A/N: Sry for the hiatus! I actually had been sitting on this ch for a while, but I've had no access to a computer. And it's a short ch anyway. Sry ^^' So last time Bowser was a monumental asshole, and we gained a surprising amount of RoyxFawn shippers lol. This is the last ch in Arc 3. Enjoy!

Chapter 33: Goodbye

Cult

I drove recklessly through the rocky terrain, riddled with lava and barren trees. It was a dangerous route, as I'd nearly driven in to a pool of lava or off a cliff more then once. But I was not going to be stopped. Fawn disappeared, leaving behind only a note. She didn't even come back for her birthday! I was not going to stop until I reached her; especially now that I was so close.

Despite myself, I cracked a grin. Looks like my route was better, Mario.

Fawn

Grey...

No, brown...bright, too...

Ow...my head...

I painfully opened my eyes, taking in my room. I could barely make out anything; my vision was dulled, and my head hurt too much to process anything. I groaned as I sat up, staring down at my comforter through tangled hair.

What happened...? Let's see...I remember Roy giving me a bottle. I tried to remember what happened after that, but it was hazy and in pieces, like watching a scratched DVD. I did something to Bowser...I remember being in his hold. Looking him in the eye...wait, did I kiss him!? I remember kissing something... I began to panic. I remember him being angry. I couldn't remember what he said exactly, but I remember the feeling of devastation I had. I remember running away...and I could remember his face. A sickening dark red, with veins popping. And his voice...usually a calm, gruff, happy tone, was loud, menacing, and almost insane. In fact, his very presence seemed to wash some sort of dread on me; which is what I felt now.

Oh, I've really done it now...Bowser's hates me! I'm such a screw up! Oh Stars, oh Stars, what do I do...what do I-Ow! My head really hurts...I'm never drinking again.

Peach

I lied in bed, flipping through channels on TV. I wasn't really paying attention though; my mind was buzzing.

They were about to kiss...he liked it. I thought he liked me...but I was such a fool. I've played coy too long, of course he'd find another girl! One like Fawn...stupid me! I had to be so near-sighted, I lost the best guy around! Some princess I am...

I snapped out of it when I heard my name on the TV. I stopped flipping and listened to the news station; a Mushroom Kingdom news channel.

"It's been almost a week since Princess Peach has been kidnapped," the announcer, a Toad with blue spots, in a blue suit, announced. "Mario is on his way now to save her from the heinous king Bowser. But, as always, the townspeople are suffering as well."

My people?

The screen went to a montage of depressed looking villagers, all grieving for their lost princess.

"What is this...?" I whispered, staring at a Toad lady being interviewed. About me.

"I wish she could just stay here forever, and not have to worry about that Bowser," she sighed.

The screen cut to an older Toad woman. "She doesn't deserve this..." she spoke.

A Toad man spoke. This many people still care when I'm kidnapped? "If only I could protect her..." he grieved.

"She's so pretty and nice! She should stay! Bowser sucks!" proclaimed a young Toad boy.

I felt tears in my eyes. They all care about me...they all are worried. After all this time, they still worry about me...and for no reason. I've been tramping around with Bowser! Public enemy number one! Completely ignoring their concerns! I put a hand to my mouth as I began to cry. What kind of princess am I...?

"Peach?" a voice called from behind the door.

I froze. It was Bowser. He was the last person I wanted to talk to. I didn't answer.

"Peach? I'd uh...like to talk about last night."

He's still the cause of all my problems! Nothing's changed! He's still ruining everything! Just...in a different way then usual!

"Peach?" He sounded desperate.

"Go away," I whispered.

He probably didn't hear me. "Peach?"

"Go away," I said, loud and cold.

A pause. "Peach, trust me, it's all a misunderstanding!"

I wouldn't listen. "Please...go away!" I pleaded, facing the door.

"No! Listen, Fawn was drunk!"

"Go away!" I yelled.

"I wasn't in to it at all!"

"Liar! Just listen to me for once and leave!" I screamed. I barely spoke like this to Bowser.

But he didn't relent. "No I'm not!"

"Shut up! Go away!"

"Peach, I love you!"

I snapped. "GO AWAY!" I screamed, my voice nearly cracking. I thanked the Stars it didn't; I was shocked by how menacing it came out. I made that noise?

He was also in shock. "Peach..."

"Go," I commanded, my voice ice.

He didn't answer. I finally heard retreating footsteps.

I'd never yelled like that before...

"I just want to go home," I whined loudly.

Bowser

'I just want to go home.'

She thought I was gone; but I heard her. She finally wants to leave...I knew it was too good to be true.

My blood began to boil. No! I was so close! We were together...I was happy! She was happy! It's all because of Fawn! She made all this happen! She got Peach to like me, raised my hopes, and ruined them herself! She...she...

"Bowser!"

I turned my head to the voice, stopping in place in the hallway. And, of al people, it was Fawn, running toward me.

"Bowser!" she called. She skidded to a stop in front of me. I wasn't focusing on her though; my thoughts were too scattered. Too angry.

"Bowser..." she began to speak timidly. I didn't look at her. Control yourself. "Um...how are you?"

I didn't respond.

She grew scared. "Um...I'm really sorry. Did I do something bad last night?"

I nearly lost it. The only thing keeping me from exploding was her voice. It calmed in some weird way. But not enough.

"I...I can't remember. I guess drinking does that to you...sorry. Um...what did I do exactly?"

I tried to explain what she did. I really did. But I couldn't control myself. That side of me came out.

"You..." I seethed, still not looking at her. "You ruined EVERYTHING!"

"Wh-what?"

I never looked at her. "You came on to me like some drunk SLUT! And Peach saw and got the wrong damn idea! I love HER! NOT YOU!" I was losing control. I would start getting violent soon if I didn't stop. "She's perfect, and beautiful, and nice, and I almost had her! You're not nearly as pretty and kind as her! So why...why do you have to be such a distraction!?" I stomped as I turned suddenly. I think my arm may've hit her. "Why don't you GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LIFE!"

I finally saw her. Once I've started a rampage, I've never so easily been pacified. But this was the first time I was instantly calmed, when I saw Fawn crumpled on the floor, the tears in her eyes communicating so much. She looked the most depressed I'd ever seen her...so betrayed. But the worst thing about her face was actually her lack of fear. Everyone grew afraid of me when I blew up...but not her. Even now, she still wasn't afraid. She was just sad. Sad that her best friend just destroyed her feelings.

"Fawn...I..." I stammered.

She shook her head as she began to scramble up. "Away..." she whispered.

"Wait..." I spoke quietly, but desperately.

"Shut up! I don't want to see you anymore! Goodbye!" She was squeaking. She was barely coherent. And I felt terrible.

I was frozen, my hand outstretched, as she ran away from me.

Fawn

Maybe I overreacted. I don't know, to be honest. He said those words to me, and then my mind went on overdrive. An overwhelming desire to leave consumed my mind, and it was all I could think of, minus underlying thoughts of how incompetent I was. I didn't think of getting Peach as my mind quickly came up with an escape plan, that I can't really remember now.

I think I climbed down my balcony...I think I took a kart. I may've driven through a gate, breaking it...I may've been crying.

Cult

I could see Bowser's castle in the distance. I was so damn close! Just a few more minutes and I'd be saving Fawn...as well as giving her the biggest tongue lashing of her-

"AH! WHAT THE HELL!?" I screamed, as my kart was suddenly crashed in to by the side. Some jackass rammed me from the corner where I couldn't see. Thankfully I was uninjured. After recovering, I turned to see the bastard who did it, only to see a Bowser kart, driven by my daughter, leaning over the steering wheel.

"Fawn!" I exclaimed, climbing out of my kart. "What the hell are you doing out here!? Do you have any idea how worried I was!? What the hell were you thinking!?"

She looked up at me from the kart, her eyes sad; but I misinterpreted why. "Cult..."

"Don't you Cult me!" I exclaimed, now in front of her. "How dare you leave without asking!? You're coming home with me right now!"

"I'm so sorry!" she sobbed, leaping out of her kart to hug me.

I nearly fell over, surprised. "Fawn...what's wrong?"

"You were right..." she mumbled from her place in my chest.

I blinked before sighing, hefting her up, despite my small stature, and plopping her in my kart's passenger seat. Thankfully the kart still worked, and I drove us home, opting to leave questions for when we get there.

If that sonuva bitch hurt my daughter, he really will die.

Bowser

Mario and Luigi came for Peach the next day. But...I wasn't angry when I saw them. I didn't even try to fight them really. I just sort of let them take Peach. It was crazy. I've noticed that I've been getting angrier and angrier with the Bros., each time they come. And the angrier I've gotten, the closer I've actually come to winning. But all of a sudden, I wasn't angry. I was just...sad. And I think it was because Fawn left.

When I heard Fawn had ran away from me, because of what I said, I wasn't angry. I was just sad. So when the Bros. came, I had no will to fight. I'd never reacted like this. Whenever Peach left, I was angry. Angry at everything and everyone. But with Fawn gone, I was just sad. Depressed and lonely on my cheap copper throne.

END OF ARC 3: THE ROADS WE TRAVEL

Well...that's unfortunate. But it seems like Fawn has a more calming effect on Bowser at least...how sad doh. But you guys! We're almost done! I'd say we're more 3/4 through; maybe more! I've loved this story, but I'm also glad it's close to done, so I can start something new. Hope you enjoy the final arc! Please oh please review! Byee