It was damn near impossible to enjoy this bright and sunny day. Rather than actual clouds, Mario and Luigi had metaphorical dark clouds hanging over their heads. They packed their backpacks filled to the brim with mushrooms, 1-ups and other power ups. (No, not drugs). Peach, Toadsworth and Prince Peasly waved off Mario and Luigi. Peasly waved at Luigi more in particular. Mario looked at the two with confusion, but he eventually got the hint and smiled. He felt proud for his brother.

Mario tightened his plumber belt with his newly obtained beam katana. Luigi tightened his, however he just had regular plumber gear. They didn't look back at the castle, as they had more worrying matters on their minds. They headed towards Toad Town's train station and waited for its departure. Mario made sure to check the mark on his map one last time before they committed to their destination.

The train in Toad Town was about to leave. Its next destination was going to be….

Coffinwell.

The train pulled out of the station slowly, gathering speed as its pistols pumped. Soon, they were on their way. The ride to Coffinwell was uneventful. There were few passengers riding with them. The brothers looked out the window as tall mushroom-esque trees gave way to gold and red leaves, trees seemingly painted for autumn. Though the ride seemed long, it still came as a surprise when the train pulled into Coffinwell's station.

The brothers departed from the train, stepping onto the platform. They glanced around, surveying the area and taking in the sights. The station was nigh empty, save for a few workers who seemed as though they didn't want to be there. The brothers carefully took their time exiting the station before stepping out into the town. They only knew their target by name. It was someone named Catarrhina.

The town was made up of white and blue brick with several houses scattered about. Despite the various houses, few people stood outside. The air was heavy and the tension was thick. A deep gloom hung over the dwellings as if the town itself was dying. The Mario brothers glanced at each other before going further in. The townsfolk perked up at the newcomers. They seemed drawn in by fresh faces and their bright clothing. The brothers continued on, hoping to spot their target.

"Hello!" came a chipper voice behind them. They whipped around to see a young woman with bright green hair and lively blue eyes. She wore a bright pink bow atop her head that matched her pink and white frilled dress. She smiled at the two of them and waved. "You seem lost! Can I help you get where you need to go?"

Mario took off his hat and held it in his hands. "Sorry young lady, we have matters to attend to. Er- plumber matters."

The woman smiled and waved. She let out a rather nasty cough. She fell to her knees and coughed rapidly and violently. She coughed up a bit of blood and the brothers couldn't help but to attend to her.

She pulled herself back up by leaning on a pole nearby. "Oh, I'm fine. Worry not about me, go on about you-"

"What are you doing outside!?" A man shouted.

A tall skinny man with a slightly hunched back, thick glasses and quite messy hair walked over. He wore what resembled this village doctor's uniform. He leaned her against his shoulder and headed towards the medical building.

Her legs shook and she almost fell again. "I'm fine! Really!"

"My love, you need to rest. You'll only feed the curse." Said the man.

Mario and Luigi looked at one another. This seemed rather important to not intervene. They wanted to do what they could to help. Or rather, they wanted to stall and put off their assassination mission as much as they could. They quickly ran over to the man to help carry her back inside safely.

After they put her into bed. They noticed there were many flowers and talismans surrounding her bed. She seemingly passed out.

"The talismans are there to ward off evil spirits. Well, at least that's what I tell myself. I'm a man of science, but I have a bit of faith. I already know of you two. You're Mario and Luigi. Oh where are my manners? My name is Dr. Phlegming. I'm one of the last remaining doctors here." He pulled out some chairs from the nearby closet and pushed them up to a dining table. "Take a seat, I'll get the tea ready. Let me explain…"

The doctor explained a curse was put on his town. It was a curse of a seemingly incurable disease that comes from a tomb west of the town. It's known as Quarantomb. It contains a horrible monster deep within its depths, leaking out a horrible and deadly aura that marks those who touch it with death. They called this monster…

The Ragin' Contagion.

"Ah, other doctor's kind of laugh at my naming convention. Gotta have a bit of humor in these dark times. Haha…" The doctor looked as if he dissociated for a brief moment until the teapot whistled. He fell out of his chair and hastfully and awkwardly stumbled to the kitchen to finish making the tea.

Mario and Luigi felt the grim nature of this town now sinking into them. They wanted to stop this monster while they were here.

"Your wife, she is beautiful. What is her name?" Said Mario.

"Catarrhina." Said the doctor.

The brothers felt their hearts sink to the pits of their stomachs. Feeling a heavy weight on their backs. They had to kill this defenseless woman? No. They didn't want still wanted out of this game. But what if they were to stall this game and cure her at the very least. They knew she didn't have a clean slate, but perhaps she was just trying to live her life freely in hiding.

Mario whispered something into Luigi's ear.

"Oh! Good idea brother!" Said Luigi. "You should take a load off doc! I'll cook us some soup! After that we're going to stop this monster!"

Mario gave a thumbs up. "Yeah doc, let us beat up that smelly beast! We have our vaccines!"

"That sounds lovely." Said Dr. Phlegming gives off a smile. He leaned back into his chair next to his wife letting off a sigh of relief.

Luigi began to make his famous soup. It was harvested with local ingredients for a fresh and familiar taste for locals. It had a real recipe, just a goal for general satisfaction. However, he made sure to put in a mushroom or two each time. He never got any complaints about that though. There were even days when people who didn't live nearby came by specifically to get some of his soup. He never once charged them a single coin.

He handed the bowl of soul to Dr. Phlegming's sick wife, Catarrhina. Mario and Luigi were perfectly fine with not harming her. They'd find another way out of this damned game. However, Catarrhina began to cough. She started to choke and her throat swelled up. Luigi rushed over to help but before he could, she collapsed on the ground.

"Oh no! What did I do to you?" Her face turned red as she coughed. "I'm so sorry!" Tears fell from her eyes.

Luigi held her head and tried to calm her down. Mario went to her side and pulled Luigi away. When they both looked at Catarrhina, their faces turned pale.

...She had died instantly.

Dr. Phlegming ran over to her "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE? MY GOD... DID YOU PUT MUSHROOMS IN THIS?"

Luigi looked at Mario with darts in his eyes. He nudged at Luigi to say something or even do something.

Luigi cleared his throat. "Oh no! I hate mushrooms! The demon fellow must have accelerated his curse or something right as she drank my soup!"

"Oh, that makes a lot of sense actually." Said Dr. Phlegming and everyone who was in the kitchen nodded.

Suddenly, Mario got a call on his phone. It was on the Zoom App. It was Sylvia. She was on facetime and waved at the camera. She winked and then used zoom (The spell) to teleport to the kitchen. She then pulled out a megaphone and shouted.

"Mario and Luigi had their kill stolen! Just like No More Heroes huh?" She winked at the camera. "Now you must fight the new Rank 9, Ragin' Contagion!"

Mario and Luigi aren't out of this game quite yet! They have another dangerous foe to defeat to reach rank 9! They headed out to the dangerous and unknown Quarantomb!

In a world full of deadly monsters, how will Mario and Luigi survive this new threat?

Find out next time!

To be-

"Yeehaw! I'm not ending this chapter quite yet!" Said a southern voice.

Oh.

A monster composed almost entirely of gas, the monster boasts a pink hue with greener, more solid, vapors flowing freely from its gaping mouth. He had tentacles he used like a lasso to pull in his own title card.

The Number 9 appeared on screen and a robot voice read out loud:

"Ragin' Contagion!"

The monster yelled. "YEEHAW! COME FIGHT ME BUTT BROTHERS! NOW Y'ALL CAN END THE CHAPTER!"

Jesus Christ man. What the fu- Oh! To be continued. Got I hope I spelled that ri-

The fanfic cut off.