Bats and Bravado: A Princess Daisy Story

A Thorny Twist

Daisy grew quickly accustomed to the smell of the bike's exhaust pipe. Wheatfields spanned across each side, and thick clouds stretched on a horizon of deepest azure. It looked dreamy. However, the shoulder pain and the noon sun beating down on her back made it hard to appreciate the scene.

The dirt path split into a fork. There were no traces left by the thief to determine the direction they took.

Daisy slowed down and parked the bike on the side. There was a lone, yellow cabin with a brick roof, apple trees huddling close to shelter it. A red mailbox had a hand-painted sign reading, "Yoshi".

She approached the door and knocked, bouncing on her heels as she waited. A red hat peeked out.

"Mario?!" Daisy exclaimed.

He smiled. "Ho ho, hello! I didn't expect you to visit us!"

"What are you doing here? I thought this was Yoshi's place!"

"Me and a friend come here weekly for Yoshi's gardening lessons. Why don't you come in? You can-a rest up for now, you seem like-a you've been through a lot." He grimaced at her dress.

Daisy hesitated before stepping inside. She rubbed her shoulder when his back was turned, but her quiet groan gave her away.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Is your shoulder hurt?"

Daisy smiled sheepishly. "I got into a scuffle with some Boos. Some energy ball hit my shoulder. I'm still fine, though."

He twirled his mustache. "You need to bandage it soon, or the injury will get worse. There's not-a much I could do besides giving you painkillers. They closed down my doctor's office because I was operating without a license, you see."

Mario turned and walked to the kitchen before Daisy could comment on that.

A kettle whistled softly on the small stove. Citrus-themed curtains fluttered over the kitchen's cabinets. Sage-green walls were littered with paintings of wild critters, hanging plants, and adorably sloppy drawings.

He spoke while standing over the stovetop, "How did you get involved with Boos, though? They only infest the abandoned parts of the Kingdom."

Daisy sighed. She told him the full story of the bar encounter. When he inquired further, she looked away and told him about the bat.

She felt embarrassed about her desperation, but she shouldn't be. That bat was important to her. It could make her feel better and return the Princess that Sarasaland needed. Daisy was sure of it.

Mario laughed as he handed her some painkillers and poured her a cup of tea. "I can't believe you walked straight into a boo-infested area and defeated them all. You'd make a good business partner with Luigi, you know!"

Daisy rolled her eyes, hiding her smile by drinking the milk tea. Its warm and mellow taste washed down the tension in her body.

"Anyway," he continued, "I haven't-a seen any bat stealers today, but maybe our friends might know. They should arrive at any moment."

The door opened. Bowser grinned, staring down at them.

The milk tea flew from Daisy's hands. She charged at him.

Bowser caught her and lifted her like a baby. "Woah, Woah!" he exclaimed. "Slow down, Princess! I'm not here as a villain! I'm off-duty!"

"Ah, I'm-a sorry," Mario said nervously, "I forgot to tell you Bowser was joining me for the garden class. We have become friends, if you can believe it."

Daisy slowed down, furrowing her brow. "Friends? But he's an enemy. He kidnaps Peach for fun!"

Bowser winced. "I wouldn't call it fun. Sure, I sometimes went too far with it, but I'm trying to manage that. Megalomaniac tendencies and all."