"It's Bowser's soldiers..."
It was nighttime. There should be nothing out there but crickets and harmless mushrooms. Instead, there was a team of Koopa Troopas infiltrating the town, powerful enough to control the mushroom people known as Toads. A sole Hammer Brother led them, raising his hammer out of untold vengeance. He had no sympathy for those that dare cross them, for in this town there existed a renegade team of two brothers somewhat reminiscent of those who had defended the Mushroom Kingdom over many years ago.
"Most of us has retreated to the mayor's office in the heart of town..."
... Those legendary heroes known as the Mario Bros...
"There's no time for that, they'll see us. Best to wait here and remain still..."
Then, a thundering knock.
"Open up this door! We believe your kind is affiliated with the outlaws that hold a resemblance to the deadbeats who oppose the Koopa Clan..."
"Hurry, children, to the back room!"
It was a standard family. A mother, a father, a daughter and a son. They were simple Toads that lived in Rose Town, far removed from the Mushroom Kingdom. It was no surprise that Lord Bowser's troops were engulfing other lands after overthrowing the Mushroom Kingdom. Their military power was only expanding, and their intelligence indicated this was the town where their recent suspects resided. These were wanted criminals that had explored the general area and fought off the Koopa Clan from taking complete control. However, the family in question actually never had any sort of contact with the infamous pair.
"If you don't open, we'll bust the door down, and force it out of you!"
Further obnoxious knocking, this time heavier as if being pounded by a hammer. No doubt this was the leader of their squad.
"Stay back, everyone. They'll search the house if I hid with you..."
The father sat down, expecting his time to come.
"Honey, no...!"
"Just do it!"
His wife sobbed, but understood and carried off the speechless and tired children to a hidden room.
The man sighed. "You'll get me, but not my family..." He whispered, closing his eyes and expecting the door to be burst open any second now.
But it didn't happen.
Instead, he heard one final knock. But it wasn't the sound of that hammer or their arms pounding the door - it sounded more like an entire shell being slammed against it and rebounding. He opened his eyes, wondering if he was just hearing things but not daring to take a peak outside. He heard a bunch of yelling and screaming, but it gradually subsided. It seemed as if the entire squad... Retreated?
The family waited a few more minutes. The wife of the household peered out at her husband, who was equally curious. They exchanged glances and silently agreed to look outside. They found a knocked out Hammer Brother and a lone Koopa Troopa shaking trying to get him to regain consciousness. He said something about how it came out of nowhere, and that he was the last one to remain by his side.
The couple bravely opened the door, to which the quivering Koopa shrieked like a common Goomba and ran after the others. The Hammer Brother was the leader of their operation, and had lost consciousness. He was stripped of the only weapon he knew - hammers. Therefore, he was completely defenseless.
The couple looked at each other, happy that they were all safe. Their children walked out as well, looking at the Koopa in disbelief.
"So... They really do exist..."
The family stared out into the middle of the night.
