Here it is, 4+ years in the writing! It's still a bit surreal that I'm finally publishing this story to the site (on my 5 year anniversary here, no less!); I of course waited until this first act was written- I MEAN, until this was perfect to start posting. XD I have my beta readers to thank, and Nanowrimo for giving me the oomph to plow through. I of course have you, the reader, to thank as well for waiting so patiently.

I'll be quite honest: This story is entirely something different for me. I love love love love LOVE to use 3rd person limited in my works—of course informing the reader when I change perspectives—so writing this in 1st person limited REFLECTIVE (looking back years later after the story happened... I probably just invented a term whoops =P) was quite the challenge. I'm glad I could overcome that and give to you what I have here today. There are also much darker tones than my previous works; they'll all pan out for you guys eventually. Even with its differences, I'm confident in my work and I know you guys will love it. As always, reviews are encouraged. Updates are every Wednesday.

DISCLAIMER: Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser, and all other related characters/locations/concepts are property of Nintendo. All characters not recognized as such are the property of Author XIV, as is this story plot. This fanfiction is best viewed in dark contrast at 1/2 margins and the preset font size. This story is a work of fiction in an alternate universe (AU) and any similarities to any real life persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. A familiar background of the game "Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story," among other games, is recommended, but not required. Offensive or strong language will be used; the views and opinions expressed by each character do not reflect those of Author XIV or Nintendo.

Now that the legalities are out of the way, let's proceed to read! Take it away, Hope!

Prologue: Twenty Years of History

Once upon a time, there was a chance to save the world from darkness. Sadly, that chance was lost valiantly. You see, our kingdom was under attack of an evil source known as the Dark Star. I wasn't born at the time, but I've heard the stories enough times to almost recite them.

Twenty years ago, Lord Bowser, the ferocious King of the Koopas, made the mistake of letting Fawful, a notoriously genius and evil mastermind who had this syntax impediment and a fondness for food metaphors, have his way. Bowser tried teaming up with two world-famous heroes, Mario and Luigi Segale, to try and stop Fawful from awaking the Dark Star's power…but there was no hope.

In some way, Bowser accidentally swallowed the Dark Star and it took on his form. It copied his looks, his moves, everything… except his hair. I don't know, every time I hear the story they always make a point to mention the difference in hair. Oh, and Dark Bowser was mostly blue.

Apparently Fawful was a piece of cake for Bowser, but Dark Bowser posed a more powerful foe. He was just too strong for Bowser and… well, shall we say, he failed. But at least he died trying.

At least I think he's dead. No version says he's still alive.

Four years later, I was born into the world. Some said it was the only sunny day in four years, and so far it has been for sixteen years.

Half of my life went by before anything interesting happened. By that time, Dark Bowser had given Fawful his body back and they were now seeking out the neighboring kingdoms. Beanbean was first on their list. They were forcefully taken without a resistance and were now under the duo's influence.

Their next targets the year after were the Waffle Kingdom and some other part of the Mushroom Kingdom known as Rogueport. I heard that Rogueport isn't a very nice place. My point: they, too, fell easily.

Jumping to March the following year, King Peasley – and I say king because everyone who tells this story says that the last ruler died of old age or obesity or something – started up a resistance in his own kingdom. Dark Bowser took this as a threat and sent Fawful and some troops to go and fight off this resistance.

A month later, King Peasley was put under… castle arrest? – and many others who followed were jailed or killed trying to fight off Fawful's army. Unfortunately, my father was on a business trip in the Beanbean Kingdom. Though he was safe in the walls of Little Fungitown, he was executed and tried for suspicion of espionage without any hard evidence. I still have nightmares about that happening in Toad Town.

Speaking of dreams, on the night of his arrest, I had the weirdest dream. There was me sitting in a big, tall chair with plush seats and padded backrest. Then these four shadowy figures appeared hovering in front of me. I can't remember anything that they said, but I remember the voices. One of them was really burly and gruff, another was gentle and kind with a hint of regality, another sounded excited but frightened at the same time… and the fourth didn't talk.

Back to the history. During one of the months that there was nothing going on, something happened. One of Dark Bowser's loyal subjects was searching the forests and found this… block dude in some shop. He called himself Broque Monsieur and when he was relocated to the Toad Town shopping district, he easily became my favorite resident in Toad Town.

I visited his shop a lot with my friends after school, especially after hard test days. His items were so foreign, he had treats that would light your mouth up with delight, and his block kittens were (yes, were) the cutest things ever! I always asked for one, but he kept saying that they were a gift from some guy he called "Monsieur Turtle Bits". No clue who that is. Every time I ask, he changes the subject.

However, one summer day I was headed home from buying schoolbooks with money I earned from working at the library and on my way I passed his shop. It was just another grey day, so I only stayed to chat. Minutes later, there was some loud boom from the other side of the district. The next thing Broque and I saw was a bunch of nurses running by screaming in terror. I heard one scream, "BOMB!"

Panicked, I jumped behind the counter of Mr. Broque's shop and he ducked down, grabbing as many Blitties as he could. We hid with there for a few minutes just in case. After nothing else happened, I decided it was safe to come out of hiding, but Broque thought we should walk to my house to let my mom know I was all right.

Thank Grambi he did, because the next blast came from Mr. Broque's shop! The explosion was so big that it sent both of us flying to the ground. When we turned around, it was horrible seeing his shop smoldering and Mr. Broque crying at the sight of it.

Explosions started appearing all around the shops and us. All I could see was red, yellow, ash; and many Toads, Koopas, Goombas, and anyone else running away and dodging the flames. The only one who wouldn't move was Broque. I couldn't even move him by pulling him away.

He finally started moving hours after the final boom.

My mother had been worried sick about me and was crying when we walked through the door. She asked if I was all right and I said that I was, but Mr. Broque wasn't. Then I told her that his shop was one of the ones that was destroyed in the attack. It was the saddest night in our house since the night we learned that Father became involved in this silly affair.

The next day, Mr. Broque insisted that we go back to the shop and see if we could salvage anything. I agreed to volunteer and help. There wasn't much, but there were some things like a bundle of singed scratch cards, my favorite treats, only two of his beloved cats that didn't follow me home, and some small box that was wrapped up like a Christmas gift.

While we searched, he told me that this stand was where he lived. I asked how and he said that he kept a mattress and pillow stored away so he could sleep on the floor of his shop in case anyone wanted to rob it. I felt sorry for him and decided to ask my mom if he could stay with us. When I did ask, she said yes before I finished asking.

An average of two hundred Toad Town residents were killed that day in the attack. Most were medical patients, but still it was enough to suspect foul play amongst Dark Bowser and Fawful. Others, however, think it was the work of opposing forces that intended to hit Dark Bowser's Castle. We don't know; the Toad Town Intelligence Agency is still working on cracking this event.

Whatever the reason, it was enough to put both Dark Bowser's forces and everyone else on the verge of war. Brinkmanship is the term I learned in school.

But now we've caught up to the present. This is where my journey begins. Twenty years of fighting may finally come to an end here. The only problem is that it's totally dependent on me.

Hi, my name is Hope. I'm a Toad from Toad Town, and I was given the chance to right every wrong after Bowser… beyond his Game Over.