At first glance, one wouldn't think much of the Mushroom Kingdom. It was on the larger side, sure, but it was undoubtedly mundane, with the same old fungus forests and rolling green hills covering every inch of territory. The residents, too, were overall harmless and led quaint lives. There had never been a period of war recorded in all their history, and indeed, most would have agreed that the Mushroom Kingdom was hardly worth their time, unless one was looking for a peaceful holiday.

Bowser, however, was not most people.

Underneath the placid landscape and charming villages lay something… powerful. Something valuable. Something unstoppable. Something Bowser very much wanted in his grasp as he finally ascended his throne after eighteen long years. A wealth of magic that would ensure his reign for generations to come.

Powerups.

Just one – if used properly– was enough to level an entire army. And the Mushroom Kingdom was safeguarding thousands. Most didn't know, or cared enough to know, but the stockpile they'd amassed was ample for a full scale invasion of the entire eight worlds. And what was worse was that the stupid Toads were too cowardly to use them in the first place!

To be fair, the Koopas couldn't exactly harness the powerups' magic, either, but at least they had learned their own form of black magic. However, Bowser knew in the long run it wouldn't hold a candle to those annoying cute mushrooms, flowers, and stars. In reality, once the Darklands were in possession of the powerups they would serve more as leverage and bargaining chips, but either way, Bowser felt it was only right that he launched an invasion against the Mushroom Kingdom. Truly, he was doing them a favor by taking the magical items off their stubby little mushroom hands, and putting them into the claws of someone who actually knew how to wield power! And what's better, Bowser would be utterly untouchable.

At least, this is what he kept reminding himself as he planned out his campaign with Kamek, his oldest and wisest Magikoopa advisor. It had taken several months, and no small amount of secrecy and finances, but finally it was ready to be put into motion. The strength of Bowser's army was no issue– they already boasted the largest military in all the eight worlds– but Bowser wasn't keen on wasting his soldiers on such a weak kingdom when there were still so many others to be conquered afterwards. That, and he didn't exactly want to wipe out the Toads either; there was no point in taking over a kingdom that had no one left in it to rule over.

So, he'd set Kamek to the task of creating a new spell that could turn living things to stone. It was no simple thing, but it would be worth it in the end. Bowser wasn't going to take any chances, especially when it came to magic. Now, all that was left was to march into the Mushroom Kingdom and begin the first stage of the invasion, then sit back and enjoy the security of his new empire as he claimed the kingdoms for his own, one by one.

At least, this was what he had hoped until about five seconds ago, when Kamek came bursting into his throne room with wide eyes, quick breaths, and trembling hands.

"Sire! Your Surliness!" the Magikoopa cried, making quick time to the foot of Bowser's throne, where he bowed deeply. "I bring news from our intelligence, regarding the invasion."

Bowser straightened from his lounging position on his throne, where he'd been deep in thought about the impending conquest. The large, firelit, empty throne room left him with the perfect environment for such brooding. However, at Kamek's words his bushy red eyebrows flew up in alarm, because Kamek was never panicked (unless Bowser had put him in such a state).

"What did you screw up?!" he growled. Surely, the spell– the key element to the invasion– hadn't failed.

"N-Nothing, Sire! P-Please allow me to explain," Kamek stammered, jolting at his king's tone, as he knew it to be one of little patience. "The spell is working perfectly! The Toads are turning into stone and bricks, as you requested."

"Then what exactly is the problem?"

"The Toads… have a way to undo the spell," Kamek replied with a wince.

Bowser leapt to his feet, feeling a white hot fire burning in the back of his throat. "What?!"

Kamek raised his arms in defense as Bowser grabbed him by his robe's collar and yanked him upright. "T-There is a simple solution, Sire! There is only one person in the entire Mushroom Kingdom who is capable of undoing my– your spell, and that is their princess!"

"Their princess?" Bowser repeated incredulously, narrowing his blood red eyes to mere slits. "How?"

"White magic, sire," Kamek whispered the words like they were a curse. In some ways, they were. White magic by its very definition was the antithesis of black magic, and that was the one thing they had not accounted for. But who would have? It was so rare that one would be more likely to obtain a Super Star.

Bowser dropped Kamek roughly, shaking his head. "No. Impossible. We would've known about it before!"

"The Toads surely made it a priority to keep it a secret, Your Doubtfulness," Kamek explained. "I myself could not have known until I heard about the results of the experiments we did on the border of their lands. The effects of the spell were simply undone!"

Bowser slammed his fist down on the arm of the throne, muttering curses under his breath. "I won't let the future of my kingdom– my empire– fall apart because of one pesky princess! Could she actually be powerful enough to stop us?"

"That I do not know, Sire," Kamek admitted reluctantly. "I do not know the full extent of her magical abilities."

Bowser snorted a puff of black smoke. "It doesn't matter. We have to get her out of the picture. It's too late to call off the attack, and I'm not backing down just because of one puny white magic wielder."

"Then what are your orders, Sire?" Kamek folded his hands in front of him, ready for whatever Bowser might ask of him.

"Prepare my Clown Copter. I'll be going to the Mushroom Kingdom to eliminate her myself."

Kamek's jaw dropped to the floor. "Your Rashness, you can't! We have no idea what we're up against and–"

"And what? I am the mighty King of the Koopas! I am one of the seven legendary Star Children! And we have to be rid of the white magic wielder as soon as possible!"

Kamek bowed his head demurely, cowering under his king's massive shadow. "I do not doubt your might, Sire. I only desire your safety as our beloved monarch."

Bowser snorted once more, from agitation this time. His rage was threatening to spill over in the form of fire. "Just follow my orders. There's no time to waste! We need to get my invasion back on schedule!" he barked.

Kamek made a swift retreat and Bowser waited until the throne room doors closed again before he spat an indignant fireball. It left an angry scorch mark on the otherwise pristine polished stone floors, much like this new blight on Bowser's near-perfect plan.

"Blast it!" he roared and tore his claws through his fiery red hair. He should have known better than to underestimate the enemy. Of course they would have some kind of secret weapon! Kamek's stupid incompetence had nearly jeopardized his conquest!

This wasn't just about claiming the powerups, it was about making his mark. As a fairly new king with not much experience, he would be an easy target for other rulers, unless he was able to strike first. That was why this had to work, even if Bowser had to step out and do the dirty work himself.

No one would mess with him. He was the king.

Expecting his Clown Copter to be ready, Bowser stomped out of his throne room, fists clenched with a renewed determination to secure his victory, and destroy anyone and anything that would dare get in his way.