(Mushroom Kingdom- Mae's Castle- 2025)

At the front of the Throne room stood two toads, who each stood in front of a glossy, honey brown door. Despite their small build, their postures stood tall and firm, prepared to take action if something were to go wrong. Footsteps echoed through the hallway, and another toad emerged from around the corner with a young man, who looked around his late twenties. The Toad stood in front of the guards with the man behind him.

Toad: This is a family member of the Princess. He would like to speak with her.

The toad guards looked the man up and down.

Leo: I'm her cousin; the son of Princess Daisy. It's been years since we've last seen each other. Please let me speak to her.

The toad guards glanced at each other and nodded in agreement.

Toad Guard 1: Very well.

Toad Guard 2: Please come in.

The toad guards pushed opened the double doors and revealed what was inside. At the back of the rooms were two red thrones with golden trims. The one on the left was empty; but the one on the right sat Mae, who was reading a book. She looked more mature since Leo last saw her; her long, shiny brown hair that usually hung loose across her back was now placed into a neat bun on the back of her hair. Her colorful makeup was replaced by black winged eyeliner and dark pink lipstick. Mae seemed so calm, sitting in that throne; usually she would've chosen playing in the garden over reading. Leo knew Mae had definitely changed. Mae looked up at Leo. Her straight face instantly turned into a bright smile, one thing Leo could recognize.

Mae: Oh my gosh; Leo! Is that really you?

Mae stood up and placed the book on the throne. She and Peter met in the middle of the room and the two embraced.

Mae: What brings you here? Is everything alright?

Leo: Of course; I just to check in with my cousin. It's been forever! Where is your husband...what do you call him, Peter?

Mae: Oh, he's out with a couple of friends. Come on, let's take a stroll in the garden and chat.

Leo sat down on the old crested bench by the Pond. He looked at the pond and smiled at his own reflection. "It's been a while; but this garden hasn't changed a bit, thought Leo. All of the same flowers still inhabited the garden; the only difference was there were more than ever and there were different colors. Suddenly, a shadow appeared, followed by an arm handing him a glass of peach iced tea. Leo gratefully took the glass.

Leo: Thanks Mae.

He scooted over and allowed Mae to sit next to him.

Leo: So tell me what's happening Mae.

Mae: Me? It's pretty obvious I took over for my mother; what about you?

Leo chuckled and took a sip of his tea.

Leo: I've taken over as well- I'm not married, but mom said I'm doing a fine job with Sarasaland. She so proud of me.

Mae: And I take it that school went well for you?

Leo: Of course. Well, I mean- for a bit. But after two years, you'll want to murder yourself. I'll admit I wasn't quite happy when mom and dad told me they wanted me to go to college. I hated high school, so I knew I'd hate college- you know, with all those smart-mouth professors and stuck-up students. I'm glad to be back and doing something more worthwhile.

Mae nodded her head.

Mae: I'm glad you see it that way. Running a kingdom is a lot of work. I didn't think it would be this hard; mom made it look so easy!

Leo: You do have a husband who's helping, right?

Mae: Yeah, Peter. I sent you a postcard with a picture of us about a year or two ago. Didn't you get it?

Leo: I did, he looks nice. But this wasn't a forced marriage, right? I've told you how I feel about "business marriages…"

Mae: No Leo, I truly love him. He and I sincerely wanted to marry. Mom and Dad didn't even set us up.

Leo: Oh alright. I'm just being sure.

Leo's voice suddenly had a small tone of alert, which startled Mae a bit.

Leo: Speaking business marriages...what is this story I've been hearing about you and Bowser?!

Mae: Bowser?

Leo: You know what I mean! When you were 16, all I saw in the news was you and how you were going to be forced to marry him! Are you OK? He didn't hurt you or take anything from you, right?

Mae: No! Leo, that was five years ago. I was fine then and I'm fine now. Why didn't you call if you were so worried?

Leo: I had no way to get in touch with you! By the time I could, the situation was long gone.

Mae: Andanyway, it wasn't Bowser I was going to be forced to marry, it was his son, Bowser Jr. He kidnapped me and everything-

Leo: Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, huh? If I ever see his face, hear me out, I'll burn it off! He has no right to do this to you, forced love or not! He thinks it's funny to mess with my cousin, well, I'll show him what's funny!

Mae smiled weakly. Even though Junior had done all of that stuff, he DID let her go free. How do I tell him we're cool with each other, She thought. He's already on a roll…

Leo finally calmed down. He glanced at his wristwatch and handed Mae his empty teacup.

Leo: I have to go Mae. But it was so great to see you again after all these years. This was a treat!

Leo and Mae stood up and they hugged each other.

Mae: I enjoyed you visit. Come on, I'll walk you out.

Leo: Wait, before I leave, may I have a couple of your flowers?

Mae: Of course, knock yourself out.

Leo walked around and picked out a small bouquet; yellow daisies, anemones, and of course, red roses and white lilies. When he returned, Mae observed his bouquet and smiled in approval, leading him out of the garden.

(Dark Lands- Bowser's Castle)

Ludwig sat on his throne with a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other. He crossed out a name on the list and observed it. These were all names of toads that either Ludwig planned to kidnap or he already attempted to kidnap and failed miserably. The latest one was probably the worst one yet; it hadn't been but a few minutes when they arrived to Bowser's castle when the Toad somehow escape Ludwig's grasp and darted off. Ludwig rested his head in his hand and massaged his temples. This isn't working anymore, He thought. I need a new tactic. As the Prince of the castle, Ludwig was only allowed to mainly focus on one thing; getting the Mushroom Kingdom for his dad. Bowser had made it clear that he refused to rest until he got his way. Bowser was supposed to retire when Ludwig became Prince five years ago, but Bowser still wanted a hand in getting the Kingdom. Ludwig felt bad for his father, so he agreed to help him so he could finally retire and get the well-deserved rest his father desperately needed.
The golden doors at the end of the room opened, and Bowser stepped in the room. Ludwig noticed the look of pride on his face, and he sighed. Great, he thought. Dad, once again, has another "brilliant fail-proof toad" we can kidnap. That's all it is. That's all it'll ever be. Bowser walked up to the throne and took the clipboard and pen out of his son's hand and started writing.

Bowser: Ludwig, you're going to like this. I have a-

Bowser and Ludwig: -brilliant fail-proof toad that would be perfect to kidnap!

Ludwig: Just hit me with it dad.

Bowser: What if we kidnapped all of the toads that cook for Princess Mae? Everybody will be so hungry, they'll have absolutely no choice but to hand over the Mushroom Kingdom! Isn't that smart?

Ludwig rolled his eyes and took the pen from his dad so he'd stop writing.

Ludwig: Look dad, I love you, you know that. And know that what I am about to say, I don't say to hurt you.
Ludwig looked at the vile scar that had taken over Bowser's left side. It came from where Bowser's biological son, Bowser Jr., had hit him with a wand five years ago. Ludwig sighed and looked back at his dad.

Ludwig: At least not any more than others had.

Bowser: Come one son; what is it?

Ludwig: This tactic is all just bullshit dad. We've been doing this for years and it's never worked. In fact, don't you think kidnapping in general is just not our style?

Bowser: What do you mean?

Ludwig: Anytime anybody here kidnaps somebody, it never works out. You do it, I did it, Junior did it-

Bowser: What did I tell you about bringing up that name in this castle?

Ludwig: My bad. Back to my point, we need to try something new. Honestly, if there was an evil plan scale from 0-10, we'd probably be like between, I don't know….3 and 4

Bowser: 3 and 4?

Ludwig: Yes dad. We need to take action. We need to let Princess Mae and her kingdom know that we are not here to play games. We're here to take her Kingdom!
Bowser: And I suppose you have another plan then Ludwig?

Ludwig: Well, um...not yet, but-

Bowser: Well son, until you come up with a better plan, I believe that kidnapping will have to stay. I'm confident that it will work one day. Maybe very soon if we work hard enough.

Bowser handed Ludwig his clipboard.

Bowser: Now let's work on this kidnapping. I'm sure it will work this time. It's a-

Bowser and Ludwig: -brilliant fail-proof toad.

Ludwig: Yes dad. Just like always.

Ludwig took his clipboard and stared down at it as Bowser walked away. His father is always sure of his own plans, but they just never work out. I have to come up with something, Ludwig said. Something so diabolical and horrible that Princess Mae and that husband of hers will fall to their knees in distress!