The Ball

A few weeks back, Princess Peach, as per usual when organizing for a large event, sent invitations to all the monarchs of the Mushroom World, requesting their presence at the Mushroom Kingdom's greatest and largest ball prepared as of yet, the Star Gala, with hopes of making new alliances and finally forging peace.

The day of the Star Gala Ball finally came, with the Princess and her servants at the castle busy finishing the preparations for a great night. Toadsworth was also preoccupied with the preparations, receiving guests from around the world at Toad Town Port.

Bowser, of course, was also invited.

...

Location: Bowser's Castle, one week before the defeat of the Koopa Troop

The largest Clown Car in the Koopa fleet waits outside of the main entrance of Bowser's castle in the Darklands. The night has come, with the Koopalings present already waiting in the reception hall, which was decorated with fancy velvet furniture at Wendy's request. She wears a red furisode with golden phoenix and floral designs, and is standing at an opposite end of the room to her brothers, where there is a mirror nearby. As per usual, she is loudly complaining about something with her assistants. Lemmy and Larry wear formal vests, Roy is dressed in a khaki suit and black turtleneck, and Iggy wears a green plaid suit and white shirt, unbuttoned at the top.

Ludwig is clad in a concert tux, but he slumps on a sofa, seemingly upset. Just as Wendy is getting unbearable, Bowser and Bowser Jr. walk in, making the eldest Koopaling more upset, causing him to look away towards a nearby window. Bowser sports his iconic white tux from his previous wedding ceremony, Bowser Jr. wearing a similar outfit. Bowser and Bowser Jr. go to the large mirror near Wendy to put the final touches to their apparel.

Bowser compliments Bowser Jr. "Looking sharp, just like your dad!"

Ludwig lets out a disillusioned sigh, and is clearly very upset, yet mostly no one picks up on this. Iggy goes toward his older brother and leans on Ludwig's right shoulder.

"Color me nosey, but aren't we going to a ball and have fun? You're part of the orchestra. Why the [snorts] long face?"

"Iggy, do not be inopportune. Those infantile jokes of yours will only inflame my bitter heart further, as I see a perilous predicament at hand."

"So, dad has a favorite, and Morty got banished. Stuff like that always happens, Luddy! Just look at it this way; we finally get to go with dad to…"

Ludwig tries to remain calm as he irritably interrupts, "Dad, you say? Don't irritate with your juvenile rationale." Ludwig leans closer to his usually psychopathic brother and whispers intently, "Saying we're no longer his children such an inconsequential declaration? And while I still abhor the fact that Morton's termite farm was the reason for the demise of my beloved viola, he is still family, even as gawky and boisterous as he was. Father… no, Bowser, should have never divided us."

"Look, if it was about the termite incident with Morty, we got you another… uh, banjo, or whatever it was. Just do like me, and take a chill pill…" Iggy juts his jaw and looks of to the side silently. "Um, you do it figuratively, though." He clears his throat "I'm sure after this is all done, dad will think things and reconsider."

Ludwig sighs. "I hope you're correct, Iggy."

The noise of a vehicle that isn't a Clown Car is heard outside. Roy looks outside through a window of the castle and spots the Nimbus' Royal Bus.

"Yo, bros and h... sis, our new ride's here. Time t' dip!"

Wendy scoffs. "'Bout time! I'm was like, tired of waiting, and I'm like, so not riding that clown junk!"

…

Location: Peach's Castle

After a long ride to Peach's castle, they finally arrive, quickly splitting up after landing. Ludwig cites tardiness and rushes ahead through the servants' entrance. The Toads at the palace gates greet the Nimbus family with pleasure, but coldly receive Bowser and company, which make the remaining Koopalings rather uncomfortable. Bowser quickly looks for Peach, who was inside the ballroom greeting all of the guests, leaving his son Jr. at the dessert table. Also near the dessert table, the Mario Bros., Daisy, and Toad are having a friendly chat, clad in formal apparel.

"Did you guys hear about some of the guests Peach invited?" asks Daisy, "Among them is a shark king named Posei, who came from an underwater country: the Same-Same Kingdom."

Luigi continues, "Wow, such a place really exists? Who would have thought?"

"I heard his daughter, Princess Donna, came as well," adds Toad, "They are outside in the castle fountain."

Mario points toward the orchestra, making his friends' heads turn "Not anymore, Toad. Look-a there."

They all turn to see an upright whale shark of similar stature to the shark pirate Jonathan Jones but slightly heftier, wearing a royal purple cape held by a badge with a kingly, shark insignia. He motions Ludwig to the piano while he holds an accordion.

"We of the Same-Same Kingdom love dance and music," the shark King states, "Here's our show of appreciation for this festive day: a waltz from the Mushroom Kingdom played in my kingdom's style." He proceeds to play his accordion.

...

As soon as he begins the tune, the lights dim, leaving all of the guests in awe. Bowser had given up looking for Peach, only to find himself standing next to her next to the dance floor, which is the only place left with proper lighting. He clears his throat and gently extends his hand at her.

"May I have the honor of this dance?"

Peach feels awkward and dumbfounded at the Koopa king's request, biting her lower lip, as she scans the crowd for Toadsworth, only to remember he was busy at the port, so she silently complies.

Time seems to slow down for them. As they continue to waltz, she is amazed at how well he danced about, gracefully and naturally adapting to his step. Their elegant performance was a spectacle no one expected from the Mushroom princess and the leader of the Koopa Troop, teasing the rumor of them as secret lovers. They are soon joined by other couples, but no other couple made heads turn like them two, astonishing the entire group of guests and servants. For a rare instance, she felt safe near him.

"You're actually very good at this," states Peach as they waltzed, "I must admit that you're not so scary when you dance. Maybe you should host the next ball."

The last statement makes Bowser blush. Bowser thinks while looking at Peach in his arms, 'All that sissy prancing Ludwig taught me paid off. I could get used to this.' He looks up and sees Mario on the sidelines; he grins smugly. 'Peach, down; kingdom, next.'

Mario stands off to the side, seeing Bowser and Peach dancing in sync, disappointed that he didn't have the first dance with Peach. Someone pulls his left hand.

"Dance with me," says a smiling Toadette. Mario smiles back and accepts.

The dance went on until the end of the piece, which is marked by a short and quirky rift. The crowd brakes into applause. Toadofsky, the orchestra's director, congratulates both Ludwig and King Posei. King Posei begins to run out of breath, so he cuts through the crown and rushes towards the fountain, leaving the orchestra to continue playing throughout the rest of the ball.

The remainder of the night was filled with fireworks, dance, Hors d'oeuvres, and laughs. After many hours, the guests go their ways and the capped heroes go home, leaving Princess Peach to go to her chambers alone. However, someone had waited for her patiently and quietly in the shadows of the bedroom, and little did she know that her capture was eminent.

-o-

'Same' [SAH-meh] is Japanese for shark. The names Posei and Donna derive from Poseidon, Greek god of the sea. Remember this info; it will be relevant later.

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