Super Mario Galaxy: Reach For The Stars
Bowser's Galaxy
(A/N: I thought of finishing this story tomorrow, but decided against it. This is the second to last chapter in this epic tale, if you could call it that. Some character decisions might be a little off, but then there's my idea policy. Enjoy the final two chapters. I can finally work on the request I was given.)
The End Draws Near
Kammy and Kamek flew instantly to the castle with Bowser's bones. "We can't let the children see," Kamek urgently stated, the showy persona they had put on for the cousins gone.
"Quickly, let's store them in our workshop," Kammy agreed.
However, from the shadows stepped Peach right in front of them. They stopped to look at her in shock. There was silence. Peach took the two magikoopas in, then Dry Bowser's parts. "He didn't make it?" she asked.
The two magikoopas looked at each other. Kammy then faced Peach saying, "We're not sure. He's been revived before."
"The poor children," Peach lamented. "I never thought I could hope Bowser would be brought back, but for their sake..."
"The children, where are they?" Kamek asked. "We need to avoid them."
"No, we have to tell them," Kammy said. Kamek was about to protest, but knew that they couldn't keep it quiet. The children... they were becoming too talented. They shouldn't find out the hard way. They would if they were left to it. They always snuck in.
"Last I saw them they were in the playroom," Peach solemnly replied.
Kamek and Kammy nodded. There was silence once more. Finally Kammy said, "It's time you returned to Mario and your kingdom."
"But the children! They need a mother now more than ever if you're going to tell them!" Peach protested.
Kamek answered, "Then let's go. You can be the comforting mother figure they need. If we succeed Kammy will tell you. If Bowser awakens while you're still here you won't be returning."
"Why are you releasing me anyway?" Peach asked as they went towards the playroom.
The two magikoopas looked at each other a moment, then simultaneously replied, "If we keep you here they'll come after you, and the children will be in danger. It's our duty to protect them."
"Thank you," Peach gratefully said.
They reached the playroom. Peach softly opened the door to see the Koopalings and Bowser Junior minding their own business and having their fun. She swallowed over a lump in her throat. She knew that what they had to hear would break their hearts. "Kids," she gently said.
The group turned to her. "Mama Peach, are you going to play with us!" Larry asked excitedly.
Ludwig was first to notice that her expression was far from playful. He moved in front of the others despite the intense pain he felt. They looked confused, but seeing him in this serious state made all excitement disappear. "Vat is wrong?" Ludwig asked.
It was then that Kammy and Kamek entered with the bones. Wendy gasped and screamed in terror, "Daddy!"
Larry's eyes were wide in shock. "D-daddy?" he meekly asked.
"That's not daddy, it can't be," Bowser Junior nervously said.
"Where's daddy, I mean pop?" Morton questioned.
Roy looked at Peach's sympathetic expression and said, "No..."
"You're not serious!" Iggy cried out in fear.
Despite the protests they sensed it. The confirming nod the magikoopas gave sealed it. Bowser Junior, Larry, Morton, and Wendy all burst into hysterical sobs. Iggy shook his head over and over. "No... No, no, no..." he repeated until he finally couldn't hide tears anymore and buried his face in his hands.
Roy tried to be tough saying, "Well, the old man was past his prime anyway." However, tears were welling in his eyes. Unintentionally he let one slide. Lemmy just stared blankly at the remains. Ludwig swallowed over a lump in his throat. He couldn't hide the misery in his eyes. He finally surrendered and looked down.
Suddenly Lemmy said through tears in a cracking voice, "He's been revived before, hasn't he? Can't you help him?"
"We can only try," Kamek softly replied.
"Well try harder than ever!" Ludwig ordered viciously.
"As you wish my King," Kammy replied without thinking. She quickly covered her mouth.
Ludwig looked shocked. "K-King. No. Bowser Junior's the heir."
"Bowser Junior's a child. Until he comes of age..." Kamek began.
"No vun is taking position of King until fazher is dead and gone!" Ludwig shouted furiously.
"Ludwig," Peach gently said as she moved into the room and caught the four youngest, Junior, Larry, Morton, and Wendy, in a loving embrace stroking their heads. She began cooing reassuringly to them saying, "Shh, shh, it's all right. They're going to try and help daddy. Mama's here though. Mama's still here."
"You're not..." Ludwig began, but then gave up drawing in a ragged breath. Lemmy went up to Peach and slid in between his siblings to be held too. Roy, Iggy, and Ludwig never moved, just watched. They didn't have to move. Peach stood up carrying Wendy and went first to Iggy. She kissed his head and gave him a hug. He clung onto her for comfort. Ludwig watched Kammy and Kamek take his father's remains to their den. Peach did the same thing for Roy that she'd done for Iggy. Roy tried to pull away, but it was a less than half-hearted attempt. He soon fell into her with a sob. She went up to Ludwig and paused unsure. Ludwig looked away, slightly upset. She, however, took it as her cue. She kissed his head also and pulled him to her.
Softly she said, "You'd have made a fine heir to Bowser's throne. And know that though Junior will eventually take it, if your father doesn't return, you'll have a guaranteed spot as my successor though I would probably regret it. You could make a wicked king or a good one. For my sake I hope you make at least a decent leader for my people. They aren't from the Darklands."
"I'm evil mom...princess. I vouldn't give those weak toads you call your subjects to me to rule. They'd get no mercy from me," Ludwig wryly replied, yet he was touched at her words, and it was obvious.
"You refuse?" she smiled.
"Vat else?" he asked. Peach smiled then sat on a couch. Junior crawled onto her lap with Larry. Wendy snuggled up to her on one side, Morton on the other. Lemmy perched on her shoulder. Iggy, Roy, and Ludwig circled her feet. The group silently waited for the return of the magikoopas.
Peach had dozed off, she must have, for she was awakened by a gentle shake on her shoulder. She looked up into Kammy's eyes. "What is it?" she asked.
"Princess, you must return now, while the children are asleep," Kammy urgently said.
"Bowser?" Peach asked.
"I think he may be revived. Quickly, let's go before the kids wake up," Kammy urged. Softly Peach disentangled herself from the masses. She kissed each of them on the head then followed Kammy to the waiting airship.
Meanwhile the four relatives had landed on the Comet Observatory. Rosalina saw them coming then rushed to them throwing her arms around Waluigi. "You're safe! You're all safe!" she exclaimed in relief. Waluigi was too stunned to move. That is until he heard the lumas.
"Papa, papa!" they were calling. He cried out in alarm then pushed Rosalina away and cowered behind her.
At first she was surprise, but then she hopelessly smiled rolling her eyes. "Ah, ah children. Papa Waluigi is very tired. He doesn't want to be hugged now," she told the lumas.
"Awwwww!" they all chorused in disappointment, but nonetheless they floated away. Waluigi sighed in relief.
Luigi then asked, "Why were you so worried?"
Rosalina answered, "I checked the readings myself. They were unbelievable, stronger than anything. I didn't think all of you would come back."
"We almost didn't," Wario grimaced as he rubbed his back where Bowser had hit him with his horns.
Polari floated up just then saying, "Rosalina, Star ship Mario is returning! They were let go after Bowser's defeat because the enemy was too scared to keep them any longer! Two new galaxy's have appeared too!"
"What!" Wario and Waluigi yelled together, suddenly remembering Bowser's promise of riches and a galaxy for each other them. Without a pause they ran to the launch star. Mario and Luigi hurried after them.
They looked at the map in disbelief. They let it go into full detail revealing every feature. Wario felt tears coming again. He fought them back though, and instead yelled in fury, "He wasn't lying! That could've been mine!" He burst into tears and fell to his knees calling to the skies, "Why did I join you two, why! Look at the money I would've had! Look at the riches, just look!"
Mario and Luigi fearfully glanced at each other. Wario and Waluigi weren't happy. Warning bells were going off. Waluigi's eye was twitching. He shakily changed the view to look at what could have been his. He twitched even more, then cried out to the skies furiously. He fell to his knees questioning the very nature of the star spirits crying, "Why, why, why, why, why!" The two Wicked Wario bros burst into tears clinging to each other. Mario and Luigi glanced uneasily at each other. Only a matter of time. Cautiously they backed away from their cousins.
Too late. Wario and Waluigi suddenly collected their wits and turned to the Mario bros. "You!" they both hissed venomously. "This is your fault!" they shrieked in fury! "We could have died because of you, and all along Bowser was going to keep his promise!" they shouted. The chase was on. Mario and Luigi bolted. Wario and Waluigi were right behind them.
It would have ended badly had not Star ship Mario landed right then. Lubba cried out, "Queen mama Rosalina, we're home!"
Rosalina raced passed the four who had slid to a halt right before being landed on, and raced up to the star ship. "My children!" she exclaimed, tears in her eyes. She embraced every one of them lovingly, weeping. Peach watched sadly, but then her eyes met Mario's. They lit up and she raced towards the ramp leading to the ground. Mario ran up.
"Princess Peach!" he exclaimed.
"Mario, thank you so much for rescuing us!" she cried seizing him and kissing him.
Mario turned red enough to match his hat and stammered, "Mama mia."
"How are Bowser's kids?" Luigi asked worriedly.
"Who cares?" Waluigi asked grumbling.
"They'll be fine. Kammy and Kamek found a way to revive him," Peach replied solemnly. Looking at Mario she said, "Why couldn't you find another way?"
Wario twitched. Angrily he yelled, "What! He went through eight galaxies and over fifty planets trying to save you! He dragged us along every step of the way too, so back off!"
Peach was shocked as were all the others. "You standing up for me?" Mario asked.
"Don't be surprised!" Wario shouted.
"Why not?" Peach asked.
Wario opened his mouth to reply but then shut in in surprise. 'Why not?' he asked himself. Aloud he answered, "Uh, I don't know."
"Never mind," Rosalina interrupted. "Now is the time to celebrate!"
Peach looked at Mario and said, "I am truly grateful, don't think I'm not. I didn't mean to sound that way. It's just... his children got to me. I felt so sorry for them. I lost myself. I'm sorry Mario."
"No, it a wasn't wrong of you to, err, love them," Mario replied, almost choking over the word love. Peach, though initially looking upset, caught Rosalina's understanding look and decided to let it slide for now. Rosalina understood her.