Chapter Forty-Three
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Mario or its franchise; it belongs to
Nintendo and their affiliates. I just am really grateful to its creators for giving
me such a wonderful game and media series to write about!
I also don't own anything related to Harry Potter, all that belongs to J.K. Rowling,
but thanks go to her as well because, using her wonderful work, I can expand this
story to make it more interesting.
I also don't own anything related to Naruto if you see me throw a little of that, too
"Hm. That's all of it then?"
"Yup."
"Pitiful."
MJ felt a slight sting at that for his brother's sake, but the sting was more automatic than lasting. He stared at his 'father', who was looking around himself with a faint frown.
The tour had ended in the kitchen and he'd taken a seat atop one of the counters. Larry did the same but Lemmy was too small and, after a few unsuccessful hops, he resigned to a seat on the floor. To his surprise, Bowser Junior came and sat beside him, giving him a little smile.
"What is it?" MJ asked, the sight of the king pacing the kitchen prompting him to speak.
Bowser circled the stove island in the middle of the room with that frown on his face growing. He tilted his head, his crown sliding a bit, and snorted softly. He stopped there and leaned on the stove, crossing his arms at his chest.
"You never told us where you've been all this time." MJ accused, staring his father down.
"Do I really need to?"
MJ scoffed and muttered, "If you are our father, Ludwig had to have gotten his secrecy from you."
At the mention of the navy-haired Koopa Bowser narrowed his eyes and scowled. He was quiet a long time, during which his anger faded and cool indifference reigned once more on his face.
"Alright, kid, you really want to know?" Bowser drawled, dropping his arms and leaning his elbows on the counter behind him.
MJ nodded and so did Larry, looking much more eager. Bowser Junior and Lemmy weren't paying attention; there was a bug on the floor that was much more interesting.
Bowser said, "Your brother had me chained like a dog in the bottom of my own castle."
It wounded his pride to admit this, but the Dark King had a purpose for revealing this to them. MJ looked mildly surprised but still mostly skeptical.
He asked, "You mean the palace in the Badlands?"
Bowser nodded once.
MJ smirked and said, "Well now I know you're lying. We were there at the palace. We never saw you."
"I did!" Lemmy chirped from the floor, his palm up and a little insect crawling across it.
MJ looked down at him and said, "Right. Sure you did, Lemmy."
"I did, though!" Lemmy protested, his big eyes earnest. "I saw him and talked with him and brought him stuff. Tell him, B-Jun!"
When his friend nudged him the little redhead nodded and retrieved the insect from the floor. It'd fallen when Lemmy got passionate. MJ still wasn't convinced.
He asked his youngest brother, "If you knew about this why didn't you tell anyone?"
"I told him not to." Bowser stated. "But he's right. He was a good help to me. You all were."
"What?" MJ frowned, "Why did Ludwig lock you up, then?"
"Because he's an evil little monster." Bowser told them. He looked to the side and added with feigned sadness, "He always did want to tear this family apart."
MJ furrowed his brow, thinking about this. It was a big palace, he recalled. I guess it's possible Ludwig could have had this guy locked up without us knowing.
"But…" The teen asked searchingly, "Why would he do that?"
"I told you, he's evil." Bowser replied simply.
MJ remarked, "That's pretty much the same thing he said about you."
"Well only one of us was right." Bowser concluded. He said, "We used to be together, all of us—"
"I don't remember that." MJ interjected.
Bowser said, "It's true. Trust me. We were ruling as a family but, naturally, being the oldest, Ludwig got jealous and wanted the throne all to himself."
"Really?" MJ deadpanned, not believing the cookie-cutter explanation.
Bowser insisted, "I'm not lying. He was an arrogant, greedy little worm and he stole you all away from me and hid you somewhere for years."
MJ blinked and wondered, is that when we were in the bunker? It felt like purgatory there.
"He probably stowed you away in some kind of hovel, for all I know." Bowser tutted, looking and sounding indignant. "A brutal shame. Especially when you could have been living in one of many luxorious palaces with me."
"I don't remember k of this." MJ blurted. He locked eyes with Larry, who shook his head, then looked to the king and asked, "Why can't any of us remember anything about you?"
"Ludwig probably wiped your memories or something." Bowser responded casually. "He is a sorcerer."
That wouldn't be unheard of, MJ thought, remembering how forceful Ludwig could be at times.
"All I know," Bowser continued, "is that after you all disappeared, Ludwig came back to me and betrayed me. Stole my kingdom and everything."
"He didn't betray you, he defeated you." MJ pointed out. "That was when you'd kidnapped the princess and hurt Luigi's friend and were trying to take over the world."
"The world is mine by right," Bowser rolled his eyes, "And who do you think I kidnapped?" He asked, looking confused for a moment.
"The Princess."
"A petty offense."
"You kidnapped Luigi's friend, too."
"Who?"
"Luigi's friend," MJ repeated. Then elucidated, "You know, the girl? Daisy?"
A broad smile broke out on the Dark King's face.
"Yeah, that sounds pretty evil to me," MJ assessed, thinking the king's smile was a gloating one. Which it probably was.
"How could I kidnap her when she already belongs to me?" He asked rhetorically.
"What?"
"You're very young." Bowser stated gently. "I wouldn't expect you to understand how the world works yet, but know this; just because you don't see eye to eye with the rest of the world doesn't make you evil."
MJ was silent.
Bowser pushed off from the counter and strode around the island slowly, saying, "Everybody's right in their own mind. Everybody has their own standards of good and evil. Some people, like the…Mario Brothers, they get together with like-minded individuals and claim that their way is the only way and they oppress anyone who doesn't conform. Now is that right?"
MJ swallowed, not knowing what to say. On the one hand, he'd thought the Mario Brothers, or at least Luigi, were good people but…when his father put things that way…MJ turned away from those hypnotic jade eyes, feeling strange inside.
Bowser indulged in a flit of a smirk before saying smoothly, "I'm a visionary, son. I want to reshape this world into something better. A lot of people can't handle change well, like your dear brother. That's why they do nasty things like spread lies and separate me from the ones I care about—you children and my Queen—and they call me the evil one. Bullshit."
Larry was listening intently, unlike the two boys on the floor, and he was getting confused. He looked up to his older brother but MJ was starting to look just as lost.
"I am building an empire," Bowser confirmed. "And you all have a place in it. No one can take that away from you, not Ludwig or anyone else."
This resonated with MJ, for flashes of his tumultuous stay in the usurped kingdom, flashes of being disparaged and denounced, played in his head. He looked down, starting to open up to his father's influence. When he gazed at the king again, he was much more receptive to what he had to say and Bowser knew this; he could barely restrain himself from smirking again.
"So…" MJ said in a low voice. "You um. You really mean it? You're really our dad?"
"Yes."
"Really?" Larry asked.
Bowser looked at him and said, "I really am your father and I really mean what I say. Stick with me and you'll see. It'll all come together."
Something's wrong.
That much was obvious. His entire body was buzzing, trying to tell him that something foul was afoot. It was like having that feeling of forgetting something, only he felt it multiplied a thousand times. It felt like his gut was crawling with ants. Like a giant fist had closed around his heart and was just squeezing it with all its might. He immediately looked around him.
Eri's okay, he observed, staring at the older girl.
She was curled up next to him, not an odd position for her, but a flush broke out on the Champion's face. He was thinking about what the king said before.
Now ain't the time to be thinking about that, he sat up and stared in his lap. The sheets pooled there and the young man contemplated this feeling. It was getting stronger the more lucid he became. Staring to the side, he searched within himself. He wasn't good at that but he tried his best.
"Rex?"
Eriana sat up, too, and rubbed her eyes. She blinked, he could see her face lining with worry already and she'd only been awake a few seconds. She worried too much.
"What's wrong?" Eriana asked.
"Trying to figure that out, yo." Roy mumbled, frowning hard.
"It's so quiet." Eriana murmured, yawning. "Did you have a—"
"SHIT!"
Eriana flinched when Roy yelled and flew out of bed, running for the door in just his night clothes. He yanked the door so hard there was a crack in the wall it banged up against. Eriana winced and ran barefoot after him.
"What's wrong?" She shouted, catching up to him. "Rex, what's going on?!"
Roy stopped running but it wasn't to answer her. It was because he didn't know where he was going. Eriana grabbed his arm and was starting to panic but Roy ignored her. He couldn't focus on letting his magic lead him and calming her down at the same time. When he got a definite sense of direction, he took off again, half-dragging Eriana with him.
By now Eri realized she wasn't getting an answer but she put two and two together. Unlike the king's favorite, she had been to Ariadne's room and began to dread what they'd find there. She knew it couldn't be anything good, otherwise they wouldn't be going at breakneck speed in the middle of the night.
Ariadne's door was open but before they went in Roy stopped. Whirling around, he held Eriana by the shoulders. Looking her in the eyes, he wanted to console her. There was that familiar fear in them. But he had no time.
"Stay right here, alright?" He instructed.
Eriana nodded and slunk back to the side of the wall. She rubbed her arms and watched Roy approach the room with all the carefulness of a toddler in a toy store. That made her wonder.
Where are the guards?
She now realized why it was so quiet. She hadn't seen any guards and, looking around, she couldn't see any now. Her stomach plummeted.
Once Roy got inside the bedroom an icy veneer coated his insides: Ari was there, and she was definitely in trouble. He could see her in her bed, under her clean white sheets, and he could see her hair, soft and golden against the linen. But she wasn't alone. Someone was on top of her, straddling her with their dirty leather boots sullying the bed and their law enforcement uniform apparent in the light of the half moon beyond Ari's big window. He had a pillow over her head and was smothering her to death. Her hands moved desperately, slapping at the man's face and doing nothing to daunt her imminent demise. In fact the man's face stayed the same, a cold hard mask of passivity as he drew closer and closer to ending the girl's life.
"What the fuck?!" Roy bellowed, startling the man.
His eyes were as red as the sash he wore. Roy hated that sash. It stood for all the innocent blood being shed by those who were supposed to be protecting people. He went right for it and, with his speed, had it wrapped around the assailant's neck in no time.
The man choked and tried to wrestle the teenager off of him but Roy jerked him from the bed onto the floor. Clumsily the man bumped into Ari's dresser and a small couch and tripped, still fighting for air. Roy took advantage of that and had the man pinned on the floor with a knee in his back. He tightened the sash around the man's throat and heard him gag.
Vindictively Roy sneered, "That's right, it don't feel too good to choke, does it motherfucker?"
Ari rolled onto her side and was sucking in huge breaths of air while at the same time expelling giant, panicked tears. She was shaking and coughing and could barely see what was going on. When she did, she screamed.
"Stop! REX STOP!"
Ariadne stumbled from the bed in her long gown and slung herself over Roy, trying to pull him away from the agent. He shoved her off. He was seeing red. She fell and knicked the bottom of her lip against her teeth but it didn't stop her from launching herself at the teenager again.
"REX, LISTEN!" she shouted as loudly as she ever had in her life. "Listen to me!"
He blinked and turned, panting hard, to stare at the girl. The sight of her injured lip gave him pause.
"Ari," He whispered. He stood and helped her to her feet and asked, "You're alright?"
"No." She replied hoarsely and broke down into sobs.
Roy held her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him. She couldn't talk right then, she was too overwhelmed. She'd thought she was having one of those dreams where she couldn't breathe and then when it went on too long she'd opened her eyes to complete darkness. She could feel someone on top of her and that's when she'd reached for the necklace.
Rex saved my life, she realized, looking over at her would-be murderer. A law enforcement agent. She shuddered. Then she stiffened.
Roy heard Ari ask him something and it sounded important but it didn't register with him. His heart was racing, his blood was pumping, and his mind was telling him to fight, not flee. Ariadne could see his eyes were elsewhere and laid her hands on either side of his face, forcing him to focus.
"Did you hear me?!" Her voice was borderline hysteric.
His blank stare made her repeat her question.
"Where is Eriana?"
"SHIT!"
By the hand Roy led Ariadne and started racing out of her room, not surprised in the least to see Eriana was nowhere to be found.
"ERI!" He shouted, "ERIANA!"
It was too quiet. Other than the sounds of Ariadne's soft sobs, it was utterly silent. He rounded on her.
"Is there a closet or something around here?" He asked urgently.
"What?"
"A closet!" He yelled. "Like a damn broom closet or something!"
"I—over there!" Ariadne pointed down the hall and Roy ran in that direction.
He yanked the door open, kicked the supplies around and all but shoved the trembling blonde into the small space. Ariadne fell and scraped her knee on the stone floor and her eyes were wide but Roy just said one thing before slamming the door.
"Stay here!"
He then turned and ran down towards his room because he had a feeling that's where Eriana would go if she were in trouble.
I hope that's where she is, he thought.
That hope was dashed when he got to his room and found it empty. He did have one clue, though. Laughter. He heard it somewhere in the vicinity. Using that as his guide, he backtracked into the hall and towards where the sound was louder. It was taking him towards the kitchens. Not a soul in sight along the way, but the kitchen was another story. As soon as he used his magic to blast the wooden doors to splinters, too much in a rush to push them open, he saw a pair of slavers.
"Rex!"
Eriana was about to run to him but one of them grabbed her arm and jerked her back hard. Roy sent his magic to his fists and the man brought Eriana up in front of him like a shield.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," His voice was full of enjoyment.
Roy stopped, and the slaver moved to the side. He still had Eriana in front of him but he'd moved just enough for the teenager to recognize him.
"Yeah, it's me." Nicky Carrow grinned, flashing his white teeth. He threw a glance to the side and said, "You met my brother, remember? At the Justice Hall? Say hello, Tay."
His brother and twin stood off to the side, leaning on the counter. Roy glanced at him and the other Carrow smirked and waved. He only used his fingers because in his hand was a knife.
"Get away from her!"
"Nah," Nicky wrapped his arms around Eriana's waist and kissed her cheek.
Roy took a step forward and so did the other Carrow, brandishing the knife warningly.
"Come any closer and I'll slice her to pieces." Nicky threatened, holding out his hand. His brother slid him the knife and he added, "Trust me, it'd be my pleasure."
"You're fuckin' sick!" Roy spat, balling his fists impotently.
"And you're so predictable." Nicky Carrow derided. "I knew you'd come for her." He looked down at the girl he had captive and grinned.
Eriana seemed to revert back to a more subdued version of herself, one where she did her best to mimic a slab of stone. She stared straight ahead, as if in a trance, unmoving. There were tears in her eyes though and more were sliding down her cheeks.
"Why don't you let her go and fight me, you coward?!" Roy jeered, his temper on fire.
Both Carrows laughed and Nicky said, "I don't wanna' fight you, you privileged little asshole. I just came for Eriana."
Roy decided then to call his bluff. He extended his hand towards Dante but Nicky shoved Eriana into his brother's arms, so Roy aimed for Nicky but his brother shoved her back. They did this twice before Roy got frustrated and balled his fists at his side impotently.
Think, think, think, he implored himself. I can't risk hurting Eri. I've got to get them away from her or…get her away from them.
He had an idea that would stretch the limits of his abilities and, if executed incorrectly, possibly end very badly. Worst case scenario, Eriana would lose a limb or die. But he had to at least try it. He brought one hand behind his back.
"You giving up already, Champion?" Nicky mocked, resting his chin on Eri's shoulder. He then narrowed his crimson eyes and asked, "What are you doing?"
Very quickly a portal opened underneath Eriana's feet. As soon as she started to fall through it Nicky Carrow released her and jumped backwards, shocked. Roy had to hurry up and open a second portal but instead of dropping her closer towards the door, it dropped her between himself and Nicky. She landed hard on her ankle and shrieked in pain.
"What the—" Dante whispered.
"Eriana, get outta' here!" Roy commanded, closing in on the Carrows.
Eriana struggled to stand and Nicky started for her. Roy got to him first and decked him in the jaw. He staggered and fell, but didn't go for Roy.
"Eriana, GO!" Roy shouted because she was still trying to get up.
"My leg!" She cried.
Nicky again attempted a go at her but Roy grabbed his foot and pulled him back, trying to make him bust his chin on the ground. Nicky caught himself in time and kicked at Roy's face. The other Carrow came up behind him and Roy sent a blast at his chest. It hit him in the stomach instead but either way he went down.
Eriana finally stood and got out of there and Nicky roared like a deranged animal. He made to chase her but Roy grabbed his arm and Nicky shed his jacket and pulled out another knife, a switchblade. He circled Roy, slightly hunched over and baring his teeth in a hard scowl like a feral wolf. His eyes were murderous and set in a pale face twisted in rage. He looked like a demon.
"I didn't even come here for you," Nicky said hatefully, "but tonight's as good a time as any to finally put you down."
He fought like the other slaver, swinging his blade fluidly. Roy was impassioned and fought with his bare hands, getting his shirt and skin torn in the process. He backed up, trying to put some distance between them so he could patch up the worst of his wounds as quickly as he could. That's when Nicky caught sight of his brother and froze.
"Tay?" He called, a note of alarm in his voice. "Dante?!"
When his brother didn't respond, Nicky turned to the recuperating teenager with malicious, wild fury in his eyes. He jumped on Roy and they wrestled in the kitchen, slinging each other against counter edges and knocking into cabinets. The fight took a turn where Roy had his back to the stove and Nicky's baleful face in front of him. He had a handful of the teenager's hair and his knife up to Roy's neck. His hand shook and his breath came in short, furious pants as he carved at Roy's skin. Both Roy's hands were holding Nicky at bay but he used one of them to grab Nick's wrist and crush every bone there.
"AH!" Nicky shouted in agony and retracted his hand.
The blade clattered to the floor and somewhere, Eriana screamed. Roy jolted at the sound, then took off. He didn't hear anyone on his heels and figured Nicky was too bad off to chase him.
He didn't know where her scream had come from but didn't need to know. He ran into her and Ariadne near the closet he'd dropped the blonde off in. Eri had her arm around Ari's shoulder and they jumped when he came round the corner.
"What happened?" He demanded.
"What happened to you?!" Ariadne cried, aghast. She reached for him but curled her fingers at the last second, too afraid or squeamish to touch him.
Roy looked down at himself and saw he was still bleeding in places. He shook his head and claimed he was fine, then asked about the screaming.
"I thought Eri was someone else when she opened the door," Ariadne admitted, wetting her bruised lips. She then said, "I need to go see to my uncle."
"Wait here—"
"No!" the girls said at the same time.
"We can't split up again," Eriana pleaded.
Roy nodded and said, "Come on, then."
The three of them encountered no obstacle on their way to the king, which was a bad sign in Roy's book. He didn't see any more slavers and was only that much more anxious when the king's door was wide open. Ariadne started to cry long before they even went in. He glanced at her, slowing down, and asked her if she wanted to wait in the hall again. She shook her head and stayed at his side.
The three of them went in at the same time but had three different reactions. Roy, having a keen nose, first smelled something strong and pungent. He wrinkled his nose and scanned the room and paled. Blood. There was blood everywhere and the coppery odor tainted the air. His insides turned lurched and then, once he saw the bed among all the red, he felt like there was lead in his veins and he couldn't stop staring. Eriana took one look at all the blood and passed out. Ariadne screamed and sank down to her knees with her hands over mouth, sobbing uncontrollably. The king was dead.
A/N: Thanks for reading as usual.
~DymondGold~