A/N: I'm BACK!!!! Sorry about the wait, but I got in trouble and lost computer privileges last weekend. ;_; But now I'm back!!!^_^ YAYNESS!!!! So, on to the story!!!

The Other Prisoner: Chapter 2: Waiting for Mario

Link's POV:

I don't understand why I'm here.

This Bowser just took me here and threw me in this cell with Peach. He didn't tell me why or what he wanted with me.

Dang it. . . I wish I had my sword with me. This prison is made of wood, and I might have been able to get us out of here. But I left it at home when I went for that walk around Hyrule Field, and that's where he got me. . .

I'm never leaving home without my sword again.

Oh well. At least I have Peach to keep me company. We've been talking for a bit about our different worlds to pass the time. Apparently, she's the Princess of Mushroom Kingdom, and Bowser's been attacking it for a long time. Mario's been able to defeat Bowser every time he attacked, but he just seems to be getting more and more powerful every time he's defeated.

That can't be good. . .

She also told me that Bowser took the Power Stars, which kept the castle intact. If they weren't recovered, the castle would simply fall apart. Bowser won't realize this, making the situation worse. Thankfully, Mario was recovery the Stars, so there was still hope.

Seems to me that this Mario is our only chance of getting out of here. I hope he comes soon. . .

For now, all we can do is wait. Just sit here in this cramped-up prison and wait. So far we've been waiting for about an hour, and I'm starting to get sick of all this waiting. I'm tired, hungry, and sick of sitting around and doing nothing.

Peach isn't complaining. I imagined she wouldn't, since she's used to this. But she looks awfully scared. Her face is pale, her long, golden hair a mess. She didn't speak so much, and any movement made outside of the prison spooked her. I couldn't help but fell pity towards her. I couldn't imagine how it felt to live in fear all the time from this Bowser creep.

Poor princess. . .

She keeps her spirits high, though. Whenever Bowser left to check on Mario's progress, she would either start telling stories of Mario's heroic deeds, or she would began to softly sing. I had to admit, she has an amazing voice. Quite normal for someone so beautiful. . . But, of course, no one is as beautiful as Zelda. I hope I get back to her soon. . .

. . . . Bowser's left again. Peach begins to sing a soft, slow, almost haunting melody. . .

"Catch me as I fall, Say you're here and it's all over now, Speaking to the atmosphere, No one's here and I fall into myself. I can stop the pain if I will it all the way. . . Don't turn away. . . Don't give in to the pain. . . Don't try to hide. . . Though they're screaming your name. . . Don't close your eyes. . . God knows what lies behind them. . . Don't turn out the light. . ."

The song of hers sends shivers down my spine. It's so. . . haunting. . . yet beautiful. . .

"What is that song?" I decide to ask her.

Peach slowly shrugs her shoulder. "I don't know. It's a song I heard once and I sing it to try and calm myself down. . ."

Well, that's understandable. "It's. . . quite beautiful. . ."

She softly smiles. "Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it."

"Then you wouldn't mind if I asked you to sing it again?"

"No, I'd be more than happy to."

She begins to sing again. She's singing little slower this time, and the song almost sounds like a lullaby.

I haven't rested in a while. . .

The lullaby begins to pull me into a deep sleep. I lean against the back wall and continue to listen to Peach's captivating voice.

Soon, I close my eyes and fall asleep. . .

Peach's POV:

"Don't turn out the light. . ."

I slowly finish my song. I look back at Link, and he's fast asleep. The poor elf must've been tired. He looks like he's about to tip over, so I carefully grab him, and lean him down until his head rests on the bottom part of my dress. I simply moved my legs out of the way so he could lie down. At least now he had something soft to lie on.

He stirs a little, then relaxes. I watch his sleeping form as his chest rises and falls with each breath he takes. He stirs a bit more, softly grabbing the silk-like fabric like a blanket. He mumbles something under his breath before becoming silent again.

I'm glad he's finally able to rest. He looked awfully tired before. This whole thing must've worn him clean out. I'll simply let him rest. He certainty needs it.

But his rest does not last long. Bowser yells at the top of his lungs in frustration, and this wakes up Link. He slowly gets up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

". . . What was that?" he asks, yawning.

". . . Bowser. . ." I simply respond. We both become alert as he yells at his guards.

"WHAT'RE YOU STANDING THERE FOR!? GET HIM READY!!"

"B-but sir, it's too late. . . Mario's too close. . ."

Bowser growls. "Fine. Keep an eye on them."

He rushes out. We look at each other, and an excited smile forms on Link's face.

"He's coning! He's going to save us, isn't he?"

"Yes! He's here!"

We both cheered until the Goombas told us to hush. Now all we have to do was wait a little more, then we'll be out of here!

A/N: YAY!!! GO, MARIO!!!! And yes, I know I took the lyrics from Evenescence. THEY ROCK!!!!!!! So, anyhoo, REVIEW!!!!!