New theory I just came up with: Pauline Jr is Mario and Pauline's daughter... From another timeline where they stayed together
>Void Kong is called that because he can open portals to other worlds, he's probably from another world himself
>Kidnapped Pauline Jr in his world because her voice can lead him to the Banandium Root into this timeline where it actually exists
>Pauline turned into a rock after she was of no use to Void Co. anymore
>Her wanting to return home is farther than we even thought
Just a theory, I know it's convoluted but I don't care lol