Beyond the distance, past hills that varied in green intensity stood the pearly white brick castle with a bright red roof and the stain glass side image of a certain princess, Peach's Castle. It wasn't too far, only a forest walk away from the small mountain where Mario's home stood. A mushroom shaped house encased by a tiny white picket fence, within the fence stood a clothes line were blue overalls were drifting with the wind. From the door of the fence was a dirt path that went through the forest and lead all the way to the castle. Mario leaned over the fence slightly, adjusting his red hat. He was known everywhere in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario the red cap mustached plumber with his blue overalls, white gloves and red undershirt. He was a hero of the kingdom, constantly saving it from Bowser's clutches, it was a job and someone had to do it. He did it with such ease, Mario was always optimistic on any situation; to him there was always a solution no matter how big or small and he was stubborn when it came to giving up. He never really gave his course of action a second thought as he was more of a man who jumped first then asked questions later.

"Come on Luigi, the princess is expecting us soon!" Mario said as he turned around and faced the home.

A small breeze was blowing and it was a relatively calm day. Mario walked back up towards the house and stopped at the mailbox, peering inside. It was empty, there was not a single letter of a kidnapping or of an emergency of sort. Mario relaxed a bit and assured himself that there was nothing to be on edge about today. Bowser had pulled a flimsy attempt to kidnap Peach a few days back and it was an easy sweep for Mario.

Maybe it was too easy? He thought to himself. He shook his head, I must be getting really good then.

"Luigi?" Mario shouted once more.

The front door creaked open slowly as Luigi poked his head out.

"Can't we stay inside today? We should give the princess a break today from the attack and all. Frankly I'm just tired." He said unenthusiastically.

Mario pushed the door open and pulled Luigi out, "She's got cake!" he responded.

Luigi stumbled out and adjusted his green hat. He was taller than Mario and was less well known, but to Mario he was a courageous brother who should've had his fair share in the credit. Luigi had saved Mario countless times, as much as he complained; he knew how to act even when he was scared. You'll get your chance Luigi, even if it's a year.

"Mario, you gotta stop letting food dictate your visits," Luigi groaned.

"If this is about exercise, I do enough of it! I even did a nonstop marathon run recently! Let me enjoy myself with some nonthreatening cake for once, I never get to have it," Mario insisted. Luigi laughed as he turned around to lock the door behind him.

"Lets-a go then," he said. He then adjusted his blue overalls; he didn't look much different than Mario, his outfit was green instead of red and his mustache was slightly different.

"Don't worry," Mario grinned, "Think of it as an overdue congratulatory of our efforts!"

"Yeah, overdue kidnapping if you ask me," muttered Luigi.

They both made their way past the fence and onto the dirt road that lead to the castle. It was a main road that stretched out to the castle that was traveled often by the two plumbers. It was a relatively quiet path with the occasional Goomba or two in need of a stomping. The entrance of the forest was adorned with a cluster of flowers that greeted those who passed by. As the two entered the forest the air became quiet.

Not a single creature stirred, no enemies, or even birds for that matter. Mario looked around as he continued walking forward, his eyes scanned the area.

"Hey –ah – Mario, shouldn't we be seeing some, I dunno, Goombas or something by now?" Luigi said cautiously. "You think this is a set up?" he added.

Mario furrowed his brow, "You know I'm not entirely sure Luigi."

Mario's thoughts turned to the attack on the castle a few days prior, Was Bowser still recovering, or was this a new tactic?

The silence of the forest was loud, as if disturbed by something. Mario turned his head to Luigi as he walked. Luigi was looking at the top of the trees, scanning for any sign of life. As Mario turned his head back to the road he noticed a figure sprawled on the ground.

Mario stopped and pointed, "Luigi look!" Luigi paused and followed Mario's arm, then saw the figure also.

"Woah woah. W-What do you think it is Mario? I don't think we should get any closer, this screams trap all over the place!" Luigi stepped back.

Mario ignored Luigi and walked forward, "Hold on, It's a kid!" he said. The figure revealed to just be a small child. "He's unconscious?"

"Is he wearing a coat, in this weather?" Luigi said as he finally approached.

Indeed he was, the child was a young boy passed out on the ground, he seemed to be mumbling something but it was barely audible. There were a few scratches on his face and his coat was partially burnt.

"Well he's still alive, should we take him to the castle?" Mario said as he turned his head to Luigi.

The boy mumbled again, "That's not how you build a snowfort…" Mario and Luigi stared. "You don't use dogs…"

Mario blinked; he stretched out his hand and gently shook the boy. He wasn't sure what to do.

The boy mumbled before moving his arm across his face, he rubbed his own eyes with his arm before slowly removing his arm. The boy blinked a few times as he stared up to the tree tops. His eyes tilted to the side to Mario and Luigi.

"Uh, Hello!" said Luigi as he waved his hand in the air gently.

Mario waved also, "I'm Mario, this is my brother, Luigi. We found you on the ground unconscious." He gestured to himself then to Luigi.

The boy tried to get up but his face squinted in pain. "Oh, wait a second!" Luigi said quickly, he reached into his pockets and pulled out a small red mushroom. "Eat this, you'll recover strength!" Luigi handed it to Mario who handed it to the boy. He took it and gobbled it up.

After a few seconds his face perked up and he got up from the ground with a grin on his face. "Thanks!" he said. "I'm Frisk." He took off his burnt coat and placed it under his arm. Frisk rubbed his face where his scratches were, the bandage on his face was peeling off.

"Is there, uh, any reason as to why you were on the ground?" Mario said. As relieved as he was that the boy was ok, questions flooded his mind as to how he ended up on the ground unconscious in the first place. He had never seen this boy before, but come to think of it, there's so many things he had never seen within the Mushroom Kingdom. Either that maybe he was from an unexplored area. Is there's another neighboring kingdom I have yet to see?

"Or even wearing a burnt coat on a spring day?" chimed in Luigi.

Frisk looked on with a blank stare, "I dunno," he shrugged. "I thought it was snowing and cold out. What happened to all the snow?" He looked around the area.

He stopped and turned his head to Mario and Luigi, "Are you humans?" his face held a confused stare like a Cheep Cheep out of water.

Mario and Luigi looked at each other. "Luigi is there something you're not telling me. Have I had a Goomba face this entire time?" said Mario.

Luigi laughed, "Absolutely, I just didn't have the heart to tell you!" Mario laughed back.

"We're humans, Frisk," said Mario as he chuckled.

Frisk gave a small giggle back. "You two remind me of someone I know." He turned his head to the sky, "I didn't come from here, this is different, I was elsewhere before I ended up here."

Mario's face got serious, "We can take you back, just point us in the direction."

Frisked looked down to the ground, "Mount Ebott?"

"Mount what?" said Luigi.