Mario: The Cursed Reality

== PROLOGUE ==
It was cloudy, stormy day, and torrential downpours struck around the dim streets of Shroomstown, a small city located on an island far off from all land known today. Along the streets rats scuttled through lost rubbish, and sneaked through the cramped alleyways that were cracked into the dull buildings. The lampposts sat dormant across the pavement, which glowed dimly in the evening, allowing the few that strolled across the street to see through the approaching fog. Most seemed to be heading across the street which had many shady wonders such as 'Bowser's Bar' and-
Oh, and speak of the devil..
A man wearing a brown suit and tie walked along the street, his umbrella blowing along side him. He wore a patched fedora, and two wellyboots that squelched in the rain. His free hand was pale, and was twitching in the cold, for he had not worn gloves on the chilly winter day. The man crept towards a spruce door which was stuffed into a concrete building, with fogged windows, and a hanging, wooden sign saying 'The Sarasaland Museum Of Pharaoh Wonders'. He swung the door open, and rubbed his wellies onto the dirty mat that sat in front. Then, he proceeded to slam the door behind him shut, suddenly catching the attention of a stached man who was standing inside a box, with a glass opening around his heads height.
The man in the box looked up at the man who had walked through the door, and shook his head.
'Ah, Bowser, you're incredibly late.. Tatanga has been waiting too long.' he told him, before letting out a sneeze.
Bowser shot him a dirty look.
'Can't you tell i have a BUISNESS to run, Bio?' he spat, before taking off his wet fedora, and hanging it upon the rack that sat by the door.
Bio shrugged.
'Just surprised. Usually you're earlier than EVER.' he replied.
Bowser then took off his suit jacket, and hung it too on the rack, 'I suppose you have a point.' he groaned, before stretching a bit, 'But, then again, I do have 2 jobs, don't I?'
'Sneakier than ever, aren't you?' Bio chuckled, before hesitating, 'I do wonder.. WHY though?'
Bowser sighed.. 'The Bar isn't getting as many customers, and y'know.. It is a bit hard to attract people when you.. look like me.' 
Bowser smirked slightly.
He DID have a bit of a point, though. It wasn't his bright, firey red hair, or his lizard-like green eyes that gave it away that he was suspicious..
It was instead his slightly evident tusks that grew beside both his front teeth, and the fact he had a strange condition which gave him a scaly like pattern across his arms, and his lower eye-area. 
Bio sighed. He wasn't even better. He had bright silver hair despite being at the age of 29, and his hair was in an afro. He wore a blue security guard suit, which had a bright gold badge with a cloud image engraved into it pinned onto his chest. For whatever reason, Bio had an obsession with wearing large black boots, and a black leather belt, which had a silver buckle slapped onto it. 
'Well, when is Tatanga coming, then?' Bowser barked.
Bio rolled his eyes.. 'Probably attending to the recreation of King Totomesu..' he muttered, 'He is WAYY too obsessed with all this egyptian stuff all of a sudden.. I'm confused why, though.'
Bowser strolled towards Bio's desk, and took his clock, 'Interesting.. Where'd you get this, Biokinton?' he asked.
Bio was distracted, but instantly jolted up at the sound of his name, 'Oh, huh- wha-?' he asked, 'Oooh.. That? That was just a gift from the sweet Daisy.. She did awfully like us, y'know..' 
He looked up at the light yellow ceiling, dazed with love..
'She is very attractive..' he mumbled under his breath..
Bowser looked at him, puzzled, 'Who on earth is-'
Suddenly, the door across from the hallway opened with a click, and tall, broad-shouldered figure, who towered over Bowser, which was surprising, due to the fact Bowser was 6ft 3. The man was bald, and had pointed ears. His eyes were sharp, and he wore a black suit, with a purple shirt.
'Oooh! Bowser, my good friend!' he shouted, in his deep, but friendly voice..
He shook Bowsers hand joyfully, but Bowser wasn't filled with the same enthusiasm, 'Hello Tatanga. Long time no see.'
Tatanga looked at him, obviously concerned. 
'Whats up, my scaled brother?' he asked, his shaved eyebrows raising.
Bowser looked across towards Bio.
'L-look.. Y'know how you wanted me to uhm.. get that.. ugh..' he told him nervously, 'Uhm- look.. uhm..'
Tatanga looked at Bowser, 'Spit it out!'
Bowser sighed heavily.
'Y'know how you uhm.. wanted me to.. get you the golden crown..?' he mumbled..
Tatanga nodded.. 'And..?'
Bowser looked up at Tatanga, fearfully.. 'I-I couldn't get it.. It-'
Before he could finish his sentence, a large gnarled arm grabbed Bowser, raising him up by his collar.
'BOWSER!' Bio shouted, surprised.. 'TATANGA- LET HIM DOWN!'
Tatanga laughed furiously. 
'YOU MADE A DEAL, BOWSER. I LOANED YOU, AND YOU CAN'T COMPLETE A SIMPLISTIC TASK?'
Bowser struggled, but Tatangas grip was too strong.
'I-I know.. Please..' he felt a tear shed.
'YOU KNOW THE COST, DON'T YOU.' Tatanga roared.
Bio looked from Bowser to Tatanga, pale, and sweating 'T-tatanga.. L-let him go..'
Tatanga once again laughed. 'NO, BIOKINTON! YOU KNOW THE PRICE, DON'T YOU?'
He looked straight into Bowsers eyes, which were twitching, and bloodshot with tears.
Tatanga released Bowser from his grip, dropping him to the floor. Bio quickly pushed open the employee door, and rushed to Bowser's aid.
'..Pathetic. You're fired. FIRED.' he roared, before walking off.
Bowser got up, his arms shaking. Bio pulled Bowser to his feet, and looked into his eyes, which were no longer green, but instead a soulless, sad orb of endless dread. Bio grabbed Bowser's wrist, and smiled..
'H-he won't.. I know he won't.' 
Bio was sort of Bowser's guardian at the moment, considering the fact Bowser really had NO parents.
Bowser shrugged.. 'I-i hope.. I need to go..' he mumbled. 
Bio let go, and walked off to the employees only door.. 'Come here if you need anything.. Just after hours when Tatangas off.'
Bowser walked towards the door, his red, firey hair now symbolically an ocean of flowing sea, glistening in the lamps light.
He then got all his stuff, and put on his things.. 'Bye, Bio.'
Bowser walked out of the building, stomping through the depressing city.
== CHAPTER 1- Plumber ==
'Yawn..' 
Mario woke up, his bed covers sprawled across the lopsided bed. He pulled himself to his feet, and waddled towards the blinds in his pyjamas. The tired man grabbed the blinds and pulled them up, letting out a shine of light. He stretched intensely..
'Ah, what a wonderful day..' he cheered..
Mario had a bright, happy and stereotypical Italian accent. 
He walked towards his wardrobe, and took out blue overalls, along with a red shirt, and a red hat, with the letter 'M' etched onto the yarn.
His black mustache bristled against his clothes as he pulled them on, and his hair flew as the light wind blew through the crack in the window. He opened up his door once dressed, and walked down the stairs, where his father, Ross Mario (nicknamed Runman) was, making some breakfast..
'Scrambled eggs?' He asked. 
'Mhm..' Ross replied. 
Mario grinned, and sat onto the table. He was about 21, and had luckily grown a flourishing mustache for his age.
Ross took the pan of bacon and the other of scrambled eggs, and scraped some portions of each onto 3 plates. He took 1, and splattered ketchup onto the eggs, before sliding it across the table to Mario. Mario then picked up a fork, and began to eat up his food.
Ross shook his head.. 'LUIGI!' He called.
No reply..
'oh my god, that boy.' he muttered, 'LUIGI!'
A voice called out from upstairs, 'HUH- Oh right, breakfast..'
A lanky boy, with brown hair rushed downstairs, his oversized green hoodie blowing rapidly.
'Here, dad!' He cried, rushing towards the table, skidding at a stop.
'Hey, Luigi!' Mario said, before taking in another mouthful of bacon.
'Hey Mario!' Luigi replied.
He sat down, and looked greedily at his plate of toast with beans and sausages.. 'Delish.'
Luigi proceeded to wolf down all the food, causing Ross to snort.
'You need to stop eatin' so fast, Luigi! You're gonna choke.' he shouted.
Luigi gulped, 'Whatever, dad!' 
Mario smiled at Luigi.. 'So, hows that assignment going on?' he asked.
Luigi shrugged, 'Pretty okay. I'm thinking of going to that Tatanga Museum to study about it..'
Mario raised his eyebrows, 'Are you really sure? This guy called Bio said that 'Tatanga assaulted his friend' to one of the other guards there, according to dad.. right, dad?'
Ross nodded.. 'Yeah, that's what Bob said..' he shrugged too, though.. 'It could just be a lie, though.' 
Mario shook his head.. 'Eh.. Bio DID come round to our school to talk about history.. He didn't seem like that sort of a guy, though..'
Luigi rolled his eyes.. 'He sounded so stupid though.. Half the time he just spoke about 'the legend of totty-whatty'.. He's probably just full of baloney, like the rest of the people who used to come round to our school..'
Mario nodded.. 'I guess you have a point, Weeg.. Anyways..'
He gasped.. 'I'm gonna be late for my first day!'
'Ooh, right..' Luigi said.. 'Better get ready, then.'
Mario rushed towards the door, quickly retrieving a black coat from the rack by the door. He pulled it on, despite it being soaking wet. His hand then shot at the door, which unlocked on command, seemingly.
'HAVE A GOOD DAY AT WORK!' Ross called, before going back to washing the dishes.
Mario rushed along the pavement, his coat flying off his back like wings..
'Yahoo!' Mario shouted, excitedly, before sliding along the wet pavement, and towards the main city district. 
Along the way, he waved to the many cars that passed, and the mailmen who walked past, who always wore funny hats, usually spotted. After a long walking session, Mario was out of breath.. And.. he was still quite far from work. He then noticed a short cut between two buildings, as he managed to catch his breath..
'Aha!' Mario cheered, 'An alleyway! Well then.. LETSAGO! '
Mario rushed down the alleyway, which grew darker and darker as he ran down it.. He soon noticed the amount of dirt that stuck to his boots, and the fluttering cobwebs.. He later grabbed a dumpster, to catch his breath once again..
'Ugh.. this alley is lo-'
He suddenly heard a rattle behind him..
== CHAPTER 2- Goons ==
Mario turned around swiftly, his eyes wide with puzzlement. 
'Eh? Who-a-goes there?' he called, one eyebrow raised..
A girl, around his age, who was wearing a dirtied pink dress rushed down, her blonde hair soaring behind her..
'Lady, are you okay?' he shouted.
The girl halted, and ran towards Mario..
'No! I-i'm-' she blubbered, before being cut off..
Three bearded men wearing brown beanies, brown hoodies, dark blue jeans, and large black boots appeared from the darkness, their arms stretched out..
'C'MERE YA NASTY WOMAN!' one roared, who was ironically the smallest and least terrifying of the 3..
The girl squealed, rushing behind Mario.
Mario's senses then kicked in. He had gone for military training before, only for a short while, so was prepared.
'OI! Leave her alone!' he shouted, blocking them from reaching her.
One laughed. 
'Get. out. the. WAY.' he gurgled back.
Mario looked at the man, his muscles tensing.
'No. Leave her alone, i said.' he replied.
The man rolled his eyes.. 'So you're a big man, innit?' he spat, jokely, 'OI, leave 'er alone-'
Mario slammed the man round the face with his fist, before kneeing him in the balls, and hopping up, jumping onto his head.. He slid off, but caught himself on a rubbish bin, which softened his fall.. The hurt goon climbed to his feet, clutching his nuts painfully.
The shortest looked towards Mario, grinning, revealing sharped teeth..
'So, you're asking for a fight then, bruv?' he asked, flexing his.. muscles.. which he had none of.
The one with a ginger beard nodded at the shortest, 'He is, i'n 'e?' he cackled.
Mario snarled, and sprinted towards the men, sliding beneath their legs. The Ginger Bearded man turned around, and hopped up to bodyslam Mario, but, Mario quickly rushed against a dumpster, causing the man to crash against the concrete floor.. He noticed a small blood scratch on the mans forehead as he got up..
'Ah, ya' nasty lil' sh-' 
His eyes turned pale, as he collapsed face first back to the floor.. A red puddle of blood soaked from his chest, circling around him..
Behind the man stood the young girl, a gun shaking rapidly in her hands.. Her once beautiful blonde hair was now dirtied with brown, and was tangled beyond your minds extent. Scratches lay upon her pretty pale face, stinging.. 
She was breathing heavily, a single drop of sweat sliding down her forehead. 
Mario nodded, before rushing towards the smaller man, kicking him, causing him to stumble back against the wall. The goon began to splutter nonsense like: 'I'm sorry mate- It was a misunderstanding, see?'. Mario took none of that seriously, and simply mumbled back..
'I don't know WHAT you're doing here, bro.' he replied, 'But, I suggest you piss off, before I bang your head in like Mr Mocky, over there, clutching his balls.'
The man nodded, and rushed to the aid of the shot man, who was hoisted onto his back. The goon clutching his balls stumbled towards them, and grabbed the man by his feet, as they ran away..
Mario walked towards the girl, and looked into her soft, baby blue eyes..
'T-thank you..' she spluttered, 'I-I'm sorry you had to do that, how can I-'
'Nah, its fine..' Mario replied, nodding subtly, 'I'm Mario, by the way..'
She smiled, 'Peach Toadstool, nice to meet you.'
Mario stood in thought for a second, 'Like, Peach Toadstool, daughter of the Prime Minister?'
'Yup,' she said.
Mario shook her hands, which were extremely sweaty, 'So, uhm, why were they chasing you, exactly?'
Peach looked behind her, and began to ramble on about her story..
'You see, y'know how I'm the daughter of the Prime Minister, and whatnot?' she began, with Mario nodding, and muttering, 'mhm..', 'Well, I'm famous in media, a bit, so.. people are always wanting to paparazzi me, which honestly, sucks, really, dunno why people are begging to be famous around this extent.. So, like, I decided to go to Starcoins, to fetch myself a nice coffee, after filing all these laws, and stuff, which my father couldn't do since he has too much important stuff to do, when, uhm.. Around 5 men, with like, 3 being them, of course.. jumped me.. Luckily, I had my pocket knife, and stabbed one, which left him wounded, but I dropped the knife as they tackled me, so i sort of had no choice but to run.. and run..'
Mario raised one eyebrow.. This sure is nasty.. he thought.
'Eventually I got to a sort of divide in the parking lot, up there,' she pointed up, 'And I jumped off 1 story to the throwaway mattress on the ground below.. Convenient, if i have ever heard of it.. So, it softened by fall, which was nice.. Until, the men decided to jump off after me, 3 of them jumped down, but the fourth got out of it, after being too scared.. I then ran, and those 3 followed me.. I'm unsure why those paparazzi's would go so far as to hurting me just to snap a photo?'
Mario sighed.. 'I'm unsure too.. Unless they weren't just.. paparazzi..'
Peach shrugged, 'You do have a point.. This part of town is flooded with criminals, and the sight of a- lets say more fortunate person, might've made them quench for a quick grab of cash..'
'That seems more realistic, really..' he replied, before checking his watch, which had been dirtied quite a bit, 'Oh lord- I'm gonna be REALLY late!'
'Late? Late for what?' she said.
'Oh, work, duh.' Mario chuckled, 'Right, sorry, I really have to go.. Nice speaking to you, though.'
Peach grinned awkwardly, 'Well, the thing is, I sort of don't know my way home from round here.. I've never been this far, heh..' she stuttered, 'Is it alright if I.. tag along, by chance?'
Mario rolled his eyes, 'Fine, but don't mess it up.. I have my first day of work today.'
Peach nodded enthusiastically, 'Wait, I should disguise myse-'
'No time! We'll pick up some nasty plumbers uniform in the employees room!'
'Plumb-' she asked, before being grabbed round the wrist and dragged off quickly.
'C'mon! Run! I'm gonna be GOD late, otherwise!'
She began to genuinely sprint, keeping up with Mario..
'So, uh, how far is it from here?' she asked as the wind blew against her face.
They took a sharp turn, and Mario quickly looked at Peach as her yellow hair flowed behind her, 'Oh, not too far!' 
The two rushed along the road, and arrived at a tight, dirty building, with the name 'Pee-Pee n' Poo-poo Plumbing'.
Mario pulled open the door, and arrived at the first desk, where a moody woman stood, a pen sticking out her mouth, as she looked through her tinted glasses..
'Hey, sorry, I'm rea-' Mario cried, as he skidded to a halt at the desk.
'Name?' she asked, her very moody american accent shining through.
'Mario Mario.' he said.
She nodded, typing something up, 'Yes, yes.. You're an hour late, Mario. I'm afraid that'll be a warning.' 
Mario shot a slightly dirty look at Peach. 
'Alright, i suppose..'
The woman nodded, and looked at Peach, 'And you happen to be, Ma'am?'
Peach shook her head, surprised..
'Oh, me? Uhm.. I am..'
Mario cut her off, 'Sorry, shes schizophrenic. Her name is Maria. She is my sister, see?'
The woman nodded again, 'So, you're.. Maria Mario, I'm guessing?'
Peach smiled, nodding, 'I-I think so, yeah.'
Mario looked at her, muttering, 'Nice "roleplaying".'
Peach snorted quietly..
'Alright then, you may go on.' the woman replied.
The two walked over to the employees room, and pushed open the door.
== CHAPTER 3- Consequences ==
3 shadows stood quietly in the dimly lit room, as the silent ringing of a shop door opening and closing echoes above. Their boots stain the concrete floor, as water drips from above, tapping in a slow rhythm. Pipelines sliver along the crusted walls, which were rusted and aged. Before the men stood a small desk, which was dimly lit by a small lamp. A short, plump man sat on a black office chair behind it, ticking..
'Tsk, tsk, tsk.. Yet again you pathetic goons continue to disappoint me..' he muttered, looking eerily into the 3 men's eyes, 'Once again I must patch one man up, then must have to attend to the higher ups as they struggle to keep this scheme going, with each failure I have causing them to be more and more angry.. And slowly, more and more in debt. Can't you see? 2 of your 5 have already given up, and, their family is now dead. If I do the same, and shut this scheme down, you 3, me, and my family will be out of a job, and life. Can't you recognise your morals?'
The bearded man nodded, 'We're sorry, like really.. I don't want any of us to die, y'know..' he replied, sweaty, and panicking, 'I- a man, sort of short, a brown mustache, and like, a pair of overalls, and red hat AND shirt kinda beat us all up.'
The man behind the desk snorted, 'A SHORT mustached man, along with a frail girl managed to SHOOT 1 man, STAB another, SCARE another, then cause two of you to run? You must be JOKING, right?' 
He waited silently for a little, 'Haha, april fools!' or something.. but no answer.
'So, this isn't a joke?' he asked. 
The 3 men shook their heads.
'So, is that how it'll be?' the man said, 'Lowered salary, and you are all getting longer shifts.' 
1 man gasped, 'You can't just-'
A gun shot exploded through the room, and his eyes rolled up behind his head. He collapsed to the floor, blood seeping from his chest..
'Ooh.. Now you know how it feels, short stuff?' the bearded man spat.
The man behind the desk looked into the bearded mans soul, 'This isn't something to joke about, Gerald.'
Gerald nodded, 'S-sorry sir. By chance, can we redeem ourselves if we.. complete another task for you?'
The man behind the desk thought for a second, 'Depends. Your fate shall rely on either one of the things.. Either, you GET me that plumber, or you can get me.. some cash..'
Gerald nudged the man next to him, 'Psst. George. C'mon, what do you think?'
George shrugged, 'I suppose, we COULD get someone to get that plumber for us, and then we can get the cash ourselves, and then pay the hitman, right?'
Gerald nodded, 'Nice thinking..'
'So? What do you propose?' the man behind the desk asked.
'Well.. we're thinking, we could do BOTH.' Gerald said proudly.
The man behind the desk nodded.. 'Do not fail me, though. If you fail only 1 task, i do not give two shazizzles. But, if you fail both, I shall be furious.'
Gerald and George nodded, 'Yes, sir Goomboss.' 
Goomboss grinned, and moved his head over beneath the lamp, revealing his appearance.
He was balding, with a grey neck beard, with a couple silver hairs. He wore a golden crown, and red robes, with white fluff stuck around the collar. He had a gold tooth, and silver, clearly showing how RICH he was.. 'Good, good.. And, if you succeed at one, I shall bring you up to.. lets say.. Red and Blue agents?'
'Sounds good, eh, Gerald?' said George.
Gerald nodded, 'Good enough for me.'
'Great. Now SHOO! I have business to attend to, you boars.'
Gerald and George turned around, walking back off into the darkness, and up the creaking wooden stairs. 
Category:Mario (series)