Chapter 13 A Solution Presents Itself

Kamek frowned as he searched through a book. This particular book wasn't the first one he had looked at; in fact, it was the tenth (or the eleventh or the ninth; Kamek hadn't exactly been keeping track). He flipped through the pages, every once in a while pausing in order to dedicate some time to reading. Unfortunately, he never found what he was looking for. All he found were useless pages, as well as a growing sense of frustration that seeped out of every corner of his face.

"Come on," he muttered aloud. He searched through this book one more time before sighing and shutting it closed. He pushed that to the side, got up from the table, and went back to the bookshelves. This… this shouldn't be this hard, should it? The ancient books were the reason why Bowser knew about Lumaliar, after all. If they were able to reveal something like that, there was no reason why they shouldn't reveal how to give Rosalina her powers back.

"Dat dat da," Kamek muttered as he looked at the book spines. He browsed over many of the books in the castle library before finding one that looked at least somewhat promising. Emphasis on "somewhat," as all the promising books had already been looked through and now Kamek was looking at the leftover scraps. But… well, beggars couldn't be choosers.

He pulled the book out of the bookshelf and began flipping through it without even going back to the table to sit down. As he looked through this particular book, his mind traveled back to Bowser. He was probably still in his room and was probably still wallowing in a cocktail of misery and self-blame. He probably thought that he was the lowest, most scummy worm to ever walk across the surface of the Mushroom World. These thoughts prompted Kamek to pick up the pace.

"Hmm…" he scrunched his brow right around the time he got back to the table. As he took his seat, he focused solely on this book. It became the only important thing in Kamek's world. He ignored everything else, even the discomfort in his abdomen that told him it was time to go to the bathroom. He was going to find the solution Bowser so desperately needed. He wasn't going to stop or take a break before he did. He would find this solution and dissuade Bowser's guilt if it was the last thing he did.

So, he kept looking through this book. He turned page after page, making sure to stay alert so as to not miss a single thing. He turned one more page, feeling disappointed that this book wasn't the one to reveal the answers either. He was just about to put it to the side when he found something. It wasn't a big something; just a paragraph or two. However, when Kamek read it, he grinned and felt a mountain's worth of relief.

"Bingo." Marking the page and closing the book, he got up from the table and started making his way back to the king's bedroom.

…

Bowser never wanted to get out of bed ever again. While in this position, he was comfortable (at least physically). He wasn't bothered by anything or anybody, and he didn't have to worry about any stupid stuff. The only thing this position gave him the opportunity to worry about was the problem, the big problem that paralyzed him and made his heart hurt.

Holding back a groan, Bowser turned over on his back. As he looked up at his bedroom ceiling, he thought about Rosalina. What was she doing right now? Had she gone to the Mushroom Kingdom to get help from Mario and Peach? That was probably the most likely possibility, as well as the one that made the most sense. However, what if she was doing something different? What if she was somewhere in a very dark corner, crying over what the Koopa King had done to her? What if she was stuck somewhere and didn't have the magic to get her out of the very deep rut she had been forced into? Oh man, none of the possibilities were good. Even the best one of her going to Mario and Peach put a sour taste in Bowser's mouth, as she would have to explain to them what Bowser had done. The guilt would last for the rest of eternity if Bowser's lifelong enemies knew what he was responsible for.

Bowser sighed. Maybe that was deserved. Maybe Mario looking at him in an even sterner way than usual was what he deserved. He didn't deserve anything pleasant. He didn't deserve to let this go. He had screwed up someone's life in a way he never had before. It hurt; it honestly hurt. Emotional pain like this was completely new to Bowser, and it ate him alive. He wished he could get rid of it, and yet... well, that wouldn't be appropriate, would it?

Knock knock knock. "Bowser?"

A sigh barged out of Bowser's mouth. "Go away Kamek. I'm busy."

"Oh, so lying in your bed feeling sorry for yourself is important enough to bypass all other aspects of your life?" Kamek snorted. "Man Bowser, and here I thought I raised you better than that."

Steam shot out of Bowser's nostrils. Despite himself, he got out of bed and stomped to the door. He felt ready to send a stream of throat fire hurdling toward Kamek, especially when he saw the glittery, happy, almost smug expression on his face.

"What do you want, you sniveling nuisance?"

"Hmm, sniveling nuisance; that's a new one." Kamek laughed. "I mean, it's not very creative or witty, but I will give you points for originality."

Heat built up in Bowser's throat, and the desire to unleash it grew with each passing moment. "You have exactly thirty seconds to explain why you're here before I fricassee you."

Kamek just giggled. "I highly doubt you'll feel doing that is necessary." His eyes glittered. "Because I think I found a way to fix things."

Bowser blinked. The first emotion he felt was skepticism, as well as a tinge of wonder over whether or not Kamek had lost his marbles. "What are you talking about?"

Grinning, Kamek pulled a book out from behind his back. "I went to the library trying to see if there was a way to restore Rosalina's powers. It took a while, but I finally found a way."

Silence filled the room as Bowser tried to wrap his head around those words. That... that couldn't be true! There's no way that was true! Rosalina was eternally screwed, and Bowser had been the one to eternally screw her. There actually was a way to reverse the consequences of his actions?

"You're joking."

"I am not." Kamek opened the book. "Mind if I come in?"

Not knowing what else to do, Bowser let Kamek in. This... this couldn't be real. Kamek was telling a fib! Or, even worse, he was intentionally toying with Bowser's emotions in order to bring his hopes up. That had to be what was going on; it just had to be!

And yet, if he actually was telling the truth, then that would be the best thing that had happened to Bowser all day.

"What solution do you think you found?" Bowser asked, battling a very cynical and skeptical mood.

Kamek continued grinning. "Well..." he flipped to a specific page of the book. When he did, he looked like he was going to explode in a happy, sparkly mess. "I ran across a passage in this book that is quite interesting." Bowser raised an eyebrow as Kamek cleared his throat. "Koopas have a darkness in their heart. It's an evilness, one so wicked that nobody can hope to comprehend or understand."

Bowser sniffed. "Okay. So this book was clearly written by some a piece of shit, racist Mushroomer. What does that have to do with my problem?"

"Hold on, I'm not done." Kamek continued reading. "It is this darkness that allows them to steal the powers of any number of celestial figures through the use of a kiss. However, that method isn't permanent as long as the Koopa heeds these words." Kamek's grin grew bigger. "By kissing a celestial figure, they haven't gotten rid of their powers entirely. Instead, they have taken the powers for themselves, storing them deep in their heart. If the Koopa wishes to return their powers, they must express the most sincere, positive, and loving emotions toward the celestial figure. If done right, this will get both of their hearts to synchronize." Kamek looked up at Bowser, who by this point had eyes wider than the sun. "That will transfer the powers back to them."

Bowser blinked multiple times. His jaw dropped as he looked at Kamek, who still grinned like he had run across a goldmine. "The book really says that?"

Kamek nodded and turned the book toward the king. "Indeed." He pointed to the passage in question. "It's all here written in ink."

Without even a millisecond of hesitation, Bowser snatched the book from his advisor. He immediately read the words Kamek had just quoted, his heart pounding when he saw that Kamek had not, in fact, been making stuff up. All the words he had just quoted were right there, written clear as day and not containing any ambiguity whatsoever.

"Kamek..." Bowser smiled for the first time since kissing Rosalina. Before Kamek even knew what was going on, Bowser tossed the book to the side, made a grab for Kamek, and wrapped him in the biggest, tightest hug he had ever given. "You did it!" Laughing, he took one arm off of Kamek and used it to give him an affectionate noogie. "You're a godsend Kamek; I don't know what I would do without you!"

Kamek whimpered. "Th... thank you, Your Majesty." He gasped. "Do you... do you mind letting me go so I can breathe?"

Bowser obliged. As Kamek gasped for air and adjusted his cap, Bowser felt giddy enough to start dancing. "Oh man, this is perfect!" He stood proud and tall, puffing out his chest in a way he had never done before. "So all I have to do is find Rosalina and express how sorry I am! That will definitely get our hearts to synchronize!" Once he said that, Bowser gagged. "Blegh. That's really sappy to say."

"It may be," Kamek said as he adjusted his glasses, "but it is what is required." He looked back into the eyes of his king. "Would you be willing to do that? Would giving Rosalina her powers back be worth putting yourself into a potentially vulnerable position?"

"Vulnerable?" Bowser asked with a blink. He scratched the back of his head. "Wow, I was totally on board with this until you used that word." He looked back at Kamek giving him a look before sighing and nodding. "But if that's what is required, then I'll do it. I'll apologize to Rosalina. I will get our hearts to synchronize, and I will return her powers to her." He stood up straight and tall. "I will do it no matter what."

Kamek beamed. "That's the stubborn Bowser I know and love. You are very brave, sire."

"Of course I am; I'm King Bowser Koopa!" Bowser turned toward the door, taking two steps towards it. Right before he exited, he blinked, realizing that he had a squirmy, churning stomach. Sweating, he turned back to Kamek. "Uh... you wouldn't be opposed to coming with me, would you? It could..." he cleared his throat. "Would make syncing our hearts easier."

Kamek laughed. "Whatever you need, Bowser." He walked toward the door and exited. "Come on; we shouldn't waste any time."

Bowser breathed a sigh of relief, put his hand to his heart, and smiled before following Kamek. As he did, his smile grew bigger and bigger.

They were going to fix this. They were actually going to fix this.