1

What seemed like a reality was really only a dream. Peach dreamt that she was home in her castle and Mario was outstretched across her bed waiting for her to come to him. Everything was peaceful. The breeze blowing through the window made for a very relaxing atmosphere and Mario starred at her with wanting eyes. Peach could not help but feel seduced by Mario's smile, for she never had the chance to get very far with Mario the night of the dinner banquet following the funeral of King Toadstool. And just like that, everything around her disappeared and Peach found herself inside same caged trap with Daisy, but was surprised to see that Pauline was still missing. She had obviously escaped.

"Daisy? Are you awake?" Peach asked weakly as she stood up.

"Just barely." Daisy replied as she stretched her limbs and stood up to get the juices flowing through her body once again. She looked around the inside of the cage and was also surprised of Pauline's absence.

"Where's Pauline?" Daisy asked.

"I...I don't know." Peach replied. "What happened before we fell asleep?"

"I think Kamek knocked us out with one of his magic spells." Daisy said. "All I remember is that we were following Pauline out of the castle and then a whole bunch of Koopa Troops stopped us, along with Kamek."

"And then we were knocked out by his magic." Peach said. "How long were we asleep?"

"I'm not sure." Daisy said as she walked over to the other side of the cage to inspect the lock. It had been replaced with a combination lock.

"Damn it!" Daisy said. "They replaced the lock!'

"What are we going to do now?" Peach asked. "Is there anything at all that we can do?"

"I don't think so Peach. I think they have us trapped really well this time." Daisy replied.

Peach slouched to the floor of the cage and felt a slight tear run down her right cheek. All she wanted was for Mario to be next to her and to comfort her. It was not very long before Daisy walked over to Peach and tried to talk sense into her.

"Peach we've gone through this many times already." Daisy said. "Take it easy. At least Bowser and Kamek aren't here to bother us."

"Where is Kamek?" Peach suddenly asked in a curious tone. She stood up and looked around the dark empty chamber. "Where are the guards for that matter?"

"There aren't any guards?" Daisy asked as she stood up and looked. She was surprised as well. "How long were we asleep?"

"I don't know." Peach said. "I wonder what time it is."

"It's probably dark right now." Daisy said. "I could be wrong though. There's absolutely no way of telling whether it's day or night down here!"

"Yeah, you're right." Peach replied. "I lost track of how many days it's been since we were captured. Is it four or five? I can't remember."

"It's probably around five." Daisy said. "We'll be lucky if ever Mario and Luigi ever find us down here. I really do hope that they are okay."

"Me too." Peach replied in a depressed tone. Daisy was quick to notice her sudden sadness.

"What's bothering you Peach? There has to be something that's one your mind that's making you so sad."

Peach lifted her head.

"Have you ever wanted someone so bad that you dream about the person and think that everything that's happening is actually happening?"

"This is about Mario isn't it?" Daisy asked. "I know how you feel Peach. I feel the same way about Luigi."

"But it's different for you!" Peach said. "Unlike me and Mario, you and Luigi had something going on in your bedroom!"

"Oh don't start this again, Peach!" Daisy said. "Your time will come!"

"Yeah, when I'm thirty!" Peach said. "I'll be lucky if it happens at forty!"

"For Christ's sake Peach, why are you saying such things! You two would make the perfect couple!"

"I'm just worried that we'll never get out of here!" Peach said. "I miss Mario so much! I want to marry him as soon as we get out of here."

Daisy put her hand on Peach's shoulder.

"We'll get out of here." Daisy said. "It's only a matter of time before Bowser's evil plan fails again and we're saved by Mario and Luigi."

"I don't know Daisy." Peach said. "Bowser has really taken it a step up this time. First of all, he kidnapped us. Second, since there's no one on the Mushroom Kingdom to rule, the whole kingdom will eventually go under and Bowser will claim it as his own land. Eventually, it'll get to the point where he becomes so powerful that nothing in the world will stop him and he'll be the leader of a new world order! I just don't see how anything will be able to keep this from happening. I'm so scared. I wish Mario was here to protect me. He's the only guy that has really touched my heart. I've known since the day we met that we would cross paths and stay with each other for years to come. Words can't describe the feelings I have for him right now."

"Wow." Daisy said. "I didn't know you loved him that much!"

"I do." Peach said. "Don't you feel the same about Luigi?"

"Of course!" Daisy said. "I thought you already knew that. I don't think any other guy would better suit me than Luigi. He's everything a girl like me looks for. He's shy, funny, smart, and he isn't afraid to express himself and the weaknesses he has. To me, that simply makes him stronger."

"You must really love him if you forced him to get down and dirty." Peach said. "Although I still don't get how or why that happened. What made you decide to do it?!"

"I'm not going to say." Daisy said in a frustrated tone. "I'm done talking about my personal life. It's my business and no one else's!"

"Sorry." Peach said. "I'm really sorry."

"It's fine." Daisy said. "Just take it easy. Mario will come and save you and Luigi will come save me. We'll be the luckiest women in the world!"

After a moment of silence, the two princesses decided to lie back down, close their eyes and wait for something else to happen. Peach hoped that Mario would appear again the next time she fell asleep and hoped that it would not be too long before she could see him with her own eyes again. Daisy had the same thoughts for Luigi.

Peach and Daisy have finally awakened from their spell-induced slumber and discovered that the cage had been reequipped with a combination lock. They also know that Pauline had managed to escape, but they are unaware of Kamek's, along with all the guards' whereabouts. They also don't know how long they've been asleep or how many days they've trapped.

And so begins the third volume of the epic prequel to the Super Mario Bros. adventures! I'll try and get the next chapter in as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'll be brainstorming some new ideas! See in the next chapter :)

saturn95