3Darklands's Grand Cathedral of the Stars
Six months had passed since Bowser's jerk of a father had divorced his mother and engaged himself to that witch, Kammy. Bowser had done his best to avoid his father during that time, which was easier than one might think with all of his father's royal duties. Away from his father, Bowser had had found a positive adult male role model in an unlikely source—one he had only six months ago considered an enemy—Kamek. The Magikoopa had been a regular guest at his mom's, but more to see how Bowser was doing than for Kylie's sake. Bowser would tell Kamek his deepest self-doubts created by his father. Kamek would listen and give Bowser advice based on his own experience with his cruel older sister. However, nothing in their combined experience had prepared either of them for what was expected of them today: they had to attend Morton and Kammy's wedding.
Bowser, in his little black tuxedo—open in the back to allow his shell room-was expected to stand on stage with his similarly dressed brother as a groomsmen, while Kamek, with a black cap and robe gave Kammy away. She had the audacity to wear white. Thank the stars his grandfather was the best man instead of him or Ludwig!
Bowser glared at the bride with narrowed fiery eyes and clenched jaw as he silently ground his teeth. Kammy, for her part, had a wide smile on her beak and triumphant eyes as she looked around at everyone on both sides of the aisle. The look said not so much here comes the bride as here comes the Queen.
Bowser looked to his father, who merely smiled, eyes fixed on Kammy. The Koopa prince felt sick. He wished his mother was here, but she was not going to attend her ex-husband's wedding to another Koopa. Bowser's eyes eyes then darted to Kamek who had turned a distinct pale and was holding back vomit as Kammy sadistically dug her long nails into the hand holding hers.
"I hope she and Dad get in a kart accident on their way home," Bowser muttered under his breath as he felt a hand on his shell. He turned his head to see Ludwig giving a reassuring smile that said, Be strong—you don't have to like it, but be strong.
Unlike his father, whom Bowser had tried to avoid altogether since the divorce, he had seen Ludwig several times over the past few months. The second-in-line to the throne of Darklands tried to keep up good relations with both his parents. Much like he saw his mom and Kamek, Bowser viewed his big brother as a rock of stability in these turbulent times.
Bowser returned Ludwig's smile and nodded.
Soon Kammy approached Morton, and the two stared lovingly at each other, as the witch's fingernails continued to dig into Kamek's hands. Bowser could clearly see Kamek's face twist between several contortions of pain. The way Kammy treated her brother disgusted the young Koopa prince.
The minister, a Shy Guy wearing a black hood and cloak, cleared his throat and the Dry Bones organ player stopped.
The worst part is about to happen, Bowser thought.
"Dearly beloved, we gather here today to join these two Koopas in matrimony," the minister said. "Who gives this bride to be wed?"
"I, her brother," Kamek said, as hurriedly as he could, desperate for Kammy to withdraw her nails, which she promptly did—causing as much pain on their quick yank out as in their slow insertion in. Kamek softly moaned as his hand dropped. He raised it back up, tempted to cradle it, but then thought better: no sense touching the wounds.
"If anyone knows any lawful reason why these to should not be joined in holy matrimony, please speak now or forever hold your peace."
Bowser started to speak up, only to realize that it would accomplish nothing. He didn't want his parents back together after the way his dad had treated his mom, and this was probably the last time Kammy could forcibly make Kamek do anything. No, it was best to remain silent.
Bowser did not know if he had the heart to watch these two monsters exchange vows, but ultimately decided that they deserved each other. He looked on, eagerly expecting mutual heartbreak for the two.
Morton held Kammy's diminutive Magikoopa hands in his slightly larger than normal Dragon Koopa/Koopa Troopa hybrid ones as they lovingly looked into each other's eyes.
"Morton Ludwig Bowser Koopa, Prince of Darklands, do you take this Koopa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" The minister asked
"I do."
Let's see how long this promise lasts, Bowser thought, knowing his dad had once made an identical vow to his mother.
The minister turned his attention to Kammy.
"Do you, Kamelia Violet Hogwarts, take this Koopa to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
Bowser let out a sigh of relief: the worst part was over now.
The minister turned to Morton, "Does your best man have a ring?"
Bowser's Koopa Troopa commoner grandfather, who had married into royalty, Ed Koopa, stepped forward, giving a ring to his son, who proceeded to place it on Kammy's finger.
After the exchange of rings, the minister lifted his arms, making himself the center of attention. "Through the power vested in me by the seven Star Spirits," he lowered his arms, pointing to Morton and Kammy—returning everyone's attention to them—"I declare you Koopa and wife, Prince and Princess of Darklands."
The reaction from the guests was mixed: some (mostly relatives on Kammy's side) clapped enthusiastically, while others (mostly government officials and foreign dignitaries on Morton's side) sighed and rolled their eyes.
Bowser looked at Kamek who just rested his head in his hand, obviously disgusted by the whole proceeding. It was then that Bowser felt an intense stare at him coming from his father's side of the aisle.
A fat Kremling with a golden crown and red cape was staring directly at him, with a look of concern on his face, as if he knew what Bowser was going through. He was obviously someone important as he was seated right next to Bowser's downcast grandmother, Queen Wendy, gently caressing her shoulder.
Something about the Kremling King gave Bowser chills. He looked at Kamek who was being yelled at by Kammy, raising and lowering her fists in a ranting posture, then at Ludwig who was busy whispering with their father.
At that point, Bowser heard his grandmother's voice.
"Bowser!"
He turned his gaze back to his grandmother and her companion and walked off the dais toward them.
"Yes, Nan-nan?" He asked as he looked at her eyes, hopeful she'd say something to encourage him.
"This is a disgrace what your father has done, and I can't believe your grandfather and brother are just going along with it!" She shook her head, her voice barely louder than a whisper but angry enough for her immediate listeners to perceive her words many times louder.
"I hate Dad too," Bowser said, quietly but enthusiastically.
The Queen's cheeks turned red and she looked down in shame. "Well, 'hate' is too strong a word—he's still my first-hatched and disinheriting him would mean disinheriting Ludwig—he's usually the level-headed one, except for today."
"Please, give your grandson a little credit, Your Majesty," the fat Kremling said, causing Bowser to focus on him. "He's trying to maintain as much dignity as possible through a thoroughly scandalous affair," the Kremling said.
The elderly Queen of the Koopas looked at her eldest grandson and softened her grimacing face a bit.
Bowser smiled to see his Nan-nan's face soften, causing her to regard the royal spare and smile at him before turning back to the Kremling. "You're quite right, Krusha. Ludwig must be having a dreadful time of it all." Then she looked back at Bowser and gestured for him to sit next to her opposite the Kremling. The Koopaling complied, as the Queen stroked her grandson's shell spikes.
"It must be even harder on Bowser. He's not even a teenager yet."
K. Rool peeked around Queen Wendy and waved at Bowser. Wendy noticed.
"Bowser, where are my manners? Let me introduce you to a fellow royal whose father was one of our greatest enemies, but is, himself, a very close friend..."
K. Rool held out his hand to shake Bowser's.
"...Krusha Roolenstein II, King of the People's Republic of Greater Kremia," Wendy said
"Please call me 'K. Rool'".
He smiled at Bowser, who took the extended hand. Not breaking character, K. Rool played the friendly surrogate uncle while thinking, I should wash this hand later.
His face turning somber, K. Rool said to the young prince, "Bowser, it's not easy being a royal. Your every move is watched by both friends and enemies, as well as your own subjects, or comrades in my case. What your father did has hurt you and your brother as much as it hurts your mother. Cameras won't give you the chance to come to terms with this mess in private." Though K. Rool's face was somber, Bowser could see the glint in his eye and hear the inflection in his tone that were beaming warmth and encouragement—he liked this guy!
"Is there any escape?" he asked.
"Sadly, none for me, your grandmother, your father, or your brother," then he smiled, "but there is for you!"
Bowser knitted his eyebrows.
"You're not going to be King. That's your brother's destiny. You are free to pursue what kind of life you want. All the attention will be on him. You're still rich because you're the grandson of a queen, but you will never have royal duties to perform or a camera in your face all the time. You have the best of both worlds: royal wealth and public anonymity. What's not to love about that?"
Bowser smiled deeply and looked at those on the dais.
"Maybe Dad did me and Mom a favor."
"May...be," was K. Rool's drawn out word, but his tone said "Exactly."
Bowser looked at Ludwig and felt a little guilty.
"Can Ludwig ever be free?"
K. Rool looked at the direction of Bowser's gaze and noted that Ludwig was looking back to Bowser. The brothers clearly loved each other. Good, K. Rool thought, I can use that.
"Bowser," K. Rool said warmly, "Look at his eyes. You see how much he loves you. He knows the burdens of kingship will be hard, but he would rather bear them himself than pass them on to you. Don't feel sorry for him. Feel grateful. He, and in time his children, will shield you from the burden of the crown."
"Krusha is right, Dear," Nan-nan Wendy said. "You'll never have to worry with the burdens we carry, and your brother doesn't want you to."
The old fool is playing right into my hands, K. Rool thought.
Bowser looked at his Nan-nan and K. Rool. Both smiled at him.
As Bowser smiled back, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Ludwig also smiling at him.
"Oh, Ludwig...your father has brought such shame to this family," Nan-nan Wendy said.
"I know, but if we didn't show solidarity, the scandal would be even bigger."
"Ludwig?" Bowser asked.
"What is it, little bro?"
"Promise that you'll never give up the throne!" Bowser blurted unexpectedly, and then continued to run his mouth about the horrible wedding, "Today was torture! That...witch, trying to take Mom's place...and we had to watch!"
Ludwig folded his arms at the elbows and said, "We'll probably have to see her at every family event until either she or Dad dies."
Bowser dropped his head, letting his chin touch his chest.
Ludwig picked up Bowser's chin and stared lovingly into his brother's eyes.
"It won't be so bad. Mom will also be at events centered around the two of us, and I'll always have your back."
Bowser knew that was a promise.