Here be the wrap-up! I hope you enjoy!

Fruitless. All of it.

Bowser put a month; an entire freaking month, into searching for a way to those humans. He tried everything he could think of; he personally searched every suspicious or magic-strong location, he read old texts until his eyes crossed and brain all but bled, and mentally cursed them out every night. He even tried visiting Merlon in Flipside, but the wizard could provide him nothing but sympathy.

"I'll search through my books," Merlon had offered. "If I find anything that could aid you, I will send word."

Bowser had yet to hear back, but he wasn't calling it quits until he got what he wanted, what he needed. He didn't have the magic eye trick that Mario did, so he had to take to either writing what he needed to say (which many could not read), or play a tiresome game of charades. Bowser had taken to avoiding others as much as possible, often making himself an outcast. Interaction was far too much a chore. It was better to be alone.

—ASG—

Bowser snapped his head up with a gasp. He smacked his cheek, turning his half-closed eyelids down towards the book. The tiny text blurred into lines, and his aching head didn't want to allow his vision to focus. Bowser huffed out a breath, glancing over at the library's massive clock; Twelve o' eight. Maybe it was time to call it a night. He shook his head. He'd go to bed after he got through this page.

Bowser stretched his eyes wide, biting his tongue as he stared down at the book. He slumped forward, his eyes fluttering shut. He shook his head, trying to push his exhausted brain to keep going. He battled against the crippling weight of his lids, giving in after a couple minutes. He slid onto his chest, puffing out a half-irritated sigh. Just a moment… then I'll go up to my bed…

A hand nudged his face. Bowser sniffed, turning his head. Leave me alone. He was tired. He'd sleep on the floor, he didn't care. If Kamek wanted him in bed, he could teleport him there.

He was poked again, and he bared his fangs. Stop waking me up! A smooth hand traced over his face, cupping his cheek and fingering his horn. Who's touching me?! Bowser's eyes snapped open.

The human let out a cry, stumbling back.

Bowser's head jerked up. He gasped.

He was laying on his back.

Strapped to a metal table.

Humans surrounded him.

He tried to surge up, but his body was locked in place; held fast by thick metal bands. Bowser's breathing quickened. What did they want now? His nostrils flared. He strained to jerk his arms up, to snap the restraints. They couldn't take anything else! Did they want his eyes? His ears? His nose?

"Shhh, settle down, big guy." A female was by his side now. She was the same one who'd spoken to him the last time. Her thin human fingers traced down the side of his face. He jerked his head away. "We aren't going to hurt you."

Bowser snapped at her, but she drew back. Hurt me?! You stole my voice! You said it wasn't going to hurt! You bastards! Was his collar on? Yes, he could feel it; snug against his neck. He squirmed, and the table shifted. The humans surged forward, grabbing it.

"Easy!" one growled out.

Bowser hissed. He smacked his tail against the table. He bared his teeth.

"Bowser!" the female's palm smacked the surface next to his head. He tried to bite her, but she jerked her hand out of his reach. "Bowser, stop. Now. You can't get free. We have twenty armed security guards waiting outside the door and armed with a dozen tranquilizer darts each."

Bowser settled to a still, fixing her with a killer glower.

She gave a swift nod. "Good. Our higher-ups have changed their minds, they've decided they miss your dialogue. So have the fans. We're going to give it back to you."

Dialogue? Fans? Bowser blinked, dropping away the vicious glare. Give it… They're giving my voice back? No way. No way in hell it was that easy. He narrowed his eyes. What's the catch?

"However…"

Damn it. Knew it.

"You have to promise to stop with your little investigation. If we give you your voice back, you stop wasting your time trying to find us. You won't ever be able to. Do you agree?"

She's an idiot. After he got his voice back, nothing was tying him to his word. Hell, he wouldn't even be giving it. He couldn't even speak. HA! Sucked to be her. He gave a nod.

She smiled. "Good." Her face grew serious. "And if you go back on the agreement… higher up has ways of making you pay for it." She averted her eyes. "They can take away everything you love, and they will. And if worst comes to worst… they have your personality down. They can recreate you. Stay away from us for your own good."

Bowser swallowed. There's no way… they can't do that. That was a bluff, it had to be. Nobody could possibly ruin his life. But they did. They took my voice. If they could do something like that… and if they really were behind the changes of his world… They definitely could. They might go after Junior. If they were okay with almost erasing Kammy from existence, they'd probably have no qualms about hurting a child. He might not have had far-back memories of his son, but he loved the little brat to death. If anything happened to him… Bowser nodded. I'll stop, I'll stop it all… for Junior's sake.

The female smiled, putting a hand on his arm. "Very good. The operation will begin immediately." She gestured to the other humans. "You'll have your voice back when you wake, but remember what I said."

Bowser sucked in a breath, turning his nose to the ceiling. A square-shaped light hovered over him, not yet switched on. A hand rubbed his lower right side, and he hissed at the human who'd done it. It mumbled an apology and backed away. Bowser sniffed, letting his head flop back.

A needle pricked his leg, and his mouth squawked open in a mute yelp. He lifted his head, spotting a… male, covered in snug blue clothes, injecting a clear substance into him. He turned his eyes towards Bowser, his snout covered by a cloth. He removed the blood-tipped injector, wrapping a handkerchief around the point.

The humans pulled on their own snout-cloths, yanking on clear, rubbery gloves. They stared at him once they were done, their eyes blank. Bowser swallowed, trying to keep his breathing steady and his tail still. Weight pressed in on his lids. He shifted his eyes towards the female. You better not be lying to me… If he woke up without something else… he would… he would…

He wouldn't know what he'd do.

She cast him a smile. "You'll be okay, don't worry about a thing."

He blinked. I better be, or I won't stop trying to find my way back here. That was a promise. He let his eyes slip closed, the sedative sucking his consciousness further and further back…

Gone.

—ASG—

Bowser pried open his eyes. His cheek was resting on the open pages of the book, and he lifted his head. He wiped his chin, gritting his teeth upon drool slicking his scales. He blinked down at the book, wincing at the dark stain on the words. He wiped it gently with his fingers, but it had already seeped in. He sighed, glancing at the clock; Two in the morning. It figured.

Bowser rose to his feet. Dizziness swamped his head, and he staggered. He gasped, slumping over a nearby chair. It creaked under his weight, and he heaved in breaths. The spell passed, giving way to a dull throb in the back of his temples. He groaned, which in turn spiked up pain in his throat—

Wait.

Bowser blinked. Was that…? "A-a-are y-you ba—" he broke off with a cough, agony searing his neck. He grabbed it, nearly gasping. A smile grew on his face. My voice… I have my voice back! He let out a hoarse whoop, hardly caring about the burn in his throat. He stood tall, pumping a fist into the air. He could talk again! He had his voice back! The humans gave him back his voice!

Bowser froze, turning his attention up. His hands clenched, his claws digging into his palms. Those damn humans… At least they'd kept their end of the bargain… and he'd keep his. For now… This wasn't over. He'd keep his eyes peeled. If opportunity ever found its way into his claws, he wasn't going to let it go to waste. Besides, he'd promised to stop actively searching for them. He growled. There was no way in hell he'd roll on his back and let them stomp on his belly. He was merely crouching down for the time being.

"I am Bowser…" he coughed. He removed his collar, rubbing his throat. He didn't feel anything different; the scar was the same. "I am Bowser, the Koopa King," he rasped, wincing. "I'm awesome, and I have my voice ba—" he gagged. He sucked in a couple breaths. "Okay… okay… Maybe I shouldn't talk so much…" He'd need to get used to having his voice back. Hell, talking almost was foreign. He sighed. That's pathetic. Nothing he could do but be careful. And tell Kamek. Stars, he needed to tell Kamek!

Bowser scrambled out of the library, making a break for the Magikoopa's study. He mumbled a few things under his breath, exercising his voice in time for his advisor to hear. His footsteps pounded against the floor, and a few even opened their doors to glare at him.

Bowser burst into Kamek's study, grinning. The Magikoopa gasped, jolting up in his bed. "Oh my Stars!" He swiveled his head towards Bowser, his eyes narrowed to slits as he fumbled towards his nightstand; where his glasses rested.

Bowser blinked. "Kamek?" His advisor looked… weird. He couldn't ever recall seeing Kamek without his robes on. He looked almost like a normal Koopa Troopa, with the exceptions of his small eyes, clawed digits, and twin-fanged mouth. His shell was coloured blue.

"Who is it?" Kamek asked, his fingers brushing his glasses. He settled them on his beak, in which they obscured his eyes. His brow lifted. "Lord Bowser?"

Bowser's face broke into a beam. "They gave it back, Kamek."

Kamek gasped, his hands flying to cover his mouth. "Oh… oh, my Stars…" He slipped out of his bed, hurrying towards Bowser. "Forgive my appearance… I didn't expect…" A smile graced his face. "You've got your voice back."

Bowser gave a short laugh. Oh, how he missed being able to laugh. "Yeah… the humans decided…" He shifted, glancing out into the hallway. Empty, good. He eased himself completely into the room, quietly closing the door. He grabbed Kamek's shell, hauling him close to his face. His eyes darted to the door one last time. "They only decided to give… *cough* give my voice back because they 'missed my dialogue' or what… whatever." He rubbed his throat, a shiver spiraling down his fingers at the scar's dip. "How bad is it now?" He tilted his head back.

"It… it looks the same. There's nothing new." Kamek gave a small hum. "They must have cut exactly along the last line."

Bowser sniffed, lowering his chin. Cut… Oh, Stars… He shakily lowered Kamek to the ground. "Kamek, we have to stop looking for them. They… they said that if I didn't… they'd make me pay for it."

Kamek covered his mouth with his fingers. "You mean you're… giving up?"

Bowser nodded. He narrowed his eyes, doing a quick visual sweep of the room. Nothing… they better not be listening… He crouched down to reach Kamek's ear, whispering in it, "I'll play their game for a while, but I'm not going to roll over and take the hits. I don't know how long it'll take, but I will get my revenge." His tail whipped, and he reared back on his feet. He turned a glare upwards, unsure if they were even there, but not caring. That's a promise. None of you will walk away from this. You can't treat me, you can't treat our world like this. It's not yours to mess with. He snorted a puff of smoke. You watch your backs, because I will find you. I don't care how long I have to wait. It'll happen.

And when that day comes, I'll kill all of you.

Nobody messes with the King of the Koopas and gets away with it.

"Your vengefulness, might I suggest something?" Kamek piped up. Bowser shifted his attention down to him, raising an eyebrow. Kamek rubbed his palms together. "Well, you see, as I was aiding you in your mission to find those humans, I… well, happened to come across a nice island that I think would be just right."

"Just right?" repeated Bowser, the other eyebrow lifting. He folded his arms, his tail giving a thump on the ground. "What do you mean, 'just right'? Just right for what?"

Kamek coughed into his fist. "Well… a little vacation. I figured, in the wake of all the stress you were under, a little bit of time to relax and get away would be just what you needed."

Vacation, huh? "Ain't a bad idea." Now that he had his voice back, he could use some time off. Especially after all that work he'd done trying to regain it. He bit his tongue. Some use that was… "Where's the place?"

"Well, it's an island quite some ways from here. It's remote, not too well-known, but the book's author praised it highly. The locals are friendly, there are plenty of things to see and do, and access to several beaches."

"Okay… sounds promising. Except for the beaches. I'm not going there." He huffed out a puff of smoke. "I hate the beach." Sand got in his hair and between his claws, the salt water was disgusting, and the waves sucked. "So… no Mario?"

Kamek nodded, grining. "No Mario."

Bowser smirked. "Great. I'm in. We can leave tomorrow, and by tomorrow I mean the day after today is up. It's sort of two in the morning." He tilted his head towards the Magikoopa. "So… what's this place called?"

"Prism Island."

Because Color Splash still exists. I'm sure plenty of you know what happens next. If you don't, eh, it's no biggie. Look it up or something.

I guess I don't need to take Bowser with me after all. That's good. I don't think he'd fit anywhere.

Anyhowzers, I hope those who made it to the end enjoyed it! Honest to God, I literally wrote this out because I thought it would be fun. I've got no idea where it came from, I literally outlined it on the spot when watching the video (mentioned in the first chapter's author's notes). I did have fun with this, so that's a positive. Yes, I am very much aware that there are many things wrong with me. ;P

Don't ask what happens after this. I'm not too sure myself. Does Bowser ever get his revenge? I dunno. He'd be facing impossible odds, that's for sure. Soo, probably no. Who knows?