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April 1st, 2051.
It was on this day that the character Metal Mario was due for execution.
Metal Mario had been accused of several economic crimes, including piracy, tax evasion, armed robbery, and even burglary, becoming a legend in the anarcho-communist circles as a result. He had remained uncaught for several decades, even after a 3 million dollar bounty was placed on his head. So it was a rather big surprise when, on September 18, 2050, he turned himself into the World Government. Due to his reputation, Metal Mario was sentenced to death in public, in hopes of becoming a warning.
At around 4:30 PM that April Fool’s Day, in complete seriousness, the shackled Metal Mario was led on his final march through the streets of New York. Many gathered to watch the spectacle, some just to see the Metal Menace as he was called, others simply because they couldn’t avert their eyes. Metal Mario himself planned to go out quietly; as far as he was concerned, his life was complete.
An announcement was made by one of the two executioners set to end a life that day, Malcolm. “The economists, on behalf of our wondrous government, strive to get the populace of the world safe, protected, and peaceful. Today, we reached a milestone in our efforts. The man chained and walking through the streets, is none other that the Metallic Mario Mario, the “Metal Menace”. His reign over his circles ends on this day, April 1st, 2050, and peace shall be restored! Let this be a warning to anyone planning on replicating his deeds!”
By the time Malcolm’s speech ended, Metal Mario had reached the top of the staircase leading to the platform. “Metal Mario,” Malcolm began reading to him, “you have been sentenced to death for the crimes of piracy, armed robbery, and chronic tax evasion.”.
“You have any last words, you scum?” The other executioner, Laurence, asked after a pause. “Yeah, could you take these off?” Metal Mario requested, referring to the stock his hands were trapped in. “I’m afraid we cannot do that,” Laurence claimed. Metal just laughed. “Why would I run away now?”
Metal crouched down, with Malcolm and Laurence’s spears pointed at his back, near his heart. There was an odd silence for a bit. Then it was broken by a question from the crowd, one that would change the world forever.
“Hey, Metal Menace!” The then-unknown audience member asked. “Your stash of goods! Where did you hide it?”
The Metal Menace chuckled. “My stash? My games, my movies, my… books? You want it? You can have it! I left it all on the internet!” The executioners swiftly plunged their spears into Metal Mario’s ribs and heart, to prevent him from saying more.
But the damage was done: everyone knew what to do. Within hours of the execution, piracy rates went up by over 400%. Even as the government attempted to take the internet down, a rogue party simply set it back up. Bank robberies and other financial crimes skyrocketed, too, to a point where law enforcement weren’t even staffed enough to combat it.
Metal Mario quickly went from legend to martyr. With his parting words, people realized the untapped potential of their own connections and possessions. And it was on that day, April 1st, 2051, that what became known as the Great Piracy Age began.