Princess Daisy In: Super Mario Land: Minisode I: Sweet Sixteen

 Princess Daisy In: Super Mario Land: Minisode I: Sweet Sixteen

By Yu May

[Note: this vignette or “minisode” is loosely inspired by the gameboy game Super Mario Land as well as the manga adaptation by Kazuki Motoyama. This manga is sometimes referred to as “KC Mario.” Panels from this manga have widely circulated in the past, and it has only recently begun to receive a fan translation by littlelum. I’m thoroughly enjoying the manga and highly recommend seeking it out. However, I have my own ideas for how I would like to adapt Princess Daisy’s backstory into my own fan fictions and comics. While the events of the Kodansha manga is not necessarily cannon in my universe, and some of the ways the characters have been portrayed has changed drastically over the years, I want to acknowledge Kazuki Motoyama’s work for inspiring this short story. I elected for the name “King Guni” for Daisy’s father, who has no official name, as an homage to Gunpei Yokoi.]

Once upon a time, two twin boys were born to the King and Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom. The first born son was granted the hereditary title of Crown Prince as his birthright, but the King and Queen loved their sons equally, and so granted the second born son lands and rulership over their territories in the distant west: Sarasaland. When they grew up and accepted their responsibilities as kings, the two brothers made a sacred vow that their households would forever live in peace, united against all common foes.

This vow was put to the test, when many centuries later, their great-great-great-(etc.)-granddaughters, the gentle-hearted Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom, and wild-hearted Princess Daisy of Sarasaland, attended Princess Academy together, and began the most infamous rivalry in the history of the school. But that’s another story!

In the end, the two Princesses learned to appreciate one another, despite their differences (and perhaps because of those same differences). 

Now, for you to understand this story, I must tell you something about Princess Daisy: she was a tomboy through and through. “Sugar, and spice, and everything nice. That’s what little girls are made of!” Or so they say. Well, I wouldn’t say that Princess Daisy was made of snips, and snails, and puppy dog tails, but when God made Princess Daisy, He certainly didn’t skimp on the spice part. 

As a little chiquita, Princess Daisy demonstrated a remarkable capacity for getting herself into big trouble, and often found herself bent over the knee of either her mother, Queen Samantha, or her father, King Gun. I know spanking has fallen out of favor these days, but you should know the King and Queen were remarkably gentle with their not-so-gentle Princess, even on the occasions they had to spank her. And Daisy was never the demure, delicate type, so the spankings never bothered her that much. In a strange way, little Daisy thought of a spanking as the perfect conclusion to a childish misadventure: if breaking a rule was bad enough to earn her a spanking, that’s how she knew it’d be tons of fun!

But a year after the birth of Daisy’s little sister, Princess Azalea, Queen Samantha passed away suddenly, and Daisy made a conscious decision to start growing up: slowly, perhaps, but surely. And on the morning of her 16th birthday, Princess Daisy was feeling very grown up indeed.

Marching to the King’s personal study, Daisy threw open the great-double doors with such force, she startled both her poor, hard-working father, and 7-year-old Princess Azalea, who was playing with her dollies in front of his work desk. “Dad! Today’s the day! I’m sixteen! That means I’m old enough to get married! And that means we gotta’ have a tournament, to test the strength and skill of the greatest champions across the world, with the winner claiming my hand in marriage as a prize!”

Azalea looked up from her dolls, “Do I have to get married when I turn sixteen, too, Daddy?” 

The King adjusted his crown, and stroked his manly mustache. “No, Azalea. Daddy will never make one of his Princesses get married against their will. That’s been the law in Sarasaland and the Mushroom for centuries, and I stand by it. Now, Daisy, at sixteen, you’re only old enough to get married with parental permission. I love you very much, but I’m afraid you’re much too young to be getting married, let alone to some random guy, just because he wins a few carnival games.”

 “Oh, don’t worry, Dad. I entered the tournament. No one’s claiming my hand in marriage without your approval today! I’m gonna win every event myself!”

The King’s mustache drooped, as he slowly craned his neck to look out the window of his study. “…the tournament? You mean the party games?” 

A female toad’s voice boomed over the megaphone system above the festivities in the courtyard. The King instantly recognized the owner of the voice: Toadelia, Daisy’s personal maid and Lady-in-Waiting. “Hear ye, hear ye! The Grand Sarasaland Tournament, in commemoration of Princess Daisy’s Sweet Sixteen Birthday Bash, is about to commence! To honor the winner of this grand contest, Princess Daisy has personally pledged–”

King Gun threw open the window and dove over the windowsill, shouting to be heard over the intercom, “No! They can’t have my Daisy’s hand in marriage! She’s still too young! I do not consent to any marriage!”

Toadelia paused, then answered the King, still speaking over the intercom. “Oh, don’t worry, Your Highness. Princess Daisy has only promised to give the winner a chaste kiss on the cheek. We all know you’d never approve of Princess Daisy being forced to marry someone against her will.”

Random onlookers in the crowd began to shout and cheer. 

“Yeah, that’s ‘cuz King Gun respects freedom and the institution of marriage!”

“He’s not only a great King, he’s a great dad too! I hope my son grows up to be just like him one day!”

“Three cheers for King Gun, for Princess Daisy, and for Princess Azalea! Hip-hip-hooray!” Hurrah! Huzzah!”

Looking sheepish, King Gun stepped back from the window to look his eldest daughter in the eye. “So, you haven’t pledged your hand in marriage to anyone?”

Daisy shook her head. “Nope! Though, at first, I figured it’d be romantic to offer my hand in marriage as the prize, but then I got to thinking…You know how you’re always telling me I have to be less impulsive, and think before I act? Well, I tried doing that, and I decided it’d be just as romantic to offer the winner a chaste kiss on the cheek, just in case I don't win the tournament. Not that I’m worried, mind you. No one beats me! Did I do a good job?”

Daisy looked up at her father expectantly, like a puppy awaiting headpats.

King Gun sighed, but only with relief, not exasperation. “Good thinking, Daisy, darling. You shouldn’t be too quick to offer your hand in marriage to just anyone. One day, soon, I know you’ll be ready to start thinking about marriage. And when that day comes, I hope you’ll introduce me to the man you believe to be worthy.”

The King kissed Daisy lightly, right on her button nose. Daisy shone with joy as she accepted both the kiss and the compliment. “Of course I will! I’m not planning to get married to just any schmuck. The man I marry has gotta’ be super cool! And you’re the coolest dad in the universe, so I figure you’ll know if a guy who looks cool on the outside is actually lame on the inside!”

King Gun beamed with pride. “I’m honored you place your trust in me. But remember, I can only offer you guidance and counsel. You’re not a little girl anymore. You’ve grown into a fine, responsible young woman. I know you will make good choices in life, and I want them to be your choices!”

Princess Daisy returned her father’s kiss, right on his round nose. “Thanks, Dad!”

From outside the window, Toadelia’s voice echoed over the megaphone. “Announcing, Her Royal Highness, Peach, Princess Toadstool, Crown Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, and her royal escort, Sir Mario Mario of Brooklyn, Royal Knight and Champion of the Mushroom Kingdom!”

Princess Daisy squeaked. “Peach is here! And I finally get to meet this Mario guy!”

Princess Azalea hopped to her feet to glimpse out the window, then started smashing her dolls together like action figures. “Didn’t he beat up King Koopa, all by himself? I heard he went–Pow! Smash! Bam!–then saved Princess Peach, just like that!” 

Daisy craned her neck to look out the window over her little sister’s head. “He did all that and more! This Mario guy sounds like the coolest dude in the universe! I just gotta’ meet him!” 

Daisy slapped her closed fist into her open palm, then stopped herself from repeating a naughty word. “I hope he competes in the tournament. I can’t wait to kick his…ah, booty. Love you, Daddy! Love you, Azalea!”

With that, Daisy dashed out of the King’s study at a full sprint.

King Gun watched her go, then gave Azalea a little kiss on the top of her forehead. “You girls are growing up too fast!”

Azalea looked down at her dolls. “If you don’t want me to grow up, I hope I never grow up!”

King Gun shook his head, patting Azalea on the head. “No, no. I don’t want you to promise me that. One day, you might just change your mind, and decide you do want to grow up, after all. Just…promise me you won’t rush it.”

Looking up, Azalea cheerfully accepted the gesture of affection. “Yes, Daddy. I think I can do that!”

[The End]