The Phantom Menace [Closed]

[koopacrusher]

Who: Bowser and Maul
When: The Second April 8th
Where: Curti Center
What: Bowser asks Maul where he was three days in the future
Warnings/Notes: Time Travel grammar is weird.

Bowser had noticed something on the first April 11, that Maul wasn’t there during the Bahamut fight. It was easy to understand why, Bowser himself might have behaved similarly once. Regardless, he was upset to know it had happened. The absence was understood, but the dishonesty it involved was unacceptable.

With the Berserker job equipped, Bowser knocked down the door to B-01. He roared after he had done so, surely getting the attention of those inside. People outside may also have noticed, but it didn’t matter. The important thing was that Bowser got answers and possibly some revenge.

Comments

[last_son_of_dathomir]

It's been a productive few weeks for Maul, and best of all, the world didn't end. The Heroes played their part and played it well, as the Dathomirian was hoping they would, and now Vaikuntha is safe and sound and so ripe for the taking.

Maul's appearances around the Curti Center since Bahamut's death have been sporadic; often disappearing for several days, if his absence is noted at all. As he mostly keeps to himself and tends not to interact with the others outside of group missions-which there have not been many of these days-it rarely is. As always, he returned to the Curti Center early in the morning, several hours before the sun rose. For the time being he still needs to try and keep up the facade that he's one of them, absence during the fight with Bahamut notwithstanding. It's an arrangement he doesn't expect to last, but he'll make use of it while he can. Diocletian should be able to hold things together for a few days; after his performance in Kiddillon there may be many who wish to cross him, but to do so would risk the wrath of his new "enforcer".

A bit of obfuscation on Maul's part, of course. Perhaps if he'd been more visible with the Crimson Dawn things wouldn't have gone the way they did after Dryden Voss got killed. Well, lesson learned. Maul will keep a closer eye-and tighter rein-on Diocletian while still maintaining the appearance of servitude. For the time being, at least.

In the mean-time, there's work to be done. He has a custom asterisk to design, and a trip out into the Dream Width to plan, amongst other gears currently in motion. But those can wait for the time being. For now, everything is under-

A pounding at the door causes Maul's eyes to snap open from where he sits cross-legged on the floor of his bedroom, meditating. After a moment, he rises and heads for the door. It's probably Miles, looking for something.

The door opens and it's with some surprise that Maul sees...the big turtle one standing on the other side of the door. That's...unexpected. They've never interacted before.

"...Yes?" He asks finally.

[koopacrusher]

"You're gonna want us to come inside," says Bowser, "trust me, you don't want to do this out here." Though he allows a response, regardless of what it is he walks into Maul's home, (unless violence is used to keep him out.)

"Let's just get to the point," says Mogoom, "We know, to a certain extent, what you've been doing. We are aware that you have a mask and are engaging in... questionable activities. As you may know, we have a newspaper known as the Koopa Times, and I should like to inform you that would be very happy to reveal publicly what we know."

"But," adds Bowser, "It doesn't have to go that way. I'm sure you've learned of the time loops that happened after the Apocalypse at Sen Riqaeux. During these loops, you and I made a deal. When we did, you told me to come back to you after the loops were over. You also told us you'd try to kill us. But I promise you, by the shadows of Malachor, that what I'm telling you is the truth." Bowser holds his claws at his sides in a pose suggesting he's ready to attack, if the need arises.

[last_son_of_dathomir]

Maul's eyes narrow when Bowser demands entry, but after a moment steps aside. "As you wish." He replies.

Once inside he listens. His expression never changes from the one of mild contempt as Bowser rattles off what he knows, or thinks he knows, or about this supposed deal. Maul's heard of these time-loops; there's been enough chatter on the MogNet about them, and from enough people for Maul to assume that they did indeed happen and for whatever reason he has no memory of them.

It's not until Bowser swears by the shadows of Malachor that Maul's eyes widen in surprise. He's never mentioned that name to anyone, much less his connection to it. The shadows are a good touch too; Malachor is not a planet that gets much sunlight.

Maul's expression turns appraising, and he folds his arms over his chest. He makes no move to attack...yet. "And what deal is it that we supposedly made?" He asks quietly.

[koopacrusher]

"You act as a supervillain." Says Bowser. "You said something about how the word seemed childish. But that doesn't matter. You go around, using a secret identity to create mayhem across Vaikuntha. Then some 'superhero' comes along and tries to stop you. You keep getting away to make more chaos until eventually you get defeated. Or so the public thinks, after that you do whatever you want in secret. Meanwhile, I sell newspapers. News about what you do, news about what people think about you, whatever. The point is, I profit. And what I get out of it, you get a piece of. Along with whatever you want to steal as a supervillain or whatever you want to get done while you do this. And after your reign of terror is over, we reap the spoils and go our separate ways. All you gotta do is make mayhem and tell me what happens.”

[last_son_of_dathomir]

"Childish" is the right word for such a term; Maul cannot deny that would be his immediate reaction. Still, Maul listens, his face unreadable, but his eyes remain focused on Bowser. So he knows a bit, but nothing concrete; certainly nothing provable beyond hearsay. The Moogle could provide testimony, but given his ties to Bowser, hardly makes him a credible witness.

After a moment he moves away, in thought. "An interesting idea, and yet I cannot help but notice that Vaikuntha seems rather short on actual "superheroes" at the moment." He observes.

[koopacrusher]

“Leave that to me. I’ll get you a hero to fight.” Bowser offers a handshake. “Do we have a deal? I mean, I already had a deal with you, but, you know what I mean.”

[last_son_of_dathomir]

Maul stares at Bowser's hand for a moment, but then reaches up and shakes it. "Very well." He replies. "I shall see to it that your readers are properly entertained."