Chapter 7

Peach's Castle

Peach walked up and down in her room that was doubling as her prison cell. Her castle was full of Koopa's guards, so she really couldn't venture anywhere outside of the room. Her situation reminded her of when Koopa had stolen the Star Rod from Star Haven; Peach was holding a party for the Mushroom Kingdom and had invited both Mario brothers to attend, but things got ugly when her castle was literally raised from the ground by Koopa's own castle. As a result, Peach became a prisoner in her own home, much like now. Mario tried his best to stop Koopa but, thanks to the power of the Star Rod, he was defeated and cast from Peach's home. Peach hoped, like that time, Mario would eventually return, rescue her and put an end to Koopa's terror.

She heard a knock at the window, and proceeded to investigate... with caution

What could possibly be knocking on my window, she thought.

As she opened it, something flew past her with speed, nearly causing her to fall to the ground. Peach turned to see the Luma she sent to help Mario flying around in the middle of the room.

'What are you doing here?' she asked, surprised.

'I've returned to inform you of Mario.' replied the Luma.

'Mario?! What's happened to him?!'

'It's okay, Your Highness, he's fine. I found him on a small planet, far away from here. He met with Mama and is searching for Power Stars so they can fully power the Comet Observatory and come to your aid.'

The Luma explained to Peach about Rosalina and their home.

'I see.' said Peach. 'So Koopa is taking me to the centre of the Universe!'

'Yes.' confirmed the Luma. 'And the only way for them to reach you is to collect enough Power Stars.'

Peach wandered over to the open window and looked into the emptiness of Space. She let out a sigh.

'If only there was something I could do to help Mario.'

Almost as soon as she said this, an idea sprung to her mind. Peach went over to the corner of the room and opened a trunk that was sitting there, and pulled out a sheet of paper, a pen and a small box. She sat down at her desk and started to write something. The Luma hovered where it was, wondering what the princess had in mind. Once Peach had finished the letter, she sealed it inside a royal envelope and placed it onto the desk. She picked up the box and opened it. In her hands were five over-sized mushrooms with green spots.

'Can you get these to Mario?' asked Peach, turning to the Luma. 'It's just a letter and some 1-Up mushrooms. I'd like him to know that I'm alright.'

'Of course, Your Highness.' the Luma agreed happily. 'There's a band of Toads that escaped from Koopa's castle at some point during the invasion. I'm sure that if I can't find Mario, one of them will.'

Peach suddenly remembered that there were indeed some Toads in the castle. She also remembered that Luigi was amongst them. She hoped he was okay.

The Luma flew out of the castle window and headed for the Comet Observatory. Peach looked on, praying for everyone else's safety. And for a moment, she also thought about Twink.