Mario crouched low beside a warp pipe, a fireball dancing on his fingertips. The hungry piranha plant inside would have to come up for sunlight sometime, and when it did, the Italian plumber would be ready for it. He pressed his ear to the pipe, listening for any sign of movement from within.
The scratch-scratch sound of leaves could be heard inside the pipe, and Mario knew this would be his chance to strike. He effortlessly jumped up, his plump body level with the edge of the pipe as well as the sharp-toothed plant. The weed attempted to pull itself back to safety, but was obliterated with a fiery plunk.
Satisfied with having completed his task of 'weeding the castle grounds,' Mario pulled out his plunger and began unclogging the pipe. Considering that a dangerous plant had been living in there, the plumber had been expecting a much bigger clog than what he found. One thing was for certain: Mario had not been expecting to pull up an envelope in next to perfect shape. Furthermore, the letter was addressed to him and his younger brother, Luigi.
Cautiously, Mario opened the letter and read its contents. It spoke of an intense tournament in which heroes from different worlds were going to attend. Wanting to inform his 'little' brother, Mario hurried back to the Princess's castle.
The whole court was in a dizzy tizzy over what to make of the invitation. The Princess warned that it might be one of Bowser Koopa's tricks, while Toad suggested that it didn't sound like something the reptile would do. A law official was summoned to examine the letter, and he certified that it had no connection to Koopa whatsoever. The Princess, however, was still uneasy about it.
"We don't know where this letter came from or who wrote it." She shook her head in dismay at the letter in her hand. "It still could be a trap somehow."
"Hey, if it's a trap, I'm sure me and Luigi can handle it." Mario beamed. "Right, little brother?"
Luigi looked down at his older brother uncertainly. Separately, either of them would have a hard time with whatever adventures they got themselves into, but if Mario was confident about it, why shouldn't he be the same way? Besides, they were both invited to the tournament, so at least they would be able to watch over one another.
"Right." Luigi finally answered.
Reluctantly, the Princess allowed them to attend the tournament, and on the appointed day at the chosen location, a mysterious warp pipe sprang up from the ground. The two brothers looked at one another as if asking what they should do next. Gathering up all of their courage, as well as the tools in their plumber's utility belts, the two brothers leapt boldly into the warp pipe.
Somehow, during their journey through the warp pipe, Mario and Luigi had become separated and fallen unconscious. Mario sat up and readjusted his bright red cap before looking around him. An odd sense of nostalgia flooded his mind as he sort of recognized his surroundings.
It was the Mushroom Kingdom, and yet, it wasn't. There were scale platforms and warp pipes leading to nowhere all around him. In fact, the place seemed like an arena.
"Where am I?" he looked around, puzzled. "And where is my little brother, Luigi?"
~~~~~
This is Chapter 2. Where would you like to go next?
