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peanut-tyrug · 26 days ago

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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 just in front of Bowser’s Castle, awaiting the appearance of the Koopa King.

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 Bowser Castle gates. The Minions all silence as the gates slowly open… revealing the silhouette of the Koopa King.

Bowser stood, the gleaming lava and fire of the Dark Lands 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 entrance. “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 just before the doorway that lead into the exit hall, 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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