Chapter 1
Location: Princess Peach's Castle
The sun was shining brightly in the blue sky with only some pixel clouds which is all shared in the VGverse. Also known as the Video-Game Multiverse, a digital collection full of various video game worlds.
The creation of this cyber reality came forth like the Big Bang with the first video game in existence: Tennis for Two.
Each universe of the VGverse is unaware of both the real world and each other until the Crossover Incident (AKA Fighter's Megamix). By some unforeseen phenomenon, the borders between some of the video game universes were torn down which lead to this event. Luckily the borders were patched up by a formerly secretive race of digital mediators called the "VG-CPUs" (or just plainly and mostly called the "Präsvers") that existed at the same time as the creation as the VGverse. These patches however aren't perfect since the Crossover Incident created harness-able portals, "VG-Warp", to travel to other video game universes within their servers (both different came from Nintendo for example; thus hence called the Nintendo Server) while a "Great VG-Warp" are used travel to different video game servers (from the Nintendo Server to the PS Server). Right now there are three Servers: Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox.
To prevent the next Crossover Incident, fighting tournaments are held in which video game characters from other systems which establishes sportsmanship and peace between the servers. The most popular of these tournaments is the Smash Bros. Tournament which is held in the Nintendo Server.
And as for the Präsvers, there has been less and less of them lately which worries everyone in the entire VGverse (only to those that know about the Crossover Incident, other existences of other systems, and the real world). Because of that, video game villains have working together lately. Which is unheard in the entire history of the VGverse! And all of this is starting in the Nintendo System! Which is why most of the video game heroes are out and about finding out why they're working together.
This is why Princess Peach and Toadsworth, of the Mushroom Kingdom, is having a secret meeting with some of the Präsvers at her castle. The reason why her father, the king, isn't there instead is because he's currently in a coma which happened a month before she was first kidnapped by Bowser. How he got in a coma in the first place, that remains private for those that are born in and are currently living in the Mushroom Kingdom... even though there are some rumors leaking out. And due to the king's condition, Peach is current acting queen of her kingdom but still bares the title 'Princess' in case he father regains consciousness.
And today is Mario Day, the day in which the Mushroom Kingdom honors Mario for all of his past heroisms (in a way it's kind of like his second birthday). Unfortunately Mario isn't at the Mushroom Kingdom since he's with the other video game heroes. Instead he asked the princess to continue the celebration without him. The citizens, the Mushrooms (or Toads) are waiting for their princess in front of the castle for the ceremonial speech before the festivities begin. Everyone is waiting for the princess's arrival... until an explosion was set off tearing apart the fronts doors of the castle.
And from the smoke, came out both Bowser Jr.–being six years old–and his older adoptive brothers and sister, the Koopalings (from oldest to youngest: Ludwig von Koopa being sixteen, Roy Koopa being fifteen, Wendy O. Koopa being fourteen, both Morton Jr. and Iggy Koopa being thirteen, Larry Koopa being twelve, and Lemmy Koopa being nine). Panic began to spread from the courtyard of the castle until the news reached to Toad Town like wildfire. Then airships began to appear as well as Koopas to Shy Guys descended down to reek havoc. But that's only a distraction so Bowser's children can get onto one of the airships and escape. Since Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi are with the other video game heroes, this was a perfect opportunity to strike.
This time they didn't nab the princess. Instead they were ordered by their father to grab something from the Präsvers. They've heard that they're giving something to Princess to safeguard something for a while until they return back from meeting the other heroes and hearing about the villains. But this was step one of the baddies' plan that both the heroes and the Präsvers weren't aware of.
This something is a clear light blue-ish white cube, with multiple gamer-like symbols that interchange, that is about the same size as the Mystery Blocks in the Mushroom Kingdom. Despite looking empty at the outside, they were told there is definitely something inside. Both Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings don't know why the villains want it but they don't want to disappoint their dad... or worse get him mad!
Bowser Jr. struggled to hold onto the cube as he ran with his adopted siblings as Iggy repeated dialed a button on the screen of his high-tech watch frantically.
"IGGY! WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG!" asked the eldest brother and leader of the Koopa siblings.
"The signal isn't reaching to our clown cars." the genius green haired koopa replied. "They must be stored in the farthest airship."
The rest of the koopa siblings groaned.
"I don't think I can run any further." Bowser Jr. panted.
"Aw, is the wittle prince getting tired!" Larry said teasingly.
Jr. frowned in frustration. He knew Larry was teasing him brotherly but it can get on his nerves on occasion. He loves his older adoptive siblings–they towards him and to each other–and it didn't matter if they weren't related, the youngest royal koopa still thinks of them as if they are.
He sometimes laugh laugh when Larry gets mad at Iggy for being taller than him at times... that includes with the rest of his siblings.
The young crown prince learned that his dad adopted the Koopaling not long after he was born. All he knew is that they were causing trouble in a small town after they took over an orphanage, which they stayed at the time, when they were younger at the time. Bowser was sent there to deal with the matter and instead of punishing them, he adopted them much to the Koopalings' and everyone else's surprise.
As Bowser Jr. grew up with his adopted siblings, he learned a few things about them the times before they were adopted. Iggy and Lemmy are the only ones that are blood-related. Ludwig's real parents died when he was just a toddler (that includes both Iggy and Lemmy's parents as well, but much younger). Wendy, Larry, and Roy were abandoned as babies. And Morton Jr. on the other hand ran away from his abusive parents when he was just seven years old. The last time he heard of them, when he was ten, they accidently left the oven on and their household exploded killing them both. Morton Jr. refuses to talk about his life before he ran away, no matter how both his adoptive siblings and adoptive father asked him. Bowser loves his children equally, despite prepping Bowser Jr. to be king.
"Do you want me to carry it for you?" Morton Jr., biggest and strongest of the Koopalings, offered kindly.
"No," Bowser Jr. declined nicely while trying to catch his breath, "I got it–OOOF!"
The young koopa tripped over something causing him to drop the cube onto the ground and fall flat onto his face.
Bowser Jr. groaned in pain as the Koopa Troop stopped and looked back. Ludwig rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Oh for the love of–" Ludwig muttered before Roy interrupted.
"Don't worry little dude, I'll carry the–"
He never got the chance to get near when the cube began to glow brightly in which catching everybody's–including the citizens of Mushroom Kingdom and the minions of Bowser–attention as the it began to move like a Rubix Cube.
"Uh bro, what did you do?" Lemmy asked with cool sporty dude tone.
Bowser Jr. managed get onto his two feet before replying "I DIDN'T DO–"
The cube stopped moving about as all the symbols are on top of the cube as they combined into a shape of a circle. Then a beam of light shot through the circle into a sky which opened a VG-Warp in the sky. But it was neither a regular of a great one. This one was entirely different as it's huge and glitching the sky, something the VG-Warps and Great VG-Warps never do... that includes the regular Warp Zones!
Everyone stared the mysterious, and frightening looking, portal in the sky with eyes wide as saucers and mouths opened in shock.
"What the..." Wendy trailed off.
Meanwhile back at the balcony of the castle, Princess Peach and Toadsworth stared at the sky.
"Oh my!" Princess Peach said in disbelief.
"What in the stars is that?!" Toadsworth asked.
"I don't believe it."
Both of them turned around to see a fourteen year old Hispanic girl wearing an expression of both bewilderment. She's wearing what appears to be a nineties version of a purple jumpsuit (except the sleeves are short, the ankles are exposed, cleavage is exposed, and with the addition of a half-skirt which covers only her left side of her hip), sandals, and a tiara while looking both cyber-like but mostly regally as well. She has dark brown wavy/feathered hair tied in ponytail while having light brown eyes.
This is Princess Lana of the Präsvers. She's different from the other Präsvers since they look like humanoid androids with screens on their faces which shows 8-bit expressions and facial movement. None of the Präsvers know why she's born as a organic human (the VGverse ones) instead of a regular bionic android-like humanoids. Since Lana's born differently from the rest of her kind, the Präsvers believe she's destined for greatness. But since she's born with human-like qualities instead of the Präsver-like ones, she's has the same vulnerabilities as a human too.
"That's the Ultimate VG-Warp! Opened up by the Power Cube itself!"
Both Princess Peach and Toadsworth stared with a surprised expression.
"You mean–"
"I believe so your highness." Lana replied.
They returned their attention back at the Ultimate VG-Warp as three lights fell out of it as the portal closed up behind whatever, or whomever, exited through.
Thirty Minutes Earlier... in the Real World
At one of the Northridge homes in Los Angeles of California, a teenage boy is playing the original Donkey Kong game on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in the basement of his uncle's home.
This is Kevin Keene, a fourteen year old average Caucasian American boy. He has brown hair and blue eyes while wearing a yellow shirt, a unzipped dark-grey hooded jacket (with a red medium lining next to the zipper and the zipper tape is red as well blending in with the lining, red cuffs, small red lining on the bottom part of the jacket, the interior/inside of the hoodie is red, and has a red "N" on the the top left part of the torso with a white outline), blue cargo pants, grey socks, and navy-blue/white sport shoes.
With him in this 90s styled man-cave filled with endless bookshelves of video games and consoles is his six-year old cousin, Nikita "Niki" Keene, and his trusted dog companion, Duke.
Niki has yellow-blonde hair and green eyes with slight tanned skin (due to to her being quarter African-American) while wearing a blue shirt, beige shorts, white socks, and black/white shoes.
Duke is a year old Golden-Retriever/Beagle mix with a brown patch over his right eye while wearing both his collar (with his name tag) and a sky-blue bandana.
Kevin's cousin has a bored expression as she watched him play the game. She wasn't much of a gamer like her father, uncle, and cousin. She never understood what's so entertaining about sitting on you butt while controlling some virtual character/creature on the TV screen with controller. Her father tried to get her into gaming but to no avail. She was interested when she was a year old but she stopped when she turned four. Niki was much more of a reader instead.
The dog on the other hand is wagging his tail seeing Kevin excited playing the game.
"Alright... just closer and–YES! I DID IT! I'VE BEATEN UNCLE PAT'S HIGHSCORE!"
"Whoop-de-do..." Niki said with bored and uninterested tone.
"Aw man, I held that record for five years."
The three turned around to see a Caucasian man in his thirties with a sad expression. This is Patrik Keene, Kevin's uncle and Niki's father. He has dirty-blonde hair with blue eyes while wearing a nineties version of a cool video-game nerd attire. He returned from yardsale as he held a box of purchased video games of both new and old... well new to his collection anyway.
The man's expression changed into a smile as he shrugged and said "Oh well. That was the time I've beaten your dad's highscore anyways."
"Really? You've beaten dad in a video game?"
"Bud, your dad and I beaten each other in video games all the time. And I doubt either of us remember who won the most."
Patrik then gently placed the box onto the ground next to the TV. "And besides, only Robbie Lakeman holds the world record for beating Donkey Kong and having the world's highest highscore. But you're already becoming a better gamer than both your dad and me. And if you keep it up, you might end up in the Nintendo World Championships."
"I plan on entering! I've heard they doing another this year!" Kevin said with confident smile.
The last NWC was held four years ago. And he recently heard about the rumor three days ago on the internet.
Then the teenager frowns in annoyance. "If I keep up with my chores and school work."
"One of your mom's rules?" his uncle asked.
"Yup." Kevin replied. "That I have to finish them before I get to either hang out with my friends or play video-games."
"How about we put the negativity aside while you two help me put the newly bought games on the shelf?"
"Sure Pat." Kevin said with smile.
Niki softly groaned quietly in annoyance while her cousin turned of both the TV and NES.
"All right you two, we got to get them in both alphabetical order and the year the game was made–"
Then his cellphone began to ring which made him groan. "Hold on a sec."
He then walked away as he answered. After a few minutes, he finished the call as he returned to the two.
"Sorry kids, it's work. I have to fix some guy's internet connection, fuse box, and wiring. I won't be back until dinner."
"So four hours?" Niki asked.
"Yup." Then Patrik turned to Kevin and asked. "Kevin, can you and Niki put the games away while I'm work?"
"Sure."
"And I call you parents that you're watching Niki until I get back. Afterwards, I'll drive both you and Duke back home."
Patrik was walking up the stairs until he called out "And Duke, watch over them."
Duke barked in reply.
"Good boy."
Then Patrik left the house leaving the three.
"Alrighty then." Kevin said. "Let's get to work."
Niki rolled her eyes as the two began put the games away. And after fifteen minutes putting them away, Kevin turned on the TV, put Donkey Kong away, and was looking for a next NES game to play. His cousin noticed him and shouted. "Oh no, I'm watching a movie! You already played like three games already. Plus you promised."
He did, in which he sighed as he turned to his cousin. "Fine. Pick a movie while I throw the box away and get the popcorn."
Duke then barked.
"And I'll get you some dog biscuits for you too Duke." Kevin added with a smile.
The dog smiled as he wagged his tail while Niki was searching for a movie to watch.
As the teenager approached the box he noticed a NES cartridge inside.
"Niki, I thought you said you put away the last game away."
"I did."
The young girl turned towards her cousin and her eyes became wide as saucers with shock as she saw the cartridge in his hand
"WHAT THE–IT WAS EMPTY THE LAST TIME I CHECKED!"
"Sure you did." Kevin said with an sarcastic unconvinced tone.
Niki frowned at him with a pout as Kevin read the title of the game with 8-bit gaming fonts.
"The Game Master... huh. Never heard of it."
Then the teenager inserted the cartridge into the NES.
"HEY!" Niki shouted in a complaining tone. "YOU PROMISED!"
"It's only for ten minutes." Kevin reassures her. "Then we'll watch a movie."
"Yeah right! Then you'll keep on playing until dad gets home!"
"I said I'll stop after ten minutes! Plus I've never played this game before! And I played every video game!"
Kevin turned on the NES as the title of the game appeared on the TV screen. The teenager quickly at on the couch as both his dog and cousin sat next him on opposite side. He grabbed the controller and clicked the start button in which the asked to name the singular file. The young man entered his usual file name, captainnintendo64 (that includes the name of his Nintendo account; but when it comes to Pokémon, he actually uses his first name), but the file allowed only nine characters to be typed. So he entered the shortened version of it while capitalizing two letters: Captain N.
"Why do you always type the same name?" Niki asked. "Even the shorten version of it?"
Kevin looked surprised. One ever asked him that before.
"Well, when I was playing my first video game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64, I was having a hard time choosing a name since I was too nervous to use my own." Kevin began to reply. "So Dad came up with the name 'Captain N'. He said it sounds like a cool video-gamer superhero name. And it stuck. I also came up with usual, and longer, version of the name you always see me use."
Then Kevin frowned sadly. He hasn't spoken about his father died from cancer almost a year ago. He still loves and misses his father. Niki frowned sadly too while Duke whined quietly in sadness. Kevin's dad always gives the canine the best of dog treats.
"I didn't know that." Niki said sympathetically.
Kevin cracked a smile at her.
"I thought it's because of the letter 'N" on your lame jacket."
"HEY! IT AIN'T STUPID. I WON IT DURING THE LOCAL VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT TWO YEARS AGO!" Kevin said in both an annoyed and insulted tone.
"SORRY, JEEZ!"
Then Kevin focused on the game as the cutscenes began to play. It began explaining the creation of an alternate reality called the VGverse and how it was made. It also talked about the Crossover Incident, the Servers, and the Präsvers.
"What a minute, this game is from the eighties right?" Niki asked. "Video game companies don't work together on a single game until the 2010s right?"
"Looks like a homemade indie game." Kevin replied. "But how do you know that?"
"Daddy talks about video game trivia a lot."
"Hmm."
Kevin, Niki, and Duke continued watching the cutscene until it stopped explaining about the VGverse and focused on the Präsvers visiting Princess Peach and Toadsworth at the castle while also learning that the video game villains are working together and the heroes left their homes to find out why. They get to see the Präsver Princess, Lana, while the dialogue explains why she looks different.
"Whoa, she looks pretty." Niki said.
Yeah. Kevin thought in agreement.
The cutscene and dialogue continues while explaining that the villains kidnapped Lana's father, King Charles, while her older brother, Prince Lyle, managed to escape capture as well but is currently missing. Lana was with a meeting with General Pepper on Corneria (both from the Star Fox franchise) when all of this happened. And now Lana now acts as regent of the Präsvers. Few months later, the villains took over their Server and home kingdom called Videoland. Videoland is different from other Servers since it exist on the borders of the other Servers and while constantly moving like a train on a rail. Videoland cannot be traveled to through the means of regular "VG-Warps" and "Great VG-Warps"; they only can be entered through a special portal called the "Präsver Warps" which onlly Präsvers can open up... but somehow the villains managed to enter somehow. Lana and the Präsvers escaped just in time in which causing her to ask for help from all of the video game heroes, except for the royals (like Peach and Zelda) since they have to look after their kingdoms in their own universe.
The villains being continuous problem of late is reason she is having a meeting with the Princess Peach today. Lana is asking if they could help safeguard their most sacred artifact, the Power Cube. It existed since the creation of both the VGverse and the Präsvers. According to an ancient Präsverian prophecy, it can holds a great power–greater than any other power held in the VGverse–that can only be used when a chosen hero when both the VGverse and the Real World is in great danger. This hero is called the Game Master. When touched by the chosen hero, it will morph into its "true form". What true appearance the Power Cube takes, only the Präsvers knows since they saw its true a form before it became the Power Cube. The rest of people and creatures of the VGverse don't know that the Power Cube has a true form or the prophecy behind it (most of them don't even know that the Power Cube exists). Which is probably why the villains invaded Videoland in the first place since they believe it holds unlimited power that transcends that of the gods.
Peach was about to agree is when the Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings crashed the meeting and snatched the Power Cube. The cutscene ends with Bowser Jr. tripping and dropping the cube onto the floor while the game now focuses on the cube while the rest of the background is pitch black.
Then another dialogue appears asking "Are you ready to accept your destiny as the Game Master?"
"Well duh, of course I will. It's a video game after all."
Niki rolled her eyes.
As the teenager pressed the button on the controller to confirm both the TV and NES turned off by themselves.
"WHAT THE THE HECK?!"
As he approached them, the TV turned on by itself as ones and zeros appeared on the screen as they changed colored. Some numbers moved fast vertically while others moved slightly slower horizontally. It reminds him of the intro title sequence to the Matrix movies.
"WHOA!"
Kevin immediately took a huge step backwards while all spooked.
Duke began growling at the television as Niki asked in an uneasy and scared tone "Kevin, what's happening?"
"I have no idea." Kevin replied still comprehending what's going on.
Then the ones and zeros became multicolored as gold and silver symbols from various video game companies and franchises began appear on the screen. As the symbols appears, the lights began to flicker, causing the three to be slightly freaked out.
"That's it!" Kevin said. "We're going upstairs and I'll call the cops–!"
Out of nowhere, the ground began to shake as the TV began to speak with a robotic and digitized voice "OPENING ULTIMATE VG-WARP. GOOD LUCK CAPTAIN N."
Kevin let out a "HUH?" as the numbers and symbols began to swirl out the television as a portal ripped open in front of them.
"HOLY–"
The teenager never got to finish as the portal began to suck them all in which they began screaming their heads of in terror (Duke also did it but in his own doggy way).
As they traversed through the portal they hit by blasts of light which slowly changed their appearance and making them look like... 2D hand drawn cartoons?!
"WHAT THE–"
Again, the teenager never got to finish as they finally exited the portal as a bright light blinded them. As Kevin's, Niki's, and Duke's vision are back to normal, they found themselves falling in the sky. In which the three began to panic and then scream for their lives.
Author's Notes
Präsver is a combination of both "Processor" and "Server".