A Bittersweet Reunion (Ludwig/Bowser)

[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.