Hello there, you already read my name so let's just get on with this. I'm writing this introduction at the time of Chapter 8.1 publication(because my priorities are perfectly straight, i'm serious, don't laugh). I'm aware that an adventure story in the Mario universe has been done to that, but i genuinely believe that, after all these years of stories, any writer can still put his particular flavour and spin even on the most seemingly cliché permise, or at least it's what i'll try to do here. Unfortunately, i'm in the middle of high school and soon i'll go to university, so i have no idea how far this story, well stories since i've multiple of those planned, is gonna go. Still, i'll do everything i can to make sure this fic doesn't become dead...yeah, i know i've already said this in another chapter, but if i reassure myself at least twice about something, i feel much better. Obviously, i DO NOT OWN any of the Mario characters or locations, that should go without saying, right? Ok, i've talked way too much; in the hope that this fic will be a pleasant read, i salute you, thank you for your comprehension and eventual patience but most of all...
...May Fato shield you from harm, sickness and despair...
Prologue:Wheels Starts Spinning
The hot-air balloon proceeded at a constant speed with the group on board gazing at the cloudless night sky surrounding them, as well as the first lights below.
"Around 5 minutes or so and we should arrive at the Everbright Kingdom, princess."
"We are even early Toadsworth, look."
Mario and Luigi remained astounded by the beautiful lights of the capital, Zirconis, almost humming, like a group of dragonflies, which contrasted with the tragedy that has struck the city and the kingdom as a whole.
The group finally landed on Castle Cristallisè courtyard and not even in time to make the first step out,they were showered with photos from every direction, especially Mario, who was clearly flustered to receive so much attention even on such a distant land ;saving the world countless times causes this sort of for Bowser and Kamek, who were completely ignored by the photographers.
"(Yeah,you better keep the cameras to yourself, it would've been just a black silhouette on the photos anyway, that's how uncapturable my image is)Memo for me Kamek,never do this kind of favors for Princess Peach ever again."
"(sighs)I'll make a note somewhere,Your Forgetfulness."
Soon after,two minute figures ran towards the princess, both dressed in royal, long-veiled dresses studded with precious white gems, with the adult one having a really "important" potato nose.
"Thank you for your presence Princess Peach, though you had no obligation to."
"You should thank my carers King Shineard, they had the kindness to come here with me despite nothing forcing them."
"(No comment)"
"The very fact that you all come here in this tragic occasion, it makes me feel better, if only a little. With the exception of Pouch Guy, the Chosen Lancers had the nerve to not show up at all, those ungrateful maggots."
"…"
"I am…sorry princess, that was disgraceful of me. At any rate, I imagine you want to say something to my boy, over here"
The princess went down to his level and gently caress his head while he still stared at the ground, impassive.
"The entire Mushroom Kingdom offers its deepest condolences for the loss of your mother. We wish you the best of luck for everything the future holds for you and your family."
"(nods)"
"(embarrassed cough)Raughael, you can go now, I'll reach you as soon as I have accompanied the Mushrommners to their seats, ok?"
"(nods)"
Without saying a word the young prince sprinted back to the castle and, after some banter about the peaceful state of the Mushroom Kingdom, the rest of them walked into the internal cathedral as well. Mario knew nothing about the culture of the Everbrighters, but even to an outsider like him it was clear that they had a real knack for architecture. A shaded blue-night really made it stand out from the blandness of Princess Peach's castle, giving the place a somber, yet familiar atmosphere to it; it made him feel strangely lighter the moment he entered. Behind the priest, who was preparing for the funeral, there was iconographies of three sumptuous creatures who towered the entire church, must be the deities they worship, he thought.
"Brothers, we are reunited here today to mourn the passing of our beloved Queen Platinia, passed away from the toll that her duties had on her health. I share the distress you are all feeling right now, imagine how difficult for me is to try to convey our gratitude for such an extraordinary individual. It was not by chance that she was chosen by our goddess, Luminescence, as the 12th reincarnation of her will; of one thing, however, we can be sure, that she's watching over us, over the people she cared so much about, with a knowing smile, aware the her kingdom will take her teachings and cherish them until the end of our reign. Now let's unite our hands in prayer."
During this, Luigi made Mario notice a pink and black Fat Guy sitting all by himself in the empty front row, looking nervous. He turned around to look back at them, revealing a pointy-nosed black mask with blank, yellow eyes, which made the brothers avoid his stare in embarrassment.
"Mario, I'm trying really hard to pay attention, I swear, but that priest-looking dude sure it's not making it easy for me."
Mario promptly give Bowser a nudge for his behavior.
"Oh c'mon, at least I'm not pretending to care, like, the princess went on us all like," Oh please they would really appreciate it, I never asked you a personal favor before." but what actually happened is that she pity-trip us, dragged us on a place we never been to be seat-warmers in a funeral of a person we never heard before, all so she can strike good impression points with the royals."
The Mario Brothers couldn't even reply, because what he was saying was unfortunately true.
"I mean I'm not crazy right? I think I have a right to complain this time arou-wha,whoa,whoa,whoa,WHOA,WHOOOOOOAAAAAA!"
Suddenly Bowser was floating in the air wriggling violently and the same was happening to everyone else,Mario and Luigi included. In less than a minute, there was a church full of terrified people levitating like a bunch of soap bubbles.
D-d-dad, w-w-what's happening?"
"I-I honestly don't know, but don't panic my boy, everything will be fine."
"Oh, I'll gladly answer, Shinose."
On top of the coffin, a sharply green neon-dressed Warpid appeared, smugly laid down on it without a care.
"Who the hell are you? Put us down immediately!"
"And you should immediately relax Shinose, I'm not gonna twist a hair on anyone of you…hopefully. Let's get straight to the point, name's Le Port, and I'm going to take that shiny pebble on the coffin and the coffin with me."
"I have no idea of what "pebble" you are talking about."
"Notice how he cares more about the stone than his wife but that's beside the point, so you're saying that I'm just imagining this?"
The arrogant Warpid extracted a little pearl put inside the engravings.
"You shall not escape! Someone do something!"
"Don't worry, I got this punk. Kamek, do something!"
"Right on it, Your Laziness."
Kamek casted one of his iconic spells, only for Le Port to block it in mid-air like it was nothing by just lifting his finger.
"Uh, never seen a Mushrommner's type of magic. Points for effort, though."
Le Port made the magic disappear within the palm of his hand like an handful of confetti. To say that Kamek was embarrassed to have failed in front of his Lord was an understatement.
"Still, I should reward this effort with something. Here's what you've won."
A green bubble started to compress the magician, getting smaller and smaller with Kamek inside gasping desperately for air.
"KAMEK, NO! Let him go before I set you on fire like a pile of wood!"
Le Port did just that, with Kamek crying in pain for what he just been through.
"Well I'm sorry, it was you who gave me the impression that you weren't taking me seriously, Sheesh. Whatever, I've wasted enough time here as it is, see you never…hopefully."
As he said that, everyone slammed to the floor in unison, with pained groans starting to fill the church. Toadsworth was simply there with his mouth agape.
"w-w-w-w-what just happened?"
Very South East from Zirconis, inside a tent in the woods somewhere, a hooded figure opened its only eye
"It was only a question of when. ALEXAAAAANDEEEEERRR!"
As it stood up, a Goonie sleeping on the perch flapped its wings to the creature's arm.
"I'm afraid there is no time for a walk, my friend. We have events to attend to…and mistakes to correct."
The two started venturing into the woods, with the tent behind them reduced to ashes in a matter of seconds.
A.N.:Thank you for reading through this huge wall of text,I've been meaning to start writing this out for a very long time.I've already planned this story out soooooooooooooo...yeah i hope i can keep you entertained until the end. That being said, thank you again for reading and i'll see you in next chapter.
-Fat Guy: Corpulent variant of Shy Guys from the Yoshi's Island series.
-Warpid: Circular space enemy from the fourth chapter of Super Paper Mario.
-Goonie: White birds found throughout the entire Yoshi's Island series.