I know I'm twelve years late (as of writing/posting this) to write a Mario Super Sluggers fanfic, but I really don't care. I can do whatever I want.
This is inspired from watching the ending cutscene of Sluggers, where Bowser actually savea Mario, at least from injury if not from death. If you haven't seen the cutscene and are interested, you can easily find it on YouTube (search: Mario Sluggers ending cutscene). I thought it was unfair to Bowser, as Mario doesn't even thank him! Not on-screen at least... this is an extension of that end.
Also the Baseball Kingdom is called Baseball Island. It being a kingdom doens't make much sense to me. It's just an island with a bunch of baseball stadiums. There's no King Bat or Queen Glove ruling over it.
Disclaimer: Rated K-plus for attempted assault and (minor) references of death.
I hope you enjoy!
*CRACK!*
Mario's red bat struck the baseball, sending it whistling through the air. He tossed the bat aside and broke into a sprint, his eyes locked on first base. Luigi broke off from it and dashed for second. Covering first was a green-shelled Koopa Troopa, and he glanced wildly between Mario and the sky.
Mario's boot slammed on the base, and he stumbled to a halt. He hopped back on the plate, shielding his eyes from the giant spotlights as he scanned the night sky for the ball. He barely spotted it, flying high over the field. The ball had soared over the outfield Dry Bones' heads, its path heading straight out of the stadium.
"Catch it!" Bowser roared from the pitcher's mount, his fangs bared. "Catch the ball!"
The three Dry Bones rushed after it, mitts extended. One tried jumping, but the attempt was pathetically futile. The second skidded to a halt as the third slammed into the wall, his body falling apart. The ball flew over the wall and into the lava river, extinguishing with a hiss.
"Home run!" Lakitu cried over the loudspeaker. "Mario's team gains two points, with the score now eight to five!"
"Wahoo!" Mario cheered, giving a victorious jump. He rushed over to Luigi, a huge smile on his face. We're in the last inning, there's no way Bowser's team can beat ours now! Just one more out, and the game would be over. "We've got this in the bag, bro!"
"Yeah!" Luigi agreed, high-fiving his brother with a grin. His confidence had grown the longer they'd played, Mario noticed.
That's good, Luigi needs to have more faith in himself.
Together, they walked off the field to join their teammates in the dugout. They were all bright with smiles, their congratulations filling the brother's ears.
"That was great, Mario!" Peach came forward forward with a smile, her hands clasped together. Her crystalline blue eyes sparkled, and Mario couldn't help but smile back. His heart thumped in his chest, his eyes all for the beautiful princess in front of him.
"I'm up next!" Daisy stepped toward the outside, orange bat in hand. She turned back and flashed a grin. "Wish me luck!" She winked at Luigi, whose cheeks reddened.
"G-g-good l-luck," Luigi mumbled. He shuffled his feet as his eyes trailed to the ground, folding his hands behind his back.
With a laugh, Daisy marched onto the field.
Mario took Peach's hand and led her up to the windows, where they could watch. Peach intertwined her fingers with Mario's, and he tightened his grip. Luigi come up to Mario's other side, his jittering hands encasing each other.
Daisy halted at the home plate, which she tapped twice with the bat before swinging it over her shoulder. Bowser's ruby-red eyes glared at her, the baseball clenched tightly in his giant fist.
"Bring it, turtle boy!" Daisy taunted, a cocky grin on her face.
Steam hissed from Bowser's nose. He roared, baring his fangs in a snarl. The Koopa King wound back.
"You can do this, Daisy," Luigi whispered, his voice shaking.
"Let's see you hit this, Princess Nothing!" Bowser snarled, hurling the ball at a vicious speed.
"Whoah!" Daisy yelped as it zipped past her, straight into the Hammer Bro.'s open glove.
"Strike one!" Lakitu called.
Luigi covered his face.
"It's just the first strike. She'll get it," Mario assured him. Daisy had been caught off guard, he was sure. Next time, she'd be ready for Bowser's pitch.
Mario's hunch was indeed right, as Daisy hit the next ball without flaw. She threw her bat down and took off towards first base. Mario watched the ball zip through the field. His heart pumped, and he clenched his free hand into a fist. C'mon, Daisy!
*Thock!*
The ball hit Bowser Jr.'s open glove, halting its course. He landed back on the ground, having jumped to catch it. "Ha!" His eyes narrowed and he tilted his head up. Mario presumed that wore a cocky grin under his bandana.
"Yooouuu're out!" Lakitu cried. "That's the game!"
Daisy skidded to a halt, two steps from first base. Her jaw dropped. "What?!" She glanced over at Junior, who spun the ball on his finger. He raised his eyebrows.
"I got you!" he called, giggling.
"This game's winner is… the Mario Fireballs!" Lakitu announced.
"Yahoo!" Mario cried, he released Peach's hand and raced outside. The watching crowd cheered as Mario waved, a smile on his face. He turned his attention to the Sarasaland Princess. "We won, Daisy! It doesn't matter that you got out!"
Daisy crossed her arms, shooting a glare in Junior's direction. "Ugh, I know. I just hate being the last one out." She shook her head, her posture slumping.
"Don't worry about it! You did your best!" Mario lifted his arms up towards the sky. "We won!"
"Mario!" a chorus of voices called. Mario turned to see all his companions rushing towards him, whether or not they participated in the final game. They cheered his name as they surrounded him. Mario's chest swelled at the attention. The Toads pushed through the crowd, surrounding the Mushroom Hero.
"Hold on to your hat!" Blue Toad warned, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Why— Whoah!" Mario cried as the Toads collectively heaved him into the air. They caught him on the way down, but they threw him back in the air once again. Who knew Toads could be so strong? He laughed as they gave a few more tosses before setting him down. Mario adjusted his hat, letting out a chuckle.
"Mario, you saved Baseball Island." Peach approached him, leaning down and giving him a light kiss on his cheek. Mario's beaming face reddened, his head feeling as though it was full of cotton. Peach smiled. "Thank you."
Mario blinked, ridding himself of the lightheadedness. "It wasn't just me, Peach," he insisted, sweeping his hands to gesture to all those surrounding him. "All of you contributed, and you all deserve thanks, too."
Peach raised an eyebrow, giving a tiny, playful smirk. "You want me to give everyone a thank-you kiss?"
Mario shook his head. "No, no!" Those are for me! He rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, unless you want to." I shouldn't be so selfish… But he couldn't help but want her all to himself, really… she was often taken away so easily…
Peach giggled, giving him a smile. A little color rose to her cheeks. "No, my thank-you kisses are reserved just for you." She glanced around at the team. "But I thank you all for helping save the island."
Mario nodded, his face bright as he flashed them a wink. "Yeah, I couldn't have done it without any one of you."
They beamed, and a few of the shyer ones blushed or shuffled their feet. Luigi in particular turned a deep shade of scarlet, or maybe that was because Daisy had thrown an arm around his shoulders.
Wario stepped forward, a sly, toothy grin on his face. "I wouldn't mind an extra thank-you." He wiggled his eyebrows and pointed to his cheek.
"Um…" Peach folded her hands together, her face tightening. "Sorry Wario… but I think I'll pass."
Wario stared at her for a moment, slowly blinking his eyes. He then turned away with a dramatic shrug, striding back to Waluigi. A silly grin was plastered on his face. "Well, I tried." His lanky brother-in-crime covered his mouth with a chuckle.
An enraged roar drew their attention to Bowser. The Koopa King's eyes blazed as he smashed his giant spiked bat into the ground, crumbling the stone. Smoke billowed out of his nose as he slammed the bat over and over.
"Sire, calm down!" a Dry Bones pleaded. He slowly approached the Koopa King as one would a dangerous animal. He held up his hands, and his bones rattled as he shook. "It's just a game, don't work yourself up over it!"
Bowser snarled and lashed out with his bat, dissembling the poor minion and sending his parts flying everywhere. Mario winced. That's got to hurt. Bowser flung his bat to the side, narrowly missing a luckily agile Paratroopa, and stamped his foot repeatedly on the ground. Sparks spat out of his mouth as he roared, rearing back his head.
Mario stepped forward, his face hardening. This has gone too far! "Bowser, stop that! You lost, get over it!" There was no need for him to let his temper get so out of control.
Bowser froze, and his head slowly turned to glare at Mario. A guttural growl rose in his throat, and he bared his fangs. "No! I demand a rematch! I was just going easy on you! Another game, but this time I ain't holding back!"
Mario shook his head. Why can't you just accept that you lost? "Bowser, you demanded a game, we played one. We won, you lost. We're not having a rematch. Not now."
Bowser shook. A cloud of jet-black smoke rushed out of his nose with each heavy breath, obscuring his face. His eyes shone through the dark vapor, and they seemed to bore a hole straight into Mario. His voice was strained as he growled, "So I have to leave?"
Mario blinked. He opened his mouth to ask, but then the meaning behind Bowser's words hit him; their deal. The game had been decisive; whoever won got to 'keep' the island. The other party would have to leave. We won… so Bowser has to leave… Mario's posture drooped, and his heart sunk. He didn't really want Bowser to leave, they'd had fun playing baseball together. Well, it would've been more fun if Bowser hadn't been shooting Mario and his teammates killer glares every other minute.
"Papa, I don't wanna leave!" Junior complained, rushing to his father's side. He grabbed Bowser's arm, bouncing in place. "I wanna stay! Make them leave!" Junior pulled down his bandana, giving his father the best 'puppy dog' smile he could muster. "I'll help!"
Bowser's anger seemed to vanish in a second. His expression blanked over as he turned his sights down to his son, though despite it, his eyes still burned. "No, Junior. A deal is a deal. We're leaving." He turned away and lumbered off.
Junior stood in place, frozen. His eyes were wide and mouth open. He blinked a few times before hurrying after his father. "But Papa…" he protested, darting in front of Bowser.
"No, Junior." Bowser grabbed his hand, half carrying, half dragging him towards the humungous stone Bowser statue; to the interior of the stadium. "We're going home, and that's final." Junior let out a loud whine, laying limp in his father's grasp.
"Bowser, wait!" Mario called, promoting the Koopa King to freeze. "Don't go, we had so much fun playing together!"
Bowser glanced over his shoulder, blinking slowly. "A deal is a deal, toilet-breath. You won," he growled the word, "so I have to leave."
"Please stay, Bowser," Peach quietly offered. "I know you've learnt your lesson on trying to take over the island." She glanced back at the other players. "Plus, we all had fun playing against you." Many nodded or gave a noise of agreement.
Bowser's eyes flicked towards the ground, his pupils darting back and forth as he thought. But really, what reason was there to say no?
"Papa, c'mon! Mama Peach says it's okay, so we can stay!" Junior pleaded, tugging Bowser's hand. "C'mon, say yes!" He released his father and clasped his hands together, dropping to his knees and gazing, wide-eyed, up at at Bowser. "Say yes say yes say yes say yes say yes say—"
"Alright!" Bowser barked, stomping a foot. "We'll stay! We'll stay!" He ran a hand through his hair, then shook his head. He turned to the group, putting on a grin. "If you're begging me so bad, how can I say no?"
"Great!" Mario strode up to the Koopa King, his smile big. He clapped Bowser's arm (as he couldn't properly reach his shoulder), which earned him a loud growl, and gave the Koopa King a thumbs-up. "It'll be good to play against you again!"
Bowser's eyebrows raised. "So now you want a rematch?" He chuckled, his grin growing cocky. "Bring it, I'm not losing this time."
Mario laughed. "Sure, sure. If you say so!" He stretched his arms behind his head. "We'll do it later, right now I'm beat." His legs and throwing arm could sure use some time off; he'd been playing baseball all day!
"Why not now?" Bower curled a hand into a fist, his eyes narrowing. "I'm rearing to go!"
"Because we all need a break," Daisy replied, approaching. "I say we all get a little something to eat beforehand." She grinned, rubbing her hands together. "Dinner's being served on the cruiser."
Mario licked his lips, rubbing his stomach. "Mm… did you include spaghetti?" His stomach grumbled just thinking about it.
Daisy winked. "Of course there is! Couldn't leave out Luigi's favourite dish!" She glanced at the plumber, who blushed and rubbed the back of his head. He mumbled something incoherent to Mario's ears. She giggled. "Come on, let's go!"
The feast had been incredible, in Mario's opinion. The food had been delicious and wide-ranged, leaving something for everyone. The conversations were peppy, and the jokes spurred many to laugh. Smiles were worn all around, and once-enemies were chatting like old friends. Dessert had been even better, consisting of eighteen different flavours of ice cream and Peach's famous cake. Everyone was happy. Well… almost everyone.
Despite having such a fun time with his friends, Mario couldn't help but notice that Bowser hadn't really taken part in anything. He barely spoke a word, and hadn't even indulged himself as much as Mario knew he could. When Mario had asked him if he wanted more, Bowser had shrugged it off, claiming he wasn't hungry. Mario couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. Maybe he was just being sore about his postponed rematch.
Junior, however, held no grudges. He'd mingled among the crowd, striking up conversations with over half the table. He had grabbed every piece of food he could get his claws on, stuffing his face until he popped. Nearly literally. He had been escorted to the bathroom by Henry the Fire Bro., as his nausea and stomach cramps had been strong enough that he thought he was going to burst.
Junior wasn't the only one missing from the table. Wario and Waluigi had been absent for a while. Mario hadn't seen them since the beginning of the feast, oddly enough. He knew how much of a glutton Wario was, and Waluigi always stuck with him. Knowing them, they were probably up to no good. Or maybe they were just off practicing their skills. Mario recalled that Wario had wanted to face him in a game, 'man to man' as he had declared.
Well… now wasn't the time to dwell on any of that. Mario had a fireworks display to partake in.
"You ready for this, DK?" Mario asked his old friend, flashing the giant ape a bright smile. He was to help out Mario with the fireworks. Mario had wanted Luigi to do it, but his brother feared that Fire-ombs, firework Bob-ombs, would short-out and explode on him. Plus, the consequences were pretty… blasting, let's say, if one were to miss. Donkey Kong had eagerly stepped up to take his place, and with his arm, the Fire-ombs would fly deep into the star-speckled sky.
"You bet, Jumpman!" Donkey Kong replied. He experimentally swung a fist, grinning down at the plumber.
Mario chortled at the old nickname, back from his first heroics in New Donk City. He pointed his bat towards the night sky as they stepped onto the grass. "Then let's-a play with some fire!" He froze, covering his mouth with a nervous chuckle. "Mama mia, that did not sound very good." Playing with fire isn't a good thing!
Donkey Kong lightly clapped Mario's back. "It's okay, man! I know what you meant." He waggled a finger. "But what you should've said is," he cleared his throat, attempting to mimic Mario's accent, "let's-a put on a fireworks show!"
Mario laughed at the ape's impression, which sounded so obviously phony. He didn't want to discourage his friend, though, so he commented, "Close enough!"
The two stepped out onto the field, the spotlights flaring overhead. Some Toads had been kind enough to set up the Fire-omb launcher for them, and it lay waiting across the field. Mario stepped up to the batter's plate, hoisting his bat over his shoulder. Come on, let's get started!
The machine whirred to life, lifting its nozzle up. With a pop and a puff of smoke, a Fire-omb flew out of it. Mario's eyes locked on it as it sailed closer, fuse sparking. He smacked it with his bat, sending it soaring into the air. It winked out of sight, exploding in a shower of green sparks moments later.
Donkey Kong took the next one, punching it with a gloved fist. This one exploded purple. Mario came up after, hitting a yellow one. Donkey Kong set off a blue one. They kept changing turns, switching back and forth. The sky sparkled with an array of colors, ranging from all across the rainbow. Cheers rose from beyond the stadium with each explosion.
Mario hit another Fire-omb with a smile. This is great! The night was warm, and the sky clear. It was perfect for fireworks, and quite a joy to be whacking them off with an old friend.
"Hey, Jumpman, what are they doing?" Donkey Kong asked, startling the plumber.
"Who?" Mario turned to the ape with a frown, tipping an eyebrow.
Donkey Kong pointed towards the Fire-omb launcher. "Wario and Waluigi. They're…" his brow furrowed, and his mouth down curled, "messing with the Fire-omb launcher?"
"What?" Mario sharply pivoted, squinting across to see. What are they up to now?
Wario and Waluigi stepped away from the Fire-omb launcher, huge grins on their faces. They crouched to the ground, plugging their ears. Uh oh… A pit formed in Mario's stomach. I have a bad feeling about this… what are they—?
*BOOM!*
A Bullet Bill spat out of the nozzle. It narrowed its eyes as it locked on Mario, firing its boosters. It sped towards him at lightning speed. Mario was frozen, his legs stiff. He couldn't run. He couldn't move. Why? Why are they doing this? Donkey Kong took a step forward.
"Hey! Mario's MINE to kill!" a thunderous voice roared out, causing the ape to freeze in his tracks.
Everything seemed to happened in slow motion.
A dark shadow passed over Mario. Bowser slammed the ground in front of him, raising his head to gaze at the oncoming projectile. He swung his spiked bat, smacking the Bullet Bill head-on. It spun out of control for a few moments before it righted itself. It set its eyes on its new targets; Wario and Waluigi. It blasted its thrusters. The pair yelped and tried to flee. The Bullet Bill smashed through the Fire-omb launcher, sending pieces flying in flaming chunks. Its fists grabbed the pair's arms. It banked up, rocketing into the sky.
A huge firework blazed through the night, shifting through all the colors of the rainbow. A loud cheer rose from beyond the stadium's walls. Mario spotted two shapes falling towards the island, landing just beyond the stadium. Mario stared at the sparks of the firework as they floated down, twinkling as they vanished.
"Mario, man! Are you okay?" Donkey Kong asked, hurrying to the plumber's side. His voice snapped Mario out of his frozen state.
"What…?" He shook his head. His heart pounded, and he sucked in a few breaths. His bat dropped from his hands. "Yes, I'm okay, but…" Bowser… saved me… Mario whipped around. That was so nice of him… but why? He hates me! Bowser was slinking away, his gaze hard-set on the floor, and bat hoisted over his shoulder. His tail dragged on the ground. Mario stepped towards him, reaching a hand out. "Bowser, wait!"
Bowser ignored him.
Mario hurried after the Koopa. He needed answers. Why did Bowser do that? "Bowser, hold up!" He fell into pace beside Bowser, tilting his head to view his face. Bowser's expression was blank as he walked, and his pupils didn't even twitch in Mario's direction. Mario tapped Bowser's arm, but he jerked away with a snarl. He whirled on Mario and bared his fangs. Mario halted, blinking. He hadn't meant to anger him.
"Leave me alone," Bowser growled. He turned and trudged away.
"Bowser…" Mario's posture drooped. Why did you do that? He thought the Koopa King hated him! Why would he save him? As much as Mario wanted to know, he doubted Bowser was in a talking mood. His current disposition was proof of that. The Mushroom Hero tilted his hat over his eyes, keeping his words quiet and simple, "Thank you."
Bowser hesitated in the large gaping exit to the stadium. He glanced back, his eyes sharp and glistening in the bright spotlights. "Don't think I like you in the slightest. I hate your guts with every scale on my body. But…" he ducked his head a little, his tail flicking up, "if you're gonna fall to anyone, it'll be to me. Understand that, plumber boy?"
Mario nodded, smiling. "I understand." Mario caught the words Bowser wasn't saying, the ones he really meant. You really do care, don't you? You're just obsessed with keeping up an image for yourself. Mario wanted to ask him why, he wanted to know more, but he knew Bowser would explode if he attempted. He'd likely see it as a blow to his oh-so evil pride.
Bowser snorted a puff of smoke. "Good." With that, he trudged out of the stadium, his large form soon swallowed up by the shadows.
Mario stared after him for a moment, his face bright.
Yes, he understood perfectly.
End
Thanks for reading!
The original scene from the game honestly bugs me, as Bowser is my favourite character. The way Maroi and friends treated him (and Bowser Jr.) post-game was unfair and mean. I know he tried to take over Baseball Island, but he looked like he felt guilty at the end. I bet the whole story mode could've been avoided had they just invited him. I have no doubt that's why he attacked. I understand there are those of you who liked the ending, and that's okay. This is just my opinon.
I just thought Bowser deserved a thank-you, even if it was sort of unwanted.
Stay nerdy, my friends.