A Week After the Universe was Restored and Bowser brought Crow back.
The Star grew several sizes before imploding in on itself. Bowser looked up and saw the supermassive black hole that was sucking everything in. "No! My galaxy… my empire… they were right all along!" He said, falling on his knees and pounding the ground. "What have I done…"
"Bowser!"
Bowser turned around and saw Roman trying to hang on to a wall as Neo was holding on to him tightly. "Looks like this is it!" He said as he suddenly started lifting up from the ground. "Wah!"
"I got ya!" Bowser grabbed on to Roman's arm and tried to hold him, but the force was enough to pry him off of Bowser's grip. "NO!" He yelled as he helplessly watched Roman and Neo disappear into the void, as Kamek was next as Bowser could only watch as his minions flew past him.
"PAPA!"
Bowser let out a gasp and turned to Junior who was trying desperately to hold on to something. He immediately ran over to Junior as he grabbed a hold of him. "I got you!" He said. "Just hold on to me as tight as you can!" He said as he stood his ground and tried to fight back against the gravitational pull, but as cruel as fate was… Junior slipped off and he fell into the void. "JUNIOR!" He yelled as he tried to chase after him, but Junior disappeared into the void.
He stood there in disbelief, falling on his knees.
"You absolute FOOL!" A voice said as Bowser turned around and saw Vita approaching him. "You should had listen to my warning... You should have heeded Roselina's warning... if you had just listened to our warning, none of this wouldn't have happened! Your friends, your army... even your own child was swallow up by the black hole... To think you endanger your own child for this... What kind of parent are you?!" She slammed her foot on the ground as the ground underneath Bowser started to crack. "This is good boy... King Bowser."
The ground started to cave in as Bowser started to fall, but he grabbed on to the ledge as he tried to stay on, but Cinder kicked his fingers off the ledge and watched as Bowser was sucked into the void and let out a helpless roar.
"GAH!" Bowser yelled, sitting up straight from his bed and panting. He looked around and saw that he was back in his room. Sunlight came out of his window as he looked out and saw the sun peeking out of the horizon. He walked out, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he walked toward his balcony and looked over his entire kingdom. It has been exactly a week since Bowser had unwittingly destroyed the universe, but Rosalina had restored it.
Bowser watched a few human soldiers go about their day in the courtyard, doing a few laps around the place with the Hammer Bros, Koopas, and Goombas. He then spotted Junior walking around the courtyard and minding his own business. Bowser walked away as he made his way down to the courtyard where he would see Scarlet, who of the members of the Imperial Liberation Front drinking tea with Wendy O. Koopa.
"Oh, Lord Bowser!" Wendy greeted. "This is a surprise. You don't normally wake up this early."
"Eh… couldn't get enough sleep…" Bowser sighed
"You had one of those nights darling? I can understand." Scarlet chuckled. "Still, are you feeling okay? You look like you have something on your mind?"
"Nah, not really… I'm good." Bowser said as he walked off.
As Bowser was walking in the hall, he spotted Ludwig who was talking to a Koopa before spotting him.
"Ah, Lord Bowser! What a surprise." Ludwig said. "Normally you would sleep in."
"Yeah well… decided to get up now." Bowser muttered quietly.
"Hmm? Is something the matter? You seem... dazed."
"I'm fine." Bowser said as he spotted Junior running around with a few Goombas chasing him. Bowser let out a sighed.
"Are you feeling all right?" Ludwig asked
"I said I'm fine!"
"Oh! Your Nastiness!" Kamek approached him. "This is a pleasant surprise to see you out and about early this morning. Usually you're sleeping in!"
"Can't a guy mix things up a bit?" Bowser muttered
"I suppose not." Kamek mused. "Now then, since you're up, we oughta come up with another scheme to kidnap Peach… and while we're at it… a massive amount of paperwork if you're interested. Such is the way of being king." He said, then notice Bowser is not... acting like himself at the moment. "Hello? Your nastiness?"
"…I need some air." Bowser said and walked off.
"Eh? But we're already outside."
"I know that!" Bowser said, hopping on his Koopa Clown Car and flying off.
"Huh… what's with him?" Kamek wondered.
With Bowser...
Bowser was looking around the Mushroom Kingdom. All he sees now is just plains. Bowser let out a sign and then notice he's close to Toad Town. He stop and look st the castle. He shake his head and then turn around. Exploring the Mushroom Kingdom until he stop at one of the sights. He sit done to a nearby tree, underneath the shadow and then he signed. He look down a bit, before looking at the blue sky, while birds are chirping.
"Hello there." A voice said as Bowser turn and see an elderly old man. "Taking a nap here?"
"No."
"I see. Mind if I sit here in the shade?"
"Be my guest." Bowser sighed as the old man sit down. It was quiet for a few moments. Then the old man notice his look.
"What's wrong my friend? You seem to be lost in thought." The old man asked
"It's nothing. Nothing you can concern about." Bowser muttered as he look down.
"Hmm. I'm not so sure about that." He said. "My name is Yun Ka-fai. You?"
"Bowser."
"Nice to meet you Bowser. So go on, what's the matter. Maybe I can help."
"Just leave it old man. It's got nothing to do with you." Bowser muttered.
"Maybe so. But this old man wants to help. I know that there's something that's bothering your mind. One that affect your consciousness." Yun Ka-fai said as Bowser said nothing. "If I had to guess, it's some sort of burden perhaps? Or something you have done and you're not proud of."
"Tch. You don't know when to drop it, don'tcha..."
"Maybe. Maybe not. But, this old man can say that, something weight heavy on you."
"And even if it does, why should I tell you?!" Bowser asked
"Perhaps to comfort you? I would say so." Yun Ka-fai said. "It's all right you don't want to tell me. But allow me to say this. I'm sure whatever it is in your mind, it must have hurt you deep. I don't know what it is. However, it doesn't affect your pride to tell someone about it. After all, there are people who are concerned about you. And you know what those people are? Friends? Family, acquaintance? It matters not who. If something is troubling you, they'll notice. It doesn't hurt to tell them what's on your mind. Tell me, do you think this will hurt your pride? Maybe to you perhaps. But what good will it do if you don't steer your mind?" He asked as Bowser stood silent. "There are things we are not proud of. But that's just part of nature. There are things we are proud of, and things we are not proud of. Mistakes, accidents, I could go on. The point is at some point in life, you got to learn to forgive yourself and learn from this mistake. It's part of growth."
Bowser listen to this old man rumbling and then he look up at the sky once more, before letting out a sigh. "How can I forgive myself if I endanger my own son because of that mistake?"
"Hmm. I don't know where this happened, but is your son okay?"
"He is. He's all right... And yet... I put him in danger because of my stubbornness... Wait... why am I telling you this?"
"Because you want to be heard." Yun Ka-fai answered.
"I...want to be heard?" Bowser asked.
"Yes, deep down, you blame yourself for whatever tragedy that causes you to feel guilty, something you don't want to do again. Maybe you fear you're unworthy of taking care of your own child because of that mistake. Maybe you think you're a terrible father for putting your child at risk, is that right?" Yun Ka-fai asked as Bowser look away. "I'm not sure what it is, and I can't answer that without knowing, but maybe you should talk to someone who does know. Because to me, it sounds like you didn't mean to put your child in danger."
"..." Bowser look down, wondering if his words speaks truth.
"You should Probably head home, i'm sure your son, friends or family are worried about you."
"Maybe..." Bowser said as he sighed. "Thanks old man..." He hopped on his Koopa Clown Car and made his way back to the castle.
As Yun Ka-fai watch Bowser heading home, he rub his chin. "So that's the famous Koopa King of the Mushroom Kingdom. I hope that he feels okay. Take care of yourself, King Bowser."
a few hours later...
Bowser made it home to his castle and then enter his hall.
"There you are!" Mona called out to him as she, Crow, and the others approached him. "Where have you been? Everyone was ready to go out and look for you."
"Sorry, I just need some fresh air." Bowser said.
"Yo, big guy, what's the matter?" Crow asked
"I'm fine Crow, don't worry about it."
"You say that Your Nastiness but... please, tell us." Kamek requested.
Bowser let out a groan. "Fiiiiine, I'll tell you." He grumbled.
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - Bond- Relations)
He let out a sigh. "The truth is… I've just been bothered by a few things lately."
"Like what?" Mona wondered.
"Well, you recall what happened last week?"
"Ahh... So that's what buggin' ya." Crow sighed.
"Yeah... I was the one who doomed us all!" Bowser muttered. "But that's not the only thing that's buggin' me." He let out a sigh. "I feel like... I'm a terrible father to Junior"
"What? What makes you say that?"
"Well... Like how he keeps losing to Mario, Green 'Stache, Class VII, and others of all people." He said. "I thought that I'm not a competent parent because if I was, Junior would be winning a lot more fights against you. And... there was a nightmare I had earlier this morning where I relived the final moments of the universe… and I tried to hold Junior, but the gravitational pull was too much and yanked him away from me. I was then confronted by... someone... saying that due to my incompetence… Junior would still be alive if I didn't go through with a galactic conquest."
"But he is alive your Nastiness! All of us are." Kamek said.
"Yeah, you can thank that Cosmo Queen for that!" Roman agreed. "Sure, dyin' kinda did a number on all of us, but we're still alive and kicking."
"Not to mention, no one blames you. Well, maybe some... but that isn't the point here. The point is that everyone, including us, had a wonderful time going on. I believe Junior feels the same." Mona smiled
(BGM ended)
(Trails of Cold Steel III ost - Things Entrusted)
"Plus, I think you're a wonderful father, Big Guy. Junior's a great kid… and you're raising him in the best way you can." Crow said. "I'm not sure if someone said that to you, but they should keep their mouth shut. They know nothing about you, nor your kid. You raise him just right. Think about it, Junior became a tough young, and fun-loving guy, and you raised him out of love. You know that your kid adores you."
"He's right. Junior will one day become a remarkable Prince of the Koopas. And someday, even a better King, just like you." Mona added.
"She's right you know." Neo said, holding a sign.
"So come on, turn that frown upside down. We all know you're not a bad father. You're an awesome father to junior, and a cool and awesome king to us." Roman nodded. "And on a personal note, one of the best friends too."
"He's right. Have you talk about this with Junior?" Crow asked
"No... but... you think I should?" Bowser asked.
"Of course. I bet right now, he doesn't blame you. Right Junior?" Crow turn to the hall and then came out Junior.
"Right!" Junior nodded
"Junior, how long you been listening in?" Bowser asked
"Ever since you return. I was really worried about you Papa. You're not a bad dad. You're a great dad! I love you, papa! You're the best dad I ever had!"
Bowser let out a chuckle. "I love you too, son."
"Aww, see. So don't blame yourself Bowser. You know that we're here for you. We'll follow you to the earth." Mona smiled before she blicked. "Wait... did I actually said that?!"
"You sure did Mona." Crow smirked. "Anyway, Roman and Mona are right. You're an awesome guy and an awesome father. You given us a home, protection, lives, heck, you even save me, and I was on the verge of death! I'm not proud of it, but I'm very grateful, because you open my eyes, and you even protected me and Scarlet. We can't thank you enough for what you did. And that's why we're gonna return the favor and help you win this time."
"Right!" Mona nodded as her stomach growled. "Ugh! Of all the-" Then a larger stomach growled was heard and they turn to Bowser.
"Hehehe, I guess it's lunch time." Bowser scratch his head as he light blushed a bit.
"All right! Let's get something to eat, and then play some video games!" Crow declared.
"Yeah!" Everyone said as they ran off to a door where they opened it, and saw a massive theater screen filled with consoles on the side.
"All right, what should we play? Mario Kart? Smash Bros? Mario Party? Or whatever that sounds fun?" Crow asked.
"I'm up for Double Dash." Mona said.
"Good question, let's see." Bowser said as they begin to ran through some video games while Kamek was ordering the troops to cook for everyone.
Keep being you Bowser, keep being you.
