No more damsel in distress

Peach returned to the Mushroom Castle. Was on an adventure with the Mario brothers and Bowser, preventing the world from being erased by a giant black hole. They also destroyed Dimentio and helped Blumiere and Timpani to be together again. Upon arrival, the princess was greeted by Toad and the prime minister, Toadsworth. Her stomach was full (had eaten and drunk at Merlon's house), but was tired and dirty, so she went to her room to take a bath and rest. Everything ended well, except for one thing.

"YOU are the one who always gets rescued by men! THIS is embarrassing!".

Mimi's words were still "hammering" in the monarch's head, which took away her good mood ever since. She was angry because she knew it was true. Every time Bowser (or some other villain) kidnapped her, it was Mario and Luigi (with help from Link, Zero and Arikado) who went to rescue her. What mitigated this was the fact that, even in prison, found a way to help the plumbers with items or information. Still, she needed to do something to change this. Left the room and went to the minister's office.

—Come in—allowed the toad, as he heard knocking on the door. Peach entered the room and sat down in front of him.

—What can I do for you, Your Highness?

—I'm going to militarize the Mushroom Kingdom—said the regent, directly. Toadsworth's eyes widened in surprise.

—Just now?

—Yes. I didn't do it before because I thought we didn't need an armed force, with Mario and Luigi around. But I was wrong. We need an army. It's not fair to put all the security of the kingdom and my own on their shoulders forever.

—Indeed, princess. When do you want to start?

—As soon as possible.

—Are you remembering that...

—Tomorrow is my twenty first birthday? How could I not remember? With that, I can already be queen. And in three months it's the Sticker Fest. The timing is perfect. The festival will take place with the kingdom already militarized and Bowser will be sorry if he shows up and try to kidnap me again! We'll do it in Decalburg, as usual. Oh, and I'll also invite Link, Zero and Arikado to be honorary members of the armed force.

The next day, Peach's birthday party took place. Lots of food, drink, guests, gifts, music, conversation and laughter. The crowning ceremony happened in the courtyard of the Mushroom Castle, attended by the population, who clapped, whistled and shouted in celebration. Daisy, the empress of Sarasaland, was the one who placed the golden crown on her friend's head. She was now officially Queen Peach.

—I need to speak to you in my office—said the regent to Mario and the consideration brothers at the end of the party. They followed her to the enclosure and Peach sat behind the desk. The others sat in chairs across from her.

—You—began the queen, addressing to Mario—will no longer need to rescue me.

—What do you mean?—asked the plumber, astonished.

—Starting tomorrow, I will assemble an armed force to stop Bowser from invading the Mushroom Kingdom. He'll never kidnap me again.

—At last—Zero commented.

—About time—Arikado said in agreement.

—I'll negotiate with some authorities to buy weapons, ammunition, vehicles and get contingent—Peach revealed, severe. —I'd like the four of you to be part of my Royal Guard, but I know that each one of you—she told the brothers—already have jobs where you live. What do you think, Mario? I'd like very much that you continue protecting me.

—I accept, Peach—Mario said, without hesitation.

—We can be part of your guard, but as honorary members—proposed Link. The reploid and the vampire agreed.

—Excellent! Thank you very much, all of you!

The next day, Peach and Toadsworth drafted the proposal for the militarization of the kingdom and delivered it to the congress, which approved it. With this, begun the agreements for the formation of the Mushroom Army. Peach spoke with empress Daisy of Sarasaland; Zelda, princess of Hyrule; commander Signas of the Maverick Hunters of Abel City; general Pepper of Corneria and other important people she knew with the war power to help her.

In the following weeks, the Royal Guard and the armed force began to be assembled. Mario and one more toad, one human, one hyrulean, and one reploid made up the queen's elite bodyguard. As agreed, Link, Zero and Arikado were appointed honorary members of the Royal Guard. As for the army, it was composed of Toads, Koopa defectors, humans, reploids, hyruleans and lylatians, all with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform not only in combat, but also in nursing, robotics and engineering, for example. With the contingent formed, vehicles such as tanks, jeeps, cars, motorcycles, ships, speedboats, battleships, submarines, fighter jets, helicopters and airplanes arrived to strengthen mobility. Then came the weapons (and ammunition): pistols, machine guns, rifles, shotguns, bombs, land mines, missile launchers, swords, spears, axes, knives, hammers, scythes, whips, etc.

Just a few days before the Sticker Fest, Peach held a parade with the Mushroom Army and the Royal Guard to show the people the military strenght the Mushroom Kingdom now had. The news was very welcome and the population loved it. All the authorities that helped Peach assemble the army were invited to watch the parade and congratulated her. In a speech, the queen guaranteed that if King Koopa tried to invade the kingdom and kidnap her again, he'd be arrested. This was the most celebrated part of the parade.

—You didn't tell us why you decided to militarize the kingdom—Link said.

—It was because of something unpleasant I heard from an opponent. She said that I was always rescued by men and that it was embarrassing—revealed Peach.

—I disagree—countered the hunter. —It's our duty to protect women, children and anyone else who needs protection.

—That's right. We admire you for being strong and fighting with us, but we're always concerned for your safety and wealth—the dhampir told.

—So you think I shouldn't have assembled an armed force? That I should continue to be kidnapped, without defending myself?

—None of that. Arikado and I even mocked the fact that you took so long just to do something about it.

—We understand that you're tired of being kidnapped and having your kingdom attacked—explained the hylian.

—But please, don't feel embarrassed or belittled when Mario or any of us save you from an enemy, we do it 'cause we love you—Arikado finished. Peach blushed, then said:

—I love you too, very much! You can count on me too when you're in danger, you know that. If you're facing someone beyond your strength, I'll be there to fight together.

The day of the Sticker Fest arrived. Decalburg, a neighboring county, was crowded and very lively. Besides the locals, there were also many foreigners, family and friends of those who joined the Mushroom Army, who came to enjoy the festivity. A large stage, adorned with stickers and beautifully decorated, had been set up in the neighborhood square, which also looked beautiful thanks to the decoration and lighting. The armed force was present, making rounds, observing and monitoring. Everyone was waiting for the passage of the Sticker Star in the sky. The festival was held annually in the Mushroom Kingdom and all the participants had the chance to make a wish to the star.

The curtains of the stage opened, revealing a comet-shaped sign that read "Sticker Festival" and a pedestal where queen Peach, accompanied by some members of the Royal Guard, armed to the teeth, was standing. She carried a gun and a long sword at her waist.

—Good evening, people of the Mushroom Kingdom! I'd also like to welcome the foreign visitors, I hope you're enjoying the festival very much! Unlike in previous years, I'm happy to announce that now we've a strong security apparatus to ensure that the celebration goes smoothly. Have no fear, for the Mushroom Army is here to protect us all! In a moment, the Sticker Star will be here!

Hooray overtook those present and they began to pile up in front of the stage. Rosalina approached Peach and whispered in her ear: "Fifteen secs". "Thank you, dear!", appreciated the regent. Came down from the pedestal and, said and done, a large and very bright yellow star descended from the sky onto the stage and stopped, floating, on top of the pedestal. The crowd cheered, but then quieted down and began to concentrate to make their requests. Just then, Bowser jumped on the stage. Before he could do anything, however, Link, Zero and Arikado's swords were already pointed at his neck, leaving him surprised and paralyzed. The queen's bodyguards surrounded the king with their weapons pointed at him.

—Prin… princess?!—Bowser managed to say, breaking into a cold sweat.

—I knew you'd come here to try to make trouble—Peach spoke, angrily, drawing her sword and pistol. Pointed both at his enemy and continued:

—You're not going to kidnap me anymore, Koopa! I've had enough! And the people can't stand you anymore either!

—Is that... is that Exor?—asked the big tortoise, recognizing the sword's hilt.

—No. Just a usable version. GET OUTTA HERE OR WE'LL KILL YOU!

The Royal Guards came even closer and put their weapons on the king, who, even cornered, sneered:

—You're bluffing.

Peach shot on one of Bowser's legs, who roared in pain and fell. The monarch had no mercy and aimed the gun on his head. Remembered all the times she was kidnapped and felt like executing him right there, putting an end to the hijackings and assaults, but remembered that she was in the middle of a festival, didn't want to turn it into a bloodbath.

—Wa... wait up, prin... cess!—asked King Koopa, gasping and in pain, appealing. —I have... a son... and the... Koopalings! Who will ... take care of them… if I die?

—You should've thought of that before coming here! Guards, take him to the prison!

Mario and the other royal guards did as Peach ordered. An "explosion" of cheering, whistling and shouts of approval came from the residents.

—Well done, Your Majesty—Arikado praised.

—Yeah, you showed him who's boss.

—Thank you, brothers.

—What are you going to do with him?—asked Link, nonchalant, watching as the tortoise was led away while being heckled by the townspeople.

—He'll be held in prison until the trial, the judiciary will give it's verdict. But what about it, have you decided what you're going to wish for? The star doesn't have all night!