-Chapter 21-

Meet the Koopa Kids

Toad Town

At Peach's Castle, Peach and Toad were gathered with several Toad guards. A holo-map rose from the center of the room, displaying pixelated images of several kingdoms across the Mushroom World. One, an icy area meant to symbolize Ice Country, was blackened and reduced to a smoldering ruin, showing a Koopa Troop airship armada over it.

"It's as we feared, Princess," said the general, a blue-capped Toad with glasses. "Bowser's demise hasn't slowed the Koopa Troop down one bit."

"This is terrible…" Peach let out. "Ice Country had only just recovered."

"I'm afraid that's not all." The general pressed some buttons on the map, causing more airships to appear over other kingdoms. "We have received word that no less than five other kingdoms suffered similar attacks not long after."

"That doesn't make sense!" Toad exclaimed. "If Bowser's dead, who's coordinating them?"

"One of the Elites?" a yellow Toad suggested. "Mouser was pretty tight with the Big Boss."

"Not possible, Ala-Gold," the general replied. "Mouser, Tryclyde, Fryguy, and Clawgrip remain in our custody. And while Basilisx and Zalamandr are capable of coordinating one of these assaults, six at once is unheard of."

A blue Toad perked. "Wait… it could be the Koopalings."

"Ugh…" a green Toad shook his head. "This again, Berry?"

"They're not real," a red Toad insisted. "Just some rumor the Koopas came up with."

"Who are the Koopalings?" Toad questioned.

"I've heard stories," Peach replied. "Supposedly, they're Bowser's children."

Toad's jaw dropped. "Bowser has kids?! I didn't even know he was married!"

"As far as we know, he isn't," said the general.

"'Cuz he's not," said the green Toad. "A guy like him would've let the whole world know if he was getting hitched...whether they wanted to or not."

"Actually, he was," Toadsworth cut in. "However we're not sure exactly what happened to his wife. She just hasn't been seen in a very long time."

"The stories vary," Peach added. "Some say there are seven of them. Some say that there's an entire legion. Some are ambiguous as to whether or not they're his kids at all."

"So we got a bunch of mini-Bowsers running amok throughout the world, probably out for revenge?" Ala-Gold asked. "Great… just what we need."

"Has anyone told Mario and Luigi?" Toad questioned.

"No," Toadsworth replied. "We'd best get ahold of them at once."

"Yes, please do."

The entire council froze, the guards readying their weapons.

"Who's there?!" the general demanded. "I demand you show yourselves at once!"

"General!" Peach cried. "The map!"

The general turned to the map to see a Koopa airship flying toward the Mushroom Kingdom. Everyone gasped.

"By Grambi… the Koopa Troop is headed this way!"

Meanwhile, Suika and Yoshi had been escorted to the Mario Bros.' house. The two dinosaurs took seats as Luigi poured everyone coffee.

"How do you like yours?" he asked Suika.

"However you're supposed to," Suika replied. "We do not have this 'cuffy' on the island."

Yoshi sniffed. "Smell funny. But Yoshi try anything once."

"I suggest cream and a little sugar," Mario replied. "Otherwise, it's really bitter."

"Here we go!" Luigi brought the mugs over. Yoshi perked, then suddenly shot his tongue out of his mouth and grabbed one, pulling it in just as quickly and swallowing it mug and all. He paused for a moment before making a funny face, sticking his tongue out and cringing (1).

Luigi looked at his empty hand, pouting. "My mug…"

"Did he just...?" Mario began.

"Yes, we Yoshis can eat just about anything," Suika confirmed. "Though we prefer fruit."

"I liked that mug…" Luigi lamented.

"Hold on." Yoshi gritted his teeth as he casually laid an egg, much to everyone's shock.

"Mama Mia!" Mario let out, almost choking on his coffee.

Yoshi then picked up the egg and cracked it open on the table. Doing so allowed Luigi's mug to casually roll onto the table, empty and unscathed.

"How…" Luigi stammered. "What the…?"

"Did he just…?" Mario managed. "And that… but isn't he a boy?"

"Yoshi is Yoshi."

"But are you a boy Yoshi or a girl Yoshi?"

"Yoshi is Green Yoshi."

"Gender is a non-issue for we Yoshis," Suika explained. "Whether we identify as male or female is strictly a matter of personal preference."

"Oh, my bad."

"I'm more surprised that the egg had my mug," Luigi felt it. "There isn't even any yolk! How is that…?"

"There are not enough hours in the day to explain the mysteries of our kind's stomachs, my dear Luigi," Suika said. "And we are getting off topic."

"Right, sorry," Mario snapped to attention. "How exactly do you know us?"

"As I said, I knew you two when you were both nearly newborn babes," Suika explained. "You had been taken from your parents by a group of villains. Fortunately, as luck would have it, you ended up on our island, where I found you. You could sense your brother was in trouble, and my friends and I agreed to help you find one another and get back to your family. Obviously, we were successful in doing so."

"Wow…" Mario let out.

"Hold on," Luigi cut in. "You said you saved us. Does that mean you knew our parents!?"

"A long time ago, yes," Suika confirmed. "Sadly, my memory isn't what it used to be. I am quite old after all."

"Do you know what happened to them?" Luigi asked. "Are you still alive?"

"I'm… not sure. I only met them in passing. All I know is that it was when a great calamity befell the Mushroom World."

"What was this calamity?" Mario asked.

"I–" Suika was cut off by Mario's phone going off.

"Hold that thought." Mario picked up the phone. "Super Mario Bros. Plumbing. You clog 'em, we clear 'em-"

He was cut off by a panicked scream.

"Hello?! HELLO?!"

The line went quiet before someone else answered. "Mario Mario, I presume?"

"Who is this?!" Mario demanded.

"Come to the castle. Bring your brother. We'll talk then. And don't be late."

The line went dead at that.

"Uh... Mario?!"

Luigi was at the window. Mario ran over, jaw dropping to see a Koopa Troop airship hovering over Peach's Castle.

"Koopas," Mario spat. "I should have known. We gotta get going! Elder Suika, you and Yoshi stay here."

"Go," Suika urged. "Do what you must."

Mario nodded, and he and Luigi ran off.

The Bros. arrived at the castle. The guards at the front gate saw them.

"Mario! Luigi!" one guard cried.

"What's the situation, boys?" Mario asked.

"Crazy. 100%, honest-to-Grambi crazy! They just...came outta nowhere!"

"Calm down," Mario told them.

"Who is it?" Luigi asked. "Basilisx?"

"You'll...see for yourself," the second guard said. "They...insisted you see them in person. And by that...I mean they threatened to turn everyone into Biddybugs."

Mario's eyes narrowed. "Then I better not disappoint them. Where are they?"

"The throne room. Princess Peach was meeting with her council when they attacked. Hurry!"

Mario nodded, heading inside with Luigi.

"You know this is a trap, right?" Luigi asked.

"Of course it is, Lu," Mario replied. "Tell me the part where we have a choice."

"I know. I just wanted to make sure you were aware."

Eventually, they make it to the throne room and step inside.

"Princess!" Mario cried.

Everyone was there, seemingly okay.

"Mario!" Peach cried. "Luigi!"

"Where is he? Where's the Koopa?!"

"Right here," Mario and Luigi turn to see Ludwig step forward ominously. "Guten Tag, meine roten und grünen Freunde." (2)

"What the…?" Mario let out.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ludwig Von Koopa... firstborn son of Bowser."

Mario, Luigi, and everyone gasped in shock.

"Hold on…" Mario managed. "Did you just say son of Bowser?!"

"Someone had a kid with him!?" Luigi questioned.

"Do not insult my mother, you miststück (3)," Ludwig snapped. "Also, for the record, he had eight."

"EIGHT?!" the Bros. cried.

"Yes. And none of us are too pleased with what you did to our father."

Mario clenched his fists. "Your old man was a black-hearted tyrant who more than deserved what he got. He had it coming for a long time."

"I will not deny this," Ludwig admitted. "My father was a conqueror, just like his father before him. However, he was still family. And if you cannot protect your family, the least you can do is avenge them." He narrowed his eyes. "Not that I expect the likes of you to understand that."

Luigi perked at that. "What are you-?"

"He's just trying to mess with us, Lu," Mario cut in. "Well, it's not gonna work. Listen, Ludwig. You seem like a reasonable… actually, how old are you?"

"I am of eighteen years."

Mario nodded. "You seem like a reasonable person. If you know how Bowser died, you know what Luigi and I are capable of. You don't want this fight."

"I assure you, Mr. Mario, I very much do. Unfortunately, I must return to the Dark Lands to continue running the kingdom and cleaning up the mess you and your brother made. So, I will not be your opponent this day." He snapped his fingers. "Larry!"

"Larry?" Mario asked.

"Mario!" Peach screamed. "Behind you!"

Mario turned around just in time to see a light blue, spiked shell flying at him. The shell hit him square in the gut, launching him into the wall.

"Mario!" Luigi cried.

"What was that?!" Toad demanded.

"Not what… who."

Everyone turned to see Larry pop his head and limbs out of his shell.

"My word…" Toadsworth gasped.

"Super Mario Brothers, allow me to introduce my brother." Ludwig declared.

"Howdy folks, I'm Larry Koopa!" Larry greeted. "And I'll be whooping your so-called heroes' butts this afternoon. If you need anything, just ask."

Mario held up a finger. "I have a question. Just who in their right mind would have a kid with Bowser eight times?"

Larry just glared. "Ludwig…"

"Go right ahead, Larry."

"Goody!" Larry pulled a magic wand out of his shell.

Mario blinked. "Is that a-?"

"Fireball!" Larry waved the wand, shooting a blue fireball at Mario. The brothers yelped, leaping out of the way. "Nobody talks shiitake about our mama, Mario! You just tied your own noose!"

"Keep it up, Larry!" Ludwig declared. "Bring back their hats when you ash them! I need to go get things ready! See you at the castle!"

"You got it!"

Ludwig pulled out his own wand, warping away. Mario and Luigi took cover behind the throne as Larry kept firing, Luigi giving Mario a dirty look.

"You just had to diss their mom, didn't you?"

"Oh, don't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing!" Mario shot back.

"I wasn't gonna say it out loud!"

"Mario! Luigi!" They turned to see her and Toadsworth near the door, the princess waving to them. "This way!"

The plumbers followed after her, the door closing behind them.

"Go on, run," Larry smirked. "Chasing you down is all the more fun."

-X-

Peach and Toadsworth led Mario and Luigi to a garden on the castle grounds, consisting of a hedge maze, several flowers, and most bizarre of all, a tree with a raccoon tail-shaped branch, two small round ear-like stubs, and brown leaves with beady black eyes.

"This should even the odds," Peach said.

"And this is?" Mario asked.

"Magic Leaf Raccoonius," Toadsworth replied. "Better known as the Tail Tree. The primary source of a special power-up we call Super Leaves."

"Good enough for me!" Mario declared.

"What's it do?" Luigi asked, just before another fireball whizzed by.

"No time!" Mario hopped into the tree, grabbing one of the leaves. He was suddenly enveloped in a puff of smoke.

"Now I've got you-!" Larry gaped, covering his eyes at the smoke. Everyone turned to Mario as the smoke cleared, revealing Mario.

"Huh?" he looked down at himself. "That's weird. I don't feel any different." He turned to the others. "Princess, I think this one's a dud."

Luigi just looked at him wide-eyed, as if he'd sprouted a second head.

"What are you staring at, Lu?"

Luigi just pointed to his hat, motioning for Mario to feel the top.

"What the…?" Mario felt the top of his hat, feeling two round, fuzzy ears on top of it. Feeling something moving on his rear, Mario turned around, gaping at the sight of a chubby, furry brown tail with black rings sticking out of the seat of his pants. "Is… is that part of me?!"

Larry snorted before cracking up. "It turned him into an anime girl! With the tail...and the ears...and…!"

Mario glared at him as he chuckled.

"I'm sorry… okay…" Larry wiped his eyes before glaring at Mario, his demeanor suddenly dead serious. "Now you die."

Larry shot another fireball. Mario sprang back, only to find himself floating. He blinked before looking back, seeing the raccoon tail spinning like a propeller and keeping him aloft.

"Whoa…" he turned to Mario, grinning. "Oh yeah!"

Larry dodged a charge from Mario, who began rapidly flying around Larry, the Koopaling firing fireballs without success. Luigi turned to the Tail Tree.

"Well, if he can do it…"

He jumped up, plucking another Super Leaf out of the tree and transforming into a puff of smoke. When it cleared, he looked at himself; unlike Mario, his tail and ears were distinctly fox-like.

"Ooh, a fox!" Peach exclaimed.

"I feel like that's a reference to something…" Toad mused.

"We'll figure it out later!" Luigi charged into the fray, the two double-teaming Larry and driving him back.

"Two against one?!" Larry objected. "No fair!"

"The evil son of the evil King Bowser calling us out on fighting dirty?" Mario scoffed. "Please."

"Fine!" Larry growled. "Let's see how you like this!"

Larry held up his wand, the gem glowing brightly as a variety of multicolored triangles, circles, squares, and Xs circled it. He grinned evilly as he waved the wand. "Big… FIREBALL!"

"Luigi, quick!" Mario yelled. "Loop with me!"

Luigi grabbed Mario's hands, the two rapidly spinning in place as the fireball approached them. Before long, the speed of their spin produced a miniature tornado. The second the fireball hit them, it was blown back right toward Larry.

"Oh, fu-" was all Larry could say before the fireball hit him and exploded on impact. Larry was launched away, screaming until he vanished with a twinkle. The two brothers fell, so dizzy their eyes were spinning as the power-ups wore off.

"Did it work..." Luigi let out woozily.

"Stop the world... I wanna get off..." Mario managed.

Eventually, they got their bearings and rose to their feet.

"Well, glad that's over," Mario said.

"I'm afraid it's just begun, Master Mario," Toadsworth cut in.

The Bros. turned to him, already on edge.

-X-

In the conference room, Peach showed them the holo-map.

"I was about to call and tell you before Ludwig arrived. The Koopa Troop has gone global. Seven major areas across the Mushroom World have been hit at once," She gestured to each one in turn. "The Grassland Province on the edge of Toad Town, the Sand Kingdom's Koopahari Desert, the Seaside Kingdom's Ocean Side region, Giant Country, the Cloud Kingdom's Rainbow Castle, the Snow Kingdom's Ice Country, and Tube City, the center of the Pipe Maze."

"Mama Mia…" Mario managed.

"They hit all those places at once?!" Luigi exclaimed.

"They're the children of Bowser," Toadsworth replied. "I'd expect nothing less."

Mario's eyes narrowed. "The Grassland Province is closest, right? We'll start from there and work our way around."

"Bro, what are you saying?" Luigi asked.

"This is on us, Lu. We took Bowser down, and now his kids are filling the power vacuum and taking it out on the whole world."

"Aww yeah!" Toad cheered. "New adventure time!"

"Each of those regions has its own king," Peach said. "The Koopalings will undoubtedly be targeting them."

"So exercise caution," Toadsworth advised. "If what happened today is any indication, the Koopalings are not to be trifled with."

-X-

Sometime later, Suika and Yoshi stood off to the side as the Mario Bros. packed for their world tour.

"Something's come up, Suika," Mario said. "Our origin story is gonna have to wait."

Suika nodded. "I had a feeling."

"Saw explosions," said Yoshi. "Big fight."

"Real big fight," Luigi confirmed.

"And even bigger ones soon," Mario added.

"You mean to challenge these Koopalings on your own?" Suika asked.

"We have to," Mario replied. "We're the reason they're on a rampage. We beat Bowser, and now the entire Mushroom World is paying the price." He smiled. "We've got this, though. We beat the Koopa Troop before."

"Yoshi help!" Yoshi insisted.

"What?!" Suika exclaimed. "I beg your pardon?"

"Yoshi help. Like Elder help when red and green small."

"Yoshi, I don't think that's a good idea," Luigi said. "These guys are a full-blown army."

"They're right, Yoshi," Suika added. "This will be extremely dangerous."

"Yoshi not afraid. Yoshi help!"

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Mario questioned. "I don't doubt you're capable, but this isn't a game. There'll be a lot of bad guys, fighting... potential death."

"Yoshi knows. Yoshi brave. Yoshi help!"

Yoshi looked Mario right in the eyes. Seeing his resolve, Mario gave in.

"Well, alright then. The more, the merrier."

Suika sighed. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He's just like me and my friends at that age."

"So, Yoshi…?"

"Yes, you may go. But only if you promise to return alive."

"Yoshi promise!"

"Don't worry, Elder," Mario assured. "We've got this. There's nothing these Koopalings have got that we can't handle."

Bowser's Castle

MP lay listlessly and depressed on her bed in the infirmary, looking over her cap and reminiscing about the first one she ever got from Mario and Luigi. She recalled several happy memories with the two over the years, her eyes filling with tears... before her face contorted into an angry snarl.

"What a joke…" she spat.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. MP wiped her eyes, composing herself before sitting up.

"It's open!"

The door opened, revealing Bowser Jr. "Umm… hello?"

"Oh, hey there," MP replied.

Junior watched her in nervous curiosity.

"It's alright," MP smiled. "I don't bite."

Junior carefully entered. "You...You're the human...right? The one Papa saved in the pipe?"

"I am, yeah. I'm Mary Pat. My friends call me MP or Mips. Take your pick."

"Oh, okay. Ummm… Mips. My name is Bowser Jr."

"Nice to meet you, Junior. I'd bow, but Kamek told me to stay in bed. Bad ribs."

"Yeah...Iggy said that you're lucky to be alive. Even with Kammy opening that portal."

"Yeah, so I've been told," MP looked down at her cap. "I don't feel so lucky."

Junior slowly walked over to her. "Are… are you okay?"

MP sighed. "Kid, I just don't know anymore. I got Isekai'ed to another world. I'm in the castle of said world's villain, who is, ironically, very well-mannered and accommodating. I doubt I'll ever be able to go home again. And to top it all off, I find out that the brothers I thought were dead are still alive, but they're here and they seem to have forgotten all about me. They just... moved on and forgot us…"

Junior winced. "Yeah… I'd feel bad if my brothers and sister forgot about me..."

"I mean, I kinda understand. Being Isekaied is usually a one-way trip, but still… I just can't shake this... anger." She groaned, massaging her head. "It's giving me a headache."

Junior fidgeted nervously before MP perked.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she gave him a small smile. "I'm not mad at you. I just… I've got a lot to deal with right now. Anyway...did you need something, Junior?"

"I-I just wanted to see the human everybody was talking about."

"Didn't realize I was so popular."

"Hardly anybody besides Koopas ever come to the castle, 'specially humans. And the last ones who did..." Junior hung his head in sadness and fear.

"Oh… what… what happened? I-if you don't mind me asking."

"Well…"

"Junior!"

Junior jumped as Bowser entered. "Are you bothering the nice human?"

"He's not a bother at all, actually," MP assured. "Honestly, I'm enjoying the company."

"Well, alright," Bowser allowed. "But if he starts to become too much, just holler. Trust me, he's a real handful."

He chuckled.

"I doubt that," MP replied. "He was just telling me about the last humans to come to the castle."

"Yeah… your brothers." Bowser winced. "Long story short, they came along, took issue with me causing trouble and conquering. Next thing I know, they beat me and dropped me in a lava pit."

"Lava pit?!" MP repeated.

"Yeah," Bowser smirked. "Joke's on them though. I'm fireproof. I could take a bath in the stuff. Rub it in my hair, pour it on my cereal. The works."

MP raised an eyebrow. "You're exaggerating."

"Maybe a little." Bowser laughed. "Anyway, I'll let you go. Junior, behave yourself, ya hear?"

"Yes, Daddy!"

With that, Bowser headed out, closing the door. MP smiled.

"Looks like this isekai is one where there's more to the villain than meets the eyes."

"My papa's a bad guy. I won't deny that," Bowser Jr. remarked. "But most of the Mushroom World only ever sees that side. Course, he likes being a bad guy, so…"

"Hey, there's a difference between being a bad guy and being a bad person."

Junior raised an eyebrow. "Not sure I get it, but okay."

MP tapped her chin. "Well… your dad is a villain, yes? But he's a good father, meaning that he can be a good person where it counts. On the other hand, my brothers are heroes, but they abandoned their family. Nice doesn't mean good. That make sense?"

"I...I think so." Junior perked as a tone went off. "Uh-oh, Ludwig's back from the Mushroom Kingdom! I have to go now! But I'll be back later!"

"See ya, Junior! Thanks for talking to me!"

"Bye-bye, Mips!"

As Junior ran off, MP kicked back on her bed, continuing to look over her cap. As angry as she currently was at Mario and Luigi, part of her just couldn't drop the hope that all of this was a misunderstanding.

Author's Note:

(1): The face and sound Yoshis make when they eat something they don't like, like peppers, in Yoshi's Story.

(2): Good afternoon, my red and green friends.

(3): Basically "bitch" or "bastard" in German.

Super Mario Bros. 3 begins. Mario, Luigi, and Toad on another worldwide adventure, with Yoshi by their side! Can they stand against the resurgence of the Koopa Troop?

Bucken Berry and Ala-Gold are common nicknames for the Yellow and Blue Toads in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and U. And yes, that's who those two are.

Voice cast for this chapter:

* Bucken Berry - Sandy Fox (Lady Aska in Magic Knight Rayearth, Mina and Momiji in Naruto, Sumomo in Chobits, Tachikoma in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and Paiway in Vandread, Mistral and A-20 in dot-hack, Peashy in Hyperdimension Neptunia, Flonne in Disgaea, Harmony in Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, Mipsy Mipson in As Told by Ginger)

* Ala-Gold - Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Tails and Charmy in Sonic the Hedgehog, Sora Takenouchi in Digimon Adventure, Yoshino Fujieda in Digimon Data Squad, Jazz Fenton in Danny Phantom, Wasp in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Ino Yamanaka and Konohamaru Sarutobi in Naruto, Genis Sage in Tales of Symphonia)

Please R&R. Untl next time!