Chapter Two: Dragohoho
"So… What's with that feather?" Pink asked Lucinda as the princess brushed her hair in the mirror. She normally didn't care about brushing it, but since she had a 'meeting', she needed to look good or get a yelling at.
"Which feather?" Lucinda asked her friend. She had petitioned her mother to have Pink serve as her new handmaiden to allow her to be closer to Lucinda. Lucinda wanted to keep an eye on her just in case."
"The one in that glass case," Pink said, looking at it in wonder. Lucinda's mind wandered back to when she'd obtained it. The voice still rang in her ears.
"Don't-a ever use-a this feather unless it's-a absolutely necessary." She remembered him saying. "It's-a too corruptive and-a dangerous."
"But, when would I need it?" Lucinda had asked."
"When-a you're up against a foe that-a not even your own natural powers can stop." The voice had told her. "There aren't many like-a that anymore. But, when-a you use it, you'll be faster than-a anyone else and capable of taking on even the mighty Koopa clan."
"Who are the Koopa Clan?" Lucinda remembered herself asking.
Her mentor had paused, crossing his arms and thinking about this, almost as if he was hiding a great secret from her.
"When-a you're older," He said. "When-a you turn eighteen, I'll-a tell you everything."
Lucinda remembered the crashing of the window as soldiers and other things poured into the secret cave. Her mentor reached into his pocket, grabbing out a Fire Flower and walking towards them.
"Go, Lucinda," He said as his overalls turned white. Fire began to emerge from his hands as he stood in between Lucinda and the soldiers. "I will handle this. Go and run. Become what I know you can be."
Lucinda watched as the plumber fought bravely, attacking with the ferocity of a monster. But, eventually, he fell, giving one last glance to Lucinda, who finally found a strong voice to yell as she saw flames.
"MARIO!" She shouted, standing up in her room as she shouted. Pink was startled as she jumped back. Lucinda was sweating now as she began to see flames once again.
"Lucinda!" Pink shouted as a knock came to the door, alerting Pink to someone's presence.
The door opened and in rushed Coco, who grabbed Lucinda, holding her. The flames Lucinda saw began to die down as she felt her sister's embrace. Coco held her close and whispered softly into her ear.
"What happened?" Pink asked. "She was talking and she suddenly saw something and screamed some guy's name."
"When she was younger, she liked to go hide in some caves," Coco said. "One day, we found her in a burned down cave, clutching a green cap with an L on it. It looks similar to the one that heroine wears, but my assumption is that this plumber is based off of a legend told in the Mushroom Kingdom."
"So, Lucinda likes those old legends?" Pink asked.
"She's always thought they were cool," Coco said. "But, in spite of that trauma, her fears never got in the way of that. I know that she supports the actions of Starchild, despite the fact that she seems indifferent. Starchild is exactly what she wants to be and she sees her as an idol."
Pink said nothing, knowing anything she said could potentially let Coco in on something her friend probably didn't want her knowing. It was best that way. She turned to watch Coco stand up and walk towards the door, leaving Lucinda on the bed.
"Take care of her for me," Coco said. "I know she can do better than she does. She just needs to try to be better."
Pink watched the princess leave. Lucinda seemed to have recovered and was sitting up, panting a little. She turned to Pink, watching her.
"I suppose that there are some things I'm not ready to relive just yet," She said. "There are too many things I regret that if I could name them all I'd be dead."
Pink let that sink in; despite Starchild having a mixed opinion towards the people, who seemed to see her as either good or bad. She hadn't ever thought of how it would be to actually be the heroine, having to fight for the people like Starchild.
She knew the queen hated Starchild, even going so far as to proclaim her a threat to the integrity of the royal guard. But, the guards would never do anything to Starchild because they knew that Starchild wasn't doing anything to be selfish. She was clearly using power that far outclassed theirs and she took on simple threats as well as powerful ones.
Lucinda looked at her with a quizzical look.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Just thinking," Pink said.
"Alright," Lucinda said, taking that answer. "Well, I must be going. I have a meeting to attend that mother has 'requested' me attend. I will return shortly."
"Right," Pink nodded. "Should I let you know if… well, you know."
"I will know," Lucinda said, walking out. "It is my curse after all."
Pink was confused by that, watching her leave the room. She heard something… something whispering to her, coming from the closet in the room. She quickly made her way out after that.
With Lucinda
The princess made her way to where her royal mother was, standing there in her dress.
"Lucinda," Peach said. "I'm so glad you could make it. There is a matter which we must discuss."
"Whatever it is, I was asleep," Lucinda said, the queen rolling her eyes.
"You are such a bothersome child," She sighed. "I expect you to learn better. However, as you know, it is custom to discuss possible options of marriage with the daughters of the kingdom."
"Okay," Lucinda said. "Well, I suppose Coco will be completely thrilled to hear that."
"This isn't about Coco this time," The queen said, the pieces slowly beginning to click in Lucinda's mind. She lets her jaw drop as she begins to feel… anger.
"And, who do you think is worthy to be my spouse?" She asked through gritted teeth, trying her best to keep her voice low.
"Well, I had considered a few," The queen said. "They will be arriving shortly. I simply wanted you to be ready."
"I will be in my room until such time as they have left," Lucinda said as politely as she could.
"You will be here and waiting," The queen said. "It is you that they are here to be suitors for."
"I refuse them all," Lucinda said. "I already have my chosen."
"You must still wait," The queen said.
"Until they are here, I will wait in my room," Lucinda said.
"Very well," The queen said. "But, you had better be here when they arrive."
"Fine," Lucinda said. She returned to her room, finding it empty. She walked to the closet, picking up a green orb with a white question mark. The orb shifted, beginning to display an image in it. Lucinda noticed the shape of a strange dinosaur-like creature shooting stones out of its mouth at the citizens of the square. The soldiers were attempting to battle it, but to no avail. It was just too powerful for them.
The creature itself was a strange thing, almost like something out of a story. It stood on four legs and had a huge head and mouth that shot stones that seemed to be powerful with magic. It was green and scaly, but unlike a Yoshi. It had two wings that were able to hold it up as well. It had what looked like orange hair on its head and a sort of orange goatee under its chin.
Lucinda gasped, throwing open her closet and grabbing the chest she had hidden under the floorboards. She pulled out the outfit, returning the dress to the closet as she threw on the outfit. Placing the Shy Guy like mask on her face, she replaced the chest after grabbing her items (save the feather) and jumping out the window. Her window happened to be where it wouldn't be noticed if she jumped out and headed for the ground. She rushed towards the square, making sure that she was moving as fast as she could.
She grabbed the magic leaf and crushed it in her hand, the magic transferring to her as she began to lift off the ground. A tail like that of a raccoon and ears to match appeared and she began to fly through the air, much faster than her running speed.
In the square, the creature roared, spitting a rock at a soldier. The soldier dodged, looking to see a citizen, a Toad woman standing nearby, frozen with fear. The creature, roaring again, spit another rock at the citizen, aiming to kill her.
She covered her head, hoping that the rock wouldn't kill her. She heard a sound like the smashing of boulders, looking up to see a bushy tail in her face. She looked around it to see the mask of Starchild standing in defense of her.
"Leave now," Starchild said; it wasn't a demand or an order, it was advice. The Toad woman ran, turning to see Starchild walk closer to the creature.
"You are going to leave or I am going to give you a beating you'll regret." She said, pointing at the creature. The creature looked at her with a glare and roared, spitting a rock at her. Starchild punched it, destroying it. She moved forward with speed unseen, levelling a punch to the creature's jaw that jerked it upward.
The creature roared, rising into the air and flying around some, spitting a hail of rocks down on the city. Starchild moved as fast as her speed would allow, breaking the rocks and rocketing up to attack the creature. The creature flew backwards a bit, its body changing slightly. It turned humanoid, walking on two legs with its wings larger now. Its head changed to a more human looking one.
Starchild flew up to stand even with it, the two staring each other down. It looked at Starchild as if she was its most hated enemy. Starchild could feel the power of this creature now. It was merely in its beginning form. This was the true form of the creature. She had to be careful here.
The creature shot forward, spitting rocks from its mouth. Starchild punched one, but it didn't break, pushing her backwards. She moved out of its way, making sure it wouldn't hit the city.
The creature took a deep breath, its throat growing large as a huge rock bigger than the creature itself was shot out, heading straight for the city. It was massive, as large as a house. Starchild rushed to stand below it, pushing it as hard as she could. She was rapidly and speedily pushed towards the city. Gathering all her strength, she pushed, reaching for her Fire Flower. She grasped it, summoning its power and letting the warmth of the flower wash over her.
Her ears and tail disappeared as she felt her overalls go white, her shirt remaining its color. She summoned a powerful fireball to her hands, trying to use it to push back the rock. She dropped to one knee, holding the rock and trying to keep it from hitting the city. She felt herself be pushed downward, but couldn't manage to do it.
She thought of all the people that would be hurt, a sudden new strength emerging in her as she felt a powerful burst of fire emerge. She summoned all of it to her hands, shoving the rock back with a strength she didn't know she had in her, pushed it up and charged up a powerful fireball.
She summoned the orb of fire into her hands putting all she had into it, giving a yell as she unleashed the powerful fireball. Instead of exploding the rock, it somehow drilled into it, spiraling like a vortex and turning the rock into dust. It shot straight for the creature, striking it, but not drilling through it.
"How… How did I do that?" Starchild panted, realizing that she had done that. "I've never seen that sort of power before… Not sure I'll ever be able to do it again. But, now I have to stop that creature."
She leapt up with her enhanced strength, grabbing the creature's tail and using gravity and her own force, she pulled it down to the ground, slamming it down hard. She shot a fireball down its throat, punching it hard enough to crack the ground.
The creature stood up, swiping at Starchild, who dodged, slamming her fist into its gut. The creature shot a rock straight at her mask, cracking it slightly. Starchild cursed to herself. She knew that the mask wasn't the most durable, but she knew it was fortified with some magic, so it shouldn't break so easily.
She summoned fire to her fists, punching the creature in the face. The two began to brawl, the creature lunging for Starchild, who leapt over it to kick it in the back. A soldier got close and tried to attack it with a spear, but the creature was too strong. It attempted to grab the soldier, but Starchild grabbed it by the tail. She began to swing it around and around with each rotation getting faster and faster. She eventually let it go, allowing it to fly into the air. Starchild grabbed her Tanooki Leaf, flying up with the speed it gave her, slamming her fist into the creature's gut.
The creature grabbed her, pinning her arms to her side as it started flying downward at an alarming speed. Starchild felt her body impact with the ground, cracking it and cratering it. She felt a sickening snap as she realized she must have broken a couple of ribs. Her Tanooki powerup failed right then, leaving her weaker. She struggled to remain conscious as the creature stood over her, ready to shoot another rock at her.
She summoned the last of her power, grabbing her Fire Flower and swiping the creature's legs out from under it and jumping up to punch it with a powerful fireball that made a slight burn in the ground.
The creature suddenly began to glow and change. Starchild looked concerned, hoping that this creature didn't have another form. She looked at it, seeing it turn into…
"Prince Peasley?" Starchild asked as the prince looked up at her. He was quite injured, Starchild having done a number on him.
"It took you long enough," He said, coughing. "Never send a woman to do a man's job."
Starchild rolled her eyes at the remark knowing he was joking; she'd known him long enough to know that much. Soldiers gathered around them at this point.
"Prince Peasley," The captain of the royal guard said. "You are under arrest for the destruction of toad Town Square."
"Hold on," Starchild said, holding out a hand. "I don't think he was in control here. Beanish aren't exactly known for becoming monsters."
"We still must bring him in for questioning," The captain of the guard said.
"He needs an infirmary," Starchild said, standing in between him and the guards. Even you can see that. There's no point to arresting him if he's dead. Beanbean Kingdom is the ally of this kingdom; it wouldn't do to make enemies with them."
"Very well," The captain said. "I will let the nurses and doctors in Toad Town General know."
"I will take him there," Starchild said, picking him up and moving towards the hospital. She ignored the pain in her ribs to make sure he got there quickly. Once there, she left him with a nurse, heading back to the castle.
The climb back into her room was much more painful this time, but she eventually made it. She quickly (or as quickly as she could with her injuries) moved over to her closet, reaching into her secret chest and pulling out a red mushroom with white spots. She pulled her mask off, taking a bite. The pain in her ribs disappeared, allowing her to breathe easier.
She quickly dressed in a dress of modest proportions, which was far more relaxed to what she was wearing before she went after the creature Prince Peasley became. She walked through the castle, ignoring the soldiers that went through towards her room. She made her way out of the castle, leaving to the square. She walked over to the hospital, speaking to the head nurse at the front.
"I heard Prince Peasley was here," She said. "On my mother's good will, I wish to offer my condolences."
"He's not been here long," The head nurse said. "How did you know?"
"I snuck into my mother's crystal chamber," Lucinda said.
"Makes sense," The head nurse said. "He's on the third room down the hall. Be quiet though."
Lucinda nodded, heading into the room. She saw the Beanish prince nearly unconscious, but he glanced at her when she entered.
"Coming to see me without your work clothes on, I see," He snarked with a chuckle. "I suppose I am worth that much to you."
"What happened to you?" Lucinda asked, standing over him.
"Well, you first started with punching me in the gut…" Prince Peasley started before Lucinda rolled her eyes.
"What turned you into that thing?" She asked, shutting the door.
"Lucinda," Prince Peasley said, his tone becoming serious. Lucinda immediately felt herself tense. The few times he'd ever been truly serious, true dangers had emerged. Lucinda knew that she couldn't afford to not take it seriously.
"What?" She asked. They may never have gotten along, but if there was one thing she knew, it was that he wasn't one to make up stories.
"There is a great evil coming for this kingdom," Prince Peasley said, looking right into Lucinda's eyes. "And, it's far stronger than I was in the form of that creature."
Lucinda's eyes widened as she felt her blood run cold. That creature had broken her ribs from that fall; how much more powerful could a being be?
"Y-You're sure?" She asked. She clenched her fists, trying to keep composure.
"This is no lie," Prince Peasley said. "You will be of no match for them unless you use that one treasure you kept."
Lucinda's breath hitched; she knew what he meant. They may have disliked each other, but they would never wish death upon each other. If he said that was the only option, then it was certainly a grave day.
"My mother failed to defeat this evil," Prince Peasley said. "She was transformed as well, but the evil has managed to learn of this kingdom and is planning to come here. I was coming to warn you, but I was caught. But, trust me, Lucinda. This is not an easy task. The evil that is coming is far more than any sort of weak criminal you're used to fighting. You will have to release any sort of blocks you have against going all out and fight like you can't fight. I know you have two such items of great power and you must use them if you wish to fight."
"I can't use the crown," Lucinda said.
"And why not?" Prince Peasley asked. "You know it could help."
"It doesn't work for me," Lucinda said. "I'm incompatible with it. But, there is probably someone who is… I'm just not sure who."
"You had best train as hard as you can," Prince Peasley said. "I promise you will die if you don't.
"Right…" Lucinda said as she left. "Don't worry. I'll avenge your kingdom."
"Only if you have the strength to protect your own." Prince Peasley softly said.
"I will fight," Lucinda said to herself. "I will have to stand in defense of this kingdom
Elsewhere
"May I go, My Lady?" The small Beanish asked, a huge grin adorning his face. "I have such fury."
"Yes, Fawful," The lady said, cackling. "Prepare them for the time when I will destroy the Mushroom Kingdom. But, make sure you destroy their heroine. She is the only true threat."
"She will be like mustard on a sandwich of defeat." Fawful said.
"Make sure you do not underestimate her," The lady said. "That is what gave the previous plumber the edge last time we fought."
"I shall make sure she tastes her mustard of her defeat sandwich," Fawful grinned. "She will see my fury.
So, there is something truly evil coming. I wonder how Lucinda will be able to handle it. We'll find out.