Prologue

Location: Bowser's Castle in the Darklands,

A full moon glistened; the glorious sound of the proud Koopa throng was silenced by a lonely whistling of the wind, coupled with the murmur of the bubbling lava inferno that naturally heated the cold interior. The outer walls and the castle proper are in dire state. Eight shadows, those of creatures clothed in a dark cloak and enveloped in a mystic, evil aura, stood victorious over their respective divisions of the Koopa Troop at the different areas of the enormous castle, having defeated . Yet, the culmination of this one-sided war was held by Bowser himself in his throne room.

A great battle that had transpired in Bowser's throne room was almost over, the situation growing more desperate. Part of the eastern wall of the room got torn down, along with part of the northeastern corner of ceiling, letting the moonlight penetrate the often dark hall. A few pillars were brought down from the intense battle, in which a large cloaked creature held his own against Bowser, Bowser Jr., and 6 out of the 7 Koopalings.

He prevailed against them.

Finally, a weary Bowser tried a final attempt to take this unknown creature down with him, but alas, he was repelled by immense energy emitted from this creature's cloaked palm, as all of the conscious Koopalings watch in dismay.

"Bowser, NO!" shrieked Wendy as Bowser violently crashed into the wall in the northern end of the throne room, sending debris flying everywhere. Lemmy, who stood near Bowser's trajectory, was smacked by one on Bowser's limbs into a nearby pillar, knocking the petite Koopaling unconscious as he fell on some debris at its base. Roy lay defeated, moaning in pain near the entrance, and Iggy was out cold as he hung over his destroyed contraption. Ludwig panted and clutched his injured left shoulder as he saw Bowser fall unconscious, chest first, onto the gray stone floor. This unknown creature's rumbling voice finally broke the silence.

"You see, young Koopa," he told the blue-haired Koopaling, "This is what you've been serving under; nothing but talk and no action. Great untapped power just inches away from his fingertips, yet, all for naught. Stop resisting, and join me. Your talents will flourish and be used at their maximum potential under my leadership."

Just as he finished, Bowser Jr. rushed in with a giant Bowser cannon, and lit up a match. A green beam from their enemy shot Bowser Jr. before he could ignite the weapon, destroying the weapon instantly, and making him fall face first into the same cold gray stone floor as his father, covered in soot and also out cold. The unknown creature dressed in his dark cloak walked over towards Bowser, and began talking with the unconscious Koopa King.

"I made you an offer I was sure you wouldn't refuse, and even threw in a little ransom, too. So, it was your way or the highway, huh?" He scoffs quietly, later turned towards everyone else, saying, "Listen, all of you who can hear me still! I'll ask once more, so please, I kindly request the acceptance of my offer. I need the strength of every single one of you here. Sadly, one of you is missing, but we'll manage without him. Here are my terms!"

Larry charged at him from behind a pillar that hid him in its shadow, jumping at their cloaked enemy with the intent to strike him with one of Bowser's spiked baseball bats. The creature nonchalantly poked Larry's forehead, making the blue-shelled Koopaling fall and join the unconscious group.

As soon as the cloaked creature reached where Bowser's body lay, he held out an arm draped in the cloak. A violet ray emanated, and began to slowly transforming Bowser. Wendy shrieks and passes out. Ludwig watches in horror as Bowser slowly becomes a marionette, and when the transformation completes, two large puppet crosses formed beside his mute, wooden body. Lemmy slowly regained his senses and began to stand as the caped individual conversed with Ludwig.

"That's it, young Koopa, give in and join me. You'll be in a position you deserve, not that of a second rate minion, and together, we will conquer the entire Mushroom World." At this moment, eight shadows came in from the outside and stood behind their leader. "Should you desire this old Koopa back, the same who disowned you as family, we can… discuss thoroughly."

Ludwig began to sweat, and a lost look invaded his face, as he felt powerless and did not have any morale left to look at this creature's veiled face. He stammered, "I… I… can't… I…"

An unrecognizable, deep voice came from behind the nine cloaked creatures. "We will join you, master."

They, along with Ludwig, looked at where the voice came from; it was Lemmy, who was now well awake. His eyes no longer revealed a crossed-eyed gaze of a clown, but a sinister, blue hue covered the entire eye, and a bloodthirsty smile replaced the innocent yet silly maw. Ludwig could only stare incredulously at his once goofy brother. Many thoughts and emotions inundated his subconscious, but a rather quick analysis of his current situation recollects his thoughts.

'So, it comes to this! That demon we travailed many years ago to seal away, has emerged once more…' Although still annoyed, he calmly stares at his adversaries. 'This vile creature… I'd be damned if I say it wasn't his doing! But, it is I against 10.' He closes his eyes and grins smugly. 'What alternative do I have but follow what fate has chosen?'

Ludwig finally knelt, and opened his eyes at the creature. He calmly said, "What are your wishes, master?"

-O-

Disclaimer: Except for fan-made characters and where indicated, ALL characters, species, locations, localizations (older and newer) and anything else used in the course of this fan fiction that is part of the Mario franchise, are property of Nintendo, ENIX, and all other parties involved in the production of the games represented in this story.