The Koopa King

She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

"Boss! We're ready to get this party started!"

Bowser came out of his wandering thoughts and looked down at the mouse wearing shades. The koopa grinned wickedly and flexed his arms.

"Well, don't keep looking at me, you idiot! Get moving!"

Mouser straightens his back, saluting his King. He runs off to inform the forces, while Bowser taps his foot impatiently. Within moments, the army had eagerly broken camp and is now marching across the Mushroom Kingdom's border.

The koopas had laid waste to the Acorn Kingdom, the once prosperous place now a heap of ruins. Its citizens carried off by Captain Shy Guy, to the Darklands to serve as slaves. But it has been a month since that incident and the battle hungry koopas wanted more action. The next target, the toads.

The toads were not warriors, but it would be fun to torment them. Having power and taking what you want is part of the Koopa Kingdom's culture. In the past, many koopas that rejected this view were exiled as outcasts. The royal family has always upheld their cherished beliefs. So, the army proudly follows their current king to their next conquest, ready to give their support.

Bowser's red busy brows slant as he focuses ahead, the ground rocking with each powerful step he took. To everyone he was imagining what to do to the pathetic toads. All koopas knew they were a weak and spineless race. The late Queen was known for her rage filled tirades about how stupid toads were. Now Bowser will fulfill his mother's wish to wipe out the pests. Bowser was indeed looking forward to the impending battle, but his thoughts were about Peach. The human adopted by the toads.

Peach.

Bowser had never seen a human before, only hearing that ones that ended up in their world tended to die easily. But Peach was different. Not only did she not die in a pit of lava or get eaten by a piranha, but she took an active leadership role among her the toads. No doubt they are intending to elect her as Princess.

The King sighs, vividly remembering the first time he saw Peach. He was gleefully shoving Toads into sacks when she angerly called him out. When he looked up to see who dared to talk to him in such a manner, he became stunned. She had flowing golden locks and piecing blue eyes. Her form was delicate and curvy. Bowser had to catch his jaw from falling. He couldn't deny it, the prince was enchanted with her beauty. Though he felt that way, he shouted at her about her nerve to approach him in such a disrespectful manner. Did she not know who he was!? And her stubbornness in refusing to give up until she saved her family frustrated him even more.

But that first meeting had an impact on him. He was furious she stopped his plot, but he also became enamored with her fighting spirit. A part of the prince began to look forward to confronting Peach. While on raids, he would single the toads out to get her angry. At one point he captured her. And Bowser would do everything he could to break her down while she was imprisoned at the marauders' camp. He wanted to see if she would give up. But no matter what she wouldn't surrender. Eventually, she would escape but would not leave until she rescued every toad. Peach loved them so much.

That love and devotion she had was puzzling to him. Bowser's parents were never warm, and his brother had run away. So, Bowser figured that was what families were supposed to be like. After all, his parents were never loving towards each other. While Bowser had a crush on Peach, he envied the bond she had with the toads. They loved her unconditionally and showed it often. No wonder she fought for them!

However, the Koopa Queen didn't even mourn her king when he died. Bowser was miserable but he followed her demands to continue attaining power. He hoped it would at least get an acknowledgement out of her. But it never came. Only harsh words and actions to 'toughen' him up.

Even on her deathbed, the Queen didn't express any affection for Bowser. Not even a goodbye on her deathbed. She only ordered him to keep the empire running and gave an angry rant about her estranged son. Then she laid back, closed her eyes, and never woke back up. Bowser should not have mourned his mother, but he did.

Overwhelmed, Bowser ran away taking flight on a wooden raft. A storm appeared and he didn't even fight as the waves overtook his vessel. The prince just wanted his misery to end.

Present day Bowser stops walking. He huffs and looks around at the Mushroom Forest.

I remember this spot.

He is near the beach where Peach saved him after he was shipwrecked. She had lovingly soothed and comforted him. She did not know why he was sad, but Peach did what she could. Despite her dislike of him she nursed him back to health. It meant the world to Bowser. Finally, he received an act of tenderness and he enjoyed it. This was when he realized he loved Peach.

After inheriting the throne, Bowser considered taking her as his Queen to rule by his side. To bear children for him. But he was told the children would only come out as human. Thus, they would be unfit to inherit the throne to the Koopa Empire. So, Bowser decided against this, though he wanted her more than anything. And because he loved her so much, he had no desire to marry anyone else. Therefore, his scientists cloned a perfect son from him. Cloned but with a few modifications.

Bowser has long given up the dream of having Peach. She was not fit to be his queen. Even though she showed him kindness, she still dislikes him. Their beliefs clash too much. It brought pain, knowing she did not feel the same way about him. She would never choose the Koopa King over the toads.

But today his agony will be put to rest. Peach refused to surrender and was on her way to confront him. To buy time for the town to evacuate. Bowser chuckles. It was futile.

Bowser yells out Mouser who was in the middle of a phone call.

"Mouser, that better not be Antasma again!"

Mouser puts his hand over the phone. "But your Vengefulness! He was inquiring about what you were going to do with …"

"I've given him my answer already!"

"But he says you will regret it!"

"She dies! That is final! Hang up or I'm roasting you alongside the toads!"

Mouser quickly hangs up on Antasma. Bowser stomps his foot to calm down. "That is the last time I let him act as my therapist! Have the General intercepted the measly evacuees yet?"

"Mayor Goomba's intel was correct. They are hiding in the caves. Peach is unaware of the situation as she is coming this way."

"Tell him to bring all of them to me."

Mouser nods and dials for the general.

Bowser smiles. Soon the koopas will have expanded their territory, and Peach and the toads will be dead. And his time of pining for Peach will soon come to an end. The tyrant will finally be free of the grip the girl has on his heart.