A/N: This fic is based off of The Walking Dead series.
Dark Bones Walking
By Tanooki Roxx
Chapter 1: Careful what you wish for
It was a beautiful summer afternoon in the Mushroom Kingdom. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and everyone was in a cheerful mood. Basically, it was the perfect day or so one would assume…
The Mario Brothers decided to take advantage of the pleasant weather and retreat to the Mushroom River, which was a few miles north of Goomba Village. Luigi was doing backstrokes in the cool, crisp lake. Mario sat at the edge of the bank looking down at his reflection with his bare feet dangling off the edge.
Luigi looked up and noticed his brother staring absent mindly at his own reflection in deep thought. This behavior was quite unusual for his big brother so he decided to inspect further.
"Weegie!" Mario hollered as he felt a splash of cold lake water hit him in the face.
"C'mon in bro the water's nice!"
"Nah..I think I'll pass," Mario said still looking at his reflection.
Luigi swam up to the bank and pulled himself up so he could sit beside his brother.
"Something wrong bro? I mean you have been awfully quiet today," Luigi asked gently.
"Well it's just.." Mario hesitated. "Do you ever wish that things could be different?"
Luigi scratched his head. "What do you by that?"
"Like you know what life would be like if we were still in Brooklyn or how things would be if we were not the 'SUPER' Mario Brothers."
Luigi began to get a little nervous at this comment. He had never heard his brother say such things.
"Where are you going with this?" Luigi gulped.
"I'm just saying I'm fed up with it all Weegie! I'm just burnt out from always having to be the hero," Mario heaved a heavy sigh as he stood up.
Luigi gasped. "Bro what are you saying? You have a great life! Lots of people would kill to be in your shoes! Luigi exclaimed.
"Great life?" Mario snorted. "Sure if you call spending every moment of your life constantly saving a princess from a dim-witted dragon, then yeah it's a dream come true!" Mario snapped.
Luigi remained quiet but stared intently at Mario.
"Its been almost 31 years of the same mundane bullshit! I can't enjoy a Mario Party, go on vacation, or spend time with Peach without some obstacle…mostly Bowser ruining my day!"
"Well at least your life's never boring," said Luigi trying to make light of the situation.
"True. I don't want a boring life… I'm just sick of saving the princess 365 days a year, 24 a day, 7 days a week! It's been 31 years and yet we still haven't even made it to second base for Pete's sake!"
Luigi blushed at such an awkward statement.
"I do love Peach but I don't know I'm just tired of everybody depending on 'SUPER' Mario to always save the day. I need a break too."
"I think your being selfish," Luigi finally spoke up.
"Maybe I am but I just wish things would be drastically different than they are now."
"Mario don't say that! Remember what Mama used to say!" Luigi scolded. "Careful what you wish for because you might just get it!"
"One can certainly hope so."
Suddenly a rustle in the bushes caused both brothers to jump up.
"What was that?" Luigi asked gesturing towards the western side of the forest.
Mario shrugged it off. "Probably just a Goomba or something…anyways we better go get ready for yet another one of Peach's infamous parties…I wonder what time she'll get kidnapped today."
Luigi just sighed as he slipped his clothes on over his green swimming trunks.
About an hour or so later Mario and Luigi had made their way up to the castle grounds. Mario was still in a pretty bad mood. In fact, he spent the whole walk to the castle ranting about how he never gets to enjoy the parties in peace.
"Look Bro I know your not in a good mood but try not to rain on everyone's parade today Ok?" Luigi said as he knocked on the castle door.
Toadsworth answered the door before Mario could make a comment.
"Ahh Master Mario…Master Luigi always a pleasure to see you both!"
"I'm sure." Mario grumbled as he pushed past the old Toad and headed for the ballroom.
"Well I do say! What on earth has gotten into Master Mario?"
"Don't worry about him Toadsworth. He's just having one of those days."
The ballroom was decked out in red and blue streamers. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves on the dance floor. Peach was busy chatting with many of the locals. As soon as she spotted Mario she smiled and gestured for him to join her. Since Mario wasn't in much of a socializing mood he decided to stand near the punch table just to appear busy in case someone wanted to make small talk. Unfortunately, this did not stop anyone from approaching Mario.
Meanwhile on the other side of the room Luigi, DK, Wario and Rosalina were having their own conversation.
"Oh my god! Did you guys hear about those three sisters that went missing just outside of the BeanBean Kingdom?" asked Rosalina.
"Oh yeah what did they call themselves again? The Traveling Sisters Three or something stupid like that," said Wario as he gulped down another glass of punch.
"The traveling sisters went missing! When did this happen!" Luigi exclaimed.
"Dude, it was all over the news today don't you watch TV?" DK asked.
"I was down by the Mushroom River all day today so I haven't had a chance to watch the news."
"They were last seen walking towards Stardust Fields, a few locals heard some horrific screams but they have yet to find the sisters."
"Those poor girls. I hope they're alright," said Rosalina sadly.
"What the heck is with Mario?" Daisy blurted out as she walked up to the group.
"Yeah he's not his usual cheerful self today. All he's done since he arrived is stand beside the punch table looking pessimistic," added Yoshi as he joined in on the conversation.
"Yeah I don't know what's going on with him today," said Luigi.
"Daisy and I tried to talk to him but he…" Yoshi froze as he spotted Birdo standing in the corner of the room watching him.
"Birdo!" Birdo then turned and headed straight for the door.
"Birdo! Wait up! Please we need to talk!" Yoshi yelled out as he chased after her.
"I take it Birdo is having a bad day too?" Luigi asked.
"Yoshi dumped her a few days ago," Daisy whispered.
Meanwhile Mario was being followed around the castle like groupies follow rockstars. Every where he turned someone was asking him for an autograph, personal favor, or both. Finally, Mario had a bait of it.
"SHUT UP!" The music came to a stop as everyone turned their full attention to Mario.
"JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!" Mario screamed as he stormed past the crowd up to Peach's private chambers.
Everyone was so taken aback by Mario's sudden outburst that everyone stood in awe.
"Heh heh heh now the party is finally starting to get good," Waluigi said as he walked over towards Wario.
"I better go talk to him," said Luigi.
"No Luigi."
Luigi turned around to face the Mushroom Kingdom princess.
"I'll go talk to him."
Mario busted open Peach's bedroom doors to find Toad and Toadette making out on the coach.
They both jumped up in fear.
"Umm sorry didn't know this room was occupied." Mario said as he walked in anyway.
"It's cool we were just about to watch TV," Toad said nervously as he grabbed the remote.
Toadette was too embarrassed to speak so she just nodded in agreement as the TV turned on.
"This just in the bodies of the missing toad girls known as the Traveling Sisters Three were found decapitated in the center of Stardust Fields. The three sisters were reported missing earlier today when locals heard screams coming from the field. Police spent hours trying to find the girls. Reporter Kylie Koopa has the story," said a Toad anchorman.
The screen showed a young female koopa standing in front of Stardust Fields.
"Thank you Glynn. I'm standing in front of Stardust Fields where just hours ago a brutal murder took place. The bodies of three young toad girls were found with strange claw and bite marks. Police believe this to be the work of some kind of rabid animal. The body parts are being taken to the Mushroom Health Center for further investigation. Until further notice Stardust Fields will remain closed off from the public. This is Kylie Koopa, Channel 64 News."
"I was really good friends with them," said Toadette as she started to cry.
"Mario…can I talk to you?" Peach said as she stood outside her bedroom door.
Mario walked out of the room leaving Toad to comfort an emotional Toadette.
Mario and Peach walked out on the balcony. It was so peaceful looking out over the Mushroom Kingdom.
"Peach…I'm sorry for causing such a scene back there."
"What's the matter Mario? It's not like you to act this way."
"Do you ever wonder what our true purpose in life could be?"
"Well no I was brought up to become the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. I've never questioned my place before. Why do you ask?"
Mario sighed. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be any more. I thought for years it was a plumber but now everyone says it's a hero. I liked that role for a while but now it's just overrated. I really miss the simple life."
"So you regret saving me?"
"No! I wouldn't trade meeting you for the world. I just wish we could run away," Mario said as he grabbed Peach's hands.
"Yeah that would be nice…to leave all our responsibilities behind us…just the two of us," Peach said dreamily.
The couple leaned in to share a passionate kiss until Peach was pulled off the balcony by Bowser.
"Oh for cryin out loud can't you take a break just once in your life?" Mario yelled in frustration.
Bowser laughed as he held on to Peach in his flying clown car. "Gwa ha haha Mario prepare to.."
"Yeah Yeah Yeah skip the cheesy dialogue and let's get right to the battle." Mario said dully.
"Sorry you'll have to come to my castle party for that." Bowser said laughing as he flew off.
Mario raced down the castle stairs only to be met with a panicking crowd.
"Mario its just awful the princess has been kidnapped!" Everyone yelled in unison.
"Well no shit Sherlock" Mario yelled as he pushed through the crowd and headed for the nearest warp pipe.
"I better go with him. His head's not in the game today." Luigi said to Daisy.
"I'm comin with you!" the tomboy princess replied.
Meanwhile at Bowser's castle.
Bowser stood at the top of his roof with Peach and Kammy Koopa.
"Gwa hahahaha my castle is heavily guarded I'd like to see Mario make it to the top."
"Give it up already Bowser! I mean Mario ALWAYS wins," said Peach.
"Not this time! I have a little surprise in store for him."
"I'm ready for my surprise Bowser." Mario said as she stood face to face with the koopa king.
"Ahh how did you get here so fast?"
"Please Bowser your traps are sooooooooo predictable. I mean my grandma can scheme better than you."
"Well it just so happens I have something that will finally make me victorious! Prepare to go out with a bang." Bowser said overdramatically as he pushed a button on his remote.
A loud BOOM was heard.
"Errr I didn't mean literally" Bowser said looking around as his castle began to violently shake.
"Umm your nastiness was this part of your plan?" Kammy Koopa asked as the castle began to crumble.
"What! You designed this thing! You tell me what's going on!" Bowser yelled.
Windows began to burst open as fire engulfed the whole castle.
"What's that noise?" Daisy asked as she jumped out of the warp pipe.
"The castle is going to explode!" Luigi yelled as he pointed to Bowser's castle.
"We need to get out of here NOW!" Kammy Koopa screamed. Just as she was about to take off, the spot of the roof she was near had exploded.
"Shit! I'm out of here" Bowser hollered as he grabbed Peach and attempted to escape.
"Mario!"
Mario ran to grab her but it was too late Bowser had already flown off a good distance until a piece of his castle collided with his clown car.
Luckily, they were both not very far from the ground.
"Well that hurt…" Bowser said as he tried to pull himself up.
"Peach! Peach! Speak to me!" Daisy screamed as she rushed over to her fallen friend.
"I'm fine…where's Mario" Peach responded weakly.
Mario was still trapped on top of the castle. He couldn't escape. This was going to be it…
One last BOOM sent Mario flying sky high.
"MARIOOOOOOOOOOOOO! " Luigi screamed.
Everything was moving in slow motion for Mario as he came crashing towards the ground.
He saw his life flash before his eyes.
All of his adventures were slipping past him. Memories, friends, and everything were ceasing to exist.
All he could think about was what Luigi said to him earlier that day.
"Careful what you wish for because you might just get it."
Mario then crashed to the ground.
Everything went black…he could hear garbled screams and cries and then it was silent.
EOC.
Sorry for such a long intro chapter! I wanted to cram everything in one big chapter instead of busting it up in several mini chapters. This way I can jump straight into the plot : )