Kickstart

~December 04, Westfield Mall~

(Swarms of fans are lined up at the entrance. There's one thing that got them hyped for the morning, & it's SUPER SMASH EACH OTHER IN THE ASS BROS. Among them is a blond figure who waited hours, & an older silver-haired young female close by.)

???: I had waited the entire half year for this! At least I still got the change my grandpa gave me.

????: Are you sure we had to be that close to the crowd? It looks like they are going rampant.

???: Of course, it had to be like that. This is one of the most anticipated games of the year. Besides, what else could happen on this day?

A guy in white overalls: (looks up to the sky) Guys, does the mall ever prepare a shooting star on launch day?

(Suddenly, a small meteor catches the sight of the crowd. Everyone's amazed that it arrived so early, and then crashed into the mall window, which is followed by a brief shockwave. A few people are shocked, and that was when a shy rookie policeman with a monitor for his head came by.)

Policeman: Attention people. We have not been informed about a sudden meteor impact, so I would like for you all to leave the prem-

???: Wait a minute. You guys wanted to take all of the copies, aren't you?

Policeman: Impossible. As if we'd do that.

Policeman 2: (to Policeman 1) Hey Hal, is it ok to grab the copies as you get the crowd out of here? We wanted to enjoy it so bad.

Hal: (looks onto the crowd, who had been convinced of their petty lie) Aw, biscuits.

(Inside the mall, the USB-like meteor opens up, and out comes an erratic blond figure who had noticed a hoodie placed in front of him, along with a few other clothes)

??: (looks around) What is this place?

(But the brief time he spent by himself was swiftly interrupted as the crowd broke through the front gates. With no time to lose, the guy leads the stampede until he takes shelter in a recently opened store)

??: (catches some breath as he relaxes on the nearby counter) What is happening here?

Shroomy: (sees the fella) Hello there sir, I would take that you'd like to buy the SUPER SMASH EACH OTHER IN THE ASS BROS. Super Pack, with a free Nintendo Switch to boot.

??: I'm sorry, but is this what they were seeking?

(That was when a mob crush sent a wallet flying to Shroomy's face)

Shroomy: It appears so. (takes the wallet & hands over the console) I would guess your name is... Lo, is it?

??: What made you think of that?

Shroomy: It was on your hoodie that you're wearing. You can tend to see people with their first name on their clothing nowadays. Anyways, thanks for shopping at SporeCode Gaming Shop & have a nice day.

Lo: (upon glancing at his hoodie, he begins to feel sincere & looks back at the cashier, quietly adopting the name) You too. (That's when he sees a crowd of moochers that want to claim his now-obtained pack & high-tails out of here)

(Meanwhile, close to the entrance, the two girls happily dash off with the games at hand)

????: Who would've thought these fellas became total savages just for a plumber & the other fighters?

???: It doesn't matter. I don't want to spend any more money fixing up some other injuries, let's just head to the exit & get out as fast as we can.

(That's when Lo bumps into the two girls & has him take off the contents for them to hold)

Lo: I'm sorry for this. (hops onto the cart, grabs a broom, & paddles his way off the crowd)

????: (to ???) I don't know about you, but I think that guy's kinda cute.

(Without time to spare, Lo easily outpaces the horde & spends the next few minutes heading to town)

~Mushroom Kingdom~

(Carried by the slopes & passing cars that he took, Lo takes his shopping cart & rides through the bustling city. Along the way, he loathes some of the noise playing on one's speakers [which turns out to be Rapper Bob's singing], & stumbles onto the newscast detailing the chaos on the mall he entered)

News Reporter Kermit: This just in, there is chaos on the Westfield Mall as hundreds of people swarmed through the mall's tech district to claim the latest game on shelves, SUPER SMASH EACH OTHER IN THE ASS BROS. It has been coupled with the notice of a small meteor that crashed through the water fountain, moments before the stampede occurred of which the police were easily overwhelmed.

Hal: (to a reporter) I had tried my best to keep the situation under control, but the people here are such monsters against what they seek.

Lo: (while gazing at the broadcast) I just hope those two are alright.

(Afterwards, he arrives at Peach's Castle & resides in the area behind the kitchen where he picks up the leftovers. He doesn't even mind that it is near the dumpster. Lo is just fine whatever it takes. He would spend the days there snooping on SMG4's memes, listening to the news close to the TV, & even playing his new game, especially when against a particular online opponent. It is not until Christmas Eve that he finds his place)

~Christmas Eve, Peach's Moat~

(Lo was busy taking a swim bath when he noticed someone from afar. He went closer until he noticed a familiar face)

Mario: Lalala hmmhmm. That makes me so happy. (suddenly noticed Lo's close by) Oh hello, are you here for a bath?

Lo: You also took a bath here? Wait... aren't you Super Mario?

Mario: The one and only. Hold on... I think I have seen you before, back at the mall. You got the last copy of that game!

Lo: Look, I was alone, scared, & don't know exactly where I was at the time!

Mario: Wait, does that mean you're not from here?

(The two start to ponder when...)

Peach: WHO'S PISSING ON MY BEAUTIFUL CASTLE?!!!

Lo: I think it's our cue to get out of here.

Mario: Yep.

(The two then swam out of the moat & wore their clothes)

Lo: I say. You are kind of alright, Mario.

Mario: The same goes for you, bro. Hey, we're holding a Christmas party in this castle. I could also introduce you to my friends.

Lo: (checks on his Switch clock) Thanks for the kind offer, but I think I might have something at the mall. I sure love to meet you again.

Mario: Likewise. If you ever want to hang out, you know where to go.

Lo: The bins behind the kitchen, got it. (fist bumps the plumber) See ya. (heads off to the mall)

SMG4: (looks onto Mario) Hey Mario. Who was it you're talking to?

Mario: Oh, just another hobo like you, but more specifically the one near the dumpster.

SMG4: Yeah, I am not gonna question it. Now come on, the party's about to begin.

Mario: Okie dokie.

(In the mall, Lo [OuterKirb2018] is messaging to his longtime friend)

OuterKirb2018: Merry Christmas, mate!

LuckyHeartBreak: U too. You know, I wonder if...

OuterKirb2018: Yeah...

LuckyHeartBreak: Do you think we might meet each other irl?

(As Lo sits down on the nearby bench, he partially glances at the other's Switch, & slowly notices that it is the same girl that bumped into them back at the game raid)

???: Wait, (notices the chatroom) are you OuterKirb2018?

Lo: Indeed, I am. Aren't you LuckyHeartBreak?

LuckyHeartBreak: I guess I kinda was. Hey, it is almost time for dinner. Do you wanna join me?

~SUBWAY, Near Christmas~

Lo: & that's how I ended up here in this city.

LHB: Wait, so you did meet Super Mario?

Lo: Of course. He is a bit more chill than what I see on the Switch though.

LHB: Sure of that. So, do you have any favorite artists to listen to? Hopefully, not the Rapper Bob.

Lo: Actually, I hated that fellow too. That one diss track he made was awful, it offended my soul.

LHB: (chuckles a bit) You are fun to talk with. (extends her hand) My name is Zel Leizhin.

Lo: Mine's Lo. (thinks about it) Actually, upon meeting you here, it kind of reminds me of home. I just spent my time near the castle, & had thought that living near the fields didn't feel like home to me. I was thinking of moving out there.

Zel: Sorry if you've been thinking of that. Hey, would you also mind if you stayed with me in my apartment? I just happened to have a bunk bed.

Lo: I... (slowly blushes for a while) I think it's perfect.

~later, Zel's Apartment~

King Pipe: hey Zel, Merry Christmas.

Zel: Merry Christmas to you too.

Lo: Woah. Who's that?

Zel: Lo, that's King Pipe. He's the landlord of this apartment.

KP: Wait, is that your cousin, or boyfriend?

Zel: (severely blushes) HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!

Lo: What's that?

Zel: Don't worry about it. Come on. (leads him to her room)

(As Lo & Zel head up to their room, someone arrives near King Pipe while holding some laundry)

KP: Oh, Merry Christmas, Maya.

(Maya is Zel's next-dorm neighbor. She had silver hair, a firm feminine posture, & a sweatband bearing her name)

Maya: Excuse me, but are you talking to Zel earlier?

KP: Yep. & I guess she has an interesting visitor.

Maya: You mean he has a guy with him? I'mma go see.

KP: I would not do that. Back when I was still surveying the pipes throughout the city, I heard stories about budding relationships. For me, I think it was for the best if we'd just let them be. Who knows if those two would end up being perfect with each other...

Maya: (thinks about her dorm neighbor & feeling like she needs some happiness after a yet-to-be-revealed troubled time) I think you're right.

Zel: Welcome to your new home.

Lo: Wowwwww. (Takes a look at her apartment, which looks messier in comparison)This feels homely.

Zel: Yeah, I recently came here & don't worry about the rent. My grandparents can cover that for us. 

Lo: (Notices a present at the table) Is this yours?

Zel: No. It was for my other roommate, but he left without saying goodbye. Say... that could be yours.

Lo: What are you saying? (he said as he was ripping through the present) Huh? Wowww. That's a -

(holds a photo frame) nice present.

Zel: Thanks. I made it myself. So, do you wanna take a picture of it?

Lo: Yeah. I'll give it a shot.

Zel: Now say Cheeeeeeese

Both: Cheeeeeeeeeseee.

*click*

(From this point onwards, Lo's friendship with Zel has blossomed & yet, it's just the first month!)

~December 31~

Zel: Are you sure this will work?!

Lo: Yeah. This will give them a blast. (He's attached to a big rocket so he can photobomb the others on the new year) Ready.

Zel: CONTACT! (feeling too enthusiastic, she immediately lights up the rocket's fuse, blasting Lo off to the night sky)

Lo: WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I'M THE GOD OF DESTRUCTION!!!!! *boom*

Mario (in the distance): (sees Lo) Well wouldn't you look at that.

Smg4: Say WHUUUUUUUUUUUU-

Meggy: HAPPY NEW YE- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!

Lo: (realizing he hadn't thought the plan through, he starts panicking until he lands in Zel's arms, forcing them onto the ground) I'm OK!

Zel:*snickers* Happy New Year, roomie.

(As the two watch over the fireworks together, a nearby sewer grate emits a bright red light, carefully overlooking them)

????: I have finally found you.

End of Ch. 1