This work is the sequel of a wonderful story written a few months ago--a story that captivated many people. I never thought a sequel would be necessary, but the demand was great, so I gave in and decided to write a follow-up to Too Many Memories. Any questions or comments about this work are appreciated. All characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, ect, are copyright Nintendo. I am not affiliated with Nintendo, I just play their games and write stories. Please enjoy my work, for I have put a lot of thought into
this. Thank you. -Monica Smith

Chapter 1: A New Beginning, A Painful End

It has been a while.  A while after King Bowser's death in the Mushroom Kingdom.  Everyone who befriended the old reptile picked up the many pieces of an ending friendship.  Mario and the others weren't too happy destroying the life of a family.  They forgave everyone, even though it wasn't their fault. Eleken deserved the punishment, even though he was thought to be indestructible.  He was the one who proclaimed the death.  Still, the Mario brothers begged the Koopas for mercy after the tragic day.  Princess Peach was definitely sorry for everything.  Even though kidnappings were often, nothing could make up for this when it had gone this far.  The Koopalings still couldn't stop crying.  This was too much for the kids!  They were so young, and now, who knows what would happen to them!

"Why us?" cried Wendy, who gotten the most out of all this.  She was the one who had seen everything, she was in front of all of them.

Ludwig, who was working on some kind of contraption, sighed agreeably.  His sister was right.  Why us, he thought.  Now what will happen?  We live in the Koopa Kastle...but alone!  Forced through the portal to live on our own, use our magic to feed us, use all our skills to survive!  This just isn't fair! He looked at an old picture frame.  Cobwebs, rust, and dirt covered the now-soft metal that surrounded the old, dusty photo.  A picture of the family--the old family, lit up the frame.  Eight smiling Koopas, staring at a world of happiness and not a hint of denial.  Never would they have known what would happen to one of them, never in a lifetime.  Thanks to the old dragon Eleken, Bowser met a sad end.  Now, the distraught siblings lived together, forever. Hopefuly.

***

"So what should be moving next?" asked Mario, as he and Luigi carried materials from a van to the princess's castle.  It was a great day.  Princess Peach decided to move objects from the King's castle to her castle.  She noticed that Mario was losing his accent during the past few months.

"Just move that chair, and that's all we'll be moving for now.  Later, it will be a few couches, tables, and heavy equipment, boys."

Both brothers sighed.  They hated moving things, but if it was for the princess, they would do it unconditionally.  The princess put down a small box and stared at the horizon.  Far, far away, she could see the Koopa Kastle. Lone, dark, and completely uninhabited--except for the Koopalings.  Sighing, she went back to the van to look at how many things are left to carry.

***

That evening, Larry Koopa tended to his plants for their usual watering duties.  Suddenly, he stopped.  He perked up his small head and swiveled around on his turnable chair. "Hello?  Who's there?" he asked nervously. That moment was silent.  Only crickets from the outside could be heard.

"That was me, you scaredy-cat!" said Wendy jokingly as she walked in his room, quiet as a cat.  Larry sighed, and turned back around.

"Don't do that, Wendy," he said annoyedly.  Wendy giggled hysterically. Once again, Larry's head perked up.

"Stop it!  I'm busy!" he angrily proclaimed.  Wendy looked confused.

"Stop what?" she asked.

"Don't play innocent with me, I heard you whispering!" Larry said. Wendy hadn't had the slightest idea of what Larry was talking about. Whispering?  She didn't whisper anything!

"I wasn't whispering at all, Larry," she said, now serious. Larry scratched his head.  She had admitted to talking the first time, but not the second.  Maybe it was another Koopaling.

"Wendy, is there anyone behind you?" asked Larry sarcastically. His sister looked around the room and in the hallway.

"No," she said, a little scared. Larry was very puzzled.  It couldn't have been Wendy, because he remembered the "whispering" being a male sound.  It seemed to groan, as in agony.  Then, both Koopalings felt a rush of cold air coming from the open window.  It wasn't windy at all that evening, and there wasn't a rush of wind that whole day.  Larry jumped off of his chair and Wendy gasped.  Larry heard another whisper.  This time, it was louder, and Wendy heard it, too.  It seemed to say, "Come..."

Chapter 2: Whispers, Water, and the Wind

The next morning, Larry and Wendy both strolled outside to inspect the happenings of the earlier day.  The gust of wind was unexpected, and they thought it was some sort of paranormal thing.  Larry stopped in his tracks and turned to the distant princess's castle.  It was a distant but bright object, the highest point in the plain.  He sighed, and kept on walking.

The Koopalings walked until they found a small pond near a patch of trees. It was a strange pond, and they never saw it before.  It seemed to glow a strange neon color, like one of those lit-up diners in a corner or a street. Larry took a very close look at it, lowering his head just inches above the water.  Ripples bounced off the side of the edge, making his reflection shimmer.  Something was not right about his reflection, though.  Wendy stuck her head down next to his, and saw something weird about his reflection, too.

"Wow...look at that.  Your reflection--it is changing," she said, amazed. Larry couldn't understand it.  His reflection WAS changing...but into what? His head seemed to enlarge and stretch in the water, and he felt another whisp of wind circle him and Wendy.  What kind of pool was this?  Then they understood who the reflection was transforming into.  Red hair appeared, two large horns, and massive red eyes signaled the answer.  Larry's eyes widened as he saw who took his place in the pond.

"B-B-B-B...Bowser?" questioned Larry.  Wendy screamed, but not for too long a time. The reflection had transformed into their father.  But what could it mean?  He had died a long time ago, and will never return.  Or will he?  Wendy started sobbing, but Larry just sat there, staring at himself.  Whenever he said anything the reflection didn't change.  Bowser's face was as powerful as it had always been.  What did all this mean?  Larry sighed and turned away. Then, they both heard a whisper.

"You have come...thank you.  Please listen and help me..." Both Koopalings perked their ears up and looked around.

"Who said that?" asked Wendy, almost to the point of terror.

"I don't know...it sounds like--" At that second, Larry turned to the pool.  He immediately noticed that Bowser
was speaking to them.  Wendy crawled closer to the pool and looked down.  He was right. "D-D-Dad?" Larry asked.The reflection smiled.

"What...where...how...why?" asked Wendy, confused like never before. Bowser's reflection turned to her and showed a face that reminded her of the face when he died. A sad, painful face.  One that only dreams or nightmares could see.  Wendy reached her hand into the water and tried to touch him, but her hand could
feel nothing but the cool water.  She let a tear drip into the pond; it hit his reflection and glowed golden as it spread around.

"Please...I am here.  I am still with you.  Not so you can feel, but so you can hear and see.  Isn't that close?  Well, Larry and Wendy.  You two have grown so much since the last time I saw you.  Do not cry, daughter, do not cry."  The voice faded with each sentence.

The Koopalings couldn't believe their own eyes.  What could this spirit need?

"What should we help you with?" asked Wendy. Bowser's eyes hooded and he spoke deeper and bolder.

"Listen.  Walk to the Fields of Green..."  The voice disappeared, and so did Bowser.

Chapter 3: Night Sky, Distant Voice

The two Koopalings watched the water long after the face disappeared.  They blinked. "Was it just a dream?" asked Wendy. Larry stood up.

"No.  He said we must go to the Fields of Green.  But...where?" he asked. They both turned around and felt a gust of wind which literally carried them ten feet from the pond. The gust flew around them and suddenly they felt that they were there.  A lush field with grasses and trees, near the pond, was the Field of Green.  Larry looked around and walked through the grasses, Wendy following slowly behind him.  The gust rose again, then left as suddenly as it came.  Then, above the stupefied kids' heads, a cloud grew larger and formed a huge head. It was Bowser again.

"Thank you.  You have followed my directions.  Now, I must tell you the truth.  Listen carefully," he said, his voice deeper than ever.

"What...should we do?" asked Larry, shaking a bit. Bowser's face took great shape.

"The princess and your siblings are in serious trouble.  Mario has picked some berries for them," Bowser said.

"So?  What's the ‘danger'?" asked Wendy, walking closer.

"Those berries are poisonous!  They killed many, many Koopas.  And the other thing is that Peach has invited your brothers over to their new palace.  They might get killed by those berries as well!  You must warn them about it and stop them from eating them!" The Koopalings gasped.

"Oh no!  When will they eat them?" asked Larry, stepping back in shock.

"Tomorrow is when the small but deadly feast begins.  You must hurry!  I don't want to lose any of you, and that was proved when I died for you,Wendy."

Wendy smiled.  That was a courageous time.

"So go!" That was Bowser's last line.  His head was enveloped by several clouds, and he disappeared into the night. Larry looked at Wendy.

"Come on," he said.  "Princess Peach and your brothers must be saved!"

"But how does he know?" asked Wendy, referring to Bowser.Larry smiled.

"Well, he's a ghost.  He watches us, over everything we do.  And he knows who's in trouble."

Wendy took Larry by the hand thoughtfully and they walked back to their home.

Chapter 4: Given a Hand

The next morning, Princess Peach and her subjects prepared the table with the berries as the main course.  Roy, Ludwig, Morton, Lemmy, and Iggy were already there, waiting to eat.

"Hurryhurryhurryhurry!  I wanna eat!  I'm soooooooo hungry!  Come on come on come on!  FOOOOOOOOOOOO--" Morton was stopped by Roy, who pushed him off the bench. Princess Peach laughed and set the plates down.  There  were  about 500 berries -- enough for everyone.  Mario sat the princess down politely and then sat down himself.  Luigi then walked in carrying the dessert.  The Koopalings looked hungrily at the desserts and groaned.

"Now don't worry," reassured the princess, "you'll get your ice cream later." Roy attempted to sneak a lick of ice cream, but Lemmy nudged her as a warning.

"Let's eat!" said Mario.  Everyone reached for about ten berries.  Luigi poured lemonade for everyone in their glasses.

"Before we begin, let's have a toast!" said Princess Peach.  Everyone lifted his or her glass and the princess continued.

"This is a toast to us, and for hope to the Koopalings that they will have a good life after their recent passing."

Everyone cheered in agreement and glasses clinked together.  The lemonade was drank in unison, and then it was time for the berries. Larry and Wendy ran as fast as they could to the castle.  They knew it was time.

"What if they ate already?" asked Wendy nervously.

"Don't...worry...we'll...make it.  There's a special...time for the main...course.  Let's just hope...the time didn't pass," panted Larry.

They finally reached the castle and found the table.  Since the princess was the highest power, she got to eat first.  But just before she could put the berry in her mouth, Larry cried, "STOP!"

Princess Peach and the others jumped, and Peach dropped her berry on thegrass.

"Larry?!" the Koopalings said in unison.

"Wendy?!" they said again, also in unison. Larry and Wendy ran up to the table and flailed their hands.

"DON'T EAT THOSE!" yelled Wendy.Everyone looked confused.

"Why?" asked Mario.  "They're fresh..."Larry sighed.

"No they're not!  They're poisonous berries!" he cried frantically. Princess Peach gasped.

"Well, what made you think THAT, Larry?" she asked, quite irritated by the sudden interruption. "I know what," said Larry calmly.He turned to Wendy.

"She knows, too," he added.Everyone stared at the two Koopalings.

Wendy and Larry sighed together. "Bowser..." started Wendy.Peach was silent.

"Bowser...what?" she asked, a change in tone. Wendy looked Larry.  He gestured her to go on.  She looked the princess straight in the eyes.

"Bowser told us.  We saw him -- in the sky and in the water.  He was in Larry's reflection, and in the sky, and he told us to stop you from eating those berries because you would die!" Wendy explained, almost out of vain.

The princess, Mario, Luigi, and the other five Koopalings looked at each other.  Peach smiled and patted Wendy on her head.

"I know how much you miss your father...but...you've got to understand that he IS dead, and I know you've seen him in your dreams, but maybe this is just a recollection of a dream.  After all, you can have too many memories. Besides, these berries were picked from Yoshi's Island.  No poisonous fruit asides there."  Wendy was slightly enraged.

"This wasn't a dream!  He was real, wasn't he, Larry?" she asked.  Larry nodded.

"He was," he said.

Princess Peach shook her head and whispered to Mario, "these poor children -- they miss the parents so much."  Mario nodded sadly.

The two Koopalings stared at them and their brothers.

"This is a load of hooey," said Roy.  Everyone else shushed him. That moment, everyone was quiet.  No sound was made at all.

Then, a sudden rush of wind gushed by everyone.  Princess Peach gasped and everyone looked up like it was a sudden reflex.

"Princess...listen to them..." a familiar voice said.

"B-Bowser?  It's you!  Tell them what we said!" yelled Wendy out of happiness. A form in the clouds began to take shape and ended up as Bowser himself.  He smiled at everyone, including his other five children.  The Marios had their mouths hanging wide open, and the princess was shocked.

"Bowser!  You-you...you're alive?!" she asked.Bowser smiled sarcastically.

"Well, no, I'm a ghost, I guess," he replied.  "And I want you to listen to these kids.  They speak the truth!  Those berries are poisonous!  They are the only berries known to Yoshi's Island that are deadly.  Yoshis have died from eating those, as have Koopas.  Now I don't want you to die as well, princess. Don't eat them..." Peach nodded out of shock and turned to Larry and Wendy.

"You guys were right!  No way I'm touching those berries now..."  Everyone else agreed in silent whispers, and threw away their berries into a warp pipe.

Bowser smiled and shined a warm beam of sunlight onto them all.

"Dad?" asked Roy, blinking at the light.  He and his four brothers didn't quite believe it.

"Don't worry, kids, I'm still here.  You just can't touch me, but you can feel me in you.  Look at the sun, that's me.  I'm in your reflection.  I'm in your dreams.  I'm in everything.  If you need help, ask me.  I'll always be
there for you.  Larry and Wendy just saved the princess and you all, so be proud of them.  I must go now, for I have less worries about you guys now. Just remember...I'm in your memories.  And if you need me, just call my name, and I'll appear.  I love you all..."

The form dissipated into the air, and a quiet roll of thunder sealed the apparition.  Wendy smiled and called for her brothers to go home.  Princess Peach stared at the sky, and then at the Koopalings.

"Well what do you know...Bowser is still here.  There IS an afterlife, after all.  Maybe you guys still have someone to take care of you, huh?"  She embraced the Koopalings one by one, and then asked the still-entranced Marios to clean up everything.  They'll have dessert later.

While they walked home, Wendy turned to Larry and said, "Wow.  This is incredible.  He actually showed up to handle everything.  What a guy..."

Larry chuckled.

"Yes, and he was great.  He IS still here.  He saved the princess, and us, and hey, even the Marios.  Do you think he'll come back to help us again?"

Wendy stopped and stared at the sky miles above her.

"Well, he said he'll be there if we need help again.  Just call his name, and he'll be there.  He lives in us, Larry.  He's inside us.  He's always here, if you believe.  And as the princess said, you can have...too many memories."

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