A/N: Hey all! I decided to write this story for what I think is a small fraction of people who like possession. If this is you and you enjoy this story, please review so I know how many there are. If this is not you, there's a chance you will be disturbed by this story. You have been warned!
Deep within the Palace of Shadow, Sir Grodus had nearly achieved his goal. The mechanical man was cracked and bruised, but triumphant.
Despite a battle with Mario, he'd finally brought Princess Peach to the final chamber of the Palace of Shadow. The room was mostly empty. It only had golden decorative stands around the outside, with candles on top, and a red carpet leading to an eerie coffin. Within that coffin lay the Shadow Queen, an ancient and powerful demon sealed away a thousand years ago.
She needed a body to inhabit, a maiden of pure heart to thoroughly corrupt with her demonic presence. Peach lay helplessly in front of the coffin.
Mario and his companions burst into the chambers, but realized they were too late as Grodus already stood waiting for them.
"Too bad for you, Mario! You're too late!" He gestured dramatically. "Gaack ack ack! Look well! In the coffin behind me sleeps the legendary treasure! This tomb holds the soul of that ancient demon, the wielder of destruction. It will possess Peach's body… and bring life to the most powerful witch in millennia!"
Bobbery, the Bob-omb next to Mario, yelled in shock. "Possess Peach?!"
The princess wondered what it would be like to be possessed.
"M-Mario… I'm so s-sorry… Sending you that map caused all this trouble, didn't it…" Peach could only feel that this situation, and the fate awaiting her, was all her fault.
"Gaaaack ack ack ack ack! With the power of the demon, I will rule this pathetic world! The time has come at last! The world will be mine!" He could hardly contain his excitement. "Now! Arise! ARISE! My Shadow Queen!"
Grodus threw open the lid, and a dark whirlwind emerged, throwing him back. The room's candles were extinguished and relit with dark purple flame. From within, an enormous purple figure slowly emerged, with long gray hair, thin outstretched arms, and a tall crown befitting a queen. She only had a body from the waist up, but still towered over Grodus, rising out of her coffin to many times his height.
She spoke with a commanding voice, alluring yet with an unmistakable hint of malice. Her voice was beautiful and chilling, elegant but in a clearly authoritative rather than gentle manner.
"Who… has called me back?"
"It is I, my Shadow Queen!" Grodus called out.
"You… Very well… Where is the vessel?"
"It is here! This girl who lies before you!"
She gazed over Peach and nodded her approval. This one was quite young and lovely indeed. She felt lucky to be offered such a beautiful vessel.
"Yessss… A fine vessel… Now…"
The long, purple hands slowly reached for the princess and wrapped their fingers around her.
Peach prepared herself to resist the strange presence about to enter her body.
As the parts of the demon making contact with Peach dissolved into black mist, seeping into her, the princess felt a gentle touch, like fingers brushing over her skin. She began to feel dark magic pulsing through her veins, and her first thought was…
She wanted more.
The princess immediately stopped trying to resist and focused her mind on enjoying the rush of adrenaline flowing through her as the ancient demon entered her new vessel. Peach felt like hundreds of spiders were crawling under her skin. She continued to absorb the mist. More. She wanted more.
The princess loosened up, allowing the essence to flow more freely through her, allowing herself to absorb it faster, and directing it to places it hadn't reached yet until it filled all of her. She felt her legs shake, and up above, it felt soothing, the presence gently massaging her head, and yet energizing, erasing all the exhaustion she felt. Her heart raced, beating impossibly fast. Her chest felt burning hot, yet her arms were ice cold. Every part of her felt alive.
The princess exerted herself to make the Queen feel not like a trespasser or even a guest, but the rightful owner of her body. She let the essence pour into her until there was no more, guiding it, placing it in new areas it could call home.
When it was over, Peach felt like she'd been attached to a missing piece of herself. Like if she had only one hand and found the other. She felt so much better than her normal self, as if she'd been injured her whole life and only now been healed. The demon fulfilled a desire she never knew she even had.
Vessel. The word made perfect sense to her now. She fulfilled a very important purpose. Peach served as a vessel, a container for this ancient witch's soul. Through her, the Shadow Queen would return to her full glory.
For her part, the Queen found her new body extremely welcoming, as if the flesh was calling out to her to enter and take possession. Every piece of it invited her in, letting her slip effortlessly inside. She felt surprisingly comfortable in this vessel, like it was made for her, every detail to her liking.
Peach's body surrendered command to the witch seamlessly, like returning a borrowed item to its owner. The Queen appreciated her vessel exerting the extra effort to make it feel truly hers.
The demonic form disappeared, the witch's head and long, stretching arms no longer visible, merged into one with Peach.
Peach felt herself getting up from the ground, but she had no control over her movements. Her arms moved, but it was the Shadow Queen, dusting off her vessel's dress, who asserted command over her body.
The princess looked completely transformed. Her usual pink dress had turned dark purple, complemented by a cape falling behind her down to her knees. A tall purple collar stretched up behind her head, ending in spikes. The long white gloves covering Peach's arms became dark gray with a hint of purple. As for her jewelry, the sapphires she wore turned into blood red rubies.
It was not just her outfit that changed, but her body as well. Her bright blue eyes were now an intense red. The color had completely drained from her light pink skin, which became deathly pale.
Lastly, her expression was also very different. Peach's lips twisted up in a cruel smirk that replaced her usual sweet smile. Her red eyes were narrowed, glaring out in front of her with unmistakable malice. Never in a million years would the princess have worn this look on her face.
Mario stared in horror at what Peach had become. She didn't know why, but she found it… amusing, to see him so afraid of her.
Outside, the world quaked and became shrouded in darkness as everyone looked on, frightened and clueless as to what was happening.
Peach knew she should be terrified, but she instead relaxed, letting the Queen direct her movements, enjoying the feeling of strange but wonderful power making its way through her.
"Muh huh huh huh huh… Witness my rebirth…" Peach's mouth opened, and out came the witch's beautiful, chilling voice.
Finally, after a thousand years, she had a body again.
"My soul has not yet fully accustomed to this vessel…"
The princess felt the essence inside her shifting, still exploring its new home.
"But I will learn to control this body soon enough…"
Suddenly she was startled. It was Grodus, shouting at her. "Yes, my glorious witch queen… Destroy these impudent fools!"
The Shadow Queen smirked at him, her eyebrow raised in amusement. "Who are you that would command me? What sort of being are you?"
Grodus was confused. This was not going according to plan. "Huh? What do you mean? I thought you were bound to obey the one who woke you!" His confusion turned to anger. "Enough of this prattle! Do as I say! NOW! Or I will send you back to the depths…"
Peach felt raw power welling up inside of her. Her eyes glowed a dangerous bright red, and the power released itself through her fingertips, making a dark lightning bolt that struck Grodus. She looked on with amazement and satisfaction as his entire body was fried, leaving him with just a head that clattered onto the floor.
"You would do well to learn your proper place, slave. No one commands me."
The princess felt it happen a second time, magic coming from every part of her, flowing into her arms, leaving her fingers, vaporizing Grodus' head. This time, she could direct it through her, driving it out faster towards its destination. That made it feel even stronger than before, culminating in a visibly more impressive lightning bolt.
It felt thrilling to her, to wield that kind of power, even if she wasn't really the one in control. To hear her lips speak those words, after Grodus had abducted her and pushed her around.
Peach now realized what she lacked was power, through all those times she was kidnapped by whoever decided it pleased them. What good were her intentions, if she had no power to change anything? No one commands me. She played those words again in her mind, relishing the thought.
"My powers are not yet fully restored… But… they will come in time…"
She felt excited. That wasn't even the full extent of her power? She was capable of more?
Bobbery, spoke up. "Wh-what is all this? I don't understand, Mario…"
Out of nowhere a small purple being materialized. It was Beldam, a Shadow Siren and faithful servant of the Queen, accompanied by Marilyn and Doopliss. She cackled with glee at the completion of her plan. "My queen! You have returned to us!"
Peach's lips curled up in satisfaction. "Ahh, Beldam… What ages have passed? So… You are the one truly responsible for calling me back, yessss?" She smoothly drew out the 's', fading into a silent whisper.
Beldam explained. "Yes, my queen. I searched for a pure maiden that you might inhabit… And as I did, I spread the rumor of a great treasure. Then I led the fools who had gathered the Crystal Stars here to open the seal…"
The Queen raised a finger to her lips. "Yesss… You have fulfilled your duties admirably."
"I am not worthy, my queen." Beldam bowed low.
"And who are these…beings who stand before me?" The demon's attention turned to Mario. "Yesss… They do not appear to possess power… But they may be of use. If you will become my faithful servants, I will not harm you."
Bobbery immediately spoke up. "Mario, we mustn't serve evil! You must resist, old boy!" Mario shook his head in refusal. One final obstacle remained before he could take Peach home, and he would overcome it.
The Queen took a moment to contemplate their responses. "I see… So you defy me… Then, you wretched fools… you will learn the error of your ways!"
Peach's heart began racing. What did that mean? "You are foolish to oppose me. Yesss… and that foolishness… will have to be punished…" She barely had time to think about it before she felt the power coursing through her, as before. But that meant… Mario was the target! Peach fell into a state of panic.
No! Her kidnapper lay vanquished, this was when she should return home with Mario and enjoy a cake! Instead she found herself summoning lightning bolts against him, calling forth endless numbers of shadowy hands, and watching the demon's true form drain his life force, rejuvenating herself.
The magic coming out of her felt nearly limitless, continually flowing through her without rest. Nevertheless, Mario was putting up a fight, landing numerous hits and smacking her with his hammer.
The Shadow Queen was surprised. She wasn't used to fighting in this vessel, but she hadn't expected to be fighting at all. She'd expected her opponents to fall in a few strikes. Instead, her new vessel was taking quite a beating.
"Hmm… So you are not weak. Maybe you are less useless than you appear."
She would learn how to wear this body later. For now, her aim was to punish this defiance.
"This body is unfamiliar to me… Yesss, too unfamiliar… Let me assume my true form and show you real power…"
The possessed princess slowly floated upwards as a dark tornado blew around her. The demon's essence slowly formed on her, black mist leaving the same way it had come in, coalescing into her true form.
However, now the demon's enormous hands were detached, emerging from pools of shadow on her left and right. Her head hovered over Peach, and the rest of her form swirled around and enveloped her vessel, also floating over clouds of shifting darkness.
"In this form, your attacks are like those of a child to me… You are lucky. You will perish with the honor of having seen true terror and power! Muh huh huh huh huh huh!"
Mario swung his hammer again, but it had no effect at all. Enveloped within the demon, Peach felt completely… safe, like no harm could possibly come to her. He tried all kinds of attacks, but nothing caused even a scratch. She would've felt completely calm if not for the very real possibility of Mario meeting his end right here.
The Queen took a moment to toy around with her prey, watching their pathetic attempts to damage her. "Muh huh huh huh huh huh! Is that your idea of an attack? Foolish…" She wondered why they were still struggling. Couldn't they see it was no use? "Muh huh huh huh huh… Now, taste my power!"
She attempted another lightning strike, but Peach was able to suppress her magic, preventing it from leaving her, desperate to find any way to stop herself from hurting Mario.
"Wh-What? You wretched little girl! You disobey me?! You brat! Obey me, girl!"
Peach succeeded a second time, suppressing another lightning strike. Her legs and torso trembled slightly, confining raging power with nowhere to go, which now circulated wildly within her.
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Very cunning, Princess! But you will not undo me! Know me as your queen!"
The witch added even more magic and pushed again, but with all her might, Peach held it back a third time. She felt her whole body quake violently, as if ready to burst at any moment.
"Enough! This ends now!"
Finally, her vessel could resist no longer. She jerked upward, all the energy rushing out of her fingertips into a massive lightning bolt, ten times louder than any of the others. It struck Mario right in the head, but by some miracle he kept fighting on.
"Hmmm… What a troublesome little pest you are. Muh huh huh huh huh…" Hundreds of shadowy hands grasped at the crowd in front of her, dragging them downward to their demise. Peach felt their life force flow into her, mending her injured body and refreshing her completely. "Yesss… I have recovered from any slight damage you may have caused earlier. And now… I will punish you for your resistance…"
Mario's companion Vivian looked exhausted. "Uh, Mario, what'll we do? We could be done for…"
Peach's panic intensified. For once in her life, there was no way for Mario to win. However, she felt her body settle down. The Queen was aware of the special bond between her vessel and this… Mario, and felt moved to offer him a second chance. "I will ask you again… Will you serve me? If so, I will forgive you for this…" Losing Mario might turn her vessel permanently against her, and while acceptable, would not necessarily be ideal. He could make a very useful servant…
Despite her exhaustion, Vivian shouted in defiance. "Forget it! I know we'll win!" Mario also shook his head. He knew he would triumph and bring Peach home. Never mind all his cuts and bruises, he was doing this for her.
"Muh huh huh huh huh… Very well… Then you will perish."
What? There's no chance you'll win! Let me just talk to him… Please! Peach thought, her mind sending words into the void, or so she thought.
The princess heard a voice ring through her head. Very well. She felt control return to all her limbs.
"Mario?" She rushed towards him. "Mario!"
"Princess Peach? Are you all right?" He rejoiced upon hearing her normal voice, thinking she was no longer possessed, but she knew otherwise. She embraced him.
"Mario, you cannot win this battle." Her hand cupped his cheek. "Do as she says. Please… I don't want to lose you." Peach ran her fingers through his hair and drew out her most persuasive tone. "Please… become her servant."
He shook his head. "I'll save you, Peach!"
The princess smiled. "Mario, I don't want to be saved. Serve her… for me… please? Farewell… Mario… I believe… in you…" She kissed him.
Vivian screamed, unable to believe her ears. "PEACH!"
Mario winced, but eventually nodded his head in agreement.
"What? NO!" Vivian cried out with horror. "You can't listen to her! We have to win! We just have to…" she thought of her own fate as a Shadow Siren, faithful servant of the Queen, who had turned against her, but Mario only hung his head in defeat.
One of Mario's companions was Goombella, a Goomba with a ponytail and a flashlight on her head. She looked extremely worried. "Umm… are you SURE about this, Mario?" He nodded slowly.
Peach backed away from him, and the demon asserted control once again. "Very well… now that the princess has had a chance to talk some sense into you, I will ask you once more. Will you serve me?"
Mario nodded his head, remembering Peach's words. Do as she says. Vivian, Goombella, and the rest of his companions agreed.
"Yesss… You are obedient…"
She had done it. Peach was everything she could have asked for in a vessel, and then some.
"Good, my pet… Now you are mine… You will serve me for eternity."
Peach heard the voice echo in her mind again. Excellent! You have done well, you wonderful, obedient little girl! I will forgive your previous foolishness. She felt somewhat sick, but grateful she had saved Mario.
The Shadow Queen decided to leave this bond as intact as she could. "You may call me Peach."
"Yes, Peach."
"'My queen' will also suffice."
"Yes, my queen."
"You will obey my every order, without question."
"Yes, Peach." He bowed low to demonstrate his servitude. The Queen placed her heel on his back. "You are my slave… Mario."
"I am your slave, my queen."
"Come, my pet. Let me heal your injuries." Peach's hand moved to his forehead, and this time she felt magic again, but steady and calming rather than wild and energetic, leaving through her fingers and closing Mario's wounds.
"Now, Vivian. I am a queen of my word."
Vivian cautiously emerged from the shadows where she had been hiding, awaiting a strike that never came.
"Let us forget your betrayal, yesss?" She brought out the demonic form Vivian was familiar with, placing a finger on the Shadow Siren's chin. Vivian nodded.
"Good. We are done here. Mario, open the doors." He carried out her command obediently. She began to leave the room, walking gracefully despite not having done so in a millennium.
"Watch your step… I wouldn't want to lose a perfectly good slave." Even after that long, she still remembered where all the spike traps were in her palace, directing her new followers around them. They all made their way out of the Palace of Shadow.
Upon stepping outside, the Queen took a moment to appreciate the wind whipping through her vessel's long, blonde hair. She was truly reborn into this world.
Peach's arms spread out, the witch briefly removing her gloves to experience the cold wind blowing on them. She took several deep breaths of fresh, cool air. She turned her head down to look at her new fingers, curling them one by one, then blinked her new eyes rapidly, familiarizing herself with the body as she did so.
Her movements were still a little imprecise, but she could feel her soul quickly becoming accustomed to this vessel. She could still hardly believe it, that she really, truly had a body again, when just yesterday she'd still been imprisoned in that awful coffin. A body to call her very own. She felt wonderful.
"Yesss… I have found my new eternal vessel. Witness my rebirth… The world will know its one true queen. Muh huh huh huh huh!"
The demon had largely shaken off the effects of her long rest. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of her palace, which suffered from a thousand years of neglect and disrepair. The Queen pondered this for a minute.
Just when she thought this vessel couldn't get any better, the witch remembered Peach was royalty. She decided to start anew.
Since this kingdom has long fallen into ruin… take us to your kingdom. The demon supposed her vessel could make herself useful. She returned control to Peach, who dutifully began walking towards the Mushroom Kingdom, wondering if the Queen had ever tasted cake before.
Mario and the Queen's other servants, both old and new, followed. Goombella felt a sense of dread, but decided to wait and see what would happen, as there was not much she could do.
A/N: More coming. Let me know what you think!