In the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom, an ominous cave materialized out of thin air. Its dark entrance beckoned to those curious enough to venture inside. Princess Peach, with her loyal Toad guards by her side, felt a sense of intrigue and trepidation as she approached the mysterious cavern.
As Peach stepped closer, her eyes were drawn to a peculiar statue at the cave's entrance. It depicted a woman, her features frozen in an expression of wicked glee. What caught Peach's attention, however, was the number "26" emblazoned on the statue's chest.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Peach inspected the statue more closely. To her astonishment, the number on the statue's chest began to shift and morph before her eyes. In a flash, the number changed from "26" to "29," and the very air crackled with an otherworldly energy.
With a sudden, violent shudder, the statue shattered into pieces, revealing a woman standing where it once stood. Her raven hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her piercing eyes glowed with malevolence. This was Hecate, the embodiment of darkness and chaos.
A wicked grin spread across Hecate's face as she surveyed the scene. "Ah, more fools have stumbled into my domain," she sneered, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Welcome, Princess Peach. Prepare to witness the true extent of my power."
Before Peach could react, Hecate unleashed a surge of dark energy that enveloped her and the two Toad guards. They were sucked into the very body of the statue, trapped within its dark confines.
As the statue shattered, Mario, Luigi, and their reluctant ally, Wario, arrived at the scene. They had sensed the disturbance and were prepared to face whatever awaited them. The sight before them, however, left them momentarily stunned.
Hecate, now fully unleashed, reveled in her newfound strength. "You dare challenge me, Mario Brothers?" she taunted, her voice laced with a wicked delight. "Prepare to be crushed beneath the weight of your own foolishness!"
With a flash of her hand, Hecate conjured an army of shadowy minions, their eyes glowing with a malevolent energy. Mario, Luigi, and Wario braced themselves for the battle ahead, their determination unwavering.
To be continued...