NSFCD

As I mentioned earlier, I am going to redo the Super Mario Bros. 1-3 trilogy that I posted on old Nsider.  Once I finish with these three, I'll move on to SMB6.  Because it's summer, chapters should be up much more frequently.  Keep in mind that these three fanfics are much shorter than SMB4 and SMB5; each will have around 10 chapters.  Also, the chapters may be slightly shorter, depending on how much detail I can derive from the poorly written originals.

Prologue: The Alliance



It was a sunny, crisp morning in the Mushroom Kingdom.  The birds were chirping, there was not a single cloud in the sky, and the sun covered the land in a cozy blanket of warmth.  Spring had arrived.  In the Mario Bros.? home, our heroes were just starting to wake up.  Well? One of them was starting to wake up, anyway.



Mario stretched and let out a long yawn.  He took a minute to admire the beautiful spring morning before heading into his brother?s room.  ?Hey Luigi, wake up,? he whispered.  ?C?mon, get up!?  It was no use; Luigi was sound asleep.  ?I guess I?ll let him catch up on his sleep.  Lately, Bowser has been trying to kidnap Peach much more frequently.  He?s probably worn out??



Dear Luigi,
      I?ve gone off to see Princess Peach!  Meet me there as soon as you can!



After jotting down the message on a sticky note, he mischievously placed it on his brother?s forehead and left for Mushroom Castle.



?Princess Peach, Mario is at the door.  Is he permitted to enter?? one of the royal guards asked with a bow.  A very faint smirk could be detected on his face.



?Of course!? Peach shouted good-heartedly.  ?What do you think I want you to do with him, kill him?? she added with a sarcastic grin.



?Well? actually?  We had a slight? accident?? the guard stammered, turning away to hid his smile, which had grown even larger.



As if on cue, two more sentries walked in with Mario on a stretcher.  An arrow was wedged into his stomach.  ?You killed him?!? Peach exploded with rage.  ?The man that has saved us from Bowser countless times was assassinated by the very people that he rescued?!?



?Well? we?re still not used to having him here in the Mushroom Kingdom.  He?s only been here for a few months?  Besides, we still have-? the three guards burst with laughter as Mario leaped off of the stretcher and pulled the plastic arrow from his chest.



?Gotcha?!? Mario chuckled as he high fived the three sentries.  ?Playing pranks on you is the best!?



?Very funny,? Peach murmured.  ?Anyway, since you?re not dead, there?s someone that wants to see you.?



?Who?? Mario inquired, looking around.




?Me,? said a small, wrinkly old man.  On his head he wore thick glasses, and around his body was a white lab coat that seemed to be one size too big for him.  ?I?m Elvin Gadd, but you can call me E. Gadd.  I believe we?ve met before.?



Mario thought for a moment.  ?I remember now!  Luigi won this strange mansion, and when I went to check it out, I found out it was haunted by King Boo and his goons.  They captured me, and you helped Luigi save me.?



?Exactly!? E. Gadd affirmed.  ?But that?s not what I came to talk about.  For quite some time my Boo Radar hasn?t picked up anything, until just this morning.  As I was admiring some of my ghost paintings, my radar began to flash after picking up an extremely powerful signal from Bowser?s Castle.?



?So?? Mario asked nonchalantly.



?I want you to go to Bowser?s Castle and find out what Bowser is up to.  If Bowser teamed up with the malevolent mind of the Boo?s, the Mushroom Kingdom could be in grave danger.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Bowser was sitting at a king-sized desk, jotting down different ideas of how he could beat Mario.  ?Every time I kidnap Peach, Mario comes straight to my castle and beats me!  I need a new approach?  What if? I put a banana peel on his front staircase!  Then, when he would walk out of his house in the morning, BAM!  He slips and falls!  No, that?ll never work??  He crumpled up the piece of paper and tossed in a trash can already filled with other scrapped ideas.



?I have a plan,? a voice echoed through the room.



?Who is it?!? Bowser demanded, ready to strike any kind of intruder.



Almost out of nowhere, King Boo appeared.  ?It is I, the ominous lord of all ghosts.  I believe I have a plan for the downfall of the Mario Brothers.?



Bowser sat back in his chair.  ?Let?s hear it!  I could use a good plan.?



King Boo floated up to Bowser as if sharing a secret.  ?You?re going to have to work with me.  Think of it as payback for me getting you out of the Underwhere.?



Before Bowser could protest, glimpses of the past filled his head:



Back when Mario and his friends started a fifth Mario Party, Bowser decided to intrude.  He sent Bowser Jr. to cause mischief by splitting into three different Koopa Kids and then crashing the party.  Mario didn?t take this sitting down, however, and defeated the Koopa Kids once and for all.  In a final battle between Bowser and Mario taking place in space on top of Bowser?s space ship, it seemed that Bowser was going to lose once again.  But Bowser had a trump card.



Prior to the battle, he had all of his most intelligent minions concoct a potion that would make him ten times as large, drastically increasing his strength.  On his last leg, Bowser drank the potion.  Now towering over Mario, Bowser had the complete advantage.  That was until the floor caved in and Bowser was left exposed.  With nowhere else to turn, he used his amazing new powers to create a portal to the Underwhere, hoping Mario would be sucked into it.



Fortunately, the clever Mario was able to deflect some of Bowser?s attacks back at him and send him flying into the Underwhere.  A few weeks later, when Mario was captured by King Boo, it was all up to Luigi.  Thanks to his Poltergeist, Luigi sucked up all of the ghosts except for the King Boo himself.  King Boo refused to be beaten by a vacuum and summoned Bowser from the dead.  By possessing Bowser, he was almost able to beat Luigi.



Thanks to some swift vacuuming on Luigi?s part, King Boo had been defeated, and Bowser had been set free.  Since then, Bowser had been attacking the Mushroom Kingdom in a desperate, nonstop cry for revenge.



?Hey!  Bowser!  Can you here me?!? King Boo shouted at him.



Bowser came back to reality.  ?Oh, sorry.  I got lost in thought,? he apologized.



?Where was I?? King Boo wondered aloud.  ?Oh yeah, the plan.  Even if we worked together, Mario and Luigi could still beat us with enough effort.  So I did some research, and I heard of this place called the Shadow Shrine.  Deep within it, an extremely powerful demon is in an endless slumber.  Rumor has it that it was once created by a nearly invincible, god-like warrior to all of his bidding.  But the demon rebelled, and his creator sealed him away.  The only way to awaken this demon and break the seal is to collect all seven Shadow Keys and bring them to the Shadow Shrine.?

Chapter 1: Luigi?s Big Battle



?Where exactly are you going with this?? Bowser inquired, his eyebrows raised.



King Boo sighed.  He had forgotten that Bowser exceeded in physical strength, but he wasn?t exactly the smartest villain in the Mushroom Kingdom.  ?If we got this demon under our control, this whole kingdom would be ours!  With the blink of an eye, Mario and Luigi would bow down before us!?



As their conversation got more in-depth, Mario stood atop one of Bowser?s many chandeliers.  He was watching over the conversation like a hawk, and he was more than alarmed by what he heard.  Bowser and King Boo are going to try and summon some kind of demon, eh?  I?ve got to try and stop them, but I?m not sure if I can take on both of them by myself.



?Of course, we are going to need to add a few of our own details to the plan,? King Boo continued.  ?You see, Mario and Luigi are eventually going to catch on to what we?re after when people start seeing us travelling around the kingdom looking for Shadow Keys.  We?ll need some kind of distraction? something that will keep them busy while we work our magic.?



Mario clenched his fists angrily. I don?t think so!  



Bowser jumped up and down excitedly.  ?Why don?t we kidnap Peach??



?Is that all you ever think about?  Well?  I suppose kidnapping Peach could throw the Mario Bros. of a bit.  Let?s go get her before it?s too late!? King Boo exclaimed.  With that, they both started for the door.



Mario leaped down from the chandelier and stood firmly in their path.  ?Not so fast!  I heard all about your plan.  You?re not going anywhere.?



?I?ve been waiting for this.  Bowser!  Let?s take him down!? King Boo commanded.



Bowser exhaled long bursts of flames all across the room.  Mario ducked and weaved through the blaze with Bowser hot on his tail.  The oversized Koopa jumped high into the air and came crashing down toward Mario, who quickly rolled out of the way and greeted Bowser with a couple of Fireballs to the face.  ?Ack!  It burns!? the Koopa King cried out in pain, clutching his burning face.



?Remember that next time you mess with ?Super Mario?!? Mario bellowed sarcastically.



From behind him, King Boo fired an orb of pure ice that struck Mario while his back was turned.  Instantly, the plumber froze where he stood, unable to move.  ?Take that, ?Super Mario?,? he sneered in a menacing voice.  Bowser emerged from the flames and slashed at the helpless Mario, shattering the ice and sending Mario flying into a wall.  ?Well done, Bowser!  That blow knocked him out cold!?



?Yeah, I know.  It all comes naturally,? Bowser boasted.



?Let?s tie him up before we go after Peach.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Luigi had finally woken up and arrived at the Mushroom Castle?s front gate.  Exhausted, he asked one of the guards between breaths, ?Did Mario? already? pull the prank? on Peach??



The sentry nodded solemnly.  ?I missed it too.  Too bad I?m on guard during the afternoon shift, or I?d have gotten to see it.  From what I heard, it was pretty funny.  I?m just glad Peach has a sense of humor, or someone might?ve lost their job.?



?Is Mario still here?? Luigi asked.



?Actually, he left about an hour ago.  Someone sent him off to Bowser?s Castle to investigate strange Boo activity,? the guard replied.



?Man, those things creep me out.  I?m sure glad I wasn?t the one sent to Bowser?s Castle.  I was stuck in a mansion filled with Boo?s once, and it was awful.  Oh well, I?ll go visit Peach and see how she?s doing,? Luigi declared.



Just then, a loud foghorn went off nearby.  The sentry drew his sword.  ?That?s the signal of intruders!?



?Intruders!? Luigi parroted.  ?Sorry to leave, but I... uh? I have a dentist appointment? and I, uh? can?t be late??



?Would you mind staying to help?  We could use some extra reinforcement,? the guard requested.  ?C?mon, help us out.  We?ll be right behind you the whole time.?



?Okay,? Luigi answered skeptically, his whole body trembling.  Just then, dozens of nearby guards were sent flying into the air and came crashing down.  Bowser and King Boo stepped forward.



?What a bunch of sissies!? Bowser chuckled.



?AGH!!!? Luigi screamed when he saw King Boo.  ?Not him!  Anyone but him!!?



?Hello, Luigi.  It?s been a while.?

when will you be done with the whole thing

Quote from: guido123 on June 26, 2008, 12:51:40 PM
when will you be done with the whole thing

If you mean the first three, then most likely by the end of the month.  If you mean all three trilogies, (1-3,4-6,and 7-9) maybe a few years or so.  :P

Chapter 2: Battle For Mushroom Castle





King Boo waved his stubby arms and created several orbs of ice.  With a snap of his fingers, they scattered and attacked Luigi.  ?Dodge them if you can, coward!? King Boo taunted.



?Yikes!? Luigi shrieked as he dove backward.  Three Iceballs struck the ground where he just stood, covering it with a sheet of ice.  He let out another scream when he saw five more orbs coming at him and backed up against the castle?s gate.  He veered right as two of them froze the solid metal gate.  He cut to the left.  Yet another pair almost stopped him in his tracks.  Luigi ducked just before the last one nailed him in the head.



?That?s it!  I?m coming for you!? Bowser roared as he charged madly toward the cornered Luigi.



Luigi?s mind was racing.  What would Mario do?  That?s it!   He turned around and ducked again.  Bowser began to gain speed as he lowered his head, aiming to strike Luigi with the two razor-sharp horns on his head like a bull.  Just as he was about to collide with the cowering plumber, Luigi performed a back-flip over his head, causing Bowser to crash head-first into the rock-solid gate.  ?I actually pulled it off!? Luigi cheered before being hit by more of King Boo?s ice orbs.


* * * * * * * * * *


Meanwhile, in Bowser?s Castle, Mario had recovered from his injuries.  ?Why?d they have to tie me up before they left?!  I?ve got to break free!?  He wriggled and squirmed about the castle floor, trying to undo to several tight knots Bowser had tied on the rope that restrained him.  ?Now what?   This rope isn?t coming undone, period.  Maybe if I can trick one of Bowser?s guards?  Hey you!?



One of the nearby Goombas patrolling the area stopped and turned around.  ?Me??



?Yeah, you,? Mario retorted.  ?Can you untie these ropes??



?I can, but I won?t,? the Goomba sneered.  ?Good luck!?  He turned around and left, chuckling to himself.



Mario thought hard for a moment.  ?That?s it!  Why can?t I just burn the ropes off? ?  He created a small Fireball in his right palm, and the rope slowly burned away.  ?Man, I?m such a genius!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Bowser staggered back and forth, still dazed from ramming into the castle gate.  ?When I don?t feel like vomiting anymore, I?ll make Luigi pay!?



King Boo rolled his eyes.  ?You?ll have plenty of time to recover; Luigi won?t be thawing out for some time.?



Out of nowhere, several Fireballs bombarded the frozen Luigi, causing him to melt from his icy prison.  ?I?m free!?



?Hey Bowser!  I see you?re as smart as ever!? Mario snickered as he emerged from the shadows.



Bowser was dumbfounded.  ?How?d you escape?  I made sure to tie you up before we left!?



Mario shot a few Fireballs in Bowser?s direction.  ?Take a guess!  C?mon, you can figure it out!? he taunted.



?Why you little?  This time I?ll make sure I pound you until you can?t even move!? Bowser howled, sending flames all about the area.



?I?ll distract King Boo!  You get Bowser!? Luigi shouted over Bowser?s loud, repetitive groans.



Mario easily weaved past Bowser?s attacks and got behind him.  As King Boo tried to stop him, Luigi leaped in front of him and fired a row of green Fireballs.  While the ghost king recovered from his burns, Mario grabbed Bowser?s tail and swung him in small, swift circles.  At last, he released Bowser, sending him crashing into King Boo.  The two villains struggled to their feet.



?We?ll get you for this!? Bowser cursed.



?We have a lot of planning to do!? King Boo snapped in agreement.  They turned and left for Bowser?s Castle.



?We better explain to Peach and E. Gadd what happened here,? Mario sighed.

oh alright thnx

Chapter 3: The Note



Bowser sat at his throne, waiting for King Boo to arrive.  ?He said he?d be right back.  Where is he?? he grumbled.



King Boo slowly floated into the room.  ?I?m back,? he sighed.



?What were you doing?!  You were gone for more than three hours!? Bowser roared in frustration.



King Boo smiled wickedly and pulled out two dark, glowing keys.  ?I was looking for these.?



Bowser calmed down immediately.  ?Are those? Shadow Keys??



?You bet they are!? King Boo affirmed.  ?I spent two hours looking for the first one.  Since the Shadow Keys let off a dark glow when they are near another Shadow Key, I was able to track the next one down within an hour.  I?ve even mapped out the location of every single Shadow Key in the kingdom!?



?Why would we need a map if you could?ve found the other five Star Keys within a few hours?? Bowser asked curiously.



?Well? even after gathering two Shadow Keys, I?ve caused quite a commotion in the areas that I?ve looked in.  We don?t want the Mario Bros. to catch up to us and ruin our entire plan.  So I figured we could play a little game with them.  All I have to do is hide these two keys in separate areas of the Mushroom Kingdom.  Then we make a copy of this map, and tear it so that it only shows the locations of the two keys we hid.  Once the new map is done, we send it to the Mario Bros.  By the time they get the two keys we hid, we should have found the other five keys.  All we have to do after that is ambush them and get the last two keys.?



Bowser just stood there, astonished.  ?Ingenious? But how will we convince them to go after the two Shadow Keys??



King Boo grinned.  ?Don?t worry; I?ve got that covered.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?And that?s the whole scoop, Peach,? Mario finished.



?Good thing we beat them before they got to you, huh?? Luigi added.  ?That King Boo really gives me the creeps.  With his brains and Bowser?s strength, we might have had a big problem on our hands.?



?Oh well, you guys taught them not to attack Mushroom Castle,? Peach chuckled.  ?You two always come through for us.  What would we do without you?  Well? it?s getting late.  I think you?ve both earned a good rest.?



?Good night!? Mario called to her as he walked out the door.  Luigi waved goodbye and followed behind his brother.


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario and Luigi were dog-tired.  As soon as they got home they collapsed into their beds and slept through the whole night.  They were completely unaware that someone had placed an envelope in their mailbox.  An envelope that would start an entirely new journey?



The next morning was nothing like the previous one.  It was dark, gloomy, and a storm had begun to take shape.  It was the kind of day where you want to just curl up in bed and sleep the whole day.  And that was exactly was the Mario Bros. intended to do, until they checked their mail.  ?Hey bro!? Luigi shouted.  ?I just went to see if we got any mail, and there?s a letter addressed to both of us.?



Mario had just crawled out of bed, brushed his teeth, and slipped into his casual clothing. ?Let me see it.?  He opened the envelope and began to read it.  As he did so, Luigi noticed Mario?s hand trembling.

Dear Mario Bros.,
   While you were sleeping peacefully in your beds, we took advantage of this opportunity to kidnap Princess Peach.  If you want her back in one piece, you had better collect all seven Shadow Keys indicated on the map I included. Do not come to my castle and try to fight your way to Peach.  If you do, Peach will die.





?So? Where exactly did you hide those Shadow Keys?? Bowser asked King Boo casually.



?I sent the first one over to your son, and I left the second one well guarded by your new ?Ultra Piranha Plant?,? King Boo replied.  ?Maybe they?ll even die trying to get the two keys I hid!?



?Maybe?  But you?ve at least left them enough obstacles to keep them busy for a while.?

This story's pretty good so far. There are a few spelling mistakes here and there, and that's all I can see right now. I'd watch out for homonyms, since spell check won't catch those. ;) I'd also use Youtube for the music, since they'll play automatically.

Good work so far, keep it up. ;)

Quote from: Retronintendodude7 on June 30, 2008, 09:15:13 PM
This story's pretty good so far. There are a few spelling mistakes here and there, and that's all I can see right now. I'd watch out for homonyms, since spell check won't catch those. ;) I'd also use Youtube for the music, since they'll play automatically.

Good work so far, keep it up. ;)

Thanks for the suggestions.  ;)  If it's not too much trouble, next time you read, could you point out any spelling mistake you might see?  You don't have to go through it with a dictionary, just any obvious ones that might take away from the story.  :P  Also, the next chapter will be up momentarily.

Chapter 4: The Journey Begins



?So, where do we start?? Luigi asked.



Mario carefully studied the map.  ?The first one should be in? Flower Fields!?



?Where?s that?? Luigi inquired, puzzled.



Mario sighed.  He had forgotten that Luigi had stayed home during his adventure to save the seven Star Spirits.  ?It?s a sacred place where flowers, Bub-ulbs, and other plant-like creatures live.  A Star Spirit was held there once, and it was up to me to rescue it.  It looks like we?re going to have to pay them another visit.?



?Oh? Now I remember!  I wrote about that in my secret diary- uh? I mean? Let?s get going!?



Luigi ran off to Toad Town.  Mario rolled his eyes and started to follow him.  ?He still thinks I haven?t found out about his secret diary??


* * * * * * * * * *


Toad Town was just as dark and gloomy as it was around the Mario Bros.? house.  It had begun to drizzle outside, but the rain was sure to get heavier.  Most Toads stayed in their homes, not wanting to get caught in a downpour.  ?Here it is!? Mario exclaimed, showing Luigi the flower garden.  It was a large circular patch of soil with four glowing colorful flowers that were surrounded by smaller, normal plants.  In the center of the garden was a single wooden door with nothing standing past or before it.  It was as if someone just bought a door and crammed it into the middle of the garden.



?This is the flower garden?? Luigi wondered aloud.  ?What?s with the door??



?It?s the gateway to Flower Fields,? Mario answered confidently, ?so let?s- Hey!  It?s Goombario!?  Mario pointed to a small Goomba wearing a blue hat.  Beside him was an elderly female Goomba.  As he went over to talk to his former partner, a lone Shy Guy emerged from the shadows and knocked the older Goomba over.  After searching through her pockets, the Shy Guy grabbed her wallet and ran away toward Mario?s direction.



?Grandma!? Goombario shouted just before helping her up.  ?Are you okay??



?Give that back, you jerk!? Mario thundered as he cut off the Shy Guy?s path and gave him a solid blow across the face.  The Shy Guy dropped the wallet and scurried away.  Mario picked up the wallet and returned it to Goombario?s grandmother, with Luigi following.  ?Every now and then those guys come out and steal stuff.  Luckily I was able to catch him.?



Goombario?s face lit up when he saw Mario.  ?Hey, Mario!  How?s it been?!?



?Bowser kidnapped Peach again, and Luigi and I are trying to save her,? Mario replied.  ?Why don?t you come along with us??



?Can I, Grandma? Can I, pleeeeaaaaasssssse?  C?mon, let me go!  Can I grandma? Can I go?? Goombario pestered.



?Oh alright,? she agreed.  ?Make sure you stay out of trouble, and listen to Mario.  And remember to stay out of the fights!  Leave the battling to the Mario Bros.!?



?YES!? Goombario cheered.



His grandmother heaved a great sigh.  ?Why can?t they build a grocery store in Goomba Village?  Whenever we need food, we have to hike all the way over here.  And now Goombario?s off on another journey.  How am I going to break it to his parents??



Mario, Luigi, and Goombario opened the door at the center of the garden.  Mario and Goombario stepped through the door, and Luigi skeptically followed them.  There was a blinding flash of light, and they stepped out of the mouth of a giant tree.




Luigi marveled at Flower Field?s astonishing beauty.  The sun shined down on the plentiful flower patches.  He turned around and saw the door from which they came from was actually the mouth of an enormous living tree.  ?Who?s that??



?That?s the Wise Wisterwood.  He watches carefully over Flower Fields,? Goombario answered after a quick glimpse at his tattle log.



?Maybe he knows where we can find the Shadow Key,? Mario added.  ?Excuse me, Wise Wisterwood, but do you know if something called a Shadow Key is anywhere around here??



?Ah, it?s Mario.  You saved us from being trapped in darkness forever, and I am forever in your debt.  I remember hearing that there was such a key in the area where you first met Lakilester.  Just recently, however, Northwestern Flower Fields received a new gatekeeper.  I?ve heard that he doesn?t let anyone pass unless they give him a green berry.?



?Where can we find a green berry?? Mario parroted.



?I am the only tree in Flower Fields that can grow green berries.  If you can climb to the top of me and get one, you?re set,? Wise Wisterwood responded.

I think it's pretty good so far!  It's kind of nostalgic, going back to the beginning of the series.  Of course, you had to stop right after SMB5 to do this, building up the suspense for SMB6. :P

This chapter was pretty good, and I didn't catch any spelling mistakes. ;)

Maybe Mario and Luigi should've went through a few ideas to rescue Peach, maybe they could've considered Bowser was bluffing and one wanted to go rescue Peach while the other didn't want to take that chance? But do whatever you want, it's your fanfiction. :P

Quote from: Retronintendodude7 on July 02, 2008, 03:26:04 PM
This chapter was pretty good, and I didn't catch any spelling mistakes. ;)

Maybe Mario and Luigi should've went through a few ideas to rescue Peach, maybe they could've considered Bowser was bluffing and one wanted to go rescue Peach while the other didn't want to take that chance? But do whatever you want, it's your fanfiction. :P

That's a good idea, and I've considered similar things in the past.  But for the sake of the rest of SMB1, I want to try and stick to the original as much a possible.  You'll see why in a few chapters.  ;)  Speaking of chapters, a new one will be up in just a few minutes.

Chapter 5: The First Shadow Key




?I?ll get it,? Mario claimed as he took a few steps back.  ?I?m sure a couple of well-placed jumps can get me up there.?



?Be careful,? Luigi reminded him.



Mario sped off toward Wise Wisterwood at full speed.  As he was inches away from colliding with the giant tree, he took a great leap and grabbed onto one of Wise Wisterwood?s branches.  He pulled himself up and continued to climb.  ?I think I see a green berry!?



?That was awesome!? Goombario exclaimed.  ?He took one big jump, and- WHOOSH!  He grabbed onto the branch!  Mario is the coolest!?



?Almost? there?? Mario mumbled to himself as he made his way up to the next branch.  ?Okay?  I think I can jump to it from here.?



?He?s gonna? jump?!? Luigi bawled.



?He?s a pro at jumping,? Goombario reassured him.  ?I?m sure he?ll make it.?



?Here I go!? Mario bellowed as he launched himself up into the air and snatched a green berry, landing skillfully on another branch.  As Goombario and Luigi began to cheer, the branch snapped below him and he was sent plummeting toward the ground.



THUD



Mario landed face-first on the ground with the green berry still clutched in his trembling hand.  Luigi grimaced.  ?That?s got to hurt??



Goombario plucked the berry from Mario?s hand.  ?Uh? Are you okay??



?He?s not moving?? Luigi whispered in a choked voice.  ?Goombario, what does your tattle log say about green berries??



?Hmm??  Goombario began flipping through the thousands of pages that contained information about everything in the Mushroom Kingdom.  ?Ah-ha!  The green berry is a rare fruit grown only in Flower Fields.  It restores its user?s HP and FP to maximum.?



Luigi?s face brightened.  ?Let?s feed it to Mario!?



?But how will we get past the new guard in Northwestern Flower Fields?? Goombario asked.



Luigi searched the branch that had fallen from Wise Wisterwood.  ?Yes!  There?s another green berry on the underside of this branch!  We can use one to heal Mario, and still have an extra to get to the Shadow Key!?  Immediately, Luigi fed the berry to Mario.  In seconds, Mario was back on his feet.



?Did I get the green berry?? he inquired, puzzled.



Goombario nodded, and they all left for Northwestern Flower Fields.  Not too far into the trip, they ran into a colossal steel gate guarded by a tall green flower.  ?What do you want?? it snapped impatiently.



?We?d? like to- uh? pass?? Luigi requested timidly.  Large beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.



?Yeah, right!  No one has passed since I was put on duty!  And do you know why?  Because I don?t let anyone by without feeding me a green berry, the most sacred and forbidden fruit in Flower Fields!  Sayonara, losers!? the green flower snickered.



?Man, this guy?s annoying.  Just take this and shut up!? Mario spat irritably as he tossed the green berry into its mouth while it continued to laugh.



?ACK!? the green plant shouted as it began to choke.  ?Wait? Was that? A green berry?  That was the most delicious thing I?ve ever tasted!  You can pass? Just don?t tell anyone, okay??



The enormous steel gate lowered into the ground, and the group of three continued into a wide open field.  At its center was a huge, seemingly harmless plant, and just beside it was the Shadow Key.



?We found it!? Luigi gasped.  ?Let?s grab it!?  He scurried over to the key and scooped it up in his hand.  ?I wonder why Bowser wants these so badly.  They seem like ordinary keys??  Suddenly the gigantic plant came to life and took on the shape of a massive Piranha Plant.  Before anyone could react, its mouth opened and engulfed both Luigi and the Shadow Key.




?Luigi!? Mario screamed.  The Piranha Plant burped up a ball of flames the size of a boulder.  Mario leaped to the side as it collided with a patch of flowers, burning them all to a crisp.  With one of its giant leaves, the Piranha Plant smacked Mario high into the air.



Goombario took out his tattle log once again.  ?That?s? an Ultra Piranha Plant!  Now, what information do we have here?  ?It shoots out large bursts of fire and attacks with its two mammoth leaves.  It has a pretty bad temper, so try not to make it angry.  It will try and eat anything, no matter what it is, when it?s angry.  The Ultra Piranha Plant is commonly found in warm, sunny climates and-??



?I don?t care about any of that!  Just tell me how to beat it!? Mario screamed impatiently as he soared downward toward the Piranha Plant?s wide open mouth.



?Fine, Mr. Impatient!? Goombario retorted.  ?Let?s see? Here it is!  ?Like most plants, the Ultra Piranha Plant goes through photosynthesis, during which it uses sunlight to make energy.  Using its colossal leaves, it absorbs the sun?s rays and converts them into immediate energy for use in battle.?  Attack the leaves!?



Mario?s mind was racing. How can I destroy the leaves with his giant mouth in the way?  There?s only one possible chance?  He created a Fireball in his palm and closed his fists around it.  As the Ultra Piranha Plant closed his mouth around the heroic plumber, Mario executed a Flame Punch that pierced right through its jaw.  After escaping through the hole, he targeted the two leaves with a barrage of Fireballs, burning them to ashes.



The Ultra Piranha Plant writhed in pain as it collapsed onto the ground and coughed up Luigi.  ?You did it!? Luigi cheered.



?Do you still have the Shadow Key?? Mario inquired.



Luigi reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple key.  ?Of course I do!  You know I wouldn?t come back empty handed!?



?At this rate, we?ll have Peach back in no time!?

It's time for a new chapter!  Just as a quick note, the plural of Yoshi is still Yoshi.  One Yoshi, Two Yoshi, Yoshi Island, etc.

Chapter 6: Splitting Up



?So? Where does the map say the next Shadow Key is?? Luigi inquired.



Mario reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn out map.  ?It looks like it?s on? Yoshi Island!?



Goombario opened his tattle log up once again.  ?I?m not sure how we?re going to get there.  The weather back in Toad Town is probably too extreme to try sailing there.  According to my tattle log, our best bet would be to get some rest while the storm settles down.?



?Sounds good,? Mario agreed.  ?I could use some rest.  Let?s get back to Toad Town.?  He walked up to Wise Wisterwood.



?What can I do for you?? Wise Wisterwood asked warmly.



Mario put the map back into his pocket.  ?Can you take us back to Toad Town??



?Yes I can.  I take you found what you were looking for??  Wise Wisterwood paused and waited for them to nod in concurrence.  ?Good.  I must warn you, though.  A terrible storm is brewing in Toad Town.  I strongly believe that this storm relates to an unnatural cause.  Be careful.?  His mouth, acting as a door, opened.  Mario, Luigi, and Goombario stepped inside.


* * * * * * * * * *


When they emerged in Toad Town, they found themselves submerged deep underwater.  Mario was the first to reach the surface.  He was gasping for breath as he swam madly toward the nearest rooftop that was not underwater.  ?What happened here?  Toad Town is flooded?  That storm didn?t seem that dangerous!  How is this possible?? he wondered aloud.



Seconds later, Goombario and Luigi came to the surface of the water.  Luigi was waving his hands wildly about, screaming.  ?Help!!  I can?t swim!!?



Mario held his breath and dove into the freezing cold water.  He swam up to Luigi and Goombario, grabbed them, and pulled them to safety.  For minutes they just sat there on the rooftop, too shocked to do anything else.  They were all soaking wet, and the water level was steadily rising.  Finally, Mario spoke up.  ?Is everyone else okay?  Do you think all of the Toads drowned??



Goombario peered into the distance.  ?No? I can see a lot of lights coming from Mushroom Castle.  I?ll bet everyone is taking cover inside of the castle.?



?We should join them,? Luigi added.  They all got up to try and swim to the castle, but a huge wave that seemed to come out of nowhere plunged them underwater once again.  They struggled desperately to reach the surface, but the tide carried them away.  They were now under the mercy of the sea?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Hey, wake up!  Are you okay?  Wake up!!? a blue Yoshi shouted.



A green Yoshi joined in.  ?That?s Mario!  Get up, Mario!  C?mon!?



Mario?s eyes slowly opened.  He coughed up a mouthful of water before struggling to his feet.  ?Where am I??



?You?re on Yoshi Island,? the green Yoshi replied.  ?Well? I should say, New Yoshi Island??



?What happened to the original Yoshi Island?? Mario questioned worriedly.  ?There?s something really important there, and I need to find it!?



The blue Yoshi seemed to shed a tear as he answered.  ?We?ve been driven off of our old island by Bowser Jr.  So we set up our own island right beside the original.  However, it could never replace our old home, so we sent out search parties to go find you.  We were positive that you could help us.  Supposedly, you, a green guy, and a Goomba were found drifting in the middle of the ocean and were brought here.?



Mario looked back and forth frantically.  ?Where are they??



The green Yoshi pointed to a nearby patch of sand.  ?They?re talking about some kind of plan.  Maybe you should go talk to them.?  Mario noticed a strange grin on the blue Yoshi?s face, but didn?t think anything of it.  He turned and walked up to his comrades to help them think of a strategy.



?Mario!  You?re awake!?  Goombario exclaimed.



?Good; take out the map,? Luigi commanded him.  ?It?ll help us plan our next move.?



Mario dug into his pocket.  ?Sure?  Wait? Must be in my other pocket?  Nope!  My shirt pocket?  No?  My other shirt pocket?  Nada?  My overall pocket?  Zip?  My ?super special secret pocket?? Yeah!  Wait? No??



How many pockets does he have?!  I hope he didn?t lose it, Goombario thought to himself.



?I? l- lost it?? Mario stammered.  ?I lost the map!?



?WHAT?!? Luigi thundered.  ?You lost the map?!  Now what do we do?!  What?s wrong with you?!?



?Well maybe if you reminded me to secure in my pocket when we got caught in the flood, we?d still have it!? Mario shot back.



?Don?t drag me into this!  This is your fault!? Luigi howled angrily.



?That?s it!  I?m always the hero!  I save you constantly on a daily basis!  And now, after I make one little mistake, I?m a useless piece of trash?!? Mario exploded with rage.  ?Well, no more!  I?ll handle this myself!  I?m out of here!?  With that, he turned and stormed off.



On a nearby hill above them, the two Yoshi from earlier began to laugh.  The blue Yoshi took off a mask and wiped off some makeup, and was revealed to be Boshi.  The green Yoshi turned out to be another familiar thief in a Yoshi costume.  After unzipping the clever disguise, Croco emerged with the Shadow Key map in his hand.

Chapter 7: Up to Luigi



?Perfect!  They took the bait just as we thought they would!? Croco snickered as he scanned the Shadow Key map.  ?I snatched the map from Mario?s pocket while he was sleeping, and then he gets blamed for losing it!  Priceless!?



?Lemme? see it!? Boshi snapped, ripping the map from Croco?s hand.  ?It looks like the map tells where we can find stuff.  But what stuff does the map lead us to?  And why does the map show that one of these objects is in the exact same place as Bowser Jr.?s new castle??



Croco glanced at the map again.  ?It looks like one was also in Flower Fields, and there?s a tiny little check mark next to it.  That means Mario has already got whatever was there.  But maybe we can swipe it from him!  After all, stealing is what I do best!?



Mario stormed along the beach toward Bowser Jr.?s new castle.  ?Maybe pounding Bowser?s idiot son will help ?persuade? Bowser to let Peach go.  At the very least, it?ll help me burn off some extra stress.?  Just then, a tiny bomb flew out from some nearby bushes.  Mario quickly dove out of the way as the bomb let off a mini-explosion.  ?Who?s there?!?



?Oh, just some old friends,? Croco chuckled as he and Boshi stepped out from the bushes.



?That?s a relief.  I almost mistook you for a threat,? Mario taunted, clenching his fists.



Boshi showed Mario the map.  ?Is this yours?  I thought so.  We don?t want any trouble, so just hand over whatever you found in Flower Fields and you can have your map back.  It?s that simple.?  I don?t need the stupid map.  I already know that whatever is on the map is somewhere around Bowser Jr.?s castle.



Mario shook is head rebelliously.  ?If you got me into that fight with my friends, there?s no way I?d make a deal with you.  I?d much rather pummel both of you and keep the map and the Shadow Key.?



?Shadow Key?   That sounds important!? Croco exclaimed.  ?Have it your way!  Let?s get him, Boshi!?




Croco threw another miniature bomb at Mario, who avoided it by jumped up into the air.  Boshi swallowed the bomb before it touched the ground and laid an egg that contained the explosive.  As Mario plummeted helplessly toward the ground, Boshi tossed the egg-bomb at him.  It exploded and sent Mario tumbling onto the ground.



?I got him!? Boshi exclaimed triumphantly.



Mario struggled to his feet.  ?Ack? Croco?s bombs always do a number on me? I can barely move??



?Let?s finish him!? Croco urged his partner as they both charged at him.



Mario raised one of his severely bruised arms and tried to aim a Fireball at Croco.  ?I think I can manage? one last Super Fireball??



Croco and Boshi stopped dead in their tracks as Mario?s Super Fireball came whizzing toward them.  Unfortunately, Mario was too injured to aim accurately and the Fireball passed harmlessly above Croco?s head.  ?That last attack really took its toll on you, huh?? Croco sneered.



Mario collapsed on the ground in a heap.  ?Darn it??



?It looks like your nothing without your friends,? Croco mocked the fallen plumber.  After reaching into Mario?s pocket, he pulled out a purple glowing key.  ?This must be it.  Too bad I didn?t steal this when I stole the map, but I thought it was your house key.  C?mon Boshi, we?re going to Bowser Jr.?s Castle.?



Mario watched helplessly as they walked off into the darkness.  Slowly, his eyes began to shut.  ?It?s? up to? Luigi??


* * * * * * * * * *


Night had fallen by the time Croco and Boshi finally reached their destination?



?So, this is Bowser Jr.?s Castle?? Boshi wondered aloud.  ?It?s kind of big for someone so small??



?Let?s get inside and look for the Shadow Key,? Croco whispered.  ?Something as important-looking as a Shadow Key must be guarded carefully, so we?ll need to watch our step.?



They snuck in through a window on the side of the castle.  Inside was an enormous throne room lit only by two rows of torches on either side of the long red carper that stretched across the room and up to the throne.  Several Koopatrol guards walked up and down the length of the room.  Amongst all of the loyal servants was Bowser Jr. himself.  Beside him was a pedestal surrounded by dozens of security lasers.  Bestowed upon this pedestal was the Shadow Key.



Croco elbowed Boshi.  ?We can?t get that key? We?ll be annihilated!?



Boshi nodded in agreement.  Seconds later, a wicked grin appeared on his face.  ?Maybe we don?t need to get the key??


* * * * * * * * * *


Luigi and Goombario trudged up the dirt path that led to Bowser Jr.?s Castle.  Luigi?s face was wet with tears.  ?I can?t believe he just left us??



?Don?t worry,? Goombario reassured him.  ?I?ll bet Mario is already in there, battling all of Bowser Jr.?s minions at once!?



Luigi?s face lit up.  ?Really?  Let?s go help him!?



They rushed through the front door into Bowser Jr.?s Castle.  Instantly, all of the guards surrounded them, carrying a variety of weapons.  ?I don?t think Mario wasn?t here yet?? Luigi said weakly.


* * * * * * * * * *


?That?s a great plan!? Croco affirmed.  ?But it looks like Luigi just got himself surrounded by the whole legion of sentries.  Go find Mario, and feed him this.?  He handed Boshi a Max Mushroom.



Boshi nodded and grabbed the Max Mushroom.  ?I?ll be back soon- Or should I say, Mario will be back soon!?

Chapter 8: Bedtime Story



?Luigi!  Use this!? Croco shouted as he threw a Mega Mushroom to him.



As he caught the mushroom, Luigi began to wonder who this mysterious ally was.  ?Who are you??



?I?m? uh? one of Mario?s old friends!  Now eat it!? Croco demanded.



Luigi complied and swallowed the entire Mega Mushroom in one bite.  Instantly, he grew more than ten times his original size.  ?It?s time to crack some skulls!?



As the oversized Luigi began to thrash all of his best men, Bowser Jr. became uneasy.  ?They must be after the Shadow Key!  King Boo warned me that they would be here!  I need to stay calm?  At least I?m safe over here.?



?Well? Not quite,? Croco snickered.  ?Hand over the Shadow Key, and I?ll let you go.?



?Never!? Bowser Jr. refused.  ?The Shadow Key is mine!  Dad gave one of his to me as a gift!?



So there are more? And Bowser has them?  I?ve got a plan!  ?Try looking at the bigger picture,? Croco coaxed.  ?Mario is on his way right now along with another one of my allies.  Soon your guards are going to be toast thanks to Luigi, and that makes the score four to one.  Do you really think you can take on all of us?  Give me the key, and I?ll trick the Mario Bros. and get them out of our hair.  Wouldn?t you rather let me have the key than let your dad?s worst enemies get their hands on it??



Bowser Jr. thought for a moment.  ?Alright, I can agree with some of the plan; but after you finish tricking the Mario Bros., I want the key back.?



Croco sighed.  ?Fine.  At least it?ll get us away from those pesky plumbers.  Why don?t we meet once they leave??



?Good idea,? Bowser Jr. agreed.  ?We?ll meet in the docking room where I keep my airship.  Oh, and how do you plan to trick the Mario Bros.??



?Leave that to me,? Croco chuckled.  ?Just do exactly what I?m about to tell you, and they?ll fall for it.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Boshi found Mario where they had left him.  After feeding him the Max Mushroom, Mario was up in a flash.  ?Boshi?  Why would you help me??



?Right now everyone else, including your brother, is at Bowser Jr.?s Castle.  We? uh? needed your help.  So? If you could give us a hand? That? uh? That?d be great,? Boshi stammered.



The two of them rushed to the castle as fast as they could.  Mario burst through the front door with Boshi behind them to see Luigi, Goombario, and Croco standing around an unconscious Bowser Jr.  ?It?s over?? Mario wondered aloud.



?Well, I guess they managed to beat everyone without us,? Boshi explained sheepishly.



?Where is the Shadow Key?  And where is the key you stole from me?? Mario challenged.



?They?re all yours!? Croco exclaimed.  ?Take ?em.  It turns out these Shadow Keys aren?t so valuable after all.?  He handed Mario the two Shadow Keys and the map.



?So you guys stole the map?!? Luigi thundered.



?It?s okay, they gave everything back,? Mario replied calmly.  ?I guess you two aren?t as bad as I thought.?



Croco forced a smile.  ?Nah, we?re just a bunch of dirty thieves.  C?mon Boshi, we?ve gotta? go!  See ya? around!?  With that, Boshi and Croco left in a hurry.



Goombario glanced at his watch.  ?It?s getting late.  ?We better set up camp outside.?



For the next hour they worked on making a tent and starting a fire to keep them warm.  Once they were all warm and cozy, it was time to go to bed.  Just as everyone was about to go to sleep, Goombario spoke up.  ?Mario, can you tell me a bed time story??



Who does he think I am?  ?Super Mario? doesn?t tell stories!  Well? He has done a good job so far.  He deserves it?   ?Sure.  I?ll tell you the story about how Luigi and I ended up in the Mushroom Kingdom.?




?Once, a kind and powerful man lived in a place called Brooklyn.  He had two sons, both that took after their father.  For many days, the man and his children lived in peace.  But one day, the man took his children to a strange place underground.  He told them, ?You both are destined for great things.  Don?t be sad that we must part; this is what I must do.  Someday, you will understand.  Someday?  You will take my place??




Those were his final words to his infant sons before dropping them into a strange pipe.  They ended up in a strange kingdom, called the Mushroom Kingdom.  They lived all alone, until a beautiful stork picked them up.  ?Poor babies, you must be terribly lonely.  I will take you somewhere safe.?  The stork flew across the kingdom, hoping to find the parents of the babies.



Meanwhile, the young Bowser and his faithful servant, Kamek, foresaw that these boys would cause them much trouble in the future.  ?Bring me those babies!? Bowser commanded, and Kamek set out to find them.  It wasn?t long before she found the stork that carried them, and she attacked.  She captured young Luigi, but the stork dropped the poor Mario down onto Yoshi Island.  Determined to save his brother, the baby Mario teamed up with many brave Yoshi until they finally rescued him. 



For three years, Mario and Luigi lived with the Yoshi.  But Kamek continued to try and kidnap the poor babies, so the Yoshi did what was best.  They sent him back in the pipe from which they came, and they grew up as normal children in Brooklyn.  Memories of their father would always return to them, but they could never find him.  Days passed, and the boys became adults.



They became plumbers, and began to work on the sewers below the area.  And do you know what they found?  They found a pipe!  After investigating it, they fell in, and found themselves in the Mushroom Kingdom once again.  Ever since, Mario and Luigi have lived to save to kingdom and thwart the evil Bowser.?



Mario saw that Goombario was beginning to fall asleep.  He wondered to himself where his dear old father went off to.  What could have happened to him?  Not even Mario knew?

Chapter 9: Ruination



Croco and Boshi had been waiting in the docking room all night.  Morning had finally arrived, and there was still no sign of Bowser Jr.  ?Are you sure he?s going to meet us here?? Boshi asked skeptically.



?He better,? Croco replied bitterly.



Just then, a half-asleep Bowser Jr. stepped into the room.  ?How long have you been waiting for me??



?All night!? Boshi snapped.



Bowser Jr. seemed surprised.  ?Why?  You could?ve gone to sleep.  That?s what I did??



Croco clenched his fists.  ?Whatever; at least you?re here.  Let?s get him, Boshi!?  They rushed forward and knocked Bowser Jr. over.  Boshi swallowed him and trapped him in an egg.  ?Make sure he doesn?t get away!?



?He?ll be stuck in this egg for a while,? Boshi reassured him.  ?He won?t be going anywhere.?



Croco nodded and picked up a phone that resembled Bowser?s face from a nearby table.  After dialing some numbers, he heard someone pick up the phone on the other end.  ?Is this Bowser?? Croco inquired.



?Yeah, what do you want?  This better be good for interrupting my beauty sleep!? Bowser roared impatiently.



A wide grin spread across Croco?s face.  ?Listen up, buddy.  I?ve got your son and his Shadow Keys, and I understand that you have more of these strange keys.  Send them over to me, and I will return your son safely.?



Bowser?s facial expression remained the same.  ?I have no use for that little ingrate if he lost the keys to the likes of you.  Do as you please with him.?  Bowser hung up.


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario, Luigi, and Goombario had just finished breakfast and were preparing to depart.  Mario stared at the map, bewildered.  ?There are a few problems with the map.  First off, it only points to three locations, and Bowser said there were seven Shadow Keys.  Second, the third location is Bowser?s Castle.  Is this some kind of trick?  Bowser told us specifically not to come to his castle, or Peach would die, and yet he wants us to come to his castle to collect the next key!  Luigi, throw me one of the Shadow Keys.  Maybe it?ll give us some kind of clue.?



Luigi took out a key and threw it to Mario.  ?Oops, bad throw,? he muttered as he realized that he threw it a little too far to the left.  It hit the ground and shattered as if it was made of glass.



?It? broke?? Mario wondered aloud, too shocked to comprehend what had just happened.  ?The keys were fake!  Croco and Boshi must?ve made fake keys and gave them to us so they could escape with the real ones!?



?I think they?re still in Bowser Jr.?s Castle!? Goombario exclaimed.  ?Let?s go get them!?



?What should I do with the other fake key?? Luigi asked.



?Just hold onto it!  We?re going after Croco and Boshi!?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Uh-oh!  Mario and the others must?ve found out the keys were fake!? Boshi warned Croco.  ?They?re inside the castle and heading straight for us!?



?Then get into Bowser Jr.?s airship.  We?ll ditch these losers and fly straight to Bowser?s Castle.  Once we get there, we?ll assault the castle and get those Shadow Keys the hard way!? Croco announced.  ?Get the engine started!  We?re leaving!?  He grabbed the egg that contained Bowser Jr. and placed it in the corner.


* * * * * * * * * *




Mario, Luigi, and Goombario stopped in the docking room and saw Bowser Jr.?s airship crash through the roof.  ?They?re getting away!? Mario thundered.  ?I?ll get them!?  He rushed forward and began wall-kicking his way up to the ceiling.  Once there, he took several steps back before running full speed at the escaping airship.  Finally, he launched himself into the air and went hurling forward.  Luigi and Goombario marveled at one of the greatest long-jumps performed in history.



Mario crashed through a window in the back of the airship.  His mind was racing.  Now what?  How can I get Luigi and Goombario up here?  He searched frantically for something that he could use.  At last, he found the anchor that was used to stop the airship if it was ever on water.  Using a Fireball, he carefully burnt the part of the rope that held the metal anchor onto it.  Now that it was just a normal rope, he threw it down to Luigi and Goombario.



?Mario threw a rope down for us!  Let?s go!? Luigi shouted as he grabbed Goombario and jumped onto the rope.  As they started to climb, Luigi found himself struggling.  ?Ack!  Climbing is harder than it looks!?



?At least you have arms.  How am I supposed to climb?? Goombario muttered.



?I?ll carry you,? Luigi offered as he grabbed onto Goombario with his free hand.



Meanwhile, Mario tried to figure out where they were heading.  At last, he found a window that allowed him to see where they were going.  ?Bowser?s Castle!  But his castle defenses will destroy us!  We?re just one tiny airship!  We?d need an entire fleet to get to Bowser using airships!  That?s why I always walk to his castle!?



Cannonballs shot out from the castle and whizzed past the airship.  Luigi screamed as he was almost hit with one of Bowser?s many radar missiles.  In fact, Mario could hear his brother?s shouting over all of the noise that the airship was making.  Now motivated to climb up to his brother, Luigi began to ascend at a rapid rate.  Soon, he and Goombario met Mario inside of the ship.  ?Let?s go find Croco and Boshi!? Mario bellowed over the rumbling of the airship.



The three of them stormed into the control room.  Croco rolled his eyes.  ?Not now!  We?re having enough trouble steering this piece of junk!?



BOOM



A cannonball struck the airship, and the engine burst into flames.  ?Oh no!  We?re going down!? Boshi yelled.



?Give us back our Shadow Keys!?  Mario challenged.



?You can have them,? Croco sighed, tossing them the real Shadow Keys, ?but we?re getting out of here!?



Croco and Boshi took the only two parachutes and dove out of the airship.  A sudden jolt sent Goombario and Luigi flying into a wall, knocking them out cold.  ?I?ve got to think of something,? Mario told himself, ?or Bowser will steal the keys after we crash land.?



Seconds later, the airship crashed into the side of Bowser?s Castle.  Bowser walked over to the wreck and grinned.  He snatched the two Shadow Keys from Mario?s hand.  ?It worked?  We have all seven Shadow Keys!?

Chapter 10: Conclusion



?Where are we?? Mario wondered aloud as he found himself in a dark, cold cell.  Beside him were his two barely awake companions, Luigi and Goombario.  Mario had a throbbing headache, and he felt as if he?d just been hit by a train.  ?What happened??



Goombario studied their surroundings.  ?Bowser must?ve captured us.  I think we crashed??



?Where are the Shadow Keys?!? Luigi exclaimed.  ?Do you have them?!?



Mario searched his pockets.  Even his ?super special secret pocket? was not left unchecked.  ?Nope; Bowser robbed me dry.  But do you still have that ?fake key? I told you to hold on to??



?Yeah,? Luigi replied, showing him the key he kept in his pocket.  ?What about it??


* * * * * * * * * *


Bowser and King Boo stood at a colossal altar in front of an enormous glowing door with seven keyholes in it.  ?This? is the Shadow Shrine,? King Boo said with a sweeping gesture of his hands.



?Just put the seven keys in already and be done with it,? Bowser snapped impatiently.




King Boo presented the seven Shadow Keys.  Six of the keys magically rose and inserted themselves into the six keyholes they were designated to, while the seventh remained in King Boo?s hand.  ?I guess I have to put this one in.  Maybe it?s supposed to make things more dramatic??



He floated up to the door and carefully placed the key into the final keyhole.  ?Yes!  We will finally rule over this world!  Not even the Mario Bros. will be able to stop us!  We will reign supreme!?



?Finally!? Bowser roared.  ?At last, I can destroy those pesky plumbers!?



Purple static electricity emitted from the door and began zapping the seventh key.  There was a loud rumbling noise as the ground began to tremor.  Suddenly, the seventh key shattered into tiny glass pieces, and the seventh keyhole remained unlocked.


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario began chuckling to himself.  ?Those idiots!  They were so caught up in the moment they didn?t even bother to search Luigi!?



Luigi was puzzled.  ?What good does a fake key do us??



?You still don?t get it?? Mario snickered.  ?Just before we crashed, I switched one of the real Shadow Keys I had with the fake Shadow Key I told you to keep.  Bowser and King Boo only robbed me, so they took six real Shadow Keys to the Shadow Shrine along with the fake one.?



Luigi stared at the ?fake key?.  ?So this is actually? a real Shadow Key??



Mario nodded.  ?Yup, and without all seven keys Bowser and King Boo won?t be able to get whatever they?re after.?



?About that?? Goombario spoke up in a choked voice.  ?I?ve been doing some research on Shadow Keys in my tattle log, and I came up with some info.  ?Once, a lord with great power travelled across the universe, conquering all land that he came across.  He grew tired of doing all the work himself, so he created a demon.  This demon soon became known for causing chaos wherever it went, and it soon became known as Chaos.  One day, Chaos rebelled against its master and attempted to take over, but the lord overpowered Chaos and sealed him away in the Mushroom Kingdom.  The only way to ever release this demon is to collect the seven Shadow Keys and bring them to the Shadow Shrine.?  Neat, huh??



?I?ve got to get to the Shadow Shrine and put a stop to this!? Mario shouted.  ?Even if they don?t have all seven keys, they?ll surly come back here for them!  I need-? He then realized who was in the cell across from them.  Peach and E. Gadd sat upright, listening in on the conversation.  ?Peach!  E. Gadd!  You?re both okay!?



?We were going to speak up, but Goombario?s story really caught our interest,? Peach explained.  ?Anyway, I got this key from a guard when he wasn?t looking.  I didn?t bother to try and escape because I knew that Bowser or his guards would catch me.  Maybe you can use it.?  She tossed the key through the iron bars of her cell to Mario, who used the key to open up their cell.  He then opened Peach and E. Gadd?s cell.



E. Gadd gave Mario the Poltergeist 3000.  ?I used it to try and fend off King Boo, but I?m getting a little too old for ghost hunting.  Hopefully you can put it to better use.?



Mario strapped the device onto his back.  ?Everyone should get back to Mushroom Castle.  I have the Poltergeist 3000, which is the only thing that can beat King Boo.  There?s no point for anyone else to come with me.  Understood??



The rest of them nodded hesitantly and headed for Mushroom Castle.  Mario used his Shadow Key?s ability to glow when it is near other Shadow Keys to search for the Shadow Shrine.


* * * * * * * * * *


?I don?t understand? How can a Shadow Key break?? King Boo pondered.



?If it was fake, it could!? Mario taunted as he arrived on the scene.



King Boo stumbled backward.  ?That device?  It?s the Poltergeist 3000!?



?If we work together, we can beat him just like we did last time!? Bowser reassured him.




King Boo smiled wickedly.  ?We?  Sorry, but I had other plans for the final confrontation with Mario!?  He became transparent and entered Bowser?s body.



?What did you do to him?? Mario inquired fearfully.



?I possessed him,? ?Bowser? responded mechanically.  ?Now hand over the last Shadow Key, or prepare to face the combined force of Bowser?s strength and my brains, Booser!?



?Why don?t you take it away from me, ?Looser??!? Mario mocked.



Enraged, Booser stepped forward and breathed a tower of flames at Mario, who rolled through Booser?s legs to avoid the blast.  Booser whirled around tried to stomp on the frantic plumber, but Mario once again dodged with great agility.  His mind was racing.  How can I fight him?  He?s too big!



?What?s a matter?  Am I tougher than you thought?? Booser sneered.



Mario finally came up with an idea.  That?s it!  I can use his size to my advantage.  Right after he uses ?that? attack, I?ll strike!



Booser took out a few giant balls covered in a layer of spikes.  Laughing to himself, he tossed them directly at Mario.  ?Now?s my chance!? Mario screamed as he took out the Poltergeist 3000 and sucked the spike balls up.  He fired them back at Booser?s head, sending it flying off of his shoulders and onto the ground.



King Boo emerged from within Bowser?s body.  ?You knocked my head off!  Well? not my head, per se, but you know what I mean!?  He began to fire orbs of ice at Mario.



Mario immediately began sucking King Boo up with the Poltergeist 3000.  However, King Boo escaped back into Bowser?s body and tried to put Bowser?s head back on.  To Mario?s amusement, he put the head on backwards.  Mario took cover as Booser ran around, bumping into things.



?Look over here, you big tub of lard!? Mario teased him.



Booser took out more spiked balls and began wildly tossing them about, hoping one would hit Mario.  Our hero took advantage of this opportunity to fire them back at Booser with the Poltergeist 3000, once again literally ?knocking his block off?.  King Boo, severely weakened, collapsed onto the ground.  Mario ended the battle by sucking him up into the Poltergeist.  Bowser?s head once again attached to his body, but Bowser remained unconscious.



?I did it,? Mario sighed.  Just then, the Poltergeist 3000 began beeping.  He saw E. Gadd?s face on the built in communication device.



?Mario, you just stopped the biggest catastrophe the Mushroom Kingdom has ever faced!  We?re all very, very proud of you!? E. Gadd congratulated him.  ?Furthermore, Princess Peach is holding a party at her castle to celebrate.  Hurry back before it starts!?



?I?ll be there!? Mario affirmed as he ran off into the distance, heading for Mushroom Castle.



Back at the Shadow Shrine, the Shadow Keys were left behind, including the one Mario had.  The seven keys began to glow before a strong whirlwind picked them up and send them in different directions across the kingdom to prevent another situation such as this from ever happening.  However, a crack had appeared on the front door on the Shadow Shrine?

Chapter 11: Vacation Gone Wrong? Again



Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach sat in a private plane heading for Isle Delfino.  Mario read over the letter that he had received earlier:



Dear Mario,
   We are sorry for the misunderstanding during your first visit to the humble Isle Delfino.  As a token of our appreciation for you helping us even though you had done nothing wrong, we would like to offer you and two friends a free trip to our island.  This time, we hope you have the opportunity to enjoy your stay.



Mario put the letter away.  ?It sure was nice of them to give us another chance to visit them.?



?What?s it like?? Luigi asked, beginning to daydream.



?It?s amazing,? Mario breathed.  ?At first it wasn?t so great, seeing as how I spent most of my first day in jail.  But after I rescued all of the Shine Sprites, the land really seemed beautiful.  I even brought FLUDD with me so it could seem like old times.?



?By the way,? Peach mentioned casually, ?How did they figure out you were innocent??



Mario recalled the many legal events that had to take place before the problem was resolved.  ?It wasn?t easy.  They had no actual proof that Bowser or his son were ever on the island in the first place.  Eventually, it all came down to what my motives could have been to pollute the island and why I would work so hard to clean it up afterward.  They let me off the hook, but one more slip could be all it takes to get me hauled off to prison.  No matter what happens, we need to stay out of trouble.?



?Way to stay positive,? Luigi muttered.



Mario sighed and glanced out the window.  ?We?re here!?



The plane landed safely without running into any sort of monstrous goop.  Mario, Luigi, and Peach stepped off of the plane.  ?Your hotel room will be ready shortly.  In the meantime, feel free to visit the various tourist attractions here on Isle Delfino,? a Pianta in a black suit told them.



?I think I want to spend some time at the beach,? Peach decided.



?Me too,? Mario agreed.  ?What about you, Luigi??



Luigi shook his head.  ?Nah; I?m more of a fishing person.  I?ll be at Rico Harbor.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario and Peach spent the entire duration of the day lounging at the beach.  There was not a single enemy to speak of.  Everything was just as a vacation should be.  The two of them walked back to the hotel as the sun began to set.  Back at the hotel, their blissful day was ruined by the absence of Luigi.



?He probably lost track of time,? Mario explained.  ?I?m sure there?s nothing to worry about.?



?Mario?  I think you should see this??



Mario ran over to Peach.  Her face was pale, and she was trembling violently.  ?What?s wrong??  His question was immediately answered by the sight of an enormous hole in the wall of the kitchen.  ?That shape of the hole?  Bowser?  I?m going to Corona Mountain!  Bowser is probably there with Luigi.  He should still be weak from the whole ?Shadow Key? incident, so I?ll most likely be back soon.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario arrived inside of Corona Mountain with FLUDD strapped to his back.  Boiling hot magma covered the floor, with only a few pieces of land floating on its surface.  Many pillars protruded from the magma, each equipped with either automatic retracting spikes or flamethrowers.  ?Ah? Corona Mountain?  How nostalgic!?



Mario switched to FLUDD?s hover nozzle and used it to jump toward the first flame pillar.  The water Mario used to hover over to the pillar automatically doused the fire on it.  Next, he cautiously waited for the spikes on the next pillar to go down before proceeding to it.  He continued to make it past similar obstacles until he came to a chunk of land in the midst of the magma.  It had a single crate on it along with a sprinkler that Mario used to refill FLUDD.  Beside it was a boat that seemed to be resistant to the intense heat of the magma.



?I can use this to move,? Mario told himself as he hopped into the boat and switched to FLUDD?s spraying nozzle.  By spraying the magma with FLUDD, Mario was able to push the boat along the sea of lava until he came to one last island.  On it was a red box with E. Gadd?s face printed on all of its sides.  He jumped onto the box to open it and equipped FLUDD?s rocket nozzle.  Many clouds had formed above Mario in a linear formation that seemed to lead him directly to Bowser.  Using the rocket nozzle, he made his way to the top of the mountain.



Mario emerged at the very tip of Corona Mountain.  A pool of steaming hot water filled the entire area.  At the center of this pool was Bowser?s submarine- the very same one he had used in Super Mario 64.

Chapter 12: The Return of Shadow Mario



Mario noticed Luigi all tied up on the front of Bowser?s submarine.  Luigi?s face lit up when he saw his brother.  ?You came! I just knew you would!?



?Of course I did!  Bowser has a lot of nerve ruining my vacation again!? Mario cursed.



?Oh, sorry about that,? Bowser chuckled, emerging from within the sub.  ?I need to ?borrow? your brother for a little while.  You see, I?m working on a new invention, but I need a guinea pig.?



Mario clenched his fists.  ?No way!  Perform tests on one of your minions, not my brother!?



Bowser rolled his eyes.  ?No; that?ll never do!  I need someone who isn?t already evil, such as Luigi!  But if you?re willing to take his place, so be it!?  He took a deep breath and prepared to engulf the whole room in flames.  However, Mario had experienced Bowser?s fire breath technique so many times that he devised a way to counter it.  Mario shot a Fireball directly into Bowser?s mouth!



?Nice shot, bro!? Luigi cheered.



?AGH!  My tongue?s on fire!? Bowser screamed as he dipped his head into the pool.



?This won?t take long,? Mario mumbled to himself.  ?He should?ve rested a little while longer before he decided to challenge me again.?  He hid behind a large structure on the sub that had Bowser?s face engraved on it.



At last, Bowser?s head surfaced.  He whirled around, his eyes red with rage.  ?Where are you??  He began to search around the submarine.  When his back was turned, Mario snuck up behind him and seized his tail.  ?Why you little??



?When are you going to learn that your tail is your biggest weakness?? Mario sighed.  He spun Bowser around and around.  Luigi tried to follow Bowser?s movement, but he ended up too dizzy to see straight.  At last, Mario released him, sending him flying into the distance.  ?Let?s get back to the hotel.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Dad, what happened?? Bowser Jr. asked his defeated father.



?Mario came and beat me again, just as we planned.  Was it enough of a distraction for them to allow you to hack E. Gadd?s system without anyone noticing?? Bowser inquired.



Bowser Jr. nodded.  ?I?ve found out loads of information about him, including where he?s staying at this very moment.  It seems he has a vacation home on Isle Delfino, and that?s where he?ll be for the rest of the week.?



?Good.  Proceed as planned.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario and Luigi returned to the hotel late at night.  After assuring Peach that everything was fine, they all went to bed.  The three of them slept like babies, and awoke prepared to spend the day having fun.



Luigi was the last one up.  ?Nothing can start the day off better than some TV!?  He flipped a switch on the TV, and the news channel popped up.



As they ate their breakfast, Mario mentioned casually, ?What do you guys want to do today?  I hear Pinna Park has this brand new roller coaster and-?



Just then, a news report caught their attention.  ?An old man?s vacation home has just been covered in thick, slimy goo similar to the goo that plagued our humble island not too long ago.  This man?s name has been confirmed to be E. Gadd.  More details will arrive at eleven.?



?E. Gadd?? Mario parroted.  ?I?ve got to go help him!?



?Let me go too!? Luigi requested.



Mario shook his head.  ?No.  This may be a trap to lure us away from Peach.  Stay here and look after her.?



?Bring me too, Mario,? echoed FLUDD?s mechanical voice.



?Good idea.  You can help clean of the sludge on E. Gadd?s house.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Inside E. Gadd?s vacation home, a familiar figure threatened him.  ?Listen, old man, I need you to upgrade my paintbrush.  You made it in the first place, so you can upgrade it.  Here?s what I need it to be able to do.?  He whispered into E. Gadd?s ear.



?No way!  I know exactly what you would do with that kind of ability!? E. Gadd shouted defiantly.



?Then you also know what I might do to you if you don?t upgrade my paintbrush!? the figure threatened him impatiently.  He waved his paintbrush to show that he meant business.



?Fine, fine,? E. Gadd complied.  ?Just leave as soon as I finish, and remove the goo from my home.?



?How long will this take??



?Thanks to my new duplication chip, it should be done in just a minute!? E. Gadd boasted.  Carefully, he took apart the paintbrush and inserted the chip onto a large circuit board with many wires attached to it that ran all through the inside of the device.  Finally, he closed up the paintbrush and sealed it shut.  ?There you go!  Now remove the goo from my house!?



Just then, Mario and FLUDD arrived on the scene.  ?It looks like the goo is disappearing by itself??



Shadow Mario emerged from the front door.  ?Just as I thought; you?re here.  This?ll work out perfectly.?

Chapter 13: Mario?s Bad Day



?So, Bowser Jr. is back on his feet already,? Mario acclaimed with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.  ?Or should I say, Shadow Mario.  You know, you and your father could use a break from fighting me, although you ran away before I could pummel you the last time we met.?



?Croco and Boshi set me up!? Shadow Mario snapped.  ?They ganged up on me and trapped me!?



?I?m surprised you fell for one of their tricks,? Mario shot back.  ?I guess some people just aren?t that smart.?



Shadow Mario calmed himself down.  ?Ah, I know how you work.  You get your opponent all riled up with your clever little insults, and then you take advantage of them.  Well, it won?t save you this time.  I just ?persuaded? E. Gadd to upgrade my paintbrush, making me unstoppable.?



Mario shook his head emphatically.  ?Forcing old men to fight your battles for you; you should be ashamed.?



?You?re the one who?s gonna? be ashamed!? Shadow Mario retorted, dashing toward Mario with his paintbrush held high above him.  Mario quickly doused him with water, but he wasn?t in the least bit affected.  Frustrated, he threw a quick punch at Shadow Mario.  But the punch went right through Shadow Mario, and then he seemed to vanish.



?An illusion?? Mario wondered aloud.



?Not quite!? Shadow Mario exclaimed, appearing behind his foe and covering Mario with slimy, electrifying goop.



BZZZERP!



Mario fell to the ground in agony.  ?I?m not? finished yet??



BZZZERP!



Mario once again writhed in pain.  Shadow Mario began chuckling to himself.  ?That goo will shock you once every five seconds.  It won?t kill someone as strong as you, but it?ll keep you from getting anywhere for a while.?



BZZZERP!



?How did you? vanish? as I punched? you??  Mario inquired, his face reflecting pure misery.



Shadow Mario waved his paintbrush boastfully.  ?With this, I can create false images of myself that act as copies of me and remain intact until they touch someone else.  They?re very useful for avoiding blows.?



BZZZERP!



Shadow Mario turned to leave.  Before he went off, he held up his paintbrush until he began to glow.  In a flash of light, Shadow Mario changed into an exact copy of Mario, looking every bit as real as the original.  ?And now I?m off to ruin your life.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Mario sure has been gone a while,? Peach sighed.  ?I hope he?s alright.?



Just then, ?Mario? walked into the room.  Luigi tapped him on the shoulder.  ?So, what happened, bro??  No reply.  ?Bro?  Bro?!?



Peach stood up worriedly.  ?Mario, are you feeling alright?!?



?Yes, and I?ll feel even better after I do this,? Suddenly, ?Mario? slugged Luigi in the gut.  Luigi collapsed.  Peach screamed.



?Mario!? Peach shrieked.  ?What are you thinking?!?



Ignoring her, ?Mario? walked up to the phone and dialed 9-1-1.  ?Hello?  Yes, this is an emergency!? ?Mario? bellowed.  ?Mario has knocked out Luigi and kidnapped Peach.  Please come at once!?  He hung up.  ?Mario? then pushed a button on his paintbrush, the button that would deactivate the goo immobilizing the real Mario.


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario struggled to his feet.  ?That electric slime really took its toll on me.  But I have to get to Luigi and Peach.  Shadow Mario must be up to something.?  He sprinted back to his hotel as fast as an electrocuted plumber could run.  When he stumbled inside, he was shocked to see him brother on the ground.  Peach was nowhere to be found.



There was a sudden knock at the door.  ?This is the Isle Delfino Police Squad.  We have the entire building surrounded.  You are under arrest.?

Chapter 14: The Secret Room



Three burly policemen broke down the door.  ?You?re coming with us, bub.?



Mario took a few steps back.  ?What?  I didn?t do anything!  Do you even know who I am?!?



?You?re Mario, the former prime suspect of the disappearance of the Shine Sprites.  You did do it, didn?t you??



Mario was frantic.  I can?t outrun these guys.  And I?m too worn out to fight them.  Besides, that would only get me in more trouble.  I?ll have to turn myself in.  ?I?m not going to fight you guys.  Do what you need to do.?



One of the guards heaved a sigh of disappointment.  ?No fight?  Aww?  I mean? Let?s get him into his cell until we meet him in court.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario?s only resistance came verbally.  The entire time he was dragged around, all he could do was claim him innocence.  It seemed ridiculous that one man could have been framed twice, so he wasn?t shown a bit of mercy.  He was immediately thrown in a special cell built for the trickiest criminals that ever existed.



?I didn?t do anything!  I was set up!? Mario pleaded one last time before a guard closed the door to his cell.  ?I?ve got to get out of here and tell Luigi what happened!?  He noticed a window nearby.  Mario launched himself into the air to the window, before realizing that it had bars on it.



The guard laughed at his attempt.  ?Trying to get out of there is like trying to climb a mountain with your hands and legs tied- impossible.?  He turned and walked away, snickering.



?Darn it!? Mario cursed, smashing the wall with his fist.



CLICK



SWOOSH



?A secret button?? Mario wondered aloud.  ?Why would a jail cell have a secret button??  The ceiling of the room slid into the wall, revealing another ceiling even higher up.  In the new space between the lower and upper ceiling, Mario could faintly make out a hole in the wall.  ?I get it!  So many master thieves must have been kept here that they created a passage to escape!?



He wall-kicked up toward the hole and crawled in.   He was now in a normal hallway with a door at the end.  Mario slowly opened the door.  He gasped.  ?Bowser Jr.??  Bowser Jr. was sitting at a desk reading over some files.  The rest of the room was completely empty, except for an open window.



?Hmm? These files might come in handy!? he declared.



I?m too fatigued to fight.  I?ve just got to sneak past him and I?ll be out of here.   Mario slowly crept up to the window, but the old wooden floor was extremely creaky.



CREAK!



?Hm?? Bowser Jr. whirled around.  ?Mario?!  You found the secret passage?!?



?What if I did?!? Mario challenged.



?Allow me to escort you back to your cell,? Bowser Jr. sneered as he transformed into Shadow Mario.


* * * * * * * * * *


Luigi sat at the hotel, all alone.  ?Did Mario really kidnap Peach?  He did slug me in the gut.  But something just doesn?t seem right?  I?ve got it!  He didn?t bring FLUDD back with him, so I?ll go to E. Gadd?s and look for it.  Either E. Gadd or FLUDD must know what happened.?



He called E. Gadd?s house in Boo Woods, which forwarded him to his vacation home.  ?E. Gadd?  Where is your vacation home?  I need to see you.?



?It?s right across from the red cannon doohickey.  I?ll be outside waiting for you.?



He dashed over to the red cannon Mario once used to reach Pinna Park.  Nearby, he saw E. Gadd and FLUDD sprawled on the ground.  ?What happened?  Did Mario really kidnap Peach??



?No,? FLUDD replied mechanically.  ?My data tells me Bowser Jr. has a paintbrush that allows him to become an exact copy of anyone he chooses.  There is a 92.348263% chance that he has framed Mario.?



E. Gadd glanced back and forth nervously.  ?About that paintbrush??

Yeah... Updates are becoming easier and quicker, so expect chapters to start coming a little quicker.  Just because I've already written the entire thing, I just need to revise it; chapters in any other of the SMB series won't be this quick.  ;)

Chapter 15: Escape



?You mean you made that paintbrush?!? Luigi thundered.  ?How could you give it to Bowser Jr.?!?



E. Gadd crippled in fear.  ?He told me to upgrade it.  When I refused, he threatened me.  I didn?t have a choice.?



?I?m sorry,? Luigi apologized, ?but Bowser Jr. must have used that paintbrush by now to get Mario in some kind of trouble.  I?m going to check the police station and see if Mario is there.?



?Be careful,? E. Gadd warned him.  ?Take this.  I have a feeling you might need it.?  He handed Luigi a Max Mushroom.


* * * * * * * * * *


Shadow Mario was in complete control of the battle.  He was knocking Mario senseless.



POW!



BZZERP!



Mario was on the ground, beaten and bruised.  Still, he struggled back to his feet.  ?It?s not a good idea to fight me in prison,? Mario reminded him.  ?You?ll get in just as much trouble as I?m in.?



?Then I?ll have to finish the job quickly,? Shadow Mario chuckled.



?AAGGHH!!?



Luigi dashed up to the police station.  ?That sounded like Mario??  A second scream erupted from within the station.  ?It?s coming from that window!?  He jumped up onto the roof, not caring about what trouble he might get in.  He looked inside of the window and saw Shadow Mario pounding on his older brother.  With a loud cry, he leaped inside and wrestled Shadow Mario to the ground.



Mario breathed a sigh of relief.  ?Luigi!  Thanks for helping out!?



?There?s no time!? Luigi snapped.  ?I?ll hold him down while you escape!  Eat this!?  He threw Mario the Max Mushroom E. Gadd had given to him.



Mario scoffed it down without hesitation.  Instantly, all of his cuts and bruises vanished.  ?Okay, now let?s take him down together!?



Luigi shook his head.  ?No!  Get out of here!  The police are already on their way here!  You?ve got to get out of here while I?m still holding him down!?  Mario opened his mouth to protest, but Luigi cut him off, ?Go, or this will all be for nothing!  NOW!?



Mario nodded and jumped out of the window. What do I do?  I?ve never been chased by police before!  Maybe I should stop by E. Gadd?s place.  He?ll know what to do!


* * * * * * * * * *


Peach was tied up on Bowser?s submarine, just as Luigi had been.  ?Let me go!? she demanded, struggling to break free.



Bowser shook his head.  ?When have I ever let you go??



Peach thought for a moment.  ?Let?s see? Just about every time you?ve been beaten by Mario, you?ve let me go!?



?Shut up!  I told you never to mention his name in my castle!? Bowser roared angrily.



?But I thought you were working with Mario.  He was the one who brought me here,? Peach inquired in a clueless tone.



Bowser rolled his eyes.  ?That was Bowser Jr., you imbecile!  Now that his paintbrush has been upgraded by E. Gadd, he can fool everyone into thinking he?s Mario!  Imagine how easy it will be for him to shatter Mario?s reputation!?


* * * * * * * * * *


?It looks like you?re going to be in a lot of trouble,? E. Gadd said with a frown.  ?And it?s all my fault??



?Is there anything I can do to clear my name?? Mario asked, now overcome with fear.



E. Gadd handed him FLUDD, equipped with the turbo nozzle.  ?All you can do for now is try to hide.  I don?t think the Isle Delfino Police Department would find you in the middle of the ocean.  That might be your best bet.?



?Maybe I can find my way back to the Mushroom Kingdom.  I?m sure I?ll be safe over there,? Mario affirmed.  Just then, he heard a mob of footsteps heading straight for the house.  He knew they were coming for him.  He dove out of the back window straight into the water and turned the turbo nozzle on.



?Good luck!? E. Gadd shouted after him.  He?ll need it.

Chapter 16: Court Room Peril



Shadow Mario trampled Luigi within minutes.  He tied him up and placed him in the corner.  ?The Mario Radar dad gave me shows that Mario is out in the middle of the ocean!  How are the police supposed to arrest him now??



?I?m telling you, the cell is empty!? they heard one of the guards shout.



?That?s my cue,? Shadow Mario chuckled.  He waved his paintbrush and turned into an exact clone of Luigi.  He ran through the secret passage Mario had used to get there and dove back into the cell.  A group of guards returned to the cell and saw ?Luigi? lying on the ground.  ?Ouch??



?What happened?!? one of the guards demanded.



?Mario?  He beat me up and ran away?? ?Luigi? answered.



?Which way did he go?? another sentry inquired.



A wicked smile plastered itself on ?Luigi?s? face.  ?I can take you directly to him.  But please, please sentence that horrible man to death.  This is the second time he?s severely injured me.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario sped across the ocean for hours on end.  He was tired, hungry, and above all, scared.  ?I can?t go to jail?  I just can?t??



?EnErGy ReSeRvEs FaDiNg?? FLUDD stated mechanically before shutting down.  They stopped dead in their tracks.  Without FLUDD, Mario would have to swim.  Minutes seemed like hours as he swam across the enormous blue ocean.  It was nighttime, so he didn?t even have the slightest clue where he was going.  Any minute could have been his last; he was on the edge of going mad.



?I think? I?d rather? drown? than keep this up?? Mario told himself.  This was it.  Not even Mario could survive alone in the ocean.  Just as he was about to give up and let himself drown, a tough metal object slammed into him and sent up plummeting underwater.  He quickly regained his senses and swam to the surface.  It was a ship, and a colossal one at that.  It stopped beside him and lowered a rope for him to climb.  ?Finally??



He climbed aboard, and was shocked to see who was there waiting for him.  ?Luigi!  You did it!  You escaped from Bowser Jr.!?  Mario ran over to his brother.  Luigi grabbed him and tossed him into the center of the boat.  A large group of burly policemen surrounded Mario.  ?Why?  You of all people know I?m innocent!?



?Tell it to the judge,? one of them mumbled.


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario, drenched and completely worn out, was dragged into the court room.  A tall, stern judge loomed over everyone else in the court.  ?Court is now in session.  Does the defendant have any opening statement??



?I was set up!? Mario exclaimed.  ?I didn?t do any of this!?



?Then why did you run from the police?  Why did you escape from jail?? ?Luigi? confronted him.



?Why are you framing me?? Mario shot back.  ?I know who you really are!  You disgust me!?



The crowd gasped and began whispering amongst one another.  ?Order in the court!? the judge cried.  ?Luigi, present your case.?



Luigi bowed.  ?Thank you, your honor.  Mario, the so called here of the Mushroom Kingdom, isn?t such a hero after all!  In fact, he beats up Lord Bowser time and time again just so he could have her all to herself.?



?You stole her in the first place!? Mario defended.



?Members of the jury, if that doesn?t sound like a selfish man, then I don?t know what does.  Furthermore, can you tell me where Peach is at the moment.  You did kidnap her, I might add,? ?Luigi? assaulted ruthlessly.



Mario put his head down.  He?s too good.  ?I have nothing else to say??  He hung his head, defeated.



?Very well then.  The jury has found you guilty, Mario.  As much as it pains me to say this, you are sentenced to? death?? the judge informed them firmly.



Mario closed his eyes.  C?mon?  I?ve gotta? think!   ?Judge, can I have one last chance to prove my innocence?  I have on last bit of info that I think you?d all like to hear.?



?Very well.  Make it quick!?



Mario?s eyes gleamed with hope.  ?I call ?Luigi? to the stands.?

Chapter 17: Mario?s Comeback



?Luigi? rolled his eyes and went up to the stands.  Mario?s eyebrows were raised with suspicion, and a faint smile could be detected on his face.  ?You claimed that I hit you and ran off with Peach.  Do you have any proof?  Do you have any bruises or marks??



?Luigi? glanced back and forth nervously.  ?No? But only because I?m a quick healer.  You?re just trying to turn this around on me!?



?Are you sure?? Mario inquired.  ?Maybe the reason you don?t have any bruises is because? you?re not Luigi!?



?Mario, have you gone insane?!? the judge thundered.



Abruptly, Mario flung himself at ?Luigi?, knocking him over and sending his paintbrush flying across the room.  ?Luigi? became Bowser Jr., stunning the jury.  Mario stood up with the paintbrush in his hand and used it to become various people in the room.  ?As you can see, this allows you to become just about anyone you want to be.  Bowser Jr., why do you possess such a device?  Why did you come to court disguised as Luigi??



Bowser Jr. was trembling uncontrollably.  ?It?s uh?  err? um?  I use it each year on Halloween!  Yeah, instead of buying a costume, I just change into someone else with that handy brush!?



Mario threw the brush to the ground.  ?Really?  Because you could have just as easily used it to frame a hero so that he would die and you could capture Peach.  Add in the fact that he used this to frame me the last time we came to Isle Delfino, and you?ve got a serious criminal on your hands.?



As if things couldn?t get any worse for Bowser Jr., Luigi and E. Gadd stormed in.  ?It wasn?t Mario that assaulted me, it was him!? Luigi shouted, pointing to Bowser Jr.



?He forced me to upgrade his device so that he could frame Mario,? E. Gadd added angrily.



The judge gasped.  ?This is truly shocking?  Mario was given all the blame for something he never did.  We are all truly sorry.  I think it?s only fair that Mario gets to choose the charges.?



Mario grinned.  ?Well, I won?t give him a death sentence?  So let?s start with a life sentence!?



?I?m not done yet!? Bowser Jr. cried, taking out a remote control.  He pressed a large red button, and the whole island began to shake.



?What?s happening?? Luigi screamed.



Everyone ran outside to see a huge robot that resembled Bowser slowly begin to emerge from underwater.  Bowser Jr. leaped on top of its head and slipped into the control room.  ?I?m not going to jail!  You?ll have to face the wrath of Mecha Bowser before I?ll go anywhere!?




?E. Gadd!  Where?s FLUDD??  Mario asked hurriedly.



?Back at my house,? he replied.  ?They sent it to me after they took you to court, thinking I could fix it.?



Mario nodded.  ?Do you have the Poltergeist 3000??



?You should find that at my house too,? E. Gadd answered.



Mario turned and began to run toward E. Gadd?s home.  ?I?ll be right back!?  He dashed down the street at full speed.  Suddenly, a giant metal foot stomped itself in Mario?s path.  ?Bowser Jr.!  Move that giant piece of junk out of my way or I?ll move it for you!?



?Those are tough words for someone so small!? Bowser Jr. taunted from within Mecha Bowser.



A fleet of Bullet Bills shot out from Mecha Bowser?s chest and blasted toward Mario.  He jumped, ducked, and weaved through the mini-explosions that went off as the Bullet Bills collided with the ground.  Suddenly, Mario felt a strong wind coming toward his head.  He dove to the side as Mecha Bowser?s gargantuan arm came crashing into the spot Mario just stood in.  ?Luigi!  Can you hold him off?!? Mario requested from across the island.



Luigi faintly heard his brother and rushed over to help.  ?No problem!?  As Mario continued his sprint to E. Gadd?s house, Luigi scrambled up Mecha Bowser?s leg and began climbing up to his arm.  He began unscrewing it, causing Mecha Bowser?s arm to tumble onto the ground.  Enraged, Mecha Bowser fired more Bullet Bills from its chest.  Luigi dodged them and sent a Fireball hurling into the Bullet Bill generator, causing it to explode.



?Then I?ll just have to burn this place to the ground!? Bowser Jr. snapped.  Mecha Bowser?s mouth opened, revealing a colossal flamethrower.  Flames began to spew everywhere across the island.



?Luigi!  Catch!? Mario bellowed as he tossed the Poltergeist 3000 to him.  Luigi strapped it onto his back, while Mario put to rocket nozzle equipped FLUDD onto his back.  ?Listen; his head is his weakness!  Here?s the plan.?  He whispered into Luigi?s ear.



Luigi darted up close to Mecha Bowser and sucked up some of its flames with the Poltergeist 3000.  He then jumped onto Mario?s shoulders, and Mario used FLUDD to rocket them both up sky-high.  Now that they were right next to Mecha Bowser?s head, Luigi released the flames he had sucked up earlier onto its head, nearly demolishing it and leaving a very burnt Bowser Jr.



?No fair?? he mumbled as he collapsed onto the ground.



Just then, Bowser came onto the scene in his Koopa Clown Car with Kammy following.  He picked up Bowser Jr.  ?What a failure!? he grumbled.  ?Mario!  I hope you enjoyed your victory, because your about to face ME!?



?Wait!? Kammy interrupted.  ?We need to get a jump start on that invention you were so excited about making.  Then we can crush Mario!?



?Oh? right!? Bowser exclaimed.  ?Great thinking!  Let?s go back to my castle right now!?



?What about Peach?!? Mario demanded.



?Just take her!? Bowser roared, throwing her out of the Koopa Clown Car over to Mario.  ?I won?t need her!?



Mario caught Peach and watched in awe as Bowser escaped.  ?That was weird?  Bowser would never give up Peach without a fight.?



?I guess he was too scared to fight you again,? Peach chuckled.



Luigi was still nervous.  ?What do you think that ?invention? is??



?I don?t know, but we?ll handle it the same way we do everything else,? Mario responded confidently.

Chapter 18: A Mysterious New Foe



Inside of a dark, eerie room, many computers and gizmos were at work.  At the center, a metallic robot stood in a chamber filled with a strange liquid.  This robot resembled a familiar hero all too well.  Suddenly, the glass chamber shattered, and the metal figure stepped out.  A mechanical voice echoed through the room.



?Metal Mario, you have awakened.  I am your master, your creator.  I am the only one in your data banks that you would bow down to.  I am a god of destruction.  However, a universal villain such as me can only be in one place at once.  That?s why I have created you, the strongest mechanical warrior ever pieced together.  I want you to go to the Mushroom Kingdom, and conquer it.  That is your life?s goal; your prime ambition.  Go now, in the space pod located on the far right of the room.   It has been preset to take you to your destination.?


* * * * * * * * * *


There was a knock at the door of Mushroom Castle.  A figure in a yellow raincoat waited patiently for someone to answer.  A storm had reared its head into the kingdom, and it wasn?t an ordinary storm.  Finally, Princess Peach opened the door.  ?Eeek!?



?What?? Mario inquired, taking his raincoat off.



?Mario, don?t ever do that again!? Peach scolded.  ?You almost gave me a heart attack!?



Mario sighed.  ?Oh, man!  I forked out forty coins for this coat, only for someone to tell me that it makes me look like a cereal killer.?



?Don?t take it personally; I just scare easily.  Especially since all the castle guards are off duty today,? Peach replied.



?Why are they off duty?? Mario parroted, hoping Peach would finally let him in.



Peach gestured for Mario to step inside.  ?I thought they needed a break, so I gave them one.  I?ve been kind of lonely, so would you care to join Toadsworth and me for lunch??



Mario nodded, hanging his raincoat on the nearby rack.  Peach led him through the labyrinth-like castle, until they finally reached the kitchen.  ?Do you have a map of the castle?? Mario asked, wearily.  ?It seems impossible for anyone to have memorized all of those different paths we had to take to get here.?



?Of course not!? Peach laughed.  ?I know this castle like the back of my hand.  I?ve lived hear my whole life.  Not knowing my way around here would be like you not knowing how to navigate your own house!  But enough about that; let?s dig in!?



An enormous banquet was laid out in front of them.  Just as Mario was about to chow down on his food, Toadsworth dashed into the room.  He was soaking wet and breathing heavily.  ?Master Mario!  Come quick!  There is an intruder heading straight into the castle!?



Mario slammed his fist on the table, sending ham sandwiches, salad, and many other foods flying into the air.  ?Bowser!  He never quits!?  He leaped down from his chair and sprinted toward the front of the castle, leaving a speechless Toadsworth behind.



?Your highness!  Please alert the Mushroom Guards and have them come immediately!? Toadsworth pleaded.  ?I fear the worst for Mario??


* * * * * * * * * *


As Mario darted through the castle, trying to find his way to the front, he noticed that the storm had gotten worse.  This seems all too familiar!  This isn?t any ordinary storm!  This is a storm that signals some kind of darkness approaching!  But Bowser has never been that dangerous before!  Unless?  He made it out of the front door, expecting to see an oversized Koopa.  He was wrong.



A metal figure that resembled Mario stood before him, walking slowly toward the castle.  He had hardly taken notice to Mario?s appearance.  At last, he stopped and looked at Mario.  Lightning flashed.  Thunder crackled.  Mario grimaced at his counterpart?s red, gleaming eyes.  The figure spoke up.  ?Is this Mushroom Castle??  His voice was calm and cool, and yet stoic enough to show that he would be merciless if he needed to pry the information.



Seconds passed.  Or was it minutes?  Mario couldn?t tell.  He stood there, frozen stiff.  Still, the figure stood there, expecting an answer.  No- demanding one.  Something about this guy isn?t right.  He?s got this? dark aura? that I can?t explain.  It?s worse than a nightmare- and it?s real.  Mario gulped.  He responded in a choked voice.  ?Y- Yes.?



BOOM



CRACKLE



?Are you Mario?? the figure demanded, his voice just as patient as it was before.



Mario tried to mask his fear with a smile.  ?You?re right again.?  He was trembling all over.  It seemed that his body was numb with terror.



?I am Metal Mario,? the voice informed him coldly, ?and I?m here to destroy you.?



Mario swallowed hard.  Was this truly happening?  Even though nothing had happened yet, feelings of dread loomed above Mario?s head.  Feelings that can make even the toughest person cry.  That storm wasn?t warning Mario about Bowser.  It was warning him to stay away from Metal Mario.

Chapter 19: A Visit to Hyrule



?Get out of here,? Mario warned his metal foe.  ?I don?t want to fight you.?



Metal Mario stepped forward.  ?No; you don?t want to fight me.  No sane person would.?




Mario felt a strong gust of air as Metal Mario rushed toward him and punched him in the gut.  He clutched his chest in pain, coughing up droplets of blood.  Metal Mario elbowed Mario in the back of the neck, causing him to fall to the ground.  He picked Mario up and tossed him into the air.  Metal Mario jumped up into the air to join him, grabbed the back of his head, and slammed him into the ground face first.  He loomed over the fallen Mario and flipped him over to his front side.



?Now? you die,? Metal Mario hissed.  One of his arms liquefied and morphed itself into a blade.  He held it inches from Mario?s neck, drawing closer with each passing second.



Mario could only watch as the blade slowly made its way toward him.  In seconds, it would plunge through his throat and end his life.  ?Why? are you? doing this???



?I am to destroy everyone in this entire kingdom,? Metal Mario replied mechanically.



Mario struggled to break free, but to no avail.  ?Why? this kingdom?  There are? plenty of? other kingdoms? nearby??



Just then, an entire squadron of Mushroom Guards surrounded them.  ?Let him go,? one of them commanded.



Metal Mario released Mario and stood up.  Hmm? There are other kingdoms on this planet?  My lord told me to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom.  But my memory banks tell me that my lord is after universal domination.  If he knew about these other kingdoms, would he want me to conquer them as well?   ?It?s your lucky day, Mario.  I will not be annihilating you today.  But don?t let your guard down; we?re always watching you.?



In a flash of blinding light, Metal Mario disappeared.  Mario let out a sigh of relief.  ?Thanks, guys.  He was about to kill me, until you showed up.  That guy might come back, so lock up the castle with double- no- triple security.  If someone like him got a hold of Peach, I don?t know if even I could stop him.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Night had fallen in the Mushroom Kingdom.  Mario returned to his house soon after Metal Mario?s disappearance.  After telling Luigi about what happened, the two went to bed.  Back at Mushroom Castle, however, an evil figure stirred.  He stood silently atop the castle, waiting for everyone to go to sleep.  That would be when he would strike.  Finally, at midnight, he decided it was time to make his move.



?It is my duty to make sure every kingdom on this planet kneels beneath my feet.  I have much work to do.  To start, I will capture their leader.  Without her, the kingdom will surely fall apart by the time I return,? Metal Mario mumbled to himself.  He cautiously leaped from the roof and landed softly on a balcony on the side of the castle.  Next, he opened a large glass window and stepped inside.  He crept through the castle halls, until he heard voices.



Two of the guards were goofing off.  ?So then I said, ?Bob, I was just kidding!  That burrito wasn?t really a bomb!? and then he said, ?It wasn?t?  Then I might feel kind of bad for poisoning your lunch!??  The two of them burst into laughter.



Metal Mario rolled his eyes.  ?This is the kingdom?s law enforcement??  His right hand morphed into a laser rifle.




Suddenly, the second guard became serious.  ?Did you hear that??  A red beam shot across the room and struck the first sentry.  He fell to the ground instantly, dead.  A second ray was fired; this time, it killed the second one.



?Pathetic?? Metal Mario whispered as he continued down the hall until he came to an abnormally large door.  ?This must be the place.?  He opened the door to the Royal Chamber, and slipped inside.  At the very front of the room he found Peach, sleeping like a baby.  ?Hmm? I?m supposed to be equipped with a warping device.  Let?s test it out.?  He opened a panel on his arm, revealing a small keyboard.  He picked up Peach and punched in several coordinates.  Instantly, the two of them disappeared.


* * * * * * * * * *


They emerged in a vast grassland that expanded as far as the eye could see.  Before them was a drawbridge that seemed to lead into an enormous castle.  Metal Mario set the sleeping Peach down on a patch of grass.  He stared at his built in digital map.  ?So, this is an entirely different kingdom, huh?  Seems a little too medieval for my tastes?  I?ll take over this kingdom and bring it into the future!?



He began firing silver Fireballs in all directions, attempting to destroy anything in the kingdom that was still standing.  Suddenly, he ceased his assault and moved his head to the left as an arrow whizzed past him and struck the ground.  He turned around to see a man garbed in a green tunic, a green hat, and brown boots.  His cobalt blue eyes were gleaming with determination as he removed a glowing white sword from his sheath.  ?Who are you?!? Metal Mario demanded.  He noticed Peach was missing.



?I have journeyed seven years into the future to vanquish the evil Ganondorf.  If you are in league with him, then you will be blotted out by the blade of evil?s bane, the Master Sword,? the man replied.  ?I-?



?Just tell me your name,? Metal Mario snapped intolerantly.  ?Usually I?m patient with my enemies.  But that speech of yours was sickening.  I just wanted to hear your name.?



?Very well then; I am known far and wide as the Hero of Time, but friends call me Link.  Then again, you?re not my friend.?

The past few days have been pretty tiresome.  I've been busy packing and preparing for a family vacation.  As stated in my sig, I'll be back around 7/27.  You can expect some new chapters when I get back.  ;)

Chapter 20: Hyrule?s Demise?



?So, you?re the hero of this kingdom?? Metal Mario inquired.



Link twirled his Master Sword skillfully.  ?I guess you could say that.?



Metal Mario nodded.  ?I see.  Then it would be best if I told you that your kingdom now belongs to me.  It?s my sole purpose to make sure every kingdom on this entire planet bows down to me!?




Instead of responding, Link charged straight at Metal Mario and unleashed a swift slash that would have cut any normal foe to pieces.  But Metal Mario easily sidestepped the blow and morphed his hand into a blade.  ?Such wasted talent??



?I?ll show you!? Link snapped as he furiously swiped at Metal Mario with his sword, who blocked each of Link?s attacks with his own blade.  ?Hya!?  Link whirled around at an incredible speed with his sword extended.  Metal Mario blocked it with ease.



Metal Mario yawned.  ?Are you finished yet?



?Nope!? Link spat as he flung himself at Metal Mario with his sword raised.  His jump attack was a last resort.  If this failed, the Master Sword would be deemed useless against this new foe.  Metal Mario held his dagger up in front of him and knocked the Master Sword right out of Link?s hand.  Now flying unsteadily through the air without his sword, Link tumbled painfully onto the ground beside Metal Mario.



?Without that sword, you?ll never be able to defend yourself!? Metal Mario cackled.  ?This fight is over.?



It was time for Link?s trump card- bombs.  Link whipped out a bomb and tossed it right at Metal Mario?s face.  The bomb bounced harmlessly off of his impenetrable metal covering and exploded on top of Link instead.  How in the world am I supposed to beat this guy?



?Now you will die,? Metal Mario stated nonchalantly.  ?It?s too bad.  You would have made a great comrade if I equipped you with some metal armor.  Unless?  That?s it!  I can use the Metal Fireball on you.?



?Metal Fireball?? Link parroted as he rolled out of a cloud of smoke created by the bomb.  He struggled to his feet, badly bruised and covered in ashes.  Metal Mario created a metallic Fireball and fired it at him.  Link quickly took out his bow and shot an arrow that pinned the solid Fireball to the ground.  Instantly, a large patch of the ground became as solid and metallic as Metal Mario was.  ?That was close??



?Lucky shot,? Metal Mario murmured.  ?But I?ve decided I don?t want your help anymore.  You?d only slow me down.?  He slowly approached Link.



Link took out another arrow.  This time, though, it was different.  At the tip of it was a chilling, wintry chunk of ice.  He fired the Ice Arrow at Metal Mario, freezing him on the spot.  Link let out a deep sigh.  ?I don?t think even Ganondorf is that strong.?  He aimed yet another arrow at the frozen Metal Mario.  Its tip was burning with flames that seemed to be lit by Link?s fierce determination.  ?It?s time to get rid of this menace for good??



?Fooled you!? Metal Mario sneered as he broke free of his icy prison, sending chunks of shattered ice flying in all directions.  ?Thanks for the air conditioning; it was getting a little hot.?  Link staggered backward in fear.  Metal Mario simply laughed at launched Link from the battlefield with his strongest silver Fireball.



As Link soared through the air, he began mumbling to himself.  ?Yes? it worked??



Metal Mario looked around.  ?Now, where is Princess Peach?  She was here a minute ago?  Ever since that kid arrived, I haven?t seen her.?  He spotted her lying on the ground, either asleep or unconscious.  ?There she is.  Now it?s time to build my new empire!?



He got right to work.  First, he ventured into the castle town.  Before he could announce to everyone that he would be the new ruler of the kingdom, a white horse darted toward the drawbridge that led to Hyrule field.  On top of it was a young girl in a pink and white dress and a strange looking woman.  With one blow, Metal Mario toppled the horse over.  ?No one is leaving town until I make my announcement.?



?Impa, who is that?? the little girl asked, quaking with fear.



?Hush, Princess Zelda.  He is obviously a very powerful warrior.  Maybe he can stop Ganondorf,? Impa whispered.



Time seemed to stand still as everyone in the town stared at Princess Zelda and Impa in the pouring rain.  The silence was broken as a jet black horse carrying Ganondorf himself raced into town.  Ganondorf stepped down and approached Zelda.  ?So, you?ve stopped running from me.  Hand over the Ocarina of Time and the Triforce of Wisdom.  I need them to rule this kingdom with an unbreakable grasp.?



Metal Mario stepped forward.  ?No way.?  Everyone?s face seemed to light up as the mysterious challenger walked toward Ganondorf.  ?That?s my job.?



Lightning flashed.  Everyone?s faces reflected terror once again.  Only Ganondorf was wearing a smile on his face.  ?We?ll see about that!?  Ganondorf drew a dark, glowing blade and slashed at Metal Mario, who blocked the slice with his bare hands.



?The people of this kingdom rely too much on swords.  Why use such inferior and fragile weaponry?? Metal Mario wondered aloud.  He tore the upper half of the blade off and used it to stab directly through Ganondorf?s heart.  He collapsed onto the ground, a small pool of blood forming around him.  ?There is no one left in this kingdom to prevent me from starting a brand new empire!?



Soon, Hyrule Castle became Metal Mario?s new base of operations.  He locked Peach away inside of the deepest, darkest cell in the castle.  But he wasn?t finished yet.  He would never be satisfied until he finished his business with Mario.

Chapter 21: Mario?s Plea



Metal Mario used his transportation device to return to the Mushroom Kingdom.  To his surprise, time had stood still while he was away.  Not a single minute had passed since he left with Peach.  He stood atop of Mushroom Castle?s roof, planning his next move.  How should I destroy Mario?  Ah?  The Metal Fireball might come in handy for this job?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario and Luigi were sound asleep at their house.  After all, they had no idea that Princess Peach had been kidnapped during their slumber.



RIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!



RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!



Luigi sat up and yawned.  ?Who would call us this late at night??  He picked up the phone.  ?Hello??



?Master Luigi!? Toadsworth boomed from the other end.  ?The princess has been kidnapped!?



?She has?!? Luigi thundered.  ?I?ll be right over!?  He hung up and turned to wake his brother.  Suddenly, a Metal Fireball whizzed out of the shadows and conked Luigi on the back of the head.  He fell to the ground, clutching his wound as he slowly became encased in a metal coating.



?Direct hit,? Metal Mario whispered as he emerged from his hiding spot.  ?Welcome to the family, Metal Luigi.  You know what to do next.  Return to my castle in Hyrule when you?re done.?  With that, Metal Mario vanished.



Mario stretched and got out of bed.  ?Hey Luigi, what are you doing up so early??



Metal Luigi whirled around and nailed Mario with a metal hammer, sending him flying backwards into the wall.  ?Now I?m awake!? Mario exclaimed.  ?And I know you aren?t my brother.?



Metal Luigi bombarded the room with silver Fireballs.  As Mario struggled to dodge them, Metal Luigi dashed up to him and punched him in the face.  Once again, Mario tumbled backward, this time through the window.  Now outside, Mario struggled to his feet.  His mind was racing. I?m still sore from my fight with Metal Mario.  Now there?s a Metal Luigi?!  No?  Metal Mario changed Luigi into this monster.  I?ve got to save him!



Metal Luigi obviously didn?t believe in hurrying.  He took his time to use the front door of the house to get outside, and slowly approached Mario.  ?Why don?t you join us?  With two Metal Mario?s and one Metal Luigi, we?d be invincible!?




?Let Luigi go!? Mario commanded, welling up with anger.



Metal Luigi shook his head.  ?Weren?t you listening?  I asked you if you wanted to join us!?



?LET? HIM? GO!? Mario exploded with rage as he got up, suddenly overflowing with energy.  He charged at Metal Luigi and gave him a right hook straight across the face.  Then he performed a sweep-kick that knocked him off of his feet.  Mario grabbed Metal Luigi by his legs and tossed him into a nearby tree.  He began recklessly launching Fireballs at Metal Luigi.  Not once did he stop to rest.  Something kept burning inside of him, fueling his rage.



As quickly as Mario?s rampage had started, Mario?s attack ceased, and he collapsed onto the ground.  Metal Luigi fell to his knees as well, equally damaged.  Just then, his arm began to flash.  He pressed a button and a screen with Metal Mario?s face popped up.  ?What is it, sire??



?Come back to the castle immediately!  Peach is missing!? Metal Mario demanded.  ?This is an emergency!?



Metal Luigi bowed.  ?Of course.?  He turned to the unconscious Mario.  ?You just wait right here.  Not that you have a choice.  You?re probably too bruised to even move.?  With that, he disappeared a puff of smoke.



Mario opened his eyes.  ?He?s right?  I can?t move??



Morning finally arrived, and Mario remained on the ground.  He was unable to even move an inch from his uncomfortable spot on the ground.  Eventually, a Toad came running to the Mario Bros. house.  ?Mario!  Where are you?!  The princess is missing!?



That?s funny?  Metal Mario said the same thing?  Where is Peach?  Mario could only let out a slight moan.  ?Help??



As the Toad turned to leave, he spotted Mario.  ?Oh my gosh!  What happened to you?!  I better get you to a hospital!?


* * * * * * * * * *


An ambulance was called, and Mario was rushed to the hospital.  He awoke in a comfy bed beside a doctor who was writing some notes down on a slip of paper.  ?What?s? wrong? with me??



The doctor showed him the faintest of smiles.  ?What isn?t wrong with you?  Your arms and legs are all broken, and your spinal cord has been damaged.  As far as we know, you can?t move anything from the waist down, and your arms are pretty banged up.  What happened to you??



?No time? to explain?  Find Mario Jr. and? Luigi Jr.  I sent them? to Yoshi Island?  Ask them? to find Star Rod?  Use? to? heal me??  Mario fainted.



The doctor nodded.  ?As crazy as it sounds, I trust you know what you?re doing.  I?ll contact Yoshi Island right away.?

Chapter 22: Journey to the Star Rod



Mario Jr. and Luigi Jr. each carried a stack of firewood as they hiked back toward Yoshi Village.  Mario Jr., now seven years of age, was carrying a slightly larger stack.  Luigi Jr., only four years old, struggled to keep up with his brother.  ?Can you slow down?  I?m gonna drop everything if I go any faster!?



Mario Jr. sighed.  ?I keep forgetting that you?re three years younger than me.  But we need to push ourselves just like our dad would.  Do you remember why he sent us here in the first place??



Luigi Jr. thought back to that fateful day six months ago:



Mario and Luigi had just begun to get used to their life in the Mushroom Kingdom.  Mario was busy raising two kids, who were nearly helpless on their own.  One day, Bowser attacked.  Mario ordered Luigi to watch over the kids while he pursued the army of Goombas and Koopas that had just marched past their house.  They led him to Mushroom Castle, a place he had never known existed in the two weeks he had lived in the kingdom.



They grabbed a young women and left with her.  Even though she was in peril, Mario fell in love with her at a glance.  Determined to save her, he fought through eight worlds of hazards and defeated Bowser.  He then became a famous hero, while Luigi became a famous housekeeper and babysitter.  But Mario knew that Bowser would attack again.  Before that time would come, he would have to make sure his two sons were safe.  So he sent them to Yoshi Island, where he knew they would be taken good care of.



?He sent us here because we were weak,? Luigi Jr. answered glumly.



Mario Jr. nodded in approval.  ?Exactly.  I?ve always believed that if we work hard and become strong enough to handle ourselves, Dad will be back to take us home.?



They finally arrived in Yoshi Village with the firewood.  Before they could prepare the fire, a stork flew onto the scene bearing a message.  ?I have a message for Mario and Luigi Jr. from Doctor Herb T.?



Mario and Luigi Jr. stepped forward.  ?That?s us.?



The stork cleared his throat before speaking.  ?My patient, Mario, has just received a plethora of fatal injuries that no known doctor can cure.  In his current condition, he will never be able to walk again.  However, Mario has requested that you find the Star Rod and use it to heal him.?



Luigi Jr. began to sob.  ?Daddy?s hurt!  We have to help him!?



?Can you take us to the Star God?? Mario Jr. asked the stork.



?Star Rod,? the stork corrected him, ?and I think I can take you to Star Summit.  But I can only support three people, or I won?t be able to fly.?



Mario Jr. began counting on his fingers.  ?Let?s see? I?m one? Luigi?s two?  And we can take Yoshi!  That?s three people!?



A green Yoshi, simply named ?Yoshi? joined the group.  ?I think I?ll come along, too.  I?ve been good friends with these two since they arrived here.?



?Next stop, Star Summit!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Metal Luigi appeared before his master.  ?Why did you call me here?  I don?t remember you mentioning any meeting.?



Metal Mario grinned.  ?I?ve got a new job for you.?  He flipped a switch on his arm, and Metal Luigi?s metal armor began to disappear.



Luigi looked around.  ?Where am I??  He tapped the cold stone floor with his foot.



?That?s better.  I have a feeling I?ve been tricked.  Peach is not in her cell.  Do you know anything about what might have happened?  Was that just a clever hologram?? Metal Mario inquired.



?What are you talking about?? Luigi asked, scratching his head.  ?ACK!  You?re that metal freak Mario told me about!  Noooo!  Now he?s got me!?



Metal Mario thought for a moment.  ?I guess you don?t know anything.  I?ll just throw you in a cell and prepare a full-scale invasion of Mushroom Castle.  Too bad.  I thought you might have known something.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?This is Star Summit.  You?ll have to follow Star Road to get any further,? the stork informed them.  ?Luckily, it?s a very peaceful place.  I doubt you?ll run into any trouble on the way there.?



Sure enough, the three of them made it to Star Haven with ease.  After speaking with some of the locals, they found their way to the Star Shrine.  Sitting there, at its center, was the Star Rod.  Mario Jr. reached out and grabbed it.  ?That was easy.  I was expecting a long and perilous journey.?



The three turned around to see Metal Wario and Metal Waluigi standing in their paths.  Apparently Metal Mario had been busy with his Metal Fireballs.

Chapter 23: Farewell



Luigi Jr. stumbled backward in fear.  Mario Jr. clenched his fists in an attempt to look brave, but he was equally frightened.  ?We can take them.  There are three of us, and only two of them,? Mario Jr. reassured his brother.



?Your father is counting on you.  This is your chance to prove yourselves,? Yoshi added.



Without warning, Metal Wario charged forward at Luigi Jr., who began shrieking wildly before finally jumping out of the way.  Metal Wario continued to dash straight toward the edge of the Star Shrine before finally stopping himself.  ?These guys aren?t so tough,? Luigi Jr. stated cheerfully.  ?I can take them!?



Metal Waluigi tossed some silver Fireballs at the group, but they easily evaded them.  ?I guess I have to try attacking him sometime!? Mario Jr. exclaimed as he rushed at Metal Wario and punched him as hard as he could.  Metal Wario teetered unstably and fell off of the edge.  ?I didn?t mean to do that!?  He looked over the edge and saw Metal Wario desperately hanging on.



?If he can do it, then we can too!? Luigi Jr. cheered as he boarded Yoshi.  At Luigi Jr.?s command, Yoshi fired an egg at Metal Waluigi, who simply smashed the egg with his metal fist.



?Is that the best you can do?? Metal Waluigi sneered as he kicked Yoshi down to the ground.  Luigi Jr. leaped off of Yoshi and gave Metal Waluigi a solid blow across the face, knocking him out cold.



?I guess we learned more on Yoshi Island than we thought,? Mario Jr. sighed.  ?Still, we can?t just leave these two here.  Put them in eggs.?



Yoshi swallowed both Metal Wario and Waluigi.  However, something peculiar happened.  Instead of coming out of Yoshi as an egg, they came out as their former selves!  ?What happened?? Waluigi wondered aloud, rubbing his head.



?I have a splitting headache,? Wario moaned.  ?Were we doing something money-related??



Mario Jr. scratched his head.  ?That?s weird?  But at least we found the Star Rod.  Let?s leave these two here for now.  I?m sure they?ll figure out what happened sooner or later.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario sat in the hospital, unable to move.  ?I hope? they hurry??



Yoshi, Mario Jr., and Luigi Jr. all came sprinting into the room.  ?Dad!  We brought the Star Rod!? Mario Jr. exclaimed.



Doctor Herb T. gasped.  ?You mean you really found it?!  Don?t just stand there; wish for him to recover!?



Luigi Jr. held the Star Rod up high.  ?Uh?  Great and powerful Star Rod?  Please get rid of my daddy?s boo-boos that the bad man gave him.?



?Give me that!? Mario Jr. snapped as he ripped the Star Rod from his brother?s hand.  ?Great and powerful Star Rod? Please heal my all of my father?s injuries so he can protect us once again.  How did that sound?  I saw it on a T.V. show once.?



The Star Rod began to glow.  A yellow aura surrounded Mario as his cuts and bruises slowly vanished.  Next, all of his broken bones and life-threatening wounds were fixed.  The Star Rod ceased to glow and the aura encasing Mario disappeared.  Mario sat up in his bed.  ?I?m healed!?



?Daddy!? Luigi Jr. cried as he ran over to his father.  Mario Jr. joined him, his face welling up with tears.



Mario hugged them both.  ?Why are you crying?  I thought you?d be happy to see me.?



The three of them laughed.  ?So why?d you need our help?  Where?s uncle Luigi?? Luigi Jr. asked.



?I don?t know?  But right now, I have to find Princess Peach.  You three should head back to Yoshi Island,? Mario commanded.



?But dad!? Mario Jr. protested.



?Something dangerous is going on.  The same people who got to me could get to you.  In one year, you can come back.  Give me one year to sort this mess out,? Mario told him.



Skeptically, Mario Jr. nodded.  Yoshi began to carry them out of the room.  ?It was nice seeing you again.  Good luck,? Yoshi said before leaving.



?Now?  Where should I start looking for Peach?? Mario pondered.



Peach stepped into the room.  ?Did I just hear my name??

Chapter 24: Undercover Agent



?Where have you been?? Mario inquired.  ?I thought for sure Metal Mario had gotten to you.?



?Not exactly,? Peach replied.  ?Let E. Gadd explain everything to you.?



E. Gadd entered the room.  ?When I heard the news about the intruder at Mushroom Castle, I invited Princess Peach over to my lab.  Lately I?ve been studying the special copy abilities of Duplighosts, and with very positive results.  With the help of Peach?s Sneaky Parasol that one of Bowser?s guards gave her a while back, I created a device that can make you look like anyone you want!  Next, I got one of my most skilled agents to disguise himself as Peach with this new device.  He slept at the castle just as Peach would, and the assassin took the bait!?



?So, who is this agent?  Do I know him??


* * * * * * * * * *


?This was too easy.  That metal moron sure did take the bait.  I have to hand it to him, though.  He?s even stronger than me,? a man chuckled to himself as he crept through Metal Mario?s castle.  The man remembered the previous events that got him into the castle:



He never thought about the reasoning for Peach?s temporary disappearance?



Link charged straight at Metal Mario and unleashed a swift slash that would have cut any normal foe to pieces.  But Metal Mario easily sidestepped the blow and morphed his hand into a blade.  ?Such wasted talent??



?I?ll show you!? Link snapped as he furiously swiped at Metal Mario with his sword, who blocked each of Link?s attacks with his own blade.  ?Hya!?  Link whirled around at an incredible speed with his sword extended.  Metal Mario blocked it with ease.



Metal Mario yawned.  ?Are you finished yet?



What an arrogant pest?  E. Gadd didn?t tell me he was this strong.



?Nope!? Link spat as he flung himself at Metal Mario with his sword raised.  His jump attack was a last resort.  If this failed, the Master Sword would be deemed useless against this new foe.  Metal Mario held his dagger up in front of him and knocked the Master Sword right out of Link?s hand.  Now flying unsteadily through the air without his sword, Link tumbled painfully onto the ground beside Metal Mario.



?Without that sword, you?ll never be able to defend yourself!? Metal Mario cackled.  ?This fight is over.?



It was time for Link?s trump card- bombs.  Link whipped out a bomb and tossed it right at Metal Mario?s face.  The bomb bounced harmlessly off of his impenetrable metal covering and exploded on top of Link instead.  How in the world am I supposed to beat this guy?



?Now you will die,? Metal Mario stated nonchalantly.  ?It?s too bad.  You would have made a great comrade if I equipped you with some metal armor.  Unless?  That?s it!  I can use the Metal Fireball on you.?



?Metal Fireball?? Link parroted as he rolled out of a cloud of smoke created by the bomb.  He struggled to his feet, badly bruised and covered in ashes.  Metal Mario created a metallic Fireball and fired it at him.  Link quickly took out his bow and shot an arrow that pinned the solid Fireball to the ground.  Instantly, a large patch of the ground became as solid and metallic as Metal Mario was.  ?That was close??



?Lucky shot,? Metal Mario murmured.  ?But I?ve decided I don?t want your help anymore.  You?d only slow me down.?  He slowly approached Link.



Link took out another arrow.  This time, though, it was different.  At the tip of it was a chilling, wintry chunk of ice.  He fired the Ice Arrow at Metal Mario, freezing him on the spot.  Link let out a deep sigh. 



What a battle!  I didn?t think this would be that tough!  Won?t they be happy to know I finished off this guy?



?I don?t think even Ganondorf is that strong.?  He aimed yet another arrow at the frozen Metal Mario.  Its tip was burning with flames that seemed to be lit by Link?s fierce determination.  ?It?s time to get rid of this menace for good??



?Fooled you!? Metal Mario sneered as he broke free of his icy prison, sending chunks of shattered ice flying in all directions.  ?Thanks for the air conditioning; it was getting a little hot.?  Link staggered backward in fear.  Metal Mario simply laughed at launched Link from the battlefield with his strongest silver Fireball.



As Link soared through the air, he began mumbling to himself.  ?Yes? it worked??



I may not have won, but I can still finish my job.  I better re-disguise myself so Metal Mario doesn?t realize that I was Peach the whole time!



?From then, it was easy to escape from my cell.  After all, why would you reinforce a cell that is supposed to contain a helpless princess?? Link snickered.  ?I guess I?d better get some dirt on Metal Mario.  I?m sure he keeps some kind of papers that reveal his weakness, or at least a journal or diary.?

Chapter 25: Metal Mario?s Lab



?His name is Link,? E. Gadd told them.  ?He?s working hard to search for a weakness in Metal Mario?s design.?



Mario thought for a moment.  ?I remember him!  He was the guy in the green tunic with the sword!  Link and I fought in a Smash Tournament once, and it was the most evenly matched battle the audience had ever seen.  They even had to call it a draw!  If Link and I teamed up, I?m sure we could beat Metal Mario!  How did he get here, anyway??



E. Gadd pulled out a small remote.  ?With this, I can bring people and objects from one kingdom to another.  I call it the GaddTeleporter5000!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Link used his Hookshot to cross a large gap in the castle.  ?These dungeons are so old that the floor has rotted away in some spots.?  He fired an arrow at a distant switch, and a nearby door unbolted itself.  ?Metal Mario?s office should be around here somewhere?  But where??


* * * * * * * * * *


?So I can use this to get to Metal Mario?s Castle?? Mario inquired excitedly.



E. Gadd scratched his head.  ?I suppose you could.  But it?s too dangerous to be sneaking around in there.  Link can handle himself.?



?But Luigi might be trapped in there somewhere!? Mario protested.  He tore the GaddTeleporter5000 from E. Gadd?s hand, punched in a few numbers, and vanished into thin air.  The device he was holding dropped to the floor beside E. Gadd?s feet.


* * * * * * * * * *


?So, this is Metal Mario?s new castle, huh?? Mario wondered aloud.  ?I better start looking for Luigi.  I just hope I don?t end up finding Metal Luigi instead.?  He crept through the castle, down rows upon rows of empty cells.  It was more of a maze than a dungeon- Mario could have sworn he passed the same bloody corpse three times.



?Help!  Somebody!  Help me!? a familiar voice called.



The voice startled Mario.  ?Who?s there??



?Help me!  Please!?



Mario sprinted toward the source of the yelling.  There, sitting inside of a small, stone cell, was Luigi.  ?Luigi!  You?re here!?



Luigi?s face brightened.  ?You came for me, bro!  I knew you would!  Metal Mario locked me up when I didn?t tell him anything about Princess Peach?s whereabouts.  Where is she, anyway?  Toadsworth called us up in the middle of the night, telling us she was missing.  After that, everything went blank.?



?C?mon; I?ll explain everything on the way!  We have to find Link!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Link found himself inside of a strange lab.  ?This must be it.  I?ll have a look around.?  He found various weapons and upgrades for Metal Mario.   There were folders filled with blueprints for ?Metal Cannons? and ?Laser Rifles?.  One Link found particularly interesting was a complete map of what was titled ?Dimension M?.  It displayed a large battleship surrounded by what appeared to be a green vortex.



Next he found an enormous computer screen hooked up to a mouse and keyboard.  On the side of the screen was a deep crevice shaped as a hand.  The screen presented a bird?s eye view of the Hyrule Castle.  Beside it was a large toolbar with many different hazards, such as flames, tornados, and tidal waves.  A paper beside this screen instructed the user to drag and drop the catastrophes onto the kingdom.  Amused, Link dropped a tornado onto the castle.  Before he could do anything else, he felt a strong gust of wind slowly raise the castle.



?Whatever I do on this screen happens in real life?!? Link thundered in amazement.  He quickly pressed the delete button on the keyboard, and the castle dropped back to the ground.  ?That was close? Hey, isn?t that Mario??  He noticed an icon with the face of Mario on the castle displayed on the monitor.  Beside him was a Luigi icon.  Link pressed a button, showing the inside of the castle on the screen.  He dragged both the Mario and Luigi icons to the room he was in, and they suddenly appeared beside him.  ?This thing is amazing!?



?How did we get here,? Mario pondered.  ?Oh, hey Link!  Is this Metal Mario?s lab??  He saw a small PDA on a table.  ?This looks interesting.?  He stuffed it into his pocket.



Luigi rubbed his head.  ?Why do I feel like I?ve just been dragged across a football field??



Before they could get acquainted, a voice boomed from the lab entrance.  ?Who has been messing around in my lab?!?  Metal Mario stormed into the room.

Chapter 26: Battle for Hyrule



Metal Mario?s eyes became red with rage as he saw Mario, Luigi, and Link standing before him.  ?So, the three of you have banded together.  You wouldn?t happen to know where Peach is, do you??



?She?s safe in the Mushroom Kingdom!  Link was disguised as Peach the whole time, you idiot!? Luigi taunted.  ?I can?t believe you fell for-? Luigi bit his lip.



?Thanks for the info!? Metal Mario sneered.  ?Once I?m finished here, I?ll be sure to go pick her up!?



?Nice going, bro,? Mario sighed.



Link drew his sword.  ?Focus; he?s about to attack.?




Metal Mario?s right hand morphed into a long sword, while his left hand became a rifle.  He dashed toward Mario and slashed at him.  Mario quickly jumped out of the way, but Metal Mario shot a laser beam out of his rifle, hitting him in midair.  Link sliced at Metal Mario from behind, but he quickly whirled around and blocked the slash with his own sword.  Luigi shot a cluster of green Fireballs at Metal Mario, who side stepped them, causing them to hit Link instead.



Mario struggled to his feet.  ?He?ll pay for that.?  He jumped into the air and unleashed a Super Fireball, but Metal Mario quickly dove out of the way.  ?Link!  Your mirror shield!?



Link took out his mirror shield and deflected it toward Metal Mario.  ?Two can play at that game!? Metal Mario exclaimed, as his rifle-equipped hand morphed into a shield, neutralizing the blast on impact.  Link took out his bow and fired an armada of arrows at him.  Metal Mario shielded himself from the barrage, while Mario and Luigi stealthily snuck up behind him.  ?Don?t think I didn?t notice you two behind me!?



Metal Mario spun around and slashed at Mario.  The blade barely skimmed his arm, leaving a bloody cut.  Luigi flung himself at Metal Mario, who knocked him down by pushing him with his shield.  Just as he was about to finish of the Mario Brothers, he let out a scream of pain.  Link had fired a Light Arrow at him.  ?AGH!  How dare you attack me while my back is turned!?



Mario nailed the stunned Metal Mario with a Flaming Punch, causing him to crumple onto the ground.  ?This can?t be!  I?m invincible!?  A dark aura surrounded him, and metallic shockwaves began emitting from him.



?Don?t touch them, or you?ll be turned to metal!? Link warned them.



The three of them ducked and weaved through several shockwaves.  Metal Mario began to think to himself.  Which one should it be?  Hmm? If Mario became metal, I could probably merge with him.  After all, we?d both be Metal Mario?s.   ?Mario!  I choose you to be my next victim!?



?In your dreams!? Mario shot back, struggling to avoid the Metal Shockwaves.  Metal Mario rushed forward at him and knocked him to the ground.  Before Mario could get up, he was hit by a shockwave and his body slowly became encased in metal. 



?Now, watch as any hope you had before crumples away!? the original Metal Mario bellowed.  The two Metal Mario?s merged into one, extremely powerful Metal Mario.  ?There?s no way you can stop me now!?





Metal Mario smirked menacing and seemed to disappear for a moment.  Link came to his senses and darted to the right.  Metal Mario?s blade rushed past the spot where he just stood.  ?He didn?t disappear?  That was pure speed??



?Can you see how hopeless you really are?  You can?t even keep up with me!?  Metal Mario cackled.



?Maybe not?? Luigi whispered.  ?But we have to save Mario!  Somewhere, deep down, he?s still alive!?



Luigi ducked as a strong rush of wind passed over his head, knocking his hat to the floor.  He ran over to it and put it back on his head before being assaulted by Metal Mario again.  Luigi shrieked and rolled out of the way of one of Metal Mario?s slashes.  Link fired another Light Arrow at Metal Mario, who easily dodged it with his amazing speed.  ?You?re all too slow to hit me!?



?Luigi!  We have to retreat!  The two of us can?t beat him!? Link commanded.



Luigi knew Link would never retreat unless there was absolutely no hope left.  ?Let?s go!?  The two of them sprinted for their lives, with Metal Mario close behind them.  ?He?s right behind us!  Go!  Move it!?



?Mario had to have used a portal to get here!  We need to find it!? Link screamed desperately.  They rushed down the many paths that weaved through the dungeon, occasionally diving out of the way of one of Metal Mario?s attacks.  At last, they found a portal!



?Let?s get out of here!? Luigi sighed, ready to jump into the portal.



?I?m with you!? Link agreed.  Without warning, to Luigi?s utter horror, a blade pierced through Link?s stomach.  He collapsed onto the ground, blood trickling from his life-ending wound.



?You?re not going anywhere!? Metal Mario roared as he delivered a kick to Luigi?s head that instantly knocked him out.  He prepared to plunge his sword through Luigi?s heart, when he suddenly stopped and fell to the ground.  ?What?!  No!  I have to kill him!  NO!  Since Mario is now a part of me, I can?t bear to kill Luigi!  I?ll just have to separate from that sentimental fool!?  He created a Metal Fireball in his hand.  It began to grow until it took the shape of another Metal Mario.  Its metal armor faded away, and Mario collapsed onto the ground, out cold.



?Oh well.  I didn?t need his power anyway.  Besides, with my new invention, I?ll be able to gain just as much power as I had before,? Metal Mario chuckled.  ?Still, I should thank them for leaving this portal to the Mushroom Kingdom wide open.  I?ll play a little game with Mario before I kill him.  I?ll just capture all of his friends, lock them up in my castle, and wait for him to come to Dimension M.  If he can figure out how to get to Dimension M, he?ll get the chance to fight me and save his friends.  If he fails, they will all die!  Sweat dreams, Mario.  I have a game to set up.?



With that, he grabbed Luigi and entered the portal to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Chapter 27: Search for Dimension M



Mario woke up hours later to the sight of Link?s bloody corpse and a note.  He had a splitting headache, but he attempted to read the note anyway.



Mario, I have all of your friends safely locked away in the highest room of Mushroom Castle.  Unfortunately for you, the room is surrounded by a barrier, and the only way you can get rid of this barrier is if you find a way to come to Dimension M, where I will be waiting for you.  Once there, we?ll settle things once and for all.  I look forward to seeing you on the ground before my feet, ashamed.  Oh, and I?ll also be broadcasting this battle to your friends as it takes place, so they can watch their hero?s defeat.



?Darn him!? Mario cursed.  Suddenly, he had finally noticed that Link was dead.  He had seen his corpse, but his mind had not yet processed what had happened.  ?Link!  Are you okay?  Did Metal Mario do this?!  I?ll get him?  He thinks he?s so much stronger than me!  I?ll find a way to win!?  Mario took Link?s Master Sword and its sheath and strapped it to his back.  ?You were a great warrior, and a good person.  I didn?t know you for long, but that didn?t give Metal Mario the right to kill you.  I?ll remember you when I?m facing him, and I?ll know I?m not fighting this battle alone.  The Master Sword should help me during the fight.?  He turned and began to walk toward the portal.



True strength?



Mario whirled around.  ?What?  Who said that??



You have awakened?



?Who are you?  Where are you?? Mario inquired, quaking with fear.



Ever since you were born, you have had a great power sleeping with in you.  Now? some of that power has awakened.



?Why??



You now have the will to fight for someone other than yourself.  You will be fighting for your friends? and for Link.



?I?ve always fought for my friends,? Mario persisted.  ?Whenever Peach was kidnapped by Bowser, I fought to rescue her.?



No? You fought to have the glory of rescuing her.  Purely selfish?  But not anymore?  You are one step closer to your full strength.  And while you may not be stronger now, when the will to protect your friends is its strongest, the power that has just awakened will surface.  If you cannot handle it, you will die.



?Why can?t I just master my new power now?  I want to save my friends?? Mario pried.



You have so much potential within you, even if I helped you now, your full power would destroy you.  Once you master the power that has been given to you now, I will help you reach an even greater level of skill.  We will meet again, as soon as you cross into the Overthere Stair.  You are not aware of it yet, but after you challenge Metal Mario, you will die.  Until then, I?ll be waiting.  I, the great Skulleon, will be watching over you.



?No?  I can?t die!? Mario thundered.  ?But? I have to save my friends?  You?re wrong!  I?ll beat Metal Mario without dying!?  Mario passed through the portal back to the Mushroom Kingdom.



?So? How in the world am I going to find Dimension M??  Mario wondered aloud.  He felt a lump in his pocket, and pulled out the PDA he had found in Metal Mario?s Lab.  It was flashing, and two columns of information were being displayed.



Column One: 0920485048367395757548474947485749474859544745958474748549484747485958547474748595734957476376387947
28370527609523047673467430603706703406703
37843905374586-06-0649064309640946096034990640396039673807638
785457895490549759054
7378577
3989752333

Column Two:
CaStLe, RoYaL cHaIr, PuSh To ThE sIdE, lOoK uP iNtO tHe LiGhT, AnD sTaRt YoUr EnGiNe.



Column two definitely caught Mario?s attention.  ?I bet it?s some kind of instruction manual leading me to someplace important.  I might as well start at Mushroom Castle, since it?s the only castle I know of besides Bowser?s Castle.  It wouldn?t be referring to Metal Mario?s Castle, though, or there would be no need to include ?CaStLe? in the instructions.?



He made his way to Mushroom Castle, which was surprisingly empty.  Metal Mario must have driven everyone out before locking up Mario?s friends.  ?Alright, what do I do next?  Royal Chair? push to the side?  Is it talking about Peach?s throne?  That chair??  He walked up to the throne.  If anyone saw me doing this, they?d think I was a nut job.  He pushed with all of his might, and it slid across the floor, revealing a passage hidden behind it.



?How come no one has ever noticed this?!? Mario shouted in confusion.  He crept down the dark cave until he hit a dead end.  Light out from a nearby window lit up the entire room.  ?Look up into the light? and start my engine?  Umm?  Okay??  He looked up at the light, which suddenly seemed ten times brighter.



A golden kart appeared before him.  ?That looks like the Shooting Star kart I used in the Mushroom Kingdom Grand Prix!  I bet it can help me get to Dimension M!? 




He jumped in, and a portal opened directly in front of the kart.  Instantly, the Shooting Star sped off!  Mario saw nothing but swirling colors around them as they entered Metal Mario?s twisted dimension.  This is it!  Everyone has fought Metal Mario as hard as they could!  Now it?s my turn!  Mario remembered the strange voice he had heard earlier.



Ever since you were born, you have had a great power sleeping with in you.  Now? some of that power has awakened.

You now have the will to fight for someone other than yourself.  You will be fighting for your friends? and for Link.

No? You fought to have the glory of rescuing her.  Purely selfish?  But not anymore?  You are one step closer to your full strength.  And while you may not be stronger now, when the will to protect your friends is its strongest, the power that has just awakened will surface.  If you cannot handle it, you will die.

You have so much potential within you, even if I helped you now, your full power would destroy you.  Once you master the power that has been given to you now, I will help you reach an even greater level of skill.  We will meet again, as soon as you cross into the Overthere Stair.  You are not aware of it yet, but after you challenge Metal Mario, you will die.  Until then, I?ll be waiting.  I, the great Skulleon, will be watching over you.



?I will win!  I have to!  Even if it does kill me!?

Chapter 28: Mario vs. Metal Mario



The Shooting Star landed inside of a colossal battleship.  Mario found himself in a dark, spacious room.  He crept out of the kart and into the darkness.  The Shooting Star burst into flames as the room lit up with dazzling, bright lights.  Metal Mario emerged from a door on the far side of the room, grinning.



Mario looked around him and realized that they were inside an enormous stadium.  He spotted a massive computer screen hooked up to a mouse and keyboard.  On the side of the screen was a deep crevice shaped as a hand.  The screen presented a bird?s eye view of the entire Mushroom Kingdom.




?So, you actually found my little dimension?  Good.  You wouldn?t want to let you?re friends down, would you?? Metal Mario inquired, gesturing toward the computer screen.  It now displayed the inside of the room Mario?s friends were locked up in.



?Mario, help us!? Peach pleaded.



?You?ve got to stop him!? Luigi screamed.



Wario and Waluigi were fiercely attacking the barrier that held them captive inside the top floor of Mushroom Castle, but to no avail.  ?C?mon, Mario, you can beat this jerk!?



Mario clenched his fists.  ?Let them go!?



?I?ll let them go, that?s for sure,? Metal Mario sneered.  ?But first, I need to make sure they watch as their hero fails miserably.  I have to show them that I will not be opposed by anyone!  That brings me to my new invention.  It requires a complex code to activate, which I believe you possess.?



?I don?t have any code!? Mario snapped.



?You must,? Metal Mario persisted.  ?If you didn?t have the code, you would never have been able to find this place!  Hand over the PDA!?



?This?? Mario asked as he pulled the PDA from his pocket.  ?I found it back in your old lab!  If you want it, you?ll have to take it from me!?



?Sounds easy enough,? Metal Mario chuckled.  He raised one of his arms, and the PDA floated out of Mario?s hands and toward him.  ?How was that??  He snatched the PDA and hooked it up to the monitor.



//Now scanning input code?  Scan complete.  Please insert Metal Fireball sample.\\



The screen now showed the Mushroom Kingdom once again.  Metal Mario placed his hand into the crevice and released a Metal Fireball.  ?Do you know what all of this does, Mario?  This computer is an Alternative Reality Device, or ARD.  Whatever happens on this screen will happen in real life.  This code on the PDA is actually a carefully compressed version of your DNA makeup.  That is how far my creator has advanced in scientific technology.  Your DNA makeup matched with the ARD can make everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom an exact copy of you!  Thanks to my built in Metal Fireball scanner, do you know what I can do?  I can change every single one of the Mario copies I created into Metal Mario copies, and then absorb them just as I absorbed you!?



?You freak!? Mario cursed.  ?Will everyone you locked up inside Mushroom Castle be affected??



?No,? Metal Mario replied coldly.  ?They must remain inside of the barrier, so they can watch me defeat you.  But enough of that!  It?s time to absorb my new allies!?  Suddenly, hundreds of Metal Mario look-alikes flew into the room and merged with Metal Mario.  There were tons of them!  Mario attempted to count them, but they quickly vanished inside of Metal Mario.  ?What do you think??



Mario stared at him in awe.  In appearance, Metal Mario hadn?t changed.  But as far as strength goes, he was in a league of his own.  ?No? Now what??



?Now? you will die.?




Metal Mario charged straight at Mario at amazing speeds.  Mario stood firmly and began to charge up a Fireball.  Just as Metal Mario was about to deliver a bone-crushing blow, Mario unleashed a Super Fireball directly in his opponents face.  Now that the room was clouded with smoke, Mario looked around frantically.  It can?t be over.  That wasn?t enough to kill him.



?Over here!? Metal Mario cried from above as he came crashing down.  Mario quickly rolled out of the way and leaped to his feet.  Metal Mario?s right hand morphed into a grappling hook, and his left hand became a dagger.  He fired the grappling hook, which latched onto Mario?s arm and began to reel him in toward Metal Mario?s dagger.  Mario smacked the dagger away moments before it stabbed him and delivered a painful right hook to Metal Mario?s face.



Metal Mario clutched his face.  ?Your determination is unshakeable?  I should have known it was a bad idea to hold back against you.?  His grappling hook and dagger became regular fists again.



?Hold back?? Mario parroted.  Before he could react, Metal Mario was already in front of him with his fist wedged in Mario?s chest.  Next, he launched Mario up into the air and slammed him back onto the ground.  Mario, now barely able to move, remembered the words spoken to him in Hyrule Field.  Metal Mario picked him up by the throat and held him in front of the computer screen for all of Mario?s friends to see.



You are not aware of it yet, but after you challenge Metal Mario, you will die.

Chapter 29: Awaken as a Hero



Luigi, Peach, Wario, and Waluigi watched in horror as Metal Mario slowly choked Mario to death.  Peach began to cry.  ?No!  Mario!  We have to help him!?




?C?mon, bro!  You have to fight him!? Luigi cheered him on.



?Mario!  If you win this, I?ll give you a bag of cash!? Wario bellowed.



Waluigi sighed.  ?Get us out of here!  We?re all counting on you!?



?Beat him!  You can do it!? they all shouted.



?You can?t pay for this kind of entertainment!  Your friends actually think there?s still hope!? Metal Mario cackled.  ?You?re finished!  And after you?re dead, I?ll kill all of your pesky friends!?



You now have the will to fight for someone other than yourself.  You will be fighting for your friends? and for Link.  And while you may not be stronger now, when the will to protect your friends is its strongest, the power that has just awakened will surface.




A red aura surrounded Mario.  He kicked Metal Mario in the chest and landed safely on the ground.  ?You might be stronger than me?  But I won?t let you hurt my friends!  Even if it does kill me to beat you, I will win!?



He has done it.  The power that comes when you need to protect someone dear to you is now his own.  Finish him!



?What?!  I beat you!  How?!?  Metal Mario stammered.



?It doesn?t matter how many times you trounce me!  If my friends are in danger, I?m going to come back and challenge you again!  And this time, you?re the one who?s going to be trounced!?  Mario cupped his hands and began charging a Fireball.  ?The nightmare is over!  Goodbye Metal Mario!?  He shot his most powerful Super Fireball and hit Metal Mario dead on.



?NO!  I?m invincible!!  How?!? Metal Mario shrieked.



There was a huge explosion when the Super Fireball hit Metal Mario, and the room was covered in smoke.  Large chunks of debris began to fall from the ceiling.  ?I did it??





?Now?  How do I get out of here??



BOOM



RATTLE



CRASH



Tiny explosions began erupting all over the room.  The lights dimmed and the roof was blown off, revealing a swirling green vortex that surrounded the entire stadium.  ?What?s going on?!?



Metal Mario walked out of the smoke severely bruised.  ?Did you miss me??



?You again?!  What is that vortex doing?!  It?s going to kill both of us!?  Mario warned him.



"This is my world!  It?s surrounded by a vortex, and whatever touches it is doomed to be trapped between dimensions forever!" Metal Mario laughed.  ?It has been slowly pulling the entire battleship in.  While you were busy catering to your friends, you?ve slowly been ending your own life!?



?You?re bluffing!  You?ll be destroyed too!? Mario exclaimed.



?I?m afraid not!? Metal Mario sneered.  ?See that orb over there??  He gestured toward a pedestal at the edge of the stadium.  On top of it was a shining green orb.  ?As long as that exists, I?ll be able to return after being sucked in!?



?I can beat this guy,? Mario reassured himself.  ?I?ve just got to tap into my new power!?  He rushed over to Metal Mario and performed an uppercut that knocked Metal Mario sky-high.  While his foe was airborne, Mario shot a cluster of Fireballs at him. 



?How?!  He?s in complete control!? Metal Mario roared as he collapsed onto the ground.  Mario darted toward him to finish him off.  ?Stop, Mario!  Or I might do something to one of your friends!  You?re always blathering on about how important they are to you!  What if I happened to kill them?!  Then you?d be all alone, in a barren world that has been ruined by me!?



Mario stopped dead in his tracks.  ?Don?t even think about hurting them!?



Metal Mario began to laugh.  ?Then don?t even think about moving!  Or I?ll start a fire that will burn the entire Mushroom Castle down!  With the ARD, it would take seconds to kill off your friends!?



Mario ceased attacking him.  ?Just don?t hurt them.?



Metal Mario?s hand morphed into a Plasma Ray Gun.  ?Do you know what this is?  No man has ever survived a plasma ray!  This is the end, Mario!  Feel free to dodge it, but I?ll just have to annihilate all of your friends instead!?



Metal Mario launched an enormous purple plasma ray at Mario, who stood his ground.  ?I?ve got to survive this one!?  The blast struck him with pinpoint accuracy.  Mario let out a cry of agony as the beam took its toll on him.  At last, it stopped.  Mario fell to his knees, laughing.  ?You?ll?need?more than that? to kill me??



?Interesting?  You must be one of the strongest men alive to resist a blast like that.  I commend you!  However, one more shot should be enough to end this!?  Metal Mario fired another mammoth plasma ray.



Mario cupped his hand.  ?Only one? attack? can stand up to something like that.  The Ultra Fireball?  I have to try it?  I haven?t? been able to master it? since I arrived in the? Mushroom Kingdom?  It?s my? only hope??  He began charging a Fireball.  Soon, it grew to the size of a Super Fireball.  At last, its size tripled.  The Ultra Fireball was ready.  Link?s Master Sword!  If I channeled the blast through his Master Sword, maybe I can beat him! He clutched the Master Sword in his hand, aimed it at the annihilator beam that was coming straight for him, and fired a wave of flames out of the Master Sword?s tip.



?What?!  You think you can stand up to a plasma ray with another one of your Fireballs?!  Try this!?  Metal Mario?s free hand morphed into yet another Plasma Ray Gun.  He charged it up and unleashed a second plasma ray that seemed to overcome Mario?s Ultra Fireball.



?No!  I can?t give up!? Mario cried.  ?I will win!?  Just as everyone seemed to give up hope, Link?s spirit appeared.  ?Link?!  Is that you?!?  He wielded a Master Sword of his own.  Link dashed over to Metal Mario and began rapidly slashing at him.



?FINISH HIM!?



Mario?s determination grew, and so did his Ultra Fireball.  Now that Metal Mario was distracted, his plasma rays vanished, and the wave of flames rushed into Metal Mario and engulfed him.  Metal Mario slowly fell apart as the Ultra Fireball eliminated him.  It was over.  Metal Mario had been vanquished.

Chapter 30: Farewell





?I did it,? Mario sighed.  ?Metal Mario is gone.?



?You?re the best!? Luigi cheered.



?That was pretty awesome,? Wario admitted.



?What a guy!  You?re lucky to have him as a rival, Wario.  All I have is that green coward,? Waluigi murmured.



Only one thought was on Peach?s mind.  How will he get back?



?Thanks, everyone.  You gave me the motivation to beat him,? Mario told them through the computer screen.  ?Time to end this!?  Mario dashed over to the green orb and stabbed it with the Master Sword.  It ceased to glow and shattered to pieces.  He held the Master Sword up in triumph.  ?I won!  Thank you, Link!  I know you?re out there somewhere!?



The battle ship slowly began to sink into the vortex.



You are not aware of it yet, but after you challenge Metal Mario, you will die.  Until then, I?ll be waiting.  I, the great Skulleon, will be watching over you.



?Come home, Mario!? Luigi cheered.  ?We?re all waiting!?



Mario smiled sympathetically.  ?Sorry, guys.  I can?t get back.  Metal Mario destroyed my only way back when I first arrived.  I?ve been thinking about it ever since I got here, and I?ve come to a conclusion.  I was destined to die from the start.  A god warned me before I even got here.  But I?ve finally decided that I?m okay with dying.  It was to protect everyone.  Now that Metal Mario is gone, everyone he absorbed should be back in the Mushroom Kingdom, and the barrier should be gone.  I?d like you to use the Star Rod to bring Link back to life, though.  He deserves better than to die.?



?NO!  Mario!? Peach burst into tears.  She reached out toward the computer screen.  ?Don?t go!  NO!?



Luigi reacted similarly.  Even Wario and Waluigi couldn?t keep themselves from shedding a tear.  The computer screen went fuzzy, and the connection was lost.



?At least I saved the universe.  My journeys are going to continue in the Overthere.  I?m anxious to start mastering this new power of mine!?  Mario exclaimed.  ?Goodbye, everyone.  I have a feeling this won?t be the last time we?ll see each other.?  The battleship faded into the vortex, and so did Mario, tears streaming down his cheek.  ?Farewell??



This wasn?t any ordinary death.  It was the death? of a hero.  The Mushroom Kingdom?s true hero?


* * * * * * * * * *




Two days had passed since that fateful day.  The Mushroom Kingdom?s residents had returned immediately after Metal Mario was killed.  But the damage that had been left behind was unbelievable.  Peach, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and E. Gadd assembled at the hospital, where the Star Rod had been left.



?We can use the Star Rod to bring Mario and Link back to life!? Luigi exclaimed.



Peach nodded.  ?Great and powerful Star Rod?  Two people have just recently lost their lives in the fight with Metal Mario.  Can you restore the lives of Link and Mario??



No?



Everyone was stunned.  ?Did the Star Rod just talk?? Wario wondered aloud.



No.  I am not the Star Rod.  I had a feeling you might try and bring Mario back with the Star Rod, so I prepared this message just in case.  Mario is meant for much bigger things, and has a great power sleeping within him.  I will be working with him to master some of that power.  Then, when the time is right, Mario will return and save everyone once again.  I, Skulleon, will teach Mario everything I know.  However, the one called Link can be brought back to Hyrule.  I will also grant you Mario?s body.  He deserves a proper burial.  Until then, so long?



There was a blinding flash of light, and then the Star Rod collapsed onto the ground.

And... that's it! I think that's the fastest I've ever written a fanfic.   I guess I'm eager to begin writing SMB6.   :P  If anyone is interested in getting into the series, I recommend either reading through SMB4 and 5 or just waiting until 6 is out and reading the fanfic summaries.  It all comes down to whether you're patient enough to read 4 and 5 or not.  In two weeks, SMB6 will begin...  SMB4 can be found here: http://forums.projectfcd.com/index.php?topic=2781.new (http://forums.projectfcd.com/index.php?topic=2781.new)  It might be all screwed up because I wrote it back before the server switch.  I'll work on fixing it tomorrow.

SMB5 can be found here: http://forums.projectfcd.com/index.php?topic=6221.0 (http://forums.projectfcd.com/index.php?topic=6221.0)

Phew...  That was a long read.   :P  Luckily I was able to keep up with SMB4 and 5, so I shouldn't have to read anything.  Of course... I still might read 4 and 5 again anyway.  :P  That was some quick and skillful writing.  This pretty much ties everything together; SMB3, 4, and 5 were more connected than I thought.  I like the little connections you threw in to keep everyone guessing until SMB5.  Good job; I can't wait for SMB6.  ;)