Chapter 9: The Kingdom

Fox jumped from his Arwing. He landed and looked around. He had to admit. The Mushroom Kingdom was one of the nicer places in the galaxy. Definitely nicer than Brin Star. No Lava, no unstable ground, no ominous dragon thing in the back. That was a big plus. But sight seeing would have to wait.

He was standing in front of Princess Peach's castle. That little Toad guy came out and bowed to Fox.

"May we here at Princess Peach's castle be of some assistance?" he asked.

"Yeah," Fox said. "It is of the utmost importance that I speak with Mario. Is he here?"

"And why would you think he is here?" Toad asked innocently.

Fox grumbled to himself. "Because anyone who isn't blind can tell that Mario and Peach are more than just friends." Toad didn't answer. "I don't have time for this. Is he here or not?"

"I'm afraid not," Toad said. "Bowser is up to his old tricks again. Seeing as how he lost the tournament, he thought he would cheer himself up by trying to conquer our kingdom again."

"Bowser was in the tournament?" Fox asked. "I didn't know that."

"Considering he was knocked out after the first round, not many people do."

"Who did he fight?"

"Donkey Kong, I think."

Fox shook his head to get him back on topic. "Where is Mario?"

After getting some directions, Fox climbed into his Arwing and took off. Soon he was over a bunch of those little mushroom things and a few green-shelled turtles. And right in the middle was Mario. He jumped at the mushrooms, frying them with some fireballs. Then he turned on the turtles, jumping on one and throwing its shell at the others.

Fox waited for the battle to end before landing. Then he ran over to Mario, one of the few Smashers who weren't against making friends with the others. He gave Fox a wave and a big Smile as he went over.

"Ah, Fox. What brings you to my neck of the galaxy? Finally get that vacation?"

"No," Fox said, bluntly. "Listen. I think you may be in danger."

"Nah," Mario laughed. "These things aren't any kind of a match for me." He launched a fireball at one of the mushrooms that didn't burn before. "I can even take on Bowser."

"It's not from these guys," Fox said. "There's someone out there, taking Smashers."

"A kidnapper, you mean?"

"Worse. He has some kind of ring that allows him to absorb Smashers into himself, allowing him to use their powers."

"Like Kirby?" Mario asked.

Then they were both struck by lightning, sending them into a nearby turtle with a red shell. It was knocked back and slid away unnoticed. Fox and Mario both had their eyes facing the figure in black standing twenty yards away.

"Mario. How nice to finally meet you," Pyra said with a smile. "And Fox, a pleasure as always."