Overthrow
Today was different from any other day. Bowser and his minions weren't out to get her like the daily routine, but what made it more unusual was that he was not in sight whatsoever. The days of Smash were over, and it was now a time of relaxation, and if not, boredom.
Peach had rested her chin on her hand as she sat on her throne within the Mushroom Kingdom. She watched as her Toad servants ran all over the castle, performing their daily tasks. Cooking, cleaning, serving the young heiress at her every whim. She awaited for Mario to step through the double doors leading to her throne, and her mouth stretched into a smile when she saw them open.
" Princess Peach, " Toad rushed to the throne in a state of panic, and Peach started to frown again. " There's some strange woman outside who wants to see you! " He waved his arms over his head as if the matter was an emergency.
Peach stood up from her throne and nodded. Picking up the front of her dress, she strolled towards the door as a toad stood by it and opened it for her. Marching down the stairs and into the large entrance hall, she fought to get the frown off her face and made it to the double doors. Reaching for the doorknob, she opened one of the doors and stepped through.
" Good day, how may I help - " Peach introduced herself, but froze when she saw her visitor. The woman had pale skin and long, flowing auburn hair. She donned herself in a backless white gown with matching gloves that went up to her elbows. and her brown circlet had gleamed brightly in the bright sun.
" Are you Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom? " The mysterious female questioned with a stern look, her blue eyes locked with Peach's.
" Yes, I am. Who are you? " Something was strange about this woman; she didn't share the same characteristics as the citizens of the Mushroom Land, but then again she was human, not a walking mushroom. Peach began to feel as if she had seen the woman before.
" I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule, and I have traveled across many lands to meet you, Princess Peach. " Zelda performed a curtsy and bowed forward. " I heard many things about you as the heiress of the Mushroom Kingdom that had came across Hyrule. "
Peach rose an eyebrow and crossed her arms. " What kind of news would that be? " Behind her, one of the doors were slightly opened, with Toad peaking behind it.
Princess Zelda, from Hyrule? Toad had stared hard at Zelda, question after question popping up in his head. I know she's here for something more than just a meeting. He jumped when Zelda's eyes had met contact with his.
" You're right, little Mushroom. " She looked down upon Toad, and Peach spun around to see her servant accompanied with many other Toads. " I came here for another reason. " Zelda reached for something behind her back, and Toad began to shake in fright.
Peach turned back around to discover a sword pointed in her direction. " What are you planning to do here? " She moved into a defensive stance with her arms against her chest.
Zelda gripped tightly around the handle and raised her blade high in the air. " It's quite obvious, actually. " She brought her sword down and aimed at Peach again. " To overthrow you, the heiress of Mushroom Kingdom. "
Toad scurried from behind the doors and jumped in front of Peach. " We won't let you do that! " A bunch of other Toads had followed and circled around their Princess. " You'd had to get through us first! "
Zelda lowered her sword arm and placed her free hand on her hip. " Do you plan to get in my way? " She raised an eyebrow and gazed into the eyes of the Toads, realizing they would throw away their lives for Peach, a moral she thought was rather idiotic. " Do you intend to die for your little princess? "
" If it's for the safety of Princess Peach, so be it! " Toad barked back with determination. A weak feeling started to swarm in Peach's leg, and she fought to stand on her feet.
" Look at her. " Zelda shook her head and pointed a finger at Peach. " She can't even stand on her own, nor defend herself from assailants such as that repulsive turtle. " Toad knew who she was referring to, and had already made a conclusion.
" You're with Bowser, aren't you? "
" Me? With that unruly beast? " Zelda moved her finger and pointed to the ground. " I want you to look over this bridge. " A toad dispatched from the others and stuck its head over the edge, and gasped.
It was Bowser; his spiky shell was detached from his body and started to slowly float down the river under the bridge. The corpse was decorated with cuts and burns on almost the entire body." H-He's dead! " The toad backed away from over the bridge, shaking in disbelief. Bowser was dead, and now another assailant has taken his place.
" That's enough. " Peach marched through the mob of Toads surrounding her, and approached Zelda. " Yes, Mario had saved me plenty of times, and I may not be the best leader for this kingdom, but I am far from weak! " The bass in her tone surprised everyone, and Toad knew Peach was not a pretty sight when angry.
Zelda raised her sword once more and pointed it at Peach. " Then prove it! " In a flash, she charged, with her blade ready for a strike. Peach swung her body from left to right, avoiding every bladed swing aimed at at her limbs with speed. The faster she dodged, Zelda's assault grew more ruthless. The Princess of Hyrule started to perform jabbing motions at Peach's chest, preparing for a sure kill.
Peach saw the tip of the sword close in on her, and too slow to react, she tripped over the back of her heels and landed hard on her back. The stone bridge beneath gave no comfort to her aching back, and before she could stand up again, a flash of light blinded her view.
" Is that the best you can do? " The sunbeams reflected heavily off of Zelda's blade, and with a flick of her wrist she shined the rays into Peach's eyes. " Get up! " She became amused at the sight of her opponent shielding her face and stumbling to her feet.
Peach removed her arms from her face, as her pupils grew sore. She extended her arm and swung her hand left and right for a slap, but felt her palm connected with nothing but air. Her vision slowly inverted from blurry to clear, and saw Zelda lunge for her. She leaped back at the last second, barely dodging another stab to her chest.
" Princess Peach, here! " Toad raised a pink parasol and tossed it in the air. Peach extended her arm outward and snatched the weapon while it was in mid-air. No time to ready her stance, she raised the parasol high in the air as the handle clashed with Zelda's blade.
" Such a pathetic tool will not aid you in this duel! " Zelda began to shove, pushing Peach back with ease. Peach had thrust her body forward, returning the power struggle. With a battle cry, she broke the clash and swung. The parasol had connected with Zelda's hand, knocking her blade out of her hand and over the bridge.
" She did it! " The toads cheered on their Princess, jumping with victory and glee. Peach, however, did not. She knew that just because Zelda was know unarmed, did not mean the fight was over.
Zelda had stepped back, caressing her sore hand. Her glare was rather dull, irritation started to habitat in her throat. " I shall continue this fight, even without a blade! " Her glare now grew sharp, and her fist surged with sparkles, as if her hand was coated in glitter.
Peach took a few steps backward, as Zelda opened her hand, and a ball of fire materialized in the middle of her palm. It grew larger by the seconds, and the Toads all leaped in front of their Princess.
" Die! " Zelda lunged the fireball at the group, and Peach shielded herself as the explosion struck them. The Toads were sent flying across the bridge. Zelda gazed deep into the mixture of dust and smoke as it faded, and saw that mostly everyone were lying on their back. She shook her head, unamused, and flipped her hair.
Peach fought to get up on her feet, as her entire body was swollen with severe ache. Clutching on her ribs, she stumbled and feel to her knees. " Why...why are you doing this? "
" You do not deserve to claim the title of a princess. How can you ever rule a kingdom when you're always playing the damsel in distress? " Zelda stared down at her fallen opponent, waiting for an answer. " You can't even answer that, yourself, can you? "
Peach had sunken her head, for all she felt then was shame and humiliation. She never had the chance to stand in glory, because Bowser would always snatch her away before she could ever spread her royalty throughout her kingdom.
" Pathetic. " Zelda placed a hand on her hip and watched as Peach began to crawl for her umbrella. " Do you still plan to fight, even with that worthless toy? " She realized the parasol was at her feet, and snapped it into halves with a stomp of her foot. " Give up your position of royalty, or you will pay with your life. " Zelda had spun around gracefully and turned her back to Peach, before marching into the sunset.