The sky was a bright brilliant blue as the sun's rays beat down upon the land. All around the great land, everyone was celebrating their kingdom's independence day from when it had been underneath the complete control of the Dark Land of King Razorback. The kingdom's princess had invited everyone she could think of, even the new current King of the Dark Land, to the festivities. Sure he had kidnapped her in the past, but it seemed that even he was lazing on his kidnapping duties. It seems ass though the deep wounds were beginning their process of healing.
Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom couldn't help but smile as she spun her tennis racket in her hand, looking across the court at her opponent.
            "You have to do better than that if you want to keep up with me!" the pink Princess called out as she waited for her opponent to serve the ball. The giant across the tennis court smirked before letting out a growl. Snarling, he lifted his clawed hand, his large cream snout smirking and served the ball before it was lobbed back at him by the perky Princess. The few spectators cheered as the sound of engines roared over the Tennis Court.
            "Switch out! Switch out!!”
            Along a long and winding track hurled go-karts of all shapes and sizes. Two participants of the race were coming up the rear as they sped through turns. A white-gloved woman slapped hands with a small servant of Princess Peach. He leaped down from his position of standing on the back of the go-kart while the yellow-clad woman hopped up from the driver's seat. Toad pushed his small foot as far down on the gas pedal as he could, the Princess of Sarasa Land grabbing an Item Box as they flew past one of the slower karters.
            "Nice driving Toad!" Princess Daisy shouted, her shoulder-length chestnut head blowing furiously in the wind. She held out her hand as a bright Starman formed over her palm. She threw it down onto the kart, the two participants and the kart glowing a brilliant yellow.
            "Let's get 'em!" Toad laughed as he rammed into the kart that Wario and Waluigi were driving. They swore out statements of redemption as Daisy and Toad plowed their way to 1st place. In between the larger areas of the go-kart track lay a football field where there was a heated football game between teenage Toads who hailed in from Toad Town and Rogueport while they played the teenage Koopas who called Koopa Village and Petalsburg home. Kammy Koopa floated over the football players on her Super Deluxe Dirigible 3000, the top of the line broom for Koopa Hags alike. She cackled as her co-referee, the little Star Kid Twink floated by her, a whistle floating around his little neck. Twink blew his whistle loud as Kammy Koopa pointed her wand at one of the Koopas.
            "Touching the ball with your hands! Nyeheheheh... A penalty shot for the Toads!" Kammy cackled as Twink moved the black and white football in front of the bright red goal that had an orange clad Koopa Troopa in there.
            Kammy's cackling was caught in the wind as it traveled down over, cutting through a magical barrier high in the sky. Upon a large wooden and winged ship were three participants duking it out for all their worth. Mario had just caught Donkey Kong in a coined uppercut, smashing him into the invisible magical barrier. Mario's limelight didn't linger as Yoshi fell from the sky, knocking Mario away into the sky. Donkey Kong and Mario descended from the sky, bathed in a white light as they stood upon platforms. Yoshi yelped as the ship hit a black and white checkered platform falling from the sky. He jumped up, trying to reach the platform, but to no avail. Both the ship and Yoshi had hit the magical barrier. The ship had returned to its original starting point while Yoshi descended from the heavens on his platform. A small helicopter whirled around the fighting arena, a small man sitting in the front seat, working to keep the barrier up. Professor E. Gadd chuckled to himself as he took a sip of his Chuckoccino, directly imported from the famous Bean Bean Kingdom just to the south of the Mushroom Kingdom. Far down below, shouts and cheers were echoing up from a grassy knoll near the football field
            "Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!"
            A crowd was gathered around a large circle where two large creatures were swaying their hips in style, a little tree-like object growing from the top of their heads. The Piantas danced in the background only to Luigi, who was dressed in a grass skirt. He moved his body fluidly and gracefully as the grass skirt swayed in the wind. Toadette took pictures of the hula-dancing brother as everyone around them cheered. Across the way from dancers was a giant swimming pool in the shape of a large Mushroom. Splashing and laughing in the pool were the Kooplings, Bowser Jr., and Baby Bowser. The boys were sliding down the slides with some other Toad kids while Wendy was tanning at the side of the pool, her Pink Bow flittering in the breeze. Baby Bowser was sitting in a large floatie, sipping on a fruity drink.
            All seemed picturesque in the Mushroom Kingdom as a large gust of wind kicked up. Muggy looking clouds started to come in, large and muddy brown. Up in the sky, the battlers all stopped to see the sun get covered by these disgusting clouds. The clouds came from all around, starting to surround the group. Mario tilted his head before he was thrown off a platform by an enormous gust of wind. Yoshi jumped into the air to go help his friend, but the Dinosaur was struck by a wayward lightning bolt, sending him hurling down into the clouds. Mario was nowhere to be seen. The murky clouds started to close in on the giant ape, who only swiped his giant paws back at it.
            Back on the ground, Toad was driving along one of the curvier areas of the track. As he drove, large chunks of hail started to rain down from skies at the drivers.
            "Watch out Toad!" Daisy cried out as the go-kart screeched from side to side. Daisy watched in horror as the chunks of hails hit her competition with precise accuracy and merciless blows. Toad growled to himself as he tried to avoid the smashes. The hail was becoming extremely relentless before three enormously large ones flew at the kart. "Watch out!" Very courageously, Daisy grabbed the little Toad by the back of his vest before leaping off the go-kart. The go-kart spun around as it got hit by the hail stones, instantly becoming trapped in ice. Daisy and Toad rolled along the track and into small cavern that was located off to the side of the go-kart track. Daisy held herself over Toad as the hailstones kept crushing into the track.
            "Look out!"
            Luigi's cry echoed all the way over to the tennis court. Bowser and Peach had long since dropped their rackets and were running for the pool area. Bowser roared as he heard no signs of life coming from the area. As they arrived, they found the pool still and silent, its water floating there. Silently.
            "Bowser... Has the water always been black?" Peach asked, her voice trembling. The wind kicked up as the water started to shudder in all directions. With one great groan, the water hurled up from the basin of the and smashed into Bowser and Peach. The Princess tried to scream, but something slimy, or someTHINGS slimy had wrapped themselves around Peach's throat. She tried to scream and reach for Bowser, but she was ripped away from him. As the thing slowly asphyxiated her into unconsciousness, the last thing she remembered seeing was a pair of bright yellow eyes.
            "Luigi! Watch out!" Luigi and the two Piantas he had been hula dancing with were running as quickly as they could. The wind screamed in their ears as on e of the Piantas pushed Luigi at the edge of the hill. The plumber rolled down it, avoiding stones that were being flung down the hill. The remaining Pianta fell down the hill as well. Luigi looked up the big hill, only seeing a large, luminescent light coming from the top of the hill. A large lightning bolt rang from the sky at Luigi. The green-clad plumber pushed him out of the way before being struck by himself. The aftershock was extremely powerful, throwing the Pianta into the side of Peach's Castle. The blow knocked the Pianta unconscious. The savior had, however, saved him for naught as dark shadows swarmed the Pianta, overtaking the unconscious body.
Kammy Koopa had been knocked unconscious and lay on the field, Twink hiding underneath her hat. The wind howled as the land below it was barren of all life and entertainment.

---------

            "Princess...? Princess Daisy! Wake up!"
            Daisy groaned as she looked up. The sky was colored a light pink, the sun having start to set behind the mountain range just beyound Peach's Castle. She rubbed her light blue eyes as they started to focus. She looked up to see Toad's worried face above her. He reached down and grabbed a small cloth that he laid upon Daisy's . Toad smiled as Princess Daisy. Looking around her, she saw that the go-kart track was filled with large chunks of frozen ice. Her dress was torn to shreds up to her knees and her crown had been knocked off her head. "Ohh! That was like, my favorite dress! Where is everyone?"
            "I don't know..."
            Daisy said nothing as she started towards the soccer field, the little Toad behind her. The two said nothing, only staring around at the complete and utter silence that was around them. As they reached the field, they saw an unconscious figure slumped near the red goal post. As they started towards them, a blinding flash sped towards them. Daisy threw herself in front of Toad, waiting to see whatever it that might attack them.
            "Daisy!"
            The blur nearly crashed head on, stopping just short of Daisy. "Twink! You're alright!" Daisy said breathlessly, looking at the young Star Kid floating next to her. Twink nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
            "What's going on here?" Twink asked, looking around worriedly. Daisy said nothing as she shrugged her arms.
            "Maybe we should go see if that person is alright," Toad piped up. Twink hovered over by Daisy's shoulder as she walked cautiously over to the figure. Upon inspection Daisy nearly burst out laughing. "Is that...?"
            "It is! Kammy Koopa!" Daisy said, poking the old Koopa. She stirred before rolling over, snoring. Daisy gritted her teeth as she looked at the witch. "Wake up you old hag!"
            "Hnnn?" Kammy groaned, waking up. She looked up and cried out, jumping to her feet. As she grasped her chest, she glared at the group. "Don't sneak up on an old woman like that! My heart!" Kammy walked around, trying to catch her breath. As she did, she found her broom laying a few feet. She grabbed it before walking back over to Daisy and Toad. "Have you seen His Gnarliness? Last time I saw him, he was playing tennis with the Princess."
            "He's not there Nobody is..."
            Everyone turned around, Kammy clutching her heart to see a beat up Bumpty walking towards them. He had very large, grey eyebrows, a very prominent feature for the Bumpty. "DON'T DO THAT!" Kammy cried out. "I'm too old for this..." The Bumpty ignored the old Koopa Witch as he came to Daisy.
            "It seems everyone has disappeared. I'm assuming kidnapped, considering Her Majesty is also missing," the Bumpty told the small group, looking around at the emptiness. "Alot of the patrons managed to escape however. There was footprints everywhere through the grass heading back to Her Majesty's palace as well as attempts at trying to capture the people, such a craters and pieces of hail everywhere.”
            Daisy squinted her eyes as she looked at the Bumpty. In response, he raised eyebrow, looking back at Daisy. Realization swept easily over her face. “You're Herringway aren't you...?” she deduced, causing the Bumpty to nod. Kammy cleared her throat, looking at the group.
            "Even His Stinkyness got kidnapped?" Kammy spoke in her greasy voice.
            "The only reason we probably didn't get kidnapped is because we were hidden. I woke up among the grass by Peach's Castle. I found you and Toad in a small cavern area underneath one of the hills near the Kart Track. Toad promised to take care of you while I went to look for everyone else," Herringway explained.
            "Toad! Why didn't you tell me?" Daisy hissed angrily, looking down at the small humanoid.
            "I was too busy taking care of you that... I sorta forgot..." Toad said, laughing uneasily. Daisy sighed, frowning. She hit the Toad on the top of his head, causing him to cry out. "The only question is... Why didn't they take YOU." As she pointed at Kammy, everyone turned to hear the Koopa's statement.
            "They probably felt that if they took a young and beautiful thing like me that they would stare all night and day," Kammy said, flipping back her grey hair. The four companions looked at each other before shaking their heads.
            "Delusional maybe..." Daisy spoke as Kammy looked at he, fury covering her face.
            "I am not delusional! I am beautiful!" Kammy spat back, striking a sexy pose. Daisy cried out in mock pain, covering her eyes. Kammy fumed as she crossed her arms, the Princess laughing. Twink was giggling at Daisy's shoulder, knowing exactly how Daisy felt. Herringway rolled his eyes at the spectacle and grew irritated.
            "Come on Princess... We all need to stick together right now," Herringway spoke level-headedly, a bite of impatience in his voice. "The only thing I'm unsure of is where to really head to. I mean, if whatever kidnapped everyone else is after us, then we're in danger the longer we stand here."
            "What about Koopa Village? It's not that far from here and we can take shelter with Kolorado and his wife," Twink suggested, looking at the others.
            "Oh hell no!" Kammy yelled out. "That nasty wart Koopa Koot lives there! He broke my heart 50 years ago and I swore that I wouldn't ever see his ugly mug again!"
            "50 years ago...? Damn you're old," Daisy said, looking down at Kammy Koopa. The old witch just sniffed before turning around. "C'mon Kammy, Koopa Village is probably our best bet!"
            "Why not Toad Town?" Kammy whined, looking at the tomboy Princess in front of us.
"Because whatever tried to kidnap us might be searching Toad Town right now," Herringway told her, watching the Koopa pout.
            "If we cut down through Merluvlee and Merlow's house, we can skip down behind Pleasant Path and enter Koopa Village near Koopa Koot's house." Daisy planned. Herringway and Toad nodded while Kammy crossed her arms and shook her head.
            "Fine! Stay here and be a sissy!" Daisy spat, looking at the castle. "Like, night it coming. We better move our butts!" With a few nods, Herringway, Daisy, and Toad started their way quickly behind Peach's Castle, making their way to the large spiraling peak to the east. Kammy Koopa sat there for a moment, her arms still crossed, expression set in stone. The wind howled angrily as the shadows grew large around Kammy. Her stance became shaken as the witch frowned in fear. Grabbing her Dirigible, she hopped on it.
            "Wait for me!" Kammy cried out, the broom putting after the group.

---------

            "MY PRECIOUS BOMBETTE WAS KIDNAPPED!?"
            Daisy covered her ears as a blue Bom-omb in front of her cried out at the top of his voice. Kolorado's wife sat in a rocking chair, Daisy's dress in her lap while a sewing needle was in her hand, making alterations to it. Kolorado shook his head at the Bom-omb's gruffness.
            "Now now old boy," Kolorado spoke, stroking his thick, black mustache. "I'm sure that your dear Bombette wasn't kidnapped."
            "Bruce! She was like, not even able to come to the party!" Daisy told the panicking Bom-omb. Kammy sat at the small table that the residents had in their home, sipping tea quietly and watching the spectacle in front of her. "She's off doing construction for the Dry Dry Railroad! They're trying to make the rail reach my kingdom!"
            "This is quite the Jammin' Jelly isn't it?" Kolorado speculated. "Why, if I was there, I'd give them a good smashing, what!"
            "It seems that the Chancellor and Minister have been kidnapped from the Castle, as well as Toadsworth. Because there is no viable political head of the Mushroom Kingdom, Tayce T. and her brother, the Master of the local Dojo in Toad Town, have been nominated to take place as temporary head of the Kingdom," Kolorado's wife, Virginia, explained. "We heard it on the radio from the Koopa next door," Daisy nodded as she sat on the floor, dressed in a long, orange nightgown that she had received from Kolorado's wife. She was patting Bruce uncertainly on the head, watching the blue Bom-omb weep into the floor.
            "My poor Bombette... Out there all alone and in danger..." Bruce cried, getting caught in his own delusion. He wailed loudly as the door was open, immediately rushing towards it.     "BOMBETTE! MY LOVE! YOU HAVE RETURNED!" There was a shriek as Bruce tackled the patron who had just entered the small house. Herringway got up from the other side of the table, helping up the tackled Toad.
            "I'm not Bombette!" Toad cried out, pushing the blue Bom-omb off him. Twink fluttered up in the air, startled out of his wits. "I've got news from Mort. It seems the entire Mushroom Kingdom is in a great panic. There's been extreme seismic readings come from the southern seas and Lavalava Island too. The Dryites have closed access to Dry Dry Outpost, except to merchants. The Boos of Forever Forest are also in great uproar, Lady Bow having been kidnapped as well. Goomba Village was evacuated shortly after the mysterious disappeance of Goombario. Shiver City's under a blizzard again though, so paths to and from the Crystal Palace and Starborn Valley have been cut off."
            "Oh blast!" Kolorado cried out, stomping his foot. "I was supposed to go on an excavation up there!"
            "Oh no you're not!" Virginia lashed out angrily. "You're staying home! You're always off on these explorations while I'm at home, worrying to near death! If I have to chain you to this house, by the great Star Spirits I will!" Kolorado pouted to himself, walking over to join the sniffling Bruce. Kammy cleared her throat.
            "Go on," Kammy spoke gruffly, pouring herself some more tea. "Tea dear?" Herringway nodded as she poured him some more as well.
            "There's not really much more to tell though," Toad said quietly, his mind going into deep thought. "I don't know, but I do have a bad feeling about this..."
            "You're not the only one," Herringway said. "This is odd... I mean, how did anyone capture Mario? THE Mario! He's really beaten anyone to invade this land. Bowser has finally stopped trying to kidnap Her Majesty and now the bond between Dark Land and the Mushroom Kingdom is starting to heal. Other than Bowser, I can't really see anyone trying to attack the Kingdom."
            "What about the Smithy Incident? That was all over the news a few years ago in Sarasa Land. I remember that the army was on its highest alert, making sure that none of Smithy's followers would come to invade us," Daisy chipped in, causing Toad's ears to perk. He shook his head, looking towards the Princess.
            "Smithy was destroyed, his gang getting pushed of this dimension for good by Mario," Toad explained. "I highly doubt that Smithy's gang would be able to make it back here unless there was a huge tear in the dimension." Virginia hummed to herself as she kept working on Daisy's ruined dress.
            "What about the incident with the Shadow Queen last year...?" Daisy asked, looking at the group in front of her.
            "Nyeheheh," Kammy snickered to herself. "His Bloatedness told me about that himself. That do-gooder and his gang of ragamuffins destroyed the Shadow Queen completely. There's no hope for her return, not after her miserable demise.
            "This is all like, too weird," Daisy said quietly. Twink floated down near the Princess of Sarasa Land and hovered near her shoulder. "Even the night sky is looking less sparkly than usual. I hope something didn't happen to Star Haven..." Twink grimaced.
            "It IS the oddest thing. I tried to make the jump to Star Haven while Toad was visiting with Mort T., but I wasn't able to. You don't think anything's happened to Star Haven!?" Twink cried out in horror, looking around. Toad shook his head before he went to speak again.
            "Shooting Star Summit has been closed off by Merluvlee and Merlow. Koover told me as I headed to Mort's. While I was over at Mort's, there was news that the Shine Gate on Isle Delfino was also starting to loose a lot of its brilliance," Toad replied sadly. "It's like, wherever Mario's been and saved, there are all kinds of the oddest things going on."
            "My kingdom!" Daisy cried out, standing up almost immediately.
            "The Radio DJ Toad said that Sarasa Land was on the highest alert, but it hasn't seen anything suspicious just yet," Toad explained to the group, causing worried looks to be shared all around them. "The Beanbean Kingdom is also on very high alert to the west. They've shut down all the borders between the Mushroom Kingdom and their kingdom.”
            “What about other parts of the Kingdom?” Kammy asked, her interest peaking.
            “Areas in and around Rogueport have also been on alert. Frankie of the Pianta Syndicate and Ishmail have been working together to protect the area,” Toad explained, his face full of worry. “It would be a terrible fate if anything were to happen to the Thousand Year Door, but from last I've heard from Mario and Her Highness is that the Shadow Siren Vivian had hidden the Crystal Stars within the deepest confines of the Shadow Palace. Only Shadow Sirens are able to pass through the locked door freely."
            "I wonder if Subcon is in any kind of danger as well...?" Daisy thought aloud, causing Toad to share the long face.
            "I hope not. Not after all the work we went to defeating Wart. I hope they're alright," Toad said, his frown growing. "It would be terrible if anyone were to figure out the secrets of Subcon. Moving all over the world in quick instances with the Subspace Potions..."
            "Ohhh! Damn it!" Kammy cursed, slamming her withered old fist on the ground. "His Angriness really could've used that tip! Ah well... There's the truce now..." Kammy shook her head at the glares she had gotten at her last comment before sipping her tea. "I think there is really one thing we can do," Kammy spoke, looking down very pensively at her tea.
            "We go find them," Toad responded, catching the same wavelength as Kammy..
            "What about me!?" Daisy cried out indignantly, standing up and knocking over a now sleeping Bruce. Kolorado also stood up.
            "I demand I go with you as well!" the archaeologist cried out, his mustache gleaming in the light. Kolorado's wife stood up with great anger.
            "Oh no you're not! You're staying home!" she yelled at him. Kolorado withered on spot for a moment, but then he gained his confidence back.
            "This is my calling my sweetness! Kolorado, the daring and brave archaeologist goes out to help save the world from complete and utter terror! We could tell this to our kids one day! KOLORADO TO THE RESCUE!" the Koopa shouted, causing the guests in the house to stare in mild shock and for Bruce to stir in his sleep.
            "Oh Bombette... My love you have such a cute fuse," the blue Bom-omb muttered sleepily. "Let's go for a picnic on top of Mt. Rugged... Zzzzz..."
            "Kolorado to the rescue HAH!" Virginia spat bitterly. "I heard what happened to you in Mt. Lavalava from Bombette. Rushing off to save Mario and he falls in the lava before retreating! Some hero!"
            "My love, your words wound me so," Kolorado said, hurt filling his voice. "I owe not only to you dearest Virginia but to Mario himself! This Koopa must polish his cap and go along to help all of the Mushroom Kingdom!"
            "Uhhh, Kolorado, is there anything..." Daisy started, but she was cut off.
            "Fine! Go! I don't care!" Virginia shrieked. "Just know that your dearest wife is sitting here waiting for you to come home and crying her eyes out!" Virginia smacked Kolorado in the face before she stormed outside into the quiet Koopa Village.
            "Oh damn... This is a sticky wicket. I need to go turn on the Kolorado Charm she loves so much... Pardon me," Kolorado said dejectedly, following Virginia outside into the night. Kammy Koopa shook her head as she hopped off her seat.
            "What a pair of loons..." she said, causing Daisy to bite her lip in order not to laugh. Kammy moved towards the rocking chair and grabbed Daisy's dress. "Come here Princess... Let's see if we can't go fix this dress into something more combat-oriented."
            "But Kammy... I think..." Daisy started, but she was interrupted as Kammy haggled behind her, pushing the Princess towards the bedroom of the house where they would be sleeping.
            “Getting home to Shiver City is going to be... very long....” Herringway sighed as Toad smiled and shook his head.
            “You don't know the half of it!”