-Chapter 11-

New Beginnings

Toad Town

Outside of Peach's Castle, Mario was hauling a Brick Block.

"Man, these things are heavy," he mused.

"Big hunks of stone usually are, Mario," Toad deadpanned.

Mario gave Toad a look, as he wasn't carrying anything. Finally, he hauled it before the bridge, where all of the other bricked civilians had been placed.

"There... that's the last of 'em."

"Perfect," Peach smiled. "Thank you again for all of your help, everyone. Now then…"

She focused, holding out her hands before performing a small dance, hearts streaming out from all directions as the bricks began to glow (1). Suddenly, the bricks began to shift and shake, and in a puff of smoke and sparkles, they all turned back into people.

"Huh?" one Toad let out, looking around and at himself. "I'm... I'm back... I'm back to normal!"

All over, the brick victims looked around, overjoyed to find themselves back to normal and cheering. Mario smiled at the sight.

"All's well that ends well, right, Luigi?"

"Yeah…" Luigi sighed. "Mario... can I talk to you for a sec? In private?"

Mario nodded, Luigi leading him off to the side. The green plumber took a deep breath.

"Look... I'm sorry for what happened back in Neo Bowser City. Things were so stressful, and I was terrified and angry... but I never should've abandoned you."

"I'm sorry, too," Mario replied. "I know we won in the end… but this whole journey was one heck of a ride. We almost died about eight times!" He sighed. "You were right, Luigi. We were in over our heads. I shouldn't have called you a coward." He held out a hand. "Friends?"

Luigi smiled before taking his hand. "Brothers."

With that done, they headed back to the others to find Toadsworth standing next to Peach. He turned to Mario, bowing.

"I owe you and your brother an apology, Master Mario," the older Toad said. "While the situation was dire, I should not have blown up on you like that. You and Toad were right... we let Bowser run rampant for far too long."

"You don't have to apologize," Mario said. "I get it. I acted without thinking, and provoked Bowser's attack."

"Still, you had no idea what would happen, given your circumstances. And even still, you went out of your way to travel all the way to the Dark Lands, not only fighting Bowser's Elite Guard but winning! All for someone you only just met!"

Mario shrugged. "What can I say? Mama Mario raised me right."

"Mama Mario?" Toad blinked, realizing what this meant. "Wait... so you actually are the Mario Bros.? That's your last name?!" He was fighting back laughter.

"Yeah, I've been through this a hundred times," Mario said, utterly deadpan. "Get it outta your system."

E. Gadd chuckled. "I'm sorry, but that is by far the silliest name I've heard!"

"This coming from Elvin Gadd ?" Plum deadpanned.

Gadd stopped laughing. "Oh… right."

"Humans…" Parakarry remarked, shaking his head.

"Mm-hmm…" David nodded.

"Alright everyone, settle down!" Peach called. "This is a time for celebration! The evil King Bowser is defeated! He will trouble us no more! And we have these two brave men to thank for it!" She gestured to Mario and Luigi, the crowd bursting into cheers.

-X-

Later at the castle…

"Mama Mia…" Mario practically melted in his chair. "Princess, this has got to be the best cake I've ever eaten in my life!"

"Well, I don't like to toot my own horn." Peach smiled.

"Told ya her cake is world-famous," Toad mused.

"World famous nothing!" Luigi exclaimed. "This is…" He took another bite. "I wouldn't be surprised if Bowser kidnapped you just so he could have this every day for the rest of his life!"

"He did mention that was one reason," Peach confirmed. "But enough about that. What will you all do now?"

The Bros. and everyone looked around.

"Good question," Mario admitted. "I figured we'd just go back to New Donk City."

"Well, you could stay in Toad Town," Peach offered. "There's a house on the outskirts that's the perfect size for the two of you. I-If you're interested, of course."

"Well…" Mario began.

"Of course they are!" Toad cut in.

"Toad!" Mario objected.

"C'mon, man," Luigi said. "Don't make our decisions for us."

"But guys…!" Toad let out. "After everything we've been through together, you're just gonna ditch us and go back to the Metro Kingdom?"

"Well, it's not like it's goodbye forever," Mario turned to Peach. "Let us check this place out first before we decide."

"Mario?" Luigi asked.

"Alright then," Peach turned to E. Gadd. "What about you, Professor Gadd?"

"Well, now that Plum and I no longer have to live in hiding, I planned on getting back to my research," E. Gadd remarked, grinning. "My passion project: paranormal investigation!"

"There's been some crazy stuff going on in Evershade Valley by Forever Forest that we've been itching to check out," Plum added. "And if I let the Professor go alone, he'd probably get himself thrown in ghost jail again."

"One time, Plum!" E. Gadd objected. "Lady Bow never told me that piano was possessed!"

"It was bolted to the wall! Shouldn't that be enough of an indicator not to touch it?!"

"As for me, I'm gonna need to find a new job," Parakarry said. "Seeing as how my old boss is, y'know, dead."

"Well, while you were gathering the bricked people, I put in a good word for you at the Toad Town Post Office," Peach told him. "The hours are good and the pay is decent; you can start whenever."

Parakarry thought it over before shrugging. "Eh, it's gotta be better than being Bowser's glorified homing pigeon. What about you, Dave?"

"Hm?" David perked. "O-Oh, me?"

"Yeah, what are your big plans for your new Bowser-free life?" Plum asked.

"W-Well... ummmm... uhhhhh..." David fidgeted nervously. "I... I really don't know."

"Oh come now, you must have something in mind," E. Gadd said.

"No… I really don't. When I joined you guys back in Frappe Snowland, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision. I... honestly didn't expect us to get out of it alive. So… I don't really have a plan for the future."

"Well, don't stress out about it," Plum told him. "Life isn't a race to some specific finish line. It's okay if you aren't sure what you want to do yet, as long as you keep your mind open. You might find a new passion in an unlikely place."

"Well... okay." David nodded.

"As for me..." Toad grinned. "After traveling with you guys and saving the world… I feel like doing something big! Something crazy! Something... daring and exciting! I mean, how can I just go back to that dusty old item shop after all that? It just seems... dull, y'know?"

"Well, if it's excitement and adventure you're looking for, the Royal Guard is recruiting," Toadsworth offered.

"Tempting, but I was thinking something more along the lines of the lone explorer tackling unexplored frontiers! Like my buddy Migh T.! (2)"

"Migh T.?" Luigi asked.

"He's in charge of this big group of explorer Toads. The Toad Brigade. My sister Toadette is one of them. Next time I see them, I'll ask if they have room for one more."

"We'll be rooting for you, Toad," Mario told him.

Toad smiled at that. "Thanks, buddy."

"Well, with that out of the way, I propose a toast." Mario held up his cup. "To new friends and a new, free world!"

"HUZZAH!"

They clinked glasses at that.

Dark Lands

Meanwhile, back in Neo Bowser City, something crawled out of the fire sea and onto the coast.

"Finally…" he panted. "Land! Glorious, wonderful land!"

While somewhat charred and smarting from his wounds, King Bowser was very much alive. He kissed the ground in relief.

"Now…" he stood up. "Rejoice, citizens of the Dark Lands! Your Glorious Leader has re–!"

He perked, noticing the city was empty. "What the…?" He blinked, looking around. "Hello? Citizens of the Dark Lands? Minions?" He grimaced. "Something's wrong here."

He walked through the city, finding the entire place uninhabited. Windows were broken, stores were looted, and the streets were covered in litter and other debris.

"Cripes, it looks like a twister hit this place. How long was I out?"

At that moment, he heard something swoop around, looking up to see Kammy hovering overhead. She looked down, gasping at the sight.

"Lord Bowser! You live!" She looked into the distance. "Kamek! I found him"

"You have!?" Kamek darted over. "Lord Bowser! Your Vileness!"

"Kamek! Kammy!" Bowser called. "What's going on!? What happened to my kingdom!?"

"Yes, about that…" Kammy took a breath. "After the New Donker plumbers knocked you into the Fire Sea, most of the civilians kinda... thought you were dead and cleared out."

"WHAT?!" Bowser roared.

"It was horrible, sire!" Kamek went on. "Everyone in Neo Bowser City just started going mad! Looting and pillaging and running amok! And the vandalism!"

"Vandalism?" Bowser looked up, recoiling at the sight of a "Bowser Wants You" poster, a mustache and monocle drawn on it. He turned to see one of his neon signs smashed, and his statue in the town square torn down.

"So many people went rabid, running around and rioting after your defeat," Kammy remarked. "Then they followed Princess Peach out of the kingdom."

"But make no mistake, my Lord, we remain loyal to you," Kamek assured. "As does the bulk of the Koopa Troop."

"Good," Bowser scowled, smoke erupting from his nose. "That red 'stached goon Mario... he thinks he can humiliate me in front of my subjects, turn my kingdom against me, and get away with it? Screw that!" He tore down the poster and crumpled it into a ball. "The next time I see him, I'm not just going to end his game...!" He threw the paper ball in the air and torched it with his flame breath. As the ash rained down on him, he smiled evilly. "I'll make him wish it was never made!"

Kamek and Kammy grinned.

"Kammy! Kamek! Gather up our remaining forces, and tell them to report back to the castle!"

"Yes sir!" Kamek saluted.

Bowser walked off.

"Lord Bowser, where are you going?" Kammy asked.

"To make some calls," the evil king grinned. "It's time for a little...family reunion."

Author's Note:

(1): Her Peach Blossom Final Smash, more or less.

(2): Our name for Captain Toad. And yes, he's a separate character from the main Toad; Nintendo programmer Koichi Hayashida confirmed it.

And thus, the first arc is complete. While Bowser plots his comeback, stay tuned next chapter for Super Mario Bros. 2!

Please R&R. Until next time!