Time for another interlude!
Siph: This time we're back with the mysterious "him" and "it". Another conversation. I wonder what they'll talk about.
Disclaimer: Even though you all already know it's Bowser and his Umbra, I'm still going to refer to him as "he" and the Umbra as "it" in this chapter.
Chapter 47: Eclipsed Power
He grinned this time as his adversary approached him deep in the depths of his own self. His invisible restraints did not feel as constricting on his limbs.
"I gotta say, I wasn't expecting to learn so much about you today. I should send that shadow hag and her sisters some flowers or something once we beat you."
"Shut up," it growled.
He grinned wider. "Nah, I like feeling like a leg up on you for once. I'm gonna talk about it." He chuckled and looked at his view of the outside world through his children's eyes. "If you throw a tantrum, Ludwig's gonna continue being right about you getting sloppy. A tantrum would fit you though, considering when you popped in my head."
"Not just your head. Don't forget, I fill the hole in your heart. I'm the worst day of your life personified."
"Yeah, yeah, I heard the hag."
"I'm you."
"You are not me!" he roared. "You're just a memory. One moment of my life. You grew to match my handsome looks, but you're still the same scared little Koopa I was back then. But I grew up."
"And yet, I'm still here. A wound like this never heals. And as long as it exists, I will too. I thrived as you 'grew up,' so obviously never got over it. And since I've finally taken over your body, the wound only got worse."
"I was doing fine for 15 years, but then you had to kill Clawdia."
"I grew despite the fact she helped you suppress my power. Enough that I could finally strike when she was physically weak."
"And everyone else thinks it was because of Junior." He sighed. "I can't believe Larry told him. When did that happen?"
"That wasn't even my idea. Stupid runt had to be all noble." It gagged. "I only allowed it because watching Clawdia's brat despair over it is so rewarding."
His grin returned. "Because that's all you can do."
"Not for long. Soon, without the Stars' protection, I'll murder with my own hands." It chuckled. "Or I guess with your hands."
His eyes widened, then narrowed. "Wait, how can you block the Stars' protection without the Star Rod? I know you didn't take that. What are you doing?"
It grinned this time. "Remember that book Ludwig talked about in his story of shame? There's a spell in there that will eclipse Star Haven, and fittingly empowers all Umbra down below." It cleared its throat and gestured to itself. "Naturally, your little advisor knows about this spell, but doesn't understand that last bit. Our legend's been out of circulation for a few hundred years."
"Okay, great. So when are you going to pass this dumb eclipse spell?" He rolled his eyes.
Suddenly the sky outside darkened dramatically. The Koopalings and their parties looked up and around frantically. Lemmy's new friends in particular seemed especially on edge.
"No no, little Crystal Star losers, I'm not that old fossil. Same kind of light show though. And now…" It froze, clearly waiting for… something.
"Now… what?"
It slammed its fist on the "screen" and cursed. "HOW?!" it roared. "I'm supposed to have complete control of them now! But not even a twitch or a glance!"
His eyes widened, but then he started laughing very hard. "Looks like your penumbras aren't big enough to be puppets yet. Or your stupid little eclipse can't power you up as much as you thought."
It glared at him. "I know I'm powerful enough now to control them. Something is blocking my power. Or someone…" Its eyes widened and whirled back to the view of Larry and Roy. Roy had pulled both the youngest into his arms at the first sign of darkness in the sky. "Of course, it has to be the brat! I swear to the Stars I'll kill him for each and every time he's gotten in my way!"
"Uh, you can't swear to the Stars after blocking them, dummy."
"It's a figure of speech, you idiot!"
He grinned again. "I know. I just like seeing you angry and out of your league. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside."
It gripped his chin and looked him in the eye. "You listen to me. I will murder your youngest son. Then I will take complete control of your body and your surviving children. And your and their mourning will feed me for the rest of all your lifespans."
"What makes you think it's Junior?"
"What else could it be?" it let go and walked off. "I need to prepare for your children's arrival. I'll speak with you before I welcome them home."
He snorted. "They already ruined your plans. They're gonna do it again."
"I'd like to see them try without those cursed Stars. I'm done talking here. Goodbye." It vanished with these parting words.
He looked back at his children's perspectives. "Keep it up, kids. You're doing your old man proud."
Yeah, this chapter is short and very dialogue-heavy.
Siph: Why does Bowser's Umbra hate Junior so much?
Spoilers. But an astute reader might be able to figure it out.
Siph: How was his Umbra made?
Spoilers. But an astute reader might be able to figure it out.
Siph: What's astute mean?
Insightful, discerning, clever.
Siph: That last one is the only one I know. And I'm clever! I come up with pranks all the time!
That's more crafty than clever. You get caught all the time.
Siph: Well, pranks are no fun if they don't know it's from me.
Anyway, if you, my dear readers, have any questions, comments, critiques, concerns, or snide remarks, feel free to leave a review!