Chapter 3: Sweet Side

It was a beautiful Saturday in the Mushroom Kingdom. Birds chirping, Toads enjoying the day, and our heroes having themselves a nice lunch.

"Not quite as good as Mom's, but we're getting there." Luigi said as he took a bite out of his burger. "Maybe more basil."

As Mario finished up his, a knock was heard at the front door.

"Mail Call!"

Mario walked to the front door and checked the letters. Skimming through them, he'd noticed one unusual letter. Pink with red ribbons. There was no doubt this was from the Princess.

As he brought it in, Luigi took notice of it and thought the same thing. "You think she sent that during her trip?"

"Actually, no." Mario read the return address. "It came from the castle itself." As Mario opened it, the brothers began reading.

'Dear Mario and Luigi: Please come to the castle. I've baked a cake for you two.

Yours truly–

Princess Toadstool

Peach'

Mario and Luigi looked at each other. "The stove has cooled." They both smiled.

Mario was the first to grab his shoes. "Let's-a go, Luigi. Can't keep her highness waiting."

"Yeah." Luigi shouted with joy. "And we can talk to her about bringing the Mushroom Kingdom phones!"

The Marios left their home and made their way to the castle. Reaching the door, they were greeted by the two guards having some cake.

"Sorry. The princess is in another castle." The yellow one spoke.

They both shared a laugh. "Just messing with ya." Blue responded. "Come on in."

The two opened the door and the Marios stepped in, but ….

"Welcome. No one's home! Now scram– and don't come back! Gwa ha ha?"

"Boy, Peach really needs to give that pet of hers some toys." Luigi laughed as the two walked around the clearly filled castle. "Also how'd he know we were coming?"

"He's just doing that every time he hears the front door open." A toad answered, enjoying a beautiful looking slice of cake.

Each toad Mario and Luigi passed by had a slice of cake. It was actually impressive how many slices there were, and how many varieties.

"Oh boy." Mario rubbed his head. "I hope she didn't overwork herself because of last night."

"Not at all." They turned around to see the Princess herself, now looking like her usual self. "And don't worry, they're not mushroom cakes."

"Ta da!" Our main Toad came in with two slices for the bros. "Two servings of Princess Peach's finest Strawberry Cake around!"

One bite, one bite out of that cake was enough to send the brothers' taste buds into paradise.

"Mama mia …." Mario's mouth started to water as he savor each bite. "Peach, I truly hoped you did not overdid it because of …. Well…"

"I'm being honest." Peach gave the hero a gentle smile. "True, I felt terrible when you all saw me like that and I wanted to make up for it." A light blush of embarrassment formed on her face. "Baking is a hobby I really love. You don't have to exaggerate."

"Exaggerate?!" Luigi asked as he took another bite. "I've died and gone to heaven! Yum. Swe-OW!"

Luigi was then met with a whack on the leg.

"Just checking if you're really dead." Toad answered, and was soon given a glare from Luigi. "What, I was worried for a moment."

After the light tension died down. The four looked around the castle as they walked to a more private place. Each toad that worked there was all enjoying the cake she had baked. All happy and peaceful in that castle.

Mario took notice of a peaceful smile on the Princess's face. A smile at rest, a smile of relief.

"So many lives were saved." She glanced at the three before opening the door, revealing a lovely looking sitting area. Some book shelves stood around the room, paintings of landscapes and one of the castle itself hung around the walls, and a balcony that overlooks parts of Toad Town.

"Come on." Peach led them to a table with hot tea ready for them. "I want to get over with all the stupid stuff that happened before I get to the actually good things."

The four sat around hearing the stories of Peach dealing with the politics and laughing along with her.

"And then they said to the man, 'Your product must have a label that says this includes fish.' and then I calmly informed them all 'Are you blind? He's a fisherman!'"

Mario and Luigi nearly lost it at that one.

"They're so stupid!" Toad fell off his chair as his thighs began to hurt. "Please …. Please tell me why I shouldn't change my mind about adventuring on Earth. Seriously, please!"

As the laughter died down, Peach caught her breath. "In all seriousness, I'm sure there are plenty of kind hearted rulers. Just hard to notice them." Excitement started to grow inside her. "But while learning their history, the good and bad. I also noticed the lands of the Earth."

A glimmer was seen in her eyes. "Guess this, nothing there floats in midair. Isn't that weird?"

Mario and Luigi were not surprised, but Toad was. "Not even coins?"

"That's also weird. Their currency doesn't even spawn in nature."

"WHAT!?" Toad shouted. "But how do they make a living?"

Peach shrugged. "They all looked at me like I was an idiot. That was after the fish label garbage." Peach chuckled. "Also they were amazed to hear about the Mushroom Kingdom, until I told them we have nothing underground called 'oil.' Especially your home country, Mario and Luigi."

"Good." They both said in union.

"Now come on, tell us what caught your eye." Mario asked.

"We've been on vacations with our family." Luigi joined in. "Did they tell you about the Grand Canyon?"

Peach's eyes widened. "You two went there?! They told me pictures give it no justice."

"Well your majesty." Mario smiled. "They're right about that."

"And how deep it is." Luigi turned to his brother. "And how stupid people are jumping over the safety bars. Oh oh!" Luigi grew excited. "Remember back at Yellowstone someone got close to that Moose?"

"And bless their soul they haven't gotten trampled."

"Really, a moose?" Toad laughed. "What's a moose?"

They talked some more about all the sights Earth has to offer. Mt. Fuji, The Great Wall of China, Stonehenge, and many others.

"So many to see." Peach then brought up one place. "But I did see your country's capital. The museums, memorials, and that tower for your first president." Peach rubbed her chin. "But why just a plain tower?"

"Good question." Mario sipped his tea. "You know, you didn't even get a proper look at Brooklyn yet."

"You're right." Peach realized. "Aside from our 'biggest fight of our lives,' I never got the chance to really see the town you two grew up in." She then stood up. "And that's where I should start."

"Start?" All three asked.

Peach gave them all a gentle smile. "I was giving this some thought after meeting the Earth rulers and baking cakes for the Toads." She glanced at the balcony overlooking the town full of life. "So much evil, yet so much good that needs to be nourished." She turned back to the three. "Just like how the Toads raised me when they found me. The love they shared to help make me who I am today, and the love I gave them as their ruler. And love is what your world needs."

Peach then revealed her full plan. "I want to meet more humans and spread the message of love around the world!"

The Brothers listened very closely to Peach's words. They know full well that she truly meant what she said. Even Toad couldn't help but get teary eyes.

"That … that's so beautiful." Toad cartoonishly blew his nose. "That's it, I officially still want to adventure on Earth. And I'll help you on your quest!"

Peach kneeled down to Toad. "When you out of all Toads wanted to join our quest to stop Bowser, I knew you would say that." She stood up and placed her arms on her waist. "There's still a long way to go after everything and my duty as a Princess, but welcome aboard."

"Yyyyyyeessss!" Toad jumped on the table and danced his whole heart out. "Yes yes yes! Adventure, here we come!"

"Hold on there, Toad." Mario picked the energetic mushroom off the table before he could ruin the tea. "She said not for a long time."

"The new pipe system. Rebuilding, whatever surprises happen. Can't just go on vacation whenever she wants." Luigi said as he counted his fingers. "Also, Princess …."

Mario didn't know how to bring this up. "About your plan of yours. It's …. Kind of …."

"I know, a long shot." Then Peach started sounding like a realist. "I got the whole picture after my political meeting. But there could still be plenty of humans that just need to hear it. Just someone to say 'go for it' or 'don't ever let yourself down' could just be all they need to hear to make a change." Peach glanced away. "And also, I figured this could also be a good change for me too."

Mario was relieved at first about being truthful to Peach. Hearing her speech made the hero wish he knew her before the Mushroom Kingdom. During the time he and Luigi started their business and no one had fate in their choice. A trusted friend that will help him through anything, and for him to help her too.

"So what kind of change?" Luigi asked, pointing out the Princess's last sentence.

Peach kind of felt off about mentioning this. She didn't know why, but knew she could trust her friends with this. "It's just ….. I have barely ever seen humans before. The Mushroom Kingdom hasn't had many human visitors. So ….. Maybe." She rubbed her arm. "Maybe I can get a better feeling on my human side of my life."

Mario and Luigi completely understood what she's going through.

"I can get the same feeling too." Luigi spoke. "Like we've never been to Italy." He smiled lightly. "We were raised on italian food, italian phrases, but yet never been there once." Luigi chuckled. "In fact, I think Mario was only named after some guy our dad met at a warehouse job."

"Don't tell her that!" Mario was quick to defend himself as Peach left out a chuckle. But then something caught Mario's mind. "Humans…." He turned back to the Princess. "If you don't mind me asking." Now he started to feel uncomfortable for her by bringing this up. "You came here as a baby, but you knew what we're called."

Peach nodded. "It is a huge universe out there." Peach sat back down and pondered the question. "Even before I came along, this world had visitors from different worlds. Some humans, some not." Her memory traveled back to the times she met humans like her. "The toads and I did learn a lot. Not just about humans, but the worlds they live in."

She continues to think back about the memories of the visitors, some may even be familiar to some eyes.

"And there's something else I didn't mention about the Earth. Your Earth." She looked at Mario and Luigi. "Listen, I have made no official deals yet. But while I was at the U.N. headquarters, they suggested they take my fingerprints."

"Woah." Was the first thing the Marios mustered. "If they take your fingerprints, then maybe="

But then Toad comedically butted in and ruined the moment. "They want to take your fingerprints!? How, why, HOW?!"

"Relax, Toad!" Mario and Luigi jumped in. "They don't want to actually take them. They just want to make a copy of her's." Luigi spoke."

"It's a good thing!" Mario stood up. "With that, they can see if she's from our world, and …." Mario caught his tongue again. "And …."

"That's why I'm just telling you three." Peach caught their attention. "While I don't feel comfortable with the idea of them having 'that kind' of personal information on me, there's still a chance, but maybe not." She took a quiet deep breath. "Aside from the counsel and you. I …. Well I don't want to get my … expectation high, and that of the other Toads."

Mario and Luigi glanced at each other, understanding the difficulty of the decision.

"But…." Mario and Lugi looked up at the Princess with a smile across her face. "Even if I'm not from your Earth, I still want to learn as much as I can, and travel to see it all. Which is why I hope you don't mind me asking." She then bowed to Mario and Luigi. "I would like permission to have you two as escorts to guide me through Brooklyn." She then glanced at Toad. "Including Toad as well."

Mario was the first to answer. "Princess Peach Toadstool." He removed his hat and bowed. "It will be an honor."

Luigi bowed as well. "And we will treat you to the finest meals our town has to offer. Dinner with our family." Following the same mannerism.

"Then it settles." Peach smiled. "Whenever we have free time, we'll make the date."

"Well tomorrow is too soon anyways." Mario answered. "Dad got golf plans, Mama's visiting her sister during the weekend, our niece's having a study lesson, and our uncle's planning on take outs."

"So stay tuned….." Toad spoke weirdly.

Peach nodded to them all. "Thank you all so much … and one more thing." She smiles cheerfully. "You three don't have to be all formal with me. We're friends now. Still have to follow the laws I've placed, but we're friends."

And so the four friends spend the rest of their day in the castle. Seeing how everyone is doing, listening to updates on different matters, and sharing a wonderful dinner together.

"Princess Peach, we bid you a goodnight." Mario said as he along with Luigi and Toad walked away from the castle.

"You still don't have to be formal." Peach waved goodbye. "And have a wonderful night!'

She retreated to her Castle as the Toad guards waved goodbye.

As the three walked home, they began to reflect on their day with Peach. "She needs good bodyguards." Luigi said out loud. "And I hope she doesn't try anything drastic …. in the bad countries, to say it nicely."

"Still not for a while, Luigi." Mario wrapped his arm around Luigi. "And we'll make sure nothing happens to her. Nothing at all!" The two cheered, but then noticed someone was unusually quiet. "Something bugging you, Toad?"

Toad was not his usual happy self. He was fiddling with his frying pan, worried. He looked around for any eavesdroppers and spoke. "You think she's O.K.?"

Toad did not need to explain himself. "Hard to tell." Mario answered him. "I noticed it too when she called it her 'expectations.'"

"And this isn't as easy as a hot stove." Luigi spoke. "But if she wants to talk to us about it, let her bring it up herself."

"Not just that too. But the whole Earth, Mushroom Kingdom, and what Bowser did." Mario shook his head. "We're her friends. The best we can do right now is be there for anything."

While Toad still felt worried, he started feeling better after listening to Mario and Luigi. "Thank you guys." He then gave a grin. "With your knowledge on girls, the Princess will fall for you in a heartbeat."

"Yeah yeah yeah." Mario smiled at Toad. "I don't see her in that way, and that's a completely long time for ….. Hey Luigi, did Mom have a kitchen pun for lessons in love?"

Luigi scratched his head. "Maybe something with a spatula or flipper?"

They soon reached the House of Marios and gave their goodbyes to Toad. "Good night. Toad."

"Good night, Marios."

When Mario went to unlock the door, Luigi quickly whispered to Toad. "Truth be told, I kind of ship him with Peach too." Toad gave him two thumbs up. "But seriously, we shouldn't play cupid on this."

Toad whispered to Luigi. "I don't know what game that is, but I think we should not go out of our way and force this possible bud of romance."

Luigi just took it and returned to his home with Mario as Toad headed back to his house.

Back at the castle, Peach was sitting on her bed. Just as the night before, she pondered about the day she'll have tomorrow. Getting up early to help make breakfast, seeing the Castle has everything for the following week, and so much more.

But instead of feeling embarrassment from open stress, she looked at her unique prints on the palm of her hands. She breathed deeply and lay down. Ready to rest her wary mind.

"It's a huge universe out there…." She rested her tired eyes and fell asleep.

Another day passed, and another will soon take its place. Just as it will till the end of time. Holding many possibilities.

End of Chapter

A/N: Oh boy, I was THIS close on having Peach decide on the fingerprints. But like I said before, I don't want to get too far into things. That included.

Granted, the same can be said on traveling the world, but I won't be diving too deep into that.

Also it's been so long since I had the urge to write more. Maybe I missed it, or I'm just writing something simple and not complex. Nor something simple that will be complex.

But I am not going to update as soon as possible. I gave this chapter a few extra days to go over it and polish it over. I even rewatched the movie to get a better feel and find any details i can use.

See you whenever.