Shadows and Light

## **Plot**

Mario and Luigi talk to Professor Tony and ask him more about what he has learned over the years traveling the island. He tells the bros that Mushroom Island is not like any other island, it holds secrets, secrets too big to keep forever, pointing out they have already learned its biggest one yet, referring to the Mush Guardians. Peach asks Toadsworth if he knew anything about the history of the island itself to which he insists he didn't, as his father shunned any sort of information regarding it. Peach takes him to the throne room and asks him if he recognizes anyone. Tony immediately recognizes one, back in 1937, his name being King Porcini II. He mentions when he traveled back in time, he began to see the ways that every king and queen would hide the secret that the kingdom unfairly won the Great Fungi War hundreds of years back. Mario takes this as the time to ask Tony how he traveled through time. He explains that when he found all the technology leftover from the Klauxes, he managed to create one through all the pieces they had, saying how advanced their tech was at the time, and further saying how advanced it must be now. He shows them the time capsule, much like the time watch Fawful has. Tony goes on to explain that once he found a way to escape his own time, he took advantage of it to explore different timelines, but in the process created different scenarios, good and bad. He explains that in one timeline, he had a loving wife and daughter and decided to take over the Tony in that timeline's life, resulting in him killing himself in said timeline. Everything was perfect, until it wasn't in his words, the world around him began to collapse, resulting in the permanent loss of a world, and an entire timeline. Ever since then, he has sworn to never time travel ever again, only doing so for good efforts, such as warning others of the unspeakable things that he has seen. He then reiterates a moment when he came back to Little Fungitown and once he arrived, another gentlemen befriended him, as the two had similar experiences in loss. They grew a bond. Peach asks him what his name was and the bombshell is revealed that his friend was none other than Blumiere, Lizel's former husband and lover. Lizel grows emotional at the hearing of his name, saying that he must still be alive. Fawful says that the other person he saw in the room with Blumiere was Tony. Tony has a sudden flashback and remarks that he doesn't look like the same person. Fawful bluntly explains that was his past life and that he died but was resurrected as Fawful in order to be given a second chance at life thanks to the Star Sprites. Tony is puzzled. Mario iterates that it's a long story. Tony states however, that the Mushroom Kingdom always has a monarchy problem, whether that be a war, protest, riot, or downfall, adding that there is too much history on it to be swept under the rug, saying it will come back to haunt them in some way shape or form. Mario asks how they could not let history repeat itself. Tony simply says that the only way to not let it repeat is to embrace it, after so many years of hiding it. Peach decides that she will be the one to break it since she is the next heir to the throne. Toadsworth is against the idea, saying she will be met with an uprising from the kingdom. She insists that she will take on whatever is thrown at her, citing she has handled worse things. Peach then asked if the world today even knows that Mushroom Island exists. Tony says that it's highly unlikely at their time since nobody has dared to set foot beyond the Pacific as far as them, adding that they more than likely refer to them as a legend, kind of like an Atlantis situation. He explains that is perhaps for the best, to refrain from their island having any more contact with the outside world.

The Mush Guardians have revealed to be fully excavated, but still need to be powered on. When asked on how it could be powered on, they look at Tony's entries. He details that only one substance was known to power the guardians: Seal Serum. This strikes fear in the team's minds. They explain that there is no more seal serum and the only part that's left of it is what's sealing up the dimensional rifts between their world and the Macroverse. Mario desperately asks if there is another thing to seal up the rift but Tony says that the only other thing that is powerful enough to seal a dimensional rift, would be the power from the Dark Star. This strikes even more fear in the team. Tony says that while he knew that the star was excavated deep beneath the kingdom, it was already banished from the Star Sprites before he got a chance to look at it. Mario hatches an idea and heads to the library with Luigi tagging along.

While there, Mario says that there has to be a book detailing the star. They look for hours and hours and eventually almost give up until Luigi stumbles upon a book containing it on accident. They read into it and find that the star immediately emitted dark energy across the archeologists who dug it up when it crash landed on Earth. Mario decides that he will be the one to obtain the star and use its power to seal up the rift. Luigi is heavily against the idea, saying that it will consume him before he is able to close the rift but Mario insists that ever since he got his power back, he has felt much stronger than before, saying he may just be strong enough to overtake the star and overpower it in the process. Luigi is still hesitant, saying he doesn't want to see Mario get taken away from him. Mario assures him that he won't. Luigi doesn't stand for this and instead decides to come along with him despite Mario saying he shouldn't.

They return back to the castle with the news and much like Luigi, everyone is against the idea. Mario once again reassures everyone that he will be fine no matter what happens, saying that even if he does end up being overpowered by the star, he believes that Luigi is strong enough to save him. Everyone looks at each other worryingly. Mario goes to Peach and comforts her, knowing how nervous she must be. He tells her that he promises to return back safe and sound. They embrace and share a quick kiss. Daisy and Luigi have their own moment, with Luigi saying that like Mario, something feels different, as he feels a bit more powerful. Lizel asks Fawful that if he could remember things from his past life, why didn't he tell her about seeing Blumiere. Fawful says that while he may remember some things from his past, he can't remember certain things, saying his memory is still fuzzy. She asks him if he could take her to where he last saw him and Fawful agrees. Lizel claims that she can perhaps convince him to help fight alongside them. Tony wishes them luck, saying the look Blumiere had was nothing short of "utter sadness and hollow". Lizel says she will be sure to convince him, saying he will change his mind once he knows who she really is.

Mario and Luigi head to the beach where they dropped the dark star off. Luigi takes out a mini model of a submarine Professor E.Gadd let them borrow for the mission. Mario adds that he brought along penguin power-ups in case the submarine explodes so that they'd be able to breathe and swim up to the surface quickly. The two quickly enter the deep ocean and begin their search for the Dark Star. While on the search, Luigi asks Mario how they will protect themselves from the dark energy that the star emits. Mario tells him they will cross that bridge once they get there but admits he isn't so sure on that part, saying that their powers should be enough to harness themselves and in a way, protect themselves from any sort of evil energy. They enter deeper and deeper into the depths of the ocean, passing schools of cheep cheeps and giant sharks. They begin to see a faint, pulsating purple aura in the distance. They are sure that it's the star but upon closer inspection, it's revealed that it is the eye of a giant horrifying Maw-Ray. They attempt to escape the beast by dodging it's massive chomps and gaping mouth. Luigi then eyes another purple aura, terrified it may be another Maw-Ray. Mario says that they have to take their chances and dash towards the light. Thankfully, it turns out to be the star, lying on the seabed. Mario uses the machine's arm to quickly grab the star but the Maw-Ray successfully catches up to them and attempts to chomp down on the submarine. Luigi presses their defense system, which fires a barrage of missiles into the creature's mouth, injuring it in the process. They resurface but the chomps from the Maw-Ray were enough to damage the submarine. As a result, both the bros swallow the penguin power-ups and turn into penguins. They swim out of the submarine just before it explodes. The Maw-Ray, now even more eager to chase the bros down as they are disguised as penguins, resumes its pursuit. The bros barely escape the chomps of the eel and they jump onto the surface, fully escaping the mad pursuit of the monster. The bros put the star inside a jar to limit its dark energy. Mario says that he is already beginning to feel different so they need to hurry and seal up the portals. They quickly go to the Mushroom Kingdom portal and remove the seal serum, replacing it with the star's energy, which completely seals up the rift. Mario quickly pushes the star back inside the jar, much to its dismay and angry expression. Mario and Luigi head over to Rosalina for where to hide it. She tells them that it's best they keep it somewhere where its power is limited and can't seep through to people very fast or at all. They settle on the Observatory basement as a choice, Rosalina adds that the doors are hard enough to not let the energy pass. Unfortunately, even after sealing the star away once more, Mario becomes too infected by its power and turns on the team, gaining purple irises and acting maliciously. Bowser comes along with Daisy and Squirt, immediately offering to calm him down. Bowser goes to Mario who begins to fight him off but Bowser attempts to resist the urge to use violence. He calms Mario down by telling him how much he means to the others and that he isn't evil. This ends up working, causing Mario to revert back to his normal self in seconds. Everyone is shocked at the sight with Bowser commenting that he is easily "persuaded". Rosalina takes the Seal Serum and forms a group to head over to the Guardians and input it into them. Mario thanks Bowser, to which he nods in approval. Mario heads inside the castle with Luigi and asks Toadsworth more about the war itself. He explains through flashbacks that it seemed as if the world itself was going to collapse from the amount of destruction being caused. After the war ended, the only thing left in its wake was the silence of the carnage and the rubble still burning softly. The toads began to rebuild and over time banded together. He explains that he is ashamed to be a part of a terrible history and says that he wishes there was a way to let the people know the truth without violence. Mario says that it is far too late to worry about that since the longer they wait to tell, it'll only get worse. Peach overhears their conversation and reiterates that's why she has to be the one to end the cycle of secrets. Toadsworth expresses his retaliation against the idea, saying he is the one who should do it but Mario insists that Peach is one of the bravest people he has ever met, adding she could handle it.

Lizel and Fawful head over to Tony's hut above Little Fungitown. While there, Lizel says that she could "feel" Blumiere's presence was there at one point, saying their connection was inseparable and something unique. Fawful tells her that the only way they could possibly find him is through Tony. Lizel refuses to return back without finding Blumeire first and insists they keep searching the hut. After more digging, Fawful comes across a hidden note buried deep within other paperwork and diary entries. He shows LIzel and it's revealed to be a letter addressed to her. She becomes confused as to why Tony would write her a letter until she realizes it wasn't from him, but Blumiere. She begins to open it but Fawful resists the idea, saying she might find out something she doesn't want to but she protests, saying she doesn't care, she just needs to see what he wrote. Before she could read it, however, a disturbance occurs outside, bringing their attention. They hide beneath a bunker door and see 3 hooded figures begin to search everything. One of them uncloaks themselves and tells the others that they should just give up as their leader will be upset at how long they've been gone. It's revealed they are a part of the Tribe of Darkness, the same tribe Blumiere was from before he betrayed them to leave for Lizel. They leave into a portal seemingly back to the Dark Dimension. She becomes shocked by this and says they must be trying to find him too, saying she must find them first before they do. Fawful tells her that they are a very dangerous enemy to play with but Lizel argues that Dimentio is a far worse foe. This forces Lizel to wait on reading the letter as she is more intent on finding him now more than ever. Unfortunately, the Tribe of Darkness make themselves visible and reveal they heard everything and stayed behind. They take the two away, leaving the note on the ground.

The Mush Guardians are successfully powered up while the gates are secure. Mario and Luigi anxiously await the next move that needs to be done. Rosalina suddenly enters a trance and becomes face-to-face with the Star Sprites, who tell her that the Mario bros need to be taken to them as they are ready to hear, "everything".