Here's a new book that takes place in the world of Mario and more specifically the world of the movie Super Mario Bros 2023.

A succession of stories following the events of my "Sing for me" story, it's essential that you read it before coming to this collection! It's important, otherwise you might not understand much, given that it's centered on the BowserxCinder couple.

As the name suggests, here you'll find OS "One-Shots" based on the world of Mario, the movie, with a mix of video games in line with our ideas. There's a little bit of everything, different situations and also characters from the license. A collection of little stories without necessarily having any direct link between them (unless I indicate otherwise, e.x an OS in two chapters) until I come up with an idea for a sequel. Until Nintendo releases the second film, for example. And I'm really looking forward to it!

Here, you're allowed to participate too! It's a regular thing with me. Every time I open a Collection/Imagine, I give you the chance to tell me about your ideas or desires in the form of little challenges. Would you like to see a particular situation unfold? A character you'd like to see appear? A parody? Don't hesitate, I'm always happy to create stories with my readers. Of course, in keeping with the universe I've set up, i.e. taking into account that BowserxCinder (BowserxOC) will remain the focal point. Just like the other previous events/relationships.

But please don't ask me about Bowser's proposal or the wedding! Because they'll be in this book, right from the start.

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me from the Nintendo universe, except my invented characters.

Mainly humor/family/romance, with occasional drama and parody. In any case, at the start of each story I'll let you know what it's about. Above all, we're here to have a laugh and a good time with the Mario characters!

And so I open this new collection with this first story, a direct follow-up to "Sing for me".

The beginning

Cinder stood in front of the great sidereal void. There, before her, a whole silent galaxy loomed. The magnificent green, blue and pink colors of the nebula lit up her face, fascinated by the beauty of this place offering worlds and wonders as far as the eye could see. With no limits, the universe stretched for thousands of kilometers, giving living beings a refuge among all these planets in perpetual motion. In the welcoming silence of the infinitely large. With her eyes fixed on the many small planets drifting by, the young woman listened, searching for a unique sound produced by the universe. A voice, a noise, a melody. Looking for an echo... Something that would resonate in her soul like the very first time she had set foot here. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a moment, only to open them again with an admiring smile as she gazed into the marvelous palette of colors that soothed her.

This was where it all began.

Here she had found refuge from King Tick-Tock, his vanity and perfidy, far from her prison at the top of that dark clock. Away from all this lust for a gift as innocent as singing. She had sung for this galaxy, she had offered her voice to this emptiness without ever expecting a return... A song expressing her melancholy that had attracted fate in the form of a fire-breathing turtle, a being known to be evil and cruel but also endowed with the capacity to love. On his little planet adrift in the cosmos, Cinder's life had taken a whole new turn in the space of a single moment. A fraction of a second. A voice, a shadow, then a new world. Life was sometimes cruel and unfair but it also had many surprises in store, both good and bad, but she never imagined she would one day find herself here.

Free.

With her hair blowing in the wind, Cinder was moved by the beauty of the landscape. Her green eyes moistened with tears as she folded her hands in front of her to feel the gentle caress of the breeze on her face. Her heart clenching in her chest at the floating scent of flowers, she turned to pluck one from her hand. The petals were silky white. Among the shimmering green grass with its short blades, tiny flowers scurried across the ground of this tiny planet. The grass caressed her ankles as she turned back to the endless immensity with the tiny white flower under her nose. The delicate scent brought back memories... It was one of the very first times she had smelled the scent of a flower. Touching the petals with her fingertips, the young woman took advantage of the moment to memorize it for the rest of her life. Until a growling voice intervened.

"There's nothing on this tiny rock!" Bowser sighed behind her after crossing his big arms with a little grunt of boredom. The imposing turtle looked huge compared to this planet, not remembering that it had been so small the first time he'd landed here. When he'd captured the human because of the power of her song, after being attracted by the strength of her voice... Just the memory of it gave him goose bumps.

Cinder turned to face the irritated Koopa and saw that he was walking heavily toward the magnificent flower bed where he had chosen to sit. Crushing the little flowers with indifference. Crossing his arms in his lap, Bowser gazed wearily at the interstellar void surrounding them, not really understanding the point of returning to a place like this. Besides, there was nothing here! Not a soul lived here. Apart from grass, earth and flowers, there was nothing worthy of special attention in his opinion. No great planet to conquer, no peoples to victimize, no palaces to annihilate... He couldn't exert his power of intimidation, since they were the only people on this planet where all he could hear was the echo of his big voice.

"It's barren, uninteresting! There's nothing around us but empty planets full of dust." The latter insisted with a faint shrug as the woman opposite him tilted her head to one side to observe him attentively. Then she moved towards him, having lowered her eyes to the little flower she held preciously in her hands.

"All things small don't mean insignificant." She recited softly as she stopped just in front of the big Koopa, who raised an intrigued eyebrow in response. With a smile of wonder playing at her lips, she finally looked up in his direction.

"The world around us is vast and full of wonders! There's so much to discover beyond these borders! How far does this galaxy go? Who's out there on the other side? Look around us," As she spoke, Cinder raised her arms to point out the many small, uninhabited planets; "it's a privilege. Change your perception of the world, and the world will open up to you..."

Bowser's brow furrowed as the human with the mysterious words placed her precious flower in the center of his left palm. It was so small and fragile ... So incredibly tiny in his big yellow hand. He could just as easily crush it with a clenched fist, destroy it with a pull of his fingers! Turn her to dust without even using his strength. But as he stared at this innocent flower lying helplessly in the center of his palm, he soon felt compassion. It was a metaphor. He represented the greed of the world, and this flower, its fragility. As he gazed at it with a strange pressure behind his breastplate, the tall, introspective Koopa suddenly felt a cold hand rest on the warm skin of his forearm. As always with such contact, he felt several pleasant little tingles as he looked up at Cinder to see that she was concentrating on the white flower he was holding almost carefully.

"Your actions determine who you are. You'll always have a choice, no matter what" She nodded before placing both hands on the turtle's thumb.

No, he'd made a mistake. The flower represented Cinder.

He'd picked them up on this little planet he thought was unimportant. He had taken her when she was just looking for a refuge, a place where she could feel free and safe. He had imprisoned her, frightened and threatened her, made her his son's slave and then his personal slave to seduce a princess ... To gain power and achieve his happiness without ever worrying about the harm he might cause those around him. Blinded by his rage and insatiable thirst for power! After all, he was the terrible King of the Koopas with a reputation to uphold. Until he finally met her. This fragile creature with the song that could soothe all dark thoughts and turn bad emotions into something pleasant... And now that their fate was sealed forever, he had several choices open to him represented in the form of that little flower in the center of his palm.

Cinder studied his pensive expression as he gazed at the flower with an arched red eyebrow, wondering what he was going to do with it. Was he going to crush it? Throw it away? Or just leave it there? Curious and somewhat anxious, the young woman waited patiently for his choice with a benevolent smile. Her fingers lingering on his, she carefully examined his face. Butterflies fluttered in her belly as her eyes roamed over his green scales and then his wild, flaming red hair which she loved so much, briefly imagining their texture under her fingers. His horns, which gave him such a fierce air, and the black necklace of spikes he always wore around his neck. His big muzzle that looked so soft to the touch! So soft... But what she liked best about him was his expressive gaze and sincere smile, the source of his incredible charm.

Then finally, after some hesitation, the King spoke up.

"All right, I think I'm beginning to like this insignificant little planet." He admitted in a solemn tone quickly followed by a small smirk that naturally quickened her heart.

"The view is superb." Cinder didn't take her eyes off Bowser, her smile widening at the feeling that kept growing inside her. A warmth that spread to her cheeks especially when he looked at her this way, with tenderness and something else she could describe as passionate. A look quite different from any she'd known before.

Sitting on this white flowerbed, Bowser and Cinder gazed side by side at the majestic galaxy with a feeling of being loved.

End.

Can't wait for the next story! Got any ideas? Write them in comments!