Hello, Readers!
In order to enjoy the upcoming holiday and get a few things squared away, I'm taking a break through Thanksgiving. Don't worry, I'll begin updating shortly after that- and I've got some new ideas in the mix! Have a very happy Thanksgiving!
November 22, 2015
November 14, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 5 - Less Than a Conqueror.
"What in the world are you a-talking about?" asked Luigi incredulously.
"I'm talking about Peach!" cried Bowser with apparent disregard for his out of character attitude.
"Well, what about her?"
"What do you MEAN, what about her!? Look at her!"
"She's fine, Bowser. It was just a little storm, is all. What are you doing here?"
"A LITTLE STORM!" roared the Koopa King. "IT WAS THE BIGGEST STORM IN THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM'S HISTORY! IT BROUGHT DOWN THE CASTLE! IT FLOODED THE MOAT! IT-"
"Wait. How would you know this?"
"Oh, PLEASE! Like I don't have someone watching that castle all the time? C'mon, Luigi, I know you're smarter than that."
"Well, I..."
"Where were you going? The Warp Zone?"
"Yes, we were, but-" Luigi caught a glimpse of Toadsworth vigorously shaking his head. "Why are you here? You haven't answered my question, and frankly, your presence is pretty unusual. In fact, it's unsettling, Bowser. In case you haven't remembered, this is PEACH we're talking about. You know, the Princess you kidnap on a nearly scheduled basis? Why on earth are you so concerned about her?"
Suddenly Bowser turned very red. "Well, I, uh...um...er..."
"Enough dodging the question, Bowser. Why are you here?"
The fire was starting to warm up the group and the Princesses were slowly coming to. Bowser glanced around the room. "Kamek!" he barked.
"Yes, King Bowser?"
"Keep an eye on them. Luigi will follow me."
Luigi followed Bowser to the doorway and into the engine room. His curiosity had nearly overcome his concern by now. Besides, at this rate they had all technically been kidnapped- there wasn't much he could do, and Bowser was acting so strangely that there seemed to be little immediate danger. Finally Bowser turned around and took a deep breath.
"Luigi."
"Yes?"
"No one can know what I'm about to tell you. I'm binding you to secrecy under penalty of my wrath."
"Right. Continue."
"Okay..." here Bowser took another deep breath, as if steeling himself for some sort of blow. "There's something about me that no one except Kamek knows, and that's because I trust him implicitly. Here it is - I really don't hate Mario."
"Really. Okay, sure."
"No, let me continue. I don't hate Mario. I don't hate you, or Yoshi, or the Toads, or the Princesses, or any other person I've ever fought. The fact is...I've always needed conflict. I've lived for knowing that any moment someone would smash through my stronghold's door, demand Peach back and fight me for her. For years now I've done the same thing time after time. Honestly, though, you didn't think I was that slow, did you? To use the same tactics and weapons over and over and over again and expect that somehow I'd manage to keep Peach captive? I know what insanity is, Luigi, but I was never taught to be a hero. I've got no idea how to rescue a princess - it's not part of my traditional family training. The Koopas are a proud family of conquest, victory, and manifest destiny. I was taught aggression and power and political expertise. I was given a drive to reach for more no matter how much I had, and for a long time I loved it, because, well...it was exciting. It gave me meaning. The very first time I kidnapped Peach it was thrilling, no- exhilarating! I'd never had so much fun! But..." Bowser trailed off uncertainly.
"But...?" Luigi asked.
"But then you and Mario came along. I realized that there was someone out there willing to stand up and fight me, and I was even more motivated to fight once you proved yourselves worthy foes! I came up with more complicated plans, improved my arsenal, and developed some new tactics, but the goal was always the same. I knew that if I kidnapped Peach, you two would come for her - and then you introduced Yoshi and so many other characters into the conflict! Time after time, I left a loophole with which you guys could defeat me, and you always figured it out. One day I realized something, though, and it left me terrified."
"And that was?"
"I wasn't getting anywhere. The back-and-forth exchange was pointless. I was accomplishing nothing. So I poured everything I had into a new scheme - taking over the Sprixie Kingdom. I assumed I could conquer it without your interference. I was mistaken. Even Peach came along and together you all defeated me again! It was then I finally came to terms with the thing I'd been trying to hardest to deny. I've always been wrong, and you've been right. Never once have I had a justifiable reason for putting my troops on the line. Never once has kidnapping Peach resulted in something constructive. I've made myself the enemy of almost every decent person on this planet, and what have I gained? Not power. Not prestige. Not even victory, because I open myself to lose. Certainly not the affection-" At this Bowser stopped cold.
"What were you about to say?" asked Luigi.
"It's meaningless, Luigi," said Bowser, tearing up a second time. "Utterly meaningless. I've helped no one, hurt others, and pursued an empty lifestyle of giving people a hard time because I thought it meant something. I could have had so many more friends, caused so much less trouble. I could have even-"
"No, I mean it. What affection were you talking about?"
Bowser stood uncertain, like someone considering a high dive. After a very long pause, barely breathed out one word.
"Peach's."
"Hold on! What did you just say?"
"Please! I know it would never work - we aren't even the same species. At least I could have been her friend, though - maybe helped defend her from some other attacker. As it is, she hates me, and how can I blame her? Far as she knows, I'm a power-hungry and apparently rather slow villain who seems to exist purely to make life difficult for her. It's no wonder she loves Mario - he's actually done something to deserve it."
"That's not really how love-"
"It's too late to change now, though. I've set this road, and I don't see how I can get off of it. When I heard of the storm I couldn't help myself. A troop told me how the castle collapsed, and I knew the Warp Zone would fail,. When this is all over I'll make sure Peach and Daisy are safe, but they won't know I had anything to do with it. Neither will the Toads. But I can't make you forget - you're still strong, despite all you've been through tonight. You have to promise me, Luigi. No one can know what I've told you. Ever."
"But Bowser..."
"ENOUGH!" roared the Koopa King with more passion than Luigi had ever before heard. Suddenly Kamek appeared in the doorway.
"The storm is dying, my king."
"Then get us back to the Mushroom Castle. You know what to do from there."
"Understood."
Luigi looked at the formidable king. Never had Bowser looked so different, so hopeless, and Luigi wished he knew what to say. Nothing came. They sat in silence, until Bowser seemed to notice Luigi as if for the first time. "Kamek!"
"Yes, my king," replied the Magikoopa from the doorway.
"Get Luigi out of my way." He said this as if angry, but his voice quavered a little as he said it.
"Yes, your majesty."
Without another word Kamek beckoned to Luigi, who followed him into the same room he'd found himself in. The Princesses seemed to be asleep, but the color had returned to their faces. Most of the Toads had dropped asleep as well. Kamek waved his wand, and...
"It's almost unbelievable!" Peach continued as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Daisy sat listening. Imagine Daisy and I and all those Toads having such a similar dream! The castle collapsing, Luigi rescuing Daisy from the pipes, the struggle to the Warp Zone! It's almost uncanny- it felt so real! I don't know what we were reading when we fell asleep but I hope it never happens again! I guess it just goes to show what happens when there's a long enough storm. Imagination goes crazy!" She laughed, and most of the table chuckled with her.
Luigi stretched and stood up. "I have to take a walk."
"Want me to come with-" began Daisy, but Luigi stopped her.
"No, I'm just stretching my legs. Thank you, though."
He walked across the castle drawbridge and towards the road to the Warp Zone.
"Think, Luigi. Could it have been just a dream? It seems so unlikely, but, what other explanation is there? Bowser could not have possibly-" he halted, seeing something unfamiliar on the roadside. Peering closer, Luigi realized it was a masthead from a boat, but its sheer size and familiar horn quickly pointed out its origin. Standing up and taking a long breath, he looked towards Bowser's castle.
"So it really did happen, hey?"
Just then he heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Don't worry, Kamek."
The rustling stopped.
"His secret is safe with me. Tell him one thing, though. Last night, if for just a little while, he really was a hero."
The rustling continued for a little longer, than stopped again. Luigi turned and walked back up the path towards Peach's castle.
"One day maybe they'll know the truth too."
"I'm talking about Peach!" cried Bowser with apparent disregard for his out of character attitude.
"Well, what about her?"
"What do you MEAN, what about her!? Look at her!"
"She's fine, Bowser. It was just a little storm, is all. What are you doing here?"
"A LITTLE STORM!" roared the Koopa King. "IT WAS THE BIGGEST STORM IN THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM'S HISTORY! IT BROUGHT DOWN THE CASTLE! IT FLOODED THE MOAT! IT-"
"Wait. How would you know this?"
"Oh, PLEASE! Like I don't have someone watching that castle all the time? C'mon, Luigi, I know you're smarter than that."
"Well, I..."
"Where were you going? The Warp Zone?"
"Yes, we were, but-" Luigi caught a glimpse of Toadsworth vigorously shaking his head. "Why are you here? You haven't answered my question, and frankly, your presence is pretty unusual. In fact, it's unsettling, Bowser. In case you haven't remembered, this is PEACH we're talking about. You know, the Princess you kidnap on a nearly scheduled basis? Why on earth are you so concerned about her?"
Suddenly Bowser turned very red. "Well, I, uh...um...er..."
"Enough dodging the question, Bowser. Why are you here?"
The fire was starting to warm up the group and the Princesses were slowly coming to. Bowser glanced around the room. "Kamek!" he barked.
"Yes, King Bowser?"
"Keep an eye on them. Luigi will follow me."
Luigi followed Bowser to the doorway and into the engine room. His curiosity had nearly overcome his concern by now. Besides, at this rate they had all technically been kidnapped- there wasn't much he could do, and Bowser was acting so strangely that there seemed to be little immediate danger. Finally Bowser turned around and took a deep breath.
"Luigi."
"Yes?"
"No one can know what I'm about to tell you. I'm binding you to secrecy under penalty of my wrath."
"Right. Continue."
"Okay..." here Bowser took another deep breath, as if steeling himself for some sort of blow. "There's something about me that no one except Kamek knows, and that's because I trust him implicitly. Here it is - I really don't hate Mario."
"Really. Okay, sure."
"No, let me continue. I don't hate Mario. I don't hate you, or Yoshi, or the Toads, or the Princesses, or any other person I've ever fought. The fact is...I've always needed conflict. I've lived for knowing that any moment someone would smash through my stronghold's door, demand Peach back and fight me for her. For years now I've done the same thing time after time. Honestly, though, you didn't think I was that slow, did you? To use the same tactics and weapons over and over and over again and expect that somehow I'd manage to keep Peach captive? I know what insanity is, Luigi, but I was never taught to be a hero. I've got no idea how to rescue a princess - it's not part of my traditional family training. The Koopas are a proud family of conquest, victory, and manifest destiny. I was taught aggression and power and political expertise. I was given a drive to reach for more no matter how much I had, and for a long time I loved it, because, well...it was exciting. It gave me meaning. The very first time I kidnapped Peach it was thrilling, no- exhilarating! I'd never had so much fun! But..." Bowser trailed off uncertainly.
"But...?" Luigi asked.
"But then you and Mario came along. I realized that there was someone out there willing to stand up and fight me, and I was even more motivated to fight once you proved yourselves worthy foes! I came up with more complicated plans, improved my arsenal, and developed some new tactics, but the goal was always the same. I knew that if I kidnapped Peach, you two would come for her - and then you introduced Yoshi and so many other characters into the conflict! Time after time, I left a loophole with which you guys could defeat me, and you always figured it out. One day I realized something, though, and it left me terrified."
"And that was?"
"I wasn't getting anywhere. The back-and-forth exchange was pointless. I was accomplishing nothing. So I poured everything I had into a new scheme - taking over the Sprixie Kingdom. I assumed I could conquer it without your interference. I was mistaken. Even Peach came along and together you all defeated me again! It was then I finally came to terms with the thing I'd been trying to hardest to deny. I've always been wrong, and you've been right. Never once have I had a justifiable reason for putting my troops on the line. Never once has kidnapping Peach resulted in something constructive. I've made myself the enemy of almost every decent person on this planet, and what have I gained? Not power. Not prestige. Not even victory, because I open myself to lose. Certainly not the affection-" At this Bowser stopped cold.
"What were you about to say?" asked Luigi.
"It's meaningless, Luigi," said Bowser, tearing up a second time. "Utterly meaningless. I've helped no one, hurt others, and pursued an empty lifestyle of giving people a hard time because I thought it meant something. I could have had so many more friends, caused so much less trouble. I could have even-"
"No, I mean it. What affection were you talking about?"
Bowser stood uncertain, like someone considering a high dive. After a very long pause, barely breathed out one word.
"Peach's."
"Hold on! What did you just say?"
"Please! I know it would never work - we aren't even the same species. At least I could have been her friend, though - maybe helped defend her from some other attacker. As it is, she hates me, and how can I blame her? Far as she knows, I'm a power-hungry and apparently rather slow villain who seems to exist purely to make life difficult for her. It's no wonder she loves Mario - he's actually done something to deserve it."
"That's not really how love-"
"It's too late to change now, though. I've set this road, and I don't see how I can get off of it. When I heard of the storm I couldn't help myself. A troop told me how the castle collapsed, and I knew the Warp Zone would fail,. When this is all over I'll make sure Peach and Daisy are safe, but they won't know I had anything to do with it. Neither will the Toads. But I can't make you forget - you're still strong, despite all you've been through tonight. You have to promise me, Luigi. No one can know what I've told you. Ever."
"But Bowser..."
"ENOUGH!" roared the Koopa King with more passion than Luigi had ever before heard. Suddenly Kamek appeared in the doorway.
"The storm is dying, my king."
"Then get us back to the Mushroom Castle. You know what to do from there."
"Understood."
Luigi looked at the formidable king. Never had Bowser looked so different, so hopeless, and Luigi wished he knew what to say. Nothing came. They sat in silence, until Bowser seemed to notice Luigi as if for the first time. "Kamek!"
"Yes, my king," replied the Magikoopa from the doorway.
"Get Luigi out of my way." He said this as if angry, but his voice quavered a little as he said it.
"Yes, your majesty."
Without another word Kamek beckoned to Luigi, who followed him into the same room he'd found himself in. The Princesses seemed to be asleep, but the color had returned to their faces. Most of the Toads had dropped asleep as well. Kamek waved his wand, and...
"It's almost unbelievable!" Peach continued as Mario, Yoshi, Luigi, and Daisy sat listening. Imagine Daisy and I and all those Toads having such a similar dream! The castle collapsing, Luigi rescuing Daisy from the pipes, the struggle to the Warp Zone! It's almost uncanny- it felt so real! I don't know what we were reading when we fell asleep but I hope it never happens again! I guess it just goes to show what happens when there's a long enough storm. Imagination goes crazy!" She laughed, and most of the table chuckled with her.
Luigi stretched and stood up. "I have to take a walk."
"Want me to come with-" began Daisy, but Luigi stopped her.
"No, I'm just stretching my legs. Thank you, though."
He walked across the castle drawbridge and towards the road to the Warp Zone.
"Think, Luigi. Could it have been just a dream? It seems so unlikely, but, what other explanation is there? Bowser could not have possibly-" he halted, seeing something unfamiliar on the roadside. Peering closer, Luigi realized it was a masthead from a boat, but its sheer size and familiar horn quickly pointed out its origin. Standing up and taking a long breath, he looked towards Bowser's castle.
"So it really did happen, hey?"
Just then he heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Don't worry, Kamek."
The rustling stopped.
"His secret is safe with me. Tell him one thing, though. Last night, if for just a little while, he really was a hero."
The rustling continued for a little longer, than stopped again. Luigi turned and walked back up the path towards Peach's castle.
"One day maybe they'll know the truth too."
(A new story will start after Thanksgiving)
November 8, 2015
Vol. 4, Ch. 4 - Interception.
"How on earth..." began Toadsworth, but Daisy stopped him.
"Don't try to get me talking just yet. I'm not really strong enough." Having said this, Daisy went unconscious again.
"How did she hold her breath so long?" asked a Toad incredulously.
"She didn't," replied Luigi. "Something tells me she had help. Alright everyone! We can't stay out here- we need shelter, and fast. This storm isn't finished yet!"
"Where do we go?" asked Toadsworth. "We lack transportation, and walking is even more dangerous. Good heavens!"
He said this because Peach had collapsed a second before anyone could notice.
"Okay," said Luigi, shaken but resolute. "We don't have time to lose. Where's the closest Warp Zone?"
"About sixteen yoshisprints!" replied a Toadette.
"Alright. We don't have time to lose. Let's a-go!"
As they began their march, with three Toads carrying Peach and Luigi carrying Daisy, Luigi began calculating the next move to safety. Two Princesses were soaked and unconscious, and the castle staff wasn't much better off. With winds still threatening to turn tornado and the rain hindering every step, they needed to reach shelter - any shelter, if they wanted to have even a chance of avoiding further disaster. The castle, totally collapsed, was not an option, and its isolation meant that only a Warp Zone would get them far away enough from the storm. They would have to warp to whatever area was available, regardless of what that might be. Luigi hoped against hope that the Zone was still intact.
"Steady, old chaps!" cried Toadsworth to some struggling Toads ahead of him. "We'll make it alright now!"
The old Toad's optimistic attitude reassured Luigi. A few yoshisprints, and they'd be safe in Sarasaland, or Yoshi's Island - whichever was easier to reach first. Suddenly he noticed a light up ahead.
"Ho there!" cried Toadsworth. "I say, what's that?"
Luigi paused. He felt sure he'd seen those two orange lights before, but he shuddered to imagine the consequences if his perception was correct.
"Keep moving!" he shouted.
Suddenly with a speed rendered nearly unbelievable by the rain the lights began approaching the group. Luigi gasped.
"Get off the road! For goodness' sake, get off the road!"
It was too late. Only a second later the group was face to face with Bowser's Koopa Clown Car and a gigantic airship. Luigi checked his arsenal. One Fire Flower and a Mushroom were all he had left. There was no way he could withstand Bowser's force. He looked up at the hateful rotund smiling ship.
"Go ahead, Bowser!" he yelled. "Just you try and take 'em!"
At this Bowser suddenly appeared out of the top of his car. At least, it sure seemed like Bowser. This fellow had the horns, hair, spiked shell, and eyes, but for all of that, Luigi hardly recognized the Koopa King. Instead of the triumphant look he should have been wearing, Bowser looked worried- no, panicked. In spite of the rain and the wind, Luigi could see his nemesis was on the verge of tears. The two looked at each other for just a second. Turning around his car, Bowser roared at the airship:
"I've found them! Get them on board!"
"What do you think you're doing, Bowser?!" shouted Luigi.
There was no response. As the airship began descending Luigi saw Kamek standing on the edge of the ships' prow. He wound up his wand and...the group found themselves suddenly in the airship. Luigi darted a look around. The room was being warmed by a fire blazing on the hearth nearby. No guards were present, in fact, it looked more like Peach's kitchen than Bowser's dungeon.
"Luigi!" cried Toadsworth. "What happened?"
Before Luigi could respond the door to the room flew open and Bowser charged into the room.
"Is she alright?" he cried with a choking voice. "Luigi, is she alright? Please tell me she's okay!"
"Don't try to get me talking just yet. I'm not really strong enough." Having said this, Daisy went unconscious again.
"How did she hold her breath so long?" asked a Toad incredulously.
"She didn't," replied Luigi. "Something tells me she had help. Alright everyone! We can't stay out here- we need shelter, and fast. This storm isn't finished yet!"
"Where do we go?" asked Toadsworth. "We lack transportation, and walking is even more dangerous. Good heavens!"
He said this because Peach had collapsed a second before anyone could notice.
"Okay," said Luigi, shaken but resolute. "We don't have time to lose. Where's the closest Warp Zone?"
"About sixteen yoshisprints!" replied a Toadette.
"Alright. We don't have time to lose. Let's a-go!"
As they began their march, with three Toads carrying Peach and Luigi carrying Daisy, Luigi began calculating the next move to safety. Two Princesses were soaked and unconscious, and the castle staff wasn't much better off. With winds still threatening to turn tornado and the rain hindering every step, they needed to reach shelter - any shelter, if they wanted to have even a chance of avoiding further disaster. The castle, totally collapsed, was not an option, and its isolation meant that only a Warp Zone would get them far away enough from the storm. They would have to warp to whatever area was available, regardless of what that might be. Luigi hoped against hope that the Zone was still intact.
"Steady, old chaps!" cried Toadsworth to some struggling Toads ahead of him. "We'll make it alright now!"
The old Toad's optimistic attitude reassured Luigi. A few yoshisprints, and they'd be safe in Sarasaland, or Yoshi's Island - whichever was easier to reach first. Suddenly he noticed a light up ahead.
"Ho there!" cried Toadsworth. "I say, what's that?"
Luigi paused. He felt sure he'd seen those two orange lights before, but he shuddered to imagine the consequences if his perception was correct.
"Keep moving!" he shouted.
Suddenly with a speed rendered nearly unbelievable by the rain the lights began approaching the group. Luigi gasped.
"Get off the road! For goodness' sake, get off the road!"
It was too late. Only a second later the group was face to face with Bowser's Koopa Clown Car and a gigantic airship. Luigi checked his arsenal. One Fire Flower and a Mushroom were all he had left. There was no way he could withstand Bowser's force. He looked up at the hateful rotund smiling ship.
"Go ahead, Bowser!" he yelled. "Just you try and take 'em!"
At this Bowser suddenly appeared out of the top of his car. At least, it sure seemed like Bowser. This fellow had the horns, hair, spiked shell, and eyes, but for all of that, Luigi hardly recognized the Koopa King. Instead of the triumphant look he should have been wearing, Bowser looked worried- no, panicked. In spite of the rain and the wind, Luigi could see his nemesis was on the verge of tears. The two looked at each other for just a second. Turning around his car, Bowser roared at the airship:
"I've found them! Get them on board!"
"What do you think you're doing, Bowser?!" shouted Luigi.
There was no response. As the airship began descending Luigi saw Kamek standing on the edge of the ships' prow. He wound up his wand and...the group found themselves suddenly in the airship. Luigi darted a look around. The room was being warmed by a fire blazing on the hearth nearby. No guards were present, in fact, it looked more like Peach's kitchen than Bowser's dungeon.
"Luigi!" cried Toadsworth. "What happened?"
Before Luigi could respond the door to the room flew open and Bowser charged into the room.
"Is she alright?" he cried with a choking voice. "Luigi, is she alright? Please tell me she's okay!"
(continued later this week)
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