Chapter Text
Chapter 1 Koopsmas Morning
Twinkle twinkle twinkle.
Sleigh bells rang out on this crisp, cold morning. The snowless Koopa Kingdom was experiencing a very brisk breeze that turned the noses of Stonebrim's denizens cherry red. Despite that, nobody minded. The Dragon koopas, Goombas, and Koopa Troopas made their way across the festively decorated Stonebrim. Some had presents either in their hands or (in the case of the goombas) on their heads.
A chilly gust of wind swept across the town. Children laughed as their hair got blown back. As the wind playfully teased the kids, carolers stood on the sidewalk. Dressed in red and green, they sang a merry little tune.
Wishes will come true tonight
Underneath the twinkling light
The shining stars will all rain down
And cover up the Mushroom ground
.
Koopsmas, Koopsmas!
How festive is your day!
Koopsmas, Koopsmas!
We're thankful it's today!
.
Hot cocoa and peppermint!
Are the flavors that will hint
To the time with all the snow!
And the birth of King Cosmo!
.
Koopsmas, Koopsmas!
How festive is your day!
Koopsmas, Koopsmas!
We're thankful it's today!
The voices of the carolers weren't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the singers didn't even know how to carry a tune. Regardless, those who walked past them did it with smiles on their faces. Some even joined in on the chorus. The sound of their singing flew down the streets. It caused birds resting in their nests to flap their wings and fly. The snow white doves headed north of Stonebrim.
In the distance, Bowser's Castle rested on the dead black landscape. The green of the turrets helped the red of the Koopsmas lights to stick out all the more. A gigantic wreath hung over the headstone of Bowser's face. The wind ruffled the wreath, causing jingle bells to ring out. The doves flew past the wreath and passed by some of the castle's windows. Through one window, Junior could be seen running down the halls. His eyes glowed in delight, his smile was as bright as the north star. Through another window, Koopa Troopa servants were carrying wrapped up presents down the halls. They too were grinning. And yet, through another window, six out of the seven Koopalings were sitting in the dining hall.
"I can't believe it's Koopsmas!" Lemmy squealed as he bounced up and down in his seat.
"I know!" said Ludwig, who had attached a string of jingle bells to his dark blue cloak. "I wonder what we'll get this year?"
Roy grinned. "I know what Larry will get this year!" The burly brute of a Koopa reached to the right and grabbed hold of his youngest brother. "Noogies!"
Larry laughed uncontrollably as Roy rubbed his fist against his sky blue mohawk. Iggy giggled, then he looked at the door.
"Morton still has not arrived yet," he said. "I will go fetch him."
So, Iggy got up from the table. The birds got up as well and flew toward a different area of Bowser's Castle. Their wing flaps looked like falling snowflakes. It wasn't until they reached a window in the castle's east wing that they finally settled down. They snuggled their bottoms against the warmth of the stones on the windowsill.
Unfortunately, the birds didn't get a chance to stay there for long. Just as soon as they landed, the window was opened by a large, dark skinned Koopa with a starbite on his white face. The birds flew away, causing Morton to sigh.
"I can't believe it's Koopsmas already," he said with a frown on his face. Inside the room, Morton's yellow parrot, Topaz, squawked.
"Today is a happy day!" she sang as she flapped her wings.
Morton bit his lip and closed the window. He glared at his pet. "Why? Because today is the one day of the year that I am completely miserable?"
Topaz laughed. "You know me so well!" she chirped.
Morton shook his head and walked away from the birdcage. He made his way over to his rainbow covered bed, where his Rainbow Mare plushie and his two other pets, Wiggles the chain chomp and Toasty the cat, rested. He set himself down on the mattress and patted Wiggles on the head. The puppy lifted his eyes and grinned when he saw the face of his owner.
"Hey, Wiggles," Morton said dismally. Wiggles bounced into Morton's arms like an energetic firecracker. He licked his face like an ice cream cone. Morton laughed a little, but there was still a faraway look in his eyes.
"Settle down, buddy," he said. He set Wiggles down on the floor. "You're putting in way too much effort."
Wiggles' eyelids slumped down. He stared at Morton as the dark skinned Koopaling set himself down on his bed. He caressed Toasty's fur and looked over at the clock.
"It's 8:00 in the morning," he muttered to himself. "I just have to get through the next 16 hours, and then this day will be over."
Toasty opened one sleepy eye and brushed himself against Morton's skin. Morton smiled a little and pet him back.
"Who's a little sweetheart?" he said in a sweet talking tone. "You are! You are!"
Right at that moment, a rapping sound came off of the door. Morton groaned loudly when he saw his green haired brother enter into his room.
"Merry Koopsmas, Morton!" he exclaimed. "The family is just about to start breakfast, and we would be ever so grateful if you could join us."
Morton nodded, a frown on his face. "I'll be down in a minute."
Iggy's eyebrow rose as he stepped into the room. "Are you okay, dear brother?"
A silence befell the room as Morton hesitated. "I'm...no, I'm not."
"Why not?" Iggy asked. "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
"I know. That's what they say anyway," Morton replied.
Iggy's eyebrow rose even higher as he took a step forward. "What do you mean?"
Morton twiddled his thumbs and grimaced. "Oh, you know. Koopsmas isn't really that great."
"Sure it is! There's presents, family, presents, cookies, presents, and jingle bells." Iggy looked confused. "Did I mention that there are presents already?"
Morton chuckled, but it sounded hollow. "Koopsmas just never appealed to me. Not when most of my days are pretty miserable." He sighed. "One of the traditions is reflecting on everything good about the year, right? Well, what's the point of doing that this year? This was the year I got targeted by the Shadowlings!"
Iggy looked concerned. He approached his younger brother and laid his hand on his shoulder. "Morton, you have to stop thinking about that; it could have happened to anybody. And remember; if you give them the time of day, then ultimately, you're letting them win."
Morton sniffled. "I know. But…" he shook his head. "What I'm trying to say is that there is not much reason for me to celebrate."
Iggy grinned. "Who says you need a reason to celebrate! You're alive, you're healthy, and all your organs are functioning as they should be. I think that's cause enough to celebrate!" He grabbed hold of Morton's hand. "Come on, dear younger brother. Maybe having some Koopsmas breakfast will cheer you up!"
Morton just sighed as he was dragged away. He looked back at the clock. This time, it said 8:05. He groaned softly. "This is going to be a long day,"