Chapter 1: The Guardian Genie

Somewhere in the desert lands, there exists a country called Sequin Land. For a desert country, it holds many trees and mountains. In the middle of Sequin Land was a small town called Scuttle Town and there lived a young girl who is half human and half genie. Her name is Shantae and despite being only half genie, she is one of the strongest magic users out there. However, Scuttle Town and other places in Sequin Land get frequently raided by a lady pirate known as Risky Boots. She is known as one of the most ruthless pirates out there, but when it comes to fighting Shantae, she usually prefers to fight her some of these steam powered machines her pirate crew, the Tinker Bats, create. Shantae does have friends that help her out when things get rough, like her uncle, Mimic, who is the Scuttle Town's inventor and researcher. Little do they know, Mimic's next treasure hunt will bring more trouble than anyone could have imagined.

(In a dark cave somewhere in Transylvania)

Mimic was chiseling away at a wall until he discovered a strange looking ruby.

Mimic- Oh no! I should not have dug this out!

Suddenly, skeletons jumped came out of the ground and tried to take the ruby. Mimic grabbed the ruby and rushed out of the cave.

Mimic- I can't believe I found one of the most dangerous mystical treasures! I can't keep this and I can't let his followers use it to resurrect him either. I have to make sure this thing never sees the light of day again.

(Over at Mario and Luigi's house in the Mushroom Kingdom)

It was late at night (a little after midnight) and Mario and Luigi were fast asleep. Luigi was on the bottom bunk, snoring up a storm. As for Mario, he was on the top bunk and something was entering his mind.

(Inside Mario's dream)

Mario looked around and saw what looked like a black limbo.

Mario- What's going on here? What is this place?

Suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared out of a cloud of smoke from the darkness, but Mario couldn't make out who was standing there.

Mario- Who are you?

Mysterious figure- I am a friend of your ancestor, the one who defeated Tabuu 1,000 years ago.

Mario- Oh right, Tabuu mentioned that. He was the toughest foe I had ever faced, but Sonic and I destroyed him.

Mysterious figure- No, you didn't.

Mario- What?!

Mysterious figure- Tabuu is a fallen god and is impossible to destroy. You and Sonic defeated him, yes…but he is still out there, attempting to regain his full power so he can have a rematch.

Mario- Oh no! I can't fight that monster again! Sonic and I almost lost our heads in that fight!

Mysterious figure- Then do what your ancestor did and complete your team. You currently have ten members, but there is still one friend left for you to find. Keep an eye out the dancer from the desert.

Mario- What do you mean by that?

Mysterious figure- I wish I had more time to explain, but you have a job to do. Toad is about to wake you and Luigi in about 3…2…

(Back in Mario and Luigi's house)

Toad suddenly rushed into Mario and Luigi's room and turned on the lights.

Toad- Mario Brothers! We got trouble!

Luigi- Toad, it's a quarter to 1 in the morning. Can't we wait until the sun comes up?

Toad- Not when Bowser has kidnapped the princess again!

Mario- Bowser…again…and at this hour…

Toad- Afraid so, Mario. He snuck into the castle in the middle of the night, grabbed Princess Peach, and then escaped in his Doom Ship.

Mario and Luigi got out of bed, got dress, ate a super leaf to turn into Raccoon Mario and Raccoon Luigi, and took off after the Doom Ship.

(Over above a desert somewhere)

Bowser was flying his Doom Ship while crossing the desert when a Goomba came into the cockpit.

Goomba- King Bowser, we've managed to lock the princess inside the brig like you asked, but the Mario Brothers have been spotted.

Bowser- Those Mario Brothers are getting as predictable as the sunrise. Luckily, I planned for this. I looked at the weather channel before we left Castle Koopa.

Raccoon Mario and Raccoon Luigi were closing in on the Doom Ship, but Raccoon Luigi was noticed something was wrong a bit.

Raccoon Luigi- Hey Mario, is it just more or are there a little too much wind and sand blowing this high in the air. It almost feels like a…

Raccoon Mario- SANDSTORM!

Suddenly, the Mario Brothers where hit by a sandstorm. The Doom Ship got hit and took some damage, but it was still in the air. Mario and Luigi lost their raccoon power and crash landed in the desert.

Bowser- That's why you should check the weather before moving out.

Goomba- Yes, but the Doom Ship has taken too much damage. We can't make our return trip to Castle Koopa without making repairs.

Bowser- Figured as much. Luckily, I have another castle nearby. We'll bring the Doom Ship there and make the repairs.

As the Doom Ship flies away, Mario and Luigi got their faces out of the sand.

Mario- God damn it! Bowser must've known about that sandstorm!

Luigi- Uh, Mario, where are we?

Mario- I'm guessing a desert of some kind. We better find a village or a town nearby and soon.

Mario and Luigi traveled through the desert for hours and the sun was really starting to get to Luigi. Eventually, Luigi collapsed from dehydration.

Luigi- (Gasps) Mario… (Gasps) water…

Mario- Don't worry, Luigi! Uh…I'll find a cactus to pick and get you some water!

Mario pulls out a faucet and a few plumber tools and went to look for a cactus. Just as Mario left Luigi, a shadow of a person appeared over Luigi.

Luigi- Who…who are you…?

Mario kept looking in all directions and not a cactus in sight.

Mario- Oh, what am I going to do?! Luigi could die if I don't get him some water soon!

Suddenly, Mario heard the sound of someone drinking something. When Mario turned around, he saw a young girl with long purple and a red belly dancer's outfit pouring water into Luigi's mouth. But the oddest thing was the water was coming out of her palm instead of a water container or something. She stopped pouring once Luigi had enough.

Luigi- …thank you…

Shantae- Don't worry, sir. Your friend is going to be ok.

Mario- He's my brother actually, but thanks. By the way, how did you just do that?

Shantae- That was just a little genie magic. It's my job as a guardian genie to help those in need.

Mario- Guardian genie?

Shantae- You're not from around here, are you?

Mario- No, we got caught in a sandstorm and got lost in this desert. What is this place, anyway?

Shantae- Well, you're in Sequin Land. This is mostly a desert country, but there are many places that aren't completely covered in desert. Usually, there are genies, like me, who protect this land from evil.

Mario- So you're a genie.

Shantae- Well…I'm actually half genie. But still, I'm one of the strongest magic users out there and everyone in Scuttle Town is happy that I'm their guardian genie. If you're trying to cross the desert, it might be best to stock up on supplies. I can bring you to Scuttle Town and the two of you can get what you need if you like.

Mario- That would be nice and thank you.