Invitation to the Research Center
Our story begins when Princess Peach and Toadsworth are summoned to a special invite-only event at the Gadd Science Inc. Research Center. The event serves as a convention for researchers to showcase their inventions and findings to a broader audience. Many hope that their showcase leads to additional funding for further development. Some are even interested in marketing their inventions as a commercial product.
The Mushroom Kingdom higher-ups are invited because of their wealth and potential interest in the technologies presented. However, the invitation also permitted guests. Simply out of interest in the technologies being presented, Mario and Luigi decide to tag along as well.
The first cutscene opens far from the convention, teasing Cachely and her survey team as they fight to send a distress signal from their hideout in Valley's End. A surge of the Umbral Deluge traps them inside, unable to safely escape. The scene then transitions to Mario and Co. aboard their plane, bickering as they near the Research Center.
Cutscene Script: Opening Number
Summary
Cachely and the survey team struggle to send a distress signal as their hideout is rocked by an Umbral Deluge surge. The scene then cuts to Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toadsworth aboard a plane bound for the Gadd Science, Inc. Research Center, bickering and bracing for arrival.
Scene 1 - INT. Survey Team Hideout
FADE IN
Cachely types frantically at her terminal. Error prompts and failed commands flash across the screen.
CACHELY: "Ugh! Nothing is working! I don't exactly have time for roadblocks right now. C'mon, at least one of these attempts has to get through!"
CROAK: "There has to be something you can do! Can't you, like, write a program to boost the signal or something?"
CACHELY: "Oh, yeah! Sure! I'll just code up a hacker injector and enter the mainframe with my flux capacitor to create a signal out of thin air!"
CROAK: "Great! Do that then!"
CACHELY: "Oh, for the love of the Stars…"
BLARVEY: "Croak, buddy, here's a point of advice. Just assume everything Cachely says is sarcasm. Most of the time you'll be right. Now, think with your noggin'! We need an actual solution here, and fast."
As Cachely types, her monitor distorts briefly. A deep, otherworldly drone erupts through the hideout, shaking the entire enclosure. The camera pans to Toadprentice and Toaderstudy casting a force field at the cavern entrance.
TOADPRENTICE: "Hold the line! We've handled surges before. This is just another one. Just keep steady and-"
TOADERSTUDY: "I CAN'T KEEP STEADY! I CAN'T KEEP STEADY! WE'RE ALL GONERS!!!"
TOADPRENTICE: "My goodness, will you BREATHE for two seconds?! Just focus on reinforcing the left side before-"
The force field flickers violently. Toaderstudy lets out a panicked squeak. Camera pans back to Cachely.
CACHELY: "We've just gotta ride it out a bit longer, fellas! Hopefully…"
FADE TO BLACK
Scene 2 - EXT. Mushroom Kingdom Airplane (Midair)
FADE IN - ESTABLISHING SHOT
A Mushroom Kingdom airplane in flight. The side fades away to reveal Mario, Luigi, Toadsworth, and Peach seated inside. A Toad pilot is visible in the cockpit.
INT. Mushroom Kingdom Airplane
Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toadsworth are seated, heading east. Luigi is asleep. After a beat, the pilot's voice comes over the PA.
PILOT (over PA): "Alright, folks, we're just a few minutes out from our descent onto the runway at the Gadd Science, Inc. Research Center. Get those last-minute stretches in. I'll be turning on the fasten seatbelt sign shortly."
TOADSWORTH: "Bah! I still can't believe we are bothering to make an appearance at this event. Gadd Science inventions are just as likely to explode as they are to work."
PEACH: "And yet, somehow, we've survived every visit, haven't we?"
Luigi remains fast asleep. Mario gets up to walk around the cabin.
The player is given control here to talk to the others and examine the contents of the cabin. The next cutscene begins when the player decides to get back in their seat.
After getting back in the seat, transitions to: 02 - Landing at the Research Center