A/N: Take two of this chapter. I wasn't pleased with the one version of this chapter, so it's been rewritten; hopefully, it will be closer to your reading standards, as well as my own standards as an author. I also apologize for sticking so closely to the beginning of the original Kingdom Hearts game, but I wanted to clearly define Mario's role in the story as being similar to Sora's: an incorruptible Hero of Light.

Mario slowly entered the casino, only to be greeted by the sound of running slot machines, yet not a soul was in sight. On the far left side of the room, various gambling tables could be seen, including card, craps, as well as roulette tables. Still, not a soul was present. "Mamma mia... what sort of town would have an empty casino in it?" Mario wondered.

Mario weaved in and out of the various rows of machines and table, glancing back and forth for any sign of life. But no matter how much he looked, he still couldn't come across any sign of the town being inhabited.

Or so he thought, until he saw a shadow move quickly across the wall at the far end of the room. "Wait-!" He cried out as he quickly sprinted across the floor to where he saw the shadow, only to find the shadow had disappeared. Sighing heavily, he wandered back and forth for a few minutes. He then noticed a set of stairs in a small corner of the room leading downward. Peering down the stairway, he saw that it was rather dark, except for a dim, flickering light some ways down which illuminated the stairs enough for him to safely make his way down them. "Hello?" He shouted down the hallway, only to be greeted by repeating echoes of himself.

"Is anyone here?" Mario asked again as he slowly proceeded down the stairs, trying to peer further down the passage. He nearly slipped on a couple of the darker stairs, but he eventually made his way down the stairway to the dim, flickering light. To his surprise, the stairway led down to a long, marble hallway with several small torches that lit up the hallway. Mario walked down the long hallway for what seemed like hours, all the while the light slowly getting darker until he had to feel his way through the long passage.

As Mario walked, he felt a cool breeze blowing toward him; however, it was too dark to tell where it was coming from. He found his answer when a powerful draft suddenly rose from the floor. "Wah!" He yelled in surprise, when the floor suddenly broke beneath him, sending him plummeting down into darkness.

After free falling for what seemed like hours, Mario felt as though he were slowly sinking in water until his feet gently landed on solid ground. However, he didn't know what he had landed on, as it was still pitch black all around him. As he looked at where his feet were planted, the floor suddenly turned into a large flock of white birds which flew up and around him before flying off into the darkness in the distance. "Where am I?" He wondered.

As Mario slowly opened his eyes, he saw that the room and floor were now illuminated. He was in a large, open area. The sky and surroundings were a very dark shade of gray, with an ominous mist hanging in the distance all around him. He looked down to see that he was standing on a large stained-glass image. It was too large for him to clearly make out from where he was standing, but from what he could tell, it was an image of three people. On the left was an image of a young man with long white hair looking downward; he wore a blue & red mask, and carried a large sword whose blade was weaved between itself. On the right was an image of a young woman with long green hair looking upward and standing back-to-back with the man. She was dressed in a regal, white battle dress with a small number of armaments attached on the shoulder and chest, with an elaborate gold embroidery, and a sheer cape elegantly flowing behind her. In-between the two of them was another young woman wearing plain white form-fitting sleeveless top & pants, and a black cloak with her head lowered, as if in grief. Her face was obscured the shadow of the hood, but long blond hair could be seen coming out from the hood. "Peach?" He wondered as he leaned in to examine the blond-haired woman more closely. "No... not Peach. Someone else... but who?"

The Door is shut.

"Who's there?" Mario called out.

So much to do, so little time... Take your time. Don't be afraid. The Door is still shut. Now, step forward. Can you do it?

Mario cautiously began moving toward the center of the platform. As he walked, he saw three pedestal appear around the outside of the platform. Moving closer, he saw a shield on the left, a wand on the right, and a sword in the middle, each floating over a pedestal.

If you give it form... it will give you strength. Choose well.

"..." Mario carefully walked to the left before putting the shield on his arm.

The power of the Guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all. Is this the power you seek?

"...Yes!" Mario yelled out. The shield suddenly disappeared from Mario's arm.

Now... what will you give up in exchange?

"Exchange?" Mario thought carefully for a few moments before proceeding to the center stone containing the sword. Slowly, he leaned in and grabbed the handle.

The power of the Warrior. Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction. You give up this power?

"...Yes." Mario said hesitantly. The sword suddenly disappeared from Mario's hand.

You chosen the power of the Guardian. You've give up the power of the Warrior. Is this the form you choose?

"Yes." He nodded.

Your path is set.

The pedestals slowly vanished as the floor suddenly shattered, sending Mario falling down to another circular platform, this time bearing the image of a man dressed from head-to-toe in black, his hands drenched in blood. "He's wearing the same cloak as the woman in the last image..." He noticed as he casually landed on the platform. As his feet touched the ground, the shield from earlier suddenly appeared on his right arm. "Wah!" He yelled in surprise.

You gained the power to fight.

"..." Mario then secured the shield to his arm before he used it to practice charging at enemies with it.

You've got it! Use this power to protect yourself and others.

As this voice was speaking, small black shadows began rising from the ground. "-!" Mario quickly began backing up, keeping the shield in front of him. At first, the shadows appeared as nothing more than black, shapeless blobs that glided across the surface. As time went on, the small blobs slowly took form, taking the shape of small creatures that crawled along the ground like insects.

"..." As Mario watched the small creatures creep closer and closer to him, he gripped the handle of the shield on his arm before he began striking at them with the shield. A single hit was all it took to destroy one of the creatures, so they were quickly dispatched.

There will be times when you have to fight. Keep your light burning strong.

Soon, more shadows emerged from the ground which continued to surround and enclose Mario. "Heh!" Mario grinned as he destroyed them all in a similar manner.

Behind you!

"-?" Mario quickly turned around when he felt a strong pressure strike against the shield. "Nng!" He grunted as the force sent him reeling backwards. He quickly stood back up to see a another black creature walking toward him, though this one was noticeably different. It was larger than the previous enemies, stood upright on two legs, and wore a small helmet on its head. "This one's different from the others..." Mario noted, making sure to be more cautious against this new opponent. Charging headlong at the shadowy creature, he quickly disposed of it like the previous enemies, though it took a few more strikes than before. As the shadow exploded into tiny particles, more pools of black liquid appeared around him.

The day is both far off and very near.

"What's with this... they just keep coming!" Mario realized as he masterfully disposed of enemy after enemy. But as the enemies flowed into and out of existence, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the more opponents he defeated, the more opponents appeared and the stronger they became until he was fighting behemoths in size, strength, as well as ferocity.

The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes. But don't be afraid, and don't forget...

"Mamma mia... I've hit my limit..." Mario thought, falling to one knee and gasping for air, watching helplessly as the monstrosities surrounded him. "-!" He closed his eyes in defeat, preparing himself for an inevitable death.

You hold the mightiest weapon of all.

"-!" Mario looked up to see the creatures had ceased all movement. "...What?" He asked in disbelief.

So don't forget...

"..." As the voice was speaking, the behemoths began melting into the pools of black liquid from which they first emerged, enveloping Mario to the point where he felt as though he was drowning. "Can't breathe-! Can't even more-!" His mind began racing as he felt himself being overwhelmed by the molasses-like liquid until he eventually passed out.

You are the one who will...

After what seemed like an eternity, Mario felt himself strike something hard. "...Ow... what...?" He said aloud, bringing his hand to comfort his throbbing head, trying to assure himself that this wasn't a dream. "..." He slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying on a hardwood floor staring at a low ceiling next to a small table that had a dim candle burning on it, slightly illuminating the room. "...Where am I...?"

"The World That Never Was." A voice quickly answered.

"-!" Mario quickly sat up to see a figure sitting on a wooden chair in one of the dark corners of the room. "-Ow!" The sudden rise made quickly gave him another headache, forcing him to lie back down.

"At least, that's what it was called 10 years ago, when we first stumbled onto it." He laughed, rising from the chair.

"Who are you?" Mario asked.

"Come on, Bro! I know we having seen each other for a while, but you should at least remember your own Brother!" He laughed, walking into the light where he was fully illuminated by the candle.

Mario's eyes widened. "...Luigi...?"