Chapter 4: Diavolo's Debt

Bowser was running anxiously down a dark alley way in the middle of the night. He didn't know exactly where he was, but knew that he had to be there. He had done what he needed to do, and Bowser wanted back what was his.

He better not have hurt my son, Bowser thought to himself. If that bastard did anything to Bowser Jr...I'll kill him…

But Bowser hoped that it wouldn't come to that. The man, or whatever he was, was just too powerful to mess around with, Bowser now realized. He just hoped that his son was OK. He had stolen the Espiritu or whatever it was called; he just wanted this to end.

Suddenly, a voice sounded from above him. "Stop right there, Bowser!"

Oh god, he's here! Bowser said to himself. He better have brought Jr. along with him. It was too dark to tell…

"I have what you want, Diavolo," Bowser told him, "Just give me back my son and leave my family alone!" Diavolo suddenly appeared in front of him. Bowser jumped when he saw him; he never did get used to his appearance.

Diavolo was not a living person; he was a black, floating ghost, Bowser thought, but he was not positive. The one thing he did know what that the thought of him scared Bowser to death.

"Be patient, Bowser," Diavolo replied while walking around him, "You will get you want as soon as I have what I need. Give me the spirit now!"

Bowser was about to give it to him when he thought of something. "I want to see my son first."

"You will see your son when you give me the spirit. Now!"

Bowser hesitated, but knew that there was no way that he could bargain with Diavolo. He pulled the caged spirit out of his pocket and handed it to Diavolo. He smiled and began to walk away. "Now you know what happens when you don't pay me on time, Bowser. But I'm glad you didn't. Now there will be nobody who can stop me. My plan is flawless."

Bowser couldn't help himself. "What is it that you plan on doing with that?"

"Silence!" replied Diavolo. "It doesn't concern you!"

Bowser didn't ask again, but didn't leave just yet. "What about my son?" Diavolo looked at him as if he might hit him, but instead started thinking to himself.

"Hmm…" he thought to himself, "I will give you your son back if you come with me. Unless…"

"Unless…Unless what?" Bowser asked him eagerly.

"You sounded interested in the little plan I have. I can let you in on it, but then again I can't give you back your son right now. He will stay with us if you join me, and I promise that he won't be harmed. What do you think?"

Bowser wasn't sure about Diavolo; he had taken his son, after all. But then again he did owe that debt to Diavolo and didn't pay it; what would he himself have done? "What's in it for me?" Bowser asked curiously?'

"You know what's in it for you!" Diavolo replied. "All the money and power you could ever dream of! Know are you in or out, I must know now!"

Bowser thought about it, but knew exactly what he was going to say. Had he ever turned down an offer for money and power? Would anyone? "I'm in," he told Diavolo.

"Good, now follow me," Diavolo said, "We have a lot of work to do, and a lot of things to discuss."

Bowser followed, not really knowing what he was getting himself into.