Chapter 11: One Last Laugh
Despite hours of searching, no one was able to locate any trace of Wart after the chaotic blast. It was unlikely for him to die at the hands of a mere Bob-bomb, leading most to speculate he most likely escaped. With his threat finally recognized and neutralized, Peach gradually loosened her hold on her kingdom's state. All could momentarily breathe a sigh of relief, especially knowing it was she who went head on to defend her land. And alongside the Koopa King no less. Word spread fast about what had happened along with news about the trio's heroics. It was enough to where it swiftly sparked media interests. "Koopa Kingdom Under Fire by King K. Rool! Local Princess Turned Hero!" read the local paper. The scoop of the century that would surely bring their names up at the dinner table for years to come. It certainly garnered attention by the hundreds. So much so that days later, the actual King of the Kremlings would receive a mysterious letter with a foreign emblem stuck to its face. To what exactly, no one knew. As for relations between the Mushroom and Koopa Kingdoms, they managed to reach a ceasefire agreement after much deliberations and influences from a certain plumber/doctor hybrid. A truce was eventually signed with Princess Peach and Bowser in agreeing there would be no more conflict. At least until Bowser felt the need to kidnap her again anyway.
Much to everyone's surprise, their ceasefire held up better than expected. Days passed and no one heard a single peep from Bowser. It was as if at long last his reign of terror had come to a close. The Mushroom Kingdom rejoiced in their tranquility, and with help from Sarasaland, things finally prospered as they had long since done so. Finally, the future looked peaceful and bright. All was as it should be for Peach and her people. A couple of spa treatments and an invitation to the next big event Peach attended was enough to bring her out of debt with Daisy. In all her years of being a princess, she had never looked so happy. Her golden locks flowed in the wind as she overlooked her castle, her plumped lips lit up her face with a smile, and her irises twinkled with sunlight and joy.
The same could not be said for Mario however. Though he always waltzed down the kingdom's streets with a grin on his face, something was quite off about him. And for good reason. Shortly after signing the treaty, Bowser marched behind his castle doors without so much as a word, not even to Mario. He believed the big king needed some time to simmer down after bearing such an embarrassing invasion at the hands of a jealous friend. With that in mind, he waited a few days before attempting to contact him. His words however went unheard. After several calls, there was no reply from the Koopa King. No letters, no messages, nothing.
During that time, Mario was repeatedly invited to different shindigs Peach would host. He, of course, would happily attend, excitedly bringing a smile to the table. It took a little while, but the two managed to start acting like friends again. This time, Peach really did her best to show even the slightest sliver of appreciation for her guest. At times, she would compliment his attire if dressed to impress, others, she would go out of her way to be his dance partner during slow songs which he happily agreed to, or simply place her fingers on his shoulder to show she cared. Each time, she was met with a warm, comforting smile. One that admittedly did begin to give her goosebumps.
Whether it was ice skating during chilly nights or simply walking down the royal garden however, something still felt odd in the air around him. Despite his laughter and cheerful demeanor displayed by his attitude, his eyes had lost their burning blue flames. Any spark now a dulling gray. Regardless of Peach's efforts, she never managed to reignite those blazes in his cobalt irises. For the likes of her, she could simply not pinpoint what was wrong. When she asked, he chuckled and reassured her that everything was alright. She never once pressed the matter further.
Mario eventually worked up the nerve to go to Bowser Castle to see if his arch rival was alright only to be turned down by its guards despite there being not a single Koopa or Goomba who immediately attacked or threatened him. Their only answer when inquired about Bowser was "His majesty does not wish to be disturbed right now", "His omnipotence has requested you make yourself scarce", or "My liege is currently not in spirits to speak with you". At first it seemed they were simply reciting lines they were ordered to speak, but it eventually became apparent they were directed specifically towards Mario. Time after time, Bowser's guards refused to let him through, resorting to threats to keep him at bay if he persisted. Even when he got up in arms about it, a whole mob of minions would surround the entrance just to keep him out. An excessive use of force for sure, but it served well to keep him off the premises.
Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Still, no claw or horn from Bowser emerged. Mario tried his best not to complain. After all, Peach was his dear friend again, the kingdom was safe, and all was right with the world. The way it was meant to be. The way he knew it. Day by day, something came closer and closer to breaking though. Perhaps a good long kart race would help get his mind off things. No one was present at the track. It was just him doing laps by himself. He stopped his car without making it to the finish line. The engine rumbled as he stalled, unable to press down on the gas pedal any longer as if expecting something, anything different, to happen. His eyes lit up when he noticed a lone shadow with a set of horns protruding from its head. Disappointment followed upon noticing a tree with a peculiar looking form.
Moments later, he unwittingly found himself in a store of different knickknacks and trinkets. He never meant to go inside. It simply happened automatically. At least it would give him a chance to see what new oddities they had in stock. His heart nearly skipped a beat when he noticed a pair of large ruby earrings outlined by a black and red necklace. For a moment, only for a moment, he swore he heard someone at the desk call his name. The girl at the register however simply continued to read her magazine while chewing her bubble gum obnoxiously.
The sun had begun to set. Mario let his chin sink in his palms. A small cup of uneaten frozen yogurt served as his only company despite the various patrons passing by. How curious it was to see most of them arm in arm. It was not for lack of trying, but he simply could not bring himself to eat, even though his stomach had been craving sweets hours earlier. The treat had since started melting with Mario doing little to keep it cold. He gazed off into the distance. At least the view was nice. It would be so neat to pop a coin in one of the nearby telescopes to see what lay ahead…
Night came. Mario moped into his humble home. Empty as usual. No Luigi. No Yoshi this time either. Just his echoing footsteps disturbed an otherwise dead house. He recalled how difficult it had been straightening everything out after the raid on his property. A half hearted chuckle. All of it remained fresh in his mind. Peach's resentment for what he did, Bowser Junior napping nearby, and...her…
The slightest tremble surged through Mario's body. After setting his unfinished treat in the fridge, the plumber ambled towards his bedroom. His mind replayed memories of everything leading up to this point. No matter how he looked at it, he was undoubtedly trying to fill the hole that girl's absence had left. There was no other option but to admit it. Even as he sat up in bed, he stared into the unblinking face in the ID picture on his phone. That same devious smile. Those same, burning red eyes. That voluminous, bouncing red hair. And her voice. Perhaps he was going completely crazy, but ever since they parted ways, he swore he heard her call his name in the crowds only to find it was just his imagination. The image momentarily distorted in response to a finger caressing the screen. An imaginary dam withholding every thought of that woman burst. How pathetic. He could no longer even bring himself to say her name. It felt like years had gone by since their last meeting. Her absence haunted his every waking moment. Were it not for the picture staring back on his phone screen, Mario could have guessed the entire ordeal was nothing more than a dream. A bittersweet memory he longed to re-live. He never even got a chance tell her what he had been hiding. His sentiments. The magical feelings he longed to express that would have shown their emotional rollercoaster was worthwhile. Words that would cement the opportunity to take her in his arms. To gently bump foreheads with her. To feel her nose brush against his own. There was no denying it any longer. Mario had fallen in love… with Bowsette. It felt nothing like what his heart had felt before with Peach either. This was a hard head-over-heels sensation he never experienced prior to meeting her. Did any of it matter though? After all, the woman his heart cried for may have been little short of an illusion. Bowsette was a product of the Super Crown after all. Maybe...maybe it was all just a wonderful fantasy that she would one day be waiting at a sunrise. Arms open to embrace him in a breathtaking hug. If only it were that easy. His phone clicked off and he rolled to his side. His hands clutched his pillow. Eyes squeezed shut. Moments later, he drifted to sleep. A lone tear ran down the bridge of his nose.
Hours brought another day. Despite having a relatively good night's sleep, he still felt unusually tired. Most of it may have been due to all the tossing and turning. Nonetheless, it was time for business as usual. A brush of his teeth, a comb of his hair, dressed. He shuffled over to the kitchen for breakfast. Bacon was set on the frying pan. Eggs cooked in its grease. Two slices of bread popped out of the toaster. Within minutes, he sat himself down at the empty table. His warm plate waited for him to dig in.
Just as he reached for his fork, there was a loud knock at his door. It scared him so much he practically jumped in his seat. Setting a napkin over his food, Mario made his way to see who the visitor was. His hand fumbled with the knob as the door slowly creaked open.
To his surprise, there stood Princess Peach holding a set of black overalls and neatly folded red shirt. Or at least, that's what he initially assumed. For a moment, it seemed the Princess had gone goth. His heart nearly stopped upon seeing a rather familiar looking gold and pink crown atop her head. She muttered through rosy red cheeks. "I uh...think these are yours."
"Bowsette!"
Not a moment after he yelled did he tackle her to the grass. Mario's words became an incomprehensible avalanche of Italian and gibberish. Bowsette did her best to sit up. His hands still gripped her torso tightly. She felt just like he remembered. Plush like a pillow, but sturdy enough to crush stone.
"C-Cut it out, don't make this harder than it actually…" Bowsette did not bother finishing her sentence, throwing her arms around the stalky plumber. Her embrace suffocating, yet oozing with affection. All the while doing her best not to smile.
"I've-a missed you!" cried Mario. "I've-a missed you so much! I thought you weren't-a real!"
"Seriously?" she chuckled. "I'm very real, you dunderhead! You think these good looks only exist in fiction?!"
After the longest hug to date, the two slowly stood back up. Bowsette nodded disapprovingly upon seeing the humble little house. "Well, at least it looks slightly less like a dump now."
He grinned. It was nice seeing her demeanor had not changed. The rest of her however was a far cry from the reptilian appearance he had grown accustomed to. This Bowsette looked just like she did when they first started their shenanigans. Glimmering golden hair, soft fair skin, but the tail, shell, and horns remained. He then noticed the choker she was wearing. The same Bowser insignia sunk in the red gem trinket he had bought her back on Isle Delfino. It sparkled in the sunlight, just like the rubies that were her eyes. How odd. Though he recognized it was the same person, it was still surreal seeing her in this form. "What...a happened to you?"
She pointed to her Super Crown. "You wouldn't believe how long it took my minions to find another one of these puppies. I guess the last one ran out of juice. But hey, at least now I look like Peach again, right?"
Mario tapped his chin. "I don't-a know. I kinda liked the darker skin and-a red hair."
"R-Really?" stuttered Bowsette. "Because I can tell Kamek to find a different-"
"Bowsette." interrupted Mario. A warmth on his face. "It's okay. I want you to do what-a makes you happy."
"Oh...w-well, not like I was gonna change it specifically for you!" she cried poking his nose. "I mean, how stupid would that be?"
Mario grabbed at her hand, meeting her eyes. The cobalt glow once again raged wildly in his eyes now more than ever. Even she could tell from where she stood. A brief sigh crossed her lips as she squeezed his hand.
"Look Mario, I know this is completely out of character for me, but can we...talk? You know, in a civilized manner?"
The plumber nodded excitedly, gesturing inside his home. Instead of the expected response however, Bowsette grabbed his shoulders and led him away. Her fingers gently caressed him.
"Shouldn't-a you be safe-a guarding your-a kingdom?" Mario asked shyly. He took another bite of his breakfast sandwich.
Bowsette grinned. "Nah. I think most other villains got the message after the rumors started circulating." she replied taking another swig of her juice.
He arched a brow. "Rumors?"
"Yup." Her wrist flicked as if she were tossing a basketball into the trash. "Something about some attractive Koopa Queen marrying some rich Italian guy who protects his and her lands twenty-four seven. Go figure."
Mario could not help but chuckle through a mouthful of food. He also threw his trash into the awaiting can, missing to his dismay. To his surprise, Bowsette leaned back in her patio chair, picked it up, and flicked it into the intended container. Moreover, when the server came by with their check, she plucked it from his hands.
"Oh, and by the way." she said as she paid for their meal. "Nice try wanting to fool me. Kamek showed me how plumbers can't actually do magic."
The plumber arched a brow. "I never said I could-"
"So, you clearly lied about putting things in my drink." she went on. "'Cause you know buddy, I spent a whole three months eating with you and not once did I see a magic wand." The check taken care of, she reclined on her chair, poking her fangs with a toothpick. "So, if you don't mind, you're going to be tasked with carrying my burdens more often from now on. Whether you like it or not."
A sigh passed Mario's lips. He tittered. "Are-a you sure you don't-a wanna search-a me for a spell-a book?"
"No no, I'm sure." Bowsette rolled her eyes with a pucker of her lips. "You'd better feel honored, doofus. I don't give away my trust to just anyone."
After all this time, a string of words he longed to hear for so long. Regardless of how much it might have taken, it was worth every ounce of trouble. She took his hand, leading him out of the restaurant towards the public garden they frequented many times before. Bowsette spoke of how it took her minions an eternity to locate another Super Crown and how hopeless she had grown. Afterwards, she sweet talked Peach into letting her into the Mushroom Kingdom, if only to say hello to him specifically. The Princess did begrudgingly agree, under the promise she would behave herself. Peach's rule did not stop patrons from looking at her with the utmost caution. It was all too clear as the two walked on.
"I'm-a surprised-that she let-a you in."
She shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a hit with the ladies."
The two shared a laugh. Mario however could not help but be the least bit curious. "Why...did-a you find it-a necessary to find-another crown?"
"Because I-" Bowsette hesitated. Her throat caught for a moment. "I...just…I don't know. I mean, don't think I've narrowed down being a girl entirely. This is still a flimsy inferior body with fluffy handles all over and hair that grows in the strangest places, but it's kinda grown on me, ya know? Besides, if I weren't prissy, you wouldn't be as inclined to take me out, now would ya?"
Mario nodded disapprovingly. She went on.
"I mean, not like anything's changed, right? I'm still a Koopa Queen, you're a thorn in my side...j-just don't think any of this means I've softened up to you-!"
"Bowser…" Mario cut in as they walked. "You used your-a one and only 1up to save-a my life. Even if it-a could've-a cost you yours. I think that-a says a lot about you."
Bowsette's eyes fluttered nervously. Her face went red. "Y-yeah? Well...don't get used to it." she retorted. "I mean, it's not like I...you know…"
"What?" asked Mario.
She mumbled. Her face caked in blush. "...like I care about you in that way."
His cheeks also displayed a hint of red. Mario averted his gaze sheepishly. Neither of them bothered to acknowledge how their pinky fingers had remained intertwined throughout their entire stroll. Eventually, they made it to a balcony overlooking the castle's scenery. Bowsette leaned over the edge, staring down at the many patrons below. Mario did the same. A cool breeze caressed their faces.
"So…" she began.
He turned to face her. "So what?"
Bowsette rubbed her arm. "I guess...this is it then?"
Mario furrowed his brows sadly. "What do you mean?"
She refused to meet his gaze. "I mean, a deal's a deal. You got Peach back now. Guess there's no reason for this version of me to exist. I take it you two have been snogging and snuggling while I've been away, right?"
He frowned. A lone finger scratched the side of his face. "Well...Peach and-a me are on speaking-a terms now" he mentioned. "But-a we're-a not-a couple. She want's-a to keep-a-the things professional."
Bowsette's eyes unknowingly lit up. "O-Oh! So...you aren't with her then?"
He exhaled. "No, Queen-Bowsette. I'm-a not."
Oh how hard it was for her not to smile. Still, the will to do so gradually faded entirely. "Huh. Well, I'm sure she'll come around, right?" Her tone became increasingly sad. "I mean, no point in keeping this whole 'Bowsette' thing going if you're eventually gonna get the girl."
Mario gazed up at the Koopa Queen. Her arms wrapped around herself. His fingers tapped the balcony edge. "Yeah. Maybe."
Their focus went back to the bustling scenery below. By far it was the only distraction from the looming tension. Both expected the other to say something. Anything would suffice to break their lack of dialogue.
"What does this-a make us?"
A set of hopeful red eyes shifted his way. Her fingers hugged at her elbows tighter. She appeared as conflicted as he did. "I don't know. We're still enemies, right?"
Mario's eyelids drooped in longing. His voice soft. "Are we?"
Despite her frown, her face still bore hints of pink. "D-Don't think this means you can replace me with some other villain, pinhead! I meant every word I said about knocking your lights out. The last thing I wanna do is let my greatest scheme yet go to waste."
He arched a brow. "You're not-a gonna kidnap Peach-again, are you?"
She gasped. "What?! How'd you figure out my plan so quick?!"
"D'oh!" Mario face planted to the ground.
Bowsette grumbled. "Well, now you know that's never gonna change. Once a villain always a villain." She paused. She hunched her shoulders, tapping at the balcony railing. A smile, a genuine one, slowly claimed her lips. "But...if you ever feel like it, maybe one day I can invite you to my castle. Just us two so we can...you know, hang out and stuff."
The plumber whisked back up. "You. You really mean that?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah...what Peach don't know won't hurt her." she chuckled. "I'm just upset we don't get to keep doing it. I even had the most brilliant idea if all else failed."
Mario laughed nervously. "Really? Funny, I had-a one too!"
She eyed him with intrigue. Her curiosity peaked. "Okay? What was it?"
"I wanna year yours-a first." encouraged Mario.
Bowsette smirked. "Oh, you mentioned yours, now I wanna hear it!"
"Bowsette!" argued Mario.
"Mario!" Bowsette mocked.
Oh, how that voice taunted him so. Her silky tone encouraged a rapidly beating heart that nearly came out of his chest. Mario bit his lip. It seemed he was deeply contemplating something. Likewise, it was a wrestle with Bowsette's own emotions trying not to show excitement. Her tail swooshed from side to side like a cat anticipating a meal. "Well? Lay it on me man!"
He swallowed hard, gesturing for her to kneel down. She did as instructed, and upon hearing his words, her eyes went wider than ever. Whatever he was telling her, it nearly made her poor little dragon heart stop. Bowsette's face grew deathly red and her tail began wagging uncontrollably. By the time Mario had pulled away, his face too was caked in embarrassment.
"Th-That?" she asked nervously. A flustered smirk on her lips. "Y-You really wanted to try that as a last resort?"
Mario choked. His face grew as red as his outfit while a plethora of emotions flooded his mind. He instantly started regretting his words. "I-I mean, it-a was a last resort for-a reason-!"
"Woah-ho-ho, Mario, you 'stache-wearing, mushroom munching little devil you! Just when I thought I knew your ins and outs!"
"I-It's-a just an idea! That's-a why I never brought-it up!"
"Oh? Something tells me you still wanna do it."
"W-Why would I?! There's-a no point-in-a doing it-anymore since we're-a done!"
Bowsette yanked him roughly at the overalls. He adjusted his hat to look her in the eyes. A mischievous grin. That same, devious, evil little grin spread from ear to pointed ear upon her lips. Her skin still flushed at his suggestion. "What would've happened if I had said yes?"
Mario's mustache drooped. Pupils shrunk to near nonexistence. It was a chore and a half trying to swallow the ball of saliva in his throat. He trembled in her claws. "B-Bowsette?"
Her tone softened. Silky thin hands stroked his rounded cheeks. A cherry red gaze mesmerizing as the rainbow from a power star. Glistening, plumped lips trembled with anticipation. A voice smooth as the finest strawberry wine. "Funny...I had the exact same idea in mind..."
Chirping birds, green trees, and not a cloud in the sky. Peach inhaled a deep breath. The air was so fresh. Her demeanor soared through the heavens as she took her time strolling down her personal garden. A basket dangled from one arm as she picked flowers to later display at her dinner table. In her euphoria, caring little for any mantle of responsibilities that previously weighed at her shoulders. Her hand wrapped gently around a bright pink rose. A sniff, then it was off to the basket. Once she was done, she skipped back to the doors of her castle. A lone Toad was waiting for her at the doorway. In his hands a letter. "For your eyes only, your majesty!" it exclaimed excitedly.
"Thank you, Toad." she giggled. It was perhaps the most elegant envelope she had ever seen, embroidered with a red silk around the edges and three handwritten words: 'To Princess Peach'. Her gloved fingers gently opened the letter, careful not to create any tears in the paper. When she finally popped it open, there was a single, elegantly inscribed message. 'You're Invited!' Her brows quickly furrowed in annoyance. At its center was a picture of Mario and Bowsette wearing white wedding attire. The latter of which was tipping her hat in greeting much like the invitations sent out when she was captured by Bowser. The only difference was Mario appeared just as joyous. Below were details about the matrimony along with an address, list of special guests, and a date with time stamps to boot. No expense was spared at making the message flare as authentic and possible.
It was almost predictable. Obviously another hair brained tact to get her attention. That silly plumber had gotten rather friendly with that artificial princess. Not that she saw her as any manner of threat however. Everyone and their parents knew who Bowsette was. While she considered it none of her business to meddle in Mario's personal affairs, Peach knew he was a smart man who would never take something like being proposed to by Bowser to heart. No way any of this was real. Still, she humored the idea. If not to watch them blow it, then at least to see how far they were willing to go to get her attention. Heck, if they were going this far to fool her, they better at least have a delicious cake ready for her this time. She could not help but imagine what shenanigans the two would pull or how hilariously their uninspired ploy would fall apart.
Days later, the two were already putting their plan in motion. To say Mario was excited would be an understatement. Hours of ironing his best suit, polishing his best shoes, and preparing every last expense would surely pay off. His mind was set. There was no turning back now. The big day was fast approaching, and though it cut a good portion of his funds, the moment he looked himself over in the mirror he knew he could not be happier.
Elsewhere, Bowsette was making the final preparations for her big debut. A brand new dress had been specifically demanded under strict guidelines. She did initially want to go for a suit, but decided a dress would be more traditional. When the day finally arrived, she went out of her way to gussy herself up. Eyeliner, a small application of make-up, and a good waxing to her horns and shell. She was practically radiant by the time Kamek came in to help do her hair. All the while, he never stopped expressing his concerns.
"I'm honored to be the one walking you down the aisle, my liege, but don't you think this is a tad excessive? There are better ways of upsetting Peach."
Bowsette sat at a mirror, using her nails to pick at her teeth. "None are ash fun ash dish one 'owe!" She fixed her veil. "Besides, I really wanna make this whole thing look believable! Especially if I'm gonna have front row seats to Peach crashing a wedding!"
His leader's excitement did leave him a tad disturbed. "I just don't want you doing something you two might regret. We don't know if Princess Peach will really follow through!"
"Ye have little faith in your king, Kamek!" she argued. "That woman's fuse is about as short as Lemmy's attention span. I'm sure she won't fail to embarrass herself."
"And if she doesn't my liege?"
"Bah, I'm sure she will!" reassured Bowsette. "It's Peach we're talking about! She'll flare up like a balloon once she sees us exchange rings!"
Kamek frowned. "Need I remind you how long it took for you to get her attention last time-"
"Papa!" A wailing Junior burst into the room. His little black tuxedo still in shambles with his tie wrapped around his horn and the shirt on backwards. "Do I really have to wear this stupid monkey suit?"
Kamek could not help but facepalm. Bowsette made a gesture to make himself scarce. "I'll handle it Kamek. You get yourself suited up."
"As you wish, sir." muttered the Magikoopa. A flick of his wand and he was gone. Bowsette then went to work adjusting her son's attire. Despite his protesting, never once did she find herself getting upset. If anything, her mind was still daydreaming of what was to come. She finished fumbling with his tie, dusting off the rest of the Koopaling's outfit. "There! Now, don't you look dapper!"
"I don't see why I have to wear a bow." he mumbled pulling at his bowtie. His gaze met hers. "You really think Princess Peach will butt in?"
Bowsette giggled. "No doubt about it, kiddo. "Someday you'll know how territorial women are."
Junior grimaced. Still, he patted his mother's hand. "I am happy for you though, papa. He's not even saying no to the idea like Peach does."
"Yeah...weird huh?" she said nervously.
The little Koopa slowly wrapped his arms around her. She happily returned the favor. "Thanks for being so supportive, pally."
Junior smiled. "So long as you stay my papa." he said. As he pulled away, he asked. "So, if Peach doesn't say anything, does this mean I'll be able to kick Mario's butt whenever I want?"
A menacing leer formed on her face. "Only when I'm not busy kicking it!"
The youngling bobbed up and down cheerfully. "And hey, even if she doesn't interfere, at least you and Mario already love each other! So it's a win-win, right dad?"
Bowsette gasped. "J-Junior!" she cried. An anxious grin on her lips.
"You love him, don't you? It's no secret anymore, papa."
The prospect made her heart nearly stop. Her throat knotting with hesitation. A bright red overtook her soft face. Could she...could they truly go through something like this? This wedding was all for show after all. That was what hurt the most. Had she really wanted this whole ordeal to be real? Perhaps...perhaps Peach remaining silent was not as bad a thought as she initially believed. "I...I...Let's not mention this to anyone else, alright sonny?"
"Yes sir, papa sir!" saluted the Koopaling. "At least like that, I'll have both a mom, and a dad at the exact same time!"
Bowsette tittered. "Yes. Yes you will, buddy."
"And you and Mario will be able to do all that gross kissing and hugging stuff you adults do!" he exclaimed.
"Of course." she agreed.
He went on. "You won't have to part ways at the end of the day in the hopes of seeing each other again either!"
"Yes." Bowsette's heart fluttered more and more. A glorious glistening filled her eyes.
"Best of all, Mario loves you for who you are! I bet even if you take off the crown, you'll still be a lovely couple!"
A wine glass suddenly burst behind her. Bowsette's eyes went wide as dinner plates. Her euphoria not only shattered. It crashed and burned deep inside. Why had she not thought about that?! Was she really intoxicated by romance so much that it left her blind to such a factor?!
"Your majesty?" Kamek peeked through the doorway. His glasses adjusted upon his beak. "Your chariot awaits."
The entire trip felt like an eternity. She wanted to panic. To scream. To shake someone, anyone, so she may release some steam. There was no choice. She had to call the wedding off. Mario could not be reminded of who she really was. That was why she vanished in the first place! But how could she do that now? Every amount of planning put towards the ceremony was on her hands as well. Furthermore, she did not want to hurt Mario. Not again. He deserved better than that. Better than anything that no good Peach could give. How could Bowsette chicken out now? And why did she want this to happen so badly? Was there still something she did not admit to herself not only as a king, but as a woman? All the questions, all the emotional turmoil took its toll. Instead of lashing out or breaking anyone's bones however, she simply shut down. Her only response an occasional nod and a blank stare. Bowsette stared blankly ahead as she disembarked her transport. She stared blankly ahead as she walked down the aisle with Kamek by her side. And she stared blankly ahead as the priest cleared his throat.
"You may now sit."
The crowd took their respective seats. It was everything she had hoped for. Elegant tapestries hung from the walls both from the Koopa Kingdom and the Mushroom Kingdom. Her long, flowing dress dragged behind her, for once successfully hiding her tail. Mario happily stood to her side looking handsome as ever. Through the blinds above, a lone beam of light shined upon her, as if heavenly beings themselves were observing the momentous occasion. Toads, Boos, Goombas, nearly everyone they had ever come into contact with was bearing witness. Even Princess Peach was there. Ever present shock never left her face. The literal eyes of the world were upon them. Everything should have been nerve racking to some extent. Her composure should have broken under pressure. Yet Bowsette took no notice. She simply stared. Her fingers only moved to choke her bouquet of flowers tighter.
"Dearly beloved." the old Toadstool began. "We are gathered here today…"
The End...
Final Note: Well, if you made it this far, then thanks again, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to read this. It really surprised me that my first fic of all things garnered this much attention, let alone it being something Bowsette x Mario's related. Those who haven't already, I highly recommend checking out the original inspiration, "Bowsette Saga" by Pencils, as it's what prompted me to write my own interpretation on how things would progress between such an unlikely, and rather cavity inducing, couple (I would post a link if it weren't for FanFiction's strange issues with external links). If you've ever been curious as to where the original picture for the fanfic is from, feel free to look me up on Instagram or DeviantArt under the same user name. Also, I do recall mentioning I was going to finish this before the year was up, but inconveniences led to a prolonging in the development process, so apologies for that.
On the Story: So as most of you have already realized, the story did undergo a lot of construction and reconstruction. Originally, Mario and Bowsette were intended to ride Daisy's cruise liner taking them to Isle Delfino, leading to some awkward false-y cutesy moments between the two enemies. The idea was scrapped before much of it was written however. Probably the part that received the biggest face lift was the eighth chapter, in which the prototype actually had Bowsette joining Wart instead of turning him down from the get go. It would lead to the capture of both Mario and Peach, where change of heart would happen just as Bowsette was given a wand to polish them both off. She would hesitate and, on a rather silly whim, "accidentally" squeezing said wand too hard and striking Wart in the process. The big frog would eventually catch on to the double crossing and the final fight would happen as originally. It would have seen a hybrid of chapters 9 and 10. I wanted to do something a tad more dramatic at the last second, though now, I'm not too sure on which would have been the better option.
With all this, as always, thanks for reading this fic and I'll hopefully see you guys in a different, much improved one in the future. I hope you enjoyed "Foe to Admirer: A Lighthearted Mario X Bowsette Fanfic".