Hello Everyone and Happy Easter... I know it's been a while since my last post but here is the next chapter. (I was going to apologize but I apologized the last however many chapters) I'm lazy so you'll have to deal with...

I did reread this story and found a few problems I should probably correct and I didn't realize how hard Morton's dialogue came across sometimes... I may try and make that easier too.

Angelo thanks for the nice words, I'm glad you enjoyed this story so far.

Spatterson thanks for the suggestion but didn't know how to work that in. I hope your performance went well. Sorry I was a deadbeat and didn't reply sooner.

Disclaimer: I got my 4 year old niece a Bowser toy and she loves it. He drives Barbie around. (Sometimes Barbie stays home)

Day 483-

King Koopa has not returned since nearly biting my head off last night giving me a reprieve from talking about my dad, my REAL dad and family. I was truly thankful for that since I don't like reliving what happen but perhaps…
I was more thankful that he hasn't return. I couldn't make my body stop trembling or my head from replaying last night's events. I was such a wreck that I decided to skip class today.
It didn't seem to help though. I spent the whole day curled in the chamber's corner still paralyzed by fear. I think I'll take tomorrow off too. Hopefully, I'll be able to calm my nerves after a few days. I don't think my master will mind. At least, I hope he won't.

Day 500-

It's been a little over 2 weeks since me and my master's misunderstanding. I still haven't left the king's room but his majesty hasn't returned either.
I was happy because it appears I still haven't been able to get over the incident. However, his distance has me concerned. Where is my master resting his head?

Day 503-

Despite the space King Koopa has given me the last couple weeks, I still coward when my master finally returned to his room today. Silence occupied the space between us. I couldn't meet his gaze but I felt his eyes trained on me.
Perhaps King Koopa hoped I'd have forgotten or gotten over our last meeting together during his absence. When it became clear I didn't, he opted to go to bed instead.

Night 506-

My leave of absence ended tonight when my master returned for the evening and found me in front of his chair. (I somehow worked up the courage to get back to work). Settling into his throne, King Koopa remained silent before easing his feet onto my back. Two things happened at his touch.
First my master's strength felt tremendous. I could barely support him and it was only a fraction of his true weight. Before our incident, I carried him for hours but in two weeks I could barely hold my master for 5 minutes. Did I really get this weak in just 2 weeks?
The second thing was really just an extension of the first. I became a vibrating footstool from my master's touch. My body involuntarily shook once his feet made contact with my back. I did my best to suppress my fear but my body didn't care.
The worst part about this situation was how sporadic my body's shockwaves were. I'd shake for 5 minutes before settling down for 2 or 3 then erupted again for another 10 minutes. I don't know how my master tolerated my performance but he sat with me almost an hour before going to bed.
King Koopa went to bed without commenting on my work ethic tonight. Maybe he didn't mind the vibrations but somehow I don't believe that to be the case. Only a sigh of depression left his mouth, while disappearing under his covers. He was disappointed.

Day 511-

I still have not been back to class but I don't believe King Koopa minds. Ever since the incident, it's as if I became a slave for the first time and he knows it. If I were to take the trust exercise now like I did on my first day, I would fail lying in a heap on the throne room floor.
Much like in the beginning, our last couple days have become routine and like those days of yore I am stumbling over myself to impress the king and I am failing. I can't stop shaking during breakfast or before bed. I don't know why…
King Koopa's been kind and patient with me our last several times together. He hasn't raised a hand or his voice at my poor performance and my master even offered words of encouragement before leaving for the day or going bed. They were lies wrapped in his disappointment and did little to subdue my fear.
I know the best remedy would be to talk about the incident but neither one of us could manage to find the words to relive that night. When I sought to speak, my lips moved but nothing would vocalize. I didn't even have the confidence to muster a whisper.
My master's attempts at conversation forced my body into uncontrollable fits of fear. (It was the kind of fearful trembling people have in anticipation of a confrontation. I expected every word out of the tyrant's mouth to be an attack.) Strangely he never seemed to verbalize his intentions.
The awkward silence between us created a new fear or paranoia in me which didn't help the situation. Whether my master remained silent as a genuine gesture for me to heal or not, doesn't matter because eventually he's going get tired of his broken footstool. I'm worried my days as the ruler's ottoman were numbered.
I know this could all be in my head but isn't it funny? It's almost been a year and half since I came to this world and despite the countless good memories; my brain cycles back to 1 bad memory that dominates all of them. Always ending with my masters words, "Don't think that you're not replaceable" echoing in my head.

Day 519-

In an attempt to pull myself together, I finally returned to school today. My hope was- seeing my friends would help remind me of the reason I wanted to come to the castle in the first place. However, it was a mistake. Since the incident my mind saw EVERYONE in a whole new light not just King Koopa.
I had never realized how much bigger the citizens of the Darklands were than me. I stood only as tall as Morton, Roy, and Wendy's chests. (Ludwig wasn't in class but I bet I'm only as tall as his chest too). The Kooplings including Iggy, Lemmy, and Larry's chins were where I stopped height wise with them.
Even Master Kamek and Bowser, Jr. stood taller than me (Albeit because of the wizard's hat and baby's hair). Even the guards and staff of Koopa Troopas and Goombas patrolling the halls dwarfed me and they weren't bigger in just height either.
I was so afraid of everyone now I made up an excuse to avoid hanging around and sparring with Morton. I was too exhausted trying to mask my fear from them.

Day 523-

Morton pulled me aside after class today when I made up another feeble excuse to avoid sparring with him again. (I was running out of excuses in general).

"Bawdy? Whut's gowin hawon," Mort asked sounding upset.

"Nothin," I answered over my shoulders trying to walk away.

"Dwon't yo' wike me," his eyes did little to hide his depression and disappointment toward me.

"Of course I like you."

"Ten why dwon't yo' whaunt ta spa wit me," he asked again.

"It's your dad," I answered submissively. Subconsciously my arms wrapped around me in a hug. I didn't even realize I done it. I continued avoiding Morton's gaze. "He scared me."

"Is t'at awe," Mort laughed.

I still couldn't look him in the eye. "It's not funny."

"Awe Bawdy, king dad's a wussycat," Morton joked again. "He whon't huwart yo'."

My mind flashed back to the incident. My voice cracked when I spoke, "I w-wouldn't be so s-sure about that M-Morton."

"Bawdy-," Morton started but stopped when I finally locked eyes with him. His lighthearted humor vanished. He continued in a serious tone, "Whut happwinned?"

"King Koopa attacked me," I said.

"Why?"

"He thought I was insulting your honor."

A weak smile creased his face. "My wonor," Mort laughed softly. He added, "Why" when I nodded.

I didn't want to get into the specifics. I mean Morton gave his father perhaps the most meaningful gift on Bowser Day. Even though it wasn't Morton's actual words, the essay became an immediate source of power and confidence for the king.

"I laughed at what I thought was a joke then messed up my apology," I summed up as best as I could. "It ended badly."

"When," Morton asked still concerned.

"Bowser Day."

"No whonder king dad was in a bad mood doewin' dinner," Morton recalled his own experience of that night. I looked at Morton. "King dad's been in a bad mood swince, too."

"Listen Mort," I commanded his attention. "It may be a while before I'm ready to spar again. I don't want to get any further on my master's bad side."

Morton stared at me. To my friend's credit, he didn't pry any deeper. His hard glare softened, "yeah Bawdy." Morton left me alone without another word.

My talk with Morton helped a little bit today but when my master returned from dinner I found out that I still wasn't fixed. Why can't I please my master anymore?

Day 527-

Since my conversation with Morton, my fear around the castle staff and the Kooplings diminished but had not abated completely. The occasional tap on my shoulder or call from behind resulted in a jolt to my senses.
I'm not sure if Master Kamek caught onto my jumpiness but Jimmy has. I caught him smirking several times. I don't think he's told Master Kamek yet otherwise I'd probably have received a few detentions by now if he had. However only time will tell when the secret is revealed.

Day 534-

Today while walking back to my master's room, Jimmy appeared behind me breaking his silence.

"I told you King Koopa was a monster," the mushroom grinned.

"My master is not," I countered weakly almost as if in a whisper.

"Ha, ha, you can't lie to me," Jimmy laughed. "I know a coward when I see one." I remained silent unable to counter the mushroom. "Give me my sword and we can kill him together." His glove extended toward the bone sword.

I pulled back. "No, I won't attack my king," I answered assertively.

The mushroom stepped closer. "Give me the sword you stole," Jimmy growled. He raised both of his gloves to his face. "We'll slay the Koopa line at the source." Strangely the fungus's eyes and comment seemed to be directed toward his hands instead of me.

"I don't want to hurt the Koopa's or my king," I backed away again. "They're my friends."

"Monsters like them," Jimmy laughed extending both his gloves hands toward the sword. "Your friends?" He approached again. "You're nothing but a piece of meat to them.
"A novelty that can be devoured on a whim," he continued advancing. "You're a meal to satisfy their hunger."

I backed into a corner. "I thought your time as a servant would educate you," I said.

"Like it has you," Jimmy scoffed lunging for the sword. "Give me my SWORD!"

"No," I punched the mushroom in the face.

Clutching his face, Jimmy fell to the ground screaming and crying. Master Kamek must have placed a spell or something on the fungus because the wizard's cloud of blue smoke appeared out of nowhere.

"Mushroom, what happened," the turtle asked with genuine concern. His tone spelled trouble for me.

"Footstool attacked me," Jimmy squeaked out. When Master Kamek's attention shifted to me, an impish smile greased the fungus's face.

"How dare you attack my servant," Kamek growled pulling his wand, "Magma Ball." The wizard's wand released a powerful ball of fire into my chest at pointblank range.
My armor absorbed the blast but the spell's physical energy forced my body to grind several feet along the ground. Its heat blistered my chin. However, I kept my balance. "Apologize."

"I will not," I shot back involuntarily. My fear had taken a backseat to my anger fueled by Jimmy's threat toward my king. "My actions were justified." My hand found the hilt of my bone blade. "He's lucky I didn't run him through. He threatened my king."

Kamek's beak snapped toward the fungus. "I did not, master." The mushroom denied kissing Kamek's boots. "I asked if Footstool would go with me to thank his majesty."

"Liar," I shouted.

"Silence," Kamek commanded shooting an even more powerful ball of energy into me. The attacked knocked me to the ground and rocked my senses. My ears rang preventing me from hearing the conversation taking place between master and servant. The ringing ended in time for me to hear Kamek's reply, "Interesting…
"Footstool, my mushroom promised to forgive your transgression if you agree to take his place as my footstool tonight," Kamek's beak transformed into the same evil grin as Jimmy's. "Otherwise, we'll report your attack to King Koopa directly."

Blackmail! Jimmy must have told Master Kamek about the proper fear the wizard tried instilling on me the day I arrived. Do I disobey my king and grant his lowly henchman a bit of luxury or do I deny my immediate antagonist and face his lies to King Koopa? Either path is destined to lead to my king's wrath.

"I'm sorry Master Kamek but my cushion is reserved for King Koopa only," I answered taking my chance before my king.

"Very well," Master Kamek gripped my ear so tightly I thought he was going to tear it off. The gremlin snapped his fingers summoning a plume of blue smoke.
However, the three of us remained in the same spot when the cloud dissipated. Kamek growled at me, "This is your fault. You and your inability to use magic!"

"Sor-," I started but stopped as the wizard squeezed harder prompting my eyes to tear.

Cheers and laughter erupted from guards and servants alike, as Kamek paraded me through the castle corridors by the ear. I had hoped the constant pressure between his clawed fingers would numb the pain in my ear. Unfortunately it only intensified with each step.
Clearly enjoying the praise directed toward him, Master Kamek must have taken the scenic view traveling through hundreds of unnecessary corridors. New forms of encouragement greeted us ranging from insults to applause when he applied enough pressure to make me yelp. Finally we entered the throne room.

After so much time emotionally distant from each other, I was thrown at my king's feet. There was no way to avoid speaking to King Koopa now.

"Kamek, what are you doing with my footstool," my king asked indifferent. The tone drew my gaze but only for a second.

"He attacked my servant," Master Kamek stated. "I want it punished."

There was silence prompting my attention to the king. "Is that true footstool," King Koopa asked.

"Yes, my king," I forced myself to maintain eye contact with him.

"Why," he asked. His tone wasn't judgmental, just indifferent.

"He wanted my sword," I answered hoping my king believed me. Neither of us looked away.

"Liar," Jimmy shouted. "I was minding my own business and he attacked."

King Koopa flashed impatience at the mushroom's outburst. My king must still know my tel. "Bite your tongue fungus," he grumbled. "My footstool said you reached for his sword and I believe him." A small amount of confidence toward my king returned to me.

"That maybe true, sire," Master Kamek chimed in. He looked embarrassed. "However, footstool allowed me to use him in an attempt to avoid reporting their confrontation."
Our attention shifted to each other's eyes again. Mine offered a silent protest to my king, "He was quite comfortable. I see why you value him so much."

King Koopa's eyes accepted my protest. I've been anything but comfortable as a footstool and King Koopa knows so. However, I've been down this road before. King Koopa has to take Master Kamek's word over mine on this one.

"I didn't believe Morton when he told me footstool was broken," King Koopa spoke softly. "However, if he's allowing his cushion to be used by anyone but me then he must be.
"Footstool as punishment you are confined to my room until you are repaired," his tone was firm but gentle. "Understood?"

"Yes, my king," I answered a bit relieved. I'll be protected since the only person I'll interact with will be the king. Maybe after today's exchange I'll finally be able to get back on track serving him.

"Kamek escort footstool to my room," King Koopa ordered.

Another impish grin formed across the wizard's face. "Yes, sire," the turtle reached for my ear, "Come along footstool."

"On second thought I'll escort him," King Koopa lifted himself out of his chair stepping in between me and his viceroy. "Come along footstool."

"Yes, my king," I complied hurrying behind him.

Relief washed over me while following King Koopa through the hallways. Despite what happened, my king is still willing to turn his back to me. It implied that he still trusts me and doesn't want to see me hurt since he decided to walk me to his room instead of Master Kamek.

"You know I had to side with Kamek," King Koopa said over his shoulder.

"Yes, sir," I answered as we approached his room. "You have to accept the word of your #2 over a replaceable footstool." It was painful to admit. "Thank you for showing me such leniency."

"What are you doing," King Koopa questioned turning to me after opening his bedroom door.

"I am returning your key," I answered avoiding eye contact but hearing a small gasp. "Until I am repaired, I don't deserve free access to come and go as I please."

My king reluctantly accepted the key. "Very well. I'll hold it until you're fixed. I'll return early tonight to test your sturdiness."

"Understood my king," I entered the room.

Alone my mind rationalized the day's events obviously trying to restore my confidence in King Koopa and rebuild our shaken relationship.
King Koopa protected me from Master Kamek's wrath. King Koopa admitted he believed my word over his viceroy's. King Koopa knows our relationship is damaged and will return tonight to work on it.
 All of those thoughts renewed some trust and confidence in my king. However, after I removed my shell the concaved shell that once pointed away from me ruined any progress I made. For some reason the shell hasn't repair its self since the incident. It reminded me of the rage within my king.

Deciding to shower before King Koopa's return, I allowed the trickle of warm water to wash away most of the worry reinforcing the positives from today. I stepped in front of the mirror and asked the question that keeps undermining my progress.

"Baldo, why can't I get over my fear of King Koopa," I asked staring my reflection down. Eventually as my body double gradually unfocused behind a veil of water in my eyes, it answered, "Because you can be replaced!"

It was true. Finally saying it out loud brought the whole circumstance full circle. I didn't want to be replaced. It was a bigger fear than losing my life. The swagger I once held was believing I could do no wrong in front of my king.

"I don't want to be replaced," I said to my reflection. My worried expression transformed into an angry stare and gave me the most sound advice I ever needed, "Then don't be!"

My reflective image was right filling me with determination. I'll serve my king as flawlessly as possible. I won't even give King Koopa a chance to be disappointed in me.
Eagerly I greeted my king upon his return. The reptile seemed caught a bit off guard from my upbeat demeanor. I didn't break eye contact or cower once before him. King Koopa responded in kind. However that was where our enthusiasm ended.

My stamina left me and the weight I grew accustom to supporting through the night now burdened my arms violently. Attempts at diffusing the pressure with conversation fell short as my inquiries and comments remained mere whispers while my master's replies were limited to one word answers.

After an hour, King Koopa rose from his chair. "Not bad Footstool," he lied. "We'll try a bit longer tomorrow."

"Yes, my king," I answered watching him disappear into bed.

Day 548-

I try so hard to be the footstool of days past but I can't seem to do anything to please my king. I'm still arriving late to work finding my king loom over me. I still haven't been able to support my king's weight more than a few minutes past an hour. My questions and answers come out as fragments.
King Koopa's tremendous patience with me continues along with his words of encouragement. I KNOW these are signs that he still wants me as his cushion but how much longer will he give me before finding someone new? Why? Why can't I do anything right to please my king?

Night 560-

Something happened that hasn't happened in a very long time. King Koopa fell asleep with his feet up. Figuratively, it felt like a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders despite the added pressure pushing down on my back.
I must have rebuilt some of the stamina I lost. Suspending the king's legs in the air, I could tell that he wasn't in a particular deep sleep but it didn't matter. I finally had a victory. A few minutes passed and my arms started wobbling. Though they didn't shake violently; it was enough to wake King Koopa.

"I've got to pee," my king grumbled groggily. "Oof" He stumbled getting out of his chair stubbing his toes into my abdomen. It took every ounce of energy to suppress the pain.

"A- Are you o- okay sire," I asked breathing heavily trying to relieve the pain coursing through me.

He replied with a "humph" disappearing into the bathroom. I pressed my hand against my cushion failing to stop the warm liquid oozing out. Pulling my stained hand to my face, I knew the puncture was too deep.

"Footstool, what did you do to me," my king called from the bathroom.

"Sire?"

"My foot's sticking to the floor," King Koopa said. "And it's covered in something-."

I missed the rest of his sentence. I started slipping out of consciousness. "Could you repeat that?"

"Footstool, why am I bleeding," King Koopa yelled still inside the bathroom. My body started shivering.

"You're not."

"It smells like blood and feels like blood," he countered from inside the bathroom. "I am too bleeding."

"It's not your blood, sire," I yelled out collapsing.

"Whose blood-," King Koopa interrupted his own question. "No, no, no," he rushed over panicking. I heard his feet splashing in my pooling fluid.
I felt his clawed hand press against my back. It felt warm. Worry gripped his voice, "Footstool, why didn't you say anything?"

"I- I didn't want to be replaced," I managed losing consciousness.