The End of Mankind

Chapter 1

"Sir, if my calculations are correct, then you shall have your invention in less than a month."

"A month!? Bah! That's idiotic! Pathetic! Who hired you again? Weren't you a professional?!"

"My apologies, sir. But even I have my capabilities and restrictions. Besides, good things come to those who wait."

"Hah, you're forgetting who you're talking to, 'doctor'. The waiting game isn't as fun as it sounds; which doesn't sound fun at all, actually. Only patient people can wait, and they still struggle at that! This isn't something I ordered from across the kingdom! This is putting a brick wall between me and world domination!"

"Good things are to be expected, your majesty. Good things." the voice said, as it walked towards the door, hands behind it's back. "Oh, and one last thing," it said, pausing. "don't expect this to be free." it spoke as it resumed it's walk, a huge grin plastered on his face.

Wiggler Park. Mario's favorite spot to spend time with his family. Much to the happiness of the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario was (finally) married to the beloved Princess Peach Toadstool, who was more than surprised, but nonetheless overjoyed, by Mario's sudden 'Will you marry me?' outburst at Koopa Cafe. Toads everywhere jumped up and down, rooting for the princess to say yes. And it happened.

After the wedding, Mario had promised himself that he, along with Yoshi, would attempt to convince his brother Luigi into hiding his shy attitude under the rug and confess his now ever-growing crush to Princess Daisy of Sarasaland. Meanwhile, Peach had also promised herself to make sure her best friend would do the same, and, with the support of Toad and Shy Guy, Daisy was at least putting some thought into it.

But Peach was busy filling in forms and other princess-y stuff that he, to Luigi's disgust, paid no interest to and utterly hated. Luigi was also busy, having said he was spending the day round Bucken Berry and Ala Gold's house. Mario would have sighed. He would of kicked any pebble he found laying around on the cobblestone beneath him. But he didn't; because he still had one family left.

Mario looked at the photo he held in his gloved hands.

It had included a newborn Mario and Luigi, along with his mother and father.

The red clad plumber settled it on a swing, as he slowly sat on the one next to it, refusing to let a tear leave his eye. The moment burned in Mario's mind when his parents died in front of his and his brother's eyes. Their eyes. Their screams of agony. The way they shouted his name. Luigi's name. He had tried to go back, but... but he couldn't. Mario lost all faith in himself that day. All hope. Luigi was depressed. Mario was depressed. Homeless. Starving. Jobless. It wasn't until the day they became plumbers that their lives actually took a turn. They managed to afford a house, their job may of sucked, but it paid the bills, and most of all, they were finally happy. Not quite recovered over the scarred memory, but not depressed. Mario had started dating, Luigi had become their town's "nice guy" and most well respected citizen, and they were doing plenty. But the moment Donkey Kong had come and kidnapped Pauline.

"Mario?" a voice asked.

The plumber jumped slightly at the sound of his name. He could of sworn it was Wario, as he had been teased plenty of times by his counterpart when he was in the park alone. Turning his head, Mario was relieved to see Shy Guy.

"Hey." Mario said, a little too quiet.

"The Princess is organizing a picnic for you. Just you, Peach, Daisy and Luigi. I won't interfere, heh." he said, and Mario could of sworn his 'O' for a mouth had become a small smile. "I always get left out on these things, but no biggie." he said, shrugging.

Mario felt a pain in his chest. He was actually excited about the picnic. Really. But guilt repeatedly stabbed at his heart at the fact that Shy Guy hadn't been invited. He was Princess Daisy's assistant and guardian, much like Toad is to Peach, and he had all rights to go, as did his mushroom friend.

But Mario could never speak up. He couldn't invite Shy Guy nor Toad. He loved Peach, and Luigi loved Daisy. He really didn't want anyone in the way, as Mario only nodded at his masked buddy's comment. He was alright with staying behind, right? More fun time with him, Toad, Bucken Berry, Ala Gold, Yoshi and Nabbit at the castle.

"I'll get Toad to notify you when the picnic date gets arranged and where it's gonna be held. Hope you have a good time there." he said, as he waved his stubby arm, walking off to where Mario assumed Daisy was staying during her visit to the kingdom.

The plumber felt like leaping for joy. Family bonding time! Hooray! But something stopped him from doing so. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Deciding to shrug it off, Mario put his photo in the front pockets of his overalls and made his way to his and Luigi's house.

Life was going alright, wasn't it?