Author's Note: Thank you for reading and for the detailed feedback. I really appreciate it!

Bowser and Peach

I feel a sudden sense of overwhelming dread. Like a dark embrace it engulfs my heart. I pause. Is something bad going to happen? I'm not sure what it means. Could be anxiety. I'm worried about so much. But if we all stay together, it'll be alright.

Thanks to the waterfalls of Easton, the rebel base has a constant source of running water. Every home has a bath and shower. Though he is not the cleanest of kings, Bowser is thankful for the amenities. Peach will not stop fussing until he cleans up. Unfortunately, due to his size the shower is a tight fit and he must bend to enter. After several minutes of struggling and grumbling, Bowser leaves the shower – his wet hair matted and covering his eyes. He takes a claw to pull back his locks while putting his shell back on. Bowser then grabs a towel on the way out.

The koopa finds Peach sitting on a pillow, reading a book near a bonfire with the other villagers. He could stare at her all night. But Bowser notices her eyes have a little fear in them as she reads. She quickly dismisses whatever is bothering her and continues reading. Bowser takes a deep breath. He needs to tell Peach what he has decided to do. The sooner he talks to her, the better it will be for the both of them. Hearing his footsteps, Peach places the book down. Bowser pauses seeing the residents frowning at him. They don't like him being here after the commotion he caused. Especially Queen Lilac. Ignoring them, Bowser approaches Peach and gazes down at her.

"Happy now, Peaches?" He declares while spreading his arms out. I must stop calling her that!

Peach smiles and runs into his arms.

No. No. NO! It was a joke!

Before he can lower his arms, Peach latches onto his sides - burying her face into his chest. Bowser feels his heart doing backflips. He cautiously wraps his arms around her. With a giggle Peach pulls away and lures Bowser away from the group. She wanted to remain in the town square but in a more private spot. Peach approaches a sitting area under a tree with glowing leaves. Present is a medical kit she had left there earlier. Taking the towel she dries Bowser's hair, his mane now wild looking. Bowser's gaze stays on the ground, attempting to avoid her loving stare.

"Peach, I'm sorry I wasn't there …"

She finishes by wrapping the towel around his neck like a scarf. "You're here now."

Suddenly, Bowser's eyes light up with anger. "I told you to stay back!" He yells. Peach pokes her bottom lip out in annoyance.

"You're the one making people worry about you. Even Mouser came looking with me!"

Bowser wanted to demand why she was alone with Mouser of all people. Then he realized he would look silly asking.

I shouldn't be jealous!

Bowser wants to continue fussing but Peach's eyes entrap him with a glare. He finds himself getting lost in them. Defiant he makes one last retort.

"You are the most stubborn woman I've ever met!"

Peach tilts her head, looking up at him coyly. He freezes. She tugs on the towel, slowly dragging him down toward her. He doesn't fight it. Her lips part and gently press against his. Bowser closes his eyes and kisses her back.

What are you doing, Bowser!?

He pauses mid kiss. Suddenly, Peach pulls the towel over his face covering his eyes. She turns away giggling. Bowser yanks it off and spots Peach sitting on the pillows under the tree. She playfully reaches out to him. Hesitantly, he follows and sits next to her. Opening the med kit, Peach begins applys medicine to his cuts and wraps them. Bowser wants to yelp from the burning medicine but he endures it. When Peach finishes, She grabs his chin to direct him to her lap. Bowser is now at war with himself. His heart feels like it's about to jump out of his chest. He wants to reject her affection but he can't bring himself to do it.

So much for breaking up with her.

"Nice place, isn't it?" Peach teases.

"Yeah…"

Peach begins to comb his hair. Memories of the past come rushing back to Bowser and he closes his eyes. He replays the moment he realized he loved her. Content he remains still, enjoying Peach's attention. At one point she pauses to kiss his snout. It's getting harder and harder to tell her. He has missed her so much.

"Peach, I never meant for you to get in trouble."

Peach pauses and Bowser becomes tense.

"Bowser."

"Yes?"

"Tatanga. Is he what you wanted to be?" Her tone is not angry. But there is a hint of sadness in it.

Bowser grunts lightly. "I started out wanting to take over everything. But this is not what I would want." Bowser balls his fists up. "I've seen some stuff, Peach. I throw death threats around but I have limits. Somethings are too much."

Bowser sits up. "Do you think I'm like him?"

She places her hand on her heart. "You were heading down that path."

"…." Bowser looks away from her.

Peach smiles again. "But I'm glad you don't agree with his methods."

She lures him back to her lap, gently asking about his prison ordeal. Reluctantly, Bowser explains his encounter with Plum in prison.

Bowser was not bothered by the prison. He's been in worst and it was more annoying than anything. The guards were terrified of him. They muzzled him and outfitted him with shock collars around his neck and arms.

The aliens were always shocking Plum and the other kids with their electric batons. They did this whenever they were lagging while carrying huge loads.

Bowser hears Peach gasp when he says the kids were younger than Ludwig. He continues.

Despite this, Plum kept the spirits of the prisoners alive with encouraging words and sharing her rations. She even shared what she had with Bowser. He wasn't receptive at first.

"What am I supposed to do with that moldy crust of bread!" Bowser complains while carrying a boulder. Plum looks down at her small loaf of bread and offers it again. "They didn't feed you at all today, mister." She managed to slip the bread into his mouth past the muzzle. Her kindness reminded him of Peach.

One day Plum got into serious trouble. She came to the aid of a child being punished for falling behind. And the guards intended to kill her, by firing squad, as an example.

Bowser growls remembering that moment. It was one of the few times Bowser didn't ignore a problem that was not his. Something that didn't involve his family. Even Peach did not come into his mind for his reason to act. He genuinely felt angry. Was it because she was so young?

Bowser escaped his confines in a blind rage, injuring himself. But he managed to stop the execution. Plum cried once she realized he saved her and her voice brought him out of his rampage. Stunned, imprisoned humans demanded to know why he was doing that. Some of the adults shouted at him.

"Do you know what is going to happen!?"

"The warden is going to make our lives worst!"

"Suck it up! It's already bad! You've founded an empire! And you're giving in to these losers! If I was your royalty, I would be ashamed. Stay here and die! But I'm leaving! I'm taking the fight to the big man. I will not spend another day under his heel!"

Bowser sees Peach lean over to frown at him. "Bowser, you really said that to those poor people?"

"It was tough love." He retorts.

"Oh, really?"

Bowser rushed to beat up any guard he could find while carrying Plum. To his surprise the other prisoners angerly followed him.

"You have a lot of nerve looking down on us, turtle man!"

"That's King Bowser!"

"Whatever! We'll show you!"

With their help he overtook the base defeating the warden. At Bowser's direction the prisoners raided the supplies and escaped into the city. Several divisions of Bowser's koopa army had been fighting, attempting to enter the prison to free Bowser. Seeing their king had already escaped they regrouped with him.

"My misfit of an army is hiding at my base right now. We're preparing for a counterattack."

"I'm so proud of you." Peach whispers. She scratches his head and a sigh escapes his mouth. "You're a hero!"

"No, I'm not …."

"Well, I'll say then you felt empathy and acted on it."

Bowser thought for a moment, taking in what Peach said. She was implying he saw himself in the prisoners. Feeling helpless and at the mercy of someone else. Bowser smiles.

"Peach, you always listen to me talk. But you don't talk about yourself much. I must drag it out of you every time. Please tell me what happened."

After a pause she tells of her being separated from Mouser. And her wandering around in a desert city. Meeting the slavers and her hurt over their actions. Bowser gets angry. He is ready to go to Wario's prison to find the slavers but she calms him down. Listening to her, Bowser groans within himself.

This strengthens my position. I must let Peach go.

Then Peach tells him about Daisy, and how much she likes her. And how the residents were patient with Peach's aloofness. Her joy and elation brings a smile to him.

"Peach…"

"Shhhh…."

She encourages him to sleep while petting his head. "You need to rest."

Bowser's willpower leaves him. Her gentle words and soft touch lure him to sleep. This is the first time since coming to Sarasaland has his sleep been pleasant. Hours later, Bowser wakes up on the pillow and realizes Peach is not with him. Distressed, he looks around and notices everyone walking around. It's morning.

"Where did she go?"

I shouldn't be looking!

He spots a letter from Peach, telling him she would be back. She had left him a bowl of soup. After eating Bowser walks away with the intent to leave the rebel base. Peach is now with humans. Ones that care about her. She'll be safe for now. But before leaving Bowser decides he needs to talk to Daisy. He eventually finds her tilling soil in her flower garden. She was wearing an orange shirt and suspenders, caked with dirt.

Daisy stops her work and looks up at Bowser. "Bowser! Looking for your sweetheart? She's helping Ms. Betty at her preschool."

Bowser slowly shakes his head. "Daisy, thank you for saving …. my Peach. I'm obligated to return the favor. I'm here for revenge but I'll do whatever is needed to take down Tatanga. I'm at your command."

Bowser takes out a piece of paper and scribbles the coordinates to his hideout. "We're hiding in Chai Kingdom's bamboo forest."

Daisy takes the paper. "So, you want an alliance?" She grins and the two seal the deal with a strong handshake. "We'll have to meet at Wario and Waluigi's plumbing house. I'll talk to you then."

"Those two….?" Bowser groans.

"When you finally get them to cooperate, they're monsters." Daisy groans while shaking her head. "We need them."

"I have to go there anyway."

"Where are you going today? Does Peach know your leaving?"

"No. I can't let her know."

Daisy folds her arms. "You ran all this way and now you're ditching her!? She is going to be sad."

Bowser balls his fists up. "You don't understand. It's for the best."

"Drama queen."

"What did you call me!" Bowser yells but Daisy doesn't flinch.

"Drama queen. It won't last. I saw how you looked at Peach last night. You'll come running back. So, save yourself the trouble and let her decide if she will come with you."

Lilac walks up to the two - glaring at Bowser. "You are such a brute, leaving that girl."

Bowser folds his arms and raises an eyebrow. "I thought you hated me being here, Queen Lilac."

"I don't mind you being here. But I was hoping to set up one of my court attendants with Peach. She's so sweet. And you ruined my scheme!"

Bowser stares at the queen in shock. Then he yells, "No, she's mine!"

He pauses, noticing the two women's reactions to his outburst. They both have their arms folded. He groans and hangs his head.

"I'm not just leaving her for the sake of it. I enslaved her people! Peach didn't take foolishness from me but she was still kind. Despite what I did. So, I'm freeing her kingdom. The more I stay around her, the more in love with her I become. And the more I'm around her, the more trouble she gets into."

Daisy unfolds her arms looking sad. "I see. You feel guilty and think this will make amends."

"So, please don't tell her I'm leaving. Once the war is over, I'll have my men escort her to her kingdom. But I can't see her anymore." The words feel poisonous to Bowser and he grabs at his chest. Lilac's frown softens.

"Alright." She replies.

Back on the other side, the siege of Pi'illo Island continues. Jennen the Army Hammer Bro had kept the invading forces at the beach with cannons. But the Koopa General was slowly pushing his forces through, after the airships bombarded the beach. The air forces had been fighting with the pirate ships and some could now aid the ground fighters. Holding a flag with Bowser's insignia, the general urges his soldiers forward.

"For King Bowser! Stop the traitors!" He shouts.

Furious Jennen has his men pull back into the village. "They've finally cut through! Fall back! Fall back!"

Clawgrip doesn't pull back from the advancing empire forces. "I'm not backing down!"

"Clawgrip! You idiot!"

Jennen must be dragged away by a comrade. "Leave him!"

Clawgrip roars and begins hurling boulders. The general flies out the way as his soldiers are hit by the boulders, sending them rolling into the water. Others are buried in the sand.

Clawgrip raises his claws into the air. "Glory to King Wart! The one who Bowser slain!"

One the general's men sticks his head out the sand. "Wait, isn't he the guy that jumped into the turnip field after Bowser beat him?"

"Wasn't he allergic to turnips?" Another adds.

"Don't speak ill of him!" Clawgrip howls. "Bowser is responsible! I will avenge my master! Bow before your new emperor!"

Clawgrip hurls more boulders into the air, trying to crush the general. Flying in a zigzag, Koopa General keeps him busy as his men get close to wrap ropes around Clawgrip's legs.

As Clawgrip lifts another boulder, they tug and bring the large crustacean crashing to the ground. The boulder he was holding drops and hits him on the head, knocking him out. As the soldiers tie Clawgrip up with chains, King K. Rool watches from his boat through a telescope. His men are running around firing cannonballs at the airships. He shakes his head and looks up into the sky.

"Oh great. Antasma said the next few months would be grueling but I didn't expect this."

As he contemplates abandoning his comrades, he grabs his head in pain. "What was that?" He becomes alarmed. "…. I'm going to have to save them, aren't I?"

Jennen and his army ran through the streets of the village. Soon they are confronted by the general's men. Koopas battle koopas as the pi'illo residents remain in their locked homes. Each home has a robot guarding the entrance, so they are unable to flee. The villagers peek from their windows.

"Why are they fighting?" A woman ask her husband as the family stares out the window.

"Keep your head down!"

"That awful Antasma hasn't returned. Maybe he angered Bowser for the last time." The grandmother responds. The woman hugs her children, now hopeful. The father turns to his family.

"We're not in the clear yet. The robots are on the move!"

The robots begin shooting at the invading koopas. To avoid injury, some retreat into their shells while others duck behind shields. The red shelled koopa, with the eye-patch, races through the streets on a go-kart. He crashes into a trio of robots. The impact sends him flying but he successfully destroyed the group.

The general urges his men forward. "For King Bowser!" He shouts again. He then looks around frantically. "Where is Toadette!? I told her to hide in the village!"

As he throws a tantrum, his men approach.

"General! We saw a small boat approaching the shores!"

"Destroy it!"

"But it contains toads, Sir!"

"Huh!?"

Toadette had covered the doors to the Pi'illo castle and was upstairs. The enemy robots are slowly melting through the door and barriers. Despite her fear the pink mushroom is taking a nap. To anyone else this would be bizarre. But Toadette is trying to contact someone again. She hasn't heard from the prisoner and fears he is dead.

"Hello? It's me Dreambert."

"Your still alive! Where are you!?"

"Below the castle! You can only access it from my room. It's on the third floor, behind a bookshelf on the right. You'll have to find the button to open a hidden path. It's a maze down here so bring a torch."

"Why didn't you ask any of the koopas at the tower for help?"

"Antasma's influence. With it lessen I was finally able to reach out, and you are someone I trust."

"Lessen?"

"I'll explain more later. I'll go on ahead and wake you up. Please hurry!"

Toadette wakes up and runs for the stairs to the third level. She hears the castle doors giving way and picks up her pace.

Back outside the castle, Tanger sits on a roof watching Jennen run. He spots the wealthy widow and glares.

"Aren't you going to help, Tanger!?"

Jennen fumes as she shrugs. Finally, Tanger gets up and throws a boomerang, taking out a swat of pursuing soldiers. She then sits back down.

"Thank you. I was hoping we could escape to the beach to get on K. Rool's ship but that is impossible now!" Jennen says.

"If you ask me, I think he is going to abandon us."

Jennen is about to counter but stops himself. "Your right. He is a pirate."

Jennen takes his hammer and hurls it, knocking out a sledge bro. He then grabs a torch and runs up to a home.

"What is he doing!?" One of the pi'illo cries out.

The hammer bro smiles wickedly at Tanger as he lights up a wooden door. "We'll burn the town down to cause a diversion." The robots follow his actions and turn to fire into the homes. The villagers cry out, running further into their homes.

Suddenly, a rock connects with Jennen's hand and he drops the torch. He grabs his hand and looks for the assailant. It's Berry and he runs in smothering the flame on the door.

Jennen stares at him stunned. "Toads!?"

Many toads in helmets are in the streets, barring the traitor koopas from entering homes. They look scared as usual but they are putting up a fight this time.

"What are you doing here!?" The general shouts at them.

Gold pauses to look at him. "T-The chancellor told us to back you up! Don't worry we've gotten stronger!"

"…."

Fury fills Jennen's heart seeing the creatures he despise so much. He hurls his hammer at Berry but the toad blocks it with his spear. Though sweating Berry smiles. The toads have been training. Berry leaps on a roof and jumps on Jennen's head, knocking him to the ground. Gold is further away battling enemy koopas. Other toads throw their spears at Tanger on the roof. She dodges and catches one of the spears. She then hurls it back. But the general catches it before it hits Berry, who had Jennen on the ground.

"We have you now, traitors!" The general shouts.

"You're the traitors! Teaming up with toads! You bring shame to our ancestors!" Jennen declares while running to the castle. Tanger jumps to the ground and is surrounded by the general's men. When they leap at her she vanishes and they crash into each other. It was an illusion. The true Tanger is getting away, following Jennen.

Jennen turns to her as they run.

"We must recover the materials Antasma left behind. We can still pull off the assassination. But we can't die here!"

Meanwhile, the general jumps on an airship aiming for the castle. The toads stay in the town, with the koopas, to check on the citizens.

"Please save Toadette!" Berry cries out.

The conspirators enter the castle and the general orders a bombardment. He then jumps off the ship.

"You'll be in the line of fire, Sir!"

"I have to find that repulsive Toadette."

The men stare at him. "You have a hate crush on her or something?"

"I do not!" He roars. "She is Princess Peach's 'sister.' And the king loves the princess and wants her to be happy. And he is the strongest of us. What he wants is our command! It has always been that way!"

His men cheer and salute him while some shout "Long Live the King!" One soldier folds his arms in skepticism, not buying the speech. The general groans and flies into the castle.

While he enters, Toadette had pulled out everything from the shelves in Dreambert's room. She feels along the shelves, hoping to find the button. The room shakes as the bombardment begins. Toadette locked the room to protect herself from the robots. But she can hear them melting the door. Time is running out but she stays calm. Finally, her finger presses into an indent and the wall pulls back.

"I would have never found this alone!"

Toadette then runs around the room looking for a lamp. She falls to the floor from an explosion but gets back up. Staying calm, she successfully locates a lamp and enters the tunnel. Descending a flight of stairs, Toadette looks around afraid. There are multiple tunnels leading into the dark dungeon. She picks one and goes further in. Soon she is seeing creepy purple vines lined along the tunnel's walls. Being near them fills her with dread.

"What are these…"

Toadette jumps hearing the bedroom door crash. She chooses to go right, following the vines but falls into a spike death trap. Fortunately, she grabs the ledge saving herself. After pulling herself out, Toadette presses against the wall now terrified. She tries another route and finds even more vines. The further in she goes, the more afraid she feels. Noticing some photos pinned to the wall, Toadette holds up the lamp. Before her are mutilated pictures of Peach. Each picture have claw marks on her face. But in each image Peach's blue eyes are untouched. It's a wall of eyes staring back at her like she is in a nightmare. Toadette hugs her lamp.

"I don't like this place."

Bowser takes advantage of the rebels gathering at the square to make his exit. Once he leaves from the behind the waterfall, he turns his head already regretting his decision. But once Bowser turns back around, he realizes Peach is waiting near the waterfall. Bowser groans.

She knows. She's going to kill me!

But she doesn't yell at him.

"I'll slow you down with the way I am. But Lilac says I have one more day of recovery. Soon I'll be ready to help you in any way I can!"

Bowser smiles with appreciation. She lowers her eyes, blushing. Bowser looks at her curiously.

"I'll see you later, love." She nervously fumbles out. Bowser's eyes become grief stricken. This is what he has always wanted. Her love. Peach reaches out and tugs his head down toward her. She wants a goodbye kiss. Bowser's mind becomes hazy but he pulls away. Peach looks up at him, her eyes distressed.

"I'm sorry I can't accept." He may beg for her hand in marriage if she does. "I've lost Ludwig. I almost lost you. I had time to think and things are going to change. When this is over, you and your kingdom are free from me."

Peach stares at him and folds her arms. "You're jumping ahead and deciding without me."

"Jumping ahead?"

Peach clasps her hands together. "We were working on that. My council and me. After you returned and rested, we would declare independence from your empire."

"That's rebellion!"

Peach places her hands on her hips. Bowse smirks over her cute pout. "What are you mad over? You just said we're free. But we wanted an alliance where we are on equal footing. We're willing to negotiate."

Bowser stares stunned. He then speaks. "No alliances. We must cut off contact. I'll try to do what I can to undue any harm done to your kingdom."

Peach sighs but Bowser continues. "You'll have your life back, Peach. Isn't this what you wanted!? When Tatanga is done, I'll have my men escort you home. But I can't see you anymore. It doesn't mean I don't love you. It's just I only get you into trouble."

Peach folds her arms as Bowser pleads with her.

"Peach, I'm dying already over this! Don't make this anymore difficult!"

She unfolds her arms and closes her eyes. After taking a few deep breathes Peach reaches out to Bowser. "Please take my hand." Her eyes draw him in, and he timidly reaches for her.

"When I was kidnapped, I was scared. But I kept telling myself you would come. And I realized at that moment I loved you."

Bowser looks away. "…."

Peach continues. "You're used to deciding on your own." Bower's eyes narrow. He tries to retort but she places a finger on his mouth. "But we're a team. Couples work together to fix a problem when it arrives, not pull apart. You messed up. I messed up. So, let's tackle it together."

Bowser grips her hands. "Peach…"

"If Tatanga keeps going like this, what he does will affect everyone! So, I'm helping whether you like it or not. I won't take silly unnecessary risks. When Daisy comes to you, I will be with her. And I'm not leaving your side. No matter what happens, I'll be there with you. So, get over it!"

Bowser gazes at her. His emotions are overwhelming him. She loves him. She loves him. He can't push her away. Bowser catches her in a loving embrace. Peach giggles and holds onto him. He then growls lowly into her ears.

"I have no choice, huh? Okay then ... you are mine. And I am yours."