The Golden Games: Legend of the Emerald Mushroom

Chapter 2 - Breakfast with the Brothers

The time was 10:00 a.m, and the Mario brothers were fast asleep. It was now early July, and for the two Italian plumbers, that meant relaxation. No having to save any princesses, no having to compete in any competitions, and no having to wake up early. Because of their amazing circumstances, Mario and Luigi also decided to go on a little vacation. Although they didn't travel beyond the Mushroom Kingdom (although the Seaside Kingdom was a very intriguing destination spot), they bought a summer home near the coast. There were great ocean views, warm temperatures, little to no wind, and the fantastic Mushroom Beach. It was the perfect getaway home for the two hard-working brothers.

Once some more time had passed, Luigi woke up. He was taller and slimmer than Mario, and he had an oval-shaped head with blue eyes and a large round nose. Underneath this nose was a jet black mustache and a cheerful smile. Mario had a rounder nose, and although he had the same blue eyes and brown hair as Luigi, he did have a slightly different shaped mustache that had more bumps compared to the cleaner shape of Luigi's mustache. Both of the brothers were heroes to the Mushroom Kingdom, although Luigi was always overshadowed by his brother. While Luigi was okay with this, he also didn't appreciate it at times, and itched for a time in the spotlight.

After checking his phone for a little while, still in bed, Luigi finally got up and changed. When he looked in his closet, he immediately saw his signature green outfit, which consisted of his meadow green shirt, cloud white gloves, jean blue overalls, clay brown shoes, and of course, his green cap with a white circle that had a green L inside of it. However, he quickly moved the outfit aside and got out a magenta tropical shirt, khaki shorts, and his pair of flip-flops. It was a time of relaxation after all.

After he woke up 15 minutes later, Mario went downstairs to find Luigi finishing making breakfast. Mario's current outfit was similar to Luigi's, but he had a sky blue tropical shirt instead of magenta. "Thanks for making breakfast bro," said Mario as he was sitting down.

"No problemo," replied Luigi. "I made our favorite, spaghetti on toast!"

"Mmmmmm, nice!" The brothers dug in to their delicious spaghetti on toast, enjoying a nice, but normal, breakfast. It was only when Mario went to get the mail did things become unorthodox to the brothers' usual day. Mario was expecting to receive just the average day of mail - newspapers and unimportant junk, which Mario did indeed find. However, as he was walking back to the table, he realized he also had two similar envelopes; one was addressed to himself, and the other to Luigi.

Luigi was still munching on his food when Mario passed him his envelope, making Luigi stop mid-bite. After swallowing, he asked, "What's this Mario?"

"No idea, I got one too," replied Mario.

"Should we open them?"

"Probably, but it might be a trap." Although it said whom the envelope was for, it didn't say distinctly whom it was from. All that was written on the envelope was the word "MARIO" in the center, (the word "LUIGI" was written in place of "MARIO" on Luigi's envelope), and the letters "K.I.".

"Do you think K.I. stands for the person who sent this?" asked Luigi.

"Who knows? I had initially thought that your letter was related to your mansion, but I got the letter too." Mario paused. "I guess I'll open it; it doesn't seem dangerous, I hope."

"Okey-dokey. I mean, it is the summer time, who would want to send us a trap?" Then Mario opened the letter, with Luigi quick to follow (although more aggressively). What Mario found inside his was thankfully not a trap, but instead a golden letter. Inside was a message written in black ink:

Dear Mario,

You have been chosen to be one of the twelve special contestants to compete in the Golden Games. During this contest, competitors will compete in various challenges with the aim of becoming the sole winner of the entire competition. However, there may be other things you discover along the way. If you are the one that ends up victorious, you will win the prestigious Golden Mushroom to showcase your outstanding ability, and a magnificent prize of 1,000,000 coins to use to your liking. If you wish to compete, please come to Toad Harbor on July 8th before 1:00 p.m. Don't be late. Look for the place that has a golden flag with a koopa shell imprinted on it. I will see you there soon.

Signed, Jason.

"A contest?" questioned Luigi.

"Looks like it. I guess you got the same letter as me. I wonder who Jason is." Mario reread the letter. "July 8th? That's today!"

"Then I guess we should make the decision soon," concluded Luigi. "I think we should do the contest. It sounds like a lot of fun and there is a cool prize if we win."

"Maybe, but this summer was supposed to be a break from all the activity."

"It's only July, and we haven't really done anything productive during the break we have already experienced. It's not like it's a big scary and everything-is-on-the-line kind of activity, but more of a fun, exciting thing to do. Besides, we are two of the twelve chosen contestants in it to win this thing. And we could win one million coins!"

"Good point." Mario did like a good prize, and he could go for some more excitement instead of the lazy lounging the brothers were currently experiencing. "Alright, let's do it."

"Aww yeah. Then let's get ready to go to Toad Harbor!" The two then quickly finished their food and went to get ready for the competition ahead. They changed into their signature outfits; Mario's was like Luigi's outfit except he had a ruby red shirt, navy overalls, and his red cap with a white circle that had a red M inside. Although both of them were excited to compete in the contest and possibly win the fabulous prize, Luigi had another reason to compete, in addition to the prize. He wanted to prove to the world that he wouldn't always be overshadowed by his brother. This was Luigi's chance to shine, and he would not miss the opportunity.

Toad Harbor was located right beside Mushroom Beach, and it wasn't far from the brothers' vacation home. It was the busiest port in the whole Mushroom Kingdom, having countless boats and yachts coming in and taking off from the shore. It was also a spot for numerous merchants selling exotic goods, and a spot for tourists wanting to wander around and enjoy the clear blue skies, abundant with sunshine.

Mario and Luigi arrived at the harbor at around 12:30 p.m. All they had to do now was find the place with the "golden shell" flag and they would be all set from there. Unfortunately, from the entrance to the harbor, the flag was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't like there was a neon sign pointing the way for where the brothers should go either. "I guess this is what we should have expected," commented Mario.

The two continued to search the harbor, continuely having to evade merchants asking if they would like to buy one of their tropical papayas or fine silk. It was only after Luigi had denied a very tempting offer of a dozen super mushrooms for only 200 coins did he spot the flag waving next to a small motor yacht docked into the harbor. Pleased that they found their destination with 15 minutes to spare, the two brothers quickly ran over. When they were getting closer, they could see some familiar faces - Yoshi, Toad, Waluigi, (Mario was ecstatic when he saw Princess Peach). But they also heard something else...

"Well if it isn't the Mario brothers," roared a raspy, deep voice.