In a secret passage of Mario's home, the plumber was rummaging through a collection of his most powerful items. The plumber had gathered many highly powerful items and artifacts on his long journeys, and this secure underground area was where he kept them. The area was once just a spot where Luigi went to write in his diary (which he insisted was called a journal), but Mario saw the value of a secret corridor at his home. He secretly had it rebuilt about ten times larger, and with far more elaborate decorations. The walls, which once consisted of simple mortar, were now smooth and shiny black marble. The floor and ceiling were very similar, being made of just-as-pretty white marble. Red and green banners adorned the walls, the red bearing white circles with Mario's signature 'M' insignia, and green bearing the same but with Luigi's 'L'.

Items were held in about 30 chests propped against the walls. The chests were made of solid karak, the same metal Bowser had used on his safe that kept the piece of the Star Cure, a metal even Bowser himself could not break. The chests were guarded by god-level runes, cast by Rosalina herself at Mario's request during one of the kart tournaments. Only Mario and Luigi could open the chests, and anyone else that touched them would be annihilated within a few seconds at most. Of course, Mario and Luigi put warning signs on each one, but they figured those wouldn't stop would-be-thieves. The walls were also greatly strengthened by Rosalina's runes, though as they were not karak, they didn't quite have the same level of toughness as the chests.

To most people, this would be overkill, but Mario knew how dangerous these artifacts and powerups could be in the wrong hands. Some of them could feasibly be used to conquer entire kingdoms. Although, this was assuming the wielder could even use them. Most kinds of powerups couldn't be used by everyone and worked only with those of a compatible energy to the powerup itself. Mario and Luigi had unique energy that allowed them to use nearly any powerup, but most beings could only use three or four.

"Mario, this evil sounds dangerous. Should we go together?" Luigi asked, having descended to the passage via ladder.

"Look bro," Mario said caringly. "As much as I want your help, I need you here to protect the kingdom. You're the only other hero at my level of power." Luigi's eyes widened and his mouth curled into a smile at that comment, though his face quickly turned to worry.

"But bro, what if something happens to you? Who'll get you out of a jam?"

"You worry too much Luigi; I'll find more allies on this quest. Just like my adventure at Rogueport." Mario said. Luigi's worried expression wavered and was replaced with an annoyed look.

"You mean the one where I tried to tell you about my own adventure but you zoned out the entire time?"

"You noticed that?"

"Yeah bro" Luigi rolled his eyes. "Everyone in your group zoned out aside from the Koopa."

"Well whatever," Mario said, trying to change the subject. "I'll get plenty of allies. No hero wouldn't join Super Mario on his daring quest."

Mario checked the last chest. Inside was the fully assembled Star Cure in case of another terrible plague, as well as a rare powerup called a Blue Lamp. It turned the user's clothes blue, gave them a blue mask, and allowed them to summon blue constructs, anything that the user imagined. Unfortunately, the constructs didn't work on anything orange, and if the user touched something orange they'd get hurt. Mario wondered how in the world a powerup had such a ridiculous and stupid weakness. He decided not to take it.

"Alright, that's the last of 'em. I'd say it's time." Mario said.

"You know, Zenith is preparing another big batch of items, and apparently this one is part of some huge project they've been working on." Mario was pleased to hear that. Zenith Industries was a powerup company headquartered in the Metro Kingdom, and the largest one by far. They had made enormous research into the development and modification of powerups and other magical items. They owned nearly every item shop Mario had been in, and many of the powerups in this very room were made by them. The company was at the height of technology in the world, and Mario counted himself lucky to have their powerups at his disposal.

"You heard this from E. Gadd?"

"Yep. His buddy was so excited about his breakthrough he called right away and told him." Mario was not surprised. He'd heard of E. Gadd's old friend from Luigi. His name was Ulysses Reeka, or U. Reeka for short. They met when they were young children (Mario could hardly imagine a time where E. Gadd was a child), brought together by the pursuit of knowledge. Apparently they'd made many inventions together in their heyday, but they didn't see each other much anymore since they pursued different fields of study. U. Reeka became Chief Researcher of Zenith before Mario was even born, and E. Gadd became a freelance scientist mostly studying paranormal activity. Despite that, they still contacted each other regularly.

"Wow. Let's hope I get to use some of those goodies in this adventure." Mario replied as he walked toward the ladder, his boots squeaking on the marble floor. "Goodbye Luigi, try not to let the kingdom break while I'm out." Mario said jokingly.

"I won't."

"And bro?" Mario said, in a more serious voice this time.

"Yes?"

"Please protect the princess for me. I don't…" a lump formed in Mario's throat. "know what I'll do if something happens to her. Bowser kidnapping is one thing, but I have a feeling this threat is far worse than Bowser."

"I promise big bro." Luigi said. "I will protect her with all my power. Anyone who dares hurt her will taste thunderous wrath!" Luigi's body began crackling with the mystical energies of his Thunderhand, and Mario could hear real aggression in his voice. Mario began to relax, as he knew the kingdom's protection was in the capable hands of Luigi, and no one, other than Mario himself, was more fit for the role.

"You've certainly gotten more confident." Mario said.

"When it comes to defending those you care about, I'm ready for anything!"

Assured with his brother's confidence, Mario said his goodbyes and left the chamber. He didn't even bother using the ladder, instead simply leaping up. Several seconds later, Mario was out the door. Renewed with new vigor, Mario headed over to a special Warp Pipe situated near his house, and with one leap, sank through.

On the other side of the Warp Pipe, the grass was striped with grey and black, and mist covered the land. Mario was in Bonneton. After saving them, the Cap Kingdom had returned the favor by reserving a special ship for Mario to make quick travel across the world, as well as a Bonneter to man it, and setting up the Warp Pipe near his house to take him there.

The plumber turned and saw a tall building with a top hat on it. This was not Top-Hat Tower in the outer edge of the city. This was even taller, and the top hat was colored gold and encrusted with hundreds of jewels. It was the capital building of the kingdom, officially named "The Cap-ital". A special elevator was located on the outside of the building. This was reserved only for Mario and the driver and would take them directly to the ship. Hat spirits whizzed by as he went through the elevator, some gasping upon seeing the plumber.

At the top was a small hangar with only one ship. This was the one reserved for Mario, the Odyssey II. Cap Kingdom ships were already incredibly fast, but this one was the fastest they had. Its silvery hull shined like a radiant diamond. A black Bonneter quickly appeared. He was out-of-breath (Mario didn't know how that was possible since he was a ghost), clearly having hurried to assist the plumber as soon as he knew he was there.

"Hello, Hatro. Is Cappy too busy?"

"Unfortunately he is quite ill, but it will be no problem for me to drive the ship in his stead." Mario was a bit disappointed, but Hatro was one of Cappy's colleagues, and according to Cappy, he was the better driver.

"Alright then, let's fly."