Alright, for those of you who've decided to stick around, thanks! This is the updated version of chapter two. The original chapter didn't even make it past the 1,000 word mark, so it definitely needed some improvements.

Chapter 2: Meeting Mario

Double D landed with a loud thud onto a concrete structure, letting out a painful groan. He was slightly accustomed to landing in similar fashions from high heights, but that didn't mean he ever enjoyed them. He silently thanked whatever force that had allowed him to escape with no major injuries and rolled over to look at the sky. He let out a gasp at the sight he saw: Eddy was falling, and from the looks of it, would land straight on top of him. He did a quick roll to the side just as Eddy landed. He stood up and looked over at Eddy.

"Eddy, are you alright?" he asked. Before he could respond, however, a shadow loomed over him. The two looked up to see Ed falling, flailing his limbs like a madman. The two let out a scream and attempted to get out of the way. Eddy scrambled to his feet, but it was too late. Ed landed straight on top of him, and Double D cringed at the sight. Ed looked around and grinned when he saw Double D.

"Hi, Double D!" he said. Ed then began looking around as if he were searching for something. "Where's Eddy?" Double D simply pointed down at the ground. Ed tilted his head. "Are we playing hide and seek?" Ed asked, then covered his eyes and began counting loudly. He stopped when he heard a muffled scream. He looked around again, then stood up. "Eddy! Where are you?"

"Here..." Eddy replied weakly. Ed smiled and picked Eddy off of the ground before encompassing him in a bone-crushing hug.

"Eddy!" He shouted excitedly.

Double D couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Well, I believe that's one mystery solved," Double D commented.

"Great..." Eddy remarked sarcastically. "By the way, where the heck are we?!" Double D looked around at their surroundings. Behind them was the rest of the stone bridge they were standing on, leading to another rocky and jagged hill. In front of them was a large castle made of the same gray stones the bridge was compiled of. The castle filled him with an ominous feeling. The red clouds filling the sky and lightning crackling in the distance certainly didn't help to ease that feeling.

"I'm afraid that's a question I don't have the answer for, Eddy. My apologies. I can only say that I don't believe that we're in Peach Creek or any areas surrounding it."

Eddy folded his arms in annoyance. "Just great... We're stuck in some place we don't even know!" He grunted. More lightning flashed, this time closer to the group. "Man, and out of all places it could've been, it had to be a creepy place like this."

Just then, the lightning became more intense around them. The trio ducked for cover when a bolt crashed closer than they had liked. Despite the intensity and how loud it was, a few other sounds could be heard. The sound of an engine of sorts was ringing out above them, as was a cry out for help. The voice was very obviously female, but it wasn't familiar to the Eds at all. As the lightning became less frequent once more, the three of them tried looking up to discover the source of the sound, but it was to no avail. Whatever had been in the sky had disappeared from sight, as well as earshot. The three then looked at one another.

"Maybe it was aliens!" Ed offered. Eddy was about to offer a reply to that statement, but something else caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure approaching on the hill at the front of the bridge. He turned to get a better look at the figure. It was a man, glaring up at the castle angrily. The man wore a red hat and shirt, a pair of blue overalls, white gloves, brown boots, and had a black, bushy mustache on his face. He then looked forward, gaining a look of surprise on his face when he saw the three Eds on the bridge. The man stared at the three of them curiously. Eddy sent the man an annoyed look back.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Eddy deadpanned. Both Ed and Double D then turned to see who he had directed the comment to. The man seemed surprised by the comment, but wasn't deterred from approaching cautiously.

"Who are you?" the man asked. He had a very obvious Italian accent as he spoke that sounded slightly cheesy. The Eds all looked at one another.

"Who are you?" Eddy asked in response.

Double D sent Eddy a stern look. "Eddy! Don't be rude! He asked us first!" Double D scolded. He turned to face the man with an apologetic face. "My apologies for my friend, sir. His manners could still use some work. My name is Eddward, but most call me 'Double D'." Double D introduced politely.

"I am Ed!" Ed proudly proclaimed, a fist raised over his head.

"It's Eddy," Eddy simply said. He averted his eyes from the man as he introduced himself. The man folded his arms and nodded as he listened to each of them.

"Alright then. My name's Mario," Mario introduced himself. "Now, if you three don't mind answering my next question, what are you doing here? This place isn't safe for kids."

"Um, well..." Double D stammered.

"We're from another dimension, and we were sucked in through a portal in our TV and are now trapped in this world!" Ed then exclaimed. Eddy slapped a hand against his face at the outburst.

"I don't know how, but he still surprises me with his stupidity..." Eddy muttered. Mario lowered hid head as if he was thinking. Moments later he raised it again while chuckling.

"Is you're friend just very creative or is he being serious?" Mario asked.

Double D let out a sigh. "His imagination is very wild, however, he is speaking the truth, at least about the television trapping us wherever we currently are," Double D explained. "I'm aware of how far fetched it sounds, but it truly just happened to us."

"Call me what you will, but there's no need to convince me further. I believe you," Mario replied. The Eds gave him a rather surprised and confused look. "I've had personal experience in that area. I lived in Brooklyn, New York before being sent here. My brother and I worked as plumbers."

"Wait, so you're from Earth?!" Eddy asked in shock. That was a revelation he hadn't been expecting.

Mario nodded. "Right now, you three are in a place called the 'Mushroom Kingdom'. To be specific, we're at Bowser's Keep. I've come here to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser." More lightning flashed around them, making them all flinch. Mario grimaced at the sky before sending his attention at the Eds again. "Listen, I need to go rescue the princess, but once I'm done, I'll see about helping you find a way back home. Does that sound alright?"

"Ed says yes!" Ed agreed.

Eddy shrugged. "Whatever..." was all he said.

"I think we would all appreciate your assistance, sir." Double D answered. Mario nodded, then began walking towards the red metal doors of the castle. He put his hands against the doors as he was about to open them, then turned to the Eds.

"Well? Are you coming or not?" Mario asked them. Again, the Eds gave him a bewildered expression. "I'd feel better knowing that you three were with me than out here." Ed and Eddy looked at one another. Eddy then shrugged and began walking towards the plumber, who was now holding the door open. Ed followed his short friend, but Double D seemed reluctant. He stayed where he was, seeming unsure about entering the castle. Ed looked behind him and saw Double D just standing there.

"What about Double D?" He then asked Eddy. Eddy stopped right in front of the door and looked at Double D.

"Hey Sockhead!" Eddy called out. "You coming?"

Double D looked up at the castle warily. "I'm not sure about this, Eddy. I've had a dreadful premonition about this place since we arrived," Double D admitted.

Eddy sent Double D a bored expression as he spoke. "Whatever. Suit yourself then." He shrugged before turning once more and entering the castle. He grabbed Ed's arm and dragged him inside as well. Only Mario remained outside, still holding the door open. Double D looked around awkwardly. Lightning flashed in the distance again, alarming him. He looked at the door nervously, then made a mad dash for it.

"W-wait for me, gentlemen!" Double D exclaimed as he rushed past Mario. The plumber then nodded to no one in particular, and allowed the door to close behind him, the echo of its closing ringing trough the halls of the castle.

And there we have it. The Eds have met Mario and their escapades with the plumber have officially begun.