A/N: Hey guys, I'm so sorry it's taken so long to update! Preparing for college and adapting to college life took a lot longer than I thought it would! And I've had a lot of homework for my Honors class. In fact, I should start doing some research for the 15-20 page paper that is due next month for the midterm, but a lot of homework counts as research, so I don't think it matters. And unfortunately, the preparing for college stuff made it so I don't really have any chapters in reserve for a constant update schedule yet. I have this chapter and some of the next chapter done. However, I'll try to schedule in writing time along with homework time so I can get some written and get more consistent in updates. Please enjoy this chapter! Read and review!

Chapter 5: Day One, Part 1

NPOV:

It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming. On days like these, Koopas like Ludwig can't help but remember the event that dragged them into his personal hell. It happened three years ago, but Ludwig had spiraled so deeply into depression, he lost track of time as it passed, and sees it as only a few months ago, in denial of it being so long since it happened. Ah, yes, you must be wondering what 'it' is, aren't you? Don't worry, I am getting to that. It happened three years ago, to this day, after Bowser had kidnapped Princess Peach for the umpteen-zillionth time. For the most part it was like usual. The kidnapping, the screaming of the princess, the Koopalings being placed in the various castles of the areas leading up to where their father was with the princess. But this time, there was something significantly different. Each Koopaling was given a new set of soldiers to lead, stronger than those of the past, to set up in their castle as they wish, to make the challenge of getting to the princess much more difficult for Mario.

When Ludwig met his group of soldiers, he learned that the leader of the group was a young woman by the name of Fleur. She was small and looked unintimidating, yet was ferocious and vicious in battle, and you never wanted to be facing the business end of the spear she carried. But she was also kind and cared for her fellow soldiers as family, and would put her life on the line to save as many of them as possible. When Ludwig first met her, he thought nothing of it. He didn't realize he was going to fall in love with this woman. He just knew that she was strong. And that Mario would have a much more difficult time getting past him if he had a partner during the battle. This is when he struck up the idea.

"Soldier Fleur," he said, "Your new orders lead you to be stationed with me for the upcoming battle with Mario." Fleur saluted and took that role. Over the course of the next few weeks that it took Mario to travel to them, they became best friends, and fell in love. But neither of them really realized it. Until Ludwig was working on a new piece of music and couldn't get Fleur out of his head. He brought these feelings up with his father, and learned the source of them- love. He was in love with Fleur. He soon confessed to Fleur, and she agreed to go out with him. For a week, they lived in paradise, or so it seemed. And then… the day came. The day Ludwig would soon come to curse. The day that filled him with hate. Mario had made it into the castle. He got past the majority of Ludwig's guards much to easily, leaving their corpses in his wake. He entered the room, with fiery anger in his eyes.

"Give me back the Princess, you disgusting Koopa."

"You should know the drill by now, plumber. Your princess is in another castle."

But it was in that instance that Fleur noticed something about Mario, something new, something different. He was holding a spear that looked much like hers. With only small differences. A spear she recognized, since she designed it for her fiancé.

"You killed him!" she screeched at Mario, "You killed Lucifer! You killed my fiancé! You killed him!" She ran at Mario, tears in her eyes, with her spear aimed at his heart.

"F-fiancé…?" Ludwig stated in disbelief. Not only did she have a fiancé the whole time they were together, but it was one of their subordinates.

"Oh… oh stars… you, you were never supposed to know your majesty!" Fleur said, spinning around to face Ludwig, "At least, at least not until I could talk to you about me having him as… as basically a concubine, I guess? Since how could I say no when the prince asked me out? You could have me killed! I'm so sorry, Ludwig!"

"Fleur, it's fine," Ludwig said through the tears that he felt stinging his eyes, "I just thought… I was your only, but its fine. If I had known you were with someone, I would never have asked you out."

"Oh Ludwig, I'm so sorry! I really do lo-" but she never got to finish that sentence. Since in that instant, Mario stabbed the spear he stole through Fleur's neck. Her eyes slowly closed, and her body soon fell to the ground, blood spilling out all around her. Ludwig was pissed.

"We've never harmed Peach, yet here you are, killing my girlfriend, you- you fiend! How dare you call yourself the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom if you do something so vile that even we wouldn't do?!" Ludwig screamed. Mario shrugged, and just ran off, while Ludwig kneeled on the ground, cuddling the Fleur's body close to his, crying over her corpse. These memories haunt him until this very day.

These are the thoughts he is consumed with when he heads to breakfast that morning. He spends breakfast in silence, despite the glares his father sent him the entire meal. He soon stood, only leaving his breakfast half eaten, and walked away to his music room, to hide behind his music, from these emotions, from people, from everything that was currently happening. He just didn't have the energy to deal with anything right now.

TPOV:

I was exhausted, my face red, covered in tracks from tears. Kat and Jitt helped me clumsily get dressed, as we headed to breakfast. Everyone was chatting loudly, but I didn't have the energy to talk to anyone. I was too emotionally drained from my crying last night, and too exhausted from my lack of sleep. I quietly picked at my food, not hungry whatsoever. I looked up occasionally at the others at the table, and I could see Bowser glaring at Ludwig. Probably upset that Ludwig wasn't trying to converse with me, his supposed future bride.

Soon there was a loud screech as he pushed his chair away from the table and stalked away. Where to, I am not sure. But soon the others finish and leave, until the only ones left are the King and myself. With a motion of his hand, I can tell he wants me to follow him. I soon stand, and while tired and incapable of standing straight or walking properly, I followed behind as dutifully as I could, not sure what would happen if I didn't keep up and follow him. He led me to a large, wooden door. Opening the door revealed an office, with a desk with a large chair behind it, and a smaller chair in front of it. He points to the smaller chair, and I quickly go to sit. He sits in the larger chair.

"Now, I am sure you are confused to what all is going on. Don't worry, small one, I will explain all of this situation to you. Hopefully nothing… bad happens before then. But you are meant to become the wife of one of my children. You will be my daughter-in-law, so it is important for us to get to know each other, wouldn't you agree?" Bowser stated, with face slowly morphing into a terrifying snarl. With a gulp, I nodded in agreement.

"Then, let us begin." Bowser said, as the door to the room suddenly slammed shut, and Kamek was there, standing in front of it. I feel fear shake me to my core, at the uncertainty of what will come next.