The Rubber Koopa King (Patreon)

The sun cast its warm golden rays upon the bustling town of Glenwood as Josh's excitement buzzed in the air. An exhilarating new entertainment park had just opened its gates, promising a day of thrills, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Named "Fantasy Land," the park boasted attractions that promised to whisk visitors into the worlds of their favorite characters and stories. But little did Josh know, this day of enchantment would soon take a dark, nightmarish turn.

Amid the cheerful cacophony of excited chatter and children's laughter, Josh found himself drawn to the heart of the park, where a dazzling spectacle known as the "Mario Parade Show" was about to begin. Giant floats of beloved characters glided along the parade route, and colorful confetti rained from above. Josh stood amidst the crowd, his eyes wide with wonder as Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach waved from their ornate floats. Yet, it was the imposing figure of Bowser, the villainous king of the Koopas, that caught his attention.

As the parade passed, Josh's curiosity led him to a tucked-away area marked "Employees Only." Here, behind the scenes, he stumbled upon a room brimming with vibrant costumes, mascot suits, and various props. A realm of fantasy and reality intertwined, and a mischievous grin crept onto his face. It was here, amidst the riot of colors and textures, that his eyes were drawn to the pièce de résistance—the meticulously crafted rubber Bowser suit.

The suit lay before him like a work of art, constructed with remarkable attention to detail. Its smooth, yellow rubber exterior bore a stunning likeness to the infamous Bowser King from the Mario games. Josh's fingers traced the contours of the rubber, feeling the subtle textures that replicated the reptilian skin. The belly of the suit was a slightly lighter shade of yellow, adding depth to its realism. Nestled behind, a green rubber Koopa shell sat, adorned with white squeaky rubber spines that beckoned to be touched.

Josh's gaze shifted to the suit's head, where a mix of awe and unease took hold. The rubber head bore an uncanny resemblance to Bowser himself, complete with the character's signature grimace. Nose tubes and a mouth gag were integrated into the design, presumably to allow the wearer to breathe and hydrate while donning the suit. Confusion wrestled with determination, but the allure of becoming Bowser was too intoxicating to resist. He allowed the tubes to connect, the mouth gag settling into place as if the suit itself was breathing life into him.

With a gulp, he hoisted the rubber suit onto his body, beginning with the massive legs that were eerily reminiscent of Bowser's own limbs. His arms slipped into the suit's rubber sleeves, fingers finding their place within the four-fingered gloves that completed the ensemble. Then, he hesitated, staring at the nose tubes and mouth gag within the rubber head. The strangeness of it all gave him pause, but he shrugged off his unease and eased the head onto his own.

A sense of transformation overcame Josh as he fastened the front zipper of the suit, sealing himself within its rubbery embrace. He felt the weight of the suit on his body, the rubber molding to his form with a snug, yet oddly comforting fit. Stepping into the world as the fearsome Bowser was intoxicating, a wave of euphoria washed over him as he strutted around the park.

Laughter and cheers accompanied his every step as park-goers snapped photos and high-fived the villainous mascot. Josh reveled in the adoration, relishing the newfound power and attention the suit granted him. But little did he know, his fantastical day was about to take a chilling turn.

As the hours slipped away, Josh's euphoria began to wane. He grew tired and decided it was time to free himself from the rubber prison. He reached for the zipper tab on the front of the suit, his fingers fumbling in his haste. Panic gnawed at his insides when the zipper refused to budge. He yanked with all his might, and the zipper tag came loose, clattering to the floor. But to his horror, the rubber closed in behind it, consuming the zipper lines until they were no longer visible.

A cold sweat broke out across Josh's brow as he frantically searched for a way out. He clawed at the rubber, desperation driving him to find any seam, any gap that might provide an escape. But the suit clung to him with an unyielding grip, as though it had a life of its own. He tried to call for help, but the mouth gag silenced his cries, leaving only muffled sounds to echo within the rubber head.

Time stretched on, and realization dawned upon Josh—the suit was changing him. Panic transformed into terror as he felt his limbs becoming less responsive, his body succumbing to the rubber's relentless advance. He struggled against the inevitable, a battle that grew increasingly futile as the suit molded itself to him with unrelenting precision. His limbs thinned, his fingers melded together, and his very essence seemed to merge with the rubber that held him captive.

In a final, desperate attempt to break free, Josh collapsed to the ground, using his rubber-clad hands to claw at the seams that no longer existed. Tears mingled with his sweat as the truth settled upon him—he was becoming the very embodiment of Bowser, imprisoned in rubber for eternity.

Weeks turned into months, and Fantasy Land buzzed with life. Amidst the colorful attractions and lively shows, the rubber-clad figure of Bowser roamed, a hit with the visitors who remained blissfully unaware of the nightmare that had unfolded. Josh's consciousness lingered within the confines of the suit, his thoughts a silent echo trapped within the rubber head that bore his visage.

And so, the once vibrant and curious Josh became a permanent fixture of the park, a twisted embodiment of his curiosity and folly. His story remained hidden, known only to the malevolent force that crafted the suit. As the laughter and joy of Fantasy Land continued to resound, a chilling reminder lingered beneath the surface—a reminder that even in the realm of fantasy, the line between delight and terror was as thin as the rubber that bound them together.