The Lesson

By SelenityK

AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate all of them. This chapter contains no violence in it. It's also a little short. I usually plot my stories out, but this idea came to me in the middle of the night, so I'm just going with the flow. This story is rated PG-13. Again, I do not own any recognizable character in this story. Don't forget to review!

Chapter Four

     They were trapped.

     Mario and Bowser had struggled against the ropes that had tied them, but it was futile.

     Bowser wanted to give up. He was bone tired from being dragged around by Peach all day. He still had the headache from throwing himself against the van door. Bowser was way past humiliated. He wanted revenge.

     On Peach.

     If only I could get one finger free, Mario thought to himself. Mario looked at the tree that Bowser was chained to. Bowser's body was limp; he seemed to breathe slower than usually. He had all but given up. Figures. Too bad Mario wasn't in his red and blue jumpsuit, he'd try to reach into his pocket and use a fireball to burn his way through, but Mario was only in his pajamas, not prepared at all for any type of battle. Mario hated to admit it, but right now, Bowser was the stronger of the two.

     Then Mario had an idea.

     "Bowser! You must free yourself. You're stronger than I am. You're our only hope!"

     Bowser heard the words. So Mario finally admits that Bowser was stronger than him. Heh heh heh. Pigs must have started flying. Oh well. Bowser began to move his pinkie claw against the ropes. It was difficult at first, the ropes being strong and so close to Bowser's skin. Eventually, the link weakened until Bowser's finger was released. Bowser did this to each rope that bound him, till at last, Bowser's upper body was free. Bowser shredded the ropes from his lower body. He was free.

     Bowser glanced in Mario's direction. Maybe he should leave Mario chained to the tree. Then it would be easier to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. Sure, Luigi would be there, but what could he do, really?

     Bowser saw Mario look at him pleadingly, then, against his better judgment, Bowser went over and tore the ropes apart. Mario stretched his limbs, they ached so badly.

     "Thanks," Mario said.

     "Yeah," Bowser grumbled.

     "We have to find our way out of this forest," Mario said.

     "Sure," Bowser said.

     "Are you only going to say one syllable words today?" Mario asked.

     "Yes!" Bowser growled. "Listen, I'm tired. I've been through a hell of a lot today! I mean, have you ever been kidnapped before?"
     Mario glared at Bowser.

     "Besides by me?" Bowser asked.

     "No, never," Mario answered. "It's not like the same thing hasn't happened to me."

     "But YOU weren't dragged away from your kingdom!" Bowser grew angrier as he remembered the incident. "Now I'm not going to find my way out of anything tonight! I'm going to sleep!"

     With that, Bowser lied on the ground and his eyes closed immediately.

     He has the right idea, Mario thought as he curled himself under a tree. Mario's eyes closed before he could think about anything else.

                        *************

     Toad paced around the tallest tower in Mushroom Castle. Peach had been missing all day. She wasn't anywhere in the Mushroom Kingdom. The City guards had checked everywhere, but no Peach.

     Peach had seemed mighty angry that morning, but that couldn't explain her absence. Peach was never really angry, and not for long.

     So to keep on lookout, Toad had assumed position in the high tower of Mushroom Castle. It could see everywhere in Mushroom City.

     Toad saw a small dot advancing to the castle. As it came closer, Toad could make out the form of a woman.

     It was Peach! But her hair was straggled and her dress ripped in all the wrong places. Toad teleported himself to the spot where Peach was. Peach saw him and fell upon his shoulders.

     "Oh Toad, it was so horrible!" Peach cried out. "I went to Mario's Pad, then Bowser's Klown Kopter flew by and kidnapped Mario and me, but I managed to free myself from Bowser's grasp. I don't know where Bowser took Mario! Please help me, Toad!"

     As she said this, tears flowed from Peach's eyes. It made her even more endearing to Toad. Toad, like Mario, couldn't resist a damsel in distress, and Peach was the weakest of all.

     "I'll send troops to Bowser's Keep and demand Mario's release!" Toad said.

     "Please do it soon, Toad!" Peach sniffed.

     A tiny smile appeared across Peach's face. Everything was going according to plan.