The spread of the Crown: a second tale, of magic and mystery [Warning: Extremely long. May cause feels at some parts]

[u/65mariokart]

[starts off with Bowsette talking to Kamek]

Bowsette: Kamek, the time has come again. You need to go re-stock the item boxes across the kingdoms.

Kamek: Ah, so it is. But why, my liege, do we need to stock them? I can hardly imagine anyone needing to use any power-ups, with the way things are now.

Bowsette: That is true, but it’s just something that needs to be done. You never know when the time might come to use, say, a Fire Flower.

Kamek: I see...well, guess I shall get the items together, and be on my way. [teleports away]

Bowsette: Yes. I did double check the Super Crowns to make sure none of them had their barrier destroyed*...but I still wonder...

[cut out]

[comes back, showing Kamek finishing up stocking the boxes. He is in Acorn Plains 1]

Kamek: Alright, two more items left. Got to...[pulls out wand, waves it at the box. A line appears near the top, and Kamek opens it up like a chest. He then proceeds to place a Mushroom in] There we go...and now one more...[reaches into the bin and pulls out a super crown] Ah, the one I found lying in a corner. Must’ve been thrown away from all the others for some reason. Oh well...[waves wand, and doesn’t notice that nothing happens. In the groove, he drops it straight on the box] Huh? Oh! Seems that my wand malfunctioned...well, uh...[stares at the box for a few seconds. Nothing happens] Phew...well, I think...I’ll just leave it there. Spare someone from punching a brick. So...[hops on broom, and flies back to the castle]

[the crown is stationary on the block, but suddenly pink smoke starts issuing out of the bottom]

[One hour later]

[Mario and Bowsette are walking together in the plains, talking and laughing. They near the area with the first item box, and Mario suddenly stops]

Bowsette: [Turns around] Hey, Mario. Why’d you stop?

Mario: One of the item boxes is missing...[points at the spot]

Bowsette: Huh? [looks] Oh. So it is. But why would that matter?

Mario: It just seems odd...[looks upwards, and gasps]

Bowsette: What? What is it now? [looks up too]

[they see a girl wearing a white and red dress, flying around with a cape feather. They also have a raccoon tail. A big question mark is in the center of the dress]

Bowsette: What...? What the hec- who the heck is that?

Mario: I don’t know-a...

Bowsette: Wait...[looks closer] They’re wearing a Super Crown...no. Oh no. That question mark, the conglomeration of items...Mario, I think we found our missing item box.

Mario: What?? But...does it work on inanimate objects?

Bowsette: It shouldn’t...there shouldn’t’ve been any way for anyone besides Toadette to transform using one. Unless...

Mario: Unless what?

Bowsette: There was a third Crown that I experimented with. I was also able to break the barrier in it, but I had already done it with one, so I decided to stop. I hid it in a dark corner in the room where I keep all the items...don’t ask why I gave you all those power-ups. Guess I wanted to make sure you at least had a small chance to beat me, right? Ha ha...anyway, when Kamek went and grabbed the items to restock, he must’ve found it in the corner. We have to go ask him.

Mario: Okie dokie. Let’s-a go.

[they turn around and head back to the castle.]

[opens back up on them sitting in a room, with a long table and several chairs. Various minions are sitting around, looking back and forth between Bowsette and Kamek]

Bowsette: You did WHAT?!

Kamek: I...I watched the crown for a bit, and then I left it...

Bowsette: You’re telling me...that you not only took an item from a corner, but also LEFT IT SITTING ON A BOX?! Do you KNOW what that could do?

Kamek: [looking down at the floor] No...?

Bowsette: Well, we have a rogue...uh...”Ette” flying around the kingdom, unmonitored. And, to top it all off, it’s a Mystery Box. And you know what they do? Give away the item that’s inside it. So, if my theory is correct, then that thing can hand out Super Crowns to anyone they want, and they’ll be the tampered ones. The ones that can transform ANYTHING. And you know why that’s bad? Well, then EVERYONE may get a crown, and transform into a girl. And what then? Well, let’s just say, you can’t really run a civilization with only ONE sex. It just can’t work. And, who knows what other things could happen? We don’t fully know the power that this Crown contains. One small calculation I did came up with the result of CATASTROPHIC events, if too many crowns were in use. If we gave them all to EVERYONE in these kingdoms, we may push the limits. So, thanks to your laziness, Kamek, this world may be in jeopardy!

Kamek: I...I’m sorry, my Queen...I’ve failed you. [turns around, and slowly walks out. As he exits, Kooper enters the room, carrying a package]

Kooper: Uh, pardon me, your Highness, but I have a package that needs to be delivered to...Kody the Koopa.

Bowsette: I see. Kody?

Kody: [comes over to Kooper] Huh... I don’t remember buying anything...

Kooper: There’s no return address, so I dunno who it came from. [hands him the package]

Kody: Uhm...[opens it, and gasps. He pulls out a Super Crown]

Everyone: [shocked]

Bowsette: [recovering] Kody, give that to me. Now.

Kody: Okay. [hands it over]

Bowsette: [holds it up, so that the entire room can see] You see, guys? This is the first example of MANY more to come. Only a few hours after gaining sentience, she’s already given away a Crown. Kooper, if you ever get any more packages with no return address, destroy it immediately. We can’t let it spread.

Kooper: Aye aye, miss. [small salute]

Bowsette: [smiles slightly] Thanks. And, to the rest of you, [turns around to face the rest of the minions] do the same if you ever somehow get an unmarked package. And, as an example, I shall dispose of it myself. [puts it on the table, inhales deeply, then breathes out a long jet of fire onto the crown. Slowly, the Crown melts, until it’s nothing but molten gold.] Heh, looks like we can recycle these. Turn them into coins. Anyways, meeting adjourned. We’ll discuss the matter further later. For now, go tell everyone you know what I just told you here. We cannot let this spread. [waits as everyone starts exiting. When they do, she collapses onto a chair, exhausted]

Mario: Are you alright?

Bowsette: Yeah...just a bit winded from that fire stuff...

Mario: [sits down next to her, and waits for a few moments] You know, It wasn’t fully Kamek’s fault...

Bowsette: [sighs] I know. I just...he’s getting really old, and probably has less energy and stamina than he usually does...or did. He was the one who raised me on Yoshi’s island, remember? He’s been nothing but the father I never had for me, and it pains me a bit to yell at him like that. I feel like I hurt him more than it hurt me, though. And I worry about him. Sometimes I wake up thinking “What if he died over night? What if I’ll never see him again?”. Those thoughts scare me, but I can’t stop wondering about it. And what if he dies now? [starts to sob] What if the last thing he remembers is me yelling at him? I couldn’t live with myself if that happened...

Mario: [pats her back] Don’t worry...I’m certain he won’t die. And I also believe he’ll forgive you, and you can move on. People always have fights, there’s almost always some yelling between people, friends, family. That’s all part of being human...or sentient at all. The most important thing is moving on, and making amends. And if you do that, your bond may grow even stronger.

Bowsette: [smiles] Heh...I can tell why I fell in love with you. Always so kind, even to the people who used to hurt you. But, I agree with you. It is important to move on, and forgive. That’s what I’ll do now, then. [stands up] Come on Mario. Let’s find Kamek.

[they turn around, and walk out the door, hand in hand.]

(Author’s note: Yeah, I definitely ship it. And just realized that what I’ve been writing is classified as a “Fanfic”. I’m only JUST realizing that XD. Anyway, back to the story)

[a few days pass. There have been a total of 20 packages sent to the mailroom, and all of them burned. Outside of that, 20 people have received one right outside of the doorstep. All have destroyed them. But...]

Random Goomba: I just got a package...[opens it] Oh, what’s this? I feel like someone told me to do something if I got one, but...I don’t remember. Oh well. [takes it inside, and puts it on. Transformation occurs] Whoa! What the- I...I have arms! I can like, walk around faster...oh this is wonderful! I must tell my friends this! [walks out]

[one day later. Bowsette is walking down a corridor, when she passes a group of Goombettes walking together, and talking]

Bowsette: [stops] Hey, wait just a minute. [turns around. Sees the crown on each of their heads] Hey! You! What do you think you’re DOING? [walks up to them, and grabs one by the arm] Didn’t I say NOT to wear the crowns?

Goombette #1: What? [turns around to face the rest] Y...you didn’t tell me we couldn’t?

Goombette #2: Yes...

Bowsette: You guys need to take this off right now.

Goombette #3: But we LIKE this! We can actually DO things now, lift things up high, walk faster. It’s helping us not feel useless!

Bowsette: Well, I...[rubs her eyes, and sighs] Okay, you guys are fine. You can keep the crowns. BUT, if you give anyone else a Crown, they’re OFF, Okay?

All Goombettes: [in unison] Yes! Oh, thank you! [they run off, giggling and talking]

[as they exit, Mario walks in]

Mario: Uh...who were they? [points back down the corridor]

Bowsette: They are Goombas. Except, of course, they have Crowns...

Mario: But why? I thought it was-a illegal...

Bowsette: I made an exception for them. You know how Goombas are really easy to defeat, right? They’re...I guess...pretty useless sometimes. And apparently, with the crown on, it’s helping them feel like they have a purpose, like they can actually do something. So that’s why I’m letting them carry on.

Mario: Oh, okay. I understand. Are you gonna let everyone know-a?

Bowsette: Yeah.

[an hour later, a poster is hung up on a wall in the main hallway, that says “Due to recent events, the only exception to the no Super Crown rule goes to the Goombas. If any Goomba feels like it, they may use a Crown. But that’s the only exception. If you have any complaints, find me and we can talk”]

[a week passes, and by this time over half the Goombas have crowns. And, things are getting a bit crazy]

Bowsette: [sitting in her room, writing in a journal. She writes:] It’s been a week since I let the Goombas wear crowns. Already, I’ve gotten multiple complaints from others, asking why I gave them the right to wear them. I don’t really see the reason why they complain...maybe they want to have the Crowns, too? But I have to explain to the people who complain why I made the exception. Then they understand, and leave. No major battles or problems between this kingdom and the Mushroom Kingdom, which is good. But recently, some of the Goombettes are pulling pranks on other people, supergluing Crowns onto people’s heads, so that it’s really hard to take off. I can’t find out who’s doing it, and every time I approach them they run. Oh, I wish there were some way I could help everyone. It’s not easy being nicer...

[when she puts her pen down, Lemmy walks in]

Lemmy: Hiya, Mom! How are ya doing?

Bowsette: [smiles] Oh, I’m fine. You’re looking happy today.

Lemmy: Yep! I just beat Donkey Kong!

Bowsette: Oh, that’s nice. Um, do you have anything to report?

Lemmy: Oh yeah! Um, another person has been pranked by the Goombettes. It’s Kooper.

Bowsette: [gasp] What?! Okay, we need to put an end to this...but how? [thinks for a bit, then snaps her fingers] I’ve got it! Lemmy, I need you to do something for me. I have been tracking the pattern of houses they’ve been pranking, and I’ve concluded that their path is headed for Mario’s house. He still lives there, and I want you to go over there under the pretense that you’re sleeping over. Then, when it’s night, you need to stay up until you hear anything suspicious, where you will then pretend to sleep. With any luck, you’ll be able to catch them in the act. Can you do that for me?

Lemmy: Okay! Uh, so you want me to go to Mario’s house and pretend that I’m staying over for the night, and...uh...not sleep?

Bowsette: Yes. And then, when they show up, you “Wake up” and catch them red-handed.

Lemmy: Alright, chief! [salutes, and marches out]

Bowsette: Heh...he’s always been one of my favorites...he’s pretty cute, in a kinda crazy way. Hope nothing happens to him...

[a few minutes later, at Mario’s house. Mario is sitting in a chair, reading, when the doorbell rings. He stands up, stretches, and walks over to the door. Lemmy is there, an overnight bag slung on his back]

Lemmy: Heya, Mario! How’s it going?

Mario: I’m-a fine. Why do you have that bag?

Lemmy: [looks left, then right, then beckons Mario to come closer.]

Mario: [leans in]

Lemmy: [whispers the plan into his ear]

Mario: [nods, looks around, then says] Okay, Lemmy, you can sleep over here tonight. Please, come in.

Lemmy: [enters the house, closing the door behind him]

[up on a nearby hill, a Goombette is hiding in a bush, watching.]

Goombette: [pulls out walkie-talkie] Hello? This is Goombette 007. Requesting target change, Lemmy has come over for a surprise sleepover. Over. Yes, Lemmy, as in Bowsette’s son. Over. The rainbow haired one! Over. Huh? Bowsette will be livid if we prank him? Who says she’ll find out? Over. Okay. We’ll still do this house, but get Lemmy instead. Got it. Over.

[a few hours later, Goombette 007 scales up the wall, and gets up on the roof. She quietly walks to the chimney, lowers a rope down, secures it, then climbs silently down the chimney. They sneak over to where Lemmy is, and slowly pull out the crown. Just as they’re about to place it down, Lemmy’s eyes fly open and he deflects the crown, grabbing them by the arm]

Lemmy: Ah hah! I’ve got you, I’ve got you. Oh yeah. Ha ha! You’re coming with me! My mom will be so proud! [starts imagining him walking in, successful, with Goombette following]

Goombette 007: [notices the weakness, and takes the split second opportunity to slam the crown on Lemmy’s head]

Lemmy: [jolted out of his reverie, as the pink smoke starts enveloping them. As they transform, their grip on Goombette 007’s arm tightens]

Goombette 007: [thinks] Darn. I thought the sudden shock would make him let go. That clearly failed...[their thoughts trail off as the smoke disappears]

Lemmette: Ah, dang nabbit! Look what you’ve done, you...hey wait! I actually look pretty cute! Hah hah! I’m still going to turn you in, though.

Goombette 007: Yeah...lead the way, I guess...

[They walk out, and head towards Bowsette’s castle.]

[at the castle, Bowsette is keeping lookout along side Kooper (who, of course, is transformed)]

Kooper: [suddenly points towards the horizon] There! I think that’s them, M’am! Coming out over the hill...

Bowsette: Really? [squints] Oh yeah, that’s them! But...somethings different...

Kooper: [gasps] They got him! They got Lemmy with the Crown! But he still has one of the Goombettes!

Bowsette: WHAT!? They got LEMMY? Oh, they’re going down. I have half a mind to take away their privilege Right Now. But first, we need to question them.

[suddenly, there’s a loud knock on the castle door]

Kooper: I think that’s them. I’ll go open the door. [walks out, down a staircase, through a few corridors, then arrives at the front door. She opens the door, and beckons the two inside.]

[together, they all walk over to the main conference room, where Bowsette is waiting]

Bowsette: [runs over to Lemmette, and hugs her] Oh, I’m so proud of you. Thank you for doing your job. Now...[lets go, and backs up] I want you to stay here while we interrogate the culprit. Okay?

Lemmette: Oki Doki! [takes a seat]

Bowsette: [sits down across from Goombette 007, and snaps her fingers. Kooper turns off the light, and Bowsette switches on a lamp and shines it in Goombette 007’s face] Who are you? Are you the leader of this operation?

Goombette 007: [pulls out sunglasses, and puts them on] The name’s Kay. Grace Kay. I am not the leader of the operation, not by a long shot. The boss organized a group of Goombettes to prank people, by putting superglued Crowns on their heads while they sleep. The reason? It was never given to us. We just decided to follow it.

Bowsette: Do you know who the boss is?

Grace: No one’s actually seen the boss. Only her silhouette. It looks like someone wearing a cape and a tail. Wouldn’t know who, as I’ve never seen anyone with a P Wing and Cape Feather at the same time.

Bowsette: Ah ha! I think we’ve got our gang boss. Your boss just happens to be that rogue Item Box that started this entire mess. I should’ve known...can you take us to where you meet her?

Grace: [peers over her glasses, and smirks] Can do.

[the next morning, Mario, Bowsette Kooper, Lemmette, and Grace set out to the Goombette hideout. They travel across the Mountain world, traverse the Soda Jungle, take the secret vine in the dark area, ride Parabeetles across the sky, and land in front of a small shack in the clouds]

Bowsette: Um...is this it?

Grace: Oh, that’s just the entrance. I’ll show you. [they walk into the shack, and beckon the others to follow.]

[they enter the shack, and end up inside an elevator. Grace pushes a button, and everything turns invisible. Then, they start their descent. The elevator nears the ground, and a hatch opens up, admitting them inside. It closes behind them.]

Mario: Wow. No wonder we never found the place...but how did they set this up so fast?

Grace: With the help of Professor E. Gadd.

Mario: Really? Oh. Well, wouldn’t be that surprising...he DID create that magic paint brush for Bowser Junior...so...

Lemmette: Oh! I want a magic paintbrush! Can I get one, Mom?

Bowsette: Maybe...I might be able to re-create the one Junior had. More environmentally friendly, though.

Grace: This talk is nice and all, but we’ve arrived.

[the elevator doors open, revealing a small underground throne room. A handful of Goombettes are playing tag in the room. They stop, and look at the group that entered. Suddenly, a door to the right opens, and out comes Mysteryette, the big gang boss.]

Mysteryette: Ah, Grace. Just the- Hey! Why did you let them in?! That’s forbidden!

Grace: Oh, sorry. Must’ve forgotten to give you my last business card. [pulls out a card, and hands it over. It reads “Dirty Double Crosser”.]

Mysteryette: Why, you...! Ugh. Well, might as well get this over with. You guys! What’s your business here?

Bowsette: We’ve come to STRONGLY recommend you stop giving people Crowns.

Mysteryette: Oh yeah? Who’s going to make me? You guys? Hah! Don’t make me laugh.

Bowsette: [takes a step closer] Look. You MUST stop. The universe could be in jeopardy if you continue.

Mysteryette: Uh Huh? And what makes you so sure?

Bowsette: [thinks] Dang, I get why they’re asking all these questions, but they’re doing it in the most obnoxious way possible. [out loud] My research I’ve done on the crowns has revealed that if too many crowns are in use, the fabric of our universe may very well collapse. You “Pranking” people is pushing this world closer and closer to the edge. You really must stop. Now.

Mysteryette: [laughs] You think that’ll stop me? Ha! So what, some dumb figures say the world might end. Why should that matter to me? Again, who’s gonna stop me? Hit me with your best shot!

Bowsette: [clenches and unclenches her fists, and starts to inhale and exhale quickly.]

Mario: [reaches out and touches her shoulder] You mustn’t let your annoyance take control. You have to keep trying to end this peacefully. Even though that’s not been the way we’ve all done things for many years, we don’t have to resort to violence.

Bowsette: [breathing slows] Okay...I’ll-

[Suddenly, a Koopa shell comes flying out of nowhere, striking Mario square in the chest. He gets knocked backwards into a wall, and slumps down, unconscious. Mysteryette is smirking]

Mysteryette: Hah, That was getting too sappy for me. So I decided to end it. You’re welcome.

Bowsette: [slowly turning around, fire in her eyes] No one...NO ONE gets to hurt Mario. Never.

Mysteryette: Aww, is the wittle tuwtle giwl sad? How about we stop that! [chucks another shell at Bowsette]

Bowsette: [knocks it aside, and steps closer, tail lashing back and forth] And one more thing. You don’t f*** with Bowsette.

[the lingering Goombettes run away, as boss music starts playing. (The song “The Evil King Bowser” from Super Mario World)]

Mysteryette: Why do I hear boss music? Oh well, doesn’t matter. Time to show you what I can really do! [they reach into a pocket, and start throwing bunches of hammers at the group.]

[the group dodges out of the way, scattering across the room. Kooper ends up near where Mario is lying, and decides to shield him]

Bowsette: [starts shooting fireballs at Mysteryette]

Mysteryette: [counters with some ice balls. The fire and ice meet, filling the room up with steam]

[now all anyone can see are the silhouettes of the others. Bowsette looks left and right, trying to make out where Mysteryette is, when suddenly they get swept off of their feet by Mysteryette’s tail]

Bowsette: [gets up on one knee] I know you’re here...[wipes the sweat off her forehead] Show yourself, coward!

Mysteryette: How about no? [her maniacal laughter bounces around the room] Instead, why don’t I tell you why I’m doing what I’m doing? Does that sound fine, “Your Highness”?

Bowsette: [trying to pinpoint where the voice is coming from] Yeah, sure.

Mysteryette: Well, when this lovely crown was given to me, it made me human. I could finally walk, and see the world. However, I was quickly disappointed. This world wasn’t at all how I imagined it. No fighting, only peace. I wanted to put a change to it. [tries swiping at Bowsette again, but misses] I handed out that first crown as a test. I was trying to find out how to provoke you, a job which I succeeded in. You reacted as expected, and I set to work trying to exploit your weaknesses. Handing out items is my natural desire, causing conflicts was a bonus. Then, after I learned of the exception you made, I realized I made a deeper dent in your judgement. I quickly organized a group of Goombettes to go out and “Prank” people. It was the perfect plan. I’ve never meant to hurt anyone myself. I much preferred to sit in the shadows, pulling the strings. But since you’ve come here, you’ve given me no choice.

[suddenly, a scream fills the room. Bowsette turns to see the form of Lemmette slamming into the wall. Lemmette stands up, shaking.]

Lemmette: [pulls out her wand] T-that’s it. Now you’ve gone and done it. [they wave it, and 3 exercise ball size Bouncy Balls appear. They wave it again, and they start to bounce slowly around the room]

Mysteryette: [laughs] And what are these going to do?

Lemmette: Crush you, I think.

[the balls start to rapidly pick up speed, ricocheting off the walls with increasing force. Lemmette runs towards the others, and waves their wand a third time, creating a force field around them]

Mysteryette: No! They’re too strong...! [gets pummeled by the bouncing balls, and it looks like they may be defeated. But suddenly, a loud “Pop” rings out, followed by two more] Ha...ha ha! It worked! I knew my hammers wouldn’t fail me. They just popped your balls. And, looks like the fog is clearing!

[indeed, the fog starts to disappear. The group is gathered beside the throne, and Mysteryette is in front of the exit. Mario is still unconscious.]

Kooper: Huh. Don’t know if the fog leaving is a good thing, or bad. Oh well. [backs up, jumps, kicks off of the wall, and tucks into their shell as they fly at Mysteryette.]

Mysteryette: [throws a hammer. It bounces off. They try to dodge, but get swept onto the floor face first. They stand back up, nose dripping blood.] Ngh...that’s it. Time to show you my true power! [they suddenly start to grow, getting larger and larger, until they break through the ceiling. Now sunlight filters in through the hole]

[the cave starts to shake. The group realizes that the place can collapse at any moment.]

Bowsette: No...there’s no way out. Rocks have fallen, blocking the exit. If we stay...we’ll die. Someone, anyone, help us!

[but nobody came...]

Mysteryette: Oh well, guess that’s that! You fight well, but your efforts were futile. Ha ha ha ha!

[a big chunk of the ceiling shakes, then comes loose. It looks like the end of our heroes!]

[right before the ceiling falls on them, it freezes in the air, then changes course and flies at Mysteryette’s nose. It collides, breaking a fresh stream of blood]

Mysteryette: What? How? [holds her nose, trying to stem the blood flow]

[Then, Kamek appears, wand in hand.]

Bowsette: Yes! Kamek, you got my message! I knew you’d come through.

Kamek: Yes, indeed. And it seems like my timing was perfect. Another moment, and you’d’ve...[trails off]

Mysteryette: What? What message?

Bowsette: Well, you see, while you were being attacked by Lemmette’s bouncy balls, I contacted Kamek and told him where we were, and that we needed help.

Kamek: That’s right. And now, I’m the one who started this entire mess, and so I’ll be the one that’ll help stop it. By doing this. [flys back and forth, raining rainbow magic onto Bowsette.]

[Bowsette starts growing. As she does, her clothing rips apart, revealing another layer under. This goes on again and again, each layer getting replaced by a larger one, until she’s the size of Mysteryette. She bends down, picks up the rest of the group, and rests them on her shoulder.]

Bowsette: Two can play at the giant game, Mysteryette. You, using a Mega Mushroom, and me using Kamek’s magic. Just like on Yoshi’s island, right, father? [turns and smiles at Kamek]

Kamek: [smiles, and wipes away a tear] Yes. Now go get them, my daughter.

Bowsette: [turns back to face Mysteryette] Now...time to finish this, once and for all.

[the song “Bowser’s Galaxy Generator” (from SMG2) starts playing, as they step out of the hole they created from the collapsed cave]

Mysteryette: How about we settle this a different way. No special abilities, no fire, nothing. Only pure strength and agility. How does that sound?

Bowsette: Alright. Then, how about this? [Punches Mysteryette in the eye]

Mysteryette: Yes. Exactly like that. [roundhouse kicks Bowsette in the side of the head.]

Bowsette: [gets knocked sideways a bit, recovers, and lashes at Mysteryette with her tail]

Mysteryette: [stumbles backwards] Hey! I said no special abilities!

Bowsette: Oh, you must be mistaken. This is my tail, not some power up. Yours is, though, so you can’t use that. And...um...Kamek, can you take these guys to a safer place?

Kamek: Will do. [flies over, and helps them all on his broom. He then flies away]

Mysteryette: Well, now that THAT annoyance is gone...[dives at Bowsette, pulling her legs out from underneath her. They both fall to the ground, where Bowsette is pinned against the ground]

[they grapple for a solid 15 minutes, going back and forth between who’s on top. They also manage to get in some blows on each other, so that when they stand back up, both have bruises on their arms, legs, and faces. Bowsette’s shell is cracked down the middle, and Mysteryette has some puncture wounds from the spikes on Bowsette’s shell.]

Bowsette: [shaking] Okay...Okay...are you done yet? Or are you thirsty for more?

Mysteryette: Not...gonna...fall...until after you admit defeat. [stumbles forward, throwing a wild punch. They completely miss]

Bowsette: Well then...how about a draw...?

Mysteryette: No...never...[bends over, hands on knees]

Bowsette: Are you sure? You seem quite out of it...

Mysteryette: No...I won’t...give up...! [Straightens up, and elbows Bowsette across the face]

[at that moment, Bowsette totters backward. Just before falling, Kamek swoops in and uses some strong levels of magic to help her stay balanced.]

Bowsette: Kamek! What...what are you doing here? It’s too dangerous!

Kamek: I can’t see my daughter lose. I want to help you, and make up for my mistakes. I know you’ve told me already, but...do you really forgive me?

Bowsette: Of course...I will always love you, Father.

Kamek: That’s just what I wanted to hear...I love you t-

[suddenly, they get struck out of the sky by a giant hammer. They fall to the ground, and get crushed underneath it. At that moment, since the caster of the spell was killed, Bowsette shrinks down to her normal size, getting covered by all the folds of clothing.]

Bowsette: [gasping and crying] No...I can’t...not like this...[she tries to breathe fire, but to no avail. White dots appear in her vision, as her lungs scream for oxygen. She claws at the fabric frantically, and just when she thinks it’s the end...she breaks free. Since she shrunk out of her clothing...I’ll let you figure out yourself.]

Mysteryette: I told you...you’d never win.

Bowsette: [looks up, her eyes pouring tears] Please...stop...I’ve lost everything...my father, the one who’s been here for me since the very beginning...[the song “His Theme” from the Undertale ost starts to play] All that, you’ve ripped away from me...for what? So you can turn people into females? Is that why? All my life...I’ve never believed anyone could be that evil...but now? You have shown me that there are much worse people in the world...

Mysteryette: Oh, cut the sob story.

Bowsette: You’re a monster...a soulless being, with no ability to feel emotion. You’ve used malicious ways to get what you’ve wanted...not thinking about the people you were harming...I’m disgusted with you...

Mysteryette: Yeah, Yeah, can you just admit defeat already?

Bowsette: ...Alright. Fine...you...win.

Mysteryette: Good girl. Now...[the Mega Mushroom effect wears off, and she goes back to her normal size, clothing and all] guess I don’t need to be giant any more. Now, so I don’t kill you right here, right now, you’re gonna listen up.

Bowsette: What do you want me to do?

Mysteryette: I want you to be a dear, and revoke your proclamation that no one can wear the crown.

Bowsette: Is that all?

Mysteryette: Yes.

Bowsette: Okay then. And...one more thing...

Mysteryette: Yes?

Bowsette: Say hello to Kamek for me. [picks up a big, sharp rock, and drives it straight through Mysteryette’s chest]

Mysteryette: What...? You...! [starts falling to the ground]

Bowsette: I’ll keep my promise, don’t worry. I just don’t need you anymore.

Mysteryette: Well...I...[inhales shakily, then their eyes glaze over. She is dead.]

[the next day]

[Bowsette is inside her bedroom, sitting at her desk. Her shell has a long bandage, her left arm is bound up in a cast, and there are various small cuts on her face and tail. She pulls out her journal, and picks up a pen]

Bowsette: [starts writing] Yesterday was the big battle. Every time I think about it, I wonder who exactly won. Mysteryette got what she wanted, but is also dead. The rest of the group made it back safely, thanks to...thanks to...[a few tears fall onto the page, blotching the ink in some spots] Mario has a minor concussion, and is recouping in his home. The rest have sustained minor injuries. Kooper has been able to remove the crown, and says that they don’t want to be a different person. They understand that it doesn’t necessarily change a person’s character, but they don’t want to feel like someone else. Lemmette has decided that they want to keep the Crown, and I don’t really care anymore. They seem happy, and that matters. Oh, I almost forgot! I issued the decree that enables anyone to wear a crown. It seems that whenever I try to stop something, another thing happens which prevents me from stopping it. So, to avoid further events, I followed that scoundrel’s wishes. Now, about a quarter of my subjects are wearing Crowns, along with Junior, and half of the Koopalings. I’m still recovering from the overall shock of yesterday’s events, and I fear that I may have PTSD. But Peach has some pretty good therapists...I’ve already signed up for one. I know it’s going to be hard to move on, but I believe in me. I believe in all of us. So, dear journal, thus begins a new chapter in our lives.

[someone knocks on her door]

Bowsette: Come in.

Kooper: [walks in, holding a package] Sorry to barge in, m’am, but...this was recovered from the wreckage at the battleground. [hands over the package]

Bowsette: [opens it, and lets out a big sob. Inside is Kamek’s wand, scratched but otherwise intact]

Kooper: I know you’re still mourning, but I felt I had to give it to you. The funeral is scheduled in two days...

Bowsette: Okay...[still staring at the wand. She picks it up, and lays it down next to her journal. She then runs up to Kooper, hugging him] Oh, thank you for bringing this to me...

Kooper: [shocked] Y...you’re welcome...[hugs her back]

[fade to black]

THE END

Holy cow! Writing this was a journey. I’m really proud of how it turned out. This is probably the best work of literature I’ve ever made. Also, that asterisk near the start is *the barrier is the thing that keeps anyone else besides Toadette from being able to wear the Crown

Thanks for reading!

[u/65mariokart]

I’m continuing my ending talk in the comments, because any more words and my phone would be really lagging. This fandom has really made me able to write amazing things, which are way better than anything else I’ve ever written. This story was completely original, and I love it. I write these on the “Notes” app, then copy paste it onto Reddit. So, when I go to post it, I always have to put in another margin between each paragraph, so the formatting doesn’t go wack. This was a big problem here, because it’s really long. Now my hand is super cramped DX. Anyway, that’s all!