AN: Hey, everyone. I just wanted to remind you all about the poll on my profile. If you could take it, I would greatly appreciate it.
Chapter 24 Trial By Fire
Celia stared at the wall of her cell. Focusing on one specific point helped distract her from the smell of rotting throw up. It did not, however, help distract from her anxiety. Her heart was firing off beats like a rapid fire machine gun. Today was the day of the trial, which meant tomorrow would likely be her execution.
Celia took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. That didn't help either. Jitters had claimed her, making her shake like a bag full of jumping beans. She looked toward the door, which thankfully had not opened up yet.
She might as well enjoy this. These were her last few moments before she was greeted by the tantalizing hold of death. She leaned back in her cot, trying to sing a song that she remembered from her childhood. Unfortunately, she could not remember the lyrics outside the chorus. She sat up and focused her attention on the wall again. Really, how could she enjoy this when there was absolutely nothing enjoyable?
And that's when the door opened. Celia's heart lept in her throat when she saw two sledge brothers in the entryway. They looked stern and dangerous as they approached her and handcuffed her. She started to do breathing exercises as they led her up out of the dungeon. They didn't utter a word as they all made their way toward the throne room.
Celia looked around the hallways. She did not know if it was her imagination, but they appeared darker than before. There was a danger to the atmosphere, a vibe that made her skin run cold. She spotted the Koopalings as they too made their way to the throne room. Roy looked at her, making eye contact with her for a brief second. He cast her a reassuring smile, as if telling her that it was going to be okay.
He was lying through his teeth. The fact that he couldn't look at her for longer than a second proved that.
The door to the throne room spread open slowly. Bowser sat on the throne, pinching his brow with his thumb and forefinger. Bowser Junior sat right next to him in a miniature throne of his own. The room was populated by Dragon koopas and Koopa troopas who had heard about the trial, each one interested for reasons of their own. Celia saw the Koopalings take their seats right next to her crying parents. The sledge brother guards who had a hold of Celia took her to the podium that she would stand behind. She gulped when she saw Bowser get up and approach the crowd.
"Okay," he said sullenly. "Let us begin."
The trial was fairly quick, although to Celia it felt like it was dragging. The last few moments of her life trudged along slowly, and she honestly didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Each moment felt like torture. She was so stressed out that she couldn't even pay attention to the trial, so it seemed to blend together into one monstrous blur. Finally, when it did come to a close, she watched as Bowser stood before her. He had a very sad expression on his face.
"So, Celia Patch," he said. He looked like he was holding back tears. "By the laws of the Koopa Kingdom, you have been found guilty of treason. And for that, you have been sentenced to death."
The crowd whispered and buzzed amongst themselves. Celia heard her mother crying in the crowd, which caused her to shed a tear of her own. She looked up into the face of the Koopa King.
"Bowser…"
Bowser looked away from her. Celia felt a pang as she looked at the koopa who she had believed was her father for a good portion of her life.
"Your execution...will be in the morning…" Bowser said with a trembling voice. "Until then…"
Suddenly, the door to the throne room burst open. Bowser looked up in surprise, and the crowd gasped in shock. Celia's eyes grew wide when she saw a humongous crowd of humans, toads, and yoshis spilling into the room. At the very front of the crowd were Peach, Mario, and…
"Aqua?" Celia asked. Bowser looked very confused and very flustered.
"What the World Eight is this?"
"What's it look like?" Mario asked. "We've come to protest your decision!"
"Yeah!" said a woman who Celia recognized as Princess Daisy of Sarasaland. "And we aren't going to do it peacefully, either!"
"Charge!" Aqua cried.
With that, the crowd let out a cheer and began to stampede into the room. Celia watched, dumbfounded, as the two crowds meshed into one. Humans punched Koopas, Koopas punched back. Yoshis ate up Koopa troopas and spit them out, making their shells roll across the room and knock down opponents. Aqua, amidst all of the confusion, approached the human Koopa hybrid.
"Hey," she said with a grin. She undid the handcuffs that were around her wrists. "How's it hanging?"
"Wonderful, just wonderful," Celia replied. "All of us were having the best of times."
Aqua laughed.
"Because charges of death always count as good times."
Celia laughed, and together the two girls ran back into the crowd. Celia saw her parents on one side of the room, and they looked frightened by all the chaos. Celia led Aqua over to them.
"Mom, Dad!" she cried. Ruby and Singe eyed the room once Celia and Aqua were close to them.
"I'm sorry," said Ruby. "But who's nightmare did I just wander into?"
Both girls laughed.
"No one's," said Aqua. She stepped forward. "I am Princess Aquamarine Olivia Toadstool of the Lake Kingdom. This riot was organized as a rescue party for your daughter."
It took some clear effort on their part, but Ruby and Singe eventually smiled.
"Oh! Thank you, your highness; thank you!" said Singe.
"You're welcome!" she said. She put on a determined face. "Now come on; let's get out of here!"
With that, the four of them made their way out of the warzone that was Bowser's throne room. Celia could feel her breath catch in her throat as she zipped around people throwing fireballs and punches at the enemy race. She couldn't breathe easily until she was a good distance away from the castle. She smiled at Aqua.
"Aqua, thank you."
"Don't mention it," she said. "Honestly, it's the least I could do after what you did for me."
Celia grinned even brighter. Ruby and Singe embraced her in a hug, each with tears in their eyes.
"Oh, baby," Ruby said. "My sweet, precious baby!"
"We're so glad that you're safe!" Singe said. Celia chuckled.
"Okay, guys, no need to turn up the cheese factor." She crawled out of the hug and looked at Aqua with a serious, questioning look. "I guess this means we'll have to live underground now, right? After all, I still have death charges hanging over my head."
Aqua laughed.
"Don't worry about that." She looked at the castle. "If Peach's plan works out, then you won't have anything to worry about."
…
Bowser watched as all the chaos unfolded. The screaming and yelling made his ears hurt. His stomach felt like it was exploding with all the stress.
"Stop!" he cried. No one stopped. Peach, however, approached the great Koopa King.
"Bowser," she said. "These people listen to me and me only. My men won't back up...unless you take the time to listen to me."
Bowser looked around. He saw Junior cowering behind the throne. His son looked so scared, so helpless. Bowser approached him slowly, leaning down to his level so he could talk to him.
"Junior?"
Junior sniffled and looked up at the king.
"Dad, these people are trying to kill us!"
Bowser felt a pang. He looked over at the Princess, who looked at him with sympathy in her eyes.
"Bowser, please. It doesn't have to be this way."
Bowser looked back down at Junior, who was starting to cry. His sobs were drowned out by the ruckus that was occurring in the room. He looked out and saw that Lemmy had a bloody nose, and Morton was gripping his aching hand. He sighed and looked down at Peach.
"If it'll stop the fighting," he said, "then I will be more than happy to listen to you."
Peach smiled.
"Excellent." She held up her hands and faced the crowd. "Everyone, stop!"
The crowd slowly but surely ceased with their fighting. Peach gestured for Mario to come close to her. Bowser saw that he had a blue folder in his hand. The Princess faced the crowd with a smile.
"The three of us will have a diplomatic meeting. Hopefully, by the end of it, we will have reached an agreement."