(I feel as if some people may not be too fond of the fact that I made Mario have his firebrand power already despite him being only a child in this series. However, considering this all basically takes place in an alternate universe, I decided to change things up since not everything needs to be by the book. Lastly, this series may be entering a small hiatus since I must make time for another fanfiction project and because I want to work on my book. But this series is far from over and will continue eventually.)
"Alright, I guess you two are who I'll be playing with. Just kick it to another player once it comes your way. Since there's three of us, I think we should be in a triangular formation. Just try to keep up with me," Once Wario says that, he puts the goomba down and kicks it before it gets a chance to run. The goomba rolls and bounces straight for Luigi. He panics as he was running out of time to react. He aims it for Mario but not as quick of a speed. Mario had time to focus on contact and power for a great return. Passes like these would rarely come, this was his moment. He does make contact with his kick. With all the force, the goomba swiftly sailed through the air and slammed right into Wario. It was enough to knock him on his back, but he still manages to hang onto the goomba. He is groggy for a moment when he sits back up. But he shakes his head and regains his focus.
"Not bad. But it'll take more than that to keep me down," Wario sees this as a challenge to play more aggressively. Of course, he had to keep the pattern going the way it had been. Thus, Luigi was the one who got the next shot much to his dismay.
"Wait, why do we have to play this hard? I didn't ask for this!" He whines, he thought this was supposed to be a friendly game.
"Come now, Luigi. Your brother likes playing rough, so should you. It's good for someone like you. Just try to withstand my goomba onslaught," Wario's words didn't exactly motivate Luigi, they just made him more aware of how dangerous this game was getting. The goomba however, was not expecting to be a part of such a game. He was both impressed and feeling ill to be in it. His body constantly spinning, and it was only getting faster as the boys played harder. Mario started to realize that he unintentionally made this an intense game. Though usually a fine person to spend time with, Wario was far from being a pushover. He was having fun for the most part, not too concerned on how the other two were doing. There was seemingly no way out of it now. Yoshi watches in awe and shock, he was glad that he wasn't a part of this game. He had to look away, to prevent himself from getting dizzy. Peach is also impressed but she is worried that things were going to go too far. She just hoped that this game would be over soon. But now, Wario was ready for a finale. He orders Luigi to hang onto the goomba this time. What he wanted to do now was kick the goomba straight up to the moon. Truly, this was a black day for goombas everywhere. Luigi carefully keeps the goomba still by putting his hand over its head. But the goomba was too dazed and confused to do much anyway. Luigi moves the rest of his body, giving Wario space to come at him.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? What if you hit me?" Luigi became afraid of that. He felt helpless in this situation.
"Bah, I'll only hit you if I am lucky. I mean, only if become careless, but I'll be ready, trust me," Wario confidently claims after he quickly corrects himself. Luigi just hoped that Wario would make a good shot. If he really is going to kick that goomba to the moon, he doesn't want to go with it. Wario backs up, he was going to need all the momentum he could get. After taking a quick breather, he charges at full force. Luigi braces, expecting the worst. Peach watches but notices long strands of grass that were on Wario's path. She feared that he may trip over them if he doesn't become aware.
"Wario, watch out for that tall grass!" She warns him. He does notice them and lightly jump over them with ease.
"I saw that grass right away, no need to worry about me. This is ju-" Somehow, he'd trip and land on his face despite not touching the grass at all. The goomba is astonished and gets out of Luigi's grip.
"Could it be? Yes, I am free! I am free! So long, suckers!" It cheered and cackled wildly as it ran off. Unfortunately, it ran into charging chucks who were playing football, not too far down their path. They unintentionally end up kicking goomba off, mistaking him for a football.
"I regret nothing!" It exclaims as it flies across the sky. They all stare blankly, considering the events that had just occurred. One thing was for sure, their game had officially ended. Wario groans as he gets up, not ending it the way, he had hoped.
"Well, that could have been better. I have other things to go do, anyway," Wario wipes some dirt off his shirt but then Yoshi comes to congratulate them on a good game through his language, which doesn't sound like much, to people.
"Perhaps, it was for the best. You boys were playing rather hard with that goomba, I hope you'll stop playing it so much," It wasn't just because Peach felt bad for the goomba that she was upset with the game but also because she knew how much her father detested goombas being treated in such a way. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him.
"Bah, here I am getting scolded by the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. I can't say I was expecting that to happen today. But fine, if it means that much to you, I'll cut back on playing kick the goomba. I won't give up on it completely, but I'll cut back," Wario had made his terms, the game was too fun to stop playing forever. Mario somewhat agreed, but he didn't dare say anything to upset his princess friend anymore.
"That's all I ask," She calmly replies to Wario. She was only glad more goombas would be okay. Wario started to get the impression that he wasn't too wanted but he was glad to have fun with friends while it lasted.
"Look, thanks for spending time with me. But I really got to get to that forest. I want at least some sort of decent meal tonight. Thanks for the coins, hopefully I'll be able to pay you back some day," He couldn't make any promises, but Mario and Luigi were flattered by the gesture all the same. Although, instead of walking towards the forest, Wario goes towards the town instead. This confuses Mario and Luigi since he wasn't going the right way. Wario catches onto their suspicion right away.
"Oh, I was just going back to buy a basket, that was the reason why you gave me coins, you know? I'll head back to the forest in a minute," Wario claims but in a hurry.
"Gee, he must really be hungry. Don't you think, Mario?" Luigi asks and Mario agrees.
"You sure have an interesting set of friends, Mario. But, that Wario sure is something. Although he appears to be aggressive and strongheaded, I think he can be nice. He did listen to me and you both seem to like spending time with him. Hopefully we can do something a little less brash with him, next time," Considering this is Wario that Peach is talking about, it's uncertain that she'd get what she is hoping for. But one thing was on Mario's mind. When they first met in Peach's room, she told them how she feels about the kingdom and what she wants to make of it. Despite growing up there for the past few years, Mario still had a lot to learn about the place. He figured it was time to settle down and learn a little more.
"Peach, if you don't mind, would you tell us more about the Mushroom Kingdom? Such as, what you know about its history and a little more about what you imagine it becoming," Mario asks, and Peach is surprised by his sudden interest.
"Are you sure, Mario? We've been around for an exceptionally long time and there's a lot to say," Mario was aware of this, but he didn't mind. He believed that if he was going to be friends with the royal family, the least he could do would be to learn more about their cause and their journeys of history. It would be a long conversation, but Peach would be happy to share what she knows with them all. Since it's a long and repetitive tale, we in the meantime go back to the throne room of the castle in which the Mushroom King is speaking with Toadsworth. Toadsworth seems a little perplexed as if he had something to say.
"Is there something you wanted to discuss with me, my king? I ordered replacement on the pillows like you asked and the princess's room is currently under remodeling,"
"I appreciate what you've done, Toadsworth. But, that boy, Mario is his name. From the moment I saw him, I figured there was something interesting about him, but not I had been expecting him to control fire the way he did," After the king says that he starts to think a little more. He struggled to bring his thoughts to words.
"Control is a loose way to put it, sire. He seemed to spread it without any precision," Toadsworth remembered the flames rise and shuddered at what could have been if he didn't enter the room in time.
"Toadsworth, have you ever heard the story of the star children? How they'd one day save our world? One would rise to lead the rest and it would be involved in a lot of the Mushroom Kingdom's responsibilities. Following that, I believe that it's possible that Mario is that star child. Or at the very least, one of them. I've heard of this prophesy so many years ago, it's one that our good friend told me and one that I'll never forget. Perhaps, it is a stretch that Mario can be the one. But I was also told that the leader of them is closer than we think. Despite me also being told that my dear Peach is one of them, she is not said leader. Because of all of this, I believe giving Mario a chance is worth it. Even if he isn't the one I've been looking for, at the very least I shall help him learn to control his power to control fire. The ancient power of the firebrand. He isn't the only with that ability, after all," The Mushroom King knew what he wanted to do. It was time to continue his search for a permanent change to the Mushroom Kingdom. He'd get up from his throne and go find his princess and her friends. Back to the children, Peach had been going on about the kingdom's history. She was currently speaking about her father and what he used to do many years ago.
"My father always wanted to turn this kingdom into something amazing. He wasn't all about gaining power and being feared by all who challenged him. Instead, he wanted to create a kingdom that strived on kindness and care for its people and allies while still being tough enough to survive what would try to destroy it. My father faced such things every day and through his wisdom and care, you see the Mushroom Kingdom the way it is. Sometimes I wonder if we would still be as respected or even still be here if it wasn't for what he did," She was a little saddened by that thought, but she was also relieved that wasn't what happened either.
"I am certain we would be, Hun," A familiar voice responds which is startling to her. The Mushroom King and Toadsworth approach them as she turns to see who spoke.
"Father! How long have you been there?" She asks, glad to see him.
"Not long, forgive me for overhearing your conversation. But to finish what I said, my kingdom would still stand even without me. It has the heart and spirit of nobility and honor. It shan't be corrupted by those who have selfish desires. Lest it fall apart and those in acquaintance with it shall follow. But the Mushroom Kingdom has so much good in it, it wouldn't happen regardless. I am honored you think so highly of me, all the same my dear. But I must say why I am out here in the first place," He'd then settle with them for he needed them to be paying attention to this next part closely.
"If I may bring up the incident in our princess's room, I think I know what happened along with how it came to be," He pauses for the moment but turns his attention to Mario who had been feeling self-conscious after remembering that event, especially since he wanted to put it behind him now. But with what the king was about to offer him, that wouldn't happen anytime soon.
"That fire power, it is known as the fire brand. It's a rare but divine gift that some are given at birth while others obtain it through other methods. I've only seen a handful of those who own it and now Mario, you are one of them. I don't know if it's purely by chance or fate, but I never would have imagined that I'd never see another one who owns it. The power…this kind of power, I've seen it be used for both caring and selfish tasks, with fire, many things can be done. What you do with your power, it's up to you. Mario, if you want to learn more about it, if you want to learn to control it, I will help you in any way I am capable of. But it will take a long time and dedication. You'll have to spend a lot of time here at the castle, regardless of responsibilities in life that you may have. I'll help you reach your true potential so you may not be involved in any more flaming accidents in the future," Mario was not expecting to hear this offer. He didn't know what to say. Is this finally a way to learn what his power is all about and why he has it in the first place? He'd only know if he took this offer. It would mean less time to play with brother and friends, but he knew this was for the better. There was going to be so much he'd miss out on if he refused. He'd breathe in deeply and then stand up and look at the king.
"Yes, being able to learn more about this firebrand would mean the world to me. It means a lot that you'd do something for me, Mushroom King. I hope we may start soon," Mario says confidently and gratefully. Luigi was also glad and supportive of this. He was relieved that Mario would learn more about all of this. If only they could have met the Mushroom King sooner.
"My goodness, I like your enthusiasm. I think you'll go far as long as you keep that up. We may start as early as today if you want to. I'll just inform your father of this, that way he knows where you'll be. I believe you have quite a future ahead of you, young man. Let's just wait and see," With that said, the Mushroom King returns to the castle, but he'd return shortly. This gave Mario time to think. It seems as if he was running out of time to turn back. As if he'd ever care to. He knew this wasn't going to be easy for he had been trying to learn more about his firebrand power for years but had hardly gotten anywhere. He would have to try to live up to the Mushroom King's expectations and then some. But he still wanted to go for it. He waited for the king to return for soon the beginning of his destiny will begin.