READ THIS BEFORE READING!

This is an episodic series, and that means you can skip around to any 'episode' in the series. Each episode is designed to be a standalone experience, but it is also (obviously) able to be read in a linear fashion. The entire series is measured in chapters, but episodes are measured in terms of parts.

Ex: The Name of the Episode I (no. of part)

This is always how all episodes will be set up, and episodes that are listed without a roman numeral are a 'short episode' that is only one part long.

Ex: The Name of the Short Episode

This whole series is set up kind of like Star Trek, and you'll find that it can be experienced in any order (though of course I tell the story in the order that I think is best.) If you're on the fence about reading, read the first episode. (The Battle for the Observatory) This episode acts as an introduction, and is the best option for first-time Toad Brigade readers. Thank you, and please enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

DEEP SPACE

"Space: the final frontier. Many Toads have only dreamed of traveling the dusty cosmos. Only we, the Toad Brigade, dare to live the dreams of all Toadkind. I, the brave and courageous, mighty and, exceptionally good lookin-"

"Would you get on with it? We've already got an incoming message from someone! It's probably Toad Fleet!" Mailtoad said, shooting Captain Toad a glance from his swivelling chair on the deck in front of the Captain's chair. Captain Toad straightened his miner's headlight he cherished from his days helping Mario, and he held down on his recording stick once again.

"As I was saying: after the defeat of Bowser by Mario, the evils of his minions didn't totally subside. As the first ship under the name 'M.K.S. Toadstool', we embark on a perilous journey to fight back the feuding minions left struggling over power in Bowser's absence." Captain Toad finished as he stuck his recorder back into his pocket. He pressed a few buttons on the arm of his chair, and the large view of outer space they had through their front window became clouded with a star-bit barrier. "Blue," Captain Toad said, alerting his glasses-clad friend in the seat near him. "Engage 'Power-Star Operated Wave-Generator'."

Blue Toad nodded his head with a slight smirk. "Engaging P.O.W., entering Rainbow Road." Blue reported while he fiercely pushed the throttle forward, and their perception of space in front of them began to change. A magnificent range of colors danced around in a circle. In was unclear if they were moving forward, but soon everyone felt a sudden jolt of energy. It took everyone off-guard, and Yellow Toad nearly fell out of his seat.

It was clear that they were now on their way into the vast unknown. The Captain took this time to check the message sent to them by Toad Fleet. If he was honest, he'd rather ignore Toadsworth giving him some kind of lecture again. Having a family member on the top of the social ladder sounds good in concept, but not if that family member is your doting yet strict as heck grandfather.

"Turn on the video message from Toad Fleet." Captain Toad commanded, knowing he was in for it. The screen blipped on, and it was none other than Rosalina. She was kneeling in front of the camera in the Library on her Observatory.

"I have a message for the Captain of this Toad Fleet Vessel. The Observatory is under attack from King Boo's Royal Army! We need assistance! The Lumas cannot hold their own against these fiends! Please arrive whenev-" A bang at the door startled all the Toads on the bridge. Heroically, Rosalina arose and turned to face the incoming conflict.

"She's so brave." Yellow Toad remarked, starry eyed.

Blue Toad turned in his chair to face Captain Toad. "The coordinates of the message are 2.35.10. The Observatory is positioned above the Ghostly Galaxy. We're not some sort of battleship, but we can stall King Boo while we contact Toad Fleet." Blue Toad said, evaluating their options. Captain Toad got up from his chair and typed the coordinates into the main control panel of the Toadstool.

"We have to help her, there's nobody else who will!" He stated loudly. The Control Bridge team gave one big 'hurrah!' before they road the Rainbow Road all the way to the Ghostly Galaxy, where they would meet their ship's first foes…

THE GHOSTLY GALAXY

When the Toadstool exited the Rainbow Road dimension, they had a perfect view of the Observatory under heavy fire from the Galaxy, but also from a large ship beside it. The ship was large and shaped like a giant head of a skeletal koopa troopa.

"Captain! The Dry Bones have joined forces with King Boo!" Blue Toad reported. Captain Toad felt a few beads of sweat forming on his fungal head.

Dry Bones? Here? Now? What are we going to do? He thought frantically. Yellow Toad turned, somewhat nervous for their safety.

"Captain… What are we going to do?" Yellow Toad asked, worried. Captain Toad still failed to give them a command.

"We're receiving another transmission, should I display it on the screen, sir?" Mailtoad asked. Captain Toad composed himself.

"Yes, open it." He instructed. Mailtoad fiddled with the communications panel for moment before the video message was finally displayed. It was King Boo. The sounds of laser artillery rang through the large screen louder than from their position far away from the battle.

"Toad Fleet, I'm so glad you've arrived! I do hope you're harboring Luigi on board so I can reward him for the decimation of my estate. Though if not, I'll still take immense pleasure in destroying your puny ship, EEHEEEHEEHEEHEEE!" The large Boo cackled. The screen switched off abruptly. There was a sort of panic erupting on board the M.K.S. Toadstool, especially on the bridge. A startling rumble shifted the attention of every Toad to the Dry Bones Battleship, which was now firing lasers in their direction.

"Captain! We've taken a direct hit to our portside wing! Another hit like that and there won't be much for Captain Fungus to save when he gets here with his fleet!" Blue Toad stated alarmingly. Captain Toad finally snapped out of his shock.

"Yellow! Boot up the Starman Generator, get those shields up and running. I want Starshrooms loaded with armed Toad-Fighters and deployed, ready to aid Rosalina. Blue, give me a rough evaluation of their numbers and fighting patterns. I need to know how many of them there are, and how they're gonna come at us. Purple, keep me posted if we get another message." Captain Toad rattled off a long list of in-depth commands. The Bridge Toads stared at him with dumbfounded expressions. The Captain saw the fear in their eyes, and he felt the same fear manifesting in his. Though they needed to help Rosalina. If the Observatory fell to the Royal Boo Army, not only would it be a huge win for Bowser's Minions, but they would likely wipe out the Lumas in the battle. King Boo had to be stopped.

"Get a move on!" He shouted. The Toads immediately obeyed, and scrambled away to do their duties. Captain Toad got out of his chair and followed Blue down the hall. The two Toads stepped quickly down the shiny white and metal corridors.

"What do we have to arm the Toad-Fighters with?" Captain Toad asked. Blue Toad shook his head.

"Koopa Shell-Shields and… I suppose we could supply them with the hammers donated by the Mario Bros.?" Blue was stretching their options. He was reaching for weapons that would keep their Toads safe, but the truth is that hammers and shell-shields won't work against boos and dry bones.

"That should be enough to hold them off before Fungus arrives. We just need a distraction, not a trump card." Captain Toad said. "I'm going down there with the fighters, I think you and Yellow should come too." Blue's face went pale and his breathing grew heavier.

"What do you mean? I'm not a Toad-Fighter! And Yellow is irresponsible enough as it is! He's my brother and I love him, but I don't trust him with his own life." Blue protested. "You can lead the Fighters into battle if you really want to, Red, I'm not stopping you. But neither me or Yellow are going to come down there with you."

Red was somewhat hurt by Blue's refusal to come with him. Many of the other Toads from the original Toad Brigade accepted Red as the leader somewhat unanimously. He and Blue had always been good friends, but their relationship got tense after Toad Brigade was formed. Blue shut all the other Toads out for a time, and he used that time to study up and put some knowledge behind his already sharp wit. He wanted to appear as the smart one, so he began wearing glasses to convince even the most aesthetic of company. Things only got worse when Red was made Captain of the first Explorer-Class Ship of Toad Fleet, and Blue only got more jealous. Though that Explorer-Class Ship may be the last as well if they couldn't stop King Boo and the Dry Bones from sacking the Observatory.

Captain Toad left Blue and ran into the Toad-Fighter Station. They were just about to load up into the Starshrooms. He grabbed a hammer and a shell-shield from the armory, and boarded the Starshroom-M1. Though he was among a squadron of Red Toads, he stuck out as Captain Toad due to his uniform and miner's light. He was immediately recognized, and let into the ship without any questions asked.

As the ship's thrusters whirred and began to lift them off the Toadstool, Red felt a twinge of intense fear. He had been required to take basic Toad-Fighter courses at Toad Fleet headquarters, but he was by no means an expert. He would have to rely on the timing of Captain Fungus and the effectiveness of the Toad-Fighters if he wished to survive.