Meanwhile, Bowser had entered a part of his castle. The Dry Bones had opened and closed the doors behind them.

Bowser laughed evilly, "Bowser, the mighty Koopa king, has arrived! Hold your applause, minions! But now that I'm here... Kammy! You crusty old hag! Why did you summon me?"

One of the Dry Bones (Frank) reported, "Uh, Great Bowser... The, uh, crusty Kammy Koopa will arrive shortly. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but please wait at the end of the room."

Bowser went to the end of the room. Once he got there, Kammy came in.

She greeted, "Ah! Lord Bowser." She walked across the room, Frank and Steve closing the doors behind her. She huffed and puffed, trying to catch her breath. It didn't take long for her to catch her breath. She stated, "I've just now returned. I'm terribly sorry to have kept you waiting, my lord."

Bowser huffed, "I bet you are, Kammy Koopa! Now, out with it! Why have you called me here?"

Kammy pleaded, "Please, Your Grumpiness! Don't be so impatient with your poor servant." She cleared her throat and told him, "It's my displeasure to report that Mario and Greenie, those scum, are off to a town called Rogueport."

Bowser blew a raspberry, "Am I Mario and Greenie's baby-sitter? I don't care what they are doing! Are you going to call me every time Mario blows his nose or what? Sheesh!"

Kammy stated, "Yes, well, you see, my lord... Apparently Mario and Greenie are hunting for an amazing treasure."

Bowser perked up, "Tuh-treasure?!"

Kammy explained, "Yes, Mario and Greenie have gone in search of star-shaped jewels known as the Crystal Stars. I'm researching just what they are...but there's no question of their high value."

Bowser replied, "The Crystal Stars, you say? They sound like good world-conquering tools! I want 'em! Hmm... Yes... Very good... Continue researching this for me, you brainy hag, you."

Kammy responded, "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Leave it to me. By the way, Lord Bowser... Do you like fried eggs?"

Bowser answered, "Do I...? I love fried eggs! Love 'em! But...what a weird question. Why do you ask?"

Kammy informed, "Well, during my Mario recon, I stopped in a lovely place called Petal Meadows. I was planning to taking everyone there for a picnic, having some eggs and toast... Of course, I wouldn't think of sending out invites without asking you first, Lord Bowser!"

Bowser shouted, "AIRHEAD! A picnic?! You moron! This is no time for fun! See, this is why my evil plans always derail! Because you clods always goof off!"

That's when Bowser started to stomp his foot in frustration.

Kammy was scared, "Oh, dear... Lord Bowser... Please calm down... Remember your blood pressure..." That's when Kamek came in and whispered in her ear. "Hm? What's that?" Kamek whispered some more information in her ear. She blurted out, "What?! Is this true?!" Kamek nodded as he left. She turned back to Bowser. She told him, "Lord Bowser! Terrible news! Some bold fool abducted Princess Peach in Rogueport!"

Bowser perked up and stopped stomping his feet, "What?! Tell me that you are lying, Kammy! How? When? Where? Who'd do such a thing? Besides me?"

Kammy reported, "I'm afraid we don't have that information quite yet... The investigation's ongoing. One thing is most certainly confirmed: the princess and a friend of hers have been kidnapped."

Bowser did a double take, "Friend? What friend?"

Kammy told him, "Her name is Violet Calico." Bowser looked confused as she continued, "Apparently she's Greenie's girlfriend."

Bowser admitted, "I didn't even know he had a girlfriend! This is news to me! But under no circumstances is anyone allowed to kidnap Peach without my say-so! I will not stand for this! I'm going to Rogueport now! I've got to kidnap her back!"

With that, he walked back Kammy. After a few minutes, he returned in the Koopa copter, flying through the castle walls - making a hole in the wall as he did.

Kammy had gotten her broom and pleaded, "But... Your Grunginess! Wait up!"

Kammy had flown off after Bowser and the two went off to Rogueport.

...

Back with Mario, Koops was saying goodbye to everyone before he decided to leave. Mario, Luigi, and Goombella were standing off to the side, allowing him to have privacy.

Koopley placed his hand on his son's shoulder and asked, "Koops, my lad... Are you telling me that you are going with your friends?"

Koops answered, "Um... That's right, dad. I'm going to continue traveling with them. And then I'm... Well... I'm going to come back a strong Koopa like you, dad."

Koopley was proud, "Nicely said, young Koops! That's my boy! But always remember this: you are my son, Koops! And I'm your father!"

Koopie reassured, "Koops, my sweet... I'll be here waiting...for you to prove yourself."

The mayor cleared his throat, "May I just add... If anything happens, you can always come home, Koops. Don't you ever forget that. This village will always be your home."

Koops replied, "Okay... Thank you everyone! Off I go!" With that, Koops walked over to his friends. He asked, "Okay, I'm ready. Where are we headed?"

Goombella answered, "We're are headed back to Rogueport. 'The bearer of the Magical Map shall unfurl it before the Thousand Year Door. When this is done, the stars shall guide the bearer to the Crystal Star with pure light.'"

Mario stated, "Yeah, we just need to head back and find the next location of the next Crystal Star."

Luigi replied, "Si, they are right. So as my bro would say, 'let's a-go!'"

To that, everyone laughed. Koops waved goodbye once again as they started to head out.

...

Wishmaker1028: I know this is a bit of a short chapter but I'm thinking this is a good place to end chapter 14. So please read and review! And always think outside of the box!