Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It stood to reason that holding "Smash" events would bring forth disorder. Countless worlds had collided in that realm, forcing many to its space. All manner of events could occur, far beyond what existed in any one world. It was a great opportunity on its own, one the Smash fighters respected.

They'd been chosen by a greater force, one they dared not upset. In turn, they heeded the rules of order so demanded. All troubles the fighters had with one another could be settled in battle, "smashing" each other away. Outside of combat, their "best" behavior was expected. Through those guidelines, the fighters had grown to support one another.

Even considering ties within their worlds, they could act in kinship now. The only rules present were those imposed by the "smash" sponsors. All else depended on the fighters alone, how they chose to treat one another. Most had opted to be civil, taking one another's presence as it was. In turn, they sought out each other, even outside of battle.

All had gathered into the "Smash Facility" that afternoon, eager to speak of their own lives. While they'd just come together to battle recently, this was a more casual occasion. It was made to detail updates from their own worlds, as well to enjoy one another's company. All were seated at an enormous round table for the occasion.

Their meeting had begun well, with Mario announcing major "updates" to their given realm. They were to bring in even more fighters, with some hailing from wholly foreign lands. However, they wouldn't happen until later, leaving them time to themselves. Afterwards, all fell into casual discussion, with many speaking of their own "updates".

However, Princess Peach had been silent through their meeting, opting to stand. No one was sure why she was so, not even Mario. She'd come alone, keeping away from the other fighters. While they spoke of their own trials, she kept in place, her face sullen. Daisy couldn't stand for such a sight, trying to coax an answer from her companion.

"Please, Peach, we're just worried," Daisy called to her. "It's not like you to be so upset. Now, come on, you're in good company! You can tell us what's eatin' ya here!" As Peach met her gaze, their crowd murmured in approval. Their support softened her dismay, if only for a bit. However, she couldn't keep her troubles a secret from them either.

She paused, only to declare her father's return to the Mushroom Kingdom. Though applause filled the air, Peach remained uneasy. "What's-a wrong, Peach?" Luigi asked, picking up on her concern. "Shouldn't you be happy that your papa's back?" She peered at him, trying to nod back. However, dismay had gripped her being.

"You don't understand," she said on soft breath. "I haven't seen my father in ages. I, I haven't planned for this at all!" Peach tried to cover her face, only to see those of her companions. "No, no, it's nothing like that! He's a good man, but I don't want him to worry. I'm just afraid that he won't approve of what's happened to me all this time-"

Mario and Luigi peered at each other, only to glare at Bowser. As their companions followed suit, he huffed at them. "Fine, I'll back off, then!" Bowser shouted, throwing his hands up into the air. As he got up to leave, Peach shook her head. He sat back down, eying her over warily. "Come on, Peach! You don't want me after you now, I get it!"

"Please Bowser, you don't need to go," Peach said, trying to calm down the crowd. "That's not what I meant at all!" As their eyes bored into her, her heart pounded, making her shake. However, she sensed it was best they know of her true dilemma then. "The truth is that my father thinks I'm married, okay!" All fell silent, unsure of how to react.

Peach covered her face then, taking it in herself. Her father had inadvertently forced her into this position himself; Though Toad had hinted at her ties to Mario, her father had blown them out of proportion. Faced with his endless questions, Peach relented, leading her to her predicament then. She pulled her hands away, her eyes wide.

The eyes of all remained on her, now questioning her as well. Peach spoke on, detailing her father's demands. Given what he knew, he expected her to marry someone worthy of her presence. What suspicion the others held gave way to concern, as well as sympathy. Mario had approached her, offering her his shoulder to weep on.

Though she wasn't at that point yet, Peach appreciated it all the same. As she fell against him, Luigi spoke in turn. "So, what are ya gonna do?" he asked, mirroring their crowd's reaction. While Peach was aware of him, she kept silent against Mario. Even she wasn't sure how to answer it herself. "I mean, you can't just lie to your dad-"

"Well, why can't she?" Daisy chimed in, to the surprise of Peach and her companions. Peach pulled away from Mario, her sight set on Daisy. Though it burned forth, she knew her friend had a point then. "Trust me, I know King Toadstool. He's very particular, let's put it. It's like nothing's ever good enough for his precious little 'Peachy'-"

She paused, considering her youth alongside Peach. As Daisy discussed it, Peach thought back to such times. During their schooling, she'd taken interest in various things, including boys. However, her father kept his sights on her, unnerving anyone who dared date his daughter.

That, alongside her heightened status, was enough to keep most away from Peach's company. In turn, she knew such isolation until her own reign as Princess. As the Mushroom Kingdom's ruler, Peach had more to handle than she could've ever imagined. Through her position, she'd even found a lover out of her father's reach.

Despite their clear contrasts, she admired and adored Mario. Peach couldn't imagine a life without him, even if they weren't wed. However, her father expected at least that of her, even without Mario's presence. "I'm just saying," Daisy said, breaking Peach's focus. "King Toadstool expects a lot from Peach. Why not give him this at least?"

Peach could only shrug, still reasoning with the situation. Perhaps it could work out if her father remained in the Mushroom Kingdom. She could control the situation there alongside Mario. If she had to reason deceive him, she'd do best with those closest to her.

She hoped that her father would understand it before he departed again. Before she could dwell on it, a large mounted monitor activated suddenly. It was made to show updates from their "sponsors", as well as "outside" news. All turned to it, only to see an unfamiliar being on its screen.

He appeared to be an older human man with a dark moustache. Atop his head sat a black hat with golden spots, akin to a Toad's natural cap. He seemed underdressed, given that he only wore a fluffy robe. As he adjusted to sight of their space, Peach stared at him, her mouth slack.

"Father, what are you doing here?!" she shouted, unable to contain herself. Her eyes shot open, aware that her father could see all that transpired then. In turn, she could peer back into his own surroundings, where Toadsworth hopped up and down. He tried to apologize for King Toadstool's presence, saying he'd been forced into making it so.

He had demanded insight into the Smash Facility's ways. Unable to refuse him, Toadworth activated the connection between it and Peach's own quarters. As the other fighters stared at the monitor, Peach felt faint. "Darling, I wanted to see you and your little friends!" the king declared. "Seems like everyone's going on about them now!"

He took a moment to study those he could see, comparing them to his given standards. Though their group was rather varied, most were fine and fit. They seemed worthy enough of Peach's company, such as it was. However, when he saw Mario drawing close, he studied him warily. The man seemed so unlike all others he'd seen then.

He was of the common folk, his attire that of a "lowly" working man. In turn, his appearance was rather plain, almost comical. From what the king could see, he was shorter than most other fighters, with a stocky build. King Toadstool questioned his presence there at all, believing him a misplaced servant or other.

However, as Mario stood by the screen, the king's hopes faded. Despite his uncouth appearance, this man was of great importance to their event. He introduced himself as Mario, in turn introducing the king to his companions. Though King Toadstool tried to remain civil, Mario's very image appalled him to even consider in this realm.

He couldn't imagine why the smash sponsors had chosen Mario as their "mascot" to begin with. The man was hardly anyone to consider, especially paired with other fighters. Surely he must've come in as a fluke, one he'd manipulated to his benefit. To even consider it drew forth the king's disgust.

It emerged on his face, revealing itself to Mario. To see it brought a chill down his spine, even if Mario dared not admit it. With a final nod, he backed away, allowing Peach to face her father directly. Though all noticed his sullen face, Peach's father demanded her attention. His gaze bore into her own, even with the given distance between them.

"Papa, I'm glad to see you too," Peach said to him, feeling her companions' eyes upon her. "But this isn't the best time! We're in a meeting!" The other fighters chimed in, their voices painted with surprise and shock. "Please, you can meet everyone later! I'm just busy now!" Faced with her dismay, King Toadstool bowed, only to sever his connection.

As his image faded away, Daisy inhaled sharply, her mouth in a grimace. She glanced at Peach, who clutched her cheeks. "I knew this was gonna happen-" Daisy lamented as Mario stepped to her. She nodded to him, easing into their given tension. "It's how the king is!" Everything has to be 'perfect' for him, or he just blows his gaskets!"

"It's true," Peach said wearily. "But I thought he would at least try and like Mario!" She recoiled, still thinking of her father's reaction. "But with how he was-" Mario approached her, shaking his head. Even if he adored Peach, he couldn't ignore the disgust he'd seen in her father's eyes. He knew King Toadstool wouldn't approve of him being with her.

As much as it pained him, Mario forced himself out of the situation. "It's-a fine, Peach," he said, his voice shaky. "I don't want to come between you and your papa. You do what you need to, okay? It won't be for long, I hope." Peach held back her own tears, easing down to embrace him. Silence fell around them for a moment, softening their blow.

Faced with their truth, Peach thought through the matter. She'd hoped that Mario would be suitable, able to carry out her ruse. Her father tended to be ripped from his kingdom for stretches at a time. He'd missed Mario's presence through that, leaving him none the wiser. In turn, the king knew not of other realms, those housing her fellow fighters.

If her father remained in the Mushroom Kingdom, all could've gone smoothly. However, his reaction to Mario dashed what hopes she held. She was torn between the truth and deception, now more than ever. "Oh, now what?" Peach mused, unaware of her voice. "I'm so sorry for everything, Mario, but what choice do I have? What do I do?!"

She slumped into a seat, her gaze set below. Mario reached for her hand, silently supporting her. "I've never lied to him about anything like this!" Peach cried out. "If I tell him the truth, he'll never trust me again! But I can't just lie to him-" Daisy shook her head, urging her to stick to her guns. Given his nature, she could surely pull it off.

As Daisy argued on the matter, Peach breathed in, glancing around herself. If she were to deceive her father, she'd have to choose someone he'd favor. "But it'd be for a little while," she said to herself. "Just enough to make him believe, until he goes away again-" She nodded, causing Mario to follow suit. If she were to do it, he could try to help her.

"Who would he-a like, then?" Mario asked, forcing her gaze upon him. "Who'd your papa like for you?" Peach froze, having not thought that far, even for Mario. Her lips trembled, speaking of a fantasy she'd seen elsewhere. It had an "ideal" family, all of golden locks and shining eyes. There was a wife and husband, alongside two children and a dog.

It was a lovely thought, though not one Peach considered for herself. However, to dwell upon it brought her a strange relief. "He'd want that," she said softly. "The 'perfect' man for me, with the 'perfect' family." She clutched Mario's hand, relishing his support through her deception. "But, come on! Who among us could live up to that?!"

"Well, how about Ken?" Daisy asked, turning her attention to him. He hesitated, mentioning his own wife elsewhere. However, neither Daisy or Ryu could pass up the opportunity to tease him. "Oh, come on! We know you like blondes-" Daisy pointed to Zelda across the way, a prior target to his playful ways. "So why not Peach, then?"

Ken tried to defend himself, only for Ryu to burst out laughing. As he ran after his old friend, Daisy kept peering around their table. "Oh, and Shulk can be your son!" she said, breaking into a giddy grin. "I never realized, but he kinda looks like you guys, doesn't he?" As she laughed to herself, Shulk brushed it off, trying to console Peach in turn.

"She might have a point there-" he noted, pulling out his smartphone. Through its darkened screen, he peered at his reflection. However, he set it aside, only to peer at Peach. "But, why bother with the details, if you're not gonna do it?" Their eyes locked together, with his challenging her. "You've a choice to make. What do you want of this?"

Her eyes locked onto his, questioning herself within them. Though Shulk hadn't meant to alarm her, she knew he was right. Her unease remained, forcing itself to a head. Peach peered at Mario, asking if he could accept it. He merely nodded, forcing his own pain away. If it was for Peach's benefit, he'd live with it. As she smiled at him, Daisy spoke on.

She'd been looking about, suggesting Young Link as another "son". As all laughed among themselves, Isabelle got up, ready to offer her services again. She approached Peach, only to meet with Ken, Shulk and Young Link. They glanced at one another, entertaining the thought in their minds. As they gathered around Peach, she broke into a grin.

"She's having too much fun with this-" Peach lamented, peering at Daisy. "And you don't have to if you don't want, but-" Shulk shook his head, saying that he didn't mind at all. It was just in good fun, made to help a friend out. Ken nodded in turn, as did Isabelle and Young Link. If they could go the distance then, she had no reason not to herself.

"Oh, why not?" Peach said, clasping her hands together. In an instant, she jumped from her seat, calling her new "family" besides her. As they surrounded her, she fell into a strange triumph. Perhaps all could work out in the end. The support of many had aided her so, despite her deception. Even Mario was close by, albeit at the sidelines.

As strange as Peach thought it, she'd been forced into this hand. At the very least, she had her companions to help her. As it was temporary, they could all give into her ploy. Only then could her father accept her, his own needs sated. What followed afterwards would be its own issue. But for now, Peach grew calm, glad to have sorted out the issue.

Chapter Text

Shortly after their meeting, Peach called her father to speak of her family. They'd been scattered about, keeping them from her castle. She hadn't wanted to bother him with their presence just yet, explaining their absence. King Toadstool accepted it readily, exhausted from his travels. He could see her family in time, allowing him to rest.

As he readjusted himself, the group set up their ploy. To cement their given ties, Peach planned a photo shoot for them the next day. They'd be clad in cheery outfits, suited to the holiday season. Within the Smash Facility, they went to a backlot, made to craft and preserve images for its "Vault". Peach strolled about, eying over their holiday themed setup.

"Father, you know how it is," she said aloud, clutching her smartphone. "We're so busy, especially around this time! I've hardly had time to see you myself!" Her heart pounded, hoping they all could pull it off. "But don't worry, you'll see the pics later! Then we can meet up tomorrow!" As she put her phone away, Peach sighed with relief.

Her ploy would surely work if all fell into place. Her companions prepared themselves in a back room, save for Isabelle. All wore sweaters, befitting a festive image. Peach wore a sparkling pink one for the occasion, paired with jeans. Shulk and Ken followed suit, clad in simple red ones with black slacks. Young Link opted for one of green, also paired with jeans.

That left Isabelle to differ from them, as she donned her usual attire. However, she planned to change into her own outfit later. For the moment, she focused on getting their photo just right. She couldn't let royalty see her at her worst, even if it was "just" Peach. As Peach adjusted their setup, Isabelle approached her with a tablet in her paws.

"I've got some ideas for the picture," she said, glancing below. "I found some layouts, so we can test 'em out with everyone-" Peach peered at the tablet, smiling to herself. "For the first, you and Ken can be in the back, then Shulk and Link, then me! How's that sound?" Peach nodded to her, saying they'd do that one first.

Isabelle beamed at her, glad to have pleased her. As she dashed away, Rosalina arrived with some Lumas that Peach requested as decorations. Having seen her preparations, Rosalina wondered what more could be done. She and another fighter strolled by with her Lumas, calling for Peach. She stepped to them, only for her face to grow stiff.

"Rosalina, why is Lucas here?!" Peach asked sharply. Rosalina shrugged, saying that he'd fit into her little "family". Peach smacked her temple, nearing her wits' end. "Look, I appreciate the effort, but we don't need any more kids. He doesn't even look like the rest of us! It'll be-" She paused upon seeing Lucas' stunned face.

A surge of shame ran through her, causing her to drop down to the boy. "Lucas, I didn't mean anything by that," Peach said, patting his head. "You're a good kid, and you don't need to be caught up in this." He smiled at her, to which she nodded back. "Just go off with Ness and the other kids, all right?" He nodded to her, only to dash away.

As he faded into the distance, Rosalina turned to Peach, her own heart heavy. "Peach, if this is so troublesome for you," she asked of her. "Then why not call it off? I'm sure your father will like Mario once he gets to know him." Peach met her gaze, only to shake her head. Though she agreed with Rosalina, it didn't feel right to let her efforts go to waste.

She'd disappoint the others by doing so, having prepared themselves for her ruse. Peach tried to defend herself, only for Rosalina to shake her head. "No, I think I understand," she said somberly. "But I'm not one to judge. I'll just leave you with my Lumas. Please return them when you're done, okay?" Peach agreed, to which Rosalina walked away.

Despite her efforts, that shame remained upon her. Even though Mario agreed to her scheme, Peach hadn't seen him afterwards. He said his own work called to him, but it didn't feel right to her. Peach sighed to herself, trying to regain her focus. She couldn't afford to fail at any point then. Her father was counting on it, as well as her.

In the backroom, Shulk combed his hair while Ken eyed Young Link over. As he wiped his face, the boy squirmed about, breaking his focus. "Hey, quit it!" Ken warned him. "Peach won't have you lookin' a mess out there!" Though he knew that, Young Link thought himself clean enough. As he wriggled away, Shulk shook his head teasingly.

"So, what does Eliza think of this?" he asked of his new "father". Ken glanced at him, ready to bust out laughing. "Surely she must've approved, or you wouldn't be here!" A smile danced upon his lips to consider it. Within moments, Ken had dragged him close, saying that Eliza found it hilarious. She could trust him well enough, even in this case.

Shulk nodded to him, holding back a chuckle himself. Of all things possible, not even he could predict their state of affairs. However, so long as it was in good heart, he could go along with it. As Young Link passed him, he waved to the boy. He figured it wasn't worth asking for his opinion, given that his cheery nature remained.

Peach had approved of him herself, so he needn't worry there. All that was left were Isabelle's thoughts on the matter. Shulk hadn't been able to get a good read on her beforehand; She tended to scurry about, always occupied with some task or other. However, they'd been forced together, making it easier to interact with her.

His chance came by accident, following Ken's own departure. He sought out his Master Glasses when Isabelle stepped in to change. She froze, at a loss for words. "No, you're fine," Shulk said to her. "I'm just heading out. Oh, were you surprised?" She nodded, her gaze torn between him and the glasses. "Didn't think I had these, did you?"

"No, it's just that I've got 'em, too!" Isabelle said, clasping her paws together. "Since I'm nearsighted. I wear contacts most of the time." Shulk questioned her with a hint of wry intrigue. Isabelle grew cheerful, glad to speak of such things. "Well, it started during college. I couldn't focus, so I went in and they got 'em for me! What kind are yours?"

"Actually, these are more of a 'light' armor," Shulk said, pointing to his glasses. "For protection, not use." He slipped them on, imparting with an air of brilliance she'd never imagined before. She could only nod, entranced by his aura. "Well, it's another sort of use, but still. Anyway, you say you've been to college, Isabelle?"

"Oh, that!" Isabelle exclaimed, forcing her focus back. "Yes, for a few years. I majored in Regional Planning, with a minor in Architecture!" Shulk nodded to her, considering such a thing. In turn, her own brilliance revealed itself, drawing them closer. "That's how I got my job aiding Mayor Tortimer and my Mayor!" Shulk smiled, still curious about it all.

As he spoke up, a knock sounded at the room's door. Both turned to it, only hear Peach calling them outside. Isabelle's eyes snapped open, forcing her gaze away from Shulk. "Well, duty waits," she said, to his disappointment. "We can talk later! But I've gotta get dressed, and-" Shulk nodded, averting his gaze as she unbuttoned her vest.

He gave a quick shrug, only to leave her be. As Isabelle changed into a white sweater dress, Shulk remained on her mind. "He's such a nice boy," she mused. "I can't believe I've never chatted with him! There's so much I want to ask him-" Isabelle shook her head, smoothing out her dress. He was right, though; They could speak soon enough.

Peach's scheme had ensured that for them all. She left the back room, the thought fresh on her mind. Once at their setup, Isabelle peered at her companions. Ken and Peach stood in the back together, their hands joined. Shulk and Young Link were in front of them, slouching a bit. Isabelle nodded in kind before activating the camera facing them.

As it sounded, she ran towards her spot in their picture. With a broad grin, Isabelle jumped up in the air. The first photo was complete, leaving all curious, yet intrigued. While Isabelle ran over to reset it, Peach eyed Shulk warily. "Oh, glasses, Shulk?" she asked of him. He hesitated, but she shook her head. "It's just a bit confusing, isn't it?"

She noted how decorative they were, rather than for proper use. "Ah, we'll say they're a prop," Peach suggested. "That way it'll make sense they're only in one picture!" Shulk just shrugged, popping his glasses off. As Isabelle returned to their group, her face fell. She'd wanted to see more of him with the glasses, accentuating his features just so.

However, it was but a minor issue of hers. Much more needed to be attended to then. "Okay, so let's try out a 'train'," Isabelle said, gesturing towards the others. "Tallest to shortest again!" At her call, all fell into place, with her rushing to the very end. As the camera flashed again, all burst out laughing, toying with one another.

Even it was an illusion, Peach could've readily fallen into its delightful promises. She already enjoyed the others' company, such as it was. Perhaps they were a family, in a loose sense. After all, they'd come together through "smash", settling their many differences. Despite them, they enjoyed themselves then, content with their spectacle.

She eased into the thought, choosing to take it as it was then. Afterwards, more sorts of photos were taken with various "family" members. Some were more imposing, like those of Young Link and Shulk with their swords. Others were more fanciful, like those of Ken and Shulk with dog noses alongside Isabelle. However, they all suited Peach's needs.

So long as they perpetuated the image she desired, they satisfied her so. In time, she'd gotten enough photos, calling Isabelle to stop. With a weary grin, she shut off the camera and went to print its photos. As Shulk followed her, Ken and Peach sat at a nearby table. Meanwhile, Young Link played with the Lumas, still hovering about their setup.

"He's so cute," Peach mused while watching the boy. "I can't believe he's going to be the 'Hero of Time' someday-" She laughed, reaching for some bottled water. As she drank it, Ken peered at her. While he knew their ties false, he couldn't help but think of his own family elsewhere. Perhaps Peach did want something like that, just not with him.

He understood the appeal personally, trying to apply it to Peach herself. "Yeah, they grow like weeds-" Ken said with a grin. Peach met his gaze, considering his son. He'd mentioned Mel in passing, through photos from his homeland. He was also a spirited boy, taking after his father. From what she'd seen, his wife was stunning as well.

Theirs seemed like quite the family, one to admire and envy. Peach just shook her head, seemingly concerned. "But about us," Ken noted. "I'm just playin' it up. Don't worry, I know what this means to ya. I won't mess it up, I'll be the best guy I can for ya!" Peach nodded, her gaze now blank. He was a good man to go this far, but it didn't feel quite right.

"I know, but-" Peach said, her voice shaky. "Please don't take this too seriously, Ken. I know have your own family." He nodded back, putting all into perspective. "I'm grateful for your help, but I don't want to betray myself further. This is for my father only. Otherwise, we're just friends, no more, no less." Ken gave her a knowing nod back.

"I get it, Peach," he replied with a soft grin. "I've got Eliza and you've got Mario!" She paused, only to laugh nervously. Ever since their agreement had been made, Peach hadn't seen Mario around. Though she'd called him before, Mario hadn't replied back. She took a quick breath, trying to ease her nerves.

"Hey, if this doesn't work out, maybe he will!" Ken said teasingly. Peach's breath hitched to consider the thought. Even among her new "family", it was all she wanted. She just wanted to let things fall to the wayside, reuniting her with Mario. Only then could she feel truly secure in herself. She shook her head, lamenting her father's ways.

Even if she'd forced all this, he'd brought it into being to begin with. "I hope so," Peach rasped out. "I love Mario, but if he nor Father can be civil, then-" Her great dread had returned, overwhelming all she'd felt earlier. "I just don't know!" She buried her face in her hands, feeling Ken's hand on her shoulder. Peach kept in place, relishing his comfort.

When she peered up, Isabelle had returned, alongside Shulk and Young Link. All eyed her with concern, making her heart heavy. "I just came with the pictures," Isabelle admitted. "But if it's a bad time, I can just-" Peach shook her head and got up to approach her. She forced her dismay away, reminding herself they all had a duty to perform.

"No, it's fine, Isabelle," Peach said to herself. "Just having some second thoughts." She peered at her companions, their faces still concerned. Though they cared for her unease, she pushed it down again. Even with how she felt about it, she'd already set up her ploy. It was up to them all to carry it out. She wouldn't let herself ruin what they'd formed then.

Peach took another breath, inviting Ken to stand besides her. As he followed suit, she studied the photos Isabelle set on the table. Their first one brought to mind the family she'd seen before, her given "fantasy". She smiled to gaze upon it, knowing her father would approve of them. It was a lovely photo, radiating a festive warmth and joy.

Her father wouldn't have suspected it came from mere kinship, rather than blood ties. Despite her unease, that strange triumph rose within her again. "This one's perfect, Isabelle!" Peach said, to Isabelle's glee. "I'll send it as a preview to my father!" As she got out her smartphone, her companions spoke among themselves with approval.

All was setting in place, as well as her own mindset. Peach convinced herself from within, smothering her last doubts. Even if it was all a ruse, at least they all could have fun with it. She held onto the thought as they looked over photos, picking the best for King Toadstool. Perhaps he could re-enter their lives soon enough, having been so approved of.

Chapter Text

That evening, Peach sent copies of their photos to her father back home. She remained at the Smash Facility, caught up in her remaining work. All had to be in place tomorrow, befitting her father's visit. Though her fellow fighters knew of her scheme, Peach urged them to keep to its details.

It wouldn't help anyone to challenge them, even by accident. They followed her word, running through her ploy in their heads. Though most were tied to it by proxy, those closest to Peach's "family" held to it closely. The Villager vowed to keep Isabelle's work to himself; Meanwhile, the "other" Links kept to their silence, to Peach's great relief.

Ryu opted to help Ken personally, thinking to their youth training together. Ken was one to joke around, flubbing things here and there. Though he'd matured since then, Ryu felt that Ken's nature could weaken their illusion. As such, he sat alongside Peach and her "family", keeping his sights on Ken. All had opted to dine together in a private room.

"Once more, everyone," Peach said, setting her plate aside. "What's our story for Father?" The others peered at her, repeating what she'd told them earlier. She and Ken were married, with Shulk and Young Link as their sons. Shulk was from Ken's "first" marriage, while Young Link was their own son. Isabelle was their family's "pet".

Peach nodded to herself as they spoke in unison. They'd gotten that down perfectly, leaving their finer details. "Okay, that's great-" Peach said, easing away from the table. She approached Ken, her gaze piercing. "Now, what about us, Ken? What will you tell Father, if so asked?" He gave her a sharp nod, speaking once more.

If pressed, he'd claim that he married Peach ten years ago. He came in to guard Peach's Castle, only to fall in love with her. From there, they got married and had Young Link afterwards. Later on, he moved in his other son, Shulk, for support. Ken spoke on, muddling his own details in turn. Peach shot him a wary glance, now puzzled.

"No, Ken-" Ryu said, feeling his frustration rise. "You come from New Donk City, not America!" Though surprised, Peach nodded to Ryu, glad for his sense of order. "That's why you look so different! Same goes for Shulk!" She nodded again, to which Ken rolled his eyes. As he spoke in his favor, their companions felt their tensions rise up.

Peach shook her head, pleading for all to remain calm. "If you don't mind me asking," Shulk chimed in, easing his own food aside. "Why are you even here, Ryu? Why do you care so much about this?" Ryu paused, feeling a chill along his spine. Silly as it was, he knew greater consequences would come from their ruse.

"Because Ken is my closest friend," Ryu admitted, his voice now bittersweet. "Whatever befalls him also befalls me. I don't wish any harm on him from this." As he sat back, Peach paused with concern. Even knowing of Ken's family, she hadn't considered Ryu's feelings as well. She thought he'd just keep away from their little ploy.

However, he'd proven contrary to that, his concerns great. "Nothing against this, guys," Ryu said, easing Peach's unease slightly. "We just need to look out for one another. We're all 'family', in some sense." He peered at Ken, nodding to him knowingly. Ken followed suit, beholden to his words.

Even if Peach had advised him not to be serious, he couldn't betray her deeper desires. He shook his head, trying to control himself. "Okay, let's try something simpler," Ryu suggested, his brows furrowed. "What's your full name, Ken?" All peered at him, their eyes as expectant as Peach's were. He paused, only to speak in triumph.

"Noah Kathmandu!" Ken replied, to their frustration. As Ryu smacked his head, Ken smirked at his companions. "And Peach's name is Brigitte, Isabelle's is Fluffy, and-" He met Ryu's gaze, now burning with ire. Before Ryu could get up, Ken laughed to himself. "Guys, I get it! Don't worry, I won't whiff it when Peach's dad gets here!"

Peach sighed with relief, urging them all to focus again. As they discussed their ploy's finer details, more revealed themselves. "But what about Shulk's accent?" Peach asked, her sight set on Ryu. "Since you've brought it up-" He nodded, unsure of how to justify it within her given world. As they mulled it over, Isabelle glanced at Shulk, her mind astir.

"Let's say that he went to boarding school!" she said proudly. Ken and Peach gave her wary glances, leading her to continue. "Ken, your 'first' wife sent him there after the divorce! He was there for a while, so he just picked it up!" Ken grabbed his chin in thought, surprised by her suggestion. Peach froze as well, though glad for it.

It was rather reasonable, something she could give into readily. As Peach praised her, Shulk beamed with pride. "Quick thinking, Isabelle!" he said, to Isabelle's glee. "And maybe it was a 'fighting' school! That's where I learned to use the Monado!" Peach nodded again, glad he'd considered it at all. "Perhaps Link went there as well."

Shulk glanced at Young Link, who had his wooden shield and sword nearby. "That's where he learned to fight," Ken noted as all peered at him. "He goes in the summer, so that's why he doesn't have the accent yet." The others nodded back, leading him to continue. "It's a good school, but I had doubts at first. Since the ex sent 'em and all-"

Ken paused, trying to consider what his "ex-wife" would be like. What kind of woman was she to drive him into Peach's arms? As he discussed the matter, Ryu tried to help him out. "Maybe she's also from New Donk?" Ryu suggested to them. "Okay, not Pauline, but still-" All fell into talk then, running through all that could possibly come up.

Before any of them knew it, night had come. Peach peered at a nearby clock, knocked into shock. "Okay, everyone," she said, breaking their focus. "I think we've done enough for now. I'm sure we're ready for Father's visit tomorrow!" All nodded to her, glad for their efforts. With a quick breath, Peach shook her head, grinning at her friends.

"I'll let you go," she said eagerly. "But thanks for your hard work! I couldn't have done it with you guys!" As all beamed with pride, Ryu turned away, getting up from his seat. Peach caught sight of Ryu, drawing close to him. She reached for his arm, her hand slight against its muscle. "You too, Ryu. You're a good friend to help Ken out here."

As Ryu hesitantly thanked her, she shot him a tender smile. Likewise, Ken had reached him, glad for his aid. "Don't be so modest, man!" he exclaimed. "He's always like this, but he appreciates it all the same." Ryu eased away, only for Ken drag him to his side. "Same for me, guys! I'm sure the king'll love us! Come on, let's bring it in for luck!"

At his call, Peach gave Ryu a wary glance, only for him shrug it off. Peach followed suit, as did her companions. Soon enough, all were draped against one another, caught in tender embrace. It was still strange to consider, but all had gotten into their given roles. Only tomorrow would prove their skills to Peach's father, as well as themselves.

The next day, King Toadstool made his entrance into the Smash Facility alongside Peach. As they stepped inside it, many fighters had gathered to meet him. Though they'd seen him prior, they were curious to his true demeanor. Surely he wasn't typically as rash as he'd been then. As Peach stopped, her father followed suit, bowing to all present.

"Greetings, all," he announced to them. "I am King Maurice Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom. I believe you're familiar with my daughter, Princess Peach." He turned to her, to which she nodded back. The king's sight returned to their crowd, studying them closer. "She has invited me to your facility, witnessing all that occurs within it."

"I have accepted her offer," the king spoke on. "I'm eager to see all that she's told me about these events." Several fighters were within reach, ranging from fantastic beasts to humans like himself. "A great many have come from other worlds to partake in these tourneys, correct?" Peach and the other fighters nodded, curious to his thoughts then.

As he spoke on, Mario dashed by, clad in his white tuxedo. As he passed by Luigi and Daisy, the former paused in surprise. He asked what'd been, only for Mario to pause, shaking his head. "Oh, this was-a the only suit I had here!" he cried out. "That mongrel shredded up all the rest!" Luigi peered at the Duck Hunt dog, who sneered at him.

He held a dark sleeve in his mouth while the duck nipped at a red bowtie. Luigi shook his head, reminding himself to scold the dog later. As Mario stepped away, he shot Luigi a passing glance. "I hope I didn't miss the king!" he said, to which Luigi nodded back. "Now's-a my chance! Wish me luck!" Luigi waved to him, hoping for the very same.

Upon seeing Peach, he stopped suddenly. As his feet dragged along the floor, King Toadstool eyed him warily. "Greetings, your majesty," Mario said with a bow. "You've met me already, but I'm Mario Mario. Welcome to the 'Smash Facility'!" He swept his hands about, motioning to all within reach. Mario caught his breath, his heart pounding.

The king fell silent, allowing Mario to speak forth. "As its founder, I hope-a you enjoy it here!" he announced proudly. "Let's all settle it in smash!" Though applause broke out around him, the king's gaze remained. A familiar chill ran down Mario's spine, leaving him to refer to Peach. He bowed to her, to which she followed suit.

As Mario backed away, Luigi and Daisy caught up to him. Daisy paused to ask of his meeting, to which Luigi stopped her. He couldn't deny Mario's shattered expression, leaving him to slump away. As Daisy tried to console him, Peach forced her gaze from Mario. "Rest easy, Father," she said softly. "We've much to do, many others to meet."

Despite her cheery demeanor, Peach felt the same offense that Mario had. She forced it within herself, lest she ruin her ruse herself. "Anyway, there's Daisy," she said, moving forward. "She's with Mario's younger brother, Luigi." As Peach waved to their pair, they glanced at one another. Their own spirits had been shattered, also leaving them uneasy.

However, they shook it off, presenting themselves to the king. He ran to them, reaching for Daisy's hands. "Why, it's been ages since I've seen you!" he said. "You've grown into a lovely woman, Daisy!" She laughed it off, her cheeks flushed. The king pulled away, only to approach Luigi. "And greetings to you, Luigi! Nice to meet you, my boy!"

Luigi nodded to him, struck by his civility. He couldn't even offer it to Mario, considering his authority. As he glanced at Daisy, she shrugged. "Now, I wonder what's for dinner-" the king mused, walking ahead. As some other fighters greeted him, he waved back, now full of good cheer.

All felt wrong to him then, even if no one else would acknowledge it. Luigi could only wonder what Mario thought of it all. With a quick shake of his head, he left to find his brother. As Daisy stood by Peach, her eyes narrowed. "Yes, I know-" Peach said, aware of her disgust. "But Father brought this upon himself, as did I. We're to blame for all this!"

She sighed softly, shaking her head. Pity gripped Daisy's senses, as well as remorse. As she reached for Peach's arm, she drew away. "No, this is my issue alone, Daisy," Peach admitted. "Mine and the others." She peered across the way, seeking her "family" out. Though they couldn't be seen, her father could be, reinforcing her inner doubts.

"Whatever will be, will be," she mused to herself. "No point in stopping it now!" She'd have to return to her father soon, her ruse at play. Even with her friends' support, she remained uneasy. Peach breathed in deeply, her eyes strained. She stepped forward, forcing her doubts aside. "Until Father leaves, that's how it'll be. But I need to make it up to Mario somehow-"

Chapter Text

Despite her troubled thoughts, Peach sought her father out in the crowd. She sensed he'd upset someone if left unattended. Their group was composed of such differing beings that it'd baffle him. He was already unaware of those from other worlds, being locked within his own. Her father had missed much of her own life, lost to her facade.

All had seemed so simple just a few days ago; Facing her reality now set Peach's mind astir, forcing her hand. Now that her father had come, it'd be easier for her "family" to meet him then. Peach shook her head, moving alongside the crowd. She asked of her father's whereabouts, leading them to point him out.

He stood among the many royal fighters, eyeing them over. Peach dashed towards him, only to bump into Marth. As she shook herself off, he and King Toadstool peered at her. "Oh, forgive me!" she exclaimed. "I'm just a mess with all this excitement!" She met her father's gaze, still on edge. "I hope that you're doing well with everyone here-"

"Have no concern, darling," the king replied. "Prince Marth was just introducing me to our fellow royals." To him, many seemed fit for such titles, their forms fine and fit. However, others were uncouth, even savage looking. His gaze shifted between them, curious to their true being. Peach stepped to her father, sensing the worst.

"But of course," she said, drawing his attention to her. "I see you've already met Marth." Peach gave him a curt nod, silently excusing him. Marth obliged her, leaving Roy and Ike to take his place. They spoke up, saying that they'd made the king's acquaintance. The pair's focus shifted to Corrin, Chrom, and Robin, who were still unattended to.

Peach eyed them over, wondering if her father had upset them beforehand. Neither seemed mad then, easing her nerves slightly. "Well, let's keep at it," she said, gesturing around herself. "We've much to do, many more to meet-" The king nodded back, waving to Roy and Ike. He trailed behind her, taking note of the various royals present.

Some were like Marth and his ilk, supremely strong and appealing. Others were their opposite, their forms comical. However, all bore the air of authority befitting royalty. King Toadstool was glad to be around them the most. They suited his tastes, as well as Peach's. As she introduced them all, the king smiled, greeting them merrily.

In his absence, his daughter had done well for herself, keeping their kingdom in shape. She straightened her ties with other worlds, ensuring her success. Even if he didn't know the finer details, King Toadstool regarded Peach with pride. She'd gotten all he desired for her, including a loving family. The thought struck him, overtaking his mind.

"On that note," the king said as Peach caught her breath. "I'll see your family tonight?" She glanced back to him, her eyes wide. He presumed nerves had gotten the better of her then. King Toadstool nodded to her, forcing the notion aside. "Even amidst all this hubbub, I want to see them, darling. Especially with the photos you sent me earlier-"

Before he could press the matter, King Dedede grabbed his arm. "Sire, you've plenty'a time to see those guys!" he exclaimed, to King Toadstool's surprise. "Come on, dinner's gettin' ready! Me and K. Rool would love to have you join us!" Despite King Dedede's lively nature, his offer intrigued him so.

King Toadstool threw his hands up and followed Dedede into the dining hall. As Peach watched them disappear, she bit her lip. "He's one of those, isn't he?" Ike noted snidely. Though he shrugged it off, she felt conflicted. While she couldn't disagree with Ike, he'd also slighted her father's name. Marth shook his head, scolding Ike under his breath.

Ike caught wind of his disapproval, causing him to glare at Marth. As he asked Ike to drop the matter, Peach stepped between them. "Well, he is," she told Ike as Marth watched them. "But you just don't know him-" Peach sighed, her heart aching again. "Oh, why bother now? I'm sure you've your own issues with family and such-"

None among them could argue with her then. Of them, the thought struck Ike personally. "Forgive me, Peach," he lamented. "I'm just familiar with those like your father. Those so demanding, so uncouth despite their nobility." Peach nodded back, aware of her father's unaware nature. "Being around someone as they are leaves me uneasy, you know?"

"I understand, Ike," Peach replied as Marth and Roy nodded in turn. "Sometimes he frustrates me so much!" She turned away, partially concealing her face. "But I can't abandon him! He's my father, after all! I love him dearly, but-" She now faced Lucina, who gave her a knowing nod. Roy followed suit, peering at Chrom and Marth.

Peach's heart remained heavy to consider their collective fate, as well as her own. "Well, if you like," Marth suggested to her. "I can show him around the grounds. He seems to favor me the most." Even among his companions, none could deny Marth's status within the "smash" events. He could readily charm her father, if so inclined.

"Thank you for the offer, Marth," Peach replied. "But I'd like to keep my eye on him myself, so-" However, her thoughts broke apart when a call to dinner rose in the air. Peach peered to the dining hall's entrance, wondering how her father fared with King Dedede. With a quick wave to her companions, she ran to the hall, hoping for the best.

During his daughter's absence, King Toadstool had met with more royal fighters. Though Kings Dedede and K. Rool, he'd encountered Ganondorf and Palutena. They couldn't be any more opposite, encompassing darkness and light themselves. However, both held the authority that their fellow royals did, glad to yield it over their subjects.

As such, Palutena had Pit serve their group during dinner, fetching them food and drink. Ganondorf took advantage of him, calling for bottles of Chateau Romani and Berry Juice. As their group dined on herbed pasta and roasted meat, they drank his offerings in turn. They served to soften the minds of all, making them feel fine and merry.

Unaware of the Chateau Romani's strength, King Toadstool drank it eagerly. He soon lost himself to its effects, laughing alongside his companions. Any thoughts of Peach's family gave way to his own joy. He kept by Dedede's side as the others told tales about themselves. All seemed to live such exciting lives, be they for "good" or "evil".

While he couldn't agree with Ganondorf's ways, King Toadstool relished his taste then. It'd brought him this much joy, free of his concerns. As K. Rool discussed his battles with Donkey Kong, King Toadstool sought out more Berry Juice. He couldn't find it, as well as Pit. Palutena offered to seek him out, to which the king shook his head.

He got up, trying to sober himself up in turn. His new companions would be waiting for him otherwise; With a shake of his head, King Toadstool walked the dining hall. Though countless faces distracted him, he kept on moving. Pit was nowhere to be found, or so it seemed. Unable to accept that, the king ventured forward, only to come upon Luigi.

Having encountered him again, the king approached Luigi. He called to him, causing the other man to turn around. "Oh, your majesty!" Luigi cried out as Daisy watched him. "Did you need something, or-" King Toadstool shook his head, asking if he could sit by their pair. Though doubt painted his mind, Luigi offered him the empty seat nearby.

King Toadstool eased into it, only to speak in turn. "You're Mario's brother, I take it?" he asked as Luigi nodded back. The king eyed him over again, taking in their differences. Luigi was more tall and slim, whereas Mario was short and stocky. Even the features that were comical on Mario seemed more in place on Luigi.

Though he was still a "common" man, Luigi seemed more earnest than Mario was. The king smiled at him, having "approved" him from within. "Come, come," he called out to Luigi. "I've met so many others today, I'd like your company now! Tell me of yourself, of your ties to my Peach!" Luigi paused, only to shrug and speak to the king.

Though he was aware of Daisy's gaze, he couldn't refuse the offer of royalty himself. "Not much to say, I suppose," Luigi replied humbly. "Peach is-a good friend of ours. We go around the kingdom having fun most of the time. Sometimes she needs help, so me and Mario go to save her, and-" He paused, aware of the king's distaste.

"Oh, your brother," King Toadstool said with a hint of disgust. "He's an ostentatious one, isn't he?" Luigi stared at him blankly, causing the king to shake his head. "Well, 'cocky', then. He's rather brash, is he not?" Luigi's eyes flashed open, to the king's surprise. "Come on, Luigi, you must know it! He's always stealing the acclaim of others, and-"

Luigi shook his head frantically, defending his brother. "Don't doubt me, Luigi," the king demanded of him. "I can see it in his eyes! He thinks only of himself, coasting off the successes of others!" He slammed his fist on their table, his eyes bleary. "He's so coarse, going about in a white 'wedding' suit!" He scoffed to himself, his voice raspy.

"But, screw that!" King Toadstool exclaimed, to Luigi and Daisy's shock. "Why let Mario spoil our fun?" He eyed their table, only to push aside their plates. "I feel like a jig, to get it going on like Donkey Kong-" As he got on the table, Luigi tried to grab him. Meanwhile, Peach had entered the dining hall, seeking out King Dedede.

Upon reaching him, Peach paused to find her father. "You're too late," King Dedede replied. "Ya Pop's gone after Pit." As Peach shook her head, she eyed over their table's contents. Bottles of Chateau Romani littered it, its strength legendary within Hyrule. Given the bleary gazes of all present, they must've been drinking it profusely.

At that moment, Pit returned, holding a bottle of Berry Juice. He cried out to Palutena, saying that Peach's father was acting out of bounds. Peach's eyes snapped open, forcing her to ask Pit about it. He pointed to a distance, where her father danced upon a table. Struck by dismay and fear, Peach ran off towards him.

As she approached him, her "family" drew close as well. They'd meant to meet the king earlier, caught in their own duties. However, he seemed nothing like Peach's description prior. King Toadstool was beside himself with drink, swaying about. As he stuck his rear out, Peach struggled to get him down. She called to him as Ken joined her.

Neither could get a good grasp on him, given how much he wiggled about. Peach got atop a chair, trying to grasp his arms. Despite his glee, King Toadstool's state got the better of him. He stepped onto a wet plate, losing his grip. As he fell backwards, Ken dashed to catch him. The king soon met Ken's front, caught in his firm grasp.

"Oh, thank you, good-" the king slurred out. He peered at his captor, only to grin back. "Hey, you're Peach's husband!" Ken's grip loosened, allowing the king to step away. He reached for Ken's hand, his palm moist. Peach had stepped down from her chair, surrounded by Shulk, Young Link and Isabelle.

They studied her father, gripped by concern. As Ken shook the king's hand, he noticed Peach and her companions. "And you're the rest!" the king shouted, pulling away from Ken. He waved to them, to which they followed suit uneasily. "Hello, it's great to meet you all!" As he laughed to himself, Peach took a deep breath, her faith growing fainter.

Chapter Text

As the evening progressed, King Toadstool showed no efforts of sobering up; On the contrary, he'd grown even more raucous. Even if he didn't dance about, he was still erratic. While Ken had gotten him to sit down, the king revelled on, laughing loudly. Peach forced Ganondorf's drinks away from him, scolding him under her breath.

Though stunned, he couldn't deny her father's absurd behavior. It didn't suit a royal like himself, shaming Ganondorf as well. As he set his bottles aside, Peach tried to subdue her father. He remained adamant, easing her aside. The king scurried away, forcing Ken to chase him. Faced with the sight, their tension overwhelmed Peach.

Peach excused herself from dinner, gripped by a sickly shame. As she rushed away, her father seemed unaware of her dismay. He was still under the Chateau Romani's effects, swaying about. He'd returned to Dedede's side, slurring the words to Donkey Kong's rap alongside K. Rool. As they sang together, Peach slipped past them.

Her head was lowered, only making out bits and pieces of her companions. She passed by Marth's table, drawing his attention. As Ike stared at her, Marth sighed and got up. Within moments, he trailed behind Peach, joined by Luigi and Daisy in turn. Though aware of them, Peach was in no mood to face anyone then.

Their trio followed her, quelling the queries of anyone who questioned Peach. Marth lingered behind his companions, reminding all to respect Peach's privacy. He'd already offered his aid, his concerns present. He knew that Luigi and Daisy felt the same, given their close ties together. As King Toadstool kept singing, they left alongside Peach.

Soon enough, they'd reached Peach's chambers. She rose her head up, her eyes now reddened. Marth asked if he could aid her, to which she nodded back. "I appreciate your help," Peach replied shakily. "You're so kind to offer it, Marth. But you should attend to Father with Ken. Papa doesn't need to embarrass himself further!"

He nodded back, vowing to keep King Toadstool from any harm. As Peach watched Marth dash away, she felt Daisy's sight upon her. She shook herself off, motioning to Luigi and Daisy. "You might as well come in," Peach offered them. "Goodness knows I need some friends now." With a soft sigh, she opened her chambers to their pair.

As they went inside, Peach sat at her vanity. She slumped down a bit, her elbows on its table. "I just don't know what happened tonight!" Peach cried out. "What's gotten into Father? Has being in Subcon 'ruined' him so badly?" As she fell silent, Daisy set a hand on her back. Tears had begun to well in Peach's eyes, freeing themselves in anguish.

"Maybe Ike was right," Peach mused as they fell away. "What if Father's a bad man?!" She paused, trying to consider it from within. Though he'd been gone for a while, he'd never been this brash. He demanded much of her, but it was under good intentions. However, her father seemed so much more reckless now, disregarding even herself.

He'd even painted Mario in a bad light, given all he happened to come across. She couldn't blame it entirely on the Chateau Romani, given how he'd been prior. Peach's concerns towards her family had shifted then; Their ruse had worked, leaving the king none the wiser. However, it was that last part which troubled her the most.

If her father was in such a state, was it even worth it? Peach sensed a greater issue was afoot, one she hadn't imagined. She sobbed freely, her mouth agape. As Daisy consoled her, Luigi heard a knock at the door. He went to open it, only to see Mario standing by. "Can I come in?" he asked as Luigi stepped aside. Peach sat up, turning to see him.

Despite her sorrow, the sight of Mario forced it aside. She leaped up and rushed to his side. As Peach dragged him into a hug, Luigi shut the door after them. Mario held her in his arms for a moment, spinning her about. "It feels like forever since I've seen you!" she exclaimed. When Peach met the ground, she dabbed her eyes dry. "How've you been?"

"Ah, I'm-a holding up," Mario admitted. "I mean, it hasn't been that long!" Peach nodded to him, trying to calm herself yet again. "But, I saw what happened with your papa-" Her face fell again, her voice pleading. She dared not consider what chaos he brought then. Mario caught onto her worry, drawing Peach close to his side.

"Don't-a worry," he replied to her. "Your papa wore himself out, so Ken and Marth took him to his room." Relief washed upon Peach's face, glad for their aid. As she smiled at him, Mario pulled back and dug around his "inventory". He pulled out some plates of food, to the surprise of all. As he put them on her sitting table, Peach laughed aloud.

"Right, I haven't had dinner yet!" she remarked, glancing at the plates below. Mario nodded to her, moving some things away. Once the table was set, he invited her to it. Peach glanced to Daisy and Luigi, wondering if they'd stay then. Luigi shrugged it off, calling for their departure. They soon vanished, leaving Mario and Peach alone.

As Peach sat down to her herbed pasta, Mario offered her some Berry Juice. "Got it from Ganon," he said with a sly grin. "Figured he's not-a gonna need it!" She could only shrug, thirsting for its effects then. Anything was better than stewing in her given pain. Mario poured them both some, sitting besides her when he was done.

Soon enough, they ate their pasta, the Berry Juice cutting its richness. They faced an open window, the night's sky set within it. Both could see stars among it, gleaming like diamond shards. Though neither spoke then, both were glad for the other's company. Even with all that'd been earlier, they were grateful to be together at all.

All felt "perfect" then, just as Peach had desired for herself. She couldn't imagine a life without Mario, be it "false" or not. Despite her given facade, Peach fell against him, her touch tender. As she cradled his arm, Mario shut his eyes, wishing their moment would never end. Even if he had to leave her, they had this evening to treasure afterwards.

The next morning, King Toadstool had breakfast with his daughter, separate from the other fighters. He'd sobered up considerably, despite the Chateau Romani's residual effects. The king was aware of his mishaps, given what Marth had told him afterwards. Now gripped by shame, he vowed to maintain order, if only for Peach's sake.

He'd seen her weary gaze, the result of a restless night. King Toadstool couldn't impose on her and her clan further. He made a bad enough impression already, leading him to the day's mess. Peach was forced to introduce her family that morning, free from his chaos. He kept the thought in mind, even as they finished up their meal.

Afterwards, they ventured to the facility's courtyard, where her "family" had been gathered. It was a lush place that all could relax in, maintained by the fighters on a volunteer basis. As they passed by its collection of topiaries, Peach came upon the Mii Fighters trimming them into shape. She waved to them, to which they followed suit.

"Hi, Hannah!" Peach called out to the Gunner, who greeted her. Within moments, the Brawler and Swordfighter paused, drawn to her father's presence. Peach took notice of them, introducing them respectively. "Hello to you too! Papa, these two are Saul and Finn, who-" King Toadstool shook his head, assuring her that he knew their purpose.

"Ah, I understand, Peach," he said, eying the Mii Fighters over. "They maintain the grounds, correct?" They froze, with the Brawler and Swordfighter exchanging wary glances. Before Peach could correct him, King Toadstool spoke on. "You've done fine work out here! It must be quite the feat, caring for everyone about, and-"

His voice trailed off, leaving them unsure of how to react. The Mii Fighters were now as uneasy as Peach was, forcing her hand. "Father, no!" she exclaimed frantically. "They're not servants! They're fighters, like I am!" King Toadstool peered at her, only to study the Mii Fighters again. He apologized to them, softening their dismay a bit.

"Father, let's keep going," Peach suggested, dragging him away. "We don't want a repeat of yesterday, do we?" As King Toadstool stepped forward, she apologized to the Mii Fighters again. She couldn't help her father's ways, especially in such a setting. Their trio brushed it off, thinking it best they not get involved in the matter then.

Meanwhile, Peach and her father had gone on, surrounded by trimmed grass. The area was made for outdoor activities, of which some participated in. "And that's Pac-Man," Peach said, pointing across the way. "Oh, look, he's with Kirby!" The pair watched as Pac-Man tossed a baseball back and forth with Kirby, who jumped to catch it.

They were caught in a little game of sorts, one neither wanted to interrupt. However, Pac-Man noticed them, holding onto the ball. He waved to them with his free hand as Kirby ran to him. Kirby tried to capture it, only to see Peach and her father. He called cheerfully to them, waving in turn. Within moments, they ran up to Peach, greeting her.

Pac-Man spoke of his game, saying he did so with his son elsewhere. He enjoyed such moments, yearning for his family at their "smash" events. "Speaking of which," King Toadstool noted. "I wonder what yours is like, darling." Peach fell silent, cowed by his inquiry. She shot him a shaky smile, excusing herself from Pac-Man and Kirby.

"Ah yes, that-" Peach said, trying to regain her composure. She nodded to herself, only to see her companions within reach. As she waved to them, they followed suit, preparing themselves yet again. Peach brought her father to them, stopping sort of their group. Ken was the first to act, dashing to Peach and capturing her in his arms.

As he spun her about, she shut her eyes, laughing to herself. Once on the ground again, Peach shot Ken a playful grin. "Father, this is my family," she said, motioning to Ken and the others. "You've already met my husband, Ken." He reached for King Toadstool's hand, shaking it once more. When they pulled away, Peach spoke further.

"Yes, and these are our sons," she said as Shulk and Young Link drew closer. "Shulk is from Ken's first marriage, while Link is our own!" Shulk nodded politely to the king while Young Link waved at him. His gaze eased towards Isabelle, who grinned at him. "Oh, and that's our 'pet', Isabelle!" She waved as well, her eyes shut.

"Ah, splendid, splendid!" King Toadstool proclaimed, to their delight. "You've a lovely family, darling!" Peach smiled, setting her hand against her cheek. "I can't wait to spend more time with you all!" As he laughed to himself, Peach ushered her friends to her side. She spoke up, suggesting they take the afternoon to themselves.

"A fine idea, darling!" the king replied. He eyed her companions over, curious to their true personas. He thought them a "perfect' clan from Peach's pictures, but it could've been an illusion. Now that he stood among them, the king was sure of their loving devotion. He basked in their glory, glad for his daughter's good fortune and riches.

Chapter Text

True to Peach's word, all spent the rest of the morning in one another's company. They mostly played around, chatting as they did so. In the process, King Toadstool learned of Peach's marriage to Ken, how it'd come about. He accepted it readily, despite how "abruptly" it'd come. The king mused on it, now acutely aware of his absence.

"Has it been a decade?" he asked himself while watching Young Link and Shulk spar playfully. So much of his daughter's life had passed, as well as his own. Though King Toadstool felt no much older than before, the thought now unsettled him. Despite her youthful aura, Peach had become a mother. She'd already raised a son into childhood.

In turn, Peach had cared for Ken's other son as well. Shulk had grown into a fine young man, capable of anything. The king could only wonder what would become of him afterwards. Perhaps he'd take after Ken, defending the Mushroom Kingdom with the Monado. Perhaps not, but such matters could be dealt with in time.

For the moment, King Toadstool was content to be with his newfound "family". He didn't want to spoil the moment further for Peach. Though she seemed happier, a hint of pain remained in her eyes. She kept by Ken's side, seeking out his comfort. As they watched their "sons" spar, Isabelle and the king cheered them on.

"Let's take a break, boys," Peach said after their match. "It's time for lunch! Let's have it out here!" As Young Link groaned with jest, Ken approached him, shaking his head. He ordered him to obey his "mother", ensuring Young Link's silence. He and Shulk ran to one of the courtyard's washrooms to clean up before then.

Meanwhile, Isabelle got out some hand sanitizer. "Ah, a grand idea," the king said as she handed it to him. "Peach has trained you well, I see!" Though surprised, Isabelle shook it off. She'd kept silent during their meeting, unsure of the king's reaction otherwise. Peach said that dogs in her land didn't speak, forcing Isabelle's silence.

Despite her discomfort, she thought it easier to spare the king's feelings. Isabelle just passed the sanitizer around to Peach and Ken. As they rubbed their hands clean, a yawn escaped the king's mouth. "Oh, pardon me," he said. "I'm a bit weary from last night. Mind if I take a quick nap?"

Peach nodded, pointing at a tree he could rest under. The king grinned at them before walking to it. As he fell asleep, Peach peered at Ken. "Should I leave him here?" she asked him. "I don't want to bother him. Besides, what trouble can he get into now?" Before she could ponder it further, Ken and Isabelle offered their assistance.

"Don't worry, hon," Ken replied. "We'll keep an eye on the old man. Just take a breather, okay?" Peach nodded to him, thanking them for their help. As she stepped away, Young Link ran up to their pair. Ken ruffled the boy's hair, asking where Shulk was. He'd gone inside for a quick rest as well. Ken supposed he couldn't fault Shulk for that.

Their little spar had been quite the fight, silly as it was. He could just call Shulk back, if needed. With that in mind, Ken invited the others to sit on the grass besides him. They joined him, chatting leisurely among themselves. However, their talk was cut short as Isabelle grew aware of something. She eased up, causing the others to follow suit.

"Oh, dear," Isabelle said, glancing at her tablet. "The dining hall says lunch is ready! Everyone's expecting it out here!" She peered at the king, who was still asleep. "But we can't just leave him behind!" As she thought on the matter, Ken glanced at Young Link. He grabbed the boy, dragging him over to Isabelle. Though puzzled, he kept in place.

"Hey, here's something you can do," Ken said to the boy. "Watch over 'Gramps', okay?" Young Link's wary expression remained, forcing Ken's hand. "Come on, just make sure no one bugs him! I've gotta grab lunch with Isabelle, okay?" Though hesitant, the boy nodded. He'd seen worse elsewhere, having been tasked with more pressing issues than this.

Young Link figured he could handle this well enough. As Ken and Isabelle ran back to the facility, he stepped to King Toadstool. He remained in slumber, where time seemed to stall. The longer Young Link watched him, the more weary he grew. He slumped beside him, only to see some others nearby. His face lit up, glad for his other friends then.

As her "family" attended to other matters, Peach walked on to ease her nerves. Her ruse was going to plan, just as she desired. However, it couldn't shake her greater concerns. She went back to the topiaries and slumped onto a nearby bench. Having finished their work, the Mii Fighters approached her. As they stood by, Peach forced her gaze to them.

She apologized for her father again, but the Gunner shook it off. "Hey, no problem," she replied. "Happens to the best of us! But you look beat! What happened to you?" Their eyes locked, with Peach's dull and weary. As the Mii Fighters peered at her, her heart began to pound. She couldn't deny their curious gazes in turn.

"It's just my father," Peach admitted, her resolve wearing thin. "Ever since he came, everything's been a mess!" The Mii Fighters nodded to one another, recalling his visit. They'd only heard of his mishaps through others, their claims ludicrous. Their trio thought them too absurd to believe. However, Peach's weary gaze spoke to her truth.

"But we never got a chance to meet him!" the Brawler said. "Everyone else just told us afterwards! Is it true that he twerked?!" Peach's eyes shot open, to which she shook her head. As she reiterated the night's events, their trio listened with intrigue. They learned of his run in with Ganondorf's "poison" of choice, leading his to misdeeds.

"Oh, he's one of those, isn't he?" the Swordfighter remarked. As he made a drinking motion, Peach's jaw clenched. Aware of her unease, the Gunner jabbed him in the side. While he shook it off, the Brawler stepped to Peach. He tried to console her, only for her to turn away. As they watched over her, she balled her right hand into a fist.

"No, no, it's not that," Peach said somberly. "He's just been acting so absurd lately! I'm starting to doubt him-" Her breath hitched, her heart heavy. "I'm sick of making excuses for him! He should know better, even with how he is! He's a grown man!" She felt her skin grow hot, as though it'd burst. Peach faced the Mii Fighters, trying to calm herself.

"But enough about that," she said to them. "I just need something to distract myself with." The Mii Fighters agreed, their welcoming faces comfort enough to her. A smile crept onto Peach's face to consider it. "So, how are you all? How has 'online' battling suited you?" As their trio spoke of their tourneys, Peach sat back, glad for their company.

Meanwhile, Young Link ran with Ness, Lucas and the Inkling girl near Peach's father. He remained asleep, unaware of their play. Upon seeing him, the Inkling paused, taking in his sight. Like many others, she hadn't met him at dinner yesterday; She'd been caught in her own work, though she knew of the king's visit.

As the Inkling peered at him, Ness, Lucas and Young Link stepped to her. She felt their presence, backing away from him. She motioned to her friends, dragging them out of the way. Once sure the king couldn't hear her, she grinned mischievously. "So that's Peach's dad?" the girl asked Young Link. He nodded, to which she shook her head.

"Man, I don't get the big deal over him!" the Inkling groused. "Seems like everyone's goin' gaga over this dingus!" Though Young Link gave her a wary glance, he couldn't help but agree with her. All he'd seen the king do was bring Peach and his "family" anguish. It was all confusing, despite Peach's claims to the contrary.

"Hey, let's draw on him!" the Inkling said, to his surprise. Young Link shook his head, causing her to follow suit. "Why not, Link? He won't notice if we're quick with it! I can scrub it off!" She peered at Ness and Lucas, egging them on. They grinned, glad to join in. As their pair met Young Link's gaze, a strange thrill rose within him.

While the children adorned him with inky images, the Duck Hunt duo approached them. They'd been out for their daily walk alongside the Wii Fit Trainer. Though she'd left for a break, their pair continued to wander about. As they saw King Toadstool being painted on, the dog broke out laughing. He fell on his side, unable to contain himself.

Young Link heard him, now gripped by panic. He rushed to quiet the dog, only for Mario and Shulk to near the tree. Both sought out the dog, taking offense to his past misdeeds. While Mario voiced his concerns earlier, Shulk discussed his own then. "He's always had it out for me," he admitted to Mario. "After seeing me battle in my trunks, and-"

Mario paused to stare at him, his gaze blank. "But it's not important now," Shulk said, spotting Young Link nearby. "What would be is that blasted dog, as well as Link!" He pointed forward, drawing Mario's attention. They ran to the tree, where Young Link restrained the dog. The duck honked at him, trying defend her partner.

As she pecked at Young Link, Shulk grabbed her. The dog escaped Young Link's grasp, eager to attack Shulk. While the dog bit his legs, the duck wriggled away. She flew by King Toadstool, honking all the while. Their commotion was finally enough to shake him from his slumber. The king awoke, only to see Mario lunge at the dog and grab his ears.

The dog howled in shock, his face pained. "What is the meaning of this?!" the king roared. "What are you doing to that dog?!" Though the dog bit at him, Mario paused, struck by fear and shame. Given what the king's opinion, this would only lessen his reputation in his eyes. He eased off of the dog, releasing his ears.

"Your Majesty, it's not what it looks like!" Mario pleaded to the king. "I would never! I mean, he was, and they were-" Shulk stepped in, saying the dog had bitten him. Young Link nodded, calling for his friends. Neither of them answered him, to his ire. In their chaos, they'd left him. He peered at the king, wondering if he felt the ink on his face.

King Toadstool's rage seemed set on Mario alone, unaware of the images on him. He sighed with relief for himself, though their tension remained. Even with Shulk's pleas, the king remained furious. He stepped in front of Mario, screaming at him. The dog stood next to him, taunting them all. He laughed, drawing Young Link's own ire.

Meanwhile, the duck reached the Mii Fighters and Peach. As she quacked with frenzy, Peach stuck out her right arm. The duck landed on it, meeting her gaze. "What's wrong?" Peach asked her. "Is Hunter in trouble?" The duck motioned towards the tree, only to fly towards it. With a quick shrug, Peach got up and headed towards it.

The Mii Fighters trailed behind her, sensing the worst. Once there, she saw Mario standing by, trying to shield his face. Her father glared at him, sharply demanding answers of him. The Brawler smacked his head, his frustration all too familiar. "Not again, Hunter!" he scolded the dog. "How many times do I have to tell you?!"

As he peered at the creature, he sneered at the Brawler. Young Link stepped in, explaining their situation. The Brawler shook his head and reached for the dog's collar. As the duck quacked at him, the Gunner caught her. "You're not off the hook, either!" she said. "If you guys can't stop messing with people, you'll have to stay inside!"

Despite their efforts, King Toadstool's rage carried on. As the Mii Fighters carried the Duck Hunt duo away, their tension rose to its peak. The king was ready to attack Mario, poking his chest. "Father, just hear Mario out!" Peach cried out. "He only did it to save Link! That dog is nothing but trouble, getting into everyone's things!"

Shulk and Young Link stepped into the fray, affirming all she'd said. They showed off their bite marks, gained from the dog and duck prior. Though Mario tried to follow suit, the king knocked him away. As he rubbed his nose, Peach ran after her father. She was in tears now, making Mario's heart ache. Every impulse within him called for his aid.

However, he couldn't step in without risking Peach's safety or his own. Forced into submission, Mario could only watch her alongside his companions. "Father, just behave yourself!" Peach shouted to him. "We can sort this out later! Please don't ruin another day for everyone!" At that, the king paused, distraught by his daughter's teary face.

As he tried to console Peach, Ken and Isabelle returned bearing several food boxes. "Can ya believe it?" he asked to her. "Heaps of pasta again! I think I lucked out here-" Isabelle grinned at him, hinting that it was Mario's doing. As she spoke on the matter, Ken grew aware of the scene unfolding near them.

He drew Isabelle's attention to it, causing her to fall silent. With their boxes in hand, they rushed to to the tree. "Hey, what's going on?" Ken asked, peering at the king. "Why's everyone all shook up? And what's with your face?!" The king paused, now feeling the sticky fluid on him. He reached up to his cheek, lifting away some ink.

"Oh, you missed it," Shulk said to them. "But trust me, it was a real mess-" As he told them what'd been, the king tried to scrub his face. Peach handed him a handkerchief and turned away from him. Her own face was still wet, her eyes puffy. However, she couldn't let him "triumph" over her. He'd already caused enough trouble for them all.

She stepped to Ken, trying to dry herself against his top. As he held onto her, Isabelle fished out some tissues. Ken gave them to Peach, who wiped her eyes. She eased off of him, thanking Isabelle softly. All seemed too absurd to believe for them, leading Isabelle to seek out Mario. He couldn't be found, drawing her concern.

As she waved to Peach, Ken tried to lessen their tension. "Look, just forget this right now," he suggested to everyone. "Let's have some lunch, okay?" At his call, Isabelle fumbled around for some other items she'd pocketed. Within moments, she laid out a picnic cloth, where Ken set down their food. He called them down once more.

Peach obliged, despite her now drained appetite. She couldn't retreat from another meal with her father again. Even if he remained oblivious, she'd have to handle him herself. It was as she'd told herself before: She and her father were to blame for this, albeit in different ways. All was Peach's burden to bear, to see to whatever end came about.

Chapter Text

Following lunch, King Toadstool excused himself to his room. Though Peach trailed behind him, he refused her aid. "No, darling," the king told her. "I need a moment to myself. I'll leave you to rest after today's spectacle." She nodded back, silently jabbing Ken's arm. As the king departed, Peach told Ken to have Marth watch over her father.

"I'm sorry, but I trust Marth more than Papa now," she admitted softly. "If he won't listen to reason, he'll need supervision. I can't be with him at every moment!" Ken nodded to her and got out his smartphone. As he called Marth, Peach felt Young Link tug at her dress. As he apologized for earlier, she smiled at him. "Oh, it's fine, sweetie!"

The boy beamed at her, lessening Peach's tension a bit. "Aw, you're fine, everyone!" she said to her companions. "You can't really control fate, after all. Whatever will be, will be." Shulk nodded, well aware of such limitations. Even with his granted might, certain things were out of his reach. All he could do was his best whenever he could.

It was all either of them could do, given their circumstances. "Peach is right, everyone," Shulk noted. "Even if it's unexpected, we need to make do with what we're given." All agreed with him, as unsure of the situation as they were. As their group tossed out ideas, Peach's dismay rose. Her father's demands rang clear, pounding within her.

"It just won't work!" Peach said, breaking away from her "family". "Guys, it's not this I'm bothered by! It's my father!" She kept in place, her heart pounding. Peach was through crying about their situation, as much as it pained her. "We have to do something about him! If he keeps this up, he'll ruin his own name and mine!"

"So, what are we gonna do about it?" Ken asked her. "What's his deal, anyway?" Peach stared at him, unsure of how to answer the question. The control he wielded before had given way to unruliness and chaos. She wanted to believe in his ways, even if they were demanding. "Seems like something's always under his skin, like he's one of those-"

"That's enough, Ken!" Peach cried out, heightening his tension. "It's not like you're the first to say it! I'm sorry, but perhaps this was too much for him." To admit it brought a strange sense to her. While her father had imposed upon her, she followed his whims without question. Even if he couldn't admit it, this must have strained his limits.

"I suppose it must be alarming," she mused aloud. "To go into a new world, where you hardly know anyone else-" Ken couldn't help but nod, thinking of Ryu's invitation to their "smash" events. Though he'd refused by way of his family, Ryu's insistence wore him down. Ken presumed him wanting while in this realm.

Be it for battle or companionship, Ryu longed for his presence once more. Despite his hesitation, Ken joined their forces for his friend's sake. Though he enjoyed his fellow fighters' company, Ryu remained closest to him. "Yeah, but even so," Ken admitted. "Doesn't mean he can go around like he owns the place! I sure didn't, and I-"

"I understand, Ken," Peach replied. "But my father's so particular! He means well, but at what cost? I just-" She saw the concerned faces of her "family", pleading for her being. Even if their ties remained false, what she felt from them did not. She hadn't wanted to hurt anyone going into this. But most of all, she feared losing herself, all she embodied.

"Ah, you know what, everyone?" Peach asked of her companions. "I'm sick of worrying. For now, let's do something fun. What would you all like?" As their group tossed out ideas again, she smiled to herself. It really was the best she could do for her nerves then. Only in her best state of mind could she combat her father's reckless ways.

In his room, the king lay in bed, breathing heavily. He'd only distanced himself from Peach since his arrival. All he wanted to do was become one with her family. However, his anger had gotten the better of him, bringing shame upon them all. He recoiled with disgust, chastising himself. Before he could carry on, a knock rose through the air.

The king got up and answered the door, only to see Marth there. "Your Majesty, Princess Peach sent me," he remarked. "She's rather concerned for you. Might I come inside?" The king nodded, allowing Marth to step into his chambers. As he slumped back on his bed, Marth watched him from its side. "Is there anything you'd like right now?"

"My daughter's respect, I suppose-" the king said absentmindedly. He froze, sensing Marth's own discomfort. "But that's besides the point, Prince Marth. How's my Peach doing?" Marth shook it off, saying that he wasn't sure. King Toadstool peered at him, leading Marth to explain himself. He'd come on her behalf, called by Ken personally.

He hadn't seen Peach since last night. "Ah, he's a good man," the king said with a slight grin. "My Peach picked well with that one. He has fine boys, too. They're fit for royalty, just as you are." Marth smiled a bit, flattered despite his concern. However, he knew that wasn't their main focus then. "Oh, I've been a fool all this time!"

King Toadstool turned away from Marth, turning his back to him. "Perhaps I shouldn't have come here," he lamented. "I just wanted to see Peach and her family! If I'd known that this would be, I-" He breathed heavily again, feeling tears rise in his eyes. All had gone on long enough. Perhaps he'd been too harsh on Peach's companions, even Mario.

Even with his temperament, he had no reason to impose on the other fighters. Shame gripped his body, making him grow faint. As the king wept openly, Marth sat down on the bed. He stroked the king's back, trying to ease his pain. "Oh, it's no use," King Toadstool said. "What good am I here? None of you can understand my pain!"

"Your Majesty, if I may," Marth suggested. "Our facility has someone for such concerns." The king turned to Marth, his bleary gaze now curious. He grinned and reached for King Toadstool's hand. As he held it, Marth's eyes gleamed on. They radiated majesty, as well as comfort and control. Marth embodied the best of royalty, all that he desired.

Faced with his own shortcomings, he couldn't refuse the other man. "Is that so?" the king asked. As Marth nodded back, the king sat up fully. He asked Marth about their "specialist" in detail, hoping they could aid him. Marth spoke in turn, discussing how he'd helped his friends. Even Ike spent time with him, easing off of his own troubles.

"If you like," Marth pressed on. "We can visit him right now. He shouldn't be too busy, since no 'major' matches are planned." The king shot him a shaky smile, trying to calm himself down. "Now, would you like to wash up beforehand?" He nodded to Marth and eased out of the bed. Within moments, the king left his chambers alongside Marth.

As they walked the facility's halls, he wondered what their "specialist" was like. Marth had praised him a fair bit, his skills second to none. However, the king had his doubts. Perhaps his reputation had been built up from weary patients. After all, any relief would be good after a long battle. Nevertheless, he couldn't refuse Marth then.

The other man had gone to far too much trouble on his behalf already. As he apologized to Marth, he just shook his head. "Your Majesty, it's no trouble," he said. "I just want to ensure your safety while here. That's all I wish for anyone who enters our 'realm'." The king nodded back, grateful for Marth's aid. Perhaps he could regain his true self soon.

"Ah, we're here-" Marth said as he stopped in front of a door. He knocked at it, to which it opened up. Little Mac staggered outside, dazed from combat. "Oh, is the Doctor 'open' now, Mac?" Little Mac nodded, allowing Marth to step aside. He followed suit as the king peered at them. "Your Majesty, go on in. The Doctor's waiting for you!"

King Toadstool nodded to Marth, thanking him for his aid. As he went inside, Little Mac left alongside Marth. Neither were quite sure what would come of the king's meeting, hoping for the best. Meanwhile, King Toadstool walked about the office, its scope oddly comforting. As he studied its bright space, he caught another's attention.

A nearby figure turned to him, his eyes bright. There stood a man just as Mario was, albeit in medical garb. The king shook his head, trying to make his image fade away. However, the other man approached him. "Good afternoon!" he said with good cheer. "I'm-a Dr. Mario! How can I-a help you today?"

Chapter Text

"Has Marth screwed me over?" the king thought to himself uneasily. As he stood about, Dr. Mario reached out to shake his hand. Though he accepted it, his mind was on edge. King Toadstool wasn't sure this wasn't just Mario in a new guise. If it were so, his suspicions would be confirmed. Mario would be pure scum for tricking him so.

However, the king released Dr. Mario's hand and bowed to him. "Ah yes, Doctor," he said warily. "Prince Marth sent me for your services. What he didn't tell me was your uncanny resemblance to-" Dr. Mario gave him a knowing grin, nodding back. The king studied him, seeking out any differences from the Mario he knew.

"But of course," Dr. Mario replied back. "Everyone and their mother says that!" As he laughed to himself, the king eyed him on. "But I also see how you're lookin' at me. Be assured, I'm not-a Mario! Well, not exactly-" The king's eyes narrowed, his face even more stern. "You see, I come from another world where Mario's a doctor."

"Really, there was such a world?" King Toadstool asked. Even with his limited knowledge of other realms, parallel worlds seemed too absurd to bear. The Mario he knew hardly seemed qualified for brutal combat. To imagine him as a doctor was too far out of bounds. As he shook his head, Dr. Mario glanced upward with a grin.

"Well, of course!" he said, his voice now lyrical. "In it, I am Dr. Mario and I am 'saving' lives! Brightly colored pills! They'll cure all your ills-" He paused and shook his head. "Couldn't help myself there! Anyway, what've you come for?" Dr. Mario eyed the king over, noting his sullen face. "You seem tense! Has anything been of concern lately?"

He eyed over Dr. Mario in turn, wondering if he knew of his past mishaps. The doctor's eyes hinted not at his knowledge, only compassion. Even if he resembled Mario, he was willing to help him out. "Doctor, it's like this," the king admitted. "Ever since my arrival to here, I've been a mess! I keep getting myself into trouble and upsetting my Peach!"

Dr. Mario nodded to him, mulling it over. "So, I decided to come to you," King Toadstool pressed on. "Of all present, you're suited for such things! So, what of it, Doctor? Can you help an old man out?" He nodded to the king again and sent him to his lengthened sofa. As he got onto it, Dr. Mario sat at a nearby chair and picked up a clipboard.

"Just-a make yourself cozy," he said to the king. "Then we can begin!" Dr. Mario offered him some water or pillows, which King Toadstool declined. He'd gotten himself at ease in the sofa, ready for their session. The king nodded to Dr. Mario, spurring him on. He asked King Toadstool to speak candidly, revealing what bothered him so.

"Again, it's like this," the king said, his voice strained. "I've caused nothing but trouble for Peach since I got here!" He took a quick breath, trying to calm himself. Dr. Mario sat by, watching him carefully. Despite his uncanny resemblance, the doctor's eyes were earnest and kind. King Toadstool began to feel at ease, ready to speak honestly.

"I don't know what's the matter with me!" he admitted. "I just wanted to see her family. I wanted to know about my heirs, holders to our legacy-" Dr. Mario nodded to him, urging him to speak on. "But now that I have, it all feels so strange! As though I'm not worthy of them! I don't mean to be so coarse, but something feels off about it all!"

From within, Dr. Mario paused with concern. He wondered if the king could sense their collective ruse, leading to his erratic ways. However, he shook it off, opting to speak on. "I understand," he replied back. "It's-a lot to take in, I take it?" The king couldn't help but chuckle, despite his dismay. "But, just-a why do you think that, your Majesty?"

His face fell, unsure of himself. "I can't quite say," the king admitted. "Well, they're a wonderful family. Anyone would praise them as their own!" He paused then. "Perhaps that's the matter here. I don't feel like they're my own." Dr. Mario fell silent, mulling over his concerns again. Before he could act upon them, the king spoke again.

"I suppose it makes sense," he said, grasping his chin. "After all, I've been gone for so long! I've missed so much of her life already-" The king sighed, shutting his eyes. "They might as well be strangers to me." Through his darkness, he pictured his own wife, how she'd react to Peach's clan. Though his daughter was glad, all seemed so fragile then.

It was like a grand illusion pulled on him, one which pained his heart. The king opened his eyes, aware of Dr. Mario's gaze once more. "You know, I recall something now," he admitted. "It's about my Peach. It may be silly, but-" The doctor nodded once more, allowing him to speak. With a quick breath, King Toadstool followed suit.

"I'm not sure if you know," he said with a grin. "But she used to dye her hair red! Said it wasn't a 'phase', but we know that turned out!" As he laughed to himself, Dr. Mario got his clipboard and wrote on it. Despite his own concerns, the king's troubles intrigued him so. He'd heard of a redheaded Peach before, but knew not of her origins.

Dr. Mario presumed the king knew about it, given his ties to her. As he questioned King Toadstool about it, his gaze fell. "See, I bring it up for a reason," the king replied. "I think she did it because of her mother." Dr. Mario stopped writing, his focus set on the king. He nodded to the doctor, now gripped by a deep, aching sorrow.

"Peach never really knew her," the king said. "Cherise passed when she was just a baby. Besides, it was an awful time for all of my kingdom!" He paused, only to ease up. As his gaze locked onto the doctor's, an ache rose through King Toadstool's heart. "What with her abduction by Kamek's hand and all! We were all worried sick about our Peach!"

As Dr. Mario considered it, the king pressed on. "Thank heavens the Yoshi clan saved her!" he said, holding back his tears. "I don't know what we would've done otherwise! Even my men had no means to rescue all those children! I wish them well, even after this long-" Dr. Mario paused, having recalled what he knew of that time.

Years ago, Kamek had stolen the Mushroom Kingdom's babies, seeking out seven "star children". It'd been a monumental tragedy back then, sweeping Mario and his comrades within it. While all the children were recovered, it set a precedent for the kingdom. Vast measures were taken to ensure nothing of that scale happened again.

Dr. Mario hailed from a different world than the king knew, distancing himself from the incident. However, he could understand the Mushroom Kingdom's pain, especially at the time. "I am forever indebted to the Yoshi clan," King Toadstool admitted. "They brought us to this point, after all. Well, they and a 'grand' child, but I never believed that talk."

"After all, what sense does it make?" the king pondered. "You expect me to believe tales of a 'super' baby fighting alongside the Yoshis?!" His grief gave way to distaste, like that he held for Mario. All Dr. Mario could do was listen, scribbling notes on his clipboard in turn. Any concerns he had for the king had answered themselves through his talk.

As Dr. Mario kept silent, King Toadstool took a breath to calm himself. "Anyway, I've gotten off topic," the king said. "What was I-" Dr. Mario's gaze remained, as comforting as ever. The past's wounds were upon him again, threatening his being. However, King Toadstool held them close, yearning to subdue them, once and for all.

"I believe you were discussing Peach's mama-" Dr. Mario noted. He held onto his clipboard, watching the king carefully. King Toadstool nodded back, trying to cast his troubles aside. "How she never really knew her." The king gritted his teeth, reeling with a flood of memories. Even with its issues, the past held a familiar allure, one he craved.

"If it's not too much-a trouble," Dr. Mario suggested. "Why don't you tell me about her?" King Toadstool peered at him, torn between his desires. The doctor seemed aware of his turmoil, leaning in close. "Tell me about the good things you had. You really loved her, didn't you?" The king nodded once more. "Well, tell me for her sake, then."

Spurred into action, the king dug out his smartphone. Peach had set it up for him back him back home; In turn, she'd also transferred several cherished photos of his onto it. As King Toadstool swiped its screen, Dr. Mario glanced down at it. Having found an image, the king showed it to him. It pictured him in his youth, alongside a woman.

She held a striking beauty, her form voluptuous. Rich auburn locks framed her fair face, set in layers. Her eyes were like the sea itself, beckoning to all. "Oh, she's as pretty as a-" Dr. Mario said, his voice trailing off. The king nodded to him, saying that she evoked Peach's glamour. "She seems like quite a woman. What was she like, your Majesty?"

"My Cherise was a wonderful woman," the king said wistfully. "She was so fair and kind, befitting royalty itself. She made an excellent Queen for my kingdom." A smile rose on his face, softening it. "She adored our Peach as well. Always hoped she'd be a ruler of the people, like she was-" The sorrow in his gaze flickered, his chest now tight.

"I suppose Cherise got her wish," King Toadstool murmured. "As have I. But it just feels so strange-" He peered down at the smartphone, with his wife's image gazing back. She was as cheery as ever, fixed in time. Though he cherished her memory, the king knew it was just that. Time had passed for them all, even if he didn't feel as such personally.

With it came change, reflecting life's shifting ways. However, the king had to reconcile them, alongside his whims. Very little in life matched up with one's desires, even for those like himself. "But perhaps that's my own issue here," King Toadstool said. "I insisted this upon my Peach, after all! I know it was wrong to push her, but-"

"I understand, your Majesty," Dr. Mario chimed in. "It's a lot to take in, especially with your absence-" The king nodded back, speaking of his time in Subcon. He'd been forced there by Wart's hand, as part of a compromise. To prevent intrusion from Subcon's folk, he'd gone to negotiate with Wart. However, their talks dragged on for an eternity.

Subcon's space reacted to time differently than the other kingdoms present; What felt like a year there translated to a decade in the Mushroom Kingdom. Though the king had gained Wart's support, it'd come at a great loss. As Dr. Mario wrote in on his clipboard again, the king sighed. "I'm so sorry," the doctor replied. "I hope it's worked out, but-"

He paused, trying to consider such a thing. Perhaps that was the root of King Toadstool's issues; It wasn't that Peach's "family" were strangers, but that he felt like one himself. "Tell me, your majesty," Dr. Mario urged him. "What do you really think about all this?" He set his clipboard down, meeting the king's gaze directly. "Can you accept it fully?"

"After all, a lot has happened for everyone here," Dr. Mario said. "Not just your own family." The king nodded back, lost to his thoughts. Perhaps they'd been amplified because of Subcon's ways. He knew of the rumors, how its space toyed with the conscious and subconscious being. Perhaps his own being had been warped by it.

Having spent so much time in its altered reality must've affected him in turn. Though the king knew not its truth, his feelings remained. All he wanted was Peach's safety, as well as her joy. "I understand, Doctor," King Toadstool confessed. "It is a lot to take in, but I do accept it. There's no use in concealing such things. My issues are mine alone here."

As Dr. Mario nodded to him, the king continued. "I've no right to drag Peach or her family into them," he said. "I've behaved foolishly. My emotions have gotten the better of me, I feel-" He paused, feeling Dr. Mario's hand against his own. Their eyes met, the doctor's brimming with concern. "And I apologize for that, Doctor. I'm sorry for all I've done-"

"Don't-a tell me, your Majesty-" Dr. Mario noted, to the king's surprise. As his eyes snapped open, the doctor grasped his hand. "Tell your daughter, tell her family. They need to know how you feel!" The king nodded with vigor, springing up from his seat. Though surprised, Dr. Mario held onto him, offering support as he got onto his feet.

Soon, he stood by the doctor, embracing him tightly. "Thank you, Doctor!" the king said. "Thank you so much! I know what to do now-" Dr. Mario grinned, patting his back. King Toadstool felt his tears rise again, despite his conflicted feelings. Though his doubts lingered, they'd given way to glee. As they pulled away, he grinned at Dr. Mario.

"I've more to speak about," the king admitted. "But that can wait! You'll be seeing me again." Dr. Mario nodded back, preparing himself for the occasion. "But for now, I need to see Peach, tell her I've been a fool." He took a quick breath before stepping to the office's door. Dr. Mario followed him, keeping watch over the now joyous king.

As the king prepared to leave Dr. Mario's office, a knock sounded at its door. The doctor opened it, only to see Corrin there. King Toadstool eyed her over as she was ushered in. "Ah, you're just-a on time!" Dr. Mario said cheerfully. "Forgive me, I was-a talking to the king. We ran a bit late-" As the king studied her, Corrin gave him a quick wave.

"I won't intrude on you two," she said with a coy grin. "I'm just here for my acupuncture session!" Corrin pointed to her bare feet, wiggling her toes a bit. The king nodded to her, turning back to Dr. Mario. He wrapped the doctor in his arms, thanking him again. As he pulled back, he saw Corrin's appreciative gaze. "He got you too, didn't he?"

The king nodded again, glad for Dr. Mario's aid. Even if some of his tension remained, he felt more at ease. "I'm glad, King Toadstool!" Corrin exclaimed. "I hope the rest of your visit goes well!" He peered at her, nodding in kind. With a spry grin, he left Dr. Mario's office. As he stood alongside Corrin, Dr. Mario shook his head.

"So, what were you talking about?" Corrin asked the doctor. As he discussed what the king had earlier, she nodded knowingly. "Ah, I see. Peach was in the midst of a great turmoil, too?" Dr. Mario nodded back as Corrin dwelled on the matter. "I never would have guessed! I suppose she doesn't like speaking of such things-"

Dr. Mario shrugged, opting to usher Corrin to the sofa. "What about the king, though?" Corrin mused out loud. "What was ailing him? Do you think he suspects anythi-" The doctor shook his head frantically. Corrin eased away, allowing him to seat her. As he prepared her feet, Dr. Mario dove into the heart of their situation.

Despite his boisterous nature, the king's mind was rather tormented. He had a great deal to reason with, only compounded by Peach's ruse. "It must be hard to hold such doubts," Corrin said. "I can't imagine-" She paused, considering her own upbringing. Corrin could admit she and Peach shared aspects of it, though her fate had differed.

However, a chill ran down her spine to dwell on the matter. Where King Toadstool had acted out of love, her adopted father had in greed. She had difficulty imagining it from the parents' side, given her own. It stood to reason that King Toadstool would be brash with his concerns. Even so, Corrin couldn't fault his intent, one born out of desperation.

As she fell silent, Dr. Mario peered at her. "It's-a lot to take in, Corrin," he said. "Even for me, it's quite the doozy! But he really does care about Peach. He wouldn't have been in Subcon so long otherwise!" Corrin gasped, her eyes now wide. "Trust me, it's a long story. But I can tell you if you'd-a like during our session-"

She nodded back, allowing the doctor to speak once more. He pulled away, only to take off his gloves. After a quick drink and application of sanitizer, he returned to Corrin. "It's like this," Dr. Mario said as he fetched his needles. "After the kingdom's babies were returned-" Corrin listened with intrigue, losing herself to thoughts not quite so alone.

Chapter Text

Following his time with Dr. Mario, King Toadstool roamed the Smash Facility, seeking Peach. His thought felt much clearer, allowing some peace of mind. Even if what he'd seen alarmed him, he had to accept it eventually. He had no use in denying such things, as strange as they were. He'd done so before, following his wife's death and its turmoil.

In time, he and his kingdom recovered from their shared tragedies. He'd remained long enough to see its aftermath and effects. While the Mushroom Kingdom did recover, all served as a reminder of its grim past. The king hoped that Peach's leadership paved the way for better times. He'd gotten glimpses of it prior, alongside Toadsworth's reports.

He'd informed King Toadstool of their kingdom's status back home; Despite her run-ins with King Bowser of the Koopa Kingdom, Peach had stayed strong. She'd even united their kingdoms through massive charity events. The king recalled that much, given what Toadsworth told him. However, he knew some revolved around racing and party games.

From what he'd seen, Mario's influence was present in some of the featured tracks and "boards". The king shook it off, believing it more a favor to him than anything. Even if he didn't agree with it, he'd acted out of line. He needed to apologize for himself to Mario, as well as Peach. King Toadstool walked about, seeking refuge from his own troubles.

However, he learned that the facility's fighters were in a meeting. The king accepted it, having glimpsed such events prior. He knew the fighters had important matters to deal with, those he had no say in. The king shrugged it off, opting to walk about the facility. Until the time was right, he could give his own "updates" to his staff back home.

Back at the facility's round table, all sat to discuss their usual "updates" and the like. However, Mario had been silent through their meeting, his focus elsewhere. He only nodded vacantly, agreeing with some unseen force. No one was sure why she was so, not even Peach. She couldn't stand such a sight, seeking answers from her beloved.

"Mario, what's wrong?" Peach asked, calling out to him. As she waved to Mario, he remained unaware. He only nodded and smiled, his face stiff. Peach shook her head, gripped by her father's distaste. She could only imagine how it made him feel to be so villized. Within moments, Peach stepped to him, her gaze locked on his own.

Before she could speak, Mario peered at her and grinned back. "Okey-dokey, I'll-a call you back!" he said, setting his hands down. His focus returned to Peach, who fretted over him. He laughed, only to pluck some plastic buds from his ears. Relief fell upon Peach's face, now aware he chatted through his new phone system.

"I see how you're lookin' at me!" Mario said for all to listen. "See, I got these-a 'pods' from our sponsors. I've been testing them out, to see if they're good." He held up the devices, allowing all to study them. "It's-a two birds with one stone, too! The sponsors called about something they wanna try." The crowd's focus shifted back to him.

"But it's not the pods, though!" he announced. "I've-a got some news, everyone! Our sponsors wanna try out a new mode for 'Smash'!" The crowd spoke among themselves, wondering what it could be. Some speculated the return of the "Stadium" mode, with games like the "Home Run Contest". However, Mario shook his head sternly.

"No, it's-a nothing like that!" he called to them. "This is something we've never done before!" Mario took a quick breath to ease his nerves. He faced their crowd, speaking once more. "They wanna try a 'racing' mode! Fighters will go against each other in a star-studded kart race! Now, they want-a the first in a few weeks, to test it out-"

Upon hearing his news, Sonic's eyes lit up, joined by a broad smile. He was besides himself with joy, to Mario's teasing disgust. As he shook his head, Sonic dashed to him and grabbed Mario's right arm. "You're finally on my level now!" Sonic shouted with a boisterous laugh. "I can't wait to see you bustin' your butt out there!"

He dragged Mario close to him, laughing all the while. "Don't-a push it, Sonic," Mario said, eyeing him over. "Just you see when this blows up in our faces!" With a quick grin, Sonic pulled away from him, opting to stand nearby. Mario peered at their crowd, now dismayed by his admission. "I'm not-a bluffing him, that's just it!"

Their crowd spoke among themselves, questioning such a thing. "I don't think there's enough time to do this!" Mario said, his eyes wide. "Not-a safely, at least! Even if our sponsors want it, we have to look out for ourselves!" He unrolled a nearby scroll, setting it down. Prototypes for the proposed racing track lay on the table, silently taunting him.

"I can't imagine what we'll-a do if something happens," Mario admitted wearily. "I just can't-a let that happen to you guys. Even Sonic-" As Sonic shrugged, the other fighters agreed with Mario. They could only speculate who among them would take part in it. Some had participated such tournaments before, like Isabelle and the Inklings.

To most, the concept was foreign to them, outside of their given realms. As the crowd stared at him, Mario detailed their sponsors' demands. The race was to take place on the facility's own grounds; Its surrounding area boasted a vast canyon, previously used for promotional films and such. It would be refitted to support a track like Mario's own.

Mario showed the prototypes to all, who marveled at its grand scale. Their own "Titan Canyon" would be transformed in full. The crowd studied them, now aware of Mario's concerns. Even with their sponsors' aid, it seemed too sudden. Peach nodded to her beloved, recalling their own issues with "Mario Kart" tournaments of old.

"Yeah, she's right," Sonic noted. "If this blows up, we'll be in a world of trouble! And that's no good!" As his pointer finger rose up, the crowd's chatter resumed. "Besides, it's not like Mario knows anything about speed-" His voice broke off as he met Mario's burning gaze. As his eyes narrowed, a raucous spark rose within them, their target clear.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Mario shot back. "I may not be-a flashy like you, but I know my sports!" He scoffed, getting out of his seat. Sonic sneered at him, ready for another "spar" of theirs. "I know what-a works here! All our-a 'Nintendon'ts', we learned from your sponsors-" Sonic stood by him again, his gaze fierce.

"Yeah, stick to your guns, 'old man'," Sonic teased him. "Just-a do what you always do, again and again-" Mario glared back, pulling him closer. As they stood together, that racuous energy smothered them. Though Sonic had spurred it into being, either could stop it. However, neither felt the need to, readying their own brand of insults.

As Mario and Sonic taunted each other, Peach took Mario's seat. The crowd turned to her, aware of Mario's new distraction. "Actually, I've an announcement, too-" she said, drawing their intrigue. She grinned back, waving at them. "I'd like to do something for everyone! For all your help, I'd like to treat everyone to a special dinner!"

Their crowd broke into wild applause; Though Mario and Sonic's battle continued, she carried on. "I was thinking of a potluck," she suggested. "So everyone can bring things from their homelands. I'm not sure of the theme, though. Perhaps a weenie roast, or a fish fry-" She stopped short, having spotted the Inkling girl enter their space.

As she took her seat, Young Link glared at her. Though Peach ordered him to behave himself, her voice faltered. "Father?!" she asked of him. "Why are you here again?! This is the second-" As Peach's eyes went wide, her "family" readied themselves to step in. The king stepped to her, his gaze purposeful. He grasped her hands, his touch tender.

She kept in her seat, questioning him once more. "Fear not, darling!" he said. "Dear Inez invited me, alongside herself-" Peach turned to the Inkling girl, who sheepishly nodded back. She shook her head, reasoning that it was an apology for earlier. Peach nodded to her, silently urging her to keep put. She followed suit, ignoring Young Link's own ire.

However, he refused to let it go. Within moments, he stood by her, still glaring. As they tried to sort it out, the king spoke up. "All said, I've much to confess," he said. "I spoke with Dr. Mario earlier, and he helped sort out some concerns of mine." Peach nodded back, feeling her tension return. However, she sat up, entranced by his gleaming gaze.

It seemed tender then, full of concern and love. She knew it by heart, how it rose from his dismay. The king was besides himself with grief, now ashamed of himself. Peach smiled at him, glad for Dr. Mario's help. "I'm sorry for how I've been, darling," he said, prying his hands away. "I know I was out of line before. Can you forgive me, Peachy?"

"I suppose so-" Peach mused. "After all, we've no use for such worries." As her heart raced, she saw Young Link and the Inkling girl fighting. They shoved each other around, hollering in turn. Though those nearby tried to break them up, they resisted their efforts. With a weary sigh, Peach stepped to them. She yanked Young Link away, her gaze cold.

"Like I was saying," she said to the boy. "There's no use for regrets or petty fighting here! Let's try and fix this like adults-" Before Peach could continue, Mario and Sonic barreled towards her. Their own battle had carried on, forcing them to the table below. As they rolled on it, King Toadstool watched them with awe and surprise.

He ran up to his daughter, stunned by their brazen display. Even with his joyful mood, he wasn't sure what to make of Mario. Perhaps he hadn't meant to attack that dog earlier in ill will. Shulk and Young Link had been wounded by his own attacks. The king couldn't fault Mario for stepping in then. However, his current battle was one of pure pride.

He'd caught wind of their taunts earlier, with Mario tongue-lashing Sonic. Of what he'd heard, they were rather cutting jabs. The king could only wonder how Sonic saw it all, given Mario's claims. He seemed to hold his own ground, fighting against Mario. His thoughts were cut short as Mario and Sonic pulled back for breath.

They lay on the table, with all watching them carefully. However, Sonic was the first to notice King Toadstool's questioning gaze. He sat back, his eyes wide as Mario adjusted himself. Sonic reached for Mario's arm, drawing his attention. He brushed it off, only to hear Peach call to him. Mario turned to her, only to turn red at the king's sight.

Silence swept their space as Mario studied the king. Though he remained wary, his wasn't a face of anger. It was one of disappointment, chiding him from within. With a sheepish smile, Mario got off of their table. "I'm-a sorry, your Majesty," he apologized. "Things just got out of-a hand with Sonic here-" As he got onto his feet, Sonic nodded.

"Don't worry, it's all-a good!" Mario said to all. He brushed himself off, easing their room's tension. "Anyway, today's meeting is adjourned! We can discuss the big race later on-" Their crowd broke into polite applause, excusing themselves. As they exited, Peach and her father followed suit. Only Mario and Sonic were left to stand in their space.

As Mario shook his head, defeat washed upon him. He'd only lowered himself in the king's eyes again. "Every time, man!" Sonic lamented, to his rival's surprise. He met Mario's gaze, his eyes bright with concern. "Every freakin' time, man!" As Mario sighed somberly, Sonic drew him close. Mario fell against his side, silently glad for his support.

"Ya just can't win with him, can ya?" Sonic mused aloud. "Geez, what are you gonna do, man?" Mario eased away, meeting his rival's gaze again. At that point, all he wished for was a bit of luck. Only then could the king see him as he truly was. Though his attitude had softened, all seemed to conspire against him. "I'm sorry for pushing ya, though-"

"I appreciate that, Sonic," Mario replied back. "You're a big man for admitting it-" He patted Sonic's back, playfully ruffling his spikes. "But I just-a don't know!" He peered in the distance, mulling over it all. Peach had left with her father, still fretting over him. Though they had matters to discuss, Mario wasn't sure how he tied into them at all.

He could only hope for a chance to defend himself once all had settled down. However, he wasn't sure if the time would ever come. Between his work and their upcoming race, his time was scant. As Mario voiced his concerns, Sonic nodded in kind. "Hey, you're the big man here-" Sonic said, poking at Mario's belly. "But I'm sure you'll get outta this!"

While Mario eased him away, Sonic grinned at him. "You always do, man," he admitted, his voice growing soft. "You're always here for us, Mario. Even me-" Mario peered at his rival, cowed by his appreciation. Even with their past history, he knew Sonic could come through in dire times. They'd helped one another before, with threats large and small.

Even if the future remained uncertain, they had the other's support now. It was a far cry from the days of old, but were glad for it. "Thank you, Sonic," Mario replied. "I'm glad for your help. But we'll just have to-a see." Sonic nodded back, ushering him to the door. With a nod back, Mario walked alongside him, leaving their day's strife behind.

Chapter Text

Once they'd left their roundtable, Peach and her father retired to his quarters. His joyful demeanor remained, albeit more subdued. His concern had clouded it, heavy upon his heart. However, King Toadstool needed to confess all that he felt to Peach. It was the least he could do to make up for his reckless behavior.

As Peach made herself comfortable, she peered around her father's room. It was a standard space, made to house any unexpected guests or "newcomers". Despite its plain, pale walls, her father brought his own touches to his space. Several items from back home littered the shelves, alongside images plastered on the very walls.

Peach's gaze fell upon the pictures, featuring many she knew from her homeland. She grinned to see them, feeling so distant from them already. She forced the thought aside, surveying them further. However, her heart ached when she saw her own photos. They were the very ones she'd taken with her "family" days ago, so festive and free.

To gaze upon them furthered their illusion in her mind; If she hadn't known better, Peach would've thought them her own kin. Given their tremendous aid, she felt it was so in a strange way. Her "family" had been so thoughtful the last couple of days, making her heart flutter. It seemed like they were all in it for the long haul, no matter the cost.

Peach beamed at the thought, glad for their support. Her heart skipped a beat as she considered it for her companions; All had been so generous, aiding her through their collective ruse. Even if they weren't her blood, they felt like true family to her. Peach sighed with relief, grateful for their aid. The least she could do was help them in turn.

Such was the thought as she and the king sat at his table; He'd poured them some of Peach's favorite tea. As he offered a cup to her, his eyes held the same concern they had earlier. "I'm glad we can talk, darling," King Toadstool admitted. "There's so much I need to tell you." Peach nodded, setting the cup down and sweetening its contents.

The king watched her, feeling a jolt in his heart. Once she'd gotten her tea ready, Peach urged him to speak up. "But of course, sweetie!" he said, teasing her. Peach sipped at her tea, choking back a scoffing laugh. In his more jovial moods, her father was one to joke around. Sometimes he went too far, but she knew it was in good fun.

That was what she hoped for from him, that return to form. Even with all his mishaps, Peach knew her father meant well enough. He was just out of his element in their world of "Smash", it seemed. She drank her tea, hoping he'd gotten the help he needed. "As I said earlier," the king noted. "I've spoken with Dr. Mario, who has aided me greatly."

Peach nodded again, encouraging him to continue. "He talked me through all I've felt lately," he said. "Including my concerns with our state of affairs." Peach motioned to him, urging him on. "Yes, about that. It's been a long decade, Peach. Honestly, when I returned, I wasn't sure what to expect." The king paused, only to drink his own tea.

Its honeyed warmth soothed his senses, easing his inner tension. As he set his cup down, Peach's eyes bore into him. "All I knew was that the kingdom was yours to rule," the king said. "And you've done a fine job of that, darling!" Peach grinned, feeling her skin grow warm. "You've formed your own alliances, protecting our land from harm!"

Though Peach shied away a bit, the king shook his head. "Don't be so modest, darling!" he teased her. As Peach scoffed it off, he pressed on. "You're just like your mother!" She froze, struck by his claims. Though she knew of her mother, Peach had no true memories of her. All her life, Queen Cherise had been more of a notion to her, rather than a parent.

Peach couldn't fault her for that, given her untimely demise. However, her presence seemed to linger within her own castle. Memories of a past she barely knew danced on, vivid in her father's mind. She shut her eyes, imagining him with the queen and their subjects. Even with their past troubles, all seemed so glad and cheerful then.

It was all one could want of life, making her heart ache. Even her father's own troubles hadn't worn him down, striking as they were. Peach mused on the matter, recalling her childhood. Though it'd been a happy one, restraint also marked it. She knew it well from the king's demands, protecting her so. However, the same applied for him as well.

Peach opened her eyes, only to study her father. She wondered if he felt any regrets for life, free of the queen's support. Even if he accepted his fate, he must've longed for her sometimes. "Thank you, Father," Peach said on short breath. "That means a lot to me. Mother was a good woman, wasn't she?" As the king nodded, his gaze grew misty.

"Father, do you miss her?" she asked, her voice quaking. He nodded again, gritting his teeth a bit. The sight forced her own tears, but she kept them at bay. "I wish I could've known her, too. It seems like everyone loved her. Makes me wonder if I live up to what she wanted." As she sighed, her lips began to quake, her breath shallow.

"Darling, all we ever wanted was your happiness," the king said. "You've pleased us by having found it already. But I can't help but imagine-" He eased back to wipe his tears away. "How proud she'd be of you, Peach. If only she could be here to see you now-" Peach's mouth fell open, her mind flooded by pride and a strange relief.

"Peach, I'm sorry for how I acted before," the king admitted. "Perhaps this was too much to take in for me. But it was no excuse to make you so unhappy, darling." He reached for Peach's right hand, his gaze somber. "I've disgraced myself in doing so, as well as our kingdom. It's not what Cherise would've wanted either. I guess my mind's still a jumble-"

"I understand, Father," Peach replied softly. "You've been gone so long, and in Subcon, at that! But, do you need to be so-" She paused, biting her lip as her breath hitched. Her father's eyes locked onto her own, rife with concern. "Obtrusive about it?" As the king shook his head, she found the courage to speak further. "You know you get, after all."

"Well, I don't mean to be, darling!" he said. The king held onto her hand, his eyes growing bright. "I just need to accept this myself. But you've done so much for yourself, it's like you don't need me!" Though Peach shook her head, he spoke on. "But I'll always want to protect you, Peachy. I only wish the best for you, for your happiness-"

"Oh, I know, Father-" Peach said, mulling over the thought. Even outside of Subcon, King Toadstool frequently left his kingdom, defending it elsewhere. While Toadsworth kept it running properly, Peach was left with his absence. In her youth, she was captive to his rule, as uneven as it was. But given all he'd admitted, his ways became clearer to her.

The king sought not to oppress her, but only to keep her safe and content. Peach took a quick breath, sipping her tea to settle herself. While most parents sought for that goal, her father had gone to greater lengths. Even at the cost of his body and mind, he wished the best for her. As absurd as he could be, he fought for what he loved with conviction.

Even Peach could understand such sacrifice within her situation. "But what's done is done now," she admitted to herself. "You can't change the past, only the present." King Toadstool nodded, easing back to drink his tea. "Let's consider this a new start, Father. I'd love to have you back home, here with all of us." At that, she got up, stepping to him.

Within moments, he'd followed suit, wrapping his daughter in his arms. As they stood together, both felt a great security about them. Even if she had to abide by her ruse, the king had renewed himself. Perhaps he could play along with her, as she'd done with his demands in childhood. Nevertheless, both were glad to have the other's approval again.

They left the king's chambers, only to see Young Link and the Inkling girl dash about. Though they were armed with a bomb and some ink, neither acted then. They seemed hesitant, seeking out an unseen threat. Peach and the king ran to them, while Ness and Lucas followed suit. Unbeknownst to their group, Ken had been pursuing them.

Within moments, all stood in a hallway, its lights softly illuminating their forms. Young Link stopped short of the Inkling, glaring at her. He held onto a bomb, ready to ignite it. "Link, you wouldn't dare!" the Inkling shouted, her gaze narrowed. The boy huffed at her, provoking her rage. "Two can play at this game! What do you want? I said I was sorry!"

Young Link shook his head, saying it wasn't enough for being abandoned earlier. The Inkling rolled her eyes, scoffing in turn. "Hey, it wasn't my deal, man!" she shouted. "I could've stayed, but Ness dragged me away! Said he didn't wanna get bit by that dog!" Young Link just glared at her, chiding the Inkling for fighting him at their meeting.

"You started it, Link!" she said. "I'm sorry you got stuck with that mess, but it's old news now! Just let it go!" Driven by rage, Young Link activated his bomb and lunged at her. As she recoiled, Ness and Lucas stepped in to separate them. In their jostling, the bomb fell into Lucas' arms. He tossed it to Ness, only for it to explode, coating them in gunpowder.

All fell silent, stunned by the bomb's aftermath. Young Link grimaced, hoping his friends hadn't been badly harmed. Meanwhile, the Inkling stood uneasily as Peach stepped to the boys. While Lucas wiped his forehead, Ness peered at a nearby mirror on the wall. "Wow, Lucas, we look like cartoons!" he said, causing Lucas to stare at himself in awe.

As they studied their charred forms, Peach offered to clean them up. "That is it!" Ken shouted, drawing the attention of all. Peach readied herself to wipe Ness' face, pausing in turn. She met Ken's gaze, asking what he was to do. With a quick nod, he ran to Young Link and the Inkling girl. "That's no way to treat your friends, Link! Tell Inez you're sorry!"

The boy paused, only to peer at the Inkling uneasily. He apologized for his misbehavior towards her, as well as Ness and Lucas. Their pair nodded to him, saying it was no big deal. As Ken's focus shifted to the Inkling, Peach shook her head teasingly. She wiped the soot from Ness and Lucas' faces, ordering them to wash up.

They nodded back, only to dash down the hall. As Young Link watched them vanish, Ken's voice rose forth. "Your Majesty, he's sorry for paintin' ya earlier," he said to the king. "He was just playin' around, and things got outta hand-" King Toadstool nodded to him, excusing the boy's behavior. "But as for you, young lady-"

He drew closer to the Inkling girl, who froze with shock. "Why'd you wanna ink up the king, anyway?" Ken asked of her. Though the Inkling tried to defend herself, her pleas fell short. Even if Young Link had pushed her, she'd been the one to start it all. On soft breath, the girl apologized to young Link. Ken was unfazed, demanding more from her.

"Hey, lay off of me, man!" the Inkling screeched. She swatted Ken away, huffing all the while. "You're not my dad! You're not Link's eithe-" Upon seeing the king's stunned face, she fell silent. The girl grinned uneasily, feeling the eyes of all bore into her. "I mean, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for things to get outta hand! I'm sorry, Mr. Masters!"

Though Ken's gaze struck her, tension ran down Peach's spine again. She stepped between them, ordering Ken to behave himself. He peered at her, aware of her gritted teeth. He nodded curtly, stepping away. "I'm sorry you saw all that, Papa," Peach said to the king. "But with so many about, things are bound to happen! Even with good friends-"

"It's no matter, darling," King Toadstool replied. "Tensions have been high for everyone, it seems." All nodded to him, mulling over the day's events. From the afternoon on, it felt like all were on edge. The king kept calm, aware his presence had set it all into motion. If he were to redeem himself, he'd have to keep to his own standards.

"But as for you, lad," he said to the boy. "Where on earth did you get that bomb?" All froze, trying to find a reasonable solution. However, their dismay was broken as Young Link defended himself. He claimed it was one of the Mushroom Kingdom's "Bob-omb" fireworks. Bowser had sent them as a gift during one of their "Mario Party" games.

He'd been toying around with them, testing their viability as a "weapon". Despite the boy's uneasy gaze, King Toadstool merely nodded to him. "Is that so?" he asked, leading Young Link to nod back. His eyes narrowed, drawing the boy's unease. As Peach and Ken rushed to his side, the king shook his head. "That won't be necessary, you two."

"Just tell the lad to be more careful next time!" he suggested. "I know it's fun to play make-believe, but there's a time and place for that!" The king eyed Young Link over, confirming his suspicions. He seemed to emulate the "other" Link, one so dubbed the "Hero Of The Wild." The boy had his mannerisms and look, as well as his aura.

"I get that, sir," Ken chimed in, to the king's surprise. "And I know he's wrong now-" Though Young Link glared at him, he couldn't deny Ken's authority. "But it's a 'phase' of his. He picked it up at his fighting academy and all! They practically worship Link over there!" Peach nodded, leading Young Link to follow suit.

"Speaking of, there's been a lot of fighting today," Peach noted. "I suppose it's to be expected-" She set a hand on her cheek, mulling it over. "But even then, can't we just settle it in 'Smash'?" The king peered at her, as did her family. Faced with her gentle demeanor, none could refuse her. "Now, would anyone like a snack? I'm starved!"

As Peach and her companions entered the dining hall, they saw the rest of her "family". Shulk and Isabelle were at a table, laughing it up. Both donned their glasses, drawing the king's surprise. Upon seeing him, they fell silent. "Oh, your Majesty!" Shulk said, glancing at Isabelle's face. "What brings you here? We were goofing around, and-"

With a shaky smile, Isabelle pulled off her glasses, setting them aside. As she adjusted her sight, Shulk's sight remained on her. Even within their ruse's limits, he wanted to make Isabelle feel comfortable. While he guided her forward, the king nodded to them. "Ah, I've been speaking with your mother," he said. "Fear not, we've settled it for now."

"I'm so glad, sir," Shulk replied. "We were starting to get worried about you being here-" The king set his hand out, shaking his head in turn. Peach stepped forward, saying that they'd come for some food. Isabelle peered at her, squinting as she shook her own head. Dinner wasn't ready quite yet, but there was some food prepared elsewhere.

"Yeah, Mario made it," Shulk said, motioning across the way. "I wasn't hungry, but it looked pretty good!" Peach nodded, thanking him before she stepped away. Within moments, she and her family reached Mario, who sat with Sonic and Marth. While his companions' plates were mostly clean, Mario just picked at his food.

"Ah, I'm glad to see you about," Peach said, eyeing them over. "All of my favorite men-" As she clasped her hands together, Marth shook it off. In spite of his silence, her praise flattered him. He was just glad to help Peach out, having worked with her for ages. It was the least he could do, a sentiment he felt the others shared.

He peered at Mario, who remained sullen. There seemed to be no use in pressing the matter either way; As Marth reached for the spice basket, Sonic noticed the king. He waved to the man, who followed suit. "Ah, you're back," Marth greeted him. "How was your visit with the Doctor?" As the king's face lit up, he spoke in excitement.

Peach turned to Mario, who peered at her. "What are you eating, anyway?" she asked, pointing to his plate. Some spaghetti lay on it, topped with a rich, meaty sauce, onions and shredded cheese. Mario set his plate aside, explaining it was a sort of chili dish. It hailed from a land unknown to her, so dubbed "Cincinnati".

He spoke on, noting he ate it while in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the king had fallen silent, intrigued by Mario's dish. He caught the other's attention, drawing his unease. "Your Majesty, try some, if you'd-a like," Mario offered. "I made plenty! Ol' Sonic can't get enough of it-" Sonic nodded eagerly, while Marth suggested topping it with nutmeg.

"Oh, Marth!" Peach exclaimed. "What is it with you and nutmeg?" Before Marth could explain himself, the clatter of dishes interrupted him. Peach's family had stepped in, helping themselves to Mario's food. As they dug into it, the king rejoiced with delight, proclaiming it a fabulous dish. Though weary, Mario's spirits instantly lit up.

He shot Peach a slight smile, glad to have earned the king's favor. She nodded back, just as glad. As Shulk and Isabelle stepped to her, Peach gazed upon their table. All had come together, united by good food and good spirits. As they laughed and chatted it up, Peach took her place with her "family". Relief finally washed upon her, glad for their reprieve.

Chapter Text

Two weeks had passed since King Toadstool's hectic day within the facility; True to his word, he'd restrained himself, keeping his emotions in check. Even if so much baffled him, he heard it out without question. In turn, the king learned much about other worlds and their chosen fighters. As alarming as it could be, it intrigued him so.

The king scoffed at himself, realizing how foolish he'd been. Even if he was a particular sort, he'd gone in brashly before. Even Mario had earned his favor, despite his common nature. He'd shown his earnest, dedicated ways through the passing days. The coming "Smasher's" race consumed his time, leaving him unable to aid Peach's own endeavor.

The fighters had settled on a fish fry, featuring seafood and many other delicacies. Though Peach worried about the Inklings' approval, her fears were put to rest. They'd be at yet another "Splatfest" on the day she picked. While Peach wished them well, relief washed upon her. Following their day's departure, she called everyone into the kitchen.

Much had to be done, demanding the aid of all so present. The fighters followed suit, turning it into a community event. As some set up the equipment, others displayed the wares they'd so brought. Isabelle and the Villager were among them, carting freshly caught carp from their town. As they sought a place to put it, Mario passed them.

He was lost to his work, chatting with his sponsors remotely. Isabelle handed her carp to her mayor, worried for Mario's sake. He spoke in a frenzy, trying to make sense of the Titan Canyon's transformation. To support such a switch, he called in his old "Wrecking Crew" for assistance. Mario worked alongside them, donning his own "Builder" outfit.

While he spoke through his phone "pods", Mario glanced at his tablet. It held plans for the canyon, with several areas marked. Though much had been done, he wondered if they really could pull it off. Mario fretted to himself, his concerns clear. Isabelle met with him, bearing her own fearful gaze. "Still hard at work, aren't you?" she asked.

Mario could only nod, falling deeper into his obligations. It felt like his mind raced at a mile a minute, clouding its space. "Well, we appreciate all you're doing for us!" Isabelle exclaimed. "Even if you didn't want to, thanks for arranging this race either way. I'd be glad to help sort out anything you need!" As she beamed, Mario gave her a weary sigh.

"Isabelle, I appreciate the effort," he said. "But you don't have to get caught up in this! Being a racer is enough for me!" She paused to meet his gaze. Her own seemed weary, yearning for something greater. Mario fell silent, unable to fault such a desire. Perhaps she needed her own distraction, given the chaos around their facility lately.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind!" Isabelle replied back. She glanced around herself, catching wind of her superior. The Villager approached them, listening to their chatter. "You know me, I can't go without something to do! Besides, it'll give us a chance to talk. I haven't, since, well-" Mario and the Villager nodded to her, considering her self-imposed limitation.

True to her word, she'd kept silent in front of King Toadstool, unwilling to alarm him. So far, she and Peach's ruse had continued without issue; Isabelle dared not break it then. Even if it pained her, she could keep to it a bit longer. From Peach's claims, her father would return to his homeland soon. Only then could everyone get reprive from their ploy.

As the Villager consoled her, Isabelle wrapped him in her embrace. Mario peered at them, his heart growing heavy. Even with his many distractions, he longed for Peach's touch. Mario knew she felt as he did, her gaze longing. However, he kept it to himself, returning to his work. He'd only have to endure such torment for a bit longer.

The race would soon come and pass, alongside King Toadstool's presence. He'd learned more about the man in their passing days; Though he retained his stern demeanor, it wasn't nearly as haughty. All had misunderstood one another on that first day, leading to chaos. Since their tension had died down, the facility's aura settled to its usual state.

Mario sighed again, shaking his head a bit. Even if the king departed, he'd have to keep to Peach's ruse by nature. Despite his approval, Mario knew King Toadstool would never accept him with Peach. She was tied to her own obligations, dragging her "family" along with her. However, she could maintain the ruse with them for the most part.

He'd caught wind of Peach's plans following her father's departure; Ken could visit the Mushroom Kingdom on occasion, claiming his work kept him away. Shulk and Young Link were in a similar state, as they'd be off at "school". That left Isabelle to be dealt with, but he knew Peach could account for that. Mario peered at her, to which she shrugged.

"Well, my offer stands," Isabelle said. "If you need a hand, just call me up! I'm sure I can sneak away from the family-" Her voice fell away upon seeing the king. He'd come into the kitchen on his own, surveying its space. She stifled a laugh before leaving Mario and the Villager to her duty. Soon enough, she walked with the king, admiring their sights.

Within the kitchen, Mr. Game and Watch stood at the stoves. He was hard at work, preparing dishes for their event. As they stood together, King Toadstool eyed him over. "Ooh, what's all for dinner tonight?" he asked, to which Game and Watch turned to him. He motioned to the kitchen's counters, where some food lay on platters.

The king studied them for a moment. "So, crepes, fried flounder, pounded steak and onions, then?" he asked as Game and Watch beeped in approval. "Well, dinner will be interesting tonight-" As Game and Watch flipped more pancakes, he noticed another platter. It was stacked high with fishsticks, alongside thinly cut waffle fries.

The king gazed upon them, drooling as he reached for them. "I'm sure no one will mind a bite-" he said, grinning at Isabelle. She tittered to herself, coyly covering her mouth with her paws. "Go ahead, Isabelle!" With his fries in hand, he offered Isabelle some. As they ate their food, Peach approached them, chiding them playfully.

She'd come to check on her cakes in the oven, still baking. She waved to her father and Isabelle before stepping away. Her treats were in good hands, as quirky as they could be. Mr. Game and Watch shuffled about, watching over the ovens as Peach roamed about. She fell short of a peculiar group, chatting and laughing it up.

Bayonetta was at its head, alongside Solid Snake. "And what are we doing here?" Peach asked of them. Their laughter quieted down as they met her gaze. Snake shot Bayonetta a questioning glance, to which she nodded. She stepped to Peach, introducing her own "family". As Dark Pit rolled his eyes, Lucario and Snake waved to her.

"Well, we got to talking," Bayonetta explained, motioning to her companions. "About this whole 'family' business, and one thing led to another-" They nodded back, urging her to continue. She followed suit, shooting Peach a wry grin. "So we've crafted one like yours. Everyone's here, save for that 'Joker' lad-"

"So he's kept you waiting, huh?" Peach asked, her voice curiously low. As all caught onto her joke, Snake scoffed it off. Peach stepped to him, jostling Snake a bit. Though he tried to remain stoic, Snake broke into a good-natured chuckle. Peach grinned, glad for his mirth. "Oh, it's just like old times! You know I'd love to chat, but I've gotta jet!"

Their group nodded back, well aware of her obligations. They left her to them, having spotted King Toadstool in the distance. All would have to extra careful, given how close he lay. They figured it easy enough, given their past few weeks. As Peach ventured on, so did her father. He and Isabelle roamed about, allowing him to chat with the fighters.

He ran into Wario, who held a huge box. The king glanced at it, hinting at its contents. "Nah, no fish!" Wario exclaimed with a lurid grin. "I brought-a garlic bread! Lots and lots of garlic bread, and garlic everything-" He glanced back, calling out for Yoshi. "If ol' Yosh doesn't eat it all, of-a course!" At his cry, the king's face lit up, eager to see him.

Once Yoshi was at their side, King Toadstool embraced him warmly. "Forgive me, Yoshi," he said, pulling away. "But it's thanks for all your clan has done for my kingdom." Yoshi nodded, recalling the tales of his elders. Alongside an infant Mario, a band of heroic Yoshis had saved the Mushroom Kingdom from Kamek's clutches.

They said he was among the seven "star children", joined by Mario and company. His lot in life was predestined, made for greatness. Yoshi supposed them right, given his time in "Smash" and his own honors. "You're a good fella, Yoshi," the king said, breaking his focus. "You and your whole clan, you're all great! More people should be as you are-"

"Even with their tax fraud?" Wario chimed in, teasing him a bit. As Yoshi rolled his eyes, the king gave him a quizzical glance. Wario burst out laughing, slapping Yoshi on his saddle. The creature fell to resignation, shaking his head at the king. King Toadstool took it with a quick shrug, reasoning that Yoshi didn't want to discuss it then.

With a quick bow, he left them be, taking in the sights and sounds present. Even in such a facility, all were lively, overcome by glee. It warmed his heart to see them together, enjoying life. He smiled to himself, praising Peach for such a celebration. As the king walked with Isabelle, the other fighters prepared for their night.

They'd brought out the industrial fryer, made to cook vast portions. It could fry anything so offered, drawing the fighters' intrigue. To test it, they'd brought countless food items from their homelands. The Pokemon Trainer boasted some freshly captured Magikarp and Basculin, alongside various Berries. He passed by Chrom, capturing his attention.

The very notion of their "fish fry" drew his hunger, stoking it within himself. For his part, he and Robin brought bear meat from their latest hunt. They seemed a bit shaken up, drawing his concern. "Man, I hope you weren't hunting Bewears there!" the Trainer remarked. "Even with your strength, they'll snap you right in half!"

Robin winced at the thought, considering what they'd seen before. "Have no fear, Red," Chrom replied. "I've heard the tales, seen it all! They're certainly beasts to beware of-" He paused, having caught Robin and the Trainer's narrowed gazes. He shook his head, ushering Robin to the frying station. Along the way, they saw the Ice Climbers.

They'd gone ice fishing earlier, granting them some cod for the fry. As they hobbled about with their catch, Kirby trailed behind them. He held a jumble of food in his grasp, nearly above his eyes. As he walked on, Chrom came upon him, noting his shaky steps. With a knowing shake of his head, he peered at Robin, who watched the Ice Climbers.

Their focus was on the fryer itself, enchanted by its bubbling oil. They'd taken their gloves off, their hands inches above the oil. As Nana's right hand eased lower, Chrom drew Robin close. "We've got our hands tied, it seems," he said. "I'll go help Kirby, you watch over Nana-" Her voice rose in the air, now pained. "So she doesn't hurt herself-"

Robin gave him a quick nod before stepping to them. As Chrom went to Kirby, Robin came came upon the Ice Climbers again. Nana shook her right hand about, only to suck on her burnt fingers. Despite their pain, she soon recovered, leaning into the fryer again. "She's like this all the time, isn't she?" Robin asked as Popo gave him a knowing wince.

As Nana drew close to the oil, Popo lunged at her. He set her aside, only to stick his fingers into the fryer. Pain painted his face, causing her to recoil. He sucked his own fingers, forcing her to relent. As she stepped away from the fryer, Robin offered to help them. With bright eyes, they watched as he grabbed some fritters, tossing them in.

Pac-Man spotted them, giving them a cheerful wave. As the Ice Climbers followed suit, Robin peered at his hands. Pac-Man donned his oven mitts, their orange plaid striking. "Say, if you won't wear your gloves," he suggested to the Ice Climbers. "Let's get some mitts for you two! I'm sure Pac-Man has more where his came from-"

As Pac-Man nodded eagerly, the Ice Climbers cheered in agreement. He carted them away, allowing Robin some peace. He stepped back to peer at the oil, spotting Chrom and Kirby across the way. Both held some food, keeping their steps light to stay upright. Robin chuckled to himself, well aware of their clumsy natures.

He wondered if they needed his help, given how they could get. However, Chrom did well enough on his own. Soon enough, he'd separated Kirby's food, with some for frying and others set aside. With Kirby in his arms, Chrom ran into Peach, who chatted with Lucina. Upon seeing them, they met with their pair, to which Kirby squealed in delight.

"Oh, isn't that just precious?" Peach said, patting Kirby's head. "It's like he's your own son! You've a way with kids, don't you, Chrom?" Chrom tried to brush it off, but he just blushed in return. Lucina reached out to tickle Kirby, admitting her father's modesty. He shrugged it off, his silence speaking for itself. "You and Marth both are wonderful!"

Lucina nodded, appreciative of Peach's praise. She glanced at Chrom, noting his recent popularity around the facility. Many of the women present praised his looks, even calling him "hot". As she shook her head, Peach tittered uneasily. "Yeah, that might've been me and Daisy-" she admitted, blushing a bit. "I'm sorry, we couldn't help ourselves!"

Lucina scoffed playfully as Kirby watched intently. "Oh, come on, you two!" Peach said with a grin. "You are hot, Chrom! We saw your butt!" With another laugh, she backed away from the subject. Their talk shifted to matters around the facility, as well as Chrom's love for fishsticks. Peach couldn't resist teasing him once more.

Chrom threw his hands up, freeing Kirby from his grip. As Lucina rushed to catch him, she admitted her own love of fish. She noted that Marth shared it as well, to Peach's surprise. "So it's a family thing?" she asked, to which Chrom and Lucina nodded. "Just like the swords and blue hair, you all love fish? What about Marth and nutmeg, then?"

"It's part status symbol in our world," Lucina said as Kirby squirmed about. "Nutmeg's a rare spice. But just because it's good, too. It complements lots of things." Peach gave a quick shrug, considering her cakes baking. They'd work well with nutmeg, but for savory dishes, it felt too absurd for her. "But don't ask me, let's ask Kirby. What do you think?"

He paused, sharing Peach's confusion on the matter. However, he was willing to try it out, earning them an eager squeal. "I'll keep it in mind, everyone," Peach said, grasping her right cheek. "You just reminded me, I should check on my cakes! Thanks, Lucina!" As she nodded back, Peach scurried away, promising them some end pieces once done.

As she returned to the ovens, more preparations went on around her. K.K. Slider had entered the kitchen, acting as the night's entertainment. He set up his DJ station in the dining hall earlier, having re-arranged its space. He sought out the Villager, as well as Peach. The Villager had been their middle man, arranging K.K.'s services for the facility.

While he walked about, the Duck Hunt duo tailed him, sniffing out any treats. They'd gotten bites here and there, but their hunger urged them on. Before they could reach Peach, the Mii Fighters stopped them. "Guys, come on!" the Brawler demanded. "Didn't you learn anything last time? I swear, you're more useless than a Dan Hibiki Spirit!"

As the dog snarled at him, the Gunner and Swordfighter stepped in. "Hey, don't be so mean!" the Swordfighter shot back. "You picking on them isn't gonna undo their terrible training! Isn't that right, guys?" The dog grew calm, and nodded with the duck. "You're just 'spoiled', aren't ya? Your trainer's a dumbass who thinks the laugh is 'cute', yeah?"

The Gunner nodded, playing along with him. "Yes, and they never taught you how to be a pet," she said as the Brawler smirked. "Did they? Just told you to go for it, right?" As the dog and duck shied away, the Gunner shook her head. "Well, it's not your fault. You just need to be more considerate of others." She smiled, dropping down to hug the dog.

"You're not so bad," the Gunner said, holding him close to her. "Are you?" As the dog whined softly, the other Mii Fighters flanked him. They followed her example, petting and stroking his fur. The duck quacked in turn, earning her some pats as well. In time, they broke away, leaving the duo to themselves. "Come on, let's get somethin' to eat-"

As they cheered her on, the Brawler shook his head teasingly. "Yeah, let's go," he said to their pair. "Then we can see K.K. Slider, too! You want that?" The dog and duck nodded, to his delight. As the Brawler beamed proudly, the Gunner motioned to him. She and the Swordfighter had moved on, forcing he and the Duck Hunt duo to tail them.

While they did so, Peach stood by the ovens again, opening them up. Her cakes were done, having turned the ovens off earlier. Their residual heat had cooked them perfectly, leaving them moist and tender. She pulled them out, setting them on the counter nearby. As Peach peered at them, the Villager stepped to her, joined by K.K. Slider.

The Villager tapped her arm, drawing her attention. "Oh, Mayor Thomas, K.K. Slider!" she exclaimed. "Is everything set up?" As K.K nodded back, the Villager spoke on matters of payment. Peach nodded in turn, pushing her cake pans away. "We can do it right here. Just let me get to a counter." Within moments, she stood against one, writing a check.

"Here you are, Mr. Slider!" Peach said, handing it to him. "I hope it suits you well! I know it's as much for you as it is for those orphans!" As K.K. put it away, he nodded, grinning to himself. The Villager clapped in turn, praising K.K.'s good heart. "It's just a good thing for those kids. I'm sure with your support and Tom Nook's, their future will be bright!"

The Villager and K.K. Slider nodded, glad to have aided their companions. "It's just like what we do at home," Peach said wistfully. "Whenever we do Mario's karting, parties, what have you, it's for the less fortunate." K.K. peered at her, curious to hear more. The Villager had been in some such events, recounting the tales to his community.

"We always try to help who ever needs it," Peach carried on. "Be they Toads, Koopas, even those dear Lumas, we'll lend a hand! Oh, we have fun, but it's all for the greater good-" With a tender smile, she released the Villager and K.K. from their duties. "Well, I've got to decorate these cakes! You get ready, and I'll bring you some, Mr. Slider!"

K.K. paused, seemingly lost in thought. Peach and the Villager peered at him, curious to his preferences then. "Thanks for the offer," K.K. said to her. "Always appreciate some home cooked grub. But if you don't me askin'-" Peach tilted her head, urging K.K. to continue. "If you're gonna trim 'em up, can I get the leftover bits?" She burst into a knowing laugh.

"Ah, you're one of those, aren't you?" Peach asked, still giggling. As K.K. shrugged, she reached for a knife. "Don't you worry, I'll save them for you! Now, would you like them frosted or not?" K.K. asked what type she had on hand, drawing the Villager's intrigue. As Peach spoke on the matter, she cut the cake away, allowing them to watch eagerly.

They were soon joined by the Duck Hunt duo, alongside the Mii Fighters. Upon seeing them, Peach beamed, inviting them as well. As all marvelled at her cakes, Peach tossed K.K. Slider some scraps. He ate them with vigor, his silence praise enough. All cooed with delight, encouraging Peach. She grinned, inviting them to pick the frosting for her.

Meanwhile, Ken strolled about, chatting on his smartphone with Eliza. He'd gotten some time to himself, free of his "family's" grip. He spoke wearily to her, recalling what had passed since the king's arrival. "I gotta tell ya," Ken groused to her. "I'm not sure how I can keep this up. Don't get me wrong, I like Peach and all, but her dad's a real pain!"

Eliza spoke in agreement, given what Ken had said earlier. King Toadstool seemed like a demanding man, fixed in his ways. She knew some like that in her life, but she could ignore them if needed. Ken couldn't, given their ruse and his placement in the facility. "Well, don't worry, hon," Eliza consoled him. "It'll be over soon. Then you'll be free!"

"I hope so," Ken replied back. "I know the king's goin' home, and Peach says she'll need me-" He paused, gritting his teeth a bit. He'd been careful enough to avoid the king for the time being. Among their crowd, he couldn't spot him, to his relief. "But it'll only be for little visits. Don't worry, I'll see you soon. How's Mel doing?"

As Eliza spoke of their son's ways, Ken listened intently. He was sure he'd avoided the king, easing his tension. He was glad that his own family had done well in his absence. Even if Ryu had insisted on his presence, so did his other friends and kin. It was a great honor to be considered at all; Even if he missed them, he couldn't deny such a pleasure.

Even if it'd led to their current state, Ken was glad to be in "Smash". The sounds of his friends rejoicing, new and old, warmed his heart. Despite all that'd been lately, their time together redeemed it all for him. Perhaps he could merge them one day, once all had been done and said. Ken grinned to himself, indulging himself in the very thought.

He kept in place as Eliza spoke on. She had much to tell him as well, drawing his focus. Across the way, Shulk walked with Robin, having met with him earlier. He'd left the Ice Climbers with Pac-Man, hopeful for their safety. They spoke on the matter, laughing it off. Both were in good spirits, listening to K.K. Slider's warm ups from a distance.

He'd taken to a jaunty tune, howling alongside it. It was oddly entrancing, causing Shulk and Robin to sway to it. "I've gotta say," Robin said, grinning to himself. "This has turned out well! Everyone's in good spirits!" Shulk nodded, peering at his fellow fighters. "Peach really went all out for this." Shulk mentioned her good nature, be it here or in her world.

"I suppose she's used to it," he said, thinking on the matter. "She's always doing events like this. Especially with Mario-" Shulk paused, curious to Mario's own state. He hadn't seen him about, given their respective duties. However, he hoped Mario was doing well, all things considered. He shrugged off the idea, calling Robin to keep up their pace.

Shulk wanted to see if Peach was about, checking up on her. Upon hearing it, Robin nodded, walking alongside his companion. As they moved among the crowd, Ken caught their eye, still chatting with Eliza. Though Robin paused with concern, Shulk urged him to move on. Whatever troubles he had could be dealt with after they found Peach.

Robin nodded once more, taking Shulk's lead. As they stepped forward, King Toadstool drew near, trailed by Isabelle. He was content, still taking in their festivities. While he strolled by, Ken grabbed his attention as well. He spoke through his phone, his voice aching. "Look, I gotta jet," Ken rasped out. "Tell Mel that Daddy's coming home soon-"

The king's face fell slack, as did Isabelle's. As he took in what Ken had said, Isabelle stared into the crowd. She was at a loss for words, as well as how to react. When she saw Shulk, relief washed upon her. She dashed to him, leaving King Toadstool to his ire. Within moments, she'd reached him, to he and Robin's surprise.

Isabelle motioned frantically to the king, who glared at Ken. His hands had balled into fists, fuming with rage. That same fearful dread struck Shulk and Robin, forcing them to action. Their trio raced to the king, who barrelled towards Ken. "All right, see ya later," he said, kissing his phone's screen. "Love ya, babe." He put his phone away, now at ease.

However, he grew aware of a fierce quake, rattling towards him. He turned to its source, only to see King Toadstool. "What is the meaning of this, Ken?!" he roared at him. "How dare you betray my daughter's trust?!" As the king grasped him, Shulk stepped in, prying Ken away. Robin followed suit, pulling the king towards himself.

Though he struggled against him, Robin kept King Toadstool steady. "Sir, it's not what it looks like!" Ken said with panic. "I swear you got it all wrong!" He glanced at Isabelle and Robin, their gazes piercing. They challenged him on, urging him to keep up their facade. With a heavy heart, Ken turned to Shulk, who nodded in kind.

The king fell stiff, still against Robin's front. His eyes narrowed, urging him as well. "See, it's like this," Ken said shakily. "That was a close friend of mine from New Donk. We go way back, she's got a kid of her own." He grinned, forcing himself into control. "I'm like his dad, since he doesn't have one. Calls me 'Daddy' and everything! Isn't that a hoot!"

The king paused, still gripped by shock. Though he chided himself for being rash again, all seemed wrong. Ken's tone had been far too tender for such talk; It brought to mind how he spoke to Peach, that innate intimacy. As he eyed Ken over, Shulk spoke in his favor, as did Robin. Lost to their talk, Isabelle slipped away, seeking out Peach.

Only she could convince her father, provided she knew the full details. As Ken prattled on, Isabelle caught a fruited, sugary scent. She knew its source well, drawing her to the oven station. Upon seeking Peach, Isabelle cried out to her. "Oh, Isabelle!" Peach said, glancing at her. "You're just in time, the cakes are ready! Finn picked the frosting, and-"

Isabelle shook her head, confessing all she'd just seen. In an instant, Peach fell to her familiar frustration. She sighed deeply, readying herself for her father again. While the Duck Hunt duo eased away, the Mii Fighters followed Peach's lead. "It's a real doozy, Peach!" Isabelle lamented. "Ken and Shulk are holdin' down the fort, but it's too much-"

Peach nodded, stepping back from the counters. As much as it pained her, her duty called. She stepped forward, only to meet with her father. He'd come over, seeking Peach as well. Ken and Shulk were captive to his demands, leading him to her side. As tension smothered them, Peach fell to the king's gaze, flooded with pain and confusion.

Chapter Text

"Father, I, I-" Peach stammered out, her heart racing. "I mean, what brings you here?" Another question tormented her, wondering how much he'd seen. She could write off his dismay, set towards Ken's personal affairs. However, his wary gaze towards Isabelle said otherwise. Shulk and Ken readied themselves, excusing Robin from their group.

As he left, the king gasped. "Darling, did Isabelle just speak?!" he asked aloud. Shock gripped Isabelle's face, her eyes small. As she froze with fear, Shulk went to console her. Peach shook her head, trying to convince him. "Do my senses deceive me? Or did she talk, just as our citizens do?" Isabelle's face grew hot, struggling for her honor.

"Your Majesty, don't be alarmed!" Shulk said, drawing the king's attention. "This is my doing." All fell silent, curious to what he alluded to. Peach's eyes grew wide, afraid for their facade's strength. Shulk met her gaze, giving her a knowing nod. "Yes, Isabelle did speak. See, I just had a breakthrough earlier! My means to translate Animalese worked!"

Though stunned, their group peered at Shulk, glad for his quick mind. Isabelle smiled at him, uncovering her heated face. As the king stared at them, Ken and the Mii Fighters spoke in agreement. "Well, that's incredible, Shulk!" King Toadstool exclaimed. "You're absolutely brilliant, a mad lad! Why in the world did you keep this from us?"

"Well, we wanted to keep it a surprise," Peach said as Shulk nodded to her. "He's been working really hard on this! Isabelle's been so good to help him out, hasn't she?" She glanced at Isabelle, who nodded eagerly. As Ken stepped to Shulk, the king watched them with pride. "That's why he's been with her so much! It's absolutely amazing!"

"Yeah, he's a good boy," Ken said, playfully slapping Shulk's back. "Always been a handy sort, between this and that Monado. Bit of a nerd, but I love him so-" Shulk slapped him back, teasing him as well. He knew Ken meant well enough, hoping to make it apparent to the king. Peach and Isabelle watched on anxiously, joined by the Mii Fighters.

The Brawler shook it off silently, sensing another of the king's outbursts. He rolled his eyes, hoping it'd resolve itself quickly. He wanted to step away, but his friends kept him at bay for Peach's sake. They hadn't seen her as uneasy since their first meeting with the king. While he shared her dismay, the Brawler agreed, keeping watch on her.

As all studied the king with bated breath, K.K. Slider approached Peach again. He'd gotten himself prepared, ready to perform. However, the urge to suit her needs brought him back to her side. In addition to classic songs in Animalese, he wished to take other requests. Upon reaching her, K.K. stopped short, listening to King Toadstool.

"It's all well and good," the king mused. "I'm proud of you, my boy. But this leaves us with another matter-" All paused, wondering what it was. As Peach glanced at Ken, the king scoffed at them. "As for your 'friend' in New Donk, just be honest with me, Ken. Is she a friend, or is she your ex-wife?" Ken mulled over his options, given the king's ire.

As enraged as he'd been earlier, he seemed more at ease now. He presumed it due to Shulk's "breakthrough", but he restrained himself. "I understand your hesitation if it's the latter," King Toadstool noted. "After all, you've scarcely spoken of her. I presume you wish to keep her from your 'new' life, Ken?" Ken kept in place, still at a loss for words.

His gaze shifted to Peach, who was as uneasy as he was. Shulk and Isabelle watched them, wondering how to play it off. The king peered at them, sensing their own dismay. As he apologized on his behalf, Ken spoke up. "Sir, just trust me," he said as all turned to him. "That woman was just a friend. She and her son, they're like family to me-"

As Ken's breath hitched, so did the king's. "No, no, I understand," he said, reaching out to him. "Forgive me for being so sudden. You just sounded so tender with her. It was like she was your wife, not my Peachy!" As Peach shook her head, Ken gave him a shaky laugh. "I apologize if I've upset you, Ken. I don't mean to be a bother again!"

Ken shook it off, having gotten enough surprises then. He sensed all felt the same, as tense as they remained. King Toadstool nodded, clapping in turn. "Now this calls for a celebration!" he proclaimed. "Not just for my arrival, but for my boy as well! He certainly deserves it, after his hard work!" As all cheered Shulk on, K.K. Slider paused in confusion.

"Wait, hol' up there, Peach," K.K. Slider chimed in. "I thought this shindig was for the whole place, not Shulk here!" Peach turned to him, her heart racing again. As the king's eyes narrowed, K.K. pressed on. "See, it's like the Mayor said! You wanted to treat 'em all for their hard work!" The king's gaze turned to K.K., forcing the Mii Fighters' hand.

As they swarmed him to praise his music, Peach spoke of her own work. While it was to honor her family, it also celebrated her fellow fighters. She hoped to convince her father, but he remained skeptical. "All right, then," K.K. said, easing away from the Mii Fighters. "I won't fight you on it. Just don't confuse me here, Peach. Keep your stories straight-"

As Peach's face grew hot, everyone else chided K.K. from within. He stepped away, only for the king to stop him. "Forgive me for asking," he said, still dazed. "But are you tied to Shulk's work as well? You remind me of Isabelle, as eloquent as you are." K.K. shook his head, only for Isabelle to grow alarmed. "Oh, do you come from another world, then?"

K.K. gave him a begrudging glance, only to nod his head. As the king asked of his own speech, Isabelle stepped in to pull him away. As much as she liked Peach, she couldn't let King Toadstool insult her favorite idol. "Um, don't take it personally, Mr. Slider!" she pleaded him. "It's just been a long day, a long story you don't want to get caught in-"

The king tilted his head, asking how Isabelle was familiar with K.K. Slider. Before she could answer, Peach did so for her. "Oh, we love Mr. Slider's music in our home!" she said, trying to remain cheery. "Isabelle was so impressed by his talk! She wished she could too, leading to Shulk's experiments-" She paused as K.K. shook his head at her.

Though she wanted to her ruse to hold, Peach sensed his disdain. She knew she had no right to drag him into their ploy. With a defeated sigh, Peach stepped between the king and K.K. Slider. "Oh, you're right, Mr. Slider," she admitted, to her father's surprise. "I've no use in dragging this out any longer. I'm sorry for pulling you into it as well."

As K.K. nodded humbly to her, King Toadstool stared at Peach. He knew something was amiss, its tension having burst. However, he couldn't put it into words, given the fearful gazes of all present. As Peach's "family" and the Mii Fighters peered at her, she took a deep breath. "That goes for everyone in turn," Peach said. "Thank you for your help."

While they nodded to her, the king remained puzzled. "However, I think we need to face facts," Peach admitted aloud. "If this cannot be, it just can't be." She neared her father, holding onto him. Their eyes met, hers now misty. As he stroked her back, her lips shook. "Father, I've mislead you this whole time. These fighters here, they're not my family."

Though the king's eyes snapped open, he shook his head in disbelief. He spoke in panic, asking where her "true" family was. "It's not like that, Papa," she pressed on. "The truth is that I don't have a family at all. I'm not even married!" As she sighed, the king turned to her companions for support. They merely nodded, supporting her own claims.

The king froze, trying to understand all they'd admitted. Peach grasped him tighter, trying to ease his pain. However, he eased her away, his mouth now slack. "So you've just been lying to me all along?!" King Toadstool demanded of them. As all nodded back, his face grew hot. "But, why?! Was it a ploy against me, or did you take me for a fool?!"

His hands balled into fists, his teeth firmly clenched. As Peach returned to his side, Ken spoke on the behalf of all. "Sir, we did it for your own good," he admitted, trying to keep steady. "Peach came to us, sayin' you thought she was married already! She wanted to use Mario, but then we saw how much you hated him! So we got together and-"

The king grasped his temples, overwhelmed by shock and shame. Isabelle urged Ken to keep silent, to which he followed suit. Meanwhile, Peach fell against her father, holding onto his robes. "Father, I'm so sorry," she said, now sobbing. "I didn't really want to, I swear! But one thing led to another, and-" Her breath hitched, making her chest tight.

The king could feel her shake beside him, as she had in her youth. His hand returned to her back, holding it firmly. "I should be ashamed of myself, shouldn't I?" Peach asked of herself. "I've been such a fool! I've gotten everyone involved in our private matters!" He pulled away, peering at her companions. Their faces were glum, drained of their spirit.

As his mouth quaked, he thought on the past few weeks. All began to fall into place, making his pulse quicken. That unease the facility's residents felt was tied to him alone. Under Peach's ruse, he'd gotten a "blemished" portrait of its ways. Peach continued to sob, now flanked by her "family". The king held her tighter, her tears hot against him.

As stunned as he was, his ire gave way to sorrow. His hand rose up, stroking her locks. She lifted her head up, her gaze pained. "Peach, please be honest with me," he pleaded to her. "How did you craft this plan at all? Why did you drag all these people into it? Do you know how this reflects on our kingdom?! I could very well disown you for this madn-"

All gasped, unsure of how to proceed. However, her "family" took the most offense, glaring at King Toadstool. "Father, I know you've every right to be mad," Peach rasped out. "But that's just what I feared! Never mind my friends in this now! But to be so cruel towards your own daughter? What's become of you, Papa?!"

As the king fell silent, she stepped back, drying her tears. "I, I think Subcon's changed you," she admitted. "And not for the better." With a quick breath, Peach gazed at her family. They smiled at her, having shared her pain for so long. In turn, the Mii Fighters nodded knowingly. Despite her dismay, Peach grinned back, glad for her new freedom.

"Before you accuse me further," she said to the king. "I'll explain myself, Father. I didn't force anyone into this mess." Her breath hitched, recalling their fated meeting so long ago. "It began after you came back, Father. We were talking with Toad, discussing the kingdom and such. You were going on and on about how everything's changed-"

The king nodded, saying it was quite a shock to witness. "Well, of course it'd be," Peach said, considering the thought. "I know Subcon works differently than our land, Papa. But you just kept questioning us. It was a bit much!" He nodded again, thinking back to that time. As much as the "current" world alarmed him, it also held some intrigue.

If all had shifted since then, surely his daughter was no exception. "I know, but I like to keep watch over things!" the king remarked. "Especially you, Peachy." He eased into a tender grin, easing her worries a bit. "So when Toad brought up your new love, I had to pry-" Peach nodded as her companions shook their heads, grousing in turn.

Though the king glared at them, he couldn't deny their right to be disgusted. "And then you dug in too deep," Peach admitted, sucking in her breath. "You imagined things that weren't really there. So I was backed into a corner, one I discussed with my friends." He nodded, recalling his abrupt entrance prior. "Then you showed up, to everyone's shock."

The king grimaced, apologizing for his brash behavior then. "I know, Papa," Peach said. "I know. But you made one thing very clear: You could never accept my love for Mario. So I was lost for ideas, until Daisy gave me one." She gritted her teeth, unwilling to accuse her companion. However, she needed to be honest for the sake of everyone involved.

The king fell still, growing aware of how all had come to be. His gaze fell upon Peach's "family", who nodded back. "So she told you make a family for my benefit?" he asked, to which she agreed. Peach kept firm, trying not to cry again. She was through with such a strain now; Even if it meant betraying her father, she had release it for her own good.

"Yes, that's what I've done," Peach said, peering at her father. "It's what we've all done. This wouldn't have worked without everyone's help, and I thank them greatly-" She froze, now aware of K.K. Slider's absence. As she glanced around, Shulk stepped in, saying that he'd returned to performing. All fell silent, listening for K.K.'s familiar, twangy voice.

In time, it rose forth, joined by the occasional whistle of his. As he started beatboxing, Peach thanked Shulk, curious to how he knew. "Ah, he snuck away while you and the king were talking," Shulk replied. "Said something about not wanting to be in a 'house of lies'-" The king nodded, agreeing with K.K.'s sentiment. Peach grimaced, taking his hint.

"Father, I know you're disappointed in me," she said somberly. "I know I should be too, but-" Ken set a hand on her back, drawing her to him. As she embraced his side, Shulk took the free one. Despite her sorrow, she couldn't help but fall to their tenderness. "But, these people are my family, Papa. They're the greatest friends I could ask for!"

"Not just Ken, Shulk, Link and Isabelle," Peach said, clinging onto them. "But everyone around here! They've been so good to go along with this mess!" She laughed to herself, ridding herself of her shame. "So, we didn't deceive you to be cruel, Father. We wanted to soften the blow, such as it was. I hope you're not ashamed of me, Papa."

"It's not you who should be ashamed," the king said, his voice shaking. "It's me. If I'm so repulsive that I need to be 'dealt' with, what does that say about me?!" He paused, only to grab at his chest. The king peered at their crowd, who remained uneasy. "Oh, look at what I've done to you all! I've forced you into a lie, and for what? My own assumptions?"

Before either of them could answer him, Mario approached them with Young Link in tow. "Hello, there, Peach!" he greeted her cheerfully. "I brought you-a your 'son', since he's-" He paused upon seeing the despondent faces of all. As he struggled for words, Peach broke away from her "family". She stepped to him, saying that their ruse had fallen.

"I've given it up, Mario," she admitted, dropping to meet his gaze. "Father knows about us, my love." As remorse rose upon him, Peach drew him into her embrace. He fell atop her, glad to feel her warmth again. They lay together for a moment, only part aware of the crowd around them. When they broke apart, Peach gazed at him, stroking his cheek.

"I'm so sorry for everything, Mario," she murmured to him. "I didn't want this to go so far. But I was just scared! I didn't want Father to see you with contempt, I only-" Mario nodded, lifting her chin up. He caught sight of King Toadstool, his own gaze puzzled, yet uneasy. He stood up straight, inviting Peach to follow suit. She stood up, her heart faint.

"This is a lot to take in, I know," she said, peering at her father. "So I understand if you'd like a moment to yourself. Goodness knows I do-" She took a deep breath, asking Mario to join her. He nodded again, reaching for her hand. Peach bid farewell to her friends, thanking them once more. As she stepped away, she gave her father a pained glance.

Unbeknownst to their group, the Inklings had returned from their Splatfest. They stepped into the kitchen, where the gloomy faces of all greeted them. They paused in concern as the familiar scent of fried seafood wafted forward. Peach passed them, only to stop at their sight. Her lips quivered, unsure of how to explain all that'd passed to them.

The Inkling girl froze, only to reach out to Peach. "Geez, it's not that serious!" she said. "Guys, we don't mind if you eat seafood! Hell, we do too, and-" Peach shook her head, reassuring the Inklings. "So what's going on now? You're goin' off like someone died or something!" Through ragged breath, Peach spoke of what happened since they left.

"Oh, man!" the Inkling boy exclaimed. "So that old bat knows about you and Mario, and everything, right?" As she nodded back, King Toadstool caught up to her. He'd rushed through the crowd, still lost for words. Upon hearing the Inkling's voice, he froze, his anger rising. However, he forced it down, trying to face his daughter.

"Oh, it's been a disaster, Ivan!" Peach said, her mouth falling slack. "Ever since Mr. Slider revealed everything, I don't know what to do! I know Father's mad about it, but what could I do?!" She clutched her cheeks, forcing herself to remain calm. Mario held her hand, silently consoling her. "But it does help me a bit, knowing that he knows."

The Inkling boy nodded, as did his counterpart. "Yeah, at least you won't have to worry anymore!" the Inkling girl said. "And if he can't like Mario, sucks to be him! Come on, he's missin' out! Mario's great, and he-" She paused as the king came into view. He stepped past the Inklings, reaching for Peach. She recoiled, leading Mario to step in.

"I'm-a sorry, your Majesty!" he called to the king. "Peach would like a moment alone, okay?" Though he couldn't deny her request, his skepticism remained. His gaze grew cold, piercing through Mario's own. As he fell silent, Peach stepped between them. She eased her father aside, refusing his touch. Within moments, she fled away with Mario.

The Inklings watched them dumbstruck, as did the king. His heart grew heavy, struck by dismay and far. "What am I going to do?" the king asked aloud, clutching his head. "Oh, I've betrayed my little Peachy! She shouldn't have lied, but it's my doing!" As he sulked to himself, some fighters swarmed him in concern, with Pac-Man leading them.

They spoke among themselves, eating some food as they did so. The festive atmosphere Peach had crafted was dulled now; All anyone could consider was her pain, tied to her grand ruse. "But I just don't get it," the king lamented, lifting his head up. "Am I really that horrid to her? And for that matter, why Mario? What does she see in that man?"

"If I may," Pac-Man chimed in, to the surprise of all. "I don't think a relationship like theirs is a big deal!" As their crowd peered at him, he gave them a knowing nod. "It was the same for me and Pepper!" Stunned gasps filled the air to imagine such a thing. Even if Ms. Pac-Man kept to her homeland, her love for Pac-Man was clear.

Of their ilk, his life seemed the most enviable; He had an adoring wife and family, as well as a respectable, long-lived legacy. To consider it brought questions about him to all present. "Pac-Man, are you saying that you lived in si-?" Simon asked before cutting himself short. He shook his head, trying to rid himself of such an image.

However, Pac-Man denied it, shaking his hands at them. "No, it's not like that!" he said. "Well, not exactly. But it's something I usually don't bring up." He glanced at the king, aware of his doubts. Pac-Man grinned at him, readying himself to speak. "But I think it might help with the situation here. Maybe you'll see why Peach is with Mario."

"See, me and Pepper met by chance back then," Pac-Man said. "I got caught up in a project she was in, and things went from there." He smiled to himself, reminiscing about such times. They felt so distant to him, given all he'd experienced afterwards. However, he shook it off, speaking on. "But my sponsors were always kinda iffy about us-"

"They didn't like to acknowledge us together," Pac-Man elaborated. "Since Pepper got her start doing what I did, after all. So we played by their rules for a little bit." He paused as a familiar ache tormented him. "They tried to keep Pepper away, but she wasn't having it! So we'd meet up together, stuff like that. But then she just couldn't take it anymore."

"She met me head on about it," he pressed on. "She said, 'I want to be with you, but you have to make a choice. I won't let your people hassle me anymore.' So, I had to choose between the love of my life, or my sponsors' wishes." He faced the king, who nodded in kind. "It was hard, but I picked her. I wasn't about to let the best thing I had walk away-"

"Your Majesty, what I'm saying is this," Pac-Man said. "In life, you just can't fight fate. For just about anything, whatever will be, will be." Their crowd spoke in turn, with most agreeing with him. Of them, Corrin felt it deeply, urging her to approach the king. While she did so, Pac-Man spoke on. "You just can't help who you fall in love with, after all!"

As his gaze bore through his own, King Toadstool nodded somberly. Memories of his Cherise flooded his mind, recalling their past. Even if he'd met disapproval, he would've loved her all the same. He tried to imagine Peach holding such devotion for Mario, but he fell short. From what he'd seen, she regarded him kindly, but in a restrained way.

Perhaps that more stemmed from her ruse before, but all remained foreign to him. To picture her loving him so deeply was simply absurd. "But let's be reasonable, Pac-Man!" the king said. "Even if she feels that way, how did she meet him to begin with? Did she need repairs on the castle or something? Of all the men around, why'd she pick Mario?"

"It's because he was there for her," Corrin said, capturing his attention. "He's always helped Peach, even when you couldn't-" She paused, aware of what she implied. As she apologized for herself, the king said all was fine. He spoke in turn, mulling over the very thought. In leaving behind his kingdom, he'd left Peach vulnerable to attack.

While he believed Toadsworth and his army could aid her, even they had their deficits. Perhaps she'd latched onto Mario, seeking his comfort. The king voiced his concerns, to Corrin's dismay. "No, that's not what I meant, your Majesty," she groused. "I meant that Mario supports her. They like bringing people together, and they enjoy one another."

"But even so," King Toadstool pressed on. "Is that really enough to sustain a union? Does she really love him with her heart? Or does she seek something greater?" He paused to consider it towards himself. All his life, he vowed to protect Peach, granting her every joy possible. Perhaps he'd lost sight of his vision, using it to soothe himself.

"I guess what I'm saying is this," he admitted, his voice faltering. "Have I driven her to this point?" Their crowd questioned it in turn, speaking among themselves. As Corrin and Pac-Man drew closer, the king breathed in deeply. "Not about this 'fake' family, either! I mean, have I really been that kind of father? One so harsh and unyielding?"

"Well, I hope not!" Pac-Man said, trying to lighten their mood. "Sir, I don't know much about you, besides what I've heard. Maybe you've a temper, I can't say. But I know you care about your daughter. You wouldn't be questioning yourself if you didn't!" The king nodded, lost to his thoughts. "Maybe you should take a break with us, get a bite to eat-"

King Toadstool agreed, allowing Pac-Man and Corrin to take him away. As they went deeper in the kitchen, their festivities began again. Though the mood had been dulled, most made the best of it. They'd already come together, sharing their best food and drink. In doing so, they celebrated one another, what "Smash" had offered them.

Even if its intent was washed in deceit, all were glad to rejoice in each other. They'd come together as "kin", despite their differing ways. It mirrored Peach's own situation, so forced by her father's hand. Even if his doubts remained, King Toadstool had to live with its fallout. He only hoped that Peach could handle it, as well as himself now.

Chapter Text

The facility's festivities carried on, with the fish fry progressing smoothly. All the food that'd been brought was now cooked, ready for serving. Sonic sped about, handing all plates heaped with fish, vegetables and such. Despite Peach's admission earlier, the party's aura grew light again. The copious food and drink delighted the senses of all.

It softened their hearts and minds, making them merry. In turn, K.K. Slider continued to perform, playing his DJ station. Many fighters went between the dining hall and kitchen, eager to hear his songs. As such, the area was a flurry of motion, caught between Sonic and other fighters. Some played with one another while others danced to K.K.'s music.

Chrom was among them, grinding alongside the Villager. As they carried on, Lucina drew near, seeking her father. Upon seeing her, Chrom called out as the Villager waved. "Hey, look!" he shouted, rocking his hips against the Villager. "We're dancing! Come join us!" The Villager's hands rose up, nearly at Chrom's rear. Lucina froze, unsure of herself.

Even if he made a spectacle of himself, she couldn't fault his enjoyment. The Villager was unfazed by it all, wiggling about. "Oh, Father!" she said, stepping to him. "Between Mother and the Mayor here, what is your fixation with Village People?" Chrom paused, as did the Villager. The latter grinned, saying that he enjoyed "Y.M.C.A." a great deal.

Chrom and Lucina stared at him, now perplexed. He shook his head, only to call out to K.K. Slider. He peered at the Villager, who asked to play that song for him. K.K. followed suit as an upbeat tune sounded. The Villager swayed to it, inviting Chrom and Lucina join him. "Well, he's got good taste," Chrom said to her. "That's good enough for me!"

They began to move with him, now grinding on the Villager. He soon sang with the song, his glee intoxicating. It caught Isabelle's eye, who ran up to him. She glanced at Chrom and Lucina, who danced with vigor. "Oh, Mayor!" Isabelle said, drawing their attention. "He loves this song! He almost made it our town's official tune!"

"What is your town's anthem, then?" Lucina said, pausing once more. The Villager's arms had risen up, set out wide. He mimicked the shape of a "Y", enticing Chrom to follow suit. As the Villager changed positions, Chrom copied him while Isabelle took Lucina aside. They ended up in the kitchen, at the oven station with the Mii Fighters.

In Peach's absence, the Mii Fighters opted to prepare her cakes. While they'd used the Swordfighter's frosting choice, it ran out eventually. They peered at each other, throwing their hands up in "defeat". Soon enough, they got out some other frostings, coating the cakes further. As they did so, Mr. Game and Watch also fished out some sprinkles.

He doused the cakes in them, earning the Brawler's disapproval. As he pushed Game and Watch away, he held onto their containers. He shook them on the Brawler, coating him with rainbow-tinted bits. The Brawler burst out laughing, tossing his stray sprinkles on Game and Watch. As they playfully sparred, his companions finished their work.

The Gunner gave them a wry glance before returning to the cakes. As she began slicing them, the Swordfighter called to the other fighters. "The cake's ready!" he said as the Brawler grabbed some cake scraps. He tossed them at Game and Watch, who dodged them. They hit the Swordfighter, landing in his locks. "Get it while it's not on me!"

As the Gunner laughed wildly, the Brawler apologized, shaking his head. "Ah, no worries, man!" the Swordfighter said with a grin. Before the Brawler could speak up, his comrade tossed some frosting at him. He recoiled, watching as many fighters swarmed them. The Duck Hunt duo ran towards him, eagerly lapping the Brawler's face.

While he played along with them, his companions doled out cake with Game and Watch. Isabelle took some, as well as the Swordfighter's scraps. He thanked her as the Brawler pried the Duck Hunt duo away. Isabelle tossed them the scraps, causing them to dash away. Meanwhile, the Brawler and Swordfighter cleaned each other, laughing it up.

The Gunner kept to her work, ridding their space of Peach's cake. Many others had come for it, including Lucina. "It looks great, Hannah," she said as the Gunner beamed. "Father should appreciate it, after all he's done tonight-" Lucina peered into the distance, where Chrom danced with the Villager. The Gunner nodded, asking her to keep check on him.

Lucina nodded, dashing away with her cake slices. Along the way, she passed by Corrin and Pac-Man, who spoke among themselves. Though they'd left King Toadstool to his thoughts, their concerns remained. They'd gotten their fill of dinner, now seeking some sweets. Upon seeing Lucina, their issue had resolved itself, leading them forward.

Within moments, they'd reached the ovens, where the Gunner kept handing out cake. Her companions joined her, having calmed themselves down. They happened upon Pac-Man and Corrin's talk, drawing their intrigue. "Hey, guys!" the Swordfighter called out. "How's the king doin'?" They paused to meet his gaze, their thoughts still uneasy.

"He's still shaken up," Pac-Man said as Corrin nodded somberly. "It's all too much for him! You think some cake would cheer him up?" The Brawler shrugged as the Gunner gave them some plates. Pac-Man grabbed them, softly thanking the Mii Fighters. With his cake in hand, he nodded to Corrin, ushering them back to the king's side.

Soon enough, they'd returned to him, setting the plates down. As they sat by the king, he peered up, still in a daze. "You feelin' any better, your Majesty?" Pac-Man asked as King Toadstool shook his head. He frowned, nudging a plate towards the king. "You want any cake? Your Peach made it, and you know how she gets with her treats-"

"I apologize, Pac-Man," the king replied glumly. "At any other time, I'd gladly accept sweets from my sweetie." With a heavy sigh, he gazed at Pac-Man. "How do you do it, Pac-Man? Do you have any regrets about your choice, how you came upon it?" Pac-Man shook his hands, setting such worries aside. "But surely you had some open opponents?"

"Well, yeah," Pac-Man admitted with a scoff. "But I never let them get to me. You know why?" The king shook his head, spurring him on. "Because my life is my own to handle. I knew what I wanted, and so did Pepper. Even if some didn't like it, what did it matter? It worked out in the end!" Though the king nodded, his initial reservations remained.

He still wondered if Peach held that same passion for Mario. Despite his good nature, he was just a "common" man. In any other realm, he would've never reached Peach's favor. However, he thought on the matter, recalling Corrin's claim from before. Despite their vast differences, Mario had always supported Peach, even during his time in Subcon.

As the king mused further, all began to fall into place for him. Her devotion accounted for Mario's prominence in his homeland; His honors rose above his status, as noted in Peach's charity events. He thought on, realizing how shaky their ruse had been at all. The reason for Peach's hesitation was clear, as well as that of her "family".

Shame gripped him once more to imagine all in such distress. He clenched his teeth, recalling his brash behavior before. Through his assumptions, all were forced into a web of lies. The king shook his head, now more disgusted with himself. "But that's just it," he rasped out. "Why would Peach go to such lengths, concealing her 'true' love from me?"

"Am I really that intolerable to her?" the king asked himself. "Or do I strike that much fear into her?" Pac-Man and Corrin froze, their own fear apparent. The king caught wind of their silence, peering up at them. He saw their hesitation, how uneasy he made them. With another sigh, the answer came to him. "Be frank, you two. Am I really that horrid?"

Though they claimed otherwise, their fear remained as clear as day. "If that's the case," the king admitted as his face fell. "I don't know how I'll face her again! I only wanted to shield her from all terrors, not be one myself!" As he hid his face in his hands, Pac-Man reached out to console him. "Thank you, your support and Corrin's is a true comfort."

"You're welcome, King Toadstool," Corrin replied with a tender smile. "It just strikes me, because of my own past." The king paused, lifting his hands away to face her. "You see, I was taken away from my homeland as a child. Though I found a new family in Nohr, my Hoshidan one never stopped loving me. They always fought for me, even against Nohr."

The king nodded, asking her to continue. "I guess my point is this," Corrin said as he met her gaze. "People will do extreme things for those they love. They just want to see them be safe and happy." The king kept nodding, setting a hand on his cheek. "It's the matter of intent that's important. Most in Nohr and Hoshido acted as they did because of care."

The king gripped his cheek harder, trying to control himself. "So think about it like this," Corrin questioned him. "Did you act out of your love for Peach? Or were you bound by your troubles, like Dr. Mario told me?" King Toadstool's eyes grew wide, struck by her own implication. Despite his unease, Corrin spoke of her own meeting with Dr. Mario.

As she elaborated on the matter, the king pulled his hand away. He set it down, sighing to himself again. "Even so, Corrin," he said as Pac-Man patted his upper back. "Was it really worth all this hassle in the long run? Not for her ruse, but for her courtship, as well?" He recoiled, recalling his stubborn ways. "Perhaps I have been foolish after all."

Pac-Man and Corrin kept silent, giving him some space for thought. "Perhaps it's always been as such," the king admitted to them. "All my life, I wanted the best for my Peachy. I suppose in doing so, I neglected my own troubles." He sighed once more, his memories rushing back to him. "When Cherise died, I thought my world had turned against me."

His gaze shifted between them, questioning himself. However, their silent compassion spurred him on. "It was a dark time for my kingdom," he elaborated, speaking candidly. "We were all in shambles, not just me! Honestly, I think the shock of it did Cherise in." Corrin gasped as the king nodded in turn. "She hung on after Peach's return, but then-"

He clenched his teeth, now trying to hold back tears. Though some rose within him, he spoke on. "It was all too much for her," the king said. "She was already so sick. We tried to cure her, but nothing worked! It was too much for her to take." His tears gave way to a sob, heavy against his throat and heart. As he wept openly, Pac-Man stroked his back.

"After she passed," he spoke on. "I sought any sort of relief. I couldn't betray my people by faltering myself. It wouldn't be fair to them, to Peach-" He paused, his gaze shifting to the distance. Even among all their companions, all he saw was Peach. An urge within him wished she'd run to him for comfort, as she had before.

"So, I doubled my efforts," the king admitted. "I trained more men, made more limits on the kingdom. I thought it'd work to keep all else out." As he paused for breath, a thought rose upon him. He felt his mouth quake, his breaths now ragged. Pac-Man grasped onto his side, causing him to peer back. He asked of the king's status, if he needed a break.

"No, it's not that, Pac-Man," he replied back. "I've now realized something. Perhaps our issues came from within, rather than outside. After all these years, I just couldn't let it go. I let our troubles fester, poisoning us both." Pac-Man and Corrin stared at him, their eyes now blank. While they agreed with him, his admission struck their own nerves.

For Corrin, it spoke to her own troubles, regarding her dual families. Both sides had their wounds to heal, tied to years of distrust and torment. In particular, she'd seen it ruin her Nohrian clan by King Garon's hand. Corrin studied King Toadstool, her heart aching for him again. Unlike Garon, he was a man of remorse, driven by love and a primal fear.

However, he'd let the latter control him, turning him into a harsh, demanding person. Corrin tried to speak, yearning to console him as such. However, she remained silent, soon cut off by the king's voice. "My fears even led me to Subcon," he said as Pac-Man stroked his arm. "When Wart made his demands, I jumped at the chance to thwart him!"

Pac-Man and Corrin nodded back as some fighters surrounded them. In his commotion, the king attracted their crowd. However, he spoke on, driven by his own aching heart. "I didn't know it'd take so long!" the king cried out. "I thought I'd stay for a week, but then it turned into a month! Before I knew it, I got out, and ten years had passed!"

"Yeah, it's like entering a new world, isn't it?" Corrin managed to ask him. The king met her gaze and nodded with understanding. It reflected in her eyes as well, their own pain clear. "One where you know so little, where you're seen as strange, or even a monster." Despite his shock, he nodded. "But I speak from experience, not cruelty, your Majesty."

As the king brushed his unease aside, the other fighters spoke in turn. They mentioned Corrin's draconic ways, prompting her to speak up. The king listened intently, glad for a kindred spirit in her. All the while, Pac-Man consoled him and chatted with their crowd. Dr. Mario was among them, drawn in by what he could make out.

Despite their past session, more remained unspoken between him and the king. With a determined gaze, he stepped to his side. "Your Majesty?" Dr. Mario asked, to which the king peered up. He stared back, torn between guilt, shock and frustration. However, he forced himself to speak, questioning his presence. "No, it's nothing like that, sir!"

As King Toadstool breathed in, Pac-Man and Corrin eyed him over. "It's just that I heard some of what you said," Dr. Mario said, falling to their gazes. "Your Majesty, I'm-a sorry for going with Peach's scheme. We were all under a lot of pressure, after all!" The king nodded somberly, aware of his implication. "But I do care about your troubles, sir."

He reached out to King Toadstool, offering him his hands. "Believe me, I wouldn't take your confessions for granted," Dr. Mario pressed on. "I know how much it hurts you, sir. So, if you'd-a like, I'm here to lend an ear." He reached for his right ear and tugged it with a soft grin. The king chuckled in turn, to the surprise of most within reach.

"You're a good man to help me, Doctor," the king admitted. "Even if you all lied, I can't hold it against you. I brought this on myself and your ilk to start with!" He sat up, feeling his resolve rise again. The gloom he held gave way to purpose and renewal. "I just need to accept this myself. No matter what may come, Peach needs my support."

As the fighters spoke in agreement, so did Dr. Mario. "Now, don't-a tell me," he urged King Toadstool. "Tell her. Peach and Mario deserve to hear that from you." He nodded sharply, only to spring up from his seat. Though Pac-Man and Corrin stood beside him, he ushered them aside, thanking them for their aid.

"You've both been a tremendous support to me," King Toadstool proclaimed. "But I must do this on my own. No ands, ifs or buts about it!" As Corrin nodded, Pac-Man followed suit, holding back a chuckle. Soon enough, the king walked with conviction, hoping to meet with Peach again. It was more a whim than anything, given how she'd retreated.

If anything, she likely resided in her quarters then, alongside Mario. He readied himself to go there, seeking the dining hall's exit. However, as he passed by the other fighters, Peach and Mario entered the hall. Though shaken, she managed to regain her composure alongside her beloved. Concern for her father rose above her own lingering troubles.

As such, she searched the hall, hoping for her father's safety above all else. Even in his sorrow, he could lash out, upsetting the other fighters. Peach drew in a breath, chiding herself for the possibility. "I know it's abrupt, Mario," she said to her lover. "But Papa should still be here. We haven't been gone for that long! I just need to speak with him-"

Mario nodded back, encouraging her to step forward. With a quick nod, she followed suit, walking with him. As they did so, they met with Young Link and Ken. Mario called them to him, to which they obliged. Once at his side, Peach peered at them. "Oh, have you seen Father lately?" she asked. "I should've called, but I just thought he'd be-"

They shook their heads, to Peach's dismay. "Oh, okay-" she replied as Ken neared her. By instinct, he went to embrace her, which she accepted. As she fell against him, Mario went to her, taking her open side. Despite her unease, their warmth comforted her a bit. "Thanks, you two. I appreciate your support so much. But I should call up Father-"

She pried herself from Mario and Ken's grasp, only to dig out her smartphone. She gave it a few taps and held it to her ear. Meanwhile, King Toadstool got a call, prompting him to fetch his own phone. As he fumbled with it, the crowd parted, revealing Peach nearby. She seemed like a divine vision, her pristine aura shining among Mario and her "family".

Struck by the sight, King Toadstool rushed to her, leaving his phone to ring. "He's not picking up," Peach said, peering at her phone. "Oh, he's making me a wreck again-" The king caught wind of her voice, his own panic rising. As Peach looked up, the king came into view, fast approaching. While she recoiled, Mario and Ken flanked her front.

The king came to a halt, falling beneath their now stern gazes. As he caught his breath, Peach peeked past them. Before she could speak up, the king did. "I'm sorry for startling you, Peachy!" he exclaimed. "I know how you worry about me, as I do for you. But I'd like to speak with you. I've done some thinking about our situation while you were away."

Though stunned, Peach ushered Mario and Ken aside and stepped to her father. "Have you, Father?" she asked, to which he nodded. "Well, what do you think of all this, then? Are you still going to disown me for such an act?" The king's eyes widened, only for him to grasp her. Despite his intense gaze, her father's purpose lay clearly within it.

"Of course not, darling!" he said with resolve. His touch grew softer, enveloping her in his familiar embrace. As Peach lay against him, the king stroked her locks. "Peach, I'm sorry for all I've wrought. I never wanted to frighten you to this point. All I ever wanted was your happiness. I just let my own fears overpower what I could give to you."

Peach eased away, only to nod in understanding. Nearby, Mario and Ken waited with baited breath, ready to aid her. Meanwhile, Young Link stepped aside to call Isabelle and Shulk. As he waited for them, other fighters stopped by to watch the king's "change" of heart. Bayonetta noted as such, adding that her "son" would've helped tremendously.

"Well, you know how 'Joker' is," Snake retorted with a chuckle. "He's always got another heart to 'take' with those thieves of his. But come on, let the man talk-" At that, she fell silent, watching their chat with her own "family". Across the way, even more fighters gathered around, eager to see Peach's ruse conclude.

"I know, Father," Peach admitted to the king. "It must eat you up so much to consider it. But why didn't you confide in me?" She stood stiffly, anticipating the worst. Her father picked up on it, his own fear apparent. However, he kept strong, silently encouraging Peach to follow suit.

"Because I didn't want to fail you, Peachy," the king said, his breath strained. "I didn't want to lose you, like I did your mother! But I fear I already have, and I just-" As he took a gasping breath, Peach grasped his shoulders. She shook her head, forcing back tears. "Oh, look at me, darling. I still can't get over the past, even with all that's happened-"

"Father, I know you meant well," Peach replied. "You only acted as you did to protect me. But you don't need to put up a front with me. Father, I'd just like to help you through all you feel. Please, can't we treat this like adults now?" As she held onto him, the king met her gaze. Though kind and compassionate, it burned with resolve, just like his own.

A vision of his queen flashed from within, her best qualities reflected upon her daughter. His heart ached to see it, though powered by pride now. "You're right, darling," the king admitted. "We've no need for the past's fear and troubles. You've proven yourself well enough, Peach. Our kingdom has prospered under your rule, as well as Mario's aid!"

Mario gasped in surprise, causing all to turn to him. As he eased away coyly, Peach's focus shifted from her father. She stepped to him and wrapped him in her arms. "Well, I am right, aren't I?" the king asked aloud. "I've seen all that's happened to our kingdom. Your influence is remarkable, Mario. Despite my doubts, I am sorry for belittling you so."

Despite their embrace, Mario and Peach beamed with delight. "Through your hand," the king spoke on. "You've both improved the quality of life within it, pleasing our citizens. But most of all, you've given Peach unabiding support. I must praise you, if only for that, Mario. So I'll leave you to your courtship, you two. Fear not, I shall support you in turn!"

Though stunned, Mario and Peach couldn't help but jump with joy. They drew apart, only to hold hands and leap upward. Those around them applauded them, cheering them on. As Shulk and Isabelle joined them, Corrin gave Ken a curious gaze. He returned it, now free to return to his own clan. As he spoke on the thought, Peach's father turned to him.

"Don't be so neglectful of your wife, Ken," the king teased him. "You never know what'll happen to her, or your son. Before you know it, they'll have passed you by, ready to lead their own lives-" As he sighed softly, Peach patted his back. He glanced at her, spotting Mario by her side. Both gazed at him tenderly, assuring him of their own support.

"I guess you're right, 'Pops'," Ken replied back. "I get into a lot things 'round here, and back home. But I should take some time for the fam." Peach nodded in turn, asking of their status. He nodded knowingly, discussing what Eliza had told him earlier. "And they're comin' to that 'Smash Invitational', so there's that-"

"Oh, speaking of which," the king noted. "I'd like to stay for that. But if you don't mind, of course." Peach could only nod, still overwhelmed by glee. With a tender grin, the king peered around himself. The moods of all were now light, just as free of their restraints. To be which such an ensemble was marvelous, if not intimidating.

However, the king vowed not to let his fears control him again; As unusual as it seemed, this was the life Peach had for herself. It was a life all around him had, shared with one another. He could only hope to join it now, free of the tension he brought. Though the past's tension remained, a new future called to him, set alongside Peach and Mario.

Chapter Text

In the days leading up to the kart race, King Toadstool got to know the facility and its residents better; Now free of their collective ruse, all felt as carefree as it usually did. While some fighters quarrelled and sparred, most took each other's company in stride. The king figured they had to, given their closeness within their residence.

However, he came upon more close bonds, not unlike those between Peach and her "family". In particular, he came upon another such unit, lead by Bayonetta and Solid Snake. They still awaited their "son's" presence, originating from another outside land. However, they took it in stride, enjoying one another and talking about recent events.

They were excited for the upcoming race, curious to see who would emerge victorious; Even Bayonetta had been asked to participate, given her motorcycle skills. However, she declined, opting to spectate instead. "Oh, I don't know if I'd fit in-" she said to the king as they walked the courtyard. Snake joined them, saying that Cloud filled such a role.

King Toadstool nodded in kind, considering the matter. "Ah, yes," he remarked. "The lad has that 'Fenrir' of his, very impressive! And there's always the 'other' Link for that, too." As Snake and Bayonetta nodded back, the king mused further. "So, what of you, Snake? Does your 'son' have any experience with racing?" Snake paused and shook his head.

"Don't believe so," he replied back. "He's got that 'cat' bus, but that wouldn't work in a kart race, would it?" Bayonetta and the king shook their heads, imagining such a thing. "But he's got a friend who does, come to think of it. That Makoto girl, I think-" The king nodded, listening to Snake discuss the matter.

As Bayonetta chimed in with her own notes, King Toadstool felt oddly at ease. Even in the grasp of another false family, their affection was clear. The facility's residents were similarily bonded, as Peach had claimed earlier. Despite their still foreign ways, the king had grown to accept them. They'd brought so much to the world, theirs and this one.

He couldn't fault them for that, at the very least. In turn, they'd brought Peach pleasure, their support eternal. King Toadstool mused a bit, aware their understanding had made her ruse possible. In a strange way, he could admire them for even that. "It just goes to show that anything is possible together-" the king thought to himself.

The more he dwelled on it, the more joy it brought him. The king broke into a grin, which gave way to boisterous laughter. Snake and Bayonetta caught onto it, to which he faced them. "Oh, it's just a thought I had," King Toadstool explained. "I swear, you all can get anything done here! It's stupendous, just like with that big race of ours!"

As their pair smiled and laughed in return, the king beamed at them. "I can't wait to see what you think up next!" he exclaimed. "I just hope I'll be back for it. I really must return to my kingdom; Who knows what else Peach has done to it?" Bayonetta nodded politely, encouraging him further. "But I suppose I've much time to do so. I'm here to stay now-"

"Well, we're glad to have you about," Bayonetta assured him. "All said, Peach must be glad to have you back. She's got a lot to fill you in about, after all!" He nodded in turn, his heart glad. The king finally felt at ease, having merged his two worlds together. He thought to Peach, how she'd done just that so many years ago.

He figured she must've been as uneasy at first, her heart heavy. However, she made her presence clear, earning the others' respect and kinship. Now free of her illusion, Peach could enjoy all to its fullest again. The king's smile grew broader, glad for that privilege. As he and his companions walked on, he basked in its glow, losing himself to delight.

When the "Smasher's Invitational" came, all gathered at the facility's Titan Canyon. Despite Mario and Peach's concerns, it had been reformed greatly, offering what they desired. It now brought to mind the tracks they'd raced on in the Mushroom Kingdom. The canyon's valleys and peaks were fitted with tracks, shaped into a full course.

Of the participating racers, they and the Mushroom Kingdom's denizens were among them. Many other fighters had joined in, having raced in "Mario Kart" before. Donkey Kong was the most experienced of them, followed by the Miis as a whole. However, their group also had Link, the Villager, the Inklings and even Isabelle herself.

While Mario knew them within his tournaments, several others had also joined in. As unorthodox as they were, he couldn't refuse his fellow fighters. They'd supported him well enough, earning his trust. However, King K. Rool jumped into it, eager to defeat Donkey Kong. Diddy Kong jumped into his mentor's aid, but was glad to race again.

Captain Falcon shared his latter passion, relishing the opportunity. In turn, some other "guest" racers offered their own presence. Pac-Man, R.O.B. and Cloud were among them, joined by Sonic. He served as a racer and an entry hazard, given his speed. As "gimmicky" as it was, none could deny Sonic a place in the race at all.

It was his specialty, driving his passion into a frenzy. The thought of challenging Mario excited him further. Before the race's start, Sonic limbered up with the Wii Fit Trainer, feeling his pulse rise. He figured it best for his sake, given his particular role. After their session, Sonic left for the canyon, seeking out the lay of its land.

He wanted to see it for himself after Mario's effort. Upon reaching the canyon, Sonic couldn't believe it was the same place. Its towering peaks and dips now gave way to endless lines of steel track. They lined the area, creating a winding pathway. He went further, his sight littered with advertisements all about.

Some were in the form of billboards, set against the canyon's stone. Others were a bit more benign, strewn among its public areas. Banners hung at the barrier between the stands and track, joined by posters. Some spoke of upcoming adventures the fighters would star in, generating interest. Others promoted various products and services.

"Wow, Mario really fixed up this place!" Sonic said. "To think, it was just a dirt clod last month!" As he walked on, many other fighters passed him, joined by the facility's staff. All prepared for the race, just as he did. An air of excitement filled their space, mirroring his own. The hesitation they'd held now gave way to an intense intrigue for the event.

To honor it, those from countless lands filled the stands. Many had been in "Smash Events" before, be it as "Assist Trophies" or "Spirits". All were dying to see the race unfold, speaking among themselves. They had their favorites in line, from their own worlds or otherwise. Some had even made bets, as silly as they were.

Of them, Mario was a fan favorite, given his history in such events. Luigi and Waluigi were "unlikely" picks, though ones desired by many. In turn, others supported King K. Rool, eager to see his time in the spotlight. No matter their choices, all were glad for such a spectacle at all. It'd come with great difficulty, as well as effort.

If the day's race went well, it opened up the possibility to more within the Smash Facility. With new fighters arriving in shifts, new and exciting matches could be showcased. The notion only brought more options, merging Mario's dual worlds together. Such results depended on their day's event, how others would perceive it.

All had been working towards their event, preparing the facility for it. Mario had been the most tireless, his spirit weary. However, the satisfaction of seeing all come together warmed his heart. It was enough to revitalize him, allowing Mario to carry on then. With a soft grin, Sonic headed to the facility's garage to ready himself.

Some other fighters walked about upon his arrival; They'd taken his lead, getting their bikes and karts prepared. As Sonic ventured on, he came upon Mario, who surveyed all present. He called to him, capturing Mario's attention. With a playful grin, Sonic wished him well. Mario smiled back, giving him a thumbs up in return.

"Hey, that's just for today!" Sonic remarked, shaking his pointer finger at him. "Come the next 'Olympics' thing, I'll beat ya!" Mario held back a laugh before thanking Sonic. As he went elsewhere, Mario returned to his surveying. He stepped forward, only to come upon the king. Though stunned, he managed to reach his side, his gaze now dazed.

"Oh, King Toadstool!" Mario exclaimed upon seeing him. "What brings you here? I assure you, all is well-" He paused as Peach stepped from behind her father. She gave him a soft grin, drawing nearer to him. Peach reached for his hands, saying that the king would join her then. Her father nodded back, priding himself on such a position.

"Fear not, lad!" the king proclaimed. "After some consideration, I've decided to support you all in person." He stepped behind Mario, patting him on the back. Though shocked, he accepted King Toadstool's praise gladly. "I'm just sorry it had to come as it did. But I'm glad to see Peach in better spirits! I can't wait to ride with her in this tourney!"

As Mario's eyes snapped open, Peach nodded firmly at him. "Well, Father insisted-"she said, her voice dropping off. As she paused, Mario pried his hands from hers, embracing her side. However, she straightened herself, holding Mario close to her. "Not to be pushy, mind you. The idea just really intrigued him! He can't wait to see the canyon with me."

Peach and the king stared at him, raising Mario's concern. However, he kept firm, unable to spoil their fun. "Well, best of luck to you both!" he said with glee. "May the best man win, and stay safe! I hope you enjoy the canyon, King Toadstool!" The king nodded back, watching as Mario eased away from Peach. He bowed to her, leaving for his own kart.

Within the stands, many had made groups of their loved ones. Ken was among them, having brought his true family to the event. As he tried to settle Mel down, Eliza offered her own help. Meanwhile, Julia and Guile approached their clan, peering over the crowd. Before they could reach Ken, Eliza noticed some other guests nearby.

She pointed at Pac-Man and his own family, drawing Mel's attention. As he squealed with delight, Pac-Man waved at him. "Hey, Pac!" Ken called out. "Brought the fam with ya?" Pac-Man nodded, motioning to his wife and children. He introduced them as such, to which they waved back. Ken followed suit, introducing his own clan.

Mel peered at them, his sight set on Baby Pac-Man. Ken took notice, asking about the girl. "Oh, Babette's five," Pac-Man said, patting her bow. "About the same as yours, I take it?" Ken nodded while Mel pestered his mother. Eliza paused, asking Pac-Man if their kids could play together. He agreed, allowing Mel to dash over to Baby Pac-Man.

As they teased each other, Pac-Man Jr. alerted his father to Julia and Guile's arrival. Pac-Man shrugged, saying more were merrier then. As they sat among his clan, Ms. Pac-Man introduced herself to them. Soon enough, they spoke of their lives and work, joined by Eliza. Meanwhile, Mel and Baby Pac-Man ran about while Pac-Man Jr. watched them.

Pac-Man chatted with the Masters' clan, drawn in by their unique experiences. Though he longed to know of their travels and battles, his work called forth. "Ooh, I've gotta jet, guys!" Pac-Man said, glancing at a nearby clock. "Can't miss the big race! Wish me luck, kids!" He was soon embraced by his children, while Ms. Pac-Man blew him a kiss.

With a broad grin, he broke away, waving as he left for the track. "Aw, that's sweet," Eliza said, glancing at Ms. Pac-Man. "You're such a happy family! You must really love each other, don't you?" Though Ms. Pac-Man blushed, she couldn't deny it at all. She beamed, only to speak of her clan with pride. Eliza listened on, soon joined by Ken.

As Ms. Pac-Man spoke further, Kirby hopped to their group. He'd been looking for Pac-Man, eager to meet his family. Upon seeing her, he cried out, drawing the attention of all. "Oh, aren't you just adorable?" she said, inviting him over. Kirby obliged, soon fitting himself between Ken and Guile. Ken picked him up, calling all to take their seats.

As they did so, Ms. Pac-Man eyed Kirby over. "My stars, you must be Kirby!" she noted, recalling Pac-Man's accounts of him. Kirby waved back, affirming her thoughts. "Oh, my husband's said so much about you! Well, I'm Pepper, and these are my kids, Babette and Junior. We're from Pac-Land, where we-" She spoke on, capturing their group's interest.

Meanwhile, the Mii Fighters had gathered in the garage, readying themselves. For their part, the Gunner was chosen to represent their kind. She vowed to give her best effort, having trained in private. While she'd raced alongside Mario before, some time had passed since then. To sharpen her skills again, she'd driven around the facility.

Her companions had come to her aid, fine-tuning her personal Mach Bike. Having restored it, the Brawler and Swordfighter brought it out. As the Gunner roamed about, her comrades approached her. They took her with them, dragging her to the garage's storage section. She humored them, puzzled until they opened it up.

Her eyes snapped open, her surprise absolute. "Oh, I never!" the Gunner said, pouring over her bike. She ran up to it, stroking its sleek frame. "Did you do all of this?" As her comrades nodded, her breath felt faint. "I can't believe this, it's like it's brand new! Oh, how can I repay you guys?" The Swordfighter fell silent as the Brawler drew closer.

"You can win this for us, Hannah," he said to her. "Even with these other chumps, you can do it! We're rootin' for ya, let's show them who's boss!" The Swordfighter pumped his fists in turn, enticing them both. The Gunner joined him, drawing her passion forth. "And how's about a kiss, for luck?" The Brawler grinned, before turning away quickly.

He expected the Gunner to chide him, rolling her eyes in turn. However, she stepped to him, kissing his cheek playfully. As he grew warm with delight, the Swordfighter threw his hands up. With a sly grin, the Gunner drew him near, kissing him as well. He laughed aloud, overcome by joy. "Come on, guys!" the Gunner shouted. "Let's settle it in Smash!"

As she got onto her bike, the Brawler stroked his cheek, feeling its warmth. He gazed at the Gunner, feeling his heart race. She looked so confident, blessed with a vibrant glow from within. He couldn't help himself, even as the Swordfighter tapped his back. "I think I'm in love-" the Brawler said in a daze. His comrade shook his head, pulling him away.

"We can deal with that later!" the Swordfighter said, dragging him onto his feet. "We've got a race to get to!" Though his sight remained on the Gunner, he knew his companion was right. The Brawler shook his head, trying to focus himself. The Gunner now sat atop her bike, getting it into motion. As it sounded out, some other fighters passed them.

All were fellow racers, ready to begin their tourney. In the meantime, they'd prepared themselves, as well as their vehicles. Though some went on their own, others drove on their karts and bikes. Their appointed time to begin approached, calling them to motion. As they left the garage, the sun's light fell upon them, as well as their destination.

Sonic was the first to appear on it, stepping behind the starting line. He stood in place to stretch while the others emerged. Captain Falcon headed their charge, joined by Cloud, Link and the Mii Gunner. They were on their bikes, while Falcon had a custom kart for the event. Mario and his other companions came out, tailed by Waluigi.

Following him were the Villager and Isabelle, joined by the Inklings. As they went ahead, King K. Rool jostled them away. Despite his brash pride, he was knocked aside by R.O.B., who was joined by Pac-Man. Mario surveyed their lot, realizing that Peach hadn't come yet. Fear gripped him, only for her to come with her father in a modified Heart Coach.

Despite his initial relief, Mario's focus fell upon her kart. Though it remained sturdy, he wondered if if could support Peach and her father. He questioned it, only for Peach to nod her head firmly. "If-a you insist, Peachy," Mario said, returning to his kart. "Well, take-a your places, everyone!" Everyone followed suit in their own vehicles.

As they got into position, Mario left for his announcement. Within moments, he stood on a small stage, facing the crowd and press. "Hello, everyone!" he called out to all. "It's-a me, Mario! Welcome to our first annual 'Smasher's' Invitational'!" The crowd burst into applause, cheering all the racers on, eager to begin their race.

"We've got a great race for you today," Mario elaborated. "Our 'Smash' sponsors are to thank for this tourney today! They worked real hard to make this happen, so let's-a give 'em a round of applause!" The crowd followed suit, their clapping thunderous against the day's still air. "And this wouldn't be possible with everyone's hard work, of course!"

He thanked his old "Wrecking Crew" in particular; They and Mario had refitted the Titan Canyon by hand, refining it to their standards. They had joined Luigi and Wario earlier, ensuring the project's timely completion. Mario nodded to himself, feeling the canyon's new glory around him. It felt like a track worthy of others in the Mushroom Kingdom.

He'd made sure to work with the canyon's grooves and hills, creating unique obstacles. Mario took a quick breath, unwilling to let the crowd wait any longer. "It's been-a long journey," he spoke on. "One with lots of-a ups and downs. But I'm sure that we'll have a good race today! Now, let's settle it in Smash, and thanks-a for your support!"

Applause broke out once more, calling him to action. At that, Mario left the stage and returned among the other racers. As he got into his cart, their lot peered at each other. All were raring to go, dying to see what skill the others held. "Thank you, Mario," the announcer said, blaring through the speakers strewn about. "Take your places, racers!"

They followed his lead, easing into position. "Today's race will be featured in stunning high definition," he stated. "Live footage will be captured by our brand new drone fleet, scattered around the track." In turn, countless drones rose up, fluttering about the track. "They'll transfer it to our displays in the stands, allowing everyone a great view!"

As the drones flew about, footage of the racers and track appeared on-screen. Some of the crowd peered at the screens, marvelling at their clarity. Even for those in the worst seats, they could see the race's full glory. The crowd spoke among themselves, awed by such images. "Before we begin," the announcer said. "Let's hear it for our band today!"

At his call, the drones panned to the live orchestra's set-up, headed by Sebastian Tute. It was composed of several other Miis, brandishing various instruments. As the racers got themselves ready, Sebastian got his staff into place. Within moments, the opening of "Gang-Plank Galleon" blared throughout the canyon, to more applause.

The drones' focus returned to the racers, who waved to the crowd. All were eager to travel the canyon's newly formed reaches; Even for seasoned racers like Mario and company, it was an entirely unique endeavor. "Ready, on my count!" the announcer shouted, calling all to prepare their vehicles. "Five, four, three, two, one! Start!"

In an instant, the racers sped away from the starting line; As "Gang-Plank Galleon" played on, they flew past one another, fighting for dominance. Sonic took the lead swiftly, his speed surpassing the other racers. However, they managed to near him, dead set on assuring victory. Of them, Bowser soon approached him in an Offroader.

With a menacing growl, he barreled towards Sonic, unaware of King K. Rool trailing him. He spotted Bowser within reach, grinning to himself. In an instant, K. Rool sped forward, slamming his modified Barrel Blaster into Bowser's kart. As he recoiled in shock, K. Rool jostled him about, allowing Sonic to speed by untouched.

Sonic laughed to himself, only to be pelted by a barrage of Banana Peels. As he slipped on them, he peered to their source. From behind, Bowser and K. Rool drove on, smashing their karts against each other. In their battle, more debris flew about, hitting Sonic and the other racers. As Sonic eased up, Bowser and K. Rool's karts met with the peels.

Without warning, they skidded by, only to spin about. As they collided into each other, Sonic forced himself to dash away. However, he crashed into Daisy's kart, to which she was unaware. As she drove along with Sonic in tow, more racers neared her. They had caught up, now comfortable with their race's aggressive atmosphere.

Peach lagged behind the others, opting to allow herself that luxury for her father's sake. She could readily win another kart tournament back home; But for the moment, he was at the front of her mind. From his seat, King Toadstool peered around, admiring the canyon's reaches. The day's sun fell upon its peaks, highlighting its natural beauty.

Despite the shenanigans around them, Peach drove smoothly, allowing him such comfort. As such, the king sat back, taking in the day's aura. Meanwhile, Peach went further, keeping to his needs. Many sped past her, kicking up wind in their wake. Link was among them, to her surprise. She peered at him, but shook herself off a bit.

"Are you okay, Father?" Peach called out to him. "Is the wind getting to you yet?" The king reassured her, urging Peach to carry on. With a quick nod, she followed suit as Wario passed her. He had his own theatrics in store, befitting his brash nature. Peach and her father peered forward, spectating the race and what would come of it.

In the stands, Shulk sought out a seat, ultimately finding one by Ken. As he approached him, Ken peered at him in confusion. "Yeah, I know we're done," Shulk said. "But I just like hanging out with you. So, what do you say, 'Dad'? Can I pop in?" Ken was unfazed, inviting him to his spot. Within moments, Shulk had fallen deep within it.

He tried to adjust himself, only to see Eliza and Mel peering at him. Shulk gave them a sheepish wave, propping himself up. "Hey, no worries, 'son'," Ken said with a grin. "This here's my real family!" He motioned to his group, who waved to Shulk. "That's Eliza, the wife, my son Mel, and-" Shulk listened on, the race now a faint impression in his mind.

In turn, Pac-Man's family also introduced themselves to Shulk. He was caught between their talk and that of Ken's clan; As his focus switched back and forth, Kirby watched the race. He pointed forward, to which Ken humored him. As they fawned over their friends, Shulk got a hold of himself. He knew all he needed to, allowing his focus to return.

As he returned to the race, an uneasy feeling fell upon Shulk. His breath hitched, subject to a familiar sensation. Shulk eased forward, only for Ken to notice his dismay. "What's it, 'son'?" he asked of him. He met Shulk's gaze, now blazing blue. Before he could ask further, Shulk sat up, his mouth slack. Horror painted his face as he faced Ken.

"I had a vision!" he cried out, to Ken's shock. Shulk pointed to the track below, trying to see specific racers. Though most rushed by in a blur, he could see Peach and Isabelle's karts. "A giant pile-up's coming! I didn't catch it, but someone lost control, then everyone followed suit!" Ken froze, asking what they were to do.

"I'm not sure how, but I need to warn everyone!" Shulk said as he got out of his seat. He ran past Ken's family, apologizing in his panic. They watched in confusion, gripped by their own fear. Despite their concern, Ken pulled them aside, saying it was Shulk's burden to bear. Elsewhere, he reached the control room, pounding on its door.

It opened up, revealing many Miis at countless monitors. Shulk ran past them, peering the largest screen present. It had live video of the "Smash" sponsors, who watched the race's events. They grew aware of Shulk, asking why he'd come. "I know it's sudden," he cried out. "But I had a vision! There's going to be a huge pile-up on the track!"

The Miis turned to him, their faces painted by shock. He peered at their monitors, displaying footage from across the Titan Canyon. Though all seemed calm then, his uneasy sense remained. Some of the sponsors argued against him, believing his claims absurd. However, some others swayed them to Shulk's side, aware of his past visions.

They'd become reality before, warning many of grave danger. As the race's footage played on the monitors, Shulk glanced at them. Despite its many pictured scenes, all seemed perfectly fine. None had veered off the track yet, still driving about. But Shulk's uncanny sense remained. His gaze switched between them, trying to find its source.

As he studied their footage, he took note of the Inklings' tactics. They'd taken to inking the track, as was familiar to them. In turn, several sections of the course were painted orange and blue; The other racers driving through it only spread it around. Shulk focused on his vision, tying it to their reality. "Yes, yes, I see it!" he said, to the Miis' concern.

Some kept their sight on him, while others got up to hear him. His eyes blazed again, honing his sight. In his focus, all became clear to him. "The track's unstable!" Shulk shouted, pointing to the screens. "Whatever's in it is reacting with the Inklings' ink!" Their sponsors watched their own footage, studying the sections coated in ink.

Before their very eyes, they began to smoke, as if heated from within. All recoiled in shock, giving way to panicked alarm. The sponsors questioned it, wondering about its cause. However, they scrambled for a solution, lest the racers succumb to it. As they spoke among themselves, Shulk's gaze switched between countless screens.

"I've never seen anything like this!" he lamented. As he racked his mind, Shulk clutched his head. "Does anyone know what the track's made of? It'll help me figur-" Before he could speak further, some motion on-screen caught his eye. Cloud had gone through a particularly inked up area, ignoring the smoke against it.

However, his motorcycle grew swifter, seemingly of its own accord. No friction existed to impede its motion along the tracks now; Its force stunned Cloud, forcing him to try and control it. However, in his haste, he drove on an acceleration ramp, its own force clear. Within moments, Cloud soared up, his weight an afterthought to fate's hand.

Back at the control room, all had watched him with awe and horror. "No, no, this is bad!" Shulk exclaimed as he turned to the Miis. "This isn't supposed to happen in 'Mario Kart', is it?" They shook their heads, their own disbelief and fear clear. As panic grew among the sponsors, Cloud only rose higher on-screen, his own crushing downfall inevitable.

Chapter Text

Back in the stands, many watched in stunned awe, laced with some fear. Some had seen Mario's kart races before, aware of their constant motion. However, they held a sense of control, despite their emphasis on speed. To see Cloud rise so swiftly robbed them of it; His ascent spoke to a deeper problem, one that couldn't be readily contained.

As those within the stands studied Cloud, the announcer fell silent. From his own post, he'd gotten news of Shulk's interruption. Back in the control room, Shulk spoke on with the "Smash" sponsors; Among them and the Miis, none were sure why the track was unstable. Despite Shulk's foresight, it didn't account for the finer details present.

He tried to reason with them, given the information all had offered him. But even if he couldn't pinpoint a specific cause, their threat remained. "It's no use!" Shulk said to all present. "I think we'll have to call off the race." The sponsors peered at him, struck by surprise and rage. They argued in the tourney's favor, citing all of Mario's efforts.

Shulk gritted his teeth and turned to them. "Yes, I get it," he contested them. "But do you think he'll want to see this? It'll eat him alive with guilt!" He stepped to the screen featuring Cloud. As his eyes narrowed, Shulk pointed to it. "Look, Cloud's been airborne this whole time! Do you think the others will fare any better, given what we've seen?!"

Upon considering it, the sponsors relented and gave new instructions to the Miis. They followed suit, sending word to the announcer. As all thanked Shulk for his aid, he nodded back. "No, thanks for believing me," he admitted humbly. "At least I was here to help! I can't say that half the time-" As his voice drifted away, he peered at the other screens.

So far, Cloud had been the only casualty of the ruined track; While he remained aloft, all others seemed fine. However, none could discount their safety, including the announcer. He spoke again, explaining their situation to the day's crowd. "I apologize on my behalf," he admitted to all. "However, we must stop our race due to unforeseen difficulties-"

As those in the stands spoke and grumbled among themselves, Shulk left the control room. He'd done all he could, freeing him to help outside. While he roamed about, the announcer spoke on. "Again, I apologize for any inconvenience," he noted grimly. "But conditions are unsafe for the time being." He paused, only to focus on Cloud's plight.

"See, there's a still a Cloud in the sky-" the announcer said, watching him float on. Even with Fenrir's weight, it was flew about through sheer force. Cloud could only brace for impact, unable to control himself. However, he collided into R.O.B., who had since ejected himself from his kart. The robot lay on Fenrir's front, forcing himself up.

He tried to keep airborne, lest he and Cloud plummet below. Both hovered in place while R.O.B. tried to control himself. Though it drained his reserves, he managed to pull Fenrir forward, dragging Cloud with him. They made their way to the stands, causing some spectators to scatter. Sensing it was safe, R.O.B. eased himself to the ground.

Despite his careful manipulation, his weight and Fenrir's crushed the seats below. However, he and Cloud remained safe, to their relief. Cloud eased off of Fenrir, which poured smoke from its exhaust pipes. It caused him to cough harshly, joined by the other spectators. As he caught his breath, R.O.B. sat back, exhausted from his endeavor.

In time, they pried themselves from Fenrir and sat together in some untouched seats. As they quaked with shock, their fellow racers drove on. Despite the announcer's warnings, they couldn't shift gears so swiftly. They were left at the mercy of their vehicles, set upon the smoldering track. Some realized the danger was too great for themselves.

Faced with such a threat, they eased out of their karts and bikes; Though stunned, they forced themselves to find exits. Rosalina and the Piranha Plant rose skyward and went towards the stands; In his daze, Diddy Kong followed their lead and flew about with his Rocketbarrels. All managed to get to the stands, landing nearby R.O.B. and Cloud.

Rosalina peered at them, only to pause in surprise. "Cloud, are you okay?!" she asked him. "Oh dear, your bike's a wreck! How did you even get here at all?" He motioned to R.O.B., who beeped in response. As Rosalina nodded back, Cloud explained what had been. Diddy Kong sat nearby with the Piranha Plant, listening to him with awe.

Meanwhile, many upon the track weren't as fortunate; They struggled against the slick track and each other. Given their lack of friction, many collided into one another. While some managed to free themselves, others could not. The pile-up that Shulk predicted had come, dragging countless racers into it.

Daisy was the first to fall, losing control of her kart. Given her lighter weight, it skidded against some smoking ink readily; Though she tried to slow herself down, inertia did so for her. She was flung aside, only to crash at the track's sidelines. As she caught her breath, Daisy caught Link's attention. His bike fast approached her, to his alarm.

He'd peered to her in shock, as well as fear. However, he tried to drive away, only for his bike to betray him. It sped towards Daisy's own, seemingly pulled in by it. In an instant, Link crashed into the side of her ruined bike. As he grasped onto his handlebars, more racers sped towards them. They were headed by Bowser Jr. and Toad, atop their karts.

Though Daisy tried to warn them, they fell to that same lack of control. Within moments, their karts crashed into Daisy and Link's bikes. As all struggled to contain themselves, the pile-up's pull grew even stronger. More lost track of themselves, soon joining their fallen racers. Some of Bowser Jr.'s siblings were among them, alongside Yoshi.

As he neared their pile-up, King K. Rool glared at his opponents with pity and horror. While he didn't want to join them, he knew his own safety was at risk. He kept driving, careful to avoid the tainted ink. However, Donkey Kong collided into him, sending his kart spinning. He struggled to control it, only to fall into the pile up himself.

HIs belly armor shielded its impact a bit, merely shaking his body up. He shook his head, catching a glimpse of Donkey Kong speeding by. K. Rool's left eye twitched, its pressure now bursting. He wanted nothing more than to force him down, but he knew it wouldn't help any then. With a resigned growl, K. Rool put on his Propellerpack and activated it.

Soon enough, he rose in the air, maneuvering himself to the stands as well. He caught sight of Cloud's group, all chatting with one another. Upon seeing Diddy Kong, K. Rool grinned to himself. Within moments, he landed atop him, crushing Diddy beneath his massive rear. Cloud's group was none too pleased, turning to glare at K. Rool.

He cackled uproariously, slapping his right knee. As Diddy struggled to escape, the Piranha Plant lunged at K. Rool. It nipped at him, its fanged mouth constantly snapping. During their own struggle, Diddy freed himself and sat by Rosalina. As he shook himself off, her Luma patted him tenderly. Meanwhile, the race's chaos only grew more intense.

Back on the track, some other racers were fortunate to avoid the pile-up. However, they couldn't miss the smoldering ink trailed all over it; In their struggles, it'd spread to most of the track. It now resembled the aftermath of a "Splatfest", more than anything. The Inklings managed to drive on, careful of their own ink's properties.

However, they could only fend for themselves, unwilling to interfere otherwise. They sensed the other racers had enough troubles at hand; While apologies were to be made, they'd have to wait. For now, the focus of all was survival, as well as escaping the now ruined track. Pac-Man held onto the notion, even as he maneuvered the inky path.

However, he lost control, bracing himself for impact. He couldn't escape it, despite his efforts otherwise. His wife watched in horror, with their children struggling not to cry. Unable to take the sight, Kirby focused his mind. In an instant, a Warp Star appeared, which he hopped onto. Ms. Pac-Man tried to pull him back, but Kirby soared away.

She could only watch as he went above the track. His sight was set on Pac-Man, his kart careening towards the sidelines. Kirby focused his thoughts again, easing towards him. As Pac-Man clutched his steering wheel, he felt his body being lifted up. He peered back, only to see Kirby's stoic face. His fear lifted in turn, prying him from the wheel.

As he eased onto the Warp Star, both saw the Villager's kart speed past them. His blank expression had given way to one of panic; Pac-Man nodded to Kirby, who followed his lead. Within moments, they'd caught up to the Villager, who tried to avoid Toadette's crashed kart. As he swerved frantically, Kirby eased the Warp Star down towards him.

Pac-Man kept his grip on Kirby as best as he could, leaving his right hand free. Once low enough, he extended his hand to the Villager. He turned to its source, only to see Pac-Man ushering him up. With a quick breath, the Villager grabbed his hand, releasing himself from his kart. As he was lifted up, he latched onto Pac-Man for support.

Now atop the Warp Star, Kirby maneuvered it as best as he could. He sensed having three fighters on it was his limit, one he couldn't break. Kirby soared along, glimpsing Pac-Man's clan, alongside Ken's family. All watched in awe as he eased the star down within the stands. Once he landed, they ran to him, cheering Kirby on.

"Oh, man!" Ken said as dropped down to him. His gaze was fixed on Kirby, still in shock. "Good on you for savin' Pac, man!" As the Villager and Pac-Man himself stepped away, Ken grew frantic. "But did ya see Shulk out there? I'm getting real worried, he should be back now!" The Villager's eyes snapped open, to which he asked about Isabelle's status.

Elsewhere, Shulk's vision had become reality, dragging her down with it. Isabelle sped by, gradually losing control of her kart. Though she drove on, the ink soon took its toll. She forced herself to a stop, leaving her in the canyon's track. Shulk still went about, headed back to Ken's side.

Meanwhile, Isabelle caught her breath, trying to calm herself. While much had befallen her fellow racers, it'd also take her if she didn't act. With a resigned sigh, she exited her kart, leaving it to the wayside. As she prepared to run away, a sudden roar caught her attention. She turned to it, only to see Wario and Roy Koopa speeding towards her.

Panic gripped her, urging Isabelle to run. However, it also struck her heart, with her mind frozen in turn. Though her legs shook, Isabelle couldn't get them to move otherwise. Her heart pounded, gripped by rage and fear. Meanwhile, Shulk ran by the barrier between the track and stands. He surveyed the damage, having called Dr. Mario earlier.

However, his mind halted upon seeing Isabelle in place. Karts fast approached her, to his dismay. Gripped by panic, Shulk activated his "Jump" art and went past the barrier. Now on the track, he switched to the "Speed" art, racing towards Isabelle. Before Wario and Roy drew closer, he grabbed her, to which she clutched his chest in shock.

On shaky steps, he turned back, holding onto Isabelle. Within moments, he'd set up "Jump", bounding past the barrier again. Once at the stands, Shulk caught his breath, easing down to sit up. As he did so, Isabelle followed suit, in awe of what had been. "But, why?" she rasped out as Shulk peered at her. "I got stuck, but you didn't need-"

"Because you'd be hit out there," Shulk replied with disbelief. "Isabelle, don't feel sorry for yourself. You're my friend, I'd help you either way!" Though struck by shock and fear, she smiled at him. Within moments, she sat by him, embracing his side tightly. Shulk held onto her, allowing them some reprieve to gather their thoughts.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Shulk!" Isabelle managed to say. "I don't know what I'd do without you!" As she paused, Shulk gave her a tender grin. "Between this and Peach's ruse, I've gotten so close to you. I'm glad to be your friend, too!" Shulk ruffled her fur, easing her fears a bit. "But I hope everyone else will be safe! Who's still out there?"

While they considered it, a sudden thud sounded out. They peered to its source, only to spot more ink spread about. The Inkling boy had smashed onto the track's barrier, now oozing blue ink. Though Shulk and Isabelle grimaced in return, the boy managed to wave at them. He gave the crowd a dazed grin before falling away.

"Oh, so there's poor Ivan," Isabelle noted to herself. "And I saw Daisy further back, with her friends and Link." She drew back and counted on her paws. "Then there's Toadette, and I think Captain Falcon left-" Shulk nodded, mentioning Cloud's group in the stands. "Good, that leaves Mario and his friends, Sonic, and I think Hannah!"

"I suppose that's fine," Shulk admitted, now uneasy. "If all goes well, we can get things sorted out eventually. Besides, the announcer called off the race." Isabelle beamed with relief, glad for their fellow fighters. As she and Shulk sat back, the Mii Fighters went to them. They'd overheard their conversation, their own fears heightened.

"So Hannah's out there, isn't she?" the Brawler asked Isabelle. As she nodded, his face grew bleak. "We told her to win, but it's not worth it anymore! God, what a mess this race turned into!" As he turned away, the Swordfighter tried to comfort him. None of the day's turmoil was his fault, let alone that of any racers.

"That's right, Finn," Shulk said with a knowing nod. "I don't think even the Inklings knew this could happen. Surely Mario would have tested it, as he did back home, right?" While all wanted to trust Mario, the possibility now loomed above them. With his many duties, he could have forgotten to. But it wasn't in his nature to ignore such an obvious flaw.

As their group and adjourning spectators discussed the matter, Shulk shook his head. "Look, let's leave it for now," he demanded them. "I told the the sponsors and control staff already, and Dr. Mario. They should settle everything down!" As all fell silent in relief, the remaining racers drove on, unaware of their own upcoming chaos.

Chapter Text

Along the track, unimaginable chaos had ravaged it; Splotches of blue and orange ink littered it as far as anyone could see. What areas had been missed were now tarnished by wrecked karts and bikes. In turn, various items also lay about, being tossed through the racers' struggle. Of those who remained, they drove as cautiously as they could.

Though it pained the Inkling girl, she had an obligation to all others. Once she could escape, she'd apologize on her behalf. Despite the track's ruined state, she remained confident in herself. She'd avoided the pile-up, drawing ever closer to the starting line. However, as she went to it, Bowser tailed her with some of his children in tow.

He'd passed the pile-up as well, appalled by their state of affairs. Though his kin hadn't been badly harmed, their torment pained him so. Bowser glared at the Inkling, vowing revenge for her reckless ways. As he drew nearer, the Koopalings studied her, clinging onto their father's shell. Bowser Jr. acted first, hurling spare Banana Peels at the Inkling.

Though his siblings cheered him on, Bowser ordered him to stop; He craved vengeance, but knew his son's ways were wrong. They'd only force the Inkling out of control, to their detriment. While Bowser Jr. followed suit, the damage had been done. Despite the girl's efforts, her kart began to spin about. It weaved wildly, colliding against Bowser's own.

As both racers fought against each other, Sonic and the Mii Gunner approached them. They couldn't help but witness their state of affairs, despite their hectic aura. Sonic was unaffected by the ink, given his custom gloves and shoes. As such, he'd helped out some less fortunate racers who'd fallen to it. However, he managed to come out on top.

Sonic ran alongside the Gunner, teasing the matter a bit. Though she laughed in turn, her own "victory" called forth. As she and Sonic tried to avoid Bowser's spar, it proved too much for them. In his struggle, Iggy and Wendy were thrown from Bowser's shell. Sonic rushed to catch them, his body cushioning their fall.

Meanwhile, the Inkling girl inadvertently spilled more ink, coating the Gunner's bike. She tried to drive on, only to crash into Bowser's kart. The sudden force caused her bike to flip over, knocking her from it. The Gunner rolled herself up as much as she could, sliding into the sidelines. Shock had gripped her body, shielding her from its pain.

As she held onto her weary form, the other Mii Fighters watched from the stands. Despite their distance, they'd seen all progress on the screens. "Hannah!" the Brawler cried out. In turn, the Swordfighter's balled fists lay against his mouth. He peered at the Brawler, stunned into silence. However, he forced his gaze to Shulk, just as shaken.

"Shulk, when's Dr. Mario gettin' out there?!" the Brawler pleaded him. "I think it's real bad. Look, Hannah's rolled up like Sonic now!" True to his word, she clutched her body, trying to extend her right arm. As Bowser and the Inkling girl drove on, Sonic stood with Iggy and Wendy. All peered at the Gunner, with Sonic calling to her in concern.

However, she kept in place, too pained to even respond to them. In the distance, Sonic could hear more racers approach them all. He glanced between them and the Gunner, torn for any solution. "You know what, guys?" he asked Bowser's kin. "Come with me. If we don't book it, we'll end up on the track! I'll zip back to Hannah in no time!"

Iggy and Wendy peered at Sonic, considering their own peril. They agreed, only for him to take them by the hand. "Hold on tight, guys," Sonic said, allowing them to cling to his body. "It's gonna be a bumpy ride!" They followed suit, only to be sent forward instantly. As Sonic dashed by, he passed Bowser and the Inkling, who stared at him in awe.

Such a sight caused them to slow down, easing them into the sidelines. As they fawned at the thought, Mario and Luigi spotted them within reach. While Luigi opted to drive in the sidelines, Mario went up to them. "Bowser, what's-a going on?" he asked while the Inkling peered back. "Why are the kids on you, and on Sonic, for that matter?"

"Junior got stuck in the crash back there!" Bowser exclaimed. "So I fished him and the other kids out, too!" While Mario nodded, Bowser glared at the Inkling girl. "No thanks to this little brat! Her ink's to blame for this whole wreck!" As the girl spoke frantically, Bowser sneered at her. "Don't play dumb, kid! Even Hannah's got it bad 'cause of you!"

The Inkling protested in kind, saying the Gunner's accident was his own fault. As they argued the matter, Mario spoke with confusion. "Ya didn't see her, man?" Bowser asked him. Mario shook his head, to which Bowser scoffed back. "She got knocked off 'cause she rammed into my kart! All because of your stupid ink, you little-"

"Okay, that's-a enough!" Mario cried out, calling them to order. Their pair fell silent, only part aware of their own movement. All drove by instinct now, subconsciously feeling for any other disturbances. Mario followed suit, peering around himself. "We'll figure this out-a later! Let's get outta here so we can help everyone, including Hannah!"

Bowser and the Inkling paused, only to nod in response. They'd been lucky enough to keep in control, despite all odds. Unwilling to push it further, they thanked Mario and began to drive again. As they eased forward, Mario followed suit, listening for any announcements otherwise. His scope was limited, given his duties as a racer.

However, he hoped all would band together in their time of need. Even the announcer had called off their race after the fact. He wondered who had informed him of such an issue; While the thought intrigued him, Mario kept his wits about himself. He drove on, entering the sidelines alongside Luigi, Bowser, Donkey Kong, the Inkling girl and Wario.

It only left Peach and the king unaccounted for, to his dismay. Though it strained his heart to consider, Mario's resolve remained. Through it all, he was certain Peach could fend for herself. She'd done so already through her lengthy ruse; She could take just a moment more, even in such a strange case then.

From behind, Peach and her father drove along, shaken by all they'd seen. While her confidence warmed his heart, their many casualties still alarmed him. In turn, they neared where Bowser had been, only to see the Mii Gunner. She eased herself up, holding onto her right arm gingerly. Her face was that of pure, racing agony.

Peach slowed down to study her, only to break into a grimace. The king followed suit, just as pained for her. "Darling, what would you like to do?" he asked Peach. "Surely we can't leave poor Hannah to suffer alone!" As Peach considered her options, the Gunner stood up shakily. The pain in her arm caused her to slump down, her mouth agape.

"Father, you know what I'd like to do!" Peach said frantically. "But I'm not sure if we can support another person! I just-" The king reached out to her, brushing against her side. He gave her a knowing nod, encouraging her on. Peach peered back, biting her bottom lip in turn. However, she nodded back, allowing herself to stop the Heart Coach.

In an instant, both bounded out of it and ran to the Gunner. "Come with us, Hannah!" Peach said to her. "Father's got you, and we'll get out of here!" Though stunned, the Gunner could only nod back. She walked carefully, to which the king propped her up. While he lifted her from the ground, Peach stepped back to her kart.

Soon enough, all resided within the Heart Coach, with Peach controlling it. As she started it up, the Gunner slumped against her father's chest. She remained weary, but the king tried to console her. "It'll be fine, Hannah," he said. "We've got you. Now, what happened back there?" Through her daze, the Gunner tried to piece things together.

"I was with Sonic," she breathed out. "We were real close to Bowser and Inez. I guess it got outta control, and I hit his kart." As the king nodded in kind, Peach drove away. She was careful to be smooth, lest the Gunner's pain heighten. While she kept to her vow, the Gunner spoke on. "I flew out, and I heard Sonic, but I, I just couldn't-"

"Don't worry, you're fine," the king said tenderly. "We'll get you to safety. Then we'll find out what's really going on-" The Gunner nodded softly, listening as Peach drove forward. Even in her pained daze, she made out the Titan Canyon's natural sounds. Against their ruined space, it comforted her, as though she were on a leisurely drive.

As she lay against the king, Wario and Roy Koopa passed Peach's kart; They slowed down carefully, aware of the Gunner in it. Wario asked of her status, to which King Toadstool responded. "Oh, she was in an incident with King Bowser!" he lamented. "It's affected her arm." The mere mention drew a phantom pain along its ruined length.

As the Gunner cried out, King Toadstool patted her head. "Try to relax, Hannah," he told her. "Getting worked up won't do any good." Though she tried to follow suit, pain rested within her gaze. As the king tried to soothe her, a thought came to him. He adjusted himself, only to dig around his robe's right pocket.

He soon fished out some Super Mushrooms, to Wario and the Gunner's surprise. "Toad sent them from back home," the king elaborated. "Subcon had some, but they weren't quite the same-" He peered at the Gunner, regaining his focus. "Anyway, they'll do you some good, I believe." He handed the Gunner a mushroom, which she studied warily.

The king nodded, assuring she could eat it as it was. The Gunner nodded back and bit into it. As she chewed its tender flesh, her spirits lifted. "Hmm, it's springy," she noted aloud. "But, it's meaty, like it's been cooked?" She took another bite, taking in its hearty flavor as relief came upon her. Despite the circumstances, she began to feel at ease.

She kept eating the mushroom, greatly appreciative of its inner might. As she remained upon the king, her arm's pain gradually tapered off. She knew of the Super Mushrooms' healing effects, but hadn't felt them herself. She wondered if they were responsible for her recovery, or if her companions' presence was.

However, the Gunner was glad for their comfort, easing her inner pain. All the while, Peach drove with confidence, her motions swift. The king was able to send Wario and Roy off politely, freeing them. They waved back, only to drive in front of Peach's kart. As they eased away, the king peered at his daughter. "Just keep going, Peachy-" he said.

His gaze shifted to the canyon surrounding them now; Despite its craggy peaks, distant signs of civilization could be seen. The track followed a straight path, working with the canyon's dips and bumps. If all drove forward, they'd reach the starting line eventually. King Toadstool counted on that, as well as his daughter's condidence and finesse.

With so much at stake, he couldn't intimidate her any longer. As Peach stole a glance to him, the king nodded knowingly. "You're doing fantastic, Peach!" he admitted, grinning a bit. "I'm so proud of you! And I bet Hannah shares the thought as well." Her gaze shifted to the Gunner, nodded gladly. As Peach turned back to the track, she beamed with glee.

Though she kept her steady pace, determination urged her to see it through. She wanted to see her companions again, free of their race's turmoil. As Peach passed more of the canyon, they revealed themselves to her. She could spot Luigi's kart nearby the starting line, moving as steadily as her own. Some other racers neared him, fighting for position.

In their struggle, they knocked each other aside, revealing Luigi once more. His kart went further, now past the starting line. As she gasped in shock, Waluigi sped by, passing her kart. From the sidelines, Wario, Bowser and Roy grumbled to themselves, unsatisfied and irate. Only the Inkling girl was silent, forced into a standstill.

As she drove away from them, Peach followed suit, passing their karts. She was careful to stay steady, managing to avoid the Inkling. In turn, she caught up to Waluigi as he passed the starting line first. While he cheered to himself, Peach drove from the line, stopping her kart carefully. Once she put it in park, she stepped out, peering around.

"And we've got our 'winners'!" the announcer called out, stunning all present. "Even though the race is cancelled, let's give it up for our fearless contestants!" Within the stands, spectators clapped uneasily, more afraid for the racers' safety. "Their bravery shows great strength through adversity!" Peach went forward, spotting Luigi nearby.

He stood in place, shaking slightly from shock. Her eyes snapped open, to which she ran to him. "Luigi-" she called out, careful not to startle him. He turned to Peach, still trying to catch his breath. "Luigi, are you okay? How has everyone fared?" As soon as she asked it, her mind went racing. "And, where is Mario?! I haven't seen him since we began!"

"Beats-a me," Luigi said shakily. "We caught up earlier, but I just kept-a going! I didn't wanna do anything else back there!" Though she grimaced, Peach nodded back. She thanked Luigi for his help and walked on further. Across the way, she saw Wendy and Iggy Koopa, reeling from shock. She shook her head, imagining her other companions.

Peach forced herself to move forward, only to hear a familiar voice. As her heart raced, she stepped to its source. "Dr. Mario!" she exclaimed, dropping down to embrace him. "How is everyone? Is anyone else badly hurt?" Though surprised, Dr. Mario fell into her touch, holding her back. When they broke apart, he met her tender, fearful gaze.

"Thankfully, no one's too-a banged up," Dr. Mario said to her. "Well, their karts and bikes are, but not-a them! We've got some scuffs and scrapes, but everyone's doing fine-" He paused upon seeing Peach shake her head. "Oh, I was afraid of that. Peach, what'd you see out there?" She paused for breath, only to point towards her kart.

"It's Hannah, Dr. Mario," Peach replied back. "She was flipped from Bowser's kart, and fell onto the track! I picked her up, but something's wrong with her arm!" Dr. Mario's eyes widened and he asked of the Gunner's state then. Peach gave a longing look towards her kart, only to speak again. "She's stable, but please check on her!"

As Peach peered back to Dr. Mario, he nodded and went to her kart. "She's with Father now, Dr. Mario!" Peach shouted, hoping she caught his attention. Though his image faded away, she felt more at ease. Besides the Gunner, no true harm had come from their tourney, only chaos. She was glad for her friends, as scattered as they were.

Chapter Text

While she walked about, Peach stole a glance at the starting line. Bowser, Wario and Donkey Kong had since passed it, their karts parked about. Donkey Kong walked as well, gathering wreckage from the track. Peach passed him, giving him an appreciative wave. He followed suit with a nod before returning to his work.

Meanwhile, Wario stood nearby, counting on his fingers. When Peach reached him, she stopped and asked what he was doing. "I'm checkin' off everyone," Wario replied gruffly. "Makin' stock of their karts and bikes. I can get-a lotta scrap to sell off their wrecks, ya know!" Peach scoffed to herself, only for her first concern to return.

"Wario, have you seen Mario yet?" she asked, to which he shook his head. As her own fell, Wario muttered to himself. Meanwhile, Bowser neared them, dragging the Inkling girl by her head tentacles. As she cried out in protest, Peach turned to them. The Inkling grimaced, trying to free herself. "And, just what are you doing to Inez, Bowser?!"

Bowser paused to wave at her, freeing his right hand. His grip remained on the girl's left tentacle, keeping her by him. "I'm just keeping track of this brat!" he said as her mouth quaked. She struggled not to cry, her resolve breaking. As she tried to turn away, Peach went to Bowser. Her gaze turned stern as she demanded he release the girl.

Bowser huffed, refusing her as he was want to. "That's enough, Bowser," Peach scolded him. "You should know better, even for you! I'm sure Inez didn't mean to bring all of this about!" Though she nodded, the Inkling couldn't contain herself. She burst into tears, her cheeks stained by their infused ink. As she sobbed, her anguish finally struck Bowser.

He released the girl, who shielded her face in shame. Bowser tried to pat her gently, speaking in turn. "Aww, I'm sorry, Inez," he said, his voice raw. "But I didn't want any more to happen 'cause of your ink! The kids are already banged up, and-" He paused, allowing all to catch their breath. The Inkling pulled her hands away, her mouth slack.

"But that's it, man!" she cried out. "I didn't think it'd do this! Ivan didn't know either! It's like our ink's super-slippery or something!" She rubbed her eyes dry as Peach offered her a handkerchief. The Inkling accepted it, patting it against her cheeks. Meanwhile, Bowser questioned the ink's strange properties alongside Peach.

Neither knew why it acted as it did earlier, considering their familiarity with it. Inklings had been in "Mario Kart" races before in the Mushroom Kingdom; Their ink hadn't been as dangerous as it'd been now. "So, say Inez is right," Bowser pondered aloud. "And she wasn't doin' anything funny. So, why'd her ink cause everyone to lose control?"

"Because it's not the ink!" Shulk said, to the surprise of all about. They turned to him, wondering why he'd come to them. Bowser questioned him, to which Shulk explained himself. He discussed his vision from earlier, how it'd led him to the control room. In it, he told the "Smash" sponsors and staff all he'd seen.

Having convinced them, they called the announcer to tell everyone the news. In turn, they also cancelled the race, trying to minimize injury. "See, when I was there," Shulk pressed on. "We found out it was the track's reaction to the Inklings' ink! I still don't know what's responsible for it, though. Peach, would you know what's in the track?"

"No, I don't," Peach replied somberly. "Only Mario and his crew know for sure, and he's not back yet-" She stepped towards the starting line and stared into the distance. Only the canyon's reaches greeted her, now marred by debris and ink. Much dirt had arisen from their day's chaos, seemingly rising with each passing moment.

Though despondent, Peach peered on, entranced by such a sight. Shulk and Bowser flanked her, joined by the Inkling girl, Luigi and Wario. As they joined Peach, the dirt seemed to burst upon itself. It scattered about, parting to reveal Mario driving his kart. As all cried in surprise, Sonic ran alongside him, carrying Mario's F.L.U.D.D. pack.

He peered about and doused inked up areas with the device's water. Both approached the starting line, their faces determined. As they neared it, the ink parted ways, as did the canyon's earth. All near the line cheered them on, clapping when they went past it. As Sonic stepped aside, the Inkling girl rushed to him, avoiding the F.L.U.D.D.'s form.

He set it away, only to wrap her up in a playful embrace. As they spoke among themselves, Mario stopped his kart and ran to Peach. She followed Sonic's lead and embraced Mario tightly. She lifted him up, spinning them both with glee. Meanwhile, King Toadstool came upon them, having released the Mii Gunner to Dr. Mario's care.

He smiled, his heart having skipped a beat. "She's so happy-" he thought to himself. "Even after this horrid day, she's just glad to be with him. And he feels just the same-" He studied Mario's grateful face, beaming with relief and delight. Even if all had fallen to ruin, they had the other for comfort. The king nodded in kind, glancing around himself.

He could say the same for the facility's residents, as scattered as they were then. Of them, he saw Shulk conversing with Dr. Mario; As they discussed the day's injuries, the other Mii Fighters burst onto the track. They called out for the Gunner, to which Shulk and Dr. Mario went to them. "Don't-a worry, Hannah will be just fine!" Dr. Mario said.

He pointed to a makeshift medical station nearby; The Gunner lay on a stretcher, joined by Link and Yoshi. They stood by, sharing some assorted fruits. As the other Miis ran to her, King Toadstool decided to follow them. Once there, all studied the Gunner, who peered up to them. "I'm better, guys," she said. "Nothing's broken or anything!"

"Thank God, Hannah," the Brawler said, reaching down to her good hand. "I'd- I mean, we'd never forgive ourselves if anything happened to you!" The Swordfighter nodded, his mouth quivering slightly. As she smiled at them, King Toadstool mused on the Brawler's pleas. They seemed born of a true love, even if he wasn't aware of it then.

The Swordfighter cared for his friend, but not to the Brawler's extent. As he stroked the Gunner's hand, the king's heart fluttered again. "But what matters is that you're safe," he said to the Gunner. "Don't beat yourselves up over the matter, you two. There's only so much you can do, after all. Only so much you can protect your loved ones."

The other Mii Fighters nodded, taken back by his earnest admission. They peered at him, seeking a greater yearning within his gaze. The king spoke on, giving into their intrigue. "I suppose it best to go with what you're given," he said as Mario and Peach neared him. "You can't fight fate, no matter how hard you try. Some things should be taken in grace."

"Very wise words, Father," Peach said, drawing the king's attention. "Very wise, indeed." He turned to her, still gripped by his thoughts. However, his glee overpowered it and he ran to her. The king wrapped her in a quick hug before peering at Mario. "Anyway, we've sorted things out. The Inklings' ink was reacting to the track's protective coating!"

The king's mouth fell slack with shock, his gaze inquisitive. Mario spotted it, prompting himself to speak. "Before you ask," he said to King Toadstool. "We did test it-a out! The 'Wrecking Crew' just did a last minute touch-up! They had a new top-coat that we hadn't tested with ink!" As he shook his head with exasperation, the king did the same.

"Well, don't be too harsh on yourself, Mario," the king consoled him. "You couldn't have known, considering all you had to do. If they went in without your knowledge, that's their burden to bear." Mario nodded softly, still reeling from his own shock. The king went to him, and patted his back tenderly. "You worked your hardest, even if fell to ruin, Mario."

"I applaud you for that," King Toadstool pressed on. "And for all you've done for my Peach, as well as your friends. Without you, none of them would be here, much less for such an event!" Mario gazed at the king, struck by the adoration in his gaze. His disdain had given way to it, having won the man over. Mario broke into a grin, bright with glee.

As Peach applauded him, some other racers stepped to her, joined by fellow fighters. Those within the stands saw glimpses of their race's aftermath, ported via the drone fleet. Despite the chaos upon the track, the facility's sense of community shone through. Many had come in support of their friends, trying to ease their day's pain and anguish.

Among their group were her "family", alongside Kirby, Pac-Man, Sonic and Rosalina. The Mii Fighters watched on, glad for their turmoil to end. All within the track and outside of it shared their longing, despite its initial thrill. "Well, thank you, your Majesty," Mario said gladly. "It means a lot, coming from you. I'm just glad we've sorted things out."

"Now we can get to fixing things-a up!" he exclaimed, pumping his right fist skyward. "At least we learned another 'Nintendon't', eh, Sonic?" As Sonic burst out laughing, it caught onto some of their crowd. Despite all that'd been, they couldn't help but laugh at how ludicrous it'd become. Within the stands, spectators felt the same, talking it over.

At the very least, Mario had given them an unforgettable experience. Even by accident, his work managed to enthrall them. The spectators figured even Mario wasn't immune to such things. He'd been in some unusual projects, providing many in-jokes for the public. He could surely bounce back from the race's failure, alongside his friends.

Such was the thought, even for Mario himself. He'd requipped his F.L.U.D.D., calling all to action. "Right, 'cause clean is better than dirty," Sonic said, nearly singing the words. "And dirty's meaner than clean-" Mario moved on, seemingly unaware of Sonic's little joke. With a shrug, he readied himself as well. "Hey, you heard the man, let's jet!"

Soon enough, some racers and fighters joined Mario's clean-up effort with Sonic; Wario and Donkey Kong were well at work, having collected much wreckage. Luigi shuffled to his brother, now holding his Poltergust G-00. Mario eyed him over before calling Luigi towards some wreckage. He nodded and ran forward, allowing the device to inhale it.

Meanwhile, Isabelle had joined the Mii Fighters, offering the Gunner her assistance. She refused for the moment, opting to pet Isabelle instead. She took it in stride, glad to help the Gunner in any way possible. As they chatted, Ken called the Brawler over. Ryu had also come, standing by his friend. The Brawler stared back, asking what they needed.

"We're gonna cut loose, man!" Ken said with a brazen grin. Ryu nodded back, his own excitement more restrained. The Brawler remained unaware, to which Ken swept him under his right arm. "Come on, DK dragged over some karts for scrap. We're gonna break 'em down beforehand-" As Ken's free hand balled into a fist, the Brawler nodded back.

Within moments, he joined Ryu and Ken as they went to the wrecked karts. All eyed them over, only to give each other knowing glances. A barrage of fists soon pummeled them, sending metal flying about. All the while, the Brawler spoke with Ryu and Ken, venting his frustrations. They listened in kind, glad to release their own tension.

Elsewhere, Young Link walked around with Lon Lon Milk cups, per Dr. Mario's request. He'd gathered it up, courtesy of his older counterpart. Dr. Mario advised the boy to hand them out to boost morale; All the racers were near the medical station, examining one another and themselves. Isabelle remained by the Mii Gunner, only to see Young Link.

"Oh, Link has milk!" she said, waving to him. "Would you like some, Hannah?" The Gunner accepted, curious how it'd taste with Super Mushrooms. As they laughed over the thought, Peach and her father passed them. They'd met with some other racers, their concerns lingering. However, their presence comforted them, to the pair's delight.

They planned to see Yoshi and Link, who remained at the station. However, they got wind of the Gunner's talk, to their intrigue. As they stopped to listen, Young Link gave Isabelle some milk. "Oh, that's sweet of him!" Peach said of the boy. "We should take Hannah up on her offer, come to think of it! Father, do you have more Mushrooms?"

He nodded and dug into his pocket again. Soon enough, he clutched them in his grasp. "Come on, let's lend a helping hand," Peach with a bright grin. "Mario can't do it alone-" The king nodded, holding onto his mushrooms tighter. As they stepped to the Gunner, Mario neared the station to refill the F.L.U.D.D. alongside Luigi.

Once there, he saw Peach and her father and called to them. They took notice, waving back as Mario and Luigi ran forward. "Hi, darling!" Peach called to Mario. "I'll meet up with you in a moment! First we need to give Hannah more mushrooms." Mario nodded, asking of the Gunner's state. "She's doing better, she just needs to lay off of her arm-"

With another nod, Mario set the F.L.U.D.D. aside and walked with Peach, Luigi and the king. Soon, they reached the Gunner and handed her more Super Mushrooms. "They should compliment Link's milk," the king told her. "In fact, I believe they'd make a wonderful cream soup together! It's a specialty of my kingdom, don't you know?"

As the Gunner shook her head playfully, Mario peered at the king. "That's-a right," he said, now tempted by the thought. "Are you a fan, sire? Because I love it! It reminds me of Mama's food back home in-a Brooklyn-" The king nodded, only to ask of Mario's time there. "Yeah, I lived-a there for a while, ever since I was a baby-"

The king's brows rose, stunned by his admission. He questioned Mario further, to which he explained his ordeal. "Well, I was-a born in your kingdom," Mario said while Luigi and Peach nodded. "But while the stork was delivering me and Luigi, we were kidnapped by Kamek!" King Toadstool urged him to stop, his own painful memories returning.

Though Mario followed suit, Peach patted his back tenderly. "Oh, that's not the half of it, Father!" she told him. "See, during this mess, Mario fell onto Yoshi's native island! Their head Yoshi took him in while they searched for Luigi! It must've been so cute, lil' Mario riding on that Yoshi's back-" The king shook his head frantically, gripped by disbelief.

"Just wait a moment, darling!" he nearly spat out. "Are you saying that Mario was that 'grand' child who fought with the Yoshis?!" As Mario and Peach nodded back, the king stared at them. He never imagined such a thing possible, let alone within his reach. However, their gazes held no hesitation, affirming all they claimed.

To know it meant that Mario's influence reached farther than he ever imagined. "How is that so?!" he asked, prompting Mario to explain further. From the Yoshi clan's accounts, their homeland had Super Stars, which granted invulnerability. At certain times, they gave themselves for the taking. Through them, "baby" Mario gained vast speed.

With its force, he aided the Yoshi troupe through tight spots. "But if you don't-a believe me," Mario said, gaining the king's focus. "I can call over Yoshi! He knows this better than anyone, since he lived there. Besides, he's a fellow 'star child', so-" The king gasped, his mouth now slack. He tried to control himself, his eyes still wide.

"Sweet heavens, the tales were true!" King Toadstool exclaimed. Before Peach or Mario could console him, he stepped back in shock. "You've always been looking out for Peach, and the kingdom's citizens!" He shook his head, trying to reason with himself. "Oh, I was such a fool to doubt you! But if this is truly so, why did you leave my kingdom?"

"Well, as Mama and Papa said," Mario replied to him. "After they got us back, everyone was all over our family! They tried to keep us being 'star children' secret, but it didn't-a work out." He paused for breath, recalling their own tales. "So they took us to America, where they had folks in Brooklyn. It was-a the only way we could have a 'normal' life."

"I see, Mario-" King Toadstool said, mulling over such circumstances. Even his parents were faced with their peace of mind being shattered. He could only imagine how intense such attention was for their clan. Given how Mario and Luigi turned out, he couldn't fault them for their choice. "It seems to have worked well for you two, all things considered."

He prattled on, wondering how Mario and Luigi returned to his kingdom. "Oh, that's-a easy," Luigi chimed in. "It happened when we were eighteen. Mama and Papa told us about the Mushroom Kingdom and our 'true' heritage. They showed us how to use our family's secret Warp Whistles to travel worlds, and sent us off to find our calling."

"Yes, and then they met me shortly afterwards," Peach noted, her voice wistful. "After your departure and my graduation, Father. We were in a shambles, then Bowser stormed in! But then Mario stepped up to rescue me-" The king shook his head, urging her to say no more. As she fell silent, he went to hug her, wrapping Peach tight in his arms.

"And then he did," King Toadstool said tenderly. "Just as he's done all this time. I'm sorry for doubting either of you, darling. You both must have been so afraid!" He pulled back while Peach took a breath. As she nodded, the king called Mario to his side. Once there, he drew Mario close to him. "Either way, I'm glad to have you in the family, Mario."

As he and Peach lay in the king's embrace, all felt suddenly still. The day's chaos had subsided for them, despite the constant motion within reach. Even within it, some of the fighters paused to watch them. Luigi was among them, as were Peach's "family", Yoshi, Sonic, Kirby and Pac-Man. The Mii Gunner kept in place, content to see the king so glad.

"You've done so much good for one another," King Toadstool said as he pulled away. "And I hope you keep at it with my daughter, Mario. You have my blessing; Go on and live your lives!" As he grinned at them, Mario and Peach jumped up, only to fall into each other's arms. While they embraced, Pac-Man went to slap the king's back.

"There, it's not so bad, is it?" he asked of the man. "Not a big deal at all! She's found a real keeper, Maurice. We all have." King Toadstool nodded, glad for his support. He gave Pac-Man a playful slap, jostling him turn. As they teased one another, Kirby joined them, hopping beside Pac-Man. Meanwhile, Luigi stood with Sonic, discussing their hectic day.

They laughed it off, merely glad to be safe now. As they returned to their work, Peach's 'family' stood by the Gunner. "You know, I never thought it'd end up like this," she said to them. "Not just my arm, but everything here! But that's just life for ya." They nodded, their own antics coming to mind. However, most were now fond memories for them.

"I like to keep on the positive side," Isabelle chimed in. "Even in the worst times, one can grow from them." She glanced at her friends, her heart growing lighter. "But I'm glad to have been with you all! You're just wonderful!" As they cheered her on, Ken went to her, toying with her tied fur. "We should have more adventures when this blows over!"

"Well, maybe when Peach actually gets married," Ken retorted with a grin. "Just imagine that-" As he snickered to himself, Isabelle followed suit. Across the way, she saw Mario and Peach, having broken apart. However, both were fixed on the other, their love clear. Isabelle smiled to herself, glad that it remained, even with of their disorder.

All had fallen into tune for their pair, as well as their fellow fighters. Now clear of their given tension, all were free to live openly. It felt like the best welcomed them after their day's turmoil. The thought comforted Isabelle, even as she worked with her companions. Its joy spread to all, their greatest comfort in their shared, fantastic world of "Smash".