Author's Note: Previously, I was working on a Metroid fanfic known as "The Prodigy." However, due to time constraints, I am suspending that story until further notice. I got the inspiration for "The Toad Brigade" after intensely playing through Galaxy 2 for a couple of days. I decided to forgo long, detailed epics like "The Prodigy" and focus on short stories like these. "The Toad Brigade" is expected to expand five chapters. With that, enjoy the story!

Part 1: The Beginning of Something New

It was a bright, cold morning in the Mushroom Kingdom as Reginald, the top Toad engineer in the country, was putting final modifications on the Starshroom. The Starshroom was a gift from the Lumas, the ancient star people, to the Kingdom to explore space. It has since been modified by Reginald to support living quarters as well as longer traveling capabilities.

The open air felt fresh on his face and the grass was wet from the rain the night before. Behind him watching impatiently was Toad Captain Leon, self appointed leader of the newly formed "Toad Brigade", a rescue unit put together to aid Mario in finding their beloved Princess Peach. However, their true purpose was to actually find and rescue the Princess before Mario does. The team was comprised of Leon, Reginald, Toby the Cook, Jeremiah the Resource Manager and Zeus the Communications Expert. Toby and Zeus both read their newspaper on their respective lawn chairs while Jeremiah lay sleeping next to Toby on the ground.

Captain Leon chewed at his fingernails and paced the ground. Finally, he burst out at the engineer.

"C'mon, Reginald! I thought you finished the ship last night!"

Reginald shifted his glasses and rubbed his blue cap slightly.

"Well, Captain, it seems that Mario's ship went farther into space then originally calculated. So I had to make some minor adjustments to the engine as well as add more fuel to accommodate the trip."

Leon exhaled slowly. Then spoke in a calmer voice to the engineer.

"Sorry if I got carried away, Reggie. I know you've been working hard on the ship for the past few days. I'm just so dang excited to go on an adventure! To be in space! Can you imagine what awaits us there?"

Reginald chuckled slightly, empathizing with the Captain.

"I don't think my imagination is that big to think such things, Captain."

With a deft movement of his hand, the blue headed engineer applied his final adjustments. Satisfied, he turned to Leon.

"She's all yours, Captain."

Toad Captain Leon emitted a high pitched squeal and ran inside the ship, observing the interiors like a child in a museum. Happy with the ship, he ran outside and called to his other teammates.

"Toby! Jeremiah! Zeus! Come, we are leaving!"

Toby and Zeus put their newspapers on the ground as they rushed into the Toad Starship. But lagging behind was Jeremiah, known commonly to his teammates as "Sleepy" due to his infamous ability to sleep in any situation. Jeremiah's excuse was that is was a genetic disease that runs in the family, although this has yet to convince Leon, Zeus, Toby and Reginald.

"Jeremiah!" roared Leon. "Get over here faster! That's an order!"

Yawning, he fast walked to the ship and, when the Captain's back was turned, gave him a very rude hand gesture.

Leon settled comfortably into the captain's seat and ran his hands over the steering wheel, feeling the smooth wood beneath.

"Gentleman," Leon said in an impressively grand voice. "Today, we will embark on the greatest odyssey of our generation. By the time this is over, it will be us-not Mario- that rescues the Princess. And when we do, we will finally get a taste of her legendary Peach Cake!

The word "Peach Cake" brought saliva to the mouth of every Toad listening.

"Its time the world realizes that even though we are Toads, we are not helpless. So I have only one question for you, my comrades."

Leon turned and looked at all of them in the eyes.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes." replied Toby.

"Ready." replied Zeus

"Aye, aye, Captain." replied Reginald.

*snort* replied a sleeping Jeremiah.

"Excellent!" said the Captain with a wide smile. He turned back to his steering wheel and activated the engine. The ship hummed to life.

"Now, let's rescue the Princess. And let's get our damn cake."