Chapter 2 Triple the Trouble

Roy, Lemmy, and Wendy exchanged nervous glances as they sat in front of the throne. Wendy could feel her stomach tightening, her throat closing as breathing became increasingly more difficult. She allowed her eyes to wander around the room. The disco ball was still hanging from the ceiling, sending rainbow lights swirling around the walls. The DJ table laid abandoned less than ten feet away. The carpet was muddied with footprints, and garbage of all kinds laid around the room. Wendy herself was kneeling on an empty bag of potato chips.

Wendy gulped and shed a tear. Why did she think that doing this was a good idea? Sure, it had been Roy's idea to throw a party, but she should have known better! She should have said something! Now, she was going to be grounded, and it was all because she kept her stupid mouth shut! Why did she have to be such a pushover?

After what seemed like an eternity, Bowser finally came into the room. He was gripping his hands behind his back and was walking with a slow and calculated manner. On his face was an expression that only made Wendy's dread increase. Each step he took sent tremors through the floor. Wendy could feel her heart beat violently as she did her best to keep her head up. Bowser turned and stared at the three Koopalings. His nose was wrinkled, his eyes were hidden under the bushiness of his eyebrows. He stood before the throne not as a king, but as a parent who was mightily disappointed.

"Lemmy," he said as he looked at his rainbow haired adopted son. He slowly turned his head toward the Koopa in the center of the line. "Roy." Last but not least, he turned his head all the way to the right. "Wendy."

Wendy couldn't even look at him anymore. The disappointment in his eyes was like a finely concentrated laser. She dropped her head, her shoulders slumped. Bowser let out a heavy sigh and started to take his seat on the throne.

"Do you have any idea how…"

BLART!

Wendy felt surprise grasp her, and Bowser's expression mirrored that perfectly. He reached underneath him and pulled out a whoopee cushion that had been resting on the throne. He glared at Roy and Lemmy, who were giggling like a clique of high school girls. Bowser tossed the whoopee cushion to the side, causing it to land in a pile of candy wrappers.

"As I was saying," he said. He put his hand to his temples and gently massaged them. "I go out with your siblings on a diplomatic mission, only to come back and find out that you three have vehemently disobeyed me! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?"

Lemmy and Roy stopped giggling. Their expressions started to sink like a submerged ship.

"Disappointed?" Lemmy asked as Roy stared at the ground.

"Yes," Bowser said with a nod. "Very disappointed."

Wendy stared into his face. Her lower lip trembled, her eyes burned. Before anyone knew what was going on, she burst into tears.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Bowser!" she approached the throne and face planted into the ground. She gripped her father's feet like they were life preservers. "It was all Roy's idea! He didn't think that you would be back until tomorrow!"

"Hey!" Roy said. He stood up and crossed his arms. "Why are you throwing me under the bus?"

"Yeah, it was a team effort," said Lemmy. "Remember that conversation? You said, and I quote…" Lemmy put on an extra high voice when he spoke…."'I really wish that there was a way for me to make new friends!' So then, Roy said, 'Oh, I know! Why don't we throw a party, Bowser never has to know!' So you said 'that's a great idea, Roy!' And then a giraffe came in and delivered the DJ, and all the partygoers arrived via the power of the Party Fairies from the Magic of the Rainbow Books!"

Wendy, Roy, and Bowser stared at Lemmy with raised eyebrows. Lemmy looked up at them and scratched his head.

"At least, I think that's what happened?"

Wendy turned back toward Bowser. Her sobs carried throughout the throne room as she laid on her stomach.

"Please, Bowser! We are so sorry! Please don't punish us!"

Bowser, to Wendy's surprise, gently placed his hand on Wendy's head.

"I accept your apology, Wendy." His face grew stern and strict. "Unfortunately, this can't go unpunished. It's clear to me that you three need to learn some responsibility."

Lemmy stared up at Bowser.

"And how are you going to teach us that? Are you going to give us chores?"

Bowser's eyes twinkled. He smiled.

"Not quite. The punishment I have selected for you three is much more...creative, let's say."

The three Koopalings exchanged looks of confusion. Wendy felt her own puzzlement increase when Kamek came through the door. The king's magikoopa adviser smiled at the three Koopalings.

"Get your Koopa Clown Cars," Kamek said. "I'm taking you three somewhere special."

The wind whipped around Wendy's face. Kamek led the way on his broom as the four of them made their way southwest. Wendy could feel her own curiosity growing like a flower. There was nowhere to be seen below them aside from black, dusty terrain. Just where was Kamek taking them?

It did not take long for Wendy to get her answer, as a city was approaching in the distance. The buildings were mostly made of obsidian and shined in the light of the sun. When the party got closer, Wendy could see paved roads weaving around the different establishments. People were walking on the sidewalks while motorcyclists and people operating go karts made their way down the road. Fancy, first rate shops aligned the sidewalks. Wendy even saw a shopping mall made out of the same black stone.

"What is this place?" Roy asked as Wendy stared at the retreating mall.

"This," Kamek said proudly, "is Dragonbite."

"Oh, I know about Dragonbite!" Lemmy exclaimed. "This is where Iggy went to college!"

"It is indeed, Lemonade," Kamek said. He steered his broom to the west. "This city is known specifically for its educational institutions. The college that Ignatius attended during his childhood is one of the many examples."

Wendy saw that the four of them were approaching an older portion of the city. The buildings looked old fashioned and quaint, being made of reddish brown bricks. Some of them looked to be crumbling, as time was actively chewing at their exteriors. The stores here were far less frequent, and those that were here had an old, rustic feel. Just ahead, Wendy spotted what she could only assume was the educational district. A humongous college with an elegant green campus was sprawled across the city border.

That was not, however, where Kamek took the Koopalings. Instead, he steered the broom slightly to the left, taking them to what appeared to be an elementary school. The four of them descended to the ground at a swift pace. When they made landfall, Kamek placed his broom against the side of the school. Lemmy, Wendy, and Roy got out of their Koopa Clown Cars.

"Follow me," Kamek said. With that, he led them inside.