There were many theories as to how it all began.
Some claim it was the product of one single being's greed and selfishness. Others assume it was perhaps due to the oblivious nature of the masses that admired them daily. Some thought that madness had suddenly plagued the entire world, and that was the end of the story.
Certainly, these words could be said. They could be discussed and debated and dissected, but no explanation could entirely suffice.
The truth is there, however. Hidden precisely, yes, but the answer you seek is written before you.
My dearest companion, I must warn you that this tale does not end happily.
The world in which we inhabit is filled with things and people some would only consider fantasy, but this is no fairytale. There lies truth within the lines you are about to divulge in, yet fiction also lies here.
Dare you continue, you may find yourself discovering the matter of what is reality and what is abstract, and how the demise of esteemed individuals came so quickly.
You have been warned.
There was the most gentle of dainty footfalls upon perfect marble flooring. Peach's expression was firm, focused on reaching her castle's courtyard.
Before she had begun her trek to this current position, she had been in the library, her body draped over a mahogany desk in dim light.
It was late. A single dancing flame from a candle illuminated her flouncy pink-inked cursive, a melodic hum escaping her pursed lips as she wrote. She had been detailing every part of the previous adventure she had partaken in within the contents of a worn journal, meticulously writing everything in order.
Whilst at a point of recording a short entry about the reactions of the Sprixie Princesses when they had each been rescued, a small cough drew her attention up. Having led her bright blue eyes away from her journal, she turned towards the source of notification.
A Toad had entered her line of sight, cautiously approaching the princess. He feebly announced that Toadsworth had requested her presence in the courtyard.
Peach nodded at once, shutting her journal and smoothing out her dress before standing and escorting herself down the hall.
As she walked now, she could not begin to fathom what exactly was so important that she had to be actively present during the situation. Perhaps there had been an accident, or an intruder had been discovered, or-
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the doors to the courtyard were opened and her eyes beheld the requester and the reason why she had been called upon.
Toadsworth stood at the edge of the courtyard. He turned away from the figure he was speaking with, the creases in his frail face turning up brightly.
"Ah, my Princess, it's good to see you!" Toadsworth said with a light sigh, hobbling towards the blonde as he gestured to whom he was previously talking to.
"Yo, Peach!"
A blur of orange and yellow suddenly caught Peach in a tight embrace, the Mushroom Kingdom royal being lifted up off the ground as the visitor picked her up, rambunctiously showing off their strength.
Peach registered whom the person was, giggling slightly as she spoke. "D-Daisy, put me down!"
The brunette nodded, holding up her hands in faux surrender after she lowered the blonde to the ground.
In the pale sliver of moonlight, Princess Daisy of Sarasaland appeared to be wearing her athletic clothes, her dark hair bouncing softly at her shoulders as she moved. Ditching her gown certainly wasn't new to the desert princess, and her friends knew it well.
"Sorry, sorry, it's just-" Daisy made a dramatic motion with her arms. "It's been, like, forever since I've seen you! How have you been?" Daisy's expression suddenly turned thoughtful as she beheld Peach at arm's length, examining her carefully. "Have you gotten," she paused, looking genuinely surprised. "some muscle, since I last saw you?"
"Daisy..." Peach blushed slightly as she pushed her friend away.
"No, seriously! What have you been up to lately?" Daisy leaned in, her smile now a coy grin. "Have you and Mr. Red Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom been workin' out together?"
Peach's rosy cheeks darkened more, her gloved hand attempting to masquerade her sudden embarrassed expression. "You could say that, perhaps..."
"Perhaps?"
"Well, he and I-"
Peach paused as she took note of Toadsworth standing beside the pair, the steward looking rather intrigued.
Daisy gave an understanding smile, nodding towards the castle. "Maybe we could continue our convo somewhere a little more discrete?"
"Mm, certainly." Peach concurred, the two walking out of the dim courtyard together.
The blonde requested for a wavering Toad to retrieve some refreshments as the two princesses entered the room generally used for conferences. It was an empty space now, but it served the purpose of talking privately well.
A small plate of biscuits and tea was left for the two girls before the Toad that had delivered them was dismissed.
"So..." Daisy started, a smug expression on her face as she seated herself across from Peach at the conference hall table. "Spill the beans, girl! What exactly has Ms. Pink and Frilly been up to?"
"Well, she has most recently been traveling across the land with Mario, Luigi, and Toad, in order to rescue the Sprixie Princesses from Bowser."
Daisy nearly choked on the biscuit she had been absently nibbling on.
"Woah, woah, woah, excuse me? Back up, let me get this straight. YOU have been rescuing someone other than yourself for once?" Daisy questioned, her eyes wide.
Peach giggled. "Indeed. Do you really think I can't handle myself, Daisy, dear?"
"Nah, of course not. You're clearly capable, I know that, but, woah." Daisy let out a breath. "I had no idea. Gosh, we need to get together more often."
"Speaking of which, what brings you here in the first place?"
Daisy shrugged. "I had some free time and wanted to visit. And since it looks like you've been working out," Daisy grinned sharply. "You and I gotta play a tennis match, one on one! Or, I mean, any sport, I guess. I wanna see if you've gotten any better."
Peach's eyes twinkled fiercely for a moment, but the intense spark faded after a moment's consideration. She exhaled, disappointed, before continuing.
"As tempting as that sounds, I have other royal duties to attend to. Toadsworth would have a fit if I missed any of them."
Daisy leaned back, seemingly lost in thought. She made an audible sound of contemplation as her expression hardened.
"He doesn't have to knowww..." Daisy eventually mumbled out softly, her arms crossed as she hid behind her hair.
Peach gasped softly, lowering her voice. "D-Daisy, are you suggesting-"
"What? Waking up early to maybe sneak away to perhaps play a quick game?" Her tone went high as her smile grew. "Gosh, I dunno. Am I suggesting such a thing...?" Daisy's smug expression returned as she leaned towards her friend.
Peach chuckled, scanning the vicinity quickly before dropping her voice to a whisper.
"Meet me at the edge of my castle on the west side, tomorrow morning, at six. Try your very hardest to not be late."
Daisy nodded fiercely. "You got yourself a deal, Peachy!"
The evening went by swiftly, the two princesses actively discussing their lives and what they had respectively been up to lately. Peach had not a clue what time it was, but she found herself too lost in their conversation to care.
Daisy was currently rambling, her chair pushed back and her entire form slumped over.
"And, basically, he was saying I wasn't cut out for runnin' an army by myself, and I was like-" Daisy stopped, a sudden tapping coming from the entrance of the room.
Toadsworth stood there, his cane positioned underneath his hand as he called out for Daisy.
"I have just received a letter," he drew an envelope adorned with an orange seal out of his vest and placed it on the table in front of the brunette princess. "I believe it's for you."
Daisy perked up suddenly, sitting up. She opened the letter carefully, her eyes scanning the words quickly.
"Well!" Daisy stood up, stretching. "Dad wants me home. Psh, dunno why he needs to send a letter and all, though. I would've made it back before, like, morning. Probably."
Peach nodded, a light smile on her face. "It's probably for the best. You do need some sleep."
"Indeed I do, Peachy." Daisy winked at her friend as Toadsworth escorted her outside. "See ya!"
The morning that followed was startlingly bright, Peach barely having time to sleep before the early hours arrived.
She hadn't played tennis in ages, and she was almost afraid Daisy would tease her about it. Though, she decided, Daisy would be teasing her about playing no matter how experienced she was.
Daisy was only late to events, especially sports, on extremely rare occasions, so Peach didn't have to worry about her timing. She did her makeup and pulled on her sneakers, constantly glancing at the clock.
Equipping herself with a tennis racket, she quietly made her way down the grand staircase, running outside as she carefully avoided any lingering Toad workers or maids. It had been so long since she'd felt this rebellious!
The air was still as she made her way outside. At dawn, the light hum of creatures stirring was audible throughout the courtyard. It smelt of dew and freshly cut grass, Peach standing for a moment just to enjoy the warmth and the peace.
She then carefully made her way to the side of the castle she had previously asked Daisy to wait at. Around a quarter past six, she found herself exactly where the two had discussed to meet.
However, her chest fell upon seeing that no one was waiting for her.
Daisy was late.
She didn't want to have to wait too long, someone would surely notice her absence if she was out of the castle past a certain time.
That's when Peach's mind began to wander.
What if Daisy had misheard her instructions? What if Bowser had decided today would be the perfect day to steal Daisy away? What if Daisy was simply tired of seeing her? Was she too much of a bore to be around? What-
"Your highness."
Peach gasped, sharply taking a breath as she nearly fell backwards, at the sudden sound of someone speaking.
"I-I… wait…" Peach squinted at the figure illuminated by the horribly bright sun. She could feel her heart pounding. "T-Toadsworth?"
Toadsworth barely gave a sign he had heard her.
"T-This, uh, isn't what it- well, it is, but, uh…"
"Calm yourself, your highness." Toadsworth exhaled, helping the princess to her feet. "I already knew of this plan since last night. I am sworn to protect you at all costs, you know. That means I have to eavesdrop. And I apologize for that. But…"
A heavy silence filled the space.
"This isn't about that."
"W-What do you-"
Toadsworth lifted a hand, revealing an envelope. The familiar orange seal caught Peach off guard for a moment.
"It's from Sarasaland? D-Did Daisy cancel or-"
"No, my dear, I'm afraid-" Toadsworth cleared his throat, gently placing the letter in Peach's trembling hands. "I believe you should read it yourself."
Peach opened the letter slowly.
It took only a moment to realize why Toadsworth's expression had been so grim.
Peach dropped the letter, her entire body trembling violently as she read. Racked with anxiety, she fell to her knees after finally comprehending the first few words inscribed on the parchment.
This just couldn't be.