Chapter 14 Over and Over

For the first time since the loop started, Morton actually felt like things were starting to fall into place. He kept sneaking glances at Iggy as the two of them continued their walk to the dining hall. Every once in a while, Iggy would make eye contact with him. The eye contact would last for about a few seconds before he would turn his head away and either look at the wall or down at his hands. Morton didn't care. He was just happy that he might actually find a way to get out of the loop before it repeated for all eternity.

Finally, the two Koopas got to the dining hall. Just like the last two times, Morton was hit by a mixture of peppermint and gingerbread smells, causing him to gag a little bit. The other Koopalings sat around the table, wearing the same smiling faces and accessories that they had been wearing for the past two loops. Morton turned toward Iggy as he smiled at Wendy. The female Koopaling still wore the red and green bow and some cherry red lipstick.

"She's going to say that she hopes she gets everything on her list."

Sure enough, just as Morton predicted, Wendy spoke up. "I love this time of year so much! I hope I get everything on my list!"

"Now Ludwig is going to ask if Wendy wrote a list, and Wendy will take it out and start reading from it." Morton whispered into the increasingly appalled Iggy's ear.

Ludwig turned toward their sister. "You wrote a list?"

"Mmhm," said Wendy. She got the list out of her hammerspace and unfurled it, causing it to roll out the door. "A new pair of slippers, a box of soothing bath salts, markers, peanut butter crackers…."

Iggy turned toward Morton, who could practically see the gears turning in his head. He looked as if he was halfway convinced, that he was almost ready to admit that Morton was right. Right before he did, however, Iggy lowered his eyebrows.

"That is impressive. However, it does not provide me with sufficient proof. For all I know, you could have staged this display beforehand in order to prank me."

Morton's heart sank, his face fell. However, the smile quickly returned to his face when he remembered the deal he made with his brother while in the hallway. "Okay. Fine, whatever. When you see Motley Bossblob this afternoon, I'm sure that you'll start to believe me."

Iggy looked at Morton with a raised eyebrow and sniffed. "Once again, such an event happening is more than a little unlikely. However, I will honor my side of the deal if such a thing were to occur."

Morton grinned. "I know you will."

With that, both of them took their seats at the table. While Morton kept his eyes on the clock, Iggy engaged in conversation with the rest of the Koopalings. Morton was paying just enough attention to actually hear what they were talking about, and he had to hold back groans as he heard the same dialogue and conversations be rehashed.

"How are all of you faring during this festive occasion?" asked Iggy.

"I am doing swimmingly!" Lemmy exclaimed. "I am so excited!"

"Oh, I know," said Larry. "Maybe this year will be the year I end up getting something decent."

Morton snickered. "Somehow, I doubt that," he muttered under his breath. Iggy looked right at him as he said this. He gave him a raised eyebrow, but didn't call him out for his mutters. Instead, he just turned back toward the others, doing his best to put on a smile as Ludwig talked about Sparrows in the Snow. Again.

"I am certain we will enjoy it," Iggy said in response to Ludwig. He looked over at Roy. "What about you, Roy? What would you like for Koopsmas this year?"

Morton shook his head and leaned against his palm. This dialogue was not stimulating for him in the slightest. It was like he was rewatching a movie that he had seen a billion times, a movie that he had previously found to be mediocre at best. He yawned as Larry and Roy had their quarrel and the Koopa Troopa waiters came out with their pancakes. As the others took big bits, Iggy turned toward Morton. Morton smiled, completely prepared for what his brother was about to say.

"Wow. The cooks have truly outdone themselves this year. Morty, you need to try these!" Morton and Iggy said in unison. Once they both finished speaking, Iggy stared at Morton with wide eyes as Morton grinned smugly.

"How did you…."

"I told you that the odds are in my favor today, didn't I?" Morton said. He looked back up at the clock. "Oh, look at that! We have precisely three minutes until Bowser comes into the room to read The First Koopsmas!" He chuckled. "Now, I don't know about you, Ignatius, but I have a feeling that we might go Koopsmas shopping after he is done."

Iggy stared at Morton, his jaw dropped slightly. The others blinked their eyes out.

"Morton, what's going on?" asked Wendy.

Morton chuckled. "I don't know. Perhaps I've inherited magic powers that allow me to see the future. Who knows?"

Roy gasped. "What? How did you manage to get magic powers? Did you make a wish on a star last night or something?"

Morton chuckled. "Oh Roy." He clicked his lips together. "Oh, sweet, precious Roy."

Right at that moment, the door opened, causing Iggy to nearly jump out of his seat. In stepped Bowser, grinning from ear to ear. "Merry Koopsmas, everyone!"

Iggy stared at Bowser, his eyes wide and his jaw dropped. He then turned back to Morton. "That was precisely three minutes." Morton just gave him a shrug and a smug smirk.

"Merry Koopsmas, Bowser!" Lemmy exclaimed. "Is it time for the reading?"

"Why yes! Yes it is! Everyone, gather around! Then, after we are done, we will all go to Stonebrim for some Koopsmas shopping!"

Wendy's face lit up as she did a fist pump. "Yes! Thank you!"

Iggy still stared at Morton, who was still smiling. Iggy shook his head. "This can't be real. This has to be staged."

Morton went up and put his hand on Iggy's shoulder. "Oh, dear sweet Iggy. I know this might seem strange, but you know what? At least you aren't in my position."

Iggy looked at Morton, his face falling. "Enough with this smug, condescending attitude. It is unwarranted."

Morton laughed. "When you are stuck in a time loop, you can pretty much do whatever you want." He turned. "Now, let's put this to the side for a minute and listen to Bowser's story."

Iggy looked appalled before nodding.