The Lantern Festival/Peach's Sob Story

*(At the gates leading to the Wizard, the citizens are clamoring as a guard is trying to calm them down. He is a draconequus with a gray horse-like head, much different from other ponies' head styles, an off-white deer antler on the right, a baby blue goat horn on the left, one long white fang, yellow eyes with different-sized black pupils, a brown torso, a green snake tongue, a white goat beard, and white bushy eyebrows. He has the right light brown arm of a lion, the left yellow claw of an eagle, the right light green leg of a lizard, and the left light brown leg of a goat. In addition, he has a bat's right black wing, a Pegasus' left blue wing, a horse's black mane, and a dragon-like snake's red tail with a white tail tuft. The shape of his body resembles that of a snake. He bears a resemblance to a Chinese dragon, a creature often depicted with a serpentine body, facial hair, feline claws, and antlers. He is Discord, the God of Chaos and the guard Popple and the Fearsome Four conned before)*

Discord: Alright, calm down!

*(The crowd calmed down)*

Discord: I can assure you that the Wizard has gotten matters into his hands now.

*(The crowd slowly gave in as he explained this)*

Discord: And to assure you, we are safe. So you can all go back to work on the festival and have nothing to worry about.

*(The crowd then left to resume working on the festival. Peach’s group then approached Discord)*

Discord: What do you want?

Peach: We like to see the Wizard immediately.

Zelda: Can you let us in please?

Discord: First of all, he’s busy at the moment! Second, nobody can see the Great Oz! Not nobody, not no how!

*(He glared daggers at Popple and the Fearsome Four*)

Discord: And I’m sure he especially won’t want to see you five rip-off artists!

Link: Actually, about that.

Aryll: They’re sorry.

*(Link, Aryll, and the group turned to Popple and the Fearsome Four with smiles)*

Peach’s group: Right?

Popple and Fearsome Four: (Nods in agreement) Right!

Popple: Seen the light.

Discord: I guess I’ll accept your apology somewhat, but not nobody, not no how!

Daisy: But you don’t understand!

Peach: This is important!

Yoshi: That’s right!

Tiger: And we got a permit for the occasion.

*(Discord got agitated)*

Discord: NOT NOBODY, NOT NO HOW!!!!

*(Realizing he shouted, Discord chuckled a bit in embarrassment and spoke normal)*

Discord: Sorry. Now run along, uh…?

Peach: I’m Peach Heartilly-Leonhart.

Daisy: I’m her sister, Daisy.

Mario: I’m Mario.

Luigi: Luigi.

Rockruff: The name's Rockruff.

Zelda: And I’m Zelda.

*(Discord got surprised)*

Discord: Wait, you mean, Hunter J's group's Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, and Zelda?

*(They nod. Then Discord grumbled in annoyance as he thinks it over and then he gave in)*

Discord: Fine! I’ll tell the Wizard you wish to see him. In the meantime, wait out here and enjoy the festival, and I’ll announce you at once when the festival’s over.

*(He goes through the gates and closed them as the group got happy)*

Espio: Isn’t it fantastic?

Rouge: We’ll be announced at once after the festival!

Sonic's group: We're gonna become great consciences!

Sonic: I’ll have a brain in no time!

Cait Sith: And a heart!

Popple: And me and the boys will have our cafe and toy store!

Fearsome Four: Yeah!

Zelda: And I’ll learn my true heritage!

Link and Aryll: And we’ll become a mechanic on flying things and knights of Emerald City!

Tiger: I’ll have courage soon!

Fievel: And I’ll become the best fighting partner ever!

Yoshi: I'll be flying really great soon!

Peach: And Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Rockruff, and I will be home in time!

*(The group looked at Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, and Rockruff in confusion)*

Megavolt: What do you mean, “In time?”

Yoshi: Even I'm confused.

Peach: (Shrugs) Oh, nothing. We’re just excited.

*(Fievel then changed the subject, speaking to Tiger and getting everyone's attention)*

Fievel: Anyway, Tiger, what would you do if you had courage finally?

Tiger: Why, I'd become king of my home forest like a lion.

*(The group got interested)*

Group: Really?

Tiger: Yep! Long live the king.

*(Deciding to play along with Tiger's daydream under Tiger and Fievel's silent request, Popple then turned to the citizens who overheard Tiger's announcement in interest)*

Ace: Cue the fanfare!

*(Then the fanfare played loudly by the trumpet players. Seeing everyone wanting to watch this entertainment, Peach's group encouraged Tiger to show his dream, and he gladly does through song)*

Tiger: **If I were king of the forest**

**Not queen**

**Not duke**

**Not prince**

Fievel: And not duchess or princess.

Tiger: **My regal robes of the forest**

**Would be satin**

**Not cotton**

**Not chinze**

**I command each thing**

**Be it fish or fowl**

**With a roof**

**And a roof**

**And a royal growl**

*(He makes a playful nyah, making everyone chuckle a bit, amazed by this performance)*

Tiger: **As I click my heels**

**All the tree would kneel**

**And the mountains bow**

**And the bulls kowtow**

**And the sparrows**

**Would take wing**

**If I**

**If I**

**Were king**

**Each rabbit would show**

**Respect to me**

**The chipmunks genuflect**

**To me**

**Though my claws would lash**

**I will show compash**

**For every underling**

**If I**

**If I**

**Were king**

**Just king**

*(Then everyone sang with Tiger)*

Everyone: **Each rabbit would show**

**Respect to him**

**The chipmunks genuflect**

**To him**

Bushroot: **And his wife**

**Can be Queen of the May**

Tiger: **And I'd be monarch**

**Of all I survey**

*(Then everyone proceeded to pretend to treat Tiger like a king, even a citizen picked up a nearby green empty flower pot and lets Cait Sith accept it and smash the bottom off with his axe to make it a shape of a crown. After that, Cait Sith crowns Tiger with it as everyone bows to him and Zelda placed a dark green satin carpet on him like a kingly robe)*

Tiger: **Monarch**

**Of all I survey**

**Mooooooonarch**

**Of alllllll**

**IIIIIII**

**Surveeeeeey**

*(Then Peach's group proceed to ask away playfully)*

Daisy: You're majesty, if you're a king, you wouldn't be afraid of anything anymore?

Tiger: (Boasting) Not nobody, not nohow!

Sonic: Not even a rhinoceros?

Tiger: Imposterous!

Popple: How about a hippopotamus?

Tiger: I'd trash him from top to bottomous!

Peach: Suppose you met an elephant?

Tiger: I'd wrap him up in cellephant!

Cait Sith: What if it were a brontosaurus?

Tiger: I'd show him who's king of the fores'!

Everyone: How?

Tiger: (Pretending to be shocked) How?!

*(He takes his "Robe" off and proceeds to ask away)*

Tiger: Courage. What makes a king out of a slave? Courage. What makes a flag on a mast to wave? Courage. What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage. What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage. What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage. What makes the hottentot so hot? What puts the ape in apricot? What do they got that I ain't got?

Everyone: Courage.

Tiger: You can say that again.

*(Then they concluded the song)*

Tiger: **For courage is**

**The king of kings**

**For courage**

**I'd be king of kings**

**I'll be hailed all around**

**I'll be throned and crowned**

**By every living thing**

**If I**

Everyone: **If he**

Tiger: **If I**

Everyone: **If he**

Tiger: **Were king**

Everyone: **King**

*(Suddenly, Squidward cleared his throat and made his announcement, getting their and the citizens' attention now that the song is over)*

Squidward: Evening is here! Anybody who wishes to talk to King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule and Queen Hylia before we light the lanterns, come on up!

*(Link and Aryll turned to Zelda and the others)*

Link: Wait until you meet the king and queen themselves!

Peach’s group: Really?

Aryll: (Nods) Yep! They're nice.

*(They then head over to the courtyard where Hylia and Daphnes are lighting the beacons while the citizens resumed what they're doing and Tiger removed his "Crown" and gave it to a citizen who accepted it)*

Male citizen 3: I'll keep it for you.

Tiger: Thanks.

*(Tiger caught up with Peach's group and then Daphnes and Hylia noticed them approaching upon lighting the last beacon and greeted them)*

Daphnes and Hylia: Hello, guests.

*(They notice Link and Aryll)*

Hylia: Link and Aryll, you didn’t find our daughter yet.

Link: Not yet, but we found a girl that looks like her!

Aryll: It's true!

Daphnes: Really?

Hylia: Where is she?

*(Zelda approached calmly to them. They look at each other in silence for a while and they smiled politely)*

Hylia: Pleased to meet you. I’m Queen Hylia.

Daphnes: And I’m King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule.

Zelda: My name is Zelda.

*(Hylia and Daphnes got interested and surprised)*

Daphnes: That’s strange. Our daughter’s name is Zelda, too. And her birthday’s today as well.

Hylia: And your face looks like her from her baby picture. And you have an amulet similar to our daughter’s.

Daphnes: Could it be…?

*(A short pause. Then they shrugged)*

Zelda, Hylia, and Daphnes: Nah.

Hylia: Anyway, we like to let you know that you and your friends will always be welcome in Emerald City.

Daphnes: Anytime.

*(The group nods happily. After getting to know each other, the group and Hylia and Daphnes understood each other)*

Hylia: I hope you’ll accomplish your dreams, everyone.

Daphnes: Indeed.

Hylia: Well, shall we celebrate the festival?

Daphnes: It’s starting already.

Peach’s group: Yes, you’re majesties!

*(The group went to the courtyard and joined in the festivities, such as dancing, drawing and painting from Zelda, reading a lot of interesting books, eating some delicious food for the festival, and Zelda even earning a green flag with an image of a golden sun that resembles a golden flower. As soon as night came, Squidward shouted his announcement)*

Squidward: Everyone, it’s time to light the floating lanterns! Anybody who wishes to ride the ship in the lake to see the lanterns’ reflection, come aboard!

*(The citizens and the group cheered. Then the group boarded the ship with some citizens on board, carrying their own lanterns. Zelda got happy and excited)*

Zelda: I can’t wait to see it up close finally.

Daisy: I know.

Peach: You’ve been waiting for so long.

Popple: And then what happens with you?

Zelda: Well, then we’ll see the Wizard when it’s over and our dreams come true.

Peach: Exactly.

*(Then, standing on the stand of the courtyard, Hylia and Daphnes then lit their lanterns with soft sad smiles, and then they lightened up their soft smiles and gently released the lanterns into the air as they floated away into the sky. Soon, the citizens joined in and more lanterns flew into the air. Even the group on the ship joined in. Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Zelda, and Link watched with calm passionate smiles along with the group as Zelda, Peach, and Daisy began singing)*

Zelda: **All those days**

**Watching from the windows**

**All those years**

**Outside looking in**

**All that time**

**Never even knowing**

**Just how blind I’ve been**

Peach: **Now we’re here**

**Blinking in the starlight**

Daisy: **Now we’re here**

**Suddenly, we see**

Peach and Daisy: **Standing here**

**It’s all so clear**

**That Zelda’s**

**Where she’s meant to be**

Peach, Daisy, and Zelda: **And at last**

**I see the light**

**And it’s like**

**The fog has lifted**

**And at last**

**I see the light**

**And it’s like**

**The sky is new**

**And it’s warm**

**And real and bright**

**And the world**

**Has somehow shifted**

**All at once**

**Everything is different**

**Now that we see you**

*(They turned to Mario, Luigi, and Link, who smiled passionately in return. Midna and Aryll then silently encouraged Zelda and Link respectively to tell each other how they feel for the other, which they then do)*

Zelda: Hey, Link. I understand you’ll marry the princess, but….

Link: I understand.

*(Zelda got calmly surprised)*

Link: I’m starting to think that maybe you and the princess might be in common, so…. I like you too.

Zelda: (Smiles) Then I wish you and the princess luck.

*(Link smiled back. Peach, Daisy, Mario, and Luigi then spoke to each other)*

Peach and Daisy: When we get home…?

Mario and Luigi: It’s a date.

*(The group gave a smile and a thumb’s up for the six. Then Mario, Luigi, and Link began singing)*

Link: **All those days**

**Chasing down a dream**

**All those years**

**Believing in hope**

**All that time**

**Never truly seeing**

**Things that is possible**

Mario: **Now we’re here**

**Suddenly we know**

Luigi: **Now we're here**

**Suddenly, we see**

Mario, Luigi, and Link: **If they’re here**

**It’s crystal clear**

**We’re where we’re meant to go**

*(Peach, Daisy, and Zelda joined in)*

Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Zelda, and Link: **And at last**

**I see the light**

Mario, Luigi, and Link: **And it’s like**

**The fog has lifted**

Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Zelda, and Link: **And at last**

**I see the light**

Peach, Daisy, and Zelda: **And it’s like**

**The sky is new**

Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Zelda, and Link: **And it’s warm**

**And real and bright**

**And the world**

**Has somehow shifted**

*(The group watched on with calm passionate smiles at the three couples)*

Peach, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Zelda, and Link: **All at once**

**Everything is different**

**Now that I see you**

**Now that I see you**

*(They and the group sighed softly. Later, after the lanterns were done and everyone disembarked from the boat, the group walked through the courtyard and back to the gates. Suddenly, Discord came out with a smug smile, although the group didn’t know why he is smiling smugly)*

Popple: So, we’re in?

Quackerjack: Are we seeing the Wizard?

Discord: I got good news and bad news.

*(The group got confused)*

Discord: The good news is I told the Wizard you want to see him. However, the bad news is that he says “Go away!”

*(The group got surprised and then angry)*

Rockruff: Why?!

Zelda: You promised!

Discord: Ah-ah-ah! I never promised anything. I only said I’ll announce you. So, in that case, go home!

*(He gives a smug “Harrumph,” went through the gates, and closed them. The group got angry and disappointed)*

Peach’s group: Go away….

*(They turned their backs to the gate slowly and sat down at the steps)*

Sonic: So, we came all the way here for nothing. That stinks!

Big: Sorry.

Knuckles: Not you! Our predicament!

*(They see Peach looking down in sadness suddenly)*

Zelda: Peach?

Popple: You okay?

*(Peach tried to be positive)*

Peach: Oh, yes. Um, I can deal with this.

Mario: (Flatly) Peach….

Link: You said earlier “Be home in time.”

Aryll: What did you mean?

*(Remembering those words she said, Peach got glum slowly and remained silent. Concerned, the group tried to think of a way to cheer her up)*

Quackerjack: Hey, Peach?

*(He entertained with his Mr. Banana Brain doll to try and make her laugh)*

Quackerjack: You will definitely love this joke! *(In high-pitched voice)* What kind of dessert does tea like? A cupcake.

*(He chuckles a bit in his normal voice, but Peach did nothing. He then got confused)*

Quackerjack: I thought it was funny.

*(Then he and Charmy perked up)*

Charmy: This could help!

*(They make a goofy face by using their fingers to stretch their mouths, hoping to make Peach laugh. Still Peach remained depressed. Then Quackerjack and Charmy got concerned and let go of themselves)*

Charmy: That didn't work either.

Quackerjack: It usually does.

Tiger: How about I purr and nyah?

Fievel: Nothing’s working for Peach, Tiger.

Cait Sith: Yeah.

Shadow: What she’s upset about is not seeing the Wizard.

Blaze: That’s right.

Yoshi: Something must be making her sad somehow. I noticed it since Yoshi Village yesterday.

*(Zelda, Popple, and the Fearsome Four decided to take their turn, for the second time for Quackerjack that is, to cheer Peach up and sat beside her, with Zelda about to speak first)*

Zelda: You know, Peach? I’m sure your parents are home praying for your….

*(Peach then got angry and snapped)*

Peach: No, they’re not! The reason I believe they have no time to find me, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, and Rockruff is because my mother is dying!

*(The group, except Daisy, Mario, Luigi, and Rockruff, got surprised. What is Peach talking about)*

Sonic: (Flatly glaring) Temper, temper, temper....

*(Peach then realized her temper and went glum again)*

Peach: Sorry.

Zelda: What do you mean, “Dying?”

Quackerjack: What happened?

Popple: Something terrible?

Yoshi: Would you please tell us?

*(At the gates while Zelda, Quackerjack, Popple, and Yoshi said these lines, Discord, having heard Peach yell, opened the gates silently and peeked to listen in confusion. Back with the group, Peach spoke up finally)*

Peach: You really want to know?

*(The group nodded. They need to know how to make Peach happy again. Then Peach sighed sadly and began her explanation)*

Peach: It all started back home in Topeka, Kansas. Me, Daisy, Mario, Luigi, and Rockruff were walking ourselves home from school, and a cruel woman named Madame Medusa’s cat stole Rockruff’s favorite toy out of spite. Rockruff chased him and got it back, but Medusa hit Rockruff with a broomstick. Then Rockruff bit her on the leg in retaliation, and Medusa threatened to report to the sheriff Rockruff’s so-called attack and have him put down.

*(Rockruff gently placed his paw on Peach’s lap in comfort as Peach continued)*

Peach: Anyway, we raced home to tell our family and friends, but they were too busy to listen. Then Medusa came along and claimed that she got an order from the sheriff to take Rockruff from us, which I believe is fake. And then our family and friends fell for it and gave Rockruff to her anyway. After they were gone, we got in a fight….

*(She closed her eyes tightly to fight the urge to cry, and then opened them again)*

Peach: And the last thing I said to them was “I hate you and I never want to see you again.” Then Rockruff, having escaped, came back and we ran away from home to escape Medusa and our problems. But then we met our old friend, Professor E. Gadd, who showed us cool things from the world and then we consulted his crystal ball and….

*(She lets out a sob)*

Peach: (Voice starting to break) He told us my mother is suddenly having a heart attack, and is dying from it, like she’s dying from a broken heart.

*(The group, feeling bad for Peach, began to become sad too. Even Charmy, Yoshi, Popple, and the Fearsome Four shedded tears as well. But they wiped them away, snapping out of their teary-eyed reaction, except Megavolt and Quackerjack, who remained teary-eyed)*

Popple: Then what happened?

Yoshi: That lead your house coming here?

*(Peach tried to fight her tears)*

Peach: (Voice breaking) We tried to go back to her, but…. *(Sobs again)* A twister hit and that’s how we got here with the house!

*(She finally broke down crying as tears flooded her eyes, spilled down her cheeks, and she buried her face in her hands as she continued to sob uncontrollably as the group got concerned and sad)*

Peach: (Crying) However, I’m beginning to understand *(Sniffles)* that my mother and everyone were always there for me and my friends! And we never realized and appreciated it, hurting them like that! And it’s all my fault!

*(She sobbed uncontrollably again with her face still buried in her hands as the group looked on in concern and sadness and then began comforting her. She noticed while still continuing to cry and even hugging Zelda for comfort, which she hugs back in comfort. Seeing this, Megavolt and Quackerjack tried to fight their sadness and tears, heartbroken by the fact that Peach is crying for her mother and wanting to go home, and also heartbreaking that it reminds them of losing their own mothers on the separate days they died. And to the group now, they are thinking the same thing; No wonder Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Rockruff, and mostly Peach wanted to go home badly. Then Megavolt and Quackerjack tried to stay positive and cheered up)*

Megavolt: (Voice breaking) Don’t cry, Peach. We’ll try to get us to the Wizard.

Quackerjack: (Voice breaking) We certainly are. Just be cheerful.

Megavolt and Quackerjack: (Starting to cry) Like us!

Peach: (Crying) But what if we don’t? I’ll never see her again as long as I live. And if she’s dead, I’ll never forgive myself! Never, never, never!

*(She sobbed some more as she continued to hug Zelda for comfort, which Zelda still does. Popple, Aryll, and Zelda then spoke up with sad smiles)*

Daisy, Mario, Luigi, Rockruff, Yoshi, and Popple: Peach….

Aryll: Please don’t cry....

Zelda: I’m sure your mother might be saved….

*(Peach calmed her sobbing down after hearing her and looked at her with her tear-stained eyes and cheeks to see Zelda giving a sad smile. Even Megavolt and Quackerjack, watching this in an emotional way, listened)*

Zelda: Who knows? Maybe they nursed her back to health.

*(Popple, with a sad smile, placed his hand on Peach’s shoulder in comfort, making her turn to him, Bushroot, Liquidator, and a still teary-eyed Megavolt and Quackerjack)*

Popple: (Nods in agreement) She does have a point.

*(The Fearsome Four nods in agreement too with sad smiles with some tears in Megavolt and Quackerjack’s eyes. Noticing this with her group, Peach asked away)*

Peach: (A little sadly) What's wrong, Megavolt and Quackerjack?

*(Quackerjack calmly broke down crying along with Megavolt and sniffled as they wiped their eyes with his hands and fingers)*

Quackerjack: (Sniffles, crying calmly) Reminds me and Megavolt of us losing our mothers on the separate days they died.

*(Quackerjack and Megavolt finished wiping their eyes and gave sad smiles, eyes filled with tears still)*

Megavolt: (Crying calmly) It’s like you told us; Our mothers wanted us to be happy for them and everyone else without them.

*(Peach lets out a soft sob and begins to wipe her eyes calmly as she sniffled and sadly smiled)*

Peach: (Tearfully composing herself slowly) That’s so sweet of you to say that.

*(Seeing this, despite that they're also still crying, Megavolt then pulls the handkerchief from his pocket and held it out to Peach while Quackerjack pulled his handkerchief out)*

Quackerjack: (Sniffles, crying calmly) Ladies first. I know you and Zelda said we need them more, but we'll make an exception on this.

Megavolt: (Sniffles, crying calmly) Come on. Blow.

*(Calmly and sadly smiling softly, Peach blew her nose on the handkerchief Megavolt still held, then Quackerjack used his handkerchief to wipe her tears away and she started to feel better slowly. Then Megavolt and Quackerjack blew their noses next on their handkerchiefs and wiped their tears away as well)*

Peach: (Starting to feel better slowly, to her friends) Everyone, thanks for returning the favor to comfort me back. *(Eyes Megavolt and Quackerjack, who are brushing their tears clean from their eyes)* Especially you, Megavolt and Quackerjack.

*(After they finished wiping their tears away, Megavolt and Quackerjack sniffles one last time while letting the last of their tears plop from their eyes after blinking them away and they gave a soft smile to Peach, feeling better now)*

Megavolt and Quackerjack: You’re welcome.

*(Bushroot suddenly noticed something behind them and asked)*

Bushroot: What are you crying for?

*(The group and even Peach, Quackerjack, and Megavolt, now cheered up slowly, got confused)*

Luigi: But you saw Peach, Quackerjack, and Megavolt just….

Bushroot: Not them, that guy.

*(They noticed and saw Discord moved to tears from the whole thing)*

Discord: (Crying) Because that was the saddest story I ever heard! So please, Peach, Quackerjack, and Megavolt, do what your friends say and don’t cry anymore!

*(The group continued to watch in confusion)*

Discord: (Crying) About the Wizard saying “Go away,” it was a lie because I wanted to get even with Popple and the Fearsome Four! He actually said to let you in and see him! So go on in! And Peach, Quackerjack, and Megavolt, about what you just said about losing your mothers; I also miss my mother who lives far away from me as well!

*(He cries uncontrollably as he opened the gate some more and walked away. Surprised and happy now, the group and even Peach got up and Megavolt and Quackerjack puts their handkerchiefs back in their pockets)*

Popple: Well, what do you know? The usual sob story worked on a cold-hearted guard.

Liquidator: (Agreeing) Especially the tearfully comforting each other moment.

Peach: Shall we?

Peach's group: Yep!

*(The group then gathered their courage and entered past the gates slowly, finally going to see the Wizard)*

***Coming up: Peach’s group finally present their dreams to the Wizard himself, but then he agrees to give them their dreams, on the condition that they kill Hunter J, Myotismon, Vanitas, and Veran, bring him Hunter J’s wand, and find the lost princess and the stolen DNA matcher that will determine if Zelda is the lost princess. Later, Peach's group redevelop their confidence by their own encouragements.***