Hey everyone! Dang, I really neglected writing this final 'chapter'. I was trying to figure out how to place events I wanted to have happen, and I realized that this chapter would be as long as the Harry Potter series if I didn't split it into two separate parts. I PROMISE they wont have a gap between the two nearly as great as the one between this and the last. I'm going to put a tiny bit more character development in this chapter. I realized (while reading this back in its entirety) I skipped so many years that the characters couldn't really make the audience 'feel' the way they were. I don't know, maybe its just me being picky.

ALSO! I do realize this time line DOESN'T sync with the canon of the Mario-verse. I'm trying to bend it for the sake of this story. I mentioned this in the first chapter, but I didn't really explain that the ages were different.

ANYWAY, I'll stop keeping you guys waiting. Here's 'Home is Where the Heart is : Part 1'

"So... Where exactly are we headed again?" Bella asked, followed by an uncomfortable chuckle. The Mushroom shaped space shuttle they were in was big enough to accommodate 3 toads comfortably, but humans were a different story. Not to mention Bella wasn't nearly as small as her father.

Toadsworths eyes turned from the blank window back to to princess, who looked back at him with curious eyes. He smiled as he took notice of how cramped she was. It wasn't really funny, but he was happy to see the Princess was back where she belonged. She reminded him of a younger Peach; the one he used to look after as if she was his own.

"To the center of the universe," He began, waddling over to where the princess sat. He hopped up in a swift motion to sit next to the wedged girl. She gave him a crooked smile in amusement.

"As the name explains, its in the center of all the galaxies; the universe. We're not to far; luckily Rosalina had the observatory surprisingly close." He said again, voice turning sour at the mention of Rosalina. Bella felt her heart sink again, as she looked away from the elder toad at her side. She didn't know how to feel. She hated the fact Rosalina lied, but at the same time could see reason as to why she did it. It was like she wanted to be mad at the queen, but she couldn't find a real reason to be that didn't even itself out.

"But the one thing I refuse to let you accuse me of lying about, was ever, for a single moment, not loving you!"

The back of Bellas throat burnt as she recalled the queens words. The princess felt bad for being so rude.

"Bowsers fleet of ships is just in the center. They've got an orbit around a flaming sun-like planet, which also lies in the center. It will be hot, but I'm sure its nothing you cant handle." Toadsworth said with a smile, shoving the topic of Rosalina aside.

"Trust me, it's not the heat I'm worried about." She said, staring out the port hole like window, a orange ball of flame glowing in the distance. She didn't know what was more terrifying. Fighting Bowser, or Fighting Bowser while Junior watched. She felt as if someone was punching her stomach. How was she supposed to defeat him? Did that mean he had to... die?

She couldn't kill his father, could she?

She could now feel her heartbeat in her ears, and it was all she could hear for a brief moment. The red toad quickly snapped her from her hallucination.

"Don't worry! King Koopa may sound big and bad, but he's really just all talk." He re-assured, though it didn't really make the princess feel any better. She still smiled as a sign of gratitude. The princess badly faked a laugh, and looked to her feet. "I hope you guys know, I'm not my father." She said softly. Nobody responded for a breif moment, and it gave Bella a moment to think back to her last conversation with Junior.

He wasn't like his father at all... King Koopa was simply put, 'Evil'. He craved power, and the spotlight. Junior never wanted any of that; sure he was cocky at times, and always had to be right. But she'd take a cocky Junior over no Junior any day of the week.

*flashback*

"Hey, weirdo!" A loud laugh called. It was a 15 year old Junior, who was running out of a set of bushes towards a saddened Bella. He ran towards her, eyes full of light, and a smile as wide as the sky.

Bella sat on a log, that marked the twos usual meeting spot. She had her head slumped into her left hand, as she drew with a long stick in the sand. Her ears perked up at the sound of the koopa kid darting from the bushes, but she didn't let it excite her too much.

The heaving child stood at the opposite end of the log, resting his hands on his knees. "whew! I need to get into shape," He said trying to gain a laugh from Bella who normally would have cracked up at the irony. She looked unimpressed, and It was then that Junior finally noticed something wasn't right with his best friend.

"Hey, is something wrong, Bells?" He asked, voice immediately filled with concern. She bit her lower lip, and then tossed the stick she was drawing with into the body of water in front of her. "Why do they call it feeling blue?" She asked, confusing Junior. Bella was full of surprises, but she typically didn't randomize conversation.

"What?" Junior simply asked back. She leaned back on the log, picking her knees up to her chest. She still didn't make eye contact with him. "I mean, 'feeling blue'. It's supposed to be used when you're feeling sad," She began, staring off into space while Junior sat next to her paying close attention to what she was saying. "Blue is my favorite color. If Im feeling blue, wouldn't I be happy?" She finished, still thinking about it. Junior didn't know what to say, as he was thinking about it himself.

"What's the color for sad then? Is It the color I hate the most? In that case, I'm feeling beige."

Junior couldn't help but think she was acting cute, but he knew she was sad. She didn't really understand much about human functions for being a human herself. "Did something happen?" He asked her, finally gaining a glance from her. Her eyes looked as if she'd been crying for a very long time, which startled Junior.

"I got into an argument with Mama today," She said, looking down to the chipped bark on the log they both sat on.

He knew what she was going through. He'd had more experience with arguing with a parent than nearly anyone. He almost forgot that nobody else argued like the two of them did. He frowned at the thought, but quickly scooted closer to the saddened princess. "It's ok, I argue with my pop all the time." He said with a chuckle, trying to take the pressure off of her and put it on himself. She looked to him with concern, which made his smile go away.

"You do? I'm so sorry!" She said, eyes welling up with tears as she tried to apologize. She didn't mean to complain about something that effected someone else more. Her legs slid from the grip of the bark, and hit the sand as she turned to face Junior.

"No no! Why are you apologizing?" He said, trying to comfort Bella. Tears now fell from her eyes, sending a shock to his heart. It hurt him to see her so upset.

"Because I was so sad when Mama yelled at me," She began, pausing to take a breath."I was mad at her, but then I felt bad for being mad which made It even worse," She said again, beginning to catch her breath. "And to know you and your dad do that all the time? You're probably hurting all the time. I shouldn't throw my problems on you." She finished, burying her face in her palms. Now it was more than obvious that she was truly troubled by what Junior had meant to be comic relief.

He'd never really thought of his father and his arguments in quite that way. Maybe it was because he couldn't find the words to express his pain; he didn't really have anyone to go to about it. He didn't really even mention it to Peach, in fears that she would tell him. Not to mention Junior hated showing signs of weakness.

"Bellatrix," He said softly, catching her attention. Her red stained eyes looked up to his. His heart sank again. He let out a sigh, and quickly threw his arms around the girl gently. She gasped in shock, but was incredibly comforted by his embrace. After another second of shock, Bella quickly returned the hug Junior was giving her as her tears slowly subsided. She was so happy. She felt like all of her problems could be erased by a single solitary hug from him. All of the pain and sadness she'd previously felt, had melted away.

"Don't you ever go thinking you're putting your problems on me. If there's anyone I'd never get sick of listening to, its you." He said softly into her ear as they continued to hug. She squeezed him a bit tighter, before letting her arms come back to a rest on her lap. Her cheeks were bright red, and so were Juniors as he realized what he'd just said. He didn't really mean for it to come out so sappy, but his emotions got the best of him.

A lone piece of hair fell into her face as she looked down, trying to hide the enormous smile on her face. With a quick hand, she tucked the piece behind her right ear.

He admired her for a silent moment, before Bella spoke up.

"Hey, can I try something?" She asked sweetly with soft eyes. Junior had no Idea what she was talking about, so he just simply smirked with a laugh. "Sure."

She laughed too, as she grabbed the sides of Juniors face with her hands, catching the prince off guard. She stared into his eyes, making him blush even more. "What are you-" He began, being cut off as their lips met.

Still shocked, his pulse rose until it reached unbelievable speed. His heart melted in his chest, and he had no Idea what to do. He'd never kissed anyone before, let alone a girl he really really liked. And just as quick as it had happened, the two separated. Even though Junior had no Idea what to do, he didn't want the feeling to end. He wanted it to last forever.

She stared up to him with curious eyes and a happy smile as her hands fell softly from his face, and went back to her lap. Juniors cheeks were growing more and more red as the seconds passed, as he just stared back at her in wonder.

"What was that for?" He asked, still shocked. She blinked curiously at the question and tilted her head. "Wasn't I supposed to do that?" She asked. Junior didn't bother to question her logic like He'd done in the past. He was nearly speechless. She'd taken his breath away, and he was feeling mixed emotions. He knew he had no right to love a human. He didn't want to be his father, and end up the same way. He couldn't do that to Bella.

Bella grew worried, as she turned to the ground and let out a high pitched groan. "This is what the book said couples do! Why would it be wrong?" She asked herself, catching Juniors attention when she said the word 'Couple'. She saw them as a couple? His heart melted yet again at the idea of being in a relationship with the girl of his dreams, but was quickly crushed when he remembered he Didn't want to be a replica of his Father.

"No Bella... We're not a couple." He said, still shaking. He regretted saying those words as soon as they came out of his mouth. Oh, how he wanted to be a couple with her. His hands clenched into fists as he spoke.

Bellas eyes grew wide, as she turned to face him again. "What?" She questioned simply. He didn't respond, or look at the girl. He was too upset with himself.

"Then explain how I feel the way I do!" She said louder, trying to convince him that she was right. "How do you feel?" He said, in a slightly sarcastic manner. She ignored the sarcasm and answered him anyway. "Every time I see you my stomach feels like someone's wringing it out; like a dish rag," She began. "My heart jumps into my throat and I feel hot and shaky; Like I'm going to puke," She added. Junior understood exactly how she felt, because he felt the same way around her. "And it sounds unpleasant, but I promise you it's the complete opposite!" She finished, her eyes meeting his, as his fists loosened their grip.

"The feeling tickles, and makes me really happy. It only happens when I see you, Junior." She said again, staring him in the eyes. He had no idea she felt that way about him.

"I looked it up in my book, it said that what I was feeling was a thing called Love. But it's not like a love for Mama, or for my friends. Its a LOVE love, like one that involves a couple." She said.

Junior didn't need a book to inform him that he was in love with Bella, he knew very well he was. He'd fallen for her sometime ago. His fists clenched again. He wondered if he could take back what he said about them not being a couple.

"I just assumed that meant we were a couple. Because... Well, I'm in love with you." She said boldly. Juniors heart finally became a puddle in his chest at hearing her words. He felt the exact same way about her. She began to search in her satchel, and pulled out a book and began rummaging through it. She didn't deserve someone who couldn't admit it to her. She deserved so much better. He began to hate himself, and wish she'd fallen for someone else so he could just ignore it. He knew he couldn't be with her. Koopas and Humans hate each other, it's how its always been.

"I'm sorry." She said softly, looking at her satchel which she gripped in her hand. Junior stopped his almost tears from falling, as he looked to her again. Her face was saddened, just like It was before, but she quickly smiled and shoved the book back into her bag. He noticed her wipe a tear out of her eyes, before forcing a large smile and facing back to him. "I forgot that the emotions need to be reciprocated. I'm sorry." She said with a fake laugh.

Junior felt like someone had punched him in the stomach at her words. She couldn't know how much he really did love her. Maybe she'd move on if He hid his feelings? It seemed to make sense. Maybe her mom would someday tell her about how bad ALL koopas are. Even though he hated to see her think he didn't love her, He wouldn't dare tell her he did. He didn't want to be his father, even if it killed him.

*end flashback*

"What?!"

Junior snapped out of his flashback, to face a stunned Mario and Peach who were still staring at the prince in wonder, mouths wide open.

He had to remember what he just said, and when he finally did, He almost couldn't believe he'd said it. They both sat in anticipation on what the Koopa would say next about their missing daughter. He didn't know what to tell them first.

"She's safe on Rosalina's observatory." He said soundly, feeling a huge weight lifted from his chest. The two almost burst into tears of Joy, as they looked at each other, and laughed in relief and amazement. "She's alive... My baby is safe!" Peach said though happy tears, as she held her hands to her chest. "What does she look like?!" She asked again, probably wanting to picture her. Junior smirked, as he remembered how beautiful she was (And also about how he admitted she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen to her at dinner).

Mario was both as interested as Peach was, who was nearly on her feet with anticipation for the Koopas response.

"She's beautiful." He said staring at the wall past them, imagining her there. He'd give anything to see her again. The couple hugged each other, before standing up.

Truthfully, Junior could have gone on for hours when describing Bella. He'd memorized her every feature, and could probably draw a perfect portrait of her if he had any talent in that regard.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Mario asked, too happy to be angry at him.

"I didn't know who she was until Just recently," He began, not knowing how to Finnish. He thought that it might as well end with the truth. "The day I stopped going to the planet was the day I found out who she really was."

The king and queen believed him without hesitation.

"Can you take us to her?" He added, feeling immediately filled with the strength to escape. "If I can see her, and just have an afternoon with her," He added, building up courage. "It will give me the strength to keep going." Peach looked shocked, but knew her Husband could do anything he set his mind too.

"I can take you too the planet. I doubt she'll be there, but I can try." He said, completely ignoring the fact he had to sneak Mario Past all of the guards, including his father. Junior didn't really expect Mario to just sit quietly while he was now fully aware his daughter was not far from his grasp. It was as if the power he'd lost 10 years ago was starting to come back.

"Trying is more than enough." Peach said, putting her hand on Juniors arm, sweetly. She was more than ready to escape the ship too, especially if it meant she'd be re-united with their daughter.

"Then lets go. We'll have to go through the back, so my father wont see."

Junior almost couldn't believe himself. He could have helped them escape at any time, but didn't choose to do so. He felt like the secret was no longer a secret, so he had to help them now. He didn't have a choice. He kind of smirked at the thought of Mario being bold enough as to ask to see her, as opposed to escaping in general. All he wanted was to see Bella, even if it meant he'd have to come back to the Hell his father had put them through.

He wasn't going to let it be for nothing. The trio traveled swiftly, on light feet through several hidden passageways that not even guards new about. Junior shoved open a door above himself in the final tunnel they were in, and the latch opened and revealed the darkness of space that was lit by stars. There was a strong warm breeze from the fiery planet that the Ship was in orbit of. He climbed up, looking for signs of anyone. He was on the complete opposite side of the ship that all of the activity happened on. This side was mainly used for storage, and it made for the perfect get-a-way. Irony at its finest.

Mario came up after Junior, who then Helped Peach up. They were unused to the heat, but it didn't bother Junior. Lava was soothing to Koopas. It wasn't pleasant to touch, but it didn't harm them nearly as much as it would a human. Junior , Mario, and Peach found themselves staring at the ball of fire that the wind came from, Heat on their faces.

"Junior?"

The prince's blood ran cold at the sound of his name being called by the one person he wanted to see more than anything. He turned around, along with the King and Queen who were next to him.

His ears didn't fool him.

Standing in front of him, was a 17 year old Bella, alongside 3 Toads. She was staring at him with confusion, before locking eyes with her parents who were obviously stunned. Bella let out a light gasp before finding words.

"Mom? Dad?"

Mario and Peach ran to Bella without even saying a word. The embraced her in the warmest hug the girl had ever had in her life, as the group fell to the ground, with weak knees. She felt overwhelmed, as if she'd known them her whole life. Tears fell from her eyes just as they did her parents. "Annabelle! It's really you!" Peach said, nearly forgetting they were trying to escape. She separated from the girl, and grasped her face, looking at all of her features. She was trying to soak everything she'd been missing for the past 17 years into one single moment. Mario looked over Peaches shoulder, and looked at her with the same eyes of wonder she did.

Junior didn't say a word to Bella. He could feel the feelings of love coming back to him. He almost wanted to run away from the scene, but he instead clenched his fists and looked at his feet.

"Queen Peach! King Mario! You're both safe!" Toadsworth Said, rushing up to the two, Amazed that they were finally found.

"It's all thanks to Junior." Peach said, wiping remaining tears from her eyes, as she looked over her shoulder. Junior merely looked up with sad eyes to face Bella.

Bellas eyes met his, and the two shared a silent moment while the group continued conversing.

"Junior? Isn't he-" Toadsworth began before being cut off by Mario.

"No. He's on our side."

Bella broke from her parents embrace and stood up to face the Koopa who was casting a shadow on to her body. He looked at her weakly, knowing very well that she was going to leave soon. The group stared up at their Princess, who had a hurt yet disgusted face.

"Princess Annabelle? What's Wro-" A Red toad began, before being cut off by Bella.

"Where did you go?" She asked Junior coldly. Junior didn't respond. He thought it was self explanatory as to why he left. The group was shocked at her harsh words, and sat silent.

"I went every day to our meeting spot. You weren't ever there." She said again, beginning to walk closer to him. He again looked un-phased by her motives, even when she was a mere 3 inches from his face. "You promised you'd come back! You told me you'd never leave me! You're... You're nothing but a liar!" She said, beginning to shout, tears forming in her eyes of rage instead of happiness. "And now look at you! Just ignoring me... Did I really mean that little to you!?" She shouted again, raising a fist to him, and throwing it at his chest. It did nothing, but she still continued to throw punches at him as she began to sob. He still looked at her cold faced, aching inside, but not letting anything show.

Peach weakly stood, trying to walk up to her Daughter who was now slowly beginning to collapse to the wooden floor in front of Junior in sobs. Mario and the toads were still confused on their back story.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth?" She she said weekly as she finally hit the floor. A moment of silence washed over the group, as Peach finnaly reached Bella and sat on her knees, trying to help her.

Mario opened his mouth to tell Bella that Junior had only just found out, but Junior quickly turned around, and began walking away from the group. Bella picked herself up again with a few stumbles. "Where are you running away to now, Huh?!" She said again, causing Junior to pause in his tracks. He knew why he couldn't stay. He didn't want to watch her leave.

"Just leave, already." He said again, making Bella gasp. She hadn't expected him to be so cold to her. She realized she was violent to him, but they were normally violent to each other.

Peach and Mario, (Along with the toads) were confused, but didn't miss the opportunity. Peach grabbed Bellas arm, and Mario rushed up to his wife and tried to help. They could finally get off of this ship they've been imprisoned on for 17 years. Nothing sounded better.

Bella shook the two off, and ran to chase him. "I'm not leaving without an answer!" She shouted, chasing after him. He turned to face Bella, but before he could speak, a deep voice came from behind him and spoke before he could.

"I'd like one too."

Bellas eyes grew wide as she knew who it was, as well did the group behind the two.

"Bowser," Mario scowled, clenching his fists. The only thing they knew for sure now, was that they weren't going to leave without a fight.

WOW finally a new chapter! I'm so sorry to keep you guys waiting, and I promise I'll get started on the second part tomorrow. I've been really busy with exams and such, so writing has become something I havent had an opportunity to do. I just wanted to say thank you again!

ALSO! I'm going to be putting a *long* heartfelt message along with shoutouts to those who review. This is the last chance you have to leave a review and get included in the shout outs, so dont forget to leave me something! Thanks you guys for putting up with my slacking! See you soon!