Insanity (Mario)

Final Chapter

"Heya, Toadette!" Saiko cheered, approaching the girl. "How are you?"

"I'm... fine," Toadette nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Really? Saiko never thought she'd hear that during this time of the year..."

"Well, I'm learning. It happened so long ago," Toadette wiped at her eyes. "I have to stay in the present. I have to focus on what's happening. I can't hate everything right now, because if I don't spend time with everyone, then I'll just end up regretting it later in life. I need to take every moment I get to enjoy it with everyone. What's life without that?"

"That's the spirit!" Saiko grinned. "Saiko's glad to see Toadette back to normal. Saiko doesn't want her friends to be sad!"

"Hehe," Toadette smiled genuinely for the first time in awhile. "Thank you, Saiko."

"Mm-hmm! No problem!"

<><><>

"Dixie, I know we've only known each other for awhile, but I'm really glad we met," Daisy smiled. "You're a really good person. I wish we started talking before this."

"Ahaha, well, thank you. Not sure if 'good' fits me very well, but I appreciate the compliment."

"Well, I think it does. You're so nice, and you're normally in a good mood... even in a place like this."

"I told you already," Dixie shook her head. "I like it here. I have no problem being here... which is probably why I always seem to be in a good mood. But I'm glad that at least here... someone accepts me. That's all I really ever wanted, anyway."

"I'm glad I can make you feel that way!"

<><><>

"Let's party today!" Saiko cheered. "In celebration of... uh... not killing each other!"

"Good enough reason for me," Kaira shrugged. "Haven't has anything to drink in awhile anyway."

"I think I'll stay back today, I've got to run some errands," Dixie said politely. "Have fun, I'll join you guys next time!"

The whole gang went out minus Dixie. Daisy, Kaira, Saiko, Rosalina, Toadette, Luigi, even Aquelia. It was time to party- and no one was going to stop the festivities, not even Pauline.

Aquelia turned to Rosalina, smiling.

"Y-you know.." Aquelia started. "They still care about you, Rosalina-San..I knew they wouldn't abandon you."

"Well... I thought they would," Rosalina looked away. "I'm very glad that they didn't..."

"Well, you're the best mom I've ever had," Aquelia encouraged. "M-my mom was never really there for me... if you weren't here, this place would have been terrible. I probably would've died to the first monster... so thank you."

"Still... I put us here... I will bear that guilt for the rest of my life..." Rosalina sipped from her cup, filled with wine. She was the only one of the group who was technically allowed to drink, as everyone was under 18, but many of the others were drinking. "I'm sorry..."

"I don't blame you at all," Aquelia coaxed. "And if anyone else does, that means they're not worth your time. You're the best, you had good intentions."

"Heheh... thank you," Rosalina smiled. "Do you want to try... some?"

"E-er, no thank you," Aquelia declined the wine. "I-I'd probably pass out..."

"Hehe... you won't know until you try..." Rosalina said. "But you're right... you shouldn't drink. I just thought it would be polite."

Heh, Daisy looked over. Rosalina may be strange and not understand the legalities of things... but she sure is motherly.