A Desire to Play

Chapter 1: United Again

Far off the shores of the Mushroom Kingdom lay a single secluded island that looks more reminiscent of a floating city. This island has but one purpose- sports- and has played host to the whole gambit of popular sports, from tennis to basketball to soccer/football, and even a few karting courses during the grand prix season. However, the island is devoted to one particular sport in the summertime, and that is Baseball. The air is filled with sounds of bats cracking, players sliding and yelling, umpires shouting, and crowds cheering. The season has officially begun.

"Strike Three is called and the batter is OUT!" A sunglasses-wearing Lakitu said from inside the press box high in the stands. "That's the game! The Mario Fireballs have defeated the Peach Monarchs by a score of 1 to 0 in 8 innings."

"This was a spectacular game. Both teams played stunning defense throughout the game. The Kronicle will have no problem front-paging this game." A female pink-shelled Koopa added as she lowered her camera.

"Indeed, Kylie, let's recap this defensive gem for our viewers with our Toad Bank Plays of the Game." The Lakitu replied as he leaned back and slightly relaxed on his black cloud, adjusting his headset.

"Of course, Lakithunder." Kylie started, "The marvels started in the bottom of the first inning when Daisy's line drive destined for the back wall was caught in mid-flight by the second baseman, Green Noki. That remained the only fantastic play until the top of the fifth inning."

"Ah, yes, the spectacular double play in the fifth." Lakithunder mused "A sharp, bouncing hit from the Fireball's Monty Mole between second and third bases intercepted by a sliding Princess Daisy. It was then quickly thrown to Princess Peach at second base for one and smoothly played to Purple Toad at first base for the double play."

"That was a really good play, but this next one definitely gets my vote for THE Play of the Game." Kylie chimed, "The robbed Home Run by Luigi in the bottom of the fifth inning."

"I agree, Kylie. The Fireball thrown by Mario ended up getting crushed deep to center by Toad. For all intents and purposes, that ball should've been gone." Lakithunder said.

"Luigi said otherwise with his superior jumping ability. He snatched it right out of the air just before it soared over the wall. Mario looked like he let out a sigh of relief to know his brother has his back. It definitely would've been a different ball game had that home run actually happened." The pink Koopa added.

"Indeed, we would probably be talking about Peach's 2-0 win after 6, which leads us to our final play of the game. Mario's RBI double in the top of the 8th. Mario brings the Fireball back to the bats as he rockets one down the right field line, scoring Monty Mole from second base. It was the only major offensive play in the entire game, and it brought Mario's team the win today."

"Well, that's all the time we have for today." Kylie said, "Join us next time as the baseball season heats up to see which team captain can chall-"

Suddenly the television screen goes black. A low growling laugh is heard followed by heavy footsteps leaving the room.

Meanwhile, back at Peach's Castle, both teams littered the field in groups as the crowds dispersed. The Piantas, Nokis, and the colored Toads talked in one large group in the outfield, and Toad, Toadette, and Toadsworth were in a different group at third base. The four captains- Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Daisy- stood near home plate.

"Something tells me it was a mistake trying to win this by ourselves." Daisy said to her fellow princess.

"I agree. Maybe our team should combine with Mario's. That way we all can win this together!" Peach replied.

"Having-a you ladies with us will definitely boost our odds at winning. Not to-a mention we're all-a friends here." Luigi chimed in, nervously averting his gaze from the princesses.

"Hmmm… so we-a all agree on this, then?" Mario asked the others, all of them nodding. "Then it's-a settled then. All four of us can-a lead the team. We'll give-a Bowser a run for his-a money."

"Wait, Mario, we still have to decide how to order the team. Who's still playing in the active line-up and who will be backups?" Daisy interjected. "If all four of us are still playing, which of our players are going to take up the other five places?"

"Hmmm, thatsa good question." Luigi said.

"A difficult question." Peach added.

"Well, you won't have to worry about little old me. Heheh." Toadworth spoke up as he approached the group. "This game is too rough on these old bones, so I think I'm done."
"Are you sure? You seemed to be having fun." Peach asked her advisor.

"It was fun, but I'm just not built for playing physical games like this anymore. Give me a chess board, on the other hand…"

"You don't have to completely quit." Daisy interrupted, "You can still be like the manager of the team, setting up the order, field positions, pitcher order, that kind of stuff."

"That sounds perfect." Peach and Toadsworth said simultaneously.

"Now, for-a the rest of the-a team." Mario reminded them, "Luigi and-a I are balanced- able to take up any position- and you ladies are great at pitching and fielding."

"That means we need-a fast runners for base running and outfield, and we need-a power hitters to drive in-a the runs." Luigi surmised.

"Well the two obvious choices for those would be a Pianta for hitting and Toadette for running." Peach suggested. "Toad can fulfill a balanced role as well."

"That-a leaves two places left..." Luigi quietly said.

All four captains stood in silent thought for a couple of moments, deep in thought.

"They'll-a be interchangeable. Depending on-a what team we-a face next we can use certain players." Mario said. "The Nokis are-a quick and can-a use it to field very well, the Pinatas are-a obviously the power hitters, the-a other Toads can-a squeeze into balanced positions but-a some are better at certain positions than others, and Monty Mole is purely for-a more speed."

"Good idea, bro!" Luigi complimented. "Since the team is balanced, we may have to increase a certain aspect to gain an advantage."

"Wow, you certainly thought this out, Mario." Daisy said.

"That's our Mario for you." Peach praised.

"Are you-a ok with this, Lakitu? This is allowable, right?" Mario asked.

"Yeah, yeah." He replied while writing in a notebook, "The last 2 spots are open, but, before every game, you have to tell me who's taking up these spots. Regardless if the order has changed or not."

Suddenly a large, deep howl echoed through the walls of the castle, followed by a large thud. The sudden noise caused all of the players to stop their actions and look around for the source.