No Such Thing

Chapter 7- We Want To

Okay, I've checked the word count for the last two chapters, and I realized that chapter 6 is longer than chapter 5 only by a single word... Yeah, never done that before...

Besides the word count, I wanted to give a shout out to "The Blue Tigrex" for pointing something out in his review from the last chapter. He caught me right on time. Had it not been for him, this story would have a potentially big plot hole that could mess up the storyline. With that being said, thanks again!

Onto the chapter itself, the Koopalings are going to be given a tour around the castle, later preparing to head back to the Dark Lands for only a certain amount of time. For the most part, this chapter should be fairly easy for me to write, as long as I don't go OOC with the koopalings and having this chapter too bland. Thus, it is why I'm introducing a new character in this. I'm not revealing his name, but a few hints should have you thinking.

~KF

A morning run was sometimes a good way to past the time, especially if you're somewhat bored and don't have anything else to do. Plus, it's good to get a good exercise every once in a while.

For this certain being, those were the exact reasons on why he was taking his free time to get a breath of fresh air as he was dashing about. It was somewhat cloudy, yet not enough to predict that rain was going to come. Adding onto it, said clouds were expected to clear up later in the afternoon. Regardless of that, he was taking the low risk of spending sometime out in the open.

Although, there was one thing that was different. He took a few seconds to observe that there weren't many of his species around unlike all the other days he had taken a morning run. The only time they would normally not be around if a storm was coming, unless something was horribly wrong.

For this character, he didn't think of it that way as he nimbly shrugged it off. He thought that just because he was out and about didn't mean that everybody else was. Maybe some slept late, or maybe some weren't planning to be out until later in the day when the clouds would clear up. Though for the latter, that same scenario would apply at times, and at least a few more members of his race would be around to greet him. Nonetheless, every day was different. One would never know of what was going to come.

It didn't take the male long to smell smoke. Almost immediately it had him concerned. A forest fire, perhaps? In his land it hasn't happened in years, so at that moment he knew that something was up. That being thought of, he proceeded to run faster. Nervousness and wonder was sinking rapidly into his system. Last thing he wanted was his land to be attacked. The smell was getting stronger to the point when he could view it in person. By the time he got closer to the source of said smoke, the sight was anything but beautiful.

"Whaaaaaa?"

One look at the forest, and some trees were already being burned down for a reason he had yet to find out. And it wasn't gradually becoming worse. His guess was correct. There was a forest fire, and the land's inhabitants were seeing escaping before the forest would take them with it. Obviously for this particular character, it was a lot to take in. Why was it happening? Is someone behind this? Who?

Once again taking another risk, he refused to slow down his speed, let alone turn around for safety. Instead, it was the last thing he desired to do. He was the main hero of his world. Basically, refusing to at least find out why the forest was ignited was betraying his own land to him. He needed to do something.

Getting to the forest at long last, he thought he saw something. Leaning closer to get a better look, his mouth was then wide-opened when he saw what, or who was responsible for the forest fire in the first place.

"Larger than I thought... No doubt this reminds me of father... Only this time it has a different personality..."

Ludwig was speaking to himself in his mind as he and his siblings were being given their offered tour around the castle as Peach suggested. Besides the few comments that he and his siblings would make, it was generally silent. They were still affected by the fact that they and Mario were trusting each other and about their doomed father. Nevertheless, sadness and astonishment had to pushed to the side for the time being.

"And this is the dining room. If I'm not mistaken, the dining room is similar to this. Am I correct?" One of the two Toads questioned.

All stepping in, the Koopalings didn't have to take five seconds to think as they almost instantly realized that he was not kidding. The dining room was like the one from their home, though they only had the same color scheme. The large table was brown, yet at a lighter shade. And the walls contained a brighter red then the room at Bowser's Castle.

Most of the royal king's children sensed the sadness coming. It was the last time they've seen before the major incident occured that night. Judging by the looks on their faces, the servant of Princess Toadstool chose to exit the area and resumed the tour. "My apologies. I don't mean to make you all more depressed than you already are. We shall keep moving if you please."

"Please do..." Wendy said in her thoughts. "That would be fine. Let's move on."

It was all that the Toad needed to hear prior to proceeding. "What a fool I am to bring them here of all places... I'd better start thinking of the better places they can visit in this castle. If we're going to start building trust, bringing them to the dining room would be the last thing we want, at least until... until they save their loved one..."

"Now that he mentioned it," Roy had to think. "all there is are ashes. That dinner was the very last meal we had before the whole castle was burned down. I miss not only my dad, I actually kinda miss those chefs getting it wrong. I've missed them not putting enough hot sauce on my meat so that I would yell and threaten to harm him. ...And I'll regret saying this, but I'm actually starting to miss Wendy's temper tantrums whenever her meals are perfect enough for her... Yet, she's the only being that's still here right now..."

"...Those kids don't deserve this..." Mario shook his head bringing in a few flashlights. "As soon as they are finished with their tour around the castle, we are leaving."

"You know I'm coming with you Mario." Peach wandered closer to him. "Those kids are hurt. And if they're going to trust us, the least we can do is help. Toadsworth is going to look after the castle while we're gone."

"And that is why I'm here." Toadsworth nodded with hands behind his back. "If Bowser chooses to come to the kingdom while you guys are at his land, I'll have control."

"I am grateful for your help, Toadsworth." The princess of the Mushroom Kingdom smiled.

"Anytime." He found that Mario had a somewhat confounded expression on his face. "...Is something wrong, Mr. Mario? You seem to be puzzled about something..."

"I am..." He promptly answered. "I was just thinking about one of those times I was battling with King Koopa and... and... Junior... I-I don't know why I'm suddenly thinking of that time out of all times he kidnapped Peach, but, there's something... about that battle that just stands out from the rest... Something to do with Junior..."

"If it's really important to remember what exactly happened, then you should probably speak with him about it." His long-time friend suggested. "...Come to think of it, I see where you're going with this. Something seems odd... and it was not just the fact that Junior was involved because I'm pretty sure he was before, and that was not long ago... Do you think it'll provide something for us?"

"Not sure..." Mario was in his own thinking pose tapping his foot. "Though, it can be if we keep pondering on this. If it's anything to help Bowser, we can't just let it ago. We'll speak with his youngest son to see what he thinks, but it's been a while since that battle has happened. I don't know if he remembers it very well, yet since it has something to do with them and not us, he probably remembers it more than we do in a way, even though the kid's only five years old..."

"That other time you've battled with him was only a couple months ago." Luigi recalled with a raised finger. "I was there, and so were Blue Toad and Yellow Toad. ...Or at least almost fought him. We did on those airships, but not when he was with his father."

"You're right." His only brother couldn't agree more. "We were getting ready to fight him again after we defeated Bowser that night. Knowing what we've done to him however, was enough to make him think that brawling with us was a bad idea. He had no choice but to retreat. Asking him of what he knew about the first time I've battled with him with his parent is our best option. This may have a large effect of what we should do..."

"Princess Peach! Mario! Luigi! Please, wait! We still have many questions to ask!"

The rumor that the Mario crew was planning on heading to the Dark Lands with the Koopalings was proven to be true as they were now being seen heading towards Ludwig's airship for transportation.

As he said before, Toadsworth was standing directly in front of the castle doors, his right hand over his head to observe everyone preparing to leave the castle, ignoring all the paparazzi that showed up the second the pink-dressed female stepped out of her castle.

"I'm sorry." She calmly responded to the female reporter of channel five news, not paying any attention to the many camera flashes at her. "I'm afraid we don't have enough time. We're leaving the Mushroom Kingdom to help King Koopa's children."

"B-But, princess! The people have a right to know!" The purple toad called with her hand out, attempting to catch up with her. Unfortunately, the few Toad guards didn't allow her or her fellow reporters to take a single step inside the gate.

Bowser's children were already on board, waiting for the others to arrive. Due to the situation they were in. Not a word was found so that it can be spoken. That is, until Larry refused to let silence get the better of them. "...Are we really doing this, you guys?"

He didn't receive an almost immediate response. In spite of that, it only proved to be a really good question. One would perceive it as a dream, even though it was not of course. But trusting the enemy was the only option they had, which was why they chose to play along.

"...Trust me..." The first one who beat the rest in answering Larry was Iggy. "If there was another way, I'd be all over it. Last night I've expressed that I wished to not trust Mario... Now, it almost seems like we have to force ourselves to, or else we would choose to give up our last choice... But we've known him for years. He shouldn't be that unpredictable."

"Iggy's right." Ludwig nodded without looking at any of his remaining family. "Though, we are not forcing ourselves to trust that plumber, we are wanting to trust him. Nobody's making us to like him. Nobody's forcing us to be on the same side with him. We can just leave them right now. We're already on the airship. We can abandon them any time we please. Despite him possibly being the only person we could come to, our father is still out there... We want to keep going, we wantto come to the Mushroom Kingdom, and we want to trust Mario. If we're not making ourselves to trust him we desire to..."

All eyes were on each other, realizing that what their eldest brother had said was true. It wasn't anybody that was forcing them to have Mario as their aid, it was themselves that want to be on the same side as him.

"Alright, we're ready."

Mario, along with Luigi, Peach, Toad, Toadette, and the Toad Bros. (who showed up at the castle about an hour ago) proved to be finally ready for their departure. Yes, it was way more beings that were boarding on such a small airship unlike the ones Bowser had, but it wasn't overcrowded. Yet, some of the Koopalings had to scoot over for ones that requested a seat.

Once every traveler was in place, it was Ludwig's signal to take off. The second he did, lots of pictures were taken and videos were recorded so that not only the Mushroom Kingdom would see, but the whole, clustered world would as well.

It was quite obvious that the story behind the predicament would be even bigger the minute it hits the news.

...Have you guys noticed that I'm publishing every chapter later in the day? It's almost midnight here. I apologize. I'm kinda behind, here. It's almost Wednesday, now. But, better be on time then late, right?

Like/dislike? I encourage everyone to review.

Questions:

1. In the scene with only the Mushroom Kingdom residents, Mario appears to remember a past battle. Do you guys realize where he was going with what he said?

2. Who's the new mystery character from the first scene?