Hello, everybody! Scorpion here, bringing you the first chapter of the Grandmasters. I finished this one a while ago and currently in the middle of chapter two. I contemplated on whether I should finish chapter two before updating or just update now. Chapter two is coming along slowly, so I decided to just put this up for your viewing pleasure until two was done. Hopefully, it will be done next month. I wouldn't get my hopes up, though...

Now for the credits: I don't, by any means, work for Nintendo or Square Enix. Rosalina, Polari, Mario (if he shows in this story) and other Nintendo characters belong to, well, Nintendo. Geno and Culex are the odd balls, belonging to Square Enix. I'm just a humble fan of the companies making a story with them.

Now, without further a due, *clears throat* First Movement...

New Discoveries, Old Friends

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Socorro, New Mexico

Most people believe that the life of scientists is exciting. Making ground breaking discoveries every day, traveling to new places, making money from government institutions are the common ideas that most have on the subject, and so on. In actuality, most of what people thought were outdated, exaggerated, and vague. Scientists really don't live in such a reality. Astronomers Dr. Candis Serena knows this all too well. She worked in Socorro all her life, she help a college further their research on singularities, or black holes. However, she never received real credit on anything, and she is lucky to make enough to pay mortgage payments and other expenses. Furthermore, in her 16-year career at NRAO, she considered most of her work as redundant and boring.

Boredom is one of the biggest vices in the field. Those who are lucky to avoid losing their minds from it are unfortunate enough to grow at least eight pants sizes. Dr. Serena always told her interns, 'We are here to study the vastness of space, not the vastness of your gut. If you want to work here, find a hobby, or your hobby WILL be eating.' Those who didn't follow her instruction quickly became obstructions in to work space, will those who excelled used the free time wisely.

Right now, however, all she has is free time. The place was void of any life other than herself and Timothy Jericho, the only assistant who hasn't fallen for the 'vices' of the job. Dr. Serena was finishing up her research files while Tim finishes analyzing the last of the incoming data from the data dishes outside. Even for the doctor, analyzing radiation outputs from far off stars and their distances was less the favorable. Short from visiting the stars themselves, there was little that they can learn that they haven't learned already. Unless they discover a new star, which is highly unlikely, Dr. Serena predicts a long night ahead of them.

"I'm going to get some coffee. Want some, Tim?" the doctor asked as she got up, wiping the fatigue from her eyes. Her eyes then landed on Tim.

"I'm good, Doc. I'm almost done anyway with this analysis," Tim said without looking up from the computer monitor. On screen, there were side-by-side pictures from the outer ionosphere in the past forty-eight hours. At this point, the pictures began to blur together, so Tim sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

"They'll pop out I you keep rubbing them like that," the doctor said as she leaves the office. She can clearly hear the words "Whatever, Doc!" as she walked towards the coffee-room.

'Another night at the office,' Doctor Serena thought as she scooped coffee grinds into the pot. 'If I knew that I was gonna be wasting my life filling out paperwork and drinking this crap, I would have never taken the offer to work here.'

Dr. Serena was deep in thought, reflecting on what could have been as the coffee pot began to percolate. How she could have won a Nobel Prize if she had went to a more lucrative organization then NRAO, or maybe something else if she became a lawyer like her mother. Even going down to Waikiki with her ex-husband, despite the fact that she hated his guts, was looking better than current circumstances. She was so out of it, it took a while before she noticed that Tim was trying to get her attention, quite loudly at that. He was right next to her, almost in her ear, in excitement.

"Doc!… Dr. Serena! ... EARTH TO DR. SERENA!"

The doctor would have jumped if she wasn't so exhausted, but she was definitely annoyed. "UH, WHAT!?" she retorted, her already red eyes turning redder from the blood pressure spike.

"Yeesh," Tim exclaimed, more in sarcasm than surprise, unfazed by the outburst. "No need to bite my head off! Anyway, I was looking though this morning's shots like you said and, well…"

"'Well…' what?" the doctor deadpanned. Just then, the coffee maker went off with a ding, signaling the end of the percolating process.

Tim finished with a glee, "We might need that coffee after all."

With that, Tim turned the confused doctor around, grabbed the fresh pot of coffee, and hurried though the doorway with both.

Four hours later…

"It must be a satellite, Tim," the doctor exclaimed while she scanned the pictures.

"It's too far outside our atmosphere, and it's not giving of any signals that say it is," Tim replied.

Both Tim and Dr. Serena were in awestruck by what they just found. In the pictures on the computer monitor, there was an unexplainable shape hidden among the stars and debris. Since the pictures were taken once every half hour, it showed the object moving steadily across the pictures. At first they thought it was a glitch in the system, so Tim ran a diagnostic on the system. After the system check, they double-check the pictures and compared them to the current photos, not expecting to find the object again. The more current photos show, to their surprise, the object was there again, clearer than ever.

It was huge object, according to the readings, about two-thirds the diameter of the moon and two-thirds its height. It was hard to get any details because, for some unexplained reason, the surface was not reflecting enough light from the sun to see clearly. What is definitely clear was that it had a strong light source near its center.

"Okay, I'll give you that one," Dr. Serena responded, "but that these readings can't be right. Maybe it's a glitch in the system."

Tim simply shook his head in the negative. "I've already checked for that! I checked the dish alignment, the wiring, the signal, everything! I've run diagnostics on the servers, the switches… the whole nine. I even wiped the dust off the monitors. Whatever it is, it's coming from up there." Tim rapidly spouted off.

Tim took a second to gather his thoughts. It was enough pressure trying to explain where this 'whatever it is' came from, finding out what it is a whole different problem all together. The next possibility that came to his head, outlandish as it seems, was the only logical answer that best identified the object.

Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for the fallout as he divulged his next idea. "Maybe… maybe it's a, uh, spacecraft?"

Tim knew from experience that fringe ideas was taboo in her presence, punishable by an ear-splitting, three-hour long lecture on the likelihood of it and questions on the maturity of the person who suggests it. He felt the color drain from his face when he saw hers turn from tired and annoyed to serious and extremely annoyed.

A deadpan "What" was all the doctor can let out between the caffeine-fueled fogginess and the sheer aggravation from what she just heard.

"It makes sense when you think about it," Tim stated frantically. The skeptical doctor was about to disagree, but Tim continued without giving her the chance, "I mean, it's obviously not a moon, but it's too big to be a artificial satellite, and shaped to weirdly to be an asteroid. It's nearly impossible to see without really sensitive equipment. Even if that wasn't the case, at this distance, it shouldn't have taken this much time and effort to identify. Either we overestimated our skills, or it's doing something to avoid being detected. On top of that, there are no other objects in space that we know of that can behave like this."

Dr. Serena wanted to interject, however, the more she began she listened, the more she began to understand his point. Despite that such ideas are normally relegated to the realm of science fiction, to deny the evidence would be sheer ignorance. After all, the doctor thought, 'After you eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.'

"I still can't believe that we actually the first to find proof of intelligent live outside this planet!" Tim continued in excitement, "I can't wait to see the look on my professor's face when I tell him!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Timothy," the doctor said. "Okay, if you are right, and I'm definitely NOT going to say that you are until we are sure, if we managed to find it, chances are we are neither the first nor the only. It's only a matter of time before someone decides to call to con…"

As if it was on que, the phone began to ring from Dr. Serena's desk. Half expecting the subject of the phone call would be, the doctor walked to the desk and picked up the phone.

No one could have predicted what would happen next, or the events that followed.

00000000

Racetrack Playa

Death Valley National Park, California

Dry. That is the only word that comes to mind as Rosalina surveys the landscape. This is not the first time seeing a desert, but she has never seen one like this. The desert she has visited was, though sandy, had 'vitality' to them. They had shifting sands, shrubbery, and at least one animal with eye-sight. Sure, there was struggle, and Rosalina was no stranger to struggle, but "Life always finds a way to show it is still here". This was something that she told her lumas many times. It was something that she deeply believed in. However, this place seems to defy that rule all but entirely.

Everything seemed… dead. From the cracked desert floor, to the cold, dry, still air. Although, the moon and stars in the night sky shined brightly, painting the blank canvas with their beautiful light. Death Valley, as the people of this planet called it, was a name that seemed to resonate in Rosalina's head as she panned it around, eyes widening as she took in every striking detail.

"Mama?"

The word broke through the fog that clouded her mind. Shaking her head to clear it, she quickly turned around to meet the one who called. Floating there idly with a worried and confused looks on their faces were five lumas. Junior, a small, peach colored luma was closest to her with four other lumas lined up behind him.

"Mama… sad?" he said again in his child-like squeak.

Rosalina gently placed her hand on the young lumas cheek, "I'm sorry, little one. I was just deep in thought. Don't worry," she said gently.

With that, the young luma slowly began to cheer up. One of the other lumas, a pink one with a green bow, playfully bumped in to Junior. "Yeah, 'Pwincy', Mama will be 'alwight'. There's no need to 'cwy', little baby," she teased and laughed.

Junior's face crunched up in annoyance as she laughed; clearly not pleased by the female luma's pestering.

"Lay off him, Solaris," exclaimed one of the lumas, the red one this time, who was floating up from behind her. "You know Junior gets cranky when you mess with him like that."

"Aww, but that's what makes it fun," Solaris exclaimed with a giggle, "Isn't that right, 'Pwincy'?"

Just then, the red luma rested his thick arms on Junior's back. "Don't listen to Ms. 'Prissy', she's just having her moment," the red luma comforted. "If she messes with you any more, just tell ol' Quasar. I got ya back."

Rosalina couldn't help but smile at the scene as Junior cheered up from Quasar's words. It always made her happy to see the three interact, even if it wasn't always on the best of terms. In a way, the three were close siblings, and they care for each other deeply.

Her concentration was broken when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Just as Rosalina turned, a blue luma was floating behind her. "Mama, what exactly are we waiting for? Now that we are here, can't we just look for the dark energy now?"

The blue luma's question immediately called Solaris, Quasar, and Junior attention. Truthfully, the three were wondering the same thing; however, they trusted their keeper enough to wait for her to answer the inquiry freely. Rosalina was always open to the lumas and never held anything from them without good reason. She even told them about the 'unknown evil' and its presence on Earth, confirming what they have sensed for a while. Then she said that when they arrive on the surface, they would have to wait for someone before their investigation could begin. When asked who this person was, however, she would simply smile and say 'a friend'. Not even Polari, her advisor and the closest thing to a father to her and the lumas, was told who this companion would be. The lumas ultimately decided to trust their mama's decision and never brought up the subject again.

Pulsar, the blue luma, however, was never one for surprises. Once this inquisitive luma gets a question in his mind, he is relentless when searching for the answer. Very rarely does Pulsar take Rosalina's words at face value and really does not trust anyone. Rosalina does not mind this for she knows she will get through to him eventually; however, the other lumas finds this behavior unnerving. There was no reason for the wariness, and it is that ire that made him an outcast among the lumas. Pulsar, nether the less, did not play with the other lumas even before then, so it was not a bother.

Rosalina hoped that their little adventure would break Pulsar out of his shell. So far, their trip down to the Earth's surface put him in an irritable mood, but she has yet to give up.

"I will admit, our friend is running a little late. I hope that his journey was a safe one," Rosalina answered while looking up at the starry night sky.

Polari, the chocolate-colored luma, floated up beside her. "The universe is a vast place. The likelihood of our enigmatic friend encountering any problems is close to impossible. I'm sure that he is fine."

"Doesn't this guy know not to keep a couple of beautiful women waiting?" Solaris interjected.

"Strange, the only beautiful woman I see is Mama. I don't see any other'sanywhere!" Quasar exclaimed. He and Junior couldn't help but laugh at the statement. Solaris was anything but amused.

"IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SAY TO ME?!" Solaris asked in a growl, trying to set fire to them with her eyes.

The laughter halted immediately. "No, ma'am," the lumas in question squeaked with fear in their eyes. They didn't catch fire, but they got the message.

"Thought not," Solaris said after a second, "Moving on. So, when is this … whoever … supposed to get here, Mama?"

Rosalina never pulled her eyes from the night sky. For a time she stood, unaware of Solaris's question. Finally, she raised her hand and pointed towards a flicking star. All of the lumas looked to where their mama's hand gently directed as the star began to move. At first, the movement was barely noticeable, but after a few seconds, the light began to shift in the sky slowly as it was getting brighter. It was then the lumas realized that the object was getting closer.

Without warning, a ball of light began to form in Rosalina's out reached hand. Just as soon as the lumas noticed, the ball began to change into a shape that they were familiar with. As the light faded, her star-tipped wand became visible. Its gray, thin handle was held gently in her fingertips, whiles the golden, hollow star on the end pointed at the moving star. The tip began to glow brighter and brighter until its light out shown the stars in the sky and covered the landscape in its blinding light. The moving star, which was the only thing that can be seen in the sky at this point, corrected its direction so it is now heading directly for them. The on looking lumas watched as the star drew closer, swiftly entering the plant's atmosphere.

The four young luma watched in amazement as the star came in swiftly, and then suddenly stopped in the mid-air just a few feet in front of Rosalina and the group, kicking up a cloud of sand and dust in the process. Startle by the display, Solaris, Quasar, and Junior darted behind their mother as Polaris and Pulsar remained as they were, their eyes squinting to protect them from the incoming debris. Rosalina stayed calm as she finally rested her arm as her flowing, teal dress flapped in the sudden wind. A smile began to form on her lips as the light from the star died down to something more manageable.

"Whoa," the orb exclaimed, "I almost forgot what traveling at near light speed was like. That wasn't as pleasant as I remembered."

The orb of light, or a star spirit as Pulsar discovered, began to move closer to the group and continued.

"Sorry for being late. I was held up at the Star Road. Then there was that black hole half way here. Ugh, don't get me started."

Seconds later, Junior remembered the voice emanating from the orb. "!?! !?!" Junior yelped in star's language.

"Well, well. Almost didn't recognize ya, man," Polari said.

"Aww," cooed Solaris, "Still as handsome as always…"

"That's coming from someone with zero fashion sense?" whispered Quasar.

Solaris simply ignored that statement, opting to rip him a new one later. Not in front of Mama, she thought.

Pulsar just floated there, wide-eyed. He heard many things about this star sprite. Most of which came from Rosalina stories and the books he read. He never thought that the sprite existed, or that he and Rosalina actually knew each other.

While the lumas crowded around the newcomer, Rosalina walked up towards the spirit with a simple, warm smile. The spirit saw this through all the commotion and floated towards her, rising up so that he was at eye level.

"It has been a while since our last meeting," Rosalina said. "You have not changed a bit."

"And you haven't changed at all," the star spirit said. "You're just as radiant as always."

Rosalina could not help but blush at the line as the spirit changed to a more serious tone. "I apologies for my tardiness in these dire times, my lady. I should have more."

Rosalina just smiled more. "There is no need for that. As long as your trip was a safe one, then I am happy, Geno."

Soooo...

That's Chapter 1. What can I say, it's longer.

If my imagination allows, I will continue working on this project. I'll keep on improving until I find my flow. Not perfect yet, but getting there.

"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still."

To readers, writers, and betas, Happy Holidays and have a safe and Happy New Year!

This is Scorpion, signing off. T.T.F.N!

P.S.: I have another project in the works. I'm not going to promise that it will be out soon, or at all. If I do decide to post it, it will probably be when I am half way done with this story or further. Keep an eye out...