This was actually a one parter. But it was so very long, so I had to break it up into three parts! Once again, read, review, recommend songs. It's now 656 am on October the third. I am so very tired. Raven
"Are you SURE this armor is going to fit me, Morton?" She asked nervously. "I don't want to get crushed."
Morton Jr chuckled.
"Of course it will fit. It's enchanted after all. My armor never crushes."
Raven stared down at the gauntlet.
"I trust you."
"It better be fine.'' Bowser interjected from the throne where he was sitting. Everyone else had brought chairs over. "It'll keep her from-"
Raven turned to face him.
"Look. I understand your anger. But as I said, I was recovering from being almost eaten alive. I was lucky that Syrio got there when he did. Even if I'd been able to form coherent sentences, Syrio was being watched by those Crystal idiots. You act like I didn't WANT to contact you. That I haven't been anticipating this for two years."
With that, she pressed her fingers into the cool metal on her hand.
Immediately metal shot from the gauntlet, covering the princess in metal. The helm itself was a terrifying thing. A demons face was carved into it, with a wicked pair of horns curving upward.
"This is surprisingly comfortable.''Raven commented.
"MOM YOU LOOK SO COOL!" Lemmy piped up, balancing on one of his balls.
Iggy piped up.
"So if you've got Koopa Dna like us, does that mean you can breathe fire too?"
As the armor receded from Raven, she very visibly flinched.
"…After all this, maybe I'll tell you why I won't ever breathe fire again. For now, I need to get going."
Roy placed a hand on her shoulder.
"This could be a trap. You know that, right?"
"It's possible.'' Raven commented. "In fact, it's more than likely a trap. But I can handle it. I've a whole team with me. Morton Jr can handle any major traps, I think."
Syrio poked in. He had goggles covering his eyes. He wore them during battle to prevent the enemy from anticipating his next move.
"Commander? We're ready to fly. Everyone's on board but you, myself, Iggy and Morton Jr. You may want to hurry. The captain is getting antsy."
Raven nodded.
"Tell him I'll be along shortly. I need to do something first."
As he left, Bowser growled.
"Alright you lot. Out for a few minutes."
As the Koopalings scrambled out, Bowser pulled Raven into his lap and held her tightly.
"Raven'' He muttered. "You don't have to do this. You know that, right Rae?''His words were full of desperation.
Raven leaned up, feeling his spikes biting into her flesh. Gently, she pressed her lips against his.
"I'm the only one who can. I'm the only one who knows that castle inside and out. I'm coming back this time, my love. I swear it on my honor as the Commander."
Bowser hugged her a little tighter.
"Bowser. Arm bands. Ow."
He let her go quickly.
"Sorry!"
As she left the throne room, Iggy was waiting outside. Heading to the docking bay, Raven began to chuckle.
"What is it?" Iggy asked curiously.
"He cut me with his armbands the first time we met too." She grinned weakly. "It seems like it was ages ago, y'know?"
As they reached the docking bay, a very irate parakoopa with an eyepatch stormed up to them.
"That is NOT one minute, Lass.'' He said in a heated tone. "Might as well have consummated the thing while you were there!"
The entire docking bay went silent. All eyes were on the two.
"You must be Captain Kapp'n R. Die. The celebratory sex starts when I get back. Now kindly remove yourself from my path before I move you myself, you insolent PRICK."
There was a pause before the captain burst out laughing.
"I like this one!" He chortled. He led them onto the ship, which was called the Providence.
Raven headed towards the front of the ship as it lifted off.
As she rested her arms on the railing, Morton Sr joined her.
"Raven."
"Morton."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Raven nodded solemnly.
"If Father is in Sarasaland, then I must save him." Her voice was unsteady. "I just…I've never been in charge of anything before. I'm the third sister. The princess without a kingdom. They usually just left me to do my own thing. I know Dad had plans to make me the Commander of the Mushroom Kingdom army,but…"
Morton patted her back with his enormous clawed hand. Raven flinched.
"Please stop touching me.''Raven's voice was small.
Syrio stood on her other side.
"Darkland is beautiful this time of year.' Her voice was now wistful. ''The Volcanos make it perfect."
''When this is over, where will you go?"
Raven shook her head.
"I don't know. I want to stay with Bowser, but…I haven't seen father in so very long."
"Commander?"
Raven glanced back to see one of her Paratroopas.
"We're almost there, b-but there's a problem."
As Raven scanned the horizon, the problem made itself evident. Though it was midnight now, the sky was lit bright as day by an enormous glowing plume encompassing the capital of Solaria.
All the color drained from the Commander's face.
"Please god no. I'm close. I'm so CLOSE DAMMIT."
As they landed a safe distance from the burning Capital, the entire crew stared in horror.
The gate had been destroyed, the hinges half hanging like a rotting wound. Above the gate, bodies were hung by the thousands. On the ground, only carcasses remained.
Raven vaulted over the edge of the ship and ran into the city, despite Syrio's frantic yells for her to wait for him.
Raven stopped short just inside the gate, eyes widening in horror.
The city was a burning, smoldering ruin. The parts that were not on fire had been smashed into rubble.
Syrio placed a hand on her shoulder.
"The dungeon is underground. He's still down there, I know it.'' His voice was soothing.
As the group headed towards the castle, Syrio spoke again.
"Raven, is there an alternate route into the castle?"
Raven lead them around the castle towards the gardens.
"The dungeons have a secret entrance back here." She explained as she walked towards a sundial.
As they watched, Raven moved one of the hands to the right.
A screeching grating was heard as the Sundial was moved aside to reveal a staircase.
As the group descended into the dungeon, the rotting smell of decomposing bodies hit them all at once.
Some of the troops began to retch. The others spread out and began to search the cells.
Syrio held up a small device, trying to hone in on Tyrion's tracker.
"Come on Brother…Where are you?"
''I think I may have found him.'' Iggy called out through the dungeon. His ear was pressed against a poorly made brick wall which had a catflap.
Raven knelt and poked open the cat flap.
''Oi!" She called through. "Who is in here?"
"MAMMA MIA! Raven, is that you?"
Raven's eyes got very wide.
"LUIGI?"
"And King Toadstool too!" Luigi added.
''Raven.'' A tired voice cut in. ''In the scroll I told Bowser to give you, in the place where the sword was, where did the elevator go?"
"Your room.'' She replied, tears filling her eyes. "Your dust covered room."
There was a sigh of relief.
"Oh thank the gods."
Raven called over her shoulder.
"Morton Sr? Can you take down this wall please?"
A gurgling noise caused her to whirl around.
Morton Sr. has his claws buried deep in the neck of a Parakoopa.
As the head came off, it rolled to a stop in front of Raven.
Raven's eyes turned upwards towards the hulking Koopa.
"Morton, what the FUCK?" She yelled at him unsheathing her sword.
As the Koopa turned back towards her, his eyes glowed a blood red.
"Did you honestly think I would cooperate with my son?" He smirked. "He banished me for my experiments."
Raven's eyes widened.
"You're with them." She choked out.
"Aye. I am. And so is she."
Someone detached themselves from the shadows.
"Well Well, this is a pleasant surprise."
Raven's blood turned to ice in her veins. She KNEW that voice.
"Ariyana."
The queen smirked.
"Daughter dear."
The princess's eyes were wide in equal parts of fear and confusion.
"What the hell? You're DEAD."
"Not so much.'' She simpered. "I faked my death. Tyrion Dear?" She raised her voice. "I hope you're ready to hear your favorite daughter dying."
Sheathing her sword, Raven pulled out a curved hunting knife from her hip holster. This would do to dispose of her.
Ariyana walked towards her.
"What do you think you can do? We'll kill you and then make for Darkland.''
The air seemed to pulse around them as time slowed to a crawl.
It seemed like the only thing she could hear was her heartbeat.
She was threatening Bowser's life.
Ariyana was threatening Bowser.
Her vision was red. Was she bleeding?
No. But Ariyana was about to be.