We returned to the castle and sat around a fireplace. They had explained to me who Bowser was and the things he had done. It angered me greatly that he would continually attempt to kidnap someone who was so kind. I glanced over at the chubby man in red. It seemed improbable that he would win against a giant fire-breathing koopa, but stranger things have happened I suppose. I was pulled from my thoughts by the mention of my name and realized Mario was talking to me. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" I asked, slightly embarrassed.
"Luigi and I are going home. It was nice to meet you, Ruia." He stood and I followed suit, reaching over to shake his hand politely.
"It's good to know you as well," I replied. I turned and shook Luigi's hand as well.
"Make sure you come back and see us before you leave, alright, and come back to visit!" Luigi said cheerfully, smiling brightly.
"I will. Goodbye for now." I watched as they made their way outside, turned and waved, and closed the doors behind them. I turned back to the princess then.
"You're welcome to stay here as long as you want, dear. You'll always be welcome in the mushroom kingdom," she said, smiling sincerely.
"Thank you, princess. That means more to me than I think you understand." I hope my face reflected the gratitude I felt. "I'd think I'd like to stay, princess. It's simply wonderful here. Everything and everyone are so bright all the time. It would be an honor to call it home."
"I'm very happy that's your decision. It's always a joy having a beautiful young lady around." She took my hand in hers and her expression was dazzlingly sweet. She was such a cheerful woman. I don't think I'd seen her stop smiling all day. "It's been a long day, hasn't it? Why don't we get some sleep and we'll work on getting you situated tomorrow." She led me down the hall to the room I'd stayed in last night. "Sleep well, Ruia."
"And you, princess." I closed the door and listened to her steps fade down the hallway. I sat on my bed and just let myself think. The more I learned of this realm the more I feel like I could truly fit in. They have the ability to breathe fire, or even cast spells. My power didn't seem quite so terrible in this realm. Then again I hadn't yet run into anyone who could control the power of a shadow. They might think it was dark magic, just like my family.
What if I could help though? Could my powers be used for good? I held out my hand and summoned a shadow to it. It formed into a small sphere, just hovering there. There was nothing light, nothing good about it. I scowled and let it fade. No. My family wouldn't have cast me out had it been anything other than evil. For the sake of my new home, and for these people who have been so kind to me, I will never use them again.
I made my way through town alongside a toadstool that was tasked with not allowing me to get lost. Although, it seems kind of silly seeing as the castle was visible for miles around, but if it make the princess worry less than I suppose it's the least I can do. Besides, the toad was nice company. It's rather neat that it's more like a grand tour this way, and the toad can explain things to me. I admit I'm still rather lost with everything that's so new to me here. We simply wandered about for most of the day, stopping in shops where I learned about all the magical items, got to feed a Yoshi, and even went fishing for some cheepcheep.
"Where do Mario and Luigi live?" I asked abruptly as we exited the café we had stopped in for lunch.
"They have a house just outside of town," the toad replied.
"Why don't we pay them a visit?"
"That sounds like a grand idea! This way!" We trotted off excitedly past the outskirts of town. We continued down a dirt path that stretched on quite a ways and noticed only a few goombas and koopas milling about. It wasn't long before we came upon a modest looking cabin in a wide clearing. "This is it," the toad announced.
I stepped up to the door and knocked sharply. "Come on in!" An ever cheerful Luigi called from the other side. I pushed open the door and slipped inside. Luigi was looking up over a newspaper he must have been reading. "Hey there, Ruia! How's it going? Finally settled in over by the river?"
"Almost. We're getting the last of everything in today. Now I just need to find something to do with all my spare time."
"Why don't you come on some adventures with us? Well, with Mario. I'm more of a homebody myself. As much as it'd be fun to run around saving princesses all the time, it's just not me, ya know?"
"I know what you mean. I'm certainly not the hero type."
"No way! You look like you'd be pretty good at all that stopping bad guys' hullabaloo. I can see you taking down Bowser bare handed someday!"
I laughed. "Anything in the news?" I asked changing the subject.
"Not really, no. It's been real quite in the kingdom lately. Something doesn't feel right if ya ask me. Feels like something big's gonna happen soon."
"What do you mean?"
"Like something bad." He shivered. "When it's this quiet, well that means someone's plotting something, and I'm willing to bet its Bowser. But that's why we've got Mario. He can take 'em! "
"Has there ever been anything that Mario couldn't handle?"
"Well, not even Mario can do it all on his own." He stood up and grabbed a couple pictures off the shelves, handing them to me. They showed Mario with a bunch gathered around him, all smiling. Some were koopas, some goombas, boos, and some others that I didn't recognize. "Some of the folks who have helped him on his past adventures," Luigi explained.
"They're all so brave. Just jumping out to help something they don't even know."
"Yeah, it's amazing. There's a lot of bad in the world, but people like this… They're what gives you hope that it's always worth fighting for. That the good will always outweigh the bad as long as we've got each other."
"Yeah…" I mumbled in agreeance, still staring at the pictures.
"And really, it's everywhere you look. It's amazing how many people around here are just willing to jump in and lend a hand when you need one."
The door opened and Mario walked in holding a few letters. "Hello, Ruia," he greeted. "It's good to see you again."
"Good to see you too," I smiled.
He sat down at the table and began opening the mail as Luigi continued chatting away about this and that. The door suddenly opened for the second time in as many minutes and a disheveled toad burst through.
"Mario! Mario! It's horrible! You have to help!"
"Slow down. What's happened?" Mario asked calmly.
"It's the princess! She's been kidnapped!" the toad exclaimed, failing at remaining calm.
"It has to be Bowser, bro!" Luigi announced.
"Let's get moving to Bowser's castle! The quicker we get there the less time his minions will have to prepare." Mario explained the plan.
"Are you coming with Ruia? We could use the help." Luigi asked.
"I'll do what I can," I assured them and followed them outside. We rushed along towards Bowsers castle, which could be seen looming ominously in the distance.
Dimentio and company hovered above Bowser's castle watching the supposed hero and his friends rushing blindly to save their beloved princess. It was almost charming the prospect was so futile. Their determination was admirable, to say the least, and maybe he could make some use of that. They could pose as decent distractions at the very least. Although, one of them in particular stood out to him. The young woman looked out of place. Her hair was a peculiar shade of blue that popped out against her darker skin tone. She seemed very agile, her lithe figure keeping up with the others with minimal effort.
"Who's the little flower amongst the weeds?" Dimentio mused out loud.
"Doesn't look like a flower to me…" Mimi huffed. Dimentio simply ignored her.
"Count Bleck agrees with Dimentio. Dimentio, you will keep an eye on that one as everything progresses. Count Bleck does not want any interference."
"Like an eagle watches its prey, my count," Dimentio agreed. He heard Mimi huff again, obviously wanting to protest, but even she knew there was no point once the Count made up his mind.
"Are ye kiddin' me laddies? She's just a puny lil' thang! The las could use a good chunkin!" O'Chunks suddenly blurted out. It seemed as though the oaf had finally caught up with the conversation.
"There will be plenty of "Chunkin" to do very soon, said Count Bleck."
Dimentio ignored everything else they were saying as he continued to watch the group race up to the entrance. Before long they arrived at the gates, one by one disappearing into the castle until only she was left. She stopped and glanced behind her, as if checking for anyone following them. Her eyes landed on him and she squinted trying to make out what they were. He smirked and wiggled his fingers at her, unsure if she could actually tell or not. She hesitated for only another moment before spinning and racing after her friends. Dimentio smiled to himself then. 'This was going to be very entertaining,' he thought.