Our story begins in a mysterious land, hidden away from the rest of the world. This land is commonly known as the Mushroom Kingdom. It is ruled by a man named Toadsworth, who shares the throne with his daughter, Peach. The Mushroom Kingdom is inhabited by small people that resemble toadstools. These are the Toads, and they all live in peace and harmony under King Toadsworth's rule.

The year is 1980. Princess Peach is awaiting the return of her father, who has gone out looking for a suitor to marry her. If the Toadstool bloodline is to be continued, Peach must be married soon. Within the next hour, a knock is heard from the foyer. Peach rushes to the door and opens it to see her father, who is standing next to a tall, slender man in a green suit. Almost in an instant, the man extends his arm out to Peach, and introduces himself.

"Greetings, my fair princess. The name's Lord Bowser and it's a pleasure to meet you."

The princess shakes hands with Bowser, and Toadsworth decides to pipe up.

"Yes, quite right…this is Lord Bowser. I met him on my way back from the town square, and he appears to be a rather nice fellow. He's been dying to meet you ever since I mentioned you to him, and I do think I recall him saying he was royalty of some sort..."

"That's right Princess, I was once considered a King sometime before. But those times have passed, and now I'm nothing but your basic man in need of love."

The Princess blushed, and held Lord Bowser's hand.

"You seem to be very sweet to me, my Lord. Would you care for some cake?"

Bowser kissed the Princess's hand and nodded.

With that kiss, we fast-forward a year into the future, into the year 1981. It is the day of Lord Bowser & Princess Peach's wedding, and several Toads are filing into seats in front of the altar. Peach is wearing a luxurious snow white wedding dress, while Bowser is wearing a fancy, green tuxedo. His orange hair is pressed with gel, and it resembles a roaring flame. The Toadstool priest walks up to his podium and opens his large book, which is about twice the size of his head.

"Dearly beloved, we are here today to join two people who love each other together in the act of holy matrimony. By the power of the Almighty Seven Star Spirits, let us begin this marriage. Is there any objection before we begin this ritual?"

The room is silent for a few seconds, then Bowser leans in to whisper something to Peach.

"Honey…you don't mind that I invited a few of my old friends, do you?"

"Of course not! Why would it matter?"

"Oh…no big reason…"

Suddenly, Lord Bowser steps away from the princess and lets out a terrifying roar. A black light surrounds him as everyone watches in fear, trembling in their seats. The light fades away, and Lord Bowser is no longer human. He now resembles a giant turtle with a spiky shell, with a few dragon-like features mixed in. Bowser turns toward the back of the church and lets out a roaring command:

"KOOPA PACK…ATTACK!"

King Toadsworth quickly rises from his throne on the balcony and yells down at Bowser:

"What the blazes is going on? Who the hell are you?"

Before Toadsworth can utter another sentence, the stained-glass windows of the hall shatter as hundreds of Koopa Paratroopas flood inside. They beat the Toads with their wings as they try to escape the chaos, but the Paratroopas block the doors and windows. Bowser turns to the King and roars over the madness:

"I AM BOWSER, KING OF THE KOOPAS! THIS KINGDOM IS NOW OURS!"

King Koopa sends a rain of burning fire across the edge of the balcony, and Toadsworth jumps down just in time to avoid being charred to death. He grabs Peach, who is standing in shock, and pulls out his staff. He utters a spell under his breath that sends a blast of energy into a wall, making an opening for them to escape. They both dash into the cave, as Bowser orders a group of Koopas to make chase. Before they can be caught, they dive under a rock formation, and the Koopas run past them and into the darkness. As Peach dusts the soil off of her knees, Toadsworth utters another spell that opens a portal in the rock. He takes her hands and addresses her seriously.

"Peach…my dearest daughter…it's too dangerous to be here right now. That monster will kill you on the spot, and I need to protect my nation. You must go into hiding for a while, and I will come for you when the time is right. Now…into the portal, before those turtle monsters come back for us."

Peach's hands begin to tremble, and her eyes tear up.

"Oh daddy…please stay safe…"

They both share a hug, and the princess begins to step into the portal. Just as she is about to warp, Bowser crashes through the rock and grabs Toadsworth.

"DADDY NOOOO!"

Before she can do anything, she is whisked away by the magical portal. Bowser chuckles under his breath as he grasps Toadsworth by the throat.

"It's time for you to join your subjects in working for me! You will now be a worthless Toad for the rest of your life!"

Bowser tightened his grip, and in a flash of light, King Toadsworth transformed into a small, brown-headed Toad with a mustache. Bowser roared with laughter as he trudged out of the cave and back into the hall, which was now in shambles. The Toads were being led out the door in chains, and Bowser locked Toadsworth in place, in the front of the formation.

"I am your king now! OBEY ME!"

The Toads trembled in fear, and Toadsworth led them out the door with his head hung low. A tear fell from his eye as he spoke softly:

"Good luck daughter…we will meet again…"

Somewhere in a dark alleyway, a portal opened up in a brick wall. Out came Princess Peach, and she was frightened by the previous events. She had no idea where her father had sent her, and she had no idea what she was supposed to do. After brushing dust off of her wedding dress, she slowly walked out into the light, and was met with a bustling city street. Several people passed her on the sidewalk, and there were towering buildings surrounding her on all sides. Looking around the streets for a sign that would tell her where she was, her eyes fell upon a billboard across the street.

"…Welcome to Brooklyn?"

Princess Peach was in Brooklyn, New York. She began to realize that she needed to adapt to her new surroundings and get used to this place until she could reunite with Toadsworth. Noticing a bank next to the alleyway, she decided that she should exchange her coins for whatever currency that these people used. Pulling her little coin bag out of her pocket, she pushed open the door and was met with odd stares. Ignoring them, she went to the counter and set her coins on the counter.

"Excuse me? I need assistance here…"

A man walked out from the back of the room and placed his hands on the counter, appearing to be annoyed but still keeping a smile on his face.

"What can I do for ya, lady?"

"What can I get for these coins?"

Peach opened her coin bag and emptied the contents onto the counter. All the people in the bank gasped when they saw the giant, golden coins clink onto the granite. The bank teller immediately picked up a coin and examined it with a tiny magnifying glass.

"Is this SOLID gold?"

"Yes, but it isn't really much…"

"Lady, I could give you a fortune for this!"

"…Really?"

Soon after, Peach walked out of the bank with $5,000 dollars fit snugly in her pocket. Using the money, she rented an apartment and started her life anew in Brooklyn. Also, realizing that Peach wasn't a common name in New York; she created an alter-ego that she would go by until she could return to the Mushroom Kingdom. Her new name was Pauline Toadstool. And this is where the real story begins.