Chapter 5

The Power of Perfume

Peach and Toad turned toward the windows of her bedroom. One was broken, and glass was shattered on the blue floor, yet they could not figure out what caused it. The Princess nudged shards of glass aside with her high heels and bit her lip as she examined the damage.

"What, what do you think caused – HEY! Let go of me!"

Peach's arms were being pinned behind her back. She struggled furiously, but she felt herself being lifted from the ground and the fluttered of wings was heard. Before Peach was completely airlifted there was a smash, a tinkle of more glass and a strong scent of water lilies. She fell to the ground on her hands and knees, and looked over her shoulder.

An unconscious paratroopa was sprawled on the hard floor, drenched with a sweet smelling liquid. Toad stood behind the winged Koopa Troopa, breathing heavily, and holding the head of a broken perfume bottle. He hurried over to the Princess and helped her up. Still shaken from the sudden attack, Peach brushed invisible dirt from her new dress and pushed the same annoying strand out of her large eyes.

"Thank you for saving me," she said gratefully, and glanced at the fallen paratroopa.

"That was Bowser's goon! We better warn everyone in the castle, Toad! Come, before more arrive!"

The words were barely out of her mouth when a large machine crashed through the window, followed by a large 'thud', throwing Peach and Toad off balance.

"Bowser!" Princess Toadstool gasped, her gaze locked with the King of Koopas.

Bowser's Clown Copter hovered nearby, while more paratroopas flew into the castle, surrounding her and Toad. Multiple distortions of light shimmered in the air, which solidified into Magikoopas, cutting off any change of escape.

"I finally have you now, Princess," said Bowser, grinning, "and this time Mario can't save you!"