CW: Panic Attack, temporary character death, serious injury, and blood.
Rool crashed into a pile of barrels, his body aching from the impact. He struggled to regain his composure as his mind raced to comprehend what had just happened. The Kremlings and Kongs watched in stunned silence as Bowser towered over them, his fiery breath billowing with each heavy breath.
As the dust settled, K. Rool slowly rose to his feet, his eyes filled with fear and defiance. It was clear he had closed a line, but he never anticipated it would lead to something like this. K. Rool's heart pounded in his chest as he assessed the situation. He had always been a formidable adversary, but facing Bowser was an entirely different level of challenge. The Koopa King's imposing figure cast a shadow over the battlefield, his spiked shell gleaming menacingly.
The Kremlings and Kongs exchanged worried glances, realizing that their longstanding rivalry had suddenly become insignificant during their duel. Kongs jumped into their vehicles and began their retreat; the Koopas watched with petrified expressions as their king spewed plumes of fire into the air. Luigi could not wrap his head around what he was seeing. Bowser was to be the size of a building. And the heat he was exuding was unbelievable.
The ground trembled beneath Luigi's feet as Bowser unleashed another eruption of scorching flames into the sky. The intense heat radiating from his massive body made it difficult for Luigi to even breathe. It felt as if he was standing too close to a raging inferno, his skin prickling with discomfort.
Rool slowly got up, groaning, and stood to his feet. He growled in agony as a sharp stab of pain shot through his side. He moved his hand and it came back red. A piece of metal from the barrels managed to stab through his armor and scales. He looked up and snarled at seeing his army running around like cowards. "What the fuck are you doing?! KILL THEM!" he roared.
Flinching at the harsh word, the Kremlings picked up their weapons, their fear was momentarily overridden by K. Rool's commanding presence. With a renewed sense of purpose, they charged towards their enemies, determined to prove their loyalty and regain their leader's favor.
Rool clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the searing pain in his side as he watched his army spring into action. The tank swiveled into position and opened fire. Bowser growled and shielded himself with his hand; the explosive did nothing but irritate him further. The behemoth leaned forward and grabbed the tank as if it were nothing. He twisted the turret, then threw it with full force, giving the Kremlings the ride of their lives.
As the tank soared through the air, its metal frame twisted and crumpled under the immense strength of Bowser's throw. The Kremlings inside screamed in terror, their once confident expressions now replaced with sheer panic. K. Rool's heart sank as he witnessed his prized war machine reduced to a mere projectile. Other crocodilian warriors took off, their loyalty to the battle lost in the wind.
Bowser took a step to the side, his tail swishing from side to side. His eyes focused on Rool. The sheer hatred glowing within sent a chill down his spine. Never has felt such fear before. K. Rool's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to salvage the situation. He had always prided himself on being cunning and resourceful, but now he found himself at a loss. The once mighty Kremling army, which had struck fear into the hearts of many, now stood paralyzed with terror.
Suddenly a lightning bolt struck next to Bowser, pulling the massive beast's attention away from the paralyzed Kremling. The massive Koopa's fiery eyes narrowed as he observed the small, green figure darting across the battlefield. He moved his body around and focused his attention on them.
Perfect.
Holding his side, Rool slowly made his way toward them. Every step he took was agonizing but he pushed through. Whoever they were would serve as perfect leverage out of this. If they could call Bowser's attention so easily, it was clear they were close. Bowser's attention remained fixated on it. Rool couldn't help but notice the intensity in Bowser's gaze, a glimmer of concern hidden beneath his fierce exterior.
The Kremling could vaguely hear the person yelling, most likely trying to calm Bowser down. He couldn't believe how quickly things had escalated. All he had done was make a harmless comment about Bowser's wife, and now he found himself in the middle of a chaotic situation. With slow progress, he managed to get within a few yards of them. Now that he was closer, he realized he had no idea of what he was looking at. It looked like a Royal Toadstool or an Imperial Shy, but they were clearly not royalty in any capacity.
The thing shouted frantically, and Bowser seemed to be listening. Rool chuckled under his breath and crouched slightly. If I time things right, I can take that little twink hostage. Bowser clearly gives a shit about him so if I have him, he won't hurt me, he thought. He flexed his claws, ready to grab him. A mischievous grin crept across Rool's face as he chuckled under his breath; there was a sick sense of delight in this.
Just as he was about to lunge, Bowser slammed his hand, separating him from his would-be captive. The force cracked the ground and lifted a cloud of dust. A deep snarl reverberated from Bowser's throat, "Don't. Touch. Him."
As the dust settled, Rool realized just how close he was. His snout was touching Bowser's enlarged knuckle. His eyes flickered downward, and he noticed the fractures on the earth. That could've been me, Rool thought.
Rool's heart pounded in his chest as he took a step back, the realization of his near-death sinking in. He had underestimated Bowser's strength and power, foolishly believing that he could overpower him and claim victory. But now, standing face to face with the mighty Koopa King, Rool couldn't help but feel a surge of fear coursing through his veins.
Bowser's fiery eyes bore into Rool's soul, a warning that sent shivers down his spine. The air around them crackled with tension as if the atmosphere recognized the danger that had just been narrowly avoided. Rool knew he had pushed his luck too far this time; he had crossed a line that even he hadn't fully comprehended until now. And it was too late to back out.
"BLUE SHELL!"
"Everyone run!"
"HIT THE DECK!"
As the panicked cries filled the air, chaos erupted. From the jungle emerged a blue blur, dashing toward K. Rool. Koopas and Kongs dropped for cover. King Bowser pushed Luigi beneath him and shielded him with his arms. As the blue blur drew closer, K. Rool's eyes widened with terror. Panic consumed him as he desperately searched for a way out, but it was too late. With a thunderous crash, the Blue Shell collided with K. Rool's body.
The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, knocking everyone off their feet. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring vision and adding to the confusion that had already taken hold. Bowser shielded Luigi from the flying debris with unwavering determination, his massive forearms providing ample cover.
The impact sent K. Rool hurtling through the air, his body spinning uncontrollably before crashing into a nearby tree. His body splayed across the ground, unmoving.
»--•--«
Luigi blinked the dust from his eyes. He looked over Bowser's large forearms and grimaced at the large crater. Idaten stood within it, panting and holding a hand to their bleeding ear. The blue-shelled Koopa opened their wings and took to the skies. They flew in circles above Bowser's head. Luigi turned his attention to his transformed friend. "Bowser! Listen to me! You have to get small again!" he yelled.
Bowser turned his attention to Rool's body and let out another infuriated roar. Luigi's heart sank as he watched Bowser ignore his plea. The transformation had taken a toll on his friend, turning him into a towering monster with immense power. But Luigi knew that deep down, his king was still in there somewhere.
Desperation filled Luigi's voice as he shouted again, "Bowser, please! This isn't like you! YOU'RE GONNA GET HURT!"
But Bowser seemed lost in his rage, fixated on the defeated body of King K. Rool lying motionless on the ground. His fiery breath intensified, scorching the surrounding area and causing the air to crackle with heat. Tears ran down his face, then evaporated just as quickly as they left his eyes. Luigi hugged his thumb tightly at the sight.
Hesitant but determined, Luigi tightened his grip on Bowser, trying to find the right words to break through his rage-induced trance. "Bowser," he called out softly, "I know you're hurting right now, but this isn't who you are."
Bowser's eyes flickered with a momentary glimpse of vulnerability before quickly returning to their furious glare. He tried to move forward, but his head bumped into an invisible barrier. Bowser growled and rubbed his head. Suddenly Idaten landed on his hand. Now that they were closer, Luigi could see that blood was coming out of both sides of their head.
The general rubbed their chest in a circle, flattened their hands, then interlocked fingers. Stay put, they ordered. Bowser snarled and pushed against the barrier with his free hand. Luigi peeked over his bracelet and gasped. Kamek kneeled some distance away, surrounded by blue light. He raised his hand and signed something to Idaten. They nodded in understanding and flew back up.
With Luigi in tow.
The human screamed, trying to ignore the twist in his stomach. Idaten took him all the up and deposited him on Bowser's snout. Luigi fell on his stomach in a starfish position and clung to the koopa's scales. The red eyes turned to look at him, giving him a cross-eyed expression. Luigi looked up and trembled, "H-hey, big man," he whimpered.
Bowser moved around as the barrier began closing in on him. His tail was tucked around him, and his arms were pressed to his side. The Koopa King chuffed but didn't struggle for fear of knocking Luigi off him. Idaten circled his horns. Luigi shakily stood to his and leaned into Bowser's face, "H-hey, how about w-we calm down and get b-back to a normal size?" he stammered.
The Koopa King fought against the barrier once, his chest rising and falling erratically. He squeezed his eyes shut and made choked hiccupping noises... They almost sounded like... sobs. Luigi's eyes widened in realization. Oh my god... He's having a panic attack, he thought.
Luigi's heart sank as he watched Bowser struggle with his emotions. He never expected to see such fear in his eyes; after all, Bowser had such a seemingly extroverted disposition with him. But in that moment, he saw a vulnerability that he had never expected. Without hesitation, Luigi rested his forehead on the king's face. "Bowser," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine concern, "I know this situation is overwhelming for both of us, but we need to find a way to calm down."
Bowser's eyes flickered open, revealing a mix of fear and desperation. His breathing remained labored, and his body continued to tremble uncontrollably. It was clear that he was struggling to regain control of himself. Drawing upon his own experiences with anxiety, Luigi took a deep breath and spoke in a soothing tone. "Listen to my voice," he said gently. "Focus on your breaths. Inhale slowly...and exhale..."
The Koopa trembled and the reaction broke Luigi's heart into pieces. Luigi could see the pain and vulnerability in Bowser's eyes, and it struck a chord deep within him. He knew all too well what it felt like to be consumed by anxiety, to have your own mind become a prison of fear. But he also knew the power of compassion and understanding, and he was determined to help Bowser find his way back to calmness.
As Luigi continued to speak softly, guiding Bowser through each breath, he could see a flicker of recognition in the Koopa's eyes. It was as if Bowser was slowly starting to regain control over his racing thoughts and trembling body. The tension began to ease, albeit ever so slightly.
With every word that left Luigi's lips, he poured his empathy into them.
And his actions bore fruit. Slowly but surely, Bowser started to shrink, and his scales returned to their normal gold color. Luigi's heart swelled with hope as he witnessed the transformation taking place before his eyes. As Bowser's trembling subsided, Luigi continued to speak softly, offering words of encouragement and reassurance.
Not long after, Luigi safely dropped to the ground; Bowser rested his head on his lap, groaning and clawing at the earth. The human jumped at his reaction and touched his shell; the Koopa King screamed in agony. Luigi's lips trembled as he looked at his hand; fresh blood stained his glove. He looked down and noticed the large crack on the protective casing. His heart raced.
He gently cradled the Koopa King's head in his hands, trying to offer some comfort amidst the agony. Bowser's labored breaths filled the air as he winced with every movement. Luigi looked up and saw Kamek and Idaten quickly approaching. "HELP! HE'S BLEEDING!" he shrieked. Kamek quickly assessed the situation.
"Luigi, what happened?" Kamek asked, his voice filled with genuine worry as he knelt beside Bowser.
"I... I don't know," Luigi stammered, his hands trembling as he continued to cradle Bowser's head. "He and Rool were fighting. That bastard threw him, and he hit his back hard."
Kamek's eyes widened as he took in the severity of Bowser's condition. He gently pushed Luigi aside and carefully examined Bowser's back, his brows furrowing with concern. The impact had left a deep gash on Bowser's shell that went from his left shoulder down to his right side, and blood was oozing out steadily.
"We need to take off his shell!" Kamek said urgently, his voice laced with determination.
Luigi looked on as Idaten and Kamek worked to remove the broken armor. From his position, he could see that a broken half was dipping down, most like digging into Bowser's flesh. Luigi's lips quivered at the sight. Kamek and Idaten got to work, removing the shell pieces. Bowser cried in pain and the sound shook Luigi to his very core.
Luigi's heart sank as he witnessed Bowser's agony. The once mighty and fearsome King of the Koopas now lay vulnerable and defenseless, his roars of pain echoing through the air. With each piece of shattered armor that was removed, Luigi could see the extent of the damage inflicted upon his friend. The broken half had indeed pierced deep into Bowser's flesh, leaving behind a trail of blood and anguish.
The human slowly stood up and looked up. Members of the Kong Army watched on with shocked expressions; the Koopa Troop watched tearfully. Luigi looked at them pleadingly, unsure of what he could do to even dissuade the situation.
And the people responded.
As a united front, Koopas and Kongs approached the injured king. A truck wheeled closer to them; Candy jumped out of the passenger side and rushed toward the scene. Kamek, albeit distrusting, allowed them to help. With the help of a few Kongs and Koopa soldiers, they managed to get Bowser onto a makeshift stretcher on his side. They lifted him onto the large vehicle with Candy, Luigi, and Kamek joining him.
Idaten was about to follow, but a group of soldiers stopped and pointed at their injuries. Begrudgingly, they stayed put and allowed themselves to be taken to another healer. The driver floored it, spending across the dilapidated battlefield and into one of the few remaining buildings. They carried Bowser inside and began treating his injuries.
»--•--«
The events that unfolded afterward were a blur. Soldiers began gathering the injured and setting up field hospitals; the Koopa Troop aided in any way they could, whether it was helping reunite families or distributing supplies. A combined squadron captured the remaining Kremlings and took them to the village's incarceration.
And as for K. Rool?
While the armies were distracted, a Kremling snuck toward their fallen king. They stayed hidden in the shadows as they quickly headed toward him; their hand was clutched around a green mushroom. Their urgency was justified. If they wanted to revive their leader (lest they be cursed by his spirit for insubordination) they had to be swift or else the 1-Up would disappear in their grasp.
The Kremling finally arrived at K. Rool's side. They grimaced at the battered and bruised state of his body as it lay in a pool of blood. With trembling hands, they carefully placed the green mushroom on Rool's chest.
The life-giving fungus sunk into his chest with a faint flash of light. The mysterious powers of the green mushroom began to work their magic, slowly healing K. Rool's wounds and restoring his strength. The Kremling watched in awe as K. Rool's body started to regain color and vitality. It had been a race against time, but it seemed that their efforts were not in vain.
Suddenly, a faint gasp escaped K. Rool's lips as he regained consciousness. His eyes fluttered open as he thrashed around. The Kremling jumped at the sound. "My king, you must be quiet!" they whispered.
But the King did not listen. He stood to his feet, gasping loudly and looking around. Rool touched his shoulder, then looked at his hand desperately, almost like he was expecting to see something. The Kremling tensed but didn't do anything further. In fact, they slowly sank back into the darkness. Rool seems to have lost what little sanity he had in the first place.
King K. Rool fell to the ground, trembling in fear with his hands over his head. A group of Kongs and Koopas approached him, hatred visible in their eyes. Chief Cranky stood among them. He leaned on his cane. "Well, well. Looks like Rool here's still alive," he said, his hackles and fangs raised.
Two guards grabbed Rool and roughly pulled him to his feet. Despite having received such a strong power-up, the Kremling somehow still looked half-dead. Cranky stepped forward, "What's wrong, Rool? Got a glimpse of Bonechill's Prison? Bet you saw quite a few of your buddies down there," he said.
Rool looked at him but made no retort. His mind was slowly consumed by the memories of his death. The feeling of his body turning colder and losing the feeling of his limbs. He still felt his soul fall down to that cruel and cold hell. Last but most horrible of all, Rool could still hear them. He could still hear the hatred-fueled words of the previous Koopa Queen and King.
We've waited years for your death, Krusha. We even left the Overwhere just to have the honor of tearing you apart!
We'll make you regret harming our son! YOU WILL RUE THE DAY YOU HELPED HER ESCAPE!