Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Unknown Kingdom

Standing in line with the throne that is empty are a bunch of Mushroom shaped people that are small and, to some people, cutesy, a species called toads.

Hearing the footsteps, the toads are standing straight as they're saluting and some toadettes are carrying the back of the dress for a blonde woman who was walking.

With the sun shining through the windows, the toads are keeping themselves from looking at the sun that is blinding.

A blue toad in glasses and an old toad are moving aside as they're letting a woman sit on a throne.

"Father, are you sure about this?" A blue toad known as Toad General asks an old toad called Toadsworth.

"Of course I am. We need a ruler for our kingdom, or else that blasted monster takes over the whole kingdom itself." Toadsworth answered.

"But this'll risk her to be married off to any royal families, and knowing her, she definitely doesn't want to." Toad General worries about the new princess which puts them at a higher risk than before.

"I know. We'll ensure that her protection is imminent. In the meantime, that lizard won't do any damage to our kingdom." Said Toadsworth.

Toad General lowers his head out of worry, knowing his father Toadsworth is foolish enough to let the princess be born, especially when she has no parents.

With Toadsworth putting the crown on a blonde woman's head, the toads are cheering for their princess being the new ruler of the kingdom and a human that is a ruler.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you our new princess of the Mushroom Kingdom!" Toadsworth announced as many toads were cheering with excitement.

Opening her blue eyes, the blonde woman takes a deep breath for her speech as she's about to tell the toads something.

"Everyone. As your princess, I have plans for all of us to improve the Mushroom Kingdom society. We must enhance the kingdom."

With the princess' call, the toads are curious as well as Toadsworth and Toad General, leading the princess to pull out a rolled up paper and roll it by revealing its new appearance.

"I did some research on the outside world and its civilisation. In order to increase the defences as well as gaining more resources and some influence, we must gather some parts to add some advanced technology, which'll not only improve our defences, but will inspire to give the future generations the very chance to live in luxury and harmony."

"Woah…" One toad was in awe about the concept of advancing the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Interesting." The other toad too was interested in the concept.

"But how do we start, your majesty?" The other toad raises his hand while asking.

"Please call me Peach. Before we get started, I need to do more research on the outside world." Princess Peach answered.

"But princess, isn't it too dangerous to go out alone?" Toad General asks with worry.

"Relax, Toadshou, I'm human like those from the outside world, so many people think I'm cosplaying." Princess Peach is doing the best she could to make other toads smile as she's playing a dangerous game all alone.

"And besides, son, we don't know what human culture is like either." Said Toadsworth.

"True…" Toad General, named Toadshou, accepts as he can tell the worst possible outcome this'll lead to.

"It's okay, Toadshou, Bowser won't come and get us. I'm sure my prayers will heed my call for anyone to protect our kingdom." Princess Peach frowns after knowing that she's doomed to be taken by the very thing the kingdom fears; Bowser.

With the princess looking at all the toads, she smiled again and stood up from her throne.

"Don't be afraid. As I said, we'll improve our defences and we're not afraid of those turtles. No matter what, peace will be restored."

With the princess concluding her speech, the toads are cheering while preparing for the future of Mushroom Kingdom.

As the toads are chanting for the princess' new order, Peach herself frowns again, thinking about something that hits her head.

"Princess, is there something wrong?" Toadshou asks.

"Yes, Princess, you looked like something happened to you. Is there something wrong?" Toadsworth is also curious about Peach's reaction.

"Oh. No! Everything's okay! It's just the burden I had to shoulder… It's scary." Peach admitted while meekly smiling.

"I did say you don't have to if you don't want to." Toadsho grunts.

"But I made my choice. Now I must do my best to protect everyone as a princess." Said Peach.

"I get that you're worried, Toadshou, but our new princess has made her choice. As her caretaker, I also need to accept the outcome. Also, she's past her twenties, so an adult makes her choice." Toadsworth closes his eyes, realising there's no stopping the princess.

"But… You're right. Princess, make sure to stay safe from the koopa army. When Bowser comes, let me plan the strategy as a member of the Toad Council." Toadshou pats his chest as he asks for an offer.

"Of course. Let's hope it's foolproof." Peach accepted.

"I won't let you down, Princess." Toadshou bows and then leaves for the meeting of the Toad Council.

"Best of luck, Princess. You might need it." Toadsworth said.

"Thank you, Toadsworth." Peach finally bows and then takes her leave from the castle.

As the princess vanishes, the toads are preparing for a reconstruction of their kingdom, knowing it could take months or years of creating a kingdom that resembles the outside world along with more resources.

To those in the Mushroom Kingdom, will the princess be okay?

It's safe to say that the princess is an expert on going on adventures, especially when no koopa troopas are around to see her.

But the story doesn't begin here, but outside of Mushroom Kingdom.

Chapter Text

2005 September 13th

USA, New York City, Brooklyn

"~We're the Mario Brothers, and plumbing's our game

We're not like the others who get all the fame

If your sink is in trouble, you can call us on the double

We're faster than the others, you'll be hooked on the Brothers, uh!~"

"Dial 929-55-MARIO and you'll hear my bro Luigi saying: "Thank you for calling Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, it's-a me Luigi!"

"That's right! If there's anything you clog!"

"Then. We'll clear 'em. Wahoo!"

"Call the Super Mario Bros Plumbing Service and we'll hook you up some tools we need."

"Anyways, stay fresh, paisanos!" The Mario bros announced as they cheered and jumped with excitement.

But it's all an act.

In a house in the living room where the TV shows the advertisement of the Mario bros plumbing, both moustache men are seeing themselves on TV which motivated the taller, 2 curves and younger twin brother, Luigi as he's glad to see what he and Mario did.

"Mario, this is great! Now people will notice us being the plumbers that'll help anyone in need of unclogging their pipes!"

"Yeah. A perfect gateway to our career." Mario, the older twin with 6 curves, yet shorter body height, is also glad, but not as excited as Luigi.

"When you boys say you wanna start a career as plumbers. Do you really have the licence for that?" A woman in a red suit, Pauline, asks while handing both mugs of coffee for Mario and Luigi.

"Pfft! Silly, Pauline, we have a degree of plumbing. So relax and let the Mario bros do our job." Mario proudly points at himself before picking up a mug.

"Yeah. And besides, as plumbers, it's our job to, um… Clean up the pipes like your workplace." Luigi follows up while explaining to Pauline.

"That's right. Especially when you already have a job. You should be proud of your little brothers for setting up their career." An older woman calls with a warm smile as she pats Pauline's shoulder and giggles towards her sons.

"Well… That's kinda true. At least you guys are getting a paid job." Pauline sighs and then smiles towards Mario and Luigi.

As Mario and Luigi's mother mentioned, Pauline is the older sister to the twins as she raised them when they're kindergarteners and Pauline was an elementary schooler, being adopted by Mario's family as the older sibling to the twin brothers.

Pauline looks towards the clock, leading her to gasp with surprise.

"Oh dear! Sorry, mother, I have to go!"

"Already? Well then, good luck, Pauline dear." Mario's mother waves as a farewell to Pauline.

"Will do, mother. See you later, Mario, Luigi!" Pauline waves as she puts on her hat and opens the door to leave.

"Bye, Pauline!" Mario and Luigi waves as they're waiting for Pauline to come back after her work.

As the door closes, Mario prepares his Nintendo DS while starting a game featuring a blue hedgehog and a purple cat in game.

"Hey, Luigi, wanna race?" Mario asked.

"Okie dokie!" Luigi accepts as he brought out his own DS, preparing to beat Mario in a race.

What stops them from starting is a phone ringing, causing the Mario bros to gasp with excitement.

"Our first customer! Yahoo!" Mario and Luigi cheered.

This led to Luigi picking up his phone as he responded like on the TV.

"Thank you for calling the Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, it's-a me Luigi! So what seems to be the problem?"

[Hello? Is this the Super Mario Bros. Plumbing Service?] A woman's voice called.

"Um, you're calling our number, so yes?" Luigi raises his eyebrow out of confusion.

[Ah. That's great. I'm at the Brooklyn Warehouse and the toilet is, um… Clogged by a bunch of bugs. Yeah that's right! Oh! And there's a dead cat in there too.]

"D- Dead cat!?" Luigi shrieks before he drops his phone.

"Give me that." Mario took the phone off of Luigi while feeling suspicious about this lady on the phone. "Look here, ma'am, I don't know who you are but there better not be any prank calls." Mario said sternly.

[No! It's all real! Basically, like it stinks in there and the water is flooded! Hurry!]

"Alright, we'll be there." Mario finally hangs up as he sighs and shakes his head out of disappointment. "Oh mama mia… So much for our first customer."

"But hey, at least we get paid, bro." Luigi said optimistically.

"That is true. Okay! Let's-a-go!" Mario cheers up while standing up and picks up the equipment that is needed. "Mama! We're heading out!"

"Already? That's a surprise. Ain't you boys lucky." Mario's mother laughs.

"Of course we are. Off we go!" Mario pushes the door open as Luigi waves.

"Bye, mama!" Luigi called.

"See you later, boys! I hope you do well!" Mario's mother waves to her sons as a farewell.

Finally the door closes with the mother hoping if Mario, Luigi and Pauline are doing well on their own jobs.

At least the kids are growing up as adults.

Brooklyn Warehouse

Parking by the warehouse, a van that has a Super Mario Bros Plumbing brand halts with Mario and Luigi checking the building that is unusually suspicious.

Mario sighs after remembering his time which is sudden.

"Bro? You seemed down." Luigi asked out of curiosity.

"Nah. It's nothing, Luigi. I just had a lot in mind. Let's-a-go." Mario shakes it off while opening the van door and grabs his equipment and leaves.

Luigi follows as he's looking at Mario with concern.

Afterwards, both plumbers enter the warehouse as Mario and Luigi see the dust coming through the sun, leading the duo to halt.

What stops them is a blonde woman in a pink dress, humming as she bandages a cat's front leg near its paw, letting the cat stand back on its four paws.

"There you go, little kitten. Now, off you go, I have people to see." A blonde woman coos as a cat meowing and then runs off, causing Mario and Luigi to stare at a long beautiful blonde haired woman.

To Mario, he can see her blue eyes open which led him to gasp with surprise about the pureness this woman has behind her.

"Oh mama…" Luigi gasps, having the same reaction as Mario.

"She's… Pretty…" Mario had a feeling he could actually see a princess.

Approaching the brothers, a woman can see 4 blue eyes looking into her, oblivious to know if she attracted them or not.

"You're the two plumbers I called?" The woman asked.

As Mario and Luigi nod, Mario halts and shakes his head after realising that he's attracted to a woman in a pink dress.

"Hold on a minute! You called us!?" Mario exclaimed.

"Why yes. I was hoping if you guys could li-"

"Luigi, let's go fix the toilet and remove the rumoured dead cat." Mario interrupted the woman while dragging Luigi.

"Oh! Yes, bro!" Luigi salutes after waking up and then rushes past.

This led the woman in a pink dress to exclaim in shock and then turn around.

"Sorry, ma'am. You're not my type." Luigi chuckles.

"I bet you're into tomboys?" The woman asked as her tone was static yet shocked.

"Yep! I like girls who're feisty and competitive." Luigi laughs.

"Luigi! I need some help here!" Mario called in the bathroom.

"Coming, Mario!" Luigi waves and then enters the bathroom.

"Wait, but… Ugh! How rude…" The woman groaned.

With the Mario brothers using their tools to fix the toilet, Mario sighs while wiping his head and turns towards the woman with disappointment.

"So that was a lie, huh?"

"Uh… Yes. There was no dead cat in the toilet." The blonde woman admitted.

"Hm. At least we fixed the toilet. That'll be 75 dollars."

"Oh… W- Well… Is it safe to say that I have none?" The woman nervously chuckles after knowing that she lacks the money from the USA.

"What? Listen, lady, plumbing doesn't come for free and we wasted our money on advertising our service. So please pay up." Mario raises his hand while waiting for the money.

"Come on, ma'am." Luigi begs.

"Well… You see… I have none." The woman lowers her head, guilty for dragging both men into the warehouse with zero awareness.

"Great… So much for our first customer." Mario groaned. "Also, looking at you in a dress, you look more of a cosplayer. Sorry, missy, comic con is that-a way." Pointing at the exit, Mario calls her out on what she looks like.

"Excuse me!? How rude are you!?" The woman snapped.

"Sorry, ma'am! Mario isn't like that before! He's just not happy that you made us do work without pay." Luigi stands by Mario after seeing how mad the woman was.

"Not like that before? This shortstack doesn't seem gentlemanly either. I have you boys know that I am the princess from another world. Princess Peach Toadstool." Proudly introducing herself, Peach has shown herself to be taller than the Mario brothers in height.

Then silence as Mario and Luigi are staring at her full body appearance.

"Did she really say that she's the princess from another world? Sounds like a movie or a Japanese animation plot to me." Mario snickers while whispering to Luigi.

"I don't know, bro. It doesn't look like she's lying, unless she's role-playing." Luigi is unsure about it.

"I go for the latter." Mario chuckles while holding his mouth.

Peach can tell that Mario is laughing at her, leading her to approach him and yank him by the nose and pull his moustache.

"Ow! Hey! Watch the stache, lady!" Mario exclaimed.

"Don't think you're escaping punishment. You're lucky you're not in my world, otherwise my people will put up a death sentence on you." Peach hisses and then pushes Mario as Luigi catches his brother.

"S- Sorry!" Luigi apologised.

"Hey! What's your problem!? You called us and now you attacked us because I don't believe in your fantasy." Mario shouted.

"If it was fantasy, then I wouldn't have looked or dressed like that." Peach turns around, piercing a glare at Mario as Mario and Luigi are intimidated. "Hmph. How about this, maybe I could work with you big nosed boys on plumbing and soon, we'll determine who's right."

"Really, now?" Mario lifts himself up as he's curious to know if he or Peach are right about the 'other world.'

"Mario, don't!" Luigi warns as Mario pushes Luigi aside.

"Deal. It's obvious that I won by default." Mario accepts the challenge.

"Hm. We'll see about that, Mario." Peach also accepts the challenge to see who's right. "Luigi, is it?"

"Yes?" Luigi points at himself after being asked.

"Who do you think will win the bet?" Peach asks.

Luigi lowers his head, unsure about Mario and Peach's bitterness at first sight.

On one hand, Mario is a realist type that only believes in anything that is believable, denying Peach's existence that she's a princess from another world.

On the other hand, Peach is an otherworldly type that feels like she doesn't belong in this world, trying to convince that she and her world are real and all of it was believable.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll find evidence whether or not one of you is right." Luigi said.

"So in other words, you believe the two of us? Seriously?" Mario sighed.

"Sorry, Mario, but I don't have a choice." Luigi concluded.

"Hmph. Then it's a deal. No moving goalposts, 'princess.'" Mario went closer to Peach with a smugly grin.

"Fine. We'll see about that, shortstack." Peach giggles while staring into Mario's eyes as both of them are squeezing each other's hands.

In Luigi's case, their relationship isn't going to improve if they keep on acting like this.

Luigi already knows why Mario is acting like this, but when it comes down to Peach, he doesn't even know anything about her.

In Luigi's eyes, their behaviour must've reflected on their pasts which made them crack like a shell.

But Luigi will see someday.

A phone rings which stops Mario and Peach from glaring at each other and looking at Luigi who was picking up the phone.

"Thank you for calling Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, it's-a me Luigi!" Luigi regains his cheerful tone while calling a second customer.

[Hello? It's my brother's house. His bathroom is clogged up and I need the plumbers to help us.]

"Okie dokie! We'll be right there. Tell me the address, ma'am." Luigi holds out a notepad while writing the address, leading Mario and Peach to look at each other and then back to Luigi. "Okay! We'll be right there!"

As Luigi hangs up, he jumps towards Mario with excitement.

"Mario! We have our proper customer!" Luigi laughs.

"Really? Sweet! Let's-a-go!" Mario and Luigi rushes towards the van out of the warehouse.

Before the van moves, they halt as Peach stands in front of the van at a hasty pace.

"What the!?" Mario stutters in shock.

"Have you forgotten who's coming along?" Peach asks while waiting for the brothers to stop.

"Ugh… Luigi, move over." Mario groans as he rolls his eyes.

"Okay." Luigi shuffles as the door opens, letting Peach in by sitting next to Luigi near the window.

"Stupid princess wannabe…" Mario mutters under his breath as he starts the vehicle and then moves to get to a customer's house.

Right now, it's a job that Mario and Luigi do and now they are letting Peach in on a ride for plumbing, something that Mario didn't want to do.

Chapter Text

Parking near a house, Mario, Luigi and Peach are out of the van with Mario and Luigi being equipped with plumbing tools with Peach following the bros from behind.

A doorbell rings with Mario and Luigi standing in front of the building.

"So, you go around other people's houses to clean their pipes. Interesting job you guys have." Peach said while observing the work the twins are doing.

"Well… We're doing this to help people and get paid." Luigi answered.

"I see." Peach is surprised to see what the duo are doing.

"Also, you asked for this, so you better watch and learn, princess." Said Mario.

Before the trio continues their small talk, a door opens as a woman sighs with relief.

"Thank you for coming, boys. I always thought you guys were busy, but I guess I'm the first person to call you." The woman laughs.

"Actually, you're the second person to call us. The first was a warehouse that is about dead cats." Mario said as he grumbled.

"Dead cats?"

"Nothing!" Mario and Luigi quickly exclaimed.

"Ahem! Anyway, let's see the problem." Mario walks past with Luigi as Peach is still standing by the door while curious about the brothers.

Before the woman moves, she halts as she sees a blonde woman in a dress that is Peach.

"Oh? Are you with the boys as well?"

"No. I just tagged along because I wanted a lift with these two." Peach answers calmly.

"Oh. I see. That's a beautiful dress, are you cosplaying? Is this for the party?" The woman asked.

"Not really. I was just dropping by. Since Luigi and shortstack are plumbing your house, may I come in?"

"Why yes, young lady, of course you can." The woman opens the door widely while letting Peach in the house building.

Finally, Peach is able to see if Mario and Luigi are doing their jobs as they did earlier after calling them through the phone, even after watching their adverts.

Maybe Peach doubts their abilities as plumbers, considering what they did is just a toilet.

Later in a bathroom, Mario and Luigi can see the bath is still there while the plug is off, meaning there's a clog in there.

Mario then grins as he's doing his job for real.

"Luigi, give me the plunger."

"Okay! Here!" Luigi salutes and then hands over the plunger, only for Mario to grab it like a gun and raise it above his head.

Finally, Mario pulls it up and down as hard as he could whereas Luigi is twisting the sink pipes and cleaning the toilets, giving them the advantage to fix the bathroom without disturbance.

As Mario finally sees the bath water going down, Mario exclaims with excitement while raising his plunger.

"AHA!"

"Meow!" What's on his plunger is a cat that is all drenched.

"What the!?" Mario exclaimed in shock.

"MEOW!" The cat yells as it jumps onto Mario, leading Mario himself to yell out in pain.

"AAH! LUIGI! HELP!"

"Mario! Don't worry, bro! I got y-"

Before Luigi catches Mario, he ends up getting landed on by the toilet, which is clearly flushing, as a cat leaps away and hisses at Mario and runs away.

After crashing on to the toilet, a necklace with a sun with a star in the middle is flying off of Luigi's overalls, causing Luigi to shriek.

"My medallion!"

"Oh no you don't!" Mario hastily catches the very medallion that Luigi had almost lost through a plug, leading Mario to sigh in relief. "Phew… That was close. Here, bro."

"Thanks, bro." Luigi also sighed while putting it back on around his neck, leading the Mario bros to halt as Peach slams the door open with shock.

"That medallion… Luigi, where did you get that from?"

"Easy, Luigi had it since he was a ba-" Mario was pushed aside by Peach as Peach herself went straight towards Luigi out of shock.

"Not you, shortstack! I'm talking to Luigi! Where did you get it from!?" Peach asked as Luigi raised his arms with surprise.

"W- Well… I can't remember, but I had it when I was a baby. I was told that the person who gave it to me will return to see me so I could thank him or her." Luigi answered in honesty.

"Luigi, that medallion was the oldest thing that was worn by those immortal people. That means the one you will meet might be younger than you by now." Said Peach.

"Haha… Funny story, but we're actually younger than you think." Luigi laughs.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, Luigi and I are 23." Mario reveals his and Luigi's age, causing Peach to exclaim in shock.

"Huh!? B- But I thought you're both thirty-something!"

"I know our moustaches make us look older, but we're not that old." Mario rubs his moustache while telling Peach the truth.

"But… I'm 22." Peach reveals her age to the brothers out of shock.

"Huh!?" Mario and Luigi exclaimed.

"But you look more 18 or 19!" Mario stutters.

"Implying that I'm a teenager!? Hmph, I guess shortstacks like you have absolutely no respect! At least Luigi has some sense of one!" Peach scoffs while looking away from Mario, causing Mario to pick himself up and pull Peach's dress top closer to him.

"Now listen here, princess! There's things that I hate here, it's people who're disrespectful and insensitive to the point that they're no better! You're just like that idiot Foreman Spike, those who bullied my little bro, even worse, my old man!" Mario snaps.

Peach halts after hearing Mario's outburst, only for her to realise that something happened to him made him like this and what she did was open him up like an eggshell that is cracked open.

"Bro…" Luigi reaches his arm towards Mario as Mario lowers his head, sulking as he pushes Peach off of him.

"Let's go. We worked our hardest here." Said Mario.

"O- Okay. Sorry, Peach." Luigi apologised by raising his green cap and ran by following his brother down the stairs.

In Peach's case, it reminded her of something that hit her in the past, knowing what she did is making things worse.

All she's here for is more research from around the globe as a way to enhance her kingdom and create a new society that her people are living in.

Falling to her knees, Peach felt the pain on her heart after witnessing the things she had done.

Downstairs.

A woman brought out her cash as Mario and Luigi thanked her and then finished their drink as they're about to go.

"Wait."

Mario and Luigi stop after seeing Peach approaching the duo downstairs while looking less prideful and more calmer, yet stressed out.

"You forgot about me." Said Peach.

"Oh that's right, she was with you two. She is a very kind woman. I bet you three are close friends." The woman giggles.

"A- Actually, we just met!" Luigi laughs nervously.

"Oh? It feels like you're close friends."

Mario ignores the discussion and opens the van door outside as Luigi and Peach follows.

Finally, the van takes off as the woman waves bye to the trio.

"Bye! I hope you help more people in need!" The woman shouts.

At least they got paid, leading them to take a trip to a different place where they can relax.

Later in the evening, the van stops at Mario and Luigi's house which surprises Peach, witnessing the place the bros live in.

With Mario, Luigi and Peach leaving the van as Mario and Luigi walk to their house, Mario and Luigi can feel some hostility coming towards them.

"Tch! I thought you showed up. Blackie." Mario called as he turned his head.

"Well, if it ain't the Stupid Mario Bros, coming home with their stinky hands on the doorknob. You didn't wash your hands after work, did ya?" A tall muscular man in shades with a black bushy beard, Foreman Spike arrives as he laughs at the Mario bros.

"Hello to you too, Spike." Luigi nervously waves while going behind Mario.

"Trying to annoy us because you want to?" Mario asked in a bitter tone, glaring at Spike out of malice.

"Nah! I just wanna say, thanks for plumbing this lady's house earlier! Boy, I did a number at her toilet! But hey, at least I used the air freshener." Spike laughs mockingly.

"Don't wanna hear it." Mario growls.

Peach clears her throat while approaching 3 grown men that are starting to argue with each other.

"Excuse me. Who is that hunk?" Peach asked out of curiosity.

"Oh him? That's Foreman Spike from the wre- !?" Interrupted by getting pushed along with Mario as Luigi and Mario hit the wall.

"Why hello, beautiful! The name's Spike, working at the wrecking crew." Spike went closer while pulling his shades and leaning on a light pole. "So, it seems that we're a match made in heaven, don't you think so?"

Peach doesn't know whether to scream or slap Spike in the face, given the impression that Spike is flirting with her.

"Uhh…"

"How about dinner? Or maybe a movie? Seeing as you cosplay, maybe a party?" Spike asked.

"No. Sorry, I'm not interested in perverts like you." Peach responds bitterly.

"Aww… Well, too bad." Spike sighed with disappointment as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey, Blackie, are you done flirting with princess?" Mario called while lifting Luigi up and patting himself.

"Oh come on, Mario, she ain't even your type. There's no way you can get any ladies. You and your brother are just losers thinking about plumbing and nothing else. Even Luigi wears that dumb necklace for a while and never takes it off." Spike said while walking around Mario and Luigi.

With Luigi protecting the medallion on his neck, Mario defends Luigi as he's preparing to take the hit.

"Face it, Mario. Get this through your tiny brain. You're a joke, and you always will be. You think you're so goody goody, but deep down inside, you're an even bigger jerk that's only using Luigi to make everyone love you." Spike pokes Mario's forehead while verbally piercing Mario's heart.

"That's not true! Mario is never like that! He always helps me when I'm crying! He even helps the poor, gives food and money, helps the children at the orphanage when I'm also around, even feeding stray cats and dogs!" Luigi protested while defending Mario.

"Just because he's a mama's boy, doesn't mean all that is his true nature. You'll soon learn his secret behind you. He doesn't love you, he loves taking credit from you. Face it, Luigi, he's lying to you."

This caught Luigi off guard as he turned towards Mario, seeing Mario looking miserable after being exposed by Spike.

"Mario…"

Spike then walks away while laughing. "I hope your payment is minimal, because who'll be calling your plumbing? I bet nobody will!"

This leaves the Mario bros to feel down after hearing what Spike had said to them, causing Peach to hold her heart, panting out of shock after seeing what Mario and Luigi reminded her of.

Then she shakes it off and then walks towards Mario and Luigi while putting her hands on her hips.

"Hmph! Some hunk he is. He should be ashamed of himself. Flirting with the royal princess and insulting a couple of bystanders. He's the type of guy I can't stand with." Peach spat out of disgust after seeing this drama.

"Just forget it. Let's just go home already." Mario said while trying to cheer up, for him to open the door.

Later in Mario and Luigi's house.

"We're home!" Luigi called with him and Mario taking off their boots and their caps.

"Mario! Luigi! Welcome home!" Mario and Luigi's mother appears as she hugs her sons with happiness, making the twin brothers hug back.

"Mario, Luigi, I see that you're back from your plumbing duties." Pauling giggles while standing by the stairs.

What stops Pauline and Mario's mother is the very person that Mario and Luigi brought home with.

"Oh? Who is this? A guest?" Mario's mother asked with surprise.

"Um… It's a long story." Luigi chuckles nervously.

"Sorry, but I am… Peach Toadstool. Here to be your guest for tonight." Peach courtesy while being respectful to Mario's family.

"Wow. I didn't know you boys brought in a girl. I think one of you is a lucky boy." Pauline pulls a teasing smile while wrapping her arms on her little brothers as she giggles.

"Pauline. Sis, she's not my girlfriend." Mario sighed.

"Also, she's not my type." Luigi points out.

"Ah. Shame. Also, why is her name Peach? Isn't it kinda strange for a human being to be named one, unless it's a nickname." Pauline had a feeling that Peach is the odd one out of this household.

"True." Mario and Luigi said at the same time.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss. Toad… Stool?" Mario's mother stops herself after realising how strange Peach's name was compared to others she met.

"Please call me Peach, ma'am. It's nice to meet you too. You're Luigi and shortstack's mother, right?"

"Why yes I am, Peach. They may not look like it, but those two are my baby boys." Mario's mother couldn't help but love her sons, Mario and Luigi.

"Mama…" Luigi blush while looking away out of embarrassment.

"Seriously? Too soon, mama." Mario is also embarrassed after hearing what his mother said about him and Luigi.

This had Pauline laughing and then approaching Peach with a positive smile.

"I hope you're okay with my baby brothers. They're actually the most generous boys that I have. I'm Pauline, Mario and Luigi's big sister. It's nice to see you, Peach." Pauline introduces herself while raising her hand.

"Oh? It seems that these guys have the most caring family. Hmph, it's nice to meet you too, Pauline." Peach shakes Pauline's hand while being respectful towards the people that raised Mario and Luigi.

"Hey, boys. Tonight is spaghetti for dinner."

"Oh boy!" Mario and Luigi exclaims with excitement as they're cheering up.

"Let's-a-eat!" Mario cheers while walking with Luigi and their mother.

"Hehe. Wanna join us for dinner?" Pauline offers with a warm smile.

"I would gladly have a meal with your family, Pauline." Peach willingly accepts while entering and takes off her heels.

"I recommend you change your clothes. You don't wanna mess up your cosplay."

"I'll be alright. It's actually washable." Peach waves her arm, deciding not to take off her pink dress.

"Alright. Suit yourself." Pauline shrugs her shoulders as she's about to join her mother and brothers at the dinner table.

In the end, Peach is able to see more of what the world has to offer which could mean more research meaning the better the kingdom improves.

At least she's having dinner with the fellow humans she meets.

Chapter Text

In the middle of the night, New York is peaceful and the one watching out of the window is Mario, who is surprisingly still in his red shirt and blue overalls in his bedroom.

He knows why he can't sleep after all things Spike said about him, leading him to think about his past actions.

The more he thinks about it, the more he thought Spike could be right about him being a jerk and a liar.

He then looks at Luigi with worry, knowing that Luigi is asleep.

"Face it, Mario. Get this through your tiny brain. You're a joke, and you always will be. You think you're so goody goody, but deep down inside, you're an even bigger jerk that's only using Luigi to make everyone love you." This is the thing that spooks Mario the most after hearing what Spike told Luigi. "Just because he's a mama's boy, doesn't mean all that is his true nature. You'll soon learn his secret behind you. He doesn't love you, he loves taking credit from you. Face it, Luigi, he's lying to you."

What he fears the most is letting his little brother down after years of admiring Mario himself.

In Mario's mind: Is he really lying to Luigi?

A thudding noise stops him from thinking as it catches his attention, only for him to see Peach looking around the house and tiptoes her way towards the entrance.

This alerts Mario to open the door, seeing as Luigi wakes up in his green shirt and blue overalls under his blanket.

"Luigi? You didn't change too?" Mario asked while staying quiet in order not to wake up Pauline and his mother.

"Mario, I want to know too. If you're going, then I'm going too. Also, I can't sleep." Luigi whispered, knowing that Mario isn't the only one who had trouble sleeping and wanting to go outside.

Mario knows that the only two in this household awake are him and Luigi, leading Mario to be confident as he nods.

"Okay. Let's follow princess. She must be hiding something from us." Mario said while placing his finger on his moustache lips.

"Okie dokie." Luigi nods and then follows Mario while they put on their boots, gloves and caps, preparing to sneak out of their house.

After the door closes, Pauline is watching as she witnesses both Mario and Luigi leaving the house without telling her and their mother.

Despite being in her white pyjama top and trousers with red design, Pauline puts on her red gown, puts on her slippers and then quietly leaves the house without waking the mother up.

In the middle of a city at night, Mario and Luigi are hiding behind the pole, watching Peach pull the manhole lid and then jump down, leading the Mario bros to follow; open the manhole, jump down through and close it.

Where they're at is a sewer, causing Luigi to cover his nose from the stench while Mario turns on the flashlight as he sees heel prints on the ground.

"It seems princess went in there to hide from us. Jokes on her, we're plumbers." Mario chuckles.

"Yeah… Mario, can we go back now?" Luigi asked while still covering his nose.

"Didn't you say you want to follow? Don't be a baby."

"Hmm… Alright, but we'll leave when there's the next hole.

"Sure sure. Let's follow princess and then we'll leave, okay?" Mario offers it to his brother.

"Okay." Luigi reluctantly accepts.

"Good." Mario finally walks forward with Luigi as the duo are seeing less junk and more clear blue water as they're still moving forward.

It's quiet… Too quiet.

To their shock, Peach is jumping from the cliff, even after the stench is no longer a stench, but fragrance.

"What the heck!?" Mario exclaims while rushing towards the cliff that leads to a blue waterfall.

"Did she just…" Luigi stutters as he's equally as shocked as Mario.

"Yeah… I hope there isn't a corpse lying in this place." Mario grunts while using the ladder downwards.

"Mario, don't you think this sewer is strange like it's all reshaped and deeper?" Luigi asks as he notices the structure of the sewer going from rotten to fresh.

"Huh. Now that you say that, you're right. The smell seems nicer and the place looks brighter. Something's not right." Mario then slides down on the ladder in order to get a closer look in a blue light.

"Mario! Wait!" Luigi quickly climbs down while trying not to fall.

At the bottom of this bright blue zone with a bunch of unusual multicoloured pipes all over the circle, Mario was in awe as he saw a place that feels so majestic that he's in some sort of wonderland.

The waterfall is coming through a hole where below is a sea of freshwater that smells like flowers.

"What is this place?" Mario gasps.

"Mario! Wait!" Luigi arrives and then stops, seeing something so beautiful, even Mario was impressed. "Wow… It's magical…"

"I know right? We finally discovered something that was unknown. How did nobody talk about that?" Mario asked.

"Probably because we're the first to see this place." Luigi answered.

What stops Mario is a bunch of unusual multicoloured pipes that are disconnected all over the place.

"Luigi, looks like it's a job for the Super Mario Bros Plumbing Service." Mario pulls out a spanner as he pulls a confident grin.

"Really? I mean, is it really okay for us to do all that?" Luigi asked.

"Of course. We'll improve the water supply and that way, we'll be known as the heroes of the unknown!" Mario laughed.

"Okay then… Let me do the pipes."

"Alright. I'll handle the colouring. Let's-a-go!"

Finally, Mario and Luigi are pulling apart and placing the pipes together as well as putting the junk pipes aside, leading Mario and Luigi to tighten up the pipes that are put together.

Red on red, yellow on yellow, green on green, blue on blue, the pipes go on.

Then, they're done.

"Finally, all done." Mario sighed.

"Hey. Is that Pauline up there?" Luigi points above as Mario and Luigi have caught up, seeing Pauline looking around the bright zone.

"Wow… So beautiful…" Pauline gasps with surprise after seeing what's under the sewers.

"Pauline!?" Mario and Luigi exclaimed.

"Huh? Mario! Luigi! What are you two doing!?" Pauline shouted while climbing down towards her brothers.

"Apparently, princess went out without letting us know. Also Luigi and I are fixing pipes there." Mario explained.

"Wait, Peach went down there? That's crazy! How can a cosplayer go into the sewers at a place like this!?" Pauline is confused about what Mario and Luigi are saying.

Before the conversation continues, a creaking noise has stopped them as Mario, Luigi and Pauline are seeing the pipes bulging and the water level slowly rising.

"Mama mia! Pauline! Climb!" Mario warned, pushed Luigi and dash towards the ladder.

This caused the trio to climb as fast as they could after seeing the water keep going up slowly until…

A splash has smashed the pipes, bursting out water that is quickly increasing the water, leading the trio to go even faster.

But unfortunately a water bursts out of the wall on Pauline, causing her to fall as she screams.

"I gotcha!" Luigi quickly catches Pauline as Mario is caught with his legs underwater.

"Uh, guys! I think we should move right no-"

Unfortunately for the trio, they're being pushed off the ladder as they're put under a whirlpool that is about to put them into a blinding white hole.

All they can do is scream with air bubbles coming out of their mouths, trying to swim upwards from the strongest current.

Finally, they vanish as the pipes are falling apart.

Mario, Luigi and Pauline are no longer seeing the world they're in anymore.

Unknown

The breeze is cooler and everything seems to be weightless as he thought he's dead or something.

Opening his eyes, Mario grunts as he sees the sunshine that is rising in the yellow sky, only for him to wake up in a morning that feels strangely weightless.

But little did he know, Mario is in the sky, leading him to scream and flap his arms.

"Where am I!? Luigi!? Pauline!?" Mario yells as he sees Luigi and Pauline falling from the sky, screaming as they feel the same as Mario.

"M- Mario! What's going on!?" Luigi screamed while grabbing Mario's hands.

"Yeah! Where are we!?" Pauline also grabs Mario and Luigi's hands, making a triangle formation as they're panicking.

"I don't know!" Mario yelled.

"Whatever it is, we're gonna die!" Luigi shrieked.

"THAT'S NOT HELPING, YOU IDIOT!" Pauline snapped.

"Guys! Stop arguing! I don't know what's going on, but princess must've led us to this situation!" Said Mario.

"Peach!? Why!? She was nice and that's what she led us to!?" Pauline couldn't tell if it's by accident or malicious.

With the trio waiting for their last moment of falling to their doom, another one has arrived, leading Mario to let go of Pauline's hand and reach out for another one.

"Yo! I see you humans are new to this world!" A young white haired human boy called while waving.

"G- Grab my hand!" Mario yelled.

"Grab your hand? Ahaha! You're a funny man! I'm not going to die!" The young boy laughed.

What the boy appears in, he is dressed in a white blazer and white shorts, making him look like a foreign elementary to middle schooler, since he appears to be from 11 to 13 years old.

"Oi, kid! Do as Mario says or else you'll fall!" Pauline shouted.

"Like I say, I'm not going to die!" The boy said while sitting on his strange looking cane and crossing his legs, watching Mario, Luigi and Pauline struggling to keep each other from falling.

"Who are you!?" Luigi asked.

"I'm glad you asked, green man! I'm the one who watches the Mushroom Kingdom! I am Kinoko Sennin!" The boy introduces himself while raising his arms with excitement.

"Kino- What!?" Pauline is having a hard time remembering a name so foreign that she'll never understand the meaning.

"How about calling me Kinosen, just to make things easier for you guys to remember!" The boy, Kinosen, introduced himself.

"Okay, Kinosen! Tell me! What's going to happen to us if you don't die!?" Mario asks.

"Easy, you all die!" Kinosen answered.

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!" Pauline explodes out of anger.

"Why!? Mama mia!" Luigi cried.

"But you'll live! All you have to do is believe!" Kinosen said while pointing at his own head.

"Believe in what!?" Luigi called out.

"Also, what is Mushroom Kingdom!?" Mario shouted.

"Simple… Oh, we don't have much time, but to give you a nutshell, you guys actually met the princess of this kingdom." Kinosen explained as quickly as he could.

Silence as the trio are shocked to hear what Kinosen said.

"WHAT!?" The trio exclaimed, hearing the truth behind Peach herself.

"Yep! Now I must go! Bye-bye!" Kinosen vanishes as Mario misses by trying to catch him.

"Wait!"

"Mario!" Luigi screams as well as Pauline, even Mario screams as the trio are close to death.

Then crash!

Then thud and bounce.

Then crash.

The trio survived the fall by a large mushroom and following other mushrooms, causing Mario, Luigi and Pauline to pant as they almost had a heart attack.

"Welp. Our introduction here is done. Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom and have fun!" Kinosen bows as he vanishes into thin air as a farewell to his new guests.

Now that the ride is over, the trio are sitting up as they witness the world that is not only strange, but very different to New York which had Mario standing up first.

The world is a field where there's a lot of mushrooms and the mountains are strangely curvy and vertical, even the blocks are floating in the air and many creatures are far from normal as they don't appear to be animals.

"This is… What princess is trying to tell me? I… I don't understand."

"Ugh… Peach has won the bet, but how are we going to get back?" Luigi groaned while picking himself up from the ground.

"Good question." Mario had a feeling that they're now trapped in this world for a while now.

"Good question!? You put us in this world! Now what are we going to do!? I don't wanna be here forever! It's gotta be a dream!" Pauline panics after pulling Mario out of desperation.

Mario thinks that Pauline is right and is trying to pinch himself on the arm.

But that didn't work.

"Oh. This is… Real."

"Wait! That means we're trapped!?" Luigi exclaimed.

"Oh no… No, no! No! No! NOOOOOOOO! WHO'S GONNA SAVE US NOW!?" Pauline let out a howl of fright after realising that she, along with Mario and Luigi, are stuck in another world.

"I- I don't want to be here! It's scary!" Luigi is also panicking after being put in a world that's unknowingly scary, yet bright.

"Guys! Calm down! There's gotta be a way back to Brooklyn. Maybe mama might send out a search party to find us." Said Mario.

"There better be! It's all your fault! Even you, Luigi! If you idiots haven't tampered with the suspicious looking pipes, then none of this would've happened! And my pyjamas are dried!? They were soaked earlier! Grr! Why did you do this!?" Pauline yelled out of rage, causing Mario and Luigi to leap back out of shock.

"S- Sorry, Pauline!" Luigi yelped.

"Sorry, Pauline! Listen, I'll make up for it by getting us out and I'll do as you say!" Mario knows he's guilty for destroying the pipes and will take the punishment.

"Good!" Pauline can tell that Mario is not lying when it comes down to taking punishments, then calms down by thinking of a plan. "Now, all we have to do is to find something to eat and somewhere to camp and that way, we'll get out of this place."

"But how do we find some food?" Luigi asks with curiosity.

"I dunno, maybe mushrooms, I guess." Mario picked up a blue mushroom before opening his mouth.

"Wait. Are they really edible?" Luigi stops Mario, worried that Mario might end up getting poisoned.

"I think so. Relax, if they're not, I'll walk it off." Mario laughed.

"Bad idea. I'd rather not see any of my brothers die of poison." Pauline is worried about what's going to happen to Mario.

"I agree with Pauline, bro. Can't we just find something else?" Luigi said worryingly.

"Pfft! You guys are overreacting, I'll just give it a taste test and prove to you guys that it's edible." Mario opens his mouth, preparing to eat the blue mushroom.

"Wait! Do not eat that!" A high pitched voice called, stopping Mario from eating the mushroom.

"Huh? Luigi? Is that you?" Mario asked.

"No. I bet Pauline called." Said Luigi.

"HII!" Shrieking while falling to her backside and crawling backwards, Pauline has witnessed a short creature that looks like a mushroom wearing clothes and has limbs, leading Pauline to crawl in fear.

"What in the!?" Mario yelps as Luigi jumps behind Mario in fear.

A creature just appeared out of nowhere and what Mario held was a mushroom with eyes which made him shriek and drop the blue mushroom out of shock.

"Phew! That was close… Man, for a second there, you could've shrunk and then we'll have to find a different mushroom to grow you back." A strange creature sighed in relief.

In their eyes, this creature is unusually strange and actually speaks their language, meaning something is wrong and makes them question something they took.

But they never took any drugs.

There's only one option left for the siblings to do.

"RUN!" Luigi yelled, leading the trio to scream and run away from a creature that's been saving them.

"Wait, guys! Geez… Humans. Never seen a toad like me before, huh?" A white toad with red spots sighed.

"Dude, it's natural for humans from the outside world to react that way because they're a homogeneous species." Another toad that is yellow said while explaining about the humans.

"Hm. That is true. Maybe I'll approach them carefully." Said a white toad.

At least Peach isn't the only human in the Mushroom Kingdom as there are more people arriving from the sky.

In the toads' mind: who are these people?

Chapter Text

2005 September 14th

Mushroom Kingdom

Panting in the middle of nowhere, Mario, Luigi and Pauline have found themselves in a world where a so-called cosplayer is living, leading the trio to sit by a mushroom.

"It can talk… How did it understand our language?" Mario asked.

"How should I know? If Peach was around, she'd be answering where we are and who she is." Luigi said.

Luigi then raises his head up and looks at Pauline, knowing how equally scared she was as well as Luigi himself, even Mario is overwhelmed.

"So… Camping, you say?" Luigi asks.

"I said we'll camp somewhere, when there is NO ONE around!" Pauline let out a heavy sigh while trying to breathe.

"Ugh… Mama mia… Bro, do you have any ideas?"

Mario stands straight up as he stops panting, turning around as he looks serious this time.

"We'll go with your plan. Let's find princess and ask her how we got here, where is this place, what are these people."

"Uh, we went in by the sewers yesterday, you weirdo." Said Pauline, pointing out what happened earlier.

"I know, but what kind of teleportation we took to get into this world." Said Mario.

"I think it's gotta be the unusual looking pipes." Luigi had a thought that they entered this place because of the very things he and Mario tampered with.

"Hmm… You do have a point. Mario, what do you think?" Pauline asked.

"I think so too. If anything, princess must've gone through one of those pipes." Mario agreed. "Let's-a-go. Maybe someone familiar to us will eventually help us get out of this Mushroom Kingdom thingy."

Finally, the trio are starting to walk together through the fields while avoiding anything unusual in this fantastical world.

But they're not only surrounded by mushrooms, but unusual turtles, brown armless mushroom creatures and eyeless plants that bite.

This gives the trio the creeps as Mario is guarding both Luigi and Pauline and pulls out his spanner like a weapon.

 "Stay behind me, guys… These guys look like they're trouble." Mario whispers.

"How can you tell?" Pauline hisses.

"That one says it all." Luigi whispers while he points at an eyeless plant from the pipes that's been biting. "That one is mean looking" Luigi then points at a brown armless mushroom creature.

"Okay, you make a good point, but there's no telling if they bite or not." Pauline said.

"I don't know. But for now, we must sneak past and find our way out." Mario leads the way as he, Luigi and Pauline are hiding behind the mushrooms in order to not get caught.

The language the creatures are speaking are very foreign which is like how animals are difficult to understand. But the turtle's strange babbling and the mushroom creature's strange squeak are communicating as if they understand each other.

Under the blue sky with less clouds, Mario is leading the way out, not knowing which way he is going.

Then, a sign that says 'Mushroom Kingdom' to the left and 'Grasslands' to the right, leading the trio to stare at the signs while thinking what to do next.

"Hm. Now what? We're introduced to the world that is called on the left side, so why is it called Mushroom Kingdom when it's literally just a kingdom." Pauline asked, confused about the term between the world itself and the kingdom they're near.

"Good question. Maybe this Kinosen kid just had a flawed view on what Mushroom Kingdom was." Said Mario.

"But where does it lead us back to our homes?" Pauline asked another question.

"I'm not sure. But the one with mushrooms on its head must be from the kingdom." Mario assumed.

"So maybe Grasslands is where we were earlier? There isn't a third sign." Luigi points out.

"Huh? Then what is this place called?" Pauline is just as surprised as Mario after seeing no third sign.

"Maybe we stumbled into a confidential zone." Mario turns to his behind as he's curious to know why.

"Oh, that's because the sign is old. You're in the mushroom forest." A familiar voice called, causing Mario, Luigi and Pauline to halt as they're starting to sweat bullets out of fear.

As the trio turns around with fear lurking behind them, the trio yelps as they jump backwards and land on their backsides at the same time, leading Mario to pull out his spanner out of his overalls again while Luigi and Pauline hide behind him.

"Woah! Easy, guys! I'm not your enemy!" A different yet strange mushroom creature waves his arms without any hostility.

"Who are you? How did you understand our language?" Mario grunts while guarding his siblings from any danger.

"As expected, you humans are easily hostile towards us toads." A white toad with red spots sighed.

"Toads? As in toadstools?"

"That's right, short man in red! I am Toad! Strange name, I know, but I am Princess Peach's loyal partner!" Toad introduces himself proudly.

Silence, the trio are staring at Toad with hostile looks, knowing he may or may not attack.

"Haah… Listen, I'm not going to hurt you three. I'm not like these guys you see." Toad explains.

"Huh? Are you sure?" Luigi asks before getting his head pushed down by Pauline.

"I don't believe you. You might be those monsters that bite." Pauline hisses at Toad while hiding behind Mario.

"Come on, lady in white pyjamas and red gown, what makes you think that? Unless I'm a chain chomp, then I'll bite." Toad teases the trio by pretending to bite in the air.

"See what I mean!? You freaks are the same!" Pauline snapped.

"Man, why're you humans so weird? None of us are the same." Toad shakes his head with disappointment after leaving a bad impression to those outsiders.

"Really now. Hey, at least you're not as threatening as those mean looking guys back there." Luigi said with a positive tone.

"Luigi!?" Pauline exclaimed.

"I know, Pauline, but if we trust him for once, then he'll help us get back to our world." Luigi said.

"Surely you can't trust this thing! Mario, tell him!" Pauline went to her hands and knees as Mario turned his head.

"I know, Pauline. But Luigi's right, if we trust that creature, the chances are that we'll be able to make it back quickly." Mario concludes while standing up.

"At least the green guy understands. C'mon, lady, we'll help you get back home, okay?" Toad said.

Pauline groans as she feels defeated, knowing that her little brothers are being too trusting towards the little creature that is Toad.

"Fine… Do whatever you want." Pauline mutters.

"Sweet! Now let's go to the Mushroom Kingdom. I'll introduce my friends to you guys."

"Thank you, Toad." Luigi pulls his cap down while thanking Toad.

Mario then places his hand onto Luigi's shoulder.

"Luigi, I need to borrow your medallion."

"Huh? Why?" Luigi asks, confused about why Mario needed it.

"If they see you with it, then they'll go after you. It's for the best that I'll keep hold of it." Mario explains his reason.

Before Luigi pulls the medallion out of his neck, Toad gasps as he dashes towards the trio with surprise.

"That mark! You, green guy, what's your name!?" Toad asks with a surprised reaction.

"Um… Luigi." Luigi revealed his name which surprised Toad.

"Luigi, huh? Did the princess tell you what this is?"

"Yeah. I think it was something to do with some immortal people she said to me earlier." Luigi points out.

"That's right. It belonged to the oldest civilization and you must've been involved with one of them." Toad points at Luigi, thinking about what happened to him in his childhood.

"Me?" Luigi points at himself with surprise.

"Surely you must be mistaken for someone else." Pauline said while blocking Luigi from Toad.

"I'm not sure myself, but knowing where that medallion came from, Luigi had some involvement with these people." Toad admitted and then turned towards Mario and Pauline. "What about you, man in red, stubborn lady in white pyjamas and red gown, what're your names?" Toad asked confidently.

"Mario." Mario introduces himself by pulling his cap.

"I'm Pauline. So what you're saying is that we're stuck with you until we find our way out?" Pauline asks as her tone is getting calmer.

"Yep. But there's nothing to worry about. As long as we're here, you're safe with us." Toad laughs.

"See, Pauline, there's nothing to worry about." Luigi said with a positive expression.

"I get you, but we need to stay cautious. Looks can be deceiving, you know, and I'm certain that he may or may not be a liar." Mario said while keeping himself on guard.

As Luigi hands Mario the medallion with Mario putting it in his pocket, he, Luigi and Pauline are nodding together and follow Toad towards the Mushroom Kingdom.

The path is clearer with the trio looking around their surroundings, seeing as the world is so unusual, even Mario himself is as nervous as Luigi and Pauline.

"Those mean brown mushrooms are called goombas. They may be peaceful, but they're threatening to bite. The turtles you see are koopa troopas and the plants out of the pipes are piranha plants. They're dangerous, so don't interact with them." Toad warned.

With the trio nodding, the fields are peaceful as the breeze is cooling them down as they walk together.

Before they continue, the 4 halt, encountering a familiar one in a pink dress, Princess Peach Toadstool.

"P- Princess! Your majesty! I found these people in a forest and they wanted to go back home." Toad bows as Mario, Luigi and Pauline gasps with surprise.

"Really? Hm, I hope those strange-" Peach cuts herself off, witnessing the people that are right in front of her after yesterday. "Wha!? Pauline!? Luigi!? Shortstack!?"

"Long time no see, princess." Mario places his hand on his hip while looking at Peach coldly.

"Wait… Oh! So you guys know each other! I was right the first time!" Toad can see why the trio mentioned Peach earlier.

Pauline finally stormed towards Peach and yanked her dress top while glaring into her eyes.

"Take us back right now!" Pauline growled.

"Wait! Hold on!? What's gotten into you all of a sudden!?" Peach exclaimed.

"We're stuck in your world and now your little friend over here is trying to help us get out!" Pauline shouts as Mario and Luigi pull Pauline back away from Peach.

"Apparently, we messed up." Luigi admitted.

"Huh?" Peach raises her eyebrow out of curiosity, thinking what made them mess up.

"Let's just say you left this house without telling us, we entered the sewers and we unintentionally damaged the pipes, flooding us to your world and now here we are." Mario explained.

"You did WHAT!?" Peach explodes with shock and anger. "You mean none of us can go back to your world!?"

"Wait, what?" The trio stops after hearing about not going back.

"You destroyed our only way to the outside world! That means I can't do more research on your world!" Peach is devastated, knowing her plan is no longer in use anymore.

This leads the trio to drop down on their knees at the same time, dreading the very thing that they completely vandalised.

"Oh mama mia…" Mario and Luigi said at the same time.

"That means we'll be stuck here forever…" Pauline gasped.

"Yeah. You doomed yourselves. But hey, at least Peach isn't the only human in this kingdom!" Toad tries to stay positive, but Pauline drops her head down to the ground.

"AAAAAAARGH! WE'RE DOOMED!" Pauline yells out of dread.

"I guess there's no need for a search party this time. Hahaha…" Laughing before losing his mind, Mario knows what he did was all his fault.

"No! Not like this!" Luigi pants out of fright, realising that there's no going back.

Peach can see the fears behind those humans which led her to realise that she accidentally led Mario and his siblings to their uncertain doom, knowing Mario is not the only one at fault.

Lowering her head, Peach knew she made another mistake.

"Looks like they're gonna have to get used to it, princess." Toad said with a serious expression.

"Yeah…" Peach agreed.

With Peach taking a few steps forward, she clears her throat and pat Mario's head, Luigi's nose and Pauline's shoulder, only to calm them down.

"It's unfortunate that we won't be able to visit Brooklyn again, but the least I can do is to give you guys a tour." Peach said while keeping her cool.

"I guess we have no other choice… Luigi, Pauline, let's face reality and spend the rest of our lives here. We can start anew. We'll still be plumbers, Luigi, and Pauline can find a new job." Mario said while lifting Luigi and Pauline up.

"Bro…" Luigi can see that Mario is never giving up when the situation is dire.

"You never fail to impress me, little bro. Alright, but we need to learn the culture of this Mushroom Kingdom." Pauline too accepts the fact that they're now stuck as Mushroom Kingdom inhabitants.

"Good. Now we're on good terms for now." Mario laughs and then turns around towards Peach with a confident look on his face. "Princess, lead the way."

"Actually, I'll lead the way!" A voice of an old man called in a similar language to humans and toads.

"Huh?" The group stops as Peach and Toad gasps in shock.

"Everyone, ru- GAH!" Peach yells as a magical blue rope caught onto not just Peach, but Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad.

"What the heck!?" Mario grunts.

Above the group are a horde of turtles and a wizard holding his wand, laughing in the faces of 4 humans and a toad.

It feels as if they're surrounded by a bunch of intruders or cops from this world.

"Hm? Three more humans? Ain't that your lucky day, my lord." A blue cloaked wizard said proudly.

"Lord?" Mario, Luigi and Pauline look at each other with confusion.

"Oh no! It's him!" Toad gasped in fear of a presence that was nearby.

Then BANG!

Behind a brown fog of smoke, is a large figure that is standing in front of a group of 5, growling like he's a literal definition of a monster.

His fiery eyes are piercing through the souls of those he comes across, letting out a heavy sigh and raising his massive body as fire comes out of his mouth as he breathes.

"WHAT IS THAT!?" Luigi and Pauline yelled out in shock, even Mario was terrified to see what he just witnessed.

"B- Bowser…" Peach gasps in horror as her heart beats a lot harder, even though it's too much for her to handle.

"No way… Why now…" Toad too is frightened to see what he just saw.

His yellow scaly body is far more inhumane than it already is, his spiky shell is something not to touch, his collars and choker is what makes him more of an animal and his horns indicate him to be a devil and his hair and eyebrows match his fiery eyes.

He's what the wizard described him as; Lord Bowser Koopa.

Heavy footsteps are approaching Mario and his group, a large turtle such as Bowser leans down as he makes a soft growl.

"Hello, princess." Bowser speaks in a very deep and menacing tone.

"Wh- Why're you here?" Peach is struggling to say something as the presence of a monster is stepping on her shadow.

"Oh nothing much. I was thinking if you could come with us, my queen." Bowser raises his claws, only for Peach to shriek and slowly take a few steps backwards, knowing she can't move her arms.

"Queen?" Mario, Luigi and Pauline said out of confusion.

"Tch… I knew this old man was a fool…" Toad grunts, lowering his head out of anger.

"That's right, humans, Princess Peach Toadstool will soon be my wife and then Mushroom Kingdom will be at peace and we'll have our honeymoon in your world." Bowser laughed as he told his plans to those he met.

To his surprise, he feels like there's something familiar to Mario and Luigi despite only meeting them for the first time.

"Oh? A couple of moustachioed men and a beautiful woman who's not my type. Interesting." Bowser is now fixated on more humans in his presence as he turns to his tail and grabs Peach by his arm. "Take them all with us! We're going to celebrate our engagement with the princess together!"

"Yeah! All hail King Bowser! All hail King Bowser!" All his army of koopas and goombas cheer as they're finally heading to their large flying boat as a wizard pulls those chained ones towards the boat.

"Come, humans and mushroom! We mustn't disappoint our lord!" A wizard in blue orders as he finally puts Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad into an airship.

As the airship finally takes off, Mario, Luigi and Pauline are at a state that they're now helpless as fear strikes again on them.

But Mario is still keeping his cool after realising that all this is just a fever nightmare.

What kind of world Mario, Luigi and Pauline stumbled onto? Where are they this time?

Standing behind the leaving airships is the one who introduced himself to Mario and his siblings, watching the struggle of those who're misfortunate to see the monster that was never told.

"Haah… How pitiful. You know, princess, you really need to pray sometime, otherwise you'll be married off to the royal king and you'll never be able to create your ideal world." Kinosen walks as he stands in a place where the koopa army invaded, hits the block with a question mark symbol with his unusual staff, which releases a red mushroom and catches it and then eats it while watching.

"Mario, you have the potential to reveal your true self. Don't go and hide who you really are. You and I both know you're trying to act brave for others, but yourself. Open the shell for the princess and see how she really feels."

Kinosen pulls a smirk, knowing behind Mario is a coward that's trying to avoid heavier consequences as well as hiding the fact that he's not as purely nice as he made himself out to be, nor a bigger jerk that he shows himself as.

He's human like his family and friends.

"Mario, make your decision. Follow your path."

Chapter Text

Darkland

Flying towards a place that is a wasteland with thunderstorms coming from the grey clouds, making it look artificial without any artificial stuff affecting it.

A wasteland is filled to the brim with nothing but brimstone and volcanic sea of lava which makes it look like actual hell.

There are no buildings as the only building near the airships is a large castle that has Bowser's head designed on it, making him either a narcissist or somebody who praised him as their king.

Watching in silence, Mario is at a loss for words after seeing a dark world that is in stark contrast to where he and his siblings came from.

Worried that Luigi and Pauline might end up with a heart attack, Mario approaches the duo while still handcuffed by a blue magical chain after being tied up earlier.

"It's going to be okay, guys. It might not be as bad as we made it out to be."

"Are you crazy!? We just encountered a monster that's going to eat us alive! How are we going to be okay!?" Pauline hisses as she hyperventilates out of fright, even hugging a scared stiff Luigi.

"True… But we won't know until we find out. Luigi, Pauline, bear with it."

"You should bear with it too! You know you're scared as much as we are!" Pauline points out which catches Mario off guard.

Pauline is right about Mario being afraid, even when he tried to pull in a brave face for his family. Mario then turns towards a wizard in blue who is chatting with a koopa in armour, only for him to see Toad being tossed into the same room as Mario, Luigi and Pauline.

"Hey! Watch the hat! Stupid turtles and their goomba friends…" Toad grumbles, struggling to pick himself up after being handcuffed like Mario, Luigi and Pauline. "Oh! Mario! Luigi! Pauline! Am I glad to see you!" Toad cheers up after seeing these people again.

"Toad? What's going on outside?" Mario asked.

"Well, Bowser is keeping Peach to himself and I'm now forced to be with you guys until we get to his castle." Toad explains which had Mario and Pauline thinking.

"Hm. Hold on, isn't Peach human like us? Doesn't that mean this Bowser guy is committing something very questionable? Because Peach is a human and this monster is a turtle dragon thing." Pauline said, realising the species both the king and the princess are.

"Now that you mention it, you're right. Toad, is this even legal?" Mario asks as he's thinking the same thing.

"Ah. Therein lies the issue. You humans have some sort of cultural sensitivity in your world, we too have our fair share of sensitivity of our own. But the difference between a koopa and an average animal is their physique and intelligence. So, for the royal marriage to give birth to a patriarch and a matriarch, the king and queen comes into fruition. In other words, yes, it's legal for Bowser to be committed to the princess." Toad concludes while staying serious.

"Princess Peach is known for rejecting marriage to the royal families, making her the most difficult woman to lay your hands on." The old wizard said while approaching the four.

"Really?" Mario and Pauline raise their heads out of curiosity.

"That's right, many princes of other kingdoms made a proposal with the Mushroom Kingdom's princess, only to be rejected countless times. If the same happens to Lord Bowser, then we're doomed to face death." The old wizard koopa explains Peach's history of how she turned down many royal families.

"And why does she do all of that?" Pauline asked.

"It has something to do with her past and why she's under pre-" The wizard halts, realising that he's explaining to a bunch who're possibly enemies to his king. "Wait a minute! Why am I telling you everything!? You three should be quiet like that green stache over there! Hmph, darn kids and their schemes!" The wizard snaps as he leaves the room, thinking that one of the trio is planning on escaping but wasn't foolish enough to fall for it.

To Mario and Pauline, this princess is impressive for keeping her kingdom alive without a single marriage.

"Peach was never the type to stay on her throne all the time. She's more adventurous and wants to experiment new things. The problem is the old man being strict with her which is why Peach is having problems. When Peach said it's her choice to be the princess, I think she's lying." Toad expresses his thoughts on what Peach does as a princess.

Mario stops after knowing the truth, seeing as he himself dismissed Peach as a selfish woman who thinks the world owes her anything.

Then the group falls as the airship stops and parks near the castle, meaning the ride is over with a wizard and 2 armoured koopas standing by the door.

"Alright, you four, get out of the airship, you'll be joining the lord's meeting when he says so! But for now, you'll be in your dungeons!" The wizard orders as both koopas are pulling Mario and Luigi whereas 2 of the armoured ones are carrying Pauline and Toad.

The group grunts while being taken out of the airship and dragged towards the castle that is so huge, even the army can fit in with their own rooms.

Welcome to Bowser's castle.

Bowser's Castle

Being the last one to be pushed into the dungeon, Mario grunts as he crashes down and is then uncuffed, causing him to rush towards the cell and grab the bars.

"You'll be staying here until further notice, human. Enjoy." A koopa troopa chuckles while placing his key on a table and leaves the group in a cold, cramped and uncomfortable room.

The only lights there are lamps with flies buzzing over the stone wall and the floor is not even levelled to begin with, making this place look like a prison, even an average prison is paradise compared to this dungeon.

Kicking a loose stone, Mario can tell that this place is getting increasingly boring the longer he stays.

"That old wizard is Kamek." Toad said while sitting on a bed that is flat.

"Kamek?" Mario turns towards Toad in front of him.

"Yeah. He's been Bowser's loyal servant and his caretaker ever since he was a baby, since this old man told me." Toad explains.

"So why is Kamek calling him lord and his army calling him the king, knowing there's no queen?" Mario sits down, which hurts his butt, asking about Bowser himself.

"Dunno, but he has eight kids."

"Eight!? What!?" Mario halts after hearing how many children Bowser has.

"I know, right? Maybe he had a woman who laid a lot of eggs… Freaky people you might say." Toad chuckles while not telling Mario the details of how koopa biology works.

"Yeah… Wow, I don't want to picture that in my head." Mario shakes his head out of disgust and then looks back towards Toad. "But why princess of all people?"

"Because she's the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, even though she has no fiancé, she will end up having Bowser as her first lover." Toad explains with worry.

"Is that a bad thing?" Mario asked, thinking it's normal for royals to marry each other.

"If I tell you, will you believe me?" Toad asked.

"I mean… I don't believe much, so I guess." Mario admits and accepts Toad's answer to hear the outcome.

"It's not."

"Hm? How can you tell?" Mario asks out of confusion.

Toad then stands off the bed and then approaches Mario and places his hands on Mario's shoulder.

"Bowser is a tyrant, he will use us toads as slaves and make sure that Peach is his forever. He may care for his army, but he will not only use us as his second hand army that will be disposed of, but will enslave you humans until Pauline is next alongside Peach." Toad explains the fears of what'll happen.

"My sister!?" Mario gasped in shock after hearing what Toad just said earlier.

"Yeah. You and your brother are going to be stuck as his butlers until you grow old. Anyone who opposes Bowser is doomed to face nothing but torture."

Mario lowers his head and then squeezes his fists out of anger, knowing that no one messes with his family and gets away with it.

"If that's true, then we're finished." Luigi called through another cell, realising that he and his older siblings are going to suffer fate worse than death.

"Luigi… So that means I'll be Bowser's second wife… Stuck with him and live under an oppressive world…" Pauline laughs bitterly, realising it's the end of their road as if Bowser has become their destination.

"No." Mario said while picking himself up and standing in front of Luigi and Pauline's cell.

"Mario?" Luigi, Pauline and Toad are surprised to see Mario refusing to back down.

"No. If we give up now, then we won't be able to discover something new, we won't be visiting new friends and we won't be able to go back home. Luigi, Pauline, I can't be the only one standing up for all of us, so if anything!" Mario hastily picks out a spanner and hits the dried stone wall in order to make spaces for him, Luigi and Pauline. "You should stand up as well!"

Even when it's impossible to save themselves, Mario is still doing the best he could to break through and see Luigi and Pauline again.

Luigi then pulls out his screwdriver and hits the wall just like Mario as the Mario bros are never going to lose each other to Bowser's army.

To Pauline, her little brothers are doing their all to protect her and those around them, seeing as she herself raised them fine yet she's not strong enough to go past her limits like Mario and Luigi does.

Toad is seeing the true potential in guarding the princess from anyone who's about to get her, leading him to walk forward slowly.

Until a door opens, alerting Toad to stop Mario and Luigi from trying to break the walls.

"Guys! They're coming!" Toad yelps, stopping Mario and Luigi from trying to break through.

Afterwards, a goomba, 2 koopas and Kamek arrived as Kamek cuffs the prisoners again with his magic by waving his wand.

"Come with us. Lord Bowser is making an announcement and you four will introduce yourselves to him." Kamek orders and drags Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad out of their cells as the four grunt and follow the goomba as Kamek follows behind.

The group nods as they're thinking of a plan without Kamek knowing.

At a party with a heavy metal song playing called 'Bowser's Fury,' with koopas playing a metal band, Bowser's army are celebrating with some food, drinks and dancing with all the army cheering 'Bowser' while they chant.

The hallway is that of a dark lair with lava waterfalls and a massive circle along with stairs is black and was covered by red carpet with Bowser's face planted on it and a chandelier is still an average one.

With Mario, Luigi, Toad and Pauline being forced to watch the party as they're stuck handcuffed, at least they're whispering without anyone knowing as the four nod.

On the throne is the very monster that took them in as his prisoners and the one they feared the most, King Bowser Koopa.

"Hahahaha! My fellow army! Koopas! Goombas! Spinys! We have finally succeeded! Soon, the Mushroom Kingdom will be ours after years of being sworn enemies! Soon, we'll enter the Mushroom Kingdom!"

"YEAH!" Bowser's army yelled.

"But first! I'll marry the princess and rule the kingdom!" Bowser yells as he raises his fist.

"YEAH!"

"Finally! Once the whole kingdom is at peace, there will be no more oppression for us koopas anymore! We will cultivate the world right onto our hands! DARKLAND WILL RISE AT LAST!" Bowser calls with his fist raise again.

"ALL HAIL BOWSER! ALL HAIL BOWSER!" The army chants as they've been waiting for the moment of being free from the chains of hatred.

"And during our honeymoon, we'll visit the outside world and stay there for a while when we get back."

Bowser chuckles and then looks to his side, seeing as 3 humans and a toad is what gives him the impression that these humans are new to this world.

"And we have our guests! Starting with this bushy faced little man in red."

"This bushy faced little man has a name, you know. It's Mario." Mario growls after being teased with the moustache that Bowser rubs his fingers on.

"Ah, Mario, so that's your name. And I see these two are your family members. How interesting." Bowser laughs and then lets go of Mario, only for Luigi to be next in line of teasing. "What about you, green stache?"

"L- Luigi…" Luigi stutters as he's looking at the definition of fear with his own two eyes. "You're not going to eat me, are you?"

"Eat you? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

As Bowser hollers out with laughter, his army laughs out loud as well after being amused by Luigi's question.

"No way. But if that's what you want…" Licking his lips, Bowser is prepared to have Luigi as his meal.

"No wait! I didn't mean to! I- It's just a misunderstanding, that's all!" Luigi exclaimed while trying to move away from Bowser out of fright.

As Bowser drops Luigi, he then looks into Pauline's eyes with a grin.

"Um… Hi?" Pauline nervously looks back with fear crawling onto her.

"Hello, madam. May I have your name?"

"It's Pauline, sir." Pauline introduces before she gulps. "If you dare hurt my brothers…"

"Oh relax, I won't do any harm to them. I was thinking if I can make you humans a part of my kingdom." Bowser said with a calm yet menacing tone.

"Which is?" Pauline asks as she's curious.

"Work for me. I'll make you live the happiest life you ever had, but on one condition." Bowser raises his finger with a condition requirement.

"Huh?" Pauline looks at Bowser as she's waiting for what Bowser himself is saying.

"You and your brothers will take me, Peach and my army to your world, guide us and finally recommend any hobbies for us to have." Bowser said calmly.

"And if I don't?" Pauline asks.

"Ohohoho… You'll see." Bowser laughs, knowing he's not messing around as he leaves Pauline and approaches Toad.

With Pauline falling to her knees, Mario and Luigi catch her before Pauline herself collapses out of shock.

"It's gonna be okay, Pauline." Said Mario.

"Yeah. At least Bowser won't do anything to us." Luigi is also relieved that Bowser is being harmless to his 'guests.'

"Yeah… But what's going to happen if this monster finds out about the pipes. We're already done for." Pauline points out.

"Oh no…" Mario and Luigi forgot about the incident earlier, meaning Bowser will kill or enslave all of them if he finds out about the pipes to the other world.

As Toad introduces himself, Bowser is underwhelmed as it's not as intriguing as Mario, Luigi and Pauline, leading Bowser to turn towards his army.

"Everyone! I welcome these guests as part of my Koopa Kingdom! Tonight, we will continue our party! Kamek, uncuff these guests!"

"What? B- But, my lord!" Before Kamek protests, Bowser growls as he pierces a glare at Kamek, his loyal servant.

"Do it." Bowser's tone sounded very much like a beast as he ordered Kamek to free Mario and his group.

As Kamek moans, he releases Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad as they're now one of Bowser's team.

With a horde of koopa army cheers, they surround Mario and his group as they welcome the four to their team.

Will the plan work, considering they're free and Bowser is less what Toad described him to be and more of being a reluctantly nice man.

Is Toad telling the truth or is he wrong?

Chapter Text

In a bedroom, it's brighter than other rooms in Bowser's castle, as the bedsheets are red, the design is creepy with those black spikes on, the floor is more clean as there's tables, meaning Bowser had his room organised and cleaned up like some sort of a clean freak.

Reading, Peach is seeing monochromatic pictures with text that is very foreign, even this is coming from Bowser's table.

Opening the door, appearing is none other than Mario, who is carrying a tray that is a meal.

"Shortstack?" Peach is surprised to see Mario entering Bowser's room.

"Hey, princess. I got you something to eat. Bowser requested me to send it to you." Mario said while placing a tray on the table and then taking a seat on the chair that is higher and larger than he anticipated.

"Hmph. So I guess you work for him." Peach looks away while going back to reading a book.

"Yeah. Bowser seems to be a nice guy. Creepy, but nice." Mario said as he couldn't believe he said it himself.

"He may be nice…" Peach stops herself, sighing as she couldn't do anything about it.

Mario then turns around and back to Peach with a determined look on his face.

"I heard it all."

"Huh?" Peach raises her head with surprise after hearing what Mario said earlier.

"You've been out everytime and because you're a princess, you're pressured to do something you're not fond of."

Peach gasps, knowing that Mario had caught her from hiding the truth behind her masked personality.

"At first I thought you're just an idiot who thinks of no one but yourself, but I'm the idiot for not knowing who you truly are. Heh. Unlike you, I'm nothing but a huge jerk." Mario admitted as he chuckled bitterly.

Peach has bare witnessed a mirror who looks down on itself, knowing what kind of past he experienced.

After that, Peach stands up and hugs Mario, only to surprise him.

"Huh? Princess?"

"It's true… There is someone just like me…" Peach whispers with joy.

"Excuse me?" Mario is confused about what Peach means by someone just like her.

Finally, Peach is on her knees on Bowser's bed and pat Mario's shoulder and look straight into his eyes.

"Shortstack, when the clock strikes at twelve, meet me in Bowser's room here. That's the time where Bowser and his army are having their lunch break. I know an escape route, so all we need to do is to take one of his airships and head back to Mushroom Kingdom." Said Peach.

"But what about Bowser? I mean he's nice." Mario scratches his head while trying to act cool.

"He's not what you think. He may be nice on the outside, but deep down inside, he's a monster. He knows what he wants and he will get it no matter what. Please, shortstack, do not be fooled by him." Peach warned.

That puts Mario through a conflict after hearing Toad's warning earlier, causing Mario to close his eyes and look at Peach.

"Okay. We'll meet up in an hour."

"Thank you. I'll tell you who I am after we leave this castle." Peach is relieved to see Mario being less antagonistic than before.

Finally, Mario leaves Bowser's room while Peach continues to read a book, leading Mario to sigh and then approach Luigi, Pauline and Toad.

"Guys, change of plan: princess is coming with us."

"Really!?" Pauline and Luigi jolted up with surprise.

"Yes! Now we can finally get out of this castle easily!" Toad cheers. "But easily is an understatement. It's not going to be easy since Bowser increased his security."

"So what now?" Luigi asked.

"We let princess lead the way." Mario answered.

"Huh?" The group halts.

"She knows a way out, so we'll be meeting her at twelve o'clock where Bowser is having his lunch." Mario explained.

"Huh. Seems that you've been sharing some knowledge with Peach." Pauline said while smiling.

"Oh yeah! Mario, whatever you do, don't mess up!" Luigi warns while holding Mario's hands.

"Yeah. I won't mess it up and neither will princess." Mario smiles back while preparing for the moment.

With Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad place their hands on each other, they'll prepare themselves an escape, so Bowser won't know what's coming to him.

Later.

"Lunch time!" A koopa troopa called as a goomba hits a bong by carrying a stick with his mouth

"Ooh boy! I wonder what's for dinner!?" Bowser cheers while he and his troops are dashing towards the dining room, giving Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad the chance to enter Bowser's room without anyone knowing.

Finally as the door closes, Mario and his group arrive as Peach stands off of the bed and walks towards Mario and his group.

"You're right on time." Peach said with a smile that is suggestive.

"I was making sure." Mario chuckles while flicking red his cap.

With Peach climbing out of the window, Luigi and Pauline gasp out of shock.

"Follow me. The air vent near the bedroom." Peach waves as Mario is the first to follow, then Toad, then Pauline, who was reluctant to go out like this.

Luigi gulps as he's the last one to follow, only to see Peach gestures to Luigi to close the window outside.

To Luigi's shock, he heard a humming, causing him to hastily close the window.

"Princess, dinner's re-... LORD BOWSER!" Kamek screams after witnessing Luigi escaping and closes the window.

"Sorry, Peach!" Luigi apologised while holding onto a wall.

"It's okay, Luigi! Don't worry, I know an alternative!" Peach called.

"Then what is the alternative!?" Pauline shouts.

"Wait! We're still taking the vents and the airship!?" Toad asked.

"Yeah! Come on!" Peach enters the vent first as she's followed in order from Mario to Toad to Pauline to Luigi.

Back inside Bowser's castle, Bowser is eating a large meat as the bone is being left as a toothpick for Bowser himself to use.

As the army laughs and chatting together, a door slams open as Kamek pants.

"Hey, look who's back." A goomba chuckled.

"Hey, old man wizard! Back from the retirement home?" A koopa troopa laughed.

"Hey, old man! Retirement homes are that way!" Another koopa troopa called.

This had the army laughing as Kamek growls and clench his wand out of pure rage.

"Shut your yap!" Kamek snapped. "Lord Bowser! Lord Bowser! It's the princess and our guests!"

"Oh? Are they playing with each other? That's cute." Bowser is glad to hear what's going on without even listening.

"This is serious, my lord! They're escaping!" Kamek exclaimed.

"Hm!? What!?" Bowser stops laughing and then hastily rushes to his bedroom.

As Bowser slams the door open, he checks different places like his table, his bed, even his closets, until he furrows his eyebrows as the flames slowly comes out of his mouth.

"Grr…" Growling, Bowser knew this was happening again.

Princess Peach escapes from Bowser's castle and it's not the first time it happened.

Bowser then roars as he bursts out fire from his mouth like a flamethrower, only for his rage to fuel up even further.

"STRENGTHEN THE SECURITY! DO NOT LET THOSE TRAITORS ESCAPE WITH THE PRINCESS!" Bowser orders, refusing to let Peach out of her new home.

"Sir yes sir!" The koopa army salutes and then calls for tighter security as they spread out to their position.

"L- Lord Bowser." Kamek stutters while waving his wand to cool Bowser down.

"Kamek, where are they heading to?" Bowser asks as he growls.

"I- I don't know, but I'll stop them for you, your majesty!" Kamek bows, summoning his broom and then hops on it and floats upwards.

"Good. Bring them back. Their punishment will be the only thing they'll be facing and we'll put the princess back and chain her up in my room."

"Yes, my lord!" Kamek agrees and then flies off out of the bedroom as Bowser picks up his book.

While he remembers reading it, he still doesn't understand the language in this book as he himself can tell that the pictures are the things he needs as weapons to block anyone who attacks and infiltrates his kingdom.

Bowser then smirks whilst he walks towards a different location that is another bedroom.

"Hey, son. Can you do me a favour?"

In another location that is a corridor, Peach and Mario's group are hiding as they see a koopa army strolling in different places.

As Mario and Luigi nod, the duo smacks their tools on a couple of koopa troopas, knocking them out as Mario and Luigi drag their bodies behind the door.

With Mario and Luigi calling for clear, Peach, Pauline and Toad are running while hiding from the security that is trying to hunt them down.

At the bridge where the lava is the only place that's a hazard, Luigi shivers as Mario holds Luigi by the arm and Peach does the same for Pauline, leaving Toad to carry no one fortunately.

With the five hiding behind another door, what they see is Kamek with a goomba and a koopa troopa that are saluting (despite goombas having no arms).

"Remember, Hal, Jeff: red hat, green hat, pyjama woman, one mushroom and Princess Peach! Find them and bring them to our lord!" Kamek orders.

"Sure. Whatever you say, old man." A koopa troopa, Hal gets the gist of what Kamek meant.

"So we have Mario, Luigi, Pauline, Toad and the princess. Alright. That's the identity described. We'll look out for 'em." A goomba, Jeff said nonchalantly.

"Good! Do not disappoint!" Kamek then flies off as Hal and Jeff sigh and then sit down as they're bored.

"They're blocking our way out. Let's take the alternate route." Peach whispers.

Before Peach's group turns around, an armoured koopa appears with surprise, causing the group to gasp.

"Huh? Guys! I found them!" An armoured koopa called, causing Mario to block his group.

"So, you think you can run away from us like that. So, how would you like to survive with a hammer?" Another koopa raised his hammer near Pauline's neck which had her shrieking in fright.

"Wait. Spare them, kill me instead." Peach said as she's willing to sacrifice herself for Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad's safety.

"Like we would! The boss ordered us to take you back so you can be his bride!" A koopa with a hammer spat out of malice as he's grabbing Peach's arm, forcing her to come with them.

"Princess!" Toad yelled.

Mario grits his teeth and swings his fist onto a koopa's stomach that hard as the force causes a koopa with a hammer to yell and then fall.

This had all the koopas alert themselves by raising their weapons and an armoured koopa released his claws as he growled.

"You… Why did you do this!?" The armoured one growls.

Peach and Toad have never seen a human so determined to defend his allies that even Luigi and Toad nod.

After that, both Luigi and Toad headbutts the army which had an armoured one growling and dash towards Luigi.

"DIE!"

"Not this time!" Toad shouts as he releases sand dust onto a koopa's eyes, making him scream in pain.

With the army lying unconscious and the armoured one down on his knees, this alerts Mario and his group to make a run for it causing Mario and Luigi to jump on Hal and Jeff hastily.

"Huh!? My shell!" Hal yelps as he covers himself and then witnesses his friend being pancaked by the escapees. "JEFF!"

"Ow… Darn it…" Jeff grunts.

"Jeff, are you alright!?" Hal exclaims while picking up a flattened Jeff.

"Yeah. Call the medic."

"You IDIOTS!" An armoured koopa yelled while rubbing his eyes. "Do you have any idea what you've just done!?"

Putting his shell back on, Hal turns around while headbutting an armoured koopa.

"Now listen here, Captain Basilisx! We didn't know the escapees were coming!" Hal snapped.

"Silence! We need to report this to our boss!" Basilisx hisses while running towards the main hall.

"Uh… Are we done for, if our boss finds out about our performance?" Jeff asked.

"I don't know, Jeff. I don't know." Hal mutters

This leaves Hal and Jeff wondering if they're fired or not as both of them sigh out of disbelief.

The only thing left to do is to take Jeff to the medic.

At the large room where there's airships, Peach is leading the group to an airship near the exit, leading her to put Pauline, Toad, Luigi and Mario in before her as Toad himself pilots the airship.

"Alright. Is everyone seated!?" Toad calls.

"Oh yeah!" Mario and Luigi replied.

"Yeah." Pauline pants as she's finally safe.

"That's everyone! It's time for a lift off! Toad, take us back to the Mushroom Kingdom immediately!" Peach ordered.

"Yes, ma'am!" Toad replies as the ship is lifting itself and flies away by firing its cannons, blowing up other airships to prevent the koopa army from piloting one of them.

With the army appearing, they're all pushed back as explosions are stronger and heavier.

As for Bowser, he found out that his so-called guests are trying to escape without him knowing.

"So, you think you can escape me!? Kamek! Get them!" Bowser roars as he points at the smoke covered room.

"Yes, my lord!" Kamek zooms past as the army are opening their wings and flying along with Kamek.

"Hm. Oh?" Bowser halts as he witnesses a bunch of flying objects with cannon tubes that were built for his request. "Hehehe… Well done, my son. Now let's see how these humans escape from them."

Outside, an airship is being chased down by an army of koopas and Kamek as well as flying objects that are shooting large bullets with eyes and arms.

With the airship struggling to keep going straight, Mario pushes Luigi down as he shouts out. "Drones!"

"Drones!? But we don't have the technology for that kind of machinery!" Luigi exclaimed.

Mario then remembers what Peach read through a comic book which featured differently designed drones which had him realise Bowser took inspiration from that thing.

"Princess! That comic book!"

"You mean the manga I read!? Yeah! Bowser must've used that idea to stop us!" Peach can tell what's going on.

"Wait, you've been to Japan!?"

"Uh, guys! We got company! It's not just these things, but there's paratroopas and him!" Toad yelled as Kamek is leading all the paratroopas to get the airship.

Even the bullets hit the airship as Peach and Pauline screamed and Luigi rushed towards Toad and Mario held onto Peach and Pauline.

"Toad, please! GET US OUT OF HERE!" Luigi screamed.

"I'm trying! These guys are- Gah!?"

An explosion has caught an engine as it interrupts Toad, the blades are pulled apart, leading the airship to split into two. On one side is Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad and on the other is Pauline as she shrieks.

"Pauline!" Mario shouts as he reaches his arm.

"Mario! Luigi!" Pauline yells while reaching her arm.

"Mario! Wait!" Luigi tries to reach Mario while falling from the blue and yellow sky in a smashed airship, only for Kamek to go between both halves of a destroyed airship.

"Fools! You dare to leave this place!? After we give you hospitality and this is what we get!? No matter! You won't escape me!" Kame yells while waving his wand by creating a fireball and pointing at Pauline directly. "Perish!"

"PAULINE! NO!" Mario then tries to run, but is caught by Luigi and Peach as they don't want Mario to end up being caught by Kamek's fire.

Pauline grunts as she's prepared to jump before Kamek fires his wand at Pauline herself.

Then BOOM! A fiery explosion has left Mario in shock, bare witnessing the hellfire that took his older sister away.

"Pauline… No way…" This not only pushes Mario's buttons, but it leads him to feel guilt and anger that is flowing inside of him.

"Hold on tight!" Toad calls as the paratroopas are grabbing the remains of the airship, leading Luigi to shriek and Peach to grunt.

What Toad holds out is a bomb with white eyes, lighting it by scraping the wood on it and then tossing it into the engine room as the drones are being hit by cannon balls that Mario and Luigi throw.

"When we get back, you will be our servants! Now take them back!" Kamek is now at the point going directly at the escapees.

"Sorry, Kamek, but the Bob-omb's been lit. See ya!" Toad waves while pulling Mario, Luigi and Peach down through the hole.

"What!? NO! Everyone! Let go!" Kamek shrieked, ordering his army to let go of the airship until it caused a nuke to the sky, pushing all the paratroopas as they separated and crashed down.

Kamek had come to a realisation that he's been underestimated by Peach and Mario's group.

"Tch! CURSE YOU! I HOPE LORD BOWSER COMES BACK TO GET YOU!" Kamek lets out a yell as he's left with no targets nearby.

In the end, they all successfully escaped.

Unknown

Inside a jungle, waking up after feeling a few burns on her body, Pauline has survived Kamek's fire magic that almost incinerated her.

At least she's safe.

But she's alone.

"Mario… I hope you're okay with the others." Pauline sighs to herself as she picks herself up and then looks around the trees.

She can feel the stinging pain on her arm which isn't as worse than she thought, but at least she survived…

For now…

A voice of a monkey has caught Pauline's attention, leading her to turn around and look around her surroundings.

But to her horror, she's finally in front of a large one who is staring into her eyes.

It's not just the big guy in a red tie as there are more monkeys in different fashion that are hanging around, surrounding Pauline which gives her the impression that they're seeing her as a part of their kind.

"Aah… M- Mario! Where are you!?"

If only she's as strong as her brothers, then she won't have a hard time fighting back.

In the end, she was grabbed by the large monkey with a DK tie on and was being put onto his shoulder, causing Pauline to yell out.

"Hey! Let me go, you stupid ape! Help! Mario! Luigi! HELP ME!"

Chapter Text

Unknown

It's quiet.

The breeze is light and the grass is prickly.

The sound of the wind and birds is so peaceful, especially after the chaos that is escaping from Bowser's castle.

Grunting, Mario wakes up from the ground as he finds himself in a forest all alone.

But what flashes in his mind is an explosion that Kamek used on Pauline, making Mario feel sick as he covers his mouth with his eyes widened.

"Why… Pauline, you can't be dead yet." Mario knows it's all a lie, knowing that Pauline isn't foolish enough to put her life at risk right in front of a koopa.

Before Mario lowered his head in guilt, he heard a shuffling noise through the bush which led him to stand up and follow the sound.

Moving the bush, Mario stops as he witnesses Luigi getting wrapped up on his leg by Peach as Luigi squeaks out in pain.

"Calm down, Luigi. Hm? Shortstack?" Peach stops, surprised to see Mario waking up from his slumber.

"Mario! Thank goodness you're okay!" Luigi rejoices as he leaps and hugs his older twin with joy.

"I know, I know! I'm okay, little bro!" Mario laughed as he and Luigi put their foreheads together like brothers.

"So, where are we?" Luigi asks.

"Hm… I don't know, but we seemed to have fallen into this forest." Peach had no idea what to say as this location seemed new to her.

"Wait, where's Toad?" Luigi asks another question.

"I'm over here!" A voice called under a pile of broken wood and stones, leading Mario and Luigi to move the stones.

Coughing, Toad has also survived the blast as he can feel the pain all over his body.

"Toad! Are you okay!?" Peach hastily went down and pulled out a first-aid kit for Toad to take.

"Yeah. Man, that was crazy. To think Bowser was crazy enough to get you like that." Said Toad.

"Yeah. We need to make our way to the Mushroom Kingdom. We have to warn everyone that Bowser is coming to get us." Peach finally wraps Toad's arm like she did with Mario's arm and Luigi's leg, making sure that their injuries won't get any worse.

"So now what, princess? The airship is totaled and we need to get there as quickly as possible." Said Mario, knowing how long it's going to take for the four to go back.

"We have to get there on foot, unfortunately." Peach concludes as she picks herself up and leads the group by walking through this forest.

Mario, Luigi and Toad follow, knowing that there isn't a map or sign in sight, but at least Bowser's army are nowhere to be seen.

The forest is greener as it's like there's wildlife in there, surprising the four as they can see the river and butterflies.

"Ah, watch out for the bramball." Peach warned.

"What?" Mario and Luigi are confused until a long green thorny legged creature with an orange ball that has its soulless white eyes and a permanent frown arrives which had Mario and Luigi jumping back out of shock.

"A bramble bug, that's what a bramball is. It resides in the forest along with its own kind." Toad explains.

"I see." Mario sighs as he picks up Luigi.

As a bramball leaves by releasing its suction cup feet and flip step 180 degrees, Mario and his group are sighing with relief and continue on searching for a way out of the forest.

Still nothing.

Until they find a light at the end of the forest.

"I think this is it." Peach said, thinking it could be a way out.

"I think so. Mario, Luigi, let's go!" Toad cheers as he goes rushing in head on.

"Toad! Wait!" Peach calls and then scoffs as she can tell that the people she knows are far more stubborn than she thinks.

"Let's-a-follow him." Mario agrees with Toad and pats Luigi's back while running.

"Okay." Luigi nods and follows Mario and Toad.

This leaves Peach to sigh and then follow the boys that are getting ahead of themselves.

But…

The breeze is fresher as the group gasps with surprise.

They're at the beach as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are seeing the big blue itself, meaning they can finally relax.

"I didn't know there's a beach in your world." Luigi turns, relieved to see a place like this in another world.

"Yeah. It's a shame… I could've brought my swimsuit." Peach sighs out of disappointment.

"Hm!?" Mario and Luigi quickly look at Peach as their faces blush red.

"I was kidnapped like you guys, remember?"

"Oh." The Mario bros got what Peach meant.

"I can see our castle over there!" Toad points in the direction under a yellow sky which is in fact Peach's castle.

"That means we're near!" Luigi cheers.

"But it could take us a few days to get there." Mario said as he can tell by the distance.

"You're right, shortstack. Maybe we can have a bit of fun on the beach." Peach suggested, only to cheer them all up.

"Sweet! I got sandcastles to build!" Toad laughs, hyped up to play around.

"I'll try to surf. There's some wood that is nearby." Luigi points at the airship remains, knowing how to make a surfboard and will give surfing a try.

Finally, Mario and Peach are looking into each other's eyes as they're about to say something to each other.

Under the yellow sky that is about to turn amber, Mario and Peach are sitting on a sand near sea water as they're now barefooted and barehanded, watching Luigi struggling to surf.

Both of them are quiet as they're seeing the beauty mixed with humour which gives Mario the impression that Peach is in need of company.

But there's something he needs to say.

"Hey." Peach was able to catch Mario's attention as he raised his head and looked at Peach herself.

"Yeah? What is it, princess?"

"Just who exactly are you? I know we have something in common." Peach asked.

Mario can see why Peach wanted to see him as he can see what's going on with Peach herself.

He then looks at the sea as Luigi falls into the water.

"Let's just say, I'm just a normal human being who does plumbing with his younger twin." Mario answers the question.

"Really? When we first met, you're actually kind of rude and disrespectful."

"Because I don't want to be nice…" Mario admitted with a moody tone.

"Huh?" Peach turns towards Mario with surprise. "Why don't you?"

"Because my old man. I never wanted to call him papa. He's one of the reasons why I refused to be nice. People took advantage of my kindness because I stopped them from bullying Luigi and my old man screamed at me for being too nice. I mean, I can't help it. It's my nature." Mario exposed himself, causing Peach to gasp. "It all started when we were kids. Remember Spike? The guy I called Blackie?"

"You mean that hunk who berated you and Luigi?" Peach asks.

"Yeah. He was one of the bullies who hurt my little bro, even a girl who was being called 'mushroom princess,' alien, monster, even a dummy." Mario explains.

Peach holds her heart as her memories flashes in her head.

Mario continues on. "It got to the point where I protected those bullied kids in the name of justice. Luigi looked up to me and I had to burden myself to not disappoint my little brother. My mother was kind enough to let me be who I am, but my old man? He wasn't a good person and used his public image to show he's a hero that defeated a monkey that kidnapped a woman. He goes on a rant about my kindness being taken advantage of and I shouldn't help everybody. He almost hurt Luigi and mama, so I had to intervene and take the hit for them."

Peach can see what hits Mario's heart as Mario himself lowers his head.

"After my old man left, Luigi and I were in high school and that's where I stopped helping those who're bullied. I never wanted to see my childhood self again, so I am the new me. Until Luigi and I decided to work as plumbers and our bonds are coming back. Then I ended up a mess. Blackie, the bullies and my old man are the reason why I never wanted to help other people. You're the reason why my nature of helping others has made me think, who are you really?"

What stops Mario is seeing Peach weeping as tears are coming out of her eyes.

"Princess?"

Peach then hugs Mario which surprises him to the point of being confused.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry about what happened to you. What they did to you is psychological abuse. Not only your kindness, but you were taken advantage of by those horrible horrible people." Peach pities Mario and Luigi for all the trauma they went through.

"H- Hey, you don't have to feel sorry. It's okay, I'll walk it off like always." Mario laughs until he gets squeezed.

"No. It's not okay. What they did to you is absolutely despicable. They should be held accountable for the horrible things they did to you." Peach's tone is bitter after knowing what happened to make Mario like this.

Peach then laughs softly while letting Mario go and sits back to her position as Mario himself did the same.

"Alright, I'll tell you mine. I never knew my parents." Peach starts her side of the story.

"Wait, you don't!?" Mario gasps with surprise.

"I don't know… I was raised by the toads of this kingdom when I was a baby and I wasn't doing well at school in this world."

"Let me guess, because you're human?" Mario got the obvious point.

"Yeah. I was then transferred to your world to that school and guess what happened?"

"Nothing's changed?" Mario answered.

"Exactly. Apparently this is worse than the toads as humans are capable of throwing fists at others. Then, I met him. The boy who stops anyone who bullies other people, all in the name of justice. Sounds cheesy, am I right." Peach giggles as Mario chuckles.

"Huh. This kid reminded me of myself. But you're right." Mario then turns towards Peach as he's curious about the connections to their past. "Do I know you?"

"Well, he appears in a red hat, has a big nose and is always around with his shy twin brother." Peach answered.

This caught Mario off guard as he remembers who that girl was in his elementary school days.

"That means you're…"

"It's been a decade since we last met, Mario." Peach finally said his name as Mario himself was left agape.

"Peach…" Mario also said her name for the first time which led him to witness the face from an innocent, yet crying girl to a beautiful and calm woman.

"So Spike is a bully who's been hurting us. I guess we've been hanging out for a long time as childhood friends." Peach sighs as she's glad to reminisce about her past.

Mario can finally picture him, Luigi and Peach as kids and Pauline as a teenager playing at the beach together, hearing their youthful laughs which makes him smile.

"When I first became the princes of the Mushroom Kingdom, I was making a proposal to all the toads. I wanted to reshape the Mushroom Kingdom society, make peace with every kingdom and inspire the world. But my actions and my behaviour contradicts what a princess acts and does." Peach stands up as Mario looks up out of confusion.

"What do you mean, Peach?"

"I had Toadsworth speaking for me and doing what a princess should do. Even Toadsworth is one of the major councils that raised me to be the princess every toad needs. Toadsworth feels like the ruler. But me…" Peach walks on the sea while raising her dress skirt, causing Mario to look away quickly and then back to her.

Peach the smiles, but not in a positive expression, but a depressing one.

"Maybe I'm never a princess to begin with. Never have, and never will be. I chose to be one, but I never wanted to be a princess. This dress and crown is a sign that I'm a ghost to others." Peach expressed her truth, leading Mario to close his mouth as he refuses to believe what Peach has gone through.

"You're not a ghost."

"Huh?" Peach stops smiling as Mario stands up and folds his overall legs by walking onto the sea near Peach.

"If you never wanted to be a princess, then don't be. Just say no. If you're a princess, don't let others tell you what to do. I mean it's okay to listen to others, but letting them control you is just wrong." Mario vents without shouting, but telling the princess what she should've done. "I'll help you, princess. If anything, why don't you live at my place with Luigi and Pauline? Mama's alright with more people living with us as long as they're nice and caring."

Peach can see the looks on a man who can do anything to help anyone in need, realising that her ignorance and Mario's arrogance are what puts them in this mess.

Then tears are dropping as Peach weeps again, but this time it's about herself.

"Mario… I…"

"I'll find a way to fix the mistakes Luigi and I made and then we'll not only help the toads and the world, but we can get out together. Me, Luigi, Pauline, you and Toad. If Toad wants to come with us." Mario moves his eyes towards Toad, who was watching, leading him to jump a little.

"Thank you, Mario! Thank you!" Peach then hugs Mario again as she wails, finally getting to understand someone as well as being understood.

"Hey. I'm sorry for talking bad about you, princess." Mario apologised for things he did for a while.

"No. Thank you, this is the first time I was treated like a commoner by a commoner." Peach is glad that she's being treated like a normal human being.

"Wow… It's like they're made to be together. How romantic." Toad sighs with joy after watching Mario and Peach's reconciliation.

Afterwards, Mario is looking into Peach's tired eyes and then rubs them for Peach to blink better.

"I'll make you a deal, Mario."

"A deal?" Mario halts as he is confused.

"Yeah. Once we stop Bowser and save every kingdom, I'll promise you a date."

"A- whuh!?" Mario exclaimed about what Peach just promised him for.

"A date!?" Toad cheered.

"A date!? B- But I'm just a commoner! I can't be dating a royal princess!" Mario exclaimed.

"That's what makes things even better. You'll be my first romantic partner as I was your first." Peach rubs Mario's nose and places her finger on his lips, happier that she had found genuine love.

Mario couldn't help but smile as he blushes, realising that Peach is showing genuine love towards him.

"Come on, Mario! You know you want it!" Toad teases as Mario jumps and turns around.

"W- Well… I um… I don't know what to say…" Mario is at a loss for words.

Then he sighs and turns back to Peach.

"Alright, you win. It's a promise." Mario concludes, leading Peach to glee with joy.

Mario smiles back after finally proving everyone wrong that he will never let go of his kindhearted nature.

Then a splash hits both Mario and Peach as they both shriek.

"Hey! You lovebirds are standing around!?" Luigi laughs while splashing water on Mario and Peach.

"Alright, that's it! Come here, little bro!" Mario shouts as he chases Luigi while splashing water back on him.

Even Peach and Toad join in on the fun which brings nostalgia to their childhood.

After that, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are drenched as the four are laughing together.

Peach stops as she forgot about something.

"Oh, Mario, you did say Pauline was your sister, right?"

"Oh yeah. She's adopted." Mario answered.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She raised me and Luigi when she was nine and we were like four or five. She was like a big sister to us, even though she's a part of the Mario family." Mario explains positively and then sits forward as he thinks. "I still want to know about the immortal people that Luigi knows of." Mario said while pulling Luigi's medallion out of his pocket.

"Hm. Keep hold of it. Once you and Luigi find a certain someone, maybe you'll thank one of them." Peach said as she put it back in Mario's pocket.

In the end, Mario is promised a date with Princess Peach and he, Luigi, Peach and Toad are about to rest and make their way back to the Mushroom Kingdom.

This morning and afternoon was hectic, but the evening is surprisingly peaceful.

The beginning of their journey starts now.

Chapter Text

2005 September 15th

Marching through the forest, Peach, Toad, Mario and Luigi are checking all over as they're staying quiet, avoiding the creatures that are inhabited in this place.

What stops Luigi is a flying silhouette that is watching and then leaving, giving Luigi the impression that someone is after him and his friends.

"Hey, Luigi! Come on!" Mario called.

"Oh! Coming!" Luigi runs while reuniting with the group that are walking through a large river on a bridge.

After the bridge, the four are jumping from a cliff as Mario and Luigi are the first two to jump and Mario then catches Peach whereas Luigi catches Toad by his head.

Behind Mario and his group, sitting on the tree is Kinosen who is eating a banana and watching Mario and his group moving forward.

"Hoh? It seems that Mario and the princess finally confessed. Love does bring happiness after all. But how would Bowser feel, you might ask? Heh. We'll find out. Don't you think so?" Kinosen raises his head as he's asking the sky about Bowser's reaction and his emotions.

From forest to jungle, the trees are starting to feel different and the plants are larger, Mario's group slowing down as the heat increases with Toad and Peach falling onto their knees.

"Peach, Toad. Are you guys okay?" Mario asks while rubbing his head.

"Yeah… It's getting hot out there." Peach sighs while blowing herself with her hand.

"Phew! Have we stumbled onto a jungle or is it just me?" Toad asks as he pants.

"You're not the only one. It's getting humid here." Luigi takes off his cap and blows himself.

"Maybe we took the wrong direction?" Mario is curious to know where they are.

"I think so. Let's go back and take another direction." Peach orders as the group are turning another way.

Before the group turns around, they come across a bunch of figures that are hiding by the trees, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to be on guard.

But Peach stops as she recognises the monkeys which leads her to step forward and raise her hands.

"Hold on! We're not intruders! We're from the Mushroom Kingdom!"

"Huh? Wait, Peach knows the monkeys?" Mario whispers to Toad as he and Luigi go closer.

"Yeah. They're the Kongs, the kings of the jungle. I'm sure she'll reason with them." Toad whispered.

"Mmn… Let's hope." Luigi is worried that Peach is going to get herself harmed by the Kongs.

As Peach is giving out her plea, a voice called.

"What are you talking about!?"

"They can talk!?" Mario and Luigi exclaims.

"Yep. Humans… Always confused when it comes down to our world." Toad shakes his head when he expects the Mario bros to not react that way.

"B- But how did those monkeys talk!?" Luigi asked nervously.

"My bet is that your world doesn't. Makes no sense." Toad has a hard time believing that the other world's monkeys don't speak.

"Listen, I know it's hard to believe, but Bowser is on the run and he will not stop until he gets his hands on every single kingdom!" Peach said.

"Alright then, Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom, who are these people and why do we want to believe you!?" A young boy's voice yelled.

"These people are Mario, Luigi and Toad." Peach introduces the people with her.

"Wait, did you say Mario and Luigi!?" A man's voice called.

"Yeah?"

After Peach answers, a horn is honking as a car slides through the trees and stops right in front of the four.

"Which of these are Mario and Luigi?" A pale brown furred Kong in a white sports coat is pulling down his shades while waiting in his car.

After the questions are asked, Mario and Luigi raise their hands as they're nervous about what they're about to be done by the Kongs.

"Hm. Hop in." The Kong said while pointing his thumb at the back of his car.

"Thank you, Driver Kong." Peach bows and then lets Mario and Luigi in first.

"He's wearing a jacket. No pants…" Mario whispers nervously.

"Yeah. I know, he was underdressed." Toad laughed.

"Is it safe?" Luigi asked nervously.

"I don't know. It's just the four of us, so I guess?" Toad answers, unsure if he's right about it being safe..

Mario and Luigi gulp, knowing they're going to die in a car accident.

Peach then hugs behind Mario and holds onto a handle bar, making Mario blush as he sighs.

"Hold on tight." Peach said to 3 boys.

With Mario, Luigi and Toad nodding, Driver Kong puts the pedal to the metal and plays 'Drivin' Me Bananas' song, causing the four to scream as the car moves out like a bullet.

Throughout the jungle, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are bracing themselves as they're loose on the safety handle, leading Luigi to catch Toad as Toad himself screams for help.

"Safe, you say! That's a lie!" Luigi screamed.

"I didn't know it was that bumpy!" Toad yelled.

"Everyone! Hold on!" Peach yells as the four are still holding onto each other.

Then, they entered a village-like place full of huts as Mario and Luigi were surprised to see how much more constructive these Kongs are.

"Welcome to the Kong Village , our chief is waiting for you." Driver Kong said while staying serious.

Even Mario is glad that he was able to be in the village in order to visit the leader of Kongs.

Open his mouth in agape, Mario can see a large palace that is so tribal like that even he and Luigi are new to this place.

Then the vehicle stops as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad collapse together and crash onto the wall as they grunt, with Luigi being at the front and Peach being at the back, causing the four to collapse from Luigi at the bottom to Toad to Mario to Peach on top of her friends.

"Hey, Cranky, you got guests, and these two consist of Mario and Luigi!" Driver Kong called and then drove away from the palace.

While Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad pick themselves up from the ground, Mario and Luigi hear quick footsteps that are approaching them.

"Mario!? Luigi!? Guys! Thank goodness! I thought Bowser took you guys back!" Jumping onto the twins is none other than Pauline herself, causing Mario and Luigi to gasp with surprise.

And she's still in her pyjamas.

"Pauline!" Mario hugs her back as well as Luigi.

"I thought you were dead!" Luigi said out of worry.

"Heh. Don't underestimate your big sister. I may be weak, but I'm not as helpless as you guys think." Pauline laughs.

"Pauline!" Peach calls as she grabs Pauline's hands.

"Peach! Boy am I glad to see you! You too, Toad. Thank you for helping us."

"Heh. It's the least I can do to help your brothers." Toad proudly raises his chest after being praised by Pauline herself.

In the end, Pauline is reunited with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad.

But Pauline is not alone.

Arriving is an old monkey that is holding a cane, with a white beard as many Kongs lacked, making him the chief.

"Young Pauline, are those your brothers?" An old monkey asked.

"Oh, guys, this is Cranky Kong, he's the chief of the Kongs. They were teaching me their ways and newfound technologies that they made." Pauline introduces Cranky Kong to the group.

"Seriously!? I had that goal too!" Peach exclaims, glad to see another one wanting to make the world a better place.

"Oh, so you seek to evolve our world too, princess. And here I thought I was the only one." Cranky Kong chuckles while approaching the five. "Mario, is it?"

"Um… Yeah." Mario is confused about why Cranky Kong is waiting for him and Luigi.

"I remember your father. He was an absolute psycho!" Cranky Kong snapped

"Yeah, trust me, my old man was never a great person." Mario agreed automatically.

"And if you dare disag- Wait, you hate him?" Cranky King stops, hearing Mario's response.

"He used you for his own gain." Mario stops himself as he hears what Cranky Kong said about his father. "Wait, you know him!?"

"Yes, I know your crazy old man! He was trying to cage me and use me as part of his circus performance like a blooming psychopath!" Cranky Kong growled.

"At least we're nothing like him. Mario is kinder than you ever think." Luigi commented.

"Well, young Pauline did tell me all about you boys. I am astounded to introduce you boys to my son." Cranky Kong is glad that Mario and Luigi are the brothers that aren't as bad as their father.

"Your son?" Mario and Luigi are curious to know who Cranky Kong's son is.

"Donkey Kong. They say he's the strongest of the Kongs and the heir to become the chief. Also he's obviously Cranky Kong's son." Pauline explained while pointing at the door.

"By strong, just how strong is he?" Luigi asked.

"Yeah… He breaks other Kongs' bones. You're pretty much screwed." Pauline meekly concludes.

"Oh boy. Well, rest in peace, guys." Toad knows it's coming as Mario and Luigi are starting to turn pale.

"Mama mia." The Mario bros squeaked as fear started to rush inside them.

As Donkey Kong was described, Mario and Luigi can feel chills running down their spines.

"Ah, well remembered, young Pauline. If you want us to collaborate, princess, then your boys must fight my son."

"Wait, wait, wait! We've only been running for days and now they're fighting him!? Cranky Kong, you know these boys are humans, they can't fight a large Kong like that!" Peach protested.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow, they're going to fight him. Because who couldn't fight on an empty stomach?" Cranky Kong laughed, letting Mario and his group rest for a day. "The dining room is where every Kongs, even guests, participate to have a feast."

Finally, Cranky Kong leaves Pauline with Mario and his group, leading the five to sigh in relief.

"Pauline, what happened to you earlier?" Peach asked, worried that something bad happened to her.

"Oh. At first I was being kidnapped by a bunch of Kongs, I'm just as surprised as you are, seeing those monkeys talk like us humans. But they're actually caring, and Donkey Kong is a pretty funny guy." Pauline giggles.

"At least you're safe. But how did you manage to let the Kongs know about Mario and Luigi?" Toad is surprised as he wants to know.

"Cranky Kong. He hasn't had a pleasant history with our old man which explains Mario's anger and Luigi's fear. But at least Cranky Kong is looking at us differently, despite having the same family name, he knows we're nothing like him. I have a feeling that he's psychologically tortured…" Pauline explains Cranky Kong's side of the story, even pities him.

"I heard it from Mario's side. Honestly, that man doesn't deserve to have sons like them! He psychologically affected them. Poor you guys…" Peach explains, even feeling the same way as Pauline, even pities Pauline as well.

Mario and Luigi lower their heads as they refuse to think about their old man after years of abuse they had as well as Pauline and their mother.

Toad can see the scars as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Pauline, even Cranky Kong are living in the dark from their pasts, giving him the impression that he's seeing the pains that's hurting his heart.

With the palace being peaceful, Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and Pauline are glad to see each other fighting against their ordeals that starts off as a little misadventure and is now turning into a huge test of courage and bonds.

Cranky Kong's Palace

Later in the afternoon.

A loud bong has caught the birds' attention as a single Kong releases the birds and screeches out "LUNCHTIME! GET YOUR BANANAS AND LUNCH!"

This has the Kongs driving and diving towards the palace as hastily as they can, making them look like actual wild monkeys as they're barging inside towards the dining room.

A few moments later.

The Kongs are bickering as Mario and Luigi are uncomfortable being around a horde of monkeys like it's some sort of a petting zoo.

With Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad admiring the device Pauline holds, Pauline is introducing them to a new technology.

"This is a phone. It's a touch screen like our DS. It's like our old phones, but so advanced." Pauline is showing the group while swiping the screen and reveals a homepage full of things to do.

"Wow… I gotta get me one of those! I need to contact other toads with this thing!" Toad has always wished to come in contact quickly.

"Oh my. Sounds very advanced. Mario, Luigi, what do you think?" Peach asked as she's pleased to see what the Kongs have created.

"If this is our future, then count me in!" Mario gladly accepts the future technology the Kongs created.

"Hey, does it have any games in it?" Luigi asks.

"Of course it does. You can play anything you want." Pauline replied with a grin.

"Then I'll take it!" Luigi accepts the next generation phone.

"This'll be on the Mushroom Kingdom's next generation list. It's great to have some inspiration from the Kongs like the outside world." Said Peach.

"Oh, dear Princess Peach, I'm always inspired by young Mario's world. Just like you, I too need to bring society to its future." Cranky Kong explains.

"I agree, chief. When the Mushroom Kingdom enters a state like yours, I'll let them know that you're an inspiration."

"Thank you very much, Princess Peach. Oh, it's time to introduce my son to you youngins." Cranky Kong then stands up and bangs the table as loudly as it can catch attention to the Kongs. "Everyone! Today, we meet my son, Donkey Kong!"

After Cranky Kong's announcement, nothing is coming out as only one Kong is clapping and cheering, despite no one coming out of the door.

This had Cranky Kong growling and stand up from his seat and bang his cane harder.

"Dagnabbit, Donkey! I thought I told you to stop playing with yourself and show yourself to our guests, stupid Kong!" Cranky Kong shouts, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to stop and turn towards Pauline.

"Yeah… It's a long story." Pauline chuckles while keeping quiet about Donkey Kong's secret.

"For an heir, he's not doing a very good job at that." Toad said while eating an apple.

"Well, that is the case." Mario assumed as he agreed with Toad.

"Mgrrr… Diddy! Tell Donkey to get out of his room!" Cranky Kong ordered.

"Um… About that, Donkey said that he'll see them tomorrow." Diddy Kong, the small Kong in a red cap and vest, said while raising his hand.

"Oh for the love of bananas! Can anyone get him out of his room already!?" Cranky Kong shouted.

Poking Cranky Kong's back, Peach clears her throat with a suggestion.

"Maybe tomorrow is a good idea. Also, Mario, Luigi and Pauline are overwhelmed in their first few days of being in this world." Peach explains as Cranky Kong sighs and sits back down on his chair.

"Very well. Although, Princess Peach, you've been in the outside world as well, I can name any country, starting with America."

Peach is fond of playing guessing country games as she's about to start. "Korea."

"Siberia." Cranky said.

"Britain." Peach continues.

"Japan."

"China."

"Greece."

"Egypt."

To Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad, they were flabbergasted about Peach and Cranky Kong's knowledge of the other world that has many countries.

"That's Peach for you. She's been travelling to your world as much as Mr. Cranky." Toad said and then ate a banana.

"Wow. I'm really jealous of her." Luigi can see what Peach has been doing outside of her kingdom.

"We all are, Luigi. We all are." Pauline agreed.

In a bedroom that is for the guests to relax in, Cranky Kong is seeing 5 individuals sorting each other out as a way to make each other comfortable.

"Tomorrow, you youngins are going to make a theme song of your own during your entrance. And considering Mario and Luigi are fighting my son, you better prepare yourselves." Cranky Kong concludes as he turns around. "Get some rest and have fun."

Mario and Luigi are bunking together as Mario takes the top and Luigi takes the bottom.

Peach and Pauline are doing the same as Pauline takes the top and Peach at the bottom, with Toad sleeping on Peach's bed.

"Mmn! Man, I haven't had this type of warmth since before we got here." Mario stretches himself as he's glad to have a rest in Cranky Kong's palace.

"Yeah. Boy what a day we had." Luigi sighed with relief.

"Yeah, but you guys need to think of a theme song for tomorrow. Donkey Kong is no joke when it comes down to fighting against him." Peach points out.

"I agree. Mario, Luigi, I heard that those power ups are useful for your safety measures, but do you know how to use them?" Pauline asked.

"Not really." Luigi answered as he doesn't know what a power up does

"Oh! I remember! I stopped you guys from eating that blue mushroom." Toad called out.

"Oh, the Mushroom that has eyes. Yeah… Kinda creepy." Mario shudders at the idea of eating a living creature.

"That's… Kinda the idea. Also, these are actually consumable. If you eat that, you'll shrink and we'll have to find a red Mushroom to grow back to your normal size." Said Toad.

"But isn't that cannibalism? You eating a mushroom?" Mario asks a question.

"I don't think so." Toad is thinking the same thing as Mario, but is unsure about being a cannibal.

"This world does bring wonders, don't you think so?" Peach asks.

To Mario, Peach is in the same shoes as Mario and his siblings as she also doesn't have a single clue what's going on.

"Right. Show us your theme song!" Toad said as he's curious about what Mario and Luigi's tune is about.

Before Mario and Luigi say anything, Pauline nods and starts beatboxing, leading Mario and Luigi to sing.

"We're the Mario Brothers, and plumbing's our game! We're not like the others who get all the fame! If your sink is in trouble, you can call us on the double! We're faster than the others, you'll be hooked on the Brothers, uh!"

"Oh! Just like that advert I saw earlier! I knew I got the right call!" Peach exclaims, remembering the thing she saw before meeting Mario and Luigi.

"So that's their theme song. Hm. I got a better idea!" Toad is hopping off the bed with something hitting his head. "Keep the theme tune, but make the lyrics different. Something that involves the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Huh? So we have to represent the kingdom itself?" Luigi couldn't tell if Toad meant it or if he just didn't like the song.

"I mean, we are with Peach, so we need to think of different lyrics… Mushroom Kingdom… Plumbers… Let's-a-give it a try." Mario clicks as he had something in his head that he was about to let Luigi and Toad know what the song was.

"It's a good thing I got the recording on the Kongs' phone. Let's hear it." Pauline is interested to hear Mario and Luigi's new theme song.

"Okie dokie. Let's-a-try it out." Luigi will let Mario write the lyrics as a way to test their theme tune.

With Mario and Luigi testing their theme song, Cranky Kong is watching behind the door as he sees siblings and friendship bonds with 4 humans and a toad overcoming their struggles to help each other and be closer to one another.

When Cranky Kong sees Mario, Luigi, Peach and Pauline in their childhood, he can see the smiles of 3 children and a teenager that grew up with an extra as they all smile together, which is what he wanted to see.

Tomorrow will be a big day for his son to face a couple of human plumbers.

Let's hope they survive this battle.

Chapter Text

2005 September 16th

The sun has risen and the blue sky has the birds covered on it as they fly below the sunlight early in the morning.

The arena is a large circle as the corner that is 10 feet between the audience seat and the battleground is a long fall to a large sea water.

With the audience being the Kongs, those at the centre are Cranky Kong, Pauline, Peach and Toad, who had the perfect view to see the battle between 2 humans and an ape.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Kongs and Kongettes! Today, the event begins as a test for these humans to collaborate with us! Here, we have the Mushroom Kingdom vs. The Kong Village!" Cranky Kong announced with a microphone as the Kongs yelled as they cheered.

A billboard screen showcases the stats of Mario and Luigi by showing their names, age, birthday, height, weight and their strength, stamina and agility.

"On one side we have the boys from another world, the children of my worst enemy, the future heroes of the world, Mario and Luigi, The Super Mario Bros!" Cranky Kong announced as the Kongs are cheering as well as Peach, Toad and Pauline that are waiting for the brothers to come out.

Then the Super Mario Bros theme song plays.

"~We're the Mushroom Kingdom's plumbers extraordinaire!

The Super Mario Brothers, what a pair!

Do you have problems with your pipes?

Is your water running right?

Are all the fittings screwed down tight?

If they aren't, don't despair!

The Super Plumbers will be there!

And there's no pipe we can't repair!

'Cause the Super Mario Brothers will be there!~"

Coming out on one side is Mario waving with confidence whereas Luigi is shivering out of fear as they can see the crowds' reaction, giving the Mario bros some support.

"The power ups are allowed to be used as their support devices, especially if they're in peril." Cranky Kong and he then turned his head to his right side. "On the other side-"

"Relax, old man! I got the intro to myself!" A voice called, interrupting Cranky Kong's introduction.

"What the!? Oh no…" Cranky Kong dreaded the time has come.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Here we have the strongest! The smartest! The coolest! The sexiest Kong on this planet!" A voice yelled as he gained so much more cheers from the kongs.

To Mario and Luigi, they're now up against the one who is the strongest of the Kongs.

"FUNKY! START THE BEATS!"

"No problem, Donkey, my bro!" Funky Kong, the Kong in shades, red bandanna, white top and blue shorts, cheers as he plays the DJ set for Donkey Kong's theme song.

Finally DK's rap starts to play.

"Here, here, here we go!

So they're finally here, performing for you

If you know the words, you can join in too

Put your hands together, if you want to clap

As we take you through this monkey rap!

Huh!

DK! Donkey Kong!

He's the leader of the bunch

You know him well

He's finally back to kick some tail

His coconut gun can fire with spurst

If he shoots ya it's gonna hurt

He's bigger, faster and stronger too

He's the first member of the DK Crew!

DK! Donkey Kong!

DK! Donkey Kong is here!"

Diving out of his side and sliding while crushing the barrels by clapping his palms, intimidating Mario and Luigi as Luigi himself jumps onto his brother's arms, even Mario is frightened of a big ape wearing a tie.

"T- That's him!?" Mario exclaimed out of shock while holding Luigi.

"He's s- so big!" Luigi shivers while clinging onto his own brother out of fright.

Even the cheers are ignoring Mario and Luigi's fear as the Kongs cheer as they chant "DK! DONKEY KONG!"

This leads to Cranky Kong groan and facepalm.

"Hey, Pauline!" Donkey Kong waves as Pauline waves back.

"Hi, DK!" Pauline called while staying positive.

"That's Donkey Kong, huh. I wasn't expecting him to showboating." Toad said.

"Dad! Check me out!" Donkey Kong called while dancing and moving his pecks, leading Cranky Kong to rub his face out of disgust.

"Oh for Pete's sake, Donkey, don't do that! Enough with the showboating and start fighting!" Cranky Kong groans while Peach and Pauline giggles and Toad is holding his laughter.

"What do you mean, dad!? No need to be a killjoy! Ah what the heck! Here we have, ladies and gentlemen, DONKEY KONG, BABY!" Donkey Kong introduces himself as the crowd cheers for the ape who dances as he shows himself to be a narcissist. "And my opponents are a couple of scaredy humans? Hahaha! This'll be easy! I can punch 'em no problem."

This results in Mario and Luigi gulping at the same time, witnessing death itself.

"M- Mario…" Luigi stammers while still holding onto his own brother.

"Um… Maybe go a little easy on us…" Mario suggested to Donkey Kong as he's about to have a heart attack.

Donkey Kong laughs continuously as he can see the frightened looks of the twin brothers who are not prepared to face the strongest Kong of the village.

Donkey Kong is massive, muscular and looks like he can 'actually' break as many bones as he could.

"So you're Pauline's little brothers. Hah. I'm going to have a lot of fun with the two of you." Donkey Kong chuckles menacingly while cracking his knuckles.

"Y- You don't scare us!" Mario tries to pull a brave face, until Donkey Kong gets closer to Mario and Luigi.

"Don't I?" Donkey Kong's deep tone is causing Mario and Luigi to shiver in fear.

Before the conversation starts, a bong has created a loud noise as it catches the Mario bros and Donkey Kong's attention.

"Alright! I want a fair fight between the three of you! Mario and Luigi are allowed to have power ups, so make sure you boys give it your all!" Cranky Kong announced. "And Donkey, no funny business!"

"Yeah, yeah. Jeez, you really are a killjoy, old man." Donkey Kong sighs and then stands back to his position on his fists and feet.

The battlefield now has floating platforms that are red beams as there are floating blocks with question marks on them, giving Mario and Luigi flashbacks to how they first saw them when they arrived at the Mushroom Kingdom.

Before the battle begins, Mario lets go of Luigi and stands in his fighting position.

"Luigi, let's-a-tap each other as a way to tag up against this big monkey." Mario quietly says as he's nervously preparing himself.

"Are you sure? This guy is what they made him out to be." Luigi points out.

"I know, but follow my lead. Okay, little bro?"

Luigi reluctantly nods and then stands back as Mario is now going 1v1 against Donkey Kong himself.

"Ready!? FIGHT!" Cranky Kong hits the bong.

Now the fight begins.

Mario and Donkey Kong make a headstart by dashing towards each other, only for Donkey Kong to grab Mario by the face, drop him to the ground and then getting slapped, punched and then uppercut towards Luigi.

Mario then crashes near Luigi by the door, only for him and Luigi to tap each other's hand.

Now it's Luigi's turn as he runs 90 degrees to the left as it surprises Donkey Kong, leading him to chase Luigi down.

"C'mere, green boy!" Donkey Kong shouts while trying to catch Luigi.

"I don't want your banana, big monkey!" Luigi screams while still running at a hasty pace.

As for Mario, he grunts as he stretches himself, witnessing the Kongs to cheer for violence which had Mario cracking his neck and his arms to stand back up and then leap onto a red beam platform as a way to sneak past Donkey Kong.

What stops the Kongs is Mario who was climbing in order to get a question mark block.

They were yelling "Donkey!" "Behind you, Donkey!" "He's about to get a power up!"

This alerted Cranky Kong as Peach, Toad and Pauline are surprised to see what the DK fanboys and fangirls are doing.

"HEY! I said a fair fight! All of you, shut your traps!" Cranky Kong yelled.

To Donkey Kong's surprise, he can see what Mario is doing while climbing onto a platform.

"Oh no you don't!" Donkey Kong slides towards the barrels and chucks them towards Mario.

"Mario!" Luigi yelled, giving Mario the attention he needed to get the warning.

"Mama mia!" Mario exclaims, leading him to duck and jump, seeing as the barrel hits a block as Mario dives and catches the item.

After that, Mario is prepared to face Donkey Kong with a power up that appears to be an orange flower with yellow and white inside with eyes that are similar to the blue mushroom.

"Ngh! You lucky pipsqueak! You may have avoided my barrels, but do you know how to use a power up?" Donkey Kong mockingly asks as he laughs.

"Laugh all you want, monkey, because this'll be your first loss against a couple of outsiders!" Mario replied confidently as he opens his mouth and rips the top part on a flower by biting it and chewing it.

But the taste is something else as it tastes like an actual plant.

"Eurgh! This is nasty."

"Mario! Watch out!" Luigi yelled again, but this time, the barrel is closer as it causes Mario to raise his arm while flinching.

Then BOOM!

Every Kongs cheered like wild animals as Peach, Toad, Pauline and Cranky Kong gasped with surprise, only to see a fog of smoke.

Before Donkey Kong celebrates and finishes Luigi off, he stops as he sees a large orange fireball zooming towards him, leading Donkey Kong himself to dodge.

"What the… Did he just…"

The Kongs are flabbergasted as they witnessed a human man like Mario raising his fire covered right hand as Mario looked determined.

"Mario? Is that you?" Luigi too is left in agape after witnessing his older twin using some sort of fire magic the first time.

Mario is now in white cap and shirt with red overalls which means he's in a similar fashion and material, but looking different at the same time.

Little did he know, fire is still on Mario's hand, causing Mario to shake it out of desperation.

"Ah! Hot! Hot! I'm on fire! Help!" Mario shrieked while trying to get the fire to disappear.

"This is…" Peach gasped.

"He did it! Mario can use the power ups!" Toad cheers with excitement.

"It seems that these two have the potential to defeat Bowser and stop his reign of terror." Cranky Kong chuckles as he can see the potential behind Mario and Luigi.

As the fire disappears from Mario, Donkey Kong is starting to get serious while grabbing Luigi.

"Don't move, plumber! Or else your brother's gonna suffer the pain of fractured bones!" Donkey Kong warned.

"Mario! Do something!" Luigi called while struggling to be free from Donkey Kong's massive hand.

"Hmph." Mario stands at a karate position, clicks his fingers which releases a fireball on his hand as Mario is getting the hang of it.

While leaping as high as he could by getting to the top of a platform, Mario grunts as he covers both of his hands with orange flames and then leaps onto different beams as the Kongs are cheering even louder.

Now the support for the Mario bros and Donkey Kong are equal as Mario kicks the block and grabs a flower.

The barrels are dropping straight towards Mario, causing Mario to burn them all and jump on one of them as well as riding on one in order to go through platform to platform.

Finally at the top, Donkey Kong swings his fists as Mario jumps and dodges as well as leaps under the beam and then leaps onto the same one behind Donkey Kong.

"What the!?" Donkey Kong came to a realisation that Mario is not to be underestimated as his bravery is the thing that lifted him the most.

Mario is the one who never gives up, even in dire situations.

"Luigi! Take this flower!" Mario shoves it onto Luigi's mouth, making Luigi spit it out.

"Bleugh! What did you do- Huh!?" Luigi exclaims as his clothing changes into a blue hat and shirt with green overalls, leading Mario to exclaim as well.

"What the?" Mario then sees a blue flower which explains its coldness, giving Mario the impression that he gave Luigi a different variation of a flower.

Before Donkey Kong swings his punches while moving like a helicopter blade, leading Luigi to create an ice magic that is a large green shield.

"A shield!?" Mario gasped.

"Mario! When he slows down, beat him!" Luigi had a plan after being given an item.

As the ice cracks, Luigi then uses one of his hands to hold a green snowball.

Mario is prepared to finish the fight off as Mario's flaming hands have gotten from orange to crimson red with Mario clenching his fists with confidence.

After the ice smashes, Luigi loses his power as his overalls are back to his normal colour, giving Mario the chance to raise his fist and smash the ice on Donkey Kong's jaws.

"Ow! How the!?" Donkey Kong then receives another fire punch as Mario then kicks him in the face twice and then fires a flaming bullet from both of his hands. "Wh- What are you!?"

"We're the Super Mario Bros! Take-a-this!"

Finally after Mario drop kicks Donkey Kong with his flaming boot, a fire explosion has caused one of the platforms to go 90 degrees downwards on one side as Donkey Kong screams while falling down and then crashes onto his Head on the ground.

To the Kongs' shock, the undefeatable Donkey Kong was defeated for the first time.

But Mario is slipping from the beam which leads him to scream while falling from a higher platform.

Before he falls, Luigi arrives at a hasty pace and crashes along with Mario.

In the end, Luigi has saved Mario from falling to his doom, despite losing his power and his clothes are back to normal.

"Thanks, bro." Mario sighed.

"No problemo, bro." Luigi chuckled.

Peach, Toad, Pauline, especially Cranky Kong are shocked to see the results of this battle.

"Th- THE WINNER IS THE SUPER MARIO BROS!" Cranky Kong yelled, causing the Kongs to cheer far louder than before.

What had Mario and Luigi surprised is that everyone now has the full support for these two, leading Mario and Luigi to wave confidently.

"Oh yeah!" Mario and Luigi cheered while jumping and hi fives after facing the strongest Kongs of the planet.

"Mario! Luigi! You did it!" Peach rushes down towards Mario and Luigi, hugging them as she's worried about what'll happen if they lose.

"That was awesome! You managed to use the power ups for the first time!" Toad cheered as well as hugging Mario and Luigi with joy.

As Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are laughing together, Cranky Kong and Pauline are watching the four celebrating the victory for the Mushroom Kingdom.

"It seems that Mario goes offensive while Luigi goes defensive. Quite the strategy there, young Pauline." Cranky Kong admired the brothers' skill after witnessing what Mario and Luigi did against Donkey Kong.

"Yeah." Pauline agreed and was also surprised to see what Mario and Luigi are capable of.

She then approaches Donkey Kong as he lies unconscious after getting his head smashed to the ground.

"Heh. You're one tough guy. You and Mario are alike. Going offensive, being stubborn and never giving up without a fight." Pauline crouches down and rubs Donkey Kong's head as she's soothing the pain he received all over his body. "You're pretty amazing there, DK."

At least the fight is over with Cranky Kong accepting the Mushroom Kingdom's collaboration with his village.

Kinosen is actually right about Mario's potential, especially revealing his true self.

Chapter Text

Back in Cranky Kong's Palace as the sun sets, Mario and Luigi are covered in plasters and bandages as Mario and Luigi are being nursed by Peach and Pauline after their victory against Donkey Kong.

"Ow! That hurt." Luigi complained while his arm was getting wrapped up.

"Oh stop being a baby. At least you're wrapped up." Pauline said and then stood back up.

"Yeah, but still…"

"Oh cheer up, Luigi. We won, and that's something to be proud of." Mario pat Luigi's wrapped up arm, as Luigi yelps, picks himself up while thanking Peach. "How's Donkey Kong?" Mario asks Pauline.

"He's okay. Just baffled on why he lost to a couple of weak humans like you two." Pauline turns her head, worried that Donkey Kong is going to attack her little brothers.

A banging noise has caught four humans' attention, which appears to be Donkey Kong coming out of his room.

"Yeah! If these two bozos hadn't teamed up on me, then I would've won no problem!" Donkey Kong snapped as he showed himself bandaged by his head, his arm and his chest as well as having plasters on his face.

"DK, remember what I said about being nice?" Pauline warned calmly.

Donkey Kong groans as he sits down and pouts.

"Okay fine, congratulations for being the first to beat me, bushy faced bozos." Donkey Kong sarcastically sighed and turned his head towards Peach. "I mean, I get you and Pauline being positive with each other, but what about the Mario brothers?" Donkey Kong asked.

"Oh, Luigi is just a friend. As for Mario." Peach hugs behind Mario before revealing what the relationship between her and Mario was like recently. "We promised to go out on a date."

This creates a silent atmosphere as Pauline and Donkey Kong have witnessed the thing that is rarely told before.

"Oh yeah. Pauline, you remember how Peach had a crush on Mario when we were kids." Luigi assumed despite knowing their childhoods.

"WHAT!?" Pauline and Donkey Kong yelled at the same time, surprised to hear the news with a commoner of a plumber and a royal princess.

"Y- You're going on a date!? With an actual princess!? The one who rejected a lot of people!? How is that possible!?" Pauline gasped with surprise, realising that Mario did the impossible.

"There's no way! You're just saying that to drive anyone away, princess!" Donkey Kong is suspicious about Peach and Mario's relationship.

"Actually, Peach did make that promise and I accepted it." Mario explained while rubbing his face.

"A commoner really did it…" Donkey Kong is flabbergasted to see that Peach, a woman who's known for rejecting many princes, is actually dating a commoner like Mario, and an outsider like that.

"You lucky boy." Pauline smiles teasingly as well as she's proud to see her little brother getting the girl for the first time.

"He is THAT lucky! Not only did he beat me with his brother, but he got a royal girlfriend!" Donkey Kong sounded jealous after seeing what Mario's been doing.

"Am I really that lucky? All I did was get Peach to open up her truth about her past." Said Mario.

"Really? Tell us." Pauline sounds serious as she's curious to hear it.

Peach closes her mouth as she bites her lips and looks away from the bunch, knowing that it'll bring out the negative reaction like how it did with Mario and Luigi's past. "Well…"

Peach explains about her past and her life as a child as well as her hardship of being a princess, giving Donkey Kong the impression of banging the ground with his fist.

"WHAT!? You're a princess! You're the one who should be taking orders from your people, not the other way around!" Donkey Kong roars out of pure anger which alerts Pauline to grab Donkey Kong's arms.

"DK, calm down!"

"If that's true, then we're going to have a word with them." Luigi calmly said.

"From the looks of it, I can't blame her. It happened to us when we were young." Mario points out about himself, Luigi and Pauline.

The group fell silent, even Donkey Kong can see what's been going on that is similar to his father ever since he was a baby.

"Mario. Don't blame yourself because of your old man, he brought it on himself after what he did to my dad."

"Yeah. Way to cheer me up, Donkey Kong." Mario sighs as he slowly smiles.

"Well, Pauline did tell me to be nice." Donkey Kong admitted as he's reluctant on being nice to winners.

Before 4 humans and a Kong continue their discussion, Cranky Kong and Toad arrive with the medallion that is similar to the one that came out of Mario's pocket.

"Young Mario, young Luigi, do you have any involvement with the immortal kind?" Cranky Kong asks.

"I don't, but Luigi does." Mario answers while pointing his thumb at Luigi.

"Well, I have been thinking of where that medallion belongs ever since I was a baby." Luigi explained.

"Well, young Luigi, it is true that you actually have involvement with one of them. With Toad and I researching the oldest thing, I suggest you come with us." Said Cranky Kong.

"Wait. Let Mario and the others come with me. They need to know about these people too." Luigi pleads as he stops Toad and Cranky Kong from leaving the palace.

Cranky Kong can see Luigi's need for his friends and family's involvement which gives Cranky Kong the impression that Luigi himself is in need of help as much as Mario.

What he sees is a couple of plumbers who're determined to solve mysteries that's been asked for a couple of decades in their time, a woman who wants to seek her way out of this world, a princess that wants to change the world for the better, and his son who's starting to learn what these humans are teaching him, just like how he and his people taught them.

"Alright. All of you, follow me." Cranky Kong concludes while walking out first.

Mario, Luigi, Pauline, Peach, Toad and Donkey Kong are looking at each other and then follow Cranky Kong towards somewhere where Luigi needs to know.

At least they're leaving no one behind.

Unknown Temple

Marching together under the yellow sky, Cranky Kong is leading Mario's group and his son Donkey Kong, giving him the chance to teach them something new and interesting.

To the group's surprise, they see ancient paintings and text as well as worn out items and technology that seems to be ancient, giving Peach the impression that Cranky Kong not only borrowed the outside world's technology to create something in this world, but taken the old technology and renew them into something that is fresh and futuristic.

"This is the temple of the ancients, the oldest place in the Kong Village. I used these kinds of technology to cultivate and make something new and inspiring." Cranky Kong reveals the old technology that is left unused and was covered in moss for years.

"So, why is their technology old when it looks so advanced?" Peach asked.

"Simple, Princess Peach, these people are unpredictable, even I underestimated their intelligence, and I wasn't even born yet." Cranky Kong answers while admitting that he's also struggling to explain.

When the group are heading to another room, Luigi can see the text that is very foreign, even he along with those he's with are having a hard time understanding the language itself.

Cranky Kong clears his throat as a way to start a history lesson, giving Toad a chance to take notes on what the history of this medallion is coming from.

"Long time ago, there were humans that are of old. They're a peaceful species that always welcome those nonhuman to this world. One day a generation of koopas shows up as they're known as the devils as they strive to rule the world. The toadstools are the next generation as the humans are giving more and more species some intelligence and life. It starts with a code: MIYAMOTO. The numbers are the keys to unlock what you need."

"But Bowser has nothing to do with his ancestors." Peach points out.

"That is true, but his ancestry blood still lingers on as to why he wants to rule all kingdoms. With these humans, or the immortals, stopped ageing, they disappeared as they're nowhere to be found. What Luigi has encountered is one of the immortals that is trying to get him back to his biological parents. That's why the medallion is given to you." Cranky Kong tosses the medallion as Mario catches it.

"So, what medallion is this then?" Mario asked.

"The medallion you hold is called the 'Sunstar,' one of the rarest, if not the most powerful medallions worn by one immortal. Mario, Luigi, what you found, you're being hunted down. But keep hold of it. You might need it to return it for someone important." Cranky Kong concluded.

To Mario and Luigi, they have the answers they need, but are still in need of finding whoever raised Luigi a long time ago.

"But what does that have to do with Luigi's past?" Pauline asked.

"It does. You're seeing it right now." Cranky Kong points at Luigi himself, leading Luigi to look behind himself with surprise.

"I- Is it bad?" Luigi nervously asked.

"Good question. Nothing is chasing after you, so you're safe." Cranky Kong answers as it had Luigi sighing with relief.

"But I'm still keeping it for his safety." Mario puts the medallion, Sunstar, back in his pocket.

Luigi knows Mario is burdening himself to protect everyone again, even though it worries Luigi himself that Mario is hurting himself.

As Cranky Kong continues the tour, someone appears while sliding towards the group.

It's a monkey in a pink beret and a top, jumping out of desperation and then dives in front of Cranky Kong.

"They're here! They're here!"

"What? Who is it, Dixie?" Cranky Kong asked out of curiosity.

"The koopas! They're attacking our village! He also cut off our connections!" Dixie Kong yells as she reports an emergency to Cranky Kong.

This causes the group to gasp in shock after learning that Bowser is back and was out to get them.

"Oh dear… I knew he'd be here… Everyone, we need to get back to the village, right now." Said Cranky Kong.

"Yeah! Hurry!" Toad shouts as he leads the way out along with Mario, Luigi, Pauline, Peach, Donkey Kong, Dixie Kong and Cranky Kong.

At least they learned, but now Bowser is here to crash the peaceful village as a way of retaliation.

Outside at Kong Village, the buildings are set on fire, causing Donkey Kong to drop to his knees as he witnesses his fellow Kongs being on fire by Bowser's flames that are coming out of his mouth.

"No… Why?"

"Burn baby! BURN! GWAHAHAHAHAHA!" Cackling like a madman, Bowser is causing nothing but arson as his army smashes the resources the Kongs held for many years.

This had both Peach and Cranky Kong gasped with horror, realising Bowser doesn't care about other people but the princess and all he wants is power.

"How horrible…" Toad is feeling nothing but fear when Bowser was involved with any damages to the world itself.

"Why?" Luigi too feels the same way as Toad.

Before Mario retaliates any further, Peach pats Mario's shoulder and walks past him.

"Wait, Peach!" Mario can tell what Peach is doing.

"Princess! Don't! Don't come any closer to this monster!" Toad yelled as he warned.

What surprises Bowser is a heavy click on the heels as he stops his rampage, going from menacing to downright pathetic as he squeals like a creep who sees his favourite idol.

"Princess! I'm so happy that you-"

SPLAP!

To Mario, Luigi, Pauline, Toad, Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong's surprise is that Lord Bowser himself is on the receiving end of getting a slap on the face by the very woman he fell in love with.

"Stop this nonsense right now, Bowser! Why can't you understand that I said NO!?" Peach lets out a burst of anger as she tells Bowser her honesty.

"Ow… That felt good." Bowser said, enjoy being slapped by his future wife.

"Huh!?" Gasping, Peach had witnessed that this smile is not only creepy, but it's disgusting and disturbing to see someone smile and enjoy getting a slap to the face.

"What? You think I would cry and beg for mercy? Don't make me laugh, princess." Bowser chuckles as he approaches Peach, who is walking backwards out of fright.

Even his koopa army are surrounding Peach while preparing for her to move into the airship that Bowser had sent out as well as the drones that are pointing their cannons at those who're associated with the Kongs.

Before Bowser lays his claws on Peach, a slap on Bowser's hand intimidates him a little as he recognises the brunette in her pyjamas.

"Leave her alone, you monster." Pauline growls, defending Peach from Bowser's grasp.

"Oh? You're that girl Kamek thought he killed. It seems that our promise has been broken after all, Pauline." Bowser looks into Pauline's glaring blue eyes.

"Quiet! You're no better than my parents! I hope you disappear forever!" Pauline snapped, stopping Mario and the group after Pauline mentioned her parents.

"Pauline…" Luigi gasps with worry.

"Oh? Is that so? If that's the case, let us all reveal who you really are." Kamek laughs as he creates a barrier by blocking Mario, Luigi, Toad, Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong.

"No! Pauline!" Donkey Kong yelled while punching the barrier.

"What the!? What is this thing made out of!?" Mario shouted.

"It's… Hard, but it feels like water. Princess!" Toad is fighting as well as the guys who're outside as they're desperate to save Peach and Pauline.

Inside the barrier, Kamek is reading Pauline's childhood which has him gasping with surprise, even sharing some of the memories with Bowser as the three of them are reading Pauline's childhood.

"My lord, this child's memory… Can you read it?"

"Hm… Interesting. Open the barrier." Bowser orders as Kamek salutes as well as his koopa army.

"Yes, sir!" Kamek then makes the barrier disappear as he lets Bowser approach Pauline, who was left in shock as she fell to her knees.

"Well now, ain't that interesting. You're never raised by your family. That's why you ran away from your parents." Bowser chuckles and then frowns out of contempt. "You should think twice before comparing me to those cretins."

"Pauline… You're…" Mario already knows that she's adopted, but he never knew the reason behind it.

"Pauline was an innocent child. Her parents are neglectful and emotionally abusive. They made her do all the errands, clean up their mess, even babysitting the two of you when the plumbers' parents aren't home. All Pauline does is study, work, study, work and she's just a poor innocent child with no childhood, but filled with nothing but HATE!" Bowser exposed Pauline's past which shocks not only the Mario bros, but those around them as well.

In truth, Pauline never had a childhood to begin with which explains her lack of friends and hostility towards others around her as all she can rely on is her adoptive brothers.

"Pauline…" Peach approaches Pauline, only for Pauline to shiver.

"My father was neglectful because he only focuses on getting the money. And my mother forced me to do things that a child isn't ready to do. I'm not qualified to do these things…" Pauline revealed who her parents are as her tone is starting to get heavier and harsher.

Even Bowser pities the woman after what happened to her, even he admits to himself that he usually commits atrocities just for the princess.

"What now, my lord?" Kamek asks, worried that Pauline will lash out on her friends and family.

Bowser approaches Pauline, who was looking up, holding back her tears while still piercing a glare at him.

"Pauline, you really have a miserable beginning, but…" Bowser snatches the wand from Kamek and then points at one speck of dust coming out of Pauline's hand which causes her to gasp. "Kamek didn't use his magic to just incinerate you, but leave you to slowly fade into nothingness."

"What!?" Pauline has gotten from nervous anger to horrified, not knowing what's going to happen to her.

"Although, you as well as your brothers are a hindrance to my plan to rule the kingdoms, I think this'll be your fitting end." Bowser raises a snarl while grinning.

"What are you talking about!?" Toad shouted.

"A miserable beginning to a miserable life to a miserable ending. I'm giving Pauline a farewell gift to all of you." Bowser answered.

"Wow! That's genius, my lord!" Kamek rejoices, seeing Bowser actually playing smart for the first time.

As for Pauline, she knows she's on the receiving end of being erased from existence.

"NO! N- Not like this! I don't want this!" Pauline shrieked.

Mario and his group rushed towards Pauline who was slowly fading as her body became see-through.

"No… Please don't go, Pauline!" Luigi begged.

"Bowser…" Mario growled.

"Mario… Everyone… Nobody ever loved me! I never had a single praise! The only ones nice to me are my family, you, Luigi, mother and my friends Peach, Toad and DK… I'm glad… But why aren't I happy!? I never wanted it to end like this!" Pauline sobs while getting hugged by Mario and his group.

Pauline can feel nothing but dread and despair after realising that she's suffering fate worse than death, or maybe she's already dead.

"Because you're never alive to begin with. Goodbye, Pauline." Bowser swings Kamek's wand as he finally ends all this quickly.

"No! NOO-"

In the end, Pauline has vanished and what's left is her red dressing gown dropping to the ground as it caused Mario and his group to gasp in fright.

"PAULINE!" Mario and Donkey Kong yelled.

"No…" Toad gasps as he falls onto his knees.

"Bowser! You have gone too far!" Cranky Kong yelled out of anger.

Luigi is left in silence, knowing that even in this world, no one is safe.

This fueled up Peach's anger, no, rage as she herself turns around and approaches Bowser with a wish to harm those who took away her friend.

"Bowser…"

"So? How's my perfo- GAH!?" Abruptly asking, Bowser ends up getting his throat squeezed by Peach's hand that is filled with brute strength.

"L- Lord Bowser!" Kamek shrieked, knowing that he's unarmed by his king, giving Peach the advantage to threaten those who hurt her friends.

"Leave this place… NOW!" Peach explodes as she pushes Bowser to his army, leading his army to panic. "You too, magikoopa, if you want to be next." Peach growls as she becomes a very different person.

"N- No! Not at all, madam! Please don't hurt us!" Kamek begs while bowing.

What Bowser sees through Peach's eyes is not her, but someone else, giving Bowser the impression that he pushed the wrong button.

"L- Listen, Peach! I was doing you a service! How about we get married and then it'll all be over and done with!" Bowser makes a suggestion to not only save himself and his army, but to take advantage of Peach's naivety that's been going on for years.

"Actually, I'm taken." Peach points out without hesitating.

"Wait. You're what?" Bowser halts.

"That's right. I found a suitable partner to be with." Peach then approaches a devastated Mario, leading her to comfort him to her chest and soothe his loss for his older sister. "Mario and I have promised to go on a date with each other."

To Luigi, Toad, Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong's surprise, Peach is starting to build up her stubbornness from Mario as she refuses to give up.

If she hadn't met Mario, then she'd have lost by now.

This leads to Bowser and his army hollering out with laughter, knowing that Peach, a royal princess, can't be thinking about dating a commoner like Mario, assuming it's all just a joke.

But to their shock, Peach is being serious, knowing Bowser will be infuriated if he knows this.

But it's all true.

"YOU WHAT!? HIM!? B- But he's just a commoner!" Bowser exclaimed as anger quickly built up onto him.

"He may be a commoner, but he's actually far more understanding than you think! At least he treated me like a normal human being rather than some royal Queen!" Peach argues back, fueling Bowser up even more.

Bowser roars as fire bursts out of the sky, leading the group to flinch.

"When I get back and meet you in the Mushroom Kingdom, I won't hesitate to kill your fungus freaks as well as Mario. I'll stop when you marry me, Princess Peach Toadstool." Bowser makes a threatening growl and then marches back to his airship. "Koopa pack, let's return! I'm stressed out and I need a lie down!" Bowser orders as the army, including Kamek who got his wand back, salutes as they're frightened to see their king being absolutely enraged about what he heard.

"Y- Yessir!" The koopa army dashes back to the airship as it takes off, heading back to the Darkland, leaving the Kong Village to be left charred and most of the Kongs left alive, yet injured.

The sky is now Amber as the sun really sets.

The Kongs are getting wrapped up by Peach and Dixie Kong, leaving Mario, Luigi, Toad and Donkey Kong to sit down in silence, losing the one that Mario promised to bring back home.

Donkey Kong slammed his fist to the ground as he yelled.

"Why!? She was our friend! Why would Bowser do that to her!?" Donkey Kong's voice trembles as he lowers his head to the ground.

"It's okay, Donkey. But Mario and Luigi had it far worse than you think… Losing someone that cared for them when they were young. It kinda hurts watching your sister being taken away." Toad mourns the moment that losing someone close has impacted them.

Although Donkey Kong agreed, he still couldn't accept the fact that Pauline is gone.

It's even scarier when Peach's anger gets the best of her after how it also hits her in the heart.

After seeing Pauline's pitiful look, Toad couldn't help but be reminded of what his past was like.

To Toad's surprise, a first-aid kit was dropped to the ground, seeing as Peach's hands were shaking with fear coming back to her.

"Ah! Sorry, Miss. Tiny! I was just…"

"It's okay, princess, we're all scared. What Bowser did was what we all feared the most. We know he was going to do all this…" Tiny Kong, a Kong in a beanie, white top and pale blue trousers, said while patting Peach's shoulder.

After Tiny Kong left, back with Dixie Kong, who is her shorter but older sister, Tiny Kong waves as Peach waves back.

Then she shivers.

"Why? I was confident earlier… But now… I'm scared. Pauline…" Peach weeps while shivering as she can't do anything to protect everyone in this world.

Approaching behind is Mario as he sits down next to Peach, knowing that his future is grim and was unable to protect those he loved.

"Mario?"

"Peach. Don't hate yourself because of what Bowser did. What he did to Pauline is unforgivable." Mario sounded calm while saying something that is not even what a calm person would say. "I didn't know what Pauline's life was like either. Now I heard it all… These people are no better than my old man. It's all my fault that I've been so stubborn."

"No, Mario. It's not your fault… It's mine." Peach laughs bitterly.

"Don't say that! You know I can't do anything right!" Mario snaps as tears are finally releasing out of his eyes.

"But, Mario…" Peach is about to break as her tears are hitting the ground.

"Neither of you are at fault. What Bowser did earlier is very wrong and he should be held accountable for this. Young Mario, Princess Peach, you two know what makes you happy. Don't let Bowser take away your dreams. So turn that frown upside-down and make sure you save your kingdom from the koopa kingdom." Cranky Kong said calmly while rubbing Mario and Peach's tired eyes as well as rubbing away the tears from the two of them.

"The chief's right, bro. If Pauline wants us to keep going like you usually do, then we mustn't give up hope." Luigi sounded serious this time while rubbing his tired eyes.

Despite being shown with nothing but dull, hollow and empty eyes, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are standing back up, never to give up for Pauline.

Then Peach turns around and looks at Cranky Kong with seriousness.

"Chief, I'd like to make a proposal." Peach said.

"Oh? And what might that be then, princess?" Cranky Kong is curious to hear it.

"Since Mario and Luigi won the battle, it's only fair that we want you to come with us to the Mushroom Kingdom. We need the toads to collaborate with you." Peach pleads.

With the Kongs looking at each other with surprise, Cranky Kong knew this was going to happen.

"Princess… You saved us. You and your friends. So to return the favour, I'll accept your proposal to go back to your kingdom." Cranky Kong accepts the offer, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad to feel a little hope coming back to them. "Everyone! We are now temporarily a part of the Mushroom Kingdom's army! We must go forth and make it there before Bowser does!"

"Heck yeah!" One of the Kongs cheered.

"Finally! No more oppression!"

"We'll no longer fear the monsters!"

As many Kongs are cheering, calling for action, Luigi patted both Mario and Peach's arms, giving them the confidence to fight back.

After that Mario hugs Peach, giving her comfort after the overwhelming amounts of fear she felt for years.

"Don't worry, Peach. I'll protect you no matter what. Luigi and I will do our best for you."

"Mario… Luigi… Thank you!" Peach hugs the twins while crying with joy, glad that she has those two taking care of her which comes after Pauline's care for the Mario bros.

"It's okay. Together, we'll make it out alive." Luigi nods while hugging back.

Toad smiles as he sees the trio comforting each other, glad that everything is going a little more positive.

"Tomorrow. We'll teach those mushrooms a lesson for what they're doing to their own princess." Donkey Kong sighs while eating a banana.

"Yeah. The authorities are difficult to reason with and Peach is our only hope to change the kingdom for the better. We'll avenge Pauline, don't you worry, Donkey." Toad is eating a banana with Donkey Kong.

"Thanks, Toad."

Tomorrow, a race to the Mushroom Kingdom is imminent as it gives the Kongs a chance to visit the toads and Peach to return to warn the kingdom about Bowser.

The time is nigh for the whole village to prepare themselves and rest.

Chapter Text

2005 September 17th

Inside a garage where the Kongs are preparing their gear filled with stylish go-karts, the garage itself is so large that it feels like a slightly bigger warehouse which surprises Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad.

"Welcome to the Kong Karts where we choose our karts, bikes and quads to have a race." Donkey Kong welcomes the group to a kart- filled garage. "Ever since the Kong Karts event, Funky is still the champion of the races."

"Really? So, Donkey Kong, why are you guiding us instead of the chief?" Luigi asks, knowing Donkey Kong doesn't guide his new friends.

"Well…" Donkey Kong can see what Luigi is getting, leading him to witness Cranky Kong in his parade-like kart, fitting for a king.

"Hey, Donkey! Don't just stand there and get your kart ready! We need to get to the Mushroom Kingdom ASAP!" Cranky Kong called Donkey Kong as he walked towards his kart customisation.

"Yeah, yeah. I got my kart prepared." Donkey Kong brought out his barrel filled kart with large tyres, jumping on it as he's preparing to drive.

As Mario and Luigi are standing in front of it, Mario uses the default red kart with medium tyres, making sure that his kart is fitting as well as being normal.

Luigi, on the other hand, chooses a green sports kart that reads 'Wild Wing,' and uses some slick looking tyres to make it more accurate to the sports car.

In Mario's case, Luigi wanted to look cool, but he didn't judge.

Finally, their karts are prepared with Mario's standard kart and Luigi's Wild Wing setting up and then stop next to each other.

Finally, the brothers are taking their seat on their own karts and chuckles.

"Hey guys! Check out my monster truck!" Toad calls, appearing in a different car that looks like it's a hotrod, since the engine exposed itself, with larger tyres like it actually is a blue monster truck.

Afterwards, Peach walks with a bag that has her dress inside, appearing in a different getup that is a white biker suit with a pink scarf, even with pink gloves and boots and lets her hair up with a ponytail and leaves her crown along with her dress in her bag.

Preparing her pink 'Mach Bike,' Peach sighs as she's nervous about doing all this after her selfish proposal.

"Hey, Peach. You look different." Luigi points out, causing Peach to blush and look away.

"Well… It was given by miss. Dixie. Although, It kinda fits surprisingly." Peach looks at herself and then revs her bike engine by pulling her steering pedal.

"Hey. You look great with that outfit." Mario said while complimenting Peach's beauty and her appearance.

"Mario!? Um… Thanks…" Peach is unaware that Mario is being nicer than he was ever before, even though it embarrasses the princess which leads her to cover her face. "Oh why did I pick a bike!?"

"Ehehe. At least you're with us. Don't worry, like I said before, we'll be there for you." Mario said while putting his hands on the wheel.

"Yeah! You're not the only one who's trying to protect us. Mario, Luigi and I will do the same. We mustn't let Pauline down." Toad raised his hand as Mario and Luigi did the same.

Peach knew that after days of travelling together, her bond with her friends was growing stronger than before.

"Guys…"

"Hey!" Donkey Kong arrives while calling and honking the horn. "You guys better hurry up! Your kingdom is in danger, remember!" Donkey Kong warned.

"Alright!" Mario groans louder while driving his way to the starting line along with Luigi, Peach, Toad and the Kongs.

"Everyone! We start our engines and head towards the track towards the Mushroom Kingdom! Are you all ready!?" Cranky Kong shouts.

"Yes, chief!" The Kongs, including Mario's group, replied straightforwardly.

Before the karts start, they all come to a halt as a familiar young white haired pale boy stands in front of the karts in the middle of a track.

"What the!? Who are you!?" Cranky Kong shouted.

"Eeh? That was rude, ape man." Kinosen sighs while rubbing his ear.

"Ape man!?" Cranky Kong exclaimed.

"Kinosen? What are you doing here?" Mario called with surprise.

"Wait, Kinoko Sennin? The Mushroom Hermit?" Peach calls out with surprise.

"Ahaha! You know, being a hermit, I'm not really a hermit after all!" Laughing, Kinosen is amused by Peach's words and then looks at Mario with a calm smile. "Also I'm here to visit you and Luigi. It's about the medallion you hold."

"Ugh! Can it wait! I wanna punch the mushrooms' faces! No offence, Toad." Donkey Kong quickly stands on his seat, desperate to get there.

"Nah. They kinda deserve it." Toad said.

Kinosen approaches the Kongs and then turns by approaching Mario and Luigi.

"Princess Peach, why didn't you call for my prayers, especially when it's a desperate situation?" Kinosen asks as he rarely shows a frown, only to show it in front of a princess herself.

"It's just that… I don't have anything to pray for." Peach said while lowering her head.

"I see. Luigi, you know the medallion your brother took from you?" Kinosen leans closer to Luigi.

"You mean the Sunstar?" Luigi gasped.

"Yeah. Now, take that what you will, but I'm not gonna hide it anymore." Kinosen leaps off the Wild Wing and then walks around the track.

He finally spread his arms, revealing who he really was.

"I'm one of these people you're looking for. I am Kinoko Sennin, the immortal of the Mushroom Kingdom." Kinosen fully introduces himself, giving them the impression that they're witnessing one of the oldest beings that went missing for a very long time.

To Mario and Luigi, they're witnessing one of their answers, causing Luigi to stand up.

"Wait, so you're associated with the one who gave the medallion to me!?" Luigi exclaims.

"That's right, Luigi. It was after you and Mario were born and separated. A friend of mine had found you lost when you're a baby and then returned you to your brother and your parents, which is why the medallion is given to you. Luigi, you were actually involved with us 23 years ago." Kinosen revealed Luigi's past, giving Mario the impression that this kid is no kid at all.

"H- How did you…" Cranky Kong gasped.

"No way… Donkey, is that true!?" Diddy Kong asked while shocked.

"Hey, don't look at me, Diddy! I didn't know either!" Donkey Kong is telling the truth.

"I was right…" Peach knew the truth behind Luigi, especially after she first met the Mario bros, or revisited after a decade.

The Kongs are clamouring as Kinosen raises his arm, only for the crowd to be quiet.

"Although, I'm impressed that an outsider like you was brought up by a friend of mine. Unexpected, but impressive." Kinosen is glad to see what the past was like for Luigi, causing Mario to block Luigi. "Mario and Luigi, the twins of Mario, the man his sons hated, I challenge you two to overcome your pasts. Same goes for you, Princess Peach Toadstool."

Kinosen called out Peach, causing Peach herself to shiver out of shock.

"I still won't forget how you rejected your prayers to me for a long time. I also challenge you to face your past." Kinosen can see Peach is never going to get over her hardships of being a princess unless she stands up for herself, face her darkness and pray for those in need.

Peach lowers her head without saying a single word out of her mouth.

"Also you, Cranky Kong. You must get over your hatred towards your old enemy. And you, Toad." Kinosen points at Toad, leading Toad to gasp.

"Me!? Ahaha! I- I don't know what you're talking about!" Toad laughs it off before being caught by Kinosen.

"Oh? You've been hiding it this whole time?" Kinosen stops himself, realising Toad is avoiding his past this whole time.

"No no! I don't have a past to tell! I'm just a motivator!" Toad lied.

"Oh?" Kinosen then approaches Toad and whispers to him closer. "Don't forget who you are, because someday you'll end up cracking like an egg."

This causes Toad to grunt and lower his head, knowing there's no running from his fears.

Finally, he walks backwards and bows with one hand on his cane and his other goes in front of his chest.

"Thank all of you for your time and thank you for accepting my challenge. Don't forget, princess, face your troubles and give the kingdom their repercussions." Kinosen smirks and then disappears into thin air. "Bye-bye!"

The Kongs are silent about a real immortal being that looks human and how he reveals the dark truth and challenges those in need of moving on, including their chief.

"Dad…" Donkey Kong grunts.

"Toad…" Peach gasped, realising that Toad is actually hiding something from his friends and family.

Mario's always prepared to face his past, knowing that he'll fail to overcome it.

Cranky Kong honks the horn loudly.

"I get that you're all worried! But we need to get to the Mushroom Kingdom right now! We're the Kongs, and the Kongs must stick together and be the strongest species of them all! So quit y'all moping and start driving already!" Cranky Kong ordered, shouting as he woke the Kongs and Mario's group up, starting their engines.

Then, the race begins as the group are zooming past the repair crew, who're fixing the huts, then drift out of the village and lining up through the bridge and finally, boosting away from the Kong Village.

Mushroom Kingdom

Speeding through the fields, Mario is in the lead while driving straight through the road as well as Luigi, Peach and Toad, leading the four to laugh together.

"We're almost there!" Peach calls as the Kongs are excited to see their neighbouring capitals.

"You hear that, Kongs!? We're almost at the end!" Cranky Kong called with excitement, leading the Kongs to cheer.

Finally, they're here…

Toad Town

"Woah." Mario is surprised, knowing this is the place he could've been in if it weren't for Bowser.

"That's where they live?" Luigi asks.

"Yeah! Ooh! There's my house over there!" Toad points at the building of where he lived.

The town is a bit normal as the houses are mushrooms like the toads' heads, giving the impression that the town name for these toadstools are literal.

Finally, they're heading straight towards the castle by parking their vehicles all over the castle gates.

"What the!?" A yellow toad guard exclaimed.

"What are those!?" A blue toad guard asks with surprise.

"Are those monkeys!?" A yellow toad guard shrieks.

"Wait a minute… Who are they?" A blue toad guard points at two moustache men dashing along with Peach, Toad and the Kongs.

"Excuse me!" Mario jumps over as he enters the castle without any hesitation.

"Sorry!" Luigi apologises while running past.

This causes both toads to scream as a horde of Kongs are rushing through on their hands and feet as fast as they could.

The last ones are Princess Peach and Chief Cranky Kong.

"Princess!? Where have you been!? Can you explain to us what's going on!?" A yellow toad shouted.

"I need to speak with the Toad Council. It's about Bowser." Peach answers, worried that something will happen if she doesn't intervene.

"And who's this ape?" The blue toad is curious about Cranky Kong.

"I am the chief of the Kong Village, Cranky Kong." Cranky Kong introduces himself while bowing.

"Now's not the time for introduction! Please, let me see the council now!" Peach pleads, leading the toads to yell and then raise their arms.

"Wait! Okay! We'll take you there." The yellow toad guard exclaimed, accepting Peach's plea.

"Just calm down and we'll do as you say." Said the blue toad.

"Thank you." Peach bows and then follows both toads along with Cranky Kong.

Both Toad's get the impression that Peach is desperate as well as trying to get the toads to listen to her, knowing that Peach has been out for 4 days without return and she's back.

But Peach has something that they'll accept.

Peach's Castle

In a large council room, there's a few seats missing as there's 7 toads sitting together while having a meeting.

The one in the middle is Toadsworth and next to him is a bespectacled blue toad that is his son, Toadshou.

The castle walls are covered in the dark as the lights only show the toads as a meeting.

"It's been four days since your princess hadn't arrive! Can you explain to me what's going on, Toadsworth!?" A toad in a suit, Mayor Fettuccine, shouted as he's banging the table while furious.

"Calm down, Fettuccine. Toadsworth, you told us that the princess will come back and now four days later, we want to know what's happening to her." A toad woman in a red suit and has a strand of blonde hair coming out of a mushroom top, Joleyne, asks while pulling up her glasses and looks at Toadsworth with suspicion.

"I'm aware that she's not home. My guess is that the koopa army had taken the princess before coming back here." Toadsworth sighed.

"If so, then we must wage a war against the koopas." Minister Toadai, a toad in a green suit, suggested calmly while stroking his black moustache.

"Wait. Can't we at least have evidence first before starting a war." Hugo asked, worried that the war would be happening.

"Hugo's right. Father, we need to think about something else rather than coming to a conclusion so quickly." Toadshou said as he turned to Toadsworth with worry.

Toadsworth takes a deep breath and then opens his eyes as he looks into the documents with worry.

Then a bang happens.

"We're back!" Calling by the door is Toad while being with Mario, Luigi and the Kongs.

"Toad!?" Both Toadsworth and Toadshou exclaimed as they witnessed Toad appearing with his new friends.

"What in the world!? Who the heck are these people with you!?" Mayor Fettuccine exclaimed out of shock after witnessing a bunch appearing out of nowhere.

"Interesting. A couple of human men and a bunch of Kongs from the Kong Village. It seems Toad here is running a petting zoo." Joleyne chuckles, amused by what Toad has brought back home.

"Toad!" Hugo is joyed to see Toad again as Toad feels the same.

"Hey, Hugo!" Toad waves with excitement.

"What the devil is going on here!?" Minister Toadai also has the same reaction as the fellow council members.

Arriving through the Kongs is Peach and Cranky Kong as Peach herself pants.

"Wait! Don't start a war!" Peach shouted while panting.

"Princess!" Toadshou gasps and then rushes while grabbing Peach's hands. "Thank goodness you're back!"

"Thank you, Toadshou. Toadsworth, I have returned."

"Y- You're back!? Then where have you been all this time!?" Toadsworth shouted.

"She, along with the boys, have been through an ordeal against the koopa army that unfortunately took one of our friends away."

"You're the chief!?" Toadsworth gasps with shock.

"The chief of the Kongs!? Here!?" Mayor Fettuccine is shocked to see Cranky Kong here in the council hall.

"How is that possible?" Joleyne grunts.

"Because you've got a lot to learn, taking orders from the princess!" Donkey Kong growled, even the Kongs are blocking Donkey Kong from going violent.

"Taking orders!? That's absurd!" Toadsworth snapped. "Since when did we order the princess?"

"Heh. Funny story, Peach told me that she's incapable of being a princess because of you guys." Said Mario, approaching the toads with anger on his face.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Toadsworth asked.

"Mario. And this is my little bro, Luigi." Mario introduces himself and his brother, standing in front of Toadsworth.

This only meets him with a bunch of spears as well as those intruding the council meeting.

"I don't know what's going on, but you have the guts to threaten a councillor!? Guards, seize them!" Toadsworth shouted, ordering the guards to take Mario's group as prisoners.

"Now listen up, old fungus! We need your help!" Cranky Kong snaps.

"Help? Princess? What do they mean to help?" Toadsworth asks out of suspicion, knowing why Peach is with the Kongs.

Peach clenches her lips, knowing that she'll have a hard time saying something to the toads.

"It's Bowser."

The whole council room gasped, realising what Peach just said.

"He's coming and he will not stop until the Mushroom Kingdom is his. What's worse, he's about to hunt all of us down if I don't marry him." Peach explained what the situation was currently, causing the toads to gasp.

"When did he say that?" Toadshou asked.

"Yesterday." Peach answered.

As murmur goes on, Toadsworth approaches Peach, knowing what's been going on earlier.

"Considering you know Bowser, I was given a warning that an arranged marriage is in process."

"Excuse me!?" Mario and Peach halts.

"Arranged marriage!?" The Kongs exclaimed as well as Luigi and Toad.

"Woah! Not cool, old man!" Funky Kong can tell that it's not going to end well.

"What? Hold on, Toadsworth, I don't get it. Why?" Peach asked, realising that it's going against her will.

"In order to collaborate the kingdoms together, you must be in hands with a prince to create a stronger army." Toadsworth concluded, knowing he doesn't have a choice.

"Well, tell whoever sent that letter that I'm taken!" Peach snapped.

"Wait! You are!?"

The council are surprised to hear what Peach said earlier, especially when Peach is trying to get the toads to open their eyes.

"Indeed."

"Then who is it!? You gotta tell who's the man you've been waiting for!" Toadsworth rejoices.

But Toadshou is worried that it's someone Toadsworth wouldn't approve of, leading him to grunt.

Finally, Peach went behind Mario and patted his shoulders.

"Mario."

"Who!?" The council exclaims, knowing that there's no Mario on the list of the official Mushroom Kingdom files.

"That's right. We have known each other since childhood in the outside world. Mario and I made a promise to go on a date." Peach explains, causing the council to whisper that it's impossible for a princess to date an outsider.

"So that's the boy she talked to me about a long time ago. It's no surprise that she had a crush on him, don't you think so, father?" Toadshou sighs with happiness, only to have met Toadsworth visceral shock. "F- Father?"

"You… You're dating an outsider!? Princess, what is this heresy!?" Toadsworth freaks out, causing Peach to gasp.

"Hold on a moment, Toadsworth! Let Peach explain!" Before Toad explains he ends up getting smacked by a guard who was ordered to stop him from getting to the council members.

"Toad!" Peach shrieked as she pulled Toad from the floor.

"Hey now, let's not get too harsh, Mr. Toadsworth." Luigi takes a few steps backwards as well as the Kongs.

"This is unacceptable! Princess! I advise you to break up with this man at once!" Toadsworth lets out a bark, only for Peach to stare back out of anger.

"Wait a minute, sir! There's gotta be some explanation!" Mario tries to reason but is unable to.

Then he was smacked to the face by Toadsworth's cane as he's being pushed aside, even his red cap was removed from him.

"Mario!" Luigi, Donkey Kong, Peach and Cranky Kong exclaims.

It's not just Toad she tries to help, but Mario as well with Luigi's assistance.

"Why you little!" Donkey Kong growls, just for Diddy Kong, Funky Kong and Chunky Kong to grab him.

"Calm down, Donkey!" Diddy Kong called.

"Yeah!" Chunky Kong agreed.

"Let me go! It's Mario and Toad they hurt!" Donkey Kong roared.

"Toadsworth! Calm down!" Joleyne shouted while standing from the seat.

"Y- Yeah! You're going a bit too far!" Mayor Fettuccine said with worry.

"Toadsworth… Why can't you trust us?" Cranky Kong grunts.

"You think I trust a petting zoo!? Toad should be ashamed of himself!" Toadsworth growled.

"What about me!? Should I be ashamed of myself!?" Peach stomps on the floor as her tone finally starts to shake with visceral rage. "All you do is order the kingdom in MY name! Maybe being a princess is worth absolutely NOTHING!"

This caught Toadswoth off guard as he rarely made Peach angry.

"B- But, princess… It's for your own good."

"For my own good!? Toadsworth, you don't know what's good for me!" Peach refuses to accept and hear an answer from Toadsworth himself.

"Also, the proposal about you and the Mushroom Kingdom's society… It was unfortunately cancelled." Toadsworth admitted.

"What?" Peach's heart sinks down, falling to her knees after hearing what her ideal world ended up becoming.

"Huh!? How!?" Cranky Kong shouted, shocked about what Toadsworth said earlier.

"Because not only it was expensive, but too much for us to change the landscape while keeping the key to what makes the Mushroom Kingdom our home." Toadsworth explained.

"And who cancelled that offer!?" Cranky Kong wants to know who did it.

"The Flower Nation…" Toadsworth answered.

To the whole room's shock, Toadsworth isn't the only one who's been messing with Peach's emotions, meaning that Toadsworth is guilty for all the things he's done.

Afterwards, Peach yanks the crown out of her bag and raises it in front of Toadsworth.

"This crown… This crown is the reason why I can't do anything… How about you take it." Tossing the crown as the crown rolls towards Mario's cap as it leans on it, Peach is done with this mumbo-jumbo as she leaves and then glares back at Toadsworth. "I hate you…"

Finally, the Kongs remain silent, even Luigi is looking at Toadsworth with cold stares, causing all of them to be handcuffed and chained.

"Huh!?"

"What is this!?"

"Old man! Let me at 'im!" Donkey Kong roars while trying to break free.

"These large cuffs are for Bowser and his large army, but we'll have to issue it to all of you. Take them away." Toadsworth orders, but this time it's guilt.

"Wait! Mario!" Luigi yelled while being yanked.

"Understand this, Toadsworth, remember when you and your son took Princess Peach to our village many years ago, because of her fascination for outside world technology. What happened to the old Toadsworth who is understanding and accepting Princess Peach for who she was?" Cranky Kong asks before disappearing with his clan and 2 humans as well as a toad.

In the end, they're all gone, and it's just the toad council.

"Anyway, back to our me-"

"That's enough." Toadshou interrupts Toadsworth's speech, knowing what happened earlier. "Peach warned us about Bowser and you're just going to ignore it?"

"Listen, son, I…"

"Are you happy with yourself!? Do you realise how worried she was about you!? Just because she's a princess, doesn't mean you're going on a power trip on her behalf! What happened to you father!? You were never like that before!" Toadshou raised his voice, causing Toadsworth to gasp with surprise.

Toadsworth stops himself to think about the things he said and done for months, realising what he turned Peach into.

"I just… I wanted to keep the kingdom in its rightful place…" Toadsworth revealed as he admitted.

"Then it's time to let go of the past, old man. What you did contradicts your words. You told me before, she's in her twenties and an adult can make her choices. Face it, father, whose fault will it be if Bowser comes for us and takes the princess back with him?" Toadshou asks, piercing through Toadsworth's heart which leads him to lower his head.

"Your son is right. Toadsworth, think about how the princess feels. Let her orders be absolute, because I too want to see the Mushroom Kingdom's new form." Joleyne said while walking past the two and leaving the council room. "It's nice talking to you, but I must be off."

After Joleyne is Minister Toadai, Mayor Fettuccine and Hugo as the trio are leaving without a word.

Now it's just Toadsworth and Toadshou, knowing how upset the council was at Toadsworth.

"Father, remember when I took Peach to the outside world to school while disguising myself from the public." Said Toadshou.

"You were?"

"Indeed. It's because of Peach's bullying in this world is why I did that. This shows how close she was with not just the outsiders, but the Kongs as well. She doesn't want to be a princess as a ruler, but she wants to be happy." Toadshou explains.

"Is that why she wants to reshape our kingdom? Is it for the better?" Toadsworth asked.

"Of course it was. As for the orders from the Flower Nation, I suggest cease this outdated law and try to give Peach some orders. Her new law plannings were far less strict, but needed some work." Toadshou explains.

As both men are standing together, Toadshou stands by the door after picking up Mario's cap and Peach's crown as there's more things to be said.

"Father, you need to let it go. Ever since we went to the Kong Village, you, Peach and I are glad to see what the Kongs have in store for us, especially when we wanted to make Mushroom Kingdom go beyond its past while still holding the spirit. Think about the jobs, the games, the future generations while keeping most of our old traditions."

Before he leaves, Toadsworth raises his arm as he stops his son.

"Wait, son. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologise to me. Apologise to them. I'm going to see the princess." Toadshou finally leaves the room.

This leaves Toadsworth to be left alone, sitting back in his council chair after remembering what his actions have caused and never listening to Peach's warning about Bowser himself. Also knowing that Peach was with Mario because she liked him more than anything.

This is how she really felt, Toadsworth thought to himself.

All he has to do is to apologise to those that entered the kingdom, especially Peach, even needing a chat with his old friend Cranky Kong.

Chapter Text

Inside a dungeon where the rooms are more comfortable than the Darkland's one, the Kongs, including the Mario bros, are now trapped behind bars, with Funky Kong playing a harmonica, Luigi playing with an empty cup on the bars and Mario lying unconscious in bed.

Grunting, Mario wakes up as he sees himself in a cell with Luigi, feeling under the weather as he grunts, surprised that he's without his red cap.

"Luigi?"

"Mario!" Luigi hugs Mario, joyed to see him awake.

"What's going on? Where are we?" Mario asks while looking to his left and right.

"Apparently, we're now prisoners." Cranky Kong answered, sitting right in front of his cell.

"You were knocked out by this old man, so we're stuck here!" Donkey Kong sighs, exhausted from trying to fight back.

"It was after Peach's outburst. Who knew Peach ended up like what happened to Pauline earlier." Luigi turns around, thinking about why Peach was this hostile towards others that aren't the Kongs and the toads.

"Ngh! So that's why… That old man. He better have a good explanation why he's doing this!" Mario grunts while sitting up on the side of his bed.

Before Cranky Kong explains, a door makes a clicking sound, leading the Mario bros and the Kongs to look out of their cells.

Arriving as both toad guards salute, is Toadshou who is carrying Mario's cap.

"Oi! You better have a good explanation about this!" Dixie Kong screeches while jumping as high as the cell, only for Toadshou to sigh.

"Listen, everyone. I must apologise for my father's actions. He was never like that before. Also, he wants to see you, master Mario." Toadshou says while walking towards Mario's cell and unlocks it by letting Mario out and leaving Luigi in.

"But what about Luigi?" Mario asks out of worry.

"It's okay. He'll be fine with the Kongs. Also, I'll be holding the court, considering how neutral I was. I cannot trust my father after our recent discourse. Follow me." Toadshou concludes, leading Mario to follow the middle aged toad, knowing Peach is going to either ignore him or cling onto him.

After the door closes, Luigi sighs and then sits back down.

"You and your brother are inseparable. It's no wonder you cared for each other. The same happened with my son and Diddy, knowing that they're best friends." Said Cranky Kong.

"Well, he's Mario, the man I always looked up to. He saved me for many years. I wish I was as brave as him." Luigi laughs while sitting back in his foetal position.

"Then you must face what's happening, or else something horrible will happen to your brother. Young Luigi, are you willing to risk your life for young Mario?" Cranky Kong asked.

"Yeah." Luigi willingly accepted after seeing how big of a burden Mario has to shoulder for years.

Luigi knew it's his brother's destiny to face the challenges. Luigi wanted to lift his brother up, especially when Mario was at his lowest point.

In a bedroom, Peach is back in her princess dress, staring out of the window on the side of her bed, watching the sun shining through as it brightens her room.

With nothing to say, Peach can feel the pressure that's been put onto her for a long time.

Tears are dropping onto her dress, Peach is unable to let her past go.

She never knew her parents, her life is similar to Mario and Luigi's bullying, Toad is hiding the truth about himself and her life is nothing but cotton and strings that are all over her body.

A door knocks which has Peach grunting.

"Princess. It's me." Toadsworth's voice called.

Peach ignored it.

"Listen… I'm sorry for all the things I did. I just… I just want to keep the kingdom in order, but I let your influence and my power get the better of me. I accepted my son to become the judge of the court, so that means the people you brought are going to be spared with neutrality."

Peach is still silent, only for her to move her legs as her feet are off the bed.

She finally opens her mouth.

"Toadsworth. Tell me… Who am I?"

"You're… You're just a young girl who needs to be taken care of. I raised you ever since you were a baby. I'm just scared that you'll hurt yourself. But deep down inside, I know the future is yours to show. We'll make Mushroom Kingdom great once again by bringing human culture to us and sharing our culture back to them." Toadsworth finally becomes positive while being honest with Peach.

Peach then gasps, hearing what Toadsworth said is the first time he actually accepted Peach as a ruler that will bring the future to her kingdom.

"Toadsworth… You're not lying… Right?"

"I'm not mistaken this time. Let's cut the Flower Nation's plea and create the new kingdom ourselves." Toadsworth answered.

Peach couldn't help but wiping her tears as they kept on coming out.

"Thank you… Thank you, Toadsworth!" Peach cries while hugging Toadsworth, leading Toadsworth to pat Peach's back.

"There there, princess. But I'll make sure your safety is clear, got that?" Toadsworth is giving out his condition in order to make sure Peach is okay.

"Yes." Peach nods. "Toadsworth, who are my parents?" Peach asks.

"Excuse me? You're asking me all of a sudden." Toadsworth half closed one of his eyes out of confusion.

"Sorry. But I want to know who they are."

Toadsworth does admittedly know Peach's parents, but he couldn't tell Peach who they are, otherwise things'll go from bad to worse.

"Well… That I cannot tell. You'll have to find out for yourself. But I recommend against that. I made a promise to them to not tell you until you're prepared for this." Toadsworth said while sitting next to Peach on Peach's bed.

"Figured you say that. Why did they not want you to tell me?" Peach asks, despite barely knowing her parents.

"It's for your safety. Also I don't have a choice." Toadsworth admitted.

Peach can tell why Toadsworth is worried about her. Peach knows how selfish she has become. Peach knows that Toadsworth is guilty for his own selfish actions.

Both Peach and Toadsworth are to blame for what they're doing.

A door clicks open, arriving are both Mario and Toadshou.

"Princess. Father?" Toadshou stops after seeing his father with Princess Peach.

"Ah. Son. I see you brought in a young man to see the princess." Toadsworth sounds calm this time, especially after the incident earlier this morning.

"Um… Indeed." Toadshou is unsure if Toadsworth can accept Mario and the Kongs as part of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Toadsworth then stands off the bed and then leaves Peach alone while turning towards Mario.

"I'll leave you to her, young man. And I'm sorry for my outburst earlier." Toadsworth apologised.

Mario remained silent while watching Toadsworth leaving him as well as Toadshou.

Now Mario is left alone with Peach in Peach's bedroom, giving him the impression that he's about to talk to Peach. 

"Mario, can you take a seat?" Peach calls while still quiet.

"Oh. Okay." Mario accepts and sits on the other side of Peach's bed.

The bed is far more comfortable than before which had Mario surprised about the texture and brightness of a bedroom.

"Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be put in the middle of a conflict?" Peach asks.

"A lot. But I usually intervened because I can't let the worst people get away with their horrible deeds." Mario answered.

"You really are one strange man. Why do you want to get involved with other people's business? If they're hurt, why did you insist on jumping onto other people's problems, just to resolve it?"

"Because it's the right thing to do." Mario answered, stopping Peach from asking another question. "If they're hurt, no matter the circumstances, then I'll be there to solve the issue like I did with yours, Peach."

"And when things are nearly impossible to get by, you never give up, do you?" Peach laughs softly, knowing Mario, even in his childhood, never wanted to leave anyone to suffer.

"Nope. I just wanted to make everyone happy." Mario admitted.

Peach turns her head, seeing as Mario is doing all this because it's not just his nature, but he actually cares about other people's wellbeing.

As Peach crawls towards Mario, Peach wraps her arms around behind him, causing Mario to look at Peach out of confusion.

"This is why I like you, Mario. You're always the type of guy who always works his hardest, unlike any other princes. I don't care if you're a commoner, an outsider or a royal family member, you'll always be the Mario that everyone loves. Don't let others twist your kindness and just be yourself." Peach whispers, then is surprised that Mario is holding her hand with his hand.

"Gee. I didn't know princess is into short plumbers." Mario chuckles.

"Don't be cheeky, shortstack." Peach pouts after being teased by Mario himself.

"But I'm glad." Mario admitted with a calm smile, and a genuine one as well.

Peach, for the first time, has felt true love coming into fruition after their reconciliation.

But their challenge isn't over as Mario and Peach hadn't got over their pasts.

Standing outside as they're watching Mario and Peach's one to one chat, Toadshou and Toadsworth are silent after seeing how Peach has found the one she's been waiting for.

"Father?"

"I guess I was wrong about this outsider. How loyal he was, he seems to be a very kind man. He does seem to remind me of the princess in terms of stubbornness and helping others." Toadsworth admires Mario's actions and finally realises the errors of his ways.

"So does that mean…"

"Release those in the dungeons. I have a plan." Toadsworth nods.

Toadshou gasps and then nods by marching towards a green toad and a pink toad.

"You two, we must release the prisoners from their cells."

"Wait, really?" One toad guard asks.

"Yes. Let us go." Finally, Toadshou and the guards are moving as Toadsworth is still standing by the door.

With Toadsworth seeing the sky turning yellow, he sighs and then watches Mario and Peach comforting each other with a hug.

Toadsworth, Toadshou, Peach, even Toad are breaking the old code of the Mushroom Kingdom in order to advance their kingdom further and Mario and Luigi are proof that the future is near.

Later under the yellow sky, Peach's castle is now surrounded by a bunch of toads as they're watching Toadshou and Toadsworth standing alongside Peach, Mario, Luigi and the Kongs.

"Everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom, I have returned. Also, I welcome these guests to our homes." Peach announced while raising her arms.

"Also, we're now officially collaborating with the Kongs in the name of Chief Cranky Kong." Toadsworth continues.

"Thank you, Toadsworth. Everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom! The contract with Princess Peach and I have just begun! Soon, we'll start reconstructing the idea of what the Mushroom Kingdom looks like, but first we need Princess Peach!" Cranky Kong called as the toads are muttering.

"Our kingdom is in need of rebalancing and increasing defences from the invaders that's attacking our kingdom." Peach then takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. "Each builder will be paid 10000 coins each, 750 coins for participating and 3000 coins for actually working as well as assisting. In other words, we will get paid by the Kongs for our hard work. Now are you all ready!?" Peach shouts.

This leaves the toads speechless, realising that all that payment from the Kongs are something that is unusually high for those who're living there.

"I agree!" Toad shouts, appearing with a large square plaster on his face. "Don't you see, we've been working for years and we haven't got a proper job. And no, Adrien, punching blocks endlessly isn't a proper job, it's gaining money for your own needs." Toad points out.

To the toads' surprise, Toad reveals the plans for the future civilisation, a paper was now surrounded by the toads.

"Imagine, cleaning up with payment, cooking and serving with payment, business technology, a proper daycare, theme parks, anything that replicates human culture, just to make the Mushroom Kingdom a well known place! We won't have to keep punching blocks forever, heck, I work with the farmer and I know it feels like proper work."

"But weren't you kicked out for not aligning with our traditions." A purple toad girl with twintails asked.

"That is true, Maria, I mean some of you guys are construction workers, so at least help us with the kingdom. Don't listen to the demands of the Flower Nation, just do what you can. Remember what the princess promised us with?"

A bunch of toads are silent, leading 4 toads with gear on them, showing themselves right in front of Peach and the Kongs.

"We'll do as you wish, princess. But first, we need the resources for a certain place that is in need of buildings. However, it's risky to make a city in this kingdom." A lead construction toad called as well as bringing out the cons of this work.

"I'm aware of that, Thomas. It may not be environmentally friendly, but it can bring life to those new guests from outside the Mushroom Kingdom. Thank you, construction workers." Peach bows to those who accepted.

Finally, the toads are celebrating, cheering that Peach's plan is back in action, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Toadsworth, Toadshou, Cranky Kong and the rest smiling together as they're all prepared for the evolution of the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Everyone. Thank you." Peach has shown a very warm smile which led to Mario and Luigi approaching her.

"It's no problem, Peach. If we're not around, then you might be put under pressure for the rest of your life." Mario nods while accepting Peach's thanks.

"Yeah. If anything, you should thank the chief for persuading the toads." Luigi raises his arm as the Kongs are laughing, even Donkey Kong sighs.

"Well… That's all. But I'm still not gonna forgive you all for what happened to the princess." Donkey Kong spat out.

"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of my actions, master Donkey." Toadsworth added.

"Now that it's all settled, we'll start tomorrow. Princess Peach, if Bowser comes, don't be afraid. He may be scary, but you know he won't harm you." Cranky Kong gives Peach some advice.

"I know he won't, but the people…" Before Peach loses hope, she ends up with a flick to the arm by Mario.

"We'll protect them!" Luigi called, leading Peach to turn towards the Mario bros.

"Really?"

"Of course. And Mario isn't alone either. With the two of us, you'll be safe with us." Luigi is now confident while pumping his fist.

"Remember, Pauline wanted us to keep going, even take care of you. So let me protect you and your kingdom." Mario places his hand onto his own chest, looking serious while preparing to do what he does.

To Peach, she knows why not only Mario, but others are burdening themselves which shows that just like Peach, they're pushing forward to never give up their dreams.

"If you boys take care of me, then I too will take care of you two." Peach accepted while she hugged Mario and Luigi.

Finally, the kingdom is about to be reconstructed as Mario and Luigi are safeguarding Peach from any threat, even the toads are ready themselves to find the resources and build the buildings that will take a while to make.

Sitting on the castle roof, Kinosen is pleased to see the progress of those who're bonding together from the hardships they're facing.

"Heh. It seems that Mario and his friends are still carrying each other after years of their darkness. This time, they'll face the test of bravery that is Bowser himself."

"But why? Bowser is too dangerous. He burned the Kong Village and was threatening Peach about Mario and the toads." A woman said with worry.

"True. But once Peach brings out her prayers, then her task will fully succeed. But the first thing she needs to do is to find out about her parents." Kinosen said and turned towards the woman. "So, what are you going to do?"

"Undoing what those two have accidentally destroyed." A woman finally said while putting on her swimming gear.

"Heh. Good luck, this'll challenge them if they're not as cowardly as before." Kinosen chuckles and then puts a pocky in his mouth.

He can tell that Mario and Luigi are not going into the warp zone back to their world, only for them to deal with an ordeal that is around the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Heh. Let the games begin."

Chapter Text

Toad Town

The sky is now amber.

At the farm where there's cows and milk at the barn, Toad is sighing while watching the builders driving the Kongs' karts as a way to make haste.

Thankfully, Toad is getting another payment as a green farmer toad girl with braided twintails marched by Toad.

"Oh? Maisey?" Toad jumps up while rubbing his white mushroom 'head.'

"Hey, Toad, you haven't been around for four days after the princess' disappearance. I bet Bowser isn't hurting you guys." Maisey said while helping Toad move the cows back to their barn shack.

"Oh he didn't, alright, but he's out to get us." Toad worries while continuing his work.

"Huh!? That means everyone is in danger!" Maisey exclaimed.

"Don't worry, Maisey, at least the outsiders are our only hope! I'm just scared that they're putting their own lives at risk." Toad's smile fades, unsure about the possible future that'll kill Mario and Luigi.

With Toad sighing after working, Maisey leans by the door with Toad, seeing as Toad is acting unusual as he's always cheerful in his behaviour.

"Toad, before dad pays you, do you have something you wanna tell me?" Maisey asked out of curiosity.

"Huh? No, why?"

"Because that look means something is going on with you."

Toad worries that Maisey is going to act the same way as him if he reveals himself, especially after Kinosen told him who he really was.

Toad then sits down and looks at the castle.

"Maisey, be honest with me, why do you want to know about my past?" Toad asked as his tone was becoming sombre.

"Because I care about you. And we both have the same dream is to have a proper job that isn't punching blocks everyday." Maisey is being honest with herself, giving Toad the chance to speak up.

What Toad didn't know is that he's not the only one with issues that's been lingering throughout all his life.

"Fine…"

Before Toad explains his past, he and Maisey turn towards the sky as they witness a bunch of flying koopas with the drones and a single airship with a laughter that is creepily familiar.

"Bowser!" Both Toad and Maisey exclaimed, knowing that Peach is in trouble.

Afterwards, both toads are running from the barn, even before Toad is getting paid, heading straight towards the castle before Bowser and his army do.

Peach's Castle

In Peach's bedroom, Mario and Peach sigh after the announcement went well, giving Peach a boost in confidence as well as making her more of a nervous wreck.

"So, feeling better, princess?" Mario asked with confidence in him.

"Yeah. Thanks to you, the Mushroom Kingdom will finally function well. If it weren't for you and Luigi, then this kingdom would've fallen." Peach felt relieved after the Kongs' assistance as well as Mario and Luigi, knowing Mario, Luigi, Pauline and Toad played a big role in her life. "But I'm still worried about you guys."

"Is it about Bowser again? If so, then I won't hold back to stop him." Mario clenches his fist while declaring his life to protect everyone.

In Peach's mind, Mario can be just as stubborn as she herself was. In the end, Mario and Peach are slowly opening up the shells that are covering them up for a long time.

In Mario's mind, Peach is someone who isn't actually consistent when it comes down to her decision making, but is actually trying to be as straightforward as she can.

Mario smiles while thinking about what the future holds for him and his brother as well as his friends.

"So what are you planning for us if we're dating? Well, just to know." Mario asks out of curiosity.

"Oh! Um… I haven't thought about that. Maybe I was a bit too forward on you, huh." Peach admitted.

"Heh. We're humans, we're not the smartest bunch. If anything, the Kongs are the ones who surpassed us, if I could be wrong."

As Mario and Peach laugh together, both of them then look each other in the eyes as Mario and Peach are seeing something that is far more beautiful than the ugliness they're surrounded by.

"Ahem! So tomorrow is working, huh?" Mario quickly asked while looking away and rubbing his neck.

"Ah! Yes it is." Peach quickly answered.

"Okay, I'll be off. See ya tomorrow, Peach." Before Mario opens the bedroom door, he ends up getting his arm gripped as Peach is giving Mario something in return.

"Wait! How about you sleep in my room… Ahem! Just for tonight?" Peach offers while clearing her throat.

"Oh. Okay." Mario nonchalantly agreed, thinking that Peach needed some comfort. "Well, knowing that I have nothing to wear, maybe my overalls shall do."

"Hold on, you've been in the same overalls for the last four days. Same goes for Luigi." Peach points out as Mario laughs it off.

"Sorry, Peach. I didn't notice either." Mario lied.

Finally, Mario lies down on Peach's soft bed as he's in his red and white socks and leaves his white gloves on the desk as well as his red cap.

"Mario, how often did you brush your hair? It looks wavy and cared for."

"Oh that? Yeah, Luigi and I usually take care of our hairs and moustaches, like combing them and washing them everyday. For a blondie like you, I'm surprised your hair isn't dyed." Mario rubs his hair as well as the tips handing out of the back of his head on the left side.

"That's because I'm a natural blonde, and just like you, I always take care of my appearance." Peach explained while acting all high and mighty.

With Mario and Peach watching the sky, the duo gasp as they witness what's in front of them.

"Mario! It's Bowser! He's he-"

BOOM!

An explosion has caught Mario and Peach as both of them crash onto the wall as well as interrupting Luigi as he and Donkey Kong rushed.

After the explosion, drones are pointing their cannons tubes at Mario and Peach, as well as the paratroopas and Kamek himself.

"Looks like we meet again, Princess Peach." Kamek laughs as he holds his wand out.

"Kamek…" Peach grunts.

This alerts Mario to block Peach while glaring at a bunch of koopas.

"Oh? Are you trying to stop us from confronting the princess? Now listen here, outsider, my lord has a bone to pick with you!" Kamek shouts.

"Why don't you go and tell him that Peach said no and she's taken!" Mario growls, raising his fists as he's preparing to face his worst opponent.

"Huh? So that's how it is?" Appearing is Basilisx while sliding his claws onto the floors and pointing out as the koopas move aside. "How about you see for yourself, princess."

To Peach's horror, what she sees this time is a sea of flames what is covering Toad Town which is burning the toads alive as well as the guards and the kongs fighting back against a koopa horde, even no one is safe from the airship cannonballs and the drones' bullets.

Is it bloodshed or…

"No… Why…"

"You were warned, princess." A familiar voice had both Mario and Peach gasping in fright as they turned to see the familiar face that is still as threatening as ever.

"Bowser…" Mario grunts.

"Bowser…" Peach gasps.

"Like the new kingdom you made? I say it's a fitting end to those who refused to heed my warnings. Now break up with this man and lay your hand on mine." Bowser raises his arm, waiting for Peach to hold it like the woman he viewed as his lover.

To Peach's disgust, Bowser never viewed her as a woman, but a doll that was only there to be his bride.

"I- In your dreams! And my nightmares! I will never marry someone like you!" Peach snapped.

"Well then… If you don't accept." Basilisx's voice is to Peach's right as he grabs Mario from behind and places his claws onto his neck. "Then he'll die along with his brother and his friends."

"Huh? What the!?" Mario grunts as he's shocked to see what's happening to him.

"Mario! Ngh!" Peach is now stuck in the middle of a conflict.

All she has to choose is either Bowser's marriage, or Mario's corpse, causing Peach to panic further.

"Choose, princess. Me, or him." Bowser makes a threatening growl as his smile is far more sinister that Peach has witnessed.

To Peach, Bowser is the type of guy who always gets what he wants to the point of acting like a spoiled brat.

Gritting her teeth, Peach is done with all the things that are holding her back which immediately leads her to raise her fingers at a hasty pace towards Basilisx.

Afterwards, the koopa army gasps as Basilisx screams, holding his eyes as Peach was able to poke them as well as freeing Mario, who was down on his backside with surprise.

"Don't mess with me. I may be a princess, but I'm not some helpless girl you see!" Peach finally swings her fist without any hesitation.

This leads to Peach getting grabbed by the arm by a large armoured koopa until her arm is being snapped, causing Peach to scream.

"Peach!" Mario yelled.

"Hey! When I said not to harm the princess, I meant not to break her arm!" Bowser roared while punching one of his heavy armoured koopa.

"Ow! Sorry, boss!" An armoured koopa cried while covering himself in a shell with his helmet popping off.

What Mario witnessed is Peach crouching down while holding her arm, crying with agonising pain.

"You! Why you! Bowser!" Mario yells while rushing forwards.

But he was unfortunately hit by Bowser's fist, leading Mario to crash onto the wall as he grunted.

"You wait your turn, human! Kamek, heal the princess!" Bowser ordered.

"Y- Yes, your majesty!" Kamek hastily slides while using his magic to heal Peach's snapped right arm.

"Mario!" Luigi slides while picking up Mario, who can feel the pain of getting punched by an overgrown turtle.

"Luigi… Princes… She's hurt." Mario coughs while getting picked up.

"Yeah. Now what?" Worried about what's going on, Luigi is also distraught by what Bowser did to not just the town, but the people in there.

"I'll handle this. Hey! Bowser!" Donkey Kong explodes as he catches Bowser's attention.

"Oh? You again? Aren't you that Kong who was beaten by a couple of moustachioed humans?" Bowser mockingly asks.

"Yeah! So what? It's between you and me, so let go of the princess!" Donkey Kong shouts while raising his hand.

"Gwahahaha! I think not. No one is taking the princess, but me. So scram, ape!" Bowser growled.

Before both Bowser and Donkey Kong are raising their fists, Donkey Kong spins his right arm, giving Bowser the chance to run as his army is about to be used as his assistance.

"Gotcha!" Donkey Kong swings his fist, only for Bowser to hastily turn around and block with his shell and then swing his fist onto Donkey Kong's face.

Thus causes Donkey Kong to collapse and is surrounded by a horde of koopas.

"You coward!" Donkey Kong snapped.

"A coward? Why? Is it because my army is backing me up? Silly, Kong, I'm doing what I need to do! How about you stay with the plumbers and- !?" What stops Bowser from speaking is a potato smacking his face, causing Bowser himself to pick it up out of confusion. "What the heck!?"

"A potato!" A toad girl's voice called.

"Looks like we made it on time, Maisey!" Toad laughs.

"Yeah! Now let go of the princess, you fiend!" Maisey ordered, which surprised Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong to see both toads standing back up against Bowser himself.

This alerts his army to point their weapons at both toads causing both Toad and Maisey to laugh it all off.

"Grr… You fungus freaks! Always getting in the way of my plan to marry the princess! Captain Basilisx! How long are you going to crouch down and hold your eyes!?" Bowser roared as anger built inside him way worse than before.

"Sorry, my lord… But I need to recover my eyes. So these two are my next victims to kill." Basilisx hisses while glaring at Toad and Maisey after letting go of his red eyes.

To Toad and Maisey's shock, a koopa with claws is approaching them as Toad raises his fists, protecting Maisey.

"Relax, unnamed servant, freckle-faced farm girl. My soldier will serve you nice mushrooms as your final meal. Kill them all." Bowser put his thumb down, ready to see a bunch of corpses with 2 humans, a bunch of mushrooms and monkeys.

"Yes, my lord." Basilisx starts to speed up, causing both Toad and Maisey to quickly duck from Basilisx's dive and then make a run for it.

"Go, go! Save the princess!" Toad shouted while running from an army of goombas, koopas and spinys.

"Yeah!" Maisey agreed as she and Toad charged towards Kamek.

This causes Kamek to shriek and create a barrier before they kick him and get Peach.

Unfortunately, Kamek was booted to the face as both Toad and Maisey pick up Peach as Peach is still in pain by her arm.

"Princess… What did he do to you?" Maisey asks out of worry.

"It doesn't matter… Mario and others are in trouble." Peach points as Bowser is picking up Mario and Luigi by their faces and stepping on Donkey Kong's chest.

"Maisey, get the princess out of sight. I'll handle Mario, Luigi and Donkey's problems." Toad nods while approaching Bowser.

"Okay. Please be careful, Toad." Maisey calls and then drags Peach towards the airship to escape from Bowser. "Let's go, princess."

"Thank you, Maisey…" Peach sighs, relieved that there's more people coming to her aid.

To Bowser's shock, he witnessed Maisey dragging Peach away from him, causing Bowser himself to panic as the army tried to break the barrier.

"NO!"

"Heh. Now it's our turn, Bowser. Let them go!" Toad points at Bowser, fueling Bowser's rage as he's being outsmarted again and again.

First was Peach's escape with the outsiders.

Second was Peach's affair with an outsider like Mario.

And now it's Peach's army preventing him from getting her, leading Bowser to have some flames coming out of his mouth.

"You… I have HAD IT! If I can't have the princess! Then NO ONE CAN!" Bowser roared which intimidated his army to the point that fear was on them.

"Boss. Handle these fools and get the princess. I'll take care of this fungus along with our army." Basilisx chuckles, raising his claws as he's prepared to give Toad a well deserved game over.

Bowser can tell that Basilisx is always determined to complete his job, especially when he's close to failing it.

Bowser then turns back to those he's grabbing as Mario and Luigi are grunting as pain is getting stronger and stronger.

"Then deal with him. He's the reason why Peach escaped again." Bowser lets out a low growl, giving Basilisx the opportunity to take out a measly toadstool.

"Yes, your majesty. And I'll make sure to recover Kamek when he's not asleep."

"Good. Koopa pack, split up and find the princess!" Bowser ordered.

"Yessir!" The koppa army salutes and then splits as one side is after Peach and the other is against Toad.

Toad knows how Mario and others felt after being up against a huge amount of opponents as well as a large creature.

He's actually afraid that he'll be on the receiving end of being dog piled by the koopa army.

Toad takes a deep breath and approaches Bowser and his army by picking up a halberd and pointing at the koopa army.

"Bring it on!" Toad shouts.

But what'll happen to Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong if Toad didn't make it in time to save them?

Let's hope Peach is okay.

Chapter Text

Mushroom Kingdom… Maybe it's no longer Mushroom Kingdom as the koopa army has invaded and caused nothing but arson and capture of other toads which causes the Kongs and the toad army to fight back against the koopa horde.

As for Princess Peach and Maisey, Maisey herself wraps a bandage on Peach's arm while hiding behind the building.

"There. I hope you're okay, princess." Maisey sighs with relief.

"Thank you, Maisey… But what about Toad and others?" Peach is unsure if she could go back to her castle in this state.

"I'm sure they're okay. Toad told me that Mario and Luigi are strong enough to fight back. Let's go." Maisey drags Peach as a kart stops them.

On a monster truck looking kart is Diddy Kong as he hooked it on Peach's Mach Bike.

"Come on! We need to leave right now!" Diddy Kong waves, only for Peach and Maisey to hastily jump on a pink bike.

"Hold on tight, Maisey." Peach said while revving her bike engine.

"Okay!" Maisey wraps her arms while staying behind Peach.

Finally, the bike takes off as Peach is watching some toads and Kongs being taken away to Bowser's airship, leading Peach to lower her head in guilt.

"Geez… Is Bowser always like this? I mean, he couldn't take no for an answer, couldn't he?" Diddy Kong is displeased with Bowser, knowing what's going to happen in the future.

"No. But what about Mario, Luigi, Toad and Donkey Kong?"

"Heh. Donkey's a strong guy! He and I go way back when he was the champion of the battle arena. Anyway, enough talk and let's go." Diddy Kong said while putting the pedal to the metal.

This gives Peach more hope as Mario, Luigi, Toad and Donkey Kong are willing to fight back without giving up.

"Please come back… Okay?"

Peach's Castle

The bedroom is completely wrecked by Bowser as the Mario bros, Donkey Kong and Toad are now in peril.

But in Toad's case, he's not only outnumbered, but he's about to make his final day worth saving some friends.

Finally, Toad charges with a halberd while yelling as the same goes for the koopa army meaning Basilisx is prepared for this moment for a single toad to face against his opponents.

As for Bowser, Mario and Luigi are no longer moving as Donkey Kong grunts with his chest being crushed by his own rib cage.

"So, are you boys done yet?" Bowser can see Mario and Luigi lose consciousness as he laughs, pleased that he was able to end Mario and Luigi's lives without any struggle. "GWAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, isn't it just wonderful!? I finally won against a couple of bushy faced clowns! Now it's your turn, monkey." Bowser is prepared to finish Donkey Kong off by letting go of his chest while raising his foot.

As Mario and Luigi are freed, both of them open their eyes, watch Toad struggling to fight back against a horde, even Basilisx has the upper hand in clawing Toad but was blocked by a handle of a halberd.

After the bros nod, then dash and kick a bunch of koopas by putting one out of the shell as a koopa shrieks and then gets hit by a green shell as a koopa horde is being knocked out like bowling pins by a shell.

This results in both Toad and Basilisx to be surrounded by absolutely nothing.

"Guys!" Toad cheers.

"NO!" Basilisx yells while dashing towards Mario and Luigi.

"Luigi, now!" Mario nods while giving Luigi the signal.

"Okay, bro!" Luigi slides in front of Mario while getting the signal.

As Mario jumps onto Luigi's back and spin like a drill, Luigi hops and grab Mario's legs which causes him to spin, and finally drill kick Basilisx right in the chest, only to smash his armour and fall through the hole of Peach's castle, causing him to gasp with surprise, realising that Mario and Luigi, the humans from another world, are no jokes when it comes down to fighting back against their ordeals.

"Ah… So I finally lost… Hmph. No matter, my honour code shall remain. My friend… I cannot avenge your death…" Basilisx finally admits his defeat after being beaten by Mario and Luigi, causing him to fall to his doom.

Finally, Basilisx is no longer a part of the world again.

After Basilisx's defeat, Mario and Luigi charged towards Bowser as Luigi hops as high as he could, giving Mario the chance to grab Luigi's leg and run onto Bowser's shell and then turn upside down.

Then bonking on Bowser's head with Luigi as Luigi himself cries out of hitting his own head after collapsing along with Mario and Bowser.

"Mario? Luigi?" Donkey Kong gasps with surprise after witnessing the Mario bros working together like they did against Donkey Kong himself.

"Yep. That's us! Heh. Does he really think he can beat us? Hmph. That overgrown lizard should think twice before trying to hurt our princess." Mario sneers at the moment Bowser caused.

"Ow… So that means it's over, huh?" Luigi asks.

"Yeah. With Bowser and his army knocked out, it's time we get out of this joint." Toad said while dropping his halberd and pulled Donkey Kong up off the floor.

Mario and the group nod as they leave Peach's bedroom and dash towards their vehicles in order to leave the kingdom for good.

As for Bowser, he's left in this badly damaged castle along with a turning town, causing him to growl while picking himself up.

"How… Beaten by a couple of humans… Outsmarted by them… Grr…" Bowser growls after realising that he's actually no match for Mario and Luigi for real this time.

"M- My lord! Thank goodness you're okay! It's Captain Basilisx! He's-"

"Gone? Yeah." Bowser can see Kamek arriving after being knocked out by Toad and Maisey earlier. "Kamek."

"What is it, Lord Bowser?" Kamek raises his head out of curiosity.

"Why can't I win?" Bowser asked calmly while lowering his head.

"Huh!? Of course you can! Maybe a direct approach didn't work, but what about if we lure these humans and their friends towards our kingdom, and that way, the princess will be yours! That or let them out of her sight!" Kamek reveals a plan for Bowser while encouraging him to never give up.

This leads to Bowser laughing, realising that Kamek is giving him something that'll benefit his future, taking advantage of those who claim to be the protectors.

"Kamek, I know you have something in mind that can work. But you're right… Let's lure those out of the princess' sight and then we'll capture her, take her to my castle and then the Mushroom Kingdom is ours." Bowser is all for Kamek's plan as he stands back up with a wider grin.

Finally, Bowser is standing while watching the burning kingdom as well as the airships taking those away from their homes as prisoners.

"Koopa pack! I have a plan!" Bowser announced as he's well and truly prepared for plan B.

This means Bowser is never giving up after realising that there's still a plan to get the princess from the Mushroom Kingdom's clutches as Bowser views it.

With the koopa army cheering, Kinosen is sitting on the barn where Toad works at, frowning at the idea of Bowser jumping back and forth from losing to those he's up against.

"Tch. You never give up, do you? Why did you have to make things difficult, Moku?" Kinosen sighs while watching the koopa army cheering for their king rising back up. "If only you're executed from our kind…"

Kinosen is seeing both sides that are hope and grim.

On the hopeful side, the Mushroom Kingdom will evolve with the princess rising up to the top of the world.

On the grim side, Bowser takes over the kingdom after marrying the princess and will forever be ruled by a tyrant like him.

"Mario, please, do something about this problem. But what am I saying, I'm just an observer after all." Kinosen concluded.

Finally, he turns around, vanishing as no one saw him.

Kong Village , Cranky Kong's Palace

Hiding together in a Palace that is now full of karts, the toads, the Kongs and the humans are safely hiding from a koopa army after the attack on Mushroom Kingdom.

As exhausting as it is, Mario couldn't help but stress after the incident with Bowser's invasion, leading him to sit on the ground on his backside.

"Mama mia…"

"It's okay, bro. We made it." Luigi pat Mario's shoulder while helping him out.

"But there are others that are taken away to Bowser's kingdom." Mario points out while panting.

Luigi couldn't help but agree with Mario after witnessing what's been going on earlier.

Luigi then leaves Mario to have some time as he's approaching Peach and Cranky Kong.

"How's Peach?" Luigi asks.

"Hrmm… It seems that her injury is not great as she suffered a broken bone. Princess, I'll send Wrinkly Kong to aid your arm." Said Cranky Kong while letting go of Peach's arm.

"Thank you, chief." Peach is relieved to see more help is on the way.

"I guess we won't be coming back to your kingdom, huh?" Luigi asks.

"Oh, we will. We just need to wait till tomorrow for Bowser to leave and then we'll start a new construction for our kingdom." Peach sits down while looking at Luigi. "Hey, Luigi. Tell me, how do you feel when Mario and I are together?"

"Me? Well… It's not my place to answer, but I'm glad that Mario has you with him. When you and Mario get together, I'll cheer you on." Luigi pulls up his thumb while smiling at Peach.

Peach then looks at the night sky as the stars are covering the dark blue sky.

"You know, Luigi, I want to be as brave as you are. You and Mario have shown how capable you are against Bowser. Unlike me." Peach opens her mouth as she lowers her head in depression.

"You see, I'm not as brave as my older brother. He does a lot whereas I cower. But he's the reason he gave me courage. That's why I want to share that burden because he's suffering." Luigi wants to do what his brother does.

All Luigi wants is to make Mario happy as Mario doesn't want to let Luigi down.

Leaning onto Luigi's shoulder, Peach is starting to feel sleepy after what happened to her and her friends earlier.

"Luigi, what we need to do is to contact other kingdoms and convince them to help us stop Bowser's reign of terror…" Peach yawns as she closes her eyes.

"Okay, Pe- Hm?" Luigi stops to see Peach snoozing and then turns around as an old lady Kong arrives with bandages and sticks. "Oh! Sorry about that!"

"Oh, no need, Mr. Luigi, now I must remove the old bandages and place those to keep her bone straight. It may wake her up, but it'll help her move her arm like normal."

"Thanks, ma'am." Luigi lowers his green cap with a calm smile.

"Please call me Wrinkly." Wrinkly Kong bows and then crouches down to lift Peach's arm and place the sticks on after removing the bandages Maisey put on.

As Mario watches Peach and others being safe, he moves his eyes towards Toadsworth who was watching in the same direction.

"Toadsworth?"

"Master Mario. I know you still hate me for my actions, but if I had listened to the princess' warnings, then we wouldn't have lost our people. I'm sorry." Toadsworth apologised.

To Mario he knows Toadsworth is guilty for all the things he did, but he knows that Toadsworth actually regrets it.

"It's okay. But we can't be sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves. If anything, we should focus on our future. We still have the construction workers with us, right?" Mario stands up as Toadsworth knows what Mario's been saying.

"Of course! Ahem! On the plus side, we have a sharper increase of morale with you, master Luigi, master Donkey and his family. Master Mario, please be careful."

"Will do, Toadsworth." Mario waves as he can tell that Toadsworth is worried, given that their first impression is absolutely horrendous.

At least they warmed up as Mario accepted Toadsworth's apology.

With Toad and Maisey telling Donkey Kong their side of the story, Donkey Kong sighs while rubbing his head.

"Man, you guys know how to act smart like the Mario brothers. I'm just a muscular ape that only fights with fists and barrels."

"I mean, everyone has different ways of fighting, maybe you can rely on someone a little bit more. Well not Bowser, because his army was his backup, which is cheating." Maisey said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I agree. Relax, Donkey, when Bowser is without his army, you can kick his butt!" Toad swings his leg while showing himself off.

"Toad, mushroom girl. Thanks." Donkey Kong chuckles.

Arriving is Mario as he sits down by a couple of toads and Donkey Kong.

"So, I guess this is it, huh?" Mario asks.

"Not really. Princess has another plan that can give us the advantage to create a new Mushroom Kingdom. It sucks that our town is completely wrecked, but I know I ain't giving up!" Toad stands up while raising his fists, hyped for the new style of Mushroom Kingdom.

"I'm just a farmer and the farmer's daughter, so maybe I can be of assistance." Maisey raises her hand as she accepts helping the kingdom.

"Wait, you are?" Mario asks while looking at Maisey.

"Yep. I'm Maisey, the co-owner of the farm. Dad and I worked there as a way to get a proper job as well as actual payment without constantly punching blocks." Maisey introduces herself to Mario.

"I see. Do you sell any milk?" Mario asks.

"Yeah."

"Eggs?"

"Both chickens and, on rare occasions, dinosaurs."

"Dinosaurs?" Mario halts after hearing that phrase.

"Yep. They're different to how you humans view them and they're real!" Maisey reveals as it surprises Mario even more.

"Huh. This world really does bring some surprises." Mario rubs his head, knowing that something unbelievable is actually believable in this world. "Anyways, what about butter, flour and meat?"

"Yes, yes and yes. Although the meat depends if they're fresh." Maisey answers.

"Wow. It seems I found a relatively normal toad."

"Yeah. We're just helping ourselves as well as other people. If Maisey's products go global, then imagine how many coins we will get!?" Toad is thinking about what money and popularity will become of Maisey as if it's a good thing.

"Huh. That's pretty cool." Donkey Kong is surprised to hear the whole story.

"Yeah. Wow… I mean Luigi and I are plumbers and we feel the same way as you and Toad." Mario said to Maisey.

"Really!? That's cool! Someday, I'll call you if there's some pipe problems at my place!" Maisey jumps with surprise as she meets her match.

"Yeah. Here's the card. It's 929-55-MARIO and you'll hear my bro Luigi say "Thank you for calling Super Mario Bros. Plumbing, it's-a me Luigi!" Something like that." Mario chuckles, even handing his card to both Donkey Kong and Toad.

"Oh, that reminds me, we need to have phones from the Kongs." Toad remembers that he, Mario and those from the Mushroom Kingdom lacked the phones they needed.

"You're right." Mario agreed as he stood up as well as Toad, Maisey and Donkey Kong.

Before they head towards Cranky Kong, they stop as they see Peach standing up while yawning, tired as she wants to bring out a speech.

"Are you sure, Peach?" Luigi asks.

"I need everyone to listen before we get started tomorrow." Peach nods as she can tell that Luigi is worried.

Rubbing a couple of sticks on her arm under the bandages, Peach can see why she's been aided by those who're worried about her.

Then she clears her throat.

"Everyone. May I have your attention. Today was a chaotic day after what happened yesterday, but I'll tell you all how I feel. While I'm glad that all of you are working to keep the kingdom intact, but in truth… I'm actually angry. Not angry because of Bowser's attack, but because all of you are shown to be selfish people who do things in the name of a princess such as I." Peach reveals her truth as she feels nothing but contempt towards the Mushroom Kingdom kind.

As the toads are lowering their heads, realising that their needs have caused the princess to run away as well as feeling angry that they did her dirty for most of her life as a princess.

"But I'm glad that you're all worried about me. Without all of you, we wouldn't have the outsiders and the Kongs saving us. We used to have another outsider, but she was unfortunately taken away from the world by Bowser. I may be a hypocrite, we mustn't kill Bowser, but have him held accountable for all the things he did to us and make him repent for his sins. But before doing that, we must show other kingdoms that we're not weak, we're not useless and we're nobody's chew toy! We are the Mushroom Kingdom and having the Kongs' aid proves that we're no longer the weakest! Also, I'm not a princess, just a normal human being who is willing to improve this kingdom as a whole." Peach holds her crown while showing who she really is, knowing that she's never a princess to begin with.

To the toads' surprise, they witnessed not just a princess, but a normal woman who lived with them since before she was born and was willing to take leadership thanks to those who saved her life.

"With Mario, Luigi, Toad and the Kongs working together, let us join them in bringing back the kingdoms and overthrow Bowser once and for all!" Peach calls as many toads are murmuring.

But a hand was raised quickly.

"Yeah! Let's work together, even the construction workers agreed with the princess' request! We can create something new and exciting for the new generations!" Maisey called while excited to see what the world will be like as it motivates some of the toads.

Another hand was raised.

"I'm Carol! And I agree with this sentiment! I found an old café that is still usable and I was thinking about running this place!" Carol, a toad girl, calls while wanting to continue the work that is old and obsolete for this kingdom.

Another hand was raised.

"Yeah! I wanna make what the Kongs are making!"

And another hand.

"I wanted to travel to other kingdoms with a quicker transport!"

Finally, the toads are cheering for more work and new stuff to be made as it surprises Peach, even though she was caught off guard while seeing what the toads have been dreaming this whole time.

Then she smiles as she's dropping tears, joyed that the toads are actually agreeing with Peach for once.

"Everyone… Thank you."

Finally, Mario and his group are pleased to see Peach smiling once again as happiness is coming back after years of anger, pain and sadness.

This led to the group to start a new day by tomorrow and begin creating Mushroom Kingdom as their new home.

Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are now back in their hopeful phase as they're no longer worried about the possible future that's going to become Bowser's and make it their own.

Tomorrow will be the start of the Mushroom Kingdom's rebirth.

2005 September 18th

Unknown

Inside an eastern themed building, it appears to be a room where a bunch of people are covered by the curtains of their triangle hats on their faces as well as the robes and layers of clothing like tops, gloves and socks, making them anonymous.

Even an unknown silhouette is covered by a curtain and kneeling in front of the curtain is a purple man who appears to be an alien, a boy who appears to be a royal prince and a princess in an amber dress as well.

"It seems that your nation's proposal is also rejected by the Mushroom Kingdom. They're doing all of the work themselves without your help, but instead with the Kong Village."

"I'm aware of that. It's because of an influence from the outsiders." The prince said as he calmly lowered his head in respect.

"So, it's possible to marry the princess of Sarasaland, is it?" A purple alien asked while begging.

"Bleh! I told you time and time again, Tatanga, I'm not going to be your bride! I'll never find anyone and I'll make sure my sister is the heiress of the throne, so you can forget it!"

"What!? E- Excuse me!"

A katana stops Tatana as he shrieks, revealed to be one of the faceless group in black.

"Dare to go near our royal leader and you'll be executed." A deep voiced anonymous one said calmly.

"It's okay, Qinglong. It is not my decision to determine whether or not the daughters of the emperor marry an outsider such as yourself. Daisy Flora, I'm also aware of your concerns about your needs and Azalea Flora's safety, but if neither you or Azalea find another kingdom to collaborate with, then the collapse will begin and the monster will show up to take over." Said the curtain.

"You mean Bowser from the Darkland? I heard that Princess Peach handled Bowser like a badass, so I won't have a problem kicking his butt!" The princess, Daisy Flora, said while punching her palm. "As for the collapse, there was never a natural collapse as someone is planning on doing so, looking at you, pervy alien. As for Bowser, if he lays his finger on my sister, then I'll have no choice but to break every single bone of his and his army."

"Oh, how enthusiastic you are. Prince Haru Spring and Princess Daisy Flora, I'll have you both dismissed from our meeting."

"Hey, I'm the princess of the empire, so I should be taking orders." Daisy chuckles while standing up along with Haru.

"Understandable. Tatanga, you must stay." The curtain said.

"What? Why?" Tatanga asked.

"Because your misbehaviour is what leads to Sarasaland's downfall."

Finally, the door closes as Haru sighs and Daisy moves her blue eyes towards a blue haired prince like Haru.

"Man, tough luck for not getting Peach. But it's also shocking that she has an outsider as her date. Ain't I jealous?" Daisy walks around, realising that Peach has found someone that isn't Haru.

"Well, it is what it is. There's plenty of women to find, whether they're free to say no." Haru takes that loss too kindly as he's not mad.

"But the outsiders… How did they manage to get the Kongs to come with?" Daisy asked while thinking about what luck the Mushroom Kingdom has.

"Who knows. But I'm interested to see those two. Way more interesting outsiders than Tatanga." Haru said as he leaves Daisy alone. "Oh, and Daisy. I hope your sister and your empire is safe."

"That's it? At least find something better to say before leaving." Daisy sighs with disappointment as Haru gives her the lamest thing to say.

Daisy then watches over the humans of the kingdom as she sighs, remembering travelling to the outside world as it resembles Feudal China.

" Chai Kingdom… A place overlooked by my father, huh. I guess that's why they're less noticeable and also not even noticing me. Eh, whatever. At least they're at peace." Daisy shrugs her shoulders and then walks past an old man who appears to be a monk with a hand on a stick. "Oh, sorry about that, Mr. Daoshi."

Ignoring Daisy, a monk enters a temple, leading Daisy to sigh and shrug her shoulders and then leaves the kingdom without a word as she frowns.

Back inside the temple, a group of faceless people bow to their knee and foot as they greet the man in this kingdom.

"Welcome back, Daoshi."

A monk waves his arm and then goes to his knees in front of a curtain of a silhouette.

"So, how's the meeting going?" The monk asks.

"It's actually scary when you think about it. I'm unsure if I could run the kingdom if you're gone." The curtain admitted while sounding calm.

The monk understands as he lifts his head as he can see how the curtain feels.

"I'm sure you can someday, Minmei."

Chapter Text

1998 August 27th

How stupid…

A sound of broken furniture is coming from a brunette 14 year old girl who is in a ragged dress that appears to be from tennis, and the chest jewel is cracked as the girl is leaning on a damaged table.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to blackmail me like this!? Are you trying to damage our reputation as the royal family of Sarasaland!?" A man yelled while pulling the girl up by the collar.

"D-... Dad… Please stop…" Grunting, a girl tries to free herself from the grasp of this man who is the emperor of that country.

"And stop crying! What are you, five!?"

The girl who was being tossed down and went to her knees is Princess Daisy Flora, the eldest daughter of the emperor.

How ironic when you yourself are trying to damage our reputation.

Stupid old man…

What did she do to make him like this?

Why did he throw hands on his own daughter?

"Daisy!" Arriving at a hasty pace, is a 9 year old girl in similar coloured clothing as her sister, who is trying to lift the 14 year old, Daisy, off the floor "Daisy! Please! Stop it, dad!"

"Silence, Azalea! If you hadn't been born, then your mother wouldn't have died!" The emperor screamed.

"But-..." Before Azalea, the 9 year old little sister, explains, she was quickly cut off by her own father.

"Shut up! It's all your fault!"

"It's not Azalea's fault! It's out of her and mom's control! The fault lies within yours…" Daisy is out of energy as she's still keeping her head lower to the floor.

This leads to Daisy getting her hair dragged and then being forced to be put in the kitchen and being pushed down towards the sink as the water is left untouched by those who worked there.

Coughing after being drowned by her own father, Daisy is then tossed to a different table as the tools and cutlery are collapsing on the floor.

Stupid humans…

"Are you saying it's my fault!? Tell me! Why is it my fault!?" The emperor booms as Daisy is unable to look up.

Daisy tries to push herself up with the table as she's struggling to look in the eyes of a mad man that is dressing up as her father.

"Azalea! When we're done! I'm going to make sure you feel the same way as you did with your mother! When you grow up, you'll be given birth to our next heir of the empire and you will feel nothing but pain!"

This had Daisy gasping after hearing what the emperor said.

He may hurt her and push her, even killing her at that point as well as covering himself to look like a good emperor, but harming her younger sister is where Daisy crosses the line, leading her to clench her teeth and look at the cutlery.

He is NOT her father.

"Come here you! Once the suitors show up, I'll have you impregnated and you will suffer a similar fate as your mother!" The emperor growls as he clenches his fist onto Azalea's wrist, causing her to shriek as well as trying to fight back.

"Let her go…" Daisy's tone suddenly changes from soft to very sharp, preparing to pick up the kitchen knife.

"Huh?" The emperor turns his head, only to come across Daisy's glare that is both menacing and frightening at the same time as if she's not Daisy.

"I said LET HER GO!" Daisy snaps while quickly swiping her knife out of pure rage.

What Daisy did was slitting her father's wrist, leading him to let Azalea go and scream while holding his wrist that is leaking red body fluids.

"I wasn't expecting you to change after our mother's passing. But knowing what you'll do to my sister, I'll never let you hurt Azalea!" Daisy yells as she stands and then sits on top of her father's stomach.

"W- Wait! Daisy, please!" 

"SHUT UP! I had enough of your abuse towards us! I hope you go to hell!" Daisy raises her knife while the emperor begs.

Then Daisy pushes her knife up and down repeatedly while screaming, only to create multiple stab wounds on her father's chest and was being pushed off as Daisy's father cries out, writhing in agonising pain while he crawls towards Azalea.

"A- Azalea! I'm sorry! Please! I'm sorry!"

"Dad…" Azalea gasps, then looks at Daisy carrying a butcher's cleaver.

"Azalea. Cover your eyes." Daisy orders as Azalea did as Daisy tells her to do.

The sound of a blade cuts some meat along with a man screaming in agony, calling for Daisy to stop until his call is no longer available.

Afterwards, it's over…

As Azalea opens her eyes, she has come across a disfigured man that is lying before Daisy, who was stained in human blood on her cleaver, feet to legs to her dress to her arms and to her face. Daisy is panting after what she did to strike back against the one who raised her for many years.

"Oh no… What have I done?" Daisy gasps as horror struck into her mind, heart and eyes, witnessing the one she murdered. "I- I killed him… What have I done!?"

"Daisy…" Azalea felt the same after first witnessing a body count that is very gruesome.

Even Daisy's heart is pounding and then sinks with shock and fear crawling all over the Sarasaland princesses.

Then Daisy clenches her lips and then turns towards Azalea with her eyes beginning to become lifeless out of fear.

"We need to hide the body. If anyone finds out, then it's the court martial for the two of us."

"B- But why?" Azalea gasped with shock.

"No time to explain, get the body bag now!" Daisy hastily orders out of desperation.

"Y- Yeah!" Azalea rushes to different drawers and cupboards while searching for the right bags to cover the body as Daisy is prepared to clean up the kitchen.

Good thing Daisy has the cleaver with her in order to dismember the body in order to fit in less bags.

This afternoon is a nightmare and it's not what Daisy has wanted.

Stupid world…

Unknown

Later outside of the palace far far away, carrying body bags, Daisy and Azalea are prepared to dig deeper and place the bags of a dismembered corpse.

With Azalea placing the bags into the hole, Daisy climbs up and sits down while watching the bags become a part of soil, leading both princesses of Sarasaland to pant and watch their father become a part of the earth.

That is until a lamp light has caught both princesses, causing both Daisy and Azalea to gasp in shock.

"What the heck!? Princess Daisy? Princess Azalea? What are you two doing here!?" A man in a ragged cloak asked after witnessing Daisy and Azalea carrying shovels.

A man appears to be Egyptian, considering the hooded cloak as well as thick trousers that look Arabic. He's with a couple of masked creatures that are holding spears as they're called shy guys.

To the trio's shock, they witnessed Daisy stained in blood as she murdered someone earlier.

"Princess Daisy…"

Azalea shrieks while hiding behind Daisy, giving Daisy the chance to approach the guards and raise her arms.

"Yes. I killed someone. Just take me away. Please spare my sister." Daisy is willing to turn herself in, guilty for all the things she did.

"Ngh… Alright. But you'll have to tell the judge about everything you did."

"Daisy!" Azalea exclaimed.

"Relax, little sis, I know what I must do. We'll see each other again." Daisy shows a warm smile towards her sister while being dragged by the man and poked by the shy guys by the backside. "Ow!"

"Let's go." Said the man.

In the end, Azalea is now left alone after watching her older sister being taken away as she knew what she did, making Azalea weep for Daisy.

Stupid me…

After being taken away, Daisy was able to twist the story about her killing moment, portraying herself as a defender for her sister from those bandits that attacked the palace after the emperor vanished.

This resulted in Sarasaland judges believing her as she's the emperor's daughter which is a lucky escape for her.

Finally, she reunited with Azalea, vowing to be stronger as the ruler of Sarasaland in order to make new laws and discover new worlds.

Princess Daisy is now Sarasaland's current ruler and the youngest one at that.

Present

2005 September 18th

Sarasaland

The field is breezy as the wind blows, making the field lively.

Since Daisy is 21 years old, she knows how stressful it is to lead the empire and she's glad to do this as well.

"Hey, dad. Did you miss me?" Daisy calmly said while watching a patch of soil with rocks in front of it, marking it as where Daisy buried her father's corpse.

She couldn't forget the blood on her hands after what happened to her 7 years ago.

"Yeah… I still regret what I did to you." Daisy's tone is solemn as she closes her eyes and then quickly opens. "Oh! I heard Mushroom Kingdom has taken the Kongs as their allies! Isn't it great!?"

If her father's around, then he would've said yes, glad that Daisy had a friend that is a kind and caring ruler.

"Azalea's been apologising to you for over seven years, now's the time to forgive her. Oh what should I know, you're already dead anyway." Daisy sighs as she frowns, turning away while trying to stay positive.

No matter how good she does, she still couldn't atone her sins everyday, giving Daisy a problematic situation that's been all over her for years.

She can't let that get to her head as she's walking and pulls out a phone that is from the Kongs, giving her the chance to ring the phone.

"Cranky Kong. The outsiders, bring them over." Daisy, called Cranky Kong, who is speaking through the phone, making Daisy smirk with something sinister in mind. "Oh, I have a job for them. A very important one. Thanks. See ya."

After hanging up on the phone, she can see why her hair doesn't have as much movement as her past self.

The younger Daisy has longer hair and was more of the get going type of girl, now she's shorter hair down the shoulders and was more tomboyish than ever, giving Daisy the freedom to act as herself.

Then she stops as she sees a 16 year old, Azalea, her younger sister in a similar dress as Daisy.

"So, you're talking to dad again."

"Yeah. Also, I have something for the outsiders to do." Daisy answered.

"Wait, really? You mean…"

"Mario and Luigi. Those Cranky mentioned are the outsiders we needed. They have something I need." Daisy smiles while raising both her arms, expressing her truth to her sister.

In Daisy's mind, what if Mario and Luigi are similar to her and Azalea in a way an older sibling shoulders a burden for their younger sibling in order to not let the younger one down.

Placing her arms on Azalea's shoulders, Daisy is giving her sister some courage, knowing that Azalea is doing her best in golf after her running track experience as an athlete.

"I'll cheer you on for next year. Why? Because I'm always there for you, sister. And as a big sister, I'll stay by your side! You can believe in your big sister!" Daisy laughed.

"Yeah. Thanks, Daisy. I'll also cheer for you at next year's tennis match!" Azalea is now confident thanks to Daisy.

Daisy grinned, showing her shark like teeth, only to cheer her sister up.

As Azalea leaves Daisy with a positive smile, Daisy waves back and then frowns as she looks at the burial ground one more time.

"If only mom's still alive…" Then Daisy and Azalea would have an even happier family.

Fortunately, what Mario and Luigi associated with was her closest friend that is from another country, giving her the chance to visit her again.

"Long time no see, Peach. It's been a while since we hadn't contacted each other." Daisy muses.

Chapter Text

2005 September 18th

Mushroom Kingdom, Peach's Castle

It's noisy in the morning.

The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing, yet noisy as the construction workers are shaping different buildings in different shapes and sizes, giving the kingdom more life.

At the table inside a damaged and messy castle, Princess Peach, Cranky Kong, the toad workers and the Kongs are planning on a new style for the Mushroom Kingdom to flourish.

"Hmm… It's going to take a lot of work doing all this. The issue is how are we going to get more resources if we run out?" Mayor Fettuccine asked, worried that the resources are not enough to make a newer kingdom.

"We can warp our way to the outside world and ask the humans for more resources." Toadshou suggested.

"Impossible, with the warp pipes no longer accessible, we need to think of a way to obtain some from a third party." Said Peach, thinking about what to do after the fiasco nearly a week ago.

"Maybe the Sarasaland Empire got some stuff you need. Maybe you can ask them for some extra resources." Cranky Kong points out, giving Peach some thought about going over there.

"If that's the case, then our option is to go over to the empire." Joleyne said as she's noting down the resources needed.

"Hm… If I go there, then I'll take Mario and Luigi with me. They're in need of learning other kingdoms." Peach is moving the papers while trying to get the idea into fruition.

"Well, princess, you also need to learn other kingdoms' cultures." Toadsworth said while handing Peach tea.

"Toadsworth?" Peach is surprised that Toadsworth is letting her go for the first time.

"You're a grown woman. The decision is yours to make. I must make my own amends." Raising his head proudly, Toadsworth is finally giving Peach the freedom she longed for a long time ago.

"Toadsworth… Thank you." Peach sighs and then looks at Cranky Kong on the phone.

"Mario and Luigi? Oh? Why do you need them? Hmm… Let me get them. I'm sure they'll be there. See you." Cranky Kong hangs up and turns towards Peach. "It's Princess Daisy from Sarasaland."

"Daisy? That's amazing! She's able to contact you guys!" Peach rejoices as Daisy is still available.

"But it's about the Mario brothers. She needs them for a job." Cranky Kong explained.

"Really? Let me go with them."

"Well, old Toadsworth did let you out for now, so you're free to do whatever you want, Princess Peach." Cranky Kong bows.

Peach bows back and then walks towards the exit of her castle, giving the council and the Kongs some time without Peach's involvement.

"If there's another way to repel Bowser from us…" Wrinkly Kong murmurs out of worry.

"Fret not, everyone. With the Mario brothers on our side, we'll be able to persuade other kingdoms and stop this tyrant once and for all." Cranky Kong is positive that Mario and Luigi are doing the very best to save the world together.

Outside, Mario and Luigi are sending each other's numbers from their new phones that Cranky Kong gave them as the latest models, giving the brothers a chance to have better contact and play their games on it as well.

With the brothers laughing, they're then given a bunch of wood that is for building, leading Mario and Luigi to march with it and avoid hitting the toads and the Kongs.

After piling the wood on the side of the castle, a phone rings as Luigi pulls it out with surprise.

"That's a first." Luigi commented as his number was being called a few hours after being given a phone. "Hello? This is Luigi."

[Luigi? Is that you!?] A familiar voice calls, alerting Mario and Luigi to the point that they're closer to the phone.

"Mama!?"

[Luigi! Is Mario with you!?] Mario's mother asked desperately.

With Luigi turning on the speaker, Mario replies with "Mama, it's us! Mario and Luigi!"

[Mario! Thank goodness! What's going on!? Where are you two!? I called the cops after you went missing for four days!] Mario's mother exclaimed.

"Calm down, mama. We're fine. We're… In a very unique place." Mario points out while scratching his head.

[Unique? Also what happened to Pauline?]

This stops Mario and Luigi after remembering what happened to Pauline earlier, leading the duo to gulp.

Bowser's magic had taken her away.

[Boys?]

"S- She's okay! Yeah! Pauline's just sick, so we took her to bed!" Luigi lied.

"Yeah! She's asleep right now!" Mario laughed nervously as well as his little brother.

[Really now… It's just that… I'm scared that I couldn't get any sleep. My babies…]

"Mama…" Luigi grunts as Mario pats Luigi's shoulder out of guilt.

Now the brothers are left with their mother weeping for them.

If they told the truth, then no one would believe them.

[So, when will you come back?]

"We can't… Not quite yet." Mario admitted as he scrunched his lips, avoiding the truth from his mother.

[Huh? What do you mean?]

"If we tell you, then you wouldn't believe us."

[I believed in you. Remember how your father faced an ape to save my life. That's a surrealistic situation I went through, but I'm glad that this happened.]

"You're g- glad about dad!?" Luigi panics whereas Mario makes a low growl, thinking about his father.

[Oh, no no! I'm glad that you boys are born as well as Pauline being a part of the family.] Mario's mother admitted.

To the Mario bros, their mother is actually caring towards them, even after their disappearance for days, leading Luigi to nod to Mario, telling him to tell the truth.

"Okay. Mama, ever since you're asleep, we have to follow Peach to the sewers and Pauline is following us. What we see is the warp zone that's strangely magical and filled with colourful pipes, but the thing is… We're stuck in another world." Mario explained.

[Another world? You mean, you're no longer home because of the strange pipes?] Mario's mother gasped.

"Yeah. Right now, we're no longer able to go back home. So all that's left for me and Luigi is to spend the rest of our lives in that world." Mario admitted.

To the mother, she can see what the brothers are going through, knowing it's hard to believe such an unrealistic event happened.

Then she sighs.

"Mama?"

[Mario, Luigi, it's time that I have to tell you boys the truth. When I was a child, I was in the world you're standing in.]

"Wait! Really!?" Luigi exclaims as Mario gasps.

[Yes. Just like you, I discovered the pipes that lead to another world. At first, it was all just a dream and now everything I see is real. I remembered being friends with the princess and the boy she met. We used to get along, but it's been over 25 years since I remembered them.] Mario's mother explained.

"And that's when you meet Cranky Kong." Mario said.

[Cranky Kong? All I remember is Donkey Kong and he entered our world.] Mario's mother points out.

"Actually, that's Cranky Kong you're talking about. He knows our old man." Mario also points out.

[Really? Anyway, where are you now?] Mario's mother asked.

"We're in the Mushroom Kingdom."

[Mushroom Kingdom? I mean I know mushrooms, but a kingdom? Maybe I was a foreigner that's been living in Sarasaland.]

"Hold on, what's Sarasaland?" Mario asked.

[An empire that is known for cultivating other kingdoms and the kingdom I lived in is no exception. My friends and I are residents of this Mushroom Kingdom thing… My memory's all fuzzy thinking about that. Maybe I'm forgetful.] Mario's mother is struggling to think about the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Maybe you were." Luigi said while staying calm.

[Oh that's right! My friends and I were servants and maids of the kingdom before the old king's passing, making his spouse, which is my friend, the royal member of the kingdom. Sorry for the long and boring history.]

"No no, it's okay, mama. We didn't know you've been in this world like us." Luigi laughs, realising that his mother believed him and his big brother.

"So, now we're dealing with the koopa kingdom, we need some assistance." Mario clears his throat while telling his mother something.

[Well… How about going to Sarasaland. Also, take Peach with you.] Mario's mother suggested.

"Wait. You know Peach is a princess!?" Mario exclaimed.

[From what I can tell five days ago, she actually resembled my friends, who were actually the king and queen of a certain kingdom. So that means I met their daughter and mistaken her for a cosplayer.] Mario's mother sighs as nostalgia hits her.

Mario and Luigi sigh, thinking that their mother is worrying too much after their disappearance.

"Anyway, we're fine. Tell the cops that we're okay." Luigi said.

"Luigi, no one will believe her if she tells them where we are." Mario points out.

Luigi knows that his brother is right about that.

[It's okay. I'll let them know if they come to my house. I'm still worried about you two.] Mario's mother said.

"It's okay. We'll contact each other if anything happens." Mario said, smiling for his mother.

[Alright. Be careful, you two.] Mario's mother bids farewell for her sons to continue.

"Will do. Bye-bye." Luigi concludes and then hangs up.

Finally, the Mario bros sigh after their phone call with their mother, which is stressful.

"Finally…" Luigi pants.

"Yeah… It seems mama has more knowledge about this world than we do." Mario sighed while he picked out Luigi's medallion. "We mustn't forget about our answers."

"Yeah." Luigi agreed.

Before the bros stand up, a toad seamstress arrives with a bunch of clothing for the bros to wear.

"Mario! Luigi! I made a bunch of clothes for you that are colour coded. Since Mario's red, I made a t-shirt, a folded neck shirt and a hoodie that's used for coldness or you want to cover yourself. Luigi, yours is a green t-shirt, a folded neck shirt and a sweater, since you've been shivering earlier in your sleep. Your overalls are based on the size you guys wear and the design of your clothes and your caps are imperfectly replicated, so you won't have to wear the same thing for a while." A toad seamstress explained as she's handing the clothes over to Mario and Luigi.

The seamstress appears to have long blue hair as well as the polkadot on the Mushroom are blue.

"Also, your pyjamas are made. Mario's is black t-shirt with his red initials on, with white trousers, meaning you can sleep comfortably. Luigi, yours is a bunch of L prints on your pyjama buttoned top and trousers." The seamstress explains more and then bows. "Thank you for your patience."

"Ah! Not a problem! Thanks!" Mario laughs while waving, then he turns towards Luigi, who was analysing his clothes. "Heh. Looks like we're prepared."

"Yeah. Now we should see Peach." Luigi said.

"That's right." Peach arrives with a luggage bag and approaches Mario and Luigi. "Mario, Luigi. We're going to the Sarasaland Empire."

"I know. Mama told us about that place, but we didn't get any details, aside from the names and its cultivation." Mario points out while rubbing his head.

"Wait, your mother has been in this world too?" Peach gasped.

"Dunno."

"I know it's sudden, but… Do you know your parents?" Luigi asked.

Mario already knows since Peach told him 4 days ago.

"I never did. Why do you ask, Luigi?" Peach is curious to know why Luigi is asking.

"Well… It's because mama knows your parents." Luigi answered.

"Really!?"

Luigi nods, making Peach glad as she grabs both Mario and Luigi's hands.

"That's amazing! I know there's a connection between us!" Peach cheers.

"But… We have only known each other since elementary school." Luigi chuckles nervously.

"Aside from that, why are we going to Sarasaland?" Mario asks.

"Because 1: You have a job there. 2: My friend Daisy lives there. And 3: The Flower Nation is cultivated and I might have a chance to tell their prince to call off the old laws." Peach explained and then nodded to Mario and Luigi.

"Hey! Don't forget about me!" A familiar voice calls.

Arriving is Toad as he's carrying a bag with rolled up paper and appears in a different clothing that looks like an archaeologist, even though he has a light on his mushroom head.

"Toad?"

"That's right! For I am Toad, the adventurer that will accompany the princess and her boys! Relax, princess, we promised to stay by your side, remember." Toad nods which had Peach crouching down and patting his head.

"If that's the case, then you can come as well. I mean, four is better." Peach accepted Toad's offer.

"Okie dokie!" Mario and Luigi also accept needing some extra help.

"Really!? Awesome! Let's go!" Toad cheers while rushing headfirst, leading Mario, Luigi and Peach to follow, realising how fast Toad runs.

"Wait!" Peach shouted.

"Come on! We can ask Driver Kong to give us a lift!" Toad called.

"Why not our own karts!?" Luigi shouted.

"Because I want another bumpy ride!" Toad laughs.

"Geez! Are you trying to hurt yourself!?" Mario yelled.

With Toad laughing and the humans shouting, the new journey is about to start, meaning Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad are in for a new chapter to face.

Their next stop is the Sarasaland Empire.

Chapter Text

Sarasaland Empire

It was a long trip from karts to get to a boat across the sea, to using a boat all the way to Sarasaland, which means their journey is a success.

Standing under the morning blue sky, the atmosphere is more eastern as there's different houses that look Japanese, Arabic, Indian and Portuguese like it's a diverse set of towns and cities in a well-known desert empire.

"Woah…" Peach gasped as it was her first time being in Sarasaland.

"Wow…" Luigi too is surprised.

"That was awesome…" Toad is also excited to see the country in real life.

"Amazing…" Mario is seeing something far more advanced than the kingdom Peach was in.

"Do they have connections with the Kongs?" Luigi asked.

"I don't know, but this is something I longed for my kingdom to become." Peach sighs while daydreaming about the Mushroom Kingdom's future.

"Hm? So what is it about our jobs again?" Mario asked, leading Luigi and Toad to look at Peach.

"Well, a friend of mine is waiting for you at her palace. Toad and I will be dealing with our own affairs. Also, we're going to learn about other cultures like we did with the Kong Village." Peach answered.

"Ah. Then good luck, Peach, Toad." Mario waves with a positive smile.

"Hehe. You too, Mario and Luigi." Peach giggles and then waves after letting Mario and Luigi have their time together at the empire.

Finally, the Mario bros are alone again, just like how they are in the cells yesterday.

To Mario, he's going to take some responsibility, considering that he's the eldest of the twins.

"Alright, Luigi, let's say hello to those people and go to the palace." Mario said.

"Okay. Maybe they have something good over there." Luigi thought as if he's hungry.

"Huh? But you already had breakfast." Mario sighed.

"I know, but you eat more than I do and yet you're more agile than I am." Luigi points out without complaining.

"Come on. You think I'm the type of guy that'll- oof!" Mario abruptly stops after hitting the back of a woman.

"Ow! Huh?" Luigi is looking at a woman that dresses as a belly dancer, who was in front of a little masked creature that is a shy guy.

"Huh? Watch where you're going."

"Oh! Sorry, ma'am!" Mario apologises while tugging his cap and walks past.

"S- Sorry." Luigi did the same and followed Mario.

To the brothers, they're at an Indian side of the city after seeing markets handled by a goomba, shy guys and humans, giving Mario and Luigi the impression that these humans are different to those from their world, yet look like they're from their world.

It's shocking that Peach was isolated, even after knowing Mario and Luigi, who're also humans.

As the duo approaches a goomba, Mario is giving him a dirty look as the goomba stops calling for sales.

"Dude, what are you looking at? Do you want any apples or are you trying to distract me?" The goomba asked.

"No. I just thought you were associated with Bowser." Mario said.

"What!? You mean that guy who didn't pay me enough!? Bah! I don't want to talk about that monster!" The goomba spat out of contempt.

"What?" The Mario bros halt after hearing what the goomba just said.

"I mean, my so-called friends have shunned me because I refused to support Bowser's need for marrying a princess, I mean, don't you think he's a creep?"

"To be honest, he does come across as a creepy stalker when it comes down to Peach." Luigi agreed.

"So, you're not one of the koopa army?" Mario asks.

"Duh? I used to be, but now my life has changed after I lived in Sarasaland. Now I'm a businessman."

"Oh. Then sorry about suspecting you to be Bowser's minion." Mario can see why he's wrong about this goomba.

"Eh, no problem, man. I get that a lot because of our kind being a part of the koopa army." The goomba accepts Mario's apology.

"Also, how did you stack all the apples for this market?" Luigi asks, thinking about what method a goomba does without arms.

"Easy. I don't." The goomba answered.

"What?" The Mario bros halt at the same time.

"Unlike you humans, we goombas have either assistance or techniques to pick an item up with our feet, mouths and our heads, and my move was the former. It's obvious that we don't have arms." The goomba explained.

"Well, thanks, but we don't need anything. See ya." Mario waves as he and Luigi are starting to leave.

"Hold on. Have you guys heard of an ongoing rumour?"

"What rumour?" Mario asks after stopping.

The goomba clears his throat as he begins the rumour. "Rumour has it that the old emperor is dead. They say it wasn't sickness, nor an accident, but it was murder."

"Eep!" Luigi shrieks while hiding behind Mario.

"That's right, it takes place a few days before Princess Daisy's takeover. They say a child has killed the emperor out of cold blood and is still out there somewhere."

"I- Is it real?" Luigi shivers as he clings onto his brother.

"Who knows. It's a popular rumour to this day and the last they heard from the emperor is by the day of Princess Daisy's takeover." The goomba answers, not knowing if it's all true or not.

"If it's just a rumour, then I bet it's some sick joke in order to manipulate other people." Mario's suspicion shifts from a goomba to some secrets behind Sarasaland.

"I'm not sure about that, Mario. Maybe it's all true." Luigi gulps.

In Mario's case, he's also nervous, but doesn't want to accept until he gets some evidence.

Then Mario sighs.

"Thanks for the information, goomba. But we're here to find the palace."

"Oh! It's right over there." The goomba answers, showing Mario and Luigi where the palace is at and then turns towards the plumbers. "Also, I'm Gomez. If you need anything, just ask."

Gomez, the goomba, is a lot different than other goombas as if he's just an outcast.

Finally, Mario and Luigi pull their caps as they leave.

"Thanks, Gomez. We'll let you know if anything happens." Mario calls while walking with Luigi.

"No problem. See you soon!" Gomez hops while wishing the Mario bros luck.

In the end, Gomez is pleased to make friends with his 'meant to be enemies.'

But if the rumours are true, then the culprit is somewhere near, or inside, the empire palace.

Daisy's Palace

Marching towards the entrance, Mario and Luigi stop as they come across a couple of shy guys that are carrying spears, guarding the palace from any intruder.

"Hey. We're here to see the princess of Sarasaland." Mario said while trying to convince both shy guys that they're not intruders.

"Really? Well, fatty, the princess is in another castle, so scram!" One shy guy snaps while pointing his spear directly towards Mario.

"Geez, you don't have to be rude…" Mario mutters out of disappointment.

"Listen, we're here for a job. She really does need us." Luigi pleads.

"Likewise? Tell me the birthday of our princess? The older one." Said the other shy guy while waiting for the answer.

To Mario and Luigi's shock, they don't know what date the princess is born at.

All they want is to see the princess and that's it.

"It's okay." A deep voice of a man's voice called.

"Hm?" Mario and Luigi move their heads up, only to see a human man that is wearing a hooded suit like some sort of a royal assassin guard.

"Oh, Goro." Both shy guys bow.

"Let them in. They're the associates of Princess Peach." A hooded man, Goro, orders while looking at Mario and Luigi, despite the bros not knowing why he barely covers his eyes behind the hood.

"Yessir." Both shy guys accepted, open the door to the palace as Mario and Luigi gasps. "Be happy that you're able to visit the princesses." One shy guy said.

"Thank you, uh…" Before Luigi gets the name, Goro places his own hand to his chest.

"Just call me Goro. So you're Mario and Luigi, the outsiders our princess has been waiting for."

"Yeah. How did you know?" Mario tilts his head and squints his eyes after being called.

"I'll let her explain. Right now, you two are going to see her." Goro said.

"Um… Okay." Luigi accepts.

Afterwards the Mario bros follow Goro while thanking both shy guys and then walk inside the main hall that is the palace.

With Mario and Luigi in awe about the palace that is larger than before, Mario can see some rooms being larger than the Mushroom Kingdom's castle.

"I'll let you boys have your time. I got some work to do. Any questions?" Goro asked.

"Yeah. Who are these little robed guys in masks?" Luigi is curious to know.

"These are shy guys. The masks they wear are to cover their shyness, but they're not shy when wearing it. The two you saw are my assistants." Goro explained.

"Oh. I see. Anyway, thanks for letting us in." Mario raises his cap as a thank you.

"Hm. It's not a problem. I'm only doing my job after all." Goro then leaves the duo to have a bit of a tour inside the palace, giving Mario the opportunity to check where the princess is at, unless she's in the throne room.

"Let's-a split up." Mario suggested.

"What? Why?" Luigi asked.

"Because the princess may or may not be in the throne room and I'm not waiting for a job she wants me to do." Mario had a feeling that she's somewhere in this palace.

"Oh. Okay. I'll let you know if I see her." Luigi nods.

"Sweet. Later, bro." Mario chuckles and leaves as he starts his search for the princess.

"Later." Luigi waves back.

Now Luigi's all alone.

Since this palace is the size of a labyrinth, Luigi will have to be careful of other things that are inside.

This had Luigi sighing, thinking that he's about to fall into different traps.

Finally, Luigi walks through different corridors as they're not only massive, but different as well, making Luigi himself uncomfortable with what this place reminded him of.

"Gee… Why does this place feel like an RPG dungeon? It's so huge." Luigi mutters while walking through a massive bridge with a huge waterfall next to him. "Is she rich or what?"

Luigi is unsure if all this is paid for and created by the princess herself.

In an empty hallway with pillars like a temple, Luigi is walking up the stairs while getting a view of the countries that Sarasaland has managed to cultivate. He can even see the city of Sarasaland.

Gulping, Luigi is on the higher floor, despite being safe with massive floors.

In a different hall, there's walls and doors as Luigi is relieved after a long walk through the palace.

What catches Luigi's attention is the sound coming from a door which is some sort of a personal gym, giving Luigi the vibe that someone is exercising in this said room.

"Okay… You can do it, Luigi. Maybe this person knows where the princess is at."

Opening the door, Luigi is starting to pull a brave face like his brother usually does, but it's personal.

When he sets foot in this room, he stops.

This gymnasium is fairly tidy with those bikes, treadmills and exercise balls that are placed alongside with the dumbbell weights and other tools.

Picking up one of the hand grips, Luigi is testing to see if his grip is stronger, but the sound caught his attention.

The sound is coming from a girl who was punching a large bag as well as side stepping as fast as she could.

In Luigi's eyes, he can see the woman who is able to punch as hard as the bag swings.

Luigi can see a girl who appears to have a tan-like skin, dark orange hair that makes it look brown and her clothing looks like an average human wears at the gym, giving her flexibility on her shoulders, arms, stomach and legs.

Now Luigi can see this girl, despite knowing her eyes are menacing looking as people described what a delinquent looks, he can see his ideal girl in real life.

'Finally! A tomboy I've been searching for!' Luigi's thought races as it crashes down to his heart.

Little did he know that he's walking while watching this woman swing her fist as fast as she could as sweat visibly poured down from her face, arms, stomach and legs.

Then, he yelped as he caught his leg onto a dumbbell as he crashed down.

"Ow!"

"Hm? Who's there?" The woman asks after stopping her punching session and catches the bag.

"Eep!" Hastily, Luigi opens the door and slams it close without the woman noticing his presence.

Little did Luigi know that he's now in a locker room, causing him to panic.

"Aah! This is bad! This is bad!" Luigi quietly prays while waiting for the woman to continue her exercises.

But unfortunately, that's not the case.

"Azalea? Is that you? If not, then Goro, shouldn't you be on your duty?" A woman called.

Luigi shrieks as he's doomed to be caught by a woman he just saw.

Before Luigi is thinking, he quickly jumps into the locker and hides while avoiding contact, only for Luigi to realise he made a big mistake.

The woman has arrived as Luigi can see through the lockers.

"Odd. Must be my imagination. Oh right, I forgot, the outsiders." The woman said and then opened her own locker while taking off her sports gear.

That also includes her underwear.

This made Luigi gasp as he could see everything.

Yes, Luigi can see everything from this woman and her bending down made things worse.

Luigi is quick to cover himself as he feels weird by his overalls.

She's humming while pulling out a fresh pair of underwear, but before doing that, she's in need of a shower.

Luigi is relieved that he's safe, but is not getting out until she's gone.

Before he relaxes, a phone is ringing which makes the Super Mario Bros theme song, alerting Luigi to answer.

This catches the woman's attention as she's covering herself with a towel as well as soaking the floor by following the sound.

"What!?" Luigi hisses through the phone.

[Hey, Luigi, have you ever noticed that this palace is bigger than we thought?] Mario's voice called.

"Yeah. And?"

[I'm willing to bet that she's the richest princess of this world.] Mario had a feeling about this place.

"Hello?" A woman called.

"N- No one's here! Please leave a message!" Luigi shrieked after hanging up on the phone.

"Now look, whoever you are, I know you're here to see me like a pervert, so there's nothing you can do to escape." The woman cracks her knuckles, making Luigi gulp for his life.

Before Luigi takes a deep breath, he crashes out of the locker.

What's worse, he was unaware that his finger slipped on the towel, causing the woman to yelp.

Now Luigi is out which had him quickly pick himself up and hold a towel to give it back.

"S- Sorry- ah!" Luigi shrieks again, but this time, he slips on a wet floor as he collapses on his big nose.

The woman stops as she can see a moustache man that is clumsy, yet respectable as he's trying to apologise.

But to Luigi, he sees it all, making his face turn strawberry red.

With the woman squatting down, before Luigi looks downwards, he ends up headbutting the floor to avoid gazing at a woman's body.

"H- Hi…" Luigi nervously chuckles as his mind is screaming for mercy.

The woman wasn't embarrassed nor afraid, but was actually comfortable as her smile is showing some positivity to someone she sees as a cutie.

"Hi, I'm Daisy." Daisy introduces herself, despite being completely naked in front of Luigi.

While Daisy raises her hand, Luigi's heart is punching his chest so hard as well as speeding itself like a submachine gun.

Before Luigi grabs her hand with his glove covered hand, Luigi returns the towel and then zooms out of the locker room while screaming, "I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING!"

He would've said "I don't know you," or, "We don't know each other," or "You didn't see me."

Daisy is surprised to see someone embarrassed and was able to see her in her personal gym room, giving the impression that a cute boy like Luigi is actually attracted to someone like her and was embarrassed by the results.

"What a strange guy. A cute one as well. He seems to be my type." Daisy chuckles, knowing that it feels like love at first sight.

As Daisy receives a towel back, she can tell that Luigi is fixated on her before the locker incident.

Finally, Daisy is going back to take a shower after encountering a man that she just met, and a cute one as well.

Maybe they'll get to know each other another time.

Chapter Text

On the other side of the palace, Mario comes across a large hall with similar sized pits with very large cloth from under to higher walls, giving Mario the impression that this palace feels like an RPG dungeon in real life.

"Hm. I guess splitting up is not a great idea after all… I'm such an idiot." Mario grunts while facepalming, knowing that Luigi is in danger if anything happens.

What stops Mario is a young girl sweeping the throne room as well as practising her swings for golf.

"Ahem! Excuse me." Mario calls.

"Ah! Oh… It's you." Azalea sighs after being startled by a man who was short and was in overalls. "So, what brings you here, mister?"

"I'm here to see the princess. I'm just an outsider that's there for a job." Mario answers Azalea's question.

"Wait. Who are you?"

"Mario. Luigi and I are waiting for the princess." Mario introduces himself.

"Ah! The outsiders have arrived! Welcome, Mr. Mario. I am Princess Azalea from Sarasaland." Azalea courtesies in front of Mario.

"Princess, what is our job then?" Mario bows as Azalea can tell what Mario's here for.

"Oh. Um… I don't know. I'm sure my sis is coming."

"Sis?" Mario raises his eyebrow as he's confused.

A banging noise is coming from behind as Luigi pants and then rush towards Mario and Azalea.

"How huge is this palace!?" Luigi yelled.

"Luigi?" Mario is surprised to see his little brother rushing towards him.

"Mario! I'm sorry! Please! I'm not a pervert!"

"Wait, what!?" Mario exclaims after seeing Luigi bowing to his knees while apologising.

"Ah. You're Mr. Luigi. It's nice to meet you!" Azalea giggles as she courtesies to Luigi.

"Ah! Eh! Erm!"

"Calm down, Luigi, take deep breaths." Mario grabs Luigi by the shoulders in order to calm him down.

Finally, Luigi is breathing in and out, calming himself down from all the stress he's having.

Then…

A banging happened again.

"HEYA!" A familiar woman's voice called.

"AAAAAAH! MARIO! HIDE ME!" Luigi screamed while jumping over Mario.

"What the heck!? What's going on!?" Mario exclaimed out of confusion.

"Daisy!" Azalea cheers.

"Hey, sis! Are the outsiders here!?" Daisy asked while walking upstairs, and this time, she's in an amber princess dress.

"Yeah! It's Mario and Luigi!" Azalea answered.

"Nonononono! I will NOT go to jail for looking at a woman indecently!" Luigi is now in  a situation where he's being hunted down by a tomboy he just met.

"You did what!?" Mario is also shocked about what Luigi just did earlier. "Bro! How could you!?"

"It's not my fault! I was just curious!"

Before Luigi makes a run for it, Daisy lands onto Luigi's stomach while leaping like a gymnast which surprised Mario.

"Huh!?" Mario yelled.

"So you're Luigi, huh!?" Daisy asks with excitement.

"Eep!" Luigi can tell he's doomed to face the wrath of a tomboy that's been chasing him down this whole time.

There's nothing Mario can do, unless he provokes this crazy woman.

"Let's go on a date together!" Daisy proposed.

Then silence…

Daisy? Go on a date with Luigi, even after they first met, despite being naked in front of him earlier.

"EH!?" Azalea exclaimed.

"HUH!?" Mario is also shocked about what he hears.

"WHAT!?" Luigi yelled.

"Daisy! You just met this guy! Why all of a sudden!?" Azalea is surprised that Daisy has found her man.

"I bet it's love at first sight." Mario had a feeling that Luigi and Daisy had met each other somewhere that leads them to their interests.

"Come on, guys! You know Luigi likes tomboys! Heck, I would love a cute boy to be by my side!" Daisy squeals while hugging Luigi, making Luigi blush and push her off.

"Wait a minute! We just met, and I don't even know you!" Luigi points out after realising that this woman is clingy towards him.

"That is true. Luigi has had a thing for tomboys ever since he was young, so it makes sense." Mario explains after remembering Luigi's interests, agreeing with Daisy's point.

"Mario! Stop!" Luigi is now embarrassed alone more as he covers his face.

Afterwards, the first meeting of the Sarasaland throne is chaotic thanks to Daisy's advances towards Luigi, which makes Mario a little jealous, but happy to see him with a girl who likes him.

Later.

"Ahem! Okay, maybe our first meeting was exactly my fault. But hey! At least we get to introduce ourselves! I'm Princess Daisy Flora, the ruler of the Sarasaland Empire." Daisy introduces herself while leaning on the throne.

Mario and Luigi bows after they're surprised that this tomboy is actually a princess and a ruler like Peach.

"And I am Princess Azalea Flora, Princess Daisy's younger sister. It is nice meeting you outsiders." Azalea also introduces herself by courtesy.

"Thank you, your majesty." Mario respectfully lowered his head along with Luigi as things were cooling down.

"Also, I'm sorry for looking at you naked, princess." Luigi apologised.

"Hahaha! Come on, guys! You don't have to be formal. Just call me Daisy. We all know it's just an accident. I'm not even a little embarrassed." Daisy laughed.

This surprises Mario and Luigi as they raise their heads up and stand on their feet.

"Also, I heard you boys needed a job. Sorry, I just wanted to see you guys, so we'll get to know each other." Daisy said.

"Really? So in other words, you're not giving us jobs?" Mario asked.

"I mean, you do have a job. I can't tell you until we introduce ourselves properly. So, what's going on your side?"

"Well, Peach does know you." Mario points out.

"Ah, Peach… We go way back. Unfortunately I was rejected." Daisy remembered the day how Peach rejected her from marriage.

"Wait! You're…" Mario stops himself as he realises Daisy is into pretty girls as well as cute guys.

"Relax, little man, I like to kiss boys and girls. But that's not important. What's important is the two of you." Daisy said, pointing at the Mario bros as she's curious to know about them. "Also, Mario, you're one lucky boy getting Peach."

"Whatever." Mario shrugs his shoulders, knowing how popular Peach was to those outside of the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Aside from that. You're plumbers from Brooklyn." Daisy can tell by their uniforms with their initial letters on their caps.

"You could say that." Mario said while scratching his head.

"Cool. You know, Azalea and I are the ones that do sports for Sarasaland. You could say we're athletic." Daisy points out.

"Yep. My specialty is golf, whereas Daisy's was tennis." Azalea continues.

"Seriously? Wow, you girls seemed more active, not to offend Peach or anything." Mario said out of surprise.

"Yeah. Is that why you punched a punching bag in the gym?" Luigi asked.

"Yeah. I was testing my arms to show my real strength. No wonder you're into that." Daisy's smile is now starting to get into teasing territory as she's making Luigi blush.

"N- Not really! I was just admiring your strength!" Luigi is half truthful about how he sees Daisy.

"Don't lie, Luigi. Just admit that you're in love with her." Mario is also teasing which had Luigi yelling and covering his face by pulling his cap down.

"Hehe. It seems you two are really interested in one another." Azalea giggled.

"I know, right!?" Mario laughs while patting Luigi's back. "C'mon, little bro, it can't be that bad. You scored yourself a girl by doing nothing."

"Every time! I always win by doing nothing!" Luigi is now stressed out even more after the teasing of Mario and Daisy.

At least their laughter is more of those having fun together, even though Mario didn't mean to embarrass his brother and wanted to have a bit of fun with him.

Then Daisy clears her throat.

"Anyway, how about you boys take a bath. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's warm."

"Question. How huge is your palace?" Luigi asked.

"Oh that. Yeah, it's owned by the royal family such as Azalea and I. Trust me, I needed to read the map." Daisy answers with a giggle.

"You seemed to be caring towards your sister." Said Mario.

"Like you to your brother. I'm glad we have a lot in common." Daisy can tell the similarities between her and Mario.

With Mario and Luigi being pushed by Azalea, they were being let out of the throne room as the twin brothers were looking at Daisy from behind.

Azalea giggles as Mario and Luigi look up at her.

"What's so funny?" Luigi asked.

"Oh nothing. I know you're acting like a tsundere towards my big sis." Azalea said with a positive smile.

"Tsundere?" Mario and Luigi ask.

"Those who don't show affection and act harsh on the outside, but deep down inside, they're actually in love with the one they claim to be uninterested with." Azalea explained.

"Y- You know I'm not a tsundere!" Luigi can hardly say tsundere as he's denying his affection towards Daisy.

"Yeah right!" Mario and Azalea can see what's behind Luigi as Luigi himself growls.

It's a good thing Mario and Luigi are being taken by Azalea for more details and directions to the palace which surprises Mario and Luigi.

At least Daisy is giving them free hospitality.

Later in the evening as the sky is yellow, a large bathroom is something that is unexpected for the Mario bros to take, after 5 days without a bath.

The bros are shown with towels around their waists after not taking off their clothes for nearly a week.

Stretching, Mario is pleased to relax in a warm bath after how stressful their week has been with Bowser being involved.

"Finally! Some refreshing bath, don't you think so, bro?" Mario asks.

"Yeah. Boy, am I glad?" Luigi agreed.

With the bros taking off their towels, they then dive as they cheer and splash while relaxing in the bath next to each other.

"Ahh!~" The Mario bros sigh together and lean on the edge of the largest tub that is just this room.

The view is a lot more clearer as Mario and Luigi can see Peach and Toad approaching a hotel in the Flower Nation.

"At least we can stay here. Right, Luigi?" Mario said.

"Yeah. Hm? Is that…"

"Hey, boys!" Daisy's voice calls with a cheer.

Now Daisy appears in a towel around her chest as well as Azalea's, leading Azalea herself to blush bright red while covering herself.

"Of course." Luigi grumbles.

"D- Daisy! Can we not!? You know they're boys and that's dangerous!" Azalea snaps.

"Relax, sister! If anything happens, I'll teach 'em a lesson!" Daisy removes the towel, causing Mario and Luigi to quickly splash down by covering themselves down there after witnessing a naked woman.

"H- Hey! You know the girls' bathroom is next door, right?" Mario points his thumb to his right.

"I know. But it'll be more fun with you guys around! CANNONBALL!" Daisy lets out a roar while leaping as high as she could and cannonballs into the bath.

As the water splashes, Mario and Luigi exclaims while blocking the warm water, only to see Daisy standing up and rubs her soaked hair back while sighing.

"Mmn…~ So refreshing…"

"Miss. Azalea, you don't have to join in with us." Luigi insisted while still covering himself and looking away.

"No! I'll join in! It's just embarrassing to be in a bath with a single boy around." Azalea is turning red as she removes the towel and walks into the bath and goes in there.

Finally, Mario, Luigi, Daisy and Azalea are able to calm down after the chaotic moments happened for a while.

To Mario's surprise, he noticed a scar on Daisy's shoulder which made him clear his throat.

"Yeah? What is it, Mario?" Daisy turns towards Mario with a curious look on her face.

"I couldn't help but notice that you have a scar on your left shoulder." Mario points out.

"Oh this? Yeah, it also runs into my back. Heh. I'm surprised you're telling me this all of a sudden." Daisy points at her own back as the track of a scar comes from her left shoulder, diagonally to her right back, even with more scars on her torso.

"What the… Did something happen to you?" Luigi asked.

"Yeah. I got into a lot of fights. Some people fear their princess because I was able to beat them with my fists." Daisy laughs while raising her arm like flexing it.

"There's a rumour I heard. Something about the emperor's murder."

What Mario said causes Daisy to gasp as her smile instantly drops, seeing as the rumours are being spreaded.

"It's linked to your takeover. Do you know anything about that?" Mario asked.

Azalea quickly stands up and grabs Daisy's shoulders while laughing.

"Let's talk about something else. Mr. Mario, do you have any family?" Azalea asks as she's curious about Mario and Luigi's family.

"Well… I have my mama, little brother and big sister. My sis is gone after Bowser's magic took her away." Mario answers while lowering his head from guilt.

"Oh! I'm sorry about that. I shouldn't have asked." Azalea apologised realising what Mario and Luigi had been through.

"No need. It's normal to know about any family member. I wanted to avenge her as well, but there's nothing we can do about it." Luigi said calmly.

"Family…" Daisy mutters, knowing how difficult it is to talk about them, especially if the bros are losing someone they know. "Anyway, moving on! I was thinking if you guys have hobbies." Daisy cheers up while asking.

"Yeah. I fix pipes, play video games, do odd jobs and help anyone in need."  Mario said about himself.

"I do the same as Mario, but I draw some pictures." Luigi said about himself.

"I sometimes write stories." Mario continues as he finishes his introduction.

"Well, you boys are good chums. I'm a sporty type, so I do a lot of sports. I even pick fights with someone and save anyone who's in trouble." Daisy giggles.

"I'm an athlete that does golf. I also play video games and organise Sarasaland. Heh. I guess our meeting is going well." Azalea chuckles, knowing that Mario and Luigi are not like any ordinary outsiders.

"I'm more surprised that you're both fraternal twins, especially that Mario is shorter and older than Luigi." Said Daisy.

"Trust me, my growth is not that great." Mario rubs his head, embarrassed to admit his genetics.

"So, you girls haven't lived with your parents?" Luigi asked.

"Not really. Also, rumours are rumours, people only believe in anything that's popular. My father is just out for so long that he forgets where his empire was at." Daisy sighed out of disappointment.

This had Mario suspicious, thinking that Daisy could be lying about her father.

"Oh! Daisy is letting you guys sleep in her room, if that's okay with you?" Azalea offers something to Mario and Luigi.

"What!?" The Mario bros exclaimed.

"Hold on a moment! Are you sure!?" Mario is unsure about sleeping in the princess' room.

"Yeah. And besides, no one's around but you, me, your brother and my sister." Daisy answered.

To Luigi, he can obviously tell Mario is the same way as him, knowing that it's not normal to sleep in some royal family member's bedroom which could lead them to severe punishments.

"Come on! Just for today! I'm sure tomorrow will be important, deal?" Daisy begs, which surprises the twin bros, witnessing the princess begging for them to do as she pleases.

Mario sighs while patting Luigi's shoulder.

"Okay. We'll sleep in your room."

"Okay…" Luigi can tell how Mario feels as he ended up giving in and accepting sleeping in another woman's bedroom.

"Awesome! Azalea! Prepare the beds for our guests in our bedroom!" Daisy cheers while standing up, splashing the water and reveals her naked scarred body.

"Daisy!" Azalea shrieks after seeing her sister naked again in front of a couple of guests.

"AAH!" Mario and Luigi yell while covering themselves again as their faces turn beet red.

"Relax, boys. Follow my sister to your new room. I'll be there after you guys."

"U- Um… Thanks, Daisy!" Luigi bows and then quickly climbs up and runs towards the door.

"Sheesh… Can you be less of a weirdo?" Mario said while following Luigi and grabbing his towel while wrapping around his waist.

After Mario, Luigi and Azalea left the bathroom, Daisy's smile fades while seeing outside her empire under a brown sky, leading her to question why an outsider knows about her father.

"Peach… What kind of people did you bring in?"

"That's what I've been asking, Daisy…" A man's voice whispered.

Gasping, Daisy can feel something lingering inside her as well as a hand gropes her by the shoulder, causing her to pant.

"D- Dad!?"

"That's right. Do you have any idea what you have done to your empire?" Appearing in front of her is a spirit of the man she avoided for many years.

The emperor of Sarasaland is a spirit that is around Daisy.

"Remember what you have done? You killed me and now you must pay the price…"

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Daisy is still panting while trying not to scream, only for the spirit to grab her neck and tighten his grip on his own daughter.

"Think about what you have done, treacherous one…"

The spirit is gone.

This causes Daisy to fall back into the bath to her knees while hyperventilating and then look at her own hand.

Even though none of it is real, Daisy still remembers the blood of her father's on her hands, filling Daisy with nothing but dread.

Clenching her fists, Daisy refuses to give in to her past as she's standing up and biting her own lip.

"Calm down, Daisy, dad is already gone. Just move on and be a stronger princess to protect your people." Daisy said to herself while taking deep breaths and climbing out of the bath and wrapping the towel around her chest.

Not only she's worried about her little sister, but the empire and the outsiders, leading her to shake her head and move forward while trying to forget what she saw.

But she never did…

Chapter Text

2005 September 19th

It's warm.

It feels like the first time sleeping in a cosy bed for a while. But it's not as bouncy as his home bed, since he's sleeping in a futon next to a large bed.

Opening his eyes, Mario yawns as he's in what a seamstress made as in his pyjamas and Luigi has the same but different style.

Speaking of Luigi, Mario can see another futon as Luigi is being hugged by Daisy, who sleeps in her underwear, struggling to get Daisy herself off of him.

“Mario… Help me…” Luigi whispers while trying to move.

Snickering, Mario pulls out his phone and takes a photo, amused to see Luigi being clung onto by a princess.

“Bro!”

“Sorry. I thought you looked cute being hugged like a plushie.” Mario giggles quietly and then approaches his brother and the princess.

What stops Mario is a tear that is coming from Daisy, who was weeping in her sleep.

“Dad… I'm sorry… I won't do it again…” Daisy mumbles, causing Mario and Luigi to stay silent and watch a sleep crying princess squeezing Luigi himself.

This is something Mario needs to know about as he can tell that the scars on her are less from a brawl (although they are) and more from something else.

Shuffling on a bed, waking up is Azalea, who wears a one piece night dress, as she stretches herself and sees Mario watching Luigi and Daisy sleeping together.

What she notices is her big sister crying for her father as well as apologising in her sleep.

“Hm? Azalea?” Mario turns with surprise, even Luigi is looking at her.

Azalea places her finger on her lips and then leans down as she rubs Daisy’s shoulder, causing Daisy to snort and turn around with her eyes slowly open.

“Mmn… Huh? Mario? Azalea? Luigi?” Daisy is finally awake.

“Morning, sis.” Azalea whispers with a giggle.

This leads to Daisy chuckling and then turning towards Luigi, even though she's surprised to see Luigi closer to her.

“Oh! Luigi! Sorry, force of habit!” Daisy laughs after picking herself up and stretches her arms and her back. “Mmn!”

“Daisy. I couldn't help but notice, but why are you crying?” Luigi asks, pointing out the tears that are still on Daisy's eyes.

To Daisy's surprise, Luigi has caught her as she quickly rubs her eyes.

“What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine!”

“You were mumbling about your father.” Mario reveals the truth as Daisy grunts, seeing as Mario is not stopping her from avoiding that topic.

“Ahem! Anyway, let's have breakfast!” Azalea quickly steps in while clapping which gains her some attention.

“Oh! You're right! Luckily, your girl is in a mood for breakfast! I'll handle the cooking!” Daisy stands up as she laughs.

“Wait, you can cook? I mean don't royal families let their servants cook?” Mario asked.

“You think we're all the same? Oh, Mario, I never rely on anyone, except Goro when I'm sick.” Daisy explains while shaking her head horizontally.

“What about Azalea?” Luigi asks.

“Yeah, I wouldn't trust her with going into the kitchen. You don't want to know.” Daisy's smile has gotten from positive to nervousness as she can feel the disgust in her stomach.

“Oh.” Mario and Luigi can see what Daisy meant as they got the impression that Azalea can't cook a single meal.

“Eh? I mean Mr. Goro is teaching me how to cook.” Azalea points out.

“Yeah? And he also went into the hospital because of your inability to cook!” Daisy snaps which causes Azalea to pout.

The Mario brothers are looking at each other as they shrug their shoulders and then turn back to the Flora sisters.

Daisy then sighs and then turns around with a positive attitude.

“Let's go!” Daisy called while leaving.

But she's in her underwear and mostly notices her in just her bra and panties, causing Luigi to hastily grab a dressing gown that is hanging on a clothes hanger.

“Wait! Daisy!” Luigi called while leaving.

Azalea giggles as it reminded Luigi of herself; trying to keep Daisy up as she sometimes is forgetful.

But Mario is still watching which had Azalea stop smiling.

“I know you're hiding it. You knew Daisy has a secret. Are the rumours true?” Mario asks, realising that anything related to the rumours alerted Daisy to avoid it and Azalea cutting it off.

But there’s no choice as Mario is sniffing them like a dog.

“Mr. Mario. Do you hate us?” Azalea asks.

“Huh? No, why do you ask?” Mario is curious to know why Azalea asked that question.

“Because… The rumours are true. It was seven years ago.” Azalea confirmed the rumours which stops Mario.

“What?”

To Mario's shock, Azalea remembers what her 9 year old self has remembered.

“You're saying that the emperor is murdered?” Mario asks, only for Azalea to nod. “Who?”

“Will you still look at us differently?” Azalea asked another question.

Mario shakes his head as he denies viewing the princesses differently.

Azalea bites her lips, scared that she has to answer to an outsider like him.

“It was Daisy.” Azalea revealed the culprit.

“What?” Mario gasped.

“Yeah. She was the one who did it. But in truth… We killed our father.” Azalea lowers her head, realising that Mario is the only one who knows the truth behind the emperor's murder.

“You mean… Is all that rumour true? Tell me.” Mario grabs Azalea's shoulders, despite being shorter than her. “Why did she do this?”

“It was to protect me. Dad has beaten up Daisy which explains the scars she had. Yes, most of them are from fighting other people, but a large one is from dad's whip.”

“He did what!?” Mario is appalled by that kind of treatment this friendly princess is going through.

“From her shoulder to her back, big sis was able to endure all this in order to protect me. She knows what dad's been doing like ignoring me, not feeding me, never giving me comfort. All this is what Daisy did for me. Then what he said was to put me as a bride as well as giving birth, feeling nothing but pain.”

“That monster…” Mario clenches his fists and growls, realising that he's no better than Bowser and his old man.

“All these he said has set Daisy off to the point of ending dad's life. I also share the blood on my hands. Daisy has been living with guilt for over seven years and she'll never stop until she repents for the things she committed.” Azalea grunts while looking away from Mario.

To Mario's shock, how can anyone in Sarasaland accept this kind of cruelty to the point that they're monsters in human or creature clothing, leading him to grit his teeth.

Mario knows that Daisy is shouldering that burden for many years as it hits him in the chest.

“And you should be glad.”

“Huh?” Azalea raises her head with surprise, seeing Mario's mouth twitching as he glares.

“That's right. You should be happy. That man deserved it for the things he did to his own daughters. How can anyone accept the abuse you're put through!? If I were you, I'd take his life on the spot!” Mario lets out a rant, causing Azalea to gasp and hold her chest.

“No! You got it all wrong!”

“Huh!? Are you going to let that slide!?”

“No! It's not like that! Dad was never like that before!” Azalea snapped, only for Mario to stop himself and look into her eyes.

“What do you mean he's not like that?”

“Dad loved us both equally. He really does. My mom died after I was born. That's why dad and Daisy are my only family that loved and cared for each other. It was months before that dad suddenly changed, treating us badly. This is what leads us to right now and Daisy is getting overprotective as time goes on.” Azalea explained.

“Really? Are you sure he's not like my old man?” Mario raises an eyebrow while asking bitterly.

“Huh? You compared dad to your father?”

“Don't say that. He's not my father.” Mario spat out with contempt.

“Why? Why do you hate him that much?” Azalea asked, curious to know Mario's relationship with his old man.

As Mario sits on a bed next to Azalea, Mario sighs as he looks away.

“Well… I know you guys don't know about him, but he has the title ‘Jumpman’ after defeating that big monkey that turned out to be the chief of the Kongs, Cranky Kong.”

“Oh! I remember him! He's pretty cool for an old geezer.” Azalea laughs as Mario smiles back.

“Heh. Looks like we're both in agreement that the chief did nothing wrong, aside from kidnapping a woman as I heard of when I was a kid.” Mario remembers being told about his old man's history with Cranky Kong.

“Hm. That is true.” Azalea agreed that he did less harmful things.

“He used his fame as a way to shield himself from being called out on his horrible behaviour. He's a menace to society, even he made Blackie look like an innocent angel.” Mario points out as Azalea leans towards Mario.

“What did he do that made you hate him?”

“The way he treats his family. He and mama had an argument and the first thing he did was physical violence on her and I was eight. When I stopped him from attacking mama, he's going to do my brother next, even he berated Luigi for not manning up. I mean, he never let Luigi act as himself and he can't man up in this condition.” Mario explained.

“And why did he attack your mother?” Azalea asked.

“For standing up to him. She wanted to prove to everyone that the chief is not a bad person. I was attacked for being too nice, which is my nature. I wanted to make others happy.”

“Wait, he doesn't like kindness?”

“He hates us, because we hold him back and our birth isn't out of love.” Mario points out.

Azalea gasps after hearing what Mario just said.

“That's right… When I was nine, I found out that mama was forced to make him happy and we're just his products. The reason Mario was our surname, just as my forename, is because it belonged to mama and my grandpa.”

Azalea is unsure, but she can tell that he’s far from the same as her father.

“When I was ten, I took the beating for my family as it started when I was eight. Back to when I was ten, I was pulling a superhero facade, just to make everybody happy, starting with Luigi. When I met Peach, even Pauline was fifteen at that time, we've all cherished our childhood friendship and that's a sibling, an adopted sibling, and a friend.”

Mario stops himself as he gulps, reminding himself not to remember the grim moment of what he did to himself.

“After that, I was told by my old man that my kindness is what’s driving the family to its rotten state and I should be ashamed of myself. This is what led to me and Peach to drive each other away, screaming at each other and calling each other names. Peach rarely frowns, but this is the first time I see her breaking down and that led us to a physical fight. Unlike Daisy, Peach is very difficult to read and she's some kind of a mysterious girl I knew in my childhood.” Mario stops again after being sidetracked by his cherished childhood again.

“Uh huh. And what about the chief of the Kongs?” Azalea asked.

“In the circus where my old man is about to ‘perform’ with the chief, I met him in a cage. At first I thought I was hallucinating after hearing him talk, but it was all real. What the chief said to me is that this man is no man at all, but more of a monster than him. He even pitied my family for being stuck with this man. When I freed the animals, I was caught by the officers and I ended up on the receiving end of bruises when we got back home. I remember the chief thanking me and giving me a gift, but it was with mama at home.” Mario continued.

“And when's the last time you see him.”

“When I was eleven, he's no longer with us and I was told that he was arrested for fraud, abuse and assault. I was happy, but I was also lonely.”

“Why?”

“Because I drove everyone away and let the bullies bully the ones I used to help. There comes a day that I wish that I don't exist or my old man should just disappear so he can see game over in his own two eyes.” Mario concludes his reason for why he despised his old man.

Azalea can see why Mario has a habit of bringing harm to those who hurt anyone who didn't do anything. It's also the reason why Mario wants to defeat Bowser, but is afraid of the monster he sees that chases the princess, harms the innocents and takes Pauline away from the world.

“I know how you feel. You're suffering daddy issues because of what he did in your childhood. You should've handled it like my sister and get over the hatred that's been happening for years.”

“Azalea. Daisy is never over that hatred. Her eyes say it all.” Mario can tell why Daisy has been avoiding it.

Azalea clenches her dress while lowering her head.

“I want to know why dad suddenly became like this.” Azalea said.

“Really?”

“Yeah. If mom hadn't died, then dad would've been even happier, but now everything went messier and I want to solve it all.” Azaled turns towards Mario while looking serious.

Mario takes a deep breath and then turns towards Azalea with a calm smile.

“We'll make sure to get Daisy to open up. But how would the empire react if they learned the truth?” Mario asked.

“We'll have to wait. Once big sis opens up, we'll need to convince her to tell the truth.” Azalea planned it as she will find not only the truth, but will free Daisy from the burdening guilt she's putting herself through. “Let's have breakfast for now. We'll discuss this later.”

“Okay.” Mario nods and stands from the bed and follows Azalea to the corridor.

As Azalea learned Mario's history and Mario learned her's, they're now working together to find an answer that started all this horrible mess.

Chapter Text

In a large hall where there's a table and the only ones having breakfast are Mario, luigi, Daisy and Azalea, knowing how quiet this palace was.

Pushing a trolley full of plates, Daisy has arrived as well as putting the pot on the table as well as using a fire flower to release a fireball under the pot as it starts to bubble.

“Alright! Now that breakfast is ready, you two have something I need.”

“Like what?” Luigi asks as he and Mario look at Daisy with curiosity.

“The medallion. The Sunstar. To think an outsider is somehow related to one of them. Luckily for you, you're not the only one.” Daisy reveals a medallion of her own as it appears to be a flower that has purple petals and a red centre on it, causing the bros to gasp.

“You mean… You're also involved with the immortal people?” Mario asked.

“Yep.” Daisy nods with a positive grin.

“This is the ‘Flowershade,’ a flower that is shrouded in darkness. Unlike our medallion, yours is a sign of hope, the light that shines through the darkness.” Azalea explains the medallion itself as it surprises the twin bros more.

“So, who is involved?” Luigi asked.

“We are.” Daisy answered.

“You two!?” The Mario bros exclaimed.

“Yep. It was after I was at my lowest point. Azalea and I are attacked by Bowser's army, and I know we're done for. Until a mysterious man shows up for the first time and beats the koopa army up. I don't know much, but our relationship recently has been pretty awesome.”

“Aside from how you're constantly calling him grandpa.” Azalea clears her throat while pointing out.

“Oh, come on, sis, he may look like a young adult, but he's around thousands of years old.” Daisy nervously chuckles.

“Huh. I guess we learn something new everyday. Right, bro?” Mario turns towards Luigi as he’s surprised to see how many secrets this world offers.

“Yeah. It’s all surprisingly a mystery to us.” Luigi agreed.

“Although, Luigi is the only one involved. I'm just there to keep the medallion safe from anyone.” Mario points out.

“Really? Just like me. I always take care of it for personal reasons.” Daisy laughs, knowing that Mario is being the big brother to Daisy as a big sister. “Ahem! Today will be a journey to another kingdom, the one my country cultivated a long time ago. Birabuto Kingdom, home to the Gao race.” Daisy points at a map she shows on her phone while revealing a kingdom that's a part of Sarasaland.

“Gao race?” Mario and Luigi are curious to know about those kinds of species that are different like koopas, goombas, piranha plants, toads, the Kongs, and shy guys.

“It may come as a shock, but they're sphinx-like creatures that roar like animals.” Azalea explains the Gao race.

“In a nutshell, they're Egyptian lions.” Daisy answered.

“Excuse me!?” Mario exclaims.

“L- Lions!?” Luigi shrieks.

This causes the bros to cling onto each other as they shiver, despite Mario releasing lions (and other animals) a long time ago, his childhood.

“Relax. They won't bite, nor will attack you. King Totomesu did contact me about the incident at his kingdom.” Daisy points out.

“Thanks for giving us the details, princess.” Mario mutters.

“Before we go out, maybe Mr. Mario and I will have a tour to Sarasaland.” Said Azalea.

“Can you not be formal? Just call me Mario.” Mario sighs as he eats his meal, not angry, but confused and uncomfortable.

“Ahem. Sorry, Mario.” Azalea apologised.

“Sure. Are you sure you don't wanna take Luigi with you?” Daisy asks.

“No no. Just Mario is enough.” Azalea laughs and then pulls Mario away from the dining hall.

“Wait, aww…” Moaning, Mario couldn't finish his breakfast.

Afterwards, both Mario and Azalea are changing their clothes as Mario puts on his red hoodie with his usual blue overalls and puts on a red cap, whereas Azalea puts on an amber princess dress, preparing to go out and gather the truth behind the rumours.

Mario is also worried that Luigi is still unaware of Daisy's unusual behaviour.

Outside, they're back at the India styled city as Mario and Azalea are chatting with other people at Sarasaland.

Their answers are the same; the emperor's is linked to the princess’ takeover.

“Tch! Still no answers. Does Goro know anything about this?” Mario asked, disappointed that he has nothing to share.

“Not really. Mr. Goro just believed in Daisy's lie, even framing dad's death as an accident.” Azalea answers out of honesty.

“I don't know if Daisy's afraid of being called out, or is she stuck under the delusion that other people will hang her.”

“That's what I've been thinking. My sister was sick for a long time and she wouldn't admit it.” Azalea grunts.

“Hm. I hope Luigi is keeping her under control. My brother has been stressed out for nearly a week. Heck, even I'm stressed out.” Mario finally spits out and admits his feelings.

“I can see that. The days of being chased by Bowser are most of the time stressful.” Azalea can tell what Mario's situation was like.

Before Mario and Azalea rest in the alleyway, appearing there is a goomba who was carrying a bag with his mouth, only for Mario to gasp.

“Gomez?” Mario recognised a goomba in a bandanna on his head.

“Hm? Mario? Yo!” Gomez jumps with excitement, seeing as Mario is hanging around the alleyway with the younger princess. “Where's Luigi?”

“He's with the princess. I was thinking if you're the same as other people. You know, like the princess and the emperor linking things.” Mario assumes.

“Huh? Oh that! I just got an update from Goro about that. It turns out it was all true that the emperor was murdered. But Goro told me who did that.”

“It was Daisy.” Mario can tell that Gomez knows about this.

“Yeah. Wait, did Luigi know?” Gomez asked.

“Not really. Azalea told me about that earlier, but she wants to know what caused the emperor to become a tyrant.” Mario explained.

“Your majesty, I get that you want to save your sister and the empire, but we can't afford to lose a princess.”

“I know how you feel, but I can't bear to watch my sister suffer any longer.” Azalea said.

“Yeah. If anything, the culprit is someone related to Daisy and the emperor.” Mario had a feeling something was wrong.

“Well, it's not Goro, since he's very loyal to the royal family.” Gomez points out.

“True. How did Goro know that it was Daisy?” Mario asked.

“I don’t know. He found that out yesterday.” Gomez said.

“Ngh!” Azalea grunts as Mario rubs his chin.

“Hm… Interesting. Maybe that’s one of the clues.” Said Mario.

“I hope he doesn't report that to others.” Azalea worries that Daisy is going to end up in a horrible situation once she's caught.

“I didn't.” Arriving is a hooded man which has Mario and Azalea jump as they yelp.

“M- Mister Goro!” Azalea squeaks.

“Goro?” Mario stops himself as he sees the same man who helped let him and Luigi in the palace.

“That's right. You two should know that by now. Azalea, why lie to me? You could've told me and the guards the truth.” Goro asks with worry as he realised all this time he's been told about the Emperor's death being an accident.

Before Mario raises his fists, Azalea raises her arm by stopping Mario and looking into Goro's eyes.

“Because you never believed us…”

“Excuse me?” Goro halts as Mario and Gomez are silent, seeing Azalea's anger.

“You never believed us! If you see dad, then you'll never trust him! All you think about is work and you never wanted to talk with dad! He's not a terrible person! He's never this abusive!” Azalea snaps as Goro gasps, hearing what Azalea's been saying.

“You're making this sound like he abused you.”

“Because he did! He never meant to do that!” Azalea finally runs off as Mario and Gomez gasps and then turn towards Goro as Goro himself remains silent.

Mario approaches Goro as he looks him in the eyes with a cold stare.

“Hey. You're loyal to the emperor, so what is going on with you and your people?” Mario growls while clenching his fists and teeth.

“Goro. Answer him, please.” Gomez can tell the situation with the princesses is very dire as Gomez worries for Sarasaland more than anyone.

To Goro, Mario is an interesting character as he confronts those who hurt others, whether it be intentional or unintentional.

Then he sighs.

“Mario.”

“Hm?” Mario stops while looking up.

“Why did you interfere with our affairs?” Goro asks calmly while pulling his gloves.

“Because just like Peach and others, I can't stand people hurting others for their own selfish gain, but hearing what happened to the emperor and your people's reaction to this event… It's wrong! You brush off the death of a ruler, but I don't know if he's manipulated or not. That kind of treatment should not have been acceptable!” Mario snaps.

Goro grunts, knowing that Mario is onto him and the people of Sarasaland, seeing as he's not the only one that let's Daisy and Azalea’s abuse slide. Goro sighs and then looks into Mario’s blue eyes.

“It’s difficult to answer, but I wish I could stop all that. However, I’ll make sure to own up the mistakes I made. Right now, I need your help. You and Gomez needed to know, yes, Daisy is sick, but so is Azalea. Both of them are not right ever since the emperor’s passing and their illness is not only psychological, but emotional. Mario, you and your brother are our only hope and despite being outsiders, can you face the culprit for us?” Goro asks as he bows.

Mario didn't realise Goro is begging for him and Luigi to solve the mystery that's been going on for 7 years.

“Mario, I'll assist you. If anything, I'll search for clues and let you know. Relax, I'm a goomba, so Bowser won't know that I betrayed his army.” Gomez hops while offering some assistance.

“Good point. Alright. We'll face the culprit for you. But on one condition.” Mario raises his finger with a calm look on his face.

Goro is listening as well as Gomez.

“You must reveal the truth of the Sarasaland after we capture the culprit. If anything happens to Daisy, I can't wait to burn the empire down.” Mario said as he turned around.

“I understand. Thank you, Mario. Gomez, good luck.” Goro concluded.

“Will do, man. I wish you guys weren't selfish.” Gomez is now unsure who to trust anymore as he's no longer with anyone but Mario.

Finally, both Mario and Gomez are leaving the alleyway as Goro is watching both a human and a goomba walk together and discuss the plan to capture this said culprit.

As the duo left, Goro sighs and then sits by the bin, thinking about the past sins he committed that leads to Daisy's current situation.

“Mario… Please, take care of the girls, will you please.”

On the other side of the town, Luigi and Daisy are walking together as Luigi blushes.

Luigi looks left and right to see if anyone isn't looking at him funny for being with the princess.

“Relax. They won't lay a finger on you. They're just minding their own business. Oh! This is the place where I hang around.” Daisy points at a neon light building from a distance which reads ‘Freshly Night Flowers.’

“Freshly Night Flowers?”

“It's a nightclub.” Daisy answers.

“Huh!?” Luigi exclaimed.

“Yep. I don't perform a dance, but being performed. The ladies always wanted their princess, but I declined. Not in the mood for girls who're straightforward towards me.”

“Oh. So why do you go there?” Luigi asked.

“To satisfy myself. Also, I remember drinking with the boys a while ago. Relax, I'm 21, so it's legal for me to drink and get hammered.” Daisy laughs while patting Luigi.

“Really now, huh? Well… I don't drink and neither does Mario.” Luigi admitted.

“Huh? For someone older than me, I'm surprised you don't drink and hang out with the ladies.” Daisy said.

“Come on, we have restraints. None of us are interested in doing stuff like that.” Luigi sighs while looking away.

“Heh. Do you like a girl regardless of her actions? Especially tomboys?” Daisy asks with a smirk.

“Well… If they're not mean or hurting others, then yeah.” Luigi answers with a nod.

“Cool! I'm glad to hear that.” Daisy sticks out her tongue and then looks at the view along with Luigi.

With Luigi and Daisy watching the view together, the duo halts as they see someone rushing past while panting.

“Huh? Azalea?” Daisy stands straight up after seeing her sister running at a hasty pace.

“What's going on?” Luigi asks.

“I don't know, but something’s happened. Let's follow!” Daisy said while running towards her sister.

“Sure!” Luigi follows while trying to do what Mario does most of his life and it's helping those in need.

As Daisy manages to grab her sister by the arm, Azalea turns around, only to see Daisy panting as well as Luigi.

“Sister?”

“Azalea, what's wrong? Tell me.” Daisy wants to know why Azalea ended up like this.

Azalea knew Luigi is in need of explanation, but was afraid that it'll ruin his chance to be with Daisy, so she ended up avoiding telling the truth as she said about Goro and Gomez.

After her answer, Daisy's eyes widened with fear struck into her.

“What!? That means… I… Why?” Daisy is starting to hyperventilate, realising she's doomed. “I don't wanna go to prison… I don't know if you'll be fine without me.”

Luigi is confused as he hears about Daisy going to jail, which is unusual considering she's a princess and it's impossible for her to go to prison.

“Don't worry! He won't tell anyone about you! Just him and Gomez know about dad's murder.” Azalea grabs Daisy by her shoulders, calming her down from fear coming back to her.

“Ahem! Excuse me, but what's going on?” Luigi asked.

The Flora sisters gasp, turning towards a curious Luigi, realising that telling him would warp what Daisy was to him.

“W- Well… Dad was murdered by…”

“A koopa! Those evil koopas that Bowser sent out! They took dad away and executed him in order to take over the Sarasaland Empire! That's why we need you to help us!” Azalea interrupts Daisy's answer while keeping a secret hidden from Luigi.

This has Luigi squinting his eyes out of suspicion.

“Okay. Wow, I didn't know you girls had PTSD. But it's okay! We've all been through some horrible experiences. We just move on and look towards our future.” Luigi is doing the best he could to calm the princesses down while laughing.

As Luigi laughs, this led to both princesses to giggle.

Until Mario and Gomez arrive.

“Ah! Bro! How's your tour going?” Luigi cheerfully asks.

“A bit of a pain, but this country is pretty huge and nice at the same time. Gomez is pretty nice for a goomba.” Mario chuckles.

“Haha! Yep! So, where are you guys going?” Gomez asks.

“Oh! We're going to the Birabuto Kingdom! King Totomesu needed some help since there's an incident going on in his kingdom.” Daisy points out towards the direction that appears to look like Egypt.

“Hm. Maybe my client will give you a lift.” Gomez offered.

“No need. We have our own karts.” Mario said as he and Luigi nodded.

“For real!? You guys can drive!?” Daisy gasps as Azalea is relieved to hear that.

“Wait, you can't?” Luigi asked.

“I usually get lifts all the time.”

“Just like Peach.” The Mario bros sigh at the same time.

Finally, Mario and Luigi are approaching the palace to get their karts prepared, leading Azalea to sit behind Mario and Daisy to sit behind Luigi, causing Luigi himself to blush.

“I hope you have a safe journey guys!” Gomez calls as he jumps.

“Yeah. You too, Gomez.” Mario nods as he and Luigi start their vehicles and zooms past Gomez.

Gomez sighs, realising that he made friends with a couple of outsiders that Bowser despised to the point his traitor mark is clearer on him.

In Mario's case, how is he going to tell Luigi the truth, even revealing the truth to Daisy without putting her in denial?

All this is more complicated than he anticipated, leading him to shake his head and focus on going to another kingdom and sort out what the king wants.

Chapter Text

Birabuto Kingdom

“Really!? She can ride a bike!?” Exclaiming behind Luigi, Daisy is surprised to hear that Peach doesn't drive a car, but rides a bike.

“Yeah. Go ask Peach and she'll answer your question.” Mario said, leading the way as he and Luigi are driving through a concrete road that is between the sea of sand.

“Huh. I didn't know that. Maybe she prefers bikes over karts.” Azalea points out while thinking about Peach's vehicle preferences.

“Maybe.” Mario thought.

Driving all the way couldn't be more boring as Mario sighs and turns on his phone to put on a soundtrack that is the Mario Bros Plumbing Service theme tune playing.

This had Daisy and Azalea moving their heads as they enjoyed the beats while Mario and Luigi can already feel the nostalgia seeping into them.

“Brings back memories, huh?” Luigi said.

“Yeah.” Mario agreed.

As the 4 are slowing down, Mario halts as he sees someone running on the road.

“Woah!” Mario exclaims while hitting the brakes, alerting Luigi to do the same after witnessing someone.

“Waah!?”

“Ah!” Both Daisy and Azalea shriek as the karts stop.

After both karts stop, the Mario bros and Flora sisters are encountering a girl that appears to be from the beach, seeing as she's in both clothes on her chest and her waist and has a flower as her hair ornament.

“What the heck?” Mario raises his eyebrow.

“Hey, miss, you're blocking the road.” Luigi called.

“Oh! Hey! More people!” A girl called as it had the 4 confused.

“Excuse me?” Azalea is now lost.

“Hey! We're driving here! Move!” Daisy snaps as she hops off of Luigi's kart and approaches the girl on the road.

“What do you mean, miss. Scary face?” The girl asks, which causes Daisy to stutter and stop herself from ranting and pat the girl's shoulder.

“Listen, we're going to the Birabuto Kingdom, so could you at least move over and go back to where you came from.”

“Hm… If I move, then what do you want from me?” The girl asks as Daisy hangs her head lower, knowing that it’s difficult to find something to make her move. “Do you guys have anything?”

“Not really.” Luigi shrugs his shoulders as he has nothing.

“Sorry, big sis…” Azalea feels the same as Luigi.

“I know.” Mario hops out of his kart and approaches the same girl and Daisy as he stands in front of this said girl. “How about you come with us on an adventure.” Mario offers.

“Really!? What's it like!?” The girl asks with excitement, only for Mario to laugh.

“I mean, it may be boring for you youngsters, but to us, it's a heck of a journey.” Said Mario.

“That's right. Also, we get to travel around the world to face Bowser.” Luigi explained with a positive tone.

“An adventure? Cool! I wanna join!” The girl cheers while jumping onto Mario's arms.

“Seriously? I guess kids these days are all for adventures, huh.” Daisy sighs.

“Huh? I mean Peach is an adult and she has that same energy.” Mario points out and then looks at the young girl. “So tell me, kid, what's your name?” Mario asks.

“Hm? Oh, I'm… Hm… Su… Suu! I'm Suuko!”

“Suuko? Strange name.” Mario and the group are looking at each other and then back to Suuko.

“Alright, Suuko, you can come, but don't get into any trouble when we're out.” Daisy warned.

“No problem, miss. Scary face.” Suuko pulls a grin as she promises to not get in trouble.

“Also, it's Princess Daisy. Geez, how dense are you, calling me a scary face…” Daisy groans as she mutters.

“Azalea, hold her tight.” Mario calls as Suuko leaps in front of Azalea, causing her to yelp before Mario gets back on his kart.

As Mario and Luigi start to move again, both karts are heading straight for the city as both Mario and Luigi.

Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Azalea and Suuko are heading straight towards the pyramid Palace where the king lives.

[Sarasaland Empire. Ruled by Emperor Lotus Flora and his wife, Empress Dandelion Flora. This Empire is a mixture of India, Japan, Arabia and Portugal, populated by not only humans, but toads, goombas and koopas. They're known for cultivating 5 countries that derive from an Egyptian styled nation Birabuto Kingdom, a Chinese one Chai Kingdom, an Easter Island called Easton Kingdom, a Bermuda Triangle island named Muda Kingdom and a similar nation that is the Flower Nation.]

Mario and Luigi are fascinated by their mother's explanation of the world as Mario's writing his notes on his phone.

“So, who rules these nations aside from the Emperor and Empress?” Mario asks.

[Ah. There are rulers I forgot to mention. King Totomesu is the ruler of his kingdom and is still to this day after being the dominant male of the Gao race. King Dragonzamasu of the Yurarin race is the one that rules the Muda Kingdom. The Easton Kingdom's ruler is King Hiyoihoi, the leader of the Tokotoko race.] Mario's mother explains as she's starting to sound confident.

“And the Chai Kingdom?” Luigi asked.

[They have no ruler.] She answered.

This had the Mario bros quiet, not only they didn't know about the horrible fate Chai Kingdom had, but a lawless nation would be the fall of it, as they assumed.

“Hey, Daisy, is it true that they have no ruler?” Luigi asks.

“Oh they have a ruler. The one in charge recently is a princess. She's the daughter of Daoshi, also known as the monk.” Said Daisy.

[Wait, really!? But they have no ruler.] Mario's mother gasps with surprise.

“That's because the former king Biokinton was killed after I took the throne. The remains are a part of the sky and Chai Kingdom is left without its ruler for over 5 years.” Daisy explains the situation with the Chai Kingdom monarchy.

The group remained silent as Suuko hums a tune that is the Mario bros.

“It seems like you know a lot about our world.” Said Daisy.

[Well, I do know your parents. Your father is kind of a hotheaded lovable boy and your mother is a sweetheart.] Mario’s mother giggles.

“Heh. I was wondering how much of a sweetheart dad was.” Daisy laughed.

Even Azalea giggled.

[Anyway, I gotta go. I have the wrecking crew knocking on the door.]

The wrecking crew, something that Mario and Luigi kept quiet of as they remembered Foreman Spike.

“Blackie…” Mario grunts under his breath.

After the phone hangs up, Mario lifts his head up and then looks into Luigi, Daisy and Azalea.

“So, speaking of this Biokinton guy, does that link to the Emperor's death?”

“Yeah. It seems that Bowser is far more troubling than ever before…” Daisy confirms while lowering her head.

“And how did you know it's him?” Mario asks, squinting his eyes out of suspicion.

“Remember what he did to your sister.” Azalea quickly called as it surprises Mario.

“True…” Mario can tell that Azalea wanted him to keep it to himself in order to keep Daisy from falling apart.

“Alright, boys and girls, onward!”

“Yeah!” Suuko cheers while following Daisy as well as Azalea.

With Luigi looking at Mario out of worry, he can tell something is going on with him.

“Bro, you've been looking at Daisy like that for hours. Did something happen between you and Azalea?”

“Luigi. Do you believe me, even if I tell you something that is difficult to stomach?” Mario asks.

“Mario, you're my bro, I'll always believe you if anything is said, but you need to have evidence.” Said Luigi.

“Lu… If I tell you, will that change your view towards Daisy?” Mario asks another question.

“If anything, I'll keep my word if there's something about her.” Luigi is prepared to hear the truth as he nods.

Mario gulps and then lowers his head, fearing that Luigi's heart will be shattered to pieces.

Then he takes a deep breath.

“I know who killed the Emperor.” Mario said before gulping.

“Really!? Who was the killer!?” Luigi excitedly jumps as he grabs Mario's shoulders.

“It's…” Mario can tell it's going to end badly as he's ready to get a slap across the face.

“It's Daisy. She's the one who killed the Emperor. She killed her father.” Mario revealed the truth.

This has caused Luigi's smile to instantly drop after hearing what Mario said earlier.

“What?”

“I know it's hard to believe, but Azalea has told me about her history. Apparently, the Emperor was manipulated into abusing Daisy and Azalea to the point that Daisy murdered him. It was 7 years ago as I was told.” Mario explained.

In Luigi's mind, all this is hard to believe as someone so cheerful, friendly, feisty and a party animal, actually had someone's blood on her hands.

“You're lying, right?”

“I don't know either, but Gomez and Goro know about all this and Azalea is hiding the truth from her sister in order to protect her. Whoever started all that must've had a vendetta against the royal Sarasaland bloodline.” Mario looks into Luigi's eyes while trying not to scare his brother.

“Does that mean Azalea is making sure that those she trusted are keeping a secret from the world? Even you?”

“Yeah…”

In other words, Daisy and Azalea lied to him about Bowser's involvement as if he's not involved at all.

This had Luigi lowering his head after seeing the girl he had a crush on turned out to be something he never wanted to go near.

“But she's not that type of person either. Goro told me that both Daisy and Azalea are sick, both mentally and emotionally. It's not believable, but their illness is the reason why their country is in danger.” Mario added as he revealed the same medallion Sunstar as a promise he made to Luigi in order to keep him safe. “Like Azalea was doing for her older sister, I also wanted to protect you. Please, bro, I need you to help us solve the incident that's been happening recently.”

This gave Luigi some hope as he can tell Mario is trying his best to make others smile like his childhood.

A young boy growing up as he's unchanged in nature.

Finally, he hugs Mario, accepting the harsh reality that is harming innocent people from all over the world.

“I'll do my best. And I'll make sure to make Daisy smile and make her open up. You, Azalea, Gomez and Mr. Goro are doing a lot to save our lives. You did a lot for me, so let me return the favour.” Luigi finally smiles as he pat Mario's shoulder, prepared to go out with a princess like Mario did for Peach.

“That's my bro.” Mario laughs while rubbing his younger twin's face and then grin. “Good luck, Lu.”

“Yeah. You too, Mario.” Luigi is glad that Mario called him Lu after years of not calling him that after their childhood.

Finally, the Mario bros are letting each other go and approach the direction where Daisy, Azalea and Suuko are at, that is Birabuto Kingdom.

Mario and Luigi are ready to face their challenges to save the second and third princesses and find the culprit that is the root of Sarasaland's struggles.

“Let's-a-go, Lu.”

“Okie dokie.”

Chai Kingdom

Outside of the temple building around a peaceful street, a large koopa and a blue cloaked koopa are marching together as they're hiding themselves from the people of this kingdom, knowing the hostility many have towards a large koopa himself.

“The great news is that the outsiders are separated from the princess, meaning you might have the chance.” Kamek said as he keeps him and his lord invisible with his magic as a way to avoid hostility.

Then they're here as the invisibility magic wears off.

“The bad news is that the princess is with that mushroom in another nation that is also cultivated. That means there's no way to get our hand on her.” Kamek is worried about his boss’ anger as he doesn't want to anger him.

“Heh. I know a solution. When I said about going to Chai Kingdom, I was thinking about talking to the royal leader and requesting her to deal with those outsiders. The festival is coming and normally it's in the new year, but they're doing it early.” Bowser explained.

“Mmnrgh… I don't get it, my lord. We know you wanted that and we support it, but why Princess Toadstool of all people, I mean, there's plenty of women to marry.”

“Oh, Kamek, Peach is the light that sparks within my darkness, the one who lets a man come out of his shell. Her mysterious aura is a part of her beauty.” Bowser sighs as he can feel the beauty that is the princess, leading Kamek to cringe.

“Okay. But she clearly hates you.”

“And that's part of her charm. Her beautiful face as well as her smile and her smooth body are the things I must protect.”

“And I was wondering why green stache is right about you being a stalker…” Kamek murmurs, realising that Bowser is not normal in his behaviour.

Finally, both koopas open the door.

What's in front of them is a bunch of katanas pointing at both Bowser and Kamek.

“Eek!” Kamek shrieks.

“Hm. Figured she's being guarded by her people.” Bowser scoffs as he's not surprised about this.

In front of the koopas are a bunch of cloaked people in an eastern style clothing, like a kimono, and wearing a rice hat with black veil on top and covering their faces, making them both black and grey with black gloves and white socks.

Even Bowser and Kamek couldn't tell if they're all male or there's some female working there.

“King Bowser Koopa. Surrender now or perish.” One of the covered guards ordered.

“Oh? And you don't want me to visit the princess?” Bowser asks as his smile widens.

“We'd rather her being safe than you jumping in and attacking us! You're the reason this festival is planned earlier!” The other cloaked guard snaps.

“Alright. I'm sorry. I just want a little meeting, that's all. Your princess arranged that, right.”

“Liar.” The same guard growled.

“Hold on, we'll let the royal leader decide. If it's all true, then we'll let you go. Don't get your hopes up, monster.” The third one said while standing behind both Bowser and Kamek.

“Oh, I won't. Kamek, let's go.” Bowser huffs as he orders.

“Y- Yes, sire!” Kamek jumps back up and follows Bowser, who was also following the guards as they're surrounded.

With both koopas being taken to a room where there's more guards and a curtain with a human figure behind it, Bowser chuckles, preparing for a moment to get back at the Mario bros.

“Gong-zhu, is it true that you requested Koopa for a meeting?” One of the guards asks as the curtain stops herself.

“Excuse me? I do not recall interacting with someone like him.” The curtain answers.

“Huh?”

“Oh poop.” Kamek had realised that he and Bowser were screwed. “L- Lord Bowser, we need to go now!”

“Hmph.” Bowser is not surprised that his lie didn't get to her.

“You liar!” The guard yelled.

“Get him!” The other guard ordered.

Bowser is finally against a bunch of faceless hordes with sharp weapons as he's taking a deep breath, making his mouth glow with a charge.

Finally as Kamek takes cover, Bowser roars as a beam of fire releases, causing the guards to quickly block as they yell which had said blazing fire charging towards the curtain.

This alerted the curtain to quickly unsheath her katana as the flames burned the curtains down, but was split by a quick wave from a sword.

Finally, she reveals herself thanks to Bowser's flames.

The maiden of the Chai Kingdom's temple, unsurprisingly has straight bangs as she has 2 hair buns, although her dress is cheongsam, a Chinese dress, albeit long sleeved as a one piece dress and her skin is pale.

“Hm. I didn't expect a barbarian to come in and burn my temple down. Why are you here, King Koopa?” The girl asks while shifting her katana into a naginata pole like it's another one of the Kongs’ advanced technologies, but for weaponry.

“What I'm here for is a proposal.” Said Bowser.

“A proposal? And why should I believe that?” The girl asks as her tone is calm, yet bitter.

“Remember how you arrange a festival early? Well, during the festival, the outsiders are coming alongside with a couple of Sarasaland princesses.”

“Outsiders? You mean the ones I heard about from the Mushroom Kingdom?”

“Yeah. Also, why’re you less notified by Sarasaland?”

“We had our reason. Despite the older princess showing care towards us, we don’t want to live the rest of our lives being cultivated for many years. We lost the war and we want to stay hidden.” Said the girl.

Bowser then grins as he can hear what she said and was about to twist it even more.

“Well, the outsiders and princesses are coming back during the festival to crash and take not only your kingdom, but your throne. It’s heartbreaking that you’ll end up dead by those stinking outsiders.” Bowser lied as he tears up.

“I don’t buy it.” The girl refused.

Before Bowser makes another excuse, a door bangs open while the group groans by picking themselves up.

“Gong-zhu! Minmei-gong-zhu! Something’s happened in the garden.”

“What?” Before the girl, Minmei asks…

BOOM!

A loud bang has caused many people to panic as Minmei checks out of the window.

To her horror, she witnesses a large black smog as fire is blazing onto the flower garden, causing some people to summon the rescuers.

In other words, her kingdom is attacked.

“There’s even a letter for you.” One of the guards holds out the letter that is opened.

[Your kingdom is ours. - Mario and Luigi.]

“Are they…”

“Outsiders? Yeah.” Bowser hates to admit it as he lowers his head, answering what Minmei has been witnessing.

In other words, these outsiders cannot be trusted as the Mushroom Kingdom and the Kong Village that kept bragging about their heroism.

It was all a lie.

“But don’t worry, you’ll still have your festival. Maybe those plumbers won’t know that you’re busy. In the meantime, let me give you a helping hand.” Said Bowser.

“And Princess Toadstool?” Minmei asks as her tone starts to get colder.

“We’re engaged, until Mario showed up and ruined our love. He must be stopped.” Bowser grunts.