Hey there readers,

I just got two quick notes for ya.

First note, for those of you wondering, Mario will appear in the next few chapters along Princess Peach and princess Daisy. We just going to be hanging around the villains for a while before switching over to the heroes.

Second note, two to three more chapters are going to be posted soon. After that, there's going to be a wait for new chapters.

Okay, enough with the notes. Let's get back to the story.

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Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story idea.

Chapter 4:
Specters

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Dark Lands

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Darkness pervaded across the land. The sky was filled with dark thunder clouds and the strong winds. No light penetrates from the black clouds, except for the flashes of lightning that appears every so often.

Surrounded by a large mulch just filled with molten hot lava sat a giant, dark, stone castle. Walking towards that castle was the dark man in green, Mr. L. His master had sent him here on another test run.

"Your second assignment, Mr. L; I want you to infuriate the castle belonging to that Koopa King known as Bowser and bring me back a specific item."

Stopping in front of the only passageway leading up to say castle, Mr. L took a glance at the castle. It had many turrets and towers, some of which had pointed green tops. The central tower had a green dome with pointed spikes around it, designed just like Bowser's shell. The entrance to the castle was the shaped of Bowser's head with his mouth wide open where two large double doors stand inside.

Mr. L looked blankly unimpressed in any way. He simply walked through the passageway and entered through the double door entrance. As he walked through the dark halls of the dark castle, he took notice of the lack of activity.

Normally a dictator like Bowser would have guards flooding all over the place. But the moment he had entered the castle there was no guards in sight. Curious as to where they all went (and wanting to complete his assignment), he started searching the castle for them. But when he couldn't find anyone, he started getting frustrated. If he doesn't find any one soon, then he wouldn't be able to complete the assignment his master gave him.

He was just taking a left turn around a corner when he finally bumped into someone. Mr. L stumbled backwards, but he still stood on his feet. He glared at the person, or Koopa, he walked into.

"Hey! Watch it, pal!" said the Koopa, who had fallen back during their collision. "Who do you think you're dealing with?"

Mr. L didn't say anything at the Koopa's sudden outburst; he simply stared at it with a cold, blank stare. He took notice of its physical description. The Koopa had yellow, tan skin complexion with a pink, spiky shell; a clear indication that it was a female. Her mouth was puffy, round and gives the impression that she was wearing pink lipstick; her cheek was very round and baby-faced. Her eyes were large, round and light blue in color. Around her wrists were large, golden bracelets and around her neck was a long, beaded, red necklace. On her feet she had pink heels and on top of her head was a large pink bow with white polka-dots.

The female Koopa growled at Mr. L's silence. She quickly stood up on her two feet and walked in front of him.

"Hey you, did you hear what I just said?" she yelled. "I'm King Dad's little princess, Wendy O. Koopa, one of the seven royal koopalings of this castle; and I demand an apology for your rudeness!"

No response; he simply continues to stared. Wendy growled slightly from annoyance. She walked up to the man in green and got up in his face. Mr. L narrowed his eyes sharply at her approach, but didn't do anything as the female Koopa studied him.

"I don't think I seen you around here before," she said. "You looked familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

This time Mr. L did speak. "No koopa, you must be confusing me with someone else."

Wendy raised a confused eye brow. Then she smiled in a flirtatious way.

"Well… aren't you a tall, dark, and handsome figure. You know, I do have an attraction to cute bad boys."

Mr. L wanted to pay no more attention to the crushing Koopa. He stepped aside and started continuing down the hall. He had wasted enough time interacting with her and now he must continue on with his assignment.

"Where are you going?" Wendy said, slightly angry at the man for ignoring her.

Mr. L didn't reply. He continued on walking. Wendy growled.

"If you don't get back here right now, I'll… I'll…" She quickly tries to think of a reason for the man to stay. "I'll…wouldn't help you find whatever you're looking for."

Mr. L paused from her statement. A cruel smile appear on Wendy's pink lips as the man in green turns back to her.

"What makes you think I need your help?" Mr. L coldly said.

Wendy crossed her arms. "Well, obviously you're looking for something and you haven't found it yet or else you wouldn't still be here, uh?"

Mr. L didn't say anything. Wendy smirked at his silence, knowing she was right.

"Now that I got your attention, why don't you come back here where I can see you more closely?"

Mr. L just narrowed his eyes at the order. Other than his master, no one can order him around. However… this Koopa could be useful to him when it come to information. Perhaps she knows where everyone in the castle had gone.

"Now!"

Slowly, but surely, Mr. L turned around fully and walked back to her. He stopped in front of her. "Happy?"

Wendy smiled. "Very."

"I'm glad; now tell me, where can I find the others?" He demanded.

Wendy narrowed her eyes. "Don't get demanding with me. I'm the one in charge here, remember?"

Mr. L went back to being silent. Wendy smiled.

"Good boy. Now to answer your question…everyone is in the throne room. King Dad has a new plan and everyone is getting ready for it."

"I see. And where is this throne of your dad's?"

"Not far, just take a few more turns from here."

He nodded. He was about to leave when another question pop up. "One more question…"

"Hey, I'm not giving up all the answers like that. You have to earn them you know."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes really."

Mr. L was getting tired of the Koopa's attitude, but he still needed information so he'll play along with her game for a little longer. A small, mysterious smile appeared on the masked man's face, one that didn't go unnoticed by Wendy. She raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing." He said, mysteriously. "It's just that…I never seen such an attractive Koopa like yourself before."

Wendy's eyes widen from surprise. A blush appeared on her cheeks as she looks away shyly. "No... really?"

His smile grew slightly; she was already falling for it.

"Do whatever it takes to retrieve this item, even if you have to manipulate others."

"Yes, really; you're a beautiful Koopa after all. And you're eyes…" Mr. L leaned in a little close to her. "You have the most beautiful blue eyes I ever seen."

Wendy giggled. "Well, aren't you a charmer?"

Mr. L's smile didn't stray. It was easy to deceive this koopa into thinking he was interested in her. Now, all he has to do is plant the final blow.

"You know, I don't normally do this but…" He leaned in real close to Wendy; their faces were only a few inches from each other. "…you're a special Koopa and a special Koopa deserve a special reward."

Wendy swallowed nervously. She could hear her heart pounding loudly in her chest. Mr. L's face was so close to hers, it would only take a small movement forward to close the distance between them.

"But before you can get your reward, you must answer my final question."

"What is it?" Wendy said quietly. Her blue eyes were lined up with L's white ones. Even though they weren't natural, they were very hypnotic.

"Besides from Bowser, who else is the strongest one in this castle?" L asked.

Wendy gave him a small smirk. "Well, that's easy. It's the Koopalings and Bowser Jr., of course." She smiles softly. "But if you're talking about outside the royal family, then it's a tie between Kamek and Kammy Koopa. They're the top advisors for King Dad's army."

Mr. L smirked; that's all he needed to know. "Very good. Now, close your eyes and you'll get your special reward."

Wendy did what she was told. She closed her eyes and waited for her special reward. What she got was thousands of volts of lightning coursing through her body before blacking out completely.

Mr. L catches her limp body and places her on the ground. Following her directions, he walks off in search for the throne room. As he got closer, he heard the sound of loud cheers. He pressed his body against the throne room's wooden door, hiding himself within the shadows as he took a quick scan of the room. It was packed from top to bottom with Bowser's army of Koopas and Goombas. His white eyes landed on the two Magikoopas standing by Bowser's side. Mr. L hid himself well as he listens into Bowser's speech for his minions.

"BWAH HA HA!" laughed the Koopa King. "Listen well, my minions. It's time that my most awesome plan to invade the Mushroom Castle comes into play. Today will be the day that Princess Peach will be mine and that no good Mario will be destroyed!"

"YEEEAH!" The crowd cheers.

Mr. L listen through Bowser's ranking silently, remembering what his master said if he had comes across any plans Boswer might have in store.

"And destroy any plans that foolish Koopa may come up with."

Knowing full well he couldn't let the Koopa continue on with his plan, L soon devise a plan of his own on stopping him and obtain the item his master sent him to retrieve.

Stepping out of the shadows, Mr. L charged his Thunderhand ability and aimed it at the nearest torch. The attack drew some attention from the crowd, but he ignored it as he did the same with the remaining torches in the room.

"We're under attack!" cried a Koopa.

By the time everyone realize what was going on, L was already done with the torches and the whole room was dark. No one could see what was going on or where the invader was. Mr. L used this to his advantage. Using his Super Jump, Mr. L made his way over Bowser's army. He jumped on top of the heads of several Koopas and Goombas before landing in front of Bowser himself.

"What the…?"

The Koopa King was surprise when he saw someone landing in front of him. But his look of surprise quickly changes into a look of anger when he realizes it was an intruder.

"Who the shell are you?" he growled. "Don't tell me that no good plumber have discovered my plans already?"

Mr. L was silent; he stood firmly in front of the large Koopa. Kamek and Kammy ran in front of their leader and pointed their specters at the intruder.

"Be careful your Rowdiness, this isn't Mario you're dealing with." said Kamek.

"Indeed, this could very well be an assassin set here to eliminate you." said Kammy. "Let us handle him for you."

Bowser huffed and cross his arms over his chest. "So, that wimpy plumber is so scared to face me that he hired someone else to do it for him, uh?" He let out a laugh. "Bwah, ha, ha, what a laugh! This just show who the stronger man is. I knew that mustache weakling wasn't all that strong."

Bowser turns around and sat back on his throne. "I'm not even going to waste my energy on this guy. You two go ahead, I could use a good show anyways."

The two magikoopas nodded and stepped forward. Mr. L turns his attention from the Koopa King to the two koopas in front of him, or to be more specific… the staffs in their hands. His assignment didn't involve the magikoopa themselves, only the specters they carry with them.

"The item you'll be retrieving is a magical specter. Lucky, Bowser's army is full of magic users who carry one with them. I want you, Mr. L, to bring back the strongest specter they got."

"Why don't you just give up, dear?" said Kammy. "Clearly, you are no match for the high ranking and powerful member of Koopa Troopa army; much less two of us."

"Not only that, but you are looking at the two advisors of King Bowser himself." Kamek commented. "So, why don't you turn yourself over and we might go easy on you."

Mr. L didn't say anything but took a fighting position. Luckily for him, he had found not one, but two powerful magikoopas with two powerful magic staffs in their possession. Now all he has to do is defeat these two Koopas, obtain their staff, and stop Bowser from his latest scheme.

Mr. L smirked as Kamek and Kammy got into a fight position as well. This should be interesting… interesting indeed.

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Ending Note:

Wendy is one villain I started liking after reading a fanfic called "A New Man" by Spacebabie. I also started liking Roy after reading another fanfic called "Illusion" by Bagatelle.

I have already started another story where they're both going to feature in, including my favorite green plumber. I titled it "Dating the Enemy". There's a summary of it at the bottom of my profile, along with a few others. I'm not going to post it up until I'm finish with this one. Hopefully by the time I am finish with this story, I'll have it almost completely done.

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Review :)