The Mushroom Kingdom Wars

Chapter 7

The Kong Kingdom War Room was a world away from the regal, polished chambers of the Mushroom Kingdom. Princess Peach had grown accustomed to grand halls lined with tapestries, intricate carvings, and the scent of lavender lingering in the air. Here, however, there was only the rugged, earthy aroma of moss-covered stone, the faint musk of jungle flora, and a distinct hint of bananas that clung to the air. The walls, hewn from dense jungle rock, were simple, unpretentious—much like the kingdom’s leader himself.
Donkey Kong sat at the head of the table, his enormous frame making the chair beneath him creak ominously. He absentmindedly peeled a banana, his keen eyes taking in every detail despite the casual posture he projected. Across from him sat Princess Peach and Princess Zelda. The contrast between them and the Kong leader couldn't have been starker—Peach, as regal as ever, and Zelda, with her soft, dreamy gaze fixed on the polished tabletop.
"So, we’ve got the boys spread out," Donkey Kong began, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "I’ve got my generals leading a battalion up north to Hyrule. We’re collecting barrel cannons. Shouldn’t be too hard, right? Mario and Bowser can’t be as tough as we are." He bit into his banana, seemingly untroubled by the monumental task ahead.
Peach remained stoic, her fingers lightly tapping against the table’s surface. "I appreciate the reinforcements, Donkey Kong," she replied, her voice smooth and even, though her eyes betrayed her tension. "But I think we’re underestimating the scale of the threat. This isn’t just Bowser and Mario coming after my throne. Ganondorf, now Dr. Wily—they’ve all aligned. Their resources are vast, and they’ve been planning this for far longer than we realize."
Zelda, who had been absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table with her finger, suddenly perked up, her voice retaining its usual lighthearted tone but now tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
“You know, Peach... I can’t help but wish things were simpler. Maybe Mario and Bowser just need a moment to remember who they used to be. I mean, wouldn't it be nice if we could all sit down for tea and talk this out?” She smiled wistfully, though a flicker of worry passed over her face. “Of course, I know that’s not how it works... not after what happened to Hateno. I can’t forget that. But... maybe there’s still a way to reach them. Even if it seems impossible, I have to believe there’s a chance. If I stop believing that... I don’t know what I’ll have left.”
A flicker of exasperation crossed Peach’s face. It was the sort of hopeful naivety that might have charmed her in simpler times, but the current crisis demanded a firmer hand. She exchanged a glance with Donkey Kong, who managed to suppress a smirk.
Peach looked at Zelda for a moment, her expression softening at her friend’s vulnerability. “I understand why you want to believe that, Zelda... I do. But Mario isn’t the person he used to be, and I don’t think a peaceful solution is possible anymore.” Her voice remained firm, but there was a touch of sympathy now. “We have to prepare for the worst, even if a part of us still wishes for peace.”
Zelda blinked, her eyes wide and uncomprehending. "Right, right! Well, if you ever want to try, I’m here for you!"
Before any more could be said, The heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing a figure standing in the doorway. Princess Daisy entered with hesitant steps, her usual fiery energy subdued, replaced by an aura of uncertainty and regret. Peach’s expression hardened, but behind the coldness in her eyes was a flicker of pain. This was someone she had once called a friend—someone she missed deeply, despite the bitterness that now stood between them.
“Daisy,” Peach began, her voice tight, betraying the swirl of emotions beneath. “Why are you here?”
Daisy swallowed hard, glancing around the room before focusing on Peach.
“I need to speak with you. Alone, if possible.”
Donkey Kong raised an eyebrow but remained silent, his eyes darting between the two princesses. Zelda smiled when she saw Daisy enter the room, her warmth evident, but she hesitated slightly, sensing the tension between the two.
“Oh, Daisy! It’s... it’s good to see you,” she said softly.
Zelda glanced nervously at Peach, clearly understanding the emotional undercurrent. She shifted in her seat, fidgeting slightly as she tried to offer some peace.
“I know things are... complicated, but maybe this is a chance for you both to talk things through.”
Peach looked at Zelda, her expression softening just a little, though the hurt still lingered in her eyes. She wanted to let go of her anger—she wanted to forgive Daisy—but the wound ran deep.
“I don’t have time for pleasantries, Daisy,” Peach said sharply, though her voice was quieter now. “If you have something to say, say it now.”
Daisy flinched but stepped forward, her gaze steady but filled with regret.
“Peach, I know things between us have been... rough. I thought I was doing the right thing by staying behind and supporting Mario when you left, keeping things stable in your absence. But I didn’t realize how far he would fall... or how much it would hurt you.”
Peach’s breath caught for a moment as she listened to Daisy’s words. She had expected an excuse, but instead, Daisy’s voice was filled with genuine remorse. It stirred something deep within her—a longing for the friendship they once had, even if she was still hurt by Daisy’s choices.
“You didn’t just ‘stay behind,’ Daisy,” Peach replied, her voice softer now, but the hurt was still present. “You stood by him while he tore my kingdom apart. How could you do that?”
Zelda, seeing the pain on both sides, gently interjected, her voice calm and soothing.
“Peach... I know how much it hurt you. But maybe Daisy didn’t see things clearly either. Maybe she was just as lost, trying to make sense of everything after you left. She’s here now, trying to make things right. Doesn’t that count for something?”
Peach’s gaze flickered toward Zelda, and then back to Daisy. There was still anger, still betrayal, but now there was something else too—an understanding of Daisy’s own struggles, her own mistakes. Daisy’s eyes glistened with emotion as she stood there, clearly burdened by her choices.
“I never meant to hurt you,” Daisy said, her voice cracking slightly. “I realize now how wrong I was... and I know I betrayed your trust. But I want to fix things, Peach. I want to fight with you—not against you.”
Peach’s hands trembled slightly as she processed Daisy’s words. The memories of their shared history—both good and bad—flooded her mind. She could feel the weight of their lost friendship hanging between them, and for the first time, she saw the pain in Daisy’s eyes—the same pain she had carried in her own heart.
Peach let out a long, slow breath, her voice softer still. “Why should I trust you now, Daisy? How do I know you won’t do it again?”
Daisy took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve despite the uncertainty in her voice.
“Because I’ve seen what Mario’s become. He’s not the hero we once knew. And I can’t support him anymore. I couldn’t... I wouldn’t betray you again, Peach. I just want to help make things right.”
For a long moment, Peach stared at Daisy, the tension thick between them. But beneath that tension, she felt the ache of what they’d lost. Finally, she nodded, her expression softening.
“Alright, Daisy. But if you betray me again—”
“I won’t,” Daisy interrupted, her voice filled with resolve. “I promise.”
Zelda, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, smiled softly, though there was a touch of lingering awkwardness in her tone.
“I’m glad you’re both talking again,” she said quietly. “We’ll need all the help we can get, right?”
Donkey Kong rolled his eyes, finishing the last bite of his banana.
“Yeah, let’s hope it’s that simple.”
“It’s not,” Peach muttered, though the edge in her voice had softened. She turned to the map sprawled across the table, tracing the borders of their kingdoms and the paths of their enemies. “This alliance—Bowser, Mario, Ganondorf—they’re not just after power. They want to reshape everything. We need to strike back. But we can’t be reckless.”
Daisy leaned forward, her eyes blazing with determination.
“What’s the plan?”