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Kammy Koopa was many things: ‘beautiful’, ‘intelligent’, and ‘loyal to a fault’ to name a few. [ Anyone who argued otherwise deserved to be destroyed on sight, or at least warrant of a good scolding! ] She had more than earned her tenure as the Koopa Kingdom’s royal archivist, having served since the days of his Lordship King Panzer’s reign. A historian, a living encyclopedia– Kammy was a magikoopa of many hats. And, as the castle’s own queen of gossip, she liked to think she was the eyes and ears of the whole facility. None could compare to her koopa superiority!
Well, perhaps except one …
Kammy had been using her magic to return books to their shelves–clawed digits mindlessly flicking back and forth to levitate them as her spectacled eyes read over a tome, as organizing was something she could do in her sleep. As important as her position was, not many paid her Foxiness a visit– the archives within the palace being deeper than the average servant traveled. It allowed for work to pass by with little effort, though that became its own double-edge sword. As sad as it was to say, the most exciting moments of her month tended to be if any of the local Kingdoms sent requests– the last being from WooHoo University, with their persistent pursuit of any records on ‘ koopa cackles ’. [Easy enough to reject without having to bother Lord Bowser over such trifles.]
It was with this knowledge in mind that Kammy found her interest piqued when she felt a small pulse go off within her: a clear sign that one of her magical wards had been tripped and that she should be expecting someone. A quick mental probe resolved the mystery of her guest, as she gave off a fond huff before feigning nonchalance– her gaze once more on her book as she waited.
Iron doors creaked open, introducing the one koopa who could possibly give Kammy a run for her money.
“Kamek,” she greeted, still refusing to look up from her page despite no longer reading the words.
She needn’t, after all, as she was more than familiar with the likes of the magikoopa making his way towards her counter. While Kamek didn’t carry quite the same presence as their king– none other could compare to his stature, that was for certain! - he at least had all the airs of importance as second in command should. Cerulean cloak-covered head held high, chest puffed out enough to showcase the dapper little orange tie– yes, Kamek was certainly a koopa worthy of respect as he strutted himself about.
At least, he would be if he wasn’t Kammy’s younger brother.
“Afternoon Kammy,” he greeted back cordially, adjusting his glasses as he squinted down to see what she was reading. “Hmm. ‘ Kremling Mistress of the Night ’, huh? A little old for romance novels, wouldn’t you say?”
Nosy ninny, always putting his beak where it didn’t belong! The she-koopa allowed herself a wicked grin as she shut the book with an audible ‘snap’-- startling her broodmate enough for him to flinch. It took everything in her not to cackle, as Kammy addressed Kamek once more.
“I would think a royal advisor would find his claws full with matters more important than what his poor sister enjoys reading in her spare time,” the archivist clucked, pushing her book out of the way. “Especially when I hear we’re expecting a guest any moment now. Shouldn’t you be by his Exuberance’s side?”
All provoking aside, she had a point. Chatter of the likes of the Green Mario Brother visiting the castle had made its way towards her domain– the boos being kind enough to pass along the gossip. They were in high spirits, their ilk having a soft spot for tormenting the easily frightened plumber, and the boos wanted everyone to know it. She didn’t have much of an opinion on the human either way, but she’d heard about the King’s exploits on visiting the Mushroom Kingdom– even before the official documents for the peace treaty were signed. And it hadn’t been difficult to find video from the match between the two, her job as archivist giving her access to the recordings. All in all, she was well aware of the odd friendship between koopa and man– having hatched some theories of her own.
Her brother, however, was unaware of this as he gawked at her comment.
“ How–? ” Kamek cut himself off, Kammy’s grin only growing as the other magikoopa sighed. “I don’t know why I act surprised anymore. I should know better by now, what with your knack for listening in on others' conversations.”
He really should, though she wasn’t going to agree with him verbally. It would dampen her fun if the spoil-sport didn’t react. Kammy watched as her broodmate recomposed himself, getting back on track.
“Not that it’s any of your concern, but that’s already been taken care of. I thought it best to leave his lordship alone with Mr. Luigi for the time being, and start prepping for the childrens’ next lessons. Lord Bowser will call on me, should I be needed.”
Kammy huffed at this, beak quirking into a small smile.
“Not in the mood to babysit their playdate, huh?”
“ Not particularly , no.”
“Probably for the best,” she responded with a shrug, “I can’t imagine they’d have much fun with daddy dearest hovering over their shoulders.”
The teasing received its desired results, as Kamek scoffed. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d brushed aside accusations of being the king’s father, insisting on his ever so professional relationship. Despite the fact she was there to help raise the royal stubbornness alongside him. If SHE could embrace aunthood, she didn’t know why HE couldn’t just openly admit that fostering the hatchling made Bowser his son. Kamek’s scales had certainly lost their sheen early over all the fussing he did with the boy!
The advisor brought his arms across his chest, very much the spitting image of his overgrown son’s defensiveness.
“Your memory must be fading with your old age , esteemed sister of mine . Or else you wouldn’t be going on with such nonsense.” He pushed up his glasses, pinching the bridge between his eyes. “Oh, why am I even bothering? I know this is your attempt to get a rise out of me.”
“And yet you fall for it every time, brother dearest. ” She teased back, flicking her white locks in smug satisfaction. Still, the older koopa supposed she was going too far [ as if! ], and should at least see to her brother’s needs. If she didn’t, he might hightail and leave!
“Bah! Enough of that. Why don’tcha tell me what books you’re needing so I can be done with your shriveled mug already.”
“ Gladly. ” Kamek pulled a thin scroll from out of his sleeve, handing it over to his sister. “I’ve procured a list for you to make it easier.”
With a quick yank of the claws, Kammy unrolled the parchment as she let her eyes fall onto her brother’s pristine handwriting.
“ ‘The Antiquities of A Conquest Reign’ , ‘Koopa History of the Panzer Empire ’,” the archivist read aloud, her eyes scanning ahead in disbelief at the rest of the books on the list. “Mekky, these are all on King Panzer. We were both in our prime then– you don’t need dusty old books to tell the hatchlings all this, do ya?”
Kammy couldn’t help but notice the awkward fidget that came over her brother, slightly pulling at his tie before clearing his throat. It was enough for the she-koopa to raise a brow in intrigue, gently lowering the paper to the counter as Kamek explained himself.
“ Be that as it may , I figured a refresher wouldn’t hurt. It’s been many years since the old king’s reign, and I wouldn’t want to pass along a biased narrative through rose-tinted glasses , as it were.”
Sympathy washed over Kammy at those words. In some ways those years felt like only yesterday, the two of them in the thick of their apprenticeships after decades spent at the academy. Kamek had trained under the previous advisor– the magikoopa already having a foot in the grave by the time her brother made himself at home in the castle– throwing the greenhorn into the thick of things as he worked closely with the king. Kamek was different then, a real mess of nerves as he feared Panzer finding him incompetent. Kammy could easily recall the many nights he burst into her room spilling his fears– more annoyed at her brother interrupting her beauty sleep with his woes than taking him seriously at the time. Though she supposed she couldn’t blame him: what with the way the old king used to laugh at her broodmate’s expense over his fumbling about. With the real chuckle storm coming from the throne room, one would think he treated poor Kamek more like a court jester than potential advisor!
And yet…
Kamek had been happy then, following the king everywhere like a poochy pup at his heels. As ridiculous as Lord Panzer found him, he seemed to have found some worth in the young advisor– genuinely taking Kamek’s opinions seriously. As much as she loathed to admit it, her brother had always been a wiz at micromanaging. He could see the bigger pictures in ways that made him put emphasis on helping the kingdom’s citizens in order to boost morale. Kammy’s eye landed on the list in front of her once more, thinking how the history books should mention the King’s ‘brilliant moment of inspiration’ to put funds back into the people’s pockets. How King Panzer put stock in updating the kingdom’s architect to lead to it being revered from its prosperity. How the people sang their praise, pride put forth as more koopas signed up for his majesty’s army. Land expanded until the likes of the Goomboss family submitted to the koopa rule, making their province a part of the koopa domain.
Kammy could guarantee that none of the books would mention how it was her own scales and blood that had been the brains behind it. Nor would history mention how it was his rule– while the then Prince Bowser was still a hatchling– that kept the economy from crashing in a king’s absence.
It was these thoughts that made the she-koopa open her beak to voice her righteous opinions.
“You really ought-a take pride in all that you’ve done for koopa kind, your Humbleness .” Wait, no. That came out as too sarcastic. Try again, Kammy. “It won’t hurt to dent his late majesty’s reputation even a smidgen by mentioning all you did. Might have the kids respect ya enough to actually pay attention during your boring lectures.”
There, nailed it.
Kamek, meanwhile, appeared to not know what to be more upset about: the jab at his tutorage or the blasphemy against their former monarch. He seemed to have settled on an opinion, as his shrill squawks filled the archives.
“I should report you for treason for having the audacity to suggest such a thing! Why , you better be glad Lord Bowser –’ This was whispered, as if the kooky koopa thought saying his name alone would summon the devil. He continued in his normal volume, “wasn’t here to hear such slander against his father. He’d have every right to throw you to the dungeons, and no begging of mine could save you! ”
Kammy couldn’t help but scoff, yet another example of where Lord Bowser received his knack for the dramatics, too. Everything always had to be blown out of proportions with those two. Instead of mentioning such, the archivist took the moment to snap her fingers as the requested articles appeared on the counter.
“Just a suggestion, ya needn’t take it so personally . ” Kammy sighed, shaking her head as she couldn’t help but pity her brother. “I thought enough years had passed for you to start being more honest with yourself, is all.”
That comment was an understatement, and not one only directed at her broodmate’s lack of owning his accomplishments. There were many things Kamek kept close to his breastplate, his feelings among them. Secrets it seemed her brother was willing to take to the grave, and even performing the dry bones resurrection spell wouldn’t get them from him . But Kammy knew her brother, and with this being the perfect opportunity she was going to get to the bottom of it!
Like a crowbar to a sealed chest, the she-koopa went for gold.
“You sure you don’t want me handling this? Teaching the kids, I mean. I know you and the king were… close .” An emphasis on the word as she stared her brother down before carrying on. “ I imagine it’s a tough subject to talk about, even now.”
Kamek’s flinching over her words had been violent enough that, for a split second, she thought the koopa had broken through his shell from the force of it. Kamek sputtered, gawking as his body tried to catch up with the fury of his mind.
“Kamilla! I don’t know what sort of tawdry trash you’ve been keeping in your archives to make you imagine such filth, but to slander the king’s reputation with accusations of the King and I having… Of us…”
It took everything in Kammy’s power not to cackle at his words. Even as an old koop Kamek still acted like a young mage when it came to matters of the heart.
“Now who’s the one with their mind in the gutter?” She teased, leaning onto her counter with all the airs of a cat that caught the canary. “I didn’t say anything as intimate as, say, giving his lateness a royal massage. I merely said you two were close. Was I wrong? ”
She watched as the magikoopa pulled himself together, silent as he seemed to consider what to say next. Finally, with a deliberate clearing of his throat, he answered.
“Yes. You’re wrong.”
It was Kammy’s turn for her beautiful voice to echo off the walls, loud with her disbelief.
“What a load of hokum! Don’t you start with me with ‘ we were professional ’. What with the way you used to go goo-goo eyed over every word he said–”
“It’s an advisor’s job to listen and act upon a king’s wishes, is it not ?” Kamek interrupted, clearly done with his sister’s shenanigans. “Paying attention is merely a part of the job description, nothing more .”
It was with a large flourish that the royal advisor pulled out his scepter, using his magic to teleport the stack of tomes towards the classroom, no doubt. He sighed just as dramatically, straightening up his posture as the magikoopa went back to his role of formality.
“I thank you for procuring these for me, but I think I shall decline your offer. Best I handle things if I wish for the truth to stay unmuddled. ” This was said with a tight frown of the beak, no doubt imagining the worst Kammy could come up with to tell the children. He huffed again. “Now, if there isn’t anything else?”
It was clear Kamek was ready to put the awkward situation behind them. His older sister, however, wasn’t. This had been a mystery that had remained unsolved for far too long, and – as much as she loathed to admit it – they were getting up in years. She didn’t want to have to wait until one of them was on their deathbed to finally weasel something out of him! It was with final desperation she blurted the last thing on her mind, just as Kamek seemed ready to leave her domain.
“What about the egg?”
Kamek stopped in his tracks, throwing a curious glance over towards his broodmate.
“What egg?”
“Lord Bowser’s egg. The one he hatched from.”
Kammy snapped her fingers once more, bringing forth a book from their shelves. The pages turned wildly on their own as she pointed towards a page– curled claws landing on an old sketched illustration of a stork flying from a clouded gate.
“Eggs don’t come from nowhere. Haven Above has their rituals, and you really expect me to believe King Panzer was granted a child solely because he demanded it?”
Kamek came close to the page, studious eyes staring down as he fixed his glasses. In the end it was him humbling her, as Kamek stood back to his full height.
“It doesn’t matter what you believe, as that’s the truth. I witnessed Lord Panzer being granted an audience with Grambi to speak to the Stars, I was there as he made his demands.” A small smile graced his beak as a nostalgic look overcame him, momentarily lost to the memories. “He certainly was a force to be reckoned with. I’m sure threatening to burn down all of the Overthere was enough to see his majesty was serious.”
This was followed by a chuckle, as Kammy could see the full admiration in her brother’s eyes. The magikoopa sighed, claws reaching behind his glasses as he wiped away a single tear.
“Lord Bowser really does take after him. Such a spitting image of his father.”
Kammy hummed in nonverbal agreement, knowing her brother didn’t know the half of it. She watched as the advisor made his leave, not before she forced him to agree to tea the following weekend. Having silence befall the stone walls of the archives, she allowed her gaze to fall back on the book before her. Eyes skimmed the passage, familiar text greeting her.
The tome spoke of the magicks of Haven’s gift, of how children of the world came to be. In a world where natural reproduction had long since been lost to the whims of time, the universe had rules for those worthy enough for offspring. Energy must come from somewhere, as nothing can simply be. There must be a spark, something to set things in motion.
Kamek had been correct with the fact a part of the step was that there must be want. A child must be wanted, even on a subconscious level. Hearing tales from humans on how their kind produced offspring and threw them aside was completely unheard of in most parts of the world. Children were divine, in every sense of the word, and Stars Above would NEVER create a child that would come into the world unloved.
As cantankerous and brash as Lord Panzer was, his requests for an heir had been genuine. For as long as he was for the world, he had wanted his son with every fiber of his being.
This desire, however, wouldn’t have been enough. It was folly to believe that the likes of a mortal could make Haven bend to their whims. Magic wasn’t one to be intimidated into submission. It was nature, a science. Chemistry where two elements must come together to set off a chain reaction. Wanting offspring was just one component.
Kamek, yet again, was the silent benefactor of King Panzer’s empire.
Kammy’s eyes landed on the key, as an illustration of two hands gently grasping a heart with a crown. Even in the monotone carvings did the heart look to radiate pure light, as the symbol of the fede ring spoke volumes. The final ingredient to the ritual was one that could not be taken by force, as somewhere between those who seeked a child there must be love.
It was with a sigh that Kammy closed the book, as the weight of being the sole keeper of knowledge was a heavy responsibility to bear. The rest of the kingdom was allowed their denial of the facts, to wade through a false narrative. But she, and she alone knew the truth. Most who gazed upon Lord Bowser, King of all Koopas– scourge of the Dark Lands– saw Panzer and the continuation of his reign. They saw a forceful leader that was the proud proof of the draconic koopa lineage.
Kammy, meanwhile? What did she see?
All she saw was her brother and the love that created him.