Bowsette: A New Life
Chapter 2
A Hairbrained Scheme
It was past midday by the time Bowser finally awoke. Feeling a bit hungry he grabbed the meal at his bedside and ate it mechanically, not even caring that it was ice cold. He had let his mind wander all night, and one question kept coming to it. 'What am I going to do now?' Only someone as endlessly determined as the Koopa King could keep up kidnapping a girl and conquering her kingdom 'over and over and OVER again' Bowser thought with a brief chuckle before the feeling of melancholy dashed any humor from his mind.
Bowser knew there was no point to kidnapping Peach anymore. Her decision on the moon had made it abundantly clear even to someone as bullheaded as Bowser that she wasn't looking for romance and maybe never would. Briefly Bowser wondered what the Red Cap was thinking about all this, but he put it out of his mind. He couldn't care less about Mario's feelings, only about what spurred them.
Bowser could just conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and leave the princess be. He'd taken the land over with ease more times than he could count, but Mario would just show up and stop him anyway… again. For all the uncertainty that had clouded his mind Bowser knew beyond a doubt the idiot plumber would never let Bowser conquer and enslave the Mushroom Kingdom and probably any others despite whatever blow Peach's rejection might have given him. Mario was all noble like that, it made Bowser sick, but he could respect his rival's sheer determination on some level.
Tired of just sitting there, Bowser called for the guard outside his room. "Yes, your awfulness?" The Goomba said respectfully but not fearfully. As evil as he was Bowser never was cruel to his minions unlike some other villains, though they knew better than to get in his way when he was mad. "Get Kamek, tell him to get the key to the Item Vault." The Goomba bowed as best they could and left, leaving Bowser to his thoughts again.
It wasn't long before Kamek arrived and knocked, probably teleported to outside Bowser's room. "Kamek reporting my lord." Kamek entered and stood at attention. "Let's go down to the vault." Bowser didn't know what he was doing this for, but it was something to do at least. Kamek still saw that look in Bowser's eyes, but it seemed to be lessening. The two made their way downstairs again, to the lowest level of the castle.
Bowser sighed as the two moved along. "Is something the matter my lord?" Kamek asked. "Nah." The King said dismissively, though this was obviously far from the truth. The Item Vault was where the Koopa Kingdom stored countless multi-use Power Up items and other magical artifacts the troops had come across over the years. Bowser didn't know if looking would do anything, but he wanted to be doing something to lift this feeling if only for a moment.
The pair walked along with Bowser's massive footfalls being the only sound to break the silence between them. Eventually they came up to the massive door to the Item Vault. The thing was protected by powerful magic wards in addition to the more conventional means, second only to the Treasure Vault itself. Kamek handed Bowser the key and began the rituals to temporarily remove the wards as Bowser watched.
"It is done King Bowser." Kamek said. Bowser nodded, inserted the key, and strained to open the door. Bowser was one of the very few in the world strong enough to even pull the door open under their own power. After a brief struggle the vault door yielded to the Koopa King's might, the various torches inside automatically lighting in response. Bowser walked inside with Kamek behind him, looking around to the rows and rows of powerups inside.
"Is there anything in particular you are looking for your majesty?" Bowser shook his head. "No. I just hope..." Bowser looked around the vault wistfully. Many of the power ups here had been found on scouting missions, but there were also others, ones that had been used on the countless occasions Bowser had tried to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. He even had a stone carving of the Star Rod placed in here, just as a reminder of that particular incident.
Suddenly, Bowser stopped in his tracks as he spied a particular item on the shelf amongst others. He grabbed the shiny golden crown his troops had found some time ago. If he could recall correctly, it was something called the Super Crown. "Kamek, what's this again?" Bowser turned to Kamek and asked. "Um…" 'That thing? Of all that's in here that's what drew his attention?' Kamek thought incredulously. "Right my lord!" Kamek thinks for a moment. "That's the Super Crown. It allows a female Toad that wears it to turn into a female similar to Peach. If memory serves, our troops found one on the edge of Dry Dry Desert, though I hear Peach's Castle has far more."
Bowser looked down at the crown. "Just Toads?" He asked. Kamek nodded. "Yes, your majesty. It doesn't work on other species." Bowser almost looked forlorn for a moment. "Then get it working." He spoke. "Um… for who sir?" Kamek asked. "Me." Kamek's mind swirled at the order, but a familiar fire ignited in Bowser's burning red eyes and Kamek knew what that meant. Bowser looked at Kamek's hesitation and growled. "Did I stutter?"
Kamek took a step back. "N…no sir. I think it can be done." Bowser barked. "You THINK!?" Kamek's voice got shaky. "Of… of course my King! I'll begin making the modifications right away!" Kamek quickly snatched up the crown. "It will take some weeks. If I may, what is your intention?" Kamek risked asking. "A crown that can change someone into a beautiful woman… that would be quite useful…" Bowser mostly mused to himself. "They can walk among those stupid Toads, and nobody will know…"
Kamek took the crown and the two left the vault. Bowser's feet stomped with more vigor as he went back up to his throne room to handle his royal affairs for the day. 'Peach… Mario… that Green Stache… You'll never see THIS coming…" An evil laugh was heard from all four corners of the castle. Kamek had heard the laugh countless times, but he didn't know whether to be relieved or worried.