Something Old, Something New

This time was different. Bowser had come many times before for Peach, but this time it was very, very different. The koopa had always been a big oaf, and always looked before he leaped. Because of his ineptness, Mario was always able to defeat him.

The attack was surgical, precise and effective. An airship appeared above the castle in the blink of an eye, apparently by magical means. The giant blimp was surrounded by metal, armed with four large cannons and a huge gondola. Koopa witches descended from the sky, eliminating the guards around Peach’s tower. It was at that time that Goomba and Koopa grunts charged the gate. All the mushroom soldiers on guard rushed to the gate, thinking that was Bowser’s line of attack. It wasn’t.

The mushroom elder was running up Peach’s tower. The castle was in chaos. Bowser had done this so many times before they had developed a plan. The first priority was to hide the princess and secure the building. If that couldn’t be done, then Mario and his allies would come swooping in and save the day. The elder reached the door and swung it open.

“Princess!!” He shouted. The princess was standing on the balcony, watching the chaos. This was somehow different, this wasn’t one of Bowser’s boneheaded schemes, this was an all-out battle. “Please, step away from the balcony!!” The princess obeyed and began running towards the elder.

“What is going on!?” She shouted in fear.

“Bowser’s trying again! We have to get you to safety...!!” He was rudely interrupted. Several giant blocks crashed through the ceiling, all in between Peach and the elder. At least a dozen armored Koopas descended from the ceiling. What happened next was quick. The elder screamed the princess’s name, but that was all he had time to do. One of the soldiers kicked the elder down the stairs, slammed the door shut and locked it. The other Koopas ran over and seized the Princess.

“Let me go!!!” She shouted in vain. “You won’t get away with this!!! Mario!!! Save me!!!” All of the Koopas ran over the balcony with Peach in tow. A basket-like device descended from the giant airship. It practically smashed the balcony to pieces. They all ran into the device and it quickly pulled itself back into the giant blimp.

“Nooo!!! Noooooo!!!! Save me!!! Save me!!!!!!!” The Mushrooms on the ground heard the cries, but they couldn’t reach their princess. When the basket reached the blimp a very loud horn blared from the flying machine. Instantly, as if they had never been there, all the Koopas and Goombas scattered away from the castle. The giant airship’s cannons all turned towards the castle. A large puff of greasy smoke, four large belches and four bombs were launched from the blimp. All the mushrooms watched in horror as the castle was enveloped in a huge explosion and toppled in on itself.

This all happened in a matter of twenty minutes. It was quick, precise and effective. Their only goal was the princess. Destroying the castle was only to ensure that the mushrooms would be too demoralized to pursue...even if they could. In an instant the airship was gone again. All of Bowser’s forces retreated. Silence filled the air as awe-struck mushrooms couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. What had just happened!?

Peach sat quietly in a surprisingly comfortable room. Truth be told, it was a much larger and better than her room back at her ruined castle. This wasn’t an ordinary castle however. This particular castle was built on the inside of a mountain. Peach was continuously being surprised. This was too complicated and intricate for Bowser.

Bowser was an idiot, powerful but an idiot. That attack on the castle was too complicated for him. This strange place dug into a mountain was also off. Bowser was arrogant. He would want a huge, menacing fortress, not some place hidden away inside of a rock.

Peach had to admit, the place was comfortable. The chairs were plush and cushioned. There was an ornate fireplace, ordained with very beautiful items from far away lands. She had a four-post bed, covered with beautiful pillows and blankets. Even the table of the room was hand-crafted and very pretty. Peach couldn’t believe that this was Bowser’s scheme.

When the door to the room opened, Peach was sitting at the table of the room, her arms crossed. The person that emerged wasn’t Bowser however. It was a young man, dressed in robes with a rather large witch’s hat. He had dark hair, a thin face and striking green eyes

“Greetings Princess.” The man said, bowing. “I’ve heard so much about you.” He closed the door behind him.

“Are you just another one of Bowser’s cronies?” Peach complained.

“Second in command actually.” He replied. “My name’s Waldrin. I’ll be attending to your needs for the moment.”

“So the idiot in charge is too busy for me now?” Peach complained. “You might as well just let me go. Mario will be on his way soon...”

“That pesky Mario.” Waldrin said with a smile. “He’s off in the north.” Waldrin removed his hat.

“North!?” Peach shouted. The dead volcano she was in was to the southeast.

“That’s where the other blimp crashed.” Waldrin explained. “I guess you were too preoccupied to notice.” Waldrin sat down. He folded his hands together in front of his face. “There were two blimps. The first one diverted here after going north for a while. The other one kept going north and crashed. They’ll all be preoccupied with the crashed one to know it changed direction.” Peach had a serious look on her face. That was far too complicated for Bowser to accomplish. It had to be Waldrin.

“So this is your doing.” Peach said, accusing him.

“In a way.” Waldrin said with a smile. “But I can assure you, it was lord Bowser that came up with the plan.” Peach scoffed. She finally uncrossed her gloved arms. Her bright blue eyes tried to tear through Waldrin. She didn’t succeed.

“Like I’m supposed to believe that buffoon could come up with something like this...” The princess muttered. This would end up like it did the hundreds of times before. Mario or someone associated with him would come and save her. A few times she escaped on her own. Waldrin smiled yet again.

“He DID come up with the plan.” He said. “I can assure you.” Peach glared at him with an expression that was a mix of anger and disbelief. “Perhaps I should tell you a story.”

“What!?” Peach asked, sounding baffled.

“You see, King Bowser Koopa, or Bowser as you so formally know him, went on a journey about a year back. You may have noticed he has been gone for all that time.” Peach sat up straight in her chair, assuming a noble posture. She had noticed he was gone, but had more pressing matters. She was attempting to convince the Goombas to join in the human and mushroom alliance. She had been less than successful. “You see, Lord Bowser found a map, a rather erroneous thing that supposedly led to a potion that would make him even stronger.” Everything sounded like the same idiotic Bowser so far. “So he left this quaint little kingdom in search of it.” Peach could feel anger boil in her mind. Quaint!? The Mushroom Kingdom was the largest on the planet. How could he talk down to it!?

“When he became lost he found the country I lived in. It was the Kingdom of Suramash. Ironically he asked me for directions. I was a member of the royal family there. However, I have no love of ruling or politics so I didn’t like my position. I informed the King that the map was a fake, something from a child’s board game.” The princess sighed. So far, she was unimpressed. “I asked him what it was he was seeking. The conversation went like this:

“Bowser: So I can stomp that pesky Mario and get to my sweet Peachy.

“Me: Who is this Mario?

“Bowser: Some stupid human plumber.

“Me: A plumber? A big...uh...dragon like you lost to some human plumber?

“Bowser: I’m a Koopa!!! Besides, Mario is really strong I tell ya! He’s beaten me loads of times. Once I’ve found this potion I can finally smash ‘em!!

“Me: A human shouldn’t even be able to touch you. Could it be that this Mario is outwitting you?

“Bowser: I ain’t stupid!! Once I get more strength I can finally whip Mario after all those hundreds of beat-downs he handed me.

“Me: I see, what if I could make you smarter?

“Bowser: You can do that!? Heck yeah!!!

“Thus I came into Lord Bowser’s service. It was an extensive ritual, one several members of my family go through. Our definition of incest is a lot looser than yours. Some of the members of our family come out...less than intelligent. So we invented a magic ritual in which our intellect is increased.” Peach didn’t know whether to be disgusted or fascinated. Waldrin just admitted that his family had some brothers and sisters reproducing with one another. If she ever got out of this, she had to remember to write off any trips to this place. “Lord Bowser underwent the same ceremony. It took four days, a library of books and at least forty of his troops to hold him down. When it was finished...he was...very different.” This sounded like a bunch of baloney. “On the way back we were ambushed by a rather unsightly group of small dinosaurs. Lord Bowser was utterly exhausted and had to be carried out of the country. I took command and successfully defended against the assault with minimal casualties. I was made second in command.”

“This sounds ridiculous.” Peach interrupted.

“Oh it gets better.” Waldrin replied. “You know that treaty with the Goombas? Yeah, it’s not going to work.”

“What?” Princess Peach was suddenly attentive.

“Lord Bowser already has the majority of them on his side. They listened to him speak for twenty minutes and folded.” Now the princess was worried. “He’s even made an alliance with the Shy Guys. I don’t even want to know how he did that.”

“What are you planning?” The Princess asked.

“We’re not some cheap evil organization that explains its entire plan and fails by the last commercial...at least not anymore.” Waldrin stood up and began walking to the door. The Princess was a little stunned. This had to be a trick of some kind. It must have been the Waldrin, he must be pulling Bowser’s strings. Waldrin opened the door and called out into the hall. A Koopa, covered in armor, came in wheeling a cart. It was adorned with fancy food and beautiful silverware. Peach turned her nose up to it, even if it was good, she wanted no part of it. Waldrin shooed the servant away and unveiled the food. It was all exotic and expensive. Waldrin pointed to something she didn’t recognize.

“That’s from my home country.” He explained.

‘Like I want something from a bunch of inbreeds.’ Peach thought. Waldrin saw that she wasn’t going to eat. He casually grabbed a piece of the food from his country, which resembled a fried shroom plate. He chewed slowly.

“They cooked it wrong.” He stated flatly. He instead grabbed a pitcher and poured the liquid into a glass. He set it in front of the Princess. Peach didn’t move. She didn’t know what he expected her to do. “It’s water. The trip was long, you to need to drink at least.”

“I’m not touching anything.” Peach replied.

“You can live maybe a month without food.” Waldrin said, wheeling the cart into a corner. “You can live only a few days without water.” Peach thought for a moment. He was right. She was pretty thirsty after all. She was kidnapped just before a meal and they only provided her with some odd-tasting water on the blimp. She sighed. As elegantly as she could, she picked up the cup and sipped the water. She did so as if she were drinking from a fine china teacup.

“It tastes funny.” Peach complained. “Just like the water on the blimp.” Waldrin turned and looked at her. He had an odd expression on his face.

“It’s the sulfur.” He replied, his voice sounding a little weak. “It’s in the volcanic rock and in the water. We tried to purify it but there’s only so much we can do. It’s not dangerous.” Peach shook her head. This got better and better. She held her breath and drank the rest.

Waldrin stood outside the Princess’s room, silently. This plan could backfire...very badly. It did, however, have a certain genius along with it. He began to march towards the center of the mountain, near the dead volcano spout. This place was a perfect fortress to defend from, and quite out of the way. The mushrooms could scour for years and never find it. Waldrin walked until he found a large oak door, guarded by two armored koopas. He reached up and knocked onto the door before cracking it open and sticking his head in.

“What?” Asked a deep voice from within.

“It’s me lord Bowser.” Waldrin said. “It has begun. She refuses to eat however.”

“Is that going to be a problem?” Bowser asked.

“No, her body will force her to eventually.”

“Very well. I will eat with her tomorrow.”

“As you wish.”

Peach actually slept very well on her luxurious bed. It was so ornate and soft that she couldn’t help but fall asleep. It was almost as nice as the one she had back at her castle, whatever was left of it. She was awakened by Waldrin entering her room. She sat up, her long, blonde hair disheveled. Waldrin stood at the end of her bed and bowed.

“Good morning your majesty.” He said politely. “I trust you slept well?”

“I’d sleep a lot better if I were back home.” Peach said, her voice slightly raspy. Her throat was dry.

“Wouldn’t we all.” Waldrin said back to her. Peach was puzzled, until she remembered that this wasn’t Waldrin’s native land. The princess tried to arise from her bed, but found her limbs to be heavy and her body weak.

“What’s wrong with me?” She asked weakly.

“You haven’t eaten since you got here.” Waldrin said. “The longer you go without food the weaker you will become. I don’t suppose you would consider breakfast?”

“I refuse to eat something provided by Bowser!” Peach said stubbornly. “I am tired of him kidnapping me!”

“As you wish.” Waldrin said. “Would you at least drink something? Lord Bowser worries for your health.” Peach grumbled, but was too thirsty to protest. She struggled to stand, her legs shaking. She glared at Waldrin, who was still present despite the fact she was in her undergarments. Waldrin bowed.

“I will send a female attendant to assist you.” Waldrin said. He left to do so. A pitcher of water was lying on the table. Peach quickly walked over and poured herself a glass. The water tasted funny, but it was water. Somehow, it didn’t seem to quench her thirst.

A kind female Koopa arrived soon after to assist the Princess. The woman was old and polite, so Peach didn’t mind. The old turtle dressed her in fine pink clothes and fixed the Princess’s hair. The old Koopa commented on how her daughters would kill to have those lovely blonde locks. Peach listened kindly as the Koopa spoke of her seven children, twenty grandchildren and her deceased husband. He was apparently a farmer. After he died, she offered her services to Bowser as a maid and attendant.

“I don’t understand.” Peach said, interrupting the woman.

“What about your majesty?” The old Koopa asked, brushing the Princess’s hair until it was perfect.

“Why would choose to serve Bowser?” Peach asked. She assumed the buffoon was only followed by those as stupid as he was.

“Bowser may be your enemy your majesty,” The female Koopa explained. “But he is the ruler of the Koopas. He has done much for us.”

“He is a tad thick, no offense of course.”

“He was at times. However, since he began ruling us, we have not been invaded, not once. Before, our kingdom passed hands every decade or so.” Koopa history had been riddled with invasions

“I suppose.” Peach had to admit, no one even thought of invading Bowser’s kingdom.

“It’s all changing now.” The Koopa said. “King Bowser is so smart now. I couldn’t even believe it when I talked with him.”

“He’s really...smarter?”

“Very much so. He spoke with me about my grandchildren for hours. He even helped me sort out the problems I had with my third son.” That sounded hard to believe. If Bowser really had changed...things could become dire very quickly. He was physically extremely powerful. If he had a brain to match he was now very dangerous. “You can see for yourself tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“He’s set up a dinner for the just the two of you, to talk.” Peach sighed in annoyance. He had done this sort of thing before. He always ended up bumbling like a moron. “There, all done your highness.” Peach stared at herself in the mirror. The old Koopa had groomed her perfectly; almost as good as Peach’s attendants would have back at her castle.

“Thank you.” The Princess said. “Could you please bring me some water? I’m very thirsty.”

“Certainly your majesty.”

Peach had little to do the rest of the day. The nagging thirst in Peach’s throat didn’t relent. She drank the strange-tasting water all day. She tried to read some literature, but found being thirsty distracted her. As night began to descend the Princess was becoming worried. She hadn’t felt like this before. She had drunk water all day. Even as she was called away to her private dinner, she had just finished another pitcher. She was up to fifteen.

Peach was led to a large room, which huge wooden doors. When they opened, her eyes drank in the room. It was stunning. The entire room had been carved with ornate columns and majestic statues. A huge chandelier dangled from the ceiling, all of the candles lit. It lit the room with a warm, albeit dim light. Peach sat at one end of the table, in a chair comfortable enough for a king. Despite the fact that she was starving, now without two days of food, and thirsty, she held back. She sat in a respectful position and waited.

A door on the other side of the room opened. Rows of Koopas swarmed in and began laying all kinds of food and drink on the table. The table was over ten feet long and was covered end to end with dishes. A large jar of water was seated right next to the Princess. Peach’s fingers dug into the fabric of her dress. She was SO thirsty. When all of the Koopas flooded out of the room, a large shadow appeared in the door. A massive Koopa waltzed into the room and sat in the other chair, fit to accommodate his massive bulk.

“Bowser.” Peach said with distaste. Bowser, king of the Koopas, smiled.

“Princess.” Bowser said in reply. His voice was calm now, almost soothing. Peach was almost astonished by his tone alone. The raspy, overbearing voice was gone. “I wasn’t aware we were on a first-name basis.”

“What...?” Peach said, with wide eyes. He sounded so sophisticated. His eyes, usually contorted into an evil glare, were now light and insightful. It was true. He had changed.

“My first name is Bowser.” The king of the Koopas explained. “Perhaps I should simply call you Peach...or what I used to...Peachy was it?”

“Don’t call me that.” Princess Peach said, unnerved. Bowser chuckled, his voice however was a deep bass and it reverberated around the room.

“As you wish.” Bowser said. The only thing about that wasn’t new was the spiked bracelets around his wrists and biceps.

“Why are you still wearing those things?” Peach asked. She hated those things. She assumed it was just to make Bowser look tougher. He had an extreme inferiority complex. Bowser’s eyebrow raise. He suddenly looked annoyed.

“To remind me.”

“Of what!?” Bowser leaned across the table, a serious look on his face.

“You don’t know, do you?” He asked.

“Don’t know what?”

“It’s not pleasant dinner conversation.” Bowser leaned backwards. “You must be starving, please, eat.”

“I’m NOT going to eat.”

“Come now, you haven’t eaten in days.”

“I WON’T eat food from you! Now tell me! You are holding me hostage and I won’t have you telling me what I would like to know!”

“My, my.” Bowser said. “I had no idea you had such a temper.”

“I’m thirsty!!” Peach shouted. She reached for the jar of water and quickly poured herself a glass. She quickly swallowed it all, but it didn’t assuage her thirst. “Can’t you get anything else besides water!? This stuff isn’t helping.”

“Forgive me.” Bowser said. “It’s too difficult to get anything else up into the mountain. I will see what I can do.”

“Why am I so thirsty!?” Peach shouted. She hadn’t been this short-tempered since she was child.

“The atmosphere and the water.” Bowser said flatly. He almost sounded like he was lying. “The mountain is very dry and the water is impure. I will bring you something different, but it will take some days to get here.” Peach didn’t respond, she merely drank more.

“If you must know,” Bowser said. “My bracelets are there to remind me where I came from. Even when I was an idiot I didn’t want to forget.”

“And where did you come from?” Peach asked. “Koopa village?”

“No.” Bowser said. “I was born in Mushroom Kingdom.”

“What!?” Peach was now shocked, and interested.

“You lot never bothered to check who I was did you?” Bowser almost sounded incredulous. “Just another enemy to defeat.”

“Then who are you?” Peach asked. Bowser eyed her for a few silent moments.

“I was born in Toad Town and given only one name: Bowser. I was given one name for one reason. I was born a slag.” Peach was taken aback. That was impossible. Slags were slaves that the kings of old from Mushroom kingdom took from surrounding countries. All forms of slaver had been banned a very long time ago.

“You would have to be so old that...” Peach began, looking down. Then she gazed back up, a serious look in her eye. “Bowser, how old are you?”

“I’m surprised you never asked me that question.” Bowser said, folding his massive hands together. “In all the times I captured you, you never asked me that, not once. I probably would lied to you before.”

“How old are you!?”

“If you must know, I am 345 years old, next month.” Peach felt light headed. How was that even possible!? Koopas live for only 100 years if they were lucky!!

“You...can’t be...” Peach said, breathlessly.

“You don’t think I got this big just by luck do you? Koopas never stop growing. That’s how I got to this gargantuan size.”

“How can you still be alive!?” Peach asked.

“Truthfully, I don’t know.” Bowser admitted. “I just don’t age. I simply grow larger. They made me king because of my size.”

“Because they follow the strongest...” Peach muttered.

“No, certainly not.” Bowser said. “Otherwise they would follow you. Your kingdom is the largest and by far the strongest. They follow me because they believe I am the dragon of legend.”

“The dragon of legend?” Those words teased a piece of her memory from long ago, when her father spoke of Koopa mythology.

“You see, in ancient times the Koopas believed that every ten thousand years the son of a god was born among them. They called that demigod the Dragon of Legend. Some have even confused me with a dragon before. I can also breathe fire, giving that legacy legitimacy.”

“What do you believe?” Peach asked, scrutinizing him.

“I believe I’m nothing more than a quirk, a freak offspring that is larger and stronger than most. It happens all the time in nature, and most Koopas can breathe small amounts of fire if they really try.” Peach couldn’t believe her ears. Bowser sounded so smart, too smart. It was as if he had gone to etiquette training. If this was a ruse, it was the best she had ever seen.

The dryness in Peach’s throat was beginning to burn, and that heat spread through her entire head. She was beginning to sweat, right in front of Bowser. Bowser stared at her as her head began to turn read from the heat.

“Are you all right?” Bowser asked.

“I’m fine.” Peach replied.

“Waldrin is trained in healing.” Bowser said. “I could have him examine you.”

“That won’t be necessary!” Peach replied bitterly. She drank another glass of water and stood. “I’m returning to my room!” She lifted her dress and marched out of the room. Bowser sat idly for a few moments, tapping his foot on the ground. He then turned to the other door.

“WALDRIN!!!!!!!!!!!!” He shouted. His voice boomed across the entire mountain. The chandelier above him shook and a few candles fell. Dust descended from the ceiling. Bowser wasn’t angry however, he just didn’t know where the magician was. A few moments later, the door opened.

“Yes Lord Bowser?” Waldrin asked, afraid he was angry.

“I am not angry.” Bowser informed him. “Come.” Waldrin approached Bowser’s seat and bowed respectfully.

“What may I do for you?” Waldrin asked.

“She’s beginning to sweat.” Bowser said. “Is that normal?”

“Better than normal.” Waldrin said. “It means she’s progressing very quickly. She’s been drinking gallons of water, and not eating is only amplifying the effect.” All of the food on the table remained untouched, even as Bowser sat thinking. “My lord, are you not going to eat?”

“If she doesn’t eat, I don’t.” Bowser said. “Give it to the cooks and guards. They’ll enjoy it.”

“As you wish.” Waldrin bowed and turned to leave.

“Is this really a good idea?” Bowser asked. Waldrin paused, thinking to himself.

“Probably not.” Waldrin admitted. “However, we have come this far and I believe we should go through with it.” Bowser thought for a moment, before waving for him to leave. All he did for the rest of night, was lean on one arm of the chair and tap his foot on the ground, thinking.

Peach awoke the next day, sweating profusely. The fire that had started in her throat now covered her body. Her stomach screamed at her in its emptiness, as it demanded food. When Peach tried to sit up, her body wouldn’t obey. She was forced to lie in weakness, her sheets becoming soaked in her own sweat. After what seemed like hours, Waldrin entered the room.

“Princess,” He began. He saw that she was awake. He stared for a moment, before realizing that something was wrong. She was bright red and completely soaked from head to toe.

“Help...” She croaked. Almost instantly, Waldrin spun around to the door.

“Get the female attendants here, now.” The guards outside shuffled away. Waldrin walked over the bed and threw the covers off the Princess. The cooler air from outside the covers instantly washed over her. She glared at Waldrin weakly, for seeing her in her undergarments.

“I’ve had medical training.” Waldrin said, defending himself. “Besides, now’s not the time.” He touched her forehead for a moment, touching his own with his other hand. “Too hot, too fast.” He leaned over the Princess’s face. “Princess, you must eat something you understand? I know you don’t want anything from Bowser, but if you don’t eat, you could die. Do you understand?” Peach nodded, too afraid to protest. Two female Koopas arrived, one of them being the old lady from yesterday. “Find something loose and airy for the Princess to wear. Prepare a cool bath for her and get her something to eat.”

After her bath, Princess Peach was dressed in a light robe and sat at her table. Food was wheeled in, but she was too weak to even lift her hand. The old lady Koopa lifted the food to Peach’s mouth, allowing her to eat. Waldrin observed her closely, making sure she ate every bite. When the Princess was finished, her vision began to narrow, as if she were entering a tunnel. A white-hot feeling set in her stomach was her whole body began to shake. Waldrin walked over to her.

“Princess, are feeling a burning sensation around your stomach?” He asked.

“Yes...” The Princess croaked.

“Okay...” He muttered. He lifted a cup to her quivering lips. “Drink this. It’s not the water, it will help.” He held her head, allowing her to drink the liquid. It was tart, and tasted awful, but it actually helped assuage the painful thirst in Peach’s throat. After swallowing the liquid, the Princess fell limp. She couldn’t move anymore. “Take her to the bed. It’s starting.”

Princess Peach could feel her body burn and throb. She could only hear pieces of conversation, nothing she could get a firm grasp upon. She heard Bowser’s voice at one point.

“THIS is normal!?!?” Bowser bellowed.

“Perfectly.” Waldrin replied. “It’s a little fast, but her body will adjust.”

Peach hear the old Koopa lady try to argue with Waldrin, but he wouldn’t listen.

“You have to stop this. She looks awful!!” The Koopa said.

“It can’t be stopped, not anymore.” Waldrin replied. “The food will help, just give it time.”

Peach blacked out after that. She dreamed she was in a desert, her entire body roasted in sun, but she couldn’t find any shade anywhere. As her body boiled she could feel herself falling, falling through stars, through time and through space. She saw turtles marching to war with a dragon. She saw mushroom marching with men, marching with a leader that wasn’t her. She saw the stars fall from the sky and the ground shake. Through all of this, all she could feel was the unending heat. She felt as if her blood was boiling.

Peach finally awoke from her nightmare. She was lying on clean sheets and her skin felt cool and normal. She had a pounding headache which reverberated in her ears. She sat up, her head feeling heavier than normal. Waldrin was sitting at the table, reading from a book. When she rose up, he stood from his chair.

“Good morning your highness.” He said respectfully. “Are you feeling better?”

“Much.” The Princess admitted. She paused, thinking for a moment. “I was very rude to you. I do apologize, something must have gotten into me.” Waldrin smiled.

“So, words of you kindness weren’t exaggerated.” He said. “You were sick, you weren’t yourself. I don’t blame you.”

“Thank you.” The Princess said. She stood up, but she had a hard time balancing. Waldrin extended her an arm and assisted her. Peach no longer cared about being in her undergarments. Waldrin certainly didn’t seem to mind. He led her to the table, where he poured her a glass of water.

“Here, you must be thirsty, oh don’t worry. The water is completely purified, nothing else in it.” The Princess hesitantly took a drink. He was right. It was clean and refreshing. Her throat was finally soothed.

“What happened?” The Princess asked. “I felt awful there for a while.”

“Yes...” Waldrin said. He bowed to Peach. “Forgive me. This was my doing.” The Princess looked shocked.

“You’re doing!?” She shouted.

“Yes, please, look in that mirror over there. I think you will find the reflection surprising.” The Princess dashed to the mirror as quickly as she could. Her face grew pale at what she saw. Her head felt heavier because it was. Two horns now peeked out of her hair. She had a hard time balancing because something knew grew out of her lower back. It was a tail, with scales. The Princess felt her stomach turned at her image in the mirror.

“What have you done to me...?” She said breathlessly.

“Congratulations Princess.” Waldrin said. “You are now part Koopa, part Human.”

*

A/N: I apologize that there is no sex in this chapter. Usually I try to put a sex scene in each chapter, but I had to give you the back story and it went on for too long and I had to end the chapter. There will be sex next chapter, I promise. Also, there is a war coming, just to tell you in advance.