#13: Peach's Cell
By Emerson Kluge

Toad followed Bowser toward Peach's cell through Koopa Keep, lost in thoughts of this annoying diplomatic mission and the pleasures he could command back at Mushroom Castle. The amusement in this escapade faded every day, and Mario's threat, however hollow, was unsettling.

They crossed over a lava moat on a chain bridge that linked the outer ramparts and inner fortifications. The warm glow of the molten rock cast a reddish tinge on the grey castle stones. Shields with double headed axes lined the walls and tapestries hung below the windows.

Dry Bones paused in their lethargic patrols as King Koopa passed and Koopa servants scrambled to unlock the door securing Princess Peach's cell.

Bowser entered without breaking stride. "Princess Peach, I've come to..."

With a yell Peach swung with both hands, smashing the room's chair across Bowser's face.

Bowser paused mid-step and closed his eyes and the chair splintered, his solid mass unmoved by the blow. He looked again as Peach retreated in surprise. "Please don't do that again," he said, continuing into the room. "I don't know what my thoughts will tell me if there's a next time."

Peach glanced briefly at Toad, directing her eyes deliberately elsewhere. "It hardly matters." She crossed her arms, resetting her composure. "You've got no chance against Mario."

Toad halted inside the cell. "Princess, I must insist you refrain from such outbursts. We are doing everything we can." He stepped aside as a Koopa servant carrying hors d'oeuvres entered. "See, we can ensure your well-treatment until this matter is resolved."

Peach glanced sidelong at the tray. "I'm not eating those."

Peach's increasing belligerence now soured Toad's mood too. He sighed. Perhaps it would be best to get both Mario and her back and under control again at Mushroom Castle.

"Chance." Toad and Peach jumped as the word rumbled low and soft from Bowser. He stood limp with glazed eyes. "I am chance. The tumble of my new thoughts undoes even the most skilled. That is what I came to tell you."

Toad glanced at Peach and brightened to see her stunned silence. "What is this?" asked Toad, a hint of intrigue in his voice and a hopeful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Bowser took a small meat dish from the tray. "I propose... marriage," he said, staring intensely at Peach. His mouth hung agape in the silence that followed.

"Never!" Peach stared intensely back, arms folded.

"Please, Princess." Toad paced with a spring in his step. The Mushroom Retainer spoke with sticky smugness as Bowser's tongue slid from his mouth, saliva dripping rhythmically to the floor. "We must remain open to all possibilities."

Bowser pawed a fistful of the hors d'oeuvre, chewing open mouthed. The resulting mush stuck in his teeth and congealed saliva stretched in lumpy columns between them as he talked. "My thoughts have told I must have you. You are so... beautiful. I can see why Mario wants to possess you as I do."

"I'm sure you can see His Honorable King Koopa is very serious about his offer." Toad casually retrieved an hors d'oeuvre for himself. "This is not something that can be rejected out of hand. This matter..."

"...will be resolved when Mario arrives," Peach snapped.

"I'm sorry Princess," King Koopa interrupted. "But Mario is very weak or dead by now, I've been told. He will not survive to see me... or you."

Peach inhaled a short breath and her grip on her arms tightened before she suppressed the reaction.

"That is why I've come," informed Bowser.

Toad spoke immediately as King Koopa finished, pacing the room and gesticulated nonchalantly. "You are not only a person but a part of the state. Your marriage is an essential process and must be open to - all possibilities."

Peach's brow furrowed. "No," she spoke quickly, the slightest tremble in her voice.

"I told you I had a plan, Princess. It will be fulfilled. I am chance. I am the cosmos. My thoughts have told me this," Bowser said. "I will give Mario no quarter."

oad jumped in, staring straight into Peach's eyes. "Don't fear, Princess. I will resolve this situation as fast as I can. I might even be able to do so before Mario is permanently injured." He held up a finger to correct himself. "That is, assuming he's still alive."

Peach's mind screamed attack but Bowser's size and Toad's station constrained her rage. She turned from them and bit her lip, holding herself to a look of stern determination.

"I will have you for my wife, my dear Peach." Bowser turned and headed for the door. "This is how it has to be. My thoughts have told me: Mario can not get in the way." He left.

Toad turned to follow.

"Toad," called Peach.

He turned disdainfully, holding an hors d'oeuvre.

"They're made of people."

Toad eyed the pastry and after a moment shrugged.

The door slammed shut behind him.