Chapter Text
Epilogue
Days later…
A large crowd was gathered around a tree on a hill not far from the castle. The place where Queen Primrose and King Roman had been put to rest many decades before. Now they were all here for a different reason. That reason was for a newly added gravestone next to the previous ruler's stones. Several days earlier, the morning after The Star Festival, the former King Leonard had been unable to wake up, only for his family to realize that he'll never again wake up.
Family, friends, other royals from other kingdoms, and many mushroom kingdom citizens all mourned for Leo. They had gathered to remember the life that he had lived and his legacy that he left behind.
When Leonard had been found, his journal lied in his hands. On the last page was his final entry. Which had revealed some interesting details.
Dear Journal.
As I am writing this, my life is slowly slipping away. By the next morning, I will no more be part of the living.
This night wasn't all that bad though. Tonight was the Star Festival and I enjoyed it along with my family. I didn't have the heart to tell them I was slipping away from them because I didn't want to dampen the mood, but I certainly hope they had a good time.
I do hope they don't let my death sour the Star Festival's name. I want it to occur whenever Rose's Comet comes and continues its legacy that brings joy, and not let the shadow of my death be that legacy.
One final thing I would like to write about: My sister Rosalina. After so many years, I saw her again. I always knew I would.
Let my finals words be a goodbye to my family, friends, and all of the Mushroom Kingdom. Thank you all for a great life and love you all.
And goodbye to you Rosie.
Sincerely, for the final time
Leonard Toadstool
The words from the journal had touched everyone's hearts. In response, Queen Rose practically made it a law that whenever Rose's Comet was to come, The Star Festival shall go on. The Star Festival was the Mushroom Kingdom's final gift from Leo, and they intend to continue that legacy.
One thing that confused many people the most was the mention of Leo's sister Rosalina. Many had concluded that Leo perhaps saw the spirit of his sister about to escort his soul to the afterlife.
How wrong they were.
Many many miles into the sky lies the very fabric of space itself. The mushroom planet was one of many planets scattered throughout the galaxy. Not far from the planet lies an even smaller planet with grass, several small houses, 7 huge stones that stick out from the ground on the bottom of the planet, and a grand stone platform that was placed on the top. This planet was known as the gateway to the starry sky.
On the said platform was Rosalina, who was looking down at the mushroom world. Originally, she had planned to leave as soon she got back from her visit with Leo, but she decided to wait several more days.
Even though she was many miles away from the surface, she can see that Leo was now sleeping underneath the tree with their parents. When she saw him, she could sense that he was slipping away from life. Though she pretended not to acknowledge it, as Leo did the same. Despite expecting this, she felt sadness and mourned for him.
Closing her eyes, a small tear fell from her eye. As soon she did, she quickly wipes it away.
"Are you okay mama?" A luma asked, oblivious to the tears that Rosalina just shed.
As far as the lumas were concerned, the last time they saw their mama crying was when she has cried about her mother. That was a long time ago. They didn't know that her brother had just been laid to rest.
"I'm fine little one," Rosalina lied. "Could you please go back to the observatory? Tell the others we'll be leaving soon."
"Yes, mama!" The luma chimed.
The luma floated away, leaving Rosalina alone. She resumed her staring at the planet.
Part of her wanted to go back down there. Back to her old home that she grew up in. Despite her wishes, she knew that she couldn't go back. Caring for the lumas wasn't the only reason why she couldn't.
Even if she did return, she knew very well nothing will be the same. The kingdom had changed in the past 100 years she was gone and she would've had issues adapting. Not to mention her returning could bring many complications.
The citizens from her generation were most definitely gone. Everyone one of them. And there were her descendants. She saw glimpses and had quite like them. But in the end, Rosalina could never truly fit in with everyone, even her extended family. They didn't know her. To them, she was just a name to go by in historical texts.
She would just be a stranger to them.
Not to mention there could be some resentment towards her. From what Leo told her, many see her story as a tale a tragedy and was oblivious to why she truly left. If she were to appear again, that sense of sympathy could disappear. Leo tried to assure her that she didn't abandon him, but Rosalina knew that many wouldn't be as understanding. To find that the lost mushroom princess had living fine all these years while her brother suffered his days without her and had to take the burden of becoming a ruler, something she should've done.
And the reason she left? To find her long-dead mother, along with the luma's mother. Most likely in their eyes, Rosalina had abandoned her kingdom and family. All because she couldn't accept her mother's death.
It was best to never return to the kingdom. Of course, she will continue to visit this planet every hundred years, but can never step foot on her home planet again. Besides, she had a much more important role to play in.
"Goodbye, Leo. May the stars shine down on you, little brother..."
Rosalina turned away from the planet and walked across the stone platform and stepped off of it once she reached the other side. Once on the ground, she slowly walks through a tiny house. On the other side came the view of a huge space station. This was her home which she refers to as The Comet Observatory. Powering it was a small beacon that was fueled by Power Stars. However, it had gotten a bit bigger and brighter while the comet observatory flew over the mushroom kingdom. This was most likely due to an even bigger Power Star, which the lumas dubbed as a Grand Star, that flew into the beacon, giving it more power.
Rosalina floated up towards her home. With a twirl igniting her wand, a blue dome encased the observatory. Several parts rearranged to make the base more like a rocket. They soon took off, flying away from the mushroom planet. To travel the depths of the galaxy and continue the cycle of returning to the planet once every a hundred years, never interacting with people below.
Until on her 10th visit, 1,000 years after she first left, and 900 years after the first Star Festival. There she would help a red cap hero in one of the biggest adventures he had ever endured, but that is a different story to be told for another time.
The End