Exploring a Kingdom Among the Clouds
Author's Note: I posted Chapters 9 and 10 in one day to catch up to where I'm at on archive of our own. Thanks for reading!
On top of a massive bird statue, Yoshi and Daisy enjoy eating a box of doughnuts together. Nearby, Koopa General was hunched and staring out through a pair of binoculars.
"Yoshi!" Yoshi exclaims.
Daisy agrees, "You bet it is!"
She nods towards the green dinosaur while chewing on a fluffy, jelly-filled doughnut. "And this one has lemon filling!"
The general groans, "Yoshi! Empress! Please keep your voices down!"
Daisy finishes her snack and joins him. She cautiously peeps over the ledge to spot the target. Along the road made of clouds, a person in a hood walks among the cloudy residents. His behavior concerned Peach and she had asked the trio to investigate.
The hooded person looks around and vanishes into an alley. Daisy and Yoshi leap down to follow.
Eventually, they locate the person on a roof. Up close they see he is about the height of a basic Koopa.
Below was the royal Koopa family on a ferry traveling along the narrow cloud road. The suspect snickers and pulls out a rifle. Before he can pull the trigger, Yoshi sticks his tongue out to snatch it! Yoshi then hands it to Daisy who bends the rifle over her leg. The fiend leaps off the roof and Yoshi pursues. Daisy pulls out her phone.
"We got him on the run!" She tells the general.
The general nods and leaps into the air. "I see him! I'll stay in the sky to tell you where to go!"
After having purchased star bits as fuel for the train, Bowser and Peach decided to tour Nimbus Land. Lemmy had Station One secured at the moment so there was no rush to get there.
While walking around, the country's chancellor meets them and offers to show them the local sights. She even gives Peach a sundress to wear. It was pure white and its peplum fluffed out like clouds.
Peach gently caresses the dress, delighting in the feel of the soft fabric. She attempts to return it, feeling it was too expensive. But Bowser begs her to wear it, which she does.
The chancellor then had them board a ferry. The route took them through the lovely capital. All around were beanstalks and giant bird statues. In the distance, the kingdom's castle sat on a cloudy mountain. And in the center of the city stood a massive beanstalk. Its peak was hidden by the clouds above.
As the ferry travels down the cloud way, the chancellor tells her guests about the city's history.
Eventually, Apricot spots the beanstalk and points. "Lady! Does a giant live up there? Does he climb down to steal your gold?"
Peach joins her to look. "You're thinking of that human fairy tale?"
"Oh, no giants up there I'm afraid dear," the chancellor answers.
"Papa, I'll race you to the top!" Apricot begs.
Bowser stares up at the stalk while reaching into his shell to make sure Lemon is napping. "I would but we don't have time for that, kid."
The chancellor beams, "The beanstalk was planted by the founders of our fair city. It represents the resilience of its people to endure many hardships."
Peach smiles at Bowser. "Sounds like a certain man I know."
Though feeling flattered, Bowser runs his claws through his hair. Peach's expression becomes gentle.
"Bowser, it is okay. The train is back up running and waiting for us at the station."
"Yeah," Bowser mumbles. His embarrassment over that was still present. But another reassuring shoulder rub from Peach eases the feeling. In response, Bowser smiles to reassure her. He then inwardly vows to enjoy the tour.
Junior lowers the binoculars he's using. "I see some burnt marks on the stalk."
The chancellor raises a hand to her mouth. "Oh, well some vile villain tried to burn it to the ground. He wanted the royal family to cooperate with his demands."
Peach frowns, "That's terrible."
The chancellor responds with a shake of her head. "Fortunately, a lone man came to help us. As we near the castle I'll show you his statue."
On Peach's request, the ferry stops at a food vendor on a certain sidewalk. The man sold toasted sandwiches, packed with meat and chopped up vegetables. Peach disembarks with Junior to order food.
After a moment, she returns with Junior carrying stacks of sandwiches.
The chancellor lifts an eyebrow. "When you said you needed a light snack…"
"Trust me. This is a light snack for them," Peach jokes. She hands out the food among her children and the chancellor. Finally, she hands Bowser the largest stack. He eyes the carrots bits in Apricot's sandwiches and frowns.
Peach teases, "I ask for no carrots in yours, Dear."
Pleased, Bowser grins, "That's my love!"
The ferry then departs from the vendor to move towards the Monument.
After the chancellor swallows a bite of sandwich, she points ahead. "Oh! Up ahead is Cloud Falls!"
The ferry floats under a large cloudy bridge. Rain from the clouds poured out, covering the overhang of the ferry. Curious, Peach reaches out to touch the water. A small noise of complaint escapes her mouth.
"It's cold!"
Bowser finds her little squeak adorable and snickers.
Determined to prove it is cold, Peach guides Bowser's hand to feel the rain. Bowser watches a pool form in his hand and his gaze shifts to Peach. It was a simple moment but one he enjoyed none the less.
"Peach, I have something special planned at Isle Delfino."
"You can't keep a secret can you?"
Bowser shrugs.
Peach sighs, "Whatever you have planned, I'll love it. Besides, I get to spend time with you. That's enough for me…."
Bowser wraps his arm around Peach. "You know…. it scares me how much I've come to love you."
Finally, the tour ends at the Hero Monument. Apricot exits to dash up the stairs. Junior follows to ensure she doesn't trip.
Waiting at the top was a golden statue. Apricot reaches the summit and flops on her stomach to catch her breath. Junior walks around her while teasing. He then looks at the monument curiously. The statue did not depict a nimbus but a human. A short and portly human. At first glance nothing stood out about the guy. But he had a determined gaze in his eyes, like he would not stand down against anything. In his right hand, he was clutching a plunger. His overalls were torn and his face bruised. But despite the look, there was a hint of kindness in his glare.
The man looks like a superhero.
Junior's curiosity gets the better of him. He then inquires about the statue. "Who is this?"
"Super Mario!" The chancellor declares.
One look and Peach grasps, "His face is familiar. That's Mustache."
Bowser feels heat building up in his chest. "Mustache? Who is that?"
Peach faces Bowser. "A nice man I met in Sarasaland."
Bowser grinds his teeth. Why was she giving him a nickname?
The chancellor speaks, "This was built in honor of a great man! He landed in our kingdom, totally lost - the poor dear. But he fought off the forces of the vile Smithy Gang, all by himself. Even though he was outnumbered, Mario stood his ground until our distress call was heard. His actions even inspired Prince Mallow to stand up to the invaders and save our kingdom!"
Junior's eyes lit up. "Whoa…so he is like a hero. Cool!"
Bowser looks down at Junior and back up at the statue. "I'm not impressed. He can't be all that."
Junior turns, his jaw hanging. "But Papa, he saved a whole kingdom! Even though he was outnumbered! Isn't that awesome?"
Bowser shakes his head. "Not as awesome as being a king, Junior!"
Junior rubs the back of his head. Bowser turns to Apricot. "Come on, your old man is awesome, right?"
Apricot hugs his legs. "You're the best, Papa. But you can't grow a hero mustache."
"I can grow one! I just don't want to!" Bowser defends. He frantically looks at Peach. "Come on I don't need one right, Honey?"
Peach rubs her chin. "Confession time. I like mustaches."
Bowser gasps in horror. The chancellor stares at the statue blissfully.
"Aren't mustaches wonderful?"
Apricot covers Junior's lip with her ponytail. "Now you're a hero too, Junior!"
Bowser's eyes nearly fell out of his face. The idea of his family, especially Junior, admiring this man horrifies him. A violent urge flares up and Bowser looks for somewhere to vent. To redirect his negative energy into something positive. The last thing he wants is for his family to think he is mad at them. He isn't. The one he's mad with is this Mario guy. Bowser has decided he is nothing but a homewrecker!
So Bowser pulls out his phone. "Hey, Mouser! What are you doing? Sleeping!? Get up and go to the council to enact a new law for me! No mustaches are to be found on my troops!"
As Bowser hangs up Peach groans.
Junior mumbles, "I'll just change the law."
Bowser laughs, "Then you have something to work towards! And that's the beauty of being king, my boy! Heroes can't do that! Gwa ha ha!"
The chancellor exchanges a confused glance with Peach. "Well…anyway…. come this way. The royal family wanted to see you before you left on your journey!"
The chancellor holds Apricot's hand to show her the way. Following, Peach wraps an arm around Bowser's.
"Before this gets out of hand, there was no flirting between the two of us. Mr. Mario was just being nice," Peach reassures.
Bowser begins to stammer. "I wasn't jealous if that is what you're thinking!"
"Even if that is so, I love you Bowser." Peach tightens her grip. "I chose you."
Bowser wants to deny his feelings but he bites his lip. He finds himself taken in by Peach's smile and feels reassured. "Okay…"
"So are you going to grow a mustache?" Peach asks, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I wouldn't do it under the threat of torture! It's the principle of the matter! I don't need a mustache to be awesome! Bwa ha ha!" Bowser laughs.
Peach smacks his shoulder in response.
Last to leave the area, Junior takes one last look at Super Mario. He smiles and then runs to catch up with his family.
"Daisy! Yoshi!"
The general flew and zip around buildings. He couldn't believe it. There was no way that criminal should have outrun Daisy and Yoshi. But another person, someone taller, leaped out and picked up the criminal. His speed was insane and the general couldn't keep up. He even lost sight of Yoshi and Daisy as they pursued. For the last hour the general has been wandering the city.
To his joy, Koopa General finds Daisy and Yoshi resting at a table in front of a cafe. Daisy studies an object in her hand as Yoshi eats a hamburger. The general lands to check in on them.
"I guess you lost the target."
Daisy nods. "Yeah. But he dropped this on accident."
She hands over the object for the general to study. It looked like a mask one would wear to a masquerade. Unsure of what to make of it, the general continues staring at it.