2005 September 15th

Marching through the forest, Peach, Toad, Mario and Luigi are checking all over as they're staying quiet, avoiding the creatures that are inhabited in this place.

What stops Luigi is a flying silhouette that is watching and then leaving, giving Luigi the impression that someone is after him and his friends.

"Hey, Luigi! Come on!" Mario called.

"Oh! Coming!" Luigi runs while reuniting with the group that are walking through a large river on a bridge.

After the bridge, the four are jumping from a cliff as Mario and Luigi are the first two to jump and Mario then catches Peach whereas Luigi catches Toad by his head.

Behind Mario and his group, sitting on the tree is Kinosen who is eating a banana and watching Mario and his group moving forward.

"Hoh? It seems that Mario and the princess finally confessed. Love does bring happiness after all. But how would Bowser feel, you might ask? Heh. We'll find out. Don't you think so?" Kinosen raises his head as he's asking the sky about Bowser's reaction and his emotions.

From forest to jungle, the trees are starting to feel different and the plants are larger, Mario's group slowing down as the heat increases with Toad and Peach falling onto their knees.

"Peach, Toad. Are you guys okay?" Mario asks while rubbing his head.

"Yeah… It's getting hot out there." Peach sighs while blowing herself with her hand.

"Phew! Have we stumbled onto a jungle or is it just me?" Toad asks as he pants.

"You're not the only one. It's getting humid here." Luigi takes off his cap and blows himself.

"Maybe we took the wrong direction?" Mario is curious to know where they are.

"I think so. Let's go back and take another direction." Peach orders as the group are turning another way.

Before the group turns around, they come across a bunch of figures that are hiding by the trees, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to be on guard.

But Peach stops as she recognises the monkeys which leads her to step forward and raise her hands.

"Hold on! We're not intruders! We're from the Mushroom Kingdom!"

"Huh? Wait, Peach knows the monkeys?" Mario whispers to Toad as he and Luigi go closer.

"Yeah. They're the Kongs, the kings of the jungle. I'm sure she'll reason with them." Toad whispered.

"Mmn… Let's hope." Luigi is worried that Peach is going to get herself harmed by the Kongs.

As Peach is giving out her plea, a voice called.

"What are you talking about!?"

"They can talk!?" Mario and Luigi exclaims.

"Yep. Humans… Always confused when it comes down to our world." Toad shakes his head when he expects the Mario bros to not react that way.

"B- But how did those monkeys talk!?" Luigi asked nervously.

"My bet is that your world doesn't. Makes no sense." Toad has a hard time believing that the other world's monkeys don't speak.

"Listen, I know it's hard to believe, but Bowser is on the run and he will not stop until he gets his hands on every single kingdom!" Peach said.

"Alright then, Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom, who are these people and why do we want to believe you!?" A young boy's voice yelled.

"These people are Mario, Luigi and Toad." Peach introduces the people with her.

"Wait, did you say Mario and Luigi!?" A man's voice called.

"Yeah?"

After Peach answers, a horn is honking as a car slides through the trees and stops right in front of the four.

"Which of these are Mario and Luigi?" A pale brown furred Kong in a white sports coat is pulling down his shades while waiting in his car.

After the questions are asked, Mario and Luigi raise their hands as they're nervous about what they're about to be done by the Kongs.

"Hm. Hop in." The Kong said while pointing his thumb at the back of his car.

"Thank you, Driver Kong." Peach bows and then lets Mario and Luigi in first.

"He's wearing a jacket. No pants…" Mario whispers nervously.

"Yeah. I know, he was underdressed." Toad laughed.

"Is it safe?" Luigi asked nervously.

"I don't know. It's just the four of us, so I guess?" Toad answers, unsure if he's right about it being safe..

Mario and Luigi gulp, knowing they're going to die in a car accident.

Peach then hugs behind Mario and holds onto a handle bar, making Mario blush as he sighs.

"Hold on tight." Peach said to 3 boys.

With Mario, Luigi and Toad nodding, Driver Kong puts the pedal to the metal and plays 'Drivin' Me Bananas' song, causing the four to scream as the car moves out like a bullet.

Throughout the jungle, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are bracing themselves as they're loose on the safety handle, leading Luigi to catch Toad as Toad himself screams for help.

"Safe, you say! That's a lie!" Luigi screamed.

"I didn't know it was that bumpy!" Toad yelled.

"Everyone! Hold on!" Peach yells as the four are still holding onto each other.

Then, they entered a village-like place full of huts as Mario and Luigi were surprised to see how much more constructive these Kongs are.

"Welcome to the Kong Village , our chief is waiting for you." Driver Kong said while staying serious.

Even Mario is glad that he was able to be in the village in order to visit the leader of Kongs.

Open his mouth in agape, Mario can see a large palace that is so tribal like that even he and Luigi are new to this place.

Then the vehicle stops as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad collapse together and crash onto the wall as they grunt, with Luigi being at the front and Peach being at the back, causing the four to collapse from Luigi at the bottom to Toad to Mario to Peach on top of her friends.

"Hey, Cranky, you got guests, and these two consist of Mario and Luigi!" Driver Kong called and then drove away from the palace.

While Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad pick themselves up from the ground, Mario and Luigi hear quick footsteps that are approaching them.

"Mario!? Luigi!? Guys! Thank goodness! I thought Bowser took you guys back!" Jumping onto the twins is none other than Pauline herself, causing Mario and Luigi to gasp with surprise.

And she's still in her pyjamas.

"Pauline!" Mario hugs her back as well as Luigi.

"I thought you were dead!" Luigi said out of worry.

"Heh. Don't underestimate your big sister. I may be weak, but I'm not as helpless as you guys think." Pauline laughs.

"Pauline!" Peach calls as she grabs Pauline's hands.

"Peach! Boy am I glad to see you! You too, Toad. Thank you for helping us."

"Heh. It's the least I can do to help your brothers." Toad proudly raises his chest after being praised by Pauline herself.

In the end, Pauline is reunited with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad.

But Pauline is not alone.

Arriving is an old monkey that is holding a cane, with a white beard as many Kongs lacked, making him the chief.

"Young Pauline, are those your brothers?" An old monkey asked.

"Oh, guys, this is Cranky Kong, he's the chief of the Kongs. They were teaching me their ways and newfound technologies that they made." Pauline introduces Cranky Kong to the group.

"Seriously!? I had that goal too!" Peach exclaims, glad to see another one wanting to make the world a better place.

"Oh, so you seek to evolve our world too, princess. And here I thought I was the only one." Cranky Kong chuckles while approaching the five. "Mario, is it?"

"Um… Yeah." Mario is confused about why Cranky Kong is waiting for him and Luigi.

"I remember your father. He was an absolute psycho!" Cranky Kong snapped

"Yeah, trust me, my old man was never a great person." Mario agreed automatically.

"And if you dare disag- Wait, you hate him?" Cranky King stops, hearing Mario's response.

"He used you for his own gain." Mario stops himself as he hears what Cranky Kong said about his father. "Wait, you know him!?"

"Yes, I know your crazy old man! He was trying to cage me and use me as part of his circus performance like a blooming psychopath!" Cranky Kong growled.

"At least we're nothing like him. Mario is kinder than you ever think." Luigi commented.

"Well, young Pauline did tell me all about you boys. I am astounded to introduce you boys to my son." Cranky Kong is glad that Mario and Luigi are the brothers that aren't as bad as their father.

"Your son?" Mario and Luigi are curious to know who Cranky Kong's son is.

"Donkey Kong. They say he's the strongest of the Kongs and the heir to become the chief. Also he's obviously Cranky Kong's son." Pauline explained while pointing at the door.

"By strong, just how strong is he?" Luigi asked.

"Yeah… He breaks other Kongs' bones. You're pretty much screwed." Pauline meekly concludes.

"Oh boy. Well, rest in peace, guys." Toad knows it's coming as Mario and Luigi are starting to turn pale.

"Mama mia." The Mario bros squeaked as fear started to rush inside them.

As Donkey Kong was described, Mario and Luigi can feel chills running down their spines.

"Ah, well remembered, young Pauline. If you want us to collaborate, princess, then your boys must fight my son."

"Wait, wait, wait! We've only been running for days and now they're fighting him!? Cranky Kong, you know these boys are humans, they can't fight a large Kong like that!" Peach protested.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow, they're going to fight him. Because who couldn't fight on an empty stomach?" Cranky Kong laughed, letting Mario and his group rest for a day. "The dining room is where every Kongs, even guests, participate to have a feast."

Finally, Cranky Kong leaves Pauline with Mario and his group, leading the five to sigh in relief.

"Pauline, what happened to you earlier?" Peach asked, worried that something bad happened to her.

"Oh. At first I was being kidnapped by a bunch of Kongs, I'm just as surprised as you are, seeing those monkeys talk like us humans. But they're actually caring, and Donkey Kong is a pretty funny guy." Pauline giggles.

"At least you're safe. But how did you manage to let the Kongs know about Mario and Luigi?" Toad is surprised as he wants to know.

"Cranky Kong. He hasn't had a pleasant history with our old man which explains Mario's anger and Luigi's fear. But at least Cranky Kong is looking at us differently, despite having the same family name, he knows we're nothing like him. I have a feeling that he's psychologically tortured…" Pauline explains Cranky Kong's side of the story, even pities him.

"I heard it from Mario's side. Honestly, that man doesn't deserve to have sons like them! He psychologically affected them. Poor you guys…" Peach explains, even feeling the same way as Pauline, even pities Pauline as well.

Mario and Luigi lower their heads as they refuse to think about their old man after years of abuse they had as well as Pauline and their mother.

Toad can see the scars as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Pauline, even Cranky Kong are living in the dark from their pasts, giving him the impression that he's seeing the pains that's hurting his heart.

With the palace being peaceful, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and Pauline are glad to see each other fighting against their ordeals that starts off as a little misadventure and is now turning into a huge test of courage and bonds.

Cranky Kong's Palace

Later in the afternoon.

A loud bong has caught the birds' attention as a single Kong releases the birds and screeches out "LUNCHTIME! GET YOUR BANANAS AND LUNCH!"

This has the Kongs driving and diving towards the palace as hastily as they can, making them look like actual wild monkeys as they're barging inside towards the dining room.

A few moments later.

The Kongs are bickering as Mario and Luigi are uncomfortable being around a horde of monkeys like it's some sort of a petting zoo.

With Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad admiring the device Pauline holds, Pauline is introducing them to a new technology.

"This is a phone. It's a touch screen like our DS. It's like our old phones, but so advanced." Pauline is showing the group while swiping the screen and reveals a homepage full of things to do.

"Wow… I gotta get me one of those! I need to contact other toads with this thing!" Toad has always wished to come in contact quickly.

"Oh my. Sounds very advanced. Mario, Luigi, what do you think?" Peach asked as she's pleased to see what the Kongs have created.

"If this is our future, then count me in!" Mario gladly accepts the future technology the Kongs created.

"Hey, does it have any games in it?" Luigi asks.

"Of course it does. You can play anything you want." Pauline replied with a grin.

"Then I'll take it!" Luigi accepts the next generation phone.

"This'll be on the Mushroom Kingdom's next generation list. It's great to have some inspiration from the Kongs like the outside world." Said Peach.

"Oh, dear Princess Peach, I'm always inspired by young Mario's world. Just like you, I too need to bring society to its future." Cranky Kong explains.

"I agree, chief. When the Mushroom Kingdom enters a state like yours, I'll let them know that you're an inspiration."

"Thank you very much, Princess Peach. Oh, it's time to introduce my son to you youngins." Cranky Kong then stands up and bangs the table as loudly as it can catch attention to the Kongs. "Everyone! Today, we meet my son, Donkey Kong!"

After Cranky Kong's announcement, nothing is coming out as only one Kong is clapping and cheering, despite no one coming out of the door.

This had Cranky Kong growling and stand up from his seat and bang his cane harder.

"Dagnabbit, Donkey! I thought I told you to stop playing with yourself and show yourself to our guests, stupid Kong!" Cranky Kong shouts, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to stop and turn towards Pauline.

"Yeah… It's a long story." Pauline chuckles while keeping quiet about Donkey Kong's secret.

"For an heir, he's not doing a very good job at that." Toad said while eating an apple.

"Well, that is the case." Mario assumed as he agreed with Toad.

"Mgrrr… Diddy! Tell Donkey to get out of his room!" Cranky Kong ordered.

"Um… About that, Donkey said that he'll see them tomorrow." Diddy Kong, the small Kong in a red cap and vest, said while raising his hand.

"Oh for the love of bananas! Can anyone get him out of his room already!?" Cranky Kong shouted.

Poking Cranky Kong's back, Peach clears her throat with a suggestion.

"Maybe tomorrow is a good idea. Also, Mario, Luigi and Pauline are overwhelmed in their first few days of being in this world." Peach explains as Cranky Kong sighs and sits back down on his chair.

"Very well. Although, Princess Peach, you've been in the outside world as well, I can name any country, starting with America."

Peach is fond of playing guessing country games as she's about to start. "Korea."

"Siberia." Cranky said.

"Britain." Peach continues.

"Japan."

"China."

"Greece."

"Egypt."

To Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad, they were flabbergasted about Peach and Cranky Kong's knowledge of the other world that has many countries.

"That's Peach for you. She's been travelling to your world as much as Mr. Cranky." Toad said and then ate a banana.

"Wow. I'm really jealous of her." Luigi can see what Peach has been doing outside of her kingdom.

"We all are, Luigi. We all are." Pauline agreed.

In a bedroom that is for the guests to relax in, Cranky Kong is seeing 5 individuals sorting each other out as a way to make each other comfortable.

"Tomorrow, you youngins are going to make a theme song of your own during your entrance. And considering Mario and Luigi are fighting my son, you better prepare yourselves." Cranky Kong concludes as he turns around. "Get some rest and have fun."

Mario and Luigi are bunking together as Mario takes the top and Luigi takes the bottom.

Peach and Pauline are doing the same as Pauline takes the top and Peach at the bottom, with Toad sleeping on Peach's bed.

"Mmn! Man, I haven't had this type of warmth since before we got here." Mario stretches himself as he's glad to have a rest in Cranky Kong's palace.

"Yeah. Boy what a day we had." Luigi sighed with relief.

"Yeah, but you guys need to think of a theme song for tomorrow. Donkey Kong is no joke when it comes down to fighting against him." Peach points out.

"I agree. Mario, Luigi, I heard that those power ups are useful for your safety measures, but do you know how to use them?" Pauline asked.

"Not really." Luigi answered as he doesn't know what a power up does

"Oh! I remember! I stopped you guys from eating that blue mushroom." Toad called out.

"Oh, the Mushroom that has eyes. Yeah… Kinda creepy." Mario shudders at the idea of eating a living creature.

"That's… Kinda the idea. Also, these are actually consumable. If you eat that, you'll shrink and we'll have to find a red Mushroom to grow back to your normal size." Said Toad.

"But isn't that cannibalism? You eating a mushroom?" Mario asks a question.

"I don't think so." Toad is thinking the same thing as Mario, but is unsure about being a cannibal.

"This world does bring wonders, don't you think so?" Peach asks.

To Mario, Peach is in the same shoes as Mario and his siblings as she also doesn't have a single clue what's going on.

"Right. Show us your theme song!" Toad said as he's curious about what Mario and Luigi's tune is about.

Before Mario and Luigi say anything, Pauline nods and starts beatboxing, leading Mario and Luigi to sing.

"We're the Mario Brothers, and plumbing's our game! We're not like the others who get all the fame! If your sink is in trouble, you can call us on the double! We're faster than the others, you'll be hooked on the Brothers, uh!"

"Oh! Just like that advert I saw earlier! I knew I got the right call!" Peach exclaims, remembering the thing she saw before meeting Mario and Luigi.

"So that's their theme song. Hm. I got a better idea!" Toad is hopping off the bed with something hitting his head. "Keep the theme tune, but make the lyrics different. Something that involves the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Huh? So we have to represent the kingdom itself?" Luigi couldn't tell if Toad meant it or if he just didn't like the song.

"I mean, we are with Peach, so we need to think of different lyrics… Mushroom Kingdom… Plumbers… Let's-a-give it a try." Mario clicks as he had something in his head that he was about to let Luigi and Toad know what the song was.

"It's a good thing I got the recording on the Kongs' phone. Let's hear it." Pauline is interested to hear Mario and Luigi's new theme song.

"Okie dokie. Let's-a-try it out." Luigi will let Mario write the lyrics as a way to test their theme tune.

With Mario and Luigi testing their theme song, Cranky Kong is watching behind the door as he sees siblings and friendship bonds with 4 humans and a toad overcoming their struggles to help each other and be closer to one another.

When Cranky Kong sees Mario, Luigi, Peach and Pauline in their childhood, he can see the smiles of 3 children and a teenager that grew up with an extra as they all smile together, which is what he wanted to see.

Tomorrow will be a big day for his son to face a couple of human plumbers.

Let's hope they survive this battle.