A new story that will be cut into two parts because it's too long to leave in one. It's just a matter of reading comfort, but also so that I can go into as much detail as I want without worrying about the word count (yes, after a certain threshold I start to stress myself out).
Anyway, today I present you with this new story, which will feature a wider range of characters related to the Mario universe, of course. A bit of adventure and a dive into one of the most famous games of the franchise, I'll let you guess which one.
Enjoy your reading!
Competitive day - Part 1
He had a very important mission.
Clutching a white envelope preciously to his breastplate, the winged Koopa raced towards the throne room in the depths of the evil castle, where molten lava rubbed against stone. In a hurry and impatient to hand over what had been entrusted to him so early in the morning, he didn't let his comrades, curious to know the reason for his sudden haste, distract him. Not even to give them a glance or a hello. Known for his relentlessness, rigor and loyalty, the Koopa General quickly traversed the corridors in search of his almighty King. Although his mission was to deliver a simple envelope, he was determined to deliver it in person to prove once again that he was not only trustworthy but also diligent.
With a steady but hasty pace, he dashed between the guards and other creatures that populated this castle to reach a footbridge that led to another part of the fortress. There was no time to answer questions or slow down. For this was a matter of the utmost urgency! Distractions had to wait. Without even glancing at the two red-sheathed guards who straightened their spears in respect, he pushed open the large doors with an ominous creak and found himself in an immense corridor. Past statues in the king's likeness, colorful chandeliers and other representative paintings, he entered the main corridor leading directly to the well-guarded throne room. The repetitive clicking of his soles was muffled by the long red carpet. The light from the chandeliers was subdued in this part of the castle, as it was on the upper floor where the royal chambers were located, giving this corridor a sinister air. Even though he walked this way every day, the general still felt shivers run down his spine when he set foot here.
About to make his presence known, the Koopa properly stowed his wings, then stopped briefly in front of the closed doors. He tightened his grip on the envelope he was protecting, his hazel eyes falling for a moment on the stone moldings at his level. It was always a big moment to bring news to his beloved chief! But he sincerely hoped it was good news... At the risk of paying the price if he was out of sorts today. Nevertheless determined, it took him only a few seconds more to regain his courage to push open the heavy doors with a confident expression, his invisible eyebrows furrowing as he saw the long, empty aisle leading to the throne. Well, not totally. As he approached, he saw that Bowser was with the young prince. Teaching him to form fireballs at the bottom of the steps. The notoriously tyrannical Koopa smiled happily at his son as he imitated him, puffing out his chest to take a deep breath before leaning in with all his might to roar.
A roar that otherwise sounded more like a croak.
Undeterred by the noise, the general continued to approach, taking in the entire scene. Almost immediately, he noticed the presence of Queen Cinder seated on the smaller throne to the left of Bowser's. Built just for her, under his orders. The pretty green and yellow stones of her silver tiara sparkled in the candlelight as she applauded Junior's every attempt, her benevolent smile naturally warming his heart. Her long red dress hung at the foot of the throne that had been adapted to her height since she became the wife of the King of the Koopas, making her a monarch respected and appreciated for her innate gentleness. This kindness was the quality that everyone here loved about her, even the biggest bullies who always ended up softening in her company. As far as he was concerned, he appreciated the conversations he could have with the Queen with an attentive ear, but especially her sound advice. In addition to never passing judgment, another great quality he recognized in her.
Somewhat smitten by her beauty and natural charm, General Koopa quickly shook his head, not to be distracted until he had completed his mission. This was his only goal, and only then would he be able to dream. Kamek, too, was in the throne room as Junior trained with his growling-voiced adult version. The Magikoopa was using his magic to conjure up cardboard signs of Toads or Mario and Luigi to give him the motivation he needed to form his fireballs. All his attempts were unsuccessful, but Bowser wasn't giving up. He was very patient. Encouraging his son with several gestures and kind words, his eyes sparkled with pride every time he inflated his little breastplate to try and get some fire out. A family legacy that he would like to see his beloved son develop. So that he could show the full extent of his power at his side! To finally join the Koopalings as their leader and become a full member of his army. Just seeing the excitement in his little black eyes filled him with immeasurable happiness.
"Ahem. Forgive me for interrupting you so early in the morning, but I have a letter in my possession that must be delivered as soon as possible. It's urgent." The general insisted, clearing his throat when he saw that no one was paying any attention to him, too busy encouraging the young turtle full of good will. But immediately after this solemn declaration, the three figures finally turned in his direction.
"Yes well, give it to me and then get out of my sight! I've got better things to do than read threatening letters from my fans." Snapped the King, interrupting his father-son moment. With an exaggerated sigh, he crossed his arms and began impatiently tapping his foot on the floor as Junior imitated him in his scowl. But he was surprised when the blue-shelled Koopa refused to obey.
"I'm deeply sorry, but I can't give it to you. It's for the Queen's attention." Regretted the general who shook his head dramatically as Bowser and Kamek's expressions broke down simultaneously.
"What?!" They exclaimed. The Magikoopa disappeared into his pink cloud of magic before reappearing at the general's side to take the letter from his hands with a small sniff of disdain. Ignoring his cry of dismay, he repositioned his glasses on his nose as he bent over the crudely written letters on the front of the envelope.
"That's curious. He speaks the truth, Sir! This letter is addressed to the Queen, not to you." The latter asserted incredulously as he ran his tongue over his yellow muzzle at the same time as he raised his head towards Cinder still seated at her throne. Offering her a dazed glance. The young woman seemed surprised, but not as much as Bowser.
"Impossible! Give me that!" The King Koopa snatched the letter from Kamek's hands to look for himself with a deep frown. And indeed, he hadn't been mistaken! The letter was indeed addressed to his wife.
"I just told you. It's a message for the Queen of the Darklands. And before you ask, I don't know who wrote it. I was only doing my duty as a messenger." Sighed the general, who discreetly raised his eyes to the high ceiling, his fists on his hips because he felt like he was talking to a wall. They'd all just ruined his spectacular entrance! He who wanted to keep the suspense going... At the top of the steps, the human stood up and began to approach, looking puzzled as her husband tore off the envelope to see what the nature of its contents was.
What did he mean it wasn't for him! Who had dared to send a letter to his wife?! Who had dared to defy him? Who was her secret admirer? He had to know!
"Show me and I'll read it to you!" Kamek retrieved the letter before his superior tore it up in anger. Or rather jealousy ... Take your pick. Breathing heavily through his nose to calm his nerves, Bowser let the Koopa take the crumpled letter and start reading it, except that Junior decided to have a whim. The young prince hopped over to them and, with a flick of his arm, snatched the letter from the blue-robed Koopa after sticking out his tongue.
"Let me read first! I can read better than you, and I don't need squint glasses for that." With a cheeky smile especially for Kamek, he bent over the lines written in that same crude manner. As if the person had trembled while writing it. Turning the letter every which way, his eyebrows furrowed as he squinted in concentration, suspense soon at its height; "So, let's see ... Hmm, there you go. It's a string of letters, weird ..."
"That's what we commonly call a sentence, Your Highness." Kamek flatly revealed, raising his finger in the air.
"Oh come on, I knew it! I'm not a complete idiot!" The younger Koopa was embarrassed as he showed off his prominent canine teeth, his fists resting on his hips as his cheeks began to turn red.
About to retort in the same tone, the head of the Magikoopas immediately closed his mouth when Cinder pushed past him to take the letter from Junior's hands. This quickly put an end to the discussion after a short "hey!" of protest. Silence settled over the room as she began to read the letter originally addressed to her, her green eyes fixed on the succession of words that effectively formed sentences.
To the Queen of the Koopas,
It gives me great pleasure to declare the competition officially open. Each year, we will hold a kart race in the Jungle Kingdom to determine who is the best driver in all the kingdoms, and who is worthy of taking home the trophy. Valuable rewards that only the bravest of you can win. Everyone will face off on the track in an unforgettable race where entertainment will mix with our competitiveness. Politics will be put aside in the spirit of coming together for this great cause that is so close to my personal heart.
I, King Cranky Kong, ruler of the Jungle Kingdom and protector of the Mushroom Kingdom, invite you to this major annual event.
Cinder couldn't contain her excitement any longer. As she read the lines aloud, her brow smoothed as she finally realized what this letter stood for and who was behind it. It was an immense honor to be invited to this competition at the home of one of the world's greatest Kings! Leaping to her feet, she almost lost her crown in the process, her red hair bouncing off her arms in the joy that consumed her. An opportunity for her to discover the Jungle Kingdom and its festive inhabitants! For she had never yet had the opportunity to meet the Monkey King in person, and from what the Koopas had told her, this kingdom was breathtakingly beautiful as well as heavenly. She didn't glance at Kamek and Bowser on her left, so immersed was she in her reading, but she could feel their insistent glances as she continued.
This year, we've decided to give you an extra challenge by asking participants to team up with a driver we've chosen in advance.
"A second driver? Is this a duo competition?" Questioned the woman while tapping her finger to her lips in reflection. Who had they chosen? Uncertain, she looked up from the paper to examine the motionless, nervous Koopas in turn. Logically, she should be competing with Bowser since they were already a duo. But she had a hunch that he wouldn't be the lucky one this time, because with his sometimes egotistical nature, he would never agree to ride two-up. Especially at an official event like this where honor was at stake. Then she moved over to Kamek, the thought of being on the same kart with him making her feel strangely uneasy... The General? Why not, after all she got along with him quite well and they shared similar ideologies.
We're pleased to announce that you'll be teaming up with young Prince Koopa, Bowser Junior, son of the King of the Darklands and heir to the throne.
"YES!" Junior shouted, clenching his fists in joy.
"You've got to be kidding me! My son in a go-kart race? He's just a kid! And he doesn't even know the rules. It's ridiculous! There must be some mistake." Bowser exclaimed with wide, shocked eyes, immediately losing his confident expression and replacing it with astonishment. Yet he was certain that it was he who had been chosen! Logically, the King of the Darklands and not his heir, still too young for this kind of activity, which required skill and experience! All right, he was showing bad faith, but all the same! A cup was at stake.
At the end of the competition, the overall winners will be awarded a solid gold banana cup and the title of Best Drivers of the Year.
The kick-off will take place tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I invite you to join me at the Jungle Kingdom, where you will be offered hospitality during your stay with us. A driver will be waiting at the gates to take you there.
Don't be late!
"We're going to the Jungle Kingdom! We're going to the Jungle Kingdom! It's so cool! We're going to slaughter them all! No stress, Dad, I'll do my best!" Marveled an overexcited Bowser Jr who was jumping to his feet at the idea of taking part in this competition for the very first time, certain that they were going to win. The others didn't stand a chance against them! Victory was within their grasp.
He hated defeat above all else, so they had no choice but to win anyway.
"I'm ... Speechless." Kamek's beak dropped as Bowser's left eyelid twitched, his jaw almost unhinging. The Queen stopped expressing her joy when she realized that a tiny line remained at the very bottom of the letter. Almost hidden by the fold.
"PS: the furious fool is not invited..." She said softly with a frown, her voice trailing off at the end of her sentence as she realized to whom he was referring. Oops. A grimace stretched her face, then she cautiously looked up at the spiny Koopa, who didn't seem to realize what she'd just read. Unlike Kamek, who didn't waste a single second expressing his annoyance.
"That's so rude! Intolerable disrespect! His Wickedness here is not a fool! Furious perhaps, but he's still got his wits about him, I can assure you of that. He's the King of the Darklands, the greatest Koopa of all time, and he deserves to be invited to this event and to take part in this grotesque race!" He revolted, putting his hands on his hips to stare at the letter behind his magnifying glasses. No way! What audacity!
"Don't worry Daddy, we'll send you a postcard!" Junior reassured his father with a wry chuckle as he took the human's hand and led her off to pack.
Cinder was far too excited to start thinking of solutions, so she contented herself with following the child to his room to help him pack his suitcase, which he was filling with stuffed toys and other useless stuff. Under the incessant chatter, the two daydreamed about how they were going to drive together to victory against pugnacious competitors. They'd have to come up with quite a strategy! But in the meantime, it was time to pack up and head for the Jungle Kingdom as soon as possible. It was so exciting that Cinder could hardly think! She couldn't wait to find out who they were up against, and to discover this magnificent island that was truly famous. It was the very first time she'd been on vacation - well, sort of, because it wasn't really a vacation, but for her it was a chance to change the scenery a bit.
"Not so fast! Don't forget your toothbrush, young Koopa! Hygiene is still important. Competition, or not!" Cinder gently grumbled when she saw that Junior was hurrying to the door without taking the essentials with him. Despite her excitement over the announcement, she was still paying attention to small details, much to the chagrin of her young friend who thought he'd escaped her watchful eye. Raising an eyebrow at his drooping expression, she smiled with satisfaction as he sighed and reached for his toothbrush, stuffing it into an opening in his suitcase without trying to negotiate. And as he walked past her into the corridor, she ruffled his red puff to congratulate him on his obedience.
It was becoming increasingly rare for him to stand up to her, something Cinder greatly appreciated.
After several long minutes of cogitation, Bowser finally came to his senses when he heard the voices of his wife and Junior near the exit gates of his castle. The two were chatting happily, laughing out loud as they pulled their suitcases to join the escort waiting patiently at the entrance to take them to the Jungle Kingdom. Like prestigious guests. With the large wrought-iron doors wide open, he could see the silhouette of a blond monkey with sunglasses and an open white shirt sitting lazily against the side of his four-wheeled vehicle. The monkey's expression was scowling, almost arrogant... The nerve of these pretentious monkeys! Showing up uninvited in front of his castle like that! He thought with a frown as he approached the two about to leave, opening his mouth to express his displeasure except that his son was quicker than he was.
"Hurry up! This race isn't going to run itself! Let's go, we've got to go now!" Bowser Jr urged, hopping on his little feet with a broad, conquered smile. As always, he was having trouble containing his emotions, which manifested themselves in gestures. He couldn't wait to prove to everyone that he was the best driver of all time, and that he could take care of himself and win. His smile faded, however, when he saw the hesitation in Cinder's gaze as he moved back and forth between the waiting monkey and Bowser next to Kamek in the middle of the main hall.
"Come pleeease! I want to play! We'll tell them when we get home with the cup. I promise!" Exasperated by the long wait, Junior finally took the human's hand in his and pulled her towards the exit.
Bowser picked up the letter Cinder had inadvertently dropped after being snatched up by the impatient little Koopa. Straightening up with the crumpled paper between his claws, the bright daylight dazzled him as the roaring engine marked their hasty departure. Drifting further and further into the rocky, lava landscape until he was no more than a distant echo, the King of the Koopas looked down at the lines to reread the letter Cranky Kong had written to Cinder and Junior. He had dared to specify that he wasn't invited! It was humiliating and above all disrespectful of the old monkey with whom he'd always had a bad relationship, but that was no reason to take him for a fool either! As his gaze drifted down the lines, a rage began to grow inside him, consuming him little by little. Like a wave of heat spreading from the bottom of his stomach to his cheeks.
Kamek reappeared beside him to look at him worriedly while playing nervously with his wand, seeing that he was about to explode if he didn't find the right words in time. After several swallows, he began.
"Sir, if I may say so, you don't need to take part in this race to know that you're the biggest and the best of them all! No one's ever been a match for you! Your greatness far surpasses any of these ingrates who refuse to see your champion qualities. They're just jealous! They didn't invite you because they know you'll win! This competition is nothing more than a vulgar go-kart race in an insignificant Kingdom with a leader who is no longer in his right mind. Nothing serious, I assure you, you'll be wasting your precious time." He started to panic a little, afraid to face his anger but another reaction stopped him.
Suddenly, without warning, Bowser began to laugh ruthlessly. An abrupt, chilling sound. Arms raised as he laughed out loud, he clenched his fist to crush the letter between his sharp claws, frightening poor Kamek spectator of his sudden hilarity. He didn't know what was worse in this situation... To see a Bowser about to vent his rage by screaming and punching, or to face that most diabolical of laughs? Mist formed behind his glasses as he watched helplessly his superior caught up in this wave of uncontrollable laughter, soon joining him after some hesitation. Why were they laughing? He had no idea! But it was funny. Hilarious, the blue-robed magician stopped with another gasp as the giant Koopa noisily clamped its jaw shut, then swung the paper ball away to bend towards him. His shadow covered him completely as he raised his eyebrows with a fearsome expression, a face Kamek recognized all too well and which usually meant he had a plan.
"Oh, they want to play? Then, we'll play." This one revealed darkly with a toothy grin.
"What do you intend to do?" Kamek worried, his fingers knotting at that unsettling look. The last time he'd seen that look on his face was when he'd learned that Peach, Mario, and the Kong army were going to surprise him by using the Rainbow Road. Grimacing as his King growled and then threw his arm back, the Magikoopa squinted as he clutched his wand for dear life.
"We'll see who's the biggest troublemaker! Deploy my army immediately! We have an appointment not to be missed!" Bowser barked, losing his smile for his usual menacing profile. With his finger still pointed at the door leading to the rest of the castle, he followed Kamek's gaze, who complied with a weak little "yes, Your Wickedness" to go and fetch General Koopa.
"Let them contemplate the extent of my wrath when one dares to challenge the mightiest of all Kings!" He continued, clenching his fist violently, smoke billowing from his nose at the ever-growing anger.
Anger or jealousy? Because he couldn't fight the image of Cinder surrounded by flirtatious monkeys, frivolous competitors and then Mario with his brother, the latter having a solid friendship with his wife. Imagining suitors foolish enough to approach her, philanderers in a hurry to cross the road of death... Made him furious and more possessive than normal. His imagination had always been overflowing, which for the most part amplified his natural aggressiveness. Despite their union through marriage, Cinder's promises and his trust, he imagined the worst-case scenario when he wasn't around. He couldn't help it... It was part of his impulsive nature. He liked being in control, in the spotlight, recognized and loved! Above all, respected. So when something like this happened, Bowser simply couldn't contain himself, let alone reason with himself. Now, seething at the thought of someone else stealing Cinder's smile, the spiky Koopa hurried back to the bowels of his castle. Where he kept his precious treasures...
Determined to make his anger heard.
Bowser Junior and Cinder arrived in the Jungle Kingdom in the late afternoon after an hour drive at full speed. She had never seen such a huge assortment of plants! Flowers of every color and variety embellished the road they took to reach the massive gates jealously guarding monkey country behind an impressive wall. Somewhat hidden by all this dense vegetation, engravings in the ancient stone of an ancient temple told the story of a legendary battle. Over the years, the climbing plants had taken over, making it difficult to understand the glyphs... Yet Cinder had the feeling that this place was home to great and brave tales of years of reign. Neither of them had expected to see a flurry of trails leading off in all directions after passing through the main entrance, nor all those wooden huts on stilts in a paradisiacal landscape where the setting sun blended perfectly with the beach and banana trees.
"Wow ..." The two guests in the back seat of the yellow-and-green vehicle gawked.
Their atypically-coated escort stopped just beyond the gate, in front of two heavily-armed guards, to alert them to the arrival of new competitors. Speaking in hushed tones, the monkey turned discreetly to look critically at the amazed human straightening her crown and the little Koopa with features similar to his adult version. They didn't trust them, for obvious reasons. Bringing Bowser's son into their Kingdom was not something everyone agreed on.
"Move along, the King absolutely wants to see you before sunset." The blond monkey announced coldly, pointing to the sun as it began to disappear behind the green hills. He watched the woman in the red dress behind his sunglasses, then raised an eyebrow as she nodded politely with a smile.
"In this case, let's not keep His Majesty waiting any longer than necessary." Cinder replied after taking Junior's hand in her own before he started to walk away to explore the premises. Without supervision, he would have made all sorts of mistakes that would certainly have led to their expulsion... Out of the question!
"Remember what I told you." She whispered in his ear as soon as the escort turned to lead the way to the gold-leafed palace overlooking the majestic Kingdom.
"Uh, I forgot... What did you say again? Oh look!" Bowser Jr. suddenly exclaimed as he pointed with his claw at some boxes of fireworks. A mischievous grin immediately appeared on his round face; "what if we blew up some of them right now? That could be fun. Oh please, just two or three!"
"No way! We must be exemplary. Let's put on a good show and maybe we can come back for other special occasions, maybe even with your father this time. And Kamek, and the Koopalings! Everyone in the castle who'd love to take part in a race like this. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Cinder reminded him, lowering herself to his level so that he could understand how important it was for her not to do anything stupid. How she'd love to be able to come back with Bowser... In this beautiful place! With a bit of luck, the King would see that the Koopas were indeed a breed he could trust again.
That was her primary objective.
"Oh ... Yes, yes, I see! You want to manipulate them so that they'll trust us and then open the doors unsuspectingly! We're undercover. It's brilliant, I love your plan! Dad will be proud of us." Bowser Jr's evil grin lengthened as he rubbed his hands together at the thought of making his father proud. Well, he'd have opted for the smashing entrance, but playing nice wasn't so bad either...
"Well, not exactly... But please, don't do anything stupid. It's important to me, okay?" Begged Cinder hesitantly as she feared he would do the exact opposite of what she was asking. Knowing him, he'd be quite capable of it.
"Hey you two! Stop conspiring, I see you! Now get moving. I don't have all day." Annoyed the monkey behind them after crossing his arms with a grunt.
"I'll give you some candy if you behave!" Cinder quickly sighed before straightening up with another awkward smile, hoping their wary escort wouldn't suspect anything.
"Deal!" Junior immediately accepted.
He'd do anything for a handful of candy!
The valley was immense. Each straw hut was linked by a wooden pathway over the shimmering turquoise water. The heat was not oppressive, thanks to a cool breeze that occasionally blew between the hills, ruffling the green leaves of the many banana trees for which this place is famous. Most of the monkeys they passed gave them oblique, sometimes even accusatory glances. It was painful to be wrongly judged, but how could they blame them? Their people had been at war with the Koopas ever since Bowser had tried to marry Peach by force, threatening to destroy them at every opportunity. Their mistrust was perceptible and totally justified, but Cinder wasn't going to let it get her down because times had changed. This invitation was a first step towards a peace treaty, so it was not to be missed! Nevertheless, uncomfortable with all these scrutinizing glances, she swallowed nervously then tightened her grip on Junior's hand to concentrate on the path up to the imperial temple.
"Why are they all looking at us like that? Do they want my picture or something?" Bowser Jr annoyed beside her as he frowned, sticking his tongue out at a fishing monkey. The latter was taken aback.
"They expect a lot from us. Let's take it as a challenge. Let's be irreproachable! Let's show them that we can live up to their expectations and that they can trust us. But most importantly, let's bring the cup home ... For the honor of the Koopa family." Cinder smiled, lowering her eyes to Junior to encourage him to follow her example. Even if it was far from obvious.
"Oh, yeah! We'll win with our fingers in our noses. They don't stand a chance against us! They'll cry when they see I'm the best pilot ever." Retorted the cheeky little turtle with a leap of excitement, his toothy bandana flying off in his movement.
Indeed, Cinder had to admit that Bowser Junior had a real knack for driving clown car, so on the track she doubted there would be much difference if it weren't for the wheels instead of the propellers. Being very good at building and developing new gadgets, she saw in him all the potential of a great mechanical inventor. But perhaps this race would reveal a new skill, or even a vocation? He was going to have a lot to prove over the next few hours.
Climbing the steps up to the solid gold palace featuring a monkey mask, the two long-awaited guests passed through doors opened by the arm-power of four armored monkeys into an immense hall. Large, carved green and red stones floated in the air, from which vines snaked across walls engraved with strange symbols. The floor was variegated in the same colors, blending into the gold lit by braziers on stone pedestals. On either side of the long aisle stood a row of monkeys armed with clubs, all holding perfectly still as visitors entered. Feeling intimidated by this welcome, Cinder watched in awe as the numerous guards followed them up to the lofty throne where their revered King now sat. Sitting lazily with a red fruit cocktail in hand, he sipped it quietly as he examined the human and the turtle resembling the dreaded Bowser that almost everyone feared. Not that he was.
"Come closer, come closer! Welcome! Don't be afraid." He encouraged them when he saw their hesitation.
"I'm not afraid." Junior muttered through gritted teeth, pretending not to be intimidated by the theatrics. As a precaution, he tightened his fingers around Cinder's hand just in case she felt like letting go ... Yes, just in case.
"I see you've managed to get this far without that temperamental hothead. That's quite an accomplishment!" Cranky Kong congratulated with an amazed nod, referring to Bowser of course. He was sure he was going to complain! Or worse. This was unexpected! His first impression of this human was good, as it confirmed the rumors circulating that the diabolical King of the Darklands had shown positive changes since his marriage. That he was improving in the presence of this lava-haired woman, day by day.
Hmm, he couldn't wait to test the veracity of these words.
"King Cranky Kong, thank you for this invitation. It's an honor to meet you at last." Cinder replied politely, even if the subtle little insult to her husband stung her. However, she knew that this King had a reputation for not keeping his tongue in his mouth and that his wisdom made him highly respected, so she simply smiled.
"The honor is mine. I was looking forward to meeting the woman who had lost her mind when she said yes of her own free will to the tyrannical King. Who was foolish enough to become the wife of this selfish, egocentric being, and I must say I'm not disappointed! I expected worse, but you're a very charming lady with manners, which makes a nice change!" Cranky Kong raised his eyes to the ceiling with a small sigh. Inevitably, he thought back to Peach when she'd barged in here, summoning him to lend her his army without batting an eyelid. His old back cracked as he straightened up in his seat, then began the descent with his cane to join the two newcomers at the foot of his throne. He resumed when the young woman did her best to hide her disappointment.
She was good at taking it, but he wanted to test her.
"I hope the trip with Marcus wasn't too long and eventful. I know his behavior can be... Hm, you could say brutal. But you are the first competitors to pass through the gates of my kingdom. Some of you will be expected first thing in the morning for the opening of the competition! We're going to have an unforgettable experience!" He exclaimed, brandishing his cane in the air with a cry of joy, almost choking on a coughing fit. Cinder rushed to his side to pat him on the back and help him breathe, but at this innocent movement the guards lowered their clubs in her direction as a threat. This didn't stop her from coming to the aid of the King in respiratory distress.
"It's all right, it's all right! Stop threatening my guests immediately! Come on, I'm old enough to defend myself if need be!" Cranky Kong grumbled with a weary wave of his hand in the direction of his guards, who were a little too tense for his liking. Running his hand through his long white beard while glowering at them, he returned to Cinder looking at him with concern. What the hell! He was still standing on his old haunches, no need to make a fuss.
"Anyway, this is your home away from home. You can enjoy all our facilities until kick-off at dawn tomorrow. No delays will be tolerated! A great karting competition awaits us, and in the best possible style! So I expect my guests to be punctual. It's going to be a great show!" Cranky Kong enthused as he rubbed his hands together in apprehension, quickly taken aback by the frightened expression of the human in front of him.
"Wait, we don't have a kart!" She cried, hands over her mouth and eyes wide. Behind her, Junior laughed along with the old King.
"Haha, I love this girl, she's funny! Makes you wonder what she's doing with such a bad-tempered guy ... I know some who would be better off." He declared with amusement, looking at his guards who were holding back their laughter. She was charming, but cruelly lacking in information. Was she sequestered? He cleared his throat behind his fist to regain his composure and seriousness when he noticed that the young woman wasn't laughing. Putting his hand on her back, he continued.
"My dear, it wasn't specified in the letter that you should bring a go-kart with you. You're in the Jungle Kingdom here, remember! You won't find better car manufacturers anywhere else, believe me. We defend our reputation!" He insisted with a sympathetic smile as Queen Koopa's expression lit up.
"You make your own karts? But that's fabulous! Your kingdom is definitely full of all kinds of treasures. This place is so beautiful... It's like a dream. I can't wait for tomorrow! We're going to have our own kart!" Bewildered, Cinder turned back to Junior to express her joy with him, both overexcited to be building their very first go-kart together.
"I really like this girl!" Cranky Kong pointed at her with a nod, delighted to hear all this praise for his kingdom. Chuckling at their reaction, he continued with a playful wink; "It must be a change from molten lava and boring rock as far as the eye can see. Enjoy the white sand and pure water, my son will show you to your room during your stay. And a word of advice: try the cocktails at the Copabanana bar! They're excellent."
"I wouldn't miss it!" Cinder nodded happily.
"Very well, then. In that case, all I have to do is wish you both a pleasant evening. And don't miss the alarm clock!" Cranky Kong gently grumbled and shook his forefinger in warning, his eyes narrowing behind the glasses he wore at the end of his nose. Just as he was about to add something, he was interrupted by his son's loud entrance.
"Sorry I'm late, Dad! I had to show Diddy something at the arena and ... Hey, who am I seeing here?" Donkey Kong stopped in mid-sentence when he noticed Cinder and miniature Bowser standing in the middle of the aisle. Immediately, a broad smile stretched his lips and he ran over to greet them warmly. To his father's dismay.
"But it's been ages! Hehe, how's the dragon tamer doing? How's the work going on training the flame-breathing reptile. From what I can see, you haven't lost your nerve to come and rub shoulders with the big boys on the track! Love it!" Giggled the star of the Kingdom after straightening his trademark red tie to show off his muscular biceps and impress the human. He accentuated these contours by deliberately placing his hands on his hips with a wink. Obviously, he was teasing her, even if he secretly hoped she'd succeed in appeasing the horned turtle's anger.
"Stop it! Don't touch Cinder or you'll have to deal with me and Dad! She's my mama, not yours. Get yourself another one!" Bowser Jr indignantly stood next to the young woman and puffed out his chest, imitating the posture of the big monkey in the hope of appearing more intimidating. His frown deepened as he chuckled.
"Wait wait, are you talking to me, half-breed? Watch out, I'm on to you. This is my domain! I'm the King. Well, my father is the King, but I'm the King of the show. King of the jungle! So don't try to cause us any trouble, or you'll have to deal with Donkey Kong!" Replied the latter, clearly less amused now. He squinted suspiciously at the reckless little turtle who didn't give up, finding him quite arrogant for his young age.
He had the impression of seeing himself when he was younger...
"First, you don't scare me! If Dad was here, he'd pulverize you in a snap of his fingers!" Furious, Junior gritted his teeth as he mimed the gesture. How dare that pretentious macaque!
"I think we're going a bit hard on the words..." Cinder laughed nervously, trying to silence Junior. Unfortunately she was ignored by the King's son, who only had eyes for the insolent child.
"Yet you should. I eat four of you for breakfast! I dip them in my banana juice and then use them as toothpicks!" With a howl, Donkey Kong raised his arms above little Koopa, who quickly took refuge behind Cinder, clutching at her dress.
"Mama ..." Junior groaned until he felt the human's arm around him.
"That's enough! Can't you see you're scaring him to death with your antics?! He's just a kid." Old Cranky Kong grumbled with a desperate shake of his head after raising his cane to threaten his son with it. He always had to make a fuss.
"It's okay, I'm joking! I just wanted to know if the kid had guts..." Donkey Kong calmed things down with an embarrassed laugh quickly followed by a shrug at his father's disapproving look. Missed. He continued in the same defeatist tone to defend himself.
"What? If he has the same bad temper as his brute of a father, that's it! That's why I didn't want him to set foot here. Just look at him! He's diabolical! A carbon copy! Exactly as I imagined him. He can't be trusted. This was a bad idea!" He threw out his hands at Bowser Junior, who was taunting him behind Cinder, tongue out and bottom eyelid drawn. Until the young woman straightened up with a black look that would make anyone swoon.
"Are you kidding? Junior doesn't have to look like his father to be unique. They both have qualities and differences that you don't want to acknowledge! Under the pretext that they're just bad. He's a smart kid with dreams, and right now we have the same dream, which is to be able to take part in a race without being wrongly judged. We're not born bad guys, and we're going to prove to you tomorrow on the track that everyone deserves a chance! How wrong you are. Now if you don't mind, we'd like to go to our room for a good night's sleep." Cinder instantly came to Junior's defense, as she couldn't stand injustice and even less hasty judgments. Annoyed but above all disappointed by this first impression, the young woman lifted her chin then pulled the little Koopa with her towards the exit.
"But it's still daylight?" Donkey Kong dazed with a wave of his hand in the daylight. His father immediately tapped his shoulder with a snap of his tongue to shut him up.
"I wouldn't want to abuse your kindness any longer. I think our presence is a problem, so we'll take it from here. Thank you." Saddened, she pushed the turtle in front of her with a last glance at the two embarrassed monkeys. But the King's guilty voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Nonsense! You are most welcome here. I'm very sorry for this somewhat... Frosty reception. I want you to know that it's not your fault. It's true that we have a rather unfortunate history with the Koopa royal family that clouds our judgment, but I'm sure you'll be able to destroy that image. One way or another! Your benevolent presence can only bring peace, in time." The Monkey King agreed sincerely, clasping his hands together on his cane. Genuinely sorry because he sensed that the human was doing her best to defend the honor of her husband with his inglorious past. She was a good person, he had no doubt. However, a nice person with a creature like Bowser left him... Perplexed.
Not to say in total incomprehension.
"Now my son is going to be exemplary and mature! Won't he?" Cranky Kong cleared his throat with an elbow to his sulky son's ribs.
"Ouch! Yes, yes ... Exemplary and mature. I'll show you the way. I wouldn't want you to get lost along the way. The Kingdom is vast and full of dangers!" Donkey Kong scoffed, looking up at the colorful ceiling. Nevertheless, embarrassed by his childish behavior, he regained his seriousness and hurried off to join the duo and escort them.
Cranky Kong squinted, slowly running his hand through his long beard as he watched them in silence. It wasn't by chance that he'd chosen this particular duo, and it wasn't for nothing that he had orchestrated the whole thing. For he had something in the back of his mind which he intended to verify tomorrow on the track in the company of the other competitors. In the meantime, he was content to watch and wait...
The inevitable happens.
The three headed out of the imperial palace and down the stairs to the monkey village in the center of the valley. Protected by mountains and climbing plants, no one would suspect that there was life in this teeming jungle, or that a complete racetrack was hidden away. Slaloming between hills, banana trees and rocks, surfing the clear water, the long track began at the village's western gate, then plunged into the forest before finally disappearing into the vegetation. But it was impossible to see what was coming next. No cheating, Donkey Kong told them with a jerk of his index finger. It was mysterious! And so thrilling. With the excitement building to a crescendo, Cinder and Junior did their best to follow and listen to their interlocutor as he introduced them to the various booths open to the public. A small restaurant, a banana ice cream shop, the famous tropical cocktail bar, a DK cap store, lots of gift stores...
Initially in a teasing mood with a hint of reproach, Donkey Kong came to enjoy the miniature turtle's company when this latter took an interest in the red ties embroidered with his initials. Curiously, he wanted one, which took the big monkey by surprise, so he decided to offer him one. His smile was adorable, he had to admit... So what was his surprise when he received an outright thank-you in return! It was unimaginable to hear something like that come out of the mouth of Bowser's son, glancing briefly at the human who was gently patting his powder puff. She really was doing a good job. Donkey Kong relaxed for the rest of the ride and went straight for a drink at the bar with Cinder, while Junior received a fruit juice of durian and papaya with a hint of Bomb Berry, an exceptionally rare but divinely good beverage. The sweet-sweet taste left Bowser Jr speechless as he enjoyed the cocktail between Donkey Kong and Cinder, the two of them chatting away. In particular, about how the race was going to be run, but also about the day-to-day problems faced by the sovereigns.
"See you tomorrow!" Donkey Kong said goodbye after more than two hours of chatting.
Cinder decided it was time for them to get some rest as well so they would be in good shape for the next morning. The sun had now completely disappeared behind the green hills, and the colorful lights of the village had replaced its soft glow. Greeting the big Donkey Kong with a warm smile, the two headed for their little straw hut to discover two hammocks arranged on either side of the entrance, oval windows offering them an unbeatable view of the village. A small desk with a fruit basket sat opposite the entrance, along with a welcome card. A yellow-and-red woven carpet greeted their feet as they stepped inside the rather small yet cozy cottage. An oil lamp acted as a nightlight, revealing a wall filled with photos of the region and its surroundings. It was without doubt the most beautiful place in the world according to Cinder, who never tired of looking at each one with great admiration, arms folded behind her back until she heard Junior complaining behind her.
"I don't feel like going to sleep! I'm not tired. It's too long until tomorrow! I want my kart and I want it right now!" The Young Koopa threw his head back after stamping his little foot on the ground in displeasure.
"Life doesn't work like that. Everything comes to those who are patient!" Cinder quietly recited, biting into a tasty apple. However, at the turtle's confused expression, she walked over to the small round table with two chairs to sit on one of them, while suggesting that Bowser Jr take a seat on the one opposite; "what do you say we draw up a strategy? Or imagine what our kart might look like?"
"YAY! Hee hee, thanks to my intellect, I'm gonna build us the best kart ever. So first I want reactors, big super ultra powerful reactors! So that our top speed reaches its maximum in record time. And a banana cannon! No, two cannons! Rotating, so we can aim at the sides and protect our flanks. And metal spikes on the rims like Daddy's car! Oh, and I want some-" Immediately seduced by this proposal, little Koopa lost himself in his overflowing imagination after Cinder handed him some colored pencils and sheets of paper she'd found in the desk drawer.
He scribbled all sorts of fanciful sketches. With jet engines, banana-shaped for aerodynamics, with curved wings, a giant dandelion for a parachute... The two tried to create the perfect kart, in their own image. The one that would allow them to win the competition. Both of them. Of course, this was just an excuse for Junior to express his creativity, but Cinder loved spending this kind of time with him to see just how amazing and limitless his inventiveness was. Playing games with him was her favorite pastime. What's more, each of his laughs or smiles, the joy in his little black eyes every time they did something together, was the greatest reward of all. Even if he was sometimes difficult to manage or satisfy, and his bad temper got the better of him, Cinder wouldn't trade her place as a friend and surrogate mother for anything.
Not for the world.
No less than half an hour later, with the table buried in sketches and slowly approaching twenty-two, she asked Junior to brush his teeth when an idea suddenly crossed her mind. With a mischievous smile, she called him outside after feigning a cry of surprise. In less than a second, the young Koopa rushed to the small pontoon with more white foam spilling from his mouth. Toothbrush held in one hand, glass of water in the other. His eyebrows raised to his forehead, he looked at the woman leaning over the water, her red hair brushing the translucent surface. Reflexively, he reached for his bandana which he never left behind to wipe his mouth as he dazedly moved closer to stand beside her. About to ask her what was wrong, he yelped in surprise the moment he felt Cinder's hands wrap around his arms before being propelled straight into the water.
"WOAAAAAAAHHH!" He released a scream at the coldness of the water on his scales, the glass flying on one side then the toothbrush on the other.
"It's wet! I'm gonna drown!" Struggling in the water, he suddenly stopped when he realized that he actually had a perfect foothold. Oops, he'd panicked for nothing... Besides, the water was quite refreshing after having worked his brains out to make the best kart design possible, however his irritation quickly got the better of him at the laughter of the human kneeling on the pontoon.
"This isn't funny! Stop laughing! I don't like water, it's wet and cold! And it's getting inside my carapace. My bracelets will rust now..." He grumbled as he played with his famous metal bracelets on his wrists, a gift his father had given him for his first birthday. Granted, he was exaggerating because they were waterproof... But Cinder's laughter annoyed him.
"Hey!" She complained when she felt splashes on her. Putting her hands forward with an ecstatic smile, she tried to cover her face from the water projectiles Junior was sending her way with his tail as he whirled around. Finally, she landed in the water with the no longer so grumpy turtle.
Their laughter and bickering soon filled the entire valley, unaware for a moment that they were being watched from afar.
To be continued ...
Thanks for your support!
I hope you've enjoyed the first part, and I look forward to seeing you in the second, which should be a little more dynamic. Especially with that race everyone's looking forward to.
So, who do you think the duos will be? Who would you like to see appear in this race on the jungle track? What kind of karts? Any ideas? Share your Mario Kart experiences with me!
In the meantime, what could possibly disrupt this competition? Mhm, I wonder ...
See you soon, VP