Chapter 7. So, this is the end, huh? Well, technically, this is the last chapter of Game Over, but if you want to know what happens after this, which is rather irrelevant, but hilarious in my opinion, read the Epilogue. Thanks to all my supportive readers for my first fanfic!

By the way, as you might have noticed, I have the characters being knocked out a lot. That does not change in this chapter!!

"Mario! Wake up… Mario? You awake, Bro? Wake up!" Mario drowsily opened his eyes and saw Luigi standing over him. "Hey, Bro, you're awake! You have to take your medicine and we should ice your shoulder… well, you know. Then you can go see the princess." He said the last two words almost teasingly. Mario sat straight up. Peach! He looked at the clock. 8:47 A.M. was the time, according to his digital bedside clock.

"Mamma mia!" he cried. "I've-a got to go!" He jumped out of bed, threw on his clothes, brushed his teeth, grabbed his hat and headed for the door. Luigi was right behind him.

"Wait, Bro! Your medicine!" Mario stopped, turned around, took two large pills from the bottle in Luigi's hand, swallowed them, and ran out the door. "But what about the ice?" Luigi called, still behind him.

"That can wait!" Mario cried as he jumped into the warp pipe that lead him to the castle.

Peach closed her book. She wasn't feeling too well. She decided to take a shower. That would make her feel better. Afterwards, she spent a great deal of time on her hair. Peach had no idea why. She was bored. She put on some makeup… but why? She had strict orders to stay in the castle, resting. All of a sudden, she realized why. She hoped Mario would come to see her. She was expecting him. The doctor had mentioned a short tubby mustachioed guy coming to see her and whatnot. Peach started to feel a bit dizzy, so she decided to go lie down again. No sooner had she sat down than there was a knock at her door. Her heart started pounding. Could it be Mario? She took a deep breath and said, "Coming!" Peach walked to the door and slowly opened it. Standing there was none other than Mario himself. He looked a lot better than he had the other day at Bowser's castle—not that he looked bad then…

There she stood. She was so beautiful; more so than ever before. He just stood there for a moment, staring in to her dazzling blue eyes, as she gazed in to his. He cleared his throat and said, "Good morning, Peach! I hope I'm not disturbing anything?"

"Oh, hello, Mario! What a pleasant surprise! You're not disturbing anything! Please, do come in!" The princess was ecstatic as she motioned for him to follow her. She walked over to her bed and sat down. Mario sat down next to her. They both turned so they were facing each other. A silent moment passed.

"Uh, well, so how's your shoulder feeling, Mario?" Peach asked nervously, knowing she'd have to tell him soon.

"Good, it's broken, though. How are you feeling?"

"All right. I had a bad concussion, but I'm getting better. I'm supposed to stay here and rest, though."

"Oh, well I can stay here and keep you company, if you'd like." If I'd like? I'd LOVE it! Peach thought.

"Sure, that would be wonderful. Thanks, Mario!" She's thanking me? I should be thanking her! Mario thought. Which reminded him—I have to tell her soon… They both sat there, thinking how to tell the other their big secret. They sat in silence like this for perhaps five minutes, but it wasn't an awkward silence. They both liked it, sitting there quietly with the other. The only discomfort was that they both avoided eye contact with the other. Mario broke the silence.

"So, have you talked to Daisy lately?"

"Yes, just a few days ago, actually. She said she'd like to get together again soon with Luigi. They're a cute couple, don't you think?"

Was she going somewhere with this? Mario didn't mind; in fact he liked where it was going. "Yes, they're very good together. I think Luigi really likes her."

Peach liked where this was going. It was almost as if they were in a play and that was her cue. And was it just her imagination, or did Mario seem to get a bit nervous when he said 'really likes her'? Hmm…

"Um… Mario?"

"Yes, Peach?" He looked up at her, his gorgeous blue eyes gazing deep in to hers.

"Umm… would you like to stay for lunch?" She would have kicked herself, but she was in a dress and heels. Not to mention, sitting down. Why had she chickened out?

"Sure." Another silent moment passed, like before, but nearly ten minutes this time. Something deep inside Mario was shouting, "TELL HER! TELL HER!"

Peach started to talk. "…Mario? There's something I need to tell you…"

Mario's conscience took over. He put a gloved finger gently to her lips and said, "Shh. There's something I need to tell you right now." He glanced down at her hands. They were on her lap, uncrossed. Taking a deep breath, he reached over and took her delicate hands and held them in his. He looked back up into her eyes. Her cheeks were turning red and she looked slightly surprised. Did he scare her? Then a smile spread across her pinkish face. In that moment, Mario knew everything would be all right. He smiled back.

"Peach, there's bheen something I've wanted to tell you for a long time now and I can't hold it back any longer. I don't care what you think of me after this, but I have to tell you. The truth is… I really love you, Peach." His face flushed with embarrassment. Peach grinned.

"Don't be embarrassed, Mario. I—I love you too," she said softly. Mario looked back up into her eyes, astonished and happy beyond belief. He jumped up and shouted cries of excitement. Peach giggled. Mario heard her and turned around, embarrassed again. Peach stood up and walked over to Mario. She leaned over and gave him a small kiss on the cheek, then walked back over to her bed and sat. Mario followed her, sitting closer this time. He took her hands once again. They sat there for a few moments, staring in to each other's eyes. They leaned towards each other, their lips met, and they kissed. They never wanted that moment to end, but of course it had to. They sat there for a long time, looking at each other and smiling while still holding hands. The two lovebirds talked for a while, still sitting very close and all, until there was a knock on the door. They both jumped, startled and taken out of their moment. Mario's smile disappeared and Peach frowned slightly.

"Who is it?" she called.

"It's me, Toadsworth, your highness. May I come in?" a voice answered.

"Uh, yes, just a minute!" She unwillingly took her hands from Mario's, stood up, smoothed out her dress, and walked to the door.

Mario also got up. He leaned over to tie his shoe. He heard a small cry and quickly looked up.

Peach was gone!!

He raced out the door and down the steps. He could see the Clown Copter taking off. Thinking quickly, Mario put on his classic fireball cap and started pelting the Clown Copter with flame. It quickly fell; hit the ground with a loud thud! and both its occupants went flying. Bowser hit his head on a rock and was out. Peach, luckily though, landed in the grass and was OK, but had a slight headache. Mario grabbed Bowser's tail, swung him round, and sent him flying for all he was worth. He watched him sail into the horizon until he couldn't see him anymore. He walked over to Peach, who was a bit dizzy and tried to help her stand up. She did, but promptly fell over. Mario bent over, gently picked her up, carried her back to her room, and laid her on her bed.

"Are you okay?" Mario asked.

"Yes… I… am okay." She answered slowly.

"Should I get you anything or do anything for you?" he asked. She thought for a moment, and answered.

"Not… really. Just stay… with me… Stay with me, Mario."

"I'll always be with you.

So, the Mushroom Kingdom is safe once again, and all are happy, especially Peach and Mario. But where is Kammy? And where in the world did Bowser end up? Stay tuned for Chapter 8, really the epilogue. The story's really over, but I still suggest you read the epilogue. It's pretty interesting. Thanks for all those who read this and helped me through it, which is really like nobody, but who cares? I had fun anyway.