Minions Raid the Mushroom Kingdom

Gru meets Bowser: Chapter 1

Somewhere in a far distant land, Gru was sunbathing on the beach while the Minions were busy burying each other in the sand, building sandcastles, and causing their usual chaos. One sandcastle oddly resembled Peach's Castle, and a few Minions were, predictably, drowning in the shallow water. Suddenly, the sky shifted from a bright blue to a dark, ominous gray, and the temperature spiked from warm to blistering hot.

Gru sat up, confused, as a large, fiery pipe erupted from the sand where one of the Minions had been building. The surrounding sand began to glow red-hot, and the Minions scrambled, running in all directions to avoid getting burned. Gru squinted at the strange magma pipe, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"What is this? A volcano on my vacation?" he muttered.

Before Gru could react further, the pipe shook violently, and from it burst a massive turtle shell, splashing down into the water. Steam hissed as the creature inside revealed itself-a giant, spiky turtle with glowing red eyes. It was Bowser.

Gru and the Minions froze, wide-eyed with terror as the hulking figure emerged from the steam, his presence making the air feel even hotter. As Bowser stomped toward them, the ground shook beneath his heavy footsteps, sending waves crashing against the shore.

Gru's voice trembled as he took a shaky step back, "What... what are you!?"

Bowser reached down, effortlessly grabbing Gru by the waist and lifting him off the ground. "I am Bowser, ruler of the Koopa Kingdom, and I've come from another world."

Gru struggled in Bowser's grasp. "B-b-bowser? How did you get here?"

Bowser pointed toward the still-glowing pipe. "Through there. But never mind how I got here," Bowser grunted dismissively.

Some of the Minions, ever curious, inched toward the pipe. One of them tossed a coin into it like it was a wishing well. Bowser, his patience wearing thin, tossed Gru at the Minions, sending them scattering like bowling pins.

"Listen up!" Bowser's voice boomed. "I've been watching you, Gru. For someone who calls himself 'Despicable,' I'm impressed. Your inventions, your army of... yellow things. How you control them. You even tried to steal the moon. Impressive."

Gru shakily stood and brushed himself off. "Yes, well, if you've been watching, you'd know I'm no longer in the villain business. So, impressive as your... thing is, I'll have to decline."

"Silence!" Bowser roared, his voice knocking Gru off his feet once again. "I don't care if you've retired! You and your Twinkies work for me now. With your inventions and army-small, but nimble-I can finally take the Mushroom Kingdom."

Gru glanced at the Minions, who were mimicking Bowser, pretending to breathe fire and roaring pathetically. Bowser shot them an annoyed look and knocked a few aside with his arm.

"Look," Gru said, standing firm. "It's tempting. But I gave up the villain life. So, again... no. Sorry, Bowser. Maybe in my old days, but not anymore."

Bowser's eyes narrowed, a sinister grin creeping across his face. "Are you sure about that, Gru? Think about it-this world is too small for a mastermind like you. In my world, you could have powers beyond your wildest dreams."

Gru raised an eyebrow. "Powers? Like what, exactly?"

Bowser smirked. "Let me show you." He extended his hand. Gru hesitated but slowly reached out, shaking with a mixture of fear and intrigue.

The moment their hands met, Bowser gave a wicked laugh and dragged Gru toward the magma pipe. Several Minions clung to Gru's legs as Bowser dove into the pipe, dragging them all with him. The pipe sank back into the sand, leaving only a deep, dark hole behind.

They hurtled through a warp tunnel, glimpses of other worlds flashing by. Moments later, they were flung into a grassy field just outside Bowser's ominous castle.

Gru stumbled to his feet as a chomping Piranha Plant snapped at him, and a massive Thwomp nearly crushed him. Bowser knocked the Thwomp aside like it was nothing.

"Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom," Bowser growled.

Gru felt panic as he regained his composure. The Minions wandered around in awe, one even trying to give a Piranha Plant a banana. Gru stood in awe of Bowser's looming castle.

"Is... is that your castle!?" Gru asked, practically drooling.

Bowser chuckled. "Hehehe... You like it?"

"It's more than I ever dreamed of! All I had was a lair!" Gru exclaimed.

Bowser smirked. "This is just one of the perks. You could have your own castle. Let me show you more."

Inside, the castle was massive, with a sleek black floor, red carpets, chandeliers with eerie flames, and Koopas and Goombas going about their business. Bowser led Gru to a large chest, unlocking it to reveal glowing power-ups.

"We'll start with the basics," Bowser said, holding up a mushroom.

Gru and the Minions burst into laughter. "A mushroom!? What, are we making a salad?" Gru gasped between laughs.

Bowser, growing angry, swallowed the mushroom and grew five times larger. "What do you say now, Gru!?" Bowser bellowed.

Gru, unimpressed, said, "Is that it?" still mocking Bowser.

Before Bowser could respond, Kamek flew in, warning that Mario and Luigi were storming the castle with a new army. Bowser dismissed Kamek and called for his clown car.

Gru, the Minions, and Bowser took to the skies, overlooking the Mushroom Kingdom's vast armies preparing for battle.