Inside a dungeon where the rooms are more comfortable than the Darkland's one, the Kongs, including the Mario bros, are now trapped behind bars, with Funky Kong playing a harmonica, Luigi playing with an empty cup on the bars and Mario lying unconscious in bed.

Grunting, Mario wakes up as he sees himself in a cell with Luigi, feeling under the weather as he grunts, surprised that he's without his red cap.

"Luigi?"

"Mario!" Luigi hugs Mario, joyed to see him awake.

"What's going on? Where are we?" Mario asks while looking to his left and right.

"Apparently, we're now prisoners." Cranky Kong answered, sitting right in front of his cell.

"You were knocked out by this old man, so we're stuck here!" Donkey Kong sighs, exhausted from trying to fight back.

"It was after Peach's outburst. Who knew Peach ended up like what happened to Pauline earlier." Luigi turns around, thinking about why Peach was this hostile towards others that aren't the Kongs and the toads.

"Ngh! So that's why… That old man. He better have a good explanation why he's doing this!" Mario grunts while sitting up on the side of his bed.

Before Cranky Kong explains, a door makes a clicking sound, leading the Mario bros and the Kongs to look out of their cells.

Arriving as both toad guards salute, is Toadshou who is carrying Mario's cap.

"Oi! You better have a good explanation about this!" Dixie Kong screeches while jumping as high as the cell, only for Toadshou to sigh.

"Listen, everyone. I must apologise for my father's actions. He was never like that before. Also, he wants to see you, master Mario." Toadshou says while walking towards Mario's cell and unlocks it by letting Mario out and leaving Luigi in.

"But what about Luigi?" Mario asks out of worry.

"It's okay. He'll be fine with the Kongs. Also, I'll be holding the court, considering how neutral I was. I cannot trust my father after our recent discourse. Follow me." Toadshou concludes, leading Mario to follow the middle aged toad, knowing Peach is going to either ignore him or cling onto him.

After the door closes, Luigi sighs and then sits back down.

"You and your brother are inseparable. It's no wonder you cared for each other. The same happened with my son and Diddy, knowing that they're best friends." Said Cranky Kong.

"Well, he's Mario, the man I always looked up to. He saved me for many years. I wish I was as brave as him." Luigi laughs while sitting back in his foetal position.

"Then you must face what's happening, or else something horrible will happen to your brother. Young Luigi, are you willing to risk your life for young Mario?" Cranky Kong asked.

"Yeah." Luigi willingly accepted after seeing how big of a burden Mario has to shoulder for years.

Luigi knew it's his brother's destiny to face the challenges. Luigi wanted to lift his brother up, especially when Mario was at his lowest point.

In a bedroom, Peach is back in her princess dress, staring out of the window on the side of her bed, watching the sun shining through as it brightens her room.

With nothing to say, Peach can feel the pressure that's been put onto her for a long time.

Tears are dropping onto her dress, Peach is unable to let her past go.

She never knew her parents, her life is similar to Mario and Luigi's bullying, Toad is hiding the truth about himself and her life is nothing but cotton and strings that are all over her body.

A door knocks which has Peach grunting.

"Princess. It's me." Toadsworth's voice called.

Peach ignored it.

"Listen… I'm sorry for all the things I did. I just… I just want to keep the kingdom in order, but I let your influence and my power get the better of me. I accepted my son to become the judge of the court, so that means the people you brought are going to be spared with neutrality."

Peach is still silent, only for her to move her legs as her feet are off the bed.

She finally opens her mouth.

"Toadsworth. Tell me… Who am I?"

"You're… You're just a young girl who needs to be taken care of. I raised you ever since you were a baby. I'm just scared that you'll hurt yourself. But deep down inside, I know the future is yours to show. We'll make Mushroom Kingdom great once again by bringing human culture to us and sharing our culture back to them." Toadsworth finally becomes positive while being honest with Peach.

Peach then gasps, hearing what Toadsworth said is the first time he actually accepted Peach as a ruler that will bring the future to her kingdom.

"Toadsworth… You're not lying… Right?"

"I'm not mistaken this time. Let's cut the Flower Nation's plea and create the new kingdom ourselves." Toadsworth answered.

Peach couldn't help but wiping her tears as they kept on coming out.

"Thank you… Thank you, Toadsworth!" Peach cries while hugging Toadsworth, leading Toadsworth to pat Peach's back.

"There there, princess. But I'll make sure your safety is clear, got that?" Toadsworth is giving out his condition in order to make sure Peach is okay.

"Yes." Peach nods. "Toadsworth, who are my parents?" Peach asks.

"Excuse me? You're asking me all of a sudden." Toadsworth half closed one of his eyes out of confusion.

"Sorry. But I want to know who they are."

Toadsworth does admittedly know Peach's parents, but he couldn't tell Peach who they are, otherwise things'll go from bad to worse.

"Well… That I cannot tell. You'll have to find out for yourself. But I recommend against that. I made a promise to them to not tell you until you're prepared for this." Toadsworth said while sitting next to Peach on Peach's bed.

"Figured you say that. Why did they not want you to tell me?" Peach asks, despite barely knowing her parents.

"It's for your safety. Also I don't have a choice." Toadsworth admitted.

Peach can tell why Toadsworth is worried about her. Peach knows how selfish she has become. Peach knows that Toadsworth is guilty for his own selfish actions.

Both Peach and Toadsworth are to blame for what they're doing.

A door clicks open, arriving are both Mario and Toadshou.

"Princess. Father?" Toadshou stops after seeing his father with Princess Peach.

"Ah. Son. I see you brought in a young man to see the princess." Toadsworth sounds calm this time, especially after the incident earlier this morning.

"Um… Indeed." Toadshou is unsure if Toadsworth can accept Mario and the Kongs as part of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Toadsworth then stands off the bed and then leaves Peach alone while turning towards Mario.

"I'll leave you to her, young man. And I'm sorry for my outburst earlier." Toadsworth apologised.

Mario remained silent while watching Toadsworth leaving him as well as Toadshou.

Now Mario is left alone with Peach in Peach's bedroom, giving him the impression that he's about to talk to Peach.

"Mario, can you take a seat?" Peach calls while still quiet.

"Oh. Okay." Mario accepts and sits on the other side of Peach's bed.

The bed is far more comfortable than before which had Mario surprised about the texture and brightness of a bedroom.

"Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be put in the middle of a conflict?" Peach asks.

"A lot. But I usually intervened because I can't let the worst people get away with their horrible deeds." Mario answered.

"You really are one strange man. Why do you want to get involved with other people's business? If they're hurt, why did you insist on jumping onto other people's problems, just to resolve it?"

"Because it's the right thing to do." Mario answered, stopping Peach from asking another question. "If they're hurt, no matter the circumstances, then I'll be there to solve the issue like I did with yours, Peach."

"And when things are nearly impossible to get by, you never give up, do you?" Peach laughs softly, knowing Mario, even in his childhood, never wanted to leave anyone to suffer.

"Nope. I just wanted to make everyone happy." Mario admitted.

Peach turns her head, seeing as Mario is doing all this because it's not just his nature, but he actually cares about other people's wellbeing.

As Peach crawls towards Mario, Peach wraps her arms around behind him, causing Mario to look at Peach out of confusion.

"This is why I like you, Mario. You're always the type of guy who always works his hardest, unlike any other princes. I don't care if you're a commoner, an outsider or a royal family member, you'll always be the Mario that everyone loves. Don't let others twist your kindness and just be yourself." Peach whispers, then is surprised that Mario is holding her hand with his hand.

"Gee. I didn't know princess is into short plumbers." Mario chuckles.

"Don't be cheeky, shortstack." Peach pouts after being teased by Mario himself.

"But I'm glad." Mario admitted with a calm smile, and a genuine one as well.

Peach, for the first time, has felt true love coming into fruition after their reconciliation.

But their challenge isn't over as Mario and Peach hadn't got over their pasts.

Standing outside as they're watching Mario and Peach's one to one chat, Toadshou and Toadsworth are silent after seeing how Peach has found the one she's been waiting for.

"Father?"

"I guess I was wrong about this outsider. How loyal he was, he seems to be a very kind man. He does seem to remind me of the princess in terms of stubbornness and helping others." Toadsworth admires Mario's actions and finally realises the errors of his ways.

"So does that mean…"

"Release those in the dungeons. I have a plan." Toadsworth nods.

Toadshou gasps and then nods by marching towards a green toad and a pink toad.

"You two, we must release the prisoners from their cells."

"Wait, really?" One toad guard asks.

"Yes. Let us go." Finally, Toadshou and the guards are moving as Toadsworth is still standing by the door.

With Toadsworth seeing the sky turning yellow, he sighs and then watches Mario and Peach comforting each other with a hug.

Toadsworth, Toadshou, Peach, even Toad are breaking the old code of the Mushroom Kingdom in order to advance their kingdom further and Mario and Luigi are proof that the future is near.

Later under the yellow sky, Peach's castle is now surrounded by a bunch of toads as they're watching Toadshou and Toadsworth standing alongside Peach, Mario, Luigi and the Kongs.

"Everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom, I have returned. Also, I welcome these guests to our homes." Peach announced while raising her arms.

"Also, we're now officially collaborating with the Kongs in the name of Chief Cranky Kong." Toadsworth continues.

"Thank you, Toadsworth. Everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom! The contract with Princess Peach and I have just begun! Soon, we'll start reconstructing the idea of what the Mushroom Kingdom looks like, but first we need Princess Peach!" Cranky Kong called as the toads are muttering.

"Our kingdom is in need of rebalancing and increasing defences from the invaders that's attacking our kingdom." Peach then takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. "Each builder will be paid 10000 coins each, 750 coins for participating and 3000 coins for actually working as well as assisting. In other words, we will get paid by the Kongs for our hard work. Now are you all ready!?" Peach shouts.

This leaves the toads speechless, realising that all that payment from the Kongs are something that is unusually high for those who're living there.

"I agree!" Toad shouts, appearing with a large square plaster on his face. "Don't you see, we've been working for years and we haven't got a proper job. And no, Adrien, punching blocks endlessly isn't a proper job, it's gaining money for your own needs." Toad points out.

To the toads' surprise, Toad reveals the plans for the future civilisation, a paper was now surrounded by the toads.

"Imagine, cleaning up with payment, cooking and serving with payment, business technology, a proper daycare, theme parks, anything that replicates human culture, just to make the Mushroom Kingdom a well known place! We won't have to keep punching blocks forever, heck, I work with the farmer and I know it feels like proper work."

"But weren't you kicked out for not aligning with our traditions." A purple toad girl with twintails asked.

"That is true, Maria, I mean some of you guys are construction workers, so at least help us with the kingdom. Don't listen to the demands of the Flower Nation, just do what you can. Remember what the princess promised us with?"

A bunch of toads are silent, leading 4 toads with gear on them, showing themselves right in front of Peach and the Kongs.

"We'll do as you wish, princess. But first, we need the resources for a certain plane that is in need of buildings. However, it's risky to make a city in this kingdom." A lead construction toad called as well as bringing out the cons of this work.

"I'm aware of that, Thomas. It may not be environmentally friendly, but it can bring life to those new guests from outside the Mushroom Kingdom. Thank you, construction workers." Peach bows to those who accepted.

Finally, the toads are celebrating, cheering that Peach's plan is back in action, leading Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Toadsworth, Toadshou, Cranky Kong and the rest smiling together as they're all prepared for the evolution of the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Everyone. Thank you." Peach has shown a very warm smile which led to Mario and Luigi approaching her.

"It's no problem, Peach. If we're not around, then you might be put under pressure for the rest of your life." Mario nods while accepting Peach's thanks.

"Yeah. If anything, you should thank the chief for persuading the toads." Luigi raises his arm as the Kongs are laughing, even Donkey Kong sighs.

"Well… That's all. But I'm still not gonna forgive you all for what happened to the princess." Donkey Kong spat out.

"Yes, yes, I'm well aware of my actions, master Donkey." Toadsworth added.

"Now that it's all settled, we'll start tomorrow. Princess Peach, if Bowser comes, don't be afraid. He may be scary, but you know he won't harm you." Cranky Kong gives Peach some advice.

"I know he won't, but the people…" Before Peach loses hope, she ends up with a flick to the arm by Mario.

"We'll protect them!" Luigi called, leading Peach to turn towards the Mario bros.

"Really?"

"Of course. And Mario isn't alone either. With the two of us, you'll be safe with us." Luigi is now confident while pumping his fist.

"Remember, Pauline wanted us to keep going, even take care of you. So let me protect you and your kingdom." Mario places his hand onto his own chest, looking serious while preparing to do what he does.

To Peach, she knows why not only Mario, but others are burdening themselves which shows that just like Peach, they're pushing forward to never give up their dreams.

"If you boys take care of me, then I too will take care of you two." Peach accepted while she hugged Mario and Luigi.

Finally, the kingdom is about to be reconstructed as Mario and Luigi are safeguarding Peach from any threat, even the toads are ready themselves to find the resources and build the buildings that will take a while to make.

Sitting on the castle roof, Kinosen is pleased to see the progress of those who're bonding together from the hardships they're facing.

"Heh. It seems that Mario and his friends are still carrying each other after years of their darkness. This time, they'll face the test of bravery that is Bowser himself."

"But why? Bowser is too dangerous. He burned the Kong Village and was threatening Peach about Mario and the toads." A woman said with worry.

"True. But once Peach brings out her prayers, then her task will fully succeed. But the first thing she needs to do is to find out about her parents." Kinosen said and turned towards the woman. "So, what are you going to do?"

"Undoing what those two have accidentally destroyed." A woman finally said while putting on her swimming gear.

"Heh. Good luck, this'll challenge them if they're not as cowardly as before." Kinosen chuckles and then puts a pocky in his mouth.

He can tell that Mario and Luigi are not going into the warp zone back to their world, only for them to deal with an ordeal that is around the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Heh. Let the games begin."