Ok, this is sort of like what Pomfret is doing with the different Nintendo and maybe some PS2 characters, though mine is a lot different. The acutaly name of it is called Dark Destiny, but that's a name of an RP here so I just changed to title of this lol.

Credit goes to Nintendo and Sony for the characters.

Prologue
Ambush

The Halberd soared through the blue skies of planet Pop Star. Meta Knight had been in command of the planet’s air force for several years, and the Halberd was the planet’s more powerful battleship. It had two massive dark purple bat wings on its side, and a large mask in the front that was the same shape and design as Meta Knight’s mask. One large laser gun was directly under the mask, and two smaller ones next to the large one. Several machine gun turrets covered each side of the Halberd and it had many levels in its deck. Meta Knight had several people in his crew of the ship. They worked on its up keeping, defense, repair, and several other jobs aboard the ship.
Meta Knight approached a large tower which was where air traffic control was. It was made of solid steel, and shimmered in the light of the sun. Several ports where on and around it where planes of every size came out or in it was the main air field in the solar system. Near the top was hanger for the battleships, the Halberd being the largest and most powerful. The building covered a large area and had several implements for satellites, and radio signals.
“Halberd to Air Traffic control do you copy?” Meta Knight said lazily through com.
“Air traffic control to Meta Knight we copy. You have permission to pass into space. Be careful.”
Meta Knight smirked, “When am I not careful? Meta Knight over and out.”
Meta Knight exited the planet’s atmosphere. He shook his head, they worried too much. He had gone on plenty of missions like this and did not understand why people worried so much. He could take perfect care of himself he didn’t need any help at all. He only had his crew to help him with the ship, and they had sworn loyalty to him. Each were skilled foot soldiers, though some of them started out as civilians, most of which he trained himself.
As he left Pop Star he looked one planet away at the sun. It was a large white dwarf star. Being this close to a yellow star would have boiled the plant’s surface, but because the white dwarf was much small and dimmer, planets had to be much closer to the star to sustain life. There were four planets in total in this solar system which was called the Pale Solar System after the paleness of the sun. Pop Star was the second largest planet in the solar system. The largest was a semi-inhabited planet. It was the third planet in the solar system and was twice the size of Pop Star. It had been colonized for thousands of years and had a very small natural atmosphere.
The Planet was called Amber Star due to the fact when the first star gazers saw the planet from the distant days in Pop Star’s past the planet appeared to be amber in color. The tradition of adding the word star after the planet came from an ancient civilization who thought the planets were just stars that had cooled down and shrunk. Though it was now known that it wasn’t all the planets in the Pale Solar System had star after their name.
The Amber Star had now an artificial atmosphere, and even some plants and animals brought from Pop Star. It was getting some water in it but it had to be supplied. Only now were they able to keep the water permanently on the Amber Star. Meta Knight had grown bored of this task. He was in charge of transporting more water to the Amber Star. Though they had their own system, it wasn’t one hundred percent reliable and so they still needed water to be transported to them. He would rather instead at least patrol, or go around the galaxy, but no, he was stuck having to transfer water from Pop Star to Amber Star. Though he was the leader of the Air Force, he was stuck doing civilian jobs.
He increased the speed of the Halberd so it would reach Amber Star in a half hour. He could get there faster, but he saw no point in making the journey shorter. Though it would be, and was already boring, he knew that once he was finished he would have nothing to do for awhile than get assigned as to what he saw another pointless job. He checked the radar for stray asteroids and comets. Sometimes he would take the Halberd asteroid blaster out in the asteroid belt which lied between Amber Star and the fourth planet of the Pale Solar System, Night Star. There was a defense system around Pop Star and Amber Star that would destroy an asteroid or comet that would strike any of the two planets. Now though, he was unable to continue his purge on the asteroid belt because there were so few left, that the president of the Pale Solar System wanted the last of them to be preserved.
Meta Knight wished something interesting would happen, like a new discovery, or a new race in a far off planet be discovered so he could travel there. He didn’t want war though. The last war to plague the solar system was the Amber Star War for Independence. It took place seven decades before Meta Knight was born. From what he heard it was a deadly war, but the end result was the Amber Star losing the war. They didn’t have nearly enough resources to defeat Pop Star, the motherland at a war. At first they were winning it, but Pop Star started to drain their resources. Once the Civil War begun, they didn’t transfer any goods, and they sent a diplomat to their ally, the Lylat System to stop sending goods as well. It took awhile, but the lead general of Cornaria eventually agreed to their demands, and as the war went on, the Amber Star began to collapse and drain due to too little resources.
Eventually due to famine, economic collapse, and an already raising body count, the Amber Star eventually surrendered. They did try to raid Pop Star and steal supplies that from the planet and raid ships that were on their way to other solar systems to trade, but all their plans were smashed. Finally, when Pop Star landed onto Amber Star and bolstered their forces onto the planet and surrounded the capital city of the planet, they surrendered to the motherland.
From what Meta Knight was told, the war was won from the start. Without the proper resources even if Lylat still sent supplies to them, Amber Star would have eventually died out do to lake or resources. There was some worry that with permanent water supply Amber Star would again try to gain independence, but they would not. The radicals who wanted it were long dead or rotting in jail.
Meta Knight checked the time. It had only been ten minutes he let out a yawn. Twenty minutes to go. The only thing not normally seen in the sky now was a meteor it was called the Fortanium Meteoroid and it came around Pop Star and Amber Star every ten thousand years. Meta Knight watched it streak across space, and go right by Pop Star.
Meta Knight looked back ahead towards Amber Star. He heard something, like an engine from outside the Halberd. He looked out a window, but saw nothing, than looked to his radar, but too saw nothing on it. He thought it was odd the Halberd had the top radar technology which made him assume that he had heard nothing and it was just a trick of the mind.
After a few more minutes, he heard something again, "Is there something out there? I have nothing on radar?" he asked his crew.
"Sir! Ten unknown ships have opened fire on the Halberd." A crewman replied through com.
"What?!" Meta Knight said. As he looked around though and turned the Halberd, he saw them. Ten large unnamed ships flew at the Halberd. "Who are you? What do you want?" Meta Knight demanded through com.
None of the ships replied, instead, they opened fire on the Halberd. He turned the Halberd to face them, and activated the machineguns. "If they thought this would be an easy take they're in for it." Meta Knight said, mainly to himself.
The machine guns tracked the ships and fired, but the swerved and rolled out of the way. One flew around, and flew in at a turret as it deflected and dodged several shots. It fired a bomb right at the turrets, but several bullets made the bomb blow up in mid-air, and the ship had to swerve away so it wouldn't be destroyed.
Another ship flew in low and fired at the mask. Meta Knight released the claw arm of the Halberd, and it flew at the ship. It flew to the side, but its left wing was scraped. The ship started to tumble and the claw arm went after it, and crushed it into pieces.
Meta Knight turned the Halberd as several more ships started to fire at its hull. He fired of the bomb cannon. A massive sized bomb flew out and exploded, but the ships managed to avoid them. Once came in for a landing, but was driven off by mass machine gun fire. Meta Knight would make sure no one landed on the Halberd.
He charged up the laser as a ship was shot down and blew up in space by the front machinegun turrets. The Halberd was slow in its turn compared to the smaller ships so it was hard for Meta Knight to find a good area to fire off the massive laser before the smaller ships darted away. Finally, he fired at two ships. One darted away, but the other was hit and was incinerated by the laser. Meta Knight didn't call for backup, he was sure that he could handle the unknown enemy ships. He wondered just who they were though. He didn't recognize the ships and where they were from.
After a few more minutes as the fighting went on he heard something else, it sounded like a controlled crash from the deck of the Halberd. He grabbed his swords he didn’t have to use a gun in battle. The fighting outside would have to wait, he put the Halberd on auto pilot so the machine guns would still fire, but the lasers, bomb cannon, and claw arm still needed him to fire. He picked up the com and said to his crew, “What was that? Were we hit by something?” He said, hoping nothing bad had happened, but at the same time was excited at the fact something interesting could be finally happening.
“Sir! Three ships landed on the Halberd! They...” his words were cut off when he heard on odd roar and what sounded like a spine snap.
“Jonson! Jonson you still there! Someone, pick up the com! What is happening?” Meta Knight shouted into the radio.
He heard someone pick it up, and he heard a dark evil laugh, “Meta Knight, soldier of the Pale Star System, meet your doom.” whoever was on the other end smashed the com against the deck of the Halberd.
Meta Knight swore, he had been boarded, and it did not sound like space pirates. They normally fired at and preferred not to board other ships, besides they didn’t have technology to block radars. He also highly doubted common space pirates would be that good at maneuvering around several machine gun turrets which fired of several round per second at them. He jumped to his feet, and opened the cockpit door and quickly but cautiously walked onto the main deck of the Halberd. He heard fighting from it, but what caught his attention first were three large black ships. They were twice as large as Arwings which were fighter ships from the Lylat system.
Several soldiers were fighting his crew, and the most noticeable were three soldiers who looked like the leaders of the attack. One was human, and he was vast in size. Meta Knight wondered just how those pudgy legs could keep his vast size up. He wore a yellow cap and had a yellow shirt with purple overalls. On his hands were white gloves and he had a very large nose. Right under his nose, was a thin scraggily black mustache.
Another one looked like an odd large turtle dinosaur creature. It had spikes on its green shell and had very sharp claws. It had two horns on its head, and odd red hair on its head. Its claws and body were brown and it had black eyes.
The third one was also humanlike, but Meta Knight doubted he was an actual human, and he had dark green, almost brown skin. His hair was dark red and he had a great look of evil on his face. Strapped to his side was a large sword and on his right hand was an odd golden triangle.
Meta Knight grabbed his sword and ran forward, but he had to jump to the side as a soldier started to shoot at him. He did a drill attack and drilled the soldier into the ground. He saw that the green skinned man ordered the soldier to go to other parts of the Halberd. They obeyed, and left. None of Meta Knight’s crew that saw the invaders were left alive.
“Who are you three? What do you want with me? I’m just transferring water to the Amber Star.” Meta Knight spat.
The fat man laughed and his belly bulged. Saliva came out of his mouth as he laughed and some of it landed on Meta Knight’s mask. It smelt like rancid butter and garlic and he cringed slightly as some went into his mouth and eyes, “Why does it matter to you... um... err... Meta Knight? We do as we want and what our goddess tells us.”
“Wario! That’s enough you need not to tell him more. Though it won’t matter to him.” the creature said.
Wario grunted and picked his nose it took him some time to think, or he just had to get a big bugger out that he flicked onto Meta Knight who cringed at it hit him. “Sorry Bowser. It won’t matter though. I’ll go take command of the ship.” he said.
“No, I don’t trust you with riding your own motorcycle! Wario, you and Bowser take care of Meta Knight. I’ll pilot the Halberd.”
“Fine Ganondorf, you pilot it.” Wario said angrily.
“Oh no, you three aren’t taking control of my ship.” Meta Knight growled “I don’t even know how you managed to get on here so easily, but let me tell you, my crew and I won’t give up without a fight.”
Bowser let out a laugh, “Then we will have to take this ship by force.” he lunged at Meta Knight who leapt into the air. Meta Knight did a mid air spin and vanished right behind Bowser. He spun into a tornado and plowed at Bowser, but he went into his shell and spun out of the way laughing. Meta Knight felt a pain in his side and was blasted back as a yellow motor cycle with silver handle bars plowed into him. Sitting on top of it was Wario he sped right at Meta Knight after he hit him the first time.
Meta Knight jumped out of the way, and flew up and hacked at Wario. He knocked him off his bike, and flew at him, but Wario turned and kicked Meta Knight in the side and punched him into the ground. He rolled away as Wario made another lunge at him. He kicked Wario in the belly, but that didn’t seem to do much as Wario body slammed into Meta Knight. He managed to shove Wario off of him, but was hit in the side by Bowser.
Meta Knight started to pant as Bowser and Wario charged at him. They didn’t seem to be that tired yet, but he was determined not to lose the Halberd. He looked for Ganondorf, but he was gone, already on his way to command the Halberd and turn it away.
Meta Knight dove at Bowser, and turned invisible and reappeared behind him. He slashed directly at Bowser’s shell, but it just glanced off doing little damage. Bowser whipped around and Meta Knight jumped away, but he grabbed his foot and slammed him into the ground. He threw Meta Knight into the deck, and grabbed his wing, and smashed him into Wario’s motorcycle.
Wario ran towards him, and to Meta Knight’s surprise, he bit his wing and started to chomp. Meta Knight stabbed at Wario, but he grabbed his wrist, and dropped kicked him while his mouth was still biting Meta Knight’s wing which made it rip.
Meta Knight flinched as he struck the deck of the Halberd, and the torn part of his wing slid against it. It hurt badly, and he really hoped Wario didn’t have rabies. He tried to stand up, but collapse back against the ground. He glared up as Wario and Bowser approached him.
“We got um Bowser! Now, let’s kill him!” Wario shouted happily.
“No, orders are to keep as many alive as possible. Besides, how else will we get the ransom from Pop Star if their Air Force leader is dead? He must be alive... for now.” Bowser replied.
“You’ll never catch me alive!” Meta Knight spat at them. Both laughed at him.
“Ignorant bat, you don’t even know what we are planning do you? Oh well, I guess it doesn’t matter to the likes of you. Now, did Ganondorf finally get this ship under control?” Bowser said, the last part mainly to himself. When the Halberd made a long curve to the left he said, “Oh good, I guess your rats didn’t cause him too much trouble then aye Meta Knight?”
Meta Knight glared at him and Wario. Wario went back to picking his nose as they took Meta Knight as a captive. He tried to fight back against them, but they tied heavy chains around him and took his sword. He resisted as hard as he could, but he soon grew too weak to resist.
“You fools Pop Star will find out and hunt you down.” Meta Knight said angrily at them.
Wario laughed hardly and more spit landed on Meta Knight, some landed on his wing wound and it stung terribly, “Do you really think so? Hah! Even if they do find out they will all die! Our goddess will destroy your measly two planets.”
“Really? Do you even know what Pop Star and Amber Star’s militaries are capable of?”
Bowser slightly bathed Meta Knight’s mask in fire. Not enough to kill him, but enough to harm him, “We are prepared for war. But it does not matter. Now, this conversation bores me and Wario. Now, shut up!” Bowser roared and smashed Meta Knight in the head knocking him unconscious.
Wario and Bowser threw Meta Knight into a cell in the Halberd’s prison sector. The remains of his crew were too there, though most of them were dead. The ones that died were thrown unceremoniously into the vacuum of space. The prison was only used for captured enemy soldiers or traitors. Once done, the two returned to Ganondorf.
“We have captured Meta Knight. What are your orders?” Bowser asked.
“Make sure that everything goes as planned. And send a letter to Pop Star saying that we demand a ransom for Meta Knight.” Ganondorf said. He laughed evilly even if they were given the money or not, they had plans with Meta Knight, and plans with the whole galaxy.
Ganondorf set the coordinates in for an unknown starts destination. It was located far away from the Pale Solar System. It was where their home base was. The Halberd would be a tremendous asset for Ashera’s army.

Thanks Astra I'll post chapter one now then I guess lol

Chapter 1
Black Fire

Mario rushed towards Mushroom Castle. He heard dire news of something terrible happening, and for once, which was to his great relief, Princess Peach was not captured. It really did amaze him, when he was told by Luigi that the pain in the butt princess was alright.
"What is it then? What's the problem?" Mario asked his brother before they left for the castle.
"Well, I'm not too sure. The princess just said that she had heard rumors of a large black dragon flying around here and wanted you to investigate. I'm not sure why though, I doubt it is with Bowser, and he hasn't been seen for months." Luigi replied.
As they walked towards the castle, the city came in view. It was large and people were walking around shopping and doing whatever they did to carry on with their lives. Large vendors were open which sold food, fighting goods, or several other items. Around the city were several cannons or gun turrets in case of an attack. Mario and Luigi doubted there would ever be one, but they were there just as a safety precaution.
The people of Mushroom Kingdom no longer lived in fear of Bowser. He had stopped trying to kidnap Princess Peach and stopped trying to take over the world. After all Bowser's past plans to kill Mario had all failed and Mario always managed to outsmart him. The citizens knew that Mario would always be able to protect them, and he had never failed. He had never had the arrogance though of his own strength than the people had towards him. They said how he was an unstoppable force, but that he doubted.
As the two walked towards the castle, a green dinosaur came up to them it was around the same size they were, and its underside was white. It had a red tongue and red spikes down its back. Its name was Yoshi and he had been Mario's fateful companion on several of their journeys.
"Yoshi, good seeing you here. How have you been?" said Luigi. Both glad to be seeing Yoshi again.
"I'm fine, just been wandering around here you know. Not much to do anymore now that we have defeated Bowser." Yoshi replied happily.
"Makes you start to wonder where he is. I don’t think he’s dead."
"He isn't," Mario told them as they walked "we never found a body after our last battle, and his minions are still active. The Mushroom Kingdom's army has been actively hunting them down. We have destroyed several of their fortresses."
"Have any joined us? Or are they still loyal to that oversized lizard?" Luigi asked.
"They refuse to join us. They say that Bowser will return and take Mushroom Kingdom by storm. I don't know what they are thinking, ever since he had come close to taking it over that one time he has become worse and worse."
"Or that we have just been becoming more powerful." Yoshi put in, "I doubt he was aware that we have finally put gun powder to major use."
"I just hope he never comes back." Luigi said, slightly shaking.
The three of them continued to talk as they walked towards the castle. It rose into the air and was a welcoming sight to everyone. The walls were bright white and the roof was red. There weren't many guards now, but some cannons place on and around the castle. Things changed a lot now that they had advanced the use of gun powder.
Instead of using natural abilities, raw strength, or hammers to fight with, the soldiers of Mushroom Kingdom now had several guns of different types. Even Yoshi and others of his race were equipped with guns. Mario preferred not to use them, but he still would and could if needed. Luigi never fought, he wasn't much of the fighting type. Though he envied his brother for his popularity, Luigi was too afraid to take on the tasks his older brother had always done.
Ever since Bowser had disappeared, Mushroom Kingdom had been able to retake lost territory and new ground. They had already spread deep into Bowser's old territory, and liberated many of the people that were oppressed by him. Their allies from other parts of the world too helped them wipe away Bowser's kingdom, and any other trace of him off the face of the world, but they didn't have as much success as several thousands, even millions were still loyal to the Koopa King.
Mushroom Kingdom didn't only reclaim lost land, but it even started colonizing other parts of the world. Princess Peach said it was to help people who were suffering, and she made sure none of the conquered people were abused or mistreated. Already there were several colonies in place around the world. Mario had even been to a few before. One of which was the tropical island which was home to late Pirate King Kortez, whom Mario had defeated several years ago. Its colonies were used for resources, and so the expanding population of Mushroom Kingdom would have other regions to live where it was less crowded.
The castle doors were unlocked so Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi walked through them. All around the main lobby people greeted them and stopped to talk for a minute or two. There were several doors that led to other rooms or hallways inside the great castle. The ceiling was domed shaped and colored light blue and the carpet was white. Directly in front of them was a staircase with large double doors at the other side. That was where they were headed to.
"Ah, Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, nice to see you three today!" an elderly man said to them. His name was Toadsworth and he was one of Princess Peach's advisors. He was incredibly old, around one hundred years, but that didn't stop him running all around the world with the princess or Mario. He held onto a firm wooden cane, and had a monocle over his right eye. He was slightly stopped over, and started to develop arthritis in his back due to his old age.
"It's good to see you up and around Toadsworth. How are things going here in the castle? The princess told us there was something odd happening." Mario asked him.
"What? Oh, nothing has been happening around here other than the fact I'm bored and stiff. Or as stiff as a bored you could say." All three of them stared at him for his stupid joke, "Oh fine, I see you three have not changed. Anyway, we spotted a black dragon flying towards one of our cities to the north east of the castle. We think that it could be Gloomtail."
"Wh-wh-what? Gl-Gl-Gloomtail? I thought that Mario defeated him se-se-several y-years ago?" Luigi said shaking in fright.
"No, I only made him fly away badly injured. I don't think he would have lived though, let alone recover to fly this far again." Mario said wondering just how Gloomtail had managed to recover.
Mario thought back of when he first met Gloomtail. They shouldn't even had been enemies as Mario saw it. His sister Hocktail was forced and tricked into attacking Mario. Gloomtail thought it was in cold blood Mario did so, so he swore revenge against Mario. Right before Mario fought the Demon Queen after he opened the Thousand Year Door, Gloomtail attacked him. Mario tried to talk Gloomtail into believing him, but to no avail. Mario was forced to fight him and almost killed Gloomtail in the process.
Mario preferred to not kill Gloomtail, after all he was innocent, and only fought Mario because he killed his sister. Mario knew that Gloomtail didn't know exactly what the Demon Queen's cause was, and what her plans were with the world. Mario shook his head at Luigi, no one believed Mario when he said that Gloomtail was a good dragon at heart, and didn't understand what the Demon Queen stood for, and he might not even had been aware of his actions.
Instead of arguing with them about Gloomtail, Mario decided that he and Yoshi, not Luigi Mario knew that his brother was most likely to afraid to go on the quest, would find Gloomtail and try to talk some sense into him.
"That is a shame that you were unable to kill him Mario, but oh well. Now come, I must take you to the princess." Toadsworth replied with a jump. As they went through the door his muttered under his breath, "Oh these poor old bones. I really should retire."
As they walked through the hall, several candles were lit on the walls, but light bulbs were also hanging down from the ceiling, casting a light through the hallway. The candles smelt of peaches, a smell Mario had grown used to, but it still annoyed him. Yoshi let out a loud sneeze as he passed a candle.
"Peach really should get different candles. She knows I can't stand the smell of these!" he complained.
It took them awhile to reach the next door because Toadsworth was slow partially due to his age, but the other part due to the fact he was in no hurry to get there fast. He doubted Gloomtail would be a problem. Toadsworth only saw Bowser as a problem, and would sprint around to find Mario and tell him or to help the princess. Mario did not understand it at all. The feared Gloomtail for what he did, yet they were unable to realize that it was because of them he sided with the Demon Queen. Not only that, but they also thought he was no big threat to them which Mario found very hypocritical.
Yoshi was paddling along right next to them. He sniffed occasionally because of the candles they really bugged him. Yoshi and Mario had served with each other and had been friends for years, around the time they were born. They would sometimes help in each other's adventures, but most of the time went off on their own. Yoshi started off rather weak, but with training and his wanders have turned him into a strong formidable fighter. In the last war against Bowser Yoshi almost defeated the Koopa King by himself. It was a memorable experience that none of them would ever forget.
During the siege of Bowser's castle, guns and cannons had been invented for only a few months. They stormed and blew down the walls with Yoshi and Mario leading the attack force. Most of Bowser's soldiers fought the old way, so they were plowed through. Yoshi made it into the castle itself before Mario did. He fought his way against a couple armored koopas, and eventually ran into Bowser. The two fought, and Yoshi managed to shoot Bowser right in the chest. After more fighting Bowser did manage to get the upper hand on Yoshi the two fought, and both probably would have died if Mario hadn't rushed into the room.
Bowser was about to shove Yoshi out of the window, and Yoshi was determined to take him down with him. Mario ran forward, and jumped doing a spin kick right into Bowser's head. He grabbed Yoshi's arm, and pulled him up. Bowser made a swipe, but Mario jumped away, set Yoshi on the ground, and launched a giant fire ball at Bowser. Bowser was to slow to avoid, and was blasted right out of the castle. Mario watched as he was slammed into nearby trees and they collapsed on the Koopa King. Both he and Yoshi were sure that Bowser was dead after that. Though the reports that they found no body was disturbing. That must have meant he survived, but how could have Bowser lived a giant fireball blast, being shot off one thousand feet into trees, and having the trees fall on him? It made no sense. The whole Mushroom Kingdom army spent days searching for the corpse, but never found one. Both Yoshi and Mario knew that Bowser was out there, somewhere, but most people were to afraid to admit that the two may be right, and that the evil Koopa King might still be alive.
Luigi walked next to him like life was all simple. Mario laughed sometimes at his younger brother. Luigi would sometimes try to act tough, but he was really very timid and afraid. Normally Mario would want his brother to come with him, but he knew Luigi would be too afraid to carry on the mission.
Once they finally arrived at Princess Peach's room did the four of them stop. Toadsworth knocked on the door, and it opened and Peach stepped out. Mario was surprised with the fact she was not captured, and this was one of the first times he's seen her in the castle without anyone trying to capture her. She was tall and had long wavy blond hair. She wore a large pink dress, Mario made a display that he liked it, but in reality he thought it made her look stupid, but he didn't say that, it would be a rude thing to say even if it were true.
"What did you want to tell us princess? We were told that Gloomtail has been spotted in a city north east of here." said Mario, Luigi shook nervously next to him.
"Yes, he has, it is most alarming. We all thought him dead after you defeated the Demon Queen. We don't know what he is doing, but several alarmed citizens have told me he has been flying around there, as if searching for something." Peach informed them.
"Was that around the area where you killed Hocktail? He could just be looking for his sister's body?" Yoshi asked Mario.
"No, I killed her around Petal Berge. That's to the south west of here. Besides, I think he already buried her body." Mario replied.
"Well whatever the case is Master Mario, I think that you should go after Gloomtail and kill him if possible. Who knows what kind of damage he could wreck open life in the Mushroom Kingdom." Toadsworth suggested.
"I will not kill for killings sake. I've told you that already, and you should know by now that I am not an assassin or hired blade." Mario said not angrily but rough enough to get his point across.
"We not that Mario. But you have tried talking to Gloomtail before and it didn't work. He was with the Demon Queen! Who knows what he will do to our people." Peach said and put her hands to her face.
"It is my fault he was against us. I killed Hocktail because I was too stupid to see that she was being controlled by the Demon Queen. Once I killed the Demon Queen, Gloomtail's been on his own, and has caused no harm to us. I doubt he even knows what the Demon Queen stood for. He probably just wants revenge against me." said Mario.
"But Mario, you must understand what this could mean. Gloomtail could be dangerous."
"I doubt he will be unless we get involved, but I will do as you ask. I will at least check this out and see what Gloomtail is up to. I doubt he will be pleased to see me."
"Oh don't worry Mario,we won't make you go by yourself. I think Yoshi and Luigi should go with you." The princess replied.
"What?! I don't mind at all, but I don't know if Luigi would be up to it. Would you Luigi?" Mario asked, slightly surprised.
"Of course I will Mario! You can count on me I'll show that Gloomtail what I'm made of." Luigi said with great pride and courage in his voice.
"That is exactly what I'm afraid of." Mario said to himself, shaking his head.
"When should we leave?" asked Yoshi.
"Tomorrow you need time to prepare for your journey. Besides its already late and there's no point in leaving this late just to make camp in a few hours." Peach replied with a giggle.
The three thanked Peach and left the room. None of them really wanted to go in the first place. Mario knew that if Gloomtail would attack them it would be because of this. Yoshi partially agreed with Mario but also thought Gloomtail was dangerous, and Luigi though put on a false show was afraid of facing Gloomtail.
"Yoshi, you can come with Luigi and I. We have an extra bed in our house." said Mario. Luigi and Mario lived with each other mainly because they didn't make much money. They had now been making more of it in the past few months so Luigi is working at buying his own house which he has now they just have to get everything moved. They were going to move Luigi out the next day but the meeting with Princess Peach changed their plans.
As they walked the sky darkened into night. Owls could be heard hooting and the stars were bright in the sky. The people of Mushroom Kingdom were very interested in what lay out there in the starry sky and they had several space observatories. They could even see the other planets of their solar system which the people of Mushroom Kingdom considered a huge accomplishment. There were five other planets in the solar system three of which were gas giants and were hundreds of times bigger than their home planet.
Mario remembered a few months ago of a person who once tried to reach the stars using a cannon on top of the highest mountain which was full of gun powder. The experiment didn't work well. The man incased himself in a metal box with a single breathing hole. When it fired he went skyward and he was never seen again after the explosion when he blasted out of the cannon.
"Do you really think Gloomtail won't be that big of a problem?" Yoshi asked Mario as they walked on.
"Well, it depends. He won't be happy to see me I can tell you that much. I don't know if he will attack us though. He very well could, but he may be nervous after I beat him the last time." Mario replied.
"What I don't understand though is why he would come to a city so far away from the capital. Do you think he wants to kill you?"
"No, he would know to find me in the capital of Mushroom Kingdom so I highly doubt that. It is odd though and I do plan on finding out why once we arrive there." Mario told him. Luigi didn't talk much he just listened in to their conversation as they spoke. He looked around, something on was happening, Luigi wasn’t sure why or how but he had the feeling that some big would happen though he wasn’t sure if it would be or terrible, he just had that odd strange feeling.
“Mario, Yoshi, do you think there is something out there?” Luigi asked.
Mario looked around and replied, “No, why?”
“I just... have this feeling.”
“Maybe we should take a look around? Just to make sure.” Yoshi suggested.
Mario thought about what Yoshi and Luigi said. He doubted there was anything out there and they had to get up early to leave, but he couldn’t let an opportunity for adventure to pass by him.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to go exploring. Besides there could be something out there. Let’s go.” he said.
“Right now?” Luigi said.
“Yes, why not? We don’t have anything better to do.” Mario said and he and Yoshi went into the forest and left poor Luigi to catch up to them. He ran up towards them as the two started to enter the forest. Most of its trees were dead and they swayed in the wind giving it an odd almost creepy appearance. The trees bark so dark brown that it was almost black. Mario had ventured into the forest before, but it was only on a few separate occasions, and never for too long.
The trees were dark and ominous. The very air around them seemed to reek with evil. He heard Luigi grip if rifle behind him. Mario didn’t like using guns, though if he had to he would. Both he and Yoshi went into the forest unarmed only Luigi brought a weapon.
The three of them entered the tree line and walked through the dark ancient trees. Each tree, even the youngest was over a thousand years of age. No one had dared to venture deep into the forest. Mario had come close to reaching it but had never fully gone in. He didn’t fear what was in it he just had other reasons why he had to leave. He did know though, that the forest was haunted by strange creatures. On several of his treks into the forest he heard moaning, screaming, and odd harsh breathing. He looked back at Luigi he knew this may not be a good place for his more timid brother. Yoshi on the other hand would fare better, but even Mario was nervous at what lurked in these woods.
They continued on for a few minutes without talking. Behind them Luigi’s nervous breaths could be heard. Mario was sure nothing was back here when he heard a blood curtailing scream. It sent shivers down his spine, and both Luigi and Yoshi jumped when they heard it. The scream came from deep in the forest, and Mario swore he could hear the sound of tearing flesh.
“Wh-wh-what was that?” Luigi asked nervously.
“I don’t know who ever it was they’re in danger. But... was it a person? It didn’t sound like a normal scream.” Mario said.
“What else could it be? An animal?” asked Yoshi.
“Well, criminals have been known to torture small animals out in this forest. I’ve even come across dead bodies, hanging mutilated in the trees.” Mario replied.
“And why are you telling us this!” Luigi shouted nervously.
“You asked. Ok, follow me. The scream came from this direction.”
The two followed Mario deep into the forest. Yoshi looked up and watched the moon’s slow movement west across the sky. Something was odd with that moon it had a strange red tint to it. Yoshi didn’t say anything about it and just followed Mario. A cold chill crept by them and Yoshi shivered it seemed as if the temperature had dropped twenty degrees. They could see their breath in front of them as they walked.
“Mario, we have been walking for hours and seen nothing. I guess there wasn’t anything here, we should just turn back...” said Yoshi, but as he said that, they heard a loud explosion. The three of them fell to the ground as several bullets went flying through the air.
Mario jumped up, and blasted a fireball from his hands and it struck two people sending them crashing to the ground. He heard next to them as Yoshi stood up, and started firing with his own gun. He dragged Luigi behind a tree, and poked his head out to fire at the people who were shooting at him. He quickly hid back as several bullets went through the air his head was just at. He pocked back out and fired sending one man crashing to the ground and shooting another in the chest. Luigi was fumbling with his gun and finally had the gun powder and bullets ready.
Mario jumped up, and grabbed a branch. He swung himself forward, and punched a person right in the face. He grabbed the fallen man’s gun and clubbed another in the chest. He heard movement, and ducked just as a bullet went over his head. He ran and slid out right into the person and sent him crashing into the ground and his head cracked against a tree.
“Who are you? Why are you attacking us?” Mario demanded. He wondered if they didn’t know who he was.
One of the men laughed at him, “We know who you are Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi of Mushroom Kingdom. But you do not know who we are, and we will not tell you anything. Your bodies will hang from these trees for all eternity.” the man laughed, along with his comrades.
“What are you talking about? Tell us who you are.” Mario ordered.
They all laughed and the man replied, “Kill them, spare them no mercy.”
Mario smirked, “If it’s a fight you want it’s a fight you’ll get.”
The men laughed and their leader said, “Kill them all, I want them hung from trees and their bodies skinned.”
The man charged at Mario. He jumped in the air and did a spin kick. He jumped away, and punched Mario in the side and sent him crashing into the ground. Mario rolled away, and jumped up and launched a fireball into him sending him crashing into the ground.
Yoshi ran forward and shot a man in the chest. He kicked him in the head, and ground pounded him in the sternum killing him. He felt a sting in his leg as a bullet grazed him. He turned around and turned into an egg and rolled the man over and rolled back and crushed him. Luigi started tentatively at them and watched them from behind a tree, he screamed as a man came at him with a gun. He fired but missed and ran away. He tripped and shook as the man aimed his gun at him. Luigi put up his gun and fired several bullets into the man’s heart.
The last few ran away. Mario and Yoshi gave chase to them for a short distance, but they had lost them so the two turned back and returned to Luigi. He stood up and whipped his hand against his forehead.
“I wonder why they were here. Do you think they are connected with Gloomtail?” asked Yoshi.
“No, I doubt it. Those men... they seemed to be part of some group but I don’t know what.” Mario replied.
“Ma-maybe we s-s-should t-t-tell the princess?” Luigi said.
“No, we have to see what they are up to. Come, follow me, they went this way.” said Mario.
Mario and Yoshi ran off and Luigi screamed for them to wait and he ran up to catch up with them. They looked back at him wondering why he came if he didn’t want to. The three continued on into the darkness, all the could here was their breathing, and Luigi shaking. It was getting much colder and Mario could feel the frost biting at him.
Yoshi led the way, following the trail of trampled grass, and snapped branches and twigs. He was the best at finding hard to see clues of where people may have gone. He was a great sneaker, and he was even better than Mario at sneaking. The signs were very hard to see, even with an untrained eye it was still difficult to see them. Yoshi spent some time around a dead log with a bunch of grass by it and headed off in another direction then he originally planned on going. They had lost the people by now that they were chasing, but they could still follow the clues they left on the ground.
Finally, after about a half hour did they find something interesting. They saw smoke rising off from the ground a few miles away. Mario and Yoshi looked at each other and continued off towards the smoke, though more quietly than they previously were. Luigi followed tentatively behind them.
“What do you think it is?” Yoshi asked.
“I don’t know, it could be anything, most likely just a group of hunters, but there is a high chance it could be those men we ran into.” Mario replied.
“I wonder what they were doing here. It didn’t appear that they were native to Mushroom Kingdom.”
“I wonder where they would have come from then? What about a colony?” asked Luigi.
“I doubt it, they didn’t seem to be wearing anything that the colonies have. They could be, but I doubt it.” Mario replied.
Once they grew close, they stopped. They could hear talking, and saw long shadows against the trees from the firelight. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi hid behind three trees which were large enough to conceal them from the people around the fire pit.
Mario peered around the tree just slightly to see what the men were up to. The fire was surrounded by several rocks, and was towering above them like a huge bonfire. It was a dark red and orange glow and Mario could make out a single cloaked figure in front of the flames. Mario couldn’t make out any futures on him, other than the fact he didn’t seem to be from this planet. He though he saw to lumps trying to perk through the hood, like ears on top of his head.
The man’s cloak was a dark purple color, though appeared almost black in the fire light. He seemed to be leading all the others in some strange task. He stood with a dominant appearance, though Mario couldn’t see it, he had a very arrogant look on his face. His arms were folded, and he stared at the men who were standing in front of them. There were around one hundred other people in front of him, all cloaked, and all saluted him. They seemed to be in some sort of cult. All of them raised up their hand in an odd way as if saluting the man in front of them. Though to Mario surprise, the man did that as well. They all rose up their hands in a salute, lowered their hand down, and made an odd twist with it in front of their heart.
“For Goddess Ashera!” the man shouted.
“For Goddess Ashera!” they all replied to him.
Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi were even more transfixed, they had never heard of this Ashera person. Mario wondered if she the leader of their strange cult.
“I have been informed that three citizens of Mushroom Kingdom have been spotted in the forest relatively close to here?” the man in front of the fire said.”
“Yes Sir Wolf. I saw them, and they killed most of the others with me, besides Igor, Achinoc, and Sillian. They were Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi. We knew that they lived around here.”
The man named Wolf smirked from under his cloak, “Very well, we will deal this those pestilent later. Now, you all know why we are here?”
“Yes sir!” they all replied.
“Good, as you should no, we are here to further discus project Black Fire. Goddess Ashera has demanded that we head to solar systems away from our own to colonize and conquer for her plans. We need to raise an army up as fast as possible before Cornaria, Venom, or any other planet realizes what our plans are. Spies from within Mushroom Kingdom have informed us that there is no way to convince Princess Peach for her people to join us. That leaves us with one last motive, to take Mushroom Kingdom by force and make these primitives bow to our every word. I have already begun plans for the siege of Mushroom Kingdom, it shouldn’t be hard. These primitive fools think they are so advanced because they can see other planets in their solar systems and have discovered how to use gun powder. Ha! We will show these savages just what an advanced civilization is like!” Wolf shouted, the people in front of his cheered and clapped and shouted praises to Ashera. Mario, Yoshi, and even Luigi wanted to know more of just who this Ashera was, but it soon became apparent, that they wouldn’t find out just who she was.
“Sir, what does the Goddess wish for us to do in regard of Black Fire?” one of them asked.
“Just to take over any planet we can right now that is far enough away to not attract attention from our enemies, but also close enough for the goddess to draw in the energy from the star.” Wolf replied.
“Why not attack our enemies though?”
“We don’t have nearly a large enough army to do that yet! You should know that is why we must enslave the more primitive people if they refuse to join us. Pigma has already taken control of one primitive society. Now, it is our turn. In two days, the attack on Mushroom Kingdom will commence.” Wolf said.
The group cheered again, and all of them, including Wolf did the salute and shouted, “For Goddess Ashera!”
Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi had to quickly hide in bushes as the mob of people left and walked away. They walked right passed their hiding place, but fortunately didn’t see them. Wolf was the last to leave he put out the fire, and picked up a com and said something into it. A red and white ship landed next to him and he jumped into the cockpit and flew away in the ship. A jet stream could be seen as he flew into the sky and away from the forest.
Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi left their hiding place and looked at each other. They never expected to hear this, even more so that it was from people who did not even live on this planet.
“Should we tell the Princess?” Yoshi asked.
Mario nodded, “Yes, most defiantly. This is bad, not only our own planet, but others are at stake here.” Mario said.
“H-h-how d-d-did th-they e-even find us?” Luigi stammered.
“I don’t know. It’s odd, we didn’t even know alien life existed and now we know of several planets and creatures and some of which want to destroy us. I wonder just who this Ashera person is.” Mario said, putting his chin on his knuckles thinking.
“It could be anyone, though what about what they called Black Fire? I wonder why they need the army and planets?” said Yoshi.
“Perhaps to try and take over the galaxy, we must hurry, the faster we tell the Princess the better.”
“But, Mario, what about Gloomtail? Maybe he is with them? Should we go demand answers from him?” Luigi asked.
Mario stared at his brother, but replied, “I doubt Gloomtail is involved. Besides you heard what that Wolf person said. He thinks we are savages here, he would probably kill Gloomtail even before thinking of letting him join.” Mario replied.
“What do you think Black Fire is though? If they want to take over everything, than why do they want stars far away from them?” asked Yoshi.
“I don’t know, but remember Wolf said far enough so not to attract attention, but close enough so Ashera could draw energy from the sun. I wonder what they mean by that though.” said Mario.
“It seems that we will have a lot of question that we will have to find answers for. The only problem would be how to get these answers.” Yoshi replied.
“Maybe through the space observatories?” Luigi suggested.
“Maybe, but that won’t tell us anything. I saw we try to find Wolf and see what he’s up to.” Mario said.
“What!?! But Mario, that’s crazy! You saw that strange ship he had!” shouted Luigi.
“I know, but there is no other way. We can sneak aboard if we have to. This could possibly mean the fate of Mushroom Kingdom.” said Mario.
“He’s right Luigi. I know I’ll come with you Mario.” Yoshi said.
“I’ll come to bro! You can count on me.” Luigi said triumphantly.
Mario smirked, “Good, this could mean the difference between the life or destruction of Mushroom Kingdom.” said Mario.
The three of them turned around, and went to Mario’s horse for the night, but they knew what they had to do the next day. Search out to find Wolf, and to stop at all costs Black Fire from happening, and find out just what it was, also just who this so called ‘Goddess’ was.