Categories > Games > Mario > Complications
Chapter 19
0 ReviewsPeach is going on a date but with who?
Complications
Chapter 19: A Golden Opportunity
Peach's eyes went wide in realization. Of course, Mario would like to have someone who went on all sorts of adventures with him. Peach did sometimes, but the fact remained that she was the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, and she was needed in her home.
"What...? I... I didn't know!" Pauline stared at the ground, her ears were flat in awkward guilt, and the end of her tail was next to her feet, instead of wagging contently as it had previously been.
"Do you have feelings for him?" Peach's tone sent the message that she wanted honestly, and would not be angry regardless of the answer; she only wanted the truth.
"I have no rights to. Mario was my first true love and my hero. I wanted to marry him one day, and then he disappeared. I tried to move on, but life was so boring without him. Being here, in this world, I understand why he wouldn't want to go back; I don't blame him anymore. When you told me he was alive, I felt hopeful and at the same time foolish. When I saw him I was happy, and at the same time angry that he didn't try to find me... but not anymore. I think I understand what he has here; he's a real hero, not just my hero, and you are his princess. I'm not sure what Bowser was trying to do by giving me this leaf, but I'm not going to try to win Mario back. I know when to step back, I know when it's not my place; and I know I owe you for bringing me to this world and letting me stay at the Mushroom Kingdom." After Pauline's heartfelt words, a long moment of silence passed.
The tense and quiet atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of a horn and angry complaints, about the yellow convertible parked in the middle of the road. "I'm coming!" Daisy rushed to move her car while the shocked family of mushroom people apologized, explaining they did not know the car belonged to a princess. "Princesses shouldn't park like this anyway, no one should," Daisy admitted. She moved her car to the side of the road and stayed in it to give Peach and Pauline a moment alone.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Complications filled her existence, as the matters of the heart were revealed with such persistence..." Daisy closed the book and yawned. Trying to clear her head by reading a romance novel had not been her greatest idea. "Complications," Daisy shook her head; the novel, though titled /Complications/, was not as complicated as the situation Peach was facing. Daisy glanced at the clock in the Mushroom Castle guest room, which felt more like her room than a guest room lately; it was time to leave.
The Sarasaland princess left the room, wishing a passing Toad a "good morning," out of habit, and searching for pink among the many moving colors of the castle. "Peach!"
At first, the Mushroom Princess did not appear to be looking forward to the trip to Moleville's new rollercoaster, but then her expression changed, as if she were having an inner battle to decide her mood. "It's going to work out isn't it?"
"Of course it is," Daisy would have her hands full that day, as would Luigi whom she dragged into the plan as her accomplice.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Shut up!" Silence; sweet, wonderful silence had retuned to Bowser's Keep. The Koopa King was satisfied to have obtained at least one of the things he wanted, and continued walking down the hall. The plush red carpet extended all the way to the large double doors at the end, with gray stone statues of Bowser on each side.
Bowser Jr. and Larry, who had been given a very important mission by their siblings, stood still watching as their father walked away. The two koopalings looked at each other and nodded. "King dad!" they yelled in a high pitched chorus, making their voices as annoying as possible.
Bowser stopped, a mere few feet away from his destination, the door he intended to close on the two boys' faces should they intend to follow him. He turned around slowly to face them and his expression clearly showed that he was displeased. "What did I just say?"
"You said," Junior imitated his father, taking a deep breath and yelling at the top of his lugs. "Shut up!" Tiny sparks of fire flew from his mouth in a near perfect, miniature copy of his father.
"Then why are you still talking?" Logic, it was simple logic. If Bowser said to shut up, then everyone had to shut up no /'but'/, no /'if'/, no /'or'/, no /'and'/; there should be nothing but silence.
"Peach-is-going!" Larry voiced each word so fast, it was hard to tell where one word ended and the next began. He stepped back as soon as the sounds were produced, and waited for his father's reaction.
"Why didn't you say that from the start?" Lately the koopalings often snuck out and disappeared for hours, thinking that their father wouldn't find out. They came back in a good mood and didn't cause him any trouble, so Bowser decided to overlook their outings; besides he knew where they were going.
The koopalings all left together and returned together. Strangely, it all took place without arguments on the way out, or on their return. What was more surprising: their good mood lasted for hours after they came back; which meant less fights less broken items, and overall less headaches. Bowser had decided to allow his children to 'secretly' visit Peach as long as she was okay with it, and judging by the koopalings' mood everything must have gone well. Bowser wanted to go too, but he decided to wait for Peach to keep her promise at the parade and come see him willingly.
The two youngest koopalings looked at each other as if searching for the right answer. That right answer was certainly not the entire truth, but a reply that would erase any suspicions their father may have about their secret visits to Peach since they held on to the illusion that he might still not know the full story. Unfortunately it was rather hard to take a long time to calmly think of an answer with Bowser's impatient glare upon them. "Because!" Generic, ambiguous, and beautifully vague; that one word was the best all purpose answer ever invented.
Bowser rolled his eyes, the reaction surprising both Junior and Larry. "In that case, I will be going, you and all your siblings can stay here."
An avalanche of complaints, and speedily spoken, semi-coherent excuses, were thrown at Bowser; as Junior and Larry tried to change his mind. The chatter of the two koopalings followed the Koopa King past the door and into the meeting room, for a reunion that would be cut short.
The murmurs the many representatives died down when the King's presence was noticed, which was hard to miss. This made the chatter, whining and begging of the two koopalings who wished to go to Moleville, all the more obvious to everyone, Bowser included.
"Shut up!" Bowser had lost count of how many times he had to use that small, yet powerful, phrase that day. Once again, this time for a little longer then before, the koopalings were quiet allowing Bowser enough time to dismiss everyone who had gathered for the meeting. "I have more important things to do, so the meeting is cancelled until I have time for this..." Bowser paused and gave the situation some thought. He wanted to know exactly what was going on with the koopalings and Peach, specifically why she had decided to see them in secret. Even if he didn't rush her into keeping her promise, he still wanted to know. "Forget that. Kamek, have the meeting without me." Ignoring Kamek's inquiries and effort to understand Bowser's decision, the Koopa King left the meeting room followed by his two youngest sons. Even if the meeting was postponed he wouldn't have time for it later so he left it all to Kamek.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Ludwig!" Bowser's voice echoed all over the keep, making Junior and Larry's insistent requests to go to Moleville sound like whispers in comparison.
The echo of foot steps was heard coming closer, until the blue haired koopaling came into view. He opened his mouth to speak, but was not given the chance.
"For how long?" Bowser asked, receiving confused looks from his children.
"I do not understand," Ludwig's mind was racing. Had his father found out where he had been going with his siblings all those times? Probably... in fact he had probably known for a long time but decided to give the situation some time, and maybe wait until someone told him about it. He was usually impatient, but when it came to Peach he was trying to make her see he didn't mean to pressure her.
"For how long have you been seeing Peach behind my back, without even inviting me?" The strange calls, the secretive conversations in the halls that stopped or changed when Bowser passed by, the koopalings' general mood, and now an invitation to finally see Peach; all those little clues, plus the Peach doodles in Junior's sketch book made the so called secret obvious and Bowser had decided to stop pretending he didn't know. He was invited to see Peach; that could only mean that whatever she and the koopalings were planning was ready.
Wendy had heard Bowser calling Ludwig, and her sixth sense told her this was related to their trips to see Peach. She rushed down the long corridors and stairs, following the echo of her father's voice. Wendy was convinced that Ludwig, or most likely Junior or Larry, would say too much, and only she could straighten things out. Wendy stopped cold as she came face to face with the image of Bowser glaring at Ludwig. Junior and Larry were standing to the side almost cringing.
"I can explain..." Ludwig tried to organize the events, and come up with versions of them that were truthful, yet not accusing. He knew it would come to this.
Wendy did not like the way Ludwig started his speech. The koopalings knew that what they had been doing would eventually be revealed, but they wanted more time.
xoxox xox xoxox
Peach, Mario, Daisy and Luigi arrived at Moleville. The once small mining town had evolved into an elaborate tourist trap, with the main attraction being the rollercoaster.
Some time ago, when a star piece crashed into the mountains near town, there was a cave in at the mines, and two mole children where trapped inside. Mario, Mallow and Geno ventured into the mines to save the mole children Dyna and Mite; and recover the star piece. Meanwhile the moles tried enter the mines from above and dug a short-cut to the mine cars deep inside the mountain. Mario had made it a sport to try to beat his own record racing the mine cars, and soon many others wanted to try it. Aside from the rollercoaster, Moleville was well known as a place were treasure hunters went to sell and buy goods.
Daisy proudly showed off four golden tickets. "With these golden tickets we don't even have to stand in line!" Daisy's plan was for her and Luigi to have a double date with Peach and Mario. It was supposed to give Peach time to decide who she liked and what she wanted to do about it. However, there was no point of comparison if both candidates were not there. The koopalings had gotten to know their /aunt Daisy/, as they called her, during their secret visits to Peach; and Daisy had devised a plan.
Deep down, a part of Daisy wished for Mario and Peach to be together. If that happened things would go back to normal, and the four of them could go out to have fun again, as they had done many times before. She knew Pauline was avoiding Mario, but that did not change the fact that the raccoon girl still had feelings for the plumber. Like Peach, it turned out that Pauline could play both the role of damsel in distress and lady adventurer; but she did not have the duty to take care of a kingdom, nor the busy schedule; which made her more competition than Pauline herself realized.
Though Pauline had assumed she didn't stand a chance against a princess, and she did not want to appear ungrateful to Peach after she brought her to the Mushroom Kingdom; Daisy could not emphasize enough that the fact continued to remain: Pauline was infatuated with Mario, denial or not.
Another part of Daisy longed for the adventure that would come, and be referred by some as chaos, should Peach chose to stay with Bowser. Daisy had heard countless stories about him already, but still held small doubts about Peach fitting into his family. Those doubts did not include the koopalings, since Daisy knew very well Peach had become quite close to them; but the Koopa Kingdom itself, and the Koopa King.
It was after thinking about it for a long time that Daisy decided that, in all truth, even if her opinions were a little divided, one thing was definitive; Daisy wanted Peach to find her happiness, regardless of what it required. So it was decided, both candidates would be given a chance and Peach would chose. That meant arranging things so that Peach was left alone with them, and hopefully finding a way to make them cooperate without trying to kill each other.
Daisy knew that the koopalings would find out about this plan and would want to take part in it. It was best to invite them, than to have them show up unexpectedly. With a large bribe on his table, which Daisy called a gift of friendship and peace; the mayor of Moleville could not refuse the Sarasaland princess' request. Four golden tickets were awarded to her, and nine were given to Parakarry to deliver to Ludwig Von Koopa in secret.
The Koopa family should be arriving at Moleville any minute, by a sheer coincidence that no one would suspect was caused by Daisy, at least not until it was too late. She didn't know that the plan had been revealed to Bowser and he was going for more than just a family trip.
While Mario enjoyed the scent of the confectionary stands and the thought of soon riding the gigantic roller coaster; Luigi became more distressed by the second. Daisy had confessed her plan, making it quite clear that it would take place with, or without his help. He chose to help, since he couldn't stop her. Now Luigi was picturing himself and Daisy trying to keep eight hyperactive koopalings busy for the day, to give Peach the chance to become trapped in the middle of an epic deadly battle. Well, that was not the way Daisy explained it; but with Mario and Bowser in the same place a battle was the most likely outcome.
But if Bowser was indeed as civilized as Peach now thought, then he should have little difficulties in making a truce with his rival and spending the afternoon with him and Peach. It wouldn't be the first time they made a truce anyway, even if the situation had basically demanded it in the past for the purpose of defeating a common enemy.
In Daisy's mind, spending time with both of them during the same day, was Peach's best chance to decide if she wanted to continue pursuing a relationship with Mario, or if she finally wished to grant Bowser's wish and actually be in a relationship with him. Or maybe, by some strange twist of fate; Peach would decide that neither candidate was her true love; and that would be the end of it. Whatever happened, Daisy wanted to help make it happen.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own the Mario games or characters. Next chapter, A Competition of Bribery.
Chapter 19: A Golden Opportunity
Peach's eyes went wide in realization. Of course, Mario would like to have someone who went on all sorts of adventures with him. Peach did sometimes, but the fact remained that she was the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, and she was needed in her home.
"What...? I... I didn't know!" Pauline stared at the ground, her ears were flat in awkward guilt, and the end of her tail was next to her feet, instead of wagging contently as it had previously been.
"Do you have feelings for him?" Peach's tone sent the message that she wanted honestly, and would not be angry regardless of the answer; she only wanted the truth.
"I have no rights to. Mario was my first true love and my hero. I wanted to marry him one day, and then he disappeared. I tried to move on, but life was so boring without him. Being here, in this world, I understand why he wouldn't want to go back; I don't blame him anymore. When you told me he was alive, I felt hopeful and at the same time foolish. When I saw him I was happy, and at the same time angry that he didn't try to find me... but not anymore. I think I understand what he has here; he's a real hero, not just my hero, and you are his princess. I'm not sure what Bowser was trying to do by giving me this leaf, but I'm not going to try to win Mario back. I know when to step back, I know when it's not my place; and I know I owe you for bringing me to this world and letting me stay at the Mushroom Kingdom." After Pauline's heartfelt words, a long moment of silence passed.
The tense and quiet atmosphere was interrupted by the sound of a horn and angry complaints, about the yellow convertible parked in the middle of the road. "I'm coming!" Daisy rushed to move her car while the shocked family of mushroom people apologized, explaining they did not know the car belonged to a princess. "Princesses shouldn't park like this anyway, no one should," Daisy admitted. She moved her car to the side of the road and stayed in it to give Peach and Pauline a moment alone.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Complications filled her existence, as the matters of the heart were revealed with such persistence..." Daisy closed the book and yawned. Trying to clear her head by reading a romance novel had not been her greatest idea. "Complications," Daisy shook her head; the novel, though titled /Complications/, was not as complicated as the situation Peach was facing. Daisy glanced at the clock in the Mushroom Castle guest room, which felt more like her room than a guest room lately; it was time to leave.
The Sarasaland princess left the room, wishing a passing Toad a "good morning," out of habit, and searching for pink among the many moving colors of the castle. "Peach!"
At first, the Mushroom Princess did not appear to be looking forward to the trip to Moleville's new rollercoaster, but then her expression changed, as if she were having an inner battle to decide her mood. "It's going to work out isn't it?"
"Of course it is," Daisy would have her hands full that day, as would Luigi whom she dragged into the plan as her accomplice.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Shut up!" Silence; sweet, wonderful silence had retuned to Bowser's Keep. The Koopa King was satisfied to have obtained at least one of the things he wanted, and continued walking down the hall. The plush red carpet extended all the way to the large double doors at the end, with gray stone statues of Bowser on each side.
Bowser Jr. and Larry, who had been given a very important mission by their siblings, stood still watching as their father walked away. The two koopalings looked at each other and nodded. "King dad!" they yelled in a high pitched chorus, making their voices as annoying as possible.
Bowser stopped, a mere few feet away from his destination, the door he intended to close on the two boys' faces should they intend to follow him. He turned around slowly to face them and his expression clearly showed that he was displeased. "What did I just say?"
"You said," Junior imitated his father, taking a deep breath and yelling at the top of his lugs. "Shut up!" Tiny sparks of fire flew from his mouth in a near perfect, miniature copy of his father.
"Then why are you still talking?" Logic, it was simple logic. If Bowser said to shut up, then everyone had to shut up no /'but'/, no /'if'/, no /'or'/, no /'and'/; there should be nothing but silence.
"Peach-is-going!" Larry voiced each word so fast, it was hard to tell where one word ended and the next began. He stepped back as soon as the sounds were produced, and waited for his father's reaction.
"Why didn't you say that from the start?" Lately the koopalings often snuck out and disappeared for hours, thinking that their father wouldn't find out. They came back in a good mood and didn't cause him any trouble, so Bowser decided to overlook their outings; besides he knew where they were going.
The koopalings all left together and returned together. Strangely, it all took place without arguments on the way out, or on their return. What was more surprising: their good mood lasted for hours after they came back; which meant less fights less broken items, and overall less headaches. Bowser had decided to allow his children to 'secretly' visit Peach as long as she was okay with it, and judging by the koopalings' mood everything must have gone well. Bowser wanted to go too, but he decided to wait for Peach to keep her promise at the parade and come see him willingly.
The two youngest koopalings looked at each other as if searching for the right answer. That right answer was certainly not the entire truth, but a reply that would erase any suspicions their father may have about their secret visits to Peach since they held on to the illusion that he might still not know the full story. Unfortunately it was rather hard to take a long time to calmly think of an answer with Bowser's impatient glare upon them. "Because!" Generic, ambiguous, and beautifully vague; that one word was the best all purpose answer ever invented.
Bowser rolled his eyes, the reaction surprising both Junior and Larry. "In that case, I will be going, you and all your siblings can stay here."
An avalanche of complaints, and speedily spoken, semi-coherent excuses, were thrown at Bowser; as Junior and Larry tried to change his mind. The chatter of the two koopalings followed the Koopa King past the door and into the meeting room, for a reunion that would be cut short.
The murmurs the many representatives died down when the King's presence was noticed, which was hard to miss. This made the chatter, whining and begging of the two koopalings who wished to go to Moleville, all the more obvious to everyone, Bowser included.
"Shut up!" Bowser had lost count of how many times he had to use that small, yet powerful, phrase that day. Once again, this time for a little longer then before, the koopalings were quiet allowing Bowser enough time to dismiss everyone who had gathered for the meeting. "I have more important things to do, so the meeting is cancelled until I have time for this..." Bowser paused and gave the situation some thought. He wanted to know exactly what was going on with the koopalings and Peach, specifically why she had decided to see them in secret. Even if he didn't rush her into keeping her promise, he still wanted to know. "Forget that. Kamek, have the meeting without me." Ignoring Kamek's inquiries and effort to understand Bowser's decision, the Koopa King left the meeting room followed by his two youngest sons. Even if the meeting was postponed he wouldn't have time for it later so he left it all to Kamek.
xoxox xox xoxox
"Ludwig!" Bowser's voice echoed all over the keep, making Junior and Larry's insistent requests to go to Moleville sound like whispers in comparison.
The echo of foot steps was heard coming closer, until the blue haired koopaling came into view. He opened his mouth to speak, but was not given the chance.
"For how long?" Bowser asked, receiving confused looks from his children.
"I do not understand," Ludwig's mind was racing. Had his father found out where he had been going with his siblings all those times? Probably... in fact he had probably known for a long time but decided to give the situation some time, and maybe wait until someone told him about it. He was usually impatient, but when it came to Peach he was trying to make her see he didn't mean to pressure her.
"For how long have you been seeing Peach behind my back, without even inviting me?" The strange calls, the secretive conversations in the halls that stopped or changed when Bowser passed by, the koopalings' general mood, and now an invitation to finally see Peach; all those little clues, plus the Peach doodles in Junior's sketch book made the so called secret obvious and Bowser had decided to stop pretending he didn't know. He was invited to see Peach; that could only mean that whatever she and the koopalings were planning was ready.
Wendy had heard Bowser calling Ludwig, and her sixth sense told her this was related to their trips to see Peach. She rushed down the long corridors and stairs, following the echo of her father's voice. Wendy was convinced that Ludwig, or most likely Junior or Larry, would say too much, and only she could straighten things out. Wendy stopped cold as she came face to face with the image of Bowser glaring at Ludwig. Junior and Larry were standing to the side almost cringing.
"I can explain..." Ludwig tried to organize the events, and come up with versions of them that were truthful, yet not accusing. He knew it would come to this.
Wendy did not like the way Ludwig started his speech. The koopalings knew that what they had been doing would eventually be revealed, but they wanted more time.
xoxox xox xoxox
Peach, Mario, Daisy and Luigi arrived at Moleville. The once small mining town had evolved into an elaborate tourist trap, with the main attraction being the rollercoaster.
Some time ago, when a star piece crashed into the mountains near town, there was a cave in at the mines, and two mole children where trapped inside. Mario, Mallow and Geno ventured into the mines to save the mole children Dyna and Mite; and recover the star piece. Meanwhile the moles tried enter the mines from above and dug a short-cut to the mine cars deep inside the mountain. Mario had made it a sport to try to beat his own record racing the mine cars, and soon many others wanted to try it. Aside from the rollercoaster, Moleville was well known as a place were treasure hunters went to sell and buy goods.
Daisy proudly showed off four golden tickets. "With these golden tickets we don't even have to stand in line!" Daisy's plan was for her and Luigi to have a double date with Peach and Mario. It was supposed to give Peach time to decide who she liked and what she wanted to do about it. However, there was no point of comparison if both candidates were not there. The koopalings had gotten to know their /aunt Daisy/, as they called her, during their secret visits to Peach; and Daisy had devised a plan.
Deep down, a part of Daisy wished for Mario and Peach to be together. If that happened things would go back to normal, and the four of them could go out to have fun again, as they had done many times before. She knew Pauline was avoiding Mario, but that did not change the fact that the raccoon girl still had feelings for the plumber. Like Peach, it turned out that Pauline could play both the role of damsel in distress and lady adventurer; but she did not have the duty to take care of a kingdom, nor the busy schedule; which made her more competition than Pauline herself realized.
Though Pauline had assumed she didn't stand a chance against a princess, and she did not want to appear ungrateful to Peach after she brought her to the Mushroom Kingdom; Daisy could not emphasize enough that the fact continued to remain: Pauline was infatuated with Mario, denial or not.
Another part of Daisy longed for the adventure that would come, and be referred by some as chaos, should Peach chose to stay with Bowser. Daisy had heard countless stories about him already, but still held small doubts about Peach fitting into his family. Those doubts did not include the koopalings, since Daisy knew very well Peach had become quite close to them; but the Koopa Kingdom itself, and the Koopa King.
It was after thinking about it for a long time that Daisy decided that, in all truth, even if her opinions were a little divided, one thing was definitive; Daisy wanted Peach to find her happiness, regardless of what it required. So it was decided, both candidates would be given a chance and Peach would chose. That meant arranging things so that Peach was left alone with them, and hopefully finding a way to make them cooperate without trying to kill each other.
Daisy knew that the koopalings would find out about this plan and would want to take part in it. It was best to invite them, than to have them show up unexpectedly. With a large bribe on his table, which Daisy called a gift of friendship and peace; the mayor of Moleville could not refuse the Sarasaland princess' request. Four golden tickets were awarded to her, and nine were given to Parakarry to deliver to Ludwig Von Koopa in secret.
The Koopa family should be arriving at Moleville any minute, by a sheer coincidence that no one would suspect was caused by Daisy, at least not until it was too late. She didn't know that the plan had been revealed to Bowser and he was going for more than just a family trip.
While Mario enjoyed the scent of the confectionary stands and the thought of soon riding the gigantic roller coaster; Luigi became more distressed by the second. Daisy had confessed her plan, making it quite clear that it would take place with, or without his help. He chose to help, since he couldn't stop her. Now Luigi was picturing himself and Daisy trying to keep eight hyperactive koopalings busy for the day, to give Peach the chance to become trapped in the middle of an epic deadly battle. Well, that was not the way Daisy explained it; but with Mario and Bowser in the same place a battle was the most likely outcome.
But if Bowser was indeed as civilized as Peach now thought, then he should have little difficulties in making a truce with his rival and spending the afternoon with him and Peach. It wouldn't be the first time they made a truce anyway, even if the situation had basically demanded it in the past for the purpose of defeating a common enemy.
In Daisy's mind, spending time with both of them during the same day, was Peach's best chance to decide if she wanted to continue pursuing a relationship with Mario, or if she finally wished to grant Bowser's wish and actually be in a relationship with him. Or maybe, by some strange twist of fate; Peach would decide that neither candidate was her true love; and that would be the end of it. Whatever happened, Daisy wanted to help make it happen.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own the Mario games or characters. Next chapter, A Competition of Bribery.
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