Chapter Seventeen

Peach avidly watched the road as she drove and Bowser kept a sharp eye on the map. She was getting impatient and he was starting to get restless.

"According to the map, we should turn left but there is no road," Bowser stated with frustration. Peach took the map and studied it carefully.

"I have an idea," she said, getting off the Kart to walk across the road. As she walked forward, she started to dance around with her arms lifted above her head. Bowser watched her quizzically until a cloud with a question mark appeared just above her head.

"Well, well…" Bowser growled as he got off the Kart to take a closer look.

"I don't have anything to hit it with…" Peach said. "Bowser, could you maybe burn it or something, please?" With a small nod, he merely poked it with his index claw.

*pop*

A long road appeared in front of them.

"You know, Princess, your urgent business is starting to look a little more dangerous. Sure you don't want to tell me what's going on?" Bowser asked thoughtfully.

"Huh? No, this is probably just a prank for tourists or something," Peach said flippantly as she got behind the wheel of the Koopa King Kart.

"Yeah, uhuh. Totally buying it. Next time, at least tell me something more believable like, 'Ganondorf dyes his hair' or 'Luigi takes ballet lessons'," Bowser remarked dryly.

"You can believe what you want but…" Peach began to reason.

"Peach, you and me both know that only formidable magic users, like my myself, can hide a road this size with a puny little question mark cloud."

"As I said, believe what you want," she stated as she drove down the newly discovered road. Of all of the people she had to get stuck with on this journey, it had to be Bowser... The one person that should be as far away from her and Kamella as possible. He also happened to be one of the nosiest people she knew. "As soon as we make it to Sarasaland Castle he needs to go home. The more he knows, the harder my job will be to keep him out of this."

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A few more question mark clouds hid their route, but within three hours later the Sarasaland Castle was finally in sight.

"Alright, Princess. I think we are close enough," Bowser stated with satisfaction as Sarasaland's main transportation service came into view.

Peach looked back at him in confusion, "What do you mean? My business is inside the castle."

"Exactly. Your business is in the castle and I have enough meetings of my own. Besides, I hear the princess of Sarasaland isn't exactly fond of me. I'm affiliated with an incredibly sexy man that keeps running off with her unbelievably attractive cousin," Bowser winked at her and grinned. "Oh, and you can keep the Kart." Before she could answer, he jumped off of the Kart and landed on all fours, claws creating sparks on the stone road.

The princess looked in the rearview mirrors to see him stand up and wave at her before the buildings hid him from view. He had really let her go. Not only that, he helped her leave.

"Daisy, I hope you're ready to talk because I've got more than enough to tell you."

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The Sarasaland Castle was unusually tranquil when Princess Peach began walking up the steps to the front door. She was back! It had been so long since she had been able to visit her beloved cousin! She knocked, took a breath, and stood proudly. The doors opened and a shaky little Toad servant came to the door. "P-p-princess Peach… It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Toadington and it is my honor to serve you. W-what is it that brings you here?" he stuttered nervously.

"I am here to meet with Princess Daisy," Peach answered politely.

"Ahhh… W-well I am sorry to say that she isn't home. She left on official b-business today," Toadington stated.

"Daisy didn't tell me she was leaving…" Peach said with a hint of suspicion.

"I'm s-sorry but she will be gone for the whole week," Toadington answered.

"I guess it can't be helped. Could I at least come in and write her a letter?" she asked with a polite smile.

"Uhhhh... Yes! We will get you a paper and pen right away!" he stated, opening the door for her and seating her in the guest lounge. "Would you like a cup of tea, your Highness?"

"Why yes. That would be lovely," she answered happily.

The Toadington crossed the room and gave her order to a maid who left in a hurry. Peach knew something was wrong. The servants were far too nervous and they were obviously trying to keep her as far away from Daisy's room as possible.

Within the next few minutes, Peach was given tea and multiple selections of writing utensils. Even though his job was technically done, Toadington didn't leave the room.

"Thank you for your service," Peach said as she stood up and moved to leave the room.

"Oh uh, I can take the letter. I will make sure to put it in the priority mail for when Daisy comes back," Toadington stated.

"Oh, you are too kind, but I can take it myself," Peach answered casually as she slipped out the door and made her way to the other side of the castle and up the stairs.

"N-n-no, I insist! I am going there anyway," the servant insisted in a more desperate tone.

Peach dropped the letter by Toadington's feet and bent down to pick it up. "Is Daisy safe?" she whispered to him.

The Toad's face paled a little but he nodded slightly as she stood back up. "It really isn't hard for me to take the letter to my cousin's room. Don't worry, I will be right back." Toadington tried to stop her but she began rushing up the stairs in spite of his protests.

Peach couldn't waste any more time. Even though Toadington had told her Daisy was safe, she wanted to check if Daisy had really left. Maybe she was still here somewhere! Daisy could be in real trouble and she refused to let what happened to Mario happen to someone else.

Finally coming to Daisy's door, Peach carefully put her ear to the door and knocked. There was no sound or movement. Quietly, Peach turned the doorknob and opened the door slowly. No one was there and the room looked clean. "Maybe she really did leave," Peach muttered to herself. Just to make sure, she dialed Daisy's number and looked through her wardrobe.

The phone continued to ring until it reached voicemail. There were about five of Daisy's favorite outfits missing and her makeup wasn't in any of the places she usually put them. All signs led to Daisy being gone but Peach called her cell phone one more time just for good measure. The call still went to voicemail and she had no other option but to take Toadington's word

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Bowser stood at the front doors of the Sarasaland's Warp Pipe Station. Everything in him screamed to go back, take Peach with him, and keep her safe in the Dark Lands, but he had given her the freedom to come and go as she pleased. Going back on his word would only prove that he really was the coward she saw him as.

"You are nothing but a bully and a coward who takes advantage of others so he can reach for something that he never had any hope of getting…"

"No. I will let her go and show her I am different," Bowser grumbled as he stood in line. Every Goomba and his mother were here but Bowser didn't cut in line or push people aside. Instead, he dutifully waited his turn until he stood in front of the warp pipe that was labeled "Dark Lands". He walked up to the warp pipe and looked around one more time, just in case a blonde in a pink dress had shown up. Seeing no sign of his princess, he jumped in.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Princess Peach had reached a dead end. Daisy and Luigi were gone and her long journey to Sarasaland had proven useless. She was sure Kamella had misled her and Bowser because there was something she didn't want Peach to find. Or maybe she was just buying time until she could cover something up. Either way, Kamella kept her away for a reason and now Peach was leaving Sarasaland castle empty-handed.

As she was about to walk out of the front doors of the castle, she looked back at Toadington and asked, "Where did you say Daisy left for again?"

He brought his gloomy eyes up to hers and answered, "I didn't say," he said, obviously holding something back.

Peach knew the chances of him telling her where Daisy was were slim, so she ignored his secrecy. "Thank you, Toadington," Peach said meaningfully. "It worried me when Daisy didn't tell me that she left and I acted impulsively. I know you have a duty to the crown and you all do your best to protect it. You have always kept Daisy safe. Please forgive me for acting rudely and dragging you around the castle as I did." She put her hand on the Toad's shoulder and smiled apologetically.

"Don't worry too much. It's not my place to complain or to do anything other than what I am asked to do by our Princess. I do, however, regret that I could not help you further. I know how much you care for our Princess Daisy and we couldn't be more grateful, but I can assure you that Daisy and Luigi are safe… We would never allow any harm to befall them within these walls," Toadington told her, waving his hand dismissively.

On the back of his hand was written, "Pauline."

Peach locked eyes with him and he gave her a small smile. She had gotten his message and, with a nod, she stepped beyond the Sarasaland doors. As she made her way back to the Koopa King Kart, Toadington sighed and closed the doors as he rubbed his hands together nervously.

"You know you're going to pay for that," a menacing voice said behind him.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Toadington stated defiantly, turning around to look at the purple Magikoopa.

"We would never allow anything to befall them within these walls," Kamella mocked, as she walked closer to him. "I am not an idiot. I know what 'dropping a hint' looks like and you didn't do it very subtly."

"Yes well, the Princess left the castle. Isn't that what you wanted?" he defended.

"There are a lot of things a woman wants, like respect and… obedience," Kamella stated. "But maybe if I make an example of you, I can get a little of both," an evil grin made its way across her face as she spoke. Kamella raised her wand with a cackle and before Toadington could run, his world went black. The last sound he heard was Princess Daisy's voice calling his name.

Kamella laughed as she turned to Daisy who ran out behind the corner.

"Murder! Why?! Peach is gone and we didn't tell her anything! We did everything you asked!" Daisy screamed furiously. Luigi stood next to her and pulled her back as she tried to go after the Magikoopa.

"I would suggest that you calm down, your Majesty. After all, I am pretty sure he is just as expendable as your little errand boy," Kamella threatened as she pointed her wand at Luigi.

Daisy balled her fists and glared at Kamella but kept her mouth shut.

"Good girl. Now… if I hear that you contact or even so much as breathe in Princess Peach's direction, your little lover boy will lose his life. Capisce?" Kamella explained calmly.

Clenching her teeth, Daisy hung her head but glanced at Luigi and nodded her agreement.

"Great! Also, make sure no one else finds out about this when they all wake up from my spell. I'm sure you don't want to have to replace more than one servant." Kamella laughed as she waved her wand and disappeared along with Toadington's body.

"Granted, Peach left the castle, but knowledge is power and I want her to have as little of it as possible," Kamella thought to herself as she rode off on her broom.

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Outside the Sarasaland Castle

Peach knew that Daisy and Luigi were still in the castle but she trusted Toadington when he said they were safe. She knew that Kamella had something to do with their disappearance but she also knew that she wouldn't harm either of them. Daisy was the Princess of Sarasaland and Luigi was her love interest. Hurting them would only create bigger problems for Kamella in the long run. If anything, Daisy and Luigi were in more danger while she was there. The more she pressed for information, the more Kamella would push back against her.

Praying to the stars that she was right, Peach left the Sarasaland Castle and headed for the Sarasaland Hotel. The Mushroom Kingdom would have to wait.