"We have a big announcement for you kids," Bowser said with a grin. The entire royal Koopa family seated around the dinner table turned their attention to their patriarch, who stood from his place at the head of the table. Next to him, his wife, Clawdia, stood as well. The seven Koopaling children stared at their parents, eagerly awaiting the news to follow.

"Your father and I paid a visit to the doctor today," Clawdia began, "He said that I'm going to have another child."

The Koopalings gave a simultaneous gasp of excitement.

"Wow!" ten-year-old Lemmy cried, "I can't wait!"

"Finally! Someone who'll be younger than me!" seven-year-old Larry exclaimed.

"I hope this one is a girl," nine-year-old Wendy stated, "There are too many boys in this family."

"Actually," Clawdia added on, "We already know the gender."

The Koopalings immediately quieted down and turned back to their mother in silent anticipation.

"It's a boy."

More excited chatter arose amongst the Koopalings. Well, from all except for fourteen-year-old Ludwig. He'd remained, for the most part, silent through the entire announcement. Instead, he poked his fork at the mashed potatoes on his plate. Clawdia must have taken notice of this, because, as the rest of the Koopalings occupied themselves by talking amongst themselves about their future younger brother and Bowser decided he'd join in with them, Clawdia made her way over to Ludwig, placing her hand on his shoulder. She motioned for him to follow her into the living room and Ludwig complied.

"What's the matter, Ludwig?" Clawdia asked once the two were away from the rest of the family.

"I worry about you, mother," Ludwig explained timidly, "Are you sure you can handle having so many children?"

"Of course I can," Clawdia answered with a smile, ruffling Ludwig's hair, "I've handled my children thus far, haven't I? I think I can handle one more."

"Even seven is a little excessive," Ludwig added, becoming concerned, "I just don't want things getting out of hand...for your sake..."

"Oh, Ludwig," Clawdia giggled, "You always were the most mature of the bunch. I'll be fine. I promise."

Ludwig looked away. He couldn't help but worry about his mother. Ever since his father had started his military assaults on the Mushroom Kingdom, Clawdia had been looking worse and worse. She'd been more tired than usual and she became plagued by frequent colds and the like, but the stubborn Koopa woman still forged on. Just then, Clawdia wrapped her son in a big bear hug. Ludwig hugged back, squeezing as tightly as he could. He couldn't bear to think of anything happening to his mother.

Clawdia bore closer and closer to her due date and the Koopalings were all buzzing with excitement. Clawdia was now in the constant care of the castle's physician, who constantly monitored both Clawdia and her unborn baby's condition. Iggy, Lemmy, and Larry would pick flowers from the castle gardens every day and bring them to their mother. Ludwig also constantly visited his mother to see how she was doing. On this particular day, he went with Iggy, Lemmy, and Larry while they were delivering their flowers. When they got to Clawdia's room, though, they found multiple guards stationed outside her door.

"No one is allowed in here today," the guard told the four Koopalings.

"Why not?" Ludwig asked worriedly. He couldn't help but immediately think that something was wrong.

"Clawdia's come down with Mushroom Fever."

Ludwig stumbled backward in shock. Bracing himself against the far wall, he clutched his hand to his chest and found his heart beating at a mile a minute. Everyone in the Darklands and the Mushroom Kingdom knew that Mushroom Fever was an incredibly deadly disease that took its victims quickly. There was only one cure for Mushroom Fever and that cure lay in the hands of the one person the Koopa Clan couldn't have had worse relations with: Mario.

"Is mama going to be okay?" Larry asked, trembling. Lemmy was already in tears and Iggy was right on the verge of letting them loose.

"Lord Bowser is trying to work out a deal with Mario," the guard explained, "If he agrees, he'll come and try to heal Lady Clawdia. Until then, though, Her Highness is under quarantine by order of the King."

The next few days felt like torture. No one would tell the Koopalings anything about their mother's condition and, as far as they knew, Mario hadn't come. Bowser also hadn't been spotted as of late. It was assumed, though, that he was with his wife. Ludwig, over this time, had immersed himself in songwriting, it being the only thing that gave him some sort of solace for now. He'd written multiple sorrowful symphonies. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he had hope that his mother would be okay. That part of his mind told him to write a happy symphony to show his mother when she got better, but he couldn't bring himself to do so what with how she was doing at the moment.

A knock at the door interrupted Ludwig's train of thought. He vaulted out of his chair and swung the door open to find his father standing there. His eyes were puffy and bloodshot, as if he'd just been crying. In one hand, he held a small stack of papers. He shuffled through the stack, then handed one to Ludwig before turning to leave. Ludwig looked over the writing on the paper in his hands.

"To my dear Ludwig,

I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't be around to see your coronation day. I'm sorry I couldn't be around to see you become an adult. Most of all, though, I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye. I know, though, that you're a strong Koopa. Stay strong for me, no matter what happens. Even though I'm gone now, I'll always be with you in your heart. I know you'll be a great king someday. You have great judgment. I only wish I'd listened to you when it really mattered. Despite that, though, you need to be strong for everyone, including your father. I'm afraid for him. Please, take care of him for me, and your siblings as well. They need you now more than ever, Ludwig. I'm counting on you. Make me proud.

Forever yours, Clawdia"

Ludwig collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. He thought of the last time he'd seen his mother. She'd had the flowers from Larry and the twins cradled in her arms. Thinking back, she'd looked like an angel that day. Ludwig thought of the mundane conversation they'd had and the nonchalant goodbye he'd given her as he'd left. There was so much more he could have said to her. He only wished he'd spent more time with her that day.

Mario arrived at the castle not more than a day later. It was too late for Clawdia, but, formerly unbeknownst to the Koopalings, Clawdia's child had been delivered successfully. Mario checked both Bowser and the child over for residual traces of the Mushroom Fever before giving his condolences for Clawdia's premature death and leaving. The child was named "Bowser Koopa Jr.", after his father. Seven days from then, the baby was to be presented to the kingdom. It was a solemn time, though. No one in the household spoke much and they mostly kept their distance from each other.

Finally, there came Presentation Day. The family gathered on the large castle balcony overlooking the loyal citizens that were gathered for miles to witness the event.

"Citizens of the Darklands!" Bowser announced, his booming voice providing ample volume for those gathered around to hear, "This child; the newest member of the Koopa Clan; comes not without a price. This tiny life has cost us the life of our queen, Clawdia Koopa, may she rest in peace."

The crowd muttered amongst itself with a dull roar. Ludwig could tell his father was trying to keep from bursting into tears then and there. He had to keep a brave face for his subjects.

"This child," Bowser continued, "is now my namesake. His name is Bowser Koopa Jr., Prince of the Darklands and my eighth child. Also, this child comes with a title all his own."

The crowd was obviously growing confused. Ludwig himself couldn't figure out what his father was talking about.

"Bowser Koopa Jr.," Bowser went on, "is now the new heir to the Koopa throne."

Ludwig choked. He could have sworn his heart practically skipped a beat. His siblings all immediately turned to him in shock to see his reaction. He stared at his father, eyes wide. Below, the crowd began to murmur more loudly, voicing their confusion over the sudden revelation. Ludwig's head was still spinning and he felt sick to his stomach as he began trembling. His title had been stripped from him and had been given to the child that had killed his mother. He felt betrayed. How could his own father do this to him? Thinking about it was beginning to drive him crazy.

Ludwig closed his eyes and exhaled heavily, clearing his mind and putting on a straight face as his father passed by on his way back inside the castle. He needed to calm down or he was going to make the situation worse. He couldn't stop the trembling, though. It kept on as the same thought kept coming back to his mind: why Bowser Jr. and not him?

Bowser stroked the face of the tiny child sleeping in his arms: Clawdia's last child. Now, not only was this child his namesake, he was also his heir. Clawdia had died to bring this child life. He couldn't let this effort be in vain.

"I'm sorry, Ludwig," Bowser muttered to himself, "But it's all I can do to keep from hating him."