Now, I realize that by trying to make an average of 1,000 words a chapter, this story will end up being very long. I feel like I might deliver more in one chapter than I do another, but this story still hasn't truly kicked off yet! I'm taking it slow and steady. I appreciate feedback, the reason I am writing this is so people can enjoy it.

"Let the celebrations begin!" announced Toadsworth.

The courtyard erupted in cheer and applause. The night was lit by the warm glow of the lights from the castle, by the lampposts with bunting wrapped around them, by the occasional firework and, most noticeably, by the luminous power star decoration on Peach's expertly made cake.

Sitting at the long, rectangular table were some of the most important guests of the night: Peach, Mario, Luigi, Toadsworth and a few other high ranking Toads were tucking into a dinner fit for a princess. All of the guests that weren't chatting happily were dancing on the dance floor to a lively beat being played by the band.

Toadsworth gulped down a mouthful, and turned to the Princess. "Ah yes, your majesty, I meant to tell you earlier. We received a message from Sarasaland earlier today. Princess Daisy regrets she cannot be in attendance as she has taken unwell. Nothing serious."

"Oh, that's alright." Peach dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "I'll make sure I send her a letter wishing her to get well soon." She smiled.

"You know, I'm already enjoying the night," Mario beamed. "And it hasn't even started!"

…

The huge yellow hatted moustachioed fiend guffawed greedily. From the castle roof, Wario could see the entirety of the courtyard celebrations. And he could also see the power star, ready for him to grab it…

Wario was knocked out of his dreams of wealth by Waluigi's elbow knocking him in the face.

"Oof- Grr… Watch it…"

"Sorry."

Wario just shook his head. "Wait for the right time… Then it's mi- uh, ours…" He looked to see how distracted the toads were with the celebrations. They just needed a moment to swipe the star from the cake…

…

Bowser's convoy of airships were slowly progressing across the skies of World 4.

King Koopa himself was sitting impatiently on his throne on the main airship. He was grumbling under his breath. Bowser Jr. was sound asleep at his feet.

"Grrrrrrrrr… HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO TAAAKE!?" He bellowed. Jr instantly snorted awake.

"Urr sorry, Mr Bowser sir," A flustered Koopa Paratrooper jittered. "We aren't making very good time. There's a lot of turbulence… Like there's some sort of disturbance in the air… I'm working on it, sir."

"Can't we go any faster?" He sighed and leant his head on his hand.

"Sir, if we go any faster, we stand a risk of crashing."

"Wardevver." Snapped Bowser Jr. "I hear they gotta cake. Before we go, I wanna piece of cake!" He jumped up and down in an effort to grab his dad's attention.

"Patience, my boy… Patience."

"BuddIWannaPieceACake Nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww…" It moaned.

"AH, SHADDUP!" Bowser shoved his massive angry face at his miniature self. It made the Paratrooper jump more than Jr.

…

The party had progressed well into the night. In fact, it wasn't that far from dawn, and yet, no one seemed to get tired. (Except the Wario Bros who fell asleep twice.)

The cake was now being sliced, and handed out to certain people. However, Wario was more interested in the fact that the Power Star decoration was now in a much more accessible position.

"Attention! Hello! Attention!" Toadsworth bellowed.

The conversations simmered.

"Thank you, Toadsworth," said Peach as she rose from her seat and cleared her throat. "And thank all of you for coming today, to celebrate a most special occasion. The anniversary of the time Mario saved me and foiled the dastardly plans of the vicious Bowser.

There was a confident cheer and applause for this that put a smile on Mario's face.

Peach spoke up again. "But we shouldn't just remember that… Today we should remember not just the first time, but all the times Mario has bought peace back to this kingdom!

There was a louder, even more confident applause.

"Countless times he has put himself in harm's way for this kingdom, without any hope or expectance of any reward. He has saved me countless times from Bowser's clutches." She smiled at him. "So here's to Super Mario. My hero. The hero of us all!"

This time, the entire courtyard erupted with cheer. One by one, the entire party became a standing ovation. Peach, Luigi and Toadsworth were also joining in with the applause.

Waluigi started to clap too, before Wario thumped him on the head to bring him to his senses.

Mario stood up, and expressed his gratitude as the ovation continued. "Thank you so much!" He took off his hat and bowed to them all.

Then, he jumped onto the table in front of Princess Peach, causing a few surrounding toads to jump. He bowed courteously, and held out his hand to the Princess with a smile. She smiled back, took his hand and stepped over the table to join him in a wonderful dance.

After that, the partiers took advantage of the dark dawn to release fireworks into the sky. A magnificent spectacle of popping and flashing, and colours. Everyone was approving it with 'oos' and 'aahs'.

"Right… Now!" Wario decided. He dangled his stumpy legs over the edge, and tried to find a foothold. Waluigi found it much easier, but nearly slipped off.

Mario averted his senses from the fireworks for a second. He listened intently, frowning, certain he could hear muffled bangs in the distance that had nothing at all to do with the fireworks…

He gasped. "Get down!" He bellowed.

The toads were confused for a second…

Suddenly, the middle of the courtyard before them threw up mounds of dirt and grass. Within seconds, it was raining cannonballs. The guests screamed and huddled underneath their tables.

One cannonball hit the wall just underneath where Wario and Waluigi were hanging on. The explosion rocked their balance, and wailing, they fell off the roof. Wario's fall was broken by a bush. "Oof!" Waluigi's fall was broken by Wario.

Eventually, the cannon fire simmered down. Mario, Luigi and the rest of the courtyard poked their heads out in the open. Through the clearing black smoke, tables were scattered and toppled over. It looked more like a war zone than a party. The flowerbeds were ruined, and the back wall of the castle had been half demolished.

The nervous murmurs of the Toads were broken by a sinister guffaw they knew all too well.

"Gwahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Mario turned around to see a massive wooden boat suspended in the air by propellers. Before that, dangling above the courtyard in a white hovering chair, with a clown face on it sat the menace himself.

"Bowser!" Scowled Mario.