The Forever Soldier

By

Adune23

Wendy o koopa sighed staring longingly out her window at the blighted landscape of the Dark Lands. And for the millionth time she cursed that she had ever been born here. If you asked the castle staff whether Wendy had changed since the time when she was a spoiled little monster of a child, they would have said no. But when she was alone, out of sight from her father or siblings. It became obvious that she had changed quite a bit. Gone was the self centered brat of her youth. Replaced by a mature intelligent young woman, who long ago tired of her fathers childish obsession.

Wendy had grown to see her father and siblings for what they were, selfish, petty, and deluded fools. Wendy had no interest in conquest or domination. All she wanted these days was to have someone who understood her.

"Pah, as if that will happen, face it Wendy your alone and always will be." she spat.

Getting up Wendy headed through the door and down the hall stopping in front of a half destroyed statue. Checking to make certain nobody could see her Wendy pressed a hidden button. With a faint grinding of stone the statue swung inward. A set of spiral stairs led down into the depths of the castle. Grabbing a lit torch Wendy descended the staircase, shutting the concealed door behind her.

The staircase eventually terminated in the side of a long tunnel, following the tunnel Wendy came to a stone door. Stepping on a hidden pressure plate caused the door to swing open. Beyond the door was a vast forest of dead trees. Wendy had found this escape tunnel as a child and used it to come and go as she wished. Wendy found that taking long walks was a good way to clear her head, and forget her depressing life.

Extinguishing the torch Wendy placed it just inside the door for when she returned. Heading into the dead forest Wendy let her mind wander. Since puberty she had become less and less interested in her father and brothers schemes. Unfortunately she still had to pretend to be the bitchy, selfish, princess her family expected her to be. "They would skin me alive if I told them I didn't want to be evil anymore.".

Wendy continued to walk aimlessly through the forest, she had no fear of losing her way. She knew this forest like the back of her claws, besides the castle was visible for miles, even in the forest.

"SNAP!"

Wendy was yanked out of her train of thought by the sound of something moving nearby. Darting behind a tree Wendy hoped it wasn't one of her fathers soldiers. Peeking out from behind the tree Wendy gasped. There in torn and burnt clothing and staggering through the woods was a young male human. He was about the same age as Wendy with long black hair. He had a handsome face even through the mud and ash that covered it. The humans pale skin was like ivory through the grime. As he staggered forward favoring his left leg, Wendy could tell that this human was not well. His face was flushed and he seemed only vaguely aware of his surroundings. As she watched the human wobbled on his feet then began to fall.

Wendy swiftly rushed out from her hiding place catching the human before he hit the ground. Wendy gently placed him on his back and felt his forehead.

"Your burning with fever, how did you even get this far?" Wendy asked aloud.

The young mans eye's fluttered open.

"Are you here to kill me?" He croaked out.

Wendy was a little insulted.

"No, I'm trying to help you, moron" she replied as she took out a small medicinal pouch from around her waist. The boy smiled slightly at Wendy's irate reply.

"Shoulda guessed, no demon could be so beautiful." He whispered before passing out.

Wendy stopped her work to stare in disbelief at the unconscious human. "Boy, he must really be in bad shape if he thinks Koopa are beautiful. Still it is kinda nice to be told that by someone this good looking, even if he is delusional." Despite her own criticism Wendy had grown into a very attractive woman. She had grown much taller and stood about five nine. All the baby fat had vanished from her face and belly, and her hourglass figure was accentuated by wide curvy hips and long legs. Her blue eyes were like sapphires complemented by long lashes and her blunt muzzle was distinctly feminine. Her head was still bald but it gave her a certain "Bad-girl" look. She also had a very generous chest. Wendy pretended not to notice, but she had caught more than a few palace guards leering at her.

Still the idea of an attractive human calling her beautiful was had often wished for a heroic prince to come and rescue her from her miserable life. But she gave up on such childish fantasy's long ago, still her face reddened as she worked on the mysterious man.

It was almost sunset when Wendy returned to her private chamber. She had needed to insure she would not be spotted as she carried her unconscious companion to her room. Fortunately she managed to get him inside just before her brother Hip called her for dinner. Saying she wasn't hungry Wendy closed and locked the door before sitting and waiting for her patient to regain consciousness. "I hope he isn't too freaked out when he wakes up.".

Wendy read as she watched her new roommate sleep. She had done everything she could think of to treat his fever. She had also cleaned his face revealing soft angular features. but she was still worried. To settle her mind Wendy read, she had become quite a bookworm ever since her fourteenth birthday. She had received a book from her brothers as a joke, called "The Works of H.P Lovecraft" her brother Ludwig said she had a lot in common with the monsters in "The Whisperer in Darkness". While she knew it was supposed to be an insult Wendy had grown to love reading that book. After finishing it Wendy began reading everything she could find. She hid it from her brothers and father but she had become as intelligent as any collage graduate. She learned about everything from engineering to philosophy, and had even done a little writing herself. Now at twenty three, Wendy was still an avid reader.

Right now she was rereading a book titled "The King in Yellow" by Robert W. Chambers. Chambers was a writer of gothic horror, and had been inspired by Lovecraft. Wendy loved reading about horrors older than time and frightening secret cults. Interestingly she also favored romance novels, Wendy loved to pretend she was in a passionate forbidden relationship with a handsome prince. She always wondered what it would be like to have someone who loved her for who she really was. However she knew that in the end it was all just wishful-.

"Unnh, wha? Where am I?"

Wendy almost jumped out of her scales when her guest finally awakened. Rushing to his side she placed her hand on his chest to prevent him from rising.

"It's ok, your someplace safe, don't try to get up. I brought you here to rest and treat your illness. My name is Wendy, what's yours?"

The human lay back again as he answered.

"My name is Kain Ebonheart the last of the "Legion Eternal" mercenary company. I thank you for your kindness Wendy, I owe you my life."

Wendy smiled feeling her face heat up slightly as Kain looked up at her.

"It was nothing, but what were you doing walking in the Dark Lands in your condition?"

Kain sighed his smile becoming pained.

"I was in a battle, and my company lost. The last thing I remember is seeing my commander fall as he was trying to cast a teleportation spell to save me. Next thing I know I found myself wounded in a dead forest with no idea where I was. I started heading north-west, back toward our F.O.B. I drifted in and out of consciousness for what seemed like days, before you found me."

Wendy took a minute to digest Kain's story. She had never heard of the Legion Eternal mercenary's, and to the south-east was the Mushroom Kingdom. If there had been a battle there this was the first she knew of it.

"Who were you fighting?"

"Some kind of demon I think, never saw them before that battle. We killed tens of thousands but they just kept coming, they had some kind of magetech weapons that tore right through our defenses. Within two hours they reduced us from twenty thousand to fifty. Everyone I know is dead, I'm all that's left."

Kain spoke with great bitterness in his voice as he explained. Wendy wanted to say something comforting, but words failed her.

"Honestly I wish you had let me die, I have no friends, family, or even a purpose."

Wendy felt her blood boil.

"Excuse me!? What the hell kind of macho bullshit is that!? Are you saying your life doesn't have value unless others give you a price tag!? That is the dumbest thing I ever heard, if you want a purpose then give yourself one dumbass!"

Kain stared at Wendy surprised at her violent outburst. Still her words rang true, he missed his comrades but they wouldn't want him to just lay down and die. The longer he looked at Wendy the more certain he felt she was right.

"I suppose you have a point, very well I shall choose a new purpose. You saved me, so as the last of the Legion Eternal I will pledge my life to your service."

Wendy blinked a few times.

"Wait, what?"

"You saved my life, so I will repay you by devoting myself to your protection and care."

Wendy sighed in frustration.

"When I said pick a new purpose I didn't mean become my servant. I'm a princess, I already have people waiting on me hand and foot. Why would I want another mindless drone to hover over me?"

Kain glared at her.

"Hey you said pick a purpose now your saying I can't have the purpose I chose?!"

Wendy arched an eyebrow at Kain's indignant response.

"So you do have a personality, and here I thought you were an emo 'Yes sir, no sir' type."

"I was trying to be polite, I can think for myself you know."

Wendy had to hide a smile as she continued to goad her guest.

"Oh? So you think acting like a robot makes you sound cool, is that it?"

"Maybe I do, you got a problem with that your highness?"

"What are you gonna do about it if I do soldier boy?"

Kain leap to his feet and was about to reply when his abused and charred clothing finally gave up the ghost. As Kain opened his mouth to yell at Wendy the strap holding up his pant's snapped. Wendy stared as Kain's lower body was exposed to her. Kain cursed in embarrassment as he grabbed the remains of his trousers to cover himself. Wendy smirked at Kain's humiliation.

"Wow, you could at least buy a girl dinner first."

Kain gave Wendy a look that would bend steel.

"Shut up, your one to talk with the outfit your wearing."

Wendy was dressed in a pair of short shorts, and a sort of sports bra that was at least a size too small. Wendy usually went without her pink spiked shell unless she was expecting a fight.

"Oh, so you were looking? Naughty boy."

Kain turned away his face reddening.

"W-well what do you expect? I'm a guy so of course I'm gonna look, how could I not?"

Wendy felt a small thrill go through her at Kain's admission. "Hmm, so he wasn't delirious earlier, I wonder. . . .".

"You know your not bad looking yourself, your also pretty impressive under the hood, if you get my meaning."

Kain scowled.

"Huh, yeah right, like you would even consider dating somebody you just met."

Kain's tone was dismissive, but there was no mistaking the slight interest in his voice. Wendy slowly began to walk towared him swaying her hips seductively.

"I might, if I found the right guy." Wendy purred, enjoying the effect her words and movement's had on Kain. "So how about I get you some new clothes and then we can get to know each other?"

Kain's expression darkened.

"What's your game?" He asked angrily

"My game? I was just flirting with you?"

That statement just seemed to make Kain angrier.

"Right but it's a trick isn't it? No girl shows an interest in me unless she want's something. Well screw you, I'm not falling for it, not again!"

Wendy was shocked at how much anger had seeped into Kain's voice.

"Whoa, take it easy I'm not trying to trick you I really do want to get to know you. I'm sorry if I upset you, I was just having some fun."

"Well your fun is cruel, never act like your interested if your not."

Wendy nodded.

"I'm sorry, but I am interested and I do want to get to know you, can you forgive me?"

Kain slowly nodded.

"Fine."

Wendy lent Kain some jeans and a white T-shirt and Wendy told Kain about herself and her world. Kain was a good listener, only interrupting when he had a relevant question. Wendy told him about herself and her family as well as their ongoing pseudo war with the mushroom kingdom. Having someone to share her actual thoughts with was wonderful. After a while the two of them were joking and talking like old friends. Kain told Wendy about his time in The Legion Eternal, which he simply called "The Legion". He had been one of the Legion's greatist stratagists, second only to his teacher. Kain told of the campagins he had helped win and the lands he had seen. None of the lands he had seen were familer to Wendy. Kain said it was likely that the spell his commander tried to use to save him was disrupted. Instead of sending him to another point in his world it sent him to another world entirely.

"I am a mage but I don't think there's much chance of me getting home. Still even if I could get home I would be alone and I don't care much for that Idea."

Wendy nodded sympatheticly.

"I think I understand, even with my family I feel alone all the time. Your the first person I was ever able to speak with openly."

"Would your family really hate you so much for being who you are?"

Wendy shuddered.

"Yes, to them it would be seen as weakness and betrayl. I can only imagine what my father would do to punish me, to say nothing of my brothers."

"Tell me, what would happen if they found you with me?"

Wendy didn't answer but looked worried.

"Wendy, if they found me would they hurt you?" Kain demanded.

Wendy looked at Kain her eye's telling him what her voice would not. Kain was first and foremost a man of thought, and he seldom gave in to anger. Still he found the thought of Wendy being hurt because of him made him feel like killing something. Fortunatly he had a better idea, it was risky but it would keep Wendy safe reguardless.

"Wendy, I think I know how to make certain that your family will let me stay here. This is what we will do. . . . .

Bowser stared at the messenger, he had been sent to report yet another failed attack on the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Lord Bowser I-I h-have been s-sent by lord Ludwig t-t-to tell you that we uh, well, we were defeated."

Bowser glared at the messenger his eyes boreing into him.

"What happened?"

The messenger gulped as he replied.

"Well i-it was t-the mario bro-"

The messenger was cut short as bowser backhanded him into a wall, as he roared his frustration.

"RRRRRAAAHHHHGGGG HOW?! HOW CAN MY ARMY OF THOUSANDS CONTINUE TO FALL TO TWO PLUMBERS AND THERE FREAK OF A DINOSAUR?!"

Bowser lept from his throne and began to pace angrily around the room.

"Endless hours of planning, expending millions in resources, perfecting hundreds of war machiens, AND FOR WHAT?! TO BE DEFEATED EVERY TIME BY TWO ORDINARY HUMANS?! IS THERE NO ONE WHO CAN BEAT THEM?!"

"Funny you should ask daddy."

Bowser turned to see his daughter Wendy with a gleeful sadistic smile on her face.

"I found someone who can do just that."

Bowser had heard that before from his son's, but it had been some time since Wendy had come to him with a plan.

"What did you have in mind sweetums?"

"Well daddy, I was just thinking that if we had a human to fight for us we could get him to beat the Mario Brothers."

Bowser nodded.

"So, fight fire, with fire huh? Good idea snookums but no human would ever fight for us."

"Do not be so certain your highness." Said a voice that was smooth as silk and cold as ice.

Bowser looked for the source of the speaker and saw a tall robed figure emerge from behind Wendy. Bowser couldent see the new commers face because his hood was pulled up but he walked like a warrior.

"And you are?"

The robed figure gave an elegant bow.

"I am Kain Ebonheart, I am a stratagest and battlemage. Your lovely daughter asked me to come offer my services to you."

Bowser watched as Kain removed his hood.

"As you can see my lord, I am a human. I will bring you the thing you desire. . . . .victory."

Bowser glared suspiciosly at the human before him.

"And what do you want in return for your service?"

Kain gave a demonic smile.

"All I ask is for your approval to do things as I see fit, a small share of the spoils, and permission to date your daughter."

Bowser almost tripped over his own feet.

"What was that last part?" he asked, postive he heard wrong.

"I want your permission to date Princess Wendy." Kain replied smoothly.

Bowser was to suprised to speak, and watched in shock as Wendy placed her arms around Kain with genuen affection.

"Well daddy?" She asked as she rested her head on Kains shoulder.

"Fine, under one condition."

Wendy kept it from her face but she felt a horrible sense of dread at Bowsers words. Kain however was unmoved, as he had expected something like this.

"Name it."

Bowser smiled evily.

"you have to prove yourself by defeating my best warrior, in a fight to the death."

Kain didn't even blink.

"Agreed."