The Champion
Antasma floated furiously through the hall, trying not to spit on any of Bowser's portraits. That tyrant had not been monitoring him as much due to his attention being on Peach. It was a welcome reprieve enabling the bat to recruit Captain Toad for his rebellion. And today was the day the third phase of his plan was to come to fruition. Antasma was hoping Bowser wouldn't be in the castle during the mushroom's heist. The lovesick king had called, asking Peach to accompany him to a public park. But Antasma's little princess had to decline the king's invitation due to illness. Since she isn't feeling well Bowser is doing paperwork at the castle. And the chances of Captain Toad screwing up were high. Antasma gnashes his teeth in fury.
Hopefully this is not a ploy for her to get into the arena!
The bat king is not concerned with Toad's wellbeing. The librarian may kill the captain which works for him. Dead man tells no tales. But the mushroom getting captured alive is a problem. Peach will no doubt plead for his life at least. And Toad knows not to reveal anything if caught. It would just look like the clueless fungus had wandered into the wrong area. Antasma's secret would be safe. But if Toad is found with the books in hand, it's over. Antasma will have no choice but to escape to the nearest warp pipe, abandoning everything. He would prefer to avoid that.
This must work. I can't start over.
Antasma exits the building to approach his pi'illo servants. They bow down to him and await his orders. "You have the plans for the villa?" He asks.
"Yes, Your Highness." One dryly states.
"Bring it to Ms. Birdo at once, so that she can store it. Keep her talking for about one minute. That is all he needs to get in."
The other servant's face pale and she looks up. "You're going after the vault? You can't! That toad doesn't know what you're planning! Please don't make him do it!"
Antasma taps a claw against her forehead and the woman shudders with a whimper.
"Still some fight in there?" He taunts while baring his teeth.
She shook her head and held the plans close.
"No! We'll do as you ask!"
It was not long before the servants were allowed into the castle. Once they arrive at the library, the manservant knocks on the massive doors to summon the librarian. A black-colored birdo, wearing reading glasses, opens the door.
"You can't enter." She warns them.
"No, we're just leaving the proposed plans for Lord Bowser to look over."
Ms. Birdo looks at the plans and gathers them up from the woman servant.
"Please be careful with them. King Antasma put a lot of thought into it. He wishes His Greatness to enjoy his future summer home."
With a nod, Ms. Birdo gestures for the servants to leave and they do so immediately. She closes the door and checks her surrounding area to ensure no one has sneaked in. Satisfied, the librarian goes to her desk. Unknown to her Captain Toad has snuck in. He had consumed an invisibility potion and made it in just before Ms. Birdo closed the door. Toad races up a red spiraling staircase to create distance from the main desk. Finally, he stops by a shelf to catch his breath. He pulls up his hand and marvels at his inability to see it.
Amazing! It worked!
Antasma is an alchemist, having dabbled in all sorts of potions and medicines. Toad remembers being mesmerized, watching him brew the potions in his hidden lab, built under the vassal residences. Once finished, Antasma dumped his creation on Toad and his backpack and Toad instantly turned invisible. After the initial fear Toad ran around the room, excited over experiencing something new. As the captain stared at a mirror in amusement, Antasma told him the brew would also disguise his scent, so that Bowser wouldn't know Toad had been there. Before leaving for the mission, Antasma gave him a stern warning not to waste it. They are expensive to make, and Toad has only one chance. So, he has limited time to find the vault.
Toad deep breathes and grips his stomach. He must wait until the librarian leaves for lunch. Once she is gone, he must make a mad dash for the vault. To calm himself Toad begins to study his surroundings. The library was grand in size, a high golden roof, and seemingly endless levels of bookshelves. Most of the shelves are too high for Toad so he looks at the titles at eye level. Some of the books cover various kingdoms' geography, history, wars, and cultures. Knowledge gathered over a period of centuries by koopa scholars. The curious mushroom longs to read the contents of the books.
Our kingdom has always kept to itself! There is so much we don't know. I bet Peach would love this place!
Toad browses some of the books to kill time while he waits. Eventually, he opens a cheep-cheep cookbook and skims the pages. Suddenly, a fly comes near the book he is holding with an annoying buzz. Toad swats at it and a knife cut through the bug. Toad nearly jumps onto a shelf. Shaking, he leans over the railing and sees Ms. Birdo looking around with a knife - pose to throw. She had heard. Terror fills Toad's heart and he tip toes to get to a higher level to avoid the woman. What has he gotten himself into?
King Penguin had lost track of time while in the dungeon. But he was sure his execution would be soon. He looked at his chains and started tugging on them.
"I gotta get out of here!" He shouts. "I have to get back to my kingdom!"
A gruff voice beyond the door calls to him. "Calm down!"
The penguin releases the chain and shakes his fist at the door even though the person could not see him.
"Don't tell me to calm down! I'm about to be executed!"
"Only if you lose the fight!"
The Penguin King pauses and looks at the door. "Who are you?"
"Just call me Vanessa!"
The imprisoned king tries to run to the door. "Vanessa! It's horrible! I was framed! I'm telling the truth! We had all the gold Bowser needed and it was stolen! But Admin Wendy wouldn't believe me!"
He slouches on the ground with his arms folded. "But none of it matters. I will win and get out of here. And I'll find the thief!"
"You won't be alone."
The door opens. The koopa guard allows Vanessa to enter and he shuts the gate. She was a tall penguin in shades and mask. The Penguin King stares at her in confusion.
"Umm. Vanessa, your tall for a penguin. Your voice is off too."
'Vanessa' or Peach sits next to the monarch. "Just focus on surviving. I'll be there every step of the way."
Bowser's plan for spending the day with Peach had been derailed. He called her this morning and she sounded awful. The king immediately told her to get some rest and promised he would send a care package for her.
"Did the dinner make her ill?" Bowser contemplates out loud to the general. "I did keep her up late. I feel terrible! Besides the care package, send her a new set of blankets and pajamas. The best we have. Oh, and order five different scented soaps for her. No, make it ten!"
The general shrugs while peeling an orange. "As you wish, Sire. But her illness is probably distress over the execution. No doubt she is angry with you. If you want her in your arms, call it off."
Bowser throws his claws up in the air. "I'm running an empire in case you haven't noticed! I can't give in to her every wish …. as much as I want to. I have a reputation to uphold! They must know who's boss!" Frustrated, the king presses his face against a stone wall and grits his teeth. Bowser's face then darkens. What if she is faking her illness?
"I want high security at the arena! My Peach is not to enter!"
The general salutes and flies out a window. Bowser slumps into a chair. He brings his claws to his face. "Why am I even worried?" With an angry huff Bowser jumps up. "I need to get my mind off her. I could do some reading."
For the past hour, Peach and the Penguin King sat in silence in the pitch-black cell. The past few days have been terrifying, but the king was now filled with hope. He spent the time strategizing what actions he would take to ensure victory. Meanwhile, Peach was hoping her costume was bulky enough to hide her figure. The less human she looked, the better.
Can't save everyone.
Antasma's words rang in Peach's ears. There was truth to it. But she wishes to prove him wrong. The princess failed to repel Bowser from her kingdom. A sense of helplessness clouded her mind ever since. Through diplomacy Peach has been able to protect her family. But how she craves to have Bowser's physical strength! No one would be in this situation. No one would have to be fear. She could protect everyone! Peach shakes her head at her well-meaning but grandiose thought. With such power, would she become like Bowser, then? Taking any and everything she wants just because she can? Peach shudders and looks around the small cell. The cell looks like the one Bowser was imprisoned in his nightmare. He must have felt so helpless and powerless here. It drives his need to be in control. Peach sighs and hugs her legs.
It's strange how I despise his actions but also feel some pity for him.
Soon, the cell door opens revealing Mouser.
"It is time to meet your fate." Mouser teases while leading the two out. King Penguin holds his head up high.
"Indeed, it is."
Ignoring the king, Mouser examines 'Vanessa.' "So, this is the fool that has come to the rescue." Mouser closes in on Peach and she leans back. "But there is something strange about you. You smell too sweet."
Peach nervously flexes her arms to appear aggressive. To her relief Mouser shrugs and ushers them along. After climbing several levels, they arrive at an iron gate. Two hammer bros. open the gate to allow them to pass. Peach and the Penguin King cover their eyes from the light as they enter the arena. Surrounding them were scores of koopas and other spectators. And some of the koopas were already booing them. At the center, a lone pink bob-omb was waiting.
"Who are they?" The little creature peeps.
Mouser smirks. "Your comrades in arms."
Mouser takes his place and raises his hands. The arena becomes silent.
His thick accented voice booms throughout the arena. "King Penguin of the Ice Kingdom has been charged with the gravest of crimes. Aggravating his Vileness."
The audience jeers - some throwing food at the penguin.
Mouser continues.
"The pink bob-ombs rebelled against their lord. And destroyed a weapons factory before Roy quelled the rebellion. Here is their representative before you. Both stand here condemned!"
With a chuckle Mouser motions at the arena trio. "But should they defeat Lord Bowser's champion, they will walk free. Here with them is Vanessa, champion of the Ice Kingdom!"
Peach dramatically flexes to fake bravado. The crowd jeers even more, some giving a thumbs down. The gate on the other end of the arena opens and Mouser jesters towards it.
"Today they will battle the strongest of the arena. The crusher of bones. The fiery serpent! A former general of the slain Subcon tyrant, Tryclyde!"
A red three-headed serpent comes out the gate to thunderous cheers. They slither around the area near the audience basking in their attention. Spotting their rivals, Tryclyde's eyes gain a wicked gleam. Tryclyde slithers up to the trio and coughs up several weapons. Peach jumps back in disgust.
"Pick one." The middle head demands.
"Why? They won't last long, anyway." Says the right head.
The middle head bites the right on the neck earning a yelp.
"I don't want them dead immediately! I want to enjoy this, idiot!"
The left head ignores the other two, his yellow eyes on the disguised Peach. She realizes he is sizing her up.
"You are not who they say you are. I won't take your eyes off you." He states in a low voice. Peach bites her lips nervously.
The other two heads are now focused on Peach, and she balls her fists up.
"The real threat is me!" Penguin says as he comes forward. To Peach's relief they are now staring at the king in amusement. But the left is still focused on her. Penguin then chooses a sword though he is barely able to lift it. The pink bob-omb decides to use a mace. Peach opts for a spear. She has no experience with a sword or any other weapon. But she can use the spear to help her get in the air.
After they've made their choices, Tryclyde circles them - playfully nipping at their heads. Tryclyde then goes to the other side.
"We're going to die." The pink bob-omb utters. "But I'm honored to be here with all of you." He turns to the crowds and yells, "Bowser's a son of a mushroom!"
King Penguin's jaw drops, and Peach taps her foot. The crowd goes ballistic and demands their deaths. No one compares their royal family to a toad!
An offended Peach turns to scold the bob-omb. "Excuse me was that remark … watch out!"
The right head has already launched a fireball at them. The trio splits in three different directions. The pungent smell of Tryclyde's flames fill Peach's nose, and she nearly gags. Distracted, she fails to notice a mace connecting with her side. Peach flies into a wall as the crowd jeers. Holding her side Peach rolls to dodge another fireball.
"They smell awful!" She cries out while running. Tryclyde cuts her off and the left head swings his mace at her again. Peach blocks the blow with her spear.
"Real nice reminding me why I can never get a date!" The middle shouts while he aims his fangs for Peach's shoulder, intending to sink them into her flesh. Before Peach can let go to dodge, King Penguin jumps on the middle's head.
"Vanessa! Get back! I'm going to cut his head off!"
Peach recoils with the brutality in his words. Is he tougher than he looks? The crowds cheer in anticipation. But King Penguin can't even swing the sword due to its weight. It falls out of his flipper. With a roaring laugh, the right bites the king and tosses him far away. Peach looks for the bob-omb but he is hiding in a corner. Spotting him Tryclyde moves in his direction.
"All talk earlier when trashing our king! Hiding like a toad!" Tryclyde's heads sneer in unison while the left's eyes are still on Peach. He expects her to intervene. And she does.
"Leave him alone!" Peach leaps on Tryclyde and is smack away by the tail. Her face eats dirt as she lands on the ground. Left drags the other heads in her direction while the middle complains over being overridden. Tryclyde's right attempts to stab Peach with a sword, but she backflips away.
"I won't let you hurt any of them!" Peach declares while Tryclyde rushes at her.
"Works for us! The more you fight, the more fun it is for us." They declare.
Toad had been reading for the past two hours. He learned a lot of koopa history and the wars that warped the landscape of the Darklands. Toad shook his head at the ferocious nature of the koopas. He shelves the book and takes out another. To his delight he realizes the cover had creatures that looked like Peach. An encyclopedia from the human world! Toad excitedly opens it looking to learn more about them. Unlike the toads they were varied in appearance and the world they live on is called 'Earth.' Humans seem to have an endless array of cultures and customs. But Toad frowns at some of the pages. The encyclopedia contained many depictions of humans fighting and killing each other.
Worldwide warfare? Genocides? Slavery?
Toad closes the book. Peach is nothing like the humans in the book. Because of her, it never occurred to him humans could be violent. The toads are fortunate they found Peach before the koopas.
I was hoping to show Peach, but this would make her depressed. She doesn't need to know.
So, Toad carefully places the book back on the shelf. A distance bell rung, and he peeps over the railing. Ms. Birdo was leaving for lunch. It is now time to find the vault. To Toad's surprise it is located on the bottom floor, left of the desk built into a shelf. He takes a deep breath as he approaches the vault.
"Here goes nothing."
He enters the code 'Peach' on the vault, but it doesn't open. He repeats it several times and gets nothing. Toad looks over his shoulder in panic and taps in 'Princess Peach.' Nothing. Out of desperation, Toad begins to type 'Larry', 'Lemmy', and even 'Antasma Stinks.' But none of them are working! Toad wants to rip his mushroom cap off. And to add to his distress, the doors to the library open. Toad is now biting his fingers. Its Bowser!
With a grumble, the tyrant approaches a rack and grabs a 'Koopa Life' magazine. Toad lets out a whimper in fear and quickly covers his mouth. Bowser snaps to attention and looks in the direction of the vault. Toad is now crying internally. Bowser approaches the vault with a confused stare. He is right on top of the invisible Toad. His large frame prevents Toad from leaving. If Bowser takes another step, it's over!
I'm dead!
Before he can move the sounds of cheers catch his attention. Bowser growls under his breath and leaves. Once the doors close, Toad passes out.
Bowser lumbers over to a room to spot some soldiers watching tv.
"What are you watching and why wasn't I invited!?"
The eye patch wearing koopa turns to him, while digging his hands in a bucket of popcorn.
"Someone volunteered to fight in the arena at the last moment my King. Vanessa of the Ice Kingdom!" Bowser closes in on the tv staring.
"She's a real fighter!"
Bowser watches as Vanessa dodges and weaves Tryclyde's attacks as if she is dancing in the air. Bowser grabs a glob of buttery popcorn and stuffs it in his face. As he chews, he studies Vanessa. Those graceful moves are awfully familiar to him. It reminds him of Peach's fighting style.
There is no way that's her. It's just a penguin.
But why is his heart jumping with anxiety?
"She's too fast! We can't hit her!" The right of Tryclyde complains. Taking note, the left eyes the bob-omb that has tripped and shoots a fire ball at him. He won't be able to dodge it. Peach jumps pushing him out of the way. She cries out as a burning pain shoots up her leg. Peach kneels holding her foot. Unwilling to abandon the one that has been keeping them alive, the bob-omb and penguin run to her aid.
"That gotta hurts." One of the soldiers joked. He turns to see Bowser on his phone.
"Mouser, stop the fight now!" He yells, his eyes glowing with rage.
Mouser strains his ears to hear over the shouting audience. "What was that Your Grace?"
"STOP THE FIGHT, NOW! OR DIE!"
Mouser could only make out the word 'die' and began to beg Bowser for mercy. The irritated royal could barely make out what Mouser was saying and threw his phone at the wall smashing it. He then leaps out a window.
She wasn't supposed to be there! How did she get in!?
It can't be her. But he had to be sure. He just had to make sure it wasn't Peach. To cover ground more quickly he leaps from building to building, almost caving in roofs in his haste. It would be humiliating to call off the fight, but he can't watch his beloved die.
Meanwhile, Tryclyde has Peach and King Penguin in their grip. The pink bob-omb is held by the tail. Tryclyde begins to slowly constrict. The duo fight for air and struggle to free themselves. Feeling guilty, the pink bob-omb contemplates exploding to free his comrades but Peach shoots it down. It would kill him.
"I'll get you out of this! I promise!"
Tryclyde responds by tightening their grip. Peach begins to feel regret. She should have stayed out of it. This is beyond her. Now she's going to leave the toads all alone.
At the same time, Toad was losing his mind with the vault. "I'll die and I'll be leaving Peach all alone! She'll be stuck with Bowser!" He cries out. He buries his head in his hands.
"Wait a minute."
Toad looks at the vault again and types 'Queen Peach Koopa.' The vault finally opens. As it does, he does a little dance. Toad dashes in and is met with all sorts of relics and ancient art collections. This vault contained many valuables the koopas pilfered over the years. Towards the back were the strange books he was looking for. Black trim covered the books like a web. After shoving the real ones in his bag and replacing them with the fake ones, Toad dashes out. As he does the front door opens and knives come flying through it. Toad barely dodges them and slips past as Ms. Birdo runs in.
"I thought I hear something!" She yells. She tries to get the attention of the soldiers down the hall, but they are engrossed in the fight.
"Maybe it's just my paranoia …"
She shuts the door to go check the vault and sees nothing is out of place. Toad rounds a corner and down the stairs - happy most of the guards are distracted. As he makes it out of the castle, the potion begins to wear off. Toad collapses in relief and hugs his bag tightly. He had completed his mission.
Peach was losing consciousness from a lack of oxygen, but she kept struggling. A small cry from her earns a snicker from Tryclyde. The middle head playfully flicks his long fork-shaped tongue along her face enjoying her suffering. Despite her mouth being covered, Peach manages to bite down on his tongue and yanks it. Middle cries out and his grip loosens. Filled with adrenaline Peach connects her fist with the left's chin knocking him out. The crowd goes silent as the trio fall to the ground.
"We're alive!" The Penguin King says between coughs. Peach shakes her hand in pain. Tryclyde's left head dangles while the middle and right devolve into arguing. Their coordination is off.
"This is your fault for playing around!" the right points and the middle snares at him. Peach signals for the pink bob-omb to run right.
Spitting out blood, the middle aims for Peach to get revenge but the right is focused on the pink bob-omb. As the middle head turns to argue with his right, the penguin flings his heavy crown directly into his eye. Peach closes in and double kicks the middle under the chin - knocking him out. Tryclyde crashes to the ground and Peach points the penguin's discarded sword at the right head.
"D-Don't do it! I yield! I yield!" The last head cries out.
To Peach's surprise the crowd cheers. As she stands up the audience is throwing flowers into the ring.
Peach shakes her head as she tosses the sword to the side.
"This is entertainment to them …"
She is caught off guard with the Penguin King embracing her leg while sobbing.
"Stars above! We're alive!"
The pink bob-omb nods in his comrades direction, falling on his backside in exhaustion. Peach spots Antasma among the cheering throes, rubbing his chin. Does he recognize her? Peach begins to look for the exit. She doesn't fear him exposing her, but he may tell the toads. The last thing she needs is for them to worry about her injuries.
As Peach moves to leave the gate, Tryclyde staggers up, the middle head seething hate and murder at Peach.
"Lord Bowser is the only one that can beat me! I refuse to accept this; I can still fight!"
"I conceded! Its over!" The right tries to tell him. He snaps at the other head and rushes at Peach. But Bowser lands in the arena sending shockwaves that knocks back the fighters. With fury, Bowser slams his fist into Tryclyde's gut.
Bowser glares at Tryclyde as he bends over in pain.
"You lost! Accept it!" He snarls.
Tryclyde meekly bows.
"Yes … Lord Bowser."
"Of … of course!"
"Understood."
The arena goes silent waiting for the king's word. Bowser's scowl softens when he spots 'Vanessa.' Her stance. The scent is familiar. It is her. He is sure of it. But Peach is not happy to see him, as he is the reason this event took place. Sensing her anger Bowser turns to the crowds.
"They walk free." He yells.
The crowds cheer and Bowser turns back toward 'Vanessa.' But she had already left through the gate. Snarling, Bowser pursues to catch Peach in the act of shredding her disguise. Due to her injuries, she will be in the medical room. But what waited for him was King Penguin yelling at two shy guys in a penguin outfit.
"You're not a Vanessa! Who are you people!?"
The shy guys stared sheepishly at the small monarch. Bowser shakes his head.
"No! It can't be! It was her!" He yells to the confusion of everyone in the room. Bowser races out of the medical room and jumps out of the arena.
"That was just a distraction! I'll beat Peach to her quarters! And she'll confess to everything. Then she is going to be in so much trouble!"
Mouser catches up to Bowser in a kart and implores him to get on instead of leaping onto his citizens' roofs. Bowser glances at the caved in roofs and hops on the back of the kart.
"Gun it!"
Mouser speeds out of the city, taking several shortcuts to the vassal residence. Once they reach the building, Bowser leaps off the kart as Mouser comes to a halt. He pauses to catch his breath and the toads run up shaking in fear. "Can we help you, King Bowser?"
Bowser wants to swat them away but stops himself. Peach's dislike of him was mainly due to how awful he treats the toads.
"I'm going to see the princess." Bowser says with restraint.
While running in, Bowser spots Antasma rushing in as well. Antasma's face becomes panicked. He had run back to see if Toad had escaped as he had not received word. Had Bowser found out?
"My lord! What brings you here?"
Bowser grabs his neck and shakes him like a soda can. "Why are you running to Peach's room, bat brain!?"
Antasma's eyes widened in fear. "What? It isn't what it looks like!"
Bowser drags him along as he bypasses more toads. Captain Toad is peeping from behind a door.
"Your Majesty! She is ill!" Berry begs.
"She's not in there! I'll prove it!" Bowser declares. The toads follow him promptly to see what he is talking about.
Peach barely made it through her window and switches places with the shy guy. Bowser was going to beat her to the location, had he not slowed down to choke out Antasma. Peach felt bad feeling thankful for the delay. The shy guy dives out the window and Peach changes into a shirt and pair of pants. She then hides under her blanket. She is in so much pain. Its only thanks to a shy guy's driving did she even made it here. She snuggles into her covers; hearing Bowser's voice get closer as he chews out Antasma.
"Believe me! Nothing is going on between us!"
Bowser kicks the door in. "We will be discussing this later after … Peach?"
Peach peeks from under her covers. "King Bowser? Antasma?"
Bowser throws Antasma to the side, mad she didn't address the bat with a title. Bowser then stares at her in confusion. A mob of toads nervously gathered behind Bowser. Peach nearly giggles with how silly they all look piled up at the door.
"I have good news for you. Those idiotic prisoners will live." Bowser grumbles.
Peach holds her heart. Though she is faking ignorance she is genuinely happy. Bowser's eyes tempered at her smile. She has such a calming effect on him. Slipping out of Bowser's grasp, Antasma excuses himself along with the toads. Now it is just the two of them. Bowser continues staring at Peach and she looks down, fidgeting with her sheets.
The king is mad to be proven wrong but relieved. Peach was not in any harm. Peach raises her eyes hoping to take attention off herself. "King Bowser there's cake and cupcakes below if you want them."
"I prefer it when you refer to me as Bowser, Peach."
Peach stares back at the blankets, a blush appearing on her face.
"I'm wasting time here. I got things to do." Bowser turns suddenly self-conscious of being in Peach's room. But as Bowser leaves, he spots the closet. Peach freezes as he walks up to it. He grunts, spotting the many dresses.
Bat Breath got these for her? How dare he! I can get her even better ones! That's it, he is not allowed to be around her!
Before Bowser can inquire about Antasma, he spots a blonde wig near the dresses.
"Huh?"
Peach gasps realizing the shy guy forgot to take it with him. Bowser spots Peach's panic and gleefully walks up to it.
He is going to find out!
"Stop! Don't go through my stuff!" Peach yells and runs at Bowser.
Bowser chuckles and examines it, "What is this? A toad's hair piece?"
Peach reaches for the wig, tripping over her injured foot. Bowser immediately catches her. The two make eye contact briefly before Bowser's gaze travels to Peach's burned foot. An agonized look appears on his face as Peach breaks away. The sudden movement makes her sides ache, and she hugs them.
"Let me see." Bowser reaches for her sides.
"No!"
"Please!"
Peach nods and Bowser lifts her shirt slightly to see purple bruises on her side.
"I'll kill him." He darkly announces.
"Tryclyde was doing as you ordered!" Peach countered.
Bowser gnashes his teeth, "I told you to stay away, Peach! To mind your own business! Why couldn't you listen to that simple order!?"
The princess backs away and Bowser drops his claws. She was shaking in fear, but her eyes were angry. He didn't mean to frighten her. The king slowly approaches and wraps his arms around her. Peach begins to push against him. But he presses his snout into her shoulder.
"Sorry."
She begins to relax realizing he will not hurt her.
"I nearly watch you …" Bowser starts to shake, and he raises his hand to gently place it on the back of Peach's head. Too tired to break away, Peach lays her head against his chest. Despite the rough feel of his scales, she strangely felt safe in his arms. They stayed like that for several minutes.
"Why did you care?" Bowser whispers. "What did you hope to gain from it?"
Peach thinks for a moment. "I would have wanted someone to help me."
"If I threw someone in the arena again, will you try to help them?"
Peach doesn't answer and Bowser already knows the answer.
"You can't save everyone. It's going to get you killed one day." he says bitterly.
Bowser grips her harder and Peach becomes fearful. She messed up. Antasma was right. She can't save everyone. And now Mushroom Kingdom was going to suffer for her actions. But Bowser never passes a judgement on her. He takes a claw and gently moves some of her bangs out the way.
"Peach …" He whispers and closes his eyes.
She feels warm lips pressed against her forehead. Bowser lingers for a bit before pulling away. With flush cheeks Peach raises her head, Bowser's eyes were locked on her.
"What are you doing to me?"
Confused as to what he meant; she breaks off eye contact with Bowser. But she can feel Bowser's stare intensifying.
He begins to speak again in a low voice, "One pardon. Each year I'll allow you to give out one pardon. To anyone that gets on my nerves."
Peach stares at him.
"Bowser?"
Its Bowser's turn to break eye contact. "Use it wisely."
He lifts her up in his arms and carries her back to bed. He then yells for the toads to come up. As they arrive Bowser tells them what has happened. The distressed toads swarm around Peach, each grabbing medicine or wraps to treat her. Bowser sits in a chair nearby as the toads fuss over Peach.
"I'll have my personal doctor come over immediately." Bowser says and gets up to leave. Peach bites her lips nervously.
"Bowser."
He turns and approaches the bed. Peach shows him the blonde wig attempting to create some levity. "Keep it since you like it so much."
Bowser grins and snatches the wig. "I'm not sure. The toads won't mind?" With a chuckle he puts it on his head. His ridiculous look earns a snicker from Peach. Satisfied with her response he leaves.
The last day of the trip was solemn. Peach was happy to be going home. She disliked the Darklands but she would miss the koopalings. Maybe she can meet the other siblings later. Peach made sure to return to the castle and say her goodbyes to Lemmy, Ludwig, and Bowser Jr. The prince was not happy with her leaving and threw a fit. Ludwig had to implore her to leave while he held Bowser Jr. back.
Once she arrived at the shipyard, she spotted several golden crates being loaded on. Larry explained Bowser was gifting her with several expensive dresses.
"You have him wrapped around your finger." Larry says with a laugh.
Peach rubs her neck in response. She looked around for Bowser to thank him, but he was not present. Larry notices what she is doing.
"Bowser is not coming this time. But he did hire more soldiers to accompany us back. I guess he fears we may get robbed on the way."
"I see."
As Peach followed Larry onto the airship, Peach gives one last look at the Darklands. She'll be seeing it again when it is time to deliver the next tribute. Bypassing her on the stairs was a jittering Captain Toad, eager to leave. His nerves were still high after nearly dying in the library. Not knowing the reason Peach decided to give him space.
Soon the ship rises into the sky to return to the Mushroom Kingdom. While Peach sits on the upper deck, the ship's captain worriedly asks Peach about her wrapped foot. She plays it off and takes his son, Benny, into her arms. As she bounces the happy infant on her lap she frowns. Antasma had not given her a farewell. For whatever reason, Bowser had been furious at him. Was he jealous? He had nothing to worry about. Antasma was only a friend, he was even becoming family to her. Peach hopes she can see him again. Peach's thoughts then go to Bowser. Despite her fears, he looked more devastated than angry at her bold actions. She was even given the ability to pardon a prisoner. He does care about her in his own way.
Next time I see him I'll have something nice for him.
"Your council been looking for you, Uncle. Ludwig said you would be here." Roy announces.
He found Bowser staring at the cell Peach had been in. Bowser turns and bares his teeth at Roy. "I told you to not call me 'Uncle,' it makes me feel old!"
Roy shrugs and Bowser returns to staring at the cell.
She probably was scared sitting in here.
Memories flashed before Bowser's eyes. Bowser spent a lot of time here because he always lost to his brother in a fight. But the last time he was here, Morton freed him and told him he was giving up on the throne. His brother wanted Bowser to run away with him, but he refused.
"I'm not a quitter like you, Morton! I'm going to prove I can run this kingdom!" He shouted.
Bowser sits in the cell and closes the door.
"What are you doing?"
"Atoning. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt my Peach. Lock it."
Roy opens the door with a gruff. Bowser frowns at him. Roy is as stubborn as his father.
"Close it!" Bowser yells.
"Make me!" Roy yells back.
Bowser gets up in a rage and storms out of the cell. Roy folds his arms and follows.
Bowser marches into the arena and lets loose a stream of fire from his mouth. He spins in a slow circle, setting the empty spectator seats on fire. Running out of breath he collapses to the ground.
Bowser looks up at the sky in longing. "Don't fall in love, Roy. Especially with a peace-loving goodie two shoes! It will ruin your life and you'll be miserable. You'll do all sorts of stupid stuff just to appease them."
"That's strange. Junior said you had fun with Peach the other day."
"….. I did."
Antasma arrives at Pi'illo Kingdom with conflicting emotions. He succeeded in attaining his books. But now Bowser is back suspicious of him. He always questioned Antasma's right to rule Pi'illo and even demanded to see the real ruler. There is no other ruler. And now Bowser's suspicions are due to jealousy. Antasma cursed his recklessness. He knew Bowser would be possessive of Peach. But Antasma couldn't help it. Sure, it was his plan to use Peach to distract Bowser. But he enjoyed being around the girl, she was so pleasing to look at. Antasma shakes his head.
"Just a slight inconvenience. Keep low and give him lip service." Antasma utters. He goes into his castle and is greeted by the citizens of the land. They all look devoid of joy. Like they had given up and resigned themselves to their fate. Good. That is the way things should be.
Koopas, from the nearby garrison, were patrolling the castle looking for any signs of trouble. But they were not going to find it. Antasma made sure of it. He goes to his bedroom and shoves a bookcase out of the way. He then presses into the wall. The wall pulls back, and he enters. Antasma descends into a deep dark dungeon, approaching a dingy dark cell.
"Evening prince. Don't worry the kingdom has been thriving in my capable hands."
A grunt of doubt escapes the prisoner's mouth. Antasma smiles wickedly and waves one of his alchemy books.
"I have what I need. There is going to be a lot of work. And a lot of experimentation. I'm sure you'll be happy to help me. Not like you have anything else to do."