Disclaimer: Mario characters do not belong to me, they belong to Nintendo.

Snooping in Peach's Attic and a History Lesson

Bowser sighed as he moped around the dusty room, bored out of his mind. Peach was safely locked in her room, the guards were stationed where they were supposed to be, and there was no sign of Mario as of yet. In his boredom he had explored all one hundred rooms, save for this one. He racked his claw through a box, tearing it open, and peaked inside. Old clothing, just like all the other boxes contained. He should have realized that there was nothing interesting in the Princess's castle. Growling, he began to head to the loft door when something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Through the window the moonlight had illuminated a canvas draped in a red sheet. Curiosity getting the better of him, Bowser walked toward the picture even though he could guess it was probably just a painting of Peach. Tearing off of the sheet he gasped at the sight.

"This can't be Peach," Bowser said.

The woman painted certainly had similarities to Peach. Her hair was long and blond with a slender figure but she was dressed in an ebony gown with a silver crown upon her head. Another feature stood out. Instead of Peach's blue eyes this one's were red with a yellow outline on the rim. Bowser felt himself drawn the portrait and almost trancelike he reached out to touch it.

"My king?" a voice asked.

Bowser snapped back to consciousness and whipped around to see one of his troopers. "What is it?"

"Mario has been spotted in the castle King Bowser," the koopa said. "What are your orders?"

"Let him come," Bowser growled. "I know where he'll head first and I'll be there waiting for him. In the meantime, take this painting down to my room."

"Yes my majesty," the koopa replied.

The koopa trooper hauled the portrait over his back and scuttled out of the room. Bowser followed behind taking a different turn down to Peach's room. It was time to make use of the pesky princess; bait was always needed when setting a trap. He opened the door to find her gazing out her patio. She turned to give him the evil eye, as usual.

"What do you want?" Peach snapped.

"It seems your precious Mario is lurking around the castle," Bowser chuckled. Her eyes brightened. "I wouldn't get my hopes up Princess. After all, since I possess the Star Wand there's no chance he could ever defeat me."

"Gloat all you want Bowser, in the end he will beat you," Peach replied.

"We'll see princes, we'll see," Bowser said. "By the way, that was an interesting painting in the attic." He lifted her off the ground, seeing a hint of fear growing in her eyes, and then placed her over his shoulder. "I would ask you who it was but I'm a little pressed for time."

"Where is it?!" Peach yelled. "If you have taken it you must put it back immediately!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that Princess," Bowser laughed. "At this moment it's being taken down to my room. Very pretty I must admit."

"Listen to me, Bowser, you must put it back," Peach said. "It has to be properly stored. You don't understand the full extent of the disaster you could cause......"

"Oh, but it is properly stored Princess," Bowser replied, "in my room."

Peach shook her head as Bowser continued to carry her down the hall. It was pointless trying to explain to him; he wouldn't listen.

A few hours later....

Mario gazed happily at the stars as the castle slowly descended from the heavens. Bowser had just been defeated and his massive floating ship had been turned to rubble, which crashed to the ground below. He glanced around and noticed that Peach was missing. Strolling back inside her sitting on the staircase with Twink fluttering around her.

"What's the matter Princess?" Mario asked.

"Bowser stole something very important," Peach groaned. "It was a painting hid in the attic."

"Was it important?" Mario inquired.

"I should say," Peach said. "I'll tell you everything I know. The painting has a very colorful history." She sighed. "The woman in the painting was my cousin, Mercury Toadstool. She was never popular among my family and even I had my qualms about her. When we had grown up side by side she was the sweetest person you could think of but when she came back after a voyage with her father she was changed. Mercury became cruel to toward my subjects. She not only stole from them but also occasionally had her cronies beat them. I held council and the best solution that came up was to banish her to an island. I didn't care much for the idea but the other option was a death sentence and I wasn't about to carry that out. To make her think it wasn't banishment they said they were sending her to be ruler of a distant island called Clover. For years, there was no word from her and the family assumed everything was running fine. However, on the sixth year she returned to the Mushroom Kingdom and challenged me for my throne. Apparently, Mercury had learned a bit of magic while on the island and created a massive army and fleet. The Mushroom Kingdom fought hard and managed to wipe out most of the opposing forces but suffered many casualties as well. Mercury broke through the lines and entered the castle. When she found me she said no words, only tried to kill me that scythe of hers, and nearly succeeded. We fought hard with each other and, although I hate admitting it, she was a lot stronger than me. As I lay bleeding on the floor she rose the weapon to make one final stroke when one of the council mages managed to freeze her. He suggested that she be put to death for treason immediately but once again I did not listen. I couldn't bring myself to kill her. She hadn't always been evil. So, instead of locking her in a cell I had her locked in a portrait. The mage warned me that the magic barrier would wear off in several years and that I should have him return to make sure Mercury could not escape. From then on, I had the painting locked in the cellar. Her threat to my kingdom was done but I'm afraid another one started, Bowser."

"Wow, that Mercury sounds just as bad as Bowser," Twink said. "She gives me the shivers."

"By the way, Princess, what was such a hazardous object doing in the attic then?" Mario asked. "And why haven't I ever heard of this Mercury before?

"The castle has been going through renovations recently and items were just jumbled about," Peach answered. "I knew it was in the attic but I never got the chance to place it back in the cellar safe. Now, as to why you were never told, I didn't think it was necessary at the time. Only the Mushroom Kingdom and Clover Island know of these events. It was kept secret due to my family's embarrassment of Mercury." She groaned. "Now that wicked Bowser has that painting in his clutches."

"But Princess the lower section of his ship blew up," Mario said. "Anything in there would have gown up in flames as well."

"Hm, I suppose that is true," Peach said. "It was just a piece of canvas. Nonetheless, in the morning I, along with my subjects, shall search through the wreckage just in case. One never knows what could happen. Bowser should not be a threat for a while at least. Tomorrow a great celebration will be held in not only in your honor but the companions that helped you through your journey."

Back on the ground.....

Bowser snarled when rummaging through the rubble of his once magnificent air ship. Kammy was near by on her broom, keeping a fair distance from her king, obviously cowering in fear of his growing rage. He pushed aside a boulder and noticed a gold rim sticking out. When he cleared the rest of the rocks he discovered the painting in its entirety, unscathed. He turned to Kammy.

"Take this back to my castle," Bowser growled.

"A painting your majesty?" Kammy asked. "Why do you want something worthless like that?"

"You will do as you're told and not question me further!" Bowser roared. "You have gotten yourself in enough trouble. Besides, Peach seemed to think that it was important therefore it's not worthless. There's something about this picture, this woman, I can't explain it. Just do as you're ordered!"

Kammy shivered, grasped the painting, and flew off into the night air. Bowser trailed behind.

More to follow.