Today was another normal day in World 8. Guarding one of the main towers that Princess peach was normally held in, (or anything that Bowser held captive on a whim for that matter), was a top priority for the soldiers. Especially considering how nice he actually kept it. But today, no one was being held there. Instead, the king was preparing his newest extravagant. Forcing Peach to marry him! (Again).

And because of this, a lot of planners were needed as well as caterers. So, a lot of the defense squad was given time to themselves for the moment. Including Kammy and Kamek. Normally, on days like today, the elderly Magikoopas would start training younger, more vibrant soldiers who wanted to become Magikoopas like them. Not all of them all elderly, contrary to popular belief.

But the pair of Koopa mages were busy yapping orders off to the planners, so their students were also given some time off. And one student in particular was taking advantage of this time, by brushing up on her work. A very young looking Magikoopa donned in an orange robe-a rank given to the apprentices when they earn their broomstick license. (Yes it should be a thing).

"So the Sleep Apnea spell causes the victim to lapse into-d-!" Unfortunately, she was interrupted by a squeaky noise.

SKRRRRRRRT

A noise which she already knew the source of. Bowser's Castle was large. No surprise there. And with that, came ample living quarters for every one of his soldiers.

Sadly, this Magikoopa was stationed in the worst area possible of the left wing: Near Fred's room.

"Dah! Come on, guys...!" The young mage jumped down from her desk and stomped over to her door. Removing her glasses, she looked through to see what was going on. Fred-a Goomba-was having another one of his game sessions in his room. Along with some friends. And this, she wasn't going to stand for.

Especially considering video games weren't exactly on her list of interests.

"I swear if he's playing that darn shooter and yelling at the top of his lungs, I'll extract them and turn them into…" she started going off on a mumbling rant to herself as she crossed the hall. On the way, she passed by someone else. Another soldier. A Paratroopa with a yellow shell and boots, as well as some sunglasses.

"Someone's having a bad time, huh?" The airborne Koopa said as the mage in training stomped by.

"Don't," she said bluntly before marching right up to Fred's door.

Casually so, the Paratroopa started using a nail file to rub his left claw with his right. "If you do things without thinking…"

"-I've heard that one a thousand times. Don't start with me, Nathan."

Not another word came from the Paratroopa, but he still stuck around to watch. Curious as he was. The Magikoopa pounded on the door. "Open up!"

A Goomba with a headset soon opened up the door. A game controller being held by an invisible hand. (Or maybe it's levitation. Who knows.) "Y-!"

But before he could get a word in, the Magikoopa had him lifted in a psychokinetic grip. "Listen to me you frat boy of a minion! I'm trying to work here, and I would appreciate a bit more quiet, please."

The Goomba simply looked at her for a moment. Then he let out a laugh, before rolling his eyes. "Hey, hey, calm down. I was actually planning to invite you over."

She groaned, giving him a look of pure dismissal. "I'm talking about the squeaky, ear-grating noise!"

"Noise?" Fred asked, "...you do realize my TV's off and I haven't started yet, right?"

And from the sidelines, the Paratroopa known as Nathan started to snicker. "Ooh, that must feel awkward inside, huh, Stacy?"

"..." A pause filled the air. Then she let the Goomba down. "...So if it wasn't you, then who made the noise?"

SKRRRRRT

It happened yet again, causing the three to look around to locate the source. Then they looked up and saw a Swooper.

"Yo, Tex," the Paratroopa called out, "is that you?"

And the Swooper looked down from the high ceiling of the castle hall. "Huh? Oh, sorry, ya'll. I was jus' searchin' for bugs up here with mah call. Am I disturbin' anythin'?"

The Magikoopa exchanged a nervous, but frazzled glance at the Goomba. She felt bad, not to mention awkward as well.

That's when Nathan spoke up once more. "Welp. Guess that's a bit more awkward for ya, huh? Now you gotta cough up an apology~"

She groaned, pausing for a second. But then she gave the smallest, quietest of apologies. "...Yeah, sorry…" And immediately after, she made her way back into her room.

Fred looked up at Nathan with a confused look. "What's her deal?"

And the Paratroopa started filing his other claw. "It must be that time of the month for her."