Sorry for the delay everyone... I got side tracked watching Tenkai Knights. Cartoon Network had the whole series on demand so thank you Cartoon Network. Oh and I got lazy again. I hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer... I don't own Any Kooplings... Enjoy...
Day 210-
Today during Wilderness survival class, Master Kamek brought each of us a wild Yoshi to tame at the coliseum. It was an exciting day… Well it was for me since it was the first time I got to see the versatile dinosaur species.
Arranged as a rainbow of colors, the reptiles resembled a docile style of miniature T-Rex with two powerful legs and tiny arms that implied that the dinosaur didn't rely on them much. (Unfortunately, I found out how wrong I was when my assigned purple Yoshi used his little arms to throw a spotted egg almost a hundred miles an hour at my head.)
Instead of a broad mouth lined with jagged razor sharp teeth, the Yoshis's head seem to be toothless and rounded like a ball. In place of teeth, the dinosaurs had a 5 to 6 foot tongue that suctions to its prey like a frog and swallowing its food whole.
During class Roy and Wendy fought for more than hour over the "red" one, before Roy finally won. Turned out Roy was extremely talented at calming his dino without even having to mount it and not just his. He somehow managed to wrangle each Yoshi after it bucked the rest of us off.
At the end of class, Roy herded the giant lizards back into their pens. I guess we found the color blind turtle's calling. Apparently the bully really likes animals. I guess it was a dominance thing. He was pretty cool though directing even the pink and red dinos into their correct pens on the first try.
Day 212-
Economics appeared to be Larry Koopa's favorite subject. Seems the competitive Koopa was into more than just the physical elements of sports. Statistics were his true passion. He constantly explained new facts even before pelting me with a Chomp during Dodge Chomp. Smiling Larry told me that I was his victim 67% of the time during today's class.
Bowser Jr. continued demonstrating the most effective way to casts spells during Magic Class. The little guy sends me flying every time. Luckily I was right about my durability. I've been able to get up after each attack without any serious injuries.
Unfortunately, I still cannot cast spells with the classroom wands regardless while in class or practicing after with Morton. Thanks to Roy, I at least get to try. He had a long stare down with Master Kamek eventually wearing the wizard down. Kamek added me to the rotation. Thanks Roy.
Day 216-
Thanks to our training, dancing, and Physical Education classes, Morton's fireball has gotten bigger and more powerful. It allowed my buddy to excel during gym. He is the only Koopling able to produce fire consistently. Larry hasn't been able to recreate his fireball since the day we were on the same team.
Despite Morton's best efforts, he still cannot seem to beat Roy. It frustrated my pal to no end and pushed the Koopa to train even harder. I tried my "maybe subconsciously you don't want to beat Roy" speech (similar to why King Koopa can't bring himself to defeat Mario) but that made the turtle angry at me. Our matches got more intense.
Day 223-
Iggy's a true tinkerer and genius in Science and Shop. I don't think anyone can catch him in the ideas department. The little Einstein finishes a minimum 5 projects per class. Although they seem to have a nasty habit of exploding in Master Kamek's face. Ah… Memories.
Day 228-
Wendy and Lemmy seem to have trouble finding their passions. Something tells me their desires would fall in the Arts category. Both Kooplings appear to be into music. Wendy dances to ballet and I think Lemmy's into more than just dressing like a hip hop artist. I hope Wendy's ballet will impress the King enough to reinstitute the class.
King Koopa decided Bowser Day would be 58 days from now. Morton and Wendy are still having trouble perfecting some of the bigger moves during our dress rehearsals. I'm not sure why though. I'm the one in the lunkiest costume.
Morton has to wear a red wig glued atop a hat with horns protruding from it. It resembled a Viking's helmet back on Earth. He, also, has to wear a spiked collar and bracelets. Other than that, Mort's going to look like he normally does.
The female lead gets to wear a blond wig with flowing hair, elegant ivory gloves that extend just past her elbows and a pink knee high gown. (It originally started as a ball gown but Mort kept stepping on it. The base finally tore into the short skirt it is today.) (Don't tell Wendy but she didn't look like Princess Toadstool at all). Why did I use back to back parentheses? Weird…
My costume of the infamous plumber was a bit more intricate than both of theirs. Mainly because being the only human in the Darklands and a slave, I needed to keep my identity secret. I'm not officially allowed to participate in Bowser day. Wendy though out did herself in the costume department.
The basic design portion was a red long sleeve shirt underneath a pair of blue coveralls and large brown dance shoes which looked more like boots. I, also, wore a pair of white gloves that were easily 4 sizes too large. (Clearly they were novelty size; no way was the plumber's hands so humongous big).
My favorite part of the costume was an oversized mustachioed head 3 times the size of my body. Wendy said it was to accommodate enough room for the mask I was already wearing. It made sense at the time but it really made dancing smoothly difficult but if College Mascots can do it… All and all the design hid the fact that I was human convincingly.
A thought occurred to me after class when the rest of the group left leaving only me, Wendy, and Morton in the room. "Princess Wendy," I started.
"Like what," Wendy has long since stopped scolding me for attaching a title to her name. However her eye roll was as voluminous as ever.
"Where will we be performing the ballet," I asked realizing that the room wasn't really equipped to accommodate an audience.
"Um, like, King Koopa's square," Wendy answered while I removed my mask.
"Where's that in the castle," I followed up not recalling any mention of such a place during my travels.
"It's not," she answered nonchalantly, "Like it's in the city center." My face dropped instantly. I literally felt all jubilation drain from my rosy cheeks despites the intensity of today's workout. "What," Wendy added.
Morton removed his wig. "Hey Bawdy, yo' wook wike yo' seen a gwost?"
I heard the dread fill my own voice, "Wendy, I don't know if I can perform."
"But like what about like all the hard work we like did," Wendy was nearly in tears.
"Slaves aren't allowed to leave the castle grounds," I answered.
Morton's claw rose to his chin, "If Bawdy ain't dowing it, I ain't."
"Morton Koopa Jr.," I yelled as Wendy's eyes opened like failing flood gates. "You can't abandon Princess Wendy now. You worked so hard."
Morton's eyes narrowed at the sound of his full name. I never used it before and I really don't think he appreciated my tone. "Why do I gotta if yo' dowon't?"
"I'm not trying to weasel out of it or anything," I defended. I didn't want to break my promise especially since performing was the only way to get the female Koopling to accept a dinner invitation with the king. "I don't know what kind of enchantments King Koopa has in place to prevent a slave from leaving.
"I literally may not be able to go." Wendy's eyes were not drying and Mort's narrowed even more trying to hide his fear. "I'll figure out a way Princess Wendy," I said trying my best to soften both sets of eyes. It worked sort of, "I'll be there promise."
"You like will," Wendy's heavy rain fell into a gentle drizzle seeing me nod. "How, Baldo?"
"I have no idea," it was my turn to lift my hand to my chin. Glancing upward, I saw Wendy's gates were about to open wide again.
"I have an idea," a voice butted into our conversation. Turning, all three of us, found Roy standing across the room with his arms crossed. The turtle lifted one of his hands to his frames pulling them passed the bridge of his beak? He smiled staring at me, "Baldo."
"Thanks, Roy," I smiled back.
"Not yet," he shot back making his way over to us. He secured his sunglasses back atop his face. "I want this to be my present to dad, too," Roy looked at-a-teeth clenched Wendy and growling Morton.
Truth is she definitely would have said "No" but we were in a tough spot and really had no choice but to trust Roy.
"It's Princess Wendy's show. She's in charge. Whatever she says goes," I reached out my hand. "Deal?"
A smirk crossed Roy's face as he grasped my hand, "Deal." That's when I heard the happiness in his voice and knew we could trust him.
"What's like your idea," Wendy asked. Both her face and tone did not even attempt to suppress her suspicions.
Roy's half smile extended into a sly one, "It's a surprise." Wendy and Morton growled in unison. "Trust me."
I laughed at the interaction. I guess based on past experiences with the oldest Koopa trust was not a quality easily placed on Roy. "I do," I answered for the group since my opinion of the turtle wasn't tainted as of yet.
Roy nodded as his sly smile faded into a gentle one. It was a mix of relief, excitement, and self-confidence. I think the oldest Koopa was finally happy to have someone believe in him. He disappeared. Both Wendy and Morton's heads snapped in my direction.
"Bawdy how can yo' twust'em?"
"Yeah, like, he's trouble."
"Bah," I answered. "Roy's really trying to help. I can tell."
Morton's head shook sadly, "Aw Bawdy dats how it stwarts."
Day 229-
Roy accepted King Koopa's invitation to dinner today as well as Morton. It was an unexpected surprise when I heard the news but not as unexpected as what King Koopa informed me that night. Both Roy and Morton accepted his dinner invitation again for tomorrow. It may be premature but that's 2 down and only 6 more to go.
Day 251-
Ever since the day Roy agreed to help me out of the castle, he stopped by and watched every one of our dance rehearsals. He still didn't tell us his idea which drove Wendy and Morton crazy but the oldest Koopa had joined the king and his brother at dinner each night since too.
"Hey Roy," I said through the Mario head. "Do you want to dance too?" I twirled.
The turtle paused a moment. "Na, I just want to watch Baldo."
"Good, like, I didn't want you to like dance anyway," Wendy shouted leaping into Morton's arms.
Good thing I was double masked, I think I could have killed Wendy with the daggers my look was throwing. Luckily they were slowed by the double layers. I don't understand what their problem with Roy still is…
It's not like Roy's done anything to disrupt us or laugh at us. He didn't even laugh when my pants split attempting said split. Truth is he looked left out and considering the coldblooded shoulders he keeps getting from the castle… Wait… A light bulb went off.
"Hey Roy, do you have any ideas to help make the battle scenes anymore exciting," I asked. I felt Wendy's daggers being thrown right back at me. I didn't care though. A little feedback could help make the production more memorable.
"More explosions and maybe some colored lights," Roy suggested.
"That sounds like stupid," Wendy immediately shot down.
Morton's eyes widened along with the rest of the dance troop. All of them muttered in unison "More Explosions" before all turning to each other.
"How like do you think we can like do that," Wendy sighed clearing reevaluating the suggestion in her head. "It's like a stage."
"We could use magic wands," I offered as a possibility. "Roy do you think you could cast spells from off stage?"
"No problem and I'll take care of the lights," Roy grinned disappearing.
Wendy's fists clenched tightly as she nearly erupted in anticipation. "This is going to be the best ballet ever!"
