Chapter 5: A Deathly Murder
It was dark, so dark... as Larry floated through the abyss. He couldn't see a thing. But he could feel... he could feel a field... walking through a field.
"Where are you taking me? Tell me! Otherwise, I will not continue."
His eyes then opened to a vast forest. So clean, and untainted... If only it could last.
"I am your father's spirit. Doomed to walk by night... to suffer by day, until I can make up for the evil deeds I committed during life. Listen, please, you MUST listen! If you did truly love me, you will avenge my death... my murder," explained the figure of King Bowser Koopa as it rose from a distant cliff.
"Oh, dear DAD! Murder?!" exclaimed Larry, frightened by the events that may come to pass.
"Yes, and a truly deathly murder it was..."
"You must explain this to me, so that I can avenge you as soon as possible!"
"Then listen to me, my son. As you've heard, I was walking through the Koopley Woods when I accidentally ate a Poison Mushroom. But hear this, the only Poison to take my life happens to be wearing my crown."
"You mean... my uncle?!"
"Yes! That beast who so yearns for my Queen, the same who once seemed so loving! But... I think I can sense the morning dew. I will be brief. I WAS walking through the Koopley Woods, as you've heard, on my morning stroll... when out of nowhere, a blast of Poison Mushroom extract from a Magic Wand hit me in the back!"
As Bowser explained the story, all of a sudden, the woods in front of Larry began to open up, as if his father's murder was being reenacted! He could see his father wandering, when all of a sudden, he fell!
"Then, out of nowhere my brother, the insidious Wart, appeared. And all he did... was stare at me! All he did was stare as I fell to my grave. And so, I was deprived of my life, my crown, and my Queen! It is horrible, I say, HORRIBLE!"
Larry could then see his uncle Wart appear from the bushes holding a Magic Wand and staring at his father as he fell to his death. He could see the sheer contempt on his uncle's face as his own brother, the King, fell. And then... a small smile appeared on Wart's face. What a horrible, evil Koopa!
"My Son, don't let the Castle of the Koopa Family be lost to greed. BUT! No matter how you plan on avenging me, do not let any harm come to your mother. None at all. Let the thorns of guilt prick at her instead."
Larry could then see his mother, Queen Clawdia, appear behind Wart. She looked so... solemn... so fragile. And then, Wart turned around and held her close. Larry couldn't help but cringe at the sight of his father helplessly holding his hand out for aid. The look on his face... DAD, it was horrible.
"Now, good luck, for I must go. Farewell... farewell... farewell... Remember me!"
And soon, all was dark again... so dark... so...
"Huh?!"
Larry woke up back at the castle walls where he’d met the ghost. His mouth was wet with the water from Bowser Jr's flask. Larry quickly stood up.
"Oh, DAD! Oh, Heaven and Earth! Remember you?! Yes! I shall do just as you say! YES, oh DAD, YES! Oh wicked villain, YES!" cried Larry as tears streamed down his face. Bowser Jr. quickly helped his brother up.
"Prince Larry!' shouted a startled Koopellus.
"What's happened, my lord?" added Koopardo.
"No... You'll reveal it to someone," worried Larry.
"Not I, my Lord!" shouted Koopardo somewhat jokingly.
"Nor I, my Lord!" added Koopellus.
"Hmph. Then let us shake hands first. As my friends, scholars, and soldiers, grant me a single request," decided Larry.
"W-what is it, Brother?" asked Junior.
"Swear by my father's wand! Swear you will never reveal what has happened tonight! Swear... by MY wand," said Larry, holding up his father's Magic Wand.
"I do not understand... This is so strange, I can barely tell the difference between day and night!" sputtered Junior.
"Junior, there is more to this world than study. You know that. But come: I think I should, after today, pretend as if my mind has gone mad. Pretend as if you don't notice. Now, hold his wand, and swear," explained Larry as everyone grabbed hold of Bowser's wand. "Swear! Swear..."
And so they swore not to reveal what had happened on that night to anyone.
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It was... quite big. This strange place was quite big.
It had been quite a few hours since the Poison Mushroom had escaped. But this palace, it was so big, he often found himself lost among its many corridors. Where to go next? Have I been that way yet?
Perhaps this path will lead me forward?