Thankfully, the only person that broke down once everything was all said and done was Wendy. It wasn't until we got back to the Beanbean Castle that it hit everyone else that it was over. I hugged my brother and Daisy in happiness and new found hope. Peasley invited us to stay at the castle until the ice was melted, and the only one who declined was Fiamo, who said that he had to go back to Captain Syrup's ship. The mood shifted slightly, but the farewell was bittersweet. Brian went with Fiamo and Peasley to the docks, and they returned without Fiamo about an hour later. According to Brian, Syrup wasn't too pleased at Fiamo's disappearance. Peasley defended him, saying that he had hired him as a guardian during the Reign of Ice, and even gave her the money in order to not get him in trouble. Once everyone was off doing their own thing, I approached him and asked if he wanted to talk. He politely declined, saying that he would be alright after a few hours, but mentioned that he would come to me if he wasn't.
It took about a month for the ice to melt enough that we could travel safely. Booling was waiting for us in Brian's ship, and we told him how we had sealed Bonechill back and how Eugene killed Dimentio. He nodded, thanking us but apologizing for dragging us into the mess in the first place. Before we set sail, Peasley and Eugene departed, saying that we would be getting together once again. Brian asked us to stay in his quarters, and he left, closing the door behind him. A few minutes passed, and I could hear his soft voice from under the floorboards, telling his crew that they were setting sail to the Mushroom Kingdom. He also mentioned Peach and Daisy's names to warn them how important this travel was. A few more minutes passed, and Brian came back in, saying that we were more than welcome to walk out and about on the deck. It was a bit too cold for my liking, so I stayed in the Captain's Room with Wendy and Waluigi.
Due to Wendy's fear of the ocean, she stayed inside, and Waluigi stayed to keep her company. We talked lightly about business until we got the word that we were at the docks. I got to the door, and opened it for Wendy, saying that ladies were first. She got to the door, and stopped, the fear consuming her senses. Slowly, Waluigi pulled out a black bandana, and gently removed her glasses, tying it over her eyes. Holding her hand and guiding her out the door, he escorted her off the boat so she wouldn't have to see the ocean. She was unblindfolded and her glasses returned to her. After thanking Brian profusely, he sailed off once again.
Rose and Wendy went back to their home and reopened their shop while Peach and Daisy returned to their Kingdoms. That left me, Mario and Waluigi to do one last thing. Slowly, I took a deep breath, and nodded at Mario. He smiled, and all three of us went towards Boo Woods. Once we got to Waluigi's place, he split from us, saying his farewell. Slowly, Mario and I traveled through the woods and found the small shack that was Professor Gadd's lab. Mario rested his hand on my shoulder, and silently ushered me forward. Tentatively, I knocked on the door, calling for the Professor and saying that it was me. I heard a few things get moved around, and the door was opened. Luma popped out of my hat, and kissed my nose.
"Luma love Mama." He peeped.
"Mama love Luma." I answered kissing him back.
He flew in after Gadd, and the door was closed. I placed my hat back on my head, and felt the tears burn my eyes. Clenching my jaws as tight as I could, I squeezed my tears back. I tried to stifle a sob, but sound still emitted from my throat. I felt someone wrap their arms around me in a comforting gesture, but I knew it wasn't Mario; he's too short. I turned slightly and saw Peasley. Before I could ask, Eugene was there as well, his dark powers fading into the snow. Turning, I also saw Wendy and Rose approaching. Peasley released me, and said that Fiamo would have been here as well. I nodded, and I embraced the others who came.
Even though the princesses, pirates and Waluigi weren't here…I'm happy that my friends were here to support me in my time of need.
I went a few feet back from the door, and we all chatted lightly about the adventure we just had, and mentioned some of the parts that were the most memorable. Wendy mentioned that she startled herself that she could control the Dark Ice, and Eugene responded that he was shocked as well, mentioning that darkness has to choose a person to control it. Mario brought up the fact that Peasley played the violin, and he laughed lightly. The mood was kept light until the lab door opened. Gadd gestured to me, and I approached him, my heart heavy. I entered the building, gritting my teeth again.
"Mama." Luma piped at me. "Luma explain decision."
I looked up, and he was still a Luma.
…he didn't transform.
"Luma know Mama be sad if Luma change." He spoke softly as he approached me. "Luma know Mama said not to make decision on what others say, but Luma know Mama be sad. Not only Mama, but: Princely Bean Man, Uncle Mar-Mar, Pirate Man, Red Head Pirate, Nurse, Doctor, Tall Purple Man, Pretty Girl, Flower, and eww jeen all be sad too. Luma miss Mama's cookies and stories too. But not only reason: Luma…Luma happy. Luma love Mama Luigi. Mama's Luma…Mama's Star. Always. Luma sorry for making Mama cry. Forgive?"
I held him close to my heart and sobbed softly, telling him that I loved him very much. He sobbed softly in my arms in happiness, his light dimming so he wouldn't blind me from under my eyelids. I stood up, and thanked Gadd for what he did for Luma, and he nodded, saying that it was Luma's decision not to go through with it. He also mentioned that he had tried it on another Luma, and that it worked just fine. After thanking him again, I left the little shack. The rest of my friends looked at me, and saw the tears on my face. Mario stood up, and before he could say anything, Luma flew out of my arms.
"Us crewmates gotta stick together," He purred his light glowing happily. "through times of eventides and rough seas."
