AN: Well, this one was a long time coming.

I am really happy to finally get a chance to work on this story. I hope it turns out well. I consider it a kind of gift for one of my fanfiction friends.

Now, this story features a very special character. Her name is Princess Aqua, and she is the OC of one of my friends, mariobroultimate. Ultimate, you are awesome and I really appreciate you giving me this opportunity. I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter 1 Change of Plans

Celia never noticed how greasy her hair looked until now. It was like it had been slathered with olive oil, as the hair near her scalp was practically damp. It was a pain, trying to brush it in a way that made it look semi-decent. The state of her fiery locks was just one of the many problems that she had to deal with.

The second of those problems, of course, was overwhelming excitement.

While Celia and Roy had gone on a few dates, this one was going to be special. She was having dinner with Roy's family. Of course, since she was more or less being put on display for the king, princes, and princess of the Koopa Kingdom, she was expected to look her best. It was just too bad that her hair was being stubborn.

"98...99...100...101…"

Yes, Celia was aware that you were only supposed to do one hundred strokes with the comb. But seeing how it looked like her hair was covered in sweat, she decided to go for a little longer. She didn't want to look like a girl who lived most of her life in the sewer. In other words, she didn't want to look like herself.

Just as Celia was attending to the mess on her head, her mother came in. Ruby Marksmite admired her daughter's dress. It was pure white, similar to wedding attire. However, it also had a slit running down the left leg, exposing Celia's golden skin to the air. It was also covered in beads. They glistened under the lights like little diamonds.

"You look beautiful," Ruby said. Celia sighed in frustration.

"Except for my hair." She started to speed up with the brushing. "It's greasier than a darn hamburger!"

Celia aggressively ran her comb through. Strands of her multicolored hair started to attach themselves to the brush. However, that didn't stop her. She gritted her teeth, her face started to turn red. She then threw up her hands in frustration.

"I give up," she said. "This is impossible!"

Ruby laughed.

"Maybe we need to get you new shampoo." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a scrunchie. "For now, I think it would be better if we just put your hair in a ponytail."

Celia begrudgingly sat down and allowed her mom to run the comb through her hair. The two remained quiet for a little bit, allowing themselves to soak up the silence. Celia brushed the dust off of her dress. Her hands were starting to quiver.

"Stupid hair just has to be like this," she mumbled under her breath. Through the mirror, she could see her mother put on a sarcastic smile.

"'Oh woe is me! My hair is so vibrant and full! Why does life have to be this way!'" she said while putting on a mocking tone. Celia felt her hand involuntarily curl into a fist.

"You laugh," she said. "But my life would have been so much better if I just had normal hair. And normal skin. And normal eyes."

Ruby's expression became sympathetic as Celia let out a sigh.

"You can't keep dwelling on what you aren't," she said to her half Koopa daughter. "Focus on what you are. Focus on what you will be. Focus on the positive things."

As she said this, she curled Celia's hair through the scrunchie. It hung down like a river of lava. Somehow, it managed to make Celia's greasy scalp look natural. She smiled.

"Thanks Mom."

"Anytime," Ruby responded. Celia stood up and brushed the dirt of her dress for the umpteenth time. She stared into the mirror. She noticed that worry lines were making themselves known.

"You don't have to be nervous," Ruby said, for she too noticed the worry lines. Celia nodded.

"I know. I just hope this goes well. I mean, I love Roy's family but...last time I was in front of Bowser, I made a fool of myself."

Ruby placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder. Her eyes appeared to be glowing, despite the fact that her eyelids were at half mast.

"You shouldn't blame yourself for that. If you were to blame anyone, you should blame me. I was the one who said Bowser is your father."

Celia nodded. She was still trying to move on from that sin of her mother's. She could still feel remnants of the bitter disappointment that had grown in her chest when Bowser told her that he wasn't her Dad.

"Anyway," Ruby said, forcing on a smile. "I hope you have a good time."

Celia forced on a smile as well.

"I do too." She walked out into the main room of the house. She passed her father, Singe Marksmite, sitting at the table as he colored on a tablet. "By Dad. See you later."

"See you later Cee. Have a great time."

Celia smiled just as she stepped out the door.

…

The big, looming form of Bowser's Castle stared down at Celia. The cold, lifeless eyes of the headstone above the door seemed to be very angry. Not at Celia, per say, but at the world. The castle was angry at the world.

Celia took a deep breath and smoothed out her dress. She carefully approached the hammer brother guard and told him who she was. Once he opened the gate, Celia noticed that a lot of Koopa troopa servants were bustling about in the hallways. They were like bees in a hive, trying to serve their master. They were talking so loud and in such a cacophony that they appeared to be buzzing, also similar to bees.

"More Bob-ombs! More bob-ombs!" one yelled.

"Are you positive that the airships are ready?" asked another.

Celia sidestepped around the servants, doing her best to not get trampled underfoot. She made her way through the castle, wondering what all the commotion was about. She found Roy in the throne room, talking with Bowser and his siblings. She smiled when she saw him.

"Roy!" she called out. Roy turned her way and smiled.

"Celia!" He rushed over. Celia beamed when she saw how happy he appeared.

"Am I too early for dinner?"

Suddenly, Roy started to appear guilty.

"Yeaah, about that. There's been a slight change of plans." He looked back at his family, chuckled, and rubbed the back of his head. "We've decided to go on a kidnapping mission."