The Beginning
"Marioooo! Wait up bro!"
A young man ran down the dirt path, tripping occasionally to keep up with his companion. He was a tall skinny male in his twenties. He was very skittish at times, therefore never too far away from his older brother. His older brother was the brave one, his protector, and his guidance.
Mario rolled his eyes at his younger brother's clumsiness as he turned around to see him tripping and falling into a nearby bush. Two women walked by and chuckled at the scene. He slapped a hand to his forehead watching him redden immensely as he struggled to free himself from the twigs caught on his pants.
He watched his brother's helplessness before looking down at his watch. Great, they were nearly 20 minutes late for their appointment! He didn't need to remind his brother of how much they needed this job. Jobs didn't come easy in the Mushroom Kingdom since so many immigrants lived there fighting for work. It was almost impossible to make a living in the villa. Mario, the brave one, the protector, and the guidance of the family, was also unfortunately the source of income. He did what his stepfather did, as it was the family business. Plumbing.
It wasn't the prettiest of jobs, mind you, but it did provide an income. Everyone had plumbing problems, but it was a matter of at what time the piping would finally break down. Sometimes it would be months before another job would come up! Luigi, his younger brother, was his apprentice, still learning the family trade. Although he was eager and intelligent at times, he could be extremely clumsy and bashful .
"Uhm sorry, bro…I sorta tripped…" Luigi rubbed the back of his neck nervously out of habit.
"It's-a no problem, Luigi. We're-a gonna be late though." Mario replied sternly, hoping they wouldn't upset the client. They really did need this money.
Luigi's shoulders slumped over at the thought of disappointing his older brother, and costing them their first job of the month. Their mom didn't work, and their stepfather was getting too old to leave the house much. Everything relied on them!
"Leave it to me, Mario! I know a short-cut!" Luigi offered, hoping to make up for his delay in the time.
Mario rolled his eyes and glanced at his wristwatch again. The last thing he needed was one of Luigi's "detours" but they needed to make up for lost time. Then again, Luigi's route could end up taking them LONGER.
One look at his younger brother's eager face though crumbled his plea of, 'Let's just follow the regular trail!' and he gave in, following him onto a dirt road near a Mushroom Villa shop.
Meanwhile, the castle was in utter celebration, for the birthday of their glorious princess. She had just turned eighteen, and there was a parade all up and down the castle path. Trumpets bleated and confetti was tossed everywhere. It was a happy occasion that signified the growth of their princess into a young woman, who someday might rule over them.
Peach had fortunately, turned out nothing at all like her mother. She was kind to those in need and hopeful for a better future for immigrant workers. She never turned up her nose at those different from her. And she was beautiful as well. For the most part, she was left alone in her room. The Queen had trained her in royal-like behavior. However, after the King's death, her daughter was no longer a primary interest, as she reminded her so much of her husband. She grew distasteful of her own daughter and took to leaving her in Toadsworth's care. He loved Peach so much, that he complied, and was happy to do so. It was the last shred he had of his friend, the King. He had never told her the truth, of his adultery. He felt it best to not cause her any pain or heartbreak over her father. In truth, the Queen hadn't allowed anyone to mention the former King. Over time, he was almost forgotten.
Peach was so curious as to why. She wanted to know more about her father. She was contained so often. Growing up in such an environment never caused her to question it. She simply thought, that was what all princesses had to do. Stay inside and learn how to be princesses.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
About a few miles away nested the Darklands, deemed a fitting name by the Queen herself. No one from the Mushroom Kingdom went there of their own free will. If they did something to anger the Queen, they were banished there, to live with the koopas, goombas, and any other she deemed unfit to live in her kingdom. Since then, they seemed to have formed their own kingdom, although it was hard to adapt as most of the land was built around an active volcano. Magma ran everywhere.
Kamek had tried his best to form something out of nothing, so to speak, as well as keep his word to his former Lord, who had been killed almost twenty years to date. He raised the orphaned dragonkoopa child to the best of his ability, which wasn't much seeing as how he'd never been a father before. The boy was almost like his father in every way, and filled with even more anger upon hearing Kamek reveal his legacy to him. He grew hateful of the Queen who had killed his father, and cast them out to rot in these lands. He decided, that when he grew older, he'd repay her for all the trouble she'd caused. He became the ruler of the Darklands, as his father was so greatly looked up to by the koopas who had been banished there with him. He decided that his name would always be remembered throughout Plit, as he would conquer every kingdom that stood in his way. Koopas would no longer be cast out and away and looked down upon. He'd gather an army to storm the Mushroom Kingdom and take revenge. His name would be known throughout every corner of the world. King Bowser, they would say, before they died.