Minmei's Palace

The battle is at night with no rest to spare.

The palace hallway is now an arena with wide open spaces with a bunch of koopas on clouds holding cameras and lights to showcase the battle between the plumbers and a princess.

"It's okay, bro. We'll do what we did with Donkey Kong. We don't kill her, but knock her out." Mario said, patting Luigi's shoulder with confidence.

"Okay. I'm still worried about Daisy." Luigi lowers his head while looking away from Mario.

"We all are. What Tatanga did was unforgivable." Mario also reminds himself that there's someone that committed some crimes.

Stopping the conversation, echoes of footsteps are approaching the Mario bros, giving them the chance to be on guard.

"Mario, Luigi, I'll introduce you to those koopas on clouds, these are Lakitus, they'll be on the watch with no use of actions. It's fair that the three of us are fighting for approval." Minmei called, raising her arm with a calm smile.

"Hm. I guess the sisters' persuasion must've given you a change of heart." Said Mario.

Minmei can see Mario and Luigi's concerned expression after what she had done earlier.

"And I must apologise for my own actions. Seeing who you guys are truly, just shows my lack of judgement and constant fear of Sarasaland as a whole." Minmei admitted.

"We know. Azalea told us about what happened. I think Daisy is worried about you." Luigi points out.

"Exactly. It's obvious that Daisy cared about those around her and her country. If you at least let Daisy explain, then we'll be there to help." Mario added.

"Yeah. Because Mario and I, we're the Mario Bros." Luigi concluded.

Minmei sighs, seeing the boys showing their confidence despite knowing that they're afraid, which is normal for outsiders like them.

"I know there's a time and place, but our former King, Biokinton, would be proud."

The Mario bros nod and then bite the blue flower together, changing their caps and shirts aqua blue and their overalls and cap colour.

"It seems you boys are prepared for this. Fortunately, the cameras are recorded throughout every country, even a few parts of your world."

"Really!?" Luigi exclaims.

"Seriously!?" Mario exclaims.

"Mama is watching us!?" The Mario bros exclaimed.

But it's all true.

Mushroom Kingdom

While the construction is in progress, all three toads are watching a large TV that is built by the Kongs, as usual, with Maisey, Toadshou and Toadsworth being at the front.

"I hope the boys are okay." Maisey prays for Mario and Luigi's success in defeating the Chai Kingdom's princess.

"Let's hope." Toadshou agrees and then pats Toadsworth's back, who was hyperventilating out of shock. "Deep breaths, father."

"Thank you, son. That blasted prince! How dare he try to harm our princess and decide we become their kingdom!" Toadsworth lets out a rant after hearing what Haru has done earlier.

"I know. The Kongs are out to inform the boys about this." Said Toadshou.

"But what about Toad? I'm worried that he'll end up being a prisoner." Maisey asked.

"It's okay, young Maisey. The boys'll handle the situation as promised. Let's hope before Bowser gets to the kingdom." Toadshou grunts, feeling the same as his father and Maisey.

[Let us bet, shall we? If you win, I'll arrange a plan to face Bowser for you.] Minmei lets out a condition for the bros to do.

[And If you win… We'll let you take over the Mushroom Kingdom and marry Peach.] Mario bets, stopping Minmei, Luigi and the viewers, shocking the bunch after hearing what Mario said.

"HUH!?"

[Excuse me!?] Minmei stops as she blushes and is surprised to hear Mario's brave words coming out of his mouth.

[Mario, WHAT!?] Luigi's face went bright red as well as covering his lower region out of shock.

"NOOOOO!" One toad screams as he panics.

"We're doomed! Doomed!" The other toad yells while running around.

"Did he just…" Maisey gasped as fear quickly crawled onto her.

"That fool! What does he think he's doing!?" Toadshou snaps, realising that the kingdom is finished.

Toadsworth is silent, knowing that Mario is willing to take that risk like he does in his entire life.

"Master Maio, Master Luigi. Good luck." Toadsworth is the calmest while being surrounded by a bunch of feared mushrooms.

The fate of the Mushroom Kingdom is now at stake thanks to Mario's bet.

Flower Nation

Watching a large TV, Haru and his maids are watching together, seeing that Mario made a bet.

[Look, Mario, I know you wanted a girl on girl romance, but I cannot do that! That's against the code of honour!] Minmei stutters as her face gets more redder than ever.

[Y- Yeah! I mean I know it's hot and all, but please don't!] Luigi cries while shaking Mario, even crossing his legs.

[Luigi. That's not the reason why I'm doing this. It's because I want you to assist us in overthrowing the koopa king. I win, you work for us, and you win, we work for you. It's a win-win situation between us.] Mario explains his reason for betting the kingdom.

In Haru's case, Mario is the type that's irritating to him the most as he's being outsmarted by an outsider plumber.

[And If you're watching this, Prince Haru, sorry, but the princess is taken.] Mario chuckles with a taunt, which enrages the prince.

"That man… Just who does he think he is?" The prince growls after witnessing a plumber that's been onto him.

"Your majesty, I suggest you should calm down. We're as surprised as you are." One maid said while patting Haru's shoulder.

"Tch! Thanks, Lillie. We'll make sure to watch, because I have a challenge for him." Haru sighed.

Despite Haru's anger, he was hoping if Mario is worth challenging, even if it's with Luigi or not.

Brooklyn

The woman can see it. She can see what's going on live and it connects to the other world.

"Mario… Luigi… Please, don't lose… I hope you boys are coming back." Mario's mother is praying for her sons to stay alive as she knows what they put themselves into.

A photo of a child Mario, a child Luigi, a child Peach and a teenage Pauline is a constant reminder that they're all grown up and are put in a heavy situation where they don't know what to do.

Finally, she watches the TV while praying.

Back at the Chai Kingdom where the festival continues, the people and the Kongs are watching a large screen on a building, Giving many the view as they're all placing their bets on the Mario bros and Minmei.

"Is there a chance for those outsiders to defeat gong-zhu?" A human citizen asks.

"Doubtfully. She'll be sweeping them in no time." A koopa citizen answered.

In Azalea's case, Mario and Luigi had experienced a lot of battles that they fought Bowser multiple times and won against Donkey Kong earlier.

"You're wrong." Azalea caught both citizens' attention with a disagreement. "I know they will win. They fought for our kingdom and in other words, they'll never lose."

"Yeah! You better watch your mouth, buster! Because, these guys will knock her out without hesitation!" Donkey Kong agrees with Azalea while punching his own palm with a grin.

"We'll see about that, monkey man!" A koopa citizen growled.

Luckily for Mario and Luigi, their bets are from Azalea, Suuko and the Kongs, even some kunoichis and guards are betting on the Mario bros.

Back inside the palace, Mario pat Luigi's shoulder and smile.

"It's okay, Lu. Even if we lose, we can still fight. Let's give it our all." Mario said while nodding to Luigi.

"Okie dokie. I believe in you." Luigi nods back, letting Mario take the lead.

After that, Mario approaches Minmei, squeezing his snowball he released from his right hand, creating a long shard and sharpens itself into a sword, surprising him and his opponent.

"Oh? I guess Luigi's right about me making a sword." Said Mario.

"Impressive… I must say, you outsiders are full of surprise." Minmei can see the bright blue blade that is coming from Mario's hand, meaning that he's built differently compared to other people she knows about.

"We could say the same to your world. It just feels otherworldly when you think about it."

"From an outsider's perspective, I have to agree. Humans do live through a mundane lifestyle." Minmei agrees with Mario's view in the world she's native in.

With both raising their swords at a battle stance, it was Mario's first time fighting with an actual sword and he's never been in kendo.

"That's enough talking. Let us fight." Minmei concluded as she raised her katana.

"Okay. Let's-a-go."

Finally, both Mario and Minmei dash towards each other, clashing each other's blades as Mario takes the advantage by throwing his left arm by chucking a snowball to Minmei, but misses to the ground.

"Tch!"

"Not bad, plumber." Minmei swings her sword which had Mario instantly block the blade with his own as he was pushed to the air backwards.

Mario then slides on the floor with his feet, successfully landing from being pushed.

To Mario's surprise, this princess is no joke as Donkey Kong was right. She's able to catch Mario off guard, not even Luigi is able to withstand this kind of fighter.

"Do you know how to fight with a sword, Mario?" Minmei asks.

Mario gulps as he stands back up.

"Uh… Do video games count? I mean. I play action, fighting and RPG games, so I guess?"

Minmei laughs at Mario's honesty, realising that he's just an ordinary human being.

"Really? It seems we're alike. Average humans with no power and fight with blades."

"Power aside, you do have a point." Mario agreed.

Before Mario nods, Luigi dives down like a bullet, causing a loud crash as ice shards are spreading, only for Mario to halt and look around.

"Did I get her?" Luigi asked as he was found face first on the floor.

"No. But you did a good job distracting gong-zhu." Minmei giggles, appearing behind Mario, causing Mario to quickly block the sword which pushes him towards the ice shards.

"Oh mama mia!?" Mario exclaimed, almost got poked by the said shards the Luigi created.

"Bro!?" Luigi has witnessed a princess catching onto their strategy as if Minmei is a lot smarter than Donkey Kong.

"I'm okay!"

Mario then holds out 2 snowballs while looking around his surroundings.

It's eerily quiet as Mario and Luigi are preparing for a sneak attack.

"Luigi, prepare your shield." Mario said quietly.

"Okay." Luigi claps his hands with snowballs and opens them as he creates an ice shield.

Before Luigi move his eyes, Mario pulls his own brother as a naginata pole misses his side, making Mario swing his arm by chucking a snowball until Minmei turns a pole into a katana and swings at a hasty pace, giving Luigi the opportunity to block a blade while barely hitting Mario's face.

A cut on Mario's face causes him to turn his cap and shirt red and his overalls blue, thus losing his power by a blade, falling to his knees as he pants.

"Mario, are you okay?" Luigi worryingly asks while lifting up his shorter brother.

"Yeah…" Mario wipes his face until he sees red stains on his white glove, grunts as he finds out that his opponent is scarier than a big monkey that is Donkey Kong. "Blood…"

"Bro, let me handle this." Luigi said while walking forward, scared that his brother was about to be killed.

"Lu?"

"You have 4 ice flowers left. I think I have an idea." Luigi said while approaching Minmei.

As Luigi brings out his plan, Mario bites the blue flower which changes his overalls to the similar colour as earlier.

Mario's ice flower left: 3.

Luigi loosens his grip on the ice shield, gulping after being intimidated by the princess of the Chai Kingdom.

It all started way before the outsiders entered another world.

It starts with a childhood starting with meeting a real princess at elementary school to encountering a talking monkey, to growing up revisiting a princess, to enter a world where monsters live in, to fighting a large turtle, to fighting a large monkey, to facing an alien and finally to fighting another human princess.

The world is way deeper than the bros realised what it was.

And now it's a matter of life and death.

"Pauline. I want to help Mario. Please, let me burden myself into protecting every kingdom."

Luigi takes a deep breath and finally opens his eyes, preparing himself to do the impossible.

"Let's-a-go."