AN: Before we begin, I would like to point your attention to another Mario story written by a fellow fanfic writer. That being, Split Union by Amethyst Goldenwind. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and is a really fun adventure. I would highly recommend looking at it, as well as other stories by Amethyst Goldenwind. They are all pretty great, particularly The Crimson Clad Hero.

Anyway, let's get on with this

Chapter 20 Void Wanderer

Rosalina's breath caught in her chest. She twiddled her fingers as she made her way to the Terrace. Lumas played and laughed around her, creating quite a bittersweet sensation in her throat. Solar should be playing with them. He should be enjoying himself, as any child should. This was an important time, a magical time. The events that transpired during his childhood would stick with him for the rest of his life. She should know.

She sucked in a breath, one that nearly drowned out the lumas' squeeing. Perhaps what both she and Solar needed was a palette cleanser. Once she comforted him about the cosmic clone incident, she would fix him a nice dinner. One involving star bits…star bit casserole, perhaps? Or maybe a star bit cake? A little unorthodox and more than a little unhealthy, but the incident called for it.

Rosalina smiled. What she and Solar needed was a little mother and son bonding time. They would be able to overcome anything that this vast universe threw their way, whether it be a new power developing or a luma being reborn as a galaxy. They would be able to wake up the next morning, secure in the knowledge that they were safe, that they were loved. That he was loved.

The Terrace was literally right in front of her now. Rosalina closed her eyes, drew in a breath, and smoothed out the folds of her dress before entering with a hopeful attitude and motherly stance.

"Solar?"

Rosalina blinked. The Terrace was empty, and unlike before the clone incident, there was no note revealing his location. Her heartbeat speeding up, she zoomed out of the the dome. Her breathing was turning into hyperventilation. Her heart beat in a rhythm that would make a mouse envious.

"Solar!?" Perhaps he was still on the Observatory? Maybe he had just gone to the fountain, or maybe to the kitchen for a bite to eat? Those were likely scenarios, but they didn't bring her any relief. She needed to be sure. She needed to make sure that her son was safe.

"Solar!" She burst into the kitchen dome. The fire crackled and the light flickered, but there was no Solar. She hurried out of that dome and flew up to the garden. That place was just as empty.

"SOLAR!" Tears grew in Rosalina's eyes, her heart beat was way too fast. She hurried around the Observatory. The lumas sent her worried, questioning looks as she did.

"Mama?"

"Are you okay?"

"Did something happen?"

Rosalina wiped the tears from her eyes. Without thinking, she pulled out her wand. Swallowing a massive lump in her throat, she pointed it upwards. It was while she was in this position that Polari arrived at her side.

"Rosalina? Why are we lifting off?"

Rosalina sent her confidant a teary eyed gaze as the Observatory was wrapped in the force field. "Solar's missing." Never had she imagined before that such a short sentence would be this painful to utter. The tears streamed down her face now. "We need to find him."

…

Solar's shoulders drooped as he flew forward. Although he went in a straight line, his path was aimless. He moved with no purpose other than wanting to get away. He would go to a place with no life. Nobody present would mean that there was nobody to hurt.

The stars twinkled down at him, as if trying to communicate with the young boy. They surrounded him on all sides, as if they were attempting to use their light to provide Solar a blanket. The stars wanted to comfort him. Unfortunately, their efforts were fruitless. What could comfort him now? Who could pull the plug and drain the despair out of his soul?

No one.

Solar kept moving. Space was cold, cold like the touch of a ghost. He rubbed his arms together, his teeth chattered, and he made sure to press his glittery blue jacket closer to his skin. When his tears fell from his eyes, they floated in the void before turning to ice. The young boy's fingers were turning blue.

He zipped forward, hoping speed would somehow warm him up. Planets and solar systems zipped past, constellations shifted faster than a rock planet's tectonic plates. Any tear that fell from Solar's eyes know were as lethal as bullets; the crystalline arrows they formed could punch a hole through an alien body. The heat of the stars he passed did lend their heat to him, but their gift became useless the farther he flew. Soon, he was shifting from hot to cold, blistering to freezing, red to blue. Each shift was more painful than the last. He screamed.

And then…he stopped. Partly to catch his breath, but mostly because he couldn't stand the whiplash in temperature. He hyperventilated, noticing a hole had been burned into one of his sleeves. Whether from the hot or the cold, he couldn't tell.

He sighed and resumed with flying. No pain would stop his attempt to get away. He didn't care if he had to fly to the edge of the universe. He would get away. No one should get hurt because of him. If he was going to be a monster, it would be best if he was a monster alone.

Hours passed, lightyears fell away like mere inches. The farther Solar went, the dimmer and scarcer the stars grew. Watching the stars vanish had to be a good sign. It had to be. After all, no stars meant no solar systems, and no solar systems meant no life. This was comforting. At least, in the loosest sense possible.

Finally, the stars were no more. The blackened skies told of desolation. No color could be seen from one point to the other. The only light that was being provided was the natural glow of Solar's form, and even then, it was dim.

Solar let out a breath of relief. He would stay here. He would make his home here, in the void where no living soul would dare search for him. He was safe. The universe was safe. Mama was safe.

Yes. Mama was safe.