Darkness was falling. The sun was leaving in haste, its bright beams fading away to reveal the moonlights pale yellow glow. Rogueport's buildings were cast in black against this glow, as night arose in the town.
The town seemed desolate, and frail. It seemed like all the life had been sucked out of its very soul. There really wasn't anything visibly problematic in the small town, apart from the usual. It just felt... Dark. Empty.
Cursed.
But our story doesn't take place in this dead town. Rather, it merely starts here, on the northwest side, in the front of a large train, who's black paint shimmered in the pale moonlight, and looked simply regal. And inside of this majestic piece of art, the height of its kind, our story begins.
The train's decor was exquisite. Crimson wallpaper and carpets adorned the insides. The furniture was perfectly finished and cleaned, hand carved out of maple wood. The dining room had a romantic aura hanging, emanating through and in it. The rooms were perfectly arranged, with sheets of white and blankets of blue contrasting the room colors. Currently empty, this moving palace will be the setting of our adventure, starting when the sun rises in the morning.
The darkness began to fade, as the sun began its merry way up to its day job, chasing the night away. The rays it provided began warming and brightening the town, in looks if not vibe. And at the train station, where formerly the area had been blank and visually destitute, it had bloomed in life, with colorful banners and signs, declaring "Ride the Excess Express: The most luxurious ride you'll have ever had!"
These signs were barely noticed by the small line waiting to come aboard the shining train. And this is where we meet our cast of characters to be found in our story.
At the front of the line stood a short, blue penguin. Known as "The Penguin With the Improbably Large Brain," he had a Sherlock Holmes-esque cap atop his head, and a magnifying glass peeking out of his brown satchel that was fastened around his portly waist. This was none other than 'Detective' Pennington, and he was aboard the train, and would play a large part in our story.
Right behind our Southern companion stood a figure almost everyone knew. From the red cap with the 'M', to his blue overalls, to his brown mustache, he looked what was to be expected. Mario will play the starring role in our adventure. But for now, we shall return to our other cast members.
Toodles is our guest third in line. The posh, rich, young Toad girl was ever checking her physical appearance, and winking her eyes flirtatiously at any of the men in the line to board the train. What role might she possibly play in our adventure? Only time will tell...
Fourth in line was a yellow Hawk, with black sunglasses shading his eyes from the sun's piercing rays. A perpetual smirk was present upon his face, and he had a black belt with a gold star ornament on the front. Rawk Hawk was eager to give the upper-class train a ride. The Hawk would play a big role in our story, though not nearly as big as his ego.
Standing behind the large avian was a white Bob-Omb, with a military fur cap perched upon the top of his round body. His gray mustache rivaled Mario's in stature and class, and was clearly one of the elderly Bob-Omb's prize possessions. How big a role will this aged man play? That will be revealed in due time, do not fret.
Our sixth jolly member in line was none other than the famous voyager. The mighty man of bravery and valor! The one who by himself could calm a hurricane-well, we shall stop repeating his self descriptions, as they go on for miles upon miles of the road of the brain. Flavio was here, for better or worse...
Seventh in the line was feeling the heat, complaining to any who would listen about the awful weather. Toadia was finishing her trip around the surrounding countries, and was returning to her hometown. Her green spots upon her cap contrasted brightly in the sun, her 'Luigi is my Hero!' shirt getting her some offbeat looks from passerby's. But Toadia is a key cog in our story, and that can't be denied.
The final person in line was cranky. Zess T. had quite the attitude, no matter who she was addressing, even if her addressee was nothing more than a wall in front of her. But Zess, despite her eccentricities and her attitude, is no slouch when it comes to her role in our story.
What story have I been referring to?
Why, none other than the story of The Murder On The Excess Express!