A Bittersweet Reunion (Ludwig/Bowser)

[Lemmy Koopa]

Never has there been a difficult time like before that the blunette has underwent on getting any form of direction. He was hopelessly lost in this confusing jumble of realms and without assistance worst of all. Where are your own division of lower rank Koopa Troop minions when you need them? That in itself would cut out the unwanted pressures of winging it alone!

It would be luck if there even is a single minion of Bowser is to be found roaming around, but that's just him going into a wishy-washy tangent; a mindset that he thought that he had under control when he left the Nexus sometime ago.

Get your head straight, Ludwig! There's no need to feel frustrated nor agitated for that matter.

Eventually, stopping in place, the Koopa looked around for any noticeable landmarks amongst this volcanic pit of darkness. Such a treacherous landscape with dark and cracked ground, volcanic mountains and flowing lavafalls, all while under the darkness of the ash clouds in the skies above..

It was reminiscent of Darkland, his former home, and the fact that he was alone has put Ludwig in a state of uncertainty, if not outside the usual loneliness.

Granted, when he first came here, he was excited at first to finally get away from the stresses of his highly obnoxious family life by escaping his reality and enter into the great unknown, but now, the truth and reality was really biting back at him. He lowered his head a bit as he looked down to the blackened ground as the memories of the happier days when he was with his family began to flow through his thoughts. He did whatever he could to watch and to protect them and even though he despises the Heir and his Father, he did had a softer side.

Ludwig was someone that was merely misunderstood and not evil as he cracked up to be even though many had feared him; it's to the fact that they forget that he is also a living being with a heart and soul. It didn't take long before he crossed his arms for a bit and sighed a bit, only to just stand there for a brief moment as he ponders for awhile, only to be interrupted by a single voice.

"Lord Ludwig..? Is that really you?"

Lord Ludwig? He never really heard of himself for being called that for awhile, was he hearing things or was it something that is actually happening?

Eventually, bringing himself to reality, the Koopa straightened himself up while uncrossing his arms in the process before he turned around and noticed a redshelled Paratroopa from behind him. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw one variation of the Koopa Troop that he fully recognized and asked,"How..how is this? Am I really seeing things or this is real?"

"Hey, don't go crazy yet. Please, if you would allow me to explain," replied the Paratroopa as he became nervous. "I promise you that it's all truth," Though, this would be better if Kamek was around, that old Magikoopa seems to be the only one that Ludwig values his trust in the most.

It took a bit for Ludwig to calm down, but it was eventually replaced with skepticism; evidently all the while that his brows furrowed followed by a sharp glare as he solemnly warned,"Very well, I will allow you to speak with what must be spoke, but if I find out that this is all a lie, you know what will happen,"

The minion nervously nodded as he replied,"Y-yes, my Lord,"

As the minion began to explain everything, Ludwig listened to each and even detail intently. According to the minion, Bowser, too, has stumbled across this unusual reality sometime back and has gone out of the way to reestablish the foundation of the Koopa Kingdom within the underground area to Ashen Steppes, to which isn't that far from their current location. He also added in that Bowser has been growing impatient as of recently due to the absence of his children and he send out an order to all of roaming Koopa Troop members in the area to locate and escort them immediately to the Castle.

For a moment, Ludwig's brows rose a bit before they returned to their usual seriousness as he replied,"Very well, lead me to the Castle. Let us be on our way," Even though he doesn't want to confront his Father, he would have to by all means to ease his worries;

The minion nodded and beckoned for Ludwig to follow behind him as he turned around and led the way to the Koopa Kingdom's Main Castle where Bowser awaits, to which the blunette followed.

This is going to be a challenge of a situation for him to mentally cope with, but it's better off than to be alone in the unknown

..right?

[Lemmy Koopa]

It didn't take long before the rest of the Troop who were lagging behind from the forest, noticed Ludwig from a distance and hurried up. To the dark depths of the Ashen Steppes they hurried along without a second thought of following their young Lord. Before long, the blunette was taking his time to take in the surroundings and had notice how familiar it felt after they gone inside a cave and deeper towards the volcanic-filled pits.

Yes, this was exactly how it is at Darkland, especially with the subtle temperatures rising in the air.

However, in the distance of their location, there laid ahead the main Castle to which that Ludwig was surprised to see again after a long while. So this is where his Father rebuilt everything? Why didn't he tell him anything about it? He simply vanished that one day and never came back, leaving the responsibilities to the rest of the Koopalings, namely Ludwig's brothers and sister. This shows to go on why there is a reason for Ludwig to be bitter against his Father: he keeps too many secrets away and expect him for them to figure it out for their own good. Some Father he is!

"Your Father will be very pleased to see that you are well, my Lord," replied the Paratroopa as they came closer towards the Castle with each and every step through this treacherous landscape of darkness and fire. "Be lucky that you found me or you would had been lost,"

Be lucky? BE LUCKY?!

Ludwig growled at the other as he replied,"Where have you been? I've been lost! First, I escape a place of nothing BUT a white void, then Iget discriminated in Camelot and later attacked and recently, I had arrived in a forest and YOU say that as a usual thing?! What if my brothers and sister decide to come through? Can you IMAGINE how much they have to go through?"

"But you chose to-"

"NO. Don't even pin this on me! Silence yourself right now if you want your beak to remain in place and unharmed," he sighed as some smoke came out from his nostrils. He was mad, OH SO MAD. The situation at worst has left him with the reason to scold his Father for what has been done.

In the distance of the Castle, there were Koopatrols standing guard at the gates outside of the Castle and for good reason, mostly because there has been situations that the other residents of the Steppes has been causing recent uprisings against the Koopa King for their own reasons. However, the moment they spotted the Paratroopa with the blunette, one whispered,"Hey, isn't that Lord Ludwig?"

"I believe so however we must be cautious. We will have to see what is going on to prevent imposters from passing the gates," answered the other before the Paratroopa and Ludwig had stopped in from of them.

Both sides exchanged looks before one of the guards said,"Ah Lord Ludwig, you made it at last,"

"I had been told many times before. Where is my Father?" asked the blunette as his brows furrowed. "I wish to speak to him as soon as possible,"

"He's inside the Castle sire," replied the other guard as he was making sure that Ludwig is okay for the passing.

"Why are you looking at me in such a matter?" questioned the blunette as he was suspicious of the Koopatrol's behavior.

"Many apologies. We have to for security reasons, but you look to be clear," the other guard replied before he went to open the gate for Ludwig to pass through. "You may continue onwards,"

Ludwig kept his temper under the lid for now, but he kept onwards inside the Castle and without a word. He's serious about the situation given at hand and before long, he entered the main room of the Castle.

More memories kept rushing back to him as he saw statues and many other things that represented his Father in all of his glory as well with several of the Koopalings and the Prince. However seeing the pictures of the Prince really knocked down his mood even further and before long, he mumbled,"To think Father would pick a brat to be the Chosen One over all of us, especially me who is rightfully the firstborn,"

"Erm, Lord Ludwig, pardon me for interrupting but I must tell your Father of your presence," replied the Paratroopa before Ludwig motioned the other to leave as the other needed time to reflect on what's going on.

When the Paratroopa left, he left quickly as he flapped his wings as fast as he can to the main throneroom where the Koopa King was sitting on his throne and thinking over something..that was until the Paratroopa that escorted Ludwig to the Castle has arrived.

"King Bowser! He has been-"

"RRRRGHHHH! Haven't you heard of not interrupting my ME time?!"

"B-but sire. This is important! As in urgent important!"

The Koopa King grumbled a bit before he continued,"Spill it minion. I don't have all day!"

The Paratroopa nodded as he continued,"I've found Lord Ludwig! He's in the Castle right here and now,"

This surprised the Koopa King as his eyes widened at the news. One of his children was finally found? It's about time something happened especially when one of the Mario Brothers have been sticking their nose into their business as reported from the other Koopa Troop members in the area.

As a demand, he pointed out to the Paratroopa as he replied,"What are you staring at? Go get him and be quick about it!"

"Yes sir!" saluted the Paratroopa before he flew out, leaving the Koopa King to his own again. Once the other left, Bowser sighed. It's almost as if he can finally have a break from worrying about one of his children but the one child he wants to see again the most was his own son, Bowser Jr.

However, for right now, he had to meet with Ludwig to which the Paratroopa went out to get for him, knowing how he is. In a sense, he even has mixed feelings about how the situation will turn out especially with how Ludwig is.

[Lemmy Koopa]

The Paratroopa hurriedly returned to Ludwig in the room where he saw him last and eventually spotted him as he stated,"The King wishes to see you immediately,"

Ludwig sighed before he took his eyes off a painting he was looking at and eventually replied,"Very well, let's hurry onwards,"

The moment that he walked over to the Paratroopa, they went onwards towards the main throneroom down the hallway in silence. No word was spoken between the two and it was evident given the look on Ludwig's stern face. Granted that a part of him held back but the other half wants to unleash all that pent up anger and frustration towards his Father.

He was at a very unstable situation and it would be better off if the other kept silent as this was a time of confrontation.

Before long, the duo had arrived at the massive doors of the main throneroom and there was a knock that echoed through the doors as Ludwig carefully knocked on it.

Eventually, the doors opened to the main throneroom, revealing the interior of the room which also revealed the Koopa King on his throne. As the duo walked in, Ludwig's mind was filled with scolding words and distaste that he wants to bring forth to his own Father and once inside the room, the doors closed behind the duo as the Koopa servants went to work.

For the first moments of the reunion, Bowser and Ludwig exchanged long glares with each other before Bowser broke the silence as he replied,"Ludwig, it has been some time since I had last seen you around. So how are your siblings doing?"

Ludwig breathed in and sighed before clearing his throat as he explained,"Your recent disappearance has caused an uproar among them especially with Bowser Jr. to which I know that you care about the most out of the rest of us,"

Oh boy, he's bringing that into this..again.

Bowser countered,"I care about all of you children the same. Not one child is above the rest, you should know that by now,"

The blunette's eyes narrowed as he questioned,"Then tell me this Father. Why is he the Heir? You know all too well that I am the eldest of my siblings yet you chose him above the rest of us. You know you spend your time spoiling the little brat to the core,"

Bowser's patience was wearing thin with Ludwig pinning him responsible as his claws were tapping impatiently against the throne. Granted that Ludwig is the most brightest of the siblings, he gravely disliked it when his attitude takes play.

With a stern look at his eldest, he warned,"Ludwig, I am not going to have this argument with you. We have other issues to handle with especially when there are outsiders that are trespassing on our lands and I will need your help as well,"

Ludwig scoffed. He knew that his Father would pull up the ignore card against him as always when it came to sensitive topics such as this. Such a petty attempt as always, but even so, he had to obey as he continued,"Hmph, I see where you are going with this. However, if anything, don't forget the matter of locating the rest of the siblings which is something that I will do,"

"That too," nodded Bowser as he calmed down a bit. "However, I want to bring up something; one of the Mario Brothers has been spotted and you know what to do with him. I will expect for you and your siblings to take him down. Do you understand?"

As much as he didn't want to take to defeat, the blunette had no other choice as much as he wants to rebel to which he had did numerous times before. Boy, did that turn out spectacularly well!

With a sigh, he replied,"Yes Father. I understand clearly on what is going on,"

With Ludwig calming himself, Bowser calmed down more as well but was still cautious. He had always be on his toes with his eldest, knowing his rivalry with Bowser Jr. Those two always fought the most out of the siblings and he finds it something that they need to stop. After all, he will need all of the Koopalings to get their act together if they are to do big things for the time being.

"So did you had trouble on your way over?" asked Bowser as he was curious.

The blunette crossed his arms as he replied,"The only problems were from my times in Camelot and through the forest. However, I did come across someone that assisted me with my troubles. Despite of that, I am rather tired out since it has been a long way to get here,"

Bowser suggested,"Well, if you plan to go out again, make sure you rest up in your room for awhile. I don't want you to be lugging off from being tired out while you are doing your duties,"

Hopefully, the sound of Ludwig playing on his piano would calm the blunette's nerves enough to be in his musical fantasy world or atleast after he gets some rest, even from a distance, Ludwig did look sleepy.

"This Castle isn't as different like the one at home so you should be familiar with where your room is located. Now, that's all I have to say for now. If anything new comes up, I will expect for you to report it to me,"

The blunette nodded as he replied,"Yes Father,"

Just like that, it didn't take long for the blunette to leave the throne room and the Paratroopa that accompanied him behind as the Paratroopa said,"I'm glad that a fight didn't break out,"

Bowser sighed in relief as he replied,"As much Ludwig can be difficult to handle, I want him to get along with Jr. somehow without a fight for once. If we are to make it in this struggle, the Koopa Kingdom will need as much help as it can to thrive. After all, we can't have those mustachio-ed plumbers running around in bouts and that counts for their allies as well. They need to be stomped out!"

[Lemmy Koopa]

As Ludwig traversed to his room from the main throneroom and through the hallway, the blunette was thinking about the disagreement he had with his father. He knew that the sudden turn of subjects was easily one of Bowser's excuses to avoid the context of the subject that Ludwig wanted to drive on in order to learn the truth about what exactly happened to his fate of his title for all these years of how he and his siblings playing second fiddle to a brat. However, the fact that he'll finally be able to rest in his own room again made the blunette sigh in relief and the more he thought about it, the more calmer he became.

In a sense, he was sort of becoming sleepy and might need to nap once he arrived there. After all, he did miss his own elegant bed that he rested in, well whenever he fell asleep. Ludwig was a night owl compared to the other siblings and was more exhausted during the day.

What good was it when you feel tired out? Nothing positive comes from it especially in terms of concentration where Ludwig needs his rest just to be able to do things correctly and effectively. After all, he needs to be able to compose his music, train and enhance his magical abilities on a day-to-day basis.

The blunette was tempted to rub his eyes on his way over to his room but still went against that habit as he looked around the surroundings with pictures and paintings galore as they were hung up on the walls, along with the occasionally statues of his Father. The only time that the blunette would see his paintings and other fancy decorations of himself was in his own room and inside his own Castle, which was often stationed in the heavens above the Mushroom World to which if he decided to, have it hidden among the clouds with a fearsome swirl of storms. Yes, the possibility of weather manipulation was in his forte before he came to this Omniverse and lost it only to be given a substitute power; in general, he wasn't complaining because atleast he had something to work with.

However, even though he was set back, he still had plans to regain this strength and whenever he can, he will relearn what was lost to him because this level of mediocrity is not something a clever and fearsome individual, like himself, would deem as acceptable under any circumstance.

Before long, the Koopa came across the corridor where he saw eight different colored doors on opposite sides of the hallway. One were represented by the color of each Koopaling: cyan blue, grey, pink, green, purple, yellow and royal blue, however, there was another door seen in a nearby hallway that was bigger than the other doors but smaller than the room right next to it, signifying a certain subtle relation to it, however he chose to ignore it..for now.

Soon to approach the royal blue door, Ludwig tried to open it but he had been sent back by a barrier.

"Now they have the rooms magically sealed off? Hrm, that is odd..but it has happened before," he replied and as the blunette brought out his scepter to rid of the spell, a voice asked,"Ludwig?"

That voice. At the sound of his name, Ludwig's eyes widened for a bit as he stopped himself before he turned his head slightly to the side where he noticed an elderly Magikoopa in the distance of the long hallway..

In total surprise, he asked,"Kamek? You're here as well?"

Kamek came closer as he continued,"Of course! It's good to see you again. I was told by the minions that you endured a long trip to get here,"

Putting away the scepter, the blunette calmed down as he sighed,"Don't remind me. I can see on why Larry would complain when he traveled all the way back to Darkland from the Grasslands. However, things are different than they were back home,"

In a sense, he does miss his airship and other means to freely travel far and around without worry.

"I will reassure you that in due time, you will come to understand your surroundings like you and your siblings did before," the Magikoopa nodded before rose his scepter and waved it around for a bit, soon to point at the door, only a spell to break the current one he placed on for safety reasons. Once the magic has came around, it pierced through and made an impact by weakening the spell, only for the doors to opened up on their own, revealing the inside of Ludwig's room, having been untouched and looking exactly as is from memory.

There was his piano, his bed, his studies and everything else in between, orderly and clean at best. Finally, someplace decent to relax!

"There, that's more like it. Now get yourself some rest young Koopa," he replied as the blunette smiled in gratefulness as he nodded,"Thank you very much Kamek,"

The Magikoopa nodded as he asked,"It's of no issue, however, is there anything else that needs to be done?"

Ludwig look towards his room and then back to Kamek as he replied,"No thank you. That is all,"

Again, the Magikoopa nodded and concluded,"Very well. Oh and one more thing, the seals on each of your sibling's doors will open among their perspective scepters though the young Prince will need assistance with his. After all, I sealed away the doors for safely reasons especially with what's going on. Anyways, have a nice rest and I will speak with you later,"

Afterwards, the Magikoopa left, the blunette sighed with a small smile as he left.

Ah Kamek, it's good to see him again. He was starting to miss that ol' Magikoopa being around..

Before long, Ludwig turned to face his now opened room in front of him; the tired blunette briefly rose his arm using his hand to cover his mouth as he yawned. Soon enough, he walked inside his room and closed the doors behind him, only to go to his bed where he plopped down on his stomach, overlapping the pillow with his arms crossed.

Afterwards, he closed his eyes and fell asleep as Time became a blur while resting.

Of course, this peace would be welcomed by Ludwig with opened arms, only if a part of him didn't miss them. Being the eldest brought along that big brother instinct and whenever his siblings aren't around, he feels a sense of uncertainty and worry especially for Junior. The little brat would do anything to make things worse but he's just only a child that has much to learn about the fact that growing up is a challenge and everything won't always go his way.

On the other hand, his sister Wendy was the same way, no, IS a spoiled brat herself and she's older than Junior .

Speaking of spoiled 'children', he thought of Lemmy for a moment and as far as he remembers, he's much like the Pollyanna, a carefree, happy little child stuck inside the body of an adult, well if he is one. It's hard to tell on the basis of how short he is, easily the midget of the group and the sad part is: he's second oldest but he hardly takes anything seriously. All he does is goof off and run off with Iggy.

He mentally groaned a bit as he knows much like the others, the demented, lanky Koopa is the worst when he always bugs him whenever the blunette is composing his music or practicing his magic; however, he does it unpredictably which adds as bonus points for Ludwig to enter into absolute rage mode. As he scolds the other, the other laughs like a lunatic as he would chase him out of his room while the other goes back to his lab, marking another successful moment of his life.

While he had his own criticisms of his siblings, they had their own, but without that, how can they build a stronger family with each other? They loved each other as one big unit, however as for Junior, he was the outcast of the group, left out from the others due to him being an Heir. The bitterness, envy and hatred was apparent among the group, especially with the blunette, when he was betrayed by his own father and has grown to resent him. Filled with such feelings, Ludwig had much trouble on how to properly express his true feelings for the young Heir, yes he was his rival, but he's family as well..

These thoughts and feelings..

Before long, he eventually opened his tired eyes and looked around the room for a bit. As much he would remain asleep longer, he couldn't; his mind was too active with these fact of reality moments and he couldn't ignore the truth.

Something needs to be done as the fate of the Koopa Kingdom and their family relies on it.

It didn't take long before he got up from his bed and stretched his arms and legs, feeling refreshed somewhat as he remained there, still silently pondering. He sighed at the fact that as long as he remains idle on his resolution, he will never be able to escape the truth without feeling a sort of guilt, but even so..he couldn't seem to focus right and went back to rest, this time for longer.

He'll need the energy because this is going to be a strenuous and stressful situation with the retrieval of each and every one of his siblings for who knows where they are. However, part of him wants to return to Camelot, but he needs to go through Tangled Green on his way back. If anything, he'll need to watch it closely and carefully given the fact that Camelot's forces will have patrols out looking to arrest him for a crime he did not commit..or worse, they could go after his siblings. Argh, how annoying!

It wouldn't be until much later until he awakens again to start preparing again before he would exit out of the room.