The clanging of metal filled the air as the mecha's huge jaws snapped closed, sealing off the only chance of escape. A brief, harsh buzz from somewhere overhead rang out annoyingly; and for a moment the entire cockpit was plunged into blackness.

Peach screamed.

In spite of herself, she stumbled backwards only to bump into the wall, eliciting another small cry.

Then, almost too suddenly to handle, an ugly white light flooded the room. Holding back a gasp, the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom stood motionless on the spot and stared as her new captor became visible, standing at the small control panel before them and very emotionally punching buttons.

Now Peach did take a step or two forward. "No, stop! You... bad boy! Open this thing back up now!"

The child who shared her space in the cockpit snorted and kept pulling levers. "No can do, mama. I told dad I would get right back once I picked you up!" With this, the metal floor suddenly lurched under their feet, a muffled rumbling as from an engine sounding below; and in another moment, Peach knew with a sinking feeling what was true.

They were already off the ground.

Backing away now, the worried girl stared helplessly as the small machine in which they stood rose ever higher, taking them further and further away from the ground... and anyone who might help.

   No... this thing can fly?!

Only minutes after she had been witness to a terrifyingly explosive battle on the amusement park rollercoaster, Peach had been on what could only be described as a miniature rollercoaster of her own: the shock of realizing that this 'Shadow Mario', the true plague of Isle Delfino and Mario's look-alike, was none other than Bowser's son.

   Her longtime royal rival, and kidnapper to the first degree, all of the sudden had a grade-school-aged kid.

   She'd had maybe two minutes to process it all as she tried to glean the boy for information, but clearly the time for negotiations was past. Before she could hope to make a move, he had cut the conversation short, sealing the two of them inside the large head of the Bowser mecha after nearly frying Mario. Now her opportunity for a speedy escape was gone, dropped away just like the amusement park below she knew they were leaving fast behind.

   With her seasoned familiarity with kidnappings, she found it admittedly odd to be taken by someone who was a good deal shorter than she was for a change. For the first part of the day, it was Shadow Mario, a perfect doppelgänger of her shorter friend. While she'd been perfectly aware it was a ruse, a disguise of some sort, it was still startling to be picked up and tossed over the shoulder of a figure so like that of Mario's — twice. Whatever he had been, he was certainly still strong.

   But now that ruse was over. Now, they could finally see him for what he truly was: a spoiled koopa boy who couldn't have been over nine or ten years old.

   When he'd first shed his shadowy disguise, Peach had thought she was hallucinating in the sun. But soon enough sights and sounds couldn't deny what was obvious; the child had to be a relative of King Bowser's.

   Standing rigidly by the wall as far away as she could from the koopa, she turned to observing him now attentively. He was still a little thing, even shorter than his Mario disguise, though definitely thicker and brawnier too. He had a similar build to a relatively average koopa, but despite his average size it was apparent he would not stay that way. His short, stubby arms and legs were already tough with yellow scales that promised to be fire-resistant; unlike normal koopas he already possessed a set of sharp white claws that she had only seen in one other koopa before. His flaming tuft of red hair, gathered into a ponytail atop his green head, could only remind her of the same. Even his little snout and knubby horns, rounded and harmless now, promised to become ferocious someday.

   Sliding ever-so-slightly to the right to get a peek at his front, Peach now stared at the navy blue bandanna which was tied around his neck. It had seemed to be the catalyst for his sudden transformation by the rollercoaster, and had to be enchanted somehow. It just looked like a normal bandanna though — minus the large, scribbled mustache that had been somehow printed in white across the front of it. Gazing at it in disbelief, she saw that it was supposed to be an exact imitation of Mario's six-pleated mustache.

   Placing a hand to her chest, her gaze now drifted to the large paintbrush staff which he had propped in the corner, which he claimed to be magic. It looked like an ordinary oversized paintbrush to her: it was longer than she was tall, but it just looked like anything you might build with a dowel or broomstick. The only thing was—

   Leaning forward a little inadvertently, Peach squinted at the small logo it bore in metal just beneath the brush head. She didn't recognize it, but it looked like an image of a little man's face. Stolen, perhaps?

   Looking back up to the koopa now, she straightened up and clutched her pink umbrella. The parasol Toadsworth had gotten her was about the only thing left that she had; she luckily had still been clutching it when Shadow Mario had appeared and snatched her out of the plaza, so it was now her only defense. Not that she believed her captor would hurt her. Not at all... and as the tiny cockpit in which they were awkwardly stuffed continued to hum and rumble along, Peach decided it was high time to get some answers.

   The boy had seemingly finished his work over the controls. The princess gazed momentarily over the panel longingly, wondering if she might attempt a coup and land the contraption, but quickly dismissed the idea. She wouldn't know heads or tails of the thing, and would probably only put them in danger of crashing.

   Clearing her throat, Peach finally addressed him again. "Where are you taking me?"

   The koopa turned immediately and seemed surprised. "To papa, of course. I already told you. He's waiting up on the Corok volcano or whatever it's called."

   Peach raised her eyebrows in alarm. Corona Mountain — she had learned about it only earlier that day. It wasn't supposed to be open to the public, because it had dangerous lava caves...

   Tightening her jaw, Peach blinked at the floor. It was a perfect fit for Bowser then...

   "Well... what does Bowser want?" she asked, already knowing full well the answer.

   After discovering that this whole fiasco was Bowser's offspring's doing, there was no longer any doubt as to what its end goal was. They were after her: Bowser had followed her out to the island, and now it all became clear. The graffiti, the missing shine sprites, Mario's trial — it was all because of her. Suddenly Peach felt terribly responsible.

   "He just wants you to come back," the prince told her. "It's been an awful long time, he said. You went off with that bad Mario guy and left me alone! I had never even gotten to meet you before, mama! So when we heard you would be coming here, I begged my papa, and he let me come along and plan a rescue. So here I am at last!" Plunking himself triumphantly down on the little pilot's seat, the koopa looked immensely proud of himself.

   Peach blinked at him in secret terror. This kid is for real, she realized, watching him. He honestly thinks that I left the family!

   Collecting her thoughts for the next question, she finally said, "So I'm your mama... and I've been missing all this time."

   "Well, papa knew where you were. He was just trying to figure out the best way to make things work out." Gazing up at her curiously, he asked, "Why did you go, mama? Why'd you run off with that Mario jerk?"

   Peach's composure briefly got out of check. "Mario is not a jerk," she said tersely. "He's a... very good man."

   The boy didn't look convinced. "That's what papa said you'd say. He said Mario's a bunch of no-good goody-goody hero stuff who thinks he's a big deal. He said he's been playing you, mama. To trick you into following him around!"

   "I'm not being 'tricked' by anyone," she replied. "I've always lived in the Mushroom Kingdom. I grew up there, as your father well knows."

   The koopa shook his head. "But you're still my mama," he said. "So why don't you ever come live with us, huh? We don't have to go home right away. Papa said we can stay here on the island a while to relax — just as a family. Us three!"

   A feeling of increased discomfort spread through Peach like a shadow. Vacation? With the koopas? Is that was this was?

   Trying not to visibly shudder, she said, "I'm afraid I already had plans. I have friends down on the island, you know," she said pointedly, beginning to sharpen her voice. "They're worried about me. Why don't you listen to me and lower this... thing back to the ground?"

   "Haha. Can't! We're over the ocean right now. And besides, you don't need to worry about those stinky toadstools anymore."

   "They're my subjects!" she replied in horror.

   He shrugged. "But mama, who cares about that when you can be queen of Dark Land?"

   The conversation seemed to have hit a wall. Losing her patience, Peach crossed her arms and hooked the parasol over her wrist. "Little sir, if Bowser has had you believe this all this time, I don't think he'll ever tell you the truth. But you can't go on living this false reality. I'm sorry to tell you this, but I'm not your mama."

   The boy didn't have the heartbroken reaction she thought she might get. He didn't even get visibly upset. Instead, he cracked a smile — and snickered.

   For a moment Peach was incredulous. He had laughed at her claim!

   But on soon realizing that he genuinely was not concerned by her statement, she was quickly met with a small onset of fear. Why the confidence?

   "Yeah, funny, mama. You can deny it all you want, see? But if you come back to papa, that automatically makes you my mama."

   Now she frowned in thought. Was he implying a marriage into the family? Or did he think she was just crazy?

   "You do know I am not your mother though, right?"  she asked again carefully. "I'm... I don't know how old you are, but you seem like a big boy..."

   "You think so?" he asked excitedly.

    "I think I'm hardly old enough to be your mother!" the princess finished. In her mind, Peach knew that probably wasn't true. But she knew it certainly was true that she could not be the boy's mother.

   The boy clearly didn't buy the argument. "Well, just wait till you see papa. He's got all kinds of fun stuff planned for our vacation. Or at least, he'll let me give suggestions. If there's anything you wanna do, mama, just let me know!"

   She fixed him with a firm gaze. "I'd like to go back to the island with my friends now, please," she said. "You know, if I'm you're mama, don't you have to obey what I say?"

   "Yeah, maybe... but papa said you would say something like that at first and I shouldn't listen. You'd still have to get his permission first."

   With a sigh, Peach gave up, leaning her head against the wall. "Can I at least know the name of my kidnapper?"

   "Prince Bowser the Second of the Royal Koopas," the boy stated proudly. "My actual name is Bowser Jr. But you can call me Junior!"

   "And you can call me Princess Peach," she replied shortly, holding back a moan of dread. With that, it seemed to end their conversation in a kind of draw.

For now, the situation at hand demanded her attention; but she knew she would eventually have to step back and look at the lasting consequences of it too. She had been the first to realize it; but she wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to accept it.

   This all couldn't really be true... that Bowser already had an heir to his throne, one she'd never heard of before this moment, whom she was staring at right now as he took her away. It couldn't be that Bowser had been holding this little monster back for the perfect timing.

Could it?

~

The trip in the mecha-copter did not last long. As Peach had feared, it was only a short flight over to the volcano which overlooked Delfino Plaza, which she could only assume meant she would soon meet the mastermind behind the latest scheme. Assuming Bowser Jr. wasn't the brains behind it... was he?

   At any rate, it was all too soon that she felt the cockpit begin to descend like an elevator above the dying motor. Clutching her parasol now in a new wash of terror, Peach froze as they landed at last with a rattling thud onto solid ground. Holding her breath, she waited silently as the mecha's jaws opened again, flooding the place with daylight.

   Bowser Jr. turned back to her. "Well mama, we're here! Come on!" Enthusiastic as ever, he jumped off the control panel and hopped out of the opening above.

   A part of her wanted to try her luck in the cockpit for as long as she could, but mostly she was afraid of what they might do if she stayed. Slowly, Peach crept forward to look out.

   The place in which they'd landed wasn't particularly frightening or dangerous-looking. When he had said they were going to the volcano, she had instantly pictured lava pools and spiky death traps (Bowser's favorite if ever he had one). But to her pleasant surprise, she saw nothing of the sort: they must have landed on the side of Corona Mountain. Climbing up higher to the opening, she saw they had landed on a small outcropping of rock in the mountain's face. There before her, tucked into the mountainside was another large, metallic mecha of something she couldn't determine. Perhaps it was a machine; maybe a bunker.

   Finding the courage to move forward now, Peach gathered her skirt up and picked her way down, meeting the rock below with relief. Glancing around a second at her surroundings, she now could see that the familiar mouth of the volcano did indeed stack over them high above. Beyond the mountainside in which they'd landed, there was nothing else she could see that promised of help: it was just steep hills of rolling green piling up around them for miles. Even looking down in the direction where she thought Delfino Plaza was, they were too secluded into the hills to see the town below.

   Bowser Jr. had already walked up to the large bunker and banged on the door with his paintbrush. "Papa! We're back! Guess who's here??"

   With a small gasp, Peach whirled to stare at the door. No... she wasn't ready for this yet! Glancing back wistfully at the hills one last time, she let out a small sigh of despair. It was too difficult a terrain, and there was no way she would make it across possible miles of them like this. There was no escaping alone.

   Steeling herself, she abruptly turned back to the bunker door and Bowser Jr. Then she had only one choice: cooperate now as best she could. If she didn't go in right away, she would still have to face Bowser, and he couldn't be in as good a mood. Falling into step behind her escort, Peach walked with minced steps into the koopas' lair.

   Through the open door it was cool and dark. This bunker, while perhaps comparable to the inside of the Bowser mecha, was much larger and more comfortable, though still primarily made of metal. As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she could see they were in what looked like a controls bridge or something, as several consoles stood against a wall beneath numerous covered window hatches. Elsewhere, the place seemed to serve as a small lounge, with a few armchairs thrown around a low table.

   But Peach didn't mind any of that. Now, she could see that they weren't alone — there before the control panel a huge, brawny figure stood, arms crossed before him intimidatingly. At hearing their entrance — surely he already knew they were there — he slowly turned to face the company.

   The gloomy lighting only lent a still more frightening effect to his hulking frame as he saw Junior, gave the most unsettling toothy smile, and then moved on to the girl behind him.

   Peach held perfectly still as her eyes met his, the latter's glinting with pleasure at his success. She tried to let no emotion across, no fear — but perhaps a little disdain wouldn't hurt if she could manage it. In that moment it seemed a conversation could have transpired between them, a silent conversation; the kind old enemies have over the head of someone less informed.

   For a few seconds that lasted an eternity Bowser stared at her, looked back at the boy, back at her, and this continued a few more times. Then, all at once, the deep, familiar growling laughter filled the air.

   "Well done, Junior! You actually did it!"

   The boy below them shrugged, suddenly looking sheepish. "No problem, dad! It was a piece of cake with that mecha. I almost got Mario too!" He said it as if they were referring to a sporting event.

   Bowser chuckled as the boy stepped to the side. "Good! But you weren't able to finish him?"

   Bowser Jr. shook his head. "No, papa. I actually want to take care of it before we start our vacation, if that's okay?"

   "Of course! Does that mean you're leaving again?"

   "Well, yeah... I have some things in mind I need to do. Okay? See you soon, Mama Peach! Don't have any fun without me, alright?" Turning to go, Bowser Jr. had left them as quickly as he'd arrived.

   "Alright, Junior, but be careful! Give him a wallop for me!" his dad called.

   As if, the girl thought.

   With his sudden departure Peach felt a silent gloom descend on the room, knowing she was left with Bowser as she had been several times before. But this time she almost wanted to speak with him. Now — oh, now was her chance.

   She spoke before giving him a chance to. "Bowser. How could you do this?"

   The koopa king, grinning pleasantly a few paces away, turned to her with surprise. "Ah, Princess Peach. Welcome to our summer vacation," he said as if all was well. "How could I do what now?"

   She fixed him with a disapproving stare that said she wasn't in any joking mood. "Your son," she said, motioning to the door from which he had departed moments earlier. "The shine sprites, the island — all of this! How could you — how could you not say anything about him??"

   "What, Junior? Aw, I was gonna let you meet him eventually. I did already, didn't I? Kid's gotta learn his stuff before letting him out in the field."

   Peach's stare turned into a skeptical frown. "That's not what I meant. You're telling me you've had a son for years now and never thought to even tell me that I was his mother?" she demanded.

   Now Bowser broke into a sly grin. "Come on, Peach. We all know it could be true if you say so."

   The girl stared at him in horror. "If you are implying what I think you are, you can go right ahead and forget it! I'll never marry you! So just take a hint and learn already!"

   The tyrant took it surprisingly well. "Yes, princess. You see, I don't really need to worry about things like that right now, because I've already got a son who looks to you as mama. Just roll with it, and we're one big happy family!"

   Peach could not believe what she was hearing. "And you're okay with that. Pretending this is all okay??"

   He shrugged. "I don't see a problem here."

   The girl crossed her arms indignantly. "The problem, Bowser, is that Junior has a mother, and it isn't me," she informed him. "Wherever might she be?"

   Now Bowser seemed to look uncomfortable for the first time, looking away at the floor paneling. "That's... it doesn't matter. She's not around anymore, and that's for sure."

   In light of his curiously vague response, Peach squinted at him. Was that regret, or just embarrassment in his voice? She couldn't tell.

   So then there had been someone, at some point — she'd known that, of course, but hearing it from Bowser's mouth made her feel strange. She wasn't sure she wanted that information anymore; for a moment she didn't know what to say.

   Finally, she replied, "Well then you'd do well to tell him that."

   Bowser snorted. "What good would that do? You're the only mama he could hope to have."

   Peach's irritation came back. "Then you're just fine with that? You've been fooling him all this time?" When she got no immediate answer, she went on, "As if I would ever take interest in someone who would lie to his son like that."

   Now Bowser stood up. "Now hold on, you're not being fair. I already told you it doesn't have to be a lie!"

   "And I told you that it is what it is, and it's despicable," she replied, turning away to continue the conversation over her shoulder.

   Bowser didn't seem to like being shunned. "Hey, now hold on there, Peachy," he began. "You're not exactly the most honest, either. Look at all the war you tolerate just to protect the image of that little human puffball you call a friend."

   Now Peach almost did turn back to meet his eyes, but resisted. "Strong words from someone who's been trounced by that puffball multiple times. And we wouldn't be at war if you'd let us alone!"

   Bowser sighed in exasperation. "Ah, princess, we've been over this a thousand times! There doesn't need to be any trouble if you'd just let me take charge of everything!"

   "Well why don't you try another kingdom for a change? Just once? You might like it!"

   "No, silly! How could you expect me not to choose yours when it's got such a lovely ruler?"

   Peach inhaled slowly. "Bowser, we have been over this as you said. Your empty praise means nothing."

   He sneered. "Oh come on! What's wrong with it? So I suppose Mario's praise is better?"
  
   She seemed to stiffen slightly at the mention of his name. "No," she said, and she meant it. "No, that's not it." Pausing, Peach tried to recall when the last time Mario had acted like that was — when he'd seemed to fall back on telling her how nice she looked. To her honest surprise, she couldn't remember one; did he never complement her?

   But then the answer came to her, clear and reassuring; and it gave her strength to say it aloud. "He's my friend because he likes me for who I am," she said. "And I like the person he is. And we don't lie to each other. It's not that hard, Bowser."

   For a moment it seemed her words had hit their mark. She thought she heard him growl under his breath, but she couldn't be sure.

   Then he said, "Well it's too bad he's not here anymore. Junior's gone to take care of that little nuisance as we speak, and then we can finally start our vacation!"

   Peach turned back to him. "This is not 'our' vacation, Bowser. Mario will stop you — again. Just as he always does!"

   She had no deep worries for Mario's safety. Well, she did, of course — but she was confident in his success.

   Now the king's eyes darkened in the dim light. "Enough! I don't wanna hear any more about Mario. Mario this, Mario that. Well I'm sick of it. If he doesn't get his nose out of our business, he'll get what's coming."

   With that, he turned away and began to make for a large door near the back of the room. "You can have free run of the premises, princess. But just so you know, we're about halfway up the height of the volcano, so escaping is pretty much pointless. And, you know, I'll be relaxing by our pool if you're interested."

   Peach stood rigidly facing the wall as Bowser slammed the door behind him.

~

The mountainside hideout remained quiet for quite some time. Bowser had clearly gotten occupied with whatever it was he was doing, and as Peach had no doubt he wanted her to follow him, she resolved not to explore any area she wasn't already familiar with.

Left alone, she decided it was worth a few minutes to look around the bunker. It was mostly the same as all of Bowser's contraptions and death machines: dark, drafty decor, edgy spikes and dangerous upholstery, with very little of actual interest. She paused briefly over the numerous gadgets that illuminated his control panel, wishing she was more technical to understand these things. If there was a way to uproot this entire operation from the mountain she might have done it.

As it was, the place was soon deemed by her to be utterly boring, and seeing as she wasn't technically locked up, she decided that the best place for her to stay was outside. As long as she was under the open sky, she felt like she was that much closer to finding help.

   Glancing back carefully to make sure Bowser was away, Peach pushed open the large metal door and let herself out of the bunker. A quick look around the little landing told her that Bowser Jr. had indeed gone, as it was completely empty now.

   Taking a deep breath, the princess opened her umbrella and walked forward to the edge, wanting a look down. For indiscernible distances below, rocky heights mingled with grassy inclines to a vanishing point quite far away. Looking out past that, she could only see the blue line of the ocean beneath the deep encompassing sky. As her eyes traced the big, bulbous cumulus clouds above, she felt a kind of helpless littleness come over her.

   The day's beauty was inevitably dulled by the reality of her capture, as it always was. She was familiar with the feeling; the world seemed to shift when she was held prisoner. It was as if all had entered a suspended reality, a dystopian dream; but it had happened enough times by now that she didn't feel the shock or fear that another person might have.

   Lowering her eyes to what she could see of the sea, she held back a sigh. How silly of her to think they could truly get away from the plague of Bowser's schemes! It was only a couple of weeks, and she had hoped...

   But no. Now she was back again in the weary grind of waiting and wishing, hoping that Bowser might have a change of heart. This had occurred so many times already that it had basically become like clockwork at this point. She wanted to think that she knew the drill...

   Each time there were a few things she could count on: Bowser would ignore reason, she would be trapped with nothing whatever to do until someone — Mario — came and challenged Bowser to yet another duel, as if the two thought they could do permanent damage to the other. But for the multiple times that had happened now, nothing of the sort ever resulted.

   Instead, Bowser would be temporarily defeated and her kingdom freed; and then the koopa king would be back again in a matter of weeks to try something better. Such was the recent state of affairs now, and Peach was beginning to have little hope of it stopping anytime soon.

   But this time there was something new, something she hadn't expected: Bowser to pull his trump card. She could never have anticipated the son.

   Where... when... how? She supposed one could only beat that horse so much, but to be honest she was already getting rather tired of it.

Still, she had to face the fact that it could be of lasting consequence for her kingdom, possibly into the unforeseeable future. Bowser had already secured his line and legacy — had already poisoned the mind of that child who knew how much.

Now, that meant that her problems of today could easily turn into more problems tomorrow. Not just for herself, but for anyone who might come after her...

Slowly tightening her grip around her umbrella, the princess turned back around to scan the mountainside. She was still alone.

Good. That was how she preferred it — she hated being lonely, but she'd rather be that than constantly pestered by her wannabe family.

At least it was also nice here out in the fresh air. Isle Delfino — it was odd, she found, to be in the very place she had wanted to come, surrounded by thousands of people who were enjoying themselves in the resort paradise while unaware of her plight. Something about it felt so wrong, and yet so fitting at the same time. At least it was much better than being made to sit in a drafty old castle.

At the thought of castles, Peach's thoughts stemmed elsewhere. A couple of months ago — the last time Bowser had done this. It had been at home, in the very heart of her castle then; but she still shuddered to remember how long it had been. The siege of Mushroom Castle had been the worst that had ever afflicted her before, and for a time — she didn't know exactly, perhaps a couple of weeks — Bowser had succeeded. He had held complete control, and it had seemed like years before Mario had reappeared at last.

He had reappeared and set all things right again.

Now the princess held still in a kind of hesitance. She had been refusing herself that liberty — forcing herself not to think of Mario until the storm was calm. She had known it would be too much to handle all at once.

But now it seemed the moment had come where she could avoid it no longer. All at once, Peach let out a broken sigh.

Mario — she remembered the last she'd seen of him, standing down below in the amusement park when Bowser Jr. had revealed his news; he'd had that Fludd with him, and while she hadn't been able to see perfectly well, she did remember the utter surprise on his face when Junior dropped his bomb and then slammed the door closed.

Cutting him off; never giving him a chance to speak. That whole time he hadn't said a word.

   Oh, Mario, she thought, pity suddenly flooding through her. What had he thought of all this? What must he?

   He had surely to have been as surprised as she was, if not more. She was quite certain of that. His silence — if she could take it as a dazed one — could mean a number of things, and none of them thrilled her greatly.

   What did he think of this development? What did it mean for the police? If Mario was now aware who his framer was, he had to be at least somewhat pleased. Not that she believed the Delfino Police could catch Junior if he flaunted his disguise right in front of their faces. No; certainly, only Mario could be fit for that task.

   But what did he think of the prospect? Did he realize the long term? What if he was overwhelmed by the idea of a second rival, a new thorn in his side that might be there to stay? She couldn't blame him. More than anything, she wanted to talk to him about it, encourage him; comfort him if need be. Mario had always been stalwart in protecting the kingdom, and the last thing she wanted was to see him discouraged.

   But his silence still bothered her in a way she couldn't quite place. If he was disheartened... if he believed what the koopa had said at all, that is...

   Suddenly she let out a small gasp, the answer hitting her. No... surely he couldn't think that.

   What if he believed she knew more than she had told? What had he thought when the koopa had called her 'mama'?

   A sudden tendril of genuine fear ran through her stomach.

   ...What if he thought she'd kept some secret from him?

   She couldn't recall a hint of betrayal. She hadn't seen him giving her a critical look.

   But still, he hadn't been jumping up to deny it either.

   All at once Peach put her hand to her face. Oh no... Mario, surely you don't think that! You can't believe...

   Reason returned to her then, bringing back a sense of stability. Bringing her hand to her forehead, she shielded herself from the glare of the sun.

   No, no. She had to be realistic. Mario knew her well, and she knew him. That was why they were friends, after all. They trusted each other; that was what friends did. It didn't believe in doubts.

   Did it?

   Now Peach was not so sure. Or at the very least, she was not so sure in his case. She was inclined to trust her friends in all they said; men, on the other hand, she had heard were more difficult.

   She had seen it herself in Mario before; he was inclined to march into a fight, fists blazing before he always knew the full story. He could be prey to uncertainties, as anyone else, she supposed.

   Had this one gotten the better of him?

   Swallowing in a sudden wash of guilt, Peach thought of how he had so faithfully come to her aid so many times before, risking life and limb sometimes to see her safe. Time upon time suddenly seemed to stack up before her, overwhelming her by their sheer weight. He had done so much, only for this...

   Oh, Mario... I'm so sorry this happened! It wasn't supposed to be this way...

   Lowering her head, the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom let out another sigh. He had wanted to relax. Get a break from his chaotic life; Peach knew how much he suffered, however silently. He had been across the whole kingdom and beyond in his last journey. Then he had been injured himself, not long ago. She remembered sadly how he had come to her, eyes bright but draped with a tiredness she couldn't entirely understand, and suggested they take a vacation.

   Abruptly her heart picked up in spite of herself. When he said that... He hadn't... been intending it to be a date, surely!

   No no, of course not. She and Mario had never done anything of the sort. Never had the word 'date' passed between them. He was just being Mario — in that friendly, considerate sort of way. She owed it to him to go and kick back awhile.

   And so they had tried to do. And so they would, if ever they could fix this whole mess.

   It had been bad enough without her being kidnapped. Mario had plenty of work cut out for him already — this just added more to his list of troubles.

   Peach had no doubt in her mind that he was coming. He would come for her, one way or another, as he always did; he would stop this. Despite all that had happened; despite all that he'd done.

   But this time a sour question remained lingering in her mind: after that, would things ever be the same again?

~

   The evening wore on in a blur of troublesome thoughts and boring observation. Bowser Jr. eventually returned — unsuccessful, as she gathered right away from the annoyed look on his face — and Bowser finally came and discovered her standing outside. He didn't seem to mind; he had tried to insert himself into the picture and strike up a conversation, but Peach had given him nothing. Eventually, he had given up and left with a "Very well, princess. You'll come around."

   Peach remained outside all evening, watching the dying sun travel across the sky; not even moving when the clouds began to fall and night descended once again on Isle Delfino. Bowser Jr. came to her once later to offer her dinner, which he had to drop off at her behest. Evidently Bowser had thought Junior would succeed in coaxing her to their table, but there was no way she would give them that pleasure. Fortunately, Bowser didn't seem keen to pursue it that night.

   Instead, there she remained, staring out at the view she had: the lavender-tinted clouds, the stars twinkling above the horizon. It tugged her heart how beautiful it was; it mocked her with its wild freedom. This was the Isle Delfino she had wanted to see—

   Gazing upwards again at the high, high moon, the girl let out a sigh. It was almost full tonight; another one or two and it would be full. Even now its gentle white light showered down on the cliff side with a lovely sheen, illuminating everything. She was willing to bet it was brighter outside than in the mountain.

   Taking another deep breath — she had long lost count of how many — she glanced back at the bunker door briefly. Already dreading the sleep that she knew must come, she turned away and held onto her umbrella protectively. It reminded her of Toadsworth — he would be so beside himself. It made her hurt thinking how much he worried for her. He would never approve of Bowser's plan — not in a million years.

   Shaking her head stubbornly to herself, Peach set her brow. It was okay — she had no plans to humor them. If she was to sleep inside at all, it would be locked away in a room of her own. That is, if she ever managed to get any sleep.

   Looking back up to the glowing moon now, her thoughts drifted back to Mario. She knew he must have slept on his long tiresome journeys; she wondered how he ever did it. She had a hard time of it falling asleep when her heart was troubled with such things; especially if there was so much to do. She didn't suppose that he ever cried himself to sleep.

   Returning a hand to her chest, Peach stared up at the moon as if it were a portal to another world. Whatever the case, she did hope he would stop to rest; he needn't be pushing himself so hard. Slowly, she let her shoulders drop, as if acknowledging that the day was over; and there was nothing either of them could do about it.

   Finally, she found the words to say, though not above a whisper: "Goodnight, Mario..."

   Tucking her head into her chest, she added softly, "I hope good times are coming for us soon."