[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1KQAzTb.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/8vZhff9.png[/img] [b][u]Levels:[/u][/b] [color=6ecff6][b]4 (25/40)[/b][/color] | [color=ed1c24][b]3 (10/30)[/b][/color] [b][u]Location:[/u][/b] Peach’s Castle [b][u]Word Count:[/u][/b] 882 [color=ed1c24][b](Mario: Super Mushroom Active)[/b][/color] [sub][b]Direct Mentions:[/b] [@Lugubrious], [@DracoLunaris], [@Simple Unicycle], [@ProPro][/sub] [/center] [i][color=f49ac2]“How wonderful to see you both. It hurt so terribly to know that you were held captive in the dungeon, Mario, and not do anything about it."[/color][/i] Mario smiled bashfully upon hearing Peach speak, his plump cheeks already growing a light hue of red as he lifted his cap and placed it on his chest. She was always able to give him para-goombas floating around in his stomach, even after saving her countless of times for over three decades. How does he always find himself the courage to keep going, even he doesn't fully understand. But it always felt great to save her, almost as if he saved her for the very first time all those years ago. Still, he sighed before giving a sympathetic smile towards her. [color=ed1c24][b]"It's-a-OK, Princess."[/b][/color] the plumber replied understandingly, [color=ed1c24][b]"I-a-always find my way outta sticky situations. But your-a-safety is my only concern. As long as you're-a-safe, you don't-a-have to worry about-a-me."[/b][/color] This wasn't Mario's first time being captured by the bad-guys either. His brother, Luigi, had saved him several times before - one from Bowser and his minions from the clutches of the ghostly King Boo - and, funnily enough, even Peach herself once saved him from the Koopa King's clutches (granted she had some help with her parasol Parry and the power of emotions(?)). Those were indeed some strange times for the Mushroom Kingdom back then. [i][color=f49ac2]“And Geno."[/color][/i] Peach gave the polite doll a curtsy. The wooden doll would look up in attention. [i][color=f49ac2]“It's been a very long time. I'm glad you're well."[/color][/i] [color=6ecff6][b]"Thank you, my lady."[/b][/color] he replied with a bow, [color=6ecff6][b]"It's always an honor to fight alongside you again."[/b][/color] [color=f49ac2][i]“My apologies for a less-than-proper introduction. I figured I'd do what I... hm, you know, do best. To thank you all."[/i][/color] The 'stached plumber already recognized and what she was going to do. No doubt that she made some of the finest pastries and cakes in all of the Mushroom Kingdom and today will be no exception. Even then, Mario never dared to ask anything more. He was grateful with anything that he got from Peach, whether he and his brother received cake and/or a simple peck on the cheek or nose. It would be extremely rude to ask something more for someone as kind-hearted as the Princess. [color=f49ac2][i]“In the mean time, the castle's yours. Feel free to go anywhere you want. Or, you could stay here. With this much help, things should be ready in a half hour or so, but we can always use more."[/i][/color] That's when the newcomer Ratchet proceeded to finally join in the conversation, stating that he could help with the preparations as well, before being assigned an event to partake in by Peach. And then up comes Bowser, who tried to pick-up Peach with his "rich" vocabulary. Mario gave the Koopa King a stink eyed glare, warning him to stay way, before he decided to move on towards the kitchen... and pick up one of the female chefs there. [color=6ecff6][b]"I will be within the main plaza."[/b][/color] Geno would then say, [color=6ecff6][b]"Perhaps I'll also scout out the premises for any abnormalities and straggling opponents that are still lingering."[/b][/color] With another bow, the doll proceeded to excuse himself from the dining hall, regardless of any order he was given, and headed back to where the party was. Mario remained however, already reminiscing about his past memories, before he slowly approached the royal blonde with a worried expression. [color=ed1c24][b]"And-a-another thing if I may ask,"[/b][/color] Mario asked Peach concerningly as he sat next to her on one of the many royal dining chairs, [color=ed1c24][b]"Have-a-you seen Luigi by any chance-a? Or Yoshi, or Daisy, or any of our friends since the incident?"[/b][/color] [hr] [color=8A2BE2][b]"God Hand?"[/b][/color] Spyro asked with a confused look after Gene's bombastic intro, [color=8A2BE2][b]"Huh, that's an interesting title. Do you, like, have a hand that smites opponents directly into oblivion or...?"[/b][/color] Gene then proceeded to give a demonstration regarding his abilities, however he seemed to have forgotten most of his techniques as he was feeling rather confused with the situation entirely, even believing he had to regain his techniques as they traveled. Looks like he caught on quickly as Spyro nodded in confirmation. [color=8A2BE2][b]"I think almost everyone's powers got sapped once we got here."[/b][/color] the purple dragon replied, [color=8A2BE2][b]"At least you were able to get here without being first transformed into a mindless minion - or so I think. Cuz, believe me, that's not a good way to go about your life."[/b][/color] Gene then asked Spyro as to who everyone was and essentially as why they were all here. [color=8A2BE2][b]"It's... uh, kind of a long story."[/b][/color] the dragon shrugged as he looked around as if to suddenly gain all the knowledge, [color=8A2BE2][b]"I'm Spyro by the way. And uh, to my knowledge, it goes like~"[/b][/color] [color=6ecff6][b]"Galeem had imprisoned nearly all of the characters in the multiverse after launching a devastating attack."[/b][/color] Geno's words would sound as he approached Gene from around the corner, [color=6ecff6][b]"Everyone, with the exception of one - Kirby - was transformed into a mindless puppet of the divine seraphim. Kirby used his power to free some of us and now we're attempting to gather up as many allies as we can to stop Galeem and hopefully restore balance to the multiverse."[/b][/color]