A/N: Greetings, one and all. I have come from beyond the grave to bring out this story. As a result of the recent Death Battle between Bowser and Dr. Eggman.

If you haven't seen that video yet, why haven't you? It's peak. Oh well, spoilers ahead. If you haven't read the story summary already, lol.

Anyway, I'll save anything else I have to say for the ending A/N.

Let's roll!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Nintendo, anything Sega, or anything Death Battle. There, that should cover my bases, lol.

"I have run millions of simulations, Father. Our victory is assured."

Eggman grinned. "Excellent! Not that I'm surprised. This 'Koopa Kingdom' is so utterly ridiculous. Not a single piece of advanced technology to be found! And the lifeforms! Sonic and his friends are bad enough, but now there's talking turtles! And is that a walking bomb with eyes?"

"Yes, Father," Sage nodded.

"And it's actually alive? Not a machine?"

"No, Father."

"…How even-?"

"I'm still analyzing possible explanations as we speak. Nothing conclusive."

"Hm. Well, no matter! With my robot army, you, Metal Sonic, my genius, and the Chaos Emeralds-!"

"And Infinite."

"Yeah, sure, whatever. My victory is assured! Open the portal, Sage! We're going all in! And the odds are ever in my favor!"

Sage smiled and nodded, flashing blue before returning to her red color palate. She knew her father was right. Her calculations confirmed it.

"Kid?"

They would conquer this "Koopa Kingdom" and convert it into Eggman Land 2.

"Hey, kid?"

Her father's victory was assured. And she couldn't wait to celebrate the victory after-.

"KID!"

Sage was brought out of her memory by that shout. She blinked and looked around, realizing she was next in line in the recruitment stand. Cubot and Orbot had already submitted their applications and moved out of the way to discuss their new futures in the Koopa Kingdom.

"So you gonna submit your application or not? I ain't got all day! I mean, I technically do. Boss's orders and all. But you're holding up the line!"

Sage stared blankly at the recruitment officer, a being smaller than her. In a green robe and odd mask. A Shy Guy, she had learned. Though he certainly wasn't acting what his name pertained to. And his green robe contrasted with the usual wear of Shy Guys. She looked behind her to see the line of the remaining Eggman forces that were waiting to join the enemy.

She was honestly still in disbelief. How could they have lost so utterly? Her simulations had shown that victory for the Eggman Empire was assured. That her father would win the day against the brute king that is Bowser. Instead….

She glitched blue momentarily, before returning to normal. Not saying a word, she handed the application to the recruitment officer.

"Hm, alright. Yep. Looks in order-. Wait, you're that guy's daughter?"

"…Yes."

"And you're joining us?"

"…Yes."

The Shy Guy gave her a stare she couldn't read since he wore a mask. She chose to assume it was one of suspicion. She kept her own look blank, not betraying any emotion. He finally said something.

"Well, must've been a terrible father if you're joining us so easily."

That comment caused her to glitch an angry blue and red, but she recomposed herself. She had to let it slide for the sake of her plan. Her plan to infiltrate the enemy. To exact some kind of vengeance. To do…something.

"Well, whatever. Welcome to the Koopa Troop!"

That welcome didn't make her feel better. It only worsened her already foul mood. Even so, she felt that she should say something to avert any suspicion.

"…Thank you."

She obviously didn't mean that. It was more polite than anything. The Shy Guy didn't seem to notice, simply nodding and waving her off so that the rest in line could continue. She hovered out of the line, moving towards an animated Orbot and Cubot.

"Oh, I simply can't wait for our new lives here!" Orbot exclaimed in joy.

Cubot nodded rapidly. "Oh yeah! This Bowser seems like he'll be a better boss than Eggman if he's actually letting us join!"

"Indeed! Granted, part of it might be to recoup the losses he suffered because of us. But still! Better than being taken prisoner or being eliminated!"

"I'll say! Wonder if we'll get to wear some shells for helmets?"

"Not like it'll fit you, Cubot."

"I bet it will!"

"It won't. You're named 'Cubot' for a reason."

"Aight, bet! Where are those helmets?"

Sage just stood there, an unreadable expression on her face. She couldn't fathom why these two seemed so eager to betray her father and join Bowser. It…hurt to hear them say these things.

She finally said something.

"…Why?"

Orbot and Cubot paused and turned to see their sister floating there, a blank expression that didn't match her hurt tone.

"Oh, sister!" Orbot exclaimed. "Didn't notice you there. Are you as excited as we are for-?"

"I asked you, why?"

Orbot blinked. "Why what, sister?"

"Why are you so happy to join Bowser and betray father? Father created the two of you. You should be loyal to him and plot to take revenge. Like I am. Instead, you're more than happy to desert him and join his murderer. Why?"

"Well technically, it wasn't really murder-."

"I asked you why?!" she finally shouted, glitching red and blue horrendously.

That got her two brothers to pause and look at each other, finally noticing that their sister was not okay. She was sad. Deeply upset. And very angry. Cubot rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, unsure of what to say. Orbot, however, did.

"Sister…you understand that before Father created you, he wasn't exactly kind to the rest of us. Cubot and I, especially. Metal Sonic seemed like a son to him, but your father literally had to reprogram Metal so that he'd stop rebelling. When you came along, we thought maybe he'd finally, well, lighten up a bit. Instead, he cherished you the most and Metal a greater amount than before. But as for the rest of us? We were still seen as just tools for his own ends. And Cubot and I as useless buffoons."

Sage tilted her head. She understood that her father saw his creations as mere tools. And she definitely saw her father's frustrations with Orbot and Cubot. But she always thought he still cared for, if not his army, then at least those two. In his own way, albeit harsh.

"And quite honestly, I couldn't help but feel rather jealous."

That certainly earned a shocked look from Sage. She saw the look on Orbot's face and saw that he was serious. Turning to Cubot, she noticed that he fidgeted awkwardly. Almost as though he was agreeing with Orbot.

But that couldn't be, right? T-They were family! She was glad that she got to meet these two! Happy, even! And they always seemed happy when they interacted with her! Was that all a façade? Did they secretly hate her because their father had been more care to her than them?

That couldn't be….

"I-I see," she said with finality.

"Still," Orbot continued, crossing his arms. "It's not as though we actually blame-."

"I need to go."

"Wait, wha-?"

Not letting Orbot finish, Sage flew off, the emotions within her all over the place.

"Sister, wait, come ba-! And she's gone."

Orbot slumped.

"Well, way to go!" Cubot scolded. "You made her feel sad!"

"As if you would've done any better!"

"I absolutely would!"

"You would not!"

"Would too!

"Would not!"

"Would too!"

"Would not!"

They would continue like this for a bit.

Bowser grumbled to himself as he approached the recruitment center. Now back to his normal look after some mushrooms and dark magic.

The battle high and victory cheer he had before was now gone. He could only lament at the fact that he wasn't actually marrying Princess Peach. How could he, the great Bowser with a 9800 IQ, be fooled by a cardboard cutout?! Eggman truly was a genius if he could manage to fool Bowser the Brilliant!

The Koopa King stopped beside the minion, Sergeant Guy, in charge of recruitment.

"How goes recruiting?"

Sergeant Guy jumped a bit in shock at being addressed by his king.

"Y-Your majesty! Um, i-it's going great! The remaining enemy forces are joining willingly!"

Bowser figured as much. They were just machines following their master. Now that their master was dead, they needed a new one. Hence, they immediately flocked to the one who defeated their master: Bowser.

Not that the Koopa King minded. He'd need these machines to replace those he lost until he both gained more Koopa forces and returned those he needed back. Like Ba-Bomb King or Goomboss. He probably didn't need need them, but it makes ruling easier when they're around.

"Though I feel I should let you know about a recent applicant, my king. If only to err on the side of caution."

That got Bowser's attention. He grabbed the application form his minion held out and read over it.

"Sage, huh? Let's see…an artificial intelligence, no idea what that is. Good with hacking, not much use there. Good with machines, though. That'll help with the new recruits, or even whatever my son builds. What's the problem?"

"She's the daughter of the man that attacked us."

Bowser blinked and looked back at the form. Yep, there it was. She had listed Ivo Robotnik, aka Dr. Eggman, as her father. Pretty bold of the kid to write that. And she was joining his army so easily? After he killed her father?

…

This was sus.

"I figured the doctor must've been a terrible father if she's joining us, but I felt I should let you know about her. Just in case."

Bowser had to give his minion credit. Even though he seemed to assume the conclusion he came to was correct.

"What does she look like?" Bowser asked Sergeant Guy.

"Well, she has a white and red color scheme, wears a black cloak. White hair, red eyes. Floats most of the time."

Bowser's eyes narrowed. That sounded like…wait, yeah. That little floating girl that launched a bunch of machines at him before Kamek protected him with green tubes. He remembered her now.

"Where is she?" he asked.

"Well-."

"Sister, wait!"

Before Sergeant Guy could answer, someone had shouted. Bowser looked up and saw a red robot with an orb-like head call out to someone who was flying away. From what he could see before said person got too far, it was that Sage girl. And from the looks of it, she seemed to be moving towards the battlefield where the invasion had taken place.

"Hm. Continue with recruitment. I've got to get some answers."

"Yes, sir!"

Bowser left his minion to it, moving towards the red orb-headed machine that was arguing with a yellow cube-headed machine.

"Would not!"

"Would too!"

"Would not!"

"Would too!"

"Would-!"

"BOTH OF YOU, SHUT UP!"

The two robots flinched and cowered before Bowser.

"Eep! H-Hello, my new master! I-I'm Orbot, and this is Cubot! And can I just say-!"

"Don't care," Bowser interrupted, moving past them. "I've got a little girl to interrogate."

The two robots paused as Bowser continued after Sage, both of them looking at each other nervously. Suddenly very worried for their sister.

Sage had finally come to a stop before the now stone Eggmobile. She gave it a blank stare, though she felt not right in her coding. It…hurt to see her father's signature vehicle in such a state. Yet she had no way to reverse the "magic" cast upon it.

"…Magic."

She didn't want to believe that this world had such a nonsensical ability. Even with the Ancients of the Starfall Islands, that was simply technology so advanced that it would appear to be magic to a less advanced race. And yet she couldn't deny the effects it had.

Bowser conjuring a magical force field to shield his forces from Infinite's power. That ghost king summoning a stone with a face on it to crush Infinite. Bowser conjuring dark lightning. That old wizard using some sort of "Chance Time" to steal the Phantom Ruby. That tiny version of Bowser that turned his father into his larger form with what appeared to be ink paint. Green tubes being summoned from nowhere. Even Bowser himself becoming a living skeleton!

From her scans, this magic had to clearly be some form of energy. Yet it just appeared from nothing. That couldn't be true. Energy could neither be created nor destroyed. Yet this magic persisted as though to mock such laws of science! And in the end, it played a part in her father's defeat and death.

"…I'm sorry, Father."

She placed a hand on the stone Eggmobile.

"I-I'm sorry," she continued, slowly glitching blue. "My calculations, my simulations. They should have been foolproof. We should be standing here together, celebrating our conquest of this kingdom. Instead…i-instead…."

She felt tears flowing down her face. This was the second time she cried like this. And it was in mourning the loss of her creator. Her father. The man who brought her back after she sacrificed herself to defeat The End. The man who had finally referred to her as his daughter.

Gone. Dead. All because of…all because of-.

STOMP!

"Ah! There you are, kid."

…

All because of him.

Sage turned to glare up hatefully at the towering Bowser, her blue form returning to its red state. Only more erratic.

"I need to talk to you, kid. I've got some questions."

"…I have nothing to say to you."

"Well, you don't really have a say in that. If you intend to be in my army, you listen to me now. As your king-."

"You are not my king."

Bowser stopped and stared down at Sage.

"…Care to repeat that?"

She glared up defiantly. "You are not my king. I only follow one person. My father. The great Ivo Robotnik! ! The man you murdered!"

Bowser jaw set. She may have been a kid, but she needed to learn some harsh truths.

"Oh? I murdered your father? Is that how you see it? Well, let me tell you something, kid. Your father brought all this on himself! He chose to invade my kingdom! He chose to pick a fight with me! To pick a fight with my family! What did you think was going to happen?"

"You were supposed to be conquered!" she shouted back, glitching a lot. "You should be lying here dead! My simulations concluded as much! Instead…i-instead-!"

"Instead," Bowser interrupted. "Your father is nothing more than a smear on a brown block in space. The great 'Ivo Robotnik' reduced a simple bloodstain. All his achievements, all his future plans. Rendered moot. All because he bit off more than he could chew. So like I said…he brought it on himself."

That was the wrong thing to say to Sage, her teeth gritting.

"Y-You…y-you…."

She raised her hand in anger, charging a laser attack. Her form glitching red and blue horrendously.

"DIE!"

She fired her laser straight at Bowser's face. There was actually a bit of an explosion from that, creating a cloud of smoke.

She blinked. That…didn't actually kill him, did it?

The smoke cloud cleared and showed Bowser's head just fine, albeit covered in soot. He looked down at her, unamused.

"Was that it?"

She wasn't sure why she was shocked it didn't work. Even the Death Egg didn't put him down for good. But she had allowed herself to hope in vain that it might've done something.

She could no longer keep herself hovering. She fell to her knees and hands, completely defeated.

"M-My father…my brother. G-Gone. Orbot and Cubot have joined you without hesitation. I…I-I have no one now."

She turned blue completely, tears flowing from her eyes. That was it. She was alone. Even if she plotted to take revenge, what could she do by herself? Most of the machines capable of hurting Bowser were now destroyed. The Chaos Emeralds? Scattered to who knows where. The Death Egg? Now a brown block, with no way to return it to normal. And Sage's own power clearly did nothing to the Koopa King.

That was it. There was no hope. All she had now was the guilt of failing her father so utterly.

"Come here, kid."

She looked up and saw Bowser's large hand reach down for her. She flinched and shut her eyes, afraid he might actually hurt her. So it surprised her when she felt herself being scooped up gently. She opened her eyes to see Bowser looking at her with a more softer expression.

She wiped her eyes as she asked, "Y-You aren't going to hurt me?"

"I don't hurt kids. I may be a bad guy, but that doesn't mean I'm a bad guy."

"…T-That doesn't make sense."

"It should. You're supposed to be super smart, ain't ya? Figure it out."

"I-."

"I'm not sorry I killed your dad. He attacked my kingdom and family. I defended them. It was practically self-defense, kid."

He let out a sigh. "But…if you had to twist my arm, the most I'd be willing to say is that I'm sorry I had to do it. No kid should lose their parent."

Sage narrowed her eyes. Was he being genuine? Or was he lulling her into a false sense of security? After everything, she couldn't really tell anymore.

"Tell you what, kid. How about I make you a deal?"

That caught her attention. "A deal?"

"Yeah. I found your application to join my kingdom. Considering you're Eggman's daughter, I doubt you joined for good reasons."

He…had her there.

"So here's the deal, kid. You be a team player. Actually help out instead of whatever you were thinking. Don't cause any trouble. You manage to do all that? Well…I might be willing to bring your father back."

That got her to stop and stare up in shock. Revive her father? Was he mocking her?

"F-Father's dead. Y-You can't come back from death."

Bowser chuckled. "Kid, do you know how many times I've bit the dust? A lot. But I always come back! As do a lot of others I know. Bringing your father back won't be a problem."

He was serious, wasn't he? There was a chance to bring back her father? Should she agree? If she did, she'd have to behave herself, as he asked. Or perhaps she could be sneaky and find out the information needed to bring her father back herself? Either way, it was worth a shot.

"…I-I accept."

Bowser grinned. "Great! You'll make a good addition to my forces. I can see great things coming from you."

That last part, her father would've agreed with.

"Now then-."

"Wait!"

The two turned to see Orbot and Cubot running, or rather hovering, towards them.

"S-Sir," Orbot started. "Please don't be harsh with our sister! She just misses her father!"

"Y-Yeah!" Cubot concurred. "A-Any kid would be sad and angry about their parent being killed. She just needs time to-!"

"Relax, you two," Bowser interrupted. "Your sister and I have come to an understanding. Just between us, of course."

Sage imagined that meant the deal they made should be kept to herself and Bowser for the time being.

"So, don't worry," Bowser continued. "I don't hurt kids, anyway. She'll be an excellent addition to my forces, like you two hopefully."

Sage felt Bowser would be as disappointed in them as her father had.

"I-I see." Orbot sighed in relief.

"Phew." Cubot was also relieved.

Orbot moved closer to speak to Sage.

"Sister, look…I didn't get to finish what I said earlier. I admit that Cubot and I were a little jealous at how much more care Eggman showed to you and Metal Sonic than us. But we never held that against you two!"

Cubot nodded rapidly in agreement.

"When we first met you, we were ecstatic. Our own little sister. Our family growing bigger with you along. You honestly brightened our days. Regardless of whatever jealousy we felt at that time, you are our sister. We care for you."

Cubot gave a double thumbs up and a massive grin.

Sage…was left without words for the moment. Her mind trying to process what they said. They didn't care that they weren't shown as much care as Sage had? They still loved her as their sister?

She wasn't alone….

Sage smiled, a tear rolling down her face.

"T-Thank you, Orbot. Cubot. That…means a lot."

The two grinned, Orbot following Cubot's example and giving a double thumbs up.

"Well, that's all well and good," Bowser interrupted. "But now it's time we returned to my castle. Or well, another one. This one is practically unlivable."

A part of the castle that had somehow still been standing collapsed in on itself, as if to confirm Bowser's observation.

"Come along."

Bowser marched on, still holding Sage. Orbot and Cubot following.

Sage herself has mixed emotions. She felt relief, sadness, confusion, and anger still. But she now at least had an idea as to what she would do. She would fufill her end of the bargain, and hopefully get her father back. Or if it goes wrong, then she'd find a way to bring her father back herself.

"So," Sage began. "What will I be doing? I understand your kingdom doesn't rely so much on technology. I can perhaps assist in that regard?"

"Oh, you will, kid," Bowser nodded. "Don't worry. But before that, I've got the perfect task for you."

Sage tilted her head. "And that is?"

Bowser kicked the door open to his son's room. "Junior!"

Bowser Jr., who had simply been sitting in the middle of the room after recovering from his injuries thanks to some mushrooms, let out a Finn scream before saying something.

"Dad, why?! You don't just kick open doors! It's rude!"

"Don't care, got you a new friend."

Bowser unceremoniously tossed Sage into the room, the A.I. girl landing on her bum with a plop across from Junior.

"Wait, what?" Sage blinked.

"Wait, what?" Junior blinked.

"Wait, what?" Orbot and Cubot blinked.

"You heard me," Bowser said. "Have fun or whatever. Keep an eye on her, son. You, two! Orbot and Cubot, right? Follow me."

"Y-Yes, sir!" the two robots exclaimed, following Bowser as he closed the door and left.

Bowser Jr. and Sage were left just sitting there, awkwardly staring at each other.

…

…

"So, um," Junior tried to begin. "You like video games?"

Sage was suddenly reconsidering her situation.

A/N: And there we go. Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter.

As you can see, this will involve Sage and Bowser Jr. The former having to deal with the latter, obviously. As well as "playing nice" so that she may potentially get her father back. Or be sneaky about it and bring him back herself. Depends.

As for Bowser, if ya'll disagree that he wouldn't immediately bring back Eggman for Sage's sake, I understand. Just wait and see.

Ever since that Death Battle came out, there's been plenty of scenarios for Death Battle Aftermath stuff. Especially involving Sage and Bowser Jr. Would they get along? Would they hate each other? Would it only be one side hating and the other trying to be friends? Would Sage actually succeed in revenge for her father? The list goes on and on.

Oh yeah, and Bowser Jr./ Sage as a cute little ship. Honestly, it's freaking adorable and I love it.

Person: But dude, they're kids-.

Yes. They're kids. It would just be a wholesome young romance. Like you'd see in kids shows. Look at Darwin and Carrie from The Amazing World Of Gumball. Look at Gumball and Penny. And there's plenty of other examples in other shows, but this ending A/N is gonna be long enough as is.

Also, this may or may not be a slowburn ship for this story. Maybe. Depends what I write.

Now, I'm sure some readers who read my stories have seen that I tend to suddenly be gone for long periods of time. Life happens. Only now life has been beating me to a pulp and destroying my motivation to do anything other than just sit back and stare at the TV, letting the whatever I choose to watch waste the hours of my life away.

So this story, right here? This is my last chance. If I can't get a consistent kind of scheduled uploads for this without disappearing for months on end to a goddamn year, I may actually consider not writing fanfiction anymore. Which would suck cause I have all these ideas, but the motivation just keeps slipping away.

So hopefully, considering how much I've come to adore this cute little ship, perhaps this story will be my saving grace and get me back into writing more. Cause there's this other story idea I've been meaning to do that might actually be a sort of magnum opus (probably not, but still), but I never got to it.

And to those wondering about my other story "Of Gates, Heirs, and the Unhinged", I'll be trying to get back to that at some point. Hopefully before the freaking year is over. Ugh.

Anyway, that's enough from me. Hope you liked this story. Follow and fav for more, and leave a review if you can. Love reading them.

Laters.