It had been a while into collecting First Universe Ghosts. The 3DS was doing it's job nicely, as a number had already been captured. Just a few more, and the container of ghosts could be sent back to be converted into raw energy. The kingdom's fate once again rested on the Mario Bros. shoulders. Mario and Luigi were walking around Green Grass Gateway, just in front of the castle, in front of their house. Then again, the landscape of the Mushroom Kingdom was always changing unexplainably, so Green Grass Gateway was probably only going to be a temporary name. Regardless, the green field with flower linings was refreshing this time of year. Luigi almost wanted to forget the mission and stare at clouds while laying on the soft grass. But alas, the 3DS began to beep again, indicating it located another nearby set of First Universe Ghosts. The bros. headed off in that general direction, in hopes of filling the ghost container full enough to send back to the castle.
The signal lead the bros. toward a side cave just beside Green Grass Gateway. The rocky area had red streaks in the stones and a few bits of ash, like there was a fire there at some point. The lack of moss and dry rocks also seemed to point to this. What caused the fire was beyond anyone, but that wasn't the point. There in the back were two giggling ghosts, snickering about a rumor. They looked to have died at a young age, and were practically children. The two, a Yoshi ghost and a Toad ghost, donning typical First Universe clothes, began to laugh even more. "Ha! Those two current universers aren't gonna find us in here!" One of them called. "Yeah. They may have taken our buddies, but they're not getting us!" The other chirped, and they giggled again. Mario and Luigi approached.
"Huh? Uh-oh. They're here!" The young Toad yelled to his friend. "They immediately hugged close to each other as the bros. got closer. "Wh-what do you think they're gonna do to us?!" the Yoshi wailed. "Didn't you hear what they did to all the poor ghosts hiding in the castle!? They're gonna tear us apart slowly and make sure our spirits never see the light of day again!" The Toad shrieked. AS the bros. got closer, the ghosts began to cry for help, persistently. The bros approached even closer, until a flaming mallet, seemingly out of nowhere, flew in front of them and hit the rock beside them. The 3DS began to rapidly beep and sputter. There was a third ghost in the room now. And according to the spectral energy level, this ghost could easily make cheesecake out of at least ten King Boos.
The fiery mallet pulled itself out of the wall, and floated eerily in front of Mario and Luigi. A look of recognition crossed the two young ghost's faces. "Whoa! Do you think that's-!" The toad commented in shock. "We're gonna be saved, if it who were thinking we're thinking! Nobody beats this guy!" The Yoshi squealed. That didn't sound good. Just who were these ghost talking about, whoever it was didn't sound like a nice guy. Luigi had no extra time to think, because the moment he lowered the 3DS from his face, he was met by a terrifying image.
A flaming red version of his brother, carrying a large mallet, with claws and fangs to boot, screeched loudly in Luigi's face, causing the green plumber to run for the hills. the ghost chuckled, looking amused at his prank, before throwing his mallet to close off the cave from Luigi. The flame trail scorched the entrance and blocked it off with flames. Mario was stuck inside the cave with the fiery counterpart, who gave a fanged smirk before charging at Mario to attack.
The battle began, Fire Mario having a determined look in his eyes. He charged at Mario with full force, surrounded in spectral flames, and Mario had to stop the blow with his own hammer. Fire Mario rebounds for a second and third charge, only to get blocked by Mario's hammer again. Fire Mario waited patently for Mario to take his turn, because that's how it works. Mario tries to leap on Fire Mario's head, but the fire ghost counterattacks with his flaming hammer. Enemies weren't allowed to counterattack! Fire Mario then took his turn, conjuring fireballs and aiming them at Mario. Mario had to skillfully jump to avoid them. The battle raged on, and both opponents appeared to be equally matched. Luigi could only watch from outside.
"Wait bro! I've found a weak spot in his fighting style! He's a bit to show-offy when fighting!" Luigi called through the flames keeping him out. What he said was undoubtedly true, Fire Mario was completely over-confident and very self-centered. Though a pang of sadness pulled over the fire ghost when Luigi mentioned it. A memory, perhaps? The fight was showing Mario who this flaming doppel of sorts who he really is. This fire ghost was fighting to protect the two children behind him. Though he was brash when fighting, his heart was true, and his reasons just. The ghosts of the two children were innocent, and Fire Mario was their hero in their time of need. But still, the battle didn't calm just yet.
Only when Luigi started cheering, did Fire Mario begin to slow his attack. "Hey, wait, where's Fire Mario's brother?" The young ghost Toad asked. "I heard they got into a fight and separated," The Yoshi replied. Fire Mario stopped in his tracks, he couldn't take it any longer. As his heart sunk into his stomach, Fire Mario dropped the fiery mallet in defeat.