Chapter 3 Birth Story

All of the Koopalings sat in the common room. All of them, that is, except for Wendy and Lemmy. Those two were in their rooms, crying. Morton, Ludwig, Iggy, Larry and Roy had decided collectively that it would be best to leave them be.

Iggy paced back and forth, ruminating over what had just gone down in the throne room. He had not expected Junior to say that. Sure, he didn't see the Koopalings as equals, but that didn't mean that he hated them. In fact, his behavior sometimes implied that he looked up to them on some level, that he unintentionally emulated them. Roy's tough guy attitude, Lemmy's happy go lucky demeanor, and Ludwig's sarcastic streak all shined through Junior's character at different points.

Speaking of Ludwig and Roy, they had interesting reactions to Junior's statement. Roy was muttering under his breath and punching a pillow. Ludwig was humming the tune to one of his symphonies, the one that he called "The Buoy Base Suite." One could tell that he was doing his best to keep his temper under control so that his powers didn't flare up, and keeping himself distracted by more or less meditating on his song.

As for Morton and Larry, Morton sat next to Ludwig on the couch. He had a box of powdered donuts in his hands and was cramming them into his mouth. Morton wasn't one who expressed his anger by yelling and being over the top; instead, he often resorted to stress eating. And Larry, unlike the other three, didn't appear to be angry at all. Instead, he seemed dumbfounded.

"I can't believe Junior would say that," he said with a far away look in his eyes.

Iggy stopped pacing and sighed.

"In my estimation, I was flabbergasted," he commented. "Sure, Junior can be brash, but even for him that was an objectionable negation."

"Oh, will you stop with the big talk for once in your freaking life?" Roy asked as he looked up from his pillow. "Speak like a normal person; I can't understand a word you're saying!"

Iggy glared at Roy then sighed.

"To put it in simpler terms," he said, "I did not expect Junior to be mean like that."

Roy scoffed.

"Wow, Iggy," he said. "For someone who claims to be a genius, you really are stupid. How can you not expect stuff like that from Junior?"

"Well, if one were to perceive his behavioral tendencies…"

"BIG WORDS!" Roy yelled angrily.

"I mean, if you were to look at his behavior, you can see that it is a lot like ours at points. True, we aren't actually related by blood, but that doesn't mean we aren't role models for him." Iggy turned to Morton. "What are your thoughts on this?"

Morton didn't respond. He just looked into his empty donut box.

"I need something salty," he said. With that, he got up and left the room.

Iggy held back a sigh. He should've guessed that Morton wouldn't want to get involved. He only interjected himself into arguments, disputes, and intense situations when he wanted them to stop. The fact that he didn't try to stop the conversation already was probably a sign that he recognized that it was necessary to have.

"Anyway," said Iggy. "I don't believe that we should develop too large of a grudge against Junior. After all, we've got to remember that he is only a child."

At the sound of this, Ludwig's humming transitioned into growling. His hands lit up with blue fire.

"What issue is concerning you, Ludwig?" asked Iggy.

Ludwig scoffed and turned toward his brother.

"Only a child?" he asked. "I apologize Ignatius, but I'm afraid that you are severely underestimating him. Anyone who is smart enough to operate an entire fleet is smart enough to realize the malice in his words."

"I can spot your logic," said Iggy. "But at the same time, I believe we should cut Junior a break…"

"He just said that he wished we were never born!" stormed Ludwig as the flames climbed their way up his arms. "And you want to cut him a break? Iggy, were you even in the room when Junior said that to us?"

Iggy was about to respond when the lightbulb overhead exploded. The Koopalings put their hands to their heads to avoid getting hit by the shattered glass. Iggy glared at the special in front of him.

"Ludwig," he said. "You promised that would not happen anymore."

Ludwig sighed as the flames that were wrapped around his arms dissipated.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just need some time to myself."

With that, Ludwig headed for the door. He opened it to find Bowser standing in the entrance.

"Oh, Ludwig," Bowser said to his eldest. "Are you alright?"

"Just peachy," Ludwig said sarcastically. "Now, will you excuse me?"

Ludwig was just about to leave the room when Bowser put his hand on his shoulder.

"Actually, I want to talk to you guys," he said. "Do you mind getting the rest of your siblings?"

Ludwig looked at Bowser in surprise. Then, he nodded his head and exited the room. He returned five minutes later with Morton, Wendy, and Lemmy in tow. Wendy's eyes were red and her mascara was bleeding, Lemmy looked alright but he was sniffling like he had the common cold.

"Look," said Bowser once all the Koopalings were seated, "I'm sorry that you guys had to hear that. If I had known that Junior was going to lash out at you in that way, then I wouldn't have let you come into the throne room." Bowser sighed. "I just can't believe that he would say stuff like that to you guys."

"I know," said Larry.

"I in particular was astounded," said Iggy. "Although, I will admit that it is certainly uncharacteristic of Junior to say something that...detestable."

Bowser chuckled a little.

"Yes, it is," he said. Then he frowned. "I suspect he has just been acting out over the past few days. After all, I did tell him his birth story on Sunday."

Suddenly, it all made sense to the Koopalings. From Junior's over the top and frequent tantrums to his overall rotten behavior; it could all be traced back to the one moment when Junior heard the truth about how he came into the world.

"I can't imagine how tough it must be," said Morton. "To find out that the mother you've been needing and whose attention you've been craving your whole life...doesn't exist."

Bowser nodded. The story of how Bowser Jr. came into the world was certainly an odd one. The Koopalings knew it, and they felt sorry for Junior, as well as the entire line of Koopa Kings all the way back to King Cosmo the Third.

Long ago, there was a koopa king named Prince Cosmo the Third. He was told that he had to choose a wife so that he could produce an heir; however, none of the suitors brought before him met his satisfaction. The problem was that he still needed an heir, and he could not adopt a child because only a biological could inherit the throne. So, his magikoopa advisor suggested a solution. There was a very old and ancient spell that would allow the magikoopas to create a clone of him. That clone would be born as a baby and be raised up as the next Koopa King.

Since then, cloning of the Koopa King became a tradition. It happened to Cosmo the Second's son, his grandson, and every generation all the way down to Prince Bowser Jr.

"Look at it this way," said Bowser. "You guys don't know who your mother is, but…"

"...At least we have one," said Ludwig, finishing his thought.

"No wonder Junior has been so cranky toward us," said Lemmy. "He must have trouble looking at us with a thought like that to chew on."

Bowser gave a weak smile.

"Exactly," he said. "It certainly was a hard thought for me to chew on when my father told me." Bowser sighed. "And that is why I will stop at nothing to get Princess Peach's attention. I don't want Junior to feel the same pain I felt growing up."

The Koopalings nodded silently.

"However," Bowser continued, "I am not excusing his behavior or saying that it is okay. I don't feel that what Junior said was appropriate on any level. Because even though you guys don't share any of my genes, you are still my kids. You will always be my kids."

The Koopalings smiled. Lemmy went up and gave Bowser a hug. After a few seconds Wendy did the same thing, along with Larry, Ludwig, Morton, and Iggy. Even Roy joined in after a little bit.

"So, what is Junior's punishment?" Roy asked after the hugging had ceased.

"That is not your guys' concern," Bowser said. "All that you need to know is that there will be a punishment." With that Bowser got up and left the room. The Koopalings exchanged looks.

"I believe it is time for us to retire to our bed chambers," Iggy said. "Or, to put it in simpler terms for Roy's sake, I think it is time for us to go to bed."

The Koopalings nodded. Even though it was still light outside, all seven of them were exhausted. So, they all got up, went to their respective rooms, and fell asleep.

….

The next morning was a beautiful morning. The sky was clear of sulfurous gases, and something about the normally barren landscape seemed more...alive. While the Koopalings were still peeved at Junior for saying what he did, they did feel much better. Bowser entered the dining hall with a bright smile.

"Morning everyone," he said.

The Koopalings said good morning in unison.

"Did you guys have a good sleep?" Bowser asked.

"Yep," said Lemmy cheerfully. "I had a dream that I was rolling my ball down a tightrope at a circus."

"Did you fall?" asked Larry.

"Yeah, I did," said Lemmy. "But just before I hit the ground, I sprouted wings and flew through the roof! I flew everywhere; even into space!"

Bowser chuckled.

"Well, that definitely sounds interesting," he said. He then looked around the table. "Will one of you mind going up to get Junior?"

The Koopalings felt discomfort take hold of them. Then, Morton stood up.

"I'll do it," he said impassively. He exited the room, and his siblings exchanged looks.

"I hope Junior is in a better mood today," said Wendy.

"That is my desire as well," said Iggy. "Although, I do not foresee that being the case, considering he has a punishment hanging over his head."

Suddenly, Morton came back into the dining hall. He looked terrified, which was unusual for him.

"Guys," he said, "Junior is not in his room."