(Mushroom Kingdom-Peach's Castle) (Past-2015)
The sun poured into the castle as soon as the massive white-washed door was pushed open. A girl, who was only 11, stepped out into the courtyard. The grass in between her toes felt soft, and have seemed to energize her. The girl started walking, then immediately picked up the pace, letting her long, glossy dark brown hair fly in the wind.
This girl was known as Mae.
Mae ceased her sprint and immediately plopped down by a small garden, filled with wine-red roses and white lilies. She caressed one of the roses and deeply inhaled its scent, smiling in delight. The vibrant garden was then darkened by a shadow; it belonged Mae's older cousins; 13-year old Summer and 15-year old Leo.
Summer: You were supposed to wait for us Mae. You'd only have to wait a little longer for us to put on some shoes.
Leo: Oh, cut her some slack Summer. She's only a kid.
The two sat in the grass beside Mae, who attention was still focused on the little garden.
Mae: Aren't they just pretty?
Summer: Of course. I prefer the white lilies though. They're nice and pure, while the roses are sort of dark and intimidating; almost like it represents evil.
Mae frown at Summer's comment.
Mae: You're no fun at all.
Leo reached out and picked out one lily and rose each. He held them together and let the light of the sun shine on the roses.
Leo: But when they're both together, they create a sight for eyes. It's almost like they're made for each other. Don't you think Mae?
Mae nodded in agreement. Leo smiled and handed her the flowers he had picked.
Leo: Take them and put them in a vase, then sit them by a window so they can get some sun, OK?
Mae accepted the flowers and observed them.
Mae: Thanks Leo.
The courtyard door opened, and Peach stood in the frame.
Peach: Alright, come on inside you three. Daisy and Luigi are here to pick up Summer and Leo.
Mae: Already? Can they please stay a little longer?
Peach: I'm afraid not sweetheart. Summer has a special dinner to attend.
…...
Mario filled up a vase with water and handed it to Mae.
Mario: Go on, put your flowers in there.
Mae put one flowers in the vase one at a time and took the vase from her dad.
Mae: Leo picked them for me. Summer said the lily represents good and the rose represents evil. But together, Leo says they're beautiful. Don't you think he's right?
Mario chuckled at his daughter's child-like behavior.
Mario: Yes sweetheart.
Although the not all the time, he thought. The roses made him think back to when he and Bowser used to butt heads over Princess Peach. The feuds seemed to end when Mario and Peach got married and had Mae; after that Bowser never even set foot out of the Dark Lands. He had given up, for now. Sometimes it's best that they even keep their distance. Mario thought.
Peach: So, if I may ask, where are you having dinner at?
Luigi: We've decided that we'd start getting Summer possibly interested in marriage. We're having dinner with one of our friend's sons. I hear he studies abroad frequently, and we know Summer loves traveling.
Mario: Sounds like your type, huh Summer?
Summer smiled, but she shrugged with uncertainty.
Summer: We'll see after tonight.
While the adults spoke, Mae was curious about marriage. Sure, she knew her parents were married and Aunt Daisy and Uncle Luigi were married, but she didn't understand what it really meant. Mae decided to asked Summer and approached her.
Mae: Hey Summer, what is marriage?
Summer was taken back by this question. Mae was only 11; why was she interested in such a complex topic already?
Summer: Oh!...well, when you're married, it means you agree to be romantically involved with a person you love forever. So since your parents are married, they'll love each other forever.
Mae: That sounds wonderful. So, are you going to love someone forever?
Summer: Well, I don't know yet. Depends if I meet the right guy. I know mother and father want me to be married soon so a Prince can help me rule Sarasaland.
Mae's eyes grew wide.
Mae: You're gonna be a princess?
Summer: Soon; when I turn 18. I'd have to make sure I marry someone who I can work well with relationship-wise and business-wise so my reign will be successful.
Leo had been over to the side, quietly listening in on Summer and Mae's conversation. He didn't like the fact that his parents were trying to marry Summer off so soon. In fact, he felt that if Summer didn't want to be married, then she shouldn't be forced. Summer was independent as it was, and she could handle taking care of herself and a kingdom with her hands tied behind her back. She juggled her schoolwork, housework and extracurriculars smoothly; so why would Summer need a sleazy man with good looks to rule by her side? Leo noticed the sparkle in Mae's eyes. He could tell she was thinking about being princess, and having a prince too. Finally, Leo decided he'd set things straight, and walked over to the young girls.
Leo: Well- you don't have to marry someone in order to be a princess Mae. If you're smart and independent, you can do it all by yourself. Like Summer, if she were to stay single.
Summer smiled softly.
Summer: Thanks Leo. But honestly, I would like to be married. To be eternally tied with the partner you love so deeply…
Summer closed her eyes and dreamily sighed.
Leo: Mae, please understand that you don't have to be married. And, if you do get married, make sure it's with someone you truly love.
Summer: Right. Because if not, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Why attach yourself to someone you hate with money when you can have somebody who's handsome and cares about you?
Leo: And here's a tip; money can't buy love.
Mae took a second to comprehend what Leo said, then she gasped.
Mae: That's so true!
Leo and Summer exchanged glances with each other and they both broke into a laugh simultaneously at the young girl's elation. Mae smile grew big and she drew both of her cousins into a hug.
Mae: Thank you Leo, thank you Summer. You two are the best cousins ever; I couldn't get better advice from anyone else. Except for my parents, but they don't count.
Summer returned Mae's hug while Leo stroked Mae's hair.
Summer: No problem Mae.
Leo: We'll always be here for you.
-
(Mushroom Kingdom-Peach's Castle) (Present-2020)
Mae opened her eyes and lifted her head off of her feathery pillow. Footsteps had caused her to stir in her sleep. A toad had walked into her room to pull open the blind to allow to sunlight into the bedroom.
Toad: Good morning Mae. Mario and Peach have instructed me to wake you up so you can eat breakfast and get started right away on your schoolwork so you may have time for today's activities.
Mae rubbed her eyes to adjust them to the light and sat up in her bed.
Mae: Oh, OK. I'm getting up now.
As the toad turned to leave, he seemed to stagger once he got to the door. He hurried back into the room and place a tiny nicely wrapped box with a glittery purple bow on Mae's desk.
Toad: OH! I almost forgot; happy 16th birthday Mae!
Mae smiled and climbed out of bed.
Mae: Thank you so much. I'm sure whatever you gave me is going to be really neat.
The toad had then left, shutting the door behind him. Seeing the gift instantly put Mae in a good mood. She couldn't believe that she had finally turned sixteen! Mae walked up to her closet and removed the dress she had been saving for her sweet sixteen; a short, long sleeve lace dress paired with white 2 inch heels and a necklace with a white gem. With these items in her hands, she then headed for her bathroom so she can take her shower.
(Dark Lands-Bowser's Castle)
A book slid off of a desk and made an unpleasantly blaring noise hitting the ground. Bowser Jr. immediately woke up, stunned by this. He looked at the clutter of work that had accumulated on his desk and sighed with irritation. Once again, Junior had been feuding with the Koopalings, his adopted siblings. Ludwig, the oldest of the Koopalings, had been boasting about how he had just learned 34 dark spells in just one day. Unamused by this, Junior blatantly shared he could learn 50 in one night. Despite the laughter and teasing he received, Junior was determined he could do it.
However, Junior knew he has miserably failed. He knew there was no possible way he could learn so many dark spells in just 9 hours, but he had to try, so he shove it in Ludwig's face if he succeeded. Ludwig seemed to beat Junior in everything-dark spells, school, sports, cooking- and Ludwig had a tendency to gloat about it. The only thing Junior was better at than Ludwig was art; and Ludwig doesn't even draw in the first place, so that didn't even count. Junior began to clean off his workspace when he was interrupted by two koopas.
Iggy: Hey Junior! How's it going?
Lemmy: We just came to check on your progress.
Junior rolled his eyes with displeasure. He rather slam his head in an oven than have to listen to these guys speak to him.
Iggy: So how many spells did you learn?
Lemmy: 40? 50? 60? 100?
Junior: 5.
Iggy and Lemmy both snickered with delight.
Iggy: What? Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Can you say it again?
Junior: I said 5 Iggy. OK? I'll be the first to say it. I couldn't do it and I failed. I talk myself up and I failed.
Lemmy: Aww man, this is great!
Iggy: Come on Lemmy, we've gotta tell Ludwig.
Lemmy: I can't wait! He's gonna be so happy- not like he didn't think you'd fail anyway.
Iggy: Yeah; see you at breakfast loser.
When the two left, Junior sat down, frustrated. He knew it was childish to always fight with his siblings or get upset every time he lost, but boy, was he mad this time. Junior wished he could've just been stayed an only child- he didn't understand why Bowser had to go and adopt 7 more kids- Junior thought he was enough for his dad. I guess I just wasn't as much as I thought. Junior thought. Abruptly, Junior's stomach growled, begging to be fed. Despite the longing to stay in his room and avoid the Koopalings, Junior got off of his chair and went downstairs.