Chapter Text
Bowser sat alone in his dark castle, his head in his hands. He had lost yet another battle against Mario and his friends, and the defeat weighed heavily on him. He felt like a failure as a king and a leader. His army had been defeated, his castle taken, and his beloved Princess Peach had been rescued yet again.
He thought about all the times he had tried to defeat Mario and how he had come up short each time. He had invested so much time and energy into his plans, and yet they had all fallen apart. He felt stuck in an endless cycle of defeat and disappointment.
The thought of facing his children, the Koopalings, filled him with dread. They looked up to him as their father and king, and he couldn't bear disappointing them. He felt like a failure as a father, too.
Bowser let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of his despair. He didn't know how to pick himself up and keep going. He felt like giving up, and the idea of living a life without his kingdom, his princess, and his children seemed unbearable.
His youngest, Bowser Jr., had been a part of the most recent battle. The kid’s tech was destroyed by Mario and company and he couldn’t help but feel sorrow for his son. He worked so hard on it only for that plumber to ruin it.
To be honest, it wasn’t even about Peach. Or finding a mother for his eight Koopalings. It was filling a void. Some people are meant to love. Love. a four-letter word that people hold up with great reverie and renown. A love that is so encompassing and whole that it can make the recipient feel complete. That this was the missing piece to their life and now they can be whole once more. These types of lovers give and give with their entire hearts. Friends, family, strangers, cannot help themselves but love until it runs out.
Sometimes, people like him don’t find their other half. They don’t find their romantic partner that will not only take but give. Givers are often lonely, though they won’t admit that to anyone. They put on a mask, and false bravado, and continue to give even if there is nothing left. They throw themselves into their work, trying to make up for the lost time that was never lost, to begin with. The theory is that if they just work themselves and distract themselves enough that it will go away, the hole inside of them will be filled by other emotions. Bowser’s was anger obviously. He put on a show for the Mushroom Kingdom and his children so they didn’t have to see the void that was left in him.
He was so lonely. So tired. Trying to run a kingdom and handle eight children was no easy feat. Companionship is hard to find when you’re always portrayed as the villain. The personification of evil, or so he heard the Toads claim. Never mind that, no time to wallow when the palace needs to be redone. Bowser walked the halls examining all the work that needed to be done. Replastering the walls, tiling the floors, look at the water damage. So much to do and it’s not like that anyone will come to the Koopa Kingdom to assess damages.
~
Kamek watched as the king sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time in 3 minutes. Poor king, trying his best for his people and children. “Sir, if I may be so bold, maybe it’s time to give up the princess. Your children need your attention, especially the youngest.” Kamek watched with bated breath as Bowser tensed and turned around. “perhaps you’re right. I just thought…” a pause, longer than what seems necessary, “I thought the children needed a gentler parent. Someone who could show them love and patience.” Kamek was stunned. How could he feel this way? His children practically worshipped him. Kamek watched as the heir to the throne followed his dad every day, attentive and watching his every move so he could one day take the throne and rule its people. The other children, though not around as much, loved their father. He encouraged them to battle in a way they saw fit. All of them had their talents and Kamek was trusted to see to the needs of all of them.
“Sir, that’s not entirely true. You care for the children and although you may not be around you still tend to their whims through other means. So while patience is a virtue that some of them can benefit from, you are still the best thing in their life.” Kamek waited and waited and waited. Bowser stared at him for a long time and huffed a laugh, “Thank you. I needed to hear that. Now, let’s see if we can find someone to help with repairs. I don’t want to have to pay Hammer Bros. time and a half again.” Kamek chuckled and followed the King down the hallway.
Unbeknownst to them someone was listening. Bowser Jr. frowned. Dad is lonely? But he has all those cool subjects! Bowser Jr. stood behind his door and pondered what to do. He had limited access to a lot of things because Dad wouldn’t let him leave the castle grounds without him. I know! I will find Dad a best friend! He walked toward his desk and pulled out a piece of paper and some coloring pencils.
WANTED: MY DAD IS LONELY AND NEEDS A FRIEND. HE IS REALLY COOL AND SCARY AND STRONG. PLEASE CONTACT THE KOOPA KINGDOM
He had done it! Onward to give it to Kamek so he can post it around the Koopa and Mushroom Kingdoms! He had found Kamek in the kitchen looking over dinner preparations. “Kamek, Kamek! I need you to post this around the kingdoms!” Kamek winced while the crown prince screamed in his ear. “Of course my prince, what is the nature of the message?” Kamek looked at the paper and held back a laugh. It was a sweet gesture, but if Bowser were to find out that this was the message that went out, he would get yelled at, “I will get to this at once. Fret not.” Bowser Jr. smiled and nodded, “Also, don’t put any veggies in dinner tonight. Or else!” He stalked away and Kamek examined the paper again and decided that, while blunt, the kid might be onto something.
~
Once dinner had been served and the children put to bed Kamek went to his chambers on the other side of the castle. The part was completely untouched by the damage that those brothers did to it. Kamek pulled the paper from his robes and sighed, time for a rewrite.
WANTED: Seeking companionship
WANTED: Seeking help
WANTED: Lonely man
Kamek was failing. How can he phrase this without sounding like a creep or giving too much away to anyone that might answer a random ad? Kamek struggled for hours trying to find the right phrasing and eventually landed on something sensible.
WANTED: Seeking someone to help children with developing manners and useful life skills. Maintenance experience is a plus. Please inquire at the shop near the drawbridge.
There that should do it. Kamek will post these when he heads to the Mushroom Kingdom later on. He had to go pick up supplies that they were out of. Flour and spices, new coloring pencils, and books had to be returned to the local library. The books in the Koopa territory, while informing, were not suitable for children. Kamek disguised himself and headed off, informing the king upon his departure and the supplies he was getting or returning. Bowser nodded absent-mindedly, most likely consumed with the repairs that needed to be done. Don’t worry my lord, I will find you a friend and tutor!
~
Elsewhere in the Mushroom Kingdom, Luigi sat with Mario and Peach. He felt out of place here at the massive table, filled with food and drinks for a party to be held. “You haven’t touched your food. Something on your mind?” Peach spoke to Luigi. She was the nicest to him after hard battles. Although they rarely spoke, she was kind and sincere. “It’s not anything about the food my lady, I cannot quite place my discomfort today.”
Luigi’s discomfort always fell into a single category. Mario. He was the eldest brother and was often the star of the show. Owner of the plumbing business and savior of the Mushroom Kingdom. He has heard it all. “You’re so lucky to have him as a brother!” “How is it working with the hero of the kingdom?” “Who are you? Oh! Mario’s little brother right?”
Quite frankly he was sick of this treatment. He was tired of trying to appease people. He was the one that kept the business and the books afloat. He was the backbone of the business they went into together. Mario was out of the kingdom every other week. Saving the princess, rescuing another, going to space? Meanwhile, Luigi was stuck in a rut. Doing the same thing day after day. There was one stint when he tried to take a vacation but ended up saving his brother and the princess. Did he get a parade or fancy accolades? No. Everyone went about their business until the princess got kidnapped again.
Luigi had been on this adventure this time. He had never been to the Koopa Kingdom Castle so the sheer size of it surprised Luigi. How come I have never been here? Where are all the subjects? There had been some brave enough to fight but his brother would stop at nothing to see the princess return home safely. Mowing down any enemy in his path. Luigi almost felt bad, that is until they fought the little one.
Bowser Jr. was rarely seen without his father. He accompanied the youngster to the races, the brawls, and the games, he loved to watch his dad fight the others and win and was heard cheering the loudest for him. That day though, he was alone. Left to defend the front of the castle by himself, armed with his Koopa Clown Car and quick wits. The kid had fought valiantly, almost knocking Mario out a few times but years of fighting were no match for the youngster. Mario demolished the car in record time and left Bowser Jr. crying in the entrance hall. Luigi spared a look back and saw the hardened stare of the King’s son. He looked so defeated . Defeat should never be on a child’s face. Although his dad kidnapped the princess yet again, the child should never bear the doings of the father.
Luigi got held up fighting some low-level castle dwellers so Mario had ample time to fight Bowser himself. It was over in a matter of minutes. Once the dust cleared, Luigi saw Mario helping the princess out of the cage that she was held in. Bowser lay on the floor unmoving but breathing. “Mario? Is everyone okay?”, he looked between his brother and the Koopa King. “It’s fine. Everyone is safe. We should go before he wakes. No telling what he might do.” Mario glared at him and turned to leave.
“-uigi? Luigi? You here with us?” Princess Peach waved her hand in front of his face. Luigi shook his head out of his daydream and looked at the princess. Toad, Daisy, and Mario stared at him, one in concern, one in confusion, and one with a knowing look in her eye. Daisy knew of Luigi’s plight with his relationship with Mario. It wasn’t born of hate, more like envy. Luigi wanted some recognition for his time and talent. Daisy was witness to the younger brother’s kindness.
The first time they met was on a road to the Mushroom Kingdom. Daisy was on a path outside the gate to the kingdom when she heard sniffling. She looked around to see a young Toad down the hill by the thicket of trees. “-t’s okay to be scared sometimes. Life is scary but our bravery makes it worth it.” Daisy saw a man in overalls and a green cap sitting next to the young Toad. He had a toolbox next to him and sat crisscrossed in the grass.
“But what if they laugh at me?” the young one questioned him. He smiled and Daisy chuckled, “Then they laugh. But you tried.” The Toad smiled and stood up, “Thank you, Luigi! See you later!”, Luigi chuckled and stood up, wiping the dust from his clothes. “That was some advice you gave him”, Daisy called out. “Ah! Princess! I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there”, he rushed up the hill and bowed slightly. Daisy waved him off, “Please none of that, I was eavesdropping after all. You are Luigi? I heard the kid call you that.” He looked at her in surprise, “Yes princess, I am Luigi. From Mario and Luigi’s Plumbing?”
She smiled at the thought, now 4 years down the line and she could tell that the younger of the brothers was weathered and tired from it all. Maybe a vacation? One without King Boo? Luigi stood from the table rather abruptly and excused himself. She watched as he held his head low as he rushed out of the palace.
Outside, Luigi raced down the steps and headed to the grove just outside of the kingdom walls. Stupid, just stupid. I cannot believe I couldn’t even make it through the lunch they had prepared. As he headed through the drawbridge he saw a new notice on the shop on the other side. This shop was an oddity amongst the hustle and bustle of kingdom life. The proprietor seemed never to be there but there were always notices posted on the small board next to the door. A wanted poster? Luigi scanned the poster and his eyebrows shot up. This sounds too good to be true and weirdly describes him. Arming himself with his wrench, he stepped into the shop and shuts the door behind him.
“Hello? Is anyone in here?” The building sat still and quiet, with not even a settling floorboard. Oh well. He turned to leave when a clattering from the back stopped him. “Coming, coming,” a voice said, a Magikoopa stepped out and Luigi all but had a heart attack. “What are you doing here? I could ha-have you arrested!” Luigi cried out, slowly walking back towards the door. Kamek sighed and shuffled toward the plumber, “I know you won’t Mr.Luigi. If anything you shouldn’t be in here. You’re the one trespassing.” Luigi stopped and looked at the ground, “why are you here then? To spy on the princess? Didn’t Bowser already try kidnapping this week?” Kamek shook his head and frowned. This brat. Despite being younger he sure is sharp-tongued.
“No, this shop has been around for a long time and does it look like it’s outfitted for spying?” Luigi glanced around and saw several jars along the walls, some children’s books stacked in the corner, and a large potted plant in the center of the room. Other than that the shop was empty. He felt guilty for blindly accusing him of nefarious acts but who could blame him? “I take you saw the flyer,” he said moving around the small shop tidying up as he went. Luigi was very confused, why isn’t he threatening me? I’m the brother of his rival. “Mr.Luigi, as much as I am enjoying this interaction, if you aren’t here for the job please leave. I am quite busy.” Luigi saw him packing up the various things in the shop. The potted plant seemed quite large and cumbersome to lift. “I can help you. Where are you putting this?”, he lifted the plant and looked at the smaller creature?, man?, expectantly. Kamek smiled and nodded toward the backdoor, “Out there, if you please.”
Luigi exited out the back and saw a large box where everything would sit. He placed the plant on the furthest edge of the box to make room for the books and the jars that Kamek needed to put in. “Thank you, Mr.Luigi, you can leave now, I do have to ask you not to tell anyone about who uses this shop. I don’t have any qualms with the people who live here and it’s a hassle finding books the young master likes,” he gestured towards the stack of children’s books.
Luigi had to think. Was this risk worth the life that he could lose here? Luigi loved the people he was able to help and the friends that he made. But is he happy? Can he keep waking up every day and pretend that he is fine with only being known as “Mario’s Little Brother”? The feelings ached like a decade-old wound that seemed to never close. “I’m interested…in the job. I think that my credentials speak for me and I know the way we left the castle wasn’t the best condition.” Luigi’s eyes cast down, in shame and he had hoped the Magikoopa pitied him. Kamek sized up the slightly taller man and grinned slightly. “Well come on, the king would want to have an audience with you first.”
WAIT WHAT?