He was outside of his throne room, the room which had grown to become his sanctuary. His home since the fires of Keep Canyon destroyed his childhood cottage. He remembered the day he returned to the canyon, renamed Koopa Keep, for obvious reasons, by the Koopas who lived there.
Yes…he remembered the day of his return very well…
"Bowser!" Brank cried out. "You need to stop!" His young brother grinned wickedly, the fires of the remaining Giga burning in his eyes.
"Brank, you must be mistaken." He replied. Brank was surprised that he didn't acknowledge his reappearance. The last time he even saw his younger brother, Brank was seven years old, running around the West Woods those many years ago. Yet Bowser didn't seem to care that his brother, supposedly dead, was now alive, standing before him.
He had determination in his heart. Love ceased to exist.
"I am doing this for us!" Bowser cried out. "For you! For mistreated Koopas everywhere! I'm not doing this for my benefit alone!" He softened his voice and spoke to Brank reasonably. "Brank…I can save Koopa-Kind from extinction. This is my destiny, to be King of all Koopas. Just trust me Brank…try to trust me just this once."
The older Koopa narrowed his eyes and lowered his brow. "But, Bowser, you have to listen to me," he stated coldly. "I understand what you intended to do, but what you're doing now is wicked. Evil. You aren't an evil person, Bowser. You are good. So please, try to reconsider…"
"NO!" Bowser screamed, slashing at his brother. Brank moved back before the razor-sharp claws could strike his scales. His jaw dropped open slightly as his eyes widened with sadness and fear. His brother had changed, and not just physically. He was no longer the innocent Koopaling who ran freely through the woods, exploring unknown regions. He was now a ruthless dictator, ruling over lands and showing no mercy towards those weaker than him. He had, indeed, become evil.
Brank. His brother…only trying to help him. Only trying to harness his anger and hatred toward Humankind, only trying to help his succeed. But Bowser ignored his assistance. No, not just ignored…destroyed it. It was the Giga's fault. He had no control. Had he not taken the Giga, Brank would…
He lowered his head, sighing. It was his fault. He couldn't deny that fact any longer. He was the one who had become the monster, the power-hungry beast who longed for revenge.
'But…was that not my right?' he thought to himself. 'Was it not my right to seek revenge towards the man who killed my sister in front of my very eyes? The man who wanted to rid the land of Koopa-kind forever?'
It was. Just as it was his right to rid this intruder from his castle. Mario was, in fact, an intruder, bursting in on the rightful King to try and strip him of his power. He was the enemy. Bowser was the victim.
But not anymore.
Bowser was fighting back. He was taking all of his anger and hatred, harnessing it, controlling it, so that he would not make the same mistake he had made with his brother. His hatred wouldn't control him anymore. He was the master of his feelings. He was the King of the Koopas!
The Oblivion spell was playing over and over in his head. He began chanting it's holy words. They emerged dark and tasteless, like throwing up a piece of wood, when he heard the innocent voice of the Princess. He turned around to see her, running up to him, tears in her precious blue eyes.
"Bowser!" she cried, hugging him tightly. She was sobbing uncontrollably. "What if I can't read it? What if I don't know how to control it? What if Mario proves to be more than what even I thought? What if you…"
"Princess," Bowser whispered softly. "You mustn't worry about me. Your concern must be with this castle and your own safety." He stopped, starred into her reddened eyes, and held her gentle hands tightly in his claws.
"I know you're scared. It's only natural. But you need to be strong, Princess, and know that, even if we never see each other again, you have impacted me more than anyone else has."
He knew, of course, that this wasn't true. Kamilia Koopa was the one person he would never forget, but…Princess Peach…she was something else. She was the one person who made him see life from a whole new angle. He loved her…so much.
"I…Bowser, I just wish I could've helped you. Helped you bring peace and justice back to Mushroom Kingdom…to all of Het Naamkaartje." Bowser smiled down at her, a lone tear gathering in his eye.
"You already have." He said. The Princess looked up at him. "I know, for a fact, Princess, that you will rule over this kingdom with peace, and be a better ruler than I could've ever dreamed of being."
"But, Bowser, I can't do this on my own!" she said, lip quivering. "How am I supposed to rule over a kingdom that is controlled by laws I no longer believe in?" Bowser took a claw and stroked the girl's golden hair.
"You're a smart girl, Peach." Bowser said. "You'll find a way." The Princess starred into Bowser's orange eyes yet again. Why did they seem so familiar? She continued to stare as Bowser began talking.
"Princess, there isn't much time." He said, hearing the roaring winds growing ever louder. "The Stars are approaching and Mario is surely waiting. I must chant the spell and…"
His heart was aching. He couldn't stop starring into Peach's eyes. Why did they seem so familiar? Like he was starring into the eyes of…Brilette? But, he shook his thoughts away. He had run out of time to ask questions. Any and all that were unanswered would remain so. He had run out of time.
He hated memories, especially happy ones. Memories of a time when assassins, Stars, death…were non-existent. It had only been about an hour ago, but the air ride he and Peach had shared under the stars seemed like an eternity ago. Like a past-life he was just beginning to remember. That moment was, and would remain to be, the happiest moment of his life.
Because he shared it with her.
"Princess…I will miss you…" he could hardly find the words to describe his feelings. "…Oh, so very much." He took the small crown that had sat upon his head ever since the first day he had destroyed Toadstool. He had forgotten that it was still there. He removed it from his skull and placed it in Peach's hands. He tried to smile.
"You will be a very fine ruler."
The Princess was choked up and hugged her former-kidnapper for the last time. There was no more time for words. They both had missions to accomplish. They both needed to save Mushroom Kingdom.
The Princess let go of the King as he began chanting the Oblivion spell. His voice was strong and powerful, but his face was gentle and saddened. The darkness began to swallow his up, sending him to the Realm of Oblivion. He waved one final good-bye to the Princess, who simply stood there, watching him dissolve into nothing, teleporting him to his dark arena.
Right as he vanished, the tear that had been gathering in Bowser's eye finally dropped, falling to the ground, staining the wood floor. Peach starred in utter emotion, crying ever so quietly at the only remaining thing left by her King.
"Good-bye…Your Majesty."
I dunno...I thought that this was just a nice little addition to the story. Read and Respond please!