Chapter 12: Bowser, Jr.,'s Trial
The following morning, a letter from Princess Daisy was delivered to Peach during breakfast. It said that she was fine and the people of Sarasaland were saved from the invading Koopas by Luigi and Toad. The one responsible for the invasion was indeed Bowser, Jr., who was defeated and not harmed. But what surprised everyone at the breakfast table, especially Bowsette, was that Bowser, Jr., had been arrested for his actions and was going to be put on trial in Sarasaland.
"Why should Bowser, Jr., get a trial when there's enough evidence to support that he committed the invasion?" Mario wondered.
"Apparently, Bowser, Jr., himself requested to be put on trial," Peach said, reading through Daisy's letter. "He's also acting as his own defense attorney, after the Pianta one from Isle Delfino refused to represent him."
"I guess that makes sense, after the giant mess Bowser, Jr., caused on Isle Delfino in his Shadow Mario form," Mario responded.
"But the Pianta attorney will be acting as prosecutor during the trial," Peach added. "And he's asking us to come as witnesses to testify against Bowser, Jr."
"Then that means Bowsette and I will have to come with you," Peachette realized, glancing nervously at Bowsette as she spoke. "Assuming you're not comfortable leaving Bowsette here with the Toads."
"Has Bowser, Jr., requested any witnesses so far?" Bowsette asked.
"Daisy says he's only requested one," Peach stated. "You — or Bowser to be more specific."
This made Bowsette look downward. "He's using this trial as a ploy to find me."
"What will you do?" Peachette asked.
"As much as I want to speak on behalf of my own son, I'm afraid I can't go until this Super Crown mystery is solved," Bowsette replied, standing up.
"But you can't ignore a court summons," Peach insisted. "That's against the law, regardless if it's in Sarasaland or the Mushroom Kingdom. I'm sure Dark Land has similar rules as well."
Bowsette huffed. "We don't have trials in Dark Land. I decide what happens to the accused, and that's that."
Clenching the letter in her hand, Peach stood up. "You're not in a position of power anymore, Bowsette! Unless you want to go back to Dark Land, this court summons cannot be ignored whether you like it or not."
"What if she doesn't have to answer the court summons as Bowser?" Peachette suggested. "She could go in Bowser's place as Bowsette without jeopardizing her true identity and still speak on behalf of Bowser, Jr."
"Yet all witnesses are required to tell the truth under a court of law," Mario pointed out. "If the Pianta attorney asks questions about Bowsette's identity and he catches her lying, that could complicate things."
"Don't worry about me, Mario," Bowsette grinned. "I'm not afraid of lying under oath so long as my reputation as Bowser stays intact."
Peachette glanced at Peach, who looked concerned. Meanwhile, Mario thought about bringing up the mysterious dungeon to Peachette but decided not to in that moment.
###
Upon arriving in Sarasaland through the Warp Pipe, Peach Mario Peachette and Bowsette were met by Daisy Toad and Luigi. While Toad and Peachette avoided eye-contact, the rest made their way to Daisy's castle to put their belongings in the guest rooms before heading to the courthouse which was presided over by a panel of four judges that represented each kingdom in Sarasaland. These included: a Gao from the Birabuto Kingdom, a Yurarin from the Muda Kingdom, a Tokotoko from the Easton Kingdom, and a Pionpi from the Chai Kingdom.
"Order! Order!" The sphinx-like Gao judge demanded. "This courtroom is now in session for the trial of Bowser, Jr., versus the Subjects of Sarasaland."
The seahorse-looking Yurarin nodded inside its large fish tank, the rock-like Tokotoko bowed its body slightly forward, and the zombie-like Pionpi bounced slightly. In the dock sat Bowser, Jr., himself, who looked like a smaller version of Bowser but with his red hair tied into a ponytail while wearing a black scarf around his neck that had a teeth-like design on it and black braces without spikes. Bowsette fought the urge to get up and grab him, with Mario giving her a stern look as he sat next to her with Luigi on the other side looking nervous.
"First, let us begin with opening statements starting with the Prosecution," the Gao judge said, turning to the bespectacled Pianta attorney who wore a business suit and a skirt made of leaves.
"Your Honors, the accused has been charged with attempting to invade Sarasaland with an army of Koopas," the Pianta attorney stated. "Fortunately, this invasion was stopped by the efforts of Peach's faithful servant Toad and Mario's brother Luigi. But the subjects of Sarasaland demand justice for the terror caused by Bowser's own son, which I can only sympathize with as he ravaged my homeland of Isle Delfino not too long ago. Therefore, it only seems fitting that this monstrous Koopa be banished from Sarasaland and sent to the moon like his father before him."
In the benches, the various Sarasaland civilians rallied in agreement though Daisy silenced them from her position on the second-floor balcony.
"Thank you, Princess Daisy," the Gao judge nodded and looked at Bowser, Jr. "Now, what does the Defendant and Defense have to say?"
In response, Bowser, Jr., folded his arms and said, "I wasn't trying to invade Sarasaland, but look for my Papa. Because Sarasaland's subjects weren't very helpful, I had no choice but to use force with my Papa's Koopas. And even if you did send me to the moon, my Papa managed to leave it so I can too!"
As Bowser, Jr., pulled one eyelid down and blew a raspberry at the judges, Bowsette smiled though Mario glared at her.
The Gao judge was not amused and turned to the Pianta attorney. "Prosecution, you may call your first witness."
"Very well, your Honors," the Pianta attorney responded, adjusting his glasses. "I call Mario Mario to the witness stand."
To be continued…