The sun can rise on more then just happy plains and pretty beaches. It also rises to greet the dark turrets and blackened walls of Bowser Keep. Complimenting the bubbling pools of lava and back lighting the various jagged rocks that surrounded the Keep, it was turning out to be a rather pleasant morning. Not all the time could one wish for a dark ominous cloud to crackle thunder in the background, sometimes even sunlight could make the dark castle look even more intimidating. Like a black shadow looming in the distance. Just how Bowser liked it.

There was a great rumble as the King awoke from his chambers. No one was allowed to enter when he was sleeping, (though it might have been just because of all the trouble he had to go through in order to get himself out of bed when he rolled on his back.) and the various minions awaited outside his chambers to report the daily agenda.

Thrusting the door open, a bleary-eyed Bowser used the back of his hand to wipe away at the sleepiness. Grumbling something about the cheery daylight sun, he turned to his chief supporter Kamek for the morning news. From a tall height, King Bowser loomed over everyone present.

"What do you have for me this morning Kamek? And spit it out. I have alot to do today."

Growling loud enough to shake the walls, Bowser was not so good with mornings. He set about grumbling to himself, as he ripped a small coffee cup out of the hands of one of his quivering Koopa's. It was a usual procedure to have the newer Koopa troops on morning guard duty, it helped them develop a sense of how Bowser acted. So they will know his usual grumpyness apart from his actual anger. It helped also to get them used to his grouchy demeanor overall. The only one in the room that seemed unfazed was Kamek.

"Yes your grace." Kamek replied calmly. Though the rest of the troops seemed to be unfamiliar with his morning routine, Kamek was used to it by now. A long time ago, he had been intrusted to take care of Bowser, and he was familiar with the King's habits. Taking his wand, he waved it in front of himself to make appear a ledger. Written upon it was the King's agenda for today.

"As usual, the troops are doing well. Though at the end of the month, you will have to pick a new KLOM member. I have taken the liberty of narrowing it down for you since the last Mario Raid, but there is still several to choose from."

Taking a sip of his coffee, Bowser's eyes were getting clearer and his head was unstuffy from his morning fog. Giving his shoulders a rotate, he tossed the empty cup behind him for one of the men to catch. The cup fell to the ground with a crash, making the hulking leader turn around to stare at the shaking form of the Koopa responsible. The cup lay broken at the Koopa troopa's feet, hands raised in their failed attempt to catch the mug. One bushy eyebrow raised as the King looked the small turtle over.

"Hm... I've never seen you before soldier, state your name!" Bowser rumbled, looming over the shaking turtle.

"Y..y..yes..sss sir! Mma my name is Lenny Koopa. Sir!"

Throwing up a stiff salute, he stood sweating from his forehead as he awaited his fate. The prior raised eyebrow shifted from one side to the other as he pondered the new trooper over. Turning his back to him, Bowser brought up his hand and waved it dismissively.

"Don't let it happen again." The King said as he faced the opposite direction, his attention ahead at the hallway beyond. A sigh of relief came from the soldier, but then he noticed Bowser's pointed finger had not fallen, but instead was shaking side to side slightly.

"But, if it does happen again... Then you will be forced to stand at attention at your post, in you heart boxers and salute everyone who passes by. So make it a point not to repeat your past mistakes. Got that soldier? Clean that mess up. Now!" Bowser barked, stalking off down the corridor with Kamek following close behind.

Face a bit red at the idea of saluting to everyone in his Boxers, he turned to the other soldier that had stopped to help. Casting a wary eye to his King, he spoke in hushed tones to his companion as he started to pick up the broken bits. "...Is he psychic?"

The other, slightly older and more experienced trooper shook his head. He cupped his hands to gently accept the pieces of the broken cup to throw out. "Nah. We all have heart boxers. It's part of the uniform. We all got the from Koopa basic training."

He said nonchalantly and with a shrug. He really didn't mind the boxers himself, he found them rather comfortable under his shell. Frankly, it was a lot better then being naked when Mario came along to 'borrow' his shell. But some things were best experienced as a surprise. No one had warned him on his first Mario raid, kind of a 'breaking in the new guy' tradition, so he wasn't going to ruin the novices 'fun'. Nothing said, welcome to the army, like walking to your bunk in your boxers. And the day waiting period to get a new regulation shell, helped too.

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"That was nicer then I expected from you, My Lord." Kamek shot a look over his shoulder at the two Koopas before he followed Bowser around corner. He trailed after Bowser, flipping through his ledger as he spoke his next statement. "... It must be because 'she' is here, isn't it?"

Kamek surmised, conveniently looking away as Bowser stopped and squinted down at him. But the larger reptile's intimidation technique would not work to the older Magician. After a few seconds Bowser looked away and made sure no one else was watching before he let himself sigh. No sense in letting his troops see him in that state, he had an image to uphold.

"You know me too well Kamek. But speak a word and I don't care how long you've been watching over me, I shall feed you to the Piranha plants."

The threat was said low and real, which Kamek already knew. He hid a smile at the King's reaction, secretly enjoying being one of few who could push Bowser's buttons and get away with it, to a degree.

"My lips are sealed. But there are a few more things on the agenda before we reach the top most tower."

Bowser was about to deny his destination before he remembered who he was talking too. Stupid magician. Atleast his magic can't help him win at poker, or I would never get back at him. Bowser thought to himself as Kamek picked up were he had left off in the list. They continued up and down the twisting corridors, till they came to a lone set of dark stairs leading upwards.

"I will take my leave. Make sure you get those errands done soon. We don't know how long we have till Mario arrives." And with a wave of his wand, Kamek vanished. Bowser sighed again, I wish teleporting was easier for such a noble frame as myself. Such is the burden of being King. But as King, he had his duties to perform, and greeting his 'guest' was one of them.

Turning his attention to the stairs, he complimented Kamek's sense of taste. The passage itself was dark and foreboding. Small torches fought against the darkness creating moving shadows, like shade monsters ready to pounce on anyone who dared to come near. There was one thing though that seemed out of place. Fresh from the cleaners, a royal red carpet coated the middle of the stairs stretching all the way to the top. While the rest of the scenery was that of gloom and despair, the carpet was brighter and rather cheery for it's location. But he was a King after all. And the prisoner contained in the tower was also a Princess. THE Princess.

Walking up the stairs, he enjoyed the cool feeling of the carpet under his toes. Up and further up he went, having put her in the highest tower in his castle. It was great exercise, and he could use a warm up to start his day. Reaching the top, he noticed the door was already open. He could hear a soft sob coming from the room, but it sounded like it was being choked back and struggling to be hidden. Peering towards the sound, he noticed the Princess Toadstool hunched over in one corner of the room.

"Ahem, Good morning Princess. Nice weather we are having." Coughing before he spoke, he hoped to get her attention. He then awaited her response.