Royal Pain

## **Plot**

Squirt plays soccer with his friends and Leroy heads for a goal shot but is stopped by Mark. Toadette kicks on her turn and Squirt tries to stop it but ends up falling hard on the grass but notices something protruding from the ground. He pulls it out and it is a torn piece of paper that is unable to be read.

Squirt takes it to the others at the castle and Peach becomes fascinated with it. She takes it to Toadsworth who says he will clean it up for a more clearer picture. He becomes stunned to learn that it is an ancient genealogy record that dates back to the 1800s. Peach becomes surprised to learn this and wonders if it involves anything to do with her side of the royalty family. Toadsworth checks and becomes shocked to learn that isn't the case, saying it has to deal with the Pinger side, which broke off decades back once the current royal family took its place due to the original rulers both dying in a freak accident. They then find that the next heir to the throne is said to be the first born of the fourth generation in the family. They count down the members to find that Squirt is revealed to be the first born after finding Lily Pinger's name, his mother. Squirt becomes instantly flattered while the others are too surprised to say anything. Toadsworth mentions that they might as well crown Squirt at the moment considering what information they have found. Bowser offers to use an old crown for Squirt once he wasn't a fan of it. Squirt is crowned king and the kingdom takes note of the event being broadcasted across the kingdom.

Squirt begins to have a change of thought however, becoming increasingly demanding and less forgiving for the littlest of mistakes. Peach tells him not to be so stern on his first days of becoming king as it would only drain him later on but he silences her much to her surprise and confusion. Overtime, he has an entire overhaul provided to the castle, with new guards in place, and new rules set for almost everyone in the castle, including the bros. The team slowly realizes this change of behavior from him but every attempt they try to make for reasoning with him, it ends with Squirt telling them to return back to their duties and since there is now a new royal guard and rule record, they must obey them regardless of how they feel.

One particular day, Mario is fed up and decides he has had enough with Squirt's rules but Peach tells him that everything that is happening is probably her fault. Mario asks her what she means and she explains that she had a pep talk with him regarding how to cope with stress and this might be his way of doing so. Mario points out that this isn't a healthy nor good way of coping with traumatic events and continues on towards the castle. Mario is told by the new guards to stay back on the account of Squirt's naptime. Mario becomes even more furious and barges through them, attacking those who try to interfere with him. He makes his way to the throne room and sees Squirt who is furious at the sight of Mario. He orders for him to leave but Mario barks back, saying that the way he is treating everyone is unethical and an unhealthy way of coping with one's own feelings. Squirt insists he has no idea what Mario is referring to but Mario tells him to cut the ignorance and face the truth. Squirt tells Mario that this is his new life now and is sad that he isn't happy for him. Mario tells him that he always was until he started treating everyone unfairly, adding that isn't what a good king does while admitting he doesn't have any king experience, it's human decency and in good morals to have such basic knowledge of respect. Squirt visibly gets more teary eyed, saying that everything is unfair and that everyone needs to see just how unfair life could be. Suddenly, the crown above his head zaps Mario out of the room, shutting the doors. Squirt becomes shocked to learn the crown is alive and he takes it off, throwing it on the ground. The crown floats and attempts to strike Squirt with attack beams. Bowser, who is revealed to be Squirt's servant, becomes appalled at the sight, then becomes furious, saying that's the reason he didn't want the crown but thought he deactivated it once he allegedly broke it. The crown locks its sights on Bowser and has a recollection of memories with him, however, in each one it tried to corrupt Bowser's mind and become its host, using his body as a puppet of sorts. It becomes angry and charges at Bowser but Squirt swings it with a bat, causing it to tumble out the window and into the ground, breaking in the process. Bowser thanks Squirt for getting rid of the crown. Mario comes back in, this time with the others but Squirt collapses to the ground, begging the others to forgive him for everything that he has done. Bowser tells the others and Squirt that perhaps the crown, combined with the wrong thoughts swirling around Squirt manifested into what he became, a selfish, entitled, careless tyrant much like how Bowser's father was. Bowser suddenly becomes overwhelmed with emotion and Mario goes over to comfort him but he shrugs him off, saying just because he has turned over a new leaf doesn't mean he will ever forgive what the kingdom did before stomping away. Peach goes over to Mario, telling him to just give him time. Luigi looks on in the distance at the two, solemnly. They return back to the lobby and Mario along the way asks if Luigi is okay to which he replies he is fine with a grin but has a visible face of worry written all over it.