The Mushroom Kingdom Wars

Chapter 23

The air in Peach's castle was thick with tension, every movement filled with urgency. The recent failures had left a bitter taste in everyone's mouths, and now they found themselves in a desperate bid for allies—no matter how untrustworthy those allies might be.

The scurrying of Toads echoed through the halls as they moved about, trying to clean up the aftermath of recent battles while simultaneously searching for the elusive Wario. Rumors of his whereabouts had spread like wildfire from filthy taverns to shady back alleys until finally, they located him at the most notorious dive in the kingdom—a dingy bar deep in the heart of Toad Town where he had been drowning in ale and counting his coins.

When the Toads found him, Wario was surrounded by empty mugs and the smell of stale food. His yellow and purple garb was as worn and filthy as ever, and he hardly seemed bothered by his surroundings. With a belch and a grunt, he grudgingly agreed to come to the castle, but not without making it clear that it wasn't out of the kindness of his heart. If there was a way for him to profit from this war, he would find it.

As Wario sauntered into Peach's castle, his arrival was announced by more than just the loud creaking of the great doors—an overpowering stench wafted in with him, forcing everyone in the grand hall to exchange uncomfortable glances. The guards shifted nervously, and even Peach found herself struggling to maintain composure as Wario approached. His toothy grin, wicked and wide, hinted at mischief and greed, as if he were savoring his new position of power over those who had once looked down on him.

“Thank you for coming, Wario,” Peach began, forcing a smile even as she struggled to keep her patience. “I know you’re busy…”

“Busy?” Wario scoffed, waving a dismissive hand as he scanned the room, eyeing every shiny object in sight. His gaze lingered on the ornate chandelier above, and Peach could almost see the wheels turning in his mind as he calculated its worth. “Nah, just enjoying the finer things in life. But hey, I’m here now, aren’t I? Not that I’m interested in a room full of people.”

Peach’s smile strained further as she turned to the Toads and other council members gathered in the room. “Everyone, please give us a moment.” She needed this conversation to be private, but as the others filtered out, Peach noticed Wario casually reaching for a silver goblet, pocketing it with a sly grin.

Peach clenched her fists as the last Toad left, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She knew she had to play Wario’s game, but every time he lifted something valuable, she felt her temper flare. She needed his help, but it came with a cost that gnawed at her patience.

Once they were alone, Peach turned to face him, doing her best to ignore his habitual theft. She knew he was as slippery as they came, but she needed his mind now more than ever—even if it came with his insatiable greed.

“Our kingdom is in peril,” Peach began, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “Mario has allied with Bowser, and we need someone who thinks like him. That’s why I called you.”

Wario leaned back, smirking as he picked at a piece of food stuck in his teeth. “Yeah, I’ve heard about the war. But what’s it to me? This ain’t my fight. I’m not risking my neck for a bunch of Toads and princesses.”

Peach’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “But you know Mario better than anyone! You’ve always been a rival to him. You must understand why he’d turn against us.”

Wario chuckled darkly, twirling a coin between his fingers. “Oh come on, Peach. Mario? Turning bad? I didn’t think the guy had it in him. Always the hero, you know? Must’ve gotten tired of saving the day and not getting any rewards for it. Maybe he figured out that villains have all the fun. Or…” Wario’s eyes glinted with greed as he pocketed the coin, “…he finally realized there’s more coin to be made on the dark side.”

Peach felt her fists clenching tighter. Wario’s carefree attitude and obsession with treasure made it difficult to see how he could be useful. She had hoped that his knowledge of Mario’s darker tendencies might give them an edge, but his nonchalance grated on her nerves. Still, she couldn’t deny that Wario had a point. Mario’s shift in behavior could very well be tied to something deeper—something Wario understood better than anyone.

“Wario, focus!” Peach snapped, trying to contain her anger. “This isn’t just about treasure!”

Wario shrugged, clearly more interested in the trinkets strewn about the table than in Peach’s impassioned plea. “Treasure is always part of the deal, sweetheart. You want my help? I want something in return. That’s how it works.”

Peach sighed inwardly. Wario was always a means to an end—never an ally, but a tool to be used when needed. And she hated that it had come to this.

Before Peach could formulate a response, the heavy door to the chamber burst open, and Donkey Kong stormed in, his massive fists clenched and his expression grim. Peach could see the urgency in his eyes.

“Peach!” Donkey Kong barked. “We have news. Dr. Wily was found trying to enter the Mushroom Kingdom. Hylian forces captured him along with Guts Man.”

Peach’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Wily’s name. Wily, here? Panic flickered in her mind. The last time they had dealt with Wily, it hadn’t ended well. The mad scientist had a reputation for chaos, and the idea of him turning up at such a crucial time sent a chill down her spine.

“Wily?” she echoed, doing her best to mask her surprise. “What does he want?”

“He claims he has information for you,” Donkey Kong replied, his voice low and serious. “We should bring him in immediately.”

Peach nodded, determination surging through her veins. “Do it. We need all the intel we can get.”

Wario scoffed, his usual grin replaced by a look of mild amusement. “Good luck with that. That old coot Wily has more schemes than I do. You think you can trust him?”

Peach ignored Wario’s remark, her mind racing. Wily may have been an enemy in the past, but if he truly had information that could help them, she couldn’t afford to turn him away. Not now.

“You let me worry about Wily,” Peach said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. “Right now, I need to know everything. If there’s a chance to stop Mario and Bowser, I’ll take it.”

Wario gave her a knowing smirk, leaning back in his chair. “Just remember, Princess. I don’t do this for free. You’ll have to make it worth my while.”

Peach sighed again, glancing back at Wario as the Toad guards left to fetch Dr. Wily. She knew Wario would be a thorn in her side, but his knowledge of Mario’s mindset was something she couldn’t afford to ignore. Wario was right about one thing: Mario had changed, and understanding why was crucial to stopping him.

Donkey Kong stood beside her, his face serious. “What do you think Wily’s up to?”

“I don’t know,” Peach admitted, her voice tinged with doubt. “But whatever it is, we can’t afford to turn him away. Not now.”

Wario, who had been helping himself to more of the castle’s treasure, chuckled. “Well, whatever it is, it’s bound to be interesting. But remember, Princess—nothing comes for free.”