Guess what, everybody? I *just* finished the changes to CH 10, and, actually, I decided to break it down into two separate chapters. I still need to finish the alterations to the rest of Part 1, but consider this a special treat! :)
Chapter 10: Final Farewell
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The heartbreaking morning was finally gone and already the gloomy afternoon was heading toward its end. A faint tapping was heard from the balcony, and slowly the elegant glass doors were unlocked and opened.
“Twink…!” Princess Peach exclaimed, awaking from her weary dreams, “You finally came back…!”
“Princess! I just talked with Mario!” he spoke enthusiastically, “He and Toad are looking for you. He told me he’d be honored to be the father of your child.” Twink had been thrilled at Mario’s change of heart. “Hang in there! He’s coming…!”
Peach smiled ardently. “That’s wonderful…!” Her face suddenly became very sullen. “But…it’s too late…”
The Star Kid looked at her confusedly. “What do you mean…? Peach…you’ll be fine…!”
“Twink… Please, you have to tell him this…” she struggled, “…Tell him…that I love him…and I’ll never forget him…”
“Oh, Princess…! Not now…! Not when he’s this close…”
“Tell him…” she pressed painfully, “it’s not his fault…and there was nothing he could have done…”
“Please…Peach…don’t give up now…!” he cried desperately.
“…Tell him…to never give up hope…and that the prophecy has been fulfilled…” She began to quiver, the tears struggling to stay within her utmost being.
“…Princess…” Twink sighed sorrowfully. “W…what prophecy…?” he slowly asked.
She suddenly began coughing violently, heaving between each gasp for precious air. It felt as though her insides were being forced up through her throat. There was a slight taste of blood and mucus in her mouth.
“Peach! Are you okay?!” Twink shrieked.
The princess swallowed her pain and managed to speak. “…The…the last night I saw him…he told me of a prophecy he heard about…”
“What is it…?” he scarcely whispered.
She rubbed her temples; it was so hard to concentrate. “‘…A child…of Good and Evil shall come to rise… Good will perish… and Evil will reign…” She closed her eyes trying hard to remember. “…But…but the child will destroy the Evil…and Good will prevail once more…’”
“…I…I don’t understand…”
“Don’t you see…? …Melony…is the child…”
“Your daughter…?” he thought for a moment, “Wait a minute… Good and Evil… Is that…*you* and…Bowser…?!”
Peach nodded weakly, “…Evil has already begun to prevail… And soon Good will perish…”
Twink gasped and shook his head in apprehension. “Nooo…! That can’t be right…! …You…have to…die…?”
“Twink…listen to me…” she pleaded, “It’s already too late… This was my destiny…”
“Nooo! It doesn’t have to be…!” he cried, “Princess…! It could mean something else…! Please…you don’t know…!”
Peach looked sadly into his troubled eyes. “Twink…it’s too late… There’s nothing that can be done…”
“But, Peach…!”
Afflicted, she made herself continue, “Please…you must…tell Mario…” She forced a weak smile, “…Goodbye, Twink… I’ll never forget you…”
“Princess…! Nooo…!”
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The renowned hero and head Royal Mushroom Retainer had made significant progress on their journey to rescue Princess Peach. Bowser’s massive Castle was now in view as dark storm clouds engulfed the dreary evening sky. It was just starting to get dark when slight flashes of lightning were seen at a distance, followed by their faint rumbles. It started drizzling.
Toad instinctively placed out his hand to feel the raindrops. “Oh no… Not another storm…”
Mario glanced up in agreement and sighed. Suddenly he felt an overwhelming intuition. “…It…it seems like the Princess…!” he exclaimed, “She needs me right now…! Something’s wrong…!” The lightning began to strike closer and more frequently.
“Well, come on then, we have to hurry…”
A bright flash emanated from above, creating an unbearably loud roar.
“Peach…!” Mario suddenly shrieked as an excruciating sharp pain pierced through his soul. He collapsed to his knees, grasping his head in pain. The lightning seemed to encompass all around them, growing intensely faster and louder.
“Mario…!” Toad screamed in terror, “Are you okay?! What’s wrong…?!”
The plumber violently shook his head, it throbbing from the intense pain. “…Peach…!” he gasped, “…I…I’m losing her…!”
“What do you mean…?” he asked neurotically.
Mario winced in excruciating agony. “Up there…” he struggled, desperately trying to suppress the pain, “She’s up there… That balcony… There’s not much time…” Frantically he pulled a Cape Feather from his pocket and flew up toward the small balcony.
“Mario…!” Toad shouted. But he was now alone.
Mario soon landed on the balcony, carefully avoiding being spotted. He peered through the glass French doors and frantically scanned the elegant, dim room. He gasped. Peach was lying in her bed, helpless, frail, and terribly pallid. Overwhelmed by seeing her and in such weakness and frailty, the plumber frantically pushed on the golden door handle. It was locked.
Mario screamed her name, hopelessly banging on the doors. His heart pounded rapidly. He couldn’t get in! What would he do? Desperately he pushed the handle down one last time, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The doors swung open.
Quickly he rushed over to the princess’s bedside. Mario placed a hand to her soft face and frantically searched her closed eyes for a sign of life.
“Peach…” he whispered shakily. Very weakly, her eyes fluttered open.
“Mario…?” Her voice was just barely a faint whisper. “Is that you…?”
“Shh…shh… I’m here now… Don’t worry…”
The princess gave a weak smile. “You came…”
Mario touched her fragile hand. “Shh…Everything will be fine, everything will be fine… We need to get you out of here…” Slowly he leaned over and very gently held her up. Peach blinked warily, barely able to move on her own accord. Mario felt a terrible lump starting to form in the back his throat.
“I held out…for you…” she quavered weakly. Mario struggled to force down the growing overwhelming lump. His voice was about to break.
“Peach…” His eyes began to well up. He swallowed hard.
The princess looked weakly into his eyes and touched his face. “I love you…” she whispered as her eyes fluttered open one last time.
“Peach…” He felt her body go limp as he held her in his arms. He shook her, tears now streaming down his once emotionally strong face. “Peach…”
Mario closed his eyes painfully. Gently he laid her back down and pressed his forehead against hers as he sobbed bitterly. He looked into her beautiful, lifeless face and softly kissed her sweet lips one last time.
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If things don''t go your way, just keep complaining until your dreams come true.
Edited by - Sapphira on 4/30/2003 1:33:06 PM
