The Christmas holiday is almost over! Well, here's the next chapter anyway. Enjoy!

Chapter 11: Change of Plans

Bowser Jr. couldn't help feeling quite chipper as he was lead up the stairs to, he presumed, where his father would be waiting. He hadn't met with his father for nearly a week, and couldn't wait to hear his master plan on how to escape. He might also ask if he could bail out his other cellmates as well, as he had to admit they had become quite close. Even Mad Dog was beginning to warm up to him; the Chain Chomp didn't growl every time he approached him anymore.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking, he was lead into a small, pristinely white room, and sat on a chair, handcuffed to the floor by chains still long enough to give his hands freedom of movement, but short enough to prevent him from making a run for it.

He sat facing a thick glass screen, and on the other side sat his father; heavy duty chains bound him to his seat. At first, the young prince was overjoyed to see dad, but he soon realised his father looked a little… off. Maybe it was the way he sat, a little more slouched, or perhaps how he seemed to be a little but... smaller, but whatever it was, Bowser Jr. felt slightly worried.

"We will now be leaving you," said Mr Toadington, breaking the silence, "We will watch you via CCTV, but we won't eavesdrop. We respect your privacy. Speak through those telephones,"

As the Toad left, he gestured to a telephone laying on the small ledge in front of the glass. Bowser Jr. hesitantly picked it up and held it to his ear. He watched as his father slowly did the same on his suede if the glass.

"Hi, Dad," said the prince through the phone, "What's up?"

"Well," he sighted, his voice slightly crackly, "We need to talk… about escaping,"

"Ah, yes, about that, I 'm assuming you've brought me here to discuss plans,"

"Well yes b-"

"Y'know I was thinking; I like my new cellmates, so if your plan could get them out too then that'd be great!"

"No, I was going to say th-"

"And if there's anything we could do to help you out then I'm sure we'd all help!"

"Actually, I-"

"And I'm sure that we'd all be very grateful!"

"Junior!" Bowser shouted now, and Bowser Jr. sank down in his seat slightly; his father practically never told him off "Please listen to me… I'm sorry. I don't think I can get out this time…"

"What?" asked his son in disbelief, "But you're the great Bowser! You can't give up!"

"I'm happy you think that, but I'm held so tightly in my cell I can barely twitch my tail and they've modified the humidity in there, rendering my fire breath useless. I just don't seem to be able to get out this time…" he trailed off.

Bowser Jr. was left in shock.

"So anyway," continued Bowser, trying to put a positive spin on things, "How goes it with you? You mentioned your cellmates. I take it you're not their eternal master?"

"I don't think anyone could be their master, Dad," smiled Bowser Jr., "They're… independent,"

"Oh really?" chuckled Bowser, "Please, tell me about them,"

"Well, Rook, the Koopa, is a living calculator, Bishop, the Paratroopa, is the fastest of his kind in his age group, Bruiser is a Dry Bones who can punch down a wall, Sly Guy is a Shy Guy with surprisingly useful kleptomania, Mags is a Magikoopa, 'nuff said, and Mad Dog the Chain Chomp could probably destroy the moon,"

"So they've actually got proper villains in with you then," chuckled the Koopa King, "Nice,"

"They're not too shabby," admitted Bowser Jr.

"Well, it seems you've not done too badly in this place," noted Bowser, "So at least one of us is happy. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine,"

The Koopa King gazed sadly down at the floor, but jerked his head up again when he heard Bowser Jr.'s fist slam on the glass.

"You're not getting us out," he smirked, "Because I am!"

"No, Junior, don't even try," protested his father, "You'll be moved to Solitary Confinement. It would frankly take a miracle if you could get us out by yourself,"

"But I won't be by myself!" insisted Bowser Jr., "My cellmates will help me! Trust me on this!"

"No, Junior, just wait out your sentence," sighed Bowser, "Please, for your old man,"

"But I w-"

"Ok, your five minutes are up, let's get moving!" announced Mr Toadington, entering Bowser Jr.'s half of the room and cutting the prince KFC mid-sentence, followed by some Toads who began to unlock Bowser Jr.'s chains and led him away. Bowser could just see his son mouth 'Bye Dad' as he was walked out.

A single tear rolled down his cheek. He'd failed his only son.

Unfortunately, this touching scene was ruined when the phone went off.

"Hello?" he said to the caller, then became very angry, "No, I don't want to change my gas supplier!" he shouted down the phone.

Sorry that was a little short, but after this chapter the story really kicks off! See ya next time!