Chapter 42
The Departure
"Lord Forgeron," a minion said, bowing low before his master in the dark throne room. "We found a Star Piece. I hope this pleases you."
A second flunky appeared, and presented the orange fragment before Forgeron. The two humanoid machines were clothed in simple brown robes underneath the fabric were only masses of circuits and live wires.
"Excellent," his raspy voice approved. "This will prove to be most useful…"
The sun was setting by the time Peach entered the sewers. Right after Pauline returned, Peach told her she had to leave. Peach gave the struggling single mother her dress, loves, and her expensive blue earrings, stating that they should be worth something. Pauline cried, thanking her repeatedly, and she didn't mind – or asked – when the Princess requested to take a tool belt.
The stench of waste and filthy water overwhelmed Peach, and she wrinkled her nose, disgusted. Using the flashlight from the tool belt she brought from the plumbery, she walked through the damp tunnel, listening to the rhythmic dripping of stale water. How did Mario stand this?
Ahead, the normal rows of pipes changed into a jungle of metal tubes. Pipes of every size and colour stuck out from the floor, sides and ceiling.
This must be the place…
Fumbling with the heavy tool belt, she fished out a wrench, trying to recall how Mario fixed the castle water system. Peach eyed a small pipe, and twisted the bolts. Water gushed out, soaking her legs, and she quickly secured the pipe again. Her sneakers sloshed to the next pipe, this time an orange one, and repeated.
Nothing.
She sighed. She wasn't even sure if the warp pipe to the Mushroom Kingdom worked anymore.
After an hour or twisting nuts, bolts, and examining pipes, Peach's hope to return home diminished.
Will I never see Mario again? No! I will find a way! The warp pipe must be here somewhere. I can't let Mario stay controlled by that… monster!
Peach dropped her wrench and it hit a vertical pipe laid down on the ground. It clanged loudly against the metal, causing a sonorous echo through the sewer. She covered her ears to block the piercing noise, which was followed by a tremor. The Mushroom Princess glanced around nervously, as she grabbed a duct to sturdy herself.
A large green pipe emerged from the ground.
Peach gasped excitedly. This must be the warp pipe! She discarded the tool belt and peered down the pipe, which led to pitch black.
The sound must've activated it. Mario, I'm coming.
The sun had set when Peach pushed through the front entrance of her beloved castle in Toad Town. The warp pipe led her outside of the city before disappearing. A sleepy guard patrolling the foyer on the first floor lazily glanced in Peach's direction then quickly reacted to her presence. The mushroom straightened up, holding his spear proudly.
"Good evening, Princess," the young guard said, shaking off his exhaustion. "I-I heard news from the Chancellor. I heard you gone off with Toad and B-Bowser to search for the missing Star Shards. What are you doing here? Should I wake Toadsworth?"
"Not now, I'll be leaving soon," she said, then rushed off to the kitchen without another word. She'd find some privacy here. She closed her eyes, muttering a quick summon, and a tiny glittering object appeared and hovered before her.
It was a Power Star: a gift from the Star Spirits themselves.
"The Mushroom Kingdom may be in grave danger," she said. "Use your power to protect the town and my people."
Melodious chimes and jingles answered her. Peach frowned – the magical pattern emitted from the Star Pieces felt different. Was something wrong with them? Were they affected by the events taking place? Oh! What if Forgeron was involved?
"Power Stars, reveal your total number."
The single Star Piece glowed and a number made up of multiple lights flashed across the kitchen.
121.
121? I originally had 120. How did I end up with an extra?"
"Reveal Power Star number one hundred and twenty one," she commanded.
Its black eyes blinked and disappeared, as it was replaced by another Star.
Peach gasped as she gazed at the Star before her. It was larger than the previous one and it glowed a rich purple.
A Star Piece?
"Of course!" she exclaimed to no one in particular. It must have crashed into her Kingdom and the Power Stars probably mistaken it for its own – after all the Star Road was created by the Star Spirits. Did that mean the Power Stars originated from the Star Road?
She could wish to be reunited with Luigi and the others!
And they must be starving!
Kittykatstar: Yay, another chapter up and completed, although it was a little rushed. Heh... I managed to have a writing spree, so I'll have the other chapters up ASAP. I'm hoping to end this story before it reaches '60'. Wanna thank Animefangirl11, surferljb, and Lady Daisy for reviewing my story and encouraging me to continue, and others, too. Oh, and my boyfriend, love ya tons.
