Author's Note: It's your friendly author Tagsters back again with something new! Because I totally don't have two other fanfictions to finish. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) I promise I'm not abandoning them. I just wanted something fresh to help inspire me.

Now, this little thing may be short, but its going to pave the way for a very interesting story, if you all like it. This chapter may be up for some minor revision in the future just because I wrote it so quickly. I think I like it, but I'm sure I'll find some way to hate it. That's just who I am. It's mainly just to get some feedback from you all. Once I lay down the general plot, I'll be open to suggestions. I have a general blueprint for what I want to do, but I'll need some help working on the fine details. ;)

Warning: This fanfiction is rated M for violence, sexual themes, and just general adultness. Read at your own risk.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome. Now, enjoy this extremely short chapter! Don't worry, I promise they'll get longer.

The dungeon reeked of a musty scent. Similar to a wet cave, an old basement, and a dusty attic all combined into one, disgusting stench. There wasn't much to the little cell other than the bland, sheetless, nearly rock hard bed shoved into the corner.

The princess's pink dress stood out in stark contrast to the dingy dungeon, although is was considerably duller and dirtier than when she had first arrived at the castle. How long had it been? Three days? A week? With the lack of windows, Princess Peach found it nearly impossible to tell time.

She was fully confident that her Italian hero would come to her rescue. She laid on the bed, blissfully unaware of the turmoil unfolding in the rest of the castle.

XXXX

Pain. All he could feel was pain. Blood stained his already scarlet shirt a deeper shade of red. He looked up at the oversized turtle in front of him.

Where had it gone wrong? Probably around the time that Mario's dumb ass had decided to get cocky. But it had been a routine up until this point. Mutant turtle kidnaps princess, travel across the Mushroom Kingdom, kick some koopa butt, save the princess, maybe even receive a small kiss. Maybe. But this was never part of pattern. Losing to the king of Koopas had never seemed like a possibility. Mario hadn't tried hard enough this time. He was overconfident and severely underestimated his adversary's abilities.

"Surrender, Mario." The Koopa King demanded, snapping Mario from his thoughts. "I have finally bested you."

"N-never!" The plumber yelled back, his defiant and confident tone clearly tainted by fear. The Koopa smiled.

Mario struggled to stand from being previously smacked down, but a crushing weight had him crashing back onto the floor. He sputtered out a cough, feeling the blood leak from his body at more rapid pace. He felt nauseous. Bowser had placed a clawed foot on his chest and was steadily applying pressure. Although Mario feared for his life, the only thing he could manage to think about was the well-being of the pretty blonde princess he had fallen in love with. He had to save her from this monster.

With a quick but muddy thought process, Mario realized he had to let go of his pride or he would most likely die and the princess would be trapped here. "St-sto-o…" he tried, but the suffocating weight on his lungs made breathing alone difficult, much less speaking. Unexpectedly, however, the pressure was removed all at once. Mario lifted his head to see the Koopa King staring at him intently. Expectantly. It was now or never.

"I-I have a proposition for you, Bowser." His lungs ached with each word, and his voice sounded weak and raspy, but the koopa raised a brow in curious interest nonetheless. "Let's make a trade for the princess."

"You're in no position to be making deals, you little pest." Bowser's low voice boomed. "Even so, what could you possibly offer me that would be as valuable as my princess?"

The plumber swallowed hard, fear building behind his resolve. No. He had to stay strong. For the princess. Mario pushed down his nerves and calmly answered, "Me. I will stay here if you set her free."

The Koopa King immediately burst out into loud, undignified laughter. "You?!" He shouted. "Why the hell would I want you?!"

Mario grimaced at the noise and turned away from his foe. What now? His offer had been denied. He didn't have a plan B. Quicker than he had expected, though, the laughter subsided, leaving behind a tense silence and an expression of thoughtfulness on Bowser's face. Then, a smirk. After a few painfully long seconds, the Koopa King finally spoke.

"I accept your offer."