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Chapter Text

Takumi Sumino had destroyed the core, having to thrust his sword into the machine, feeling everyone's bond deep within him, he pushed through, and the core caused a fatal explosion.  Nozomi Kirifuji was running towards Last Defense Academy in a hurry, up until the explosion shockwave hits her, pushing her back a little, she then catches eye of Takumi being launched away, landing on the ground hard.  She hurries to his injured body in worry.

Takumi Sumino was on the verge of death, ready to sacrifice his life for Nozomi Kirifuji, who he then knew was his childhood friend, Karua Kashimiya, all along since his past 100 days at the Last Defense Academy he experienced through time travel.

Nozomi/Karua's heart however, refused to give up on him, she just couldn't.

Takumi's eyes then closed, ready to rest peacefully.  His heart was still beating, but rather slowly, and his breathing became slower along with it.

Suddenly, a green-colored portal opens up in the skies above them, and a fleet of organized airships emerge from it.  This catches Nozomi/Karua's attention.

The person in question commanding the aerial fleet was Bowser, the king of the Koopa Clan of his home dimension, the Mushroom Kingdom.  He spots both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua together on the ground, so Bowser signals his troops to hold the position.  He gets into a Koopa Clown Car, and flies towards the ground, getting near the two former Defensive Unites of Last Defense Academy.

Bowser kneels down to look at Takumi closely, bloodstains shown on his face, being a clear indicator of suffering against a bigger threat.

Bowser: "This will not be done further under my circumstances, you two must come with me, immediately."

Nozomi/Karua was feeling untrustworthy towards him, worried of being lead into a trap risking her life.

Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "How...can I trust y-you...?"

Bowser expected this response, so he got up and gives an explanation.

Bowser: "I may look intimidatingly evil, and come from a completely different world than yours, but I know you both dealt with a bigger threat far past my limits, I can sense it in you two.  Your health and well-being shall always be your top priorities."

Nozomi/Karua thought about his off for awhile, until giving her definitive decision.

Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "Okay, we'll go with you."

Bowser nods up and down, and looks up to his fleet of airships, calling out to his troops.

Bowser: "We have a code red!  I repeat, we have a code red!"

After hearing his command, numerous Koopa Para-Troopas swoop down, bringing a rescue stretcher with them, and carefully placing Takumi's unconscious body onto the cot.  Bowser offered Nozomi/Karua to be given a lift on his Koopa Clown Car, and she accepted.  Now making their way towards Bowser's commanding airship, and safely getting on board it.

Bowser: "Alright, troops!  Set course back to the Mushroom Kingdom!"

Bowser then ordered his trusty advisor, Kamek, to station Takumi and Nozomi/Karua together in the lower deck, stating that Takumi will notably be needed for proper hospitalization once they reached the Mushroom Kingdom.  Kamek did exactly as follows, and brought Nozomi/Karua down to where Takumi was being safely stationed.  Bowser's son, Bowser Jr., leads Nozomi/Karua towards a bed to rest on, knowing that she would be very exhausted from everything she had gone through today.

As the fleet of airships went through the portal, Nozomi/Karua laid down on the bed, and fell asleep from complete exhaustion.  Or could it possibly be coming from something affecting her body, how?

Chapter Text

A few minutes had passed since Bowser's fleet of airships entered back to their home dimension, Takumi Sumino remained unconscious on the rescue stretcher cot, while Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya was taking rest on the bed after the airship they were boarding on went through the portal.

Kamek noticed that Nozomi/Karua's forehead was rather warmer than usual, so he got a cold, wet rag and rested it on her.  Bowser Jr. was listing a few things down on a clipboard, taking note of both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua current well-beings.

Bowser's fleet of airships eventually arrived at the Mushroom Kingdom.  Bowser Jr. asked his dad to be the one to take Takumi and Nozomi/Karua both to the nearest hospital that Mario was operating through his medical prescription.

The Toad residents of the kingdom saw the sight of an urgent Bowser Jr. running, along a group of four Koopa Para-Troopas carrying Takumi and Nozomi/Karua respectfully on rescue stretcher cots, making their way towards the hospital.  They all couldn't help themselves but to be in complete shock by this.

Dr. Mario was talking with the Toad operating the front desk, doing good at both their jobs.  By the time Bowser Jr., along with the Koopa Para-Troopas carrying both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua, Dr. Mario and the Toad receptionist were in absolute shock.

Dr. Mario: "Mamma Mia, Bowser Jr.!  What happened while you and your dad were out?"
Bowser Jr.: "*pants* Long...story...  These two need more help than me."

Dr. Mario got a better look at both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua, and was taken back in surprise at their current state of health.

Dr. Mario: "Get them to the Intensive Care Unit if open, stat!"

The Koopa Para-Troopas salute in response to Dr. Mario's request, they arrive there, and carefully set down both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua on available patient beds to be treated.  Numerous Toad doctors, nurses, and medics were working hard with Dr. Mario's guidance.

Medical equipment such as ventilators, and patient monitors, were desperately needed for this operation, according to Dr. Mario himself.  Takumi's heart rate remained beating rather slowly, and breathing at the same speed as previously.  Nozomi/Karua however was still sleeping, the wet cloth that Kamek placed on her forehead remained there when brought in, it was unclear whether she was resting from exhaustion, or if something in her body was affecting her, somehow.

Both Tamuki and Nozomi/Karua were dressed in hospital gowns during their time in the hospital.  Dr. Mario analyzed what was going on with Nozomi/Karua particularly, studying the possibility of having any disease in her, and figuring out a cure.

Dr. Mario: "*sighs* Desperate times call for desperate measures, time to go get the 1-Up Mushrooms."

Dr. Mario did exactly as he told himself to, he got a 1-Up Mushroom out of a ? Block from the storage area.  He delicately opened Nozomi/Karua's mouth and inserted the 1-Up Mushroom in, also helping her swallow it.  The effects of the 1-Up Mushroom also helped lift the disease in her.

A few seconds passed before Nozomi/Karua's eyes slowly opened, waking up from her rest.  She sees Dr. Mario, who was sitting next to her on a chair, showed a calm smile on his face to her.  Nozomi/Karua tries to lift herself slowly, but Dr. Mario carefully seizes her from doing so.

Dr. Mario: "Careful miss, your body is trying to heal up from what you've been through."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "S-Sorry, mister."
Dr. Mario: "It's alright, I understand that you've easily been through a lot."

Nozomi/Karua turned her head, now looking at Takumi on another hospital bed next to her, still needing to recover from his injuries.

Dr. Mario: "Your friend's current state of health has been confusing for us to deal with, but we're hoping to have him fully recovered soon."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "O-Okay, thanks for answering."

Nozomi/Karua appreciated the kindness from Dr. Mario, but found herself feeling dumbfounded by not fully knowing who he was.

Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "I a-apologize for not introducing myself sooner."
Dr. Mario: "No worries. *scratches the back of his head* I too also didn't think of doing the same with you, either."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "I appreciate your understanding.  The boy resting next to me refers to me as Nozomi Kirifuji, but please call me by my real identity as Karua Kashimiya."
Dr. Mario: "Okey-dokey.  It's-a me!  Mario! *quickly hops and poses with his right arm raised up in the air*"

Nozomi/Karua lightly chuckled at his way of introducing himself.  A male Toad worker then walked into the ICU room to inform Dr. Mario about Bowser Jr. sitting in the waiting room, wanting to explain to him about what happened when bringing both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua to the hospital.

Dr. Mario: "If you excuse me, I must converse with the person who brought you and your friend in."

Nozomi/Karua nods at Dr. Mario, with him now leaving her with the company of an unconscious Takumi.  Feeling incredibly worried for his safety.

Dr. Mario then met up with Bowser Jr., who had just drank half of a glass of water, and sat down across from him.

Dr. Mario: "Are you rested enough to explain the situation to me now, Junior?"
Bowser Jr.: "Yeah, I am.  To start, Professor E. Gadd discovered a new world while tinkering with his new world-hopping portal created from a similar energy source to the Warp Pipes, Papa originally intended on invading it to try to conquer it, before the old man gave the full explanation of what was through the portal, so he changed his plans and then brought a good chunk of his army including myself through the portal with a fleet of airships, found those two teenagers nearly surviving on their last legs, and you would know the rest by now."
Dr. Mario: "Definitely a lot to take in, but thank you for answering."

Dr. Mario then told Bowser Jr. to return home, while he and the rest of his staff members, including his closest friends and family members will handle taking care of both Takumi and Nozomi/Karua.  Once he called them in, Dr. Mario returned to the ICU room, meeting up with Nozomi/Karua again, and introducing his friends and family to her.

Nurse Peach: "It is our pleasure to be seeing you, Ms. Kashimiya."
Dr. Luigi: "You were incredibly lucky having survived the remains of where you originally were."
Nurse Daisy: "Seriously, that place is certainly no joke to face against, I do hope its inhabitants are staying safe."
Dr. Toad: "We're deeply sorry for the amount of losses you had to take in."
Nurse Toadette: "We'll be willing to do anything to help you get both physically, and mentally better."

Nozomi/Karua appreciated all their kind efforts, but still felt deeply concerned for Takumi.

Dr. Luigi: "We know you're deeply worried for your friend's state of health, but we're trying our hardest to help in any way we can."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "Th-Thank you, I'm more concerned for him more than myself."

Dr. Toad then heard a faint sound coming from Nozomi/Karua, more so her stomach than herself.

Dr. Toad: "You must be hungry after all that, why don't we take you somewhere to eat?"
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "S-Sure, but what about him?"
Nurse Toadette: "We'll have our staff look over him while we're out, and bring more equipment if needed."

After Nurse Toadette informed Nozomi/Karua about what she just said to her, Nozomi/Karua gave her trust to the group of six, and decided to go out with them for a bite.

Nurse Daisy helped Nozomi/Karua with keeping her balance, feeling wobbly when she got up and out of the hospital bed she was previously resting on.

Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Toadette all clocked out of working hours, and kindly led Nozomi/Karua somewhere to help fill up their empty stomach.

Chapter Text

Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya was brought out of the hospital, being led by Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Toadette to a local restaurant to help satisfy Nozomi/Karua's empty stomach.

Their destination was Kinopio's Café, which was run by Toad's cousin, Chef "Kinopio" Toad.  Once their reserved table was set up, they made their way to be seated.

The female Toad waitress offered menus to the group of seven.  Nozomi/Karua was very intrigued by what they had in particular.

After a moment of deciding what they wanted to get, the waitress then took their orders.

Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya -- Drink; Calpis Oolong Tea, Food; Chef's Special: Omelet Rice with Shrimp & Mushroom Cream Stew

Mario -- Drink; Super Star Hot Yuzu Lemonade, Food; Fire Flower Spaghetti & Meatballs

Princess Peach -- Drink; Super Star Lemon Squash, Food; Portobello Mushroom Pizza Topped with Bacon & Vegetables

Luigi -- Drink; Iced Coffee, Food; Yoshi's Favorite Fruit & Veggie Salad

Princess Daisy -- Drink; Iced Tea, Food; Piranha Plant Caprese

Toad -- Drink; Apple Juice, Food; Teriyaki Chicken & Super Star Rice

Toadette -- Drink; Orange Juice, Food; Yoshi's Spinach Carbonara

While their food was being prepped, Mario and Princess Peach particularly wanted to let Nozomi/Karua explain what she had gone through before arriving at the Mushroom Kingdom, by the time the waitress brought in their drinks.

Mario: "So, Karua, would you now like to tell us about what you had been doing for most of your life before coming here?"

After having her first sip of her drink, Nozomi/Karua proceeded to tell everyone at the table everything about her past, her recruitment for Second-to-Last Defense Academy, meeting the other members of the Special Defense Unit at Last Defense Academy, how Takumi Sumino knew everything about her from traveling through time thanks to his Hemoanima/Cryptoglobin, learning the harsh truth of her home reality's Earth was destroyed and were actually on a terraformed alien planet known as Futurum, the Artificial Satellite containing the remaining living humans, V'ehxness destroying the Artificial Satellite with a missile made from her own Undying Flames, learning that the other SDU members outside of her were clones created from Shion's cells with false memories implemented onto them, the SDU being forced to fight Shion at the Defense Room, Takumi destroying the core, eventually revealing to Takumi about her true identity upon his near sacrificial death, before Bowser coming to her reality and being brought to the Mushroom Kingdom.  She started tearing up after she finished telling her story.

Mario, Princess Peach, Luigi, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Toadette were all shocked by everything that Nozomi/Karua had just said to them, and all felt incredibly bad for her, as well.

Princess Peach got up from her seat, and walked over to Nozomi/Karua, kneeling down and placing her right hand onto Nozomi/Karua's left shoulder.

Princess Peach: "It's okay dear, you're safe now here in the Mushroom Kingdom, we're all deeply sorry for what you've been through, I'm sure we'll figure out how we can bring them all back, safe and sound.  Just trust us."

Nozomi/Karua warmed up with Princess Peach's words, she wiped away her tears, and started hugging Princess Peach, who returned the hug back.

They soon let go of each other, Princess Peach went back to her seat, and everyone's food was brought out to them.  They all chowed down on their food, enjoying it as they did, Nozomi/Karua especially was blown away by the overall taste of her order.

They all soon finish, and Mario pays for the check, along with tipping the waitress, thanking her for the work she put into helping.  The group then walked out of the restaurant with Nozomi/Karua's stomach in particular satisfied.  The current time for the Mushroom Kingdom was sunset, so nighttime was slowly approaching.

During their walk, all while giving Nozomi/Karua a proper tour of the Mushroom Kingdom, Toad wanted to inform her something important regarding Takumi who’s currently staying in the hospital.

Toad: "Ms. Kashimiya, the hospital will not be allowing any visitors or past patients into the building as of now, so you'll unfortunately have to wait until tomorrow to see your friend again."

Nozomi/Karua accepted his understanding, while still deeply concerned for Takumi, she always needed to look on the bright side of things, no matter how harsh some situations might be.

Princess Peach: "If you need a place to stay, I have many guest bedrooms in my castle that I would be fine with you using."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "I appreciate your offer, thank you."

Mario, Luigi, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Toadette all parted ways with Princess Peach and Nozomi/Karua, all knowing they'll see each other again tomorrow.

On their way to her castle, Princess Peach taught Nozomi/Karua about how Warp Pipes work, and led the way to the right ones.

Princess Peach informed her guards of Nozomi/Karua staying overnight, letting them know that she's harmless to anyone.

She eventually brought Nozomi/Karua to a freshly clean guest room for her to stay in.

Princess Peach: "Hope you make yourself at home, see you in the morning, Ms. Kashimiya."
Nozomi Kirifuji/Karua Kashimiya: "You too, your majesty.  Sleep well!"

Princess Peach appreciated her kindness, and then left Nozomi/Karua to take care of herself.  She then took a shower before getting herself comfortable in bed.

Nozomi/Karua pleasantly drifted off into a peaceful slumber, knowing that she'll be needing it before tackling the new day ahead of her.