Title: Because I Love You

Author: SelenityK

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Peach must get married, but Bowser won't let that happen!!

Chapter Seven

Mario landed with a hard 'THUD'. He was furious. Why did Peach marry...Bowser?! That wasn't pink lemonade, Mario realized. That was a strange potion to make Bowser switch places with Mario. Mario had another realization: the coronation ceremony was the same day as the wedding. Mario had to hurry back to the Mushroom Kingdom!

Mario ran as fast as he could until he arrived on the outskirts of a small Mushroom City.

"Taxi!Taxi!" Mario panted, nearly out of breath. Mario was unused to the heaviness of Bowser's body. "To the Mushroom Kingdom! Make it snappy!"

***

While Mario was racing towards Mushroom Castle, the entire castle populace was prepariing for the coronation. Mushroom City and half of Mushroom Kingdom gathered in the outer courtyards, celebrating the glorious events of the day and hoping to catch a glimpse of their Queen and King. The murmuring of the crowd could be heard in the castle.

Peach, then Bowser walked onto the Main Balcony and the crowd cheered noisily in response. The Mushroom Head Priest said a few words in memory of the Kings and Queens who ruled over the Mushroom Kingdom in times past. Peach thought of her mother and father, who had once been great rulers, but died of a mysterious illness. The major responsibilities of the Kingdom would fall to Mario. Peach knew that Mario would do a wonderful job handling the Kingdom. Peach, on the other hand, would only perform minor duties, such as the charities, planning events and a few domestic affiars.

The Head Priest walked to Peach.

"By the ancient laws, and the Kings and Queens who now look down upon us as stars in the sky, I crown you, Peach Amara Toadstool, Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom. May your reign be long and bountiful."

The Priest placed the bejewelled crown on Peach's head, then walked to Bowser.

"By the ancient laws, and the Kings and Queens who now look down upon us as stars in the sky, I crown you, Mario Mario, King of the..."

"NO!!" Mario shouted.

Peach looked over the balcony. "Bowser, why are you interrupting my ceremony?!"

"Mushroom Kingdom," The Priest continued, oblivious of the disturbance that was occuring below. The Priest laid the crown on Bowser's head.

"Oh no!" Mario whispered. "Bowser has made himself King!"

"Peach! I'm Mario!" Mario shouted. "That's Bowser that you've married and made your King!"

Peach stared at Bowser, her mouth formed and 'O'. Her eyes trembled in a mixture of fear, grief and frustration.

Bowser smiled, and all of his sharp teeth showed. "He's right. Now I am your King. After all of these years of plotting, the Mushroom Kingdom is mine to rule!"

"No!" Peach sank to the ground in tears. "This can't happen! Not on my wedding day. The day I was supposed to be with Mario forever!"

Mario, because he was in Bowser's body, scaled the castle walls and stood near Peach. Bowser knelt and tried to explain himself to Peach.

"Peach, can't you understand why I did this. It was mainly to gain control of the Mushroom Kingdom , but also because I love you in my own twisted way. I spent these years..."

"Get away from me, you vile, filthy creature!" Peach said, disgust evident in her voice

Bowser backed away from Peach. It did not matter what she said. He still had the Mushroom Kingdom and the Koopa Kingdom to rule.

Peach ran into the castle, sobbing aloud. Mario followed Peach back into her apartments. The castle staff stared at Mario; they did not know that Mario was trapped in Bowser's body. A few of them went to the Balcony to find Mario.

"Mario,' Susie, a dark haired Mushroom girl said. "Bowser is chasing after Peach."

"I dom't care what Peach is doing. It's obvious that she wanted him from the start." Bowser commented. He began talking with the Priest again.

Susie walked away from Mario in fear. This was a side of Mario that she had never witnessed.

***

"Calm down Peach," Mario hugged the distraught Princess. Peach and Mario had gone through so much, only to be seperated, probably forever, by the pig-headed Koopa.

"How can I?!" Peach screamed and waved her hands in fury at Mario. "I'm married to Bowser! Who knows what cruelties that monster may inflict upon my beloved Kingdom!"

"I'm sure there's a way I could have my real body back." Mario said.

"No," Peach glanced at the floor, tears continued to pour from her eyes. "There isn't. Kamek used the Body Exchange Potion on you and Bowser. You are stuck in Bowser's form forever!" After that, Peach cried even louder. She didn't want to even consider seeing Mario's real body every day and knowing that Bowser's mind was inside. "Plus I'd still be married to Bowser. A Queen has no real powers, and the ancient laws do not allow for divorce."

Hearing what Peach said consumed Mario on the inside. Now he'd be trapped in Bowser's frame for the rest of his life. With one single stroke, Bowser ruined Mario's and Peach's life. Bowser would pay.

"I'm going to find Bowser right now!" Mario stormed out of Peach's apartments, with Peach behind him.

Mario and Queen Peach found Bowser in the throne room. Bowser was already giving out to bring the Koopa Troop to the Mushroom Kindom, and he had not been King for a full day.

"Bowser, you scaly son of a bitch! Since the first time that I defeated you, you've made the lives of Peach and the Mushroom People miserable. I may not be King, but I won't allow you to destroy anymore lives."

With the ease of Bowser's size, Mario grabbed Bowser by the neck. Mario hated to treat his old body in this way, but Mario felt that the body was not his anymore. He would never have it back, and if he could, it would be polluted by Bowser and Mario probably would not want the body after that. Mario flung Bowser through the window. He cringed as he heard Bowser's back crack. The Mushroom City Paramedics would arrive shortly and Bowser would be taken to the hospital.

"Peach?!" Mario turned around after he finished with Bowswer. "Peach?" Mario went upstairs and knocked on the door to Peach's apartments.

"Go away!" Peach moaned. "Don't bother me ever!"

"Peach...listen to me..." Mario began to say.

"I said NO!" Peach shouted from beyond the doors. "Get the hell away from me!"

Mario frowned and went downstairs again. He tried to eat dinner, but it didnt' feel right. Mario was not hungry after the events that happened today. He waited at the dinner table to see if Peach wouild come, but he saw no sign of the Mushroom Queen that evening.



*****

It was midnight before Mario decided to check on Peach. Mario knockedo n the door, but no one answered. Worried, Mario punched a hole through the door with his poweful fists. Mario opened the door from the inside and walked in.

"Peach?!" Marioi called out as he searched through the room. Peach wasn't in the room. Mario noticed that the delicate lace curtains and the glass balcony doors were partway open. On the dresser, Mario saw a note. The paper was pink, with Peach's signature scent sprayed on it. Mario inhaled the perfume and opened the note.

Dear Mario, the note read.

I am sorry that we could not be married today. When my mother told me to find a consort, it was you that came to my mind. You have helped me out so much over the years, defending the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser. I appreciate your help from the bottom of my soul, and for that, and being my friend, I thank you.

I am so heartbroken by what happened today that I have decided to go into exile. I cannot live with the pain of seeing Bowser in your body every day and wishing that I was married to you instead. You are the one I will love always, even after I die and go to the star world. Never forget that, my love. Please send my love to Luigi, Toad and Yoshi. I wish you all luck in the futurej, for I will not return. Ever.

I love you always Mario. Please think of me often as I will think of you every waking moment of the day, and dream of the time when you and I will be together.



Love always,

Peach.

Mario stepped onto the balcony and stared out into the distance. The stars were showing, but most of them were dim. The moon was hidden, and the Great Star did not show its face out of sadness for its daughter. After a while, Mario sat on the bed, his head covered in his arm. He would have to find a way to tell the castle of Peach's exile in the morning. Tonight, Mario would rest and dream of his Peach.

***

On the shores of a far away island, a woman stands. Her dress blows freely in the cool night air. She looks towards the mainland, tears flowing in her eyes for the memory of what is lost to her forever.

Finis.

~~~

Author's Note: It's been a year and two days since I've updated this story, for which I apologize. I went to college last year and forgot the notebook that 'Peach' was written in. Since I live in Wisconsin and my college is located in Virginia, I could not get the notebook. This story was completed last year, but due to circumstances, it had to wait a year to get published. I would still appreciate reviews, but if not, I will completely understand. Thank you. ~SelenityK~

PS. There may be a sequel.