Chapter 8: Let's go Minion Conquest!
"So, c'mon guys! Show 'em your miniony spirit!"
- Bowser Junior. Prince of the Bowser Kingdom.
The sky was gray, the slimming glow of orange can be seen at the edge of the skyline, birds chirping can be heard in the trees, and then there's the tick-tocking of the clock.
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*Brrrrrrrringgggggggggggg!*
*Click* And a hand immediately pressed the button to close the clock.
8 figures rise up from the floor of the ballroom, quickly folding their sleeping bag in a very clean swoop of union, and grabbing a bag each before heading out to the shower room quickly. Leaving some people with sharp hearing confused.
One feminine figure divided from the group, heading towards a different entrance, before the sound of water running could be heard from the shower room.
In the male section, 7 males in different sizes could be seen washing their body & hair in a rather efficient way, handling soap and shampoo between in order, while making sure to clean their body properly.
As if they're on a strict schedule, they pick up the cup and a toothbrush and toothpaste they placed near their foot, filling their cup, applying toothpaste, and they start brushing their teeth in a union, before washing their faces.
Then they stop the water at the same time, before heading to their bags, grabbing a towel respectively, drying themselves, warping the towel on the waist, before heading to the hair dryers.
Never once did they say anything, they dried their hair and brushed it, some applied styling wax to their hair, then went to the dressing room, quickly changing into their clothes and gears.
When they leave the shower room, 8 minutes have passed.
Looking at the entrance of the Female shower, they saw their female companion leave the shower at the same time as them, just tying up her pink ribbon on top of her head.
As if they already have a mutual agreement, they said nothing and headed to the cafeteria.
Their arrival at the cafeteria surprised the staff for how early they woke up.
They pick a table, and grab their preferred breakfast, before eating and discussing how they're going to handle today's exam.
As far as Ludwig is concerned, none of the henchmen knows what exactly the test of the entrance exam is, Ozpin has been keeping them in the dark, mostly making sure none of them can leak any info to them, to keep everything fair and square.
It really doesn't matter that much, they'll just face the challenge head-on, tackling it head-on for Lord Junior's case. Who thinks that Ludwig worries too much.
One of Lord Bowser's life philosophies: If there's an obstacle in front of you, punch it to get through, if one punch isn't enough, keep punching until you breakthrough. WILLPOWER RULES BABY!
Supposedly the philosophy isn't wrong by any means, but wouldn't bypass the obstacle be a much smarter and easier way?... Nan, tackling problems head-on runs in their King's blood, and so is their Prince, they'll probably end up brutal force through this exam anyway. And the Koopalings will just tag along.
That wasn't much of a confidence boost, but such can't be helped. Ludwig didn't know what kind of exam they'll be facing. If it's a written exam, he supposed Ozpin must already have made a different version just for them (considering they know almost nothing about Remnant); if it's a battle exam, Ludwig doesn't have much to worry about. But knowing people like Ozpin, he probably has something very different in mind, and this is where Ludwig finds himself bashing his brain clueless.
*Sigh* Ludwig sighs as he sips his green tea in mild frustration.
"Gee, knock it off, Ludwig, grinding those gears in ya brain won't get ya or us anywhere." Roy quipped in, taking slight amusement from his old bro's distress. "Whatever challenge they'll throw at us, I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle."
"Even if we know what the exam is going to be, do you think they will make it easy for us?" Wendy adds, not wanting to deal with Ludwig's paranoia in the morning. "Like when the Minions take the strength exam, did you think Lord Bowser was pulling any punches for any of them?"
Ludwig let his shoulder slump. "I suppose you guys do have a point."
It's not that Ludwig is paranoid, but that he simply dislikes their current state in the world of Remnant, just a bunch of nobody, with no power or frame. He wasn't looking for any special treatment, but rather a standing point, so that no one would dare to look down on them or take advantage of them. And he still needs to figure out how to deal with Ozpin.
Luckily, someone arrived before Ludwig could short-circuit his own brain with his multi-thinking.
"Good morning, your royal highness, and Koopalings." Goomboss suddenly appears, saluting as he approaches the royal Koopas.
Looking behind him to make sure no one is spying on them, he leans toward them and whispers. "I think we have managed to figure out a piece of info regarding the entrance exam."
His information picks their attention, Ludwig's especially, after all, he was the one requesting the henchmen to get this particular info. "Well, what is it?" The self-proclaimed Koopaling leader asks.
"Their school system is based on team building and bonding, as pretty much all other huntsman academies of other kingdoms, they form teams directly from the start of the first year till graduation, a team of 4 people."
"Forming teams?" Ludwig raised his brow.
"Correct, apparently this system is the intention of fostering empathy and teamwork, once they graduate they'll be easier to working solo or with strangers in their Huntsman career."
"Sounds to me more like they're training a bunch of mercenaries." Roy scratched his chin as he mused.
"Team, does that mean we're going to be forced to team up with whatever strangers we end up with?" Wendy asks.
Goomboss grimaced at the question. "I'm afraid so, Mistress Wendy."
"Well, that's if we end up with strangers, but that's not gonna happen, now that we know what rule they're going to play." Ludwig smirked as he spoke, earning attention from his sibling, Prince Junior, and the loyal Goomba.
"They didn't say anything about the exam, or any rules, which means whatever course of action we take is technically allowed at the moment." Ludwig put his hand to his chin. "So we could figure out a way to make sure we only teamed up together during this test. As things are now, getting any outsider to meddle up in the mix is not gonna do us any favor, not only we don't belong to this world, as we're not sure who we could trust, getting our identity exposed will be an unwise result. So it's better if we stick together." He reasoned, which earned agreement from everyone. But Junior still thinks that he worries too much.
Goomboss mused as he nodded his head in agreement, but then asked about the crucial problem. "That might be for the best, but if I may ask, Lord Ludwig, how do you plan on ensuring you'll team up together?"
"About that, we could use some sort of signal, something only we can identify, Koopa language, Piranha language, something like that." Ludwig scratches his head as he tries to come up with ideas.
"Or you could always talk to me to discuss your worries and problems." A third-party voice speaks from behind.
"!" They snapped their heads towards the source, and spotted Ozpin right there, smiling patiently at them, a cup of hot coffee in his hand.
Goomboss tries his best to not act aggressive at the very suspicious headmaster that somehow sneaks upon them.
Making the situation worse for his league would be a very bad move. But that doesn't mean he's gonna take his eyes off Ozpin. That man is just full of mystery.
"When… Did you get here, and how much did you hear?" Ludwig hesitantly asked.
"Just around the part where you're worried about the team pairing. I guess you all have noticed the possible problems that could happen if we pair you up with strangers." He shot them another smile. "Normally, I would be against putting acquaintances together, in favor of letting you learn teamwork, but given your unique situation, I suppose I can make an exception. You need not worry about people being suspicious of you all being family or siblings and a team, I'll handle that problem." He then sips his coffee. "That being said, the objective for your test will be slightly different with your peers,"
Ludwig frowned at Ozpin's preemptive, but said nothing, this deal was probably the best advantage they could get at the moment, he doubted that Ozpin would be foolish enough to try anything after his promise warning, still… "What would those differences be?"
"Our pairing system works like this, whoever you making eye contact first after the test begins would become partners, then depending on the collecting relics the pairs picked up, we would put the matching relics pairs into a team, and said team will be living and working together for the whole four years of the school year at Beacon. Normally, that's all for the pairing system, but given that you all are a team already, I've decided to give you all another objective for the test."
Narrowing his eyes, Ludwig pressed on, so far, everything was still far, but you could never be too careful. "And what would our special objective be?"
Ozpin smiled at his question, a smile that Ludwig did not like at all. "Your objective would be retrieving a special relic from one of the Professors of Beacon Academy. We have sent 3 professors Huntsman to be your exam opponents and invigilators, and your passing terms of the exam would be returning to the school with at least one of the relics from the three professors in hand, of course, if the professors captured you all, or you couldn't return with a relic before the end of the given time, it would be resulting in failing the test."
Ludwig furrows, the rules and conditions seem fair, considering that they're 8 people on 3, and they have magic as an advantage, but the downside… he knows nothing about the capability of these Huntsman the headmaster chose. He doesn't think Ozpin would be that rackless to set them up with an unfair test that is doomed to fail them, but at the same time, going this routine would mean they'll reveal their hidden trumps by not holding back, something that Ludwig wasn't kneed on doing.
Not even a month already, and he's already forcing my hands.
"May we know who we'll be facing against?" Ludwig asked, a bit desperately on the inside, he can only hope that Ozpin was feeling merciful enough to give them some hints.
The headmaster takes another sip at his coffee, using the mug to block his mouth, no doubt trying to hide a grin or a smirk. "You'll be facing Professor Port, Dr. Oobleck, and of course, Professor Goodwitch." He then looked at his pocket, before taking out his scroll. "I'm afraid I must cut this talk short, I have to prepare the final touch before the initiation begins. I wish you all the best." Without another word, Ozpin hastily leaves the cafeteria. Definitely trying to mess with them.
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Finally, Goomboss speaks. "Lord Ludwig, shall I dispose of him? I'll make sure nobody finds his body."
Ludwig could only slap his palm on his face and sign.
- Time Skip -
With the view of a vast forest that reaches far and wide, the scene now changed to the edge of the Emerald Forest. Blue sky, bright light, spring breezes, a perfect day for some action.
At the overseeing cliffs, the 5 henchmen have been gathered by Ozpin, to help assist him in monitoring the progress of the participants. (as Port, Oobleck, and Goodwitch had been assigned to testing the Koopa Royals) This way, it could give them a first idea of how capable the huntsman-in-training of Remnants is. And to also prevent them from helping their masters.
Looking toward the vast forest, Ozpin would be lying if he said he wasn't excited to some degree for today's event, after all, it is not every day that one could learn the capability of otherworldly people. He was already looking forward to multiple promising individuals attending his school, but the extra batch of players have picked his interest the most.
The henchmen were talking among themselves, toying with the tablets he had given them earlier, no doubt trying to familiarize themselves with the technology. Petey Piranha was again taking the chance to slack off and basking in sunlight, while King Boo was holding a black umbrella to shade himself from the sunlight, an unpleasant expression on his face.
Looking behind him, he saw that every participant had gathered right on top of a silver platform(with his special students gathered at a different place.), the children were muttering among themselves, no doubt eager and curious about what the test was going to be. Smiling in his own head, the headmaster looked at Big Bully, who immediately knew what to do.
"May we have your attention, students." The giant bull knight ordered, his deep voice and imposing figure immediately had everyone quiet down.
Nodding his head to Bob-Omb, the bomb monarch moves in front of the students, delivering the speech they had been given and practiced over and over last night.
"For years, you have been trained to become warriors, and today, your ability and resolve will be challenged, and evaluated, in the Emerald Forest."
Goomboss then takes over. "Now, as many of you no doubt have heard of the rumor about the assignment of 'teams'. Allow us to put an end to your curiosity and confusion, Each of you will be given teammates... today."
Among the sea of students, a meek and dejected "What?!" could be heard.
Big Bully then takes over. "These teammates will be paired with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well, or you getting over whatever personal issue you have before this point, and learning on how to work as a team."
A meekly and dejected groan can be heard among the students.
King Boo then takes over, sounding tired and exhausted. "That being said… whoever first you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
*Clink* This time, the sound of glass shattering can be heard among the students, followed by a really desperate cry of "Whaaaaat?!" Which, was then followed with different and energized "See? I told you!"
Goomboss resumed the explanation. "After you've partnered up, make sure you move toward the northern end of the forest, where you will retrieve the quest item for the exam, failing to retrieve the item will result in failure, attacking or snatching other participant's quest item is forbidden and will immediately result in expulsion from the exam." He then gives them a threatening glare. "DO NOT DISAPPOINT US."
This earned him affirmative nods from almost every student, scared by his menacing attitude.
King Bob-Omb then took over. "Along the way, no doubt you will meet your obstacles and opposition. Do not hesitate to fight and destroy everything in your path.. or you will die. We wouldn't want that to happen, are we?"
Among the students, one blondie boy laughed nervously and gulped aloud.
Ozpin then finishes the explanation. "You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene unless someone is about to be in real danger." He motioned to the 5 men, who either waved at them nicely or not reacting at all. "You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return back here at the top of the cliff. We will then regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"
After this part, the students prepared themselves, eager to start their entrance exam, but one blond boy raised his hand. "Yeah, um… sir?"
Ozpin ignored the kid. "Good, now take your position." His free hand moved to his pocket.
The henchmen looked among themselves, puzzled by the headmaster's reaction, he clearly heard that.
They soon get their answer when the students start being launched into the forest, one by one.
The blondie kid still had his hand raised. "Uh, sir? I've got, um... a question." He misses the tile under a white hair girl rising up into a springboard, rocketing into the air and over the forest, as the platforms activate down the line. "So, this landing... strategy thing... Uh, wha-what is it? You're, like, dropping us off or something?"
Ozpin looked at the kid, giving him a passive smile. "No. You will be falling."
The kid is still missing more students being thrown around him. "Oh, uh, I see... So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"
"No. You will be using your own landing strategy."
King Boo whispers to Goomboss. "Wanna bet how fast that kid is going to fail the exam? I say 8 minutes."
Goomboss glared at the kid, before looking back at Boo. "10 Coins, 10 Minutes." The ghost monarch shakes his hand in deal.
The poor kid is still failing to see an excited girl and an expressionless boy getting launched behind him. "Uh-huh... Yeah."
A familiar goldilocks puts on a pair of aviators, and flies off with an exciting "Woo-hoooooooo!" And a second later a girl in a familiar red hood joins her.
"So, what exactly is this landing strategyyyyyyyy!" His question was left forever unanswered when he finally had to get hurled sky high, now making his way down into the forest with other students.
Ozpin, for his part, simply takes a sip of his coffee and looks into his tablet.
The henchmen looked among themselves, and Boo spoke their mind. "Huh, could've fooled me if you told me that he is somewhat a sadistic mastermind."
(Scene change)
We now moved to a different area of Emerald Forest away from the area that was used for the entrance exam.
Here, the Koopalings plus Bowser Junior has been dropped by the Bullhead Ozpin prepared, into a much empty opening, around them was the forest, and more forest.
"So, does anyone have any ideas? How do we pass this exam?" Larry spoke first, arms crossed behind his head.
"Well, the objective was clear, we must return to the school with at least one relic the professors possessed, or else we fail." Ludwig takes out his rapier, gives it a few swings.
"Umm, I have a question." Lemmy raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"So, their team system works in a team of 4, does that mean we have to be divided into 2 teams? Does that mean we have to get 2 relics? Or do we just snatch one relic and return?"
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"You know, I'm surprised none of us realized that problem earlier." Roy spoke, only now realize that this is certainly a tricky question they're in.
Ludwig slapped his own face in frustration, he actually missed that important detail.
He doesn't doubt Ozpin would probably alter his answer depending on how they approach this, if they bring one relic back, Ozpin would probably spook them by saying they need another relic to pass, but being a nice guy he'll bend the rules and let them pass. If they did get two relics, then Ozpin probably would say something like 'I'm very impressed.'
Hell no he's gonna let the man get the laugh, even if this did throw a Rocky Wrench in their plan, he'll prove that man to not underestimate them.
This leaves them to answer 3, get all three relics from the professors.
But that leads to another issue, he knows nothing of those people's power aside from their look and voice, this isn't an enemy or species they know like Goomba, Buzzy Beetle, or Spiny, where the strong points and weakness are well known.
Ludwig is basically basing his brain without realizing it. Which is being seen by his siblings and Lord Junior.
"Should we stop him before he starts ripping his own hair?" Lemmy asking his younger siblings.
"Nan, I want him to realize how hilarious he's making himself to be." Roy snorted as watching Ludwig lose his cool.
"Baa haa haa!"
"He really can be a doofus sometimes." Wendy rolled her eyes. "Morton, will you do the honor?"
"GLADLY." Morton then walked up to Ludwig, and slapped his face. Which made Roy laugh even louder.
Being forced out of his brain-storming, Ludwig looked at his sibling awkwardly. "Was I over-thinking again?"
"Mmmhmm" Was the response he received.
Bowser Junior, who had enough of his time being wasted, took overcharge. "Alright, guys, listen up!" His order makes them pay attention automatically. "I really couldn't care less about how we're going to approach this challenge, this exam was supposed to see how strong we are, right?"
Looking among themselves, Wendy replied. "Yes?"
Junior then slammed the pointy tip of his paintbrush on the ground, holding it like a king's Scepter. "Then I say let's show them how we do things, show them what makes us the fearsome Bowser Kingdom, we're not holding back anything, nope! We'll give them everything, we'll show them our Minion Spirits! Cause we're the Bowser Kingdom! We're not backing down from any foes or enemies, and we never will! We'll face them head-on, and we'll pass this exam by defeating them all! We'll show them we're the best!" He shot his fist up. "WHO'S WITH ME!"
For a single moment, Junior's speech and his manners remind them of Bowser, guess the little brat did inherit their king's charisma.
The Koopalings looked at each other, before looking at their prince, and shot their fist up in the union. "Aye aye!"
In the back of his mind, Ludwig couldn't be helped but felt gleeful. "If we have Lord Junior leading us, then I suppose we'll be alright."
"Alright, formation Battleship! Roy, You'll be the leading charge!" Junior ordered, which Roy gave him a big thumbs up. "You got it, kid!"
"Lemmy, Larry, Wendy, Ludwig, you four take a position in the back, be our ranger!" "Yes sir!"
"Iggy, Morton, you two and I will be acting as the middle defense!" "Baa haa haa!/MORTON UNDERSTOOD!"
"Now, let's charge!" "Aye!"
With that, the 8 Koopa team charged into the forest in front of them.
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"Say… Lord Junior, is this the direction to our enemy?"
"Huh?"
To be
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