Well I'm sorry for the delay in the update... I have dozens of excuses... I wanted to work on my own original work. Then update my other fanfics... Write as much as this story as possible...
Truthfully I wasn't sure if I liked the flow of this chapter and put it off. I, also, wanted to comeback with a quality/detailed chapter.
Unfortunately, I gave in to my "sloth" ability and just vegged watching TV...
I apologize for the delay and hope this Chapter is good enough to earn your forgiveness.
Day 387-
Saturday finally arrived and I made my way energetically down to the go kart track, I was excited. I mean who wouldn't be. I'm lucky enough to get see a race of turtles racing throughout a castle in cars. I wonder how competitive the Koopas were. They have to be, right? Why else would they cheat? I smiled pondering how they try gaining an edge.
"Good Morning, Master Xander," I said humbly. King Koopa left early to perform some of his kingly duties and gave me a little free time before the race began. I decided to pay my respects to Chef Xander and thank him for the delicious lunches since Loki's funeral.
"Hello Footstool," he replied with a smile. He shocked me and then even more adding. "Are you joining his majesty for dinner tonight?"
It caught me off guard engulfing my reply in laughter. "No," I was finally able to articulate once calming from his joke. "I'm not family.
"I just wanted to thank you for all my recent lunches," I sighed forcing myself to mutter the next sentence out loud "and came to ask you to stop."
"Why? Didn't you like'em," his smile vanished.
"Of course. They were amazing but I'm a slave and I should received the same slop as the others outside King Koopa's chambers," I told him using the same words from our first conversation. "I don't want you getting in trouble for me. I'm not worth it. Porridge is just fine."
The chef's smirk reappeared followed by a laugh. "You ARE a strange human. Most slaves beg their masters for special treatment and you refuse it.
"Listen, one of Loki's last wishes asked that I look after you like a Koopling and King Koopa approved," Xander explained pointing his knife in my direction. "You'll continue receiving the same food as the others until King Koopa commands otherwise. Got it?"
"Yes, Chef Xander," I replied. 'Did King Koopa really authorize Xander to give me the same lunches as his kids?' (I didn't have to question the part about Loki's wish since Loki and Xander were as close as brothers).
"Good," he started chopping a turnip. "Besides I owe you. King Koopa told me about the earplugs." He paused momentarily to look at me. "Thank you, Footstool."
I blushed having the courteous weapon I usually use against Darklandians used against me. It does catch one's tongue off guard. I guess the kitchen would have heard the scratchy-a-gical brilliance of Ludwig's symphonies.
"Um… Chef Xander," I started when he resumed chopping his vegetable. I figured I might as well ask a favor since he felt he owed me. Hearing "Hmm" I continued, "Would you be willing to help King Koopa win over Princess Toadstool?"
His knife fell to the floor. "That's an impossible task," Xander replied locking eyes with mine. Suddenly, his face widen into a grin. "What did you have in mind?"
"I'll tell you later Chef Xander," I answered seeing it was close to 10. "The race is about to start."
"Alright," he nodded. "I don't want you to miss your first Koopa Gran Prix."
I left allowing Xander to pick up another knife and resume chopping the harden tuber. Oh boy! Can today get any better? I mean Chef Xander is at the very least going to hear me out.
Entering from a hidden passage onto the track, I spotted the 8 Kooplings standing beside five go karts idling in the starting blocks. Inching my way closer to my classmates, the stone course stretched maybe 50 feet across and possibly to infinity forward.
I walked to the edge noticing that there were no walls or fencing and peered into nearly endless shadows to a distant red glow at the bottom. The glow appeared to weave its way along with the course like some winding river.
I was the only non Koopling/citizen present. I knew rumor of the race spread throughout the castle since Tuesday. Where was everyone else?
Recalling a conversation I once had with Loki, I remembered that only King Koopa and his kids race but… Are the races really that dangerous that no one else stopped by to watch?
'Probably,' my brain reasoned while I continued approaching my friends. 'What if a kart flips off the track into the stands?' My eyes darted around the starting gate not finding any seats. Huh? Where am I supposed to watch the race from? A commotion erupted from the group of turtles jarring me from my thoughts.
"But I want to race," Roy cried out facing his brothers, sister, and King Koopa standing in pairs beside 4 of the go karts. "Let me race."
"Like you need a like teammate," Wendy sighed.
"I can go myself," Roy pleaded.
King Koopa stepped in front of his oldest. He actually looked like a parent saying no. "You know the rule. Only teams of two," my king held up 2 claw digits, "can race.
"Since everyone's got a partner, you'll have to sit this one out."
"But dad," Roy whined. He sounded allot like Wendy doing that.
"Bwetter wuck next twime," Morton smirked.
I stepped forward. Loki said since Ludwig usually doesn't race the teams were normally even. Now that Ludwig has become an active member of the family, it made the teams uneven.
My old friend, also, said the Kooplings cheat but my mind couldn't ignore Roy's excitement from Tuesday. I couldn't let Roy down. It was my fault he's the odd man out. Plus I wanted to race too…
"Excuse me, King Koopa? Would it be alright if I ride with Roy," I asked drawing glares from all the Kooplings.
It was another mix bag of emotions. Concern spread across King Koopa's face while jealousy filled Mort's and happiness sneaked from behind Roy's shades. I think surprise was the best descriptions for the others.
"Um… Slaves aren't allowed to race," King Koopa replied. His tone implied protection more than anything else.
I felt my lips sag but his response was expected. "I understand my king," my head shifted from side to side. "Is there someplace I can sit and watch sire?"
"Wait, Footstool," Roy shouted then turned to his father. "Can Footstool ride with me," Roy removed his sunglasses revealing pooling black eyes. "I wanna race too."
Roy's gesture caught King Koopa off guard. My king's eyes fell on me still looking fearful. (Regardless of his decision, I am the luckiest slave ever. To have a master care so deeply for him must be a rarity). I think he was going to say "no" until…
"Is Footsy gonna race," Bowser Jr. asked with his face lighting up.
"Like let him daddy," Cutie Pie chimed. "I mean like he's not like a real slave. Like he's furniture."
"I must provide my opinionated affirmation for permitting your ottoman's participation in addition too," Ludwig announced.
"What he said," both twins yelled and nodded in unison. Suddenly Iggy and Lemmy turned to each other continuing in unison, "Did Ludwig say to let Footstool race?"
"I did," Ludwig confirmed.
"A new challenger to be pummeled by us, dad," Larry slammed his claws together. He hopped behind the wheel of a green painted racer with a fiery red hood. Dozens of spikes ran along the frame of the kart stopping atop a yellow exhausted pipe. The kart looked like King Koopa's backside. I wonder if the undercarriage is his front.
King Koopa looked at each one of his kids clearly weighing their comments. The only one who didn't approve was Morton but I think it's more because of being on Roy's team instead of his. My sparring partner didn't admit it but that envious sin was written all over his face.
"Fine," King Koopa sighed. "You can ride with Roy." I smiled. How lucky am I that my king undermines his own authority for me? "But don't think you'll beat team King Barry Koopa. Bwa, ha, ha."
"Of course not," I laughed knowing the race's outcome already. My king's paired with Larry. If I remember correctly, Larry always wins. I smirked, "But don't think we'll just let team Barry Koo-."
"That's K-I-N-G Barry Koopa, maggot," King Koopa corrected wagging his finger.
I laughed again. My goodness what an awful team name? "Don't think the Pink Dragoon is going to let you just take 1st without a fight," I ended in a soft growl eliciting laughter as King Koopa climbed into his car.
"Baldo, the Pink Dragoon," Roy whispered on our way to the last starting block.
"Sorry about the name-."
"No, that's fine," Roy interrupted, "But our car's red."
Grinning, I forgot Roy pretends being color blind worried that people will think he's a wimp for liking pink. "I like pink but if you prefer," I started soft then ended loud enough for his siblings to hear, "Watch out for team Red Dragoon!"
"Kamek," King Koopa summoned once the other Kooplings climbed into their own karts. The wizard and apprentice made their standard smoky entrance. "Get ready to start the race and announce the teams."
"Yes, your majesty," Kamek answered. He unfurled a piece of parchment. Clearing his throat, the wizard used his wand as if a microphone. "Soldiers, Citizens, and Servants of the Darklands, today we have a three lap race involving his majesty and the Kooplings.
"In the first car, we have team King Barry Koopa consisting of the usual partners, Larry and King Koopa," Kamek read.
I couldn't help smiling. Usual pairing? I guess King Koopa doesn't like losing either. A wicked thought crossed my mind. 'I wonder if he's a sore loser, too.'
"In the 2nd starting block are Ludwig Von Koopa and Wendy Koopa, team Pirouetting Savants," Kamek announced.
I laughed at the translation of their team name, Spinning Geniuses. Their car was a mix of blue and pink paint resembling swirled cotton candy. I guess the team names are representations of the racers' passions/hobbies. Even the kart's fins and grab bar looked like a tutu.
Kamek's eyes left the parchment hearing Ludwig and Wendy blowing kisses. With a wave of his wand, the kisses filed into a bag held by Jimmy. I couldn't believe Master Kamek would steal imaginary kisses meant for the crowd. I guess being number 2 is lonelier than being number 1.
"Driving the Spell Casting Jug'naut Juniors," Kamek resumed announcing the racers (as if you had to think about it) "are Morton Jr. and Bowser Jr. in the 3rd block."
Little Bowser Jr. hopped up and down holding a magic wand of his own. A sort of blank looking clown decaled their kart. The image was similar to King Koopa's clown car… Maybe it was and the Koopling just turned it into a go kart for today… I wonder if the magic wand is an early sign of cheating…
"Finally in the Twinning Duo are Iggy and Lemmy," Kamek announced. This is going to be a fun race. If I saw correctly, Iggy's kart had over 4 dozen buttons. The inventor Koopling must have "tricked" out his ride.
Considering most of his inventions explode, I'm not worried. "And without further adieu, let the ra-."
"Announce us," Roy shouted angrily.
The wizard read the parchment then sent a shocked expression in King Koopa's direction. That's when my dad, I mean king, nodded his approval. "In car 5, the Red Dragoon Blur, is Roy Koopa and his majesty's footstool."
"Blur," I asked patting Roy's shoulder.
"Yeah, you'll see," Roy replied. "Keep yo' sword handy."
"R-Right," I smirked touching its hilt. Oh… This is going to be a fun race.
Master Kamek floated into the sky. "Goombas and Troopas get ready," his voice echoed the area. Suddenly thousands upon thousands of Darklandians appeared on bleachers style benches on either side of the track. The seating resembled the spectator arrangement of NASCAR minus the inside track area.
"Get set," Kamek continued joined by one of those cloud riding Koopas I saw on the day of Loki's funeral. I believe they're called Lakitu. It was holding a traffic light. The light cycled from three red to two yellow to green. "Go!"
Instantly Roy and I blew past the other racers in a blur… Ha. I get the team name now. Roy's cart must be built for speed since I couldn't see anyone behind us. Did we really pull that far ahead of the pack already?
Suddenly, a streak of lightning struck our car causing us to shrink and spin out. Without warning, Iggy's team and Cutie Pie's team ran us over smashing us while taking the lead. A second or two passed before Roy and I returned to normal as Morton's team pulled beside us.
"What was that," I questioned laughing.
"One of the items on the course used to interfere with the racers," Roy shouted over his shoulder. "Everyone starts with 1 item."
"Get ready," he said running over a cube covered in question marks. "I got a pink mushroom. Hold on!"
Just like at the start, we became a blur once again. I watched Mort and Bowser Jr.'s vanish but not before they fired a green turtle shell.
"We have a turtle shell on our tail," I told Roy.
"What color?"
"Green."
"Block it with your sword."
I did as instructed lowering the blade firmly from the back of the go kart one handed. Gripping Roy's seat with my other arm, I managed to make the green shell ricocheted off the sword. I grinned knowing we have a built in item.
"Hold on Baldo," Roy commanded as his speed careened us into a raised wall while trying to drift left. Luckily we didn't fall over the side however the impact did dramatically reduce our momentum. Mort's team passed us.
Just like that we fell to 4th place with only my king and Larry's team behind us. How those two would catch up, I have no idea? (They are the pre-determined winners after all). We finally got some momentum back when a spiked blue shell approached.
"We got another turtle shell coming in," I reported to our team leader.
"Color?"
"Blue, I'll deflect it-."
"Don't," Roy interrupted. "Blue ones target the first place team."
I watched the shell streak past us. When my head turned back around, my heart sank. There had to be at least 50 spiked shells coming our way at varying speeds. We passed Iggy and Lemmy's team entering a carpeted corridor with a new hazard.
Thwomps fell from the roof of the passage slamming into the track. The vibrations sent pictures, candles, and statues of King Koopa's likeness crashing around us. Roy drifted left and right to avoid being crushed. Somehow he did it without slowing down.
Emerging from the rugged hallway, we passed Bowser Jr. and Morton and climbed into 2nd place. I was getting nervous watching another set of spiked shells passing us toward the 1st place Savants.
'So that's how King Koopa wins' I laughed shaking my head. 'I bet he releases an endless number of 1stplace seeking shells.'
Finally passing Wendy and Ludwig as their kart hobbled on 4 flat tires, the Red Dragoon Blur rocketed into 1st place. I swallowed at the approaching projectiles.
"Roy pedal to the metal," I shouted patting his shoulder. I pointed my sword the oncoming attack. Somehow, I deflected the onslaught while maintaining my balance.
"Yeah, Baldo protect us," Roy exclaimed picking up speed and hitting another item box.
Our acceleration quadrupled. Roy must have gotten another pink mushroom. I panicked grabbing the back of Roy's seat when the course began shifting sideways then upside down. Somehow we were defying the laws of gravity as we continued upside down for a stretch so far.
"Oh no," I yelled as I couldn't reach behind the racer while in my new inverted position. "Hang on Roy!"
We were slammed by a blue shell tumbled and fell from the inverted track. Magically, I was still in the go kart considering I didn't have a seatbelt and magically we ended up back on the track. Magically is the only way I could describe it. A sigh of relief escaped me happy that my resistance to magic didn't interfere with the race's enchanted rules.
Ironically it wasn't King Koopa's team that passed us. It was team Jug'naut Juniors and by the time we got moving again the Savants caught up to us. Traveling side by side, Roy and Ludwig made eye contact, smiled, then drove into each other.
Morton was in sight however Bowser Jr. swapped places and waved his magic wand. Hundreds of banana peels covered the road. I laughed recalling their full name "The Spell Casting Jug'naut Juniors". Thanks to Mort's size (Jug'naut) and Bowser Jr.'s talent (Spell Casting) made the team name make sense.
Ludwig swapped places with Wendy just before entering the banana peel mine field. Both karts spun out of control. However, with Wendy behind the wheel the Pirouetting Savant performed elegant donuts twirling from peel to peel. They made it through without going out of control and quickly resumed their pursuit of 1st.
Us, on the other hand, had no such luck. Roy's pink blur spun straight into a wall. It was stone erected little more than a foot or two from the side. Truthfully I didn't even notice the barrier during the race or while spinning.
On the opposite side separated by maybe 40 foot gap, I saw Morton and Bowser Jr. rounding a turn releasing another barrage of banana peels. Slowly Roy started moving again. I noticed that this portion of the track was on an incline. Eventually, the pink head Koopling returned to his blurred speed.
"Hang on," Roy shouted lining up with a pink arrow on the course. I did my best to brace myself but I wasn't prepared for the "Mach" speed we entered running over the arrow. My feet dangled like a flag when I death gripped the back of the driver's seat.
I barely managed getting up right again when we reached the new set of banana peels. This time we spun wildly out of control before falling off the course into shadow. I expected to submerge into the lava river below any minute. However the cloud riding Lakitu's fishing rod managed to snag the kart placing us back on the track.
"Thank you," I shouted as it flew off once Roy started moving again. "Roy? What just happened?"
"Dad cast a spell on the course during races. As long as a racer falls off the track due to an approved racing item, they will be returned where they went off without a scratch," Roy explained. "As long as we don't fall out of the kart, we'll be fine."
What an awesome rule! My king's really skilled at magic isn't he to defy gravity like that. But still our little off road trip dropped the Red Dragoon Blur to 4th as we watched Iggy and Lemmy pass us toward the starting line.
Finally, we made it to lap 2 according to the sign the Lakitu held up once we crossed the checkered line. It seemed difficult seeing how we were going to catch up to the leaders until another bombardment of spiked shells passed us.
"Good old King Koopa," I said patting Roy's shoulder. "Let's get the lead. Peddle to the metal, Roy!"
Nodding, Roy struck an item box and as if on cue another pink mushroom. (Boy! We get them allot. I wonder if it's because Roy likes the fungus or if he times the roulette selection that way?) He used the item boosting our speed again.
Spotting another item box, I calculated Roy's current speed and trajectory and realized we were going to miss it. Stretching my blade as far as I could, it cut the box open as wide as Roy's mouth dropped.
"We got that box!?"
"Yeah," I answered watching the item cycle through. It stopped on a star. "What's that mean?"
Roy grinned, "Invincibility!" He slammed his fist against the button.
Our kart began glowing and shot us forward. We caught up to Iggy and Lemmy. Mercilessly, Roy ran the twins over without ever slowing down. Another box approached and Roy let it cycle through stopping on a trio of green turtle shells.
"Dang it," Roy scoffed.
"What," I asked spotting Morton and Bowser Jr. ahead of us. I guess King Koopa's last attack socked them good.
"Green shells are the most inaccurate weapon," Roy answered pushing them. The shell revolved around us like a shield. Launching all three shells in a row in front of us, I watched them ricocheted off little walls. One shot back in our direction.
"Hold on," Roy yelled. He gripped the undercarriage of the racer and jumped over the projectile.
"They're not that bad," I watch it disappear in the distance. "Let me launch them if we get them again."
"Sure Baldo," Roy replied striking another item box that stopped on a pink mushroom.
Using the power-up, we passed Morton's team and the first place Savants came into view as we hit the inverted track. A new wave of blue shells overcame us slamming into Cutie Pie and Ludwig. Their kart fell from the upside down track.
"Roy slow down," I said blocking the last several incoming shells with my sword since we took over first.
"What?"
"Trust me," I answered knowing another wave would soon hit.
The course returned to its upright position. Slowing allowed Morton and Bowser Jr. to pass us. They snickered and stuck their tongues at us but as I thought King Koopa, the tyrant, released another tsunami of shells.
My thought was dropping to 2nd now would give the Red Dragoon some unmolested driving. I assumed King Koopa's ran out of shells since he only shot 3 sets his first lap. The majority of shells passed me and Roy converging on the back of Mort's chariot.
Defending the Red Dragoon from the leftovers after we took first, I shouted to Roy, "We should be clear-," but stopped seeing another tsunami approaching us. My training with Master Jinx allowed me to break the cresting wave but only narrowly.
"Maybe King Koopa gets additional 3 sets of shells per lap," I mumbled to myself. "He must have another wave coming."
"Baldo? Can you reach it," Roy motioning toward a box coming up on his left. A banana peel had landed along the path he needed to go. I reached my blade out slicing open the box. It cycled to the star once again. "Eat my dust."
"Wait don't use it yet, Roy," I told the driver. I was pretty sure about my theory.
"Why," Roy asked as we bumped the wall opposite of the final turn.
Just as I thought another set of blue shells made their way to us. "There's another barrage on our tail," I told Roy. "Wait for my signal to use it." The empty turtle houses were less than 3 feet away. "Now!"
Our star power knocked every one of the shells aside allowing Roy to reach another item box. Capturing a pink mushroom, Roy wasted no time using it. We barely became pink blur before I spotted a new set of shells coming at us.
Struck time and time again, we bounced as if a ball amidst a game of hacky sack. By the time we landed, Mort and Bowser Jr. passed us once again.
"What was that," I asked when Roy got us moving again.
"Dad gets 3 sets of shells per lap and racer," Roy answered routinely bouncing off the wall at the final turn before the finish line. It allowed Wendy and Ludwig into 2nd place.
"So dad gets minimum 15 shots a lap," I asked.
"Yep," Roy answered spinning out from another mine field of banana peels.
"Hmm," I thought wondering if my luck could hold out entering the final lap. "Roy let me hit the item boxes this lap."
"Okay Baldo," Roy agreed approaching the first box. Drifting to the right, I stretched my sword and struck the box. He yelled excitedly, "Another star!"
"Save it until I give the word," I ordered at the approaching wave.
As designed, the shells passed us and as usual we passed the previously 1st place team. Morton and Bowser Jr. were waiting for their kart to be repaired. However something weird happened that I wasn't expecting. There wasn't a break in the sea of spikes.
Looking behind us, an infinite wave of blue spiked shells stretched behind us. The road was nowhere to be seen through the flooding turtle houses. I laughed.
"What's funny Baldo," Roy asked hearing my amusement.
"Dad cheats," I answered spotting an oncoming item box. "Use the star."
"But-."
"Trust me," I stuck my blade out.
Roy complied. Entering the state of invincibility, we upturned the blue shells around us clearing a path. I hit another item box receiving the same power-up. I instructed Roy to wait until the current star power started wearing off before using it.
Traveling a short distance, we passed a damaged looking pair of Savants. Ludwig motioned Wendy to follow our trail after their kart repaired. I spotted Mort following suit behind them.
Ahead I got another item box continuing our lucky run of invincibility. The other racers remained in line behind us while we kept plowing the road. It didn't seem to bother them that they didn't get any power-ups doing so. I wonder if they just wanted to finish the race at this point.
Signaling Roy to use the star when the track inverted, I got the star again at the next item box. As we finished this stretch, Roy used our stored power-up just in time to avoid being crushed by team King Barry Koopa.
Standing on the back of their racer, King Koopa breathed fire giving their kart extra acceleration along with the lead. His weight caused the front of the racer to rise into the air like muscle cars at the start of a drag race. At their current rate of speed, it was going to be hard to keep up with them.
Checking on the other racers behind us, I saw both Mort's and Wendy's cars popping up like top hats. Apparently being struck by King Barry Koopa was parallel to getting flattened like a pancake in old "Looney Tunes" cartoons.
Reaching for another item box, our luck seemed to run out because we received the 3 green koopa shells. Both the Jug'nauts and Savants caught up using mushrooms. With the threat of blue shells in front of us, this turned into a competition for 2nd place.
"Roy let me drive and you grab the next box," I asked as we were sandwiched by his siblings. "I've got a plan."
"Alright Baldo," he answered worried.
Swapping seats (which I do not recommend while the cars in motion), my foot immediately pressed the pedal to the ground. The "Red Dragoon Blur" responded passing our competitors by half a kart length but it didn't stop the two teams from sandwiching our rear tires.
Muscling them apart at a turn, I activated the green turtle shells as both Morton and Wendy tried to hit us again. Two of the rotating shells struck both of our competitors forcing them to lose control.
Spotting King Koopa's team ahead, I fired the last shell forward hoping maybe to shorten his lead at least. It, also, allowed us to hit another item box. Cycling through it stopped on Roy's most common item.
"What we get, Baldo?"
"A pink mushroom," I answered back watching King Koopa's make the turn across from the final stretch.
"Quick use it so we can take 2nd," Roy shouted.
"Not yet," I denied his request approaching the inclined turn Roy usually bumps. "We'll make it a close 2nd. Get ready to jump."
"Baldo wall," Roy panicked.
"Now," I commanded pushing the mushroom button.
Complying Roy and I pulled the undercarriage while the kart shot up the incline at a Mach level of speed thanks to our fungus booster. We launched over the wall leaving our lives in the hands of fate as we flew over the gap. Since there wasn't anything I could do, I decided to sightsee until we landed.
Looking over the side, I saw the darkness dividing the course obscured any type of walls that may have extended to the glowing fire pit below. My eye caught King Koopa and Larry racing down the stretch to the final turn. They were all alone.
We may be rewriting the outcome of this race. They're going to have to slowdown to make the turn while Roy and I would be able to continue in a straight line (assuming we land okay and make it through the left over banana peel minefield).
"Yeah Baldo," Roy exclaimed when we landed narrowly missing team King Barry Koopa as they drifted under us into the wall.
The Red Dragoon Blur managed to take the lead and as if the kart desperately wanted the taste of victory too; it avoided the banana peels until the last one…
The final peel started walking around. I turned to the left. It would follow left. Swinging right, the peel mirrored us. Avoiding the cartoon clichéd peel slide was going to be impossible. I spotted little feet moving underneath the used banana suit as we inched closer.
"Hang on Roy! It's a Bob-omb," I shouted.
"What," he shouted back gripping the back of the seat tightly.
I didn't have a chance to explain (at least Roy trusted me enough to listen to me anyway). The tiny explosive destroyed the left front tire. Our current rate of speed and trajectory sent the Red Dragoon grinding toward the edge of the course.
Snagging a crack in the course, the kart flipped. As if attempting to protect us (so I believe anyway), both Roy and I fell out of Dragoon while the blur fell over the edge.
Unfortunately, our momentum carried Roy and me along the same path. Desperate, I managed to embed my sword in a crack as I ran out of track. I reached out my left hand and somehow grabbed Roy's shell. The crash must have caused Roy to retract into his shell. His spikes dug into my forearm.
Attempting to pull us up forced my sword to wiggle and tilt more toward our current pitfall. "I guess we're stuck here until the race is over," I spoke to the unconscious turtle. "Don't worry Roy, I got you."
Almost in response, Roy's head and limbs emerged from his shell. Apparently, I had grabbed the base of his shell instead of the collar. He began squirming watching his sunglasses fall toward the glowing lava pit below.
"Baldo," his voice was full of fear. "We're going to die."
"Not both of us," I answered. "I'm going to try swinging you to the ledge. Grab and pull yourself up."
Roy nodded and outstretched his claw. Moving slowly and carefully, I was able to get Roy close enough to grip the track without my sword pivoting too much. I continued lifting my copilot safely on solid ground before my sword dislodged.
Desperately failing to grip the track with my own free hand, I closed my eyes afraid of my imminent freefall. Suddenly the gravity pulling me down eased. Roy had gripped my hand.
"Baldo! You're too heavy," Roy's voice strained as he spoke slowly inching toward the edge. "I can't pull you up."
"That's alright. Let me go. I'll just reappear back on the track," I answered lying.
"No, you fell out of the kart and Bob-ombs are not authorized items," he countered inching closer. He ended plainly, "You fall. You die."
Blasted. I had hoped Roy forgot that scenario. "Then let go," I urged. "No point in you dying too." My head tilted downward toward the ominous glow at the bottom of darkness.
"I have fire resistant armor," I exclaimed. 'I wonder if I would survive. Na…' my mind started cycling the reasoning. 'The armor's only good in shallow pools…' I tried tricking my brain.But it could be a shallow pool…
My idiot brain yelled back at me unconvinced. 'NO WAY! If the fall doesn't kill you then the SPLASH would.'
True. My armor was only good up to my shoulder. There was no way I'd land without submerging. 'Besides' my head continued its valid points 'King Koopa said the lava's just too hot. I'd burn apart before the impact anyway.'
Roy shifted forward once again summoning me back to my current predicament. "Roy, just let me go. I'm still just a slave after-," my last word got caught in my throat.
All the Kooplings outstretched hands… claws… appeared struggling to help me back up. Morton's grip was the tightest wrapped around my arm. Wendy, Ludwig, Iggy and Lemmy reinforced Roy's and Morton's grip overlapping their arms. To cap off the unbelievable picture, Larry and Bowser Jr. both pulled on the shells of the Kooplings nearest them as hard as they could.
"Guys," I whispered unable to continue. I was still stunned by their gesture. I'm definitely more than a slave to the Kooplings. This has to be the most unprecedented gesture in the Darklands.
I kept calling it a gesture because the weight of my clothes prevented my friends from succeeding in pulling me up despite their combined strength. Worst part was each time I moved to help, their grip slipped.
Suddenly a large claw descended over top all of them and gripped my shell. One handed King Koopa hoisted me like a father does a child feather over his head to safety. Gosh my king is strong.
"Thank you for saving this slave's life my lord," I bowed being placed on solid ground.
"Yeah well, I didn't want to replace my footstool just yet," Koopa smirked.
Larry stepped beside his father. "Congratulations on winning the race," I smiled happily conceding defeat.
"Actually the race isn't over yet," King Koopa motioned his head toward the checkered finish line. Kart King Barry Koopa was parked idling just in front of it. "Not many crashes stop Larry in his tracks before the race is over."
"Thanks, Larry," I blushed unable to think of anything cleverer to say.
"Well we still have a race to finish," Larry shouted dragging King Koopa by the claw toward his racer.
Left alone with the other Kooplings, "Thanks for saving me," I said seeing their idling karts. "You didn't have to give up your victories for this slave."
"And this race's winner is team King Barry Koopa," Kamek announced joined by a thunderous round of applause.
Wendy huffed, "Like you're not a slave." She hopped in her kart.
"I concur," Ludwig agreed following Wendy's lead. Both twins nodded climbing in their own kart.
Bowser Jr. bounced up and down, "Yeah! Footsy's okay!"
"Wets, fwinish ta wace," Mort tucked the youngest Koopling under his arm. "See yo' waiter."
The three racers nodded peeling out attempting to claim 2nd place. I turned to my racing buddy. "Sorry Roy looks like we're last."
"That's alright Baldo," Roy looked over the edge of the track.
"Sorry about your kart too," I added sincerely looking into the darkness with him. "The price pairing with a slave."
"Humph… I'll race with you any day," Roy replied over his shoulder. "I wonder who would slip a Bom-bob on the track."
"Me too," I chimed already narrowing the list of suspects down to 2. I smiled watching the bleachers disappearing leaving Master Kamek and Jimmy alone. They were congratulating King Koopa and Larry.
On my way back to King Koopa's room, I was lost in thoughts finally able to counter Loki's opinion. 'Loki was wrong. That was a fun race!' I didn't notice the goomba appear in front of me.
It had a brown oversized head that wrapped around its neck and the top of its shoulders. His head sort of resembled a beach umbrella or I guess a mushroom… I wonder if Goombas are more of a truffle in this world…
Protruding from a sagging frown, a small and remarkably white tooth popped against its brown head. It would have been the most memorable feature if not for the Goomba's narrowed eyes giving me the impression that it was angry or at the very least short tempered.
"King Koopa requests your attendance at dinner with his family tonight at 7," it huffed.
I blinked several times caught off guard by the request. Oh man… I want to accept. I mean this is what I wanted… to be part of his family dinners since the beginning but…
"I respectfully decline," I answered. Just like the Goomba, I could barely believe my response. How many people say "No" to the king's invitation? Except for his kids, of course. However…
I am a slave. If I accept his invitation to dinner then I'm going to be hated even more by the other slaves. I'm already resented by everyone not in King Koopa's clan because of the special treatment given me, participation in go kart races, residence in his private chambers, and enrollment in the Koopa Academy.
Oh and what about Master Kamek? First permission to carry a weapon and now dinner at his King's table, I bet the wizard has never earned an invitation. He'll kill me for sure.
"The KING requests your presence at dinner tonight with his family," the goomba repeated emphasizing my master's title.
"Please thank King Koopa for the invitation but regretfully I will not be attending," I answered once again.
I proceeded to my room. It's idiotic I know but I decided not to accept King Koopa's invitation until he officially frees me from my life of forced servitude. Until then, I don't feel I have any right to sit at his table as equals.