Note: Your questions will be answered soon-ish. :3 :3

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Once it had been confirmed that Prince Pine had left the Mushroom Castle, the guests returned to their activities. Some continued to dance, others huddled around the chocolate fountain, and the rest either sat in their chairs or formed a line to speak with Princess Peach. Unsurprisingly, most of the line was composed of former League of Investors.

Bowser snorted, "Of course, the old wisp would be the first in line to see her." Kamek heard Bowser's comment and turned to look in the same direction. At the very front of the line, King Boo. The princess smiled at him politely and giggled at something he said.

"Hmmm… I am surprised you weren't the first one to see her. It has been a rather long time since you have seen her in person," Kamek stated impishly.

"It has only been a few months… Besides, Peach doesn't want to see me. You of all people should know that," Bowser answered frankly.

"Should I? Why would she send you an invitation if she didn't want to see you?" Kamek asked.

"It was only to show that our kingdoms are on good standings with each other. A political move and nothing more," Bowser said sourly. "Shouldn't you be fulfilling my commands? I thought you would be delighted to have a test subject to torture." The old Magikoopa only smiled and continued to tap his toe to the music.

"Well, at least someone is enjoying this shitty party," Bowser thought to himself and sulked away towards the chocolate fountain. His sour expression changed to surprised confusion when the guests around the fountain rushed to meet him. Each one was eager to meet him.

The initial surprise began to wear off quickly, however. Each of the guests seemed to have a million questions for him, some of which were rather personal or just plain stupid. As much as Bowser loved answering questions about himself, half of them were also about his relationship with Princess Peach. Had she shown any interest in him lately? Have they been in touch with each other a lot? If he wasn't kidnapping Peach anymore, would he switch to kidnapping Daisy? Would you expect Mario or Luigi to save her?

After a half hour, Bowser groaned and pushed past the crowd. He took a large fruit bowl and held it under the chocolate fountain until the chocolate was running down the sides of the bowl. Leaning his head back, he opened his jaw wide and stuffed the whole bowl in his mouth. Once he had sealed his mouth shut, he pulled his claw and the empty bowl out of his mouth with a loud *pop*. Setting the pristine bowl back on the table, Bowser walked away from the stunned guests and made his way to the farthest table he could find.

"King Bowser?" a small high-pitched voice called. Bowser gave out a long irritated sigh.

"What?" Bowser grunted as he turned to look at the little pink-capped Toad.

"I am T-toadette…" the little Toad stammered nervously.

"Ah, yes... You are the Princess's new personal advisor. Have you come to ask me to leave?" Bowser smirked.

"Huh? No! I would never… The Princess wanted me to bring you to the front of the room so she can make an announcement. Follow me, please!" Toadette asked with a tentative smile and motioned for him to walk with her. Bowser followed uncomfortably as they weaved through the room full of guests. When they were halfway to the front of the room, he noticed Peach waiting for them beside the throne. She gave him a reassuring smile and waved to him. Bowser quickened his pace without thinking as the Princess beckoned him forward silently.

"Bowser, it is good to see you," Peach said with a hint of excitement in her eyes.

"I bet it is," Bowser answered with a grin. Peach rolled her eyes at him and turned towards the crowded room. Just after the last dance selection came to an end, she took her glass and tapped it to capture the room's attention.

"My friends, the night is drawing to a close and I thank you for traveling from far and wide to come to this special occasion," Peach stated with a genuine smile. "I may not have been able to meet with each of you personally, but it has been my pleasure to gather with you in this hall and celebrate more than just my recovery but also the Mushroom Kingdom's recent friendship with the Dark Lands. Though I hate to impose myself on you, I beg that you tarry here only a few moments longer. I would also ask that the Entrance Hall be opened to the public so they may also to become a part of history with us."

Bowser watched in surprise as the servants of the castle opened the doors and allowed the newscasters and the public in. The guests were shocked, but they each stood where they were, waiting for the princess to speak further.

"As you all know, I owe my life to King Bowser Koopa of the Dark Lands," Peach continued as the last of the reporters trailed into the room. Bowser shifted his head uneasily but he remained silent. "He proved to be trustworthy when I was in need and he has continued to prove himself trustworthy as a ruler. Because of him, our kingdoms will finally have the chance to coexisted in peace, but our union has not been made official and won't be made official… until the preceding month when a Peace Conference will be held between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Dark Lands!" Bowser's mouth fell open and the audience erupted.

Bowser's thoughts halted to a stop. Peach looked back at him with a grin and turned back to the audience.

"Both the Dark Lands and the Mushroom Kingdom Councils have been working day and night to form a Peace Treaty so that we can further unite ourselves, no longer allowing the past to hold us in contempt with one another," the princess continued. Bowser couldn't believe what he was hearing, but he smiled for the press and shot glares at Kamek whenever he got the chance.

After the closing speech, Peach whispered, "Come with me, Bowser." The stunned Koopa King didn't reply, but he followed her silently, leaving the astounded crowd behind. He followed her from the podium to a door that led into one of the back hallways where Kamek and Toadette stood waiting for them. As soon as the door was shut Bowser took a breath, leaned against a wall, and crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"Kamek," Bowser stated gruffly.

"Present, your Nastiness," Kamek answered.

"You created a Peace Treaty without me? The King?" Bowser asked blankly.

"Well, it is only in the works. The Treaty technically hasn't been created quite yet," Kamek explained smartly.

"I see… Princess?" the Koopa King asked.

"Also present," Peach answered with a smile.

"You were in cahoots with this dingbat?" Bowser inquired.

"The Princess may have been aware that a Treat was being formed, but I was the one that strung it all together," Toadette stated before Peach could answer.

"Makes sense," Bowser answered musingly. He turned his head to Peach and sighed. "Then I guess I have no choice… but to accept. Gwa ha ha!"

Peach grinned and grabbed Toadette's hands excitedly. They both giggled excitedly.

"Now the only person we need to agree is Mario," Peach said happily.

"Eh, he will. Either that or his sewer lines will break apart every night of his honeymoon," Bowser chuckled.

"Hahaaa! I really want to agree to it now!" Mario exclaimed as he appeared from around the corner. He was sporting a shiny navy blue suit with a white and red shirt.

"Mario! You did come!" Peach exclaimed excitedly. Mario bowed with a grin and waved Pauline to come around the corner.

"Hey, Peach! Sorry for coming so late. My performance went on longer than I originally intended," Pauline apologized with a curtsy. She was wearing a scarlet red suit with a navy blue Panama hat.

"No worries, I am just glad you could make it," Peach grinned.

"Quite a statement you made up there. Congratulations on this step forward in your relationship!" Pauline said and Mario nodded in agreement. "It is good to hear that you and Bowser are getting along so well. Maybe we should have a double date after the Treaty is signed! That would be fun!"

"Huh?" Peach stated, a little surprised. Peach and Bowser glanced at each other and then looked away with embarrassed looks on their faces. "Ummm I will be busy hosting the ball after the signing to celebrate… Maybe we could all just meet later..."

"Yeah… Dating has never really been my thing anyhow…" Bowser agreed nervously, shuffling his feet. Mario furrowed his eyebrows a little and looked at Pauline who shrugged slightly in response.

"Well, then I guess we could all dance together at the ball! Anyhow, I am going to grab a chocolate covered strawberry before they put everything back," Pauline said, trying to bring back the lighthearted mood she had accidentally smothered.

"I'll go with you! ... That is, if you don't need me anymore, Princess," Toadette asked with a sheepish smile.

"The rest of the night is yours, Toadette. I can take care of everything else from here," Peach answered kindly. Toadette grinned and skipped off with Pauline towards the main hall.

"Sire, I will go tell Willard to start the ship," Kamek stated dutifully and in a blink of an eye, he was gone.

There was a long moment of silence after the others left.

"Just the three of us again, huh?" Bowser chuckled, a feeling of nostalgia beginning to form in the room.

"Guess so," Mario stated, rubbing his index finger under his nose thoughtfully.

"Who would have thought we would all be in the same room without a reason to fight?" Peach said, shaking her head a little.

"Yeah, well we would never have had to fight if Mario would have left me alone," Bowser grinned deviously.

"Someone like you should never be left alone," Mario answered.

"Why? Because I am wickedly handsome?" Bowser exclaimed with pride.

"That and you never have any good ideas," Mario smiled.

"Well, I can't get mad when you agreed to the most important part," the king rumbled smugly.

"…While you both flirt with each other, I am going to…" Peach began but Mario stepped in.

"Don't worry, Peach," Mario said with a wink. "I won't keep him any longer. Pauline and I will be at the Peace Conference. Goodnight."

"T-thank you, Mario... Goodnight!" Peach blushed slightly and waved as Mario left to find Pauline.

"I should get going too…" Bowser stated as he awkwardly scratched his head. "Thank you, Princess Toadstool. You won't regret putting trust in me and my kingdom." Peach looked up at him with a bashful smile, but there was something sad in her demeanor.

"Bowser, I…" Peach started to ask but decided to let her question go. "I know I won't regret it. When you put your mind to something you always succeed." The king smiled.

"Goodnight, Princess. It has been a pleasure to see you," Bowser stated as he bowed deeply.

"Before you go… Bowser, why do you keep calling me that?" Peach asked quietly. He lifted his head to look at her with obvious confusion.

"Huh? Did I call you something offensive?"

"No. That's not what I mean," Peach stated with a little frustration in her voice. "What is my name? What do you call me?"

"...Your name is Princess Peach Toadstool…?" Bowser answered, but Peach turned around with her arms folded and shook her head. "Princess, is everything okay?"

"Damn it, Bowser. Why don't you call me by my name?" Peach said angrily, glaring at the ground as he stood behind her completely puzzled.

"I'm sorry, Princess Peach Toadstool. Is that what you want? Do you have a middle name I don't know about?" Bowser asked, searching his brain desperately. She mumbled something under her breath in response. "Huh? I'm sorry, Princess I didn't catch that."

"My name is Peach. Just Peach!" she shouted at him as she turned her head to glare at him crossly. He was stunned to see tears staining her beautiful face. She turned away to hide her tears. "I'm sorry. Tonight has been far too stressful and I took it out on you... Goodnight, King Bowser Koopa. It was, as you said, a pleasure to see you as well." She walked off and Bowser watched silently as she disappeared down the hall.

"Damn... I walked allllllll those stairs just to say 'hello' to Pinky and you run her off again!" an old wobbly voice groaned.

"Go away, old-timer. The party is over," Bowser grumbled.

"I'll say! So what are you going to do now?" Willard asked as he shuffled closer.

"I'll go home. It is clear that doing things right isn't an option for me," Bowser spat bitterly.

"Ah. So you're a candy ass too," Willard stated. Bowser began to retort, but Willard wasn't having it. "I'll have you know that Kamek has been meeting with her in secret for months. That girl fought every wishing star in the sky to prove you were worth being trusted. "

"Yeah? And what would you have me do to fix things, old-timer? Kidnap her?" Bowser raised his voice in frustration.

"Anything. Hell, you could piss green and impress her more than you did just now!" the old red-shelled Koopa chuckled sourly. Bowser only shook his head forlornly. Willard glanced up at the massive Koopa and gave a long sigh. "You know, kid... I've seen a few things in my time and a woman like her isn't one of them. Don't leave things like this." Bowser lifted his head and looked at the old Koopa. The old man had already turned around and began walking to the front of the castle.

"Kidnap her…" Bowser thought to himself. When Willard was out of sight, Bowser started walking down the hall in the direction that Peach had gone. Luckily, the Mushroom Castle wasn't nearly as confusing as his and he had been through it many times. Every door was labeled and the halls all seemed to lead back to the main hall of the castle. As he walked, he felt something soft and squishy bump against his knee.

*gasp!*

"Ah, Toadette! Nice to see you again. Wouldn't suppose you know where the princess is, do you?" Bowser asked politely, kneeling down so he didn't have to crane his neck. Toadette looked up at him with wide eyes and her face went pale.

"I… d-don't know…" Toadette stammered as his scrutinizing gaze made her knees shake.

"I need to speak with her," Bowser pushed with an intimidating smile. Toadette stood her ground and tried to stare back at him with a glare. "Hmm… You are quite gutsy for someone your age. Just tell me where Peach is or…"

"Or what? You'll make me cry?" Toadette said bluntly. Bowser grimaced slightly and she took it as a good sign. "What did you do to Peach this time?"

"Oh please," he gave a low growl. "I have no reason to explain myself to a little spit like you."

"Then I'll make sure you never find her. A brute like you doesn't deserve our princess!" Toadette shot back with all the courage she had in her little body. Bowser lifted his claw with a snarl and Toadette cringed as he laid it on her pink cap.

"I know," Bowser grumbled. Toadette's eyes went wide and she stood motionless as Bowser patted her cap, stood back up, and walked past her. He didn't care if she let the whole castle know he was trespassing. He only needed a moment to talk to Peach.

"The princess was right. He really has changed," Toadette thought to herself.

"You know she cares about you, right?" she said quietly. Bowser stopped and looked down at the little toad with surprise on his face. Toadette sighed and took hold of Bowser's claw, pulling him towards the back of the castle. "Please don't make her cry anymore," Toadette asked, looking up at Bowser with sad eyes. He nodded in silent agreement and soon both of them stood in front of the racquetball room. Toadette pulled a metal pin from her clothes and stuck the pin in the door's lock. In less than a minute the door gave a soft click and opened.

"So this is the servant Peach learned that trick from," Bowser thought to himself in amusement.

"Thank you," Bowser muttered. Toadette walked away quietly without giving him another glance. The Koopa King put his claw on the door handle and slowly pushed the door open. As soon as he looked inside he found the princess dressed in a sporty pink mini skirt and a tank top with her hair in a ponytail. Her expression was frustrated as she smashed a racquetball into the wall as hard as she could while listening to music on her surround sound speakers. (The bass was phenomenal)

Without a word, Bowser shed his tux, picked up a racquet, and took his position beside her. She only glanced at him and smacked the ball against the wall again. When it bounced off the back wall and came back again, Bowser brought his racquet forward and hit the ball. The first few returns were somewhat tentative, but as the ball stayed in play, both Bowser and Peach began to play more competitively.

Though Bowser was big and clunky, he had strength on his side. He could send the ball flying with twice the speed the princess could, but Peach was small and fast. She also had a lot of stamina, which continued to amaze Bowser as she returned every one of his plays. Peach was also impressed with his agility and strength… though she would never tell him that.

Fifteen minutes went by without either one of them scoring a point. The ball was still going and both of them only kept pushing each other harder until Bowser's racquet broke and the ball bounced a second time on his turn.

"Alright!" Peach screamed, jumping with her fist in the air.

"ARGH!" Bowser roared angrily. "Don't you dare smile! You know that doesn't count as a point!"

"Of course not, but your racquet broke because you kept scraping it against the wall. The round is technically mine," she stated simply.

"No, you ONLY win something if you get points for it! You got no points, so you didn't win anything!" Bowser argued stubbornly, watching as she began to pick up her gym bag and laid her sports gear inside.

"Well, I didn't let the ball bounce more than once, but you did because you weren't being careful," Peach said with a giggle. Bowser walked forward and handed her his broken racquet.

He snorted and grinned, "Whatever… Peach." She momentarily hesitated and then threw the gym bag over her shoulder casually. Bowser stretched out his hand to grab her before she walked out the exit door, but he shrank back at the last second.

"Peach, would you allow me to… kidnap you sometime?" he asked awkwardly. His heart dropped a little as the words came out of his mouth. There was no way in hell that anyone would say yes to such a lame invitation. His pride chipped even more when he heard her stifle a laugh.

"I would like that," Peach answered with a glance towards him as she opened the door to leave. "Goodnight, Bowser." Despite himself, he grinned as she shut the door behind her.

"Goodnight, Peach," he answered back though he knew she wouldn't hear it.

Something about that moment seemed familiar… But he didn't care. She said yes!