The Odyssey landed in New Donk City, in front of the City Hall. A large crowd of people gathered to see what the spectacle was about, and some police officers had their guns drawn, ready to fire in case it would be more Koopa shenanigans.

When the door opened, Mario, Peach, Pauline, Cappy, and Tiara were met with a sea of applause and a crowd filled with happy and relieved citizens. Soon enough, the media also arrived and swarmed around the group, taking pictures and a few people asking the Mayor what she had gone through. Pauline refused to comment, and made it back inside with her friends.

Deskworkers immediately stood up and her personal assistant offered to bring her a new change of clothes from the Crazy Cap clothes store, and she gave her the go-ahead.

It was a long day, and it all came to a halt when Pauline stood on the podium before the people.

"Good evening, New Donk City." She began. Her words were met with whistles and cheers. "As I'm sure you are all well aware, I was kidnapped by the Koopa King. I owe my life and much gratitude to Mario, who, if it were not for, I would not be alive to speak to you about this right now. The rumors you have heard about the Koopa clan from many a Mushroom are correct-they are ruthless, and they will stop at nothing to achieve what they desire; as I am living proof. Their leader, King Bowser, held me hostage and attempted my life due to me disagreeing with hosting his wedding here. I felt that our city and the Princess deserve to have our dignity kept."

A few people nodded in agreement and a few whispers and murmurs could be heard among them.

"Now, we no longer have to worry about the Koopas." Pauline reassured. "Their foul King threw himself into space in an act of foolish desperation. Surely he is dead. Now, New Donk will resume in its girder repairs, Infrastructural Operations and Recreational Activities as of Monday."

The audience applauded, and Mario was joined with Peach in the back, sitting down and resting their legs. They had been through very much. Mario applauded, and Peach followed suit.

Mario was hypnotized, watching Pauline at the podium explaining her next plans for the city, and eventually, his wide smile began to drop. His heart began to sank when he realized that he and the Princess would have to be leaving soon to return to the Mushroom Kingdom. Loud cheers filled the room around the plumber, and the Princess also paid decent attention to the Mayor. Mario felt lost in a sea of voices and sadness. He was going to miss Pauline.

After the speech came to a conclusion and everyone left the City Hall, Pauline approached Mario and Peach. "So... what are you guys going to do now?" She asked, genuinely curious.

"We're going back to the Mushroom Kingdom." Peach stated honestly. "We have many things to fix over there too, and as you know, it can be very hectc; especially after the one in charge is kidnapped."

"But of course." Pauline stated.

Mario looked down at the floor, and Cappy flew over beside him. "Mario," he whispered in his ear. "it's now or never." The plumber picked up his face and nodded. He was about to say something, but Peach beat him to it.

"Pauline," Peach began. "I'd like to apologize for my... callousness back in the Odyssey. We've been through so much together, and it wasn't right of me to snap at you the way that I did. Especially over a harmless joke."

"It's totally fine." Pauline stated. "I totally understand. The stress of everything that happened, almost losing Mario, it can bring a person to that. I'm sure he felt the pressure heated on, too."

"Actually..." Mario began. "I was-a more afraid of losing you than-a losing my life."

Princess Peach looked down at Mario in shock. Was he talking about Pauline or her? She wasn't sure, and she began to feel afraid. Afraid of losing Mario to the Mayor.

Pauline blushed, and her eyes watered slightly. "I... well." Pauline felt her heart skip a beat.

"Mario and I are going to be leaving for Bonneton to bring Tiara and Cappy back home, and we will be returning to the Mushroom Kingdom after that. Mario has a life there, as you know." Peach stated plainly.

"If he wants, he has a life he can always return to here in New Donk City, too." Pauline said, joyfully. I'll be waiting, she thought.

"You're always invited to visit the Mushroom Kingdom if you ever have time, Pauline." Peach offered. "I would be happy to have you over, if you wouldn't mind the Mushroom Tea."

"It sounds delightful." Pauline stated. "But that won't be for a long while. I have a lot of work to catch up on, and even more projects to begin and assign." She was beginning to get lost in her sea of thought, but with a quick shake of her head, she snapped out of it. "Oh, um... well, I hope the two of you return home safely."

Mario looked at Pauline, and at Peach, who was beginning to head towards the Odyssey. The sky was turning a yellow-orange hue with the setting sun, which only seemed to illuminate the Odyssey and cause a beautiful reflection off the City Hall's windows.

"Mario, we have to go!" Peach called out.

Mario turned and looked at Pauline, and stopped in his tracks. "Hold on a second, Princess!" He called out. He ran back to Pauline who was discreetly wiping tears from her eyes underneath her sunhat.

"Paulie." He called to her.

Pauline looked up from the floor at Mario. "Yes... Mario?"

"I..." He walked up closer to the Mayor. "It feels-a like it was-a just yesterday, we were at-a the beach in a thunderstorm. Do ya remember that?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, when I come-a back to visit in a few weeks, do ya wanna go-a back to that Pizza joint?" He asked.

Pauline almost fell back in surprise. "What... what do you mean?"

"I... I-a realized something... after all these years of playing-a a hero..." Mario began. "I would-a rather go back to the simpler New Donk life. I really-a would!"

"But... Princess Peach..."

"Bowser is-a dead, remember? She won't-a have to worry about him. He's off-a in space." Mario stated. "I mean, I do-a love the Princess... but... ugh, it's-a so confusing, Paulie. How did-a life get so complicated? I...I want to be here, but I also need to be in the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Wasn't it always, Mario?" she mused. "Unless I'm remembering our lives differently, of course."

"No, you are-a right. That shitty two-bit apartment we-a lived in was a big-a step down." He said in a joking manner, causing Pauline to chuckle.

"Well, I've made a big step up since then, Mario." Pauline reminded him.

"I'm-a proud of you, Pauline." Mario praised her. "You were always a hard worker. It's-a paid off."

"Hey, you rubbed off on me, 'Jump Man'. Always jumping from job to job." Pauline returned. "You were a big inspiration to me, Mario. You still are."

A moment of silence broke between them, and a gentle breeze flowed past them, a reminder of what could have been and what should be.

Princess Peach waited inside the Odyssey with great patience, but Mario did not want to keep her waiting longer than he was supposed to.

He closed the distance between himself and Pauline, and sealed their conversation with a long overdue kiss. Time seemed to stand still, and all the two of them could feel was a spark within the both of them. A long, heated spark which seemed to grow with the passing few seconds, which felt like minutes. When their lips parted, both felt a power wash over them. The sunset added to the atmosphere as a couple of loving Pigeons on a lamplight gazed at the two of them.

Small sprinkles of dew from the sky illuminated in the glow of the orange sun and gently drizzled on the star-crossed lovers,

"Ciao, Pauline." Mario said lovingly, with a gentle good-bye wave.

"Ciao, Mario." Pauline reciprocated with a blown kiss and a wave.

It seemed like an eternity watching Mario walk to the Odyssey. The engine stirred and the ship began to lift. Pauline waved at the ship with a tenderness in her heart, and Cappy, Peach, Tiara, and Mario all waved back.

Eventually, the ship disappeared into the sunset, and Pauline stood stout, tears falling down her cheeks and a smile alighting her bruised face. She had gone through an ordeal, and triumphed. She was really looking forward to seeing Mario again in a few weeks. The Mayor turned her back to the dusken sky and walked back into the City Hall.

Her job was calling her, and she had a lot of mess to clean up.

Only now, she did not have to feel alone as she did it. She knew in her heart of hearts, that she and Mario could have another chance at something; a chance to make up for lost time, to clear up their issues.

She opened the curtains and window slightly to allow a gentle breeze into her office, and got out some paper work, and placed it upon her desk. She gazed out the window and, for the first time in ages, smiled.

THE END

Writer's Note: And that wraps up the tale! ;) I'm glad you all enjoyed and read this far. I'd like to thank you all for the awesome comments and interesting feedback. You guys are what gave me the inspiration I needed to see the story through to the very end! I apologize for the far length between updates, but life and college can be a hinderence when it comes to story-writing.

Again, thank you all for reading my fic, and I'm so happy you all enjoyed it so much!

Game on, my fellow gamers! ;)

-Dinah (Midnight Coffee 64)