King of the Dark
In the pi'illo throne room, Koopa General and Jennen trade blows as debris rain down from above. Madam Tanger had run ahead to secure Antasma's lab while Jennen bought her time.
The general shouts, "How could you turn on King Bowser like this? You're even working with that exile! Do you remember what she did to the king!?"
Jennen kicks the general in the face and he crashes against the throne. "Your loyal to a fault. King Bowser is no longer himself! The king will be the death of our empire! He is going to give it all up for the human girl!" Jennen raises his hammer and swings down at the general. But he catches Jennen's wrist and uses his other arm to disarm the hammer bro. With an angry yelp Jennen releases his hammer. Koopa General then kicks Jennen and he skids across the floor.
Before the general can retort to what Jennen said, the floor shakes. The roof comes falling from the bombardment. Using his wings, the general dashes out - unable to grab Jennen as the roof collapses on him. But he returns to see if he can free the traitor, now trapped under a beam.
"We have you now, traitor!" Koopa General declares with the intent of arresting him. But he pauses seeing Antasma's robots go past the door. Why aren't they helping Jennen?
"Toadette…." The general abandons the site to pursue. Realizing why he has left, Jennen laughs bitterly.
Meanwhile, Toadette powers through the despair she feels, as she trudge through the dark dungeon. She is certain the vines are emitting some sort of fear pheromones, to keep people out of here. For the prince to be trapped down here fills her heart with terror. How has he lived this long!?
Toadette jumps hearing an explosion and shouting. Someone has confronted the robots in the dungeon. She hopes it's the general and that he will find her. As she contemplates what to do next, she hears tapping on the walls. Toadette follows the noise until she reaches a cell.
"You made it."
Toadette gasps. Before her was the prince of Pi'illo Island. Handcuffed, he is not living in the best of conditions. Unknown to everyone, Dreambert was imprisoned for an untold amount of time. The prince looks miserable but he gives her a weary smile.
"My people? Are they still alive?"
A sob escapes Toadette's mouth as she looks at him. He is more worried about his people than his situation.
"T-They're trapped in their homes. The koopas are going to free them!" Toadette began looking for a rock to break the lock. "I'm so sorry!"
"There is nothing to apologize for."
"I'll have you out in a moment!"
Toadette suddenly fell, gasping in pain. Vines have entangled her! Dreambert turns towards a glass window in the cell.
"Oh no! The trap is still active!"
Toadette fearfully lifts her eyes. Behind the glass is a small purple bat on a platform. It had its wings wrapped around itself, fast asleep. Vines were coming from it, growing out from the cell, and lining the walls of the tunnels. Toadette realizes the vines are indeed a security measure. Terror once again fills her heart as she is dragged away from the cell. Dreambert grabs at the vines trying to save the toad but it is in vain. They begin to slowly suffocate her. Toadette can't breathe but she manages a strangled cry for help. Unexpectedly, the general rushes in and dives for Toadette. He then pulls a flamethrower out his shell and torches the vines. Lifting the toad into the air, he flies her to safety.
"You nearly barbecued me!" Toadette yells as he drops her on the ground.
"Don't tempt me." The general grumbles while putting away the flamethrower. His eyes soften. "You are in so much trouble." He then rolls his eyes. "But good work surviving."
Fat tears escape Toadette's eyes and she leans against him sobbing. She had been trapped on the island for so long. She feels relief now that she finally has help. The general stares at the imprisoned monarch as Toadette calms down. Once she stops crying, she looks up. She must stay focused; Dreambert needs help.
"Is that Antasma?" She questions.
Dreambert turns towards the small bat. "It is a piece of him."
Toadette and the general exchange concerned looks.
"He leaves it here to keep me weaken." Dreambert points at his head. "Antasma implanted a telepathic restraining bolt in my mind. Mines hinders me from accessing the dream world."
The general grabs the bars. "Restraining bolt? He can do that!?"
"Once he enters your dreams, yes. Few are immune to it. It's to keep people in line. Outsiders can't see it. But my citizens can't run because of it. And I'm sure Antasma's 'friends' have them as well. You do something he doesn't like and you suffer for it."
"How do we get rid of it!?" Toadette asks.
"He is hooked up to a machine that amplifies his powers. The madman keeps me here because the signal is at its strongest. If I can escape the cell, I can purge my mind of the bolt."
"Out of the way!" The general yells and bends the bars back with great rage. Dreambert stumbles out of the cell and into Toadette's arms.
"I will be fine. I just need to heal myself."
The general removes dynamite sticks from his shell and lines them up against the glass.
"Where are you storing all these items!?" Toadette demands. The general sets the explosives up and urges them to run. The weak Dreambert can't even levitate so Toadette must carry him. Once they round a corner, an explosion rips through the tunnel. As the dust settles, the general runs back. The dynamite destroyed the thick glass and the vines are burning. Unfortunately, the machine is still in tack. And the small bat is alive. It wakes up angry.
"He must have used his entire treasury, to fund the creation of this machine. No wonder he did not have any money when we invaded."
The general contemplates disobeying Bowser Junior's order and blow himself up to finish the job. The bat suddenly screeches at him and the general stumbles back, disoriented. Toadette and Dreambert hold their ears and fall to their knees. The bat taps a button on the machine and screeches again. Throughout the village the screech is heard through loudspeakers. The toads and their koopa allies, who had just freed the villagers, hold their ears. Suddenly, the villagers rush forward and attack the toads!
"What are you doing!?" Berry cries out.
Their eyes are blank and they are clawing at Berry and the others wildly. They are acting as if they went insane. "Don't hurt them! Something is wrong! Just restrain them!" Gold cries out. The koopas run to the toads' aid and get in between them and the villagers. Back at the cell, the dungeon shakes violently. Toadette and Dreambert hold on to the walls. The prince is griping his head, fighting the maddening call from the screech. Toadette looks at the ground feeling nauseous. The screeching is loud but it feels like the castle is rising into the air. Vines begin to cover the area the small bat is in, to shield him from any more damage. While this is happening, the general leans against a wall still dizzy. He pulls up his walkie talkie - having received a message.
"Sir, the castle! It's flying!"
Koopa General's eyes narrow. "We've underestimated him. Antasma's stronger than he looks." The general pulls out his flamethrower, despite his confusion, and wildly fires at the vines. "I can't let him become whole again!"
The small bat laughs at his efforts. "Your loyalty to the Koopa King is astounding. Fear not, I just need the lab and my assistants. I'm off to find my main body."
"You're not getting …" The floor under the general collapses and he falls through.
"Oh no!" Toadette cries out.
"Goodbye Dreambert.'" Antasma mockingly says to the prince. "I leave you a kingdom in flames. But I'm certain you won't get to enjoy it. Thank you for all your help, 'brother.'"
Dreambert yells at Antasma and attempts to run toward him, filled with righteous fury. But the floor gives way and he falls. Toadette leaps after him.
Elsewhere, in the throne room, Tanger returns to Jennen to free him from under the debris.
"The castle is flying, Jennen!"
"Where is it taking us!?"
Outside, King K. Rool watches the sky as the castle ascends and he whistles. Nearby him is Clawgrip who he saved from the beach. Other soldiers of Jennen however had been captured. The crocodile orders his ship to set course for his hideout.
Meanwhile, Toadette and Dreambert are plummeting to the ground below. The airship is too far away to save them, as it pulled away to avoid the rising castle. Toadette manages to catch up to Dreambert. "I have you, prince!"
But the noble Dreambert wraps his arms around Toadette and aims his back at the ground. "No! I'm not letting you die!"
Before impact, the general swoops in and saves them, and flies towards the village. As he does so the general looks into the sky.
"Pursue the castle!" He orders through his walkie talkie. The airship follows. But once they are in the clouds, they don't see where it went.
The general lands the prince and Toadette on the ground. Koopas are destroying the loudspeakers while the others are holding back the crazed mob. Buildings have caught fire and many lay on the ground injured. Dreambert looks at the chaos and turns to the two that saved him.
"Please! We must restrain them! I can remove Antasma's influence on them!"
"But we have to get you to a doctor!" Toadette begs.
"My people come first!"
Toadette nods and runs to aid Berry who was wrestling with a baker. The general wants to find the castle but he reluctantly turns back to help.
Back in Sarasaland, Peach and Daisy are riding on a cloud. Biokinton is king of the Chai Kingdom and was asked by Daisy to escort them. Peach leans over to look at his cute beady eyes. Noticing her looking at him, he closes his eyes blushing. Peach looks back at Daisy confused.
"He's shy! That's why he hides in the cloud." Daisy laughs and Peach giggles in response. She then looks below admiring the bamboo forest. Located in this kingdom is Bowser's hideout, Peach can hardly contain her joy at reuniting with him. Daisy points ahead to show her the base, hidden in an old dome. Waiting outside it are koopa soldiers and humans. After landing, the humans surround Daisy, happy to see their princess is still alive. As they talk to her the koopas greet Peach.
"Thank you for coming your highness! We're glad you're here!"
Peach looks at them curiously. "I just got in the way…"
One of the koopas shakes his head. "The king wasn't listening to any of us. You got him to take care of himself. It reminded him he has others to get back to."
Peach smiles in appreciation. One of the koopas grasped her hand.
"Come on, let's take you to His Majesty."
The dome has seen better days. Its glass shielding caved in from an attack long ago, forcing the previous residents to flee. Peach could spot an electric shield covering up the hole. The living quarters, indoor gardens, and life support systems are worn and overgrown. But the humans are walking around making repairs, with the koopas assisting.
The princesses find Bowser sitting on a throne of metal, in the old town square. Nearby him is Plum and a long-haired man standing guard. Bowser is now wearing cow skulls and various beast bones around his waist. He also has a spiked shoulder blade with a tattered cape. In one of his claws is a spiked club. He looks like a wasteland king. Fitting considering the conditions he and his army are living in. Bowser himself protects the group from mutated beasts.
Bowser was getting a report from the long-hair man when the princesses walk in. The king becomes bashful when he lays eyes on Peach. Blushing, he points at a smaller throne covered in pink fabric.
"Sit next to me, Princess Peach!"
Peach smiles appreciatively and approaches the throne. As she sits down, Bowser beams and grasps her small hand. This is one thing he always wanted to do with her. The two of them sitting side by side, on thrones, and handling royal matters together. Some of the humans and Daisy start snickering. Bowser frowns. "What's so funny!?"
"Both of you are so different, Mister Bowser! It's amusing!" Plum jokes. Bowser grumbles but goes back to smiling at Peach. She returns his gaze before noticing Plum.
"Thank you for feeding Bowser." Peach whispers. Plum rubs the back of her head shyly. As Daisy talks about their trip, King Biokinton floats up to Bowser's throne with angry eyes. Bowser looks at Daisy with a puzzled stare.
"He's not making a play for your crown, Biokinton." Daisy says to the cloud. Satisfied with her response, he returns to hiding behind the auburn.
Bowser releases a puff of smoke from his nostrils. "You got that right. I got bigger fish to fry." Bowser then turns to the human man. "Mop-head tell them what you got."
Mop opens a digital pad. "While on recon, I came across a message Tatanga has been broadcasting in the cities. I figured you didn't get it Princess Daisy, due to the rules of limiting technology at rebel bases."
Peach looks at Bowser and he gives her hand a squeeze. "They're afraid of being tracked."
"I see."
Mop continues. "I recorded it and let King Bowser watch it. But I'll show it to you too, Princess Daisy."
Daisy grabs the pad and stands near Peach so she can watch.
"Within a week, King Oleander will be executed. If you want him to live you will come forward, Princess Daisy. Meet me in Birabuto."
Daisy glares spotting her father tied up behind Tatanga. Next to Oleander is Ludwig. Peach gasps. Ludwig has tears falling down his face and he is blinking trying to hold them back. Protective instincts hit Peach; she wants to save him immediately. She spots Bowser looking at her and he shakes his head. He is asking her to wait. Peach settles down and endures the rest of the message.
"And as for King Bowser. If you want the boy to stay alive, report to the warp pipe you came from. You will be escorted back to your home world."
The message abruptly ends.
"He is setting up the both of you. But what choice do we have?" Peach says flatly.
Daisy hugs the pad, her eyes betraying her worry. "Yeah."
Bowser turns to Peach. "Peach, Ludwig will be okay."
"But he's distressed."
"He was fake crying."
"Huh?"
Bowser smiles and deep breathes. "He was sending a code through blinking. I taught it to him and the other koopalings, should they ever get taken hostage. To hide he was sending me a message, Ludwig began crying."
"What's the message?" Daisy asks.
"Ludwig knows the prison's location. They're at a base hidden in the southern part of Muda."
Daisy slams her fists together. "YES! Instead of waiting, we go straight to them. Mop, I need you to find King Dragonzamasu, and tell him to locate the hidden base. And report back to me."
Mop salutes her and bows to Bowser. He then runs out. Bowser begins talking again. "I hadn't told you Daisy, but I'm buying valuable information from Wario and Waluigi. They claim they know how to deal with the emp cannon. Once we save Ludwig and the emperor, we can work on the plan."
Peach raises an eyebrow. "Bowser, where did you get the money to pay them?"
"I maybe broke into a few abandoned banks to raid the gold. And ransacked an alien fortress." Bowser says sheepishly.
Daisy shrugs. "Desperate times."
Peach puts her hand on her chin. "Your mom told me Muda is a water region. Bowser and the koopas are good swimmers. But if that base is underwater, instead of being a floating platform, it will be a problem to enter."
Daisy nervously shuffles her feet. It's subtle but Peach notices. "Underwater ….? There are submarines I can borrow from King Dragonzamasu. But I'm afraid of Tatanga having a smaller model of the emp device. W-We would be trapped under the sea if we're hit."
Peach realizes Daisy is not fond of the deep ocean. Hoping to put her friend at ease, Peach looks to Bowser. "That's why you want to see Wario and Waluigi first?"
"Yeah. If Tatanga continues to have access to that technology and we have no counter, it's going to be hard to approach them." Bowser stands up and folds his arms. "But not impossible! Even if we fail to get the information, I'm not quitting. They've messed with the wrong koopa!"
Daisy is back smiling. "I like how you think!"
The royals then go quiet. Finally, Peach speaks. "Should we head over to Wario and Waluigi?"
Bowser shakes his head. "No, I haven't gotten word back from them. Until then we sit back and chill."
Daisy smirks. "We can pass the time with workouts! I can do more pushups than you, Bowser!"
Bowser returns the mischievous look. "We'll see about that!"
Not long after, Daisy and Bowser are doing pushups. Peach and Plum sat on Bowser's shelled back, reading. Peach smiles as she looks at the two royals competing. Bowser has finally made himself some friends.
"So, they have not located Princess Daisy after my message went out?" Tatanga questions while sitting on Sarasaland's throne.
The guard fumbles over his words. "Y-yes my lord."
Tatanga groans under his breath.
"Please be patient!"
"Do you think she will go to the koopas for support?"
"They're a wild bunch. I'm not sure she would."
Tatanga angerly shouts and his guards scatter. "She will yield to me! She. Will. Yield!"
Two human females nervously fan Tatanga, with palm branches, as he fumes. Other servants standby with platters, waiting for the criminal's next order. Toad is the shortest of the bunch. Currently, he is admiring the structure of the room. The throne room of the palace is grand with large windows all around. Flora and plant life grow freely. And rays from the rising sun pour through the window. Toad, holding a goblet, looks around as the light turns the room a golden yellow. During a time of peace this was a lovely place to be.
"Shorty."
Toad straightens his back at hearing Tatanga. His blood is boiling but he maintains a fake smile. "Yes sir!"
"My drink."
Toad runs up to Tatanga and presents the goblet. "I tested it for poison like you asked!"
Tatanga drinks the whole thing and drops the goblet on Toad's head. "I want another."
"I wAnt AnOtheR!" Toad mocks under his breath, while entering the kitchen. He spots a skinny human with a sharp mustache - chopping vegetables. He arrived a week ago to work as the new chef. The captain wonders how long he will live. Toad pours drink into the goblet and turns to waddle out. The man spins around and hands Toad a red rose. Toad stares in confusion at the rose. He then notices a note in the petals.
"Big man wearing a yellow apron. Think you can take care of it?" The man whispers while chopping onions. Toad nods and leaves. He spots the other guy with a 'w' looking mustache. Also, a new guy and he was moping in the hall. Toad hands him the rose. After reading the message, the man takes Toad with him to the cleaning closet. The man then reveals a usb stick in his hand. "Tell that beanpole I got the info. We can make a break for it tonight."
"Who are you guys? Are you with the rebellion?" Toad inquiries.
The man pulls a whole garlic out his pocket and takes a bite. "Nope. We're doing our own thing. But we do business with them. Also, we have a guy that will pay top dollar for information. If you want to escape meet us at the courtyard."
A chance to escape, Toad will not pass up this opportunity!
When night falls, the captain nervously enters the courtyard. The place is filled with exotic flowers from all over the land. Ignoring the sights, Toad takes a seat waiting for the spies.
"I need this to be over with today. So, I can get back home. Peach is so worried."
Just as he spots the two men, he hears a warp pipe sound. Toad puts up a hand to stop the spies. The duo immediately hide behind pillars. Toad looks around to see if anyone is here. He checks around a tree and spots a warp pipe. That's new. As he approaches, he feels a shadow behind him.
Toad turns and to his displeasure … realizes it is Antasma.
His cape is more tattered, his appearance ragged but he is smiling. A most unnerving smile.
"Hello, Captain Toad."
Without hesitation, Toad runs. He makes it past the tree but a bony arm reaches out and grabs him from behind. The mushroom has never felt so much fear. How did he find him!? Toad expects to be ripped apart but Antasma holds him in place.
"H-How are you doing?" Toad asks him with a watery smile. Why did I ask that!?
Antasma's eyes light up in amusement. "I don't know captain. How do you think I'm doing?"
"Umm …peachy keen?" Toad cringes at his own response.
Antasma's eyes enlarge and he laughs madly. Toad nervously joins in while crying at the same time. The two laugh for a few minutes. Antasma finally stops but still smiling. "Do you know what I've been through, captain? How many worlds I've traveled? How many people I've had to go through? How many police chases I've outrun? All while knowing my co-conspirators are struggling to do something as simple as holding the line!?"
"Someone! Someone help! A crazy man is going to kill me!" Toad shouts out. He knows no one will help but he is giving a warning to the spies nearby. To his relief they remain hidden.
The bat king frowns at Toad. "No one is coming to your aid." He then floats into the open still holding the captain. A mob of guards ran up to them and stopped.
"Who are you!?" One demands.
The other guard stops his comrade. "Wait. He looks familiar."
Antasma snickers. "I know nothing of Sarasaland. But you look familiar too now that I've seen your kind outside the of ships. I've seen you in the prisons."
Toad's eyes bug out of their sockets. "Prison!?"
The guards nervously take a step back. Antasma shakes his head in reassurance.
"Don't be afraid. Just take me to Tatanga."
The guards escort Antasma and Toad away while the two spies watch. Their names are Wario and Waluigi, plumbers from another world.
Wario shakes his head. "Rest in pieces, mushroom head. Should we wait a bit before leaving?" Wario asks while picking in his ear. "We can't risk getting captured."
"Well, I'm not staying any longer than necessary!" Waluigi declares while hitting his business partner. Wario gives a hearty laugh and slaps Waluigi on the back, knocking him over. Waluigi gets up grumbling and dusts his apron off. "Come on! Hopefully, we can get good money out of this deal."
"Wahaha! Bowser will owe us big time!"
Tatanga inspects Antasma as he and Toad enter the throne room. The man points at the bat king. He knows who he is immediately. "You're that interdimensional murderer. King of the Dark."
Toad's mouth drops. "He's a what!?"
Antasma takes his claws and closes Toad's mouth.
"What do you want?" Tatanga demands, now readying his laser gun. Antasma looks around. "I want all the humans to leave first." Tatanga motions for his men to escort them all out. Once they leave Tatanga turns to Antasma.
"I have information. About Princess Daisy's whereabouts."
Tatanga's eyes widen.
"In exchange you give me supplies. I ran into some trouble so I need a little help."
Antasma explains the location is in Easton and presents photos as evidence. Tatanga looks up from the photos. "How?"
"I tracked them to the location. The exact location." Antasma says simply.
"Deal." Tatanga utters and he turns to his men. "Get the mother ship ready. Meet us there."
As Tatanga leaves Antasma remains in the throne room, still holding Toad. Toad cries out to the bat. "How!? How did you find me!?"
"I found Peach."
Toad's eyes widen with horror. "Peach is here!? How would you know!? I saw you go down that other pipe."
Antasma tightens his grip on the captain. "She is with the rebels. The last time I visited her dreams, I implanted a harmless telepathic tracker in Peach's mind. Before you betrayed me."
Toad is thoroughly creeped out. "Why!?"
Antasma's smile brightens and his eyes glow with warmth. "So, I would know where she is, silly. If we're separated for any reason, I could find my way back to her."
Antasma continues and pulls Toad closer. "You have a lot to answer for Toad. Thanks to you, Peach has fallen in love with Bowser." Toad detects bitterness in his words.
"Isn't that what you wanted!?" He shouts in disbelief.
"NO! She was just distracting him! She belongs to me!"
This can't be happening! He likes her too!? Poor Peach!
"I don't know if I should be crying or laughing on how this backfired on you!" Toads says knowing he is a dead man. But Antasma throws him to the ground in response. Antasma circles around Toad, his hands clasped. "I was so worried about her. I found her, only to see her wrapped up in Bowser's arms declaring her love. Such a foolish young girl! She still doesn't know what she wants. After everything we've been through. So, I went and looked for you,using detective work. I knew you were alive and would end up a servant."
Toad didn't know it was possible, but Antasma's smile got bigger.
"I could kill you right now, captain! I'm SO angry!"
"Then why are you smiling!?"
"Because I am so angry! I should have followed Tanger's advice, and sowed doubt in Peach about that oafish meathead." Antasma picks Toad back up, his voice increasingly unhinged. "You think you're so clever captain, trying to get rid of me. I thought fear was enough to keep you in line. No restraining bolts needed. But I underestimated your love for your people. You single-handedly ruined my plan. And cost me Peach! But I'm not giving up. I will rule the Koopa Empire once I'm whole again."
"So that was your deal!" Toad struggles to free himself. "But what do you want with Peach!?"
The bat is now frowning and his eyes narrow. "An emperor needs a pet, right? But I'm must first punish Peach for her betrayal. Don't worry I'm not going to kill her. Just take her new friends away." He is back showing a toothy smile.
Toad stops struggling. "Is that why you leaked the rebel base's location!?"
"Of course!"
The captain stares up at him appalled. Antasma has lost his mind. Or was it already gone? "This is the worst, dude! You can't do that to them! All over a girl!?"
Antasma shakes his head and pokes Toad's cheek. "You make me sound petty, my dear captain."
The greatest punishment Antasma can give Toad is leaving him, with the knowledge he failed miserably. After abandoning a screaming Toad to Tatanga's men, Antasma goes to Easton. He knows Peach left the rebel base already. He feels her presence in the direction of Chai Kingdom. Tonight, his is looking for Easton's king, Hiyoihoi. The stone head with legs was taking a nap in Dome 16. He had been in a grueling battle earlier. This man knew the location of Lilac and Daisy, and had been supplying them with food. He is loyal to the emperor but he is an impatient man. Quick to action. And he worries endlessly about the queen and princess. Hiyoihoi is not sure how long he can keep them hidden. The man is perfect to influence.
Antasma enters his mind and torments him with nightmares. He convinces him of the impending doom. Already scared, the king demands answers. Antasma plays with his memories and Hiyoihoi remembers Daisy had given shelter to a young human girl. The stone king ponders if Peach is a spy. Has Daisy taken in someone that sold them out? Hiyoihoi wakes up afraid and calls out to his men. He tells them to check, for his own peace of mind. Hiyoihoi then paces on his floor rapidly and Antasma laughs inwardly. He thinks of how he got to this point.
His childhood was normal and he grew up in a royal household, as the smallest. Antasma belonged to a reserved race that hid in caves. Unlike his species, others feared the dark and stayed away from it. It was curious to him, that they associated the darkness with fear. When his ability to access dreams matured, he became enamored with nightmares. People's fears often showed up in their mind as they sleep. When confronted with that fear in real life they're shaken. Everyone wears a mask. But people show who they really are when afraid. And Antasma found power in utilizing fear. His people did not agree with his methods.
One day after destroying his hometown, Antasma ventured down a pipe and decided to explore other worlds. He developed an even more intense taste for inflicting fear. He would enter a town and target one person at a time each night. Antasma would tear a person's mind apart, leaving his victim a husk of their former self. A literal stone statue. Towns would descend into chaos, trying to find out what was happening to their neighbors. Fear would cause them to turn on each other. Then Antasma would move on to the next town. Infamous, Antasma was in and out of prisons in different worlds. But they could never hold him for long.
Wanting to 'retire,' Antasma found Pi'illo Island and met a species like his. They used their telepathy to give people good dreams. Prince Dreambert took him in and came to view him as a brother, and Antasma viewed him as a potential alley. However, Dreambert grew concerned with Antasma's obsession with nightmares. And Antasma began trying to convince Dreambert of what they could accomplish together. Finally, the bat king turned on him due to their philosophical differences. After pulling a coup, he locked the prince away. When whole his screeching drives men mad, but Antasma took that part of himself out to keep Dreambert in line.
Feeling unstoppable, Antasma entered the War of the Warlords. That's when he met Bowser. To his shock, the young king was immune to his fear tactics. He bowed to no one. And Antasma got beat. Bad. It was a humbling experience. Bowser is stubborn and has a strong will. He is foolish and can be manipulated, but he would break free eventually. The koopa doesn't give into despair no matter how he feels. And he doesn't give up. There are not many people like that. To live, Antasma showed he could be useful to Bowser and hide all existence of Dreambert.
One day while looking through Bowser's memory banks, to calm the tyrant, he discovered Peach. Antasma became curious with her. Though she faced fearful situations with the koopas, she never turned on the toads to live. She did not become a monster, like he had seen so many times. Soon he became obsessed with looking at Bowser's memory files of her. Eventually, he wanted to meet her in person. And she lived up to Bowser's dreams. The princess embodies life and light. She brings happiness to others like a dream. At first, Antasma thought she was a pi'illo before knowing what a human was. Antasma came to consider her his counterpart. If she is the light then he is the dark.
And the brighter the light, the more fun it is to stuff out.
Peach is the first person he doesn't just want to kill. He wants her to fear him and love him. Antasma growls. He wanted Peach to wait for him. Now she turned on him. Not only did she ignore his advice and fall for Bowser, but she also found friendship with Daisy. He felt so much bitterness, watching how close the princesses had become. Daisy is just another roadblock to him.
Peach will regret this.
The stone king's men return, telling Hiyoihoi they received word of the mother ship on the move. The king panics and demands to know where Daisy is. When they tell him she is not in Easton, he runs to warn the rebels. Antasma snickers madly. The stone king won't make it in time. No one will make it in time. Sweet little Daisy will return to a heap of ruins, and will be captured by Tatanga. The other rebels will turn on Peach. Bowser will not let Peach die but her reaction will be priceless.
That will teach her a lesson.