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"This is the one place I haven't even seen yet," said James nervously. "Don't worry about it," said Koopin. "We're just here to mix with the party, be polite to the guests, and tell them about what we did on the expedition." "Quite right my lad!" boasted Kolorado. "Why you'll barely even notice the time pass what with all the things we have planned for our demonstration!" The three stood firm before the royal castle of Princess Peach. A resplendent light-grey home of cinderblock and red-tiled roofs, with a single tall parapet in the middle that towered above the castle. Flags flapped in the breeze, triangular blue banners with a paler silhouette of a mushroom upon each turret-like corner, the main entrance a beautiful oaken door with a golden star emblazoned upon its front. A stained-glass window stood above the door, showing an image of a pink-skinned woman from a side portrait. "Man this is like a fairytale castle," said James softly. "Well it DOES have a princess my boy," said Kolorado, "one would expect it to be." "I guess...so when are Karlos and Kooper gonna join us?" "They should be arriving soon, they need to transport the rest of my supplies safely to the castle." "Aren't you worried about bandits or something?" "Not at all, not in this area certainly!" A few minutes later, there came a rumbling of wheels from behind, as a wagon cart rolled up with Kooper and Karlos pulling together. Kooper's blue shell and signature red neckerchief simply glistened with sweat, as did his red sweatbands. Kolorado looked rather bemused at the sight of the two huffing puffing koopas. "Good heavens boys, couldn't you get a motor of some sort?!" "N-no sir," said Karlos, "expenses...time...hhhhaaah..." "Well, at least you managed to arrive with the goods intact, now you two come here, take a good breath and look smart for the guards." The two koopas did so, coming up alongside the three as the guards soon approached, two toads with spears looking rather firm.

"Name?" "AH, good day sir, Professor Kolorado here with the results of the Weston Kingdom Expedition." "Ohhhh yeah, good to see you here at last professor! Is that everything?" "Indeed it is! These are my assistants who aided me in my excavation, and unfortunately we weren't able to get anything more motorised for our wagonful of exhibits. Terribly sorry." "Don't you worry about that, we'll get some guys to bring it all in, do you have your invitations?" "Indeed we do!" All five of them brought out their engraved invitations with a practised sweep, flipping open their letters with names and signatures of authentification. The toad guards stepped back and nodded with approval, allowing them to step inside. Princess Peach's castle was even more charming on the inside. Perfect white walls all around them, blue doors with golden stars leading off to different other rooms, a red carpet rolling up towards the stairs in front of them that lead towards the second floor. The second floor was already packed with guests from different lands, conversing with each other over various events of the day. From bumpties to goombas, koopas to yoshis, many delegates spoke freely within the palace hall. James even saw some new creatures he had never seen before, such as pure black-shelled koopas with furrowed eyes, or red-helmeted chickens the size of a koopa. "What are those?" asked James. "Ahhhh Nokobons and Chickens," said Kolorado, "no doubt they are delegates from Sarasaland, oh how MARVELLOUSLY exciting!" "Cool! Aw man this is already looking great." "Totally," said Koopin, "can we go mingle yet Professor?" "Oh yes yes quite, I must find the princesses before I can set up everything. Karlos, go with the guards who took our equipment and explain everything to them alright?" "Yes sir," said the assistant before heading off. The four other members of the group soon began to spread out and blend in with the crowd. The party, while humble, was still nevertheless a fascinating mix of cultures from all around the kingdom. James and Koopin were particularly fascinated by the delegates of Sarasaland, conversing with them about their homeland. They spoke to great lengths about the four kingdoms, known as Birabuto, Muda, Easton and Chai. James only recognised the name Muda, still rather surprised at remembering how Bowser was kind enough to return the jewel a month after the cult ordeal. That or he thought it looked rather gaudy and wasn't worthy enough of being in his presence. Or perhaps Kammy Koopa convinced him otherwise that it belonged in a museum. Whatever the case, it didn't matter now, as he continued to speak with the foreign delegates.

Koopin was even more into them, asking about everything from geography to local histories to the differences in culture between races. Koopin even tried to compare himself with a rather cheerful Nokobon, his smooth black shell looking rather reminiscent of a Bob-omb's. After a long talk, he returned to James' side, who was circling around the punch table for some small treats. "I just made a new pen pal!" he told James cheerfully. "Hahaha, dude you got like dozens of them." "Yeah but none from Sarasaland! I mean that's so awesome! He's a trader and he was looking to set up shop in the kingdom, so I gave him my dad's business card in the hope they might be able to work something out!" "Your dad okay with that?" "Oh yeah! Hah, he actually gave me a couple of these cards in case there were any traders in here, yanno, not to waste an opportunity." "Hah, your dad's pretty savvy for a grocer." "I know! This place is amazing, isn't it?" "It really is...god it feels like a fairy tale." "You keep saying that, you must have read a lot of those when you were a kid." "Ahhh I didn't read when I was a kid." "No?" A fanfare soon interrupted their conversation as the guests turned towards the higher door that lead to the upper reserved chambers of the castle. Two toads on either side of a double set of doors had their trumpets out, before a smartly-dressed footsman toad proclaimed: "Esteemed lords and ladies of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond! May I introduce to you! Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom with her chancellor Sir Toadsworth, and Princess Daisy of Sarasaland with her chancellor Sir Kyong-Shee!" Polite applause stormed through the room the moment the doors opened, revealing two sophisticated ladies of elegant sweetness. One wore a candy-pink dress, long white gloves, natural blonde hair and the clearest blue eyes with a cute little golden crown upon her head. The other had brown hair, blue eyes, a butter-yellow dress with orange accents and a turquoise brooch. James almost imagined it was the way little girls would dress up as a princess, rather than an actual one. It only further added to the serene simplicity they radiated out. They waved humbly so, hand in hand as they spoke to each other with small tittering jokes to each other. Toadsworth was an older toad who waddled beside Princess Peach, with a brown-spotted head and bifocals above a white moustache, whilst sporting a handsome purple waistcoat with toadstool-topped cane.

Princess Daisy's chancellor was a strange human-like creature of pale grey skin and zombie-wide eyes, who wore darker purple robes and a hat resembling the top of a Chinese palace. He shuffled humbly so, his feet moving very softly across the red carpet as the princesses began to mix. "What's up with that pale guy?" said James. "I have no idea," said Koopin, "I dunno anything about him. Why is he moving so slowly?" "Looks like his feet are tied or something." "That's weird...oh stars Princess Peach is coming this way, quick act normal!" James did absolutely nothing, drinking his punch softly as Koopin tried to compose himself. Toadsworth humbly bowed at both of them before making an introduction, his blustery voice belying a more humble diplomatic nature. "Your highness, may I introduce sirs Koopin Kennidon and James Campbell." "How do you do?" said the princess with a curtsy. The two bowed humbly in turn, with James admiring such a clear innocent aura about the princess of the kingdom. Koopin introduced himself shakily with: "Y-your highness...it is a great honour to be in your home, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to be in your presence." "Why thank you Mr. Kennidon," said Peach earnestly, "and the pleasure is mine too, to meet you in the company of Professor Kolorado. Tell me, what did you two do during the expedition?" "Well um...I was a tour guide for the party, helping them search the desert." "Oh! I should have guessed, since you come from there." "Hehe, yeah becau-...wait, how did you know that?" "Your shell has that lovely paler green of a koopa from the desert. Also I noticed you showing your TGA badge to one or two others here." "O-oh, right, hehehe...um, y-yeah, I'm from the desert, Dusty Dunes actually." "How lovely! I enjoy going to that town, they have some wonderful produce there from overseas." "They do! My dad runs a grocery store actually, if you ever go there again, you should have a look if you need some fresh food! It's called Kennidon's Groceries." "I would love to visit again one day...and what about you Mr. Campbell?" "Iiii was a bodyguard your highness," said James politely with a bow. "Just keeping everyone alive, hehehe." "I am glad to see you succeeded! I must say that it has been some time since I last met a dinosaur, are you from Dinosaur Land originally?" "I...y-yeah I am...you know what I am?" "Of course I do!" "Her highness has travelled far," said Toadsworth, "and has frequented across every corner of this kingdom and beyond, from Delfino Isle to Dinosaur Land. She makes great efforts to ensure that a regular relationship of peace and friendship remains across all borders of the Mushroom Kingdom." "Right," said FG, "I was just amazed someone else knew what I was, lot of people here first thought I was a yoshi." Princess Peach chuckled softly, a lithe white-gloved hand to her petite little lips before speaking. "You must have travelled very far, have you stayed in the kingdom long?" "Uhhhh only for about a year your highness." "Then I hope your stay in our land will be pleasant." "It's been turning out pretty pleasant so far."

The raptor smiled with a side glance towards Koopin. The princess understood it all within the wink of an eye, nodding humbly so before she spotted someone in the crowd. "OH, I'm so terribly sorry, but I must dash to meet someone I just noticed. It was lovely meeting you, Mr. Kennidon, Mr. Campbell, farewell!" With humble bows and farewells returned, the princess gently hurried off with the grace of a swan towards the crowd, her vizier following behind her with a huffing puffing gait. James chuckled at the sight. "Wow, she was really nice." "I know right?" said Koopin. "She's wonderful, everyone loves her!" "I can see why, and she clearly pays attention to her people, not like some typical royal who just smiles and waves." "Nope. ...oh...my stars, look over there." James turned slowly towards one of the buffet tables, seeing a rather striking sight. A short human male in red overalls, with a blue shirt underneath and a red worn cap on his head. He sported a most impressively solid moustache, with nary a crumb to be seen after the last few nibbles of a sandwich. Even James could recognise who it was by now. "...that's..." "Y-yeah...oh stars what do we do?!" "What do you mean, he's not gonna talk to us is he?!" "M-m-maybe, what do we say?!" "Well, what's he like?!" "I-i dunno!" "How can you not know, you TOLD me about him!" "Sh-shh, he's coming over!" They both straightened up, Koopin looking rather nervous at the stout-looking man who walked up towards them with curiosity. He hit somewhere within the height range of 5'6'' according to James' estimations, but had plenty of firm muscle beneath his overalls for him to show. Not a word was said from his sandwich-full mouth, as James tried to introduce himself. "Uh...hi. I was, we were, just part of the Weston Kingdom expedition, uh Koopin here was the tour guide and I was the bodyguard, looking after everyone. It's uh, an honour to meet you sir. I heard all about you since I first came here, kind of a legend around here right?" The man merely kept eating, putting a thick-gloved white hand to his mouth, being polite to indicate not wanting to speak yet. "Right right, course. Um...oh yeah, this is kinda my first time at the palace here, I'm from Dinosaur Land originally. You're like...real good friends with Princess Peach, right?" The stout human simply smiled with a closed mouth, slightly rubbing the back of his head in modesty. "Haha right...she's real cool, I can see why a lot of people love her in the kingdom." The man in red pointed at FG's shoulder guard curiously, the raptor chuckling as he touched it with his opposite hand.

"Oh yeah, kinda forgot I had this on, uh don't worry it's kind of a keepsake from years back. Got a bad shoulder wound here and I like to keep it covered you know, don't want anything happening to it." A simple nod was all he got before the man cleared his throat with his sandwich now fully eaten. He then offered a handshake to the raptor, his gloved hand reaching out firmly with a smile from his moustached face. James chuckled and gripped the human hand firmly so, shaking strong as he felt the strength of a legend in his grasp. "Name's James Campbell. It's an honour to meet you sir, you're a pretty strong as hell guy. Do you have like a training regime or...?" "MARIO!" The voice of Princess Peach called out from the crowd, making their heads turn before the overall-clad man let go of James' hand, and simply shrugged apologetically before walking off towards her voice. The raptor looked at his hand briefly so, with Koopin gazing at the back of Mario's head in admiration, silent until now with admiration for the man. "He...shook your hand." "Heh...yeah. ...seemed like a cool guy." "He's...the coolest dude ever." "Yeah...better not tell Bowser I met him though." "No?" "Yeaaaaah...I kinda promised I'd punch him in the face." "Pffft haha! You're a silly raptor." "Heh, silly koopa." James wrapped his arm around Koopin's neck and pulled his head close beneath his arm, rubbing his fist fiercely across the top of the koopa's head. "H-HEY, stop it! C-come on, we're at the palace for stars' sake!" "Hahahaha, you're so easy." "Good afternoon!" Both of them stopped immediately at a woman's voice, straightening up as they met the eyes of Princess Daisy. She smiled with a blush as they recomposed themselves, her chancellor beside her with grey hands and pale haunting eyes. "U-um good afternoon your highness," said Koopin with a bow. "H-how are you enjoying our kingdom?" "Marvellously thank you! Just call me Daisy." "Uh r-really? Okay, Daisy. I hope you enjoy the exhibition we have later." "Oh I can't wait! To think our ancestors met yours so many years ago, that's incredible! And to think both of you were there at the discovery, that must have been amazing!" "Hehehe, well, it was I gotta say. I mean it was mind-blowing to realise when Kolorado explained it better." "Mmhmm! OH, I'm so sorry, this is my chancellor, Kyong-Shee." "A pleasure to meet you," said the ghostly dignitary with a bow. "Pleased to meet you too," said James. "Uh...what ARE you exactly?" "I am a Pionpi, good sir, we originate from the Chai Kingdom." "Why are your feet...all tied up?"

"James!" said Koopin sternly. "No no it's fine," replied Kyong-Shee, "I am glad to educate others. My people practice this as an act of reverence, to root ourselves to the ground and to appreciate every step we take. The greatest journey begins with a single step." "Right...interesting!" "Yeah," said FG, "that is actually. I can see why you wanna appreciate every step. How did you become chancellor?" "I studied hard," explained Kyong-Shee, "like any profession. I wanted to improve my land, to shape the political strifes between the four kingdoms. At first I was a representative of the Chai Kingdom, but over time I became a trusted advisor to Princess Daisy." "Now now Kyongie!" said the princess, "you call me Daisy, no need to be so formal!" "Ah...my apologies, Daisy." "Is everyone of the expedition here?!" asked Princess Daisy. "I'd love to speak to each and every one of you to thank you." "Uhhh..." James and Koopin looked at each other nervously for their immediate answer, before James said: "All but one. See...this one guy, Koopmar, he-" "Is unable to join us I'm afraid." The interruption came from Professor Kolorado, who stood primly before the crowd as he gazed at both Princess Daisy and his former assistants, as the maiden asked: "No? Why not?" "He was our linguist, a valued member of the team. He was an invaluable help to us during the Weston Kingdom expedition. Unfortunately...he is no longer with us, due to a most terrible accident upon one of our later expeditions." "Oh...I'm so sorry to hear that. You have my condolences." "I shall pass them on to his family. My apologies, your highness, I do hope you enjoy the rest of the day and our presentation." The professor bowed humbly so as the princess returned the same, her chancellor doing so in turn. As the two walked off into the crowd, James and Koopin turned with alacrity towards Kolorado, the raptor whispering: "What the fuck was that all about?!" "I beg your pardon?!" "You know VERY well what Koopmar did, and you go telling them that he died a noble explorer?!" "Would you rather I told her what he was to you?!" "YES!" "Well I am sorry, but I shan't do such a thing!" "Why not?!" "Consider me a little more dignified than to stain someone's day with such foul details." "He almost KILLED us!" "I know very well what he did, as does his sister. I only feel fortunate that his father is not alive to see what had become of him." "Why the fuck you defending him then?!" "I'm NOT defending his actions James, I am TRYING to maintain some dignity for him in memory!" "But why!?" "BECAUSE HE WAS MY FRIEND!"

Their argument had been rather stifled, but Kolorado struggled to restrain his voice and avoid gathering attention, sniffing deeply to restrain his tears as he harshly murmured: "I know what he did to the both of you. And for that I am truly sorry. BUT...he was a loyal assistant, one of my most dearest of friends, and one of the brightest, most gifted students I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I know you two will never forgive him. And I am ashamed to know of what happened with him. But I would rather not tarnish my memory of him by repeating his madness to you, nor on this day of all days." Both raptor and koopa stared at Kolorado, his eyes heavy with a grief and shame that only one of them could sympathise with. Eventually Koopin walked towards him, and hugged Kolorado softly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you lost your friend." "...th-thank you." The professor pulled away, holding Koopin at a shaky arm's length. "You are a wonderful boy. Thank you for this. Now then! I must prepare for the exhibition, and don't worry, my assistants have it all covered! Ta-ra!" As the older koopa walked away with a spirited relief, James walked up alongside Koopin and looked down on him incredulously. "Okay, what just happened?" "I just...gave him some closure." "Did you just literally forgive Koopmar and all the shit he did JUST to make him happy?!" "No! I just...I was sorry that he lost his friend." "He deserved it." "James." "No, I don't care, that fucker had it coming, he lied to us, he betrayed Kolorado, and he ALMOST killed you, he does NOT deserve respect this way." "I KNOW James, but that's not what Kolorado needs to hear." "It's the truth isn't it?!" "I can forget and move on, I don't HAVE to forgive him, I'm just trying to make the professor feel better!" "What the fuck ever." "James! This is the royal palace, don't EVER talk like that!" "Only if YOU stop being such a goddamn preacher about this! They should all know what he did!" "This isn't YOUR party James, this is Kolorado's, this is about the history of an expedition that him, Koopmar, Kooper, Karlos, AND you and I discovered. If you want to make a crusade, do it on your own time, it doesn't matter anymore." "...fine." James turned away coldly from Koopin, sighing heavily with frustration as he struggled to comprehend Koopin's forgiveness. He didn't realise that it was not forgiveness, but moreso a diplomatic action out of kindness to soothe an old koopa's heart. Koopin's heart sank, seeing James' vengeful eyes flare quietly in turn. He always wondered how the raptor was able to show compassion so easily to close friends, yet bring out such a cruel face towards others in turn.

"Did you ever..." He regretted asking FG before even trying to ask, the raptor's tone flat and sour. "What?" "Did you ever...have someone very close to you...do something terrible? Something unforgiveable?" "...why?" "Just...try and see it from Kolorado's side. He has a very close friend, something about him is awful to find out, he doesn't want to remember his friend that way, he wants to remember him as the friend he knew and loved. Didn't you ever have a friend like that? Like, at all?" "...yes." "Really?" "Yes...I did." "...how did you...handle it?" "I begged her to stop. Eventually she did, what's your point?" "Just, try and understand how Kolorado feels, okay?" "Whatever, god even when he's dead he screws up my day." James dropped his empty paper cup in defiance and walked off towards a quieter area, wanting to clear his head. Koopin however wasn't going to leave him be, worrying about him moreso as well as not wanting him to miss out the exhibition. After a few minutes of mindless wandering around struggling to spot him in the thick crowd, he eventually found James sitting in a side garden. The garden was a slice of heaven within the castle grounds, a small star-shaped fountain with circular base, as well as enclosed stone walls with shrubbery all along the rows. Gardeners occasionally passed them by, the soft sweetened grass so clear and well-cut, freshly so judging by the leafy smell. James was sitting against the fountain, his eyes closed as he tried to empty out his thoughts. "Not gonna leave me alone?" "I don't like leaving you to your thoughts. I've never seen you storm off before, like that anyway." "Heh, no?" "Yeah, I mean, usually if you get angry, you're more blatant about it, or you go off and start punching a tree or something." "Hmph...you worried about me? Or you just real curious about what happened with me?" "Well...if I'm honest, both, but it's just that...I know you've had problems and such, but just TRY to understand." "I AM. What do you THINK I'm doing? ...I don't want to fall out with you Koopin." "I know..." "I...I understand how Kolorado feels. It just...kinda came out of nowhere, I dunno how you could do that to him, to say that without ANY kind of anger or outrage in you and just say that you're sorry to him, as if YOU have to apologise for anything!" "Honestly, I didn't WANT to feel bad, I mean I was the one who got...kidnapped. But the way the professor looked, so...betrayed and heartbroken, that I wanted to help him." "Right..." "...who was she?" "Huh?"

James looked up at last, his eyes opening up towards Koopin. "Who was she...that you begged to stop?" "...I can't say." "Why not? You don't trust me?" "I do, it's just...I feel like the things I say are too...dark for you." "Dark?" "It's just that, you're so sweet and innocent that I don't WANT to tell you my problems. Like when we first met, I didn't want to grieve on you about my problems because of the world we're in. And you...it's all so...happy and sweet and warm. ...I don't want to destroy that." "James." Koopin sat down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I love you. And when I said I loved you, I meant that I loved you, EVERY part of you. I wouldn't have said that if I was afraid of going to the places where you would go, inside your head. I know you have a lot of things in your past that you don't want to tell me. You have that right to not tell me them. But I wanna help you. Let me help you." "My problems are resolved Koopin, I'm fine." "How are they resolved?" "Because the town-...no, no shut up, I can't tell you, I can't tell you." "Why not?" "...I...I don't want you to know. The way you are now, so naive and innocent like a kid...I don't want to take that from you. Please...I want you to stay like that." "I will James, I will be, just-" "No, just...I'll be fine. I'm over it now, let's go back in." "Are you sure?" "Yeah, yeah I'm fine, I-I was just angry that's all, I accepted it now. ...you're right. I should have let Kolorado have his peace. I'm sorry." Koopin merely pulled him up when he offered his clawed hand, pulling him closer into his embrace, his head nestling firmly against James' chest. "It's okay James...thank you for calming down." "Heh. Thanks for...looking out for me." With that, they headed back into the castle, hand in hand softly as they made their way towards the main hall for what would be the centrepiece of the party engagement. The exhibition itself. The exhibition was a sight to behold, with Professor Kolorado displaying his great knowledge and diplomatic sensibilities well with a finely-woven tapestry of the history of the land. Carving out a great sweeping epoch of the rise and fall of the Weston Kingdom, he went to great lengths about the history of their migration, the trading routes and fine commerce of ancient times, as well as the missing pharaoh. All within a grand mosaic reproduced perfectly so from the pyramid ruins, laid out behind him with the artifacts he had discovered. He made his best efforts to use only facts and what was certain, never rumor or superstition in order to avoid upsetting the cultural sensitivites of his audience. In the end, the dignitaries were pleased, and they gave their assurance of the continuing alliance between Sarasaland and the Mushroom Kingdom, even if Princess Daisy was already on very good terms with Peach already. James and Koopin still enjoyed the exhibition for what it was worth, as a historical retrospective upon a great and ancient civilisation that they had been privy to of its discovery. But it did little to soothe their own troubled minds. While James had quickly managed to move on from his own troubles, Koopin did not. He knew that James' anger issues were still existent, and that he had to find a way to alleviate them by his own hand. If James could not find a way to do so, then Koopin felt indebted to him to find a way himself. A solution would only come to him after a minor incident sometime later.