The next few days felt as though they'd been stretched into a few weeks and crammed into a few hours all at once. Time was a blur between all the council meetings and various royal duties Peach was still required to keep up on, yet they'd reached no solid solution for Mario, which made things feel as though they dragged on. At least they'd determined things they couldn't do. Like send a search party into the Darklands. Or send a spy into the Darklands. Or send a message to the Darklands. Or go near the Darklands.
Peach knew Mario was counting on her, but so too were her people. She couldn't risk provoking the Darklands, because they would undoubtedly retaliate if given even the smallest excuse, but neither could she give up on helping Mario save Luigi. She had given him her word, and as a Princess she was honor-bound to uphold it. Besides that, she found she was growing rather fond of the red-clad plumber.
Mario, true to his word, followed Peach diligently and paid rapt attention to every meeting, instruction, and exercise. The pace at which he was learning was impressive, even by Peach's standards, and she to the Toads was already considered exceptional. He'd blown through the starter platforming course she'd set up for him, then moved on to using basic power-ups all in the same first day. She couldn't be certain if it was Mario's determination to save Luigi that drove him, or if he was simply a natural, but Peach felt as though he was made for her world, even if he wasn't from it.
What's more, Mario was kind. Not in a superficial sense because they had agreed to help and train him, but in an understated, sweet way. Small things, like saying hello to all the Toads that crossed his path, no matter how they responded. He didn't try to use his strength to order them around, nor did he get impatient and snap at them, like one might expect from a man whose brother was in potential jeopardy.
He was kind to her, too. Though admittedly, he wasn't particularly mindful of her royal status, and just spoke to her like an acquaintance. Toadsworth would surely go into shock if he knew, but Peach found she rather enjoyed the difference. She didn't have many friends, and even less were human.
She tried her best to help Mario take his mind off his troubles whenever she could. Sometimes that meant showing him the town that surrounded her castle or inviting him to join her for meals, but mostly it meant training him and demonstrating power-ups to him. Mario didn't seem to tire of her company, and Peach suspected he even found it comforting to be around the only other human in this kingdom, considering he wasn't yet used to seeing the Toads and other non-human beings.
Several days of this routine passed, and while Mario was making rapid progress, Peach and her council were not. The only major conclusion they had reached was that they needed to seek aid from another kingdom in order to safely confront the Darklands and find Luigi; it was a conclusion that seemed obvious, but the details of who and how were still unclear.
"We should reach out to Sarasaland!" Toadbert, a high-ranking Toad sporting round glasses and a blue vest, exclaimed. "They are by far the strongest kingdom in the eight worlds, after the Darklands of course. What's more, there has been no evidence of conflict between those two kingdoms in all their combined history."
Many of the other council members murmured their agreement to Toadbert's reasoning.
"That may be true, my dear fellows, but what makes you think they would risk ruining that peace for our cause? Not to mention, they are all the way in the Second World!" Toadsworth countered, adjusting his monocle with a sniff.
"I'll have to agree with Toadsworth on this one, Toadbert," Peach added. "We don't want to drag anyone into this conflict if we don't have to."
A near-inaudible scoff drew Peach's attention to her left, where Mario was reclined in his honorary seat on the council. Peach spared him a puzzled glance but the Toads were still deep in their discussion.
"Then I say we ought to ally with the Ice Kingdom," Toadbert continued. "They have no love for the Darklands, and their monopoly on ice flowers will surely aid us!"
A green-spotted council member shook his head. "And who do you intend to volunteer to go? Their kingdom is all but unreachable unless one has access to an airship. It would be a suicide mission even to try and get a message to them!"
"Perhaps we could reach out to the Cap Kingdom for an airship…"
"What if they say no…"
"Forget that, what if the Ice Kingdom says no? Who do we reach out to then…"
Ideas were shot back and forth across the large, white-and-gold marble table. Peach mostly listened, occasionally throwing in her opinion. The council was far more versed in political conflicts than her, after all. She was there as the final vote, the voice of decision, at least until she had a few years of experience under her bustle. The Toads respected that she was their monarch, and she in turn respected their wisdom (even if she didn't always agree with it). But as far as Mario's case, she was happy to be stepping into a more active role.
"The fact of the matter," Peach said, standing, "is that we need to act as quickly as possible, and so I need you, my council, to make a decision as to who I will be sending a delegation to."
The Toads murmured among themselves, seemingly unable to give a straight answer.
Peach heard the plumber quietly click his tongue in disapproval. She thought perhaps she ought to ask Mario if he had any ideas or input, since he seemed to be holding back something. But before she could open her mouth, he shoved out of his seat without warning and stormed out of the throne room.
"Mario?" Peach called after him, but was ignored. The others watched in stunned silence until the heavy set of gold-engraved doors shut with a mighty slam.
"How ungrateful!" Toadsworth declared after a sputtering pause. Many of the Toad council members huffed their agreement. "Imagine treating your saviors like that, after all the time and resources used for his very sake!"
Peach twisted her fingers together and sighed. "I'll speak to him."
"Please do, Princess. With all due respect, you've been far too generous to this guest, even if he is your kind."
Peach said nothing as she rose from her throne. She certainly didn't agree with Toadsworth's assessment, but she was too weary to start another conflict.
Setting about to find Mario, she could only think about what she could do to appease both parties. She was no fool; time was running out for Luigi, and Mario knew it too. It made her feel ashamed to be a princess, to have such authority and not be able to help this single man in need.
She tried to keep these dreary thoughts away as she stepped out into the rear courtyard of her palace, where her personal training course was always set up. She had offered it to Mario, taking into consideration that hers was the only human-sized one available. And, as she had suspected, Mario was currently putting it to use.
WHOOSH went a flaming red-orange fireball as Mario shot it at a mechanical piranha plant. It retreated back into its pipe with a metallic creak and one last vengeful chomp of its teeth. Mario, with his back to Peach, grunted in satisfaction.
"Your form is much better," Peach commented, mostly to let him know she was there. The plumber jolted as he spun around to face her.
"Hey," he stated, rubbing the back of his neck. "So you found me, huh?"
"You seemed like you might need to let off some steam, so I figured you would head here."
"Oh… yeah." Mario skillfully avoided her gaze, and she noted his shoulders and jaw were still tense and rigid as a Thwomp. "I just needed some air."
"May I join you?" Peach asked gently.
Mario replied with a stiff shrug. "It's your castle."
It wasn't a particularly open invitation, but Peach took it anyway. Mario didn't seem just frustrated in general, he seemed frustrated with her, and while she could guess why, it also hurt her in a way she couldn't explain.
"I know this has been a rough few days– for everyone– but especially you," she said quietly, coming to stand by his side. His white-and-red fire-flower overalls were practically glowing in the swiftly setting sun, adding to his aura of irritation.
Mario forced out a sigh. "I shouldn't have stormed out like that earlier. Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize, although I'll tell Toadsworth you did so he'll stay off your back about it." The joke didn't land, and Peach coughed lightly into her fist. "W-well, either way, I understand your feelings. I know this isn't easy."
"That's a bit of an understatement," Mario grumbled. There was a long stretch of silence before he added, "Look, I… I can't wait any longer. Luigi can't wait any longer."
Peach reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We're making progress, I promise." The words sounded empty, even to her.
Mario shook his head defiantly. "No, we're not. Not enough, at least." He shrugged off her hand and began to pace. "I've picked up enough these past couple days to know that the other kingdoms aren't going to help us– help me– because the Darklands is too powerful an enemy. The only reason anyone would stand up to them is if they were desperate, and right now I'm the only one who feels that way."
Peach bit her lip, because he wasn't entirely wrong.
"I understand," Mario continued, his fisted hands smoking, "you're doing the best you can. But I'm just one guy– Luigi's just one guy. We're not worth a war."
"Mario…" Peach trailed off. What could she say to assure him when even her actions were falling short?
"It's-a not fair, but that's-a how it's always been. Nobody cares if-a you're the little guy." Mario's voice rose an octave or two, and Peach noticed his accent was far more prominent.
"Mario, that's not true. I–"
"Luigi might-a be hurt. He might-a not even be in-a the Darklands anymore. He might-a be dead!"
"Mario, please calm down–!"
"E 'tutta colpa mia! Mio fratello potrebbe essere morto a causa mia!"
"Mario!" Peach grasped his hands, ignoring the uncomfortable heat the power-up gave them. She allowed the tiniest, undetectable bit of white magic to flow between them, sending him a wave of soothing emotions. It was the least she could do, and she knew he wouldn't notice.
The sun was beginning to set past the horizon now. The pinkish-blue rays lit up the pipes, bricks, and platforms that surrounded them, casting everything in a soft twilight. Mario's face, however, was dark with shadow as he quieted and choked back a small, angry sob. Peach had to blink away the mist from her own eyes; she realized she was still holding his hands– still connected to his emotions– so she let go and gave them both some room to breathe.
"This is all my fault," he said. The anger was leaking out of his voice, leaving only a hollow despair. "Luigi wouldn't be in this mess if I hadn't made us go after Donkey Kong."
The princess's eyes widened at Mario's words. "Say that again?"
"I made Luigi come with me, okay? He was scared but I made him follow me. So this is all my fault and–"
She gasped. "No, Mario, that's not it! That's the solution!"
Mario looked up at her, confusion and hurt mingled in his expression. "I– w-what?"
"Donkey Kong! We will ask the Jungle Kingdom to help us, and they will help us!"
"Why… why would they help us, of all people?! I beat up their crown prince!"
Peach clapped her hands excitedly. "Exactly!"
Mario looked at her as though she'd grown a second head. Peach briefly blushed, realizing she must sound crazy.
"I know it seems strange," she started again, "but the Kongs are a very prideful people. When you bested Donkey Kong in Brooklyn, you proved you were stronger than him. If we go to the Jungle Kingdom and confront the king, he'd do anything to prove his bloodline's strength again– to prove they're stronger than you."
"That… actually makes sense, kinda," Mario relented. "Would they really go to the Darklands, though?"
"They might, if we play our cards right. But they will help us in some way, Mario. That I can promise. They hate the Darklands more than we do."
Mario's lips formed the edge of a smile. "Then we have a plan?"
Peach nodded enthusiastically; Mario's hope was infectious. "Yes! I'll begin drafting a letter of introduction to send to Cranky Kong– he's the King of the Kongs, by the way. All the preparations should be ready by morning."
Mario glanced over the balcony and out into the rolling hills and mushroom-capped townhouses that were all shrouded in rapidly darkening, dusky blues. "First thing tomorrow, right?"
"Absolutely. We've waited long enough," Peach confirmed. "And I'll need you to come with me and the delegation to the Jungle Kingdom, though I'm sure I don't have to ask you twice."
"You got that right," Mario chuckled. "I'd start the journey right now if I knew the way."
"There will be plenty to do in the meantime," Peach assured him. "Starting with assembling the Royal Guards to pick a few volunteers to come with us."
"Already on it, your Highness!" a squeaky voice alerted them. Mario jolted and realized a pair of Toad guards was standing at the doorway to the balcony.
"H-how long have they been there?" he asked, a waver in his voice that betrayed his startle.
"The whole time, buddy," the other guard replied, narrowing his already beady eyes. "You didn't think we'd just leave our princess alone with you, did you?"
The plumber cleared his throat, embarrassed. "I guess not." He turned to Peach and whispered, "Do they ever give you some space?"
Peach repressed a giggle. "No, not really." She waved for him to follow her. "Come on, we still have a great deal of work ahead of us."
With his spirits lifted, Mario kept pace with her, and even had a bounce in his step. As he passed, one of the Toad guards silently pointed at his eyes and then at Mario as a warning that he was watching him.
The next couple of hours were a flurry of activity. The council immediately approved the mission to the Jungle Kingdom, much to Peach's relief. She then drafted an urgent letter to Cranky Kong, hoping to effectively set the stage for their arrival. She was sure to include a mention of Mario's feat against Donkey Kong, so that the king could not refuse their audience. By way of Parakarry, the missive would arrive by morning and give Peach's party enough time to finish their other preparations.
Mario was given the task of helping select a few brave Toads who would accompany them on the journey. After the Royal Guard had assembled in a straight, uniform row, Mario stood by Captain Toad's side, and they both scrutinized their cute-but-stoic faces for any sign or fear or hesitation. In the end, because they wanted the rescue mission to remain discreet, only the captain and two others would go along with Peach and Mario. The lucky pair chosen to join them ended up being a blue-spotted Toad named Bucken-Berry, and a yellow-spotted fellow named Ala-Gold.
The stars were twinkling overhead like diamond dust on an inky canvas when Peach finally took a break. Stepping out onto the smaller balcony adjacent to her bedroom, she inhaled the cool night's air. There were only a few more preparations to oversee, then they would all try and get some rest before dawn came.
Things were going smoothly now, and Peach felt she could finally breathe easier. Rescuing Luigi should be a straightforward— if not a precarious— endeavor from this point onward. The princess knew the risks, but with the aid of the Jungle Kingdom, she felt confident they would be able to save Mario's brother and remain mostly unscathed. A small, selfish part of her heart only hoped it would be worth it.
She knew Mario would be grateful— was grateful— but that wasn't really the point. This was the first time Peach had committed to using her royal authority in such a direct way, and it made her feel… vulnerable. Any mistake she made would have disastrous consequences, especially during this quest. Was she a fool for taking up Mario's problem and making it her own? Was she only doing more harm than good?
No, she asserted mentally. I am performing my duty as a princess: to look out for those who cannot look out for themselves.
Gazing out at the village below, only a few of the townhouses still had their lights on. The small, yellow dots reminded her of fireflies. Please let them all still be shining when this is through, Peach thought as clasped her hands in a prayerful fashion and glanced up at the stars.
Looking back down, she knew she could only linger another minute before she would be needed again. Suppressing a yawn and stretching her arms over her head, she readied herself to be thrown back into the throng. Just as she turned, however, the faintest glint caught her eye.
Flicking her eyes back, she thought she must have been seeing things, but then it happened a second time. An obscured, purplish flash flared up between the hills along the border of the town.
"What in the Stars..?" Peach strained her eyes, leaning slightly forward over the balcony railing to see if she could catch sight of the strange phenomenon again. She didn't, but Peach was still certain of what she'd seen the first time.
"Guards…" she called hesitantly. Two, one green-spotted and one yellow-spotted, appeared at her side in an instant. "You didn't happen to see that, did you?"
"See what, Your Highness?" the green one inquired.
"That little flash of light along our border. It almost looked like… well, nevermind, I'm sure it was nothing." She turned on her heel and started to head inside, shaking her head at her paranoia. Then she stopped again and sighed. "Actually, could you send a couple guards to investigate? With everything that's going on, it can't hurt to be too cautious."
Both Toads saluted. "Yes, princess!"
"Thank you. I saw it somewhere along the border where it meets the Mushroom Forest. Please report back if you find anything, but I honestly doubt you will." She shook her head again. "But I don't want to take any chances."
"Yes, princess!" they repeated in unison, then marched off to follow her orders.
Thoughts drifting back to the bigger situation at hand, Peach's fingers absentmindedly reached up and brushed the gem of her mother's necklace. Yes, she was doing the right thing. She had to be.