Chapter 9
Peach's Escape
The rest of the night was spent in a dreamless slept. When Peach woke, she realized how uncomfortable her position was and stretched her arms out before collapsing on the sill again. Even though it was not a first class nap, she felt refreshed. The Sky Castle now hovered over a barren landscape and it reminded her of Dry Dry Desert. The sun was raising, and few clouds hid its golden light.
A knock indicated her that someone was at the door. She slid off the bed and walked across the hard stone floor to the iron door. She heard the latch being opened, and she prepared herself. Peach was sick of being held helplessly captive by Bowser, and she was going to escape no matter what. The door was opened only slightly, but it was enough. She put her hand between the crack, grabbing the closest thing in her reach and yanked with all her might. She heard the body slam into the door before being dragged into her room. The person she attacked was a magikoopa clad in white and she was holding onto his arm.
Was he sent to check on her?
She kneeled down and examined him, since he was not moving, the smash against the door must have knocked him out. She noticed the magic wand still clutched lightly in his scaly hand and she carefully pried his claws open. The Princess gripped the wand in her hand and studied it from all angles. The wand was small and easy to hold with its usual round crystal placed at the top. It matched the Magikoopa's robe and she wondered what magical abilities his clan possessed.
The Magikoopa's eyes flew open and she jumped back in surprise, pointing the wand to the injured flunky.
"Don't come any closer, or I might accidentally activate this wand," she tired to sound fierce, but her voice came out shaky and unbelievable. The cloaked Koopa stood up, laughing hard at her false threat.
"You fool! Only a Koopa with magic can be linked to the powers of our wands."
Realizing he was right, she gripped the wand tightly and prepared her own attack. She jumped up, holding the wand with both hands high above her head The Magikoopa had little time to react when the scepter bashed the top of his head. He fell back, and the Princess made sure he was unconscious. She bent over, a thin trickle of blood was dribbling down the side of his head, but he was breathing,
Keeping a solid on her new weapon, she left her prison room and locked the door. She pivoted on her heels and crept down the spiraled stairs, sliding a hand along the cool wall. The torches that were scattered along the wall provided little light and she kept a careful eye on the shadows. She scanned the hallway and reached the end of the stairs, wondering which passage would lead her out of here. She knew it would be hopeless, even if she found an exit, they were miles above the ground.
Finding Toad would be her main priority. She moved nimbly, her footsteps silent as she explored hallways and doors. Her friend would probably be locked up in another tower, and she searched for stairs that would lead her up.
Walking down a narrow passage, which was filled with dusty old pictures and statues, she heard voices echoing. She spun on her toes as she viewed her surroundings, but she could not tell which direction the sounds were coming from, and they were awfully close. She hid behind one of the Bowser statues, her back pressed against the stone. Two guards, a Goomba and a Koopa Troopa appeared. They both wore spiked helmets, and they were talking in loud, obnoxious voices.
"This job sucks. I don't see why we should guard these halls. Even if the Princess escapes, it's not like she is going anywhere."
"Yea, she is such a crybaby," said the Koopa Troopa, then raised his voice to imitate the Princess. "Oh, Mario, help me! I'm scared! Please help meee!"
"But now Mario is on our side," pointed out the Goomba, "I bet she's still sobbing in her prison cell over her dear Mario."
The two chuckled and vanished at the end of the passageway, their laughs like a dagger in her heart. She stepped out of her hiding place and continued in the other direction, hoping to put as much distance between her and the guards as possible. The passageway ended before an open room with a wide staircase. She remembered it as one of the flights of stairs that she and Mario used. It was the only clue that showed where she was in the castle. Bowser had many castles, and the Sky Castle was one of the few that she never knew inside out since she spent most of her time isolated in a cell.
While the Princess tired to think of what to do next, a scurry of footsteps startled her and she quickly whirled around, her wand ready. She saw a shadow appearing from another passageway and she prepared to attack. Peach leaped, her wand high and she gave a battle cry. Her shout quickly turned into a yelp as she realized who was attacking, but she was already in motion and ended up crashing into her victim. She rolled off him as she gave out a groan.
"Toad! Are you ok?" she asked worriedly, kneeling down beside him. He groaned again and sat up, rubbing his cap.
"Ow… yea, I'm all right," he moaned. "I came to save you, but it appears you can take care of yourself."
"I'm touched, you broke out of your cell just to save me? I did the same for you," she said gently, helping him off the ground. "How did you escape?"
"Simple, I stuffed pillows under the blanket to make it look like I was sleeping, then hid behind the door, so when it opened I slipped out, locking the guard in," he answered smugly. Toad eyed the magic wand Peach possessed and added, "It appears you took the more forceful way out, right?"
She nodded in reply, "Yes, but I think we have more important things to think about. How are we going to get out of here?"
Toad fell silent, deep in thought, "I don't kno -, wait!" – he snapped his fingers – "I've got a plan. Come with me."
