Chapter 17
The Recognition
"I award these medals of bravery to Luigi, Mario, Wario, Yoshi, and Waluigi!", Toadsmorth announced, then the 5 heroes appeared to receive applause and their medals, each made a short speech and left.
"The medal of Leadership goes to: Captain Wilson Carter!", Carter appeared on the stage, unloved in his world, loved in this one, the Earthman who his planet didn't love, was loved here. He was received by many applause and roses, but was surprised when Melody came unto the stage. "Melody?..", Carter said before Melody kissed his cheek, which left him dazed. But soon was brought back and resided.
"For Unity: Lieutenant Benjamin Clark, who accepted his allies even though they were different!", Clark appeared, too, receiving applause before residing.
"For Character: Travis Beaumont!" Beaumont came up, he felt the whippings, but not of the slave owner, but of love, of acceptance, while he receiving applause, he then resided.
"For Perseverance: Lieutenant James Kingston: Who in adversity chose not to give up!", Kingston appeared, heard the applause, took his medal and resided.
"For Wisdom: Corporal David Thomas!" Thomas came and did the same.
After a few more presentations, the Ceremony traveled to Birabuto to the sight of the tunnel, which was where the pipe was, to bid farewell to the Earthmen
"Today, we bid farewell to our fellow friends as they return to their Planet, and to ensure protection for not only them but to us, we will seal this pipe forever." As the Earth men prepared to leave, Captain Carter took the microphone, "Everyone, it has been my decision to not go to Earth and stay here," the crowd stood in shock, "because I have not felt so much appreciation over there as I have here, it doesn't matter if the planets my home, because home is where you feel loved and appreciated. My decision is final!". "Captain are you sure you want this?", Corporal Thomas whispered to him. "Yes Thomas.", he replied. Suddenly Beaumont took the mic, "I've decided to stay too, a word I've heard not too long ago still rings in my head. Your fellow princess said to me: Don't worry Beaumont, you're equal and free here. Why would I go back to a planet where they treat me like an animal, were they sell me like property? Going back is utterly preposterous, I rather stay here where I'm free and equal." "Good choice Beaumont.", the Captain told him. Suddenly, Kingston too, took the mic, "I have decided to stay as well, because I am Carter's best friend. Since West Point we have been great friends and I will not leave him now!" "Thank you friend.", Carter told him, "My pleasure", he said.
Soon the other Earthmen said farewell to the people and their three comrades, they could've gone forever, but they sealed the pipe, never to be seen again.
"You made a good choice Cap'", Mario said, trying to comfort his friend, "Yes I did, but I'll miss my men", Capt. Carter responded. "But it's OK, we'll take care of you," Peach said, "We'll build you men a house and a stall for your uh.. horses." "We accept, but before we do that, we'll need to fix the town." Kingston said. "Come on you guys!", Daisy said from the passenger side of a garbage truck, "Yea, come on! We have a town to clean!", Luigi said, who was driving. "Yea that town isn't gonna clean itself!", both Wario Bros. said in unison, who were hanging off the bars, "Yoshi!", Yoshi finished. "Come men, let's-a go!", Capt. Carter said, failing to copy Mario, "Uh, Cap', just work on it OK?", Mario said. And with that, the Americans mounted their horses and with the Heroes rode off to Toad Town, to acceptance, to love, to equality, to freedom, to friendship, to trust, but most of all:
to home.
FIN