Peach never considered herself to be a deep sleeper, nor a light sleeper. If something fell, she could easily slip back into her dreams as if nothing woke her. And more often than not, she was sleeping with Samus, who cuddled with her every night. So, if something woke them both, Samus would do all she could to put Peach back to sleep, so she got a good night's rest.

Tonight, was different.

Peach could here to faint sound of glass making contact with her dresser. Then, the sound of a liquid being poured. And after that footsteps. Someone was in her room. Their footsteps were light but heavy enough to echo in her room, and the pouring sound of a liquid was there again. Peach slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She then began to sit up in her bed and turned in the direction of the sound as well as her unwanted guest.

When her eyes adjusted to the dark, her eyes widened in horror and shock. The figure that stood before her was menacing, they were tall and clad in a blackish grey cloak that covered their body. Their head was shaped like demonic horns that curved inward. Peach didn't say anything, she continued her deep breaths to calm herself. The tall figure before her turned their head in her direction, Peach now saw the scarlet red glowing eyes they had, it only added to their image.

"Good, you're awake." The voice was male, deep, and very harsh and sinister sounding. "I brought red wine if you'd like some."

He showed her the bottle he used to pour into two glass cups that were on Peach's dresser.

"N-N-No thank you. It's a bit late for me. And, how did you get in here?" She replied. Peach mentally kicked herself for faltering her voice. The man seemed to notice.

"Don't be afraid, I'm merely here to talk. And you should get locks on your windows." He set the bottle down and brought up the two glasses. Peach took note of how he walked, he was casual and graceful as he walked, he seemed to carry himself with ease.

The man had set Peach's desk chair near her bed and he sat down, putting one glass on Peach's bedside table and the other he held.

"I said-"

"I know, you're not thirsty, it's for me when I finish this glass." He then took a sip of the wine, sighing after he did. He enjoyed red wine very much.

"Now, I think it's time to make my acquaintance. I am Grimm, master of the Grimm Troupe."

"Nice to meet you." Peach said slowly. Grimm took another sip of wine as she spoke.

"You have a very nice castle Princess Peach, and your kingdom I must say is very impressive" He sounded too casual for Peach's liking, he seemed as though he could care less if he was breaking in.

"Thank you. I work hard to keep this kingdom safe, as well as the other kingdoms as well."

"I've noticed. You took down my Grimmkin very effectively." He took another sip. "And I do mean that you have shown great leadership and teamwork with your allies."

"So, that's what they're called, the ones wielding the torches?"

"Yes, they can be troublesome, but they serve me well." He took another sip; his glass was almost empty. "That brings me to the reason I'm here. I would like my flames back."

Peach considered her options; she was corned in her room and the mere look of Grimm was enough to convince her that he was dangerous. If she refused, he could very well kill her right now. She could fight, but Grimm seemed to have her stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Why do you need them?" she asked calmly.

"The complete my ritual, to feed the child."

"My friend E Gadd mentioned that to me. If I may, what's this ritual and child you speak of?" Grimm was silent for a moment; he wasn't sure if he should tell her even though she wasn't with the Troupe. Peach continued. "Please Grimm. I only want to understand why you're doing all this. I didn't want to fight you're… Grimmkin, but I was left with no choice. So please, tell me why you need them and well find some common ground."

"Alright."

Grimm took another sip of his wine, finishing the glass. He placed it down next to the full glass and held the full glass between his fingers.

"I and my Troupe have a certain… heart, that we need to feed. It needs the flames of fear and nightmares to survive, and for as long as I can remember, we always found those flames in fallen kingdoms." Grimm looked up toward the ceiling, he seemed to be remembering those memories. "Each kingdom gave us what we needed, regardless if it was fallen to ruin. But then came your kingdom." He looked back down toward Peach. "Your kingdom Princess Peach is very special." He took a sip of his wine.

"Special?" Peach asked.

"Yes. Your kingdom has fallen so many times. Countless amounts of fear and nightmares just waiting to be fed to the child. And yet, your kingdom always rises back up. Only for it to fall all over again. Rinse, and repeat. That's why I'm here Princess Peach. Your kingdom has more flames than any other I have ever come across. That's why I need them."

Peach processed everything Grimm said, most of it didn't make sense to her. But, from what she heard, it sounds as if Grimm needs to feed this heart, these flames of fear or whatever. And that her kingdom had a lot of it! In any other circumstance, she would gladly help those in need. But, Grimm and his Grimmkin were different, they had a sinister look to them. The Grimmkin killed some of King Boo's people and terrorized people. If Grimm wanted these flames desperately, he would've come in peace and asked for assistance. Or at the very least, collect the flames himself and begone without anyone noticing.

Peach said her next word carefully.

"Grimm," she said calmly. "if you were to collect these flames, why didn't you come to me for help? Why were your Grimmkin terrorizing my and the other kingdoms people?"

"I, unfortunately, cannot collect the flames. The one who must collect them is the one who lights the Nightmare Lantern. The one who called us to this world."

It finally clicked with Peach. "Bowser"

Grimm chuckled softly at her response. "Yes, Lord Bowser is the one who lit our lantern and summoned us."

"How does this work?"

"I travel through dreams, and when a lantern is lit, a signal was given for me and my troupe to come." He took another sip of his wine. "I'm very grateful for this, especially after last time." Grimm's voice lowered as he spoke as if he was angry about something. He looked at his glass and twirled the wine.

"What happened last time?" At this point, Peach needed a way out and was stalling for time. There was no negotiating with Grimm, especially since Bowser was involved.

"Last time we did our ritual, our summoner turned his back, and me and my troupe were banished from his kingdom. All thanks to one of my own turning against me." Grimm took a long sip of his wine; the glass was almost empty.

Banishment? Thought Peach. "Who's this child?"

"The next Grimm to continue the endless song." Grimm looked back up at Peach, he finished his glass of wine and placed it on the bedside table. "Done stalling?"

Peach froze in place and felt as though her heart skipped a beat.

"Give me the flames Princess Peach."

Grimm's calm voice was still present, but he no longer talked casually. He was done making his acquaintance, he was demanding now.

"I'm…" Peach took a quick breath before answering. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Peach was ready for a fight. Her muscles tensed and her fist clenched tight. She was prepared to throw away her sheets and give everything she had towards Grimm. That was what she was expecting, but Grimm merely sat in his seat for a few seconds before getting up.

"Very well." He towered over Peach as he walked toward the window. "I will still need those flames, but you've made your position clear. And I'll respect it."

Grimm opened the window and looked back towards Peach. "I'm sorry this couldn't work, and I'm sorry I must do what I'm about to do. But we have a father to burn, and a child to feed."

Grimm lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. Nothing happened at first, but then in mere seconds, Peach heard a loud explosion, screams and the sound of a battle. Peach turned her head back toward Grimm, but he was already gone, quick as he was when he entered.

"Princess!" Toad slammed the door open. "The castle is under attack!"

Sorry this chapter took so long, school and life have been busy and I wanted this chapter to be really good. If you want to leave a comment please do! Your feedback always makes me smile so don't be shy.