Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Laughter is one of the strange cravings that so many of us seek, and yet the ways that we can find it are truly diverse.

On my return trip to the Mushroom Kingdom, it's the laughter that echoes in my mind. The laughs that play, those shared with friends, with…well, as one such friend calls them, with "special ones" that we delight and bond over our shared time.

Once upon a time, the private flight that I took was one offered by my friend, who had passed that along from the goddess princess of the Mushroom Kingdom herself. Such a grand offering that one so divine granted on a whim. Now, though, I have the flight to myself by my earnings and selection.

While the privacy is nice, it is rather lonely; besides the two attendants and two pilots, it's just me on board. Funny, how everyone is paired off nicely except for me. A bitter chuckle escaped my lips as I gazed out into the bright blue skies, coated with clouds all around. One is oddly in the shape of a barrel, and it takes me back.

My life has evolved in quite unexpected turns. I started out as just a city girl with a hobby in singing, and the first major partner in my life was a city boy who dreamed of becoming a carpenter. Everything went off the rails for us once that foul ape kidnapped me, and the young man braved his barrel tossing nemesis until he was able to set me free. After that, the thrill of heroics wasn't enough for just one instance, not for him, and he craved more than what our lives could offer. By contrast, I craved nothing of the sort, and I just wanted a calmer, more peaceful life.

Until that grew to dull for me, and I simply couldn't find anyone that captured my attention in the way that he had. Not that I wanted him back like that, mind you, but his sudden disappearance from my life, and his grand dreams shifting from carpentry to becoming a far-flung adventurer, well…I couldn't contain curiosity forever. So, when he invited me back into his life, I decided to throw a little caution to the wind and meet up with my ex-lover in a distant land that he settled.

When I arrived from the city to the vibrant and enchanted kingdom, I stepped from the plane to meet with him and the regal ruler of the land herself. I wasn't expecting to meet such a radiant goddess that day, but lo and behold, life offers the strangest journeys for us to take.

Princess Peach Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom. Back then, I was so in awe of the divine princess, and I wanted to soak in all of the details about her. Bright and shining blonde hair gently coated her head, tucked neatly beneath her shimmering golden crown. Crystal blue eyes met mine, a sparkling splendor indeed. Soft, gentle lips that were dipped in a rose pink color, matching her intoxicating scent of roses. Those lips were so frequently curved into a cute, sweet, and sincere smile, one that I would grow to crave so often. Just her face was enough to get lost in.

Her clothes have become so inspiring, but her most common outfit, her signature pink gown, is always the favorite for everyone. The frilly pink dress coated her body so well, perfectly fitting over her smooth skin. Its patterns made her outfit so elegant and decorated, and if I had the time to take in the designs, I could get lost in just staring at it over the day. Such a simple and yet fine, regal outfit made it near impossible to peel your eyes away from her, as if her face alone hadn't done that already. But that was it about her: she looked so gorgeous, body and outfit, to the point that you wouldn't want to look away. Why would anyone want to miss the magnificence of this enchanting goddess? And the stars above know just how charming she could be, always sweet, polite, and friendly, with the most enrapturing laughter to crown it all.

One would think that was where the story gets good, but it doesn't really go anywhere past that, not for me anyway. Princess Peach is the high point of all my stories. Love is strange like that.

At any rate, I had taken to life in the Mushroom Kingdom, and I became a toy designer while I was there. It was an unexpected, and yet unique, role that my former partner, Mario, helped me get into. It was a welcomed role in the kingdom, one that helped bestow delight and wonder on many citizens' eyes.

Most importantly, though, was that it was a role that caught Peach's attention.

She invited me over, and I gave her a private demonstration of my miniature toy version of her. Just that little bit won her over, and I became the personal delivery inventor of the princess's toys. Hmm. Ha. Nothing quite turned out how I expected that far along already.

As if that wasn't enough already, months, almost a year passed by, and I was introduced to her close friends, Daisy and Rosalina. Two divine goddesses in their respective rights as well, with Daisy having the energy and shine of the morning sun and Rosalina taking on the serenity of the night's stars. Truly, such short summaries do them no justice, but if I dwell on them as I did Peach, I fear that I'll spend the day pouring over beautiful women, and not telling what happened after. Although, perhaps that is the better way to spend it…

Anyway, Peach invited me to show them toy replicas of the pair, and thus, I unveiled and introduced their mini versions as well. Like Peach herself, both women were captivated by the simple joys found in their little toy designs, and very quickly, the pantheon of goddesses had accepted my offerings, and perhaps me with them. I became friends with each, visiting their homes and getting to know them just a bit better.

I can't tell you how much I wanted that to last.

Home called though, with needs to get the city back up from its spiraling descent. Maybe it was because they wanted to hear a few songs from me again, since I filled a few karaoke bars with delight. Perhaps they knew I had an eye for designing and a knack for restructuring. Heck, they might have just wanted to see a pretty face come back home and liven the place back up. Whatever the reasoning, I had many citizens begging for me to return, because no one quite understood New Donk City the way that I did. I ended up becoming the mayor, after all.

With the bitterest reluctance, I eventually caved and returned home, leaving the toys and joys of the Mushroom Kingdom behind. Or, so I had thought.

The thing about the kingdom is that there's a wicked tyrant that tries to take it over. Going by the name of Bowser, he tries to swipe Princess Peach and schemes different ways to make her kingdom fall into his clutches. He had become the fight of Mario's life, constantly challenging one another in a long-lasting rivalry that almost excites the two of them too much. Poor Princess Peach, since she's stuck in the middle of it all.

As fate would have it, Bowser tried to steal Peach away on a grand journey for a horrific wedding, and went from country and kingdom to snatch different treasures that he wanted to fulfill his insane marriage puzzle. Tastelessly, he came to New Donk City, ordered an attack against us, and then tried to devolve the place into a living advertisement. Thankfully, where Bowser goes, Mario follows, and he helped us return the city into proper form. He even joined in on our grand city celebration and we honored him for his efforts, both in the past and present. It would've been nice if it ended there, but then Bowser kidnapped me, and forced me to come for the wedding ceremony on the moon. Sinister as it was just tormenting poor Peach, and that was enough to set me off, the audacity he had in dragging me to see him ruin my goddess was almost too much.

Eventually, Mario rescued Peach from Bowser's clutches, and we were able to get everything back to normal. Astoundingly, both Mario and Bowser tried proposing to Peach, who rejected and turned them down. Learning that, I couldn't have been more flabbergasted, as I swore up and down that Mario was going to be the man she'd marry. What a delight to be proven wrong!

So, our story continued after, and Peach made sure to get into more business with me. Crazy Cap shops for the Mushroom Kingdom, toys still being produced and sent over, and open invitations for me specifically to join in on whatever sort of party or sport events they would hold. Tennis, go-karting, I was suddenly thrust into more excitement and adventure than ever before. And, like Mario, I got swept up into it, wanting to get carried away in it all. A far cry from having sworn it off, that was for sure.

A bit of shaking from the plane roused me back into the moment, and we were soon arriving back in the Mushroom Kingdom. It's been more than a New Donk minute.

Peach had invited me back over to see what new prototypes and modifications I made on the toys, since I couldn't help tinkering in the meantime. A lot less was done after I stepped up as the mayor, but any little bit was progress enough for me. Plus, it gave me an alternative escape from the city work besides just singing and longing for her.

All too eagerly, I accepted her invitation, and I've returned to the Mushroom Kingdom once again, back to my divine princess, and hopefully for a new kind of laughter and joy to be found from our time together.

Perhaps…just maybe…

No, no, what could I be thinking? Get a grip, Pauline. Even if she's not set on settling, Mario might still be who she's after. They're so close, and it seems so natural…right?

Still, I can't stop longing…

Escaping from the plane, I've got my heels back on beneath my red pantsuit, and adjust my purple hat back on my head. Hopefully it doesn't deter Peach to see, but last time, she seemed to like it, and I could've sworn she eyed me up and down. Perhaps because it was so new for us both, or maybe she was caught up in the drama back then. Regardless, I made sure that I would have my signature red dress for more dignified moments, and perhaps we could take a night out…

"Mayor Pauline!" A Toad retainer walked up to me and bowed. "Welcome back to the Mushroom Kingdom. The Princess is certainly looking forward to your return."

"Thank you."

Was she though? Could it be true, that perhaps she was just as eager about our reunion as I had been?

We had touched down right near the castle. Would it be too much if I ran off to meet with her again? I have to show some restraint, or I should I suppose.

Before I could do anything, though, there's shouting erupting from the castle. The Toad retainer gasped and sprinted back for Peach's Castle, and I chased after him.

This couldn't be happening again, not today, not now. I'm so close, and I've been longing to have time alone with her again. Please, if it must be, any day but today.

My heart's dropped though, and I already know that she's gone before I clear the blurring blue, green, white, and red hallways, before we reached the throne room.

"Oh no! Princess Peach has been kidnapped again!" The Toad retainer slumped down and shook his head.

"It's crazy!" Another Toad grasped at his head and shook around. "The one day that Mario isn't around, and they've still taken Peach away!"

"Wait, what?" I can't help interjecting at this point. "Mario isn't here?"

"No, he's away and helping set up for the next go-karting tournament," explained one of the Toads. "Peach wanted him to look over the different tracks that we were going to be using."

"Then contact Luigi and tell him he's on immediately," I almost commanded, though I meant to advise. "We need him to save her!"

"But he's with Mario."

"What?!" I grabbed at my hat and tugged it down. "How can they both be away and leave Peach so vulnerable to a Bowser attack and kidnapping?!"

"Actually…they're with Bowser now," revealed one of the Toads.

"…Excuse me?"

"The racetrack that they're away and working on," detailed the Toad, "that's actually Bowser's Castle, but one that's redesigned into a raceway. He's the one showcasing it to them, and he's got his son with him too."

"Are you serious?"

"Surprisingly."

To be honest, I had completely forgotten that Bowser was very popular among the Koopas within the Mushroom Kingdom, and was invited to participate in many events as well. A bit insane, but the money earned from them and from the ratings would go towards good causes; so, it was always best to draw in the biggest crowds.

"Well, they can't take that long, can they?"

"…Um…"

…

~Meanwhile at Bowser's Castle track~

Bowser rested his hand on Mario's shoulder as he guided him around the castle.

"So, I think I've got a real winner set up this time around," insisted Bowser. "For my track this year, I've modified a new castle racetrack…"

"Uh-huh." Mario's eyes scanned around.

"This time, I've got some lava pits to soar over."

"Right."

"Statues that launch fireballs."

"Of course."

"A few Thwomps and spiked ball traps."

"Classics."

"Not one, but two segments to drive through rings of fire."

"Ooh."

"And I'm thinking of super sizing a few enemies to add an extra element of distinct flavor," suggested Bowser. He smirked and folded his arms. "So, what do you think?"

"It sounds incredibly dangerous, but we've got talented drivers," weighed Mario. "And Lakitu is good at scooping up from danger when we need him."

"Sure, yeah, he's on it." Bowser leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. "So…you like it, right? I need your approval, after all."

"There are still a few things that I wanted to look over." Mario blinked and glanced out of the gates. "You tried adding a moat section in this year?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Bowser shrugged. "The water stuff is usually a hit."

"And you've got new loops and sections for the anti-gravity features?"

"Duh!" Bowser laughed. "Why would I not get the best for this?"

"Hmm…well, I should still look a few things over, but the best way is through example."

"Papa?"

"Junior, hey, we're back." Bowser strolled over to his son near the starting line and rubbed his head. "I think we've got a real winner of a track this year, son!"

"Dad, that's great and all, but I don't know if he can handle it."

"Who?"

"Him."

Bowser Jr. pointed out to the starting line, where Luigi sat shuddering on his standard go-kart, eyes widened as he took in the horrors of Bowser's Castle racetrack. His grip on the steering wheel was tightly locked, and his teeth chattered the longer he observed the course.

"Son, what's your point?"

"Can you not see him?" Bowser Jr. gestured to Luigi. "He looks like he'll scream or pass out any minute."

"Eh, he screams a lot, that one," determined Bowser. "Not a big deal, that's just Louie."

"Luigi."

"Whatever."

"Still, shouldn't one of us run it instead?" Bowser Jr. folded his arms. "I feel like we're better off for it. Any of us."

"No can do," countered Bowser. "I've got to show Mario around the different parts of the track so he can check it all over, make sure it's up and ready for racing." He patted Junior's head. "And I need you to make sure that the traps—uh, obstacles, are working and running smoothly." He blinked and scratched his head. "Well, the minions should be running that, but I need you to make sure that they are."

"Besides, Junior, Luigi may get scared easily, but he's just as capable as I am," assured Mario. "He can handle racing a test drive, and he's done it before. I have complete confidence in him, and I'm sure he'll do fine." Mario lifted a thumb up and smiled to Luigi, who shakily returned the gestures. "If all else fails, we're here and ready to help! …You did get Lakitu on call, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, your precious brother will be fine," insisted Bowser. "Though a few burns might give him some needed color."

"Bowser…"

"Joking! I'm just joking! …Mostly." Bowser cleared his throat. "Hey! Lakitu! Give us a countdown!"

Descending from the upper levels of the castle, the Fishin' Lakitu saluted Bowser and lifted his starting lights before Luigi. The younger plumber paled as he watched the countdown, and nervously revved up his kart, groaning at the rumbling of the castle's obstacles getting ready.

Once the lights flickered to start, Luigi rocketed off and screamed, as he sped past the group observing him. Bowser Jr. slowly blinked and glared up at Mario and Bowser, who exchanged confused expressions and shrugged to one another. Sighing, Bowser Jr. shook his head and wandered off.

"This is going to take forever…"

Bowser scratched his head as he watched his son wander off, and then guided Mario around to view the entirety of the course.

…

~Back at Peach's Castle~

"…It takes how long to check the track?"

"Too long!" The Toad shook his head. "We need to send someone to save Princess Peach now! We don't even know who took her, just that they had a flying ship or something!"

"Where were her guards?!"

"…Uh—"

"At this point, I don't think I want to know," I admitted. "So, who else can be sent to go save her?"

"Our best Toads aren't available because they're scouting for treasures and working on new territory boundaries and fortresses," brought up another Toad. "This timing couldn't possibly be worse!"

"There wasn't a ball coming up soon, was there?"

The first Toad gawked at the second, and clasped his hands over his mouth.

"Oh no! But the Princess is so looking forward to the dances! She was going to practice soon and everything!"

"Dances are a little bit lower on the urgency matters," I interrupted.

"Ah, you're right!" The Toad gripped his head. "But what do we do? The castle guards don't have the training to traverse the lands, and we've got no one left to send after her."

"Haven't they tried before?"

"Most of us are too afraid," chimed in another Toad. "We love our kingdom, but sometimes, it's a little too much for us to handle."

"We can't just sit around and panic over everything!" My fists tightened, but I relaxed them right after. "There must be something that we can do!"

"But what?"

Brushing back strands of my brunette hair that escaped from beneath my hat, I twisted around and watched the Toads that wheeled in my luggage. Inside were some clothes to change into, and the toys that I planned on showcasing for Princess Peach today. Those toys…they weren't just built for amusement.

If I…no, I…could I? Was I really about to do this? Go completely against what I had planned since that ape threatened my livelihood, and finally chase adventure that I swore off time and again. I'm not that kind of gal, but…for my precious and pure Princess Peach…

"Give me a few minutes to get everything ready," I decided. "I've got some clothes to swap into, and I've got toys to prime."

"Huh?"

"If no one else can, then I'm going after Peach." I lifted my fist up to my chest. "She's been through far too much, and I won't let her deal with another monster." Breaking from my composure, I had to turn back down to the Toads. "But, uh, maybe make sure that someone comes after me. Perhaps contact Daisy or Rosalina?"

"We can try, but getting in touch with them might take a while."

"Faster or slower than Mario?"

"Probably faster."

"Then get to it, because we've got no time to waste." I pressed my lips together. "And get me a kingdom map too, please. I'll definitely need that."

"Yes ma'am, Mayor Pauline ma'am!"

My hands went for my luggage and I dug through the bags and suitcases. Tugging out my sneakers, I nodded, and then rummaged through for the minis. My eyes fell over the Mini Mario within, and I glanced behind him for the others. A nervous laugh escaped my lips, and I can't believe I'm gearing up for a dangerous journey of my own.

Time to be her new hero.

Chapter Text

~Unknown Location~

"Kidnapped again. Fantastic."

Peach sighed as she slipped off her shoe and chucked it at the cage before her. A cyan aura repelled it and flicked her heel back. Catching it, Peach rolled her eyes, leaning against her rather tight cylindrical confinement, poking at the bar. There was little room for her to shift around or stand, never mind lacking legroom for at least pacing.

"Well, if this is Bowser, then he's come up with something more creative than usual," she observed. "While that might make sense, I don't think he'd spend time creating something this fortified for me. He's too arrogant for that." Peach folded her arms. "So, if not Bowser, then who…?"

Tapping at the bars, tiny sparks flickered at Peach's touch. Taking her shoe and hitting it a bit harder, the cage's aura snapped it from her hand.

"Huh, the harder I hit it, the more it resists…" She puffed out her cheek. "That's admittedly clever."

Sliding down against her cage, Peach glanced to the shimmering electric wall that obscured her view from the outside world. Squinting her eyes, Peach trying staring through the cage's force field, spotting trees below.

"Hmm. I can make out trees, but…" Pulling back from the cage, Peach rubbed her eyes. "Ah! If only this lousy energy field wasn't up." Smacking at the bottom of the cage, the power from the field around her flickered and the light dimmed. "Oh. That works." Peach gazed out from the cage and studied her surroundings below. "Dense vegetation, with…a lot of variety between those plants…not great lighting to really take it all in either." She leaned back and tapped at her cheek. "So, we're in a jungle somewhere…"

Reaching into her dress, Peach fumbled around until she plucked out her rose gold and pink covered phone. First, she leaned back and snapped a picture of herself with the cage and jungle behind her. Tapping at the phone and swiping past the home screen with herself and her friends, she opened and scrolled through her contacts.

"If I could just message Mario or Luigi about this, then maybe they could find where this is," murmured Peach. "The signal is spotty at best, though I suppose that…oh, wait a minute, neither Mario or Luigi is available because they're checking racetracks for the upcoming karting tournament." She sighed and sank down to the cage's floor. "Great. They were my best hope. So, what do I do now?"

Trying to play with her phone's location services, Peach waited a moment as she picked herself up, reading over the struggling reception for the phone. She drummed on the side of her phone, but then jolted upright.

"Oh no! Pauline was supposed to be coming over today!" She smacked her forehead and slumped down. "This is positively the worst timing! Pauline finally had a free day from her busy schedule, new toys for us to test, and instead I'm stuck out here. She'll be so worried about me!" Peach cupped her cheeks with her hands. "But, there is no need. I've been kidnapped…perhaps too many times. And yet, that has given me survival experience!" Typing on her phone, Peach attached the image and set up a message for Mayor Pauline. "Please let this work, I have to let her know that I'll be ok. Maybe she can send help too…although, the Toads must be on that. Still, she must know that everything will be fine!"

Sending the picture with the location services on, Peach blinked as the message sent out, catching the name of her location. She lifted an eyebrow and looked to the roof of the round cage, unable to observe the ship that carried her onward.

…

~Later, at Donkey Kong Island~

Of all places to end up on the first part of my adventure, I wasn't anywhere near expecting the first to put me in direct contention with an old adversary, in a sense. But, I suppose that would be only natural in a starting point for a personal journey.

What feels like a lifetime ago, Donkey Kong had kidnapped me and held me captive. Mario was the one to rescue me back then, and I was very grateful for him to have done so. Since then, Donkey Kong had gotten me into a few more tricky situations, having swiped me away a few times while Mario and I had been working on promoting my mini toys to the Mushroom Kingdom.

While we did get things cleared up, to an extent, I'm still uneasy when it comes to being around Donkey Kong. Sure, he's a lively type and can make most events into a fun party. But, overall, he's still imposing, and he doesn't have the most upstanding relationship with Mario, much less others from the Mushroom Kingdom.

It certainly could be plausible for Donkey Kong to kidnap Princess Peach, though a bit of an unlikely target for him. Nowadays, I hear that he mostly visits for sport events with Mario and friends, uncommonly getting involved on adventures with them. Typically, he busies himself with circumstances concerning his homelands, not traveling to the greater kingdom domains that Peach oversees.

However, ambition can form anywhere at any time. Hence my arrival through a Warp Pipe onto this jungle filled island.

For a moment, I glanced down at my outfit combination, a new adventure getup that I hadn't been planning on. Though my sneakers had been intended for running shoes during tennis matches, their new purpose would be getting me through whatever wilds this journey would take me through. The tennis miniskirt was thrown over my golfing pants, neither of which I had planned together, but they were the fastest to get together after leaving Peach's Castle. Thankfully, I had a spare pair of gloves from my cowgirl racing outfit still laying in my traveling bag, which would likely come in handy with traversing any odd terrain. A black backpack rested on my shoulders, giving me access to my mini toys, in case I'd need them to navigate. My golfing hat completed the outfit, giving me just a little extra coverage for my head and hair.

Stepping ahead, I checked back at the Warp Pipe, tucked away in a small clearing on the island. Mario's usual fast travel option for when he came around to invite the Kongs to sporting events. It led to neutral grounds for him to visit Donkey Kong, a place not quite near the ape's home, but easy enough to reach him. However, DK was certainly nowhere to be found now. That would force me to search for him.

Making my way from the clearing, I ambled through a few trees and bushes. Slipping past branches trying to needle out at me wasn't much to worry about, though I would rather have Princess Peach's arms reaching to me instead.

Stepping out past a bush, I placed my hand on my hip, studying the wall of obstacles before me. A set of trees led up the side of a mountain, leading to a peak where one of Donkey Kong's meeting points would be, a type of observation deck. Several platforms leading up sturdier trees, with long branches that a few people could likely stand on. Some spots had a few barrels and stones blocking the way. Vines were around to be climbed and swung from tree to tree.

This was likely a level designed to keep Mario busy and give Donkey Kong more time to amuse himself before inevitable engagements. Unfortunately for me, that would mean I'd need to find my way to the Kong as well. Unnerving would be an understatement, and there were many obstacles to carry across to reach the treetops.

Double checking my red cased phone, I spotted this area in the photo that Princess Peach had sent me. It was from the opposite end, but she was definitely being held not far ahead from here.

Inhaling, I thought of returning to that golden goddess once again…being the one to help her from any perils ahead…that's all I needed to start.

"All right…here we go!"

Running to the first tree base, I hopped up the green platforms that were set up like stairs. It led to a long yellow landing, connecting around two trees. Charging across, I raced to the next tree, and with it, the start of the obstacles. A folded red flower fan was situated at the end of the main landing, and a small platform stood ahead of me, with a red switch just above. While some might make some acrobatic maneuvers to reach it, I'm not up to par with my jumps right now.

Fortunately, I have another solution. Digging into my bag, I plucked out a Mini Mario, placing the toy down beside me. Winding the key on his back up, I readied him for movement before tossing him overhead and onto the small platform. He ambled across and made his way to the switch ahead, pressing into it. The flower fan activated, opening the flower shaped device and accessing a gust from within.

Grabbing the Mini Mario as he dropped down, I stored him away and returned to the flower fan. Biting my lip, I hesitated just a moment, unsure if it was powerful enough to raise me up. But, I was far from the only one to travel this way, and much larger people and creatures should have needed to go along as well. Jumping over the rushing gust, I called out as the wind pushed me upward.

"Whoa, hey!"

Completely unlike what I had expected, I had jumped up into the air and soared away, with the fan pushing me well past the next platform for a moment. Reaching the top of the spouting air rush, though, I fumbled back and rode its current for a moment, leveling with the next spot to travel. Jumping down from the flowing current, I landed on the tree's next spot, an extended thick branch.

Gazing upward at the remaining platforms, I sighed, noting that I would need to jump and climb a lot more than I was anticipating.

"What I wouldn't give to have Rosalina's graceful vertical traveling prowess," I wished aloud. "If I could just launch up all of those platforms in one go…"

My Mini Rosalina could definitely make it further ahead using her Lunar Launch, but that wasn't going to help me, still down below. But dwelling on that wasn't going to get me closer to rescuing Peach, and I had to keep moving.

Traversing the branch, I hopped over a couple of blocks in the way, and made my way back across to the first tree. Vines dangled down from above, and I tugged on one, as it snapped and fell down. Grabbing a second one, I tugged again, harder this time, and it remained sturdy. Climbing up it, I slid down after a moment, and rubbed at my hands. Even with the gloves, I probably couldn't keep a great grip, not with my bag weighing me down.

Time for another toy. Opening the backpack, I grabbed out a Mini Donkey Kong, and wound up his key next. Placing my backpack around him, I watched as he climbed up the vine first, taking my load up to the top. It paid off to make a toy with hefty strength designed into it after all. Climbing up after him, I used parts of the tree's main trunk to catch my footing and made my way onward.

Once the Mini DK reached the top, he grabbed at the nearby platform ledge, tugging himself up and on. He slowed to a halt after arriving, and stopped moving a bit after. That vine climb took a bit out of him, so that would have to do for now. Reaching the top and pulling myself to the same landing, I placed Mini Donkey Kong into the bag, and returned it to my shoulders.

"Ok, what's next…ah."

Studying the coming platform, I noticed it was connecting to the next tree on the other side, but, there was more to it. There was a type of counterbalance to it, with a small platform of barrels resting above the opposite end. Once I jumped onto it, my weight would raise it to the other side, making the climb a bit trickier, but more dangerously, it would send those barrels tumbling down toward me.

Tucking my hat down and squinting, I counted at the barrels waiting above. Just three for this spot, so…that shouldn't be too tough to handle. Mario always made it look so easy…

"He's not the only one that can jump well!"

Even as I tried to rally myself, I knew he was still the best at it, followed by Luigi and the Kongs. Rosalina and Peach tended to use magic that would help defy gravity, and Daisy could do that sometimes too. Me, on the other hand…I wasn't magically gifted in that sense, and I'd have to do my best to mimic the Mario Bros. to hop the obstacles.

Still…I wasn't going to let this keep me from Princess Peach.

Dropping down onto the platform, it moved exactly as I had anticipated, and the opposite end smacked the barrels down, tipping them to roll down at me. Hurrying across, I watched as the first barrel approached. Slowing myself a bit, I waited and jumped up and forward, clearing the first one. The second rolled along after the first, and I made my way forward, clearing that one easily enough as well. But the third was right after, and my timing was off…if I didn't jump quick enough…!

Forcing myself up, I jumped and slipped on the top of the barrel. Stumbling as it rolled away from me, I landed, but fumbled about, waving my arms around to regain my balance. Forcing them out to each side, I steadied my legs and held my position as the barrels crashed on the other end. This lifted the platform further up, and I climbed on, reaching the next branch. Not the most graceful results, but solid enough to keep adventuring.

"Well, well…guess I'm in better shape than I expected."

Seeing a faint outline of what should have been a set of blue blocks for the next platform, leading back to the center tree, I scratched my head. Someone had to have switched them out of functioning, and that meant no further trespassing would be allowed. Unless…ah! I spotted a couple of walls to the end of the tree's branch, leading further ahead.

There was no way that I could climb that up, as it would require me to bounce back and forth between the walls. Jumping was one thing, but springing from one wall to the next was a skill that I hadn't developed yet. Mario and Luigi could, but…wait!

Plucking out my Mini Mario once again, I wound up his key. Built into him was a sensor that detected walls just like this pair, and allowed him to mimic Mario's exact wall jumping movements. Definitely a perk to his toy's design, and one that would wow many children, and possibly terrify some parents if not play-tested carefully. That wouldn't matter here, though.

Setting Mini Mario off, I watched as he waddled over to the walls. He jumped up at sensing them, and sprang from one to the next. His Wall Jumps allowed him to climb higher up, and I spotted the small block landing that housed the blue switch. With his jumps ending just near it, the Mini Mario bounced onto the switch, and activated the blocks near me. He dropped down from above, and I held out my arms. Catching him, I stored him into the backpack again.

The blue platform led to the center tree, and more vines awaited. I swung across them in succession, grabbing a vine, swinging ahead, and then grabbing onto the next one. There were enough that made me feel comfortable enough with going from one to the next with little issue of falling, as I could grab the end of another and keep myself from dropping further away. Perhaps I simply chose to ignore the possibility by that point, but regardless, I swung from vine to vine with relative ease.

Reaching the next long branch, a large stone waited at the end of this one. I placed my hand on my hip, looking to see if I could climb atop the rock and continue ahead simply, but it wasn't the best way forward. Pulling out Mini Donkey Kong again, I tested his arm, moving the toy's shoulder and fist. Winding up his key, I studied the boulder and pressed my lips together. His sensor would activate at the obstacle, but had this toy been upgraded enough?

"Time to test it out…"

Unleashing the Mini Donkey Kong, I waited as he traveled the branch landing. He reached the end, and his sensor detected the stone obstacle. Spinning his fist around to charge up, he pulled back after about five rotations. Slamming his fist forward, I grinned at the shattered stones falling away, and the rock was no more. Once again, the Mini DK was out of energy, and slumped to a halt.

Rushing across, I scooped him up and stored him back into my backpack. There were still six toys past the two that I had been using, but so far, I was pretty impressed that this pair could get most of the work done.

There was a gate waiting along the treetops, and that would lead ahead to where I needed to be. But, to open the gate, of course, I would need a key. Scaling across the tree's upper area, I made my way across a wooden bridge. It might have made a nice view of the island jungle below, but I didn't have the time to really take it in. Sliding across some stationary barrels on the other end, I glanced upward, and spotted the key resting on the landing just above me. Well…maybe more than just…so I plucked out Mini Mario once more.

Tossing him up, he ambled across, and his tiny arms pinched around the key. Lifting it overhead, he carried it back across the platform. Dropping down, I caught him again, and accepted the key from his stretched out hand. Tucking him away, I slid past the barrels. Carrying on and returning across the wooden bridge for the center tree, I arrived to the locked gate.

Twisting at the lock, I heard a click and pulled the key away. Pressing into the gates, I opened them up and raced ahead.

Climbing up the mountainside's stone steps, I hopped up onto the wooden crafted landing. Smaller trees provided some respite from the potential sunlight and maybe other elements that could pour over the observation deck.

Waiting on there, as expected, was Donkey Kong, just outside of his little hut. But next to him waited not a captive Princess Peach, but instead…some kind of crocodile that was decked out in a long red cape, a shining crown overhead, and with a big golden belly that…I think may have been armored. If I recall this type of fellow correctly, then that would be…Princess Daisy told me…ah, a Kremling, I believe. Though, this one seemed built different from those that she described, rather round and more so than muscular. She mentioned that they were top heavy, not, um…well, I suppose big-boned.

Both seemed to be in conversation with one another, but they directed their attention to me as I approached. Given their baffled expressions at my appearance, I gathered that I was far from who they expected to arrive.

"Hello," I greeted. "I'm…Mayor Pauline, of New Donk City."

"Ook oook!"

"Graw haw!"

"Uh…I don't have the time to figure this out." Pulling out my phone, I scrolled on the translator app. "Let's see…Komboo, Kōmori, ah, there's Kong. And…Kowalee, Kremling, perfect!" I tapped on my app to adjust her selected languages and held it up to the two creatures. "Ok, let's try that again. What did you two say?"

"Ook!"

"Haw?"

"That translates to ['Hi!'] for Kong, and ['Huh?'] for Kremling." I looked to Donkey Kong, who nodded, while his Kremling counterpart…scratched his head. "Well, let's start again with introductions. I'm Mayor Pauline from New Donk City, and I know that this is Donkey Kong, so…who are you, Kremling sir?"

["Me? I'm King K. Rool, leader of the Kremling Krew!"]

"…I have no idea what that is."

["What?! How do you mainlanders not know about us?"] King K. Rool twisted around and pointed a finger at Donkey Kong, with a hostile tone. ["This is your fault! You always go running off the islands and play sports with that Mario guy, but never invite anyone else!"]

["Not true! I invite Diddy to plenty of things!"]

["Big deal. Kongs come and go, but anyone else? Forget it."] King K. Rool rolled his eye and patted his round belly. ["The Kritters got to play as goalies, and then I got to join them for baseball. Can't you put in a better word for us?"]

["What do you want me to tell them?"] Donkey Kong put up a goofy grin and waved out to no one. ["Start with, 'Hi Mario, I know you don't really like hanging out with me sometimes because of our fights, but would it be ok if I invited my sometimes-friend and sometimes-mortal enemy, King K. Rool? You know, just for fun!' Like that?"] Donkey Kong lowered his eyes at the Kremling leader. ["Because that sounds like it will definitely go over well."]

["…You see me as a friend sometimes?"]

"Wow, ok, I sincerely don't have the time for this maybe friend-bro, maybe more moment," I decided. "Donkey Kong, you know Princess Peach. Have you seen her?"

["Princess Peach? She hardly ever comes here unless we're doing some kind of sport in the jungles."] Donkey Kong shrugged. ["In fact, I don't really see you very often around these parts either."]

"Then you haven't seen her?"

["Nope!"]

"Great…" I sighed and stared down at my phone. "I guess that takes me back to square one."

["Does she have a weird miniature airplane or something?"]

"Huh?" Turning to the rotund crocodile, I raised an eyebrow. "Um. No, I don't think so. What did it look like?"

["Fancy and futuristic."] King K. Rool shrugged. ["One of my Kritters made a big fuss about it, but when I saw it, the plane was mostly out of sight. Had cargo dangling from the bottom."]

"That must have been her!" Perhaps, or it could be that my desperation was acting up. No, no, it must have been Princess Peach! My golden goddess needed me! "Did you happen to notice which direction they went in?"

["North, I guess? Which is weird, because they would have had to come from north to get here from the mainland."] King K. Rool blinked and shook his head. ["Wait, why am I even helping? I don't have any investment. What's the point of all this anyway?"]

"Well, if I manage to save Peach, I can put in a good word for you and your, ah, 'crew' I believe, regarding future events."

["…Worth a shot."] King K. Rool shrugged.

["How come you can't be that nice for me?"] Donkey Kong placed his hands on his hips. ["You didn't pop up to help with those creepy tikis or the angry icy guys."]

["You're fun to tease, and that help required more effort."]

["Lazy bones."]

["Hey, no one asked, you brute!"]

["You're one to talk!"]

"Right, ok, well…I'd better be on my way, then." As a Toad had informed me back at Peach's Castle, there should be another Warp Pipe along the other side of the deck, allowing an easier return for another in this area, and back near the castle grounds. "Um…it was nice seeing you, Donkey Kong? And nice meeting with you as well, King K. Rool."

["See you later, Pauline!"]

["A pleasure, much nicer company around these parts!"]

["Oh, here we go…"]

["What? It's true, she looks nice!"]

Wandering around the other side, I shook my head as the two creatures argued with one another for a moment more. But, before I put my phone away, I listened in as they continued, and their argument…devolved to simpler conversation.

["Hey, do you want to come watch a movie or two tonight? It'd be just us, since Diddy's with Dixie and Funky took Cranky out for a ride."]

["Oh, I'd love to! …Uh. I mean, I guess! If you've got nothing better to do—"]

["She's out of range to listen and no one else is around to care."]

["Look, I have an image to maintain. Anyway, absolutely."]

["Perfect. Double feature on action and comedy?"]

["Yeah! Those are the best!"]

["Ha. You're cute when you're excited."]

["Yeah, well…so are you. Now, let's get going!"]

Glancing back to them, I watched as they wrapped their arms around one another and walked toward a treehouse. While I found it rather odd that Donkey Kong is at least friends with his nemesis, and from the sound of it, almost certainly more, I am reminded that Mario has a similar relationship to Bowser, to the point that they're working on a new racetrack. Though maybe not as close as these two, who seem to regularly get together for watching movies and television…unless I'm missing something that Mario and Bowser do when they're not juggling Peach between them?

…This is definitely a strange adventure so far. But I've got far more to contend with, and Princess Peach needs me. So, I'll have to make my way back to the castle and find out where to head out next.