Exiting the portal, Link found himself standing in some kind of dirt road. Grassy fields were around him as far as the eye can see, though a few green hills popped up in the far off distance. This new world appeared to be empty. Link put the Bit in his pocket. He already had one in his possession. The other seven were out there somewhere. Time to get moving.
Walking down the road, Link kept an eye out for any sign of life. Nothing was here in this seemly fertile land. Strange. Had this land been abandoned? Was this world in a time of war like his? No tents. No crops. No signs of cultivation whatsoever. Maybe this land hadn't even been discovered yet. Oh well. No signs of life just meant having no monsters to deal with. And no people he had to talk to.
Walking down this road quietly wasn't bad in itself. If he hadn't had his wife and kingdom needing him to complete this mission, he would have slowed down to enjoy the view. It seemed the be the middle of the day, so he would have at least a few hours before he would have to set up camp somewhere. Being alone was always best. Now he had time to think. Think about where he could get food, think about if there were any places that could provide shelter for the night, think about how he had failed Zelda.
Link shook his head at the last one. No, I can- I can fix this. I just need the Bits.
Once Ganon had given up searching for Link, Ganon would inevitably lay waste to Hyrule. With no Triforce wielder to protect them, Hyrule stood no chance against the re-invigorated demon army backed by The Demon King. They would be slaughtered by the dozens. The only thing stopping Ganon was being distracted hunting a Link that wasn't there. Link broke into a run. He had to move fast. As fast as possible. He was racing against the clock. Every second mattered. Get the Bits, get the wish, go back home, kill Ganon once and for all, and spill his ashes into a river or something. Done. Simple as that. Live happily ever after with Zelda.
Link stopped his sprint as he came into a bend in the road. To the right, more of the same empty dirt road. To the left... there was a green pipe.
Link hesitated for a second. There was just a large green pipe standing in the middle of the road like it was nobody's business. No sign or anything. But why though? Transportation? Maybe even a natural occurrence?
Wait a second. Link looked down at the dirt road he was standing on. Dirt roads don't make themselves. And along with that pipe, there had to be life in this world.
He approached the pipe. I'll just take a look. It's probably abandoned anyway.
He heard shouting from behind him. He turned and saw... a little mushroom creature? It had a red-spotted white mushroom cap on its head and was quickly running towards him shouting some intelligible, pointing at something.
"YOU THERE, LOOK OUT!" It shouted. "GET AWAY FROM THAT PIPE! THERE'S A PIRANHA PLANT IN THERE!"
"What?! What are you saying?!" Link shouted back. As it got closer, he started reaching for his sword...
WHOOSH! Something sprung out from the pipe behind him. Link looked up to see a terrifying set of teeth bear down on him. Link dropped to the ground and raised his shield just in time. The teeth chomped down on the shield, its prey just out of its grasp. As the teeth let go of the shield, Link rolled out of the way and looked at this new was a plant of some sort, with a red head and white dots on it. It had been waiting for Link, hiding inside the pipe. What kind of world was this where even the plant life could kill you?
The plant struck again, snapping at Link with its mouth agape. Link blocked it again, barely able to stand on his feet. This beast was surprisingly strong. There had to be a way to kill it. Link kept going backward and backward. Eventually, the plant reached the end of its range of motion, left biting at mere air. Link went on the attack, quick thrust after thrust. The plant was as quick as it was strong, avoiding Link's attacks. Once Link was back in a safe range, it surged forward for another bite. Link blocked it again, his shield prying the plant's jaws open. Seeing his chance, Link slashed upward, cutting the plant's head off at the leafy stem. The severed head with the ground with a thud.
"That was amazing sir!" The mushroom rushed up to him. "I can't believe the way you took care of that Piranha plant!"
"Stay back!" Link lashed out at it and the mushroom immediately retreated. "What do you want?!"
"Woah there man! I'm just trying to help! And for that matter, what are you saying?"
It appeared to be talking, but Link couldn't recognize any of the language it was speaking. Wait a second. Link remembered that he couldn't read what was on Captain N's clothes without the Bit. He reached back into the pocket and grabbed the Bit.
"Come on man put that thing away!" The mushroom pointed to the Master Sword."No one needs to get hurt here!"
It seemed to be passive. And no weapons on it. It was harmless.
Link decided to sheath his sword. "Sorry about that." He apologized. "I'm not from around here. I don't really speak the language you speak."
"Well, you can speak it now." The mushroom man rubbed his chin as he inspected. "You really aren't from around here are you? Where are you from? Are you from across one of the oceans?"
"Uh... yes?" Link meekly replied.
"Well, alright then. Anyways, the way you took down that Piranha Plant was incredible!"
"Piranha Plant?" Link looked back at the monster he had slain. "That thing?"
"Yeah! Normally those things are a huge hassle to deal with, so we just leave warning signs around them. I guess the plant destroyed it. So uh, anyways, since your not from around here, what are you doing in the Mushroom Kingdom?"
"Mushroom Kingdom? That's the name of this place?"
"Wow, if you don't know that, you must be really lost!" The mushroom explained.
"I guess I am." Link replied. "Do you know anyone who could help me?"
"Well, there is the princess..." The mushroom thought about it. "As a matter of fact, I bet she would love having a guy like you around to protect her. Yeah! Come with me. I'll take you to see the princess."
"Princess?" Link didn't have time to sit and chat with a princess. Or to stand around guard and protect her. He had a kingdom and princess of his own to protect. But... seeing her might prove useful. A princess would undoubtedly be able to help him with navigating this world. "Alright. Let's see this princess."
"I'll take you on my wagon."
"Wagon?" Link asked. There were wagons in Hyrule, used all the time by common folk. At least this world has some similarities. Before he forgot, Link took the Bit and put in his boots so that he would always touch it.
"Yep. There she is." The mushroom pointed.
Link looked and saw... nothing that resembled a wagon. It had wheels and a body, but there were no animals pulling No overhead canvas.
"Where's the horse? Or the ox? That thing is no wagon!"
"Horse? Ox? What are you talking about? I use an engine. And that thing is definitely a station wagon if I've ever seen one. Had it customized myself. Wooden doors and the whole works."
"Engine?"
The mushroom opened the hood, revealing some mechanical device Link had never seen before. "See, a fined tuned engine runs this thing, not some animal"
"How does this work?"
"I'm not a mechanic, so I can't really tell you. All I know is that it does." Opening the wagon, Zek got inside a front seat with a wheel in front of it. "Come on, hop in on the other side."
Link got on the other side of this 'wagon' and sat down.
"Don't forget to buckle up, safety is important!"
Link looked at how the mushroom was buckled in. There was a cable strapped across his body. He followed the path of the strap, then looked over his own shoulder. There was a rectangular hook sticking out. Grabbing the hook, Link pulled it around his body and inserted it into a little slot on the other side of him. It took him a few tries to get it in the slot. "There." He said after fumbling with it. "Now let's go."
The mushroom turned the wagon on with a key. The mushroom cranked a handle and pushed his foot down a pedal. They started moving forward, cruising along on the dirt road.
"Since you don't really know anything around here, let me introduce myself. I'm Zek. I'm a Toad."
"My name is Link." These were unlike any toads Link has ever seen. Toads were fat little frogs that swam in water, not... mushroom people!
"Well, nice to meet you Link! Right now I'm on my way back home from a vacation. That reminds me," Zek checked a device on the wagon. "Two o'clock already. Woah, I better move faster. Hang on."
Zek pressed down on the pedal going even faster. Link found himself being flung back on the seat. He had never moved this fast in his life. "Slow down!" he shouted.
"I can't. I got places to be, ya know." Zek responded back.
After for what seemed like an eternity, Zek finally slowed down. "Alright, we've made it. Welcome to Toad Town!" He turned over to Link. "This is a capit-
Link leaned out of the window, violently throwing up outside of the car. "Oh Gods..." he weakly muttered, arms shaky. "I never want to go that fast ever again..." He bent down and gagged some more.
"Sorry about that." Zeke replied. "I'll give you a minute.
Link slumped down in the seat, face as green as his clothes. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Where-Where are we again?"
"This is Toad Town, the capital of the Mushroom Kingdom. Right now where in the suburbs, but we'll hit the castle pretty soon."
Everywhere Link turned, the Toads were in mushroom shaped houses with boxes outside. They were packaging things in boxes, though they stopped to gawk at him when he got in view. "What is everyone doing?"
"The princess is ordering everyone to leave Toad Town and scatter out to separate corners of the kingdom."
"Why?"
"Bowser might be on the warpath." Zek said with a grumble.
"Who is Bowser?"
"Oh man, you must be lucky to not know who Bowser is? Bowser is the meanest, ugliest, smelliest, dangerous, arrogant, spoiled monster there is! He wants to take over our kingdom!"
"Woah." Link sat up with rasp attention. He didn't need to be involved in a war, but if Bowser was attacking, he would go after Toad Town, and Link would no-doubt get caught in the crossfire. He looked forward and saw the castle come into view. It was grayish-white with red roofs. He was getting close. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.
"I know, right? The princess went to go see Bowser about two weeks ago to discuss peace talks, but ever since then, Bowswer has only amped-up his army production! That dirty rotten Bowser is going to try something, I just know it! However, if your're at the princess' side, maybe he'll back off!"
This was exactly what Link didn't want. This conflict between Bowser and the Mushroom Kingdom was going to slow him down, and if it broke out into all out war, Link would never get home in time to stop Ganon. He might never get home at all.
"You can help her, right?" Zek asked Link. "You're not afraid of a fight, right?"
"...I'll see what I can do." Link replied, looking out of the window. As he glanced around the Kingdom, he realized he wasn't on dirt anymore, the roads of the Mushroom Kingdom being paved with brick. This was not his world, he had responsibility elsewhere and-
Zek slowed down and came to a stop. Link snapped out of it. "Why did we stop? Are we at the castle?"
"No man. Stoplight." Zek pointed ahead. "We got to wait for it to turn green. It takes a few minutes.
Link looked in front of him, the light was red. As he waited for the light to turn green, he looked out of the window? "What are those things?" He pointed at the wagon next to him. They looked liked mushrooms too, but different from the Toads They were brown and even smaller than the Toads. They didn't even had arms.
"Those are just Goombas."
"Are they pets?"
"Hey buddy, I heard that!" The Goomba shouted from its driving seat. It appeared to be driving using one foot on the pedals, and one foot to steer. "We are no one's pet! We're Goombas! Anything the Toads can do, Goombas can do better!"
The light turned green, and Zek kept driving forward. The Goomba kept shooting Link dirty looks before eventually making a turn.
"You know, it is pretty rude to assume that anything is a pet." Zek pointed out. "You gotta be more respectful than that."
"Sorry. I didn't know." Link responded.
Eventually, the station wagon reached a gate. Two Toads were standing guard, stoutly holding spears. "Halt!" One said, sticking his hand out.
Zek came to a stop, hitting the brakes.
"What is your business here?" The guard asked.
"I have someone I think the princess should meet!" He looked over at Link. "Come on, get out."
Link got out of the station wagon. The guards almost dropped their spears in shock. "Who-Who-Who are you?!" The guard asked.
"His name is Link." Zek said. "He's from across the oceans."
"How do you know that this isn't some trick of Bowser?!" The guard asked.
"The way I picked him up is opposite the way of the Koopa Kingdom, he's good."
"Alright then, I guess you can see the princess." The guard turned to his partner. "I'll open the gate. You take him to the princess."
"Go with them." Zek told Link. "I'm going back home to pack up. Good luck!"
With that goodbye, Zek got back in the station wagon and drove off, leaving Link with the guards.
As the gate opened, a guard motioned Link along.
Walking along a brick path, Link and the guard reached the front of the castle, guarded by a moat.
"BRING THE DOOR DOWN!" The guard hollered. "THE PRINCESS HAS A VISITOR!"
The drawbridge came down, with a rumble. Link felt his heart race. He wasn't good with meeting the royalty and aristocrats of Hyrule, let along royalty of another world. Most of the first days of living among Hyrule's upper-crust were disasters until Zelda started to do all of the talking for Link.
"Alright, let's go." The guard said.
Walking across the drawbridge, Link entered the castle. It was a moderate sized one, with grayish-white halls to match the exterior. Paintings of Toads from what Link assumed to be past historical figures decorated the halls. Eventually, they came into the castle ballroom.
"Stay here and wait. I'll shall return with the princess." the guard said, walking off and leaving Link alone with this thoughts. Link walked over to the wall and leaned against it. Even at all the balls and festivals, Link preferred being in the background, clinging to the walls and staying away from all the bright lights. Zelda did like to dance however, and she attended every party she could. Link didn't mind going to the parties with her for her sake, but Link would never go out on the ballroom floor alone. Even if he wanted to, he was a horrible dancer. The very few times Zelda had convinced him to dance with her, he ended up stepping over the feet of anyone in his immediate vicinity. However, he would always make up for it by dancing with Zelda alone, for however long she wanted. They would sometimes dance all in in their chambers. Those felt purely magical. Just him and her, bathing in the light of the moon, at her close embrace...
"Hello, my visitor?" A voice rang out from down the hall. It was the princess.
Link looked up. "Yes." He responded, walking to the hallway to meet here. "Hello princess, my name is-"
He came to a standstill, absolutely stunned at the sight of her.
"Woah." Link said, completely taken aback. "P-P-Princess?" An elegant pink gown that complimented her perfect face topped off by long flowing blonde hair and a beautiful crown. She looked Hylian. Nothing like the Toads.
The princess had also fallen silent in astonishment When she heard about some warrior that needed to see him, she thought it was another Toad that had studied the ways of combat and eager to battle Bowser. Not this. Not... him. He was absolutely gorgeous...
"I'll just leave you two alone then..." The guard said.
"Yes, you do that." The princess shooed him away, never taking her eyes off of Link. "Hello, knight." She said the Link. "Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom. I am Princess Peach Toadstool. reached out and grabbed Link's free hand. "I'm honored to host you here in Toadstool Castle! I hope you enjoy your stay!"
"Thank you." Link responded, bowing. This was the first Hylian-like person Link had seen in this world. Had Link missed others while he was driving with Zek?
"Why, what's this?" Another Hylian-looking person, a small bespectacled man, stepped into the room. "Another one of us?"
"This is our new guest." Peach told him, before turning back to Link. "This is Professor Elvin Gadd, my top scientist."
"Another suvivor?" Professor Gadd inspected Link further, rubbing his chin. "Hold on a minute," he poked Link's ear. "what's wrong with your ears? They're so long and pointy!"
"Professor Gadd, how rude!" Princess Peach scolded. "This is a guest you're talking about! You should be ashamed of yourself!" She turned back to Link. "I'm so sorry about that. Elvin is just a naturally curious person."
"But my princess, how are you not intrigued by the size of those things? They look like someone glued fan blades to a head. You weren't even a little curious about it? Maybe it's some kind of mutation!"
"I don't know what a mutation is, but that's not the reason my ears are like this." Link explained. "I'm not from this world." He pulled out the Bit from his boot. "My name is Link. I'm on a quest. Have either of you ever seen one of these before?"
Elvin's eyes went wide. "There are MORE of them?! Princess, you were right after all!"
"So you have seen one of these before?" Link said excitedly.
"The princess has one!" Elvin said proudly.
"Really?!" Link couldn't believe it. He had hit the jackpot. "Princess, I need that Bit right now!"
"Now hold on, hold on. Before you just take these bit, how about we have a little talk, perhaps over some tea? Do you need them right now?"
"I actually kind of-" Link paused. He had to remain calm and professional. He was still a guest, after all. "Certainly of course."
"Wait! Before you two go off for tea, this is just a perfect time to unveil my new invention. That's actually what I came to see you about, princess." The professor whipped out a remote control. Pointing down the hall, E. Gadd pressed the big red button at the top. Presenting the latest product from Gadd Science, Incorporated, drumroll please!"
Link heard a loud rhythmic banging ring throughout the air and looked around. "What is that?"
"It's the drumroll button I put on this remote, isn't it wonderful?" Elvin said gleefully. "Anyways, here it comes! Dazzle the world boyo!"
A robot came into the room. It had no feet, instead hovering in the air. It had a long and thin body, with a small chest that extended out to having pincer-like hands. It had a head resembling a camera and two big clear eyes...
"Presenting the Robotic Operating Buddy 2.0!" Elvin Gadd said proudly. "Or R.O.B for short; whichever you prefer."
"Woah." Link marveled at the sight of this golem. "I've never seen anything like it!"
"It can fly now. So you really have improved the original design Elvin. I'm impressed." Peach nodded. "What can it do?"
"I designed it to analyze the potential of those artifacts." Elvin said. "I also put a retrieval function in it. Mr. Link, if I may demonstrate?"
"I don't reall-"
"Go get it R.O.B.!" E. Gadd pressed another button. R.O.B.'s eyes let it. "ITEM RETRIAL FUNCTION ACTIVATED. SEARCHING FOR ITEM" It scanned around the room with its eyes until its gaze fell upon Link.
"ITEM DETECTED. SECURE ITEM." R.O.B rolled across the room over to Link, directly in his face. "SURRENDER ITEM OR FACE CONSEQUENCES." It's eyes grew red.
'What? No. I'm not giving you anything." Link backed up and looked at E. Gadd. "Stop this thing already."
"Do what he says Elvin. That thing is creepy." Peach said.
"You got it!" Dr. Gadd turned pressed the 'Off' button on the remote.
"ITEM NOT SURRENDERED. PREPARING COMBAT FUNCTIONS." R.O.B's head flashed red.
"What the?" Gadd kept mashing the button. Nothing. "What is wrong with this thing? I bet the batteries died. Of course! Now's its in Auto-Pilot Mode."
"Isn't there any other way to turn him off?" Link raised his shield.
"No, you're going to have to destroy it!"
Link went on the attack with a forward thrust, trying to end it before R.O.B could cause any trou-
R.O.B clasped the Master Sword between it two pincer-like hands.
"No way!" Link couldn't believe it.
R.O.B. started spinning in place, taking the Master Sword with him. Link held onto his blade and tried to pry it free, but started moving with the machine, eventually leaving his feet his feet as R.O.B. went faster. Faster, faster, faster, the two became a blur rotating the center of the palace.
"R.O.B.!" E. Gadd shouted. "Let him go this instant!"
R.O.B. released his grip on the Master Sword, sending Link flying.
"That's not what I meant!" E. Gadd said right before Link's body went crashing into him. The two were sprawled out on the floor. The Bit fell into Elvin's lap.
"ENEMY DEFEATED." R.O.B. declared. "RETRIEVING ITEM." R. O. B. turned to Elvin. "SURRENDER ITEM OR FACE CONSEQUENCES."
"Oh boy, this isn't gonna be fun..." Elvin said as R.O.B creeped closer.
Link stumbled back to his feet discombobulated. He felt like throwing up. The whole room was spinning, he could barely stand.
Something knocked him right off of his feet. "Gah!" He looked down. His tunic was... smoking?
Trying to get back up again, Link was smacked right back down to the floor as R.O.B. fired something out of his eyes.
What, what is that?
R.O.B.'s eyes flashed again. Something hit Link square on the chest again. It might have been some kind of light? Link had never seen an attack like this before. But he felt his chest burn in pain.
"Run! Get away from those lasers! They'll turn you into a smoked sausage!"
"What's a la-"
R.O.B turned his laser into a continuous beam, blasting Link's body and pinning him into the ground. Link felt the laser drill deeper. It was going to peirce him if he didn't do something quick. He saw his shield just a few feet away. Using the last of his energy, Link jumped up and scrambled for the shield.
R.O.B. grabbed Link's foot and flung him across the room. Link smacked into a wall back-first.
"ELIMINATE OPPOSITION."
R.O.B fired more lasers out of his eyes, pinning Link against the wall. Link screamed, trying to move away from it. The laser beam kept coming, almost ready to run him thr-
SHNK!
The severed head with the ground with a thud, red eyes dying out instantly.
Link looked up wincing. Peach held a small rapier in her hand. "Are you okay?"
Link tried to move, but the pain in his chest held him down. "I...can't...breathe..."
She knelt down. "Here, let me help you." She opened her hand.
Link's eyes grew wide. "Is that the-"
Princess Peach took the Bit and pressed down on Link's chest. The pain vanished, wounds fading away. Even his tunic was restored.
Peach took the bit and tapped Link's head, shining the bright red and black light in his eyes. "You'll now be able to understand our language without holding the Bit." She said softly. "Do you feel better now?" She said with a smile.
"Yes. I feel great. Thank you so much." Link got back to his feet. That was absolutely embarrassing. To be defeated so easily by a machine. He hadn't even thought of using the Triforce!
"Princess! Forgive me!" E. Gadd got on his knees. "Mercy. It'll never happen again, I promise."
"It's alright Elvin. You are dismissed."
Professor E picked up R.O.B.'s body and head and ran off.
Peach picked up the Bit off of the floor. "I believe this is yours." She handed it to Link. "I'm sorry about Elvin." She added. "He's a sporadic, but he means well. So now that all the excitement is over, do you mind joining me for tea? We can talk privately without being interrupted, hopefully."
Since she had just saved his life, Link could not refuse her offer in good conscious."Certainly princess. Lead the way."
"Do you have any preference of tea?" Peach asked, boiling the water.
"No, I'll take whatever you see fit." Link responded.
The two were in Peach's private study. Sunset gleamed over Toad Town. The wood crackled as it burned in the fireplace.
Link sat by patiently as Peach made her tea. He hadn't come in here in vain after all. Peach had a Bit, and she knew how to use. it. Perhaps she knew of others that wielded a Bit as well. As least he had tracked one down. That was a start. In one day as well.
Peach came over with two small teapots, some cups, and a few biscuits. "This is Green Mushroom Tea. Only available here in the castle. Make sure to drink up your whole pot. Don't tell anyone, it's a secret!" She said with a giggle. "So, now that we're alone, let's get properly acquainted. May I ask your name?" She said as she poured Link a cup.
"My name is Link Dragmire-Harkinan." Link said, drinking his . Although he never really cared for talking over tear and biscuits, he could at least humor Peach one time. Although he did find it a bit weird that Peach has used separate tea pots. Oh well, it might just be a custom in the Mushroom Kingdom. No reason to overlook it.
"You said you aren't from this world, correct?" Peach asked, drinking her tea.
"I'm from a place called Hyrule. I was sent here to gather the 8 Bits by beings that control reality itself."
"I'm sorry, did you say 'control reality itself'?" Peach stopped drinking and looked at Link.
"Yes. These Bits are very important, and I'm guessing they could do a lot of damage in the wrong hands. Which is why I need your Bit."
"What happens when you get them all?"
"I'm granted a wish from the 'Admin'. Who I think is the master of the 'Universe?'"
"Really now." Peach bit into a gingerbread biscuit. "That sounds...incredible."
"Yes. So do you mind if I have your Bit? I'll leave in no time."
"I'm afraid I need my Bit right now."
"You don't understand. My kingdom is in peril. If I don't return soon, it will be reduced to ash."
"I'm sorry to hear that. But right now my kingdom is in a crisis of its own. The king of the Koopa Kingdom, Bowser, is trying to take over my kingdom. Due to his metalworks industry, he has a massive technology advantage. If it wasn't for my kingdom's logistics advantage, we would stand no chance. This Bit helps tip the scales in my favor should we go to war."
"I understand." Link said, falling silent. Then a thought struck him. This was just the princess. Where was the King?. "Do you mind I talk to the King sometime?"
"My parents, King and Queen Toadstool, have passed long ago. I am the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. I've ruled in their stead for twenty years."
"What happened?"
"Thirty years ago, a disease broke out in the Mushroom Kingdom, erasing my people's numbers by the day. After years of suffering, Professor Gadd finally developed a cure, but the ingredients where so rare, was only enough of the cure for two people. Elvin took some for himself, and then my parents chose so save me as they laid dying. I now carry on my parent's legacy, forever grateful of their sacrifice."
"But you're a queen now. Why call yourself a princess?"
"I reject the title of queen until I am wed, out of nothing but pure respect to my parents."
"Wait a second, did you say 'your people'?"
"Yes. There was a group of people who came here a long time ago. Those people integrated with the local population of Toads here in the Mushroom Kingdom. And although my blood my be different from the Toads, I consider them my family."
"So why didn't the Toads get the disease?"
"Apparently the Toads were immune. They took care of the sick and dying as best they could, but they didn't know how to save my people. As I said, the ingredients needed for the cure was rare. Elvin and I are the only two left of our kind in the Mushroom Kingdom. I won't tell a lie; when I first saw you, I thought someone else had survived as well. But I suppose not. At least crisis is over. And another one began with Bowser." She sighed.
"You know princess, If you give me the Bit, I will kill Bowser no problem." Link promised. "Despite what you saw today with that R.O.B. I am every capable warrior."
"To be on a mission such as collecting the 8 Bits, I suppose you have to be. but now, I cannot permit you to kill Bowser." She decline. "If I wanted Bowser dead, he'd be dead. I refuse to kill him for a number of reasons."
"Such as?" Link asked. What reason could Peach possible have to spare Bowser?
"He's my best friend." Peach looked down in reflection. "Or he was. Those were better days, but I suppose they're gone now. Forever."
"What do you mean?"
"The Koopa Kingdom had always been kind to us. They are plentiful in metal and oil, and have always been good trading partners with us. Brilliant too, always on the cutting edge of technology and science. Bowser himself was always a bit bull-headed and mischievous, but generally good natured. And then there was his wife, Sato. She was beautiful. Fun loving, always joking, and she had a smile that could light up the room. She was my best friend, and she made Bowser a better person."
"Everything seemed good. But now the Koopa Kingdom wants war?" Link was puzzled."What happened?"
"Pregnancy." Peach said sullenly. "Had Sato survived delivery, we might have been able to save her. She died on the delivery table. It's funny... I can't tell you what I had for breakfast three days ago, but I remember every second of being in that waiting room. I'm sitting next to him, holding his arm. He is absolutely drenched in sweat from head to toe. He's stomped several holes in the floor. Everything he grabs he crushes. I think he smashed every chair in the delivery room. And I'm just by his side, trying to calm him down. The best doctors in the Koopa Kingdom are in the next room, getting Sato through labor. And then comes the big moment. She gives birth to a little Koopa. They finally let Bowser in to see his baby, and there he names his new son. Bowser Jr. There is this huge sigh of relief, a round of applause... then the scream."
A tear fell down Peach's cheek. "It's an ear piercing scream. We all look at Sato at the same time as she's wailing on the bed. The machine alarms start to go off. The doctors rush Bowser and I out of the room. Bowser is still holding his son. Three minutes go by and its only getting worse. Doctors and nurses are flooding the room. Bowser rushes in and just plows through them all. Bowser kneels at her side and holds Sato's hand."
Peach paused, her body shaking. "In all the years I've known Bowser, I can count on my fingers the number of time I've heard him say "please" before that day or after it. But in that one or two minutes along that bed, I saw that Koopa beg. I saw him on his knees pleading, asking her to hold on, to fight just a little more. When you see a being of Bowser's size kneel down, begging, its an experience that shakes you. He...he loved her, he truly did. The world was his oyster and she was his most precious pearl. And as the light left her eyes, I saw pain emerge in his. And just like that, after the happiest moment of his life, the saddest moment give five minutes later. I don't ever think I've felt a mood change that fast or that hard than in that hospital room."
Peach set her tea down. "After her funeral, he disappeared inside his castle. I tried to reach out to him, but he never really responded until the day he adopted some Koopa Orphans a few years ago. At the party, he seemed happy, but I couldn't help notice a few weird looks he gave me. Anyways, that doesn't matter. The point is. if I killed him, I would have to kill his children or let them grow up to be vengeful warriors, neither of which are desirable. So now you can see my conundrum. I need the Bit to defend myself from Bowser."
"I see." Link said. Whatever this Bowser was, he seemed incredibly powerful. And this was still just a dainty princess, in charge of a kingdom. "How many do you need?"
"More than him. He doesn't have any Bits. So all I need is this one. Listen, tomorrow I am going to the Koopa Kingdom to discuss peace talks with him. You can come along if you want. Any Bits we find are yours to keep. There is no reason we can't share this wish is there?"
"No, I suppose not." That really hadn't been specified.
"Then how about we make a little agreement then? I'll make sure you have a safe haven in the Mushroom Kingdom for your adventures, keep this Bit warm for you, and you are welcome to keep any Bits you find. There will be a place at my castle for you always. All you have to do is collect the others. Deal?"
All thing considered, that seemed like a fair enough deal as any. "Deal."
"So, now that we have an alliance, is there anything you wish to do?" Peach asked. "I'd love to show you around the castle."
"It seems to be getting late. I've had a busy day. I'd like to get some sleep." Link said. "May I spend the night here at the castle?"
"Of course." Peach said with the slightest twinge of disappointment in her voice. Getting up, she pressed a button on the wall. "Oh Toad! Do you mind coming up to my study? I have a guest who will be spending the night in the guest room. Come when you can."
Peach let go of the button. "Toad will come to show you to your room momentarily. Did you finish the rest of your tea?"
Link sloshed the teapot. There was quite a bit left in there. Deciding not to risk offending Peach, Link quickly drank the rest of the tea and ate some gingerbread. "It is now. Thank you for having me princess."
There was a knock on the door to the study. A Toad was on the other side. "Toad, this is Link. Link, this is my friend Toad. He will show you your room for tonight." Peach introduced them.
"Alright then." Link stood up, brushing off crumbs of gingerbread off of him onto the floor. "Once again, thank you Peach. I'm glad we've become allies.
"Toad is the name I go by because I'm supposed to embody everything a Toad should be. My real name is Kin. I was named after the word family because that it what all Toads should come together and be, a family. My family The Royal Toads collaborated with Peach's people in order to bring peace to the Mushroom Kingdom. Well, here is you room. Good night."
"Thanks." Link looked around his room. It was about the same size as his room in Hyrule, maybe a bit smaller. He placed his Bit on the nightstand It had been a long day, but it had gone great all things considered. A new ally, and proper home base. If there were other Bits in this world, he could probably find them with minimal difficulty.
Getting settled into his bed for the night, Link had one last thought as he went to sleep. Don't worry Zelda, I'm coming.
Fever. You set my soul on fire
Fever. You fill me with desire
