Chapter Text
The Mushroom Kingdom’s throne room was a mess. A Toad woman was sobbing hysterically, her head in her hands as a royal Toad advisor attempted to comfort her. The map she'd first arrived with lay crumpled at her feet.
Toad Woman: …And then it was time for the festival. Everyone was so excited for the seven-pointed star to pass over us.
Royal Advisor Toad: Yes, I'm sure it was going to be quite an event. What happened next?
Toad Woman: Right… ahem.
Toad Woman: We were all together in the town square. The rockstar XLY had even shown up to hold a live show for us.
Toad Woman: And then… And then night began to fall. The stars appeared in the sky, and we could all see the seven-pointed star shining brightly in the distance.
The royal advisor patted her shoulder, easing the woman's nerves.
Royal Advisor Toad: You were all quite excited for the star to pass over your homes.
Toad Woman: Absolutely!
Toad Woman: Legend says that if the star passes over you directly, whatever wish you have will be granted immediately!
Toad Woman: So we all stood together between XLY’s stage and the town’s water fountain, waiting for the star to come.
The woman took a deep breath. Her hands left her face and she finally looked up at the royal pair in front of her, crumpled and faded.
Toad Woman: We didn't expect it to come CRASHING DOWN onto our houses! MY HOUSE!
Royal Advisor Toad: …
He stepped to the side, giving her the space needed for her outburst.
Toad Woman: The star shattered on impact, the pieces flying every which way.
Royal Advisor Toad: You don't think this was an act of malice, do you?
Toad Woman: Oh it HAD to be! My home was crumpled up, everything gone except for a few of my personal belongings.
Toad Woman: A star doesn't just crash down after hundreds of years of flying in the exact same direction!
Toad Woman: Someone had to have done something to it to make it crash.
She glared at the pair across from her, though their expressions remained unchanged. Blank.
Toad Woman: And that's why I've come here. I sailed an ocean and a half to come to the Mushroom Kingdom to ask for your help.
Toad Woman: Prince Consort Mario and Princess Peach, if either one of you could PLEASE find whoever is responsible or collect the star pieces–
Royal Advisor Toad: I'm sorry, Ma'am. But neither of them are in any such condition to be going on an adventure.
He gestured to the faded colors and wrinkles on the two.
Royal Advisor Toad: I'm afraid there is nothing that they can do.
Toad Woman: But I want JUSTICE! SOMEONE has to put the star back together or find who wrecked it in the first place!
Toad Woman: Preferably both! We'd really like both right now!
The advisor sighed and placed a hand on his forehead, shaking it solemnly.
Royal Advisor Toad: The Princess and Prince Consort can do nothing about this situation.
Tears threatened to spill from the woman's eyes. When suddenly an idea came upon her. She looked up to the advisor, a fire of determination behind her once soaked eyes.
Toad Woman: What about their daughter?
The throne room fell silent.
Royal Advisor Toad: Princess Romea?
Toad Woman: Is that her name?
Royal Advisor Toad: It has been since her birth, yes.
Royal Advisor Toad: But I do not believe she is best fit for a mission like this. The girl has barely left the castle since she was an infant.
The woman stood up and grabbed the advisor by his shoulders, shaking him violently.
Toad Woman: She has Prince Consort Mario and Princess Peach’s blood in her! I know she can do it!
Toad Woman: Call her down now! I'm sure she'll be excited to finally go on her own adventure!
Both Toads looked to the royal couple for their consent. A simple yes or no would soon flip their daughter’s entire life upside down.
A light breeze rolled through one of the castle’s open windows, pushing Mario and Peach's heads down. Close enough to a nod. That was all that they needed.
Royal Advisor Toad: Well… That's the most we'll ever get out of them.
Toad Woman: YES! Thank you so much, Princess and Prince Consort!
No response came from the pair.
Toad Woman: They're so wise… I'll make sure to give them extra thanks once the star business is handled.
Royal Advisor Toad: Yes, I'm sure they'll appreciate it. I'll go along and fetch Princess Romea now.
Toad Woman: Oh! She can even use the ship I came here on when she needs to head out!
Royal Advisor Toad: Ah. Will you be staying here in the Mushroom Kingdom while she is out?
Toad Woman: Oh absolutely not. No offense but this place is a major downgrade from Nebula Venue.
Toad Woman: Our big guy, Polaris Pokely, even offered to have non-stop XLY performances until everything is back to normal! Isn't that awesome?!
Royal Advisor Toad: … I am slightly less inclined to have our Princess help you now.
Toad Woman: Just go on and get the girl already! I've got places to be! And so does she!
Royal Advisor Toad: Right, right… We'll be back.
Her room was far too spacious for a girl like her. What would most little girls even do with this much… Well, room? Not that she was little or anything, far from it! Nineteen years? That was very much above little!
Pink walls surrounded the Princess as she laid on her bed, eyes staring up at the star stickers that coated her ceiling.
With all the space she had, it was surprising that she hardly did anything with it. She had her essentials: a bed, vanity, two closets (one for her outfits and the other for her tiaras, of course), but barely anything besides that. She didn't need more, despite how much her mother offered when she was younger.
Next to her excessively large bed was an even more excessively large window. At least she had that and the balcony attached when she wanted to pretend she was running along the streets of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Would she ever go out on her own? Probably not. As fun as the fantasies were, she knew she wouldn't survive a day out there by herself. Her father had allies galore when he was in his prime, but she'd hardly even glanced at anyone that wasn't a servant or her parents.
The idea alone brought a sweat to her brows. Too stressful. Meeting someone new? Talking to them for prolonged periods of time? It made her stomach turn. Not out of disgust, but fear.
Her anxieties had been noticed all the way back when she was first learning how to speak. Simple noises could be made in front of others, but when the doctors said it shouldn't take more than four years for a baby to spout their first words, it became a bit of a problem.
She'd… grown since then.
She could talk… when she felt absolutely safe and comfortable with someone. Her parents and a few servants were more than enough conversation partners.
And, in case of emergencies, she'd spent years learning sign language. She could probably restate an entire lecture in sign before she could mumble out a question about somebody's day.
Maybe it'll be put to good use one day. When her mother and father finally lose all their color and it's her turn to rule over the kingdom.
That day felt closer every time she saw her parents. When was the last time her mother had even said her name? Did she even remember what it was? She rarely heard her father speak at all. Would he say anything to her before…
An advisor pushed her door open, dragging her out of her thoughts. Thank goodness. Thoughts like that were never good for her.
Royal Advisor Toad: Princess…? Are you awake?
Romea stood up, shuffling over to the door. The advisor clicked his tongue, smiling warmly up at her.
Royal Advisor Toad: Excellent, you are!
Royal Advisor Toad: Well, I won't beat around the bush. A Toad from another land wishes for your help. She's waiting in the throne room.
She pointed at herself, eyes wide. Her head turned from side to side, making sure there wasn't anyone else that he could be talking to. Nobody.
Someone wanted Romea’s help. Specifically hers. Someone needed her.
Royal Advisor Toad: I will summarize the story as we walk, come along now.
He was already walking back down the hallway while Romea was scrambling to fetch a tiara to wear. She could NOT show up in a lower class- poorer quality one to a meeting like this.
Royal Advisor Toad: …And that is what this woman here told us all.
The advisor gestured towards the woman, who offered a bright smile.
Romea glanced back at her parents in their thrones. Hers right between them, where she would sit as a young one with each of their hands holding one of her own.
Toad Woman: Here, I even brought this map so that you can go exactly where you need to!
A crumpled map was shoved into Romea's hands. Red marker circles were scattered about the land, with one in each division. Though upon closer inspection, there was a smaller red dot next to one of them.
Toad Woman: THAT'S where my house was! Before the jerk that broke the star smashed it into a million pieces!
Romea nodded, choosing not to sign just in case this woman wouldn't understand her. She didn't need to say much, anyways. She was practically being given her dream on a silver platter!
Royal Advisor Toad: She has offered to let you accompany her on her voyage back to this land, Princess.
Royal Advisor Toad: When will you be heading back, might I ask, Ma'am?
Toad Woman: Oh! I actually booked the ship to come back tonight!
The room fell silent again.
Tonight? The sun was already looking ready to set! Romea would only have a few hours at best to get her things together-
Toad Woman: But it's gonna be super packed and it's a preeeetty long trip from here to the dock. So we might need to hurry.
Romea clutched the map. They had to leave as soon as possible. She'd be in a crowded space with so many strangers that would probably be asking why someone like her was on the ship in the first place.
Toad Woman: Aw, come on. Don't let the idea freak you out, Honey.
Toad Woman: It's an overnight cruise! We'll be where we need to be by sunrise!
That was… slightly comforting, at least. If Romea slept during the ride, she could wake up and it would all be over! Easy!
Royal Advisor Toad: Well, Princess? Shall I escort you out?
She nodded once, not wanting to look too eager. Or nervous. Or anything, really. If she stayed calm for the trip, she could let all her excitement out once she left the kingdom!
Toad Woman: This will be so exciting! Thank you again, Princess! I owe you everything!
The shorter woman ran up and hugged Romea tightly.
Toad Woman: Now let's get a move on! Fancy boats wait for no one!
Royal Advisor Toad: I shall accompany you two. I'm sure Princess Romea would enjoy having some familiar company until she boards.
Royal Advisor Toad: Though I may not board alongside you. I have many duties to attend to right here.
Romea gave a thumbs up. Just to be safe, she folded the map up and stuffed it in the front pocket of her dress.
Here they were… The woman was right, it had taken them almost three hours of walking just to reach the dock.
Royal Advisor Toad: Here I must bid you farewell, Princess. Have an excellent journey.
Royal Advisor Toad: And make sure to bring back souvenirs. I would love some XLY merchandise if you can get your hands on any.
The advisor coughed into his hand, hiding the faint flush that came from expressing his personal interests to such a high ranking boss.
Toad Woman: Don't worry, they never run out of XLY stuff in MacGuffland!
Toad Woman: How does a T-shirt sound? You want a mug with that too?
A ramp descended from the side of the ship, creating a bridge from the dock to the cruise. Groups of passengers pushed and shoved their way on board.
Royal Advisor Toad: Those would be lovely!
Royal Advisor Toad: I-I wear a size large! Be safe, Princess Romea!
And in the blink of an eye, Romea and the woman had been dragged away, with the remaining passengers, onto the ship. The advisor jumped up and down, waving goodbye to the pair as the ramp was raised back up.
The pair eventually settled down in a private room on board. Thankfully the crew had provided them with an extra mattress to use overnight.
Toad Woman: Ready to set sail, Princess?
Romea had offered (through a series of awkward gestures and simple signs) to take the mattress for the night while the woman used the bed. If she was gonna have to get used to life outside of her luxurious bedroom, she might as well start now with a major downgrade.
She nodded, wiggling one of the provided blankets over her legs. It was light and much thinner than what she was used to, but not uncomfortable.
Toad Woman: Well, we've got all of tomorrow ahead of us. Let's get some shut-eye.
The room’s light was dimmed with the pull of a cord, leaving only a small night-light plugged into the wall to illuminate Romea's side of the room.
The woman was fast asleep before Romea had even thought about shutting her eyes for the night. Her nerves and excitement were coursing through her.
She just had to collect some pieces of a star and catch whoever broke it in the first place. That couldn't be too hard.
Romea leaned over and pulled the map out from her folded dress, sitting up on her mattress to get a better look at its contents.
MacGuffland… She couldn't say she'd ever heard of it before. But to be fair, the tutors who came in and out of the castle rarely talked about the world outside of the Mushroom and Koopa kingdoms. Whether that was due to her parents’ request or the irrelevancy of other lands to her, Romea probably wouldn't know for a while.
Her fingertips grazed over the bright red ink. Did she really have to go through every one of these territories? That seemed like an awful lot of effort when Nebula Venue was right next door to where they'd be dropped off. Surely they could just catch whoever was responsible, capture them, and then find the star pieces later, right?
Maybe she could ask some locals about everything she was thinking of in the morning.
She folded the map back up and stuck it back in her dress pocket.
She'd just have to pray that any of the folks she'd meet could understand sign. She could genuinely get herself in some deep trouble if they didn't…
Turning to the side on her mattress, Romea forced her eyes shut. She had a big day ahead of her tomorrow.