The Princess and the Hero

Princess Peach ties her hair into a ponytail, preparing to go play tennis with the toads. Tomorrow all vassal rulers will report to the council chamber in the castle. And Bowser's expectations and goals for the year will be made known to them there. It is imperative she does not miss it.

But Peach had been dreading the meeting. She had not seen Bowser since the party, and he was clearly displeased with her lack of interest in him. Thinking of Antasma's scheme Peach wasn't sure she could even befriend him anyway.

Bowser is such a selfish person.

Peach frowns while she adjusts her mini skirt. As she walks out of her room another thought comes to her mind.

Maybe Bowser doesn't understand right from wrong.

The beliefs of the koopas and the toads are so different. The koopas carry themselves with a 'might makes right' mentality. On the other hand, toads fear fighting and do everything to avoid it. Could both groups ever see eye-to-eye?

Peach descends the stairs waving at Captain Toad as he munches on toast.

He was still a jerk, but Bowser was sweet to the ship captain's baby. He's capable of showing kindness when he wants to.

Peach blushes remembering him reaching for her hand. Even though she was upset with him, a small part of her enjoyed the attention. To be honest, the king was eager and didn't seem like he was treating her as a prize like she felt he was. Bowser just wanted Peach to be near him. When the toads asked if she was looking for a spouse, she realized she had never considered it. There are no humans around and Peach never felt any attraction towards anyone else. The closest she had come was when Bowser had laid in her lap years ago. The princess would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy running her fingers through his red mane and looking into his eyes. In fact, Bowser is the only guy she finds physically appealing. Peach shakes her head getting that thought out. Now is not the time to consider courtship, especially with Bowser.

For now, Peach decides she will enjoy the day with her family. The toads had made a makeshift tennis court in the front yard. Before long, all her troubles fell to the back of her mind once she served the first ball. As they only had four rackets, the group would switch players. To their surprise shy guys would join for a quick round. Relieved they were not there to kidnap anyone; Peach would allow them to play.

"I thought you guys would be sulking over the lack of sunshine."

Peach turns and notices Larry and Lemmy. Worry covers her face as they approach her.

"Larry? Has the king summoned us?"

Larry is now looking at the court. "Nah, I had paperwork to finish." He turns to Peach with a mischievous grin. "But I ditched."

Peach frowns while Larry gives a hearty laugh. He then gleefully reaches for her racket. Peach playfully rolls her eyes and allows him to borrow it. Berry has already lent his to Lemmy. The two young koopas run to the opposite ends of the court. Larry quickly serves and Lemmy fails to hit the ball. But the small koopa laughs and runs to get the ball. As he does so, Peach decides to ask Larry a question.

"What was your dad like?"

"He and Bowser were twins. But he had blue hair." Larry answers her shortly, his eyes now on the ground. Peach sighs as she was hoping for a longer response. It's obviously a touchy subject and she shouldn't pry. But Lemmy seems more eager to talk.

"He was awesome! When our dad ran away - he joined a circus and married an acrobatic, our mom. They would travel from koopa village to koopa village. When we were born, we became a family act." Lemmy declares while balancing on the handle of his racket.

Larry starts to elbow Lemmy to get him to quiet up. "Lemmy!"

Larry's eyes are staring behind Peach, and she realizes someone is approaching.

"Lemmy, don't let Bowser hear you talking about our parents." Ludwig reprimands. Lemmy shrinks behind Larry.

Ludwig folds his arms and faces Peach. "Princess Peach I'm here to give you the schedule for the council meeting."

Peach takes it and looks over the timetable. Ludwig points at the paper as Peach reads. "Everything must be on schedule. Keep all comments brief because the meeting must stop at noon for King Koopa's lunch. He will incinerate the council chambers if a minute over."

Peach nods nervously and spots the last topic: King Penguin's fate. "I see. I will be there."

Ludwig bows and takes his exit.

"Wait Ludwig! Don't you want to try the tennis court?" Lemmy calls out.

"I have no time for silly games."

Larry looks at Lemmy sadly. "Let it go bro. He has that super weapon he needs to finish."

Peach's heart sinks over Lemmy's pout. Peach places her hands on her hips. "Your too young to be all business."

Ludwig pauses and stares at her, annoyed. "Well, yes, an empire requires many helpers to the cause."

Peach was not going to leave it at that. "Ludwig, your brothers want to spend time with you. Could you spare just an hour?"

Larry shakes his head at Peach. "He's scared I'll beat him. That's why!"

Ludwig turns on his heels offended. His eyes flaring with fury. He almost looks like Bowser.

"Scared!?" Ludwig marches and snatches a racket from a toad. "I'll show you simpletons! Lemmy, you're on my team! Larry and Princess Peach prepare yourself."

Ludwig gives a fierce powerful serve across the court, Peach trips returning it back over the net. She laughs and Ludwig scolds her for not taking it seriously as he hits it back.

"Larry!"

"I got it!" Larry jumps to hit the ball, but the force sends him spinning like a top. Peach catches him before he falls on the ground. Larry's serve is intercepted by Lemmy, launching it over. But Peach hits the ball at a sharp angle causing Ludwig to miss. With a cheer, Peach and Larry high five each other. Ludwig gives another angry serve and Larry misses the shot. Lemmy cheers and Ludwig expects his two opponents to be upset. But Peach and Larry are still laughing.

"Good serve, Ludwig!" Peach compliments.

"No wonder Larry fits in with these toads. So easy going." Ludwig mumbles. But as the game continues Ludwig begins to just enjoy the game.

Ludwig sits on the grass while catching his breath. He observes Larry and Lemmy drinking fresh lemonade with the toads, Lemmy bragging about winning. Ludwig smiles and looks up at the sky. Peach takes a seat next to him. "Your music was so beautiful at the party."

Ludwig grunts and shrugs. "It's my passion. Wish I had more time for it."

He looks back at his brothers. "Larry and Lemmy are fond of you I see. Even though you are a mere vassal I'm glad. They tend to get into trouble when their alone. Especially during the month of tribute. I'm often too busy to keep up with them."

Peach laughs lightly and teases him. "If you weren't making a super weapon, you would have plenty of time."

Ludwig shakes his head smiling. "True. But it makes Bowser happy. He took us in after our parents died. I feel indebted to him."

There are other ways to show love for him. Peach thinks. She decides not to press the issue. Ludwig bids her and his brothers goodbye and leaves to get back to work.

Peach wanders through the castle trying to find the council chamber. She's hopelessly lost. There are no signs, and each dark hall would branch off in an endless maze. She had been following Larry, who swore he knew every route. But it became obvious he had forgotten how to get to the council chambers. He eventually fell through a hidden trapdoor. Worried but then remembering how durable the koopas are, Peach presses on knowing she'll run into Larry eventually. Her best course of action is to find a servant to lead the way.

In time, Peach passes a lit room and briefly peeks in. The room's floor was covered in toys with a massive bed in the middle. Near a window a small red-headed koopa was painting on an easel. The Koopa General was posing before the child in dramatic fashion. Peach giggles: the picture looked nothing like the general. But the child was intensely focused, carefully mixing his paints. The general finally looks towards the door.

"Mushroom Princess!?" The Koopa General jumps up embarrassed and begins grabbing the toys. "Young Sire, a lady should not see this mess!"

The young boy frowns and turns around. He bears a strong resemblance to Bowser. His eyes light up seeing Peach.

"A damsel!"

Peach stares in confusion as the boy grabs a blanket to tie around his neck. Before the general can interrogate Peach on why she is here, Junior picks her up. A small gasp escapes the princess' mouth, stunned over his strength. The little guy carefully places her on a stool while snickering. Junior then points at the general.

"I gotta save her and you're the bad guy!"

Peach giggles realizing his intentions. "So, we're playing hero?"

Bowser Jr. nods at her in excitement. He then dramatically points at the general. "You let her go Doctor … umm … Doctor Corncob!"

A wicked gleam appears in the general's eyes and Peach nearly jumps.

"Never! She's all mine, Junior! Bwa ha ha ha!" The general laughs evilly and brandishes a sword. Peach angrily demands he put it away, as he could poke the child's eye out. With a shrug he opts for a toy one. The hero and villain clash with toy swords, swinging and parrying. Peach cheers on Junior to win and would gasp dramatically when the prince would fall to the ground. Eventually, the general puts his hands in the air allowing Junior to 'stab' him in the heart. He falls over clutching his heart dramatically.

"Curse you hero! Curse you!" He then leans his head over and pretends to die.

Junior laughs evilly and runs up to Peach. "Your safe now lady!"

"My hero!" Peach coos. She gathers her dress up while stepping off the stool. "Time to give you a hero's reward!" She bends and lightly kisses him on the forehead. Junior jumps back and rubs his head.

"Ewww!"

Peach puts her hands on her mouth giggling.

"So, you want to be hero, prince?" She asks the child while the general is standing back up.

"Yep! I'm going to protect everyone when I'm older!" Bowser Jr. turns to the general. "You can fly! Do you want to be a hero too?"

The general shakes his head. "No, I could not be a hero. It is a life of sacrifice. And a little boring. I like blowing stuff up. But none would object to you being one, young master."

Peach tilts her head in confusion. She covers Junior's ears, and he smiles at her. "Bowser loves being evil. Won't he be mad?" she quietly asks hoping Junior can't read lips.

The Koopa General shrugs. "King Bowser loves being evil, but he would not dare stand in the way of his son's dream. He'd rather die. The king even tolerates the existence of peaceful koopa villages. The former monarchs had a different policy."

"I see." Peach begins to play with Junior's ponytail, and he leans in happy over the attention.

"Shouldn't you be somewhere, princess?" The general inquires.

Peach gulps in horror and releases Junior. She was supposed to be at the council chamber! Peach turns to run but Junior grabs onto her leg.

"Stay!"

"Junior, no!" Peach tries to pry him off.

"I still want to play! We just met!"

"I can't sweetie!"

"Get off her, son."

Bowser Jr. let go of Peach and leaps for the door. "Papa!"

Peach nervously looks up as Junior jumps into his father's arms. "How's my little terror doing?"

Peach smiles at their reunion despite her fear. Junior smirks at his father as he's held.

"I made a new friend!"

Bowser turns his attention to Peach. "I can see that."

Peach straightens her dress out, even more nervous of Bowser. His eyes were filled not with anger but passion. Had he been watching them play?

Bowser Jr. continues to protest to his father. "She wants to go! Make her stay Papa!"

"No, no. She has somewhere to be."

"Can't you stay?"

Bowser's eyes dart away in guilt. "I … I must be somewhere as well. I'll be back, I promise."

Junior hangs his head and Bowser shifts nervously.

"Junior, I can play with you too later." Peach offers. Bowser turns beaming and Peach feels her heart leap. Her words seem to satisfy the young koopaling.

"Okay!"

Bowser's smile disappears as he stares at a stack of books.

"Wait, don't you have homework, son?"

Junior tenses up and runs out his father's arms to open his textbooks. Bowser escorts Peach out of the room while shouting, "Ludwig will be on your case if he sees you get another failing grade."

"I'm studying! I'm studying!"

After shutting the door, Bowser and Peach walk down the hallway. Peach hugs her arms wondering if Bowser was going to threaten her for being late. But the king giggles and looks at her. "Couldn't find my room so you were going to assassinate my son instead, Peaches?"

Her furious expression made Bowser laugh even harder.

"Don't joke like that. That is unthinkable!"

"He is cute, isn't he?"

"I'm beginning to think you want a knife in your back!" She argues.

Bowser playfully bumps her shoulder. "Oh, come on! If I were in your position, I would take any opportunity! You know how many times someone has gone after me?"

"If you were nicer, you wouldn't have to worry about that."

"I ain't a pathetic toad! Bwa ha ha ha!"

Peach wants to take the nearby torch and shove it up his shell. But she realizes she is not scared of him anymore. Did he notice her fear and was trying to put her at ease?

"Your son is adorable."

Bowser beams with pride. "Now, if you'll follow me."

Bowser knew the shortcut to the chambers, but he took the long way around to lengthen his alone time with Peach. Though suspecting this Peach plays along, and the two lightly converse.

The council members and kings are shocked to see the two royals come in the chamber together. Bowser was late, but they dared not tell him. Peach takes her seat on the second level next to Antasma and Larry (who just found the chambers himself). Bowser reluctantly ascends a set of stairs to his throne that overlooks all. He slumps into it and glares at his audience.

"Whelp. Let's get this over with."