SapphireLidra3: I rarely make a story from an actual game time line, I just prefer my own versions. But I recently read this really good fanfiction from an author here named Falco-JIS. I've always been a big Princess Peach fan, so the thought of her being a vampire really got me excited, enough to write my own MarioXPeach fanfic. While my story doesn't have vampires, I still think it's good. Mind you that this isn't a part of my Adventures of Mario series premiering soon. This is a completely unrelated story using the original characters.

P.S.: It takes place right after The Thousand Year Door for Nintendo Gamecube.

Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, I only own the plot.

SapphireLidra3 presents...

Super Mario: Dark Side

Characters by Nintendo

Story by ME

Prologue

Their last adventure had been the most stressful, for the both of them. If only she hadn't found that accursed map, if only she hadn't asked him to open that accursed door, if only she hadn't allowed herself to be used like that. Thoughts like these always ran through Princess Peach's mind after going through these ordeals, especially if Mario got hurt in the process. He was probably the only good thing in her life, and she really valued his friendship. She stood on the side of the boat looking at the ocean thinking about what happened because of her stupidity.

Three weeks ago, Peach gave Mario a map leading to the Thousand Year Door. After that she let her guard down and was taken to the X-Naught base on the moon. Of course Mario, being as sweet and caring as he is, sprang into action as soon as he found out that she was captured. He found and opened the thousand year door, where she had been taken. Apparently the door was a seal for an evil entity named Nightmare Queen, and she had been chosen to be the queen's vessel. Mario almost died in the battle, and that's why she was really sad. Technically, she was the one that fought Mario, even though he insisted over and over that it wasn't her fault.

"You've been awfully quiet this whole trip," Mario said, startling Peach when she suddenly heard his voice. She turned to him and saw how worried he was, "Are you okay?" he continued, voice edged with worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine Mario," Peach tried to convince Mario. She broke eye contact looking down in shame, "Are you okay Mario?"

"You aren't still worried are you? I told you, I'm fine," he said as he walked over to her, "You know, despite the part where you got possessed by a creature of sheer darkness, I think this was a good trip." He was obviously trying to change the subject. Peach still had things to get off her chest though.

"Mario, do you think I'll ever be safe?"

"Of course you will, I'll make sure of it." he said while Peach leaned into him. Mario really felt for Peach and her situation. He had known her for about three years now, and in those three years her life was a living hell. She was constantly harasses by the Koopa King, Bowser, which whom she developed a sort of phobia of, and many other people who were just as bad a Bowser. Before the many attempts at taking her freedom, she was actually a very high strung and sort of brazen kind of princess. Now three years later the many incidents took a toll on her enthusiasm. She was more reserved, and more mature, but she was also a lot more sensitive, crying to herself a lot. Mario was the only thing that made her happy these days.

"Oh Mario," Peach began, "why do always protect me? I mean, you're a hero known around the whole world. You could have anyone in the world, so why spend your time protecting a spoiled princess like me?"

"Well, do I need a reason to spend time with my favorite person in the world?" Peach could only smile at that. What was there to say? "Truth is, there is another reason why I stay here," Mario continued "You see, this last incident made me realize how much you mean to me. Princess, I-"

"Lovely day isn't it?" Luigi said out of nowhere, interrupting Mario's train of thought. As he walked up to and stood next to Mario, all Mario could do was stare daggers at his younger brother.

"Yeah, absolutely lovely..." Mario said as he let go of Peach to lean his head in his hand on the side of the boat in an annoyed position.

Peach didn't care, with Mario on one side, and Luigi on the other side, she couldn't be happier. She felt truly safe, and decided to enjoy the moment since she didn't know how long it would last.