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"Stay still your injuredness."
Bowser grumbled as Kamek patched his stitches back on. His troops slowly filing back to their posts after another failed invasion of the mushroom kingdom.
"I don't know why you thought it was a good idea to try to take the castle when we only just arrived from Concordia."
"It's because we just came back that we needed to take the chance!" Bowser winced as the scar along his cheek reopened.
Kamek sighed and strapped a band aid to it.
"Besides, Mario and Luigi just fought Zokket!" Bowser continued. "I had to swoop in while they were at their weakest!"
"It was Reclusa." Kamek mumbled.
Bowser pointedly ignored him. It was Zokket who kidnapped his son, not the creepy talking monitor face.
Bowser glanced at the shorter throne next to his.
"How's Junior doing?"
Kamek paused before replying. "He's noticeably quiet. I'd say he's sulking over having to leave his friend behind."
Bowser nods. He never met the child Junior talked about but Kamek kept tabs on the two of them and would have notified him if something went amiss.
"...Keep an eye on him will you?"
"I always do, sire."
Kamek slowly hovered towards the exit before turning to address Bowser with another matter.
"Ah and would you like me to turn away the star sprite this time, my lord?"
"Star sprite?"
Kamek resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Chippy."
"Oh, her." Bowser scowled, waving away his concerns. "Even if you tell her off she'll find some hole to fly in here so what's the point?"
Kamek exited the room, pausing to polish the lens of his glasses. With the stress of Concordia and the Mario bros done with, it felt good to be back to some normalcy.
"Hello! Yellow!"
Except for that.
Kamek adjusted his glasses and squinted at the small yellow orb. He wasn't exactly sure of what her intentions were with her visits nor did he understand why Lord Bowser put up with her. The star sprite floated around like she owned the place.
"Chippy was it?" He was aware her real name being Starlow but for some reason Bowser chose this name for her
She smiled and did a twirl that irked him. "That's me!"
"Right..." Kamek frowned and hovered to the side. "Lord Bowser has informed me not to stop you, however, I must ask you if it's necessary for you to disturb him every time he is injured."
The star sprite rolled her eyes. "What, I can't visit a friend?"
"You and Lord Bowser are not friends." Kamek pointed his wand to her in accusation. "You are an emissary to Princess Peach and to the Mario brothers as well. You are an enemy and will be nothing more."
For once the star sprite didn't have an immediate reply and Kamek felt vindicated.
That was until an infuriating smirk formed on her features.
"Aw, is someone jealous Bowser trusts little old me?"
Kamek scowled, his grip on his wand tightening.
The star sprite sighed. "Look, I get it. I'm trespassing on your home but I'm really just here for the big guy."
"Really?"
"Yep!"
He wasn't convinced. No one was this amicable with the Koopa King unless they were family like Junior.
"I'll leave you to it then." Kamek grumbled.
"Will do. Oh and thanks for taking care of him." She did an imitation of a bow before floating inside Bowser's throne room.
The wizard was not going to leave this alone. It would take some investigating but he'd find out exactly why she kept pestering in his lord's affairs whenever she deemed so.
"QUIT BARGING INTO MY ROOM UNANNOUNCED!"
"Oh come on I wanted to surprise you!"
The room outside the throne room shook from Bowser's roar and Kamek quickly retreated into his quarters where he'd be able to concentrate on his inquires away from their loud banter.
Kamek couldn't find much on Starlow.
That alone was not cause for concern and was not surprising. They mostly kept to themselves in star haven, and only a select few were ever recorded should any of them deem visiting their world worth their time or to represent a kingdom.
The ones that were recorded in text weren't related to Starlow either. The girl came to aid the mushroom kingdom only just recently, however so that made perfect sense.
A dead end then.
Kamek leaned back in his chair, thinking as far back as he could. He recalled their invasion of the star sprite's realm. How his Lord explained that he had gotten inside information on where the star rod would be.
The only people with inside information like that would be a star sprite themselves. Could a star sprite really have willingly given that information to the Koopa King of all people? When Kamek tried to inquire about it Bowser had told him not to worry about it and flashed his claws which promptly made him shut up about it.
"Assuming that yellow ball is the inside source." Kamek mumbled, standing from his seat to collect his broom. "Then surely she wouldn't be a representative from the star sprites. A fool like that would have to be punished for allowing us to take the star rod."
Kamek bit his lip in thought. He wondered if he should ask Bowser himself but in the mood he's in he's more than likely to eviscerate him for asking. He had the magic to make an audience with the star sprites themselves but the tense history between the Koopa kingdom and star haven had severed any chance of them heeding his summons.
"Kamek!"
Kamek jumped and swirled around to find Bowser in his room.
"Your suddenness!" Kamek bristled. "Apologies. Did you happen to summon me?
"I did. You didn't answer so I had to give the chicken Chippy gave me to Junior myself." Bowser frowned, his eyes softening. "You were right about him being sad about his friend. Wanted to cheer him up but I could tell he wanted to be alone."
"I see."
Bowser crossed his arms, fixing Kamek with a hard stare. "What's up with you? You of all people never ignore my calls."
Kamek was silent for a beat before responding.
"Sire, I can't help but wonder..." Kamek trailed off.
"Spit it out Kamek."
"Why do you indulge in the star sprite's visits?" He asked. "Aren't you afraid she may be using these visits for her own gain?"
He omitted his other worries about her past.
"That's what's got your undies in a twist?" Bowser chuckled.
He looked around to make sure no one was listening before responding.
"Remember that whole deal with Fawful?"
Kamek nodded. It felt like a lifetime ago and one of the more darkest points the kingdom had come. Bowser usually trustful of his minions became jaded and Kamek had to do a full sweep of the kingdom to weed out those still loyal to Fawful for his master's sake.
"In just a few hours the guy managed to make almost all of my kingdom betray me."
Bowser clenched his fist, a snarl crawling up his throat as the memory of certain minions turning traitor.
"I met Chippy during that whole thing and while I didn't need the help, she helped me get back at that little green turd."
Bowser's fists slowly eased, his posture straightening.
"If it weren't for that, trust me I'd have grabbed her and thrown her out the closest window if I could."
Bowser laughed at the thought.
A form of repayment then for her aid. Kamek slumped with relief. Over what though he wasn't exactly sure.
"Now quit mulling over that twerp and help me plan for the next invasion."
Bowser cracked his knuckles in glee and Kamek followed his Lord to the throne room. His questions briefly forgotten as he discussed plans with Bowser for hours before changing his focus to his own duties.
It wasn't until afterwards Kamek realized Bowser didn't explain how that cooperation came to be. A star sprite would never cooperate with the Koopa King. When asked, Bowser flew into a rage, spewing about Mario and Luigi again.
Kamek decided to leave it at that for now.
"Your militaryness."
"Yeah?"
Bowser gingerly placed his miniature onto the board in front of the crudely made miniatures of the Mario brothers. The board and pieces were meant to be used for war tactics and battle formations but Kamek couldn't help but wonder if Bowser had gained an affinity for the making tiny sculptures of his soldiers.
"Do you recall the star rod?"
Bowser paused to glance at Kamek.
"Yeah I do. I hope you're not suggesting we try that again. We don't do the same plan twice."
And yet we will invade the mushroom kingdom a hundred times more?
Kamek wisely chose not to voice his thoughts.
"No, sire. I was merely wondering on how you knew of where to get it. Information on star haven is very limited."
"I never told you?"
"You told me to shut it and to trust you."
"Ha! Yeah I remember now."
Setting aside his miniatures, Bowser hummed and closed his eyes in thought.
"Eh. I guess I can tell you. Been a while since that happened."
Picking up a well-made miniature of himself, he took a brush between his thumb and index claw and slowly began recoating its shell.
"One of those star sprites came to our kingdom. Said she was a representative."
"Really?" Kamek would have sensed the arrival of a star sprite. "In person?"
"Nah. She talked to me through here." He dropped the brush and tapped his forehead. "Said something about her true form possibly scrambling my mind. Whatever that means."
Kamek was aware of that. It is said that lesser beings were driven to the brink of insanity at the mere sight of a star sprite's true form.
"That and she thought I'd capture her if she were actually there."
Wise of the star sprite to think so. Kamke mused.
"She went on to say something else but I told her that she and the rest of those star losers can shove off."
"Shove off?!" The sweet melodic voice in his head suddenly screeched, making him grip his head. "You should be grateful we're even trying to help you after all the stunts you pulled!"
"That hurts!" The Koopa King hissed.
"Too bad." The voice said, lowering her her tone. "You're stuck with me until I see some form of progress in you!"
Progress?! Who did this chick think she was his therapist?!
"I'll get Kamek to tear you out of my head!" He punctuated his threat with a swipe of his claw. "He knows all kinds of magic and when he does I'll use you as a bench warmer!"
"Go ahead!" She challenged. "Tell him how you have a voice in your head telling you to do better! I'm sure that'll go just swell!"
Bowser's rage stiffled.
"Oh."
"Hmph." The girl's mocking tone pushing him past the brink. "That's what I thought. Now, are you going to let me speak so we can work on that awful temper of yours?"
"GRAAAH! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
Kamek sighed. Bowser's recollection was sounding worryingly familiar.
"Your sourness, had you told me I would have helped you."
"Really?" He fixed Kamek with an expectant stare.
"... Perhaps I might have thought Mario stomped on your head a few too many times."
Bowser huffed, trails of smoke blowing from his nostrils.
"But I would have helped regardless!" Kamek tried to dissuade Bowser's growing rage.
"Noted."
Dispellimg the flames from his chest, he turned to look at his miniature and set it down. Kamek watched the furrows of his brow droop in concentration.
"I haven't thought of her in a while." He admitted. "She was annoying at first. Felt like I had a mom nagging at me but after a few months I got used to it."
To anyone else Bowser's expression would seem vexatious but to Kamek it looked like he was trying to force himself to be angry.
"Anyways, she was the one who told me about the star rod."
"Why do you want a kid so badly?"
Bowser looked up from his meal. Chewing slowly before addressing the voice.
"I only talked about that with Kamek."
"I'm always in your head, remember?"
Stubborn, he bit into the chicken leg before answering.
"Why should I tell you?"
"It's not like you have anything better to do since Mario beat you again."
"DON'T SAY HIS NAME!"
Bowser's fist slammed into the table, cracking the surface.
"Oh come off it you big baby."
"I'm not a big baby." He growled, sitting back down.
Stewing in his rage for a second, she waited until he calmed down before continuing with her tangent.
"Is it really just for a heir?"
"No, it's not just for a heir!" Bowser shouted, offended by the implication. "Can't a guy just want a family?"
"To be fair, it's hard to imagine a macho guy like you wanting to settle down and start family."
Bowser scowled and debated whether or not to discuss this with her. It'd be like giving her ammo for the future.
"I'll bother you aaaall the time if you don't tell me!"
"You already do."
"Not true, big guy. Remember the deal we had? I don't talk to you while you're busy doing your Peach kidnapping and I have free reign in private."
Bowser sighed, looking up and staring at the portrait of him. It was done by a popular painter from Sarasaland according to Kamek but he couldn't bother remembering their name.
It was a pretty good portrait, depicting his raw might and strength. His chiseled jaw and flexing biceps but the more time he spent looking at the portrait the more he felt like something was missing. A key component that makes a king, kingly.
A family.
"My old man wasn't there for much of my life and I never met my mom." Bowser spoke softly. "Kamek was the guy who raised me cause my old man would pawn me of to him."
Bowser turned away from the painting, staring at the empty seats.
"I can't complain though. I mean look at all this!" Bowser thumped his chest with a fist. "I turned out an even better king than he ever was! Stronger, handsomer, awesomer, there's nothing I can't do!"
Pausing his self-imposed flaunting, he slumped in his seat.
"Aside from winning Peach's heart."
He sat up straight, claws folded together over the table.
"I don't know. It's just wishful thinking. I didn't have a lot of time with my old man when I was a kid so with a rugrat of my own I know I can do better. My kid would never feel alone or abandoned."
Feeling invigorated, he stood and began pacing around the room.
"I'd make sure he knows how to lead! How to be strong! How to be wise! Just like me! No, they'd be even better than me!"
He stopped in his tracks.
"Wait, better than me?"
The Koopa King imagined his son uniting both the mushroom kingdom and the dark lands under the Koopa troop.
Succeeding where he'd failed.
"Well, they'd have to work hard be better than me!" Bowser roared with laughter, briefly forgetting he was in a conversation with someone.
"That might have been the most pure of heart thing you ever said, Bowser." The voice gently said.
He stuck his tongue out in disgust. "Ew gross. Don't make it sound sappy."
Suddenly self conscious, he checked to make sure no one was listening.
"And uh..." he scratched his cheek. "Don't tell anyone I said that."
"I won't." She giggled. "You have my word."
"The star sprite told you the location of the star rod? Just like that?"
"What can I say? I have a way with people." Bowser chuckled.
Kamek wasn't entirely sure if Bowser knew he did in fact have a way with people. Just not in the romantic department.
At least he hoped that was the case in this scenario.
"I see. It's coming together in my head now." Kamek mused. "The star sprite told you the location because she deemed your wish for a child of pure heart."
"Not so loud, Kamek." Bowser grunted.
The birth of Junior was a secret only known to them. Many denizens of the dark lands often wondered who Junior's mother was but Bowser and Kamek were quick to silence them.
"Still... is that really enough for her to have given you one of their greatest relics?"
"Well..." Bowser looked uncharacteristically nervous. "She made me promise that I'd only use it to wish for a kid and not for taking over the mushroom kingdom."
"Ah."
The room remained quite until Kamek coughed to break the silence.
"Er, certainly malevolent your evilness. I assume she didn't take to that well?"
Bowser shrugged.
"Who knows. She was gone after that. Never heard from her again."
There was a neutrality to Bowser's tone that Kamek found intriguing.
"Do you regret it?"
"Nah." His response was immediate. "Junior is the best thing to ever happen to me. Besides, how could I not take the chance to kidnap Peach when I had the chance?"
On the subject of Junior, Kamek could not argue. The child was a handful at times and was still taking slow steps into becoming a surefire leader like his father. Plus his affinity for paint magic allowed Kamek to teach him some advanced techniques for a Koopa his age. At the stage he's at only King Boo would be able to teach him further techniques. He predicts one day he'll even surpass Bowser's own magical prowess.
"It's a miracle Junior was born in your likeness then."
"That goes back to that pure of heart thing." Bowser scoffed. "But I like to think my wish would have gone perfect either way."
Bowser laughed and Kamek couldn't help but smile. His adoptive son was far from a saint but he was a mighty king with a worthy heir to call his son. He couldn't have asked for anything better.
He did his best to dismiss the lingering concern of the star sprite Bowser betrayed.
Kamek thankfully didn't have to wait that long for his questions to be answered. Lord Bowser was never known to rest on his laurels for long. Always looking to one up his previous plans for domination. How long it took depended on whether or not Bower had a trump card or if a third party decided to obstruct the kingdom's affairs.
A yellow glow came into view from a distance and Kamek teleported himself in front of the star sprite's path.
"Gah!" She yelped, feet flailing back and forth as she pushed herself back.
"Don't just teleport in front of someone like that!"
"I think you'll soon appreciate that I chose to approach you like this."
"Like what? A complete blockhead?"
"Away from Lord Bowser's ears."
Starlow rolled her eyes. "Ugh, this again? I get that you're overprotective of Bowser but hasn't the bit been played out already by him?"
"Shush! I know about your history with Lord Bowser!"
To her credit, she didn't lose face.
"What, he told you about the whole thing with us being inside his gut? Bit slow on the uptake don't you think?"
"Really? Interesting how Lord Bowser spoke of another star sprite that was annoying, impudent and kept forcing herself onto his life!"
"Wow, so nothing's changed huh?"
"Don't play coy, Chippy." Kamek warned.
"Hey, only one person can call me Chippy and if I recall your name isn't Bowser!" Starlow glared at him before turning to head back. "And I don't have to tell you a thing!"
"Perhaps so." Kamek agreed. "However I am sure to let Lord Bowser know of my suspicions."
Starlow halted, her face drained of color.
"H-He wouldn't believe you anyways." She sputtered.
"I suspect not." Kamek admitted. "However, I will have planted that thought into his head and as oblivious as he is, he will not be able to ignore the all too glaring connection. Especially not with you hovering about in our castle."
She turned around and scowled at him. Kamek smiled, knowing he had won.
"Don't tell him."
"That all depends on you."
Starlow sighed, physically deflating.
"What do you want to know?"
"It's clear to me that you're the one who gave Lord Bowser the location to the star rod." Kamek watched as Starlow drooped slightly lower with each passing word. "I wish to know why any self-respecting star sprite would do that."
"You're going to ask that of all things?" Starlow groaned. "I was young, okay? Young people do dumb things!"
Kamek sighed, spinning his staff. "Oh well. I suppose I'll tell Lord Bowser and see what he thinks."
"No!" Starlow nearly headbutted him as she swerved right into his face. "Fine! But you cannot say a word of this to anyone! Not! A! Single! Word! If I hear you even told a single goomba I'll have Mario and Luigi hold you down while I kick your face in!"
Kamek used his staff to shoo her away.
"Very well. I won't tell a soul."
Starlow opened her mouth to speak before closing it and hovering right and left in a panic before finally stilling herself.
"I - I had a crush on Bowser. That's why."
The silence was so palpable that even a shy guy would have felt the uncomfortable drop in the atmosphere. Kamek had suspected this to be the reason but to have it so bluntly said...
The koopa wizard made a face of undisguised offense. "That is quite possibly the worst case scenario."
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ASKED, BUDDY!" Starlow shouted.
"I just... Lord Bowser is charismatic, yes, but your people have always looked down on our kingdom. Surely you can see the confusion."
"It's not like I planned on liking him!" Starlow's hue was turning into a bright shade of pink. "I didn't even want the job but I was starting out and they handed off that role to me on the off-chance I could help Bowser change his ways."
Kamek tried to speak but the star sprite kept rambling. It was seemingly obvious she had not spoken of this to anyone and the dam had been broken.
"And yeah everything they had told me about him was right. He's rude, has a short temper, a personality that makes lava freeze over but -"
Starlow gasped and Kamek was slowly regretting confronting her as she continued to spew out her confession.
"But then I see he cares about his minions, that buried deep deep down he's a big baby and it doesn't hurt that he's big -"
"Alright I get it. Sheesh."
Kamek was relieved to have stopped her from oversharing.
"Sorry." Starlow cleared her throat nervously. "In all fairness, I had pretty weird tastes back then."
"I can see that." He muttered. "Although, ironically this shows that you have something in common with the minions."
"Those goons? We do not!"
"Ah, but then why did you hand him the star rod on a silver plate?"
"Because his wish for a son was pure of heart!"
"And not because a part of you wanted to please him?"
"I- you-" Starlow sputtered. "It wasn't like that... mostly."
Kamek snickered which earned him a hateful glare.
"How did you escape punishment from the other star sprites?"
Starlow frowned and sighed. The memory clearly not a pleasant one.
"After Bowser broke his promise I had no choice but to leave." She huffed angrily. "That and I know certain people who would have loved to laugh at the new girl who messed up so it was for the best."
"Until eventually you joined the mushroom kingdom. Part of a ploy to get back at Lord Bowser?"
"I know you don't think so but yes, I am that petty." Starlow smiled. "It goes against everything I was taught but it was nice seeing that shellfish Koopa get his head stomped on."
So when it came down to it both were willing to be petty bullies. Kamek was starting to see why the two got along so well.
"Well this complicates things."
"What do you mean?"
Kamek narrowed his eyes. "Seriously? I can't in good conscious allow you to interact with Lord Bowser knowing your history."
Starlow giggled. "You make it sound like I still have a crush on him."
The deadpan stare Kamek gave her made her erupt into a fit.
"WHICH I DON'T!"
This was going nowhere. Kamek wasn't equipped mentally to deal with a star sprite who wasn't going to admit to their own feelings.
"Enough! I only came to confirm my suspicions and now that they're confirmed I'd prefer it if you quit your visits."
"You're not my dad! Where do you get off ordering me around?!"
Instead of answering, he waved his wand and teleported back to the castle. Hopefully she got the hint.
"Kamek!"
"Your grumpiness?" Kamek swiftly zoomed into the throne room where Bowser was cradling his injured arm.
"Stupid cast came off." He grumbled.
Kamek sighed and moved to assist him.
"Did you slam it against something again?"
"No." Bowser lowered himself slightly to allow Kamek to wrap the cast again. "The thing gets in the way if my arm gets itchy."
Kamek shook his head. Count on Bowser to always go with a brutish method to solve his problems. Still, he was happy to help him in any way he can.
"Hello."
Bowser and Kamek turned to the window where Starlow gently floated in. Kamek's lips twitched but otherwise focused on the cast.
"Hello? What happened to the other part?"
Starlow blinked. "Other part?"
"The annoying thing you say all the time." Bowser growled when she kept staring at him in confusion. "The 'hello yellow' thing."
Kamek nearly balked at having heard that come out of Bowser's mouth. Bowser himself turned to glare at Kamek that told him to forget what he just heard. The wise wizard gulped, nodding along.
"I guess I forgot today."
Bowser gave her a quizzical look. "What's with you today? You're quiet. You're never quiet."
That comment stirred her to quip back. "Sorry, probably all the stress from having to rebuild the castle walls again after your invasion like an hour ago! No biggie!"
Bowser snarled and flicked her forehead with a single claw, sending her halfway across the room.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" She shrieked, darting in front of his face.
"You're being mopey."
Kamek tapped Bowser's shoulder twice to indicate he was done with the cast. The Koopa King stood, forcing Starlow slightly back.
"Your voice is grating on the ears, Chippy, but you've been around this castle long enough for me to know when you're being a sad sack."
"Do I look like Mario's brother? I'm not mopey!"
"GWAHAHA!" Bowser laughed. He enjoyed it when she took jabs at Luigi at least. "That's more like it! I don't really care what's got you in the dumps but you're a former minion in my castle. You've got no reason to be a downer."
"I was never your minion, remember?" Starlow shook her head, trying to appear neutral but Kamek could see the hint of a smile on her lips.
"Anything I say goes. Besides, I always look out for my minions, even the retired ones."
His eyes switched to Kamek as if noticing him for the first time.
"Chippy, did you bring chicken?"
Starlow shook her head. "That stuff is surprisingly hard to come by over there."
"Typical." Bowser grunted. "Kamek, get me two spicy chicken legs from the kitchen. Roast them good."
"Sorry big guy but I don't really eat."
Bowser snorted at her direction. "Who said they were for you?"
"You're so rude! You have a guest over and you don't even offer them food?!"
"YOU JUST SAID YOU DON'T EAT!"
Kamek slowly began maneuvering away from them and out of the throne room. He took a quick peek back and nearly cast a dark magic spell at Starlow for the quick wink she sent his way.
It was safe to say she wasn't going to heed his warning thanks to Lord Bowser.
Maybe he was overreacting. After all, as long as the star sprite doesn't say anything then her secret will remain just that. Another part of him couldn't help but pity the girl and wanted to spare her the burden. He couldn't imagine constantly vying for the affection of someone who had their eyes set for another.
He shivered. This was starting to sound like those soap operas he watched so much.
Collecting the chicken legs in an aura of magic, he teleported back to the throne where the two were still arguing. Ignorant to the world around them.