Chapter 8
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Mario paused at the entrance to catch his breath. He had no idea how long he had been running. It seemed like he started after he had left Peach’s castle and ran towards the nearest warp pipe. He didn’t stop running until he had first reached the outskirts of Dark Land where he took a thirty second breather and started off again.
“Idiot,” he pressed his hand against his side where he felt a shooting cramp. He wasn’t actually sure who he was addressing, Bowser who had started an odd inner castle take over in the hopes that he would lure Maria to his clutches, or he was calling himself an idiot for running like that, especially running after he had consumed a slice of cake and a glass of milk.
Peach and insisted that he would try a slice. After they made sure the castle was back to normal, Mario called his house and found out from Toad that Luigi and Maria have already headed for Dark Land. He wanted to leave at that second, but Peach had begged him to stay until he had tried at least one slice. Mario had agreed. Maria could take care of herself and she had Luigi with her to help, just in case. Peach had cut three slices, one for herself, one for Mario and one for Lukas who had also accepted.
“Welcome back,” the Goomba guards greeted him and opened the door to the castle.
“Thanks guys,” Mario was still trying to catch his breath as he entered the castle. He didn’t have any idea of where his brother or sister might be, not too mention of his sister was transformed or not. He tried to get a scent. There was a faint hint of his brother coming from the left, but it was over powered by cleaning solution. “Who’s doing house work at this time of night?”
Kamek was at the corner, on his hands and knees with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a scrub brush in his hand and a large bucket on his left. The elderly Magikoopa was scrubbing the floor while grumbling to himself, the hem of his robe was already damp.
“Hello Kamek,” Mario greeted through clenched teeth. “I see you lost your mop again.”
“I was told to clean the floor this way,” Kamek dipped the brush into the cleaning solution.
“Who gave the order?” Mario thought it would have been one of the royal children.
“King Bowser ordered me to do this.”
“What did you do to anger him?” Mario leaned against the wall, as much as he wanted to see his siblings he also wanted to relish in Kamek’s misery.
“Turn’s out my latest plan didn’t work, so I suggested that if he stole the star rod he could make his wishes come true, he would be able to kidnap the princess, make the castle rise, and be able to defeat Maria.” He sat up. “I thought he would be pleased, but instead he roared at me, and told me to clean the floors with the bucket and brush.”
“That is a pity,” Mario left the wizard to finish his chore, and resumed his search for Luigi and Maria. Once he was far enough away from the overpowering fragrance of the cleaning solution he could smell Luigi again, he also could smell Bowser, his adoptive mother and the royal children.
“You have been such a pain in the ass,” Bowser bellowed.
“Crap,” Mario ganged speed and ran towards the dining hall were the family had gathered in a circle around Bowser and a female Koopa.
“You been a bigger pain,” the female said with Maria’s voice. “And I do mean bigger.”
“Maria?” Mario gasped. He couldn’t believe the Koopa was his sister. She wasn’t wearing any of her clothes, not even her cap and had her hair flowing freely instead of bound in braids. Her head and shell matched the color of her favorite turquoise shirt. She had two small protruding fangs when her mouth was closed. Her wrists wore spiked bands and she wore a golden locket around her neck. “That’s my sister?”
“That is her,” mom affirmed. She seemed to be pleased with how the whole argument. “She only has been a Koopa for an hour and she is already fitting in.”
“Bigger?” Bowser pointed at his stomach and snarled.
“Easy big boy,” Maria’s voice did a 160 from anger to a more sultry tone. “You are taller than me, and you are pretty ripped.” She ran her fingers down one of Bowser’s arms. “These muscles are solid as a rock. You kinda remind me of some of the guys I used to date. You would probably look like them if you were human.”
“I,” Bowser stood there with his jaw hanging. His cheeks had started to turn pink. “Can the flattery, you are not going to sweet talk your way out of this.”
“When have I ever used sweet talk?” Maria raised an eyebrow. “I’ve always kicked your ass and you know it.”
“If you weren’t so pretty I wouldn’t have let you get away with it,” Bowser leaned forward and glared into her eyes.
“You think I’m pretty?” Maria also leaned in. “Do you think I’m prettier now that I’m a Koopa?”
“Well-“ Bowser never got to finish. Maria nudged herself even forward and their lips came into contact.
“I feel weird,” Mario whispered.
“Me too,” Lemmy was right next to him. “But she is so pretty, and all this time she turned out to be your sister.”
“Now wait,” Bowser had pulled away from the kiss and his snout was crimson. “I went all through that trouble to lure you into my trap, and you didn’t show up.”
“Boy are you out of touch,” Maria rolled her eyes. “That’s not how you get a girl. You have to romance her, ask her out on a date. You walk up to her and ask if she would like to go somewhere. How does a game on miniature golf and dinner at family restaurant sound?”
“That does sound like a great idea,” Bowser scratched the top of his head.
“Great, you can pick me up at four. I’ll be in the guest room next to my brother’s room,” Maria turned around and headed down the hall.
Bowser’s jaw dropped again and he pointed at the direction Maria had left. He continued to point and keep the same facial expression as he turned to the crowd.
“Congratulations on your date,” Mom said.
“Hey Dru,” Wendy turned to the young female Koopa with a silvery white head and shell. “We have to take Maria shopping for her date tomorrow.”
“Maybe for a few more dates in the future,” Dru winked. Her dark hair was kept in a stylish bob with fringes. Her bangs were dyed a bright fuchsia tint. She was dressed in a black halter top and red vinyl skirt. Her clothing style was almost similar to how cousin Bethany dressed.
“I have date,” Bowser said the words while he continued to blink. “I have a date.” He grinned. “Of course I have a date, there was no way she could resist me.”
“Well that was something,” Mario chuckled weakly and caught the eye of Luigi who merely shrugged.
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Time went by in a blur for Mario. He declined the offer to sleep in his old room and instead slept at his house and was invited to the castle for brunch after he woke up.
“I’m glad everyone is okay,” Mario said as he pored himself a glass of orange juice. He selected a raison bagel that had been pre sliced and toasted. “I should have asked how everyone was before I left.” He spread on a layer of cream cheese and grape jelly on each half.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Peach said. She selected the small crystal pepper mill and used it to sprinkle some freshly ground pepper onto her egg white omelet. “Everyone was fine once they were released from their prisons. They were just pleased that they weren’t transformed into rocks or bricks. I don’t think I asked how you enjoyed my cake.”
“I loved it,” he wished he had another slice to go with his brunch. “It was sweet and fluffy, just the right bit of moistness. I didn’t even need any milk, and the frosting was rich, creamy and smooth. Did you make the frosting yourself?”
“That was the first time I made the frosting,” Peach smiled as she used the knife and fork to cut up some of the omelet into bite size pieces. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“You don’t mind if I hang around here for a while?” Mario asked before he took a bite from his bagel.
“You don’t have to ask, we can go kart racing after breakfast.”
They raced around on the royal track a few times before they played a few rounds of tennis and enjoyed tropical fruit flavored smoothies as a snack before Mario made his way back to Dark Land. When he had arrived it was long after four. His sister and Bowser were already out on his date. He decided to check on his brother, but found out he and Wendy were going on a walk and decided to leave the two of them alone.
Instead he checked on the royal children. He spent nearly and hour with Iggy, helping the young genius assemble his new puzzle model before Iggy got a bit of inspiration for a new invention and he went to write it down in a diary and start to work on the blue prints. He served as audience for Dru and Ludwig who had already mastered one of the songs from the musical soundtrack on their instruments. He played a half hour with Larry tossing his new Giant’s football back and forth before he watched Lemmy run around trying to fly his new kite. Roy was on the phone with his girlfriend and Morton thanked him for the picture book again before Maria came across Junior who was happily in the middle of his new paint set.
“Glad you like that one,” Mario said when he saw Junior hum to himself as he continued to paint. “Wasn’t sure which landmark you would like the best.”
“The bridge is pretty,” Junior said as he placed the brush in the glass of murky water and swirled it around before he wiped it off with a paper towel.
“You have fun with that,” Mario gave him a small pat on the head before he continued down the hall. Maybe he should go for a swim, or maybe he should run one of the old obstacle courses for old time sake-or-
“I still can’t believe you got that shot,” Maria’s laughter had interrupted Mario’s thoughts. “I had nearly thought the ball was going to roll through that fish mouth, but the fact that it kept rolling until it reached the hole.”
“It was a lucky shot,” Bowser shrugged. “You are the one that showed any skill.”
“I would say you got lucky several times this evening,” Maria continued to grin. “At least according to our scores.”
“Well it ran out the end,” he grabbed her hand. “Since you won.”
“I think I’ve won in several different ways,” she brushed the end of her tail against Bowser’s and ignored the sick grunt coming from Mario’s direction. “I had fun tonight.” She closed her eyes and looked up
Bowser closed his own eyes and bent down. Their kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it was still too long for Mario. “Maria there is a social gathering held by lord Kooperton. It’s fancy dress and ballroom dancing. Will you attend it with me?”
“I would be honored,” Maria gave Bowser another small kiss on the cheek before she traipsed off towards the direction of her guest room.
“Wow,” Bowser placed his hand over his chest. “I haven’t felt like this way in a while.”
“Did you feel this way about Peach?” Mario asked.
“Mario?” Bowser spun around. He had no idea Mario was in the same room as him. “To answer your question? No, I didn’t feel like this with Peach. I formed a crush on her, but that was it. I feel something different.”
“You asked Maria out again,” Mario knew what that feeling Bowser felt, Mario had felt the same feeling when he was with Peach.
“Yeah, I can’t wait, of course we are going to spend time around the castle,” he ignored the sound of Mario’s growl. “I know Larry is going to want to play some tennis with her, hopefully that will help him forget what happened in Harmony Land.”
“Bowser, I know I can’t keep you from seeing Maria since she is interested in you, but I swear if you hurt her in any way I will rip out your throat.”
“Easy there,” Bowser held up his hands. “I know how you feel, I have a sister myself, and I would hunt down any dirt bag that broke her heart or treated her like mud. I won’t hurt Maria. I don’t hurt those that I love.”
“Good,” Mario closed his eyes and nodded. “Wait,” did he hear correctly? Did Bowser say he loved Maria?”
“Oh my Maria,” Bowser sang as he walked down the hall towards the master royal bedroom. “I’m in love with a girl named Maria. I wonder if her world has a song with her name in it, if not there should be.”
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Maria was not at all nervouse when she was taken to the extravagant ball room miles away from the Dark Land Castle. She did not have to worry about her appearance to the stiff upper lip folk, not after the hours of primping by Dru and Wendy. They made sure she had the best kind of preparation beauty bath with and even took turns tasting the water to make sure there was enough milk, rose petals, bath salts and other things. They gave her a facial and painted her nails a glittering copper color and teased, brushed and poofed up her hair into a glamorous up do. They had helped her in into her turquoise sequined dress and gave her a gold bracelet and necklace to wear.
She was not at all afraid about dancing. She knew how to dance, nor was she afraid of the types of discussions that would be shared between the people. After she was introduced to several different people she told them about how she wanted to start her own business and how she made top marks in her schooling.
Even when they were seated at one of the lavish tables, draped with blue silk cloth with lit ivory white candles in silver holders and the napkins were folded in the shape of elegant fans and placed on the plates did she not feel nervous. She was asked if she would rather have the pheasant or the elk and she chose the pheasant and requested a fine zinfandel to drink. She hated the taste of venison and figured elk would taste a lot like it and figured her chances with pheasant would be better and probably taste like chicken.
“Next time try the elk,” Bowser said as he used his knife and fork to cut up his meat.
“I might,” she said as she took a bite of one of her seasoned potatoes. They were her favorite kind, red skinned and she could taste the rosemary as it accompanied it. The rest of her meal contained roasted tomatoe halfs that were covered with cheese and spices, steamed asparagus with melted cheese drizzled on and a slice of bread. The main course came after appetizer of shrimp in an creamy avocado sauce that was served in a wine glass, the pumpkin soup, and the salad that was drizzled with walnut oil, and after they were served crème brule garnished with raspberries.
Maria ate through each course with perfect table manners. The only time she felt nervous was when she was dancing slowly with Bowser and not because she was afraid of losing her footing. It was because she was close against the Koopa king. She was afraid she was falling in love.
Bowser did have manly jaw and when his wild flame of hair was tamed it was slicked back and reflected the over head candlelight. His physic was the same as Chuck’s. She thought back to when they were dating. Chuck was the linebacker for their football team, very strong, pretty smart too and he hated bullies, always threatened to beat the crap out of the guys who picked on the scrawny and weak nerds, geeks and dorks.
“Something wrong?” Bowser arched an eyebrow. He had caught her reminiscing.
“This just reminds me of my senior prom,” Maria said and leaned against him. His scent was wonderful. She drank in his natural musk and sighed.
“I want to show you something,” he lead her to the balcony. “Look up at the sky.”
Maria stared up and was surprised to the stars and the moon staring back at her. “Are we really outside?”
“This is one of the few areas in Dark Land where the sky is not blocked out by smoke,” Bowser explained.
“It’s beautiful,” she placed her head against his chest. “Why wasn’t your castle built here instead?”
“I have no idea,” his tail brushed against hers. “Maria, do you enjoy being with me?”
“Yes. I have enjoyed this week so far.”
“Would you like to stay with me longer?”
“I would if I could,” she had a bid of time trying to convince her manager enough time off for such a trip.
“Marry me.”
“What?” She stared at him in shock. He hadn’t just proposed to her.
“Marry me, you will be the queen of Dark Land and you can stay here forever.”
“I’m flattered,” she swallowed. “I enjoy this form, but I don’t want to stay a Koopa forever.”
“You don’t have to. You are beautiful in this form, but your even more beautiful in your natural form. I fell in love with a human.”
“Bowser I-I,” she was speechless. “I love you too, but my family and friends in Brooklyn and me dreams. I want to open my own sporting goods store, maybe have it grow into a chain.”
“You can still visited them and they can visit you,” Bowser cradled her chin. “You can still own your store, start your chain, you can do it here in Dark Land, in the Mushroom Kingdom, anywhere and everywhere in this world.”
“Bowser I-“ she was interrupted by his kiss. She closed her eyes and leaned forward and kissed back before she licked the side of his snout. “I need to think about it.”
“Take as much time as you want,” Bowser stroked the back of her head. “I just want to tell you that if I hug you. I wont be able to let you go until the morning.”
“I’ll take that offer,” She wrapped her arms around him, taking care to avoid the spikes on his shell.”
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“I don’t know when I will see you again,” Mario said as he carried one of Maria suitcases to the warp pipe to Brooklyn. His sister had transformed back into a human the evening before, but Bowser had asked her to stay for one more night.
“It will be a few days,” Maria said. She also was carrying a suitcase and a bag full of the gifts she had purchased in Dark Land. “I will come by and visit on my day off.” There was a glow to her that Mario did not want to think about, although he couldn’t avoid the question.
“You enjoyed your dates with Bowser?” He couldn’t look at her in the eyes.
“They were wonderful,” Maria said. “Hard to believe he is the same guy who I once fought against.”
“Yeah, you two seemed to have spent a lot of time together,” Mario swallowed. He had heard the rumors. The gossip that flew around the castle was the Bowser and his sister had spent a couple of nights together. Some of his close friends have en said they heard the unmistakable sound of mating roars coming from royal master bedroom last night.
“What are you implying?” Maria lowered her eyebrows.
“Just that I don’t want you to get hurt,” he set the suit case down on the grass next to the pipe. “I know this guy longer than you and you are growing closer and when people are that close they may have certain desires-“
“Are asking if I had sex with him?” Maria interrupted.
“Ah,” Mario felt sweat running down his face and. “That isn’t exactly what I was going to ask.”
“First of all, that is none of your business,” she poked him in the snout with his finger. “Second it is kind of icky to talk about considering you’re my brother, and thirdly I can take care of myself.” She lowered the first suite case into the pipe. “Well I guess this it.”
“Yeah,” Mario handed her the second bag. “See you when you can get time off.”
“It’s been swell,” she gave him two hugs. “The second one is for Luigi.” With the bag of gifts in hand she climbed into the pipe.
“Bye sis,” Mario said, and prayed that she would be okay and her new relation ship with Bowser will make her happy.
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