Foreword: My freaking goodness! It looks like my review page has been spammed by some very anxious readers...haha and I can't reply to any of them either. XD Well let me tell you...Summer's begun, but I don't have time to write for a few weeks. AAAAAND...I've never been this far behind in story scheduling. I swear...I have 0 words written for chapter 17, I'm supposed to have the whole thing done when I upload this. -sigh- But hey, at least you all have something to read now. ;)

Mmmm this is an intresting chapter. Nothing in the main story really happens since Bowser's at those meetings, but the sidestories get a lot of momentum. So that's good! aaah yes, the ebtwisty website's still there for your viewing pleasure, by the way.

Disclaimer: I actually own a character in this chapter, but everyone else is Nintendo's. So hah.

Wendy leaned in the doorway of the koopaling's private theater, noticing curiously that one of her brothers was apparently watching home videos. She smiled as her mother's voice carried over the film, narrating as she took the camera through hallways, led by a very young Roy, sans sunglasses.

Wendy stepped farther into the theatre and quietly walked up an aisle. She sat down next to Larry, rustling his large, blue hair to catch his attention. "Why you watchin' stupid home videos?"

"Because it's the only way I can know what Mom was like."

"Oh, I could tell you that. She was, like, really whiny about dad. She totally loved to laugh though; she was like crazy about us too. She wanted like a bazillion kids. If Mario hadn't killed her, I bet we'd have, like, fifteen other siblings. Maybe I'd actually get a sister."

Larry was silent, not responding to his sister. They watched as their birth-mother and little Roy snuck up on Kamek, surprising him so much that he transfigured a nearby vase into a rabbit, which Roy promptly chased down the hall.

"Is that Fluffy?" Larry asked ecstatically, actually recognizing something in the movie for the first time.

Wendy analyzed the rabbit that Roy was chasing, the camera bouncing up and down sickeningly as Klawdia rushed to keep up. Finally, Wendy shook her head. "Naw. Roy eventually catches the rabbit and has so much fun beating it up that Morton gets jealous. Then he gets Fluffy. And, like, totally wastes him. Morton never let me test my makeup on him."

They were quiet a little bit longer as the movie snapped to another scene, a recital for Ludwig. He was playing a song which probably would have made him cringe if he had heard it now. Regardless, Klawdia cheered loudly over the camera's microphone, Bowser, standing on the camera's other side, even louder as he applauded his son.

"Do you miss Mom?" Larry asked quietly.

"No." Wendy answered. "Well, sometimes, like, on holidays or whatever. She was, like, my mom and all, but seemed more like a nanny to me, y'know? I like Mama Peach better than her, and that's, like, sad, 'cause Peach isn't even really our mom."

Larry smiled, nodding. "I know. I used to think Peach really was my mom."

"Bowser Jr. thought she was for a long time. Remember when he kidnapped her all by himself?"

Larry laughed, remembering their dad's expression as he tried to hide his pride that his youngest had successfully not only caught Princess Peach, but put Mario behind bars too. "Yeah, that was real good." His face turned to a frown. "Wendy, why would we be given a mom we don't really know and Dad didn't really love?"

Wendy sighed. "Well, if you, like, believe in fate, then I think she was here to be like our mom, take care of us or whatever, because Peach couldn't. I think that Mama Peach is, like, supposed to be our mom, but since she, like, hated Dad's guts and is totally a human, she couldn't be our mom."

"Oh." Larry was quiet for a minute.

"But, y'know, if you don't believe in fate, then, like, I think it was just really unlucky for Mom."

Larry looked over at his sister, amused. He turned his attention back to the big-screen, feeling the familiar prick of pain that he had never experienced anything like the things in the video. Never had and never would.

Wendy rolled her eyes, sensing Larry's pained emotions. "Hey, look. You're freaking out about not having a mother, so just make sure Peach ends up as Mama Peach for sure, mmkay? Seriously, don't be such a whiner." She shook her head and stood up to leave. "I'm going to go get some new shoes. Don't, like, drown in your tears or something."

"Gee, thanks, Wendy. Glad I have a supportive sister," Larry droned as she left. With a flick of her wrist and a jangle of her bracelets, Wendy gave Larry "The Hand". She walked out of the theatre, leaving Larry just as alone as he had been before.

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Kamek had been watching Peach clean the court up for almost a minute before he jumped down from his referee chair and tapped her shoulder. She jumped, Kamek immediately apologizing.

Peach shook her head, trying to smile. "Oh no, you're fine. I'm just a little…jumpy."

Kamek stepped next to her, putting his hands behind his back. "A little emotional too, Princess. Are you crying about Kammy?"

Peach shook her head, knowing there was no use pretending she wasn't crying. "I don't really know why I'm crying. Maybe it's about Kammy, maybe not. I mean, I shouldn't care what she thinks, but it stings. It's like…oh I don't know. I don't know what's going on at all. Its like my emotions…I've just lost total control. My feelings about myself, about other people, other opinions…everything is out of wack, backwards, flipped over, just…mixed up." She took a shaky breath, her voice cracking slightly as she continued. "I hope its just PMS a few weeks early." She laughed, trying to cheer herself up.

Kamek squinted at Peach from behind his glasses. "PMS?"

Peach looked curiously at Kamek and shook her head, "It's a girl thing."

Kamek shook his head as well. "I've been around women for my entire life, Princess…"

Peach felt herself blush and tried to laugh. "It's a girl human thing, I guess…mammal stuff and all."

"Oh." Kamek laughed. "I'm sorry if I made you feel awkward, Highness."

"No no…you're fine. I'm just not used to explaining stuff like that…back home, Daisy is so loud about everything that goes on in her body, I think my friends know just as much about it as I do."

Kamek's eyes twinkled. "I remember when Bowser kidnapped Daisy. His father was sick of you coming over all the time, Bowser had to prove he wasn't a one-trick pony. She chewed everyone's ears off about everything."

Peach giggled. "Sounds like her. She hates anything that has to do with politeness…she'd give her left arm if she didn't have to be a princess."

"And what about you, Peach? Are you satisfied with a royal lifestyle?"

Peach shined the glass cover silently, thinking about it. "Yeah, yeah I am. I've wanted to be queen all my life and I couldn't be happier than I am serving my people. It's the expectations that hurt me the most…I mean; nowadays I can do much more than my ancestors, that's not what I mean. What I mean is things like…things like…"

"Things like you wearing pink everyday and getting kidnapped by Bowser? Things the public expects of you?"

"Well those things I don't mind. Pink is my favorite color and…" Peach felt her face flush. "Well okay I mind being kidnapped. But it's tolerable. There isn't much I can do to stop that once it's happened. I mean the choices I make. Things like…like who I marry."

Kamek nodded knowingly. "His majesty had similar problems. When he was still young, the marriage laws for magistrates were still in order. Not so much that of royalty marrying royalty, just that of arranged marriage. That's why he was always so bitter, and possibly one of the reasons he kidnapped you so much. His marriage was practically intolerable. His wife was supposed to be perfect for him. That's what the people thought. He couldn't break out of expectations."

Peach nodded, wishing she didn't know exactly what Kamek was talking about. "Everyone expects me to marry Mario. Heck, I expect me to marry Mario. It's just…now that we're a couple, it's expected. This is what I've wanted for as long as I can remember…but I'm not sure I want it anymore."

He watched as Peach silently shined the glass cover on the racquets. "You really don't need to do that, Peach…"

Peach looked down at the cover, than over at Kamek's bemused expression. "Oh." She giggled. "Guess I got a bit carried away there, didn't I?"

Kamek smiled and nodded. "You should go find something to do with the koopalings or the like. I know King Bowser has great plans, but he's busy today so its up to you. I'm sure there are more fun things to do than cleaning the racquet case and talking about feelings."

Peach giggled. "You're right, I'll just go find something to do…Kamek?" Kamek looked up in response. "You're nicer than I remember."

Kamek furrowed his brows and sighed. "Getting soft with age, I guess. I used to be His Evilness's mentor in all things Evil…Perhaps we're all getting a bit soft."

Peach laughed as she prepared to leave. "I like soft. Oh and Kamek? Please don't tell a soul what I've told you…"

Kamek bowed his head. "Wouldn't dream of it, Highness."

"Thanks Kamek." Peach smiled and left towards the palace, her skirt swishing as she picked up pace, practically running.

Kamek shook his head silently. He looked up to the sky, squinting as he saw the sun's position. Satisfied, he teleported away.

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Peach was in her room, replaying the pickle-ball games in her head as she changed into day clothes. She smiled remembering Bowser's fumbles, remembering how funny it was to see him play such a dainty sport.

Peach pulled her shirt off, finding her corset and undershirt promptly. As she put them on, she felt warmth brush past her face, reminding her of when Bowser whispered his love to her…made her blush even more than when he shouted it across the court.

She sat herself on the bed, pulling her panty-hose as she thought about what the koopalings had said about the two of them. She giggled, remembering a few of the remarks. Looking over at the pink dress, Peach sighed. She'd been dressing herself since her mother disappeared, but getting on a dress like hers was still a daunting task.

Peach lifted it over her head, pulling her head through and finding the zipper in the back. As she straightened everything out, pulling out the layers and nudging the sapphire, she remembered more of the game, more of Bowser. She thought curiously about what they'd be doing tomorrow for his birthday, and she thought about her lack of gift.

Applying her make-up and jewelry, Peach remembered how Bowser's red mane moved just like Fabitoad's hair in all the movies as he ran. Laughing, Peach imagined what Bowser's expression would be if she told him that.

Peach instinctively reached up to put her tiara on her head, touching her blonde hair and remembering she didn't need to. Not that she could, it was still in her bedroom at home. Without realizing it, Peach thought about home for the first time since she left without thinking about it. She didn't dwell at all…in fact; the thought seemed just a fleeting memory.

She gazed into the mirror, sighing as she was pleased with what she saw. She was so happy. She had no one worrying about her, except out of love. She had adoring people everywhere, but they respected her. Saw her as their mother, as their friend, or as their fellow. Not their princess. She didn't feel pressured to act a certain way, to be with certain people, or to say a certain thing. She was really free.

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Rocco leaned back, feeling the warm Mushroom Kingdom sunlight upon his breast. He sighed, inhaling the fresh air, and opened one eye. Sitting comfortably in a convertible, his vacation was just as wonderful as he could imagine. Being a spy was sure easiest when the king was happy back home anyway.

Remembering his king and his job, he tapped a radio with his foot, turning the volume back up. Quiet static and the audible tick of the clock was as clear a message as Rocco needed…that is, he wasn't needed.

The koopa climbed out of his rental car, stretching his long limbs. The sun peeked from behind a cloud, making Rocco squint. They sure don't got sun like that in Darklands. He moved to the back of his car, popping the trunk and taking out his koopatrol helmet, shining it and admiring his reflection.

Unexpectadly, Rocco heard a noise approaching. Hastily, he shoved the helmet back in the trunk, making the clatter of metal much more obvious than ever intended. He cringed as he ran to get back in the car. Rocco peered over his seat as he watched a toad driving a truck of equipment.

Strange… Rocco thought. Those things look like spy equipment His Horrendousness uses to keep tabs on the princess…what is a toady doing with that kinda junk? Rocco turned his car on slowly and stealthily followed the truck.

The truck almost certainly couldn't see Rocco's compact rental car behind it. It was packed several feet high with equipment, driving down the back street towards the castle, clearly trying to stay out of the way of curious eyes.

Eventually Rocco and the truck arrived, Rocco remembering his training and pulling over into underbrush. He cautiously got out of the car and fished around his equipment for bugging devices. He had already decided the likelihood of this being anything important was very shallow, but didn't want anymore lectures on cautiousness and "making sure".

He sat on his car's hood, watching through the trees as the toad passed equipment to another toad. They began working, fireman's brigade-style to pass the equipment in. After awhile of adjusting his bugs, Rocco finally caught on to the dialogue.

"-lieve what they're saying? About what's going on?"

"Of course, don't you?"

"Well…it just seems kind of unlikely."

"Unlikely? Are you kidding? Look, you know the information supporting the situation is completely confidential, don't you?"

"All I'm saying is that I've heard around town only things that support the idea that she's perfectly safe and everything is under control."

"Well of course that's what you heard. That's all the government wants you to hear. Look, I could get fired and arrested for treason if anyone heard me say this, but all signs point to a kidnapping."

Rocco shivered…he knew exactly what these toads were talking about, although he had joined the conversation late. It looked like he'd have to cut his work/vacation off early.

"Kidnapping?" the first toad continued. "Are you sure?"

"Well she's gone, we haven't heard a word from her, have no way to reach her, and most importantly, she left with no supervision in a car that she had apparently cancelled being sent…it seems pretty clear that someone sinister…some evil genius…has some twisted plan and she's in his grasp."

"You mean, like, Bowser?"

The toad laughed. "Heck no! Bowser's much too stupid and blatant to do something this smart."

Rocco seethed, half-tempted to go up to the toads and teach them a lesson about talking about his king like that. But he knew his job, and kept his mouth shut, spying even more intently.

"Well then…who? And why? Wouldn't we hear a request by now?"

"That's what we want to figure out."

"Maybe she's okay…maybe the cabbie just got confused or something."

"Until we hear that's what happened straight from her highness, we're on red alert. It's just no one's allowed to know that. So remember…keep your trap shut unless you want me arrested!"

The toad nodded, a sign he'd be silent for sure. Rocco couldn't make the same promise.

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Ludwig consumed himself in his work, walking through the aisles of his musicians as they played his symphony. Ludwig's eyes remained seared shut as he walked, claws twitching as they sight-read the music.

With a twist of his wrist, Ludwig cut the orchestra off. Ludwig was growing into himself, but as he was still an adolescent, many off his orchestra members were still taller than him…however, their respect they held towards the prince/composer/conductor gave an instant cutoff.

Ludwig felt all eyes on him as he walked up to his podium, looking over the score. "Measure 76, movement two, please." With pleasure, he heard all the pages of music flip in unison and his orchestra peered upon him.

"I'd like to change the chord. Violas, please take the A flat, trumpets as well. Violins, change it to an A natural. Bass flutes, I want you to play an A as well.

"Everyone playing the A natural, extend the note a sixteenth, shorten the next note accordingly." He scanned the orchestra as the instrumentalists scribbled down the change. In seconds, everyone's eyes were focused back on their conductor. "Start at pick-up to 75."

The orchestra played each note perfectly in tune, sending goose bumps up Ludwig's spine as the dissonance swelled, resolving itself at just the right moment. He cut them off again and smiled. "Marvelous," he whispered under his breath.

As if on cue, the orchestra began chattering excitedly with each other about Ludwig's change. Ludwig promptly rapped his baton on the podium, calling their attention. "Measure 26, movement one."

Just as before, Ludwig tinkered with his symphony for just under an hour before he was satisfied and let them play the entire work. After the final cutoff, he smiled. "I am reasonably satisfied with the progression we are making. I will allow some time for reevaluation and respite…practice will resume in three hours and we can begin work on specific problems and the like. If you find a free moment, work on mending mistakes. They were far too audible, allowing even this to be the first sight-read. Bear in mind who this symphony was composed for…make it worthwhile."

He set his baton down and readjusted his arm bands, letting air pass under them and cool his scales. "Dismissed."

The orchestra left their chairs, some rushing up to Ludwig to ask him questions, others hastily leaving his practice hall. The latter group almost stampeded over Princess Peach as she wandered down the hall.

One koopa in particular ran straight into the princess, quickly pulling himself up and apologizing profusely. Peach shook her head and smiled. "Don't worry about it. Where are you headed?"

The koopa scrutinized Peach and gasped. Instantly, he began madly apologizing again, this time for not recognizing her as the kingdom's beloved princess-from-afar.

"Sir, calm down." Peach demanded, patting the koopa on the shoulders. His green eyes stared up into her calm, pleasant blue ones and he let his shoulders loosen. Peach smiled at him, lifting her gloved hands off of the koopa. "That's better. Now, where are you going in such a hurry?"

"Home. Just got off a practice with Sir Ludwig Von Koopa's symphonic orchestra and we've got a three hour break. His Splendidness is really pleased with his latest composition, so he's being generous."

Peach giggled at Ludwig's nickname. He certainly takes after his father. "Is Ludwig still in the practice hall?"

The koopa nodded. "We perform tomorrow; His Spledidness likely won't leave the room until fifteen minutes before he's expected to conduct."

Peach smiled and thanked the koopa who curtly bowed in response. She had decided to spend some time with the koopalings since Bowser was busy and she was growing dangerously attached to the entire family. She had spent two hours with Lemmy and Larry after washing up, about half of the time she had ended up talking to them about their father.

It was cute how obvious the koopalings, especially the younger ones, wanted Peach to "get together" with Bowser. A lot of the time, Peach didn't even realize they were the ones bringing their father into the conversation; Bowser seemed to be present on her mind a lot anyway.

She had also spent a good deal of time with Wendy; Peach was glad to be there with her…Wendy had a difficult personality, but saw Peach as more of a girl friend she could confide all the feminine problems she had than a princess. Sometimes Peach was even like her mother, although Wendy made it much clearer that she wasn't than most of her brothers.

Roy and Morton were another thing completely. Polar opposites, Peach was more than surprised to see them together, but the three of them enjoyed themselves nonetheless. By the time she left, she almost felt like she should stick around and watch them play more.

And being with Bowser Jr. was almost as much of a pleasure as being with his father. Bowser Jr. was so cute, so compassionate, and so adoring. At the same time, he was a spit-fire little ball of energy and determination that reminded Peach of his father when he was just a bit older than Junior. Or at least, what she remembered Bowser being like.

She leaned in on Ludwig's doorway and waved. "Do you have a minute?"

Ludwig frowned, looking over at Peach. "I am not completely confident that I do, highness. I am extraordinarily enwrapped in the current order of business and do not see much time for gallivanting."

Hiding her disappointment, Peach stepped into the room. "Can I help?"

"Why would you want to do that?"

The question caught Peach completely off guard. She shrugged. "I'd like to spend some time with you and I figured now was as good a time as any. Your father has plans for the rest of the week, I think."

"That's presumable. I suppose if you do not mind being ignored as I compose…I would not mind good company."

Peach's eyes twinkled. "Splendid."

Ludwig looked over his score, dipping his quill in ink as he spoke to Peach, avoiding her eyes. "You realize composing is not a perfunctory thing, of course. I will not be able to engage in a dynamic conversation with you, highness."

"I know," Peach replied quietly, walking over towards Ludwig, "but do you think I could help you somehow?"

Ludwig looked up at Peach, glancing at her up and down. "Do you have any musical experience?" he asked skeptically.

Peach smiled as she nodded. "I've been taking piano since I was four. Princesses of the Mushroom Kingdom are expected to excel in the arts."

Although he tried to keep his expression bland and unreadable, Ludwig was clearly pleased. He coughed a smile away, and then averted his eyes to his score. "I'm glad there are some kingdoms who still give music obeisance." Ludwig looked up at Peach, now sitting near him, and blinked. "I had forgotten that you've already been of great assistance. I made the changes you suggested a few days ago, the movement flows with much more consistency now."

Peach laughed. "Good!"

"Why are you laughing?" Once again, Peach was caught off guard by Ludwig's question. "It wasn't a risible comment," he continued.

The princess shrugged. "Laughing makes me happy, and I like being happy." Ludwig blinked with understanding and dipped his quill in ink yet again, although he hadn't even written anything yet.

"Let's begin, shall we?"

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King Toadstool looked around his castle, feeling ever so strange. Although the castle was his, he had never lived there longer than two weeks at a time. He felt so out of place, as if it wasn't even his kingdom.

When his daughter was born, he knew she would be the queen. He intended to have her grow up with her mother, the most charming human he had ever known, and they would live in the Kingdom as the citizen's friends, their magistrates they could truly look up to.

King Toadstool knew his place…he was to be the king who signed forms, vetoed bills, visited allies, made treaties with enemies, and kept his face out of the spotlight. Everyone knew he was there, but no one knew who he was. His wife and daughter were the PR of the kingdom…he didn't need to get involved.

Since his life was so clear before him, King Toadstool was almost never in the kingdom. And if he was, he spent his days, and most often his nights, in the kingdom's government buildings. But he was growing old…he had married his wife long after most men stopped looking for love, and he knew Peach needed to be queen soon, so he vied to spend more time with his daughter. Between kidnappings and public relations though, his chances were all too slim.

The king walked through the halls, the castle feeling oddly small compared to the extravagant buildings he worked in. Peach's door was open, leading to her pink bedroom, draped in all sorts of decorations and gifts.

Stepping onto the plush carpet, King Toadstool realized the room wasn't unoccupied. Sitting on Peach's tightly-tucked-in bed was Toadsworth, flipping through a notebook frantically.

King Toadstool sat himself into an armchair, smiling at his old friend. "How are you, Toadsworth?"

Toadsworth looked up at his king and faked a smile. "Just pipin', sire, just pipin'."

"Really?" the king laughed, seeing straight through Toadsworth. "Because you might really be 'just pipin',' but you have stress lines running through your face and you look more paranoid than a goomba in a traffic jam."

Toadsworth shook his head, not laughing at the king's attempt at lightening his mood. "I just feel like I'm a blooming failure at everything I do with Her Highness, sire. The one time I trust her enough to get a cab by herself she goes and gets herself kidnapped."

"Peach has been trouble since she was born…fine lady or not. She's also a magnet for attention, especially King Bowser's. She can't go anywhere without risking capture."

"Exactly why I shouldn't have trusted her, siah. She's a blooming lighthouse for kidnappers. I'm no good, I've failed you."

The king shook his head, looking down at his feet. "No, you've done everything I asked you so well. Taking her in as her godfather…you were more of a father to her than I ever was, I don't deserve to be her flesh and blood…"

"Siah, I don't blame you one bit for doing what you did. It wasn't your duties to father Peach, it was mine, as her attendant and godfather. It's your duty to be king."

"Even still, I abandoned her. I'm not even sure she knew who I was when I came to see her on her tenth birthday. When her mother disappeared, it was like I couldn't stand to look Peach in the eyes…and I knew I couldn't deal with her disappearing as often as she does with King Bowser around. Brings back painful memories, and I'm not really cut out to deal with kidnappers."

Toadsworth looked at his notebook and sighed. "Sitting here making ourselves feel worse won't do any good for Peach, now will it? Let's have a go at helping her out."

"And how do you suppose we do that?" King Toadstool asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Toadsworth looked out Peach's window and sighed. "No blooming clue."

Author's Note: Hahahaha with all that spamming I'm almost up to 200 reviews...for your gift for that I'll try and get 17 done and uploaded before July. Mmmmm I'll try really hard, I promise!

Since I can't give you hints about next chapter (since it's not written...gah) I'll give a free plug to MikariStar's story "Complications". It's a multi-chapter BxP fic that I get the honor of beta-ing, and Mikari's a great author with a great sense of BxP, so go and read it:)

Also, I'm almost done with Super Paper Mario. You all should play it and use Bowser as much as possible...he's just as cute and hillarious as he could be...and our favorite relationship has more positive energy than negative! Playitplayitplayit. :D