Premise
After many years of struggling with his mortal enemy, Bowser, it appeared that Mario had finally won. Bowser had completely subsided from attempting to take control of the Mushroom Kingdom, and admitted defeat. Mario, feeling that his duties had been fulfilled, decided to take a vacation to a far away land. Little did he know, his months of separation from his homeland would bring chaos.
Upon his return, he discovered his beloved home in ruins. All of the creatures in sight were miserable, and appeared drained of all of their energy. Houses and castles were left practically inhabitable, with the exception of one. This one castle stood off in the distance like a plateau in the desert. It was very dark and menacing, emitting a terribly dark mist that spread throughout all of what was left of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Chapter 1: Home sweet home
Mario is speechless at the sight before him. He immediately calls to a nearby toad, who was heaving a large cement block across the decrepit field, alongside several others.
MARIO: Excuse a'me..what's a'goin on here?
The toad immediately recognizes Mario's accent and drops the cement block, causing a domino-like effect, knocking down the toads around him.
TOAD CITIZEN 1: MARIO! MARIO IS BACK!
After recovering from the spill, all the other toads turn to face their old hero. Even as tired as they were, they found the energy to jump for joy and surround Mario like moths to a light bulb in the black of night.
TOAD CITIZEN 1: You're back! We can finally have hope again.
MARIO: Why? Who did this!
TOAD CITIZEN 1: He's called the Lizard King. We don't know where he came from, but he is so powerful. He makes us do such tiring tasks for his own benefit, and we can't do anything about it!
MARIO: That's a' terrible! What about Luigi? Where is he? Or Peach? I must a' find them!
TOAD CITIZEN 2: They're in his castle over there...*points to the dark castle in the distance*. The evil Lizard King is keeping them hostage. He knew that you would return and try to defeat him.
MARIO: That BLEEP!
All of the toads cover their mouths in shock.
MARIO: Ehh I'm a' sorry about that. What is this Lizard King...is he a Koopa?
TOAD CITIZEN 3: We don't really know what he is. He looks like a human, but also like a Koopa. Like a human with lizardy features.
MARIO: Lizardy?
The toad shrugs
MARIO: Don't a' worry. I'm a'gonna get to that castle and set things straight. Why are you all carrying those blocks?
TOAD CITIZEN 1: The Lizard King orders us to chisel these blocks out of rock and carry them over to his kingdom. As you can see, he's used up most of the usable rock around, which is why we have to cover such a great distance.
MARIO: That 'a place must'a be huge!
TOAD CITIZEN 2: It is. He just wants to use all of the resources around to build his own giant kingdom, and eventually contain everyone within it. We can't do anything about it or else we'll be killed.
TOAD CITIZEN 3: Please help us Mario. You're our only hope.
MARIO: You can put those blocks down for good. Leave this'a to me!
Mario wastes no time in sprinting towards the dark castle, which is an inconceivable distance away.
Meanwhile, in the Lizard King's Kingdom...
The Lizard King sits in his throne.
Lizard King: HURRY UP YOU WORTHLESS MUSHROOMS! I'm hungry, and I shouldn't have to wait for my meal!
He rises, threatening the poor toads with a dark scepter as they carry what appears to be a rather heavy platter above their heads. He stands at almost seven feet tall, and appears mostly humanoid with a muscular body, but also has a reptilian tail. His skin itself is a pale-green color, but he is covered from his neck down with a very tight-fitting suit, almost like a second skin, that gives the appearance scales, in order to appear more reptile-like. A black cape dangles off of his broad shoulders, just barely reaching the ground. His eyes glow with a slight tint of red, as if he is always in a state of anger, and a golden crown rests on his head, surrounded by two small, devilish horns.
Peach and Luigi sit in separate cages to the left and right of him.
PEACH: You evil menace! Cruelty like this will not go unnoticed!
The Lizard King hisses as he glares at the princess.
Lizard King: I would suggest that you quiet down before I shut you up myself.
The toads finally reach the large table sitting in front of the Lizard King, and place the platter in the center. They then slowly remove the cover, allowing all of the scents to escape from what was underneath, as the Lizard King breaths in through his nose in excitement.
LUIGI: I don't a' think I can bare to watch'a anymore of this...
Peach and Luigi cover their eyes as the Lizard King begins to feast on the dead, roasted Toad that is laid out before him.
Chapter 2: Old enemies become new allies
Mario continues across the wasteland, passing various groups of miserable toads, goombas, and koopas along the way, all carrying blocks of stone to the kingdom. They all cheer upon the sight of Mario, but he knows he has no time to stop. In the distance he spots a rather husky looking creature, carrying a larger block than the others. As he gets closer, he begins to see horns on the creature's head and back, and immediately realizes who it is.
MARIO: Bowser!
He catches his breath.
MARIO: Stop, Bowser!
Bowser turns his head to see Mario running towards him. He drops the block to the ground.
BOWSER: Well, look who it is. Do you see what your precious land has come to? This wouldn't have happened if you let me take over.
Mario rolls his eyes
MARIO: Now isn't the time! What are you doing here? Is this'a...Lizard King more powerful than you?
BOWSER: He is more powerful than anything I've ever seen. I was the first to approach him after he arrived, and all he did was raise his scepter at me. There was a flash of light, and the next thing I knew, I was buried eight feet into the rock wall of a mountain that was practically a mile behind where I was first standing. Now I'm being forced to help build his fortress like all these other pathetic citizens.
MARIO: Where did he come from? I heard he's a' half koopa and half human.
BOWSER: I don't know. I've never seen anything like him before. He looks pretty stupid actually, with his fake scale-skin suit and whatnot. All I know is I would do whatever it takes to grind that koopa wanna-be into mush.
There is a small pause as Mario and Bowser glare at each other.
MARIO: I guess this a' means we're kind of on the same 'a side...
Bowser cringes at the thought.
BOWSER: Listen. I don't like you. I never have, and I never will. But...I have to admit, you've overcome everything I've ever thrown at you. So I guess...if you're already on your way and all...that I could come with you. No matter how much I would love to hear that you have been disposed of, I would rather destroy that Lizard King.
Mario is unsure whether or not to take Bowser's words as a compliment, but is willing to accept his offer. Together they slowly and silently continue on towards the kingdom in exhaustion. Finally, they reach the main gates.
Two koopas stand in two separate windows on either side of the main entrance.
KOOPA GUARD 1: Where are you're respective blocks? You cannot re-enter unless you have returned with what the great King has ordered.
KOOPA GUARD 2: Wait a minute...
He rubs his eyes
KOOPA GUARD 2: Don't you realize who that is? It's that Mario guy! Bowser! What are you doing with him?
BOWSER: I know this is pathetic...but if anyone can defeat the evil King, Mario can. I don't want to hear ANYTHING about us being allies. Now let us in before I crack your own shell over your head. Just because that idiotic King has taken over all of the Mushroom Kingdom, doesn't mean I don't still have my power over you!
The two guards look at each other, thrilled at the chance of getting rid of the evil Lizard King. Even though they know the chances of success are slim, they decide to open the gates.
KOOPA GUARD 1: The Lizard King will kill us in a second if he finds out what we just did...but honestly...I wouldn't mind that compared to this terrible excuse for a life.
KOOPA GUARD 2: Good luck you two, but we don't expect to see you again.
Mario and Bowser enter the dark Kingdom.