The morning sun rose, bringing the dawn of the battle day with it. I was sure I had gotten enough practice with my bow to even go out onto the battlefield, but Mario had told me that people from his world say 'not to jinx it', which means if you say or do something and then say it will work, chances are the opposite of what you said will happen. So I shall not speak of my training anymore. And I could only hope that everyone else got enough training as well.
I was rather surprised to see Luigi in near perfect health when I arrived after seeing Mama the second time, despite having a glass shard wedged into his head. Apparently Bowser asked Kamek to perform a spell after endless begging from Mario. He healed the wound but there's a massive (and I mean massive) scar on his head. I wonder how he's going to explain that to people.
Dark storm clouds flickered and flashed with sparks of lightning as they started to settle in the skies, covering the sun. The sky was now an eerie purple, and only a few rays of sunshine could be seen. I could see my reflection on the window: I was sleep deprived. They told me to go to sleep early so I'd have more energy, but there were so many thoughts refraining me from slumber that I didn't even try to go to sleep.
Bowser had a set of armour specially made for everyone, he told me mine was in the wardrobe. I opened the doors to the closet and found one of my old dresses, but slightly modified: the long, puffy bottom had been replaced with a mid-length skirt, and had chain mail slung over the top of it. My top was now a metal chest piece with my locket attached to the middle, and there was an eyepatch for my blind eye too. I had to give it to Bowser, his men knew how to make an outfit.
My bow and quiver was resting against the wall in front of the door. As soon as I had everything on I slung the quiver, grabbed my bow and opened the door. A pair of leather boots was waiting for me on the other side. Doubtful that I was going to ruin them with my sweat I slipped them on and ran down the stairs. Everyone was standing by the doors to the castle, while Bowser watched the outside, awaiting Puruto's attack.
Barely any sunlight was visible now, it was only a matter of time until the whole sky would turn purple.
"Are there any signs for Puruto?" I asked while peering through the window. The surroundings turned darker and darker by the minute.
"The skies keep darkening, I'll bet my hat that when the light disappears he'll come," Mario concluded. He gripped his sword tightly.
"Yeah, then we'll beat the shit outta him!" Daisy said with a smile. Her eyes were fixed onto the horizon for any movement.
"Why do we even want him to come?" Luigi asked. This conversation just kept on giving, didn't it?
The last ray of sunlight disappeared. Bowser pulled out a pocket watch and read the time.
"10:00 a.m, sharp," He said. A rumbling was heard on the horizon, and soon the ground started to shake with Puruto's arrival.
"MEN, READY YOURSELVES!" Bowser shouted. Daisy busted the door open, and we all rushed out.
Puruto was riding atop a large lion-like beast, with tentacles for a mane and black, slimy fur. It had large purple wings and a scorpion tail instead of a usual lion tale. A manticore. But... Worse.
He was surrounded by... Toads. Toads corrupted with his sick goo. Toads with their mouths frothing with evil. My people. Turned to monsters. Daisy's people too.
I stared at Puruto dead in the eyes. He grinned, and laughed. Then his manticore quickly sped up, going from a slow walk to a run in a matter of seconds. His warriors started to speed up along with him, rushing across the hills at a phenomenal speed.
A flurry of Koopas and Goombas and all manner of Bowser's henchmen ran out of the castle, running out onto the battlefield, their spears and swords in hand.
"Tell us when to go Peach, we'll follow you," Mario said. I smiled at him, for that was all I could do in the adrenaline of the moment. I felt low blood pressure sink in, making my eye go crazy and my head funky. This was happening. Did I have enough training? Puruto was inching closer to me, keeping that smug grin on his face at all times.
"Never fear, my child," I heard Mama say. It was strange: I couldn't tell if it was in my head or not. Well, the past couple of months I have felt like I've been on the brink of losing my sanity. "I'm sorry, for all of this,"
I tried to hold back my tears. I wish Mama were there, to hold my hand. As childish as it may seem, there are times in life where you need someone to hold your hand through it all; 'twas a shame I didn't have many people who could hold my hand with the same sentimentality as a mother to her child, or any other close relationship.
But, in the face of evil, I had to grow up, and be strong, for I could never show signs of weakness to an enemy (I learnt that lesson over days and days locked up in a room)
I lifted my arm up into the sky, with my bow in hand, and they all rushed out. My breathing became faster by the second, and I rushed out onto the battlefield.
Puruto was so close now, and his troops had already started to fight Bowser's. There was blood splattered all over the ground the further I ran. Dead bodies were strewn about carelessly, like toys in a small child's room. Some had their own swords and spears embedded deep into their chests; others had their insides clawed out as if by cats. Could the Toads even think of doing this? The thought sickened me to the heart.
Toads and Sarasans spewed forth, attacking Daisy and Bowser. I ran ahead and was nearly attacked by a horribly mutated looking Toad. It gargled with all of the froth in its mouth. I saw corruption and evil, yet I didn't have the heart to kill it. Who knows, he could've been Gerald Toadsman from number 10, past the shops. He could've been Dr Toadley for all I know.
Nevertheless, I pulled an arrow out of my quiver and shot it at point blank range. The Toad suddenly puffed up and exploded, spewing forth some sort of goop. Puruto's burning acid he used to literally melt my eyeball. Some of the goop got on me and I could feel some of my flesh burning slightly, but I kept running.
Three more Toads ran to me mindlessly, so I readied three more arrows. I let go of my bowstring and the arrows hit the Toads straight in the head, making them explode in a supernova of yuck. Lucky I didn't jinx my training, otherwise I wouldn't have made that shot.
Daisy booted a Toad and sliced one in half, making its disgusting gooey insides spilling out. I shot one that was creeping up behind her. The slime spilt everywhere on the grass. I could hear the ground sizzle a little over the sickly sounds of fighting. Daisy turned around and smiled at me, then she turned to Puruto.
All this time, Puruto never moved a muscle. He just watched and waited, with that smirk on his face (I felt like going up there myself and wiping it off myself).
"We need to get up there somehow!" Daisy shouted to me. The wind started to howl and lightning lashed at the ground. I used my arm to shield the gale.
I nodded to her, then jolted my head to the right as if to signify to run.
"Get rid of the primary soldiers first," I called out. Daisy propelled me into the air, and I shot two Toads. Daisy shielded herself from the gooey explosion, then sliced four Toads in a row. Gymnastics really payed off, I see.
I fell and rolled onto the ground. Daisy stabbed a Sarasan, and let its purple blood spill from the blade. I nearly gagged at the sight, though I managed to compose myself.
"Then we can make our way up to Puruto, if someone is willing to fight the secondary resistance,"
"I will," We turned around to face the voice. Bowser pulled his axe out of a Toad and balanced the weapon on his shoulder. "If I stay and fight, it'll give you two, as well as those two," he pointed at Mario and Luigi, both swinging their swords aimlessly, occasionally hitting a Toad.
"A chance to at least weaken Puruto, then I'll go up and help,"
A Sarasan jumped up and tried to kill us from above. Bowser swung his axe and it was sliced perfectly in half.
"Then he'll be weak in terms of numbers, so he'll be easier to finish," Daisy said.
"Get rid of most of the primaries, then we head up the hill," I concluded. The two nodded in agreement, and with that the plan was in action.
Puruto's frown was slowly disappearing off of his face, as he saw his army's numbers get smaller, and smaller. Daisy and I worked our way through the crowd of Toads, kicking through the air, black acid sizzling and burning through our flesh.
Hours had passed, and it seemed like this battle was never going to end. I pulled a goop-covered arrow from a Sarasan, and shot it at another. Of course, I had seen dead bodies, but in that quantity, it was traumatising. And they were my own people too. At times I did feel guilty, with all of this killing, but it was what had to be done in order to... Win? I was unsure of how to answer the reason for fighting. Oh, dear old delicate me, thinking violence is never the answer! Though I chose to agree to disagree.
The howling gale never ceased, but at least a good chunk of Puruto's primary army had been killed (I do hate to say such a word, especially if I'm talking about mine and Daisy's people; but what other word could be used?) I saw Mario off in the distance, stabbing at the heads of Toads and Sarasans.
"Hey!" I called out, waving my hand. He looked my way, clearing off the slime from his arms. I pointed to the hill, where Puruto and his beast sat overlooking the blood bath. He gave a thumbs up, then ran to me.
"Where's Luigi?" I asked.
"I think... He's back inside..." He replied.
"Well, he can come out in a bit,"
I looked over to Bowser's Castle. Luigi was at the window, covered in cuts and scared to death. I would say I pitied him, but ever since I lost my throne to that scumbag Puruto, I can only say that I feel empathy towards him. And I really do not mean to seem snotty by saying that I would pity someone.
Daisy stood at the foot of the hill, staring at Puruto and his mount. Mario and I caught up to her.
"You ready?" Daisy asked.
"Well, it's life or death, but I'm ready," I replied.
"You know, I've always admired you, Peach, and you're pretty cool," Daisy confessed.
"And you are so care free and relaxed, it scares me sometimes," I said.
We started to walk up the hill, kicking as many Toads off the hill and avoiding the large splotches of Puruto-goop. Mario reached the top first, then me, and then Daisy. Puruto was staring at us, grinning with his fangs. He laughed (stars, is he a professional laugher, of that is a thing?) He started to applaud us.
"Oh, well done, Princess," He said. "You're better with a bow than I thought, it's a real shame I have to kill you,"
Puruto's mount bared it's teeth and snarled.
"Why was he the only smart one of all your family?" Puruto uttered under his breath.
"What do you mean?" I asked, but he only laughed again.
"Enough questions, girl, I have a kingdom to take over," Puruto jumped off the manticore and shot acid toward us while in the air. Some acid caught my hair, eroding quite a large section of my locks. Daisy avoided the acid, and jumped up to Puruto, scimitar in hand.
Puruto landed on the ground, and Daisy came down shortly after; she dug her scimitar into his shoulder. A deep purple spilled out of the cut, and he gripped it in agony. But Daisy was just swatted out of the air with a tentacle with a hit that broke a couple of her ribs, and she fell to the ground, with barely any life left in her.
Instincts told me to run to her, but Puruto just blocked the way and I was forced to stay and fight. I readied an arrow, and shot it at his head. Puruto evaded my attack, but Mario swung his sword and cut into a tentacle. Seeing an opening I ran to Daisy.
I dropped on my knees and rested Daisy's head on my lap. I looked towards Mario, who continued to fight Puruto surprisingly well, actually. He must've got the hang of the sword fighting quickly.
"Hey!" I said to her. Daisy opened her eyes slightly.
"Peach..." She muttered weakly. "Peach..."
"Yes?"
"Get me the hell off you,"
"Oh," I was taken aback by her statement, but I complied. Daisy started to laugh hoarsely, then she coughed.
"I'm kidding, jeez," She joked.
There was a thump in the distance. I looked over to Puruto, where he was on his mount staring at an unconscious Mario. I caught eye contact with the manticore. It snarled and pawed at the ground. Puruto turned to me and smiled. He leapt off his mount and landed in front of me, black goop and smoke oozing off his palm. He stared down at me. Clever; he had just assumed his dominance just by standing over me as I knelt down. I was forced to look up at him.
"To think that your legacy will end very shortly," He said to me. "It was almost as short as your Mother's"
I flinched slightly at the sound of Mama being brought up in this conversation.
"You have no right to speak about my Mother that way, you bastard," I mumbled. My choice of words could have costed my life if I had said it out loud.
"What did you say?" Puruto mocked. He put his hand to his ear and pushed it forward to hear better. His eyes squinted with joy and his smile creapt from ear to ear.
I couldn't hold back anymore; anger filled my entire body from head to toe. I stood up, though I wasn't nearly as tall as the towering Puruto.
"I said you have no right to speak about my Mother that way!" I shouted.
I picked my bow up off the floor and pulled an arrow. Point blank range; I was sure to hit. But Puruto grabbed me by the neck with one of his tentacles. His grip tightened the more I struggled, and eventually I stopped. I could feel my breath being pulled out of me, like a towel being wrung of the wet. What was left of my vision went fuzzy, and I was slipping out of consciousness.
Over the constant ringing in my ears, I heard Puruto say something:
"Melody was weak, your whole family was weak! They had told me that you were different, but now I can see that you are just like your dear mother: a coward!"
"I... T... Told you... Don't... Talk about... Her..." I was gasping for a breath of air. My nostrils stung with the stench of poison and rot.
"Adn what are you going to do about it?" He started to shake his tentacle, but my body just remained limp and numb. It flopped as he shook me. "You're only a shell, no power, no life!" Puruto cackled. He clenched his right fist and opened it suddenly, revealing black smoke and some sort of dark magic. He stroked my pale face with the hand. I heard a sizzling sound, like my skin was being cooked on a grill. My cheek was burning. I winced at the pain.
I saw him move his left arm behind him. Mario started to levitate and move as Puruto's left hand did. He gripped his hand. Mario shot back to life, but only cried in agony. Puruto had shocked him.
"No!" I screamed with what was left of my energy.
"You know what? It would be more fun if I made you watch him die!" He replied, while clenching his fist again. Mario cried out again.
"Stop it!" I choked, holding back tears. Mario was shocked again. Puruto came close to my face.
"Say it again. I dare you," He whispered. Despite my forever tightening throat, I felt sudden immense power. It filled my entire body, head to toe. My eyes slammed shut at the feeling of this.
"I said LET HIM GO!" I screamed.
I grabbed the tentacle and pulled it away from my neck. Blue energy surrounded my entire self. My eyes rolled to the back of my head until all you could probably see was white. My veins coursed with a power so massive I could hardly take it.
I saw Puruto being flung to the ground as the bubble expanded swiftly. The immense force caused the fighting below to stop. All of the enemies had exploded in a mass of goop, and Puruto lay half dead on the ground. The bubble disappeared and I fell to the ground, my veins no longer coursing with power, my eyes no longer at the back of my head.
All the while I had never seen Bowser and Luigi attacking the mount behind Puruto. Bowser stood on it with one foot like a trophy, with his axe embedded in its forehead. Luigi was pulling Mario off to the side. Daisy had recovered slightly, and she limped over to me.
"What the hell was that?" She asked.
"I... Have no idea..." I replied, quaking. My hands were shaking violently. Bowser, once he had seen that the manticore truly was dead, walked over to Puruto.
"Fool... Do you know... How hard it is... To breed a... Manticore?" He gasped.
"Yeah, and do you know how hard it is to get more troops?" He replied, mocking his tone. Puruto got on his knees and looked over to me, who was being helped up by Daisy.
"You may have won this battle, fool," He coughed. "But destiny has never lied to me, I will kill you!"
Black magic appeared in his hands, and he chucked it to one side. It formed a purple and black portal, leading to who-knows-where. Bowser tried to grab him, but the portal was already gone, and Puruto had disappeared into it.
I smiled slightly. Training had paid off, I see. We had won this battle. I hugged Daisy, and Bowser fell to the ground exhausted. I noticed something on the ground. A single blossom petal. Strange; how did it end up here? I picked it up and looked to the sky. More blossoms came raining down over us, swiftly and quietly like snow. I looked to my locket.
"Thank you Mama," I whispered. The little petals were from my Mother's trees. They coated the ground with a thin layer of pink. I looked over to Mario, now recovering from the recent events. He looked towards me and smiled. I smiled back at him. And somehow, I could feel Mama smile too.
Author's Note: And its done! I'm quite happy with how this chapter worked out, and I know there are some loose ends that I need to tie up, but I'm sure those could be finished in the later chapters. And the lore might get a bit thicker and more interesting later. Anyway (you know what's coming), thank you so much for reading, it means a lot; really, you people reading this makes me write more chapters. So I hope you have and will enjoy!
:)