Chapter Text
my cat's opinion on this work: hfiaheishkdhgkusrhgkhsdkgfkldsjflkajfljealf
As a child Peach hated being alone in the dark. With Toadsworth’s or someone else’s presence steady and comforting close by, darkness could be intriguing, providing opportunities to hide, to explore, to experience things on a different level as opposed to light – but when it was just her, not seeing things and not knowing what was going on would make her skin crawl and chest tighten in a most unpleasant way.
Growing up, she learned to face and overcome that fear among others, and even take advantage of her other senses when her vision was useless. “The darkest hour is just before dawn,” Toadsworth would say, and when the unease still lingered, the hope of dawn would soothe her.
She was raised by people who loved her deeply and taught her to love. The world she had stumbled in, extending beyond the safe grounds of the Mushroom Kingdom, was wondrously beautiful, and many of the people she had come to know over the years had gained her admiration and respect. Princess Daisy of Sarasaland was a dear friend, King Firewing of the Ice Kingdom was a noble ally, and even if the wise and respected General Toad didn’t have a high opinion of Cranky Kong, Peach always had faith in the Jungle Kingdom and the goodheartedness of its citizens.
But growing up also brought the awareness that not everyone valued life the same way the Mushroom Kingdom or its friends did. After she reached a certain age when the Toads began to carefully explain some of the harsh realities of the world to her, dark would also mean the Darklands and its inhabitants. She was still rather young when she saw Bowser with her own eyes for the first time – but the years would not wear off the memory of how she had felt terribly cold and gone so tense that her neck and shoulders had ached.
And that fear turned out to be more than just a child’s unease over the unknown. Seeing more and more of what Bowser was only intensified and affirmed it; the threats, the damage, his predatory smirk and unapologetic violence, the tales of prisoners left to die slowly in cages dangling above lava…
For sure, Peach learned to challenge the fear, increasingly aware that those she loved most were so vulnerable against him, and love would not allow her to just watch if he hurt them. Over the years she faced him multiple times, forced herself to stare him down with a resilience known only to those who know what’s at stake, even fought him a couple of times. She came to pride herself in being able to stand her ground without flinching under his piercing glower – “Brave as ever,” he would taunt her. But the unease of knowing that he was out there always hung upon her, an ever-present weight in her chest and a crease in her peace of mind...
The sky, slowly and steadily growing lighter, painted the forest in a serene blue tint and made the dark silhouettes of the biggest mushrooms appear larger than usual. In any other circumstances Peach would have found the scenery achingly beautiful, but even if she’d had the time to appreciate or even register it right now, the impending doom and the dread hovering around her would have brought an eerie tone into everything.
The words of the darkest hour had echoed in her mind earlier, almost mocking; this dawn was only bringing the terror closer as the clock ticked away – and the tragedy was real and irrevocable. The army that would have helped her was captured. Mario – brave, stubborn, amazing Mario – was lost to the ocean, along with the equally stubborn and relentless Donkey Kong, and they both were probably dead by now. And even with the loyal valiant Toad clinging to her, she felt so terribly, inconsolably alone.
Her fingers were taut and desperate on the bike’s controls. Her chest felt tight, swallowing hurt and her eyes stung, but she wouldn't concentrate on any of that. She couldn't allow herself to; she knew that giving space to the grief would just allow it to get out of hand and make her unable to focus. The Toads needed her now, possibly more than ever before.
Likely she would never have a proper chance to mourn, but that couldn't be helped now. Her chances of lasting alone in a battle against Bowser and his army were already very slim as they were – but now that he had one of the most powerful weapons known to this world…
A word had been sent to Sarasaland on the day the Mushroom Kingdom had learned of the Ice Kingdom’s fall and Peach had resolved to appeal to the Kongs, but given how far away Sarasaland was, any help that surely was on its way would not arrive on time. The warp pipe between the kingdoms had recently and mysteriously been destroyed; Peach had no doubt about what or who was behind that.
So this was on her shoulders now. And she had never felt so alone, or so sure that she would die soon.
Well, as long as that monster doesn’t have me rot in one of those cages. I’ll prefer a quick death while defending the Kingdom and glaring daggers at him all the way to the end.
The hill where the castle stood came to view, framed by clouds that were already glowing pink. Quick descent over to the shore and the fresh scent from the lake, a dash across the water with a chilly sprinkle on her face, and soon she guided the bike up by the hill, past the castle, to the Town. She landed on a town square next to one of the cafés where a few Toads had already gathered, ready to start their day early. They all yelped and flinched back and stared with big eyes.
“Bowser is on his way,” she announced crisply. “You have to evacuate!”
And she proceeded to take the quickest route to the castle, commanding the citizens that happened on her way to leave. There was no time and no need to go through the entire Town; the Kingdom had had emergency procedures long before her time. The Toads would know the fastest methods to spread the news and act accordingly.
The gentle morning sun warmed the castle already when she reached the courtyard and drove towards the main entrance. The guards swiftly obeyed her call to open, and a few moments later she slammed through the doors of the throne room, brought the bike to a screeching halt and leapt off the saddle, tearing off her helmet.
The council members seemed to all be present, and a sea of beady eyes focused on her. Stunned. Waiting. And she found that she couldn't speak. This was it. A death blow to their hopes. The grief swelled in her throat.
General Toad stepped forward, arms spread. “Princess?” he prompted, his usually stern voice almost gentle. Behind him, warm sunlight filtered through the stained-glass windows.
The words finally came out, shaky and despondent.
“We were ambushed. On the Rainbow Road. We-” she swallowed hard and tried again, “We lost the army – and,” her voice broke, “Mario’s gone.”
It… felt surreal that someone so alive, someone so spirited and irrepressible and plucky could be-
No, she couldn't think of him now. She needed to focus and be the strong one in the midst of a collective gasp of shock and terrified faces. Her family – she would keep at least them out of harm’s way if it was the last thing she’d ever do.
“Bowser is coming,” she said, grasping for a firm tone. “You can’t stay here. Head into the forest! I’ll buy you some time.”
“And what then?”
“Keep hidden, collect power-ups if you find any, keep escaping towards the borders. The reinforcements from Sarasaland will come. They must. If I won’t make it, at least they will help you.”
General Toad, quickly recovered from his shock, proceeded to give the order to evacuate the castle. He stopped by Peach for a moment; she bowed her head, jaw set grimly – I failed, General. I am so sorry.
He gave her a curt nod, compassion flashing behind his glasses – You tried, Princess – and moved forward, joining the steady stream of Toads that headed towards the doors. Only one of them, Peach’s faithful companion, remained still, watching silently.
“Toad, you should go with the others,” she offered.
He only turned to her, face set and voice steady with resolve that made her breath hitch: “I said, I wouldn't let anyone hurt you!”
“I don’t expect to come out of this alive,” she said softly. “You understand that?”
“The others will have Sarasaland’s support,” he countered, reaching for her hand. “What will you have?”
A choked laugh escaped from her as she wrapped her fingers around his. Dear Toad.
“The knowledge that I will be doing what a ruler must.” The words felt wooden and hollow in her mouth. If only she wasn’t so helpless. If only- “I owe it to you all – and to King Cranky – and to King Firewing. If I go down with them and the army, Sarasaland will continue the fight from there. You still have a chance with them.”
“I gave you my word, Princess. I will go with you,” he insisted solemnly.
And in the end Peach couldn't bring herself to send him away.
She had a halber; Toad had a tiny frying pan. An unusual pair they were, marching valiantly towards the grand entrance, faces set in matching determined frowns. Peach could almost see Daisy’s smile and hear her snarky comments – darling, fearless, cheerful Daisy who would be utterly devastated upon arriving too late and finding her friend dead-
Peach’s chest tightened painfully; she took a deep breath and shook off the sorrowful images.
I’m sorry, my sweet, sweet friend. Be brave for my sake. And thank you. For everything.
“What’s your plan?” Toad’s even voice chimed in.
“I’ll try and trick him into using the Star on me,” she heard herself say. “Taunt him to the point where he doesn’t think about it too much. The others should be spared from the worst, then.”
Deep down she knew it was a really, really bad idea, but she decisively set her quivering jaw-
-and remembered Mario’s wide, concerned eyes and demanding whispers-
Do you have anything better to save my brother?
Another painful twist.
No, Mario, I don’t, and that’s the problem. I didn’t plan to do this on my own. I should have prepared for it, but I didn’t, and now it’s too late, and I’m so sorry.
And I can’t think of you because that will break me, and I can’t afford that right now. If by some miracle I survive this, I will do what I can to save him. And I will mourn you. And make sure others will, too.
The courtyard still bathed in the sun for the moment, but the light was harsh and cold, escaping rapidly before the dark massive structure hovering above the town and the gale that came with it. The sky below it had turned ashen, and orange clouds of smoke poured from behind the spikes and horns and red-glowing eyes of its figurehead.
Peach had seen the ship a few times before, from afar. She had imagined that it must be insufferably hot inside it; the thing apparently had an active volcano in its center. And the infamous lava pit of a dungeon… that’s where the Kong army had to be now.
Cranky Kong, King Firewing, Luigi… forgive me…
She stopped in the middle of the balcony, planting the halber firmly on the floor on her right while Toad took his position on her left. Neither spoke a word. Her hands had begun to shake by now, and she had to keep her arms tense and fingers tightly in fists to quell it.
Sunlight had disappeared now, and the figurehead loomed right in front of them, nearing steadily, gargantuan and terrifying, illuminated by the occasional lightning. The mouth opened, giving way to ominous glow and gust of heat; its collision with the balcony broke the railing and sent the heat at their faces with force. They both flinched back; Toad coughed and Peach grimaced at the heavy smoke and acrid smell. She straightened her spine in time to face with dignity the shapes emerging from the glow.
Koopa soldiers, helmets gleaming, faces stern, weapons sharp and ruthless.
The troops formed a circle around them, spears like bars of a cage, leaving only the way to the airship clear. A gigantic shape emerged from the smoke, each heavy step shaking the floor. Spikes. Horns. Red eyes flaming under furrowed red brows. Jaws stretched in a horrible smile. The stuff of nightmares.
Well, your nightmares are not going to catch my loved ones, no matter what.
Bowser stood tall and spread his arms in mock-greeting. “Princess Peach,” boomed he, “brave as ever!”
She granted him no other response than a glare. A flash of purple light on his left, and Kamek appeared beside him.
Coming in full battalion, to people you know are weaker than you, you cowards.
Fear was slowly giving way to anger.
Bowser stepped to the right, gesturing behind him; a glowing, humming shape hovered in the air. A little too far away for her to steal.
“As you can see, I have the Super Star.”
“Yes, one of the most powerful weapons we know of,” Peach said icily, satisfied at how she managed to keep her voice clear and steady. “You must be dying to use it.”
“Well, let’s just say I have my plans,” he replied, eyes flashing. “And it certainly will help us to achieve our goal.”
“I wouldn't be so sure about that,” her voice dropped to dangerously low. “But go ahead and try it. Prove me wrong.” Her hands curled around the handle and she swiftly turned the halber to threaten him. “Use it. Right now. You’re going to, anyway.”
He stared at the halber for a moment with wide eyes, as if he didn’t understand what it was. A tactic to throw her off, surely; everything with him was power play. She had seen before how he openly enjoyed toying with-
He pushed the tip of her weapon out of his way, shaking his head and leaning closer; the look on his face turned… soft. Pleading? Adoring-?
Something nasty crept down her spine.
“No, Princess. You misunderstand me. I’m not here to fight. I stole this star for us.”
...excuse me?
Something cold was pooling around the tightness in her chest. He made a dramatic pose, one paw on his heard and the other rising upwards, and smirked down at her.
“I guess love really makes a guy come out of his shell…”
What is going on?!
She stared numbly, the telltale signs of ache beginning to settle around the back of her neck. The smirk froze on his face, and he turned to hiss something to Kamek.
This… No, this couldn't be happening. If possible, her fingers closed themselves even tighter around the handle.
He cleared his throat, shook off the embarrassment, and continued, “With this star, you and I-”
No.
“-will rule the world-”
No.
“-together, forever.”
No!
He held out a paw to her, eager, expectant, terrifying: “Will you marry me?”
Peach regained her ability to speak.
“You’re crazy,” she heard herself say.
“Crazy for you,” he responded. The soft look on his face felt even more unsettling than the cold smirks she was used to seeing.
“You’re insane,” she spat. “I would never marry you!”
He froze again, and then all the softness vanished from his face, like a mask pulled off; he dropped the smirk and his eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Maybe,” he said coldly, “you should reconsider.”
Before she could react, Kamek had pointed his wand forward, and next thing Toad – poor, vulnerable Toad whom Peach had forgotten for a moment – hovered in mid-air, guttural screams ripping from his throat. She cried out and reached for him, her weapon abandoned – and staggered back, vision blackening. Her hand burned, and the pain throbbed all the way to her elbow.
“No! Stop!”
As her vision cleared, she stared at Bowser with wild eyes; he stared back frowning, unmoved, absolutely cold and relentless. Next to her, Toad screamed on.
“Please! Stop!”
All her bravado had vanished and the fear struck her fresh like a blow to the stomach; she remembered being a little girl and shrinking away from the very sight of him-
...Toad's screams were turning weaker.
“I-I-I’ll marry you!” she cried desperately, the only coherent thing she could come up with. “Just don’t hurt my Toads!”
Kamek withdrew; Toad dropped down, the screaming mercifully stopped, and Peach was immediately by his side. He was stiff and shuddering under her hands, but he was moving. Breathing. Alive.
Bowser stepped closer, and she glared up at him, ready to snarl-
Stay back, you beast-
The frightful stony look was gone, but the air of grimness hung about him. “You have my word,” was all he said, once again holding out a paw – and all air was sucked out of her lungs.
The silence was dreadful, and the fire in her died as quickly and effectively as if someone had poured ice water on it.
Marry him? Marry her enemy and stand by his side, turn her back on everything she had been raised for, betray her people and allies? Be bound to... No, it was unthinkable. It was-
Next to her, Toad breathed heavily, face twisted in pain. She could still feel the same agony in her hand. Her eyes stung and her head sunk in dismay.
It was either comply with the demands or watch her loved ones suffer like that. Everything in her screamed against surrender... but what else could she do? The sense of how alone she was threatened to crush her.
Head spinning and knees feeling weak, she rose and started towards the entrance to the airship. The heat was insufferable, the acrid smell surrounded her; Bowser's triumphant laugh felt like another punch to the gut.
Little Peach who stared at darkness with the air of desperate resolve and unshed tears behind her eyes…
Little Peach who shrank away from the sight of the then-Prince of the Darklands…
He… he had found the perfect way to entrap her. Likely he’d known it all along; her love for the Toads was no secret to the world. She had never really allowed herself to think what would happen if that love was used against her like this. The prospect had been too horrid. But now it gaped in front of her like this abysmal entrance.
Love is your weakness, it mocked her. It gives us the hold over you. And this is why you cannot beat us.
my dog, if i had one, would say, 'dhrjhglsjrlkgjzdrkhgkzrhgkjhrgkjzgjslgdfjkghkdthihlrlsowfeoklsdlhgbjkfnbhlkdjr'