Chapter 2: A Year of Peace
The skies above the Mushroom Kingdom were clear, a vibrant blue that stretched endlessly over the vast crowd gathered in Toad Town Square. The atmosphere was solemn yet proud as people from across the kingdoms assembled to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war's end.
At the center of the square stood a monument—a towering sculpture depicting three fallen heroes—Mario, Mega Man, and Peppy Hare, etched into polished marble. Mario stood tall and proud, Mega Man beside him, and Peppy in a heroic stance, immortalizing the sacrifices that had changed their world forever.
Princess Peach stood at the podium, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the gathered crowd. Behind her, Donkey Kong, Link, and Princess Zelda sat in solemn reflection on the stage. An empty chair rested next to Zelda, conspicuous in its absence—meant for Samus, if she had been there. Peach's eyes lingered on the chair for a beat longer than she intended, and her hand curled slightly against her side. She drew in a quick breath, steadying herself as memories pressed at the edges of her thoughts. If only she'd said something different…
But she could afford no distractions. Not now.
She drew in a breath, then began, her voice steady. "It's been one year since we stood together, united in our fight against the evil that sought to tear our worlds apart. Today, we gather not only to honor the memories of Mario, Mega Man, and Peppy, but also to celebrate the bonds forged in their absence. We have rebuilt, stronger than ever."
But as her gaze drifted across the faces in the crowd, Peach felt the weight of loss press on her, sharp and unexpected, as if seeing the monument reminded her of the part of herself she'd lost as well. There were still fractures within her, scars left unhealed.
"The Kong Kingdom is almost fully rebuilt," Peach continued, her voice tightening just slightly as she forced herself to focus. "And I am proud to say that it has been a joint effort between the Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule. The alliances we formed in the fires of war remain unshakable, and together, we will ensure that peace continues. The unity we fought for still requires strength each day, and it is a strength that each of you carries."
The applause that followed was warm, and Peach stepped back from the podium, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She took her seat beside Donkey Kong, who gave her a cheeky grin.
"You seem to enjoy giving these speeches more and more," Donkey Kong rumbled in a low voice, his massive arms crossed.
Peach smirked, glancing sideways at him. "Maybe I'm just getting good at them."
Donkey Kong chuckled, his voice carrying a bit too loudly over the quiet. "Careful, Princess. You keep this up and you'll start running out of things to say." He gave her a cheeky grin, but his hand landed reassuringly on her shoulder, a silent reminder that he'd always have her back, even during their light-hearted jabs.
Peach gave him a playful nudge. "Don't tempt me, Kong. If you fall asleep, you're going back to construction duty in the Kong Kingdom."
Donkey Kong grinned but said nothing more, and the mood between them lightened. As the moment passed, Zelda leaned forward, her voice softer, almost wistful.
"I wish Samus could have been here," Zelda said quietly, glancing toward the empty chair beside her. "Have you heard anything from her?"
Peach's smile faltered. Her gaze shifted toward the chair, and for a moment, she didn't respond. The truth sat heavy in her chest, but she wasn't ready to let it out—not yet.
"No," she replied, too quickly. "Not recently."
Zelda and Donkey Kong exchanged knowing glances, the weight of Peach's avoidance palpable. Peach kept her eyes forward, unwilling to meet their gaze.
After a moment, Zelda sighed. "I just hope… they figure it out. Leaders sometimes need someone to remind them it's okay to be selfish now and then. I just hope she realizes that before it's too late."
Donkey Kong scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, well, they're both as stubborn as boulders. But you know how it is. Peach pushed her too hard. Tried to fit Samus into castle life, but that's not who she is. Samus was never meant to stay in one place."
Zelda nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I just hope… they figure it out. Before it's too late."
Peach heard their words but kept her focus on the monument in front of them. Their conversation tugged at a memory, unbidden.
Samus had stood in the grand hallway of Peach's castle with arms crossed. She looked out of place among the marble columns and royal decor, her battle-worn armor a sharp contrast to the gleaming walls.
"I don't belong here, Peach," Samus had said, her voice quiet but firm.
Peach had taken a step forward, her brow furrowed. "You don't have to keep fighting. You could stay. This could be your home, too."
Samus had turned then, her eyes colder than Peach had ever seen. "This is your life, not mine."
And then she had walked away.
Peach blinked, pulling herself back to the present. She could still feel the sting of Samus's words, though months had passed since that moment. She had rebuilt so much—the Mushroom Kingdom, her alliances, even her own heart—but the wound between her and Samus still throbbed.
Later, after the ceremony, as the crowd began to disperse and the weight of the day began to lift, Peach stood near the edge of the stage. The warm breeze brushed past her, and she felt a familiar presence beside her. Zelda joined her, their shoulders almost touching as they watched Link and Donkey Kong deep in conversation below.
Zelda turned to her, a warm, knowing smile playing on her lips. "So, when do you think I'll see you again? I mean in person, not another call-and-chat. Knowing Impa, once I get home I'll be locked in the training yard until she's convinced I can fight."
Peach chuckled softly, the tension from earlier easing slightly. "Impa doesn't take it easy on you, does she? You brought it on yourself when you asked her to train you."
"Not in the slightest," Zelda groaned playfully. "She barely lets me leave the castle now. If I'm not overseeing Hyrule, I'm training to fight with every weapon under the sun. I swear, she won't be happy until I can beat her. And with you, she won't be happy until you're known as the Princess who led the Mushroom Kingdom with speeches alone."
Peach smirked. "She's always been that way. But she does it because she cares, you know. You're practically her daughter."
Zelda rolled her eyes affectionately. "Sometimes, it feels like I've got two mothers. And neither one gives me a break."
They laughed together, the sound light and familiar, like two sisters who had been through too much but still found joy in each other's company. Peach's laughter faded, and she glanced at Zelda, her expression softening.
"When will you head back to Hyrule?" Peach asked.
"Tomorrow," Zelda sighed, crossing her arms. "Link's eager to get back home, he gets nervous being away from it for too long."
Peach smiled. "And you?"
Zelda tilted her head, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm eager to get back to my studies of Hyrule's history. Though, if I'm being honest, I'd rather stay here with you a little longer. It's been too long since we've had time to just talk like this."
Peach's smile grew warmer. "I've missed you, too."
For a moment, the two of them stood in comfortable silence, their bond needing no words. Zelda gently nudged Peach's arm, her voice quieter now. "I know you miss her."
Peach hesitated, her eyes drifting toward the horizon, hoping to find a way to change the topic.
Zelda reached over, squeezing her hand. "Talk to her, Peach. Before it becomes another scar."
Peach closed her eyes briefly, drawing strength from Zelda's words, from her presence. They had been through so much together, and Zelda always knew how to reach the heart of things.
Zelda gave her a reassuring smile, and they stood side by side, two rulers, two sisters, united in more ways than just the kingdoms they led.