The Draconian Star
An Original Concept of Laserai
Revised and Created By: Mistress Kasumi
Legal Notation: This Fanfiction makes use of story elements that belong to NINTENDO Co., SQUARE-ENIX Co., and other copyright holders and are being used for strictly creative means. We only lay claim to the original story line itself.
Author Notes: This story borrows elements from all over the Mushroom World and its many games. This is in no way to be taken as canon. I have no idea or intent on debating what Nintendo's true designs are for many of its characters and is an artist's interpretation of events in the games or story-line. It is in no way to be taken as fact or regarded as such. If you disagree or think it all to be tripe then please move on and disregard the story completely. However, if you're willing to open your mind to a new idea then stay on for the ride.
In this chapter, focus shifts to the Darklands and to their current affairs. As far as timing is concerned, this is the very next day.
Due to the temporary change of location, the POV will not be on Peach obviously but be told 3rd person for the most part.
The Legends Were True
Another day begins in the Darklands like any other for this semi hostile environment. Despite the time of day, it generally remains dark all the time as the name implies thanks to neighboring open mouth active volcanoes which continually throw acrid smoke and ash into the air. Include the many open pits of lava and magma which crisscross and flow throughout the land all of them somehow conspiring together to blanket the entire country in never ending night as a black cloud which even blocks out the sun and stars. Not since the early days of the land when it was once known as the Valley of the Koopas has there been a clear sky.
But this is a story of another time.
Suffice to say, the environment keeps the climate consistently dark and dry. The only source of light being the volcanoes and pits of magma and rivers of lava we mentioned earlier. No one knows why it is the land unlike the rest of the world never truly recovered from the great cataclysm which nearly destroyed the Mushroom World nearly a millennia ago. But the mighty Koopa clan adapted to the new environment and learned to survive and now thrive in this unique area.
Focusing just 50 miles from Barrel Volcano, we come to Bowser's Keep.
Activity even at this early morning is already getting underway as their high in the dark sky, several squadrons of paratroopa can be observed flying guard formations around the keep patrolling for potential threats. The massive castle drawbridge is currently down even at this early morning for the comings and goings of visitors and the keep's many inhabitants. Two magikoopa in dark blue robes are noted standing at attention at the keep entrance keeping a wary eye as they carefully observe traffic to and from the castle.
Within the castle walls, particularly with their Koopa King, there has been little activity. Bowser's mood as of late has been less than ideal.
Much weighs on the King's mind from the seemingly endless defeats handed to him at the hands of that pesky plumber to his recent forced wedding plan failure during the Odyssey Occupation. Lately Bowser has resigned to his room to mull and sulk over his latest bitter defeat. Not wanting an audience with anyone without good reason, only Kammy is permitted to continue to administer to him and talk with him directly.
Bowser Jr currently oversees the general affairs of his father Bowser's realm for the time being. Because of this, peace resides as no ambitious plans are being concocted or carried out.
The Kooplings, Bowser's adopted children have had a lot of time to reflect on the past events and their own share in defeat at the hands of the plumbers. At first, it was an outright hatred that consumed many of their thoughts and all they could collectively think about was revenge.
However as time went on, the wayward koopa children were forced to look within just why it is they were defeated. Some turned to cultivating their physical strength through an intense daily regimen of training by taking lessons from various Koopa masters of various combat forms scattered throughout the Darklands.
With time, dedicated training and copious amounts of patience, the Kooplings learned to let go of their hate focusing on bettering themselves instead. This caused a complete transformation of mind and body so that they shed their childish mentalities and appearances to eventually stand tall as young adults. Those years of them being immature children are long gone and never to return.
Ludwig and Roy, who now have physiques almost on par with Bowser, were among those traveling abroad seeking a form of enlightenment from various Koopa combat masters. The two brothers have become well known throughout the land for being especially protective of their only sister Wendy and have an established reputation of beating down anyone who speaks ill or disrespectful of her. Whereas in the past, they would have cared less now her new attitude and appearance has earned their deep respect and very protective nature.
Wendy rather than choosing to stubbornly retain her bratty ways as a spoiled koopa princess decides to take lessons from Kammy who helps her with a latent special ability she has never nurtured before. Her special ability is related to her magic projection ring manipulation skill she has always relied on in the past. Kammy notes the rings or braces on Wendy's wrists are actually magi limiters of some sort she has worn since birth. It is also noted that they have actually grown in size and power with Wendy as she matures and have never been taken off not even once.
But limiters specifically for what?
Kammy does not know and apparently Wendy has never known. Only that she was told never to take them off unless she absolutely needed to. Who it was that told her these crucial words or what would happen when she finally does even she doesn't know. But perhaps under Master Kammy's teachings she will one day find out.
It is because of those mysterious limiters, her innate ability with magic and Wendy's willingness to change that Kammy is more than happy to take Wendy as her next official apprentice especially since Kamek is more than capable on his own. The intense training from the wily magikoopa sensei gradually whips Wendy's body and mind into shape.
Wendy over time loses her childish physique and now stands at a height equal to Peach due to both the brutal training and growth spurts brought on by puberty. This dramatic change in her physique has now given her a voluptuously perfect hour glass figure. She is proud of her 36D bosom which attracts all the attention, her long natural blonde hair which is a rarity within the Koopa clan and impressive backside which is decidedly firm due to her tiring training sessions with her magi master Kammy.
Wendy is no longer that snotty and irritating girl no one wants to be around but is now a young adult princess, Bowser is proud to have as a daughter. The fact that she is adopted means nothing to Bowser especially now after her positive changes to herself. As a result their relationship has improved greatly because of it.
Wendy has also grown in popularity to become the idol and fantasy of many koopa throughout the land. Wendy still loves her pink and tries incorporates it into everything she wears.
Iggy has also changed as he is now a six foot tall and slender young adult koopa who spends many of his days in his lab going over various past scenarios deciphering what was giving the Mario brothers the combat advantage with hopes that he can eventually discover some kind of weakness. As it stands, he is on scenario 3,405 and still counting. He has also advanced considerably and become an expert in the sciences and engineering. In fact, he has become one of the world's leading authorities on ship design and engineering.
When Kammy is not busy training her new protégé Wendy, she works alongside Kamek in teaching classes and instructing the next crop of magikoopas in the koopa tech magic arts.
In times of peace like this, all one can do is strive to keep busy and ward off idle hands.
It is during one of these training classes, on this particular day something unprecedented happens.
Kammy has already gone through roll call for her class and is just getting up from her desk to go to the chalkboard when suddenly she falls to one knee as a strange feeling of dizziness falls over her. During this time, multiple images and visions fill her mind. This transpires while she continues to pause on the floor with her head down and eyes closed as a faint aura slowly begins to surround her.
Several of the magikoopa students run off to find Kamek, the headmaster of the school in hopes they can figure out what's wrong with her.
When Kamek is found and finally enters the classroom, he first sees Wendy who sensing something wrong with her master had come running bursting into the class not seconds earlier. Not being able to reach her master by voice, Wendy has resigned to just sit and watch her sensei carefully with growing concern etched on her face.
Kamek finds his mother levitating in the middle of the room with a brilliant white glow emanating from her.
Her entire appearance has also gradually begin to change as her usual royal blue robes have now become an incandescent shimmering white. The signature pointy wizard hat Kammy rarely takes off has completely disappeared and in its place is a simple white gold tiara with a glowing pearl gemstone at its center.
As time progresses, something odd begins to happen as wrinkles literally begin to melt off of Kammy's face and visible body. Her body in particular also begins to glow with a shimmering aura which continues to get brighter and brighter making it difficult to see or observe what is happening to it. As Kamek stares at her intently he determines she appears to be completely involved in a complex multi-step magikoopa incantation spell the likes of which he has never seen before as her lips are moving so fast he can't determine what it is she is saying.
At the same time, a pillar of shimmering white light much like what is covering Kammy suddenly shoots straight up from where she is levitating somehow penetrating through the roof of the school as though it isn't even their and shines straight into the Darklands sky so that all around can see it. In fact, the constant beam of incandescent white light is so powerful it can even be seen as far away as the Mushroom Kingdom but more on that later.
Kamek always figured his mother was quite knowledgeable about a number of different things in the world but this is a first for even him.
As Kammy goes through each step of the ancient incantation she is caught up in, a medium sized emerald green triangle first appears and begins rotating slowly. As the triangle begins to spin faster until it is a blur, another shape appears in the very same place in the air as the already spinning triangle. This time it is a sapphire blue circle. This shape like the triangle also begins rotating in place in a slightly different rotational axis until it resembles a sphere or ball intermixing with the already spinning triangle. And yet another shape this time a ruby red square becomes visible like its predecessors and spins on yet another rotational axis in place.
Soon all three of the shapes begin to gradually overlay each other. As if the spectacle of shapes isn't a sight to behold at this point, soon their rotational speed increases rapidly until they are moving so fast they seemingly morph and form into a single orb of varying colors as streams of light shoot out in harmless rays of different colors of the rainbow from the center even as the pillar of light continues to shoot from the epicenter of all this lighting up the Darklands skies.
All the while, Kammy remains sitting and levitating in her glowing white form with her hands outstretched above her with the menagerie of light above and around her. Eventually the orb of light begins to alter shape until finally a star shaped box appears in its place covered in a glowing golden sparkling aura.
Alas, the believed to be lost ancient relic of the Mushroom World has returned to the moral realm.
Kammy lowers herself to the ground as the golden relic lowers from its elevated place in the air above her to head to come to rest in her lap. Kammy remains seating crossed legged for a few more moments before opening her eyes. The incandescent aura has departed from her and so does the awe inspiring pillar of light but her robes remain impeccably white and slim and her newfound intricately beautiful white gold and pearl tiara remain in its place.
What is more, her age has reversed drastically so that she looks exactly like she did in her early 20's. It would appear that particular feature remains permanent. A definite perk of finding the artifact and being knowledgeable in the advanced koopatech magic arts. Not that she would ever complain.
Kammy looks down at the box curiously then looks up at Kamek, Wendy and other members of the magikoopa school teaching staff who all wear gaping mouths like that of a fish.
Kamek looks at his mother incredulously. "What was that?"
Kammy says nothing shrugging her shoulders but continues to stare at the relic box thoughtfully.
Meantime in the Mushroom Kingdom
The bright pillar of white light does not escape notice in the Mushroom Kingdom. One scholar in particular who has been busy reading through ancient documents recorded in the royal library takes note causing his face to pale immediately. The young toad scholar with midnight blue spots on his mushroom cap, wearing a robe of royal blue and reading glasses which may as well be permanently fixed to his face stumbles back at the sight nearly tripping over his own chair. As soon as the light pillar subsides and disappears he bursts out of the royal library and begins scaling the fleets of stairs as he has urgent news to report to the Princess.
If everything is going according to plan, Princess Peach should be in the castle main hall as the town chiefs and mayors should be all assembling together after her being away for exclusive training. All the town chiefs, leaders and mayors are there. Some noteworthy names of mention include King Mallow of Cloud City, Yoshi from Yoshi's Island and Mayor Pauline of New Donk City among other visitors. As the scholar continues to traverse the long sets of stairs barring his way to the meeting hall several floors up, other events are unfolding back in the Darklands.
Returning to the Darklands near the Badlands
News travels fast through the Badlands of the strange pillar of light that shot into the sky from the KoopaTech Magikoopa Academy earlier that morning. In fact, it doesn't take long for Bowser to catch rumor of the strange occurrence bringing him out of his fugue surprising his son Bowser Jr as he emerges from his room for the first time in almost a month taking his place on his throne. Bowser Jr greets his father with a small smile upon seeing him then the two sit in silence for a moment.
With curiosity eating away at him over the odd rumors, the Koopa King summons Kamek and Kammy immediately.
Bowser doesn't have to wait long as Kamek is the first to arrive minutes later and Kammy is soon to follow though she is also being followed by a group of koopa, some magikoopa, some soldiers who had just been walking the hall and others with figurative hearts in their eyes.
Seems Kammy's insistent comments about her being beautiful in the past were well founded as the recent age reversal serves as undeniable confirmation of her claims. Unsurprisingly, Bowser doesn't recognize the white clad young and attractive vixen magikoopa that is until Kamek tells him this is Kammy.
Bowser having an understandable difficult time believing this rises up from his throne and walks around Kammy closely inspecting her. Kammy's height hasn't changed but she has definitely filled out. It would seem old age had not been kind causing the body to draw in but with the recent reversal, Kammy's assets she was so proud of have returned. Her curvy figure is back and the smile she has had on her face since the transformation won't go away.
"What sorcery is this?"
Kamek shrugs at the King's question as he is just as lost about what is going on as he is. Kamek briefly glances at his now youthful looking mother finding it hard to believe what has happened recently.
Kammy however seems to have everything in hand figuring out what has transpired as she pulls out a tome or ancient book from her robe looking up at them.
"That was a very old sealing technique which was developed by the early magikoopas of the Koopa clan. I remember reading of mentions concerning it in one of the forbidden scrolls."
"Apparently, during the early days of our country several relics came into the possession of the Koopa. However, a major global disaster caused most of them to be lost. Fortunately, through the founding magikoopas Karailia and Kaseus, they were able to place a recovery seal on one particularly important relic before it too left the mortal plane."
Kammy then reveals the star shaped box which had only materialized before her earlier during her transformation.
The magikoopa wizard now starts reading from the ancient tome she pulled out of her robes earlier: "The seals on this enchanted box are to remain dormant as long as it is undisturbed. However, once someone from the mortal plane touches the box, it will perform a bio scan. If the person who triggered the disturbance is a worthy magikoopa it will unlock at once. However, if that person proves unworthy then this box shall vanish returning to the negative plane until the right person is found. Only a person extensively knowledgeable in the magikoopa arts will be bestowed the honor as the emissary."
Kammy looks up from her book locking eyes with Bowser as she says with conviction. "Without a doubt, this is the enchanted box said to hold the most powerful relic of our world. Once initially discovered by my ancestors, Karailia and Kaseus, the archetype founders of the KoopaTech magic arts."
"So the rumors of the legendary Omega star were actually true?!" Bowser can't help but rise from his seat to stare at the enchanted golden box.
"I am afraid so. This box when opened will summon the legendary star into it but only if you are immediately near it. However, our ancestors wisely deduced this relic was too powerful for even them to use. This the location of the star itself was hidden away and the only relic capable of carrying it hidden."
"Our power is nothing compared to theirs."
"I am uncertain what to do with it. Legend has it all star elements of our world are directly connected or influenced by this one all-powerful star which is why it is also called the mother star. If the star is thrown out of balance, it could negatively disrupt the entire Mushroom World. And the term Omega is but one title given to it. This star is also called the Alpha star meaning it has the power to not only give life but also take it away."
Bowser's balls up a fist as he thinks of the cosmic opportunity this could bring. "We could use this star of great power to make the Darklands better then ever. We could even topple and conquer all other kingdoms expanding our realm to cover the entire globe."
His feeling of invincibility is fleeting as he sobers up quickly becoming somber once again. "But something tells me it won't be that easy will it?" Bowser scratches his head as he glances over at Kammy's youthful face as she shakes her head from side to side.
"Alas, my king, the power of this star is too great. Any attempt to use its power would almost certainly be folly. Anything we try to accomplish would become distorted. The side effects alone could actually destroy what we are after or worse. Not to mention it could attract attention from enemies . . . . If it hasn't already." Kamek looks from Bowser shifting his gaze to Kammy who nods at his conclusion.
"Be careful what you say, son. You may end up jinxing us or something." Kammy shakes her head warily.