Darkland Station, the base of House Koopa. Designed with a dark castle motif in mind, it resembled a stony fortress, with fire and lava about the area, ruling the power of the base. This is where Bowser did his deeds.
And now, a Zeal ship was heading towards it.
A man in a skull mask watched the main view screen from Darkland Station's security room. Reaper crossed his arms over his chest. "Inform Lord Bowser that Queen Zeal has arrived." he turned and spoke to Sombra. "See to it that the Queen is free of recording devices when she and Lord Bowser are talking."
"Just no trusting people," Sombra chuckled, "But trust me, nothing they say will leave this station."
Reaper nodded grimly, turning back to the monitors. Everyone wanted to be on top, so it was good to be careful.
On board the shuttle, Zeal and her two children were near the front in disembarking, with several others with them.
Plague Knight led the way for Queen Zeal and her children. The robed, bird masked man swung side to side a censer that burned sweet incense into the air. As an expert in virology, chemistry, poison making, Plague Knight also had a surprising background in making perfumes and sweet smells. At a moment's notice, the censer could release deadly poison gas which the Zeal family had been immunized against.
The Queen herself brought up the rear, looking bored and haughty.
Mona, a fellow alchemist, had remained behind at Zeal's station. Shame. Plague Knight really enjoyed her presence...
Sadly Plague Knight never was good at human interaction. As a former combat surgeon, he'd dealt with life and death on a regular basis. As a maker of explosives and poisons, he was no stranger to peril and risk. But at parties, social situations, or a girl he liked he was utterly useless.
And it wasn't just her looks, she was smart and knew more about chemistry and alchemy than he did. To be able to converse with her alone would be incredible. Not that Queen Zeal gave him much time for mingling.
No, Queen Zeal was always plotting and planning...and spicing. A user, she used spice to extend her lifespan and preserve her youthful appearance, perfect for a narcissistic person like her.
The sad thing was, she used to be much kinder person, but the loss of her husband, the harshness of the galaxy, and other factors transformed her into woman people knew of today.
Spice could extend life, but not indefinitely. Queen Zeal truly meant to become immortal, and extend the honor to her children. As it stood, a certain artifact on Aegis Seven, a far away mining world on the edge of Zeal and Koopa space, could be of use
A huge creature, a wolf-like monster, approached the party in the dim halls of the space station. Warwick bowed in animalistic fashion before the Queen. "Welcome to the ancestral home of Lord Bowser," He said, "You are expected in the map room."
Zeal nodded without a word, and she, her children, and Plague Knight made tier way down the halls with Warwick. It was not long before they reached the large map room, equipped with holographic protector. Bowser and his son were there, as were the Koopalings, seven elite Koopas who served as military commanders/scientists/sorcerers.
In addition, Doomfist was nearby, a powerful man with cybernetic arm. A military commander, his calm and polite demeanor hid a brutal fighter. Akande Ogundimu had been his name once. Then he'd gone to war during the Omnic Crisis, earning distinction time and time again on the field of battle. Then the loss of his arm came and with it, Bowser's cybernetecists. Giving him a powerful cybernetic enhancement and the chance to slake his lust for blood.
Doomfist bowed to Zeal and her party. "My lady, Lord Bowser bids you welcome. As it stands, please take to the map for all the local space threats."
Zeal looked upwards at the map, with several markings map on the galaxy area.
Bowser took a breath as he spoke. "Thank you for coming. Things to discuss today. First things are the threats we are facing soon." Bowser pointed at an unassuming world in a section of the galaxy known for mineral extraction. "Mining operations have shut down around Aegis 7 and all local worlds. Crews have been turning up dead or insane, and that's before they turn into murderous undead slaughter machines."
"Yes," said Zeal, "the so called Necromorphs; you know what they say; shoot the limbs."
Bowser scowled, "This is bigger than that."
Zeal raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I think...something is guiding these things." Bowser went on. "Not sure what, but we've been investigating the area...nothing yet, though."
"Though we HAVE been looking into what makes a Necromorph tick." Iggy piped up. "Maybe we can use it to our advantage."
Doomfist spoke up, "I've been overseeing live capture. As many have seen, they have no need for vital organs and can even sense a target with their eyes, ears and noses removed. From what we can tell, they simply collapse and shut down a certain distance from a red marker."
"Don't tell me someone was stupid enough to build one after all the legends say?" said Zeal contemptuously, masking her curiosity.
"Some people are curious like that..." A new voice caused all to turn. Moira, the top scientists of Koopa, stepped into the room. A brilliant individual with a talent for genetic manipulation and alteration, Moira's work was seen as unethical and dangerous by most...but Bowser gave her work, without restraint.
The biotic user bowed to the arrived royalty. "From what we've seen before our research mages went totally mad and needed to be put down, the Red Markers channel immense amounts of Dhar, one of the least understood and malevolent winds of Magic. It does so in such a way that most magic users can't understand it."
"So you have something worth my while, Bowser," said Zeal. "And I think if you scratch my back I can scratch yours."
"Perhaps we can..." Bowser mused,
"Wait." Schala began. "What was that about the mage being-?"
"In other news." Bowser cut in, suddenly holding up a tube holding a baby Metroid. "We've been looking into these guys more...and we've come to the conclusion that they are not bioweapons, but predators." He explained.
"Necromorphs don't need to eat," Moira explained, going back to the undead. "But only because they are the part of a larger whole. When Mazdamundi destroyed the Necromorphs of Tau Voltanis, he actually destroyed something larger than any army of Necromorphs."
"The records say it was huge," said Bowser, "Like a moon."
Zeal huffed, "I know the myths, so why would you be interested in a planet eating moon?"
Bowser, deciding to discuss the Metroids later, put down the tube and spoke. "Maybe we could utilize it, as some sort of weapon."
"You don't have to tell me about the power of necromancy," said Zeal, "I personally own three of the nine books of Nagash." She looked up at the Koopa King, "However, controlling one of the Brethren moons would be a game changer; a magic planet killer of incalculable power. I respect your greed in trying to control one."
"So...?" Bowser began.
"Yes, I believe I can help you with this little affair...but first, do go on about those Metroids." Zeal smirked.
Bowser nodded. "Follow me everyone." He began to lead all gathered towards the laboratory of Moira.
"You actually managed to capture Metroids?" Zeal asked, "Normally they kill everyone who goes after them or they expire in transit. They're almost impossible to sedate and their feeding habits are largely unkown."
"Thank this guy," said Bowser, pointing to a huge, power-armored man holding a shotgun. "I found Doomguy out in lawless space; he needed money and I gave him a job. he also comes in handy when chaos cultists summon demons."
Behind him, Doomguy pressed a button, which shone a light on a large cage.
An Omega Metroid was there...and it reacted angrily at the sudden light. It slammed its bulk against the cage with a hellish screech, causing Schala to jump. Bowser chuckled. "Yeah, it'll do that."
Ludwig came up to the front. "We've been do some research on them, as well as analyzing ancient Chozo texts, and we've found the Chozo designed them to hunt something called 'X'." He shrugged. "No idea what those are."
Zeal's son Janus examined the monster. "That Omega, it doesn't happen to have the gene to become a Queen does it?"
Bowser laughed, "You bet it does, I'd go broke if I had Doomguy go out and get a new one each time they died in testing. But yeah, your highness, these things were designed to be predators; they're not a disease, they're a cure."
"And you think this 'X' could be a disease?" Zeal asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Like we said," Lemmy piped up. "Still working on that." He looked at Zeal. "Say, since we're here, we've wanted to ask. Think we could use some of the Visorak to mutate our Metroids?"
Visorak were a species of large, biomechanical spiders, with seven breeds, serving as part of Zeal's army. The species name translated to 'Stealers of Life', an apt description.
Their venom was known as 'Hordika Venom'. Not a fatal toxin, it was mutative substance that worked both body and mind, transforming victims of it into feral beasts. It was mainly used in the war mounts of Zeal to create even more savage war beasts.
Zeal smirked, "Why Bowser, I'd love to lend you some of my deadly spiders. However in return I want some of your Eridium from the mines on Pandora; not much, just enough to enhance our magic rituals."
Eridium, a strange element from the world Pandora; created by a long dead race and valued as a fuel source. It also had the effect of vastly boosting the powers of the native psychic Sirens. Evidently it would also do the same for House Zeal's battle mages.
"Well as I'd hate to leave you using warp stone, take a share of it," said Bowser, "My people will kick you a percentage."
"Excellent," Zeal crooned as Schala went pale behind her. "Show the world who is strong...that is how I recruited the Tomb Kings."
"Oh?" An amused Bowser crossed his arms.
Zeal smirked. "I traveled to the world Nehekhara to recruit the fabled Tomb Kings into my army. Their leader, Settra, initially proved to be...stubborn. But we agreed on a one-on-one duel with each other. I did not want to get my clothes dirty, so I stripped everything all off to fight."
"You did what now?" Roy deadpanned.
Zeal shrugged, "I was young, I was hot-headed, and I have as little shame as I did now. But I think Settra was angry because in life, pussy was his one weakness and as an undead skeleton warrior, that is the one thing he could never have. So he went in angry, unfocused and I tore him apart."
Schala blushed deeply at her mother's lewd display,
Zeal laughed, "A few of the mortuary priests tried to press their advantage when I overwhelmed Settra, but he came to my aid. And I don't mind being dominated in the bedroom, but in politics and at war, I rule with an iron fist. Everyone else can get behind me or die in the process. Now Settra serves me. Though I was kind enough to let him and his brood keep their gods and practices, as long as they still serve me. Settra kills, maims and terrorizes," Zeal purred, "Why change what works?"
"Well, we might need your undead boyfriend if we are to continue with Live Necromorph capture," said Ludwig. "Mindless skeletons pretty well counters the mass psychosis caused by the markers."
Zeal glared at him, but let the comment slide. "Hmmm, yes. Perhaps he can tame these abominations."
Schala suddenly spoke up. "We have more news to share as well."
"You'll be happy to know, Lord Bowser," said Janus, "That we've managed to acquire a working, living sample of Samus Aran's DNA."
Bowser's eyes widened, "But how?"
Schala answered evenly, "Our Mother has known of your interest in the Metroid's for some time, and it has come to our attention that Samus herself might serve as a bridge to understanding the monsters, given her long history of fighting them."
Bowser rubbed his chin. Samus Aran...one of the greatest bounty hunters in the Galaxy, and that was saying something there.
Raised by the Chozo after being orphaned in a pirate attack, she grew under their care, becoming a skilled fighter and traveler. Few dared to cross her. Thankfully, for the most part, she was a kind person.
He'd tried to get Samus over to his side. Get her to see the reason of controlling and harnessing the metroids. Her beloved Chozo had created the damn things, why not use them? She didn't see reason, so blinded by her hate for these things. She'd tried to destroy all Bowser was working towards.
So, yeah, not working out.
"We try to make something with this?" Bowser asked.
"In time, yes." Zeal nodded. "First we need more materials."
"In other news," Schala spoke up again. "We have recently colonies planet called 'Altair IV', a world once inhabited by a race known as the 'Krell'. These aliens were highly advanced, having built a vast machine that goes into the very planet."
"Thank my lovely daughter for finding the works of Dr. Edward Morbius and deciphering them," said Zeal. "The man was a loon, but he took risks and it paid off to a degree. He learned the science of the Krell and how they were able to alter reality on a whim and harness magic to a degree unseen in even the Lizardmen."
"If I remember correctly," said Moira, "I thought that Dr. Morbius had died on that planet."
"True," said Janus, "But his notes survived him, even if he and his associates tried to destroy the research. We had to be good detectives about it."
"Not to mentioned...The Krell died too, in single night over 200,000 years ago." Schala added somberly. The notes of Morbius seemed to leave something out...but she did decipher something along the lines of 'Beware the id'.
"Oh the Id," said Zeal, with an unhealthy amount of enthusiasm in her voice. "From what I've been able to understand, it is a reference to the unconscious mind; the thing most of us are never aware of but always depend upon."
"Some scholars theorize," said Janus, "That the Id is both the source of all creativity as well as all depravity and evil. Some theorize it is the source of Chaos magic as well."
"So, you having those weird tech priests look at the machine?" Bowser asked dryly.
Zeal shrugged. "At times when it is needed."
"...Those guys freak me out." Bowser Jr. muttered.
Bowser hit his son across the back of the head. "Don't be afraid of anything! Least of all a bunch of weirdoes in red robes with metal cyber arms."
Bowser Junior winced and nodded at his father's advice.
"Don't be afraid of the Tech Priests," said Schala, "The Brotherhood of Mars might be amoral, but they're predictable and their love of ancient technology is a huge asset to anyone they call an ally."
"If it wasn't for their pompous nature." Janus muttered dryly, knowing too well what those priests could be like...and what they did to themselves.
"And they command giant robots called Titans," said Zeal, "Even one of those can swing a battle on ground or act as the perfect anti-air defense. They don't know how to rebuild them, but they can maintain their Titan war machines just fine."
"Hmm, noted." Bowser stated dryly. "Just like we can't more get Sirens until one dies: Only six can exist at any given time."
"We can have Stephen Strange scour the galaxy for Lilith," said Zeal, "She's been a thorn in my side since she left Pandora. I'll kill her for free as a favor to you, if I find her."
Schala lowered her head, remembering how the woman Lilith had stopped a fire cult from forming on her own homeworld, saving possibly thousands of lives.
"Yeah, she has not been very cooperative...and don't get me started on Steele." Bowser muttered. "She tried to screw me over, trying to take the Vault contents for herself." She snickered. "Too bad for her the contents was some eldritch being, which simply ate her."
The Vaults...once thought to be places of great treasure, now known to be prisons for dangerous beasts.
The Destroyer, that was the thing that lived in the Pandora vault. Something so terrifying and dangerous that the Eridians sacrificed their entire civilization to imprison it. Ancient runes revealed that there were other vaults like it across the galaxy.
The Destroyer was indestructible in its own realm, but needed a host in this universe. This led some scholars to believe that it was some kind of Daedric entity or a Chaos Demon of unspeakable power.
House Zeal and House Koopa stood with the king, but their support was not unconditional. If things went south they needed to look after their own interests.
Metroids could make a fine cure for some of the worst races in the galaxy, like the Tyranids or the Grox. Better yet, analysis of Samus's DNA could lead to the making of better super soldiers, better war beasts for Zeal and better tech for Bowser and his kin.
Which led to the current discussion.
"I'm assuming there are still things left unsaid at the moment." Zeal noted.
"Perhaps, and the same could be said of you. Can I trust you not to blab some things to the King? Including Beaky there?" He pointed to Plague Knight.
Plague Knight shrugged, "I am a trustworthy man."
"Shut up," said Zeal, "But Bowser, you are right. I'm as trustworthy as you are. If we both put our might behind the King, we can all be rich and powerful beyond measure. Why would I screw up a good thing?"
Bowser glared at her, satisfied with her answer, at least she wasn't trying to pretend to be something she was not.
"Yeah, well, some things are better left not known to the King. He keeps his secrets from us, so we some secrets to ourselves as well. I may be willing to share some with you." Bowser noted. "I can share a copy of Red Marker Dark Magic frequency. I know that'll help with your study of necromancy."
"And I'll give you whatever Krell tech I can find." Zeal replied.
"Just watch yourself on the Forbidden Planet," said Bowser, "It's not technically a death world, but you don't want to wake up something from the past."
"Hmmm, true." Zeal nodded, turning to walk and examine some Metroid baby specimens. "What an ugly little thing," she mused. The creature inside began to float around before lunging at the glass.
"At that age they don't have good coordination or killer instinct," said Moira, "But en mass they can overwhelm a human target. It's not until they reach the larva stage that Metroids start to become deadly on their own."
"Say, why don't I show you something we've been working on, drawing off old blueprints we found in ships wreckage." Bowser said. "I'm sure you will be able to make the most of it."
"What do you mean?" Schala asked, turning towards the Koopa.
Ludwig grinned. "It's a little something called the 'Sigma Technology.' The main use is to use the DNA of two different animals to create a powerful hybrid beast."
Zeal's eyes lit up, she bit her lip with barely concealed excitement. "Show me what you can do with this? Back up your words."
Bowser laughed, "Step into the dungeon, we've got a show prepared for you. I know you like a good show."
All gathered began to make their way out of the labs and into the lower depths of the station, also passing by cells full of prisoners, there for various reasons.
"Please, your omnipotence," Kink Van Houten pleaded from one cage as Bowser passed, "Have mercy."
"You'll have mercy when you scrub all the floors in the dungeon!" shouted Bowser Junior.
"The dungeon full of deadly monsters and death traps?" Kirk blanched.
"That's the one," said Bowser Junior. "What about the rest of you mugs?" he addressed the other prisoners.
"Dude, go eat a dick," said Snake Jailbird from his cage.
Schala turned to him. "I WAS wondering where you went." She said.
"Yeah...got a little too carried away." Snake admitted with a sigh. "But I'll be outta here before you all know it."
"Yeah, well, you and others better pipe down." Roy said to them all. "You're all here because your hate our benevolent rule."
"In a couple of seconds, you're going to go up against some of the Sigma Technology's finest creations. And for that we can thank the good Doctor Chanikov," said Bowser Junior. On cue he motioned to Doomfist, who punched a button on his gauntlet.
On the far wall, a large curtain began to lift, showing the fruit of the technology.
In a holding pen was some kind of...thing. Its base form resembled a Crocomire from Zebes, but the head and back legs were that of a Thundertusk, and its red scales were patched with wool.
In another cage with a swimming pool in it, something with a huge turtle shell crawled out. Stick out front the head of an enormous megaladon shark snapped its teeth. At the rear of the creature, a large bombardier beetle abdomen wriggled, holding a cargo of high explosives.
"I want to see it kill something," hissed Zeal.
"Oh shit," said Snake.
Bowser turned to the line of prisoners nearby. Then he turned to a rather fat man in red. "You, Coachman right? Time for you to pay for trying to turn my son into a donkey."
Some said the coachman was a servant of Chaos; he was evil enough for it. He simply shrugged and gave that dimple smile. "Well Bowser, I have no regrets. But we can still work at the old human trafficking business. Skaven pay well for donkey meat."
The two abominations roared, they were hungry.
"Oh, yes. Heard of you." Schala said with uncharacteristic coldness. "Looks like you've got what you deserve here."
Into each of the cages dropped a Wunderwaffe weapon; a radioactive powered energy gun of devestationg power. Kurt and Snake eagerly went for their weapons, while Coachman just crossed his arms, a defiant smirk on his face.
"Now if you survive my Sigma monsters, you'll go free," said Bowser, "Actually I'm lying, you're all going to die."
Kirk scowled. "So, that's it, a weapon and a 'good luck'?"
"I don't recall saying good luck." Bowser smirked.
The Crocomire fusion gave a gargling, watery ululation as its cage door opened. The Shark turtle tank beast climbed out of its pool.
The Prisoner's cages began to open, Snake Jailbird pointing his gun at Bowser, "Let me out or the big turtle gets it!" he demanded.
Snake cried out in pain as a blast from the turtle tank shot his weapon out of his hands. He turned with fear as the two monsters began to advance. Meanwhile, the Coachman held his hands out and started to summon magic from the Warp; the stuff of Chaos.
It formed into a deadly whip, ready to lash the beasts. But the beasts eyes showed no fear at all.
...
Come to think of it, when Janus looked closer at the eyes of the hybrids, he didn't see any details: No pupil, no iris...just blanks white eyes.
Schala gasped as she realized before her brother the implications of the eyes. The whip of chaos energy struck the turtle beast and passed through the shell, cooking its guts, yet the monster didn't even slow down or register any pain. It charged full tilt at the condemned men.
The eyes. A mark of Metroid DNA. Bowser just hadn't fused animals together; the Sigma technology had used Metroid genetic codes as a glue to hold the diverse animal parts together and make them exponentially more powerful than it should be.
The Crocomire creature waddled forward, slowly converging on its prey. Kurt, panicking, fired several laser blasts right in the monster's eyes, but it didn't even flinch. It didn't even look like its eyes took damage.
"Behold!" Moira announced for all to hear, royals, guards, and prisoners. "This is the power of the Sigma Technology! Unstoppable weapons that feel no fear, feel no pain! A products of the greatest minds! They are creatures who will fear neither enemies of flesh, bone, metal, magic or demon might!" she continued, as the turtle tank swung put on a brief speed burst and biting through the Coachman's right leg. "With Sigma, we can make monsters to shame the tyranids!"
Kurt screamed as the Crocomire monster took hold of him and ripped him in two like a doll.
Snake cursed, going for Kurt's dropped weapon.
Snake had no intention of dying today. Even if he failed to kill the things, he would find a way out. He looked over to the Coachman, who was cursing over his lost leg as the turtle beast loomed over him.
Actual worry formed on the Coachman's face. For a man who'd just lost a leg he wasn't looking so bad. Holding his hands out, warp energy began to gather and a portal started to open. The fat, red coated man started to drag himself through as the turtle tank ignored further shadow whips that ravaged its flesh. Even with half its internal organs melted, it wasn't even slowed down.
Snake cried out in pain as the Crocomire thing fired a strand of spiky hair at him like an arrow. Poison numbed the wound, but it only increased Snake's resolve. He sprinted as fast as he could and threw himself at Coachman's portal.
He knew where it could lead...something dangerous...but he took any chance he could to get of of this mess...and as he made his way to the portal, he used the Coachman as a springboard, knocking him flat on his face, and leaping through the portal...just in time, as it closed shortly afterwards due to lost concentration.
Several of the arrow hairs of the Crocomire monster pierced his rotund body, maggots started climbing out of the Coachman's wounds. His leg was now thrashing around, having sprouted teeth and insect legs. It was soon eaten by the turtle monster.
"Disgusting," said Queen Zeal with fascination, "I always wondered if he was really human. I remember stories of him from when my grandmother was a child."
Yes, the Coachmen, as he was so called. A man who came out of nowhere, buidling an amusement park to take little boys there to act rowdy...
...and then they would turn into donkeys for him to sell to various species, notably Skakdi and Skaven.
And now his true form was shown. A hideous, eel-headed beast with a grotesque, bloated torso and malformed gorilla arms. Truly a Daemon of Chaos.
There was something that Queen Zeal had to give Coachman, it was his ability to lie and lie convincingly. As the demon thrashed in front of her, she felt its true malevolence and evil. Even stacked against the Skaven Council of 13 or Bad Blood Predators, he felt disgusting and evil, hungry and endlessly resentful.
As the shark head of the turtle tank started to rip into him, the Coachman's demon body began to crumble and fade. For a moment, Zeal raised her arms and attempted to trap his essence, but that faded into the Warp. It would take him much time and energy to build a new body, one that could survive in real space, far away from Warp or Chaos energy to nourish it.
But by now, his scams had been public, and he would forever be on the run...or at least take a new form to torment others.
A moment of silence passed.
"Aw, man. That demonstration was lame!" Iggy sulked. "Only the lamest one died."
"Well, point stands," said Moira, "The creatures tanked Powerful chaos magic as well as laser weapons that can normally tear through the armor of medium sized tanks and aircraft."
"And don't forget, Snake went into a Chaos portal," said Bowser, "Maybe there's horny chaos spawn on the end of that portal. It could be a happy ending after all!"
"Riiighht." Zeal muttered with an eyeroll. "Just hook me up with this when you can."
"Will do." Bowser said as he looked over the creations. "Heh, with these, we can take on anything, even those damn Hyrule Champions."
"Oh, but they did die once." Zeal pointed out.
"Yeah, but it took some freaking powerful artificial beasts to do so." Bowser replied, referring to the 'Blights'. "And now they are back thanks to cloning, and tougher than ever." He straightened up. "We're just about ready to get into mass production," he said. "Let me know if you want monsters that can fight underwater, in space or against magic users and demons. We've got creatures for all occasions and the catalogue is only growing as Doomguy here gives me more raw materiel to work with."
Zeal looked at the monsters and their white eyes, "It's a good show, I'll have to take you up on the offer. And let me know if you ever need Settra around; he's good at tracking space ships and he'd be perfect to track down Snake if he's still alive."
Bowser nodded. "Aye, that I will." He crossed his arms in thought, always wondering what Zeal was thinking at times like this.
Zeal walked through the testing area, looking to get up close to Bowser's monsters, stomping through the blood and gore as she did.
For her part, Schala felt a great sorrow for the animals that Bowser mutated as well as anger that the Coachman and Snake Jailbird had escaped justice.
She had learned that the galaxy was cold, cruel place...and yet, she still found solace in her bother, her friends at court, and the library at her home station, where she and her brother would spend hours going though tomes.
Maybe there could be a brighter future, that all this was worth something. That there was a warm and glorious future that was worth fighting for. Shy as she may seem, Schala was ready to fight for that better future.