You know what would be really great right now? A new chapter for the story. Oh, guess what I crafted up?

Thank you all again for your patience! No need to waste time talking, let's get to it! Enjoy reading!

...

[Bowser]

Going back to basics doesn't always promote the best feelings.

My Airship sailed across the sky, near enough to view the ground below. I stood at the bow, gripping at my wand. Mario stood beside me, and though he tried to keep his energy up whenever I turned to him, I spied his crestfallen face when he thought I wasn't looking.

Passing small villages, Toads from below pointed up and gasped, shrieked at the sight of us. None had a clear enough shot of Mario yet, but it was only a matter of time as we closed the distance to Peach's Castle.

"You, uh, you want to go grab us—?"

"We planned this." He turned to me, a bit annoyed. "I'm not leaving your side, Bowser."

"Right, ok."

The air gusted by as we sailed on, and I gazed down as the ship sailed over the village of Toads. Some of them scampered out to look up, probably wondering why we didn't launch an attack like usual.

Turning back, I gazed at our crew, as Koopas and Goombas charged around the deck to keep things running. Good turnout, given that things still weren't resolved back home. Still, their numbers were lower than my usual roster, with Bob-ombs taking up the crew majority of this voyage. Kamek had spared a slew of Magikoopa for us, but even combining them with Hammer Bros. and relations failed to boost my own species representation with us. Snifits, Shy Guys, Rexes, and Rocky Wrenches made up the remaining roster, however speckled in they were, and most working more for the ship's sake rather than preparing for probable combat.

This ship itself isn't as well stocked nor armed like my missing Airship that the Koopalings swiped. Less artillery, less stock, less space…hell, it's missing my usual face for the figurehead. Not to mention it's much slower, even for an airship.

Still, enough Toads cry out in terror below, and that signals this ship as being effective enough for the journey.

"No, it's Bowser again!"

"He's back?!"

"No, no! Someone send word to Princess Peach's Castle!"

Stepping closer to the edge, I gazed below, watching as Toads scurried around. A few Yoshis poked out and shuddered as well. I smirked while they cowered, but I got a rough nudge to my side, and glanced over at Mario, who glared at me.

"Look! Up there, it's Mario!" One Toad bounced up and down, pointing frantically. "He's already there, fighting Bowser!"

"Mario's there?"

"Go Mario!"

"Save us please!"

He frowned and looked down upon everyone from the ship as we continued to sail over the village. More Toads and Yoshis poured out from the houses or other safe spaces behind buildings and trees, excitedly looking up for their hero. I gripped his shoulder behind him.

"He's right there," exclaimed a Yoshi. "Why…why isn't he pummeling Bowser?"

"Hey, Mario!" Another Toad jumped around. "Wallop Bowser already, will you?!"

"I…I'm afraid that I can't," called Mario.

My heart skipped a beat as I heard the wind blow by.

"…What?"

"He can't?"

"Did I hear him right?"

My ship sailed overhead for them, and a few villagers chased after us, trying to keep up with our drifting. Gritting my teeth, my claw scratched along the bow's boards.

"Wait, what's going on?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Mario needs our help!"

"No, you don't understand," he tried to reason. "I'm not going to fight Bowser, I…I need him and Peach to—"

"Why won't you fight?!"

"We need you to protect us, Mario!"

"Princess Peach needs you! Please!"

Slowly, Mario opened his mouth to soothe their protests, but nothing came out. They had stopped chasing after the ship, and slipped from our sight, as we pressed onward.

"What was that?" Mario blinked and shook his head. "I should have…I should have defended you better than that."

"It's all right—"

"No, it most certainly is not!" Mario punched the railing in front of him. "This was supposed to be part of our plan! How can I just sit there and fail at proving what you mean to me? How can I let people deface you so easily?!"

"They're not wrong," I reminded him, sliding my wand away. "I'm still their enemy."

"But you don't have to be," protested Mario. "We're going to work on finding a way to ease tensions—"

"Listen to me, Mario." I turned him to me and rested my hands on his shoulders. "I'm happy that you want to stand up for me, but my reputation is the lowest of low in the Mushroom Kingdom."

"And I'm supposed to fix that!"

"By, what, talking to every citizen throughout this massive kingdom about everything that's happened?"

"If that's what it takes, then yes!"

"Stars above, I love you for that." I smiled to him as I scooped under his face with my hand. "But that's just not realistic, Mario." He opened his mouth, but I gently pushed it closed and rubbed under his chin. "It's easy for me to go against my kingdom and explain everything, because most are gathered in one place. Peach holds a greater dominion than I do, though. There's no way you can be everywhere to tell them our story and our plans."

"Sure I can!"

"You'll exhaust yourself."

"It'll be worth it."

"Well we don't have that kind of time." Slowly, I dragged my hand from his shoulder down to his side. "Our main goal is getting the Koopalings back. The other part is to…uh, not get into a fight with Peach." I frowned and looked away from him. "And I'm still not promising that I can do that, but for you, I'm trying my best." Turning back, I lifted his face toward mine. "So, don't stress over everyone."

"That's just kind of what I do though." He sighed and raised his hand against my cheek. "I need to do better for you."

"Please, Mario, coming with me is more than enough." I cupped my hand over his. "You don't need to be prove yourself to me, and you'll go insane appealing to everyone."

"Still, I have to try."

He nodded, and my hand slid off from his. Mario smiled as he pulled away from me, but my heart sank. If he kept pushing himself like this…

"Sire." Jumping, I twisted around to a black-robed Shy Guy. "Enemies spotted ahead."

"There are no enemies yet," I reminded him. "We're not attacking anyone until we reach Peach's Castle, and that's only if we need to."

"How do we respond to fire before reaching her castle, then, sire?"

"…What?"

"Below and ahead, sir, they're…aiming at us."

Mario's eyes widened with mine, and we spun around.

Ahead of us, cannons were wheeled out onto a field. A small gathering of Koopas, Yoshis, and Goombas lined up behind them.

"Wait, are those Koopas and Goombas out there?" I glanced back at a Rex soldier that hopped up and noticed them as well. "Aren't they…on our side?"

"Not all of them are," noted a Magikoopa. With a deadpan, he added, "Shocking, I'm sure."

"Sire, what will be your orders?" A green-robed Snifit walked over and gazed up at me. "Should we attack back?"

"If we do that, it'll cause problems for when we meet with Peach," cautioned Mario. "We should avoid retaliating."

"So, what, we just sail by and let them bombard us?" A Boomerang Bro. paddled his boomerang against his palm. "That sounds like we're asking to get capsized."

"Going down before we reach Peach won't do any good either," pointed out a Goomba. "Shouldn't we make sure we get through?"

"Look, we're not going to launch an attack unless they do." My grip tightened on my wand as I plucked it out. "Maybe they're only expecting us to fire first."

"That's unlikely," murmured the Shy Guy. "They're loading the cannons."

Whipping back around, I winced as I spotted the cannonballs being wheeled out and loaded into the artillery. As the ship neared them, their shouts became clear, fists shaking overhead.

"Bowser Koopa, your terror goes no further today," yelled a red Yoshi.

"You make the rest of us look like monsters under the eyes of this kingdom," wailed a pink-shelled Koopa. "We're trying to prove ourselves as creatures that can coexist with the Toads!"

"And yet you refuse to give us even that," shouted a Goomba. He bounced up and down. "You just insist on terrorizing the poor princess and people of this land!"

"More like you lot have just been quelled into submission and accepted whatever lowly roles this kingdom bestows upon you," snapped the Boomerang Bro. "I bet that even comes at the cost of your dignity!"

"Please, don't antagonize them," pleaded Mario.

"He makes a fair point though," murmured one of my Koopas. "They choose to take a blind eye to how history's unfolded against our favor."

"Still, there's no need to remind them of that," insisted Mario. He stepped forward. "Maybe I can try calming them down." Hopping up on the edge of the bow's railing, he waved to the group below. "Hey, down there, it's me! Mario!"

"Wait, Mario's up there?!" A yellow-shelled Koopa jumped up and pointed. "What's he doing there?!"

"They kidnapped him instead of Princess Peach this time," reminded another Goomba. "He must be trying to escape!"

"Don't worry, Mario," called a light blue Yoshi. "We'll help you stop them!"

"Hold on, let me explain—"

"Everyone!" The red Yoshi jumped up again. "Fire now! Let's help Mario out!"

"No, don't—!"

One cannonball rang out right away, and slammed into the Airship. Mario lost his balance, but I leapt forward and grabbed him, pulling him back as another cannonball hit and knocked us down. Two more blasted after those, nailing the airship with both blasts.

"Ok, that tears it," I snarled. "Turn this ship and get ready—"

"Bowser, no, please!" Mario jolted up and grabbed at my arms. "Please, they don't know what they're doing."

"We can't just let them blast us from the sky," argued the black-robed Shy Guy. "They attacked us first, and their intentions are clear."

Another cannonball blasted against the ship. Several soldiers fell over with the impact and slammed across the deck.

"They're just fighting to protect their home," countered Mario, pushing up from me. "I'm sure you know what that's like, especially when I've come around countless times."

"This isn't even about them attacking us." I pushed myself up from the deck. "We need to keep moving for the Koopalings."

"Then let's concentrate on that," pleaded Mario. He pivoted back and grabbed my hand. "Bowser, they're not the enemy."

Three more shots rang out, each bombarding the airship. I slid my legs apart to keep my balance, and smacked my tail against the deck. A manhole from below shot open as a Rocky Wrench bounced up. Growling, the mole banged his wrench against the ship.

"King Bowser, what's going on?! We're taking a bunch of hits below and our crew is dodging cannon fire!" He flicked his goggles and tapped his wrench. "If we take too many hits or get blasted in just the right spot, we're going down."

"We're trying to find a solution without retaliating," elucidated Mario. "Can we bring this airship forward enough to—?"

"At this rate and with them attacking us this whole time? Not a chance!"

"If I go down there, then I could try changing their minds." Mario twisted around. "That's another strategy we can try."

"Mario, we're not going to have that time." I grasped his shoulder and forced him still. "I love you, and I'm sorry, but we need to get to Peach's Castle."

"But—"

"Sorry, but I don't see another way." I turned to my troops. "Turn this ship, keep it on course, and open fire!"

"Yes sir!"

Tugging against my grip, Mario tried to pull away, but I kept him locked in place. Facing back to him, his mouth fell open and his eyes wavered as he shuddered. My eyes twitched as I spiraled around again.

"Aim only for the cannons! You all got that?!" I slammed my foot and tail against the ship. "We're not aiming to kill anyone, just stop their weapons!"

"As you command!"

Again, I returned my attention to Mario. He still frowned, but stopped trying to pull away from me. His arms and head dropped as he tugged his cap down with his free hand. As the airship turned, I pulled him close and embraced him against me, grasping his head and holding him as close as I could. He shivered into me, but remained in place.

Our cannons fired. Shouts and screams erupted from below, as our return fire erupted on the ground below. I kept Mario tightly against me, barely glancing up as the shots on both sides rang out. Theirs slowly died down in a matter of minutes, if that, and ours soon stopped after.

Kissing Mario's head through his hat, I released him and stomped to the starboard side. I grabbed the railing and gazed below, biting my lip as Mario popped up in front of me.

Craters were broken into the grassy hills below us, and pieces of their weaponry were shattered across the fields. Though some of the Yoshis were on the ground and Koopas in their shells, each pushed up or popped back out, staring up at the ship as we sailed onward.

Attacking without killing is nothing new for us, but neither is the damage we've caused. Word would travel faster than our ship to Peach's Castle. Still, we flew on.

[Mario]

The wind gusted against me as I stared into the sky. There weren't enough clouds to distract me.

Everyone still bustled around the ship to make sure everything was prepared for our inevitable arrival at Peach's Castle. Soldiers kept coming up to Bowser to give him detailed reports on progress, and he directed them when needed. Yet, he refused to leave my side, standing quietly behind me.

"Mario, I'm sorry." He must have apologized half a dozen times already. "I…I just couldn't see alternatives working."

My fists tightened as I slowly exhaled, wishing that the tension would just escape my hammering, racing heart. I was angry and heartbroken, but I couldn't hold anything against Bowser. He put effort into his actions and specifically did all he could to avoid conflict. There wasn't anyone that I could solely blame, or I could blame everyone, but it wouldn't help. Bowser needed to defend his ship and his chance to rescue the Koopalings. The villagers from below simply wanted to protect their home.

"Please, Mario…" His hand hovered behind me, I could feel the warmth, but he hesitated. It disappeared and I heard his heavy footfall back away.

"It's done." I spun around, as he twisted back to me, though not entirely. His red eyes weren't filled with their usual passion, the fire, and he slouched at me. "What I'm feeling doesn't matter."

"Yes it does." Bowser faced me completely now. "I know you're angry at me—"

"That's not—"

"No, I get it." His head lowered as he avoided eye contact, and he folded his arms. "I know you hate me for that, but I couldn't just let them stop us."

"Bowser, I don't hate you." I stepped forward and closed our distance. "I'm here because I love you, and I'm still doing what I can to help."

"Yeah, but…"

"Conflict and combat are inevitable." My fists opened and I flexed my hands. "I wanted to hold it off for as long as possible, but we weren't completing this without something like that happening." Sighing, I reached up and held his sides. "You tried to maintain that too, I know that you did. The Bowser that the Mushroom Kingdom is used to would have blasted the whole village right away, and that could have minimized threats to this ship." He slowly shifted his attention to me and I smiled up to him. "But you risked leaving them alone, and in spite of what happened, no one's dead, and hopefully, not seriously injured."

"Not from what anyone could tell from up here," he murmured. "They're definitely not unscathed though…"

"Probably not." I caressed him as I reached up and rubbed his cheek. "But they'll heal. And our goal is to reach Peach, to help the Koopalings." He sighed, his warm breath blowing past me, and he cupped a hand over mine. "We can end the fighting, but not at once. You and I know this. It's not coming between us."

"It should." Bowser squeezed his eyes shut. "Mario, they're your people as much as they are Peach's, I can't just forgive myself for that."

"They're all our people." His eyes snapped right back open, and he returned his attention to me. "Everyone involved, on your side, on Peach's, they're all from the Mushroom Kingdom. Years have segregated them, torn them apart, but this kingdom is still home to everyone." I rested my hand against him, massaging his side, up to his chest. "Slowly, hopefully, we can remind them of that."

"We're a very long way off from that." He gazed at me, his eyes into mine again, and he brought an arm around my back. "But they love you, and they'll listen to you." Weakly chuckling, he smirked slightly. "Anyone that doesn't, I'll make them."

"That's…that love won't last."

My hands slid away from him, and he hesitated. I lowered my head and turned around, returning to the ship's railing.

"Lord Bowser, we're coming up on the castle town now."

Glancing back at the Magikoopa that reported it, I returned to surveying the land below. Toad Town was up ahead, and my heart sank as we neared it.

This will be where I lose them.

"Mario…"

"Come on." Bowser blinked at me, as I started for the head of the ship. "They need to see both of us."

My hands shook as I walked, and the air only made my shivering worse. Tightening my fists again, I marched ahead.

We'll all move forward from here, I soothed myself. Heroes rise and fall all of the time, don't they?

"Sire, something launched into the sky!"

Upon the Troopa's call, I froze and my eyes widened. They couldn't be attacking us already; we're barely visible and haven't even arrived over Toad Town.

"Wait, what are those?"

Blinking and shaking my head, I glanced back at the Rex that pointed up and spiraled around. Through the sky, several figures flew outward, from what seemed like Peach's Castle…

"Hang on a second."

Bowser stepped beside me and cupped his hand over his eyes, gazing out at the soaring sight. I mimicked him, but a Snifit came over and handed us binoculars.

Holding them up, I peered through them and searched where we looked.

"No…"

Peach, Luigi, and everyone else rocketed through the air, away from the castle. My hands opened and dropped the binoculars, as I watched my flying friends disappear through the sky.

"Where the blasted hell are they going?" Bowser lowered his binoculars and stared down at me. "Did you try reaching out to them?"

"It'd be counterproductive even if I could have sent word to them," I managed, trying to turn my attention to him. "They're…they need to be there."

"Well, they're not going high enough to reach the Skylines," noted Bowser. He picked up his binoculars. "If they're launched out that way…is that the space princess with them?"

"Rosalina?"

"Yeah, she's there too." He grunted. "Figures. Anyway, they're shooting in the direction off from Peach's Castle, not to the Skylines or my castle, so…" He lowered his binoculars and raised an eyebrow. "Why the hell are they going to Star Hill?"

"I…I don't know."

"Did they figure out we went there?"

"It's possible…?"

"Maybe one of them got cursed too," theorized Bowser. "Hopefully not your brother, but that would make sense." He jerked back and looked down at me, gritting his teeth. "Sorry, that's not…I mean, he might not be! Uh…Peach, maybe?"

"Not helping."

"My bad." He shook his head. "Doesn't matter. If anything, we'll have to ask whoever's left at Peach's Castle."

"Who…who else was with them?" I stared to where I lost sight of them. "I barely caught a glimpse of Peach and Luigi, I know that Yoshi and Daisy are with them—"

"Mario, I barely know them by name on a good day," admitted Bowser. "That pink mushroom girl, some other woman in red, and…I think Birdo?"

"Toadette is the girl," I realized. "Woman in red…all I can think of is Pauline."

"Oh, right, that mayor lady. That was probably her." He scratched behind his head. "She can sing really well, right?"

"Yeah, her voice is beautiful."

"Ok, it's not that great," grumbled Bowser. "…Wait, how did you know her by name?"

"She was my first girlfriend."

"Definitely not a good singer." He folded his arms and I raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, are you jealous?"

"No!"

"Totally jealous." We spun around to find the Snifit still standing near us.

"Super jealous," chimed in a Goomba.

"Shut up!" Bowser, cheeks burning red, stomped his foot down, and the two jumped. "Who asked either of you idiots anyway?!"

"Sire," interrupted a Magikoopa, "we're on top of Toad Town now."

Our airship glided along the air, just above the town. Back at the bow again, I stepped to the edge, and watched as Toads scurried from their houses, most rushing to the town square, but several stopping to gaze up in horror, cry out in fear. One couple dropped their groceries and gift bags from the mall. Another Toad exited the post office and his letters scattered as he gawked up at the ship. As we floated on, their screaming rose up over anything else, as Toads yelled to alert and alarm one another everywhere.

"Everyone run away!"

"Bowser's back!"

"Not that beast again!"

"No, no, no!"

"Why is that monster always after us?"

"Send word to the castle, quick!"

"Lock your doors and don't come out!"

"Oh Stars, someone help!"

"That wretched villain!"

"Just leave us alone!"

"Airship alert! Get to safety!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

"Everything wrong with our land, it's him!"

My fists tightened and I pushed up onto the bow again, locking my feet under the railing. Bowser gasped and hurried behind me, as we stood above them all.

"Stop!"

Everyone below whirled around, as I lifted my arms to draw in whatever attention I could. The Toads slowed as they gathered in the town square below, and jumped up, pointing above and bouncing around, cheering.

"Look! Everyone, it's Mario! He's there!"

"Stars, thank you! We're saved!"

"Our hero!"

"He's there already? Record time!"

"Wow, look at him!"

"Magnificent!"

"We love you Mario!"

"So dashing, here to save us!"

"Slam some shells for me!"

"Whoo, just look at him!"

"Love your mustache!"

"Kick all of their butts, Mario!"

"Peach will be so relieved!"

"Do you need help, Mario? We'll try!"

"Ground pound them! No, wait, triple jump!"

"Try a somersault?"

"You've got this, Mario!"

"We believe in you!"

"Hey, Bowser's right there!"

"Stomp on him!"

Their chorus of cheers and outpouring of conviction in me…it's just…too much. Shaking my head, I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. Inhaling through my nose, I opened my mouth as the wind pressed against me.

"Everyone—"

"BWAHAHAHAHA! Foolish little Toads!"

Bowser pushed forward and held up his wand. The ruby jewel atop it flickered and glistened with a bright light. His toothy sneer, those angry eyebrows, that façade they've all seen before…

"Your precious Mario isn't here to save you!" Bowser glanced to me and, just for a moment, his eyes lightened. "He's mine." He twisted back to them, his wicked grin forced up again.

Well, this wasn't how we rehearsed it, but—

"What are you going on about, Bowser?!"

"Has he gone insane?"

"That wand…"

"Just wallop him, Mario!"

"If anyone can do it, it's you!"

"Oh no…"

"Gwahahaha…did you really think I'd keep away from your precious princess for so long?" He hoisted the wand higher, as it flashed. "Mario isn't here to help her or any of you—he's under my control!" He grabbed my shirt and overalls from behind, and lifted me out, as I dangled from his tight, sturdy grip. My heart raced and I glared back at Bowser.

"What?!"

"No, no, it's can't be!"

"He couldn't…!"

"Mario, please!"

"Help us!"

"He's not even doing anything…"

"How'd he do that?!"

"Dark magic, it must be!"

"That's right, cower before our newly combined might!" Bowser maliciously laughed as he pulled me back over the ship, dropping me by his side. "Your hero is no more, and soon, your princess will submit to me!"

"That's not happening!"

"Save him! We have to help Mario!"

"Anyone practice their jumping lately?"

"We've got to help Mario somehow!"

"Is there anything we can do?"

"Not a thing," shouted Bowser. "You Toads can try to fight us, but as we all know…" He reared his head around and forward, as a good number of the soldiers marched forward, in plain sight now. "You Toads are no match for my Koopa Troop!"

"He really brought an army with him!"

"Of course he did."

"Ho…how do we…?"

"Not again!"

"We don't stand a chance."

"Run! Everyone run!"

"That's right, get lost!" Bowser stomped down, and lifted his wand. "You Toads value your lives, then step aside, and I'll consider some mercies for you! After all…this Kingdom will be mine!" His wand flashed again, and his troops cheered. "Bwahahaha…GWAHAHAHAHA!"

And the airship forged ahead, with Toads screaming and running about the town below. Many hurried back into their homes or ducked behind buildings and statues for cover, the panic flooding them as the onslaught of fear flowed fiercely through Toad Town.

Peach's Castle waited ahead over the hedges and hills, but I forced myself up as Bowser's troops dispersed again, and he quickly spun around to me.

"Sorry, I'm sorry, that was rough." His arms shot to my sides as I pulled back. "Geez, I didn't hurt you, did I? There was no way I could drop you—"

"What was any of that about?!" I lifted my fists and glared at him, Bowser shrinking back a bit. "Are you serious, with…with that?! You scared the entire town!" Throwing my arms up, he backed up to avoid my flying hands, but refused to give me too much space. "I needed to convince them that we're not enemies anymore, that I could help end this! No one will believe me now!" My arms dropped and I lowered my head. "They'll never stop hating you…"

"No, they won't." He stepped back toward me, and I stared at his chest, avoiding him for whatever few seconds I had. "I did ruin your idea, and I'm sorry for that. But the Toads are so far from ever accepting me."

"Then why?!" My head snapped up and our eyes met, mine burning as his gazed softly into me. "Instead you just lied to them!"

"Not exactly, I didn't." Bowser's eyes lowered as he smirked at me. "You are mine, and I've got you under a spell." He shrugged. "I just didn't tell them that I'm yours and you've done the same to me."

"Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of this."

"Honestly, I'm not." He scooped my hand and lifted it to his chest, his heart hammering even harder than mine was. "Mario, I don't ever want that scorn, that hatred to touch you."

"It will—"

"But it doesn't have to be today."

"What happened to trusting me?"

"Mario, I do, and I love you to bits." His face softened and he winced. "But…I'm not a good guy, not to these people." Tears lined his eyes and he chuckled. "You, though, you won't ever give up on me. And here, you're ready to risk everything, just for me. I love you so much for that." He grinned as he shivered. "They love you too, though. Everywhere we traveled past, every citizen we faced…they were ready to fight for you. They cheered for you. I forgot just how much everyone else loved you too."

"They love their hero—"

"And that's you." He picked up my face by my chin, smiled at me. "It's not the way that I get to, because I've got the real Mario as my partner. But they love whatever they can see in you, what little bits they do know." He laughed. "These people are so devoted to you, and yes, they have impossible standards that they want from you. But they…they really love you for all you've given Mario." He rubbed at my cheek. "I'm not going to be the one that takes it from you."

"No, you wouldn't have been!" I reached up and gripped at his chin, jaw. "Bowser, I was trying to use whatever affection they have for me to help you! How are you missing that point?"

"Because that doesn't exist for me." He pulled me in closer to him. "Your love is unquestioned, but their hatred will never end, not even by your words." Bowser exhaled as his tail drooped low. "Some day, maybe I can prove differently. But that's going to need you bringing me up, not me dragging you down."

"Bowser—"

"There's no way you're convincing me otherwise Mario." My fingers found their way against his face, brushing away his tears that slipped out. "I've wronged these people, and the only way to change anything, properly, is for me to truly do something for them." He grinned to me again. "And for that, you can stand by my side and help me with that."

"Of course I will."

"Good." He kissed my head and hugged me. "But that's not today." Bowser pulled away from me and shook his head. "All that I want is to help the Koopalings." His smile faded and he gazed longingly to me again. "…Will you still come home with me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." He smirked and nodded. "Then…all that's left for now is…"

We faced ahead, to Peach's Castle.

[Bowser]

Well, this marks a more unfamiliar twist: my arriving at Peach's Castle to take back someone that her kingdom kidnapped.

Rolling forward, the airship sails to her grounds and courtyard. It's cleaner than the last time, with the moat water fresh, the bridge stones reset, the fountain flowing, and the grass, trees, and bushes as lush as usual. Part of me is actually ready to make a mess of it all again.

Whatever few Toads are available, they're out with small, round shields and spears, shuddering as they waddle into various formations. Some actually take the field before us, but a good portion is lined before the castle and around the moat.

"…Are those supposed to help defend the castle?" I raise an eyebrow to Mario, who lowers his eyes at me. "What? Come on, you have to agree, that's poor strategy."

"Hey, they're making an effort," argues Mario, as he folds his arms. "The least you can do is respect the courage that they can muster."

"Eh, that's fair."

"Shall we commence the attack, Lord Bowser?" One Bob-omb marches forward to Mario and I. "We're ready to give everything we have, as always, sire."

"That's not necessary." I wave him off. "These Toads stand little chance as it is. We just need to make sure we knock them out of our way getting in."

"They're…they're here!" One Toad soldier shouts out. "Everyone, Bowser's army is here! …Again!"

"Geez, even I'm getting tired of hearing that warning call," I grumble. "Yes, yes, I have arrived. Beware."

"Bowser…"

"Oh, let me have a little fun, Mario."

"Terrorizing isn't fun!"

"Bah."

"Sir, what do we do?"

Mario and I stop bickering, and we glance at the Toad guard that cried out. We gaze up to the top of the castle, on a balcony that oversees the front of the castle. An old Toad, some brown colored mushroom, steps forward.

"That's Toadsworth!" Mario grips the railing tightly. "What's he doing leading the castle's defense?"

"Is it supposed to be someone else?" I scratch my head. "Peach doesn't have that many retainers, does she?"

"Not many, but that should be—"

"Lads, we're to defend this kingdom with everything we have," calls Toadsworth. "As a Toad, I know this requires more bravery than we hold." He holds out his cane and taps it hard, loud against the balcony. "But for Princess Peach, we will defend this castle and stop this wretched Koopa King!"

"Lot of spunk for an old man," I mutter. "Kind of Kamek."

"Toadsworth, please, wait!" Mario jumps up again, and waves his arms from the Airship's edge. My arms shoot up to his sides, but I hesitate as he maintains his balance. "Please, Toadsworth, it's me!"

"Master Mario?" The old Toad shifts his posture. "What…are you all right? We'll have you rescued in no time, my boy!"

"No, please listen, Toadsworth!" Mario lowers his arms as the ship sails closer. "This fighting needs to end here. I don't want to see any Toads hurt, and Bowser isn't here to do anything but collect those taken from him."

"To what?" He shakes his head. "Mario, are you quite sure that you haven't had your head tampered with?"

"Yes, I'm positive!" He turns to me and grabs my hand. "Toadsworth, Bowser isn't here for hostile reasons, honest! We're just trying to recover the Koopalings and talk with Peach." Mario spins to me, pleading desperation in his eyes. "Please…"

"…He's speaking the truth, old man," I call out. "I'm just here to negotiate their return, and that's the end of it."

Toad soldiers clamor to one another below us.

"Wait, what are they talking about?"

"Not here to fight? Or kidnap?"

"Are Mario and Bowser are getting along?"

"This can't be real, can it?"

Toadsworth taps his cane again, garnering silence from the chattering Toads. They turn back to him and he points his cane to us.

"If…if you are only here on a simple…" Toadsworth clears his throat. "If we have only such a matter to discuss, and Mario is returned, then we can proceed—"

"Mister Toadsworth, hold on!"

We turn and watch as a Toad comes sprinting from the western side of courtyard, flailing his arms in the air. He's jumping around as he races up, the speedy little guy.

"Lad, what's the meaning—?"

"Toadsworth, Toadsworth! Mario is under Bowser's mind control spell!"

Crap.

"What?!"

"It's true, sir! Bowser made the claim earlier himself!" The Toad keeps running and points back at the ship. "Before, we got word that they attacked a small settlement outside of the village. And now they're here, and from the town, Bowser called out about taking control of Mario!"

"Hold on a second," I call. "We can explain—"

"Cunning, Bowser, very crafty," counters Toadsworth. "Using Mario definitely lowered my guard for a moment there."

"Hang on," pleads Mario, "Toadsworth—"

"Look sharp, boys!" He raises his cane up. "My fellow Toads, muster every ounce of honor and courage you hold, and defend this castle with everything you have!" The Toads raise their fists and cheer, and I grind my teeth. "Stay sharp, lads, and give them no quarter! Raise the cannons! Tally ho, boys, take them on!"

"For the castle!"

"For Princess Peach!"

"For the Mushroom Kingdom!"

Below, the ground quakes as it splits open, and cannons erupt from below, rising up to face us.

"When the hell…?" I glance at Mario, but his attention is still fixed ahead in horror. "Uh, ok, we'll go with those always being there, then."

There must be at least half a dozen on each side, and Toads rush to station around them. Each one is directed to us quickly.

"Sire!" I gaze back at a Koopa behind me. "On your command, we'll end this!"

"Don't, we're not here to fight."

"But…milord Bowser—!"

"Listen, all of you!" I've spiraled around to face my troops. "These Toads are trying to find reason to fight us, and we've…I've suckered right into their negative perceptions." Clenching my fist and opening it, I wave my arm. "We're proving them wrong though. Continue the approach, but do not fire, anyone! Is that understood?"

Uneasy expressions are exchanged among my soldiers, and they reflect this to me, but some slow nods confirm that they're listening to my orders. Turning back, Mario has climbed down from the bow and stares at me, as I smirk to him. I've failed as we've reached this far, but if we've got one last push to make, we can get through this.

"Fire all!"

Cannonballs launch and whiz out from below. They slam against the Airship, and we fumble around. I growl as troops lose their balance, Koopas slamming on their shells, Goombas flopping onto the deck. Mario stumbles as I scoop him up to steady his balance.

"Lord Bowser—!"

"Stay the course!"

"All Toads, fire again!"

As the cannons fire again, I wince as the ship takes numerous impacts. Some spears actually manage to reach the ship, clanging off and falling, barely damaging it. A Shy Guy slams down beside me and skids forward, his mask sliding off. He drags himself forward, grabs it, and attaches it back on his face. One Rex soldier hops over, trying to maintain his balance, but another blow sends him crashing into a pile of crates.

Another cannonballs lands, and this time I've lost my balance. Pushing Mario away, I falter back and crash down on my backside. From a nearby manhole, a Rocky Wrench emerges again, gripping tightly at the ship's deck.

"Sire, we can't keep taking these hits!" He holds tight as the ship gets knocked around again. "We've taken too much damage from earlier, and we've taken far too much just now! If we suffer another barrage, the Airship will fall!"

"…If that's how it needs to be," I murmur.

"King Bowser, sir—"

"Everyone, man the cannons!" I blink and jerk my head up at Mario's shout. He balances himself on the deck and points to the enemy. "Use ours to take theirs down, but do everything you can to spare the Toads! Keep them from getting hurt, and aim only for the artillery!"

"Mario, what are you—?"

"We don't have a choice." He locks his eyes onto me, as I push myself up from the deck. "They're beyond reason at the moment, but if we can break through, then maybe we'll have a chance." Mario shakes his head. "But if we fall here, then it's over before we can try."

"…Well? You heard him, then!" My tail smacks the deck. "All troops! Return fire!"

Our Airship fires on the Toads below, and they scream out as heavy blasts and impacts crash, ringing out from the quaking ground.

"Did…was that really Mario who commanded that?!"

"Don't worry, it's not really him."

"But that was him shouting!"

"He's under control, remember?"

"We've got to help—wait, look out!"

More blasts and bursts rumble from below us. Mario and I reach the starboard's railing and we survey below, as the Toads retreat from their cannons. Any that have fallen are quickly picked up and they all rush away as their artillery is bombarded to oblivion.

"Mario, I'm sorry." I claw at the ship. "If I hadn't—"

"You were protecting your people, this ship, and even me," he interrupts. "Bowser, don't apologize for serving us first." Mario closes his eyes and lowers his head. "I didn't want it to come down to this, but we'll do what we have to." He returned his attention to me. "Just promise that you'll take it easy as we get in there."

"That's not completely under my control." I chuckle. "Believe me, I'm good at this, but I didn't want it this time."

"Yeah, I know." He sighs. "Still, they are Toads, so—"

"As easy as I can make it, I will."

"Thank you."

"Lord Bowser! Mario!" A Snifit hurries over to us. "All cannons are down. The Toads have stopped firing, but they're gathering before the castle gates."

"They can't stop us like that." I snort. "Get the ground troops ready to dismount. We're storming the castle!"

"Yes, sir!"

Mario and I don't wait for everyone to gather, though. The first anchor that drops, the ladder that cascades down, we grab on and descend. Far enough down, I jump off and slam down hard to the ground, as Toads that approach yell and fall back, hurrying away. Mario drops and I catch him, setting him down after. Following us are a Hammer Bro., a Boomerang Bro., two Bob-ombs, three Koopas, five Goombas, and a Snifit. We march forward to Peach's castle, as the Toads line up in front of the doors, shuddering as their quivering hands raise their spears to us.

My foot smashes down, and Toads are knocked from their feet. Several drop their spears and back away, shaking. Lifting my wand back out, it flashes as I wave it, pushing aside the remainder of the Toads from our path. Bringing back my free fist, I hammer it forward and punch the doors open.

Inside, Toads pour down from the stairs, as they raise more spears to face us. More of my troops line up behind Mario and I, as others pour from the ship. I glance at Mario and we nod to each other. With my roar, soldiers rush to fight one another.

The only way forward is through.

...

Did you miss cliffhangers? I'm sure you missed those.

Well, Peach and friends may not be at her castle upon Mario and Bowser's arrival, but they're still battling their way through anyway! If it were easy, then I wouldn't have slapped on the Drama genre tag.

It's been almost 40 entire chapters since Bowser invaded Peach's Castle the first time, so it's back to that tired but true plot again! It's actually a bit of a twist, given that we're not really treated to taking Bowser's invading perspective very often. And this time, he's got Mario helping him, and a mix of emotions that comes with his choices! Ooh, character depth.

It was actually pretty tricky trying to balance out between making it seem like another Bowser attack, and yet trying to put everyone on a defensive stance, since, well, no one was really looking to take the offensive. Toads wanted to guard their home, Bowser and his troops are just trying to collect the Koopalings. Everyone wants to do the right thing, but they all end up doing the wrong thing. Drama!

Toadsworth makes a fun little cameo at the end here, but you can look forward to more of him in the next chapter after this. Spoilers, he's going to get involved with things! ...Like he isn't already, ha. Anyway, will Mario and Bowser rescue the Koopalings? Will they reach any kind of understanding with the Toads on anything? Or will it all fall apart? Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Feedback is welcomed and appreciated, as always. Support is what helps keep this story alive, so I hope to hear from you! Currently, we've gotten this fanfic on the front page for all filters (reviews, favorites, and follows), so I'm hoping that we can keep it up there!

Thank you all again for reading and following for this long, and I hope you'll continue to do so! Until next time, take care, be well, and keep up doing your best at everything! I'll try too. Thank you all so much! Next time, Bowser and Mario continue their clash at Peach's Castle!