream. I do not take credit for any of what doesn’t belong to me.

The darkened sky would make you think the sun has set… but it was still up underneath the violet clouds. The dead grass turned to sand as the brothers Mario eventually found themselves at the border of Doop Doop Dunes.

…The sand, much like the grass and clouds, was a deep purple. A gently breeze blew, allowing some sand to brush into the Bros.’ mustaches. The sand brushing against Luigi’s stache causes him to sneeze. Mario pats Luigi’s back as he sniffles.

“…I believe I recall this place… Doop Doop Dunes?” Cosmo questions from the aether. “A peculiar sight to be behold... Let us tread onward. And find a place of refuge.

The Bros. nod and begin to march forward. The sand crunches underneath their feet, breaking the near dead silence of the desert.

It isn’t too long before they stumble into the small toad town of the desert… but, much like the town of the Kingdom Square, it was also dead quiet and barren.

“…I’ve never seen a town so… lifeless before…” Says Cosmo. “Where could all the Toads have gone?”

The Bros. look around, and spot some of the house doors were still unlocked and open. It seemed the Toads here had left in hurry…

The Bros. tread carefully through the town, checking for anyone that may still be hiding there… if there was anyone they could save, the Bros. could bring them back down to the underground spot of the dunes, the Doop Doop Dunes Grotto. It was far safer than being out in the open.

…Even if it didn’t seem like anyone was still here, someone could still be hiding somewhere… for better or for worse.

The Bros. separate and peek inside and behind houses, hoping to find a Toad or two they can help… but then, they hear some rustling among the sand.

Luigi jumps and moves back toward his brother, bumping into his back. Mario turns back to the frightened man in green, looking over his shoulder, but doesn’t see anything odd.

“What is the matter, Luigi?” Cosmo asks.

Luigi takes a deep breath and sighs… he was worrying too much. Nothing was actual there! What kind of threat could be roaming in this dead and barren desert with no people in it?

Just as Luigi sighs, that same rustling sound can be heard once again… the Bros. and Cosmo pause, awaiting some kind of threat.

…Only then did a sudden thud against a house door alert the Bros. Mario turns, spotting a horrified Toad locked inside his home.

“You can’t stay out here!” The Toad exclaimed. “You gotta run! …The other Toads here… they’ve—!”

The Toad then takes a pause as a few mummies wrapped in violet rune-inscribed linen appear from the sand. The Bros. and Cosmo shriek as they gazed upon the mummies, realizing they all resembled Toads… the Toads described by the one locked in his home.

“RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!” The Toad exclaims before retreating into the depths of his home.

The Bros. are at a standstill as the mummies let out a horrific shriek… a horrible, gut-wrenching shrill only a being of the underworld could produce.

“Travesty! Mario, Luigi! As much as I hate to admit it, we cannot take on such a hoard!” Says Cosmo. “We must make haste and leave immediately!”

The Bros. oblige with no hesitation and begin to scurry away from the small village, the mummies following close behind them.

They can both feel sand creeping its way into their shoes as they hurry, hearing the pitter-patter of the mummies behind them.

As they hurry farther into the desert, red cacti begin popping out of the dunes, forming a kind of maze. The Bros. hurry through the maze, but not without getting hit by the cacti as they swung their areoles around… they were sentient?

As the Bros. continuously get pricked by cactus thorns, Mario notices his brother taking most of the hits, as if they were targeting him specifically. He winced at the pain his brother was going through… why must the world be against his bro at every turn?

The Bros. then notice a small gap just ahead… an exit to this treacherous maze. The Bros. dash for it as quickly as they could, simply smelling the freedom ahead of them.

They zip past the last few cacti and run farther beyond, a fair distance away from the maze. They turn back, and see that the mummies have lost them. They both breathe a sigh of relief. As they take refuge among the sand, they can feel Cosmo healing them again.

“…Oh, dear… how dreadful.” Says Cosmo. “It seems you two are simply unable to catch a break…”

The Bros. thought lamented over Cosmo’s words for only a moment, still reeling back from the adrenaline rush they got from the chase. Once Cosmo had fully healed them both, the air was once again completely still and silent.

…But as the Bros. stand alone, they begin to feel their feet being cloaked in sand… at first, they thought it was simply sand blowing over their shoes, but they both look down… what they see deeply frightens them both.

They were sinking. Standing above quick sand. As they sink, Mario tries to gently shimmy his way out. Luigi, on the other hand, begins to panic and flail around.

“Luigi!” Says Cosmo. “Do not move too much!”

The comment isn’t heard by Luigi as the plumbers sink further into the sand until their faces are completely covered… and the two of them are entirely absent from the surface.

~~~

*THUD!!*

The Bros. take a hard hit as their sudden plummet ends. They lay on their faces, motionless… before Mario suddenly jumps back up. He looks toward his brother, who still on the ground.

“Luigi?” Cosmo asks, once again appearing from the aether. “Are you alright?”

Mario and Cosmo notice Luigi twitching in his spot a bit. Mario turns his body around, revealing his face. Luigi’s eyes were shut, for his face was contorted in pain. Mario sits Luigi up and gently pats his back.

“…Oh, dear…” Says Cosmo. He heals Luigi again, fine with doing as such… he’d heal them as many times as needed.

Mario then takes a look around, before a fully-healed Luigi finally rises to his feet… where were they?

“Hm… we must be in the Grotto.” Says Cosmo. He then turns back, spotting a pipe clogged with that same violet sand. “…And it appears we can’t leave… I feel it’s best to explore, see what we can find here. Onward!”

Cosmo disappears, allowing the Bros. to walk forward. As they walk into the next room though… they start feeling drowsy. They both began to nod off, slowing down to a halt as they walk. Mario tries to shake himself awake while Luigi almost falls on his face again.

Mario turns back and grabs Luigi’s shoulder, waking him up. Luigi looks to his brother with deep drowsiness… why were they so tired all of sudden?

Cosmo appears beside the Bros., taking a look at them. He looks deep into their mustaches… and notices some of the sand stuck in the hairs.

“I wonder… could it be the sand that is making you both so tired?” Cosmo suggests. “A bold claim to make, I’m aware, but I have a strong suspicion…”

The Bros. look to each other… nothing else in that room could make them anymore drowsy than they were now. They had gotten good sleep and were heavily energized before…

They both shake the sand out of their mustaches, certain to get out every grain they could.

“Keep watch for any sand traps, in a place like this, they must be everywhere.” Says Cosmo. “Stay vigilant.” He disappears again.

The Bros. tread forth again. The sand glistened a little, like small amethysts under twilight. A few crystals were also embedded in the cave walls… they’d take one home as a souvenir if they could.

The Grotto didn’t have much to behold, despite the glistening of the sand and gemstones lodged in its walls. What assisted in breaking the monotony were a few encounters with corrupted Pokeys and other desert-type enemies… and yet, it didn’t seem like it was enough for the Bros… as if they weren’t chased by a hoard of mummies on the surface.

A few rooms deep into the Grotto, after many twists and turns, it still feels the same. The brothers start to reach the end of the room… before the ground had begun to shake. The Bros. jump a little and take a gander at their surroundings.

…Just in front of them, the same mummies from before erupted from the ground. But there was more of them this time, all of them packed at the far end of the room. A few of them were holding up a throne with a crowned mummy Toad wrapped in golden linen sitting upon it.

“…Out of my Kingdom, you…” The crowned mummy said as he began to doze off. “…freeloaders… zzz…”

The mummy falls asleep upon the throne, snoring softly. The sound seemed like that of a battle cry to the mummy army below him, for they all immediately began to charge for the Bros. They shriek as they turn a heel for the exit, where they came in, off to the right of the room.

As they run however, the walls begin to close in. This action seems to fill the one exit the Bros. had with sand. They begin to panic, as they now had no where to go.

The crowned mummy then started throwing sand into the air, which scattered down to the Bros. They could feel their eyelids getting heavier and heavier by the second.

The Bros. reach the room’s end, now leaning against the wall as the mummies approach. Mario stayed as collected as he could, despite his tiredness. Luigi’s could feel his heart smacking against his chest, which seemed to keep the man awake.

The mummies gradually approach… before a hole in the wall opened up behind them; and a large, gloved hand contraption clasped itself onto the Bros. and pulled them in.

The Bros. let out a shriek as they were dragged back, fearing it was some trap within the tainted Grotto. While Mario screamed at a regular volume, Luigi’s mortified shrill could break glass.

The dragging abruptly stops as they enter another room, the contraption pulling back and causing the Bros. to fall on their backs. The Bros. lay there, petrified with fear. Mario breathed heavily while Luigi clung to his chest.

“I knew that would work! That smarty-Toad sure knows how to make a good contraption!” Says a Toad from behind the Bros. “…But I wasn’t expecting to find you two here!”

The Bros. turn back, and spot a familiar headlight upon the Toad’s head… the Bros. rise to their feet and gawk at the Toad before them.

Captain Toad stood tall… or, as tall as he could, before the Bros. A small yet bright smile was plastered on his face. The Bros. sighed in relief, happy to finally see a face they recognized… and wasn’t tainted by darkness, like most were.

“Mario, Luigi! What’re you two doing here? Exploring?” Asks Captain Toad. “I would imagine! When are the Mario Bros. ever not adventuring around the Kingdom?”

The Bros. wince a little… had he not heard or seen what had happened on the surface? That the Kingdom was now under the reign of a tyrannical Ztar General?

The Bros. slowly explain their circumstances… and they seem to shake Captain Toad to his very core. The depressed Toads, the possessed Peach and Starlow, Commander Nox… it was a lot to swallow, but Captain Toad was a tough soul to crack.

“…Oh, wow… I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” Said Captain Toad, his voice laced with grief. “But, you’re probably wondering why I’m here now, aren’t you?”

The Bros. nod… it still bothered them that whole ordeal had practically flown over the Toad Captain’s head.

“The expedition started a few days ago now. My Toad Brigade and I came searching for an ancient treasure deep in the Grotto! …I think it’s called The Torch of Starlight…? But I’m getting ahead of myself!” Says Captain Toad. “…It happened last night! As we searched, our sleazy Brigade member had fallen behind and went missing! The other two members and I looked and looked, but then we were chased by mummies, and once the chaos cleared, they went missing too! It’s all me now… I hate being alone here, it gives me the creeps…”

The Bros. sympathize with the Toad, especially Luigi… he and his bro couldn’t catch a break, and the day had just started.

“…I’ve tried looking for them myself over the past few hours, but…” Captain Toad steps away and scurries through his bag, eventually pulling out a map. “I’ve looked just about everywhere! …Except this one room in the middle.”

He shows the Bros. the map and points to a large room in the middle of the Grotto. They also notices little notes written about… various X’s and question marks scrawled in red… he really was trying, but it seemed his Brigade completely disappeared off the face of the planet.

“I was gonna go alone, but now I have you two to help me!” Says Captain Toad. “You can help me find my Toad Brigade! And maybe the treasure we were looking for!”

Captain Toad then goes through his bag again, pulling out some other copies of the same map. “These belonged to my Brigade, but I’ve been finding their equipment everywhere! And still no sign of them… but in the meantime, you two can use these!”

Captain Toad holds the maps up to the Bros., who gently take them up. These maps also had some notes on them, both written in blue and green ink, likely from the missing Brigade members.

“I’ll help you both get there!” Captain Toad hurriedly puts on his bag and raises a pointed finger in the air. “Come on! Ready for adventure!”

Captain Toad hurries forward with the brothers in tow. The smell of adventure was simply irresistible to the Toad… the Bros. we’re glad that he could still remain positive in the midst of despair.

~~~

Despite Captain Toad’s headstrong spirit, the Bros. could tell he wasn’t fit for a fight. He would easily startle at the encounter of enemy, quaking in his small boots. The Bros. would fight a bit, find some items in an area, and go on their merry way.

It didn’t take long before they had seemingly reached their destination.

“We’re here!” Says Captain Toad as he looks up from his map… his face then contorts in confusion. “…Huh. Did I go the right way?”

The Bros. and Toad Captain scour their maps, checking their route… they had gone the right way, but…

“…This wasn’t here before… weird.” Says Captain Toad. “I wish I had a map for this…”

Silence encroaches the three of them, uncertain of how to proceed. As they stand there, Captain Toad gasps and snaps his fingers as if a lightbulb had appeared above his cap.

“I know!” Says Captain Toad, turning back to the Bros. with his finger still pointed up. “Why don’t we split up?”

The Bros. seem taken aback by the suggestion. Neither felt it was a good idea. Mario gives a questioning look while Luigi freezes in place.

“We can cover more ground that way!” Says Captain Toad. “I’ve searched everywhere, and haven’t found my Brigade! They can’t be anywhere else but here. If we’re gonna find them all, we have to look everywhere we can.”

Mario seems to understand his point, but Luigi still shutters at the thought of going into a maze completely on his own… he then takes a deep breath to help himself relax. He could do this… he knew that.

“I see we’ve reached an agreement!” Says Captain Toad. “Mario, you go right! Luigi, you go left! I go through the center. Got it? Come on!!”

Captain Toad hurries forward with the Bros. follow behind until they each take their separate path. They proudly strut through the maze, certain they could each solve it themselves and find the missing Toads.

~~~

Captain Toad treaded through the maze, clutching the straps of his bag. His bright smile was like a beacon, keeping his vibes positive as he walked.

He took many turns… and slowly grew more and more weary. He began to forget his route. Where had he already been? Where hadn’t he been? The path started to muddle with his memories, slowly bringing him to the brink of uncertainty.

His face was contorted in confused madness. He glanced around with a worried face, fearful of how silent the maze had become. His ears rung, and he felt his heart thumping inside his chest.

“…Hey… what’re you doing here…?” Asked a tired voice.

Captain Toad jumps and sees a crowned mummy wrapped in golden linen sitting upon a throne that was carried by other mummies… the sight shook the Captain. He could barely formulate words.

“Uh… I-I, uhm…” Captain Toad attempted to respond with a stammer.

“…Silence.” Said the crowned mummy. “You’re not allowed here… take him… away… zzz…”

Just behind the Toad Captain, a small crowd of mummies appeared and immediately grabbed onto Captain Toad, restraining him. The crowd carries him away, the mummies carrying the throne following the crowd.

Captain Toad’s high pitched squeal bounced off the walls and roof of the maze room.

~~~

Mario kept his gaze focused and sharp on the path ahead, trusting his instinct that he was going the right way.

Nothing deterred him as he walked. He was the hero everyone and his dear brother knew he was. His steps softly echoed, the sound rattling in his ears… just as the sound of someone else walking nearby caught his attention.

He slowed, awaiting any kind of sudden intrusion or attack. As Mario peaked past a wall, he stopped in surprise.

Mario had spotted a Toad, one with a blue cap. He also wore the garment as Captain Toad. The blue Toad then turned around, his nerdy glasses being the first thing Mario noticed about his face.

“…Oh, hello, Mario!” Says the blue Toad. “I never thought I’d see you down here!”

Mario approaches the Toad and asks just how long he’s been wandering here. The Toad puts a finger to his lip in thought.

“Hm… I can’t recall. My mind’s a bit of a blur.” Says the blue Toad. “…But I feel the exit to this maze is not far from here! Take my hand!”

Mario attempts to reach for the Toad’s hand, but be grabs before he could even reach the dainty Toad hand. The plumber is dragged across the maze at quick speeds. This speed wasn’t too unknown to him though, he knew Toads could be quite speedy.

As the Toad takes more twists and turns through the maze, Mario begins to feel something is… off. It didn’t feel like they were going the right way, as if he was being dragged farther into the maze. He wanted to pull away… but he couldn’t. The Toad had a strong grip on his hand.

The pair then reach an open passage into another room. They run inside, and the opening shuts as they enter, leaving them trapped in dim light.

The Toad lets go Mario’s hand but continues to run forward and sits in the sand. Mario almost felt concerned for the Toad… but he reminded himself that this likely wasn’t any normal Toad.

Mario backed up against the wall, trying to break the passage back up by hitting and kicking the wall… but it didn’t budge.

“…Isn’t it fetching? The sand?” The blue Toad asks, his voice cold. He turns back to face Mario, the dim light gleaming over the lenses of his glasses.

…Mario could feel dread setting in his chest. Something was wrong, and his gut couldn’t stand it. He further tried to break open the passage, but nothing was working.

The blue Toad turned back to ground and picked up some of the sand in his hands. He then slowly turned back to face the red plumber.

“…It’s very gratifying…” Says the blue Toad. “It makes one want to… nap on it… drown in it… be consumed by it…”

Mario’s eyes widened… what was this Toad on about?

“…Nighty-night…” The blue Toad said, his voice barely above a chilling whisper.

The Toad then suddenly threw the sand Mario’s way. It glittered under the dim light as it flew through the room and toward the red plumber.

Mario covered his face with his arms and ducked, hoping to miss the sand… but it seemed highly unlikely. The sand was like glitter, it could everywhere he didn’t want it to, including his face.

…The sound of a Star Sprite glistening and the sand bouncing off of a surface catches Mario’s ears. He hesitantly looks up… and notices a bright yellow shield covering his body. The shield quickly dissipates as the sand falls to the ground.

“…Forgive my sudden intrusion, but I had to intervene.” Says Cosmo, a voice only Mario can hear. “If not for me, you would be an easy target for this fiend.”

“No! What!?” The Toad exclaimed. “How could you—!? My plan was sure to work!”

Mario then takes on a battle stance… he knew this Toad was simply a trick now. A mummy disguising itself to lure him in. He wouldn’t fall for anymore of his trickery.

“…Ugh, fine.” Says the Toad. “You’ve forced my hand!”

Blue smoke then wraps itself around the Toad’s body and slowly fades out, revealing a Toad mummy wrapped in blue linen. The mummy was also still wearing the glasses.

Mario had an epiphany here… could this Toad be one of the missing Brigade members…? But never mind that, he had a fight to win.

The mummy attacks first, focusing on the ground below him. A ball of sand forms before the mummy as he shoots his arm forward towards Mario. Mario is just a tad too late, and gets hit with sand. He immediately begins feeling the effects of it.

“Mario!” Cosmo calls.

Mario turns his head to spot Cosmo’s ghost hovering next to him. He could barely focus on him, now extremely tired.

“I wish I could assist but… I need to charge up my power to assist you later. I cannot heal you in battle.” Cosmo instructs. “Believe me when I say I need to recharge… items are your only way to heal. Use one of those Refreshing Herbs you found!”

Mario digs through his pockets and finds an Herb. He immediately uses it, and swiftly stops feeling tired.

“Very good!” Cosmo congratulates. “Be sure to use an item if you’re affected by a status effect or low on health… now, return to the fight!”

Cosmo’s ghost then disappears, once again leaving Mario to his own volition. He gives the mummy Toad a firm gaze, awaiting his next attack.

“…You’re a tough foe to behold, I see that now… his majesty was correct.” Says the mummy. “But I shall still best you! Watch!”

The mummy focuses on the ground again, pointing a hand down to the ground. The sand under Mario’s feet begins to sink, causing him to fall into the grains. He begins to jump to push himself out of the sand, eventually succeeding and finding his footing.

…He’d do more to attack, but all he could do was jump. Mario leaps into the air and double jumps directly onto the mummy’s head, stunning him for only a moment before he comes to again. Some of the linen wrapped around him had fallen off, revealing the violet body underneath.

“…A heavy hitter… no wonder!” Says the mummy. “All that pasta wearing you down?”

Mario is immediately offended by the comment. He may be a little overweight, but he was still spry. He readies himself for another attack.

“Eat this!” The mummy calls.

He then summons a pile of sand above his head. The sand separates and forms into small balls, which propel themselves toward the plumber. Mario jumps in response, jumping on a few of them… if only he had a hammer to smack them away…

Mario begins his turn with another simple jump. More linen falls off the mummy’s body, making him appear more visibly weakened.

“…Ugh… no!” The mummy shrills. “I can’t lose!”

Mario gives the mummy a hard glare… this mummy was nothing to him. In only a few hits, he would be out.

“I will finish you! Even if I die trying!” Says the mummy. “TAKE THIS!!”

The mummy throws his hands upward, and a large ball of sand forms. He throws the ball forward, and Mario can only guard… as if it would do anything.

He gets trapped in the ball and rolls into the wall. The sand explodes everywhere, getting all over Mario’s clothes and mustache. He shakes as much sand off as he can and immediately takes in another herb. He runs back up to mummy as he prepares another attack.

“HRAGH!!!” The mummy exclaims. He forms even more small sand balls and throws them toward Mario at tremendous speeds.

Mario dodges each of the balls with precision, and wastes no time in preforming another signature double jump. It seems to have done not damage than before as the rest of the linen falls off the mummy.

“…No! No!!” The mummy shouts. “Not like this…!”

The unraveled mummy falls the floor, weakened. Mario takes a pause, awaiting its explosive defeat… but then, Cosmo appeared again.

“Mario!” Cosmo calls. “Now is the time!”

Mario turns to Cosmo with a perplexed look… what did he mean?

“Now that your foe is weakened enough, you can preform your Blazing Finisher!” Says Cosmo. “I shall demonstrate how to preform such an attack… move back for me, please.”

Mario steps away from the weakened mummy, standing with his back just in front of the wall. He awaits Cosmo’s instruction as he appears beside him.

“Put your hands forward… and focus.” Says Cosmo.

Mario puts his hands forward… and a small, flaming ball of golden fire appears in his hand. He stares at it intently… he hadn’t used anything like this in ages.

“Focus, and allow your soul to become one with mine.” Says Cosmo. “Let my power run through you!”

Mario focuses again… and the ball of fire begins to expand exponentially. The heat became immeasurable, and the Star Power within glistened against his face. He could Cosmo becoming one with his heart and soul, as if they sharing a body.

“Now! Charge!” Cosmo demands. “Charge to your foe and slam the fire ball down!”

Mario charges with no hesitation, his mind racing in anticipation. He jumps up high, and throws the fire ball down to the ground. It immediately engulfs the weakened mummy in a wide burst of flame. Mario then falls to the ground, gently landing on his feet.

The plumber in red watches as the flames slowly dissipate, revealing blue Toad adorned in an explorer uniform… just like Captain Toad’s.

“…These Finishers are why I must charge my power during battle.” Says Cosmo. “Await my command once the enemy is weakened, then we shall have victory!”

Cosmo then disappears, and Mario steps to the Toad… he likely was no longer a threat to him, possessed by dark magic.

Mario was going to simply pat the Toad’s back… before he suddenly woke up on his own with a sharp gasp.

“AH!! …Mario! Am I happy to see you!” Says the Toad, sounding as if nothing had happened.

Mario gives the Toad a confused look… did he just forget all that went down? The Toad tricking him? The fight they just had?

The Toad then frowns, appearing ashamed. “…Sorry I tricked you. That dark magic had a heavy hold on me! …But now I’m free!” He says. “Where’s the rest of the Toad Brigade? And the Captain?”

Mario explains their predicament to the Toad… and the Toad’s face contorts in shock.

The Toad then gasped. “Oh, dear! We need to find everyone right away!” He says. “This maze is filled with danger! Come on! I can help you find the others!”

The Toad then hurries forward, with Mario close behind… Luigi had to be close, right?

~~~

Luigi had no idea where he was going.

He had taken many turns, but the maze seemed like it had no end. His legs ached, hoping to find his bro, the Captain, and the Brigade… and find the way out this never-ending maze.

As he took another turn, eyes shut in annoyance and tiredness, he opened them for just a moment as he looked down to the floor. His eyes then widened a shock.

A gold coin sat on the ground, polished and untouched, as if it had just fallen there from someone’s wallet. He bends down and picks it up, stuffing it in his pocket. Only then continuing his walk.

As he continued, the glimmering of gold caught his attention. He looked down and spotted another coin, which he picked up. He looked ahead… and spotted a whole trail of coins, lighting a path through the maze.

“Ohh!” Luigi gasped in excitement. He hurried to the trail and followed it, picking up each coin as he went.

He follows this trail for a while… before finally reaching its end and entering another room. Luigi looks up from the last coin at the end of trail…

“Wow!” Luigi gawked.

Just before Luigi sat an enormous pile of coins. And right in the center of it all was a chest, colored in red with golden rims.

A small grin found itself below Luigi’s mustache. He couldn’t wait to show Mario and the others all this! …And maybe some of it could go into getting a new home after this adventure was said and done.

Luigi slowly walked up to the gold, taking a gander at it all again. His eyes then fixated on the chest. His hands reached toward the lid and he slowly opened it up…

…Just as a mummy Toad wrapped in grass green linen popped out of it like a Jack-in-the-Box.

“EEYAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!” Luigi shrieked. His eyes had practically popped out of their sockets and his mustache frilled like porcupine spikes as he shook, hovering just above the ground in sheer terror.

“WHO DARES ATTEMPT TO STEAL MY TREASURE!?” The mummy asks. “YOU SHALL PAY!!!”

The chest then disappears, revealing the mummy’s full form. Not only was it wrapped in linen, but it was wearing all sorts of gold and bejeweled jewelry. Around its wrists were many gold rings, a few of them baring jewels. Around his neck was a golden chain. Upon his head was bright, glimmering, bejeweled crown.

The mummy summons a few gold rings and throws them toward Luigi. The green plumber, still shaken with shock, gets hit hard by the gold. He falls to the ground, weakened.

“Luigi!” Cosmo calls. “I have something important to tell you.”

Luigi turns to his left, spotting Cosmo hovering beside him.

“To inform you, I cannot heal you in battle.” Says Cosmo. “I must charge up my power to assist you later. Use a mushroom!”

Luigi digs through his pocket and finds a mushroom, which he swiftly eats. He immediately feels more energized.

“Good work!” Says Cosmo. “Items are your only way to heal. Use them wisely.” He then disappears again… it was no Luigi’s turn.

“Do your worst!” Says the mummy. “…Although, I doubt you could really land a hit on me! Hah!”

Luigi is offended at the comment, suddenly fuming. He quickly leaps into the air and double jumps onto the mummy’s head. The mummy then appears weakened, some of its linen falling off.

“Your attacks are so tacky!” Says the mummy. “Dodge this!”

The mummy then pulls a bright red gemstone out of thin air. The gemstone glows a little before summoning some fire, which aims directly for the plumber in green.

The fire separates into pieces, and shoots directly to Luigi. He is able to dodge them all… albeit, barely. The fire was quick, hard to dodge.

He then leaps into the air again, hitting the Toad with as much force as he could muster. More linen falls off its body as Luigi lands back on the ground.

“…Huh… a force to be reckoned with… didn’t expect that from you…” Says the mummy. “His majesty was adamant on you being weak…”

Luigi’s brows furrowed… weak? Weak!? He was appalled! …This mummy was as bad as Starlow with his snark.

“…No matter! You’ll be resting in riches soon enough!” Says the mummy.

The mummy then summons crystals out of thin air, just like before… but these were sharp and jagged. Capable of stabbing someone straight through if one wasn’t careful.

Luigi had to be certain to dodge… he had to prove himself to this egomaniac mummy… he wasn’t weak! He was strong, just like his Big Bro! He was brave, he was courageous, all these things that the mummy couldn’t see!

The crystals cut through the air like bullets, barely scathing Luigi as he jumps with peak precision, his determination fueling him as he dodges.

Luigi gives the mummy a firm, unyielding glare. It looked as if a chill had went down the mummy’s spine. He shook and shivered, confused as to how Luigi was able to dodge so swiftly.

“What!? No!!” The mummy exclaims. “…That’s… CHEATING!!!”

Luigi leaps into the air again, not hesitating to land the final blow on the mummy. As he smacks the mummy with his feet, the last of the linen falls off.

“…N-no!!” The mummy shrills. “How could you…!?”

The mummy, his deep green body revealed from under the linen, falls to the floor. He was visibly weakened without his protective linen.

“Luigi!” Cosmo calls. “It is time!”

Luigi’s gaze fixes to his left again, spotting Cosmo once more. He appeared confused at the Sprite’s words… what did he mean?

“Now that the enemy is ripe for the defeating, you can preform your Cosmic Finisher!” Says Cosmo. “Move back against the wall, if you please.”

Luigi moves back against the wall, uncertain of what Cosmo meant by 'Finisher'… but he trusted Cosmo. Whatever he had in mind would surely be of assistance.

“Hold your hands out, make L’s with your fingers… and focus.” Says Cosmo. “Let our souls become one!”

Luigi holds out his hands as instructed, and heavily focuses on his L-shaped fingers… just as small sparks of lightning appear at the tips of his pointed fingers.

The blue lightning glistened, beaming with a golden aura… he could feel Star Power flowing through his veins. Cosmo’s soul becoming one with his own.

“…Now, look above your foe.” Cosmo demands. “Do you the constellation up there?”

Luigi looks up, seeing a pattern of stars in the shape of an L…

“Shoot the stars with your fingers and light it up with lightning!” Says Cosmo. “Be swift!”

Luigi wastes no time in heeding Cosmo’s word, a bright and determined smile on his face. “Bang! Bang!” Luigi said as he took his shots.

The 'L' lit up as more shots were made, before the entire thing was gleaming and crackling with electricity. The light show that began filled the entire room in a bright blue hue.

The lightning then smacked onto the ground with a booming crack, hitting the mummy instantly. Once the light cleared and the rumbling subsided, Luigi took a gander at the figure before him… A green Toad dressed in the same uniform as Captain Toad lay motionless on the ground.

“Glorious!” Says Cosmo. “This is why I must charge up my power during battle. With my power, you and your brother shall be victorious!” He then disappears once more.

Luigi then steps to the Toad, wanting to help awaken him… before he wakes up himself.

“WAH!! …Luigi! Hi!” Says the Toad. “…What happened…?”

Luigi explains what just happened… although with more dramatic flare, as he tended to. Striking various poses as he re-enacts shooting lightning from his fingers.

“…Oh, I remember now!” Says the Toad. “The Cap and all of us went to look for… OH!! He might still be missing! We gotta go find him, and the others! Come on!”

Luigi follows behind the Toad as they hurry back into the maze… which Luigi began to dread as he re-entered what he considered a personal hell.

~~~

The Bros., paired with two of the Brigade members, hurry through the maze. The Toads lead, and the Bros. follow.

They’d almost tripped and fell multiple times, rushing to get to the end and save the last Brigade member… as they ran though, they found it odd that the Captain was nowhere to be found…

They all hurry and scurry, feeling as if they’re approaching the end… just as two pairs suddenly bump into something just beyond the end of the maze.

“Ack! My glasses!” Says the blue Toad, his glasses misaligned on his face.

“What was that!?” The green Toad questions, then looking up. “…Hey! We’ve found you!”

The blue Toad looks up to the green Toad and gasps. “Goodness! You’re safe!”

The Toads huddle in a small hug, just as the Bros. begin to notice each other.

“Mario!” Luigi exclaims, getting up and reaching to his bro.

“Luigi!” Mario exclaims in response.

Like the Toads, the Bros. share a hearty, brotherly hug. They had been apart for so long… and it’s not necessarily easy to wander around a maze without your bro to help you get through it.

As the pairs reconcile and regroup, something can be heard falling to the ground in front of them. They all jump at the sound and turn to the end of the room… a wooden coffin…?

“…What is that…?” The green Toad asks as they all creep up to the coffin.

Mario slowly pulls back the hatch on the coffin… only for a mummy to pop out of it, thrashing about admits it’s wrapping… as if it was trying to break free… this was no mummy…

The Toady figure thrashes about some more, until finally breaking free of its bindings. The Bros. and. Brigade members couldn’t believe who they saw.

…Captain Toad!?

“IT’S A TRAP!!!” Captain Toad explains. “We need to get out of—!”

Just behind the five of them then appeared another crowd of mummies. They all let out a shrill and hurry to free Captain Toad as they run to the next room ahead.

They enter the next room, only to see a large pile of gold, with a throne in the middle… although, the throne was not vacant.

“Look!” Captain Toad exclaims, pointing upward.

The others look up… and see a mummy encased in golden linen wearing a small crown, the same mummy that ambushed the Bros. He slept upon his throne, snoring softly.

From in front of the throne room, the mummy hoard appears, pushing the Bros. and Toads back up against the steps that lead to the throne.

“…Who dares… interrupt my slumber…?” The golden mummy asks, groggy. “…You… the freeloaders…”

The heroes turn back to face the mummy, the Bros. taking on a battle stance while the Toads hurry away. The mummy hoard stays in place, as if wanting to see how the Bros. battle with their king shall begin.

“…You step onto my sand, my Doop Doop Depression… defeat my subjects…” The golden mummy said, aggravated, as he stepped off his throne. “…And you expect me to let you live here for free? I’ll have… none of… zzz…”

The king then fell asleep where he stood. The Bros. watch, attempting to keep their stances. The mummy king then suddenly awoke again.

“…NONE OF IT!! I’LL HAVE NONE OF IT!!” The mummy shrieks. “HAVE AT YOU!!!”

The battle begins with the king summoning spiked balls and chucking them at the Bros. They jump with great timing, ready to attack.

Both the Bros. land their jumps upon the mummy, watching as some of the golden linen falls off its body.

“Gah!!” The mummy explains. “Freeloaders… will not best me!”

The mummy king then summons tombs behind the Bros., which quickly close shut. The coffins squeeze and confine the space, squishing the Bros. inside. They jump and jump, until they are finally freed with little to no damage present… no need to heal now.

The Bros. jump upon the mummy again, making more linen fall off. The king seemed noticeably weaker.

“You should… quit while you’re ahead!” Says the mummy. “Even if you defeat me… the Commander will still lay waste to this Kingdom!”

…That proved it. This was a Brigade member, tainted by Nox’s dark magic, just like the others. But this meant nothing to the Bros. They would take her down, just like every enemy before her.

The mummy then brings out a bright blue gemstone from thin air. The stone glistens, summoning a small thunder-cloud above Mario. He instinctively jumps to be rid of it… this king’s attacks were nothing.

The Bros. jump upon the mummy again. They could tell his was about finished. Just a few more jumps, and he’d be out.

“No! You cannot defeat… me!” Says the mummy. “Now… SLEEP!!”

The Bros await another attack, just the mummy begins throwing balls of sand at the Bros… then they realize that the throws are rhythmic.

The Bros. synchronize their jumps with the beat, their timing as emulate as ever. The king then falls to the ground, winded and tired.

“…No… why won’t you just DIE!?” The mummy king exclaims.

The Bros. then jump on the mummy king one final time, allowing the rest of the linen to fall off. Weakened, the king falls to the ground.

“Mario! Luigi!” Cosmo calls to the Bros. “The time has come!”

The Bros. look to Cosmo for more… just how would this fight conclude?

“It is time! Time to execute your Stellar Finisher!” Says Cosmo. “Move back a little bit.”

The Bros. heed the Sprite’s command, awaiting further instruction as Cosmo appears beside them.

“Leap into the air, and feel my power flow through you! Focus on your hands!” Cosmo demands. “Let our souls become one and show this fiend our absolute power!”

The Bros. put their hands forward, noticing the blazing fire and crackling thunder, powered up with Star Power, forming in their hands.

The power exceeds limits, slowly forming from small balls of elemental power… forming into bombs of pure energy.

“Our power has reached its limit!” Says Cosmo. “Throw it all down! Now!”

The Bros. throw their hands back, charging the energy that sat within them. They throw their hands forward in swift motion, propelling the energy forward in a large inescapable beam.

The beam shot against the floor, hitting the weakened mummy. Light filled the room, as if a flash bang had went off.

…Then, as the light cleared and the Bros. gently fell to the ground, they spotted him.

The last Toad Brigade member lay on the ground… asleep? He snored softly, as lay there and the others approach… all except Captain Toad, who diverted his attention behind the throne and went to it instead.

“…So that’s where he went!” Says the blue Toad. “We should’ve known!”

The yellow Toad still remained asleep just as a horrible shrill came from the mummies behind them. The Bros. took on another fighting stance, while the Toads screamed in fear.

“Hey! Look!” Says Captain Toad, now standing beside the throne. “…It’s the Torch of Starlight! The treasure we’ve spent days trying to find!”

The other Toads turned back to their Captain, confused… he seemed completely oblivious to the threat that stood before them.

“Haha!! Victory is ours!!!” Captain Toad then held up the torch, which gleamed radiantly with the most pure of starlight.

Captain Toad then looked down, spotting the mummy hoard that stood before his friends… his then face locked on the mummies.

…He could celebrate this victory all he wanted, but his friends were in danger. Mario and Luigi were strong, but there were too many to fight alone… he had to do something…

Captain Toad threw his hand back and aimed the torch at the hoard. “Take this, you creeps!” He then chucked the torch at the mummies, hoping it’d do something to help.

The torch bounced against a mummy’s head, the flame hitting the linen, which begun to catch ablaze. The torch landed on the ground while the fire spread and the mummies began to burn.

Eventually, most of the mummies had been burned away, turned into nothing but ash… but it appeared a few others were simply corrupted Toads, likely from the village above, who lay on the ground without making a peep before groggily getting up.

…The other mummies, only then did the ground realize, were reanimated corpses… the thought seemed to shake Luigi to his core.

The torch’s flame gently brushed against the ground, forming a small patch of yellow sand that slowly spread outward. The violet sand and walls were slowly converting back to their normal golden hue.

With the power of the torch, the Dunes had begun to revert back into the semi-peaceful desert it had once been before Commander Nox and her army invaded. The Bros. and Toads look on as the Captain joins them… and the yellow Toad finally wakes up.

“…Ugh… wha- happened…?” The yellow Toad asks, rubbing his head.

“…Uh, it’s a lot to explain…” Says the blue Toad.

“He may talk a lot, but Blue’s not kidding…” Says the green Toad. “It’s a lot.”

“What’s that about talking too much!?” The blue Toad asked, putting his hands to his hips.

“Hey, now! Come on!” Says Captain Toad. “We gotta get our little sleazeball and these other Toads here back to camp! …And find a place to store this here torch! Follow me! I’ll lead the way back!” He says as he tucks the Torch away.

The five of them then followed Captain Toad out of the throne room, swaying the Toads to follow them on the way out. They find that the maze had disappeared along with the violet sand and violent creatures… they all sighed in relief, for the torture of going through a maze was no longer an issue.

The five of them continued their walk, happy that they could return to camp safe and sound.

…What they didn’t know was that another conundrum would soon come upon them back at the Captain’s Camp.

~~~

Terrible Toad Town was filled with scouts and soldiers; some Toads, some Minions of the Dark Lands. Regardless of origin, they all worked under the same goal. The same Commander.

They guarded the path to the Castle with an iron fist, making sure no one exits and no one enters… especially the Mario Bros.

Once found… Commander Nox would take care of them herself.

Within the Castle, among various guards, stood two of Commander Nox’s most trusted generals, whom she deemed The Dark Order, Ztarlow and Rotten Peach.

They stood awaiting their Empress’ return… just as the door to the throne room swung open, revealing the Commander; who escorted the third Dark Order general, Bowzer, into the room.

“Stand here.” Says Nox as she approaches the other two generals.

Bowzer nodded silently, and turned to the other generals… he then felt his chest fluttering a little at the sight of Rotten Peach.

“…Why, hello there, your Rotteness~.” Says Bowzer. “Our Commander has told me a lot about you.”

“Excuse you?” Rotten Peach question, putting a hand to her chest.

“HEY!!” Ztarlow shrieked. “Stay away from her Rotteness, you lug!”

“LUG!? I’ll show you lug, little scuttlebug!” Bowzer insulted.

“SCUTTLEBUG!?” Ztarlow exclaimed. “I AM A ZTAR SPRITE!!!”

“GENERALS!!! FALL IN LINE!!!” Commander Nox demanded, tired of the back-and-forth. “We will get nowhere if you keep BICKERING!!!”

The generals all fall in line at the command of Nox, who stood tall just before them.

“…Ztar Troops have spotted survivors in the Dark Lands that were headed for Doop Doop Depression... it has come to my attention that they are the last of the Koopalings.” Says Commander Nox. “I need one of you to head to the Depression and scout for them… Ztarlow!” She points to the Ztar Sprite.

“Yes, Commander?” Ztarlow asks.

“I will send a small scout team with you. Go find the survivors and… help them fall in line like the rest of their kin.” Says Commander Nox. “And if you find the Mario Bros… bring them to me immediately.”

“Yes, Commander!” Says Ztarlow. “I shall not fail you!”

“Follow me, I will bring you to your scout team.” Says Nox. She then turns back to Rotten Peach and Bowzer. “As for you two… don’t kill each other. Don’t try anything.”

The Commander leaves with Ztarlow in tow as the others stand behind… Bowzer resisting the urge to flirt with lady next to him.

Commander Nox walked with certainty and pride… her plan was only beginning.

- END OF CHAPTER 1 -

~~~

NEXT CHAPTER: TBA

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

FIRST CHAPTER

#fanfic #my writing #Mario & Luigi: Fallen Wishes #super mario #mario and luigi #mario #luigi #cosmo #captain toad #toad brigade #commander nox #princess peach #starlow #bowser

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peanut-tyrug · 2 months ago

Text

Mario & Luigi: Fallen Wishes

Prologue: Dark is the Storm

Beyond the Mushroom Kingdom and deep into the depths of the cosmos lies a threat never gazed upon by the Mushroom people… and with such a threat comes an assault of darkness.

~~~

A story created by my mind and built with @luigiman64, @blueshidx and I’s cooking, Mario & Luigi: Fallen Wishes! Very happy to bring this work to life alongside them.

Certain characters and settings belong to Nintendo, Intelligent Systems, and AlphaDream. I do not take credit for any of what doesn’t belong to me.

Where there is light, there is darkness.

It matters not where you traverse in the universe. Both darkness and light exist everywhere you go, working in balance… despite being complete opposites.

Where there are Stars, there are Ztars. Where there is the Star Realm, there is the Shadow Realm.

Where there are the Star Spirits; who preach of light, wishes, and hope… there is the Commander of the Ztars, who preaches of darkness and hopelessness.

Where there is a bright moon that shines upon the Mushroom Kingdom from the late night sky… there are dark clouds that blanket that light, seeking destruction.

~~~

Peach’s Castle remains in complete silence. All to be heard is the tapping of soldier Toad feet smacking against the floor within the Castle’s halls.

Not only do they roam the halls, however. They guard the Princess’ and Royal Advisor’s quarters. They guard the Castle’s exit, and its entrance. They guard the—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Open up! Please!” Exclaims a guard from outside. “Let us in!”

The guards from inside waste no time in letting the panicked Toads in. They rush past the entrance and hurry to the Princess’ room.

…Within her room, Princess Peach lay quiet, asleep. In her own peaceful and peachy world of dreams… before the sound of someone banging on her door wakes her up.

The door then swings upon, revealing the guards had used one of their own as a bartering ram to open the door. The Toad, now knocked out, falls to the floor.

“…We couldn’t have found a better way to open the door?” One guard asks.

“No time! Princess!” Says another guard, climbing up onto the foot of the Princess’ bed. “Princess! The Kingdom! It’s in danger!”

“…What?” Princess Peach asks, still drowsy and waking up. She gets up from her bed and walks as quickly as she can to the Castle’s top balcony, the guards following close behind.

As the Princess reaches the balcony… she can’t believe what she was seeing.

Utter calamity occurred outside the Castle’s jurisdiction, being visible within the confines of Toad Town. Shooting Ztars rained from the skies and plummeted to the ground. A handful of faint lights could also be seen… Star Sprites.

A small legion of Star Sprites fought against the assault, but seemed to be powerless against the Ztars.

As Peach gazed upon the horrors that transpired below, she gasped… where was Starlow?

Starlow had regularly been at Peach’s side since she was first summoned in the midst of the Blorb Epidemic, going back and forth between her duties in the Kingdom and Star Haven. It was unlike her to suddenly leave Peach without warning.

…No, she wasn’t… Peach could only beg.

“…Princess Peach!” A weak voice calls from beyond the balcony. “P-Prin…cess!!”

Peach looks beyond the balcony in horror, watching Starlow weakly hover to her. She shook as she flew, barely keeping herself afloat as she finally reached the Mushroom Princess.

“…P-Princess… Peach…” Starlow tries to yell, but she simply doesn’t have the energy. She then falls to the balcony’s floor, flat on her face.

Peach then gasps and gets to her knees as she holds Starlow in her arms. Her bright yellow color was pale and faded… slowly being replaced with small patches of dark purple.

“…P-Princess…” Starlow gasps. “…I-I’m so sorry… it all h-happened so… quickly… I c-couldn’t h-help… save everyone…” The dark patches then spread further.

“Shhh… I’m certain you did all you could do.” Says Peach. “…But, what even happened?”

“…T-the Ztars…” Starlow explains. “They s-set out to… begin their o-onslaught… a-and the S-Star Spirits… ordered we f-fight back…”

“…The Star Spirits?” Peach questions.

Starlow hums in confirmation. “…But n-now… our calls to t-them have g-gone… quiet…”

“…B-but they shouldn’t…” Peach questions, perplexed… there was no way that the Star Spirits could have went completely silent…

Peach then sets Starlow on her nap and begins to pray… sending a wish to the Star Spirits…

“…O, Star Spirits, hear my plea…” Says Peach. “I wish for the Mushroom Kingdom to be freed of the Ztar’s reign! Oh, please, hear my plea!”

…Peach waited, and waited, and waited… and waited…

But there was nothing… she heard no response from any of the Spirits, those who spoke to her in times of need whenever she prayed… they were not there…

…Where did they go…?

WOOSH!

“…I’ve finally found you.” Says a voice from behind the Princess. “Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom.”

The Toad guards all hurry away from the threat, cowering before the figure who stood behind Princess Peach. The Princess turns back and gasps, for what she sees is unlike anything gazed upon by her own eyes.

A being of pure darkness stood solemn. A tattered cape gently swaying in the wind coming from outside. A large trident just as big as the being’s body. A mask covering half of the creature’s face. Piercing red eyes glaring toward the Princess…

The Commander of the Ztars, Commander Nox.

“…Who… who are you!?” Princess Peach exclaims.

“It’s a shame you don’t know.” Says Commander Nox. “This is the exact reason why darkness must spread… why his will must be enacted.”

…The Princess was in complete shock… who could the Commander possibly be referring to?

“…Who him?” Peach questions.

Commander Nox ignores her question. “My Master… if he were still here, you and all of your people would understand.” Was she just rambling now?

Peach was speechless. “…Answer my question.”

“Why would I answer to you?” Commander Nox asks. She then looks to Starlow, who lay almost motionless in Peach’s arms. “If anything… you should be answering to me, little Sprite.”

“…Leave… m-me alone…” Says Starlow. “Leave her… alone.”

Peach slowly rises to her feet and stares at the Commander with a firm gaze… she then bolts away from the balcony, running past the other.

“Stop!” Commander Nox demands as she hurries along the Princess’ tracks. “Embrace the darkness!”

Princess Peach runs as fast as she can back to her quarters. She then gently sets Starlow on her bed’s pillow.

“Rest.” Says Peach. “You don’t have to help me. I can take her myself.”

Starlow hums slightly in response… so tired and exhausted, that she couldn’t even mutter a word. The dark patches on her body were still spreading, almost covering her entire body. The star on her head was also faded and wrinkled…

If Peach couldn’t help Starlow right now, then she could at least help take care of the threat outside her room… who seemed to have not found her yet. She then grabs the parasol that sat beside her vanity…

“…Where are you…?” Commander Nox questions. Oddly enough, she had passed Peach’s door, which was still open… she completely missed it in her tunnel vision. “Come out and face me!”

“With pleasure!” Princess Peach exclaims, approaching Commander Nox with her parasol in hand.

Before Peach can strike, her parasol and Nox’s trident clash. They continue to clash, their hits in perfect sync. Neither can lay a hit on the other.

“You… are formidable…” Says Commander Nox amongst the clashing.

“I know how to stand my ground!” Says Peach.

“I’m certain you won’t be on your feet for long.” Says Commander Nox.

As the clashing continues, Peach suddenly feels something smack hard against the back of her head. She is dazed, before falling to floor, unconscious.

Behind Peach hovered Starlow… or what used to be Starlow.

Starlow was no longer her signature yellow, but rather a dark and foreboding violet shaded in black. The star on her head was replaced with a red and jagged rhombus-like shape… much like the silver pendant on Nox’s cape.

Nox stood silent, shocked. “…I was not expecting that… but the odds are in my favor.”

“…Yes. She is yours for the taking, Commander.” Says Ztarlow.

…If Nox had a mouth, the largest grin would be plastered on her face. “…You’re mine, Princess.” She says as she holds her trident up to Peach’s body.

The trident then emanated a bright violet glow… before the trident shot a beam of darkness upon the Princess…

~~~

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The alarm clock suddenly went off, momentarily alerting the Brothers Mario, especially the youngest of the two. Luigi about jumped out of bed over the sudden scare.

Luigi lays back in bed for a moment, reeling from the scare. He then turns to his side and smacks the alarm off. His eyes then focus his brother, who was still sound asleep… he had likely fallen back into slumber after the alarm.

The young man in green stretches and yawns before finally rising. He steps out of his bed, planning to look out the window to see the morning sky.

He could only imagine it now… a blue sky with a few small clouds. The faint visages of Toad Town and Peach’s Castle beyond the Bros. home… Luigi couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Luigi peeled back the curtains on the window… and his expression fell into deep fright and distress. He could’ve fainted right then.

The sky was an extremely deep purple, almost black. Toad Town and Peach’s Castle were no where to be found amidst the darkness.

With barely any hesitation, Luigi hurries over to Mario’s bedside and begins to shake him.

“Mario! Mario!” Luigi cries, begging for his brother to wake up.

It doesn’t take much to wake the plumber in red. He shoves Luigi away for a moment, annoyed that his sleep was interrupted. As Mario turns to his brother, Luigi hastily pointed to the window.

Mario stretches and slowly rises from his bed, certain Luigi might’ve seen some bug on the window outside… but his judgement is quickly proven wrong.

The eldest brother couldn’t believe what he saw… the darkness was a fog. A deep haze that seemed to obscure anything he could see outside.

He turns to Luigi and nods… both of them now knew something had happened out there. And whatever it was… Princess Peach was in danger.

The Bros. hurry to start their day, eating what they could and swiftly putting on their signature clothes. They both eventually hurry out of the door, Luigi almost tripping as he exits alongside his brother. Despite his fears of the fog, he preservers.

The fog doesn’t deter them as they find their way to Toad Town. They had practically memorized the way… but it all seemed like a ghost town.

No one lurked the streets. Most doors were closed… it was so oddly barren… before the soft raspy sound of a Toad whimpering caught the Bros.’ attention.

The saddened Toad appears from behind a house, looking deeply distressed. He then rushes to the Bros., clinging to Mario’s legs and crying. Both the Bros. then notice that the spots on the Toad’s cap are not red… but rather a deep violet… far deeper than any other violet Toad cap.

“Mario!” The Toad weeps. “…Is there no hope for the Mushroom Kingdom…?

Mario immediately shakes his head… he knew that regardless of the danger, he and his bro would put an end to it.

Another violet-capped Toad then suddenly appears at Luigi’s feet. “Luigi!” The Toad cries. “Will… my wife ever come back?”

Luigi is taken aback by the ask… he pats the Toads head, and nods with a smile. Surely it was her rather than him, right?

As they stand there, more crying Toads appear… weeping of wishes left being unfulfilled or hopes being lost… what in the world happened to these Toads?

The Bros. gently push away the Toads at their feet and tread forward. The cries of the Toads were deeply saddening… and also ear piercing.

Many Toads tried to cling to the Bros. feet, but were pushed away. On top of helping the Princess, they could help these Toads.

The two tread through the fog and to the entrance of the castle. As they enter, the fog is replaced with a clear image of a tattered castle. The place was a mess, as if a tornado had gone through it.

Luigi stays close to his brother as Mario leads the way, looking around the tattered castle halls. Once they begin to reach the throne room however…

“Master Mario! Master Luigi!” Exclaims an elderly voice from nearby.

Toadsworth had suddenly appeared in the hall behind the Bros., rushing to them with as much vigor as he could muster.

The old Toad flailed his arms around in a panic. He was deeply distressed and filled with anguish… something definitely happened to the Princess.

“Masters! You must help the Princess! She’s—!” Toadsworth begins to explain, before a sharp voice cuts through the air like a pair of scissors.

“HEY!!” The voice exclaims from behind Toadsworth. “Get back to your post!”

The Bros. look past Toadsworth and spot the voice’s source. They both shrilled in shock.

What they saw… it was Starlow, but not the Sprite they once knew. She was a deep purple, and the star on her head… she simply wasn’t the same anymore.

What happened to the Toads… could the same have happened to Starlow?

“What are you doing outside your post anyway?” Ztarlow questions. “Her Rotteness ordered you to stay put!”

“Ah—! Uhm…” Toadsworth stammers. “…Y-you know this isn’t you, young Sprite! I’m certain the Princess feels the same—!”

“What part of what I just said did you not hear!?” Ztarlow asks, her yelling bouncing off the walls. “GET BACK TO YOUR POST!! And get some hearing aids, you old Toad!”

“Oh, the gall—!” Toadsworth retorts, trying to stand his ground and quit shaking in fear.

“DO AS I TELL YOU!! OR HER ROTTENESS WILL HAVE YOUR GAME ENDED!!!” Ztarlow demands, her voice crackling with fury as she shrieks.

Toadsworth then finally gives in, having no way to defend himself. As he backs away from Ztarlow’s gaze, he whispers to the Bros.

“…Master Mario and Luigi!” Toadsworth whispers. “Save the Kingdom! And the Princess!” He then runs off, now away from Ztarlow’s wrath.

…The Bros. here quickly realized just how Starlow had changed. She regularly spoke her mind, and could be very honest with others… but never to this extent. She was a lot more commanding than normal…

Ztarlow sighs, now glad to have taken care of Toadsworth. She then looks to the Bros. and creeps up to them.

“And what of you two?” Says Ztarlow. “I haven’t seen anyone like you roam these halls…”

“Ztarlow?” Asks a voice coming from the throne room. The source of the voice then enters the hall where the Bros. stood.

…Out came a figure that resembled Princess Peach… but it wasn’t Peach. She wore a violet gown, decorated with a bright red pendant. Her blue earrings were replaced with rubies. And the crown on her head was now black, adorned with red jewels. The lower half of her hair had also been dyed in a deep violet.

Rotten Peach turns to the brothers, a smirk on her face. “Welcome, brothers red and green...” She says. She then turns to Ztarlow. “Are these two bringing you trouble?”

“Your Rotteness!” Says Ztarlow, approaching the corrupted Princess. “Have you given them any orders? Because they don’t seem to be following them…”

“No, no… the Empress anticipated they would be here.” Says Rotten Peach.

…The Bros. are thrown into thought… the Empress…? Peach is the Princess, there was no one ruling above her…

“Worry not, your Rotteness!” Says Ztarlow. “I’m certain the Empress won’t need to face them! …Not when I’ve ended their games myself.”

“I’m certain the Empress wouldn’t mind… if you defeat them now, she can be rid of them quicker.” Says her Rotteness. “You can take care of them until she arrives… I doubt they will live long enough to witness her, however.”

Rotten Peach then steps away, backing into the throne room, leaving Ztarlow and the Bros. completely alone.

Although hesitant, not wanting to hurt the star that was still their friend, Mario and Luigi take on a fighting stance. Ztarlow scoffs at the brothers.

“What chance do you mortals have!?” Ztarlow questions with snark. “I am a Ztar Sprite!”

…There was a term for that? A dark Star Sprite…

The Bros. are whacked into battle, Ztarlow being the first to attack. She suddenly becomes a violet reticle, moving in the air a bit before aiming directly for Mario. Ztarlow shoots a small Ztar his way as the plumber in red jumps over it without a sweat.

“Ugh!” Ztarlow groans. “It’s like you’ve seen such an attack before…!”

With barely any hesitation, Mario double-jumps upon Ztarlow’s head, making her dizzy. Luigi does the same, smacking his feet directly onto the Sprite’s head. At Luigi’s jump, Ztarlow regains her senses.

“Gah! Insolent brothers!” Says Ztarlow. “Let’s see you dodge this! LET IT BLOW!!!”

Out of nowhere, a strong gust of dark wind blasts onto the brothers. The wind pushes them back a fair distance, and once it fades, both of them become poisoned. They both immediately feel its effects, a hard hit to the heart.

“How are you still standing!?” Ztarlow questions. “…You’re not easy to get rid of, I see. Like cockroaches!”

The Bros. then jump upon Ztarlow’s head again, although their attacks don’t hit as hard as before. They return to their feet, and once again feel the poison taking its hits… but they still stand strong.

Starlow wails in anger, frustrated that the brothers have yet to fall. “…You’ve forced me to do this!” She says as she shuts her eyes and focuses… “EBONY ENTHRALL!!!”

A large black hole appears above Ztarlow’s head and heads directly for the Bros. They panic as there is nothing they can do to dodge or counterattack… they’re left helpless as the darkness encroaches them completely, inflicting as much damage onto them as possible. The darkness eventually fades and the Bros. fall to the ground, winded.

While Ztarlow seemed proud… she also appeared perplexed. The Bros. laid there, motionless, but they weren’t dead like she hoped they’d be…

“…You may still be alive…” Says Ztarlow. “But no mortal has the upper hand against darkness!”

“Ztarlow…!” Rotten Peach exclaims as she exits the throne room once again. “…Our Empress… she arrives.”

Ztarlow immediately straightens at the Princess’ word. She watches as their Empress, Commander Nox, appears from the throne room.

Commander Nox quietly gazes upon the two almost unconscious bodies laying upon the Castle floor. She squints in disgust... a strong anger emanated from her. “…Look at them… disgusting piles of flesh and bone… the ones who took down my Master in one fell swoop…” She says with a bitter tone.

“…I may have weakened them… but they still stand here, breathing.” Says Ztarlow. “I do not know why their will remains so strong…”

“…I’ve heard many tales about these brothers... they are the ones who killed my Master… they KILLED HIM!!!” Says Commander Nox. “THEY WILL PAY!!!”

The Commander then raises her trident above the Bros. bodies, a fierce look of fury in her eyes.

“I will spread my Master’s will all throughout this Kingdom, and beyond! And two measly mortal brothers, HIS KILLERS, will NOT get in my way!” Says Commander Nox. “FOR MY MASTER!!!”

As the Commander prepares to thrust her trident onto the Bros… something hovers into the room. A new figure that no one in the room knew the identity of.

“STOP!!” The creature exclaims as he hovers into the room. He smacks directly against Nox’s head, knocking her backward slightly.

Rotten Peach and Ztarlow gasp at the attack. Commander Nox looks upward in confusion… what she and the others see shock her.

A Star Sprite with only nubs for hands, wielding a small spear decorated with a red, green, and yellow ribbon wrapped around the handle. The Sprite also bore a knight’s helm… only worn by knights of the Star Realm.

“Who are you supposed to be!?” Commander Nox exclaims. “How dare you interrupt me!?”

“I am Cosmo! Warrior among the Star Sprites, ordered to be present here at the command of the Star Spirits!” Says Cosmo. “And you… you are the Commander of the Ztars the Spirits spoke of!”

“…You should be corrupted, along with the other warriors of your kind—!” Says Commander Nox, confused at the Sprite’s presence.

“My devotion to the Stars knows no bounds, harbinger of the darkness!” Says Cosmo. “My comrades may have fallen, but I will bring them back to the light!”

“Hah!” Ztarlow bellows. “You don’t stand a chance!”

Cosmo turns to Ztarlow, a saddened look crossing his features… To see her in such a state broke his heart… and yet, it made him all the more determined to fight for the Star Realm.

Cosmo shakes off his emotions and faces Nox. “I will be the one to prevent the Star Realm’s fall!” He declares. “…Starting by turning you into nothing but Star Dust!”

Cosmo charges again, his spear clashing against Nox’s mask. She winces, and falls for a moment, before immediately getting back up. Rotten Peach and Ztarlow watch the battle while the Bros. still lay on the floor.

The Commander and warrior’s weapons continue to clash. Despite Cosmo’s size, he was surprisingly formidable against the Ztar Commander. With a few slashes of light from Cosmo’s spear, Nox seems to be winded, but she continues to fight.

Nox attempts to strike Cosmo with her trident, but he dodges like the wind. She can’t lay a single a hit on him. He continuously jabs her with his spear, keeping her stunned. Cosmo moves back, preparing for what other she may have.

“ENOUGH!!” Commander Nox exclaims. “I will NOT be defeated by some weak Sprite! No being of light shall stand against me and become the victor! I AM THE VICTOR!! ME!!!”

“Whine all you want, but I stand strong!” Says Cosmo. “The Stars shall prevail, and bring you to your demise!”

With no hesitation, Nox gets up and thrusts forward, charging toward the Sprite. She tightly clutches her trident, letting out a horrific battle cry.

“HHRRRAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHH!!!” Commander Nox cries.

Cosmo has no time to hit her or flee… Nox’s trident then immediately pierces his body. The force of the attack causes the trident to pierce a wall, leaving Cosmo pinned and unable to escape.

As Cosmo impacts the wall, some of his own golden blood gushes from his wound and hits Nox’s face… she winces a little, her eye twitching in irritation, as the golden blood immediately evaporates.

“…Ironic is it not?” Nox questions coldly. “You threaten my demise… and yet I just brought upon your own! Hah!”

“…F-foul… creature, you are.” Cosmo says weakly. “As if there is not… a s-single foil to your—!”

“THERE IS NONE!! THERE IS NO FOIL!!!” Nox shouts. “…Not a single soul stands against me. I WILL bring upon my Master’s will! I WILL avenge him! AND NOBODY SHALL STOP ME!!!”

As the last of Cosmo’s life fades, he looks to the Bros., who still lay motionless on the floor.

Cosmo turns back to Nox. “…Y-you may have triumphed against m-me… but I-I see a light t-that you simply c-cannot.” Says Cosmo. He then turns to the brothers. “M-Mario… Luigi… my gift… to you…”

At those final words, Cosmo finally gives in, and lets out his final breath… he becomes motionless as his body begins to turn to Star Dust, hovering into the air and completely dissipating.

Commander Nox then pulls her trident out of the wall and turns to the others who were in the room. She walks over to Rotten Peach and Ztarlow, stepping over the Bros. as she heads to them.

“…I will soon be gathering minions from the Dark Lands. I would imagine the lot of them have already been tainted.” Says Commander Nox. “I will gather you all shortly… but before that can happen…”

Nox then aims her trident for the unconscious brothers, charging up its dark energy. “…I will be rid of these cretins…”

As that sentence ends… a golden aura emanates around the Bros. bodies. Nox and the others gaze upon the sight, Nox lowering her spear in shock.

The brothers hover into the air slightly, their bodies still limp. Their bodies are repositioned in the air, bringing them upward. They land on their feet, standing but still asleep.

As the light fades, the Bros. awaken… they’re both perplexed as to what had just occurred. They felt as if they had been healed… and were now stronger than before.

Commander Nox and the others move back in shock. “WHAT!? YOU LIVE!?” She questions. “The Sprite… he might’ve brought you back to face me, but I will not falter! I WILL DESTROY YOU!!!”

Nox charges up her trident again. The Bros. then quickly realize… they are not ready to face her. If they weren’t ready to face Ztarlow… they simply weren’t ready.

As the trident finishes charging, the Bros. hurry away from the Castle and exit, the orb of darkness almost touching them as they flee.

“Run all you like!” Nox threatens. “You are only delaying the inevitable! …And I’m all for the thrill of the kill!”

The Bros. hurry back home from Toad Town, once again having to avoid the crying Toads as they pass. They waste no time running through the fog, although they could barely see.

…This wasn’t anything like the brothers had seen before…

~~~

Mario is the first to enter the home of the Bros., prying open the door and allowing Luigi to come in, before shutting the door. While Mario seemed generally collected, Luigi was shaking in his shoes.

The two of them stand in their living room, thinking over what had just occurred… Luigi then begins to endlessly ramble in a panic, Italian gibberish swiftly escaping his tongue. Mario turns back and does the same, trying to calm his brother down. Although, he sounds almost just as perplexed as his brother.

This rambling goes on for awhile… longer than the Bros. had ever spoken to one another…

“Worry not.” Says an unknown voice. “I can help.”

The Bros. pause… and take a gander around their home. Who had spoken to them? Luigi then quivered… could a ghost be lurking somewhere? Luigi did still have that old Poltergust 3000 with him…

“…Forgive me for the intrusion. I mean no harm.” Says the voice.

At the sound of the voice… the Bros. almost seem to recognize it…

“Allow me to show you…” The voice speaks again.

The familiar sound of a Star Sprite glistening can be heard from behind the Bros. They almost thought it was Starlow… before the Sprite finally appeared before them.

A Sprite with a spear and knight’s helm… Although, he wasn’t a solid form. He looked like a ghost…

“Ah, right. You haven’t met me yet…” Says the Sprite. “I am Cosmo, Warrior of the Star Realm. I have taken it upon myself to assist you.”

The Bros. seemed confused… what happened at the Castle while they were out?

“…I hate to admit my fate, but I had perished at the hands of Commander Nox.” Says Cosmo. “I had fallen… but I refuse to give up.”

The Bros. seem even more confused… Commander Nox?

“…Oh… right.” Says Cosmo. “Commander Nox is the Commander of the Ztars, the ruler of the Shadow Realm.” Says Cosmo. “She seeks to bring upon her late Master’s will, and spread darkness and hopelessness throughout this Kingdom and beyond, all in her Master’s honor.”

The Bros. then understand, nodding to confirm such… but who was Nox’s Master…? They look to Cosmo’s ghost for an answer.

“As to who her Master is… I am uncertain.” Says Cosmo. “I wish I could’ve learned more, but the attack on the Kingdom happened so quickly, no Sprite had the chance to question further... and since us Sprites had left Star Haven, we haven’t been able to contact the Spirits… a part of me fears the worst.”

Among all else that Cosmo had spoke of… The Bros. couldn’t help but feel that they had met Nox’s Master before…

…What other Ztar had they faced in the past? What other major threat had befallen the Mushroom Kingdom in recent years…?

Who could they have possibly killed to have the Commander of the Ztars out for their blood? What could have possibly made her drag out her entire legion of soldiers to the Mushroom Kingdom?

…Oh.

…Oh…

…Oh, no…

…The Dark Star…

The Dark Star, the Ztar that embedded itself in Toad Town’s soil, seeking to bring it all to ruin. Seeking to spread his will through the universe. Seeking to see darkness and hopelessness rule the lands…

The Bros. can feel their panic rise up again. The Dark Star had gotten extremely close to bringing upon its will… and Commander Nox seemed to have about achieved the world he wanted… almost.

The Mushroom Kingdom, its Princess and people, had all been tainted by darkness… but it appeared that not even just in the Kingdom had the darkness spread. It had likely infected the Star Spirits, the overseers of Star Haven and all the universe’s wishes… why else would they have gone completely quiet since all those Star Sprites had been thrown into war?

It wouldn’t be long until all those hopes and dreams were to be crushed. Until everyone’s happiness were to follow in death alongside those unfulfilled wishes…

…And if even the Star Spirits had been taken down by Nox… to fight her almost felt like a losing battle… but the Bros. would not back down. They would fight to save their friends and Kingdom until they simply couldn’t anymore… the Bros. begin to relax at the thought.

They turned back to Cosmo, who also seemed worried, despite still appearing calm and collected. He exhales, and looks to the Bros.

“…While this realization may be of horrific concern to you… I can still sense your unwavering determination to save your home and friends.” Says Cosmo. “The tales I’ve heard of you both from within Star Haven ring true, as expected.”

The Bros. seem flattered, especially Luigi… a Star Sprite had never complemented him before.

“Together, I am certain we can bring Commander Nox’s tyranny to an end, and bring the light back into both of our realms!” Cosmo exclaims, raising his spear.

As Cosmo silences… a loud booming sound can be heard… following with the house of Mario suddenly shaking and trembling in its place…

Just outside, a hoard of Ztars had began to rain down upon the residence, along with a few cannonballs. Cosmo’s spirit dissipates at the sound, and the Bros. quickly flee their home.

Not only do they see the falling Ztars… they also spot a faint silhouette of an airship in the distance above the Castle… but the brothers could tell it was not one of Bowser’s ships.

It was far larger than any the Koopa King’s airships, same for the ammunition. As the Bros. fled, a cannonball had directly hit their home… although they couldn’t see the destruction, they could hear it.

They ran and ran, wondering where they could possibly take refuge… the closest place to them was, if they could recall correctly…

…The desert deemed as Doop Doop Dunes… surely, everything was fine there. Nothing there had been caught in the horrific waves of war… right?

…Right…?

~~~

The Dark Lands were rarely a lively place. Bowser’s Minions constantly patrolled the charred lava grounds, searching for intruders… or the Mario Bros.

But today was a fairly rare event for the Minions… the Minions all rejoiced within the Castle’s ceremony hall. The cheering was overwhelming to where it could be heard outside the Castle’s walls.

Among the Castle’s group also stood the three former Minion Captains… once hailed for saving Bowser during the venture to the Beanbean Kingdom, only to lose their ranks immediately after… a tragic fate, which the Captains have learned to adjust to.

They all stand upfront, Captain Goomba appearing the most excited out of all of them. He could barely sit still. Captain Shy Guy seemed more and more annoyed with him the more he moved about.

“Stop moving.” The Shy Guy Captain said bluntly.

“But I can’t!” Says Captain Goomba. “I’m too excited!”

Captain Shy Guy sighs. “…Well, control yourself.”

Although appearing a bit disgruntled, Captain Goomba ceases his movement. He looks to the other Captains… and realized one of them is missing.

“…Hey, where’s Captain Boo?” Captain Goomba asks.

“He’s still in the bathroom…” Captain Shy Guy grumbled.

“Oh, but he said he’d be on time for this…” Said Captain Goomba. “Wait… but how does he even…?”

“No.” Says Captain Shy Guy. “Don’t push it.”

“…You could say…” Captain Koopa Troopa begins. “He’s a taking a Boo P—!”

“What did I just say?” Says Captain Shy Guy.

“…But…how—?” Captain Goomba questions again.

“NO!” Captain Shy Guy demands.

Suddenly, the sound of booming stomps can be heard from just beyond the stage’s curtains. The Minions all silence as the curtains slowly open… revealing the silhouette of the Koopa King.

Bowser stood, the gleaming spotlights of the stage shining against his face and shell. He gave the Minions a hearty, determined look… as a smirk crossed his face. At his side stood a collected Kamek, Bowser’s advisor.

“MINIONS!!!” Bowser exclaims. “I am certain you’ve prepared for this just as much as I have! Today, WE SOAR TO THE SKIES OF THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM! AND KIDNAP PRINCESS PEACH ONCE MORE!!!”

The Minions all cheer, invigorated with devotion and spirit. Captain Goomba was especially pumped, although his cheers could barely be heard amongst everyone else’s. Captain Koopa Troopa gave a sweet and happy clap, while Captain Shy Guy calmly clapped his hands.

“I am certain that today will FINALLY be the day I get to ask Peach to be mine! You, my Minions, will help me win her over!” Says Bowser. “With the Koopalings and my dear Junior guiding you, alongside yours truly, we will be UNSTOPPABLE!!!”

Among the cheering Minions, Bowser turns back toward the open doorway leading to stage. “KOOPALINGS!!!” He shouts.

Bowser turns back to the crowd, preparing the Koopaling’s roll call… “Larry! Roy! Lemmy! Wendy! Iggy!”

At all of their names, the respective Koopalings appeared. As Kamek looked upon them all as they appeared, something seemed… off with Iggy. More so than normal.

“…Y-your burliness?” Kamek asks.

Bowser grumbles, now having been interrupted. He swings back to face Kamek, his face distorted in anger. “What!? I was in the middle of my awesome speech!!”

“…Look at Iggy.” Says Kamek, pointing a worried claw to the inane Koopaling.

Bowser took a good look at Iggy… noticing his hair was now a deep indigo rather than its signature lime green. A faint violet aura also emanated around him.

“…Hey, you good, Iggy?” Bowser asks, putting his fists to his hips. “You look more… shroomed out than usual…”

“…Bahahaha!!” Iggy laughed. “BAHAHAHAHA!!!”

Iggy then pulls out his wand from thin air. He then begins to frantically point around, shooting its magic anywhere it could hit. Many Minions, along with the Koopalings and Bowser, were all stuck in the crossfire…

~~~

The last remaining Koopalings and Bowser Jr. wait in the hall that lead into the ceremony hall’s stage, waiting to be called out. They had waited for quite a long time… but they hadn’t heard their names at all.

“…MORTON BORED…” Says Morton as he stood completely still… he followed Bowser’s words to the letter.

Ludwig hums. “I get you, Morton…” He says. He then peeks toward the exit. “I wonder what’s holding Lord Bowser up…”

“He never takes this long…” Junior points out.

“True…” Says Ludwig. “What’s going on out there…?”

As Ludwig peeks, he sees one of Lemmy’s balls bounce and roll into the room. It perches itself upon the floor… the three of them then notice the balls different appearance.

It was purple, with rhombus-like shapes as its decals… nothing like the usual orange and yellow with stars.

“How peculiar…” Says Ludwig.

“MAYBE LEMMY TRY DIFFERENT STYLE…?” Morton suggests.

“Lemmy would never change up his balls!” Junior retorts.

…The ball then begins to expand, as if it were a…

“…That’s not a ball… it’s a bomb!!” Ludwig exclaims. “Get back!!!”

The three of them move away from the ball, just in front of it, as Ludwig covers the ball bomb with a shield. The ball explodes inside the shield, revealing some kind of vibrant violet gas…

“What is that!?” Junior questions. “…I almost wanna pop it…”

“No, Lord Junior. Don’t.” Says Ludwig, putting a hand over Junior. “We don’t know what that gas does…”

Then, from the doorway came one of Wendy’s rings. The ring smacked against the shield and immediately broke it, allowing the gas to expel outward.

“MORTON PROTECT LITTLE BOWSER AND LUDWIG!!!” Morton exclaimed as he pulled out his wand and fired a blast of magic toward the gas.

Another shield then formed on the other side of the room, separating the three from the gas.

“Quick thinking, Morton. Quicker than I…” Says Ludwig. “But… what of all this?”

“What do we do?” Junior asks the others in a panic.

“…I fear the Castle has been breached… we must make haste, and leave immediately!” Says Ludwig. “To the Clown Cars!”

“But what about my Dad!? No one can breach him!” Junior retorts.

“Now is not the time, Lord Junior!” Says Ludwig. “Come with me!”

Ludwig then grabs Junior’s arm and drags him away to the Clown Cars in a nearby room, with Morton following close behind.

As they hurry up the stairs to another room, nearing their respective cars, they hear the sound of the shield breaking downstairs…

The three reach their Clown Cars and hurry out of the highest spire within the Castle, they aren’t far off until they hear the sound of something blasting toward them…

Junior looks back… and sees a purple fire ball approaching him. He quickly moves out of the way, barely missing it… and spots a shadow of someone also in a Clown Car behind them.

…Bowser. But his eyes gleamed a dark red. His scales were colored in a deep indigo and black, with slight patches of violet. Junior froze, overrun with fear… his Papa…

“…Dad…?” Junior whispers. “Dad!?”

“Junior!” Ludwig calls out, slightly further ahead with Morton in tow. “Come on!”

“Hold on! I’m coming!” Says Junior as he hurries ahead.

…But he doesn’t notice that another fire ball is heading directly for him once again… Morton, on the other hand, notices the attack.

“LITTLE BOWSER!!” Morton exclaims. “MORTON PROTECT YOU!!!”

Morton then moves up to Junior, right in front of his Clown Car… Junior turns back and watches the violet ball of fire hit Morton with a direct hit, knocking him off course.

“Morton!!” Junior exclaims.

Junior watches as Morton falls to the ground, spinning as he plummets. His silhouette becomes smaller and smaller…

…Until it’s gone.

Junior is stunned, frozen in place…

“Junior!” Ludwig calls.

A small blast of magic then shoots ahead of Junior. The young Koopa is knocked out of his stunned state as he looks back to his father.

The small blast of magic then hits Bowser’s Clown Car, also knocking him off course. Junior watches his father plummet, just as he did with Morton.

“NOOOO!!!” Bowzer exclaims as he falls. “FORGIVE ME, COMMANDER!!!”

“…'Commander'…?” Ludwig questions to himself. “What?”

Ludwig then looks ahead, spotting a still Junior. He can barely process what his father said as he sits there, deeply saddened and confused.

“…Junior—!” Ludwig tries to say before Junior faces him.

“Why did you do that!?” Junior asks. “That was my dad! Are you blind!?”

“Junior… that’s not your father anymore. Didn’t you see him?” Ludwig asks.

Junior turns back toward the empty sky, where his Papa was. “…Yeah…” He says. “But—!”

“No, Junior.” Says Ludwig. “We aren’t going to deny what we saw.”

Junior goes quiet… he felt like he could cry. But he didn’t. He wanted to stay strong… for his Papa.

Junior then turns back to Ludwig. “…What do we do?”

“We find somewhere to take refuge. And find a way to fix… whatever is going on.” Says Ludwig. “There must be something we can do…”

“…Yeah! For my Papa!” Says Junior. He then hovers away past Ludwig. “No one tells my Papa what to do!!”

…Ludwig sighs, but he couldn’t be mad at the boy. So much had happened, and it was a lot to process… he was determined to help bring back his Papa, no matter what… so was Ludwig. And whoever was left of the Minions…

Ludwig follows behind Junior, eventually catching up and leading… they weren’t sure where they’d go just yet…

But, forward they fly, as the Minions of Hope.

- END OF PROLOGUE -

~~~

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