Hello! Dbot back again with another story as promised on my profile! This story is a sequel to my first story called Like Hero, Like Villain. Make sure you read that story before moving on to this one. Now enjoy the sequel!

Vengeance with a Conscience

Disclaimer: Mario is Nintendo's, property not mine.

Chapter 1: One Year Later...

Mario yawned as he sat on his bed. He pulled out a diary that lay next to him and he started writing in it. He had it with him as Peach said whenever he was having a rough time, he would write them down to share what was going on in his mind. Dear diary, he wrote as the thoughts came to him. What a year it has been. One year ago, Bowser and I were enemies and now we worked together to create the best kingdoms in the world. I couldn't-a believe we could do all these things in one year. So unbelievable.

The door opened as Peach entered the room. "Hi, honey." She glanced at his diary. "Oh, I'm so sorry to interrupt your private session. I'll just leave and-"

"No worry," Mario said, putting away his diary. "There's-a no need to worry. I was just reminiscing about all that has been done. It's so amazing."

Peach nodded. "I know. It's so good to see you and Bowser getting so much done. You two really have done some good work this year."

"Yeah. Yeah, we have." Mario smiled and laid on his bed as images of the year passed through his mind.

One Year Ago…

"Move it!" a Toad snarled as he cracked his whip at Wario and Waluigi as they were busy building a destroyed house in Toad Town.

"Alright!" Wario hissed, rubbing his sore butt. "Just keep that whip away from me!"

"I can whip you all you want! Now get your lazy butt in gear!" Wario sighed and continued hammering away. Mario and Peach walked through Toad Town as they examined repairs to the town that were underway. Hundreds of flowers were laid in the center of a memorial with the names of every soldier who died in the war from both sides engraved in the gravel as organisms grieved for their loved ones. Mushroom Kingdom citizens and Koopa Troop members worked together in the plains planting trees and other plants to rebuild the plains to its former glory full of shrubbery. Houses were being built outside Toad Town where organisms who lost their homes could live in peace as well as provide homes for the homeless and orphans. Food and water stations were placed all over both kingdoms where anyone could have access to it. Mario smiled. "Who knew the money that Wario and Waluigi stole would come in so handy. They had so much stuffed in that castle it took the Toad guards three whole days to retrieve it."

"Well, that's what they get for ruining our kingdom," Peach said. "Now they're paying the price."

"Wow," Mario said. "Still not getting used to this whole kingdom being mine."

"Try running a whole kingdom by yourself, then you'll truly understand the stress." Mario and Peach turned around. Bowser smiled at them.

"Bowser! What are you-a doing here? Don't you have to oversee your repairs?"

"My children are doing that," the Koopa King said. "It's great to just get away from the stress now that my children are maturing to become young adults. Even Bowser Jr. is fitting quite well. I'd say the whole war experience definitely gave him some insight towards the future, albeit a bad one, though."

"Don't-a worry," Mario said. "Look around. Progress is already being made here. We're gonna have a bright future together."

"See, that's what I came here for." Mario turned to the Koopa King. "I've been thinking. I think there are some people that still resent me and my troops. I don't know if everyone will accept that the Koopa Troop is no longer evil."

"What are you talking about? There's no resentment."

Bowser crossed his arms. "Take a look for yourself. You'll see it." Mario and Peach glanced around the town, keeping their eyes peeled. A Hammer Bro approached a purple Toad who was busy nailing wood to the roof. The Toad accidentally dropped his hammer.

The Hammer Bro bent down and gave it to him. "Here you go. You accidentally dropped this."

"Give me that!" the Toad hissed, snatching it from him. "I was gonna get that myself! I don't need your help, anyway, so leave me alone!"

The Hammer Bro huffed. "What the heck is your problem? All I did was retrieve your hammer and you don't even give me a thank you? What the heck?!"

"Fine! You wanna know so badly why I'm treating you like crap? Well, here's your answer! Because you are crap with your 'Oh, let's be best friends' crap and I'm sick of it! I was doing so well until your dumb face shows up and ruins it for me!" Mario and Peach exchanged glances. "I don't even know why you're even here in the first place!"

"To help you guys rebuild."

"Yeah, from a war you and your crappy leader started in the first place! I'll have you know that my brother died in that battle and you think that with the war done, we're gonna be best friends?! What a bunch of bullcrap! I don't know why Bowser even exists in the first place! That's why we're all in this mess in the first place!"

Bowser's breath flared with angry as he huffed flames and cracked his knuckles, but Peach touched him and shook her head. "Don't," she said. "Clearly, there is a huge problem that needs fixing. Don't provoke an unnecessary fight. Let me take care of this conflict." Bowser sighed and nodded. The Hammer Bro growled. Peach walked to them. "What is going on here? You trying to start up a conflict, I presume? You know I won't tolerate violence in my kingdom."

The Toad jumped in fright at the sound of the queen's voice. "Queen Peach! What are you doing here?!"

"What do you think?" she said sternly. "Why are you two about to raise fists in my kingdom?"

"All I did was retrieve the hammer he dropped," the Hammer Bro said. "Then he all of a sudden gets aggressive with me and tells a bunch of Goomba crap about how horrible Lord Bowser is. He didn't even thank me. How ungrateful."

"All I said isn't Goomba crap!" the Toad snarled. "All we Toads wanted was to live in peace, but every time you stupid minions came and made mess of things, you threw us civilians in the middle! I'm sorry for not being 'nice', Queen Peach, but all I said is true! I'm tired of running away from my enemies! My brother died in the war because of people like him!"

"But he's no longer your enemy," Peach said, frustration growing. "I'm sorry, but this is the truth. The Koopa Troop knows of their wrong doings and they're here to make things right. Please, you have to accept that."

"No! I will not! If you don't believe in what I say, then maybe you don't know your people at all!" The Toad ran through the streets, screaming as he ran out the gates into the plains, startling many organisms.

The Hammer Bro sighed. "I'm sorry, Lord Bowser. Maybe I should've stayed away from him. It's probably best if I stay at the castle in Dark Land for a while. It seems one look at someone and the next thing you know, they hate you for eternity. I'm out of here." He walked out of the town with his face drooping with sadness.

"Now do you see what I mean?" Bowser said, glancing at Mario. "That just proved my point. They'll never accept us."

Mario shook his head. "No! That's-a not going to happen!" He stood on top of the fountain. "People of the Mushroom Kingdom!" he yelled. Many faces turned to him. "I have a question for you all. Based on what you just saw, do any of you still believe that the Koopa Troop is still evil? If you believe that, then let me tell you something. These organisms are not evil anymore, so I ask this one thing for you. I ask you to accept them as your friends and not show them any hostility. All I ask is for you to love and accept them because they have never experienced these emotions before." Peach eyed a couple Toads walking out of the gate as Mario continued talking. "I hope you'll do this out of the bottom of your hearts. Thank you." Everyone went back to work. "There," Mario said. "Problem solved!"

Peach shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Mario. While you were talking, I saw a couple of Toads wander off. Usually, the Toads are scared of facing up to your minions, Bowser. Now there's quite a change with them. I never knew they would harbor such feelings. Now I deeply understand why you came to us. Because of this, this could cause riots. Those Toads want revenge. We cannot let that happen."

Bowser sighed. Deep frustration filled his mind. Even after the signing of the treaty, there were many people that didn't accept the change of the Koopa Troop. He scratched his chin. Why? Shouldn't be obvious? Yes, the Koopa Troop did many terrible deeds, but couldn't they see they were trying to change? He snorted. Perhaps things won't change after all. "Maybe it's best if I take my troops and leave. Who knows how long it'll take for your civilians to accept that I'm not evil. Just me being here is causing tension." Mario glanced around as some of the Toads glanced at Bowser in worry before scurrying into their houses and locking their doors.

Bowser began walking out when Peach stopped him. "You can't isolate yourself from this. Look, the only way to overcome this is if you start showing my people you care for them. Build memorials. Start giving back, and maybe things might turn around. Also, if Mario works with you and your minions, then people might see that you've changed. Come with me." They walked outside to a memorial where the names of everyone who died was engraved in stone. Peach turned to Bowser. "Now here's what I want you to do. See that crying Toad over there?" She pointed to a green Toad holding a cuddle toy and was crying as he stared at the memorial. "I want you to go comfort the kid and give your condolences to him. Don't hurt him. Just comfort him." Bowser scratched his head and slowly approached the Toad. The Toad looked at him and backed away in terror. Bowser looked at Peach in confusion.

Mario walked to him. "Talk to him," he said. "Use kind words. Sheath your claws and hold your arms wide open. Try it." Bowser nodded and he sheathed his claws. He approached the Toad again, but other Toads cut him off.

"I'm not going to hurt him," Bowser said. "He just seems lonely. I just want to say I'm sorry. Can you let me do that?" The Toads stood in front of him for a couple minutes and eventually stepped aside. Bowser walked to the cowering Toad. Bowser held his arms open. "I'm not here to hurt you." The Toad carefully stood up and slowly approached the Koopa as Mario and Peach watched from afar. The Toad looked at the koopa. He slowly embraced the koopa in a hug as the Toad cried. "I'm so sorry," he said, "For all the pain I caused you. My son is sorry for causing the war. Thank you for letting me hug you."

The Toad looked at the koopa and sniffled. "I miss my parents."

"I know. My son and I didn't mean to cause you to lose them." They continued hugging each other. Bowser smiled. For the first time in his life, he wasn't making someone run away. He... he didn't know what to call this. Happiness? Relief? No. He felt hope for his people. All they need is shown a little love and things can change for the good.

Mario smiled at their embrace. Peach nudged him. "Come on," she said. "We both have to comfort him, too. We both played a role in this, so let's comfort him, too."

They approached the Toad, who looked surprised at them. "Mario! Peach! What are you doing here?"

"We're here to apologise as well," Peach said. "We both played an indirect role in your family's death. We're both sorry for your loss." They and Bowser hugged the Toad together as the act slowly drew a crowd of gasping organisms.

A couple minutes later, the Toad smiled. "Thank you, you three!" The Toad ran at Bowser and squeezed him in a hug. "Thank you so much, mister! I feel so much better!" He ran away, laughing gleefully.

The Koopa King smiled. "Wow."

"See?" Peach said. "That's how much one small act from one person can change a person's life. If you commit to this and go bolder, you can touch many people's hearts. That way, there won't be anymore resentment towards you or your people. Come on! Let's find those Toads who ran away before they start rioting!" She ran into the plains with Bowser chasing her.

Mario decided to check on Wario and Waluigi's progress. He walked to Wario. "Hello."

Wario startled himself as he whacked his hammer against his finger, causing him to cry out in pain. "Are you an idiot?" he growled. "You could've broken my finger!"

"Maybe you should watch where you swing your hammer."

"Why the heck are you even here? To sass me to death? Oh, what a horrible punishment!"

Mario rolled his eyes. "I came to check how you two are doing. Are you enjoying community service? How does it feel to finally start giving back what you owe to your people from whom you stole money from? Does it-a feel good to give back?"

"No! This is hypocrisy!" Waluigi hissed. "You really think that we're enjoying this? No, of course we aren't! You stripped all of our money and now we're not being paid money for the work we're doing! What are we to you, your slaves?!"

"Of course you aren't!" Mario yelled, startling some organisms. "My soldiers provide you with food, water, and shelter! What else could you want?"

"How about starting to pay us? Hmm?" Mario shook his head. "Look, just give us a bit, a couple dollars an hour, that's all we're asking!" Wario cried. "We want a little bit after this whole thing is done! That's all!"

"Well, here's a newsflash for you: this is how-a my people felt when you stole money from them!" Mario hissed. "They were depressed because they didn't have sufficient funds for a living wage themselves because you stole it from them! Maybe, when you've been in their shoes for a little while, you'll understand how my people have been feeling!" He sighed. "Look, I'm-a only doing this for your own good. Be glad I provide you with food and shelter. Be grateful with what you have. Now, once you're done with this house, move on to the plains. There's some work to be done there." He turned around. "Maybe, when you've done enough for a couple months worth, I could start paying you, but you both committed a treacherous act against my kingdom. Maybe this is the only way to change your minds." He walked away as Wario and Waluigi exchanged glances.

"Mario!" a voice called. The king turned around. Luigi approached him. "Hey, Mario," he said. "Since I'm-a royalty now, I was wondering if I could have a role more than being your brother."

"What did you have in mind?"

Luigi twiddled his fingers. "Maybe head of servants."

"Luigi!" Mario hissed. The green plumber startled back. "You come to-a me asking me more of a role than brother and what you request is head of servants? What the heck?!"

"Well," Luigi said, cringing, "I thought that if I started small since I don't have any leadership skills-"

"Don't-a give me that bull crap! I know you! You have proven yourself again and again that you can conquer any struggle! Why should this one be any different? Stop doubting yourself for not living up to your fullest potential!" He paused. "I'm making you head of the royal guard. You want a role of the royal guard. You'll be in charge of keeping the town and castle safe. You can do-a this role. I know you can. You don't want to be called 'Luigi, head of servants', now do you?"

Luigi sighed. "No. You're-a right. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Mario said. "Besides, this is a role I can only have a family member do, so stop doubting yourself." Luigi nodded. "Now, I want you to oversee the repairs in the plains. Make sure Wario and Waluigi don't make any trouble. I'm going to find my wife."

"You got it!" The plumber left to fulfill his duty. He didn't want to let his brother down. Head of the royal guard was indeed a pretty big role for him, but he had the courage to fulfill it.

Bowser's Castle

Bowser Jr. yawned as he threw off his blankets and headed out of his room. After they got back from the wedding and officially ended the war, Bowser ordered his son to take a long nap to get away from the stress. He walked outside to see his minions loading material into the ships to be delivered to the Mushroom Kingdom. "Hey!" Kamek, who was overseeing the operation, hissed as some Koopa Troopas knocked over a couple crates. "Be careful with those! Handle them with care! That's food in there! People's stomachs depend on it!"

"He's right!" Kamek turned around to see the bandana koopa. "Papa will have your heads if you're not careful, so be careful!"

"Yes, Lord Junior!" the Koopa Troopas said as they picked up the crates.

Kamek gasped. "Everyone, Lord Junior's back!" Everyone stopped what they were doing and cheered for their prince as he walked by them. The Koopalings greeted him.

"Lord Junior!" Ludwig said, shaking his hand. "So great to have you back! How was your rest?"

"It was fine," Bowser Jr. said. "It wasn't anything special. Though what I will say is this: I'm so glad I'm not the leader of this kingdom anymore. Man, it was way too stressful during the war."

"But you will have to face that position again when you become of age," Kamek said. "But let's face reality. You're only nine years old. That's not a good age to inherit the throne."

"But if I can say something," Wendy said. "I'd say he did a fairly good job for the work he did when Lord Bowser died. He hung in there until the very end. He has a lot of good potential as our new king when the time comes. Let's give a round of applause for him!" The minions cheered for him. He smiled. The war really taught him a lot about his potential to be leader, though he often longed for Bowser to be with him. He shook the thought away. It was time to think of the present, not the past.

"Thank you!" The cheers died down. "Now that I'm back, what has happened the last couple hours?"

"We have been busy delivering supplies to the Mushroom Kingdom to help rebuild what we destroyed," Ludwig said. "We've been a bit tied up trying to stay on top of a schedule, but it gets really hard with the constant demand for supplies and not enough ships to deliver them."

"Then tell them to be patient or build more ships. Either way, get the supplies for people who need them," Bowser Jr. said. "I'm going to go relax more. You just keep up with the demand." He walked away with Kamek and Ludwig exchanging glances.

Mushroom Plains

The purple Toad huffed as he walked through the plains, huffing. "Stupid Peach. Why the heck is she accepting the very people she's been against for the longest time? That doesn't make any sense! I can't believe my people! Have they forgotten the crimes the Koopa Troop committed? Am I the only one left with common sense?"

"Wait!" The purple Toad turned around at the noise. A couple Toads approached him.

The purple Toad huffed. "At least some people have some common sense. What do you guys want?"

"We were amazed with what you did with the Hammer Bro," a yellow Toad said. "We've never seen anyone of us stand up to them. You were amazing! How did you do it?"

The purple Toad huffed. "It was simple. I felt exhilarated to stand up to him because I had adrenaline flow between my muscles. He wasn't attacking me, so I didn't feel frightened to back down." The Toads smiled at what he said.

"Where could they have gone?" a voice said. The Toads turned around and ducked behind some bushes. Peach and Bowser were wandering through the plains. "They could be anywhere," said the queen.

"They most likely left and went elsewhere," Bowser said. "They're probably long gone."

"Well, we have to continue searching! We need to prevent a possible riot!"

The purple Toad snickered and turned to the other Toads. "Now is our chance. Let's make him pay for what he's done!" He charged at Bowser with a war cry. The other Toads shrugged and followed his lead. They toppled Bowser as the koopa fell to the ground. Peach gasped and threw the Toads off him as the Toads and Bowser wrestled on the ground. Bowser growled and shoved the Toads off, sending them flying in the air and landing on the ground. Before Bowser could retaliate, Peach stopped him and shook her head. He nodded and stood still as the Toads ran to him.

"Stop!" Peach yelled. "As your queen, I order you to stop at once unless you want to end up in jail!" The Toads stopped at the thought of the idea. "Good. Now, what the heck is going on here?! Why are you attacking Bowser?!"

"It's him," Bowser growled, pointing to the purple Toad. "He's the one that insulted my minion!"

"Because he deserved it!" the purple Toad yelled. "Both you and your son do! It's because of your people that my brother and many of my kin are dead! We're done standing by while you ruin our lives! You've given us nothing but pain and misery and now we're gonna give you what you gave us!" The Toads behind him cheered.

"And you think that'll solve all your problems? You ignorant fools! That's what my son went through and that only caused even more pain and misery for him! My people and I are done with that! Why can't you guys get it through your thick skulls?!"

"Well, maybe it's because we're not that dumb! We're not gonna let this slide anymore! I'm willing to bet you still have tricks up your sleeve right now that you're not showing us!"

Bowser sighed. "Your people are clearly not listening to my words, Peach."

Peach huffed. "Then I guess the only way to settle this is if they hear it from their own kind." She left the area as Bowser and the Toads stared at each other. A couple minutes later, she arrived back with the green Toad Bowser comforted earlier.

The green Toad rubbed his eyes. "What's going on here? I was trying to sleep."

"I know," Peach said, "But there's a conflict that needs solving. You see, these Toads still don't believe that Bowser's not evil anymore and you know he's not. If you can tell them yourself that Bowser's not evil, then they might believe you and you can go to bed. Now, tell them."

The green Toad nodded. The purple Toad sighed. "Now you're siding with them now? What the heck?"

"He isn't evil," the green Toad said. "He came to me himself and said he was sorry. He truly meant it. When I looked into his eyes, I saw sadness in them. He's truly sorry." The Toads exchanged glances.

The purple Toad glanced at Bowser. "Is all this true?"

The Koopa King nodded. "It is. I am sorry for causing you grief. I want to make it up to you somehow."

Peach walked to him. "You already are. Your minions are rebuilding what you destroyed and you've said you're sorry to these people. You're already making a difference in this world." Bowser nodded and he and the Toads exchanged hugs together.

Present Day

Mario sighed. "I still can't-a believe how quickly views have changed between us and them. Now, we're doing things like establishing trade and creating jobs for each other. So crazy how much you can get done in a year, huh?"

Peach nodded. "Yeah." She paused. "Mario, there's something I have to tell you. In the past couple of days, I have learned some huge news. Mario, I'm pregnant."

Thank you for reading the first chapter of my story. Now for a couple things about this story. This story is gonna feature a lot less out of character, especially for the new characters, but will be just as dark, so it will keep the T rating. Also, I'm gonna post each chapter as I write, but I already finished the full beginning and am now working on the middle, so make sure you favorite and follow this story to keep up-to-date and review if you enjoy it or if you have any constructive criticism to give. See you all next week!