(A/N: So Mario has a big decision to make, and Peach's opinion helped him only a little. What happens now? Let's read on and find out!)
That evening, at Luigi's Mansion, the Mario Bros. were having supper. Luigi had fixed garlic ravioli, just the way Mario liked it. Except there were two problems. One was the fact that Mario was awfully quiet, and the other problem was that he was eating his ravioli very slowly.
And as you might have guessed, it didn't take long for Luigi to notice, and when he did, he began to feel concerned, because this was not like Mario at all. And Mario should have been in a good mood, considering that he'd been in high spirits when he left to go have lunch with Peach earlier that day...
"Mario?" Luigi asked, which startled Mario a little and caused him to snap to attention.
"What is it?" Mario asked, looking at his brother.
"C'è qualcosa che non va, fratello? Is something wrong, bro? You're very quiet, which is completely understandable when you're upset about something. But I've also noticed that you're eating very slowly, which you never do unless you're sick, or if something is worrying you. Didn't you have a good time with Peach today?" Luigi asked, concerned.
"Certo che l'ho fatto. Of course I did." Mario replied.
"Are you coming down with something?" Luigi asked.
"No." said Mario.
"Then perhaps you can tell me why you're so quiet and eating slowly? You know that I tend to worry about you when you're like this." Luigi said, concern written all over his face.
"Well..." Mario wondered if Luigi might be able to help him come to a decision, so he said, "Okay, I do have a bit of a problem..."
"I'll do whatever I can to help you through it, but I can't guarantee any results, bro. I can only do my best." Luigi said.
"Here's what the deal is..." Mario said. He proceeded to tell Luigi about what happened when he had lunch with Peach.
"Sounds like you have una decisione abbastanza grande, a pretty big decision to make, Mario." Luigi said when Mario finished telling him about the whole thing. But he was glad that he wasn't the one who had to make a tough decision like that. However, he wasn't about to say that aloud. Mario wouldn't appreciate that.
"I've been thinking about my options on the way home, and all afternoon since I got back. The worst part is that I still haven't made up my mind yet! I'm not sure which decision is the right one, Luigi. Should I decide to be Peach's consort, which is what I'm supposed to be?" Mario said.
"I don't know, either, so answer me this: what happens if you choose to be Peach's consort instead of the king?" Luigi asked. Like Mario, he too thought that marrying Peach would automatically make him the king. He also had no idea what being a consort meant.
"If I do that, I'd just be known as il marito della regina, the husband of the queen, and all the big decisions are left up to Peach to make. Yes, I can help her make the decisions, but she gets l'ultima parola, the final say-so." Mario replied.
"Oh... You know, I don't think the idea of you being Peach's consort will blow over well with her subjects. They love you about as much as they do her, and they'd probably still think of you as il loro re, their king, even if you choose to be her consort instead." Luigi said.
"It might be easy for me to be her consort, but here's the catch: Peach already has so much to do as the kingdom's princess, and that probably leaves her feeling stressed out, which may be why she sometimes feels like she needs to take una vacanza, a vacation." Mario began.
"Really? I thought Peach took vacations to escape from Bowser, only to end up in his clutches anyway." Luigi said.
"Maybe you're right. But I'm under the impression that if I choose to be Peach's consort, then she'll have a lot more to do than she already does, and I don't want her to deal with ancora più stress, even more stress, when she becomes the queen." Mario said.
"Peach never really looks stressed out to me, Mario, and if she is stressed, she hides it well. But you're probably right about what will happen. She'll be una regina, a queen, and that's a pretty big step up from her current title as una principessa, a princess." Luigi said.
"So I'm thinking that I should choose to be il re, the king, instead. However, if that's the decision I make, that means I'll have a lot of new responsibilities, and I'll have to adjust to a new way of life. I can do that for Peach, and spare her some of the stress. I want to help her because I love her so much." Mario said.
"I see..." said Luigi.
"What do you think I should do? Peach said that the choice is mine to make, but I can't decide what I should do. Not alone, anyway." Mario said.
Luigi was silent for a moment as he thought about the decision Mario needed to make.
"I think you might want to decide to be the king, Mario." Luigi finally said.
"Why?" Mario asked, ready to hear Luigi's reason, or reasons.
"Well, surely you can remember back to when we were young kids, and we used to sing the song "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" all the time..." Luigi began.
"Yeah, I remember. But the only reason we sang the song all the time was because it was an earworm for us, one that we couldn't get rid of for the longest time." Mario reminded him.
"Okay, but it's-a not like we were thinking it was ever going to happen to either of us when we grew up. And now it's possible that such a thing really could happen... to you! That is, if you make the decision to be the king." Luigi finished.
"Luigi, this is all molto bella, very nice, but I was hoping that maybe you could give me una buona ragione, a good reason, why I should choose to be the king of the Mushroom Kingdom." Mario said, a little annoyed that Luigi hadn't given him a good enough reason.
"I can think of two pretty good reasons. One, you had agreed to be the king of Cramalot when it needed a new king, and two, King James of Rap Land also gave you that crown after declaring you number one in a rapping duel." Luigi said. (A/N: Both of these happened in episodes of "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!".)
Mario remembered those times very well. Then he said, "Actually, I don't think those instances really count, Luigi."
"Perché no, fratello? Why not, bro?" Luigi asked.
"You don't remember? I gave up being the king of Cramalot in less than a minute because the king there must be as trim as a lion, which meant that I don't get to eat pasta anymore. I know I'm trying to slim down a bit for the wedding, but I don't want to give up pasta forever, so I didn't think I was cut out to be the king. Plus, I didn't really get to stay the king of Rap Land." Mario reminded him.
"Okay, I do remember those instances better now. But I don't think the King here needs to be slim and trim, because Peach's subjects love you and respect you as much as Peach herself. I'm pretty sure that none of them really care about your weight." Luigi said.
"You're right. Peach never complained about my weight before." Mario said. It was true. Peach never once said anything to make Mario feel self-conscious about his weight before, and he loved her for that. But he always thought it might be a good idea to try and shed a few pounds before they had their big sporting events, and he wanted to do the same thing for the wedding. It might help him look good and feel better. So far, he'd dropped a pound or two, but he wanted to try and lose just a few more.
"But I also remember when you were about to marry Queen Rotunda and Holly Mackerel. They were royalty, weren't they?" Luigi asked.
"Oh no! Don't even remind me of those two! I never wanted to marry either of them! For all I know, if I had married them, I most likely would have ended up as their consorts even if I wanted to be the king because they were, indeed, royalty. The latter was crazy, and I hated the former because she wanted me to be skinny as a rail while she sat around on her fat, lazy butt and continued to get fatter than a beached whale! If she really did love me like she claimed she did, then she would've exercised, too." Mario said.
"Oh, right." Luigi said. Both women may have been royalty, but not the kind you'd want to marry. Then he said, "Well, think about this: Peach did say that we've done a lot for the Mushroom Kingdom, always saving it when it's in peril. And she did knight us... as well as appoint us as rulers in the event that she is unable to rule... Speaking of, you won't have to be a temporary ruler anymore; not after you and Peach tie the knot."
"So che. I know that. After she and I marry, I'll end up ruling the Mushroom Kingdom by her side as the king... or her consort... depending on what I choose in the end." Mario said.
"So, did my words help make it easier for you to choose what you should do?" Luigi asked.
Mario thought for a moment before replying, "A little."
"Ho fatto del mio meglio, fratello. I did my best, bro. But I still think you should be il re, the king. If you want my opinion, you'll make a better king than I ever will, that's for sure." Luigi said.
"Don't go putting yourself down, Luigi. You know as well as I do that Peach didn't knight you or appoint you as a temporary ruler for kicks. Besides, if you do become a king someday, you'll do un bel lavoro, a fine job. You want a bad king, just look at Bowser." Mario reminded him.
"But Mario, he's been a king longer than either of us have because we weren't born into royalty like he and Peach were." Luigi pointed out.
"It doesn't matter how long he's been a king, Luigi. He wants to be the king of this place, too, but what he wants to do to it and Peach proves that he flat-out sucks. And Peach's subjects don't even want him to be their king. Even we don't want him to be the king here!" Mario said.
Luigi thought about it before saying, "Mi hai portato lì. You got me there."
"But I will think about your words. Grazie. Thanks anyway for trying to help." Mario said.
"Prego. You're welcome, bro." Luigi replied.
Mario thought about his options for the next two days, but he still couldn't come up with a decision, even when he was spending time with Peach, learning all about royal protocol.
After a long day of learning about royal protocol with the princess he loved, Mario returned to Luigi's Mansion, feeling like he needed some more advice. He wondered if he had any friends who could help him make his choice. Then he remembered Pauline. She could probably help, being the mayor of New Donk City. Being a mayor was kind of like being a ruler, so maybe she might be able to help him decide. It was worth a try.
Mario pulled out his red smartphone and dialed Pauline's cell phone number. Hopefully, she could give him some good advice.
In the mayor's office in New Donk City Hall, we saw Mayor Pauline hard at work, looking over some legal documents that required her signature. All of a sudden, she heard her smartphone ringing.
"Who could that be?" the mayor asked herself as she pulled out her dark red smartphone. She smiled when the Caller ID showed Mario's name, and a picture of his smiling face. She answered, "Hello?"
"Ciao, Pauline." Mario replied.
"Mario, it's good to hear from you. I know that your wedding day is coming closer, but don't you worry. The band and I are preparing to attend, as well as provide the music at the reception." Pauline said.
"Va bene. That's good. But that isn't why I'm calling." Mario said.
"It isn't?" Pauline asked.
"No. You see..." Mario quickly explained to her what Peach had told him, and how he was learning royal protocol, but he was still having trouble trying to decide what he should do.
"...Oh, I see." Pauline replied, feeling for her old friend.
"I should probably be la sua consorte, her consort, since I'm not of noble birth, but that might only add to her stress, so I'm thinking that maybe I should be the king instead. What do you think, Pauline?" Mario asked.
Pauline was silent for a moment, thinking about how to word her answer. She knew what she thought Mario should do.
"Well, Mario, if there's one thing I know about you, it's the fact that you've always been everyone's favorite 1-up boy. And like a good king, I'm sure you never let anyone down before." Pauline replied.
"I certainly don't let Peach down whenever Bowser captures her. I never give up until I know that Bowser is down for the count and Peach is safe in my arms again." Mario said.
"That's a good sign right there. You never let down the princess you love, and you haven't given up on her even once." Pauline said. Then she added, "I also remember that New Donk City was in peril when you arrived. You helped us all out, getting the city back to normal."
"Dovevo. I had to. Bowser was there, and he was advertising his sham wedding to my principessa all over your city. That really made me mad." Mario said.
"But I could never really thank you enough for it. Even the Music Festival wasn't enough to express how grateful I was." Pauline replied.
"Maybe you can express how grateful you are by helping me come to a decision? Please?" Mario asked.
"Oh, right. Well, if you want to continue helping Peach after you get married, you probably should be the king. I think her subjects would much rather have you on the throne instead of that atrocious monster that wanted to marry her." Pauline said.
"I wonder if Peach feels the same way." Mario said.
"I'm sure she does. I also know that like a good king, you have a good heart. You didn't leave the Metro Kingdom until everything in the city was right again. I say you'll make a great king, and you'll never let down the people who love their 1-up boy." Pauline said.
"Grazie. Thanks, Pauline." Mario said. He was seriously thinking about giving the Mushroom Kingdom a new king, but he felt like getting confirmation from at least one more person. All he needed to do now was figure out who that person would be. He knew that it wouldn't be any of the Toads, because they'd most likely go out and say that Mario wanted to be the king before he even made up his mind.
The next day, while Luigi was out running errands, Mario decided that it wouldn't hurt to ask Peach's cousin, Princess Daisy, for some advice. Being royalty herself, she should be able to help him make up his mind. So he dialed her cell phone number, hoping she would answer it.
"Please pick up..." Mario pleaded to himself when he heard Daisy's cell phone ringing.
Daisy was in her room, straightening out her closet when she heard the "Super Mario Bros." theme coming from her marigold-colored smartphone, which was sitting on her nightstand. She had assigned that ringtone to Mario, so she knew that he was calling her.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Ciao, Daisy. It's-a me, Mario." Mario answered.
"Hey, Mario. What's up?" Daisy asked.
"Do you... think you can help me with something?" Mario asked.
"What something?" Daisy asked.
"Well..." Mario felt a little uncomfortable asking Daisy about this, but she was a princess, and he had a good feeling that she might really be able to help him come to a final decision, so he asked her, "Did Peach happen to talk to you about the day I had lunch with her?"
"As a matter of fact, she did. She told me that you said you needed to think about the decision you're gonna have to make, which is totally understandable. Now if you're calling to ask me for my opinion..." Daisy started.
"You're right. I am." Mario interrupted.
"All right. In that case, I'd have to say that you are perfect king material." Daisy said.
"Lo pensi davvero? You really think so?" Mario asked. He wasn't expecting to hear this from Daisy, but then again, since she was royalty, she'd have to know what makes a good ruler, and if he was even good enough to be one.
"Yes, Mario, you are. And it's not just because of what Mom and Dad were planning to give you when they found out what you did when you came to Sarasaland." Daisy said.
"What would I have received?" Mario asked.
"Well, Mario, if you and Peach weren't dating when you saved me and Sarasaland from Tatanga, then my parents would have rewarded you with a kingdom to rule, as well as my hand in marriage." Daisy started.
"Mama-mia! How did you find this out?!" Mario asked, surprised. He hadn't expected that he would be rewarded so handsomely for saving Daisy. Then again, she, like Peach, was the sole heir to the throne of her kingdom, except her parents were still on the throne, while Peach's parents were in the Overthere.
"I know this because they told me about it shortly after you left the castle, after they thanked you for rescuing me. And the only reason they didn't tell you is because we told them about you and Peach before they even had the chance." Daisy finished.
"Oh..." Mario said. He should've known that Daisy would want to find out what his reward would have been. But if he had learned what his reward would be for saving the kingdom and its princess would be, he wasn't sure that he could have grown to love Daisy the way he did Peach. He and Daisy liked each other right away when they met, but not in a romantic way. Plus, he thought Daisy was the perfect girl for his brother to love.
"But things didn't work out that way, and I was okay when you told me that you didn't like me that way. I found that I love you like a family member, and had we ended up together, I never would've learned how much I really love Luigi." Daisy replied.
"Right. So, you really think I'll be a good king, Daisy?" Mario asked.
"Yes, I do. You love Peach, you save the Mushroom Kingdom, as well as other kingdoms, and you don't stop until everything is back to normal. I'm pretty sure that's what a good king does." Daisy said.
"Huh. I never thought about that." Mario replied.
"Also, whenever Peach tells me about the things you've done, I always relay the tales of your heroic deeds to Mom and Dad. In fact, I told them about the decision you need to make right after Peach and I finished our talk, and can you guess what they said?" Daisy asked.
"They say I should be the king?" Mario asked.
"Bingo!" Daisy said.
"They say that Bingo should be the king?" Mario joked.
Daisy laughed, but she said, "They think you should be the king, Mario. You're a great man, and according to Mom and Dad, the Mushroom Kingdom's previous king was also a great man. But we all know that the Mushroom Kingdom lost their king a long time ago, when Peach was just an infant. The Mushroom people are going to want you to be their king. Not only that, but I think Peach herself is also hoping that you'll choose to be the king." Daisy said.
"Ti ha detto questo? Did she tell you this?" Mario asked, wondering if what Daisy had said was true. If Peach wanted him to be he king, he was more than ready to say yes to it.
"No, Mario, she didn't tell me, but I could tell by the way she was speaking that she was hoping you might really come to that decision. I know it's what she really wants, because I know Peach to the point where I can read her like a book about the Berenstain Bears." Daisy replied.
"So, are you saying I should be the king?" Mario asked.
"Yes. But what I said about you was just my opinion, and Peach told me that she wants you make the decision. That's a pretty high honor, but then again, you're well-respected by many. Although I'm pretty sure her parents would've immediately decided that you would be the Mushroom Kingdom's new king, had they lived long enough to know you." Daisy said.
Mario knew what to do now.
"Grazie, Daisy. Thank you. Now I need to go and see Peach." Mario said.
"What happened, Mario? Did I help you to make the decision?" Daisy asked.
"I asked Peach, Luigi, and Pauline for their opinions, too, and each of them said I'll be a great king. With your help, I now know what to do. But don't tell Peach." Mario told her.
"I won't tell her anything. The decision was yours to make, and even if I did tell her, Peach may not really believe me, because she'd have to hear it from you to be certain that it's the truth and not some lie." Daisy replied.
"Okie-dokie." Mario said. He ended the call and started to make his way to Peach's Castle.
A few minutes later, Mario was approaching the castle.
"Here goes..." Mario said to himself. He opened the doors and walked into the castle, in search of Peach.
At that moment, Toad walked into the Great Hall and saw him.
"Hey, Mario. What's up?" Toad asked the plumber.
"Ciao, Toad. I need to speak with Peach." Mario told him.
"She's in her room." Toad informed him.
"Grazie. Thanks, Toad." Mario replied.
"You're welcome, Mario." the little mushroom man smiled.
Meanwhile, Peach was sitting on her bed, and Toadsworth was next to her. They were poring over the previous King and Queen's wedding album. Peach enjoyed looking at the pictures from her parents' wedding every now and again, but she had been looking at those pictures a lot more frequently now that her own wedding day would soon be here, and she really couldn't wait for that.
Just then, they heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Peach asked.
"It's-a me, Mario!" Mario replied.
"Come in." Peach said.
The door opened, and in walked Mario.
"Peach. Toadsworth. I have finally come to a decision." Mario said.
"You have?" Peach asked.
"Well, that's good. So, Master Mario, what is the verdict?" Toadsworth asked.
"The Mushroom Kingdom... will have both un re e una regina, a king and queen." Mario replied.
"Really?" Peach asked, her eyes sparkling with happiness at Mario's announcement.
"Really, really." Mario replied.
"Master Mario, is that your final answer?" Toadsworth asked the famous question from the game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?".
"Sì." Mario answered in a firm voice. There was no turning back now. He'd given his answer. In a few short months, he would come to be known as King Mario of the Mushroom Kingdom.
"Very well, then. We must let everyone in the kingdom know that 3 months after the wedding, the Mushroom Kingdom will have both a king and queen again... for the first time in forever." Toadsworth said.
And sure enough, the announcement was made by the couple later that day, and everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom was more than happy to hear that Mario would be their new king. They were going to show him more respect than ever before, now that he would be ruling them.
The End
Sorry this story was only 2 chapters, but at least we know that, with a little help from his friends, Mario was able to make a decision that made everyone happy. And now we can get ready for "Super Mario's Happily Ever After", so I suggest you stay tuned for that!