Hiya! Sorry, this is much later than I wanted it to be and much shorter, too. I've just been too busy to even edit chapters (even with there being a lockdown). Hopefully I'll find some more time to write soon.
Over the next week, they settled into a loose routine. In the mornings, Bowsette would make sure that Junior was caught up on his schoolwork and in the afternoon the two would do something like visit the lake or play a game. Bowsette also found time to ensure she could still fight in her new body, should she need to defend herself; happily, she found that – though there was less weight behind her attacks – she could move faster and could execute more precise strikes. Oh, and she could still breathe fire with the same effectiveness as before. Overall, she was at least as deadly as she had always been.
On the eighth day, Junior had the day off from schoolwork, so Bowsette left before he awoke to try out a new technique she'd come up with on the eastern side of the lake. She picked that area because it was sufficiently out the way of the town and there was a large clearing that was well-sheltered on all sides by bushes and trees.
She was wearing an outfit that had become something of a staple for her; she wore a sleeveless black dress with a sweetheart neckline kept up by shoulder straps, the skirt of which was reminiscent of that of Peach's signature dress – not that Bowsette would ever admit that – the only difference being the colour and that it ended at about knee level, for mobility purposes. On her feet she wore black boots, for the sake of practicality – though they looked damn good, if she did say so herself. Lastly, she topped the look off with her signature armbands and choker, resulting in a look that was equal parts beautiful and intimidating. Just the way she liked it.
She practiced in the clearing for a few hours before going into town to pick up some supplies.
However, when she got there the whole town was in disarray.
Carriages were knocked over, supplies thrown about the place, Toads looking dishevelled. They were looking out of sorts, trying to put the place back together.
Bowsette walked into the shop, finding the only toad that she'd spoken to in town in the past week.
"Hey, what's happened out there?" She asked the shop keeper, who looked as unkempt as the people outside.
He turned to her, having just picked up a fallen display. "Oh, a band of thugs just came through; they were knocking everything over and stealing food!" He sent her a nod of appreciation, as she finished picking up boxes that had been strewn about the floor. "I think they might have had a hostage as well!"
From what Bowsette had gathered about the town, it didn't have much in the way of protection; even a small group could barrel through without much opposition.
Still...
"What direction did they go?"
"They came from the north, ran straight through, leaving out the south side of town."
'The south side...'
There was probably nothing to worry about, but if they passed her cabin, it was likely that they'd ransack that as well and if they already had a hostage...
"I've gotta go." Bowsette said quickly, turning to rush out the door and out the south side of town.
She ran as fast as she could, arriving at the cabin in only a few minutes.
She rushed around to the front, her blood running cold when she saw the door was hanging open.
"JUNIOR!"
Hurrying in, she looked around. The place had been torn apart. The furniture had been completely uprooted, most of it broken. Broken dishes and glass covered the kitchen floor and the sink had been pulled out, water spraying out of the broken pipe. Pictures had fallen off the walls and there were burn marks on the floor.
"JUNIOR!" She shouted again, panic setting in.
Checking the other rooms and all of the cupboards proved fruitless, they appeared to be untouched.
Walking back into the living area, amongst the destruction from the fight that had taken place here, her hands tightened into fists and her teeth clenched.
Rage pumped through her system, fuelled by a fierce protectiveness that only a parent can possess.
The thugs that ransacked the town had kidnapped Junior, her son.
Once she got her hands on them, they'd spend every remaining second of their pathetic existences regretting it.
Again, sorry it's so short, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless! I'd love to hear what you think! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy as well!