"Mommy?" Wendy whispered as she opened the medical wing curtain that circled Luigi's bed. She held a small flower bouquet in her clawed hands. Luigi smiled weakly at his step-daughter, Bowser stood next to Luigi's bed with a sad smile. "C-Come here, baby," Luigi said tiredly. He held a tiny baby in his arms. Wendy gulped and walked towards the bed, "It's so cute, Mommy. What is it?" She tried to keep her composure. She could tell that her father was trying to do the same thing. "It's a girl," Luigi chuckled with pride. Wendy's eyes lit up with excitement, "We have a baby sister, Mommy?" "Yes. Now we have two beautiful princesses," Luigi stroked Wendy's cheek. Wendy's lips trembled. "Oh, my sweet girl," Luigi patted the bed. "Come sit with me." After Bowser took Wendy's bouquet, he picked his daughter up and placed her on the bed. Luigi handed the baby to Bowser. Then, he held Wendy close and stroked her pink bow. "M-Mommy? What's going on? Why are you so tired? Why can't the others come see you and the baby?" Wendy sniffed. She clung to Luigi's waist. Luigi looked at Bowser. "..." Bowser nodded as he rocked the baby in his arms. "Wendy, listen to me," Luigi began softly. "I requested just your presence because I want you to become your baby sister's sole protector. Will you do it?" "I-I'd be honored, Mommy." Wendy couldn't hold in her emotions anymore. She buried her face against Luigi's chest and cried. "I'm going to miss you and everyone else," Luigi whispered in her ear. "I love you all very much. Don't forget that, sweetie," He kissed Wendy's forehead. "After I'm gone, tell your siblings to behave. Okay? That goes for you too." "I-I promise, Mommy," Wendy began to calm down. "I love you, Mommy." "..." Silence. The machine flatlined.
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After everyone had gone to sleep, Wendy crept into the baby's room carrying a blanket lined basket. Once Wendy reached the crib, she placed the basket on the floor and put both of her clawed hands on the crib's railing. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her baby sister, Maria, slept soundly. She stroked Maria's delicate cheek gently. Wendy looked up at the ceiling and sniffed. "I-I know that I promised, Mommy, but she's not safe here," Wendy choked a sob. "Please, forgive me, Mommy." Wendy sat down on the chair in the baby's room and took out her Clawbook. While holding it, with shaking hands, she dialed Mario's number. Then, placed it against her ear as she waited for an answer. "Hello?" Mario's voice rang sleepily. "M-Mario?" Wendy sniffed. Mario's eyes widened with concern, "Wendy? What's wrong?" "I know I promised Mommy to be Maria's sole protector, but I don't think I can do it," Wendy choked. "M-Mario? W-Will you and P-Princess Peach take her in for me?" "Wendy, I'll take her tonight. Then, we'll see what happens. Okay?" Wendy nodded, "Okay." "Where should we meet?" "Um, at the airship pier. Is that okay?" "I'll be there soon, Wendy. You actually are keeping Luigi's wish to protect her by doing this. You're a brave girl." "..." Wendy smiled slightly. "I'll see you soon, Mario." "Bye, Wendy." Both phones clicked off.
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As Wendy placed Maria inside the basket, she saw a shadow standing in the doorway and gasped. When lightning lit up the room, Wendy sighed with relief when she realized who it was. "Iggy, what are you doing here, dear brother?" Iggy walked towards his sister, "Don't worry, sis. I'm here to help you and Maria." He hugged his little sister close. "Thanks," Wendy smiled. "You were always crazy, but you never betrayed any of us." "And I never will," Iggy chuckled. He turned his attention to Maria and stroked her cheek. "Shall we go?" Wendy asked. She smiled fondly at how gentle Iggy was with the little human. "Yes," Iggy replied. "Thankfully, there are no guards out roaming the castle now." Iggy led Wendy towards the airship pier. Mario was already there. A helicopter stood waiting. "Thank you so much for doing this," Mario smiled as he took the basket. "Even though Daddy is a good father, it wouldn't be safe for Maria," Wendy said. "She's not Koopa. I still feel like I'm betraying Mommy's wish." "..." Mario hugged Wendy close. "I understand, but you didn't." Wendy pushed Mario away softly, "You need to go now. It's almost sunrise." Thankfully, with all of this thunder and wind, no one heard the helicopter. Once Mario left with Maria safe inside the helicopter with him, Iggy and Wendy went back inside the castle. They silently gathered some things and went back to the baby's now empty room. "Ready, sis?" Iggy asked as he held a baseball bat. Wendy passed Iggy some black gloves, "Yes." She had a small kitchen knife in her hand. After placing the gloves on, the two siblings made it look like someone "kidnapped" Maria. The glass window in the baby's room was smashed. Each time thunder sounded, Iggy smashed it. After everything else was done, and to make it look like Iggy fought to protect the baby and Wendy, the two siblings took turns cutting their arms and spreading blood almost everywhere. "Now, it looks convincing," Iggy smirked with pride. "Yeah," Wendy panted heavily. "I'm sorry, sis, but I need to punch you." "I understand, Iggs. I'm ready." Iggy punched Wendy against the right side of her head. Iggy laid her gently next to the crib. Feigning the fear and shakes, Iggy cried out, "Oh, Stars! W-Wendy! S-Someone, help! Dad! K-Kamek!"
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When it was confirmed that Maria was "kidnapped," Bowser fell into a deep state of grief. So did everyone else. Iggy and Wendy were able to keep their secret hidden. Kamek was able to get both siblings to speak, but decided to keep the secret himself too. Wendy was right. Maria wouldn't be able to survive in the Koopa Kingdom. Not all Koopas were kind towards humans the way the royal family was. He prayed to the Stars to watch over Maria and guide her on her life journey.
After searching the entire Koopa Kingdom, Bowser slowly, but surely began to accept that Maria was gone forever and turned his attention to the remaining members of his family.
THE END