"This is why I need your help," Bowser said to Ludwig and Lemmy as the two followed him through one of the castle's long, stone hallways.
It was now late at night, and Bowser thought he should show the two oldest Koopalings where they need to stand guard for the night. Leading the two throughout the castle, they had come across minions of various faces, including Motley Bossblob, Pom Pom, the Koopa Bros., and others. While trekking the establishment, they were greeted by a myriad of Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Spikes. Bowser had grinned proudly during this moment, obviously satisfied with what he had accomplished. Now, leading the eldest two of a clan of seven siblings that were among his most elite soldiers, he had a goal to capture a thief that had stolen from him.
Imagine that. Someone had stolen from Bowser, who was a thief himsel. It just bothered him so much to think that someone robbed the evil Koopa King. Not only that, however. The thief had struck him again. Already infuriated, this was he decided enough was enough. He had enlisted the help of Ludwig and Lemmy to capture any suspicious figures they see in the castle.
"I see," Ludwig replied, folding his arms. "I had other plans for tonight, you know."
"Don't be like that," Lemmy told his older brother. "We'll gladly help you, Lord Bowser."
"Good," the reptilian tyrant replied, reaching the large door at the end of the hallway. "In here."
Bowser opened the door, and his minions entered. He then proceeded to once again take the lead and came to a dead end with what resembled an elevator.
"Woah, is that an elevator?" Lemmy asked, happily.
"Yep. I've been working on upgrading things around the castle," Bowser answered. "Get in."
Bowser pressed the downward button to the side of the elevator and the doors slid open. The two siblings hurriedly stepped into it. Bowser followed suit. The doors then shut. The large Koopa then bent down to insert a floor to travel to. He pressed "B2", and the contraption began to perform its purpose.
"This feels so good!" Lemmy exclaimed, feeling the invention descend.
"Don't lose focus, Lemmy. We're here for a reason," Ludwig said to Lemmy.
"That's right!" yelled Bowser. "We should reach the destination in a few seconds."
He was right. At that very second, the elevator came to a sudden halt. Lemmy was thrown to the floor. His two companions laughed at him as he tried to regain his balance. Then, the doors once again slid open. Bowser exited first, and Ludwig and Lemmy followed him.
They found themselves in another hallway, but this floor was much darker. With just candles placed about every seven feet on the walls, the area had just below average illumination. Well, not for Bowser's Castle.
"I don't believe I've been here before," Ludwig said, gazing around with an astonished stare.
"Me neither," Lemmy said, almost hypnotized by the outright coolness of this hallway.
"Remember, you two have work to do. Follow me, again," Bowser said to the siblings.
He began to head down the long hallway. The two Koopalings followed him. Immediately, the two noticed that the interior design was so repeated, the hallway seemed to continue forever.
"How long have we been walking for? I'm tired," Lemmy complained.
"It's only been five minutes. Also, shut up," responded Bowser.
They continued walking like this for fifteen more minutes until they at last came to an open area wIth an extremely wide room. The ceiling was also very high, to the point where even Bowser could jump after least five feet.
Bowser started walking to the left, and the three of them came across two Hammer Bros. sitting on the stone floor. Upon seeing Bowser, they immediately began to appear as if they were working hard.
"Oh, Lord Bowser. It's so great to see you at this current time," said the first Hammer Bro.
"Yeah, we've been working so much, we lost track of the hour," added the second Hammer Bro.
"As if! I saw you guys relaxing. Give up the act," Bowser replied to the two minions, annoyed.
"Ah, man," whined the second Hammer Bro.
"All right. Listen up. These two," he started, signaling to Ludwig and Lemmy. "These guys are going to be taking your position."
"So you mean we're free?" exclaimed the first Hammer Bro., springing up from the floor.
"Uh, dude," the second Hammer Bro. said, cautiously pointing at the slightly miffed Bowser.
"It's fine. Get out of here," Bowser said to the terrified Hammer Bros.
"Yes, Lord Bowser!" the two yelled, bolting away from the three.
Once they left, Bowser got down to business. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Do your best," Bowser said, disappearing back down the hallway.
"So, Lemmy, who gets the first shift?" Ludwig asked his brother once Bowser left.
"Shifts?"
"Yeah. We take turns monitoring the area. Let's switch about every half of the hour."
"Okay. That sounds good to me," Lemmy agreed, pulling out his fists. "Rock-paper-scissors. Best of three."
"Deal," responded Ludwig, revealing his hand.
"Rock...paper...scissors...shoot!"
Ludwig chose Rock and Lemmy chose Scissors.
"Rock...paper...scissors...shoot!"
This time, Ludwig chose Paper and Lemmy chose Scissors.
"Last time. Rock...paper...scissors...shoot!" Lemmy yelled.
Ludwig chose Scissors and Lemmy chose Paper.
"Ha! I win!" Ludwig cried. He plopped down to the floor and began napping. "Wake me up in thirty minutes."
"Whatever you say," Lemmy said.
The following hours occurred like this. Ludwig and Lemmy kept taking different shifts. With the night growing restless, and with the watch seeming fruitless, it seemed like the thieves weren't going to show. On Ludwig's fifth shift, however, things began to change.
Ludwig went down one of the other hallays and came across three Koopas from the recent past. Bully, Kooky, and Cheatsy immediately eyed him as he rounded the corner.
"Hey! You're that punk from two days ago!" Bully yelled.
"Technically, it was three days ago. It's past midnight," Kooky told his brother.
"Don't do this now," Cheatsy responded, facepalming. "We have someone to have a little fun with."
"Hey, you're right. Anyways, what brings you here?" Kooky asked Ludwig.
"What do you mean? You should be asking why I wouldn't be here. You guys have been stealing from my boss!" Ludwig yelled aggressively to his enemies.
"The owner of this castle is your boss?" questioned Cheatsy.
"We're in luck, guys. It looks like we get to get some free money and settle some unfinished business," Bully said, cracking his knuckles.
"This castle is patrolled constantly. Any crime you commit can be tracked down," Ludwig responded to the three siblings.
"Well, then, why haven't we been captured for our theft of your boss's wealth?" Kooky asked sarcastically.
"Ugh...You guys are really getting on my nerves," Ludwig glared at them.
"You got on our nerves when you interfered with our fun," Cheatsy replied.
"That wasn't me! That was my younger brother, Roy!" Ludwig yelled.
"Either way, you were there and you're gonna pay," Kooky sneered at Ludwig.
As the three siblings prepared to attack Ludwig, the eldest Koopaling prepared himself for a fight. However, he received unexpected help.
"Hey, Ludwig! Your shift is up!"
The four Koopas turned around in surprise. Lemmy's footsteps got closer and closer until he eventually stood in front of them.
"Hey! What's going on?" Lemmy questioned.
"Oh, it's nothing. We were just preparing to rough up your brother," Bully answered.
"Yeah! Leave, or we'll hurt you, you little runt!" Cheatsy yelled at Lemmy.
"Leave my brother alone," Lemmy said, approaching the intruders.
"What was that?" Bully asked.
He ran towards Lemmy and threw a fist at him. Then, something wonderful happened. Lemmy caught Bully's fist. As Bully gasped in shock, Lemmy struck his shoulder and dislocated it.
"Aughhh!" Bully yelled in pain. "You'll pay for that! Get him, guys!"
Kooky and Cheatsy lunged at the tiny Koopa. Lemmy summoned some of his own special bombs and laid them in front of him and Ludwig. Kooky and Cheatsy came to an abrupt stop and crashed to the floor.
"Take one my step and I'll blow you to bits!" Lemmy threatened.
"If you light those bombs, you'll surely be injured as well," Cheatsy said, trying to get Lemmy to put the bombs away.
"No we won't. Ludwig!"
Ludwig pulled out his magic wand and waved it. Two dark-blue magical shields appeared ando encompassed Ludwig and Lemmy.
"These we'll protect us," Lemmy said. "You have nothing to protect yourselves."
"The one day we don't bring our wands," muttered Kooky.
"My pride is nearly depleted," Bully sighed.
"Ludwig! Lemmy! Is everything alright?"
Upon hearing Bowser's elephant-like footsteps approach by the second, Kooky revealed a device. He pressed a button on the contraption and he and his brothers disappeared into a bright blur of light.
"Thanks, Lemmy," Ludwig said, surprised with his younger brother's display.
"No problem, Ludwig. You would do the same for me," Lemmy replied as Bowser reached them.
"The thieves just left, Lord Bowser. They have a teleportation device," Ludwig said as Bowser reached them.