Chapter Two: The Seven Worlds
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Bowser’s throne room was even more crowded than what Mario had originally thought, In addition to mother, and Uncle Kamek, there were the Boom-Boom guards, One of the Rock Wrenches, and Bowser’s children.
Mario acknowledged the royal children with a nod before he kneeled in front of Bowser. “Good afternoon, King Bowser.”
“Good afternoon,” Luigi greeted their king in the same fashion.
Bowser nodded at them. “You may rise. You have brought the information of the seven different kingdoms?”
“I have the notes on four of them,” Mario nodded at the Paragoomba who was carrying a bright red folder.
“Here you are sir,” the fungus handed him the information.
Mario opened it. The first collection on of stapled papers was about Desert Land. There were a few pictures of the kingdom. “Desert Land is located in the south. It shares a border with Water Land. A man simply known as the Sultan of Desert Land rules them, but I have a few who learned of his name. He is Sultan Imajin. Has been the ruler for ten years after the upheaval of his predecessor. He is not known as a social butterfly. Only meets with the other rulers when they request his presence or when he attends the royal conference once a year.”
“Boring,” Prince Morton yawned. The light brown Koopa was not the only one who did not appear that he wanted to be there. Prince Roy was listening to his headset and prince Lemmy was bouncing a red rubber ball.
“You should all pay attention,” Bowser scowled at his children and removed Roy’s headset.
“Hey,” Roy stared up at his father.
“You are all going to listen to what the generals have to say.”
“I have already gave the commands to those who would fare best in the dry and warm environment,” Mario continued. “There is quite a rich history with the pyramids. Pile driver Goombas have already been suited up. There are a few things to watch out for. We have to watch out for a few spots that contain quicksand, and when it gets windy to be careful of sand storms.”
“We should send some fire snakes,” Bowser rubbed his chin. “And I think that due to its arid nature an Angry Sun will fare well out there.”
Mario nodded. “There is a bit more. Due to the borders, Sultan Imajin is in a bit of a dispute with the leader of Water Land.” He turned to his brother.
“King Scamander,” Luigi explained. “Water Land’s economy is supplemented by it’s fishing industry, tourism and like Desert Land, oil. They have a lot of off seas oil rigs and a few border on Desert Lands.”
“I haven’t been to the council in a few years,” Bowser nodded. “The last time I was there they kept the Sultan and Scamander separated from each other, and they were shooting more dirty looks than King Toadstool was giving me.”
“A war is going to break out?” Larry asked.
“Not if we take over those lands first,” Mario flipped through to his notes on the next land. “The next land is Giant Land, and like it’s name everything there is big. This is why I asked my mother and Uncle Kamek to super size some of our troops and weapons. I have also ordered the Sledge Brothers to train for this terrain.”
“What about the king?” Bowser asked.
“King Grant the giant,” Mario read from his collection of notes. “Like us he has been training his troops none stop. There had been a few incidents in the past month where he tried to intimidate visitors to his land. He has missed the last two council meetings.”
“So have I,” Bowser stood up. “We have to move fast. We can’t let this guy take over the other lands before me. I want to see Koopa flags flying across the world not his flags.”
“Do you remember him, daddy?” Bowser’s youngest child asked.
“I remember,” Bowser scowled. “At the last council I attended he had tried to talk down to everyone in a bullying matter.”
“The next kingdom is Sky Land,” Mario went to the next kingdom in his folder. “Ruled by Emperor Ed. There is not many exports except for the fact they are chief builders in air craft and like Water Land, they happen to also have great tourism.”
“I believe we will be sending several flyers,” Prince Iggy said. “Any and every creature that has wings will be your main branch of soldiers.”
“That is correct,” Mario checked his notes. “I have heard the ruler is a bit weak.”
“Weak,” Bowser laughed. “He is a downright wussy. He wets his pants in you call his name in a loud voice. He is going to be easy.”
“Moving on,” Mario coughed. “The last kingdom I have notes on is Pipe Land.” He stared longingly at the picture of the kingdom. He would love to go there for a vacation and once it is part of the Koopa Empire it will be easy to visit. “It is warm, sub tropical and consists of several islands. There is a great variety of flora living here and the main export is pipes. This kingdom exports most of the warp pipes through out the world. “It is ruled by King Wally-“
“Wally?” Morton laughed. “Is that his name?”
Mario’s mother glared at him. “There better be no more remarks from you.” She waved her wand around.
“Sorry,” Morton rolled his eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me either.”
“This also should be a bit of an easy take over,” Mario read. “King Wally is a bit of a pacifist, also has a lot of things banned from his kingdom, including weapons, and alcohol?”
“Lame,” Roy shook his head. “I really want to just punch these pussy kings, see if they would actually try and fight back.”
“Luigi you have info on the last two kings?” Mario turned to his brother.
“Since I have already covered Water Land I shall move on to Grass Land,” Luigi pulled out a small pack of stapled papers. “It is located on the other side of the mushroom kingdom and it is very similar to the land. They are ruled by King Terrance, and from what my sources told me is that he is a good and noble man, but he also isn’t the brightest, caused a few economic disasters.”
“It does sound like it will be quite easy to take over,” Bowser flicked his tail to the side. “Is there anything else?”
“That is pretty much it on Grass Land,” Luigi replaced the papers and pulled out another. “The last is Ice Land and the most northern land we are to conquer. Known for its cold climate. They export furs, seafood, also oil. It is ruled by King Ragnar Windbag. They are also one of the leading exports in snow peas and have a good diamond economy.”
“I was hoping they were the biggest exports of ice cream,” Lemmy sighed and earned a few pats on the head from Ludwig.”
“King Windbag is also a bit of a bully,” Luigi read on. “But mostly to his own people. The laws are even more strict than in Pipe Land and the taxes have been nearing a ridiculous level. A few of our newer Dark Land citizens used to live in Ice Land, but moved because of Windbag’s rules.”
“They should be quite gracious that we are taking over,” Wendy sighed. “I wonder which world I will get.”
“You will see when you draw,” Bowser told her.
“Those who are strongest against the cold will be assigned in that air ship,” Luigi placed the papers back in the folder. “Now, mother has a bit of advice.”
Their mother waved her wand and several illusions, resembling scepter like wands floated above them. Each wand was made mostly out of gold with clear glass like jewel on the top. “Each of the seven kings owns one of these wands, they all posses great power. They can levitate, summon, bring objects to life, and have transformation abilities. The kings will the most difficult part. Get these wands and use it to transform the kings into whatever you want.”
“Use it on their staff as well,” Uncle Kamek added. “Turn the whole populace into trees if you wish.” His smile faced when mother struck him on top of his head with her wand.
“No Kamek, we are not transforming everyone, as we have seen that was a bad idea.” Kammy smiled at the royal children. “You may change the staff if they threaten to interfere.”
“Now to decide who gets which kingdom,” Bowser cracked his knuckles. “I need a spare sheet of paper and a pen.”
“I’ve got the paper,” Luigi pulled out a clean sheet from his folder.
“I always carry a spare pen,” Mario opened his folder and pulled out one of the pens that was in the pocket. “Here.”
“Thank you gentlemen,” Bowser wrote down several names on the paper before he ripped them off and folded them in half. “We are going to decide things the old fashion way.” He took Uncle Kamek’s hat and placed the papers inside. “Okay kids grab a name out of the hat.”
“Yeah,” Bowser Junior squealed and ran up ahead of his siblings.
“Except you,” the king sighed. “You are not quite ready to be a ruler.”
“But that’s not fair,” Junior stuck out his lower lip. “Larry is still a kid.”
“Correction,” Larry crossed his arms. “I’m a teenager now.”
“Thirteen is old enough to rule,” Bowser confirmed.
“But that isn’t fair,” Junior’s eyes glistened with tears.
“Life isn’t fair, son.”
“Not fair,” Junior stomped his feet. “Not fair. I want my own kingdom too. I want my kingdom. I want my kingdom. It’s not fair.”
“Kamek, Take Junior out of the room.”
“What about my hat?” Uncle Kamek asked.
“You’ll get it back later,” Bowser said. “Now take him somewhere. I don’t know, just get him out of here.”
“Yes sir,” Kamek nodded and picked up Junior, who immediately begun to whale and drum his fists against Kamek’s shell.
“I shouldn’t have had him come with the others,” Bowser sighed again.
“He has to learn someday,” Iggy said while Morton stuck out his tongue at the door where Junior and Kamek had left.
“He is only six years old,” Ludwig reminded.
“I’ll speak with him later,” Bowser shook up the hat. “We are going to do this by age, oldest to youngest.”
“I hope I get Pipe Land,” Wendy said as Ludwig reached into the hat. “Or Water Land. I bet there is great shopping and beaches.”
“Sorry sis,” Ludwig read the name that he had drawn. “Maybe you will still get Water Land.”
Lemmy covered his eyes with one hand before he reached inside and pulled out a piece of paper. “I have Ice Land.”
“Come on Giant Land,” Roy pulled out his paper. “Aw Sky Land?”
“I got Giant Land,” Iggy said once he read his paper.
“You want a trade?” Roy asked him.
“No,” Bowser shook his head. “No one is trading any lands.”
“The king of Sky Land is weak,” Mario reminded him. “You wanted to punch him, and Iggy I believe a place like Giant Land is a bit more of a challenger.”
“Yeah,” Roy chuckled. “That wussy is gonna get his ass handed to him when he meets me.”
“You do have a point,” Iggy nodded.
“Water Land,” Wendy squealed and held up her paper.
“I got Desert Land,” Morton read his. “It’s good I guess.”
“So I get Grass Land,” Larry shrugged. “Good weather, good land. I can open up my own new tennis courts and golf courses, and stadium for soccer.”
“I want you to take plenty of artillery with you,” Bowser dropped the magikoopa’s hat on his throne. “Arm yourselves with plenty of plants and chomps.”
“We will take all necessary precautions father,” Ludwig said.
“I would feel safer if General Luigi came with me,” Wendy sighed. “After all I am your only daughter.”
“Luigi, how do you feel about this?” Bowser asked.
“Well,” Luigi gulped and looked over towards Wendy. He was blushing as much as she was. “I guess that it would be the-“
“He would be honored to do it,” Mario finished for him.
“I would also like to request a general to accompany me,” Ludwig said. “Mario would you journey with me to Pipe Land?”
“If you insist,” Mario nodded. He wondered why none of the others had asked. “Are you certain I shouldn’t go with one of your younger brothers instead, like Larry?”
“I can take care of myself,” Larry tapped his chest.
“Of course you can,” Bowser nodded. “If you need any help you will call me. Now go and get your things and meet at your assigned air ship.”
“This is it, bro.” Luigi tucked his folder off his arm. “New worlds to conquer for the Koopa Empire, not too mention we get to visit some nice new places.”
“Yeah,” Mario nodded. “Who needs the Mushroom Kingdom when you have a nice place like Pipe Land?”
“Kind of odd that we dreamed that we fought several soldiers and overthrown a king and now we are going to do it for real,” Luigi said. “I need to pack.”
“Wait,” their mother had approached them. “What are you talking about?”
“After lunch Mario and I felt sleepy so we took a couple of naps, and we both had the same dream.”
“The same exact dream?” their mother asked.
“Yeah,” Mario nodded. “We fought against this frog king in a strange world.”
“We weren’t alone either,” Luigi added. “We were joined by Princess Peach, one of her retainers and those two girls who fought against us before.”
“Oh really?” She stared at Mario.
“It’s true,” Why was her look making him feel so uncomfortable. Was it the mention of Princess Peach? It had been nearly five months since he helped Peach escape and she hadn’t brought it up since then.
“It is odd that you both dreamed about this adventure. Does this mean you got along with the enemies?”
“We had to,” Luigi shrugged. “We shared food and shelter, and we talked. One of those girls had two brothers named Mario and Luigi and they were also twins.”
“Was it Maria?” Kammy’s mouth twitched.
Mario nodded. “Good guess.”
“Where were these brothers now?”
“Dead,” Mario sighed. “They died when they were infants.”
“That is tragic. I pray that this dream is not a prediction.”
“You mean Maria and Pauline might try to stop us again?” Luigi asked.
“No worse,” mother rubbed the top of Luigi’s head. “I’m afraid for your safety.” She kissed him on his cheek. “Don’t forget your sun tan lotion when you pack.”
“I wont mom,” Luigi embraced her.
“Don’t forget your lotion,” Mother kissed Mario on the cheek. “And bug spray, a place like Pipe Land has a lot of insects.”
“I’ll pack everything that I need.” Mario also hugged her.
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“Kamek,” Kammy screeched the name of the other old Magikoopa as she raced through the castle. “Kamek!”
Kamek stepped out of his room with a finger to his lip. “Ssssh. Junior is finally asleep.”
“I think we might have a problem.”
“What problem?” Kamek rubbed the top of his head.
“The boys entered the dream world. They mentioned doors and the turnips, and the frog king.”
“Are you certain?” Kamek asked.
“They both had the sane dream, and they were not the only ones. Princess Peach, one of her Retainers and the two girls from another world were there.”
“Yes and?” How could he be so dense?
“They talked while in this world. This girl with the cap, Maria has two brothers, correction she would of have two brothers but they were murdered years ago. You know what those names are? They were named Mario and Luigi.”
“That is an interesting coincidence,” Kamek yawned.
“It isn’t a coincidence,” Kammy grabbed his shoulders. “Not long after we transformed and took in the boys their parents disappeared.” Kamek just blinked with that stupid look on his face. “Are you dense? Maria is Mario and Luigi’s little sister.”
“Oh,” Kamek blinked. “Oh shit. So instead of having to worry about these brothers ruining our kings brother we have to worry about their little sister instead?” He massaged his scalp. “Why didn’t we see this?”
“Because she was born in another world.”
“She is still human and Mario and Luigi are Koopas, don’t matter what they were born as. They are Koopa in heart, mind, and body. They can take care of her and none of them would figure it out.”
“How could you be so certain?”
“What are the chances they will find out? A million to one, that is what. They will never find out the truth.”
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