A young man was laying down, sleeping underneath a tree. He had messy, dark brown hair and was wearing a maroon colored t-shirt with dark navy jeans and black socks. He had his eyes closed and his arms behind his head, his legs were also crossed. He looked to be about 20.

He let out a long sigh as he uncrossed his legs and turned over to his side, moving his hands near the right side of his face. He stood still for a good five minutes before opening his eyes.
"I can't sleep" He sounded tired as he bolted upright, his hands were on the ground now.

"I feel like maybe there was something I had to..." He stopped mid-sentence as his eyebrows raised a bit. He started scratching his head.

"Uh oh, that's right." He said, realizing something. "Toadsworth wanted to see me about something today." He stood up slowly as he turned to look behind him.

There was a small collection of houses that looked like mushrooms behind the tree, as well as a huge castle at the end of the path that went through the town. He puts his hands in his pockets as he started down the path "Better late then never I guess."

As he headed into town the sky began to turn dark. The young man stopped walking and looked up, putting his hand above his eyes. "Hmm? Looks like there might be a storm soon." He picked up the pace a bit as he put his other hand above his eyes, he was headed towards the castle. A clap of thunder could be heard as it started to drizzle. He hit the castles entrance just before the rain started getting worse and another clap of thunder could be heard.

There were two guards infront of the entrance but they were very small and round and had circular, round, red polka dot covered hats that resembled the roofs of the houses. The two of them moved to the side, out of the way of the door. "Jay?" One of them questioned in a raspy voice.

The young man looked at the guard to his left who had spoken. "Hmm? Yes?" The young man responded, his name was Jay.

"Toadsworth has been worried sick about you. You better get in there." The guard said as he shook his head.

Jay chuckled nervously "Hahaha, sorry about that. I dozed off and almost forgot." The guard continued to shake his head as he opened the castle door for him. "Oh boy..."

Jay entered the castle, the door shut and locked behind him. The pitterpatter of the rain drops could be heard from outside. Jay continued down the main hallway of the castle as he noticed someone.

The person looked idetical to the guards outside only his hat was a bit more muddier in coloration and he was wearing a purple vest with a red bow tie and brown shoes. He held a cane in his right hand with a brown mushroom on the top. He also had a very big white mustatche with small glasses perched right on top of it.

"Well, well, it's about time Jay!" He exclaimed in gruff voice as he walked towards Jay, waving his cane in the air. "It's hard enough keeping an eye on the princess but keeping an eye on you is like trying to keep an eye on a Nabbit!" He said as he started hitting Jay with his cane several times.

"Oof! Hey, Toadsworth! Put that thing down!" Jay had his arm raised, blocking the old mans hits.

"I'm sorry, Jay" He apologized, putting his cane back down "But the princess has an important matter to discuss with you." Toadsworth turned his back to Jay as he walked down the hall. Jay put his hand down as he followed behind him.

The two of them entered the main throne room, a woman with long blonde hair wearing a small crown and a pink dress with long white gloves was waiting for them there. She turned to them and smiled.

"Oh, there you are Toadsworth. And I see you finally found Jay." She put her hand to her mouth as she giggled. Her voice was kind and warming.

Toadsworth flapped his arms at her "Princess! This is no laughing matter!" He exclaimed. Princess Peach was still giggling as she turned to Jay.

Jay was holding his breath, trying not to laugh. Princess Peach cleared her throat and folded her hands.

"Jay, I'm sorry to disturb you at such a time but something has come up." Jay looked at her, more seriously this time. "Oh? What is it?" He asked.

"Well, recently we've been informed that Bowser had been stealing treasure from various worlds and had several of his servants digging into a mountain for him. I'm worried about what he might be planning..." Princess Peach looked at Toadsworth "The castle may be the next place he attacks! We need someone sharp to protect the princess at all costs!" Toadsworth exclaimed, flapping his arms again.

Jay nodded as he looked at Princess Peach "Of course. I'll do my best to keep her safe from harm, no matter what it tak-"

Suddenly, a huge thunderclap was heard. It was so loud, it sounded like it struck the castle. The sheer force of it knocked all three of them down to the ground. Jay heard a loud thumping sound and that's when the throne room door caught fire and burst wide open as smoke filled the room.