Update: 5/2/14: At long last! The newest chapter of LOTSS is here! I want to apologize for the very long delay between chapters, and sadly I cannot guarantee that there will be regular, frequent updates of new chapters, but keep in mind that this is, as stated a few times, very much a side project of mine. I have all intentions of completing the story, and many exciting new developments are to come, I just cannot say how far between each new chapter or hand full of chapters will be. It's very relative on how busy my personal life is at the time. I worked very hard on this chapter, and I hope it's worth the long wait from the previous chapter. Please feel free to send me any feedback you have, whether positive negative on this story. I love to know that my story is being read and enjoyed. Enjoy everyone!

Chapter 11: Trouble Over Tea

Sitting at the head of the long, elaborately decorated table in the dining hall of her castle, Princess Peach Toadstool delicately sipped her cup of tea. It was a light flavor, rich with the finest herbs and spices grown right from the royal gardens. She looked around the table, regarding each of her friends in turn. Toadsworth sat to the right of her, his fingers nervously drumming on the fine, pink tablecloth as he wiped his brow with a handkerchief. The Chancellor of the Mushroom Kingdom, an older Toad about the same age as Toadsworth with green spots on his head, a green vest and long, brown mustaches sat to her left. He grabbed a cookie and nodded to her with a thoughtful expression. Next to him sat Toad, his arms crossed as he gazed intently at the spread on the table. He scratched his large head and appeared to be deep in thought.

At the far end sat her friend Daisy. Daisy adjusted the golden crown on her head, something that Peach had noticed she did a lot, as if the crown never quite fit comfortably. Daisy was in a solemn mood, and had spent the last several minutes stirring her tea as she stared blankly into the cup. Mash stood by her side in full plate and mail, clutching that long spear of his. Peach had offered him a seat at the table but he had refused, choosing instead to stand right next to his princess. His one good eye surveyed the room, as if constantly on alert for any kind of danger or threat.

The pair had arrived almost an hour ago with Toad, shortly after Mario and Yoshi had set out to talk to Frogfucious. Peach had been quite surprised by their arrival, having not seen Daisy since the last tennis tournament a few weeks ago. Daisy usually gave advance notice when she came to the Mushroom Kingdom for a visit, and rarely brought Mash along. Peach knew there was trouble the minute she saw Daisy walk through the door.

The news about Sarasaland still shook her to her core. Daisy's army had been completely obliterated, her castle taken, and her kingdom conquered. Daisy and Mash had been lucky to escape themselves, and might not have if they had not been so quick to react. This attack was even more alarming for Peach, especially given the situation with the Star Road and the Super Happy Tree. Trouble had come right to their doorstep, and they were not prepared in the slightest.

Peach could have broken down at that moment, and part of her almost wanted to, but she knew she had to stay strong. Her friends and her kingdom needed her now more than ever, so she would press on with head held high. She also knew that as long as she had Mario around, he would never give up, no matter how dire the situation became. She missed him now, although he had only been gone for a few hours, she hoped he was okay.

Peach grabbed the small, pink handkerchief resting on her lap and gently patted her lips as she placed her cup of tea back on the table. She cleared her throat and spoke up.

"I know things look grim at the moment everyone." She said softly. Her friends all looked up at her at once, attentive. "But we must stay positive. Mario and Yoshi will be back by tomorrow. Once they return, they will have the answers we need."

Toadsworth gave Peach a concerned look and nodded. He cleared his throat as he spoke up.

"My princess." He said. "Pardon, but what if they don't return in time? The Star Road, the Super Happy Tree, and the attack on Sarasaland happened within the span of a day. What if we're next?"

Peach could not help but frown at that, and deep down she felt an overwhelming sense of dread starting to creep in. She quickly suppressed that feeling and gave Toadsworth a determined look.

"That is why I have prepared us for the worst, just as Mario asked me to do." She said sternly. "The one advantage we do have is that we're on alert for any impending trouble. At the very least, we can hold out until Mario gets back."

"Princess." The Chancellor said suddenly. "What of Bowser? He claims to want peace, but in all the years we have known him, he has never just sent one of his minions to offer peaceful terms."

"It has to be a trick." Toadsworth added nervously. "What other explanation can there be?"

"Maybe he has finally given up." Toad added. "I mean, Mario has foiled every plan he's had to try to take over the Mushroom Kingdom. Maybe he finally came to his senses."

"Doubtful," Toadsworth responded with a frown. "That brute is relentless. It seems like every time he fails, he has an even greater drive to kidnap her highness."

Peach shook her head and gently placed her hand on Toadsworth's shoulder. Bowser was always a constant concern to her and the kingdom, but now was not the time to be worrying over him. They had much bigger Cheep Cheep to fry and although she did not like it, she knew that Bowser and whatever he was planning would have to wait for now.

"Gentlemen." She said addressing each of them. "Bowser is of course of great concern, but we must figure out how to handle this situation with the Star Road first. There is no doubt in my mind that it is the most pressing issue at hand. If we don't play this delicately, I fear far worse is in store than anything that Bowser could possibly conjure."

The table grew silent at that, and her three retainers looked at her with worried but attentive expressions. Peach knew they were looking to their princess for answers, but even she was not sure of what to do. She had to stay strong regardless, otherwise there would be panic.

"My kingdom..." Daisy whispered suddenly.

Everyone turned to acknowledge Daisy, who appeared to be examining her small plate of untouched cookies closely. She lifted her head up and looked Peach straight in the eyes. Peach jumped a little at the intense expression on her friend's face. Daisy's deep, blue eyes glistened intensely, like sapphires glowing in a hot firelight.

"We need to do something now!" She exclaimed in a demanding tone. "My kingdom is under siege and all we're doing is sitting around debating about issues that we know almost nothing about! My people are undoubtedly being imprisoned, tortured or even dying, and here their princess sits, drinking tea when she should be planning for war!"

Daisy broke down then, covering her face with her hands as she cried. Mash patted her on the back and whispered softly to her. Peach could not hear what he said, but after a moment, Daisy stopped crying, and wiped her eyes with a napkin. She gave Mash a small smile and cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry everyone," She said apologetically. "I am just a little lost at the moment."

Peach rose from her chair and walked over to where Daisy was seated. She embraced her friend in a long hug as Daisy started to weep again into her shoulder. It killed Peach to see her friend, who was normally so strong willed, emotionally broken. Peach knew all too well how tough Daisy was on the outside, but throughout the many years the two had been friends, Peach knew there was a tender, even innocent side of Daisy. She also knew how much Daisy cared for her people, and although it was an almost constant struggle for Daisy to fill her role as the "Flower Princess of Sarasaland", Peach knew that nothing was more important to her friend.

After a few minutes of silence, Daisy let go of Peach and nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes. She took her seat at the end of the table, smoothing out her dress. Peach remained standing by her side, looking over the rather somber party in the room. Mash gave her a quick nod and spoke up.

"Your Highness," He said, addressing Peach as he cleared his throat. "Forgive my frankness here, but Sarasaland is in need of aid now. No one can deny the importance of the Star Road, but there are people suffering in our lands at this very moment. I fear if we wait for Sir Mario to return, we may be too late."

"What about Master Luigi?" Toadsworth said suddenly. "Has anyone seen or heard anything about him? He's well equipped to deal with this situation too."

Toad grimaced at that, and shook his head in frustration.

"I looked everywhere for him." Toad said despairingly. "I couldn't find anyone who even caught a glimpse of him. It's like he vanished into thin air."

"Most unlike Master Luigi," Toadsworth added. "He's not one to just disappear."

"I… I hope he's okay," Daisy said with a concerned expression. "With everything going on, I hope he didn't run into any trouble."

"Our only choice is to wait," Peach said, speaking up. "I don't like it, but with both of the Mario brothers gone, it appears that we have no choice."

"But what of my kingdom?" Daisy said, frowning. "There must be something we can do to at least prepare ourselves."

Peach nodded and walked over to a small desk in the corner of the room. She grabbed a piece of parchment and scribbled a few words down with a pink pen. After signing the bottom, she sealed the letter in a pink envelope, and sealed it with her emblem, a golden crown shape made of a sticky wax. She walked over to Mash and handed him the note.

"Give this to General Spore." She said to him sternly. "He should be at the training grounds with our troops."

Mash nodded, stroking his beard.

"At once your Highness." He said. "But pardon, what is this?"

"I'm temporarily granting you command of one third of our army." She said. "I can't risk sending my entire army, but this will at least give us a head start in taking back Sarasaland. As Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, I understand the urgency of this crisis, but I also must protect my own people."

Mash bowed to her and smiled.

"Thank you, your Majesty." He said. "I will go there immediately."

"And I'm coming with you." Daisy said suddenly, standing up.

All at once, everyone arose from their chairs in shock and started to loudly voice their protests.

"Princess, you mustn't!" Toadsworth exclaimed.

"It's too dangerous your majesty!" Toad said with a frown. "What if something happens to you?"

"A senseless risk, and for what?" The Chancellor said with a sniff.

"Now now, gentlemen." Peach said, silencing them. "Daisy is princess of Sarasaland, her decision is hers and hers alone to make."

The trio appeared to frown all at once, but did not respond. Toadsworth sat back in his chair visibly flustered, while Toad gave Peach a questioning glance. Perhaps as if reading her thoughts, he gave a small nod and a grin at her in response. Peach could not help but smile back at him in acknowledgement. Toad may have been a lot younger than both Toadsworth and the Chancellor, but he just might have been the wisest of the three.

"Daisy, Mash" Peach said turning to them. "Would you at least stay the night until Mario returns? We don't know, maybe Luigi will show up before then too."

Daisy appeared to contemplate this for a moment and nodded.

"If neither of the Mario brothers turn up by noon tomorrow, we will have to leave without them." Daisy replied.

"That should be perfect timing anyway." Mash said. "Gives me time to go over a few things with General Spore and the troops. By your leave your majesties, we will reconvene at daybreak tomorrow."

Mash bowed deeply to them and turned to leave but paused as Toadsworth again spoke up.

"So that's it then?" He said with a huff. "Pardon my bluntness, but we're just going to let Princess Daisy ride off to war like another soldier? She's a princess! Your majesty, please reconsider this move. What if you are captured or worse, fall in a battle? If that happens, Sarasaland will truly be lost!"

Daisy crossed her arms as she looked Toadsworth in the eyes. Once again, Peach could see those sapphires gleaming in the hot light as Daisy assumed her regal air of command.

"Don't you understand?" She said sternly. "If I just sit back on the sidelines and do nothing, what kind of a princess would I be? If that monster Tatanga has his way there will be no Sarasaland left, and I'll be a princess without a kingdom who let her people perish. No, a princess does not make a kingdom, Master Toadsworth, the people do."

Toadsworth sighed heavily at that and shook his head. Peach couldn't help but feel sorry for the old Toad and knew that his heart was in the right place, but Peach also knew that Daisy had already made up her mind. She also understood all too well what it was like being overprotected and underestimated because of her royal heritage. Peach had often had to go to drastic measures just to seek adventure, much to Toadsworth's dismay.

"Princess, you're tough!" Toad exclaimed suddenly, winking at Daisy. "I know you will be fine, and take your kingdom back from that creep!"

Daisy giggled and nodded to Toad.

"Thanks Toad, I will do the best I can!" Daisy said.

"Much luck to you, your highness!" The Chancellor said bowing to her. "May the stars guide you home safely."

"What?!" Toadsworth exclaimed. "Chancellor, you can't be serious!"

The Chancellor took in a long breath and sighed, blowing out his thick, brown mustaches. He shrugged as he turned to Toadsworth.

"I'm afraid Princess Daisy is right, Master Toadsworth." He said. "Besides, we have no authority over Sarasaland, and I'm afraid the decision is indeed hers alone to make."

Toadsworth's face went visibly red then, his cane shaking in his fist as he arose from his chair. He grabbed the handkerchief from his vest pocket and wiped his brow as he let out a long, heavy sigh.

"And what of you, Captain Mash?" Toadsworth questioned. "You're captain of the royal guards! You're just going to let your princess march off to war like a fellow soldier?"

Mash turned from the door, his expression blank as he looked Toadsworth up and down. He lifted his spear and rested it on his shoulder, and as he turned back to open the door, he gave Toadsworth a wink and a small smile.

"As captain of the royal guards it is my duty to keep her Highness out of harm's way. How else am I supposed to keep an eye on her if she's not right by my side? Master Toadsworth, don't fret. I am fully capable of keeping her Highness safe." Mash said. "I'll be at the training grounds if you need me, your majesty." With that, he gave Daisy a quick nod as he exited the dining hall.

Toadsworth shook his head in frustration, clearly outnumbered in the decision, and as he walked toward the door to leave, Peach spoke up.

"Toadsworth, don't feel bad." Peach said, reassuringly. "Daisy will be just fine, we know you are only trying to do what you think is best, but she has made her decision and that's that."

"It's not that, your Majesty." Toadsworth said solemnly. "I just have this feeling… Like… Just a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that something evil far greater than we can imagine is at work here. Please, Princess Daisy, your Royal Highness, I beg of you, reconsider. If you don't, then… just be safe, okay?"

Peach almost jumped at the expression on Toadsworth's face then. She knew Toadsworth often worried too much about well, everything, but she had never seen him so grim, helpless even. Peach could not help but to turn away from his gaze. It shook her to her core. With that, Toadsworth bowed and politely left the room.

"Poor Toadsworth," Daisy said sympathetically. "The poor guy must have panic attacks from worrying so much."

The Chancellor suddenly cleared his throat and arose from his chair, bowing to them.

"I'm afraid I have much work to do before the night is out." He said. "Don't fret my princess." He said regarding Peach. "I'll take care of the usual business until Master Mario returns. You just get some rest, it's been quite the stressful day. Princess Daisy, I wish you the best of luck. Please, be safe."

As the Chancellor left the room, Peach turned to Daisy who had now gotten up out of her chair to brush her dress and spoke up.

"It's been a very stressful day, indeed." She said. "Would you like to play a quick game of tennis to take some of the edge off, Daisy? I think we both could stand to get our minds off of everything for a few minutes."

Daisy smiled and nodded.

"Sure, Peach!" She said. "Are my spare tennis clothes still in the guest room? I can't every well play in my royal attire."

Peach giggled at that, and nodded, motioning Daisy to the door.

"Sure, let's get changed. Toad, would you like to referee?" Peach asked.

Toad frowned at the pair and shook his head.

"Sorry Princess," Toad said apologetically. "I'm going to get some things together and start searching for Luigi again. He has to be here somewhere. It's almost night fall, perhaps he finally returned home?"

Peach nodded to Toad in agreement and sighed. She hoped he could find Luigi soon. Although many people in the kingdom often overlooked Luigi's courage and valor, it was never lost on Peach. With Mario gone and all of these threats looming, she would have definitely felt safer with the green clad plumber around.

"I wish you the best of luck, Toad." She said. "I hope you can find him. We really need him right now, and I just hope he isn't in any sort of danger himself."

Toad nodded determinedly and got up to leave, when Daisy stopped him.

"Toad." Daisy said suddenly, almost sheepishly. "Could…. That is if you find him…" She reached in the pocket of her dress and produced a small, yellow envelope sealed with a teal colored, flower stamp. The words on the front of the letter read simply, "To Luigi" in a fine cursive penmanship. "Could you deliver this to him? It's extremely important, and tell him… Tell him that I am fine, and to not worry about me, and to keep safe!"

Toad tilted his head and gave the Flower Princess a curious look, but quickly nodded and took the letter, stuffing it in the pocket of his vest.

"Don't worry, Daisy!" He exclaimed determinedly. "You can count on me!"

With that, he quickly exited the dining hall. Peach gave Daisy a small, knowing smile, and nodded, gesturing her to the door.

"Shall we play, then? C'mon Daisy, I bet I can beat you again!" She exclaimed, giggling.

"No way!" Daisy retorted. That tough, tomboyish attitude quickly returning. "You don't stand a chance this time!"

The two princesses laughed as they raced each other to the guest room.

"Deuce!" Fungi, a Toad with a green spotted head and yellow vest shouted as Daisy dove for the ball. She just missed it as it bounced off of her side of the court, ricocheting off the back wall of the stands behind her.

"Sweet!" Peach exclaimed happily, as she proceeded to jump up and down in delight, taunting Daisy. She wore her sports attire now, a sleeveless, pink dress similar to her normal royal garb, only much shorter with pink tennis shoes. She still sported her deep, blue colored brooch on her chest as well as her golden crown on her head. Likewise, Daisy had changed into her sports clothing: short, tangerine colored shorts, a bright yellow sleeveless shirt with her royal brooch pinned on the chest, and yellow tennis shoes. She also kept her crown on her head, as she, like Peach, rarely took it off.

Daisy stood up and brushed herself off as Peach started to giggle. How she hated that. She loved her friend like a sister, but sometimes when the two would play a game, she felt that Peach would purposely taunt her just to get a rise out of her. Peach knew how competitive Daisy was, and sometimes it seemed that Peach was trying to prove how much better she was than her. It annoyed Daisy to no end.

"Meh, you just got lucky!" Daisy said nonchalantly. "It's still anyone's game."

Peach continued to giggle.

"That's what you said last time, and I won!" Peach taunted.

"Bleh, just serve the ball already!" Daisy shouted back, annoyed.

"Okay, get ready!" Peach shouted as she threw the ball into the air. Daisy took to her stance, watching carefully as Peach smacked the ball swiftly over the net. Daisy eyed the ball's trajectory, her racket meeting it like a magnet to metal. She smacked it back quickly as Peach ran closer to the net giving it a quick backhand. Anticipating this, Daisy smacked it back in a flash, but Peach was too quick. She slammed it hard towards the other side of the court, and as Daisy once again dove for the ball as fast as she could, her racket just missed the ball's reach by a hair.

"The advantage goes to Peach!" Fungi announced. "If Peach scores the next point, the match goes to her!"

Daisy once again brushed herself off and approached Fungi who sat in a chair off to the side.

"Ya think?" Daisy said to him sarcastically. "Thanks for the information, Captain Obvious."

Fungi's cheeks quickly became a bright shade of crimson. He scratched his head nervously and shuffled his feet.

"Err... yes.. Sorry, your highness... I.." He stammered.

"Don't worry about it." Daisy sighed as she took her place back on the court. By this time, Peach was laughing hard.

"Ha ha! It's okay, Daisy. It's just a game!" Peach exclaimed between giggles.

Daisy wanted to toss her tennis racket at Peach's head at that point, but she resisted the urge. She took to her stance and with determination, stared down Peach.

"Just serve the ball." She retorted.

Peach nodded and Daisy watched carefully as she tossed the ball into the air again. Still caught between giggles, she staggered slightly, lobbing the ball high into the air. Daisy grinned, and as the ball made its slow descent, she smashed it with all of her might down onto the court. Peach slipped as she missed the ball, falling on her behind. Daisy couldn't help but to start laughing.

"Deuce!" Fungi shouted. He appeared hesitant to say anything further.

"Ha ha ha!" Daisy taunted as she danced around the court. "Anyone's game now!"

Peach stood up and brushed herself off, sporting a look of frustration.

"Not fair!" She exclaimed. "I lost my balance due to that tiny tremor."

"Oh, a "tiny tremor"." Daisy taunted. "Of course when I score, all of a sudden there's a tiny tremor. Just learn to loose gracefully, your Highness!"

"Uh... P... p... Princess. I felt it too." Fungi suddenly chimed in nervously.

"What? Oh, come on!" Daisy protested, annoyed. "I am sorry I was so short with you before, but come on, you're the referee! You're not supposed to..."

Daisy was cut off by a sudden rumbling that almost made her lose her footing. She looked at Peach, wide eyed who appeared to be trying hard not to fall again. After about a minute, the tremor subsided.

"What was that?!" Daisy exclaimed. "An earthquake?"

"It must have been..." Peach was cut off as an even more violent tremor started to shake the entire court. Fungi attempted to get out of his chair, only to fall flat on his face. Daisy made for the wall of the stands to try and keep her balance, but also fell. Within seconds, the tremors became even more violent, toppling the chair and tables sitting alongside of the court. Daisy looked up at the castle, and saw that it too was shaking. She tried to get back up, only to fall again. She shouted to Peach, who by now had made her way on hands and knees under the small entranceway towards the castle. She waved Daisy to her who obliged, crawling on hands and feet to meet her.

"What is going on?!" She shouted. By now, the rumbling sound was so loud, Daisy could hardly hear her own voice.

Peach looked up to her with a worried expression.

"I fear the worst!" She shouted. "We don't get earthquakes in the Mushroom Kingdom!"

Daisy felt panic start to take over as she watched parts of the castle start to give away. Large amounts of rubble were starting to fall from the large spires, and as she looked back at the stands, they appeared to be caving in. They needed to find shelter, and find it fast.

"Peach, we're not safe here!" Daisy shouted. "We need to go!"

Suddenly the rumbling stopped, and all was dead silence. Fungi ran over to them, visibly shaking, his eyes wide.

"Princess Toadstool! Princess Daisy! Are you alright?"

"Yes, we're fine." Peach said. "Run into the castle and tell everyone to stay put and take cover."

"And go alert Captain Mash to my whereabouts." Daisy added. "Tell him I'm alright."

"At once, your grace!" Fungi exclaimed as he darted off into the castle.

"C'mon Peach, let's get to safety before those tremors start again." Daisy said as she helped Peach to her feet.

"Wait, do you hear that?" Peach asked suddenly.

Daisy paused for a moment, and as she and Peach got to their feet, she could hear the faint sound of voices screaming.

"Oh no!" Daisy exclaimed. She felt a bolt of fear go through her, and as she looked at Peach, she saw her fellow princess' eyes go wide with fear.

The Mushroom Kingdom was under attack.

For the second time, Toad picked himself up off of the ground after the tremor had subsided. He reached for the small pouch tied to his waste, feeling for the contents inside to make sure nothing had fallen out. He had taken two pretty nasty falls, and he knew that at this point the power-ups contained inside of the pouch may need to be utilized sooner rather than later. He sighed with relief as he checked the pouch. Everything seemed to be there, and in good order.

He was in the eastern district of Toad Town now, just past the dojo, on his way to the small pipe just on the other side of the gate leading to Mario and Luigi's house. He had left the castle no more than a half hour ago hoping to find Luigi. The last thing he had expected was for an earthquake to suddenly strike however. It had been a nasty earthquake, shaking everything in sight, including him.

He looked around the eastern district at some of the shops, homes and other structures around, and noticed that some of the buildings had suffered minor damage. One home was unfortunate enough to be under a tree, which was now part of the house itself. A young couple-two Toads with red spotted heads sporting matching red vests-stood outside of the house, looking on in despair at the damage done to their home. Toad thought he could hear the young girl weeping, as her spouse held her in his arms, trying to reassure her that everything would be okay.

It was dusk now, and many other people were starting to venture out onto the street looking visibly shaken by the earthquake that had struck their sleepy little town. Toad walked over to a group of Toads congregating in the middle of the district and greeted them.

"Is everyone okay?" He asked.

"Toad?" Min T., a Toad with light green spots and a brown vest said, addressing him. "Everyone seems to be in one piece, but I can't say the same about some of the houses around here."

"Is the Princess okay?" Shan T., a toad with blue spots, long, black mustaches sporting a sailor's vest asked. "Have you been to the castle?"

The Princess! He thought. I need to go see if she is okay! And Daisy, and all the rest!

"I'm going to go back there right now!" Toad exclaimed. "Will you guys be okay here?"

Before anyone could respond, another tremor started to shake the entire district. Toad struggled to keep his balance as the earthquake became even more violent than the one before. He once again lost his footing, falling on his face, and all at once he could hear chaos erupting. He looked up, and people were running around in all directions, panicked and screaming as buildings started to collapse around them. Suddenly, as if out of thin air, he could see a very large body of creatures cresting the top of the hill about two hundred yards past the big arch that read, "Toad Town".

"What…. Is that?!" He exclaimed.

Suddenly, the creatures rushed forward, and as they approached closer to the arch, he could finally start to make out their features in the moonlight. They had almost translucent skin, and were in fact shaped like weapons themselves. Some looked like spears, some like knives, others even took the form of arrows. Literally an army of weapons were charging right towards Toad Town.

"WOAH!" Toad shouted. "Everybody! TAKE COVER!"

As the army rushed the gate, they started to attack literally everything that moved. They had no weapons themselves, but used their bodies to attack civilians, buildings, and even trees. The monster's sole purpose appeared to be to destroy everything in sight. Toad felt a tremor of fear go through him, but quickly got to his feet as the earthquake slowly subsided. He reached into his pouch, grabbing a fire flower. He gulped it down in a flash and his vest turned instantly from blue to red. He screamed as he shot a barrage of fireballs at the creatures, charging them down.

One weapon, a spear, turned its attention away from Min T., whom it had just pierced through the chest with its head, and grinned at Toad. Its laugh was a horrifying, mechanical sound that pierced through Toad's ears. Toad looked on, horrified as Min. T lay on her back, blood gushing from her chest, coughing up what remained of her own life blood. Toad felt tears well up in his eyes, and instantly his rage flared.

"NO! You will pay for that!" He shouted hysterically.

Toad shot some fireballs at the creature, but the creature only laughed in response as the fireballs dissipated on contact with its skin. He shot one, two, three, ten more, but it merely laughed. It started to charge down Toad who dodged out of the way, just before the horrible creature was able to impale his chest with that sharp spear that made up its head. Toad reached into the bag, pulling out a power star, ingesting it quickly. The power of the star caused his body to emanate a bright light, giving him temporary invincibility. He charged down the spear, tackling it to the ground. Although Toad managed to pin the creature down, the power of the star itself seemed to have very little effect.

Not even the star power can harm them. He thought. What are these creatures?

After a few seconds, the star's power faded, and the spear tossed Toad off of it. He was flung nearly fifty yards away, crashing through the wall of the library. All was a blur then, and he slowly felt himself start to fade in an out of consciousness. Knowing this would spell certain doom for him, Toad reached desperately for the pouch to his waste and produced a mushroom. He ate it quickly, and the effects managed to clear his vision just in time for him to dodge an arrow to the head. Not knowing what else to do, he grabbed a broken piece of wood from off of the floor of the library, and stood up.

"You want me?" He shouted at the arrow. "Well, come and get me!"

The arrow shot straight for him as Toad swung the piece of wood with all of his might. The arrow's head managed to get stuck in the wood, giving Toad enough time to retreat. He quickly snuck behind the library, trying to regain his breath as he looked on upon the eastern district. He felt despair hit him as he saw the buildings set aflame, and many of civilians' corpses littering the ground before him. All seemed a blur, and time felt like it was slowing down.

This can't be happening. He thought. No, this can't! Even Bowser has never been this brutal. What's going on? Why?

Toad leaned against the library wall, looking down at the ground. A small thought in the back of his head acknowledged the cuts, bruises and blood that littered his body, but he didn't care. All was lost, he was going to die here, he was going to…

The princess. Peach. You have to find her!

The thought drifted into his head in an instant, and suddenly, he found himself back on his feet. He reached into his pocket and produced a small, brown leaf. After quickly swallowing it, a bushy, raccoon-like tail materialized on his backside, and small, cat-like ears topped his head. He vigorously flapped the tail with all of his energy, and flew up high into the sky. As he gradually ascended higher and higher, he could see the rest of Toad Town, aflame and in chaos. His heart sank as the realization came to him that all may be lost.

It's not lost. Not yet. The princess, you have to find her!

Toad looked toward the castle and just outside of the royal tennis courts, he could see two small figures scurrying away towards the western district of Toad Town. They were humanoid, one dressed in pink, the other, in yellow.

"They're alive! They're okay!" He exclaimed happily. "Now I just have to…"

Toad was cut off as a fireball hit him right in the backside, singing his tail, and causing the power suit to vanish. He screamed in terror as he fell towards the hard ground below. He could see the arch, the beautiful, welcoming sign that he had known since birth, becoming larger and larger as he fell faster and faster. He saw stars, and then nothing but blackness as his head slammed onto the arch, knocking him unconscious as he continued to fall.

Peach ran as fast as she could, Daisy hot on her heels as another explosion rocked the Mushroom Kingdom. The early evening sky was a dark, ominous crimson hue, black smoke billowing into the air high above, as if the very sky itself was on fire. She was just outside the castle grounds, on a small hill that overlooked Toad Town. After quickly retreating from the tennis courts with Daisy just a few short minutes ago, the pair had decided to seek a vantage point from where they could safely survey Toad Town. Peach had feared the worst as she scaled that small hill, but as she crested the top, nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her now. It was worse than any nightmare she could have possibly conjured, worse than her deepest, darkest fears.

Death and destruction had befallen her kingdom.

So she ran, without even a single moment's hesitation she ran faster than she had ever run before. She gripped her tennis racket-her only weapon in her possession-like a knight wielding a sword, like a soldier charging into battle. The last battle that would decide the fate of her kingdom. She wanted so desperately to cry, to scream, to laugh hysterically, anything to let out this horrible feeling of despair she felt in her heart, but she did nothing. She could not feel pain, she could not feel sorrow, she only felt numb, and as she raced down the hill towards the entrance to Toad Town, only one thought drifted through her mind.

She would find the source of this death and chaos, and she would make them pay.

As she reached the bottom of the hill, Peach ducked behind a small house and looked down the main street of Toad Town. She could see creatures that she could not identify chasing down the townspeople, some killing, others setting aflame the nearby buildings, and many Toads scattered in all directions running for their lives. She saw a few of her soldiers about, attempting to fend off the creatures to little avail. The creatures themselves seemed to be made of weapons. Everywhere she looked she could see arrows, spears, swords, and various other weapons that seemed to have come to life fighting off her soldiers and people with their bodies. The creature's skin appeared to be translucent, but tougher than steel, as she watched several of her soldiers attempt to fend them off, their weapons having little effect on the creature's tough bodies.

What… are they? She thought.

Peach moved to dart out to the street, when suddenly a hand grabbed her firmly by the arm, pulling her back behind the house. Not anticipating this she fell down on her backside. She quickly glared behind her, only to see Daisy wearing a stubborn, angered frown shaking her head.

"Oh, no you don't." Daisy whispered stubbornly.

"Daisy, what do you think you're doing?!" She shouted back angrily.

"Sssshhhh!" Daisy whispered. "They'll hear you. What do you think you're doing? Your soldiers can't defeat these things with their weapons, what makes you think you're going to fare any better with your tennis racket?!"

Peach looked down at the pink tennis racket in her hand, and then back to Daisy who gave her a very serious, but concerned look.

"My kingdom is under attack!" She exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't just sit back and watch it happen without doing anything! Just a few hours ago you were talking about riding off to war with Mash. What makes this any different?!"

Daisy shook her head and frowned.

"There's a big difference in planning a war and strategizing an attack and charging down an army of weapons with nothing but a tennis racket." Daisy said, swinging her own tennis racket in the air. "We need to fall back to the castle. If that's taken, and our army is overrun, all will be lost."

Peach wanted to protest then, but after a few seconds she reluctantly nodded to her friend in agreement. She was letting her emotions run wild, and her adrenaline high. Daisy was right, now was not the time to be reckless, she had to keep a level head, otherwise all would truly be lost.

"Back to the castle, then." She whispered, nodding her head. "We need to…"

Peach was interrupted as the ground started to shake violently. Daisy quickly lost her footing, falling by Peach's side, and Peach quickly grabbed her friend in both arms, holding onto her for dear life, as if she was the only stable thing in range. The tremor continued to grow more and more powerful, and helplessly, Peach laid low to the ground, grasping on to her friend for dear life as wooden pieces of the roof started to rain down upon them. She shouted in pain as a few pieces hit her, but the sound was drowned out by the sound of screams, rumbling and explosions. Daisy shouted something to her, but her words were lost in the chaos. Peach shook her head in acknowledgment, when Daisy suddenly pointed towards the castle.

Her castle was roughly two hundred yards away, and Peach could see large clouds of smoke billowing through the tall spires. Despite the violent earthquakes that were rocking the entire land, the castle appeared to be largely intact, with only a few windows blown out. She looked up into the night sky, high above the castle. Although it was almost full dark, and smoke filled the air, she could just barely make out a small, shiny object descending from high above. She tried to stand up, only to fall back down on her stomach as the earthquake continued to shake the land. When she looked back up at the sky, she could see the object falling faster and faster towards her castle, and quickly noted the massive size of the thing. It was incredibly tall, by her guess, twice as tall as her castle, and as it as it made its quick descent towards the castle, she was able to make out exactly what it was.

A giant sword.

As the enormous sword crashed through the castle, a loud piercing screech could be heard echoing across the land. Peach covered her ears at the horrible sound, which was followed by another huge crash as the earthquake finally subsided. Black smoke filled the air, and as the smoke slowly started to dissipate, an eerie silence filled the air, a silence that chilled Peach to her bone, like the chilling quiet of death.

Peach just laid there for a few moments, numb and in complete shock as the smoke cleared. The large sword-like object was still largely obscured by the smoke, but she did not need to see with her own eyes to know what it was that had crash landed into her castle. She knew all too well that sound, and after having seen the creatures that were attacking her kingdom, her worst suspicions were now certainty.

"What… *cough*….was that?!" Daisy exclaimed between coughs.

Peach slowly stood up, brushing the debris from the fallen pieces of the roof off of her and coughed loudly as the thick plumes of smoke filled her lungs. She wiped her tear stained eyes with her forearm, and felt a deep shiver of fear go down her spine. Daisy stood up, and after brushing herself off, extended her arm to Peach for support. Peach grasped onto her friend, and as she leaned in to cry into her shoulder, she simply muttered one word:

"Exor." She whimpered as her friend comforted her between sobs.

"It's okay, Peach." Daisy said, as she gently patted Peach on the back. "We'll be alright, but we have to seek refuge somewhere else, and plan a way to stop this madness. If we find Mario…"

"Smithy." Peach suddenly blurted out, wiping her eyes with her shirt. The very name sent chills down her spine. It was impossible, she had seen Smithy defeated with her own eyes, down in the pit of that horrible factory ten years ago. However, it was the only thing that made sense to her now. The Star Road, the weapons, and now that wretched sword Exor crashing through her castle. Somehow, Smithy had returned, and possessed far more power than he had when she had ventured out with Mario all those years ago.

"Smithy?" Daisy replied curiously. "Who is that?"

"An old threat." Peach replied. "An old threat that has now resurfaced after ten years."

"Peach, we need to get out of here now, before things get worse. If we don't then…" Daisy's words were cut short as an arrow flew past her head, narrowly missing its target. Peach and Daisy jumped out of the way in response, and the arrow landed, stuck in the side of the wall of the house behind them. Peach looked up at the top of the hill she had just been, and sawa gang of weapons charging down the hills towards them.

"DAISY! RUN!" She shouted.

The pair ran out to the main street of Toad Town, into the chaos that was erupting all around them. Peach barely dodged a large knife that shot itself directly at her, the creature just inches away from impaling her in the chest. As she hit the ground rolling, it charged her down again, and just as it was about to strike her again, she picked up her tennis racket, swinging it with every ounce of energy she could summon. The tennis racket broke completely in half, but it managed to knock the large knife creature off of its trajectory, and it stuck into the ground, blade first. She jumped up immediately and not knowing what else to do, she grabbed it by what she guessed was its neck, and squeezed as hard as she could. The knife had red eyes and razor sharp teeth, and although the creature's body was largely as solid as hard steel, its neck was soft, and vulnerable. It choked and flailed its body, trying desperately to pull its blade out of the hard ground, but Peach kept squeezing. After about a minute or so, the creature stopped moving, and fell limp as Peach removed her hands from its throat.

Immediately another explosion rocked the area, and Peach gazed on in despair as she watched one of the local shops being blown to pieces. Corpses of many of the townspeople-her loyal subjects-littered the ground, and fires had broken out all over town. Peach jumped suddenly, when she realized that Daisy was not in sight.

"DAISY!" She screamed, but her words were lost at the sound of another explosion coming from the east. She turned her head in the direction of the explosion, just in time to see another of the arrow creatures shooting right towards her direction. She moved to jump out of the way, but was not fast enough. The arrow struck her in the shoulder, sending her flying backwards into a nearby tree. She shrieked in agony as the arrow tore through her flesh, pinning her to the trunk of the tree.

Time felt like it was slowing down now, and Peach could hear a faint ringing in her ears that grew louder and louder, obscuring her senses. She felt herself starting to drift off, and vaguely, could see a large sword-like creature slowly approaching her. She wanted to scream, to cry, anything, but could not force it out. Instead, she watched helplessly as the creature crossed the street towards her, grinning as it produced a small knife from a hilt on its side. The creature now stood right before her, and as it raised the knife over the hilt that made up its head, one last thought drifted through her mind.

It's over, I have failed.

Her body stiffened as she awaited the knife that would spill her life blood. As the creature quickly brought the knife down, she could see the unrelenting, horrifying look of pleasure in its red, demon eyes, the pure elation that it would receive from her death. Peach tightly shut her eyes, awaiting death, when suddenly she felt a splash of liquid spray onto her face.

She slowly opened her eyes to find the creature griping at its neck, a sharp spear protruding from its throat. Blood gushed from its mouth and after a few seconds, the spear head was pulled back through its neck. The creature collapsed instantly, and as it fell, Peach could just faintly make out a brown spotted Toad in plate and mail, clutching the spear that had ended the knife creature's life, saving hers. He had a salt and pepper colored beard, and his left eye was covered by an eye patch. It was Mash, riding atop a yellow Yoshi.

"Princess!" He exclaimed, gesturing to a soldier. He was a Toad with a yellow spotted head also wearing plate and mail. "Soldier! Pull that arrow out of her shoulder now! We need to get the princess to safety!"

The soldier quickly obliged, and frowned as it approached her.

"I'm sorry my princess." He said softly. "This is going to hurt, but it needs to be done."

Peach nodded to him, and shrieked in agony, collapsing onto the ground as the arrow was pulled back through her shoulder. As she slowly faded into unconsciousness, she felt herself smile as she heard a familiar voice.

"Get the princess to safety, now!" It was Daisy. "Retreat! The castle is lost, move to higher ground!"

Peach felt a tear fall down her cheek as she finally blacked out. Her body finally giving in to exhaustion.