Canvas

Disclaimer: I do not own Mario, Nintendo does.

It Is His Will

The main ceremony had reached its conclusion. The guests who weren't included in the will were asked to leave, but moving the entire crowd out of the castle was a slow process. This gave those who were in the will some time to move around and enjoy some of the refreshments that were being provided for them.

Mario found it rather hard to eat anything. Almost everyone did. 'Almost' being the keyword considering some of the Koopalings and a few others seemed undisturbed by the event and ate without remorse.

It was hard for anyone outside of Dark Land to go through the ceremony without it being disturbing. Besides a few social events, and the occasional team up against another villain, they had always seen Bowser as an enemy who was nothing more than a cold, ruthless tyrant. This of course surprised them when they discovered that Dark Land tradition had praise go to the deceased's accomplishments, which Bowser had quite a long list of.

It was revealed that Bowser's attempts to invade others lands, including trying to create his own galaxy, was found by the Dark Land citizens as an attempt to create a hospitable land for the denizens of a volcanic wasteland. Mario sure never saw it that way when he was liberating these places from the Koopa King's grasp.

He also learned that Bowser's inventions, while mostly used in his destroy and conquer plots, had a positive impact on the Dark Land. The technological advancements had really made living bareable and convenient.

There were even things that hadn't been revealed outside of the Dark Land, such as attempts to fertilize dying farms, providing water where there was none, and of course the fact that his numerous invasions had given jobs to numerous unemployed Koopas, Goombas, and so on. Quite honestly, Mario never knew there was so much political background to Bowser's attacks. He always saw it as 'kidnap the princess' or 'destroy the Mushroom Kingdom'.

Finally, there was the stuff that the Mushroom Kingdom did know about. Teaming up with Mario to defeat Smithy. Teaming up with Mario to defeat Count Bleck, which really ended in him teaming up with Mario to defeat Dimentio. Including the battles against Fawful, once more involving Mario, Bowser did end up saving the day often enough.

The worst part about learning that Bowser was actually heralded as a prosperous leader within Dark Land, Kamek never told the audience what ended the Koopa King. Mario knew. Luigi knew. Peach knew. Kamek knew. Nobody else knew however. It made it easy for Mario, knowing that he may not leave the Dark Land alive if it was revealed, but the fact such information was kept from everyone made it feel like a dirty little secret. A dirty little monster that was gnawing at Mario's insides.

"Mario, are you alright?"

The pudgy plumber turned around to Peach, looking at him with concern. Realizing he was sweating from his revelation of the Koopa King, Mario pulled out a handkerchief and wiped away at the sweat. "Yes, I was just'a thinking" Mario assured the Mushroom Kingdom Royalty.

"About Bowser? I know, it's... it's tough knowing that what they have up there-" Peach began to speak, looking over her shoulder to see the coffin "-is just an ornament"

"It's an ornament you say?"

Mario and Peach were caught by surprise when King Boo appeared before them. It would be impossible for them to have predicted he would show up in the middle of their conversation considering his ghostly powers.

"I'm shocked. Then again, I always assumed Bowser would have had an open casket funeral, regardless of the condition of his corpse" the royal Boo pondered.

Awkwardly, Mario looked to the ground and said "Itsa not like itsa by choice"

"Not by choice? Are you to say there are no remains left? Or is it possible the King Koopa is just lost somewhere so far off that any chance of recovering his is for not?" King Boo pressed, wanting to figure out what happened to the fellow royalty.

"By all means, this really isn't the place to discuss this" Peach stated. King Boo looked to her, ready to ask on, when he realized tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. Dabbing them with a cloth, Peach looked around, saying "I-I really should go check on Junior. I believe he is the one affected by this the most"

King Boo and Mario watched as Peach went to find the child of Bowser that was closest to him. When she was out of hearing range, King Boo continued. "I won't push on any further if it is that big an issue. However, I have to question, if not to you than myself, what could have killed Bowser. Everyone's heard of his countless battles with you. You've thrown him into lava and dropped him into the sun. He's come back as a skeleton and come back with flesh after that. As a Boo, you know my interest in death is a bit larger than others, but it's a question that should be on everyone's mind"

"Bowser will'a not come back'a. I... I saw myself'a" Mario stated.

The big, white ghost looked at Mario, trying to see if there was anything he could get by reading his face. Then, he nodded, and replied "I understand then". Turning around, King Boo began to float over to Kamek, but paused. Without looking back to the plumber, he said one last thing. "Even if you don't tell me, someone needs to say something to his children. Perhaps there are others that know, and they may have already been told, but I only know that you and the Princess know what killed him. If you don't say something, she will then"

Mario clenched his fist at the statement. He couldn't let Peach say anything. Not to keep it from the children, but to spare her from the burden of revealing Bowser's cause of death to Junior. Knowing Luigi... well, that was another person who knew how Bowser died that just wouldn't be able to say anything. There was always Kamek, but Mario wasn't sure if he was fit to speak about the matter. The Magikoopa had raised Bowser like his own father. It seemed it may very well be Mario's responsibility, but until the time came where he absolutely needed to talk about it, he'd avoid it like every fireball the dead enemy had ever shot at him.

"Everyone, I thank you for attending and for remaining for the reading of the will" Kamek announced, drawing everyone's attention back to the Koopa floating over the empty coffin. "If you will gather around, I will begin to read his Corpse-ness' testament to you"

Those remaining quickly gathered to the front row. It was a very small group considering the large number of people that attended the funeral in all. Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom were there. Bowser's children were an obvious addition to the group. Princess Daisy and Princess Rosalina were also included. King Boo and Kammy Koopa were also present, likely due to their rank as higher class minions, which left no doubt in Mario's mind that Kamek himself was included in the will.

"In his Gone-ness' own words, this is what it says" Kamek stated, clearing his throat before reading. "I, the Great King Bowser Koopa, thank you for gathering here. It is with great shock that I find that you have to gather here though, as I never thought this would ever happen, for if this is being read, then I have met my end. As such, I have a few orders that must be followed through regarding my property and final conflicts"

"Starting with my loyal minion, Kamek, I have noone to thank but you for my upbringing. You raised me, despite all the grievances I may have caused you, and must reward you fittingly for this. For every day from my birth to my demise, you shall be paid one gold coin. You will additionally be fully discharged of your duties and allowed to live in the castle, with food and other necessities provided, for as long as you want. I ask that you look after my children, not as a servant to the Koopa Kingdom, but as a trustworthy friend"

Kamek had to pause for a moment, letting it sink in. He already knew what relationship he had with Bowser, hearing it through his will didn't make it easier. Anyone could have sworn Kamek was about to cry, but he quickly raised the parchment to continue his final duties to Bowser.

"To Kammy Koopa, who has taken Kamek's place when he was unavailable, I promote to the new Magikoopa Commander, with all the perks that come with the job. King Boo, who has provided me with the services of his Boo Army and has been a trustworthy ally in other fields, such as our numerous sporting events, shall receive a gold coin for every Boo that he has put under my service and receive a hotel/casino on the border of Dark Land territory where he may fulfill his love of gambling for as long as he wants"

Kammy nodded silently. Those who knew her had known she always wanted the spot as Magikoopa Commander by taking it from Kamek, out of a friendly, and sometimes unfriendly, rivalry that they had shared, not because he was retiring after the demise of the King Koopa.

King Boo gave a sad smile. It wasn't the first time he had been given the opportunity to run his own hotel/casino. The adventure at Isle Delfino had given him a shot, but due to its disturbance on the locals' land, Mario had taken it down. Now Bowser was giving him a place where he would not be stopped from having his fun. If only it wasn't so bittersweet.

"Moving on, I'd like to address the Princesses. I'll be quite honest, I hardly know two of you. Princess Daisy, I can only recall meeting you at sporting events. Still, you are a fellow royal and a relative of Princess Peach. A grand stadium, capable of housing any sport, shall be built for you by some of my expert Hammer Bros. for you to enjoy and share with your friends. Princess Rosalina, I have assaulted your Comet Observatory and stolen your stars in the past. While I know it is fine now, I will make amends with you by having everything left from my Galaxy Reactor given to you. I imagine you shall find a way to use it to safeguard stars, as opposed to my purpose"

Daisy and Rosalina seemed to act in unison, wiping their eyes of tears after hearing what Bowser had left for them. It was odd that even though they had no large connection to the tyrant, he had made some attempt to make up for his past actions. It was odd enough he had them invited to the funeral. Perhaps Bowser wanted to be known not for what he had done to hurt others, but simply what he did that people could consider great.

"And now, Princess Peach. The one person who could hold my attention for so many years without any feelings of ill intent. I know I have hurt you so many times, but you have hurt me every time you denied my advances. Still, there is no way for me to truly apologize for what I have done to you. The only thing I can do is have every present I had prepared for you, whether it was a birthday I wasn't invited to or a wedding I wish had happened, given to you now. Additionally, for every time I have taken you hostage, one year of peace will be guaranteed between the Koopa Kingdom and Mushroom Kingdom, regardless of my heir's desires"

Unlike her fellow Princesses, Peach could not hold back her tears. Mario wanted to hold the grieving woman when she dug her face into her hands, but was stopped when he saw Junior comfort her. It was something that would comfort the boy and Peach more than Mario could at this time.

"Now, Green Stache... I jest. I do remember your name Luigi. I'll admit that I haven't seen you to be a threat anywhere near as bad as your brother has been to me, but you have still aided him in foiling my plans and done your part. I doubt you'll ever be able to, but don't stand in the shadow of your brother any longer or I will regret leaving you anything. What I am leaving you is something to accomplish this goal. Any time you enter a competitive event, regardless of who is involved, some of my scientists will enhance your playing gear for you. This should give you a better chance at winning in the future"

Luigi let out a nervous chuckle. Noone found it in bad taste. In death it seemed Bowser had a sense of humor towards the neglected Mario Brother. The fact he was trying to get Luigi to take a step toward living a better life by taking a stand was impossible to predict.

"I won't pretend like this next person is someone I truly wanted to leave anything to. That person of course is Mario. We all know that I wanted you to be dead, not me. Still, it seems things didn't work out the way I wanted. Still, I am an honorable Koopa. For besting me by living longer, you shall receive the White Koopa Shell, a symbol of purity passed down in my family for years. It is an unbreakable shell that can only be lifted by those it deems worthy. I lost that right long ago, so as my mortal enemy, I know you shall be able to hold it"

It was quite ironic to Mario to receive this item. It was something that he could have used against Bowser multiple times in the past, but now, after the villain was dead, it was being left behind for him. Mario could only hang his head at announcement.

"Finally, I move on to my children. Nothing makes me prouder to say that you guys are still here while I am not. You may have caused me more than a dozen headaches each, but my heart would ache if any one of you were in the position I am now. Ludwig, Lemmy, Roy, Iggy, Wendy, Morton, and Larry. My Koopalings. Each of you shall receive your own castle and govern a separate portion of Dark Land to govern. You shall receive a number of underlings equivalent to every day you have been born, as well as an equal amount in gold coins for your own investment"

While everyone else had been quiet, this portion of the will caused an uproar. Besides Ludwig, the oldest of the Koopalings, the others complained that it wasn't fair due to them getting less. Larry merely went on about how he got the least because he was the youngest. Wendy said that as the only girl, she deserved more. Morton was just being loud for the sake of being loud, as he always did. Iggy complained he'd need more underlings as he knew some of the explosive experiments he had would lower the number. Lemmy merely babbled childishly, which eliminated any potential that someone would side with him. Roya was threatening to beat everyone up for their share of underlings and gold. Ludwig was merely stating it was fair that he receive the most.

Eventually, Kamek had enough and waved his magic wand, sending bubbles around the heads of the Koopalings, silencing them. Once they were all focused on him, he popped the bubbles and glared at them. "His Absent-ness would be ashamed of you all! Fighting at his funeral. There is no doubt you would argue, but be civil for one evening to respect the dead!"

A few grunts that signified a submission of defeat from the Koopalings told Kamek that they would be quiet. Nodding, Kamek continued onto the will.

"Now there is only one person left. Junior. As a father, I cannot favor any one child. However, if there is anyone I know I can trust the most out of my children to live their life the way I'd want them to, it is you. You have always been a respectful child and always minded your Mama Peach. It is with the knowledge that you hold the potential required that I cannot give you anything. Rather, I must burden you with an unfair request"

Smirks appeared on the faces of the Koopalings. They had all been wondering why Junior was left out when they had received gold, underlings, and castles. When they heard how Bowser wrote about him, they were sure that he was favoring him. It was no surprise. While they had all pursued their own interests and only helped their father when he demanded it, Junior had thrust himself into the dangerous pursuits of power, if only to please the Koopa King. Hearing he would have to follow out a request instead of receive something made them happy.

"I need you to take my place as the King of the Koopas and lead the Koopa Kingdom"