> An Apple in the Mushroomy Kingdom
>  by LordCalamity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: The Warp Pipe
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the clearing of the Everfree forest, there were three fillies trotting to the entrance. They were an orange pegasus named Scootaloo, a white furred unicorn named Sweetie Belle, and a yellow furred earth pony named Apple Bloom. They were known together as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and now they are about to enter the forest feeling unsure how this will turn out for them.
"Remind me again, why are we here Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo questions her filly friend.
"Well a'hm glad ya asked Scoots." Apple Bloom answers. She had invited her Crusader friends to accompany her to the forest with renowned enthusiasm. "A'hm goin on an adventure to see some new stuff awaitin in this here forest!" She raises her forehooves and turns to her friends.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gives her a deadpanned expression. 
Apple Bloom lowers her hooves to the ground. "Ya don't seem excited. Is there something wrong?"
Scootaloo was about to speak up only for Sweetie to raise her hoof. "Oh I don't know, maybe its the fact that we are about to wander into the Everfree forest, where there will be dangerous creatures and all sorts of weird and scary stuff out there that could GET US KILLED!" Sweetie shouted firmly.
"So? Ah was hoping ya'll might be onboard with goin with me and to some place new."
"I think Sweetie Belle is right, we might get in trouble doing this. Besides, won't your sister find out you've been going to the Everfree forest by yourself ?"
"Well...um...yeah she might find soon, b-but thats why Ah wanna go on adventurin. Now don't get me wrong, ah do like spendin some time workin at the farm, but ah just want to go on adventures just like Applejack. Ya'now, like when we found that giant squid in the lake, or how we went into the Crystal Empire with Spike. Ah want to do more of that." Apple Bloom then gestures to the forest in front of them.
"No offense Apple Bloom, but I don't think we should be here its far to dangerous even for us. I'm sure we'll find a way to get our cutie marks by doing anything else." Apple Bloom frowns at Scootaloo. "Er..Sweetie help me out here." Scootaloo whispers.
Sweetie Belle glances at the forest before turning to leer over Apple Bloom. "Nope, sorry, but you are on your own with this one. I'm going back home, if you two want to get lost in the woods then be my guest!" Sweetie Belle spoke as she begins to walk away.
"Hey c'mon Sweetie, we just need to-"
"Ya know what? Fine! Ah guess ah'm goin to have an adventure with or without ya'll!" Apple Bloom shouts as she takes a few steps into the forest. "And don't none of ya'll come crying for when ah find somethin amazin for when Ahs git back!" Apple Bloom enters the Everfree forest mumbling to herself as she goes further into the deep woods.
Scootaloo glances back to Sweetie and tries to convince her. "Shouldn't we go after her? Apple Bloom could get hurt."
As much as the little unicorn doesn't want to get involved, she has to for the safety of her best friends. Sweetie Belle sighs. "Alright, lets get going before anything else happens to her." Without hesitation, Sweetie Bell strolls towards the forest to go and search for the apple filly. "Once we find her, I'm gonna knock some sense into that pony." She muttered.
Scootaloo walks alongside Sweetie together to find their friend otherwise, if they don't get in trouble with their sisters.


Apple Bloom ventures further into the Everfree forest for a couple of minutes jumping over tree roots and watching for any creatures that might potentially attack her. So far everything seemed calm as she went deeper into the tree infested woods until she came across a clearing over at the distance. She galloped over to the light shimmering overhead and breathed in the fresh air. She takes a look over to the open space and came across an unusual sight.
There was a large green object on a hill in Apple Bloom's sight. It looked like a long green cylinder with an opening at the top that is embedded in the ground. Curious, the filly trotted up to the object fascinated at the sight of it. She walks around the perimeter of the thing in front of her making sure there was nothing else behind the object.
Suddenly, she hears a snap coming from behind her. "I think she went this way, c'mon!" She hears Scootaloo's voice coming from the forest which leads to believe Apple Bloom that her friends are looking for her.
"Scootaloo? Hey! Ahm over here!" Apple Bloom calls out to her allowing the pegasus filly to hear her from the forest. She can hear the sounds of hooves trotting towards her, Apple Bloom smiles whe she sees not only Scootaloo, but also Sweetie Belle alongside her.
"We found you!" Scootaloo ran up to Apple Bloom and hugged the apple filly with her hoof. "We are so glad you are safe! And surprisingly, we did not run into any wild animals."
Sweetie Belle slowly walks over to Apple Bloom eyes closed and when she approached her, Sweetie conks the earth pony on the head with her hoof.
"OW! Wut was that for?" Apple Bloom said as she rubs her head.
"That, was for running into danger without thinking." Sweetie Belle said nonchalantly. The unicorn filly hugs her friend  afterwards smiling a little. "Don't do that again"
"Heh, I don't make any promises." The apple filly said smirking. After recovering from the hit, Apple Bloom shows her two friends the object on the hill. "Hey girls, Ah wanna show you somethin." The three fillies walked up to the green thing on the hill. "Well? What do ya think?"
Sweetie and Scootaloo looked at the object which made them, unimpressed. They narrowed their eyes.
"Apple Bloom...Thats a pipe." Scootaloo said bluntly.
"Yeah, I'm preeetty sure that is a pipe." Sweetie Belle said. She takes another glance at the green pipe. "Although, it is a weird looking pipe, aren't they usually underground?"
Apple Bloom walks over to the pipe then she taps it resulting in a clanging noise indicates that it is made of metal. "Your right, it is a pipe." She takes a few steps back and frowned. "Ah came all the way here to find a stupid pipe in the middle of nowhere?!" Apple Bloom angrily yelled. "Of all tha things ah found in this gosh darned forest is a STUPID PIPE!" The apple filly goes over to the pipe and delivers a buck to it which made her back hooves sore. "Ow!"
Suddenly, the pipe flashes for a second that made the fillies jump.
Scootaloo jumps on Apple Bloom's shoulders standing on her back hooves, she gasps in amazement. "Hey look, I think I see something down there!" Scootaloo told them.
"Really? Let me see it!" Apple Bloom shoves Scootaloo off her and jumps onto the pegasus' back.
"Hey!"
"Sorry!" Apple Bloom apologizes.
"What are you doing now?" Sweetie Belle asks.
Unbeknownst to them, Sweetie Belle trips on a small rock pushing Scootaloo which made Apple bloom lose balance and fell into the pipe.
"Woooaaaaaahh!" Apple Bloom hollered as she falls into the pipe into the pitch black darkness.
"Apple Bloom!!!" Both fillies said in unison.
"Hang on, I'm coming!" Sweetie Belle shouted. She jumps on Scootaloo and up towards the hole. But when she entered the pipe, she fell on her head into the bottom. "Owwwwwwch!" The unicorn filly moaned.
Scootaloo jumps on the ledge of the pipe only to gasp in surprise that the pipe not very deep. She manages to pull up Sweetie Belle out of the pipe and onto the ground.
"B-But, H-How is that possible? Where did Apple Bloom go?" Scootaloo asks Sweetie Belle as she is rubbing her head. 
"I d-don't know, but we should tell Twilight about this weird pipe and how Apple Bloom went missing."
"NO!" Scootaloo tackles Sweetie presses her hooves to the unicorns cheeks. "If they figure out Apple Bloom went missing on her own, then she'll be in big trouble! Not to mention the both of us if they found out we went to the Everfree forest!" Scootaloo frantically said.
"So whut are you shaying ecshactly?" Sweetie Belle muffled.
Scootaloo speaks frantically. "I'm saying, we keep this a-ah secret between just the two of us! We just play it cool, and nopony is going to figure out that we went into the Everfree forest. Ye-Yeah! So until then, we'll just need somepony to fill in for Apple Bloom and-"
"Scoots! We need! To tell Them!" Sweetie cuts her sentence firmly.
"Okay fine!" Scootaloo shouted. The pegasus filly sighs. "We''ll break the news to Applejack and the others. C'mon lets just go, hopefully they'll find her." With that said, Scootaloo walks toward the passage of the Everfree forest not wanting to leave Sweetie Belle behind. The unicorn filly makes one concerned look towards the pipe and follows Scootaloo back to the woods.
Apple Bloom finds herself falling in an endless void of darkness all around herself. She closes her eyes and braces for whatever is on the other side of the pipe she fell into. It feels like she had been falling for hours until she sees light shimmering from the bottom. The next thing the earth pony filly knows, the light envelops her surrounding until everything was in a white light.
> Chapter 1: Meeting the King of the Koopas
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside of the castle, a wizard creature wearing glasses, a blue robe and hat carrying a magic wand walks around for a couple of minutes standing behind a warp pipe. *sigh* "Time to do some grocery shopping while Lord Bowser is away kidnapping the princess for the thousandth time." He takes a moment to rest when suddenly he hears a screaming noise. The green pipe shoots up a screaming Apple Bloom flying upward and then falling down towards the wizard. "What the !?!" The weird creature shouted until the filly landed on top of him knocking him to the ground. "oooh, measly mushrooms." He groaned in pain.
Apple Bloom shakes her head to stop feeling dizzy and takes a look at her surroundings. "Where am ah?" 
"Hey! Why don't you watch where you are going you egghead!" The blue robe creature spoke.
"Who're you calling egghead? Eggface!" She said back to the creature.
"You are, now get off me!" The filly jumps off the weird wizard and he points his wand at her. "Why I ought a turn you into a frog for jumping on me you...." He takes a glance at Apple Bloom with interest he lowers his wand. "Hmm, you look like a strange species, what are you anyway?" He questions the filly.
"A'hm a pony. Name's Apple Bloom, and Ah have no idea where I am." She looks around the area.
"A pony? I haven't seen one of those, interesting... Ah! Where are my manners. I am Kamek, I am a magikoopa, and you are in the Mushroom Kingdom. Specifically, outside of Bowser's castle." He introduces himself.
"Nice to meet ya Kamek." Apple Bloom giggles.
"If you don't mind me asking, where did you come from?"
She points her hoof to the pipe. "Ah came out from this thing and fer some reason ah wound up here of all places." She shrugs. Kamek takes a close look at the pipe fixing up his glasses.
"Hmm, thats peculiar, this wasn't supposed to be here before." The blue wizard said as he examines the mysterious pipe. "Its as if it just magically showed up out of nowhere." He ponders at the green object, then he turns towards Apple Bloom. "I don't suppose you have anywhere else to go now do you?"
Apple Bloom shakes her head. "This place is new to me so ah don't know where to look."
"Then come with me, I'll take you to Bowser's castle, it should be the perfect place for you to rest up." Kamek claps his hands excitedly. "And I can give you the grand tour of the place! Hehehee! Let's go!" With that said he grabs his wand and motions for Apple Bloom to follow him and they both walked towards the castle in question.


Apple Bloom and Kamek were walking by the area until they came a cross a very large castle overhead. Surrounded by a sea of lava, the filly would assume that they are near volcanic lands. A bridge leads to the castle on a plateau which would allow passage to the structure. The castle itself is very large building made from stone blocks and decorated with spikes, tall towers shaped like arms, and features a face of a monster at the top roof. This castle is a sight to behold, but not to the extent of the other castles Apple Bloom has seen.
The apple filly gulped as she gazes at the structure looming ahead. "Um, Kamek? Is that Bowser's castle" Apple Bloom asked nervously.
Kamek nods. "Yes! That is where the king of the Koopas, Bowser lives." He answered. Both he and Apple Bloom began to walk across the bridge. "I would suggest you don't look down."
Apple Bloom nodded and trotted carefully on the bridge to avoid going off the edge and fall into the lava.
"Don't worry about it, this bridge is very stable." Kamek assures the earth pony. "Look, we are almost there."
With that said, they arrived at the gate with large wooden doors in front of them. Kamek waves his wand and creates a broomstick which he climbs on and flies up to one of the towers.
"Hello! This is Kamek! I want you to open up the doors!"
Appearing at the top of a tower is a turtle-like creature wearing a helmet and carrying hammers in his hands.
"Oh hello Kamek! Back so soon? I thought you were out buying groceries for Bowser." The turtle responded.
Kamek grumbles under his breath while fixing his glasses. "I was about to do it right away. For now open up the gates we have a visitor and we are welcoming her to the castle. Now open up!"
The turtle nodded and began to unlock the gates while Kamek flies down to join Apple Bloom. The doors slowly open to reveal the entrance leading inside. The two of them enter as they take in the scenery of the interior. Apple Bloom was astonished, she feels overwhelming presence that someone really powerful lives here. Kamek looks at her and smirks.
"Pretty impressive right? This is Bowser's Castle, where the king of the Koopas live."
Apple Bloom nodded. "Eeyup. Who is this Bowser ya'll keep mentioning?" She raises an eyebrow.
"He is the KING! Bowser is the almighty leader of the Koopa army and soon to be ruler of the Mushroom kingdom!" Kamek declares raising his hands in the air. Then he brings out a large portrait in a puff of magic smoke. "Here's a picture of him." Kamek shows the filly the picture.
Apple Bloom looks at the picture and suddenly felt frightened. It depicts a large dragon-like monster with a big mouth sharp teeth, and an angry look. He also appears to look like a turtle having an orange body, a yellow underbelly, with a green shell with spikes on the back. It also wears spiky collars on it's neck and arms, while also having a red mane and eyebrows. This is what Bowser looks like to the little filly.

The apple filly shudders at the sight of such a creature knowing that this might be someone who might be, evil. Apple Bloom looks at Kamek in disbelief. "Oh, Th-Thats Bowser. G-Good to know!" She smiled nervously.
"Of course!" Kamek puts away the portrait and walks over to the Hallway. "Now, shall we get on the tour?" The magikoopa asks her. She nods her head and the two of them walked through the hallway wandering on the red carpet underneath them.


Apple Bloom had gotten a grasp on how things run in Bowser's castle. There were a lot of creatures working with Bowser in his army which included; mushroom-like creatures called Goombas, other turtles like Koopa Troopas, Paratroopas, and Hammer Bros. Round white ghosts called Boos, red creatures wearing masks who are known as Shy Guys, and plants with sharp teeth called Piranha plants. There were even some of the more threatening minions like the Chain Chomps, Bob ombs, Bullet Bills, Thwomps, and so much more. It was astounding knowing that they have all been serving Bowser in sheer numbers which made it a strong army.
Kamek even mentions that there are Magikoopas that look like him, the only way he could tell was that his clothes are more darker shade of blue compared with the rest. Apple Bloom wonders why so many creatures would serve him despite being used in his army.
"And here we have the throne room where Lord Bowser would reside, if only he was here." Kamek assures the earth pony continuing the tour. He opens the doors and they both enter with precaution.
The throne room is a big room with large purple columns, black tapestries with Bowser's face in a red color, there is a ramp that leads to a big throne at the back of the room. Apple Bloom and Kamek walk over to the throne where they stop to take a break.
"Gee Kamek, this is an amazin place. Ah can understand why Bowser has so many minions, but why do ya need so many?" Apple Bloom raises an eyebrow.
"The reason why is because we live to serve Bowser, we go to great lengths to become his most loyal followers and joining his army makes us strong, powerful, and formidable." Kamek says with pride. "You know what? Maybe you should take part in joining the Koopa army. There might be a few of us who might be happy to train you, especially with your strange magic i've been meaning to study."
Apple Bloom ponders for a moment thinking about joining the army. She might get the feeling that this feels like the Canterlot royal guard serving Princess Celestia back home. "Ah don't know, will we get into wars? I'd sure wouldn't like to hurt myself or other creatures." Apple Bloom replies.
"At least give it a chance. By joining Bowser's army, you could become stronger than anyone who would get in your way. All it takes is a little encouragement and the will to fight."
Then suddenly the entire castle shook at the sounds of stomping that made the minions panic. Some of them scrambled to get in their places while other simply hide or get out of the way. Everyone in the castle has started to prepare for their boss to arrive at this moment.
"He's here!"
"Lord Bowser has arrived!"
"Hail to the king!"
Apple Bloom began to sweat knowing that Bowser is coming. She glances at Kamek of what to do in this situation.
"Quick! Hide behind the throne until I signal for you to come out!" He whispers. Apple Bloom runs to the back of the large chair and waits there shaking like a leaf. Here arrives the king of the Koopas.


Bowser arrives at his castle carrying a princess in his left arm chuckling as he brings himself inside. "GWA-HA-HA-HA! It feels so good coming back after a successful kidnapping!" Bowser said in content. "Wouldn't you agree Princess Peach?"
With her arms crossed and deadpanned expression, the princess herself was not amused. "Bowser, just how many times must you kidnap me even during my gaming session with Daisy? I was about to beat her at her own game!" She complains to the turtle dragon.
"Heh, if I had known that I would have brought my own games to play"
Peach huffs in annoyance and closes her eyes not wanting to look at Bowser directly. "It doesn't matter, Mario will just come rescue me like always and then I can always have something to do on the weekends."
Bowser had to resist growling at the mention of Mario's name as they made their way into the throne room, where they are greeted by his own minions.
"Ah greetings Lord Bowser, I see the kidnapping was a success." Kamek praises the Koopa king.
He sets the princess down on her feet and she brushes off her dress fixing herself. "Alright minions! You know what to do! Take the princess to her room and keep someone guarding her until Mario shows up!" Bowser commanded his minions. A few Koopas and Goombas went up to her and escorts Peach into the direction of a room to keep her there. With that done, he looks at his minions with a fierce expression.
"Alright!" The Koopa king pounds his fist with his palm. "Mario is gonna show up soon. So I'm gonna need some of you mooks to keep that red plumber busy while I prepare the battlefield stage!"
Kamek raises his hand in the air. "If I may Lord Bowser, I do have someone of special interest I'd like you to meet." He interrupted.
"What is it! This had better be something good otherwise you're on shell wax duty for a month!" The king of the Koopas warned irritably.
"Alright then!" He walks over to the back of the throne and whispered. "You can come out now little one."
Slowly walking up to Bowser with Kamek, Apple Bloom reveals herself nervously smiling at the big turtle creature. "Hello. A'hm Apple Bloom." She gulps. A couple of murmurs and whispers can be heard from the many minions in the throne room.
Bowser looks at the tiny horse staring at him then he looks at Kamek as he raises an eyebrow. He crosses his arms. "What am I looking at?" Bowser asks Kamek.
"As I said, this is someone of interest who I've encountered just outside of the castle. A magical talking pony!" He said out loud. He gets awkward stares from the many of Bowser's followers and Bowser himself and he could've sworn he heard a cough.
Bowser just stares at the the little pony in front of him for a few seconds until he blurted out laughing. "BWA-HAH-HAH-HAH! Thats too funny! You like girly horses!" Soon everyone else in the room started laughing making Apple Bloom feel discouraged. Bowser ceased his laughing and speaks up. "You got a pretty good joke there Kamek. I am definitely having a good mood today!"
"But sire I just think tha-"
Kamek was interrupted by a loud roar caused by Bowser prompting Apple Bloom to hide behind the magikoopa feeling scared at the dragon monster.
"I don't care about that! What I wanna know is WHY IS THERE A TINY HORSE IN MY CASTLE!" Bowser angrilly shouted.
"Because she wants to join your army!" Kamek hides behind Apple Bloom feeling frightened himself.
Bowser looks at them crossing his arms as he raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Not wanting to get kicked out Apple Bloom decides to go along with the idea. "Uh, y-yeah! A-A'hd like to join! Ah can be a great help with you and yer army of minions I could be like uhh." Apple Bloom stammered feeling nervous. "To help you out a-a-and stuff! Yea..."
Bowser looks at the trembling filly putting a claw to his chin and thinks questioning whether or not to add her into his legion of followers. On the one hand, he would kick her out knowing that even if he could include the filly, she'd be too weak to take on the likes of Mario and his friends. On the other hand, Having a rare yet formidable little pony might be useful for his schemes and another strong follower with so much potential to add to his army.
The Koopa king grinned lightly at her as he comes to a conclusion.
"So you want to join MY army huh?" Bowser said mischievously. He examines the pony then the dragon turtle nods once. "Alright, I don't see why not? You can join my troops, IF you can do a little training for me. Once you do that, you'll definitely work up your way to become a major part of my army!"
Apple Bloom sighs in relief and nods her head in affirmation that she'll be joining Bowser as a minion. "Thank you Bowser! Ah promise a'll do a good job and I know that a'll be a lot stronger than I was before!" The apple filly beamed at the Koopa king's approval.
"Darn right! I like your spirit kid!" He points his finger to the little pony. "Now I want you to train hard! I'll start ordering the Koopalings to begin working on your training right away." Bowser snaps his fingers. "Kamek! I want you to get Apple Bloom to the training facility, and don't be afraid to use the heavy stuff. I want her to push past the limits and if she could pull it off, she can be my secret weapon against Mario!" The Koopa king pounds his fist on his other hand. "Its an idea that just might work!"
Kamek relectantly sighs. "Very well, as you command Lord Bowser." The Koopa wizard wipes his glasses from his sweat then motions Apple Bloom to follow him. "Lets go Apple Bloom, we've got some training to do I guess." Both he and Apple Bloom walk out of the throne room to go to the place and prepare for the training session.
"I should probably get started on the battle arena. Mario won't know what hit him." Bowser said with a wicked smile. "Okay then, meeting is done!" Bowser walks to the back of his throne as he leaves to prepare for his fight with Mario.
The rest of the minions were talking amongst themselves on what happened today. Some of the Koopas and Goombas walk around to their posts with the sounds of murmuring to each other. Unbeknownst to some, one Koopa with large blue hair, arms crossed, and leaning against one of the columns does not take the encounter with the pony too kindly.
"This is not going to end well." He said.
> Chapter 2: A little Training never hurts, Right?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apple Bloom and Kamek made their way into the room where the apple filly will begin her training. They began looking around the area at the selection of training equipment. Large dumbbells leaning on the walls, treadmills lined in place, magikoopa wands on the walls, and training dummies shaped to look like Mario. Kamek walks over to the wall and picks up a wand and goes back to the filly.
"Since you'll be joining Lord Bowser's army, I should at the very least give you something to defend yourself. So here is a magic wand for you to use." Kamek hands the wand to Apple Bloom who is now holding it with her forehoof.
Apple Bloom looks at the wand unsure what to do now. "Okay, how do ah use this here wand?" She asks the blue magikoopa. The small earth pony examines the magical object for a few seconds.
"In order to use the wand, just wave it around and you can do all sorts of magical things." Kamek explains. "Like so." He waves his wand in a circular motion and the the gem on the wand glows bright and then he shoots a magic attack in the form of a circle, triangle, and square, spinning at one of the dummies. It caused the dummy to fall on the ground, The magikoopa twirls his wand and blows away the sparkles from the wand and smirked.
"Wow! That was amazin Kamek!" Apple Bloom beamed.
He turns around and bowed to the filly. "Why thank you! Now why don't you give it a go?" The blue wizard said. Apple Bloom walks up to another Mario dummy and holds out her wand. "Remember, the key is to concentrate and focus your mind on the wand." The apple filly stares intensesly at the wand focusing its magic. "Now wave it around slowly then release the magic from inside the wand." He instructed Apple Bloom.
The apple filly waved the wand around until the ruby started to glow. Then with a flick of her hoof, she throws an attack which only went off course and started to go out of control, bouncing on the walls and ceiling until it blasts the dummy leaving a small burn on the face. Apple Bloom smiled sheepishly. "So, how'd ah do?"
Kamek looks up lowering his hands from his cone shaped hat and putting them on his hips. "Well, if you mean almost hitting ME! Then, you did alright for your first time." He rubs his chin. "Though, you still got a lot to learn using a magic wand. You just need to practice concentrating the magic from within the wand." Kamek instructed the pony.
Apple Bloom nodded and now gets a better understanding on using a magic wand. She thinks about Twilight Sparkle and how she uses her magic casting spells back in Equestria. It did feel weird having to use a magic wand considering that Apple Bloom is an earth pony and she is learning spells from a Koopa wizard. But overtime she will eventually get used to the idea of using magic, Imagining how she'll impress her friends.
With renowned confidence, Apple Bloom raises her wand, waves it around concentrating on the magic. Then she hurls a magic attack much like Kamek did and hits the Mario dummy nailing the shot. Apple "Look, ah did it! Ah did some magic!" Apple Bloom said having accomplished using a magic wand.
Kamek applauded the apple filly knowing that she passed her first lesson. "Well done Apple Bloom. But that was just the basic spell for attacking, there are more spells that you could learn." The Koopa wizard smiles warmly having taught the little pony using magic.
"If you mean a simple spell for amateurs, then she's a real expert." A voice said sarcastically from the doorway.
Entering the room are Koopas that look like smaller versions of Bowser to the apple filly, only with their different sizes and hairstyles. There is a Koopa with a light blue shell, spiked bracelets, and he had cyan colored hair which almost made him look like a rooster. The next one around Apple Bloom's height having a yellow shell, rainbow colored hair in the form of a mohawk, and he appears to be wearing a yellow scarf.
Next up is a female Koopa by the looking that she has pink lips with a pink shell, she wears rings on her wrists instead of the spiked bracelets, and is wearing a pink bow with a red necklace around her neck. The next one is a tall Koopa with a green shell, wearing glasses and has green hair in the shape of a palm tree. The next Koopa is bigger and has a purple shell with a pink face, wearing sunglasses making him look tough compared to the others. Next up is a burly looking Koopa with a black colored shell with grayish coloring on his body, and also having a star shape on his face.
Lastly is the Koopa with an indigo colored spiky shell and large hair and a single long tooth from his mouth. He crosses his arms and gives Apple Bloom a sneer having to witness her using magic. The Koopas enter and now gathers over to the little pony.
"Hmph, Seriously? I expect better results for the training Lord Bowser has ordered us to do." Said the indigo haired Koopa.
Kamek stands by the filly and greets them. "Ah the Koopalings! Forgive me for not introducing to you Apple Bloom here!" Kamek spoke up. "Ahem. Apple Bloom meet the Koopalings, the Koopa army elite minions. Larry Koopa, Lemmy Koopa, Wendy O.Koopa, Iggy Koopa, Roy Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr. and lastly but certainly not least, Ludwig Von Koopa!" Kamek introduces the Koopalings to Apple Bloom.
"Oh, hiya there. Mah names Apple Bloom!" She greets them with a kind smile.
"OH MY GOSH! She is so adorable!" Wendy beamed running up to the little earth pony and petting her head. "And I just LOVE her little bow! So Cute!"
"Eh I don know Wendy, this weird lookin horse ain't gonna be much minion material." Roy said shaking his head looking over the filly. "Fact she doesn't look tough I mean she's just a newbie."
Wendy huffs and gives Roy a leer "Well, once Apple Bloom is through with her training, she'll be even stronger." She puts a hand to her hip. "After all, it's what Lord Bowser ordered us to do right?"
Ludwig flips his hair. "Roy does have a point, Apple Bloom is still new to us, and I find it very suspicious that someone like her is willing to join Bowser's army." The blue Koopaling said. "Normally, innocent creatures like her usually run in fear from us and the rest of the minions, yet I am concerned about this mysterious...thing." He questioned the other Koopas in the room.
"Yeah, I'm all for accepting new minions, but out of all the new recruits, this one is the strangest so far." Larry said as he points to Apple Bloom.
Iggy raises his hand. "I'm just here for whatever you guys are going to do. Hahaha!" The green Koopaling chuckled. "Who knows? She might turn out great!"
"MORTON, HELP TRAIN TINY HORSE." Morton said out loud.
Ludwig turns around to face Kamek. "Do you mind stepping out, we will begin preparing for the training regiment for Apple Bloom here." Ludwig nonchalantly convinces the Koopa wizard.
After hearing their conversation, Kamek nods then makes his way to the entrance. "Well now that the Koopalings are here, I suppose I'll take my leave." The magikoopa said as he exits the room. Kamek ponders for a moment on what Ludwig just said. "Hmm, I might need to do a little investigating." He walks through the hallways leaving the apple filly with the Koopalings.


Apple Bloom looks at the Koopalings eagerly awaiting to learn the next part of her lesson. "So what is mah training gonna be like?" She ask them innocently smiling.
The Koopalings look at each other with mischievous expressions and chuckling. Ludwig walks up to the apple filly with an evil smirk. "Lets just say, your training is going to be very fun." Apple Bloom's expression changed from smiling to becoming nervous in an instant. "Well, for us anyway."
Five minutes later...
"DODGE!" Lemmy throws bouncy balls at Apple Bloom prompting her to avoid getting hit. The small earth pony frantically dodges left and right quickly avoiding the yellow balls as the bounce past her. However, she does end up getting hit in the face with some of the round objects as she falls to the ground. "Your gonna need to try doing more dodging, keep it up!" Lemmy raises his magic wand and creates more yellow balls aimed directly at the apple filly.
The next lesson involve Wendy showing her some spinning techniques. "Okay! Watch me!" Wendy twirls around in place spinning around at a fast pace until she stops and strikes a pose with a blow kiss. "Now you try."
Apple Bloom tries to stand on her hind hooves and twirls like Wendy did, only to end up tripping and falling down face flat on the ground. The female Koopaling facepalmed and slowly shakes her head.
Another lesson involved Apple Bloom on one of the treadmills meaning that she had to do some running. At first she was having no problem running in place picking up speed. That is of course Iggy shows up holding a Chain Chomp by the tail end of the chain and it barks at her making the filly panic before her eyes. She feels the adrenaline from running on the treadmill while trying to get away from the Chain Chomp. The green shelled Koopaling laughs maniacally after showing his method of 'motivating' the apple filly.
Apple Bloom takes a breather after the lesson with Iggy, the next one involves Larry showing her how to jump higher. "Okay all you need to do it hit the yellow block above me." Larry said. A yellow block can be seen a few feet above the Koopaling. Larry steps back letting the filly to attempt to do the next part of her training. She jumps only to miss by a couple inches, she tries it again until she stops foe a few seconds. "C'mon you got to at least jump higher than that!" Larry explained to the earth filly. She huffs and with a determined face, she jumps and hits the block above her making a red mushroom appear which Larry snatches it away and held it up to his palm. "Good job, but I'll be holding onto this until you are done with the training." Larry puts away the mushroom and lets Apple Bloom move on to the next Koopaling.
Morton's training method involved helping Apple Bloom build up her strength. The only way to do it, is by sitting on top of her back while she tries push ups carrying his weight to build up muscle. "LITTLE HORSEY DO PUSH UPS! BUILD MORE STRENGTH!" Morton instructs the little pony. She struggles to lift Morton from her back as she is doing push ups. Apple Bloom groans having to lift the heavy Koopaling from her back, due to her being an earth pony she is able to pull through with the training of boosting her strength.
Training with Roy seemed like a major pain for Apple Bloom. She had to avoid getting punched by the big Koopaling while constantly taunting her while she dodges. "Is dat all ya got? C'mon, fight back! Unless you're scared ya girly pony!" Roy taunted. Even though she doesn't like his way of training Apple Bloom had to refrain calling him out while constantly avoiding his punches. The apple filly had to push him away once he gets really close to her space prompting Roy to keep up the pace.
The last part of her training was with Ludwig involving the use of the magic wand. "Considering the fact that you'll be using a wand, I want you to practice using the attack spell, on me." Ludwig said confidently.
"But won't it hurt ya a lot? Because I wouldn't want to hurt ya too badly." Apple Bloom said in concern.
"Getting hurt is necessary for the training in the first place, and with your current level of skill, I highly doubt you could inflict any sort of damage to me." Ludwig says snidely motioning for Apple Bloom to attack him. "Now show me what you can do."
Apple Bloom brings out her wand and focuses a magic attack aiming for the Koopaling. Ludwig effortlessly dodged the attack as it passes by him. Apple Bloom had to keep practicing using the wand while she cast the spell Kamek taught her. Continuing with the magic lesson, Ludwig figured he pulls out his own wand which had a blue gem and started attacking the little pony with blue magic spells. They were having a training duel with the both of them throwing magic attacks at each other until the blue haired Koopaling was caught off guard when one of the spells struck him in the arm.
The other Koopalings gasped as they witnessed Ludwig getting hurt by the attack. He himself winced as he felt a little pain from his shoulder, this pony, has hit him in the shoulder.
"A'hm sorry! Are yah alright there Ludwig?" Apple Bloom apologized to the blue Koopaling.
"Yes, I will be fine. Tis but a mere scratch." Ludwig regains his composure and shrugs off the attack, rubbing the small burn. "Heh, I must say, you did a decent job for a small equine."
Apple Bloom sighs in relief seeing that Ludwig seemed okay after getting hit. Ludwig flicks his hair and motions for the rest of the Koopalings.
"Well, I'd say this has been a successful training session. Don't you agree everyone?" The other Koopalings nodded in agreement. "It seems that you are ready for the last part of your training." Ludwig spoke to the apple filly.
Apple Bloom sits down on her behind breathing heavily and sweating after all the hard work put into the Koopaling's exercises. She herself was feeling exhausted after having gone through the training that was given to the little filly.
"W-What is it- *huff* -that a-ahs gotta do?" Apple Bloom asks breathing heavily.
Ludwig snap his finger. "Larry. Give Apple Bloom the mushroom you've been holding onto for a while."
Larry says "Okay!" Then he gives the mushroom to the little earth pony. "This mushroom should restore your health and regain your strength." The cyan colored Koopaling said.
Apple Bloom eats the mushroom with a few bites until she completely ate it. She feels the healing sensation and notices that all the pain she was felt from the training has gone away. Apple Bloom's face brightened at the thought of those red mushrooms recovering her health.
"Wow! Ah feel great! Thanks a lot Larry!"
"Don't mention it." Larry said smiling.
"Now I think your ready to head onto the courtyard where you'll be facing one of us in battle." Ludwig suggested. "Go on, we will decide who gets to face you. Tell one of the Koopa minions where to find the backyard and they will escort you there." With that said, Apple Bloom trotted out of the training room to look for a Koopa minion to tell her where to find the courtyard.
"So, who's gonna take on that little pony?" Roy asks. "Cause I'd be more than happy to pummel dat squirt to the ground."
Wendy shot a glare at Roy. "If you so much as hurt that cute little pony, I will make you sorry!" Wendy threatened the sunglasses wearing Koopaling.
Ludwig rubs his shoulder until he grips his fist tightly. "Larry, you will fight her."
"Wh-What Me?" Larry spoke up confusedly. "Why not Lemmy or Iggy? Let them deal with the pony!"
Ludwig loomed over in Larry's direction. "Because out of all of us, you are the easiest to battle, you haven't done much to help with the training." Ludwig went up to his face with a scowl. "And above all else, your moves are predictable!"
"Predictable? PREDICTABLE?!? Okay! That's it!" Larry leaves in a huff. "I'll fight Apple Bloom, and then we'll see who's predictable!" The cyan Koopaling left feeling frustrated.
"He's gonna get beaten right?" Lemmy asked.
"Seems like it, hehehe!" Iggy giggles.
"That was a bold move there Ludwig." Wendy said. "Why are you doing this?"
Ludwig turns his head to view Wendy. "Because I want to see how much pain the little runt can endure." The blue Koopaling smirks. "Besides, its Larry, whether he wins or loses, he is a formidable yet simple opponent."


At the courtyard of Bowser's castle, a lot of minions gather for the upcoming spectacle and the first of many battles for Apple Bloom. Bowser sits on his own chair to witness the little earth pony in action. A Koopa walks up to the field. "Alrighty here folks, this will be a one on one match between one of our newest recruits and one of the mighty Koopalings!" The audience cheers all excited for the match to start. "In this corner, we have the newbie joining the fray. A tough yet cute little pony wearing a pink bow, iiiits APPLE BLOOM!!" The filly herself waves to the crowd gleefully smiling. "And in the other corner, its the youngest of the Koopaling clan, he's the fearsome fighter, LARRY!" Larry looks confident knowing that this will be an easy fight.
"Alright here's the rules, first one to take down their opponent is the winner." The koopa concluded then he walks back to the spot near the middle of the battlefield. Apple Bloom takes a deep breath and furrowed her eyebrows ready to do battle with Larry. "3...2...1...Go!" The announcer Koopa shouted. The two fighters ran up to each other and faces their opponent.
Larry starts the fight by using his magic wand and starts to fire blue spells at the filly. She manages to avoid getting hit by rolling over and jumping while also using her wand to attack. Larry blocks them with his wand and then keeps on attacking, firing more blue attacks. Apple Bloom jumps on top of Larry and stomps her hooves onto his head.
"Ow! That hurts!" The Koopaling shouted. He leers over to the apple filly's direction. "But can ya dodge this!" Larry hides in his shell and starts spinning faster to try and hit her. Surprised by that move, Apple Bloom quickly jumps to avoid Larry, however she gets struck on the flank at the last second.
Apple Bloom winced, but she shrugs off the bruise and gets back into the fight. Larry pops out of his shell and readies his wand to fire more spells which made the pony do the same move. Larry managed to get struck in the face, causing Apple Bloom to jump on his head again, which she did.
Feeling angry, Larry puts away his wand and pulls out a tennis racket with spikes on the edges. Larry spits out a fireball and smacks it with the racket. The fireball was flying so fast that Apple Bloom had to duck to save herself from getting burned.
"Woah, sweet applesauce!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Thats right! Lets play a game of fireball tennis!" Larry angrily shouted.
Larry launches another fireball from his mouth and starts using the racket to hit it over to Apple Bloom's direction prompting her to keep dodging. She frantically ran all over the field to stay away from the flames thus having no choice but to use her magic wand. She casts her attack spell to parry the fireballs launched by Larry. She distracts the Koopaling long enough to get closer to him.
Having done shooting fireballs, Larry uses his spinning shell attack this time at a rapid pace to hit the filly. Apple Bloom keeps doing multiple jumps to avoid getting attacked by Larry's shell move. He gets out of his shell to pull out his racket only for Apple Bloom to buck it out of his hands and made one last jump on top of Larry's head. Larry moans in pain until he falls down on his belly having been defeated.
"N-NO..I can't lose to a new minion. Its just not fair!" Larry whined after being beaten by Apple Bloom.
The sound of a bell ringing can be heard meaning the battle is over. "And there goes the battle we have ourselves a winner! APPLE BLOOOOOOM!" The announcer Koopa screamed. The crowd of minions cheered for the little filly chanting her name in the process. The rest of the other Koopalings helped Larry get up on his feet and they walked back to the crowd before getting a glance at the little pony.
Apple Bloom kinda felt sorry for Larry after defeating him in battle. Regardless, she brightens up hearing the minions cheer for her after a fierce battle.
Bowser makes his way over to the courtyard and stands towards the apple filly. "YOU! I've got something to say to you!" Bowser shouted at Apple Bloom making her nervous. She gulps in anticipation. Bowser gives a hearty chuckle "BWA-HAHAHAHAHA! You got spirit kid! You managed to beat on of my higher ranked minions, and its one of the Koopalings. You've impressed me!"
Apple Bloom looks up to the Koopa king "So, you're not mad at me?" She questioned the big turtle dragon.
"Mad? After seeing a brawl like that? Nah, I think you are truly worthy to join my army!" Bowser takes a knee. "Apple Bloom was it? I'd like it if you were to join me, you get to rule by my side." Bowser said.
Apple Bloom thought for a moment until she made up her mind. "Sure, A'hd like to join ya. Ah think it'll be fun." Apple Bloom smiled.
Bowser grinned. "Alright! Welcome to my army Apple Bloom." Bowser lifts the filly with his claw and addresses the audience of Koopas and Goombas. "Lets hear it for Apple Bloom! The newest member of the KOOPA ARMY!" Bowsed roared as the crowd cheers.
Apple Bloom blushes feeling welcomed into part of Bowsers legion of minions. Although she had to make it up to the other Koopalings after defeating Larry. This was only the start of her journey into the Mushroom Kingdom. New adventure and friends await her in this new world.
> Chapter 3: Enter Bowser Jr.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the hallway, The Koopalings where helping Larry recover from the battle with Apple Bloom. Ludwig hands Larry a mushroom and he quickly eats it to restore his health a little. Once he recovered, each of the spiky shelled Koopas discussed about the what happened in the battle.
"I just can't belive I lost! What a bummer." Larry grunted after having to lose to the filly.
"You tried your hardest Larry, perhaps I might have misjudged little Apple Bloom on her level of skills." Ludwig said. "But still, I can't help but want to make her suffer, she needs to learn not to meddle with us." he narrows his eyes in disgust.
"Yeah! You just got beaten up by a little pony! Ahahahahaha!" Iggy laughs at Larry.
"Hey Shut up!" Larry lashed out. "You try fighting her and then we'll see who's laughing when she beats you!"
"Uh-uh! She may have beat you, but I can defeat her easily!" Iggy claims. "Besides, I'mmmmm." Iggy spins around in place until he stops raising his left arm as he struck a pose. "Unpredictable! So HA!" He taunts the young Koopaling.
Larry stands up angrily and was about to attack Iggy when Ludwig restrained him. "That's it! Let me at him!"
"Calm yourself Larry, you'll get your chance next time!" Ludwig assured Larry. "Let her join Bowser's ranks, it makes little difference. For now, we shall see if Apple Bloom is truly worthy enough to earn our respect." Ludwig concluded. He walks out of the room leaving the rest of the Koopalings in the hallway. Iggy sticks out his tongue and runs off leaving Larry pouting feeling humiliated.
"Oh Roy, I believe that you owe me something on our bet?" Wendy asked.
Back at the courtyard, Roy and Wendy were talking to each other about making a wager on to see who wins the battle between Apple Bloom and Larry. Roy was betting on Larry to win While Wendy places her bets on the little pony while the fight is taking place.
Unfortunately for Roy, him losing the bet made him surrender ten gold coins to the female Koopaling. She smugly smiled while taking the coins to herself.


Walking through the corridors of the castle, Apple Bloom finds herself feeling good that she managed to win a fight against one of Bowser's stronger minions. 'Ah wonder if ah should make it up to Larry after giving him such a wallop.' The filly thought to herself. She notices the Koopas and Goombas praising her and giving the earth filly compliments while she passes by them.
"Nice work."
"Great job."
"Way to go!"
Apple Bloom blushes after hearing the all nice compliments from the minions. It was until a Goomba stood in her way feeling a bit nervous.
"Um, hello? Your Apple Bloom right?"
"Eeyup! Thats me." She responded.
"Lord Bowser would like to see you right away." The Goomba said. "Sorry, its my first time being in the Koopa army and It is kinda day one of the job for me."
"Huh? Well how bout that? So ahm I." Apple Bloom lightly wraps her foreleg to him. "Let's both do our best and make Bowser happy!" She gives the Goomba a wink and trots away to visit the room he told the little pony.
This left the Goomba dumbfounded and yet he felt something he wasn't expecting to feel. Encouragement. "I don't know why, but I think that I like that pony. And if she can handle being part of Bowser's minions, then I'll be sure that I can do my best helping out in my own way. Somehow."
Apple Bloom runs through the hallways to find the throne room to see why the king of the Koopas has called her. The anticipation is making her feel nervous yet excited at the same time. Once she finds the large red doors, Apple Bloom slowly breathes in and out to compose herself and without hesitating, opens the way to the throne room.


Apple Bloom walks into the room where Bowser is sitting on his throne holding his head with his fist as he grinned when he sees the filly enters. The earth filly trots on the red carpet all the way to the back of the room and bows down when she is near his throne.
"Howdy Bowser! Y'all wanted to see me sir?" Apple Bloom said to the Koopa king.
"Yes, after much consideration, I've decided to let you join my Koopa troop for reals." Bowser stated. "Beating Larry was just a test to see if you can handle yourself in a tough battle. And kid, you've got guts!" Bowser snaps his fingers letting in two Paratroopas to fly by with one of them holding a black cape with Bowsers face in red to fit with Apple Bloom's size. "Because of that, I asked some of my minions to make this cape for you."
Apple Bloom looks at the cape as the Paratroopa gives it to her and smiled when she puts it on. The fabric itself felt nice and smooth while wearing it around the little pony's neck. "Woah! Now this is an awesome lookin cape! Thank ya Bowser!"
"Heh. Of course its awesome, the fabric is fireproof so that you'll be safe from fire attacks. Plus its got 'my' symbol on it which means that wearing this makes you part of my minions. Now, all you gotta do is to follow my orders and you will do as I tell you. I want you to be tough and strong as long as you are in my troop! Understand?"
Apple Bloom nods her head and gives a salute. "Yes sir, Bowser sir!"
Bowser nodded and smiled brightly. "Good. Now lets see.... where to start you off with." Bowser thinks tapping his chin with his finger claw trying to come up with an order.
Kamek appears flying on his broomstick and lands onto the carpet floor. "if I may interrupt, I did some research on that mysterious pipe." Kamek adjusts his glasses.
"What did you find Kamek?" Bowser said.
"The warp pipe I found near the castle is magical, therefore someone might have made it using their own brand of magic." Kamek motions his hand to Apple Bloom. "And this type of magic is something I might have detected when I first met Apple Bloom, it has a link to another dimension!" Kamek exclaimed.
"ANOTHER DIMENSION!!!" Bowser shouted loudly making Apple Bloom jump in shock. "And you didn't tell me!!"
Kamek re-adjusted his hat. "Yes, it comes from that very world where this little pony came from." He walks to said pony and asks her. "Excuse me Apple Bloom where did you come from exactly?"
Apple Bloom sighed it was only a matter of time until they found out eventually about her. She thinks for a moment whether or not she would reveal Equestria to these creatures. Would they not mind it at all? Or will they try to take it over just like any other villain Twilight and her friends would have to deal with? Even so, Apple Bloom would have to risk it having to join Bowser and hopefully that he would do nothing to threaten the ponies. And as her older sister taught her that being honest is what makes somepony really trustworthy, she had to tell the truth."Ah come from a magical world of ponies known as Equestria."Apple Bloom revealed where she came from.
"Equestria?" Both Bowser and Kamek said at the same time.
Apple Bloom nodded then she awaits the response. The Koopas in the room blinked for a second making things awkward in the room.
"A world full of magical horses huh?" Bowser crosses his arms. "Not a place I heard of before." He waves his claw in a motion not wanting to press on further. "Nah, I don't think I can handle that much cutesy stuff, except maybe Peach. How soon can you send Apple Bloom back home Kamek?"
"W-Well that is the very question, i-its, uh, hmm," The Koopa wizard muttered. "Sh-She can't go back."
"What?" Both Bowser and Apple Bloom said.
"The spell that was used on the pipe was only temporary, which means that it was a one way use and Apple Bloom might have used up the magic on the warp pipe making it a normal pipe with no way to go anywhere." Kamek concluded.
"Yah mean, ah can't go back home?" Apple Bloom frowns as tears started to form in her eyes. Seeing this Bowser can't help but pity the little pony, even though she comes from a different world, she joined his army to be strong and brave. He has to try to do something to make it up to her.
Bowser snorts and gets up from his chair. "There has to be a way! And I will make sure that you have a way to get back to your world, by any means necessary!" Bowser declared. "Kamek! You will try and find that spell to fix up that weird pipe! Now go!" The king Koopa commanded.
Kamek nodded and with a wave of his magic wand, he teleported to someplace within the castle leaving the throne room. Bowser walked towards the filly and knelt down to her level.
Apple Bloom sniffed as she wipes off the tears with her forehooves. "Your really gonna help me get back home?" She asked the big turtle creature showing off her cute wide eyes.
"Yeah, I figured you could use the help, and it looks like you really need it." Despite being a tyrant of a king, Bowser seemed to be understand the little pony's situation and is willing to do that he can to help. "Besides, you got ME and the strength of the Koopa army at yourside! We will find a way don't you worry!"
Apple Bloom, felt a little better knowing that Bowser will try and help her to get back to Equestria by any means necessary. Which is strange usually he is not the kind and caring type given his appearance. The earth pony filly smiled at the Koopa king showing that she is willing to try to be the best minion in Bowser's eyes. The moment was interrupted when someone barged in through the doors.
"DAD! I heard from the Koopalings that one of the new minions beat up Larry! I wanna see them!" Entering the throne room is a Koopa much like one of the Koopalings only this one is unique. He has red hair tied up in a ponytail, a green shell with spikes only less sharp, and he wears a white bandanna with a crude drawing of sharp teeth on it. To Apple Bloom, he looks like a miniature version of Bowser except at around her height which made her giggle a little. "What are you supposed to be?" the Koopa asked.
Apple Bloom brightened up and walks up to him. "A'hm a pony, mah name's Apple Bloom. Ah must say, your so cute. Yer like a mini Bowser!" The earth pony spoke to the little Koopa.
The mini Bowser growled taking offense at that comment. "Hey! I'm not cute! I'm a strong and fearsome prince of the Koopas!" He declared pointing a finger at the pony. "You outta show me some respect you dumb looking horsey!"
She frowned, now it was Apple Bloom's turn to be offended. "What'd ya say to me ya no good varmint!" She butted heads against this Koopa. "Why, I outta teach ya some manners!" Apple Bloom threatened the mini Bowser.
"You wanna fight? Cause I can stomp you down, and I'll burn ya with my fire breath!"
Bowser stand up from his throne and holds both of them apart. "Thats enough Junior, there will be no roasting my new recruit today!" Bowser said to the small Koopa as he pouts. "Apple Bloom, this is my son Bowser Jr. He is my pride and joy, and my heir to the Koopa throne." He introduced him to the young earth pony.
"Thats right! So bow before me!" Bowser Jr. said.
Apple Bloom looks at the two of them and noticed that they do closely look alike. "I was wonderin why ya'll look so similar." The pony filly then puts a hoof to her chin. "Wait, if he's your son, then what about the Koopalings? Ah Figured that they were kinda like yer other kids." Apple Bloom asks the king of the Koopas.
"Nah, they're just my stronger Koopa minions who just work for me." Bowser answered the apple filly making her confused. "I'd consider them my top minions. Well, aside from Kamek."
Apple Bloom was about to retort but took a moment to think when she looks at Bowser Jr then at Bowser. The apple filly thought to herself. 'But that don't make a lick of sense. How can them Koopalings almost look like Bowser, but to not be his own children? I might need to ask Kamek of Bowser to figure this out later.' Not wanting to think about the Bowser family thing further she speaks about another topic.
"Is there a place where ah could stay? Now that a'hm part of your troop." Apple Bloom asks the king Koopa.
"Now that you mention it, I haven't thought about it until now." Bowser said. He looks at his son and immediately got an idea. "Hey junior, you don't mind if Apple Bloom could stay in one of your playrooms right?"
Bowser Jr stomps his foot down feeling miffed. "WHAT!? No way!" Junior complained. "I'm not letting her in my playroom! Its MY playroom! She is not going to touch any of my toys or my other stuff dad!"
Bowser roars causing both Junior and Apple Bloom hold each other scared getting the Koopa king's attention. "I don't care! You'll just have to deal with it for now, Apple Bloom is staying in your room whether you like it or not! Or else I'll ground you for a couple weeks! GOT IT!?!" Bowser scolded his son with a look of rage.
Junior looks at his father trembling until he notices that he was hugging the pony as she made a squee noise. He steps back and sighs defeated. "Grrn. Fine, okay Papa. I'll let her stay. Bowser Jr grumbled.
"Louder Junior!"
"I said I'll let her stay! Geez!"
"Good, thats my boy. Now that its settled lets get back to-"
Suddenly, a Koopa Troopa runs in the throne room with an alarming expression. "Lord Bowser! Lord Bowser! Its Mario! He is coming to the castle immediately!" The Koopa exclaimed.
Apple Bloom looked concerned noticing the worried expression from the Koopa and the two Bowsers angry looks. She thinks to herself. Just who in the hay is this Mario fella? Is he someone ah should be worried about? Whoever he is, Bowser seemed to wanna get rid of him. Maybe ah'll just go with it for now an see what happens.
"Go warn the troops and tell them to get into their battle stations! Ready the traps and everything in the castle to prepare for his arrival, now GO!" Bowser commanded.
The Koopa Troopa nodded and runs off to prepare the minions to do battle with Mario.
Bowser growled under his breath knowing that his arch nemesis is coming to his castle to rescue the princess. "GRRR! Mario is on his way here?! That stupid plumber always ruins my fun!" Bowser snarled. He turns his head to face the little filly. "Okay Apple Bloom, you're going to watch and see ME crush Mario once and for all!" Bowser said as he does an evil laugh afterwards. Apple Bloom felt uncertain as she makes her way over to the battle arena where she will witness a showdown between Bowser and this Mario person.
> Chapter 4: An Encounter with Mario
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside of Bowser's castle, two plumbers are heading towards the castle . One of them is wearing a red shirt and cap with the letter M on the hat. The other man appears to wear the same outfit only with green coloring on the shirt and cap with the letter L on the hat. The two plumbers are also wearing blue overalls, white gloves, and brown shoes while also having mustaches on their faces. The two of them are about to enter the castle, where Bowser and his minions are waiting for them inside.
"C'mon-a Luigi! We must rescue the princess!" One of the plumbers said out loud.
Luigi was huffing to catch his breath after running for miles. "H-Huff, I-I don't know Mario, who knows what sort of new tricks Bowser has in his castle." He said feeling a bit nervous.
"Aw don't worry about it!" Mario said with confidence. "We can overcome anything Bowser can throw at us!"
"Well OK, if you say so."
"Of-a course. We are the Mario Bros. and its up to us to save-a Princess Peach!" Mario gives a thumbs up after giving his brother a pep talk.
Luigi, now becoming more brave nodded in agreement and then the Mario Bros enter the castle as they make their way inside to find and defeat Bowser and save the princess from his clutches. The large doors closes as the two plumbers went into the large fortress, with great caution, Mario and Luigi tread on the red carpet raising their hands to prepare for incoming enemies running towards them ready to beat them down.


Bowser, Kamek, Bowser Jr, and Apple Bloom hastily make their way through the archway and over to the bridge that leads to a wide open battlefield on to of a large pillar over a lake of lava. Outside of the perimeter are the stands where some of Bowser's minions are there to watch the fight and cheer for their leader to win. The arena is filled with all sorts of dangerous stuff like spikes lined up in two rows underneath the stage, spiked bombs over on the edges of the field, chains hanging from the ceiling, and a large metal cage dome hanging over above the arena.
"Oh sweet applesauce..." Apple Bloom eyes widened and gulps at the sight of the battlefield making her feel more anxious, just viewing the field can make any pony intimidated just by looking at it. "Ain't this a bit dangerous? This seems like overkill tah me." She raised her hoof.
"Oh yeah, this is where we'll face Mario. Its got everything to make sure that annoying plumber is going down!" Bowser chortled showing the earth pony filly the setting for the upcoming fight.
Everyone crosses the bridge leading up to the platform in the middle of the stage, after that Bowser speaks up."Alright, here is how things will go, Apple Bloom, since your new here, I'll pair you up with Junior to battle Mario and try to beat him up. I'd like to see if you are able to smash that plumber up to pieces." He points to Apple Bloom after motioning over to Bowser Jr. "If all else fails, then I'll step into the ring and pulverize him myself!" Bowser pumps his fist in the air showing an evil grin.
"Are ya sure dad? Cause I don't think this little pony can last long in a fight." Bowser Jr commented.
"Thats why I'm letting her join you in battle in case Mario manages to get through my castle. She is going to need the experience so that our new recruit can get strong. So get used to it!" Bowser responded.
"Fine." Junior snorted, walking towards the apple filly unamused as he crosses his arms. "You did remember to bring my Koopa clown car before I fight Mario right?" He asked his father, whom he did a nod to assure that he did bring his personal flying device. "Good." He turns his head to the pony. "Okay, you just make sure you don't get in my way, otherwise I'll clobber ya! You got that?" Bowser Jr warned Apple Bloom waving his fist.
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Apple Bloom dead panned while reluctantly nodded to ensure that she is willing to co-operate with the Koopa prince. "Now what do we do? Are we just gonna wait fer this Mario fella to show up?" The apple filly asked impatiently.
"You should easily recognize him by his red clothes, bushy mustache, blue overalls, and that red cap with the letter 'M' on it." Bowser answers for the little filly. "But soon, oh yes... very soon I'll destroy him, and he'll be the one to get beaten!" The Koopa king snarled as he snorts out smoke from his nostrils. "Kamek, bring the princess over here to the stands so she can watch." He ordered the blue wizard.
"As you wish your vileness." Kamek responded. He brings out his broomstick and flies away to the castle keep to retrieve the princess so that she'll be witnessing on the stands with some of Bowser's followers.
Apple Bloom sits on her rear to wait for Mario to arrive on the scene so that she might face him in a battle. Normally back in Equestria, she wouldn't go as far picking fights with other ponies or other creatures. Usually, she and her friends just talk things out to fix other friendship problems to resolve their issues. But this is a situation where she has to fight someone, since she is not in Equestria, but in a world that is new to her, and she has no choice but to solve her problems by fighting. She has her wand ready to defend herself which she barely used until now to practice her magic while she waits.


After clearing out so many enemies and being able to avoid the traps along the way, Mario and his brother manged to made it over to the arena where Bowser is waiting for them. Even though Luigi has to get over his fear of ghosts by defeating the Boos to help out in his own way, the green clothed plumber is able to get through the many obstacles from within the castle. The Mario brothers cross over to bridge overlooking the lake of lava covered in metal grates underneath the platform, and the stands where they are met with a large number of Goombas, Koopas, Shy Guys, and the rest of Bowser's followers. Including the Koopalings, who decided to spectate and see their leader Bowser win, also Morton and Lemmy munching of popcorn for their enjoyment.
Mario looks around cautiously with Luigi behind him until he hears the roaring laughter of the king of Koopas. "GWA HA HA HA! About time you showed up Mario!" Descending from the air approaches Bowser riding on his Koopa Clown Copter grinning as he is near the battlefield to face the red plumber. "I was getting tired of waiting around! So now, lets see if you can survive a battle against my son, and my brand new recruit!"
At this moment, Mario felt concerned. A new recruit? What could this possibly mean? Is it a new enemy he's never seen before, another monster, who could Bowser's newest recruit be? "Bring it on Bowser! I can on anyone!" Mario challenges him.
in the stands, Kamek brings Princess Peach all tied up in rope so she wouldn't escape and brought her over to their seats to view the platform. "Mario! Luigi!" She called out when notices Mario is there along with Luigi clasping her hands together in hopes that they will rescue her. The two plumbers see the princess and gives her a thumbs up to reassure that they will be fine.
Bowser Jr then showed up in his own Koopa Clown Copter in a smaller version compared to his father and eagerly laughs when he is hovering over the stage. "Time to get wrecked Mario Bros! We're gonna crush, pound, and destroy you until you feel all sorts of pain!" He declared bumping his fists together.
Then, approaching the Mario Bros came the apple filly herself walking across the bridge in a casual pace. She opens her eyes to see the two plumbers. She was surprised when the filly noticed that they looked like two creatures she hasn't seen before. Apple Bloom also noticed Peach with the other minions also making her curious to see why she is there watching. Smiling, the earth pony filly looked towards Mario and spoke up. "Howdy, mah names Apple Bloom! Nice to meet ya!" She greets the plumbers innocently.
Mario and Luigi sees the little filly introducing herself to them. Mario's expectations were out the window as they awkwardly stare at her in confusion, the plumbers might be thinking why is someone like her doing in a place so dangerous somewhere in the Mushroom Kingdom. Princess Peach glances at the cute little pony on the battlefield with curiosity in her eyes. She seemed concerned for this small creature as to what is she doing in this castle.
"So wait, you are Bowser's new recruit-a?" Mario asks the small filly and she responded by nodding her head.
"Thats right, you pathetic pasta loving dope!" Bowser taunted Mario. "Apple Bloom here happens to be my brand new minion in my Koopa troop! And she is going to help me by beating you down to a pulp!"
Apple Bloom shows the Mario Bros the cape Bowser has given her which surprised them immensely. Bowser Jr floats down next to the earth pony filly on his clown copter glaring down at his opponents. "Alright, enough chatter! Time to fight!" Junior thrusts his arm forward as Apple Bloom readies her magic wand making a determined face. The Mario Bros take their stances as they prepare themselves for battle.
Mario begins by performing a triple jump and landing on Bowser Jr's head causing him to get mad. Junior retaliates by throwing Bob-ombs at the two brothers which shocked Apple Bloom as they explode onto the stage. "Why in the hay would ya have BOMBS!" She yelled panicking. This prompted them to dodge by running around to avoid them. After narrowly avoiding the exploding bombs, Apple Bloom takes this opportunity by casting an few attack spells directly at Mario. The red plumber dodges left then right, but gets hit by the third one hitting his shoulder.
"Oh no Mario!" Luigi shouted.
Mario just pats his shoulder and gives Luigi a thumbs up signaling that he is okay. He turns his attention to the little pony that hit him with that attack, thinking to himself that this might be an opponent not to be underestimated. "Okay you! Let's a go!" The plumber shouts. He jumps towards Apple Bloom and thrusts his fist to try and punch her only for the filly to dodge quickly.
"Woah! Hey! Stop that!" Apple Bloom responds while avoiding each punch. She quickly turns to run away from him thus letting Mario to chase the filly. They were running in a circle until Apple Bloom stops near a ledge and eyes narrowed into pinpricks when she saw the pool of lava under the stage. "Why couldn't Bowser settle on a stage without lava instead?" She carefully backed away to the center stage and wiped the sweat from her forehead with her hoof then she focuses on trying to win this battle.
Mario then performs a jump which prompted Apple Bloom to move out of the way, but what she did not see that he kicked her in the stomach making her yelp. "OW!" She rolled over on the ground, she gets up on her hooves and huffs. "Yer a meanie, if y'all are thinkin of picking on somepony like me!" Apple Bloom accused the red clothed plumber.
"Um, I'm sorry?" Mario shrugged his shoulders.
Apple Bloom picks up her wand and swings it to launch magic attacks at Mario which he had to move out the way to avoid getting hit. The apple filly now angry with the plumber tries jumping to attack Mario only to land on his shoulders to keep punching him on his head with her forehooves.
"Awawawah! Listen, I'm-a sorry! Get off-a me!" Mario spoke up trying to get the filly of his face only for Apple Bloom to cover his eyes with her hooves. He runs around frantically shaking his head while Apple Bloom keeps on hitting him until he rolls over on the stage to let her go. "Oohoohoo. That is one feisty thing." Mario reaches into his pockets and brings out a red mushroom and eats it to heal his woulds. "Aha, just what I needed." He sighed in relief. He and Apple Bloom stare at each other both determined to win this fight.
Luigi seemed preoccupied dealing with Bowser Jr with him jumping and dodging the metal projectiles called Bullet Bills being launched from Jr's clown copter in a fast pace. The green clothed person was covering his head with his hands to avoid the many projectiles from the Koopa prince' cannon. It was only until now he jumps in midair and dives down spinning, landing on top of Junior's head making him feel pain.
"Ouch!" Bowser Jr winced rubbing his head. He shakes his head and glares at the plumbers seething in anger. "Why won't you hold still and let me BLAST YOU!?!" He yelled with frustration in his voice. He opens the sides of his vehicle and out comes in the form of mechanical arms with boxing gloves ready to punch some plumbers. "Let me attem'!
On the audience stands, the Koopalings were talking amongst each other, watching the battle up close.
"So, who do you think is gonna win?" Lemmy asks. "I'm hoping that Apple Bloom and Junior can beat the Mario Bros. I think they're strong enough to take them down."
"GOOO! CRUSH MARIO BROS!!" Morton cheered loudly.
"Yeah! I wanna see some intense action!" Iggy added.
"Well I really don't care either way, I just hope that Apple Bloom gets beaten so badly." Wendy scoffed.
"But I thought you liked Apple Bloom." Larry responded. "You even thought she was adorable and that she was cute."
Wendy looks over to Larry with a snide attitude. " I was only pretending to like her to hide what i really think about that little pest. That was before I realized that I hate her even more! I despise people who are cuter than ME!" She growls with anger. "Just seeing her makes me want to roast her figuratively and literally! So I am hoping that Mario and the green one can give dear Apple Bloom the most painful beat down." Her frown twisted into a smirk.
"Okay, if you say so." Larry directs his attention over to the battlefield.
Ludwig is carefully watching the battle as it goes on. Lets see if you are able to survive Apple Bloom. Just who are you? And where did you even come from? But all I know is that you won't make it here in Bowser's army, so you had better watch yourself. Ludwig thought to himself as he observes the filly currently casting attack spells at Mario.
Back onto the stage, Mario jumps and dodges the attacks being sent by Apple Bloom, now is getting tired and decides to grab the filly and spinning in place. "Woahwoawoah!" Apple Bloom yelled getting dizzy. Mario tosses her over to Bowser Jr's direction letting her collide with his clown copter. "Waaaah!" She screamed.
Luigi was currently doing his best to avoid a flurry of punches from Bowser Jr's mecha boxing gloves by moving out of the direction of the gloves. He tried to jump on the young Koopa, but he saw it coming and barely dodged out of the way and proceeds to shoot fireballs from his mouth.
"Whats the matter Luigi? Too hot for you to handle?" Bowser Jr gloats while spitting out another fireball. he was too busy getting distracted that he noticed someone screaming at his direction. "What the-?!" He gets hit by Apple Bloom and then his copter was spinning out of control that he and the small earth pony landed on the ground until the Koopa clown copter crashes down with smoke coming out of the vehicle. Both Bowser Jr and Apple Bloom had their eyes spinning till they fell on the floor exhausted from fighting.
"Owie, aw ponyfeathers." Apple Bloom slurred while fainting. She was getting tired from all that running and fighting that she exhausted herself. It doesn't for the fact that the stage was over a pool of lava and the hot temperatures made things too hot for the filly to withstand the heat. The crowd of minions booed and hisses at the two plumbers after they won the battle displeased with the outcome. Princess Peach knowing that Mario and Luigi can win the fights, she couldn't help but feel sorry for Apple Bloom as she felt like the filly shouldn't be in a place like in Bowser's castle.
Bowser watched as his son and new minion were beaten and gasped in shock. "Aw come on! I thought for sure that they would smash you to pieces!" He complained. "Rrrrgn, it doesn't matter! Kamek! Bring Junior and Apple Bloom to the stands and heal them NOW!" He commanded his loyal minion. Kamek flies on his broomstick into the battlefield and picks up both Bowser Jr and Apple Bloom then carries them over to the stands with the other minions. He casted the healing spell on the Koopa prince and filly to restore their health. "If you want something done right, I might as well do it myself!!" Bowser hovers on his copter and jumps out onto the field.
"You dummies are going to pay for not only beating my son, but also my newest recruit! And for that, get ready to to get ROASTED PLUMBER!" Bowser shouted in pure rage. The king of the Koopas eager to punish the Mario Bros as he growls to show dominance.
"Do you think you can handle Bowser all by yourself bro?" Luigi asked his brother.
"I can handle him easily, you go take a seat Luigi." Mario said motioning to Luigi to watch from a distance. Luigi steps back to where the bridge that connects to the platform was. He notices Peach on the stands with Kamek keeping her all tied up with rope, then he gets an idea and runs off to where the minions are going to the audience.
"Your in trouble now Mario! I was hoping that Apple Bloom might be able to take you down, guess I was wrong about that." Bowser said. "But now, prepare to lose you weak mustached menace! SHOWTIME!" Bowser snaps his fingers and readies his claws as the cage above them lowers, covering the battlefield trapping both him and Mario inside.
However, Mario is undeterred facing his formidable foe, he readies himself to fight. "Okay Bowser, Lets-a-go!"
Bowser roars and began shooting fireballs from his mouth, Mario jumps over them to avoid getting burned. Bowser retreats into his shell and starts spinning rapidly towards the red guy. Mario runs to near a cage wall where he can see a spiky bomb in one of the corners. Bowser spins hitting the walls unknowingly hitting a bomb while Mario jumps out of the way exploding the bomb thus knocking the Koopa king down for a moment. Bowser gets back up and glares daggers at his rival.
"Why you little...GRAAHH!!" Bowser roared out breathing fire to burn Mario while he dodges. The king of the Koopas was not going down so easily so instead he resorted to using his punches to hit Mario. The red clothed rival moved to dodge his punches and he also tries punching Bowser in the gut making him wince then he jumps in the air to stomp his face.
Back in the audience, Bowser Jr, Kamek and Apple Bloom along with Princess peach were watching the battle in the cage observing Mario fighting Bowser. They were viewing the battlefield to see which of the fighters will emerge victorious.
"C'mon dad! Wipe the floor with that Mario fool!" Bowser Jr called out cheering for his father to win.
Princess Peach looks down at the filly with curiosity and concerned for her well being. "I do hope that you are alright little one." The princess said.
Apple Bloom looked up to meet the princess. "Oh, ahm fine, gettin healed by Kamek's magic made mah bruises go away." The filly said reassuringly. "A'hm Apple Bloom by the way."
Peach smiled and nodded. "That's good to hear. I am Princess Toadstool, but you may call me Peach." She kneel down to the small pony and pets her head softly. "I must say that it must have been a rough battle, you must have been at least scared."
Apple Bloom blushes while being petted by Peach and enjoying the feeling. "Oh ah wasn't scared, I just trained hard so that ah can be part of Bowser's army."
Peach gasped a little and puts a hand to her mouth. "Oh my, are you sure you want to do that?" The princess asks. "I wouldn't think a small child like you to be part of Bowser's army." She looked at Apple Bloom in concern. "Are you sure that is what you want?"
Apple Bloom looks all around the the audience seats full of the king Koopa's minions and the Battlefield where Mario and Bowser are still in their big fight. She puts a hoof on her chin and thought for a moment before answering the princess. "Ah know that ah can't go back home the way ah came. So until ah find a way back, a'hl just be joinin Bowser for a while." Apple Bloom answered.
The princess now understanding the little pony on why she is serving Bowser, she places a hand to the filly's back. "Well, if you ever feel like wanting take a break from the Koopa army, you are always welcome to stay in my castle if you'd like." Peach convinces the filly as she stands up.
Apple Bloom nods and then she notices Luigi running frantically through the crowd of many of Bowser's minions until he reaches the seats where Peach is at. "Yaaah! Hyaa!" With quick thinking and reflexes, Luigi leaps on Kamek and karate chops Bowser Jr in the snout getting them out of the way to rescue the princess from being held captive. Apple Bloom moves out of the way to let him near Princess Peach.
"Ready to go-a princess?" Luigi asked gesturing towards the exit.
Princess Peach giggles. "Yes Luigi, lets leave right away!"
Without further delay, Luigi carried the princess in his arms and leaps with high jumps until he is able to jump to the bridge connecting the battlefield. He lets Peach onto her feet, and Luigi called out to his brother. "Hey Mario! I've rescued-a the princess!"
"Way to go Luigi!" Mario said giving him a thumbs up. He turns around to face Bowser now more determined. "Okie-dokie Bowser, Its-a-time to win this fight!" He bounces ready to finish the battle.
"No way Mario! I'm NOT going to lose this time! RAAARRRGH!" Bowser roared, he lets out a stream of fire from his mouth prompting Mario to avoid by jumping over the flames. The King of the Koopas, not wanting to give up starts to use his arms to try and punch the red plumber, which he moves from side to side as he decides to give him an uppercut punch to the King Koopa's lower jaw.
Mario runs behind Bowser and grabs him by the tail and begins to spin slowly until he gains more speed. The plumber keeps holding onto Bowser's tail while spinning really fast until, he lets go as the Koopa king flew in midair when he collides to a spiky bomb letting explode so hard, that the cage was knocked over alongside Bowser, falls into the lake of lava.
"Yahoo! I'm the winner!" Mario cheered whiled jumping in place.
"Woohoo, way to go bro!" Luigi cheers in victory.
Peach walks over to Mario genuinely happy to be rescued. "Thank you Mario, you too Luigi! Thank you so much for rescuing me." She walks up to give both the plumbers a kiss on the cheek which made them blush. "Okay boys, lets head back to my castle, there is going to be some cake for the both of you." Peach said smiling. The Mario Bros jumped for joy as they alongside Peach walked together to head back to their respective homes.
Bowser climbs back up after being dipped in the lava and falls to the ground on his stomach, groaning after being bested by Mario. It amazes Apple Bloom that the Koopa king managed to survive in the lava, must be the dragon part of Bowser that makes him immune to the intense temperature. Apple Bloom walked up to him.
"Soooo, how was mah first day of the job?" Apple Bloom asked sheepishly.
Bowser face palmed "I'm tired right now, just get some rest, we've got a lot stuff for you tommorow."
After a long day and a humiliating loss, Bowser's minions leave the stands as they go in different parts within the castle. Apple Bloom watches as Kamek, Bowser Jr and the Koopalings helps to carry their leader back inside so he can get himself recovered, she coulnd't help but feel sorry for the Koopa king. The filly feels as though, she needed to make up for losing to Mario and Luigi. For the time being, Apple Bloom trots over to the castle interior to find the place where she will be staying in, despite a disgruntled Bowser Jr letting her live in his room because his father told him to let her stay. Things will soon be a little harder for Apple Bloom from here on out.