(Mushroom Kingdom- Peach's Castle)

As Mae walked down the hallway towards the dining hall, she felt as if she was becoming anxious. At first, she believe it was probably from her excitement about her birthday; she couldn't wait for the extraordinary events that would occur today. However, Mae also felt as if something was wrong. She didn't really know what would go wrong...and that could be what is troubling her the most. Mae stopped in front of the silver double doors that led into the dining hall. Taking a deep breath, she put on a smile and pushed the doors open with all of her might. Mario and Peach were already standing there, waiting for this very arrival.
Mario and Peach: Happy Birthday Mae!
Mae hugged her parents with delight.
Mae: Thanks mom and dad!
The three all took their seats at the table, where the toads were just finishing placing the family's breakfast on the table.

Peach: We have so many activities planned for you today! Are there any you want to do first?
Mae: It doesn't matter. Anything is fine!
Mario leaned towards Peach and whispered to her. Eventually the couple looked at Mae, both with sober faces.

Mario: Mae...your mother and I have been talking.

Mae took notice of this sudden change of mood.
Mae: What's going on?

Peach: Since you'll be taking the role of princess soon, we've decided that we find you a husband.

Mae's eyes grew wide. She puts down her fork and focused her attention on her parents.

Mae: Pardon me?

Mario: You're legally able to marry now. We think it's best if you could have somebody to rule by your side.

Peach: And not to offend you or anything sweetheart, but you haven't had a real relationship in a while.

Mae: That's because I don't think it's important. I don't believe that it's necessary for me to be married.

Mario: We're just thinking about what's best for you sweetheart.

Mae's eyes lowered down to her plate.

Mae: Yeah, I know.

The entire table was silent; nobody knew the right thing to say next. Finally Mae broke the silence

Mae: So how are you planning to do this?

Peach: We've looked at some guys and selected some that have "potential husband material".

Mae: And this has nothing to do with money, right?

Mario: Of course not Mae!

Peach: Honestly, the only person who'd marry somebody for money is that old Bowser.

Mario and Peach both laughed at this comment. Mae's face was still as stone. She didn't like hearing anything about Bowser; hearing the stories about his kidnapping of her mother made her furious.
This situation reminded her of the conversation she had with her cousins 5 years ago, where Leo warned her to be careful of marriage. She didn't think her parents would believe in the whole "prince and princess" theory; but she was clearly wrong. Keeping this thought in mind, Mae knew what she needed to do next.

Mae: Do you mind taking me somewhere?

Peach: Any place you want Mae; it's your day today.

Mae: I want to visit Summer. Can you take me to Sarasaland?

(Dark Lands- Bowser's Castle)

Bowser Jr. walked into the dining room, where already the Koopalings were seated, along with the all-powerful Bowser. Junior sat by his father, who was at the end of the table. Ludwig leered at Junior.

Ludwig: Iggy and Lemmy told me how your progress went last night. I mean, I'll admit I thought you'd learn 20 spells max; but seriously, 5? I'm a bit surprised.

Roy: I know right?! All of that big talk and he can't even support it!

Junior ate his food and simply ignored the Koopalings, despite the strong urge he had to say something clever back.

Wendy: What's wrong with you? Cat's got your tongue?

Morton: He's probably too embarrassed to speak.

The Koopalings laughed with great volume at this. Bowser wiped his mouth.

Bowser: Alright, settle down, no need for all of this. Besides, I have very important news to share.

Larry: What is it dad?

Bowser: I've decided on who will take my place on the throne once I step down.

Ludwig leaned forward towards Bowser. He looked over at Junior and grinned.

Ludwig: Oh, did you father?

Bowser: It was a difficult decision; but I have decided that Junior should be heir to the throne.

Junior instantly perked up.

Junior: Whoa, you said me?

Iggy: Why him?

Roy: Yeah?

Bowser: Well, Junior is my biological son; it'd only make sense if he took the throne. Besides, I believe he'd do an excellent job.

Junior: You really mean that dad?

Bowser: Of course.

Bowser smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. Ludwig, who had seemed to be frozen in anguish, finally spoke.

Ludwig: But...that's not even fair! He's not the oldest; I am! I'm 18 for Pete's sake, I'm ready to rule- he's 15, he has 5 years!

Bowser: It wasn't like I hadn't considered you Ludwig. It just that since you're planning to go to college, you should probably stem your career from there.

Ludwig stood up and briskly walked away.

Lemmy: He's really mad.

Wendy rolled her eyes and stood up.

Wendy: You think genius?

She grabbed her plate and Ludwig's plate and headed into the kitchen. The rest of the Koopalings followed, leaving Bowser and his son alone.

Bowser: So do you know what I expect from you Junior?

Junior: What?

Bowser: You're going to make sure you cover all of the duties I carried out as King, right?

Junior: Sure dad, of course.

Bowser: You have no idea what I'm implying, right?

Junior: Not really.

Bowser: You'll make sure you kidnap the upcoming Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Junior: Upcoming? What are you talking about?

Bowser: You don't know? Mario and Peach had a girl after they got married. Her name is Mae- she is to become the next princess.

Junior: Oh, I had no idea. When was she born?

Bowser: I think 16 years ago.

Junior: So is that why you stopped kidnapping Peach?

Bowser: What do you mean?

Junior: Because Mario did everything you wanted to do with Peach- get married, touch her, and have a child. There was no point in it anymore, huh?

Bowser: What? I never wanted to touch Peach that way, and I especially did not want a child with her. Just marriage, so I could get the Mushroom Kingdom. You know I want more than the Dark Lands Junior. And speaking of the Mushroom Kingdom and Dark Lands, I want you to kidnap Princess Mae so I can fulfill my dreams of owning the Mushroom Kingdom and the Dark Lands.

Junior: But dad, the girl isn't going to just give us the kingdom. How am I supposed to get it?

Bowser rolled his eyes.

Bowser: Don't you get it Junior? You're going to force Mae to marry you. Weren't you paying any attention at all?

Junior was uncertain about all of this. He was never really OK with kidnapping Princess Peach in the first place; he knew it was wrong. He only participated because he got to be in charge of the Koopalings and he had hopes that in the unlikely event that Peach and Bowser do marry, he'd finally have a mother figure for him, since his biological mother had disappeared when he was born. However, Junior didn't feel right about duplicating these actions with Princess Mae. It'd be wrong.

Bowser: Let me tell you this son; if you somehow manage to pull through the plan, I'd be really impressed. It be the first successful plan we'd ever had here!

Junior perked up

Junior: Wait- really?

Bowser: Of course. I mean, do you know how many time my plans failed? Why, you'd be the best Koopa in this castle if you could execute a kidnapping right.

Junior saw this as a chance; a chance to finally being superior to Ludwig. A chance to be able to finally win over his father's favor. Junior's uncertainty turned into determination, never in his life was he committed to carry out his father's plan.

Junior: OK dad. I promise I'll make you proud. I will successfully complete this mission.