A Most Unusual Invitation

"No!"

The word was only two letters, but it ultimately provided clarity that the plucky plumber of the Mushroom Kingdom had long desired. Princess Peach had rejected his proposal in the aftermath of the misadventures on the moon. It hurt. It honestly did; however, Mario appreciated the courtesy of her candor. The return to the planet's surface had been awkward and quiet, and for two weeks, the conversations between the plumber and the Princess had all but screeched to a halt. It took time, but eventually, the two were able to rebuild some semblance of a friendship.

He stepped onto an airship and sat at a nearby window seat. Getting away from Ronastre was perhaps the best course of action for the time being. Six months may have passed, but really, Mario hadn't gotten out of the capital in the longest time for a simple vacation. Taking off his cap, he placed it over his face and allowed himself to be lulled to sleep by the gentle bobbing of the airship. It didn't last long as he snapped awake and snatched the cap off his face. Glancing out of the windows, he spotted the approaching skyline of New Donk City and gave a weak smile, "Home sweet home…" He muttered softly.

The ship docked, and the plumber exited inhaling the smell of fresh air greedily. Well, to be fair, he always did enjoy this city in comparison to Ronastre. Here, he was just an average joe who happened to be the Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. They all knew who he was, it wasn't like anyone could hide the fact that two people from New Donk City were knighted by King Reznor himself. No… this city didn't care who he was, he was a symbol true, but the people didn't treat him like some celebrity that deserved unending praise.

Spotting a café, the plumber gave a smile, he had been hungry. Taking a menu, he sat down and placed his order with the waiter. It was almost surreal being in his hometown without the threat of a giant crazed gorilla or the danger of Bowser attacking. He nodded appreciatively to the waiter who returned with a glass of water while perusing the newspaper whistling a soft tune.

"Mario?" A feminine voice called out, "I didn't know you were going to be in the city!"

The plumber blinked as he glanced up to behold a svelte woman wearing a red suit, "Madame Mayor?" He coughed before moving to his feet, "I'm sorry, I should've given you a heads up. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing."

The mayor smiled, "Mario, you know you can call me Pauline, right?" She asked as she slid into the seat across from him. "I mean… what? Am I that different now that I'm a mayor?"

Mario laughed as he sat back down, "You'll have to forgive me, I spend so much time in the capital that it's become a habit for me."

Pauline laughed, "Ah don't worry about it," She grinned, "Though I am a little curious, what brought you here?"

He shrugged, "I just needed to get away for a little bit." He said, looking at the newspaper again. It wasn't a lie, not exactly.

The mayor nodded, "Alright, now how about the real reason?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, "Don't forget, I know when you're lying."

"Sooner or later you're going to have to teach me that," Mario laughed lightly. At the inquisitive expression on her face, he sighed, "Truthfully? Still reeling a bit."

Pauline nodded as she placed her own order when the waiter walked away she stared at Mario, "So… you decide to take a trip back to your hometown to put a little distance between yourself and Princess Peach?" She asked neutrally, "Where your ex-girlfriend happens to be?"

Mario blinked as he shook his head, "Pauline, I know you're married to Stanley. I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a homewrecker…" He trailed off noticing the amused glint in her eyes, "…And you're messing with me…"

She laughed, "I'm sorry, but you made it too easy."

"Alright, I'll let it slide this once." Mario grunted with a good-natured smirk, "I don't know though, I just felt…like coming back to where it all began for me was the best option."

Pauline smiled, "Well it's always good to have you here, Mario." She then looked thoughtful, "Have you thought about reopening Mario Brothers Plumbing?"

Mario shook his head, "Nah, between fighting it out with Scapelli Construction and Bowser's kidnapping attempts I haven't really had the time to devote to reviving my plumbing business."

"Well, one of those problems hasn't been around for a few years now." Pauline grinned.

The plumber blinked, "Wait… Scapelli went belly up? What happened?" He asked.

He recalled dealing with Anthony Scapelli on numerous occasions and just how frustrating it was negotiating with the owner of New Donk City's largest construction company. The man had effectively undercut Mario's plumbing business and to rub salt in the wound, even offered to buy Mario's own business for a pitiful sum of money. Mario also recalled several university students who protested the company's attempts to shut down archaeological dig sites, rumors were floating that Scapelli had thugs in his employ that even tried to kill one student though nothing held up in the trial.

The mayor's grin became predatory, "Oh Scapelli made a few too many enemies. Scapelli always did like to throw his money around, but… turns out you can only coast on your ties to the aristocracy for so long before even they take issue with your crap." She explained, "Especially when an archaeological site mysteriously collapses and kills several students, including a Duke's daughter."

Mario blinked in surprise, "Good thing I never got my hands on him then…" He growled softly.

"Well Scapelli isn't some crazed gorilla nor was he the King of the Koopa Kingdom." Pauline laughed. "Though I'd have loved to have seen him exiled to the Kongo Jungle. Maybe he would've run into that gorilla there…"

Mario frowned recalling the gorilla in question. Who knew that singing at a carnival would rouse such an ornery beast? He sighed, the first real "adventure" of his life and it involved chasing a gorilla all the way to some tropical island in the south. He could only shake his head, "Who came up with the name 'Donkey Kong' anyway?" Mario asked at long last.

"I'm not sure, I just know that carnival got shut down after the whole ordeal." Pauline mused.

"Alright, so how do you go from practicing law to helping make law?" The plumber inquired.

"Like you… I wanted to help people." The mayor smirked, "I just chose to do so in a way that didn't put my life in constant jeopardy."

"At least until Bowser forced you to come to the moon?" Mario raised an eyebrow.

"Alright, fair enough." Pauline mused, "There is a bright side; however, King Reznor did grant the city more funds which I've put to use in contracting Professor Gadd to help with the city's security."

Mario grinned while raising his glass of water, "Well…the man knows his stuff, even if one of those things got me put through a kangaroo court…" He trailed off bitterly. A peculiar sound caught his ear as he glanced to the mayor, "Do you hear that?"

Pauline's eyes grew cold, "Yes… and it sounds like…" She trailed off and turned to face the direction Mario had been staring at.

The plumber stepped forward as three armored koopas wearing dark uniforms, one wearing a greatcoat marched in lockstep towards the plumber. Mario stood ready before the one wearing the coat stepped forward and held up a hand and stepped forward. He saluted the Hero, "Greetings Mario, Mayor Rosecrans." He nodded at both, "I am Colonel Terrapin, and I serve at the pleasure of His Royal Majesty, King Bowser of the Koopa Kingdom."

"Charmed, Colonel." The mayor muttered icily, "Now… would you mind explaining why you're in my city?"

Terrapin shook his head, "Apologies, Madame Mayor but… our business concerns him." He nodded to Mario, "His Royal Majesty has requested that you be brought before him in the capital city of Gralea."

Mario only shook his head, "Tell your master than I respectfully decline."

The colonel frowned, "Please sir. It is a matter of grave importance. I also know of your reputation, you are not a cruel man." He stated plainly, "The matter involves not just the Koopa Kingdom, but the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland, or so His Majesty dictates."

"And why should I believe you?" Mario asked casually, though the derision in his tone was evident. "If it is such a grave matter, then why does His Majesty not come himself?"

Terrapin shook his head, "I don't know, sir." He admitted. Mario's eyes widened slightly, "His Majesty has insisted that he needs your help. Consider how many innocent lives would be lost should you decline to help him."

Mario frowned as he glanced at the confused expression on Pauline's face. She shrugged at him while he returned his focus to the three koopas. Why would Bowser need his help? Mario's frown deepened, was he really entertaining this option? He sighed, "…Very well, Colonel." He muttered.

"You can't be serious." Pauline hissed, "For all we know this is a trick!"

The plumber nodded sadly, she had a point. Still, it was worth a risk just on the off chance that the colonel was right. He looked at her, "It's a risk that I'm just going to have to take." He stated, "If something happens to me, then Luigi will just have to juggle protecting two kingdoms eh? And the Underwhere will have a lot more occupants by the time I go down." Mario shrugged, "Do me a favor, let King Reznor and Princess Peach know where I am just so they don't think I disappeared."

"Do be careful, Mario." The mayor frowned.

Mario smiled, "Aren't I always?" He asked before looking back to the colonel, "By all means, Colonel. Lead the way."

To say that it felt strange being escorted by three of the Koopa Troop would be like saying water is wet, but Mario followed along quietly thinking about whatever the supposed emergency was and could only frown. Stepping onto one of the esteemed Koopahari airships as a welcome addition felt even stranger as he recalled having to force his way through numerous soldiers. To see some even nodding to him as if he were a long-lost friend made him finally turn his head towards the Colonel, "Okay… this is just a bit freaky…"

"I assure you, His Majesty has ordered that you are not to be harmed." Terrapin stated firmly.

"Yeah? And I'm the Emperor of Sarasaland." Mario replied snidely, "But wait… I'm not Emperor Theseus." He watched as the colonel shook his head in derision, "Alright, maybe that was a bit much. But, consider my position, Colonel. You tell me that there's some emergency that requires my aid and then I'm on an airship surrounded by soldiers of the Koopa Troop."

Terrapin nodded thoughtfully, "I understand, sir. As I said before, I am not sure of the exact nature of the emergency, just that it's caused His Majesty to sequester himself to his own personal chambers and only Master Kamek has spoken with or seen him."

Mario raised an eyebrow, only the wizard had seen the Koopa King? He crossed his arms and thought, "Could it be that he's ill?"

The colonel shook his head, "I don't think so. For as long as I've served His Majesty, I've never known him to be ill."

The plumber sighed, "Well… I can't promise that I'll be able to help. I'm certainly not going to kidnap the Princess for him."

Terrapin only gave a grin, "In all your years, have you known His Majesty to let others do so when he's more than capable?" He asked. "I don't think his pride would allow for it."

"A fair point, Colonel." Mario conceded with a grin.

He sat upon a crate watching as the crew worked diligently and paid him no mind. It was strange looking at the mixture of different races upon the ship operating in relative harmony with one another if there was one thing that impressed the plumber the Koopahari could breed a sense of national identity. Maybe it was just the aggressive nature of the Koopa Kingdom that helped break down ethnic tensions, he knew the Mushroom Kingdom could not lay claim to such a thing. There may have been villages within the Mushroom Kingdom made up of goombas and koopas, but it was more common to see toads and humans living in the kingdom. Most Mushroom Kingdom koopas and goombas had felt like they were ostracized by the Kingdom at large, a fact not helped by the Chancellor of the Mushroom Kingdom or even King Reznor himself. Princess Peach may have been able to alleviate most concerns that they had, but even Mario knew the koopas and goombas would always be looked upon with some suspicion.

The plumber thought back to the reason he was on the ship, to begin with, it was unlike Bowser to ask for help. The Koopa King was prideful to a fault, but to be put into a position where he had to ask for help? Mario shuddered at the thought. The two had worked together in the past, but nothing less than the destruction of the world could force them to work together. Was Terrapin telling the truth? Something in Mario's gut was telling him to trust the man, but he also recalled wise words once said to him when he was far younger: Trust but verify.

If nothing else, this little adventure would undoubtedly prove educational.

Author's Notes:

Greeterlings! I decided to make this fun little story based on the "Bowsette" meme that's taken over the internet. Not really a thing I'd have ever tackled before; however, I figure I can only improve if I branch out of my comfort zone.

The Mushroom Kingdom is that, a kingdom. The first Super Mario Bros mentions that the land was ruled by a benevolent king and queen, while you don't see them in future games it doesn't seem likely that they've just disappeared entirely. The name Reznor comes from the dinosaur enemies you face in Super Mario World's fortresses as well as the name of the Mushroom King in the Super Mario Brothers film. The Scapelli Construction company also comes from the movie, Anthony Scapelli routinely competed with the Mario Brothers and even tried to sabotage an archaeological dig site led by Daisy. I rather liked the rivalry Mario had with Scapelli in the film and wanted to bring it to the game universe.

Pauline is mentioned as being an old flame of Mario's and is the Mayor of New Donk City. As Mario was seen pining for Princess Peach later, it is evident that the prior relationship did not work out. Most depictions of their breakup indicate that Pauline was shallow; however, I prefer a more realistic breakup. Simply put, the relationship suffered trials that eventually led to their decision to end the relationship. Pauline's husband, Stanley, is the same Stanley from Donkey Kong 3. A working theory is that Stanley is a distant cousin of Mario's, but I'd say it's more probable that Stanley is a close friend of Mario's.

The uniforms of the Koopa Troop come from the Germans in the Wolfenstein series. The name Terrapin comes from the name of the soldiers patrolling Bowser's Castle in Super Mario RPG. Though he styles himself as King, technically Bowser is considered an emperor since he has kings swearing loyalty to him such as Goomboss or King Bob-Omb. Regarding hierarchy, an emperor is higher than a king.

Trust but verify comes from a Russian proverb that Suzanne Massie taught to US President Ronald Reagan on the subject of nuclear disarmament. It would probably ring well here given the circumstances.