A deliberation of Kings.

Goomboss stood with Toadsworth as the leaders of all nations across the world looked over a huge model-map resting out on the table in front of them.

Never in a million years did Goomboss think he would have to stoop so low as to work with the goodie two-shoes of the Mushroom Kingdom. Especially never with the despicable Water Land King, whose craven rule had cost the lives of thousands of Goombas over the years. But here he was.

All because of this... Bowsette.

All the machinations in Dark Land had pushed him completely out of the sphere of influence, and now he was essentially on his own, being forced to team with these leaders as his allies in protecting his domain.

Pauline, mayor of the independent nation of New Donk City, stood up and pointed with a long pointy stick, going over each area marked with a red flag. “As you can see here, Bowsette was following a set path. She first appeared off the coast, attacking the Baseball Kingdom and bringing it to its knees in forty-eight hours.” She moved the pointed to locations on the shore. “Once she emerged again it was at Sunset Beach, convincing the populace of Koopas to revolt against the majority-Mouser government.”

Moustafa hopped up to the table in a rage. “The people of the Dry Dry Desert will not stand for it! She must be stopped!”

“The problem with that is,” Pauline began. “We don’t know a thing about her. She travels alone, so we can’t pinpoint her location until she strikes. She’s too fast, too unpredictable. That is, until now.” She makes a path with her pointer. “For a long while, Bowsette was marching in essentially one straight path. “She moved across the coast, going through the Cheep Cheep Beach before moving north after severely damaging the Dolphin Shoals. She then ravaged the Sprixies, who had already had their land devastated by Bowser in recent times."

K.Lumsy, the leader of the Free Kremling Alliance that towered over the others in the audience, raised his hand. “But... Bowser... what about him?” he asked.

“Bowser isn’t a factor here,” Pauline said. “His kingdom is too far away from the rest of this and according to sources is currently occupied in some family squabbles. Plus, Bowser’s Kingdom may not WANT to help. For this Bowsette woman, whoever she is...” Pauline points a straight path from the Sprixie Kingdom, through the Toad Highlands, through the Toadwood Forest, and then going dangerously close to Shroom City, where the formal border of the Mushroom Kingdom begins. It is clear to us that she is aiming for the Mushroom Kingdom, likely aiming to take down Princess Peach herself.”

“But... why?” Toadsworth asked. “What have we done to provoke this mysterious woman?”

“Well, there is the fact that this Bowsette woman is reported to look uncannily like Princess Peach.” She held up a scroll that contained a sketch of what this woman appeared to look like according to police reports after a fierce battle in Hollijolli Village. Gomboss stared at it with his mouth open. Holy damn, was THAT her? NOW he was interested. Look at those pointy horns! Look at those huge... uh, earrings! “Whatever her reason, she was on a direct course for the Mushroom Kingdom, but suddenly veered off just days ago.”

Don Pinata shrugged. “The people of Rogueport have no interest in this. We are too remote and not a strategic location now that the Thousand-Year Door has been sealed. We will tend to our own matters.”

“This could be very important,” Pauline said. “Don’t give in to your own insular nature when the entire world could be at stake.”

The Bumpty leader Mayor Penguin chimed in, as well. “Because Bowsette seems to be making her intentions known only to the southern portions of the continent, I suffice it to be known that we shall not participate in any sort of coalition.”

What? They were giving up like that? No help at all? Goomboss could not stand for this. “You cretins!” he shouted. “This monster is at the doorstep of Goomba Village, and yet you refuse to help? What kind of allies are you?”

“Says the one who terrorized the Mushroom Kingdom for years,” scoffed Monty Mole. Goomboss had no idea which Monty Mole, just that it was one of many.

“Your claim of territorial ownership over Goomba Village is extremely tenuous,” King Lakitu added. “Your right to be in this meeting, even, is tenuous.”

“How dare you!”

“Calm down, everyone,” Pauline said. “We have to work together. Because we have no idea what Bowsette’s next plan is. She’s ventured to various parts of the world in recent days, for no reason that we have been able to uncover thus far. She has been to Yoshi’s Island, then to the Woody Woods, then to Neon Heights, and finally to Nimbus Land, only staying for brief moments while causing maximum chaos. But none of these areas are remotely close to the Mushroom Kingdom, so we are unable to...”

Pauline stopped. The entire meeting had turned into an uproar, with leaders yelling at each other and bickering and no longer listening.

She had wanted to tell them that Bowsette’s current course of destruction was headed straight back to the Mushroom Kingdom, that she would be there in a matter of days. But it was too late for them to listen, she realized.

It may have been too late for everything.