That Red Sweater
Author's Note: This is a one-shot I've had planned for years, but never got around to writing, inspired by Wendy 's freak out over Peach threatening to rip her favourite outfit in the comics. I've changed things slightly – it's now a sweater and not a coat. Like my Ludwig one-shot this is part of my Mario series – the main story of which I'm still working on. To everyone who still follows and favourites that one, thanks. I really appreciate it, especially after all this time. Timeline wise, the first part takes place after Super Mario Bros 3, and the second part soon after Super Mario Sunshine.
Disclaimer: I don't own Super Mario. I only own the plot and my version of Clawdia Koopa.
There was a belief among some non-Koopans – admittedly mainly Mushroomians – that the people of the Koopa Kingdom didn't get cold. After all, they lived in a land of volcanos with houses heated by lava, and breathed fire, and were descended from dragons. Some even had magic, they said, so surely they'd have no problem with snow and ice. They might be cold-blooded but they weren't like actual lizards, so they could go into freezing mountains and not bat an eyelid.
Wendy O. Koopa thought that all of these were the biggest load of rubbish she'd ever heard.
For starters, there was that old assumption that the Darklands were literally that, constantly covered with purple clouds and ash from the hundreds of volcanos. Given the visitors, reporters and tourists over the decades, Wendy thought this one was particularly stupid. As for fire-breathing, not many species even had that ability, and even among Dragon-Koopas it wasn't the norm. Those who managed to breathe fire regularly had to practice often and even then it wasn't used as a reliable heat source, as maintaining it took a lot of effort. Of the seven Koopalings only Ludwig and Iggy had managed to master it, and as for magic, well, that was ridiculous. She'd seen the Magikoopas and Ludwig bundled up in coats and hats plenty of times when they'd gone to places like the Troopa Mountains.
As Wendy sat on the windowsill in her room, a roaring fire in the hearth, she idly wondered whether these rumours would increase after their attempted takeover of the Mushroom Kingdom. Lemmy, being a big fan of snow, had taken Ice Land, so that would probably add to the whole "Koopas can't feel cold" thing, but really, it was ridiculous. Of course, the Koopa Troop had to deal with extremes of temperatures of need be, that was the point. Had the plan succeeded Koopans would have settled there and would've worn winter clothes like anyone else. And besides, Lemmy was weird and was constantly moving about on that patterned ball of his – he probably didn't know how to get cold.
Six months after that whole debacle and the Royal Family had gone up north to their residence in Ka'rona, and Wendy was currently watching four of her siblings playing in the snow. Well, technically only three, since Ludwig was off to the sidelines with – of all things – his parchment for writing music, though he was half keeping an eye on Lemmy, Iggy and Larry. Kamek was there as well, ever the guardian.
Wendy wished she could go out and join them -though she'd never, ever admit that. Unfortunately, she couldn't - and for a very stupid reason. She had a wool allergy. Which was pathetic, but true. It had developed about a year ago, and although it was rare in Dragon-Koopas it could happen, and as Kamek had pointed out at the time, it had happened in her family before.
"Not often, but I'm afraid a few of your father's ancestors had the same allergy, and your mother's great aunt, as well." He'd explained as she'd sat in the medical room, arms bandaged after she'd scratched them. The allergy made her scales red, itchy and dry, and they normally fell off. She'd had healing lotion put on her, but then there was the most boring part of healing – waiting.
Her parents were both there, looking concerned, with her dad also grumpy as well.
"You never mentioned that before." He accused, smoke coming out of his nostrils. Kamek, as ever, had been unfazed by this.
"Your Majesty, it really is extremely rare, and family having it doesn't always mean anything. I'm afraid the Princess is simply unlucky, in terms of genetics."
"You sound like Iggy." Wendy had said, annoyed, because her older sibling had been fascinated, and completely unsympathetic. "Can't you do anything with magic?"
"Not for things like this, I'm afraid. There are treatments, and with most cases it's not all wool, just most."
"But-but all my winter clothes? My cashmere jumpers, my hats, my coat?!" She'd cried, as the implications of what the Magikoopa was saying sunk in.
"We'll get you new ones, sweetheart." Her mum said. "Great Aunt Marilyn always wore fine clothes in winter."
"But I like the ones I have!" She'd wailed.
"I'm sorry, Princess. I will do my utmost to find a solution, I promise you."
So far as she knew, Kamek was still trying. Not that she'd had any doubt of that – if nothing else, her dad would literally roast him if he thought his advisor was slacking off in any way. It wasn't as though snow was her favourite terrain, as Wendy had always preferred beaches and the ocean, but that wasn't the point. Her dad had suggested that she learned to breathe fire, as though it was that easy. Still, it was worth a go. Internal heat might be difficult, but nonetheless Wendy had taken up Ludwig's offer of teaching her how to.
Seven months later, and so far all she'd managed was a few wisps of smoke.
Okay, she had lost her temper several times, but seriously - it was so frustrating. Ludwig had been patient with her, sure – six younger siblings meant he had to be – but he had his own work to do and wasn't always available to help. Which was unhelpful because he was the only one of her brothers able or willing to help.
Deciding that she'd had enough of seeing her siblings having fun when she couldn't, she turned away from the window and decided to go see what everyone else was up to.
The answer was not much, though she caught a glimpse of some of the Magikoopas practicing ice spells in one of the courtyards, and heard Morton talking someone's ear off about the very interesting properties of snow – most Koopans had gotten the art of pretending to listen without really listening down to an art when it came to her younger brother.
"Wendy!"
"Mum!" Her mother was coming in the front entrance followed by Kamek and two Koopa Troopas. She was holding a package of some kind and looking pleased. "What's that you've got?"
"It's for you."
"It is?" Wendy took the package from her.
"Yes. Go on, you can open it."
Wendy did, and gasped as she saw what it was. It was a bright red sweater, and as she took it out she marvelled at the softness of it.
"You mean I can wear this, Mum?"
"I've been working with Kamek, and we found out about these mountain goats in Sarasaland that are good for people with allergies- including Koopas."
"You've tested it then?" Wendy addressed this to the Magikoopa.
"Your father would have my hide if I tried it on you first, Princess," he said wryly, "We gave it to three Koopas and they were all completely fine!"
"Brilliant!" Wendy put it on and for the first time in months felt truly happy. She could finally go out in the snow! She could finally have lots of winter outfits again! She could even have the chance to take over one of the icy areas the next time they took over the Mushroom Kingdom! Normally wool started itching quickly, but there was nothing.
"Thank you so much, Mummy!" She hugged her, and her mother laughed as she hugged her back.
"You're welcome, sweetie."
"You too Kamek!" She hugged the Magikoopa as well, earning a startled yelp from him.
"That's fine, Princess." He gingerly patted her back, and she snorted.
"Yeah, yeah, don't expect this often. If you tell anyone about this, I'll hex you."
"I'll remember that." He said.
"We've got some more clothes ordered for you, so you'll have to wait a few days, but I saw this one and I thought you'd like it.
"I do, Mummy, and I promise I'll always look after it."
-X-
Wendy did. She got a whole load of new outfits and could finally join her siblings in snowball fights, but the red sweater she loved because her mother had chosen it for her – it had been a gift. And it became more important after she went missing a year later.
Three years after that, she and two guards were chasing after Princess Peach, who had somehow managed to get free, which meant someone was liable to get roasted for this.
"Don't just stand there, idiots!" She snarled as two Goombas came around the corner and only just managed to dodge being kicked by the human. Wendy had always assumed Peach was a weakling, but now she wondered whether it was just that she hadn't had an opportunity like this. Honestly, what had her Dad been thinking, bringing her here?
Well, actually, Wendy knew exactly what he had been thinking – he wanted Peach to marry him because he thought the Koopalings needed a mother. Wendy thought this was stupid. Junior had always known Peach wasn't his mother, and he'd recently told the Koopa King this, so Wendy didn't know why he was still trying to make it a reality. And in a castle Peach had already been to, which meant she knew where to go.
As Wendy and the guards ran up the stairs, she realised where Peach was heading – her room. Damn it. She reached the door and it was locked, so she kicked it in – and came screeching to a halt.
Peach was standing in the middle of the room, holding…
"No! Put that down right now!" She yelled.
"Stay away, or I'll rip it!" Peach looked as determined as she had ever seen her, and she really would ruin it.
"Don't! That's one of my favourite outfits! It was a gift from my mother!"
"Then stay back." Recognition had flown across the Princess's features, so she definitely knew what it meant.
"Do as she says!" She snarled and the guards did as they were told. Peach nodded, and then took off out the back door, dropping the sweater as she did so. Wendy ran to it, picking it up and making sure there really wasn't any damage.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get after her!"
The guards took off after the Princess, and Wendy huffed in frustration before turning her attention back to the sweater. It was fine, and she sighed in relief before running out of the door.
Nothing was ever easy, of course. She and the other Koopalings teamed up to chase the Princess and managed to recapture her, and they'd thought that was the end of it and had gone off to do their own thing. Then the stupid plumber showed up the next day, defeated their father in the throne room, and had rescued Peach before they really knew what was going on. It was unsurprising, perhaps, but still disappointing, and Wendy did feel sorry for her that.
She felt it was partly her fault, though. If she hadn't hesitated when she'd seen Peach with the sweater, they would've recaptured her sooner and been able to pay more attention on keeping her in the castle. She wondered if she ought to tell her father, but he might be cross.
She could, however, talk to Ludwig. He'd be the most sympathetic – and once again the only brother who would talk about things like this, things like grief and loss and guilt. So she went and knocked on his door.
"Come in!"
Wendy swung the door open. Ludwig was once again working on music, judging by the many sheets of paper on his desk and bed, but since he'd let her come in she assumed he was taking a break. He was sitting at his desk – not quite slouching, but certainly relaxed. He straightened when he saw her.
"Ah, Wendy. Is everything alright?"
"You mean aside from Mario winning again? No. I feel I should've done more yesterday."
"You did all you could." He said gently.
"No! That's just the point, I didn't! I let sentiment get in the way because she threatened a piece of clothing – something that could easily have been repaired by one of the Magikoopas."
"Wendy, I know how much that sweater means to you. It was one of the last things Mother gave you – whether or not it can be repaired is not the point. I could easily write my symphonies down again, but that doesn't mean I'd want them destroyed in the first place. Nor would I want anything either of my parents gave me to be destroyed.
"Mum and Dad gave you useful things. Most of my stuff is clothing."
"Clothes are important. And in any case, Peach was recaptured, what, half an hour later? Tell me the truth, Wendy, do you honestly think that would've made a difference?"
"No," she admitted grudgingly, "But why do you have to be so logical?"
"I assume that's why you came to me and not the others." He pointed out. Wendy sighed, and went to sit next to him.
"I miss her, Ludwig. It wouldn't be as bad if people talked about her, but no one does – at times it's like she never existed. And then Dad goes and does something like this, trying to get a mother for us when we already have one."
"He's trying to do his best by us," Ludwig said, "Especially you and the other younger ones. Especially Junior."
"I know he means well, but we don't need it. I want my mother back – and in any case I sure as hell wouldn't want Peach as a stepmother."
"None of us would."
"Yet he still tries."
"Father didn't deal with Mother's disappearance well. He feels guilty because he couldn't find her - and he doesn't know how to talk about it properly with us."
"An attempt would be nice." Wendy muttered. Ludwig put his arm around her.
"He could do better, and Peach is an atrocious choice," Wendy snorted at that, "And I miss her too. I'd like an answer to all of this – and I think Father does as well."
"Do you think we could try talking to him?"
"I don't know. Certainly not after another defeat."
That was true. Dad was likely to be grumpy for a few days, possibly longer, which meant he'd be snapping at minions again. And perhaps Ludwig had a point – if he wasn't ready to talk to them, he wouldn't.
"You reckon things will be alright?"
"I think so. I think he just needs time."
"That's very optimistic, Ludwig."
"One of us has to be." He said dryly, and Wendy cackled at him, feeling a lot better.
"You're the best brother ever!" She hugged him tightly before leaping off the chair. "But tell anyone I said that—"
"And you'll hex me."
"You betcha! I'll leave you to work on your melody."
"Symphony. It's a symphony."
"Whatever."
Ludwig rolled his eyes and shooed her out, and she ran out laughing, closing the door behind her. As she leaned over the banister and watched the minions bustling to and fro a few floors down – carrying bits of rubble from the throne room, she noticed - Wendy found that she felt more optimistic as well. Perhaps one day Dad would talk to them about Mum. Perhaps they could truly start to heal from her disappearance.
In the meantime, however, she was going to find the rest of her siblings and plan revenge on that stupid plumber. And possibly devise a way to ruin Peach's wardrobe if she ever found a way into Mushroom Castle.
Being petty was her thing, after all.
End
Ludwig is more understanding of his father in this story because it hasn't been as long since Clawdia went missing as in Contemplation. Also this story ended up more serious than I planned, but of course the Koopalings are also dealing with a lot. Wendy in particular hides behind her love of clothes. I hope you guys enjoyed it!
