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PMFOF - Prologue

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11:26 PM



A lone hut sat on the edge of town, light was inside despite everyone else in the area having gone to sleep. A young boy stood upfront of his crystal ball, training the night away as he studied his spells. He was a very short lad, cloaked in a large red robe held by a small brooch at the center of it's collar. He was working diligently through the night under the instruction of his mentor, Merlon. The young shaman you see believed that he was apprenticing to become a fortune teller just as Merlon is, though he was never really intended for such a path. It was only out of a favor to his mother that Merlon took the boy on to keep him busy and out of harms way.

Wind clattered against the windows and doors in a sudden frenzy. Seemed rather odd, merely seconds ago the night sky was as crystal clear as ever...

The boy tilted his head towards the outside. He could tell that something was rather amiss... though he brushed that thought quickly to the side and focused the rest of his brain power solely to his "craft".

The wind rolled across the walls of the petite little home. It was an incredible distraction to try and focus when it sounds like a banshee's screaming right beyond your doorway! When the boy stepped down and threw the door open to see what the ruckus was though, it fell eerily silent. It was as if something- or someone, had frozen in place the moment the boy came around.

Shaking his head he pulled the door shut and returned to the stack of books he had piled up in front of the table to be able to reach his crystal. He figured that the all-nighters he had been pulling for these past few days have been making him delusional, and his mind was merely playing tricks on him.

Not a moment had passed before his attention was forced to stray once more. This time it wasn't just mother nature wanting to play a few pranks, but his own house seemed to be in on the joke as well, as his seemingly locked door decided to throw itself wide open. It freed itself so quickly in fact that it almost flew right off it's own hinges!

Verrrrry slowly, the boy got up, jumping down from his stacked up library and inching his body up to the doorway. "...Hello?" He called out, creeping down his front steps to survey the area of anyone nearby. He let out a sigh once more, the stars surely having something against him not wanting to sleep like everyone else at this time of night, and was about to turn back. However, something caught him.

A faint sound called out, almost like an angered screeching. He turned his attention to the sky and there a strange black dot sat next to the moon in it's near full glow. He squinted his eyes, unable to tell if something was truly there, or if he just had one of those annoying sunspots that you get from staring into a light bulb too long.

Blinking, a sudden chill went down him.

A chill that rattled his bones and went creeping up his spine when he saw two, beady red eyes, all the way up on that little black dot, looking back at him. He was sure it was staring at him. It didn't even flinch as it gave him the thousand-mile stare. He was absolutely quivering as it flew off a brief moment later into the night. Just the very THOUGHT of what that could've been sent bad vibes all up in his teeny tiny body, and when you're a shaman, trust me-

bad vibes, are really bad.

Frantic now, he was unsure of what to do. Was all of this merely a game from his mind? Or something far far worse to imagine... Whatever the case it was, he couldn't imagine wasting another moment thinking about it, and instead rushed off to console his master. Surely he'd know what to make of this.

Rushing down the dirt path in the night, he rushed to Toad Town as fast as his little legs could carry him. Everything around him seemed so different to look at in moonlight than it did in the day time. Thankfully Merlon's house stuck out like a sore thumb above the rest, what with it's large spinning roof that was in constant motion.

Approaching the door the little shaman was quick to knock in loud succession with his tiny little fists. Even if his master wasn't awake, surely this would be enough to rouse him from his seat.

Merlon jolted upright, once enjoying a blissful slumber before waking to the sound of what seemed like a jackhammer trying to plow right through his doorway. With sagging eyes and a now agitated mood, he made his way up towards the door to shout at whomever had the nerve to bother him at such an hour. "Merlon is closed for the day! Come back tomorrow!!"

"Merlon- it's important." The young boy stammered back to him.

"...Mermor? Is that you?" He asked in a confused tone, recognizing the incredibly soft voice from the other side of the door before opening it up. "You daft child, what are you doing here at such a time of night??" He asked with both irritation and concern.

"I saw something... strange... Up in the sky." He stammered out, glancing back over his shoulder for a moment to stare up at the moon.

"Don't we all-" The old wizard replied with a roll of his eyes.

"B-but..."

"Listen- child. Go home, get some rest. Spending nights up in a frenzy like this will eventually make you look older than I do! Now good night..." Merlon insisted, shutting the door behind him as he returned to his chair to count all the sheep he missed from getting up to begin with.

Mermor's apprehension didn't change. His master now only believes the same thing that he did moments before! Maybe he was right though- it had been almost a week since the lad got a full eight hours in. Perhaps rest is really all that he needs-

Though, he wouldn't be able to do it in peace knowing that something was staring at him up in the sky all night. He'd have to confide in someone else for help. Someone even higher than his own master...

Quickly he made his way back to his home, running back to the table he'd been spending the wee hours of the morning at to consult his crystal. If Merlon didn't possess an answer for him, then surely the stars will. Quietly he rose his hands above the green orb, calling to it. "Great star spirits... please answer. What of the eyes in the sky? Is it merely an illusion?" He pled softly.

The crystal suddenly went aglow, beginning it's reply. "When the stars align on the 31st night, our kingdom's sky will be filled with light. Invaders shall come raining down, with their only goal to conquer the crown. When the moon, stars, and time collide, our kingdom's fate shall be washed with the tide- no longer can our heroes stand, when all of our fate- rests in a sinister hand."

"Mermor, grave tidings are to befall the Mushroom Kingdom..." It finished, the voice that spoke to him quickly fading.

"Wait- wait come back! What's happening??" Mermor urged, shaking the crystal wildly before slumping in defeat. Now he wishes that it really was his mind playing tricks. Pausing for a moment, he found that the breeze coming from outside had suddenly stopped. Funny, he may be on the edge tonight but he was sure he hadn't closed it...

Turning his head, the crystal was nearly thrown into the ceiling as he was ambushed in a brown bag. Mermor let out as loud of a shriek as he could muster, struggling in the darkness of the smelly burlap as a thick claw sealed off the only opening. The large figure toting him away let out an eerie, and more over illegible laugh, running off with him before he had a chance to discover anymore of the kingdom's fate...



Toad Town
9:36 A.M.


In the brisk and early morning of yet another day in the kingdom, wings fluttered towards the mailbox of a certain pair of plumber's house. "Mail call!" Parakarry shouted, before heading off to attend to his other deliveries. A postman's work is never done.

Mario set down his newspaper and coffee and headed towards the door, giving a call over his shoulder to alert his brother he was going to the mailbox. He opened the front door and placed his cap over his head, making his way outside to retrieve his mail. As he flipped through the various 'thank you' notes from citizens for their good deeds, and fan mail from the creepier denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom, he came across a recognizable pink envelope, scented with strawberries. He smiled, a slight blush coming across his cheeks as he opened it, scanning the letter before turning into the house, a light skip in his step. He went to inform Luigi that it was yet another call from the Princess, the both of them invited to her castle for some cake.

"That-a sounds great bro!" Luigi chimed back cheerfully. "At least it isn't-a Daisy's super sour-a sushi souffle, if I had to-a pick out the one-a thing I didn't-a like about her, it would be her-a cooking..." He sighed, reaching for his own cap to cover up his scruffy bedhead hair-do. "So, is this for some-a special occasion or did she just-a want to be spontaneous?" He asked with a bit of a sarcastic grin.

Mario fiddled with his 'stache, turning his blushing gaze away from his younger brother. It's typacal of Peach to invite the twosome over, special occasion or not. Even if it coincidentally seems to follow some crazy plot of world domination, neither Mario nor Luigi could turn down a date with food. He set down the rest of their mail and headed towards the door again, when opening the door suddenly he came face to face with a white and bushy mustache. "Merlon?" Luigi asked from behind his brother. The old shaman held out a hand to steady himself, as he coughed. "M-mario....you must come with me. There is....something very troubling I wish to speak with you about."

Luigi hung his head to the side in a bit of confusion, scratching at it for a moment. "You-a go see what he wants bro, I'll a hold down the fort." He told his older brother, setting a hand on his shoulder. 'And I'll be sure to a save you some a cake too.~' He thought to himself.

Mario swallowed uneasily and sighed, a little down-trodden he might miss some time with Peach, or perhaps a whole visit, but he obliged, because he was unselfish most of the time, or at least tried to be. He nodded to Luigi before following behind the robed old man as they headed to his abode over in Toad Town square...


"Mario... I had a dreadful thought last night." Merlon put a hand to his head, the crystal ball giving a hazy glow on the table before him. "In the wee-most hours of the morning, I was payed a rather odd visit by my apprentice- Mermor. The lad is normally a very quiet sort, but he can be diligent." He informed with a blustering sigh. "I only suspected the boy to have spent one too many nights without sleep, that he was merely imagining things. But something far greater was at work to lead him to my stead..." He gave a wave over the ball, the energy in the air changing as Mario watched the clouded orb give way onto glowing words of an ancient prophecy, followed by what looked to be a younger, smaller sorcerer peering in from the other side, before a bag was forced over his head and he was dragged away, darkness swirling over the glass. "The 31st night, the prophecy states. All will be lost to us then. That was what my apprentice was worried over last night- and these words were the last thing he saw before everything went dark. I looked into his dwelling myself, but he was not there." Merlon looked off, "I feel an uneasy darkness approaching. I'm not sure...of what will come. But it cannot be good." Mario frowned, taking in the concern dripping from the other's light and lost voice. Mario then stood up, tightening the brim of his cap to his head and giving a reassuring word to the solemn sorcerer. Merlon looked up at him, nodding his head. "Mario, I am an old man- growing older in each century to pass... I know that you already had plans for your afternoon but- could I ask of you to retrieve my apprentice for me? The poor boy's never been in such action before, it's probably scaring him out of his wits." Mario nodded right back to him, agreeing albeit reluctantly to the task.

As if right on cue, a sinister giggle was heard outside as an eerie looking creature attempted to make it's getaway out of town. In it's clutches was a brown burlap sack that shook and rattled like a wild animal was trapped inside. For some odd reason this foreign monster held a large lollipop in it's other hand. Must have a serious sweets fix to be lugging something as big as a frying pan like that...

"CAN SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF HERE!? I CAN'T SEE A THING-" Squealed a frantic young voice, the monster shaking the large bag about to try and get it quiet.

A little Toad happened to be out in his yard playing as he beheld the sight. "AHHHHHHHH, M-MONSTER!!!" He screamed, running into his house at full speed to hide behind his mother. All it took was one yell, and Mario immediately jumped into action, throwing open the door with Merlon left to stare after him.

Mario raced down the road, his eyes darting from building to building, from street to street, and finally he caught sight of the putrid creature. Over it's shoulder it held a large brown sack that Mario could hear wailing from. Yanking the brim of his cap, Mario ran at full speed towards the sickening looking thing. "LET'S-A GO!"

The creature turned, all at once recognizing the plumber in red and a twinkle of rage in it's eyes. This bratty boy of a shroob could NEVER forget such a face that laid a smack down on his race what seemed like eons ago. A story passed through generations of his people, Mario along with his brother Luigi were regarded as the greatest evil since the Shadow Queen herself. Shrieking that eerie sounding shriek only understood by his own kind, he wasted no time to engage in combat, lobbing that two ton lollipop in his other hand full speed at our hero.

Mario grabbed his trusty hammer from the back belt loop of his overalls and swung in front of him, colliding with the massive candy and shattering it into pieces. He could hear someone whimpering from the monster's bag, but didn't have much time to question if it might've been Merlon's apprentice or not. His foremost thought in mind right now was simply to keep this town safe by any means.

The beast growled from the bowels of it's throat, pulling another lollipop straight from it's gullet ready to take aim. Before lobbing it once more the creature shouted a plethora of things at Mario in a more or less foreign language, though it could easily be assumed they weren't exactly nice things. The ruthless monster tossed his regained weapon at him once more, and then quickly turning to make the getaway he was intending to.

Meanwhile, it's hostage continued to squirm helplessly in the bag, shouts muffled by the thick lining. With a powerful struggle the little one managed to kick the beast's claw in just the right way to make him release his grip-

only to send him careening right towards Mario's face along with the slobber covered sucker. The beast flailing his fist, decided to run for now figuring the odds to be against him by this point.

A lollipop stuck to the 'stache wasn't the greatest victory Mario'd ever had in a fight, so it was hard to think of this as a win, but nevertheless, the bag and whoever was in it was safe. Mario struggled underneath the musty smelling pack before pushing it off, pulling the sticky, slobbery mess, off his face. He yelped slightly as a few of his 'stache hairs stuck to it, and then set it aside to pull the mystery bag opened and let whoever was in it, out.

Mermor crawled out in a bit of a haze, certainly wiped out from all the screaming he had done but much more tuckered from the collision than before. "...Could somebody turn down the sun?" Was all he could moan, glancing up at Mario but with fogged eyes from exhaustion, and the general inability to see after being in a pitch black bag for several hours. Or days even, he couldn't tell.

Mario pulled the little shaman's arm up in his to support him. A general look-over and he didn't seem too hurt, just dazed and confused. He helped him up, deeming it better to move him out of the town square and over to Merlon's house. The wary wizard clad in blue opened the door and let out a sigh of great relief. "Ahh, thank the Star Spirits, you're alright."

The boy tilted his head, a hungover look to his face as he glared up at his master. "M-Merlon?" He asked through squinted eyes. He shook his head about trying to get more of a focus on what was going on, brushing a bit of dust from his robe.

"I do believe I owe an apology to you my lad-" Merlon replied, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I shouldn'tve brushed your worries off so quickly as I had last night..." He informed, stepping back towards his crystal. "What you must have experienced was only the start of the troubles to come..." He thought aloud forlornly.

Mermor stood ponderous for a moment, bringing to the table an important question "But master... didn't you tell me that- should some grave phenomena occur that the Prophet's Moon sitting in the Millennium Temple could just reverse it?" He asked dumfoundedly.

"Ah! Quite right my lad quite right." Merlon agreed, twirling his mustache before turning to Mario, "The Prophet's Moon is a sacred relic of my people dear boy. It helps protect the balance of this fair world, always able to ensure peace in our kingdom. You see, ever since it was conceived, it's main intent is to seal the fate of our land so long as it's kept in good hands. It makes sure that good can always prevail no matter the circumstance!" He boasted. "However-" He added, causing both Mario and Mermor to listen more intently. "As all of us are now aware of the prophecy told by the stars, I believe I now understand it's full meaning." Merlon told them, beginning to pace back and forth. "You see- at the Prophet's Moon's creation, there was a rather undesired side effect that happened to arise. Several nights throughout the years, both the moon and our fair Star Haven, have crossed paths with the Millennium Temple. It is at those times that the Prophet's Moon can harness an inconceivable amount of energy, enough energy in fact-

that it can change fate itself."

There was a collective gasp from Mario and Mermor both.

"Indeed. Quite troubling. And if we are to believe this prophecy's words- then on the 31st night of this month, something, or someONE for that matter, is surely intending to use the Moon to ensnare this planet in their fiendish clutches!" He declared, before the room sat in momentary silence. "Now, there are a select few shaman's who have watched diligently over the Moon for these past centuries. And in a situation such as this, they agreed to separate, scattering the fragments of the Moon across the land. Though I doubt such a measure can be enough to stop what is to come..." "Mario-" Merlon started, Mario nodding to still show that he's kept his attention. "This kingdom has trusted you many a year to keep us safe from danger, should it be foolish of me to trust you once more?" He asked the plumber rhetorically, before getting an enthusiastic reply from Mario showing that he's indeed ready for action. "Right then! I must ask that you travel out and gather the shattered pieces of the Prophet's Moon, holding them in your protection so that when our final hour is to come, fate shall rest in your hands as opposed to those of the enemy. There is bound to be many a villain to come at odds with you- but I'm confident that you shant falter." Merlon finished, Mario shaking his head in agreement.

"Now then, your first task will be to go to the Millennium Temple, where the Prophet's Moon should normally rest there is a tome that shall read the location of which you are to travel first-" Merlon informed him, before shifting his gaze to the little shaman beside him. "Mermor."

The boy suddenly jolted when attention was shifted to him. "Y-yes sir?"

"I must request that you accompany Mario. You know the way to the temple just as well as I do, and you'll surely be of use on such a quest as this."

"...Are you certain about this?" Mermor asked, somewhat in doubt.

"More than I ever have been..." His master replied, almost regretfully. He knew this was going to break the promise he had kept with the lad's mother for so many years, but she simply couldn't keep him sheltered from his destiny forever.

"...Alright." Mermor agreed. Stepping out of the door ahead of Mario. "...Just follow the trail here if we get separated okay?" He asked, floating out the door and onto the road before the plumber could even answer him.

Weaving forward and around, up down and under, with a few haphazard turns here and there Mermor finally reached the edge of their destination. A strange village on the outskirts of the Mushroom Kingdom nestled in between a large canyon, the sun shining bright in the sky yet it's color split right down the middle. "Alright- Dy Vide Valley....we're here." The boy panted, looking over all the buildings that were crafted in an immaculate circle around the grand star shaped tree that sat in the town square, of which a glowing door seemed to be bound to the trunk.

Mario took in the fantastic view, before his attention returned to the boy as he followed him up to the staggering piece of foliage at the center of town. "It's just through here-" Mermor assured, stepping to the ground and standing dead center of the door. In a low voice he chanted words in the native tongue of his people to break the seal of the door. The Millennium Temple is a sacred reserve to the history of all the lands of the kingdom. Constructed by the shaman people, their spirits were what watched over the grand Prophet's Moon, an emblem of all fortune that could bend the pace of time and space should fate have the worst in sight.

Mario slowly made his approach to where the young apprentice had lead him. Looking up he fawned briefly over the beauty of the powerful tree that was before him. A bright blue haze surrounded it's immaculately shaped leaves, overgrown into the shape of a star so precise it's astounding to think this was a naturally grown phenomenon! And at the base of this tree, to it's trunk was a door once sealed tight, now opened and waiting for the twosome to pass through and see where their journey would begin.

Mermor made quick way ahead, a long and winding hill connecting the doorway to the temple was what they followed for a short time before reaching the top. He approached the temple's entrance and grasped the handles to the massive door leading inside, pushing with all the might he could muster. Our hero quickly catching up assisted in throwing it open, only to be amazed at what he saw inside.

"This is time's memory." Mermor informed, taking the first step inside this one room palace. "A large bridge connecting past, present, and everything in between. The images floating around us are the memories of all the past, from shamans that have aided the kingdom in harmony with the star spirits." He pointed out. The rickety bridge they were crossing looked very old, made only of wood and rope, and peering below the animated memories seemed to go down for infinity.

With as many sights as Mario's seen you wouldn't think he'd be so easily awestruck, but it was truly a sight to be held, as Mermor had to pull hard at his arm just to keep him moving.

Pattering up to the other side all that sat was a tall pedestal. An old and dusty book sitting atop it lovingly on a small stand. "All memories are recorded in this large book, including those of the ones guarding the Prophet's Moon..." Mermor told him, heaving the book open.

The boy sifted through the pages to find the ever-expanding tome's latest entry, finally coming across something for this date. "...The collapsing forest." He read aloud.

They both thought surely that there would be more to it than just that. There were hundreds if not THOUSANDS of forests all across this planet. How exactly were they going to find the "collapsing" one? With only this single lead, the two thought it best to return to Merlon, and tell him of their findings.

Merlon's House
11:52 A.M.

Merlon stood ponderously in the room, back turned as he took in all the information Mario and Mermor had to say.  "This is certainly a sticky wicket now isn't it?" He asked them both rhetorically, turning to face them.

"So what could it mean? What sort of forest is... falling apart?" Mermor asked his master quizzically. Merlon focused all his energy onto the crystal ball that sat at his table and a bright fog took to forming inside of it. As the clouds parted a lush green forest appeared, the trees parting way as the image lead itself to what looked a giant magnet, wedged into the ground. With a fragment of the Prophet's Moon clinging onto it's backside.

"I...I see it!" Mermor stammered quickly, pointing at the silver end of the massive metal. A red, immaculately shaped crystal attached to the aptend of the massive magnet. Seemed that wasn't the only thing the magnet attracted though. From the looks of it the sky above was raining everything but the kitchen sink! Rocks, clothes, sofas, fish, just about anything that wasn't nailed to the ground seemed to be falling from the skies.

Mario and Mermor both watched as the image started to fade. "That poor place is called Forest Falls, it was originally named after the large waterfall that the village sat by but- sadly the name seems more fitting to the state that it's in." Merlon replied. "That beastly magnet crashed none too long ago, no doubt in correlation with this ongoing matter that's starting to unfold." He sighed.

With a grin on his lips and a thumbs up being flashed Mario assured the old wizard that things will be under control in no time. Knowing where they were to head to first, Mermor and Mario both exchanged looks before heading out the door- their adventure only just beginning.

With a wistful look, Merlon watched as the two ran towards the edge of Dy Vide Valley, making way to their first stop on the grand journey that was unfolding.
"Good luck."
Rewrote the ENTIRE thing so that it fits properly with the context of what I've been uploading as of 2012. xDDDD I'll likely redo the picture at the top as well sometime.~

PS: The Merlon in this story is the one of the original Paper Mario game, only thing is he has 2 huts now, one in the Mushroom Kingdom/Toad Town, and one at his homestead/where he trains Mermor Di Vyde Valley. :P

All characters (c) of their respectful owners
Story and concept (c) Me
© 2011 - 2024 Piranhartist
Comments23
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ProtoTypedKnife's avatar
Wow! :icondmits: suggested I read this and I can surely understand why! :D
I'm already loving Mermor's timid, shy personality and so far the story is very interesting :)
Good work I do say!