CHAPTER 22

Peach and her allies stand with their respective Toad Armies in Hyrule Field. The Red Toads try their hardest to stand with a pristine elegance, the Orange Toads stand like soldiers ready for war, The Yellow Toads set up a prayer circle for the Sun, the Blue Toads are preparing a mechanical beast like vehicle, and the few remaining Purple Toads begin putting on pirate gear with Burnscar as their appointed general. Peach waves to the gathered crowds.

"Today, we will reunite our Kingdoms!" Peach yells. "Together, we will conquer the evil Bowser and Ganon!"

"Let's do this!" declares Zelda.

"Hold!" General Naranjo states. "We got one group of Toads that are AWOL!" He turns to Yashil "Where are the Green Toads?"

"They're not here yet" Yashil responds. "My queen said they should be coming along shortly!"

"Let's hope so!" says General Naranjo. "Otherwise, the entire plan is ruined!"

"Ok Zelda!" Peach says, turning to her. "You were the previous ruler of the castle that Bowser and Ganon had taken over. Can you give us directions from where we are?"

Zelda nods. "Yes, I know exactly how to get there."

"Great!" Peach declares. "Before we reach there, we need to figure out a battle strategy for whatever Bowser and Ganon have planned for us when we reach their castle to stop them and save Luigi...and Mario!"

Peach points at the map she draws in the dirt. "I suggest we split the Red, Orange, Yellow, and Purple Toads into groups and send them in different directions. If everyone comes in contact with all the enemies at once, it will cause confusion. The Red, Orange, and Yellow Toads can spread out and flank the castle while it's dealing with Burnscar, and the Blue Toad's vehicle. I'll join the Red Toads on the right side, Link and Zelda will aid the Yellow Toads on the left, and Naranjo will aid his army in the back. Azura and Yashil provide support at the front entrance! Once we breach their defenses, we have three objectives! First, find Luigi and Mario and free them! Second, stop Bowser and Ganon from using the Triforce! Third, reclaim the castle and get our kingdoms back!"

Everyone nods at Peach. "Let's get going!"

The group heads across the deserted wastelands that is the part of Hyrule Field that is closest to Hyrule Castle. The once blossoming greens and blue sky have turned to a dull brown ground and darkening thick sky. The castle is barely visible in the distance.

General Naranjo is leading the way with Yashil beside him.

"I'm not sure what to expect," Yashil says. "I am hopeful that it will be an easy task!"

"Nothing in war is ever easy, soldier..." Naranjo says. "...but rest assured we will succeed! Now, keep moving forward!"

Yashil salutes General Naranjo before continuing ahead.

Peach and Zelda walk beside each other while the Red, Orange, Yellow, and Purple Toads follow behind them. In the back is the giant mechanical beast the Blue Toads have constructed. Link has scouted ahead to see if there are any troops on the horizon. He stops, and signals Peach and Zelda. He hands his binoculars to Peach, she looks through them and is..relieved.

"It's Birdo...with the Green Toad Army!" she states. "They're almost here!"

"Good!" Zelda says. "That means we're close to reaching the castle!"

The group continues forward until finally, they come across the Green Toads. Birdo runs up to Peach and bows at her feet.

"Your Royal Highness" Birdo states. "It is an honor to fight alongside you...where shall my Green Toads be situated?"

"They will be placed in a position to strike from the rear with Naranjo and the Orange Toads" Peach states. "If they fail, you'll help the other armies defeat the enemy forces!"

Birdo nods. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Please, call me Peach," Peach smiles. "Now, let's get going!"

Birdo and the Green Toads hurry to catch up with the others. They seem to be whispering amongst each other and being standoffish from the other toads.

"What's up with them?" Peach asks.

"Dunno," Zelda shrugs. "Maybe it's because there are so many other toads from different kingdoms here. They're probably feeling a bit tribalistic."

"My father must've really messed them up." Peach ponders aloud. "It would explain why Yashil seems to be the only one comfortable around us".

"We'll find a solution to that soon enough" Zelda declares.

On top of the Blue Toad's Mechanical Beast, Azura is manning the helm. Burnscar and his Purple Toads jump onto the top of the beast.

"Ahoy!" Burnscar says. Though Azura isn't really paying him any mind. "So...no hard feelings about that whole...trying to kill you thing? I know we've made a truce and all, but we never really talked outside of that."

"We'll talk about it after the battle" Azura dismisses. "Get your troops behind my machine!"

Burnscar grumbles as he clambers up on the back. "Fine by me! I don't care either way! I'm just happy to be rid of ya when we finish these two off!"

Burnscar turns to the rest of the Purple Toads who climbed atop the beast and leads them to the rear of it, where they prepare their bob-ombs.

"Alright!" Azura announces. "Get ready to engage! When I give the command, we shall attack!"

Azura looks down below her and sees the Red, Orange, Yellow, and Purple Toads, the Green Toads, and the Blue Toads that have marched together in the intended groups ready to take over the castle.

Finally, after marching and driving for what felt like hours, the group finally reached the homebase of Bowser and Ganon's operations. The dilapidated version of what once was the beautiful Hyrule Castle. A tower stands tall in the middle of the castle. A large moat with a massive drawbridge is the only way across a moat filled with lava. There are countless bodies of dead Hyrulians scattered throughout in various stages of decay. Zelda is forced to hold back tears as she looks upon the many servants, innocent civilians, and two particular Hyrulian Royals who have died by the new Overlord's hands while she and Link were forced to flee. She wipes her face with her sleeve.

"This land is almost a graveyard," she says to herself. "How could they ruin a kingdom like this?"

Peach notices Zelda's plight and takes her hand. "It's ok, we are going to fix all of this."

"Thank you" Zelda says, a single tear falling down her cheek. "Peach...before we go into battle. I want you to have this." She takes both of Peach's hands in hers and puts their heads together.

Peach suddenly feels like she is enveloped in a burning white light. She feels she has the ability to handle any situation and can lead whoever and whatever she can. When this feeling subsides, Peach looks at her hand. She sees half of the Triforce of Wisdom in it.

"Before I escaped, Bowser and Ganon performed a similar ritual. They both hold the Triforce of Power." Zelda emotionally explains. "Now, we both shall share the Wisdom of the Gods."

"Your Highness," Peach says. "I am honored that you'd be willing to share something so valuable with me. I cannot accept it. This belongs to you. All of us are here because you saved us."

"It's alright" Zelda says. "The Triforce is meant to be a symbol of unity. We must unite our Kingdoms if we are to defeat their combined armies." Zelda motions over to the now ruined castle. She looks at Link. "Link, when you find the one who is capable, I want you to share the Triforce of Courage with them."

Link nods and gives an encouraging look at Peach. Before getting back into position.

"As for the rest of you," Zelda says. "We will be going in there and ending this war. I want all of you to remember: you are not alone. You have friends and allies who are willing to stand beside you in this war!"

"You all have been separated by my father's selfish actions!" says Peach. "On behalf of King Bainbridge Toadstool I am sorry, but tonight we are all united under one flag! The flag of the Rainbow Toads! We all have joined as a band of brothers and sisters! Ready to overlook our differences and take back the land that rightfully belongs to us! There will be some of the most ruthless monsters you will ever see within those walls! Though if you stand side by side! Back to back! Brothers in Arms! I know that we will conquer them!"

All the Toads and Peach's allies cheer! Though Birdo and the Green Toads simply give polite applause.

"Ready to charge at your command!" Azura yells.

Peach turns to face the dark and grimy former Hyrule castle, points her gloved finger in the air, then motions towards it!

"CHAAAAAAAAAAARGE!" she yells.