Responses (I love this part)"

G.I.R.'s shadow: HEY! Long time no see, buddy! Yes, this sequel just kinda popped into my head yesterday, and so did a prequel. And have no fear: The Cackletta origin is in progress. I'm re-playing Superstar Saga and taking notes on every little detail to make sure that I get it perfect!

EmiRay: Yes, this story is a heck of a lot darker and more mature than the original Super Mario 64. But, then again, have you ever read Wicked? It takes the lovely little story The Wizard of Oz and flips it upside down! It's grand (I suggest you read it) and that's kinda what I'm trying to do: let people see Mushroom Kingdom from a different point of view!

rock4ever: I'm happy to know that I'm making you happy! here's the next chappie!

The assassin was in the building. He was going to try and find the Stars. Bowser laughed to himself, imagining this pitiful and weak Human searching for weeks, getting lost in the deep bowels of this castle, and starving to death.

He ran over to his crystal ball, which Kamilia gave to him days ago. He saw the stout man running and jumping around the lobby, acting like an immature child was controlling him. Soon, the mustached man found his way to a door, which led to a large empty room with one large painting on its wall. Bowser grinned.

"You're in an endless maze, mister hero." He chuckled. "You'll never find those…"

As if by some strange twist of fate, the man took a giant leap at the painting and, as if he were leaping into a pool, vanished into it! Bowser inhaled sharply and nearly tumbled over backwards.

"No…" he gasped. "It's…not even possible." He let out a mighty roar which shook the throne room like an earthquake. "Kammy hid them in such obscure places! Places no ordinary person would bother checking! How did he know!"

He slammed a reptilian fist down on the table, nearly shattering his crystal ball. He narrowed his eyes and fiddled his claws nervously as he sat down on his throne.

"He will find the Stars…he'll come and fight me, he'll take this throne that is rightfully mine and give it to…"

He looked up at the princess, who was sound asleep. She did look peaceful, even though it was she who had sent for this man to kill him. Her hair was matted and worn, but, then again, so was his. Only hers was the color of the brightest gold that could ever be found. Her face looked so…innocent. How could this be Toadstool's spawn? Her pink dress was now covered in soot and dust, and a small piece of it was torn. As he was looking up, he could see up her dress. Normally, he would look away in an instant, in fear of getting caught, but this was something that he had never encountered before. The only girls he actually knew were Kamilia and his sister. He never saw such lovely, smooth legs…

He shook those perverted thoughts out of his head. He had little time to worry about the princess! He had to figure out how to stop this mysterious M man from collecting the stars!

He lowered his head and sighed. The only way he could know anything about this man was by asking Peach. This man was, after all, the princess's friend. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat and began by whispering,

"Princess…Princess Peach…Peach!"

The young girl stirred for a bit, but continued to sleep. Bowser growled. This girl was trying his patience.

"Peach, wake up!"

The girl gave a slight yelp and jumped a bit, banging her head on the top of her cage. She moaned and rubbed it.

"What do you want?"

Bowser's face was red with frustration, but he rubbed his neck and calmly said, "I need your help with something. How much do you know about this friend of yours?" The princess crossed her arms.

"I know plenty," she stated, her nose up in the air. "But I won't tell you a piece of information."

Bowser roared and pounded the wall with his fist, making the princess's cage swing back and fourth violently. Peach cried out with fear and held on to the bars with her life. Bowser bared his teeth at the girl. His whole life was wasted feeling pity for those weaker than him, and where did it get him?

A road he couldn't follow.

But, for some reason, this girl seemed different. She had a…wonder about her that he couldn't understand. There was an aura of mystery surrounding her, for she was an innocent child. But she was also something more. She had a certain something hidden deep inside of her that he wanted to see more of, but she kept it under lock and key.

These feelings confused him, and he hated not understanding things. So he took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

"Princess, please, you don't understand where I'm coming from." He stated, almost whispering, as he took his eyes off her amazing figure and sat down in his throne. "You do not know how far I have come for this. My kingdom. A castle I can call my own. A chance to take Koopas' horrible reputation and turn it around. But, if this man gets a hold of those Stars first, my life will be for naught!"

He lowered his voice. "I will not hurt you in any way, Princess; if you just tell me how do drive him away. I will free you, let you live life anew! But I…won't let him do this to me."

Peach felt a strange sorrow for the beast, who had turned around from monstrosity to gentle and honest. Still, she couldn't trust him. Her trust was going to have to be earned.

"His name is Mario…I will tell you more later."

This angered Bowser more than anything, but he knew that he would have to gain the girl's trust in order to keep his throne. It would be a long, painful process, but he had gotten this far. He was not about to give up now.

r&r please