the koopa's new queen

bright beginnings

the guarding toads had opened the gate for me and i showed them the letter, proving it was me.
"you don't need proof, we know why you're here specifically." they said

i curiously wandered through the palace until i reached the boardroom, which was the most obvious place in the castle. i was surprised i didn't see it at first, but i stepped inside.

in the room were a group of toads, princess toadstool was in the center. she stood magnificently and her hair was clearly just washed. peach clicked her heels across the floor as she walked up towards me and gave me a hankerchief.
"what's this for?" i asked, taking it and feeling the silky fabric. it was definitely from a castle, because even the material felt expensive.

"your lips" she said, pointing at my mouth. i wiped across my face and stared at the nutella from this morning, bashfully scrubbing away. a fantastic first impression, i guess.

i took a seat at the boardroom table and looked around, noticing that the toads in the room were anxiously fiddling with papers and some even staring at my soul.
princess peach caught everyones attention by clearing her throat and bringing a drawing board. she was banging on about the green mushrooms, her posture was absolutely amazing. i was jealous, my back was hunched over like a camel. i really needed to get outside more, so i sat up as best as i could.
my back however, didn't want to co-operate and cracked as loud as ever. i received a few glances, which was even more embarrassing than when i first came in.

"as you know, y/n, you and i are the only humans in the mushroom kingdom. i have to stay and watch over my graceful subjects and keep the area in check."
"yeah so what?" i said, confused

"the green mushrooms have been in decrease for several days now, people are on their death bed as we know it. the papertoads have suspected a draught, but the boardroom council and i have another suspect"

"and who might that be?"
i was wondering why i was here, until she spoke the name of someone i've only ever heard of a few times.

"we don't think, we know that bowser has the green mushrooms. he's plotting something, plotting away at something so sinister and he's using the green mushrooms to boost his own minions." peach exclaimed. i started to catch onto the reason i was here, but felt uneasy as if it was too horrible to be true.

"okay, so what does it have to do with me?" i asked, praying to the gods that she didn't say what i think she was going to say.

"you'll have to set off to find bowser's castle and find out his plans."
"WHAT?!"

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i stared at peach, gagging as she told me my quest.
"why cant you send the toads to go do it?"

"you know why! the green mushrooms are what we need to help them survive, they'll die if they go anywhere near him."

i felt so anxious i could barely stand up, i leaned back in my seat and placed my hands over my face. i couldn't believe this. i was dragged out by captain toad in hopes that i'd do something productive or receive an award for being so sexy and beautiful, but here i am. i'm being told i have to see the koopa king, the scariest dragon, the beast.

suddenly, peach took my attention.
"you are the only human here that can save us. i can't go out there, i have to keep watch of my people."

i sighed, thinking for a moment. it felt unreal, being told i had to do something so difficult. i wasn't even sure if i would make it out alive. but suddenly, i imagined the fame i'd receive. i'd be known as the bravest one out there, unlike mario who survives off green mushrooms. i could do this in a cinch.

"okay, fine!" i said, standing up. "but you'll give me a reward of fame and money." i folded my arms.

peach threw her hands in the air, happy that i complied. in a matter of time, i was whisked away and sent on my trip to the koopa castle after many thanks from the princess and the toads. before i left, captain toad gave me a tiny red mushroom.

"it's all we have, but it's going to keep you safe" he explained. i nodded my head and left.

i was on my way to the koopa's keep, and it wasn't looking like a bright future for me