Chapter 27

Temporary Return to the Mushroom Kingdom

"I can't believe this," the chelonian grumbled. "I'm walking around with my archrival's girl in enemy territory. I have dignity, you know."

"Well, you can kiss the last of it good-bye," Peach said. "We're going to see the Chancellor."

"Err, Peach," Bowser responded. "I think they'll notice a big muscular brute like me wandering around in the castle."

"Find then," she said smugly. "Wait outside and start a panic or you can come with me and I'll do the explaining."

Bowser cursed to himself and followed the fungi into the castle; the Warp Pipe they used conveyed them right besides the royal building and had disappeared into the ground. Inside, long sweeping ruby carpets guided the way to the throne room, and one hallway branched from each side. Ambling in the entrance corridor were four retainers, they hurried to greet the visitors when they spotted them.

"P-Princess Peach!" one of them explained. "You're safe!"

There was an excited murmur between the four servants.

"Toad, you're back, too!"

"Where's Mario?"

"How did you escape?"

"What's Bowser doing here!"

The outcry of surprise raised a clamor of confused and frightened Mushrooms. The quadrumvirate scattered and hid in different corners of the foyer.

"It's all right," Peach assured. "Everything is under control. So don't worry."

"I see," said a retainer, eyeing Bowser nervously, as if expecting him to foam at the mouth any minute. "Please follow us, the Chancellor is waiting for you return and will be overjoyed to see you back."

"Thank you," she said and curtsied. The servants gestured to accompany them, and they were lead to the throne room. Toad joined his line up with the retainers, all eight of them stood at their positions. The chief secretary stopped pacing and faced the Princess, delighted to see her again.

"Princess!" he said. "I'm so glad to have you back safe and sound. Wait… Where's Mario? And what's" – he started at Bowser in disbelief – "that vile creature doing here?"

"That vile creature," Peach answered coolly, "helped me get back home."

"Preposterous," the Chancellor responded. "He's our worst enemy! Why would he help you?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself," the Princess retorted dispassionately. "He's right here."

"Peach," Bowser started to protest, but the Chancellor spoke first.

"Tell me, why did you kidnap the Princess then change your mind?"

"I only aided Peach because I want my Sky Castle back," he shouted angrily at the Chancellor, glad of his quick thinking. "It's her fault that it has been stolen. Plus, the Star Road has been destroyed again, and without Mario, she'll need my help. I only agreed to a temporary truce so that we can both right the unknown enemy that threatens to take over everyone, including me."

The Chancellor's face paled. They knew about the Star Road, too? How?

"I know about the situation. It is indeed dreadful," the chief secretary replied, pacing again, a habit he would do when he was nervous, stressed or anxious. "Luigi and his companions were here when the storm attacked our Kingdom. They told me about it."

"A storm?" blurted Peach, forgetting about the Star Pieces. "The festival! Did anyone get hurt?"

"No," he replied. "The storm disappeared as quickly as it came. No one was harmed."

Peach sighed in relief, "That's good to hear. Oh, about Luigi… where did he go?"

"I believe they went to Seaside," said the Chancellor, "to find a Star Piece."

"This is great," piped up Toad, stepping from his position. "We have a Star Piece, too!"

"We better find Luigi," she said, "before we're too late."

"Wait," objected the Chancellor. "This is absurd! You're a Princess!"

"You're right," she said, pretending to agree, "Besides, I'm too tired to continue. I think I need to lie down –"

" – Don't try to sneak out either! I know all of your little escape routes!"

"But Chancellor!" she protested. "Is it my duty to help others in time of need?"

"Well, yes, but –"

"Then the time is now," she said sternly. "I'm not a little girl anymore, I'm a full grown adult in case you haven't noticed! I can't take care of myself, with a little support from my friends that is."

"I understand, Princess," the Chancellor replied. "It's just that I keep seeing you so small and defenseless… Wait a sec you ARE small! What the heck has happened to your height, child?

"Freak accident," the tiny Princess muttered, "but it isn't important to discuss at the moment. The world is in grave danger, and Luigi may need us. I'm leaving now."

Gesturing to Toad, the three started to leave, but the Chancellor called to them.

"Just a minute," he said, "I'll send troops to escort you to Seaside."

"It's fine," Peach responded. "Bowser is with me. I trust him with my life. Have faith in him. I know Bowser and I have our differences, but right now they are put aside because we have more significant matters to worry about."

She departed; glad she got her point across, leaving the Chancellor astounded.

"Princess Toadstool is becoming too impudent," he said to his retainers sadly. "Either that, or she is too soft-heated and susceptible to suspect that her enemy might not be trusted. I fear for her, I hope the truce holds."