Chapter 13:
A Car Ride To Remember:
A Crazy Reality, Part 2
Author's Notes: I randomly gave the last chapter a part two, because no other road seems to suit this chapter as well as 'crazy'. I don't know whether this chapter will be a complete shock; or a complete drag, considering I knew what was happening when I wrote it. To you, the reader whom has no clue, you could get several reactions. Please review after reading and tell me what you think. I was trying to get some progress in the plot done.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mario characters.
It was an odd combination that was a definite fact. Princess Peach Toadstool, sitting behind her rebellious cousin and a random Koopa, glanced around somewhat nervously. The car didn't look like it had the potential to get them there...no, no, it didn't even look like it had the potential to get out of the Castle Grounds. But it did.
The car, stumbling back onto the Mushroom City highway headed towards one of the homes outside of the city; not too close yet not too far. The Mario Brothers lived outside of the city; in a remote little haven, as Peach called it. The press didn't know its location; therefore the two plumbers could have some sort of private life.
The graceful princess sat back in her seat, tugging at her seat belt and holding it in place. It wasn't actually working too well. The buckle the seat belt went into was broken; cracked right in the center. Thus, causing the Mushroom King's somewhat 'prized' princess to end up having to hold it in the whole time, just in case that the old car died halfway there and got the trio in an accident.
Her cousin, sitting up in the front, glanced back at her, flashing a smile. That Daisy...how did she do it? Keeping a smile in a panic situation was impossible for Princess Peach to do.
Her cousin's short auburn 'flipped' hair hanging over the behind of her seat caught Peach's attention. There was a time when Daisy wore her hair just like Peach did.
That had changed.
Peach's free gloved hand grabbed a lock of her own blonde hair, it looking much shorter then usual being pulled up into a ponytail. At least her hair wasn't down in her face like usual...she felt the slightest bit more functional.
And then suddenly Daisy's eyes widen from the front. "Hey, Eddy, where are you taking us anyway? That's not the right direction-" she frowned, and suddenly gasped. Edward Koopa wasn't driving. His head was flat on the wheel. Was he sleeping...was he dead?
Panic kicked in Daisy's system as she first let out an 'Ohmigosh!' as another car stirred away from theirs. She busted her seat belt off, nearly shocking Peach, and forced her way into Edward's seat, taking control of the front wheel.
"Oh my!" exclaimed her cousin immediately. Peach couldn't see the driver's seat. She knew something was wrong though...
She lifted herself out of her seat, to see the Koopa laying there, nearly being pushed out of the car; if the door had not been closed.
The pink gowned princess didn't have much time to think. She released her back seat belt and took a step into the front, instantaneously sinking into Daisy's prior seat a minute later. "Daisy!" she screamed, seeing her cousin wasn't at all skilled in driving.
Daisy gulped. "Wha-what?" she exclaimed. "Eck!" she turned the wheel, preventing herself from hitting a Goomba's van.
"Daisy, please keep your eye on the road!" snapped Peach, scared for her life.
Twirling; whirling...Daisy was a horrible driver and it showed. She was inept; she was almost careless...
These things made Peach more then ever want to take over. She hadn't driven much before; only in a couple Mario Kart circuits; but she could do much better then Daisy was, that was for sure!
"Daisy, you're going to make us get into an accident!" she cried, her high-pitched voice showing sorrow and fear. "Please, pull over...let me drive..."
"It's not like either of us have driven before!" the princess at the wheel whined, at this point somewhat scared too. She turned. "Which way to the hospital? We gotta get there before Eddie really dies on us!"
"I-I, please Daisy, let me drive! I can get us there! Eck!" Peach suddenly squeaked, glancing out the side window.
The police were on their tail; and it was no surprised too. They nearly caused a dozen accidents.
"Oh, Daisy, please!" cried Peach. "I-I really don't want a criminal record in my own kingdom!"
Daisy frowned. "Peach, I-I can't, okay? The police'll get us! DARN! MOVE IT SLOW POKE!" she nearly screamed, beeping the clogged up car horn. "Don't they know we're in a hurry?"
"Daisy, it's a RED LIGHT!" Peach exclaimed, using her own left-high heel to push Daisy's to the break pedal.
The car stopped, the police catching up. Peach sank down, Daisy sat up. "Oh my...goodness....please, tell me this all a horrid dream..." pleaded the Mushroom Kingdom's own princess, as her legs touched the soft ground.
"Green light! Aha!" exclaimed Daisy, pushing down on the regular pedal again, causing Peach to hit her head on the bottom of the seat.
"Ouch!" the princess squealed, rubbing her head as she got up. "Daisy..." she whined. Whining? Princess Peach had never felt so silly; childish and...worried.
"We're almost there!" raved Daisy, turning on the exit that led to the city hospital.
It was a princess' worse fear, thought Peach. The police were on their tail; a Koopa was almost dead; and they had yet to make it pass the dreadful city highway.
Perhaps; simply perhaps; things were turn out okay. Their story would stand as a realistic excuse...no accidents would occur; Edward would make it out okay; Peach would resume her normal activities at her castle Monday morning. There was the tennis tournament. That was a spark of hope.
Peach's eyes widen, glancing out the front window. It wasn't.
It was.
A minor traffic jam stood in front of them, stopping all the cars on the highway. "Oh dear!" cried the usual 'damsel in distress' as she stared out.
They had no excuses this time. Tears nearly rolled down her eyes, as Peach felt doom's cold hand upon her. The joke was over; Toadsworth was doomed; Mario was probably kidnapped; Daisy was sure to be arrested; Edward was going to die; and Peach herself was sure to have some horrible memories and nightmares all because of this.
She had failed herself. She had failed her kingdom. She had failed her friends. She was no perfect princess. She was a mockery. It was wrong to cry, that Peach knew, but she couldn't help it as she sobbed in the front seat.
"Peach, don't cry," said Daisy softly, moving the car a bit forward.
But her cousin couldn't help herself. She pulled out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "It's never been so horrible before, Daisy..." cried Peach, having a bit of break down.
"What hasn't been?" asked Daisy, confused.
"I never once believed things would ever be this hopeless..."
"What are you talking about?" she asked, on the verge of laughing. "We're SO close..."
"Daisy, the police are sure to catch up with us sooner or later...Toadsworth is...gone and quite frankly I'm convinced this...Koopa is dead..."
Daisy frowned. "Well, he was shaking a lot. But we can't lose hope! We're almost at the hospital. There's a chance he'll make it!"
"I-I..." Peach sniffed. "There's no one to rescue us this time though, Daisy. Mario-Mario-Mario's probably gone for good!"
"Are you nuts?!" exclaimed Daisy, the traffic starting to move a bit more. "Mario's probably fine, Peach! There's like, no sign he was kidnapped."
"All the same, I have this dreadful feeling he was..." Peach wiped her eyes. "I'm pathetic, aren't I Daisy?"
"Of course not," Daisy replied, noting the police were right behind them. She stumped on the pedal, moving at an average rate. "We all cry sometimes..."
Peach shook her head. "Princesses aren't supposed to cry, Daisy. It's what my father told me; it's what you told me..."
"So? Make an exception. That's the fun part about being a princess. You can bend the rules..."
"No, I can't...I need to follow them..." Peach wiped the last of her tears. "Whenever I don't something quite terrible happens..."
"Like?"
"Some...villain kidnaps me..."
"Or?"
"Or a new evil strikes in the Mushroom Kingdom..."
"Or?"
"I-I-other things Daisy!" Peach impatiently said. "Other simply horrible things..."
"Come on Peach!" exclaimed Daisy, turning into the hospital parking lot. They were going to make it. "You're the most optimistic person I know. Show it!"
"I-I..."
"Don't give up! Do it for me, okay?"
"I'll try..." Princess Peach replied her head down and nodding.
Daisy parked into one of the guest spots and hit the break, taking the keys out and opening the door.
Peach soon followed, struggling to carry the Koopa out with her. There was still a bit of a pulse. There was still a bit of hope.
Daisy grabbed the other side of him, and rushed away from the car, soon noting the police car driving into the parkway. The traffic jam had slowed them down, but not long enough for the police to completely lose sight of the green car.
Peach opened her parasol up providing the slightest bit of cover for the three as they snuck in the hospital's emergency entrance, closing the doors behind him.
A pink Toad Nurse immediately greeted them. "My!" she exclaimed, glancing at the Koopa. "What do we have here?"
"You guys need to take him to the emergency room and quick!" Daisy said, a bit breathless.
"Wait..." the Nurse said, hurrying back to her desk and calling a few assistants. "We've seen this Koopa a few times before...Edward...oh dear, has his seizure struck again?"
"Yeah, but..."
"But nothing..." A bunch of Toads rushed up, taking the Koopa away on stretchers. "Edward is a usual patient here. You two are dears for bringing him...he has shaking problems and...seizures usually happen on a monthly basis."
"He was shaking a lot when I first talked to him..." Daisy added.
"He'll be alright," said the Nurse, with a reassuring smile. "You two can feel welcomed to sit in the waiting room. I wouldn't worry...we've treated many similar cases before with this patient. If you'd just be kind enough to fill these papers out..." she handed a clipboard to Daisy. "Now who might you two be?"
"I'm Princess Daisy," the auburn-haired princess said, with a smile, glancing at the clipboard papers. "And this is my cousin..."
"Princess Peach Toadstool," the blonde long-haired princess finished, with a smile.
"You don't say!?" the Nurse exclaimed. "Princess Peach? Oh, we're all big fans! Actually, we have another celebrity in today too...odd that they'd have an injury though. Well, be careful ladies. There have been a lot of accidents today..."
Peach smiled. "Why, thank you for your concern." She beamed. "We'd be quite happy to have a while to...relax. Things have been rather chaotic lately..."
"You're telling me," Daisy added, letting out a sigh.
Some police Toads immediately entered in, approaching the two princesses.
"Crud..." Daisy muttered, watching their steps come closer.
"You two ladies..." the two said, pointing to the two princesses. "Can we ask you a few questions?"
"Henry?!" the young Nurse stepped over and examined the shorter of the police Toads. "Oh, Henry is that you!?"
"Grace!?" his eyes widen. "It's been so long, sweetheart! I had no clue you worked here...."
"I'm an interim..." she shrugged. "I work part-time checking in patients..."
"Oh, well, you know me..."
"Mr. Dangerous..." she commented, with a slight smile. "What are you two doing here?"
"Some green car brewing up some trouble on the road," Henry casually explained. "I have suspicion that these two ladies are responsible for it."
"Those two ladies?" the Nurse asked, shaking her head. "Oh, goodness no! This is Princess Daisy and Princess Peach! They're royal; they'd NEVER cause trouble like that..."
"Princess Peach!?" the two cops' eyes widen. "What are you doing in this part of town anyway?"
"Our friend Edward had a bit of a shocking, unexpected seizure during tea..." explained Peach, making up a bit of the situation. "Considering this is the closest hospital, my cousin and I brought him here. I do hope this didn't bring up any trouble..."
"Of course not, princess," said the Nurse, with a smile. "It's our job and passion to take care of those that are ill."
"Well, I hope he'll be alright," said Henry, nodding. "What do you think? Grace's right, John...princesses are never involved in those accident type of things...it just doesn't seem like them to be part of it. That right, ladies?"
"Yes sir!" the two snapped, with a smile.
"I do hope everyone's alright though," said Peach, frowning the slightest bit.
"There's our princess; always real compassionate for others..." the other cop smiled. "Well, Princess Peach, you'll be glad to know that there have been no accidents lately...only close cases to them."
Suddenly, Henry's walkie-talkie beeped. "Excuse us for a minute..." he walked off with his partner, the other three exchanging befuddled looks.
A minute later, the purple Toad walked back over to his sweetheart, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I've got to get going, Gracie; trouble with the taxis on Main Street..." he said, with a frown. "How about dinner at my place tonight?"
"Sounds good to me, Henry..." she said, embracing him briefly. "You be careful at there...my little coppy danger man...."
"Anything for you, dear..." Grace let go, watching Henry walk off. "Be careful ladies," he said, him and his partner exiting the hospital completely.
Daisy watched Peach as her expression suddenly showed relief. The two walked towards the waiting room, the duo collapsing on the first couch. "Now didn't I tell you everything would be alright, Peach?" Daisy asked her cousin.
Peach's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. "I-I suppose...I never thought it'd work out so...perfectly though." The two glanced around.
Suddenly Daisy's eyes widen. A green hat was seen from across the room, on top of a familiar man's head who was reading a golf magazine.
Final Notes: Ohhhhh! Semi-cliffhanger...oh the excitement to who that green-capped golf magazine-reader man could be! Please review. And excuse me for my spelling and grammar mistakes. I can't check everything and sometimes the spell checker doesn't make sense.