Chapter 8: Blacksmith

The Koopalings' boat ride was uneventful. After they were sure they weren't being followed, Morton broke out the food stores he had brought from the Clown Car. He didn't have much, but it was enough to sustain him and his siblings until they caught their first glimpse of the mainland Koopa Kingdom.

"Ugh, it's about time!" moaned Wendy.

"Look on the bright side, it could have been much worse. This is a courier ship, so it's really fast – anything else would've added another hour or two to the journey, at least," said Morton, unfazed by the prospect of a five to six-hour boat ride.

"Plus it's got great mileage, and huge fuel tanks," added Junior, still driving the boat.

"Bleh, who cares?" said Wendy rolling her eyes.

"Now you know how we feel every time you bother us about fashion, and makeup, and-"

"Butt-out Iggy," growled Wendy.

"He does have a point," said Lemmy.

"You stay outta this too."

"All of you, qviet!" ordered Ludwig. "Junior, see zat villiage over zere? It's Burt's Cove; zere's a train zat runs from zere straight to zee castle."

"Okay, I'll take us in," said Junior, but Ludwig shook his head.

"No. I'm still vorried about zee state of zis dimension: for all vee know, zee Kremlings could be here too."

"Doubt it," snorted Roy.

"Even so, vee should be careful. Take us norsz of zee town, and vee'll approach from along zee coastline. Vee'll stow zee boat in zat rocky area, see it? Zen vee'll go zee rest of zee way on foot."

"Fine," said Junior, all his rebellious thoughts having been quelled by the Kremling incident.

"Um," said Larry from the back of the boat. "I think we should maybe disguise ourselves, so we don't stick out. Y'know, even if it's still a Koopan port."

"Good idea," said Roy. "I could pass as a Boom Boom, but the rest of ya? No way!"

"There's a couple cloaks stashed under the chairs," said Lemmy. "Probably to keep the mail men or whatever dry if they hit bad weather."

"Great," said Wendy, helping her brother pull the material out into the open. "There's enough here to cover everyone."

"Zat is good news," said Ludwig. "You guys start cutting zee fabric, and Vendy and I vill fashion it into cloaks small enough for uz to vear."

"And I'll pilot the boat," quipped Junior.

-xxx-

The Koopalings landed the motorboat in no time, though there was a bit of a problem securing it, as all the mooring lines had been slashed during their escape from the Kremlings. Instead, Ludwig, Morton and Roy pulled the boat up onto a small shoal and blocked it from view with some boulders. No one would find it unless they climbed over the surrounding rocks, and between the cold ocean spray and pointed shale, the Koopalings doubted anyone besides them would attempt this feat.

The coarse black cloaks were terrible, but they did cover the kids form head to foot, their frayed edges barely clearing the ground. It was still afternoon, so even in shadow, the kids' faces could be seen, but Ludwig hoped no one would bother to look that closely. Aside from Rougeport, Burt's Cove was the seediest town on the eastern coast; people minded their own businesses, be they crooked or legit. The Koopalings were relieved to see the place crawling with Koopas: Clubbas, Troopas, even the occasional Boom Boom. There were also lots of hooded folk around, and no one paid the Koopalings any mind as they wandered into town.

"I vonder ven zee next train leaves," mused Ludwig.

"Hopefully before dark," said Iggy. "I don't like the looks of this place."

"Don't worry, there's lots of respectable businesses here, if you have money to pay for 'em," cackled Morton. "Besides, it's only 3:00: the south train arrives every day at the castle at 8:00, and it's only a four-hour trip."

"Only a four hour trip?" gagged Wendy.

"Well, if we have an hour before the train leaves, I suggest we get something to eat," said Junior, ignoring his sister.

"Vee should get tickets first," disagreed Ludwig. "Zen food."

"First we have to find the train," said Iggy.

"The central plaza's up ahead by the looks of it," said Lemmy, peering over his siblings' heads atop his ball (which was also hidden under his cloak). "They'll probably be signs there; some of us could get tickets and other could get food."

"Sweet," said Junior as the Koopalings neared the plaza. Like Rougeport, the centre of town was a large, cobbled clearing, but instead of the centerpiece being some ominous gallows, Burt's Cove housed a large gold statue. The Koopalings came at it from the side, and were shocked at the sight.

"Is that Daddy?" gasped Wendy.

"King Dad doesn't have a beard," said Iggy flatly.

"Nor a cape, and this guy's holding a scepter too, but on the other side…" Morton trailed off and started to circle around for a better look. The others followed.

"But, who else could it be?" demanded Junior.

"King Morton Koopa," said Ludwig, catching sight of a plaque on the statue's marble base.

"Morton?" repeated Wendy in disbelief.

"But that doesn't make sense," frowned Lemmy.

"Shaddup guys, people are starting ta look," cautioned Roy, but he was too late. An official-looking Clubba was already approaching them.

"Oh, shit," hissed Wendy.

"I'll handle it," said Roy, stepping forward to meet the Clubba.

"Hello," said the lugubrious Koopa. He had blue skin, a white belly and a purple shell. His hair and lips were orange. He wore a black vest and hat, with a green bow-tie and a red vest. "My name's Trubba."

Got that right, thought Roy, before speaking. "I'm Roy and dese are my travellin' companions. We're just passin' trough dis town."

"Foreigners, eh? Whereya from? Has ta be far for you to not recognize our king, yesiree."

"What? No, no, you've got it all wrong. Ya see, we know Morton," said Roy. "But where we come from, his statues are kept clean."

Trubba's eyes narrowed menacingly. Realizing his mistake, Roy hurried to cover himself. "I mean, I'm not saying it's yer fault: we don't have ta deal wid ocean spray and Goonie crap and such, but dey're all art critics and're a bit testy about dese tings. It's real annoying."

"Hey! Just because I have taste!" snapped Wendy, playing along perfectly.

"See what I mean?" sneered Roy.

Trubba laughed. "My brother Grubba's tells me about you artsy folk all the time, he says yer all a pain in the rumpus! Ya ever been ta Rougeport?"

"Yep, Grubba's your brother, huh? I love da Glitz Pit – some of my best moves were inspired by dem fightas. I considered enterin' but my Ma wouldn't let me. 'Said dere weren't enough Boom Booms in da world ta risk myself getting killed fer sport."

"Pity, pity," said Trubba, shaking his head. "You'd go far – I can tell. And my bro. loves rare species in his lineup: it brings a crowd. Lot's o' publicity, ya dig?"

"Yeah, well, we're tryin' ta keep a lower profile. Y'know, see da sights from an average shmo's perspective. It's dey're idea, I'm just da hired protection."

"I pity you. But if you've got the cash, there's some great art around Burt's Cove for your hippie charges. Heh heh, have a great time," with that Trubba smiled and marched off.

Once he disappeared down a side-street Iggy grinned. "Nice work Roy!"

"He didn't buy it," growled Roy.

"What? But we were great!" said Wendy, shocked.

"Doesn't matter, he's gone ta get da cops, I'm sure've it."

"But we haven't done anything wrong," said Lemmy, plaintively.

"Somesing's definitely wrong here," said Ludwig, looking darkly up at the Morton statue.

"And it just got worse," moaned Morton Jr. as a couple Koopatrols appeared in the direction Trubba had departed.

The Koopalings all turned in fear, but something caught Larry's eye. He turned to see another hooded figure, hiding in an alley and waving at him.

"I think that guy wants us to come with him," he said, alerting the others.

"What? We can't go with some strange, hooded character down a dark alley," protested Wendy.

"Vee have no choice, come on," said Ludwig, pushing past his sister and leading the Koopalings towards the figure. It slowly backed up down the alley, and as soon as they had all exited the plaza it turned and started running. The Koopalings pursued the figure, following them around a corner. This time, Roy brought up the rear, and as he turned the bend he looked back and saw the Koopatrols running across the clearing towards him.

-x-

The figure led them through a maze of alleys and streets. They met a few people, but they simply stepped out of the procession's way, and only a couple looked up at the commotion. Soon the figure ducked inside a doorway, Ludwig had misgivings about going into the dark room, but didn't pause to fret, knowing instinctively that danger was hot on the Koopalings' heels.

They toppled into the room and the stranger silently closed the door behind them, watching though a peephole as the Koopatrols obliviously ran right by and continued down the alley.

"That was close," he said, turning around. "Your story was good. Too bad old Trubba makes a living off of dishonesty: he's a walking lie-detector, that cad."

"If you don't mind us asking, who are you?" voiced Morton.

"And why'd you help us?" continued Junior.

The stranger pulled off his hood. He was a Hammer Bro. of some sort, but he didn't wear a helmet, and his matted, red, shoulder-length hair startled the Koopalings. "My name's Mark, I'll explain more upstairs – the Koopatrols might double back, and we CAN'T be overheard."

The Koopalings looked at each other uneasily, but as Mark started ascending the ladder leading to the second floor he smiled down at them. "Don't worry – if I planned to turn you in myself, I would've led you to the police station, not my shop. Come on, I'll get us some food."

"You got me," grinned Morton, springing forward and following Mark up the ladder with Junior close behind.

Roy scowled and followed his youngest brother, and the other Koopalings filled up after him. Iggy paused on his way up, looking over at Ludwig. "I know that face – what's wrong now?"

"I sink I know him from somevere," frowned Ludwig, nodding his head at hole in the ceiling leading to the second floor.

"Like that Mirror song?"

"Perhaps."

Iggy shrugged. "Well, we'll never know for sure unless we go up there." With that he continued his ascent, and after a moment, Ludwig followed.

-x-

The second floor was large and filled with clutter. The back of the house was all one room, with a door leading to the front. Mark appeared through this, having dropped his coat off in the bedroom. He set down a bowl of what looked like plain meatballs on the centre table saying: "Help yourselves. And make yourself at home. You can lower your hoods too, I know you're Dragon-Koopas."

"H-how?" stammered Wendy.

"Trubba," explained Mark. "He may've approached you because of the thing at the statue, but he stuck around profiling you because he could tell what you were. Though the Boom Boom cop-out was good: you guys are young enough to pull it of."

"You seem to know a lot about Dragon-Koopas," said Roy suspiciously, slipping off his cowl.

"Not really, I just know what young ones look like. Eat, I'll get some water… I'm afraid that's the best I can do."

"Don't worry, you don't even have to do that," smiled Morton, as he popped a meatball into his mouth.

Mark smiled sadly. "Oh, but I do." He disappeared into the other room, leaving the Koopalings to explore. He seemed to be a blacksmith, as there were a couple workbenches strewn with equipment and scraps of metal. There were a couple nearly-finished products here and there – most were intricate statues of various creatures: Sidesteppers, a Croctopus, Piranha Plants, a flight of Pidgits… He had a few personal ones too, it seemed. Ludwig was looking at a pretty silver stork on Mark's mantelpiece when he noticed a picture that took his breath away.

"What is it?" asked Lemmy, squinting at the photo. It was an old class photo; he couldn't pick out Mark, but another figure stood out like a sore thumb. She was tall and somber, wrapped in a dark scarf that covered her shoulders and chest. Her arms were crossed, and her hair was flawless. "Is that-"

"A Dragon-Koopa? Yes," said Mark, having reappeared. All the Koopalings watched as he walked over to Ludwig and Lemmy, took down the picture and sat in a chair next to the table. "Bowselta Parakay's her name, we were in the same class for a couple years. Then her parents died and she was run out of town. I never saw her again, until…" His voice almost seemed to catch in his throat as the let the sentence trail off.

"Vat happened?" asked Ludwig, fearing he knew the answer.

"You don't know? You must've traveled a long distance," said Mark sadly. "She was caught trying to steal a sword from the Royal Koopan Museum. Morton Koopa tortured her and killed her on the steps of his castle, supposedly to make a point that thieves wouldn't be tolerated. But most of us know he just hates anything that besmirches his species' superior name."

The Koopalings were horrified. Their mother was dead? How was that what she and Bowser needed? How did the Mirror think this would help them? Teach them to appreciate being alive?

"My mother took me to see it – she hated Bowselta for scarring her face. Mum had it coming though: she tried to steal Bowselta's mother's charm before they chased her away. Mother was one of the psychos cheering when Morton ran her through," Marks' hands were shaking as he bitterly recounted the horrors. "That's why I'm helping you: I don't want anyone else to suffer her fate. Wherever you're from, you've gotta go back."

He looked up at the Koopalings. Ludwig considered telling him the truth, telling him that somewhere, Bowselta was alive. But he knew he couldn't: it wasn't safe, for them or for Mark. The less he knew, the better. "Vee can't go back."

The others looked at Ludwig questioningly. He couldn't explain it, but he knew this horrible discovery wasn't the only reason the Magic Mirror sent them to that accursed dimension. Somehow, he knew the Mirror was still black.

"Why? Where are you from?"

"Overseas; our grandparents fled Morton's unification," lied Ludwig.

"Really? I thought Kaptain K. Rool killed them all…" mused Mark, fortunately missing the smirk Roy shot Iggy behind his back. "King K. Rool's not known for his honesty, but I don't see why he'd lie to boost his estranged brother's infamy; he gave up trying to convince people they were the same guy years ago."

"He killed most of them," offered Morton. "The Kaptain, that is. Our parents died recently, so we have nowhere else to go."

"Vee're headed to Koopa Castle," continued Ludwig.

"Are you crazy?" gasped Mark. "After what I just told you, you should know that's the LAST place on the planet you wanna be. Go to the Waffle Kingdom, get on whatever boat brought you here and get down to Rougeport. Morton's forces aren't nearly as prominent there – you should be able to barter your way onto a merchant ship."

"Rougeport? Just how much larger is the Koopa Kingdom in this dim- I mean, time?" demanded Junior, catching himself at the last minute and struggling to make himself seem less suspicious: "Um, we were sorta isolated overseas."

Mark eyed Junior and the others wearily, but answered them straight up. "When your grandparents left it was just Dark Land, right? Well now the kingdom extends across the entire continent."

"What?" gaped the Koopalings. It made some sense: Bowser and Bowselta wanted the Koopas to rule the world, and they were well on their way to that goal in this dimension.

"The Alligator Archipelago and the Waffle Kingdom are the only things left, and as you must know, Morton and King K. Rool made an alliance long ago. They'll probably take the Waffle Kingdom some time in the next couple years, but it's still your best bet for survival."

"Vee can't run," said Ludwig. "Vee have to finish vat vee set out to do."

Mark looked at him long and hard: the eyes, the hair – it was almost uncanny. "You remind me of…" he closed his eyes, and after a pause he nodded in acquiescence. "I'll help you. Eat up, the train'll be leaving in an hour. Leave everything to me."