Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Mario or its franchise. It belongs to Nintendo and its creators.
Chapter Twenty-One
During the latter half of dinner things got boring. Mainly because King Boo had started talking a whole lot more. I wasn't really participating in the conversation, just picking at my desert and trying not to glare at that enforcer of his. Daisy, though, was humoring the king with gentle banter. That was sort of a surprise to me. The king was actually being somewhat civil. Until just now, that is.
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair. He stared at Daisy and then he stared at me. As soon as I locked onto those magenta, soulless eyes I tensed and sat up that much straighter.
"So how long have you been together?" King Boo asked the both of us.
I didn't think that was any of his business and I told him so. He only laughed good-naturedly. I hated to hear him laugh but at least he got the message to leave the topic alone. It didn't concern him. His enforcer, though, was another matter.
He gazed at Daisy and asked offhandedly, "So you aren't together?"
"We are." I told him curtly.
So back the hell off, I wanted to add but decided not to. It kind of went without saying, what with my cold tone of voice and all. Still, the enforcer stared at her. She was blushing a little bit, right on the apples of her cheeks. That let me know she was nervous in a bad way and not just shy or fighting a smile.
"Shame." Was the last thing the enforcer said.
His voice was quiet and wistful, but at the same time hard and aloof. I didn't know what his problem was, but I really wished he would leave Daisy alone. She didn't want him, from the looks of it, and I'd made it clear that we were together. What was it gonna' take for that to get through to him?
A good, solid right hook might do the trick
Yeah, but that guy knew magic and probably could fight well, too. He wasn't an enforcer for nothing, I bet.
With him silent, I began to tune out of the conversation again. I was really only waiting for Daisy to finish speaking with the king. I had nothing to say to him. But then things got interesting because King Boo apparently had something to say to me.
He addressed me with, "Luigi, old pal, I'm surprised at you."
I frowned and dropped my spoon onto my plate. I wasn't really keen on dessert anyway.
"Why is that?" I asked.
The king tilted his head and replied, "Don't you want to know how I got out of that blasted machine?"
"Not particularly," I lied.
I did want to know. I was curious. The last time I'd seen King Boo was when the professor and I locked him away and saved Mario. That was a while ago, though.
King Boo raved, "Nonsense! You must be wondering!"
"Not really," I told him calmly.
Daisy nudged me and whispered, "What is he talking about?"
"Nothing," I said, and then sighed. "I mean, just something that happened some years ago."
Somehow the king overheard her.
"You mean she doesn't know?!" King Boo exclaimed with a grin.
I winced at his loud, raspy voice and shook my head. I really would like to keep things that way. But it would seem the king had other ideas. He leaned forward onto the table and let his long dark hair pool over the white cloth. His eyes were glowing now and that fanged grin was at its peak.
"A long time ago, my dear," The king began conspiratorially, "Your boy and I had quite the time in old Evershade Valley."
Oh God, here he goes, I lamented. I hated that time. Sure it felt great to face my fears of freaky ghosts and it was nice to save my brother, but that wasn't one of my fondest memories. Given what happened, I didn't think that King Boo would cherish that night either.
Guess I was wrong
"While I was making merry and causing mischief," King Boo continued, "Luigi cavorted with that professor and spoiled all my fun. Sucked me into that blasted machine for all eternity, he did. But that's all in the past now because as you can see, I got out!"
The king laughed but when he sobered, his eyes clouded over with something sinister and he gave me a really evil smirk. One where that fang in the corner of his mouth, the longest one I believe, glinted malevolently at me. He leaned over to me so that only I could hear what he said next.
In a low, gravelly voice, he threatened, "And this time I won't be going back."
I swallowed but otherwise remained completely unfazed. On the outside. On the inside, I was starting to panic. What did he mean by that? How did he get out? And why did he look like he did now? Daisy asked aloud one of these questions that were bothering me.
"So how did you free yourself?" She inquired.
The king said, "I'm glad you asked, dear."
We both waited for him to elucidate but he did not. He just sat there grinning. I cleared my throat. He didn't respond.
"...Well?" Daisy prompted him.
King Boo said, "Well what?"
"Aren't you going to tell us how you got out?" She asked.
The royal replied, "Oh, Heavens no! But I am glad you asked."
I could have face-palmed. That was his game, then. Get us interested knowing he wasn't gonna spill either way. I was so done with this conversation but still Daisy engaged him.
"I think I have heard of you before," She started, "but weren't you a ghost? Like you, um, Boos?"
The king grew excited, "Yes! Indeed I was!"
"So what made you human?" She then asked.
He said, "Oh, now who said I was human?"
"But.."She faltered, "You look just like..."
I could see that King Boo was getting a kick out of this. Daisy was furrowing her brow trying to piece everything together. She worried the corner of her lip and drummed her index finger on her thigh. Then her light eyes widened and she addressed the king.
"After you got out of the, uh, machine that Luigi trapped it in," She began, "Were you hit by the Composition Curse?"
How very clever of her; I didn't even think about that. If that were true, it'd explain a lot. Like how, even though he looked human, King Boo was able to float around and pass through walls and manipulate things. Why didn't I think of that?
King Boo raised both his black brows and said, "Compa-what, now?"
Daisy explained, "Composition Curse: it's an attack that alters your genetic coding."
The king shook his head and said, "I was hit by no such curse."
I glanced up by chance and saw that the enforcer was eyeing Daisy intensely. He was gripping his fork with whitened fingers and his mouth was set in a firm, grim line. He seemed to be studying her. That unwavering stare was not sitting well with me. Then Daisy happened to catch sight of it and she paled. It unnerved her, too. So much so, that she rose from the table slowly.
"I'm tired," She said quietly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the meal, but I think I'll go to bed now."
And then she was leaving. It was about time. I pushed my chair back from the table and stood, intent on following her. I didn't make it two steps before I realized the hard way that my trainer laces were tied together. I fell forward but caught myself just in time. Instead of smashing my face on the polished floor, I landed in the push-up position. The culprit, a chunky, chortling Boo, floated up from the ground where my feet had been.
King Boo was in hysterics. Even his enforcer chipped a smile. I ignored them and climbed to my feet. Carefully, I untied my trainers and took a deep breath. It was nothing. I wouldn't let this get to me. Besides, Daisy wasn't here to see this; that did make me feel a small bit better. But I didn't trust myself to look at either the king or his lackey without cursing them out or even flipping the bird so I shoved my hands in my pockets and headed upstairs.
"Remind me again why we're here."
"...For the princess?"
"Right. The princess."
"Why do you, uh, ask?"
Because I hate this place and want to burn it to the ground
I decided to keep my sentiments to myself and sat on the bed. Daisy was already there so when I did sit, she put her hand on my arm. I took that hand and entwined it with my own. She smiled up at me. I just couldn't smile back, though. I really hated it here.
"You know he didn't even mention anything about helping us save her." I recalled.
Daisy said, "Maybe we'll all talk about it in the morning."
I bowed my head and murmured, "I hope so. Otherwise this trip would've been for nothing."
I felt Daisy tug on my hand when she said, "Hey. We've gotta stay positive, okay? Peasley had faith that this would work so we have to see this through."
I sat up and ran my free hand through my hair and said, "Yeah. You're right."
Daisy smiled and stood. "That's the spirit, Luigi."
You mean that would be the spirit if I were to actually embrace it; at the moment I really don't.
It was sad, but true. I was having a hard time believing that this would turn out in our favor, based on the way things were playing out so far. It seemed like King Boo only had one thing in mind; humiliating me. I flopped back onto the bed and wiped my hands over my face. When I peeked through my fingers and saw a Boo dipping down from the ceiling I cringed.
There was a knock on the door.
"Um, come in." Daisy called.
There were only two people that could have been at the door; I didn't want to see either one.
It was the enforcer.
He didn't open the door and step into the room like a normal person; no, he had to make an entrance. He had his arms crossed as he floated through the door and into the room. He hovered over to where Daisy and I sat and let his boots alight upon the floor.
"Evening," He greeted smoothly.
"What do you want?" I asked him wearily.
I sat up and noticed that Boo was a lot closer now. I tried to shoo it away but it was covering its eyes. When I turned my head, it licked my cheek. I glared at the enforcer.
"Can't you call this thing off?" I griped.
As I wiped my cheek, the enforcer jerked his head lightly to the side. The Boo vanished with a high-pitched chitter. The soldier glanced from me to Daisy. He let his eyes linger on her, much to her discontent, and I frowned. Between his blatant advances and the king's shenanigans, I was getting real fed up.
"Did you want something?" I asked him tersely.
Whatever it is, get on with it and leave
The soldier looked at me and said, "Even after all this time you don't recognize me?"
"What?" I replied.
Again he faced Daisy and said, "Princess Daisy of Sarasaland."
She paled and said, "How do you know who I am?"
"I've made it my business to know." He responded.
I frowned, "And why is that?"
He didn't answer me.
Instead he stated, "I know you, too: Luigi Mario, brother of Mario Mario. We've had a great deal of encounters, you and I. Although back then I worked for the Dark King."
Now I was puzzled. How did he know me and Mario? He said we'd had encounters. He definitely wasn't a friend, I would've known by now, so that made him a baddie. But who? I tried to think about all the guys we've fought in the past. Blue hair, green eyes. Wait a minute. This is actually ringing a bell. Then it came to me.
I could've kicked myself.
"Ludwig?" I tried.
He smirked and said, "The one and only."
Daisy's face lit up in recognition, then furrowed into an expression of confusion.
She said, "But...you were so little back then."
"I was thirteen." He explained.
Daisy asked, "How old are you now?"
"Old enough." He smirked.
She flushed and said awkwardly, "Oh. You've uh, lost all you baby fat."
"Would you like to see what I've gained in its place?" He asked, that smirk growing.
I still couldn't fathom that this lean young soldier was Ludwig Von Koopa. I mean, he was essentially the same but what had happened to the rotund little turtle beast that served under Bowser? While Daisy looked away with a faint blush, I laid into him.
"So you don't work for Bowser anymore?" I asked.
Ludwig rolled his eyes and said, "Obviously not or else I wouldn't be here."
His tone and sour expression denoted a sense of bitterness. I wondered why that was. But I had more questions for the grown-up Koopaling.
"Why are you in that form now?" I inquired.
With a tilt of his head Ludwig replied, "I think you already know."
"The Composition-" Daisy started.
Ludwig cut her off curtly and said, "Yes. That."
Now his face was withdrawn, unreadable, and his voice was low and quiet.
"But that isn't important." He claimed.
"Oh?" I said, "Then what is?"
"You two are planning to save your friend, the uh, princess?" He asked.
Daisy and I nodded.
"Well I happen to know how you can do that." He spoke.
"You'll help us?" Daisy asked carefully.
Ludwig studied his nails and said, "Yes. For a reasonable price."
And that's where he had me. I didn't trust him. Not at all. He was too slick and conniving, or at least that's the way he came off. Daisy had no qualms about receiving his help, though.
She asked, "What do you want."
"Not much," Ludwig said, "I'll let you know exactly what when your decision is final."
If I thought he was shady before, that did it. He couldn't tell us upfront what he wanted? Red flags were going off. Before Daisy could say anything else, I interjected.
"I think we'll take our chances with the king." I told him.
Ludwig smirked and said, "Good luck with that."
"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.
He shrugged and said, "King Boo might say one thing, but he sometimes means another. And if he tells you he'll do something, that doesn't mean he'll come through."
Daisy's shoulders drooped at this news and she said, "Oh."
I didn't lose hope simply because I didn't entirely take this guy's word as the whole truth. Why should I believe him? I didn't even like him.
"And what about you?" I asked him, "How do we know you'll come through?"
"Because I always do." Ludwig said simply.
Then he disappeared in a shimmer of blue smoke that smelled like something I couldn't name, something edgy. I frowned for the umpteenth time today. I was trying to figure out what made Ludwig leave Bowser, and what he was doing here, serving King Boo. And if he was here, where were the other Koopalings? Were they hit by the curse, too?
Maybe I should just leave all this alone
"So what do you think, Luigi?" Daisy asked me.
I didn't know what to tell her. On the one hand, we could use the extra help. But at what expense?
"I think we ought to leave him alone." I said. "He seems like trouble."
Daisy said, "But maybe he could help us."
"He can't be trusted." I reasoned.
She said, "Maybe you're right. But what if he was right, too? About King Boo."
That was very likely. The king has done nothing but tease me since I got here. But I still wanna take Ludwig's help.
"This kid used to work for Bowser." I pointed out.
"So did King Boo." Daisy reminded me.
"Well maybe we should leave both of them alone." I said wryly.
Daisy smiled sadly and said, "We have to at least try to work something out. For Princess Peach's sake."
"Alright." I acceded.
She and I removed our shoes and went to bed. It wasn't comfortable sleeping in my jeans but I made due by putting myself in the princess's place. I knew she had to be a lot worse off than me, being stuck with Bowser.
Daisy seemed to be of the same mindset because she seemed extra somber. The girl scooted close to me and turned to face my chest. I looked at her. Worrying wouldn't help the situation. I tried to convey this when I strained me neck down so that I could kiss those furrows out of her brow. She blinked up at me and laid her hand on my shirt.
"Luigi," She whispered.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're with me."
I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand and kissed her forehead again. Then I put my arm around her. I longed to kiss her lips. I knew they had to taste of white wine, that's the last thing that passed through them. But I didn't do that because she needed to be comforted right now. She was anxious and just needed me to hold her, so I did. And that's how we fell asleep.
Bowser had kept his word; after speaking with her in the garden he'd left the princess to her own devices. Peach was just glad to be rid of the king for the moment, never mind the fact that she was hopelessly lost in his castle.
Who knew this place was so large, Peach thought to herself.
She was trying to get back to the master bedroom, but somewhere along the line she'd obviously made a wrong turn or two. Or ten. From the garden she had backtracked to the throne room. She didn't remember if the bedroom was to the left or the right, or if it was down one of those halls near the entrance. She had decided to go past the double doors to the immediate left of the throne room. But that had led her to the ballroom. From there she wandered unsurely and had happened upon what she believed were the royal kitchens. That's where she was now.
The royal kitchens was ordinarily a busy place. Today was no exception. All around people were moving about, cooking and cleaning and doing their jobs. An array of scents could be detected and the cacophony of orders being given, of tasks being assigned could be heard.
Oh my, Peach thought. What a noisy place!
But she liked how the servants all knew what to do and how they all worked efficiently. They also worked together, in harmony. A smile was passed here or a chuckle there. It was a friendly atmosphere, something she had not expected to see at the Dark King's palace. The servants' cordiality with one another made the princess smile faintly. These people's congeniality reminded her of that of the toads back at her palace.
The toads, she thought, I wonder how they are doing. And Mario; how is he holding up? I hope they're all well.
"Princess?"
Peach looked around upon hearing the small voice. She saw that it was the Crown Prince who had spoken. He was there beside her, his nice clothes now dirtied and his face stained as well. He had his hair down and his feet still bare from this morning. She wish she had thought to keep a handkerchief on her; the boy was absolutely grubby.
"Yes?" she said in response to the child.
Junior said, "How come you are here? By the kitchens?"
For that she had but one answer.
"I got lost," She admitted.
Junior seemed to understand. He said, "The palace is a very big place."
"It is." Peach nodded politely.
"Are you going to um, eat something too? That's why I am here. I'm done with my training right now and I have to eat so I don't be hungry when I go back."
Peach wasn't quite hungry. Breakfast was still holding her over. So she shook her head and watched the prince tilt his head.
"Oh." He said. "Will you come sit to the table with me then? I have to sit up there all the way until the cookers bring me the food."
Take dinner with this child? I suppose that wouldn't be so bad, Peach thought. And it wasn't as if there were anything she particularly needed to be doing.
"Alright," Peach said.
Junior beamed and reached up to take her hand. Peach saw just how dirty, and how slightly long, his nails were. She wondered what his training consisted of, and why it would get him so dirty.
When the two of them got to the dining room, Junior released the princess' hand and climbed into his chair, then sat atop those heavy thick books. He swung his legs and waited for Peach to slip into her own seat across from him. He didn't speak to her in the time it took for his lunch to be brought out, though he did look over at her and smile quite often. He seemed to be enjoying her company, silent as it was. Peach didn't know what to make of his.
On the one hand, he was a pleasant enough child, but she just couldn't get his performance at the feast out of her mind. She had never known a little five year old boy, of any species, to be so physically precocious as he. That ruthlessness she'd seen in the way he took on those three creatures was frightening. Mainly because it reminded her of a certain Dark King.
He is so much like his father, Peach mused.
For one, they looked almost exactly alike. Well, Junior was more of a tame version of his father. Where Bowser's jade eyes were hypnotic, Junior's were innocuous. Where the king's lips were smirking and sensuous, Junior's were almost constantly spread over a smile. The boy was charming, though, like his father. But in a less personal way; he was more friendly whereas Bowser's type of charm bordered on something sexual.
Maybe he isn't so alike to him as I thought, Peach realized.
Junior glanced over at her and grinned again. She knew it, then. He was not at fault for that barbaric display. Whatever plan Bowser had in store for him, Junior had no control over.
Peach frowned. How sad; Bowser using his own son as...some kind of weapon.
And speaking of the Dark King; he came striding past the double doors that led to the dining room. In tow were a handful of MagiKoopa. When he saw his son he didn't bat an eye, but when he saw Peach, he grinned and winked at her. Peach diverted her attention back to Junior.
Unfortunately that only left her unaware of his impending presence. Bowser approached her, as did his court of advisers. He thankfully crossed his arms over his chest.
If his hands are at his chest, he can't touch me, Peach rationalized.
"Getting acquainted with your son, I see." Bowser stated.
Peach's expression was troubled as she said, "My son?"
"As my wife, you are also Junior's mother." Bowser explained.
"I'm not your wife." Peach declared.
Bowser said, "No, but you will be."
"Not if Mario stops you," Peach murmured.
Bowser heard her and said, "You really think that damn plumber can stop me?"
Peach's eyes darted to Junior. She didn't approve of the king speaking like that in front of his young heir but the boy seemed unfazed. He must be used to that kind of language. That didn't sit well with her at all. Junior did seem affected by one thing his father had said, though.
He hesitantly asked, "The princess is my mama?"
Before Peach could set the boy straight, Bowser said, "That's right. So you be good to her, understand?"
"Yes daddy," Junior grinned, "I will be extra good to my new mama!"
Peach frowned at the king. He merely smirked and reached down to run his knuckles against her jaw.
"Don't be so upset, Peaches." He drawled, "Being a mother is easy. Junior practically takes care of himself, after all."
That's not the point, Peach knew, but refrained from saying so. It was hard to speak when that dirty king was leering down at her with his hungry eyes. She scooted over in her chair and swallowed hard. That seemed to bring Bowser out of his hazy staring. He continued to eye her critically, but started walking away. As soon as he was gone, Junior started up again.
"I didn't know you was going to be my new mama," The boy exclaimed, "So that means you gonna marry daddy and stay here for all the time, um, ever?"
Peach didn't want to squash his enthusiasm. It was plain to see how starved for attention the boy was. But she didn't want to stay here and be a mother to a child that wasn't her own. She wanted to go home. She wanted to build a family with Mario, not Bowser.
But she was afraid that if Mario didn't show up soon, that would no longer be possible.
Early the next morning Daisy and I were up and downstairs, looking for the king. It was time to take care of business. To do what we came here for: figure out a way to save Peach.
We found him in the kitchen.
The kitchen was smaller than I imagined, but as I figured, it was filled with Boos. They were everywhere. Phasing in and out of view and laughing about nothing. Some of them had pots and pans on their heads and some were just hovering near the king. Said royal was leaning on the counter across from the doorway where we stood. He had an empty glass in his hand that he seemed to be studying. When he saw us he grinned doggishly.
"Good morning!" He greeted "I trust you slept well?"
Yeah right
If it weren't for Daisy, I would've never relaxed.
"How are you going to help us get Peach back?" I said.
I decided to skip the pleasantries and get right down to it. The king was acting as if he couldn't comprehend, though.
"Do what, now?" He said.
"I said, how are you going to help us rescue Peach from Bowser's castle?"
King Boo chuckled and said, "Well, now, I really don't want to get in the middle of all that."
Do my ears deceive me or is he wimping out?
"What are you talking about?" I asked. "Last night you said you'd help us."
"Did I?" King Boo asked with an exaggerated tilt of his head.
"So you're not going to help us?" Daisy spoke with the makings of disbelief in her tone.
"Uh no." King Boo said.
"You lied to us?" Daisy asked disappointingly.
The king said, "I'm sorry. It's just, well, I haven't had guests in so long. I just told you I would help so that you would stay."
You've got to be kidding me
"So basically you wasted our time." I stated in a deadpan voice.
And put me through undue stress and humiliation
"That's one way to look at it," The king mused.
So he was full of shit after all. Surprise, surprise.
"Come on Daisy." I said disgustedly.
I gently took her by the hand and led her to the front doors. The king laughed.
"Where are you going?"
"We're leaving." I called over my shoulder.
Where the hell do you think we're going? Disneyland?
"Well don't be a stranger, Luigi!" The king called as we left, "You're always welcome here!"
I rolled my eyes: As if.
When the doors shut behind us and I had the morning sun beaming down on my face, I started to lose some of my anger. It just made me sick to know that we'd lost a whole day and night because of the king's bullshit. What did that time cost Peach? How much was she suffering right now?
"What do we do now?" Daisy asked.
I realized I was trudging aimlessly downhill with a scowl on my face. I'd nearly forgotten about Daisy. Her presence was another thing that helped calm me down.
To answer her question I said, "Go back to Mario, I guess."
"Where's the horse?" She then asked.
Right there in front of the woods, beside Ludwig. That's where it was. Along with his black pants and steel-toe boots and shoulder armor he wore a knowing smirk.
"Leaving so soon?" He said while gripping the reins of the horse.
After what had just happened, I didn't want to deal with this kid too. And I didn't want to hear his 'I-told-you-so's. So I didn't say anything. Daisy spoke to him, though.
"You were right," She said.
"Right?" Ludwig cocked a brow, "Right about what?"
"We don't have time for your games." I told him shortly. "The king lied to us. Just like you said."
Ludwig replied, "So where are you off to now?"
"I don't think that concerns you." I said brusquely.
I took the horse and turned my back to him. Daisy reluctantly began to follow me. I got about four of five feet away before Ludwig appeared out of nowhere in front of me and crossed his arms.
"Going back to your brother to let him do all the work?" He jeered.
I bristled but didn't rise to the bait. Instead I walked around him. But again he impeded us.
"That's how it always was in the past." He taunted. "Won't you step up for once?"
I dropped the reins and said tiredly, "Look. You don't know anything about me."
"I think I know plenty," Ludwig retorted.
Now I schooled my features and stood erect. That look in my eyes was probably hard but I didn't care. I'd had enough of this punk. I didn't need this type of aggravation. Ludwig sensed a change in me and leveled me with a challenging look in his green eyes.
Daisy stepped between us.
"Please don't fight," She implored, "Can't we work something out?"
"No." I said. "It's not worth it."
"Right, Big Brother will fix everything." Ludwig sneered.
"Stop it!" Daisy chided him. In a firm voice she said, "Now will you help us or not?"
"I already told you, beautiful, I will. For a price." Ludwig drawled.
Daisy remained stolid as she asked, "What do you want? Be clear, Ludwig."
Ludwig was silent for a moment. Then he got all blank in the face and brushed past us.
"Take hold of me." He said.
Daisy and I shared a look but held each other's hands. I reluctantly reached out mine for him to take but he grabbed Daisy's instead.
Of course
The contact was so that he could teleport us away from the woods to a new, colder location. The area was covered with snow. All the whiteness went on for miles, as far as I could see in every direction. The sun above was blinding and set in a cloudless blue sky. There was a steady wind whipping around. In seconds I started to shiver.
Daisy was shaking too. She took her hand back from Ludwig and stepped closer to me. I wish I had a coat or something to offer her. Unlike us, Ludwig didn't seem to be bothered by the cold, even in his shirtless state. He started walking forward through the snow and, shuddering from the chilly weather, Daisy and I followed.
It looked like we were in the middle of nowhere. There were no lakes, rivers, trees, boulders, animals, nothing. Just snow. Endless snow. Suddenly Ludwig stopped and dropped to one knee in front of us. He laid his palm deep into the white precipitation and we watched his hand glow bright blue. After it stopped glowing, a wooden hatch was revealed. Hm.
Another illusion.
Ludwig opened the hatch and started climbing down the set of stairs beneath it. Those top two steps were all I could see, the rest were drowned in pitch blackness.
"Talk about deja vu," Daisy said.
I looked at her, "What?"
She smiled fondly and said, "Peasley has one of these secret passages in his castle."
"Ah." I replied.
From the bottom of the staircase things got a bit brighter. Ludwig led us down a hall that was lit by a series of blue flames within metal cages along the walls. At the end of the hall was a large door, and past that was a living area. It looked pretty cozy. In a conservative way. The couch, the armchair to its right, and the love seat to the left were all black leather. The floor was also black, carpet though, and in front of the couch was a wooden coffee table. There was a brick fireplace across from the table and couch, blazing and crackling. This was where Ludwig told us to sit.
Daisy and I sank down onto the couch. I, for one, was glad for the heat of the fireplace. While we warmed up, Ludwig stood with his arms folded in front of us.
"Can I get you anything?" He asked quietly.
We both shook our heads. I frowned; what was up with him? Why so polite all of a sudden? Well, I guess he was just being a good host. But wait, if that was the case, then was this his home? I thought he lived with King Boo.
"If you're serious about needing my help," Ludwig began, "Then I'll need you to do something for me."
His tone had changed. It was one of no-nonsense. Good. It was high time somebody besides Daisy and I got serious.
Ludwig spoke again, saying, "In this place I have something very precious to me. While I help you take down the Dark King, one of you must stay and guard over this treasure of mine."
Sounds reasonable, I thought.
"What's the catch?" Daisy asked knowingly.
"There is no catch, sweetheart," Ludwig assured her.
I said, "Can we see what we'll be guarding?"
"Follow me." Ludwig acceded.
He walked from the living room area, past what looked to be the kitchen on the right and a patio to the left, down another hall. There were rooms to the left and right. Ludwig stopped at each one. He didn't say a word, just stopped and gave us just enough time to see what was inside before moving on to the next. What I expected was, oh I don't know, diamonds. Jewels. Huge stacks of money. I mean, he did say treasure, right? But no.
There were kids.
Sleeping kids. In every room, tucked into bed and snoozing away were a bunch of kids. It didn't take a genius to figure out these were most likely his siblings. Why else would he have a bunch of random kids in his supposed home? On our way back to the front room, I addressed this.
"So it's a babysitter you're after?"
Ludwig smirked, "Something like that."
"I guess that's not too bad," I said.
Daisy asked, "So one of us must stay here?"
"Yes." Ludwig answered. "One of you must stay while the other works with me to take the Dark King down."
"How are we going to keep in contact?" I asked.
Ludwig replied, "Every week I'll check in. I'll even send word to your brother."
It all sounds too good to be true
"So what do you say?" Ludwig asked.
Daisy said, "Can we have a bit of time to think?"
"By all means," Ludwig told her.
He took her hand and I took her other one. In an instant we were back in the field at the bottom of the hill. King Boo's mansion was nowhere in sight but I knew it was still there. Hidden away under the shroud of magic once more. The horse was still there, too, grazing in the grass.
"I'll come back here in 24 hours." Ludwig said, "Have your final answer by then."
A/N: Another chapter done. So what do you guys think of that? The enforcer has been confirmed, but like I said, I think you guys already knew who he was. And I guess ole Bowser was wrong about the Koopalings having perished in the Great War. How will that come back to haunt him? Leave your gracious reviews as always, readers. I love hearing from you guys.
Here's a question for you: who do you think will stay with the kids and who will work with Ludwig?
Leave your guesses and stay tuned for the next update! Until then...
~DymondGold~