Chapter 4:
Mario swerved to avoid yet another hit from Bowser but knew he wouldn't be able to keep it up forever. They'd already been going on at this for an hour. He would have called in Luigi for some help, however Bowser's castle had no cellphone reception. In addition, Mario forgot to bring along some life mushrooms or fire flowers. Many koopas and goombas had gathered around to watch this epic fight and were even betting on the outcome.
"Face it, Bowser," Mario panted. "Neither of us can go on forever. Give up now and I promise not to mock you so much."
"Give me one good reason why I should give up. I'm the big turtle with flame breath and the spiked shell, while you're the small and somewhat chubby plumber."
"What's wrong with being a plumber?"
Bowser snorted. "Their pants are always just a little to big." Bowser couldn't control himself. He broke out in laughter.
Mario fumed in rage. He rushed the big guy. "I!" Mario punched Bowser in the face. "Wear!" Another punch in the gut. "Overalls!" Mario finished it with a series of high velocity punches. Bowser couldn't take it. He fell over with eyes shut and didn't stir. The goombas and koopas swarmed around Mario at the sight of their fallen king. Mario got into a fighting stance but knew he wouldn't be able to take them all in his state. Suddenly, a voice sounded throughout the castle.
"Mario! Oh, Mario!" The voice belonged to Luigi!
"Find the annoying one," a magikoopa ordered a platoon of goombas. They ran off to find Luigi. The rest attacked Mario. Mario stomped on a few baddies, threw a couple of shells, but there were just too many. A series of explosions could be heard. A few seconds later, Luigi arrived with an orange armored person. Mario recognized the armor from the universal records Peach had shown him. This was Samus Aran.
Samus aimed her arm cannon at a few goombas. "You want to end up like your friends back in that hallway?" She goombas shook their heads. Samus aimed at a few koopas. "What about you?" They shook their heads as well. "Then I suggest you take your king and get out of here." The baddies slowly backed away towards their king. "And I'm only giving you ten seconds," Samus added with amusement in her voice. The baddies jumped up, picked up their king, and ran out of the room. She turned toward Mario and helped him up. "Samus Aran," she introduced herself.
"I know," Mario replied. "I guess you know that I am Mario."
"Yes I do," Samus said.
"I'm Luigi!" Luigi shouted.
"We all know who you are, Luigi," Mario sighed.
"Oh. Right."
"So, Samus," Mario said, "I'm surprised you're here."
"Our universes are on a temporary merge. Not unlike your merges with the Sonic the Hedgehog universe."
"You know about that?"
"All the universes' leaders and heroes know about it. It's their job to know. Unlike your merge with Sonic's universe, my people do not wish to engage in sports. Do you know much about the inhabitants of my universe?"
"No. I know about you and the leader of the Galactic Federation. I would know more, but you're the only hero of that universe."
"I came to warn you about a certain species of my universe. They are called the space pirates. If they find out about the merge, they won't hesitate to attack your world."
"Do you know how long this merge will take place?"
"Hard to say. Could be a few days, weeks, maybe even years."
"So you need to leave as soon as possible to make sure you aren't stuck here."
"Correct. I will, however, help you finish your endeavor to rescue Princess Peach. You seem like you need the help."
"That I do. She should be near. We are after all in the room behind the big red door."
