CHAPTER ONE
THE FIRST STEP

"Ah, after that Smithy Gang came and invaded our world, everything changed. Some things got better, some got worse. The Mushroom Kingdom started getting more suspicious as the Koopa Empire went quiet. It wasn't the first time this happened, and people started to wonder what was going on. Some thought the Emperor was changing direction, while others thought there might be a military coup happening.

But while all that was going on, my brother and Princess Peach started growing apart. It was strange for a lot of people. They were still polite to each other, but they weren't as close as they used to be. I knew what was happening, but I couldn't just tell everyone about my brother's personal life. As all the rumors started swirling around the House of Lords, King Russet Frans Toadstool got interested.

Now, my brother and I grew up in Crimino. It's known for being stubborn and independent. Our hometown, New Donk City, was in Crimino and we've had a few independence referendums in the past. So the Senate didn't really like us very much. Some people even thought that my brother rescuing the Princess was just a way to negotiate for Crimino's independence. Others thought he was just trying to marry up and become the Prince Consort. I think the King might have believed that one too. But the truth is, Mario was never interested in politics back then.

Princess Peach didn't share her father's views, though. And even though things were a little rocky between her and Mario for a while, their friendship helped make things better with the Koopa Empire. Some people even think that if it weren't for King Russet's paranoia, the world might be a different place today."

Luigi Segale, Prince-Consort of Sarasaland, History Channel, Rise of the New Empire, 2529 AC

Lieutenant Belle Fontiere's frustration deepened as she trailed Captain Komodo Vossak through the dimly lit halls of the Imperial Citadel. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss. Vossak, the grey-scaled kremling with silver hair, exuded an air of regal confidence that Belle had come to admire over the past year serving as his aide-de-camp. But today, the captain's demeanor was tense and guarded, leaving Belle on edge.

As they approached a door, Belle nearly stumbled, her thoughts racing. Why had they been summoned to meet with the First Minister of the Assembly, Kamek? And why hadn't the Emperor himself been present? Belle took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on Vossak's broad back, as they entered the spacious office.

The room was lined with bookcases filled with volumes of great importance, and a blue-robed koopa with spectacles sat behind an oak desk, scribbling with a quill. Belle couldn't help but roll her eyes at the sight; who still used a quill these days?

"First Minister," Vossak greeted in a calm, modulated voice, bowing at the waist. Belle mirrored his gesture, her right hand clasped over her chest. "Captain Komodo Vossak and Lieutenant Belle Fontiere, reporting as ordered, my lord."

Kamek looked up from his work, his expression warm and welcoming. "Ah, excellent!" he exclaimed, gesturing for them to take a seat in front of him. "Please, take a seat, both of you. We have much to discuss."

Belle and Vossak complied, and Kamek drew out a thick folder, opening it. A toad carrying a tray stepped forward and began pouring three cups of tea. The two officers quietly accepted their tea while Kamek's cup remained untouched as he flicked through the folder. A leaden feeling settled in Belle's stomach. Had some stuffy noble taken offense to the Captain's actions? It wouldn't have been the first time.

Kamek set down the folder and took a sip of tea. "Your service under Commander Uvenk has been quite eventful, Captain," he remarked, smiling before leaning back in his chair and lacing his fingertips together. The office lights obscured his eyes, but their glint was unmistakable. "While Commander Uvenk is difficult to please, praise from him is not easily won. What are your thoughts on serving under his command?"

The kremling merely inclined his head. "The Commander is excessively modest. The triumph or failure of our pirate hunts hinged entirely on his judgment." he replied calmly. "My role in his achievement was solely to gather the necessary intelligence."

Belle stifled a snort at his comment. Vossak's humility was expected, but it was frustrating all the same. The success of Commander Uvenk's raids on the remnants of various pirate gangs was due in no small part to Vossak's own suggestions, which the Commander himself had acknowledged. She sipped her tea, glancing over at Kamek. The First Minister seemed almost amused by Vossak's statement.

"Commander Uvenk mentioned your humility on most matters, Captain. He spoke of how you regarded it as your duty to serve the Emperor," Kamek said, shaking his head in amusement before retrieving a file from the folder. "In fact, all of your commanding officers, except for Captain Temult, have regarded your abilities highly. However, there is one oddity that stands out." His smile contracted slightly. "You devote your time to the meticulous study of all aspects of your enemy, not just militarily. Could you elaborate on that, Captain?"

Belle didn't detect a hint of reprimand in Kamek's tone. Vossak inclined his head further. "I... can't really explain it satisfactorily," he began slowly. "When I study all facets of my enemies, I see things that are obvious to me. It has been brought to my attention that what may be apparent to me may not be so to others."

Belle felt her cheeks growing warm. Those were her words. Kamek raised an eyebrow, his frown deepening. "So you see something there that helps you?" he mused. "Couldn't you gain as much from just studying the enemy's battle tactics?"

Vossak shook his head slightly. "You misunderstand, my lord," he explained. "To defeat an enemy, one must study them, not just their battle tactics, but their history, their philosophy... and their art. Art, in particular, is a good measure of an enemy's psyche. And one may learn a great deal about a people based on the stories they tell of others."

Kamek lowered his head a fraction. "So, you admire the enemy's views?" he asked, giving a wry chuckle. "My dear Captain... one would almost think that a treasonous statement. I trust that's not the case?"

"Not at all, Your Excellency," Vossak countered politely. Belle couldn't help but admire the nerve he was showing. If their roles were reversed, she would have floundered at the implication of the First Minister's words. "I have never deluded myself into thinking that forbearance equals acceptance, nor do I believe all opinions are equally valid." His glowing eyes hardened, seeming to bore into Kamek's. "When I enlisted into the Navy, I pledge an oath to His Majesty; have I somehow failed to meet his expectations?"

Surprise broke through Belle's own stoicism. Captain Vossak had actually understood what she had been trying to explain to him? While he may have been a miracle worker on the battlefield, he was woefully ignorant of the more opaque political arena. Belle wasn't astute in politics but could recognize the core message beneath all the frills and nice words.

Kamek chuckled as he leaned forward. The light that had once obscured his glasses gave way to a pair of piercing emerald eyes. "Not at all, Captain Vossak," he replied, smiling. "In fact, it is because of your abilities that His Majesty is intrigued. That is why you and your aide-de-camp have been recalled to the Imperial Citadel."

Belle's jaw dropped just a fraction. Personal attention from the Emperor himself? Rumors of such officers receiving the Emperor's personal attention were as rare as a flipped coin. They were either praised to the highest extremes or subjected to shame for some colossal failure. Even the Emperor's own children were not exempt from such a fate. Though, in the case of his children, they were stripped of their military command rather than subjected to the harsher sentences often carried out.

"The Emperor wishes for your help on a particularly sensitive matter. One that I trust will be given the utmost discretion," Kamek continued as he set out two small boxes. His eyes then flicked over to a rather impressive map of the continent.

She and the Captain turned to regard the map, and Vossak stood up and walked toward it, both hands clasped behind his back. The First Minister's eyes glinted in the light, and an amused smile spread across his face. How could Kamek not be amused? No matter how many times she had seen her captain do this very thing, it never failed to amuse her either. It was like watching a live painting from an artist. Belle couldn't grasp how he could piece things together, but she understood the basics of the tricks he performed. Not that anyone could ever expect her to perform the trick herself.

Vossak half-turned and glanced at Kamek. "You desire for us to journey to the Mushroom Kingdom," he said quietly. "May I infer that the Emperor intends to apprehend Her Highness?"

Kamek threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Half-correct, Captain," he said, smiling. "The Emperor has no desire to antagonize the Mushroom Kingdom. But nevertheless... this mission is suited to your talents within the Mushroom Kingdom."

Belle frowned, watching the two intently. This wasn't what she had expected at all. Missions into the Mushroom Kingdom often required other military figures, such as Grand Admiral Caridin or General Gavorn. Though more often than not, the Emperor himself oversaw such incursions. What needed the captain's talents? Vossak, for his part, remained unreadable, a sign Belle recognized as deep in thought from the kremling.

"Very well, Your Excellency," Vossak said, his tone firm and respectful. "If His Majesty wishes it, then it shall be done."

The Lieutenant felt a knot form in her stomach. Once Vossak committed to a mission, there was no turning back. But Kamek's gentle 'tut-tut' interrupted her thoughts.

"While I certainly appreciate your enthusiasm, Captain," Kamek said with a smile, "You haven't even heard the parameters of the mission."

Vossak nodded in agreement as he returned to his seat. "Nevertheless, I am sworn to His Majesty's services."

"Please, humor an old man," Kamek said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "This mission requires your talents and is strictly voluntary. If you choose to decline, there will be no repercussions. This is an off-the-record mission. His Majesty needs the help of a certain... someone."

Belle narrowed her eyes at Kamek's vague words. She couldn't help but wonder who this "someone" was. Hadn't Kamek just said that kidnapping Princess Peach was not their objective? As she glanced over at Vossak, she saw that he was frowning in concentration as he studied the map.

But then it hit her. The Emperor's obsession with a certain pair of brothers was well-known. And his focus on her in the past had been equally intense. Belle gasped before she could stop herself. It couldn't be...

"A thought, Lieutenant?" Vossak asked, his voice gentle.

Belle hesitated for a moment before meeting Kamek's gaze. To her surprise, the First Minister was nodding slightly in encouragement. Taking a deep breath, Belle said, "I think... we're being tasked to find... Mario Segale."

Vossak's expression remained unreadable, but Kamek's smile widened. "Well, Captain?" he asked. "Does this change your answer? I remind you, His Majesty has already decreed that this mission is purely off the record."

Vossak shook his head at Kamek's question, his expression firm and unwavering. Belle had to admit the First Minister's question was a ridiculous one. The Captain seldom, if ever, backtracked from a mission. He simply inclined his head and said, "It changes nothing, my lord. I will bring the plumber here if the Emperor so wishes it."

With a nod of approval, Kamek slid two boxes across the desk towards the two of them. Belle opened her box first and gasped audibly at the sight of the bronze oak leaf inside - a promotion to lieutenant commander! She had expected to remain a lieutenant for quite some time. Glancing towards Vossak, she saw that he held a silver seven-pointed star between his fingers. Without a word, the Commodore fastened the star to his uniform as Belle did likewise with her own bronze oak leaf.

"Ordinarily, we would have had a ceremony," Kamek said, frowning slightly. "But...the Emperor insisted that time was of the essence. May the Seven favor your endeavors, Commodore Vossak."

As they walked out of the office and began their trek back towards the car that had brought them, Belle's fingers briefly touched the oak leaf on her uniform. The weight of the situation suddenly crashed into her. This mission was, if nothing else, a fool's errand. Convince the hated enemy of the Empire to return to the very capital? What was the Emperor thinking? More importantly, what was Vossak thinking? Infinitely thankful for the sight of the car still sitting at the Citadel's entrance, she waited for the Commodore to enter first before getting in herself. Military decorum had to be observed in the public eye no matter what. But once they were inside the privacy of the car...

"Oi! You wanna explain what the hell we're supposed to do!?" Belle growled angrily. "How're we supposed to get that guy here when he's likely to kill us on sight!?"

Vossak raised a polite eyebrow at her outburst, leaning back in his seat and crossing one leg over the other while steepling his fingertips. Other military commanders would have reprimanded her for the breach in protocol, but Vossak seemed amused by their exchange.

Belle huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Sir," she added at long last. "I just... I just don't see why we took on this mission. We could have walked away and been done with it!"

Vossak lifted a single finger. "You surprise me, Commander." The kremling's smile was wry. "I thought you, of all people, would appreciate the challenge."

Belle growled in frustration. "It's not that I'm afraid of a challenge, sir!" she snapped. "I'm just not keen on taking a trip to the Underwhere at the moment."

Vossak seemed to consider this. "No. I don't anticipate any concerns regarding that matter." he said thoughtfully. "Despite reports to the contrary, I do not believe Mario is the monster that our society portrays him to be."

Belle huffed in annoyance. "Be careful, sir. Even suggesting that could be considered treasonous, even to the Emperor's ears." She paused, thinking back to the Emperor. "Do you have any idea why the Emperor didn't meet with us?"

Vossak shook his head. "No. I suspect that our mission and his absence are connected, though."

The young woman frowned at her superior. "Speaking of our mission... how do you plan on getting the Vigilant into the Mushroom Kingdom without attracting any attention?" Belle paused for a moment. " Unless, of course, you don't plan on taking the Vigilant at all...?"

The Commodore shook his head. "We will take the Vigilant, but our voyage shall extend only as far as the Vista Hill garrison. Beyond that point..." He trailed off, leaving Belle to wonder what the next move would be.

Mario Segale trudged up the pathway to the Chanterelle Palace with a heavy heart. He had walked this path countless times before, but today it felt like entering a fortress in the Dark Lands. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Mario stopped to admire the fountain, watching as the water spilled from the upper bowl into the fountain's base with a melodic drip. The palace had been a home away from home, but was it still as welcoming as it had once been?

Six months ago, the idea of King Russet looking at him with barely concealed contempt or stilted interactions with Princess Peach would have been laughed off, but now, Mario was not so sure anymore. The King's contempt unnerved him, true, but it was the Princess' interactions with him that truly hurt. There had been a sort of formality to their interactions in the six months following that fateful day, and it bothered him deeply.

As he raised his head, Mario blinked, seeing an elderly toad hobbling towards him. The toad sported a bushy mustache and wore a tired smile on his face. "Master Mario!" he called out happily, "On behalf of Her Highness, I thank you for coming on such short notice!"

The corners of Mario's lips twitched. "Good to see you, Toadsworth," he smiled. "How have things been?"

Toadsworth shrugged absently. "About as well as can be expected, really." He plucked at his mustache. "Ever since Her Highness was appointed Prime Minister, the workload has only increased. So much so that the Princess has taken to appointing a young lady named Tari to help as her assistant."

Mario felt his eyebrows raise slightly. "I thought you were her assistant?"

The toad shook his head. "No... no, I'm afraid not. I am the royal chamberlain. I serve the royal family." He explained as the two entered the palace. "Tari serves as the Princess's personal assistant."

As they walked in silence, Mario's thoughts drifted to King Russet's recent portrait, which depicted a man who had aged several years in the past few months. The very scant radio addresses left many to wonder if the Princess being appointed the Prime Minister had been done to help prepare her for the inevitable ascension to the throne. The plumber followed Toadsworth towards a door, and it immediately hit him; Peach was likely in her private office due to her new duties as Prime Minister. The elderly toad wrapped his knuckles on the door, and Mario's stomach tightened into a knot as Toadsworth cleared his throat. "Princess, Master Mario is here to see you," he called out.

A muffled voice answered as the chamberlain opened the door and gestured for Mario to enter. Inhaling softly, Mario entered a room that did not match what he was expecting of the Princess; rather than the soft pink and gold that decorated her own room, the office itself was decorated with blue tapestry and gold trim. The telltale ivory marble tile was present in this room as well, coupled with an impressive oak bookcase filled with an assortment of books. His eyes trailed over to the equally remarkable oak desk where a blonde-haired woman sat with a pen in her hand and scribbled away on a sheet of paper.

As Mario approached the desk, he couldn't help but notice that the Princess's appearance had undergone a significant transformation. Gone was the soft-spoken princess in her pink gown, replaced by a regal figure dressed in a white jacket with purple trim and golden epaulets. Underneath the coat, she wore a purple vest and white shirt, finished with a white cravat. Was this her new Prime Ministerial look? Mario wondered. Her aura was one of unadulterated power and confidence that even her pink gown could never have conveyed.

"Take a seat," she instructed in a business-like tone without lifting her head from her work.

Mario's eyebrows shot up involuntarily as he complied and sat down on the chair opposite her. The tone had taken him aback, making him feel tense and uneasy. But as he looked at her, he noticed a pink bow holding her hair back in a low ponytail, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia. Some things never change, he thought. Despite his nostalgia, his nerves were frayed like an exposed wire. It was as if he was meeting her for the first time all over again, not after having defeated the Emperor.

But no reprimand came. The only sound that filled the room was that of her pen scratching against the paper, and occasionally she would pause thoughtfully before returning to her work. As Mario crossed his legs and slouched slightly, he let his mind drift back to simpler times. When things were less complicated, less awkward, he glanced at the Princess, wondering what she was writing, and then he noticed her signature at the end of the document. He sat up straight, catching a glimpse of the tired expression on her face.

Peach, on her part, merely smiled apologetically, "Sorry… Father's been eager to get the appropriations bill on the floor of the Senate for a while now." She said through a yawn, "Excuse me!" She blinked in embarrassment.

Mario's lips twitched slightly as he shook his head, "Don't worry about it," he replied calmly. "I assume that some people are pushing harder than others?"

The Princess stretched her arms and stood up to stretch her legs, "You could say that. Lord Graemon wants us to become an army with a state, while others believe that we shouldn't use Smithy's technology because it isn't native to our kingdom."

Mario quirked an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "That seems counterproductive," he remarked.

Peach shook her head. "Oh no," she said. "They want to improve our military just as Graemon does, but they don't like using foreign technology." She chuckled. "I suppose Lord Hoster hasn't studied history. Still, others are fearful for other reasons..."

Mario frowned, confused. Then he looked at the uneasy expression on her face, "So let me get this straight... they're afraid that we're going to try and become the Empire?"

Peach nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's exactly what my father and I were thinking." she said. "I suppose that's why I pushed to become the Prime Minister, it would allow me to help guide the Mushroom Kingdom, it would let me steer the ship so to speak." She shrugged. "Speaking of the Empire, our mutual acquaintance has been quiet for far too long. What are your thoughts on this?"

Mario snorted in amusement. Thinking of Bowser as an old friend and not a perpetual tormentor was something the Princess did. The plumber gathered his thoughts. "Personally, I think it's too good to be true," he admitted bluntly. "Bowser's been quiet before, and while I'd like to believe that Smithy's invasion convinced him to pursue other goals, this silence is making me uneasy... I have a feeling that he's got something planned, honestly."

Peach nodded gravely. "Yes, that's what they've been saying in the Senate." she said. " Lord Graemon has been pushing for increased military spending and has been effective in rallying support." She turned to face him with a slight smile. "Something about not being able to rely on two plumbers from New Donk City all the time."

Mario rolled his eyes in annoyance. Yes, Lord Graemon was one of the harshest critics of both brothers. Perhaps it was their common blood that had angered the jumped-up noble? Mario hadn't bothered with thinking about the Grand Duke for some time, but the radio addresses had brought the nobleman back to the forefront of his thoughts. For all his efforts, Mario simply couldn't understand how Luigi could maintain such an active interest in the politics of the Mushroom Kingdom.

" Hey, we definitely need those improvements, that's for sure." Mario mused while running a thumb over his mustache. "I'll be honest, I'm not exactly thrilled about Lord Graemon being so hands-on with this. Still, I trust you know what you're doing."

Peach nodded before she strolled over to the front of her desk and leaned against it, her face pensive. "Well, thank you, Mario," she muttered. "But... I didn't bring you here to discuss the political situation." Her face tightened slightly. "Why are you avoiding the palace? You used to come by all the time..."

There it was. The topic that the plumber had been dreading. Mario opened his mouth to answer but soon closed it as he debated on how best to answer. Uncrossing his legs, he leaned forward and heaved a sigh. Words had so rarely failed him when he needed them most. Glancing up at the Princess, she met his gaze with a patient yet expectant look on her face. He opened his mouth again and then closed it, repeating the gesture for what felt like an eternity before the dam finally broke.

Heaving another sigh, Mario opted for the truth. "I just felt like I needed to work on myself a bit, you know?" he muttered. " I know things didn't exactly work out between us, and you didn't feel the same way about me, but... I was hurt, I guess. After we got back, things were just so awkward whenever I came to the palace. It felt like I wasn't welcome there anymore, so I figured it was best to just back off for a while."

Rather than look understanding at the admission, Peach seemed annoyed by the confession. Pinching the bridge of her nose, the Princess strolled back around and sat inelegantly back in her chair and heaved a sigh of her own. Mario frowned; this was precisely what he had been dreading. Yet... when she spoke this time, she surprised him. "My father's attitude certainly hasn't made things any easier," she growled in exasperation.

Mario felt his eyebrows raise as the frustration radiated from her. Perhaps sensing his curiosity, Peach relaxed slightly. The Princess had always spoken highly of her father before; was that just the public face? The plumber couldn't help but feel as if he had borne witness to something he shouldn't have. Idly, he wondered if the palace staff had been aware of this side of the Toadstool family dynamic.

Peach was clearly trying to move past the topic of the King. "That's never been the case, Mario..." she said. " Whatever disagreements we've had in the past, it hasn't changed the fact that you're my best friend." Peach seemed to wilt slightly. "To be honest, I was afraid that you didn't want to be friends anymore."

Mario blinked in astonishment. How could Peach think something so far out of left field? "What?" he asked incredulously. He shook his head in amazement. "I... I just thought that things wouldn't go back to the way they had been before, you know..."

'Before I made an ass out of myself...' was the unspoken part of his thoughts, but Peach seemed to understand. A smile graced her face as she shook her head in amusement. Maybe there would never be the romantic relationship that he wanted with her, but as she had said, they were friends first. It all seemed foolish in hindsight, childish even. He couldn't help but find the situation equally funny.

"Oh, Mario," Peach sighed. "We may have to find ways to move past that, but I think we could definitely do it." She raised a precautionary finger. "Though it wouldn't be easy."

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy," Mario said as he leaned back in his chair and crossed a leg over the other.

The Princess quirked an eyebrow before letting out another yawn. "I am so sorry I keep yawning!" She exclaimed with a faint red creeping in her face.

Mario glanced out at the setting sun and chuckled slightly. "It's nothing to apologize for, Princess," he said, smiling at her. "But hey, I don't want to keep you too long. You look like you could use some rest."

As they both stood up, Peach once more walked over to him and hugged him tightly. "Next time...don't be a stranger," she muttered quietly. "I shouldn't have to use a royal summons to see my friends."

Chuckling softly, Mario nodded as she released him. "Deal," he said, smiling.

Walking out of the office, Mario had to thank his lucky stars. That meeting could have ended in complete catastrophe, but it seemed to him that it had ended peacefully enough. Still...there had been something interesting he would have to ask Luigi about. What had happened between Peach and King Russet? And why did something as minor as a family dispute make him so uneasy?

Author's Note:

Returning to this story has been a long-held desire of mine. The Amanita Chronicles has been an idea that I've had for many years, with its core concept of inevitable changes affecting everyone remaining unchanged over time. When the Bowsette craze took hold, I was drawn to revisit my old notes, but struggled to find a way to make Bowser's identity crisis flow naturally without being offensive. Even attempting to spin off Bowsette as a separate character failed to meet my expectations. Nevertheless, I remain excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Bowser's Kingdom is more accurately described as an empire, with Bowser functioning as an emperor in all but name. He has kings who swear fealty to him, making the empire official in this story. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic displayed in Super Mario Odyssey, I reimagined the Koopa Kingdom as the Koopa Empire.

As for Peach's characterization, I sought to highlight that her cheerful and carefree demeanor in the games is merely a reflection of her being at ease around her friends. While some may assume that she is an airhead, this is mostly due to the games being aimed at children. Those who expect such a portrayal of Peach in this story will likely be disappointed.

To streamline the canon, I decided to focus on a select few games, with the story's timeline trailing off after the end of Super Mario RPG. However, there will be references to other games, such as Super Mario RPG Armageddon, where Daisy was present and Luigi was journeying around the world independently of Mario. Other games may see their plots incorporated into the story despite not being part of the official canon.