Meanwhile, Peach was recollecting her thoughts. She couldn't believe that was happening. First she managed to get - not only herself captured but a good friend as well. Second of all, now she was alone yet again because the people that caught them tossed her out like trash. Peach felt like crying but didn't allow it. A princess must never show weakness, Toadsworth used to tell her. Peach sniffled, rolling her eyes a bit. Toadsworth loved her like a daughter, that much was true but the old toad had always taught her to be a princess first. It wasn't until she met Mario and Luigi that she was learning otherwise. The monarch of the Mushroom Kingdom started to cry a bit.

She said, "I can't believe this is happening again! Kidnapped! Again! I'm getting sick of this! Violet is gone and it's just me! I can't let myself be a constant...constant damsel in distress!"

She was sobbing at this point. She hated being a damsel in distress constantly. She wanted to help. She didn't want to be a burden anymore. She wanted to fight alongside her boyfriend. She wanted to be a hero. She didn't want to be a laughing stock anymore. She knew that most of the Toads would laugh behind her back because she was constantly kidnapped.

"Now, this is no time to feel sorry for yourself."

Peach immediately stopped crying. She looked up and gasped. There, in front of her was her father.

"F - Father...?" She asked, the tears threatening to come down her face more.

Benjamin sat down next to her, "Yeah, it's me. Now, don't cry Peachy... Please don't cry..."

Peach kept crying, "I - I can't help it! I miss you and mother so much! And this has been happening...I feel awful father..."

Benjamin stated, "I know you do, sweetheart. But you must understand that you are the only ones to change your own destiny. You can be your own hero, saving the world with Mario and your friends... You would be amazing. You would be the next unknown hero of the kingdom if you wanted. I remember how Toadsworth was to us."

Peach sniffled, "Father... Dad... I love you. I love you both."

Benjamin replied, "We love you too, Peachy."

Before Peach could try and hug her father, he was gone but he had left behind a small pink scrunchy. Peach smiled at it, knowing that it once belonged to her mother, Sarah. She looked up at the Overthere and whispered a small 'thank you'. She knew what she had to do now. And it wouldn't be easy. Both Mario and Luigi were heroes for a long time. After taking a quick look around, she had discovered a shower. She showered and within twenty minutes, she came out with her hair in high ponytail. She returned to her room, noticing that the other doors opened.

Peach perked up, "Hmm? What was that? Hey! How odd... The doors opened by themselves!" Peach went through the door and into a hallway. She looked around and frowned, "Weird... It doesn't look like...anyone's around." Peach kept walking and there was another set of doors. She went through, "How do I keep getting these doors to open? How very odd..."

Peach went through the other set of doors. The room was dark until suddenly the lights went on. The computer went on in that moment.

TEC greeted, "Hello, Princess Peach."

Peach looked around the room, "Huh? What? Who said that? Where are you?"

She walked over to the computer. TEC told her, "How amusing. I am right here, before your eyes. I am this laboratory's main computer. I am the TEC-XX. Many call me TEC. You may. Sir Grodus created me to be a perfect computer, one that is flawless in its reason."

Peach asked, "Grodus...? Wait, he's that awful dome-headed thing who interrogated us, right?"

Peach thought, 'Oh Violet, please stay safe! Please find Mario and Luigi!'

TEC defended, "Sir Grodus is not awful. He is a great person. He is marvelous."

Peach frowned, "Well, I don't think so. But I doubt I'll change your mind... So, I'm wondering... Why did you lead me here?"

TEC explained, "I am unsure. An unusual program deviation occurred when I observed you earlier. My higher-brain circuitry malfunctioned and nearly overheated at your image. Also, an unidentified impulse sped through my processors. These events are new to me. There is more to this phenomenon, as well. I ran diagnostic programs... And their solution was... I want to know more about you. I want to observe you. Such a compulsion has no precedence. Cause unknown. I, the perfect computer. I must diagnose this unusual situation, I will not fail. That's why I led you here."

Peach felt uncomfortable, "Wait... Did you just say... You want to observe me? To know more about me?" That's when she gasped, "Could it be that you... No! Impossible! It can't be! You're a computer..."

TEC questioned, "What has happened to me? If you know of my malfunction, you must tell me of it."

Peach answered, "Oh, I couldn't really... Because..." She whispered, "It's just too weird."

TEC pleaded, "Please tell me. Please. I am the world's best computer. I am perfect. There should not be anything I do not understand. Please."

Peach stated, "Well, you know, maybe... Is it possible that, well... you're... in love..." She then whispered the last part, "With me?"

TEC replied, "Love? What is...love? I cannot compute this."

The princess perked up, "Wait, you don't know what love is? Love... How do I explain? Love tells you when you want to be with a person forever. It makes you feel happy just to see that person happy, smiling, having fun... When you love someone, you will do anything to help when he or she is in trouble."

She thought but didn't add, 'Like Mario does for me.'

The computer responded, "Happiness? Fun? I have definitions for these words, but... My programming is insufficient. There should be nothing I cannot comprehend. I am a perfect computer."

Peach explained, "Comprehend love? Love's not something you comprehend, TEC. You feel it."

TEC was silent for a moment before it spoke again, "Princess Peach... Will you teach me to feel this thing you call love?"

Peach raised a brow, "What? You're a computer! Why would you care about love?"

TEC told the princess, "I am perfect. There must be nothing that I cannot comprehend. Nothing. That is why you must help me understand this thing called love. Please. If you have any wishes that I can grant in exchange, I will grant them. But, of course, I am unable to grant such a wish as letting you escape..."

Peach hissed, "What, are you insane? You X-Jerks kidnapped my friend and I! Then Grodus sends my friend away because she was protective of me! You are like common Koopas! And now you call me in here and ask me to teach you the meaning of love? I should spit on your screen! You'll grant my wishes! Ha! Why should I believe you?"

TEC responded, "I understand you are angry. That emotion I comprehend. You need not teach me now. But I must learn of this thing. I must. There is no alternative. I must be a perfect computer. That is why, if you would consider teaching me, I will grant your wishes. Do you understand me, Princess Peach? Now, tell me your wish."

Peach asked, "Are you sure? Well, okay... Here goes... Can I contact someone? The sooner, the better."

TEC answered, "Yes, of course you may. Use my communicator to send wireless mail to anywhere you want. If you so wish, you can use it right now. It is no trouble. Use the keyboard in front of you. Enter the recipient, address, and message."

Peach walked to the keyboard, "You mean this one? Alright, let me give this a shot." That's when she started typing. It didn't take her long for to finish her message and said, "Okay, it's ready, TEC. Could you send it?"

The screen showed three envelopes and then one solid one. TEC reported, "The message has been sent. For the time being, you may return to your room. I will call you again when I want to ask you something."

The doors nearby opened as the princess was about to leave the room. She turned to TEC, "Uh... Okay... Goodnight."

With that, she went down the hallway. The doors closed behind her and she went back into her room. TEC said, "Goodnight, Princess Peach."

...

Wishmaker1028: I thought I would make this a longer chapter since we meet TEC here. But other than that, chapter 13 is done! So please read and review! And always think outside of the box!