You could say that this is the end of a a stage. And an interesting part about it, it doesn't even involve Rosalina that much. No, this ending first stage is clearly on Bowser's side. The stages after this will feature the both of them more often. A scuffle happens that doesn't follow standard Mario rules-won't be the last time-a sad acceptance, and future plans.
All it takes is a significant combination of words. Something Bowser never thought he'd say. I'm certain you'll know what they are when you read them.
The Mushroom Kingdom. Land of the Toads, home of Princess Peach, and the protectorate of some of it's greatest heroes: Mario and Luigi. AKA: The Mario Bros. And occasionally, it's also under protection of Yoshi, who's primarily residing within his home, Yoshi's Island,: Home of the Yoshi's. This is one of those times that Yoshi has come to visit some of his closest friends. In this case...he was pretty eager to eat some great food that Mushroom Kingdom had to offer...not that his home didn't have any great food. But it was always interesting for him to try for a bit of variety once in a while. Though aside from his desire to appease his hungry belly, he really was intending on visiting his beloved friends.
The toads were merrily walking about within their town, taking great enjoyment in the current peace that's befallen their Kingdom. After their last serious encounter with Bowser, there hasn't been so much as a peep from him. They didn't know if he was simply taking a break from trying to kidnap the Princess again or is just not in the mood for it. Either way, they weren't complaining too much about the peace and quiet. Though they were most certain that he was going to show up again at some point, they chose not to waste their time worrying about it. Right now, they were just going to enjoy their day while it was quiet and peaceful for the most part. And even so, they knew that their beloved heroes would come to their aid whenever trouble does come their way.
Though they did sometimes wonder if they were really in competent hands. Especially when they tend to have moments like this:
"How long has he been like this, again?" Mario deadpanned as he sees Luigi simply slouching in his chair, seemingly in a deep sleep. The older twin could only sigh as Luigi's cap covered the upper half of his face while his mouth covered and his nose occasionally twitching every few seconds.
"If I were to take a solid guess...I'd say about three hours." Peach said with a sheepish smile. "What did you say he was doing last night, again?"
"Polterpup has grown especially rowdy for a little bit, and the other ghosts had joined in on the hijinks. It took Luigi all night to get them to settle down. By the time he actually succeeded, it was morning." Mario scratched his head with a sigh. Due to a rather amazing set of circumstances, Luigi had to face his fear of ghosts in order to rescue his brother Mario from the clutches of King Boo-for the second time-and the experiences were highly uncomfortable for him. As of those adventures, Luigi has mostly conquered his fear of ghosts, enough for him to have a house crawling with the friendly ones, and to even adopt one as a pet.
Polterpup is a ghost...but he was also just a puppy. Luigi was never seriously afraid of this specific ghost. At most, Luigi was simply annoyed with how he tended to impede his progress when he really didn't have time to play with him. But when all is said and done, he ended up happily adopting the ghost pup as his own, and very clearly loves him, and vice versa. Though it's also very clear that Polterpup and his ghost friends also tend to wear Luigi down with their antics. They're still mischievous, just not to the point of actually hurting anyone. Unfortunately for Luigi, they still manage to tire him out with their less dangerous antics, hence why he's sleeping in the middle of the day at this moment.
"Oh dear. Master Luigi seems to have dozed off again." Toadsworth, Peach's loyal-sometimes overbearing-advisor who always made her safety one of his top priorities. Hence his extreme stress-sometimes to the point of outright fainting-whenever Bowser kidnaps her, and has to leave her safety and rescue in the hands of the Mario Bros. Sometimes Peach, as much as she cares about the elder Toad, becomes rather exasperated by how overprotective he is. She swears he'll give himself a heart attack for always panicking over her whenever she isn't within his sight when he's unsure of her safety. He ultimately means well, though. "How long has it been? Three hours?"
"It looks like it's going to go way past three hours at this rate. Oh well." Mario shrugged as he simply patted Luigi's shoulder, semi-expecting him to wake. When he didn't, he rolled his eyes and turned to Peach and Toadsworth. Though he looked to the side and clearly sees Yoshi waving at him from the entrance of the castle. "Oh! It's Yoshi!~"
"Hiya Mario!~" Yoshi replied with a chipper chirp and bob of his head. He and Mario were quick to run towards one another and embrace one another in a hug.
"It's pretty great to see you, Yoshi. How's the island by the way?"
"Everything is nice and orderly...oh who am I kidding? We mess around a LOT." Yoshi chuckled while releasing his friend."Though in terms on of someone actually bothering us, no. Everything is fine and dandy. Everyone's happy, energetic, and hungry. Mostly the latter two." He beamed as his tongue hung out of his mouth slightly. "Speaking of just the latter, do you have anything good to eat?~" Mario sighed a little, though he then pointed towards the rather large kitchen, which Yoshi wasted little to no time rushing towards.
"Of course he would come around for a few bites to eat. He's been doing that often, sometimes out of boredom." Mario rolled his eyes with a slight chuckle, shaking his head. Peach also giggled slightly from Yoshi's antics. But he was at least genuine about wanting to see them all again. Some things tend to escape his notice because he was busy minding his own home, much like Donkey Kong within Kong Ko. But there's no mistake to be made when one knows that he does what he can to help when he is around. And when he's around at those times, he's usually instrumental in assisting with whatever journey the heroes find themselves in.
"Now now, let's not cheapen Yoshi's visits. We know that he comes to see us because we're his friends." Peach said a bit sternly.
"I know, I know. It wasn't meant to be anything offensive, I swear." Mario smiled. He managed a small chuckle as he was hearing the munching of food from the kitchen, highly aware that Yoshi was gleefully helping himself. "So anyway...while the Toads are more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet, they're also incredibly cautious of whatever might serve to disturb this peace. They should really relax a little more. No use stressing yourself out always looking out and waiting for trouble to come to you. I believe I'm a bit more effective once the threat actually presents itself."
"Hm...do you think Bowser is alright?" Peach said while palming her cheek in a bit of concern. In all honesty, despite rumors saying otherwise, she liked Bowser. She really did. As a friend. She's one of the few who know that Bowser is actually not as bad as he believes he is, as she's caught several instances of him being a relatively decent person. It's why she's alright with Mario inviting Bowser over to public events, and she herself is perfectly willing to be civil with him...as long as he behaves. When he doesn't...well, that's when everyone else has to step in. While she is by no means a fan of Bowser always kidnapping her and/or attacking her Kingdom, that didn't mean she didn't care about him. And his extended silence caused her some degree of worry.
Mario was a bit concerned as well, but he was better at shrugging off the more negative implications of it. "There's no reason to worry. Bowser's a strong and stubborn King. Maybe he'll be around to attack us, or maybe he'll be somewhat relaxed and we can have fun together. I make a point to learn to adapt to either scenario as quickly as I possibly can. That way I'll be able to focus on either stopping him or making sure he doesn't cause trouble. If there's one thing we can be sure about, is that nothing keeps Bowser down forever."
"Yes. That's definitely a fact we can't deny." Peach agreed quietly, while Toadsworth scoffed.
"His determination is indeed worthy of praise. If only he puts that determination into something more productive than trying to kidnap the Princess or causing trouble for the Mushroom Kingdom. If it wasn't for that, I daresay that even with his rough and somewhat disrespectful attitude, his competence as a King is genuine."
"Yeah. Competent, and ridiculously stubborn. That's a rather dangerous combination for him to have as traits. And he's only growing even more competent with every battle. No one can call him a dumb brute anymore." Mario added with folded arms. "He's really growing harder and harder to fight."
"I hope that someday, we wont have to fight at all..." Peach sighed.
CRASH!
Everyone-aside from the still sleeping Luigi, amazingly-jumped a bit in shock as something crashed down through the roof, and landing harshly in the ground, picking up a cloud of smoke and cracking the ground in multiple directions.
"GOOD HEAVENS! WHAT HAPPENED?!" Toadsworth gasped, looking around rapidly in a panic.
Mario tried to regain his own bearings through the cloud of smoke, until he eventually sees the one responsible. Two glowing crimson orbs pierced through the cloud, glaring down on him. It didn't take him much time to figure out exactly who was the owner of those eyes.
"Mario..." Bowser growled deeply, with clenched fists and his razor teeth grinding tightly against one another.
"Bowser? You actually crashed directly through the roof? You usually just bash the door down or something like that." Mario said, gaining enough of his bearings to stand straight. "Are you gonna try and kidnap the Princess again?"
"Not now. I'm in a VERY irritable mood today. Fortunately for her, she doesn't have much to do with it. Unfortunately for you, I've got this unbearable fiery desire to smash your face in. No theatrics this time. Just a straight battle" Bowser grinned darkly as he cracked his knuckles. "Now I don't wanna wreck the castle more than I already have...so let's take this outside." That was all the warning Mario received before Bowser unceremoniously punches Mario across his cheek, and the momentum sent the plumber flying straight through the wall, and right over town near the plains. Bowser began climbing through the hole, but soon turned towards Peach and smiled, all anger vanishing for a moment. "Peach."
"B...Bowser...?" Peach blinked, not completely sure how to react.
"Be glad to know that I'm not intending on capturing you today. Do continue on as you were." He then shot a look towards the still sleeping Luigi. He raised an eyebrow. "What's his deal?"
"Um...Polterpup was keeping him from sleeping with him and his friends running around...?"
"Huh. Even as a ghost, dogs keep people up at night with their barking." Bowser shrugged. "Now where was I...oh yeah!" He roared wildly as he jumped up high through the hole to pursue his prey.
Peach turned towards Toadsworth...he fainted from the sudden entrance of Bowser. Luigi was still sleeping, and Yoshi didn't seem to hear the commotion. She simply sighed and shook her head as she runs through her castle doors, intent on pursuing the two.
In the meantime, Mario was trying to pull himself out of the Mario-shaped hole in the ground after Bowser punched him. The dragon was serious about this. He had no interest in kidnapping Peach today. He simply wanted to physically harm Mario, badly. Mario eventually pulled himself up and brushed the dirt off of his hat, just as Bowser landed with a thundering stomp, a few feet in front of him.
"There. Now you don't have to act all heroic on me and whine about getting innocents in the crossfire. We're in the plains. No one else is around." Bowser clenched his fists. "You and me. No fancy power-ups from either of us. A straight fight until one of us collapses."
"Bowser, what's going on with you?!" Mario shouted as he brushed himself off for a bit and looked towards the dragon, seeing the fury in his eyes. "I've seen you angry, but never like this."
"I've got many things to be angry about. Here's a tip: YOU'RE PART OF AT LEAST HALF OF THEM!" Bowser roared as he rushes towards Mario for another powerful punch. Now that Mario was prepared, however, he was able to counter it with a well-timed jump, and briefly stomped on Bowser's head. The dragon gritted his teeth, immediately grabbing Mario's leg and smashing him into the ground, before kicking him in the head, sending him flying into a boulder, creating a crater. "That jumping business won't help you much here. I'm much more hard-headed."
"I noticed..." Mario grunted while falling on his feet, rubbing his head. Bowser snarled and moved quickly towards Mario for another punch. Mario ducked under it and punches Bowser back, sending him skidding a few feet back across the ground. Physical-wise, Mario's strength was definitely below Bowser's. But it was still considerable enough to deal some damage to the Koopa King, who seemed appreciative of the blow for some reason, rubbing his jaw with a grin.
"There...that's better. Much better. You're gonna be serious about this." Bowser stated strongly, before he clenched his fists again and stepped forward. "It isn't as fun to beat you senseless if you're not gonna fight back a bit.
This is ridiculous!
What's ridiculous about it?! We're beating up our enemy! Just like we always do!
We're doing it on blind, misplaced anger! As much as we hate Mario, he's not to blame here! Beating him down isn't going to make us any less guilty!
But it will feel GREAT!
Bowser shuts out the voices for the moment as he focuses on beating his lifetime rival. Mario was more active this time, running towards Bowser. Bowser attempted to punch him, which Mario ducked under and retaliated with an uppercut to his chin. Bowser's jaw was once again pulsed with pain, but he clenched his teeth as well as his fists, standing straight and headbutting Mario downwards, smashing the plumber into the ground. Bowser lifted his foot to stomp on said plumber, though Mario rolled out of the way just in time, the limb greatly cratering the ground where he used to be.
Mario took notice of how Bowser hasn't shot any fireballs at him. He must be really insistent on beating Mario from pure physical might alone. He was definitely keeping his word on that part. He was serious, even though he had no idea how this came up and why. But one thing is for sure: Mario wasn't just going to stand around and take it. He demonstrate this by jumping over Bowser's next punch, then kicking him in the side of the head instead of stomping on him. Bowser growled and attempted to retaliate, but Mario landed right behind him and grabbed him by the tail. It took only one heave for him to lift the larger Koopa and throw him across the plans, landing on his face and skidding across the ground. He snarled even more viciously as stands back up on his feet with clenched fists.
"Bowser, what is even the point of this? You've skipped right over kidnapping Peach and skipped straight to trying to punch my lights out! Did something happen?!" Mario asked with exasperation. Usually it wouldn't really matter if Bowser had a reason for his anger because he would already know. But here Bowser was, confronting him directly and is only interested in fighting him as roughly and painfully as possible. The fury was clear in his eyes and is directed solely at Mario, though he can't think of anything that would have irritated him enough to attack him like this. Their lifetime rivalry, as good a reason as it was, Mario felt like it wasn't the only reason he was attacking him like this today.
Bowser snorted, steam escaping his jaws and smoke flowing from his nostrils. "I think it's quite obvious why I'm doing this. I want you HURT you. BADLY." Bowser growled while stomping towards him, cracking the ground. "You just can't let me win, can you? No. No. You always have to be the grand knight in shining armor that beats down the big scary dragon and then save the Princess. No mention is ever given to the Dragon. No one really cares about the dragon. He's just there to be conquered, to simply make the hero look heroic for his precious Princess. Over. And Over. And OVER. We've been through this song and dance for years on end, right from our childhood. And I have to be perfectly honest: I! AM! SICK OF IT!"
Mario narrowed his eyes as Bowser prepared another much stronger punch. This time Mario decides to meet it head-on; he was quick to throw a considerable punch of his own. Both of them met their targets, right in each others jaws. This sent them both into skidding back from one another, the skid marks actually steaming quite a bit. The injuries were clear on their faces, Mario having a black eye, while Bowser had a slight welt on his cheek. They glared at each other once again, before charging at each other once again...
Only to be blown back in both directions, but not by each other. Princess Peach slowly descended in between with her hands outstretched. She was the one who sent them flying, and with a stern glare.
"That is ENOUGH, you two!" Peach said sternly, occasionally shifting her head to look at them for a few moments. Usually she didn't have much problems with Mario and Bowser fighting, and she would know that Mario was fighting Bowser for her sake. That and she wasn't in any position to stop them. But she was now, and she felt the need to stop this battle before it escalated further. "Bowser, what is the matter with you?! I know you usually attack without warning, but in this manner, this is unlike you! What is this about?!"
"Peach, I don't wanna hurt you...but you need to get outta my way. I'm not done with him." Bowser snarled.
"Absolutely NOT. You just attack Mario out of the blue, skipping right over me, for no reason other than you're upset! Why are you so upset?!"
"I..."
"Well? What's the matter?! This isn't your usual rage. You're legitimately and heavily upset...why?"
Bowser panted softly, slowly gazing towards the also panting Mario, then towards the stern but worried Peach, then back towards Mario. After a few moments to contemplate his next action, he decided to get on with it. "Mario...do you remember?"
Mario raised an eyebrow, the one that wasn't swollen shut. "Remember what?"
"What happened in the other universe?" Bowser asked seriously, taking Mario off guard with confusion. "Don't play dumb with me. I've had a sinking feeling about something...I just want to know, Mario! Do you REALLY remember what happened? And I know you know what I'm talking about!" Bowser glared deeply, though a part of him really wants it to be false. Not that he didn't believe Rosalina...but he really wanted confirmation from the only other person that remembers.
He could tell by Mario's body language. The moment he said 'universe', it took several moments for it to click. Mario's eyes glimmered for a few moments in recognition and surprise, wondering how Bowser would remember something like that. The look in Bowser's eyes lost their rage, and instead was placed with saddened acceptance.
So...it IS true...it really happened...
His paws slowly unclenched, and he hung his head slightly. He did raise one of his paws to snap his fingers. His Clown Car descended right next to him, and he began climbing into it. "I'm...I'm done here. I'm gonna leave before I embarrass myself further..."
"Bowser...?" Peach lowered her hands and her eyes lost all it's authority. Now it was only concern.
"Forget it. It's...it's nothing." Bowser's voice lost all of it's fire. Now it was just full of melancholy acceptance. It really was all his fault. Everyone aside from Mario and Rosalina...have been erased in a previous universe. Everyone died. And he had no one to blame for himself, not even Mario for trying to stop him. It was his plan to begin with. And because of everyone, he...
Bowser slowly turned towards Mario, and the plumber was briefly surprised by the amount of regret in his eyes.
"Mario...I'm sorry."
Mario was completely shocked at this, his eyes widening as Bowser slowly flew off in his Clown Car, until he was out of sight. Peach made her way over to Mario, placing a hand on his shoulder as she too sees Bowser fly away. She then turned towards Mario, her worry now fully visible.
"Mario...did Bowser just say he's sorry...?"
"I think he did." Mario said while clutching his arm and wincing slightly from the pain. He was surprised that Bowser was able to vaguely remember something like the erasure of the previous universe. Either this, or he simply pieced it together from an outside force. Bowser wasn't nearly as dumb as everyone thinks, just impulsive. And now he knows something very tragic happened in the previous universe, and technically never happened in this one. And to think Bowser still, while not really remembering all of the details, still clearly feels guilty about this, to the point of actually apologizing.
Bowser never apologizes.
This must have really shaken him up.
Meanwhile, Bowser was alone in his thoughts, sighing tiredly to himself. Well, that was it then. He can't dodge the blame anymore, not when his son has been caught up in it. He was completely responsible for what happened in the previous universe, and he tried to take out his furious confusion on Mario. And now that his rage subsided, he feels only melancholy. His greed has resulted in universal destruction. He couldn't not feel guilty about that, and he partially wished he remained blissfully unaware. But he wanted the truth, and that's what he got...it's quite an ugly truth indeed.
The Koopa King was lost in his melancholy, wondering what he should do next. He then looked towards the skies, where the stars weren't currently visible at the time. The stars...
Bowser...if you would like to speak with me again...I will be here.
Rosalina offered her council for whenever he wishes to visit her again.
...It looks like I really will take her up on her offer...
There we go. The end of a stage. Bowser has now fully and truly accepted that what he did was entirely his fault, and the only reason he's been forgiven for it is because Mario and grudges don't mix, Rosalina accepted it as a natural cycle, and nobody else remembers.
Now the relationship building can truly begin.
Note that I am not gonna rush this pairing, but I'll also try not to be sluggishly slow with it. They both have reasons to be anxious around each other. But once they push past that...
...Until next time, readers.
