Sarasaland

This is not the pipe Peach journeyed through. She is certain they are not going to her home world, but the warp zone had a familiar feel. Maybe it's from her long-gone memories. She gazes out before settling back into her seat. Mouser's mind races with worry over the fate of Bowser. The princess feels the same. So, traveling through the warp tunnel to Sarasaland is done in complete silence.

Soon a bright light fast approach. Peach puts up her hands to protect her eyes, Mouser has no need due to his shades. Once the light dims, she lowers them. She looks around and realizes the pipe they just left, hung from a steep cliff edge.

After exiting, Mouser pulls the craft into the air to hide among the clouds. It's a good decision because an enemy camp was set up nearby. From the sky, one can see large stretches of sand dunes. It's like the Desert Kingdom, except the land was dotted with towering flowery cactuses. As the sky craft flew further in, Peach could make out a large oasis up ahead. There was greenery but a thick gloom rested over the area hiding the oasis. It was an ominous sight.

Immediately, an alert blare. "They know we're here." Mouser groans. "Get the cannons ready, Princess."

Peach nervously presses a red button with Bowser Jr.'s insignia. A cross-screen, showing the back of the ship, appears before her. She then takes hold of a control stick. It isn't long before three disks come into view behind them.

"Line the shot up and fire!" Mouser shouts.

"Right!"

Peach presses a blue button on the control stick. Below the sky craft a compartment opens, and a bullet bill is released. The bullet bill whizzes over the disk heading into the sky. Peach panics and presses again. Another shot flies over its head. Mouser takes a sharp turn right to avoid being rammed by the disk. A laser hits the craft but fortunately the shield absorbs the hit.

"You're a terrible shot!" Mouser complains.

"This is my first time!" Peach snaps back.

Mouser brings the ship low to the ground - dodging laser fire. He sharply turns again to evade, flying through a field of cactuses. One UFO crashes into a cactus and falls into a sand dune. The other UFOs pull up and pursue above while firing.

Gnashing his teeth, Mouser zigzags throughout the field hoping they don't get tagged. Peach manages to tag one pursuer with a bullet bill. But it's shield absorbs the explosion. The sky craft now is close to leaving the field of cactuses, so a UFO descends to close in. Peach looks around and shoots at a cactus toppling it. The massive plant crashes on top of the disk and the other pauses its advance. Mouser lowers the ship to kick up dust to hide their escape. Overjoyed to be alive the two high five.

Hours into the night the two scouts travel in the desert. Every so often they fly over old temples of a bygone civilization. At one ruin, Peach and Mouser stop to take rest. Peach makes a campfire and the two share baking stories before going to sleep. Once the morning rose, they set off again. In the distance another oasis appears. Like the other one it too has a dark gloom over it.

"Mouser, I do not like the look of that." Peach confesses.

"I'm trying to avoid the cities, Princess. Ludwig said they're death traps."

Peach frowns. Mouser continues.

"Fortunately, Ludwig said they were last over the ocean. Well looks like we're here."

Peach tries to strain her head to look ahead. Suddenly, Mouser groans under his breath. "This is not good." He mutters.

Before them was the crashed super weapon. Peach's heart sank at the sight of it. The front of the immense ship was sticking out of the ocean, surrounded by countless destroyed UFOs. Strangely the massive ship was intact. There was no evidence of anything breaching it. What took it down?

Mouser grips the controls. "The Boss … I must find him!"

He parks the ship on the surface. The two then climb out to explore, hoping to find signs of life. Seagulls have made the ship their new home. Some squawk at the visitors as they wander about. One even fly in Peach's face and she has to shoo it away. Mouser begins looking for a way inside the vessel. Peach sighs. She was worried Bowser may have run into trouble - but not like this.

"Mouser, I'm sure they're okay!"

"Your optimism is appreciated, but I'm not so sure." Mouser sits down and folds his arms. "It looks like no one is here. Maybe they went to the city? But what could have done this!? Ludwig designed it to be impenetrable."

Peach looks up from Mouser and out towards the ocean. "Mouser?"

Another trio of enemy ships is approaching fast! Mouser jumps up and ushers Peach away quickly.

"Cheese and crackers! I was being reckless! Princess, head back for the ship!"

The sky craft takes off - narrowly avoiding a shot.

Mouser flies over to the oasis. He doesn't like this option, but they are in the open with nowhere to go. Despite the speed of the craft, the UFOs are catching up firing relentlessly. Peach returns fire randomly and wildly at the enemy. She succeeds in downing one.

"I'm going to take us low again!" Mouser shouts.

"Mouser look out!"

A UFO appears in front of them and fires immediately. The ship's shield gives out and the sky craft's left wing explodes. Mouser manages to steer past the UFO and through the dark gloom covering the oasis. Once they exit - a ruined city greets them below. Destroyed buildings and pyramids are everywhere. Mouser frantically steers among the skyscrapers, but he can't control the ship for long.

Mouser turns to Peach. "Jump for it, Princess! It's going down! I'll get them to focus on me. Head back for the warp pipe! Report to the prince what you have seen!"

"Mouser!" Peach reaches out to him in vain as he releases a lever to eject her out of the ship. Mouser stays in the craft, hoping the enemy hadn't noticed Peach. The princess helplessly dangles from her parachute, watching the UFOs pursue Mouser. Soon they vanish somewhere among the cityscapes.

"Mouser!"

Peach stares below at the ruins as she descends. Panic is running through her mind. She has no idea where she is. And she is all alone now. Peach quickly remembers Mouser begged her to go back home. But that's out of the question. She is too far from the warp pipe. Unless she finds a proper vehicle, traversing in the desert is suicide. And Peach refuses to believe Bowser and Ludwig are dead. She intends to find them. Peach decides she will need to search for supplies before continuing the rescue mission. Hopefully, she'll find Mouser alive as well.

The lost princess walks among the ruins and scorched cars. It looks like time stopped. As everyone was going about their daily lives before a sudden invasion. Peach removes her helmet as she looks around.

"There was so much life here."

Peach spots a large poster of a purple man on a wall. He was more built and taller than the alien she and Larry captured. He was standing proud - looking up into the sky with a fleet behind him. Peach scowls and move on. She investigates a small store to find something to eat. Unfortunately, everything has long been cleared off the shelves. Dejected, Peach begins to walk back out still feeling lost. But she pauses seeing something peculiar. Peach walks up to a rack and stares at the magazines. A variety of magazines with pictures. Pictures of humans. Peach's eyes light up.

Humans! There are humans here!

Peach grabs a fashion magazine. "That one has red hair! She has freckles! This one's complexion is different from the other! Oh!" She hugs the magazine and looks around, her face glowing with joy. More posters and advertisements with humans. Actual humans! Peach realizes she has found a human world. No doubt they will help her! With excitement she runs outside and calls out.

"Hello! Hello!"

No one answers. Peach looks around hoping to spot a human. But she hears a noise and whispering nearby. Peach gets into a fighting stance. Small creatures cautiously come out from behind a trash can. They are small, cute, and wearing seashells. On their backs are an assortment of junk. Peach lowers her fists hoping to inquire about her whereabouts.

"Hi! My name is Peach."

The blue shell one points at her anxiously. "You should be in a dome, Miss Peach. Are you a runaway slave?"

Peach stares at him in confusion. "A dome? Slave?"

The older one's jaw drops. "You don't know what's going on!? Did you hit your head?"

Peach shakes her head. "I just got here! I'm not from this world."

The older creature shakes his head. "You have bad timing, kid. But don't be afraid. Dome 65 is 30 miles from here. Head north. Go there before Tatanga's forces spot you. It's lethal to be out here at night when they drop the gas bombs too."

Peach wraps her arms around her waist. "That's horrible. What about you?"

"We're scavengers. We sell junk to the dome residents. But we don't have any spare gas masks to lend you."

Peach glances around. "I'm looking for a King. King Bowser. He went to war with Tatanga."

The creatures turn to each other, both confused. "There are four kings and the emperor. But none of them are named Bowser."

Peach hangs her head. "…"

"But there was a huge battle that ended over the ocean. I heard it was crazy."

"Yeah, Tatanga had to pull out the mother ship on them. That madman is no doubt fuming! A huge dint was put on his forces. The invaders have since limited their patrols. I know the rebels are pleased."

"That was Bowser fighting Tatanga. Please, did you see any turtle people? They act tough, but they're short and cute." Peach inquires.

"You would have to ask …"

Before they can finish, they hear the roar of engines. The scavengers look at each other and run into an alley. Peach calls out to them. "Where are you going!?"

"Run!"

Not questioning anymore, Peach follows. The shelled creatures climb a ladder to get onto a roof. As Peach does as well, she looks down. She spots humanoid figures in an armored vehicle.

Humans!

Peach grins from ear to ear and climbs back down.

"Wait! It's okay! I'm one of them!" Peach calls up to them as she descends.

The older shelled creature calls out to her. "No! Where are you going!?" The blue one grabs him to prevent him from following.

"Leave her! It's too late!"

Peach gets on the ground and runs towards the street. She waves, the vehicle comes to a stop. Finally, after so long she gets to meet one of her kind!

A human woman, with black hair, climbs out from the driver's side. Her face is not friendly but she is also slightly bewildered by Peach's presence. More people climb out of the vehicle while Peach comes to a stop.

"What do we have here!?" The female leader barks.

"Are you real?" Peach asks.

Despite her nervousness, Peach touches the woman's face. "You are! You're really a human!" She looks around at the others. All of them are wearing military uniforms. Their gender, hair, eye colors, and complexion was different. Just like in the magazine. These must be the rebels. Suddenly, the woman slaps Peach's hand away.

"What are you doing!? Of course, I'm human!"

"I'm sorry! I …" Peach runs up to the men. "I've never seen humans before!"

There is silence as the group look in confusion.

"What is she talking about?" The woman whispers.

"Maybe she's insane." One responds.

"Is she an escapee from the laboratory?" Another man jokes.

Peach feels disturbed with their lack of interest. She thought they would be friendly with her. She is of their species! The toads treat each other with respect.

Peach pleads hoping they are not enemies. "I came through a warp pipe! I got separated from my friend. I need help."

The woman sighs and walks up to Peach. She puts a hand on Peach's shoulder. Peach freezes up. It isn't warm. The woman smiles. "Well, why don't you come with us. We'll take care of you!"

Peach nods but she spots the woman reaching for a gun in her pocket. Peach knees her in the breadbasket and ducks under the men attempting to grab her.

"Whoa!"

The woman, doubled over, shouts at her gang to pursue. "After her you idiots!"

Stupid! I'm so stupid! Peach berates herself as she runs. She bypasses the building the scavengers were hiding on, not wanting them to be hurt over her foolishness. Climbing onto another apartment complex, Peach jumps from building to building. The woman and another person climb up the ladder to pursue her on the roofs. The others are running through the alley ways. They can barely keep up with her.

"We're going to lose her!"

"You better not give up! Don't lose sight of her!" The woman shouts while firing.

I'll make some distance and hide inside one of the buildings.

As Peach is leaping over another gap, she feels white hot pain in her side. A scream escapes her mouth. She then finds herself falling. Fortunately, a pile of garbage broke her fall. Peach holds her side and rolls off the pile.

Bowser! Where are you!?

The thugs surround Peach. The woman grabs her by the hair and yanks her up. A yelp escapes Peach's mouth and she tries to kick the woman again.

"This one has some fight in her. Let's sell her off. We'll fetch a good price." The woman declares, now smiling wickedly.

"NO! Stop!" Peach struggles as she is dragged to the armored truck by two men. They then threw her into the back of the truck. Peach tries to stand up. "I don't understand! Why are you doing this!?" The woman shakes her head in mock pity while shutting the door. It was nothing but darkness.

As the armor truck drives off, the shelled creatures watch from above. The older one bewails her fate. "We had told her to run! Why didn't she listen!? What do we do!?"

"Give it up, man. She's lost."

"Wait…Isn't Dayz still in the area? She'll help the kid."

"Yeah…your right!"

The ride in the truck is rough. There was trash and crates tussling everywhere as the vehicle moved. Each jolt adds to Peach's pain. She hugs her side while lying on the floor. Eventually, she examines her injury.

"I don't get! I'm a human. Why would they …"

You were being naïve, again.

Peach realizes she should not have assumed all humans would be friendly to their own. She failed to listen to the scavengers and is now paying the price. Once again, she trusted someone that ended up harming her.

"I hope Mouser didn't run into any slavers … or …" Peach bites her bottom lip and shuts her eyes. Tears began to stream down her face. She feels utterly hopeless.

Bowser will find me.

To the princess, it felt like she had been in the truck for hours. It had to have been, as she lost track of time. Peach remained on her side, planning her escape once the criminals came to get her out. But she was weak and feared she wouldn't have enough strength. The heat was becoming unbearable and Peach needed water. Her crying didn't help in any manner.

Suddenly, the truck stops as if it slammed into something. Peach slides forward against a crate. She hisses in pain. Soon the sound of shouting and laser fire fills her ears. The nose becomes louder and she hears someone being thrown against the truck! Soon, there is silence. The doors rip off their hinges like they are paper. Peach's eyes brighten.

Bowser!

But standing before her was a beautiful and petite human. She has short auburn hair and fierce green eyes. And she was wearing flower earrings, a white spaghetti-strapped shirt and teal baggy pants. Despite her size Peach could see her arms are slightly built.

This woman just rip the metal door off with ease.

Scared out of her mind, Peach races out of the truck not waiting to see if the human is hostile.

"Oi! Come back here!" The human shouts and pursues. Peach doesn't look back, but she can tell the human is catching up fast. But the pain of her injuries and exhaustion catch up with her and she collapses. Peach lays on her side, her consciousness fading.

"S-stay back …" She mumbles in vain.

The human bends to place a hand gently on Peach's shoulder. Her angry green eyes are now soft. She speaks in a soothing voice as Peach passes out.

"It's okay, sweetie. It's going to be all right. You're safe now."

"I'm too late …"

Bowser jumps down from a building and approach the armor car. Heartbroken, he stares inside the destroyed truck. Something vicious has taken his Peach away! Bowser knew she was in the city. He felt her presence and went looking for her. Following Peach's scent trail, he realized she had been kidnapped by humans. No doubt they took advantage of her curiosity. As much as he was jealous of her finding her kind, something he wouldn't admit out loud, Bowser never wanted her first encounter to be this. Bowser attempted to intercept the kidnappers, hoping to save his beloved. But something beat him to the punch.

Bowser regards the injured slavers scattered on the ground. He has no pity for them. Only fury. Bowser begins interrogating the slavers. The first man quickly caves and tell him that a 'monster' has her. No doubt the girl was taken east.

"It happened so fast!" The man cries out as Bowser throws him. The Koopa King then grabs the vehicle and hurls it through a building. He releases a mournful wail. First, he lost Ludwig and now Peach! This is too much for him!

"I'm going to find them. But first …" He chains up the slavers and bares his teeth at them. "I'll leave you here. As an example, to others if they dare go after my Queen."

"NO! Please don't! We won't survive the night!" The woman leader begs.

"Bowser stop! I'll take care of them!"

Bowser looks up as a small human, with black pigtails, drops down from a roof. Ten koopa troopas land behind her. The koopas are wrapped in bandages, all holding pipes and post signs as makeshift weapons. The girl approaches Bowser. "I'll give them to those wacko guys. They have a prison."

"If those greedy men charge you anything Plum, tell me. It will be war."

Bowser marches off and Plum follows him. Her head barely reaches his hip.

"Where are you going Bowser? We must reunite your army, remember? You gave a speech and everything! We got to take the fight to Tatanga!"

"I must find my family first! I have a lead on one's location so I'm taking it. My men are fighters. I'll no doubt run into some on the way. If you see any, direct them to the rendezvous point for our eventual counterattack."

Bowser turns to Plum and glares at her. The stare would intimidate others but Plum is not fazed at all. The two have obviously been through a lot together the past two weeks. "You better be at the hideout when I come back, kid."

"Yes sir! Just don't get capture again!"

"You're one to talk." Bowser grumbles.

After Plum salutes him, she and koopas drag the criminals away. Bowser turns to follow Peach's scent. He is furious with her. He told Peach to stay back! Why didn't she listen!?

She was worried about you, genius. Of course, she was going to come the moment she thought you were in trouble.

She is protective of ones she loves. He always envied the toads and wanted Peach's love all to himself. Now that her care extends to him, Bowser finds he doesn't like it. No doubt Toad's fate was a contributing factor in her decision to come looking for him and Ludwig. But Bowser doesn't want her in any danger. Why can't she understand that? Bowser drags his claws along a concrete wall, his expression pained. The problem is that he is a danger to her. Peach's life was peaceful before he entered it. She would not have jumped into the arena if Bowser had not ordered King Penguin's death. And she would not have come here if he wasn't seeking revenge. Tears form in his eyes, realizing what he must do if he truly loves her.

Bowser groans. "Peach…."

His mind also drifts to Ludwig. He inwardly pleads that Ludwig applied all he has taught him. Ludwig accompanied Bowser because he looked up to him. The old lady was right, he isn't good for his nephews and niece.

"Hang in there. I'll find you both. Then we'll … talk."

Mouser wakes up in a white cell and grab his wrapped head. "I feel like I got sat on by a thwomp."

Once his vision becomes clearer Mouser looks around. "I'm alive. How?"

Small purple men in tall mech suits march by his view. Mouser crawls up to the front and touches a translucent screen blocking him. It singes his fingers and he immediately pulls away. Holding his hand, Mouser squints his eyes to look at the cell across him. It is Ludwig all tied up in metal restraints. His mouth was muzzled to prevent him from breathing fire.

"Ludwig! Who is in charge here!? I demand Ludwig is released at once!" Mouser shouts. One guard step out his mech and lowers the shield to Mouser's cell. He pulls out a club. "Order us around mouse and I'll…"

Mouser cowers in a corner. A bang stops the guard from attacking. It's Ludwig. He bangs his arm against the wall again, threatening the guard should he attack his father's lackey. Despite Ludwig being restrained, the guard fearfully backs off.

"Have they found the large turtle yet?" The guard asks his comrades as he exits Mouser's cell.

"No, not after the prison riot he and a human girl started…"

"You don't think he is going to team up with Princess Daisy?"

"What about Princess Daisy?"

The guards stand erect and salute Tatanga as he enters. He towers over the other aliens, wearing a black space suit with a flowing cape. He walks straight to Ludwig. Fearing his wrath, the guard struggles to answer Tatanga. "W-We were talking about this boy. He is so much trouble. He escaped custody several times! Should we execute him?"

"No. He will be prefect bait for that big loud buffoon, Bowser. The king has been tearing up prison facilities trying to find the lad."

Ludwig's eyes downcast as Tatanga laughs. "This Bowser will regret challenging me. There can only be one in charge of Sarasaland. And that is me!"

The warlord continues to walk further down the hall. As he does Mouser spots Toad walking past! His mushroom cap bears the old mark of a knife wound. And the captain is holding up Tatanga's flowing cape. Mouser's jaw drops while Ludwig struggles in his restraints.

"Captain Toad! You're alive! We thought you were dead!" The mouse shouts.

Toad's eyes twitch.

"I might as well be." He chuckles - on the verge of a mental breakdown. The unfortunate toad is once again enslaved by a purple man. Earning his pity, Mouser can't bring himself to tell Toad that Peach is missing.

"Move faster, Shorty." Tatanga admonishes. Toad picks up his pace after apologizing. The two walk down a hall and stop at another cell. In the cell is a buff male human with a brown beard, also restrained.

Tatanga smiles at the man in mockery. "When do you intend to cooperate, Your Majesty? You can end all this by telling your four vassal kings to stand down and surrender to me."

The king doesn't respond.

"Very well, King Oleander. There is more than one way to get the throne legitimately. I will have your daughter."

King Oleander now speaks. "I remember when you were a wee shrimp. Have that mushroom around to remind yourself of what you were, huh?"

The human suddenly jolts his head back as he is electrocuted by his restraints. Worried, Toad runs in vain to the cell but slams into the force field. Tatanga angrily stomps on Toad, reprimanding him.

"Leave that little guy alone! This is between you and me, Tatanga!" The king shouts defiantly.

"Tatanga does as he pleases." The alien says in a huff, trying to simmer his rage. Despite twitching in pain, Oleander smiles.

"I'll never tell my people to give up Sarasland! Not after what you have done. Never!"

Tatanga snarls at the king. "I practically run everything anyway! Once I find your missing lackeys it's over. Besides an opportunity has arrived. I will be staging an execution of you and others. Princess Daisy will come to rescue you. And I will be waiting for her."

"Underestimate Dayz at your own risk. She makes friends easily."

Tatanga frowns and leaves, Toad struggles to keep up. A guard in a mech follows Tatanga, his expression concerned. "Should you be risking this operation?"

"It'll be worth it. I can't have Daisy and the koopas stay hidden and get stronger. If I capture and marry her, the vassal kings will give up. It will finally cement my grip on the Sarasland Empire!"