No Such Thing

Chapter 6- Flashbacks

Alright, here's chapter 6. So far, including this and the past five chapters, I have thirty-four chapters planned. Therefore, unless I think of new ideas, that's how many chapters it will have. The chapter total may rise, drop, or stay the same. I'll probably think of new ideas, anyway.

~KF

"...We are planning on helping the Koopalings in any way possible."

Princess Peach was only out of the castle for a little over a minute when she was already bombarded by the paparazzi that emerged to the front gate the second she was nearing it. It had been at least twenty minutes since they last showed. As much as they respected her personal space, they desired to get information from her. Plus, if some of them weren't that obsessed with her, they still had to do their job.

Standing between two of her many servants, Peach had to face the reactions of the press. Since she and everyone who was involved in the incident had already discussed it back in the throne room, she was basically prepared for what was to come.

In her heart, she didn't care what people thought. It was the Koopalings' father, and it would be the next big then if the children end up losing them.

Along with the few dozen of reporters, fans and neighbors who lived nearby the castle gasped with emotions of confusion, astonishment, and occasionally anger. The latter feeling began to appear in some.

"Wait, what!?"

"You're going to help Bowser's children!?"

"Did I hear right!?"

"Are you serious!?"

"You're going to work with your kidnapper's kids!?"

"Is Mario going to be involved!?"

The Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom knew she had to shake off the negative reaction. If they had a different opinion, it was easy for her to comprehend. Regardless, they can't change her mind. The decision was up to her.

"Looks like being a leader can be good. Bowser's life is in our hands." She thought to herself. "The children need help. I don't know how much time Bowser has left. Mario, Luigi, and others are going to help the children find him and hopefully bring him back. It will take some time, but Bowser's the only parent the children have. So, please do not plan to attack them."

Ignoring more questions, the couple of Toad servants standing by her slowly made their way back to the front door.

"Princess," The one on the left got her attention. "Are you sure we can pull this off?"

She answered with a nod. "We have to. We're their only hope..."

While they were on their way back, the Koopalings, Toad, and Toadette were told to stay in the room until the princess returns with the Mario Bros. and Toadsworth, who were waiting at the door for Peach. Toadsworth questioned Mario to learn the reason on why he wouldn't come to the press. He shook his head by saying that he would end up facing a million more question than Peach on why they chose the option to help the unfortunate princes and princess of the Dark Lands.

As for the ones in the throne room. They were currently going through a somewhat awkward silence. Every time one looked at another, he or she, as well as the starer would almost immediately rotate their heads away to find something else to take a glance at, to avoid making the scene more awkward then it already was.

Larry was one of the few who was too busy thinking to himself about the previous event. "...Hmm... Should I start getting my hopes up? ...We're actually teaming up with... the enemy... How long is this gonna last?"

Speaking of the red-capped person, he, his brother, and princess were brought in the room by a Toad, causing all eyes to be on them.

"Well, I'd say we're good with the public for now." Luigi opinionized. "We have talked on the way here and finally came up with the first step of our plan. We are planning to go to Bowser's Castle so that we can investigate for clues and to find answers so that we can think of a next part to our plan."

"That being said," It was Toadsworth's turn to face the crowd. "we are going to leave near sundown. If we leave at this moment, we would be weighed down with way more questions than the Mushroom Kingdom. Is that okay with you kids?"

Iggy nodded as a signal. "I can work with that. But, by the time we get there it would be dark. We probably need to bring flashlights if we're gonna find anything there."

"But, dad burned the castle to the ground." Morton recalled stepping closer. "It will be very hard to find information."

"If it's a way to get dad back, I wouldn't care if it took us the whole night." Lemmy spoke. "It would be worth it if we find anything."

"Lemmy's right." Ludwig had to agree. "Besides, this is basically a matter of life or death for father. One wrong move and he could stay in the condition he is in forever. That's why I said 'life or death'. He wouldn't ever be the same..."

Silence. Ludwig and his seven younger siblings slowly eyed the floor in sadness, while at least half of them tried to hide their expressions so that their 'friends' wouldn't have to be that concerned of what they thought.

If one admitted this, it would be absurd to them, especially the princess of the Mushroom Land. "Things are going to be okay. We will find a way to save the real Bowser that's inside. ...You know what they say, it's what's inside that counts. The outside doesn't matter. We don't need a... 'fake' Bowser here. Don't lose all hope, yet."

In spite of her being true, it did not change Jr.'s worried look. The poor child was too deep in his thoughts to pay attention to her.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUNIOR!"

"...W-What? ...Y-You all remembered?" Jr. was very stunned. It was his fifth birthday, which was big for his whole family, mainly for the current king of the Dark Lands. It was a wonder why he and his siblings were acting strange to him the whole day. He thought that he should have taken it as a clue that they actually did remembered his birthday, after all.

"Jr.," Bowser sighed happily walking to his youngest born. "I already have seven kids that are older than you and I have never forgotten any of their birthdays. What makes you different? And besides, you are my last child, so I'm going to be your father and do this just for you. You might have never met your mom in person, but it doesn't mean that it's impossible to fill in that blank space."

That meant a lot to him. Tears were now forming in his eyes. Since that day, Junior knew that his father would always stand beside him, no matter what. "T-Thanks, dad."

Subsequently jumping into his arms, he felt that he needed to find a way to repay him.

"Hey Junior, come here!"

Hearing his youngest, older brother's voice, he jumped back down and wandered over to him so that he can see his birthday present for him.

"I've tried painting a picture of you, but... let's just say that I should just draw next time."

"...Don't worry, I still like it! I'm glad that you remembered my birthday, that's what really matters now." He responded to Lawrence's nervous grin.

Only a few seconds afterwards, he didn't know at the time that his one painting inspired him to paint more often.

Now in his mind, he could paint a picture of his next birthday with all his family outside the castle with him playing around and taking time off their day to spend it with him. His father would be a big part of that picture. That is, if he and his seven older siblings get him back to the way he was before. Dry Bowser was a nightmare that the real Bowser had to wake up from. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to do so on his own.

All those times Bowser has been a big part of their lives, especially after their late mother. He took great care of all of them and was always there, so there was no doubt that Junior and the others thought it was time to return the favor.

"...I-I'm not giving up..." He chose to be the one who broke the rather long silence. "I'm never giving up. We're gonna do this. W-We're the only ones who can save him..."

Peach smiled, relieved that they were all agreeing with her and deciding that they can make their plan work. "I'd say we're all in, then. We'd better start preparing soon. For now, you are welcomed to receive a tour around the castle if you like. I can get a couple of my servants."

"A tour around the castle?" Despite being in Peach's castle a countless amount of times, Ludwig and the others had never seen the entire interior of the castle. The only part of the castle, they've ever seen was the throne room, which they've already done when they've trapped Peach in that cake in Bowser's attempt for domination, which obviously failed. It was a first for them. "That would be appreciated..."

"Well, here's a chance to be nosy..." Curious Wendy thought to herself. "I think I'd like that. We've never seen the looks inside the castle before. We're all over it."

Aaaaaaaaaand the word count for this is almost the same as the last one. It was not longer because I didn't have that many ides for it. I think I've really messed up... and because of me saying this, criticism is greatly appreciated.

Like/dislike? I encourage all Bowser fans to review!

Questions:

1. Larry wondered how long the now friendly relationship he and his siblings' have with Mario last. What do you guys think?

2. If they manage to save Bowser, will this effect the rivalry between him and Mario, or not at all?