Thank you for the welcome back everyone. I appreciate it and know I've got a long way to win back more followers... One chapter after 3 years is hard to get excited about... Hopefully this update shows that I'm tryin' at least...
I'm sorry for Mort's dialogue... I have trouble remembering the way I want to write and I'm sure it sounds awful if you try reading it out loud...
Disclaimer... All the characters are own by Nintendo except Baldo... and no I didn't not go on hiatus because they reached out to me to make an anime series... I only wished they did...
Night 710-
Strange… King Koopa has not returned to his room in over 10 days and I seem to be having trouble locating him in the castle. My body has instinctively gone on alert. Officially, I haven't seen King Koopa in 20 days but I knew he would return to our room since I'd fallen asleep on the floor but awoke in his bed each morning.
However the last 10 days or so, I've woken up on the floor in the same spot I had fallen asleep. Of course obligations may be preventing King Koopa from returning, he is the ruler of a vast kingdom after all. I understand that and guess I shouldn't be alarmed.
To think, I made the decision to accept King Koopa's invitation to dinner regardless of Master Kamek's made up assignments. I came to the realization almost 10 days knowing that the wizard would never stop issuing them and felt I gave him more than enough consideration. Unfortunately, I haven't received a dinner invitation since making that decision.
Honestly, it's disappointing. I hope King Koopa didn't give up on me. I lay awake at night feeling unwanted or maybe even unvalued. When I awoke from my coma (for lack of a better word), my king told me I was not replaceable and not to refer to myself as a slave.
However, King Koopa, also, told me that he didn't want me underfoot any longer or even spoken to me since I suggested he send Princess Toadstool a thank you gift… Wait! Could my recommendation have backed fired? Did it erase whatever trust had been rekindled between us? Did Mrs. Loki refuse to help my king's request?
I don't know… I thought… I thought… Maybe King Koopa finally considered me a friend or possibly a son. Wouldn't his actions make you question your reason for being and your actual relationship? But his behavior's being contradictory isn't? I mean if I'm not his footstool or slave then what am I? I wished my king was here to tell me.
Although the Kooplings do not seem worried about King Koopa's absence. I wonder if their dinners together ended as well. Morton breaks from sparring for dinner but even their lunch conversations fail to recap the antics from the previous night's meal. I hope I didn't bring an end to their family dinners by declining his last couple invitations. Morton did say King Koopa has a tendency to sulk if he's upset.
It's just that I couldn't seem to get my last conversation with Jimmy out of my head…
"Together we came up with another way to win the king."
Normally I'd consider Jimmy's words an empty threat but the mushroom's been acting increasingly peculiar in my opinion. A deviously sly grin. Narrowed and shifty eyes. Unnaturally white gloves. Sporadic laughing during class.
I don't know why maybe I'm the one being paranoid. Could I be reading too much into Jimmy's behavior? I am the only one who seems to notice the mushroom's changes and I've almost written them off as paranoia considering his clean white gloves and laughter are the main reasons for my concerns.
I don't understand. How do his gloves stay white when the rest of his clothing and mushroom top turn dingy brown by the end of class? I suppose Master Kamek may have casted the same cleanliness spell King Koopa has on his bathroom or changing screen but then why doesn't his whole outfit remain as clean? It's dumb but I keep scratching my head trying to figure it out.
As for Jimmy's laughter, it's low and sounds almost muffled under his breath. I think he's intentionally stifling his laugh and sometimes it sounds so creepy the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I asked Morton about it but my friend said he didn't notice.
Unfortunately, without proof, there isn't anything I can do about it. The best for now is trying to keep an eye on the fungus but even that's becoming difficult since he can teleport whenever Master Kamek says. Literally vanishing in cloud of smoke. Oh… I wish my king would show up just so I can voice my opinion if nothing else.
To avoid dwelling on the mushroom or my king, I've been constructing the music box from class. It wasn't all that difficult to build as long as I had the right tools. Quite a few of the mechanisms were similar to the clock I made. Since I technically failed the assignment, I didn't feel the rush to turn it in.
The hardest part was deciding the right music since Master Kamek advised that it required magic to load the song onto the box. Unfortunately without King Koopa around, I wasn't able to complete the project without his master wand. Oh well, I decided to turn in what I completed tomorrow since I don't know when I'll see my king again.
DAY 711-
"FOOTSTOOL, HOW DARE YOU," Master Kamek shouted at me when I entered the classroom causing the other seated Kooplings to jump.
"I'm… sorry…? Master Kamek," I responded confused frozen in place until the wizard snatched the Music Box from my hands.
"It's bad enough that King Koopa allows you to carry a sword," Kamek grumbled, "But don't think for a second I'll let you carry around something as powerful as a music box."
I couldn't believe the wizard was reacting this way. I continued staring at the reptile. "What," I nearly breaking into laughter. "It's just a Music Box."
"Weren't you paying attention when I explained the power behind them," Master Kamek asked nervously.
I put my hand to my chin attempting to recall his lesson on the trinket but my mind was drawing a blank. When did Master Kamek assign the music box? My brain cycled through the last several classes. Unfortunately, between King Koopa's dinner invitations and the wizard's hundreds of makeup assignments, I couldn't remember.
"I'm sorry Master Kamek," I responded honestly. "I don't remember."
"I'll explain again," Kamek sighed. "Take your seat, Footstool." His head shook disappointedly. "It's a tool that lulls people to sleep at any time of day. It's most commonly used when someone's sick and can't sleep.
"However, the volume must be constantly monitored due to the spell casted upon it," the wizard explained to the class. "Any Darklandian within audible range risks falling asleep. Koopas are especially susceptible.
"Unfortunately, there were times the Mario Brothers snuck past our defenses using a music box," Kamek explained.
How could you forget something so important? My brain yelled at me. I looked at my classmates seeing them all agree with Master Kamek's explanation. Suddenly, my brain asked Does that mean Mario and Luigi were immune to the Music Box effects? If so, are all humans?
I final recalled the original discussion lead to a conversation on ailments and mushroom availability. "I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, Master Kamek," I answered sincerely.
"That's alright Footstool," Kamek answered relieved. "Mushroom?"
"Yes, Master Kamek," Jimmy walked to the front of the room.
"Take this to King Koopa's private vault," the wizard ordered turning over the Music Box.
"At once, Master," Jimmy took the trinket and vanished in a cloud of smoke.
Kamek resumed teaching failing to notice that my eyes widen in disbelief. However, they slowly returned to standard size when I saw none of Kooplings reacted. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to focus on my lesson today due to these turn of events.
How could a slave have access to King Koopa's private vault? I mean I haven't seen it and I'm the king's personal servant! Does that mean Master Kamek really trusts Jimmy that much? Giving the mushroom unsupervised access to the king's- No… To the whole castle!
Sudden rumors of items disappearing throughout the castle have a glimmer of truth since Jimmy's running around the castle without a chaperon. Could he be the one stealing the items? My gut is telling me yes but I can't recall exactly when I heard about the missing items or when the mushroom became the wizard's servant.
After class I attempted telling Master Kamek my concerns regarding the Mushroom's white gloves, disruptive laugh, and the possibility he was taking items from around the castle. However, Kamek dismissed each grievance as a minor nuisance.
"Jimmy's gloves are bewitched," the wizard explained away. "They automatically clean themselves whenever he removes them like most clothing does.
"As for his chuckling, I told him a joke that he's found particularly amusing ever since," Kamek justified behind a smile. "Finally, it's unwise to through accusations around without any evidence, Footstool."
He lowered his spectacles. "Do you have any proof my servant's taking items?"
"No, Master Kamek," I was forced to admit.
"As I thought," Kamek commented, "Now, get out of here before I issue you detention."
Despite knowing Master Kamek was lying, I swallowed my pride and left the classroom. I wasn't satisfied with the wizard's explanation for the mushroom's white gloves. It bothered me that the turtle used his servant's name… He called him, Jimmy.
Kamek hasn't given me the impression that he'd bend the rules and willingly learn his slave's name. I'm pretty sure King Koopa hasn't freed the mushroom yet. I am even more convinced that I'm right.
Unfortunately, my inability to use magic is starting to frustrate me. Every time I think I'm closing in on catching the mushroom in the act. "POOF" He's gone in a haze. I just can't seem to keep up with his magic.
Day 716-
When we finally started sparring again, Morton realized his claws were sharp enough sword and made it easy for the turtle to think of them as an extension of his arm since they technically were. However, today my anger towards the mushroom boiled over during my training session with Mort.
I normally used the blunted end of the bone sword during our matches. But today, in a berserk rage, I slashed indiscriminately at the large turtle keeping Mort on the defensive all afternoon.
Occasionally Morton countered attacked but today it took nearly all his efforts just to dodge my assault. There was no telling how this match would end.
Using his claws, the turtle deflected my blade but instead of following through with my momentum and resetting for another attempt, I carelessly did a backswing striking with the blunt edge.
"OW," Morton shouted as his shoulder absorbed the full impact of the swing. Instead of calling a time out, his eyes squinted, his breath labored and anger filled his face. Mort powered through the pain and rushed me.
The match only intensified as we instinctively defended, countered, and dodged. We transformed into warriors on a battlefield using our various skills and tools attempting to claim victory and guaranteeing our survival for at least one more day.
Mort used his flex shell to roll out of the way then countering with his tail or fireball and defending with his claws. I relied on pirouetting and my agility to dodge while alternating between my sword and fist to attack and defend.
Pain rippled through our bodies whenever we made contact even while blocking. Both of our faces contorted telling each other that this wasn't sparring. This was war.
I rushed Morton holding by blade towards him and just missed running him through when the turtle rolled into a ball. However, I was on top of the Koopling as he was unfurling. I had him dead to rites when Loki's head replaced Mort's. I hesitated.
The pause allowed Morton to jump back releasing a cloud of smoke. I coughed as the haze blanketed the arena causing me to lose track of my friend. Relying on my super speed, I spun in place as fast as I could in order to funnel the cloud into the air like during the ballet. However, I stumbled trying to maintain my balance barely dodging Morton's lunge by falling out of the rink.
Regaining my bearings, I climbed back into the squared circle finding it vacant. I bumped into long chain hanging in the center of the ring. Similar to the rope from gym class, Morton's face conveyed the same level of anger from when I hit his shoulder.
I stood glaring back at the turtle. 'Footstool,' Loki's voice said between Morton's labored breathes. 'I reserve the right to stop the match if I fell it gets too intense.'
"Take tis," Morton cried falling toward me claw first.
"What am I doing," I said to myself.
Letting my sword drop to the ground, I balled my fist pointing it toward Morton. My eyes relaxed watching Morton's claw do the same. BA-BOOM! Our fists collided sending a shockwave through each other collapsing the rink. Exhaustion forced both of us to do the same.
"Ta- Tom," Mort labored with both eyes shut. "Whut was d'at?"
It was the first time the Koopling used my name… My real name. Truth be told, I almost forgotten I had one. "Spa-."
"D'at aint spawing," Morton interrupted. His tone was nervous. "I twaught yo' was gowna kill me!"
"I- I don't know, Mort," I answered unable to give a reason. I continued sitting up, "I don't know what came over. I've been getting frustrated lately."
Morton sat up too. His breathing returned to normal. "Cwause of ta mushwoom?"
"Yeah," I responded knowing it wouldn't be any use trying to deflect Morton's question. "I think he's up to something. In fact I know he is but…
"I'm getting tired of not being listen to," I growled seething again. "Do you have any idea how frustrating it is repeating yourself but still be ignored?"
"Yea," Morton spoke drawing my attention. "I yoused ta tawk awhot. My bwothers, guwards, and king dad cawed me Big Mowth Koopa fo' awild. Untwill tay tuned me out.
"So I stwopped tawking bwhut," he continued sounded depressed. "ten I became invisibwle. Untwill yo' showed whup."
"I'm sorry Prince Morton," I apologized knowing my friend was telling the truth. "I won't lose control again."
I couldn't believe how easily I lost control of my emotions. Embarrassed, I nearly broke down reflecting on my actions. No wonder the mushroom managed to evade me. I had tunnel vision during my surveillance and it only got narrower as I felt more and more pressure to catch him.
"Dowon't warhee abwout it," Mort forgave me so easily. Clearly, the turtle wasn't going to hold my actions against me. I owe him for reinforcing our friendship. "Whut has yo' so angwe anywhay?"
"Jimmy's up to something and its dangerous Mort," I said hoping my reasoning was enough to convince him since they're only suspicions. "He's moving too easily around the castle and I think he's the one responsible for the missing items."
Morton started winding the spike from his retractor system back into his shell. The Koopling hasn't quite gotten perfected the retractor part of his system yet.
"Have yo' toad anywon abwout it," he asked.
"I tried telling Master Kamek but he shrugged it off," I responded. "And as much as I want to tell your dad, I just haven't seen him."
"Yea, king dad hasaint been awound," Morton replied setting the spike back into place. "Can I whelp?"
"Yes," I answered relieved from his offer. "I know that there's a fight coming." I looked him in the eyes to show the seriousness of the situation. "One we may not be able to walk away from. We have to be ready, Mort."
"Okay Bawdy," Morton nodded. "Whell twain like we did ta'day, ta'marwhoa."
My eyes wandered to the destroyed boxing ring. "Yeah, thanks Morton."