Shards of Love

Revelations

Shards of Love: REDUX!

Shard II: Revelations

Chapter X

Realizations

Peach appears in an otherworldly, yet familiar dimension. Judging from the red, smoky skies and the desolate landscape, she deducts the area to be somewhere in Dark Land, although one can debate a more specific location. Looking around, she spots two middle-aged magikoopas lounging underneath a bare, lava-ravaged tree. Curious, she attempts to saunter towards them, but instead she realizes she's floating. Shock overwhelms Peach; she can float for a few seconds after jumping due to the effects of her dress masquerading as a parachute or other gliding mechanism, but she appears to be gliding indefinitely.

After her bout of surprise, she attempts speaking to them, but the magikoopas don't pay her any mind. Even as she floats by them and speaks up, they still ignore her. She taps one of them on the shoulder, but still no response. Giving up, she instead decides to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Well, I'm not sure," one magikoopa, a male sporting a blue robe, replied. Peach continues staring at the magikoopa; somehow, he appears familiar, but she can't grasp on who he is. She knows the highest-ranked magikoopas don blue or purple robes–she learned that from Bowser– but she doesn't know any blue-robed middle-aged magikoopas, only older ones.

"The Almighty King's famous for losing his children, I swear. Traw's been the only one not disappearing often," an older female magikoopa sighs as she rustles her dark purple robe and pushes up her spectacles.

"Traw's the only child he cares about," the male replies in a tone of certainty, "He's growing up strong to be like his father, unlike his younger siblings. Perhaps that's why the King never reports Traw missing; he actually keeps tabs on him. The others could burn in a lava pit straight from Purgatory and he wouldn't bat an eye."

The female, considering the former's words, continues pondering the situation before speaking out, "Nonetheless, thing's been weird. Ever since I became the Magikoopa Troop Leader, I also notice odd behaviors with your toadies."

At the mentioning, Peach notices a dash of shock on the male's face, as if he's unaware of the situation or even covering up a larger plan.

"Err, perhaps the toadies were busy doing their duties? Remember, they were commanded to kidnap the babies to prevent The Usurper from destroying the kingdom."

"Why, yes they were, but..." the female sighs once again before releasing a little shiver, "Damn outside air sometimes, especially when the wind comes. Anyway, just... Well, I'm counting on you. Don't let us down. Don't let the kingdom down. Don't let the King down."

"I promise, madam. I'll do what's best for the kingdom."

"Good," the female smirked, "You've been my best pupil I've had in my three decades of being in the Magikoopa Troop. That's why I made you my deputy leader. I trust in your leadership of your toadies."

"I won't let the Kingdom down, Boss," the male promised, "As far as I'm alive."

"Great," the female's smirk grew, "Make the kingdom proud, Kamek."

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Peach gasps loud enough to wake herself up. Still delusional from the dream, she sits up and gives a blank stare at her dresser. After regaining her full consciousness, she ponders over the dream, desiring to receive a full understanding of the situation. Why did she dream about Kamek and another magikoopa? Who was that other magikoopa? Was she more than just Kamek's boss? Does she play an important role in anything? And what kids were they talking about? Could it possibly be... Bowser's siblings? And... The Usurper? Again?