A/N: I have been working on this story...FOREVER! This story is lightly inspired by Blastos X4's Princess to Princess series, another Zelda/Mario crossover which can also be found in the Legend of Zelda section. So yes, this is a crossover, though the entirety of this particular story will be set in post-OoT Hyrule. If anyone is crazy unduly concerned that it's not in the oft-neglected crossover section, I can always move it (I think).
All characters are copyright Nintendo, except the ones the aren't. It's a work of fiction, and I don't make any money off it. Please enjoy and check out my other works too!
The Lost Woods were his temple and every training session a sermon. To traverse the terrain was to worship with his feet Din's strong and sturdy earth. The earth upon which Hyrule was built. To soar from branch to limb, rising and falling with metered breaths, was to pay homage to Nayru's natural laws. The commandments to which all beings are subject. To perceive each rustle and shift in the boscage was testament to the goodness and glory of Farore who, from her generous spirit, breathed life into every creature on land, in sea, and in air.
He drew breath into his lungs, expelling it in a rhythmic, force. His feet seemed to barely kiss the soil, leaving behind no footprints as he closed in on his goal. His mind was a narrow point of focus, counting his time with startling accuracy. It was going to be a new record.
Rather, it was going to be a new record, before he rounded a corner and nearly crashed into the scene before him. There was a woman, blond, and there were some monsters. And she was…talking to them? Sheik furrowed his eyebrows. This could be trouble.
In an instant, the mean little Deku Scrubs loosed their artillery, striking the pink-clad stranger squarely in the stomach, her bright blue eyes opened wide in shock as she crumpled to the ground. Wasting no time, Sheik threw a Deku nut of his own to the ground, creating a blinding flash in which he seized the maiden. She shrieked in terror and confusion, but he would never hear it; adrenaline coursed in his veins, blocking out all senses. Muscle memory allowed him a quick play of the Prelude of Light on the Goddess Harp. The familiar, sickening lurch of teleportation. The shattered stained glass windows of the Temple of Time materialized out of the fog.
Upon release, Peach immediately collapsed, threw up, and lost consciousness.
After a moment's hesitation, Sheik dug his hands beneath her arms, and dragged her across the floor. He propped the young woman up against the ruined wall of the former Temple of Time. He pushed her golden hair away from the sticky corners of her mouth. Her smooth face was white as Lon Lon Milk, and she shivered at his touch. Sheik frowned at the unconscious figure before him.
This girl is a fool. What was she doing in the forest?
Even the simplest Hyrulian child knew that every non-Kokiri entering the woods would become lost and inevitably turn into a Stalfos. Only Link, the Sages, and a handful of other important people could safely navigate the Lost Woods.
And to attempt to make conversation with a pack of unknown wild Deku Scrubs?
He could see from the pained expression on her face that she would not be making that same mistake again.
The princess cracked open her soft, blue eyes only to find a pair of crimson ones staring hard, too close. She jerked to back away only to hit her head painfully against the wall. She clutched the back of her head and moaned, cheeks flushed red.
The unfamiliar man jumped away from her, too quickly. She opened her mouth to cry out for help, but no sound came out. He stopped and she stared. Those red eyes, they belonged to a distinctly different being than the ones she was used to seeing back home. Instead of a large, terrifying Koopa King bellowing insults and conceits, she was face-to-face with a young man, silently peering out from between a cascade of golden hair and a swaddle of white knit.
The way her wide blue eyes scanned every wall and surface of the ruined temple reminded him of prey caught in the sights of his bow. They lingered on his face, his eyes. He took a step back and tried to appear…trustworthy.
Her lips parted; a jumble of pretty noises came tumbling out.
What language was that? He had never heard it before in all his travels across Hyrule. His eyes flashed to her lips, and then the crown adorning her head. They darted over her rich silk dress, festooned with jewels, her rounded human ears, and back to her downturned lips. He thought it safe to surmise this girl was not from Hyrule and was probably a person of great importance.
Sheik frowned; he could feel Zelda's consciousness stirring in the back of his mind. She would awaken soon. He turned to leave, but a certain needle prodding his mind stopped him. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so…curious. He beckoned the woman to follow him. Aunt Impa…she'll know what to do.
Earlier that day, the bright morning sun was already streaming through the gauzy curtains of Peach's bedroom window while she dressed herself. The larks and bluebirds sang out, as usual, and she slipped on her most comfortable silk flats. By all measures, it was just another beautiful summer day in the Mushroom Kingdom.
A warm breeze fluttered her dress and hair on her way out to the courtyard to meet her cousin, Daisy. She took a moment to check her makeup, touching up her lip gloss before meeting the exuberant princess of Sarasaland, who was already in the courtyard stationed in front of a buffet of picnic goods, eying them with gluttonous intent.
The picnic proceeded as normal; delicious strawberry scones and watermelon iced tea, fresh fruit, and tiny cupcakes. Even the conversation was standard; pleasant talks about the last Mario Party, an upcoming tennis tournament, Peach's public works project to expand the local library, and even Daisy's embarrassing disclosure about the pleasing qualities of the younger Mario Brother's callipygian backside.
The whole scene was so pleasant; it made the Koopa King want to vomit. He piloted his Clown Car down toward the two monarchs. Terrified screams issued from the castle as Mushroom guards tried to waddle on short legs to warn the princesses of the impending danger, but it was too late. Bowser leaped from his aircraft and landed with a quake. His signature laugh erupted from his throat with a stream of wickedly hot flames.
"Good morning, ladies," he oozed, sarcasm and smarm dripping from every syllable. "Hope you don't mind that I…dropped by." He laughed at his own joke. Daisy rolled her eyes; he was so corny it was almost hard to take him seriously. Almost. "Now, I think we all know what I'm here for, so if you'll just excuse me…" He reached toward Peach, who shrieked and backed away.
Daisy intercepted by throwing her body between her cousin and the monster.
"Get back, Peach!"
Bowser roared in annoyance. "Step aside, Red. I know you're dying for a piece of this hot Koopa bod, but blondes have more fun. Too bad for you."
"Don't flatter yourself!" she spat in response, "Who could ever want someone like you?"
Bowser feigned a hurt look, "Oh Daisy, you wound me!" He laughed that sick, terrible laugh. "Luckily, I don't need to be wanted to get what I want. It just so happens our little Peachy is my golden ticket to the Mushroom Kingdom's throne, and failing that, she always proves to be excellent Mario bait. When I get that fat plumber in my grips, I'm gonna squeeze him 'til he pops like an overstuffed tick." He narrowed his eyes, indicating that he was finished with idle chitchat. "Now I'll say it again…get out of my WAY!" He finished with a roar, swiping Daisy aside with huge scaly claws.
"Peach, run!" screamed Daisy as she hurtled to the ground. Peach didn't have to be told twice. She hitched up her skirt and tore into the trees on the periphery of the courtyard. She nimbly navigated the forest, trying to ignore the frightening roars and stomps closing in behind her.
She ran, ducking under low branches and jumping to avoid exposed roots, until her lungs ached for air and a painful side stitch ripped across her body. She doubled over and chanced a look back to see Bowser grunting and ripping small trees in his path up from their roots. She didn't have much time to escape.
"I've got you now, my little Peachy…don't you run, I wouldn't want to have to hurt you," he snarled.
Still panting, Peach slowly backed away, not daring to take her eyes off the Koopa King. She knew he had her cornered; with her inferior height, there was no way she'd be fast enough to get away now. Walking backward, a gnarled root caught her foot, tripped her, and sent her falling backwards and down, down into a deep black hole. She squeezed her eyes shut and fell with an echoing scream.