Wow, has it been a while! The past couple of months were busier than I anticipated.
But, let's not waste much time. Last chapter touched on it, but this for this chapter, it's time to watch Mario further his magical practice! …And go through the drama the oozes out with it, yay!
It's a bit of a read, but not as long as the last chapter, so clear some time and sit tight! Oh, and enjoy the newest chapter!
...
[Mario]
Once again, late into the day, Merlon guided me back to the top of Shooting Star Summit. Though it had only been another day since we had arrived at Star Hill, Merlon and I had practiced at least a dozen times already, and I'm pretty sure that I've lost count since.
Directly behind me was Bowser, trudging closely. I glanced back occasionally and caught him glaring ahead. For a moment, I would wonder if it was intended for me. But upon catching my eyesight, he would soften up and smile. His glowering was still reserved for Merlon, and yet, I couldn't understand what still bothered him about the Shaman that helped us.
Along with Bowser, Koopella strolled behind him. Unlike Bowser, she refused to soften her grim, narrowed gaze, settled intently on Merlon. With her, however, were Nix and Tech, both flying slowly behind Bowser, and neither seemingly annoyed with Merlon, to my knowledge.
Waiting for us at the top of the hill were Merlon's granddaughters, Merlee and Merluvlee. They turned and practically bounced in excitement at spotting me. My shoulders stiffened as we came together, a slight gust blowing around us.
"Hooray, he's finally here!" Merluvlee twirled around, her iris cloak flowing as she spun. "I can't wait to get started!"
"Me too," chimed in Merlee, letting her orchid cloak slide over her arms. "This is going to be so much fun, and so exciting!"
"Now girls, remember," cautioned Merlon. "Mario is still learning how to use these powers, and hasn't had nearly the amount of time nor practice that the two of you have had." He glanced at me and nodded. "He can take a punch, but don't overdo it."
"Geez Gramps, we get it," groaned Murluvlee.
"We'll be sure to go mostly easy on him," assured Merlee, easing her grandfather's worries, but not helping mine.
"Very good. Bowser, are your three ready as well?"
"Three?" I blinked. Turning back, I gawked at his minions. "They're…fighting me too?"
"You will not have the luxury of dealing with simple opponents, Mario," explained Merlon. "Neither will everyone be honorable to fight you alone. If you cannot anticipate surprises and fend off numerous foes, you will struggle."
"I still think this is too soon," grumbled Bowser. "You two may have practiced a good number of times, but Mario still has a ways to go."
"Fair point, but tell, King Koopa, how many fortresses have been taken back from you?" Bowser remained silent under Merlon's gaze. "Furthermore, were you not the one to tell me of dissenters in your own castle? Tell me, have they miraculously disbanded yet?"
"That's not fair," I intervened. "We'll have time to work on dealing with them, and we're not looking to purge them or anything dramatic."
"Even if they amount to an easy obstacle, what of the Mushroom Kingdom?" I folded my arms as Merlon shook his head. "You believe that you will have no consequences to handle? Is there any reason that Princess Peach will merely accept this?"
"She's my friend."
"Is that supposed to be your defense?" Merlon tilted his head. "Do you expect little to no retaliation because you've befriended her for years? Have you never lost a friend over time, or been betrayed by one?" I shuddered and Merlon raised his head, focused harder on me. "Have you not betrayed her by romancing the greatest of her enemies?"
"Fine, we get it." Bowser snorted. "Still feel like we're rushing this."
"Time does not linger," affirmed Merlon. "Why should we?"
Bowser opened his mouth, ready to argue again, but scooped his hand into mine. He glanced down at me as I shook my head. Shutting his mouth, he nodded, and Merlon moved to the opposite end of the hilltop, the arena.
"We'll deal with them, huh?" I turned back to Bowser, who smirked at me. "Think you can handle my rebellious troops?"
"Maybe." I shrugged and rubbed his hand. "But, I know that you can. With my help, it'll definitely work out."
He grinned broadly, maintaining it even as I let his hand go. His troops followed Merlee and Merluvlee toward Merlon, stopping a slight distance before him. I took my place forward a few paces, opposite to them.
My heartbeat kicked up, racing quicker now. Once more, I checked back with Bowser, his smile gone and his eyes widened. A light enveloped the area around us as the wind ceased.
Turning back to Merlon, I watched as he slouched, and I heard him panting. I stepped forward, moving toward him.
The next step, however, was nearly swallowed by the ground around my leg, and I fell back, watching a hole as it closed before me.
Peering up, I watched Merlee relax her hands as Merluvlee rushed forward. She jumped up and thrust her arm forward. A thick vine emerged from her sleeve and rocketed down at me.
Hastily, I rolled back and to the side, evading her whipping motions. A fireball rushed past me as I jumped away from the vine, nearly scorching me.
Nix flew forward, winked, and soared back into the air. As I looked back down, Koopella lowered her head and dove at me, her helmet's mini spear thrust forward.
Fumbling, I ran and jumped over her, narrowly evading her spiked shell. Abruptly, something quick thwacked me in the head.
A pebble fell to the ground as I rubbed my head. Looking up, I watched Tech Guy as he lowered his slingshot, digging through a pouch on his belt. He withdrew another small stone, and aimed at me again.
Annoyed, I shook my fist, which began to burn slightly. One minute, I was waiting for a flame to appear, but the next, I was launched from my feet and then slammed into the ground.
"Nice shot, Koopella!" Merluvlee cheered as she pulled back on her vine. I picked my head up, and the Koopatrol emerged from her spinning shell.
Suddenly, the ground quaked around me, as it broke open. I fell forward, and then was launched out by a stone pillar.
"Mario!"
Falling, I slammed back to the ground, and groaned. I heard Bowser begin to stomp toward me, but the ground rumbled again. Picking my head up, I spotted a wall of stones surround him, closing him into place.
"You'll need to do better, Mario," taunted Merlee, her hands opened, but close to one another, almost forming a box.
Gritting my teeth and pounding the ground, I forced myself back up. Another fireball came soaring at me.
Quickly, I lifted my hand and let it come at me. I grasped at the flame and shook my hand, as if building it. The fireball froze in my hand as I thrust it forward.
Nix's eyes widened as he watched the fireball whiz back out, returning to him. He flew up and flapped his wings as it soared off the hill.
Running to the star-marked center, I shook my hand again, with the fire spurting around me, but fizzing out. Too quick.
Another vine whipped out at me and I sidestepped it. Again, I shook my fist and the fire engulfed it. Pulling back, I hammered down, punching the fire into Merluvlee's vine.
It caught fire and roasted quickly. Merluvlee yelped and flailed her arm, with the vine snapping and detaching from her sleeve.
Shoving my other arm out, I opened my hand and a quick shot of water popped out. Unlike Merlon's blasts, it rained down to the ground, leaving me to sigh.
"Spread your fingers a little bit next time," instructed Merlon.
Pulling my arm back, I ready to repeat the act as Koopella runs forward. Instead, I shake my fist and thrust it out, as a spray of fire emerged from my opened hand.
With a skid to stop herself, Koopella is engulfed in the flames, failing to shield herself within her shell.
"Ella!"
Nix swooped down and dove into the fire, dragging his ally out. My arm dropped as I stared ahead, blankly at the burning soldier.
"Not bad, Mario!" My mouth parted as Merlee complimented the attack, and doused Koopella with a splash of water. "I'm not sure if that was your intention, but it went pretty well!"
"No, I…I can't—"
"It's no different from stomping your way past enemies before," noted Tech Guy as he flew over. "You just have a varied arsenal of your own now."
"But—"
Vines burst from beneath me and ensnared me. I gasped as they twisted and tightened around me, with Merluvlee approaching and twisting her hands, closing them slowly together.
"We're your…enemies here," managed Koopella. "You don't…get to feel…sorry for us." She coughed as Nix helped her from the ground. She pulled herself from his grip. "That goes for you too. Keep…attacking him."
Reluctantly, Nix nodded and flapped his wings, airborne once more. Struggling, as the vines grew tighter, I squirmed helplessly against their grip.
"Come on, Mario," called Merlon. "You're not helpless here."
Slowly, I rotated my hand around, lifting and dropping my fingers one by one. After the first few rotations, I picked up the speed, and ignored Tech Guy's slingshot attacks.
As I quickened the rotations, Nix flew up in front of me. His usual smirk was gone, and he fiercely glowered at me.
"Nothing personal," he murmured.
"Likewise," I managed through the constrictions.
His mouth was ablaze as he reared his head back. Sharply, I scooped upward with my spinning hand.
A pillar of wind rushed up from beneath me, with its surge knocking Nix back and forcing the vines apart.
Dropping down, I picked myself back up as a boulder flew at me. Ducking and run beneath it, I rotated my arms backwards rapidly.
After dodging the stone, I lifted my arms up, with another serge of wind bursting forth. It pushed the Shamans back, while twisting Nix and Tech Guy around in its gusts.
The airborne pair slammed into one another, and dropped from the air. Koopella watched as they dropped down next to her, and she scrambled to dig through Tech Guy's pack.
Shifting my foot forward a bit, I quickly slid it out and then stomped the ground. A small quake shattered against the earth and knocked the trio off balance.
"Sorry. Can't allow that." Stomping forward with my other foot, I lifted my arms up and thrust them into the air.
A pillar of earth rocketed Bowser's minions into the sky and they soared off, crashing down on the opposite end of the hill.
"Bravo, Mario!" Merlon applauded. "Three down."
I nodded as I returned my attention to the Shaman sisters. They blinked at me and giggled before turning to one another and nodding.
Hurriedly, I shook my fist and shot forward a fireball, and then quickly followed up with another. The pair sidestepped each one, and moved closer together.
Both slid one foot forward and stomped down. Almost immediately, I sank into the earth as it caved in around me. Staring up at the pair, I watched as they parted and twirled away from each other.
With that motion, however, they spun their arms around as well, moving with a careful rhythm. Writhing against the pit I was snared in, I kicked against the walls, knocking bits of dirt around me.
Merlee and Merluvlee spun back in toward each other, as I broke free from the earth. Quickly, they thrust their arms forward in unison, and a spray of petals fired out.
My arms flew up to shield myself, but it did little as pink and purple bits fluttered around me. They spun rapidly and sliced against me with sharpness I wouldn't expect from flowers without thorns.
Crouching, I tried to pull my cap down and strengthen my defensive stance. From beneath me, however, another flurry of petals burst from the ground and cut at me from below.
Rising up, I tried to launch another fireball, but my arm was too slow, and the fire fizzled out. Lifting my leg up, it went back down quickly, and not even a rumble sounded.
Dropping back down to my knees, I listened as Bowser thrashed against his stony prison. Still, the petal storm raged on as it cut past my clothes.
"Enough!"
Merluvlee dropped her arms first, quickly followed by Merlee. I picked my head up and watched as Merlon walked over to us. Lowering my head, I clenched my fists.
"Impressive work, thus far," commended Merlon. "Though, I must admit, I thought—"
"That I would be doing better by now," I interrupted. "Yeah, I thought so too."
"…Ah, that's not quite—"
"You don't have to let me down easy, Merlon," I snapped and glared up at him. "I can handle the truth."
"Truthfully, I don't think—"
"That I'm making a great deal of progress." I shook my head. "I didn't think so either."
Silently, Merlon folded his arms behind his back. He peeked past me and brought his arms back out, first together in a pointed stance, but then quickly apart.
Turning back, I saw Bowser wildly look around himself, stones back in the ground. He glanced up at me and half smiled. I frowned and walked toward him, past him.
"Hey, Mario!" He grabbed my shoulder and I turned back to him, eyes lowered.
"I need to be alone."
"Without me, or—?"
"Yes, that's the idea."
Dejected and deflated, Bowser released me as I stormed down from Shooting Star Summit. Quickly, I sped past Merlon's home, with several of Bowser's troops outside and watching me.
"Hm? Mario?" I didn't look back to see who tried to get my attention. "Mario, wait!"
Several hex shapes flew out and surrounded me. I whirled around as Kamek lowered his wand.
"Just where do you think—?"
Yelling, I lifted my arms above my head and roughly pulled them apart. The hexes were ripped apart and shattered into sparkles of dust, and Kamek gaped at me.
"Don't. Ask."
As I pivoted away, I caught Merlow watching me from inside the house. He stared fixatedly on me, his eyes aglow. Wrinkling my face, I continued on my path away from the Shamans' home.
After everyone was out of my sight, hidden behind the dark trees and bushes, I slowed my pace to a halt. Sitting on an indigo stump, I sighed and glanced at the violet grass and flowers.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" I rolled my eyes and turned my head as Merlon approached. "It's why I love this side of Star Hill, why I'm happy to have my home here. Cold, yes, but little to no snow, specifically at Shooting Star Summit."
"Sorry for snapping," I started. "But I just really, really want to be alone right now."
"Understandable, and magic usage doubles stressful emotions." He nodded and took a seat on a stone opposite to me, raising his leg and propping it over his knee. "It's frustrating when things take longer to achieve than we intend."
"Yeah, it does." I dropped my head and exhaled heavily.
"Do you realize how difficult this is, for you to learn?"
"Extremely."
"Perhaps, though, maybe not." I glanced up and he shrugged, wagging his ruby slipper slightly. "The amount of progress you have been able to make, even with just a few spells, is astonishingly remarkable."
"It's not good enough." I lowered my head again, staring at the violets near my feet. "I have to get better, and I progress quicker."
"Were you listening? I just commended you on the brilliant speed that you've already learned this much."
"And you didn't hear me." I picked my head up and lowered my eyes at him. "I just told you that I'm not doing well enough."
"You feel that you need to be flawless with these new spells," determined Merlon. "That is admirable, but it is improbable that you will learn what has taken members of my family years to master. There is more that I can teach you, but not everything I know, not in such limited time."
"Fine, but I'm not asking to learn everything," I protested. "Just enough to counter what I'm facing."
"The curse?" Merlon drummed on his leg a bit, but shrugged again. "So long as it remains separated from you, I believe that you'll be fine from its adverse effects." He tugged as his ivory mustache. "I still must find its source to properly dispel it, but so long as I have it under my possession, you're safe."
"Good," I murmured, lightly kicking at some grass.
"Can you explain to me what is truly bothering you?" I looked back up at Merlon. "Something besides this curse, besides your struggles with the magic. What is it?"
"Merlon, I don't—"
"Mario, you must talk about this with someone."
"Everything you went over with me, with us, earlier!" I ran my hands under my hat and through my hair, grabbing at it. "I need to be at my strongest, and then go beyond that! I have to be able to protect everyone and make sure that this war doesn't get out of hand. I don't want to see Peach or Luigi hurt, and I want to keep all of my friends from harm's way." I sighed. "Yet I need to save Bowser, too. He has not only the Mushroom Kingdom against him, but also members of his own army." One hand slid back down over my face as I pinched my brow. "Even I'm still causing him trouble, by being in a relationship with him, or by flipping out over things that aren't even his fault."
The elder Shaman blinked and nodded. He stroked at his mustache, and let his leg fall back down. He clasped his hands together and tapped his fingers against one another. Nodding again, he leaned forward, resting his hands on his lap.
"I wish I had a certain answer for you. Your future has always been the hardest to read," he explained. "And I'm going to share with you a secret, that I can't always been sure of my own predictions."
"Wait. You…can't see the future?"
"Oh no, I can," he clarified. "However, I cannot see the exact result, the definite or the definitive outcome." He sighed. "I can only see where the future is headed, and only so far ahead. Any kind of small change from the last time I checked can change everything. Today, I could tell you that the Mushroom Kingdom will war with Bowser for the next decade. Tomorrow, they could enter peace negotiations." He shrugged. "It doesn't mean that the future I saw will never happen, but it doesn't become guaranteed just because I see it. Does that make sense?"
"Mostly, yes," I murmured, unnerved at the thought about another decade of my friends battling one another. "But…why tell me this?"
"Because, I want to relate points. No matter how hard I try, no matter how much effort I put in to securing only positive outcomes, to plan accordingly, I cannot control fate. And believe me, I do try my damnedest to find only the best endings." His golden eyes glowed as he gazed into mine. "You are much the same as me, looking for only the best solutions, the perfect outcomes. Sometimes, these are achievable. Many times, however, they are not. And we simply must learn to accept that there are things beyond our control." He winked at me. "As stubborn as we are, that is exactly what fate is and how we come to accept it: limitless and untamed."
"That…still doesn't really solve my problems."
"No, it won't." He pulled on his mustache again. "Only those involved can solve your problems. I could tell you what I see, but that could change in as soon as an hour, or perhaps over another day." He tugged on his hood and pulled it a little lower, over his eyes. "I'm afraid that my best efforts to assist you will be to rid you of the curse, and teach you magic." Releasing the hood, it rose back up over his eyes, and he stared at me once again. "But, I believe in you, Mario. I feel that, of everyone involved with these conflicts, you are the heart of it, and you can help your friends solve everything, hopefully leading to a peaceful era."
For a moment, I could only nod. What was I supposed to tell him, tell myself?
Finally, I tried, "You seem confident in me, but I…I don't. And I can usually pull myself together, but lately…it just feels like a little…more than usual." I rubbed my arms, tracing the cuts in my sleeves. "I don't know if I'll be strong enough this time. And it feels like there is so much more at stake."
"Usually, you work alone or with just a small sum of companions," observed Merlon. "You have more than that this time. Bowser is with you, and with him comes a great army, even if it's still divided. Princess Peach, once you…sort everything out, will surely still work with you."
"Yeah…I'm not so sure about her," I admitted. "She…I don't know how she'll take this."
"Well, you'll find out soon enough. But here's the trick, Mario: she's still your friend."
"I know that."
"Right, but remember to remind her as well," cautioned Merlon. "And realize that you're not alone in feeling the weight of the world against you."
"Oh, she reminds me constantly." I weakly laughed a bit. Sighing, I scratched at my own mustache. "But, you're right, she usually has a lot going on for her. I just want to explain to her that…I don't want to hurt her. It's just…I don't want to hurt anyone anymore."
"Yes, and that's admirable. So, Peach, Bowser, obviously your brother, and—"
"Um…I'm not sure about him, either," I confessed. "He…didn't approve of…well, Bowser and I."
"He's your brother, Mario." Merlon let out a world-wearier sigh. "I truly realize how family does not always cooperate with one another, so I understand that he may struggle with following you on this one. But, I've heard of how he follows you through countless journeys, and in spite of great odds." He winked at me again. "Many times, we only muster the strength to do that so we can help the people that we love."
"True," I relented.
"Then, that's practically everyone in your corner," surmised Merlon. "All you have to do is continue to help everyone close to you."
"It…can't be that simple."
"Who told you it would be simple?" Merlon chuckled and winked again. "The best things that you want in life are things that you will have to vie for. Perhaps I could be wrong, perhaps you will encounter more odds than I can anticipate for you." He shook his head. "But, I think otherwise."
Dropping my shoulders, I nodded again. Somehow, his words put me a little more at ease.
"You will accomplish this, Mario. Just believe in everyone, especially yourself." He chuckled again. "After all, Bowser does."
"Yeah, he…really does." I scratched the back of my head. "I need to make it up to him, somehow, some day."
"Standing by him when he needs you the most, as he does for you, is exactly what you'll need to do."
"Right." Picking at my gloves, I wasn't as certain of that, especially after having stormed off on him. "So…what do you see for me?"
"Hmm." His eyes flashed as he stared into mine and he winced before shutting them. Slowly, he opened them and held a long, silent gaze at me. Finally, "I see…you returning to your beloved, once we have finished our conversation."
"Um…that's not…quite what I meant." I scratched the back of my head, a little baffled still. "I was hoping, maybe, you could explain things a little further off."
"Trust me, just a little, and know that what I've told you is all you need for now." He winked at me again. "Come on. You've got a grumpy king impatiently waiting for your return."
My shoulders dropped and my head lowered. "Maybe he…or maybe I should wait a little longer. He might…want some distance too, after what I—"
"Dear boy, he cannot live without you." My head jolted up and Merlon twisted his mustache around, nodding. "Hasn't anyone tried making that clear to you yet? If you two haven't learned that already, you should be understanding that by now."
"Well…we are still getting used to it, I suppose." I shrugged. "Not every couple turns out flawless from the start, right?"
"Not even close, and I can tell you that from experience. Years of experience."
We laughed and stood up from the stumps. Quieting down, I glanced around the woods for a moment, taking it all in. In spite of the rigorous training and battles, Star Hill was still a beautiful place.
"Ready to return?" I glanced back at Merlon, who had taken a few steps back toward his house already.
"Ah…just a minute." I checked around at the plants around me once more. "I just want to check something for a bit."
Tilting his head and looking around, Merlon's eyes sparkled just a bit. Though he might not have been completely sure, he nodded.
[Bowser]
After watching the old Shaman rush off after Mario, I trudged back down from the summit and over to the house. Several of my troops gathered and chattered quietly, until they noticed me appear. Kamek stared ahead, gawking at nothing.
With a growl, I let out, "Hey, wake up!"
The old Magikoopa jumped and whirled around to me. "Did…you see that?!"
"No, I just got here," I grumbled. "Was it Mario?"
"He…yes! He can…he just…poof!"
"…What?"
"Mario, he can just break hexes!"
"Oh, that." I shrugged. "Yeah, not a lot of them, but Merlon taught him how to get out of trapping enchantments and the like." I scratched my chin. "That was…I don't know, two training sessions ago? Three? Uh…I forgot."
"We haven't been here even half a week yet!"
"They teach magic faster here, I guess." Chuckling at his offended expression, I lumbered back over to the house.
"Lord Bowser." Glancing back, I watched Koopella, Tech Guy, and Nix hurry over to me. "Do you…need anything of us?"
"Yeah, you to get patched up, for starters." Snapping my fingers, I pointed at Olive. "Get her to help you lot out, ok?"
"But sire—"
"Just…I need a minute. Or, a few."
Silently, I stepped inside of the Shamans' household; they at least left the door big enough for me to get back inside of, earlier today. A crash rang out from the basement below. Blinking, I checked back out the window, counting the majority of our group outside.
"Maybe Mario…?"
Hesitantly, I crept toward the basement door. Listening for a moment, I took one step down. Shouting began, but I continued quietly, in spite of realizing it wasn't Mario, or Merlon.
Closer to the end of the steps, I waited behind a curtain that led into the basement.
"See?! I just told you that I couldn't do this, Dad!" That was…the kid. And very clearly on edge, yelling.
"And I'm telling you that you can, Merlow, and that you must!" It was his father, Merle. He shouted back, firmer than his son.
"Why?! Just because of Granddad's prophecies?!"
"That's exactly why!"
"Well, I can't! Ok?! I just can't do this!"
"Where are you going?!" A blast fired, followed by something shattering. "Merlow!" I listened to hurried footsteps. "Hey! Merlow!"
For a minute, it was quiet again. Abruptly, I heard Merle let out a frustrated cry, a bright light flashed out, and I flew back, hitting the steps behind me.
"Who's there?!" Shaking my head, I glanced up as the Shaman threw back the curtain. "Oh…King Bowser. My, ah, my apologies."
"Sure, it's, um, fine." I pushed myself back up from the stairwell and followed him back past the curtain, into the study. It was messier than earlier, with vials shattered and scrolls in disarray. Notably, a wall in the back was blasted open, creating its own dark corridor.
"…So…"
"Ah, you did hear that, then." Merle sighed and shook his head. "Sorry. My son has a tendency to get a little…well, very worked up."
"Must be a magic thing," I murmured. Of course it was, and we both knew that.
"Correct, and he's…having a little bit of trouble, lately." He massaged his temples behind his hood. "He's, uh…well, my father predicted that Merlow has great responsibilities to juggle in the future. And, while my father isn't always right about his predictions, he tends to get a lot of details right." He shook his head. "And Merlow has been overwhelmed with what's on his plate."
"What exactly is his, uh…destiny?"
"To change the world." Merle shrugged. "Most days, it's that he'll help establish peace after dealing with a great tragedy of sorts. Fitting, in a tired way."
"…Fitting?"
"Tragedy, with this family at the least." Merle scratched the back of his head. "It's just, ah…well, my mother, she passed protecting something…ancient. In short, my father did what he could to protect her, but failed." Turning away from me, he inhaled and took a moment before releasing it. "My wife died while fending off savages from Merlow when he was young."
"That certainly explains it," I muttered. A little more clearly, "I apologize, that's quite tragic indeed."
"Indeed," he repeated. He walked over to a shelf with fallen books, pushing them back up, but failing to keep them in place. "Neither my father nor I really ever entertained the idea of marriage again, though he certainly had several more dalliances before he was finally through. I…couldn't bring myself to it, with three children and my father to care for."
"Your reaction makes more sense, to me." I shrugged. "That…father of yours might have bounced back a little too easily."
"As I thought, at first," agreed Merle. "Though, he did accurately predict my mother's death, down to every last detail. Eerily, he had done the same with my wife, though it was while he was away from home." He weakly chuckled. "You can understand why my son is a little alarmed by his grandfather's prophecies."
"Duh. That's scary precision to follow." I scratched my head, and then shook it. "But, that's not all there is for your kid, huh?"
"…No, he's…I'm afraid he's always had reservations with…many aspects of his life." Merle twirled his large blonde mustache around his gloved finger. "Merlow's frustrations come out most when he practices his magic, unlike the rest of us. Tension is hard to keep under wraps, and when you're channeling magical spells, you're relying on not just skills and techniques, but everything you're feeling." He sighed, heavier than before. "Bottling something inside of you will inevitably pour out when using any type of spell, or extensively utilizing magic."
"So that's what it is," I mumbled.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, just remembered something."
"Oh…?"
"Nothing important." I tugged at my collar and readjusted it, eyeing Merle as he stepped away from the broken shelf, glancing back and forth around the room. "But, your son also has to deal with additional pressures, right? Some, um…outside influences?"
"…You mean myself, and my father," quickly deduced Merle.
"Well, yeah." I sucked in my cheek for a moment, pondering how to go over this a little more tactfully than I'm used to. Got nothing. "Look, you two, from how it sounds, can be pretty hard on the kid. His grandfather's giving him these far off predictions that are predetermining his life, and you…well, you're doing your best to help him get there, but, from what I heard, you can be a little…too harsh."
"Strict, and I must be." He shook his head. "Merlow must become stronger."
"See, you're rushing his life away like that," I contended. "Believe me, I get this a lot more than you can imagine. My father, the Koopa King before me, he…he set me up to learn about being a king and an enemy to the Mushroom Kingdom first and foremost. My bonding time with him…was far less than ideal."
"Really?" His tone was filled with…genuine surprise, at that? Well…I hardly go over this.
"Actually, that's putting it lightly." I inhaled deeply before exhaling. "My father was an absolute tyrant. He was constantly trying to get me to come up with…schemes and plots to overthrow the coming royalty for the Mushroom Kingdom. Whenever I wanted him to actually bond with me, or when I asked too many questions, he roared, and uh…well, it wasn't long before he sent me away with my retainer."
"The Magikoopa?"
"Kamek, yeah. And…it was before he was really anything to me, so…" I swayed my tail a little and shrugged. "Point is, my father sucked."
"My condolences."
"That's fine, I've…well, I lived it already." I shook my head. "So, when I had a kid of my own, I…vowed to do a hell of a lot better than him."
"And how has that been working out?"
"Some days, I'm pretty sure that I screw it all up on levels parallel with my father's stupidity." I smirked and glanced at the desk with the shredded tablecloth. "But, on a lot of other days, I love my kid with everything I've got, and…I know that I'm at least doing better than my father. Doing more."
"Sounds like you're doing far better, and good for you both." Merle nodded and pulled a bit on his mustache.
"But, that's the thing: I'm doing better with my son because I'm taking the time to love him, raise him myself. There are some days that I realize he has a long way to go before following in my footsteps. But, he's young, and I can't rush him." I returned my gaze to Merle's bright yellow eyes, staring directly into his shrouded hood. "And that's my point. Your kid, uh…Merlow, he may have a lot to handle as time goes on. But, you need to be there with him for now as much as you need to prepare him for the future. He needs your love and compassion as much as he needs your guidance."
"…You raise a very valid point, Bowser," decided Merle. He chuckled. "You're a lot more clever than the stories I've heard about you."
"Nobody likes to paint a monster as anything intelligent," I joked.
"True, unfortunately." Merle shook his head. "Well, I suppose this relates to my own experiences with my father and son, though I suppose our results are a little more in between your clearly awful relationship with your father, and great bond with your son." He sighed. "Perhaps I have more to learn as a parent than I realized. It never seemed this difficult with the girls."
"How are they?"
"Depends on the day. Sometimes, they can be a pair of angels. Other days, they're quite demonic in their own right." Merle held his head and slowly shook it around. "It can be a nightmare when they're trading off, with one happy and cheerful while the other is fantastically moody and annoyed. Then, the next day, they'll practically switch their feelings."
"Joys of having twins?"
"Something like that," laughed Merle. "Still, I love them all the same, and most days, they're irreplaceably precious. All three of them, truly." If I could see his face, I'd imagine Merle would be grinning proudly.
"Of course!" And that's how it should be, with everyone.
"Thank you, Bowser." Merle nodded. "I'll do better going forward. Hopefully, when Merlow gets back, I'll be able to connect with him better."
"Just give him some space, time, and then he'll get there," I advised.
"Certainly." He stroked his mustache and his eyes lit up a little more as he studied me. "…You're not speaking of experience with just your son anymore, are you? Not with that last comment."
"…Nope." I exhaled heavily. "Mario got a little frustrated and took off after botching a bit of his training."
"Ah."
"Yeah, he's…worked up. Especially with the magic training."
"Really? Merlow's quite jealous of his speedy progression," revealed Merle. "Merlee and Merluvlee are shocked by how much he's learned in such short time. I am too, now that I think about his progress. Even my father has been praising him." He shrugged. "Guess we should tell him that."
"We should, because he doesn't see that. I can definitely tell he's putting his all into it." My head dropped as I stared at the floor. "It's…hard, not being any help to him."
"From what I can tell, even from just the small amount of time you've spent here, you help him plenty," observed Merle. "You brought your own escort for him, didn't you?"
"Kind of…yeah, I guess I did." It was Kamek who organized that, and they're more for me than him, but…it works out in both of our favor. "It's just…I don't want him to think that I'm not trying to help him with, well…everything. I want him to understand that I'm here for whatever he needs."
"Are you sure that he doesn't already?" Merle shrugged. "I feel like Mario tries so hard with helping everyone because he wants to help you as much as he wants to help others."
"I like to think that too, but…I don't know." I folded my arms. "I guess…I'm not used to it? And…I'm not really used to giving anyone space, really, since…well, I can be bossy." He laughed at that, and I had to grin, if only briefly. "But, really, I…don't want to mess things up. And…when he pulls away, I just…feel like I'm ruining…us."
"No, I don't think so."
"You weren't there for our big break-up."
"Nasty?"
"Uh…he ran away from my castle. And then…I beat him up and kidnapped him after having my minions beat up his friends."
"…Are you and Mario into some kind of relationship where…abuse is—"
"Hey, wait a second there!" I jerked my head up and threw my arms open. "Look, I'm not great with soft approaches, but I'm definitely trying to have as normal of a relationship as I can with him! And…well…we're getting past the kidnapping and locking away crap, ok?"
"Locking away?"
"It's…really not as bad as I'm making it sound, honest!" Yes it is, and I'm paying for it.
"Ah…right." Merle cleared his throat. "Getting back on topic then, all couples go through trial and error stages, at multiple points of their relationships. And it really depends on how they can properly communicate and cooperate with each other in spite of the, um, hardships."
"…What?"
"Have you given him many opportunities to help you as well?" Merle twirled his mustache again. "He seems to get plenty of you chasing him around and bringing him all the way here to get rid of the curse, and keeping him safe from your other minions, right? But…what has he helped you with?"
"He's…trying to help me find peace with Princess Peach." I tapped my claws together. "And, uh…helped me smooth out my relationship with my son. And some other minions of mine."
"The ones that rebelled against you?"
"Um…I try to keep him away from them, mostly."
"Perhaps he should be working with you on that matter," determined Merle. "Work with Mario more, not for him. He's not meant to be your prisoner, and you're not supposed to be his slave." He paused, and then started to add, "At least…not outside of fore—"
"Ok, got it, thanks," I interrupted. "So…what, you want me to not help him as much?"
"No, keep doing what you're doing, just…don't go overboard with it. And…let him in to help you, too." Merle nodded. "He's not fragile, by any means. And while I'm sure that you're strong on multiple levels, you're definitely not invincible. So, open up to him more, and let him help you when you need it." He shrugged. "Don't shoulder all of the burdens yourself. A good relationship balances it, and…well, the two of you are working on that, so…just do it a little better."
"Right, ok." I nodded and smirked. "What's that from, anyway? Experience?"
"Most definitely," laughed Merle. He quieted down quicker than I expected and lowered his head. "A lot of…experience…"
"…Do you…really give into…your own emotions?" He picked his head back up to stare at me, right in the eyes. "Have you really ever finished grieving over your wife, over your mother?"
"Y-yes, plenty."
"That didn't sound so sure to me."
"Perhaps not, but I can't let tragic events overwhelm me for so long." He sighed and shook his head, looking down again. "My family depends on me to be stronger than that, and I need to be, for their sakes."
"Huh. That sounds familiar." He slowly glanced up at me as I smirked. "What was it you just told me? How you're not supposed to shoulder the world's burdens all on your own?"
"W-well, that's…it's different, with your…lovers have a better balance than families!"
"Not so true." I wagged my finger at him. "My kid amazes me with even the simplest of lessons he can teach me. You'd be floored with everything your kids could probably teach you."
"…I…suppose…"
"Come on, I know you've got a damn good cry in you," I prodded. "Let it out for once."
"Believe me, I have already," insisted Merle. "And I've played my feelings over and over about how I would do anything to change their fates. But, what's done is done." He inhaled sharply and loosely exhaled. "I…I can only move forward. And, while it doesn't truly go away…I'm at peace with it."
My mouth opened to argue again, but several footsteps paraded around from above us and a little bit of shouting rang out.
"Oh, what is going on up there?" He shook his head. "I'm afraid that will be the end of our conversation, Bowser. It is delightful to realize that we're not so different from one another—"
"Hang on, Merle," I tried once more. "Shouldn't we just take a minute to—?"
The door to the basement opened and footsteps started down the stairwell. Merle silently shook his head at me, and then quickly waved his hands around, casting spells to clean up the study. Before I knew it, things were put back together, just before the curtain was pulled back over.
"Training Merlow again, son?" Merlon brushed his mustache and nodded as he entered. "Cleaned up the mess already, too." He shook his head quickly and blinked at me, tilting his head. "Oh…hello, Bowser. This…isn't where I was expecting you."
"Where should I be?" I snorted. "It's not like…"
In a second, upon spotting Mario step from behind Merlon, my thoughts vanished. He glanced up at me, sighed, and looked away. My whole body suddenly became heavier as I slouched, letting my arms hang.
"Ah…Merle, son, why don't…let's give them a minute, shall we?"
Shuffling over to his desk, Merlon glanced around and spun over to the shelf. He snatched a scroll, grabbed Merle, and hurried back upstairs, leaving Mario and I alone in the basement.
"So, what, you cool off yet?" I folded my arms. "Don't expect me to—"
"You don't have to," he cut in, looking back up at me. "I shouldn't have stormed off, and I had no right to push you away like that. You have every right to be angry, and I'm sorry."
Stunned, I hesitated for a moment and dropped my arms again. Walking over to him, I gently picked his head back up.
"Actually, I was going to tell you, 'don't expect me to leave you alone again,' because I don't like being separated anymore." His eyes welled up and tears lined my eyes too. "I thought you were still angry with me."
"No, not you," he corrected. "I was angry at myself, and I…I didn't want to take it out on you at all." He heaved and hastily brushed his eyes. "I'm tired of hurting you."
"Thought we moved past that by now," I joked, gently scratching Mario's chin. "But yeah, let's take it easier on each other, huh?" Leaning in, I kissed him softly, pecking at his lips. "I'm here whenever you need me."
"Right, I want to be by your side as well," concurred Mario.
He guided my face into his and we kissed again. For a moment, he pulled back and tickled me with his mustache.
"Hey, don't tease me like that," I moaned.
"Sorry…but it's cute when you groan."
"Ugh, Merle was right." I stroked him back into me, near my lips. "You are into some weird things."
"Like what?"
"Me."
We laughed a little and I kissed him again, running my tongue across his lips. He parted his mouth open and pressed his tongue against mine. Lightly pushing into him, I went to deepen the kiss when he abruptly pulled back.
"Too much?" I blinked as he stepped away from me, licking his lips.
"Not even close, but…I have something else I need to take care of."
Mario started to walk back for the stairs, but I snatched his arm to hold him back. My heart skipped a little, but slowed when he turned around, still smirking at me. His bright blue eyes were serene and warm, and my breathing became steady.
Still, I had to ask: "What are you doing?"
"Feeding my heroic ego," he mocked and winked at me.
Snorting, I couldn't hide the grin that snuck onto my face. After a second, I let Mario go, and followed him back upstairs, closing the distance.
[Mario]
Merlon took Bowser and I back to the top of Shooting Star Summit, with Merlee and Merluvlee arriving not long after us.
"Grandfather, are we really fighting Mario again?" Merlee placed a hand on her hip. "We figured that once would be enough for the day."
"Mario requested just a chance to face off with the two of you once more," explained Merlon for me. "He wants to know if he can beat either of you at all."
"Is that right?" Merluvlee giggled and lightly stroked her veil. "Well, if you're insisting on this, Mario, we'll be glad to give you another wallop!"
"We'll see."
"Are you sure you don't want my help on this?" Bowser folded his arms as I turned back to him, smiling at him. "Not helping the first time around was bad enough, and it's not like I'm going to…it's not like you'll be alone."
"You're right, I probably won't be," I realized. "Still, I need to know if I can handle myself."
"Very well." Merlon's hands lit up. "Just give this old timer a moment—"
"Actually," I interrupted, "I wanted to try this one without you exhausting yourself."
"Oh?" Merlon paused, thinking, and then shrugged. "Well, as the girls put it: if you insist."
Stepping forward, I walked closer to the middle, opposite of the twin sisters. The Shamans glanced to one another and nodded.
Merluvlee pulled her arm back, and then forced it forward, with a vine emerging from her sleeve.
Immediately, I lit my arm with fire. Ablaze, I sidestepped the vine and waited as it crashed to the ground.
Quickly, I picked my arm up and hammered down at the vine, severing and burning it. I watched as Merluvlee quickly scrambled with pulling her arm away from the vine by her sleeve.
Merlee stomped down next, and then scooped her hands to lift the earth beneath her. She jabbed forward with both arms, rocketing the stone toward me.
Running toward it, I rotated my hands around one another before pushing down with them. A gust of air piled together and I launched myself over her boulder, flipping into the sky.
"Nice try," applauded Merlee. "But that's how you've doomed yourself."
Together with Merluvlee, the pair stomped down and lifted up smaller chunks of earth. They punched upwards, and uppercut the rocks at me.
I shook my fists and lit them on fire once again. Punching, I countered their stones with fireballs, breaking them to bits of pebbles.
Rotating my arms around again, I separated them before dunking down this time, creating a heavier burst of wind. It knocked both Shamans back and softened my landing.
Merlee scooped at the ground again, trying to have the land around me swallow my body like before.
As I sank in, however, I took in a deep breath and lifted my arms. Barely spreading my fingers, I halted the sinking dirt, first in front of me, and then all around.
Merluvlee traced circles in the air, and then quickly cut across her body, swiping leaf blades at me as I pulled myself from the ground.
Shaking both hands, firing them up once again, I swiftly slammed my fists together, creating a small fire barrier before me. Each leaf that flew into it quickly burnt away.
"This doesn't make sense," I heard Merluvlee murmur. "He's suddenly even better!"
Both Shamans stared at me for a moment, and then turned to each other. Nodding, they spiraled around, first away from one another, and then back in together.
The storm of petals rushed from their arms once again, swarming around and slicing me once again. Repeating my motions from before, I crafted another fire barrier, scorching the petals to ash.
However, another flurry blasted from beneath me, with flower bits scattered around and floating up to slice at me again.
Breathing in, and then out, I calmly guided my hands around in a circle. Moving my whole body around, I slowly rotated as I spun my hands, lifting each finger consecutively. A heavy wind slowly brewed between the flower storm and myself.
For a moment, half way around, I caught Merlon nod while Bowser smirked, both watching my movements attentively.
Guiding myself back around to face them, I spiraled my hands around a few rotations, whipping up a wind funnel. The petals were swept into it and fired out, right back at the sisters.
Together, they slammed at the ground and lifted up a rocky barrier to block the petal blades from slicing at them.
That, however, was what I wanted them to do.
Swiping at the air, I jumped forward and lifted a vortex beneath me. Rocketing up, I soared forward and above the wall, flipped above the girls.
Their eyes widened as I shook my fists and quickly punched down, hitting each Shaman with a fireball. I fell closer to them and twirled my body around.
Thrusting my fists forward again, I launched a larger, stronger fireball down at the pair, blasting the area beneath us. I flew back into the air as the pair shouted out, and crashed to the ground a slight distance away from the flames.
Merlon ran forward and launched a spray of water to douse the sisters out, and the pair sank to their knees. Bowser roared with a laugh and scooped me up from behind, tossing me up and back into his arms.
"Excellent work, Mario," congratulated Merlon, still checking his granddaughters. "That was a significant improvement, and in a short amount of time!"
"To be honest…I think I got a little lucky on that part," I admitted, opening and closing my hands. "…That last one hurt more than it helped."
"Hey, it worked in your favor," soothed Merlee.
Merluvlee giggled. "Yeah, you literally smoked us!"
Bowser whispered, "Feel a little better now?" I nodded slightly and he nuzzled his cheek against mine.
"We'll still need to see if Mario can juggle a larger number of opponents at once," reminded Merlon. "However, defeating my granddaughters is certainly proof of your merits thus far. I believe it may be time to take your training even further."
Before I could respond, another voice called out: "My Most Gracious King Bowser!"
Everyone turned as Olive floated up the hilltop, and the green Blooper hurried up to Bowser and I. He blinked, keeping me cradled in his arms.
"What is it, Olive?"
"Some…we have a…visitor. From the castle."
"My castle?"
"Yes, please, come with me."
He stomped after her as she floated off, and I cleared my throat. Grinning, Bowser continued forward for a bit, still carrying me.
"You are not bringing me down in front of everyone else like this," I grumbled.
"Aw, you never let me have fun with this," he teased as he stopped and set me down to the ground.
Olive waved us to follow her again, and Bowser continued after her. The rest of us followed him back down the summit and to the Shamans' house, where his other minions had gathered around.
"Ok, one side, make way," shouted Bowser, and the group pulled apart.
For a moment, I turned away, watching Merle step out from the house and walk over to the rest of his family. Glancing across from them and behind a tree, I spotted Merlow, quietly closing a book and turning to us, staring directly at me.
"Master Bowser, my king!" I whirled back around and stared at the little red-cloaked figure before the Koopa King he called for.
"Hey Kamek, a mini-you showed up." Bowser pointed at the little fellow, who flailed around.
"Sire, please! That's so…degrading to call a Toady," the Mini-Kamek complained.
"And just what about my name is debasing?" Kamek folded his arms and tapped his foot, definitely glaring behind his spectacles.
"N-nothing, Lord Kamek, it's…oh, never mind that!" Mini-Kamek turned back to Bowser and waved his arms around as the propeller on his hood spun a bit quicker. "Sire, your son, the prince, sent me."
"Junior?" Bowser's slightly playful tone vanished in just a word. "Why? What happened?"
"It's the Koopalings, sir. They captured a group of Toads, and they're…well, your son believes that they're plotting a confrontation with Princess Peach's forces."
"When did those blasted twerps decide on that?!" Bowser stomped down, knocking Goomphen and Bombkin off balance. "They're not supposed to abandon the castle at all, much less to challenge Peach!"
"Yes, and once you've concluded aiding Mario with his ailment, my prince has requested your return."
Silently, Bowser nodded, eyebrows lowered. Slowly, he turned away from the Toady in the middle of his crowd, and hesitantly glanced over at me. I blinked and paused for a moment, but then quietly nodded to him.
Merlon was right about the fleeting time.
...
Well, magic practice was fun while it lasted.
But yeah, writing spells was more complicated than I expected. Exaggerated hand motions that differ from each attack, that's some crazy stuff! …And we care little about that, I know, lol.
This chapter was a combined delve into Mario's advanced practices with magic, a little more relationship exploration between him and Bowser, and building a little bit of back story on both Merlon and Merle! I wasn't anticipating adding that much on Merle, but I was like, "Hey, he's a dad, Bowser's a dad, and they've both got issues, so why not?!" …I admit, I am just a little bit twisted. Just a bit.
Anyway, yeah, Mario has been learning some magical spells from Merlon, and it has been in condensed time sessions, where Merlon slows the time around them, or rather, speeds up the time it takes Mario to practice. (Or is it both?! …You'll never know…!) So, Mario's still got a ways to go with everything, but he ultimately managed to topple Merlee and Merluvlee, who are adept in magical prowess, in spite of their frivolous natures. And, of course, Mario's primary spell use goes to shooting out fireballs, because it's Mario. But the wind and air stuff was fun to have him pick up and learn pretty well too; after all, Mario's all about jumping, so I imagine he'd pick up flying around to a degree. Though, I think it was more fun to see the Shaman sisters using earth and plant life in their attacks, which are fairly underrated in terms of magic elements.
Also, since magic makes users moody, Mario and Bowser got to have another little spat, oh no! But, this one was resolved much quicker, and they got to smooch each other again. (I missed writing these two kissing for a while, don't judge me. …Wait, if you're still reading this, you shouldn't be.) But yeah, Bowser can be a little too forward with trying to help Mario out, while Mario feels the need to be more helpful with Bowser's issues. And gee whiz, that just might be tying in with the coming plot! Who saw that one coming?! (Spoilers: everyone probably. I'm not very good at curveballs, I know.)
It was nice to have Merlon have a heart-to-heart with Mario, and I really enjoyed the mentor and hero relationship that they had. Meanwhile, it was a feels trip for Merle, who actually has a sad background that I totally planned on. He needs a good cry, you know? Then again, maybe that Merlow kid does too.
Other stuff: I wanted to write more woodsy stuff, so it was fun having Mario wander out and look at the flowers. Nix, Koopella, and Tech returned to do stuff this chapter! Specifically, fighting stuff! I liked working with those three again. Olive was originally just a passing mention, but I decided to give her a few lines at the end, because yes. And yelling contests between a father and a son were so loud that they didn't hear a giant turtle king sneak down creaky basement stairs. That's a magical moment all its own.
That's all from this chapter though! Next time, we'll spend some more time with Mario and Bowser, as they decide on what to do next! …Oh, and then we get to that part where the Koopalings do a thing. Hooray?
Feedback is super cool, and it keeps me going, so if you guys could send me a message or a review, that would be super appreciated! I mention that a lot after every chapter, and it does seem to work, so thank you to everyone that does respond to the chapters! No, I don't expect everyone to answer every chapter, but the more comments on them, the better I can do with the future chapters! Anyway, comments, criticisms, and questions are all welcomed.
Oh, and ENY is officially in the Top 10 Most Followed fanfics on the Mario fanfiction archive! I thanked readers about that in the last chapter, but I wanted to thank everyone again, especially new readers that tune in and add this story to their interest piles! It's great to see newcomers that still join in on the story, and I'm always happy to see more people following the story. So, THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN! I'm hoping this story continues to slide up on the filtered pages and steadily more visible, and that's thanks to everyone still interested in it!
Sorry, I talked a lot again. And I missed it too, because I don't get to talk a lot to people…at least, not about this kind of fun stuff. But yes, that'll do it for now, and more for next time! Thanks again for reading, everybody!