Hi Guys... I'm planning to speed this little story up... But when you're already a fire breathing turtle...

Disclaimer... I don't own King Koopa or anything officially from the Darklands. Oh well maybe some day... Until then I guess I'll just have to stick my head in some pipes.

Day 135-

I awoke once again curled in the comfort of my king's chair but only this time I felt King Koopa looming over me while trying to exit my slumber. His demeanor from his tapping foot to his paper tucked on the inside of his arms as they rested on their respective side suggested impatience but his eyes and face reflected softness.

Does that make sense? I mean I didn't sense anger or annoyance emanating of my king. Regardless…

"I apologize, my king," I said literally falling out of the chair onto the floor. I quickly assumed my footstool position. "Please forgive this slave's laziness."

His majesty claimed his rightful throne sighing pleasurably "AH" once he placed his feet upon my back. "Sometimes I forget how comfy my footstool can be," I chuckled hearing his toes crack. "All is forgiven," he drew my gaze to his smirk, "This time."

"You're too kind to this slave. I don't deserve it sire," I answered feeling my eyes water as I recalled missing our conversation about his dinners with Morton. "I'm sorry my king."

"What? Again," he closed his paper questioningly. "You already apologized for being late today."

"It's not that sire," I continued a little disheartened. "My school days are interfering with my duties. I understand if you want me to stop attending the Academy."

"Why would I make you stop?"

"Sire?"

"With Loki out on his assignment, it's dangerous for you to wander the halls alone," King Koopa replied. "In class I at least know where you are and at least you're not bored "Koopa'd" in my room all day."

I laughed at his little pun and harder when he wiggled his eyebrows. So my king is still protecting me. I have the best master in the world… Although instead of being bored in his room, I'm bored in another one.

"Thank you my king," I answered.

"Good," he checked by his bed. "You'd better get going before you're late."

I considered his words and concluded I would have detention again today anyway. "Sire, how are your dinners with Morton?"

"Tonight," King Koopa said. "I don't want you to be late."

"I don't mind King Koopa. I'm pretty sure I'll be late again tonight and I am afraid I'll sleep through your return," I frowned. "I don't want to miss being in your company again."

It's been awhile since he stopped and stared at me. Is he scanning my face to see if I'm lying? After a minute, he smiled "Ah footstool. I'll tell you tonight." He rose from his chair and vanished behind the changing screen.

"Yes, sir," I replied depressed waiting by the front door.

When King Koopa emerged in his shell from the other side of the changing screen, he walked over to me with a goofy grin. I wonder if it was from the genuinity (ha new word… means… um… real… sincerity… yeah… that'll do…) in my voice? I guess the rest of his servants still don't tell him that they'd wish to be in his presence.

"I was going to give you this later," his arm disappeared into his shell. "Since this is your room too," he pulled a little 3 inch gold key with a bob-omb design, basically a wind up walking cannonball, toward the back end. Even the very end of the key looked like a wind up key with holes. "The key to OUR room," he smirked.

My face lit up. "I- I don't believe it. Thank you… Sire, you spoil this slave."

"And don't you forget it," he said sarcastically. "You are the only one in the castle other than me who has one." He raised one of his clawed fingers. "Don't tell anyone you got it."

"Yes, sir," I reached into my shell and cut a length of string long enough to weave through the holes then rested the key around my neck. It hid completely beneath my rock shell.

King Koopa was pleased admitting that he couldn't even tell I had the makeshift pendant. It took every ounce of my being not to hug my king. In the end, all I could manage was a measly, "Thank you."

I waited patiently through the first half of the day for today's lecture to conclude even though all of us were bored out of our minds again. Kamek's lecture today on "politics" (which the answer to everything was King Koopa's decisions are final) left much to be determined.

After he repeated the same scenario of a Koopa Troopa stealing food from a Goomba and the resulting deviation of food for the 8th time, I shot my hand up but didn't wait for his acknowledgement to speak.

"Master Kamek, this is BORING," I expressed in full.

All the Kooplings gasped. They knew I broke all types of rules and disrupted Master Kamek's lesson plan and I'm pretty sure all seven of us knew the outcome.

I didn't care. Like I've said multiple times before, detention was an inevitability anyway and I felt this needed to be said.

"What kind of arguments are presented to King Koopa before he determines how to deviate the food," I asked quickly adding a follow up question. "Does the size of the family factor in?"

"It doesn't matter footstool," Kamek answered. "King Koopa's rule is law."

"I understand but his ruling isn't the same each time is it?"

"No."

"Well how's he figure out the best solution?"

"Don't care," the wizard responded. "He decides and we obey."

I sighed realizing I wasn't going to get anywhere with Master Kamek on this topic. I can always ask my king first hand and find out what he uses to base his decisions on. I started thumbing through my notes when Master Kamek went back to his lesson plan.

"Master Kamek, I'm confused," my hand shot up finding the notes from my first day. "How does a "Super" leaf help Mario fight? It's just a piece of salad, right?"

He ignored my question continuing on with the lesson on politics when Mort asked, "How does ta wadish hewhelp Mawio?" My classmate's inquiry forced the wizard to look up from his book.

"And like can I like use a "P" wing or a like a frog suit," Princess Wendy joined in.

The rest of the day the entire class talked about the different types of edible vegetation and various types of suits that were considered "Power Ups" instead of just food and clothing. It explained why the class fell into Physical Education instead of Wilderness Survival though I think the topics can fall into both classes.

The "Super" Leaf turns out is more than just parts to a salad. The piece of foliage transforms persons' (normally the Mario Bros.) appearances by growing raccoon ears and a tail which grants a people the ability to fly temporarily after reaching a certain speed. Cool… I wonder if it would work on me the same way…

Apparently the hard tuber skin of a radish allows the vegetable to become a projectile as hard as stones that either knock or kill weaker Koopas. However, it can also restore a person's energy if eaten raw though normally consumed by Koopas and other animals with beaks. I think I'll stick to the apples.

Finally Master Kamek informed us that the "P" wing grants people the power of sustained flight while the frog suit enhances ones jumping and swimming abilities. Sadly those abilities didn't extend to the Darklandians but then the wizard countered staying Koopas are turtles so they are already excellent swimmers.

The final bell rung for the day and all the Kooplings and me thanked Master Kamek complimenting him on the great class. The wizard's muzzle transform from its banana glow to strawberry.

"Footstool, where do you think you're going," he smile as I was about to step through the door. "You have detention for interrupting today's lesson."

"Yes, Master Kamek," I waved goodbye to Mort and approached the instructor. "It was a very interesting class today, Master Kamek. Thank you."

"It was good wasn't it," Kamek seemed proud of himself. He surprised me with his options today. "Either let me put my feet up or sit at your desk until I permit you to leave."

I went over to my desk and sat. The little wizard paced staring at his teacher's manual. "Master Kamek, can we have more classes like today?" The light flickered off the turtle's glasses looking up from his book. "Those questions and answers really made the class exciting today."

"But my lesson plan," he trailed off staring at his book.

"You don't have to change the lesson plan," I brought his thoughts back to the room. "Just the way it's taught."

"What do you propose footstool?"

"For starters you should teach everyone the same class at once," I tried developing my argument. "It's neat that I'm in general studies, and Morton's in magic, and Princess Wendy's in science but there are so many questions that come up during your lecture that we need help understanding…
"I think you should teach all of one class before lunch and then teach us a different class after it and then devote the next morning to another."

Kamek seemed to consider the idea. He even nodded asking, "What else?"

"All the classes should have interactive lesson plans to help stimulate and give the students practice," Kamek looked a little confused. "Like in Magic Class, you should let us practice casting spells, mixing chemicals in Science, try building things in Shop." Kamek nodded. "Things like that…
"And we should play games to strengthen our combat skills in Physical Education, and take field trips to the hanger and terrains outside the castle for Driver's Education and Wilderness Survival."

"But how do I protect against cheating," his eyes narrowed on me.

'Yeah' I thought 'I'm sure I'll be the one cheating.' I finished out loud, "You could have your slave keep an eye on the class while you're teaching. Kind of like having an assistant or student aide."

"Hmm," Kamek stroked his beak. "You may go footstool."

"Thank you Master Kamek. Have a good night," I left before he could change his mind.

I didn't realize how long I was in that classroom. The whole castle was dark. When did the sun go down? I hurried to my king's room ignoring the Boos guarding the halls.

Checking the corridor, I stepped as close to the door as I could and pulled the key my king gave me. It turned and I was able to enter happy my king wasn't kidding about the key.

Heavy breathing stopped me from slamming the door as I realized my king had already returned and fallen asleep in his chair. I can't believe I missed my king's company again tonight.

Attempting to take my subservient position, I found King Koopa's feet were like ice with his toes pointed toward the ceiling while his heels rested on the ground. I went over to the bed and pulling the sheet dragging the gargantuan cloth along the floor to my king.

I did my best to drape it over his body before pressing my warm blooded back against the soles of his coldblooded feet. The change in temperature sent a chill down my spine until I drifted off into sleep.