Brb, getting my castle back.

I'm gonna warn ya, there's more than likely a huge wall of text ahead. DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU.

So, naturally, I've been throwing plot points around with Geno being in the next M&L game. For whatever reason he's down here, he's recruiting help for whatever he needs. He meets Mario and Luigi first, and of course they agree, and then he gets the bright idea to try and elicit Bowser's help. The bros know better, but Geno offers to go to Bowser's Castle himself to try and win the big guy over. "Besides, the two of us got along relatively well. He'll be easier to persuade if I meet him myself, right?"
After probably a game sequence with Geno by himself, he'll reach Bowser's Castle, only to be captured by the guards. But since it was his goal anyway, he lets them take him to Bowser so they can feel important.
At first, Bowser actually receives Geno pretty well, for nostalgia, if nothing else. Geno explains the situation and says he needs his old friend's help.

Bowser: Bwahaha! Sure why not?? You're lucky you caught me in a good mood, ol' pal!
Geno: Great! Well, then, Mario and Luigi are waiting for us back at--
Bowser: WHOA WHOA. WHOA. Wait just a minute.
Geno: Eh?
Bowser: You didn't say ANYthing about joining Mario and Green 'Stache!
Geno: Bowser, now isn't the time to be petty.
Bowser: Petty!? THEY SPENT AN ADVENTURE MESSING ABOUT INSIDE MY BODY!!
Geno: Um.... gross.

Needless to say, Bowser changes his mind rather quickly. Geno keeps trying and eventually attempts to leave in a huff, but oh, no, Bowser won't let him go off with the Mario Bros.! Koopa King's too proud for that! He gets his guards to try and capture Geno again and force him to make up for all the years he's been MIA ("Technically you're still in the Koopa Troop, buddy!"), when a series of giant swords strike down into Bowser's Castle.
You all pretty much know what that means.
The warning his higher authority told of has happened; descendants of Smithy have returned! Geno watches with horror, after their crash landing, as once again the Star Road breaks into pieces and scatters throughout the world.
Of course, all Bowser cares about are those stupid swords in his castle! He rants and raves about getting it back, while Geno tries to remind him of this de ja vu and says he has no choice but to help him now.

Bowser: Forget it! I'm taking my castle back by force! And YOU'RE going to help me!
Geno: *'!' bubble pops up* ...why would you need ME?
Bowser: Uh? What're you muttering about now?!
Geno: Tell you what, mister tough guy. If you can storm the castle, by yourself, and successfully win it back from whoever those creeps are, then I'm in. Under your thumb. No questions asked.
Bowser: HA! No problem!
Geno: BUT! If you can't, you have to come back to Toad Town with me to meet up with Mario Brothers.
Bowser: In your dreams, puppet-boy. This'll take nothing more than a little negotiating, Bowser-style!
Geno: Which I'm assuming consists of brute force and fire, right?
Bowser: You got it! Least you got brains. I always liked that in you.
Geno: I'm flattered. Now don't you have a castle to take back?

Naturally, Geno knows fully well how that's gonna turn out. Insert a gaming sequence with Bowser alone here, making his way back to the castle. Once there, he meets up with the main villains.
Aaaaaand they promptly laugh and toss him out. Or launch away with an explosive cannon. Either way.

THIS... is the scene that happens directly afterwards. XD
I knoooooow, long backstory to go with it, but there ya go. I thought I might like to share that with you. BE GRATEFUL.
Either way, I like this one. Messed around with background elements and such. Fun times!
I figure this enemy may be more advanced then Smithy, so there's a series of three swords plunged into the castle. The next step is obviously to meet up with the Marios and start looking for the Star Pieces again. Yaaaaay.
Enjoy!

Date: 1/8/11
Layers: 22 reg, 2 text
Font: Lafayette Comic Pro