Chapter 14
The Betrayal
Peach woke and rubbed the last of the sleeping spell from her eyes. All the recent memories came rushing to her head. The kidnap and escape, Toad's crazy plans, the control centre being destroyed, the Sky Castle rumbling, running down the hallway with someone before being engulfed by the mysterious spell… Jazel! Vigilant again, she looked around her, scanning for an unconscious body. Instead of the castle floor and walls she expected, she saw endless desert sands, crumbled rocks and… what?
She blinked again, wondering if her vision was affected, but nothing changed. Before her eyes, she saw dozens, if not hundreds; of people she realized were Koopa's flunkies.
Everyone in the Sky Castle is somehow out here, she thought, but how? And why are they all unconscious? From the spell? Am I the only one awake? Where's Toad and Koopa? What about Jazel? He was with me…
She searched her memory, bringing up only a faint image of them both falling victim to the spell.
"Princess!"
She turned to the welcoming, familiar sound and smiled. Toad was running, still in his disguise, waving his arms to get her attention.
"Kinopio!"
Peach swung her arms around her friends, embracing him, trying not to cry or reveal how scared she was.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're all right," she stopped hugging him and added in a more serious tone, "What happened? Where did you go? Did you get caught by that sleeping spell, too?"
"You mean that gray stuff the wands were spewing? Yea, I was behind Bowser, who, I must say, was a total coward, when I noticed you weren't with me. I got worried and started back when some of the Magikoopas's wands were creating haze. It was when they started dropping like stones that I realized they didn't cast the spell, I ran back, and saw more gray smoke coming my way. I was completely surrounded. The Koopa Koward was freaking out before falling fast asleep from the haze, and after that I was engulfed by the spell."
He shook his head before adding, "Then I woke up and started searching for you. That's all I remember."
The two gazed over the number of bodies that covered the barren earth.
"This is strange, since this is obviously not a part of Bowser's scheme," the Princess said grimly. "Who or what could have caused all this?"
"Whoever it is must be pretty strong."
Peach shuttered at the thought and scanned the desert for any signs of conscious movement.
"Hey, Toad," she said when she noticed they were only surrounded by sandy hills. "Where is the Sky Castle?"
"I have no idea, Princess."
While the retainer tried to pierce together logical reasons about what happened between the sleeping spells and now, Peach stared at the sky, lost in thought. It was almost evening, the sun dipping to the west and clouds were scattered across the sky. They were drifting lazily at first, but soon they picked up speed. The clouds grew in size and transformed into a dark colour, merging together, covering the sky with its dreary sight. A sharp cold wind ripped through the desert, chilling Peach and Toad to the bone. She hugged herself close; trying to shield herself from the freezing gale that ruffled her hair and the robe she still wore over her dress. Not too far away, a huge mass of clouds swirled together, creating a funnel, and touched the ground like a twister. The funnel disappeared, leaving a dark shadow behind. The two could almost feel evil radiate from the endless somber hole. What it her imagination or did the shadows remind Peach of Mario's whirlpool eyes?
Toad tugged on her robe and tilted his head in the direction of the dusky hole, indicating he wanted to check it out. Unwillingly, Peach nodded in reply and followed Toad carefully toward the wicked presence. The endlessly whirling ebony clouds before them seemed to contain an even darker secret. They hid safely behind a sandbank, both on their stomachs. They watched someone casually walk toward the evil.
"Bowser," the two hissed under their breath when they could recognize the vile reptile. The Koopa Kong stood before the black fissure, his arms crossed as if he still had authority. A shadowy figure appeared within the opening, although they could not see who it was from the murkiness, but Bowser appeared to know the creature that lurked in the gloomy mass.
"Lord Forgeron," said Bowser, bowing, but the rest of his sentence was cut off by a curt sneering laugh.
"King Bowser Koopa," said the voice in a mocking way, "you have failed the first simple task I have given you. What do you have to say?"
"Lord, I-I am very sorry," Bowser managed to say over a failing, heavy tongue. "It won't happen against, I assure you."
The mysterious figure – called Forgeron – snorted at Bowser's apology.
"Did you at least collect some worthy warriors for my army?"
"Oh, yes I have, Sir!" said Bowser, waving a claw to all his men – who were still asleep – and added, "I have chosen the best warriors from my own army."
"Fool!" roared Forgeron. "These 'warriors' of yours can't even beat a simple plumber. If they were strong enough, they would be awake right now."
"Wow, what a compliment," Toad said in a sotto voice. "That means we're worthy."
"But Lord," said Bowser, desperate to please Forgeron, "I also have Mario among my troops. He'd fell to your Binding Spell you gave me to aid me in collecting people for your superior army."
The dark figure paused, wheels rotating in his head. The pawn had helped him indeed, but he was still unimportant in his evil plan. The oversized turtle knew too much and he must be disposed of.
"Bowser," he said quietly, "you did help me after all…"
Peach started to feel tense. She knew that tone of voice; something was about to happen. Restless, she edged a bit closer toward Koopa and Forgeron while Toad stared in horror. Was she mad? They were already too close for comfort, what if she was spotted?
"Princess, I discourage you of whatever crazy thing you're doing," whispered Toad. Peach ignored him; she knew something bad was going to occur.
"…But you already know too much," continued Forgeron. "I must get rid of you."
Bowser's mind froze, his clawed feet rooted to the spot.
"What? But, but… I helped you!"
"Yes, you did good," admitted Forgeron, "But you might turn against me and I can't allow that."
Peach jumped up from her hiding place, now in full view of the new enemy.
"Bowser! Look out!"
Bowser ducked automatically as a red beam of energy was fired, originally aimed at his chest, and brushed the turtle's upper arm. He clutched the wound that sent agonizing pain throughout his limb and fell forward. Peach dashed toward the prostrate reptile while Forgeron cursed loudly.
"I'll deal with you later!" he shouted. "Right now I have more important things to do."
With that, a clap of thunder filled the air, and a black fog swept through the desert. Peach witnessed in horrific amazement as the fog appeared to seep into the unconscious bodies, depraving their minds. One by one they rose, like zombies. They marched slowly toward their new master, weapons ready and eyes filled with cold light. Among them was Jazel, robe now black, and Mario.
Forgeron, pleased with his work, laughed at the girl who stood before him to protect the injured pawn from another attack.
I could easily destroy you all, right now," he said, in a sickeningly sweet voice, "but I will let the elements of the desert take over. Come my precious army! You belong to me!"
He vanished. Just vanished. No effects, no smoke, not even a ripple. It was like he never appeared in the first place, or the enslaved army.
But the feeling of evil still loomed high over them.
