"Rosalina?" Luigi said loudly, making the queen of the cosmos eyes go wide.

"Shhh!" She whispered, speaking for the rest of the group who was also in slight panic. "She could hear you." She added. Luigi formed a scowl on his face, still feeling bitter about Her little efforts to rescue his brother. Mario seemed to pick up on this, and placed a hand on his brothers shoulder. "Why are you here?" Daisy said in a bitter tone, but less so than her husbands.

It seemed to be the obvious question, as the group stood frozen on the bridge to the Mushroom castle. The towns lights were beginning to glow, as bright streamers littered the houses of the toads who lived there. It was amazing how even in the darkness, the Mushroom kingdom was still a very light place.

Rosalina wore a brown hooded cape, which was pulled up so her face was only noticeable through shadow. She seemed to fumble through her mind in search of an answer to Daisy's question, even though she'd recited it in her mind over and over on her way down to Earth.

"I need to clarify a few things with you about Annabelle's amnesia." She answered confidently, making everyone's eyes go wide, Yet again.

"What you need to clarify is why you-" Luigi began, getting cut off by his brother yet again, who tightened his grip on Luigi's shoulder.

"She thought we'd died, Luigi" He said, trying to calm his brother down, who seemed to just be getting more upset. The rest of the group knew where he was headed, and they didn't want there to be a loud argument.

"But you're alive. She had no right!" He shouted again, making the group anxious the Bella might hear. "Luigi, calm down..." Peach said looking at her brother-in-law with soft eyes, trying to relax him. It didn't work. Tears began to leak out of his eyes, making Daisy grab on to him. It was one of the only times that Daisy touch didn't soothe is emotions.

"She should have looked for you, every day, and every night! She should have acted like she gave a damn! She shouldn't have slept until you were safe at home!" He began, now sobbing. "I wasn't allowed to do it! I tried, and they wouldn't let me!"

Rosalinas heart cracked at the sight before her. She knew that what she'd done was wrong, but she didn't really think of how it had effected others (besides Bella). She was still looking for the right moment to speak.

"You don't have the right to be here right now!" He added, voice cracking. He began to hush down, making the only thing audible his light sobs as he remembered the past. It killed him inside every day that Mario wasn't home. "Luigi..." Daisy said in shock. She wasn't shocked that he'd felt that way, but she was shocked that he'd said it out loud. He'd overcome most of his fears since his brother was gone, but He was still anxious around confrontation.

"I know I don't," Rosalina began, her voice cracking too. She wasn't crying, but it took every ounce of her strength not to. "I shouldn't be wasting any more of your time. Which is why I need to make this rather quick." She said pulling out her wand. Luigis eyes opened wide, as his tears slowly stopped forming. He didn't respond, but it was obvious that he wasn't quite satisfied with the queens answer. Daisy loosened her grip on her husband, as she and the rest of the group looked at Rosalina.

"What do you mean?" Peach asked, as Rosalina began to wave her wand around, creating stardust around the group. "Hey, she asked you a-" Luigi began, as they all disappeared into a cloud of stardust.

o0o0o

Bowser looked down to the light purple handcuffs that were snug on his wrists. He didn't try to break them off, because he knew exactly why he had them on. It was a rather humiliating feeling for himself;being tied down. He hated every second of it, but he didn't fight it- For his sons sake.

His son had the same cuffs, but they seemed to be much more loose. He didn't know why his son had to wear them at all.

The two sat at a dark oak table, side by side, yet in a near deafening silence. The table was just big enough to accommodate both of them at one side, while a row of empty chairs occupied the other side. There were 5 chairs spread out on the remaining 3 sides of the table. Bowser and Junior Didn't know for sure who they were meeting here, but they had an idea.

Juniors heart was in his lower stomach as the anticipation of what was to come ate him away. Why did Rosalina even bring them to this meeting place? Bowser was on his way to straighten things out. Then again, Maybe this would be a more formal route. They'd be forced to listen to any apology that came out. It still didn't ease his nerves, as he wondered if Bella would be coming. To see her again would mean more than the world to him. He had to know if she was okay.

He felt his fist tighten lightly at the imagination of holding her hand again. He felt stupid for doing it afterward, but shook it off.

Bowser on the other hand was feeling a mix of emotions he'd never experienced before. He had to remind himself that his pride wasn't everything. When he'd thought his son was gone, he'd felt the worst pain he'd ever felt in his entire life. It surpassed any bruising from Mario or any failed attempt at weaponry, and it was making him see things differently.

He'd always kind of seen himself as immortal, but it was only truly because Mario never wanted to kill him. He was never put in a position where he was facing life or death. It was always something far less consequential. The fact that his son had actually gone through death was something that didn't sit well at all with the king.

He knew he was a hot head. He knew he was stubborn, and that he wouldn't give up for just anything, but He had to make a change. And that change would start today.

The duo's eyes were drawn to a light glow in the corner of the room, as it began to twinkle and grow brighter and brighter. They both prepared themselves for who was going to be coming out of the glow.

A bunch of colors replaced the white glow, including reds, pinks, greens, and oranges. But through all the faces, none of them were the one that Junior wanted to see the most. He began to panic. Did she... Die? Why would his father suggest that he make amends if he'd killed her? He began to breathe heavily as the Royal Families caught their balance from being dropped a few inches off the ground.

Luigi, Daisy, Mario, and Peach all groaned, rubbing their eyes and heads as they tried to figure out what had happened, or where they were at. Rosalina simply pulled the hood of her cape back, letting the dim light of the room they were all in illuminate her sparkling features. She had that distant coldness feeling about her.

Bowser bit his tongue as he saw the group before him. He pulled at his handcuffs instinctively, as if he was trying to hide them, but stopped as soon as he realized what he was doing. He had to suck it up and deal with his fate. For his sons sake.

Luigi blinked rapidly at the sight before him, as if to be hoping it was anything other than what he saw. He was speechless. "Bowser?" Daisy questioned in shock, speaking for the rest of the group. Mario quickly got into a defensive stance, standing in front of The group. Luigis shocked face, turned sour with pure disgust, as he stomped past his brothers shoulder.

"Why the hell is that thing here?!" He shouted, trying to make eye contact with Bowser who stared at the table, looking unaffected.

Nobody protested his outburst. "I oughtta' kill you, you bastard!" He shouted louder, nearly jumping on the table in front of him until Rosalina quickly placed Luigi within a force field. "Hey, Let him go!" Daisy shouted to Rosalina, as she searched for an exit to the bubble that contained her husband. Mario looked concerned, as Peach was stuck staring pitufully at the two in front of her. Junior looked as though he was going through hell, as did his father. She looked down to a very obvious scar on Juniors chest, and remembered the fight, and how he'd sacrificed himself to protect her daughter.

She could feel her throat tighten, as tears began to form. If he didn't do that, Bella would be dead.

She then noticed that they both were cuffed by light purple twinkling handcuffs, that seemed to be attached to the floor of the observatory. She lost her nervous tension when she saw they they couldn't harm her. It seemed to be made of the same material as the orb that Contained a muffled Luigi.

He seemed to be out of breath, as he calmed down a bit. She let him out of the field gently, as his wife helped him to a seat farthest from Bowser and Junior.

"I wont let them hurt you. You have my word." Rosalina said, as she looked not only to Luigi, but to Mario and Peach as well. "You realize your track record for promises is pretty useless, right?" Daisy snapped back, making Rosalina bite her tongue for a moment, at a loss for response. They didn't have any reason to trust her at all.

"They're handcuffed," Peach said, voice lightly cracking through silent tears that caught the eyes of everyone in the room, including Bowser who seemed to regret his decision of doing so. "They're not going to hurt anybody." She finished.

"Peach..." Mario said, comforting his wife who seemed to be very thankful for his actions. Luigi took notice of Peach's words, as did Daisy, but they were both still on very high alert. Rosalina was thankful of Peach's words, as they seemed to calm everyone down. She let out a sigh.

"Now, I'm sure you all are aware of why you're here." Rosalina began, catching everyone's attention. Mario walked Peach over to a chair close to Luigi and Daisy, while Rosalina occupied a seat at the end of the table.

"Because of Annabelle." Luigi said, glaring Daggers at Bowser, who was trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Junior tensed up at the sound of her name being called. He prayed that she was alright.

"Is she okay?" Junior asked quickly and loudly, catching everyone's attention. He felt a heat come over his face as he blushed in embarrassment at his obvious worried state.

"Why would you care? Have you not ruined her life enough?" Daisy said to him, creating an even thicker atmosphere for the group. Bowser clenched his fist, wanting to protest, but knew it was best if he didn't. Junior didn't say anything either, but he seemed lost in thought and like he was searching for a response. He seemed to be overwhelmed with a sense of defeat as well. Had he.. Ruined her life? He'd sacraficed himself for her, but wasn't that really the least he could do?

Peach felt her heart break at the sight, and it seemed as though only Mario understood how she felt, Even though he didn't expess it as much. Junior was different from His father, and it was obvious that Bella had agreed with that.

"She's fine," Mario had answered, speaking for his saddened wife. Luigi and Daisy both seemed rather surprised by Mario's kindness, but simply adjusted themselves in their seats and brushed it off.

Junior seemed to loosen up with a sigh of relief with the knowledge that Bella was okay, but was still nervous about the idea of asking for their forgiveness.

Peach began to weep softly, burying her face in her gloved hands. All heads turned to Peach again, as it was obvious that their ears were not deceiving them. Mario quickly placed a hand on her back, and tried to calm her down. Luigi and Daisy were still utterly confused as to why she was so upset. Was it because she had to face Bowser again after all he'd done?

"She doesn't remember anything!" Peach cried into her hands. Juniors heart stopped, and Bowsers fists clenched even tighter as he could feel his brow furrow. "W-what?" Junior questioned, not wanting to overstep bounds, but also hoping to the stars that he'd heard Peach incorrectly. Rosalina tensed up too, but didn't let it show on her face. Luigi and Daisy remained silent.

Peach lifted her red stained eyes from her hands to reveal tears running down her cheeks. It was a sight that convinced everyone in the room that Peach was absolutely serious.

"She has amnesia! She doesn't remember anything that's happened to her for the past 16 years!" She weeped again, her cries echoing in the room they were all in. Juniors blood ran cold, and it felt as if the stab wound in his chest had just been ripped open. He could feel his throat burning and tears coming, but it almost hurt to much to let them through. Bowser bit his tounge so hard that he nearly drew blood as he could sense his sons pain.

"I'm so... so sorry..." She continued her hands meeting her face once more, making Luigi and Daisy even more confused. They still didn't say anything, because they didn't quite understand the whole story.

"I did what I thought was right," Rosalina called, making everyone silent. Even Peach's tears ceased, but she didn't look up from her lap.

"Wait, you gave Bella the Amnesia?" Daisy questioned. "I thought she hit her head?" Luigi finished for her.

Junior still couldn't move. He was still in shock.

"No. I wanted her to live a life free from her past. So I Erased her Memory." She answered with a sigh, now feeling that maybe her decision wasn't the best one. She'd never meant to make the queen so upset.

"She remembered us, though... We haven't seen her since she was half a year old." Luigi asked, bringing up a question that everyone was curious about. "Well, I suppose that was inevitable. I only erased Her memory beginning at the starbit festival," She paused clearing her throat. Bowser didn't move or change his expression.

"I also cant implant false memories into people. I can only remove them. So her memory from infancy is far more heightened than it normally would be." Rosalina clarified. It seemed to be a good enough answer for everyone.

"It's very important that in order to keep her from remembering, She's not allowed to come into contact with myself, the lumas, Bowser," She began, swallowing hard. "Or Junior."

The tears didn't come to Juniors eyes, but the burning in his throat was only growing stronger. His face changed from shock to one that reeked pure sorrow.

Bowser couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something.

"So, you believe it?"

Everyone turned to the koopa king, who hadn't said a word since the meeting began. He didn't look to anyone, but everyone knew he was talking to Rosalina. She seemed cautious of responding.

"Believe what?"

"That she loved my son." He said boldly. Junior didn't change his expression, but tensed up.

"How dare you say that, you unbelievable bas-" Luigi began, only to be interrupted by Bowser.

"Every entry level magic user knows that the magic that causes amnesia can be reversed by one thing," He scowled.

"and that's love." He finished. She didn't expect Bowser to know about magic.

"Oh, and you're a magic user?" Daisy said sarcastically. "I was while growing up." He said flatly, looking to Rosalina who looked to not have an answer.

"Thought so." He scowled as he looked back down. She'd confirmed his suspicions to be accurate. "That's a bunch of crap! Do you seriously believe that Bella could love something like that? A heartless monster?!" Luigi spat, words stinging like venom. Junior had heard it all before, but he didn't expect it to hurt that much. The room got colder, as nobody spoke for a second or two.

"Luigi... He saved Bella's life." Mario confirmed to his brother, whos eyes seemed to widen. "That's how he got that scar on his chest."

Luigi soon shrunk back down to his normal size, and regretted saying what he had. He didn't quite know who to take his anger out on. Daisy placed a hand on her husbands shoulder, as if to tell him that it was alright. Peach began to weep again at the thought of it all.

"If he hadn't done that, she'd be dead right now." She cried. Nobody spoke. "We owe her life to him, and this is how he's re payed," Peach said, seeming to be the only one besides Bowser and Mario that sympathized with Junior.

"Do I want a chance with my daughter to be happy and start over? Or do I want to possibly ruin our relationship and her mental health by letting her see you again? I can't make that choice!" She said again. Mario began to get upset, but like his brother, he had no Idea who he could take it out on.

Rosalina had done something she'd never intended to do. She erased Bellas Memory to make her life easier, not make it harder for everyone else.

"I made it for you, and I'm sorry." Rosalina said firmly, not backing down from her decision even though inside it was all she could do.

The room was silent for a while, as Rosalinas apology didn't really help them any. Bella was Mario and Peach's daughter, not Rosalinas. It would be up to them to ultimately decide what would happen.

"I'd like a truce."

The rooms eyes all were met with Bowser, who was looking straight at Mario with serious eyes. The group was in shock, and Junior felt as though he was going to die.

"What?! How can you just ask for that after what you've done!" "Do you know the pain that you've caused them?! You're just doing this to get out of punishment!" "I cant believe this!" Daisy and Luigi said, voiced overlapping one another. Bowser scowled, as he was about to say something he'd regret.

"He's not bluffing. We were on our way to the Mushroom Kingdom to work out a truce when Rosalina stopped us," Junior said, making the group seem to believe Bowser a bit more. The koopa king was glad that the group seemed to silence, allowing him to speak. "I know I don't deserve one. I know I'll never be able to apologize for everything Ive done over the years, but My son shouldn't be punished for my actions. I will take whatever punishment you see fit, and pay off all the debts to your kingdom in full, even though It will completely destroy ours. I don't want to do this anymore," He said surprising everyone, including Junior. "Dad..." He said under his breath, almost begging for him to stop what he was doing.

"In the beginning it was just something to do- a hobby. As sick as that sounds, its all I can really imagine it being. I didn't do it because I loved Peach, I did it because I loved the power. I loved being feared; being king," He continued. Junior listed attentively.

"I didn't start to develop feelings for Peach until about the third year of the charade. It was only because she wasn't hostile. She made up for the kindness I lacked. She made up for the bitterness inside me with the compassion inside of her. But now I can say I didn't love Peach. I never truly have. It was simply the idea of her that I fell in love with."

Peach stopped crying, and looked to the koopa king in front of her who was now spilling his guts.

"I loved that someone cared about me. At least, I had it in my head she did. She wouldn't hurt a fly, so I suppose it was just my mind playing tricks on me. But even if they were tricks played in my head, the feelings were real, and they changed who I was inside. I became so egotistical that I had to have that person in my life to keep me going, so I could still reign a mighty and powerful king. As it turns out, I have no real power. I have strength, sure. But there's nothing inside of me that even hints of strength. That's why Mario was always victorious. What he lacks in physical strength, he makes up for with heart," Bowser said, internally hating himself for admitting that fact. Mario seemed to manage a weak smile. Luigi and Daisy seemed to understand, and actually appreciated Bowsers apology. They both believed it was heartfelt and that he meant it.

"Im sorry I couldn't understand sooner. I know me simply saying I'm sorry isn't enough but," He said, tilting his head down, and intertwining his hands. "I'm sorry, and I beg of your forgiveness."

The room was silent yet again, as the king and queen of the Mushroom Kingdom were at a loss of words. Daisy and Luigi seemed to calm down immediately, and almost began to feel the same Pity that Peach had felt.

Mario looked to his wife with a soft smile, subconsciously asking his wife if it was okay that he accept the offer. She nodded with a smile, and Mario Turned to face Bowser who still had his head down.

"We accept."

Bowsers eyes grew wide, as did Juniors at the sound. A warm wash of relief came over the two, even though the topic of Bella was still fresh on Juniors mind. The truce was one less thing they had to worry about.

"I'm afraid that doesn't change the situation with Annabelle, though." He added. Bowser seemed as though he was expecting that outcome, as did his son. Juniors heart ached as he tried to find a positive for himself out of this, but there wasn't one.

"We're having a party this weekend," Peach blurted, catching the attention of the king and prince. "I would like it if you'd both come. You'd have to wear cloaks for a disguise, but I'd really like it if you'd come!" She continued.

o0o0o0o

"So, what do you want to do now?" Benito said with a smile, as he walked beside Bella around the castle. She was getting a look at where everything was, because her Amnesia had caused her to forget.

"What am I allowed to do?" She said with a smirk. He laughed in response. "What do you mean, Ding dong?" She let out a laugh.

"I'm a princess, right? I'm sure there are things that a princess isn't allowed to do, right?"

"Well, sure," He said again, leaning close to Bellas ear. "But that doesn't mean you need to obey the rules." He laughed. Bella laughed too, and shoved him playfully. "I'm not breaking any rules." She said with a smile, as she placed a piece of brown hair behind her right ear.

"Okay, okay." Benito smiled. "But in case you're ever bored without me, old man Toadsworth keeps his cane in his office when he's not bossing people around," He joked. As much of a friend as Toadsworth was to Bella, she still couldn't hold in her laughter at the idea of someone messing with his cane.

"Hey! Take out that trash, peasant!" He said using a terrible Toadsworth voice, as he stood on top of a nearby table, pointing to nobody in particular. Bella ran near the table as she tapped his shoes, trying to get him to come off the table through her laughter.

"Are you looking at me? I'll break your legs, kid!" He mimicked again, making Bella laugh even harder at the image of a peaceful Toadsworth saying such cruel and thuggish things. "Benito, stop! He doesn't say those things!" She laughed, pulling on his ankles. "Get off of the table." She said, calming down slightly. "Oh, Get down? Nobody tells me to get down!" He joked again, getting another laugh out of the princess before he jumped off of the table with a thud. "Now you're going to pay!" He said with a huge grin as he began to tickle his cousin.

"Stop!" She squealed with laughter, trying to run away from Benito, but she simply gave up as ended up hugging her. He began to tear up at the thought of it. He'd always had hope, for his fathers sake that they would return , but he'd never think he'd be having fun with his cousin again. She hugged him back. "Are... You okay, Benito?" She asked him, as they separated quickly. He blinked hard, hoping that the tears would roll back into his eyes. Bella didn't seem to notice, so he assumed they had. "Yeah yeah! Why wouldn't I be? I just missed hanging out with you, is all." He said, not completely lying. She smiled at him. "I miss it too." She said again sweetly.

"Now, where was I? Oh, I cant remember! I guess thats a downside of being an elderly," He said mimicking Toadsworth again, getting a giggle from Bella.

"Master Benito! I do not sound like that!" Toadsworth shouted from a corridor, catching the teens attention. Benito turned to face him alert and he seemed surprised. "Y-yes sir!" He said. Bella covered her mouth as she tried to avoid her giggles from sounding out. "How long have you been standing there?" Bella said through giggles. "Long enough to know that I call people peasants and wish to break childrens legs." He said sarcastically, gaining another laugh out of Bella, who didn't try and cover it up anymore. This was as happy as she'd ever been.

She felt a sharp pain in her heart, as she stopped laughing slowly. It was a longing feeling. It had come to her a few times earlier in the day, but it was really beginning to bother her now. She felt like she was forgetting something.

"Your parents should be home sometime soon, so can you please avoid standing on tables?" He said to Benito, assuming Bella knew better. "Of course sir." He responded, as Toadsworth hobbled off with his cane. Benito let out a sigh as all the air fell out of his chest. "What did I tell ya?" He said with a laugh, before looking at Annabelle who now wore a face of worry.

"Hey, is something wrong?" He said to her. She blinked a few times, finding herself lost in thought. "Oh, I'm okay," She lied, as a gloved hand reached up to her chest and felt her heart. It was racing, and she had no Idea why.

"Actually, can I talk to you about something?" She confessed, as she started walking with Benito again. "Anything." He responded, confirming that she could be open with him about what was on her mind. She smiled as she hoped getting it off her chest would help her. "Was I... In a relationship with anyone? Like... Before I got my amnesia, I mean." She asked.

Benito was shocked, and almost paused in his steps as he tried to piece together why she'd ask that. Did she have a relationship wherever she was kept? Did someone brainwash her? "Uh, I don't know... Why do you ask?" He answered.

Her eyes got wide, as she shook her head in embarrassment. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry... I thought Maybe I'd talked to you about that kind of stuff..."

"No, it's okay! Really, We're family." He said, smiling to her. She smiled back and gained enough courage to continue.

"I just feel like... I'm forgetting something...Someone... Someone who means a lot to me." She clarified. Benito still didn't know who she was talking about. Mario and Peach didn't tell him anything before they left about any type of relationship.

"Well, that sure sounds like you were. I just don't know who that was." He answered, again, still not quite lying. Bella seemed more distraught by this information than satisfied.

"I don't know much about relationships, so My advice is probably whack." He said, finding a chair and sitting down on it. Bella took the empty one next too it. "What do you mean? You've never had a girlfriend?" She said, shocked beyond disbelief. Sure he didn't act like a prince, but he still had a good personality and good looks. He chuckled, as he sat back in the seat he was in. "No, I've had too many." He answered vaguely. Bella didn't understand what he meant by that.

"The first few were fun. All we did together was play around and hang out. It's nice to have somebody to do that with, ya' know?" He said, looking to the ceiling, thinking back. "But as I got older It seemed that everyone I had crushes on only wanted to date me for money, and power." He continued, making the pain in Bellas chest even worse. She couldn't imagine if someone had done that to her. He laughed again before continuing.

"There was this one girl who told me she loved me more than anything. I loved her too. A whole lot," He said, pausing as a sadder look went across his face. "We'd been dating for 4 years. Then at the Christmas ball I caught her with someone else; another prince." He said, face going from sadness to anger. "She flat out told me that I wasn't fit to be a prince, and that she'd been dating that other tool for 3 years. 3 Years..." He said, shaking his head at his stupidity.

"Thats awful..." Bella responded, not knowing what else to say to her cousins terrible misfortune. "The worst part was that the guy she was cheating with was a complete Ass," He said bluntly, shocking Bella for an instant at his use of a curse word.

"He told me he only wanted her for two things- Sex, and her money she'd taken from me."

Bella was truly at a loss for words now. She didn't know what to say.

"I dont remember what his name was, only that he lived in a nearby kingdom." He added. He laughed again at his memory. "I told him that if I ever saw him again, I'd beat his face in. 15 year old me said that." He said with another laugh. "Haven't been involved with anyone since."

Bella thought about it for a while before speaking again. She wanted to use the right words.

"Have you seen her since then?" She asked, simply trying to keep the conversation going. He smiled at Bella before responding. "Nah. I hope I never do."

She was shocked to see Benito so cold with such a smile on his face, but she knew he had a good reason. She smiled at the thought of how strong her cousin was before getting sad at the thought of her forgotten love interest.

"Well, I hope to see whoever it is Im missing." She said calmly, imagining what he'd look like.

"I'm sure someday you will." Benito Responded.

oOoOoO

Oh my gosh you guys, I suck so bad. I'm so sorry for making you wait so long. I guess It was that I didn't see many reviews. I then checked and saw that a few people actually did review and Im so sorry for not seeing it sooner. ;n;

I just loose motivation to write when I don't have support (That's so dumb, but its true).

Anyway, If you'd like to review, I'll love you forever and appreciate it with all my heart! I'll also do the reviewer shutouts starting next chapter (because I wasn't keeping track before)