Super Mario Bros. 3 - The Subspace Emissary

Chapter 8: Kirby

Brooklyn, New York - Months ago

It was a day after Discordia's defeat. Kongs and Toads have come to the Human World to help clean up the damage from the Warp Pipe's explosion and Discordia and Dark Star. People were freaking out a little from the literal gorillas walking around and little mushroom men. Even first responders were confused by the explanations of a magic goddess planning to destroy the universe.

Peach agreed to pay for all the damage, seeing how gold coins were worth so much more than US dollars. After talking to Pauline about the payments, Peach went with Mario to Alex and Maria.

"Ma, Dad," Mario said. "This is my girlfriend, Princess Peach. She helped me save Luigi and also save the world."

"Oh, look at you, cutie!" Maria exclaimed. "Thank you for taking such good care of my boys these last two years as Mario said!"

"Wow!" Alex chuckled. "You saved the world twice, befriended the King Kong knock-off over there, AND got yourself a Bella on the way?!? Color me impressed! Luigi told me that he got a girl, but YOU?! Press my paninis and call me silly!"

(Bella means "Beauty" in Italian)

"Dad!" Mario exclaimed as he and Peach blushed. "We've been dating for two years! At first, she was just being nice and helping me out, but...y'know, love at first sight, kinda thing!"

"He helped save my kingdom, so it's the least I could do," Peach added. "Mario's a very helpful man, and he makes me happy."

"If he makes you happy, then you have our blessing," Maria said.

"But, let us know if he gets into too much trouble, ey, Peach?" Alex chuckled.

"Oh, he's no trouble at all!" Peach said. "He's actually quite a delight! Me and my cousins, Rohan and Daisy, enjoy having him around."

Suddenly, the four heard Sonic's voice ask, "Mario?! Luigi?!"

Mario and Peach turned to see that DK was frightened and standing in front of Pauline. There were two guards next to her and pointing guns at DK. Mario and Luigi dashed toward DK and Mario flashed his hands to show that he and his brother had no weapons. "What's goin' on?!" Mario asked.

"I was just telling Mayor Pauline that she's pretty and a great leader, but these guards showed up," DK spoke out. The guns were trained on him and a guard shoved it further to the gorilla's face.

Pauline looked unamused and had her arms crossed. Mario gulped and said, "This is a big misunderstanding! Pauline, look, DK may not be the smartest ape in the room..."

"HEY!" DK interjected.

"But he's one of the good guys! We swear!"

"Oh," Pauline still looked unamused. She quirked her eyebrow at Mario to prove a much bigger point or something. "Do "Good Guys" afront political leaders with catcalls???"

"WHAT!?!?!" Mario glared at DK. He groaned in annoyance. "Freakin' moron! We'll have a chat with our friend here about respect towards political leaders."

Luigi nodded even though he didn't like having a gun barrel pointed toward him. Pauline scoffed and uncrossed her arms. She gave a small smirk and ordered, "Drop your arms." the guards obliged but then Pauline pointed a finger at Mario and said in a firm tone, "But I better not have him grabbing me and climbing up the World Trade Center the next time I see him."

She stepped into another SUV and drove off. Mario and Luigi proceeded to tug DK's arm and gave him a scolding. DK scratched his tuft and protested, "What?! She was cute!"

Suddenly, Mario, Luigi, and DK saw five SUVs and an armored truck head toward the disaster area. Peach didn't recognize the SUVs from anywhere and told Toad, "Just...stay by me."