Threads of Fate

Beneath the Sunrise

When Peach woke again it was very late. Several hours must have passed and Peach was relieved to find the pain in her chest had finally subsided. Her room was very dark, except for a little moon light creeping in through her torn curtains. Peach surveyed her room in the moonlight.

"I should clean up this mess." She thought.

Peach couldn't repair all the damage. But she could at least put some things back in order and reduce the workload on her Toads. Suddenly, something at the foot of her bed caught her eye and made her gasp. It was impossible! No... she couldn't believe it. This must have been some cruel joke... Despite herself, Peach spoke out in barely a whisper.

"Mario?"

The small man sitting at the end of her bed slowly turned around with a warm smile.

"Hey, there she is."

"MARIO!"

Peach couldn't believe herself. Was she still dreaming? Peach dove into the plumbers' arms before the dream would have a chance to end. For a brief moment, she feared that she was imagining things and would collide with the bed frame. But Mario's strong and comforting arms embraced her. Peach grabbed her loves head and kissed him deeply.

Peach was so confused but, in the moment, she didn't care. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Mario had returned to her. That was all that mattered. If this was a dream, she was not going to waste time trying to understand. For a long time, the two simply held each other, joyful tears running down their cheeks.

Eventually, Mario whispered into Peach's ear.

"We should get going."

Peach pulled back from the embrace and held Mario's hands.

"Wait... I don't understand. How are you here?"

Mario considered the question for a moment.

"They said, I could come get you."

"Get me? But where are we going?"

"Were going home Peach."

None of this made any sense. Peach was already home. Peach began to speak.

"The castle..."

"Has been a wonderful home for you. And you managed it to the highest of expectations... Peach, they are so pleased with you... Wait till you see what they have prepared."

"They prepared a home for me?"

"For us. It's a home for us... But if I am being totally honest, I think you earned it more than I did. You really should hear the way they talk about you."

With that, Mario stood up and began to guide Peach toward the balcony. Peach was still so confused, she took a few steps then froze releasing Mario's hand.

"My Toads?!"

Mario turned back to her and took her hands again.

"A plan has already ben put in motion to ensure the Mushroom Kingdom and the Toads will be protected... I won't lie, this won't be easy for them. It will be hard on all our friends. Your kindness and generosity make you so easy to love. But they are all being watched over. That I can promise."

"Is there no other way for us to be together?"

"I'm afraid not... Peach, I wish we could stay, I wish I could change how everything happened. But, that is impossible... However, we can still face everything to come together."

Peach hesitated for a moment. How could she leave her friends? Her life? What cruel offer was this to return her love only to ask her to abandon everything she ever knew? But how could she possibly refuse? Losing Mario had brought her pain beyond imagining... She could never endure losing him a second time.

Finally, Peach nodded her head and took a few more steps to the balcony. She turned back to take one final look at the castle that cared for her over so many years.

"Is someone sleeping in my bed?"

Realization hit Peach like a hammer strike. No! This was impossible! She had simply fallen asleep and woken up again. Mario had simply returned to her... She hadn't... A panic began to rise in her chest, and she locked eyes with Mario who wore a sad expression as though he had been waiting for this moment.

"No, no no no no NO!"

Peach backed away from the balcony and ran back to the bed.

"WAKE UP!"

She attempted to strike herself only for her hand to pass straight through her body. Peach turned and began to look around wildly the room as though to find an escape. Her entire body began to tremble and she fell to her knees as fear was over taking her.

Mario grabbed Peach and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Peach, I understand. None of this has been fair. You have been so strong, so brave. You cared for me when my time came. Now let me care for you... Just don't look away from me. We are all that matter now. Just keep your eyes here on me. Don't be scared. I'm here. I'm with you and I love you so much."

Peach closed her eyes, she dug her head into Mario's shoulder and returned the embrace. After several minutes her tremors subsided, and she began to calm. Peach stood, whipped away her remaining tears and spoke.

"Your right. I'm sorry... I was being stupid to panic like that, I should have realized..."

"Peach, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You are taking this far better than when they came for me."

"Who came for you?"

"My Grandfather, well, my other one, on my mom's side. He passed when I was sixteen. I think you'll like him."

"What was it like when he came for you?"

"Oh... well, you see, I REALLY didn't want to go. I pretty much knew what had happened to me immediately. But I just wanted to stay by your side. Especially at that moment."

Knowing that at the moment of her deepest despair, Mario had in fact been there with her, filled Peach's heart with a comforting warmth. She reached out her hand and allowed Mario to begin once again walking her to the balcony.

"Anyway, after you left with my body, gramps told me it was time to go, and... well... I sort tried to fight him off and chase after you."

At this Peach began to giggle despite herself.

"Wait, you tried to fight off your own Grandfather?!"

Mario gave a weak chuckle before continuing.

"Yep... it was kind of pathetic actually. I'm sure he will tell you every embarrassing detail when you meet him."

The pair had finally reached the balcony and Peach turned to Mario, giving him a warm smile.

"Well, I can't wait to meet him... And see our new home... Thank you for coming, for helping me understand. I don't know how I could have handled something like this on my own."

"I will always be there for you Peach."

"You always have. That's why it is so easy to love you."

And with those finally words, Peach leaned in and they shared a tender kiss, there was a brilliant flash of light, and the pair vanished in the growing light of a beautiful sunrise.