Chapter 3: The Sword of her Ancestor
"I need the sword from the treasure room. The silver sword, it was taken from the Mushroom kingdom long ago and kept by the koopas" Kamek said.
"How is a sword to heal her?" Bowser asked to him in made no sense.
"It is the sword of her ancestor. It was present in the spell used to heal him though there must have been a mistake because he wasn't healed completely instead the curse slowed down but it was still there. The sword will protect her for now if the curse still exists then so must the magic within it" Kamek explained.
Bowser still had some unanswered questions. He waked to the door and opened it. "You! Go to the treasure room and bring me the silver sword of the Mushroom Kingdom" Bowser yelled at a paratroopa that was flying by on guard duty.
"Yes sir!" The paratroopa said startled and quickly flew off. The guards of the treasure room, koopa troopas, found it unusual that Bowser would want something from there let along that old sword but the paratroopa was still a little jumpy from the scare Bowser gave him when he yelled suddenly. There was no doubt that he had sent for the sword.
"What will happen after she has the sword?" Bowser asked.
"She will get better I hope" Kamek said. Bowser looked clearly dissatisfied with that answer. "It's only temporary you see to cure her I must perform the spell that was attempted before but make sure it's done correctly this time there was probably an ingredient missing before. The spell must take place in the same place of the battle. The knight was of the Mushroom Kingdom it didn't look like he was in the Mushroom kingdom when the fight took place. I know I've seen that kingdom in the background before in a history book somewhere."
"Find out where now!" Bowser yelled.
"Excuse me king Koopa." The paratroopa landed at the door holding the sword with both hands. The blade was placed inside an elegant holder fit for a royal.
Bowser snatched the blade and gave Kamek an impatient look. "Just let her hold it and keep it close." The old magikoopa said before leaving the guest room off to do his history research. The paratroopa hurried out as well and closed the door after Kamek.
Bowser didn't take the sword out since Peach might hurt herself in the state she was. Instead he placed it beside her on her bed and placed her right hand over the handle. The second Peach touched the sword her eyes opened. Sitting up she pulled out the sword and swung it at Bowser. He was quickly to duck so she only cut off about an inch of red hair. She gasped when she realized what she almost did. She was having a nightmare and acted on instinct as if she was still trapped in the bad dream. "Bowser I... I didn't."
"I know" he said looking at her. "My princess wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, not physically at least."
She caught a hint of sadness in his words but didn't quite fully understand what he meant right away. "I don't remember being brought here." By now she had been kidnapped so many times that even if she screamed for help while the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom were still within hearing distance she was no longer afraid. She knew this was only temporary and that soon the Mario brothers would save her. She feared many times that Bowser would hurt her but soon she figured that he wanted her as a live hostage. She had come to have so much faith in the Mario brothers that she no longer worried about her own well being. Bowser would keep her to use her as a hostage to claim her kingdom but that could only happen if the Mario brothers were defeated and she was starting to believe that was impossible.
"You were sick at the time. Kamek discovered that you were cursed but the sword will keep you safe until he breaks the curse completely. He has a little research to do before that can happen" Bowser said. At least she was talking to him now instead of screaming or ignoring him. Perhaps she was still in shock over the fact that she came close to decapitating him even if it was an accident.
"What do you mean?" Peach asked. Bowser then explained what Kamek had told him. "I remember learning about this when I was taught about the history of the Mushroom kingdom. However it is said that the kingdom where that battle took place mysteriously disappeared. There was a fire in the library about fifty years ago so a lot was lost. A few people who had read the books in the royal library tried to reconstruct the historical records from memory but what they didn't remember they filled in with myth I suspect. I have always been against the concept of the royal library. Knowledge of our people's history should be made public. Maybe then it wouldn't have been lost. The council was against me breaking the law but I simply told them that as princess I was officially changing the law so that opening the royal library to the public was not illegal." She stopped as she realized who she was talking to. She picked up the sword which she had dropped and placed it back on the holder.
"You're a good princess" Bowser said not knowing what else he could say to make her continue speaking. He liked how her voice sounded but it sounded even better when she wasn't screaming 'Mario help me' in his ear. Without a word Peach Toadstool got up from the bed and taking the sword with her she walked towards the door. "You're not going anywhere princess. You need to be healed from this curse. The sword can't protect you forever you must know that. It is in your best interest to stay."
"My people will help me break the spell if necessary" Peach said.
"I'm certain Kamek is the only one with enough magic to do it" Bowser said.
Deep down she knew he was right. She somehow knew that the explanation about the curse was all true. She was going to die if Kamek didn't permanently break the curse. "I understand" She said with tears in her eyes. She hated having to rely on her enemy but she had no choice. If Bowser's plans to use her as the key to taking over the Mushroom Kingdom were to take place then he needed her alive. "I will stay until my curse is broken. Thank you for offering to help."
Bowser was surprised by her reaction. "You're staying willingly?" It sounded too good to be truth.
"As you said it's in my best interest to stay for now. But I don't want to worry my people and the Mario brothers" Peach said.
"They can't come if that's what you're thinking. You need Kamek's help and Kamek is under my command. We'll have to make the journey alone, no Mario brothers" Bowser said firmly.
"You'd rather let me die?" Peach asked trying to sound as harsh a she could. She doubted her tone would do much. He only wanted her as a tool to take over the Mushroom Kingdom and didn't even think of her as a person. At lest that what she thought for now.
But her cold tone did in fact have an effect. Without answering Bowser walked towards the door. "Princess I'll save your life even if it takes mine to do it." He replied in an emotionless tone trying to sound as serious as possible. Then closed the door and locked it leaving Peach inside the room.
Aided by his magic it didn't take Kamek too long to do the necessary research. But the discovery he made wasn't exactly accurate. The kingdom that they had to find was apparently located somewhere bellow Nimbus Land. He didn't know of a kingdom located there. Perhaps something happened to it eventually. Either way it didn't matter if it was there now or not, the only thing that mattered was the location. If it was the same location the spell should work.
The door to Peach's room was opened by Bowser. She was getting a little impatient there. She was used to waiting to be rescued but she didn't like this situation about a curse. She knew it was that sword that was keeping her in good health and she knew very well it was temporary. She was now wearing a pink dress which was brought to her by a servant while Bowser was away. It must have been prepared for her there because she didn't recognize it. None the less she liked the comfortable soft fabric and it was her favorite color. "Time to go Princess, Kamek found the possible location where the spell must take place."
"Possible?" Peach asked.
"It better be right" Bowser said quietly before answering. "Don't worry my princess you'll be alright."
"I want to stop by the Mushroom Kingdom before we go." She frowned at Bowser's disproving look and insisted before he could answer. "I don't want my people to worry and besides you made it clear that the deal is that you'll help me only if the Mario brothers don't come. I would rather tell them myself instead of causing another fight."
If the princess herself told those nosy plumbers to mind their own business then they would have to listen to her. This was even better. "I agree. We'll go to the Mushroom Kingdom but there's no time to waste so make your goodbyes short."
She nodded and followed him out of the room. A loud crash and several koopa troopas running towards the source of the sound indicated that the Mario brothers had arrived. Peach and Bowser rushed towards the entrance of the castle were Bowser's troops were trying to get the plumbers out. "Mario! Luigi! Bowser, stop this fight. I will tell them to wait at the Mushroom Kingdom."
To have his dear princess tell the plumbers to leave was just priceless. "Koopa Troop, stop the attack" Bowser commanded. Though surprised by the sudden order they stopped.
Princess Peach stepped forward. "Mario, Luigi, as always you came to rescue me and for that I am eternally grateful. But this time I'm afraid I can't return to the Mushroom Kingdom right away. I was planning to go there and explain the situation but the council might try to stop me from leaving."
"Princess, what are you talking about?" Mario didn't like where this was going.
"Please tell everyone at the Mushroom Kingdom not to worry about me. There is a curse upon my family that must be broken. It is most likely the same cause that took my parent's lives. Kamek is the only one with the magic to beak the curse so I will have to go on a journey wit him and Bowser." Peach explained.
"Absolutely not" Mario said. "Princess you can't trust them. If there is a curse I'll find a cure myself somehow." He hated not being able to help her.
"I'm sorry Mario but only Kamek has enough magic to cast the spell that can break the curse. Right now going with Bowser is my only antidote. Please understand, I wish I wasn't in this situation but I have no choice. Don't worry about me, I'll return when the curse is broken. I'll return to the Mushroom Kingdom somehow. Wait for me there, trust me." She smiled trying to lighten the mood. The Mario brothers knew they had no choice.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own the Super Mario games or any Nintendo characters.