Mario and Luigi: Solar Stars Prologue

It was a sunny day in the Mushroom Kingdom as the birds chirped and the flowers bloomed. Outside the Mariobrother's house at the front yard, the youngest and tallestof the two brothers Luigi was hanging up their recently washed clothes outside.

"Mario brothers!"

Luigi stopped with what he was doing as a male soldier toad with a yellow toad hat and an left eyebrow scar entered the front yard.

"Ah Jerry! Good afternoon!" Luigi waved him with his green cap.

"Ah Weegie! Good to see you. Is Mario home?" Jerry asked.

"He is inside." Luigi's smile wavered, "My name is Luigi by the way." Luigi motioned Jerry to follow, entering their home. Luigi spotted his brother, putting his famous red cap on his head, "Mario!" When Mario caught his attention, he glanced at Jerry, "Jerry wants to see you!"

Mario smiled as he approached him, "Jerry! Good to see you! What brings you here?"

"I came here by princess's order." He held his hands up before the brothers could reply, "Rest assured, she is not about to get kidnapped again. This time at least." Jerry cleared his throat, "Mario brothers, the princess requested to see you. Which is why I would like you two to come with me for a moment."

"Alright. We'll come with you." Mario glanced at his brother, "Let's-a go, Luigi."

Luigi nodded, "Okay."

The brothers followed Jerry to the castle, escorting them to the entrance of the garden. Jerry bowed before heading back to his duties. The brothers entered the garden and spotted princess Peach sitting around a small round table, drinking tea along with her steward Toadsworth, star sprite Starlow and a unknown gawky stranger.

"Princess! We're here!" Mario shouted.

Peach stood up from her seat, beaming, "Ah! Mario! Luigi! Welcome!"

Toadsworth greeted the plumbers with a bow, "Good afternoon master Mario!" He glanced at Luigi and gave him a quick bow, "Master Luigi!"

Starlow flew towards them, smiling brightly, "Mario! Luigi! Hello yello!"

Luigi smiled, "Starlow! Long time no see!"

Mario approached the princess, "What did you bring us here for? Any help with something?"

"No help. I just wanted to invite you two over for some tea and cake." Peach showed them the table with the tea and a small cheese cake sitting at the center,"Also there is someone who wants to meet you." Peach glanced at the gawky male in the middle violet and golden striped suit, but she noticed that something was amiss, "Is something wrong?"

The man quickly gazed at the princess, fixing his matching top hat, "I apologize, princess. But I can't see my dear daughter anywhere."

Luigi raised an eyebrow, "Daughter?"

"What a view!"

Everyone stared in shock and panic as they noticed a female king tribe koopa standing on the roof, gazing at the sight in front of her with her arms wide open and a bright smile, her dark purple high ponytail blowing in the wind.

"This view is amazing from up here!" She shouted, amazed.

Toadsworth's jaw dropped, "Oh my stars! How did she even get up there?!"

Mario and Luigi were about to attack the intruder, but Peach quickly stood right in front of them, "Mario, Luigi, no!"

"She is not one of them!" Starlow shouted.

"Phoebe Koopa!" The man took the intruder's attention, stepping forward with a wooden cane in hand as he glared at her,"Come down here at once! It is rude to give them a scare of their lives!"

"Alright alright. I'm coming down." Phoebe jumped off from the roof and landed on her hands and toes.

The man sighed in relief as she walked over to him, "I apologize for my daughter your Highness. She can be quite.. adventurous when bored." He glanced at his daughter, "Phoebe, go say you're sorry."

Phoebe grunted. "I'm sorry."

Peach shook her head with a smile, "It's quite alright, Mr Shapes."

Toadsworth gazed at the princess, mouth open, "Alright?! "But your Majesty-!"

"Mario! Luigi!" She glanced at Mr Shapes and Phoebe, "I would like you to meet Mr Zackary Shapes and his daughter Phoebe." She turned back to the brothers, "Mr Shapes is a showrunner from another planet, who is currently working on a documentary about our planet."

Mr Shapes approached them, bended down and shook their hands, a levitating camera device following him, "So you must be the mario brothers." He studied them, the levitating camera recording them, "It's not what I've imagined but it is a honor to meet you still."

Phoebe approached them as well, "These are the mario brothers?" She inspected them, her light orchid eyes narrowed sceptically, "No way that they are heroes. I mean.. they look so old. Chubby too."

Mr Shapes glared at his daughter, "Phoebe Koopa!"

"What?" She gazed at her father, "You can't deny that they are quite chubby."

He massaged his temple before making eye contact with the brothers, "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. I guess," Mario replied, uncomfortable.

"Ahem." Toadsworth cleared his throat, getting their attention, "How about we drink some tea and eat some cake to lighten up the mood?"

"What a marvelous idea," Mr Shapes agreed, walking over towards the table and sitting down with his legs stretched.

"Then let's eat! I'm starving!" Phoebe followed her father and sat down next to him, her left arm over the top railing.

Everyone joined in, each taking their seat and started to eat cake and drink tea. They enjoyed it in silence.

"So mario brothers." Mr Shapes sipped his tea, his legs stretched, "I've heard incredible stories about your battles against various foes and especially against an evil king. Is it true that it all started since you were babies?"

"That is true," Mario answered.

Zackary's blue-cyan round eyes widened in surprise, "Wow. Unbelievable."

Phoebe swallowed the piece of her cheese cake, "Really unbelievable." She raised an eyebrow as she gazed at them with tightened lips, "I mean, how can you even fight when you are just a baby? Babies can barely do anything. It just.. does not make any sense."

"It does sound unbelievable. But they fought despite that. They are born like fighters. No one knows how or why, but this is what they are," Starlow asserted.

"Such inspiring words, young star sprite. You are so wise," Mr Shapes complimented.

Starlow's black round eyes sparkled, "You think? No one has ever said that to me before."

Phoebe removed her arm behind the chair and sat up straight, "Hey! Red! Greenie! You did say about beating that so-called evil king multiple times right?" She rose from her seat and leaned forward, her clawed hand on the table, grinning with sparkling eyes, "What is he like? Is he big? Monstrous? Mean? Ugly looking?"

Mr Shapes put a hand on her shoulder, catching her attention, "Calm down Phoebe."

Luigi's hands clenched the arm supports, his lips quivering despite smiling, "Well.. Bowser does look like… a giant scary beast, but.."

"And you beat him so many times that you're unable to count," Phoebe interrupted.

"Not being unable to count, but yes," Luigi answered. He glanced at his younger brother, "Though my brother does fight him more than I do."

Phoebe sat back down, rolling her eyes with an half smile, "Either you must be really strong fighters or he is such a weak pathetic king."

"However I do request you to not visit his kingdom even if you plan to do so. It is highly dangerous and the residents are rude and hostile," Toadsworth warned.

"I wouldn't say that about the residents, but it is a dangerous place nonetheless." Peach added.

Mr Shapes rested a hand on his round chin, narrowing his eyes in thought, "Hmm. I think-"

Phoebe stood up from her seat once again, her voice pitch increased, "Red, can I fight you?"

"Phoebe. Now it is not the time," Mr Shapes chided.

Phoebe let out an exasperated sigh and gazed at her father, "Oh come on dad. I want to see how strong he really is. Besides-" She showed a slight close-lipped smile and raised her eyebrows as she leaned forward, "-I'm sure you want to see him in action as well."

Mr Shapes looked away, "Well I do but still.."

Phoebe gazed back at Mario, bouncing up and down, "So can we, Red? Can we? I promise I won't use all of it."

"I don't know..," Mario doubted.

"Do it, Mario!" He held out a controller from his jacket, "This will be a great opportunity to film a battle scene like in one of those action films!"

Luigi put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "You don't have to do this, Mario."

"I know. But I want to." Mario stood up from his seat, "I'll fight you, but as long as we keep it friendly and fair."

"Deal! Then let's go!" Phoebe ran to an open field of the garden, with Mario close behind.

"Hold on one moment! I'll start up the levitating camera's!" He pressed a few buttons on his controllers, an antenna popping out at the top of it as he did so.

"What for? You already have one turned on," Starlow questioned, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh silly darling. This is so I could get every single angle," Mr Shapes put his controller back inside his jacket.

Just then, various levitating camera's entered the garden and soon surrounded Phoebe and Mario.

"Good luck Mario," Peach cheered.

Luigi fidgeted with his hands, "You can do it bro."

"Be careful. And don't set fire to the lawn," Toadsworth cautioned.

Mr Shapes stood up from his seat, "Have fun dear. And watch out for the camera's."

Phoebe smiled at her father, "I will, don't worry." Phoebe stretched her arms before standing in battle position, "You ready Red?"

"I am." Red prepared himself in battle position, "You go first."

Phoebe grinned, "Gladly."

Mario watched as Phoebe charged at him. Upon getting close, she prepared to punch him. But he dodged out of the way in time. Mario tried to kick her in the stomach, but she caught his leg and swung him at the other side. Mario groaned as he slid with his stomach over the grass. He glanced up and noticed that Phoebe was charging again, this time inside her silver colored spiky shell. He stood up and quickly jumped over and jumped again when she tried once more before coming back out. Mario sprinted at her and unleashed his punches and kicks, but Phoebe defended herself with her arms. bruising it in the process. But he managed to get through by delivering an uppercut. Mario grinned, holding his slight bruised hand, but then his blue eyes widened as Phoebe's figure changed into a piece of wood. Mario gasped as he was kicked behind his back by her and rolled onto the grass.

Luigi's recognized it as his eyes widened, "Was that..?" Mr Shapes shushed him, "That looked like a ninjutsu technique," He breathed.

Mario managed to come back up, breathing heavily in pain. He glanced behind him as Phoebe approached him with a grin, showing her claws. Mario turned around and sprinted at her. Phoebe charged as well and prepared to attack, but Mario jumped over her, much to her confusion. When she turned, Mario kicked her against her chest with both of his feet, knocking her over. Phoebe gasped for air as she tried to stand, but then Mario jumped against her stomach area. Phoebe gasped and groaned in pain as she tried to stand up, but was not able to do so.

"Wait.. I.. Hang on." She panted as she tried to sit up, but it didn't work, "Dammit! I'm stuck!" She tried again, this time with all her might, but she still couldn't get from the ground. She gave up and layed down on the grass, "Stupid spikes!"

"It seems that this fight is over." Mr Shapes called back his levitating camera's and turned them off with a press of a few buttons, all except for one.

Mario approached Phoebe and lended her a helping hand, "Let me help."

She took it and sat up again with Mario's help, leaving holes on the ground, "Alright. I admit it. You are stronger than I thought you were."

Peach approached the two, "Let me heal you two." She started to use her healing magic onto Mario.

"You did put up a great fight," Mario commented.

Phoebe grinned, "Yeah. You too." She stood back up after Peach fully healed her and glanced at Luigi, "Alright Greenie. You're next."

"No!" Mr Shapes approached his daughter, "One fight per day young lady." He gazed at the sky, "Besides it is getting late."

Phoebe examined the orange sky, "You're right." She gasped as something caught her eye, "Oh wow! Falling stars!"

Everyone looked up and noticed the falling stars high in the sky. They all stared in amazement.

"My what a surprise." Mr Shapes controlled his levitating camera to take a closer look and snap pictures.

Phoebe gazed at her father with a wide smile, "Dad! Can we go home? I want to catch them through my telescope!"

Mr Shapes petted her on the head, "Of course dear." Mr Shapes turned at Peach and bowed, "Thank you again for giving up your time for our documentary, your Majesty."

Phoebe bowed quickly, "Thank you Peachy for the yummy cake!"

"Good luck further on with the documentary. Come back once you're finished," Peach bubbled with a smile.

"We will. Thank you." Mr Shapes bowed once more and glanced at Phoebe, "Come along now Phoebe." He slow-walked away.

"One moment dad." Phoebe glanced at Mario with a bright smile, "Thanks for the battle Red. I had fun." She glanced at Luigi, "And Greenie, let's fight next time we meet, okay?"

Luigi showed a shaky smile, "Um.. Actually.."

"Bye!" Phoebe sprinted after her father.

Luigi's body drooped, looking down, "She didn't let me finish."

Mario patted him on the back, "I'm sure you'll be fine, Luigi."

"Maybe. With some training and effort," Starlow commented.

Meanwhile at the town, Phoebe ran through the streets with her hands waving in the air, her father close behind
.

Phoebe turned to her father while running, "Let's go dad!"

Mr Shapes chuckled, "Calm down darling. The stars won't go away that soon."

She turned back, but then noticed something, "Huh?" She stopped, observing the sky. Her eyes focused on a small black circle, "Hey dad." She pointed at it, "Is it common to have a small black circle in the sky?"

Mr Shapes examined it, narrowing his eyes, "It is probably nothing dear. Maybe it is a plane far away in the distance." He glanced at his daughter, "Let's get moving." He resumed walking, "After all, you still want to see the falling stars up close, don't you?"

"Yeah!" Phoebe grinned as she followed him.

The next morning, Mr Shapes was working on building something on the table in the basement. Footsteps echoed through the room as his daughter entered the room, yawning.

"Morning dear." He smiled, but soon noticed his daughter's gloomy face, "My are you still bummed about the falling stars."

"Of course I am!" Phoebe fumed, sitting down on the chair, "I mean, they just lasted for a few minutes! Heck, maybe even one minute!"

"Now now. I'm certain that they will show up again anytime soon." Mr Shapes moved on with what he was doing, "Besides you could still see the stars in the beautiful night sky right?"

Phoebe looked away. "Well.. Yeah.." She stood up and approached her father, gazing at his project, "What are you working on actually?"

"A new invention, dear." He moved away and revealed a near-complete self-build drone, "I was thinking about the warnings and I thought of something that could help us with the progress without taking any risks."

"Are you really going to play it safe? That's so lame dad!" She commented, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe, but it could work out for us." Mr Shapes put up the finishing touches, "There." He gently grabbed it, "If I applied it correctly, it should be able to fly without any difficulty." He glanced at his daughter. "Would you like to come and check it out?"

"Sure." She shrugged.

They went outside with the drone. Phoebe yawned as Mr Shapes started to set it up, but as she gazed at the sky, she noticed the same black circle from yesterday.

'It's still here? Wait..' She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a closer look, 'It does look bigger than yesterday.'

Mr Shapes finished setting up and glanced at his daughter, "Phoebe dear. Ready to see it?" Not getting any response, he stood up, "Is something the matter?"

Phoebe snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at her father, "Nothing. It's just.." She turned away, running back inside, "Give me a sec." She ran inside and returned with her telescope moments later. She started to set it up, "Dad. There is something in the sky. And it is not a plane."

Mr Shapes narrowed his eyes sceptically. Once she was finished setting up, he stepped forward, "Let me see." He took a peek through the telescope, examining the circle, "Wait.. Isn't that.. " He studied it for a moment, With a gasp, he took a step back, his monocle dropping from his right eye, "A black hole?!"

"A what?" Phoebe took a peek through her telescope, "Is that what it is?"

"We gotta go!" Mr Shapes grabbed her hand and dragged her away as they sprinted.

"Where?" Phoebe questioned.

Mr Shapes gazed at her, continuing to sprint, "To the princess! We need to warn her at once!"

To be continued