~Chapter 10~

Mushrise Heights

Peach laid groggily on the bed. She felt an intense pain in her shoulder but could not remember what it was from. Besides that, everything seemed right with the world. She rolled over to look at Mario. He wasn't there. For a moment she looked out the giant floor to ceiling windows at the canyon.

Wait.

This wasn't the Castle! Where's Mario? Where am I? She swung her legs off the bed and looked down. She was wearing a black sleeveless jumpsuit. There was a white tunic on the floor, bandages wrapped around her shoulder. Then she remembered. The attack on Toad Town, the prisoners, the escape. Then, when she thought it was impossible to have another bad thought, she did.

Peach clutched her belly and let out a sigh of relief. Her babies were safe. Thank god, she thought. Then she wanted to cry, her home was destroyed and now in the hands of the evil President Para. It wouldn't take long until they had Toad City under siege. Then the rest of the kingdom would crumble.

Peach stood up, she felt dizzy from lying down for so long. She observed her surroundings. It was her and Mario's bedroom in their villa in Mushirse Heights. Everything was exactly where she left it last time she was here. The giant windows that wrapped around 2 of the rooms 4 walls were crystal clear, the caretaker was taking good care of the place. Enough about that, she thinks. There are much more important things I have to deal with.

Peach left the room and walked down the hall into the join living/kitchen/dining area. At the large dining table, Mario, Rosalina, Toadiko, Toadbert, and some others sat. They were clearly in a deep discussion.

"Why didn't any of you wake me?" She asked groggily.

Everyone's heads turned to look at her.

"Where's Daisy?"

"Peach! I'm glad to see you okay-"

"You need the rest Peachy," Mario said, cutting off Toadiko. "Daisy is lying down in one of the guest rooms. She's exhausted like you are."

"I'm- I'm not tired." Peach yawned.

"Yes you are, and you need to rest, for the babies."

She shot a tired glare in his direction before taking a seat at the table. "There I'm sitting, is that resting enough for you? What are we talking about?"

Rosalina gave Peach a sympathetic look.

"We're talking about what's to be done with the, err, Koopa Crisis. Peach, don't worry about it, you need rest." Rosalina said.

"I don't care about rest! My whole life has been destroyed! I'm pretty sure this is more important than lying down." Peach Snapped.

Toadiko gave in. "We're going to have to go to the Sarasaland. Daisy's father will certainly help us. You are dear friends with Daisy, and we were, err are, the Sarasalands greatest neighbor, and almost 90% of all their exports come here." Toadiko Sighed. "And Mario, why don't you tell Peach about your little plan?"

"What Plan? Mario What?"

"I'm going to the Mushwood Forest to find Luigi. We can't leave him here in soon to be enemy territory. Once I find him, we'll be heading to the Imperial Palace in Chai City in the Sarasaland." He said

"Oh, Mario. I can't disagree. It's the right thing to do. He's family."

Rosalina's hologram receiver beeped.

"It's a forwarded holo-recording from Toad and Toadette." She said.

"Play it." Peach said eagerly.

Rosalina placed the Holo-receiver on the table. A picture of Toad, and Toadette with Toad JR. in her lap appeared. They were in a car.

"Hello Rosalina, please make sure this message gets to Peach and Mario it is very important." Said the image of Toad.

"We are meeting up with a group of other citizens at the Sarasaland boarder, we know peace will be found there. We receive a rather... Um... Disturbing radio transmission a fees minutes ago. We recorded it, here it is." Toadette said.

The image of the family disappeared. Peach was worried and terrified about what they would hear. A image of a speaker appeared, indicating it was a sound only recording. The bone chilling voice of President Para played.

"Good morning, citizens of the Mushroom and Koopa Kingdoms, there is some very important information to be shared. This war between our two kingdoms has to stop, it has been going on for way to long. Now, the cruel, hate filled Princess Peach has signed a treaty, validating the occupation of Toad Town and the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom." He paused. "Now, the war can stop. I am here today to announce the reform of the Koopa and Mushroom Kingdoms into the New Koopa Empire. The congress shall remain. Former citizens of the old Mushroom Kingdom will be slowly integrated into Koopa Society. Good day citizens. Our new Empire shall stand strong." His voice stopped. The picture of the speaker disappeared.

Peach was livid. She grabbed the transceiver and smashed it against the wall. She abruptly stood up and ran to her room, locking the door.

"Peach! Open up!" Mario shouted through the door.

But she could hear through her loud sobs. She ran into the master closet and sat in the corner, uncontrollable weeping the whole time.

Mario had gotten the door unlocked. He was sitting on the floor next to her, holding her in his arms. She leaned into him.

"It's okay, it's okay honey. We'll stop them." he comforted her. "Hush now."

The two sat there crying, for a very long time. At least a few hours later, Daisy came and knocked on the closet door. Mario stood up, helping Peach up.

"You should really lye down Peach," Daisy said solemnly.

She just nodded.

"Tomorrow Mario is leaving to find Luigi and were going to the Sarasaland, my home. It's gonna be a big day, so get some rest. You need it."

Daisy helped Peach to bed. Mario kissed her on the forehead.

"It's going to be okay my dear. I promise."

Mario an Daisy left the room. Only to be greeted by another depressing new alert.

...