The Dryad's Loyalty

Chapter 24: True Feelings

Bowser and Kamek were waiting for Peach and Luigi at the very top of the highest tower. He was anxious, incredibly so, as he paced back and forth listening to both Mario and Daisy helplessly struggling to get out of their cage, and Kamek, who'd report every movement the two rescuers would do: 

"Luigi saw Mario and Daisy being dragged out of the oubliette."

"Peach had a strange talk with Hazel."

"The princess and the plumber reunited and are heading straight for the battle ground."

"Sir... are you sure you want to do this?" the old royal advisor then asked "Nobody would blame you if you didn't want to fight against princess Peach, I'm sure!"

"No, Kamek... I must do this" Bowser replied, a stoic look in his eyes "I refuse to chicken out after my minions fought so hard to defend my poor choices-"

Kamek looked up at his king and couldn't help but smile "You've matured these past few months... your highness"

The koopa king widened his eyes and quickly looked away "Bah, whatever... I'm just doing what I think is right for my kingdom" he muttered, soon hearing two sets of footsteps quickly heading their way.
"They're coming" he said, feeling his muscles tensing up. He almost wished Hazel was there to calm him down, but he knew it was best if they'd just stayed safe and away from the battle that was soon to come. "Kamek, you should go as well, I don't want you getting involved into this"

"B-but sir I-"

"That's an ORDER!" Bowser roared, making the entire room shake.

The old magikoopa shrunk down and hopped onto his broom "U-understood, s-sir" he whispered, before flying out from the window.

Soon, the door to the room burst open, revealing princess Peach and Luigi, powered-up and ready to fight.

"PEACH! LUIGI!!" Mario and Daisy shouted in unison, gripping the cage's bars.

"Bro! D-Daisy! D-don't-a worry, we're here to save-a you!!" the green plumber shouted back, his knees trembling. He was scared, of course he was... but the mere sight of his brother was giving him courage. He just had to get those two out of the cage and everything would've been okay.

"Bowser! I order you to free my friends immediately... or prepare for the consequences!" Peach firmly said, holding her head up high and gripping her parasol.

Bowser took a deep breath. That was it... the final battle. What he'd do after that, he still didn't know, but he was sure of one specific thing... he was done with trying to win over Peach's affection, he didn't need that anymore, not now that he had Hazel, and that fight was going to make that official... the princess and him... were breaking up.
"If you want to get your friends back, you'll have to go through me first!" he growled, smirking.

The princess furrowed her brows in sadness, and pointed at him with her parasol "Then prepare to be defeated... koopa king!"

The fight went on for what felt like hours: the two rescuers were struggling against Bowser's raw strength, but they still had a plan... they wanted to tire him out, then somehow free Mario and Daisy, at which point they could finish him off together!

The only thing they needed was an opening, a single moment of distraction, so that Luigi could toss a Fire Flower to Mario and let his older brother break free-
But Bowser wasn't just any ordinary koopa... he had decades of harsh training on his back, and he knew better than to lower his guard while going against two opponents.

Eventually, however... the length of the fight was beginning to take its toll on him. His movements became slower... less precise... and finally, Luigi spotted the perfect occasion to carry out his goal.
He dodged one of the koopa king's flame blasts and fluttered in the air for just enough time to throw the red and yellow flower to his brother. "MARIO, CATCH!!"