Chapter 4

As the events unfold, Mario is being held captive in a tower. His cell is surrounded by Koopas carrying a variety of weapons. He notices a small symbol on the wall. Three triangles with a circle around them. Mario takes a closer look at it and recognizes it as the symbol of...

"The Triforce" says a voice from behind him.

He looks around, wondering who could have said that. All of a sudden a Koopa approaches his cell door and slides a mug of hot cocoa and a meal into his cell. "Yes, that is the Triforce you're looking at. Believe it or not, you're actually standing in a newly formed castle. Made from the ruins of Hyrule's Castle after King Bowser took it over."

"So what exactly is the Triforce?"

"It's a legendary force that unites all people. It consists of three triangles, each representing its strengths. They are the triforce of courage, power, and wisdom. I don't know much about it other than that, but it was what those Hyrulians believed before we sacked the castle"

"There was another Princess who ruled this realm." Mario said, looking back at the Triforce. "Where is she?"

"Zelda?" Said the Koopa. "She's currently imprisoned by our new ally, the evil Dark Lord Ganon."

"Ganon?!" Mario yells jumping back. "Bowser's working with Ganon?!"

"Well technically, he's just captured Zelda and is keeping her prisoner." Koopa explained. "I think it's safe to assume that he's working with us, though."

"How did you all get here, anyway?"

"I'll answer that!" Declaring a big booming voice, King Bowser enters the room alongside Ganon.

"Kneel before me, you puny creature!" Bowser says to Mario. "For I am your master!"

"You're not my master!" Mario yells. "We're gonna defeat you!"

"Hmph" Ganon dismissively grunts. "How exactly are you going to accomplish that?...When we have these?"

Bowser and Ganon show their fists revealing they both have half the triforce of power embedded within them.

"Don't worry, Mario," Ganon says mockingly. "I'm sure you've got a plan ready right?"

"Maybe" Mario says. "We can't fight you both at once...not alone anyway."

"You got that right!" Laughs Bowser. "With this new three-force thingy! I'm unstoppable!"

"First of all, you big oaf, it's called the "TRI-Force!" Interrupts Ganon. "Second! WE'RE unstoppable! This plan would not have worked if it wasn't for my master strategy!"

"Yeah, yeah" Bowser chuckles. "Whatever. Either way, it doesn't matter. You can't beat me Mario! Especially when I have the other half of the Three-force!"

"TRI-Force" Interrupts Ganon again. "Anyway, everything is going according to plan. Nothing can prevent us from taking control of both Hyrule AND The Mushroom Kingdom".

"Your majesties!" Yells Kammy Koopa, running into the room. "I have some bad news!"

"What happened?" Asked Bowser.

"Link and Princess Zelda have escaped!"

"What?!" Yells Ganon.

"On top of that! Peach and Luigi have single handedly defeated Solar and buried the entire Yeti Koopa force under mounds and mounds of snow!"

"WHAT?!" Bowser yells in disbelief. "They defeated Solar and saved the Toads?!"

"Yes, your Majesty. It seems Peach and Luigi have devised some kind of plan to unite all the Toads against us!"

"Hmph!" Ganon grunts. "So much for your "Unstoppable" forces, ''partner ``.''

"We can still make it work!" Bowser says confidently. "If we can just capture one of them, we can stop this charade before anything can happen!"

Ganon turns to the old Koopa. "Where are the Yellow Toads located?"

"The Yellow Toads are currently at their home in Kakariko Village, near Hyrule Field. The only way to access that is by crossing a treacherous bridge guarded by our group of Boos."

"I see. Bowser?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't I send one of MY generals to Kakariko Village? Just to make sure this "problem" of ours can't bother us anymore."

"You mean you're sending one of YOUR Generals to eliminate Link and Zelda?! What about me?! I'm the King of THIS castle, not you!"

"This is a shared power dynamic you oaf! I may not know where Zelda and Link are, but I do know that if we stop a potential army from attacking us. It'll be easier for me to locate those two."

"Ohh, that makes sense!"

"Come with me, partner," Ganon says, leading Bowser out of the room.

Ganon and Bowser meet up with their generals in the Hyrule Castle War Room.

"The Yellow Toads live in Kakariko Village," Bowser says. "Let's see if any of your troops are willing to go for a bit of village sacking."

"I know just the one who is perfect for such an occasion" Ganon replies.

"Who, might I ask?"

"His name is Mario, of course."

"What? That's absurd! He'd never do such a thing!"

"Yours wouldn't...but mine would! Dark Mario! Reveal yourself!"

The doors open and an evil Shadow version of Mario steps forward. Bowser taps him on the shoulder.

"Good to see you again, Son!" Bowser says.

Dark Mario swings his hammer at Bowser's face, grabs him by the tail, spins him around, and throws him across the room.

"You oaf!" Ganon yells. "This isn't your son posing as "Shadow Mario"! This is "Dark Mario", an evil replica of the one we're holding captive!

"Now that I've had my fun, I'll be off, Master!" Dark Mario says.

"Yeah!" Bowser agrees. "You better run! I was just warming up anyway!"

As Dark Mario passes Bowser he fakes a punch towards him, Bowser flinches. Dark Mario simply laughs simply laughs at how cowardly his supposed superior is. "See ya later, False Master!" He mocks.

"One last thing before you head into the field" Ganon says. "If you happen to see Princess Zelda or her tiresome friend "Link" during your mission, I want you to kill them and bring me their pieces of the Triforce."

"Link…Zelda…I hate those two." Dark Mario says with disgust. " Those two need a good kick in the butt!" Dark Mario leaves with murderous intent.

"What's his deal?" Bowser asked.

"He once did battle with Link long ago." Ganon responded. "He's been training for this day for years now. Now he finally has the opportunity to exact revenge on them..."

Dark Mario leaves, heading to Kakariko Village, giggling maliciously to himself.