Hello. Dbot here with another chapter. Though I must say, I've had a lot going on with me this week. First, I've had allergy problems and then chest problems, both of which affected my ability to perform at work well. At times, I've even thought I had Covid more than once. Despite all that, I managed to write most of the chapter before anything happened, so the chapter managed to be done on time. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Paper Mario belongs to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems.

Chapter 10: A Family's Reconciliation

"That was really uncalled for!"

"Well, I'm sorry, Sherri! He never learns! I'm trying to get him to become the next mayor, but nothing works!" After Hizza left, the two Bob-ombs have been arguing over the events that led up to Luigi's unconsciousness. Barry was lying on in his bed, still recovering from his coughing fit from earlier.

Sherri shook her head. "By yelling at him? You think yelling at him is gonna work?! It hasn't! Why don't you try kind words for once?! Or are you that dumb?"

"I'm not dumb," Barry growled. "I-" He coughed. "I've been running this village for over twenty years. We didn't get married until ten years later. I have more experience than you. Don't you dare call me dumb."

"But you are. You don't even know what harm you're doing with that toxic tongue of yours. When will we tell him the truth?"

"No! If you tell him about my disease, he'll become distracted! You shall not!"

"I've been quiet for over half a year!" Sherri snarled. "You've kept your figurative figures curled around me like a hawk! I'm done being quiet! I'm his mother, god-dangit! How dare you tell me to not tell him! How dare you! I'm gonna find him and tell him the truth!" She was about to exit when Barry ran out of his bed and slammed her back with his head.

"You will not. I am the man of the house. What I say goes. You will do as I say."

"Or what?" Sherri hissed. "You're gonna hurt me?"

He snorted. "I am a man of dignity. I will never hurt a woman, but I could have her thrown out. My son will never get to know what's happening to me. I will find him myself. He will take my place. Any word of my condition will make him run away, and then where would my heir be? Gone, because it was your fault for telling him. Say one word to him and I will have you live on the street. Do I make myself clear?" She whimpered and nodded. "Good. Now, I will track my son down. I know his patterns." He walked out of the door flap.

Sherri cried to herself. She ran upstairs and screamed into a pillow.

Next door, Luigi began stirring as he glanced around. "Where am I? What happened?" He stood up, his head throbbing with pain. A scream echoed down the hall. He walked outside the room. "Hello?" He opened the door to see Sherri lying on her bed in tears. "You OK, mam?"

"Leave me alone."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You're crying. I don't like it when people cry. Come on. What's going on."

Sherri sat up. "If you have to know, then I guess I'll tell you what happened."

Many months ago in a hospital…

"You can't be serious."

"I'm afraid I am, Mr. Cordial. The tests came back positive. You do have it."

"Many months ago, my husband and I went to a hospital. Barry recently felt a throbbing pain in his leg. He ignored it and continued working until he felt the pain in his entire body. There was a disease that was rare among Bob-ombs where the powder that lights our fuse starts to depreciate on the inside. We Bob-ombs rely on powder to keep our system going. It helps keep our machine organs moving, and when Bob-ombs get Bombijitus, our powder shuts down, causing many organs to fail. That was foretold on that horrible day."

"No!"

Sherri gasped. "Honey! Calm down!"

He glared at her. "Don't tell me to calm down! My powder is leaving my body! I might die from this! This can't be happening!" He glanced at the Waffler doctor that stood beside him. "Please! There must be something we can do about this! Please!"

"There might be a way to mitigate it," he said. "I can prescribe a medication that helps restore some of your powder in your system. Or even better, I can give you powder via shots. It's like diabetes. Replenishing your system will help revitalize your organs. It can get you moving again. You only need one shot per two days. Unfortunately, there is no way to undo this disease. Bombijitus is incredibly rare. There isn't enough research to find a cure for it due to its rarity. I'm sorry."

Barry sat down in silence. Was this really the end for him? How many more years does he have? One? Two? Maybe less than a year? He didn't know, but there was something he was sure of. He had to get someone to replace him as mayor. His fate was sealed. He had to find someone. His son seemed the perfect candidate. "You OK, honey?" Sherri asked.

"I have to have an heir. I have to teach Jerry all about being the mayor. My life is forfeit. If I can't save myself, then I'll have to pass it to somebody else. I'm tired."

"That isn't recommended," the doctor said. "You should rest. Your wife can teach your son. You shouldn't push your body past its limit. You-"

"I will run my village if I want to. My son will learn how to become an efficient mayor. It's his destiny."

Sherri shook her head. "Didn't you hear what the doctor just said? You shouldn't-"

"I know very well what he said. I'm not stupid. I won't push myself too much, but something must be done. I'm not willing to let my life slip away while this disease takes over me." He glanced at the doctor. "We will keep this a secret. Any word will cause him to run away. He will become distracted. Nothing shall disrupt my teachings."

Sherri didn't know what to say. Jerry was only 13 at the time. He was still growing up. He was never gonna accept things forced upon him. He has his own dreams. "But if you want him to succeed you, then we should tell him of the Bombijitus. It'll cause him to care about your teachings."

"Sherri."

"He will have a further understanding of his role."

A growl emerged in Barry's throat. "Sherri."

"If we could just tell him-"

"Sherri!" he snarled. "That's enough!" His wife's legs trembled. "What I say goes! I will teach my son! You will not tell anyone of this! You want our son to run away?! No! I forbid it! Any word about this and I will have you thrown out! Do I make myself clear?!" Sherri whimpered and nodded. He smiled. "Good. We shall begin today's lesson when we're done."

Present Day

"That day, my husband would always spy on me whenever my son was around," Sherri said. "He wasn't joking. I believed him. You don't know how much pain he caused me. I cried for days. My husband is dying, and I didn't even get the chance to tell my son!" She cried on Luigi's shoulder. The plumber growled. To think someone who was an abuser just to prevent a fate that could be easily avoided by telling Jerry the truth sickened him. He stood up. He had to stop Barry from further ruining Jerry's life. He had to save him.

"I'm going after your son."

"What?"

"Tell me where he went."

"He normally goes to a town where boats regularly come and go. It's west of here." Luigi gasped. It was the same town he passed on the way to Plumpbelly Village! He ran out the door. Sherri smiled. Luigi really wanted to help him.

"Mama?" Mary approached her. "Am I gonna be a sacrifice?"

"No, honey," she said. "You're gonna be saved. That I whole-heartly believe."

Jerry stared at the water. He shook his head. He didn't care about anything anymore. He just wanted to get away. He was about to climb the boat when a voice rang out, and not one soothing to the ears. "Jerry! Don't you dare get on that boat!"

"Leave me alone, Dad!" he hissed. "I don't care about you and your stupid lessons anymore! I won't become mayor! You can't force me!"

"I can. What are you doing?"

"Leaving you out of my life forever! I wanna see the world! It's always boring at home! You only care for yourself! Leave me alone!" Barry grabbed him by his teeth and threw him across the ground.

"And have you abandon your family? You think your dream is more important than family?"

"You think that! You keep saying 'You must become mayor! It's of most importance!' Well, guess what? I don't care! I'll make my dream come true on my own!"

"You won't survive on your own. You'll die of starvation. Now, come back to the village and resume your lesson. Now. Or do you want me to drag you back home myself?" Jerry didn't know what to do. Should he run? Hide? Barry always seems to find him no matter where he goes, so those two options were out. He shook his head. No. He wasn't going to run. He was gonna get answers.

"Why do you want me to become mayor?" he asked. "You're always forcing me to stay during your lessons. I don't understand. Yeah, you keep saying that you're not always gonna be around, but you're forcing it on me like it's urgent. So why? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"What's going on with me is none of your concern," Barry hissed. "Now come home. Now."

"Dad, you aren't listening to me! What's wrong? We can fix what's wrong!"

"There is nothing wrong! Come home with me now!"

"Wait!" The two glanced around. Barry growled. Luigi ran to them, panting. "Wait!"

"What are you doing here? This has nothing to do with you. Go back home."

Luigi ignored Barry's command. "Listen, Jerry. There are some things that your father's not telling you. Once when you hear what I have to say, then everything will make sense."

Barry's anger grew. "None of this is your concern. Go back to Plumpbelly Village. Now. Leave us.

"Heck I won't!" the plumber hissed. "You've been lying to your son for over half a year!"

"Papa, what's he talking about?" Jerry asked.

Barry shook his head. "Nothing, Jerry. He's just spouting words of nonsense. Now, come. Let's finish today's lesson."

Luigi growled. Trying to get to Jerry was being so frustrating. He needed to hear it by any means. He huffed. He'll just say it. "Your father has Bombijitus!" The two stopped. "Look, Jerry. Your father is dying of a rare disease called Bombijitus. It's when it exhausts the Bob-omb's powder to stay alive. He's been getting medication and shots for months to stay alive. It has no cure because of how rare it is. I'm sorry."

Jerry's heart rate increased. He shook his head. Luigi must be lying. Barry isn't dying, right? How? When? Does mother know? Why didn't she tell him? He glanced at Barry and backed away. "He's lying, right? Papa, please tell me he's lying!"

The Bob-omb sighed. "I kept it a secret for six months now. I suppose there's no denying the truth. It's true. I'm dying, son."

"Why didn't you tell me?! Did you just want to torture me? Why?! I don't understand!"

"Because you would've been distracted for days! You would've ended up running away! I wasn't having that! You were gonna have your lessons and when I was gone, you were gonna take over! That was the plan, but no! You had to bring in your stupid dreams in the mix and that ruined everything!"

"So you're saying it's my fault?! Bull crap! You brought this onto yourself! You should've told me in the first place! Does mother know?" Barry was silent.

"Oh, she did know," Luigi said with a scowl. "Your father decided to abuse her by threatening to throw her on the streets. You're really horrible, you know that? You only should've told Jerry the truth from the start."

Jerry backed away, shocked about what he just learned. He abused Mother? He glanced away. He couldn't stand the sight of him. He was just as bad as Hizza. "Son," Barry said. "I-"

"Leave me alone, you monster!" He ran away, screaming.

"Son!"

"That's-a what you get," Luigi said.

"I said this was none of your concern!" Barry slammed him against a tree, holding him up with his neck. "Look at what you did! I didn't want this to happen! I've had it with your interference. You're no longer welcome in my village. Get your things and get out. My wife will join you later. Do I make myself clear?" Luigi was silent. "Do I make myself clear?!" He whimpered and nodded. He let go of him. "Good. Now I sh-" He collapsed on the ground, coughing.

"Sir!" Luigi ran to him. "Sir, please stay awake!" He grabbed the Bob-omb and ran to Plumpbelly Village, hoping to save him in time.

Sherri sat to herself in silence. For the past few months, Barry has threatened her if she didn't keep quiet about his illness. She shook her head. Why couldn't she tell him sooner? It was her fault that he ran away, she felt. She felt so powerless to stand up to Barry because she would be risking her life had Barry found out. She stood up. For too long she has been standing in the shadows while Barry called the shots. She was gonna take charge, and if she ended on the street because of it, then so what? It wouldn't matter because she was going to save her son from him. It's worth the sacrifice. "Mama?" Mary rubbed her head against her mother's. "Where are you going?"

"To save your brother. I shall see you later."

"OK, mama." Sherri sighed. Hopefully, those will not be the last words she'll say to her daughter. She walked outside. A voice yelled out.

"Help! Someone, help me!" Luigi ran into the village, carrying someone on his shoulder. Sherri gasped. It was Barry! "I need a doctor!" She ran into another house where a Waffler doctor stood looking over a patient.

"My husband needs help, doctor!" He glanced at her and scrambled to get his stuff. Sherri went back outside. "Sir! Bring him here!" Luigi nodded and handed Barry's unconscious body to her as she laid him on a table using her head.

The doctor gasped. "No. This can't be happening now! Preparing powder injection now!" He stuck a needle into Barry's thigh. "Barry, can you hear me?!" There was no response. He checked his heart rate. "No pulse. Performing CPR!" He began the chest compressions. Luigi hugged Sherri as she was on the verge of hyperventilation. This was the first time she ever saw Barry unconscious from the disease. Was this the end for him? The doctor did the procedure for a couple more minutes before injecting more powder in his system. There were many seconds of pause as the doctor did the procedures and called out his name before the Bob-omb managed to cough, slowly opening his eyes.

The doctor sighed with relief. "Barry!" Sherri ran to him. "You're OK!"

He coughed. "What happened? I can't remember a thing."

"I found you collapsed on the ground," Luigi said. "The doctor saved your life."

Barry sighed. "Thank you so much, doctor. I-" He coughed. "I'm very grateful."

"It seems my medications and injections are having less of an effect," the doctor said. "You're done. No more teaching for you. Next time, I might not be so lucky."

"What of my son? Where is he?"

"He ran away," Luigi said. "Look, I know it's not my place to interfere with such things, but you must realize the harm you've been doing. If you've just told him, you would've ended up with a son who cares for you instead of focusing on his own dreams. I'm-a gonna find him, but please, for the love of him, your wife, and everyone, please learn to not keep dangerous secrets to yourself." He walked out of the room.

Barry was silent. He glanced at Sherri. Even though he did a great deal of harm to her, she still cared for him. There was this look of sadness in her eyes that he could see all the pain and scarring he's done. "Oh, honey. I-"

"I don't want to hear it," she growled. "You've done enough harm to our family. Even though I still love you, there are things you will never receive forgiveness for. I'm glad you're alive, but you have to understand what you did to this family. I hope my son returns for your sake, because tonight might be that last night you'll ever see him, and it'll be because of your harsh words." She walked out of the room. Barry laid to himself in silence, a mere tear caressing his cheek.

Jerry sat to himself in a cave. Various images of his father appeared in his head. He shook it. He didn't understand many things. Why did his father keep such secrets from him? Was it because he thought his son was gonna be too scared? No. He wouldn't have been. He sighed. Why did father make things harder than it had to be? Jerry was still to go back. He hated him for all he did: abusing mother to keep the secret, the constant yelling, and forcing him to turn away from his dreams. Should he even go? Despite wanting to see the world, he still had a family he cared for. His mother. His sister. Should he go back for them and not for father? He didn't know. "Hey."

Jerry jumped. "Ah! Who's there?! Show yourself!"

"Calm down, will you?" Luigi entered the caves.

"How did you find me?"

"Just followed your footprints. Hey, can I sit? There's something I need to discuss."

"If it's about my father, tell him I don't care anymore. Just leave me alone."

"Your father collapsed." Jerry gasped a little. "The disease has taken a great toll on him. The doctor managed to save him, but if it weren't for me, he would've been dead." The plumber sighed. "Look, I know you have your father, but I think you should be there for him."

"I told you that I don't care! All that he wants to do is to yell and torture me! Don't you go defending him! He abused mother! I'm not going back!"

"What about your mother? You still care for her, right?"

Jerry sighed. "Yes, but-"

"Then you should come back. You can't leave your family behind because of one person. Your mother still cared for you. Come on. I'll back you up." He held his arm out. "Please?" Jerry sighed. His feet wanted to run, but his brain wanted to object. How could he ever be near his mother when Barry's always around? Couldn't the two just separate? "Do you want your father to die?" Luigi asked. "I want you to be honest with me. Do you want your father to die?"

"I don't know!" The Bob-omb kneeled. "I wanna run away, but I can't leave mother behind!"

"I bet your mother has felt the same way." Jerry looked at Luigi. "But your mother's still with him. Why do you think that was?"

"So he could change?"

The plumber smirked. "You're right. You're pretty smart for a teenager. Your mother probably still loves him, but there are things that she won't forgive him for. The two aren't going to separate. Look, do you want your father to change?" Jerry nodded. He wished father was less stubborn, but maybe there was a way he could change. "Then let's go back to the village. Come on." The Bob-omb stood up and the two walked back to Plumpbelly Village into the house where Barry was lying down on his bed.

"Father!" Jerry ran to him.

Barry smiled. "Son, you came back."

"Father, please don't tell me you're gonna die!"

"I don't know," he said. "I was nearly at death's bed when I was brought in. To be honest, I don't know how long I have left."

"Father!"

He sighed. "I should've never kept this secret to myself. I forced Sherri to keep it secret and threatened her." He cried a little. "Son, I'm so sorry for what I did. I yelled at you. I mentally scarred our family. I'm so sorry." Jerry's heart panged a little for him. For once, he was feeling genuine guilt of his actions. Luigi ran out of the house to get Sherri so she could witness this pivotal event. Jerry went and hugged him for many minutes. Sherri entered the room and smiled. She would've never thought she'd see the moment of the two sharing a hug. She joined them.

Mary walked to Luigi. "Mister, what's Mama and Papa doing?"

He picked her up. "Sharing a love that hasn't been felt in months."

Barry smiled. "I haven't felt this kind of love in a long time. I've missed it." He glanced at them. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to make up for what I did to you, to both of you. I know you two are deeply mad with me and that'll never go away, but I hope that I find a way to show love to the family again."

"You had good intentions, honey," Sherri said, "But you were so fixated on having to keep it a secret that you pushed us away. When you threatened me, I felt like leaving the house some days. Jerry has felt the same way, but I'm so glad that you changed your mind."

"What are we gonna do with the teachings, Dad?" Jerry asked.

He shrugged. "I don't know. My heart might fail me tomorrow or one year from now. I just-"

"Let me teach him, honey. Can I?" Sherri asked.

He smiled. "Give him the best lessons he can learn yet."

"Sir." A Bob-omb villager entered the room. "Forgive me, but it's almost sundown. What are we gonna do about Hizza?" The world froze for a single moment as Barry gasped. He completely forgot about Hizza! "What are we gonna do?"

"I… I…"

Mary whimpered. "I don't wanna die!"

Barry was truly perplexed. He had forgotten about the snake and he didn't know what to do. He was immoblile. He glanced at Jerry. Was he ready for such an arduous task? Facing against the snake seemed hard enough, but leading? He didn't know. Jerry never paid attention to his lessons. It was always about the same old argument they'd always have. Perhaps this was the best way for him to learn. "Son," he said. "I have something to ask of you. When it comes to being mayor, sometimes you have to make tough decisions. I can't move. I need you to protect the village for me."

Jerry gasped. "Dad, I'm not ready! I don't know how! Please! You must help me!"

"I can't, son. I'm facing the consequences of my actions. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by hardship. That was why I pushed you and got angry. You must learn how to lead on your own. I can't do anything else. You must defeat Hizza. I beg you."

It was a hard decision for the Bob-omb. He was only 14. Was he really worthy of such a decision? He wasn't going to be alone, but that made things more hard than they should be.

Luigi gasped as an old memory flashed in his mind. "I've got it!" Everyone glanced at him. "Let me be the sacrifice! Trust me when I say I dressed up as one before. I know what to do. I've fooled my enemies before with it. It's the perfect solution!"

Jerry looked like he was gonna gag. "Dude, really?! You, dressed as a girl? Really?!"

"I'm-a serious," he said. "Look, I know it's weird, but it'll work. I have the experience."

"Hizza knows what you look like," Barry said. "Are you sure that you will not be caught by him?"

Sherry smirked. "I'm gonna make sure he's spiced up real good. I'm sure we have a wedding dress with actual sleeves, right?"

"We'll find something," Luigi said. He glanced at Jerry. "I'm gonna help you. Though it might be hard, we'll make it through. I promise." Jerry sighed. He never felt this kind of pressure before, but Barry trusted him, even after all the arguing they endured. He had to do it.

"OK. If that's what you think is best, then I'll form a team of liberators. We will win!" Barry smiled. The village was in good hands.

Thank you all for reading this chapter. Since Bob-ombs are different biologically, I decided to make up something that hopefully made a bit sense. Anyway, we'll finish this arc next time.