Mario, the lone, local hero of the Mushroom Kingdom and very close friend, perhaps 'more than just friend' to the ever lovely Princess Peach Toadstool; the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom was overlooking a large map of the region and the adjoining lands that lead directly into the fiery depths of Bowser's dominion.

He was exhausted. The battles against Bowser over the years had quickly escalated from brief confrontations to gauntlets of trials with a final climactic showdown against the King of the Koopas. It was difficult for him to continue fight alone but he couldn't bear the guilt if any of the innocent denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom had been injured if not killed during one of the many battles. To him the burden of protecting the kingdom and Princess Peach was his alone to bear. This wasn't a responsibility thrust upon, but a responsibility he took upon himself as a means to thank Peach and the kind hearted Toads who had accepted him as their hero and made him feel at home.

Mario had grown up alone in Brooklyn after his parents were killed in an unfortunate car accident. After he took up a career in carpentry he switched to plumbing and unwittingly stumbled across the sole warp pipe that connected Brooklyn to the Mushroom Kingdom. When Mario unexpectedly left one realm for another he found no way to return to the only home he had known.

During his bizarre journey through the altered eight continents of the Mushroom Kingdom, he took it upon himself to rescue the kidnapped Princess from Bowser in hopes that she could show him the way home. Despite her vast knowledge of the kingdom she couldn't open the warp pipe that led back to Brooklyn, only Bowser's dark magic could open the portal.

Mario accepted his fate with incredible composure and optimism. After settling in his own house on the outskirts of Toad Town, Mario quickly adapted to life in the Mushroom Kingdom. He spent most of his time in the company of Princess Peach because he was frequently alone while growing up. The two bonded quickly and shared their deepest thoughts and most secretive of dreams with one another.

There was a prompt knock on the front door of the house. "Come in." Mario answered without looking away from the map before him.

In walked Toadsworth, cane in hand and frown plastered on his face. "Master Mario, come now, you mustn't tire yourself so when battle draws nigh my dear boy."

"Hello Toadsworth." Mario finally looked up at his guest. "I'm fine, I promise. I just want to memorize the layout of the land before Bowser attacks. Maybe we can head him off..."

Toadsworth sighed. "Please Master Mario, will you not return to the castle? The Princess is eagerly awaiting your return and is dreadfully worried for your health."

"My health?" Mario was stunned by this comment. "What do you mean? I feel fine."

"It is not my place to say, but I do believe she fears you are no longer sleeping well and are not maintaining a proper diet during your relentless planning."

"Please tell her not to worry."

"I will, but I believe that your words will carry more weight than my own."

"Okay..." Mario folded up the map and tucked it under his trademarked red cap, marked with the letter 'M'. "I will go back to the castle. Let's go."

"Good show!" Toadsworth was relieved to have Mario's cooperation. "Let us be off then!"

Deep in the darkest chambers of Koopa Castle in the outskirts of the foreboding Dark World, King Bowser himself was plotting his next attack. The large, loyal, lethal squadrons of Goombas and Koopas were at the ready. The eclectic group of angry soldiers were gathered around the large red table in Bowser's private war room.

A heavy clawed fist pounded the table with rage. "This is UNACCEPTABLE!" Bowser bellowed with mounting fury. "That 'Mario' is ONE man, how can one man cause us so much trouble? Are we not warriors?!"

The leader of the Goombas, GoomBoss, spoke up. "This one man is unlike any other we have encountered before. His speed, his prowess and his endurance is far superior to that of any Toad in the Mushroom Kingdom."

Kooprano, the leader of the Koopa Troopa squadron, added his own observations. "This Mario also has the ability to emit unspeakable charisma and can inspire all those who meet him to stand up and fight back. His skills are quite remarkable."

Snarling Bowser sunk his vicious claws into the surface of the table and retracted his hand creating an irreparable gouge into the table. "Where is Kamek? I need his insight!"

"Here, my Lord!" Kamek announced himself from the doorway. He entered on his broomstick with his wand at the ready. "What is it you seek?"

"Tell me more about this Mario. I feel as though I've met him before. A long, long time ago."

Kamek sighed. "Very well my Lord." He looked down at the Goombas and Koopas. "Leave us."

The loyal minion did as they were instructed and left the war room.

"Lord Bowser, you have met Mario."

"WHAT?! When? Where? WHY?!"

"Twenty-five years ago you and six other babies were born with special power within your hearts. The six of you that had been confirmed had been collected in an attempt to unleash a great power but it failed. After the failure the six of you were returned to your proper homes."

"And Mario was one of these seven babies?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..." Bowser found this notion intriguing. "Who are the other five babies? Tell me."

"Well, you were one and Mario is another, then there was Princess Peach herself..."

"That's three."

"That loud ape Donkey Kong..."

"Four."

"Some horrid human who lives in a far-off land named Wario..."

"Five."

"I believe there was a green Yoshi born shortly after the failure who possessed the seventh empowered heart..."

"That's only six. Who was the seventh baby?"

"Another human. The human you've come to know as 'L'."

"L? That scrawny green-hatted man you've been training for as long as I can remember?"

"Indeed."

"Kamek, you sly Koopa!" Bowser grinned wickedly at the powerful MagiKoopa. "You knew of this day of war, didn't you?"

Kamek let out a wicked cackle. "You're very clever my Lord. With the natural athleticism of L at your command, Mario is sure to meet his match and his DOOM."

...to be continued...