(I have made a new Mario story, following the events of the previous one. As a reminder to my readers, these stories not only take place in the past in which Mario is a child, but it also doesn't follow the past lore too much. If anything, I may have merged few together to make up mine. Thus, consider it an "alternate universe" storyline if you may. With that said, let's get the show started and I hope you like this first part.)

For as long as he was able to remember, Mario always had his firebrand ability. It's one that he never truly understood but one he has also been able to keep a secret of, at least until today. When he was playing with his new friend Princess Peach Toadstool within her castle, he unintentionally set a tower of pillows they had set together on fire. This caused the Mushroom King to become aware of his hidden power. However, the king revealed that he has been with the same kind of power through his own life, thus he offered to help Mario learn how to control and even master it. For the power of the firebrand could be extremely useful. Although he'd only harm others and possibly himself if he didn't learn anything soon.

"Wow, I never thought anyone else would find out about that fire power you have, Mario. Let alone the king of our kingdom. I guess more people will find out about it now," Luigi says, he was glad that Mario would finally be able to control his power and do what he wants with it, but he was concerned over the idea of others knowing of it, what would the other children say? The word gets around fast within the Mushroom Kingdom anyway. However, Mario wasn't as worried.

"You think others will know what happened to me, Luigi? How so?" Mario asked curiously. He didn't understand what the deal was regardless.

"I mean, if you know how to use your power, you'll want to do things with it. But if you do that, someone is bound to see. What will happen then? I can't say having a normal life will be easy," Luigi says in concern. He didn't like the idea of that happening. But what could they do?

"Yes, because 'normal' is the most fun way to go through life," Mario quipped sarcastically.

"Alright, you got me there, Mario. Perhaps I should have used a better word. I just think living life peacefully and simple is the way to go, everything seems nicer and not so scary that way," Luigi ultimately didn't want to leave his comfort zone and having Mario attract too much unwanted attention may cause him to do that. Mario realizes this and lightens up in a sympathetic way.

"I know, Luigi. But really, I'll be alright. How bad can I be with the firebrand? I know that no matter what will happen, we'll be alright and still be able to spend time as brothers, all the same," Mario says which does help Luigi feel better about the situation. He wanted things to stay close and kind between himself and his brother. But finally, the Mushroom King returns to the with Peach following along. Perhaps they had figured out what to do.

"Hello boys, glad you're still here. I've spoken with your father, and he agreed to allow you to stay here a little longer to learn more about your firebrand power, Mario. If anything, he seemed relieved over the idea of this. Something about you breaking a window with a loose fireball," The Mushroom King told them which causes Mario's confidence to drain. Not only did the king bring up an embarrassing memory for him, but he also knows that this is something he is going to have to do alone.

"You mean, I'll have to stay here while my family goes home without me?" Mario could hardly believe it. He didn't like the idea of his family going off without him.

"Learning more about the firebrand can take a long time. It also requires a lot of dedication and effort. Thus, your father will be done by work before we finish," The king tried to reason with him.

"Right," Mario replied quietly, not too convinced by this persuasion.

"I understand your concern, Mario. But don't worry, Toadsworth and I will escort you back to your home before too long. You'll be perfectly safe along the way," The Mushroom King confirms this to him. Which does make Mario feel a little better, but he still felt a little uncertain about it.

"It's too bad that Mario won't be able to come home with us, but I know he'll be there again before too long. But now that I think of it, papa usually does come home a little after this time. I guess this means we'll be leaving soon. Well Mario, even though it will be for only a short time, I really will miss you. I hope you'll be alright here," Luigi says. After all, they are almost never apart from each other. For Mario and Luigi were quite an inseparable duo. Mario understood how Luigi felt, if anything he felt just about the same way.

"It's alright, Luigi. When I finish here, we may hang out as long as you want back at home. Just go ahead and spend more time with Yoshi until I return," Mario says, hiding his vulnerable feelings from his brother. But a genuine sense of joy is present within him as well. By focusing on the positive of the situation, Mario is able to maintain his optimistic and cheery attitude. Some of it raises Luigi's own spirit.

"You're right, Mario. I guess I shouldn't delay it any longer. I know how much you want to become great at learning that firepower and I say go ahead. Tell me all about it later," After he said that, Luigi had set Mario off to begin his training regardless if he wanted to or not.

"Very well, come with me, Mario. There's much to do and little time to do it," The King insisted, if they were ever going to finish today, they'd need to begin soon.

"See you later, bro!" Luigi calls out as they walked away but sighs in sadness after.

"I had fun ideas to do with him, now I'll have to wait all day," Luigi lightly whined. He wasn't used to spending time without Mario and questioned where the fun in that would be.

"I understand how that may be, Luigi. But Mario should be back home with you before you know it, my father wouldn't keep him away like that. He is very nice and caring, everything will be just fine," Peach says as a way to ease Luigi's concerns and sadness. Luigi does feel a little better since he believed what Peach to be saying is true. He thanks the princess and allows her to go back, her own way. He'd then sigh and look back at Yoshi.

"Well, at least I still have you, Yoshi. Let's go do something in the meantime," he says to his little dinosaur friend who happily agrees to this and then they both run off together. As for Mario, he followed the king, but is confused when they're not going through the main entrance of the castle.

"Excuse me, Mushroom King? Where are we going?" Mario asks, uncertain of things so far. The king realizes that he hasn't filled Mario in on the details, hence his confusion. He'd be fast to correct that.

"Pardon me, Mario. We are going to learn more about your firebrand,"

"But aren't we going to do in within the castle?" Mario continued to ask. He thought that would have been the perfect place for it.

"You must understand, little one, my castle is a special place. With how many valuable items and artifacts, the many workers within it and the safety the castle is supposed to provide, there is too much that can be disturbed for us to learn in there. Instead, I'll take you to a more private place where we may learn what you can do and tone your skill without any issue. It's not far away from my castle, it's a little arena we made, behind it," The Mushroom King told him, and Mario understood his reasoning. After what he did with the pillows within the castle, he figured that it would be best if he practices in a place that isn't too flammable or important. They soon arrive at what appears to be a small, but wide building. Mario almost guessed it to be a little house for guests but when the Mushroom King opens the door, Mario got to go in. Inside, there's plenty of space. The floor is made of concrete that should be able to withstand his flames and there are targets, and bags set up throughout it.

"This is the place where I train my soldiers and warriors looking to help our cause. But now I allow you to learn here as well," The king provided the area to allow Mario to get better at using his firebrand skills.

"Wow, nifty. But what do I even do? I hardly know anything about my firebrand power despite me practically being born with it," If anything, Mario needed a sense of guidance. Despite him being an enthusiastic and confident boy, this was all so new to him, and he didn't know where to start from here. Fortunately, his new friend knew all about it through his own experience.

"Calm yourself, focus on your power nice and easily. Don't let yourself get sidetracked by anything trivial, as long as you're at peace and control, your flames will be tame and easy to manage," The Mushroom King says as advice. Mario listened to him and knew that deep inside he could do it. He slows down and focuses and shortly after, his right hand reignites. He hears the flame crackling and looks down at what he had done. With flames a rich red, he was impressed and excited towards himself. He managed to succeed on the first part.

"Look, Mushroom King! I did it! This is so great!" He cheered happily. Perhaps it wouldn't take so long for him to learn everything about his power. He could see himself now, going through the town, be able to do whatever he wants through his flames. Perhaps he could even put on a little lightshow for his friends, once he gets that far.

"Well done, Mario. I knew you'd be able to do it. Being able to active your firebrand power at will is the first step of this long journey. We are on our way at least. When you've gotten the hang of it, try throwing a fireball at the nearest target," The Mushroom King tells him, glad that Mario had been learning quickly. Mario practiced activating and deactivating the fire that he had before he decided to aim for a target. The closest one was about five meters away from where he was standing, that wasn't such a bad spot, he focuses and prepares to do it. He puts his right arm back as if he is getting ready to throw a ball and when he is ready, he does manage to send a fireball into the air. However, it stops right in front of him, not at all far enough. Mario stops and looks down at it.

"Oh," Is all he manages to say. That killed his mood quickly.

"It's alright, fireballs are harder to throw than they look. So much so, I think that's all we'll be able to focus on for the rest of the day," The Mushroom King informed Mario of that.

"Really? If throwing a fireball will take that long, maybe this is all going to be harder than I thought," Mario found that to be a little discouraging, but he didn't want to quit either. Ultimately, this was going to be a long day. Thus, Mario's training would continue. He was able to throw them farther through his attempts, but he still couldn't quite hit his target. Other times he'd overshoot it or have poor accuracy, causing him to miss it either way. But he was improving, and he was bound to get it right any minute now. Mario was becoming frustrated and never would have guessed that it would take this long just to throw a fireball straight.

"I know you feel discouraged, Mario. But it does take a lot of time to sharpen your skills within the art of the firebrand. After all, I know from experience how hard it can be to learn it," After the Mushroom King had said this, he ignites his own hand into flames and Mario watches in awe and inspiration. Mario had forgotten that the king had the firebrand power as well and now he didn't feel so alone in terms of learning it now. Perhaps together they really could get through it all.

Alright, I want to stay dedicated to learning more. It's kind of exciting in a way," But as Mario was getting ready to try again, Toadsworth enters the room.

"My king, we have guests who have only arrived. They appear to be searching for Master Mario," Toadsworth was quick to make them aware.

"Wait a minute, Toadsworth. Who are they exactly? How would they know Mario is here?" The king questioned, slowly becoming suspicious of who these guests may be.

"They're boys who names are Wario and Waluigi, they appear to be around his age regardless," Toadsworth described the situation which does make Mario a little gladder since he'd been wanting to see Wario again.

"Yes, I know Wario. I can't say I know who Waluigi is, he must be someone else he met the other day," Mario says. Hearing that Mario is familiar with at least one of them does put the king's concerned becomes at ease. He believed Mario seeing them couldn't lead to any issue. Thus, Toadsworth guided them to their guests. Wario was awaiting outside the castle doors, with not much to do. However, he seems delighted when he sees Mario. Strangely enough, this friend of his isn't in sight.

"There you are, Mario. I was wondering when you'd show up. I heard that you were still in the castle, but I have someone I need to introduce you to," Wario claims and then he points to a tree, and someone walks out of its shadow. He is a taller boy, who also has brown hair. His shirt color is purple, he has a little pocket watch that seemed valuable of high quality. Lastly, he is holding a little case aside him, although he doesn't make it his focus.

"The name's Waluigi. Wario told me you're a good friend of is which is good enough for me. I've recently moved into this kingdom, and I've first met Wario yesterday. Can't say I'd thought I'd be able to hang around a castle like so," He introduced himself, now Mario was curious to know more about him. He briefly considered the fact that Waluigi just had arrived in the kingdom and he already gets a chance to be this close to the castle, while it took Mario his entire life until this day just for it. He is impressed by Waluigi's luck if not a little envious by it. But he then refocuses, in order to not be to Waluigi through his silence.

"Nice to meet you, Waluigi. My name's Mario, if you haven't heard. What brings you both here?" Mario asks. Could Waluigi have an interest in spending time at the castle as well?

"We were hoping for a chance to spend time with you, take you around town and have fun. Unless, by spending time at the castle, you think you're above us now. But something tells me that you have more of a heart than to be like that," Wario dropped the hint that he wanted Mario to go with them and was not interested in being turned down, not after he took the effort to bring Waluigi with him. Of course, Mario picked up on this and never would dream of getting that way towards his friends, but that didn't change the fact that he had a new responsibility to go through.

"Wario, you know I want to. But I've been dealing with something important here. I don't know if I have time to go out today," Mario didn't want to turn them down, but he didn't know what he could do for them.

"I think it would be better if you do take time to spend with them, Mario. You've worked hard and it may be a good idea to stop before you overwork yourself. But don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to meet up again," The Mushroom King tells Mario which does sound like a fine solution to him. While he didn't want to turn away from what he was learning, he knew that working too hard for too long wouldn't be good for him and he did want to spend time with Wario and Waluigi.

"Thanks, I'll be back before too long," Mario tells the king, and he understands. He allowed them to go off to where they wanted to go. As they do so, a thought enters the king's mind.

"Toadsworth, if you are out here, then who is watching my dear Peach?" It didn't take long for Toadsworth to understand the king's concern for that.

"I was originally doing so, my king. But since I was sidetracked by young masters Wario and Waluigi, I had no choice but to allow other workers of the castle take over for me. But I shall return to her side, if that's what you desire," Toadsworth described the situation to make it clear that he would never dream of abandoning the princess in her time of need. A lot of things had been going on within the kingdom, let alone in one day. No one knew what the future held, at this rate.