Just as the sun began to set over the horizon, light gleamed through the window of the training room. Kammy entered the facility, having been summoned to inspect the fruits of Junior's arduous labor. The Koopalings seemed to be growing restless and exhausted in the meantime. Morton was asleep and rocking back and forth on the back of his shell on the floor, Wendy was filing her claws, Larry appeared to be zoning out and staring at nothing in particular in the distance, Lemmy was tossing one of his rubber balls into the air and catching it repeatedly, and Roy was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His sunglasses chased off any notions of reading his mind through his eyes, as usual. The only one who still seemed actively involved in Junior's training – aside from Junior himself – was Ludwig, naturally.

Junior was hunched over on his hands and knees; panting heavily and sweating profusely. Whatever maneuver he had just performed, Kammy had arrived a minute too late to see it. Ludwig approached his pupil, kneeled down, and handed him a towel and a bottle of water.

"My, you seem to have been working hard today, dear," Kammy commented cheerfully. Junior grinned modestly as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Ah, Kammy. You're here. Wonderful!" said Ludwig.

"I trust his training today was productive, Ludwig?"

"Certainly. I wouldn't consider him a master of the three arts yet, but I believe he has a solid enough grasp of each for the demonstration."

"That's wonderful to hear," said Kammy. "Why don't we take a break for dinner, then Junior can show me what he's learned after?"

"No…," Junior denied. The group looked over at him curiously. "I wanna finish what I started. Right now."

"But dear, you must be exhausted."

"I can keep going," Junior argued. "I have to…" Ludwig and Kammy stared at one another blankly.

"If…you insist, Prince Junior." Iggy's words were still fresh in the prince's mind.

Well, Bowser wasn't just born that way. He had to work for it and get there by himself. Don't you think it's fair that you'd have to do the same?

Junior couldn't stop now just because he was a little tired. His father wouldn't, and he had to go through much worse. Junior wanted to finish training on his own terms. He had to show Kammy what he'd learned now.

"Take your stance, Prince Junior," Ludwig instructed. Without uttering a word, Junior stood up and spread his feet apart. Kammy focused her attention on Junior and was prepared to not look away until he was finished. The prince clenched his fists, breathed in through his nostrils, and out through his mouth.

Ludwig placed his hands together, then thrusted his arms directly above him as if he were lifting a tremendous weight. The floor of the training room began to tremble. Suddenly, a large, stone statue of Bowser protruded out from beneath the ground through a magical portal of purple light. It levitated for a moment, then landed in front of Junior. The Koopa Prince stared his inanimate father down. Ludwig snapped his claw and in the blink of an eye, the Bowser statue began to vibrate….and move! It came to life! Junior planted his feet firmly on the ground and squatted slightly.

Here we go… Larry muttered under his breath from the sidelines.

An orange light began to pour from the statue's mouth. Then, a ball of fire launched from it like a cannon ball. It made a direct beeline for Junior. Similar to Ludwig, Junior smacked the palms of his hands together. He had to build up the physical magic energy in his hands and prepare his counter; just as Roy had told him. Just as the fire ball honed in on its target, Junior thrusted his arms out in front of him to meet it.

The ball of heat made impact.

The fire ball stopped in its tracks mere inches from Junior's hands. He could practically feel the heat on his scales. Yet, the projectile had been blocked. To the onlookers of the room, it appeared as though Junior were wearing an invisible catcher's mitt, and the fireball was resting inside it. Junior spun around in place. The fireball moved in perfect symmetry with his body. Once Junior had completed a full 360 degree spin, the fire ball was catapulted back from whence it came at precisely the same velocity. It collided with the Bowser statue's head and melted the stone into nothing. The Koopalings applauded. Kammy placed a hand to her chin.

"Well, he certainly has respectable control over physical magic," she commented.

"Well done, Prince Junior. Now prepare yourself for the second trial!" Ludwig called out. Junior nodded. The Koopaling waved his hand aggressively. The headless Bowser statue retreated its arms, legs and tail into is shell and began to spin rapidly like a top. It rocketed itself directly towards Junior. The prince stood his ground. The shell drew closer and closer. Its speed was comparable to the fire ball.

Yes…That's it. Let it come closer... Ludwig thought to himself. Visualize the opportunity with the clarity of your mind. Junior clenched his fists, but dropped his arms to his sides. The shell was only feet away from collision with him. Junior stamped one foot forward and jerked his head down as if he were about to clobber the shell with his face. The shell had just about scraped the claw on Junior's toe when suddenly…it froze in place. The stone object sat still; frozen in time.

"Did he…stop the shell with his mind?" Kammy asked, dumbfounded.

"Indeed. An exceptional display of mental magic, Prince Junior," Ludwig praised. "But I admit I'm curious. What will you do with it now? Proceed with trial three: spiritual magic!" Junior clapped his palms together once more, then lifted them above his head. He shut his eyes and gritted his teeth to concentrate. By this point, all of the other Koopalings were paying close attention.

"The squirt's really gonna pull this off…," Roy spoke as he titled his glasses down to witness the spectacle with his own eyes directly.

"Let's just see…," Wendy added.

"C'mon, Junior. I know you can do this…," said Larry.

A swirl of clouds materialized above Junior's head. Then from within them, a thwomp came hurling down. It smashed the stone shell into pieces. The room fell into silence for a moment as the last pieces of rubble rolled into their resting places. Junior fainted back onto his shell; short of breath. Immediately, the training room erupted with thunderous cheers as the Koopalings stampeded over to Junior and hoisted him up in a celebratory fashion. All of the cheerful demeanors and words of praised drowned themselves out around him. But Junior smiled at all the attention and praise all the same. Kammy smiled and placed a hand on Ludwig's shoulder.

"You've done well, Ludwig," she praised. "I believe he's ready." Ludwig smiled back humbly.

"Thank you, Kammy. But tomorrow is the real moment of truth," he described. Junior was cheerfully escorted out of the training room by the Koopalings like the star of his own parade. Kammy followed suit, but Ludwig noticed Roy was lingering behind nearby.

"…Is something troubling you, Roy?" Ludwig asked. The bald Koopaling glanced over at him.

"Guess it shouldn't be…," Roy answered nonchalantly.

"…What shouldn't be?"

"I shouldn't be all hung up about…this…you…everythin' you're doin' for Junior."

"I'm afraid I'm not following you."

"Wasn't all that long ago that you couldn't stand the kid," Roy started. "'Member when Bowser and Junior had that accident and went missing for a few days?" Ludwig froze in place.

"Y-yes…?"

"I remember you tryin' to step up and take the throne right out from under 'em," Roy described. "You used to be so jealous that Junior was meant to be the next king and not you just cuz he was lucky enough to actually be born as Bowser's kid."

"That was a long time ago, Roy. Things are different now," Ludwig defended.

"Are they?" Ludwig stared up into his reflection in Roy's sunglasses. His eyelids narrowed.

"You don't trust me?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then why not save us both time and just speak your mind? Say exactly what you mean because at the moment I haven't a clue what you're implying." Ludwig took a step towards Roy. The tension in the air was rising.

"Hey, hey take it easy," Roy replied as his voice cracked. "I didn't mean nothin' bad by it, Luddy. I'm just sayin' that I'm surprised. That's all." Ludwig crossed his arms.

"Surprised by what exactly?"

"Just…how different you've been acting lately. It's a good thing! Really! It's just…I didn't expect you of all people to step up and help Junior when his coronation got canned. It's good that ya did, honest. But I guess I was just thinkin' you'd be happy about that cuz you would think it means you still got a shot at takin' the throne for yourself somehow." Ludwig put his arms behind his shell and meandered over to the nearby window to examine the setting sun.

"I'm not a child anymore, Roy," said Ludwig. "I understand that I will never have the same royal privilege that Prince Junior possesses, and I've accepted it. Teaching magic gives my life meaning now. If I can feel a sense of purpose from training Junior then…that will have to be enough for me…" Roy joined Ludwig by the window and slapped his hand on the latter's shoulder.

"Good for you, Luddy. Glad to hear it." Roy turned and approached the exit. He stopped and motioned for Ludwig to follow him, but he was met with a dismissive palm.

"Go. Eat. I will be with you all momentarily," Ludwig explained. Roy gave Ludwig a thumbs-up with a grin, and departed down the hall. Ludwig returned his attention to the window once more and glared at the day's fading light.

It's what must be done.

Junior found it difficult to concentrate on the simple task of eating his meal when he was being constantly bombarded left and right with praise from Larry and Lemmy, who were seated at each of his sides. Sure, his tremendous rate of training progression in a single afternoon was nothing to sneeze at. But still, that was only a warm-up. Earning Kammy and Ludwig's approval wouldn't mean much if he didn't pass the real exam tomorrow. Everyone else seemed to be convinced that Junior could do it. Yet somehow, a strand of doubt lingered within the prince's mind.

A handful of times throughout the evening, Junior glanced across the table over at Bowser, but the latter hardly seemed to notice him. Bowser looked determined; as though he were focusing or obsessing over something and couldn't be distracted by anything else. Perhaps deep down it was his father's approval and vote of confidence that Junior was in need of most. But he wasn't getting it right now. It was difficult to tell if Bowser was still upset over their last argument from the night before, or even what else could've been troubling him. Ultimately, the prince decided not to press his father for answers and remained silent.

At the conclusion of dinner, Junior departed from the dining hall. The Koopa Prince strolled about halfway down the corridor when he suddenly felt a hand latch onto his shoulder. Junior jumped around in a panic. It was Ludwig who was now standing behind him.

"Ludwig! ...What's up?"

"How are you feeling, Prince Junior?" the Koopaling inquired. Junior rubbed the back of his neck.

"A little tired I guess. I was just heading up to my room. Why?"

"I have something for you." Ludwig revealed that in his other hand he was holding a small teacup and coaster. In the dim light of the torch on the wall behind them, Junior could make out a red, steamy liquid in the cup. Ludwig held the drink out in front of him in an offering gesture.

"…What is it?" the prince asked hesitantly.

"A celebratory drink. You deserve a treat for working so hard today." Junior eyeballed the beverage, but still hesitated to accept it.

"Dad says I can't drink 'til I turn 21," Junior reasoned. Ludwig chortled at that.

"Oh, Prince Junior! This isn't an alcoholic beverage! It is a cup of my double cherry herbal tea," Ludwig explained.

"Oh…"

"Even if I were offering you an adult beverage of that sort, you're on the verge of inheriting the throne. It would seem silly of you to follow your father's rule when you will soon be in a position that allows you to make the rules."

"I guess that's true…"

"But I digress. You see, I prepare myself a cup of this tea every night before I go to sleep. It helps my mind relax and focuses my powers."

"Focuses them…?" Junior repeated. Ludwig nodded.

"Yes, and I am offering this to you because you might benefit from it as well. Now, I have no doubt in my mind that you'll perform exceptionally well tomorrow. But I sense that you are still unsure of yourself somehow." Junior looked away.

"It's my dad…he doesn't think I'm ready." Ludwig placed his hand on Junior's shoulder.

"It doesn't matter what your father thinks, Prince Junior, because he is not your teacher. I am," Ludwig argued. "I saw more magical potential in you today than you have ever demonstrated to me before. But you need to recognize that potential yourself. That is the only way you will succeed." Junior rubbed his arm and stared at the tea in Ludwig's other hand. "Remember what you learned about mental magic. It can be extremely powerful, but you need a clear mind to take full advantage of it."

"I know that," Junior agreed. "You just make it look so easy, Ludwig." The Koopaling smiled at that.

"Well, I'm very flattered that you feel that way, Prince Junior. I'm certain a good night's rest will do wonders for you. But just in case, why not drink this? It might be just what you need to put your own mind at ease." Ludwig held the tea up to Junior once more. This time, the prince carefully accepted it and took a timid sip. The tea was incredibly bitter and it burned at Junior's throat a bit. He broke out in a small coughing fit for a moment, and Ludwig retracted the cup and coaster before they fell out of Junior's hands. The remainder of the liquid spilled out onto the floor.

"Uggh, you like this stuff?" Junior blurted out. Ludwig grinned sheepishly.

"It has a umm…a bit of an acquired taste," he explained. "Now then, off to bed with you! And I kindly ask that you go to sleep right away and not stay up playing those video games of your's yet again! You have a big day tomorrow!" Junior wiped some left-over tea from his lip and approached the staircase.

"Yeah, yeah…," he acknowledged. Ludwig watched Junior ascend the steps until the prince was out of view.

"Have you received word from the others yet?" Contemno asked while he was seated comfortably on his throne of stone.

"My boys just got back from makin' da rounds, soir," Contemno's assistant replied. "Everybody's in position and waitin' for da go-ahead. Better not keep 'em waitin' too long though. We're all getting' pretty antsy."

"Patience, friend. If we are to succeed, we must act with precision," said Contemno. There are a few loose ends that must be tied up first. There is no room for taking risks. Not yet."

"Yeah, yeah. I got dat already," the assistant spoke. "Just tell us what we need ta do foist."

"Start by sending word to Midbus. I grant him permission to take all that he sees. Just make certain he stops there," Contemno instructed. "After all, I did promise each of you a share in exchange for your services."

"Hmph, everybody 'cept us!" the assistant exclaimed.

"I need you and your group for a different task. Once all the others have been deployed, your role will only grow in importance. In the meantime, there's someone I need you to seek out for me."

"And who might dat be?" asked the assistant.

"A man by the name of Mario," Contemno answered. The assistant was silent for a moment.

"…'Mario?' Now why does dat name sound familiar…?"

"You were one of many whom were humiliated in his wake. I've received word that he's digging around looking for clues about us."

"Doesn't surprise me. Dat two-timin' rat was prolly sent by his sweetheart ta stick his big 'ol nose where it don't belong!"

"Exactly. I want you to find him, but do not engage him right away. See where he goes first," Contemno ordered.

"And if da chump gets too close?"

"Erase him."

Junior had only shut his eyes what felt like minutes ago. Yet now, he could already feel someone nudging him to wake up. He heard an echoing sound; it was someone's voice, but it was too distant for him to identify who. Gradually, it came into focus. It was a woman whom was speaking to Junior. His eyes cracked open slowly, and when Junior was finally able to see her face, the sound of her voice was coming in clear as well.

"…Ma….Mama….?" Junior muttered sleepily. The woman smiled warmly. Her emerald green eyes were sparkling and filled with light. She brushed a few strands of her crimson red hair behind her ear. Junior recognized this woman. It was his mother: Celia Koopa.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Celia greeted him playfully. "Did you sleep well?" Junior sat up in his bed and stretched.

"Yeah," Junior replied.

"Good. Go wash up and come on down to the table. Breakfast is just about ready," Celia instructed as she exited his bedroom. Junior crawled over to the edge of his bed. It…seemed a lot bigger than he remembered.

The prince dangled his stubby legs over the bedside for a moment. There was a strange numbing sensation radiating through each of them. He wasn't in any pain, yet he found it difficult to move his legs for some reason. Were they still asleep? After a moment or so, Junior found himself able to get down from the bed. It was a bit of a drop, and he stumbled to the floor, but pulled himself back up.

"Weird…," Junior said aloud. "What's going on?" The strange vibes continued as Junior surveyed his bedroom. There were a dozen toys scattered haphazardly all around including building blocks and a teddy bear. Some of them the prince vaguely remembered playing with when he was much, much younger. But he also distinctly remembered getting rid of them. Why were they here now?

Junior decided to make a detour to the bathroom first to splash some water on his face. He was hoping that his body's strange symptoms were just the result of a deep sleep he was still waking up from. As if things weren't strange enough already, Junior immediately noticed that the bathroom sink was towering above him. He was too short to reach it! Or at least, he would've been if there hadn't been a wooden stepping stool situated immediately in front of him. Junior specifically remembered his father getting rid of this old thing when the prince grew tall enough to reach the sink without it. Yet here it was now….and right when he needed it again…

Ascending the steps and reaching the sink, Junior immediately stared into his reflection in the mirror. What he saw left him in shock.

Junior had aged back into a little kid again!

His baby face had returned; complete with chubby cheeks which were blushing slightly. His horns had shrunk back into stubs and his front tooth was practically non-existent.

"What the heck's going on!?" Junior exclaimed. That was when reality slugged him right in the face. He had spoken to his mother a moment ago.

His mother had been dead for years.

Suddenly, a terrible surge of pain erupted in Junior's head. He clenched the sides of it with his tiny claws in a meaningless effort to suppress the feeling. It felt as though something in his mind had exploded. Junior's entire skull was pounding furiously as if it were about to burst. The room began to spin and the prince quickly felt nauseous. He lost his balance and tumbled off the stepping stool. Junior hit the tile floor with a thud.

Then everything went black.

"Junior…? Junior! Wake up, pal! C'mon!" a voice faded in. "Today's the big day!" Junior slowly stirred awake to find Roy by his bedside. He was back in his bedroom. The prince sat up and massaged his head.

"Ugghh…," Junior groaned.

"You feelin' alright?" Roy asked.

"Yeah…I think so," Junior answered. "But I feel like I was hit by a truck…,"

"Well, you must've been sleepin' pretty deep if they had to send me in to wake ya!" Roy joked. With his job complete, the Koopaling exited the room and left Junior alone to linger with his thoughts.

What…happened? the Koopa Prince pondered. Was I dreaming? Had to be. Junior climbed out of bed once again. His legs weren't numb this time. He strolled across his bedroom towards the bathroom. His building blocks and teddy bear were gone. In the bathroom itself, the stepping stool was missing as well and the sink had seemingly shrunk back down to his height. That…or Junior had aged back up again. He examined the mirror closely. All of his body features had reverted back to the way they were before this phenomenon. Junior definitely looked 17 again.

But if that was just a dream…why did it feel so real? It all seemed too real to be a dream. Junior remembered the familiar, sweet, nurturing aroma of his mother; the soothing melodic tones of her voice; the radiant light emanating from her smile and her eyes. Junior remembered that woman in such vivid detail. But how? Why now all of a sudden? What changed in him? Before that dream, Junior would've never been able to identify his mother since she had left him when he was only three years old. But she was only the tip of the iceberg.

The toys from his childhood, the stepping stool, his younger face and smaller body. Where did it all come from? What did any of it mean? It couldn't have been reality. Junior was back now in the realm most familiar to him, and it looked as though he had never left it. Trying to make sense of it all was bringing on a terrible headache. Junior resolved to descend down into the kitchen for breakfast; praying that a hearty breakfast would help restore a sense of normalcy in him.

After eating breakfast alone, Junior showered, brushed his teeth, and made his way to the grand throne room at the designated time. His magic exam was about to begin.

The Koopalings, and dozens of guards and henchmen were all gathered around and chatting amongst themselves in anticipation. Junior was escorted in by Ludwig, but the two hardly exchanged any words before it was time to begin. The first thing that caught Junior's attention on his way in was his father. Bowser was hunched over in his throne; his head resting on his fist with a drooping face that looked sleep-deprived. He failed to notice Junior staring at him. Why did he look so miserable? How long was he going to stay mad at Junior?

The prince still felt a minor numbing sensation in his head, but it wasn't as severe as it had been in his dream. Eating hadn't gotten rid of it completely as he'd hoped. But Junior guessed that he would be able to ignore it long enough to get through his exam before telling anyone about it. Before long, the throne room fell silently. The moment of truth had arrived.

"Take your stance, Prince Junior," Ludwig spoke. Junior spread his feet apart and took a deep breath. It was just as he'd rehearsed yesterday. It had to be. It was the same test, and Junior had already passed once. He just needed to do it one more time and he'd be in the clear. Ludwig's words began to repeat themselves in the prince's mind. Junior glanced over at Bowser once more. Bowser was now staring at him, although blankly and with no immediately evident judgements.

It doesn't matter what your father thinks, Prince Junior, because he is not your teacher. I am. Junior gulped. He turned his attention to Ludwig, who was now putting his hands together and summoning the Bowser statue. I saw more magical potential in you today than you have ever demonstrated to me before. But you need to recognize that potential yourself. That is the only way you will succeed.

Off to the side of the room, Larry, Roy, and Iggy stood together in the crowd. Roy noticed Junior shut his eyes. He nudged Larry.

"Uh-oh, I think Junior's gettin' nervous…," said Roy. Larry examined the prince as well.

"Well, can you blame him?" Larry asked. "The entire castle's watching him, and he's got his whole coronation at stake. I'd probably be wetting my shell if that were me up there."

"What's he got to be nervous about?" Iggy inquired. "It's the same test, right? I thought Ludwig said he passed last night."

"He did," Roy confirmed. "But I heard that he and his old man were buttin' heads the other night. Bowser musta said somethin' that's got him spooked right now." Junior could practically feel himself trembling as he watched the Bowser statue slowly come to life in front of him.

Remember what you learned about mental magic. It can be extremely powerful, but you need a clear mind to take full advantage of it. Junior found himself focusing, but on the drop of sweat slithering down his head, as opposed to the immediate task at hand.

"Are you ready, Prince Junior?" Ludwig called out. Junior hesitated, then nodded. "Very well then. Begin!" he exclaimed as he snapped his claw.

Just like last time, the statue's mouth began to glow with an orange light. The ball of fire emerged and flew directly towards him. Junior clapped his hands together. But just as he was about to extend his arms out to meet it, the prince's mind erupted with a terrible pounding sensation.

No…., Junior muttered to himself. Not again! Not now! Junior fell to his knees and nursed his aching head. A wave of shock fell over the audience. Junior tried to regain control of himself, but the pain in his mind was too encompassing.

"Junior!" Larry called out. Junior responded to his name. He looked up, but it was too late. The fire ball exploded in his face and sent him tumbling back a few feet away. The pain in his head subsided for the moment, but now Junior was left to deal with the small burn on his chest. The prince climbed to his feet; holding his chest in his arms.

"Are you alright?" asked Ludwig.

"Y-yeah…," Junior replied.

"Alright, then we'll try again." Ludwig snapped his claw once more, and the Bowser statue charged up and shot another fireball. Junior prepared himself once more. The pain in his head appeared to be gone for the moment. Junior thrusted his arms out to catch the fireball. But at the last second, his head throbbed and robbed him of his concentration. This time however, Junior muscled threw it. He managed to keep his hands up, but the physical energy he'd needed to build up in order to catch the fireball was gone. Realizing this, Junior used his claws to cut through the fireball instead at the last second. It disappeared into thin air.

Larry slapped his palm to his cheek, Roy looked away, and Iggy shook his head in disbelief. There were mumblings of disapproval growing in the crowd. Bowser glared at Kammy, who was stationed next to his throne.

"I thought you said he was ready," Bowser commented intimidatingly.

"H-he is!" Kammy defended. "I mean, he did it perfectly last night! The poor dear's nerves must be getting to him! That's all!"

"Concentrate, Prince Junior!" Ludwig coached. "Focus your physical magic!"

What the hell's going on!? Junior pondered. I did this perfectly last night!

"Shall we try once more?" Ludwig inquired. Junior nodded. Without another word, Ludwig repeated the process yet again. The fireball rocketed towards Junior. To the latter's surprise however, his headache was gone. Junior was able to catch the fireball this time and toss it right back as he was supposed to. The projectile melted the statues head. The Koopalings all took a collective sigh of relief. Bowser crossed his arms. He was not impressed that it took Junior three separate attempts to complete the first task in the exam, but he wasn't ready to call off the whole thing just yet.

The exam entered its second phase. The stone Bowser shell spun and raced over towards Junior. Like last time, Junior stood his ground and waited for the shell to get close enough. The prince's mind combatted the persistent pounding and throbbing that was still wreaking havoc over him. Junior couldn't let this pain stop him; whatever it was. He knew he needed a clear mind to make his mental magic work, but the pounding was making it impossible.

Junior stomped his foot forward and glared at the shell. But nothing happened. The hazard collided with Junior and sent the prince hurling across the throne room until the wall caught him. The Koopalings winced at the sight of this. The audience was gasping and mumbling in response. Bowser clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

Junior stumbled, but stood up once more and tried again to stop the shell, which was now coming back around for a second attack. The shell triumphed over the Koopa Prince again as it slammed him back into the wall. But still, Junior refused to give up. He tried again, and again. But he couldn't make the shell stop. His arms had been scraped by the spikes, his legs were bruised, and Junior's wheezing made it sound as though his lungs had been crushed. The shell looped around for its umpteenth advance towards Junior. Bowser turned to Kammy once more.

"I've seen enough. Put a stop to this," Bowser commanded.

"B-but sire…I…I know he can do this if we just give him a little more ti-"

"I said, stop this," Bowser reiterated aggressively. Kammy sighed. She pointed her wand at the shell and shot a fireball at it.

Junior braced himself for another attack by the shell when it exploded in front of him and shattered into pieces. The entire hall fell silent. Then, all eyes turned to Bowser, who was now standing up from his chair.

"Ludwig, we had a deal, right?" Bowser called out to him. The Koopaling gulped, but couldn't find any words in his throat. So he simply nodded silently. "I don't know what you think you saw Junior do last night, but I'm not seeing it now. We're done here." The audience was too terrified by the severity of their ruler's declaration to say anything.

"I…," Junior began. The entire room turned to observe him. "I...don't know what he saw in me either…" Ludwig was dumbfounded as his face drooped with shame. The prince climbed to his feet one final time. Larry and Roy raced over to help him, but he pushed each of them away angrily. He couldn't even look either of them in the eye. Battered and bruised, Junior limped shamefully out of the throne room alone.

The crowd slowly dispersed gloomily as they realized that they would now have to cancel all of their plans for the celebration. There was nothing to celebrate now. Bowser had won the bet, and Junior's coronation was no more. The victor in this contest seemed to take no pride in winning though. Bowser stormed out of the room himself not long after without saying another word to anyone. The Koopalings were the last to leave. They stood together, unsure of what could be said or done next.

"He…he looked like he was in pretty bad shape…," Wendy commented at last. "W-we should at least get a doctor to go look at him."

"Forget it," Roy rejected. "No doctor in the whole damn world's gonna be able to fix his pride right now. That's where he's really hurtin'…" Ludwig departed from the group and made his way towards the door.

"So…w-what should we do now, Ludwig…?" Lemmy asked nervously. The blue-haired Koopaling stopped at the door and gripped the handle. He refused to turn around to face Lemmy or the others.

"How should I know?" Ludwig replied coldly. The Koopalings looked at one another fearfully. "Await future orders from Lord Bowser…assuming we are to be trusted with any ever again, that is."