Chapter 5: Tadpole Pond
They entered the pipes and prepared to cross Kero Sewers. At the other side they would find Midas River and soon arrive at Tadpole Pond where Peach wanted to ask Frogfucious a few things. When they had gone on their quest to defeat Smithy Mallow had said that his adoptive grandfather Frogfucious knew everything. Maybe that was a little too much but the old frog certainly knew a lot of things. The sewers had become much more quiet and eerie ever since Belome left. Since he was defeated by Mario and Mallow he decided to stay in his temple near Monstro Town and didn't return to Kero Sewers. The water had been permanently drained and all the switches secured to avoid flooding. Now the water passed under the structure directly into Midas River.
"Peach" Bowser said breaking the eerie silence and for that the princess was thankful.
"Yes?" She asked. This place had become quite creepy and the silence made it worse.
"I was wondering, how come you never try that bomb attack on me when I kidnap you?" The question had been on his mind since he watched her defeat Croco and recover her stolen items.
"I didn't have these skills before we teamed up to defeat Smithy and retake your keep. I developed them along the way and before that all I could do was heal. After the quest was over and Geno returned to the Star Road to have it repaired I didn't want to. I thought everything would be at peace from that time on. Besides you can use magic too" Peach said.
"But I wouldn't use it on you. You know that" Bowser said.
"Yes... I suppose if you refuse to fight back that would give me the advantage, maybe an unfair advantage. I'm still mostly a healer, it took me a while to discover that explosive ability" Peach said half jokingly. "I learned to develop my healing abilities to heal even the most mortal wounds. I could send enemies to sleep, I guess it's a sign that I'm not really much of a fighter and I can also block magic but it wasn't until near the end of our quest that learned a real attack."
"And a powerful one at that" Bowser said. "But you know we couldn't have made it without you healing us all the time."
Peach nodded. "I guess I did my part but so did you. You were also our strongest ally. I would still be trapped in Booster's Tower if it weren't for you or worse yet married to him. Remember in Marymore when"
"I would rather not" Bowser interrupted.
Peach couldn't help it but to laugh. "It was funny." She remembered when she was rescued from Booster. Mario, Mallow, Geno and Bowser were there. Mario and Bowser were doing most of the work. She was going to give Mario a kiss on the cheek as thanks however Bowser stepped in claiming that he was the one who had saved her this time. Booster feeling ignored demanded to get a kiss also. It was all so confusing she had to get out of the group as Bowser and Booster attempted to kiss her. With their eyes closed they didn't notice that Peach had stepped away and Mario had stepped in to try to calm everyone. It was him who ended up getting a kiss on each cheek from Bowser and Booster. Peach laughed uncontrollably along with their other travel companions. At least Bowser could get them to keep quiet with a deadly glare but Peach was another story. He could do nothing to stop her laughter.
"You still owe me a kiss for saving you that time" Bowser said.
"What about all the times you kidnapped me?" Peach asked. "You did save me but you owed me for all those kidnappings" Peach said. They weren't really arguing as much as kidding around. Remembering the quest to restore the Star Road brought pleasant memories to Peach and got her in a very good mood she couldn't help it but to show.
"I owed what? A kiss? I'll pay up any time you want" Bowser said.
Peach blushed a little. "That's not what I meant" She said laughing assuming Bowser was kidding too but deep down she knew he would if given the chance.
Their conversation was interrupted but spooky sounds coming from deeper into the maze like sewer structure. They were getting closer to the exit and it was odd that they haven't encountered trouble up to that point. Many ghosts flew in their direction surrounding them. The Boos had no intentions of letting them leave. Peach stepped back she should have known getting to Midas River wouldn't be that easy. "I'll do something about them" Bowser said. Surrounded by an orange glow in the shape of a diamond he called the Big Boo. The ghost came to his aid and immediately the smaller ghosts moved left and right leaving the path open for them. With his job done the most powerful Big Boo disappeared until he was called again.
Peach looked at the smaller ghosts curiously. The Boos had no intentions of attacking apparently. "I see you've been working on that" She commented as they reached the exit.
"I didn't have as many spells as everyone else so I guess I wanted to make the best of what I have" Bowser said.
"They are still good spells" Peach said. They had left the Kero Sewers and were approaching Midas River's water fall. "Do you have ideas about getting down there?"
"Mokuka doesn't like to carry people for too long but we'll be fine if it's just until down the waterfall" Bowser said.
"Mokuka can carry us like Lakitu's cloud?" Peach asked a bit surprise. Bowser have been definitely practicing his magic.
"Well kind of, Mokuka is a poisonous cloud but the poison will not be realized if we get off quickly" Bowser said once again he concentrated like before and this time called the green cloud. "Take us down the waterfall but make sure to hold the poison until we get off, ready Mokuka?"
The green cloud appeared to nod. Bowser and Peach hopped on and were carried down the water all. By the time the reached the ground Mokuka had turned a much darker green and had an uncomfortable expression. As soon as they got off the cloud flew off and released the accumulated poison at a safe distance then flew away at least until next time Bowser needed to call. "Thanks for the ride Mokuka!" Peach said as the green cloud flew into the skies. "Look There's Tadpole Pond!" They headed for their destination in search of Frogfucious. Upon arriving they heard a melody being played by Toadofsky and his students but first Peach needed to speak with Frogfucious. "Give me a moment I'll be right back" She said. Clearly she wanted to go talk to him alone. The old wise frog was like a grandfather to many.
Bowser nodded. "Alright I'll be right over there" He said pointing to a corner where he stood waiting. Two tadpoles came to see who the visitor was.
Peach walked toward the stone in front of Frogfucious's home where Mario used to stand when he wanted to cross the water. A tadpole noticed there was someone there and came to see. "You're princess Toadstool aren't you?"
"Yes, that's me" Peach said with a smile. "May I speak to Frogfucious please?"
"Of course!" The tadpole said. "Hey everyone let's help get the princess across to Frogfucious's place!" Many tadpoles came from underwater and lined up creating a bridge between where Peach stood and the little island where Frogfucious lived.
She carefully moved from one tadpole to the next trying not to slip and fall and finally made it to the island. There was Frogfucious with a look in his eyes that told her he had been expecting her. "Welcome Princess. You are traveling to break the curse upon your family correct?"
"Yes" Peach said. "What can you tell me about it?"
"Well first of all I will tell you that I didn't know until recently. You see the water ways of the world bring me news here making it look as if I know everything but no matter how wise one has become over the years no one knows absolutely everything. I would have warned you before if I knew. I found out this curse was inflicted upon your family before you were born. It was carried from one descendant to another claiming their lives mysteriously. Everyone thought it was a rare disease, even I thought of it that way even if found it a little suspicious. Princess Peach Toadstool, to break this curse you'll need several items and a lot of magic. I've head the magikoopa Kamek is ready to cast the spell. He recently learned the location of the kingdom where your ancestor was cursed, the kingdom is no more but the spell will work if you travel to the place where it used to be. Head to Nimbus Land and meet the wizard. You will know what to do from there. The place you seek to reach beyond Nimbus Land is guarded which is why Kamek couldn't sense it from afar but I'm certain you and you ally will be able to make it. Go now princess, end this curse!" Frogfucious said
"Thank you for your words of encouragement" Peach said sincerely. "I feel better now, I'll break the curse! But before I go there is one more thing I want to ask, it's about Bowser."
"Well what can I say? He has a crush on you it's no secret" Frogfucious said. "Maybe he's not so bad but he does have a reputation to uphold." The old frog laughed.
Peach laughed also as a tadpole swam by trying to eavesdrop. "He said that countless times during our trip. He said we had joined the Koopa Troop and he didn't join us."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure everything will work out" Frogfucious said.
"It's been nice talking to you" Peach said. Her grandparents from her mother's side had been the only ones who hasn't fallen victim to the curse of the royal family since the royal bloodline came from her father's side. Also her uncle the Chancellor lived but that was because he wasn't her biological uncle but was like family to her. Her parents were gone because of that curse which her mother must have somehow gotten from her father. It had to end now.
"You and your friends are welcome anytime. When you need some advice you know were to find me." Frogfucious paused. "There is one more thing I should say but..."
Peach looked a little alarmed. Could it be bad news? "What is it?"
"I heard that in Marymore, Chef Torte makes some delicious cake. Could you order one and bring it on your way back?" Frogfucious asked.
Peach nearly fell back in surprise but she was happy that it wasn't bad news after all. "Sure, no problem" She answered.
"Thank you very much! Here you go." He handed her a bag of frog coins with a little extra. It was as if she was running an errand like Mallow used to do. "Good luck with everything!"
"Thanks I'll see you on my way back." Peach left jumping from one tadpole to another more confident about not falling this time. She reached the other side and couldn't help it but to follow the sound of the beautiful music playing, Bowser wouldn't mind waiting for a little bit longer. Toadofsky and his students were playing a beautiful melody, his latest compassion. After listening for a moment Peach headed back to find Bowser. He was still waiting where he said he would be. "Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go on our way now."
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own the Super Mario games or any Nintendo characters.