//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: My Little Origami King // by Starlight Fan //------------------------------// The Mario Bros were in their kart as they drove down the dusty path on their way to Canterlot in Equestria. They had recently received an invitation for a nice vacation at Equestria where they would have an Origami Festival. “Are you excited for this vacation bro?” Luigi asked. “Of course I am Luigi, ever since the incident at Prism Island I have been wanting to relax for a while, I’m also happy Peach was invited.” Mario said. “Oh I’m sure you are.” Luigi nudged his brother playfully. “Luigi stop it.” Mario said blushing in embarrassment. “I’m just teasing bro, don’t worry.” Luigi laughed. “Oh, hold on bro.” Luigi said before they saw a gate with two alicorn statues on it. “Here we are Canterlot.” Luigi said happily as they drove through the city of Canterlot. Mario inspected his surroundings as Luigi slowly drove down the streets of the village. The first thing the two plumbers noticed was that nobody had come to greet them upon arrival. "Huh where is everybody? I was sure that at least one would be around to say hello.” Luigi asked "Mario check the invitation, when are we supposed to be here?" Mario reached into his pocket and pulled out the small beige colored scroll. "Hmm it's the right day," Mario said "But I don't see anyone around here.” "They're not here eh?" Luigi asked Maybe we should go check the castle.” Mario nodded as he jumped into his cart. As Luigi drove down the empty streets, Mario noticed that several large holes on the walls of the houses. The cart carrying the two drove out of the city and made it's way to the large castle in the distance. As they drove, Mario continued to inspect his surroundings. “That’s weird, ever since we showed up, not a single pony has appeared.” Mario mumbled to himself. "Well here we are," Luigi said, surprisingly the gates to the castle were wide open with no guards. Mario jumped off the kart and looked at Luigi. "Alright I'll go park the kart, won't be too long," Luigi said. Mario nodded as he watched his brother drive off. Mario examines the outside of the castle and was weirded out at the fact that there were no guards. “That’s strange why aren’t any ponies guarding the castle?” Mario asked. Luigi then walks to the castle without his kart “Sorry for the wait bro let’s go check out the castle.” Mario and Luigi then walked inside the castle, there was nothing but silence, "Kinda spooky isn't it, I'd figure we'd meet SOMEBODY by now.” Luigi said. "Something's not right, I don't know if it's just me, but I suddenly have a feeling that we shouldn't be here," Mario mumbled. His thoughts were interrupted by Luigi's gasp. "Mamma mia, I forget our luggage in the kart, hang on bro, I'll just go grab them real fast.” Luigi turned around and began approaching the doors, but they suddenly closed shut on their own. "Huh?" Luigi grabbed the handle and pulled only to find the doors had locked them in. "Ok, I don't like that.” Luigi said. “What’s wrong Luigi?” Mario asked curiously. "Uh I think we're locked in," Luigi answered. “Well if we’re locked we might as well find the key, right?” Mario suggested. “Oh of course, I knew you'd be smart enough to figure that out bro!" Luigi exclaimed "Alright I'll go find us that key, if you happen to run into Peach or any other princesses be sure to tell them hi for me." Mario nodded as he watched his brother dash off in search of a key. Mario looked at the double doors behind him. "I suppose I should go find the Princesses for now," Mario said to himself. He was about to go look for them when a familiar voice called out to him. "Mario, is that you?" Mario turned around to see Peach walking slowly walking down the stairs. "How good to see you.” she said. "Princess?" asked Mario as he walked up. He noticed that she looked different. Her body looked different, and rather rigged. Her soulless eyes began staring at him. "It's not just me Mario," she said in an emotionless voice. "Huh?" Mario looked at her with a confused expression. At that moment two ponies slowly flew down next to her. One was white with a pink, green, and sky blue mane, the second was dark blue with a navy blue mane that seemed to sparkle. Both had wings and a large pointy horn, and like Peach, their bodies seemed rigged and off and had soulless eyes like Peach. "I want you to meet the royal sisters," Peach introduces "Princess Celestia and Luna," "You must be Mario, we've heard a lot about you," Celestia said emotionlessly. "It's a pleasure we get to meet like this." Luna said in the same tone as her sister. "Um it's an honor to meet you too, your majesties," Mario said taking off his hat. "This is strange they don't look normal.” he mumbled to himself. "Mario we wish to ask you something," Peach said. "Hmm?" Mario asked. "Shouldn't the Mushroom Kingdom and Equestria be unfolded and be refolded unto glory?" Peach asked. "Um I don't really know what that means but, no?" Mario answered in a confused voice. "And what of those Toads, shouldn't they be silenced for all eternity?" Peach asked. "What is going on, this is starting to creep me out." Mario mumbled to himself as he nervously shook his head. "Last question, will you crease yourself and be reborn like us?" Peach asked. "Ok, something is definitely wrong, what's going on here?" Mario asked himself as he shook his head. "Wrong answer, right answer, it matters not, your replies are all paper thin.” Peach said flatly. "Goodbye.” Peach said. Suddenly there was a loud bang as the floor underneath him gave out, revealing a trap door. Mario soon fell through the floor and was now underground. “Mario?!” Multiple voices yelled. Mario then saw four of Bowser’s minions in front of him, a Koopa, a Spike, a Buzzy Beetle, and a Hammer Bro. "Always gotta make a flashy entrance huh?" The Koopa remarked. "Wha, what are you guys doing here?" Mario asked. “Never mind that, have you seen Master Bowser anywhere?” The Koopa asked. "Well I haven't seen anybody since I arrived so I don't know where he is.” Mario answered. "Whoa Mario you're here!?" a voice gasped from behind. Mario turned around to see a lone Goomba staring at him in awe. "I'm a big fan-er I mean....I've always wanted to battle you!" he corrected himself. "Even if I get stomped, it would be an honor!" “Oh well glad you think of me that way.” Mario said a bit weirded out. "Wow this is so exciting, first I see Peach and the Equestrian princesses and now YOU!” The Goomba said “Although I will say that the princesses looked a little different from what I expected, less um lifelike.” Suddenly the door behind them opened as two figures walked out. A red Shy Guy and a yellow Shy Guy and their bodies looked rigged. "Come with us." the red Shy Guy said. "Yeah what's next I've never seen a Toad before or a pony, please tell me it's either one of those!" The Goomba beamed. He waddled past Mario and followed the other minions into the room. Mario began cautiously walking into the room with them but the red Shy Guy stopped him. “Not you.” The red Shy Guy spoke in a drone-like voice. "Aww I hope you don't have to wait too long Mario, I'll say hi to Toad for ya, or a pony, or maybe both." The Goomba said. Mario watched as the Goomba and the strange Shy Guy walked in, closing the door behind them. "Huh, what was that all about?" Mario asked himself. His thoughts were interrupted by a timid female voice that seem to be coming from within the castle dungeon. "Who's there?" asked Mario. "I need your help, I'm.....I'm.....I'm in a very strange place," The voice explained "It's cramped and dark, almost like I'm in between dimensions or something." "In between dimensions?" Mario asked "I'm not sure if i should be amazed or scared, but I'm kinda both?" The voice continued "Anyway, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to get out now, please, is there anyway you can help?" “I’ll try but I’m not sure what to do?” Mario shrugged. "Well you can try and walk around, maybe follow my voice?" The voice suggested. Mario looked around and pinpointed the voice near the wall. "Here?' Mario asked as he walked over. He didn't notice the strange mark on the ground until he walked over it and it began to glow. “Whoa what the?" He looked down at the now glowing mark on the ground. A large white hand symbol spun around an orange circle "What was that, did something light up at your feet, is it a Magic Circle?" asked the voice. "I don't know what a Magic Circle is, is it a orange circle with a hand in the middle?” Mario asked. "Yes that’s the one, and that’s good, I think, I mean, I'm not really sure what you're supposed to do with it." said the voice. "But can you try to use it somehow?" "I'm not sure how, but yeah.” Mario answered. He walked over it and felt a surge of new power flowing through his body. "Whoa what's happening!?" He pulled in his arms before stretching them out only to find that his arms had now turned into large accordion style appendages with origami hands. He looked at his arms in awe "That sounded good, are your arms all big and foldy now?" asked the voice. "Well apparently they are." Mario answered. "I've heard about this, I think those are called 1,000 Fold Arms.” The voice explained. “Well that explains it.” Mario said. "Try feeling around a bit, maybe you can help me escape from this strange dimension.”The voice suggested. "Alright.” Mario said. Mario then put his hands up against the wall and began to feel around for a bit. Eventually he was able to grasp onto what felt like a flap on the wall. "There." He grabbed the flap and tore it off, revealing and empty space and a small yellow figure stuck against it. Once the part of the wall fell to the ground, Mario's arms returned to it's original state, and the Magic Circle beneath his feet vanished, leaving only a faint mark on the ground. He looked up as the strange yellow figure pulled itself from the wall. "Wow I'm free from that weird in-between dimension!" She gasped. She turned around to face the wall she just popped out of. "Oh was I just stuck in that wall?" “Yep, you were.” Mario answered. "Ah!" She quickly turned to face him. "You must be Mario.” Mario nodded at this as the yellow figure began speaking "Well nice to meet you Mario, my name is Olivia, you'd probably like to know a lot more about me and why I was trapped like that huh?" “I actually would, how come you were-a trapped?” Mario asked. "Well sorry to say, but I don't think we really have time for that now, maybe we should just get out of here.” Olivia suggested. "There's just one thing, I'm not exactly fleet of foot, mind if I hitch a ride?" “What?” Mario asked as Olivia then folded herself up and went in Mario’s pocket. Well I guess that’s alright.” Mario shrugged. Mario looked around the area and began speaking “Well I think I should be getting out of here.” He was about to start looking for an exit when he noticed something sticking out from behind the large boxes. "Huh what's that?" Mario asked. Curiously Mario walked over and found a large wooden hammer lying on the ground. "What's this-a doing here?" Mario asked as he picked it up. "Whoa what'd you find, it looks big and smashy, maybe try it on something around this room?" Olivia suggested as she flew out of Mario’s pocket before going back in. Mario looked around and walked over to a couple of large boxes and began smashing them with his hammer, revealing a hole. "Nice work Mario, I knew you'd be able to find us a way out of here!" Olivia said as she got out of Mario’s pocket "Oh by the way, I just came up with a great idea." "Yeah, I don't know how useful it will be but if you ever get stuck just let me know and I can try and come up with something witty." Olivia explained "Maybe we can get to know each other a bit more.” “That sounds great, I’ll keep that in mind.” Mario said. "Great, but first let's get out of here," Olivia said. Mario and Olivia then went out of the hole and into another area. "Ok I'm getting my bearings, I think we might be in the castle dungeon. Dungeons smells like this place smells right?" Olivia said. “I guess.” Mario said weirded out. “Hey knock it off!” A voice boomed. “Bowser?” Mario asked as he checked through a small hole in the wall. "I can see what you're about to do to my minion, and I order you to cut it out!" Bowser(who was now folded into a square) roared. Looking to his left he could see the silhouette of a rigid Shy Guy and something large. As Bowser thrashed about trying to escape, two more shadows appeared from the right carrying what appeared to be a Koopa. "What's going on?" Mario mumbled. He watched as the two Shy Guys approached the large object and then they stopped. The third Shy Guy raised his arms making the Koopa start levitating. Suddenly the large object opened up like a large mouth as the third Shy Guy began folding up the Koopa before throwing it into the large object. The top of the object slammed down with a snap as Bowser thrashed around hopelessly. The top of the object slowly rose up as the Koopa slowly rose to it's feet. The Koopa silhouette looked more rigid than before and walked away in a zombie like fashion. The two Shy Guys from before later returned carrying what appeared to be a Hammer Bro. Mario backed away as Olivia got out of his pockets. "What did you see, nothing terrifying I hope," Olivia whimpered. "That was the last of them.” A familiar voice moaned. Mario and Olivia turned around to see the two Shy Guys from earlier along with the rest of Bowser's minions in rigid-like states. "Except for the mustachioed one.” The second Shy Guy said, Mario watched as the two left with the rest of Bowser's minions. "Ok, maybe I have time to explain one little thing, those stiff-looking guys are called Folded Soldiers." Olivia explained. “Folded Soldiers?” Mario asked. Yep I don't want to scare you but they're unbelievably dangerous, I think we should try to avoid them." Olivia explained "What do you think they meant by That was the last of them anyway, the last of what? Oh well we should probably find a way out of here." Mario nodded as he continued to search for an exit. He was about to go inside the door where Bowser was but a voice spoke up. “Hello, anypony there?” The voice asked. Mario looked around but no one was there. “Who’s there?” Mario asked. “I’m trapped in a crate and I can’t get out, I need help.” The voice explained. Mario followed the voice and found the crate and smashed the top of it with his hammer. “Thanks, it was getting cramped in there.” The creature said as he got out of the box. The creature had a small purple scaly head with green spines running down it's back and tail. It had a lime green underbelly with two small wings on it's back. “Oh so you’re a dragon.” Olivia said. “Yes I am a dragon.” Spike spoke proudly “My name is Spike by the way.” “Nice to meet you Spike, I‘m Olivia and this is Mario.” Olivia introduced herself and Mario. "Wait, YOU'RE Mario?" Spike asked looking at the red plumber. Mario nodded as Spike began speaking “Oh wow, I've heard a lot about you from Twilight. Anyway thanks for saving me, but I need to go find my friends!" “Your friends?” Mario asked curiously. “Yeah, we got separated during the attack.” Spike explained. “There was an attack, what happened?” Mario asked worried. “Well me and the six ponies I’m friends with were getting ready for your arrival but then some weird folded creatures showed up along with a bunch of big creatures with brown mushroom heads, Celestia and Luna tried to defeat them but they were outnumbered and some weird purple guy captured them, Twilight told me to run while her and the rest of her friends held them off so I reluctantly did and then suddenly I was captured and put in a crate.” Spike explained. “Oh my that sounds awful.” Olivia gasped “Mario, do you think we could help him find his friends?” “Sure I don’t see why not.” Mario shrugged. “Really?! Oh thank you so much!” Spike said happily. “You’re welcome, it’s-a too dangerous for you to be alone anyway.” Mario said. "This looks like the door that leads into the room Bowser was in earlier, maybe I should try and go help him.” Mario opened the door and walked in with Spike following behind. Upon entering he noticed how bright the entire room was. he looked over and saw Bowser hanging from a close pin on a rope. “Mario you’re here too?” Bowser asked “Who’s the lizard and the floating girl?” “I’m a dragon?” Spike said angrily spreading out his wings. "Whatever, so what are you waiting for get me down from this thing.” Bowser lectured “Even you know that this is no way to treat royalty.” "Royalty?" Olivia said in awe “Ooh nice to meet you, is everyone in your kingdom a face too?" “I’ve got a body too, those folded jerks just...bent it in ways I won’t describe right now.” Bowser explained “It’s seen worse believe me.” "Never mind that! I am the Great King Bowser and I demand to be set free and unfolded." Bowser growled angrily. “Rude.” Spike muttered. “Now Mario, ignore your two friends and get me down from here, Bowser commands you.” Bowser ordered, “I would do the same thing for you, You need me as much as I need you, ADMIT IT!” “Plus I can tell you a secret if you free me, no one can resist a good secret, BWAHAHA!” Bowser laughed. “Okay Bowser I’ll help you.” Mario said. Mario then grabbed Bowser and pulled him off the ceiling and onto the floor. "Oh, kinda thought I'd just unfold or something.” Bowser said. "Well anyways, that secret I promised to tell you, there's a secret exit in this room," Bowser explained "I heard those jerks talking about it, lousy, no-good, body folding jerks.” "A secret exit huh?" Olivia said "Mario let's find that exit quick and get out of here.” Mario nodded as he began searching. He looked around and noticed that a couple of crates in the back corner looked ajar. He walked over and began smashing them with his hammer revealing a hidden Magic Circle. "Ah another Magic Circle, Mario you know what to do." Olivia said. Mario walked on top as he unleashed his 1,000 Fold Arms and noticed that the right side of the wall seemed to have a loose flap. He reached over and tore the flap to reveal a hidden exit. “Ah that must be the secret exit.” Spike pointed out. “See where would you be without me?” Bowser asked smugly. “We get it you were right.” Spike rolled his eyes. “Oh shut up gecko.” Bowser said. “I’m a dragon!” Spike yelled. "You're really getting the hang of those 1,000 Fold Arms Mario!" Olivia cheered trying to break up the tension. Mario and Spike began making their way up the stairs with Bowser following behind. After climbing a long flight of stairs, and listening to Bowser rant, Mario and Spike finally reached the balcony of the castle, where they were met with a yellow folded Shy Guy, Peach, Celestia, and Luna. "Eep, she can't see me like this," Bowser said embarrassed. "Why are you still so flat?" Peach asked. "Why haven't you joined us in folded glory?" Luna asked. "Come we can reshape you." Celestia said. "Patience your royal majesties, this will do just fine," the folded yellow Shy Guy said. “So you're Mario, Princess Peach's hero right?" “Yes.” Mario nodded. "Yes you'll do quite well, very crisp, bright colors, I can see it now," The yellow folded Shy Guy said. “Hey I’m crisp.” Bowser called out. "So what do you say, will you volunteer your paper body to the cause?” The folded Shy Guy asked Mario. "Or will we have to get crumply, join us yes or no?" “No thank you.” Mario said firmly. "So you refuse eh, take a good look at the princesses, their better this way don't you think?" “No, I prefer them having free will.” Mario remarked. "Hmph very well, you'll soon feel the power of origami for yourself," The yellow folded Shy Guy sneered. Spike gulped, scared at what was going to happen. "Folded Soldiers, come forth!" exclaimed the folded Shy Guy. The doors to the balcony swung open as two folded red Shy Guys emerged along with a folded Goomba. "I've never seen a folded soldier like that, Mario, does it look like one of your friends?" asked Olivia. "I never got to see Toad or a pony." The Goomba moaned as he approached the group. Mario, Olivia, and Spike looked on with sympathy at the Goomba. “PREPARE TO BE FOLDED!” The folded Goomba shouted. Three more folded Goombas appeared as they begin charging at Mario and Spike but Spike began holding them off with his fire breath but it seemed to not burn them that much. “Huh?” Spike said. “Ha, the folded soldiers are strong against fire and magic, too bad so sad.” The yellow folded Shy Guy smugly explained. "Oh no, I'm guessing this your first time facing folded soldiers Mario.” Olivia whimpered “Once these flat paper folks have been turned into folded soldiers, we can't turn them back!" “What?!” Spike asked shocked. “Seriously?!” Mario asked incredulously. "Look I know it seems cruel to fight them, but if we don't they'll try to fold you into origami too!" Olivia explained. "I'd help you attack but my tiny arms don't pack much of a punch, I don't want to get in your way," Olivia said “So I'll cheer you on, but you'll have to do the heavy lifting yourself.” Mario then jumped on the four folded Goombas damaging them knocking them out. “Those world famous Mario jumps never disappoint.” Olivia said. Soon more folded Goombas showed up and Mario then used his hammer on them knocking them out. "Hmph so you defeated the first Goomba, bravo, I assure you it is far from the deadliest creature in this realm," the folded Shy Guy said “I suppose there's no point in maintaining this charade any longer.” “Charade?” Mario asked before the Shy Guy began levitating before it unfolded and refolded itself into a new form, this time taking on a similar figure as Olivia but with a purple outfit with yellow colors instead of yellow like Olivia's. the figure had yellow hair that covered it's right eye and a shiny golden crown that sat on top of it's head. "Brother!" Olivia gasped. "Brother!?" Mario and Spike asked shocked. “Now that’s dysfunctional.” Bowser whispered. "No it can't be, I didn't want to believe it could be you." Olivia cried "How many times have I told you to stop, please you have to stop now!" "Why couldn't Mario have simply left you in that wall where I put you?" Olly groaned “Sister, if you stand in the way of my ambition, I'm afraid you will not share in my glory as family, Oh and by the way, I am no longer your brother Olly," “I am King Olly!" Olly said flipping his hair. “King Olly?” Mario whispered to Spike who shrugged. "By the time I am done, all of those miserable Toads and ponies will be folded, the flimsy minions of Bowser shall be reborn as loyal folded soldiers-serving me!" Olly proclaimed. "And I shall fold, crease, and bend the entire paper world to my whim, the birth of a new origami kingdom!" Suddenly his body began to glow in a purple light as five colored streamers of red, blue, yellow, purple, and green began wrapping itself around the castle. "Over here!" Bowser shouted, Mario and the others looked up as a Shy Guy piloting Bowser's clown car emerged from the distance and flew towards them. Mario jumped over the streamers with Bowser, Olivia, and Spike following behind him. They jumped off the balcony as the Shy Guy swooped in and caught the group before maneuvering around the streamers to get to safety. When they looked back, the streamers wrapping around Celestia's castle tightened its grip and tore the entire castle out of the ground and into in air. The group looked down to see a familiar green hat with an L float down and land in the rubble where the castle used to be. Mario looked at Bowser and nodded, letting him know to make an escape but before they could go, they collided with the red streamer, knocking Mario, Olivia, Spike, and Bowser out of the clown car. The Shy Guy quickly turned around and snatched Bowser before taking off leaving Mario, Olivia, and Spike falling. the last thing that Mario saw was the castle being carried and dropped onto a mountain and a purple light from Olly.