Thanks for reading my new chapter! I hope you enjoy it, and as always I'm open to constructive criticism. Also, the Shadow Caverns aren't a real Mario area, I created them for this story. Once again, thanks for reading!

_

Peach started her tennis practice, but as she bounced the ball back and forth, to and fro, she kept on thinking about her odd dream. She tried to focus on the ball, on Mario and Luigi, on anything else, but to no avail. What did it mean?! She thought to herself. The image of the darker Peach flashed in her mind, and she tried to figure out who it could have been. Cackletta? No, her soul was defeated by Mario and Luigi and sealed in the Beanbean Kingdom. The Shroobs? Some had been frozen in Bowser's Castle, but as far as she knew, they couldn't impersonate or possess. Fawful was destroyed in a last ditch attempt to destroy the Bros, so he couldn't have been it. She couldn't figure out who it was. It could have just been a nightmare, but something felt... odd. She felt like something was messing with her head, but she couldn't figure out what. "You're just tired, that's all..." the other voice spoke in her head. "Just take another rest... It'll do some good..." the voice told her.

"Yes... I just need a rest..." Peach convinced herself. "Just a little nap..." she said, walking back inside the castle walls to her room.

"Ho ho! Ending early today, are we Princess?" Toadsworth chuckled.

"Yes. I'm just feeling tired, that's all." She told the brown Toad.

"Okay then, I do hope you have a good rest." He told her.

"Thanks you, Toadsworth." She replied, curtseying to him. She wandered down the corridors to her room, and she finally arrived. She slipped of her ruby heels, and lay down in bed. She dosed off, but a few minutes later woke up again. She lay alone with her thoughts, and decided to visit the attic again. She entered this time, without being disturbed by devious shadows. She flicked the light switch, but before the lights came on, they flashed a bright white. When the light faded, she saw herself standing before her again, but with her usual pink dress. She had a ring on her gloved hand, however, and looked happier than ever.

"Hey there, Peach." she said calmly. "I'm here to tell you about some great power you possess..." this other Peach told her.

"Great power? Me?" Peach asked herself.

"Indeed. It is powerful magic that can be used to defeat Bowser permanently, and you can finally live happily ever after with Mario." she explained.

"That sounds lovely!" Peach exclaimed.

"It truly is... And all you have to do to gain this power is listen to the voice in your head..." she explained as the world began spinning again. "Just listen to the voice in your head... Listen to the voice in your head... Listen to the voice in your head..." Peach heard over and over as she woke up again. So I did fall asleep! She thought. And I can live happily ever after, as long as I listen to this wonderful voice...

"Yessss..." the voice spoke. "Just listen to me... You can live a happy life..." the voice spoke in a slightly more sinister fashion. What do I do first? Peach thought to herself. "First... We need the fabled Dark Star..." the voice replied, much to Peach's surprise. Are you sure? That thing is pretty dangerous... Peach spoke to the voice. "Yes... It is the only way..." the voice assured her. It doesn't matter anyway... It was destroyed by Fawful years ago... Peach explained. "The Dark Star can never truly be destroyed... Merely temporarily halted..." the voice told. "It reforms afterwards in the Shadow Caverns..." the voice spoke. Where are these Shadow Caverns? asked Peach. "Underneath Little Fungitown..." the voice explained. "Now get changed, and let's get going..." Peach obliged, and put on a dark pink explorer outfit that she could've sworn wasn't there earlier. I should tell Toadsworth where I'm going... Peach thought, reaching for the door. "You shouldn't... He's too controlling to let you leave on your own... And he definitely wouldn't let you awaken the Dark Star..." the voice commanded Peach. Good point... thought Peach, as she slipped through the window and set off for the Shadow Caverns, armed with only herself and a mysterious voice...