A Gloomy Little Town

[Lemmy Koopa]

It was sometime ago that the blunette decided to step out from the Kingdom of Camelot to enter into the Pale Moors. Of course, he was still on the search for this Magus individual, but he's been quite bored with Camelot since all they do is criticize everyone as being non-human as monsters and to the fact that the Tournament is ongoing. The Colosseum would be a trap unless he knew of how to use invisibility to sneak a look through the crowds and this little brat was still trailing with the Koopa like the little pain he is.

However, that seemed to change for him once the duo arrived at the Moors and the stormy, overcast weather filled the skies above, as if there was something..ominous.. about this place. To be fair, this was something the blunette actually enjoys; it was like something of a setting to a horror tale book that he would often read back at the Castle.

Ah, those were the times.

While walking the dirt ground, he looked over to Jr. Troopa with his small eyes as he asked,"Do you believe this is a much better place? After all, it isn't as stuffy as Camelot,"

Jr, Troopa looked around his surroundings. This isn't anything of a 'paradise', it looks like an old village with colonial buildings ahead with a large castle in the distance. He didn't like this place, it reminded him of Twilight Town..if not Forever Forest to a degree.

"Ah, um, well.." replied the younger as he was scratching the back of his shell helmet. "I mean, yes! Yes it is,"

Ludwig darkly chuckled as he heard the younger's nervousness and mused,"My, my. Someone must be scared! Oh what should we do? Perhaps return to Camelot and watch the tournament?"

The nervous Koopa child nodded his head before he stopped and noticed Ludwig chuckling to himself as he replied,"Hey, what's so funny? Are you making fun of me, huh?!"

The blunette kept quiet before he answered,"I thought you were braver than this. Oh well, looks like you're not as confident as everyone mentions you to be. Hmhmhmhm. Ah, don't worry about it child, you could always redeem yourself,"

A crackle of thunder was heard in the background and the younger Koopa was paralyzed with fear before he hugged the other Koopa tightly with his little arms as he exclaimed,"AAGHHHH!"

Ludwig didn't care at first if the child was scared; it was amusing, but then again, he came across the resolve that he should give him the benefit of the doubt and so, he patted him on the head as he said,"Perhaps we should go back. It's too scary for you after all,"

The child immediately separated himself from Ludwig and pointed out as he continued,"I'm not SCARED! I'm a brave one and don't you forget that!"

Oh, Jr. Troopa, even though he's annoying, he's highly amusing Ludwig despite of the earlier troubles he had given to the blunette beforehand.

[Schwi Dola]

Geno stepped through the gate. The world of the Omniverse was a strange one for the possessed wooden doll. Even moreso than the strangeness of the Mushroom World and Star Road, this place was odd. The Pale Moors, he had heard its name from some dry bones outside the gate. He started his journey. For real this time, he had met some people in the Nexus but now perhaps Geno could really start to find out what is going on around here.

The dark and ominous weather, the weird plants that seemed as dark as the sky, this place was almost as malevolent as Smithy's Domain. Lightning lit up the dark clouds and thunder shook the trees, striking the ground close to Geno. "I wonder if all of the worlds past those gates look like this." He stepped briskly along the path. The road meant there must be a town eventually.

Then he heard a moan. He had walked for some time, but as he turned around he saw a zombie shambling towards him. Geno spoke, "Hello good sir! Can I help you?" The human zombie wearing a bright orange cone on its head dragged one leg along. It must have been injured at some point. The zombie groaned, "Braaah... Brains! Braaaaains..." He could speak, but he got closer with that hungry look on his face. Geno replied, "I'm sorry but I can't help you with that." Geno would frown if he could, this seemed to be just a mindless creature. He couldn't very well let it wander as it pleased attacking travelers.

Geno waited cautiously for the zombie to get closer. Once it got to him, the zombie tried to bite Geno, who quickly dodged to one side and jumped back a couple times. Geno sighed, "I'm sorry, but I can't let you continue like this." That confirmed that it was hostile. He was also slow, best to finish this in one move. Geno replaced one hand with a metal tube, and tiny bright bits of light appeared around the area in front of its end and zipped in. Geno kept his distance as he focused energy.

Geno said, "I'll make sure you don't suffer." He jumped, and pointed the fully charged star gun at the cone hat zombie. It shot out a thin white tracer beam out, which quickly grew into a 6 foot blast of energy. The blast hung there for a time, then dissipated and the zombie was gone. As well as a sizable amount of vegetation and some of the ground behind where it had stood until it fell completely into the ground.

Geno nodded. It was unfortunate but he had to move on. Not long after that, he saw the village in the distance. As he got closer he could see that there was activity. Smoke in chimneys, and people moving about with lamps set up to light the roads and candles in windows. "I'm not SCARED! I'm a brave one and don't you forget that!" Geno heard something, a voice up ahead. His head came down from looking up at the buildings to see two Koopas. Geno stopped for a moment surprised. He again found more Mushroom residents here. Were they associated with the Koopa Troop under Bowser's control? Geno approached the Koopas and said "Hello! I am Geno, what are two Koopas doing in a place like this?"

[Lemmy Koopa]

The blunette and the child stopped arguing as they both noticed the wooden doll within distance as the blunette immediately dismissing the argument as he replied,"We're just exploring for a bit. Of course, noting that it is going to rain soon, it would be better off if we find some shelter through the storm,"

For some reason, the blunette cannot help but to feel suspicious of this stranger as he knitted a brow as he asked,"Pardon me for asking but who are you exactly? If you are wondering, my name is Ludwig von Koopa and this unruly child is Jr. Troopa. He's been with me for quite some time,"

"Hey! I heard that!" exclaimed the other as Ludwig rolled his eyes.

However, perhaps this stranger could be a hidden piece of his Father's past that he isn't aware of? He's already annoyed enough that his Father hides secrets from him and that's no different for the Heir. Oh how he loathe the very mention of his name!

[Schwi Dola]

Ludwig von Koopa? Jr. Troopa? These names sounded familiar to the star sprite. He had heard those names before. Geno couldn't be sure exactly where, had he seen their wishes on Star Road? Or someone wishing for them, the wishes didn't come labeled. He could also have heard a story about Super Mario and they were there.

The wooden puppet nodded. He gestured to himself. Geno said, "I'm a Star Warrior, I'm from Mushroom World as you two probably are?" There were Koopas from other worlds. Villages of koopas that eventually settled onto other parts of the Mushroom Galaxy and beyond. Geno looked around.

He pointed to a sign of wine and cheese. "We can probably take shelter there." Geno walked towards the tavern. He hadn't been here for long in the omniverse but he did have a supply of omnilium he could rely on for situations like this. If he was right he could make currency with it. "I used to guard Star Road so that the wishes of everyone on Mushroom World could be granted."

Geno turned the knob on the door and pushed it open. He offered to hold the door for them. "Are you two affiliated with the Koopa Troop? I've met Bowser personally before. Or perhaps one of the Koopa Villages?"

[Lemmy Koopa]

Ludwig and the younger Koopa followed after the puppet on their way over to the tavern. While so, the blunette answered,"Yes, I know that I'm from Mushroom World though I have little clue on where this child is from..well if he would cooperate for one question,"

The younger crossed his arms as he sighed,"I'm from that stupid Goomba Village. It's where that Mario messed up my playground and picked on me; that's why I wanna find'em and get back at him for what he's done!"

So he's met Mario as well? What a surprising revelation. If anything, he's practically everywhere; there's no denying that.

"For a small child, you certainly have a large temper," sighed the blunette. "In fact, you attacked an escort of Iggy's in the Tangled Greens over the fact that they're crossing into your territory. Do you always resort to such actions on a constant basis? Why not try to come across it as a more logical way or format? Surely you wouldn't have so much trouble in the first place,"

The younger kept silent as the question sunk in; he knows that he could've but to be honest, he isn't a patient child, even if he is an orphan and before long, he sped up to the tavern as he replied,"Let's just get inside before it starts to rain more. I'd hate to get all wet!"

As much as Ludwig has been looking out for the child, he can't help but to feel concerned. Of course they fight but in a sense, who is to blame? The blunette was looking out for an orphan that's alone and scare but is masking it with this alternate tough guy personality, much like Jr.

To have nothing; not even parents to look out for you..it's saddening..

Before long, Ludwig picked up the pace as he whispered to Geno,"Despite of the recent circumstances, I pity him. That's why I look out for him even though he is an unruly child much like my younger brother,"

..maybe he's staring to have second thoughts? No, no it is much too early to call that. After all, he still has to carry in for his plot sooner or later and besides, he still is bitter about the entire ordeal..

[Schwi Dola]

Geno pushed open the door to the tavern, letting the koopas in first. He noticed how Ludwig avoided the question he'd asked. However, Geno did not feel the need to pressure him about it. To Geno the matter was just a curiosity. Bowser could be a sensitive topic to many people. It did not matter whether or not Ludwig wanted to share.

The wooden doll took a quick look around the room. The place was moderately busy. Various mostly human people ate, drank, and chatted. A young lady greeted them as they approached a service counter. "Hello and welcome to the Wailing Tavern! How can I help you today, do you need a place to stay for the night?" Just a table for now please." "Of course, right this way."
She led them through the tables to an empty booth with menus waiting. Obviously some modern influences affected this more medieval looking place. The menus and greeting at the door were not things you normally expected.

Sitting down, Geno continued their conversation. "You've met Mario as well? I hear he gets around. I even heard about him from Star Road before I descended to the Mushroom Kingdom for the first time. But at the same time it seemed like most people didn't actually recognize him in person. Mario helped me greatly during a crisis with Star Road, that was how I met King Bowser." Geno thought about it for a moment but decided not to go into too much detail about Bowser, at least while he seemed not to like the topic.