Chapter 1

For The Kingdom

[Year 2025]

The chamber was a vast, suffocating void, its air heavy with the scent of scorched stone and sulfur. The only illumination came from the molten fissures that veined the cracked walls, their glow casting a hellish orange light that flickered like dying embers. Shadows stretched and twisted across the cavernous space, morphing into grotesque shapes, as if the darkness itself were alive.

Mario and Luigi stood in the center of it all-bruised, battered, and barely standing. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, their bodies aching from the relentless battle that had already tested every ounce of their strength. Sweat and grime clung to their faces, mixing with the faint streaks of blood from unseen wounds.

And before them loomed the horror that Bowser had summoned.

It was no ordinary monster, no typical minion conjured from the depths of his twisted domain. This was something else-a towering, demonic entity whose very presence seemed to warp the space around it. Its body was covered in jagged obsidian armor, each piece appearing fused to its form as if it had been forged in the deepest pits of the underworld. Its glowing red eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence, filled with ancient rage and an insatiable hunger for blood.

A low, guttural growl rumbled through the chamber, followed by the grating sound of the creature's claws dragging against the ground. The screeching noise sent a chill down Luigi's spine.

Then, it moved.

Faster than Mario could react, the beast lunged.

A massive clawed hand swung toward him like a battering ram, colliding with his chest and sending him flying across the chamber. He crashed into the stone wall with a resounding *boom, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. For a moment, all he could hear was the dull ringing in his ears, the world around him a blur of smoke and pain.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up, his muscles screaming in protest. His vision swam as he caught sight of Bowser retreating into the shadows, his hulking figure disappearing behind the swirling smoke.

Mario spat to the side and turned to his brother. "I don't know if we're gonna make it out of this, Luigi," he admitted, his voice hoarse, breath uneven. He gestured toward the pulsating crystal across the chamber-a glowing prison of swirling energy. "But we have to get that thing into that crystal."

Luigi exhaled sharply, shaking off his fatigue. His legs burned, his lungs ached, but there was no hesitation in his eyes. He tightened his glove with a sharp tug, fists clenched. "It's not over yet, Mario," he said firmly. "We can do this."

Mario met his gaze, drawing strength from the unwavering determination in his brother's eyes. They had been through impossible battles before-facing haunted mansions, alien invasions, even the twisting corridors of time itself. They had always come out victorious, together.

"You're right, Luigi," he said, squaring his shoulders. "We have to do this-for the kingdom."

"For the kingdom!" Luigi shouted.

With renewed determination, the brothers launched themselves into battle.

Luigi moved first, his hands igniting with swirling flames. He hurled a barrage of fireballs, their orange glow reflecting in the demon's eyes. The fiery projectiles struck the creature's armored hide, but they barely left a mark. The beast roared, more irritated than wounded, and turned its full attention to Mario.

It swung one massive claw, slicing through the air, missing Mario's head by mere inches. He ducked, rolling to the side just as another swipe sent a cloud of dust and debris flying.

"Not good," Mario muttered under his breath.

Luigi's mind raced. The fireballs weren't enough. He needed a different strategy.

His eyes darted to the chamber walls-the molten cracks, the jagged formations, the uneven surfaces. He needed a way to throw the creature off balance.

Then, an idea struck.

Steadying himself, Luigi launched a fireball-not at the beast, but at the cavern wall. It struck at just the right angle, bouncing off the heated stone like a pinball. The ember shot across the chamber and ricocheted straight into the demon's eye.

The beast howled in agony, its roar shaking the cavern, its massive form stumbling backward as it clutched its burning eye.

Mario seized the moment.

With every ounce of strength left in his body, he sprinted forward, gripping the glowing crystal in his hands. He leaped onto the creature's back, dodging its wild, flailing movements. The energy from the crystal pulsed violently, reacting to the demon's presence.

And then, with one final push, Mario slammed the artifact against its body.

The chamber exploded in light.

A deafening roar echoed through the space as the crystal's magic surged, its power consuming the beast. The entity writhed and twisted, its form unraveling into streams of shadow and ember, sucked into the crystal's glowing prison. Its monstrous screams faded into nothingness as it was sealed away, its nightmare finally brought to an end.

Silence fell.

For a long moment, neither brother moved. The weight of exhaustion settled over them like a heavy blanket. Their chests heaved as they struggled to catch their breath.

Luigi let out a weak, tired chuckle. "Let's go home, Mario."

Mario, despite his aching limbs, managed a small smile. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, savoring the relief before pushing himself up.

"Okay, Lil' Bro."

With the crystal secured in Mario's grasp, the two brothers turned toward the chamber's exit. The flickering glow of molten stone illuminated their path as they trudged forward, leaving behind the remnants of Bowser's failed plan.

The battle was over.

For now.

It was late, the kind of quiet night where even the wind seemed to hold its breath. The Mushroom Kingdom lay in peaceful slumber, its golden fields and twisting vines bathed in the soft glow of the stars. In his small but cozy home, Mario slept soundly, the weight of countless battles and adventures momentarily lifted from his shoulders.

Then, a deafening *boom* shattered the silence.

The walls trembled. The floor quaked beneath Mario's bed. His eyes snapped open, heart hammering in his chest. For a moment, he thought he was still dreaming-until he saw the hulking shadow standing at the foot of his bed.

Bowser.

The King of the Koopas loomed over him, his massive form blocking out the dim light of the moon. His red eyes burned with twisted delight, a grin stretching across his fanged maw. But that wasn't what sent ice coursing through Mario's veins.

It was the girl.

A young girl, no older than ten, writhing in Bowser's grip. She had silvery-blonde hair, wide blue eyes filled with terror, and a regal air that defied her age. She struggled against Bowser's grasp, her small fists pounding against his scaly arm, but he held her firm, his claws digging into her delicate wrist.

Mario bolted upright. "Who-?"

Bowser sneered, his voice dripping with cruel amusement. "Hello, Mario. Sorry to drop in unannounced, but I thought that you might like a chance to meet your niece... Rosalina."

The name sent a jolt through Mario's body.

His throat went dry. He had no niece. Luigi didn't have any kids-Mario would've known. This had to be a trick. Another one of Bowser's twisted mind games.

"Liar," Mario spat, his fists clenching. "Who is she, Bowser? What kind of sick plan is this?"

Bowser chuckled, squeezing Rosalina's arm tighter. She winced but didn't cry out, though her frightened gaze met Mario's, silently pleading for help.

"Relax, mustache," Bowser said lazily. "I just got here, and you're already yelling? At least offer me some coffee."

Mario's blood boiled. He stepped forward, eyes sharp as daggers. "Spill it Koopa. Now!"

Bowser sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. You're no fun, you know that?" His smirk widened. "My Magikoopas opened up a time hole for me. I traveled into the future... and took your dear brother's daughter before she could grow into the powerful force she was meant to be."

Mario's breath hitched.

A time hole? The future?

His gut twisted as he locked eyes with the girl again. There was something there, something familiar, something in her presence that made his soul ache with an emotion he couldn't name. And deep inside, a terrible realization began to bloom.

"No," Mario whispered. "That's impossible."

Bowser's laughter echoed through the room like rolling thunder. "Still don't believe me? Touch her shoulder."

Mario hesitated.

Bowser's grin vanished, his voice booming with command. "Now!"

Rosalina stiffened. Mario's hands trembled. He didn't want to do this. He couldn't do this. But some force-whether fate or fear-compelled him forward. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out, fingers grazing Rosalina's shoulder.

The moment he made contact, it hit him.

A flood of memories-visions of a future that should have been. Images of Rosalina growing up, standing beside him and Luigi, wielding cosmic power beyond comprehension. Her laughter, her tears, her victories, her sacrifices.

A niece he had never known.

A life that had been stolen.

Mario staggered back, gasping for air as the memories slammed into him, leaving him breathless. He stared at Rosalina, his chest tightening, his vision swimming.

"My god, Bowser," he whispered. "What have you done?"

Bowser grinned wider, eyes gleaming with wicked satisfaction. "Oh, Mario... It's not about what I've done. It's about what happens next."

Without warning, Bowser's jaws stretched open-unnaturally wide. Drool dripped from his fangs as he lowered his head toward Rosalina, his razor-sharp teeth mere inches from her terrified face.

She screamed.

Mario lunged.

"Wait!" His voice was raw with desperation. "Bowser, I know you're not doing this without reason. Tell me your demands. Whatever it is, I'll do it. Just-just don't hurt her!"

For a long, excruciating moment, Bowser's gaping maw hovered over Rosalina. The room was thick with tension, the air cold with dread. Then-snap. His jaws shut. A deep chuckle rumbled from his throat.

"Ah, now we're talking," Bowser mused. "You know me well, Mario. I wouldn't harm your dear niece just for fun." He chuckled again. "This is business."

Mario's heart pounded.

"You," Bowser said, eyes narrowing, "are to leave the Mushroom Kingdom. For good."

Mario's breath caught.

"Go back through the warp pipe you and Luigi came through all those years ago," Bowser continued, his voice calm but commanding. "Leave this world behind. Never return." His grin sharpened. "Do that, and I'll see to it that the girl lives."

Mario stared at him, his mind racing.

Bowser, for all his cruelty, was a monster of his word. And right now, Mario was out of options.

Silence stretched between them. Then-slowly, painfully-Mario lowered his head.

"...Alright, Bowser." His voice was steady, but his hands trembled. "You win."

Rosalina gasped softly.

"I'll go back to Brooklyn," Mario said, his words like shards of glass in his throat. "But if I hear that a single scratch has been laid on Rosalina-"

Bowser cut him off with a dismissive wave. "A deal's a deal, Mario. You have nothing to worry about."

Mario exhaled sharply. "Somehow, I doubt that."

Under Bowser's watchful gaze, Mario packed his essentials, each movement heavy with resignation. Every item he put away felt like another nail sealing his fate.

Finally, as he reached the door, he turned back. His eyes lingered on Rosalina.

She stared at him, her small frame shaking, her lips slightly parted as if trying to find the words to make him stay.

Mario wished he had something to say-something to reassure her, to promise that this wasn't the end. But all that remained in his mind was a single thought, a plea unspoken:

The future of the Mushroom Kingdom is in your hands now, Luigi. Please... keep these people safe.*

With a final glance, Mario stepped outside. The cold night air wrapped around him, swallowing him whole as he walked toward the unknown.

And behind him, Bowser's laughter followed, low and victorious.