Hi Everyone...

I hope you enjoy the read today...

For the record... I do not believe King Koopa having a relationship with a human would be disgusting... His race are considered people in this world. But that's just my opinion.

Disclaimer... I don't own King Koopa (Nintendo) or Jinx (SquareEnix does I think but I'm not sure. It might be Ninnytendo).

DAY 340-

Our lives fell back into routine since the memorial services. Get up. Eat Breakfast while his majesty reads the paper. Go to school. Spar with Mort. Return to my king's room. Eat dinner. Complete homework. Wait for King Koopa's return. Sleep.

Very little changed, except I'm still receiving the same food as the other Kooplings during the lunch period while at school. I'm going to have to visit the kitchen some day and see what's going on. (I don't want Xander or anyone else getting in trouble if Master Kamek finds out.) The other thing that happened was Mrs. Loki left the Darklands however King Koopa said she would write sometimes. Sheila's really a nice person maybe King Koopa will let me visit her on Shy Guy's Island one day.

I've, also, been sparring with Morton every day after school. Since we don't have a ballet to perform or anything, Wendy has been doing her own thing and Roy's been sort of vacant. He still says hi in a friendly manner but I think he's spending more time with his siblings (except Morton since they're rivals).

Luckily, Sunday's remained a vacation day where my king graces me with his company until his family dinner. It's the most time we spend together and I couldn't be happier even if we normally sit in silence. I enjoy our private time together. However today was different. Today, I had something to do.

"Footstool," King Koopa's tone commanded from the door. It was my queue to follow him and naturally I complied.

Navigating the many corridors of the castle treading on my king's heels was always a welcome adventure that led to some memorable memories. In fact, I pursued so closely that I walked into his shell when he came to an abrupt stop. Luckily, his spikes only left an impression on my cheek instead of puncturing the flesh.

My eyes widened when I stepped beside him. He led me to a room with hardwood floors topped with a thin green mat that extended to about a foot from the sidewalls and 10 feet from the back of the room. Turning my head toward the front end, I saw a slightly elevated stage… Or I guess platform would be more appropriate.
My king had brought me to a martial arts dojo similar in the style of Japanese Anime. Suddenly the wall behind the stage slid open just as in the Asian culture allowing a figure no larger than a baby koopa troopa through it.

Its appearance resembled a bunch of rounded wood blocks connected by thin wooden sticks with the same thickness as Chinese finger traps. I couldn't tell if he was a larger than usual bug or maybe some kind of plant (Maybe he's a Pokémon?).
The creature looked naked (which I assumed is normal in this world. I mean if I didn't know that koopa shells were removable I would think they're naked all the time too.) However this little person wore a red cape and had a large green leaf resembling a blade protruding from its head (giving off the pocket monster vibe).

King Koopa bowed to the little guy which I copied. 'How often am I in the presence of someone his majesty shows this level of respect too' my brain thought. 'Something tells me this person is not someone to mess with…'

"Welcome to my castle Jinx," King Koopa said returning upright.

The little bug plant returned the bow. "Thank you, Bowser."

I couldn't believe it. 'He's on a first name basis with my king? He's definitely not someone to mess with' I thought when his attention shifted to me.

"Is this the urgent request you summoned me for," Jinx asked.

"Yes, my footstool wants to be trained in the way of the sword," King Koopa informed causing Jinx to raise an eyebrow.

"I want to protect my king properly if the castle's attacked," I spoke trying to fill the silence between the three of us. Recalling some of my favorite cartoon characters and their submissive and respectful tones, I added still in a bow, "Master Jinx, please, show me the way of the sword."

I heard a sigh that drew my attention to the master before me. "You don't want to learn to conquer kingdoms," Jinx questioned.

"Protecting my king, his home, and his dream are the only things that matter to me," I answered not breaking eye contact. "They are the only reasons I want to learn to use a sword."

Both of them stared in response. King Koopa's sandy colored muzzle turned a soft pink (not as pink as Roy but enough to suggest embarrassment). He tried hiding his feelings behind a smirk but it was too late. Jinx already saw it.

"Your training starts today," King Koopa announced.

"Hold on he still hasn't passed my test," Jinx interrupted. "I want to see you duel and I'll give you a choice. You may demonstrate your battle skills against me or Bowser."

I felt my cheeks flush (a bodily function I too couldn't hide in time from my perspective master). The answer to this question was difficult as my eyes shifted between the two. 'Can I turn my blade on King Koopa?' I thought as my eyes fell to Jinx. 'The obvious answer is "NO" and I should duel the Martial Arts master.
'However' King Koopa reentered my line of vision. 'What better chance will I have to show my king my potential than dueling him?'
A smirk crossed my lips as my mind continued its rationalization. 'Also, I'll get to see what kind of training Morton goes through with my king.'

"I chose King Koopa," I answered watching surprise grease his face.

"Interesting. Most perspective students challenge the teacher," Jinx commented putting a hand to his chin. "I'm curious as to why you'd choose Bowser, the person you want to protect?"

"I want to protect my king," I said. "What better way to show my king he's not wasting his time while allowing you, Master Jinx, to objectively view my whole fighting style.
"Plus, my king looks bored," I smiled hearing King Koopa's knuckles cracking.

A toothy grin creased King Koopa's mug as he banged his fists together. "Bwa, ha, ha. Don't think I'll hold back just because you're a piece of furniture, Footstool."

"Ha, ha. I wouldn't expect you to," my hand found my sword's hilt. "Furniture can be quite the enemy stubbing toes in the middle of the night."

We exchanged beaming grins until a cloud of blue smoke appeared instantly putting a damper on our day. "Sire, we've received an urgent message from the Doom Dragon in Waterland," Kamek's frames narrowed suspiciously at me when I removed my hand from the sword. "Your presence is requested in the throne room at once."

"I'll be along in a minute Kamek," King Koopa sighed. "Meet me there," he ordered watching the wizard vanish in a cloud just as quickly as he arrived.
"Looks like our duel will have to wait. Pity I was looking forward to pummeling you, Footstool," my king's head shook disappointedly. "I want you to train hard every Sunday so you'll actually put up a fight when we do."

I returned his heavy sigh. "Yes my king," I sounded defeated. My tone stopped his majesty in his tracks. Feeling his eyes trained on me, I knew they were demanding an explanation. "Does this mean I won't be graced by your company on Sunday anymore, sire?"

I know I wanted to be trained to wield a sword but I didn't realize doing so would end the only one on one time I get to spend with my king. It's ridiculous… I know but… I like King Koopa and I consider him more than my master. I consider him a… um… I mean… He's more than a master to me.

He remained silent for what seemed like an eternity. Possibly mulling over my question probably scanning for a lie (I wished he didn't feel the need to do that anymore. Maybe I'm not anything more than a slave to him after all). I peeked around the room and saw a stupefied expression on Sensei Jinx.

"Yes," King Koopa muttered leaving the dojo. It was said matter of factually but in a similarly depressed tone like mine.

I turned to Master Jinx. "I apologize, Master Jinx," I bowed respectfully. "I know I haven't yet passed your test but I beg you. Please teach me to use my sword."

"You've passed," he drew my attention. "Most requests come from people seeking power. However, I sense no cruel intent or ulterior motive in your voice. It's rare."

"I want to protect my king," I reaffirmed.

"Do you," Jinx replied. I felt my sensei burn a hole through my words. "Very few people consider King Koopa more than a tyrant but around you…
"Dare I say he seems almost human," I blushed from his words. "It's not meant to insult or tease you. He made several requests before I agreed to visit.
"They were polite, courteous, yet insistent and after today's meeting even I feel an affinity toward him that was not there before," Jinx looked at me. "Very impressive."

"Sensei," I mumbled unable to hid my embarrassment.

The little master inhaled deeply closing his eyes. A minute passed before he exhaled. "There is change in the air. I can sense it," he said turning to me. "Now we'll begin by working on your stamina. Practice swinging your sword over your head until I tell you to stop."

"Yes sensei," I said after his demonstration.

DAY 361-

It's been a couple weeks since my initial training began with Master Jinx however not much changed since that day. Sensei has only assigned the stamina training as my homework gradually increasing the repetition by 200 more swings a day.

The toughest part of the training was making my arms continue with the repetition. Sometimes they wanted to swing the bone sword left to right but shear willpower kept me on my regiment. Pretty soon I think I'll be able to use this method from muscle memory alone.

"Imagine the sword as an extension of your arm instead of as a weapon or a tool," Jinx said passing me. His arms straighten my back. "Maintain your posture. Don't lunge."

"Yes Master Jinx," I answered.

I'm glad my sensei viewed the bone sword as an arm. It made training easier viewing the sword that way as I practiced stamina style drills using my king's textbooks in that manner. (I wouldn't be able to wield the blade as effectively if I thought it a tool. I'm not handy).

"Very good. Now practice swinging one handed," Jinx commanded. After seeing my left hand drop, he added, "Naturally warriors tend to over train using only one arm commonly referred to as the dominant hand. They rely solely on the use of that limb in combat.
"Mainly because the body feels more comfortable with that side," he informed. He was right. I relied more on my right hand for boxing than my left as well as using my right hand to throw in baseball. "However…
"We're going to train twice as hard on the other side so you may catch your enemy off guard," sensei commanded. "I want you to do 5 left handed swings for every one right handed slash."

"Yes, Master Jinx."

My homework became 1000 right handed swings and 2000 left handed swings increasing by 500 each day in addition to two handed over head slashes. One thing is for sure all this extra homework is going to eat into my sparring matches with Mort.