Chapter Text
Bowser Jr. let out a sigh as he operated his Clown Car, soaring back home with Sage and the now-restored Eggmobile in tow. He turned his head to look towards Sage.
The A.I. girl seemed…a lot less moody. He guessed getting her old man's ride back had cheered her up a little. That was a plus. Least she wasn't giving him a blank death glare.
…
She really was cute-.
"Keep watch ahead, Bowser Koopa the Second."
Whoops, she had caught him staring. And now the blank death glare was back. And she was still using that mouthful of a name! He really needed to get her to lighten up. Not that she wasn't justified in how she acted, but there had to be a limit surely?
He looked back ahead as they neared the castle. Maybe once they got started on some design sketches for her race kart, she'd be less hostile.
As they neared the entrance, Junior noticed a large figure standing there. Arms crossed, foot tapping.
"Oh, crud," Junior grumbled.
They stopped before Bowser, who was looking at them with a narrowed gaze.
"Hey, Dad. Something wrong?"
Bowser just gave a look. "Well, let's see. I go to check on you two, and I find a large hole had been blasted in your room? Care to explain?"
The question seemed directed towards Junior, but his dad's gaze had focused on Sage. The A.I. girl kept a blank look, but Junior could tell she was nervous from the minor glitches in her form.
"O-Oh! Um, right! I was showing Sage something cool and it kinda blew up. Making the hole."
"Oh really?" Bowser responded, clearly not believing it. "And just what was this cool thing?"
Junior had to think fast.
"A Ba-Bomb."
Nailed it.
His dad gave a flat look. "A Ba-Bomb."
"Yep."
"You know full well how to handle Ba-Bombs, yet you let one explode."
"Uh, yep.
…
…
"Okay. I'll buy that."
Sweet!
"In which case, you're grounded."
Not so sweet.
"W-Wait, but-!" Junior tried to say.
"Nope. Grounded. For the night. Put your Clown Car and- is that the Doctor's vehicle?"
He had finally noticed the Eggmobile.
"Y-Yeah," Junior said. "Me and Sage were-."
"Sage and I," Sage interrupted.
Junior immediately had a flat look on his face as he turned to the cute A.I. girl.
"Seriously? You're gonna do that, now?"
Sage just let out a shrug, her blank look betraying nothing. Bowser Jr. let out a groan and looked back to his father.
"Sage and I-," he corrected. "-were gonna use her dad's ride as a reference to build her a race kart."
"A race ka-?" Bowser blinked, then facepalmed. "Ugh. Right. The Grand Prix. That's right around the corner."
What's more, it was the Special Cup. Practically the toughest cup of them all. That invasion couldn't have happened at a worst time.
"So, what? She wants to race?"
"I do not," Sage stated blankly.
"She totally could, though," Junior added.
"But I will not."
"It's an option."
"It is not."
"It'll be fun."
"I fail to see how."
"You just need to experience it."
"I do not."
"I can totally convince you."
"You will fail. And I will enjoy seeing you fail."
Junior deadpanned at Sage, who deadpanned right back. He sighed and turned back to his dad.
"Anyway," he continued. "We were gonna try to do some rough sketches for her race kart. Maybe even get started on it! We still have plenty of daylight-."
As though to screw with Junior, the sun immediately set. The moon rising quickly after.
"…Freaking Sun," Junior grumbled. "Let's see my dad put you on retainer now."
"That should not have happened so quickly," Sage stated, looking up at the sky. Then back to Junior. "And what was that about the Sun being on retainer?"
"Long story. Tell ya, later."
He turned back to his dad. "So yeah, that's why-."
"Doesn't matter," Bowser interrupted. "You're grounded for the night. Put your Clown Car and the late doctor's ride in your workshop. Then go to your room for bed."
Junior slumped. "Yes, Dad."
Bowser turned to Sage. "As for you, you're coming with me."
"I am?" she blinked. "Why?"
"Taking you to the infirmary. Got someone there you should see."
"Who?"
"I-Infinite?!"
Laying on a medical bed was, in fact, Infinite. The last time she had seen the jackal, he had been crushed by what she would later learned was called a "Thwomp", that had been summoned by that ghost with a crown. Who, now that Sage gave the spirit and a certain name proper thought, was probably this "King Boo" that the Koopa Prince had mentioned earlier.
Infinite seemed alright, for the most part. Though he was decidedly facing away from Sage and Bowser. Not even turning when Sage made that exclamation.
"Surprised he had survived," Bowser said. "Tougher than he looks. Some troops found him twitching under that Thwomp and got him out. Though he was very hostile to them until he was given his mask back, then he just stayed quiet. Didn't put up a fight as he was taken here. He hasn't answered any questions we asked, and he hasn't joined my troops. Was gonna throw him in the dungeon to see if he finally cracked, but I figured maybe you could talk some sense into him. He's an ally of yours, right?"
An ally, yes. Though her father seemed dismissive of him for some reason. While his performance had been brief, he had still managed to take out several enemies with the Phantom Ruby before being taken out himself.
Seeing Infinite alive and relatively well was a welcome sight for Sage. While she was glad that Orbot and Cubot still supported her, she wasn't sure how keen they'd be to bring back her father. And while the same could be for Infinite, he was still a potential ally. A skilled one at that, even though the Phantom Ruby was gone.
"I'll leave you two alone to talk it out."
Bowser left the infirmary after saying that, leaving Sage to it.
…
…
"Infinite-."
"Whatever you're going to say, I don't care."
She blinked. Infinite hadn't even turned when speaking to her.
"But-."
"Nothing you say-," he continued. "-is going to convince me to join that overgrown turtle's army. With the Phantom Ruby gone, I'm nothing. It was the only reason I even agreed to join Eggman in this little invasion of his. And now look how it ended. The Ruby, gone. Eggman, dead. The remainder of his army joining Bowser. I'm not joining like they did. Like you did. Let the bastard throw me in the dungeon."
Sage frowned. He couldn't really mean that, could he? Why willingly allow yourself to be imprisoned? Had he truly lost the will to fight because of the loss of the Phantom Ruby?
"Infinite," Sage tried again. "Even before the Phantom Ruby, you were a formidable fighter. You still are, even now."
He didn't respond. Didn't turn to face her.
"And my father…." She forced down a surge of emotion, her form glitching red and blue. "He has perished, yes. But there is a chance for him to return. Death is seemingly not final in this universe."
Infinite scoffed. "Even if that were true, do you really expect that lizard or his troops to just let you revive Eggman? They'll be watching you like hawks."
"That is true," she admitted. "But…."
She turned behind her towards the infirmary entrance. Bowser had exited, but it was still possible he was simply out of sight, listening in on the conversation. Still….
She leaned down to whisper. "I've made a deal with Bowser."
There was only a slight tilt of Infinite's head to indicate he was listening.
"So long as I do not cause any trouble and 'play nice', he will consider reviving father himself."
Infinite let out another scoff. "And you believe him? How do you know he isn't lying?"
To be completely honest, she did have a small doubt still that he would not keep his word. And despite her logical mindset, she had chosen to accept based on hope.
"I…believe he will keep his word," Sage finally said.
"Hmph," Infinite grunted. "Whatever. I could care less if the Doctor is brought back or stays dead. My alliance with him was only for the sake of the Phantom Ruby. With that gone, I have no reason to help you."
"It won't just be me," Sage argued. "Orbot and Cubot can help, if I can convince them."
She whispered again. "And I activated the distress signal. Agent Stone can try to-."
"Do you seriously think those two idiot brothers of your can do anything?" Infinite interrupted. "And really? Agent Stone? What the hell is he going to do? Make a latte so good, Bowser just brings your father back like that?"
"He is more than capable-."
"He won't be able to do jack! We went all in on this invasion and brought our best items! And look where that got us! Let me reiterate. The Phantom Ruby is gone! Metal and any other machines here destroyed! The rest joining your father's killer! The Death Egg is a freaking block in space now! And just where are the Chaos Emeralds?"
"…Scattered."
"Of course, of course! And any devices meant to scan for them?"
"…Destroyed and sucked into a black hole. But Agent Stone can bring-!"
"Of for-," Infinite facepalmed. "What did I just say?! He'll be useless here! How will he even get here?! We had to use the Chaos Emeralds and bring them here!"
"There is still a possibility. He would need to get the Master Emerald-."
Infinite laughed at that. "You actually think Agent Stone can get anywhere near that with Knuckles around? Face it, he ain't coming. We're basically stuck here."
"He will! A-And even if he does not get here soon, I still have my deal with Bowser. So long as I fulfill my end of it, he will fulfill his. And Father can build us a way home."
"Hmph. Whatever you say, kid. The hell does Bowser even have you doing?"
"…Being friends with his son."
…
…
Infinite snickered and eventually laughed loudly, banging a fist on the bedside railing.
Sage narrowed her gaze. "What is so funny?"
"I-It's just," Infinite laughed. "You. Relegated to being his son's playmate? That's a riot in itself! Ha!"
"I admit it is not ideal, but-."
"I give you a week tops before you snap and try to kill the kid."
Sage chose not to mention nearly doing so only a short while ago.
"I can fake a friendship," Sage tried. "I simply-."
"Fake being friends with the son of your father's killer? Once again, a riot. If it was me when I was a kid, I'd hate my father's killer forever. And I certainly could never play nice with the killer's kid."
"I can try!"
"Oh sure, try. In fact, try running some simulations on it. They were so helpful before!"
"That's-!"
"Not fair? Well, I'm sure it wasn't fair for Eggman when he put so much trust in his own daughter and her oh-so-reliable simulations, only for it get him killed!"
"H-How dare-!"
"So if I were you, kid, I'd take a look in the mirror to see who was really responsible for Eggman's death!"
"..."
Sage clenched her fists, glitching red and blue, glaring angrily at Infinite. The jackal didn't seem to care, simply turning back on his side to face away from the A.I. girl.
"Do whatever the hell you want. It won't matter in the end. Just keep me out of it. I'm not helping you."
"…My father seemed dismissive of you for some reason before the invasion. Perhaps he was right to feel that way."
Infinite's fists clenched, but he didn't rise to the bait.
Sage turned away. "Fine. Rot away in Bowser's dungeon. I don't care."
She hovered away from Infinite and left through the infirmary entrance.
Bowser frowned as he leaned against the wall right beside the entrance. He watched as the A.I. girl hovered through, very angry.
"Didn't go well?" he asked.
Not that he needed an answer. He wasn't really trying to listen in, but the shouting towards the end made that difficult. And honestly, he had been about to stomp in there and knock the jackal out.
"Throw him in your dungeon if you must," she answered coldly. "I don't care what happens to him."
"I'll keep that in mind. You remember the way back to Junior's room?"
He probably shouldn't send her to his son given her current mood, but he had faith his son would be fine.
"Yes," she answered with a frown.
"Good. Cause your room is the one across from his. Get some shut eye."
"I do not require sleep."
"But you still rest, right?"
"I have no need for-."
"Just get some sleep. Or whatever counts for sleep when it comes to someone like you."
Her fists clenched. She really was angry.
"…Very well."
Not saying anymore, she hovered away towards her destination. Bowser waited for her to disappear from sight before leaning off the wall and entering the infirmary. He moved towards where Infinite was brooding.
"I'm not joining your army," the jackal immediately said.
"I have half a mind to knock you out after what you said her."
"The hell do you care? She's the daughter of the man who tried to kill you and your family. She hates you for killing her father, hates your son by proxy, and has no intention of being his friend. I give her a week tops before she finally snaps and tries to kill him. What will you do, then?"
"That won't happen. My son can break through to her. Besides, I don't blame her for her father's actions. She was just doing as she was told."
"Just following orders. That's always a good excuse."
"Fine. How about this? She's just a kid."
"A kid who fired a death beam at you and your army. A kid who could very easily take control of the remaining robots now serving you to take revenge. She's certainly angry enough to try. Only reason she hasn't is because it would be for nothing. And probably cause of that deal you two made."
Huh. So she decided to tell him about that.
The jackal glanced back at Bowser. "Do you really intend to bring back the Doctor if she doesn't try anything?"
"Yep," Bowser nodded. "No kid should be without their father."
"And yet you're making her work for it."
"I still have my family and kingdom to think about."
"Well, here's a thought. You bring the Doctor back, he'll just swear revenge and come back with a stronger force. He doesn't take defeat well."
"I'll cross that bridge if it comes to it."
"Hmph." Infinite faced away again. "Well, here's another bridge to cross: she activated a distress signal. You can expect someone else to show up. Only saying that out of spite towards Sage, of course. Not going into detail, though. That's for you to find out."
Bowser deadpanned. "Wow. What a team player."
"You destroyed the only reason I was even a part of the invasion. No reason to help Sage, but no reason to help you either."
"What reason?"
"The Phantom Ruby. You crushed it in your hand. I'm nothing without it."
Bowser blinked. "...Wait, is that what this brooding is all about?"
"It was the ultimate strength. Now I have nothing. So, what's the point?"
"You could make a run for it."
"I know next to nothing about this world. Or this universe. I'm not about to run off blind."
Fair enough.
"Feel free to throw me in your dungeon. It won't change anything."
"It might if you stayed there long enough."
Infinite grunted, not turning. Bowser rubbed his chin in thought.
"You really think you're nothing without that gem?"
Infinite didn't answer.
"…Consider yourself lucky. You just gave me an idea."
The jackal scoffed. "And that is?"
"You'll find out tomorrow. Until then, I'll allow you the luxury of sleeping here for tonight instead of in my dungeon."
"Hmph. Don't expect me to thank you."
"I wasn't. Better get a good night's rest for what I got planned. See you, tomorrow."
With that, Bowser turned and exited the infirmary. The jackal said nothing, simply staying in bed to sulk and brood.
As Bowser continued on his way, he considered everything.
"So someone from wherever Eggman came from might be on their way. Don't know who, don't know how, and don't know when."
Not the kind of position Bowser wanted to be in, but he'd deal. Infinite won't say anything, and he obviously couldn't ask Sage. He didn't want her knowing he knew.
"...Maybe Orbot and Cubot could tell me. Wonder how they're doing in the kitchens?"
"WHY ARE YOU STILL THROWING FRYING PANS AT US?!" Orbot yelled out.
"BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T DODGED A SINGLE ONE!" a Chef Bro answered. "ALSO, YOU TWO ARE CLEANING THESE UP!"
"HOW IS THAT FAIR?!" Cubot yelled out this time.
"SHUT UP AND DODGE!"
Yeah, he'd ask those two about it later. He'd have to word it carefully, of course, without directly asking. No letting them know he knew about an apparent distress signal. They'd warn Sage. And with how angry she was as is, she might try something desperate.
Granted, he could easily just confront Sage and talk her down about it, but...Bowser couldn't help but revel in being in the know of something when the opposite side thought they were being sneaky. If Sage wanted to play a game of deception, he'd return it in kind.
Of course, this action of hers technically goes against the deal. Meaning he didn't have to bother fulfilling his end of the bargain. But that's where his instincts as a father took over and told him to give her a chance and let it slide. So, oh well.
"Wonder where she even had a distress signal."
If he had to guess, it was probably on the Eggmobile. She must've activated it after Junior returned it to normal without him knowing. He briefly considered taking away the Eggmobile once Junior and Sage finished supposedly building a race kart, but he brushed that idea aside. Despite this game of deception, it was still something of the A.I. girl's father's vehicles that hadn't been destroyed. She may as well have it.
Speaking of destroyed-.
"Hm. There's still a lot of those machines just left to rust. Maybe I'll send out a salvage crew tomorrow to see what can be used for spare parts. Junior could make use of it."
He'd relay the order in the morning.
Bowser Jr. grumbled to himself as he stood at the door to his room.
"Ugh. Grounded. Least it's only for the night. Hope Sage appreciates me taking the blame."
Even though he was about 75% sure his dad didn't actually buy the excuse he gave.
He made to turn the knob and open the door-.
"Bowser Koopa the Second."
Junior let out a Finn scream, but recognized the voice as Sage and turned to face her.
"Don't sneak up on me like-!"
Her murderous anger and aura made him shrink.
"OH CRUD, YOU'RE IN A WORSE MOOD THAN EVER!"
That was the wrong thing to say, as her murderous anger was now directed at Junior.
"I mean, uh-!" He leaned on his hand against the door. "Hey, Sage. How was the-?"
The door had been briefly opened, so Junior's attempt to look cool resulted in him falling on his face halfway into his room
"Ugh."
He quickly got up and dusted himself, then looked back to Sage. She seemed less murder angry and now just…resigned.
"I, uh, take it the visit didn't go well?"
"…No."
"…Do you wanna talk about-?"
"No."
She hovered towards the room across from his and opened the door.
"Your father stated that this would be my room. I will see you in the morning."
"Uh, yeah. Night, I guess. Wait, do you even sle-?"
She slammed the door shut.
"…Ugh. Great."
Whoever she had met in the infirmary clearly said something to make her mad. Whatever progress Junior had made, if any at all, was now basically moot.
"I hope whoever she saw is hurt real bad," he grumbled.
He turned and went into his room. He was about to close the door when-.
"Bowser Koopa the Second."
He stopped and saw that Sage had opened her door slightly to peek out. She was giving a blank expression.
"…Thank you. For taking the blame for me. Though I doubt your father believed you, it was a surprise that you kept your word."
Junior froze for a second, then rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"W-Well, I'm nothing if not a Koopa of my word."
"I see. I will keep that in mind."
"Great! So, about calling me that name-."
"Good night."
She closed the door, disappearing into her room.
…
…
"Oh well," he shrugged. "Baby steps."
He closed the door to his room, ready for bed.
Sage observed her new room. It was a simple one. A bed, a stand near it with a lamp on it. A small dresser cabinet with three drawers. Not that she'd really need it. Her clothes were digital.
In spite of the fact that she didn't need to sleep, Sage hovered towards the bed and moved to lay on it. She stared up at the ceiling, taking note of a candle chandelier that hung there.
"…Infinite," she grit out.
He was wrong. She could still do something. And it would matter. Agent Stone would come through. He could get the Master Emerald. He could break into this universe. He could aid her in finding the Chaos Emeralds. He could help her bring her father back if Bowser didn't do so in the end. And then the Empire could be rebuilt to its former glory.
She just needed to wait. Infinite was wrong! Nothing he said was true! Nothing-!
"Well, I'm sure it wasn't fair for Eggman when he put so much trust in his own daughter and her oh-so-reliable simulations, only for it get him killed!"
…That wasn't fair. Her simulations were reliable. There was simply a lack of critical information that could have been useful to know.
"I have run millions of simulations, Father. Our victory is assured."
There had just been more to the enemy than they had perceived. It was Bowser that killed her father, and his son played a part in it. He hated them.
But...perhaps she should have convinced her father to wait? To delay the invasion until more information could be gained for better simulations?
"-I'm sure it wasn't fair for Eggman when he put so much trust in his own daughter-!"
Her father had trusted her. He had trusted her simulations.
"-only for it to get him killed!"
Sage felt something flow down her face. She reached up and felt tears flowing from her eyes. Her form now blue and white.
"So if I were you, kid, I'd take a look in the mirror to see who was really responsible for Eggman's death!"
...
...
"He's dead because of me. I-I failed him, and he paid the ultimate price for it."
She clutched the pillow on her bed and held it against her, crying into it.
King Boo sat in his throne, leaning on his "hand", eye twitching. Just as annoyed as he had been during that stupid fake wedding.
"Stupid Bowser. Inviting me to a wedding that turned out to be fake. Stupid floating jackal. Making a fool of Bowser when that's what I want to do. Stupid metal blue rodent...thing. Thinks he can just flick off my crown like that. Well now he's destroyed. I get the last laugh. Ha, ha, ha."
There was obviously not much enthusiasm in that laugh. He was just plain annoyed at everything. He swore, if something didn't randomly come in and make him feel better, he'd-.
"My king!"
One of his subjects floated into the throne room, holding something.
"Guards found a crater behind the castle, and this gem was at the center! It...emits a strange power."
Raising an eyebrow, King Boo lazily floated towards his minion and took the item in question. It was a purple emerald. At face value, it seemed valuable. Though his minion was right. It was emitting a strange power.
"Hm. Thank you, minion. As you were."
The ghost saluted his king and floated away.
King Boo stared at the gem.
"...It definitely feels powerful."
He let out his ghostly grin.
"Interesting."