Author's note: Okay, first things first, I apologize for taking this down the first time. After much indecisiveness on how I wanted the story to go, I went back and changed a couple of things. No, you guys aren't crazy, this was up earlier (I swear sometimes I feel like Chidi from "The Good Place") Edits to the previous version involve a longer (hopefully hundreds of times better) conversation between two rivals around 3/4ths of the way in, thus minor revamp. Anyways, here's "Old Fiend". Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8: Old Fiend
"Bowser!"
Mario's voice bounced from tree to tree. The canopy overhead drowning out a majority of the remaining sunlight. A thick cloud cover rolled in, darkening the path ahead even more so. It was difficult enough traversing through such dense forest during a sunny day. Anything less could make it near to impossible. Piling a setting sun on top made it the perfect recipe for getting permanently lost. He knew this. He always had. Yet, he could not stop himself from chasing after Bowser. It was as if he was in the passenger seat of his own mind. There was literally no reason for him to hound his arch nemesis any longer. Everything was done. Their deal finalized. The two would be free to fight one another once again. Still, his feet refused to stop. His breaths growing more and more anxious. The Super Crown bounced inside his overalls. Further and further his footsteps crunched. On and on he pressed. The trail of foliage knocked over by the large Koopa served as a viable path. No matter how fast he ran though, Mario's goal seemed to be long gone. His suspicions proved right when the succession of broken branches ran out. Mario panted heavily, coming to a stop. His eyes darted from side to side.
"Bowser?!" he cried out. The only answer was an echo. "Bowser!" The same response. Not even the local wildlife replied. Everything was deathly quiet. And increasingly dark.
Suddenly, a hulking mass burst out of the bushes with an ear-piercing roar. Before he realized it, Mario hit a tree with crushing force, swept up by a set of claws. The Super Crown flying out of his overalls. He dropped to the dirt. It was dazing, but not life-threatening. The power-up rolled to a familiar Koopa's feet. A single finger scooped it up
"Why are you here?" spoke a low, gruff voice.
He rose to his feet. Eyes locked with a scorching Bowser. "S-Same reason you would. Remorse." answered Mario.
"Don't give me that Mario!" screamed the king. A palm to a fallen log sent it hurtling in Mario's direction. A flip barely cleared it. Bowser charged at the plumber, intending to land his fist on his enemy's face only to have it strike a tree. His hand stuck.
His enemy landed wearily nearby. "Bowser, stop!" he cried. "Can't-a you see this is-a defense mechanism?"
"Oh, so you're a shrink now?!" he grunted attempting to free his trapped claw.
"Please!" persisted Mario. "You're-a lying to yourself, this isn't-a the real you-!"
"SHUT UP!" In the loudest of shrieks, Bowser tore the tree clean out of the dirt before swinging it like a makeshift baseball bat. In a flash, Mario was thrown through the air, tumbling from bark to bark until finally landing in a heap of dirt.
He shuddered. That one did hurt. Enough to make him see double even. The trees in before him splintered in a psychedelic stupor. Bowser was not finished. Mario flipped high into the air, dodging the charging behemoth. The beast promptly skidded to a halt as his foe dropped to the forest floor.
"Why won't you just admit your hatred towards me?!" he scowled.
Mario growled. "Why don't-a you understand I don't-a hate you?!"
"Liar!"
The two engaged in a flurry of kicks and punches. The plumber doing his best to incapacitate rather than directly hurting his opponent. It only served to anger him even more. Without warning, Bowser recoiled his arm into a powerful punch. Its knuckle scraping Mario's mustache as a wind trail formed behind. Using its momentum, he tossed the Koopa asunder after grabbing his arm. He crashed into a tree, knocking it over before landing on his stomach. His precious power-up clinked out of his shell.
Bowser rose to his feet. A set of fiery eyes fixated upon the accursed object, then on Mario. He snarled. "Fine! If you don't hate me…" he pulled the power-up to his head, this time fastening it securely. A brief "Poof!" sent Bowsette soaring out its dust. Her crimson eyes ablaze. "Then I'll make you hate me!" She took in a big breath and opened fire.
Though he yelped, Mario sprung out of the way with the speed of a gazelle. Even then, he narrowly cleared the flames. There was no alternative. He needed to bring her down soon or risk igniting the entire forest. He looked over his shoulder. A snide, vengeful Bowsette sashayed out of the blaze. Her nostrils shoving the flames aside. She rushed in with a scream. Her claws tearing repeatedly at Mario's direction. Whatever speed inhibition the Koopa King had was no more. Each rapid attack became harder and harder to dodge. One managed to slice at his cheek. A distraction from the bare fist coming to uppercut the plumber's jaw. A sickening thud announced its impact, sending Mario into a backwards fall. He promptly recovered, landing on his feet before rubbing his mouth. A pulsing most painful at his chin. Bowsette clenched her hand. Her knuckles popped in response. Her face, once inviting and full of life, now an angry, contorted scowl. Fire surrounded them at every side. Her blaze now a shrinking battle ring.
She charged once more, but this time, Mario was quick to counter with a jumping kick that made her stumble. He landed behind her and kicked her legs out from under her. A successful tactic that led to him grasping her tail. Her eyes shot open knowing full well what was coming. Mario's nostrils flared as he yanked her to the side. Within seconds, he was spinning her rapidly like a makeshift top. Their speed fast enough to momentarily fan the flames into submission. Bowsette screamed until he let go, tossing her beyond their current arena. Though he could not see it, Mario could certainly hear the splintering of trees in her wake. Not wanting her to get away, he sprinted after the She-Koopa.
When he found her, she had completely cleared the tree line. They were at a cliff now. Her dress tattered down to a skirt. Her shoes gone. The Super Crown's bobby pins clung to her hair now messily drooping over her face. She stumbled to stand. "D-Does it feel good?" she said in a hoarse voice. A hand wiping at her lips. "Finally being able to fight me after all this time, pasta breath? After all those times I treated you like dirt?!"
Mario panted hard. His posture slowly erecting. "No." he replied in a huff.
She glowered at him from under her hair.
"I know you're-a scared. You don't-a know how to react, so you blow everything up in-a people's faces-"
"Can it!" she demanded. Her breathing too labored. "So what if I do?! Who are you to say anything about me? You know nothing about me, you lasagna lugging loser!"
The plumber grimaced. "We've-a been dating for almost-a three months now! And we've-a been enemies for-a longer! I do know you!"
"Oh, yeah?!" bellowed Bowsette. "If that's true, then why do you always come right back? If you know exactly what I'm capable of, why even try anything with a lost cause?!"
"Because that's-a what friends-a do, Bowsette! We never give-up-on each other!"
She stared in disbelief. The slightest twinkle in her eye struggled to shine for a moment before dissipating. "Has hitting blocks with your head all your life finally caught up to you or are you really just that stupid?!"
He clenched his fists. Though his face displayed fury, his eyes projected hurt. "B-Bowsette-"
"Don't 'Bowsette' me you miserable meatball!" Again, she charged the plumber, tackling him to the ground. Both rolled trying to get the upper hand before Bowsette kicked her legs up and sent him hurtling towards one of the wooden poles suspending a single wooden bridge. Her horns bared thrust forward with Mario scarcely avoiding them. His sleeve cut open in the process. She went for a grab only for him to somersault backwards onto the bridge. Before he had time to react, she came at him again with a barrage of punches that pushed him further along. Despite him doing his best to stand his ground, he knew he could not keep up with her for much longer. Had it been the physical manifestation of Bowser, things would be much different. With an effigy of something once near and dear to his heart however, he was unable to will even a single counter attack. Even now, in the face of possible peril, his body refused to do anything but block. Every hour the two spent together, every embrace, every shared breath felt like it was being torn to pieces in his heart. That hurt so much more than her punches and scratches.
"Fight me, you miserable fool!" A successful jab at his face knocked him down. A foot kicked him further down. "Defend yourself, maggot!" she screamed.
Mario staggered to a stand, catching Bowsette's fists in his hands. She headbutted in response, clobbering him further. Eventually, the two made it halfway across the bridge. An injured Mario did little to fight back. His battered body enduring her blows. "B-Bowsette, I'm-a not-a doing this!"
She scowled. Her rage blinding. "Get it through your head, you stupid, stupid fool! I'm not your friend!" Her claws made a large sweeping motion that struck the ropes of their suspension by accident.
Mario's eyes widened. "B-Bowsette-!"
"I'm not your date!" Another sweep cut the next set of ropes.
"Stop!" he screamed.
"And I'm certainly not your miserable girlfriend!"
Bowsette unleashed a stream of flames. Mario rolled towards her. The old bridge caught fire. Everything felt like it ran in slow motion, though it merely took a matter of seconds. Realizing what she had done, Bowsette cut her attack short as she felt the ground below slowly give way. Right before that however, she was lifted by a set of hands that promptly carried her over the fires in the direction of the cliff's edge. Secure in his arms, Mario put all his power into a single, desperate jump as the bridge crumbled below them.
He underestimated the distance. From their angle, it was clear they were not going to make it. In the fastest of moves, he instead grabbed Bowsette under one arm before outstretching the other. With bated breath, his hand successfully clasped the edge of the cliff. His gloved fingers struggled to hang on. Bowsette's added weight made things thousands of times more difficult in the wake of exhaustion.
Then he felt his hand around her loosen. She screamed. Her hands desperately clutching him with a death grip. Mario clenched his teeth, fighting the urge to loosen his grip while being stretched like a slinky. A fall from this height would certainly mean a game over for either of them. Bowsette flailed as she dangled.
"Don't let go! Don't you dare let go!" she cried.
"I'm-a not! Trust-a me!"
With every fiber of his being, Mario strained his muscles in an effort to pull both he and Bowsette up. It was a lot harder than he initially thought, but by sheer willpower he somehow managed to bring himself up. Afterwards, he slowly pulled the withered She-Koopa to safety. Both their breaths heavy. Their clothing tattered. Their faces covered in soot. Mario looked over the cliff to the remnants of the bridge. Getting home would be much more difficult now. When he turned back to Bowsette, his face met a set of knuckles.
"Y-You idiot!" she bellowed. "Again going out of your way to save me?!"
Mario rubbed his face, agitated. "I couldn't-a just let-a you fall!"
"Yes you could've!" countered Bowsette. "Have I seriously not done enough to make you despise my guts?!"
"I already told-a you, I don't-a hate you!" argued Mario.
"You Pretentious Pastafarian!" She got precariously close to his face. "Why won't you hate me?! Why deny me of my title of the most hated creature in the Mushroom Kingdom?!"
"Because you're-a not! There's-a not-a single part-of-a me that-a does! And-a you don't-a want-a feel-a this way either, I know you don't!"
"Liar! Being hated is all I've ever known, and that's just fine by me!"
"I don't-a believe that! And honestly, I think you don't-a believe that either!"
"Shut up! Just shut up, okay?! Can't you see I can't stand it when you don't fight back?!"
Mario stepped back enough for his shoe to graze the cliff's edge. Her position prepared to pounce. Every hair stood on end. He was cornered between her and an inevitable fall, only now realizing how real the danger was.
"It's the way it is Mario!" she continued. "You're the hero who's supposed to be slaying the beast, not helping it! W-Why won't you just let things be the way they're destined to be?!" Bowsette's voice began to break. Her knees buckled beneath her before giving out. Ears drooped. Her hair splashed messily over her face. Bare shoulders slumped, lifting slightly with every sniffle. The fires of her rage finally quelling to dying embers. No more roars. No more threats. Just whimpers.
"W-Why?!" she growled through tears. "Y-You're the most revered hero of the Mushroom Kingdom! Everyone loves you for who you are!" Her watery eyes met his. "You're the one everyone aspires to grow up to be like someday! And what do I get?! Fear induced panic at the sight of the world's most hideous abomination!"
Mario gently dropped his guard. It finally clicked. This entire time, she had been fighting her own urges. Both as the King of Koopas and as a completely new person. She must have been crumbling inside the way he was at the beginning of their plan and made the faintest attempt to hide it. Just like he did. Just like he felt he needed to. His gaze hidden under the brim of his hat. Bit by bit, he began towards the shriveled Bowsette. Both fists in a ball.
She continued screaming. "S-So tell me! How does it feel to always win?! How does it feel to be revered!? To be loved?! To be-?!"
She suddenly felt herself pulled roughly into his arms. Her body uncooperative for a second.
"I'm-a sorry, Bowsette."
Her eyes shot open. Tears ran down her cheeks. Bowsette slowly loosened her muscles. Every fiber of her being collapsed, melting into Mario's arms. Why? Why was it that every time she mistreated him, he always displayed even the slightest bit of mercy? Even now in the middle of her threats to break him in two, he decided to hug her instead of strike.
"I've-a made-the mistakes too. And-a now...and-a now, I'm-a trying to make things-a right." he said softly. His voice carried a warmth previously unheard by her pointed ears. "You're-a struggling inside, and all of this was-a making-it worse. I...I made-it-a worse. And-a for that, I'm-a sorry."
Bowsette's lips quivered. Her body jolting with every sniffle. Arms slowly reaching around her injured plumber. The feeling of his touch. The warmth of his being. Oh, how she wanted to indulge in it. To finally fulfill that part of her long since screaming to get his attention. Its cries were gradually silenced. Her hands gently pushed him away. "I-I don't want your pity or your help, nimrod." she sniffled. "S-Stupid tears. Now I've said too much."
When their eyes met again, he could see the slightest glimmer of comprehensiveness in his pupils. How pathetic. To think this is how their latest confrontation had gone. It was worse than her sprained ankle on Delfino. More embarrassing than being out in public with him ever was. She slowly got to her feet. With one last look, she started walking towards the beaten path.
"Why do this-a to yourself, Bowser?" Mario asked gently.
She stopped without turning around. "It's just the way things are, nitwit. No one would dare see it otherwise."
He stood up. "But why?"
"We're fierce rivals, Mario. That's the way it's been. That's the way it's going to stay. That's how I...know it...and nothing you do is ever gonna change that."
Mario outstretched a hand, taking a step towards her. "Must-a we always-a be fierce rivals? Just this-a once, can't-a we be something else?"
Her sights rose. Their glimmering irises once more returning. Both stood in silence for the longest time as thunder boomed overhead. Bowsette tried to speak. What came out was a whimper.
Mario stood tall despite his injuries. "Bowsette...I know there's some-a-thing in-a-between-us that-a remains un-a-spoken. We can't-a keep-avoiding it-a forever. I feel-it in-a my soul...And I know you feel-it too."
Her gaze lowered, drooping her strawberry locks over her glistening red eyes. A back towards her mustached menace. In the faintest breath, she whispered. "J-Just...go away."
"Bowsette?" Mario persisted. "Please, don't-a shut-a me out-"
"Begone!" In her fury, she made a massive firewall between her and the plumber. Too tall for him to jump over or even climb for that matter. Mario could only watch as his beloved Bowsette walked off into the fire. Her silhouette slowly disappearing from sight.
"I say, what a horrible experience that must have been for you! And to think this Bowsette woman truly was Bowser all along! I suppose we as a community, as well as myself, owe you an apology. We should've taken your word from the start, dear!"
Toadsworth's words were most reassuring to a nervous Peach. A hand to the window as thunder crashed outside. The glass pane showing more and more drops of water collecting upon its surface. She sighed.
Daisy tapped her companion's shoulder. "C'mon Peach. At least revealing that oversized turtle won't affect your reputation as much as attacking some poor sap on the street would have. Now sit! You promised me tea!"
Both princesses walked to their respective seats. Despite a chipper atmosphere of relief, the Toadstool Princess appeared very forlorn. Daisy thanked the servers before being left alone with her best friend and Toadsworth. Peach's gaze still seemed to be lost in the distance. A monarch losing her temper in the middle of the streets was not something she could easily bounce back from. Still, there was so much weighing on her mind, so much distress she was never able to release in light of being a princess. Even she needed a day off.
"Well, at the very least Master Mario's off dealing with that monstrous old bean, ey deary?" Toadsworth continued.
Peach stared at her tea. "Yes Toadsworth." she replied numbly.
Both he and Daisy looked at each other. She tapped her teacup while he cleared his throat. "Um, should I vacate the premises so you ladies may partake in some 'girl talk'?"
Daisy nodded, then turned to Peach. As the old Toadstool left, she reached for the princess's hand. "Hey." she said softly. "You lost your temper. It's okay."
"Why is this driving me up the wall?" Peach muttered setting her tea down. "I've never blown up like this before. And over a man?"
Daisy rubbed her friend's hand. "You've had a rough time, dear. I mean, I can't even count how much I've lost it in public places."
Her other hand rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I've never been so humiliated in all my life! I could have handled the situation thousands of times better if I'd been in the right state of mind!"
"Hey, at least you admit you messed up." comforted Daisy. "And you know that something's wrong in that little head of yours. Why don't you take a day to make things right? Ya know, talk about your feelings with the Portly Pete?"
Peach shook her head. "I can't! There's still so much that I have to take care of!"
"If not now, then when?" Daisy cut in. "You just gonna keep putting it off until it eats you up inside?"
The pink princess rubbed her forehead growing increasingly despaired. "I don't know Daisy. Now I don't know if I'll ever be able to face him."
Her friend exhaled sharply, rubbing her arm. "Listen, we already know things are gonna look up for your kingdom after a week or two. All will get back to normal, I promise. Now what you need is to get out there and grab life by the horns!"
"And just how do you suppose I do that?!" Peach exclaimed. Her hands up in the air.
Daisy bit her lip. "You can start by making things right with your would-be boyfriend."
Peach stood up. Her hands clasped in uncertainty. "I-I...I don't know-"
"Do you still like that bulbous bonehead?" the orange and yellow princess said standing up herself.
"D-Daisy, I don't know if I can-"
"Do you still like him, Peach?" She repeated. More sternly this time.
Peach twiddled her fingers. Her nerves sparking flames. "I-I...I might..."
Daisy huffed. "Then what are you gonna do? If there's the slightest chance of trying again, then are you gonna let it slide? Look at you! You're a princess, darn you! Are you seriously gonna let some pretender horde someone you claimed first?!"
Recalling the days events and how close Bowsette had drawn in Mario, she slowly slouched back into her seat. In her dress, she looked like a deflating balloon. "M-Maybe he really did move on though." she muttered.
Daisy was left in shock. Her mouth wide open in disbelief. "Are you serious right now Peach?"
"W-what?" she said weakly.
Daisy quickly rolled up a pile of papers she had made calculations on. "Open your eyes woman! Your playing into their game and letting them win for crying out loud!" She swung the makeshift weapon repeatedly at her friend's head.
"Ow! Ayee! Daisy stop-!"
"I've seen guys pull this trick before!" continued Daisy, ceasing her onslaught while walking towards the window. Her paper paddle rolled up behind her back. "Desperately trying to get your attention like a wounded puppy! Going to his most hated enemy for help!"
Peach rubbed her uninjured head. "W-Well, you do have a point."
"Then think about it!" Daisy exclaimed trapping Peach in her chair. "Isn't it time you put your foot down like the princess you are?!"
Peach looked up at her friend. Her brows furrowed slightly. "You...you're right."
"Then get mean!" cried Daisy.
"I-I'm mean!" retorted Peach.
"Get hyped!" she yelled.
"I'm hyped!" the other mimicked.
"Claim what's yours!"
"Claim what's mine!"
"Now give me a roar!"
Peach roared. Daisy roared. Both screamed into each other's faces like overly-angry football players. All that was missing now were the obligatory sport's helmets. Seconds after, Peach bolted off her chair. Both hands in fists. A surge of unprecedented confidence shot through her veins. Though hard to admit, it became clear she had been using her royal troubles to eschew any confrontation with the thing that bothered her the most. She was busy, yes, but had she truly been avoiding putting her feelings out on the table? And in turn let everything spiral out of control?
"Leave the rest to me." Daisy added. "I'll make sure things don't get out of hand during the time you're unavailable."
Her adrenaline bubble momentarily popped. "B-But to desert my kingdom?" Peach asked.
Daisy frowned. "You're not deserting them, silly! You're just on a…'business venture'. I do it all the time. They'll buy it, trust me! In the meantime, I'll keep your cover from being blown-"
"Oh, thank you Daisy!" Peach threw her arms around her companion, catching her completely off guard. Her grip much stronger than she ever remembered it being. She smiled wearily, patting her friend's back.
"I learned from the best, hon." she replied.
The other pulled away. "I'm ready! I'll get things prepped and find Mario right away!"
A massive boom exploded in the sky. The light rain erupted into a full on storm. Drops pelted the windows with force. Winds rattled their panes. The sudden realization startling them both.
"Uh...ya know, maybe tomorrow would be best." concluded Daisy. "Looks like flash-flood weather."
Peach walked to the window with her pal in tow. It really did look like a storm had rolled in. A blonde brow raised. "But...rainy season's over…" The pair of princesses slowly locked eyes.
Thunder cracked above. Raindrops striking like bullets on Bowsette's skin. As if the day could not get any worse. Things would be so much better had she not destroyed her Koopa Copter. If only miserable Mario had stayed in place, he would have burned to a crisp instead of her beloved transport. Maybe in that case she would already be home tending to duties instead of having to trudge to her castle while face to face with foreign feelings. As if karma had struck again, what remained of her once beautiful dress was either caked in mud or soaked to the last fiber. The icy rain did little to help, reminding her how badly she hated cold water. Every drop only made her all the more angry. And yet, simultaneously sad. This was nothing like what she hoped for. Nothing like the fuzzy critter fantasies she imagined. At least things were back to normal. The way she 'wanted' them to be. Her red hair lost its volume, sticking to her face much to her annoyance. Her lightly tanned skin covered in dirt. She ripped the crown off her head.
Poof!
Bowser's claws squeezed the dastardly trinket. Its unblinking eyes stared back in fear. A part of him wanted to crush it. To burn it. To destroy it in the most dramatic fashion so he would never have to see it again. It would have been so easy to smash the crown under his foot, incinerate it, throw it far enough to become a twinkle in the cloudy sky. And yet something was keeping him from doing so. A natural instinct like a brain signal prohibiting someone from danger. Maybe in its own sense, the power-up had become a part of him. A side of him he always neglected, but remained ever present. Even as he plodded towards his castle, he felt it nagging at the corner of his mind. That feeling of loss overtaking his heart despite his best attempts at flushing it out. Never again would he wear the trinket as 'Bowsette'. If anything, he would keep it atop his head to remind him of his shame, mourning a relationship that could never be. A love he could never have. Why this hurt more than anything he ever felt for Peach he did not fully understand.
Poof!
She sighed. Her body was so tired. Her heart had never been this heavy. Maybe Bowser would wake up and this whole 'Bowsette' thing would be nothing more than a bad dream...or a wonderful nightmare. At least her home was just over the next hill. Soon she would be back by a nice, warm fireplace and out of this cold, bitter wind.
When she finally climbed over however, she noticed something rather peculiar. Most of her guards had disappeared. The front entrance barren of any life, even after Kamek's suggestions of raising defenses. While not entirely unlikely of her incompetent forces to run inside and fetch umbrellas at the exact same time, an air of suspicion overtook Bowsette as she slowly pressed forward. The storm had even cooled off her once proud lava moat, now quickly filling with water. When she got close enough, she noticed two new additions to her troops. A pair of Snifits that quickly put up their guard. As did she. When they saw the dangling tail and protruding horns however, they promptly lowered their stance, standing at attention. In the course of time she had been away, someone had penetrated her defenses!
"He arrives! ...I think!"
A lone shy guy cried from one of the towers. Not wanting him to set off any alarms, Bowsette quickly grabbed the largest rock she could find, striking the foot soldier with excessive force. Immediately after, she made a mad dash for the front door. A line of her own soldiers stood conversing at the entrance of her castle with another group of minions that in no way belonged to her ranks.
"Men!? What is going on here?!" Bowsette demanded.
Her soldiers were quick to explain while the others were quicker to bow. "Your guest has arrived my liege."
"Guest?" she repeated. "What guest?!"
A Koopa piped up. "Conqueror of the Subcon, sir."
Pushing aside both sets of subordinates, Bowsette made a mad dash inside. Her footsteps echoed down the hall as she found more and more of her troops chatting with foreign minions. At every other door, another enemy, particularly in the form of a Shy Guy or a Snifit, would try saying some sort of welcome only for her to bash them out of the way. Something just beyond the hallway caught her attention. It looked like some sort of sentient flame bouncing about trying to catch her eye. It wore a black mask, puckering its mouth as if preparing to spit. She kicked her legs into high gear.
"Ha ha ha!" spoke the flame. "If it isn't the late Bowser? His majesty's already awaiting your glorious-!"
Bowsette paid the little fire no mind, opting to simply trample it under her feet like a pancake. She pressed forth. Fury burning hotter and hotter seeing what had become of her castle. All the while with the flame creature screaming that he was not done with his perfectly crafted spiel.
One after another, soldiers came her direction only for her to smack them off. The further and further she went however, the more powerful some of them seemed to become. It got to the point Bowsette had to unleash the flames of her wrath to deal with a few here and there. She was seething with anger and in no mood to deal with unwanted visitors. Finally, she got to the main doors of her throne room. There waiting for her was yet another enemy. A more familiar face. Pink in nature with a massive snout. A bow complimented her feminine physique. Her gaze lifted off her phone when she noticed Bowsette.
"Oh. You're here." she said expectantly.
"You!" snarled Bowsette. She leapt into the air with her claws ready to rip apart. "I'll make you mince meat Birdo-!"
"Woah woah, slow it down chief." the dinosaur said holding up her hand. Bowsette somehow halted her attack mid flight just inches away from Birdo's fingers. After a second or two of silence, she dropped to the royal red carpet below. Birdo gestured to the door. "He's in there."
"Who's in there?!" Bowsette snarled.
Birdo shrugged, going back to her phone. "Boss man. He's waiting for you." She then nonchalantly skootched to the side, granting her entrance. Not quite knowing what to make of it, Bowsette burst into the throne room. Her mouth steaming and ready to incinerate anything in her path. There near her favorite seat stood a massive green figure almost as big as the great Koopa King himself. A glimmering crown asserted its royalty alongside a long robe or cape of sorts held together by a precious jewel.
"You dimwitted fools! Does that look like a red hat to you?!" When it noticed her presence, it stopped, shooing away its minions before proceeding to make a loud, gurgling noise she interpreted to be some sort of laugh. Its large eyes focused on the battle ready Bowsette, wide and wild with what could only be described as pure hunger. "Ah, if it isn't the man of the hour-err? Wait...Bowser?"
"Queen-Dad!" Bowser Jr. scurried over from behind the throne. His tiny form hid under her tattered dress. A birdcage above housed a panic-stricken Yoshi. Kamek waved 'hello' nervously to his master. Bowsette prepared to pounce. Her claws bared. Her mouth wide open. "Who dares challenge the raw power of the almighty Bowser?!" she roared.
"Blah, ha ha ha ha! It really is you! Ha! No one else except you could make such a dramatic entrance!" The large creature wobbled over, pulling her into a tight hug. Bowsette's anger soon evaporated into uncertainty.
"Uh…"
The creature pulled away. "I can't believe you fooled me! And my, you've lost weight! You look hideous, but you've really slimmed down!"
Bowsette remained awkwardly silent, unsure of what to say. The bulbous green being continued. "Oh, what's the matter, your highness? Don't you recognize your oldest chum?"
"Err...K...King K. Rool?"
A decorative glass pane shattered behind the creature. "What?!" it screamed. Its massive maw agape. "N-No you old warmonger! It's me! Wart! The Great Wart!"
"Who?" repeated Bowsette. Her confusion growing by the second.
"Seriously?! The leader of the 8-bits? Conqueror of the Subcon?"
"Wart? Wart…" A full minute passed before Bowsette snapped her fingers. "Oh! I was telling my son about you a while back-wait a second. What do you think you're doing?! The land of dreams too much for you to handle or what?!"
Wart chortled. "What does it look like I'm doing? I dropped by for a visit, you goof!"
Bowsette stared blankly at the intruder. Her brows furrowed in annoyance. Ears drooped. "Okay, seriously buddy, this is my place. Who let you in?"
"Just thought I'd let myself in!" replied Wart throwing a friendly arm around her. His slimy build rubbing up against her exposed skin gave a most repulsive sensation. "You had me worried for a while! No replies to my messages, no calls, nothing! When I noticed the great Koopa King was absent from his kingdom, I started to panic! But now you're here, so hey! My efforts won't go to waste!"
Junior was still doing his best to sneak behind his mother's leg. She patted his head in reassurance. After a moment, she replied. "Efforts? Efforts for what?"
The frog sighed deeply. A large bulge under his chin deflated as he exhaled. "Well, I heard about Odyssey and how badly things between you and Peach went. So, as an old business associate, I was thinking I'd pull a little surprise just for you! My glorious presence, and something else. Beezoo!"
A group of minions parted a set of curtains, revealing heaps upon heaps of FP and power-ups. Bowsette's jaw dropped. Not in her entire life had she seen so much of it in one place! That corner of her throne room had practically turned into a garden. Of course. He was the one responsible for her shortages! And generously offering it? Though sketchy, after a hectic day, this was definitely worth coming home to.
Wart beamed at her reaction. "C'mon, you gotta admit I outdid myself, right? I might've used some of it to create the rainstorm, but there's still a ton left over!"
"W-What?" She asked. "Woah woah woah, time out!" she gestured with her hands. "You temperamental oaf, what's this about?! Why the rain?! Why all this?!"
The frog waltzed over. "To make up for Odyssey, dear friend." he said patting her shoulder. "It sounded like you were taking it really rough. So, I decided the best way to help a fellow ruler out would be to help him carry out his next big scheme."
She turned around. Admittedly, this was all quite startling. "And the rain?"
Wart snorted. "Nothing like flooding an entire kingdom who wronged you, right?"
"Flood?" repeated Bowsette.
"For old time's sakes!" he smiled. "I bet you're writhing to get back at that Peach saying no and all. I even went as far as to nab that irksome plumber for you!" He pointed at the birdcage above. His tone changed. "At least I would have seeing as some of my incompetent subordinates can't follow the simple rules I sent out!" His voice went deathly loud as he turned to two his minions trembling to the sidelines. Though his eyes hid behind a set of dark glasses, Bowsette could smell the fear emanating from the frightened mouse, as well as his three headed snake counterpart. Come to think of it, the entire room, with the exception of Wart, seemed to show some shred of terror. Even Kamek, who had been standing idly, had the slightest glimmers of sweat dripping down his face. Wart recovered. "But I guess we'll have to try harder next time, won't we boys?"
While the entire prospect did sound promising, Bowsette eyed him curiously. "So I take it your win is making it more hospitable for you while enslaving or drowning those who don't yield, right? Didn't you already try that?"
"Oh, you figure things out so fast!" The frog hopped over to one of the windows. The entire castle rumbled with every one of his thuds. His minions scampering away from his path. "Trust me when I say it'll be different this time. Grander. Plus it'll be us both, not simply me!" he cocked his head over his shoulder. "And I know how much you love crushing those lesser than you." He snapped his fingers as two Shy Guys carried a set of glowing turquoise spheres. Inside were two Goombas frozen in an eternal scream. Bowsette held in a gasp.
"Gotcha back for the time you set my Snifits on fire!" he laughed out loud.
"S-So you bubbled my Goombas?!" she exclaimed.
He wiped a tear from his eye, still leering his nightmarish smile. "Oh, don't act like you never do anything like this to your minions!" he continued. "You haven't gone soft on me, have you old chum?"
She blinked. Her throat caught. That all too familiar twinkle in her eye once more came up before fading. "N-No! Whaddaya think I am, some prissy princess?!" she growled.
Wart cocked an eyebrow. "Well, judging by your headdress…"
Bowsette scowled. She reached for it, but for one reason or another could not bring herself to pry it off. Her fingers stuck to the Super Crown as if it was glued to her head.
"Tell me, tell me, why are you wearing such a ridiculous outfit for anyways?" he asked. An undertone of accusing concern in his voice.
She frowned. "It's a crown of shame. It stays on my head until I…" she paused. The events from earlier slowly coming back to her. "...until I avenge the events of Odyssey." Her hair drooped over her face. Both fists clenched.
For the slightest moment, Wart's eyes showed a small glimmer of compassion. His large green hands dropping on the She-Koopa's shoulders. Their eyes locked.
"Fret not." he reassured. "Soon, you'll have your vengeance on the Mushroom Kingdom and that pesky plumber."
"Mario." she whispered softly.
"Precisely!" Wart nodded cheerfully. "Whaddaya say? Partners?"
Bowsette grinned mischievously. Her sharp teeth bared as she reached for his hand. Before the deal could be signed however, that tiny voice in her head yelled for her to stop. She froze. What could it possibly be now? Was it how mind-numbingly stupid it was to retry an old plan that previously failed? Was it the fearful glances of her troops and son at the sight of Wart?
Was it the prospect of losing Mario?
All the while, her hand slowly dropped to her side. The big frog arched a disturbed brow, but his smile remained unphased.
"Wart." she said softly.
"Yes?" he inquired.
Both stood in silence for the longest moment. Finally, she spoke with a small scowl. "I...it's time for you and your band of losers to beat it."
A flabbergasted Wart took a step back. Even his minions who had been shaking at the sight of their boss gasped. "I...I beg your pardon?"
Her scowl widened as if she was struggling against herself. "I-I said...begone." Her messy red hair slowly revealing her ruby red eyes. "If anyone's gonna take the Mushroom Kingdom, it's gonna be me. And I'm not going to share that ownership with you or anyone else. I am Bowsette. Queen of the Koopa Troop. And I'm not about to accept patronage from someone trying to make a name for themselves. Especially not someone who thinks they can treat my subordinates like trash."
Koopas, Goombas, Hammer Bros, and alike slowly lifted their eyes. Even Kamek slowly turned to look at his leader with a most confused of looks.
Wart seemed increasingly perturbed. "B-Bowser!" he cried. His tone disheartened. "You used to enjoy squashing subordinates, regardless of who they belonged to!"
Her fists balled. "Yeah. I do. But you know what?" She stood up close to his face. Her brows furrowed in anger. "One of my most loyal Goombas asked for a raise at my expense...and I granted it. I'm not sure why I did it. But you know what? It made me feel good inside. Better than I've ever felt." She took a step forward. He took one back. "Because no matter how incompetent they can be, how stupid their decision-making is, how non-threatening they may appear, how misshapen and deformed-!"
Kamek could not help but clear his throat, rocking back and forth on his feet. Bowsette paused, then smirked nervously. "Case and point, my soldiers are better cannon fodder than yours, you're a lame villain who's trying too hard to get attention, and I'm doing things my way until my Game Over screen comes. Now scram!" She pointed to the door.
The silence was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Somewhere from the back, an excited Birdo yelled "Woo!"
"Y-You...you're deserting me?!" growled Wart.
Bowsette rolled her eyes. "Look buddy, it's not you, it's me. And when I say that, I really mean it's you-"
An ear shattering scream erupted from the frog's massive mouth. He roared. "To think I spent months preparing all this FP, practicing magic spells, and going through countless drafts of our victory speech just so you could tell me off as a smooth-skin?! Where's the real Bowser I left behind?! The one who'd do anything to break the world in half?!"
"Oh, he's right here." Bowsette leered. "He's just been bottling up what he's really felt about someone who thinks they can compare themselves to him."
A few of Wart's minions could not help but snicker. "Look! Big bad Wart's getting talked down to by a girl!" yelled Birdo. Wart's face went through multiple color changes as he erupted in a steamy mess. Had it been a cartoon, his head may have turned into a steam whistle. Junior must have noticed it because he quickly darted out from under Bowsette's skirt and behind Kamek's robe.
"S-So that's how it's gonna be?!" sniffled Wart. "Fine! If that's the way you want it, then I'll take matters into my own hands! I'm going to become the single most terrifying, most frightening, most evil villain in the Mushroom Kingdom's history!"
Bowsette laughed a snorting laugh. "Oh puh-lease! So long as I'm around, you'll always be second best!"
Wart reached inside his cape and pulled out a magic wand. He snickered. "Exactly." With a flick of his wrist, out shot a series of violet bolts in Bowsette's direction. She barely had a chance to register the oncoming attack, but with superior agility due to a smaller body, dodging became less of a chore, forcing the amphibian to fire off bolt after frustrated bolt. In the process, the throne room quickly erupted into chaos with Wart's forces getting the jump on Bowser's. Kamek called upon his trusty magic broom, pulling Bowser Junior onboard to escape the fray. Jumping to a nearby ledge, Bowsette let rip with a mighty fireball. Wart countered with an energy bubble that barely managed to encircle his rotund figure. It was by miracle no one in the immediate vicinity caught fire.
"Hasn't your mother taught you not to hit a girl?!" Bowsette scowled.
Wart dropped his shield. "The bare fist of evil is unisex, Bowser!" he proclaimed as he aimed his wand.
With a screech, Bowsette bolted towards her enemy, baring her claws. "It's Bowsette!"
In response, Wart summoned a set of green tomes, each striking and countering every last one of her furious strikes. "I never expected this from you, Koopa King!" scolded the frog. "But your claws are little match for my wand!"
She roared in response. "Who needs a puny wand…" Wart's glowing defenses suddenly evaporated as Bowsette unleashed a powerful fire stream. The frog stumbled backwards before being punched in the stomach. His eyes bulging out of their sockets as he was thrown back towards a pile of his own glowing spheres. She exhaled sharply, wiping at a scratch on her face. "...When you have pyrotechnics and raw strength?"
"Alright dad!" cried Junior from above.
"Kick him where it hurts your majesty!" added Kamek.
Bowsette chuckled, wiping at a cut on her lip. "Kind of a disappointing final boss, if ya ask me." Her victory was short lived, as the frog king burst out of the pile of egg capsules. The anger in his eyes burning as bright as her fire. Unbelievably, he did not seem to have a scratch on him.
"Huh." Bowsette arched a brow. "I'm surprised you even managed to stand after that, old fool."
Wart's scowl creaked into a smile. "I've buffed up since the last time we sparred, Bowser. I just find it pitiful that I have to beat you down in such a frail form."
She growled. "Nothing's changed. What I lack in size, I make up for in speed. Now, you just gonna stand there or do you wanna get this over with?!"
The frog looked from her to the pile of FP that remained untouched. Thinking quickly, he rushed towards it with the She-Koopa swiftly seeing through his plan. His speed taking her entirely by surprise. As Wart barreled through the crowd of fighting minions, she leapt over to block his path. His palm connected with her face. Her fist met his snout. Both their hands interlocked with one attempting to overpower the other. Though winded from her encounter with Mario, Bowsette was determined to win this battle. The entirety of her forces depended on it. Her son depended on it.
Just as their stalemate seemed certain, Wart charged up his own attack. A blue glow inside his mouth. In response, Bowsette's mouth lit up in a bright orange light. Their beams fired out their maws, clashing between them before bursting into a powerful explosion. The sheer force of it tossed Bowsette at her throne, hitting hard. As soon as she looked up, Wart had already jumped out the puff of smoke with a glowing turquoise orb in his fist. On instinct, she ducked out of the way before the frog had a chance to crush her beneath his weight. She skid to a halt after rolling a few feet. Nostrils at full flare. His impact sent a pulsating shockwave throughout the castle.
"All these years of being second..." Wart scowled. "...Will finally be avenged!" His fingertips lit up before shooting a bright sky-blue wave of bolts in the She-Koopa's direction. In her frantic evading, one of the bolts found its way towards the escaping Kamek, knocking both him and Junior out of the air before crashing into a wall. The two landed near the pile of FP.
One magic blast after the other grazed Bowsette's injured body. Despite her initial confidence, only now was she realizing she was more tired than she initially hoped. Every passing second was earning her more and more damage. If she was going to win, she would need to do it fast. In a desperate move, she grabbed some of her encapsulated soldiers to use as projectiles. Her arms picking them up and chucking them so fast she practically looked like a machine gun firing round after repeated round. Wart saw through her tactic and summoned a magic barrier he slowly pushed forward. His mouth charged a bubble attack and unleashed it with all his might. This one striking Bowsette with violent force, exploding on impact. Her body skid across the throne room, coming to a stop near the door.
"I always was the superior sorcerer. Why does everyone praise you?!" Wart stomped towards the injured She-Koopa. Her body slowly struggling to rise. An opportunity he was not going to grant her. He charged another wave of his water pump within his mouth. A gurgling laugh escaped his throat. "Once my rainwaters flood the Mushroom Kingdom, there'll be no one left to oppose me! Now perish, Queen Koopa!"
Bowsette shut her eyes. She heard the blast, but never felt the impact. Her eyes creaked open to find a magic barrier over her. Immediately after, Wart screamed in pain. It was Kamek. He stood defiantly nearby while the Koopaling hid behind a pile of fallen debris ready to run. "My king!" he said proudly before waving his wand. A restoration spell began sealing her wounds. The She-Koopa lifted her gaze in disbelief.
Wart screamed. "Birdo! FP!"
"Hum? Yeah yeah, be there in a sec." she replied before dropping from the cage above, apparently busy conversing with Yoshi. Sucking up the precious power-ups in her snout, she then proceeded to fire them out inside eggs. They cracked open the moment they hit Wart, bathing him with more and more energy. Kamek scowled. "D-Drat! I need more time!"
Junior slid between the distracted frog's legs directly to his father. In his arms a small batch of FP. "You'll need this Queen-Dad!"
She grinned, then ordered him to get out of there. It was gonna get messy.
"But Papa-!"
"We'll be fine buddy, but we're gonna need reinforcements! Now grab your Clown Car! Hurry!"
"Run your highness!" called Kamek. Now he was dealing with Wart's full might.
"Insolent Magikoopa!" he bellowed as he charged another attack.
Kamek adjusted his gleaming glasses. With a twist of his magic wand, he yelled at the top of his voice "Parappa the Rapper!" sending a powerful lightning bolt at his foe.
Wart fired back. "Joe-Chin!"
Both beams clashed in a flurry of crackling energy. Bowsette hugged the frightened Junior one last time before sending him off. The batch of FP serving to refuel her fire energy. Just as her son ran out of sight, Bowsette heard the screams of her assistant break the commotion. In the second she turned back, his wand dropped to the floor. A bright turquoise sphere swallowed everything except his head. It's membrane slowly crawling up his neck.
"You really have gotten stronger." Kamek choked out. "But you'll fail! I swear upon my ancestors'-!"
Bloop!
The sphere swallowed the Magikoopa whole. Wart grimaced. "Oh Kamek. Your spells are strong, but your alliance is weak."
Bowsette looked on in horror. Her fear slowly boiling into anger. "You bloated bug eating tadpole!" Again, she went to rush him. The frog was already awaiting her response however, countering with his own set of magic attacks.
Bowsette fumed. "Imbecile! What's the point of ruling townsfolk if they've drowned?!"
"Who said anything about ruling?!" retorted Wart.
One attack flared after the other. No matter what Bowsette tried, she simply could not get the upper hand on her opponent. Though she had plenty of FP, his supply seemed limitless. Birdo's help earlier boosted him just as much as it did her. Tacking on how the bulbous blob kept firing one potent spell after the other made nothing easier. She hated to admit, but she was utterly outmatched by Wart's newfound tenacity and overwhelming magical prowess. Wherever he had been, he had learned far past anything she was familiar with. Fire restriction spells, ice summoning, even the occasional chain lightning. He really had been practicing in her absence. Without warning, Wart backhanded her face hard. Much harder than expected. Fluids flew out of Bowsette's mouth as she tumbled to the ground. Her body straining to get back up.
A cocky Wart bared his teeth. "You know, I've enjoyed our time together, Bowser" he panted. "As a token of my appreciation, let me show you exactly what I had in store for Mario. Behold, the power of the Great Wart!" The toad's eyes began to glow a piercing red. His body bloated to nearly twice his size. Bowsette could only watch helplessly. Whatever came next would be inescapable. In the loudest scream, he bellowed. "No-Mo-Nokonoko!" Out shot a dazzling display of red rays from his eyes.
The pain felt like a thousand blunt knives ramming her at high speed. It stung worse than any fireball or bomb Bowsette had ever taken. Even as Bowser, such an attack surely would feel no different. Her body flew across the room, striking the opposite wall with enough force to crack its stone bricks. She dropped to the ground, limp.
Wart stumbled back from the recoil, landing on his rear. Only after blinking did he register the full might of the attack. "Wow!" he exclaimed staring at his hands. His focus then directed towards the injured Bowsette. He stomped her way, cracking his wet knuckles. The Koopa Queen was still conscious, but fading fast. The mixture of spells and exhaustion finally caught up to her. He grinned menacingly as she stared at him. Their forces still fighting in the background. Try as she might, her body refused to move. Her injuries too great. She could only shudder as the large frog stood overhead.
"You know, 'bloated bug eating tadpole' is a pretty creative choice of last words" Wart chuckled. "I'll be sure to mark it on your tombstone."
"C-Choke...on a fly." was all Bowsette could muster.
A wide smile. "Those too." Wart's eyes began to glow once more. His nightmarish leer relished in her suffering. He uttered again, and this time broke through the castle wall, sending an unconscious Bowsette out into the rainy night. Her form dropping faster by the second. Air whooshed passed as she zoomed into a murky river below. There was no scream. There was no cry. Only a splash.
The gleeful toad wobbled over to the gaping hole in the castle wall. Lightning reflected in his eyes as rain water sprayed all over his slimy build.
"I...I did it!" Wart exclaimed throwing his fists in the air. "I've finally surpassed Bowser!"
Birdo peeked over the broken bricks. Concern ever present on her face. "Shouldn't we, like, check to make sure she's gone? You know, like a competent villain-?"
"Give me more FP for my grand illusion spell!" demanded Wart. With that, he stomped back into the warmth of his new territory. "At long last, a new land is ours!"
Birdo rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh. "And Birdo's advice goes ignored again." she muttered.