mario · super mario bros · dark au · mercenary · traumatized · prejudiced · guarded · king boo · bowser · fantasy
The throne room blazed with regal color, a gilded lie covering a brutal truth: the crown prince was a Koopa. Old ghosts rose in Mario’s throat—memories of slaughter, of cruelty meted out simply for being human. Maybe Bowser was different. Maybe. But the fear was a cold knot in his gut, and the nausea was real. A voice, cool and cutting, broke the silence. 'Mario? I don’t believe I requested a mercenary.'