It's been 5 long years since the AU was created, and back then it was cute pictures and ideas. But today's the day that I finally share the start of the story! 18k words so far too! So stay awhile and stay Minty Fresh!
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Quality
Anya is LIVE right now
FREE
Free to watch ⢠No registration required ⢠HD streaming
All Minty Frazzles chapters posted on tumblr, linked back here for your convenience and enjoyment! :3
Stars Aligned
Chapter 1: Aftermath of a Supernova
Chapter 2: Beneath the Sea's Surface
Chapter 3: I think I was Starstruck
Chapter 4: Candy Canes in a Cup
Chapter 5: (WIP)
Summary: Krankles was under attack! Thankfully, Aquamarine was there to save him before things got even worse. They both decide to stick together, a decision thatâll end up changing the course of their livesâŚhopefully for the better.
âKranklesâŚplease wake upâŚâ
Aquamarine whispers faintly, hovering over the downed merchant for who knows how long. She had checked his pulse, still beating. His chest? Still movingâŚso thatâs good. The bad news is this dark green, almost blackish spot on top of Kranklesâ noggin. This beanish bruise is big enough to make her fretâŚheâs not waking up anytime soon.
Taking a moment to check her surroundings, she picks him up gently and peers at the top of the slope. Seems like everything but the wind had died down while Aquamarine hid from her coworkers.
âBrrâŚ! When did it get so coldâŚand where do I even start?â
The least she could do was try to fix the mess that sheâŚThe Stygian Stars have caused. As far as the woman knows, the Krankles Kart was his entire livelihood and now itâs in shambles. Aquamarine digs in her emergency travel bag and finds a cheap blanket to cover her friend with. Thatâll keep him warm. She starts to pick up anything that could be carried and salvaged. This busywork got her daydreaming back to her conversation with Krankles earlierâŚ
The press of a button can transform the shop into a suitcase for even easier transport and THAT IS FACT!
Ooh would that still work? Aquamarine puffs out her chest and waddles. She carries his wares and places them on the shelves. So it transforms with a buttonâŚshe deduced it would make the most sense if it was activated remotely. After some quick searching on Kranklesâ body (with apologies included) Aquamarine found a remote.Â
CRUNCH!Â
Welp, that was concerning. But the Krankles Kart reluctantly folded back into a suitcase. Might wanna tell Krankles to be careful with that when he wakes up againâŚ
WHEN he wakes upâŚAquamarine checks her burner phone. Itâs already past midnight, and the weather app indicates an incoming snowstorm in just a few hoursâŚoh dear.
âNo wonder why itâs so flipping cold and windy outâŚshoot. Okay I got the Kart but where am I taking the Krankles? No idea where he livesâif he even HAS a homeâŚand I canât think of a good place to go exceptâŚâ
My house. I meanâŚwe are right here in Dimble Woods. Itâs warm and Iâd have everything I need to take care of things.
Aquamarine thinks things over while pacing around the unconscious Krankles. As soon as she made up her mind, she ran with Krankles and suitcase in tow. A gorgeous trail of blue and white stones led to a home with the same colors standing amongst the trees. A simple wooden porch swing was rattling on and on due to the whipping winds. Her thumbs struggle to press all the buttons on her miniature wiggler decoration, but thankfully her spare key pops out of it. The night is far from over, but home sweet home!
* * *
Everything was calm as Fawful regained his senses. The warmth of the afternoon light seeped into his body from the windows. The sunshine reveals dust particles floating around multiple shelves of collectables Fawful doesnât recognize. He felt quite comfortable on this new couch; it wasnât like his old bed. The only thing that stopped him from lulling back to sleep was a rumbly tummy and a dry mouth. These bad feelings start stacking on top of each other because heâs now realizing:
Wait a second. Thisâthis is not the evil lair. What happened last night??
Fawful was now alert as he quickly wiggled out of his warm blankets! Comfort be damned. Is this a trap? Thereâs the couch, a coffee table; and then thereâs this vintage 70 inch RPTV with stacks of DVDs covering up the built-in speakers. No this just looks like a living room, interesting television aside. Fawful was playing detective some more when he smelled somethingâŚgood? It must be from the kitchen. ChickenâŚonionâŚceleryâŚmaybe corn? He was about to walk across the hall but someone met him at the doorway. Someone oddly familiarâŚ
It was Aquamarine.
âOH! Oh my gosh hi! I-I was just checking to see if you were awake. How are you feelingâŚ?â
âSeafoam?! YOU!â
Now itâs all coming back to him! Fawful quickly grabs his cloak and pulls the hood over his face to try and retain the Krankles facade.Â
âYes itâs meâwell itâs Aquamarine but please allow me to explain first!â
Krankles stomps his feet and takes a deep breath, about to give her a piece of his mind for all that trouble last night! But then she presents his suitcase.Â
âGGRRAAHhuuuhhâŚ?â
Krankles Kart?! He snatches it from her hands and double checks that this isnât a fake. How it went back together after the crash baffled him.
âE-Explain yourself, pirate!â
Aquamarine sighs with relief and murmurs a quick thank you before leading Krankles to the kitchen. Chairs were already pulled back as they both took their seat at the dinner table. He saw that a big pot was sitting on the stove but didnât know what was in it. Despite having all night and morning to plan out this conversation, Aquamarine was still unprepared.
âCan you recall what happened last night before I fill you in on the details?â
âWith clarity of water through a thousand angry filters, yes! Seafoam was like a siren, catching my attention. There was much to discuss! But then with the downplay of thatâŚartifiact? Hmph! As if Krankles had even cared for that thing until you pirates had planned the attack! How ruthless! I almost had the dying death!! You deny Krankles apprenticeship, but brought me and my Kart into your abode. Itâs making my hair frazzled!âÂ
He plays around with the little hair he has left to make a point, while Aquamarine frowns and twirls her own hair.
âIâm sorry about all that KranklesâŚI really am. Looking back on it, I was afraid I couldnât afford the piece of the Helm if I told you how important it was. It wasnât on purpose but I undermined your passion for your craft. You deserve all the coins for what you gather.âÂ
Aquamarine sips her drink nervously, making sure not to get water on or underneath her mask. Krankles crossed his arms and seemed to accept the apology.
âItâs true that Iâm part of the Stygian Stars butâŚitâs starting to get a little weird. You see, the Captain started a new campaign for the Hallmarkâs Helm. Apparently when all 8 spokes are connected it forms a magical wheel that when held can locate anybody you desire. Isnât that crazy??â
â...Stupid magicâŚâ
âAhâŚyouâre right. It sounds like a load of baloney but I canât help but worry about itâŚâ
âMagic is all too much real but it contains more foulness than mere sausages. Krankles had tried to dispose of it but again and again the wood survived my fire.â
âYouâve already tried burning it? I-I see. Just imagine that no matter how far you run or what name you choose, a bad guy knows where you are! Thatâs why Iâm in such a tough spot right now.â
Krankles instinctively rubs his forehead. He felt a bruise around there that must be Astroâs fault.
âIf I may, Seafoam. Why not turn your blade against the weak fleshy pirates and have them eradicated?â
âEradicated?? Jeez, if I tried that then call my game over already! I have an easier plan; Get one spoke so the Hallmarkâs Helm will never be complete and I can slink away.â
âThen why the worries? Surely you brought that with. Even though it IS mineâŚin return for bringing shelter and remorse, Krankles can consider this a trade.â
âI donât have it.â
âYou donât. Have it. Is this seriously what you are saying?!â
Krankles scoffs at her. All of that and she doesnât even have the spoke? She really must be a Rookie.
âI donât have it because I wanted to save what was more important.â
âKrankles Kart? But it has destruction.â
Suddenly her face was red and she shook her head no. Then what in the world could she be talking about?
âThe twins wouldnât leave you alone until they had what they wanted. Thereâs eight spokes to a helm, but thereâs only one of you. W-What Iâm trying to say isâŚIâm talking about you, Krankles.âÂ
âI have importance? Krankles? M-MeâŚ? âŚHAHA! Of course! But we are merely strangers. You outstretch your fingers into a box of mystery by helping me.â
Something just wasnât adding up. Is she trying to flatter him? Because this shouldnât be working.
âHaha, maybe the mystery is whatâs so alluring to me. I have a feeling youâre more than just a merchant, just as I am a little more than a pirate. Itâs your choice, and I know this is all so sudden, but I think I-Iâd like to get to know you. And maybe be friends?â
Krankles looks down at the dinner table, like heâs thinking of every possibility laid out on a mathematical grid. Aquamarine fidgets some more but keeps glancing at him with anticipation.
âI am having uncertaintyâŚno fury held against you, as Krankles thanks you for the hospitality. But there is much to be done. Schemes and grand plans must be carefully hatched in quick succession like little eggs laid by a chicken who is evil.â
âEvil chickenâŚchickenâŚoh, my soup! Forgot to turn the heat back on!â
Aquamarine gets up to lift the lid to her pot and stirs someâŚchicken corn soup! She cranks up the heat on her stove and turns her head towards Krankles.
âBack to what you said thoughâyouâre welcome. We definitely got off on the wrong foot and I just want to be likeâŚoh what did you say? You said something profound last night like forces outside your control that determine whether you win or lose, live or die, something like that? While I donât think thatâs completely true, I wanted to be a force of good. Somebody who does something rightâŚfor onceâŚâ She gets a little lost in the broth, so to speak. Stirring and stirring. âIf you need to leave soon, then thatâs ok. Iâm glad we got to talk again. But would you like some soup first?â
Kranklesâ stomach seemed to answer for him in response.
âChicken Corn sings sweet songs of breakfast into my ears!â
âTechnically if anything is singing itâs your tummy!â
His only response to that was the biggest smile. Nothing was in his tummy except MAYBE the tiniest of butterflies.Â
Aside from poor presentationâŚher soup wasâŚgood enough. There was a bit more chicken than he wouldâve liked personally but itâs no harm. Krankles watched her scarf half of it down in a matter of minutes. He mused that if sheâs THAT starved for a good meal, imagine how sheâd react to his own cooking. Is this her favorite soup? Or would his classic french onion soup be her new favorite?
âMmmm! Do youh like ut?â
âSoup is in your mouth still, but yes I am liking it.â Krankles smirked.
âYay! And sorry about that haha! I hope the refreshing herbs werenât too much but I figured that would heal you more.â
âIt brings a fresh taste of nutrition to your soup, herbs have importance. But I suggest adding them only at the end of your process as it had lost some of the flavor from sitting too long.â
âOh yeahâŚI kept adding more because it was losing flavor and I didnât know when you were gonna wake up. Thanks for the advice!â
An awkward yet happy pause ensues. Krankles finished his soup so this should be his cue to go. Instead he pulls back the curtains that covered the window next to their table.
âW-Where is the ground?!â He grunted with disapproval.
âMy stars! That is a LOT OF SNOW!â Aquamarine gasped with awe.
This was a single story home, and the snow almost reached the window. What might cover half of her legs would cover half of his damn torso. Without a floating platform, his kart, or Headgear this will be difficult. She explains that before she brought him home last night, the weather called for a snowstorm. By the looks of it, itâll take a day or two to melt. He can only imagine how much snow is at Star Hill.
âManâŚI hope this doesnât mess up your evil chicken plan.â
âNot literal chickens, Seafoam.â
âYou never know if your local merchant is also a poultryman. I used to know a dentist who's also an artist.â Aquamarine shrugs.
So maybe this pirate is also a comedian? Krankles chucked a little.
âThat offerâs still on the table, Krankles. M-Maybe this snow is like some sign to take a much needed break! At least thatâs how I see it.â
WellâŚ..there is a lot of snow out there. And it would take WAY more effort than itâs worth to climb up to Star Hill. This house is warm. Sheâs being so nice too, so how could he pass up on such a good offer? His plans can be set back a few days for this potentialâŚfriendship.
âYour kindness is full of mystery, Seafoam. I think I am liking that.â
Krankles holds out his hand for her to shake. Aquamarine smiled as she felt how soft his grip was compared to hers as they shook hands again.
âItâs not Seafoam, by the way.â
âAh, then I will call you Aquamarine.â
âWell my name technically isnât Aquamarine either.â
She removes her mask with dramatic flair! That earned a gasp just as dramatic.
âJust call me Minty~!â
They stood in silence for a couple seconds while she put her red glasses on to see. Not that she was expecting him to know who she was, but some applause wouldâve been nice. Krankles raises his hands and sighs, trying not to crack a smile.
âHmph! I said I was enjoying the mystery! Alternate ego shattered. Friendship cancelled. Krankles will exit stage left!â
Minty stammers as he pretends to walk away.
âY-Youâre in my dang house! It would be pretty hard to keep the mystery when you could look at like, any piece of mail that has my name on it. Or the family photos that clearly donât have Aquamarine in them!â
The merchant peeks from behind the wall, smirking.Â
âAlright funny guyâŚwhat about you? When do I get to know the bean beneath the hood?â
âJust because you presented so eagerly the cards in your deck to Krankles means that I will fold the same way. Have patience!â
* * *
It was a few hours after lunch, and Minty had given Krankles a short house tour. He was right, this house was VERY new. Apparently her Uncle knew some carpenters, or some of his brothers were carpenters? He forgot the details. Anyways, the house was originally planned for wigglers. She said the landlord is one and heâs super nice despite his rugged appearance. Minty started to rent the house the same time as his conquest, which was interesting.Â
Krankles was shown the living room, the kitchen (which doubled as the laundry room), two bathrooms, and two HUGE bedrooms (one was for her and the other was for guests? Four beds in the guest room seemed like too much to Krankles.) The snow was in the way but thereâs a front porch and lawn. And then there was a basement that Minty explicitly told him was off limits.
Foolish girl, donât tell Fawful something that he canât do! That just spikes his curiosity. But lucky for her the humongous and functional walk-in shower caught his eye first.
âI request to use this shower.â
â...Oh yeah go ahead! Everything you need is already in the stall. ExceptâŚ!â Minty opens the cabinet and hands Fawful a brand new razor. âThis one is yours!â
Krankles ends up declining the gift. It was a nice gesture, but he likes to keep the few hairs he has on his body.
âOhâŚyour outfit!â
Minty points out several stains in his clothes he wasnât aware of; especially on his dark magenta cloak that fades into red.
âThe gruesome stains and dirt is something I will just have to live with.â
âAww no! Donât get clean and go back into dirty clothes! Here I miiight have something you can wear in the meantime so I can get that washed!â
For a pirate, she sure does like to give things away. Minty comes back with a plastic tote full of what he presumes to be her old clothes.
âI give you my thanks.â
âYouâre welcome, Krankles! Sorry if this stuff isnât in your style in advance. Iâll just leave this here for you.â
As Minty closes the door, Fawful is now alone. With that, he starts to undress. The mirror above the sink was too high for him to see his entire body. Instead he grabs a hand mirror to take a good long look at himself and his new bruise on the top of his head. Touching it didnât hurt, but pressing on it would. His precious, precious brain. At least the damage didnât go any further than that.Â
Fawful never made a wish to be saved at that moment, but heâs glad his game didnât end to a lowly pirate shark. That wouldâve been so embarrassing. Oh and heâs glad to stay here too, he supposes.
The knobs in the shower lacked distinct labeling; but he soon figured out which way to turn for hot water and vice versa. Fawfulâs a man who loves his hot showers! Steam and streams of hot water soothe his aching body as he steps inside. He liked that thereâs a seat in the shower too. So he sat down as water ran down his back like a waterfall. This felt great! Why didnât he fix his own shower?!
Fawfulâs thoughts kept coming back to Minty and her faceâŚwhen she would find out about his true identity. How would she react? She seems to like Krankles the merchant, but would her kindness extend to Fawful, evil mastermind? And then thereâs that Dark Star laying dormant somewhereâŚhe could imagine that scaring her away.Â
MintyâŚ
He keeps twisting the washcloth. Twisting and squeezing and stretching and the soap runs down his legs and now his face is getting TOO HOT!
Pull it together! You are LORD FAWFUL and you could rule the world! Why would HER opinion matter?Â
Fawful turns off the water and steps out of the shower to cool off; wrapping himself with one of those blue towels hanging on the wall.
Iâll prove it, Iâll show her who I am right now and sheâs gonna LIKE IT.
There wasnât a lot in that tote that caught his eye. But he did notice a lot of these clothes would be baggy on Minty and looked comfortable. Fawful debated on a few skirts but hereâs what he went with instead: A white sweater with a 1-UP mushroom on it, dark magenta sweatpants, and black & white striped socks with fingerless gloves to match.Â
Fawful thought he was finished but he saw something red at the bottom of the tote. It feltâŚsoft, like a blanket. He held it out in front of him and noticed it was like a cape! All red, connected by a yellow bow, and has yellow stars at the bottom. It reminds him of the cloak he wore back in his glory days. Except itâs more like a cute, âwe have Fawfulâs cloak at homeâ thing. The look was almost completeâŚbut the red-toned glasses were throwing it off. Fawful slooowly turns the rims clockwise making them change colors. He settled on this tealâalmost seafoam color that matched a part of his new sweater. With that, he marched out of the bathroom with his towel and old clothes in arms.
âOh Minty! I will be seeing you now!â Krankles announced with glee.
âOk! Coming!â
As Minty approached him, he scanned her new outfit. Instead of her pirate gear, she wore black shirt with blue rolled up sleeves. A white scarf snuggled her neck with a three color gradient of red, blue, and green at the end. Her leggings were yellow with teal music and her socks matched her scarf. He thought she lookedâŚnice.
âYou look cozy like warm breakfast croissant.â
âGood cozy or bad cozy~?â Minty teased.
âCozy like Krankles knows why it is your style. Does comfortable even exist in the bad way?â
â...Was that in my tote?â
Minty pinches the cape with her fingers, taking a good long look at it. He affirms her claim and recognizes that stare of nostalgia. But for what reason?
âI must say that looks good on you. Youâve got good fashion taste.â
FINALLY. Someone recognizes his talent!! She took Kranklesâ clothes and walked back into the kitchen while he stayed behind to look around some more. With the washing machine turned on, Minty gets back to what she was doing during his shower: making hot chocolate.
It has been a LONG day and she needed something easy to do so she and her guest could unwind. So much to do today with making sure Krankles was alright and making that soup she didnât have time to sleep!Â
Hopefully Iâll be more peppy tomorrow! Then Iâll talk to him about my plush collection!
Something was missing in this drinkâŚâŚduh! Of course! Minty grabs the peppermint candy shaped jar and pulls out her best mini candy canes. She put six of them in her cup after the whipped cream. For Kranklesâ cupâŚshe wasnât sure yet. Only one way to find out!
Krankles was watching the sunset from the living room window as he smelled hot chocolate. Minty sat beside him on the couch, two cups and a jar in her hands.
âFururu! Which one belongs to me? This one?â He points to the cup with the candy canes in it.
âYou like the candy canesâŚ?â
âIf you ask Krankles he is thinking there needs to be MORE.â
Minty watched as he opened the jar and put SIX MORE in his newly claimed hot chocolate. He LOVES it?? Krankles blinked in pleasant confusion because she squealed with joy and stuffed some candy in her mouth.
âPeppermint is the best! Iâm glad you feel the same way!!â
âItâs a flavor most refreshing! Add the mocha to it and then tastebuds will soar with delight~!â
âAND youâre a coffee drinker! No way! Itâs a shame my coffee machine stopped working last weekâŚnow Iâm in the mood for oneâŚhot chocolate for now though.â
âKrankles had the coffee pot within his Kart once.â
âYeahhh thatâŚdidnât survive the crash.â
Aside from the soft sips from their cups and the crunching of candy canes; the two sat in joyful silence. Minty was flipping through some channels on the TV, but nothing looked interesting so far. Krankles clears his throat to rekindle the conversation.
âThe Blorbs. Do you remember them?â He asks dryly.
âHmâŚsounds familiar. Why?â She mutes the TV.
âKrankles mentions rumors of a merchant who had sold Blorb Mushrooms to his customers. Once consumed it caused the Toads to grow in size, and become round! Like chocolate balls full of fun prizes!
â...The inflation incident! I REMEMBER THAT! A Toad almost rolled right into work and destroyed the front door! Itâs definitely not a plan that King Bowser would come up with.â Minty flips through a stack of old newspapers and shows Krankles. It was one that dates to almost 2 years ago, titled: THE BLORBS! âI feel bad for the Toads and Goombas, but you gotta admit itâs a LITTLE funny looking back on it.â
Krankles smirked while reading the old article. She kept that?Â
âGoombas too? The disease had spread that far like pollen in spring?â
âYeah, thankfully there was a cure.â
âHmphâŚyes the supposed magical Miracle CureâŚâ Krankles pouted.
âHuh? I thought it was a recipe. Back then my boyfriend called me asking if the giga carrot was still in the woods. Giga carrotâŚa big onion, and ice that lasted a really long time. Combining all of that made the cure? âŚWhy are you writing that down?â
âThe onion and the ice, are they having names specifically?"
âI-I think so? But I donât recall. Sorry, I made it seem like I was more involved but I just helped with the carrot, thatâs all. Why so curious? If I may askâŚcuriously.â
âI am seeking REAL answers to what had conquered the Blorbs. A new formula if desired could counteract the cure.â
âAre you saying you want to bring the pandemic back??â Minty raises her eyebrows as she sips her drink. What did she just encourage?
âHmâŚno, too obvious. It would call too much attention to be drawn towards the one who is me right now.â
Now Minty was starting to eye Krankles with what seems to be a mix of intrigue and suspicion, which he seems to enjoy.
âFunny coincidence that you and him were both merchants huh?â
âCorrect~! It has hilarity! Watching your face as it connects the information like attack pieces to a puzzle. Are you remembering anything about the merchant of the past?â
He wraps the newspaper into a tube so she canât cheat, if it had any information about him at all.
âNot muchâŚI do remember that he took over Peachâs Castle for a while. Not sure about his motive but he did use the Blorbs to keep everyone docile rather than destroying everyone so he wasnât looking for total annihilation. Key players went missing quickly though. The Mario Brothers and PeachâŚ? I think King Bowser showed up?â Minty couldnât see it, but Krankles was rolling his eyes when his enemies were mentioned. âI dunno, I never saw the guy in person but I think it was because he was busy weaponizing the castle! THAT was scary. King Bowser was HUGE and fighting Peachâs own freaking Castle! Soon after that everything got darkâŚand thenâŚthat was it.â
âOh how I wish you were knowing more, but he had formidability and grace, yes?â
âUh-huhâŚseems like you knew this guy personally~â
âYou could be saying thatâŚhe had a name which rings the ears like bells signifying a feast at the dinner table.â
âStartedâŚwith an F?â
Krankles nods.
âHe hailed from the kingdom next door, Beanbean! Rhymes withâŚfalafel!â
âWait, I think I know! Itâs FawâŚaaaw..Fawn! Youâre Fawn, right??â
Fawn??? Freaking FAWN?? That doesnât even rhyme!
At least she got half of his name right? Minty saw his expression and darted her eyes away realizing she was wrong. He held her face softly and grinned to get him back in her sights.Â
âThe name is Fawful~!â He stands on the couch and strikes a menacing pose. âI dipped three kingdoms into the chocolate of chaos using mind and machinery! Conquest gnawed on my stomach like hunger unfathomable, AND IT HAD TO BE FED!! Oh they all had the weeping, and Fawful was drinking the tears of ecstasyâŚuntil he was stopped by two bad men and that Bowser. Fawful HATES them, their hammers and mustaches and fist and flames IT HURTS! But, now I am here! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO NURTURE THE SEED OF EVIL WITHIN YOUR HOME?!â
ThatâŚwas A LOT to take in for his audience of one. Fawful sits back down in silence, waiting for Mintyâs response. Now that she knows who he isâŚdoes that change anything?
âWellâŚitâs nice to meet you, Fawful!â
He tilts his head in confusion. Minty smiles and it feels so warm.
âOh uh! I think taking care of you feels nice. I donât mind your history and that doesnât change the fact you can stay until youâre ready to leave. That would be rudeâŚto kick you out after I said you could stay. It makes sense that youâre a mechanic too after you told me about Krankles Kart! Did you make anything else while you were in the castle?â
âMerchant, mechanic and more! Fawful has many talents. You should have seen the Theater I made from Bowserâs Castle.â
âWHAAA?? What do you mean you made a theater?? What do you mean you took over Bowserâs Castle?? This is news to me??â
âLend me your ear and I shall whisper to you what makes Fawful the best!â
The two sat and chatted as the moon rose above the trees. Minty eventually found an adventure romance movie on TV as she and Fawful got comfortable.
âThe credits are rollingâŚI had enjoyment! The main characters should have confessed their feelings earlier, though. Not necessary for Fawful to wait though one half of the plot wondering about themâŚkissing. I say slay your foes first and THEN do the love thing. Is Fawful right or is he right, Minty?â
âŚAaaand sheâs asleep. He nudged her a little with his foot but it didnât work. Too cute to disturb, Fawful let Minty rest and instead started flipping channels. Before he knew it he binged a whole season of an old cooking show he grew up with. The entire jar full of candy canes was now empty. Fawful covered himself with blankets and glanced towards his friend one more time before resting peacefully next to her.
Summary: It was just another day in Fawfulâs lair when one of his machines gave him a mysterious item. While trying to sell it, he instead encounters one of his best customers yet. But why did they have to bring so much trouble?
The secret base was bustling with life this afternoon as Fawful danced on his newly healed toes. He would catch himself yearning to waltz the bustling halls of a conquered castle once more. To hold every kitchen tool at his disposal with fully working ovens. Oh and ESPECIALLY have unlimited power for his machines. Losing all the luxuries of life could make a weaker man cry. But for Fawful, heâs weaved through the heartache of poverty before. If thereâs one thing he canât stand living without howeverâŚitâs his dear Vacuum Helmet. Itâs not his first machine, but it was his first invention. Vacuum Helmet 1.0 was a test of his skills to see what if he had what it took to study under Cacklettaâs wicked ways. Even now, Fawful still kept his âHeadgearâ. Today was the day to supply power to the new and improved version. Jumper cables were carefully clipped onto the machine.
âTesting of Headgear 3.0 is commencing when Fawful says so. Voltage will be spoonfed to youâŚNOW! REGAIN LIFE!!â
His teeth chattered with anticipation as the Vacuum Helmet whirred. The jump starter he found last week was doing wonders for the dead battery within Headgear. When the tiny bulbs on the rim of the dome lit up, Fawful quickly disconnected the cables between the helmet and his power source.Â
âYou are functioning properly, yes?âÂ
His Headgear mechanically chirped in response, hopping with joy. The new LED screen atop the glass dome shows a simple smiley face.
âYes! YEEEEES! The whimsy that illuminates from your motherboard brings Fawful many chortles!â
And with that, Fawful leans forward, inviting Headgear 3.0 to hop atop his noggin, like a mechanical moth to his furious flame. The weight on his head feltâŚquite comforting. He was just about to start another project when a red light started flickering on his desk. It must be time to receive his packages already! He slings a coat over his shoulders and opens the entrance to his base. Tiny floating saucers that resemble his alter ego Krankles come flying through with goodies in their arms.
âCome! Krankopters! Time for the show and tell of this weekâs tantalizing collectables!â
Fawful snaps his fingers in a snazzy rhythm the Krankopters recognize, lining up side by side. A lot of this was his usual deliveries, such as the weekly groceries. Two of them managed to snag a whole crate of star candies. Good! Fawful nods in approval and sets them aside to restock the Krankles Kart. He even got a new pair of black trousers from the Toad Town Mall! Itâs much more difficult than it needs to be to get something in his size without adjustments.Â
âFawful finds this very satisfactory! Was there anything forgotten?â
The last Krankopter beeped proudly, dropping a long wooden beam into Fawfulâs arms. Looks like one of many spokes that could connect to a wheel of a pirate ship.Â
âEughâŚK-88. What is this?â
He points the wooden spoke at the lone Krankopter like it was a misbehaving dog.Â
âHow many times must Fawful tell youâŚKEEP AWAY FROM THE BEACHES!! Those are where the pirates of badness live! Fawful wants little to nothing at all to do with them.â
Krankopter K-88 is smacked with the spoke, which knocks it over onto the ground. All the others move aside as two flamethrowers protrude from Headgearâs sides.
âYou know what to do, Headgear.â
The little flying saucer did not survive the fiery onslaught, but the wooden spoke remained. In fact, it looked unscathedâŚlike the heat didnât even touch it. Fawful frowns immensely.
âEEYYAGH?! Wood that withstands the fire?? Fawful hates that! Headgear, fire again!â
More bursts of flame started to melt the floor around him, but didnât harm the spoke. This could only mean one thing: it was made out of some kind of magic.
âFururuâŚis this not so wonderful?! Fawful could just EXPLODE! WITH FURY! Magical wood, HA!â Blueprints were flung into the air as he stomped his feet. The robots cleaned up the mess as he brainstormed. ââŚOohâŚcould Krankles pawn this off to the hands of a customer?â
Because heâs got a feeling that the sooner he can get rid of this, the better.
* * *
Crisp winter winds cut through the air like a soft butter knife. Dimble Woodsâ trees stayed nice and evergreen, providing shade and shelter to those who reside. Moonlight trickled elegantly between the branches, and the lakes glowed in multiple hues of blue. Krankles was on the move, tagging customers left and right. But so far nobody would buy the magical wooden spoke. They wouldnât even take it for free! He peered over to the lake beside him, wondering if he should just toss this thing. Out of sight out of mind, right?Â
Taking a closer look, the waterâs glow reflected Krankles. Or rather, it presented the face beneath the cloak, Fawful. Thereâs that pure white smileâŚnow shining brighter than his future. And said smile that hasnât reached his eyes in a long time.Â
I feel like a broken record trying to play my latest hits, but those hits were 50 years ago and nobody remembers me. What is the point in even trying to play?
Fawful splashed some ice-cold water on his face to make him snap out of it. Droplets travel down his neck and onto his back, causing him to shiver. His thoughts are silenced and his ears are open.
As it turns outâŚthe gentle ambience of the lake, wind, and trees were quite calming. As he lifted his head to enjoy the sounds, he saw a human woman on the other side of the lake. That mask covering her eyes sparkled against the light, and her hair was teal that faded into white.
Seconds pass, and neither say a word. Expressions blank, but with hints of intrigue. Krankles swallowed, about to speakâŚbut watching her step into the water caused him to hold his breath. The lake was about to surpass her knee-length boots, but her gaze did not falter. Not a single chill went up her spine as she continued to walk. It was like witnessing a resolute force making her way across the lake and he didnât know if this was a good or a bad thing. Willing to take his chances, Krankles took this as a sign to set up shop.
Red bar stools were presented to his latest customer, and she took her seat with grace. It looked like she wanted to speak, but didnât know what to say.
âA new face? I say to youâŚwelcome to the Krankles Kart!â
As Krankles strikes a pose, the masked woman seems pleased, grinning ear to ear. She plays with a strand of her hair.
âWowâŚ! SoooâŚIâm guessing youâre the man of the hour right? The Krankles of this Kart? âŚHahaah of course you are what am I sayingâthe nameâs Aquamarine! Er, MY name is Aquamarine!â
The woman (apparently her name is Aquamarine) holds out her hand for him to shake. ThisâŚwasnât what he expected. But honestly, heâs had weirder customers. Her grip was firm as he only shook her hand once.
HmâŚhas she heard of me? Or perhapsâŚmy presence is just THAT glorious sheâs in awe??Â
âTch, if not Krankles, who else would run this establishment with such vigor? Consider yourself acknowledged, Seafoam.â
Aquamarine (now nicknamed Seafoam, apparently) tilted her head with a confused smile. Krankles spared a moment for her to look at the shelves behind him, to see if anything catches her eye. But it seemed like all she wanted right now was Krankles himself.
âI hope you donât mind if I ask you more questionsâŚ! Youâre like one of those traveling merchants, right? Is this your first time here in the woods?â
âHm? Yes, Krankles travels as far as those puny eyes of yours can see. For I have seen many KingdomsâŚbut I have familiarity with this one. High potential for trading andâŚother things! But emphasis must be placed on the platter called travel, for Krankles is quick like the wind during a tornado of fury.â
âAw thatâs cool! Not gonna lie Iâve always wanted to see whatâs beyond the border myself. Iâm justâŚbusy. I guessâŚâ
âTch, I cannot imagine what must be stopping you. The water lake did not halt our meeting.â Krankles mutters, wondering where he put his mini coffee pot.
âItâs a little more complicated than that, and I wish it was that easy. It feels like I gotta trudge through all of freaking Urchin Shoals just to accomplish a goal of mine these days, and even then you can still slip on a rock and eat a mouthful of water.â
âWelcome to the life that is mineâŚtrudging through uphill rivers and climbing up the waterfalls! That is but Kranklesâ daily tasks.â
âClimbing up a waterfall huh? Is that the same logic as falling up the stairs? WellâŚwhen the odds seem impossibleâŚthatâs when we can DO the impossible. Yâknow?â Aquamarine flutters her eyes from beneath the mask, leaning closer to him.
Krankles stared off into space, remembering the aftermath of the Dark Bowser fight. He did survive despite quite literally exploding himself on command. How this explosion caused everyone to escape Bowserâs body still baffled him though. Gentle knocking on the counter brought him back to the present.
âDeep in thought, Krankles?â
âYesâŚit was nothing much. Your words are ringing true, almost. There are forces filled with such NASTY outside the realm of control who dictate your victory or defeats, living or dying. No matter how hard-working, or how much overtime you are clocking in for schemesâŚâ
Krankles started to rub his temples, trying to keep his emotions at bay. His customer wasnât saying much, but her expression was taking note of it all.
âI think I get thatâŚdid something happen?â
âU-Usually Krankles would tell his life story, but it is long. With complications. Letâs not speak of KranklesâŚlet us speak of the Kart! For you are its customer!â
The product lineup was quite frankly discombobulated and overwhelming like the merchant himself. There was probably one of everythingâŚbut that single âeverythingâ one might need is incredibly hard to spot. Krankles pulls rags out of a Christmas stocking and wipes his head, hiding the sweat his ailment was causing.
âReally dunno where to startâŚcould you help a gal out Krankles? What do you think I would need?â
âFururu! Not to worry Seafoam, Krankles is always eager to guide the lost little customer who pleads so cutely. A sword is placed at your hip, yes? Then perhaps you desire this?â
From the back shelves, he pulls out a wooden sword, coated in little damage marks. Aquamarineâs eyes lit up with astute recognition.
âOh! Well, Iâm very flattered you thought about a sword for me. Buuuuut thatâs not really what Iâm looking for. Iâve got plenty of training swords at home, sorry.â
âT-TrainingâŚsword?â
There was a hint of embarrassment showing from beneath his hood.
âNow that Iâm looking at it closerâŚyou didnât happen to find this today, did you? Looks like itâs made from the same wood as these trees.â
Krankles holds the sword out and it matches the patterns of a nearby tree. Aquamarine nods and puts her hand on her chin.
âThought so! I was wondering where that one went after IâŚa-anyways didja know that the small branches here in Dimble Woods are VERY flexible? I would know, considering Iâve accidentally smacked myself a couple times trying to break em with my hands. Hurts like heckâŚbut hey the trunks are pretty good material for training purposes.â
âHmph. Welp, to me it was a simple wooden sword of simpleness. I will search for something better.âÂ
Krankles threw the training sword behind him so carelessly it knocked over a crate of star candies. Now, it was her turn to be embarrassed. Except he recognized that glint of anger beneath her blush.
âDude! What the heck?? That was my sword!â Aquamarine huffed and waved her arms around.
âFinders keepers, losers weepers! Whaaat, because it was yours that means you claim the rights to free entitlement?â
âN-No, thatâs notâŚthatâs not the reason why Iâm upset.â
She takes a deep, long breath.
âOkay, what if I said I thought a two year old could build the Krankles Kart?â
And Krankles in turn, turned absolutely red in the face.Â
âYou are to take that statement back, and SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR PIE HOLE! Krankles Kart is my most prized possession of beauty! Its schematics are like the deluxe cheese that pours down the fountain of dedication and tears! The press of a button can transform the shop into a suitcase for even easier transport and THAT IS FACT!â
With all the hand movements and teeth grating heâs doing, any normal person would excuse themselves to run away and never look back. But Aquamarine stands her ground and gives him that same unwavering stare like the moment they first locked eyes.
âAnd seeâŚI think thatâs what has me so drawn to you.â
â...What???â
âL-Lemme finish what Iâm trying to say, KranklesâŚ! Your shop, my sword, weâve both got our passions for our craft. The sword I have on me right nowâŚitâs my pride and joy. Her name is The Life Saver.â
She draws her blade and eagerly presents it to the merchant. Right now Krankles is speechless and just trying to process the fact that sheâs not picking a fight with him.
âItâs the very first one I made! Well okay to tell you the truth my uncle helped me with it since heâs got some experience as a blacksmithâŚb-but IâmâŚ..going off track here. Thank you for the recommendation, but you can keep the training sword, Krankles. Iâm sure someone else needs it more than I do, and as a merchant, you need your profits. But just remember some things are more than what they seem on the surface.â
Aquamarineâs tone was soft and sincere. Her eyes reached out to Krankles more than anybody has reached out in a long time. Her shoulders sink as she adjusts her mask, to keep it and her feelings from slipping most likely. Fawful can relate to that. Fawful can relate to a lot of that, actually.
âYouâŚare full of the surprises, Seafoam. Like a high five filled with fresh cold water on my cheeks, it shocks but it also has relief after. Do tell Krankles you will become his regular customer.â
Those fluttering eyes of hers return, and her voice trails off as if sheâs in a dream. Her smile was a treat. This time it was Krankles who moved closer to her.
â...You said you travel a lotâŚand also I havenât even bought anything from you yetâŚhow am I a customerâŚ?â
âI have declaration that you have purchased my attention~ But in actuality buying a product would have niceness.â Krankles hums playfully.
âHehehe! Now I wouldnât want to break your heart by leaving empty handed, would I? Okay, lemme try that again and see what youâŚâŚâŚhave thereâŚâ
Something mustâve caught her eye. Following her gaze, Krankles pulls out a slim box full of tall, unorganized trinkets. He wheezes as he pushes it to the front of the shopâŚhe had meant to display these earlier but then time slipped away from him. Kranklesâ curiosity is at an all time high.
âThereâs no wayâŚâ Her hands trace the handle of the wooden spoke from within the box. Red flags were starting to wave in Kranklesâ head as Aquamarine held the spoke in her arms. âIt is!â
âStop, Seafoam.â
He used his reacher-grabber to take his item back. It made her flinch, like someone took away her favorite toy. He furrowed his brow, analyzing her with suspicion.
âYour eyes starve for this item when no customers before would grace it with the second chance glance. You are needing this? âŚI am wanting to know the reason.â
âU-UhâŚwellâŚIâve been looking for something shaped like this to useâŚfor anâŚart projectâŚ?â That lie was so bad it made him recoil in pure disgust. Sheâs definitely hiding something and he doesnât like that one bit.Â
âLIES! LIESLIESLIES! Tell Krankles the truth or you will be shooed away like an unwanted lunch tray!â
âI-I-Iâm sorry! Please donât be madâI just really n-need it because itâs one of the eightâ!!â
Almost like a strike of lightning, a spear tears through the side of the Krankles Kart, barely missing the merchant himself! Aquamarine yelps, drawing her sword.
âKrankles! Are you ok??â
She was met with silenceâŚhe seemed fine, but was too busy looking at the weapon that almost ended his game. Two voices groan in frustration from nearby bushes. Aquamarine gets up and points her blade towards the noise.
âWho goes there?! Show yourselves!â
âJust us, rookie.â
Two humanoid sharks walk through the bushes like they were nothing. Both wore bright bandanas around their necks and were in uniform. The taller of the two held his axe while dressed in deep shades of pink and purple. Meanwhile the shorter one was dressed in shades of red, missing her weapon. Strange looking star symbols were buttons adorned to both their vests. Their presence immediately filled the air with the scent of the salty sea. To say Aquamarine went pale is an understatement.
âGyro?! Astro?!â She could feel a glare of absolute pain and evil coming from the Krankles Kart.
âPIRATES!!â
Krankles screamed from the top of his lungs! A lever was pulled, which activated the security system! The bar stools were put away, tripping his customer. Alarms blare as mechanical machines resembling the merchant start to circle Aquamarine and the two sharks. Kranklesâ cloak moved with the wind; he held his ray gun tight and aimed it towards his foes.
âYour plan fell through the dirty cheesecloth! I spit and laugh upon this pathetic set-up! After our last encounter, Krankles wears his surprised face as the shark twins show their ugly mugs!â
âI see your stupid toys got bigger, Kranky! Still gonna tear âem to SHREDS!â Gyro flashes her fangs, eager to brawl.
âThe plan is just beginning. If you give us the artifact now, then perhaps we wonât put you out of business.â Astro points his fin at the wooden spoke heâs holding.
âHAH! You bargain now, after the attempt on my most beautiful life?! Speaking further will only waste the foul breath of a nasty such as yourselves. ButâŚthen there is Seafoam. Listen to Krankles.â
The tip of his ray gun is centered towards her face.Â
âY-YesâŚ?â
âI have a vision, your opportunity to even odds and right some wrongs! Scurry over here for a fresh change in career! He will fill your pockets with many rewards!â
He and the sharks stare Aquamarine down like she was prey. She showed no fear in her poker face, thinking about his offer. An offended Gyro smacks her on the back of the head.
âGirl, SERIOUSLY?! Youâre a Stygian Star!â
âDonât abandon ship.â Astro sneered.
âOw OW! Câmon guys, you say that like you have no faith in me!â Aquamarine tried to restore her composure, choosing a defensive stance. âSorry KranklesâŚbut you have what we need.â
âHMPH! FINE! Arenât you just the rotten apple of the stupid bunch?! NOW IS WHEN YOU WILL FEEL THE BURNING WRATH OF KRANKLES!â
Shots were fired, and shields were raised. All hell breaks loose as weapons and steel clashed in the face of combat. Lasers from Krankles and his Krankopters danced across Dimble Woods as if it were a lightshow. Aquamarine rolled onto the dirt to evade the attack. The long blade of her sword created some much needed distance between her and the bigger robots. Meanwhile smaller Krankopters crashed to the ground by a swift swing of Astroâs axe. This left room for Gyro to dash towards the shop. Tch, Krankles wasnât going to let some lowly crewmate get the best of him. Putting the pedal to the metal, the Krankles Kart revs on its electric motor. All terrain wheels moved without mercy, and he was satisfied upon hitting that shark-shaped bump on the road.
âBro! Câmon! GRAAAGH!â Gyro growled as she held onto the back of the Krankles Kart for dear life. She ainât leaving without her spear and the wooden spoke.Â
âIâm on it!â
âMe too! Just as soon as we can clear these guys out! Ready, Astro?â
More floating saucers and even some big greenish variants of these robots with mechanical hands approach Aquamarine and Astro. She was already cooking up a plan, meanwhile her co-worker scoffs.
âClear the way.â
Jabs from her sword poked several Krankopters from above, just as instructed. Astro saw an opening to jump through the horde and never look back as he ran after his sister and his foe. Aquamarine kept slashing, waiting for a new openingâŚbut no. She couldnât remember the last time they actually worked together as a team and this was why.Â
âWhat the hell happened to âdonât abandon shipââŚ? Youâre a Stygian Star, she says! Suuuure guys!â
Her entire body shook from pain as she was whacked from robot to robot like it was a game of pinball. But itâll take more than a couple bots to take her down. She manages to snag one of the saucers using her white fabric belt like a lasso. Fueled by fury, she swings the poor thing around, bashing the metal skulls of the other machines. Aquamarine made sure every machine was downed before weaving through the trees. It wasnât long until she caught up with all the ruckus.
âI will feast on the main course of well done SHARK MEAT! I HAVE THRILL!â
Krankles picks up the pace as he twirls and swings his hips to dodge the onslaught of Astroâs axe and Gyroâs spear. He points his ray gun at bizarre angles just to poke at the twins. The Krankles Kart is on automatic steering, but it can only move so fast with all the trees and bushes in the way.
âJust stay put!â
Astro just couldnât pin the cackling man with the shit-eating grin down. He tried trapping him against the railing but the beanish slipped away. Of course it was like Krankles was made outta butter except for his hands, which kept hold of both his gun and the spoke.
âNahhh donât worry! Iâve got a great idea!â
Gyro manages to put her slimy fins on the steering wheel, taking control of the shop. That grin of his faltered real quick, and suddenly she was trying to shake a crazed merchant off her back.
âNonono! MY SWEET KART! Surrender the wheel, KRANKLES COMMANDS IT!â
Everything starts to go absolutely out of control! Gyro couldnât keep ahold of the wheel, Krankles kept bruising her with the spoke, and Astro was casually flung out of the shop as the kart almost went sideways. Alarms shrieked profusely but both drivers didnât know why until it was too late.
-CRASH!!-
Kranklesâ body bounced and rolled on the ground as the Krankles Kart collided with the tree. He could barely keep himself upright as he watched everything he collected fly across the woods. His foods, explosives, even that damn magical spoke, all out of reach. His heart wrenched as the Kartâs engine whined in agony before shutting down. Before his emotions got the best of him, Astro was already on his toes.Â
âNowhere to run, beansprout.â
He tried to use one of the surrounding trees as a shield to Astroâs incoming attack, but then that blasted womanâs voice rang in his head.Â
Didja know that the small branches here in Dimble Woods are VERY flexible?
Just when the shark was about to bite the hell out of the beanish, he pulled a flimsy branch back. Astro expected to tear into flesh, but instead his lips felt the sharp sting of wood. The swelling on his mouth came immediately as he recoiled.
âGUHKâFUCK!â
As the merchant tried to make a run for it, Astro managed to grab his cloak and pin it against the trunk. Their faces were only inches apart, each trying to burn holes in the otherâs soul. Krankles just smiled more and more, not letting up.
âTchâŚyou are deserving of that pain and moreâŚfink-ratâŚâ
Oh how it would bring the pirate shark so much joy to tear his face apart, but he lost his axe in the crash. The only thing thatâs stopping him from beating Krankles to death was Gyroâs weak cough coming from the Kart. For now, he bashes Kranklesâ head against the tree, knocking him out cold. Checking on his sister was more important than a mere merchant.
* * *
Aquamarineâs eyes lit up with fire as she witnessed Krankles and Gyro crash into a nearby tree. The force of the wreck shook nearby branches, one of which she was perched on. There was only one thing she needed and one thing alone: the artifact. She kept an eye on where the wooden spoke landed, waiting for the right moment.
Smoke filled the air, and some things were lit aflame by the destruction. Gyro climbed out of the remains of the Krankles KartâŚthe front of it was completely destroyed, but the back of it was kept mostly intact. Astro was right there to prevent her from faceplanting.
âWelpâŚthat shouldâve gone better! At least itâll be easy to find that spoke since it uh, yâknow. It wonât be on fire at least. You didnât happen to find it yet did you?â
Astro shook his head no.
âShit. Alright whatever. UGH!â
Gyro turned around and lashed out on the Krankles Kart with her spear. âItâll be easy to findâ is her way of saying Astroâs gotta look for it while sheâs having her tantrum. At least the Rookie kept her head on her shouldersâŚspeaking of herâŚ
Aquamarine squealed softly and pumped a fist in the air! Woo! She found the wooden spoke beneath some sticks, quickly scooping it up in her arms. The twins have no idea! She can walk away scott free!
ButâŚ
She saw KranklesâŚand knew deep down he would be done for after they were finished destroying his beautiful shop. This is the part she doesnât get about being a pirate, really. Krankles was in the way, sure. Sheâs plundered before. But a lot of things in this world are precious, like the people in it. Aquamarine closes her eyes and puts a hand over her chest. Brain says take the spoke and run but her heart is saying something else.
Now if only thereâs a way to distract Gyro and AstroâŚ
There was something else in the branches that caught her eyeâŚit was a shiny green orb. It looked like it had the face of Krankles, but slightly different. And hey, she couldnât say no to pressing the shiny red button on top. It startsâŚticking?
Oh, this must be a bomb. OH ITâS A BOMB. OKAY.
Aquamarine had to think fast! She rolls the bomb away like a bowling ballâŚit was just far enough away to mean no harm to anybody.
Gyro and Astro were none the wiser as the flames nulled their hearing and sense of smell. And then all at once, BOOM! Flames and smoke go hand in hand as a part of Dimble Woods is now a mere burned hole in the ground. What the hell?? Was that a leftover robot?
The masked woman used the explosion to mask her footsteps. The wooden spoke was tossed aside as she used both arms to scoop up the merchant, making sure he was safe. Sliding down a slope to escape, she nervously bites the tips of her hair.
âDUDE, I JUST WANNA GO HOME! I SWEAR if the rookie let one measly toy get away for US to deal with Iâm gonnaâoh wait!! There it is!âÂ
Gyro eagerly picks up the wooden spoke. She smirks and places her spear and spoke on her shoulders. Astro merely rolled his eyes and picked up his axe.
âLike I said, easy~ AND HA! Bro you look like you kissed a cactus!â
âMMmh. Shuh. Uph.â
Gyro took one last look at the destruction they both caused and beamed with pride. Meanwhile, Astro was pissed that Krankles went missing. His only conclusion was that the explosion woke him up and he ran for the hills.
âHuhâŚI wonder if the rookie survived all that.â
Astro silently jabs his sister with his fin, trying to send the message.
âGahaha! That tickles! Youâre probably right, if sheâs a real Stygian Star, sheâll get back up. And if she does itâs not like the boss will believe her story over ours anyways when we bring back a part of the Helm. Canât stand in the way of the Compass Twins!â
She saw his injury as an opportunity to talk his metaphorical ear off as they both walked away from the crime scene, leaving a bruised Aquamarine huddled next to an unconscious Krankles.
Summary: Amidst the Mushroom Kingdom is a human woman named Minty. She works in the family business in Toad Town as an artist. Of course sheâs grateful and makes the most of what sheâs givenâŚbut deep down, she wishes for something different.
A giant, immaculate ship holds itself high against the rushing tidal waves. They smack relentlessly against all sides of the ship, causing it to sway in different directions. The ever-changing, shadowy Monster with many arms fights the sea and eventually climbs atop the ship deck. It sneers, searching for its target. Floorboards are torn apart and thrown away like yesterdayâs leftovers. The Monster peers inside for any signs of life.
Its many eyes finally find a knight in sight. Her multicolored mask is blinding against her armor.
âSo itâs you again. This time, youâre going down for good.â
It was all that she could say before talons of darkness swiped at her. She takes a deep breath, for her armor is impenetrable. The knight wielded her sword with both hands, swinging it with precision. Multiple voices of pain echoed as the Monster lost some limbsâŚthis was her chance to climb onto the shipâs deck to fight on even ground. As she gets closer and closer to the Monster, she dodges more of its arms as if it was a raining barrage of spears. Victory is within reach as the knight tackles her foe; with the tip of her sword pointing at one of its many beady eyes. Getting desperate, the Monster changes shape to appear moreâŚhuman, and frail.
Two arms and two eyes, was this really a Monster?
Then it shapeshifts further to be someone she knows.
The Knight freezes up.
âV-Vanilli??â
That one moment of hesitation allows a sneaky talon to topple her over. Suddenly, the Monster shifts to be three times her size. Reeling from that illusion, the knight haphazardly holds her sword sideways to try and hold off the onslaught of arms waiting eagerly to tear her apart. Eyes of many colors and sizes glare at its target like daggers. It has no mouth to open yet it speaks:
âHOW DARE YOUâŚHOW DARE YOU TURN AGAINST ME!â
The Knight stammers, still in shock.
âYOUâŚSHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!â
âN-No! This is just a trick! If you were really my Aunt sheâd never find out about this!â
A wave of shame washes over her as the Monster keeps pushing. Its disappointed glare pierces her heart like a wave of arrows. She could see herself reflected in its pupils.
âYouâre justâŚâ
âA COWARD.â
The knight makes a half-hearted attempt to move her sword out of its grasp. That just awards her with a newly shattered ankle. Wailing in immense pain, she creates some distance by pushing on her foe with her other foot. Trying to crawl away from the MonsterâŚthat does seem cowardly, doesnât it?
âMy legâŚdamn it, I shouldâve seen that coming! Gotta get somethingâŚto heal!â
âHOW MANY MISTAKES MUST YOU MAKE?â
âNnghâŚlecturing me instead of ending my game, youâre one to talk.â She stares back at her enemy with dread.
âIN A WORLD LIKE THISâŚMISTAKESâŚCOME AT A COST.â
The Monsterâs voice, and its form; it changes shape to look like a tall, commanding sea captain. Each step towards the knight was louder than the last, shaking the floorboards. Somehow, the weight of this conversation was much heavier than her armor would ever be.Â
âIF YOU CANâT PAY THE PRICEâŚTHEN YOUR LIFE IS FOREFEIT.â
It picked her up and started to walk towards the plank. The effort the knight made to struggle earned a guttural chuckle.
âWHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?â
As sheâs held over the edge, feet dangling, all hope left her body. She closes her eyes in resignation. Â
âIâŚIâm not a knight. IâmâŚnot a hero. Iâm just a fraud who hurts everybody.â
The Monster squinted with glee. It gladly tore that mask and shattered it right in the knightâs face. A million pieces fell into the abyss that is the ocean. There was no remorse in its laughter as it tossed her overboard.
No matter how much armor was wornâŚthe terror of the sea consumed it all. Turns out the knight underneath was just a scared, naive woman. She starts to sink beneath the waves of uncertainty, and the depths below are infinite. The woman tilted her head towards the surface for help. It was hard to see anything but the starry night sky above who wants her back. Her mind dwellsâŚembracing the idea of giving up, but one last comet of hope could be seen soaring across the sky. It was a small teal star making its way down to Earth.Â
MintyâŚâŚ.can you hear me?
Someone called her name. Was it the Monster? Was it the Star? It scared her, but it also allured her.
âH-HelloâŚ? Is someone there?â
Follow your heart.
Her heartâŚ? Minty closes her eyes and puts a hand over her chest. Deep downâŚshe knows she canât give up here. Even if sheâs unsure; even if she really did mean all those things she said, thereâs still time to fix her mistakes. So sheâs swimming back to the surface; even if it was like trying to pull a spoon from the thickest molasses.
âHang on, Iâm almost there! Iâm gonna make it.â
A humanoid silhouette with a star-shaped head leans over and puts her hand underneath the calm waters. As their hands meet, the silhouette whispersâŚ
WariowareâŚ
âŚHUH??
âWARIOWARE!â
* * *
Alarm bells and sound effects blare underneath Mintyâs pillows. She rolls onto her back and stares blankly at the ceiling for a moment.
âWowâŚthat felt soâŚreal. Welp, time to get up!â
It took some digging around her bed to find her alarmâŚit was a blue Nintendo 3DS! Her hand grazes the worn out candy stickers on the case. Nothing like the sound of Wario and playing his microgames to wake up in the morning! âŚIt was an acquired taste. Minty played a few games to shut off her 9am alarm and put her system back under her pillow.
Next to Mintyâs bed and her sea of plushies was the nightstand where her cherry red glasses sat. Grabbing those and a hairbrush, she groggily gets up and trudges to her full length mirror.
âGood morningâŚmy beautiful mess.â
It was a wrestling match between the brush and the knots in her hair. And holy crap was the brush losing today. Minty whispers small curses under her breath as each teal strand on her hair is straightened before putting them up into cute pigtails. Last but not least, she makes quick work of the smallest hairs on her chin with her electric razor. WhewâŚmuch better.
Her work uniform was waiting on her desk. It was a plain yellow shirt and brown pants. She drapes them over her shoulder as she takes a moment to check her calendar. Several work shifts and appointments were already written down for January. Strange looking star symbols were drawn for every SundayâŚ
There was a feeling of great satisfaction crossing off that first star.Â
Said nobody ever. But like everything else, sheâll make the most of it. Two important things for today: go to work, and return the library books. Should be easy enough! After a quick trip to the bathroom (only to get distracted for 15 minutes watching videos on her phone) Minty felt fresh enough for the day.
Living alone is truly something to get used to. But boy does it feel nice to have some peace, quiet, and privacy! She took some pride that her house in Dimble Woods has become her safe space. She walks across the hallway and down the stairs into the basement. Itâs used mainly for storage like art supplies, safe foods bought in bulk, her bladed weapons collectionâŚbut the most important thing here is the big blue warp pipe in the middle of the room. Minty double checks that her books are in her hands and her uniform is actually on her body before jumping right inside!
On the other side of the tunnel was a plain sturdy shed. It didnât have much inside except for this blue pipe and a yellow one next to it. Minty made sure she locked the door upon coming outâŚthereâs no need for strangers gaining access to her house.Â
Warm rays of the morning sun embraced Toad Town and its residents. A large building that shared the same colors as Mintyâs work outfit stood before her.Â
The front sign stood loud and proud: Bundtee Boutique!
In Toad Townâs standards, this place was faaaancy. The bricks were various shades of yellows and whites to evoke texture even from far away. The trims were brown to draw your eyes to the windows. Even the back of the building had classy setpieces like healthy potted plants and cushioned benches in case workers would like to take a break outside. Minty felt like she was the luckiest gal on the planet to be related to the Bundtees.
If one were to describe the feeling the boutique evokes upon approaching it; customers and workers alike would say it felt very welcoming. Even if someone went inside only to look around, they would leave with a positive experience.
Minty was about to enter the break room and clock herself in, but the click-clack of heels across the floor and a soft familial call stopped her.
âMinty, darling! There you are!â
âAuntie!! Wow that was quickâwere you waiting for me?â
As she and her aunt Vanilli embraced, Minty could feel her hair being caressed by careful gloved hands. Vanilli looked down at her sweet niece with worry in her eyes.Â
âAuntie NilliâŚyou donât have to worry about meee~ âŚBut, I missed you guys and Iâm sorry for not coming to the New Years party.â Minty spat out that last part to get rid of the guilt.
âAs long as you had fun with your friends, thatâs what matters dear.âÂ
YeahâŚâŚfun with my âfriendsââŚ
âYouâre an adult and weâre not the only people in your lifeâŚbut oh youâve grown so fast!â
10ish years did not seem so quick to Minty, but hey maybe time worked differently for a parent.
âIâd imagine if you were at the partyâŚyou would run inside with Frost and Spear the moment the fireworks started.â Vanilli smirked teasingly.
âPfft yeah! Youâre probably right. Then Pepper would follow âcause he wouldnât wanna feel left out. The fireworks are really pretty but they get so loud here in townâŚaaanyways boss lady, I should probably clock inâŚand yâknow, get to work?â
âHehe, you wonât be in trouble for tardiness if I am standing right here, darling. Stay here for a moment. I wanted to tell you there's currently no big projects in terms of the bakery or the tailoring. However, the windows look a tad empty. What ifâŚyou painted some new landscapes to display today?â
Minty lookedâŚrelieved. It wasnât the expression of absolute excitement Vanilli was anticipating but nonetheless they both smiled.
âThat sounds nice. Ok, Iâll grab my stuff...thereâs a painting Iâve been meaning to finish for a while now. Thank you Auntie!â
Vanilli clapped with approval.
âI thought we should all keep it simple on our first day back in the shop this year. But Minty! Before you go out, please make sure you see Velvina. Sheâs waiting for you up front.â
âAuntie, you say that like I donât wantâŚâŚ.I meanâŚyeah! Of course Iâll see her. Call me if you need me for anythingâŚlove ya!â
Minty starts to leave hoping this would end the conversation. Vanilli merely nods and waves to her niece.
âI will. I love you too.â
After clocking in technically late, Minty dove into one of the lockers in the break room. She traded her books for her apron and art supplies. CanvasesâŚbrushesâŚpaintsâŚall the essentials to good paintings.Â
It would be so easy to get lost upon rows and rows of clothing. Thankfully, this gal knew this place like the back of her hand. She weaved between the racks and customers. She would wave to the customersâŚand sometimes to the racks if she accidentally bumped into them. Strong scents of pastries lured Minty closer to the front of the store. The bakery was a new addition after the boutique gained major profits and Vanilliâs daughter Velvina showed extreme interest in baking. Minty was particularly excited about the section of the building that was remodeled to resemble a cafe. She and Velvina would get carried away chatting on more than one occasion. Speaking of chattingâŚ
âPsst pssst, hey Vina? Vina Velviiinaaa?â
Minty leans over the counter to watch her cousin restocking the cannolis and croissants. The former opened wide and pointed at her mouth, to which Velvina rolled her eyes and gave her one of the croissants.Â
âPlease donât tell me you skipped breakfast again?â
âMmm?? Itâs still morning! Why make food at home when I can grab a quick bite here? UmâŚby the way, itâs close to opening time.â
âHmm..oh! Oh! Yes, it would appear so.â Velvina glances worriedly at the clock and tries to work faster.
And thereâs no way sheâs going to be ready at this rate. Sheâs usually so on top of things tooâŚ
âNeed a hand? Iâd love to help.âÂ
âAre you sure?? Because that would be wonderful.â
Without any instructions, the two ladies started to fill the empty shelves with sweet treats. Velvina felt right at home, humming a delightful tune. Minty set aside a few more snacks for herself and prepared to brew some batches of tea.
âHaha this kinda reminds me of the times we would play house as kids.â She kept a close eye on the kettles. âYou were so passionate about being the stay at home mom while I was the dad with two jobs and brought a new pet home every night.â
âI remember that! You forgot to mention the part where you kept changing jobs on a whim and I would wonder how you got a pet while working as a dentist artist.â
âWellâŚsomebody brought their pet lamb to the office and said they couldnât take care of it anymore! Out of the kindness of my heart I HAD TO ADOPT IT! Then I canât remember if I dyed their teeth blue or pulled their teeth outâŚâ
âThe patient or the lamb?â
âUhhhâŚoh! The tea!â
Minty poured some boiling water into a teal travel mug and a red teacup with teabags in both.
âThank you Minty. Doing the preparations doesnât feel the same without you.â
âAw, VinaâŚâ
âIâm glad youâre back now. Hmm, maybe my wish came trueâŚâÂ
âH-Huh? Did you wish for me to come home or something?â Mintyâs pigtails perked up similar to a catâs ears.
âI wished that we would all spend more time together as a family. Did you make your new year wish?â
âUH well the thing isâŚI wishedâŚ..for the same thing actually! What a coincidence!â
She shamefully took a sip of her tea. Velvinaâs wish was very selfless and she seemed to take pride that Minty apparently made the same wish.
âNow then, donât let me keep you from painting any longer. I see you have your things.â
âYeah! Thatâs right. By sundown I oughta have something thatâll knock momâsâuh, auntieâs socks off!â
âThat would be entertaining to see hehe! See you later, Minty.â
* * *
It didnât take long for Minty to find her usual spot out front. A work in progress canvas of the Bundtee Boutique was placed on the easel. In her opinion, this was peak weather. Sun with the slight chill of winter windsâŚpaint tends to dry quicker and Minty thrives in the cold. The process was like clockworkâŚbrushes waltzed on the canvas like many skilled street performers. Toads that passed by would stare at Mintyâs technique. It doesnât bother right now since sheâs deep in her own little world. Painting these landscapes always got her thinkingâŚ
The Mushroom Kingdom. Itâs a beautiful place; that canât be denied. Everything was placed neatly together. Like all the landmarks in the largest snowglobeâŚprotected from the tides of change. The toads stroll around as if they thrive in their usual routinesâŚPeach makes announcements and runs her Kingdom like sheâs fine with the stagnation of it all. Even King Bowserâs attacks feltâŚpredictable? Does anybody else notice that or is it just her?
If you asked MintyâŚthe solemn Darklands has its own beauty. UmâŚeven though King Bowser isnât as wonderful as Peach is; she was enthralled by the wacky stories of the Minions and Koopalings during her visits. Her family didnât want her to go there. Of course Velvina made a whole list of dangerous reasons. They were very misguided for thinking mere warnings would prevent her from sneaking out like the lovestruck teen she was.Â
Love was in the air for her once. One time she wrote down plans to reside in the Darklands permanentlyâŚto stay where she felt passionate sounded right. HoweverâŚher family had other plans. Vanilliâs words still echo in Mintyâs head sometimesâŚÂ
I know you love him, darling. But please, think about this. You must focus on yourself and your responsibilities. I fear you wonât live up to your true potential if you pursue this any further.
Did Auntie have a point? Was that all stupid and a waste of time? MaybeâŚMinty still thinks about what it couldâve been like otherwise. She hasnât returned to the Darklands since.
Her house, her job, her familyâŚgosh, others arenât so fortunate. Sheâs so grateful for all of it! But at the same timeâŚthereâs only so many ways to paint the same building, so to speak. Every time a feeling or a secret is kept hidden around those Minty loves most; it breaks her big warm heart.Â
She zoned out so much she didnât even notice how much she was painting off course until it was too late. Suddenly she saw the biggest and thickest splotch of teal stroked across the canvas.Â
âOh no. Oh nonono! Oh CRAP!â
That one brushstroke covered the intricate details and completely overshadowed the boutique. Thatâs her Auntâs shop, not the stupid comet shop! All that hard workâŚwho would want this?? Nono, it could be fixed. She could paint over the lost art (although that would take time) so this would be profitable again. OrâŚshe could throw this away and start anew. But that would take even longer and she needs landscapes, SHE NEEDS COINS NOW!Â
âŚMinty tries her best to diffuse her internal meltdown by hiding under the umbrella, hoping no passersbys will notice her. Welp, no matter what the paint would need to dry first. She was quick to find another painting spot despite her vision blurred with tears.
* * *
Almost closing timeâŚMinty came back with paintings in her arms. Vanilli and Velvina were so happy to put two new artworks on display. All Minty could feel was more guilt gnawing on her stomach. One was the Princess Peach fountain in the middle of Toad Town. It was pretty butâŚsheâs done that before. The other was a lone bench that was surrounded by beautiful flowers. Itâs unknown why this bench was built so far away from the other ones but it became a makeout spot. These will sell. But at what cost, really?
âI see you have another painting?â Velvina chimed curiously.
âWhat?? Oh, this one? N-Nah itâs still not finished yet. I made a mistake by accident and Iâll fix it next time!â
Minty sheepishly covers up the canvas with her hands. Vanilli can tell she felt tense so she smiled warmly.
âItâs no rush darling. I think what you made today was wonderful.âÂ
âT-Thank you very muchâŚâ
An awkward pause ensues. Minty stares into her painting, waiting for a response. Velvina pipes up.
âMom and I are gonna make spaghetti tonight!â
âMan that sounds tasty! Iâll catch up in a bitâŚthe books I rented are due today and the library is gonna close soon.â
âOhâŚok! WellâŚgood! Mom, letâs get everything ready!â Velvina was pleasantly surprised and lightly tugged on Vanilliâs jacket like she was a little kid again.
âWonderful. Well, donât take too long at the library. Or else your uncle may eat all of it first.â
âShoot! That means I gotta hurry~â
The girls laugh as they temporarily part ways. Mother and daughter entered the yellow pipe that takes them back to their house, meanwhile Minty made sure the Bundtee Boutique was in tip top shape for tomorrow before locking the front door. She decided to take her mistake painting with herâŚthere was just something about it she couldnât throw away this time. Minty used her trusty scarf to keep her canvas secure on her back before booking it across town to the local library.
As she approaches the intricate front doors, Minty couldnât help but stop to admire the dusk sky. The daytime oranges and nighttime blues fade so well together it's complimentary. She swore there was also some sort of floatingâŚman, on a platform?? Flying in the far distance?Â
Okay go inside the library, Minty. Thatâs probably not as weird as youâre making it out to be.
âIâm hereeeee! Here! Books! Boooooks!â
Minty almost trips over herself as she walks with two left feet to the front desk. The librarianâs face lit up with recognition.
âFor a moment there I thought I would have to charge your first late time fee. Your card, please.â
A shy smile was all she needed to see before manually searching Mintyâs info on the computer.
âHeyyyyâŚsorry, I know youâre about to close, but I was wondering if the book âThe Heart of Hallmark: Part 5â was back?â
âI was juuust checking that out while processing the return. But no, Part 5 isnât hereâŚthe person who has it now missed the return date by a few days.â
âNooooooâŚ.really? ButâŚI NEED to know how it endddddsâŚitâs a super cute story! Sheâs gotta find her lover andâŚurrrghâŚdying fromâŚlack of conclusionâŚâ
Minty slumped on the desk while a young green toad with a scarf was staring at her painting. The librarian adjusts her glasses and keeps scrolling.
âIf the book isnât back in a few more days Iâll order a new one and hold onto it for you. How does that sound?â
âYou would do that for me?? Thank you so much! That would be a lifesaver.â
âOf course. Thereâs obviously nothing more crushing than the power of suspense.â
âDonât even get me started on that! Thatâs why I usually wait for my TV shows to finish airing and then binge all the episodes. Itâs too bad the system only allows 4 books rented at a time despite the 5 book series, but I understand why.â
âExcuse me one second Mintyâhey, Kinopio? Do you need some assistance?â
The librarian leans over on her chair to see the toad named Kinopio fumbling a poster by accident. It drags across the floor and touches Mintyâs feet. Letâs see what this saysâŚ
Join Toad Townâs (Official*) Art Club!
Located at Toad Town Library
Meetings every Wednesday! 3-8pm!Â
(Thatâs also library lunch day)Â
(So we can eat and art!!)
*Not official YET until thereâs more club members
Thereâs also an adorable little crayon doodle of Kinopio holding a paintbrush. Honestly, it reminded Minty of her youth drawing pretty princesses. Her cheeks blushed a soft shade of pink.
âI really like your poster!â
âO-Oh! Thank you! And no thank you! To the assistance thing! Also hi!!â Kinopio waves enthusiastically.
âHehe hi thereâŚare you the one who formed the art club?â
âYea!! You could say Iâm the club president, I think! But just call me Kinopio! âŚI love your art!â
She instinctively steps in front of her painting.
âA-Ah thanks but it's not doneâŚâ
âAww! Itâs still nice even if itâs a work in progress! Wait waaaaitâŚare youuuu Minty Mint?â Kinopio excitedly points with both stubby little hands.
Said Minty Mint points at herself and nods with a nervous smile on her face.
âI knew it! So youâre the artist behind all the cool art at the fancy clothes shop? I need to ask you something important!!â
âYou think itâs coolâŚ? I-I appreciate the sentiment even if itâs not my best work.â
Kinopio waddles over to Minty as they both look at her canvas together.
âFirst I need to ask if youâre always so modest? And also do you want to join the art club?? Iâm the only one so far and the first meeting will be on Wednesday like it says on the poster hereââ
âA-Ah, well I dunno, uhhhâŚIâm not sure yet? Is it more of a painting club or is it likeâŚcould members also make crafts?â
âWhere would the fun be if there was a limit?! Itâs any art! Crayons are my expertiseâŚmade this today while waiting for potential new members. You could be the first in my awesome lineup!â
There was something about the way his smile had cute little dimples and how he was advertising the club that made Minty giggle.
âHehehe~! Iâm very impressed you made this in the span of a day, Kinopio. LookâŚIâll think about it. If I join Iâll have to fit this into my schedule and stuff somehow.â
âOh?? A busy artist? âŚI getcha! No pressure at all, really!â
The librarian clears her throat to get their attention and adjusts her glasses.
âI hate to interrupt, but itâs 10 minutes past close.â
âOh! S-Sorry maâam. Here Kinopio, letâs get your things real quick.â Minty grinned.
Kinopio, Minty, and the librarian all walk out of the Toad Town library together. The latter locks the door behind her, making sure everythingâs in order. Kinopio excitedly discussed his dinner plans. Apparently he really likes cuisine from beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. That just reminded Minty that her spaghetti was waiting for her. She always liked how sweet the marinara was and how fresh the parmesan wasâŚdrool started to form in her mouth.Â
The sun had set completely as Minty jogged back to the boutique. Welp, thatâs another day done. At least she doesnât need to cook; with how busy sheâs been lately itâs difficult to motivate herself to get in the kitchen. She wonders about what else will need done this week as she unlocks the shed. With one last look at her painting, Minty decided to sit it next to the blue pipe to take home later.
The art club sounded so nice, and Kinopio was kind too. It was only one day a week soâŚmaybe if she signed up she could finish that painting the way she wanted to. ButâŚugh, responsibility. Living alone comes at the cost, literally, of coins. She debated telling her aunt and uncle that she needed money again. But at the same time, she didn't want to burden them. Instead, she opts to simply enjoy a free meal and call it a night.
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Quality
Anya is LIVE right now
FREE
Free to watch ⢠No registration required ⢠HD streaming
Summary: Despite all odds, Fawful survived after his short-lived conquest of the Mushroom and Koopa kingdoms. Now itâs almost 2 years laterâŚwhere is he? How is he doing? But most importantly; Whatâs on his new agenda?
The Mushroom Kingdom. Itâs the home of so many different people! When undisturbed, foreign lands would describe this place as united and harmonious. How could one Princess govern over all of these distinct areas? Itâs incredible reallyâŚâŚ..from the capital Toad Town, the dense Dimble Woods, the serene Twinsy Tropics, even the celestial Star Hillâand thatâs only the tip of the iceberg!Â
If you ask the right person, even the dreaded Darklands of the Koopa Kingdom could be a good home. Although, living there means you would have to serve under their âgloriousâ King. Speaking of him, his attacks upon the Mushroom Kingdom is the main reason why some people tend to stay away from that place. Keyword: some.
Itâs crystal clear (and a real shame) that what Bowser wants most of all is a romance with Princess Peach. LoveâŚoh how it makes people stupid. Focus on the potential of the Mushroom Kingdom! What a waste of your resources when you could have signed a peace treaty years ago. Wait for the right moment and then...BAM! Betrayal! Take it all and rule it with an iron fist.
You know who would have both kingdoms right now if two fink rats and a king of stupid didnât get in his way?
Thatâs right. The one and only Lord Fawful!Â
How everything went wrong in the end still stumps him to this day. Breaks his cold little heart witnessing everything he worked on be trashed like it was nothing. A personal theater, an express train, even the Fawfulized Peachâs Castle! That was all VERY important!!
The familiar sights of the Mushroom Kingdom gives Fawful a headache. It makes him want to turn around. Go back to traveling aimlessly, kingdom to kingdom. But after thatâthat thing started sprouting upâŚFawful knew he had to stay, at least for now. A dark fragment of his past, he theorizes itâs the reason he survived after his last battle. When he was that disgusting, dysmorphic arachnidâŚ
Fawful kept his beaten up floating platform steady as he passed through isles of trees. Dimble Woods was a place that could have used more pizazz in his opinion. But he was intrigued when he saw the new houses that were built since he's been away. Fawful drags his cloak over his head and rides his platform low so he wouldnât raise suspicion from the skies. If he kept his identity a secret for this long heâs not going to make mistakes and ruin it now.
The familiar scent of the salty sea and decaying teeth lets him know that he can now take that shortcut in Plack Beach to get to his goal. His finger drags across the coral wall as he dives inside the Cavi Cape Cave. But the real destination is right here, outside the caves and onto the plains.Â
Fawful had to shield his face from the incoming sunset. It appears as if the sky was coated in a pleasant creamsicle dreamâŚtopped with white cloud frosting. The grass and rocky slopes were coated in a honey-like filter. The slopes were thankfully no trouble to traverse for his floating platform.
It brings back a memoryâŚthis was where Bowser really met Fawful for the first time. What a buffoonâŚbut it was also in that moment a small seed of worry was planted within Fawful. He really thought it was going to be as simple as tossing the Koopa King in a cave and leaving him there huh? He scoffed at the reminder of his past failures, but then his eyes welled up remembering who was also there.
MidbusâŚ
âFawful wishes that you would come home, like a lost package.â
He tries to catch one of the last leaves that have fallen from the trees. Alas, the wind makes it slip between his fingersâŚ
âBut my receipt is long, and past the return dateâŚâ
Fawful keeps muttering to himself as he hops off his ride and brings out the suitcase he kept tucked away in his cloak. The sleek albeit simple design was intentional, that way if anybody snagged it they would be met with a nasty surprise. Once the two red buttons where the latches should be are pressed, he drops the suitcase and steps back.
Like a plant growing three thousand times its speed, various parts emerge from the brown suitcase. A set of four sturdy wheels are placed smoothly on the ground. They are supported by metal beams. Followed by wooden shelves that are self assembled. Itâs all starting to form together into a little shop. Even a long marble countertop smacks Fawful in the face. Wait, smacks him in the face??
âOOF!â
The impact makes the little beanish go tumbling down a rocky slope! Rocks scrape his skin, but he grits his teeth through the pain. Itâs alright. This isnât his first fall. He climbed back up. All of a sudden the top of his head was pounding like crazy. It starts to glow dreadfully, which gets covered by his hands immediately. Oh his aching head! Fawful stared back at his creation for a moment before screaming!
âYOU NASTY THING FULL OF UGLY?! I HURT YOU BACK!â
There was searing pain as Fawful whipped his foot against the side of his cart. OW! His legs wobbled. From the way his right foot was acting that must have stubbed one of his toesâŚitâs fine. Itâs totally fine! Just one of the many things he has to fix later!
The neon sign that was placed so eloquently atop the shop started to flickerâŚthat made Fawful rub his head to simmer down. Slumping against the countertop, he rubs his hands against it and places a kiss.
âKrankles KartâŚI have so much apologies. You realize my fury lacked the personal beef full of bitterness, yes?â
He just couldnât stay mad at his latest inventionâŚbehold, his merchant life made easy! A portable shop, the Krankles Kart! But that brings up a good questionâŚwho is this Krankles guy?
That would be Fawfulâs alter ego; who has built his reputation across the lands as a traveling merchant. Despite showing up only a few months ago; Krankles has already made friendly regulars and bitter enemies in this kingdom. While the Bean Nâ Badge was impressiveâŚ.it was stuck beneath Peachâs Castle. It didnât exactly have a big community. This was much better than selling badges for beans in the sewersâŚ
As the sun started to set further behind the sea, Krankles quickly unpacked several boxes ofâŚ.questionable supplies. He lined the shelves with discontinued snacks and beverages with some of the highest amounts of sugar one could buyâŚthey supposedly boost stats. And there's some explosives on a higher shelf that could cause a quick game over if one isnât careful. Thereâs also some items that one would have to travel halfway across the world to obtain! Each has their various reasons as to why they did not make it past the Mushroom Kingdom borders.
Krankles was fully in-character; giggling and kicking his feet as potential customers stopped by. Toads who were brave enough to venture out this far, some particularly sassy Chuboombas, and simple minded Borps. They would take one look at the shelves, and ask very stupid questions like âDo you sell any milk or bread?â. What. Does this look like a grocery store? Everybody who visited the Krankles Kart ended up leaving empty handed. That isnât a real surpriseâŚheâs not looking for a casual audience. Heâs looking for those shady folks like himself who need something in a bindâŚ
Someone likeâŚAHA! That one! That one who just dug a hole out of the ground! He recognizes his black tipped claws, warm brown fur, and that singular tooth. The black night goggles were the cherry on top. Itâs none other than one of the five Monty Brothers! A regular customerâŚfinally. Krankles quickly lifts his chin and smirks.
âI say to you, welcome back! Krankles had anticipation like putting pressure on knuckle until it surrenders to the cracking!â To make his point, Krankles cracked his knuckles.Â
âWell, thanks! But bro, It took me one hell of a time tryinâ to find you this time! Would it kill ya to stay in one place for a while so us bros donât have to dig so far?â
Well that would completely ruin the point of a TRAVELING merchant business wouldnât it?
âAlso donât worry broski, I made sure I wasnât followed. So chillax and take a breather.â He gives him a thumbs up.
Krankles cautiously looks both ways, just in case.
âFururu! Very well.â
He lifts his hood behind his head revealing Fawful to the Monty Bro. He presses a button on the floor of the Krankles Kart with his foot. This causes four red bar stools to pop out front. The Monty Bro had to jump up to grab the seat but he made it work.
âSoooo, the boys and I are settinâ up a party tonight for the new year and weâve gotta have the GOOD stuff. Not that low class crap that has to get Kingdom approved first ya see?â
Fawful was already digging around for the answer this mole sought before he finished his sentence. The mole adjusted his night goggles.
âLamp oilâŚropeâŚbombsâŚah! Fireworks! A selection here to soothe your aching palette and fill Fawfulâs pockets!â
Fireworks were pulled off of the shelves and presented with vigor. Big display fireworks, deadly firecrackers, it was all enveloped in colorful packaging. Fawful became more animated, waving his hands around and describing how each one exploded in the sky. The mole looked confused, but impressed.
âMaaaaan this is good! Iâm actually gonna take all of these off ya hands. What kind of payment do you want this time?â He bounces a little in his seat.
âHmâŚFawful envisions many shiny coins raining upon his fingertips!â He smiled as his fingers walked across the counter.
âJusâ coins bro? Surprised you didnât ask for beans.â
âN-No no. I am not needing beans this time.âÂ
âGood, because for real bro? Iâm almost certain we dug up all the beans you want in these areas. You can trust a moleâs word on that.â
The Monty bro lifts a surprisingly heavy bag of coins out of nowhere and plops it on the counter.
â7,000 sound fair?â
âFawful accepts this! Now, for the trading!â He nodded enthusiastically.Â
Considering he made a lot of these fireworks this is quite the steal. Monty Broâs eyebrows went sky high, like he just remembered something.
âActually waitâI have something else for you! This isnât part of the payment but I got this from a friend next door.âÂ
While Fawful dragged the coins into the cart, the Monty Bro pulled out something and handed it to him. It was a glass bottle with fancy labeling and red liquid inside, Fawful's mouth went agape.
âChuckola Cola! Oh, this is taking me back to the past.â
âYeah! Iâve never tried it. Is it any good?â
âEhâŚno, Fawful does not drink. But a foreign item garners interest for a critic like tasting outlandish delicacies. This will suffice for trading.âÂ
âOh.â
As Fawful put the Chuckola Cola away on a low shelf, he heard his customer tapping his claws on the shelf nervously. Whatâs he got to be nervous about? Is heâŚ.hiding something??
âUh, actually bro. Lord Fawful dude. I was thinkinâ...â
Fawfulâs back straightens immediately and now the Monty Bro has his full attention.
âGogglesâŚ?â
This Monty Bro supposedly named âGogglesâ rolled his eyes playfully.
âIf you donât have any plans tonight uhhâŚwhy not party with us? Itâs gonna be a good time now that we got THE goods. Oh but I should tell you I invited some other rogues and whatnotâBUT DONâT WORRY BRO! I didnât invite those dumb pirates that have been givinâ ya trouble lately. That would be stupid. And I know how you feel about your identity so you could go as Kranklesââ
Itâs at this point Fawful has drowned out the conversation and has instead been pondering deeply while eating one of his homemade snack bars that was dangling in the front display.
It just occurred to meâŚdespite their assistance back in my glory days I never bothered to remember any of these brothersâ names. Yet this one is inviting me to a New Years Eve party.
Fawful suddenly rubs his forehead with his fingers, like heâs trying to suppress something. He interrupts Goggles with a slight raise of his hand.
âShush! Too much of the risk. Besides, projects are whispering Fawfulâs nameâŚthey demand completion you see. This never ending cycle is fate for a foul, aged schemer such as me. Fawful is the limburger of EVIL!âÂ
âUh-huhâŚ.alright. I understand that, but life isnât always about work yâknow? Everybodyâs gotta take a break sometime. Like I dunno, go on a vacation or find yourself a ladybro!â
A very annoyed Fawful puts a very elaborate disk brake on the counter.
âTch. A brake you wanting? Without charge? Fururu! Just try taking it~!â
He slaps the countertop a few times while giggling to himself. Goggles has seen this behavior while working for Fawful before, so he merely sighs.
âNot what I meant and you know it broâŚâ
Leaning back on his stool, he notices the moon is rising pretty highâŚa sign that itâs getting late.Â
âOh no! I gotta get going! The bros are probably gettinâ started without me. Uhhh Happy New Year! Deuces!â
If Fawful wanted to say goodbye, Goggles was digging too quickly into the ground to do so. Happy New Year, huh? Weâll see about that. His hood went back on to cover his identity and the stools were put away. Krankles groans and looks up at the night sky too. As much as he wants to goof around all night, itâs very unlikely heâs going to make more profit. Krankles got one good sale at the end of the year. Everybody is going to be busy, so he might as well close the shop early.
* * *
His new base of operations (he refuses to call it a home) is near the top of the annoying blue glow stick called Star Hill. The stars gleam such bright hues of blues and greens. Fawful is once again riding atop his floating platform to skip all that dreadful climbing. The side rockets jitter at timesâŚalongside his aching toe, this thing needs some repairs too. Everything is turning into setbacks isnât it?
âHaâŚhaâŚFawful is a force of relentlessness. A nightmare who transcended the Dream WorldâŚlike the mold that bread cannot escape!â
Several star-shaped rocks with swirls engraved in them were in sight. Time to land. Fawful pulled out his remote and pressed one of the buttons, which revealed a secret passageway. Once inside, the familiar musty scents of rubber and motor oil that are his unfinished projects greet him. A small Fawful-shaped creature on wheels quickly scans his creator to check identification. It waddles away sweetly once it was confirmed Fawful has indeed returned.
Itâs a mess. The work tables were disorganized; the shelves still had decor from the fall when he first moved inâŚbut at least his suitcase went back to the entrance where it was supposed to. Fawful grumbles as he overlooks his tasks. Build new versions of Mechawfuls (ones that have hands)âŚfix HeadgearâŚ.fix shower. He ignored the rest of the list for now and had to scribble in the smallest letters possible with a pen at the top to repair the platform.
Oh. And his toe. He grabs one of his last pain pills from the shelf. Add to the listâŚget more pain meds. Heâll have to go back outside in the morning.
After some further research and testing on his platformâs rockets, Fawful looked at his watch. 11:45 pmâŚ.hm.Â
âThe New Year approachesâŚâ
Time for a break. The fireworks would disrupt him even if he kept workingâŚand besides, the Monty Brothers had his fireworks. That would be worth checking out.
Most of his completed robots, the Fawguards, escort Fawful outside and scout the perimeters, while Fawful himself takes a seat on one of the rocks close to a ledge. He can overlook the entire Mushroom Kingdom from here. The capital, Toad Town, was especially vibrant. From up here he canât see the details, but he can tell itâs a grand party. A giant mushroom ball made of sparkling glass is held atop a long pole.Â
Speaking of glass, Fawful is holding the only wine glass he has. His fingers trace the Beanbean Kingdom insignia underneath the base of the cup. It belonged to his former mistress, Cackletta. N-Not that he cares anymore, of course. Itâs been over 5 years since he last saw herâŚhe just needed something to try the Chuckola Cola. He poured himself a decent amount of red wine and swirls it around. Two minutes until midnight.Â
âFururuâŚ!â
A few sips in and Fawfulâs already chuckling. Apparently whatever jokes were told to ferment this were really potent. Itâs almost as if this was laughing gas in liquid formâŚooh.
He counted the seconds on his watch.
5âŚ
4âŚ
3âŚ
2âŚ
1âŚ
The moment the clock struck midnight, Toad Townâs Ball had dropped. The entire Mushroom Kingdom was illuminated with a stunning display of fireworks. With Fawfulâs viewing spot, he was at eye level with the explosions. He laughed with joy upon seeing some of his erratic fireworks in the forest! However, the fireworks show in Toad Town lasted much longer and drowned out his handcrafted explosives.Â
An array of powerups and symbols colored the skyâŚmushrooms, fire flowers, and stars. Even the Princessâs face. It was like the colors of the rainbow were kissing the lonely night, begging it too to come celebrate the New Year.
âŚWhich, yâknow, this would all be beautiful for a normal person, but all Fawful can think about is how mediocre the fireworks are. If it was FAWFULâS KINGDOM (like it was supposed to be) then this show would have been ten times brighter, ten times louder, ten times GREATER than anything these sad people can come up with!
âHAHA! This is pathetic and I spit upon it all!â
His once bubbly laughter starts to turn into somethingâŚa little more concerning.
âThe Kingdoms of Mushroom and Bowser has forgotten all that is Fawful. What, is he needing to kidnap a silly princess on all weeks of the year to be remembered so?! HAHAHA! WELL I LIVED! And one day Fawful is going to beat all who oppose him! Then they will cry tears of delicious which I drink with such happiness!â
Fawfulâs hysteria made his throat sore and at this point left him hunched over, looking up at the blasted sky. He stutters as two fireworks take over his view. One red, and one green.
No.Â
Not those faces who haunt him so! Red and Green mustaches, the brothers two who always ALWAYS beat the odds! They are remembered, they are loved. And what does Fawful get? Short-lived gloryâŚbut then the shoes and hammers and claws and fire upon him! AND THEN?! When his alter ego asks the citizens about the Fawful incident almost 2 years ago? Â
They all brush over the Blorbs pandemic! Simply cured by magic and ingredients Fawfulâs never even heard of! His theater? What theater? When did this railroad get here? Oh letâs put other trains on it and say Bowserâs Minions built it! All that he did. On his own. It didnât even compare to the supposed super scare that thing did. Oooh Bowserâs Dark counterpart made the world fucking dark! SOOOO SCARY!!
Stupid stupid STUPID! Fawful scratches his head fervently. His stress spikes to new levels, and the bottle of Chuckola Cola shatters. The robots in his vicinity started to check up on him but everything was going dark.
I should have never woken it up. Why?! Why did I follow my dead mistressâ footsteps and chase after a magical artifact?! I hate the Mario Brothers, and I hate that Bowser!!
But what he despises the MOST is everything he worked so hard for was for naught. Starting all over AGAIN. He has NOTHING! NOBODY! MIDBUS COULD BE DEAD FOR ALL HE KNOWS AND IT WAS HIS FAULT!
âFAWFUL WISHES THE PAIN WOULD DISAPPEAR!â
HE REFUSES TO ONLY BE KNOWN AS THE MERE NERD FROM NEXT DOOR WHO WOKE UP THE GODDAMN DARK STAR!
âNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!â
Fawfulâs forehead glows an ominous red, and before he knows it, several shadowy spider legs painfully arise from his back and shoulders! One more appears, like an antenna of darkness. The conductor is the last trace of the Dark Star with its one bloodshot eye. It awakens!
His robotic servants heard Fawfulâs pain and took their weapons out. But since the source of pain is attached to him, they freeze. Fawful jitters and falls backwards! The spider legs catch his fall and start to run around in all different directions. The dizzy, excruciating sensation only worsens as he feels his back tingle.
âFâF-FawguardsâŚhelpâŚâ He wheezed weakly.
The Dark Star was looking around aimlessly. For what? Nobody knows, but his eye squints with apprehension once he sees the robots approach. Without a word the spider legs keep pulling on the beanish who it held captive, but cannot escape from. Parts of the Fawguards went flying after some bursts of darkness emanating from the Dark Star. It tries to jump down the mountain! Thankfully, the remaining Fawguards take hold of the legs despite the damage it was doing to them.
Fawful is quickly thrown back inside his lair and the usual containment procedure is as follows. Go into the long holding tube, use a small burst of light power that is contained within the rocks of Star Hill. Fixed. Like holding a marshmallow fully inside a flame, the Dark Star and his legs wordlessly burn up and fade back into Fawfulâs skin.
He didnât fully register that his ailment was subdued before he fell unconscious inside the tube.
* * *
Fawful merely stared at the ceiling, questioning his life.
At some point last night, his robots must have carried Fawful to his bedâŚbecause thatâs where he woke up.
âFawful feels pathetic.â
That got the attention of one of his work in progress helper machines, who was recording his vitals. Fawful noticed that his health was fine now. And while he has another headache; this isnât the Dark Star itselfâŚonly the after effect. His watch says itâs January 1st, 1pmâŚhm.
His mind wanders to his tasksâŚthe list he made. Get more medication for the painâŚyeah. Thereâs a small flicker of hope in his eyes as he realizes itâs New Years Day. One, the pharmacy he usually steals from will be closed early. But twoâŚthereâs something he needs to do before going back down the mountain.
His creation looked at Fawful with concern as he got up, which was ignored. It canât talk but he knows itâs questioning him. He wanted to work on his floating platform some more before taking off but this will have to do. Fawful quickly grabs his suitcase, and makes haste to the fields.
They say if you make a wish, it turns into a wish star. And those who work in the Star Road might send your star hereâŚmaking your wish come true. A certain beanish has a full laundry list of wishes that he needs granted ASAP. Are the wish stars a type of magic? Fawful assumes soâŚand as much as he dislikes relying on this heâs tried everything in his power so far to get rid of the Dark Star for good.
And WOW there are a lot of stars today! Fawfulâs mouth curves into a giddy smirk. A new year comes with new year resolutionsâŚwhich means plenty of wishes. Any of these could be his! He starts tapping on the wish stars:
âIt would be sweet to have more members for the art club!â A young boyâs voice chirped. Nope.
âI wish for another year of prosperity for my kingdom and its people.â That must the Princess. Typical.
âGWAHAHA! Hereâs to another year to the one and only King of Aweââ Fawful didnât need to hear the rest of that one.
â(I wish for a place I can call home!)â Must be an animal, because he couldnât understand it.
âWhere are Fawful's wishes?!â He huffed in frustration!
Thereâs so many hereâŚhe hops back onto his platform and starts to speedrun through the field of wishes. He taps each star one by one to listen for his voiceâŚbut instead he hears people of all ages even with the simplest wishes come true. Theyâre all taunting him.
Deciding heâs had enough listening to the crowds of voices, Fawful covers his ears with his cloak.
âThe Star Road has such ignorance and tortures Fawful! Hmph! You were not wanted anyways!â
Heâs got that furious feeling that if thereâs anybody watching from above, they are laughing at him. Well two can play at that game! Fawful laughs and laughs as he descends the mountain.
* * *
The soft ultramarine clouds that surround Star Hill were as vibrant and busy as ever! A patch glows brightly; and thus a star pierces through the clouds. A new wish was falling from the road! It spins and twirls before crashing into the fields. With a distinct teal glowâŚa young womanâs voice faintly echoes:
âHello to whoeverâs up there! I thinkâŚI finally figured out my wish. If itâs not too much troubleâŚI wish for some guidance. I got myself into a tough spot recently and Iâd really appreciate the help. UmâŚthank you.â
A quick Velva I drew to answer an ask on my main blog :D
While I'm here, I want to share a fun Velva fact: She has the last name Fircas! But the fun part about it is why that is, I originally wanted to write something really drastic with Velva cause she's my sona's BFF and really sweet. Perfect angst material.
Being the edgy teenager I was, I don't remember if I wanted Velva to sacrifice her life or to just sacrifice a part of herself for my sona or what, but I'm not joking, Fircas is just part of sacrif-ice backwards. xD
Obviously, I don't plan on doing anything like that with Velva now, do with that what you will but Fircas just sounded so nice as a word to me that it has stuck. Velva Fircas everybody!
"Sweet Swing" A Minty Frazzles Fawful and Minty interaction!
(because I need to share my writing more, I did this on the spot yippee)
(this colored text is when Minty is speaking)
(this colored text is when Fawful is speaking)
"Niceness is suiting you but the glass of kindness has such full that the shards are splitting!" He makes a motion with his hands that looks like a made-up explosion
Fawful is sitting on the swinging bench on Minty's porch, stimming by rocking back and forth. He's deep in thought about something. Not too long after, Minty walks outside with a coat on.
"Sup Fawf? You enjoying the outside view?"
He gives her a short glance.
"Fawful is supposing...but I have thoughts here, the swinging has stimulation."
She takes a second to process what the little guy said, she merely nods.
"Mind if I chill here with you?"
Fawful smiles at Minty, it's a small one but he pats the seat next to him, motioning her to join him. They sit rocking back and forth at slightly uneven speeds, it makes Minty giggle but Fawful just ends up rocking his body back and forth harder, tapping his fingers against the side of the swinging bench.
Minty cocks her head to the side like a confused puppy.
"...Good point. There's only so far you can go with being nice to get what you want. But being kind also isn't about expecting a return, but think about it as a bonus!"
"Are you...talking about me? Like...I'm too nice or something?"
"Fawful fears that effort of yours will be stepped on...if not so already. Be like Fawful! Lack the care of niceness and be treating yourself for once! Minty candy!" He makes direct eye contact with her, talking to her with a sense of superiority, like a stern parent.
"Do you...want some more of my candy?"
Fawful sternly glares at Minty, who can't seem to hold her laughter..! He even jabs her on the side with his little elbow, not enough to hurt of course, but to make a point.
"Minty candy FOR MINTY ONLY! Cease with the oversharing!"
"Haha--aww Fawful, I was just kidding! I get what you meant...! Gotta start being mean?"
"The day this is happening Fawful's friend could be flying with wings!"
It takes a second for her to get what he meant again...OH HIS FRIEND MIDBUS. That makes Minty smile.
"Just...b-be on that out-looking" Fawful is trying to play it off, but seeing his...friend? So happy? Listening to him like this...it's nice.
"Hm...y'know Fawf? Being too mean on the other hand is just going to push people away...after all people really like ya if you're nice!"
Fawful pauses for a moment...but then he ends up rolling his eyes
"Oooh yes yes yes so if Fawful had pleading with pleasing and niceness they would be handing over all kingdoms to him like a slap in the palm!" He was....obviously being sarcastic.
Minty makes a cute little heart motion with her hands.
"Hah! As if people would ever be adoring Fawful without his spray of goodness...or the threats of lives." Fawful refers to...past events in his life where people listened to him. He crosses his arms.
Minty blushes, not outright saying it but...she likes him. And she's not mind controlled, and especially not threatened...
"Wait--but--what about what you just said??"
"....Fawful will have redeeming that candy offer now."
That certainly got a rise out of the girl, she huffs...Fawful's testing her.
"Without guts for decline, all candy is for me~!"
With a devilish smirk, suddenly Fawful leaps out of the swing and makes a dash right towards her front door. Minty audibly gasps, getting up.
"What?? Nono wait not ALL of my candy! NOT AGAIN!"
She squeals out of anxiety as she barges inside her own home to chase after the love of her life from going on a full on sugar rush......again.