Awkward Bonding
Peach found the sleeping reptile resting in a prostrate position. His head was barely visible, and his limbs were withdrawn into his shell. She laughed quietly. So that's how Bowser slept! Should she wake him?
Peach approached him cautiously, knelt down, and tapped his shell gently.
"Bowser?" she whispered. "Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to let you know there's dinner if you're hungry. Oh, and that I'm here now… Bowser?"
The Koopa King stirred, his eyes flickered before slowly opening. His crimson orbs drifted lazily, then widened as they focused on Peach's face. He sat up and blinked in disbelief, staring astoundingly at her, his voice shaky.
"Peach… Is that really you?" he managed to choke out. Peach blushed heavily and fixated on the ground, ashamed.
"I'm sorry that I woke you up," she apologized quickly, mistaking his shock for anger. "I didn't mean to upset –"
Large scaly arms wrapped around her, and forced her against his breastplate, embracing her tenderly; unlike the bear hug Luigi gave her that crushed her lungs. Bowser's shoulders shrugged repeatedly as he tried to suppress his sobs, tears flowing and dabbing Peach's shirt. The Princess felt his claws stroke her fair affectionately and she tensed, unsure of the reptile's strange reaction.
Bowser closed his eyes, shutting out the tears, cherishing the warmth of her body against his.
"I truly thought you were gone," he wept. "I thought you didn't survive that crash…"
Peach tried to squirm out of his grip, but his embrace was too powerful and Bowser didn't seem to notice her struggle and she surrendered. The two didn't speak while Bowser idly caressed the Princess who was bewildered and uneasy.
Peach came to me on her own free will. Bowser thought blissfully. Does that mean… she missed me? Should I confess my feelings for her? I wish we could stay like this forever…
"Um, Bowser?" Peach piped up, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I – I came to inform you that I brought meals for everyone. I wanted to let you know in case you were hungry."
"Oh," he said downheartedly, releasing her and they both stood up. Pining eyes followed the Princess as Bowser watched her head off toward the campfire.
"Peach," he blurted out, and she turned around, facing him. Beautiful adoring eyes of sapphire returned his gaze, her long blonde hair cascading down her slender shoulder and back, with thick strands framing her small face.
"Yes?" she asked curiously.
Bowser's tongue grew heavy in this mouth as he strove to form a sentence.
I want to tell you how much I love you. How I long to hold you hand, and kiss your soft lips and I pray every night that we'll be together as a couple one day. How I dream to hold you close and hear you whisper those three little words to me. How I hope that… I'll be able to kiss your forehead, say goodnight and then sleep in the same bed together… How I wish that you'd see past my frightening appearance.
"I," he stammered then settled on a less personal topic. "Here's your crown…"
He presented the royal heirloom and Peach gasped happily. With a thank you, she adjusted the crown on her head until she was satisfied. The gems sparkled as if shining with its own light.
"Did you do the cooking, Peach?"
"Yes I did. Most people don't realize this, but I AM a good cook!"
Bowser chuckled although he was crying inside. "I never tried your cooking before, but I bet it's delicious."
"Well just try it and tell me what you think," she encouraged. "Come on, before Toad eats the whole cake."
llllllllllllllllllllllllllll
"Lord Forgeron," a robotic servant reported, its spider-like fingers clicking nervously. "We have located another Star Piece."
"Good. Have any machines been dispatched to recover it?"
"I – no. You see…" it paused. "They're too scared to get it my Lord –"
A large roar erupted from Forgeron, as blue lightning crackled and struck the miserable flunky. It screeched, metallic limbs flailing wildly, its pain sensors overloaded. Forgeron deceased in his punishment, leaving the robot to lay on the floor in a crumpled heap. He then extended his right arm from under his robe, revealing a steel casing and wires intertwined into his gangrenous limb. On his forearm rested a small pad with various buttons: the control centre of all his creations, including the robot before him.
"I can easily shut you down," he threatened. "Send Mario to do the job if you want to continue to function."
The servant leaked oily drops, but left as quickly as its damaged parts would allow.
The wicked Lord turned and gazed at the two Star Pieces hovering idly. He remembered his first attempt to subjugate the world. His most powerful and trusted creation had betrayed him, stole his aircraft and escaped with his army. Smithy had gotten away, but now Forgeron designed a special device to prevent any rebellion.
All I have to worry about is that Koopa's pitiful army. The mind-controlling spell can't last much longer without the power of the Star Road. I better gather all the Pieces fast. However I still have full power over Mario – he will surely succeed in his task.
