Blossoming of Luigi

by Blossomingoflu

Summary:

A planned date at home with his main squeeze Daisy turns into a unplanned camping trip with Bowser of all turtles. Do the two wait to be rescued or do they make the long journey down the mountain back home?

Chapter 1: The day the pipes when kablooie

Chapter 1 

The day the pipes when kablooie 

 

It was a serene day at the cottage where two twin plumbers resided. A green-clad, mustachioed man stood before the kitchen sink, wiping away the last few suds of soap from a dinner plate. It had been two years since Luigi and his brother Mario had relocated to the Mushroom Kingdom, and during this time, Luigi found himself occupied with chores—doing dishes, tending to the garden, and reading the handful of books he had brought from Brooklyn. He didn't engage in plumbing work as extensively as back home; plumbing here was somewhat different, with most jobs requiring only a few minutes to fix.

 

“Sigh” he let out looking out at the little garden he tended to.

 

Mario, his slightly shorter yet marginally older brother, was currently on another one of his daring adventures, rescuing some group of creatures from impending danger. Since their arrival in this new land, Mario had shifted from being a plumber to more of a one-man rescue team. His protective instincts tended to verge on the overbearing, often resulting in Luigi being practically locked inside the house whenever Mario ventured out. In the initial days of their arrival, the two brothers engaged in more joint adventures. However, after a couple of somewhat serious injuries, mind you, affecting both of them, Mario became hesitant about allowing Luigi to accompany him on these perilous missions. Yet, it wasn't solely Mario's doing. When the call to action came, it was Mario's name alone that resounded, leading to a troubling realization—either there was little confidence in Luigi's abilities, or, frustratingly, he was often forgotten entirely. Despite Luigi's commendable work for E. Gadd in the mansion, frequently acknowledged by most folks in the Mushroom Kingdom, the toads were a stark exception. They exhibited a blunt and cruel attitude, typically only speaking to Luigi when they needed him to relay a message to Mario. Their love for Mario was evident, treating him like a hero, while Luigi was merely tolerated. Consequently, more often than not, Luigi found himself left at home, attending to his garden in solitude.

 

"Sigh," Luigi released another groan as he pondered what to do with his day. Maybe call Daisy... nah. Luigi considered Daisy his best friend, but as far as romance, things felt oddly strained between them. They'd been 'dating' for almost a year, so it shouldn't feel weird to visit or at least talk to her, but it did. They existed in a peculiar limbo where they silently agreed to maintain the appearance of a happy relationship. The unspoken understanding seemed to keep them together, even though they both knew things weren't quite right. They hadn't disclosed their troubles to anyone; revealing their rocky situation could lead to Mario's well-intentioned attempts to 'fix' things and potentially spark a major scandal. Living in his brother's shadow meant that when Mario started seeing Princess Peach, it felt almost inevitable for Luigi to be nudged toward Daisy—the only other human princess in this peculiar kingdom. It wasn't just Mario; Peach, Donkey Kong, and the entire Mushroom Kingdom seemed to play a role in orchestrating this romantic arrangement. 

 

Luigi decisively snatched his phone, resolving to call Daisy after all. The desire to strengthen and mend his relationship with her had taken hold. He couldn't quite pinpoint it, but it felt like this might be his last opportunity. A small voice, a lingering feeling deep within the green-clad plumber, had been suppressed since his childhood. He couldn't quite grasp its essence, but whatever it was, it instilled a profound sense of fear in his core.

 

RING RING… RING RING

 

“ Uh… hello…a-Daisy?” The sheepish man said into the phone. 

 

“Hey Weegie what’s up.” A bright bubbly confident voice rings out on the line. 

 

“Oh nothing, just a-wondering what you up too?” 

 

“Not much just running a kingdom, you know, the usual. What about you? Thought you would be with Mario helping the people of Shiveria?” Daisy inquired, though she already knew the answer. 

 

“Oh you a-know big bro, never a-wanting me to go on his a-big adventures. He’s too afraid some big a-bad monster will a-turn me into a meatball or a-something.” Luigi had a spark of an idea. “Hey Daisy, if you’re a-not too a-busy, how about I make a-you a big plate of gnocchi huh? And-and-and then we can watch a movie. How does that a-sound?”  Luigi beamed while outlining his plan. It was perfect—a straightforward dinner and a movie date. He believed it would rekindle the passion in their relationship, especially since their last intimate date had been two years ago. Despite engaging in various activities like double dates, royal parties, tennis matches, and races, they always involved others. Those events felt more like he was just a friend tagging along. However, tonight would be distinct, a romantic evening entirely orchestrated by him.

 

“Sure, I’ll finish up here and come over. What time?”

 

“7 o’clock!” Luigi said with glee. 

 

“Alright 7 o’clock it is. See you then.” Daisy chirped as she hung up the phone. 

 

Luigi squealed with excitement. He rushed to his room to get ready for the day. He would have to go into town to pick up some ingredients. Everything had to be made from scratch and of course he had to choose the right movie. The mushroom kingdom didn’t have a vast selection of movies to pick from, hardly any actually. But no matter, Luigi had a stash of movies he brought from Brooklyn. They are old movies that he had seen hundreds of times, but they would be new to Daisy. 

 

Slipping a backpack over his shoulder, Luigi swiftly darted out of the house. An unexplained urgency permeated the air. A profound need rooted within him yearned for tonight to unfold seamlessly, leading to a fairy tale marriage with little Luigis running around. Despite its elusive nature, he sensed that something wasn't quite right. Despite having many female friends in his upbringing, Luigi never had much luck in the romance department. It wasn't merely a lack of charisma or dashing good looks; he simply didn't pursue romantic interests with the same zeal as his brother Mario. Puppy love and crushes eluded him, his awkwardness being impartial across genders. Even when overcoming this awkwardness, Luigi's connections with women never transcended the boundaries of friendship – a state he found perfectly acceptable, until now.

 

Yet, as an adult bachelor residing with his parents and brother, Luigi found his family delving into his love life with escalating intensity. He stuck to the story that he hadn't yet met the right woman. However, with their move to the Mushroom Kingdom and Mario's romance with Peach, that narrative no longer sufficed. Daisy and Luigi, seemingly a fitting couple, now grappled with the expectations of the entire Mushroom Kingdom and the four kingdoms of Sarasaland. Although Luigi appreciated Daisy's sweetness, humor, and boundless energy, a lingering sense of unease persisted, especially when compared to Mario and Peach.

 

Tonight marked a pivotal moment where everything would change. Luigi pledged to go all out, convinced that sparks would fly, even if it meant pushing himself to the limit. While the date idea might not be groundbreaking, it symbolized the first time they would be alone in his home for an entire night. Nervous tremors and profuse sweating overtook Luigi, but was that not a good thing? Surely, it must mean he was in love if he felt this nervous about a date, right?

 

After gathering all the ingredients, Luigi headed back home to select the movie and begin preparing dinner. Should it be something romantic to set the mood for love, or perhaps something just scary enough for Daisy to cling onto him for comfort? Maybe a sad drama, allowing Luigi to be the shoulder she could cry on. "So many options, so many possibilities," the green-clad plumber mused to himself.

 

RING RING… RING RING

 

"Hey Luigi?" It was Daisy, but the usual cheerfulness was absent from her voice. "I hate to do this, but... I'm going to have to call a rain check on that dinner. We have some missing folks around here, and we need to go out and search for them."

 

“Oh…okay… yeah that sounds a-pretty important.” Luigi lamented, crestfallen. “Maybe some other time yes?”

 

“Yeah sure thing Weegie. I gotta go dude, talk to you later.” Daisy said, hanging up. 

 

Luigi just stood there in the middle of the path, gazing at his shadow. This wasn't the first time this had happened; it had been a consistent pattern since they started "dating." The only successful dates they had were double dates with Mario and Peach. Plans for alone time together always seemed to fall through. Sometimes Daisy would cancel, but other times Luigi forgot about planned dates or got caught up in shenanigans with his brother, forcing rescheduling.

 

Luigi couldn't figure out what was wrong. Why wasn't his relationship filled with loving looks, cheek smooches, hand-holding, and romantic dinners for two, like his brother's? Luigi and Daisy liked each other, naturally gravitating towards one another, at least in group settings. They called each other to talk about their days. Yet, it never reached the intensity of Mario and Peach, who always made time for each other. This date was supposed to make them that couple that was crazy for each other. 

 

Listlessly, Luigi began the journey home. He came upon the warp tunnel he used to get to the center of town and said to himself:

 

“No… it’s a-better I walk home today.” 

 

Passing by the warp tunnel, Luigi began to think, 'Why can't I just reschedule?' No… he couldn’t do that. He wanted this date to be just between him and Daisy, and rescheduling would mean Mario would be back home when they were on their date. But it's not like he couldn't ask Mario to stay over at Peach's castle during their date. Hell, Mario might insist on it... but that was the problem. This date would have been a date Luigi planned without any assistance or pressure from Mario. He wanted to tell him after the fact. If he told him he needed their cottage for a romantic date, Mario would find a way to be 'helpful,' which would just lead to more pressure for this date to go smoothly. It was already hard enough to make this relationship work, but adding in a pushy brother and an even pushier kingdom just made Luigi's head hurt.

 

THUMP

 

“OWOWOWOWWWIE!!” Luigi screams jumping up and down holding his foot as he writhes in pain from stubbing his toe on…another warp pipe? 

 

“Whatta are you doing here?” Luigi looked at the obviously misplaced warp pipe jutting out of the ground in the middle of the path. He had been on this path hundreds of times by this point and was certain there was never a warp pipe here. Maybe the toads installed it? But why, also how? Luigi looked perplexed but beyond that didn’t give it much thought as he had way too much on his mind as it is. 

 

Luigi continued his walk home; questions still spiraling in his head. Why did it matter if he made this relationship work? It’s not like he cared what anyone else thought about him. 

 

“Ewww, gross!” Like a bolt of lightning, the sound of a baby Mario rang out in Luigi’s mind. A core memory bubbled up to the surface, half-formed. It was Luigi and Mario as little kids sitting down in the living room in the home in Brooklyn. Their whole extended family was in the living room, and his dad was flipping through the channels. The channel surfing stopped when Uncle Tony bumped the remote out of his dad’s hands. For the life of him, Luigi couldn't remember what was on the TV, but he knew two things: he was mesmerized by it, and his entire family was disgusted by it, including little baby Mario.

 

His mom rushed over and shielded his eyes, his uncles made a few jokes at his dad’s expense. But it’s what Mario said so long ago that stuck with Luigi. Whatever it was on that TV that day has been lost to time, but the feeling of shame and guilt has followed Luigi around his entire life. It shaped how he moved in the world, always anxious and scared. This was one of many early memories that shaped who Luigi is, a shape he thought being with Daisy would fix. The plumber couldn’t figure out what drove him to make this work, but that little voice, those disapproving looks at whatever was on that TV, the teasing from his uncles, and the way his mother tried to shield his eyes, over time it felt like what they were reacting to was something in him. And the only way to fix it was to marry Daisy; or at least get their relationship headed that way. 

“Sigh” Luigi huffed slowly walking down the path. 

“Più facile a dirsi che a farsi ( Easier said than done ).” He said to himself. It wasn’t like he was on a deadline to marry Daisy, or to make his relationship with her more solid. But the anxiety riddled mind of the plumber refuses to just let this minor setback go. Instead it spun scenario after scenario of all the possible and impossible outcomes. 

 

‘What if Daisy-a dumps me? Then Mario will think I’m gross like whatever was on the TV when we were-a kids! He won’t want to be around the cottage with me anymore. Peach will-a think I’m the annoying third wheel. Mama Mia, will think I’m weird too just like-a Mario, then she’ll ban me from-a the Mushroom kingdom. I’ll have to move back home. Oh no I can’t because they will think I’m weird too. My poor mama would be so ashamed. She’ll see-a me and say ‘there’s a Luigi, scaring away all the girls. He’ll never get-a married.’ No I can’t let that happen, I’ll have to live in the Darklands or something all alone like a hermit! Oh no!’

 

This internal dialogue continued, wearing down the poor little green plumber until he felt a tinge of a headache coming on. Exhausted, Luigi rested his arms and head on... another warp pipe? Luigi was certain that there wasn't a warp pipe this far from town.

 

“ GRRRMMM”

 

Warp pipes, to Luigi's knowledge, didn't make noises. These pipes emerged from the ground like a curious worm, curving down to regard the plumber with what appeared to be beady eyes? Bewildered, Luigi took slow steps backward, realizing the growing pipe seemed to be eyeing him like a potential snack. Panic set in as the pipe started advancing, cutting through the ground effortlessly. Luigi broke into a full sprint, but no matter how fast he ran, the pipe inched closer and closer.

VVVRRRRMMMM

 

Luigi felt a sudden gust of wind pulling him towards the pipe. His feet lifted off the ground as he was flung into the warp pipe. 

 

Inside the pipe, the usual structure appeared chaotic, with paths crossing haphazardly. What set this apart was the presence of Mushroom Kingdom citizens in the pipe, all seemingly sharing Luigi's predicament. As the plumber tumbled through the pipes, he caught sight of something unexpected: a turtle shell adorned with spikes. The possibility seemed absurd, but as the shell approached, there was no denying it. The shell belonged to none other than the Koopa King himself, Bowser, and both were hurtling toward the same warp tunnel exit.

 

Upon reaching the exit, Luigi was catapulted out like a cannonball into the air, soaring over a dense forest of large ferns and fungi. On the descent, a cluster of oversized mushrooms helped cushion his fall, though it couldn't prevent the inevitable face plant into the soft soil.

 

“Mamma Mia, what-a happened?” Luigi exclaimed, pulling himself up and wiping the dirt out of his eyes.

 

“ROOOAAARR” Luigi froze upon hearing the monstrous roar behind him. Slowly turning around, he anticipated seeing the beast towering over him. However, what he found was Bowser kicking and flailing his arms and legs about as he lay on his back, seemingly stuck.

 

“UNHAND ME YOU COWARDS!” the king bellowed, evidently unaware of the predicament he was actually in.

 

It also appeared that Bowser had yet to realize Luigi was there. The green plumber could have easily walked away, leaving the monster king stuck in the mushroom forest on his back. Such a move might solve many problems in the Mushroom Kingdom, and perhaps the toads and Daisy would see Luigi as a hero. However, just as Luigi stepped away from Bowser, another thought popped into his head—the image of Bowser starving or freezing to death in the woods, leaving Bowser’s son wondering where his dad was. Was Luigi that cold-hearted to make an orphan out of Bowser Jr.?

 

No, Luigi wasn’t the type to kick someone when they were down, or kick anyone for that matter. As tempting as it was to leave Bowser there to fend for himself, he knew the right thing to do was to help. Just a quick little nudge, and then he could run and hide somewhere before Bowser realized what happened.

 

Luigi formulated a plan: he would crawl over, just out of Bowser's eyeline, then, using his legs, push up on one side of Bowser's shell. Bowser would then roll over. Just as Bowser found his footing, Luigi could make a quick escape. Luigi began to act on his plan, crawling over to the stuck turtle king, who was too preoccupied with kicking and screaming to notice. Luigi got in place at Bowser’s waist area and, lying on his back, positioned his feet on the rim of the king’s shell.

“WHAT WAS THAT?! WHO’S THERE?!” What Luigi didn’t calculate was Bowser’s ability to feel through his shell. It was now or never. Silently, Luigi gave the turtle king one big push with his legs. It wasn’t enough to completely turn Bowser right side up, but it provided enough momentum for the king to finish the job. Just as Bowser’s arm was able to reach the ground, Luigi got up and tried to run. Unfortunately, dense vegetation tripped up the final part of his plans. He scrambled to get back up as the shadow of Bowser loomed over him. Before the plumber could regain his footing, he felt himself, once again, getting lifted off the ground. Before he could process what was going on, he found himself in the grasp of the arch-enemy, face to face.

 

“So it was you who tried to imprison me on my back!” Bowser growled.

 

“Wh-what n-n-n-no it wasn’t-a me! I swear.” Luigi stuttered. 

 

“LIES! You and your brother obviously were trying to imprison me here in this mushroom forest, but clearly I foiled your plan!” 

 

“NO that’s-a not what happened! I found-a you on your back!” Luigi pleaded, feeling the grasp from the king get tighter. 

 

Not listening, Bowser continued. “I have to commend you and your brother for taking the offense and striking first but you two made one fatal flaw… you should have killed me. Now tell me green one, where is your brother? I plan on giving you two a warrior’s death and burn you both to a crisp quickly.”

 

“But he’s-a not here! And I didn’t try to catch-a you! I swear! Please, I’m-a just as lost and confused as-a you! I only tried to help-a you off your back! DON’T HURT-A POOR LITTLE LUIGI!” The green plumber cried, closing his eyes, anticipating Bowser’s rath. 

 

Bowser was stopped in his tracks, remembering the little nudge that gave him enough of a push to get him off his back. The giant turtle looked around, noting that this isn’t the normal forest outside the mushroom kingdom and there wasn’t any sign of the green plumber’s brother or anyone for that matter. He looked down at the trembling little human that he had grasped in his hand. Browser grunted and dropped Luigi on the ground. 

 

“It does appear that you are alone, so I will spare you… for now.” Bowser said with a notably calmer demeanor. “I still have doubts about your story, especially that ‘helping-a me off my back’ part. He mocked. 

 

“But-a I did…” Luigi peeped up. 

 

“ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MYSELF OFF MY BACK?!” Bowser roared. 

 

“No, no, I just thought-a you could use a little help?” 

 

“Well your WRONG. I wouldn’t nor need help from a little weakling. I am more than capable of getting off my own back. In fact I am the best at that, other koopas even come to me for advice.” Bowser barked.

 

“Of course, of course, my bad, I-I-I won’t do it again.” It was an obvious lie but Luigi wasn’t about to call Bowser out on it. 

 

“Well…since that is setted I have to get back to my kingdom and figure out what hell is going on with warp pipes. DON’T FOLLOW ME IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!” Bowser barked back as he stomped away. The giant turtle pushed his way through the vegetation before completely disappearing into the forest. 

 

Luigi found himself alone now, attempting to grasp the unfamiliar surroundings. This forest differed significantly from anything in the Mushroom Kingdom—wild, with towering mushrooms that dwarfed those back home. The dense foliage obscured the sky, making it impossible for Luigi to gauge the time accurately. The only certainty was that darkness was setting in. Aware that Mario would return tomorrow and, upon finding him absent, embark on a search, Luigi decided to wait patiently.

 

As minutes passed, hunger pangs intensified, prompting Luigi to remember the groceries in his backpack. However, his relief was short-lived upon inspecting the contents: potato flour, a few eggs, tomatoes, raw meat, various herbs, a new pot for pasta, and a bottle of red wine. Realizing that individually, these ingredients were hardly edible, he contemplated the limited sustenance he could derive—perhaps the tomatoes and wine, though far from sufficient. 

 

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP

 

Just as he was settling in, Luigi could hear monstrous footsteps coming towards him. Was he not as alone in this forest as he first thought? He trembled watching some of the ferns snap and shake as the beast approached. 

 

“Haha triumph! I have made it out of the cursed forest! My superior navigation skills are no match for these wooaAAAT?!?!?” Bowser’s victory monologue cut short when he noticed the green plumber sitting on the ground. 

 

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?” he roared. 

 

“I’ve been here, right-a where you left me.” Luigi sheepishly said. 

 

“Then that means…” The wheels turned slowly in the giant turtle’s head. “I'VE BEEN WALKING IN CIRCLES?” Bowser stomped around blowing fire into the air. “I will just have to go the other direction.” 

 

“Um… maybe… we-a stay here and wait for rescue?” Luigi suggested. 

 

Bowser narrowed his eyes. “I do NOT get rescued!” 

 

“Okay… well it’s-a getting late. Maybe we-a rest here for the night? 

 

“Hmmm” Bowser pondered the request from the green plumber. “Fine! I’ll…we’ll rest here tonight, but don’t try any funny business.” 

 

The two sat where they landed, enveloped in a heavy silence that seemed to stretch for an eternity in the plumber's mind. Luigi couldn't find ease, knowing Bowser was just a few feet away. Every time Bowser made a move, Luigi would startle, his gaze inevitably drawn toward the turtle king. Whenever their eyes met, Luigi would hastily avert his gaze back to the ground in front of him.

 

“What.” Bowser muttered after what seemed to be an eternity. 

 

“Oh, um cough n-n-nothing.” 

 

“Well you seem to have something on your mind. Spit it out!” He ordered. 

 

“I-I-I was just-a wondering if-a any of the koopa troops would be looking for you? And if-a so, maybe they will find us sooner than my brother.” 

 

“Are you implying I would depend on others for my well being? Need I remind you I don’t need rescuing!” 

 

“No, no not at all, I was just saying…”

 

“Look here, green little man, I have no intention of waiting here to be recused. I am King of the Koopas, I have conquered many lands. I don't get lost in them. If you plan to stay here and wait…” 

 

Grggrgrrr

 

Bowser is stopped by a sudden noise coming from the little plumber. 

 

“Did you…did you just growl at me?” 

 

“NO NO NO NO I’m I’m I’m just-a hungry.” Luigi stammered 

 

Bowser looked down at the shaking plumber. It was a twinge of pity that got Bowser to back down. 

 

“Why don’t you just eat the food in your bag?” 

 

“Hmm?”

 

“You bag, you have food in there right? Why don’t you just eat it if you're so hungry?” 

 

“Oh yeah, well you see…” Luigi pulls out a few of the ingredients out of his backpack. “It’s just the raw ingredients, I can’t-a really eat these by themselves.” He lays out the groceries. 

 

“Well… what do you need to make whatever it was you were going to make with that stuff?” 

 

“Scusi?” Luigi said a little taken aback by Bowser’s request. 

 

“Did I stutter? What do you need to cook your little meal?” Bowser stated, getting annoyed. 

 

“I-I would-a need a stove or a fire.” 

 

“Is that all?” 

 

“Maybe some water, but I don’t-a think we can find any…” but before Luigi could finish, Bowser gets up and starts heading off. 

 

“I will be back. Start gathering wood for a fire.” He ordered walking away. 

 

Luigi, still befuddled, complied with the giant turtle's order. He gathered whatever wood he could find and arranged a neat little pile. Soon, he heard Bowser approaching, carrying three large flat stones and two green turtle shells filled with water. As Bowser turned his head toward the woodpile, he let out a roar, unleashing a focused stream of fire that ignited the pile.

 

“I’m sure this will be enough to make your dinner. Now get to it, the meat in your bag will only attract predators.” 

 

Luigi hurriedly set to work, crafting dough, grinding herbs with a rock, and simmering the sauce. Having never experienced camping as a kid in Brooklyn, he could only imagine that this was what it might be like. Within an hour, the green plumber had completed his task: campfire gnocchi in pork and tomato sauce. It wasn't his culinary masterpiece, but given the circumstances, it would suffice.

 

As Luigi settled down to eat, a perplexing thought crossed his mind: Why did Bowser help him? The giant turtle could have easily abandoned him or devoured him without a second thought. Instead, Bowser was there, not only creating a fire but a whole campfire kitchen and even bringing water. The Bowser he had battled alongside his brother, and the one described by Mario and Peach, would never exhibit such kindness. Despite his fear of Bowser, Luigi couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected assistance.

 

Luigi approaches Bowser, who was sitting a few steps away from him. “Here.” Luigi holding out a turtle shell full of gnocchi. 

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I-a figured you might-a want some food.” Luigi said, looking up at the king. 

 

“And why do you think I would want any of YOUR food?”

 

“Well…um… I just thought I would-a return the favor.” 

 

“I don’t do things to garner favors from the likes of you.” Bowser’s annoyance with the man was growing. 

 

“It’s-a not that. I just figured you might be hungry?” 

 

“WELL IM NOT!” Grrgrrgrr the koopa’s stomach betrayed him. “And even if I was, I don't need pity from you. 

 

One thing was true about the koopa king, he did have pride. Almost too much pride. “Perhaps then… you can-a help me finish all this food.” Luigi points to the pot full of food. 

 

“What do you mean?” Bowser inquired. 

 

“I bought-a enough food for four people. It was for me and Daisy, but I also planned to have-a left overs for me and Mario when he got back.” Luigi explained. 

 

“Ah yes, Daisy, the other princess. Then why don’t you save the food for them.” Bowser inquired, sounding less annoyed. 

 

“Well, I don’t-a think the food will be good by the time I get-a home.” 

 

Bowser sat and pondered Luigi’s words. “Well, it can’t be helped, I don’t want that food stinking up the place attracting who knows what here.” He said, grabbing the food from Luigi. 

 

Bowser gulped up Luigi’s food. “You know Greenie…this isn’t half bad. Good even! What do you call this stuff?” 

 

 

“gnocchi di maiale al sugo di pomodoro.” Luigi chirped  

 

“What now?” 

 

“Oh…uh gnocchi in pork sausage and tomato sauce.” Luigi said, translating for the mono linguistic king. 

 

“Well whatever this is it’s amazing. I should have you teach my royal chefs this. Bowser jr. will love this!” The king said in between mouthfuls of the pillowy pasta. 

 

"Oh?! Grazie," Luigi responded, beaming at the unexpected praise. As he ate, he couldn't shake the warm sensation bubbling up inside him. There was something about Bowser enthusiastically savoring his food that gave him the 'warm fuzzies.' While Luigi had cooked for others before, it was usually limited to family. Mario always appreciated his cooking, and Peach and Daisy seemed to enjoy it as well, although he didn't get the chance to cook for them as frequently. However, none of them had ever showered him with such enthusiastic praise for his culinary skills.

 

By the time the duo had polished off their makeshift dinner, darkness had fully enveloped the surroundings. Initially, Luigi anticipated a challenging time trying to sleep outdoors, especially in such proximity to Bowser. However, something about sharing a meal under the starry sky brought a sense of unexpected comfort. The plumber arranged a modest bed from the large fern leaves and repurposed one of the larger mushrooms as a makeshift pillow. While it couldn't compare to the familiarity of his own bed, it served its purpose. Bowser, perhaps exhausted from their shared ordeal, had dozed off before Luigi could settle in. 

 

As Luigi lay there, he found himself gazing at the slumbering turtle. Though the darkness veiled much, the dying embers of the fire cast a subtle glow, revealing faded scars from past battles and minor cracks in Bowser's shell. Yet, what caught Luigi's attention were what seemed to be tiny etched insignias on the lower part of Bowser's shell—resembling the symbols of the Koopalings. A curious thought crossed Luigi's mind: did Mario, or anyone else for that matter, know that Bowser essentially had tattoos of his kids on his shell?

 

The sun shined down on the two. Luigi didn’t remember when he fell asleep last night, but he felt rested. Bowser was already up and had managed to get himself on top of one of the large mushrooms that was near them. It appeared to Luigi that the turtle king was surveying the area. Suddenly, he turns and jumps from his perch and comes crashing down with a large thump. 

 

"Oh, Greenie, you're awake," Bowser remarks with a nonchalant tone, as if oblivious to the fact that his descent wouldn’t go unnoticed by every living creature around. "It appears we are near the top of one of the mountains just outside the Mushroom Kingdom, possibly in the unincorporated region."

 

"Oh, that’s-a good, right?" Luigi wasn’t entirely sure what that meant for their situation.

 

"It is. It means once I get down this mountain, I should reach some of the towns at the foot. It should take about three days to get fully down, but at least it won’t be a complete slog," Bowser calculated.

 

Three days. Today was the day Mario was supposed to be back from his own adventure. Luigi knew his brother would go looking for him, but three days on top of a mountain would be a bit too long; and that’s if Mario knew where to look. Luigi could be up there for a week or more before Mario found him.

 

“I best get going, who knows what the koopalings have done to my castle in my absence.” Bowser said, breaking Luigi’s train of thought. 

 

Just as Bowser was about to disappear into the brush, Luigi jumped up. “WAIT!” He screamed, scrambling to his feet after Bowser. 

 

“What is it?” Bowser snapped

 

“Um…its just…uh… perhaps-a I can follow you?” Luigi stammered 

 

“Hmm?… I thought you said you were going to wait for your hero brother to rescue you.” Bowser interrogated. 

 

“I did…but um… like-a you said, it-a might a take a long time for-a anyone to get-a down. It-a might a long time to get-a up here too. And I don’t-a want to make-a my brother worried. He would be like-a ‘oh noooo’ and that would make-a Peach worry and she would be like-a ‘oh nooo’ and she would tell-a Daisy and she would be like ‘oh noooo’ too and I don’t want them to-a worry for me like that.” Luigi said in a rapid succession of words and imitated voices. 

 

Bowser pondered and tried to process the deluge of words that just came out of the plumber’s mouth. “I guess it can’t be helped. I rather not deal with your brother and Peach thinking I had something to do with you being up here. Plus I’m pretty sure a weakling like you would die up here if left alone. Just make sure you don’t slow me down!” 

 

Luigi lit up hearing that. “Okie dokie!” 

 

And with that the pair headed down the mountain in their own little adventure. 

 

Meanwhile, back at the twins' shared cottage a red-clad plumber comes home earlier than expected. 

Chapter 2: It's All Downhill from Here

Summary:

Our two unlikely partners make their way down the mountain. Bowser and Luigi's truce morphs a little bit into unlikely allies... for the time being of course, thanks to a little bottle of the Mushroom Kingdom's finest.

Day 1. 

On the initial day of their journey, Bowser and Luigi traversed through a desolate landscape, feeling the isolation of the mountain's barren expanses. Sparse wildlife inhabited this region, devoid of any settlements. As Luigi trailed closely behind Bowser, he couldn't help but question whether they were genuinely atop a mountain. The terrain seemed deceptively level, and the ambient temperature remained surprisingly mild. Recalling Mario's recent mountain-town escapade, Luigi remembered his brother preparing with an array of cold-weather gear. 

 

After about an hour of walking, the true elevation revealed itself as they reached the edge of a plateau. The view from the cliff's precipice was awe-inspiring, showcasing the expansive valley that constituted the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom, with the distant silhouette of Peach's castle in the background. Luigi couldn't deny the breathtaking beauty of seeing the entire kingdom sprawled out below him. However, as his gaze shifted downward, a tinge of anxiety gripped him; the descent from the steep cliff seemed like a daunting challenge. While Luigi fretted, Bowser, seemingly unfazed by the heights, peered down the cliff side with his characteristic nonchalance.

 

“We will have to jump down.” Bowser said nonchalantly.

 

“WHAT?! F-f-f-from-a here?!” Luigi's knees got weak from just looking down. 

 

“Yeah, what’s the big deal? The cliff is at an angle that if we just jumps, we’ll slide down until we get to the next plateau or bolder. These rocks are much softer than a koopa shell…” Bowser stops looking down at the soft frail man. “That's right, your kind don’t have shells. You’re all soft and squishy.” He said while poking at Luigi’s belly. 

 

Bowser looks around and notices a root sticking out of the ground. With all his strength, the mighty turtle yanked the root out. It was much longer than expected. He was very satisfied with himself and with the length of the root. 

 

“Come here.” In a flurry of knots and ties, Luigi found himself strapped to the back of the turtle king. “Now you can just enjoy the ride as I slide us down this little hill.” Bowser said with unchecked confidence. 

 

“Um I’m not sure about th…” before he could finish that thought, Luigi felt the turtle jump over the cliff face. The king, tucks his arms, legs, and head close to his shell and the two bobsled down the steep slope. Luigi, screaming the entire way down, held on to the root as best as he can. SNAP! What Bowser failed to calculate was the root tearing and snapping away from the friction of sledding down gravel. Luigi watched as his only life line, keeping him attached to the shell, flew away. His screams of fear turned into a high pitch scream of terror as he gripped desperately to the protruding spikes on the shell. The shell hit a protruding boulder at an angle, sending the shell into a spin. 

The cliff slope finally leveled out and Bowser’s shell came to a slow but eventual stop. Luigi stumbles off of Bowser’s back, the world still spinning from the ride down. 

 

“See…I told you I can get us down that little hiBLAACH!” The koopa king threw up what little food he had from last night, before collapsing back to the ground. 

 

After taking a few minutes to catch their breath and regain their bearings, the duo resumed their descent down the mountain. The terrain here was more of a gradual slope, and the vegetation bore a striking resemblance to what Luigi was familiar with. They walked in silence for what felt like hours before any words were exchanged between them.

 

Bowser observed Luigi falling behind, noticing the plumber's labored breathing as he carried his still-packed backpack. "Hey, Greenie, we need to take a break."

 

"Scusi?"

 

"A break. We've been walking for hours now. It sounds like you're about to collapse right here in the woods."

 

Luigi was surprised by Bowser's concern. He hadn't expected the turtle king to care about his fatigue. Luigi half-expected Bowser to leave him stranded in the woods at some point. As they searched for a suitable resting spot, Bowser approached a seemingly random tree. With a single powerful punch, the tree shook, and a cascade of apples rained down. Bowser grabbed several of the apples.

 

"Here," he grunted, handing Luigi the apples. "You're going to need your strength for the next leg of this journey. 'Cause I ain't stopping again until the sun is down."

 

“Oh, g-g-grazie.” Luigi took the apples, still dumbfounded by Bowser’s sudden generosity. It felt strange. Luigi knew of Bowser’s nature; he was a tyrant, egotistical, and selfish. Even though Bowser implied he is helping Luigi because he wants to get off the mountain or that he doesn’t want to deal with Mario after all of this, it still didn’t add up in the green plumber's head. 

 

The pair sat in silence eating their apples. The quiet between them was deafening. Luigi had a tendency to go off at the mouth to fill dead air. As scared as he was of Bowser, the awkward silence between them was even more uncomfortable. 

 

“So-a… how did you-a know that this-a tree was an apple tree?” Luigi immediately regretted his words. 

 

Bowser looked down at Luigi, still chewing on his fifth apple, and simply pointed up. The tree they were sitting under was absolutely covered in apples to such a degree that it made Luigi feel like an idiot for asking. 

 

“Oh…yeah” Luigi muttered looking up at what was so obvious now. 

 

After that awkward interaction, Luigi attempted again to make small talk. “So…um… how did-a you end up in the-a warp pipe?” 

 

“You don’t have to make small talk with me you know.” Bowser said, just staring off into the distance. 

 

“Yeah I know, I just-a don’t want to be-a rude. I’ll be-a quiet” Luigi sank as he felt what little bit of self confidence deflated. There he went again making things awkward for others. 

 

Bowser let out a sigh, as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I was out looking for my missing koopa General. When I had gotten word that your kingdom’s warp pipes were in the Darkland territory I sent an exploratory troop to figure out if it was an attack. When they came back without their general, I personally went out to see what it was. That’s when one of your pipes sucked me and spit me out here.”

 

“Oh?” Luigi was caught off guard by Bowser’s sudden change to answer him. 

 

“Why are you here? Aren’t pipes you and your brother’s thing? I wouldn’t think you, of all people, would be caught up in your own pipes.” 

 

“Oh, those aren’t-a the pipes we work on. I-a fix water pipes, sewage pipes, gas pipes. Oh, and I-a install fixtures like-a sinks and-a toilets and-a bathtubs. Oh, and I sometimes install-a appliances like-a dishwashers, laundry machines, water heaters. And if your-a sink good kaplooie I fix-a that too. Me and my bro sometimes-a fix warp pipes but we-a no good at it. They don’t look-a like bathroom pipes like we fix. We can-a fix the top part that-a sticks out of the ground and some of the local pipes in-a the Mushroom kingdom, but pipes that-a take you all over the place make-a me dizzy.”

 

Bowser looked at him, eyebrow raised inquisitively, trying to make sense of the word vomit coming out of the plumber's mouth. “That still doesn’t answer my question; how did you find yourself being launched out the tail end of a warp pipe like me? Didn’t the Mushroom Kingdom send those pipes to attack the Darklands? 

 

Luigi looked at the king confused. “We didn't send the pipes after-a you. Peach can’t-a do that.” 

 

“Of course she did. She clearly miscalculated something and got you too, or you were to dumb to get off of the front and out of the way of her attack” 

 

“But there wasn’t a front line.” Luigi tried to explain. “I was-a going to the store because me and-a Daisy were supposed to have a romantic date, with-a dinner and-a movies and-a cuddling and-a kissing. But then, when I was about to go-a home I got a phone…” he stopped himself from divulging his canceled dinner plans. “I was-a walking home when-a warp pipe chased me and then went FFFFFSSSHHH, and-a sucked me up and spit-a me out.” Luigi elaborated complete and wild hand gestures and sound effects. 

 

“So… the Mushroom Kingdom wasn’t trying to attack the Darklands?” Bowser said, trying to make sense of what the green plumber just said. 

 

“Si!” Luigi chirped 

 

“Hmm… I believe you… for now. But you better believe if I find out that it was an attack on my kingdom, I’ll bring the war to your door first. GOT IT?” Bowser roared. 

 

“O-o-o-okie dokie” a trembling Luigi muttered. 

 

“Well that’s enough rest for now. I want us to make it down further before the sun sets. You ready Greenie?” 

 

“Uh… si, yes!” Luigi hurried back on his feet. 

 

The pair continued their descent down the mountain, gradually encountering well-trodden roads and established paths. They must be nearing one of the foothill villages that Bowser mentioned. As the terrain became more forgiving, Luigi could appreciate the scenic beauty around him. Observing Bowser in this environment, the green plumber couldn't help but notice how well the turtle king seemed to blend in. His green shell and orange-yellow scales harmonized with the surrounding foliage. Additionally, Luigi marveled at the reflective and iridescent qualities of Bowser's shell, not just reflecting green but displaying hints of blues and gold swirling around the ivory spikes.

 

“Hey Greenie.” Luigi, still transfixed by Bowser’s shell, didn’t hear the turtle king call his name. 

 

“Earth to Greenie!” Bowser shouted 

 

“Oh, um yes” Luigi stuttered, snapping out of his trance. 

 

Bowser's scrutinizing gaze bore into Luigi, who squirmed under the weight of his own inconsistencies.

 

"Something about your story has been bothering me," Bowser pondered. "How long have you and the desert princess been together?"

 

"Um… about 8 months… no, 9 months. 10 months?" Luigi struggled to count the months in his head, his embarrassment evident for failing to remember when he started dating Daisy.

 

"Then why were you in the Mushroom Kingdom? Wouldn't your dwelling be in Sarasaland with your princess?" Bowser questioned, a genuine sense of confusion in his voice.

 

"Well, um… we've only been-a dating for a few months. Much-a too soon to be living together," Luigi stammered, attempting to provide an explanation.

 

"But I've never seen you in Sarasaland. Every interaction we've had has been in the Mushroom Kingdom," Bowser pressed, growing suspicious of Luigi's story.

 

"Yeah… well-a Daisy's place is so far away."

 

"But there are warp pipes to her Kingdom. If I remember correctly, there is one right by the entrance."

 

"Um… yeah… um, you-a see, Daisy is also soooo-a busy… um, we just don't…"

 

"And doesn't Mario have an entire suit in Peach's castle? Part of the reason your brother keeps foiling my plans in making Peach my bride is because he is ALWAYS there," Bowser growled, recalling his failed attempts.

 

Luigi began sweating, desperately trying to think of a reason or excuse for the lack of entwined lives between him and Daisy. Bowser, unknowingly, hit on some hard truths. Mario and Luigi spent a lot of time at Peach's castle, with Mario having his own wing and a shared room. On the other hand, Luigi hadn't even stayed a night at Daisy's palace. Bowser was right; distance wasn’t a problem due to the warp pipes, leaving Luigi with no satisfactory answers to the turtle king's probing questions.

 

“And another thing, how come your picture is no where to be found in her palace? I mean Mario…”

 

“Okie dokie I think-a enough questions about me and-a Daisy. We are-a perfectly happy like-a peas in a pod. We-a smoochy and-a hug all of the time, and she-a calls me all the time like ‘ooohh Luigi you are soooo-a strong and-a handsome and-a smart and-a tall and-a not scared of-a anything.’ And all that-a other stuff, Daisy was-a like ‘ oh I’m-a such a private person, I-a hope you don’t mind if we have our-a own places,’ and-a I was like ‘okie dokie’ and-a that it’s. Me and-a Daisy don’t flaunt our love-a like Mario and-a Peach. Not-a like it’s any of-a your business, So pfffftttt ” Luigi childishly stuck his tongue out and crossed his arms. 

 

Bowser, initially intending to ascertain if Luigi was lying about not attempting to attack the Darklands, found himself more amused by the blatant falsehoods about his relationship with Daisy and how flustered the plumber got when questioned. It was also evident that he had struck a nerve. Watching the red-faced plumber now grumbling to himself, he couldn’t help but laugh. The pair continued on in silence, with Luigi now leading despite not knowing where to go. Bowser should be mad at the plumber for the way he just addressed him, but he couldn’t help but find it both adorable and hilarious.

 

As they descended further down the mountain, the silence was abruptly shattered by the sound of talking. Ahead of the pair stood three toads, standing at a fork in the path and engaged in a spirited debate.

 

“I thought you said you knew where you were going,” the blue toad shouted at the others.

 

“I do, I do,” a bewildered yellow toad pleaded.

 

“But this is the fourth time we passed by this fork in the road. I’m so tired and I want to go home,” a purple toad complained.

 

Luigi and Bowser quickly ducked out of sight behind a few bushes and overgrown tree branches. Observing the anguished toads and spurred by Bowser's probing questions, Luigi felt the urge to prove to Bowser and himself that he is as much of a hero as Mario. While he couldn't demonstrate his qualities as a thoughtful and caring boyfriend without Daisy present, he could at least showcase his competency in this situation.

 

Confidently, Luigi marched up to the trio of toads, who were still in mid-debate. As Luigi approached, the toads stopped talking, their eyes widening as the silhouette of the plumber came into view. “Look!” the yellow toad exclaimed. “We’re saved! Mar…” They stopped when they realized it wasn’t their usual savior. “Oh… it’s just the brother,” they said, with considerably less enthusiasm than before.

 

“Scusi…are you three-a lost?” Luigi inquired, attempting not to reveal that he was also lost in the woods.

 

“Um… actually, we’re not. We were just headed this way,” the blue toad answered, pointing to the left path.

 

“Oh, okie dokie, um… do you need-a help getting home?”

 

“Oh no, no, no, we’re fine,” the yellow toad insisted.

 

“Oh…it-a just looks-a like you all are lost. I thought I might…”

 

Cutting Luigi off, the pink toad chimed in. “Honey, are you lost?”

 

“N-n-no, I’m-a here to the rescue,” Luigi turned on the bravado.

 

“It’s okay, sweetie, if you're lost. If you stay right here, I’m sure someone will rescue you. Maybe even your brother. I’m sure he's looking for you and is worried sick,” the pink toad continued as if she were speaking to a child. Despite being twice their size, Luigi felt the toads talking down to him and refusing to listen to him.

 

“But I’m-a here to…”

 

“So you stay right here, and we’ll send someone to get you, okay?” The yellow toad said as the trio continued up the mountain.

 

As they left, Luigi could hear them talking among themselves. “Poor thing, he’s as good as dead out here.”

 

Once they were some distance away, Bowser stepped out of the bushes laughing hysterically, much to the chagrin of Luigi. After a few more minutes they came upon another toad, this one being green. Like before, Bowser hid out of sight while Luigi, now with more determination, approached the lonely toad. 

 

“Could it be…!” said the toad. 

 

“Yes, its-a me, Luigi!” the green plumber said with a confident grin. 

 

“Ah yes, the lesser Mario brother.” The toad's words stabbed whatever confidence Luigi had built up. “What brings you here, where you flung up here by the warp pipes too?” 

 

“Ah-y-yes but now I’m-a here to assist anyone down-a the mountain.” Luigi said trying to regain his confidence. 

 

“Oh…well… no offense…but I had already got a good pace going and I don’t want to be slowed down by Mario’s less competent brother.” With that final jab, Luigi felt the wind knocked out of his sails. The green toad just casually walks away from a demoralizing Luigi. Bowser snickered in the bushes having witnessed the entire ordeal. 

These encounters with the toads were becoming a recurring theme throughout the day. A substantial group of them had been flung up the mountain and ended up in roughly the same area. Unfortunately for Luigi, each interaction played out the same—either with them belittling him, ignoring him, talking down to him, or just plain insulting him. The initial amusement Bowser found in the first few encounters began to wane as he watched the plumber grow more and more deflated.

 

Sure, Luigi might not be the most charming, charismatic, or heroic figure in the Mushroom Kingdom, but he had unquestionably played a role in saving them on multiple occasions. Moreover, he was the brother of the actual hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, which should command some level of respect. The more Bowser witnessed Luigi being shot down, the more annoyed and upset he became. Reflecting on his own kingdom, Bowser couldn't fathom allowing his subjects to treat any guest, even a perceived adversary, in such a manner. It left him pondering, why did Peach let this happen?

 

The duo found a purple toad sitting by a log. The toad was furthest from the rest of the displaced toads and obviously distraught. Luigi figured he would give it one more go. This time, however, he would take a softer approach and simply offer to walk with the toad. He decided he wouldn’t lie about knowing where he is, but instead just offer to team up and walk together down the mountain. Of course he would have to let the toad know they would be traveling with Bowser, but he would cross that bridge when he got there. 

 

As Luigi approached he could hear the toad talking to themselves. “Oh whoa is me, I can’t find anyone else on this mountain. It looks like my fate is sealed, I’m going to die up here.” 

 

“Scusi? Um…” Luigi mutters causing the toad to whip their head in the plumber’s direction. Instead of relief, the toads expression went from devastating to disgust. “Do you need-a help?” The toad turns away from Luigi. 

 

The green-clad man persist. “I was also flung up-a top this mountain. We-a…we could walk-a down it together. You know? Two minds are-a better than…”

 

“Look, it’s bad enough I’m stuck here to surely die. But I would rather die from the elements and starvation than from being bored to death by an annoying human with a whiny voice.” The toad snapped. 

 

Luigi began to hang slouched as he drew his arms inward to himself. His eyes listlessly fell averting the gaze of the toad. “Oh…Okie dokie…” he muttered. 

 

This encounter was the last straw for Bowser. Observing the audacity of the toad's rudeness grated on the king's nerves. Emerging from the bushes, he marched over to the two with smoke billowing from his nostrils, fire glowing within his mouth, and his voice dripping with menace.

 

"The green one has offered you help to save your life. However, if it is death you want, maybe I can be of assistance," Bowser declared, the sheer intensity causing the little toad to fall off the log, terror etched across their face. "B-b-b-b-b-BOWSER!!!" the toad screamed, and with a flash of his teeth, the purple mushroom darted into a full sprint in the opposite direction. Luigi stood there, flabbergasted and frustrated by the unexpected turn of events, turning to Bowser, who was still smoldering.. 

 

“You…you didn’t have to-a do that you know?” Luigi said, dejected and crestfallen. 

 

“You’re right, I didn’t. But… I had to remind that toad of its place. And by the piss trail it left behind, I’m sure that reminder will not be soon forgotten,” Bowser remarked with a self-satisfied grin. Luigi looked down, and there was indeed a slight trail of pee dotting the ground outlining the hurried path the toad ran. Luigi knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle, a small smirk.

 

“I don't know how Peach runs things here, but if any of my subjects behaved like that towards my guest, they would find themselves first in line for the lava pits.”  

 

“I don’t-a think Peach has a lava pit.” Luigi joked. 

 

Bowser paused at Luigi’s statement before bursting out in laughter. “You’re hilarious Greenie.” With that small compliment, the plumber felt a small piece of his self worth return. 

 

The sun began to set and the pair started to make camp. They had found a small stream that had another fruit bearing tree. After gathering some fruit, building a fire, and making a makeshift bed from leaves, the two finally took their seats and rested. Luigi tried to make his backpack into a pillow of some kind, but it required taking out the pot and the bottle of wine. For some reason he forgotten it was in there. 

 

“You’ve been stashing booze this whole time?” Bowser shouted seeing the plumber take out the bottle. 

 

“Oh yeah, it’s was-a for me and Daisy’s date.” Luigi held the rather large bottle in his hand just thinking about the toads, Bowser’s questions, and his canceled date with Daisy. 

 

“Well if it’s for you and your princess are such the item you say you two are, I’m sure she’ll love a glass when you…” pop! Bowser is cut off by the sound of the wine bottle uncorking. The turtle king watched as the green-clad plumber chugged down a huge gulp of wine. When Luigi was done, he wordlessly handed the bottle to Bowser.”Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Bowser exclaimed. The bottle was more of a jug and was a considerable size; enough for the two of them to get quiet tipsy. 

 

The night drew on as the two continued drinking. Luigi proved to be quite the light weight. He really hadn’t gotten drunk since moving to the Mushroom Kingdom. All the events where he had wine or spirits to drink were royal functions with the Princess, so he maintained a one drink maximum. He didn’t drink at home either. Drinking just wasn’t his family did, and that carried to his home with Mario. Mario himself rarely drank, and so that expectation was applied to Luigi. 

 

The green plumber, now completely sauced, pondered as to why he bought such a large bottle of wine. Unlike Peach, Daisy did enjoy a spirit or glass of wine more often. But she wasn’t one to drink to excess either, even if it was more than Peach. And this bottle of wine was more for a party than a dinner date. He didn’t have plans to take the rest home. ‘Oh my stars!’ The plumber thought. ‘Bowser is going to think his intentions were to take advantage of an inebriated Daisy.’ Bowser was not thinking that; he was wondering why Luigi was just staring at the bottle.

 

“Hey Greenie!” Bowser said with a slight slur in his voice. “What’s the hold up? You gonna marry that bottle or what?” 

 

Bowser's voice broke Luigi’s train of thought before he went down a drunk mental spiral. “Oh… hick… Scusi” he hands Bowser the bottle.  

 

“Still thinking about those damn toads?” Bowser inquired. 

 

“No…no…kind of” Luigi admitted. The plumber felt the world spinning around him. He threw himself on the ground and stared drunkenly at the stars. “I wonder if-a anyone is looking for me?”

 

Bowser was perplexed by that question. “Why wouldn’t anyone be looking for you? Didn’t you have a date with your princess yesterday? Surely missing that would have raised some eyebrows. Not to mention your pain in the ass brother.”

 

“Mario sometimes goes to-a Peach’s place after adventures before coming home. He-a might not have even noticed I-a wasn’t home yet.” Luigi said. 

 

“But what about your little date? All the smooches and cuddles and crap.” Bowser mocked. 

 

Luigi sat up, looking off into the distance. “I have-a to come clean. I lied about the date.” 

 

“HA I KNEW IT! You were trying to attack the Darklands!” Bowser exclaimed with renewed energy but still very drunk. 

 

“No no no no, that-a part is still true.” Luigi sighed before his confession. “The truth is before the warp pipes went kaboly Daisy canceled our date.” 

 

“That’s it.” Bowser said sounding disappointed. 

 

“Well, it wasn’t the first-a time. It-a happens all the time. We are not-a lovey dovey couple. We-a only kissed once…more like a little peck. No, * hick* no we-a are not like Mario and Peach. They * hick* are all-a lovey dovey and kissy and…”

 

“Alright alright I get it. I don’t need to hear the details of your brother's escapades with my Peach.” Bowser said frustrated hearing about Mario. 

 

Luigi sits up and turns his body towards Bowser, staring intensely through droopy wine soaked eyes. “Why-a you like-a Peach-a sooo much? Huh?” 

 

“Why wouldn’t I like her. She’s a princess and I’m a King. We’re practically made for each other.” 

 

“But what about-a her you-you-you like?” Luigi tries his best to turn the tables on Bowser and interrogate him. 

 

“Well… she’s the perfect woman; she beautiful, she’s kind, and nurturing…”

 

“She-a hasn’t been kind to you. In fact, she-a been no good to-a you. Calling you a monster, fighting against you…” Luigi interjects, the wine emboldening him. 

 

“Y-yeah sure but she’s kind in general. She is so sweet to her subjects. That’s what I want for my kingdom. A kind hearted queen to rule alongside me. We would totally complement each other.” Bowser swooned. 

 

“Why can’t you-a find a nice-a queen koopa though?” Luigi asked, leaning to learn. 

 

Bowser is taken aback by Luigi’s seemingly genuine line of questions. “There aren’t many female giant koopas out there, let  alone royal koopas. The few out there are completely opposite of Peach. They are mostly mean, hostile, cold, territorial, and would not make good queens or a mother to Bowser Jr.” 

 

“Okay okay, *hick* soo you can’t-a find a nice koopa queen. Why-a Peach? Sure she’s-a nice but-a as far as YOU know, that could be only for-a show.” Luigi said. 

 

“Are you implying that my beloved Peach is not beautiful, kind, and regal?” Bowser shouted

 

“No, no, * hick * I’m-a just saying…she’s-a been hostile and territorial with you. How do you-a know she won’t be-a like those mean koopa queens?” Luigi countered. 

 

Bowser struggled to answer. “Well…um…if Peach got to know me better I’m sure she would treat me like she treats everyone else. She never gave me a chance thanks to those damn toads telling her lies about me, saying I’m some kind of monster. But I know if she just went on one romantic date with me, she would fall head over heels and we will be married. At least we would have if your brother didn’t get in the way.” 

 

“And how are you-a so sure about that?” Luigi was relentless in his interrogation of the turtle king. 

 

“You of all people should know how wonderful she is. Just being in her presence should tell you everything you need to know and why I want her to be my bride.”

 

“Actually… I don’t-a know.” Luigi gaze began to fall toward the ground. 

 

“What do you mean? You are with the princess a lot aren’t you?”

 

“Yeah…and she is nice… but-a in that royal princess way, you know? She-a doesn’t just… be-a herself around me. Everything is-a so formal, even when we play-a tennis or other games with her. They are always-a formal events. No matter what it’s-a always ‘hello dear Luigi, it’s-a marvelous to-a see you, thank you to-a you and your brother for rescuing me.’ She-a never ask ‘how are you doing’ or ‘is-a everything okay’. I don’t even-a know what she likes; her favorite food, if pink really is her favorite color, what she likes to do, and-a honestly, I don’t know if Mario knows either. So…I-a don’t what’s she is-a like. I just-a know that she’s a great actress…at least around me.” Luigi lamented. 

 

Bowser seemed perplexed by Luigi’s admission. Why does knowing all that matter and what did the plumber mean by being formal around him? Bowser never changed how he acted between his public royal duties and his private life. The concept of someone acting differently in front of their court seemed foreign to him. 

 

“Alright Greenie, do you know all those things about your princess?” Bowser attempted to turn the table back on Luigi. 

 

“Yeah! I know she-a loves flowers, her favorite colors are orange and-a purple, she’s not as-a, how you say, formal as-a Peach, she-a likes sports, she-a likes spicy foods, and she-a hates the cold.” Luigi rattled off. 

 

“Psst those are all facts you can just get from any one in her kingdom or look up in a book. You gotta do better than that Greenie.”

 

“Na-uh, the fact that she-a likes a purple is secret. She-a don’t have a single thing in your palace that’s-a purple, but she-a likes the color.”

 

“Oooo so knowledgeable, you know her secret favorite color.” The turtle king mocked, handing Luigi the bottle. “What else you got?” 

 

“Okay… she-a hates to lose… at anything. She-a doesn’t like to be-a partnered with me in Tennis for-a that reason. She-a doesn’t like to watch movies, she prefers to ‘do-a something other than sit around.’ She-a is… always busy, even more than-a Peach. She-a has a little bit of-a the temper, but she has never gotten mad at-a me…even when I forgot one…or two…or three of our dates.”

 

Bowser raised an eyebrow to what Luigi was saying. 

 

“She’ll rescue me if-a Mario cannot. She-a very patient… with me, not with anyone else. She’ll do-a stuff I like…even if she doesn’t like it. She-a doesn’t let rumors about us get her-a mad…” Luigi looked lost in thought before throwing himself back on the ground. 

“…and she-a puts up with a useless boyfriend like-a me.” Luigi bemoaned, taking another swig of the wine. 

 

“If you two are so opposite, how did you two manage together?” 

 

“We-a get along fine. We talk a lot when we are together, joke around, and-a like each other. We both-a like gardening; though I like-a planting vegetables while she-a like only flowers in-a her garden. It’s-a just… when-a people saw us together they automatically where like ‘oh look at-a them. They are just-a like Mario and Peach. They are-a made for each other.’ Our first date was set up by-a Peach and Toadworth. Since-a then… we’ve been together.” 

 

“Then why are yall still together if it wasn’t your idea to get together in the first place?”

 

“Because I think…I’m-a hoping it will work out. I wanted to have-a life like-a me Ma and Pa. Lots of little Luigis all over the place. And-a me and Daisy do get a long, and-a we like each other…its just…”

 

“There’s no spark.” Bowser interjected. 

 

“YEAH…yeah…I don’t-a know. I-a sometimes think something is-a wrong with me.”

 

“Hmm… is that why those toads we ran into where so rude to you?”

 

“Uhg…those Testa di cazzo toads.” Luigi said, still drunk and stumbling to get up. “They are always-a making fun of poor Luigi, just because I’m-a not like my brother. If I see-a that stronzo purple toad again I’ll…I’ll” Luigi begin to kick and punch at the air. 

Bowser watched as the green clad plumber fought his invisible foes in amusement. “I would pay good money to see that.”

 

“Oh you don’t-a think I can do it?”

 

“That…and it would be nice to see someone else kick those little shit’s ass other than me.” Luigi got a little chuckle out of Bowser’s comment. 

 

Luigi sat back down, now feeling the woods spinning around him. They sat in silence for a minute before Luigi chimed in. “Hey, hey, hey Bowser I-I think I know a way down-a the mountain.”

 

“What's that?”

 

“Maybe we can-a follow that piss trail that purple toad-a left. By how fast they were-a running, they got to be down the mountain already.”

 

“...wait…BWAHAHAAA” Bowser roared in laughter, and so did Luigi. The two laugh well into the night making jokes at the toads expense. 

 

Meanwhile, a certain purple toad did in fact run all the way down the mountain. Exhausted, the purple toad crawled it’s way to the palace gates before collapsing from exhaustion. A pair of red toads in guards uniforms rush to its aid. Inside the palace, Mario paced endlessly back and forth in the meeting room of the palace. Peach and her advisors were discussing the rescue mission of the missing toads and of Luigi. 

 

A guard toad hastily bursts into the meeting room. "Your highness, sorry for the intrusion, but one of the missing toads has just been found, and they have news of Mario’s missing brother."

 

"Lu?! You found-a Luigi?!" Mario pleaded, abruptly halting his restless pacing.

 

"Not quite. The toad that was found was one of the toads that went missing with the others. Based on the description and the direction they ran from, they most likely were launched onto the plateau mountains. Additionally, the toad said they ran into your brother."

 

"That’s wonderful!" Peach exclaimed.

 

"There is some troubling news," the guard toad continued. "Luigi was spotted in the company of… Bowser."

 

"That terribile tartaruga is-a with my fratello?! A terrified Mario said, holding his head in his hands.

 

"It is unclear whether or not Luigi is Bowser’s prisoner or accomplice, but we do know that, even in our territory, Bowser is still ruthless. That poor purple toad. After seeing their condition in the infirmary, I can’t imagine what he could  have done or is doing to Luigi."

 

"Mama Mia…" The thought of what tortures Bowser could be inflicting on his brother causes Mario to faint.

Notes:

Headcanon notes: The toads behavior and attitude towards Luigi is pulled from some of the games, but of course exaggerated. The toads are very black and white and because Luigi isn't outwardly heroic, they don't seem to think much of him. This can make the toads treatment of Luigi be somewhat dismissive, especially if they perceive him as being in the way of their true hero Mario.

Chapter 3: Over the River and Through the Woods

Summary:

After a drunken night on cheap mushroom wine, Luigi and Bowser continue on to the most 'exposed' part of their journey. But this journey isn't about the destination, but the friends we make alone the way. (queue the audience 'aww')

Luigi's eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by the sight of the sun already high in the sky. The events of the night before were a hazy blur, with just a single bottle—or was it a jug?—of wine enough to render Luigi black-out drunk. The lingering taste of wine on his tongue was hardly a pleasant start to the morning. As he groggily searched for the water they had stashed, the remnants of the previous night's so-called festivities, he noticed something peculiar. Glancing around, his eyes fell on the makeshift bed crafted from sturdy leaves. A puzzling realization struck him—why was he now situated opposite to where he had set it up?

 

His exploration was abruptly interrupted when something, or rather someone, caught his eye. To his dismay, Luigi found himself nestled in the arms of a soundly sleeping Bowser. A surge of fear, embarrassment, and confusion overwhelmed the plumber as he clumsily extricated himself from the King's embrace, unintentionally rousing him in the process.

“WHA-What was that?” The groggy king sprung up. 

 

“It’s-a just me, Luigi. I think we-a should start heading out, yes?” The plumber said frantically putting on his shoes and hat. 

 

Bowser lets out a big yawn and stretches, unaware of the manic packing from the little human. “What time is it?” 

 

Luigi looks at his little watch that has been tucked under his white gloves. “It’s… mama Mia! 11:47! We slept through most of the day! We better get-a moving.” 

 

Without a reason to object and too drowsy to protest, Bowser just wordlessly agrees and the pair are off again. 

 

The two walked together for what felt like hours in an awkward silence, particularly for Luigi. Bowser, on the other hand, appeared too hungover to engage in conversation. The sun had fully emerged, causing the temperature to rise, though Luigi's sweating wasn't solely due to the weather. Fragments of the previous night's drunken escapade slowly began to resurface—vivid recollections of lengthy and intense discussions about his relationship, constant joking throughout the night, bravado-laden promises of what he would do to that toad if they crossed paths again, fits of laughter so intense that his eyes teared up, embarrassingly enthusiastic dancing, and... and... Then it struck him—the specific thing he had said just before he passed out.

 

“You-a know…*hick*... I-I-I don’t know-a why Peach wouldn't want to marry-a you. You-a seem *hick* like a nice-a turtle. If I were-a Peach I-I-I-I would-a marry you. *Hick* You-you-you are a handsome turtle you know that? You are-a very…*hick*...um…a cute.” 

 

A flash of pure terror was plastered on the green-clad plumber’s face. Why on earth did he say those things? Why did he call the arch-nemesis of both the Mushroom Kingdom and his brother cute? Does Bowser remember anything from last night? Does he think Bowser is cute? These questions spun around his head for hours while the pair walked. Bowser, on the other hand, was more preoccupied with the massive headache he was nursing. Unlike Luigi, Bowser did not black out from the wine, though with the throbbing pain in his head, he sure wished he had at the moment. He did remember everything but chalked it up to the alcohol talking. Bowser wasn’t even aware of the internal turmoil his plumber companion was going through.

 

After a couple of hours of walking, the pair came upon the day's first impasse: a very wide and fast-moving river. The river wasn’t too deep, at least not for Bowser. The current, however, was very strong. Luigi knew that, unless there was a bridge somewhere upstream, he wasn’t going to be able to cross safely. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in the city meant that swimming was a luxury not easily accessible. Thus, he wasn’t a strong swimmer, especially not in white rapid water. Bowser, on the other hand, didn’t seem too concerned about this watery obstacle. Of course not; despite being from the Darklands, a volcanic desolate wasteland, he was still a turtle. Swimming was second nature to him… right? Luigi didn’t actually know if Bowser could swim, as he had never seen him do it before.

 

"If my memory serves me right, and it always does," Bowser said with a touch of arrogance in his voice, "this is the Peach Dew River, which is the river that feeds into Peach’s castle. I have had my Koopa Troopers do many reconnaissance missions in these mountains over the years, and this river acts as a natural border to the inner part of the Mushroom Kingdom. From there, it's just another day of walking before we end up in one of the foothill villages."

 

As cocky and creepy as it was for Bowser to know so much about Peach’s kingdom, Luigi found it also kind of amazing how capable the turtle king was at navigating through the woods. While Luigi was looking for help, Bowser knew exactly where he was going. Luigi just assumed Bowser was just as lost as he was but was hiding it under bravado; a kind of ‘fake it till you make it’ situation. But hearing him rattle off facts about this mountain, the river, and know precisely how long it will take to traverse to each location, facts Luigi didn’t even know, was surprisingly impressive.

 

“It looks like we’re crossing.” Hearing those inevitable words from Bowser left a sinking feeling in his stomach.

 

“Um… are you-a sure there’s no other way to get a cross?”

 

“Hmm?” 

 

“I’m-a just saying… I don’t have-a my swimming trunks, and my clothes will-a get-a too heavy if they get-a wet, you know? Heh heh heh…” Luigi said nervously hoping Bowser would understand. 

 

“Alright then, lose the clothes.” Bowser retorted 

 

“WHHAAT?!?” Luigi screamed “I can’t-a do that, what if someone’s see’s-a me… na…oh.” Luigi realized a little too late that this line of questioning wouldn’t work in a perpetually naked turtle king. Aside from his shell, and spiked accessories, Bowser only wore clothes for special occasions and events. 

 

“Well… I’m-a also not a good swimmer.” Luigi admitted. 

 

Bowser let out an audible groan. “Must I do everything else… fine.” You’ll ride on my shell just like when we went down that cliff. You’ll still need to lose those clothes. I can’t have you slowing down during this last leg just because they are wet.”

 

“... sigh… fine. But… I’m-a going to keep my boxers on.” Luigi nervously, and reluctantly, began to disrobe. Bashfully, Luigi placed his shoes, socks, and overall into the pot he had been carrying in his backpack. Unfortunately for him, his shirt did not fit into the small pot, no matter how many different ways he tried to fold it in. He opted to put the shirt on top of the other clothes and hoped that the water wouldn't splash onto it. Much to Luigi relief, Bowser was more preoccupied with making sure his makeshift seatbelt was secure. 

 

“You ready over there?” Bowser said with his waning patience already drawing thin. 

 

“S-s-si… yes,” the plumber said, making his way over to the turtle king. As soon as he got close to Bowser, the turtle king grabbed Luigi, hoisting him over his head. Luigi yelped quietly as Bowser’s hands grazed against the bare skin of his torso. Though the entire ordeal was quick, it felt strangely intimate; partly due to Luigi’s drunken confessions but also due in part to the fact that no one has ever touched him there. At least not his exposed body that far down his back and waist. When Bowser was done, he signaled to the green plumber to get on his shell. Luigi complied and climbed on top of the turtle king's back. Straddling his legs around his shell felt like riding a bull with no saddle. Touching Bowser, skin to shell, gave Luigi goosebumps, caused him to blush bright red, and made it very difficult to keep his backpack above his head.

 

Bowser made his way into the water slowly, Luigi as his passenger. He glided across the water like a crocodile. For his part, Luigi managed to keep his head above the water most of the time. Occasionally Bowser would dip a little lower, submerging the plumber up to his chest, and once just above his head. The journey across the river took about 15 minutes; however, it felt like an eternity. Luigi’s grip was failing on both the backpack, but also in keeping himself up straight on the turtle’s back. After a while, they were able to see the banks of the river again.

On land again, the sopping wet Luigi opened his backpack to inspect his clothes. The overalls, shoes, and socks managed to stay dry for the most part. Aside from some moisture on the straps of his overalls, they were ready to wear again. The green shirt, however, was completely soaked. In his soaked underwear, he struggled to figure out a way to dry off quickly so he could get his clothes back on. Bowser, on the other hand, struggled to stay awake. The swim, the hangover, and the fact he just swam for 15 minutes in pretty cold water left Bowser extremely lethargic.

 

“Hey Greenie. I’m…I’m going to just… rest my eyes for… yawn… for a bit. We’ll start up again… when… yawn… when I wake up.” The sleepy turtle said, as he dragged himself into the sun.

 

Well, this did sort of solve the problem; he could wait it out and just air dry. Luigi laid out his shirt on a nearby boulder, then laid himself down next to it. Now all Luigi had left to do is sit and wait for Bowser to finish his Power Nap. Left there with his thoughts. 

It was his thoughts that made him the most anxious; always coming up with the worse case scenarios for everything. However, this time was different. Luigi couldn’t help but really stare at Bowser while he slept. Bowser's pension to slow down in the cold just reminded the plumber that, despite the fact that Bowser can talk, stand up right, hold conversations, and rule an entire kingdom, he is still a turtle, or something close to one. Like turtles back in Brooklyn, they needed external warmth for their bodies to function.

The more Luigi looked, the more questions came up. 

1. If he is like a turtle, then is his shell attached to his back bone? 
2. What does that mean for all the koopaless shells all over the place? Are those the shells of dead koopas? Bowser nonchalantly used one as a bowl more than a few times on this journey of theirs. 
3. But he has seen Bowser wear clothes, so does that mean it does come off. 
4. Does that mean Bowser is naked most of the time? Has he been traveling with a naked man…koopa this whole time? 

 

Lost in thought, and studying the large koopa’s body, Luigi didn’t even notice that Bowser had waken up.

 

“Geez Greenie, I know you think I’m handsome, but ain’t got to stare so hard.” 

 

“WHAT…n-n-no I-a don’t stare. I was-a j-j-j-ust um…WAIT!! YOU-A REMEMBERED WHAT I-A SAID LAST NIGHT?!?! Luigi said in a panic. 

 

“Of course, unlike you light weight, I didn’t get black out drunk. Just got a massive headache from whatever cheap wine you had.”

 

“I-I-I didn’t mean-a wh-wh-wh-what I said last-a night! AAHH! I MEAN I MEAN I MEAN YOU’RE HANDSOME!! I MEAN SOMEONE-A MUST THINK YOU ARE-A HANDSOME!! NOT-A ME! NO NO NO I MEAN ITS BECAUSE I-I-I-I’M-A WITH DAISY SEE A-A-A-AND I-A ONLY HAVE-A EYES FOR HER RIGHT NOW! BUT IF I WASN'T I WOULD-A SAY ‘that’s-a handsome koopa’ b-b-but not-a in the kissy lovey way. NOT THAT SOMEONE ELSE WOULDN’T WANT TO KISSY-A BOWSER I MEAN I…I’m just-a going to shut up now.” Fully embarrassed, Luigi pulls his hat over his face. Unfortunately for him that hat can’t make him disappear, nor hide is ever reddening exposed skin. 

 

“Good grief, you’re easy to rile up. Anyways, we gotta get going. Most of the day is already gone and I don’t plan on being out longer than I have to.” 

 

Still red faced, Luigi hurried to put on his socks, shoes and overalls, but when he reached for his shirt he noticed it was still soaking wet. The material his shirt was made out of was much more absorbent that he thought. Walking around wearing a dripping wet shirt would just get everything else wet. It could also give him a cold; at least that’s what his mom would say. 

 

“You coming Greenie or what?” Bowser snapped, breaking Luigi’s train of thought. 

 

“Oh…a… yes…um it’s-a just that…my shirt.” Luigi said, holding his wet shirt. Bowser rolled his eyes and wordlessly pointed to his shell. 

 

The two set off again down the mountain. Bowser walked with determination, while Luigi walked slightly slower, arms crossed, feeling very exposed. Luigi wasn’t one to just walk around without a shirt; he wasn’t even comfortable being shirtless while swimming. But now, he was walking with Bowser on basically a hike, bare-chested. The plumber felt more like a hillbilly, not that Bowser would know what that is. Still, it was an odd and uncomfortable feeling being half-naked like this. Bowser, oblivious to how Luigi was feeling in his state of undress, only interpreted Luigi’s body language as being cold.

 

“How are you cold in his heat?” Bowser inquired, with a raised eyebrow at the green plumber. 

 

“Scusi?” 

 

“Look at you; shivering like a leaf, arms all crossed and what not. You’d think with the fur now growing all over your face you’d be a little warmer.”

 

Luigi, confused, slowly touched his face. It had been two and a half days since he last shaved. Where he lacked in body hair, he and his brother have very thick and fast growing facial hair. Feeling his face, his beard had gone past the stubble phase. 

 

“It’s-a not that I’m-a cold. I just… I feel-a very… exposed.” Luigi said meekly. 

 

“Exposed?” Bowser said confused 

 

“Um… it’s-a like not having your shell. I’m-a not type that… you-a know… that can ‘show off’ their-a body.”

 

Bowser stopped and stared intensely at the plumber. “Hmm… I don’t know why you would think that. Other than some scrawny arms, you like fine to me.” Bowser observed. “I should know, on top of being a great king, I have a great eye for these things seeing that I judge the annual koopa beauty contest.” He boasted. 

 

“Heh heh… grazie.” Luigi giggled 

 

“But I get the whole ‘exposed’ thing. Us koopa’s only take off our shells in front of those we trust the most. I’m sure it’s the same for you humans.” Bowser said

 

“Wait…so they do-a come off!” Luigi exclaimed. 

 

“Duh, how else could I get my very stylish clothes on or why there are so many turtle shells everywhere?” Bowser said, as if it was common knowledge.

 

“Oh really? I just assumed Koopas were like-a turtles back home.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“With-a their shells attached to them.” Luigi said forgetting Bowser knows nothing about his world. 

 

“…Koopas of your world are very strange. Next you're gonna tell me that the Koopas of your world can’t fight.” 

 

“…um”

 

“WHAT?! Geez just what kind of world are you from Greenie?” Bowser exclaimed. He pondered the idea of defenseless Koopas being stomped on by the a race of humans that looked just like Mario. “I guess it makes sense though, they don’t have me as their king to whip them into shape.” He boasted. 

 

“Does-a everyone in the Darklands know how-a too fight?” 

 

“Yeah. Military service is conscripted. Every able body must serve for at least three years.” 

 

“Oooh I didn’t-a know that.” Luigi expressed with genuine curiosity. 

 

“I’m sure there’s a lot of stuff you don’t know about the Darklands, knowing how those damn toads bad mouth my kingdom all the time. It’s no wonder why Peach doesn’t see how wonderful and amazing I actually am.” 

 

“I don’t-a thinks that’s the reason she…never mind. You-a know, I actually don’t-a know much about the Darklands. I’ve only-a been there once.” Luigi recalled. 

 

“Once? When was that?” Bowser questioned. 

 

“…when I-a first came to this-a world. I was-a your prisoner for days.” Luigi looked at Bowser blankly, shocked that the turtle king just forgot that. 

 

“When was this?”

 

“It-a was three years ago?! It-a was when me and-a my bro first fell into-a this world. It is how we-a met.”

 

“Honestly… I barely remember that day…or days. Everything kind of blurred together; the invasions, the failed wedding, that fight with you and your brother, the star, going to-a mushroom jail, it all kind of meshed together like some kind of movie or somethin.”

 

Luigi let how big sigh as he rubbed the bridge of his noise. Probably one of the most traumatic experiences in his life barely registered with this guy. 

 

“Anyways…” Luigi said, changing the subject. “Then what am I-a missing about the Darklands?”

 

“From what I figure, all you know is my castle and the boneyard, so pretty much everything.”

 

“Boneyard?” Luigi exclaimed

 

“Yeah, if I remember, that’s where you landed… or at least that’s what my guards said. You landed in the koopa graveyard, of course you didn’t see much of the Darklands.”

 

“For example…” Luigi edging Bowser for more. 

 

“Well… for example, the Darklands has a stadium; more than one actually. In fact, with my completely objective opinion, I think we have the superior stadium and sporting complex. You wouldn’t know that because the mushroom kingdom always hosts sporting events between kingdoms.”

 

“That-a is something I didn’t know.” 

 

“What else, what else.” Bowser mutters to himself thinking about what would be the most impressive. “Ah yes, the Darklands has more cities than the Mushroom Kingdom, with huge buildings and lots to do in them.”

 

“Oh neato, like-a Brooklyn! I would-a like to visit one of them someday.” Luigi said excitedly. It was true, aside from the main city by the castle, the Mushroom Kingdom was primarily made up of small villages and isolated homesteads. Though he did enjoy his peaceful existence in the countryside in the cottage with his brother, he was still a city boy at heart. He did, in a weird way, miss the grittiness and grime of the city. 

 

“Sure, YOU can, and Princess Peach… and maybe Princess Daisy, BUT NO MARIO! You can visit as long as your brother stays home. Can’t have him messing things up for my citizens.” Bowser ordered. “So… this Brooklyn, you said it’s like the cities in my kingdom. Heh, I highly doubt that. But if they were, how would they be similar?” He said, trying to not sound curious. 

 

“Well, Brooklyn is-a actually just a borough in the city of-a New York. We-a have big buildings that everyone lives in, and-a even bigger buildings that-a people work in. Me and my-a brother have been in-a some fancy places fixing people’s plumbing. Oh- there is a lot of good-a food from-a all over the world. There is-a so much to do; we got Central Park, Broadway, Time Square, the Statue of Liberty and those are just the tourists. There so much-a theater, sports, movies, music, festivals, parades, night clubs, and so much more  ” Luigi beamed recounting all the things he missed from home. 

 

The two continued sharing details about their homes: more than just possessions, they discussed cultures, people, food, and events. Luigi learned that koopas have their own language, which is fading as more of them adopt English, imported from the Mushroom Kingdom. There are specialty stores that craft shells for koopas, each color carrying specific meanings. Koopa cuisine is plant and fish-based, giant koopas are a distinct race, and there are multiple koopa kingdoms. Bowser delved into koopa customs and culture, discovering the significance of being shelled in certain areas of the Darklands, the importance of hospitality, and the prevalence of large multigenerational families living together. Mandatory military service in the koopa kingdom includes various roles beyond combat, such as manufacturing, logistics, and even child care, and despite its mandatory nature, Bowser ensures his soldiers are well compensated.

 

Bowser's pride in discussing his kingdom was evident, a contrast to his usual self-praise. He genuinely seemed to light up while talking about his land and its people. In return, Luigi openly shared more about Brooklyn—its food, its people, and his own family. Surprisingly, Luigi also found himself feeling oddly comfortable discussing personal topics with the koopa king, to the point where he didn't bother covering his bare chest anymore.

 

The two walked for what felt like hours, engrossed in a conversation that covered everything under the sun. Before they knew it, the sun itself was beginning to set.

 

“Hmm… we probably should make camp soon while we still can see. Oh… here.” Bowser hands Luigi back his shirt, now fully dry-though it had been hours ago. “You need this to stay warm tonight. Go out and find some firewood and I’ll clear a spot for us.”

 

“Okie dokie” Luigi said pull his shirt over his head. The plumber went off into the woods, not too far however, keeping Bowser in his peripheral vision- at least he thought. After collecting a decent pile of wood and twigs, he began to head back to their camp site. Walking, Luigi noticed a orange glow peaking through the trees. 

 

“Oh…Bowser must have-a started the fire already.” Luigi concluded as he walked toward the light. 

 

“Okay, I got the wood. I think we-a have enough wood to get-a through th…” the plumber stopped short when he realized the orange glow didn’t come from his and Bowers camp site but from a spiky blue shelled parakoopa.

 

“WHO GOES THERE?!” the blue koopa shouted pointing a sharp spear at the green clad human. “You’re one of the Mario brothers aren’t you! Well I’m not going down without a fight.”

 

“N-N-NO I’M NOT-A TRYING TO FIGHT YOU! I-A SWEAR!” Luigi whimpered. 

 

“Prepare yourself, because no one can win against a blue shell! AAAARRRHHH!!!” The blue shelled koopa lunges at Luigi with his spear. 

 

Suddenly, through the trees a massive shadowy figure emerges. “Geez Greenie how long does it take to get f… oh General Koopa.” 

 

Luigi had never been more relieved in his life to see Bowser. “King Bowser, my liege.” The blue koopa immediately halts his attack and bows. 

 

“I was looking for you, until I got sucked up into one of those rouge warp pipes. Have you been here the whole time?” 

 

“Yes my lord. I originally planned flying out of here, but with so many toads in these woods, not to mention the look outs around Peach’s castle. I had to travel slow and methodically to avoid capture.”

 

Luigi thought it weird that this koopa general would be so cautious, especially with the toads that were up on this mountain. This koopa seemed to be a battle hardened warrior, he could have easily overpowered any toad that came his way. 

 

“So why are you the only one here? I sent out a whole troop of you guys to investigate. They all came back except for you.” Bowser inquired the blue shelled general. 

 

“My predicament is entirely my fault, your highness. My troop and I investigated the strange warp pipe, when it turned on us. As the pipe turned towards my men, I alone attacked it from behind, distracting it enough for them to escape. The pipe proved to be a formidable foe and I was sucked into it. When I awoke I was here. Please accept my sincerest apology my lord. It was my actions that caused me to abandon my post and my troop. If you wish to banish me to the forest I will accept my fate.” The general said solemnly, kneeling before Bowser. 

 

“No need for all that. I should be giving you a raise or some kind of award for your sacrifices. If it wasn’t for you, there would be a lot more missing koopas and we’d be out here a lot longer. Besides, don’t you have a kid at home? Can’t have our future general not have his general father in his life.” 

 

The general looked up, a tearful glint in his eye. “You honor me with your compassion. Thank you my lord.” 

 

Seeing their interaction and this softer kinder side to Bowser was heart warming for the green plumber. Bowser continued to surprise Luigi; from helping him down the mountain, sticking up for him against those rude toads, and sharing so much about the Darklands, Luigi’s entire perception of Bowser was completely changed. 

The general noticed that Luigi was watching them very intently. 

 

“Sire, do you wish me to take care of the green Mario?” The general said, grabbing his spear again. 

 

“Oh him, no, no need for that. He’s my travel companion on this venture. Got a problem?” Bowser growled. 

 

“No sire, any allies of you is an ally of mine.” The blue shelled koopa placed his spear down facing Luigi and kneeled. “General Koopa at your service.” 

 

“Oh…um…grazie.” Luigi didn’t know what to do with this sudden show of respect. 

 

“Well… it’s dark and we were making a camp site…”  Bowser began pondering how they can utilize the general now that it’s dark. 

 

“Please, sire, use my campsite. I know it’s nothing compared to the magnificent castle but I can get it as close as I can for you and your travel companions.” With that the blue shelled general was off to work. Gathering materials to make a nest like bed, even more firewood, making a shelter, even gathering cheep cheeps for dinner using his spear. It was amazing watching him work. Luigi wanted to help but felt that he would only get in the way. Not to mention, the general seemed to take a great deal of pride in his work for Bowser. When the general was done, Luigi assumed he would have to make his own bed but, low and behold, there was one made for him as well. 

 

Luigi sat by the fire with the two koopas while Bowser and the general discussed both the final leg of the journey down the mountain, and how to deal with the warp pipes when they return. They even included Luigi in these discussions; letting him look at the map that the general had, asking him where Bower’s airship should pick up the king without setting off an interkingdom conflict, and what he knew about warp pipes. The three came up with a plan; they needed to get a message to Kamek to rendezvous with them a couple of meters from the cottage Luigi shared with Mario. The message will be sent via the general who would go full ‘blue shell’ mode and reach Bowser’s castle in no time and without detection. It takes the airship roughly half a day to reach the rendezvous point. By the time the general reaches the castle with the message and the airship arrives, Bowser and Luigi will have made it to the point. Bowser will board the ship and will be gone before the guard toads have even realized he was there. Quick and easy. 

After finalizing the plans, and finishing off the roasted cheep cheeps, the three went to sleep. This would be the last night on this mountain.

 

As Luigi lay in his makeshift bed, thoughts of tomorrow filled his mind. Excitement surged through him at the prospect of reuniting with his brother, returning to his own bed, and indulging in a proper shower. Yet, this excitement was tinged with a bittersweet undercurrent. This had become his own adventure, one where he didn't rely on his brother for salvation. Surprisingly, spending time with Bowser had proven enjoyable. What began as a frightening experience had transformed into unexpected moments of thrill and enjoyment. If someone had told Luigi that he would bobsled down a mountain on a koopa shell, frighten toads, get lost in the woods, cross a river on royalty's back in his underwear, delve into koopa culture with the king himself, and contribute to his own rescue plan, he would have dismissed it as sheer madness.

 

Returning home, Luigi anticipated that Mario's protectiveness and the Mushroom scrutiny of him would amplify. Since their arrival in this world, Mario had shielded Luigi from anything remotely perilous, especially after Luigi's life threatening time as Bowser's prisoner. The impending revelation of Luigi's time with Bowser would undoubtedly send Mario into a fit of worry, and Luigi wasn't thrilled about the prospect of being shadowed even more. Then there was the Mushroom Kingdom, where preconceived notions about him lingered, much like Mario's concerns. The end of this adventure marked the return to a familiar routine, and Luigi couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions about leaving behind the unexpected camaraderie and excitement of his time with Bowser. With a final sigh, Luigi closed his eyes to go to sleep, closing his eyes on the final part of his adventure. 

 

Meanwhile, back at Peach’s castle, in the library, a red clad human sat at a table looking over a large map of the Mushroom Kingdom. His eyes were puffy, wet, and dark. He held another cup of coffee marking off sections of the map, desperately looking for any hidden corners that they might have missed. He zeroed in on a side of one of the mountains behind the castle. There, that is where he will search for Luigi at dawn. 

Looking at the name of the mountain, Mario reaches for a book off the shelf; The Typography of the Mushroom Mountains. He began to read, trying to gauge what gear he will need for his search, and what kind of environment his brother might be in. As he read, the words wiggled in and out of focus as tears began to cloud his vision and stain the page. 

 

“Mario?” A soft delicate voice rings through the darkness from the library threshold. 

 

The plumber frantically wipes away a tears and closes the book he was reading. “Oh-a-a Peach. What are you-a doing up this-a late?” He stutters trying to avoid her gaze. 

 

“I could say the same about you. I woke up to check on you but when I went to your room it was empty.” She explained. 

 

“I couldn’t-a sleep. Figured I would-a get a head start mapping out the-a…a…search areas for the morning.” Mario said solemnly. 

 

Peach kneeled to meet Mario face to face. The light of her lamp illuminating the red plumber face. Visible stubble on his chin and dark circles under his eyes showed that he hadn’t been taking care of himself like he normally does. “Mario…” she whispered,

Placing her hand on his cheek. “We will find him I promise. You have saved me, your brother, and this kingdom countless times, all on your own. Allow us to help you this time.” 

 

Mario finally looked up at Peach with his now bloodshot eyes that glinted in the lamp light. He leaned his head into her hand as she spoke, gently holding her arm. Peach continued sensing her hero’s exhaustion. “But we can’t take this horrible task on if we are not at our best. We must sleep and rest if we want to find your brother.” 

 

“I know…it’s just… this-a feels… different you know? When I rescued you before, I knew where you were and-a what to do. Same when I-a rescued my fratello. But now, I-a don’t know where he is, every place we-a look he wasn’t-a there, and now he could be held-a captive by that-that tartaruga malvagia…” Mario pauses, feeling himself getting worked up again. “Scusi princess. My mind…it’s-a no good. She-a likes to plays tricks on-a me. Thinking of all the worse-a things that could have happened to my fratello.” He said turning from Peach touch. 

 

“Come on…” the princess said, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. “Tomorrow, we will take your plan back to your cottage. The guard toads have set up a command center there. Together we will come up with a new search plan first thing in the morning. But we need our rest. Let’s go to bed… you can sleep in my room tonight.” 

 

“Grazie Princess, you are-a too kind.” He said, exhaustion evident in his voice. 

 

The two walked the lengthy distance back to the Princess’ quarters. Mario leaned on her for support as the stress of the last three days began to finally take its toll. The excitement he would usually feel getting to spend a rare night in the same room as Peach was completely overshadowed by thoughts of his Brother. As he laid his body on the couch within Peach’s room he found himself just staring up at the ceiling. Guilt that he hasn’t been able to find him yet, guilt that he was resting in luxury while he is undoubtedly sleeping in the elements, and guilt that he wasn’t there to protect him ravaged Mario, making sleep much harder to obtain. It was only when his body forced sleep upon him did he finally shut his eyes. Tomorrow was a new day, and a new chance to find Luigi. 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: I wanted to use this chapter to really explore the culture of the Darklands more. I will develop their cultures further in later chapter but I wanted to plant the seeds for them now. But keep this in mind; the culture of the Mushroom Kingdom is very hero centric and collectivist with emphasis on shared ideals and beliefs, while the Darkland are still somewhat collectivist, but place greater importance on hospitality and how one is perceived by others.

I also wanted to explore the insecurities of male shirtlessness with Luigi. In my head canon, Luigi isn't one to just pop his shirt off except in front of his brother. On top of the list of insecurities he has, his body is another one. But more so, being exposed is his insecurity. Its a small thing to focus on, but again, planting seeds for some character development.

Chapter 4: Making My Way Down Hill

Summary:

The trio enact their plan to finally make their way home. What will become of our mean green pair once they return back to normal life?

The sun had yet to rise when Luigi, Bowser, and General Koopa sprang into action, preparing for the final stretch of their journey. Each of them understood their respective tasks: General Koopa would communicate a message to Kamek, coordinating a rendezvous point with Bowser outside Luigi's cottage. Bowser would navigate through the dense forest that lay ahead, and Luigi would use the map to guide them. Although they had come this far without a map, relying solely on Bowser's memory of the mountains, examining it now revealed their trajectory leading straight towards Peach's castle. This alignment made sense, considering Bowser's recollection was from reconnaissance during a failed invasion/kidnapping attempt. With the map, they fine-tuned their path to avoid any potential interkingdom incidents en route to the rendezvous location.

 

With everything packed, the fire extinguished, and the shelter dismantled, it was time to embark. However, one lingering question preoccupied Luigi's mind: how would General Koopa relay the message? He had mentioned going into 'blue shell mode,' but Luigi was uncertain about the specifics of what that entailed.

 

“Hey Luigi, get over here!” Bowser shouted. 

 

“Wait…did-a Bowser just call me by my-a name?” Thought the green plumber. 

 

“Alright I’m going to send the general to my castle, but in order to do that, I’m going to need you to play along.” 

 

“Scusi?” The plumber didn’t quite get what Bowser was talking about. 

 

“Well General, the plan is in place, and all that is left to start our mission is to take out the first car in this… race .” Bowser said, getting closer to the general's ear. The general’s eyes lite up, and a slight smirk crept across his face. 

 

“Race sire? Are we in a race?” The blue shelled winged Koopa said, vibrating with excitement. 

 

“Oh yeah, we are definitely in a race, aren’t we Greenie?” Bowser looked over at Luigi. 

 

“Um… y-y-yes we are…in a race.” Luigi started getting what Bowser meant by ‘play along.’  

 

“And you know who’s in the lead? Kamek. Isn’t that right Luigi?”

 

“Oh” Luigi finally got what what was going on. “Si, Kamek is totally in the lead, is he-a number one.” 

 

“Oh boy, not for long.” There was a crazed look in the generals eyes. The calm and overly professional blue shelled general was now a crazed maniac with one goal in mind, take out the number one racer. 

 

“Do you think you can take him out?” Bowser asked, knowing the answer. 

 

“Are you kidding me? No one can escape ME! BLUE SHELL!!!” the general tucks his arms, legs, and head into his shell. The wings on the back unfold as a blue aura surrounds the general. Bowser give the blue shell one hefty kick, and before Luigi notices, the shell is zipping through the trees at lightning speeds. 

Luigi looks at Bowser dumbfounded as to what just happened. “He can only get into ‘Blue Shell Mode’ if he thinks we’re a race. I don’t know if it’s an evolutionary thing or if the general just has a weird thing for racing but it gets the job done.” Bowser said. 

 

Luigi still didn’t quite understand the peculiarities of ‘Blue Shell Mode’ but figured he would just accept what he just saw and move on. The pair set off, map in hand, on the final leg of their journey. 

 

This part of the trek proved to be exceptionally challenging. The terrain was more densely overgrown compared to other areas of the mountain. Before departing, General Koopa had mentioned that it was intentionally designed as a natural barrier, becoming denser as they approached the heart of the kingdom. The path they followed gradually faded away until there was nothing left. Fortunately, Luigi held a map that included various natural landmarks to guide them.

 

The vegetation underwent a noticeable transformation, transitioning from supple soft vines and leaves to tough, thorn-covered branches and bushes. Bowser utilized his claws, tail, and even his shell to clear a path. Despite portraying himself as tough, he still incurred minor scratches all over his body. Luigi fared no better, with numerous scratches on his face and arms. His once-white gloves were now stained with brown and red, but these injuries were minor and didn't impede the duo's progress.

 

Several hours passed, during which Luigi examined the map to deduce their journey's landmarks. Since morning, they traversed the thorny bush grove, navigated through the spindly forest, rappelled down the rose bush cliff, and finally arrived at the blue aloe oasis, a pond marking the halfway point to their destination. The map hinted that the subsequent leg of their journey should be noticeably easier.

 

After enduring a few more scrapes and bruises, the pair reached the oasis. This picturesque, small haven nestled amid the harsh bushes and overgrowth provided a moment of respite. Seated by the riverbank, Luigi used the pot he still carried to collect water. They shared the water while tending to their wounds, primarily by applying pressure until the bleeding stopped.

 

“Wait here.” Bowser said, getting up and gathering various plants. He snapped one of the plants in half, and a green transparent goo oozed. “Rub this on your cuts to avoid infection, then cover it with one of these leaves.”

 

“Oh…Grasci.” Luigi did just that, though it did sting. “What kind of plant is this?”

 

“I don’t know the name. But I know my soldiers use it on the battlefield to treat injuries. I also use it on the koopalings when they get scraps from playing too rough. We have to grow a few in the garden for that reason.” 

 

Luigi inspected the plant further. “It-a reminds me of the aloe plants back-a home. We didn’t-a have many plants around in-a Brooklyn; but-a I would go to the-a botanical gardens all the time… before it-a got shut down.” Luigi looks around, taking in his surroundings. “This-a place reminds a little of those-a gardens, no?” 

 

“Your home doesn’t have plants?” Bowser looked confused. 

 

“Yes…no… it’s a big city. It’s-a mostly skyscraper. There is-a Central Park, and some-a gardens around the city, but in-a my neighborhood, there was-a nothing like this.” 

 

“Well if you think this place is cool, you gotta see the garden in my courtyard. Twice as big-no three times bigger than this place. And we got the best flowers and plants anyone has ever seen.” Bowser boasted. 

 

“Wowwee, I didn’t-a know you were into gardening!” Luigi said in amazement 

 

“Well not really, I had it made for Princess….anyways, it’s the best garden around. You should check it out. Bet it will beat any of those small gardens in the Mushroom Kingdom.”

 

Luigi looked at Bowser, questions that he had been meaning to ask this entire adventure. Despite only getting superficial answers, there had to be a deeper reason for Bowser's obsession with a Peach. 

 

“Um… when did-a you start, how you say, ‘courting’ the-a Princess?” Luigi said, being very careful with his words. 

 

"If you’re wondering if I always resorted to kidnapping Princess Peach, then no, that’s not how our 'relationship' started," Bowser bluntly stated, seeing through Luigi’s questioning. "When I first became King, I was warned that I must find a queen very soon, or else other kingdoms might find my rule illegitimate. I was betrothed to another before I even hatched, as is the custom of ruling koopas. Unfortunately for me, that would-be queen never hatched. My father, before his passing, and his advisors never found a suitable replacement for me. When I took the throne, I was single, unheard of in koopa history.

Anyways, when I first ascended the throne, I went to the Mushroom Kingdom to court Peach the old-fashioned way. Her kingdom is the closest to mine, and at the time, she was just named their Princess, so it was logical—at least in my mind. I pulled out all the stops to impress her and her court. I sent gifts and letters asking for an audience with her, but they were always rejected. Believe it or not, I moved on and found another princess in a far-off koopa kingdom. We married, and we had Bowser Jr. However, she proved to have her motives. After a failed assassination attempt on me and my son before he even hatched, I had her exiled on a far-off island. I couldn’t execute her; she was my son’s mother, but she couldn’t be near him ever again.

It wasn’t until the first interkingdom games that Peach entered my mind again. It was the first time in almost a century that the Darklands participated. My father and his father’s reputation as kingdom-destroying tyrants kept us out of the games. Even at the games, most other kingdoms kept their distance from me and my participants.

By then, Bowser Jr. had hatched and was in more need of a mother. At those games, I got to see Peach’s kindness, compassion, caring, and her beauty. I knew she would be the perfect mother for my son. I tried desperately to get an audience with her. My Koopa athletes swept every event, winning most of the gold medals, but still nothing would persuade her to even just talk to me. Even at the closing Winners Dinner, Toadsworth attended her stay, and all he did was accuse us of cheating.

Then, on the last day of the games, right before the closing ceremonies, I found an opening to talk to her. I watched her as she slipped away from the ceremony preparations. She was in her garden, alone, with no guards or advisors. In hindsight, I knew it was a bad idea to enter her private garden unannounced, but at this point, I was desperate just to talk with her. Before I could even say a word, she screamed, alerting the guards. I tried to explain why I was there, but it was too late. The guards accused me of trying to kidnap her, trying to eat her, trying to take over the Mushroom Kingdom. They called me a monster, a beast, and every name under the sun. I’ll admit, I lost my temper… and I may have taken out a few of them in the scuffle. In that moment, I had reached my breaking point. If they wanted a monster, I would give them a monster. I grabbed Peach and took her to my castle.

Back home, I tried to talk to her there calmly, but she wasn’t having it. She cursed me, called me all the same names, and cowered from me. I didn’t put her in a prison cell and gave her free rein of the castle, but she stayed in her room refusing to eat. Outside, my army fought her army endlessly. When I realized that nothing was coming of all this, I commanded them to back down. Her toads stormed the castle and took her home.

Since then, I resorted to the same tactics my father used; taking everything by force. The Mushroom Kingdom has also now taken the position to stop my efforts in anything I do regardless if it involves them or not."

Luigi wasn’t expecting an entire history lesson, but it did explain a lot of things. 

 

“I-a guess I understand… though you did a bad thing kidnapping-a Peach.” 

 

“I KNOW THAT! But if they are going to treat me like some kind of war criminal, why not just be that?” Bowser shouted

 

“But… you are not-a bad guy. I’m-a sure if you apologize to-a Peach, and explain what-a happened, she would see you-a differently.” Luigi suggested. 

 

“Do you think I haven’t tried? You know those toads are like, once they see you one way, they won’t change their mind about it. And Peach is just like them.” Bowser lamented. 

 

“If that’s the case, why-a you still want-a Peach?” 

 

“Bowser jr…. The Mushroom Kingdom doesn’t know he exists… for now, nor does Peach, though I suspect she might have figured it out. He could have a clean slate with them when he eventually becomes King. I also still want him to have a mother like Peach. I’ll admit, I’m not the best role model. While I can teach him how to be a strong fearless leader, Peach could show how to be a compassionate and thoughtful one, even if she doesn’t show me that.” 

 

“Aww povera piccola tartaruga.” Luigi could feel himself getting misty eyed as a tear rolled down his cheek. 

 

“Geez Greenie, what's with the waterworks?!” Bowser shouted, thrown off by the sudden burst of emotions coming from Luigi. 

 

“You are such-a good padre to your piccola tartaruga.” Luigi said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “But-a you gotta stop-a trying to take the-a princess. You can-a teach your-a figlio all those-a things. You are-a compassionate and-a thoughtful. You have-a been to me, yes?” 

 

“Hey hey hey, I thought we agreed we wouldn’t mention that I helped you down the mountain.” 

 

“I-a mean it Bowser! Your-a piccola figlio looks up to-a you. You can-a be all those good-a things for the little Bowser. You don’t-a need a Peach, or-a stars, or-a other kingdoms. You-a just need to be-a good father.” Luigi said earnestly, staring intensely into Bowser’s eyes.  

 

“Well… it’s not like I haven’t tried those things… but…I guess I could try harder.” Bowser said, pondering the little green plumbers words. “But let it be known, I’m doing this NOT because you suggested it. Like I said, I already show my son…all those things you mentioned. My decision to do all those things more was a natural progression of my current tactics. You-you simply guessed correctly what I already planned to do.” 

 

Luigi could tell Bowser was just spouting hot air, but he didn’t have it in him to correct him. As long as he starts being a better role model for his son, that’s all that matters. The pair finished their water and began to set off back on the path. According to the map, this part of the journey should start getting easier. Following its direction, the pair set off at a much faster pace. Luigi didn’t notice at first, but he was even starting to walk faster and faster. His heart was starting to race as the thought of being home again became more and more a reality. Looking at the map, there was one more barrier of thorny bushes they had to overcome. As they approached the bushes, Luigi started to slow down, placing his backpack in front of his body to store the map as he tried to see if there was a way through. Before he could process his surroundings, Bowser snatched the plumber up by his waist and held him close to his chest. The turtle king ran backward, shell first, into the thorny bush. Their dried branches snapped and broke away as the giant turtle cleared a path. In no time, they made it through to the other side. When Bowser turned around, Luigi still in his grasp, they finally saw where the end of the path took them. Luigi’s eyes widened as he realized he was finally home.

 

“Yahoo! We-a did it!” Luigi exclaimed triumphantly. 

 

“We sure did… not that I had any doubts we would or anything.” Bowser said, still finding opportunities to boost. 

 

The duo strolled casually toward the rendezvous point, nestled just down the hill behind Luigi’s cottage. Home was almost within sight; he could see it, just a few meters away. Luigi glanced outward in the opposite direction, where, as per their plans, Bowser’s airship was supposed to arrive. However, it hadn’t appeared yet.

 

“It-a looks like we got there early.” Luigi noted. 

 

“Yeah. We did.” Bowser said, squinting his eyes at the horizon. “But not that early.” He pointed at a small black point in the distance. It was his airship; it was still quite a ways out, but it was here. 

 

“I guess we part ways here. You can go back to your little house or whatever. I’m sure your brother is about to eat his hat waiting on you or something.” Bowser said, eyes fixed on his approaching ship. 

 

Luigi looked back at the cottage. In just a few steps, his adventure would be over. Things would most likely go back to normal, which means he and Bowser would be enemies again. He knew he couldn’t go back to the way things were. He learned so much about the koopa king, but these would be things only he would know. Luigi also didn’t want to admit it, but he actually had a little fun with Bowser. 

 

“No-no I’ll-a wait until your ship picks-a you up. Don’t-a want the entire kingdom knowing you're here, yes?” 

 

“Hmm…. I guess you’re right about that.” 

 

The two sat in silence for a while, watching the ship get bigger and closer. 

 

As the ship began its descent, Bowser chimed in with one last things. “Oh, don’t forget, you still need to show my chefs how to make that…that…” 

 

“Oh gnocchi!” 

 

“Yeah that stuff. Bowser Jr. would love that food, and as a future king I need to expand his taste. I’ll need to figure out a way to get you to the Darklands without getting your brother all riled up.”

 

“Okie dokie!” Luigi said excitedly

 

“I’ll even show you around the city. Show you what a real kingdom looks like.” Bowser said, as the hatch to enter the ship lowered. 

 

“That-a sounds like fun. I would love that.” 

 

“Deal! So I guess this is a… see you later than Greenie.” With that, Bowser entered this ship and was soon off to his own home. 

 

Luigi gazed upward, watching the airship gracefully float away and gradually transform into a tiny dot in the distance. In his thoughts, he held onto the hope that Bowser would keep his promise; the prospect of exploring another kingdom, not as a prisoner but as a visitor, sounded exhilarating. The notion of visiting the Darkland city sparked Luigi's imagination, momentarily overshadowing the realization that he had been missing for three days.

 

Entering his cottage with the ease of someone returning from a quick errand, Luigi nonchalantly placed his backpack by the door. It was only then that he noticed the frantic scene unfolding inside. Around 20 toads were bustling about, examining giant maps on the walls and tables, engaging in small group discussions about search patterns, and reporting back to each other with a sense of urgency. As Luigi ventured further into his own home, the toads seemed oblivious to his presence. Continuing deeper into the cottage, he discovered Mario, Peach, Toad, Captain Toad, and Daisy engaged in a serious discussion about their next search locations.

 

“It appears that Bowser’s ship has been spotted in the outer areas of your cottage Mario. If our intel is correct, that means your brother might not be that far off. What’s concerning though is that the ship is leaving back to the Darklands.” Captain Toad explained. 

 

“What does that mean?” Daisy interrupted

 

“It means either Bowser has been picked up and your brother was left alone on the mountain, or that Bowser has taken your brother as a prisoner.” 

 

Mario sank to the floor. “Mama Mia.” 

 

“We don’t know that.” Peach chimed in. “That could be his own soldiers looking for Bowser too. They might be turning around because they too haven’t found him.”  

 

“Um… hello?” Luigi tried to get their attention 

 

“We could send spies to the Darklands. If Bowser did take him, at least we will know where he is.” Toad added. 

 

“But if he was left up on the mountain, that means we’re back at square one.” Daisy pondered. 

 

“You guys, I’m-a right here!” Luigi still couldn’t get them to just look in his direction. 

 

“We will have to-a try all of the-a options. Daisy, do you have a way to-a get into Bowser’s castle?” Mario asked 

 

“Of course. Just the best drilling team around.” Daisy boasted 

 

“Alright, Toad, Captain Toad, you two, can-a you track where the ship might have-a been headed?”

 

“Sure, it didn’t travel to far into the kingdom, so that must mean they were looking in a very specific area.” Toad concluded. 

 

Luigi couldn't fathom how, with over 25 people crammed into his tiny cottage, none of them had noticed him yet. As he surveyed the scene, he spotted a small orange toad diligently carrying a tray of coffee, each mug delicate and breakable. Acting on impulse and quite uncharacteristically, Luigi stepped directly into the little toad's path, causing the tray to crash to the floor. The mugs shattered into countless pieces, creating a mess of coffee-soaked shards.

 

“Oh… Scusi” Luigi blurted out as he tried to help the little toad up. 

 

The entire room fell mute as all eyes finally locked in on the green plumber. Mario’s eyes widened, as his jaw hung open. Daisy, Toad, and Captain Toad also stood stunned and slacked jawed. Peach gasped when she saw him. 

 

“Oh… hi everyone… it’s-a me… Luig…” 

 

Before he could finish his sentence, Mario sprinted over to him and tackled him into a hug. Mario squeezed his brother as hard as he could, spinning him around in his arms, letting out a mixture of joyful laughter and crying. 

 

“Luigi, mio fratello, dove sei stato? Ero preoccupato da morire! Sei ferito? Quella tartaruga malvagia ti ha fatto del male? Hai mangiato? Sono così contento che tu sia tornato, mio fratellino! ( Luigi my brother, where have you been? I have been worried sick! Are you hurt? Did that evil turtle hurt you? Have you eaten? I’m so glad you are back my baby brother!)” Mario interrogated in their native tongue in between tears and cheers. 

 

Whack “Geez dude you sure know how to give a girl a heart attack.” Daisy said after giving a good punch in the shoulder before joining in on the hug. Peach joined in soon after and the four just embraced the green plumber. Luigi felt his heart warm as he never felt as wanted and loved than he did in that moment. He couldn’t help but smile, couldn’t help but get teary eyed, and couldn’t help to embrace them. 

 

After a while, the toads packed up their maps and search materials. Peach and Daisy left the brothers alone to spend some much-needed quality time together. Their cottage finally returned to normal, and Luigi relished in all the creature comforts he had missed on the mountain. He enjoyed a nice, long bubble bath, shaved his now unbearably itchy beard, and meticulously trimmed and groomed his mustache.

 

Emerging from the bathroom in his pajamas, Luigi discovered that Mario had washed his clothes and prepared dinner for both of them—chicken Parmesan. The two settled in front of their TV; Luigi popped in one of his go-to funny movies, and they savored their homemade meal. While Luigi delighted in the delicious food and laughed at the movie, Mario sat there with a content smile, watching his brother.

 

Once they finished eating, Mario insisted on cleaning up everything. Luigi, content and relaxed, drank his favorite calming tea while waiting for his brother to finish the chores. Finally, as the day wound down, the brothers headed to bed. Despite having their own beds, Mario and Luigi decided to share one that night. For Luigi's first night home, Mario was determined to keep his brother close by his side.

Notes:

Headcanon notes: Though its pretty common to head canon Luigi as a gardener, and I know the text somewhat suggest that here. Luigi, in my headcanon, likes gardens and plants, but isn't a fan of the actual act of gardening. He is good with his hands, but prefers making things and carpentry than gardening. That will come more in later chapters but I'm adding it here, because I don't think I explicitly say it in the text.

Chapter 5: Everyone Hates Luigi

Summary:

Mario surprises Luigi with his worse nightmare, a planned date for him and Daisy. But, in preparation they must go into town to get a nice suite and some other things for the date. However, something seems off about everyone in town.

Notes:

Author's note: The upcoming chapters will focus less on Bowser and Luigi interactions as I develop everyone's stories before bringing the two together. This fanfic is an equal parts slow-burn love story and a journey of self-discovery.

Chapter 5

Everyone hates Luigi  

 

It took another several hours before Bowser made it back to his castle. On the ship, he was briefed on what had happened in his absence; mainly about ongoing projects and campaigns but also the state of the warp pipes that infiltrated his kingdom. 

When he landed at his castle he was immediately greeted by Bowser Jr. who gave him a huge hug. 

 

“Whoa there buddy, did you miss me?”

 

“Of course I missed you daddy, you were missing for so long.” Bowser jr. said, embracing his father’s leg. 

 

“Aww I missed you too buddy…” he said, kneeling down to embrace his son. “What did you do?” He said as his tone completely shifted. 

 

“Whaaaaat do you mean dad?” The little turtle began to sweat. 

 

As a ruler, he has gone on trips, missions, and even battles that have lasted far longer than this latest adventure. Bowser jr. has gone entire months without seeing his father. And though Bowser jr. always expresses how much he misses his dad when he comes back on long trips, he is being far too clingy. Bowser also knows his son, as well as the other koopalings, are usually extra affectionate and polite when they are trying to hide something. 

 

“Something smells fishy.” Bowser observed as Junior’s hug began to feel like he was trying to hold him back. As he made his way into the grand hall that lead to the living quarters of the castle, he was greeted, and attempted to be restrained, by Roy and Iggy. 

 

“D-Dad, don’t you want to just relax in the throne room, I think the koopa troop has gotten soft since you were gone. They probably need you to straighten them out.” 

 

“Oh daddy we missed you so m-much. Why don’t we all have a family dinner in the grand hall tonight?” Wendy said while she and Morton Jr. pulled on Bowser’s tail. 

 

Bowser reaches the door that leads to the living quarters only to find Ludwig, Lenny, and Larry blocking the door. 

 

“Father dearest, wouldn’t you rather relax in the study after such an ordeal?” Ludwig attempted to persuade to no avail. Bowser pushes back the three and effortlessly makes his way through the threshold. 

 

What should have been an orderly living hall with adjoining nine rooms, each leading to the private living quarters of each of the koopalings was instead a rapidly filling pond. Furniture bobbed and waded in the pool of water.  Water gushed out of both Bowser Jr.’s room and Larry’s. Wendy’s and Roy’s things spilled out of their rooms, adding to the floating mass of trash. A small hill of toilet paper could be seen on the open door of Morton’s room. A strange glowing robot attempted to get itself out of the water, all while continually repeating “ERROR ERROR, WATER DAMAGE DETECTED.” 

Bowser stood there, slacked jawed looking at the carnage. How could the koopalings manage to do so much carnage in such a short amount of time? He began to run to each room, hoping the water was only coming out of one location. But room after room proved otherwise. Each room had extensive flooding, a toilet overflowing, or massive pipe damage. 

 

“Um…oh no! Wha-how did this happen?” Larry said, unconvincingly. 

 

Bowser began to rub the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Everyone… to the dinning hall…NOW!” He commanded. 

 

The koopalings and Bowser Jr. solemnly walk to the dinning hall. “Would you mind if I just step in there to grab my robot? As you can hear, it’s still functioning quite well despite the water intake and if I can just grab it real qu…” Bowser shoots Iggy an angry glare, stopping him in his tracks. “You know what I-I’m sure it will be fine in there. I’ll join the others in the dining hall.” 

 

In the dining hall, all the koopalings sat nervously in their respective seats, Bowser Jr. seated next to his father. 

 

“Now, I want you all to calmly and truthfully explain why the HELL the living quarters are underwater.!” Bowser said, trying to suppress the rage inside himself. At once all the koopalings began to plead their case, loudly. Each shouting over the other in a cacophony of excuses. 

 

“QUIET” the turtle king shouted. “Let’s try this one at a time.” He turns towards his youngest son. “Bowser Jr. why is there water flowing out of your bedroom?” The turtle king turned to his son knowing that he isn’t one to lie, at least not to his own father. 

 

“Um…well… you know how when you flush the toilet, things go round and round and round. Well I figured out when you put other things in the toilet they also go round and round and round. So me and Larry and Lemmy started putting things down the toilet to see what they would do. But then they stopped going down and that’s when the water started coming up.” Bowser Jr. explained 

 

“Well that explains one bathroom, why are Larry’s and Lemmy’s bathrooms overflowing?”

 

“After mine stopped working we went to their bathrooms. I still had a lot of things to watch go round and round and round.” Bowser Jr. said. 

 

“And you two just went along with it?” Bowser said, now looking at Lemmy and Larry. 

 

“I’ll admit, it didn’t seem like a good idea but watching that first spiked bracelet swirl around the bowl, it was quite entertaining.” Larry said. 

“You threw you bracelet in the toilet?!” Bowser shouted, just now realizing Bowser Jr. wasn’t wearing his signature spiked bracelet. 

 

Bowser grumbled at the fact that the bracelets he carefully selected for his son were now down in some sewage pipe. The king then turned his attention to Morton. “What about your bathroom? Why is there a giant mound of toilet paper in your bathroom?” 

 

“Well, unlike the three twerps, I have a perfectly valid reason why my bathroom is clogged.” Mortan began. 

 

“Clogged, that’s hardly a clog.” Wendy interrupts 

 

“Clogs also don’t stink like yours do dummy!” Roy added. 

 

“Y’all shut up! Like I was saying. There is a good reason why my bathroom toilet is clogged.” Morton takes a deep breath in preparation of his story. “So you know how everyone usually takes one big poop every 10 or so days right?”

 

“…no…I don’t know that.” Bowser said, stunned at Morton’s nonchalant response. 

 

“Well, I guess the poop fairy came early after eating some of that take out I found in the back of the fridge. I don’t know what it was, it smelled awful, but I ate it anyway. Next thing I know, I’m running to the bathroom. I swear it felt like I was turning inside out. I was like ‘what’s up with all this now, it’s only been 9 days since I last gone, surely I can’t poop that much.’ But sure enough I did. I must have passed out at some point because I woke up and was still pooping. Even the courtesy flushes weren’t helping. I ran out of toilet paper at some point through the whole thing, ended up having to use towels but those did not go down the crapper. So as you can see, it’s not my fault, we just need better toilets.” Morton said, as if anything he said was normal. 

 

Bowser and the other koopalings just sat in sheer horror at what they just heard. “How…how are you alive right now? That’s scientifically impossible what you just described!” Iggy said, finally breaking the silence. 

 

“What is your life even?!” Wendy shouted. 

 

“Yeah we’re going to…we’re going to table that for little bit.” Bowser said, still in shock by Morton’s admission. “The rest of you! Why are there torrents of water coming from your rooms?” Bowser turned his attention towards Wendy, Roy, and Ludwig. 

 

“My room is fine, it might be the plumbing issues in other rooms that is affecting mine.” Ludwig said. 

 

“Yeah right! Mr. throws his music down the toilet in some prima diva fit!” Wendy accused. 

 

“That’s ripe coming from you, Ms. ‘I’m too much of a diva I can’t even throw away my own make-up wipes, guess they’ll go in the toilet.’ Roy mocked using an exaggerated high pitch voice. 

 

“Shut up you pink headed idiot! At least I didn’t completely ripe out my sink because your precious Goomba Chargers lost their little game.”

 

“Hey it wasn’t just a little game, it was the quarter finals and THOSE REFS WERE CHEATING!” Roy shouted. 

 

The three koopalings started trading insults at one another, only adding to the headache Bowser was already feeling. “ENOUGH!” He shouts, ending their squabble. “Last thing I need to know is… Iggy… why is there a robot in the living quarters?”

 

“You see father, unlike these imbeciles I was actually working on a device that would help with the encroaching warp pipes. I have built a robot that can detect warp pipes and destroy them. However, the data I used to train the artificial intelligence was incomplete. Thus, it mistaken my shower head for warp pipes and  it proceeded to rip them from the walls. With more complete data I am positive that my invention will be an asset in this latest invasion.” Iggy said with confidence. 

 

Bowser took a deep breath, after hearing all their excuses and reasonings for their destroyed bathrooms. “…you’re all grounded.” 

 

“WHAT?!”

 

“Oh come on!”

 

“That’s not fair!” 

 

“It was all his fault not mine!” 

 

They all began to shout over each other again trying to pass blame on one another. 

 

“QUIET!” Bowser roared. “You will all stay in the guest quarters until further notice. Once the water has drained from the living quarters, you will all be responsible for cleaning that mess. All damages and repairs will come out of your allowance.”

 

“But-but-but I have to get a dress for the inter-kingdom games.” Wendy pleaded 

 

“Yeah and I’m DJing a party for the Goomba Chargers in two days.” Roy added. 

 

Bowser turned to them. “Well then you better hope the job is done quickly and isn’t costly.” Turning back to the rest of the koopalings. “Am I understood?”

 

They all sunk into their chairs. “Yes sir.” They all grumbled. 

 

“Good, now make your way to the guest quarters. You’re going to want to get used to the tight living arrangements over there.” Bowser said as he exited the dining hall.

 

—------------------------------

 

Meanwhile, in the Mushroom Kingdom, a few days had passed since Luigi returned home. Initially, the extra attention was nice. He had never experienced such doting before. After a thorough check-up at the doctor's, he was advised to take it easy for a while, even though he felt fine. Mario, however, adamantly refused to let Luigi lift a finger. All his meals were brought to him, chores around the house were taken care of, and any other needs were met without him having to ask. Initially, it was enjoyable, especially with his brother by his side. But soon, the constant closeness became overwhelming.

Luigi couldn't seem to get away from Mario. Every conversation seemed to circle back to his time on the mountain. Mario was convinced that Bowser had done something malicious to Luigi and feared it could happen again, so Luigi couldn't escape his brother's watchful eye. Wherever Luigi went, Mario wasn't far behind. Any minor inconvenience he faced was swiftly resolved without him needing to ask. Despite being twins, the doting began to feel more like smothering. Little did Luigi know, this was just the beginning of Mario's overprotective behavior.

The day began like most since his return. Luigi woke up to find his clothes already laid out and breakfast being prepared. What should have been a thoughtful gesture was starting to grate on him. He hadn't been able to choose his own clothes in over a week. Seeking some semblance of privacy, Luigi retreated to the bathroom to get ready. This was the only room in the cottage where he felt he had some solitude, though it was not absolute. As long as Mario thought he was in the shower or using the toilet, he wouldn't disturb him. Luigi had resorted to taking long baths, using them as his only time alone; however, this solution was far from perfect.

 

Knock knock knock. “Hey-a bro, are you alright in-a there?” It was Mario, right outside the door, breaking the peace and tranquility Luigi worked to create in his only sanctuary. 

 

“ Sigh… yes. Everything is-a okie dokie.” He said, someone sarcastically. 

 

“Are you-a sure? You’ve-a been in there a long time. Just wanted to-a make sure you didn’t-a slip or anything.”

 

“I said I’m-a fine. I’m-a just taking a bath.”

 

“Oh okay…” Mario pauses. Luigi begins to relax a little more before… “I have-a fresh towels for you when you are-a ready. I’ll just-a put them by the door.” 

 

“OKIE DOKIE THANK YOU!” Luigi said, much more curt this time. 

 

“Don’t-a be too long in there. Your-a breakfast is getting cold.” Mario cherped, unaware of his brother's growing frustration. 

 

Luigi cut his bath short and skipped his usual mustache grooming routine, aware that Mario was lingering outside the door. He knew that if he didn’t emerge from the bathroom soon, Mario would find an excuse to barge in and 'check on him.' Still in his bathrobe, Luigi opened the door and, as expected, found Mario standing there holding a stack of neatly folded towels. Snatching one, he placed it on his head to dry his hair and silently made his way to the kitchen table. There, a plate of eggs, bacon, and pancakes awaited him, along with a cup of coffee in his green mug. Luigi noticed that the syrup, creamer, and sugar were missing from the table. Just as he began to stand up to retrieve them, Mario swooped in, placing his hands on his shoulders.

 

“Oh no, no, no. I’ll get them.” Referring to the missing condiments. 

 

“Bro, I am perfectly able to-a grab the syrup you know.” 

 

“No, no I got it. You-a relax and enjoy your breakfast.” Mario said, grabbing the items, proceeding to pour syrup on his pancakes for him. “How much-a sugar do you want?”

 

“I can-a put my own sugar in my own-a coffee, thank you very much!” Luigi snapped

 

“Okay okay, I was just trying to-a help.” Mario said, finally backing off. 

 

The two began to eat their breakfast. Luigi couldn't help but notice Mario's unusually bouncy demeanor that morning. Mario was already fully dressed, but not in his usual overalls. Instead, he wore a red polo shirt and navy blue slacks. Mario seemed to be bursting with excitement, humming between every bite of food.

 

“You-a seem excited today. Why are you all-a dressed up? Another date with-a Peach?” Luigi said, hoping it was true. He hadn’t been alone in the cottage in over a week. A few hours alone was long overdue.

 

“I don’t have a date, but-a you might.” Mario said almost unable to contain himself. 

 

“What?” Luigi stopped mid bit.

 

“You know how-a you and Daisy were supposed to have a romantic date before that-a stupido turtle ruined everything?”

 

“Y-yes…how did you…”

 

“Well don’t you-a worry bro, I planned a super romantic date for you and-a Daisy. You won’t-a have to worry about a thing.” Mario said, with the biggest grin on his face.  The color left Luigi’s face as the prospect of another over produced date entered his mind. 

 

“Today we-a got to get you-a fitted for your suit. Show Daisy how well-a my little bro cleans up. I-a called in a few favors with the-a Luncheon Kingdom and they are sending their-a best chef to cook for-a you two. The two of you will dine on a gondola, just-a like in Venice. Peach reserved the-a finest movie theater in the Mushroom Kingdom where you and-a Daisy get a private screening of the-a latest movie they just finished. I know how much you-a like movies. And to finish it off, a firework display for you-a two love birds.” Mario beamed. 

 

Luigi's blood ran cold as he listened to his brother's elaborate plans for him. This was the epitome of everything he dreaded about his dating life. He foresaw that this supposedly 'private date' would inevitably turn into a public spectacle. One simply doesn't secure a world-class celebrity chef from another kingdom, reserve an entire movie theater, and arrange a fireworks display without the entire Mushroom Kingdom catching wind of it. Painful memories of Mario's last orchestrated date for him flooded back—the scrutinizing court staff overseeing him and Daisy, leaked pictures to the press, and ceaseless rumors from the toads when he couldn't 'seal the deal' with Daisy. The recollection of how awkward and embarrassing the actual date was added to his distress. In less formal settings, Luigi and Daisy genuinely enjoyed each other's company, engaging in easy conversations, jokes, and shared laughter. However, the moment their time together was framed as a romantic date, everything changed. Conversations became stilted, flirting fell flat, and attempts at physical affection felt forced and awkward.

Luigi wanted to speak up, to firmly assert that Mario should stop meddling in his dating life. However, as he turned to face Mario, all he saw was a beaming brother, radiating joy and excitement over the plans he had meticulously crafted for his little brother. Any other person would be grateful for the thought and effort Mario had put into planning such a special date. If Luigi couldn't find that elusive spark in his relationship with Daisy on a date like this, it genuinely wasn't Mario's fault. Luigi glanced at his brother and managed to offer a weak smile.

“Let’s hurry up and get-a ready. We have a lot of things we-a have to get before your big day tomorrow.” Mario said, bounding from his chair. 

 

“…yippee…” Luigi meekly muttered trying to muster up some enthusiasm. 

 

The two brothers ventured into the bustling main city of the Mushroom Kingdom. Towering over most of the residents, they relied on custom-made clothing. Mario's favorite tailor was a quaint shop known as Pincushion Jerry. Despite its small size, the shop was the official royal tailor, making an appointment with Jerry a prestigious affair. Thanks to Mario's heroic exploits for the kingdom, the brothers had privileged access to Jerry himself, who was an eccentric toad often seen in finely tailored purple suits. He took great pride in his role, even having his own throne in the shop where he oversaw all the work and fittings.

The shop workers always enjoyed Mario's visits, eagerly listening to his latest adventure stories. Luigi, on the other hand, was usually tolerated, his presence almost seen as a prerequisite to speak with Mario. However, today felt different. As they entered, the usual warm greetings were extended to Mario, but Luigi was met with icy stares, a stark departure from the usual reception.

“Mario, my favorite customer. What brings you in today my boy?” The owner, Jerry says, wrapping his arm as best as he can around Mario and placing himself between the two brothers. “You seem to be bursting with excitement more than usual today. Could it be that you would like me to finally make ‘the suit’?” For as long as they've been going here, Jerry has been hoping that Mario would pop the question to Peach and that he would be the one to make Mario’s wedding suit. 

 

“No, no, but I do need a suit from you.” Mario corrected. “Not for-a me though, for my brother!” 

 

As soon as he heard that, Jerry’s joyful demeanor faded as he gave Luigi a suspicious look over. “…oh.” 

 

“Yep, my-a brother has a big-a date tomorrow and he-a has to look his-a very best.” Mario said, oblivious to the sudden mood shift and glaring eyes his brother was getting. 

 

“For you, Mario, anything.” Jerry said, grabbing his book for new suites, a binder with all sorts fabric swatches, diagrams of suite cuts, and everything one would need to create a bespoke garment.  

 

“Oh Grasci…” Luigi impulsively said as he reached for the book. But instead nicely handing it to him, Jerry just let the book fall to the floor. Pages of fabric pieces fell out of the book. 

 

“Be careful with my book. You gotta learn to respect a toad's business when you’re here.” The senior toad scolded. 

 

“Oh-uh s-s-sorry.” Luigi knelt down to pick up the book. Mario joined his brother picking up the pages. 

 

“Geez Lu, you-a nervous about your date?” Mario questioned, assuming that was the reason for dropping the binder. 

 

Luigi glanced back at the owner and the other workers in the shop, all of whom were shooting him disapproving looks, as if he were a criminal in their midst. Jerry, seated smugly on his throne, smirked knowingly, as if anticipating Luigi's silence. Turning his gaze back to his oblivious brother, Luigi felt torn. Mario was completely focused on him, unaware of the hostility directed at Luigi. He could have told Mario the truth about what had transpired since they arrived at the shop. He could have explained that Jerry and the other toads had been anything but kind. Luigi knew Mario would believe him and would likely confront them. Mario had always been protective of his brother, whether it was against bullies or anyone who was rude to him.

Back in Brooklyn, Mario's protective nature had often led to him getting hurt or in trouble. But in the Mushroom Kingdom, they were revered. Mario was a hero; not a single toad would dare challenge him. All Luigi had to do was tell Mario what was happening—that Jerry had thrown a book at him and had been rude and standoffish ever since they arrived. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Mario was a hero to these toads, and they gave him a confidence boost he had never had back in Brooklyn. Here, he wasn't just a short Italian plumber struggling to make ends meet; he was a hero of the Mushroom Kingdom.

“What is it Bro?” Mario questioned, breaking Luigi’s train of thought. 

 

“Oh, nothing. Yeah I guess I’m-a getting the jitters thinking about my-a date with Daisy.” He lied picking up the binder. 

 

“ no problemo, let’s-a take a look huh?” Mario insisted, guiding Luigi to the table. 

 

The two flipped through the pages of the binder, feeling the fabric swatches and discussing the style of blazer and pants. Luigi occasionally glanced up to see Jerry or one of the toad workers staring at him, or whispering to one another and pointing in his direction.

 

“So Mario, I heard you helped out the people in Shiveria again.” Jerry interrupted. 

 

“Oh yeah, they just-a needed help fixing the-a track for their Grand Prix. No biggie this time.” Mario said, still going through the swatches. 

 

“Did your uh… brother help this time.” 

 

“No, no he was-a here… well kind of. The warp pipes went-a kablooey and sent-a Lu all the way up-a the mountain. You know the one behind-a Peach’s castle.” Mario explained. 

 

“You don’t say. Well I’m sure with your help, you got him down the mountain. That mountain is quite tough to get down.” Jerry said, looking at Luigi as if he was talking to him. 

 

“Not-a this time. My-a bro got down the mountain himself. He may not-a look it, but he is-a one tough cookie.” Mario bragged, throwing his arm over Luigi’s shoulder. 

 

“Heh, you made it all the way down, without anyone helping you? No assistance at all?” Jerry’s tone grew increasingly more tense. 

 

Mario’s demeanor changed from jovial to defensive. “Yeah… he-a did.”

 

“…sure. I’m just saying that may…”

 

“Um-um I-I-I think I-a found what I was-a looking for!” Luigi shouts, interrupting the tense stand off that was brewing between Mario and Jerry. Luigi grabs a few pages of fabric swatches without really looking and places them on the counter.

“Hey uh Mario, done-a we have another place we gotta get to?” Luigi frantically says, pleading with his eyes. 

Mario pauses, his eyes shifting between Jerry and his brother. “…yeah, we-a do.”

 

“Well we will be sure to get that suit made for you in a jiffy. See you tomorrow.” Jerry said, completely shift the mood of the room back to what it was. 

 

“Right…we will see-a you tomorrow.” Mario said suspiciously. 

 

The two carried on with their errands, picking up flowers, a gift for Daisy, and lunch for themselves. Everywhere they went, Luigi experienced the same cold interactions from the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. While everyone smiled and greeted Mario warmly, they were rude, cold, and sometimes downright hostile to Luigi. This mostly happened out of sight of Mario. However, anytime Mario noticed how the toads were behaving towards his brother, Luigi instinctively deflected, distracted, or changed the subject before his brother had a chance to say something. By the end of the day, Luigi was exhausted. The mental stress of dealing with an entire kingdom’s hostility had drained any energy he had left. 

They made it home just as the sun was setting, placing all their things on the table before throwing themselves on the couch.

 

“I’m-a so tired. For as-a many warp pipes around-a the city, you wouldn’t expect to-a walk-a so much, eh?” Mario stated. 

 

"Yeah..." Luigi replied, his voice almost mechanical. Throughout the entire trip into town, the green plumber's mind had been racing. Why did the toads suddenly seem to hate him? He knew they didn't think highly of him before, but at least they were still polite. Now, however, it felt like everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom was going out of their way to make him feel unwelcome.

 

“I’m-a going to start-a dinner.” Mario said, interrupting Luigi’s train of thought. “And-a don’t worry about the suit, I’ll-a pick it up in the morning before your-a big date. Gotta make sure my bro is-a looking like one spicy meatball. Heh heh.” Mario joked, tussling Luigi’s hair. 

 

“Heh heh, okay… thanks. I’m-a going to-a Daisy’s gift in a nicer bag.” Luigi said, getting off of the couch. 

 

Mario was headed to the kitchen but stopped at the threshold. “Hey Lu…”

 

“Yeah bro?”

 

“Nothing-a happened on that-a mountain… right?”  Mario asks, still facing the kitchen. He had asked this question many times before since Luigi got off that mountain. This time, however, it didn’t feel like he was asking if Bowser hurt or tortured him like before. This time, it felt like he wanted confirmation of something else. 

 

“Yep… nothing-a happened on the mountain.” Luigi said, cautiously. 

 

“Good! I believe you bro. Anyways I-a got to get dinner ready.”

 

“Okie dokie” Luigi watched as his brother disappeared into the kitchen. 

 

After dinner, Luigi retired to bed, but sleep eluded him. An unsettling feeling about the day's events kept his mind restless. Despite his exhaustion, thoughts about Jerry, the other toads, encounters around the Mushroom Kingdom, and even Mario, wouldn't fade. Restless, Luigi tossed and turned in bed, squinting against the dim moonlight filtering through the window. In the faint lunar glow, he could discern Mario's subtle outline in his own bed, but something was off. Mario sat upright, staring at him. Luigi pretended to sleep, keeping his eyes mostly closed, hoping the darkness concealed the slight opening of his eyes. Why was Mario awake at this hour, and why the intense stare? A wave of guilt washed over Luigi, as if he harbored some unspeakable secret Mario was about to uncover. Rolling over, still feigning slumber, Luigi couldn't shake the feeling of his brother's scrutiny. Although he couldn't pinpoint any specific hidden truth, it felt like he had everything to hide. Hours dragged on before either of them succumbed to the limited sleep they managed to grasp before dawn.

 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: The toads are incredibly simple minded when it comes to their collective world view. To them, things are very black and white, you are either a good guy or the worse guy. There is no in between. Because Luigi isn't explicitly jumping into danger and rescuing people left and right, they initially don't know what to make of him. Prior to the events of this story, they see him strictly as a side kick. But because they know he was on the mountain with Bowser, and didn't outright fight him sight on seen, opinions about Luigi are turning. To the toads, the only people who are even allowed to talk to Bowser, even in a civil or diplomatic way, is Mario and Peach.

Another world building fact that I know I am not going to cover in the text of the story, the toads world is a mix of our modern world and that of the Mario RPG world. A weird blend of semi-medieval (open markets, mostly handmade clothing, barder and agriculture based society) with modern comforts (electricity, movie theaters, television, motorized vehicles, etc.)

Chapter 6: The Date that went Kablooie

Summary:

The big day is here, and Luigi and Daisy go on a date that was orchestrated by Mario and Peach. What could possibly go wrong?

Luigi stood in his room, his gaze fixated on his reflection in the mirror. It wasn't as if he had never donned a suit before; it was the context that added an extra layer of nervousness to the situation. Tonight, he was heading out on a date with Daisy. There was no reason for him to be as jittery as he felt. After all, he and Daisy had been a couple for a while, and couples regularly embarked on dates. However, this wasn't just any ordinary date. It marked their first one-on-one outing since the beginning of their relationship, and the circumstances were far from typical. With Mario and Peach intricately involved, what would have been a private affair had transformed into a public spectacle. The entire Mushroom Kingdom would be scrutinizing every aspect of the date, and given the recent treatment Luigi had endured, the pressure to ensure it went well was at an all-time high.

 

As he examined himself in the mirror, clad in his new hunter green tweed blazer, brown corduroy pants, cream yellow shirt, and a striped green and gray tie, Luigi couldn't shake the feeling of being the handsome stud Mario had hyped him up to be.

 

“Hey Lu! Toad is-a here!” Mario shouted from the living room. 

 

Luigi came out of his room to find Mario and Toad waiting for him. 

 

“Looking sharp dude!” Toad said enthusiastically. It was a little bit of a relief that not every toad in the kingdom seemed to hate him. 

 

“That my bro! He-a cleans up nice, yes?” Mario said, wrapping his arm around Luigi’s shoulder. “When-a Daisy gets a look at-a him, she will be-a begging him to marry her. Heh heh you might-a beat me to the alter bro!” Mario playfully pokes at Luigi’s stomach.

 

“Heh heh, I don’t-a know about that Bro.” Luigi said, a little bit embarrassed by the amount of praise he was getting. 

 

“Well, we better get going. Your carriage awaits.” He said playfully in a mock posh accent. 

 

The transport for Luigi's date was none other than Peach's royal motorized carriage, an opulent vehicle adorned in white and pink with exquisite gold trim. Its expansive glass windows created the sensation of riding inside a moving fishbowl, and the seats within were luxuriously plush and soft, arranged to face each other.

 

As the carriage gracefully navigated the city surrounding the castle, Mushroom Kingdom citizens congregated on the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the ostentatious conveyance. Yet, Luigi couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was scrutinizing him. Observing the toads' expressions, he witnessed the initial excitement gradually morph into revulsion as they realized Peach wasn't occupying the regal vehicle. More than once, Luigi observed various toads literally turning their backs on him as he passed by.

 

"Looks like you've attracted quite the crowd. Just look at all these folks out to wish you good luck on your date," Toad commented, though Luigi sensed the blatant lie. While Toad's intention was to offer reassurance, Luigi couldn't shake the belief that the date was veering toward disaster before even commencing.

 

The carriage eventually arrived at the dock near the river that meandered through and past Peach's castle. Waiting there was Daisy, attired not in her usual princess garb but in a sleek, burnt orange sequined dress with elegant gold accents. Toadette accompanied her, and unlike the majority of the Kingdom, both she and Toad did not share the prevailing sentiment upon seeing Luigi.

 

“Wowie you look-a beautiful tonight.” Luigi said. 

 

“Heh heh, thanks. Peach helped, you know this girly girl stuff isn’t my thing.” Daisy said bashfully. 

 

The two toads escorted the couple to the oversized gondola parked at the dock. On the gondola, another toad awaited, dressed in a black and white striped shirt.

 

"This is Gordo; he's extensively studied everything about gondolas from your world, Luigi," Toadette explained. "He's going to take you on a boat ride tour of the Kingdom's gardens while serenading you two with some of the most romantic music. At each dock, a server will present you with each course of the meal. How romantic," she gushed.

 

Luigi assisted Daisy onto the gondola, guiding her to her seat at the elegantly set table. Flowers that Luigi had chosen with Mario adorned the center, a touch of natural beauty to enhance the ambiance. In hindsight, he realized he should've picked a smaller bouquet, as the blossoms now obstructed his view of Daisy across the table.

 

Their gondolier greeted Daisy cheerfully. “Good evening madam…” his demeanor changes however upon seeing the green suited plumber. “….Luigi.” He said coldly. 

 

The two sat at the table as the vessel made its way down the river. The river was surrounded by various flowers, plants, and decorative sculptures. 

 

“Wow, Peach sure went all out on this garden.” Daisy said, admiring her surroundings. 

 

“Oh-um… yeah.” Luigi sheepishly said, taking a sip of the wine that was left out on the table for them. 

 

“Hey look, sorry I haven’t… really checked up on you since getting back home. There was a lot of… crap back in Sarasaland. Since those warp pipes went all crazy there’s now talk of… never mind. I told myself I wasn’t going to talk about ‘royal duty’ stuff tonight. How have you been?” 

 

“Oh…I’m-a fine, great. Just-a been hanging out-a with my bro… all day…. everyday…” Luigi said, with a little bit of frustration peaking through. 

 

“I bet. Your brother was worried sick when you were up on that mountain. We all were, but he seemed to be falling apart at times. I’m not going to lie, I felt kind of like a bad girlfriend seeing him. I just assumed you’d be okay at first. Mario always seemed to bounce back in some pretty tough situations, I just thought you would too. But watching him worry about you made me think that you were in some real danger…” Daisy pauses, looking down at her untouched wine. “ but your back, with a few scratches, but mostly unharmed just like I thought you would.” Her tone took on a usual boisterous tone, though it felt forced. 

 

“Heh heh yeah… it-a wasn’t that bad. My bro, he’-a just a worry wart.” 

 

“Yeah, especially when he found out you were traveling with Bowser.” Hearing that made Luigi coke on his wine. “I can’t imagine having to travel with that monster, especially having been his prisoner before. But hey, you proved everyone wrong and got back home all on your own. I mean, I can’t imagine Bowser being any help.” 

 

“Well-um he wasn’t too-a bad. We-a…just kind of walked together.” Luigi explained, exaggerating the truth. 

 

“Hmm… that’s surprising.” Daisy said, skeptical. 

 

“Yeah, he was…” Luigi paused as he felt the gondolier begin to glare at him. “Hey enough about-a me and that old mountain. How have you-a been?”

 

“I’m doing great. Exhausted dealing with the warp pipe situation and preparing for the interkingdom games. We’re behind on training for the games this year but I think we got a team that will still kill it.”

 

“Oh wowie. You always do-a well at the games. Much-a better than me.” Luigi admitted 

 

“Not with that attitude! I bet a few training sessions with me, you would be a lean green competitive machine. What events are you participating in this year?” 

 

Luigi hadn't given it much thought, as he typically followed in his brother's footsteps. At the games, the royals and their courts engaged in their own competitions alongside the main events. To Luigi, it felt akin to the Olympics, but with presidents and leaders from all countries actively taking part. This made him uncomfortable, and he only participated due to his closeness to Mario, who, in turn, was motivated by his proximity to Peach.

 

“I don’t-a know, I like-a the go-kart, but that’s-a about it.” Luigi meekly said. 

 

“Oh… yeah that go-carts are fun… I guess.” Daisy said, a little disappointed. 

 

“What about-a you?” 

 

“I’m pumped for the soccer tournament, but I’m also ready for some tennis. I’m also ready to try some powerlifting. I can already do 4 reps at 230 on deadlifts and my incline bench is at 3 x 250.”

 

“That-a sounds… right up your ally.” Luigi said, trying to seem like he knew what she was talking about. 

 

“Yeah” Daisy agreed. 

 

The pair struggled to find more to talk about, opting to just sit in silence for more of the boat ride. Luigi had always found gardening, and plants in general, fascinating. However, on this ride, he couldn't enjoy himself. Luigi could tell that Daisy was bored. 

 

In a panic, and looking at the plants around, he blurted: “Did you-a know that the fire flowers don’t-a grow in the Darklands, they are-a only found here and-a Sarasaland. Weird huh? You would-a think they would grow-a there like weeds… seeing there’s-a lot of lava… there.” 

 

“Oh… cool.” Daisy said in an attempt to sound interested. 

 

The awkward exchange of random facts and observations persisted without evolving into any meaningful conversation, making Luigi sigh in relief when they finally reached the first dock. He hoped that the arrival of the meal would provide a welcome distraction, sparing them from the need to continue their forced banter. As they docked, a toad in a charming little tuxedo joined them on the gondola, holding two silver cloches in hand.

 

“Good evening madam… Luigi.” The finely dressed toad said, giving the green plumber a mean side eye. “Tonight’s first course will be cheep cheep tartar, served with a freshly cracked bird condart egg and radish foam. Bon appétit.” 

 

Luigi and Daisy eyed the tartar dish before them with uncertainty. Tartar was a culinary luxury unfamiliar to Luigi, often exceeding his family's budget. Similarly, Daisy, hailing from Sarasaland, had never encountered it due to limited fish imports. As the gondola glided past the outdoor kitchen, the Volbonan chef watched intently for their reactions. Feeling the pressure, the duo decided to give the tartar a try. Fancy cuisine wasn't within Luigi's usual culinary realm, but he thought, "Why not?" Upon tasting the dish, regret washed over him instantly. Whether it was the tartar itself or the peculiar combination of cheep cheep and condart eggs that created its funky, sour flavor, Luigi couldn't discern. However, the texture was the true ordeal — gooey, slimy, and fizzy from the foam. The egg's mucus coated his mouth, while the foam felt akin to eating static. The amalgamation of rich, sharp flavors became overwhelming. Despite the urge to spit it out, Luigi, aware of the chef's watchful eyes, forced himself to swallow. Offering an approving smile and nod toward the chef, Luigi signaled his acceptance. Satisfied, the chef returned to his duties. Daisy, seemingly more at ease, savored the dish at a leisurely pace. Once the gondola rounded the corner, out of the kitchen's sight, Luigi abandoned his attempt to consume the challenging dish, opting to move it around his plate instead.

 

The gondola made it way through another populated area of the city. Like before, the pair were met with excitement at first that morphed into disgust, anger, and disappointment. Daisy began to notice this. 

 

“I don’t think it was a good idea for the boat to go through the city. Everyone seems upset with us.” Daisy whispered. 

 

“Oh y-you-a think so?” Luigi tried to act nonchalant about it, as if he didn’t noticed. 

 

“Yeah, everyone is giving us dirty looks. I don’t know, maybe this river is like sacred or something.” 

 

“I never heard anything-a like that.” Luigi said as he nervously sips his wine. 

 

“Is it my dress? Maybe I’m showing too much skin. See, I told Peach a spaghetti strapped dress would be a bad idea.” 

 

“No, no you-a look fine, better than-a fine.” Luigi reassured her. 

 

The two continued their dinner, but Daisy began to notice something. Their goodlier would smile and nod when Daisy looked at him, but whenever he thought she wasn’t looking he would stare daggers at Luigi. 

They made it to the second dock, another finely suited toad boarded the boat with the next course in her hand. 

 

“Your second course is a chicken Alfredo on pasts, served with inert power up truffles. Enjoy.” She said, giving Daisy a smile and shooting Luigi the meanest look the little toad could muster. 

As the gondalo departed from the dock, Daisy leaned in to whisper to Luigi. “Psst… I think the toads are mad at you.”

 

“Hmm?” Luigi feigned ignorance. 

 

“Yeah, I don’t think they are mad at me, I think they are mad at you. Haven’t you noticed the way everyone’s acting around you?”

 

Luigi sighed, he knew he couldn’t play dumb anymore. “Yes. I-a thought it was a one time-a thing yesterday, and I-a didn’t want to ruin our-a date. But I don’t-a know why they are so mean-a to me.” 

 

“Oh… I think I know why they might be mad.” Daisy admitted. 

 

“WHAT-WHAT tell me!” He pleaded. 

 

“It’s just that… I didn’t think they would believe all the gossip going around. I thought the toads were better than believing bassless rumors.”

 

“What-a rumors?!” Luigi was beginning to panic. 

 

“It’s just…again it’s just rumors… but you know that purple toad you ran into on the mountain? The one Bowser scared?”

 

“…y-yeah?”

 

“Well… apparently that toad is Reginal Maxim, that famous toadstool actor. Apparently all the toads up on that mountain were filming a movie when they were launched up there.”

 

“Mama Mia…” Luigi sinks into his seat. 

 

“After your ‘encounter’, Reginal ran the entire length of the mountain in one day. He was hospitalized for exhaustion. It was all the news talked about even making interkingdom news. Well… until he woke up and started talking. He told the press that you were working with Bowser. Once that got out, that slimy new magazine The Croc Beat, run by that guy Croco, spread the news that you were working with Bowser to terrorize the Mushroom Kingdom… or something like that. The headline would change pretty often; it called you a traitor one time, it said that you and Bowser were lovers, it said that you became his slave, and one Ben said you became a nudist.”

 

“WWWHHAAAAAAAT?!?!?” Luigi shouted, interrupting the gondolier’s singing. “Heh heh Scusi…” he said towards the gondolier. The green clad plumber, clearly distraught, leans in to whisper once the gondolier begins singing again. “B-b-but I didn’t do anything-a like that. W-w-why would-a Croco write-a such things?”

 

“Unfortunately, gossip magazines sell like hot cakes here. Me, Peach, and Mario don’t believe them, and Toad and Toadette don’t either. But everyone else… let’s just say the days you were on the mountain, The Croc Beat sold out as soon as they came out.” Daisy explained. 

 

Luigi's emotions swirled within him, a turbulent mix of anger, sadness, fear, and embarrassment, likely experiencing all at once. His distress was so overwhelming that he didn't even realize he hadn't touched his food as the gondola reached the final dock, circling back to the kitchen once more. Another toad, elegantly attired in a tuxedo, stepped aboard to clear their dishes.

 

“I hope you two enjoyed your dinner, and I hope you two saved room for de…” the toad's words faltered as he noticed Luigi's untouched plate. “…hmm… I see.” Without a word, the waiter swiftly retrieved both plates, exchanging them for their dessert. “Tonight’s dessert is Mango Pudding, made by our very own Zess. T. Our Luncheon guest is… taking a break.”

 

Behind the waiter, Luigi and Daisy observed the Volbonan chef waving his arms in frustration, engaging in a heated conversation with the first waiter. The chef's anger escalated when the pasta dish, like the first course, was returned untouched. Chef Zess. T stepped forward to console the Volbonan chef, who, in his distress, saw the living fork beginning to break down. It was at this moment that Luigi recalled the cultural significance of sending back food, a profound insult in Luncheon Kingdom's traditions. Unfortunately, this realization surfaced in his memory a bit too late.

 

The waiter forcefully placed the mango pudding in front of Luigi. "I hope this dish is to your liking. Bon appétit." The words carried a certain menace that made Luigi's blood run cold. Glancing back at the kitchen, he could see more toads rushing to comfort the Volbonan chef, their disapproving glares fixed on Luigi. As soon as the waiter left the boat, still within view of the kitchen staff, the two hurriedly began eating the pudding, hoping not to further offend anyone.

 

After passing through the garden once more, they reached the dock they had first set off from. Toadette was there waiting for them, ready to take them to their next destination.

 

“I hope you two enjoyed your meal, and I hope you like movies because what’s a ‘dinner and a movie’ date without the movie. And boy do we have one in store for you. Let’s go!” She said with enthusiasm. The two were carted away onto the carriage and were whisked away to Peach’s private movie theater. 

 

Luigi did enjoy movies. He wasn't a movie snob by any means, but going to the movies and getting lost in a film was something he did often—more so back in Brooklyn. However, in the Mushroom Kingdom, movie selections were a little sparse. The toads were, for the most part, simple folk, and their movies reflected that. Often, movies were just retellings of actual events within their kingdom. There were at least 15 movies about the life of Princess Peach. Even Mario had three movies made about his adventures. When they weren't historical reenactments, they were either super simple superhero movies, very tame romance movies, or very juvenile slapstick comedies. Any movie that veered away from these three genres was often panned by critics and ridiculed by the public. But regardless, Luigi made do with what they offered. Besides, it was the whole movie-going experience that he loved.

 

Daisy, on the other hand, didn't have the patience for movies. Her already short attention span left Daisy feeling as if movies were a waste of time. She would rather go and train or do something more active. She was also not impressed by special effects or stunt work in films, as she saw them as mere imitations of the real feats of strength and power. The idea of sitting in a dark room for hours watching some movie sounded like torture to Daisy.

As they walked into the theater, Luigi realized it wasn't going to be completely private. Many of the castle staff had been assigned to work at the movie theater tonight. None of them seemed pleased with the situation. The pair walked into the theater and took their seats in the center row. Two theater workers, a blue and an orange toad, appeared holding popcorn and soda for Luigi and Daisy, giving the same scowl that Luigi had been getting all day.

Once they settled in, the light turned off and the movie started. The movie was an action adventure type that started like most of these types do. It started in a forest, a forest that looked very familiar. Then the star of the movie appeared on the screen, swinging in on a rope like a rugged adventurer. It was Reginal Maxium, that freakin toad that was the rudest of all the toads Luigi ran into on the mountain. The toad, that was so frightened of Bowser that he ran down the mountain in one day. The toad that was hospitalized from exhaustion but still managed to give an interview with a gossip magazine. It was him that got the entire kingdom to turn on Luigi and now the green clad plumber was stuck in a theater watching his movie. He sunk into his seat, mortified at the fact that he was about to watch a movie with the toad he drunkenly told Bowser he would beat up if he ever saw him again. 

As the movie continued, Luigi could see in the corner of his eye the toads that were working tonight looking at him, pointing at him, whispering to each other. Luigi looked back at Daisy. Her disinterested look on her face was enough to convey how this portion of the date was going. The walls felt like they were closing in, the movie felt like it was endless, the popcorn felt extra dry. Luigi jumps out of his seat and starts to head to the exit. Just as he was leaving he felt a tug on his hand. 

 

“You okay?” Daisy said, concerned 

 

“Y-y-yeah, just-a need to use the-a restroom.” Luigi stammered 

 

“Oh… okay. Don’t take too long.” She said letting go of his hand. 

 

Luigi ran to the lobby of the theater, toads would suddenly fall silent as he passed. He finally finds the restroom and locks himself in the stall where he sits trying to gather himself. 

Throughout his life, Luigi never considered himself someone who cared much about what others thought of him. The only opinions that truly mattered were those of his brother. During their teenage years, Luigi used his level-headedness to comfort Mario, who grappled with his own insecurities. Unlike Luigi, Mario did care about what others thought of him, and he was self-conscious about many things: his height, or lack thereof; his heavy accent and broken English; his immigrant status; and the family's lack of money. Kids at school and even coworkers in their adulthood would often pick on both of them or tease them. Mario, being the more confrontational of the two, bore the brunt of it, not only facing his own bullies but also standing up to those who bullied Luigi. Even their family became a source of ridicule when the brothers pursued forming their own plumbing company. Luigi had to be the reassuring presence for Mario time and time again, reminding him that they would be fine and that their uncles' opinions didn't matter.

 

However, since coming to the Mushroom Kingdom, it seemed that the roles had switched. Mario had never been more confident; everyone loved him, and the power-ups available here made him unstoppable. On the other hand, Luigi did not gain more confidence in this new world. Instead, he seemed to lose that confidence the longer they stayed in the Mushroom Kingdom. His usual ability to brush off opinions and criticism appeared to be fading. Luigi didn't want to burden Mario with problems with the toads; he generally avoided sharing his interpersonal issues with Mario. However, this situation with the toads seemed more dire. He knew Mario would stick up for his brother, even if it cost him the love and respect of the Mushroom Kingdom. Luigi didn't want that to happen; he didn't want Mario to sacrifice his happiness to deal with his problems. Unfortunately, it appeared that the Mushroom Kingdom's opinion of the green-clad plumber had reached an all-time low. He racked his brain, trying to figure out how to keep this from his brother.

And then there was Daisy, sitting alone in the theater on their date. More than ever, his relationship felt like it was on shaky ground. This date had turned into a disaster, and soon the entire kingdom would know about it. The lingering feeling that something was wrong with him seemed more and more true as he sat there in the stall. The sense that this might be the beginning of the end of his relationship with Daisy was palpable. He racked his brain, desperately trying to think of a way to salvage this date. All he needed was for both of them to feel that spark, a moment to make a connection and put this horrible date behind them. One more opportunity to impress Daisy and rekindle the magic between them.

Luigi took a deep breath, preparing to leave the stall, when he heard the bathroom door swing open. Swiftly, he sat back down and tucked his legs up.

 

“I can’t believe we’re stuck here helping the lame brother,” the blue toad worker commented.

 

“You mean traitor brother. I don’t know why Peach is even allowing him in the kingdom, let alone planning this whole big date thing for him,” the orange toad worker responded.

 

“Poor Daisy, imagine having to put up with that lame-o. He’s probably planning on selling out Daisy’s kingdom.”

 

“No doubt, not only hers but this entire kingdom too. Mario already has to fight off Bowser's attempts at taking Peach, but now his own brother? I know he’s family, but can you even trust him?” The orange toad dug in.

 

“Ooo, maybe this will get Mario to finally dump the green chump and make Princess Peach a queen. Leave him in the woods. Maybe Bowser will take him in… or eat him. Ha ha ha!” the blue toad callously remarked.

 

“After Mario and Peach saved him from Bowser, you repay them back by teaming up with him to almost kill our most beloved actor. I always knew I didn’t like that green guy, but this just confirms it.”

 

“I don’t know how they are twins. They are so different; one is a hero and handsome to boot, and the other… is a dirty koopa lover.” Both toads broke out in laughter.

 

Luigi, now furious, slammed open the stall door. The toads immediately fell silent, caught in the act. Luigi walked quietly to the sink, washing his hands and trying to maintain a facade of calmness. Underneath his composed exterior, the plumber's jaw was clenched, and he breathed heavily with suppressed anger.

 

As Luigi turned to exit the bathroom, the blue toad broke the awkward silence. “You know it’s rude to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.”

 

Luigi turned to them, fury emblazoned on his increasingly reddening face. He wanted to respond, but he could also feel tears starting to well up in his already bloodshot eyes. Not knowing what to say, he turned back around and stormed out of the bathroom.

 

Returning to the theater, Luigi found the movie was still playing. Upon settling back into his seat, he noticed that Daisy had fallen asleep. However, as he sat down, he accidentally woke her up.

 

“Huh-wha? Oh dang how long was I out?” Daisy whispered. 

 

“…not-a long.” Luigi said curtly, avoiding eye contact with Daisy. 

 

Daisy could hear him breathing, see his leg bounce rapidly, and noticed how hard he was clenching on the arm rest. “Is… is everything alright?”

 

“Yeah-yeah… everything is-a okie dokie.” He lied. 

 

The two sat there watching the rest of the movie. Luigi didn’t pay attention, his mind was blank. All he was feeling was raw emotions. All he wanted was for this night to finally end. 

Without realizing it, the credits of the movie began to roll and the lights in the theater turned on. Just as Luigi stood up to leave, an elder toad came out. 

 

“I hope you two enjoyed this world premiere. As a special treat, we would like you to meet the cast of the movie.” As he said that, many of the toad actors poured into the theater and gathered in front of the screen. 

 

“I guess they want us to go down there.” Daisy remarked. However, Luigi could only see the exit. He no longer cared how rude it might make him, he needed out. 

 

“Um-a… you go ahead. I-I-I need to get-a some fresh air.” Luigi stammered 

 

“But the cast is right ther…'' before she had a chance to finish her though, Luigi was out the door. 

 

The green plumber briskly walked out of the theater. He could see the blue and orange toads standing at the door. They quickly hurried out of the way, as they noticed the raged filled man barreling towards them. Outside, the carriage was nowhere to be seen. With nowhere to go, he collapsed right on the curb, sat upright slumped on the ground. He felt his face go hot as he tried to keep it together, but soon he felt it; one tear streamed down his cheek, followed by another, then another. Using his sleeve, he desperately tried to wipe them away. The last thing he wanted was for Daisy to find him crying. He stayed there trying to collect himself. 

 

After a few minutes, Daisy exited the theater looking around. “There you are!” She said relieved to see him. 

 

“Oh, Daisy!” Luigi said, turning his face away still trying to wipe away tears. 

 

“Are you okay?” Daisy asked. 

 

“Yeah, yeah, I’m-a fine. I just was-a feeling… nauseous. Guess the-a popcorn smell got to-a me, heh heh. Hey when’s that carriage getting here” He tried to play off his obvious distress. 

 

“Um… I don’t know, it might be here a little later. I think the plan was for us to hang out with the cast a little more.” Daisy explained

 

“Ha really, well-a oops guess that-a plan didn’t goes as-a planned, get it hahaha.” Luigi was starting to over compensate. “Maybe I should go back in and-a ask them to-a bring the carriage around, since-a we are done early.” Just a he stood up, they heard it, the carriage was making its way around the corner. 

 

Toadette greeted the pair. “Hello you two, hope you enjoyed the movie. We got one more surprise for you. To end this perfect date, we are going to take you to one of the private estates in the kingdom. An array of chocolates and wine await you two love birds in the lovers suite…”

 

“Actually, I would like to go home.” Daisy interrupted. 

 

“Whaaat? Aren’t we-a having fun? Woohoo yippee!” Luigi pleaded, adding a little half hearted dance. 

 

“I’m just… tired is all. It’s been a long day.” Daisy said with a little smile. 

 

“Oh…okay…” Luigi said, sounding defeated. 

 

The carriage diverted from its original path to head straight to Daisy’s parked airship. The two sat in silence; Luigi sat with his legs crossed and his head resting in his palm as he pretended to look out the window. His eyes darted frequently at Daisy, trying to read her emotions. Daisy sat with her head also in her palm staring out the window. It took only a few minutes to make it to her parked ship at Peach’s castle. When they arrived, Luigi got out first to open the door for Daisy and help her out of the carriage. The pair stood in front of the open door of Daisy’s ship as they said their goodbyes. 

“Hey…um…I’m sorry.” Luigi meekly said. “I’m sorry this-a date was-a so bad. M-m-maybe we can-a try again, but-a just… just us. I can-a make dinner and we can-a…”

 

“Luigi, it's fine. I had fun. I always have fun with you dude.” Daisy said, stopping his rambling. 

 

“But… I want to-a make it up to you. You-a desire better.” Luigi pleaded. 

 

"You don’t need to do that. Just…” Daisy leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed Luigi.

 

This wasn’t a mere peck on the cheek but a deep, passionate kiss—the moment Luigi had anticipated and hoped for. It was supposed to be the precursor to potential marital bliss, the spark that would ignite a new chapter in their relationship. Closing his eyes, Luigi kissed back, placing his hand on Daisy's back.

 

Yet, in that moment, he felt... nothing. The spark he had expected was conspicuously absent. They locked lips for what felt like an eternity, but the anticipated connection failed to materialize.

 

As they separated, Luigi noticed Daisy’s smile had vanished. For a fleeting moment, disappointment crossed her face, a sight that pierced Luigi's heart. Swiftly regaining her composure, she forced a smile.

 

“Hey, I’ll call you later. See you later, Lu…” She said as she stepped into her ship.

 

Luigi stood there frozen, his heart sinking. Overwhelmed, his mind went blank. He didn’t even remember the carriage ride home, but when he snapped back to reality, he found himself in front of the door to his cottage. Upon opening it, the sound of video games being played greeted him—it was Mario, engrossed in one of the Mushroom Kingdom game systems, a typical pastime during his downtime.

 

“Lu! What are you-a doing here? Shouldn’t you be on your-a date?” Mario said with a cheeky grin, startled seeing his brother through the door. Mario’s face morphed from smile to concern seeing his brother’s face. “What happened?!” He rushed over to him. 

 

Luigi still had a shocked looked on his face, eyes puffy and red. Realizing his brother’s concerned face, Luigi snapped out of his shock and faked a smile. 

 

“Oh-um yeah… Daisy wasn’t feeling so-a good. But she said she-a had fun, she just couldn’t stay-a the night.” Luigi tried to convince his brother. “I think I’m-a going to bed too, you know? You sure know how to-a pack a date, wowiee, we did-a so much, heh heh. I’m-a pooped.” 

 

“Oh… okay. Um… I’ll be in-a bed soon too.”

“No, no, no, you don’t have to-a stop playing your-a game. I’m-a just going to-to bed. I’m probably going to-a sleep like a rock, so don’t-a worry about keeping me awake.” Luigi insisted. 

 

“If you are-a sure.” Mario said, unsure if he believed Luigi.

 

Luigi sauntered off to bed, and Mario returned to his game, but with noticeably less enthusiasm. His eyes kept involuntarily darting to the door leading to their shared bedroom. Mario turned down the volume of the TV, hoping to catch the familiar sounds of his brother's snoring, but the room remained eerily quiet. Unable to resist, he got up and discreetly peeked into their room. The sight of Luigi's suit on the ground and draped over a chair greeted him, along with the silhouette of his brother turned away in bed. The room felt strangely silent, and Mario, torn between concern and the fear of disturbing his brother's rest, quietly closed the door and returned to the living room. He continued to steal glances towards the bedroom, hoping to hear the reassuring sounds of Luigi sleeping.

In the solitude of his bed, the events of the day crashed over Luigi, leaving him emotionally crushed. Overwhelmed, he clutched a pillow to his mouth to stifle the sounds as he silently wept.

 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: I wanted to clarify some aspects of Luigi and Daisy's relationship. Upon re-reading the text, it might seem like their relationship is more of an arranged marriage than a romantic one, but that's not entirely accurate. As mentioned in previous chapters, Luigi and Daisy are in a romantic relationship, albeit a long-distance one. They began dating more or less because it was expected of them, but there is a genuine attraction between them, even if their limited dating experience makes it seem more platonic than it actually is. They admire each other and enjoy each other's company. Luigi admires Daisy's strength and is awed by her status as a princess. Daisy, in turn, admires Luigi's commitment to his brother and his willingness to face his fears. She is also intrigued by the fact that they are both humans in their world. Despite having little in common and not knowing each other well beyond surface-level information, they consider this a relationship.

This differs from Peach and Mario's relationship, which is more outwardly affectionate. However, Mario and Peach's relationship suffer from a lot of the same issues that Luigi and Daisy have, especially when it comes to know each other on a deeper level.

Despite being adults, their relationship resembles a naïve high school romance. This immaturity in the relationships will blossom into problems later in the story.

Chapter 7: Luigi, the Inside Story

Summary:

Luigi hits rock bottom after a horrible date. A dark cloud of depression hangs over his head. Both Mario and Daisy can’t seem to figure out how to get him out of his funk, but E. Gadds might have a solution.

Notes:

This chapter and the next is still developing Luigi’s character. So again, light in the Bowuigi stuff. Gotta let me cook, trust the process.

Also the next two chapters deals with mental health and sexuality, but from the perspective of who lack the language or knowledge to fully deal with said issues. Check the headcannon notes for ‘why they might do the things they do’ explainer.

Lastly I had more illustrations planned for this chapter but wanted to get it out sooner. I might add them later.

Peach approaches the podium to address her court. A camera is fixed on her every move, which is broadcast to the entire Mushroom Kingdom. 

 

“Good evening toadstools and citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. I come to you today to address the situation regarding the warp pipes. As of yesterday, all sentient warp pipes have appeared to have left the kingdom and all missing persons have been found safely. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow where the warp pipes have gone to ensure that another attack on our kingdom from rouge warp pipes will never happen again. I want to thank Captain Toad, Toadsworth, and of course Mario and Luigi for their help in this situation. And I want to make it clear that I am thanking both Mario and Luigi. 

It has come to my attention that a certain untruths have been published about my dear friend and brother to our kingdom, Luigi. These rumors were published in an untrustworthy magazine run by a person who has a malicious history with our kingdom. Let me set the record straight; Luigi is not colluding with Bowser and the Darklands. His momentary involvement with Bowser atop the mountain should only be interpreted as a means of survival and nothing else. I implore you all to rise above hurtful gossip. Please believe me when I say, Luigi will be and always be an ally and treasured citizen of the Mushroom Kingdom. I hope that we as a kingdom can move forward from all of this and that we can treat each other with kindness and respect.”

 

Peach’s broadcast ends and she retires back into the castle. 

 

—-----------------------------

 

Meanwhile, back at the cottage, Mario enters his shared room opening the curtains. Luigi was still in bed, despite it being almost 1 o’clock. 

 

“Alright, its-a time to wake up Lu. Can’t stay in-a bed all day you know.” Mario chirped. 

 

Luigi grumbled as he turned away from the window, covering his head with his pillow. Mario tugged on the pillow, trying to keep luigi from going back to sleep. “Come…on… you can’t-a sleep all day.” He said struggling to get him up. Polterpup, in his own mischievous way, helps by pulling the blankets off the bed.  

 

Luigi finally opened his eyes, but just barely. “There you are! Come, I-a made lunch. You gotta eat-a something. Get up, get-a dress, and-a meet me in the-a kitchen.” Mario said, pulling Luigi upright. 

 

Two weeks had passed since Luigi's disastrous date with Daisy, and his demeanor had taken a drastic turn. He spent his days sleeping, moping around the house, barely communicating, neglecting self-care, and adamantly avoiding leaving the house. Mario remained oblivious to the situation until Daisy revealed the details of the ill-fated date. Learning about the harsh criticism Luigi faced, Mario felt a surge of anger and self-blame. Unaware of the specific toads involved, Mario's attempts to confront the issue were thwarted by Luigi's reluctance to name names and Daisy's limited knowledge of the individuals.

 

Discovering that gossip magazines fueled the negativity, Mario found himself powerless as the owner had fled the kingdom after Peach's address was disclosed. Now, Mario's role shifted to caring for his brother and trying to uplift his spirits. Despite Mario's usual upbeat attitude, Luigi remained enveloped in a dark cloud. Initial efforts involved letting Luigi rest, but concern deepened when Luigi spent two consecutive days confined to his bed. Attempts to engage in favorite activities outside proved stressful due to heightened awareness of negative reactions from others.

 

Daisy also stepped in to help, with some success. Luigi would at least open up when Daisy was present. Hoping a planned date between them would have a positive impact, Daisy and Luigi spent time together at home. It would be the simple date that Luigi had in mind from the beginning; a simple homemade dinner and a movie on the couch. However, Luigi, in his current state, was incapable of a simple date such as this. The evening took a chaotic turn as the usually confident cook nearly burned down the cottage twice. Apologizing profusely, Luigi's attempts to make amends resulted in accidentally shattering a bottle of wine, leading to an hour-long cleanup session. Even their meal of sandwiches turned into a mess, with Luigi's sandwich contents slipping out and covering him. Despite it being his own mishap, Luigi continued to apologize and opted not to eat at all. Daisy spent the rest of the movie helping him clean up.

 

When Mario returned home, he found Daisy struggling in the kitchen to remove burnt tomato sauce, and Luigi, now in his bathrobe, waiting for his laundered clothes in the laundry room. The house echoed with the aftermath of a series of unfortunate events, reflecting the ongoing struggle to lift Luigi out of his despondency.

 

“Oh hey Mario. Um… sorry for the mess. We had a mishap in the kitchen heh heh… this pot might be done for.” Daisy say still struggling to get the blackened tomato off the bottom. 

 

Mario went to check on his brother. Luigi just sat in front of the dryer, transfixed on the tumbling clothes. 

“Hey-a bro… how did your-a date go?” He asked kind of already knowing the answer. 

 

Luigi paused before answering him. “I-a… I-a think theres something-a wrong with-a me.” 

 

“Whaaaat? No, no, don't say that!” Mario pleaded, getting down to Luigi’s level. 

 

“Its only a matter of time before-a Daisy breaks up with-a me. She-a should… I’m a lousy boyfriend.” Luigi continued, reciting this as if in a trance. 

 

“Hey!” Mario shouted, grabbing his brother by the shoulders. “You-a listen to me. No-a brother of mine is-a lousy, okay? You are the best-a bro anyone could wish for, and-a Daisy, she’s-a lucky lady to have you.” He reassured his brother. 

 

Luigi sat there, unresponsive, staring at the dryer. “Hey, why don’t-a I get you your spare PJ, yes?” Mario asked, but did not receive an answer. 

 

Mario exits the laundry room and joins Daisy in the kitchen. “How's Luigi holding up in there?” Daisy asked, still struggling to scrap the burnt food from the pot.

 

“He’s… he’s not-a doing too good.” Mario sunk into a seat at the kitchen table, placing his head into his hand. “I don’t-a know what to do. I have never seen-a my fratello like this He-a says he’s-a broken. Why would he-a say that? Mio fratello è perfetto in ogni modo, non mi importa di quello che dicono gli altri! ( My brother is perfect in every way, I don't care what anyone says. )”

 

“I know, I know…” Daisy approached Mario and draped her arm around his shoulder. “It must be incredibly challenging for him at the moment. With all the gossip and rumors swirling around, I know he’s feeling pretty down. We just need to help him realize that others' opinions don't define him. We've got to find a way to lift his spirits and boost his confidence.” Daisy is suddenly struck with an idea. “Hey, what if we were to convince him that he isn’t broken, but from the inside?”

 

Mario looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”

 

“I know he isn’t ‘broken’ and you know he isn't ‘broken,’ but Luigi is convinced that he is. There is something in his head that's telling him he is beyond repair. Maybe that's where we need to start. You did it before, didn't you?” Daisy asked, referring to one of the few shared adventures they had in the dream world. 

 

“Kind of… but that-a was for a different-a reason. We were rescuing Peach and the Dream Stone from-a some bad guys. I don’t want to go-a poking around in Lu’s head.” Mario retorted. 

 

“I get it, it feels like an invasion of privacy, but I don’t know what else to do. We can tell him he's fine, that he’s a great guy, and that nothings wrong with him until we are blue in the face, but if he doesn’t believe it himself it won't matter what we do.” 

 

“I-I don’t want to-a mess-a things up in-a there though. There's-a gotta be a better way.” Mario said, rubbing his hands together, racking his brain with other options. 

 

“Maybe there are… but I can’t think of anything else.”

 

“Perhaps we-a just got to…”

 

“I’ll do it.” Luigi’s voice sounds from the other side of the room. He was wearing the sweat pants and hoodie that were in the laundry. During Mario’s and Daisy’s conversation, Luigi got dressed and quietly shuffled his way back into the kitchen. 

 

“Wha?” Mario stood shocked. 

“I’ll-a let you in my head. I-a no like feeling like this. I’ll-a let you get in-a there and-a fix what ever is-a wrong with me.” Luigi said in a hushed, exhausted tone. Mario felt crushed hearing his brother speak of himself like that. He wanted more than anything to bring the spark of joy back in his brother’s face. Looking into Luigi’s eyes, he could tell he was desperate for something. 

 

“Fratello…” Mario rushed over and gave him the biggest hug he could muster. “You are-a not broken!” The shorter plumber let out a sigh as he looked into the gaunt eyes of his brother as he pressed his forehead into his. “...and if I have to go into that-a noodle of yours to prove it… I will.”

 

“We will… can’t let you do this all alone.” Daisy chimed in. “Time to call in that favor.” 

 

The next day, Luigi sauntered into the living room to find his brother, Daisy, someone he never would have expected to be here, E. Gadds. Professor E. Gadds wasn’t one to venture out from his laboratory, nor was he one to do other people favors. Mario and Luigi were also surprised Daisy knew him. 

 

“Hey Weegie, you’re here just in time. I take it you know Doc over here.”

 

Luigi nodded, still confused as to why he was here. After their conversation yesterday, he assumed they would be going to Pi’illo Island again since that’s where they went they last time they went dream hoping.   

 

“The professor said he’s got a device that can send folks into people’s dreams.” Daisy continued. 

 

“Um… actually the device the dream-o-trek 5000 doesn’t penetrate dreams, despite its name. Instead it deals with the subconscious. It actually projects an avatar of the input wearer into the receiver's subconscious. There the input can manually fix any abnormalities and undesired traits. A much more effective and scientific way of dealing with mental issues I find. Way better than going to some quack shrink.” E. Gadds snoodly remarked. 

 

Mario inspected the devices which consisted of three large helmets with various lights and wires coming out of them all attached to a large metal council with hundreds of buttons, nods, and dials. Two little prongs protrude from the side as well as inside the helmet. As E.Gadds turned on the machine, Mario was startled as those prongs began to pop and spark with electricity. Seeing sent a shiver down Mario’s spine. 

 

“Fratello, can I-a see you over here?” Mario said, putting down the helmet. “Scusi, I just-a need to talk to my bro real-a quick.” Mario said as he pushed Luigi into their bedroom. 

 

“Take your time, the device needs time to warm up anyways and I have to make sure the calibrations are correct.” E.Gadds said, not even looking up at them. 

 

In their room, Mario led Luigi by the hand to sit on the edge of his bed with him. 

 

"Fratello, sei assolutamente sicuro che questo è ciò che vuoi? ( Brother, are you absolutely sure this is what you want? ) "Mario peered into Luigi’s eyes. "Perché possiamo fermare tutto questo proprio ora, se vuoi. Sono sicuro che c'è un altro modo per farti sentire meglio. Potremmo andare da qualche altra parte. Potremmo trasferirci! Spostarci lontano da qualsiasi brutta voce. Sono stato in così tanti altri regni durante le mie avventure, bei posti. Potremmo fare le valigie e trasferirci. ( Because we can stop all this right now if you want. I’m sure there’s another way to make you feel better. We could go somewhere else. We could move! Move far away from any nasty rumors. I’ve been to so many other kingdoms on my adventures, nice ones. We could pack up and move .)”

 

For a brief moment, the prospect of moving did sound nice. But he knew that wouldn’t fix anything. If anything it would just make things worse for both of them. Despite Luigi’s difficulties in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario has excelled here. He has a life here, he’s a hero here, and he has Peach here. For the first time in his life he felt like he mattered, that what he did mattered. Leaving all this would crush Mario. But really killing Luigi was, if he asked, he knew Mario would still do it. Mario would leave everything and everyone behind for his little brother. 

 

With a sigh Luigi looked right back at his brother. “Sì, caro fratello, sì.(Yes, my dear brother, yes.)” There was a quiver in his voice as he looked away. "Il problema non riguarda solo le cattiverie che la gente ha detto su di me in qualche rivista. Ho bisogno di aiuto per sistemare... tutto di me. Tutti avevano ragione, sono solo il fratello minore di Mario. Ho troppa paura di essere un eroe come te, sono troppo debole per salvare qualcuno da solo, non sono un buon fidanzato per Daisy. Non sono nemmeno riuscito a scendere da quella stupida montagna senza l'aiuto di Bowser, di tutte le persone. Vorrei… vorrei solo... poter…( This isn’t just about the mean things people have said about me in some magazine. I need help fixing… everything about me. Everyone was right, I’m just the lesser Mario brother. I’m too scared to be a hero like you, I’m too weak to save anyone on my own, I’m not a good boyfriend to Daisy. I couldn’t even get myself down that stupid mountain without Bowser’s help, of all people. I… I just wish…I could…) ” Luigi could feel the sadness within starting to bubble up. 

 

“Basta! ( Stop it! )” Mario commanded, his eyes starting to water, grabbing his brother's face. “Basta dire cose del genere! Sei coraggioso, sei gentile, sei tutto ciò che chiunque vorrebbe in un fratello. Hai fatto più per questo regno di quanto quei funghi si meritino, capito? E Daisy è così fortunata ad averti. Io sono fortunata ad averti, capito? Non c'è niente di sbagliato in te. (Stop saying stuff like that! You are brave, you are kind, you are everything anyone could ever want in a brother. You’ve done more for this kingdom than those toadstools even deserve, okay? And Daisy is so lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you, okay. There is nothing wrong with you.) ” Mario wipes the tears that had begun to form in his eyes. With renewed determination, looks at Luigi square in the face. “Se sei assolutamente, al 100%, sicuro di voler procedere con questo, lo farò anch'io. Mi metterò addosso quella pazza invenzione del folle scienziato e entrerò nella tua testa, ma solo per dimostrarti che non c'è assolutamente niente che non vada in te. ( If you are absolutely, 100% sure that you want to go through with this, I will too. I will strap on that mad scientist crazy contraption, and go inside your head, but only to prove to you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. )”

 

Luigi nodded, wiping his eyes and sniffling as he tried to regain what little composure he had. “Si si, yes.”  

 

After a very long embrace, the two emerged from their room. E. Gadds was still tinkering with the device, while Daisy watched growing more concerned with how exactly the machine was going to work.

 

 “Are you alright Weegie?” Daisy said. 

 

“Si… sorry for-a holding you up… and-a bothering you with-a this.”

 

“Hey hey, enough of that dude. You ain’t a bother to me or your brother. Besides, it was my idea anyway. If anyone is sorry it’s me for trusting this whack job’s death trap.” 

 

“Hey, I’ll have you know my inventions are the safest products in the Mushroom Kingdom.” E. Gadds interjected. 

 

“Sure, have you tell it.” Daisy said dismissively. 

 

The trio were instructed to find a place where they can lie down comfortably. As the brothers' shared cottage only had one couch and a recliner, Mario opted to lay on the floor with a couple of pillows creating a makeshift bed. Daisy took the couch, while Luigi sat in the recliner. E. Gadds strapped the red helmets to Mario and Daisy’s head and the green helmet to Luigi’s. E. Gadds then handed Luigi a vile of sleeping sauce. 

 

“In order for the device to work properly, you must be in a deep sleep. If you were to wake during this process, the minds of both Daisy and Mario might get stuck in your very own leaving them in permanent vegetative state.” 

 

“Geez professor, now you tell us this?!”

Daisy shouted. 

 

“Your concern is unfounded Daisy. As long as you follow my instructions you will be fine.” He said, dismissing Daisy’s concern. “ you will both have 2 hours to find what you are looking for. The device will create a pseudo world, a parody of our world if you will, that represents Luigi’s mind. If everything is running as it should, the avatars representing Luigi’s mind will be hard at work doing all the necessary brain functions. You should be able to walk around unabated without problem, unless you try to mess with something in his head. His brain will try to protect himself.”

 

“What-a will we find if his-a noodle is-a no working good?” Mario asked. 

 

“Then you will find his mind a mess. You also might find monsters… well the devices’ interpretation of the minds abnormalities.” E. Gadds hands Mario and Daisy a fire flower. “You will need this. Whatever you are holding will manifest in the subconscious world. If Luigi’s mind is suffering from any abnormalities, you will need something to defend yourself. The mind can be a dangerous place.” 

 

Daisy and Mario gave each other a worrying glance. Luigi, however, blankly followed the instructions; drinking the sleep sauce, strapping on the helmet and eye coverings, fell fast asleep. Daisy and Mario followed suit, still apprehensive about the whole ordeal. Both drank their own viles of sleep sauce, though less potent than Luigi’s. Before they knew it they were out. 

 

———————————-

 

The duo found themselves falling down what appeared to be a hallway turned vertical. The fall seemed more gentle and slower, almost as if they were weightless. As they fell, they both noticed that they were in their fireflower variant of their usual outfit. 

The two landed on a pile of mustache shaped pillows before rolling into the ground. The pair got up to assess their surroundings. 

 

“Mama Mia, will you take a look at-a this place?” Mario stood in awe of the surreal surroundings. 

 

The two found themselves in a long hallway, reminiscent of the mansion Luigi had inherited. All around were little two dimensional Luigis furiously moving large rocks from one room to another and back again. On the walls were hundreds of paintings, each depicting different moments in Luigi’s life. 

 

“You know… I don’t think E. Gadds explained what we are suppose to be looking for, other than ‘abnormalities.’ Is this normal?” Daisy pointed to the paper Luigis struggling with their rocks. 

 

As soon as Daisy uttered those words, all the paper Luigis stopped in their track, dropped their rocks, and came rush over to the pair. The two tensed up, preparing for what could be a possible fight. But instead of battle, the pair was overwhelmed by an avalanche of praise and admiration. 

 

“Yippee!” “Wowie zowie!” “It’s a Mario!” “Numero uno!” “He’s un-a-believable!” “Number one bro!” The little paper Luigis said relentlessly as they surrounded Mario. 

 

Daisy, on the other hand was surround by her own mob of bashful but loving Luigis, also showering her with praise and little paper flowers. “She-a so beautiful.” “She really like-a the purple.” “Daisy is-a so strong.” “Yay Daisy!” 

 

“Oh… thank you.” She said, accepting one flower after another, after another, after another. Before too long, her arms were inundated with flowers to the point she couldn’t see over them. Mario was in a similar bind, as more Luigis showed up to shower him praise and affection. There had become so many that it was nearly impossible for Mario to move. They both had to think quickly, as more paper Luigis began to pour in. Mario took a leap of faith and jumped as high as he could over the swarm of paper Luigis. Daisy followed suit, throwing the flowers in a distracting cloud of petals as she pushed through the plumber shaped paper. The pair ran down the hall ducking behind a corner. 

 

“That… was a lot.” Daisy remarked, still trying to catch her breath. 

 

“Is…is that-a normal? Maybe that's the thing that-a gone kablooie with my bro’s noodle.” Mario pondered. 

 

Daisy gave Mario a disagreeing glance. “Mario, knowing you, I'm sure your head is full of little Marios ready to love bomb Peach and Luigi at a moment's notice.”

 

Mario couldn’t disagree, their bond with each other was much deeper than with anyone else. Which was why Mario was so confused as to why Luigi was so sad. In the past, their love for each other has always pulled them out of any funk before, but what Luigi was going through seemed to be much more dire. The two looked around for a clue where to go. 

 

As they walked, they noticed a glowing figure coming down the hall. The two braced themselves as the thing didn't appear to be another Luigi. As it got closer they noticed that it was Polterpup… kind of. It was Polterpup, but he had a monocle, a mustache, a top hat, and a little Victorian collar. 

“Ah, Good evening you two. We had been expecting you.” Polterpup said, much to the surprise of Mario and Daisy. “Don’t be alarmed, I am merely a manifestation of Luigi’s guiding thoughts. His ego if you will. I’m here to guide you through the menagerie, that is his mind. Come along.” 

 

The pair looked puzzled as to why a fancy speaking ghost dog was the manifestation of anything in Luigi’s mind, but they followed and listened closely. 

 

“These are the halls of memories. And those very affectionate little buggers are the neur-uigis. They perform the basic functions of his brain, though lately they have resigned themselves to carrying rocks around. But that's why you two are here. Follow me.” Polterpup explained while leading them away. 

 

As they traveled down the hallway, they were joined by two neur-uigis that, like the others, showered Mario and Daisy with praise and affection. They passed by a hall that was glistening with trophies and awards. 

 

“Ah yes, the trophy room. Go on, take a look.” Polterpup suggested. 

 

Mario looked at all the gold statues and cups and noticed they were all addressed to him. “These are-a mine?” He asked, bewildered. 

 

“Yes indeed, Luigi keeps track of all your achievements and accomplishments.” 

 

Mario looked closer. The first few mentioned the various times he saved Peach, Luigi, and the Mushroom Kingdom. It kind of made sense in its own dream logic; it wasn’t uncommon for Luigi to tell Mario how great he is. However, things got concerning when he started to notice other trophies; graduating from high school and eventually trade school, starting a business, getting his first plumbing job on their own, even adventures they did together, all had trophies but were all solely addressed to Mario. 

 

“Um… where’s-a my bros trophies?” Mario asked. “We-a did a lot of these together, you know.” 

 

“But-a you’re number one! Wowiee zowiee! Yippee!” One of the neur-uigis interjects. 

 

“Oh don’t be silly Mario. Now we must be off, the trouble maker is just down this way.” 

 

Daisy, unsettled by Luigi’s mind lack of self affirmation hesitantly responds. “Yeah…sure.”

 

Looking back she noticed Mario hadn't moved. “Hey, our tour ghost is moving pretty fast, we better…”

 

“How did I-a not see this?” Mario interrupted, as the gravity of this scenario hits him. “Why doesn’t he-a see how amazing he is? He’s-a better plumber than me, he’s-a smarter than me… and he’s-a better brother than me.” Guilt seeped into his voice. “He doesn’t leave-a me behind when he goes on adventures… or he wouldn’t if he-a went on more.” Mario couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt thinking about all the places he has been, all the people he helped, and all the times he left Luigi behind, all because he is scared his brother might get hurt. But now he feels that decision was more harmful than good. Seeing that his brother doesn’t think highly of himself hurt Mario more than any physical injury. 

 

“Hey Mario, we got to go! That ghost dog got pretty far without us.” Daisy said, breaking Mario’s train of thought. 

 

“But… Lu…I gotta do something about this.” Mario muttered, still grappling with what he is seeing. 

 

“Look, I get it. It sucks that Weegie thinks like this. And I know I should have done better by him too. But we can fix that after to finish up here, okay?”

 

“…yeah.” Mario turned away from the trophies, now with more determination. “Let’s-a go!” 

 

The pair took off down the hallway after Polterpup. As the hallway continued, it appeared the light grew dimmer. The pictures on the walls began to depict more and more negative memories. Childhood memories of bullies, breaking his arm as a teen, former bosses yelling at him, being Bowser’s prisoner, being scared of the ghost in the mansion, and that first night on the mountain. Mario’s pace began to slow as he examined the paintings. He noticed that there were memories he didn’t know about, details he didn’t know. He knew about the bullies having often fought with them, but he didn’t know just how bad it got on the rare moments he wasn’t around. He knew about how mean their bosses were, but he didn’t know how demeaning they were to him all the time. He knew he was a prisoner of Bowser, but he didn’t know just how scared he was. Why didn’t he know some of these things? Why was Luigi keeping these things from him? He’s his brother, his twin brother. He should be telling him everything. As they went down Mario stopped in his tracks at the next paintings. Unlike the others, these paintings moved and spoke; like a looping video.  What shocked Mario was that most of these were recent. He saw what Luigi was seeing; toads giving him dirty looks, whispering about him. And then he saw it; it was a painting of a bathroom stall. But the words coming from the painting depicted the horrible conversation between the two toads. It loops right before he leaves the stall. Hearing what those toads said, over and over again, made Mario's blood boil. How dare those toads even think about those things. 

 

Boom

 

“What was that?!” Daisy exclaimed

 

“That’s where we are going. That monster is why all the neur-uigis are all carrying rocks. And what’s worse, it eats neur-uigis. We mustn’t dilly dally.”

 

Mario didn't have time to ruminate over the toads. He had to fix what he can now, and there was something that he can do now. The pair followed Polterpup through the door at the end of the hall. 

The door opens to a grand hall shrouded in darkness. A huge figure barely fit in the already huge room. They couldn’t make out the details of the figure, except for its white glowing eyes. All around were little neur-uigis pinned under larger rocks while others were embobalized from the rips of their paper bodies. The ceiling was obscured by a dark cloud that rained black rocks that the neur-uigis ran around picking them up. Mario picked up one of the stones, trying to help one of them. Once the stone was in Mario’s hand, it poofed into a scroll of paper. Opening it, it read “ I hope I bother my brother too much with my rescue.” Mario grabbed another; “I can’t tell my brother about the toad, they look up to him so much.” “I don’t want to get in the way of my brother and Peach.” “I don’t mind staying home. I would only slow Mario down.” Everytime Mario would try to fully read and understand what was written on these scroll, a neur-uigi would appear and snatch the scroll from him. 

 

“Never mind those stone, that thing is what creates them. You got to destroy it and they will stop.”  Their Polterpup guide shouted. 

 

Mario and Daisy both form fireballs in their hands and charged the dark creature. Both flung their fireballs, hitting the creature. The creature lets out a roar as more rocks began to rain. The two prepared for the pummeling from the rocks, however any rock that touched them poofed into painless scrolls of paper. The two continued their assault on the creature, not sure if they were making a difference. Even under the light of the fireballs, the creature remained shrouded in darkness. 

 

“That won’t work you know.” Daisy stops in her track. A voice she hasn’t heard yet rings through her head. “It’s a pointless endeavor.” there it was again, but this time she could tell it was coming from somewhere. She turns her head towards the sound to see a large arched door locked and with a gold chain and padlock. 

 

“Daisy, hurry! Mario needs your help. He can’t defeat this creature on his own.”  Polterpup shouted 

 

As Daisy was about to rejoin Mario, she noticed the creature was not fighting back. It just cowarded in the corner. 

 

“Oh dear, that ghost mut really doesn’t know what he’s doing, does he? But he’s trying his best.” The voice said again. 

 

Daisy found herself drawn to the voice and the door. As she approached it, she felt the faint little tugs of her dress from the neur-uigis trying to keep her away from the door. 

 

“Daisy, Daisy! You must not traverse through that door! An even greater and more powerful threat resides there!” Polterpup shouted as he floated towards her. 

 

For some reason, the ghost pup’s words felt hollow and performative. She had a gut feeling that the one thing that could help Luigi was behind this door. When she touched the padlock, it burst into a million little sparks. The door burst open letting in a burst of light and sweet smelling air. The room they were in lit up and for a brief moment the creature was visible; the creature they had been fighting wasn’t some monster, it was an oversized Luigi- cowering and crying in the corner, bruised and burned. 

 

Mario stopped his attack, horrified at what he was doing to his own brother. 

 

“Don’t stop Mario, that thing is not your brother! You must stop it if you want to save him.” Polterpup shouted. 

 

Mario looked back at the undead dog, concern stamped on his face. “But… he’s-a hurt. I can’t-a hurt my brother.” He pleaded. 

 

While the two talked, Daisy took this opportunity to breach the door. “Mario, stay here the big Luigi, I’m going in!” Before Polterpup could say anything, Daisy disappeared behind the threshold while the door closed behind her. 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: Mario and Luigi both have undiagnosed mental health concerns. Mario would likely be diagnosed with ADHD, while Luigi would be diagnosed with clinical depression, both also experiencing generalized anxiety, with Luigi's anxiety being more acute. However, their working-class immigrant background who stigmatize seeking help for mental health, and attending a school where there mental health issues were overlooked led to them falling through the cracks. Additionally, they don't perceive anything wrong with them, so they don't seek help.
In the Mushroom Kingdom, there is no concept of mental health. Issues are addressed with power-ups, potions, or literal battles within the mind..

Chapter 8: Down the Noodle Hole

Summary:

Daisy and Mario venture further into Luigi’s head and discover more about the green clad plumber than ever before.

Notes:

I’m posting this on Easter and have included an Angels in America Easter egg reference.

Daisy found herself in a grand hall, dimly lit, that smelled like sweet flowers,

Champagne, and apricots. As she cautiously travels down the hall, candelabras illuminate themselves guiding her. In the distance, she could see a little beacon of light. As she got closer she could hear humming, and notice a figure seated at what appeared to be a vanity. The figure appeared to also be human, or at least human shaped, with hair that reached the center of their back. The figure wore a satin mint robe, trimmed with feathers, that draped and flowed over their seat and onto the floor. 

 

“Um… hello?” Daisy timidly asked. “Were you the one that was talking to me earlier?”

 

The figure turned to Daisy. “Hmm?” Daisy's eyes widen; it was… Luigi? It appeared to be Luigi but also different. This Luigi had long hair with soft curls. He appeared to also be wearing makeup; green/gold eyeshadow and subtle coral blush. 

Daisy looked at Luigi in disbelief, she couldn’t even tell if it was Luigi. “Who are you?” 

 

“Who are you?” This version of Luigi said in a sing-song manner. 

 

“I'm Daisy, your… Luigi’s girlfriend.”

 

“Oh funny you should mention it, I’m Luigi… kind of. Nice to meet you I’m sure.” He said, giving a very feminine wave. 

 

“But… you’re wearing makeup.” She blurts out, still very confused. 

 

“So are you.” He retorts. 

 

“But you’re a man.” 

 

The Luigi like figure looks deeply back in the mirror before letting out a blood curdling scream. “AAAAAAAHHHHH… it’s the mustache that gives it away isn’t it.” He says with a cheeky grin. “Come.” He gestures for Daisy to sit next to him at the vanity. 

 

Daisy complies and joins ‘Luigi’ at the vanity. There she can see an array of various creams, powders and paints laid out meticulously. “Why are you wearing makeup?” She ask. 

 

“I was experimenting with a new eyeshadow color, trying to make myself feel better. Turns out I’m more of a winter/spring than a summer/fall. Warm tones are just not my color.” He replies, still being obtuse about answering her. The ‘Luigi’ turns back to Daisy. “Why are you wearing makeup?” 

 

Daisy looks at herself in the mirror and realizes that she’s wearing the same dress and makeup from her last date with Luigi. She knows she didn’t walk in wearing this. So has no idea when her outfit changed, but it didn’t seem to bother or confused her. 

 

“I don’t know… I don’t particularly like wearing makeup, but Peach insisted. I like it on her and other girls… but not on me. I mean I find it attractive for sure and when Peach or Rosalina wear it, they look so beauti-WHOA WHOA what the hell?” Daisy clasps her mouth in utter shock of what just involuntarily came out of her mouth. 

 

“Heh heh, I forgot to mention, this place has a tendency to do that. Your deepest parts of you will just bubble up to the surface like a fine champagne.” The mint clad person explains. 

 

“Are you really… Weegie?” Daisy finally asks. 

 

“Yes… and no. I’m very much a part of him, a part of him that he keeps locked away for most of his life, and with such horrible lighting. But yes I’m one of those deep dark parts of Luigi that he doesn’t acknowledge. Though I do have to admit, I’m a more exaggerated version of those parts. But lets keep things simple… you can call me Id.”

 

“Id?”

 

“Yeah, Id… one word, one name like Cher or Madonna.” 

 

“Like who?” Daisy said in confusion, assuming those other names where other parts of Luigi’s mind. 

 

“It’s not important.” Id said, changing the subject. 

 

“What is this place?” Daisy looked around, now noticing how vast it is. 

 

“Some people call it the subconscious, but to me it’s my little guided cage. That little ghost mut puts everything that causes the big L upstairs any distress.” Id explained. 

 

Daisy looked him up and down. “How would you cause him distress?” She said skeptical of his last statement.

 

“One can be distressed by some of the things we enjoy. Especially if the world out there is telling you there’s something wrong with you for enjoying said thing.” 

 

“I-I don’t get it. You said you’ve been locked here most of his life. But that gossip magazine only came out a few weeks ago.” 

 

“Oh dearest.” Id said with a chuckle. “Luigi’s problems didn’t start with the gossip magazine. That was merely the tipping point.” Id explained. “Come, let’s clear something up for you.”

 

Id guided Daisy to a hall of paintings like the ones they just passed when they first entered Luigi’s mind. The paintings depicted memories, but too Daisy, they seemed very mundane- at least not worthy of being locked away. One painting depicted Luigi in a locker room as a child, being made fun of by other kids for how pale his skin and how thin he was. Another one shows a slightly older Luigi with a broken arm listening to his parents in another room scolding Mario for letting him get hurt. Another one shows a teenage Luigi being embarrassingly teased by others for staring too hard at another boy. One painting shows a young adult Luigi cowering behind a shelf of cereal in a bodega as it is being robbed. The feeling of helplessness, fear, and shame for not doing anything emanates from the painting. Similar to that, the one painting depicts a memory from this world is his time in Bowser dungeon. Sadness, fear, and confusion dominate this painting. Daisy realizes that most of the events that happened while Luigi was a prisoner are absent from this painting. Bowser himself is absent, just koopa prison guards. Every painting seemed to come to life as Daisy walked past. The memories seem to invade her thoughts as if they were her own. 

 

Daisy still didn’t understand why these memories were locked up. “So… these memories are like repressed memories or something.” 

 

“Kind of. These memories represent things that shaped who Luigi is today for the most part. What might be considered mundane to you was and is very traumatic, life changing, or world altering for Luigi.” Id points to one of the paintings. “Take this one for instance.” The painting depicts Luigi getting yelled at by their father for destroying his teacher’s classroom in an attempt to help make it better. Mario is there trying to defend Luigi and is also getting yelled at. 

“You know, it's a situation many would find themselves in – good intentions spiraling into unintended chaos. This wouldn't be the first time the brothers faced repercussions for their well-meaning deeds. However, for Luigi, it marked the first and only instance where he took the initiative for such a venture. To make matters worse, he not only disappointed his father but also his favorite teacher, Ms. Appleton. Luigi had a simple desire – to brighten up Ms. Appleton's drab and dark classroom, adorned with broken lights, dingy paint, and graffiti-covered desks. Ms. Appleton was the one teacher who made Luigi feel valued, standing alongside his mom and Mario. He only wanted to reciprocate the happiness she brought him daily in that dreary school. Little did he know that the walls were coated in mark-resistant paint, rendering his efforts futile. The wood varnish fell short for the desks, leaving them half-finished with a lingering toxic smell. Faulty light fixtures caused the new bulbs to cascade and shatter on the floor. Young, naive, and lacking the knowledge he possesses today, Luigi's well-intentioned plan went awry. Unfortunately, innocence doesn't excuse missteps. When Luigi arrived at school early the next day, he found Ms. Appleton in tears. The entire wing had to be cordoned off, and to add to the ordeal, his parents had already been notified. The financial burden fell on his poor mom and dad, a series of unfortunate events born from good intentions. It became a cautionary tale that hindered Luigi from making decisions for himself.”

 

Daisy stared at the picture, see it come to life in her mind's eye. She went through all her memories of Luigi. Id couldn’t be right about him- surely he has taken the initiative before. He’s one of the Mushroom Kingdom hero’s. But try as she might, every adventure, every major decision, Luigi just followed the orders of others. 

 

“Now don’t go thinking he is completely unable to make decisions. When it comes to those he loves, when he sees injustices, like his brother, his instinct is to help even if he is scared to death.” Id points to the painting featuring the bodega robbery. 

Daisy didn’t see it before but now looking closer she sees it play out fully. Luigi, in a split second decision, pushes the over the shelves on the would-be robbers before him and the clerk runs out of the store. Seeing that in her mind's eye just reminds Daisy of the times Luigi actually saved Mario. 

 

“He’s selfless… to a fault.” Id interjects. “It’s his greatest feature, his super power. For him and his brother. But it’s also their greatest weakness. Where Mario might get himself physically hurt for the sake of others, Luigi will hurt himself for others.

 

“What do you mean?” Daisy looked confused. 

 

“Remember dear, I’m Id. I’m the manifestation of all Luigi’s wants and desires. And I’ve been stuck in his dungeon, this cage for most of his life. I’m not hear completely out of self preservation needs, but a desire to not inconvenience others with his wants. I and all other things in here are placed here to make sure Luigi stays simple for others. He’d rather be what everyone thinks of him already, the second Mario brother, who’s a little too clumsy, scaredy cat, dopy little brother. It’s much easier for everyone else to think that than the actual complex individual locked in here. He’s happy just to hear he’s doing a good job from Mario… that’s all… well it was.”

 

“Yeah… that’s why we’re here.” Daisy said solemnly. “I don’t think a pat on the back from Mario is going to get him out of this funk. Even Mario is concerned, he’s never seen Luigi this…this sad.”

 

“Yes, this does seem we’ve reached our lowest so far. Not rock bottom… just flirting with the floor.” Id said, with a cheeky grin. 

 

“That… thing… that giant Luigi in the other room. Does that have something to do with why he’s so said?” Daisy asked. 

 

“Oh absolutely.” 

 

“Great! I got to get out there to defeat that thing!” Daisy vigorously said, forming a fire ball in her hand. 

 

Id couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s so funny?” Daisy said, offended by the Id’s dismissive response. 

 

“Oh deary, there is no defeating things here. You are a guest here, you can’t change anything from the inside. You can only observe. And that thing outside these walls, he’s been here as long as I have.” 

 

“What?!”

 

“As I said, Mario’s affirmations can only take Luigi so far. Sometimes the self doubt, the negative words, they can get to be too much for him. They can wear him down beyond what a few ‘your-a number one bro’ can fix.”

 

“Then…then… what can we do?!” Daisy shouted, seeing their efforts as futile. 

 

Id smiled and reached out his hand. “Come, follow, observe.” They walked further and further down the hall. As they did the painting grew fewer, until the turned a corner. Daisy was soon confronted by a painting of herself. Not just her, but of Mario, Peach, two older humans to look a lot like the brothers, and one unfinished painting full of green and orange paint. 

 

“If anyone can reach Luigi, these are the people who can do it. You’ll find these portraits anywhere Luigi needs help, if you look closely. Left by yours truly.” 

 

“Wait… how did you…”

 

“Shhh, don’t think too much about it, just know they are there. Think of them as a guide.” Id said with a grin. 

 

“So… I just find the portraits of, I guess, myself around Weegie’s head, and thats will give me some kind of… clue as to what to do?” Daisy summarized. 

 

“Don’t overthink it, there’s no one answer to this. You’ll know what to do when you find them. Let your instincts, and you heart guide you.”

 

“Oh… I think I get it.” Daisy said with some slight relief. 

 

“Now before you go off saving the day, there is one more thing I would like to show you.” Id reached out his hand for hers. He guided her even deeper into the hall, a part of the hall with no paintings whatsoever. At the end of the hall, the true end of the hall, was a door. Over it was a small sign that said “now recording”. Id placed his hand on the door knob, but before he went to twist it open, he stopped. 

 

“Before we go through this door, I want you to know something. Earlier we mentioned that this hall is of repressed memories. That was only part true. Luigi can remember everything in this hall. In fact he thinks about them almost everyday. They are just… unpleasant and he has a way of locking up and pushing aside things that are unpleasant. The things behind this door however, are truly forgotten. These memories have left their mark, but the details of them are lost behind this door.” Id turns to Daisy, seriousness in his eyes. “Under no circumstances must you tell him what you see here. No matter how exciting, tragic, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, loving, or mundane the memory is. He must unlock this door himself when he is ready. No sooner. Understood?”

 

Daisy was taken back by the curtness Id displayed. He was floaty, and jovial most of their time together, but now he seemed so cold waiting for her confirmation. “Y-y-yeah sure. I won’t tell him. But why show me then?” 

 

“When you see what’s behind this door, a lot of what plagues Luigi will make sense. What you do with this information is up to you. But again allow Luigi to open this door himself.”

 

Daisy nodded and braced herself for what she might find on the other side. Id turned the doorknob and opened to a dark room, completely different from the aesthetic of all the previous rooms. The place was dark except for an intense light coming from what looked like a sitcom set. In fact the entire place looked like a tv studio; multiple cameras, what appeared to be a director’s chair, a place for a studio audience, multiple set up rooms with the center one looking like a living room. 

 

“A TV studio?” Daisy remarked. 

 

“You know Luigi likes movies… well it’s more than that. He loves stories, escapism. When he was younger, anytime he was sad or anxious, he was just pop on his favorite movies or books and just escape into them. Before coming to your world, the space between his ears looked a lot like a movie lot, with each place a new movie to escape into. This is the last of those sets, and instead of a place to escape, it reflects a reality his own mind demeaned to harmful to fully remember.”

 

Id pointed to the living room set. It was a small, somewhat old fashioned living room. Daisy didn’t notice as first but there were people on the set. At least four adults and two small boys. All the people stood motionless on the set. She walked on to the set and realized the boys were younger versions of Mario and Luigi. They were both lllking at the TV, but with vastly different expressions. The adults, appeared to be arguing with two others that are mocking him while searching for something. A human female is covering the eyes of one of the children while the other child looks at a television screen in disgust. 

 

“Let me reset the scene.” Id said with some excitement. “Places everyone, places!” The figures suddenly start moving, very casually, to different spots in the living room set. “Alright Daisy, I’m going to have you sit in that recliner. There nonna isn’t here for this scene so you can sit in her chair. Also…” Id snapped his fingered and suddenly a very simple dress and apron, still in her signature colors, but very similar to the other woman on set. “Let me introduce you to the cast. Over here, this ravishing figure is Mama Mario. Over on the couch across from you is Papa Mario. The two that come in later is Uncle Authur and Uncle Tony. And last but not least is Mario and Luigi on the floor in front of the TV. This scene takes place in Brooklyn around the time the boys were 9, a few months shy of turning 10.”

 

Daisy looks around, now realizing this is their childhood home. She looked at the boys seated on the floor. Luigi, with his head in his hands, laid in his stomach watching his brother as he appeared to be stretching as he reached for his toes. 

 

“Poor little Mario. All he wanted to do was play sports. He didn’t care which ones, as long as he’s part of a team. But now he’s at that age where his height is affecting his ability to be picked for teams. He’s going through his stretching phase, since he read about athletes always stretching before games. Mario thinks that’s how they got so tall. He doesn’t know it yet, but in two years he will grow only two more inches and that as tall as he will ever get, while Luigi still has a few more years of getting taller ahead of him.” Id remarks watching the red clad boy attempt to touch his toes. 

“Alright; interior- a well kept but old apartment in Brooklyn 18 years ago. It’s Saturday and the boys are watching tv with their father. He has a tendency to spend most of the time channel surfing very slowly. Anyways, today will be a pivotal moment for Luigi. It may seem minor but it will shape our green little boy over there for the rest of his life. Because, you see, Papa Mario is going to accidentally change the channel to something that is going to rock Luigi’s world. But pay close attention to how everyone else reacts.” Id suddenly changed into a white blouse, tight black slacks, black heels, and a black beret and sat in a directors chair. “Lights…camera…ACTION!”

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Luigi’s family starts moving around, completely ignoring Daisy in the recliner. 

 

“Will you settle on a single channel? Click click click all day with that thing.” Mama Mario said, poking her head out from the kitchen.

 

Daisy noticed they were speaking in Italian or at least she thought they were. She had heard Mario and Luigi speak before and she was unable to understand a single word. This time, however, she could understand everything they were saying. 

 

Papa Mario, unphased, continued to mindlessly click through the channels. “There ain’t nothing on. 16 channels and not a thing to watch. What's the point of getting his thing huh?”

 

“I left the TV guide right by you. Why don’t you pick it up instead of flipping through every channel 100 times in an hour?”

 

The door suddenly burst open, Uncle Aurthur and Tony come in. “Hey the party is here, what did I miss?” Uncle Tony shouts, placing his work bag by the door. 

 

“Nothing to miss, I WAS enjoying my quiet day off before you two knuckleheads busted through the door.” 

 

“Ooo sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you hours of channel surfing. Geez I hope you didn’t miss those commercials.” Uncle Authur says mockingly at Papa Mario. 

 

Papa Mario rolls his eyes and places the remote on the armrest of his chair as he stood up, leaving the TV on a random channel. “Look, you’z been paid yet? I let you two move in with us with the idea you two would help out with the bills around here.”

 

“Relax, relax, I got a friend, good fellow, from the old country. Said he would float us a loan until we get paid.” Uncle Tony said. 

 

“No! No loans. I don’t want to owe anyone anything. We pay our bills here honestly! No loans! Just… just ask your boss when your checks will be here.” Papa Mario shouted. “I’ll call the electric company to see if they will keep the lights on just a little longer or something.” 

 

“I’m just saying, its just a little bit of borrowed funds until we…”

 

“EEEEWWWWW!!!” Young Mario shouted pointing at the TV screen. 

 

“What! What! What is it…” Mama Mario comes running out of the kitchen, slipper in hand ready to squash any bug her boys might have seen. However, what she saw on the TV screen sent her screaming. “AAAAHHHH Papa! WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?!” She shouted, diving over to her boys. 

 

“What do you… OH GEEZ!” Papa Mario swings back to grab the remote, but in his haste knocks it off the armrest. The remote falls somewhere between the couch and the end table. 

 

“Dang, I didn’t know you guys were so ‘progressive.’” Uncle Authur said sarcastically before busting out in laughter. 

 

“Will you guys shut up and help me find the remote already!?” Papa Mario barked. 

 

Mama Mario crouched down and with her hands covered her boys eyes, Mario turned inwards towards his mother covering his own eyes still audibly disgusted. Little Luigi tried to peek through, not only to see what was on the tv screen, but to also see everyone else's reaction. 

 

“FOUND IT!” Uncle Tony shouted holding the remote triumphantly. 

 

“CHANGE IT CHANGE IT CHANGE IT!!!” Mama Mario shouted, still holding her boys eye closed. 

 

Instead of changing the channel he ended up just turning on the volume. “Give me that!” Papa Mario demanded, snatching the remote from Tony’s hand. He eventually just turns it off, finally breathing a sigh of relief. “I think that’s enough tv for today anyways.” 

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

“And scene…” Id said, just as the family froze again. 

 

Daisy, still taken back by all she just saw, was still left confused. “That’s it? That was the memory he locked away?” 

 

“Look carefully at the TV monitor.” Id turned back on the TV, and Daisy leaned in to see what caused such a commotion, however, this did not do anything to alleviate her confusion.

 

"Luigi and Mario's family, despite living here for nearly a decade, still find some things a bit overwhelming. They're pretty traditional, you know? So, what popped up on that TV caught them off guard, especially since they weren't ready for their kids to see that kind of stuff, at least not yet. They're not bad folks, but the times they come from and their own values shape their world. And that spills over into how they raise their kids, too.

"What Luigi saw on that TV screen really shook him up. It was like a wake-up call, you know? He realized that the thing he was so drawn to wasn't something he should aspire to be. And seeing how his brother and the whole family reacted just drove it home even more. He knew he had to squash that feeling, bury it deep down, or risk losing his family. So, he tried to push it away, lock it up in a dark corner of his mind, hoping it would just disappear. But no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, that feeling kept coming back. It was like a stubborn weed that just wouldn't quit. Every time he tried to cut it down, it sprouted right back up. And now, here he is, stuck at a crossroads. Does he keep trying to fight it, or does he finally face it head-on and see where it leads?" 

Id grinned at Daisy, shaking his head. "You know, that date of yours was supposed to be the end of it all, but it only made things worse. He's standing at a major crossroads, and he doesn't even know it yet.”

 

"But Mario would understand, wouldn't he? I mean, there's nothing Luigi could do that would ever come between them. They're brothers, after all," Daisy reasoned.

 

"Maybe you're right... Maybe we're making too much of this memory. Mario's loyalty to Luigi knows no bounds, that's for sure. But who knows? Maybe this is the one thing that tests their bond. Maybe this is the breaking point. We won't know until Luigi is ready to face it," Id replied. "But now that you know... What are you going to do?"

 

Daisy hadn't considered this possibility. They had arrived with the intention of helping Luigi, but now the solution seemed far more elusive. "I guess I don't have to have all the answers right now," she mused aloud.

 

"You don't," Id agreed, suddenly appearing close to her face. "The answer will reveal itself when the time is right." Id stood back from Daisy, looking out words towards the door Daisy had entered from. 

“Well our time together is over, you should probably get out there and help Mario. Poor thing doesn’t know what to do out there. Ta-ta for now dear.” 

 

“Hey wait, I still don’t know what to…” before Daisy could finish, in a flash of light, she was back in the hall with Mario, Polterpup, and the giant dark Luigi. 

 

“There you are!” Polterpup floated over to Daisy. “Where have you… never mind that. You got to use you fire flower powers to vanquish this monster once and for all. Mario has been no help in this.” 

 

Daisy looked up the giants green plumber. He just sat there shaking, sobbing quietly, pulling his hat over his eyes. Mario sat on the shoes of the giant, gently rubbing the giant Luigi’s shin in an attempt to comfort it. 

 

“Daisy, I-I don’t-a know what to-a do.” Mario pleaded, pained concern plastered on his face. Daisy looked around and saw it; a portrait of Daisy right next to the giant Luigi. She walked over to it and, as if hidden by some invisible wall, a wheelbarrow appeared. 

 

“Mario, come down here!” She shouted. He hesitantly joined her by the wheelbarrow. Like a bolt of lightning, and without words being exchanged, they suddenly knew what to do. They began collecting the rocks that had been raining down. Lifting them off of the paper Luigi’s, as well as taking them out of their little hands. As they grabbed the rocks, like before, they turned into paper with self deprecating 

phrases written on them. The more rocks they collected the brighter the room became. 

 

“Stop! What are you doing? That won’t do anything, you got to destroy that…”

 

“SHUT UP! I won’t-a hurt my brother. Everything you-a said hasn’t done anything for my bro! Look… he…he hurting.” Mario argued. Just as the words left his mouth the gold light of the trophy hall shined through the darkness. Suddenly that trophy hall was closer to them than before. 

 

“Mario look!” Daisy pointed to a portrait of Mario next to the trophy case. Mario didn’t notice that painting before. He walked over to the painting and noticed the trophy that was next to it. It was a small statuette of Mario graduating high school. He whenced looking at it as he held it in his hand. He walked back to the large Luigi, trophy still in hand. 

 

“This… isn’t-a true Lu.” Mario said directly to the giant luigi. “We…I-a didn’t graduate high school. I-a dropped out after-a… after-a you.” Mario began to realize just how much of a burden his decision to dropout of high school had on Luigi. Mario climbed up Luigi’s leg and positioned himself as close his giant brother’s face. “After-a that… day in-a Ms. Appleton’s classroom. School was-a…it was-a rough. I hated how-a everyone talked about you bro. They were so… mean, and I didn’t understand-a why. You were-a always so-a nice to everyone. Why did they-a have to be so mean? …why were you so-a nice to them? They didn’t deserve it. They don’t deserve a nice-a Luigi like-a you bro!”

Mario paused, catching his own reflection in the trophy. “Those-a few months after you-a stopped going to school… I-a got into so many fights. I-a lost most of them. But I-a couldn’t just let them talk about-a you. But you-a know what made it-a all better? You Lu!” Mario's voice lightened up with a slight smile. “You were-a always there with-a Ma waiting for me and always gave me a big-a hug like I had-a been gone for years. Even when-a Dad made-a you get that job at-a the bodega, you-a always snuck a few snacks in-a my backpack. I was-a so impressed by you Lu… you-a held down a job, you-a took night school and those-a correspondence classes at the-a kitchen table. If-a anything… thats what-a inspired me to… to dropout of school.” Mario let out a chuckle and wiped a tear from his eye. “Boy…Dad… he was-a so mad. Remember? Both his-a boys, high school dropouts. But I-a didn’t care, as long as I had-a my brother by my-a side, everything would-a be alright. And you know-a what… it was. We-a both got our GED and we-a both got into a good trade school and we-a became the best-a plumbers in Brooklyn!” 

Just as Mario made his last declaration, the trophy transforme to now feature both of them. Mario smiled and looked up at the giant Luigi who had stopped crying himself. “Here… this is-a for you bro. You’re number one!” Mario holds up the trophy and presents it to his giant brother. 

The dark cloud nearly dissipated and the stones stopped falling. The giant luigi also began to shrink. Mario grabbed the stinking brother when he became small enough to hug. Just as he did, a bright light enveloped them. 

 

—————————————————————————-

 

Daisy opened her eyes and found herself back in the brother’s cottage. . She sat up and took the helmet off to find E.Gadds looking over his data that was printing from his machine. She could hear Mario getting up as well. 

 

“Hey Mario… did you see what I…” Daisy stopped in her tracks. Mario, sat up, holding his helmet, stared as if staring deep into the distance. A single tear rolled down his cheek. His concentrated stare only broke when he heard his brother groan as he too began to wake. He and Daisy jump up to be by Luigi’s side as he slowly wakes up. 

 

Luigi’s eyes slowly open, looking around the room at Daisy and Mario. “Wh…what-a…what-a happened?” Luigi tried to get up. 

 

“Hey hey hey, "Non così veloce, fratello. Ecco... lascia che me ne occupi io per te. ( not so fast brother. Here… let me take this off for you. )” Mario helped Luigi take the helmet off, which was more complicated than his own. 

 

“What did-a you see? Where-a you… where-a you able to-a ‘fix’ my noodle?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Oh Lu…” Mario dove in and gave his brother the biggest hug he could possibly give. Daisy soon joined them. 

 

After a while, E. Gadds began his debrief. “I’m sure you were able to fix what ales Luigi. Of course I or Luigi have no idea what fantastical things you saw while in his subconscious and it might be best to limit what you tell Luigi here what you saw. You should start to see results in approximately two weeks if not sooner.” He explained. “Now let’s review the side effects.” 

 

“SIDE EFFECTS?!? What side effects?” Daisy shouted. 

 

“Nothing to be too alarmed about, you might experience nausea, heartburn, sleeplessness, sleepiness, lucid dreaming, dreams involving violent pastries, a sudden urge to eat kale, missing socks, forgetting that pineapples exist, sudden urge to breakout in song, and the sudden lost of 17 dollars and 52 cents.”

 

“Wait…wha…”

 

“Well I’m off. This data will prove to be very valuable to my research.” before Daisy could process any of what E. Gadds said he was out the door with his machine. 

 

As Daisy and Mario tidied up the aftermath of E. Gadds' contraption, Luigi pretended to be asleep, his ears tuned in to their conversation through the thin walls. Mario avoided discussing the specifics of what they had experienced, and Daisy didn't bring up anything from the locked hallway, respecting Luigi's privacy. Instead, Mario took the opportunity to reminisce about their shared childhood, sharing anecdote after anecdote about their misadventures. He recounted how Luigi always had his back, bailing him out of trouble and playing the role of wingman at school dances. Mario chuckled as he recalled the time he ended up benched for the entire football season, yet Luigi faithfully attended every game. He even shared some embarrassing stories, like the time Luigi lent him his jacket to cover up a ripped pair of pants. Mario shared these memories with the hope that Luigi, listening from the next room, would feel how much he is appreciated and loved. After a while, Daisy headed out to Peach’s castle where she had been staying, promising to be back the next morning before she headed back to Sarasaland. 

An hour after Daisy departed, Mario busied himself in the kitchen, preparing dinner for himself and Luigi. Despite the cottage being primarily tailored to Mario's height, there were occasional moments where he required assistance, such as now when he reached for a pot just beyond his grasp. As he searched for the step stool, Luigi suddenly emerged in the doorway of the kitchen, catching Mario's attention.

 

“Oh… hey-a bro. Did I-a wake you?” Mario glanced back, noticing Luigi's tired demeanor.

 

“Okay…good. Um… hey, can you-a help me?” Mario asked.

 

“S-sure…” Luigi replied, slightly taken aback by Mario’s request.

 

“That-a pot… up there. I can’t-a reach it, you know? Could you…” 

 

“Yeah, yeah. I-a got you bro.” Luigi reached up and grabbed the pot for Mario. Though he realized Mario could have fetched it himself, either with the step stool or a jump, he felt a warmth in his heart at his brother's request for assistance, even for something as trivial as a pot.

 

“Thanks-a bro!” Mario said cheerfully as he resumed preparing dinner.

 

The two then enjoyed their meal and watched one of Luigi’s favorite comedies as if everything was back to normal. They laughed and joked just like before, without any mention of Mario's glimpse into Luigi’s thoughts, the days of his depression, or any other external troubles. In that moment, it was just two brothers, enjoying their time together. 

 

Notes:

There are not many head, cannon notes this chapter as most of it is in the text however, I do want to clarify a couple of things about the character Id and how he relates to Luigi.

In this AU Luigi is not trans. I know trans Luigi is very popular, and I love all the stories that are written about trans. Luigi, but this is not one of them. Id really is Luigi’s feminine queer side personified as a gender fluid drag queen. In later chapters, I do plan to explore Luigis gender expression in a minor way, but more from the lens of a cis gendered man discovering his queerness for the first time, and not having the words to describe it and not being able to fully understand it.

Chapter 9: To Impress a King

Summary:

The inevitable happens, Daisy breakups with Luigi. But this break up has a silver lining.
Meanwhile, a new koopa emerges with aspirations of being Bowser's new right hand man. What will his misguided intentions get him into?

Notes:

Again, I know this fanfic hasn't featured a lot of Bowuigi content as of late, but trust the process. Literally as I am posting this chapter, I am writing the chapter that has them reunite. But in order to get there, a few more dominos must be laid.
Also, this chapter ends the Luigi emotional torture session. I know those last few chapters were a bit heavy. Now we will get back to your regularly scheduled goofball adventures.

The sun was barely rising over the horizon, but Luigi had been up for well over an hour. He received a message from Daisy the night before. At the time he didn’t react, not wanting to ruin the moment he was having with Mario, but he couldn’t dismiss it. 

 

“Can we talk, tomorrow?” 

 

That's all it said. He didn’t reply until that morning. Just a quick “sure” was all he wrote. He wanted to say more, wanted to ask what she wanted to talk about, but he had a feeling. 

The two agreed to meet at a bench a little ways away from Luigi’s cottage. Luigi rushed out to the location before Mario woke up, still wearing the sweatpants and hoodie from the day before. 

As he approached the bench, he noticed Daisy's airship parked a ways away and Daisy herself already waiting. He ran over to her, catching her lost in thought. 

 

“Scusi…”‘he said, breathing heavily from the sprint. “Did-a you… did-a you wait too-a long?” 

 

“No, I just got here myself actually.”Daisy skoots over on the bench for Luigi. “Come… sit with me for a while.”

 

Luigi hesitantly sits next to Daisy. The pair sit in silence for a while, just listening to the birds and the breeze stir in the morning sun. 

 

“Lu–”

 

“Daisy…” Luigi interrupts Daisy without realizing. “I-a to make it up to-a you, yes? That date… it-a went kablooie and I want… you-a deserve better than-a that. And-and-and-and  I-a want to take-a you on a better date. We can-a go any time you want.”

 

“Weegie…it’s not tha–”

 

“And-and-and don’t-a worry about-a me. I’m-a feeling great now. What every you-a two did in-a my head is-a working. I’m-a okie dokie now. So you-a no need to worry about-a me. So… what do you-a say? Want to-a try again?” Luigi looked Daisy in the eyes. Though he was smiling somewhat, his eyes were desperate. 

 

Daisy's lips curled, her eyes couldn’t meet his. She grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly. “Weegie… we didn’t fix anything… We couldn't fix anything. Nothing we could do in there that would have helped you… but, there is something I can do for you here, face to face with you.” Luigi perked up, interpreting hope in her voice. That hope was dashed as he looked at her face, solemn and sorrowful. 

Daisy continued. “The thing is… what will help you the most… it’s… it’s going to hurt. It’s going to feel like the complete opposite of help actually. And I want you to know that hurting you is the last thing I want to do.”

 

Luigi sunk into his seat, his gazing now falling to his hand that rested under Daisy's. “…You-a…don’t want to be with-a me… do you.” He mumbled. “I-a… ahem… I-a understand if you-a want to…you know. I won’t-a bother you anymore.” 

“Luigi, look at me.” Daisy said with quiet determination. “I do love and care about you. But…”

 

“But?”

 

Daisy paused as she searched for the right words to say. “When I was inside your head, I met the most wonderful, beautiful person. They were confident, wise, and… and they were you. They were a version of you; an extreme version of you but still you. It was as if all your hopes and dreams,your desires, were made into a person. That person showed me so many things. It made me understand you so much more… and that’s why…I…”

 

“...Why you-a want-a break up?” Luigi finished her sentence. 

 

“No…” she said, a smile on her face and a tear in her eyes. “I want to set you free.”

 

Daisy dove in for a hug, catching Luigi off guard. After a while, they separated somewhat. Daisy still held Luigi’s shoulders tight in her grasp. 

 

“In order for that person inside you to be realized, even just a little bit… I cannot be your girlfriend.” Luigi felt the ping of pain in his heart hearing those words from Daisy. It was inevitable, but it still hurt. Daisy lifted his face to look him directly in the eyes. “...but I still want to be your friend Luigi. I still want to be here when you become the person I know you will be.”

 

Luigi sat there, perplexed by Daisy’s words. They were devastating but the pain in his heart was fading. He felt oddly lighter, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. As he sat with those feelings, Daisy ship began to power on. 

 

“Hey… um… I gotta go. You know, royal duties and all. I want to see you again very soon, okay?” Daisy said as she began to stand up. 

 

“Y-y-yeah” Luigi muttered, breaking his train of thought. 

 

“Great! You should come to Sarasaland. I haven’t ever really showed you around my kingdom, have I? I think it’s well overdue.”

 

“Okie dokie.” Luigi acknowledged, brightening up. 

 

“Great, it’s a date.” Daisy walked to her ship. “See you later Weegie!” She said enthusiastically before the door closed. Her airship took off and in a short time, had disappeared behind the clouds. 

 

Luigi remained at the bench, sitting with his feelings. They swirled and became a confusing mess. It was heartbreaking, but not. It was everything he feared, but not. He just lost his girlfriend, but gained a closer friend?

After a while he stood up and walked back to the cottage. Upon entering, Mario was in the living room waiting for him. On the coffee table were two cups of coffee in their respective red and green cups. 

 

“So…” Mario looked up at Luigi with anticipation. “Everything… alright?”

 

Luigi pondered the question a bit before he answered. “…yeah. Yeah… everything is-a okie dokie.”  He said as a smile creeped up on his face. 

 

“Fantastico!” Mario cheered. “Come. I-a made breakfast for us. Not as-a good as your usual, but it’s-a still good.”

 

The two brothers ate breakfast, and began getting ready for the day. Changing into their overalls, as they prepared for what the day may bring. 

 

————————————————————-

 

Meanwhile in the Darklands, Bowser sat in his study reviewing documents pertaining to his kingdom. Ludwig, enters Bowser study holding his own documents. 

 

“Father, I must speak with you.” He said with urgency. 

 

“What is it Ludwig?” Bowser said without looking up from his work. 

 

“I implore you, please raise mine and my siblings allowances or at least give us more money. We cannot finish the repairs on our current funds. The damage is worse than originally thought. We need more money.” Ludwig pleaded. 

 

“Ludwig. Like I said before, you have to figure it out with what you have. Between the eight of you, you should have enough each month to pay for all the repairs.”

 

“But the plumbing is absolutely shot. The carpet had to be taken out, everyone is making demands and last minute changes, and the royal plumber is so slow and soooo old.” 

 

Bowser was struck with a realization. The royal plumber has gotten up in years. As mean and tough as Bowser liked to portray, he did care about the people in his kingdom, and especially for those in his employment. Bowser especially made it important to celebrate those who have been loyal to him and his kingdom. The royal plumber should be at retirement age by now, and a celebration would be in order. 

 

“Hmm… I think he is overdue for a retirement party. I need Kamek to check my schedule when we can do that.” Bowser said, thinking out loud. 

 

“Exactly! That’s why I need an increase in our budget.” Ludwig reasoned. 

 

“I wonder what kind of cake he would want…”  Bowser continued, lost in the planning of such an event. 

 

“Are you even listening?!” Ludwig shouted. 

 

Bowser fixed his attention to the blue haired koopa. “Look, I didn’t put you in charge of the repairs as a punishment of some kind… well actually I did but that wasn’t the only reason. Being the oldest, you are first in line to inherit a portion of the kingdom to govern. You are not going to have endless resources at your disposal. You will have to make tough decisions everyday as you govern your corner of this kingdom. You have to learn how to budget and decide what is necessary and what can wait.”

 

“But…but…”

 

“No buts. Figure it out. Take this as a growing moment for you. You’ll thank me later.” Bowser said as I continued with his own work. 

 

Ludwig sulked knowing he wouldn’t get his way. “Could you at least help me find another plumber.” 

 

“That’s going to be a Kamek question.”

 

“Ugh… fine.” Ludwig grumbled as he left Bowser's office. 

 

In another part of the castle a red headed koopa troopa was sneaking his way into the living quarters. Aside from that side of the castle being closed off for repairs, koopa troopas were not allowed there unless permitted by Bowser himself. 

The red headed koopa darted and dodged construction workers who were removing water damaged floors and walls. He made his way into the lone female koopalings room. Inside, Wendy sat on her bed, painting her nails and listening to music. 

 

“Phew… that was close.” The koopa said once on the other side of the door. 

 

“You know those construction workers are only reporting back to Ludwig, and he’s too stressed out to tell daddy that you’re here.” Wendy said, not looking up from her nails. 

 

“Still you can’t be too careful. If your dad found out I was here, he’d throw me in the lava pit personally.” The koopa said, still looking over his shoulder. 

 

“Anyways, what are you doing here so early?” Wendy said finally looking. Upon seeing the koopa however… “bwhahahaha!!”

 

“What’s so funny?!” 

 

“Bradley bwahahahaa, what’s up with your hair?!?” Wendy could barely contain her laughter at the red headed koopa, apparently named Bradley. 

 

“What, I dyed it red. You don’t like it or something?” He said defensively. 

 

“No, hahahaha, you look like a mini version of my dad.” 

 

“Well… is that a bad thing? Bradley asked

 

“It is if you want to be with me. I ain’t interested in dating my dad or anything that remotely looks like him. Besides, you look like you are trying too hard. My dad likes his ego boosted, but he hates brown nosers.” Wendy warned him. 

 

“I’m not brown nosing, I’m just… trying to get noticed. You know, stand out. I need to get on your dads good side. I need to impress him so that he’ll promote me. Then we can tell him we’re dating and he won’t roast me.” Bradley explained. 

 

“But we’re not dating.”

 

“We’re not?”

 

“What we have is… is an… on again off again back on again mildly off again late spring mid-summer-fling situationship. I can’t seriously date a koopa troopa.” Wendy said, callously. 

 

“And that’s why I have to get promoted, see? If I were a general or at least a captain, then we could…”

 

“It would still be no.” 

 

“Tssk what do you know, huh? You’ll see, when I make general Bowser will practically be throwing you at me.” Bradley boasted. 

 

“Whatever.” Wendy dismissed. “Are you wearing that out?” She pointed at his troopa uniform. 

 

“That’s what I came here to tell you. I can’t go out with you and your friends tonight. I took another shift patrolling the west gate. I heard that Bowser might be doing a surprise inspection there and I want to be there. Let him see how great of a soldier I am.” Bradley stated. 

 

“Ugh, typical brown nosing behavior.” Wendy got up off the bed and grabbed her purse. “Have fun kissing my dads butt. I’m leaving. Don’t get caught on your way out.” 

 

After skillfully navigating through the labyrinthine corridors and avoiding detection, Bradley finally reached the barracks of the koopa troopas and slipped into his own quarters. Among the Koopas, Bradley was a peculiar sight indeed. Towering over his peers and boasting an uncommon shock of hair atop his head, he often drew curious glances and fueled speculation that he might be of mixed heritage, perhaps even part Yoshi. Yet, it wasn't just his physical appearance that set him apart. Bradley harbored a distinct admiration for Bowser, viewing the Koopa King not merely as an individual, but as a formidable symbol of power and authority. To Bradley, Bowser embodied the very essence of the Darklands—a realm steeped in a history of conquest and dominance. 

In the annals of Darklands history, a grim narrative unfolds, chronicling the reign of tyrants who ruled with an iron fist prior to Bowser's ascent to power. These rulers, driven by ambition, swiftly decimated neighboring kingdoms, forcefully expanding their dominion through conquest. Among the territories earmarked for the Koopalings' inheritance, lie former sovereign realms, now subdued by Koopa monarchs preceding Bowser's reign. While contemporary sentiments in the Darklands lean towards diplomatic resolutions, vestiges of past conquests have left the kingdom isolated, perceived as hostile by neighboring realms.

 

Yet, amidst this prevailing atmosphere, Bradley emerges as a singular figure, part of a minority longing for the Darklands to reclaim its former grandeur. With Bowser's adoption of aggressive tactics, including the abduction of Peach and raids on neighboring territories, Bradley sees a resurgence of the kingdom's martial prowess. While indifferent to Peach's fate and puzzled by Bowser's fixation on her, Bradley eagerly anticipates the chance to strike at the Mushroom Kingdom once more. Fueled by disdain for the Toads and an ardent desire to outmatch the Mario Brothers, Bradley is resolute in his determination to join forthcoming raids. Upon learning of Bowser's imminent plans to abduct Peach anew, Bradley remains unwavering in his commitment to the Koopa Troops, poised to contribute to the Darklands' resurgence through acts of conquest and domination.

Tonight presented Bradley with an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on Bowser. However, he found himself uncertain about how to achieve this goal. Assigned to patrol duty, his responsibilities were limited to observing and inspecting the surroundings for anomalies. Nevertheless, Bradley remained determined to garner Bowser's favor, earn a promotion, and ascend to the rank of general in the Koopa Troops. As an afterthought, he contemplated marrying Wendy if necessary, though his feelings towards her were indifferent at best. To Bradley, Wendy served as a means to solidify his position within the Koopa army, rather than a genuine romantic interest.

Bradley finished his dinner, a meager meal of various vegetables and fish, and grabbed his helmet.

 

"You're early," remarked the koopa guard still on duty, eyeing Bradley suspiciously.

 

"Yeah, I set my alarm too early. My bad. Well, since I'm here already, you might as well take off early," Bradley replied, still catching his breath.

 

"You're an hour early," the koopa guard noted.

 

"Am I? Geez, well... still, you can take off early. I'll cover the remainder of your shift," Bradley insisted with a wide grin.

 

The guard koopa continued to regard Bradley cautiously, but the prospect of leaving work ahead of schedule proved too tempting to resist. "Fine... but if anyone asks, I was here the whole time." With that, the guard departed, eager to enjoy his unexpected time off.

 

Bradley grinned, satisfied that his plan had worked. He commenced his duties as instructed, pacing back and forth in front of the west gate. When the other guard assigned to the shift arrived, Bradley swiftly completed his rounds, hastening to position himself by the west gate in anticipation of Bowser's arrival.

 

Sure enough, his patience was soon rewarded as Bowser emerged from the castle, accompanied by Kamek and several other guard koopas.

 

"As requested, the west gate has been fortified to prevent any warp tunnels from breaching our defenses. We've also implemented two additional shifts of guard duty on this side," Kamek explained, gesturing towards the new additions to the gate.

 

Bowser surveyed the enhancements until his gaze settled on Bradley, who stood at attention. "Kamek, who's on guard duty at this gate?" he inquired.

 

Kamek consulted his notes. "Um... Rogers, Sire," he responded.

 

Bowser scrutinized the soldier before him. When it came to the safety of his castle and his family, Bowser was meticulous and cautious about the individuals employed there. He made it his business to know the personnel and their schedules. Observing Bradley, he sensed something amiss.

 

"Soldier! What's your name?" Bowser demanded, drawing closer.

 

"B-B-Bradley, Sire!"

 

"I thought so. Where is Rogers?" Bowser's tone grew increasingly stern.

 

"Oh... um... he wasn't feeling too well, so I offered to relieve him early," Bradley replied, attempting to maintain a composed demeanor.

 

"And who authorized this change in schedule?" Bowser's patience wore thin.

 

"Um... no one... I-I-I just thought..."

 

"If he was unwell, he should have notified his commanding officer for relief. You, a mere foot soldier, do not have the authority to alter the guard schedule," Bowser asserted, smoke beginning to seep from his nostrils as he fixed his gaze on the young koopa. "The schedule, the assignments—they are not to be taken lightly, especially concerning the security of the castle. You are expected to report to your assignments on time, neither early nor late. Is that understood?"

 

Bradley felt the weight of Bowser's fiery glare. "Y-y-y-yes, Sire. It won't happen again."

 

"Good," Bowser eased the intensity of his stare. "Consider this a warning. When your shift concludes, ensure our conversation is included in your end-of-duty report." With that, Bowser resumed his inspection, leaving Bradley to contemplate his lapse in judgment.

 

Bradley stood there, mortified by what had just transpired. Instead of impressing Bowser, he had somehow managed to anger him. He was well aware of Bowser's strict adherence to schedules for his soldiers, but he hadn't anticipated that arriving early would cause such a stir. He resolved to be more cautious in the future. Undeterred, Bradley began strategizing how he could win Bowser's favor before the planned raid on the Mushroom Kingdom in a few weeks' time; he was determined to be part of the raiding party.

 

Over the following weeks, Bradley went to great lengths to attract Bowser's attention. Whenever Bowser passed his post, Bradley ensured he stood at attention with impeccable posture. During training sessions, he pushed himself to outperform his peers. And in his end-of-duty reports, he meticulously recorded every detail, producing the most thorough and accurate reports possible, albeit somewhat lengthy. 

 

As the day of the raid party announcement approached, Bradley's anticipation grew. He eagerly checked the barracks bulletin board multiple times a day, hoping to find the notice posted, but nothing. Coming back from lunch, nothing. Coming back from dinner, nothing. Even the next morning, nothing. Days passed without any sign of the anticipated announcement. Despite his persistent vigilance, there was no mention of the impending raid, no troop meetings to discuss logistics, and no buzz among the soldiers. Bradley was baffled by the absence of information surrounding the impending event, leaving him feeling perplexed and frustrated.

 

"Hey, you!" Bradley shouted at the nearest comrade walking by. "Where's the Mushroom Kingdom raid announcement?"

 

"What announcement?" the green-shelled koopa asked, looking puzzled.

 

"You know, the announcement about who's joining Lord Bowser in the attack on the Mushroom Kingdom. The one meant to capture Peach and take down those Mario brothers."

 

"Oh, that," the green-shelled koopa said, finally understanding. "Yeah, there hasn't been one."

 

"What do you mean?" Bradley's voice rose in confusion.

 

"The raid got canceled over a month ago," the green koopa explained casually. "Bowser mentioned it in our last troop meeting."

 

"What?" Bradley's expression turned blank.

 

"Yeah, he's trying some… whats the word… diplomatic approach instead," the koopa continued, walking away. "No more attacking other kingdoms for now."

 

Bradley was stunned. 'No more raids? No more attacks? No more conquering other kingdoms?' It sounded unbelievable. Bowser wouldn't just give up on his ambitions so easily, would he? After all the effort spent trying to make Peach his queen, trying to bend the Mushroom Kingdom to his will, why would he suddenly change course? Why would he resort to diplomacy with what he saw as lesser kingdoms?

Bradley hurried to ask other koopa troopers the same question, confirming that indeed Bowser had called off the raid. The problem with Bradley though, he had what some would call ‘selective hearing.’ Despite being present at the meeting where Bowser announced his diplomatic intentions, Bradley had selectively tuned out the details. The mention of diplomacy had made him mentally check out, causing him to miss the part where Bowser explicitly stated the cessation of attacks on the Mushroom Kingdom and other realms unless provoked. So, despite being physically present when the announcement was made, this news came as a shock to Bradley.

 

That night, Bradley paced back and forth in his room contemplating what could have changed Bowser in such a way. He didn’t decide to be a diplomat because of his kids did he? No, if anything he became more ruthless when Bowser Jr. was born. 

“Could his last attempt at Peach left him turned off from raiding? No, he tried stealing the moon pieces of neighboring kingdoms shortly after. Did Mario threaten Bowser or something? No, if anything they are more evenly matched and Bowser wouldn’t back down from a fight with Mario.” Bradley continued to ponder these questions until. “Wait a minute… the other brother… Lu… Lu… LUIGI! Bowser was forced to travel with that green loser. He must have done something to him. He isn’t a fighter, at least not one-on-one so he must have brainwashed, tricked, or manipulated Bowser in some way.” Bradley concluded. 

“I just gotta remind who Bowser really is. I gotta snatch up that Luigi guy for Bowser. Maybe if Bowser throws that loser into the lava pit it will reverse any brainwashing he did to him. I gotta bring Peach to Bowser as well to remind him of his goal. Once I do that, I’m not only going to be promoted, I’ll be Bowser’s right hand man. I won’t even need to marry Wendy then! This plan is per-“ Bradley just remembered one little issue with his plan. “Crap I forgot about the main pain in the rear, Mario. He’s come in to rescue both of them before. Wait a second, he’s come to rescue them both before! Perfect, I’ll use those two as bait and whip up something to finish that pesky plumber once and for all! Bowser will be so proud of me.”

Bradley immediately began drafting his plan. Somehow he had to kidnap both Peach and Luigi, use them as bait to lure in Mario and destroy him and his brother, then hand Peach over to Bowser. Can’t be that hard right? 

 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: The Darklands are considerably larger and more diverse than the Mushroom Kingdom. This is due in part of its history of conquest. Because of this, the Darklands are divided into 8 different regions with the koopalings slated to govern each one once they are older, leaving the central one to Bowser to directly control. The koopalings are not Bowser's kids per say, however he did raise them as his own, which according to Darkland traditions, was highly unusual. I will go more into details about this in a later chapter, but just know Bowser's rule of the Darklands is notably different from all other great koopas before him.
Without spoiling anything, that fact is going to be a major issue for Bowser and Luigi in later chapters. So keep that in mind going forward.

Chapter 10: The Plumber, the Princess, and the Turtle

Summary:

Clear headed Luigi begins to reminisce about old crushes only to have an alarming awakening. This causes a panic in the lanky plumber. Meanwhile Bradley enacts his plan.

CW: this chapter has implied internalized And external homophobia as well as implied conversion therapy. Also cartoony kidnapping.

Notes:

I just want to express my gratitude to all of you for reading. I never expected so many people to enjoy my little fanfic. While I don't always respond to comments, I do read them, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to write and share your enjoyment of my story. Your feedback keeps me motivated.

Please be aware that updates may slow down as posted chapters catch up with my writing progress. I aim to stay a few chapters ahead so I can edit and create illustrations. Thank you for your understanding!

It’s been about three months since Daisy and Luigi broke up. Since then, they have never been closer. They have hung out more and more together. It hadn’t even been a few three days after their conversation did Daisy return to the Mushroom Kingdom. As promised, Daisy was there to take Luigi to her kingdom to let him really get to know her through her people. 

In those months, Luigi would visit Sarasaland multiple times, exploring its cities, natural wonders, and amusements. When they weren’t exploring, they were just hanging out together. The weight of romantic pressure was lifted from both of them, and they just enjoyed each other's company. No need to try to woo her, be handsome for her, or worry about if he could be the boyfriend or husband to Daisy. Instead it was just two friends having the time of their lives. 

One problem however, neither of them have told anyone they broke up. From the outside, not only did it look like they were still together, but have gotten closer since that disastrous date. At first, it didn’t seem to bother Luigi or Daisy. They figured they would let everyone think they are still dating until they were ready to tell everyone. However, the urgency to tell everyone would start to emerge in little ways. 

 

Luigi was coming home after another weekend with Daisy. The porch light greeted Luigi as he crossed the threshold of his home. The green clad plumber placed his work bag by the door. The smell of dinner was already in the air. 

 

“Hey Lu, you-a back home early, no?” Mario said fixing himself a plate of chicken Parmesan. 

 

“Yeah, I was-a only there to fix a couple of leaky faucets around her palace. They are-a big on saving water, being the-a dessert and all.” Luigi said, taking his hat off. 

 

“Well you-a got here just in-a time. My specialty, parmigiana di pollo alla marinara.” Mario presented Luigi his plate he originally planned to eat himself. 

 

“Oh, you-a sure? I-a know I told you I-a wouldn’t be back till tomorrow. Did-a you make enough?” Luigi ask, hesitating that his brother was giving up his dinner. 

 

“Yeah, I-a always make enough for two, even when you are-a gone. You-a never know when a hungry brother might appear.” He said with a cheeky grin. “Come, eat, I-a got your PJs on the bed for you when-a you are done.”

 

Luigi chuckled and gladly took the food to the table. He was starving after all. The trip back from Daisys palace was long with no stops in between for a snack. 

As the brothers ate, Luigi thought to himself just how strange it is for Mario to have a ‘thing’ he does when he’s away; making food for two even when he is by himself. It made Luigi think, Mario isn’t the one usually home alone. It’s always the other way around. It’s usually Luigi that has to prepare extras just in case Mario comes home early. It’s usually Luigi that keeps the kitchen light on at night, just in case Mario comes home in the middle of the night. And it’s usually Luigi that makes sure Mario’s PJs are ready for him when he comes home so he can slip right into bed after a long day or more adventuring. But now, with Luigi being out of the house more often it was a refreshing change of pace to see Mario doing things he normally would do. It was sweet to see. There was no doubt that Mario cared for him, but to see it in little ways was very heartwarming. 

The two finished their meal and Luigi helped clean up.  

 

“So…” Mario said, breaking the monotonous sound of washing dishes, “…you and-a Daisy have been… how you-a say… hanging out more, yes?” 

 

Luigi was caught off guard by Mario’s question. He knew his brother, and he knew where this was going. “Y-yeah. We’ve-a been hanging out more.”

 

“Cool, cool as long as my-a bro is happy…” Mario continued washing dishes. Luigi looked at him suspiciously while he dried and put away the dishes. He knew that wasn’t all Mario wanted to say. 

 

“So… when you are at-a Daisy's place, do you have your own-a room or…” 

 

“I-a sleep in the guest room.” Luigi shut down whatever Mario was thinking. 

 

“Alright alright…” Mario resumed his tasked. “…I’m-a just saying, I-a heard it gets pretty cold in the desert. I-a wouldn’t think anything of it if you-a had to…share a bed, you know? To-a keep-a her warm, you see?” Mario added, with a little smirk. 

 

Luigi sighed knowing what exactly Mario was getting at. Luigi grabbed the spray nozzle and began to lightly douse his brother.  “No no no, nothing like-a that happens when me and-a Daisy are together. Is-a that what you-a do at a Peach’s place, huh?”

 

Mario playfully tried to block the jets of water with a dinner plate. “Hey hey cut it out. I-a didn’t mean anything like-a that.” He playfully shouted behind the plate. “It’s just… maybe… you-a marry her before I’m uncle Mario, yes?” Luigi didn’t even dignify that with a respond, just a spray to Mario’s face. 

 

The two finally finished the dishes, but not before enduring a few more prying comments. As Luigi prepared for bed, he couldn't shake the weighty decision of when to tell Mario about his split with Daisy. There were so many considerations weighing on his mind. He didn't want Mario to develop any negative feelings toward Daisy or hold out hope for a reconciliation. Furthermore, he was wary of Mario trying to set him up with someone new. At the moment, Luigi himself was unsure of what he wanted. Initially, he had dated Daisy partly because of how well they got along, but also because Mario was growing closer to Peach romantically. It had seemed natural for Luigi to follow suit; if Mario was dating a princess, then Luigi should too. However, now that he was essentially single, Luigi found himself uncertain about what he sought in a partner. Daisy had initially attracted Luigi with her strength, ruggedness, and domineering personality, all of which stood in stark contrast to Peach's demeanor. Daisy's physical appearance also intrigued Luigi; beneath her usual puffy dress lay toned biceps, broad shoulders, and washboard abs. Her hands, concealed by gloves, were rough and calloused, with bruised knuckles. Spending more casual time with her had revealed a relaxed side of Daisy, reminding Luigi of how guys would act in the locker rooms back in school. She epitomized the term 'Tom-boy.'

 

“Hmm…” Luigi paused, contemplating what his past crushes might reveal about him. As he brushed his teeth, memories of his crushes flooded back. Daisy was his first relationship, but before her, there were others:

 

Cindy Petinken - His third-grade crush, a bit of a tomboy who was always kind to Luigi and stood up to bullies for him. He once boldly told his mother he would marry her, but only if Mario got married first.

 

Susan Schwartz - His crush in seventh grade, one of the tallest girls in school. Luigi was struck by her boyishly short hair and her preference for athletic clothing. Despite being mistaken for a boy and teased by other kids, Susan remained strong-willed and unaffected by the taunts. Although they never talked, Luigi admired her from a distance.

 

Tony Romano…

 

Luigi suddenly spat out his toothpaste in frustration. Why was Tony coming to mind? Before dropping out of school, Mario and Luigi had few friends, but Tony wasn’t really a friend, just someone who was kind to them. Tony was on the football team with Mario and helped train him when the coaches ignored him. He would also chat with Luigi during theater class. Looking back, Tony fit the mold of a classic ladies' man: tall, rugged, and strong, everything that would typically attract someone. But Luigi didn’t have a crush on him... right?

 

“No, no, no… he was just-a nice guy. A nice GUY! I admired him… that’s all.” Luigi reassured himself, continuing to brush his teeth.

He went back to thinking about his former crushes, mentally scratching Tony off the list. 

 

• Destiny Del Vecchio - everyone liked her. She was pretty and… pretty…and pretty. Okay, admittedly, there wasn’t much to her other than her stunning looks. In fact she was a bit of a bully herself. But she was nice to Luigi that one time in math… when she wanted to cheat off of his test. 

 

Okay, so Destiny wasn’t really a crush. Perhaps he needs to look past high school to figure out what he wants in a partner. As Luigi grew into his adulthood, he didn’t really have many crushes anymore. He began thinking about trade school. Then it struck him, he did have one intense crush on someone in his cohort when he first began learning his plumbing trade. 

 

• Michelle Rossi - She was a lot bigger than Luigi, both in height and broadness, and stronger too; she worked out a lot. With very short hair like Susan Schwartz, she had a cute face, albeit a little rough around the edges. Luigi was enamored by her, admiring her strength and her willingness to get dirty on the job. Michelle was also very friendly and funny, once making Luigi laugh so hard he shot soda right out of his nose. Luigi often found himself just staring at her in class. She was always up for grabbing a slice of pizza after class, no matter how late it was, and she was always ready to test their new skills on any leaky pipe or clogged toilet.Luigi vividly remembers one time walking into the men’s restroom at school to find Michelle reinstalling a whole sink and urinal. He ended up helping her, learning much more about the trade than what was taught in class.

 

Wait… why was Michelle in the men’s restroom? The more Luigi thought about it the more things didn’t add up. He distinctly remember a conversation he had with her about his mustache. By this time, Luigi’s mustache had fully come in and he began to take notable care for it. He remembered how many compliments he got on his face fuzz from Michelle, and how she wished she could grow one of her own? Wait… what?

Luigi paused again. That couldn’t be right. Just then Mario walked by the bathroom on his way to bed. 

 

“Hey Mario. Do you remember-a Michelle Rossi? From trade school?” 

 

Mario looked at Luigi confused. “Who’s Michelle Rossi? Is that-a Michael Rossi’s sister or something!” 

 

Hearing that unlocked some very painful memories. There was no Michelle, it was Michael. All those memories made sense now; of course Michael was in the men’s restroom, why wouldn’t he be? He was a man. And of course, he wished his mustache was as full as Luigi’s; at the time, Michael had barely started letting his facial hair grow out.

 

Then Luigi remembered something even worse: the reason they stopped talking to each other. It was in class, and Luigi was just daydreaming and staring at Michael, when another classmate made a snide remark to Luigi about it.

 

-  - - - - - - - - - 

 

“Dang Luigi, take a picture, it will last longer.” the unnamed student said loud enough for everyone to hear. A group of them start laughing loudly. Mario gets up just about to fight with them all but Michael puts his hand on his shoulder holding him back. 

 

“Hey, cut it out!” Michael said. “Lu just trying to read the board. If you knuckle heads did the same maybe you’d have your plumbing certificate by know. Isn’t this like your fourth time in this course?”

 

“Geez man, sticking up for your fruity boyfriend I see.” Another guy jeered. 

 

“Look who’s talking. Lu ain’t weird like that. But if I remember correctly, didn’t your girl leave you when she caught you playing too much grab ass with Ricky over there.” This counter jab got a roaring laugh out of everyone else, even Mario got a kick out of it. Luigi, however, only played along, laughing along as the group traded comebacks and quips; seemingly forgetting that it was Luigi’s wandering eyes that started the whole thing. 

 

“Lu ain’t weird like that.”

“Lu ain’t weird like that.”

“Lu ain’t weird like that.”

“Lu ain’t WEIRD like that.”

 

Luigi, by that time, had been called every name under the sun, but it was Michael’s well-meaning remark that stuck. On one hand, he was sticking up for him, but on the other, he did think people like that were weird. And what frightened him the most was the thought - what if he was weird like that? No, no, no, he just admired him a lot. It was normal for guys to admire each other. But… at the time, it felt a little more… intense.

Luigi remembered that after that moment, he hung out with Michael less and less, to avoid anyone thinking he was in any way weird. He even went as far as wearing sunglasses inside so that no one would think he was staring at anyone. He eventually was able to push past anything he might have felt for Michael, dismissing it as just a minor platonic infatuation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - 

 

Now looking back, however, questions begin to resurfacing about Michael, about his those feelings, about his preferences, about who he is. 

 

“I-a wonder what happened to him, we-a use to hang out back in trade school, you know?” Mario said, breaking Luigi’s train of thought. 

 

“Y-y-yeah, who knows what he’s up to.” Luigi said, frantically going back to brushing his teeth. 

 

That night, Luigi lay in bed, eyes wide open, still trying to make sense of his thoughts. So many questions swirled around in his head. Reflecting on what he liked about Daisy, Destiny, Susan, and Cindy, he realized those traits were similar to what he 'admired' in Michael, and, if he was admitting things to himself, Tony too. But... there was something different about his feelings toward them. He just couldn’t figure it out. Finally, as he began to drift asleep, a possible answer surfaced: 'Maybe you like men.'

 

That thought made Luigi shoot up out of bed. It was simultaneously new yet oddly familiar. In his family growing up, this wasn’t something he ever talked about. He didn’t even have the words for it until high school. But now, as things began to solidify, a new terror crept in.

 

Suddenly, without warning, a memory crept back in.

————

 

It was Luigi and Mario as little kids sitting down in the living room in their home in Brooklyn. Their whole extended family was gathered in the living room, and his dad was flipping through the channels. The channel surfing stopped when Uncle Tony bumped the remote out of his dad’s hands. The TV settled on a channel featuring a sitcom. Two men were talking very close to each other, until... they leaned in for a kiss. This wasn’t the first time Luigi had seen two people kiss; his parents were plenty affectionate, as well as the tons of kissing couples in movies, TV shows, and just around Brooklyn. But this was the first time little Luigi had seen two men kissing. It was completely eye-opening, as this wasn’t an option he thought existed. However, this option would soon close off when he witnessed the reactions of everyone else around him.

 

His brother's disgust, his mother trying to shield his eyes, his father's desperation to change the channel, his uncles teasing their father over the mishap. He had never seen his family react like that, but seeing it cemented for little Luigi that what he saw on TV was wrong.

 

————-

 

Luigi lay awake throughout the night, unable to shake the images from the TV of those men engaged in such intimate acts. His mind was a tumult of old daydreams he once harbored about being intimate with Michael. As morning dawned, all he could think about was how to change this, how to suppress these feelings. This wasn’t who he wanted to be. He wanted to be normal, to fit in, and everything would be fine. Determined, Luigi began crafting a plan to “correct course” and not be perceived as “different.” He couldn’t even bring himself to think or say the word that might confirm his fears.Luigi brewed a pot of coffee and downed half of it before Mario even woke up. He had spent the early morning outlining his “Super Duper Foolproof Plan to Be Normal Just Like His Brother and Not Weird.” Luigi wasn’t great at naming things, but this three-part plan, in his mind, was guaranteed to keep those thoughts at bay.Part one: Keep busy. The busier he stayed, the less time he had to dwell on those thoughts. He resolved to find work, any work, to keep his mind occupied.Part two: Maintain the façade of dating Daisy until he could find someone else. Then, marry that person as soon as possible.Part three: Seek help from E. Gadd. Maybe he would have something to fix this, as he had before.While his plan wasn’t so extreme that Mario might become suspicious, he did need Mario out of the house for a bit while he visited E. Gadd's laboratory. After Mario and Daisy's venture into Luigi's head, a return visit to the lab might raise suspicions. Fortunately, the call to adventure had come for Mario. He had been summoned to the Seaside Kingdom to help locate a missing part for their Glass Tower. It wasn’t a major mission, but the journey there and back would provide Luigi with enough time to set the last part of his plan in motion.Quietly, Luigi slipped out to the back of their cottage and called E. Gadd. However, in typical E. Gadd fashion, the call went straight to voicemail.

 

“At the tone, record your message.” BEEP

 

Luigi hesitated before speaking. “Uh hello, i-i-it’s-a me, Luigi. Um I-I-I am-a calling to-to-to ask for your-a help, yes, yes that’s it. Um…” Luigi began to whisper into the receiver of his phone. “I’m-a having a-a-a thoughts about… gulp… men. Like-a…um… in-a p-p-personal ways… you know. A-a-a-anyways if you can-a call me back, remember it’s-a me Luigi.”  

 

After leaving the message, the green clad plumber runs back inside and finishes his coffee. Soon after, Luigi began packing Mario’s things for him. Luigi was grabbing Mario’s things and clothes without giving much thought and stuffing them in his suitcase.

 

“Woah woah woah, what’s-a the rush? I don’t-a leave till noon,” Mario said, finally emerging from their room.

 

“Oh, I just-a wanted to make sure you had everything, you know?”

 

“…ok… but you-a know I’m going to the Seaside Kingdom for just a couple hours, maybe a day,” Mario said, looking at the haphazard suitcase Luigi packed to the brim with all kinds of clothes.

 

“Well you-a never know right? Just wanted to make sure you-a have everything you-a need.” He said with a press on smile. Luigi was doing a horrible job at hiding his eagerness for Mario to go.

“Right…” Mario gave Luigi a sly smile. “Well… if you and-a Daisy need a little more time…perhaps I can-a take my time coming home.” Luigi groaned in embarrassment. 

 

Mario slowly got ready, taking his time to get dressed and drink his coffee. Luigi watched, poorly trying to hide his impatience. It’s not that Luigi’s plans were odd or bizarre, with the exception of one visit to a senile old, mad scientist, it’s just that they were out of the norm for Luigi. And after his recent bout of depression, Mario had been extremely vigilant of his brother's behavior. He knew if Mario caught him working out or starting some random project he would figure something is up, or at the very least start asking questions. Luigi was a terrible liar when it came to direct questions from his brother. He knew he would crumble under his brother's interrogation. It was wiser to keep it to little white lies and avoided his questioning at all cost. 

After Mario set off for the Seaside Kingdom by ground, opting for a slower journey instead of using the warp pipe, Luigi found himself with plenty of time on his hands. Mario's overland route meant it would take him a full day to reach the Seaside Kingdom.

 

With Mario out of sight, Luigi began preparing for his own adventure. He started by packing some workout clothes into a small duffle bag, though he didn't have many. His wardrobe consisted mainly of pajamas and the occasional sweatpants, with no proper shoes other than his work boots. He would need to find somewhere to buy a suitable pair.

 

Luigi also gathered some of his tools, not just his plumbing tools but also some woodworking tools. Over the years, Luigi had developed a passion for home remodeling. In Brooklyn, he had offered minor remodeling services to people who had experienced major water damage. He had even taken additional classes and workshops to expand his carpentry skills. To keep himself occupied, he decided he could offer to remodel a room in Daisy's palace. Daisy had mentioned a few times that she wished for a better bathroom in her training gym.

 

Luigi decides to call Daisy. Since they have been hanging out together more, he knows he could just drop in without notice and it wouldn’t be a problem. Still, he’s not one to do that. 

 

“Hey Lu, what’s up?” Daisy answers. 

 

“Oh. Hey Daisy, I just wanted to let-a you know I’m headed to-a your place for a bit. Mario is-a out on another adventure and…”

 

“DON’T LEAVE YET!” Daisy interrupted. “I’m actually headed to the Mushroom Kingdom right now. Peach wants to have a tea party with me. Meet me at her palace and I’ll take you with me when we’re done.”

 

"Okie dokie!" Luigi replied, hanging up. This was perfect. Accompanying Daisy to this tea party would keep in Peach's mind that they were still an item.

 

But then a thought struck him. What about Daisy? He had been so selfishly thinking about himself that he hadn't considered Daisy's needs. She had agreed not to tell anyone about their breakup until he was ready, but still. That request was a big ask. Daisy, like Luigi, was also a terrible liar. Asking her to keep this secret was asking a lot. On top of that, Luigi was essentially asking her to put her love life on hold.

 

He knew he would have to come clean soon. He figured their time together would be the best opportunity to figure out how they should handle it.

 

Luigi gathered his things and headed to the nearest warp pipe. He wasn't going to walk to the castle. Despite Peach's declaration, many of the Toads still openly showed their disdain for him. The warp pipe by their cottage went directly to Peach's garden, where she was to have tea with Daisy.

 

——————————-

 

Meanwhile, Bradley impatiently awaited the end of his shift, eager to set his plan in motion. Ever since learning of Bowser's change of heart regarding the Mushroom Kingdom, Bradley had been approached by members of a clandestine group. It had all begun a few weeks ago...

 

While in his room, Bradley boisterously outlined his kidnapping scheme when a knock interrupted his thoughts. Quickly concealing his written plans under the bed, he opened the door to find a purple-shelled Koopa, still clad in his guard uniform.

 

"Can I help you?" Bradley inquired, curious about the visitor's purpose.

 

"Not really, but I can assist you," the Koopa replied.

 

Bradley scrutinized the Koopa, slightly offended by the implication that he needed help. "Oh, and what can YOU do to help me exactly?"

 

"Firstly, allow me to offer my condolences. I understand your desire to join Bowser on the raid, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed," the Koopa said in a faux sympathetic tone. "My organization and I have been monitoring your progress closely. We've witnessed your diligent attempts to impress, only to be thwarted by Bowser's sudden change of plans. What a shame. What a waste."

 

"Who is 'we,' and what do you mean you've been watching me?" Bradley demanded, scanning the area for any signs of surveillance.

 

"Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Charlie, like you, I'm a foot soldier in Bowser's army. But I'm also part of a group that shares values similar to your own. We, too, want to see the Darklands return to its former glory. We also see you as a valuable asset to help us reach that goal."

 

Bradley's interest was piqued. "Go on."

 

"We are ROASTED - Restore Our Authority, Subjugate Toads Evermore Darklands. Our mission is to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom and bring the Toads back under the thumb of the Darklands, expanding our kingdom," Charlie explained.

 

"THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TOO!" Exclaimed Bradley.

 

"I knew you would, that's why you're a perfect fit for our organization. Now, if only there was a way to convince Bowser of this mission. His current plan of diplomacy goes against everything we at ROASTED stand for. It goes against everything the former kings of this land stood for," Charlie said.

 

"I know, right? It had to be that damn Luigi guy. He must have polluted Bowser's mind, butI already have a plan to fix all of this," Bradley grabbed his plans from under his bed. "I had planned to get rid of that green menace. You see..."

 

Charlie interrupted. "Hey, these plans look great. How about you show them to our leader? She would love to see them," 

 

"Who's your leader?"

 

"A great Koopa herself. In fact, she is part of the direct bloodline to the throne. I personally think she would be a much better queen, if only Bowser would see that instead of pursuing that weak human, Peach."

 

"Whoa, it's like you are reading my mind. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT! Peach is such a horrible choice for a queen. It should be another Koopa!" Bradley couldn't hold in his excitement.

 

When the coast was clear, the two ventured off to a dark part of the city, into an abandoned building. Bradley was greeted by a room full of Koopas, all sporting leather jackets and fringe on the chest and back. At the center was a giant female Koopa.

 

Bradley was brought to her as she rose from her chair. “Oh, good evening, dear. I’ve heard so much about you,” she said, drawing closer to him. “Though I must say, you are much taller than Charlie let on, and that hair. You must have some royal Koopa blood in you.”

 

Bradley blushed. “Well, you know, my background is a mystery even to me. Who knows, maybe I’m part great Koopa.”

 

“Oh, for sure you are,” the giant Koopa said, inflating his ego just a little more. “Oh, where are my manners, allow me to introduce myself. I am Vashella Tortus, a noble Koopa who, due to… let’s say ‘creative differences,’ is unable to serve this great kingdom with the authority I once had. But Charlie informs me that you have hatched a little plan that can sway things within the kingdom.”

 

“I sure do!” Bradley eagerly grabbed his plans. Any apprehensions he might have had were gone. Bradley was quite easy to sway; a few ego-boosting compliments and he would be willing to sell anyone out.

 

Bradley went into as much detail as he could about his plans to kidnap Luigi and Peach.

 

“My, my, this is quite the plan,” Vashella said.

 

“Yeah… but it’s just missing the opportunity to catch them. And I still need to figure out how to rid the kingdom of Mario once he’s in my trap.”

 

"Well, that’s where we can help each other," Vashella chimed in. "You see, I have spies in every kingdom around the globe, and would you just happen to know, Peach will be having a quaint little tea party in her garden a few days from now. Exposed and vulnerable, like a ripe fruit just waiting for the picking. Mario will be in the Seaside Kingdom during her little tea party so grabbing her will be no issue at all."

 

"What about Luigi?"

 

Vashella grabbed a vial from her purse. “Take this.”

 

"What is it?" Bradley looked at the vial containing green and purple swirling liquid.

 

"This is Warp Move. This little concoction is what gives warp pipes life. A few drops on the rim of the pipe and they will begin to inch along like worms in the sand. A few drops on the ground, and all sentient pipes will redirect themselves to that very spot," Vashella explained.

 

"Wait… you mean y'all were behind…"

 

"Why yes. It was our original attempt to course-correct. Our plan was to send a few Koopa Troopas into the Mushroom Kingdom, forcing Bowser to take up arms with them instead of playing nice with them. It was our attempt to show Bowser the true nature of the Mushroom Kingdom. Unfortunately, we had not expected Bowser to fall into our trap, nor did we expect the sentient warp pipes to send him into the mountains. However, we have since refined the formula to be much more predictable."

 

"That's what my plan is meant to do too… kind of. I want him to see that that green guy is no good and that Peach isn’t worth it. I can lock them up and he will have full range on the Mushroom Kingdom. I just don’t know about that Mario fella," Bradley pondered.

 

"You can leave that to us," Vashella stated. With that, the group began refining Bradley’s plans.

 

That all took place over a week ago. Now, Bradley waits for the perfect moment, right before the end of his shift at the west gate. In his satchel, the vial of Warp Move. He is to place a few drops on the ground right outside the gate and wait for Luigi to use the warp pipe. Upon hearing that Luigi was to join the tea party, one of Vashella’s spies had placed a few drops on the warp pipe by Mario and Luigi’s cottage. He waited until the coast was clear before running over to an inconspicuous spot. Using the pipette that came with the vial, he dropped a few droplets on the ground and took a step back. Within seconds, a warp pipe sprung up like a weed. Amazed at how fast it worked, Bradley went back to his post, keeping his eye on the pipe. It would be almost an hour before he heard something from the pipe.

 

“Mama Mia, not again,” exclaimed Luigi, looking around at his surroundings. “The warp pipes have gone kablooie again.”

 

Bradley grinned, seeing his plan work. Just as expected, Luigi was delivered to him like a pizza. Now all he had to do was play the dutiful guard and arrest the trespasser.

 

Bradley grabbed his spear and enchanted 'arresting rope' and charged towards the unsuspecting plumber. “HALT, TRESPASSER!”

 

Luigi squeaked in fright. “Uh… eh… Scusi… I-I-I didn’t mean to-a come here. I-a might be lost. Heh heh,” he said, trying to give Bradley a non-threatening grin.

 

“SAVE IT FOR THE DUNGEON!” Bradley yelled, making sure the other guards could hear him.

Luigi tried to go back into the pipe, but Bradley grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and yanked him out of the pipe. Using the enchanted ropes Vashella’s magikoopas gave him, Bradley was able to bind Luigi’s hands and feet together, immobilizing him. Despite Luigi being taller than Bradley, the koopa managed to hoist the green-clad plumber over his shoulder.

 

“PLEASE, I-a mean you no harm. The warp pipe, she-a not right. I’m-a sorry I-a didn’t mean to come here,” Luigi cried.

 

“Save it for Bowser when he gets back,” Bradley commanded.

 

Bradley rushed to the dungeon and threw Luigi into the first empty cell. He looked down at the whimpering plumber, satisfied with himself. He couldn’t spend too much time basking in his accomplishment; Peach and Daisy were due to have their tea party any minute.

 

Bradley rushed back to his room and changed out of his guard uniform and into his new leather vest, the same vest Vashella's minions were wearing. He ran down to where the castle patrol motorbikes were parked, grabbed one, and raced to the warp pipe that delivered him Luigi. A few more drops of the potion, and the warp pipe expanded to accommodate him and his bike. Bradley, still atop the bike, tilted the front of it down into the pipe, and soon he was zooming through the tangled warp pipes at lightning speed.

 

On the other end, Bradley was launched into the air, landing on the soft caps of the giant mushrooms before not so gracefully landing on the road. Using a map one of Vashella's minions gave him, he had a direct path to Peach, and with the rope gun he had tucked away on the motorbike, a method of capture.

 

Meanwhile, in Peach’s garden two princesses have already begun to enjoy their tea. Daisy waits anxiously for Luigi to show up. Part of the reason she so quickly invited him was to avoid being alone with Peach. 

 

“I’m so glad you were able to make it today Daisy.” Peach cheerfully says. “Come, have a seat, the tea should be ready soon.” Peach gestures to an opulently decorated table full of mini sandwiches and sweets. 

 

Daisy hesitated. “Sure…but shouldn’t we wait for Luigi? I'm sure he is on the way right now.” Daisy tried to stall. 

 

“Don’t worry, I have my castle personnel looking out for him. They will escort him to us when he arrives. Besides, this will give us a chance to talk, Princess to Princess.” Peach said with a smile. 

 

Peach’s smile said it all. She knew the only reason she invited her for tea was to talk about her and Luigi’s relationship. She has been hinting at Daisy for some time now that she should start considering, if not planning, their wedding. Peach fancied herself an event planner and weddings were her favorite things to plan. Peach, like Mario, was also a fan of love. 

Daisy, in contrast, was starting to grasp the depth of Luigi's struggles. She could be quite oblivious at times. When she and Luigi were together officially, she didn't feel pressured to marry or anything. This was mainly because they rarely saw each other. However, since their breakup, they paradoxically began to spend more time together. While this was to strengthen their friendship, from an outsider's perspective, it seemed like their love was deepening. Luigi had confided in her that part of his stress came from the pressure in the Mushroom Kingdom to get married. Daisy hadn't felt that pressure until now. The dukes and advisors in Daisy's court had been relentless in their push for her to marry. They even commissioned two golden statues to be made of the couple. Daisy was starting to understand what Luigi had been feeling, and she didn't like it.

Like Luigi, Daisy was a terrible liar; her face gave away everything. Not only that, Daisy didn’t like lying. She is very upfront and honest about everything. So participating in his lie was beginning to eat at her. She only agreed to it to give Luigi more time to figure himself out, but each day gets a little harder. Now she was alone with Peach, and with Luigi late to their tea party, she didn’t stand a chance with Peach’s questioning. 

 

“So Daisy… how are things with Luigi?” Peach asked, sipping her tea. 

 

“Oh-um me and Luigi? Great, perfect, never been better.” Daisy nervously sips her tea, her eyes darting around the garden looking for Luigi to show up. 

 

“That’s so good to hear. You know, I was worried there for a bit. With you two living so far apart, and the incident during that disastrous date, I was afraid I might have caused a rift between you two. But it seems like you were able to patch things up. After you, Mario, and professor E. Gadds helped Luigi out, you two seemed to have grown so much closer.” 

 

“Ah-yes, yeah you know it. Me and Weegie are like two peas in a pod now-a-days.” Daisy said, trying to act chipper. 

 

“Perhaps maybe it’s time for me to reserve some time in Seaside Chapel?” Peach said, brimming with excitement. 

 

“You… really don’t have to do that.” Daisy said, trying to politely decline. 

 

“Oh you’re right, I’m sure you would want two ceremonies; one back at your kingdom and one here.” Peach wasn’t picking up on Daisy's apprehensions. 

 

“Woah now… let’s just… put a pin in that for now.”

 

“Hmm you're right. It’s not like he’s popped the question… yet.” Peach said with a smirk and a giggle. 

 

“Hey, hey, enough about my love life. What about you, Peach? When's your mustached fella going to make an honest woman out of you?” Daisy deflected, trying to steer the conversation away from her.

 

“Well, that's the problem. Mario and Luigi are so... interdependent. While Luigi might show it more outwardly, Mario's reliance on his brother is internalized,” Peach confided.

 

Daisy looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Mario is out there, right now, on some grand adventure alone. That doesn’t sound like a man who is co-dependent.”

 

“Yes, Mario is definitely more confident and willing to jump into danger. But it all comes from the same place; a desire to make sure our kingdom, this world is safe. Not just for me, but mostly for his brother,” Peach explained. “He’s constantly checking in on him, doting over him, and seeking his approval on just about everything.”

 

Peach’s expression began to lose its normal cheer. “N-N-Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I love that Mario loves his brother…”

 

“It’s just?” Daisy probed.

 

“It’s just… it seems like Mario is waiting for something before he will take our relationship further.”

 

"But you two seem like such a perfect couple. Much more lovey-dovey than me and Luigi were—ARE! Much more than me and Luigi are," Daisy tried to shield her Freudian slip.

 

"It's not that things aren’t great. They’re just… stagnant. Every time we are together, it feels like the first time. Every date feels like the first date, which was great for a while… but…" Peach hesitated.

 

"But?"

 

"But… I want us to be… more," Peach said, completely red-faced.. 

 

“Oh, do tell.” Daisy said with a sly grin, now completely invested in the conversation. 

 

“NOT LIKE THAT!” Peach shouted, knowing exactly what Daisy meant. “It’s just… Mario seems to be holding back for some reason and I think it’s because of his brother. You know, he didn’t ask me out officially until Luigi was formally introduced to you. And he only started staying here overnight when yours and Luigi’s relationship was official. I fear, the pace of our relationship is completely dependent on yours with Luigi. If Mario feels that he is outpacing his brother he won’t proceed. Hence why…”

 

“Hence why you are trying to see where me and Weegie are at.” Daisy said. 

 

“I know it’s selfish of me, and I know you might not be ready. But if there's a chance that you two are at least on the path towards that goal, maybe Mario would be willing to move forward with us as well. Mario just wants to make sure his brother is set up for a happy life with you before he takes the plunge with me.”

 

Daisy felt a pang of discomfort hearing that. It was clear to her that Peach deeply desired this. She also recognized Peach's tendency to prioritize others' needs over her own. Peach would drop hints, but she would never outright tell Mario to marry her. Daisy also understood Mario's hesitation; he wouldn't propose to Peach unless he sensed Luigi was ready to do the same, or at least in a position where he could. It tore Daisy apart inside to know that Peach would have to find another way to encourage Mario to propose.

 

“Um… Peach… I need to tell you something…” Daisy said, her secret just behind her lips. “Me and Luigi actually…

 

VROOM VROOM

 

The tranquility of the garden was ruined by the sound of a motorcycle. Before the two could figure out where it was coming from, a leather clad koopa atop a cycle appeared in the air. The motor cycle landed on the table between the two princesses, smashing it and all the fine china that was on it, to pieces. Both princesses are knocked down from the impact. 

 

“Sorry princess, but I got to deliver you all wrapped up for my boss.” Bradley says aiming his capture gun at the pink princess. 

 

“PEACH LOOK OUT!” Daisy shouts, as she struggles to get to her own feet. 

 

Peach turns to run but Bradley’s gun is too fast. Before she could process what was happening, ropes wrapped around her body, and she was yanked forcefully to the koopa’s awaiting bike. 

 

“Heh, that was ea- OUCH!” Bradley exclaimed after being hit with a tea cup. 

 

“You ain’t going anywhere with the Princesss, CREEP!” Daisy commanded, readying a couple of plates and serving trays as weapons. 

 

“Sorry toots…” Bradley grabbed a couple of hidden smoke bombs from his vest, detonating them, cover the garden in a cloud of smoke. “…I gotta go, Bowser only got room for Peach so no bodyguards allowed.” He shouted has he cycled off with Peach tied to his backseat. 

 

Daisy stood in the garden, unphased by the smoke. The word ‘bodyguard’ rang in her head. Did this lesser minion of Bowser just refer to the ruling Princess of Sarasaland as Peach’s bodyguard? Daisy wasn’t one for titles and flaunting her status as a princess. However, she was a stickler for respect even among her adversaries. So to have a koopa, a mere minion not only not recognize her as the princess of Sarasaland, but to confuse her for Peach’s bodyguard was beyond the pale. 

 

As Bradley drove towards the warp pipe he began to hear what sounded like gigantic foot steps. Glancing at his rear view mirror he saw it, it was Daisy running at full force towards him. On top of her impressive speed, she was also yielding a garden bench. 

 

“WHATS YOUR BODYGUARDS DAMAGE?!” Bradley shouted at Peach, noticing Daisy gaining ground. 

 

“She’s not my bodyguard idiot, she…BENCH!”

 

“WHAT-AAAHHH!!!” Bradley narrowly missed the garden bench that was hurled at him. 

 

The motorbike riding koopa dodged one garden item, turned projectile, after another. Peach only stays affixed to the bike by the thin ropes she was captured with.  Daisy, for her part, kept Bradley on his toes as she found more improvised weapons to stop him. Pacer stones, tables, chairs, gardening equipment, small bushes, anything that wasn’t tied down was hurled at the Koopa. Peach wasn’t even sure if Daisy was trying to help rescue her or just hurt the Koopa. 

Bradley looks desperately for a way out of this garden. Getting in was easy, but the tall walls and hedges made getting out a lot harder. However, just as Daisy was about to throw the last unshattered flower pot, the guards opens the castle doors. Now’s his chance. It was risky but cutting through the castle might be a way out. Bradley took a sharp turn straight toward the guards and right past Daisy. Daisy, caught off guard by the sudden turn, jumps out of the way. The guards followed suit as their thin spears were no match for the motorbike. Bradley darted down the corridors and halls of Peach’s castle with no rhyme or reason, outpacing the now fully alerted castle security. The security toads began blocking halls and doors forcing him down a hall to the grand entrance. He couldn’t go out the front door, so Bradley made a brash decision. He cuts the motorbike towards the first window and crashes through glass and out in the courtyard. There he had enough space to dodge the toads and make a clean getaway to the surrounding city outside the castle. 

Without any regards to the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom or the safety of his hostage, Bradley bobs and weaves around market places, busy streets, and traffic, evading capture. 

He managed to get out of the central city and was on the path back to the warp pipe by the plumbers’ cottage. Looking in his review mirror he could see Peach’s security team and Daisy have taken chase on their own vehicles. However, he could also see the warp pipe he traveled. The sentient warp pipes bends itself to accommodate Bradley’s bike and in an instant he was back in the Darklands. 

Bradley stops his bike, pulls out another vile of liquid and smashes it on the warp pipe he just exited. In seconds, the pipe shrivels up and disappears, closing the connection between the two kingdoms. 

 

“Heh…heh…ha ha ha haaa… I did it. Everything went according to plan! I got the princess and one of those damn plumbers in one day!” Bradley celebrates. “Now, time to deliver my catch to Bowser, accept my accolades, and become his right hand man as we…” he stops mid sentence. 

 

He was expecting to see a frightened, even tearful, Princess begging and pleading to be freed. Instead, Peach just looked at him with an annoyed and petered expression on her face. 

 

“You know this isn’t going to end well for you right?” She said in an unusually blunt tone. 

 

Bradley didn’t expect the chill those words spoken would deliver. 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: Luigi and Mario hail from a traditional immigrant family and have led sheltered lives. The brothers have not encountered anything related to LGBTQ+ issues except for the occasionally witnessing it on tv, and Luigi’s lacks the vocabulary to articulate his feelings in that regard. Both brothers consider themselves open-minded, but when it comes to their own or each other's identities, they tend to adhere to the status quo. Their primary motivation for this is to avoid standing out any more than necessary. Since arriving in the Mushroom Kingdom, they have not considered anything LGBTQ+ related until now.

Chapter 11: An Unusal Reunion

Summary:

Bradley's plan is coming together; Luigi is in the dungeon, Peach is tied up, and soon Mario will be lured into his trap. Everything is going according to plan. There is no way that this won't end successfully.

Notes:

This chapter was my most ambitious yet. It features three illustrations, and I was tempted to include a fourth, but I had to restrain myself to ensure timely completion. It took weeks of editing and rewriting, particularly focusing on crafting compelling action scenes, which proved more challenging than anticipated.

Additionally, you may spot a couple of subtle Easter egg references to "They Live" and "Futurama."

Luigi sat alone in the cramped metal cage that dangled a few feet off the ground, consumed by fear, anxiety, and overwhelming sadness. Memories of his first moments in this world flooded back—the fall into the dark lands and his capture by Bowser’s army. These emotions hit him like a tidal wave, intensified by his belief that Bowser was changing for the better. He vividly recalled their time on the mountain, sensing a genuine desire in Bowser to change, especially for his son's sake. But now, trapped in the dungeon, doubts crept in. 

 

Maybe this was all a misunderstanding. After all, it wasn’t Bowser who had captured him; it was one of his guards. Surely, all Luigi needed to do was explain the situation—that this was a terrible accident, caused by the malfunctioning warp pipes. But then, a disturbing thought intruded: what if Bowser hadn’t changed at all? Shouldn’t he have instructed his guards not to see Luigi as a threat? They had seemed to be on good terms, perhaps even friends. Bowser had even invited him to see his city. Was it all a lie? Had Bowser merely used him to achieve his own ends, toying with him as part of some twisted game? This thought cut deeper than the physical confines of his small metal cage.

 

Luigi sat in the cold, dark dungeon, weeping silently, his heart heavy with confusion and betrayal.

 

Outside the castle, a rogue Koopa rode a motorbike with Princess Peach in tow. Having been kidnapped by Bowser several times before, Peach had learned to anticipate his moves. She found Bowser to be quite predictable. Armed with this knowledge, she even trained herself to counter these kidnappings, if possible.

 

Despite Bowser's actions, he never physically harmed her. In all their encounters, he never once inflicted any physical pain on her. Bowser always personally carried out the kidnappings; while he might send his minions to disrupt her guards or impede Mario, he reserved the act of capturing Peach for himself. Additionally, Bowser never incarcerated her in typical prison cells or dungeons. He respected her status as a princess and usually kept her in a luxurious room. Even when she was caged, the confinement was relatively comfortable.

 

While Bowser attempted to coerce her into marriage, he also sought her consent. In each instance, he tried to make her as comfortable as possible, hoping she would agree of her own volition. When his persuasive efforts failed, he resorted to coercion, threatening to destroy her kingdom or harm Mario. Despite his methods, Bowser seemed intent on convincing Peach to marry him, believing that showing her the life they could have together would win her over. 

 

This kidnapping, however, was anything but typical. It was not predictable, nor was it Bowser’s usual modus operandi. Peach found herself on bumpy roads, riding on the back of a beat-up motorbike, being taken by a henchman. There was no sign of Bowser, no army, just one Koopa whose plans seemed as though they were made up along the way.

 

As Peach caught a reflection of her captor's face, she sensed a mix of desperation and unbridled excitement. She was fairly certain that this Koopa had orchestrated the entire scheme alone and that he had no idea what was in store for him. 

 

The motorbike hit a pothole, causing Peach to bounce in her seat.

 

"OUCH! Can't you drive a little more carefully?" she commanded.

 

"Ooo, sorry, princess. This isn't the golden carriage you're used to; this is the Darklands. Things are rougher here, so you'd better get used to them," Bradley snapped back.

 

"You must be new here yourself," Peach pried.

 

"I’M NOT NEW!" Bradley shouted at her.

 

"Heh, new enough not to know how these kidnappings usually go. Bowser would never stick me on the back of some bike."

 

"WELL, BOWSER ISN'T HERE! You've got me, and I don’t have your 'usual accommodations,' spoiled little brat."

 

Peach leaned in, ensuring he would hear her. "Bowser also doesn’t like when people do his dirty work."

 

Bradly's eyes widened. His whole plan was predicated on Bowser expressing his gratitude towards the Koopa for all his work. It never crossed his mind that Bowser would be insulted by these actions.

 

“SHUT UP, WILL YA?!? What do you know? Bowser is going to love this! He’s working hard to build our kingdom, he doesn’t have time for a useless princess like yourself. He’s going to ecstatic that someone did the menial work of getting you off his hands.” Bradly said, trying to convince Peach, if not himself. 

 

Peach rolled her eyes. “Sure, you tell yourself that. We’ll see how well your boss takes this.” 

The pair continued in aggravated silence as they approached Bowser’s castle. Bradly had to sneak his way back into the castle and to the dungeon. Once inside, the Koopa made his way to the cell that contained Luigi. He opened an adjacent cage and threw Peach into it. The cage was small, too small to lay down in, and was hard and rusty. Red rust stained her pink dress. Once inside, Bradly hit the reverse button on his rope gun, unbinding the princess. 

 

“Geez you still wailing cry baby?” Bradly snarked at Luigi. 

 

“I’m…crying… the… regular… amount!” Luigi tried to rebuttal between sobs and tears. 

 

“Alright you two, don’t get too comfortable in there. Bowser will be here shortly and I’ll be delivering you to him very soon.” Bradly said menacingly. He turned to Luigi. “And when your brother arrives, I have something very special for him.” 

 

“And how are you going get him here, exactly?” Peach said, intentionally trying to poke holes in Bradly’s plan. 

 

“Oh what? Your Prince Charming is not going to rescue you and his pathetic little brother this time?” He mocked. “Don’t worry toots, I planned for all of this. You see, I can get the warp pipes to go anywhere I want them to go. And with the letter I left at his little cottage and the continently placed pipes, he’ll be here in no time. Well, just in time for him to run into our king Bowser.”

 

“Yeah, just in time for Mario to kick Bowser’s tail again.” Peach said with a smirk. 

 

“And that’s where you're wrong Princess. You see I have a plan to give my king the upper hand.” Bradly pulls out a handful of mini-mushrooms powerups. 

 

“You’re an idiot!” Peach said bluntly, unimpressed. “Since when did Koopas use powerups?” 

 

“SINCE NOW! Since I decided I'm going to use them to shrink and confine that red menace in an airtight steel box and THROW HIM IN THE LAVA PIT!!” 

 

“Obviously you’ve never used a power up before. You have to eat the mini mushrooms. And when Mario comes to rescue me, he won’t be in the mood for dinner.” Peach said confidently. 

 

“Oh I planned for that. You see these aren’t just mini mushrooms, they are dried mini mushrooms, that I will pulverize into dust. A few well placed fans and soon the room will be covered in mini mushroom dust when he arrives. I highly doubt he walks around carrying a gas mask. He’ll have no choice but to inhale hundreds of these little guys…thus turning him into… A LITTLE GUY TOO! HA HA HA HAAA!” He laughed amused by his own wit and planning. 

 

“Sit tight you two, you might be in these cages for a while.”

 

Bradly slammed the cell door as he left the dungeon. The Koopa soldier ran to the back of the dungeon where a control panel was located that moved his captors’ cages to other parts of the castle. There, he waited for Bowser’s return. 

 

In the dungeon, Luigi tried to compose himself, his tears slowly subsiding as he observed Peach's determined demeanor. Her interaction with the Koopa who had brought them there was unlike anything he had seen before. Peach was typically sweet but could also be stoic. Even when Bowser had taken her in the past, she maintained her kind-hearted nature despite her sadness or fear. This time, however, she was visibly annoyed, even angry. It was a side of her Luigi had never witnessed. She stood in her cage, deep in thought, her expression more intimidating than their surroundings. Luigi wiped his tears, attempting to regain his composure. 

 

“Um… a pr-pr-princess. Are-are-are you-a okay?” He asked, struggling to get his words out. 

 

“Oh-Luigi sorry, I was just…” Luigi words seem to break her train of thought and her expression finally softened. “I’m fine. This isn’t my first time in this predicament. What about you? Are you doing okay?”

 

“I’m-a fine Princess.” Luigi tried to muster a reassuring smile. 

 

“I’m glad. I’m also glad your here, though I wish we both weren’t in the cages.” Peach began looking around, taking in her surroundings. “Normally I would wait for either Mario or Toadsworth to come to the rescue… but…”

 

“Hmm?” 

 

“Something about that koopa gots me on edge.”

 

“I thought you-a said he was an…” Luigi said confused. 

 

“It's clear that the Koopa behind this is not the brightest. However, some of the most dangerous individuals are also the most foolish, and his plan is a prime example of idiocy. If Bowser is indeed delegating his dirty work to his henchmen, our situation could worsen if every Koopa is out to get us. On the other hand, if my suspicion is correct and this Koopa is acting without Bowser's knowledge, Bowser's reaction could be severe. I fear the consequences of his discovery.” Peach pondered aloud. 

 

Their cages began to rumble and move. “I guess we will figure that out sooner than later.”

 

“Oh no” Luigi cried. 

 

Their cages ascended out of the dungeons and into a grand hall sparsely lit and empty. The two waited in tense silence, anticipating who was going to come through the doors and what would happen to them. 

 

Bradley waited behind Bowser’s throne, picturing what would happen when Bowser finally enters and sees both Peach and Luigi dangling from their prisons like birds in a cage. He imagined Bowser praising his efforts and the two of them taking down Mario side by side ridding the kingdom of the red menace. He also envisioned that Bowser would also see that both Luigi and Peach are not worth keeping around. He would probably make them slaves and send them both to hard labor on the volcano mines, or as servants in the castle like days of old. Or perhaps he’ll just throw them both in the lava pit. Bradly shook with excitement, anticipating all his hopes and dreams would come true when Bowser finally walks through the door. 

 

BOOM… BOOM… BOOM

 

Within minutes of being hoisted into the throne room, the door opens. Within the threshold of the door was the imposing figure of Bowser. Peach and Luigi held their breath, not sure how he would react. Bradly waited for the perfect moment to jump out and take the credit. 

 

“It is good to see you back sire. I presume everything at the royal dentist went well?” Kamek inquired, following closely behind Bowser on his broom. 

 

“It was long and boring. My fangs are fine, in fact better than fine. The dentist said my teeth are probably the best he had ever seen from all the kings.” Bowser boasted. “Lemmy, on the other hand, got three of his back fangs removed. It took all day to do it and I had to wait for hours for them to be done. Apparently his fangs were tough to get out or something. I think they are just weak dentists.” Bowser bemoaned, exhausted from the day. 

 

“Oooo cotton candy in the sky… but I don’t want pickles!” Lemmy said with a slight slur to his voice. 

 

“Oh yeah, they gave him a lot of laughing knockout potion when he was there. He’s going to kind of loopy for a while.” 

 

“Noted sire, I’ll have a koopa helper prepare a bed for him.” Kamek said. 

 

Just as Kamek was about to walk out, he looks up and notices the two prisoners dangling from the cages above Bowser’s throne. “Sire, forgive me curiosity, when did you venture to the mushroom kingdom?” 

 

“What? I didn’t. I was at the dentist, I told you that already.” Bowser replied. 

 

“Oh my god! That cotton candy just blinked at me! WEEEE!!” Lemmy said while spinning on his shell, pointing up at the ceiling.  

 

“Lemmy, son, how about we play the quiet game.” Bowser groaned. 

 

“Then sire…” Kamek pointed towards the two cages above the throne. Bowser face the direction the two koopas were pointing at and finally noticed. 

 

Bowser's demeanor quickly changed. “Well well well, I knew it would be a matter of time before you saw things my way. So what was it? My dashing good looks, my enormous strength, my command of the greatest army? What finally wooed the Mushroom Kingdom princess over to my neck of the woods?” Bowser said, schmoozing and putting on an obnoxious amount of over the top charm. 

 

“Don’t flatter yourself Bowser, you know exactly why we are here.” Peach chided. 

 

“We?” Bowser looked over at the other cage to see a shaking teary eyed Luigi. “Oh Greenie what are you doing here?” He said, oblivious to Luigi’s mental state. 

 

CRASH

 

Suddenly, a window smashes through as a orange blur flies in. It was Daisy. 

 

“Seriously?! That was an expensive stained glass portrait of me! What the hell are you doing here!” Bowser barked.  

 

“I’m here to rescue Peach, kick some koopa ass, and chew on fire flowers.” Daisy says, biting into a fire flower and transforming into the fire version of herself. “And I’m all out of fire flowers.” 

 

“Geez that was a clumsy catchphrase. Anyways, you wanna go little girl? BRING IT!” Bowser begins to charge a fireball in his mouth. Daisy follows suit, aiming a fireball straight for the koopa king. 

 

CRASH

 

Another window crashes, this time by a red figure. It’s Mario, dawning a yellow cape.

 

“OH COME ON! USE THE DAMN DOOR. Kamek, take care of the orange princess. I got the pain in the butt myself!” Bowser commands

 

Bowser charges at Mario, but Mario swiftly dodges, displaying impressive agility. With a quick motion, Mario pulls out an ice flower from his pocket, transforming into Ice Mario and shooting a freezing beam toward Bowser. However, Bowser retaliates with a blast of flames, melting the ice into a cloud of steam. Mario, now shielded by the billowing cloud, cuts through the mist, leaping high and stomping on Bowser's head. Before he can escape, Bowser surprises Mario with a powerful jab, sending the plumber hurtling against the stone wall.

Shaking off the impact, Mario grabs a fire flower from his pocket, morphing into Fire Mario and launching fireballs at Bowser while charging towards him. Bowser, using his shell as a shield, deflects the fiery projectiles, all while spinning his spiky tail dangerously. Mario jumps and narrowly avoids the tail, landing a punch on Bowser's jaw followed by a kick across his face. Bowser, unfazed, retaliates by launching a barrage of fireballs at Mario.

 

There was a desperation in Mario’s eyes. He had caught Bowser before, but this time, he was like a mad man. Carelessly throwing himself at the large koopa with little to no disregard of his well being. Luigi and Peach watched in horror as the two fought. 

 

Mario deftly dodges most of them, but a few singe his clothes and burn his arms slightly. As he avoids the fireballs, Bowser's claws scratch Mario's arm, face, and chest, drawing blood. Though the wounds are not deep, they sting, adding to Mario's determination. Mario, still in his fiery form, retaliates by launching a fireball directly at Bowser's face, leaving a scorching mark.

 

Bradly watched from behind the throne, in complete awe watching his king fight valiantly. He was so wrapped up in the battle he forgot to interject with his plan. 

 

Meanwhile, Kamek was holding his own against Daisy, who had proven to be a formidable opponent. She dodged his attacks with ease and even landed a few attacks. But, the old koopa had a few tricks up his sleeve. Kamek raised his wand and created a glowing dome around them. Just as Daisy was about to launch her attack, the dome shrunk. Kamek was about to pass through its barrier, but Daisy was unable to, trapping her within its confines. 

 

Meanwhile, As Mario prepares to launch another attack, he notices Lemmy, still loopy from the potion, wandering dangerously close to the battle. Bowser also sees Lemmy and realizes Mario is approaching his son. With a powerful jump, Bowser kicks Mario out of his fire form and away from Lemmy, sending him crashing into the wall and then to the ground. Winded, Mario tries to get up, but Bowser swiftly pins him down, picking him up by the collar of his shirt, asserting his dominance.

“Pretty bold of you to attack my kingdom unprovoked!” Bowser said menacingly, gripping the plumber tighter. 

 

Mario struggled to catch his breath. “What do you-a mean? You-a kidnapped my brother and-a the Princess!”

 

“Wrong as usual. I, for once, didn’t kidnap anyone!”

 

“Then why did you have one of your henchmen bring us here?” Peach retorted. 

 

“A-a-and why you-a take-a Luigi?” The green plumber said, still trembling. 

 

“And why did I have to call a cab?” Interjected Daisy. 

 

Bradly, sensing that the moment was right, began to emerge from behind the throne, ready to take credit for his masterful plan. 

 

“Henchmen? Do I look like I need henchmen to do my job? I’M BOWSER! KING OF THE KOOPAS! If I wanted to take you I would do it myself! I would NEVER let a henchman rob me of the pleasure of carrying out such a mission!” He roared as smoke began to plum from his nostrils. 

 

Bradly, sensing that the moment was not right, quickly walks back behind the throne. 

 

“Well that’s what happened! Your red headed henchman grabbed me from my garden!” Peach protested. 

 

“And-a me when a broken warp pipe put-a me in front of your-a gate.” Luigi added. 

 

“Ooooo, It sounds like Wendy’s boyfriend—WHOA… I can feel my toes looking at me.” Lemmy said, rolling around on his shell. 

 

“See, I didn’t take anyone! You attacked me unprovoked like the coward you are. Clearly, it was Wendy’s boyfriend who kidnapped everyo–…” Bowser stopped dead in his tracks as the meaning of those words finally dawned on him. Bowser’s head slowly begins to turn, unnaturally so, towards Lemmy. “Lemmy, son, sweet child of mine… what did you say?”

 

“Boyfriend, boyfriend, Wendy’s got a Boyfriend! WEEEEE! He’s right over there, behind the throne. Just a lookin, and a lurkin, and a watchin, and a seein!” Lemmy sang, rocking back and forth on his back. 

 

Bowser drops Mario as his eye begins to twitch. 

 

“Kamek.” 

 

“Yes sire.”

 

“Release these two and send them to the guest quarters, I’m going to need both of their cages when I RIP A CERTAIN KOOPA IN TWO!!” He screamed as he pounced on his throne, toppling it over. 

As he scratches and tears through the cushion, no disobedient koopa could be found. 

 

“GUARDS!” Bowser shouted. Several armored koopas appear. “Find this treacherous lowlife who’s masquerading as me immediately! Search every square inch of this castle!”

 

“Yes Sir!” With that, the koopas began searching the castle. 

 

Kamek released Peach, Luigi, and Daisy from their confines and escorted them to the infirmary. Other guards picked up a weakened Mario and took him to one of the infirmary rooms to be treated for his injuries. Much to his chagrin, Bowser was also taken to the infirmary to treat his wounds. 

 

It had been a couple of minutes since Mario was placed in a room. It was a nicer room than what Mario would expect from the Darklands. However, he was still on edge. He was vulnerable, in no condition to defend himself or others, and worse of it all, his brother and both princesses were here as well. Who knows what could happen to them. Mario’s eyes darted around the room, looking for any tricks, traps, or surprises that might be in this room. 

 

CREEEEK

 

Mario jumped out of the bed, readying himself for what enemy that might come through the door. 

 

“Uh… hello… Mario? You-a in here?”

 

Before he could look around, Mario tackles Luigi and gives him a big hug. 

 

“Oh, grazie al cielo che stai bene, fratello. Sei ferito? Bowser ti ha fatto qualcosa? Non so cosa avrei fatto se ti fosse successo qualcosa! (Oh, thank goodness you're okay, brother. Are you injured? Did Bowser do something to you? I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you!).” Mario said, his emotions bubbling up as he held his brother. 

 

Luigi rubbed the top of his brother’s head. “Sì, sì, sto bene. E tu, Mario? La tua lotta con Bowser... era…(Yes, yes, I'm fine. And you, Mario? Your fight with Bowser... was…)” he winced seeing the injuries Mario had sustained. 

 

“No! Don’t-a worry about-a me, okay? It will take-a more than-a few scrapes to-a keep me down.” Mario said confidently. 

 

Luigi had witnessed Mario and Bowser clash before, but this time felt different. They both knew Bowser held the strength advantage pound for pound, while Mario typically relied on outsmarting Bowser, exploiting his cognitive weaknesses and predictability. However, Mario appeared to be acting recklessly, almost as if he had a death wish. Luigi understood that the only surefire way to defeat Bowser was with a superstar, which Mario did not possess.The rage on Mario's face was unprecedented. Perhaps it was always there when he fought Bowser. 

When they first arrived in this world, Mario had rescued Luigi from Bowser's prison, but Luigi hadn't witnessed that battle. Initially, it was Peach and Donkey Kong who had led the charge, offering superstars to both Mario and Luigi to defeat Bowser. Since then, Mario had faced Bowser a few more times, relying on cunning and skill rather than relying on the dwindling supply of superstars in the Mushroom Kingdom.

As a fighter, Bowser was also skilled but typically followed a predictable pattern of attacks. However, this time, he seemed thrown off. There was no discernible pattern, just relentless aggression. For most of the battle, they were evenly matched until... until Lemmy got in the way. The final moments were a blur to Luigi. Bowser's speed was alarmingly fast, and his strike seemed intent on more than just injuring Mario.

 

Luigi gazed down at his brother, noticing the injuries Mario had sustained. Blood trickled from his arm, bruises were forming, one eye was swollen shut, and his other arm hung limp. It was evident that Mario was more injured than he let on. Yet, despite his condition, Mario wore a smile of relief—a familiar expression to Luigi. It was the same look Mario had worn back in high school after standing up to Luigi's bullies, the look of knowing his brother was safe. It was a look that troubled Luigi, as it often meant Mario had acted recklessly, disregarding his own safety.

 

With a sigh, Luigi began to search the room for bandages, burn gel, and a cold compress. The gel had a faint blue-green hue and a tropical floral scent, reminiscent of the healing plants Bowser had used on them back on the mountain.  Once he gathered what he needed, he returned to Mario, who sat on the edge of the examination table.

 

"Take off your-a shirt," Luigi instructed.

 

"Oh…Sure, okay," Mario replied. Without protest, he complied with his brother's request.

 

Luigi carefully tended to Mario's wounds, cleaning the scratches, applying bandages, and soothing the burns with gel. This whole scene was one Luigi had been a part of too many times before. Despite the sting of the disinfectant, Mario endured the treatment without complaint, allowing his brother to care for him.

 

“There, all done.” Luigi declared. 

 

“Thanks-a bro!” Mario said cheerfully, as he put his shirt back on. 

 

Luigi let out a heavy sigh. He wanted to scold Mario for being so reckless. For fighting with Bowser without a plan. But looking at Mario all he could was say… “Just… make-a sure you keep that ice pack on your-a eye… please.”

 

Luigi hands Mario the ice pack. “Okie Dokie!” Mario responded.

 

 The door suddenly opens. Mario jumps up, pushing Luigi behind him. “Oh good, you're up and it looks like you were taken care of.” A female koopa in hospital scrubs walks in. “Sorry I couldn’t come in sooner, the king is a little ornery. I’m nurse Shella, the castle nurse.” She says looking at her chart. Down the hall you can still hear Bowser shouting at the top of his lungs. 

 

“As you can see, we are also short staffed. I usually only deal with scraps and booboos from the koopalings. Not full blown battles.” She continued to look at her chart. “Though it appears that you didn’t sustain any major injuries, which is good. We will run a few more tests just to make sure you don’t have a concussion or a fractured tail… or whatever humans have.” The nurse continued. 

 

Luigi breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s-a good.” 

 

Mario said nothing, still eying the nurse suspiciously. 

 

“I’ll let your friends in now. Hang tight.” Nurse Shella steps out of the room. 

 

Within seconds of the nurse leaving, Peach and Daisy join the brothers in the examination room. 

 

“Mario thank goodness you’re alright!” Peach exclaimed, running over to give Mario a hug. 

 

“Geez dude you sure can take a hit or two. A couple of training sessions with me will help you dodge better.” Daisy teased. 

 

“You sure you are alright Mario? Daisy’s right, those were some nasty blows you took.” Peach said, examining all his injuries. 

 

“I’m-a fine, thanks to my-a bro patching me up.” Mario said gleefully. 

 

“The nurse said-a she wants to run-a few test.” 

 

“Uh-huh, no way! WE are-a leaving right now!” Mario protested. 

 

“Easier said than done, I'm afraid.” Without warning, Kamek appeared in the doorway. Again, Mario positions himself between the magikoopa, Peach, and Luigi. 

 

“You can relax humans. Your status here is no longer that of prisoners and invaders, but that of guest.” Kamek said, trying to put the room at ease. “But I am afraid to tell you, you won’t be leaving anytime soon.”

 

“What do you mean? If we are not your prisoners, then why can’t we leave?” Peach asked. 

 

“Heh heh heh.” Kamek chuckled. “To be not of this kingdom is sometimes truly a blessing. You all clearly have not dealt with our annual great storms.” 

 

“Great storms?” Daisy questioned. 

 

“This is our rainy season. Around this time of year rain and thunderstorms sweep the Darklands. However, the storms coming from the west get supercharged by the various volcanoes in our land. These storms create an almost impenetrable wall of wind, rain, and most destructive of all, lightning. Anyone caught in those storms runs the risk of getting electrocuted, drowning in the various flash floods, or getting swept away by the wind. You can try, but much more formidable have perished trying.” Kamek explained. “If the Princesses and Luigi follow me, I will show you to the guest quarters. Please be advised, while repairs are being made to the castle’s living quarters, you will be sharing the guest castle with the koopalings.”

 

“Woah woah woah! You want us to share a living space with Bowser’s minions? Why can’t we just stay in a hotel? The Darklands have hotels right?” Daisy protested. 

 

“Again, that cannot be arranged, as you see the Darkland has many guests within its borders. During the storms, any and all guests are advised to stay in any of the hotels for the next three weeks until the storms pass. All of our hotels are at capacity.”

 

“Wait, did you say THREE WEEKS?!” Daisy exclaimed, mirroring the shock everyone was feeling hearing that information. 

 

“Yes, three weeks roughly. The worst part of the storms will pass in about three weeks, this giving you safe passage back to your respective kingdoms. I advise you all to get very comfortable. You will all be here for a while.”

 

"Mama Mia," Luigi exclaimed, his mind swirling with the daunting prospect of spending the next few weeks in the Darklands. With seemingly no other options, the group reluctantly accepted their fate, realizing they were about to endure the most uncomfortable sleepover imaginable.

 

"If there are no more questions, follow me. Our royal shoppers will be in your room to take requests for anything you need. Please inform them of your clothing preferences, toiletries, and any other comforts you require. Mario will be escorted to the room once the nurse is finished," Kamek announced, gesturing for the four to follow him out of the room.

 

Reluctantly, Daisy and Peach trailed after the Magikoopa. Luigi moved to follow suit, but felt a tight grip on his wrist. Turning back, he saw Mario holding onto him with an intensity he had never witnessed before. There was a fleeting expression of quiet fear in Mario's eyes, a momentary glimpse of vulnerability. He seemed to be clinging to Luigi, as if afraid of losing him forever, desperately unwilling to let him go.

 

“Uh… Mario?” Luigi's voice was hesitant, a hint of concern lacing his words.

 

As if awakening from a trance, Mario released his grip on Luigi's wrist. He looked up, a mix of shock, sadness, and fear swirling in his eyes before quickly masking it with a smile. Mario glanced at his own hand, as if surprised by his own actions.

 

“Oh… um… sorry bro… I-a don’t-a know what-a came over me. Heh heh,” Mario laughed, trying to brush off the incident.

 

Looking at his brother, who had swiftly returned to his usual cheerful self, Luigi couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. “… are you-a sure you are alright?” he asked, a note of concern in his voice.

 

“Never better! Hey, keep a lookout over-a Peach, will ya? You-a can’t be-a too trusting here,” Mario interjected, changing the subject abruptly.

 

Luigi couldn't help but feel that Mario wasn't being entirely truthful. The expression he had seen on Mario's face was more unsettling than any injury he had sustained in battle. What was even more concerning was how quickly Mario had shifted back to his usual cheerful demeanor, as if nothing had happened. Despite his concern, Luigi didn't want to push his brother further. He knew Mario was not one to let others worry about him.

 

“Okay bro… I will,” Luigi replied quietly as he walked towards the door. Just before stepping out, he glanced back, only to see Mario flashing him a big smile and a thumbs-up. With a weak wave goodbye, Luigi closed the door behind him.

 

Luigi, Peach, and Daisy make it to their accommodations. Despite Kamek saying they will be sharing a space with the koopalings, the place seemed big enough for them where they wouldn’t have to see or interact much with them. However, all four of them would be sharing a room. 

As expected, three koopas were waiting for them, clip boards in hand ready to go out and get anything they would need for the next three weeks. 

The three hesitantly complied, not requesting too much, still leary of their intentions. Once they left, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief. 

 

“Alright I’m going to just say it. Does anyone else think this whole thing is weird? We were just fighting with them, you two were in cages, and now we are being put up in some fancy room. What gives?!” Daisy exclaimed, breaking the silence in the room. 

 

“I just don’t know Daisy. This whole thing just feels very… strange. First a henchman kidnaps both me and Luigi, then Bowser acts as if he knew nothing about it, then he goes after his own minion, and now… we are to believe we are guests here?” Peach pondered aloud. 

 

Suddenly, a conversation Luigi has with Bowser on the mountain comes to mind. “Oh, this must be the-a koopa hospitality I-a heard about!”  Luigi chimed in. 

 

Both Peach and Daisy look at Luigi as if he is speaking another language. “Heh…good one Weegie.” Daisy chuckles. 

 

“If there's one thing I know, it's that koopas are not this nice, let alone known for their hospitality. At least not that I have seen.” Peach added. 

 

“Oh…” Luigi was left confused. Bowser spoke about their hospitality as if it was a well known aspect of koopa culture. He explicitly spoke about how hospitality of guest in his kingdom is something all young koopas are taught, and how he was teaching his own son about treating guest with the most respect and kindness. Was Bowser lying about that? With being thrown in a prison cage again, seeing him fight his brother, and everyone else seeming to agree about Bowser’s nature, Luigi couldn't help but question everything Bowser had told him. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK

 

The door to the room opens. Mario walks, smiling like before, arm now in a sling. 

 

“Oh no, what happened?” Peach rushes over to Mario. 

 

“It-s a nothing Peach.” Mario reassures her. 

 

“It sure doesn’t look like nothing. What did the nurse say?”

 

“Bleh… those-a quack doctors. They-a don’t-a know what they are-a talking about, eh? They-a said I had-a…um… mislocated shoulder. But I-a told them ‘it's-a right here,’ how can I-a miss my-a shoulder when its right-a where it's always is?” Mario said, pointing to his shoulder. 

 

“I think your nurse said DISlocated shoulder.” Daisy corrected as she poked his shoulder. 

 

“YOUCH!!” Mario jumped up from Daisy’s proding. 

 

“Yep, that’s a dislocated shoulder if I ever saw one. Had a couple of those myself. You won’t be fighting any koopas for a while.” Daisy commented. 

 

“Eh, what do they-a know huh? I just need-a few green mushrooms and I’ll-a be right as-a rain.” Mario insisted. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK

 

The group looks towards the door, however no one enters. Daisy takes the initiative to open the door. When she does, no one is there. Instead, boxes upon boxes waited outside for them, each with their names on them. The rest join Daisy at the door, looking upon the boxes. Not seeing a threat, the group begin taking in the boxes, however they are apprehensive about opening them. Everyone, except Luigi, who tears open one of the boxes without thinking about any potential danger or traps. When he opened his box he found another pair of overalls and a green shirt. Below them were a pair of pajamas, slippers, and a few pairs of underwear. Sensing that it was safe, Daisy and Peach both opened their boxes, and like Luigi, inside where all the things they had requested. Mario looked confused. He himself had a few boxes. He opened them and found much of the same things Luigi had in his box, just in red. 

 

“Wow, that was… quick. If I knew they were going to give us everything we wanted I would have asked for more.” Daisy commented, holding up an orange and yellow dress. 

 

Mario was still befuddled. “But how did-a they know what…” 

 

“Oh I-a told them what-a you needed bro.” Luigi chimed in. 

 

“Oh…thank you bro.” Mario’s face didn’t seem excited or relieved to see the gifts. Just more confused. 

The four of them continued to unpack the boxes, all except Mario. Mario watched everyone else while they unpacked and organized spots to place their things throughout the room. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK

 

“Who is it this time?” Daisy said.

 

Luigi opened the door this time. It was a koopa in a bow tie. 

 

“Good evening. Your attendance has been requested for dinner.” 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: Koopa hospitality.

Despite its violent past, koopa culture emphasizes the concept of koopa hospitality in all aspects of life in the Darklands. Treatment is based on one's status, whether as a guest or an enemy. Guests and allies are treated with the utmost respect and courtesy, while enemies are met with immediate hostility. Hospitality is a way for koopas to demonstrate their virtue and goodness. It is crucial for koopas to be good hosts, neighbors, and kind to their guests, reflecting a desire to maintain close and amicable relationships, especially since the Darklands often clash with other kingdoms. The tradition of koopa hospitality originated from the actions of koopa kings, who showed hospitality to the few allies the Darklands had. Today, it is ingrained in koopa culture.

Chapter 12: A Very Uncomfortable Dinner for 14

Summary:

It’s dinner time for our heroes and they are the invited guest of non other than Bowser and the koopalings.

Notes:

Stay tuned with this chapter as I will be updating it with more illustrations at a later date.

Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy sat uncomfortably in the grand dining hall. Earlier, a Koopa had taken their orders without presenting a menu, simply stating that they could request anything and the chef would accommodate. After placing their orders, they were escorted to the grand dining hall, where they now waited anxiously, eyes fixed on the door, anticipating Bowser's arrival. 

Without warning, the door swung open. It was Kamek, followed by Ludwig, Wendy, and Roy. Kamek saw the others nodded but didn’t outright greet them. Ludwig was too busy looking through what appeared to be receipts and bank statements to notice them. Wendy looked angry, as she stomped, plopping down on her seat, all with her arms crossed. Roy was listening to music through his headphones. The music was loud enough that everyone could hear clearly what he was listening to. With his sunglasses, it was hard to see if he noticed the four humans sitting at the table. 

The other koopalings filed in, Iggy holding some contraption that he intended to work on at the table, Lemmy, now less loopy than before, holding an assortment of toys in his arms. Morton and Larry were the only two koopalings that seem to even acknowledge the human’s presence, with Morton just looking confused and Larry scowling at them. The four looked at each other not sure what was going on. 

 

“The koopalings have been informed that you all will be joining us for dinner and that they must behave in accordance with our costumes.” Kamek explained. 

 

“Costumes?” Daisy blurted out. 

 

“Oh it’s-a the koopa hospitality!” Luigi chimes in. 

 

"Indeed. Lord Bowser personally undertakes the responsibility of educating the Koopalings about our land's customs. His aim is to ensure that their royal status does not hinder their ability to connect with the common Koopa." Kamek explained. Luigi couldn’t help but give a small smile feeling validated about his previous observations. “Forgive Lord Bowser’s tardiness. His youngest is a little more reluctant to this particular custom. Being he’s Lord Bowsers s–”

 

Before Kamek could finish that thought, the door swung open, revealing Bowser's imposing figure filling the doorway. As he entered, the injuries he sustained during his fight with Mario became glaringly evident. Bandages covered his face and arms, his left eye appeared bruised and bloodshot, and his nose was bandaged with a splint, suggesting a possible break. 

The four humans watched Bowser's every move, unsure of his intentions. Mario, in particular, was tense, gripping the back of his chair, prepared to spring into action. The group flinched as Bowser bent over, holding their breath in anticipation. Was the Koopa king reaching for a weapon? As Bowser began to rise, Mario stood up, readying himself for another confrontation. However, what he saw surprised him: a miniature version of Bowser, wearing a white handkerchief with a crudely drawn mouth and fangs, held in Bowser's hand. Bowser placed the little Koopa in a raised seat before taking his own.

 

"Junior, what did I say about masks at the table?" Bowser reprimanded the little Koopa.

 

The small Koopa's eyes narrowed, focusing on Mario. "But Dad, they're the enemy, and they hurt you. We should be fighting them right now as payback. Don’t worry, I've got my nunchucks back in my room. I can—"

 

“DAD?” Daisy muttered out loud. Mario and Peach also looked shocked. Luigi just looked amazed to finally see the son Bowser had talked about before with him. 

 

"No, they are our guests... for now. We don't fight guests, especially at the dinner table," Bowser explained. He then turned his gaze to Mario. "Besides, I've already pummeled the red guy enough. Look at him, he's in no condition to fight me again. Heh heh heh. OUCH!" Bowser attempted to boast, but his injuries made even laughing difficult.

 

The little koopa huffed and folded his arms. Mario was still standing, ready to pounce regardless of his condition. 

 

Bowser faced Mario. "Relax, little man. If I wanted a rematch, you'd already be history. But I'm a Koopa of integrity; I don’t kick weaklings when they’re down," Bowser assured.

 

Peach gently placed her hand on Mario’s uninjured shoulder, signaling him to stand down. He relaxed slightly and sat back down.

 

"Bowser, if your intention was to boast and humiliate us, then I will request that you return us to our room," Peach stated firmly.

 

"No, that's not why I summoned you all here. Getting to rub it in was just a bonus," Bowser said with a smirk.

 

"Then why were we summoned here?" Peach asked, her annoyance growing.

 

Bowser looked puzzled, as did the other Koopalings. "Because it’s dinner time. Duh. What, they don’t have dinner back in the Mushroom Kingdom?" The most of the koopalings began to laugh. 

 

“Yes, we do, it’s just—“

 

"Hold up, hold up, hold up." Bowser interrupted Peach's rebuttal, fixing his gaze on Wendy, who had been quiet since she arrived at the table, her eyes fixed on her lap.

 

"Wendy, didn’t I say you were grounded?" Bowser asked the young female Koopa.

 

"Yeah, thanks for reminding me." she sarcastically replied, rolling her eyes.

 

"Then what’s in your lap?"

 

"N-n-nothing!"

 

"She’s got her shellphone under the table. She’s been texting her friends all day." Iggy chimed in, still tinkering with his contraption.

 

"SHUT UP, YOU PINEAPPLE-SHAPED NERD!" Wendy stood up, shouting at her fellow Koopaling.

 

"Kamek," Bowser snapped his fingers, and the magikoopa waved his wand. A magical glow emitted from his wand and encompassed the device under Wendy’s lap. Her shellphone levitated across the table and into Bowser’s hand. "And you can add a week to your grounding, and you can kiss getting that new shell goodbye." Bowser reprimanded.

 

"OH MY GOSH, THIS IS SO UNFAIR!" Wendy screamed at her father before running from the table.

 

"Kids these days." Bowser said, placing the shellphone down. “Alas, we could have had our own brood together Peachy. All this, this could have been your life as my queen.” Bowser continued, oblivious to how ridiculous that sounded. 

 

Peach was a little taken aback by what had just played out in front of her but regained her composure. “Like I was saying, we have dinner in the Mushroom Kingdom, but that doesn’t explain why—“

 

Before Peach could finish that thought, the doors swung open again. A line of koopas came pouring in holding trays of food. 

 

“Ah, our dinner has arrived. Be prepared to be amazed how good this food is going to be. Much better than anything those toads can whip up. I’m sure after one meal here you’re going to regret not being my queen. But make sure you eat everything. Don’t want to offend the chefs. Yeah, I employ several to feed this brood.” Bowser casually flexed. 

 

Hearing that warning about offending the chefs gave Luigi and Daisy flashbacks from their disastrous date. When the cloche over their food was lifted they both dove right in. Luigi meal was a simple pasta dish, while Daisy got a stew common in Easton Kingdom in Sarasaland. Peach sat down and ate her meal, a thin broth based soup of mushrooms and vegetables. Mario had pizza, however, despite Bowser’s warning and his love of the dish, he didn’t touch his food. He just sat quietly, eying everyone suspiciously. Bowser hadn’t noticed the red plumber staring him down. In between bites of his massive plate of food, he was just being a father, much to the surprise of Peach; making sure they observe their table manners, refrain from talking with their mouths full, and finishing the healthy options on their plate. 

 

“Ludwig, you barely touched your food. What did I have I told you about waste?” Bowser said towards the blue haired koopa. The normally finely coiffed koopa was a disheveled mess, as he looked at their budget reports, statements, and invoices between taking small bites of food here and there. 

 

“Yeah, I’m going to have to get the rest of this to-go. Since I was put in charge of the living quarter repairs I haven’t had much time for anything. Especially since this entire castle hired only one plumber. A plumber, who I might add, is over a hundred years old and is RETIRING THIS WEEK!” He yelled as his evident frustration seemed to mount. 

 

“Why don’t you just hire another one?” Bowser said nonchalantly. 

 

“Don’t you think I would have thought of that?! I have searched this entire kingdom for a new plumber, but the old geezer never taught anyone else. He was suppose to be running the royal plumbing school but he had not been doing so. I only found out last week that everyone in this kingdom uses plumbers from the outside. And now with the great storm we are stuck sharing the same living spaces with two clueless princesses and a couple of lousy plu—“ it had just dawned on Ludwig that the solution for his problems was sitting at the table with him. “YOU TWO ARE PLUMBER!” 

 

Ludwig inspected the two mustachioed humans. “Well the red one is broken, but you! You’ll be perfect.” Ludwig puff up his chest, stood on the table, and pointed directly at Luigi. “I command you to fix the bathrooms in the koopaling living quarters!” 

 

Mario tensely positioned himself between the commanding koopa and his brother. “You can’t just command Greenie to do things. Remember, they are guests, not prisoners. And get off the damn table!” 

 

“Fine!” Ludwig grunted, dismounting the table. “Green human, I demand you tell me your hourly rate for your plumbing services.” 

 

“Um… I would-a have to do an assessment first.” Luigi meekly said, surprised from being put on the spot. “I-a also don’t have-a my tools or anything. And I-a usually work with-a my brother, and he’s…” Luigi stalled. 

 

Ludwig pulled up his chair and sat very close to Luigi. "Let me be clear. Your group is about to share a room and a hall with us. I don't know how often you have slumber parties, but it's going to get very cramped very quickly. You'll also have to deal with us," Ludwig stated in an ominously sly voice. Luigi gulped, and Mario locked eyes with the blue-haired koopa.

"And trust me when I say, you won’t want to sleep anywhere near us."

 

“Um…well…” Luigi stammered, struggling to think of a response. His eyes darted back and forth between the blue haired Koopa and his brother. He was hoping his brother would step in and say something. In situations like this, where major work decisions had to be made, Mario would usually take the lead. Even as plumbers in Brooklyn, Mario was the one that chased leads and promoted their services, Luigi would finalize jobs, book the appointments, work the finances, and all the detail work. But now, Mario was unusually silent. 

 

“Well… um… I-a don’t-a know. I-I-I-I need to-a, to-a think about it.” Luigi waffled on the response. 

 

“Alright alright, I get it. You’re in a new place. A vacation, if you will. Sleep on it… if you can. Heh heh… haha…Muah ha ha ha haa!!” His laughs crescendo between bites of food. 

“HEY! NO EVIL LAUGHING WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL!” Bowser reprimands. 

 

The four, with the exception of Mario, finish their meal along with the koopalings and Bowser. Peach, still waiting for the other shoe to drop, waits cautiously for what Bowser is going to do next. 

 

“That was good. Alright, you lot go do what you normally do after dinner. You have free reign of the living quarters, granting the koopalings haven’t destroyed everything over there. Kamek will give you the tour I guess. The rest of the castle is off limits until morning, you may be guests… for now… but I can’t have my arch-pain the ass just making himself at home and disrupting my staff.” Bowser explained, picking food out of his teeth with a toothpick. 

 

“That’s…that’s it?” Peach questioned. 

 

“Yeah… that’s it.” 

 

With that, Bowser sauntered away from the table and out of the dinning hall. The koopalings followed suit going in their own directions. A few of the koopa servers came to clear the table. Luigi, noticing Mario’s uneaten food, asked if he could take his pizza to-go. The koopa obliged and placed the pizza in a Bowser branded box. 

 

The four of them, now back in the guest room, began to digest the evening's events and sort out their sleeping arrangements. Despite the room's spaciousness, the addition of their new clothes and belongings made it feel more cramped.

 

"Dinner was... interesting," Daisy remarked as she folded her clothes.

 

Peach, lost in deep thought, glanced up at Daisy's question. "I can't shake the feeling that I need to take Bowser at his word. His actions tonight were completely different from before. In previous encounters with him, I was confined to his 'princess room,' with guards posted outside. Bowser would oscillate between hostility and affection, from threatening my kingdom to lavishing me with gifts. But tonight... tonight he spoke of us in past tense; as if our potential marriage was in the past. And he was so dismissive, inviting us to dinner simply because 'it's dinner time.' It's not the Bowser I'm familiar with. If he was planning something, wouldn’t have done it by now? He isn’t one to play the long game."

 

“Can we also talk about the fact HE HAS A KID!” Daisy added. “How did we not know he had a kid… or kids? The koopalings seem to call Bowser dad. I thought they were just minions or something.”

 

“Me and Mario have had so many run-ins with the koopalings before. We’ve even had a run in with Bowser jr., but like you Daisy, we thought they were just underlings. The fact that these are his offspring changes things drastically. It means if we were to defeat Bowser once and for all, there are potentially 8 more heirs to the throne.” The daunting task of taking out all the koopalings overwhelmed Peach. 

 

“Weegie, Mario, what do you think?” Daisy asked.

 

Luigi, now put on the spot, looked nervously at his brother who was silent and still had the same scowl from dinner. “Um… I-a don’t know. You-a all know him-a better than me.” He said, twiddling his fingers. “M-m-maybe we wait till morning to-a see what-a happens.” 

 

“If we make it to morning. That poofy blue haired Koopa threat was rather ominous. I know I’ll be sleeping with one eye open.” Daisy added. 

 

“We will have to come up strategy. Whether we like it or not, we might be stuck here for the time being. Hopefully with some sleep we can think of something to keep us safe till we can leave this wretched place.” Peach concluded. 

 

“Sounds like a plan.” Daisy confirmed. “So… what’s the sleeping arrangement?” The four of them looked around. The room only had one bed, albeit a large bed, and a single couch. 

 

“Um… well… if-a you two don’t-a mind sharing a bed, me and Mario can-a take the couch. It-a looks big-a enough for both of-a us.” Luigi suggested. 

 

“Sure, if you don’t mind. What about Mario’s arm?” Peach asked. 

 

“The armrest of the couch might actually be good for him tonight.” Daisy added. 

 

“Well, if it’s alright with you then this sleeping arrangement will be fine. It’s only temporary after all.” Peach said. “Luigi, why don’t you take Mario in the bathroom and help him get washed. Me and Daisy will gather the blankets and pillows for you two.”

 

“Okie dokie!” Luigi chirped. 

 

The two brothers went into the rather spacious bathroom. Mario sat on the edge of the bathtub while Luigi searched for the towels and washcloths. Luigi heard a rapid tapping noise. Looking around for the noise, he located the source of the sound; it was Mario rapidly bouncing his leg up and down as well as him tapping his fingers in the tub.  Luigi could also hear that he was breathing very heavily. 

 

“Mario… are you okay?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Everything’s okie dokie.” Mario said through a clenched jaw. 

 

Luigi recognized the signs all too well. Back in Brooklyn, he had seen Mario like this before. It was that tightness around his eyes, the clenched jaw, the way his hands balled into fists at his sides. Mario would get like this when he was holding back what he really wanted to say. It often happened during arguments with their father or when someone wronged him or Luigi, and Mario felt powerless to respond. Something was clearly festering in Mario, but their proximity to the princesses most likely forced him to hold his tongue. Luigi knew his brother needed an outlet, a way to release the pent-up frustration. So, he quietly folded up some towels and handed them to Mario, a silent gesture offering support and understanding.  

 

“Here.” 

 

“I-a said I’m-a fine Lu.” Mario said as his eye twitched. 

 

“No, you-a not. You-a look-a like-a cherry tomato.” Luigi nudged the towel closer to Mario. “Come on.”

 

“Grrr… fine. Turn on-a the faucet.”  Mario grumbled 

 

Luigi obliges and Mario takes the towels. Pressing the towel to his face, the red faced plumber began to scream into it, kicking his feet in the process. 

 

“Feel-a better?” 

 

"Who does-a that-a stupid turtle think he is? How-a dare he lie to-a everyone! Does he think we’re-a stupid? Of course he was the one who-a kidnapped Peach and-a you, who else but that-a MONSTER would do that? Then he had the-a nerve to be-a rude to everyone. How dare he speak-a to Peach and-a Daisy like that. And with you! He-a didn’t even bother to-a learn your name Lu. Greenie? GREENIE?! Your name is-a LUIGI you big-a stupid turtle!" Mario shouted in an incoherent rant. 

 

Luigi embraced his brother, pressing Mario’s face into his chest, and rubbing his back. “There there, let it all out.” 

 

Mario’s breathing got back to normal and he began to relax a little. “Mi dispiace” Mario muttered quietly, now holding on to his brother. “It’s-a just… when-a Peach gets-a taken by that stupid turtle, I at least-a know… he-a won’t… do anything to-a her. But when I-a found out he-a took you… I didn’t know what he would-a do to you. I… I was afraid that he-a would hurt you, or worse.”

 

Luigi hugged his brother tighter, stopping him from dwelling on his thoughts. “You-a worry too much. That’s-a my job, remember?” The slowly started to laugh, the stress of the day finally melting away. 

 

Wordlessly, Luigi helped his brother get undressed and into the bathtub. Mario smiled and hummed as Luigi washed his hair. It wasn’t the hollow smile from the examination room but the old genuine smile that Mario always had. 

After Mario was finished bathing, Luigi stepped into the bath and got cleaned up. The two brushed their teeth and finally emerged from the bathroom dawning the new pajamas they received. They were a simple set of long soft pants and a t-shirt in their signature colors but dawning Bowser insignia. The princesses followed suit also wearing pajamas in their signature colors but with Bowser’s insignia. 

As the four began to lay down, the threat Ludwig gave Luigi at dinner rang through their heads. What would happen to them at night, being only a few meters away from the koopalings. However, as they started to drift to sleep, they would soon find out what the blue haired koopa meant. 

 

BANG BANG BANG, VVVVRRRR, 

GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE YOU COTTON CANDY FREAK!

(Ominous organ music)

(Loud rock music)

CRASH, BOOM

HA HA HAH HAAAA

I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!!!

 

The four laid in their respective beds, eyes wide open. The cacophony of sounds emanated from the hallway was louder than any one of them could imagine, and it seemed to be unyielding and endless. Just as the noise began to crescendo, Luigi noticed a note sliding underneath the door. The taller twin got up to fetch the letter. 

 

If you want relief from the noise, my offer still stands. Come to my room and we can work out the details. 

 

-Ludwig von Koopa. 

 

Luigi held the note, not sure if he should make the journey to the koopa’s room. He showed Mario the note, but he too wasn’t sure of the best course of action. 

 

BANG BANG BANG, VVVVRRRR, 

(Even louder ominous organ music)

(Loud rock music)

 

“Weegie…dear could you see what the nice koopa wants. This noise… we won’t make it three weeks like this.” Daisy said, at her wits end. 

 

Mario, looking at a visibly frustrated Peach and Daisy, cautiously nodded for Luigi to head out of the room. 

 

Luigi quietly creeps out the room. The noise intensifies as he makes his way down the hall. Turning the corner, he finds himself in the hall where the koopalings are located. There he finds Lemmy juggling Wendy’s hidden stash of shell-phones while balancing on a ball, Wendy angrily chasing behind him. Iggy, with the door wide open to his room, was drilling and hammering on sheets of metal, affixing them to some robot. Roy and Morton were working out, blaring music from two large speakers. Larry seemed to be the only one asleep. Luigi kept searching but still couldn’t find Ludwig’s room, but he could hear him. The sound of the same musical passage being played over and over again permeated through the walls, making locating the source increasingly difficult. 

Luigi made it down the hall and turned another corner. The noise considerably lessened in this part of the castle. The comfy cladded plumber came upon a door that was slightly; he knocked softly but by doing so the door slowly opened. It was a kitchen of some kind. Inside was a small table, a couple of cabinets, a stove and oven, and a refrigerator which was open. The room was dark except for the light coming from the fridge. A large figure seemed to be rummaging around inside. 

 

Luigi gulped as he gathered his courage to speak. “Um… hello?” 

 

The figure pop its head above the door. It was Bowser, who looked equally surprised to see Luigi there. “Oh, Greenie, it's you.” Bowser was holding an assortment of sweet treats. “What are you doing up so late? Let me guess, the food was so good you wanted seconds, huh.”

 

“Uh… no… I-a mean y-y-y-yes the food-a was-a v-v-very nice, but-a thats-a n-n-not why I am-a up heh heh. Luigi said nervously. 

 

“You seem nervous. Geez, don’t tell me YOU believe your brother. That I would send a hinchman to kidnap you or something.” Bowser commented. 

 

Gulp “Well its-a j-j-just…”

 

“Look at me. Do I look like I send henchman to do my job? I’M THE GREAT AND POWERFUL BOWSER, KING OF THE KOOPAS!” Bowser shouted, holding a slice cake in his hand. “It's down right insulting to even insinuate that I would need help, let alone delegate a job so personal as getting Peach or you to one of my lackeys.”

 

At that moment Luigi saw something in Bowser’s eyes. He could see that Bowser was genuinely offended by the notion of someone doing his dirty work. No matter how he looked at the situation, he couldn’t help but believe the giant koopa. “So-so-so you-a didn’t kidnap-a Peach or me?”

 

Bowser crouched down to meet Luigi at eye level, getting incredibly close to his face. “If I wanted to take you, I would have easily done it myself.” He said in a hushed tone, lightly drawing his claw underneath the chin of the plumber, tapping Luigi’s nose with a slice of cake, leaving a dollop of frosting on his face. 

 

Luigi turned bright red. He could feel heat radiating from his ears, and his heart rate increased. Bowser smirked as he watched the plumbers become increasingly flustered. 

 

“Heh heh heh, damn Greenie, I forget how easy it is to rustle your feathers.” Bowser plopped down at the small table in the kitchen, still palming the cake in his hand. “You want some cake?” 

 

Luigi, wiped off the frosting off his nose, but managed to taste a little of it. The frosting was sweet, but not overpowering, and it had a slight citrus tang to it; It was divine. “I don't-a know…” Luigi watched as Bowser chomped down on the cake in his hand. The more he looked at it the more tempting it became. His mouth salivating as he noticed little flecks of candied lemon peel within the cake itself. Luigi caved. “Maybe… one little slice.”  

 

Bowser grinned and headed back to the refrigerator, emerging the whole cake. He set it on the table and cut another slice. He grabbed a plate and fork for Luigi, while he continued to eat his slice out of the palm of his hand. Luigi bit into the cake and was instantly blown away by its flavor; a tart mix of citrus and sweet. The center had a lemon like curd that was velvety smooth. The frosting was light and sweet, and the cake itself was moist and spongy with those little flecks of candied citrus peel throughout giving it a unique and fascinating texture. It truly was the best slice of cake the green plumber had ever had in his life. 

“Pretty good huh?” Bowser said with a cheeky grin. Luigi nodded enthusiastically. “The castle chefs did an extra good job on this cake. I was surprised there were left overs. It’s from plumber Robert’s retirement party.”

 

“Retirement party?” Luigi inquired. 

 

“Yeah. Plumber Robert has been the royal plumber even before I was hatched. He eventually became the kingdom's go to plumber. Though I do have to admit, his work quality was kind of going downhill towards the end. So, we suggested he retire, he agreed and I got him set up with all his benefits, and threw him the best retirement party.” Bowser explained. “But that does mean we are short a plumber until the storm passes.” 

 

Luigi, lost in the flavor of the cake, remembered why he was up in the first place. “Oh yeah, that’s-a why I’m here. I wanted to-a ask about that-a job.”

 

“Oh yeah, you're going to have to ask Ludwig about that. I put him in charge of those repairs. But I should warn you, he can be a bit of a tyrant at time. Heh heh he takes after his father more than me.”

 

Luigi looked confused. “Is-a he not your…”

 

“Oh no, no he isn’t my kid, technically. None of the koopalings are. The only child that is mine is Bowser Jr. The koopalings were suppose to be my generals and dukes, Just like their parents were for my father. But, a series of unfortunate events lead to half of them being hatched way late, and the others being abandoned by their parents at my doorstep. They ended up coming to me, not as fully grown and fully trained generals, but as unhacked koopas. With Kamek’s help, they hatched at different times, I raised them like they were my own, and trained them my way. So in a way, I am their father.”

 

Luigi noticed how Bowser's demeanor changed when talking about the koopalings. A gentleness came out. Luigi stared transfixed at the koopa king as he continued. 

 

“But Ludwig’s real dad, he was my dad’s fiercest general. A real hard shell, ruthless, hard working to a fault. Ludwig can be like that too. He’ll work you to the bone if you give him the chance.” Bowser chuckled, patting Luigi on the back. 

 

“I’ll-a keep that in-a mind. Heh heh.” Luigi said. 

 

“Anyways, I should also let you know about how things work around here during the storm; At least when it comes to working hours. I know Ludwig won’t.” Bowser said, grabbing another slice of cake for both he and Luigi. “The great storm is sometimes called the great home-vacation. Back in the day, even before my old man, the storms that roll through here once a year were so bad our greatest warriors would have to stay home with their families. It was usually the only time they saw their own kids for a long period of time. Nowadays, we keep that tradition alive by a mandatory shortened work week during the storm. To encourage all Darkland citizens to spend some time with their families and friends. Ludwig hates the tradition. He says it’s a waste of productive time. Most of the koopalings hate it. Sigh, they’re getting to that age where they don’t want to hang out with their old man.” Bowser bemoaned, chomping on his cake. 

 

“Aww, they-a don’t know how-a lucky they have it.” Luigi commented. “I-a wish I could-a see my family again.” 

 

“Hmm? What do you mean? You got your pain in the ass brother here with you don’t you?”

 

“Mario isnt the-a only in-a my Family. I gotta BIG family back-at the-a home, in-a Brooklyn.” Luigi explained.

 

“Ah yes, the kingdom you originally came from.” 

 

“Si…yes… since-a coming here. We-a no find the-a warp pipe that-a brought us here.” Luigi lamented. 

 

“So you want to go back home, is that it?” Bowser asks. 

 

“Yes… no… kind of. I-a like it here, and we-a have a life-a here. But…”

 

“But?”

 

“But… I would-a like to visit. See-a my zietti e ziette, my noni, my mamma and papa. You know? I-a use to-a cook with my mamma every-a night. I-a want to do-a that again.” Luigi let out a big sigh as he stared into his cake. “I-a know there's a way back. Since-a we-a come here we-a met other people like-a us; Peach, Daisy, Pauline, even Wario and Waluigi are here. We-a knew those two back in-a Brooklyn, so they must have gone-a through the-a same warp pipe. And-a all those other people had to too.” 

 

“Hmm, Wario and Waluigi, I’ve employed them before as henchmen, horrible idea, they were the worst. I thought they came here with you. Aren’t they your brothers too?” Bowser said curiously. 

 

“Oh no, no, they-a just… ‘family friends’… sort of.” Luigi said, carefully choosing his words. 

 

“So… if you were to go back home… how long would you visit?” Bowser asked. 

 

“Oh, I-a don’t-a know… maybe a couple of-a weeks or…” Luigi paused, realizing just how odd of a question that was coming from Bowser. “Why-a you ask?”

 

“I’m just wondering. It would benefit ME if you and your pain in the shell brother were out of my hair. But…”

 

“But?”

 

“… but you still owe me another meal of that-that…”

 

“Gnocchi?”

 

“Yeah that stuff. You said you would teach my chefs how to make it, so don’t go skipping out on that promise.” Bowser demanded. 

 

“Heh heh I won’t.” Luigi chuckled.

 

“Besides… as much as it pains me to say… your brother helps me train my koopa troopas. I need my army to be the best around, so they got to fight formidable foes. Can’t train them if all they battle again are weak little toads.” Bowser huffed. 

 

Luigi hadn't noticed until then, but he could start to tell when Bowser was lying. He knew Bowser’s army didn’t fight with Mario that often, and he was sure there were more formidable opponents out there than a short scrappy plumber for Brooklyn. He could tell that neither gnocchi or Mario sparring with his army were the reasons he wanted to know how long Luigi would be home if he could. Luigi didn’t know why he would care, but for whatever reason, it made him feel warm inside. Like someone outside of his own circle wanted him there. It brought a smile to the green clad plumber's face. 

However, looking at Bowser’s, he could see the bandages and splint that covered his face. Mario came to mind as well, back in the room, arm in a sling and with just as many cuts and bruises. 

 

“Y-y-you know… I-I wish you and-a my brother didn’t fight-a so much. He-a got so hurt this-a time.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I think-a you two might-a get along. My brother… he-a likes to-a get along with-a everyone. I-a… don’t like to see him-a get hurt you know.”

 

“Pff, yeah right. Since that guy got here all he’s been is a pain. If he doesn't want to get pummeled he shouldn’t be breaking into other people’s castles and picking fights.” Bowser retorted. “Besides, it’s not like I walked away unscathed.” Bowser points to his nose. “NOT THAT IT HURTS OR ANYTHING!” 

 

“I know, I know. My brother… he’s-a a little…overprotective. He’s-a like me, always worried. But he-a also brave and-a very loyal so it-a doesn’t show, like-a with me. He will-a do anything to-a protect us. Sometimes it’s-a too much, and sometimes he-a don’t think. He is-a always like that.” A little grin came back to his face as he thought of Mario. “He is-a always there and-a cares for-a me… sometimes-a too much heh heh. But he-a means well.” 

 

“Pfff” Bowser rolled his eyes. “To you, yeah, he’s your brother. All I see is a red menace. Always ruining my plans. And I would bet half my kingdom when he looks at me all he sees is a monster or some tyrant. WHICH I'M NOT! I just run my kingdom with absolute authority. Totally different. He’s just like everyone else in the Mushroom Kingdom. If he wants to bust into my kingdom and treat me like a monster, well a monster is what he, or anyone, is going to get.” Bowser huffed crossing his arms. 

 

“Well… I don’t-a think-a you are a monster.” Luigi chirped

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I-a mean… taking Peach um… that’s-a no good.”

 

“I already said I DIDNT TAKE—“

 

“I know I know.” Luigi stopped Bowser before he could finish. “I’m-a talking about the-a times before. All the times you-a stole something or-a took-a Peach. And the-a time I was… I was-a your prisoner. That-a was very scary. Being dragged across the-a Darklands, being interrogated like… like-a that, it-a hurt… a lot.” Luigi shuttered from the memory of those first days in Bowser’s dungeon. “But-a since the mountain, and-a even now, I-a see you are-a better than that, yes?”

 

“Oh… yeah… well… looking back, those moments may have not been the best ideas. Aaaand maybe stealing those things, like the stars, and moon pieces, and happy trees, but I wouldn’t have to if any other kingdom would trade with mine.” Bowser tried to make excuses for his past behavior, but looking down at Luigi he knew his excuses were not working. “And… maybe our enhanced interrogation methods went a little bit too far, especially since you weren’t really a threat when you came here. But yeah… maybe it’s not the best thing to do if I want to change my image.”

 

“See, you-a no-a monster. Maybe, if-a Mario and-a Peach and-a Daisy saw that, we can-a all get along.” Luigi said with an optimistic smile. 

 

“Pfff, doubt it. Peach and Daisy are like the toads. Once their minds are made up their is no changing them. And, no offense (but also a lot of offense to your brother) but Mario takes after them a lot. I doubt I or anyone will change their minds.” Bowser retorted. 

 

“Well… mind did.” 

 

There was a brief moment of silence between them. As if the words were taking their time to sink into Bowser’s head. 

 

DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, DING, 

 

“Hmm, it’s midnight already?” Bowser said, breaking the silence between the two. 

 

“Hmm…” luigi hadn’t realized it was so late. Why was he up so late? Then it hit him. “Oh no, I-a forgot why I-a was up in-a first place.”

 

“Oh yeah, the plumbing in the living quarters.” Bowser reminded him. “Talk to Ludwig. I’m sure he’s still up, along with all the other koopalings who can’t seem to remember their bed times.” He bemoaned. 

 

“Oh yeah…um…” 

 

“It’s all the way down the hall to the left. Just listen for the music.” 

 

“Grazie…um do I…”” Luigi said, not sure what to do with his plate. 

 

“Oh just hand them to me.” Bowser took Luigi’s plate, but instead of putting it away, he plopped another slice of cake on it. 

 

“Oh no thank you, I—“ 

 

“It’s for your brother. I’ve raised a brood of siblings. You can’t just show up empty handed, especially if you are rocking frosting on your mustache.” Bowser pointed out, catching Luigi off guard. “I don’t need you two fighting over cake in the castle, I get enough of that from the koopalings.” 

 

“Heh heh…Grazie Bowser.” Luigi said with a smile. 

 

Cake in hand, Luigi made his way down the hall. Passing by the doors, he could hear where all the noise was coming from. Occasionally a door would fly open and a koopaling would run out chasing one another. They never seemed to notice Luigi in their presence. 

As he furthered down the hall, he could hear that organ music again. It was the same passage over and over again, but this time everytime it ended it would be followed by a frustrating cacophony of random notes and banging. 

Luigi knocks on the door only to find that the door is slightly opened already. The plumber peaks in the door to find Ludwig at the center of the room, sitting in front of a gigantic pipe organ. The blue haired Koopa looked frustrated and frazzled as it seemed he could not figure out how to play a particularly difficult passage of music. 

 

“Um… hello?” Luigi muttered hoping the Koopa would hear him over the noise. 

 

“WHAT?!” Ludwig shouted, snapping his head back. His demeanor changed rapidly to a much sly and cooler manner when he realized it was Luigi in his room. “I-I mean… you came as suspected. Did the wonderful chorus of the koopalings too much for you?” He said with a smirk. 

 

“Um-a yes it’s-a very loud.” Luigi confirmed. 

 

“Good. I hope now you realize that there is only one solution to this little mess of ours.” Ludwig said, still trying to be intimidating. 

 

“Yes yes very much” Luigi continued to agree. 

 

“Good.” Ludwig stands from his seat trying to look down on the plumber, despite being shorter than Luigi. “There are 8 bathrooms that need attending to. Within the 3 weeks you will be here with us, all 8 bathrooms must be operational. Keep in mind, due to our ‘customs’ you will have to work within the confines of a four day work week and you are not allowed to work past 4:00pm. Fail to complete all 8 bathrooms, then you will not be compensated. I only pay those who complete their work, and those who don’t measure up… suffer the consequences.” He said with a maniacal grin. Ludwig truly thought he would milk this plumber for all his worth. He truly thought he had given Luigi an impossible task, but when he looked up at the plumber all he got in response was a grin. 

 

“Okie Dookie!” Luigi said with a thumbs up. 

 

Ludwig was a little frustrated by Luigi’s upbeat demeanor towards this task. “Well, good. Work starts bright and early. Meet me in front of the living quarters at 9:00am sharp. 

 

“I-a need to do the-a evaluation first.” Luigi chirped in. 

 

“What?”

 

“Evaluation. I-a need to know what to-a fix first. I also need-a tools. Can’t-a fix your pipes without-a tools.” 

 

“Grrr fine. Tomorrow, bright and early, you will do the…‘evaluation’ then, write up and estimate of the cost and whatever tools you need. I'll send a shopping Koopa to get everything.” Ludwig said. 

 

“Um… I-I-I prefer to-a pick out my-a own tools. I work-a better that-a way.” 

 

“GRRRR FINE! Tomorrow, bright and early, you will do your ‘evaluation’ then, write up and estimate of the cost and THEN you will go to Koopa City and pick out your precious little tools. HAPPY?!” Ludwig said with increasing frustration. 

 

“Y-yes Grazie.” Luigi nodded. 

 

“Good.” Ludwig regained his composure. “I will see you in the morning. NO ONE ELSE. So don’t bring your… brother or friends… along. I can’t have a broken plumber and a bunch of princesses messing things up further than they already are. Now scram.” Ludwig commanded as he turned back to his organ. 

 

“Okie… dokie.” Luigi said, grabbing the cake and heading out the door. 

 

It took a little bit to remember where to go to get back to the room. When he did find the room, he found the hall ways to be oddly quiet. It appears that the koopalings have finally fallen asleep. Luigi opens the door quietly, assuming that his brother and the princesses have also finally fallen asleep. Just as he opens the door he feels an arm grab him and pull him in. It was Mario; he had been waiting by the door for his brother’s return. Once Luigi was inside, Mario sticks his head out the door looking up and down the hall for anything out of the ordinary before quickly closing the door again. 

 

“Where have-a you been?” Mario whispers frantically. 

Luigi looks around and realizes the princesses are asleep. It was just Mario who was still awake. “Why aren’t-a you-a sleeping? You-a need rest.” Luigi whispered back, pointing at Mario’s slinged arm. 

 

“Don’t-a change the subject! You where-a out for almost an-a hour. How-a long does it-a take to-a talk to a koopa about… what’s-a is that?” Mario points to the cake Luigi was holding. 

 

“It’s-a cake. I think it’s-a lemon.” 

 

“I-a know it’s-a cake. WHY DO YOU-A CAKE?!” Mario said in a hushed shout. 

 

“Oh, I thought you-a might want-a cake.” Luigi said completely oblivious to Mario’s concern. 

 

“I don’t-a want-a cake.” Mario said frustratedly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. 

 

“You-a sure? It’s-a really good cake. Plus, you didn’t-a eat any dinner. Why is that?” Luigi persisted. 

 

“I DON-T-A WANT-A CAKE!” Mario clapped his hands over his mouth as both checked to make sure the princesses didn’t wake up. “Why-a do you have-a cake in the first place?” 

 

“Bowser gave it-a to me.” 

 

“B-B-B-BOWSER?!” Mario’s eyes widened. “What-a are you-a doing getting-a cake from-a Bowser?!” Mario grabbed Luigi with his remaining good arm. 

 

“Well, I-a gotta lost and-a found myself in-a the kitchen—or a kitchen. This-a place is-a so big, I’m-a pretty sure this-a place has more than-a one kitchen. Anyways, I-a ran into-a Bowser, and-a we talked just-a little. He was-a eating cake and-a offered me some. It’s-a so good. Oh and-a this-a piece is for-a you bro.” Luigi held up the cake to Mario. 

 

Mario recoiled, disgust etched on his face. “Y-y-you-a already ate-a some with-a…with-a HIM?” 

 

Luigi nodded. Mario’s heart sank. How could Luigi do such a foolish and reckless thing? And why did Luigi seem to not be concerned about it? 

 

“H-H-How could-a you-a just eat-a this with-with-with-a Bowser, of all people?!” 

 

“It’s-a not like-a I was-a looking for-a him.” Luigi said, now getting slightly annoyed with Mario’s interrogation. 

 

“He-a could have-a poisoned it.”

 

“But it’s-a not.”

 

“He-he-he-a could have attacked you!”

 

“But he-a didn’t.” 

 

“He-a could have locked-a you in-a that cage again!”

 

“But I’m-a right here.” 

 

Mario planted his face in the palm of his hand out of frustration. “Look…. Lu… just-a don’t go roaming around this-a castle. And you-a don’t be-a with-a Bowser by yourself.”

 

“It’s-a not like I-a planned it. I-a ran into-a him. I didn’t want-a be rude.” Luigi insisted. 

 

“Being rude?” Mario couldn't believe what he was hearing. “It’s-a BOWSER! It’s-a not rude, it’s-a survival. That-that monster doesn’t deserve-a anything but-a rude. He’s a tyrant that-a hurts innocent people. Did you-a forgot how many-a times I have had to rescue Peach from-a him? Did-a you forget what he-a did to you? When-a we first landed here, he-a locked you in-a cage, he-a tortured you, and he almost-a killed you. Even now, that-a big brute is-a lying to us, after he-a took you and-a Peach. Just-a look what he-a did to-a me. If he-a can do this to-a me, imagine what he-a could do-a to you!”

 

Luigi’s face grew stern as Mario’s words cut deep. The words of a brother who doesn’t believe his own twin is capable. A sentiment that seemed to follow Luigi everywhere he went. Mario would tell him and anyone that Luigi is just a strong and smart as he was, but deep down, Luigi knew that Mario to some degree didn’t believe his own words. Now hearing his own brother say it out loud stung. 

 

“That’s not-a fair Mario.” Luigi places the cake down and walked past Mario as he headed to the couch the brothers were to sleep on. 

 

Luigi’s face said it all, Mario had crossed the line with him. He instantly regretted his words. “Bro… I-I’m-a sorry. That’s-a not what I mea—“

 

“You-a know I can take-a care of myself sometimes.” Luigi snapped back. “I-a use to-a help YOU on your adventures. Do-a you remember that? It-a use to be the Mario BROTHERS! I-a also helped E. Gadds clear out-a all the ghost from that-a mansion. GHOST Mario, GHOST! By myself! And-and-and I-a got down the-a mountain with Bowser on my-a own. I can do a lot of-a things.” Luigi huffed, plopping himself on the couch. 

 

Mario stood by the door, taken back by his brother's words. He knew he messed up. After venturing into Luigi’s mind, he knew self confidence was something he needed. But his paranoia led him to say things that only reinforced those feelings.

 

Mario walks slow towards his brother. “Lu… look… I’m-a sorry…really sorry. I-a didn’t mean it-a like that, okay? I know you-a can take care of yourself bro. It’s-a just… I-a get worried tha—“

 

“Worry about yourself! You-a always worry about-a me but you don’t do-a the same for you. You-a fight Bowser without-a thinking, and-a now you get-a hurt really bad. You-a don’t eat even though you-a need your strength, and-a now you no-a sleep. I’m-a fine! You-a not! You-a need to rest and tomorrow you-a need to eat! Capisce?!” Luigi snapped. 

 

Mario froze where he stood. He wasn’t expecting his usually mild-mannered brother to be so mad. “Si, si, I-a will.” he muttered. 

 

“Good! Now goodnight!” Luigi commanded before pulling the covers over himself. 

 

“…Lu I—“

 

“I-a said GOODNIGHT!!” 

 

With that last shout, Mario hurried to bed. Finally, on the couch they were to share, the two brothers did very little sleeping. Mario stewed in guilt while Luigi festered in anger. It would be a while before either brother falls asleep. 

Notes:

Thank you for being patient with this chapter. I got a little ambitious with the illustrations, and I also wanted to make sure key scenes were written perfectly.

Chapter 13: Guess who’s back

Summary:

It’s the next day and tensions are still high. Luigi begins his new job working as the castle plumber to help free up more room for them, and Bowser has just learned more about Bradley’s plot.

Notes:

For the next few chapters I’m going to be playing around with perspective switching. Since their so many characters now in one location, I wanted to develop them all while showing how things unfold from their point of view. This chapter only has two but future chapters will switch more rapidly.

Luigi

 

Luigi emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and ready for the day, only to find everyone else waiting on him. Once all four humans were prepared, a koopa castle worker arrived to escort them to the breakfast hall. Mario was the first out the door, closely followed by Peach, then Daisy. Luigi, still adjusting his mustache, noticed everyone almost out the door and hurried after them, accidentally knocking over a pizza box placed nearby. Surprised, he expected to see pizza slices scattered, but the box was empty. When did Mario eat the pizza? Their conversation last night ended with Luigi scolding his brother for neglecting to eat or take care of himself. Had Mario eaten while he was gone? Was it in response to what Luigi had said?

 

“Hey, Weegie, what’s the hold-up?” Daisy shouted from down the hall.

 

“Coming!” Luigi hurriedly replied, pushing the thoughts from his mind as he sprinted down the hall.

 

Entering the breakfast hall, they found it completely different from the dinner hall: tall glass windows surrounded the room, lush plants and flowers adorned the space, and multiple smaller tables replaced the single large one. The koopalings were scattered around, some still groggy, with Lemmy fast asleep at his table. Bowser sat at a large table with Bowser Jr. by his side, engrossed in his newspaper. The Koopa king barely acknowledged the four humans as they entered. Bowser Jr. was busy drawing, barely looking up between bites.

 

Their escort informed them that breakfast was served buffet style. Luigi took the lead and headed to the buffet, with Mario following closely, still uneasy about Luigi being among the koopas. Surveying the spread before him, Luigi was impressed by the variety and quantity of food. He loaded his plate with pancakes, eggs, fruit, and various breakfast sausages, and sat down. Mario followed suit, though his plate had significantly less; a couple of pieces of fruit and an egg. Normally, Mario ate more than Luigi, so seeing him eat so little was frustrating, especially after their conversation the night before. Mario's appetite usually decreased only when he was ill or, as Luigi suspected, in his 'protect Lu' mode, a side of Mario that would emerge whenever Luigi was picked on or hurt. Mario would eat little, stay up late, and disregard his own safety. He saw this version of his brother back in high school, when he got bullied, and when he was working at the bodega. Peach told Luigi that Mario got this way both when he was first captured by Bowser's forces and when he was lost on the mountain. Seeing him grab just a few bites now, especially while injured, heightened Luigi's concern and his frustration. 

The princesses sat next to the brothers, their plates in hand. Just as Mario’s attention turned towards the ladies, Luigi slipped a pancake on to his plate. The pancake didn’t go unnoticed, as Mario slipped the pancake back on Luigi’s plate. Luigi does it again, this time with some eggs as well. 

 

“No thanks-a bro, I’m-a not that hungry.” Mario quietly says, scraping the food back on Luigi’s plate. 

 

“You-a need to build up-a your strength.” Luigi retorts, piling more food on Mario’s plate. 

 

“I-a said, no thank you bro.” Mario said through clenched teeth. 

 

“And I-a you-a too week. You-a need to eat.” Luigi said, matching his brother's energy. 

 

The two silently squabbled, passing food back and forth from their plates until the door opened again. A line of heavily armed Koopas walked in and headed straight for Bowser. The four stopped eating and watch closely with baited breath as the Koopas filled the remaining tables. Mario tensed, grabbing his butter knife, as he stared down two of the Koopas. He recognized them as generals in Bowser’s army. Luigi recognized one of them as General Blue Shell, the parakoopa that helped him and Bowser off the mountain. 

 

“Don’t be alarmed.” Kamek's voice broke the fours concentration. “Every morning, Bowser dines with his top soldiers and generals. They have no intention of attacking any of you… unless provoked.” Kamek said, hinting at Mario to drop the knife. 

 

“Must we have these meetings so early?” Bowser bemoaned from behind his newspaper. 

 

“My apologies Lord Bowser, I will try to make this morning's briefing as efficient and brief as possible.” General Blue Shell stated, saluting Bowser. 

 

“ At ease, soldier, and get some breakfast will ya?” Bowser said, placing his newspaper down. 

 

The Blue shelled Koopa gathered some food and began heading back to the table. On his way over, however, he stopped by the table Mario and the others were sitting at. 

 

“Good morning your highnesses, Princess Peach and Princess Daisy. I hope that your stay here has been pleasurable thus far?” He said with such rigid formality. 

 

“I can’t say that it has, seeing that I was brought here against my will.” Peach said with a stoic bluntness. 

 

“Yes, I do apologize for that, as it was not our intention for you to be here, especially under direst.” 

 

“Hmph” Mario grunted, crossing his arms as he stared down the general, narrowing his eyes. 

 

“As I was saying” the general turned his attention to Mario, as if addressing the red plumber. “I am sorry that you were brought here in less than ideal circumstances, especially with the direction Bowser would like to take this kingdom. Koopa hospitality is a point of pride, so to learn that your time here has been anything less than ideal is not acceptable.”

 

“Forgive me if I am skeptical of this ‘Koopa hospitality,’ but this isn’t my first time being brought here against my will.” Peach reminded the blue shelled general. 

 

“Completely understandable.” He said, turning his attention back to Peach. “I don’t expect you or your party to fully trust our intentions now or even in the future. My king can be… overzealous in what he wants. As much as he has changed our kingdom, he is still very much his father’s son and still holds within him our old ways. Though I cannot change the past, I hope during your time here you will bare witness to our kingdom’s further. A future that will hopefully harbor less hostility between our kingdom.”  

 

Peach was left confused by that statement. “What do you mean ‘your kingdom's future’?” 

 

“I am not at liberty to say. I am merely a soldier in Bowser’s great army.” General Blue Shell concluded. As he turned to walk back to the table with Bowser he stops and turns his head toward Luigi. “Lord Luigi, it is good to see you again. I am glad you were successful in your journey and that our paths have crossed paths yet again.” 

 

“Oh yeah, good to-a see you-a too, heh heh.” Luigi awkwardly replied. 

 

General Blue Shell leaves the four as he makes his way back to Bowser's table. Luigi resumes eating before he feels his chair rapidly shift and a hand on his shoulder. 

 

“What did-a he mean AGAIN?” Mario whispered in Luigi’s ear. 

 

“Oh, I-a met blue shell before.” Luigi nonchalantly said. 

 

“WHAT?” Mario shouted before clasping his hand over his mouth. After checking to see if anyone was watching, Mario continued to whisper. “What do you-a mean you-a met-a him before? Like-a here in the-a castle right?”

 

“No, I-a met him on the-a mountain.” Luigi corrected. 

 

“And you-a didn’t-a tell me?” Mario’s frustrations were mounting. 

 

“You-a didn’t ask. Besides, you-a should thank him. He-a gave me and-a Bowser the map that-a helped us down the mountain. Without-a him we might-a still be up there.”

 

“Hey, I was-a looking for you. Peach, Daisy, Toad, everyone was-a looking for you. We would have-a found you.”

 

“Hmph” Luigi huffed, now also getting irritated. After a few bits he quietly mutters. “You-a found a bunch of rude toads before I-a got home.” 

 

“What-a was that?” Mario snapped. 

 

“Nothing. Oh look at-a the time. I-a need go do-a my evaluation.” Luigi said, changing the subject rather quickly. 

 

“Wait, what-a evaluation?” Mario asked. 

 

“To-a fix the-a koopalings bathrooms. I-a can’t a fix the-a bathrooms if I-a don’t-a know whats-a wrong.” 

 

“You-a must-a be joking? You-a are not taking what that koopa said seriously? It’s obviously a trap. He-a don’t need pipes-a fixing, he wants to-a finish the job and lock-a you in some-a cage again! Please-a tell me you see that-a too.” Mario inquired looking at the others for reassurance. 

 

“I mean, Ludwig was right, we barely got any sleep with the kooplaings running around. If it was a trap, they could have sprung it on us last night. I think he legitly needs their bathrooms fixed. Besides, it would get the koopalings out of our hair.” Daisy added. 

 

“But, but” Mario couldn’t find the words to rebuttal this plan. Before Mario could stop Luigi, he was already gone. 

 

Luigi navigated the labyrinthine halls and corridors, frequently seeking directions from castle staff and guards. After a series of wrong turns, he finally arrived at the grand foyer of the castle. In the daylight, the vastness of the castle became apparent; it was colossal. Having visited both Peach's and Daisy's castles, both grand in their own right, Luigi was awestruck by the sheer scale of Bowser's castle. The foyer was imposing, with dark gray walls, towering statues, and intricate stained glass windows. The ceiling soared high above, seemingly endless. Chandeliers hung from long chains, suspended in the air, while parakoopas floated around them. Surrounding the grand entrance were several doorways, each several stories tall. Koopas bustled in and out of these doors, going about their duties. The sunlight streaming through the windows danced off the koopas' shells, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. Some windows offered a breathtaking view of a volcanic landscape. Instead of the desolate, barren land Luigi expected, he saw lush forests surrounding volcanic mountains. Winding pathways directed lava flows, which glowed even under the morning sun. In the distance, steam rose from the ocean, where the lava flows met the sea. Luigi was surprised to discover the castle's proximity to the sea, having assumed Bowser's kingdom was landlocked.Initially concerned that the koopas might object to his exploration, Luigi found that most greeted him as an honored guest, while others were too engrossed in their work to notice him. After wandering for some time, he stumbled upon a hallway that was heavily guarded. It was the only hallway that was like that and he remembered Bowser mentioned that no one is allowed in the living quarters that aren't his immediate family. Cautionally, Luigi walked up to the guards. 

 

“Oh… hello? I-i-is this-a where“ 

 

“Ah, lord Luigi, Lord Ludwig is waiting for you inside.” The guard said promptly, clearing a path for the plumber to walk through. 

 

Luigi made his way down the hall. At the end of the hall was another grand foyer. It was smaller than the one at the front of the castle but still imposing. Like the foyer in the front of the castle, this place was opulently decorated with grand marble statues, rows of doors and hallways that jutted outwards to presumably the koopalings’ rooms, and high seemingly endless ceilings, though notably less windows. The grandeur and awestruck Luigi felt was immediately gone when he heard the undeniable sound of wet carpet. The closer he looked the more signs of water damage he could see. Koopa workers buzzed all around him, tearing out carpet and wallpaper. Luigi’s plumber instincts kicked in as he began to inspect his surroundings. Despite its lush surroundings, he could see where pipes had begun leaking through the walls, where water had begun to pool, and the distinct smell of sewage. 

 

“Finally you are here.” Ludwig shouted as he entered the foyer. “Follow me, I’ll show you the rooms that need repair.” 

 

Luigi followed Ludwig to the first room. It was decorated with a circus motif and had toys struned everywhere. It must have been Lemmy’s room seeing it was the same type of toys he brought to dinner the other night. The bathroom seemed normal, as far as loops bathrooms go. Luigi looked in the toilet and found a pile of toys shoved in the bowl all under the toilet water. Without hesitation, Luigi took his glove off and rolled up his sleeves and began pulling toys out of the bowl. Once all visible toys were cleared, Luigi tried the flush lever. The water swirled, but did not go down. Luigi looked inquisitively at the toilet, deep in thought. 

 

“Well?” Ludwig asked impatiently. 

 

“Show me the-a others.” Luigi said 

 

Ludwig pointed Luigi in the direction of the room where meticulously inspected each bathroom. Larry, Ludwig, and Bowser Jr. had straightforward issues like clogged toilets, tubs, and sinks. Wendy’s situation was a bit trickier; her toilet's design caused pressure to build up, leading to a leak that had left a permanent wet stain on the wall. 

Roy’s room presented a spectacle—the sink was shattered, and water gushed out like a fountain. Iggy's bathroom was a disaster zone. Everything but the toilet lay in ruins, with broken and warped pipes spraying water in every direction. 

And then, Luigi ventured into Morton’s room. The darkness and pungent smell of sewage immediately assaulted his senses. Although accustomed to such odors, the stench here was far more overpowering. Stepping cautiously, he flicked on the light to reveal a horrifying sight: a mound of stained toilet paper protruding from a broken toilet, with the sink lying in shattered pieces on the floor. The bathroom's unusual design, situated lower into the ground with a small set of stairs leading in, contained the sewage, preventing it from spreading.

Emerging from Morton’s room into the foyer, Luigi found Ludwig waiting for him.

 

“Well, what’s the damage? Those all should be pretty easy fixes right?” 

 

“It’s-a… it’s-a no good in-a there.” Luigi replied. “I can-a fix a few of them easy peasy. But-a few of them are kaput. I can-a install new fixtures but I will need-a some help.”

 

“Great.” Ludwig signed sarcastically. “Just fix the ones you can do on your own. Think of them as a test. Bowser Jr. and Larry’s should be the easiest. After which,  I guess I will allow you to find someone to help. If your brother is well enough by then… maybe he can help, but I will not be responsible if he injures himself further.” 

 

“Is-a there anyone else that-a might be able to help?” Luigi knew his brother would more than willingly help him, but might not be able bodied enough to help. 

 

“We… might know two more plumbers. You might know them. But they are a last resort. The last time they were hired they did a horrible job and charged my father a ridiculous amount. But unfortunately, they now live in the Darklands, thus making them the most viable choice. 

 

Luigi couldn’t think of any other plumbers that he might know who have worked for Bowser in the past. The only other plumbers, aside from the toad plumbers that were their before the brothers came to this world, were Wario and Waluigi. He knew they were in this world too, having run into them a few times, but he hasn't seen them in a while. Surely Ludwig isn’t talking about them.

 

“Anyways, I expect you to start work today this afternoon. If it weren’t for my fathers insistence on observing this four day work week during what I would best describe as a light drizzle, you would be working immediately.” Ludwig stated. 

 

“Um… I-I-I still need-a tools, and you might-a order the new toilets and-a sinks.” Luigi muttered. 

 

“Ugh, fine. I’ll send you to Neo Bowser City with one of the castle shoppers to pick out these tools and items you need. And because the royal shopper will do the work, it doesn't count as work for you, thus you will go in a few minutes. I just need to find a royal shopper that isn’t off today. ”

 

“T-t-today?” Luigi stammered. 

 

“Yes, today. Can’t have you starting tomorrow because you don't have your precious tools. Be in the foyer of the castle in about an hour. You will have a budget of 6,000 coins for tools and give me a list of bathroom fixtures at reasonable prices and I will select which ones will be ordered.” He said, as he began to head out the door. “If you have any questions… ask someone else.” with that the blue haired koopa left. 

 

After a few more minutes of wandering around and asking for directions, Luigi made it back to the room. Mario, Peach, and Daisy jumped up when Luigi opened the door. 

 

“Oh thank goodness you are-a back.” Mario breathed a sigh of relief. 

 

“So… any news?” Daisy asked

 

“I-a start-a working on the-a pipes this afternoon.” Luigi said. 

 

“Mamma Mia, you-a still going through with it?” Mario decried, hoping he would have changed his mind. 

 

“I-a gotta do something. We can’t-a stay here like-a this for three weeks Mario.” Luigi stated.

 

“Maybe… we-a can?” Mario said with a meek little grin. 

 

“Mario!”

 

“Okay okay okay, fine. But if anyone of-a them lays a hand on-a you, you better tell me.” Mario warned. 

 

“I will. I will.” Luigi assured him. 

 

“With that settled, we can now plan our next move. Three weeks is a long time, so we will probably come up with some contingency plans just in case of an attack.” Daisy suggested. 

 

“Or at least a plan on how we will all manage to occupy the same space as the koopas with little to no issues.” Peach added. 

 

“We-a got all day to come up-a with a plan. Four-a heads are better than-a one.” Mario added. 

 

“Um… it-a might be three.” Luigi meekly corrected. 

 

“What-a you mean?”

 

“I-a got to get tools. Ludwig is-a sending me into the-a city so I can-a pick out-a my tools.” Luigi chirpped.

 

“WHAT?” Mario shouted.

 

“I-a need-a tools to work bro.” 

 

“NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! ARE YOU-A CRAZY?!” Mario was in disbelief that his brother would so nonchalantly agree. 

“It-s a not crazy. I need-a tools to fix things. I gotta go out and-a get them.” Luigi explained. 

 

“But Luigi, this isnt like going to the store in the Mushroom Kingdom. We are in a hostile land. Being in Bowser’s castle is one thing, but being out there is an entirely different scenario.” Peach countered. 

 

“Its-a not like I am-a going alone. I will-a have a royal shopper with-a me. I will-a be back in a jiffy. And-a like you said Mario, if-a anything happens I will-a let you know.” Luigi said, reassuringly. 

 

Mario hadn’t seen his brother take an initiative like this before. In any other circumstance he would be proud of Luigi. But all Mario could think of was all the horrible things that could happen. Still, he also didn’t want Luigi to slide back to where he was. 

 

“Grrrrr FINE, fine. Mario reached over by the table next to the couch he had slept on. He grabbed a handful of miniature power ups. They were the power ups Mario usually travels with on his adventures. The red clad plumber walks up to Luigi. 

 

“Here.” Mario began tucking the power-ups into Luigi’s pockets. “If you-a insist on-a going, at least take these with-a you.”

 

“Mario”

 

“They are-a smaller than-a regular power-ups, so you will-a have to use them wisely.”

 

“Mario.” 

 

“Save-a the feather if you need to-a escape, oh and here is an-a extra fire flower and-a…”

 

“MARIO!” Luigi shouted “Thank you bro, but I will-a be fine.”

 

Mario looked at Luigi, all the concern in the world emanated from his eyes. But with a sigh he grabbed his brother for a hug. “I-a know… just…just-a be careful okay.”

 

Bowser

 

 Bowser awoke that morning with a splitting headache. His nose had a slight fracture from Mario stomping on his face. He was still out of it, having stayed up way later than he usually does eating cake with Luigi. Bowser was still miffed about sharing his castle with the likes of Mario. It was nice that Peach was now stuck here with him. Had he thought of it sooner, he would have taken her right before the storm, forcing her to stay with him. Now that he thought about it, he could enact one of his old plans now; literal captive audience. But for some odd reason, Bowser just wasn’t interested. It was as if, now that he has Peach in his grasp, he lost the desire to have her. Since she had been here all she does is glare at him suspiciously, as if he was going to eat her any minute. If anything he was more insulted by her attitude. Her and Mario have been just awful guests. 

 

“Hmph… ungrateful.” He muttered to himself, waking himself up. “So you get kidnapped once in a while. That doesn’t mean I’m just going to pounce on her the first chance I get. I do have some tact after all.” 

 

Bowser grumbled and muttered to himself as he made his out of his chambers. “Grr… if it weren’t for my awesome hospitality I would throw all of them back in the dungeon… well at least Mario. Freakin pain in the ass. Grr…Luigi’s fine… he’s not annoying as his brother… I guess Daisy’s alright…she crazy though… I would keep her in the far part of the castle.” Bowser continued to mull over the situation replaying the events in his head. “Grrrr… NO, NO I’VE BEEN A GREAT HOST! THEY WERE THE ONES THAT BROKE IN HERE, LITERALLY. THEY COME HERE, BREAK NOSE, ALMOST ATTACK MY KID, THEN WHEN I INVITE THEM TO DINNER THEY JUST ACCUSE ME MORE AND WORSE OF ALL DONT EAT THE FOOD. THATS JUST RUDE AND WASTEFUL. NO NO, NO MORE MR. NICE KING! DUNGEON, DUNGEON FOR THEM ALL!” Bowser shouted to no one in particular. 

 

“Papa what’s with all the yelling.” A sleepy Bowser jr. emerges from his Bowser’s chamber. Since the living quarters has been closed off, Bowser Jr. has been sleeping in his father’s room. 

 

“Hey buddy, didn’t mean to wake you just yet. That’s just your old man thinking out loud.” Bowser crouched down and scooped up his son. “Let’s go back to bed huh?”

 

Junior shook his head. “No, I don't want to go back to bed.” 

 

“Okay then do you want to go to breakfast with me? You can sit at my table when the generals arrive.” Bowser asked. 

 

“Will… will the humans be there?” Junior asked. 

 

“They might be.”

 

“I don’t like them. Can I burn the red one? I can almost breathe as much fire as you dad.” 

 

“Ha ha ha! Normally I would say yes but today you’re going to hold that flame in. Those humans are guest and we don’t set fire to our guest.” Bowser explained. 

 

“Why is he a guest? I thought he was our enemy.” Junior asked, still confused. 

 

“They were… are. But as koopas when someone is a guest we have to treat them with the utmost respect and kindness.” Bowser explained. 

 

“But why?” 

 

“It’s the koopa way.”

 

“But why?”

 

Bowser pondered, realizing he had never told his son the history of this custom. “Well I would tell you but, it’s a long boring story. I don’t think you want to hear it.”

 

“I wanna hear it. Tell me, tell me!” Junior demanded. 

 

"Alright, alright. A long, long, long time ago, your great, great, great, great, great-grandpa ruled this kingdom. He was a great ruler, but back then, we had no allies, neighbors, or friends. Everyone was treated as an enemy, even when they were in need. This became a problem during the great storms.

You see, armies from neighboring kingdoms would often find themselves trapped in the Darklands during these storms. Instead of offering help, the king would send his armies to attack them. This led to endless battles, draining both sides of their strength and resources. This went on for many years.

One day, the king realized that this cycle of violence could not continue. He decided to change his ways. Instead of attacking those who were stranded, he chose kindness. He welcomed them, fed them, and provided shelter until the storms passed. This act of compassion changed everything.

The stranded Goomba army, who had once been enemies, became our first allies. They saw the kindness and hospitality of our kingdom and chose to befriend us. This act of kindness started a chain reaction, and we began to make many allies, growing stronger together.

And so, the lesson was learned. We must always be kind and welcoming to those who come to us, whether they are guests or in need. It is not just during the great storms, but at all times. This, my son, is the Koopa way." Bowser concluded his story. 

 

Junior looked up at his father, disappointment evident in his eyes. “Does that mean I can’t beat up the red guy, even though he hurt you?”

 

Bowser chuckled, patting Junior's shoulder. “For now, yes. We don’t fight our guests, even if they were the ones to throw the first punch. It takes a much stronger Koopa to show restraint. Even in battle, one does not overpower; we fight evenly. And when someone is our guest, it would be cowardly to attack them.”

 

“Okay, papa…” Junior still looked disappointed. “Does that mean I have to be nice to them?”

 

“Yes, Junior, it does mean you have to be nice to them,” Bowser explained. Looking down, he noticed his son's demeanor still hadn’t changed. “Well… not that nice, heh heh.” That got a little smile out of Junior.

 

Bowser could sense that he would regret his words later. Despite his initial urge, he couldn't follow through with his earlier outburst and imprison all the humans. He needed to set an example for Junior on how to be a king. Regrettably, this meant he couldn't just pummel that little plumber into the ground. No matter how disrespectful the humans might be, he had to maintain a sense of decorum, especially for his son's sake.

 

“Hey, let's get some breakfast, all this story telling got me hungry.” Junior nodded and the two were off. 

 

When they arrived at the breakfast hall, Lemmy, Ludwig, and Iggy were already there. The buffet was set up with a variety of breakfast items. Breakfast was a communal affair for Bowser, not just with his family, but with his entire army, or at least most of them. In the mornings, Bowser and his family would eat first, followed by the generals, admirals, and captains in his army, then the castle staff, and finally his soldiers. Bowser would normally sit in the breakfast hall with everyone, but this morning he knew he would leave early. Perhaps it was the lingering headache. Or maybe it was the thought of having to share a space with Mario. He wasn’t sure if he could restrain himself from saying something unpleasant while watching that pesky plumber sit at a table, refusing to eat and glaring at him.

Taking his seat, Bowser found his newspaper waiting for him, along with a cup of coffee and a plate of food. The newspaper didn’t have much in it, though news of Bradley’s kidnapping was starting to generate buzz, though luckily without many specifics. Bowser mainly looked for articles or reports of the on coming storm. Despite the clear skies around the castle, he knew the storm had already hit the eastern part of the kingdom. The storm itself was reported to arrive sometime midweek. This would give him a few days of calm weather. 

 

“Hmm…maybe I can take the koopalings to the beach before the weather gets bad. I can’t remember the last time we all went.” He thought to himself. 

 

His pleasant daydream was interrupted when he heard the sound of the door opening. In walked Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy.  Just seeing that red clad plumber made the koopa king seeth. He scanned the others, his eyes meeting Peach’s. She wasn’t as leery and suspicious as before, her expression was more perplexed this time. Daisy had the same expression, as she took in her surroundings. Mario looked just as he did yesterday. Glaring at all the kitchen staff, jumping at any noise, and occasionally giving Bowser icy cold stares. Luigi just seemed excited to eat. Bowser tried to just ignore them and focus on his paper. Occasionally he would look up to see what the humans were doing, his eyes drifting towards Luigi more often. He quietly witnessed Luigi putting food on Mario’s plate, Mario rejecting it, and Luigi insisting he eat. 

 

“Heh, at least someone can appreciate good cooking when they see it.” The king thought to himself witnessing the quiet battle between the brothers. 

 

A little time passed before the generals and captains of Bowser's army came in. The Blue Shelled General made a beeline straight to Bowser. Blue Shell, for as loyal he was as one of Bowser too tanking soldiers, could be a little too serious. 

 

“Must we have these meetings so early?” Bowser bemoaned from behind his newspaper. 

 

“My apologies Lord Bowser, I will try to make this morning's briefing as efficient and brief as possible.” General Blue Shell stated, saluting Bowser. 

 

“ At ease, soldier, and get some breakfast will ya?” Bowser said, placing his newspaper down. 

 

The general grabbed his meal and came right back to the table. “Let’s get this over with, report.” Bowser said, hastening the part of the morning he would like to be finished with. 

 

“Of course sire.” General Blue Shell pulled out a piece of paper and began o read aloud. 

 

“As of 600 hours, the entire kingdom had been made known of the humans present here in the castle. They have been advised of their status as guests and citizens have been ordered to treat them as such until their status has expired or changed. The humans should have minimal issues if they choose to venture into the kingdom. However, as a contingency plan, I will have my special operational forces follow them if and when they venture outside these walls. 

The storm is due to make contact with our major cities in two days. Reports from the farm lands and villages that are currently in the first bands of the storm state that this storm is particularly stronger than last years. It is to be seen if the reinforcements that were installed last year will withstand this storm. 

Lastly, the whereabouts of cadet Bradley is still unknown. However we have learned more about who he might be associating with. We’ve found warp pipes just outside the west gate that lead to the plumber's dwelling.”

 

Bowser's gaze sharpened as he turned to Mario. "Do you suspect the plumber is behind all this?"

 

"No. Not anymore," General Blue Shell replied. "Intelligence suggests that the humans were just part of a larger scheme. Not just them, but Cadet Bradley might just be a pawn. We found a vial of some kind of potion, as well as dried power-up mushrooms behind your throne; blue mini mushrooms, to be exact."

 

"So Mario was going to try that old trick again on me, I see," Bowser recalled his first encounter with the red plumber, ending with him miniaturized and trapped in a jar. "He would be foolish to try that stunt again," Bowser added.

 

"The issue is, we believe the mini mushrooms were not intended for you."

 

"Oh, then who were they for? You don’t think Mario would be foolish enough to use them on himself?"

 

"I believe Bradley was planning to use them on Mario to capture him. His scheme was to lure Mario here and trap him using the mini mushrooms," General Blue Shell explained.

 

"Hmm, now that I think of it, that Bradley fellow, he was always a bit of a brown noser. The last time I spoke with him, he was taking castle shifts earlier than scheduled," Bowser recalled.

 

"Cadet Bradley’s motives seem to revolve around seeking accelerated promotion. That would also explain his romantic involvement with Duchess Wendy. However, that’s not the most troubling part. Bradley was not known for his planning or cunning, nor does he naturally have access to things such as power-ups and whatever that potion we found. He must have been supplied with those items."

 

“But why? Why would anyone aid such a delusional soldier?” Bowser asked, perplexed by this development.

 

"May I share my thoughts, sire? I don’t believe their intention was ever for Cadet Bradley to succeed. I believe they planned for him to fail, ensuring he faced severe punishment, whether by your hand or that of the Mushroom Kingdom." General Blue Shell's voice lowered as he glanced around the room. "There are rumors of a faction of disgruntled Koopas who long for the kingdom to return to its old ways. While their numbers are small, they are growing. These Koopas exploit discontent among our ranks, amplifying minor grievances and attributing them to your rule. I believe this incident was orchestrated to provoke a response from you. If Bradley had succeeded, it would have likely led to war with the Mushroom Kingdom, especially given the goodwill the Mario Brothers have garnered with other realms during their short stay here. It could have escalated into a kingdom-wide conflict. However, if Bradley had failed, and you had punished him justly, it could have been twisted as a betrayal of our kind. Even now, as the humans reside in our kingdom as guests, many eyes are watching. There is growing chatter about why our enemies are being treated so well. Some are questioning our traditions, claiming they have been taken too far. Misinformation is spreading, about your reign and the reigns of old kings. While many of these are likely just wild theories, there seems to be a unified tenor emerging, as if meticulously orchestrated."

 

"And you believe it's just a few nutcases spreading these vile rumors around?" Bowser's voice was laced with disbelief.

 

"At first, yes, until..." The general hesitated, his expression grim.

 

"Until what?" Bowser pressed, his patience wearing thin.

 

The general's voice dropped to a whisper. "Until the rumors and conspiracy theories began to surround your son. Rumors about his upbringing and if he would be fit to take the throne under your tutelage."

 

Bowser's eyes widened in shock and anger. He was accustomed to facing dissent from small factions, but to have his son's capabilities and his own parenting questioned struck a deep nerve. Everything Bowser had done was to prepare Junior to lead the kingdom one day. To hear that there were those in the kingdom sowing doubt about his rule before he could even prove himself left Bowser seething with rage.

 

"When the rumors turned towards your son, I had a hunch. Bowser, I regret to inform you... Vashella, your ex-wife, has not been seen on the island you banished her to. Her campsite is abandoned, and no new camp has been seen. No smoke indicating she has made a fire, nothing. She has vanished off the island."

 

Bowser, seething with anger inside, managed to keep his composure, not wanting to alarm Junior who was blissfully drawing next to him. "Are you certain she isn't on that island?"

 

"Yes, sire, my men have combed the island multiple times," the General explained. "Her disappearance matches up with the rise in these rumors. It would also explain why Prince Bowser is now part of these rumors."

 

Bowser couldn't deny it; this strategy of using false information, sowing chaos, and even sending lackeys on suicide missions was her signature style of attack. Vashella had an unbridled hatred for anything that wasn't a koopa, especially resenting the diversity that had crept into the Darklands. During her short reign as queen, she had done nearly everything to destroy the kingdom's relationship with the shy guys and goombas. Her minions spread contradicting rumors that both were getting their kingdoms back in the same place, while also spreading the rumor of the goombas and shy guys planning a coup. Her plan was to incite civil war, frame it as an uprising, and have Bowser send in his troops to annihilate both factions. However, her plans failed. Bowser mediated between the two groups and quelled the fighting, but it cost him the trust of the goombas, who more than any other species in the Darklands yearned for their own kingdom once again. To them, Bowser's explanation that the promise of a return of a Goomba Kingdom was just a rumor felt like a betrayal.

When Vahsella's plan didn't work, she got desperate. Seeing Bowser as unfit to rule, she took matters into her own hands. She planned to usurp the throne and rule the Darklands herself. At the time, Junior was still in his egg, which she was often seen carrying around with her. She knew she had to get rid of the egg before it hatched, or all her efforts would be wasted. Many weeks later, her plan was set in motion. During dinner, she excused herself from the table to 'powder her nose,' which raised suspicion in Bowser. However, before he could act, a castle server presented his food, and when the cloche was removed, three lit bob-ombs were in front of him and his unhatched son. An explosion rang out in the dining hall. Bowser survived, but just barely, using his body as a shield to save his son's egg. It was later revealed that the server, who perished in the blast, and the chef were in on the plan, along with several castle staff. In a fit of rage, Bowser ordered all of them to be lowered into the lava pit. When it was discovered that Vashella was the mastermind, he couldn't bring himself to send her to the same fate; she was the mother of his son. Instead, he banished her to a remote and desolate island, only sending enough supplies to keep her barely alive. Or at least, that was the arrangement. Figuring out who helped her escape and how she did it would now be a top priority. Her existence is known to very few who are old enough to remember her as queen, and even among them, the narrative is that she passed away. Not even the koopalings know she is alive; only top-ranking generals and Bowser's inner circle are aware.

 

“Thank you for this information. I will need reports and updates as soon as any developments are made. I will also be dismissing the majority of the castle staff for the remainder of the storm. Have only your top and most trusted men take their places.” Bowser ordered.

 

“Understood.” With that, the blue shelled koopa finished his food and left. 

 

After breakfast, Bowser didn’t have much left to do. Normally, he would be attending meetings with delegates, generals, and other of the sort. However during the storm, many of these meetings were put on hold. With news of Vashella possibly being back in the Darklands, Bowser found himself unable to sit still. Bowser paced  back and forth in his quarters, thinking of strategies to deal with the Bradley and now Vashella situation. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK “Lord Bowser, I am sorry to disturb you, but I have news.”

 

Bowser opened the door to find General Blue Shell. 

 

“It’s about one of the humans. It appears that Duke Ludwig is sending lord Luigi into the city with one of the royal shoppers. Based on what we know, I don’t think it wise for him to venture with an unarmed castle worker, especially if we don’t know who we can trust.” The general said. 

 

Bowser had yet to make the announcement to dismiss all castle staff. If anything were to happen to the green plumber, Mario might start causing problems in the castle, thus feeding the rumors. “Have one of your men accompany Greenie.”

 

“Understood.” 

 

Bowser stood at his door when it dawned on him. It might be better if he accompanied Luigi into the city. It would show his people how well hospitality is actually working. Additionally, no rogue koopa would dare to attack him. The only who could match him would be Vashella, and she wouldn’t dare show her face on the streets of the city. Besides, he needed to get out of the castle today. Needed to clear his mind, and what better way to do that is to wander around the city. 

 

“Wait! On second thought, I think I will accompany Greenie myself.” Bowser stated. 

 

“Are you sure, my liege?”  

 

“Yeah, I need to get out of the castle anyways. Inform the castle staff that they can leave, except for any essential workers. Then install your men where necessary.”

 

“Of course, I’m on it.” With that the general was gone again. 

 

Bowser made his way to the castle foyer and waited. He saw the royal shopper assigned to Luigi being told to go home, which she was more than happy to oblige. A few minutes later Luigi emerged. 

 

Luigi looked stunned to see Bowser just standing there right in front of the door. “Oh-um hey Bowser. What are you-a doing here? I-I-I mean you can-a be where ever you-a want its-a your castle and-and-and if you-a want to be-a here you-a can. NOT THAT I’M-A GIVING YOU PERMISSION TO BE ANYWHERE. I CAN'T-A TELL YOU WHAT TO-A DO YOU-A IN-A YOUR OWN HOME.” Luigi stammered, fumbling his own words. 

 

“Are you done?”

 

“Yes, please.” Luigi answered, now fully embarrassed. 

 

“Ha ha Greenie you crack me up sometimes.” Bowser said with a laugh, releasing the tension between the two. “I heard that you need to go into the city for… plumbing tools or whatever. So I figured I’d tag along. So I’m here as your personal escort around the city.”

 

“Oh really? Are you-a sure you want to-a get tools and stuff with-a me?” Luigi said surprised. 

 

“Yeah really. I am the king; I can do what I want. Besides, I’m a koopa of my word. I told you I would show you how a real city looks. Not one of those peasant villages Peach calls a city. Who better to show you the might and power of the Darklands than its ruler.” 

 

Luigi breathed an apprehensive sigh of relief. Exploring a new city was already stressful enough, but with a stranger would have sent Luigi’s awkward meter into orbit. But now, at least he’s with someone he knows. 

 

“Well let's get going. We will ride in my clown car.”  

 

“Wait…Clown car?” Luigi said, confused. 

Notes:

No head cannon notes today. However if you have specific head cannon questions you can ask them on my tumblr (theblossomingofluigi) or ask them in the comments. I know I try to fill in the blanks of world building here but if I missed something or your just curious how this AU would address something specific you can ask me there or leave a comment.

Chapter 14: It’s just a thought

Summary:

What does a plumber need? I’m sure a giant turtle will know as Bowser and Luigi plans a shopping trip into the city. I wonder how Mario will take the news.

Notes:

I’m posting this pretty later so I might come back and do some edits and corrections.

---

Mario

 

Inside the bathroom, Mario frantically shoved half of his remaining power-ups in Luigi’s pockets, much to his brother’s chagrin. 

 

“Okay, I-a put two red mushrooms in-a your-a left pocket, a fire flower in-a your-a bag, and tanooki leaf in-a your-a back pocket.” Mario said, inspecting his brother. 

 

“Mario…”

 

“If-a something happens, use the-a mushrooms first and-a just try to-a escape.”

 

“Mario…”

 

“You-a can use the tanooki leaf to-a fly away, the signal for-a me to—“

 

“MARIO!” Luigi shouted, his frustration boiling over. Things were a little tense between the brothers since their argument last night. Mario deeply regretted saying what he said to Luigi. He did think his brother was more than capable of taking care of himself, but a side of him still wouldn’t let him go. A side, not born from bravery, but fear. Mario was normally cool, calm, and collected. He would go on adventures, saving the day for many folks in and around the mushroom kingdom, and of course Peach from time to time. He was able to go confidently out when he knew his brother was safe at home. But now, his little brother was off to explore enemy territory without him, and Mario himself was in no condition to save him. Mario felt helpless. He hadn’t felt like this since their formative years in Brooklyn; when they were picked on, bullied, and beat up and Mario was too weak, too small to stop them. 

 

“Look, Mario.” Luigi finally broke the silence between them. “I’m-a sorry for what-a I said last night.” 

 

“No no no fratello, you-a no need to-a be sorry. I-a was the-a jerk, okay? I just… I don’t want to-a see anything-a happen to-a you, you know?” Mario said meekly. 

 

Luigi pulled Mario in for an embrace and sighed. “I know, but-a you got to trust me. I will be-a okie dokie. Okie dokie?”

 

Mario smiled a little. “Okie dokie.”

 

The two gave one more big hug before leaving the bathroom. 

 

“Are you two alright?” Peach said, sensing things were a little off with those two. 

 

“Yep, everything is-a okie dokie.” Luigi said. Mario nodded silently. 

 

“Good.” Peach sighed in relief. “Luigi, how long do you expect to be out?”

 

“I don’t-a know. Hopefully not-a long since I just have to get-a tools. Can’t-a fix-a pipes with-a my bare hands you know. I just-a hope they have what-a I need here. Have you ever been to-a the city here princess?” Luigi asked. 

 

“I have not. Anytime I was ever in the Darklands it was never by choice and I was always kept here in the castle.” Peach explained. 

 

“It’s not like we could just stroll around the city anyways. We can barely do that in our own kingdoms let alone in enemy land.” Daisy added. 

 

“Yeah, that-a makes-a sense.” Luigi understood that the two were far friendly with each other, but deep down he hoped that maybe in their past it wasn’t all bad. 

 

Luigi set off to the foyer while Mario stood by the door, a heavy weight settling in the pit of his stomach. Despite trying to stay optimistic and trust that his brother would be alright, Mario couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness that had consumed him since coming to Bowser's castle. The normally prepared, cool, level-headed plumber had become a paranoid mess. Mario wouldn’t admit it, but he could only relax if everything was under his control. Not knowing things, being unable to change things, or worse, being unable to protect the people he loved, was unbearable. All Mario could do was plan, but even that proved easier said than done. The three of them pondered in silence.

 

“I got nothing. Any of you?” Daisy said, breaking the silence. Peach and Mario shook their heads.

 

“I hate to suggest it, but we can’t plan anything unless we know what we are dealing with. We might have to take a look around.” Daisy suggested.

 

“I think you might be right Daisy. As much as I don’t like the idea of wandering this horrible place, we can’t do or plan anything if we don’t know what’s around us.” Peach agreed.

 

The prospect of exploring the castle sent a shiver down Mario's spine. He had already struggled to keep his brother from leaving, and now the princesses were considering venturing out. If it were up to him, he would have barricaded them all in the room or even braved the storm himself; a storm he didn't believe was even that bad to begin with. However, Mario understood why venturing out would be the best plan of attack. Reluctantly, he had to agree with them. They didn't even know how big the castle was or where they were located in it.

 

The three of them headed out of the room they had confined themselves to. Mario took the lead, pausing at every turn and corner to check if the coast was clear. The castle was busier than they expected; koopas, goombas, and shy guys buzzed around the castle, each one focused on their own tasks. The three of them crept around, trying to avoid detection, but they soon realized that no one was paying them any attention. As they approached the castle entrance, the atmosphere began to resemble more of a small city than Bowser’s fortress. They exited the castle itself and found themselves in the courtyard, a sight to behold; it was so full of activity, one might have mistakenly thought a festival was in progress.

 

"Oh, you did make it out of your room. I was beginning to think the door to your room was jammed," Kamek appeared behind the three, surprising them all.

 

"Well… um…We wanted to get some fresh air, if that’s alright with you, being out of that room YOU put us in," Peach said, trying to convey a sense of stoic regalness, goading the old Koopa to say otherwise.

 

"Of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less. I will have one of the guards provide you with a map so you can better navigate the castle." Kamek looked toward a guard and waved his cane in a weird gesture. The guard ran off, not toward them, but in the opposite direction.

 

"So, you're just letting us roam around this whole place? Like it’s nothing?" Daisy interjected.

 

"Of course, as guests, we wouldn’t expect you to stay in just your rooms for the remainder of your time here. Especially in a castle this size, there is plenty of space to accommodate all of us. The only places that are off-limits are the dungeon, the master’s quarters, and the Koopaling quarters. Those places are private, even for guests, except for Luigi, who Master Ludwig has employed to fix the plumbing in those areas," Kamek explained.. 

 

“Oh no, where my-a brother goes, I go!” Mario demanded. 

 

"That would have to be arranged by Master Ludwig. I’m sure you can find him in the library if you wish to speak with him. Though he might be out and about, being that today and tomorrow will be the last days before the storm hits the capital," Kamek replied, looking out at the busy courtyard. "Everyone here has a long day of preparing for the storm, as well as celebrating. The storm was once a horrible and frightening event, now it is looked on with great anticipation and excitement. A time of forced vacation for most and a spectacle for everyone. The storm is quite electrifying. I encourage you to get out and enjoy the festivities."

 

"But why are you just letting us have free reign of the castle?" Peach inquired.

 

"Why not? You are our guests for the storm."

 

“Forgive me skepticism, but given our history…” Peach paused looking at Mario still blackened eye and slinged arm. “… and our recent history, I find it hard to believe you or Bowser would just be okay with us just walking around.” 

 

“You're right, I’m not okay with you all just ‘walking around’ the master castle.” Kamek said bluntly. “Given our history, I wouldn’t have extended the status of guest to any of you; At least not unless there was formal peace among our kingdoms. Given our history, I would have suggested to Bowser to terminate you all or at least imprison you until the storm passes, because then he would be able to fulfill his plans unhindered. However, our customs are more important than my feelings. Instilling our customs into the koopalings is more important than any trivial revenge. I hoped our actions were proof of that.”

 

 Peach and Daisy were at a loss for words. Mario stood quietly, fuming at the tone Kamek took with the princesses.  

 

“Ah look, your map is here.” Kamek said as the guard from early came running up to them, map in hand. 

 

“Again, I do hope you take this time to take in the majesty of my lord’s castle. I know lord Bowser’s pursuit of you is in the past, but I hope that doesn’t deter you in learning more about him and his kingdom.” 

 

“In the past?” Peach was perplexed by that statement 

 

“Well I must be off. Many things to prepare before the storm hits the capital. Again, explore this place a little if anything to understand where things are located. The library I find particularly illuminating. Perhaps you might learn a little about this kingdom and its customs.” Kamek said as he departed. 

 

The three felt the slight sting of vitriol in that last statement. “Oooff. Someone get me a radish, I’m going to beat that old man.” Daisy said fuming. 

 

Mario shared the same sentiment. He felt that everyone was rude. He couldn’t pin down a specific thing that was rude but he could just feel it. 

The three of them begrudgingly took Kamek’s advice and began exploring the castle. Mario kept his wits about him, making sure no one would surprise them. The more the three wandered, the more relaxed Peach and Daisy seemed to be. Mario began to let his guard down just a little. Enough for him to fully take in the castle. As Mario looked around at the huge stained glass windows, the gigantic marble statues, and the gold adornments on almost everything depicting Bowser’s face he couldn’t help but think the worse about Bowser’s taste. 

 

“vistoso, di cattivo gusto, brutto (gaudy, tacky, ugly)” the red plumber thought to himself. Though admittedly, the windows were alright, and he guessed that the few statues that weren’t of Bowser were well made.

However, the further they ventured and the further away from the front of the castle,  the more refined the decor became. The status of Bowser were replaced by other monarchs; King Goomba, King Ba-Bomb. Some statues were just art pieces depicting daily life, nature, and other various topics. Paintings adorn the walls that seemed to illustrate a history of the koopas. However, some just seemed to be art for art's sake. 

They made their way to the library. Upon entering, they were met with shelves upon shelves of books. A venerable catacomb of books. Despite it size, the library was well organized. Signs located everywhere told one which selves contained which types of books. The three split off in different directions, but not to far from each other. Mario himself was not much of a reader type. He found books somewhat boring, often falling asleep if he had to read them. Luigi on the other hand was an avid reader. Mario figured maybe he will find a book for Luigi to read while they are here. A small peace treaty from their recent squabble. He knew Luigi had a thing for pulpy fictions, romance, sci-fi, fantasy and alike. He noticed a sign for such books and headed that way. As he walked, he noticed a short blue haired koopa walking the opposite direction. It was Ludwig, in the library just as Kamek said he would be. The koopa turned and noticed Mario. 

 

“Oh, I thought you were your brother for a second. What are you doing here? You don’t seem like the learned type? 

 

Mario, a little miffed by the rude comments from the eldest koopaling, pressed on ignoring his comment. “Koopa, I-a want to work with-a my brother fixing your-a plumbing.” 

 

“So that’s what you came here for, and it’s Duke Ludwig to you.” Ludwig turned back to his work collecting orchestral scores from the shelves. “In any case, that decision will be with your brother now. I told him, if he needs help with any of the jobs that he will be responsible for finding it. Though in your condition, I don’t see how helpful you can be.”

 

“Hey, you-a watch your—“

 

“But if Luigi does decide to let you help, your pay will come out of his salary.” Ludwig concluded. 

 

“Hmph, is-a that all?” Mario had no intentions of taking any of the koopa’s money. Any funds he gets would go right back to Luigi anyways. 

 

“Not quiet. You will have to wait until he finishes his first bathroom. The first one is a simple job, shouldn’t take two of you to do. Think of it as a test for him; to see if he does know his stuff. Once he has completed this task, only then ask for an assistant. Oh, and you will need a shell. That might take a day to get fitted for.”

 

“A shell? I’m-a no turtle. Why would I-a need a shell?” Mario asked. 

 

“I can only assume your brother will ask for you help once he gets to the majorly damaged bathrooms. When he gets to the point, you two will need to access the basement pipes. To access the plumbing in this castle, you have to go through what we call ‘the old castle.’ It’s the part of the original castle and is also a tomb for all the old kings, as well as anyone of importance. All creatures, koopa or not, must don a shell out of respect. You’ll find a lot of places around the Darklands have that rule.”

 

“Pfff, like-a I would-a be caught dead in a shell. And-a neither would my brother.” Mario said dismissively. 

 

“Fine, suit yourself. But the guards won’t let you in without one. I’m sure your brother can find someone else to assist him.”

 

Mario found he didn’t have much of a choice. Being in Bowser’s keep meant he had to play by Bowser’s rules. “Grrr… fine. I’ll-a wear the stupid shell.” Mario agreed. 

 

“Good. Of course you still need your brother to request you. But I’m sure that won’t be a problem, right?” Ludwig said with a cheeky grin. “Anyways, your brother should be back soon. You can go out with the royal shopper to pick one out.” 

 

Upon hearing that his brother would be returning, Mario sprang into action. He grabbed a few books, not even paying attention to what they were, and ran to find Peach. 

 

“Princess, stay here, I-a gotta go meet-a my brother.” Mario said out of breath. Peach nodded and Mario sprinted out of the library. After a few minutes of running he made it to the foyer just in time. There he was Luigi, walking in, hands full of bags and sporting a new tool belt. Mario was relieved that he was alright and seemed to be doing well. He rushed down the stairs and jumped on his brother, embracing him, throwing off the sling his arm had been in off in the process. 

 

“Whoa Mario! Careful, careful, your shoulder.” Luigi said dropping his bags and embracing his brother. 

 

Mario breathed a sigh of relief as he looked over his brother, checking for any signs of harm. 

 

“See, I-a told you everything would-a be okie dokie.” Luigi insisted. 

 

“Yeah yeah, you right. My little bro is-a one tough cookie. I knew I should have-a trusted you.” Mario said with an ear to ear grin. 

 

He felt a little foolish. He knew he needed to trust his brother and to not be so…

The relief he felt suddenly turned to white hot terror as trailing behind Luigi holding more bags was Bowser himself. 

 

“Oh yeah, Bowser went with-a me. He-a showed me around the-a kingdom… well, this part of the-a kingdom.” Luigi explained. 

Mario pulled Luigi away from Bowser, a twinge of pain shot through his arm from his shoulder. “You-a don’t know when to-a stop, do you? Leave-a my brother alone! He not-a bothering anyone and he-a not a threat to-a you. So-a leave him alone! If you-a want to pick on someone, pick on-a me, you…you-a big BULLY!”

 

“HEY! Normally I would be flattered, but this time I wasn’t being a ‘big bully,’ I was being the perfect host and showing your brother around MY kingdom! If anyone is being a ‘big bully’ its YOU!” Bowser retorted.

 

“Lies lies lies! Like-a I would-a believe you! All you have-a done is lie since we-a got here. And-a now you are-a trying to-a pick on my little bro. You-a fake nice until we-a least suspect it and-a BOOM the mean old Bowser comes out.”

“But he-a did just-a show me around.” Luigi chimed in. “We-a went to the-a hardware store, then the-a shell store, then the-a hardware store again, then he-a took me to-a this place for lunch and, oh my gosh Mario, the steam buns was-a so good. Oh and-a the city, it’s-a under a shell, and the-a shell its-its like a crystal. It’s-a so sparkly and-a shiny.” Luigi gushed, still glowing form the sights he didn’t even catch that Bowser and Mario were fighting. 

 

“But… but… bro,” Mario stammered, his confusion tinged with concern and a tinge of heartbreak. Mario was torn. He knew his brother so well, he was kind and very trusting– perhaps too trusting. In the past, he'd witnessed the cruelty of others who took advantage of Luigi's trusting nature. Girls would feign affection, guys would pretend friendship, only to crush Luigi's spirit in the end. Mario had learned to recognize the signs, the subtle shifts in behavior that signaled impending betrayal. 

Now, with Bowser suddenly being friendly Luigi, offering treats and tours of the kingdom, Mario's alarm bells were ringing. He couldn't shake the feeling that Bowser was setting Luigi up for a fall, playing on his brother's innocence. What pained Mario the most was seeing Luigi genuinely happy, unaware of the potential danger ahead.

 

“Oh no, I gotta go. I’ll-a tell you more bro after I’m-a done.” Luigi said. “Oh and-a thanks Bowser for showing me around. Okay, Bye.”  With that, Luigi ran off to start his job. 

 

Mario waved meekly goodbye. There was still some relief that he seemed to be okay and happy now. Even a little relief that Luigi didn’t seem mad at him anymore. 

 

“Heh heh heh, seems like the only liar is you Mario.” Bowser said with a snide grin on his face. 

 

“SHUT UP.” Mario shouted. He could feel his face turn red with rage. He wanted to go after the giant turtle with everything he got. But he knew if he did in his conditions, and in Bowser’s castle with all his minions and soldiers around, he wouldn’t stand a chance. “Just… just stay away from my-a brother. Capeesh?”

 

Bowser leaned in close to Mario’s face. “I don’t think that’s completely up to you little man, and I’m pretty sure your adult brother would agree.”

 

Mario didn’t have a reply or comeback. All he could was glare, clinch his jaw, before storming off. 

 

Bowser snuggly grinned. It looks like the Koopa king has found a new way to annoy the little reb plumber.  

Bowser 

The breakfast conversation lingered in Bowser's mind, fueling his anger. The thought of Vashella roaming his kingdom and using others to do her bidding infuriated him. She was a coward, avoiding a direct confrontation. With so little information, countering her potential attacks seemed impossible. He would have to rely on General Blue Shell's reports. For now, escaping to the city to clear his mind seemed like the best option, especially since Luigi was about to head out.

Taking on the role of tour guide, Bowser and Luigi embarked for the city. Instead of one of his grand airships, Bowser chose his Koopa Clown Car for the journey. It was a bit cramped, but he felt it was safer than a ship full of castle staff. With Vashella on the loose, Bowser had to be cautious about his surroundings, especially with his family and guest around.

After a quick ride through the underground tunnels, they made it to Neo Bowser City. Bowser’s Clown Car ascended, giving Luigi a bird’s eye view of the city below. Glancing at the human squeezed into the clown car, Bowser noticed Luigi seemed unfazed by the tight space. His attention was captivated by the sight of Neo Bowser City unfolding before him. Unlike any city in the Mushroom Kingdom, Neo Bowser City resembled New Donk City. It was a bustling metropolis with towering buildings made of dark gray stone, accented by neon lights and red tile roofs. Despite its urban sprawl, the city incorporated nature, with lush plant life softening the harsh architecture. Colorful shell-shaped buildings added a whimsical touch to the cityscape. Bowser couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride watching Luigi take in the city, awestruck, mouth agape. 

 

“Bet they don’t have anything like this in that Mushroom Kingdom of yours, huh?” Bowser asked smuggly. 

 

“No, we dont-a have anything-a like-a this.” Luigi said as he shifted from one side of the car to the other. 

 

“You’re so busy looking down their, you’re missing the best part.” 

 

“The best part?” Luigi asked. Bowser simply pointed up. Above them was a crystal dome shaped like a koopa shell that encompassed the entire city. The light danced as it refracted through the shell, sparkling in every colors. 

 

“Wowie Zowie!” Luigi said in amazement. He’d never seen anything like this. 

 

“Yeah, this is one of three storm proof cities. The entire place is storm proof. Thought, pretty much all the cities, towns, and villages are storm proof these days. But this one will still be mostly fictional during the storm. And tomorrow this place is going to be packed as everyone piles in to watch the first rain.” Bowser boasted. 

 

“Watch the-a first rain?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Yeah, the first part of the storm is electric. It’s mostly lightening. These storms is actually how most of the cities get their electricity. The city’s battery gets kind of a recharge during the storm, at least that’s what my royal city engineers told me. It’s all nerd stuff to me. But it looks really cool. Me and the koopalings watch it from my castle’s observatory.”

 

Luigi shuttered at the thought. On the long list of things Luigi was scared of, thunderstorms was at the top. “S-s-so w-w-when does t-t-t-the-a s-s-storm get-a here?” Luigi muttered. 

 

“In about two days.” Bowser noticed Luigi's demeanor change. “What, don’t tell you are scared of a little thunder.”

 

“Yes, a very much yes.” Luigi responded. 

 

“Geez, for being Mario’s brother, you sure are scared all the time. What else scares you?”

 

“I’m-a not scared all the-a time. Just-a thunder, and-a lightning, and-a spiders, and-a snakes, and-a spooky woods, and-a , oh and-a ghost. I-a hate-a ghost, they always want to-a scare me.” Luigi rambled. 

 

“Wait, didn't you, like, fight ghost or something? Multiple times? How are you still afraid of ghost?” Bowser asked. 

 

“Yeah. But you can-a be afraid of something but-a still do the right-a thing you know. When-a king boo made my brother into-a that painting, I knew I had to-a save him even though the boos scare me, mama Mia. And-and King Boo is-a the scariest. But-but I had to save my-a brother even if it-a means fighting with-a King Boos, because it would be-a scarier if Mario wasn’t-a here.” Luigi explained. 

 

Bowser still didn’t quite get it. Having so many people afraid of him, none would dare try to challenge him. The idea of someone being afraid of someone but still willingly to face them was foreign to him. 

 

“Wait… how do you-a know about my-a time with-a King Boo?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Unfortunately, part of my duties is dealing with that round idiot. Boo is barely a king, having most of his kingdom confined to a random assortment of houses everywhere. Anyways, being that he is a “king” of some kind within my kingdom, he is invited to our annual kings meeting. Most of the time however, he spends most of the time complaining. During you two’s run ins, he mentioned you a lot during those meetings.” Bowser explained. 

 

“Oh I-a see.” 

 

“I’ll tell you this, for someone who is supposedly scared all the time, you sure got under King Boo’s skin… or whatever that thing has.” Bowser added. That little half compliment made Luigi smile just a little. 

 

Bowser landed the clown car and the pair stepped out. Now at ground level, Luigi could see details he didn’t notice before. Bowser insignia was on everything. Additionally, shell motifs were present on almost everything as well. The giant crystal dome that encompasses seemed so far away from the ground that it almost appeared to just be the sky. 

 

“Alright before we do anything that you had planned, we got to get you a shell.” Bowser said. 

 

“A shell?”

 

“Yep. Neo Bowser City is a shell only city. Back in the day, it used to be a Koopa only city. Nowadays, everyone can come but a lot of parts of the city will require you to wear a shell in certain areas. It’s either because it’s a sacred site to us koopas or the place requires you out of respect for the old days. There are still Old koopas who still think that it is wrong to walk around without a shell.”

 

“They have-a shells for humans like-a me?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Oh yeah, most shells are custom made. And I know the best place to get one.”

 

Bowser and Luigi ventured deeper into the city, the bustling streets revealing a different side of Neo Bowser City. From the air, the city appeared busy yet manageable. However, on the ground, it was a vibrant hub of activity, far busier than Luigi had anticipated. Stores lined the streets, teeming with koopas of various kinds— as well as goombas, rexes, dry-bones, and shy guys—all going about their business. The buildings were adorned with flashing lights and signs, creating a dazzling display. Everywhere Luigi looked, statues and art depicted a variety of subjects, adding to the city's eclectic charm. Parakoopas and Lakitus flew overhead, their presence adding to the lively atmosphere. Luigi couldn't help but be amazed by everything around him.

 

“Ah here it is.”  Bowser and Luigi found themselves in front of a store called Royal Custom Shells. “This is where all the royal koopas get their shells made. Like my father before me, and his father before him, and so on.”

 

The two walked in and were greeted by a group of koopas hard at work. The shop resembled a wood shop more than a tailor. An elder koopa approached the two. “Ah Lord Bowser, you are here earlier than planned. It was my understanding that we would deliver the princes’ new shell by this evening. Has things changed your highness?” 

 

“Oh no, I’m not here for Junior’s shell. I’m actually here to get this guy fitted for one. New hire at the castle and all.” Bowser informed the shopkeeper. 

 

“Ah, say no more. I’ll grab one of the standard workmen shells. I’m sure we have one for him that will fit.” 

 

“Actually…” Bowser paused to think. “Get him properly fitted for one. He’s going to be doing a lot of work under pipes and what not, it’s best that it fits him perfectly.”

 

“Of course, sire.” The old koopa ushered Luigi to a fitting room. The fitting room was a small well lit room that had mirrors all around. 

 

A group of koopa workers began measuring his arms and legs, as well his back and chest. “This must be very exciting for you.” The old koopa commented to Luigi, overseeing the measurements. 

 

“Oh?” 

 

“Not everyday do we fit a human for a koopa shell. My establishment has served the royal family for centuries. I fitted Lord Bowser for his first shell when he was barely a hatchling. So to have him bring you for one, it’s a great honor only shared by his children. You must be a fine plumber to earn such an honor.”

 

Luigi was completely caught off guard. Bowser made it seem like it was just a regular thing to get a shell. But to know he’s the only other person to get this treatment made Luigi feel a little special. He had never really felt special before. He was never the first at anything, or bestode a special honor before. The green plumber couldn’t help but feel a flutter in his heart. He’s never had anyone do something like this before for him. 

 

After they were done measuring, the older koopa guided Luigi to a show room. Inside, shells of all kinds lined the walls or prominently displayed in display cases. 

 

“We have various types of shells here. Full bodied shells are most popular. They will leave only your head and extremities exposed. We have back only shells similar to Lord Bowser. As the name implies they only cover your back, but they are lighter in weight and allow for more freedom of movement. We also have yoshi shells, buzzy beetle, and lakitus style shells.” The elder koopa explained. “Once we pick out your shell style, we can talk about colors, adornments, and finish.”

 

Bowser watched from across the room as Luigi pondered his selections. The whole experience was reminiscent of all the times he took Junior and the koopalings for each of their first shells. It was a very special moment; watching his kids pick out the colors, the shape, and finish, all things that would reflect the kind of koopa they might grow up to be. Bowser was reminded of the old wives tales pertaining koopas first shell color; most koopa parents don’t interfere with their kids picking their shell color. Most hold on to the superstition that the color of your first shell will determine your personality type. Bowser didn’t believe that sort of stuff.  Green was suppose to be meant for mild, meek, and gentle koopas but he rocked a green shell and he was the meanest toughest koopa around. Koopas also had the notion that your perfect mate will have the same shell color as you. Bowser thought that was a load of bull. What does color have to do with finding an ideal mate? 

 

Luigi was finished picking out his shell. The elder koopa began to sketch out and color the design. After a while Luigi walks back to Bowser, holding a piece of paper.

 

“You done already?” Bowser asked. 

 

“Oh yeah. I-a kind of had an-a idea of what-a I wanted.” Luigi replied, looking at the piece of paper. 

 

“Well then let me see.” Bowser took the sheet. “Oh…”

 

“What? Is-a something-a wrong? I-I-I can-a change it.” 

 

“You picked green.” 

Luigi

 

It would be a couple of hours before the shell was done. Luckily the places they were going didn’t require a shell. Bowser chauffeured the plumber around; mainly to hardware stores. Despite claiming to be an expert at navigating Neo Bowser City, finding these hardware stores prove to be difficult for Bowser; often having to ask for directions. It was clear to Luigi that Bowser has never stepped foot into a hardware store, or any store that didn’t sell luxury items. 

As Luigi picked out the tools he would need, he noticed Bowser looking on fascinated at all the tools he had selected. 

 

“I didn’t expect plumbers to need so many… tools.” Bowser said holding up one of the various wrenches Luigi had selected. 

 

“Oh yeah, plumbing is-a complicated job. You-a have to have many-a tools because you-a never know what-a you might need to fix.” Luigi explained. 

 

“I know this one.” Bowser help up two different plungers. “But why do you need two of them? Is one like… a back up or something?”

 

“No no, you-a need different plungers for-a different jobs.” Luigi held up a red plunger. “This is-a cup plunger. Its-a good for sink and-a bathtub.” Luigi grabbed the other plunger, which was black in color. “And-a this one is-a flange plunger, its-a best used on-a toilets.”

 

“Hmm…” Bowser examined both of them with what seemed like genuine interest. 

 

The pair continued selecting tools, a tool belt, and even a tool bag, all while Luigi explained every item’s function to Bowser. By the end of their shopping trip, Luigi had everything he needed. 

Back in the clown car, Luigi looked at his items. Though similar to his tool bag at home, he really began to notice just how nice these tools where. The bag was a fine tough leather, the tools felt great in his hand. Some of the tools had features he didn't even know were possible. He even managed to get a new pair of gloves that fit much better than his old pair. 

The pair went off to get some food before they headed off to the castle. They stopped at one of Bowser’s favorite street stands and got a street dish similar to a hotdog. 

 

“How’s the food?” Bowser asked, watching Luigi eat as if looking for his approval. 

 

“Wowie zowie! This is-a sooo good.” Luigi gushed over the food in his hand. “What’s it-a called?”

 

“Cheep Steamed Buns. It's chunks of marinated cheep cheep meat, with a yoshi fruit chutney, sandwiched in a steamed turtle shell buns. I’ve been going here since I was a hatchling. I’ve been trying to make the owner of this stand part of my kitchen staff at the castle, but he’s declined all my offers.”

 

“You can’t-a… just-a make him work in-a your kitchen?” Luigi was confused as to why Bowser would just accept no from someone. 

 

“Because it wouldn’t be the same. He’s been on this spot much longer than I have been king. Part of what makes his steamed buns the best isn’t just him, but this location, the people, the… everything. It’s one of the few things that make me feel less… ‘kingly’ ya know? Don’t get me wrong, being king is great but… sometimes you need to forget all that stuff.  

As much as I would want to just force him into my kitchen and make me Cheep Steamed Buns anytime I want it. They wouldn’t be the same as coming out here for one. The flavor comes from his passion for making them. Forcing him to make them exclusively for me would ruin the flavor and the experience. I’m pretty sure he can only work his magic here at this spot. It took me longer than I care to admit to realize that.”

 

Luigi was taken back at how candied Bowser was; let alone how restrained he explained. The green plumber couldn’t help but feel that everytime he and Bowser talked, he saw a new facet of him. 

 

The two finished eating, walking and talking about their favorite places to eat; a mom and pop Italian restaurant in Brooklyn, a themed restaurant in Neo Bowser City, even a particular snow cone stand in the Mushroom Kingdom. The two rattled off eatery after eatery, all while sharing a little bit of themselves in the process. Before they knew it, they were back at Bowser clown car. 

 

“Oh” Bowser noticed the time that was displayed on a building’s sign. “I guess we should head back now. Don’t want Ludwig pissed off because you're late.”

 

“Oh… Okie dokie” Luigi said, a little disappointed that his time in the city was over. 

 

The clown car touched down back at the castle. Luigi felt a rush of excitement to try these new tools out. It was an excitement he hadn’t felt since he first graduated from trades school. 

 

“Grazie, Grazie Bowser for-a showing me around.” Luigi said before he turned headed to the koopas living quarters. 

 

However, as he was leaving he felt a sudden embrace. It was Mario, squeezing his brother tightly. 

 

“Whoa Mario! Careful, careful, your shoulder.” Luigi said, dropping his bags and embracing his brother. 

 

Mario breathed a sigh of relief as he looked over his brother, checking for any signs of harm. 

 

“See, I-a told you everything would-a be okie dokie.” Luigi insisted. 

 

“Yeah yeah, you-a right. My little bro is-a one tough cookie. I knew I-a should have-a trusted you.” Mario said with an ear to ear grin. 

 

Luigi could see his brother was worried about him. As annoying as it could be sometimes, it was comforting to see that he cared so much. However, Mario’s grin sharply turned as he realized Bowser was standing behind Luigi. 

 

“Oh yeah, Bowser went with-a me. He-a showed me around the-a kingdom… well, this part of the-a kingdom.” Luigi explained. 

Mario pulled Luigi away from Bowser, a twinge of pain shot through his arm from his shoulder.

 

“You-a don’t know when to-a stop, do you? Leave-a my brother alone! He-a not-a bothering anyone and he-a not a threat to-a you. So-a leave him alone! If you-a want to pick on someone, pick on-a me, you…you-a big BULLY!”

 

“HEY! Normally I would be flattered, but this time I wasn’t being a ‘big bully,’ I was being the perfect host and showing your brother around MY kingdom! If anyone is being a ‘big bully’ its YOU!” Bowser retorted.

 

“Lies lies lies! Like-a I would-a believe you! All you have-a done is lie since we-a got here. And-a now you are-a trying to-a pick on my little bro. You-a fake nice until we-a least suspect it and-a BOOM the mean old-a Bowser comes out.”

 

“But he-a did just-a show me around.” Luigi chimed in. “We-a went to the-a hardware store, then the-a shell store, then the-a hardware store again, then he-a took me to-a this place for lunch and, oh my gosh Mario, the steam buns was-a so good. Oh and-a the city, it’s-a under a shell, and the-a shell its its like-a crystal. It’s-a so sparkly and-a shiny.” Luigi gushed, still glowing from his trip he didn’t even catch that Bowser and Mario were fighting. 

 

“But… but… bro,” Mario stammered, his confusion mixed with concern and a tinge of heartbreak. His plight was lost on Luigi, who was just excited to share his little adventure with his brother. 

 

“Oh no, I-a gotta go. I’ll-a tell you more bro after I’m-a done.” Luigi said. “Oh and-a thanks Bowser for showing me around. Okay, Bye.”  With that, Luigi ran off to start his job. 

 

Luigi was excited to test out these tools. He was also just excited to be working again. He enjoyed working, and he especially liked feeling useful and helpful to others. Not to mention it kept his mind busy, especially after these last few stressful weeks. Now he can do the one thing he is really good at, plumbing. Just him and the pipes and he won't have to think about Mario’s injuries, or their argument, Bradley and being kidnapped, Daisy and their secret break up, or any of the gay thoughts he was ha–...

Luigi stopped cold in his tracks. He completely forgot about that; the entire reason he was so eager to get back to work. The entire reason he found himself in the Darklands. Suddenly, all the intrusive thoughts he hadn’t had time to think about came rushing back. What if he liked men? What if Mario found out? And now that they are all in a confined space together, any slip up might lead them to think. 

 

“Whoa watch it.” A koopa guard said. Luigi was so lost in his thoughts he almost ran into one of the guards in the hall. 

 

“You alright there, you look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.” the guard asked. 

 

“Oh-oh n-n-no. I’m-a just… going to-a work. Heh heh.” Luigi muttered. 

 

“Oh, okay. But if you do see one, you have to let one of us know. Bowser doesn’t want any ghost or boos floating around here. Castle policy.” The guard explained before going back to his post. 

 

Ghost… boos… Thats right, he had called E. Gadds just before he was kidnapped. He left him a message. Luigi quickly reached for his mini virtual boo communicator and found a message had been left for him. 

 

“Luigi, forgive the delay in his return message, I was busy revolutionizing science and I didn’t feel like calling back. Your coordinates indicate you are in Bowser’s keep. This is wonderful news for science as it is rumored there are vastly different kinds of ghosts that call the Darklands home; not to mention the dry bone phenomenon. I am sending you a compact version of the Poltergust-G00 through the pixelator. However, due to the Darkland annual low pressure meteorological storm systems, it might take a day or two to fully teleport to you. This also means you or any other living being cannot use the pixelator for teleportation, as death would be imminent. Goouigi will be in the Poltergust in an inert state, so hypothetically he should be fine to go through the pixelator. 

Now, in regards to your request… what was it… oh yes! In regards to your request for a sexual orientation change, I do not have anything to help you there. Such trivial inventions would be a waste of resources and time. However, if you desire to look more attracted to the opposite gender, or in your case possibly the same gender, I do have a revolutionary device that will genetically modify you to have all the desirable traits to attract a mate; such as lushish mains of hair, shiny healthy skin, chiseled physique, plumes of feathers, bioluminescence, and several bulbous glands that can inflate. All things proven to attract mates throughout the animal kingdom. If you want to be on the cusp of romantic evolution, just reply to this message and I will send you the prototype through—“

 

Luigi hung up the communicator before the message was complete. The green clad plumber felt as if his window to a normal happy life had just gotten a little smaller. He had really hoped that E. Gadds would have something, anything that could rid him of these thoughts. 

 

“Wait a minute.” Luigi thought to himself. “I-a hadn’t had those-a thoughts for the-a last few days. Things-a here are so hectic and-a I-a been so busy, I haven’t had-time to-a think those-a things. If I-a keep-a busy, I won’t-a think about-a those guys… like-a Michael… wearing those-a…um…” Luigi felt his face get hot. He began to move quickly to the first bathroom. 

 

It was Bowser Junior’s room; very child like, drawings, paint, and colored pencils all over the floor. He made his way to the bathroom to find it was relatively still intact. Aside from some water damage on the base boards and the obvious clogged toilet, everything was seemingly normal. Luigi got to work, first trying his plunger on the toilet. When that didn’t work, he grabbed his drain snake. After a while of cranking the drain snake wheel, he hit something. After finagling it a little bit, he was able to loosen up the clog and even get it caught on the end of the tool. What came out of the toilet were two small spiked bracelets wrapped in toilet paper. Luigi separated the toilet paper from the bracelets and placed them on a towel. After that, the toilet began to work perfectly fine. 

 

“Phew… that was-a easy.” 

 

“Michael Rossi was so nice, and handsome.” An intrusive thought binged in his mind. 

 

“I-a better get-a back to work.” Luigi said to himself. 

 

He made his way to Larry’s room. Very much a teens room; messy, cluttered, and smelling weird. Just like Junior's room, the only major issue with the bathroom was a clog and some water damage. With the help of his drain snake, Luigi managed to fish out a few toys, more spiked bracelets, and of course, loads of toilet paper. 

 

“Phew, I did it!” Luigi exclaimed as he looked on at a fully functioning toilet. 

 

“I wonder if those two fellows on that TV ever fixed each other's pipes… if you know what I mean?” The intrusive thought chimed in again, much to the chagrin of Luigi. 

 

Desperate to keep those thoughts at bay, Luigi began to look for more work to do. Ludwig had specifically told him to not work on the other bathroom until could inspect his finished work on Juniors and Larry’s bathroom. Luigi looked around at what else he could fix in the two bathrooms. Leaky faucet, fixed. Crack in the PVC pipes under the sink, replaced. Low water pressure, adjusted. Before Luigi knew it, he had renovated and repaired both bathrooms' plumbing. 

 

“Hmm, color me impressed.” Ludwig said, entering the bathroom without warning. “You exceeded my expectations, as low as they were. Still, I am impressed by the work you’ve done here. I’ll have you work on Wendy’s and my own bathrooms tomorrow.”

 

“Tomorrow? I mean, I can-a work on-a them today, if you-a like.”

 

“As much as I would love for you to work all night, unfortunately our ‘customs’ prevent that. Besides, it is dinner time and I guess you must eat or something like that.” 

 

“It’s-a dinner time?!” Luigi didn’t realize how late it was. He was sure Mario was beside himself waiting for him. He’ll just explain that work took longer than expected. Mario of all people should know how time can just get away from you when working. Everything will work out, and the conversation they will have will keep the thoughts at bay. Everything will be fine. 

 

Notes:

Headcannon notes; you might have noticed that Mario isn’t as optimistic and joyful as he is in most games. In this AU, Mario hasn’t yet grown into that version of himself. He still carries a lot of baggage from his time in Brooklyn. Since arriving in the Mushroom kingdom, he has softened his edges, but not entirely, especially when it comes to Bowser. He’s got a lot of growing and learning.

Chapter 15: The boys are fighting

Summary:

Peach indulges in some 'light' reading to educate herself about the koopas. Meanwhile, Luigi is out and about with Bowser, gaining firsthand knowledge about the koopas from the turtle himself. This development pushes Mario to his breaking point, revealing a side of the brothers that Peach and Daisy have never witnessed before.

Notes:

This chapter is heavy on the world-building but ends with a bang. But stay tuned for the next one as it will be released soon.

Peach  

Peach observed Mario's hurried departure from the library, his concern for Luigi palpable. She couldn't shake off her growing worry for Mario; he seemed constantly on edge, particularly when Luigi was out of sight. In a way, she sympathized. Mario had assumed the role of protector for both her and Luigi since they arrived in Bowser’s keep. Like her, Luigi's experiences in Darklands had been marked by kidnapping and imprisonment. Every encounter with Bowser had been hostile. Mario's presence in the kingdom had always been associated with rescue missions for her or Luigi. Now, they found themselves in an uncomfortable limbo, neither prisoners nor truly free. They were confined by an impending storm, yet granted free access to most of the castle. It was a perplexing situation for Peach, and she could sense the strain it was placing on Mario. 

With not much else to do, Peach begrudgingly followed Kamek's advice and made her way to the history section of the library. As she scanned the books, she selected a few that caught her eye; A Brief History of Kings - the Entire Lineage of Koopa Kings, Expanded Boarders - a History of Conquest, Koopa Customs and Culture, Forgotten Tongue - Koopa Language before the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach gathered the books before she turned to Daisy, who had been slouched in a chair thumbing through random books bored. 

 

“I think I found some books I wouldn’t mind reading if you're ready to go.” Peach said. 

 

“Oh my god, YES, finally.” Daisy said relieved to finally get out of the library. Like with movies, Daisy didn’t have the patience for reading either. 

 

As they made their way back to their room, they encountered Mario, who appeared visibly distressed and angry, a demeanor that seemed to have become a constant presence during their time there. 

 

“What’s wrong Mario?” Peach asked

 

“It’s-a nothing Princess… it’s… we need to-a get back to the-a room.” Mario said, looking over his shoulder at the new guard at another door's entrance. 

 

A Brief History of Kings - the Entire Lineage of Koopa Kings. 

 

Peach began reading the first book. In it, it outlined the entire lineage of koopa rulers dating all the way to the Darkland’s formation. It was to Peach’s surprise that the giant koopas haven’t always ruled. The first several generations of kings and queens were the smaller more common koopas. It was only 6 rulers ago did the giant koopas take control. 

 

“55…56…57…58…” Peach looked down from her book to see Mario doing sit ups. 

 

“Should you be working out with your shoulder?” Peach asked. 

 

“It’s-a…fffffine.” It wasn’t. “It doesn’t-a hurt at all.” Mario was in excruciating pain. 

 

“Why are you working out?” 

 

“Bowser… grunt… got the best of-a me… grunt… so-a now… grunt… I gotta get-a back to-a shape… grunt… so that the-a next time… grunt… he-a won’t stand a chance.” Mario said in between sit-ups. 

 

“Well… okay… just don’t push yourself.” Peach, apprehensively, went back to her reading. 

 

Expanded Boarders - a History of Conquest

 

Peach had been told about the many lost kingdoms. The story of their downfall has always been a cautionary tale told to her from Toadsworth; how they must stay vigilant in case of attack from Bowser’s army and avoid the fate those lost kingdoms suffered. In this book, and in graphic details, it goes over the history of the Darkland’s expansion campaigns. The brutal campaigns were led by the first giant koopa king, and continued by the second king. The second king was responsible for the reformation of the land, inadvertently creating conditions that brought about the great annual storms. It was the third king who extended the olive branch to the former kings of those conquered kingdoms during those storms that created the alliance between these former kings and koopas. It was the fourth king who solidified the Darklands hostilities towards the Mushroom Kingdom. And it was the fifth king that grew the Darklands army exponentially. Peach continued to read when she stumbled upon Bowser’s portrait. 

 

“ The sixth king, Bowser, sought to bring and end to the ongoing hostility towards the Mushroom Kingdom through his marriage of their Princess Toadstool, colloquially known as Peach. After a failed marriage to former Queen Vashella, Bowser plans to marry the princess even if by force as to provide his children a loving mother and his people a kind hearted queen; his only contribution to his dynasty’s legacy. However this plan was unpopular with the deadens of the Darklands and has proven to be an utter failure. Time and time again, his plans were thwarted and more and more resources squandered. Unless things change, Bowser will go down in history as the only king to not have furthered his kingdom.”

 

Peach was shocked to see printed text critical of Bowser, let alone be published in a book in his own library. Peach assumed that everyone blindly praised Bowser and if their was any deserting voices in his kingdom they had to be hidden. But here it was in black and white sitting in the turtle king’s own library. 

 

“COME ON! PUSH THROUGH! YOU GOT THIS! WHOO!!” Daisy began encouraging Mario’s working out, now with him moving on to one armed push ups.. She was not helping the situation. 

 

Expanded Borders - a History of Conquest

 

In the next book, Peach delved deeper into the history of the koopas' expansion campaigns. During the era of the small koopa kings, koopas lived peacefully near streams and rivers. However, as the toadstools and goombas expanded their territories, many koopas were forced to relocate to the shadow of the volcanoes, thus forming the Darklands. This new environment brought significant struggles. Lacking resources, the koopas became almost entirely dependent on the generosity of other kingdoms. This dependency lasted for generations, during which new variants of koopas evolved out of necessity, including the giant koopas. Despite these evolutionary changes, the Darklands continued to face hardships.

A turning point came when the Goomba King decided to withhold aid from the koopas. The small koopa kings, rather than standing up to the goombas, capitulated to their demands, much to the dismay of the Darklands' citizens. Witnessing their spineless kings allow the other kingdoms to mistreat them, the citizens revolted. They ousted the weak rulers and installed a fierce, battle-proven giant koopa as their new king. This new king not only reclaimed the koopas' ancestral lands but also seized the goombas' territory, expanding the koopa kingdom to include the volcanoes, rivers, and the former goomba kingdom.

The giant koopa king continued his conquests, targeting neighboring kingdoms. In response, the Mushroom Kingdom formed alliances with the kongs, penguins, and humans of New Donk City. Lacking allies, the koopa king's forces were consistently thwarted from advancing on the allied kingdoms, stalling his ambitions and haunting his progress.

The second king fared no better in expanding the kingdom, only managing to conquer the territory of the shy guys. However, what he lacked in new land, he made up for through transformation. The second king leveled forests, destroyed fields, and toppled mountains. No natural structure was too great for him to reshape according to his vision. Unfortunately, this reshaping altered how the wind blew and the rain fell. The natural barriers that once kept the storms at bay were no more. The storms came and devastated the koopa kingdom. Moreover, the displaced inhabitants of the conquered lands fled to the Darklands for safety, as they had nowhere else to go. 

Now decimated by the storms, the koopa king could not fight back as much as he wanted. The two armies were at a standstill, too weak to carry on but too stubborn to back down. These fights lasted as long as the storm, only ending when the clouds dispersed. 

It was not until the third koopa king's reign that an olive branch of peace was extended. During the first storm of his rule, instead of fighting with the goombas, he offered them shelter and food. He continued this practice every year with all the former kingdoms' inhabitants until eventually, they accepted him as their new king. Thus, an alliance like no other was formed.

Peach finished that book, as well as the others. With each one, she learned more about the Darklands, the koopas, and their customs. What surprised her most was just how little she knew about this kingdom. The Mushroom Kingdom had been at war with the Darklands even before she was born. She had no idea the koopas had their own language, that their original kingdom resembled her own, or that they had a rich culture full of traditions. How did this gap in her knowledge get so huge?

As she closed the last book, Peach reflected on everything she had read. The Darklands weren't just a realm of villains and danger. The koopas had a deep history marked by struggle and resilience, creating a society as complex and vibrant as her own.

 

“Um… a-Princess? Are you-a ready for-a dinner?” Mario broke Peach’s train of thought. She noticed that the sun was going down. How long was I reading? She thought to herself. 

 

“Oh… yes… yes I am. Where’s Luigi?” Peach looked around, noticing the green plumber’s absence. 

 

“He’s-a still working for that-a blue haired koopa. But… it’s-a shouldn’t have-a taken this-a long. Those-a pipes must have-a been really messed up heh heh.” Mario joked, unable to hide his concern. 

 

Daisy, waking up from a nap, joined the two as they were escorted to the dinning hall once again. However, something seemed off; their usual castle escort was replaced by a heavily armed parakoopa soldier. In fact most of the castle staff seemed to have been replaced by soldiers. It was tense between the three of them. It felt as if Bowser was planning something, but they couldn’t figure out what. 

As they turned the corner, they reached the door leading to the dinning hall. The soldier gestured for them to enter, stopping short of opening the door himself. 

 

“Haha haha hooo” laughter can be heard behind the door. It was Luigi. Mario flung open the door. His excitement and joy was short lived, as it was replaced with horror and rage once again when he saw his brother in full conversation with Bowser. 

 

“Oh hey-a bro. Bowser was-a just telling this-a funny story. It had—heh heh heh—and-a this guy—ho ho ho hoh—and-a she thought—HA HA HAAAA— oh boy Bowser tells it-a better.” Luigi incoherently said between fits of laughter. 

 

Mario didn’t say anything, just glared at Bowser who seemed to be smugly smirking at the red plumber. Peach was a bit taken back; she had never seen Luigi laugh so hard. He was red faced and teary eyed from laughing so hard. Sure he saw him chuckle here and there before, but this was something else. 

As the three took their seats, the koopalings also entered the dining hall. As they sat down a single serve, as opposed to the many last time, walked in rolling a cart of dishes. All the same meal but at varying quantities. 

 

“What gives? I didn’t order this?” Shouts Wendy.

 

“I didn’t order this either.” Added Roy. 

 

“I guess now is as good a time as any.” Bowser stood from his chair. “Due to our… ‘guest’… and recent circumstances” he glares at Wendy. “I let the majority of the castle staff go early this year. That means, no more personalized meals, no personal shoppers, no breakfast buffet, no theater service, or shell polishing services. Just the bare necessities to keep the castle running.”

 

“WHAT?!” the koopalings exclaimed together. 

“YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!” Ludwig questioned. 

 

“THIS IS SOOO UNFAIR! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US?” Larry pleaded. 

 

“How am I supposed to get my gains if I don’t have chef robert watching my MACROS?” Roy demanded.

 

“You can’t expect me to polish my own shell. MATTE SHELLS ARE NOT TRENDY ANYMORE! I NEED MY SHELL TO BE SPARKLY AND SHINY! I NEED MY SHELL POLISHER TO DO THAT FOR ME!!!” Wendy demanded. 

 

“You can’t expect me to stop my work to retrieve sustenance and supplies. I’m doing important science and I need my personal shoppers to do that menial work for me.” Iggy tried to explain. 

 

“Who am I going to talk to now? I always talk to the hall guards and love talking to me.” Morton explained. 

 

“I can’t do my magic act without assistance. The only people who would be my assistants are the castle staff. WHO AM I GOING TO SAW IN HALF?” Lemmy shouted. 

 

Bowser stood at the head of the table, quite annoyed by his kids' brattiness. “You know, I originally dismissed the staff for security and safety reasons. But now, it appears that this was well overdue. I didn’t know I raised a bunch of SPOILED BRATS! You have all gotten SOFT, WEAK, and COMPLACENT! I should’ve done this a LONG TIME AGO! In fact…” Bowser got to thinking. “I think I will let the staff have an extended holiday.”

 

“WHAT?! NOOOO”

 

“YES. The staff will remain on paid holiday for an additional week after the storm passes.” Bowser shouted. 

 

“But… but… but…” the koopalings chirped 

 

“No buts! Its time you start doing things for yourself. I’m not raising a bunch of spoiled koopas who can’t even polish their own shells. Am I understood?”

 

“ Groan… yes sir…” They bemoaned collectively. 

 

Bowser sat back down before turning to Peach and Luigi. “Sorry you had to see that. Kids these days, you gotta get tough with them sometimes or they get too soft.”

 

Peach didn’t know what to say to that. It was still a weird sensation watching Bowser, the menace of the Mushroom Kingdom, the warlord that had terrorized her lands, being just a father. Everyone began to eat, with the koopalings chatter was mostly at a minimum. Bowser Jr. glared at Luigi while he ate. 

 

“Junior, don’t stare. It's rude to stare.” Bowser said, in between bites. 

 

“But Dad…” Bowser Jr. attempted to whisper. “I saw the green one in my room. I think he was setting boobietraps.”

 

“I already told you, he was just fixing your toilet.”

 

“Oh…” Luigi reached into his bib pocket. “Here…” Luigi hands the apprehensive little koopa his bracelets, wrapped in a hankerchief. 

 

“MY BRACLETS!” Junior's eyes widen as he quickly snatches them up. 

 

“I-a figured you-a might want-a these back.” Luigi commented. 

 

“See Junior, he was just fixing your bathroom.”

 

Junior looked Luigi up and down suspiciously. “Hmm… I guess this ones alright.”

 

Everyone continued to eat. Peach quietly observed the room while she ate, unable to fully relax. Despite everything she had read and seen, she still remembered the kidnappings and how terrifying the castle had seemed on her previous visits. The first time she was here, locked away in that room, she felt as if danger lurked around every corner, expecting something horrible to happen at any moment. But now, as she looked at Daisy, Mario, and Luigi, those feelings of impending doom seemed distant. Even as they sat eating dinner with Bowser and the koopalings, she felt a cautious sense of calm.

Peach looked across the table. Daisy was casually eating while chatting with Roy about his training regimen, seeming to have relaxed much quicker than Peach had. Then there was Mario, the only one who still seemed uneasy. He sat in silence, pushing food around his plate with his fork and casting intense, wary glances around the room. The only time he moved was to drag Luigi’s chair closer to him and away from Bowser, only to have Luigi scoot it back. Like Peach, Mario’s only interactions with Bowser had been hostile, and he wasn’t convinced that Bowser had changed or that this situation was normal for koopas. Peach glanced at Luigi, who was deep in conversation with Bowser and a few of the other koopalings, only pausing to readjust his seat after Mario pulled it closer.. 

Peach looked at Bowser. Was this all a trick? Bowser wasn’t one for subtle deceptions, but he also wasn’t known for being civil. At least, that’s what she thought. Throughout the dinner, Bowser hadn’t so much as glanced her way. His focus was entirely on his kids and... Luigi? Yes, Luigi seemed to be the only one holding his attention. In fact, they hadn’t stopped talking all dinner. And it wasn’t small talk or simple pleasantries; their conversation ranged from deep, heartfelt topics to side-splitting jokes and stories. Somehow, Luigi had managed to bring out an outright friendly side of Bowser. This change in behavior seemed to have started from their time on that mountain. Peach had to know what had happened. How did Luigi do the impossible and tame Bowser? How did he get Bowser to lose interest in her? She needed answers, and she planned to find out after dinner.

 

When dinner was over the server came back into the room and gathered everyone’s plates. Peach stood up to address Bowser as well as everyone at the table. “Bowser, I wanted to say thank you for dinner. I wasn’t able to say this yesterday, which was unbecoming of the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom so I do apologize. I can only speak for myself but I will… try to put our history behind us and accept and embrace this koopa hospitality while we are here.” 

 

“Hmmm? Oh… okay… dessert is in the small kitchen near your guy’s room.” Bowser seemingly missed Peach’s speech, being more interested in picking his teeth. 

 

“Well… okay then…” Peach was a little offended that Bowser seemed to have little interest in what she had to say. 

 

The four humans headed back to the room they had been sharing. Peach and Mario both seemingly in a rush as they were out pacing both Luigi and Daisy. 

 

“Hey… can we… slow down a little? These heels aren’t the easiest to run in.” Daisy said, in a bit of a jog trying to keep up. 

 

“Yeah… phew… I can’t-a… keep up.” Luigi said, even further back. 

 

Once in the room, Peach shut the door behind them all, making sure it was locked. She turned and both she and Mario went straight to Luigi, who was relaxing on the couch. 

 

“Luigi, we need to talk.” Peach said sternly. 

 

“Um… okay… do you want to-a go somewhere or…” Luigi was taken aback by the sudden change in tone from dinner. 

 

“You and Bowser have gotten… close, correct!” Peach interrogated. 

 

“Si…yes.” Luigi hesitantly answered. 

 

“How? How did you get Bowser to be so… so nice to you?” Peach asked. 

 

“I-I-I don’t-a know.” Luigi answered. 

 

“There has to be something you did. Did you feed him a new type of powerup, does he owe you a favor…” Peach lowered her voice to a whisper. “…are you blackmailing him?” 

 

“No-no-no nothing like-a that. He’s-a just… nice to me.” 

 

“Okay… then can you tell me what happened on the mountain?”

 

“I-a told you just about-a everything that-a happened.” Luigi said. 

 

“Then-a tell me-a this.” Mario interjected. “Why didn’t you-a go with the-a toads you-a ran into them on the mountain, huh?” 

 

“What?” 

 

“Why did-a you stay with-a Bowser? You could have been-a home earlier with the-a toads?” Mario added. 

 

“What do-a you a mean?” Luigi was confused. 

 

“Those toads you ran into on the mountain. It wasn’t just the one that beat you down. We found all of them before we found you.” Peach said. 

 

“Oh…” Luigi's demeanor grew cold. “Well… good for-a them, you know. They-they-they must have-a found way down or I wasn’t in the-a right place to be rescued.” He said in a dismissive tone. 

 

“That still don’t-a answer the-a question! Why didn’t you-a go with them?!” Mario was beginning to raise his voice. 

 

“Well… they were rude.” 

 

“Rude?… RUDE?! YOU-A CHOSE TO GO DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH-A BOWSER, THE-A MONSTER THAT-A TRIED TO-A KILL YOU BECAUSE THEY WERE RUDE?!?!?” Mario had become bright red at this point. 

 

Luigi, remaining calm, simply turned to his brother and replied. “Yes.” This infuriated Mario even more. 

 

Peach, feeling the tensions between the brothers switched her tone to ease them both. “I think what I and Mario are trying to figure out is how you manage to get Bowser to change. I mean, you have to understand where we are coming from. Bowser has been nothing but hostile towards me, your brother, the entire Mushroom Kingdom. We are just trying to wrap our heads around… this.”

 

“And-a why is it-a so hard to-a believe that-a he can-a change or-a be nice? If-a anyone is-a being rude it’s-a you two.” Luigi snapped back. 

 

“Watch what-a you say to the-a Princess bro.” Mario warned. 

 

“But it’s-a true! Bowser has-a been nothing but-a nice to all of us lately. Even after your-a fight, he-a gave us a room, fed us, and-a gave us anything we-a wanted.”

 

“And that’s the part we don’t understand Luigi.” Peach interjected. “I’ve known Bowser all my life and Mario had fought him more than I can count in the short time you two have been here. It can’t just be this koopa hospitality—“

 

“Well it is! It is-a just koopa hospitality. He-a explained it to-a me when we were on-a that stupido mountain. ” Luigi was getting more and more frustrated with this circular conversation. “Why-a can’t you believe that he-a can be nice huh?”

 

“Because-a big-a turtle monsters like-a Bowser don’t change. They are-a always mean, and they always-a hurt people.  Why can’t-a you see that Lu. Mama Mia it’s-a Tony all over again.”

 

“…what did-a you say?” Luigi’s tone took an ominous turn. 

 

“Tony Romano! This-a same thing happened back in-a high school with-a Tony Romano. He was all-a nice with you but he was-a using you, making you do his-a homework, and making fun of-a you behind your back. But-a you kept talking to-a him! All because he was-a ‘nice’ to-a you in class. HE WAS A JERK, A BULLY, AND A LIAR! He is-a just like Bowser. And-a just like-a Tony, Bowser is-a just using you! Why can’t-a you see that?!” Mario was shouting now. 

 

Luigi paused. He couldn't deny what Mario said. He had almost blocked out the Tony fiasco until that moment. Tony was a classmate in Luigi’s theater class who seemed nice. They hung out during class and talked, but Tony used Luigi to finish homework and projects. He and his friends mocked Luigi behind his back. Luigi didn't realize this until Mario got into a major fight with Tony, resulting in Mario’s three-day suspension, leaving Luigi alone with relentless bullies. Despite this, Tony was never outright cruel to Luigi and made high school somewhat bearable during that year they shared a class.

 

“So what.” Luigi said. 

 

“So what? SO WHAT?!” 

 

“Yeah! So what if-a Tony was a jerk behind my-a back. He was-a never mean to-a me! And-a Bowser hasn’t been-a mean to me lately. In fact, he’s-a been the nicest to me, much nicer than any of the-a toads! So, so what if he is-a using me or whatever! If I-a was-a stuck on that-a mountain again I would-a still go down with-a Bowser.” Luigi stated. 

 

“Luigi, let’s calm down and think about what you’re saying. You can’t possibly think siding with Bowser is a better choice.” Peach interjected. 

 

“I don’t-a care how ‘rude’ the toads are to you, YOU DON’T TEAM UP WITH THE ENEMY! ARE YOU CRAZY?!?” Mario shouted. 

 

“HOW AM I-A CRAZY FOR STICKING WITH THE-A ONE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY WANTED TO-A HELP ME?” Luigi shouted back. 

 

“What do you mean?” Peach asked. 

 

“I offered to-a help each toad I-a ran into and-a they said-a no. I offered to-a just walk with-a them and-a they said I would only slow them down. They even told-a me to just-a stay there. One even called me the lesser brother. THE LESSER BROTHER! None of them tried to-a help. If it wasn’t for-a Bowser I would still be stuck up-a there!”

 

“Lies…” Mario interjected. 

 

“Scusci?” 

 

“That’s a lie Lu! Why would-a the toads just leave you there, huh? Why, when you and the toads were all in-a trouble and-a needing help, would they turn down your-a help? That don’t-a make sense!” 

 

Peach looked at Luigi as if something had snapped inside him. “Luigi… let’s take a deep breath before we say anything we might re–” 

 

“THE TOADS WERE-A NEVER NICE TO ME!!” Luigi shouted at the top of his lungs. “They always treat me-a like dirt! Even before I got off of that-a mountain! They-a never ask-a me to help them. It's always MARIO MARIO MARIO! You can’t-a see how they-a treat me because you-a too busy playing the-a superhero to them!”

“That’s only because-a I do all the-a saving around here! DO YOU-A THINK I-A LIKE ALWAYS HAVING TO-A RESCUE EVERYONE?!”

 

“YEAH I-A DO! I think you-a like it TOO MUCH! If it was-a such a problem, why don’t-a you let-a me help?!”

 

“Because you would-a only get-a hurt!” 

 

“SEE? SEE? YOU THINK-A SO TOO! YOU-A THINK JUST-A LIKE THEM! Luigi balled up his fist and slugged Mario right in his bad shoulder. 

 

“Yee-OUCH!!!” Mario cried, quickly grabbing his shoulder. 

 

“Seems like the-a only one getting-a hurt is-a YOU!”

 

Mario retaliated with a swift kick to Luigi’s shin. “OWOWOWOWOWO!!!” Luigi cried jumping up and down, grabbing his shin. 

 

“Why you-a litte—”

 

“WHO YOU-A CALLING LITTLE!!!” 

 

The two brothers began to scream at each other incoherently… or was it just Italian? The screams led to hitting, which led them to fight physically. The fight itself wasn’t that impressive; consisting mostly of slaps, hair-pulling, wrestling, and light punches. However, it was enough to overwhelm Peach, who had never seen the brothers so much as disagree with each other, let alone fully fight. 

 

“YOU GUYS PLEASE STOP IT!!” Peach shouted. 

 

Daisy, who up until this point was just quietly observing, stepped in. She grabbed the overall straps of each brother pulling them off each other. “Okay break it up, BREAK IT UP!! Geez… normally I would say ‘fight it out’ but that was a little embarrassing to watch. Not to mention the door is wide open and half the castle was watching his mess.” Daisy said, sounding more irritated by the lack of good fighting techniques than the fight itself. 

 

The door was open and one of the few castle staff that was there was in the threshold. Behind him were several nose koopalings who were just watching the quarreling brothers. 

 

“Um… I was just coming to say, that due to Luigi’s work in Prince Junior’s and Duke Larry’s rooms, two of you can move into the other guest room. Um… any volunteers?”

 

Peach, Mario, and Daisy had agreed that if a room came available that Daisy would be first, followed by Peach, letting the brothers share a room while more repairs are being done. However, with what just happened Peach didn’t know who would be the better choice for the rooms. Luigi, on the other hand, knew exactly who would go. The green clad plumber got up, readjusted his hat, and stormed over to the dresser drawer that had his things in it. Furiously, he began to grab items, clothes, as much as he could carry in his arms. 

 

Peach could see he was still fuming. “Luigi, can we please just talk this out? I don’t want you to feel–”

 

“Let him! If he-a wants to-a be best-a friends with-a that stupido Bowser, let him.” Mario chided, as we struggled to get up himself. 

 

“FINE! I WILL! You can be-a miserabile all by yourself! I am-a DONE-A being a second banana to-a you!” Luigi scoffed as he turned towards the door, belongings in his messily in his arms. 

 

“FINE! But don’t-a come-a crawling back-a to-a me when-a Bowser tries to throw you-a in the LAVA PIT AGAIN!” Mario scolded before turning his back to his brother. 

 

“Fine!” 

 

“Fine!!”

 

“ FINE!!!”

 

With that, Luigi stormed out of the room. “Um… so that’s one… anyone else volunteer?” The castle staff asked. 

 

Peach looked over to Daisy while she went to console Mario. “I’ll go after Weegie.” Daisy said. 

 

“Fantastic. Your room will be down the hall next to Luigi’s.” The castle staff said before exiting. Daisy followed suit, looking for which direction Luigi stormed off too. Leaving Peach and Mario alone in the room. 

 

Peach, alone in the room with Mario, was still shaken by the display of rage between the two brothers. She looked over at Mario, fuming, his head resting on the palm of his hand, which itself was propped on his leg. She could hear him audibly growling and groaning, muttering who knows what under his breath.

 

Peach sat next to him and gently put her hand on his shoulder. “Mario… are you—“

 

“After-a everything I-a do for him, he-he-he-a turns into a-a-a-a TRAILOR?”

 

“Whoa Mario, that’s not very nice to say about your brother. It’s also a very serious accusation.” Peach said, taken back by Mario’s statement. 

 

“But it’s-a true. He’s-probably already with-a Bowser, and-a Bowser is-a buttering him up, and-a just like-a that, BOOOM, back in-a cage somewhere in that-a monster’s dungeon. Well, he-a better not expect-a me to help him… quickly. If-a he wants to play with-a fire, he-a better get ready to-a get burned!” 

 

“You don’t mean that.” Peach pleaded.

 

“Oh I-a do! I’m-a done cleaning up-a his messes. He don’t-a want me to-a rescue him, fine!” Mario crossed his arms in frustration. “Geez it’s-a Tony all over again. And-a not just Tony; Michael, Guido, Spike, all folks that Luigi thought were-a nice, but they all turned out to-a be JERKS! And-a who had to-a come around and-a save him? ME! He… he… just doesn’t learn. He’s-a too trusting. If-a anyone is even a little bit-a nice to him, he will-a trust them. People abuse his-a trust, and he always gets-a hurt, BUT HE-A NEVER LEARNS! HE…HE…AARRRGGG!!!!”

 

Peach was at a loss for words, so she said none. She simply let him vent. Mario delved into excruciating detail about how each of the men mentioned earlier had betrayed Luigi's trust. As his tone gradually calmed, he spoke of his exhaustion from always being the hero, particularly in the last few adventures, which were more tiring and dangerous. He lamented how his brother failed to understand the dangers he faced to protect everyone. Peach listened silently. While Mario complained about his brother's lack of understanding, she realized her own culpability. She had become too reliant on Mario to solve every problem. It was only now that she truly understood the toll it had taken on him.

 

“He… he-a just doesn’t understand. I have to-a do what I-a do. It-a makes me soo… frustato… that he-a doesn’t get-a that… that I-a do this all for-a him. And… it-a would hurt me more… if-a something bad happened to-a him. More than-a me getting hurt.” Mario’s tone got much more somber. He fell quiet after that. Peach pulled him in closer to herself and the two of them sat silently. 

 

Daisy

 

Daisy tried to follow Luigi to his new room, but keeping up with him proved difficult when he was upset. By the time she decided to follow, he had already made several turns. She lost track of him once or twice but used his mutterings and grumbles to guide her. Finally, Daisy found a slightly open door at the end of a corridor. Inside, she could hear the sounds of drawers being opened and slammed shut.

 

“Weegie? Ya in here?” Daisy says timidly opening the door. 

 

“Ooo—he-a just-a makes me soo—grrrr. And he-a never lets-a me go with him and—AARRGG” Luigi paced back and forth talking to no one in particular. 

 

“Weegie… do you want to… talk about what just happened? I’m right here if you need to… you know… vent a little.” 

 

Luigi stopped pacing for a moment. His face was beet red, scrunched in frustration, and strained with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as his heavy breathing filled the room. Daisy could tell he was holding back a flood of emotions. She felt helpless; dealing with strong emotions, especially those of others, was not her forte. She couldn’t offer much advice, as she would have likely reacted the same way, if not worse, in a similar situation.

 

“Do you need anything?” Daisy asked. Luigi simply shook his head no. “What about the rest of your stuff. Do you want me to get them for you? You left in such a hurry, I’m sure you’re missing some things.” Luigi nodded. “Okay, I’ll be right back. Just… hang tight.”

 

Daisy retraced her steps, navigating the labyrinthine halls. She felt increasingly disoriented with each turn. Finally, she spotted a light emanating from a doorway. This might be the correct hallway, she thought. Just as she was about to cross the threshold, the sound of voices speaking halted her in her tracks. 

 

“Your most hospitableness, might I ask you something?” It was Kamek’s voice. She could recognize that old fart anywhere. 

 

“Shoot.” Bowser’s voice soon followed. 

 

Daisy peeked through the doorway. It appeared to be an exit leading to a helipad. Outside, she saw Bowser unloading several bags and boxes while Kamek stood nearby, talking to him. 

 

“Your treatment of the green plumber Luigi. Is there a reason he is receiving preferential treatment?l Kamek asked. 

 

“What? Pfff… he isn’t getting ‘preferential treatment.’ He’s a guest. Am I not supposed to treat my guests well?” Bowser rebutled. 

 

“Of course my Lord. But it appears that Luigi is getting treatment above and beyond our customs.”

 

“Well, I’m just one of the best hosts in the Darklands. My guests, even if they are still my arch nemesis, get 5-star treatment. Hell, 10 star treatment!”

 

“ of course my liege, but…” Kamek looks over all the packages. 

 

“But what?” Bowser was beginning to be annoyed by where this line of questioning was headed. 

 

“It’s just that… the 10 star treatment seems to be only extended to Luigi.”

 

“What do you mean? I’m treating him the same way I treat his annoying brother.” 

 

“Well, for starters… you personally gave Luigi a tour of Neo Bowser City. You have never done that for any of our other dignitaries.” Kamek continued his interrogation. 

 

“Well… he needed to get plumber supplies and I figured I would go with him. Get some fresh air. Besides I didn’t want to… make sure he wouldn’t try to attack my citizens. Yeahs that’s it.” Bowser was beginning to struggle to find excuses. 

 

“You also got him a custom shell from the royal shell maker.”

 

“Well, he needs a shell to have access to all the parts of the castle to do his job.”

 

“—when we have shells for guests here at the castle for that very reason.” Kamek interrupted to finish his point. 

 

“We-we were already in town. It was easier to get one there than at the castle.” Bowser's excuses were getting flimsier by the minute. 

 

“We haven’t even discussed the decor and remodeling you ordered for Luigi’s room. Also, why is he getting a designated room in the castle?”

 

“Well, as a castle employee, he needs a place to rest.”

 

“But do they need said room to be fully decorated with custom colors and custom insignias?”

 

Bowser had to think quickly here. “Um…you see… the castle so big he might forget which room is his. I-I had to do that so he wouldn’t mistakenly go into the wrong room. It’s very practical when you look at it.”

 

“Of course my liege…” Bowser breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Kamek was done with his interrogation. “I assume that is the same reason why you had a custom clown copter made with similar color and insignia, as well as distinctive mustache detail?”

 

“………..yes…..”

 

“I merely ask because your treatment of Luigi doesn’t seem to be in line with other guests we have hosted. As your advisor, I must look after your best interest. Not just from external forces but internal as well. I want to make sure you are making these decisions with a sound mind and not under duress or manipulation.” 

 

“Well, I am of sound mind. If I want to spoil a guest I can. I am king after all. I can give what I want to whomever I want. Besides, spoiling Greenie seems to really get under Mario’s skin which is a bonus for me. Since I can pulverize the little cretin, I can at least annoy the crap out of him by being extra nice to his brother. That’s a win in my book.” Bowser explained. 

 

“Of course sire, a devious plan as well. I warn to not let your generosity be taken advantage of. After all, once the storm passes and they have left the Darklands, their status as guests will expire and resume as our enemies.” 

 

“Pfff, I know that!” Bowser snapped back, crossing his arms. 

 

“Of course, let it be not me to insult your intelligence. May I fetch someone to move these parcels for you?”

 

“Yeah yeah yeah… except for this one.” Bowser grabbed a rather large box. “I’ll deliver this one myself.”

 

“Very good sire.” 

 

Daisy didn't know what to make of what she had just heard. She had suspected that Bowser was being unusually nice to Luigi, but this confirmed it. But why? It couldn't just be to irritate Mario, especially when Bowser was doing things for Luigi that Mario didn’t even know about. There had to be more to it. 

 

“What are you doing here?” Bowser sneared. Daisy was so lost in her own thoughts she hadn’t realized that Bowzer had now run into her just outside the door. 

 

“Oh me…um… I was…um… going to a brisk walk around. Yeah that’s it. Just walking around, getting my cardio in. Heh heh.” Daisy stumbled to come up with an excuse. 

 

“This late at night? And in your princess dress and crown?”

 

Daisy down realizing that she was still in her formal royal clothes. “Um… yeah… the dress acts like… a form of resistance training. You know…you never know when you’re going to have this run or fight in a dress.”

 

“Weirdo… whatever. Have fun on your… little weird walk. I’ll be in my chambers. If any of you twerps need me, call someone else.” 

 

Just as Bowser was about to leave, an idea struck Daisy. 

 

“Luigi isn’t opening up to me, but what if… what if Bowser got him to open up or at least calm down? It was a long shot. Oh but… Mario would not like this idea, but… Luigi is still fuming and if he doesn’t talk to someone, the next few weeks will be rough for both of them. Mario has Peach at least who is way better at this emotional stuff. But Bowser might be able to get him to calm down. The man has 8 kids, I’m sure he has felt with stuff like this.” Daisy thought to herself. 

 

“Hey Bowser!” Daisy ran up to him before he was out of her vision. “Um… that box. It’s for Weegie right?” 

 

“So you're eavesdropping too?” 

 

“Not eavesdropping, just…just stumbled upon your conversation. But that box…”

 

“If you must know, yes it is for Luigi. It’s his shell so he can work throughout the castle.” Bowser said, as he hid the box from her prying eyes. 

 

“Well, if you want, Luigi is in his new room now… perhaps you can give him the shell now.”

 

“What?! That room isn’t ready yet. It was supposed to be a surpr— I mean… It still needed remodeling.” Bowser said, catching himself from saying what he really wanted to do. 

 

“Well he's in there now… so….”

 

“I was going to polish this shell first before I gave it to him and… hmmm…Ill think about it.” Bowser snapped as he walked, not towards his chambers, but towards the guest quarters where Luigi’s room was located. 

 

Daisy stood in the hall, satisfied with her plan. She knew she was testing her friendship with Mario by leading Bowser straight to Luigi, but unlike Mario and Peach, she did see a connection between the two. Perhaps they did become friends on that mountain. All she knew was, if Bowser can make Luigi laugh like he did at dinner it might be enough to keep him out of that funk he was in after their date. Now the only thing left to do is… figure out where she is. 

Notes:

The next chapter is done and will released in about 4 days after this one is posted. Prepare for some major fluff after this very heavy chapter.

Chapter 16: Wax On, Wax Off

Summary:

When a certain plumber is upset with a particular brother, Bowser of all people know exactly what to do. It’s time to watch a movie and polish some koopa shells.

Notes:

This is a shorter chapter but I wanted it to be just pure fluff. Just a couple of dudes polishing shells and catching some feelings.

Bowser stood in the doorway of what was suppose to be Luigi’s new room. It was suppose to be a surprise, but thanks to the quick work of the green plumber, and apparently some misunderstanding of instructions, Luigi was there, in his dark unfinished room. 

However, this might be all for the best as Luigi was in no mood for surprises. Bowser walked in on a furious Luigi. 

 

Luigi was tearing through  his meticulously folded clothes searching for his pajama shirt. “Daisy, did you-a find my— oh… hey.”

 

“Hey… doing some unpacking?”  

 

“… yeah…” Luigi sunk into himself, embarrassed at the state of his room, and for his mood. 

 

“You… you seem upset.” Bowser inquired, reading the green plumbers obvious body language. 

 

He nodded, averting his eyes to the ground. “Wanna talk about it.” Luigi shook his head. 

 

"Okay, okay... I'll just be here reading my newspaper." Bowser sat on the couch, grabbed the newspaper from the coffee table, and began to read silently. Luigi started tidying up, occasionally glancing at Bowser. The giant Koopa kept his eyes on the newspaper, ignoring Luigi's looks.

Bowser knew what he was doing. As a father of eight, sibling squabbles and silent sulks were common. Pressing for answers was pointless; instead, he would just be nearby and available. Though it worked on his kids, he wasn't sure if it would work on a small human plumber.

Luigi continued cleaning but eventually ran out of tasks to justify staying by the dresser. Bowser felt someone sit beside him and glanced over to see Luigi on the couch, arms crossed, leg bouncing impatiently. Minutes passed in silence. When Bowser casually placed his arm across the back of the couch, Luigi leaned against him, nestling under Bowser's arm. Bowser was taken aback; even his own kids rarely got this close, except for Bowser Jr.

“So… you wanna—“

 

“Mario thinks he-a know everything and he is-a always telling me what to-a do, you know?” Luigi finally spoke. 

 

“Ah… friendly fire from the red menace.” Bowser couldn’t help grin that the problem was Mario this time. 

 

“He-a always does this! Anytime I want to make-a friends he’s-a like ‘they-a no good, they-a bad people’ and puff just like-a that they stop talking with-a me or hanging out with-a me. You would-a think things would be-a different here, but he’s even worse. He won’t-a let me go with-a him on his adventures and sometimes he will-a stop at the Princess’s castle before coming home and-a have fun while I’m-a stuck at the house.”

 

“So… I take it you and Mario got into a fight?” 

 

“Yeah… he’s-a mad because you-a took me out to-a get tools. But-but-but he-a always does this when I-a make-a friends.” Luigi recounted. 

 

“Friend?” That word struck the mighty koopa king. He didn’t think of himself as the friend type. “So I’m a friend now?” Bowser inquired, half joking, half sincere. 

 

“No-no-no I didn’t mean…” Luigi stuttered afraid he crossed some line or made some terrible assumption. “no…actually…” the plumber stood up. “YES, we are-a friends! Me, Luigi, is a friend with-a Bowser! And if my-a brother don’t-a like it, ppbbbt” He declared before sticking his tongue out. 

 

“Hmm… so… we’re friends.” Bowser never really thought of it but he never really had a friend. Allies sure, but never a friend. All his life the people and creatures in his life were things to rule, conquer, imprison, or destroy. Until that moment, he never thought of Luigi as a friend. To him, Luigi was just a human guest that he showed a little more favor to;

partly to annoy Mario but also Luigi was just easy to talk to. But the more he dwelled on it, the more his relationship with Luigi seemed… ‘friendly.’ 

 

“So you got into a fight over little old me?” Bowser said, a little too amused by the situation. 

 

“Yeah… well kinda. Mario, he-a always did this. He-a thinks I’m a bad judge of character, you know? Mario always worried I-I make-a friend with the wrong people…sigh… and sometimes… most of the time he’s-a right. But still, if-a I make-a friends with the-a wrong people then he should just let-a me. Their-a my mistakes to-a make! I just wish… Mario would treat me like the-a grown man that I am. Not-a like his kid brother or something. We’re-a twins for-a crying out loud!”

 

"Geez..." Bowser muttered. There was something about Luigi that made gloating over his misery less enjoyable, even if Mario was to blame. Watching Luigi unjustly suffer, much like during their encounter with the toads on the mountain, stirred an unfamiliar sense of empathy in Bowser. Again, the usually remorseless king felt a pang of sympathy.

Then it hit him: distractions. Whenever the koopalings were upset, Bowser would assign them tasks to take their minds off their anger. By the time they finished, they were calmer and more level-headed. This tactic had successfully defused many major fights in Bowser's castle.

 

Bowser stood up suddenly, causing Luigi to fall back into the couch. “Get up!” Bowser commanded. 

 

“S-S-Scusi?” Luigi said, pulling himself upright. 

 

“I was going to do this for you but… just follow me.” Bowser insisted. 

 

The pair headed to the guest living quarters and Bowser began knocking on the koopalings’ door. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 

“Hey Iggy, want to polish that shell of yours with your old man?” Bowser said through the door. 

 

Iggy cracked the door and poked his head out. “Thank you but no thank you. I am very busy with my latest science experiments and I cannot stop for such a minimal task. Besides, my shell is polished by my newly invited automatic shell polisher as well as coated with a special polish that I created to last much longer than the traditional shell polish.” Iggy said before shutting the door again. 

 

Undeterred Bowser approached Wendy’s door. 

 

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 

“WHAT?!” Wendy flung the door open, face covered in a goopy facial mask, in a fluffy pink bathrobe, and oddly enough, a ventilation mask. 

 

“Don’t ‘what’ me! We’re going to polish shells, like old times. You in?” Bowser said, with a surprising degree of casualness. 

 

“Uh No, I’m busy trying to do my nightly routine and polish my own shell since SOMEBODY let the castle staff go early this storm.” Wendy snapped back. 

 

“If you're already polishing your shell, then why not just join us?” 

 

“Heh no. I’m not going to use your geriatric old polish. Matte shells are out, ultra sparkle and shiny shells are in. Just getting it to shine takes at least 6 products and that’s even before you add the glitter and sparkles. I will not come out of this storm looking like my shell is made out of old tires.” Wendy explained. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to finish watching this shell polishing tutorial on kooptube.” With that, Wendy shut the door in your father’s face. 

 

“Hmmph rude. Anyways we’ll just ask everyone else. Surely someone here hasn’t grown out of polishing their shells with their old man.” The two went from door to door asking all the remaining koopalings. Lemmy said no as he was too busy with a new trampoline. Larry said no as he was too busy taking out the springs from Lemmy's new trampoline. Roy said he couldn’t because this was the time he usually did his third workout. Morton couldn’t as he was about to take his once every two weeks bowl movement. Ludwig couldn’t as he was busy with his music… he wouldn’t elaborate more than that. 

 

“Geez these kids are no fun anymore. We use to polish shells every storm. Pop on a movie and just spend the night polishing shells. What happened to them?” Bowser said frustratingly. 

 

“I think it’s-a normal for-a kids to-a get distant as they-a grow up. When me and Mario were teens we…” Luigi stopped mid sentence, almost forgetting he was still mad at his brother. “I mean… teenagers can-a be difficult, you know?” 

 

“Yeah yeah, I don’t remembering being the easiest teen koopa myself.” Bowser bemoaned. 

 

“Why not Bowser Jr.?” Luigi asked. 

 

“Hmm… normally he wouldn’t. He’s too young to grasp the idea of shell shining… but on the other hand.” Bowser began to mull over the idea. “With my perfect teaching and his natural born intelligence, that he inherited from me, I’m sure it will be alright. Besides he has been begging me to let him. Shell shining is a special right of passage in a young koopas life.” Bowser explained. 

 

“HEY JUNIOR!” 

 

“Yeah dad?” A little head popped out of the doorway of a room further down the hallway.

 

“You wanna polish your shell with your old man?” 

 

“OH MY STARS YES YES YES!!! HOLD ON… HOLD ON!” Rustling could be heard from the hallway as Junior gathered his shell and other things. Suddenly without warning, the small koopa burst out of the door, shell in hand and an unopened box of cleaning supplies. “I’ve been waiting for this since you gave me that turtle wax for my birthday!” Junior said, bursting with excitement. 

 

“You won’t mind polishing your own shell right Greenie?” Bowser looked down at Luigi who had been trailing behind him. 

 

Luigi looked confused. “My-my own shell?” 

 

"Yeah, I originally planned to polish it myself. We don’t expect guests to polish their own shells around here, but you looked like you could use a distraction. I figured, what better way to clear your mind than with some late-night polishing? It's one of our less rigid traditions but still important for koopas... or at least it was.” Bowser sighed, thinking about the koopalings rejecting his offer.

“Kids these days are losing the art of polishing their own shells. When they were younger, it was our bonding time—sitting back, relaxing, and polishing shells. Now, they rely on robots or companies, and they look awful. Instead of properly polished shells, they prefer potions to make them sparkle or glow in the dark or whatever’s 'trendy' this week.” Bowser ranted.

“Junior seemed to-a be excited though.” Luigi chimed in. 

 

“Yeah… but he’s young. He’s still impressed by his old man.”

 

The three of them stopped by Bowser’s chambers before eventually heading back to Luigi’s room. Along with polishing supplies, Bowser held a bundle of silk maroon fabric. This fabric didn’t appear to be good for polishing. 

Back in Luigi’s room Bowser and Junior began setting up a work area, complete with pillows, cleaning clothes, and polishing brushes. 

 

“Oh greenie, you might want to change into those PJ you wore the other night. Polishing takes a long time and it’s not uncommon to fall asleep during the process. Plus it adds to the fun.” 

 

“Okie dokie.” Luigi said, his spirits seemingly lifted a little. He grabbed the bundle of clothes he came to the room with and stepped in the bathroom the change. However, after a few minutes he bashfully popped his head out. “Um… you-a wouldn’t to have seen-a my shirt anywhere?”

 

Bowser scanned the room. “No. I think you took everything with you.” 

 

“Oh…I might-a have to change back into my-a work clothes. I think I-a forgot my pajama shirt in the other room.” Luigi said sheepishly from the bathroom door. 

 

“Why? You got the bottom part right?”

 

“Y-yeah?”

 

“Why not just wear that? It’s not like I haven’t seen you without your shirt or something. Besides you’re about to see us without our shells; it’s only fair.” Bowser retorted. 

 

“… I-I guess.” Luigi stepped out of the bathroom, donning only his light green pajamas, using his arms to cover his bare chest. When his eyes looked up he saw a shell-less Bowser standing in the middle of the room wearing his own pair of maroon silk pajamas.  

“Whaddya think? I don’t have a lot of causal human clothes, but when I saw your pajamas the other night, I figured I would get myself a pair. I have to admit, these things are quite comfortable if I do say so myself.” Bowser said, posing in his new silk pants. 

 

Bowser’s appearance surprised Luigi, but even more so was the gesture itself. He didn't expect Bowser to take an interest in his outfit, nor did he expect to see Bowser without his shell. Luigi knew being in the presence of an unshelled Koopa was significant. Blushing slightly, he felt a sense of honor. It felt good to be trusted. He relaxed, joining Bowser and Junior on the floor with a small grin.

 

Bowser began setting up his station along with Junior. Luigi watched closely and copied how they set up the various bottles, brushes, and rags. As Bowser placed the pillow down on the ground that he would be sitting on, he noticed Luigi staring; not at his station, but at him. Luigi stared as if he was studying his face intensely. 

 

“Wha-what is it? Is there something on my face?” Bowser asked, touching his face for anything out of place. 

 

“You’re-a nose… it’s alright, no? And you’re-a eye, it’s-a no black anymore.” Luigi said. 

 

It was only then that Bowser realized why Luigi was staring. The nose splint, the black eye, they were all gone since the last time they saw each other. 

 

“Oh that. Yeah, must be my super powered Koopa genes at work. You can land a hit but I’m just going to bounce right back in a matter of no time.” Bowser gloated. 

 

“Kamek used his magic too.” Junior chimed in, messing up Bowser’s little white lie. “Kamek fixed everything with his magic. I once had a boo-boo and Kamek did this…” Junior pantomimes Kamek. “… and it went away.”

 

Bowser groaned. “Yeah…Kamek did help… a little. But I was already pretty much healed before he did his magic thing. In fact, I probably didn’t even need him to use his magic.”

 

“That’s because my dad is the best. Nothing can hurt him.” Junior blurted out. 

 

Luigi smiled with relief. “So… it-a don’t hurt?” 

 

“Of course not. It didn’t hurt in the first place.” This was a lie. It still hurt to even touch his face, and it would require a few more sessions with Kamek to even get Bowser’s nose back to normal. 

 

The three got back to making their work area comfortable. Junior sat on the floor with what appeared to be the kids version of all the same tools and products that Bowser had. Junior had meticulously imitated the lay out of all his stuff just like Bowser, constantly looking over to make sure his things were placed exactly as his dad. It appeared that Junior wanted to do everything his dad did, except in one area. 

 

“Um… does-a Little Bowser have-a pajamas too?” Luigi said, noticing a shell-less Junior on the floor waiting with his own shell in front of him. 

 

“Eh… Junior isn’t a fan of human clothes. Heck, when he was younger it was hard to keep a shell on him. Little man just loves being naked, aside from that handkerchief.” Bowser explained. 

 

“Oh, by the way…Here you go.” Bowser grabbed a box and placed it in front of Luigi before opening it. “Tada!” 

 

“Oh Wowie Zowie!” Luigi gazed upon the shell. It was exactly as he requested. The green was deep and multifaceted. It glowed with flecks of iridescent, orange, yellow, and red. It was beautiful. 

 

“If you're impressed by that, just wait till we polish it.” Bowser said. “Now before we get started I gotta teach you two a thing or two.” 

 

Junior immediately sat up at attention. Luigi could tell this was a big deal to the young koopa.

 

“First things first, we gotta clean your shell. Greenie, you can skip this step since yours is brand new.” Bowser grabbed a dark-bristled brush. “You gotta give your shell a good brush down, making sure there's no dust, dirt, or ash. Don't forget to brush underneath. I’ve seen how you and Lemmy play; who knows what's under there. While we do that… Greenie, how about you pick a movie.” He gestured to the TV.

Luigi hadn't taken in his surroundings since moving to this room. It was spacious, much more so than the one they previously shared. The TV was huge, and when he turned it on, Bowser’s insignia greeted him before displaying a home menu. The preloaded movies, most of which Luigi had never heard of, left him feeling a bit stumped and overwhelmed with choices.

“Ah, I forgot. I doubt you’ve ever seen a koopa film before.” Bowser mentioned, looking up from his work. 

 

“Uh… no, no I haven’t.”

 

“Pfft, figures. Those Mushroom kingdom folks never watch anything that isn’t made by toads. ” Bowser commented. 

 

“Ooo, let's watch Ghost Shell.” Junior chimed in. 

 

“Oh no, you are way too young for that.”

 

“Come on dad. I’m old enough. I won’t get scared or nothing!”

 

“Old enough to polish your shell, not old enough to watch Ghost Shell without getting nightmares.” Bowser looked at the screen. “How about Lonesome Yoshi Ranch. I used to watch that one all the time when you were a hatchling.” 

 

The young koopa thought it over. “Hmm… okay. But there better not be any of that mushy kissing stuff.” 

 

Luigi breathed a sigh of relief; he wasn’t looking forward to watching anything with ghosts. The movie started as Bowser and Junior cleaned their shells. Bowser guided his son through the process, ensuring the Prince didn’t miss any spots. Occasionally, the Koopa King glanced at Luigi, who split his attention between the movie and the father-son duo. 

 

“Alright, first step done. Pause the movie for a sec. Greenie, you’re up.” Luigi paused the movie and rejoined Bowser and Junior by his shell. “Now for the fun part… kind of. Properly polishing a shell the old-school way takes three coats: the protectant, the polish, and the finishing coat. Each coat has to dry, hence the movie. This whole process might take about a movie and a half, depending on the movie. Let’s see if you two can keep up with the shell-polishing extraordinaire,” Bowser explained with a grin.

 

As the movie resumed, the three began the polishing process. Bowser would demonstrate while Junior and Luigi would follow along. “Greenie, you're a natural at this. You sure you haven’t done this before?” Bowser inquired. 

“No, but I-a have done something similar to my brother’s…” Luigi paused mid sentence. Bowser plan seemed to work; Luigi completely forgot he was mad at Mario until that moment. “I-a polished our work van before.” Luigi finished with a more somber tone in his voice. 

 

“Well you’re not bad at it that’s for sure. Your first coat is applied very evenly. Good job.” Bowser said, coaxing a smile out of Luigi once again. 

 

“What about me dad? How am I doing?” Junior interjected. 

 

“Well let me see…” Bowser inspected his son's handy work, humming and rubbing his chin, pantomiming a shell inspector. “It appears that… you’re just like your old man, a natural. Great job son!”

 

Junior beamed hearing that praise from Bowser. Luigi joined in in cheering the young Prince on. With the first coat on, now all they can do is wait for it to dry completely. Bowser set a small timer for 30 minutes and the three of them retreated to the couch and began to watch the movie. After the timer went off, they returned to their shells for the next coat, only returning to the couch once that coat was ready to dry. They repeated this process on the final coat, with the exception of setting the timer as this final coat needed all night to cure. By that time both Junior and Luigi were tired. 

The movie was long enough that they didn’t need a second film ready. Despite it being full of action, Junior found himself falling asleep pretty soon after finishing his shell. Luigi, on the other hand, was enraptured by the film. Bowser caught himself looking over at him, gauging his reaction to the movie. What he didn’t tell Luigi was that this was his all time favorite movie. He had seen the movie hundreds of times. It shaped the way Bowser ruled as a king. 

Despite its title, Lonesome Yoshi was about a general in a fictional koopa army that get betrayed by a rival within his ranks. Before they can kill him, he escapes into the forest. There he finds a Yoshi egg that he originally intends to eat. When it hatches unexpectedly, he ends up taking care of it, all while plotting his revenge and returning home. The story follows the Koopa general’s journey, fighting off various monsters, completing nearly impossible task, and traveling feast distances, all with a baby Yoshi in his care and before he finally faces off with the rogue general who usurped him. 

Luigi was enthralled, however, the exhaustion of the day was slowly catching up with him. 

 

“I can pause the movie if you want. We can finish it tomorrow.” Said Bowser. 

 

Luigi shook his head. “No, no I’m-a fine. I want to-a finish the movie. It’s-a so… YAWN… good. I wouldn’t be able to-a sleep if I-a don’t know how it ends.” But before he could see the general reunite with his family, Luigi was fast asleep. Junior faired no better, having fallen asleep pretty soon after finishing the last coat on his shell. 

 

The movie ended, credits rolling, and the TV switched off. In the dark, Bowser found himself in an unusual situation; on one side, his son snuggled on his lap, fast asleep. On the other, Luigi nestled under his arm, resting peacefully. Moving would wake them, and he didn’t have the heart to disturb them just yet. Junior had only recently started sleeping in his own room, which was still a challenge. Seeing him sleep so soundly was a rare sight. 

And then there was Luigi. He must have been more tired than he let on. He had worked hard today, fixing several of the koopalings' bathrooms, and had a huge fight with Mario. Bowser knew from experience that sibling squabbles could be draining, even when not violent. He didn’t want to wake Luigi either, knowing he had more work ahead of him.

 

Bowser looked down at the little human. In the dim light, he could still make out details on Luigi’s body. Luigi turned more into Bowser as he slept. ‘Hmm… did Greenie always have that scar on his shoulder?’ Bowser thought, noticing a cross-shaped scar on Luigi’s back. His torso had several small scars and scrapes, more than Bowser expected. Bowser looked at his hair next. In the faint moonlight, he could tell it wasn’t just brown but had strands of blonde and dark brown, making it more dimensional and complex. He chuckled softly, noticing a few grey hairs. He always thought of himself as significantly older than the plumbers, but the grey hairs made Luigi seem older than his initial impression. 

 

As Luigi unconsciously adjusted himself, Bowser could feel his hair brush up against him and his skin rub against his own. He found Luigi surprisingly soft, much softer than he expected. His hair was plush and silky, his skin supple and warm. Bowser always figured that Peach’s hair and skin felt this way, though he had never actually touched her. He assumed plumbers would be rough to the touch due to their line of work and adventuring. ‘Interesting,’ he thought.

Junior eventually moved to the other side of the couch, off his dad. Bowser looked down at Luigi, whose head now fully rested on the giant koopa’s belly. “Hmm… I’ll give him one more hour. Eventually, he’ll move,” Bowser whispered to himself. The night drew on, and Bowser waited, watching as the sleeping plumber rested gently under his arm.

 

Notes:

Head canon notes;
This is a quick one mainly because most of it is explained in text. There are three generations of koopas in the Darklands and each generation have different needs and wants from their king and rulers.
Youths of the Darklands seek out fashions and trends of other kingdoms, much to the chagrin of older citizens. Human clothes are wildly popular among young koopas, as well as shell swapping (wearing the shells of other species of koopas). How shells are polished is also subject to trend cycles. The koopalings are all part of the trend obsessed generations of koopas who want to connect with other kingdoms.
Bowser is part of the middle generation. A transitional generation that began to dip their toes into exploring the cultures of other kingdoms. Like many in his generation, Bowser has a few human clothing items but prefers to done only a shell and spikes. He still polishes his shell the old way, but he isn’t above falling for a trend here and there (hence the human clothes he does own).
Kamek is part of the old generation, where magikoopas were the only ones to wear robes. The older generation is more concerned with preserving old koopa ways. They prefer koopas where full body shells and shoes and nothing else. They are not interested in trends or other kingdoms cultures. They are also less likely to try food or things from other kingdoms.
Though Vashella is part of Bowser’s generation, she is more in line with the older ones.

Chapter 17: All is Calm Before the Storm

Summary:

Bradley returns to Vashella, Mario and Luigi grapple with their emotions after their fight, and Luigi finally opens up about his feelings. Secrets are revealed, dresses are tried on, and koopas indulge in some high times. Plus, Happy Storm Day!

Notes:

Thank you for all the kind comments. I know I haven’t replied to many, but some of you left such sweet messages that I couldn’t ignore them. For everyone else, please don’t think I’m ignoring you—I read all your comments multiple times, and I truly appreciate each one. It means a lot to hear what people think about my little story. Thank you!

Also thanks to Percerrinas for spotting some spelling errors. This was a long chapter and after while of proofreading I still might have missed things.

Bradley had been tiny for almost three days now. What would normally take him a few minutes to traverse now took hours. To make matters worse, he was trying to move about the castle unseen. How had his plans gone so wrong? Not only did he fail to capture Mario or impress Bowser, but he was now a wanted Koopa. All his hopes and dreams had been dashed. How did this even happen?

Bradley continued his journey through air vents, behind walls, and under various pieces of furniture. He didn’t know how long the effects of the powdered mini-mushrooms would last. He thought it would have worn off by now, but after three days, he was still small. The antidote was to get injured, but considering the potency of the powder, he feared how severely he would need to be hurt for it to wear off. 

In the distance, what felt like an endless air vent showed a small light. Bradley ran toward it, realizing it was the sky. He was closer to finally escaping the castle. Sprinting for the light, he saw an opening and was ready to launch himself through it. But just before he did, he looked down and came to a screeching halt. His path to freedom led to a lava-filled moat. How was he going to scale down without turning into a deep-fried Koopa? Before he could formulate a plan, a patrol Lakitu flew right up to the air vent he was standing in.

“CRAP!!” Bradley shouted as he tried to turn tail and run. But before he could run the patrol lakitu grabbed him. 

 

“I’ve been looking all over for you idiot.  Vashella has been waiting for you.” The patrol lakitu scolded. 

 

Bradley quickly realized that the flying Koopa was one of Vashella's double agents. Once the coast was clear, the Lakitu flew off with Bradley in hand, making quick work of the journey back to Neo Bowser City. The sky had grown dark, signaling the last calm day before the impending storm. The Lakitu maneuvered down a back alleyway, through a door, and into a somewhat familiar room before unceremoniously dropping Bradley onto some pillows.

 

"Our dearest Bradley. You’ve returned to us," Vashella said, rising from her makeshift throne.

 

Bradley tried to explain what happened, but to his surprise, his voice was small and squeaky. "Oh my dear, we cannot understand what you are trying to say. Shemrick, will you?" Vashella gestured to a young Magikoopa accompanying her in the room. With a wave of his wand, a green aura lifted Bradley.

 

"Now speak," Vashella commanded.

 

"Um… can you hear me?" Bradley asked, noticing his voice was back to normal.

 

"Yes, we can. Now tell us, what happened to your well-thought-out plan?"

 

"I don't know, it should have worked! Bowser almost had Mario—he was pinned down and done for. But then that stupid Lemmy mentioned me and Wendy, and Bowser went ape and let the plumber go. Like, what gives?" Bradley explained, frustration evident in his voice.

 

"Aww, I hate to see your well-thought-out plan fall apart like it did. Unfortunately… I knew this would happen," Vashella replied with a hint of a smirk.

 

"Wait... what? You knew my plan wouldn’t work? Then why did you let me go through with it? If he caught me, I would be swimming in the lava pit right now!"

 

"Oh, my sweet, naive Bradley. I am a firm believer that the pain of failure is life’s best teacher. You had to find out what we all know for yourself."

 

"What you all... what do you mean? I could’ve been killed!" Bradley retorted, anger mingling with confusion.

 

"But you didn’t. That alone proves your tenacity. I knew you would survive. You have a warrior's soul," Vashella said, her tone turning softer yet more profound.

 

"A warrior's soul?" Bradley's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a budding sense of pride.

 

"Yes. I knew you would make it out alive, even if your plans didn’t. It was because of that warrior spirit that I had faith in you to undertake this task. It’s because of this that I was sure you would come back to us, unblinded and knowing the truth."

 

Bradley, still stuck on the "warrior spirit" part, checked back into the conversation with renewed bravado. "Oh yeah, yeah. Yep, that old turtle had nothing on me. I mean, he tried to get me, but I outmaneuvered him in every way. Practically ran circles around him."

 

“Exactly. Far be it for me to call you a liar or anything. And that is why we can take the truth you now know and execute a plan that will certainly work… with your warrior spirit leading the way, of course.”

 

“Right… but just so we’re clear on ‘the truth.’ What is that truth I learned again? Not for me, I’m a warrior after all, but for Shemrick and that Lakitu fellow over there.” Bradley said, using his bravado to mask his obvious cluelessness.

 

“Of course, of course, for their enlightenment.” Vashella played along. “The truth you learned is that Bowser is no longer fit for the throne.”

 

“…right. That’s the same conclusion I came up with. Totally.” Bradley’s bravado began to fade, replaced with concern.

 

“You saw it yourself. How many times have you been overlooked for a promotion even though you were clearly the most dedicated of his soldiers? If he is unable to see the greatness in his own army, how can he effectively lead them?”

 

“…yeah.”

 

“And his inability to stop Mario from interfering with his plans. Kings of the past were unstoppable.”

 

“They were, weren’t they?”

 

“Even now, he is hosting those humans in his castle.”

 

“WHAT?! NO!”

 

“YES! They sleep in beds of royal quality, eat with the generals, and enjoy the finest food the Darklands can offer. All this after they attacked him and his family. After Mario inflicted bodily harm on our supposed king, Bowser dines and lays with the very people who seek to destroy us. He only seeks to wed Princess Toadstool to sell off everything we cherish to the Mushroom Kingdom. That is why he suppressed your rise through his ranks. He knew that if you found out, like you have, that you, with your genius, would also find him unfit to rule.”

 

Bradley’s confusion turned to realization, his concern shifting to anger. “He’s been playing us all along.”

 

“Exactly,” Vashella said, her voice firm. “And now, with your warrior spirit and our combined strength, we can take back what is rightfully ours. The throne should belong to someone who truly understands and values the Darklands and its people. Someone like you, Bradley.”

 

Bradley stood taller, his confidence returning. “Yes. It’s time for a new ruler. One who can truly lead us to victory.”

 

“YEAH THAT GUY SUCKS!” Bradley shouted, caught up in Vashella’s very persuasive speech. 

 

“Yes, yes… Bowser must leave the throne. But he won’t leave so easily. I guess we are left with no choice.”

 

“Yeah… what choice is that?” 

 

“I guess we will have to KILL Bowser.” Vashella’s eyes seemingly glowed at the mention. 

 

Bradley’s blood ran cold. He was completely on board with dethroning Bowser until that moment. “Wh-wh-what?” 

 

“Bowser, for his many faults, is unfortunately still a giant koopa with immense strength. Simply kicking him out of the Darklands or throwing him into a dungeon will not be enough. In order for the Darklands to once again not only prosper but dominate, we must eliminate Bowser.” 

 

Bradley couldn’t argue with that logic. “And the humans? Mario and his brother are now in the castle with Peach and Daisy.”

 

“And for that we have to thank you. Yes your plans didn’t got exactly as planned, but you brought everyone to one location making it much easier to eliminate them all at once. Not only will we dethrone Bowser, but can fulfill the destiny of the great koopas and take control of the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland, all thanks to you.” 

 

“Oh…yeah… just like I planned. You’re welcome.” Bradley replied. “But wait… what about Bowser Junior or the koopalings?” 

 

“Hmm…well… I am Bowser Junior’s mother. He can still be raised to be the proper king under my motherly guidance of course. As far as the koopalings, they unfortunately must also perish.” Vashella feigns concern. 

 

“But what about… Wendy?” 

 

“That waste of… potential?” Vashella attempts to sound convincing. “When I am Queen, you will have access to so many more high quality female koopas. Beautiful koopas who live only to serve you. In fact. I have one in mind for you; strong, fearless, and loyal. She would make a far superior wife for you. But if you insist on staying with Wendy, I guess we could spare her. As a high ranking general, she will have no choice but to marry you.”

 

“Me… a general?” Bradley was not hard to convene. “Wait… you’ll be the Queen?” 

 

“What? Me? Queen? Oh I couldn’t, I am merely the arbiter of this a coup d’état… but if you insist. I guess I’ll be Queen of the Darklands once again.” She said with the most honest bone chilling grin. “Come, quickly, I have the first recruits in your grand army ready to meet you.”

 

“Um… one problem. I’m still small” Bradley pointed out. 

 

“Oh yes.”  Vashella moved in very close, her face filling Bradley’s field of vision. Lifting him up, she placed him on a near by table. “That powdered power-up was incredibly powerful. You can’t just take minor damage to reverse. No,no, we will have to do something… a little more drastic.” 

 

“Oh… w-w-what did you have in mind?” Bradley became increasingly nervous as to what the solution would be. 

 

Vashella quickly pinned Bradley to the table before brandishing a pair of ornate scissors. “What needs to be done isn’t for the faint of heart, but you contain the warrior spirit within you. This ‘procedure’ will be nothing for you.” The scissors loomed closer to their target. Bradley began to sweat profusely. “You know, they would amputate the tails of high ranking soldiers as a sign of their strength and loyalty. Bradley, are you strong enough?”

 

“Y-y-yes, but-but-but can we think about this?” Bradley squirmed, trying to break free of Vashella’s grasp. 

 

“Bradley, are you loyal enough?” Vashella continued her questioning, positioning the scissors just over the tip of his tail. 

 

“Yeah but this just seems a little extre—“

 

“Good good.” Snip “you will make a fine general in my army.” Vashella said with a comforting grin as she pulled back the bloody scissors. 

 

Bradley’s body sprung back to its normal size much to his relief. However, that relief was quickly replaced with white hot pain as he looked down to find half of his tail was gone. “AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH” Bradley let out a blood curdling scream as he fell off the table writhing in pain. 

 

“Mistress Vashella, we have word from the outposts. Your koopalings are in position behind the storm.” A yellow shelled koopa says entering the room. 

 

“Wonderful. Send the word out to all our troops to begin gathering at ‘the spot,’ and take him with you. He will need to be patched up before he’s useful again.” Vashela gestured the koopa towards Bradley as she walked out of the room. 

 

Back at Bowser’s castle, It had been almost an hour since Mario stepped into the shower, and several hours since he had yelled and physically fought with Luigi. His words and actions were sinking in, weighing on him like a stone in the pit of his stomach. He and Luigi had their share of arguments and disagreements, but nothing like this. Mario felt ashamed for not being the big brother he should have been, embarrassed for fighting in front of the princesses, guilty for pushing Luigi away, and overwhelmingly sad at the thought that he might have ruined their relationship forever. The fight replayed in his mind over and over. The hurt and rage in Luigi’s eyes were something he hoped never to see. Mario felt like the villain in a castle full of them. He was beginning to think that Luigi was better off with Bowser.

Mario got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He stepped out of the bathroom, having lost track of time, trapped in his own malaise. He let Peach get ready first. She should already be at breakfast, but Mario didn’t plan to eat in the dining hall today—he had no plans to eat at all. He was too embarrassed and ashamed of how he had treated his brother to face him again—at least not now. He knew he would need to give Luigi a lot of space if he ever hoped to salvage their relationship.

 

“Mario, I are you still in the— EEEK!” Peach screams in embarrassment, having walked in on a mostly naked Mario. “I’m so so so sorry, I didn’t know you were out of the shower. I’ll just…” a beet red Peach tried to explain while shielding her eyes. 

 

Mario frantically looked around. Unfortunately for him his clothes for the day are behind Peach, and his PJs from last night have already been taken to be laundered. All he has close to him was a pair of polka-dot boxer shorts. “Hold on-a Princess!” Mario swiftly puts on the boxers. “Okay you can-a open your eyes.” 

 

“Okay…oh.” Peach’s eyes fixated on Mario’s body. It was stout but firm. His muscles were visible and pronounced but were softened due to his love of pizza and sweets. 

 

Unlike Luigi, Mario was  somewhat comfortable being bare chested in front of others. Though he had never been half naked in front of Peach before. He instinctively crossed his arms over his chest in an unconscious attempt to cover himself up. “Sorry Princess, I can-a get changed in the-a bathroom. I just-a need to-a grab—“

 

“You… you don’t have to. You can get dressed right here.” Peach asserted. 

 

“Um… okie dokie…”

 

“Wait.”’ Peach took off her gloves and grabs Mario’s clothes and walks over to him. “You’re still wet.” She grabs the towel he was using. “May I?”

 

Mario nodded apprehensively. The pair sat on the edge of the bed as Peach began to gently pat him dry. Mario nervously sat still, feeling not only her hands against his skin but also her eyes inspecting him. He avoided looking at Peach's face, knowing that his back bore the marks of countless adventures. Up to that point, he had kept many of the details out of his retellings. He felt her hand slowly trace three large scars on his left shoulder.

 

“Did you get these… fighting with Bowser?” Peach spoke softly, resting her palm on it. 

 

“…that one? …yeah… I did.” 

 

Peach moved her hand to the a cross shaped scar towards his side, just above his waist. “And this one?”

 

“Yeah…” Mario’s voice grew softer. His eyes slowly turned towards Peach. Her expression was that of quiet devastation as her normally royal posture began to sink under the weight. 

Her arm reached under his. Her palm, and rested on another large set of healed claw marks on his chest, above his heart. “And this one… did you get this one… saving me?”

 

Mario hesitated to answer. He could hear the distress in Peach’s voice. “…yeah.” 

 

Tears began to well in her eyes. “If I had known what you went through to rescue me I… I would have—“

 

“Hey, hey, No no no no Princess, please. Don’t-a do that. Don’t-a you cry over these-a silly scratches okay?” Mario tried to comfort Peach. 

 

“I always knew that your adventures were full of dangers but…but… I guess it never really thought of the toll it must take on you.” A tear rolls down Peach’s cheek. 

Mario turned to face her, wiping away her tears with his finger. “Please don’t-a cry Princess. It’s-a not like they are all battle scars, you know?”’Mario scanned his body for other scars. “Like-a this one.” He points to his shin. “I got-a this one right before we got here. Me and my-a bro were working in-a this really old apartment. It-a had some really bad old stairs. Just as we-a finished and were leaving, kablooie, the-a step I was on breaks and I go-a tumbling down the stairs. I got bruises, chipped my tooth, and this. I got this-a scar. It was-a bad. Luigi had to carry me-a home heh heh heh.” 

Mario looked around his body for another scar to explain. “And-a this one!” He points to the top of his right hand.”I got this one when I first started working with the-a wrecking crew. I was-a stupid and tried to-a move a hot water heater. I Forgot to let it cool down. One touch and it was OWOWOWOWOWOO” Mario pantomimed the memory for Peach. “I… I ended up knocking over the whole thing. Spilled boiling hot water everywhere. Heh heh, Spike was-a so mad. If it wasn’t for-a Luigi… Spike would have-a fired me. Lu smoothed things out for-a me.” Mario began to grow silent, reflecting on all the times his brother was there for him.

He looked over at Peach who was transfixed on every word. 

“I knew the-a dangers every time I came for-a you. And you-a know what? I would do it again and again and again.”

 

“I just wish… I was more helpful to you Mario. You do so much for me and I—“

 

Mario placed his hand on Peach’s cheek and smiled. “But you already-a do. You-a helped me make-a sense of this-a world. You-a give me purpose, a reason to-a stay, a reason to-a hope. That’s-a something I-a hate to admit I-a didn’t have much of. If it weren’t for-a you and…”  Mario turns his face as his expression turned somber. His hand falls back to his side. “If it weren’t for-a you and Lu… I-I-I don’t know if I would-a be the man I am today. You showed me what-a patience is. Stars know I don’t-a have any heh heh. And Lu… he taught-a me how to find the-a good in everyone, even when-a I didn’t.”

 

“You really love your brother don’t you.” Peach whispered. 

 

“I do. He’s-a my bro. If something were to happen to-a him... but now…” Mario could feel his throat tighten. “I’m a horrible brother. When he was-a bullied I knew what to-a do. When-a he needed to-a be rescued, I-a knew what to-a do. When he was lost on-a that mountain, I-a knew I-a had to find him. When he is-a sad, I-a know how to cheer him up… I thought. We-a never fought like this before. We-a argue sometimes, yes, but we-a never fight like-a this. And-a now… he is-a so mad at me, I don’t-a know if he will ever talk to-a me again.” He looks back at Peach, eyes welling with tears and a desperate expression on his face. “I don’t-a know what to do Princess. I’m-a so scared right now Peach.”

 

"Oh, Mario..." Peach whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace. They held each other deeply as Mario's silent tears stained Peach's dress. Time seemed to stand still. After what felt like an eternity, they wordlessly got up, and Mario resumed getting dressed. Despite no longer wearing his sling, his shoulder still ached and had limited mobility. Normally, Luigi would help Mario dress when he was injured, but this time, Peach stepped in. She buttoned his shirt, fastened his overalls, and tied his shoes. Once they both had their gloves on and Mario had his hat, they proceeded to the door together.

Mario didn't have a plan for the day beyond following Princess Peach. He was still a swirl of emotions, desperately wanting to talk to Luigi and apologize profusely. However, he knew his brother well; Luigi was slow to anger but even slower to let go. Mario also wanted to get back at Bowser for creating the wedge between them, but he knew that would only drive Luigi further away. All he could do was wait and hope. Maybe Luigi would come to him when he was ready, or perhaps an opportunity would arise for Mario to express how truly sorry he was.

 

Much further down the hall, Luigi laid in bed exhausted. When he woke up, he was on the couch next to his new shiny shell. He didn’t remember how late he stayed up with Bowser but he woke up still tired. Perhaps it wasn’t the late night shell polishing that wore him out. Luigi sat at the table for breakfast with Peach and Daisy. Next to him, an empty seat. He didn’t expect Mario to be there after their fight, but still. 

The three sat in silence as they ate their breakfast. The dining hall was filled with the usual crowd; generals, captains, other high ranking Koopa soldiers, as well as the koopalings and Kamek. Luigi looked over at Bowser’s table, noticing that he was barely awake himself. He was surrounded by his generals who were talking with him. He felt an urge to go over to Bowser’s table. Not for any particular reason, just to talk or something. Luigi just wanted to talk, get things off his chest— mainly things about his fight with Mario. 

Ludwig entered the dining hall rather late compared to his siblings. “Ah Luigi, there you are. I wanted to inform you that I have found you help for the last three bathrooms. Come on in boys.” He motions. 

 

In walked the stout and the tall Wario and Waluigi. “Wow, swanky place you-a got here. You’ve-a hired us before. Why haven’t we-a been here before?” Wario comments, eyeing what he can grab. 

 

“Mama Mia.” Luigi’s head fell into his hand. 

 

“Those idiots?! You seriously couldn’t find anyone else?” Daisy blurted out, not hiding her disdain for the two. 

 

“During the storm? They are literally the only other “plumbers” in this kingdom right now.” Ludwig explained. “Besides, we’ve hired them before. True, the last time they worked for us they almost destroyed the cattle, contributed to messing up my father’s plans, stole several priceless paintings, tried selling said paintings on the black market, knocked over an urn, tried replace the ashes with dirt, were involved in a sports doping scandal, tried to rig a goomba beauty contest, cheated at go-fish, stole candy from a baby, and ate Roy’s lunch out of the fridge three minutes ago, BUT…they are the only other active plumbers here and we need that bathroom fixed pronto.” 

 

“Not so fast.” Bowser interjected. “Ludwig, you know it’s Storm Day.”

 

“Yeah and…”

 

“It’s a Darkland holiday. No one works today unless they are throwing an awesome Storm Day party, like yours truly. They are going to have to save that work for tomorrow.” Bowser explained. 

 

“Seriously, we have a holiday for weather?”

 

“…yes, it’s always been a holiday. Why do you act like this every year?” Bowser asked. 

 

“Because it’s stupid, it’s a waste of time, and it makes everyone lazy. It’s just some water falling from the sky!” Ludwig ranted. 

 

“Uhg… it’s too early for this.” Bowser got up to address the entire room. “Yes Happy Storm day to you all. As tradition, and because it’s a HOLIDAY, everyone except those directly working on the lightning show and my personal council, is off today. Enjoy the festivities and tonight don’t forget to watch the lightning show in the from the greenhouse or anyone room that faces the courtyard. Because you know I, your king, holds the best lighting show party’s in all of the Darklands.”

 

The dining room erupted in cheers, with the exception of Ludwig. Luigi wasn’t exactly thrilled either. On his list of things that scare him, unfortunately for him, lightning and thunder near the top of his list. The idea of watching a show comprised of nothing but lightning didn’t sound particularly appealing. 

 

Everyone cleared the dining hall and Luigi made his way to his room, or at least what was his room. While at breakfast, Bowser had some workers come in and finish the room to his specifications. What was a plain room, for Bowser’s castle, was now decorated with lush furnishings, art work, and draperies, all in hues of green. His distinguished L that adorned Luigi’s hat now adorned the bed, the dresser, and other various items. His newly acquired shell now had a display case. All of his clothes were neatly arranged in the dresser and in the closet. The bed had an impressive amount of plush pillows and blankets. It was all so nice… almost too nice. 

Luigi laid in the bed hoping to get a quick nap in as he was still tired from last night. He stared at the ceiling, tossing and turning. Though his body was tired, his mind still raced. Now with no work to keep himself busy, all the thoughts and emotions just washed over here; each thought feeding into the other. The weight of his fight with Mario weighed on his mind the most, but now it’s mixing up with his other thoughts he had before arriving at Bowser’s keep. 

 

Knock knock

 

Luigi sat up in the bed. He wasn’t expecting anyone to visit, especially since he originally didn’t plan to be in his room today. 

 

“Weegie… you in here?” It was Daisy. 

 

“Oh hey-a Daisy.”

 

“How ya doing?”

 

“I’m-a fine… kind of.” 

 

Daisy sighed. She knew she was going to have to do the one thing she hates doing, talking about feelings. “You wanna… talk about it or something?

 

Luigi nodded and Daisy joined him on the bed. Both laided back staring at the ceiling. 

 

“So… that fight yesterday… it was…”

 

“I’m-a sooo sorry you-a had to-a see that. We-a shouldn’t have done that in front of-a you two. We-a never fought like-a that before and-and-and—“

 

“Whoa whoa it’s alright Weegie. It’s alright.” Daisy tried to reassure him.

 

“It’s-a just… I just-a want Mario to treat-a me like an adult, you know? He is-a always so… bossy. He tells “you-a can’t be-a friend with him” or “he’s just bully.” I don’t-a have friends because Mario thinks everyone is-a bad. I don’t-a get to go on adventures because he-a thinks I will-a get hurt. It’s-a just… frustrating.” Luigi unloaded. 

 

“I’m your friend.”‘Daisy reminded him. 

 

“Yeah… but he-a thinks we are still-a dating.” Luigi lamented. “There is another thing.” 

 

Daisy perked up. “What’s that?”

 

Luigi took a deep breath and sat up. “Something’s wrong with-a me. I-I-I think…” his voice cracked. “I think I-a like… guys.”

 

“Finally”

 

“What?”

 

Daisy sat up. “I mean… Oh?” She said trying to gloss over her slipup. 

 

“I-I-I have been-a thinking about it. Since we-a broke up, a whole lot of-a scary thoughts came up. I-I-I thought they would-a go away. I tried everything; keeping-a busy, trying to-a find someone else, asking E. Gadds to-a fix me. But-but-but it-a didn’t work. I think about it all the-a time now. And-and-and-and—“

 

“Weegie Weegie! Calm down, it’s alright.” Daisy placed her hands on his shoulders.  

 

Luigi looked up at her, tears welling up in his eyes. “Do you-a think I’m-a…gross?”  

 

Daisy pulled Luigi into the biggest hug she could manage. “Look… I don’t know what it’s like where you’re from, but… there’s a saying in  Sararasland, ‘you cannot control the winds of sand, but you can choose where you are in the sand….’ Or something like that.”

 

“What does-a that mean?” Luigi looked up at her. 

 

“I’m not like… 100% sure, but I think it means you can’t control who you like, just if you choose to embrace it. Totomesu would tell me this when trying to justify marrying me off. But for you, it means you are perfectly fine the way you are, and I don’t find you gross Weegie. You’re perfect the way you are.” 

 

“Are you-a sure?” Luigi meekly responded. 

 

“Yeah I’m sure.” Daisy looked into his eyes with reassurance. “So… have you told Mario any of this?”

 

“NO-No I can’t tell-a Mario, EVER!” Luigi panicked. 

 

“What? Why not? He’s your brother.” 

 

“ Sigh… we-a come from a… ‘traditional’ family. They don’t-a like… that-a sort of stuff. Anytime they saw that sort of-a stuff, they would-a get grossed out, call its-a weird, and try to-a hide it from us. My-a mother, dad, Mario, they all expect-a me to find a wife and-a have lot of-a little bambini. And I still do… it’s just… I like-a men Daisy. And if-a Mario found out, he would-a think it’s-a weird. And that-a fight…Mama Mia, that-a fight proves it now. If we-a fight over me just-a being friendly with-a Bowser, He will-a never want to-a see me again if he finds out. I would have to-a move out of our cottage, move out of the-a Mushroom Kingdom. I wouldn’t have any family to-a talk to anymore. I WOULD-A HAVE TO BECOME A HERMIT IN THE WOODS—“ Luigi began to spiral. 

 

“Weegie calm down. Come on now, Mario would never do that to you.” 

 

“Daisy… we-a never fought like that, EVER, and I don’t-a know if he will ever talk to-a me now. I-a miss Mario and I’m-a scared he doesn’t want to-a be my bro anymore. I'm still mad at him…kind of, but I’m also feel-a sooo bad about what I-a did. Mario wasn’t wrong, I did-a get hurt last time I was on an adventure with-a him. I am-a clumsy and… I have made-a bad friends. Maybe he’s-a right about this too. Maybe-a Bowser is-a using me. Perhaps… I shouldn’t be-a friends with him.” Luigi sunk into the pillows on the bed. “I want to-a say ‘I’m sorry’ to-a him, if he’ll talk to-a me. Maybe he’ll let-a me say that, but he can’t ever find out I’m-a… weird. He-a can’t ever find out I like-a… guys.” 

 

Daisy looked at him with concern. Watching him talk was watching Id and that fancy polterpup fight for control in his head.  “Weegie look, I can’t tell you that befriending Bowser is a good idea, but I don’t believe he is using you. And finding the good in people is a trait worth keeping. I know it’s hard for me to do that. But you did, and that’s amazing. Despite everything Bowser has done, you still managed to find something good about him. Stars, you even managed to make him a little nicer believe it or not. The Bowser I knew would have thrown us all in the dungeon or something. Because of you, he has changed. It’s just harder for Mario to see that you know. Given his history with Bowser it might take some time for him to see what you see. And Mario doesn’t hate you. He’s just… over protective, and hurt. Watching the people he protects no longer need him, it can sting, trust me. But he doesn’t hate you. I bet he feels the same way you feel and feels really bad about the fight and what he said. You two have that… twin telepathy brain thing after all. Just give it time and you two will be side by side in no time.” Daisy explained, placing her hand on Luigi’s cheek. “And Luigi, there is nothing wrong with you, okay? Absolutely nothing. No matter if you like girls or boys or… whatever.”

 

Luigi got teary eyed before giving Daisy a big hug. The two just embraced for a while as waves of relief washed over Luigi. The thoughts in his head were beginning to lessen now as he felt the weight on his chest and his heart lift. 

 

“You feel better?” Daisy asked. Luigi just nodded. 

 

“Good, good. And Luigi, I’m glad you told me.” 

 

“Me too.” Luigi said, finally smiling. 

 

“So… when do you plan to tell everyone else? You know Peach and Mario still think we’re dating. And before coming here, I’m pretty sure Peach was planning our wedding.”

 

“I know, I know. It’s-a just… I don’t want everyone to-a hate me.” Luigi said apprehensively. 

 

“I’m pretty sure Peach is incapable of hating your or Mario. And Mario is your brother, surely he’ll love you no matter what.”

 

“Still… I can’t tell-a Mario. He doesn’t… like these sorts of things. If he-a knew that his twin brother was… one of-a those types, he-a might…” Luigi couldn’t even utter what he thought Mario would say. “Besides, he’s still-a mad at me, and knowing… that I’m-a like this… that will only make-a him madder.” Luigi explained. 

 

“I doubt that, but I can’t force you to tell him you like dudes. Still, you need to talk to him soon. At least about you two’s fight. And at some point we got to at least tell them we are just friends.” 

 

“Well…”

 

“Weegie! Promise me you will at least tell them that.” Daisy said sternly. 

 

“I will, I will. But can it-a wait till we get back-a home?” Luigi meekly asked. 

 

“ Sigh… Fine, but it must happen the instant we are back home. I don’t want to string Peach or Mario along thinking there is some grand wedding in our future. Promise me you will Weegie.”

 

“Okay, I promise.” Luigi agreed. 

 

“Now that that’s settled, is there anything else you want to talk about? Guess I’m not bad at this whole talking stuff after all.” Daisy asked. 

 

“Yes-a please.” With that the two talked. They talked for hours about everything. Daisy finally revealed she kind of knew the entire time, but was told not to tell Luigi anything. Luigi went more in depth about Tony and Michael. They talked about what each of them looks for in a partner. Luigi put into words for the first time what an ideal male partner would be, which only made him blush harder than ever. Daisy joked she might know a prince in the Beanbean Kingdom that might be a good match. Daisy also talked about herself, at the request of Luigi. How she doesn’t know what she wants in a partner. Being a princess, she doesn’t get much of a say. Especially being a princess of four kingdoms who push their heirs on her. She admits that she selfishly wished they were still dating officially because it was the only thing keeping the four kings off her back. She didn’t realize until then just how unhappy she was as a princess. She talked about how litttle power she actually has. That, unlike Princess Peach, her people barely knows who she is. How she feel responsible for keep a civil war from igniting, but how she is ultimately powerless. They talked about their homes, their families, expectations from both. They talked about their dream lives, with their ideal partners under ideal circumstances. They talked about life itself. Despite having grown closer since their break up, this was their first really deep conversation. Luigi didn’t realize how much was bottled inside, how much was locked in his mind. But since admitting to himself who he really was, it felt like a damn had broken inside him and he had to let everything out. 

The same could be said about Daisy. Admitting she didn’t like her role as princess was liberating. She had always thought her circumstances were just part of her duty, something she had to tolerate. But the more she spoke about it, the more she began to truly dislike her station in life. Despite being physically fit, a disciplined fighter, and overall more rugged, she had gone on far fewer adventures than Peach. She rarely got to venture out and explore. Her role in her own kingdoms was minimal, acting mostly as a mediator between the four bickering kings and a figurehead for Sarasaland.

When Daisy talked, Luigi listened attentively, even though he didn’t fully grasp the complexities of royal politics. When Luigi spoke, Daisy listened without pressing for answers, simply offering her ear. They continued like this for hours, barely noticing when lunch was delivered to Luigi’s room or when the sun began to set.

 

Knock knock knock

 

Luigi got up to open the door. It was a Koopa guard. 

 

“Master Luigi, you and a guest have been invited to enjoy the Lightning Show in the king's solarium. Use these passes for entry. Please note the dress code.” The guard handed them the invitation and passes before leaving. 

 

The pair looked at the passes. “Formal/causual wear? I didn’t expect this to be such a party.”

 

“What does that-a mean anyways?I don’t-a think I have-a formal wear here or even casual wear besides some pajamas. I only have a few pair of-a the overalls and three work shirts.”

 

“Let’s take a look in your closet. Maybe their is some old clothes in there you can put together to make something decent.” Daisy suggested. 

 

The two of them went over to the closet. Inside was much bigger than expected. A full walk-in closet filled with clothes. They began looking through them, assuming they left here by old guest until they noticed something on all of them. Every piece of clothing had an L or many L’s on them; The same L on Luigi’s hat. Additionally, all the clothes where in Luigi’s size. These clothes where made for him. It was an entire closet of bespoke clothes. 

 

“Wowie Zowie.” Luigi, awestruck, sat down on a chair that was in the closet. 

 

“Kamek was right, Bowser is going way beyond hospitality.” Daisy commented while she inspected the clothes. 

 

“What do you-a mean?” 

 

“These clothes were made for you. It’s one thing to buy your first extra clothes when in need, but this. Some of these things are nicer than anything I own.”  

 

Luigi looked closer at the clothes. They were very nice indeed. Well made, tailored, with the finest and highest quality fabrics. But then something caught his eye. “A ha, see, these-a couldn’t be just for-a me.” Luigi pulls out a large silk and satin dress. 

 

Daisy looks over the dress. “Um, Weegie…” she points to a tag with the words “bespoke for Luigi” written on it. It appeared that even this dress was made for Luigi. 

 

“Mama Mia, there must-a been some kind of mistake.” Luigi said, very confused. 

 

“Maybe not, human clothes are fairly new to the Darklands. They may not understand that boys don’t wear dresses.” Daisy pondered, noticing more skirts and dresses mixed in with pants and suits. 

 

Luigi looked at the dress a little closer. He took his glove off to get a better feel for it, noticing just how soft and supple it was. The color was a deep green that reflected light softly. “Heh heh, wouldn’t it be funny if I wore this to the Lightning Show. Heh, it might-a be funny just to-a try them on.”

 

“Yes, that would be very ‘funny’ indeed.” Daisy said, a little ominously. 

Daisy, more than eager to help Luigi, picked out the right dress. After a little time in the closet alone, Luigi poked his head out already giggling. 

 

“Come on out Weegie. Oops, I mean Princess Luigi.” 

 

"Heh heh heh, Okie dokie," Luigi stepped out of the closet and stood before the mirror. "Oh... oh..." This was the moment Luigi was supposed to laugh. It was meant to be funny; the mustachioed plumber wearing a dress. They were supposed to share a good laugh, promptly take off the dress, and forget about it. Instead, Luigi felt something he couldn't quite explain. As he looked at himself in the green and white tailored dress, Luigi felt... pretty. He was accustomed to wearing clothes for practicality, but this attire felt different—it felt pretty on him. It wasn't the joke he had anticipated. Rather, it felt surprisingly comfortable and right. 

Daisy was enamored. Seeing Luigi in that dress felt like seeing an old friend again. “You look… good. Like… really good Weegie.” 

Luigi blushed. He couldn’t take his eyes off of his reflection. It didn’t feel like this was supposed to be him, but rather, a new addition to himself. He wanted to stay it the dress for a while longer, but then the dark thoughts came. The confirmation that he is in fact weird. A man, wanting to dress like a woman, what would Mario think? What would he say if he saw him in this state? Yeah, it was suppose to be a joke, but the idea of Mario laughing at him seemed painful. It soon became a little overwhelming. 

“Weegie… you alright? You haven’t said anything for a while now.”

Luigi turned around, sweating nervously. “Yes… yes… everything is-a okie dokie. This was-a funny but now I’m going to-a pick out what I’m going to-a wear… tonight. Yes… tonight.” With that, Luigi bolted back into the closet and shut the door. 

It would be a while before Luigi stepped out again, this time dawning a tan linen suit, pale green shirt, with a striped green tie. The pants on the suit rode a little high, exposing his candy cane socks in his work boots. 

 

“W-what do you-a think? Is this-a formal/casual enough?” Luigi asked nervously. 

 

“Hmm… hold on.” Daisy took off Luigi’s tie and unbutton the top two buttons. Then went into the closet and came out with a pair of loafers. “Try these on… no socks though.” 

 

Luigi followed her suggestion and examined himself in the mirror. He was pleasantly surprised to find himself... attractive. Well, maybe not conventionally "hot," but definitely put-together and appealing in a way that surprised him. It was a bit embarrassing, yet at the same time, empowering. After experiencing how good he felt in a dress that made him feel pretty and, honestly, a bit giddy, now wearing a suit that made him feel confident and stylish, clothes seemed to have a transformative effect on his self-perception.

He had grown accustomed to wearing essentially a uniform, never really experimenting with his style. Now, with his own room for the next few weeks and a closet full of clothes that would normally intimidate him, he had the chance to explore, to find what suited him best—maybe even try on another dress. Luigi couldn’t help but smile at the prospect.

 

An hour later Luigi found himself, dressed in his formal yet casual suit. Daisy had left for her own room. She did request an outfit from a hall guard but didn’t tell Luigi what it looked like. She said she was inspired by Luigi’s willingness to change up his style that she decided to follow suit. They agreed to meet at the elevator doors that the invitation specified. Luigi was allowed to bring one guest with him. Who else but Daisy? 

Luigi waited by the elevators for her. He twiddled his thumbs and played with his jacket sleeves, still getting use to the little bit of exposed chest and ankle. 

 

“Sorry I’m late.” Daisy's voice came from behind him. Daisy was not in her usual princess attire. Instead she was wearing a orange and yellow suit, complete with pants. The jacket was ornate with royal insignia or symbols but yet still simple and light. Her shirt was a pale yellow button down. Most surprising though was the fact Daisy was wearing pants and the same loafers as Luigi. Her hair was pulled up into a bun. The only thing that she retained from her usual outfit was her crown and earrings. 

 

“Wowie Zowie.” Luigi looked at her. “You-a look very… handsome.”

 

“Thanks. Believe it or not, I wanted to wear something like this on our ‘date’ but Peach talked me out of it. Kind of regret that. But seeing you in that dress and now in this suit, it kind of inspired me to branch out and try something different.” 

 

As Luigi admired her attire the elevator door rang. As the doors opened, out stepped a parakoopa guard.  “Invitations?” 

 

Luigi presented his invitations and the guard ushered them into the elevator. It was in the elevator that Luigi remembered what kind of event this was; this was a lightning show. He was going to be near and around many guests dealing with his childhood fear of storms. He began to get a little nervous; not only for the lightning but the potential embarrassment of jumping or screaming in front of others. 

The elevator door opened to a sprawling banquet and guest of all kinds standing, chatting with one another, and finding their spots for the show. The space they was a garden consisting series of three grassy platforms, each platform getting smaller the high you went up. The entire garden was incased by a glass dome that overlooked the courtyard. It the courtyard, a series of lightning rods were planted in the ground and on the tops of roofs. 

 

“You two will have access to this and the second terrace. Enjoy the show.” The guard said as the elevator doors began to close again. 

 

“Well, let’s go.” Daisy said, grabbing Luigi’s sleeve. 

 

The two made their way through the crowd. The party was attended by all sorts of people from all matters of kingdoms; koopas of all types and varieties, goombas of various sizes, babombs, shy guys, spinies, creatures and citizens of all types; many of which were enemies Mario had caught against. Upon closer inspection, Luigi noticed that many had medals or crowns on, as if denoting a particular status these people had.  

As the two made their way through the crowd, they were met with pleasantries and greetings but where usually followed by side glances. It was very clear that a citizen of Sarasaland and the Mushroom Kingdom have never been to this function before. Though most of the crowd mingled on the paved portion of this three tiered green house, party goers began to slowly make their way to the grassy knoll. Laying out various blankets and chairs, party guess would take their conversations with them as they and their group decided on the best spot to views the show. Not many walked up to them. The few that did only exchanged small talk, mentioning the weather or the coming lightning. The lightning… Luigi still hadn’t figured out how to get out of this. He knew the first lightning strike will have him screaming and jumping. This is fine when he is alone or with Mario, but in front of all these guest, that would be mortifying. He had already gotten use to no one knowing his moniker as the Mushroom Kingdom Scardy Cat or Mario’s Cowardly Brother, he would hate to gain that reputation here. Luigi looked around as to where he could sneak out; a bathroom, a bush, a well hidden corner, anything. 

 

“Weegie, you alright?” Daisy asked quietly, concerned. 

 

“Yeah… no… I-I-I-I don’t-a like… lightning.” Luigi whispered. 

 

“Oh?” Daisy looked at Luigi perplexed. She hadn’t known about this phobia before. But looking at his demeanor she could tell he wasn’t exaggerating. “Shoot… um…maybe we can sneak out before they start. They’re a lot of people here, I’m sure Bowser or anyone else won’t noticed you leaving.” 

 

Just on cue, and with some unfortunate timing, Bowser makes his way over to the pair. “Hey Greenie you made it! I was afraid Ludwig snuck you off to work or something.” Bowser said, almost jovial to see Luigi. His tone was not the same for the Sarasaland Princess. “Daisy.”

 

“Bowser.” Daisy responded in the same monotone voice. 

 

Bowser was clad in a dark grey linen suit paired with an orange silk button-down shirt, complemented by black boots featuring steel toe plating. His signature green shell completed the ensemble. Bowser, to put it simply, looked handsome. Luigi had never seen Bowser in human clothes before, aside from the pajamas he wore the previous night.

 

“Hey, these two as well!!” Bowser shouts towards a blue shelled guard. The guard rushes over and hands the two another set of passes. “Those will take you to the third terrace. Only me, the koopalings, and a couple of my most trusted generals are there, so you don’t have to mingle with this lot.” 

 

“Oh. Grazie Bowser.” Luigi responded. 

 

"You two can head up there. I need to finish my kingly duties and greet the guests before the festivities start. I've got to smooth things over with everyone. Normally, these parties are a lot busier, but since I dismissed most of the castle staff early this year, we scaled things back a bit. Still, a smile from yours truly and plenty of wonder flower punch should keep everyone happy," Bowser said as he walked into the crowd.

 

Luigi and Daisy silently agreed to take Bowser up on his offer and made their way to the stairs leading to the top terrace. Just like at the elevator, a guard asked for their passes before allowing them to ascend. As they walked up the stairs, Luigi glanced back, now able to see more of the party. From his vantage point, he spotted various rulers: King Bob-omb, King Goomba, King K. Rool, Major Burrows, Tolstar, and others who had all been antagonistic to the Mushroom Kingdom at some point. It was odd seeing them all clamor to talk with Bowser. Interestingly, Bowser himself didn’t seem particularly thrilled to engage with them.

Further down on the lower terrace, Luigi could make out more average citizens. Amidst the crowd of koopas, goombas, and shy guys, two familiar figures stood out. Mario and Peach were there, making their way to the stairs that led to the second terrace. Peach wore her usual dress, while Mario donned a red button-down shirt and black slacks. The two looked uncomfortable in the crowd, but even from this distance, Mario appeared particularly unhappy. He glanced down at an untouched drink in his hand, occasionally looking up to scan the crowd as if searching for someone—searching for Luigi. Once they reached the second terrace, unlike the other rulers vying for Bowser’s attention, Peach simply stood in the corner, watching.

Luigi fought the urge to comfort his brother, to talk to him. He wanted to run down there and give him the biggest hug. But seeing Mario only brought back memories of their fight. Luigi felt guilty and responsible for his brother’s current situation, but he also couldn't shake his lingering frustration and anger. Turning back, he continued his ascent up the stairs, pushing his mixed feelings aside for now.

 

Meanwhile at the second terrace, Peach tried to avoid the stares she was receiving from the various guests. She completely understood how out of place she was in this environment. Though the guest weren’t out right hostile to her, despite their history with her and her kingdom, their looks made it clear that she wasn’t welcomed there. 

 

“Fun party huh?” King Goomba says to Peach seemingly out of the blue. “Fancy seeing you here. The Mushroom Kingdom must be really struggling if you, the Toadstool

Princess of all people are here during the storm.”

 

“What? No, the Mushroom Kingdom is doing just fine thank you. We are here because we are stuck here.” Peach corrected. 

 

“Right.” The Goomba King said with a wink. “Well since you’re not trying to get anything from old Koopa king over there you won’t mind if I talk to him first right?”

 

“What do you mean? I have no interest in talking with Bowser.”

 

“Oh come on Princess, why do you think everyone is here. We all got ‘stuck’ here. It’s tradition. Rulers and delegates get ‘stuck’ here every year to take advantage of that koopa hospitality. It’s the only time we can request things of Bowser without him sending his army after us. And I plan on getting back in his good graces and expanding the goomba territory right up to the board with… with your kingdom if I recall. The forest right outside the donut plans. Yeah, that place would be perfect for my new kingdom.”

 

“Kingdom? Goombas don’t have a kingdom.” Peach reminded him. 

 

“Not yet at least. This is phase one of my 30 step plan to have an independent Goomba Kingdom. The other steps are top secret… unless… we can form an alliance.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“An alliance. It wouldn't be official, not yet at least but you can get in on the ground floor. I know the goombas and the toadstools have our differences, you know with us betraying the Mushroom Kingdom to side with Bowser, but I’m willing to forgive and forget and for this alliance with you once the Goomba Kingdom is up and running.”

 

“Um yeah… no thank you.” 

 

“Think about it— oh it’s my turn to sweet talk the old turtle.” With that the Goomba King ran off in Bowser direction. 

 

“So thats why all these rulers are here.” Peach said to herself. “Mario what do you—” 

 

Mario seemed to have his own cloud following him still. Being surrounded by former foes didn’t seem to help either. “Mario… are you ok? We can leave if you—”

 

“No… no, I’m-a fine. Its just…” Mario looked up at the impending storm clouds that swirled above them. “Luigi… hes-a scared of lightning. I’m-a usually there to help him… but…” 

 

“Perhaps he is still in his room.” Peach tried to reassure him. 

 

“...hmm. I hope so.” Mario said, still scanning the crowd for his brother, though he didn’t have a plan for what he would do even if he saw him. 

 

Luigi and Daisy finish their accent of the private stair case. At the top was a much smaller, more intimate platform. All the Koopalings were there. Roy and Morton wore their own linen suits, though without the silk shirts. While Morton's suit was a simple grey, Roy’s ensemble featured a purple jacket and pink pants. Wendy sported a slim-fitting magenta dress, and Iggy opted for a lab coat. Ludwig, looking frustrated, sat in an opulent Regency-style suit, complete with a fluffy white cravat and a plush velvet cap. Lemmy, Larry, and Bowser Jr. were the only ones still just in their shells. Kamek was also present, along with another Magikoopa whom Luigi hadn't met before—a gray-haired Koopa in purple robes. The two were deep in conversation while simultaneously keeping an eye on the Koopalings.

The younger Koopalings and Bowser Jr. were engrossed in a game, not noticing Luigi and Daisy’s arrival. Wendy was preoccupied with taking pictures of herself, while Ludwig seemed annoyed by the whole affair. Roy and Morton stood unusually quiet and still.

 

“Salutations!” Iggy popped up next to Luigi and Daisy. “It is my understanding that after todays festivities that you will be working on my bathroom, correct?”

 

“Um…Si…yes” Luigi stammered. 

 

“Fantastic! I do have blueprints and ideas I would like to share with you and your team. Just some minor request that can stay between you and me.”

 

“Oh? I-I-I don’t-a know. Ludwig—“

 

“Ludwig doesn’t need to know. I did the calculations and none of my changes should go over his precious budget.” Iggy said, patting Luigi’s back. “Of course work talk can wait till tomorrow when you and your bro– I mean your crew. How are you enjoying the festivities by the way?”

 

“Um… Its-a fun…I guess.”

 

“Good to hear. I am myself am not one for pointless gatherings. But this is important to my father and our alliances so I guess it serves its purpose. Gathering rulers and fake rulers to gauk at a meteralogical phenomenon while getting them drunk on wonder flower punch, and in the case of Roy and Morton over there, getting high on yellow mushrooms does increase morale if that's important to you. But we are men of science, I can see that in your Luigi.”

 

“I-I-I am?”

 

“Yes, you’ve worked with E. Gadds. That speaks volumes of your scientific vigor. I also heard the sound of a poltergust transporting to your room. Very distinct sound. Now I hate to break it to you, or E. Gadds, but there are no ghosts or boos here in this castle. My father and King Boo do not get along and thus a ban on all ghosts and boos has been in place for years now. However, let me take a look at E. Gadds little machine and perhaps I can modify it to better fit your needs here.”

 

“Like-a what?” Luigi was a bit curious. 

 

“Ooooh just a few things; an alarm on the off chance a boo is in the castle, adding a spike ball projector gun, mabey even a stun gun, and at least six types of explosive.”

 

“That-a seems… a little–”

 

“Wonderful? Yes it is. We will talk more about it tomorrow. Good chat, enjoy the rest of the festivities.” Iggy said, walking away from the conversation before Luigi could question it. 

 

The clouds began to swirl more and flash subtly of lightning. The crowds below began to rush to their spots as excitement began to swirl in the air. The koopalings themselves made their way to the edge of the balcony. Luigi looked around for Daisy, only to find herself stuck in conversation with the purple robes magikoopa. Bowser reascend to the third terrace. 

 

“Someone get me a drink. King Goomba sure knows how to wear a fella down. Constantly begging for this or that. Geez.” Bowser said, complaining to no one in particular. “Hey Greenie get over here, you look like a lost chain chomp or something.” 

 

Luigi obliged and tentatively stood next to Bowser. The koopa king looked on at the courtyard as the clouds continued to stir. Luigi sipped his drink but couldn’t help but visibly tremble. 

 

BOOM. “ YEEOOW” Luigi jumped, spilling his drink. The first lightning struck a rods that was placed on one of the castle spirers. Luigi quickly gathered himself together, hoping no one saw his little outburst only to look up and see Bowser looking down at him. 

 

“S-s-scusi, the-a lightning, it-a…suprised me, thats all. Heh heh.” The green plumber tried to play off his startled state. 

 

“Right… so you’re scared of lightning or something?”

 

“No-no… I mean… maybe a little.” Luigi confessed. 

 

“Hmm… hold on.” Bowser walked over to Kamek then came back to Luigi. “Here, put this on.”

 

Bowser handed Luigi a pair of shell shaped headphones. “Junior use to be really scared of lightning. He claims he isn’t anymore but I keep them around just in case. Now all it takes is a rub on the back to calm him down, though these days he might not need that either.”

He said looking at an excited Junior off in the distance.  “…Anyways, these headphones helped a lot when he was a hatchling and they’re adjustable. Oh and if it helps, don’t worry about getting struck by lightning or anything. This building is lightning proof, plus those lightning rods every are redirecting the strikes. They are also hooked up to some fireworks so its going to be a more dazzling show than just plan old lightning.”

 

Luigi adjusted and put on the headphones. The sound of the festivities began to quiet and the conversations around him began to sound more muffled. 

 

boom

 

The next lightning bolt hit a rod in the courtyard, setting off a brilliant display of multicolored sparks. This time Luigi only flinched a little. The headphones made the sound less startling for sure, but he still felt anxious around such a powerful force of nature. Everything he knew about lightning safety, avoiding windows, keeping cover etc. seemed to not matter to anyone else. 

 

boom

 

Another strike, and the crowds cheered. Both were muted through the headphones. Luigi had closed his eyes that time. But then he felt something. A soothing comfort of a hand rubbing his back. It was Bowser. The Koopa king eyes were fixed on the sky as he watched the storm, but his hand drew slow circles on the green plumber’s back. 

 

boom

 

Another strike, this time Luigi didn’t flinch. He watch the strike hit and set off more fireworks. It was spectacular. Luigi could feel his body relax as Bowser continued to massage him, lightly caressing his back. No one else seemed to noticed, or so it seemed. 

Meanwhile, Daisy was still stuck at the Magikoopas’ table. Kamek had left to stand closer to the younger koopalings, leaving Daisy with the very talkative purple robed Koopa. 

 

“Well it was nice talking with you…”

 

“Kammy dear. Yes it was. It’s not often I can talk to other women like yourself. I see a lot of me in you dear.” The purple koopa commented. 

 

“Yep, sure, but I do need to find my friend, don’t want to leave him alone or anything. He’s somewhere around—“

 

“Oh he’s over there with Lord Bowser dear he’s fine.” 

 

Daisy scanned over to where Kammy was pointing. “Good I’ll just— oh…”

Notes:

Headcanon Notes: Koopas don't use power ups to gain strength. But some power-ups have an intoxicating effect on koopas. Wonder Flowers and Yellow Mushrooms are the equivalent to wine and weed. Young koopas, such as Roy and Morton, are known to experiment with both.

Also let it be known I am treading into some well worn mario head canons; Mario and Luigi both have numerous scars with Mario having more of them.

Chapter 18: Back to Work

Summary:

Luigi finds himself forced to team up with Wario and Waluigi, though calling their efforts "work" would be generous at best. Enduring their taunts and lackluster attempts at plumbing, Luigi is eventually rescued as he and Bowser head down to shut off the water valve. During this task, Luigi and Bowser have a chance to reconcile their past and create a deeper connection between them that they had never experienced before.

Notes:

Sorry this took a lot longer. I’m back at work fully and we got a lot of stuff to do at the beginning of the year. Once I get into a flow, chapters will begin getting completed at a quicker pace.

Also note; this chapter isn’t explicit but it does elude to the existence of sex, sexuality, and sexual function within the Mario world. Should be a no brainer but the end of this chapter does get spicier than any other chapter.

“PEACE TREATY!!” Peach screamed suddenly sitting up in bed. Mario, jolting from his slumbers, falls out of the bed they were sharing. 

“A peace treaty, why didn’t I think of it before? If Bowser is serious about changing his ways then we can hold him to that with a Peace Treaty.”

 

“A wha-now?” Mario said, rubbing his head still half asleep. 

 

“I just have to write up a proposal, get Daisy on board, and present it to Bowser. If I can make it bulletproof, Bowser would have no choice but to sign it or be called out on his scheme.” Peach said, seething with excitement. 

 

“Um… Okie dokie… but can it-a wait till—“

 

“NO TIME! I need a pen and some paper or even a scroll. Oh my stars, oh my stars, OH MY STARS! We can do so much good if this works. No more kidnappings, no more invasions, and we can finally open those trade routes. Oh-oh and the glass and concrete from the volcanoes around here, we can make better housing for the mushroom kingdom citizens living in the donut hills.”

 

Mario, still trying to comprehend what Peach was saying in his drowsy state, nodded along. Even when fully alert, he found interkingdom politics confusing and quite boring. He was a man of action, not diplomacy. Unfortunately, being the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom meant he often had to sit in on a lot of diplomatic meetings.

 

Peach, on the other hand, was the consummate diplomat. She had a way of soothing the most riled leaders during their meetings, brokering deals, and maintaining peace between hostile kingdoms—all except the Darklands. The Mushroom Kingdom’s only real enemy had been the Darklands, even before Peach was born. When Bowser ascended to the throne, the hostility shifted focus towards her. Despite this, it had always been her dream to end the violent stalemate between her kingdom and Bowser’s. Not just for her own reprieve, but because of the valuable resources in the Darklands.

 

The Mushroom Kingdom isn’t struggling per se, but things could be much better. Current trade routes are incredibly lengthy, causing shortages of necessities. Everything west of the Darklands is inaccessible to the Mushroom Kingdom's residents due to the lack of safe passage for Toads. The Darklands also boast thousands of acres of the most fertile land, much of which borders the Mushroom Kingdom. Peach hates to admit it, but the Darklands are more technologically advanced as well. She would love for her people to enjoy the high-tech comforts Bowser seems to take for granted—flying cars, neon lights, and electricity for everyone.

 

However, the most sought-after commodity from the Darklands is its glass. Not just beautiful stained glass or windows, but industrial glass known for its durability. Many koopa shells are made from this special glass unique to the Darklands. Beyond glass, the volcanoes in the Darklands produce materials that could make housing more durable and affordable for her people.

 

Peach jumped out of bed, grabbed the nearest thing to write on, and got to work drafting the document. Mario gathered himself off the floor and promptly went back to bed, as it was still dark outside and the sun wouldn’t be rising for another two hours. When the sun did rise, Mario got up, and got dressed, only to find Peach still writing. A pile of discarded drafts littered the floor around her. 

 

Peach appeared exhausted and stressed. Normally adept with words, she struggled to find the right wording for the peace treaty. Mario, sensing her distress, gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “Princess… it-a might be-a good if you-a take a break, yes?” Mario suggested.

 

Peach looked at her scribbled hand writing and scratched out words and sighed. “You’re right. I’m too excited to think straight. I just want this to be perfect. I don’t want to give him a reason to say no to this. It would mean so much to my Kingdom, my people, to me if we could end this war. And put an end to you constantly having to rescue me or save the Mushroom Kingdom. I don’t want you to be relegated to our defacto hero all the time.”

 

“But-a Princess, I don’t-a mind. If-a you are in trouble, I’m-a here for you, always.” Mario reminded the princess. 

 

“I know, but I don’t want you be my hero.” She leaned in and kissed Mario on the lips. “I just want you. Can’t blame me for being a little selfish at times, right?” 

 

“Mamma Mia” Mario said, beat red, goofy grin affixed to his face. The two held hands as they made their way to the dining hall for breakfast.  

 

Meanwhile, Daisy and Luigi were already eating breakfast. Unfortunately for them, the dining hall was much more crowded than usual. Many of the kings and rulers from the night before were present. Additionally, Wario and Waluigi were also present, and were acting obnoxious. Bowser sat at his usual table, except surrounded by all the new guests. He didn’t look particularly pleased to be there, as the guest talked louder and louder, each vying for his attention. The koopalings sat at their usual places, poking at their food. Since the kitchen staff has been reduced, instead of a lavish buffet for breakfast, they were relegated to having the same meal as each other; simple scrambled eggs, smoked and cured cheap cheap with cream cheese on a bagel, and sliced melon. The koopalings were not happy with such a simple breakfast. 

Daisy sat at the table, eating her breakfast while observing everyone else, specifically Waluigi and Wario. In the brief interactions with the two obnoxious plumbers, she had developed an unwarranted seething hatred for Waluigi. She only had a limited number of interaction with the purple plumber, but it was enough to form a strong opinion about him.  It wasn’t something she could even explain, but every time she saw him, she grew increasingly irritated and angry. Her opinions of Wario are low but she does forgot about him more often or not. 

Mario and Peach walk into the dining hall. Mario is taken back by how many more people are in there, and by how many he recognized. He couldn’t help but feel like this was an ambush. Those feeling subside when he realizes that their fully attention is on Bowser. 

 

“Ho ho ho, look at-a what we have here!” Wario said, coming up from behind, messing up Mario’s hat and hair. 

 

“Wha-what are you-a doing here?” Mario asked, shocked to see Wario here. 

 

“We’re here for-a work. We’re the crew for your-a loser brother.”

 

“What? No, no, no not happening! Where is Ludwig?” Mario said in disbelief. 

 

“What, you don’t-a think we are up to it? Remember, we are plumbers too.”

 

“Yeah, bad ones and bullies.” 

 

“Tomatoe tomAhtoes, as long as the job gets-a done and we get-a paid. Speaking of… HEY WALUIGI, GET OVER HERE!” Wario shouted. 

 

“WHAT!”

 

“We’re heading out. Quit stuffing your-a face.” Wario turned to Mario. “Too bad you can’t-a help out, I could’ve shown you how a real-a plumber works.”

 

The two plumbers headed out, with Luigi reluctantly trailing behind. As they crossed paths, the brothers exchanged no words. Mario desperately wanted to reach out, but memories of their fight held him back. Luigi felt the same, hastening past his brother in silence. Despite wanting to give Luigi space, Mario knew he had to act now that Wario and Waluigi were involved.

Wario and Waluigi had been constants in Mario and Luigi’s lives since childhood. Wario's mother was always comparing her son to Mario, driven by a twisted competition with Mario and Luigi’s parents. Her obsession with besting them at everything led her to insist that Wario participate in all the same activities as Mario. This wasn’t about fostering a friendship but about fueling rivalry. She befriended Mario’s mother only to learn what she could do to outdo her. Her severe insecurity pushed Wario into football, parkour, and even trade school to become a plumber. Unfortunately for her, Wario lacked the same drive. In all the endeavors his mother pushed him into, he gave less than the minimum effort, including trade school.

Waluigi entered the brothers' lives through Wario. Their connection wasn't born out of a genuine bond but out of convenience. With absent parents, Waluigi spent much of his time with Wario, to the extent that people assumed they were brothers. They weren't particularly fond of each other but tolerated one another enough to always be in each other's company. This closeness led people to jokingly add the "Wa" to Waluigi’s name. Over time, Waluigi adopted this alternative name mainly to differentiate himself from Luigi.

Despite their longstanding presence in the brothers' lives since childhood, Wario and Waluigi were far from pleasant companions. They were Mario and Luigi's first bullies, engaging in pranks, teasing, and general harassment that made them a constant thorn in Mario’s side. This behavior didn’t cease with age; it continued into adulthood. Seeing them here, of all places, was alarming. Mario knew Wario and Waluigi had somehow made it to this world, but he didn’t expect to find them in the Darklands. Now, Luigi was going to be alone with them for hours. At best, they would be lazy and make Luigi do all the work. At worst... Mario didn’t even want to think about that.

Mario began scanning the dining hall for Ludwig. 

 

DING DING DING “Hey idio— distinguished guest. Listen up.” Bowser stood up to address the room. He pulls out some index cards that had a prepared speech on them. “In the tradition of the Darklands, we welcome you and provide safe harbor from the storm. As king of these lands, I will provide you shelter, food, and other provisions from the storm… via hotel outside the castle. As my father, and his father, and… yadda yadda yadda…” Bowser begins flipping through the cards as he picks over parts of the speech. “And as is customary, I will dedicate time during this storm to listen to you all distinguished leaders and provide aid and assistance for you and your people. Each of you will… uhg… will be given 30 minutes to talk with me one-on-one about how I and my resources can be of assistance to you. Again 30 minutes! That goes for you King Goomba. Kamek has a list of everyone who is scheduled for our little talk, so make sure you follow that. Anyways… um… may your stay here be safe, dry, and prosperous.”

 

“CHEERS” the crowd said aloud. 

 

“…oh and by ‘stay here’ I mean your hotel room, not in my castle. Just to be clear. Take the underground tunnels to get to your rooms… like now… breakfast is over.” Bowser said as he quickly exited the room. 

 

Peach tried to get Bowser's attention, but it was too late. Then she spotted Kamek as he was about to leave.

 

"Um... Kamek?" she said hesitantly.

 

"Hmm? Oh, Princess Peach, do you need something? Please make it quick," Kamek responded impatiently.

 

"Oh, yes, my apologies. That list... is there a possibility that..."

 

"Out with it!" Kamek interrupted.

 

"Is it possible for me to be on that list? I need to talk to Bow—Lord Bowser about something of grave importance for our two kingdoms."

 

"You wish to curry favor from Lord Bowser? The Toadstool Princess seeks assistance from the King of the Darklands?" Kamek said, skeptical of her intentions.

 

"Not a favor. I want to propose a peace treaty."

 

"Bwahaha, a peace treaty?! Under whose authority?" Kamek scoffed.

 

"Mine."

 

"Oh? You intend to broker a peace treaty without your council? Without Toadsworth's approval? Your efforts will be moot."

 

"I will get approval once I'm back home, especially if I can get the Darklands to agree beforehand."

 

Kamek contemplated Peach’s proposal. “I’ll pencil you in. You will be last since you decided all this last minute. I will also need to see this treaty before you present it to Lord Bowser. I will not allow any insulting offers pass before his eyes. And, as you know, all treaties must be negotiated before implementation. However, we will not be negotiating beyond our unfortunate time together. IF Lord Bowser approves of the treaty, no further changes can be made to it. That means, Toadsworth and the rest of your council must accept the terms of the treaty as presented to them once you go home. Do we have an agreement?” 

 

Peach thought about the stipulations; she knew selling the council and Toadsworth would be difficult but in the end it would be worth it. She just had to make sure the treaty is air tight. “Yes…I’ll agree to these terms.”

 

Peach looked over and saw Daisy beginning to exit the dining hall. “One last thing…”

 

“What now?” 

 

“May we include Princess Daisy in these negotiations? I believe if we include her kingdom as well it would only serve to benefit—-“

 

“Out of the question.” Kamek interrupted. “These treaty talks will be between the Darklands and the Mushroom Kingdom ONLY. Besides, you have so little power within your own kingdom. Princess Daisy has even less. Her involvement would only serve as an exercise in futility.”

 

Peach retracted back a little, like a child being scolded. “Understood.”

 

“Good, now if you will excuse me, I must prepare the notes for the first set of meetings.” With that, Kamek left.  

 

With renewed determination, Peach set off back to the room to continue working on the treaty. Mario followed behind, though he had little to offer other than comfort and support. 

 

In the koopalings living quarters, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi approach the carnage that was Iggy’s bathroom. 

 

“It looks worse than it is. You three just need to install the toilet, sinks, and reconnect it all to the castle sewage system. The new toilet and sink are here. Iggy will be in the room, as he refuses to just wait in the guest quarters, so just ignore him. Call me when you are ready to reconnect to the sewage. I will have to escort one of you to the castle’s basement. Any questions?” 

 

“Yeah I got-a one. BUUUUURP!” Wario let out a huge burp that smelt as foul as it sounded. Ludwig rubbed the bridge of his nose, already regretting his decision to hire these two. 

 

“Anyways, I’m giving you four days, but try to finish before then. We still have Roy and Morton’s bathrooms and trust me, you are going to need all the time you can get for Morton’s room.” With that final statement Ludwig left the three plumbers to their work. 

 

Luigi grabbed his tool bag and began assessing the work that needed to be done. “Okie dokie, we should-a get the new bathtub and measure it’s-a height. I can-a install the stringer if one of-a you—“

 

“Hold up hold up.” Wario interrupted. “I don’t-a measure. Real-a plumbers can tell just by-a looking.” 

 

Luigi sighed frustratingly. It’s not like he didn’t expect them to be difficult. They always have been like this. When it came to plumbing, they always took detrimental shortcuts that always ended badly.  “If you-a don’t measure first, you will just create more-a work—“

 

Before Luigi could finish his sentence, Wario had begun drilling in the stringer into the wall. Waluigi, unprompted, began pushing the new tub into the bathroom. “WHA—NO NO NO, don’t-a do that youll damage the—“

 

BANG

 

Before Luigi could stop him, Waluigi managed to put a crack on the side of the new tub. “Wha… that’s an easy fix. Some-a caulk will fix it.” Waluigi said confidently, holding up a bottle of household caulk. 

 

Luigi looked at the bottle. “This-a caulk isn’t waterproof. You-a can’t seal a broken bathtub with household caulk.” 

 

“You-a can’t seal a broken bathtub with household caulk.” Waluigi said mockingly before snatching Luigi hat. “Caulk is caulk. Besides, if it-a starts to leak again, we’ll be-a long gone before that happens.” He said, giving Luigi nose a painful squeeze. Luigi swatted back, snatching back his hat in the process. 

 

“You-a need to relax Luigi.” Wario chimed in, placing his arm roughly on Luigi’s head. “You are too concerned with-a doing things the right way, let me teach you the Wario way.” He said as he gave the tub one final kick into place. However, doing so knocked a pipe loose and a jet of water shot out, pummeling the purple and yellow plumber’s posterior. 

Iggy walked in, unfazed by the chaos that seems to be growing. “Luigi, it appears that you have a minutes to spare. May I speak with you in the hall?” Luigi nodded and followed the Koopa into the hallway. 

 

“Did you bring the poltergust?”

 

“Oh yeah.” Luigi had placed the poltergust outside the room in the hallway. He grabbed it and handed it to Iggy. “You’re not going to… to—“

 

“Do not worry Luigi. I’m not going to change Professor E. Gadds precious machine. Just adding to it to better fit the needs of this castle. All modifications are reversible.” Iggy said, inspecting the device. 

 

“Do you-a think I will need to use it while I’m-a here?” Luigi was still confused as to why Iggy wanted to modify the poltergust. Everyone else made it clear that there are no boos or ghost in the castle. 

 

“Oh, just wanted to see how another man of science builds his toys. It’s not like THERE ARE ANY BOOS IN THE CASTLE OR ANYTHING!” Iggy shouted, look around and over his shoulder. 

 

“Um…” Luigi stared at Iggy perplexed. 

 

“Like I said, not like their any boos in this castle. The modifications I plan to make are really to help with castle specific needs; clearing lava spills, dry bone transportation, bag removal, etc. They will be done before you finish the bathroom installation.”

 

“Oh, okie dokie.” Luigi turned to head back to work on the bathroom when he remembered. “Oh…um… where can I turn off the-a water to the bathroom? The pipes are shooting water like WOOOSSSSHH, and-and-and it’s getting everywhere, and-a we can’t-a no fix pipes like-a that.”

 

“The water valve is located in the basement of the castle. However, you will need to be escorted there as some of our prized possessions and heirlooms are also located there, as well as the tombs of our kings. Which reminds me, you will also need your new shell. Out of respect.” 

 

“Oh okay.”

 

“If you go down the hall and take a right you should run into either Ludwig or my Father. They will be able to escort you down there.” Iggy said, taking the poltergust with him. “Oh, quick question… have you or the other humans been getting lost in the castle?”

 

Luigi thought about it. He and Daisy for sure both have gotten lost just walking from one room to another. In fact, he hasn’t gotten his pajama tops because he still can’t find the room where Mario and Peach are in. He assumed they were all in the same hallway but he only sees his brother in the dining hall or elsewhere in the castle. “Yeah… come to-a think of it. This-a place, it’s-a so big.”

 

“Hmm… very interesting. Well, don’t get lost finding them. It’s just a simple walk down the hall and to the right.”

 

“Okie dokie.” With that, Luigi headed down the hall, confidently. However the confidence faded quickly as the right turn never seemed to come up. Their were plenty of left turns but never a right. Maybe Iggy was mistaken, or was referring to his own right which would have been Luigi’s left? This was getting confusing again. Luigi turned at the first left which lead down another hallway almost identical as the last. He walked and walked and walked until he found another left turn. Unfortunately for him, it lead down another hallways that looked identical to the last one again. Just how big was this castle and why is it later out so convoluted? Luigi was about to turn around and try to figure his way back when he heard a door open behind him. 

 

“Kamek I’m taking a break. All this scheduling is making my head—“ it was Bowser, who was just as surprised to see Luigi standing by the door to his office as the green plumber was. “Greenie… what you doing here?” 

 

“Oh I was-a looking for Ludwig, because the-a water, it’s-a still on, and we can’t-a fix the bathroom with the water still on. Then Iggy said he’s-a ‘down the hall to the right,’ and so I went and-and-and… I got-a lost.”

 

“Geez, for some Mushroom Kingdom ‘heros’, you guys don’t seem to have any sense of direction. This part of the castle ain’t even that big.” Bowser remarked. 

 

“Lord Bowser” Kamek said, trailing after Bowser. “We must finalize this list. I have the additional request from King Ba-omb and Princess Pea— oh I didn’t see you their Master Luigi.” 

 

“Yeah, Greenie here got lost trying to find Ludwig. Heh heh, to think I had those elaborate mazes and traps built to keep his pesky plumber brother out when I could have just stayed in my office.” He chucked, giving Luigi a hug slap on the back. 

 

“It is 11 o’clock sire. Master Ludwig will not be available until 6:00 pm. As you know, he rehearses with his orchestra, practices piano, and composes music during the day. He won’t be available to be reached for anything until all his task are done.” Kamek reminded Bowser. 

 

“Hmm… then it can’t be helped. I guess I will be the one that escorts Greenie here down to the basement.”

 

“But sire, surely one of the castle guards would be better suited for this task.” 

 

“No buts, besides I need a break from all this… meeting stuff.” Bowser snapped back. 

 

“Very well sire.” Kamek backed down. 

 

“Have the schedule ready for my approval when I get back.” 

 

“Of course sire.” 

 

Bowser looked back at Luigi. “You ready Greenie? We just got to get your shell and I’ll show you where they keep the plumbing stuff.”

 

Luigi nodded and, after a quick detour to his room, they headed to the basement. The staircase that led down below the castle was heavily guarded, however the guards quickly moved for the Koopa King. The stairwell down was unusually large and quiet long. The further down they went, the colder the air seemed to be. The sound of the castle and the outside storm faded to nothing. 

The bottom of the stairs ended at a huge door. A single guard stood by the door. Even as Bowser approached the guard did not move. 

 

Bowser spoke in a strange, unfamiliar language, “Schügardoubing est schœderbing.” The guard responded with a nod, unlocking the door and swinging it open.

 

The two walked through into an unlit hallway. “Um… what did you-a say back there?” Luigi said breaking the silence between them. 

 

“Oh that? Not sure. It’s old koopa tongue. I only know how to say that and hello. Hardly anyone speaks it anymore. Kamek knows more about it than me.” 

 

“Oh? I see.”

 

“What about you? You and your brother speak that gibberish language when you don’t want people to understand you? Is that some weird twin speak?”

 

“No no. It’s-a Italian. Italy is-a where we and our family are-a from.” 

 

“I thought you were from the Brooklyn Kingdom?” 

 

“We are, but we moved their when-a we were little bambini. We learned English when we-a came here but everyone in our-a family still only speaks Italian around us. So-a learning English was-a hard, and I-a still find it-a hard sometimes, and that’s why me and my-a bro talk-a different.” Luigi explained

 

“Ah I guess they also explains the nassely squeaky voices too.” 

 

“…uh… no that just-a my voice.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Yeah…” 

 

“…well we’re here.” Bowser said, ending the awkward interaction. 

 

The room opened to darkness,  familiar darkness. 

 

“We just got to get through… this area… it’s just a straight shot. No use turning on the lights or anything.” Bowser said. 

 

Luigi instinctively turned on his flashlight, illuminating the room—it was the dungeon. He hadn’t anticipated encountering it, but it made sense he might pass by it at some point. The dungeon’s cells housed small hanging cages, the kind that forced their occupants to either sit upright or stand. Luigi had found himself trapped in one of these cages twice since arriving: once upon their initial capture, and another time when Bradley kidnapped them.

Luigi had kept a secret: the nightmares. Frequently, he would dream of sitting alone in the dungeon, hearing the voices of other prisoners, or suddenly being suspended over a pit of lava. These nightmares would accrue without warning. The days he spent as Bowser’s prisoner blended into a haunting collage in his dreams. Sometimes, his nightmares diverged from reality, ending with him falling into the lava, being devoured by a mega-sized Bowser, mauled by Dry Bones, or blown up by Bob-ombs.

Even when awake, small confined spaces triggered those claustrophobic feelings of being in that cage. Elevators gave Luigi flashbacks of being hoisted toward the lava pit. The trauma of those days lingered, influencing his subconsciously.

Luigi remembered those first days so vividly. He and Mario got separated in the warp pipe, landing in the Darklands and getting captured by patrolling Shy Guys. The interrogations began immediately: first by Bowser, then by various Koopa Troopas. Luigi spent most of his days confined in a small cage, unable to sleep. The worst moments were being hoisted over a massive lava pit while Kamek announced that all prisoners would be lowered into the molten depths. He could still see the cage melting beneath him as he climbed out, Mario barely managing to grab him in time. The subsequent fight with Bowser, watching Bowser almost kill Mario, and then just barely eking out a win against him, left Luigi profoundly shaken.

For the first few weeks, everything scared him. He could barely sleep, rarely left their new cottage, and hardly ate. Mario didn't fare much better. Behind the closed doors of their home, Mario wouldn’t let Luigi out of his sight, panicking anytime Luigi wasn’t directly behind or beside him. But as time marched on, the effects of those traumatic days began to fade. Mario’s confidence grew, and he became less overbearing. However, this change was partly due to Luigi bottling up his feelings. He knew that Mario wouldn’t get better if he didn’t show signs of improvement. So Luigi forced himself to appear slightly less scared in front of Mario, to act as if those initial days were just a distant memory. 

It worked—almost too well—as Luigi locked those memories away, revisiting them only in his nightmares. But now, here he was, revisiting them fully awake and painfully aware, standing in the dungeon where it all started.

 

“Err… we probably should keep going. There ain’t nothing useful in—“ Before Bowser could finish, Luigi stepped into the dungeon cell. He looked around, pointing his flashlight around the cell. He found a hanging cage with its door wide open. Drawn, Luigi walked to it. He touched the bars lightly, walked around it, before sitting at the open door of the cage. 

 

“Um… Greenie?”

 

“Do you-a… still don’t-a remember me being here?” 

 

Bowser knew this would happen and wanted to avoid this conversation again. “ Sigh… no… kinda. I remember a human being one of the creatures I interrogated. But you, specifically, no.” 

 

“…oh…”

 

“You sound disappointed.”

 

“No, no, it’s-a just…” Luigi takes a deep breath. “… this was-a one of the scariest moments in life. Being here, it… it brings back-a memories.”

 

“Where you scared?”

 

“Yes… I was-a very scared. I was-a scared wouldn’t see my-a brother again.”

 

“Are you still scared?”

 

Luigi paused to think about it. As he sat at the edge of the cage in that dark dungeon, he realized he wasn’t scared. There was a weight of emotions sitting like a knot in the pit of his stomach, but it wasn’t fear. It was much more complex than that. “No… it’s-a just… I don’t-a know.”

 

Luigi grappled with reconciling the Bowser he first met with the Bowser he knew now. They almost felt like completely different Koopas. Even after those initial days and his defeat, Bowser continued to cause problems for the Mushroom Kingdom, but never to the same extent as when they first met. For a little more than two years, he watched as his brother Mario went toe-to-toe with Bowser. Back then, Luigi only saw Bowser as a monster. In the last few weeks, Luigi almost forgot those feelings, that view of Bowser. But now, he saw a father, a ruler of a kingdom that adored him, and, dare he say it, a friend. 

But something still lingered: why had Bowser been so monstrous back then? Since those early days, Bowser hadn't attempted anything as heinous as killing his adversaries or prisoners. He had kidnapped Princess Peach multiple times, but each rescue seemed to come more easily. He had even unwittingly helped Mario and Peach, albeit out of selfish reasons. So why, when he barely knew Mario and Luigi, had he tried to kill them along with dozens of others? If it weren’t for the star, they would surely all be dead. How could the Bowser who once tried to end their lives be the same Bowser who helped Luigi off the mountain and was now providing them shelter from a brutal storm? Luigi looked up at Bowser, the question just behind his lips.

 

“ Sigh… you want to know why I put you in here all those years ago.” Luigi nodded. Bowser took a deep breath and sat on the floor, getting eye level with the green plumber. 

 

"Well, I need to give you some context so you can understand. These aren't excuses, but they'll explain a few things that might not make sense. And I'm NOT apologizing either. I'm not exactly a nice guy, after all. Other rulers would've done far worse if you had landed in their territory. I can't imagine the T-rexes and Chain Chomps doing anything but eating you on the spot."

 

Bowser settled in, readying himself for the story. Luigi's expression was intense but opaque. "First, you gotta know, things in the Darklands weren't looking up before you guys popped up here. I'm a king of a certain age, and my legacy is a huge deal around here. Every king before me left a mark on the kingdom. Everyone except me... yet. Marrying Peach was supposed to be my legacy. I would be the king who brought the Mushroom Kingdom to its knees without wasting resources. Through marriage alone, I would have the Mushroom Kingdom and all her allies under my thumb. With the birth of my son and the expulsion of his mother, this desire to marry Peach became greater, to give my son a mother. But my goals were constantly stopped when the Mushroom Kingdom joined forces with the Kongs, Sarasasland, even the freakin' penguins. My subjects were growing impatient with me and my singular goal of marrying the Princess. I got... a little desperate.

I decided to put all my shells on the line and go all out. I had my armies invade some of the Mushroom Kingdom’s allies, stole their stars, all in an effort to weaken the Toads so that when I took Peach, there wouldn’t be any pushback. I planned a massive wedding to impress not only Peach but all my subjects. That's when we started taking prisoners, and... unfortunately, that's when you arrived. When my troops found you and you told me there were two of you, I won't lie, it kind of sent me into a spiral. I thought that if I could impress Princess Peach with might and power, she would have no choice but to marry me. But now there were more humans here, and one of them basically landed in her lap, and what's worse, he's playing hero.

I pushed the wedding forward and became the bloodthirsty king my father and his father were. I didn't want these newbie humans—you and your brother—to make a fool out of me. I needed to make examples of him and, of course, the wedding sacrifices. The wedding sacrifice... it's an old, outdated tradition that the first kings would do to their enemies. It was a last-minute addition to appease the older folks in my kingdom, to show that I meant business. But... well, you know how it went.

I didn't regain the respect of my people until I broke out of that flimsy prison those Toads made for me. After all that, I kept on going with my plan, but deep down I knew it was pointless. Peach had her hero now, and I was nothing more than the monster."

Bowser looked over at Luigi who was just sitting there, eyes transfixed on the floor. “So that’s the whole “my side of the story.” You where out in here because you happen to land here when I was at my worst. Not exactly my proudest moment, but… yeah.”

Bowser's eyes meandered away from Luigi. “You probably think I’m some sort of monster again, like you did back then huh.” 

 

Luigi didn’t say anything. His mind swirled with the contradictory image he had of Bowser. The Bowser he knew back then isn’t the same Bowser that’s there with him in that dungeon. And then it struck him. Sitting on the edge of the cage Luigi looked over at Bowser. Arms crossed defensively, head turned away. The Bowser of then wasn’t a monster, he was an insecure ruler. Out of fear, Bowser did some unthinkable things. Out of a lack of understanding, many of those things continued long after the failed wedding. 

 

“No… I don’t.” Luigi finally answered. 

 

“Hphmm… you should.”

 

“But I-a don’t.”

 

“Why not? 

 

“I don’t-a know.” Luigi paused and took a deep breath. “Those days… after being-a rescued I did think the-a worst of you. But…”

 

“But?”

 

“But… I got to-a know you. And I-a think differently now. I still don’t-a like what you did when-a I first got here… and it-a still scares me sometimes. But I-a know that’s not-a you…”

 

“Heh, you sure about that?”

 

“It’s-a not just you. You’re-a more than the Bowser I first met.” Luigi paused as a thought bubbled up. “Heh heh.” 

“Whats so funny?” 

 

“Nothing, nothing…its just… I-a wonder what would-a happen if I met this Bowser. Or if I-a landed here during the-a storm.” Luigi mused. 

 

Bowser wasn’t one to entertain ‘what if’ scenarios. But the thought was slightly entertaining. “Who's to say things would have been different? What, you think we would also be friends or something? The Mushroom Kingdom hated me before I was even born.”

 

“I-a think we would have been.” Luigi said, this time looking directly at Bowser. 

 

Bowser quickly averted his eyes. “Geez Greenie, way to make a guy feel all guilty and what not.”

 

“Heh heh scu— sorry.”

 

“And what are you apologizing for huh? If anyone should be sorry it’s me. I’m the bad guy here after all… w-w-which I’m not! Apologizing that is. I’m still the bad guy here. 

 

The two sat in the silence of the dungeon, their eyes wandering in the dim, cold space. Luigi used the quiet to process everything he felt, to reflect on the past and consider the future. He didn't have an answer, nor did he need one right then. He just needed time.

 

Beside him, Bowser sat quietly, waiting. Perhaps he wanted to apologize, but his pride held him back. Maybe he felt he didn't deserve forgiveness. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words and shared reflections.

 

When they were ready, they both rose silently. Without a word, they left the dungeon. 

 

It took a little longer and more stairs before they reached another door. The hallway opened up into a grand room, far from what Luigi expected for a basement. The walls were adorned with paintings, but unlike the ones in the castle, these didn't depict Koopa Kings and Generals. Instead, they showcased a wide variety of subjects: still life, koopas engaged in everyday activities, abstract and surrealist works, portraits, and grand scenes of sprawling cities and landscapes. Sculptures were scattered throughout, representing the same diverse themes. Essentially, this was an art museum. Luigi gawked at the art, amazed that such a treasure trove was hidden underground and guarded from everyone. Enamored by it all, he didn't realize how far ahead Bowser had gone.

 

“Hey, Greenie, keep up, will ya! Can’t have you getting lost down here too,” Bowser shouted from the door on the other side of the room.

 

Luigi picked up the pace, still admiring all the artwork. They passed through a glass sliding door into another room, this one adorned with musical instruments. At the center was a grand piano, but it was the double bass that caught Luigi’s eye.

 

“You play?” Bowser said, noticing the green plumbers fixation. 

 

“Oh no… not anymore. I- a use to back in-a high school. But I wasn’t-a very good.”

 

“Hmm…” Bowser walked over to the bass, grabbed it from its stand, and handed it to Luigi. “Play.”

 

“What?”

 

“Play something.” Bowser flicked a switch illuminating a spot light above the bass and Luigi. 

 

“Like-a what?”

 

“Anything.”

 

Luigi looked up at the double bass, which was taller than him. As he wondered if he could still play, his fingers instinctively moved into position on the fingerboard. He didn't have a bow, but he could pluck the strings. His fingers reached down and plucked the D string, and a torrent of bittersweet memories flooded back.

Bitter memories of high school band and its brutal band director. Bitter because being the only string instrument in a wind ensemble made him a target for the director’s constant criticism. Bitter because he had to quit band due to the rising annual cost that strained the family. 

But there were sweet memories too. Sweet because for their brief time in band, Mario was there too, playing the saxophone. Sweet because even after they both had to quit, Mario and Luigi still played their instruments together at home.

Before Luigi knew it, he was playing a simple bass line from his favorite piece, and the only one he could remember from back then: ‘Autumn Leaves .’

As Luigi closed his eyes and played, the notes just seemed to flow out, as if he had never stopped. Behind him, the sound of a piano accompanied him. It was Bowser, but he wasn’t playing ‘Autumn Leaves ,’ he was improvising. New chords and melodies recolored this piece Luigi played. Together, the two made something new, something exciting. Luigi began to meander from the prescribed melody and Bowser followed suit. It was a dance made in music that seemed to loose track of time. The two managed to end together, as if this was a piece they had played together for ages. 

“Wowie zowie I didn’t know you-a played the piano!” Luigi exclaimed. 

 

“Why wouldn’t I, this is my piano after all.” Bowser boasted. 

 

Luigi was somewhat shocked by that revelation. He had assumed all the art and instruments belonged to Ludwig. “But… why is it-a down here?” Luigi asked. 

 

“No one seemed to care about it. My music, the art down here. It’s not exactly what the Darklands are known for artsy stuff, but when I was a hatchling, I learned how to play the piano, and it made me more… well rounded. When I was raising the koopalings I wanted them to do something artistic to make them well rounded too. In fact, I taught Ludwig the piano.”

 

“You did?!”

 

“Yep… he's since gotten way better than his old man now. The boy is obsessed with music. I couldn't get Junior or the other Koopalings to sit down long enough to teach them. So I let them pick their own artistic paths. Lemmy chose acting and circus clown stuff. Roy picked drums… unfortunately. Morton plays bass guitar, not the kind bass you play Greenie. Wendy dances and sings, though the dancing has gotten a little too risqué for my liking. Larry is all over the place but mostly sticks to electric guitar… really anything loud. Iggy is the odd one out; he doesn’t do anything artsy. It’s all science and nerd stuff with him. 

Oh, and Junior. Junior is a painter. He loves art. All those paintings are pieces he picked out. I think few might even be his own that he snuck in. Never know with that kid." Bowser beamed as he talked about his kids. 

 

“Why didn’t you-a tell me you and-a your kids where-a so… talented?!” Luigi exclaimed.

 

“You didn’t asked. Besides, you mushroom kingdom folks seem to only care about feats of heroism and athletics. You guys go all out putting on the interkingdom games. Figured you guys wouldn’t care about music and art.”

 

There was a ring of truth to what Bowser said. The Mushroom Kingdom doesn’t have a flourishing arts and music culture. For the Toads, art and music were just a means to make things look pretty or serve as background to their hero worship. They much preferred acts of athleticism as it gave them more people to cheer for. Despite being in the Mushroom Kingdom for as long as they had been, Luigi was still surprised how long he could go without hearing any music or seeing any art that wasn’t just a picture or statue of Peach. Despite being in the Mushroom Kingdom for as long as they had been, Luigi was still surprised how long he could go without hearing any music or seeing any art that wasn’t just a picture or statue of Peach. However, Peach did enjoy art and music. When Mario first arrived in this world, he happened to have his CD player with a disc of his favorite songs. He eventually gave it to Peach, and when she was alone, it wasn’t uncommon to find her listening to it with the headphones on. Additionally, Mario always made a point to bring Peach trinkets and souvenirs from the kingdoms and places he visited. He told Luigi that she kept them in a secret place in her room where she could admire them in private.

Luigi couldn't help but think that Bowser might have made a better impression on Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom if he had led with his artistic side. 

 

“We better get going.” Bowser said, breaking Luigi’s train of thought. “Water valves don’t turn themselves. Plus Kamek is probably have a fit right now.”

 

Luigi almost forgot why they were down there. They proceeded further into a highly ornate part of the basement. Bowser didn’t explain where they were, but he didn’t need to. This was a mausoleum, where all the kings were laid to rest. Portraits of previous kings lined the walls just above large sealed shelves that presumably held their remains. Luigi now understood why he had to wear his shell—it was a sign of respect.

They continued past the deceased kings in silence to an inconspicuous door. In sharp contrast to the ornate decor of the mausoleum, this area was very plain and industrial. Exposed pipes, wires, and structural beams made up the walls. This was an area Luigi was more familiar with. His trade school training kicked in as he began to make mental notes of what pipes went where.

 

“Here it is… I think,” Bowser said, pointing to a row of huge wheels attached to even bigger pipes. Each was labeled with various parts of the castle. The wheels themselves were much bigger than Luigi. There was no way Luigi would be able to turn these by himself. “I forgot how big they are, heh heh. Well… good thing I’m here, right?” Bowser commented.

 

Bowser attempted to move the wheel, but it moved very slowly. “Um… maybe I can-a help?” 

 

Bowser looked at him unconvincingly, but nodded. The two struggled to turn the wheel until, after a loud crashing noise, the wheel spun wildly hurling luigi around. The green plumber let go, launching himself straight at Bowser. 

 

THUD

 

“Mama Mia…” Luigi opened his eyes. The water valve was turned off. Bowser was also face to face with the plumber as he laid cradled in his arms. Their eyes met as time seemed to stand still. Luigi felt heat radiate from his face. 

 

“…woah there. Here… let me help you up.”

 

Luigi suddenly seemed to lose the ability to speak. “What? Ninji got your tongue?””

 

“Oh, Scusi. And-a grazie!” Luigi said, regaining his composure. 

 

“Good… well, we should probably head back. Kamek is probably having a heart attack dealing with the delegates and other kings. And you still got that bathroom and the knuckleheads Ludwig hired.” 

 

Luigi had a sudden realization that Wario and Waluigi were still upstairs in Iggy’s bathroom waiting for him. “Mama Mia, I-a totally forgot!”

 

The two briskly began their ascent up the stairs, but the journey seemed to drag on much longer than expected. Bowser huffed in frustration. "Hmph, this is taking too long. Hang on."

 

Without warning, Bowser scooped Luigi back into his arms. Luigi instinctively grabbed onto Bowser's arms and shoulders. Suddenly, Bowser started sprinting up the stairs. The world became a blur of motion for Luigi as Bowser's powerful strides ate up the distance. Within minutes, they were back on the main floor, Luigi still cradled securely in Bowser's grasp.

 

Bowser placed Luigi down, while trying to catch his breath. “There… we… made… it… with…phew… time… to spare.” Bowser wasn’t as agile and quick like he used to be, but he would be the last to admit that. 

Luigi was still flustered. He had never been carried like that, never been cradled like that. It felt… nice. Going up those stairs, Luigi felt a sense of warmth and protection. Yeah, it was just a means to get up the stairs quicker but it felt… different. 

 

“Grazie grazie Bowser. I… I-a better go.” Luigi turned to go, but stopped short of doing so. “Are you-a okie dokie?” He said, looking on at a still panting Bowser. 

 

“Yeah… I’m… fine. Just catching… my… breath.” 

 

“Okie dokie…” Luigi said tentatively before finally leaving. 

 

It was only a few minutes before Luigi made it back to Iggy's room. Unfortunately, no progress was made since leaving to turn off the water. In fact they got worse as none of them capped the pipe that was spewing out water.  Wario and Waluigi were, instead, playing cards as water pooled around their feet. 

 

“Finally! The-a lame Mario is back. Good thing too, Waluigi was-a just about to loose all his-a money.” Wario gloated. 

 

“I-a wouldn’t be loosing if you weren’t-a CHEATING!!” 

 

Luigi sighed, frustrated at the thought of working with Wario and Waluigi. He began mopping up the water and brought in a fan that Iggy had lent him to dry the floor. The duo only started helping when Iggy lied, claiming Ludwig was on his way over—a small gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Luigi. By the end of the day, they had accomplished practically nothing. If it had been Mario and Luigi, the job would be nearly done. Now, it looked like Luigi would have to take on this Herculean task alone. 

 

Later that evening in his room, Luigi had washed up and was preparing to head to the dining hall for dinner when he heard a knock on the door. 

 

“Master Luigi…” a red shelled koopa troopa said at the threshold of the door. “It had been requested of you and all other guests not of royal lineage to kindly stay in your rooms for dinner tonight.”

 

“Oh?” Luigi was a bit taken back by this request. 

 

“"For the privacy of our royal guest, tonight's dinner is limited to those who have scheduled an audience with the king tomorrow. All other guests will resume their usual interactions with Lord Bowser after the dinner. We will inform you when you are allowed to leave your rooms. Please note that the dining hall and all adjacent areas will be under heavy guard to ensure the safety and privacy of the proceedings. Dinner will be delivered to your rooms shortly. Are there any questions?” The koopa troopa said very flatly. 

 

“Um… is-a Princess Peach and-a Dai—“

 

“Both Princesses of the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland will be in attendance. Anything else?” The koopa interrupted. 

 

“Oh okie dokie.”

 

The Koopa Troopa left, leaving Luigi alone in his room. A few minutes later, he heard a knock at the door. When he opened it, he found a tray of food left outside—just a simple stew and bread with a glass of water. Bowser had mentioned that the kitchen staff was reduced to a skeleton crew, so the lavish, customized meals were no longer an option. Still, the stew was pretty good. After eating and brushing his teeth, Luigi went to bed, still without his pajama shirt. It didn’t take long for him to drift off to sleep, as the day's work had worn him out.

 

As Luigi slept, a familiar dream began to unfold in his mind. In the dream, he was captured and brought before the throne of an imposing, fire-breathing turtle. He found himself magically lifted to eye level with the beast.

 

"Do you, invader, know anything about the human who accompanies the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom? He looks a lot like you—goofy hat, overalls, and a little mustache very similar to this one," the turtle said, caressing Luigi's cheek.

 

"I-I-I don’t-a-a-a know. But it-a sounds like she has-a good taste. Heh heh heh," Luigi stammered, nervously laughing.

 

"Jokes. A real comedian, this one is. It's so funny, I forgot to laugh." The giant turtle's tone grew more menacing. "Do you know who I am, funny man?"

 

"Um... gulp... I-I-I’m afraid I-a don’t, sorry," Luigi stammered.

 

"I'm King Bowser, ruler of these lands and soon the entire world. I plan to have the Princess by my side. But..." Bowser's claw began to travel down the plumber's chest.

 

"Umm..." Luigi's eyes widened nervously, tracking the claws.

 

"Oh yes. I think the Princess can keep the red one; I'll take this one for myself," Bowser said, turning to Kamek. "With a few minor wardrobe changes, you'll make a perfectly fine queen for me." He flicked open the straps of Luigi's overalls with a grin.

 

Luigi quickly grabbed his overalls, preventing them from falling completely off. But with his hands occupied, Bowser had free rein to undo the buttons on Luigi's shirt. "What say you, funny man? Care to rule the world with me?" Bowser whispered softly into Luigi's ear.

 

"It’s a t-t-t-tempting o-o-o-offer, but I-I-I-I d-d-don’t-a-a-a... HO-HO... know. M-m-m-m-maybe I-I-I can-a th-th-think about it," Luigi stammered, trying to respond while Bowser's muzzle explored his neck and now bare shoulder.

 

With a swift motion, Bowser swung Luigi around, and as if by magic, they found themselves in Bowser's private room. "You dare make a King wait? Especially after an offer like that?" Bowser growled, a hint of amusement in his voice.

 

“Well… GULP… I-I-I do want to-a go over it with-with-with my brother. He might—”

 

“Shhh…” Bowser pressed a finger to Luigi’s lips. “This isn’t about your pesky brother. It’s about what you want.” The finger slipped briefly into Luigi’s mouth before trailing down his body, sending an exhilarating shiver through the plumber.

 

“Perhaps there’s something else distracting you,” Bowser mused, his eyes drifting downward. Luigi followed his gaze, realizing with a flush of embarrassment his excitement was clearly visable, straining against his boxers. His whole body turned red with mortification.

 

“Let me ease your mind and provide some… mental clarity,” the Koopa King purred, teasing the waistband of Luigi’s boxers with his claw

 

"WHHAAA..." Luigi jolted awake in a cold sweat. He'd had that nightmare countless times before, with different endings, but never like… that. This particular dream always ended badly, and it certainly never ended so strangely. Luigi felt an uncomfortable tightness in his pajamas, a sensitivity he hadn't experienced since his teenage years. He quickly checked under the covers— still dry, but definitely... excited. More excited than he had ever been in his adult life, embarrassingly so. "Maybe it will-a go away if I-a go back to sleep," he thought, but every time he closed his eyes, his mind raced back to the dream, making things worse.

How did this happen? How could he have a dream like that about Bowser, of all people? Bowser was a friend, and that was it. A very nice friend. A very nice, intimidating friend who was a great father. He was scary but had a sweet side. He was very strong, with a low, gravelly voice. He had prominent muscles, big strong arms, but was surprisingly warm and soft to the touch. 

 

These thoughts were not helpful to Luigi at this moment.

 

The green plumber lay in bed, trying to think of anything else, but every thought kept circling back to Bowser. Eventually, he managed to fall asleep, but only got a meager three hours of rest before the sun woke him. Unfortunately, his situation hadn't changed. He got up, started his morning routine, and dealt with his problem as quickly as possible. Then, tired and flustered, he headed to the dining hall for breakfast, hoping no one would notice the distressing night he had endured.

 

Notes:

Headcanon notes;

Before the storm rulers, allies and former rulers will travel to the Darklands in hopes to be stranded during the storm. This is done to curry favor from Bowser and take advantage of his hospitality. This is also a tradition to mimic the first time the dark lens provided shelter to those stranded in the storm. This practice had gone unknown to the Mushroom Kingdom and its allies.

Chapter 19: Let’s make a Deal

Summary:

Peach looks to flex her title as Princess and actually use her time wisely at Bowser's castle and broker a peace treaty. Mario seeks to restore peace with his brother and maybe try to see Bowser in a new light (key word try). Luigi seeks to get his job done and make good on a promise he made on a mountain. Wario and Waluigi are just looking for easiest way to get paid. And lastly, Iggy seeks to cash in on a promise Bowser made years ago. Lets make a deal shall we.

Notes:

There are two nods in this chapter that I wanted to mention.

The first is a reference to another Super Mario Bros. fan comic called Overalls and Funny Hats. This webcomic was one of the first things that reignited my love for the Mario Bros. and got me down the fanfic and fan art rabbit hole. I wanted to include a small Easter egg to one of their most well known short webcomics.

The second reference is to Norman Rockwell’s painting "Four Freedoms," especially "Freedom from Want” This famous painting shows a family gathered around a Thanksgiving table, and I thought it would be funny to reference it in an illustration, combining the Mario Bros. universe with this classic image.

Mario stood apprehensively just outside the threshold of Bowser's office, his body tense with anxiety. Today was the day Bowser had announced—the day when all the guest rulers could speak with him one-on-one, potentially to ask for help or assistance. Normally, Princess Peach wouldn't be part of these meetings, as they were typically reserved for Bowser's allies. She wasn't even supposed to be in the Darklands during the storm. But when the opportunity arose, Peach, not looking to waste her time stuck in his castle, eagerly took it, hoping to finally end the conflict between her kingdom and the Darklands.

 

Mario fully supported her goal but remained wary of Bowser, especially now that Peach was meeting with him alone. However, Bowser had allowed Peach to leave the door open during their discussion, likely because she was the last one scheduled to speak with him. Additionally, all other guests were prohibited from being in the adjoining halls while these meetings took place, ensuring privacy. Still, Mario couldn't shake the feeling that Bowser knew he was there. 

 

Standing perfectly still, Mario strained to catch every word from the office, his final power-up stashed in his overall pocket, ready in case he needed to rescue the princess. He listened carefully, his senses heightened, determined to protect Peach if things took a turn for the worse.

 

Bowser was sitting at his desk, looking at some paperwork. 

 

“Bows— Lord Bowser, I—“

 

“Wait…” Bowser cut her, eyes still fixed on his work. He shuffled and read through more papers, stacked them neatly before stamping them. He pressed a button on his desk. “Kamek, tell King Goomba I’ll grant his first request but that’s all. He will not get mystic falls for the goombas. We will work out the details tomorrow.”

 

“Understood.” A distorted voice spoke from his desk intercom. 

 

Bowser attention moved towards the princess. “Well…”

 

“Oh-um yes… Lord Bowser, as you know, our kingdoms have never known peace among each other. And though your motives to unite the kingdoms were noble, the ‘method’ only further drove us away. However our time—“

 

“Princess, I don’t have time for a history lesson alright. Will you just spit it out already?” Bowser impatiently interrupted. 

 

“Um… okay… I would like to propose a peace treaty.”

 

“A peace treaty?

 

“Yes.” Peach answered confidently. 

 

“Under who’s authority?”

 

“My own.”

 

“BWAHAHAAA oh… that’s rich.” Bowser laughed almost to tears. 

 

“I don’t find peace between our kingdoms funny.”

 

Bowser collected himself. “What’s funny is you thinking you can broker a deal like a peace treaty Princess.”

 

“And what’s so funny about that?”

 

"You're a princess, which means you have no real authority over anything. Your job is to look pretty and marry whoever Toadsworth and his council decide on. You're just a figurehead with money and a castle, waiting for some dingus with wealth and power to come along and sweep you away... though in your case, you chose a dingus with a plunger. Bwahaha!"

 

Bowser was right. Peach had no real power or authority in her kingdom, barely any autonomy at all. In truth, she wasn't just an occasional prisoner of Bowser but was also imprisoned in her own castle under the guise of protection. It was only with Mario's arrival that she gained some freedom to travel, though even then it was always under his watchful eye. Her supposed rule over the Mushroom Kingdom was a facade. Early in her reign, she believed she was in charge, but all her decisions were filtered and implemented by Toadsworth and the council. Nothing she wanted would happen without Toadsworth's approval. They spun it to the public as if she was the one making the decisions, but it didn’t take long for her to realize she was never in control. She was merely a figurehead, an icon for her people to pin their hopes on—a beacon of hope, but never an agent of change, never a true leader.

She had been content to play her role, but being here in the Darklands stirred something in her. Seeing Bowser's transformation gave her hope—not just for achieving real peace for her kingdom but also for the possibility that her own station in life could change. For the first time, she began to believe that she could be more than a symbol, that she could actually lead and make a difference.

 

“I know I have no power.” Peach said, breaking the silence between them. “But I have influence. Toadsworth  listens to me, the council trusts me, and my people know I only want what’s best for them. If I present them with this plan, and have your word, getting Toadsworth and my council on board will not be an issue.” 

 

"And you really think a few pretty words and a sweet smile are going to erase centuries of bad blood between our kingdoms? Ha! Don’t make me laugh. This conflict started long before either of us came along, Princess. Toadsworth and your council won't just flip their stance because you ask nicely."

 

"They will if I present them with an offer they can't refuse," Peach responded, placing a document on Bowser's desk. "I've outlined everything in this peace treaty. If you review it, you'll see it benefits both our lands. Of course, we can negotiate the details, but—"

 

"Negotiate?" Bowser interrupted, standing and leaning closer to Peach. "Why would I need to negotiate when I could just take everything I want by force? Your peace treaty overlooks the fact that I could get everything you've laid out and more, simply by overpowering you."

 

Mario tensed up, readying himself for a fight, but Peach remained calm and unfazed by Bowser's threat. "If that were true, you would have done it already." Bowser was taken aback by her words. "The fact that you’ve mainly targeted me shows you don’t want an all-out war. Your ancestors would have laid siege to my kingdom from day one. History shows that’s exactly what they did. But you... you tried to unite our kingdoms through marriage, albeit forced. You didn't unleash your full army or attack my people, and we've had no casualties in our conflicts. That tells me you don't want a war, and neither do your people. They're happier under your rule than under your predecessors. You wouldn't jeopardize that with a full-scale invasion. That's why, if you look at this treaty, you'll see that it's more beneficial for you and your kingdom than trying to take everything by force."

 

Bowser sat with Peach’s statement, her observation of him. Unfortunately for him, it was spot on. Despite touting him himself as a ruthless dictator, he has been the softest and most liked king the Darklands has ever had. A legacy that unfortunately has negative connotations within his royal circle. While his people have enjoyed the time of peace they have had, those on his own council and those of high rank in his army sees it as a weakness. And with the whole Bradley situation, Bowser feared that that sentiment is beginning to grow within his people. “Bold of you to assume you know me. What would you do if I, King Bowser, invaded your kingdom while you are locked in a cage here. With you all being here, it would be so easy to overwhelm your kingdom. Your pesky plumber may have fought off a few of my koopa troopas, but my arm numbers in the 100,000s. And, with our mandatory military service requirements, I could easily triple that number. No amount of fire flowers or mushrooms could save the Mushroom Kingdom. What would you do then Princess?”

 

“I… don’t know. And I hope to never find out. That’s why I’m ask—begging you, please look at the peace treaty.” Peach pleaded, push the document closer to Bowser. “Our kingdoms don’t have to live like this. You said it yourself, we, my people, know nothing about the Darklands beyond our shared histories. But it’s doesn’t have to be that way. We can change that.”

 

Bowser snatched the document. “It’s still a moot point. Toadsworth will—“

 

“Let me worry about Toadsworth and the council. Just please, look it over.”

 

RING RING RING

 

“Well Princess, our time is up.”

 

“What?”

 

“You were last on the list, not to mention a late add. You get significantly less time than anyone else. Be glad I was able to squeeze you in to begin with.” Bowser said, shuffling Peach’s treaty into his stack of documents. 

 

“Of course… but…”

 

“What now?”

 

“Can I ask one last thing?” 

 

“ Sigh… make it quick. I don’t have all day you know.” Bowser barked. 

 

“What are your intentions with Luigi?” This question caught both Bowser and Mario off guard. 

 

“What do you mean?” 

 

“It’s obvious that you are treating Luigi with a significant difference from everyone else. As his friend, I just want to know if their—“

 

“—if I’m scheming something, right?” Bower cut her off defensively. 

 

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

 

“Well rest assure, your precious green plumber isn’t in any danger if that’s what you’re thinking. Believe it or not, I know how to treat my guest and HE knows how to be a greatful. Plus he’s entertaining and helpful, unlike another boring plumber that’s just mooching off of my generosity. You could all learn a thing or two from him.”

 

“Oh…” Peach couldn’t tell how true his statement was, but she did believe him that he meant no harm to Luigi. 

 

“Does that answer your question Princess?” 

 

“Yes it’s does.” 

 

“Good, and I hope your little lap dog Mario heard that as well. And just to let you know, it’s rude to have someone eve’s dropping on private conversations. Bowser said, raising his voice just enough for Mario to hear him. Mario stepped out from behind the wall and stood in the threshold of the office. “Now if you can excuse me…”

 

“Yes of course.” Peach turned and headed towards the doorway. “And… thank you Bowser.”

 

“Hmph…” Bowser grunted, turning his attention back to his paperwork. 

 

Peach and Mario didn’t say anything until they left that entire wing of the castle. Peach looked as if she was completely lost in thought. 

 

“Um… Princess. You know, if-a that big stupido turtle doesn’t want to-a play nice, you-a know I’ll always protect you. He’s a big-a jerk and if he-a doesn’t see how-a good this would-a be for—“

 

“He didn’t throw away my treaty.” Peach said, 

 

“Oh?”

 

“He didn’t throw away my treaty. He added to his pile of documents. I don’t know if that means he’s actually going to read it but… but it’s a start.” Peach said as a slight smile came across her face. 

 

“Hmm… yeah. That is-a somethin.”

 

“I got to let Daisy know! We might have a treaty just yet!” Peach began running down the hall, Mario in hand. 

 

Just before they made it to their room, Mario spotted Ludwig. “Um… Princess, you-a go work out the-a treaty without-a me. I… I need to-a take care of something.”

 

Back in Iggy’s bathroom, Luigi found himself still doing the bulk of the work. So far they managed to at least get the tub in place and connected to the castle water system. But their still was a lot to do, and Wario and Waluigi were not helping the process. 

 

“Waluigi, can you-a hand me the-a Phillips screwdriver?” Luigi asked while he held the shower head in place.

 

“Here.” 

 

“This is an Allen wrench.” Luigi said, frustrated. 

 

“Same-a thing.” Waluigi said, barely looking up from his magazine. 

 

“They are-a not the same thing! I-a need a screwdriver and I can’t-a reach it from here. Just-a… please give me a Phillips screwdriver from-a my tool bag.”

 

“Eehh, I’ll get it in a little bit.”

 

“Fine… I’ll get it-a myself.” Unfortunately for Luigi, this meant placing he shower head down after he just spent all that time lining it up perfectly. When he turned around to get the tool, he saw Wario fully enjoying his lunch. 

 

“Wario… why are you-a eating all ready? It’s 10 in the-a morning.”

 

“It’s-a breakfast.”

 

“You-a just ate breakfast.”

 

“It’s-a brunch.”

 

Luigi rubbed the bridge of his nose out of frustration. “Look… I-a thought we agreed that-a you would mount the-a sink. We are already behind-a schedule. We-a don’t have time—“

 

“Look here loser Mario, it will-a get done. Just in-a mine time. Take a chill pill and-a let old Wario show you how it’s-a done.” Wario kicked his legs up on a bench, knocking over Luigi’s new toolbox. 

 

“WHAAA!” Luigi dove for them but couldn’t stop the inevitable. His new tools scattered everywhere. 

 

As the green plumber gathered his fallen tool, he noticed the bag was missing. “Wow, this is a nice-a tool bag. Not like the-a rusty box Wario has us caring around.” Waluigi was inspecting the toolbox Bowser had gifted Luigi. 

 

“Hey give that back!” Luigi shouted, his frustration elevating to irritation. 

 

“You and your-a brother. You already have a nice tool box at-a home, yes? I doubt you’ll-a miss this one. 

 

“But…but that was a gift.” 

 

“A gift? For us? You-a hear that Wario, it’s a gift. Ha ha ha haaa.” 

 

“Awww, you shouldn’t have. We’ll gladly accept your gift. Of course we will need all those nice new tools too. Can’t have a toolbox without-a tools.”

 

“But I didn’t give—“

 

“Why don’t-a you be all koopa nice and pick up my new tools for me, eh?” Waluigi interrupted. 

 

“Don’t take too long, we’re behind schedule. Bwhahahaa!” Both Wario and Waluigi laughed, throwing Luigi’s words right back at him. 

 

As their laughter reached its peak, Wario felt a sudden weight land on his belly. Before either of them could react, Waluigi found himself face-to-face with a familiar red cap. Mario had been on his way to help with the repairs and witnessed the entire exchange. Without missing a beat, he sprang into action, leaping onto Wario's belly, using it as a springboard. Mario then launched himself into a headbutt, landing squarely on Waluigi's nose, and deftly snatched Luigi's toolbox from their grasp.

 

“OUCH!! You little—why are you-a here MARIO!” 

 

“I’m-a here to work… unlike you two.” Mario said, handing Luigi back his toolbox. 

 

“We-a don’t need your help. Who invited uou anyways?!” Waluigi demanded, still running his nose. 

 

“I did.” It was Ludwig standing in the doorway holding a stack of sheet music. “Mario had come to me days ago offering his assistance as, at much lower rate I might add, and since you three can’t seem to work efficiently, I figured a fourth will speed things up.” 

 

“We will-a get the job done. Just-Just in-a our own special way.” Wario tried to defend his methods. 

 

“Well, your special way is taking too damn long. And I don’t pay you to eat on the job. This little snack break is getting docked from your pay.”

 

“WHAAAAT!?!?”

 

“Now get back to work! You still have two more rooms after this.”

 

“Wait, two more rooms? I don’t-a remember agreeing to-a this?” Waluigi chimed. 

 

“It’s literally in your contract. The remaining rooms that need their bathrooms repaired are Roy’s and Morton’s.  

 

“We-a not going to-a finish all that. That’s at least a months of-a worth of work. Besides, I’m not working with-a looser 1 and looser 2. It was bad-a enough working with one of them, I can’t-a work with both of them.” Waluigi argued. 

 

“If you don’t finish the work, none of you get paid. That’s also in your contract.” Ludwig reminded them all. 

 

Mario had been quietly listening to their conversation when he was struck with a brilliant idea. “I got an idea, how about a race?”

 

“A what?” Wario chimed in. 

 

“A race to see who can-a finish the repairs the fastest.” Mario suggested. 

 

“And-a how would that-a benefit me?” Wario asked. 

 

“Winner can supervise the-a last bathroom with the-a others repair it.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“And-and winner takes the losers earnings.”

 

“Ho ho ho, now you are-a speaking language.”

 

Luigi shot Mario a concerned glance, worry etched on his face. But Mario, ever the confident brother, met his gaze with a playful and sly wink. Mario’s demeanor conveyed a deep trust in their shared skills and an unshakeable belief in their ability to outshine Wario and Waluigi. He knew that when it came to plumbing, the Mario brothers were unbeatable. This was their domain, their expertise. With a confident nod, Mario silently conveyed that they would show their rivals just how exceptional they truly were.

 

Wario and Waluigi huddled together, whispering urgently. They knew that deep down, they didn't stand a chance against Mario and Luigi. Their time in trade school had been mostly spent napping, and as so-called professionals, they were more skilled at conning people out of their money than doing honest work. Back in Brooklyn, they'd earned the dubious distinction of being the worst-rated plumbers, but in the Darklands, they had found a niche. They couldn't fix a toilet or a sink properly, but they were experts at making quick, shoddy repairs that looked good enough to fool people until they were long gone with the payment. And they loved money—Ludwig was paying them a small fortune.

With a few dirty tricks up their sleeves, they were confident they could win the wager. After a quick, scheming discussion, the duo agreed to take on Mario's challenge, each grinning at the prospect of easy money and the chance to humiliate their rivals.

 

“It’s a deal!” Wario said, jutting out his hand for a shake. “And don’t weasel out of the deal. We-a get your earnings and ours, right Ludwig?”

 

“As I said, you only get paid once the job is done. I don’t care how you gets there.” 

 

“Then it’s-a settled. Me and my bro will take one bathroom, you and Waluigi will take another.”

 

“Hold up hold up hold up. How do we-a know you won’t stick us with a disaster zone?” Waluigi interjected. 

 

“Well… you-a guys already installed the-a bathtub, and most of the-a sink is installed.” Mario looked over to his brother. “What’s the other room-a look like?”

 

“It’s-a kabooie sink. That’s all.”

 

“We can-a finish this room and you two can-a fix the sink in-a Roy’s room.”

 

“Hmm…” Waluigi suspiciously pondered the choices. “Alright… but there better be-a no funny business here.”

 

“No, no,”

 

“Good. Then let the-a best plumbers win!” Wario exclaimed before grabbing Waluigi and heading off to Roy’s room. 

 

The two brothers immediately got to work, slipping into a rhythm that brought them back to their days in Brooklyn. Their communication was almost wordless—just nods, quick gestures, and the occasional muttered phrase. It was as if they had tapped into that old twin telepathy, each one predicting the other's moves with uncanny accuracy.

Mario took charge of the main pipework, expertly replacing damaged sections with new, sturdy pipes. He adjusted the water pressure, ensuring every connection was tight and secure. Meanwhile, Luigi focused on the shower, meticulously disassembling and installing a new one. He then moved to the toilet. With Mario’s help, they lifted the heavy porcelain fixture, resealing the base, and reconnecting the water line. 

Next, Mario moved on to the shoddily installed sink Wario left them. He repaired the leaking faucet by replacing the miss installed washers and installing a new aerator for smoother water flow. Luigi, not to be outdone, turned his attention to the bathtub. He removed the damaged pipes beneath it and replaced them with fresh ones. Then he resealed the grout around the tub. 

Every task was completed with precision. They didn’t just fix the bathroom; they revitalized it, ensuring every pipe, fixture, and surface was as good as new. 

By the time they were done, the bathroom sparkled, every element functioning perfectly. The brothers stood back, side by side, surveying their handiwork with a sense of pride. For the first time in nearly two years, they felt completely in sync again, their bond as brothers and master plumbers reaffirmed by the flawless repair they had just completed. The job wasn’t just done, it was done right.

 

The pair slumped to the floor, exhausted from the day's work. Mario remembered this feeling; the tiredness but reward of a good job. Since coming to the mushroom kingdom, he hasn’t had too many of these days with his brother. 

 

“Lu…I-a just… I’m-a so, so sorry bro.” Mario said, finally breaking the tension between them. “I shouldn’t have-a said those things, I shouldn’t have-a yelled at-a you, I shouldn’t have-a hit you, I should have-a trusted you, I—“

 

“No, I’m-a sorry bro. You were only looking out for-a me, like you always-a do. I should’ve listened to-a you. You are-a right, I am too trusting. And I was the one who-a hit you first. If-a anything, I deserved it.” Luigi tearfully responded. 

 

“No, I was-a wrong. I don’t-a know how, but…you saw something or you-a brought something out of-a that big turtle. Daisy sees its, Princess Peach sees it. I was-a just too… I was too afraid to see it.”

 

“…w-what?” Luigi was shock to see this side of Mario. 

 

“I… I still don’t-a trust him, but I-a trust you. I always expect the worse from-a everyone. But you….you see the good in everyone, even when they are-a no good to you. I-a wish I could-a do that.” 

 

Luigi paused, looking at his crestfallen brother. “I don’t think that’s-a completely true. I just-a see what I see. And-and I think anyone can-a see what I see too you know? And, you know what? I see a brother who can-a do anything.”

 

“I don’t-a know bro… I’ve been-a here too many times. All I see are traps and-a bad guys. And-a lately, I feel crazy because I might be the only one who-a see that.” 

 

“Maybe… just-a look around?” Luigi meekly suggested. 

 

“What do you-a mean?”

 

“Just like I-a said, look around, but without…um—pregiudizio. Like-a our nonna said; “Chi giudica troppo in fretta, spesso sbaglia.”(“ He who judges too quickly is often wrong. ”) Said Luigi, mimicking their grandmother’s voice. 

 

“Nonna also said “Il lupo perde il pelo ma non il vizio.” Mario replied, standing up from the floor.“But… I-a think I prefer your quote better. And… I’ll try to-a see what-a you see in that tartaruga stupida. I can’t-a promise anything though.”

 

Luigi jumped up and gave Mario a big hug. Mario hugged him back, slowly realizing how much he really missed his brother. 

 

“This is a lot of emotions for fixing a bathroom.” Ludwig interrupted, appearing suddenly in the doorway. 

 

“Oh—um we did it.” Luigi meekly celebrated. “We-a finished—“

 

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Ludwig began his inspection, though in all honesty, he didn’t know what he was looking for to determine how done the bathroom was. He turned on and off the faucets, watched the water drain, flushed the toilet, and inspected at the tile. 

 

“Alright… it seems like everything is in working order.” Ludwig finally said, allowing the brothers to breathe a sigh of relief. “Now, I guess we will have to check on your counterparts to determine this little wager of yours.”

 

"I shall accompany you as well," Iggy declared, suddenly appearing in the doorway of the bathroom. His eyes gleamed with curiosity. "The results of this situation could be crucial for the next phase of my experiment."

 

The four of them headed to Roy's room, navigating through a maze of gym equipment and sweaty towels. When they finally reached the bathroom, they were met with chaos; tools were scattered across the floor, nails and screws mixed in with the debris, and a fine layer of dust from a sander covered everything. To make matters worse, candy wrappers, used soda cans, and general trash were strewn about. Wario and Waluigi seemed utterly unconcerned with the mess, looking far too comfortable. Wario had dragged a chair into the bathroom, lounging in it lazily, while Waluigi relaxed in the tub, both of them admiring the newly installed sink as if they'd actually done the hard work.

 

“What took you so long? We’ve been-a done over an hour ago.” Wario said confidently. 

 

Ludwig’s face turned red with anger. "Done? You two clowns call THIS done?! This place is a disaster! It's worse than before you started, and that’s saying something considering there was just a pile of rubble where the sink was!"

 

“All easy to-a clean up.” Wario dismissed. 

 

Iggy pushed his way to the newly installed sink. “Hmm…” Iggy inspected the sink thoroughly. “This sink is not level.”

 

“What?” Wario scoffed. 

 

"This sink is decidedly unlevel, not even close to being perpendicular to the plane of the floor. And as I peer closer..." Iggy adjusted his glasses and pulled out a small, but incredibly bright flashlight, "Yes, it appears that the faucet is simply resting on the surface. It's not secured at all! It's almost like a glorified paperweight." He leaned in further, directing the beam down the drain. "Oh, and would you look at that? Instead of connecting to the sewer system as any properly functioning sink should, the drain is rerouted back into the main water line. Truly a puzzling choice! Not to mention," he added, his tone almost gleeful in its discovery, "the water pressure must be woefully out of calibration. The whole setup defies basic hydraulic principles!"

 

“Oh like you can-a tell all-a that just-a by flashing your-a little flashlight huh? This-a sink is perfectly fine. Better than-a fine even.” Wario retorted, defending his work. 

 

“Okie dokie… turn on the-a water then.” Mario challenged Wario. 

 

“I don’t-a need to prove anything to-a YOU!” Wario barked back. 

 

“But if-a you stand by your-a work, and if-a you want to win this-a bet, prove it.” Mario pressed. 

 

Everyone's eyes were now on Wario. The pressure to turn on the faucet became too much to bear. "FINE, but just to-a shut you up!" he snapped, twisting the knob. A small but steady stream of water began to flow. "See? It works."

But no sooner had those words left his mouth than the sink started to rumble. The water abruptly stopped, and the shaking intensified. Suddenly, the hot water knob shot off, smashing one of the vanity lights. The cold water knob followed, ricocheting off the ceiling and shattering the mirror. With a final, violent shake, water exploded from the faucet, spraying directly into Ludwig's face.

At that moment, Luigi sank with embarrassment as he remembered they’d only turned off the water in half the rooms—they hadn’t planned on working in Roy's bathroom yet.

Mario, using his wrench, twisted the small protruding piece of metal where the faucet knob was located, and turned off the water. 

 

“Oh…um… easy fix. We will be-a done in—“

 

“Oh you’ll fix this alright…” Ludwig cut off Wario. “And the additional repairs and replacements are coming out of your pay.”

 

“You have also lost the wager, which I assume means you two will be in charge of unclogging Morton’s toilet.”

 

“Like-a hell we are!” Waluigi protested. “We-a fixed… are in the-a middle fixing this sink. We don’t have to-a follow stupid Mario’s little bet.”

 

“Oh you will...” Ludwig tone grew increasingly more menacing. “Because if you don’t, I’ll have you thrown in the dungeons for WAGE THEFT AND DESTRUCTION OF CASTLE PROPERTY!” He shouted, eye beginning to glow and smoke began to seep from nostrils. 

 

“Okay okay… geez.” Wario backed down. “We will get started after a little—“ 

 

“I SAID NOW!” with that final shout, Wario and Waluigi got immediately to work fixing the shoddy job they did. 

 

Ludwig took several deep breaths to compose himself back to his prim and proper self. “You two.” He pointed towards Mario and Luigi. “You are done now, thus you need to leave this location. I will send your payment after the storm has pass.” Ludwig turned his attention back to Wario and Waluigi. “And as for you two, when you are done here make sure you pick up two hazmat suits before you begin you work in Morton’s room.”

 

“Why the hell we-a need that?” Wario questions. 

 

“Trust me, you’ll be glad you got them once your in his room.” With that. Ludwig left the two incompetent plumbers to fix their own damage. Iggy, Mario, and Luigi were close behind him. 

 

“Oh Luigi.” Iggy said, as they traversed through the hallway. “I’ve completed my analysis and experiments of your poltergust. I would like to run a test with it. May I ask for you assistance?”

 

“Um… Okie dokie.”

 

“Splendid, I’ll call for you after dinner tonight.” Iggy said before jolting off back to his room. 

 

Ludwig was already headed back to his own room, still fuming from the mishap in Roy’s bathroom and barely acknowledging Mario or Luigi. After a few more meters down the hall and another brief hug, the two brothers parted way back to their own rooms. Now that things were back on the mend between them, separating seemed strange again. But they had to as it was almost time for dinner and unfortunately they smelt like a hard days work. 

 

Alone in his room, Luigi began to unwind, slowly disrobing as he made his way to the bath. Unlike his brother, who preferred quick showers, Luigi had always been more fond of long, relaxing baths. The bathtub in his room was particularly well-suited for this, offering the perfect setting for a deep soak. He filled the tub, adding an assortment of bath products and, of course, plenty of bubbles. As he slipped into the warm water, Luigi finally allowed himself to do what had eluded him all day—unpack his thoughts and feelings. For Luigi, bath time wasn’t an escape from his emotions, but a time to truly examine them. It was as if the water gently brought his thoughts to the surface, allowing him to poke and prod at them as they floated by.

 

He had a lot to think about—what it meant to like guys, and what this new realization would mean for his relationship with Mario now that they’d made up. Then there was his complicated history with Bowser, and that dream. Oh boy, that dream. Work had kept him distracted all day, but now, as he soaked in the bath, all his conflicting feelings about Bowser began to surface. It was as if there were three different Bowsers in his life.

 

First, there was the evil tyrant—the Bowser who had imprisoned him, nearly killed him, and who had clashed with his brother, sometimes causing serious harm. Then, there was the friend Bowser. Reluctant at first, this was the Koopa who had helped him down that mountain. Luigi knew he might not have survived if it hadn’t been for Bowser. This was also the Bowser who had opened up to him, treated him kindly, and continued to be good to him since his kidnapping by Bradley and his time stranded in the Darklands. This Bowser was a wonderful father, a beloved king, and a respected and fair ruler.

 

And now, there was this new side—an attractive side. Maybe Luigi had been living in this world too long, or maybe it was the lack of humans, but he never would have guessed that when he finally admitted to himself his love for the male form, that form would come in the shape of Bowser. After all, Bowser was a turtle-dragon thing. But Luigi had to admit, some of Bowser’s more human-like features were… handsome. His stance, his walk—at times, they were surprisingly human. His body, though covered in scales, still had a somewhat humanoid shape. And those muscles… Luigi couldn’t help but admire them. The more he thought about it, the more he felt his face flush with heat. “Mama Mia,” he thought to himself. “This is just a passing phase. Once I’m-a back home, these feelings will go away, and I’ll just-a see him as a friend again,” Luigi reassured himself.

He closed his eyes, submerged himself under the bubbles one last time, then rinsed off and got out.

 

As Mario finished up his shower, he felt more at ease than he had since arriving in the Darklands. Almost losing Luigi in that fight had shaken him to his core, but it also jolted him out of the downward spiral he’d been in. The conversation in Roy’s bathroom kept playing in his mind. There was a time when Mario was more like Luigi—able to see the good in everyone. But somewhere around the end of high school, that part of him had started to fade. He’d become jaded, maybe too jaded, and overly protective of his little brother.

Every instinct Mario had screamed that Bowser was dangerous, a villain not to be trusted. But then there was Luigi, who clearly believed in Bowser, trusted him even. And, as much as Mario hated to admit it, Bowser seemed to make Luigi happy. Seeing that smile on Luigi’s face—that pure, genuine happiness—was enough to make Mario question his own instincts.

Mario took a deep breath, letting the steam of the shower clear his thoughts. He made a promise to himself right then and there. Tonight at dinner, he was going to be open-minded. He was going to give Bowser a real chance. No matter how hard it was, no matter how much it pained him to see that monster in any positive light, he was going to try. He was going to do it for Lu.

 

Mario got dressed, opting for a simple cream white shirt and jeans, a departure from his normal attire. Peach seemed to have the same idea, sporting a simple pink cotton blouse and dark pink skirt. The two departed for the dining hall, a now very familiar route. As they entered to take their usual seats they spotted Daisy who was already there. Mario looked around but didn’t see Luigi. He tensed up, but before his internal alarm bells began to sound he heard something. Just pass the doors where Bowser’s kitchen staff usually come from, Mario heard the distinct sound of humming. Not just any humming, it was Luigi’s humming. Mario only heard his brother hum when he was engaged in one activity, cooking. 

 

“What's for dinner? I’m starving.” Roy crassly shouted as he entered the hall. 

 

“Um… can we start with a hello or something? Geez thought I raised you right.” Bowser commented as he placed Junior in his seat. 

 

“Ugh fine, Sup, what’s for dinner?” 

 

“It’s a secret. Besides, if I told you, you wouldn’t even know what I’m saying.” 

 

“That means it’s going to be some weird dish from some other kingdom that you barely remembered. It’ll probably taste nasty too.”

Wendy chimed in, barely making eye contact as she typed away on her phone. 

 

“…who gave you back your phone?” Bowser said as his eye narrowed on her device. 

 

Just then, Luigi walked in, wearing an apron, overall straps dangled from his waist, and carrying a huge pot. The aroma of Italian food wafted through the hall, instantly evoking memories of home for Mario. It was a familiar and comforting scent, one that often filled their shared house. Curiosity piqued, Mario peeked into the pot and recognized the pasta dumplings he had enjoyed so many times before, though it had been a while—gnocchi bolognese. The sight and smell of the dish brought a sense of warmth and nostalgia, making Bowser's castle feel a little more like home.

 

The Koopalings, on the other hand, were less than impressed. The smell, though unfamiliar, was pleasant. However, the appearance of the dish was completely off-putting. 

 

"What the hell is that?" Roy blurted out, eyeing the dish with suspicion.

 

"It bears a striking resemblance to the larval stage of an urban stingby," Iggy noted, pushing his glasses up as he examined the gnocchi more closely.

 

"WHAT? We're eating BUGS?!" Wendy shrieked, finally tearing her attention away from her phone.

 

"We are not eating—"

 

"WE'RE EATING BUGS!" Lemmy interrupted, far too excited by the idea.

 

"No, we are NOT eating bugs. It's called... gochi? Or nochi? Or… uh..." Bowser fumbled with the unfamiliar word, trying to recall the name.

 

"It's gnocchi bolognese," Luigi chimed in calmly as he served each Koopaling a plate.

 

"That's right, gnocchi," Bowser affirmed.

 

"And what does that mean in human speak? 'Bugs in lumpy blood'?" Wendy snarked, poking at her plate.

 

"It looks like peasant food, but the name carries a certain regal air," Ludwig mused, examining the gnocchi with his fork, trying to decipher its mystery.

 

"Sounds like some kind of poison. Figures a weakling like the green human would try to feed us something like that," Larry muttered, eyeing his plate suspiciously. "I bet it makes your head explode or turns you into a bug."

 

"Wait, I’m confused," Morton interrupted, scratching his head. "Does it turn you into a bug, or is it made out of bugs?"

 

"IT IS NOT MADE OUT OF BUGS, NOR DOES IT TURN YOU INTO BUGS! NOW SHUT UP AND EAT YOUR FOOD, YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE HALF-SHELLS!!" Bowser roared, his patience finally snapping. His booming voice echoed through the room, silencing the chatter as the Koopalings froze in their seats. “NOW EAT!” 

Quickly the koopalings began scarfing down bits of food. Apprehension gave way to surprise as they realized the food they were served was actually not that bad. In fact, it was down right delicious. Mario, Peach, and Daisy were not far behind them. 

 

Mario took a bite of the gnocchi, and in that instant, he was transported back to their old kitchen. This was a dish Luigi reserved for special occasions—when they graduated from trade school, on their birthdays, or for their parents' anniversary. Since they had landed in the Mushroom Kingdom, it had become a comforting tradition, the meal that greeted Mario whenever he returned from his adventures.

But tonight, something was different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it—whether it was a pang of homesickness or something else—but the gnocchi tasted particularly exquisite. The dumplings were soft and pillowy, with just a hint of crispness on the outside. The sauce was lush and velvety, rich with layers of flavor that spoke of hours spent simmering on the stove. 

 

“Oh wow, this tastes amazing Luigi.” Peach praised. 

 

“Yeah Weegie, this stuff tastes amazing. How come you’ve never cooked for us before?” Daisy asked. 

 

“Well… no one ever ask me to-a cook for them. I-a meant to cook this for-a Daisy but that was the day the-a warp pipes went kablooie.”

 

“And that’s how I got to taste it first!” Bowser chimed in, proud that he got something from Luigi before the Princesses. 

 

“But this one is-a way better than what I made on the-a mountain. The kitchen here… wowie zowie… it’s-a so big. And-and-and it-a has everything. It’s-a like cooking in a grocery store.” Luigi gushed. 

 

"I must admit, you possess an impressive mastery of fine ingredients," Ludwig declared, his tone brimming with condescension. "I can discern the aged wine in the sauce, and the texture of... what is it you call this? Gnocchi? Ah, yes, it's splendid—quite the mouthfeel. The way the flavors dance on the palate is nothing short of remarkable. It seems your culinary taste is far more refined than I initially assumed. As someone with the superior palate among the less discerning, I can certainly tell."

 

Wendy, rolling her eyes, cut in sharply, “I watched you eat a chicken nugget off the floor. Don’t pretend you’re better than us." Her remark effectively deflated Ludwig’s pompous air.

 

“Well, you are definitely making this for us when we get back home.” Daisy said. 

 

“Agreed. We will have to cook together sometime Luigi.” Peach added. 

 

As everyone at the table continued eating, Mario’s gaze drifted to Bowser, who was focused on Junior, the young Koopa still poking at his untouched plate.

 

"Junior, eat your food before it goes cold," Bowser commanded in a low, firm voice.

 

"But Dad..." Junior hesitated.

 

"Junior, it's not bugs. Just eat your food."

 

"I know it’s not bugs," Junior muttered, clearly agitated.

 

"Then what is it?" Bowser asked, his patience thinning.

 

"That," Junior said, pointing to his plate.

 

"Yeah, it’s the same food everyone else is eating. What about it?"

 

"Not that," Junior protested, jabbing his claw closer to the food. "THAT!" He pointed directly at a tiny fleck of parsley garnishing the dish. "See, it has green stuff sprinkled all over it."

 

Bowser let out a heavy sigh. This was a battle he knew all too well. Junior, still very much a child, had a strong aversion to anything green, a challenge Bowser often faced at the dinner table. Usually, the castle chef was skilled at hiding vegetables in Junior's meals, tricking him into eating them without notice. But sometimes, whether by mistake or sheer stubbornness, Bowser found himself having to persuade Junior all over again to eat his vegetables.

 

Bowser crouched down to eye level with Junior, softening his tone. "Look, buddy, I know you don’t like green stuff. But remember, you’ve beaten this stuff before, right? Like that time with the broccoli?"

 

Junior scrunched his face. "Yeah. It was gross. I hated it."

 

"Sure, but you did it, and nothing bad happened. In fact, I think it made you stronger."

 

"Really?" Junior's eyes lit up a bit.

 

"Yeah, really. Right after you ate that broccoli, we were playing, and you almost knocked me out, kiddo."

 

Junior grinned, recalling the memory. "Yeah… I have been training with Roy." Said training mainly consists of running around the gym equipment annoying Roy during his workout. 

 

"Exactly. But here’s the thing, you can’t get strong just by training. It’s not only what you do on the outside; it’s also what you put inside that makes us Koopas the strongest in the land. And that green stuff? It’s gonna help you get as strong as your old man."

 

"It will?" Junior asked, his curiosity piqued.

 

"Sure it will. You want to be a strong king when you grow up, right?"

 

"Yeah, I do!" Junior said, excitement building in his voice.

 

"Then make sure you clean that plate, buddy."

 

"I will, Dad!" Without another word, Junior dug into his food, no longer bothered by the flecks of green.

 

"See? It’s not so bad, is it?"

 

"It isn’t. I must be getting stronger already. I don’t even taste the green stuff!" Junior said, his mouth full, a proud grin spreading across his face.

 

Bowser gave Junior a firm pat on the back. Before returning to his own meal. “Atta boy Junior.”

 

Bowser hadn’t noticed Mario watching. The red plumber silently observed the private exchange between father and son. In that moment, Mario caught a glimpse of what Luigi must have seen all along. Like Junior, Mario had been a picky eater as a child, stubbornly avoiding anything green. It was only the firm yet gentle encouragement from his own father that broke him of those habits. Mario had just wanted to make his dad proud, to live up to his expectations, and hear that comforting "atta boy, Mario."

He never expected to see that same fatherly side in Bowser, of all people. Mario saw Bowser as many things: Bowser the tyrant, Bowser the monster, Bowser the kidnapper. But now, watching this tender moment between Bowser and Junior, Mario couldn’t help but see something more. Hidden beneath the layers of the villainous persona Mario had fought against for so long, he began to see it—Bowser the father. It was a side of him that Mario had been too blind to see until now. 

 

As dinner came to and end and everyone was nice a full, Luigi instinctively began gathering plates to take back to the kitchen for cleaning. 

 

“What are you doing?” Bowser questioned. 

 

“Oh I’m-a taking the-a plates. They need-a to be clean, you know?” 

 

“Oh no you don’t. Guests don’t clean in this castle. Especially after cooking a meal like that. Nah nah I got a better idea.” Bowser stood from his seat. “KOOPALINGS, GET TO CLEANING. Show our guest your appreciation for his food and practice some humility by getting in that kitchen and making it SPOTLESS.”

 

“Um before that, may I request everyone’s attention in the study?” Iggy chimed in. 

 

“Nice try but you ain’t getting out of this.” Bowser rebutted. 

 

“I assure you father, I would think nothing of the sort. But I promise you this, if what I have to show you doesn’t impress, I will do all cleaning chores for the remainder of the storm.”

 

Bowser looked suspiciously at Iggy. The pineapple haired Koopa was genuinely insane. A real mad scientist. But a liar and lazy he was not 

 

“Fine but if I feel like I am wasting my time, you will be cleaning by yourself, and with no weird machine to do it for you. By your hands only.” Bowser warned. 

 

“If you are asking me to place my reputation as a scientist as a wager than yes I will accept your deal.” Iggy smiled. “Shall we all commence in the study?” 

 

It was quite a walk to the study, and everyone was puzzled as to why Iggy had called them away from dinner to this old, seldom-used room. When they arrived, they were surprised to find drinks already set out for the guests and the fireplace roaring, casting a warm glow around the space. Iggy stood before them, poised like a detective ready to reveal the facts of a case and expose the culprit to his captive audience.

 

"Alright, we're here," Bowser growled, clearly irritated. "What did you drag us here for?"

 

Iggy smirked. "Oh, I'll get to that. But first, do you remember the wager you proposed to us about a month ago? To be precise, one month, six days, and seventeen hours ago?"

 

Bowser frowned, crossing his arms. "What... no, I don't remember making any wager."

 

Iggy's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "You promised that if any of us provided useful information, tools, or assistance for one of your more serious endeavors, we’d be exempt from chores for the rest of the year."

 

Bowser snorted dismissively. "I don’t remember saying anything like that."

 

Anticipating this, Iggy produced a small recorder and pressed play. Bowser’s voice filled the room: “I don’t care if you record this, I mean what I say. If any of you lazy lot actually brought useful information or were in any way helpful in the slightest on any of MY missions, you wouldn't be doing chores right now. In fact, bring me useful info or make me a tool that will help me beat those pesky plumbers or further my agenda, and you won’t have to do chores for the rest of the year.”

 

Bowser's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You know, I don’t appreciate it when my words are used against me."

 

"Duly noted," Iggy said coolly. "But I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say. It pertains to a certain... mutiny… involving a certain Koopa Troopa Bradley."

 

Bowser scoffed, his annoyance palpable. "Unless you've got that traitor's head on a silver platter, I doubt whatever you have will be of any use to me."

 

"Oh, but I do have something," Iggy replied, a sly smile crossing his face. He reached behind a chair and dramatically pulled out Luigi’s Poltergust. "Behold!"

 

Wendy rolled her eyes. "A vacuum cleaner? Really?"

 

Bowser’s expression turned incredulous. "When I said 'help me with my missions,' I didn’t mean bring me a cleaning tool. Cleaning your rooms isn’t part of my adenda.”

 

Iggy chuckled. "Oh, this isn’t just any vacuum." He turned to green clad plumber. "Luigi, would you care to demonstrate?"

 

Luigi hesitated, unsure of what Iggy was planning, but he stepped forward and strapped on the Poltergust. “You see this device has several basic functions, all used in the capture of ghosts. The vacuum itself both intakes and expels high volumes material both of the physical and metaphysical realms. It has a what E. Gadds called a Strolbulb that produces and blinding level of light, use to incapacitate ghost. Lastly is the Dark-Light Device, used to break illusions and track ghosts as well as reveal boos.” Iggy explained while Luigi got the poltergust on his back. 

 

“Um… quick comment. We already know all this.” Ludwig said. 

 

“I have to agree with Ludwig. We especially are very aware of what Professors E. Gadds device can do. Luigi did recuse I and Mario with it.” Peach added. 

 

“Also, why are we talking about ghosts and boos? This castle has been ghost free for years now. I feel like we are just stalling on YOU getting in that kitchen and cleaning.” Bowser said, his annoyance getting palpable. 

 

"Indeed, while I didn't invent the Poltergust, I've spent considerable time studying Luigi's model," Iggy began, pulling out another device. This one was sleek and black, with a few notable differences from the original. "I managed to reverse-engineer it and make several copies, each with a few modifications." He held up the black Poltergust, which lacked the green goo canister on the back. "This new and improved version, created by yours truly, comes equipped with a flamethrower, high-powered lasers, and an ice ray. And, of course, all the ghost-hunting and capturing mechanisms are still there—just enhanced." As he spoke, Iggy began pulling more black Poltergusts from behind the chairs. "I've made four of them so far, so we'll have to form teams—"

 

"HOLD IT!" Bowser cut him off. "You still haven’t explained why you did all this. Just inventing another useless gadget isn't enough to get you out of chores."

 

Iggy chuckled. "I apologize, I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself. Luigi, could you do me a favor and demonstrate the Dark-Light device?"

 

"Uh, okie dokie..." Luigi replied hesitantly, not entirely sure where Iggy was going with this. "Um... where should I—"

 

"Just point it anywhere," Iggy said, gesturing toward a shadowy corner near the ceiling. "How about over there?"

 

Luigi did as he was told, aiming the Poltergust and flipping on the Dark-Light device. A colorful beam illuminated the corner. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, slowly, a familiar round silhouette began to materialize. Gasps filled the room as the figure became clearer. In a sudden flash, a Boo appeared, its white, ghostly form, sharp teeth, and long red tongue unmistakable. Mario, Peach, and Daisy jumped up from their seats, while the Koopalings stared in shock. Bowser's eyes widened, seeing the ghostly intruder right in his castle.

 

"QUICK, CAPTURE THAT BOO!" Iggy shouted.

Luigi's instincts kicked in. He switched on the vacuum, catching the Boo off guard. With a few swift motions, he yanked the Boo down, slamming it into the floor before sucking it up completely.

 

"There was a Boo... IN MY CASTLE?!" Bowser roared, fury radiating his voice.

 

"Yes, that particular Boo has been following us since dinner," Iggy explained calmly. "And I suspect there are more nearby."

 

"But how did you know there was a Boo in the castle?" Peach asked, still shaken.

 

"Our human guests might not realize it, but this castle isn't as labyrinthine as it seems," Iggy said. "I've noticed multiple occasions where some of you have been getting lost. Daisy, for instance, got very lost trying to find Luigi’s room, which is just around the corner from where Mario and Peach are staying."

 

"How did you—"

 

"Iggy has cameras everywhere... unfortunately," Wendy cut off Daisy, rolling her eyes.

 

"Beyond that, we've all been losing or misplacing things," Iggy continued. "Usually small, seemingly insignificant items, but still. Wendy, you lost your polka dot bow, didn't you?"

 

"Now that you mention it, I haven't seen that bow since the lightning show," Wendy replied.

 

"Lemmy, you haven’t played with your ball in over a week."

 

"Yeah, I thought I just left it on the roof," Lemmy said.

 

"Ludwig, what about your baton?"

 

"I assumed one of you took it!" Ludwig snapped, glaring suspiciously at his siblings.

 

"I could go on," Iggy said, "but this evidence suggests something or someone has been taking things, deliberately creating confusion and discord. And this brings me to my final point: How was Bradley able to escape the castle during the storm? Even with help from other traitorous Koopas, someone would have seen them. Yet he and his co-conspirators managed to evade my surveillance. Even if he'd shrunk down and used the air vents, he would have triggered my sensors. No, he had help of the illusionary kind. If Boos are involved, everything makes sense." Iggy finished his explanation. 

 

“How DARE these damn boos try to spy on my castle! I’m gonna find each and every one of them and PUNCH THEM INTO OBLIVION!” Bowser roared. 

 

“You can’t-a punch a ghost Bowser.” Mario scoffed Bowser’s display of rage. 

 

“Are you implying that I’m too weak to fight off these boos?” Bowser challenged Mario. 

 

Mario sighed and turned to her brother. “Luigi…” 

 

“Bowser, you can’t-a punch a ghost. But you-a can slam them to the-a ground once they are caught in the-a poltergust.” Luigi informed him. 

 

“Grrr… fine.” Bowser begrudgingly agreed. 

 

"I believe you'll find that this information and these tools satisfy the conditions of your wager," Iggy stated with a sly grin.

 

Bowser blinked, then nodded as the memory of the bet came rushing back. "Oh... yes, yes it does," he agreed, a slow smile spreading across his face. Turning to the rest of the room, he raised his voice. "KOOPALINGS, LISTEN UP! The group that catches the most of these Boo freaks won't have to do any chores for the rest of the year! You hear me? I want EVERY last Boo outta here! Whoever bags the most gets to kick back and not lift a finger for the rest of the year!" 

The room buzzed with excitement as the Koopalings realized the stakes. A complete 180 from before. The koopalings were more than ready to hunt down every last ghost and claim their reward.

Notes:

Headcanon notes:
In this AU, the events of *Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga* unfold almost exactly as they do in the game, with two key differences: the partnership between Mario, Luigi, and Bowser is more antagonistic and Luigi gets critically injured. During their battle with Cackletta, Luigi suffers a severe injury that requires a lengthy hospital stay and an even longer recovery at home. This incident makes Mario even more protective of his brother, determined to keep him out of harm's way from that point on.
The events of *Luigi's Mansion* also occur in this AU, adding another layer of tension. Luigi recounted the harrowing experiences he had in the haunted mansions to Mario, who tried to stay calm and simply thank Luigi for rescuing him. However, Luigi could sense Mario's rising anxiety over the fact that his brother had faced life-threatening ghosts. As a result, when it came to the events at the haunted hotel, Luigi chose to downplay just how dangerous things had really been.

Chapter 20: Unlikely Teams

Summary:

Everyone is separated in to boo hunting teams, but they may not particularly like their team mates. However, more than just boos are discovered on this little hunt.

Notes:

Finally getting this chapter out. Sorry it took so long, October has been one hell of a month. Also, this chapter might get more illustrations later on. I had more sketches but I didn’t want to hold this chapter any longer for a few more images.

Bowser grumbled incessantly as he scoured the pantry, his low growls echoing off the shelves. He continued his muttering and sulking as he rifled through the small storage rooms off the main hall, his irritation palpable. Even at the main entrance, his sighs were loud, his complaints louder, and his pouting unmistakable. Anyone with ears or eyes could see that Bowser was far from thrilled about his current predicament. Yet here he was, searching for boos alongside his arch-nemesis, Mario.

 

Earlier, back in the study, Iggy had gathered everyone to divide them into teams. "As I mentioned, I've only managed to create four replica Poltergusts," he began. "However, the Dark-Light device was simpler to replicate. So, everyone gets a flashlight capable of breaking the Boos' cloaking illusion." He handed out the small devices to each team member. "Now, we can't split into evenly matched groups because our skills vary widely in dealing with this particular situation. I've ensured that each team has at least one member who is familiar with the Poltergust, whether they've used it or seen it in action." 

 

He turned to Luigi. "Luigi, you should team up with Bowser Jr. and Larry since they're the youngest and least experienced. You have the most experience with hunting Boos, so your guidance will be invaluable. Wendy, you should go with the princesses. You three will have access to the female lavatory and your personal quarters—spaces you’ve specifically stated are off-limits to the males." Iggy continued, "Lemmy, Ludwig, and I will form another team. That leaves—"

 

"No way I'm teaming up with Mario!" Bowser cut in, his voice booming with protest. "Why can't I be with Greenie or at least Peach?"

 

"The teams are arranged based on who has experience with the Poltergust," Iggy continued. "The rest of the team members have skills that complement each other." He turned to Mario and Luigi, eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Are you two still able to use your Firebrand and Thunderhand abilities?"

 

The brothers exchanged a glance, a shared understanding passing between them. It had been a long time since they’d last used those abilities, since that adventure that had left Luigi seriously hurt. That was one of their last adventures together, the one that made Mario decide it was safer for Luigi to stay home. Since then, Mario had grown cautious, wary of those abilities granted to them by the Jellyfish Sisters of Gwarhar Lagoon. With Luigi often staying behind and an abundance of power-ups to rely on, both had grown rusty with their gifts. They turned back to Iggy, offering him an uncertain shrug.

 

“Regardless, your familiarity with those abilities will be useful if the need arises,” Iggy continued. “It only makes sense to pair Mario with Bowser, given their affinity for fire. While all the Koopalings are capable of breathing fire, most of us, especially the younger ones, prefer our wands. Although our magic isn't quite the same as Luigi’s Thunderhand, it complements Larry’s spellcasting and Bowser Jr.’s use of his magic brush quite well.”

 

“What do you mean, ‘need them’? And why are we discussing weapons? We’re just hunting boos, right? Aren’t these vacuums enough?” Daisy interjected, sensing that the mission seemed more serious than a simple ghost hunt.

 

“Let’s just say… boos aren’t the only spying eyes in the castle,” Iggy replied cryptically. “It’s best to be prepared for anything.”

 

After getting equipped, the groups set off, which leads us with Bowser half heartedly searching for boos in the main entrance. 

 

Mario, equally annoyed but at least making an effort, shined his Dark-Light device under tables and chairs. When nothing appeared, he glanced over at Bowser, who was lazily scanning the same closet for the past ten minutes. Mario let out a sigh of frustration. "Did… did-a you find anything?"

 

"Did you say something?" Bowser replied dismissively, not even bothering to look up from the closet.

 

"Did-a you find anything?" Mario repeated, his tone sharper, clearly irritated.

 

"If I had found something, don’t you think I would’ve said it?" Bowser snapped back.

 

"Says the guy who-a thinks he can-a punch a ghost," Mario muttered under his breath.

 

"WHAT WAS THAT?" Bowser roared, turning toward him.

 

"Oh-a look, he can-a hear me," Mario shot back sarcastically.

 

"Grrr, you better watch that tone, little man! I may be playing Mr. Hospitality today, but I won't tolerate disrespect, especially from you!" Bowser growled.

 

Mario rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "Look, I don’t-a like this either. And if-a anything, Luigi, the princesses, and I are-a doing you a favor. This-a boo problem? It's-a your problem. My-a bro just happens to be the boo expert, and you-a just so happen to have-a boos in your castle."

 

"No one asked for your help," Bowser cut in.

 

"You’re-a right, no one did. But my-a bro is helping you, and I'm not-a gonna let him do it alone," Mario retorted, turning back to continue his search. "Are you-a just gonna stand there, or are you-a gonna hunt for some ghosts?"

 

Bowser huffed and reluctantly turned his device back on. A few minutes passed in silence before Bowser casually remarked, "So, you really have no faith in your brother, huh?"

 

“What?” 

 

“No wonder why your brother is so timid, you don’t let me do anything. You have no faith in him whatsoever. The man can’t do anything without you butting in and taking over.” Bowser’s words jabbed into Mario. 

 

“I-a trust my brother with-a my life!” Mario shouted sternly. 

 

“Sure about that? To me, it seems you don’t even trust him to walk outside your little house. All locked up in that prison you call a cottage, never getting to see the world.” Bowser dug in, sensing this to be a touchy topic. 

 

“Lu can do-a whatever he-a wants and go where he-a want.”

 

“Right… sure…” he paused to shine his dark-light device into another corner. “…and does he have to get your permission in writing or does verbal permission count?” Bowser cheekily asked. 

 

Bowser's comment was starting to get under Mario's skin. As much as Mario wanted to deny it, there was a grain of truth in Bowser's words. Ever since the adventure where they first gained their special abilities, Mario had deliberately started leaving Luigi behind. He would often set off on new quests in the middle of the night or leave straight from Peach’s castle after spending time there, only leaving a note for Luigi to find later. When he did leave from home, he'd come up with excuses for why Luigi couldn’t join him. 

In the beginning, Luigi would plead, bargain, and even train hard while Mario was away, determined to prove he could jump just as high, stomp on enemies just as effectively, and use power-ups with the same finesse. He had even embarked on his own solo adventures to rescue Mario and their friends on three different occasions. But every time Luigi asked if his skills were good enough, Mario would just raise the bar a little higher. Eventually, Luigi stopped asking. 

 

“My brother can-a go with me anywhere I-a go. He is the-a smartest, bravest, and-and-and—”

 

"Don’t strain yourself trying to think of something nice to say about him," Bowser cut in, interrupting Mario’s thoughts. "You SAY he can go on your little adventures, but I hardly ever see him with you. You’ve stormed my castle—quite rudely, might I add—more times than I can count, but where’s Greenie? Never behind you, that’s for sure. I bet it’s because you want all the glory for yourself. Be the big hero in the Mushroom Kingdom, huh? Can’t stand to share the spotlight."

 

“That’s not-a true! I want him to-a stay back because I’m-a protecting him from-a stupido jerks like-a you!” Mario snapped back. “Everyone wants to-a hurt my brother, or use him. Everyone is-a mean to him for-a no reason. And-a yes, I ask him to-a stay home. I don’t-a tell him or-a force him. But-but-but If he-a stays home, then I-a know he’s-a safe. Okay? Geez what does my fratello see in you?”

 

“What’s that suppose to mean?” 

 

Mario let out a heavy sigh, trying to steady his frustration. "Our Ma always said, 'Don’t-a judge people.' She told us that-a nobody is-a completely bad, and we should-a always look for the good in-a people. I-a thought I lost that side, but since-a coming here, I've traveled to so many places. And you know what? My-a Ma was right. Everyone has a little good in them. I’ve-a met some real mean-a folks, but they all had something good inside. But you!" Mario pointed directly at Bowser. "You just wanna be mean. Since-a coming to this world, you've-a been selfish, mean, and... and a JERK! You’re always-a kidnapping the princess or attacking someone!"

 

“Hmph… tell me something I didn’t know.” Bowser scoffed. 

 

"But... my-a brother, he sees something in you. Ever since he-a came down from that mountain, he's been different. He was-a terrified of you, and with-a good reason after what you did to him when we arrived. But now... he-a treats you like a friend. Other than-a Princess Daisy, he hasn't made any real friends here. But he-a keeps telling me to give you a chance. And... I trust him when he says you're not all bad. But you make-a it so HARD to see—"

 

“Hey dad…” Morton interrupts holding a cloth napkin. “Is this a boo?” 

 

Bowser looked at his son with the frustrated patients only a father would experience. “…no Morton, that’s a napkin.”

 

“Oh… you sure? I don’t remember seeing these things around.” Morton questioned, staring at the napkin with suspension. 

 

“Yes Morton, it’s the same napkins we always use.”

 

“Oh…” he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. 

 

“Look buddy…”Bowser crouched to Morton’s level. “…you gotta use the little flashlight that Iggy made if you want to catch the boos. Try again. I’m sure you’ll find one. Remember, if you shine the light and it moves, then it must be a boo.” Bowser reassured his son. 

 

“Okay!” Morton said, with new vigor. The brown koopa ran off back to the room he came from. 

 

Mario watched the entire exchange between the giant koopa and his child. This was not the same Koopa he was just talking to. 

 

Bowser noticed Mario staring at him. "What?!"

 

"THAT! THAT'S WHAT I'M-A TALKING ABOUT!" Mario shouted. "Why can’t-a you be like-a that all the time?"

 

"LIKE WHAT?!" Bowser shouted back.

 

"NICE! When you talk to-a your kids, you’re-a nice! Why can’t-a you just be like that all the time?!" Mario said, frustration in his voice.

 

"What are you talking about? I'm always like that. You just choose not to see it."

 

"No, you’re-a not! You’re-a mean to everybody else! You’re-a selfish, and-and sometimes, you’re-a just evil! But if you showed the same patience and-a kindness you just showed your son, then the Mushroom Kingdom would—"

 

“Bwahahaahahaaa” Bowser let a huge laugh. Mario was not amused, which caught Bowser’s attention. “Oh your serious, let me laugh harder, BWAHAHAHAAAAA!!!”

 

“I mean it! If-a you were a little nicer and-a backed off when the Princess said no, I’m sure the-a Mushroom Kingdom wouldn’t see you as a threat.” Mario reasserted. 

 

"The Mushroom Kingdom already made up their minds about me before I even had a chance to say hello. You think I just flew into Peach’s castle, demanding her hand in marriage? I tried playing nice, but they pegged me as a monster without even giving me a chance. So, if a monster is what they wanted, then a monster is what they got."

 

Mario took a moment, thinking over his words carefully. He knew what Bowser said had some truth in it—there wasn’t any exaggeration, no boasting, no lies. “...But-a… you didn’t have to-a prove them right, you know? You could’ve shown them they were-a wrong. You didn’t have to be the-a monster they-a thought you’d be.”

 

Bowser narrowed his eyes, but just as he was going to respond, he stopped himself. “Let’s just get this over with.” He grumbled. The two continued their search, occasionally checking in with Roy and Morton. 

 

Meanwhile, Peach and Daisy struggled to keep up with Wendy as she tore through every corner and crevice in search of boos. Her frantic pace took her well beyond the rooms they had agreed to search. 

 

“You seem... very motivated,” Peach observed.

 

“Of course I am!” Wendy shot back, still rummaging through every nook. “The team that catches the most ghosts—or boos, or whatever—gets out of doing chores.”

 

“With all the castle staff and servants, I’m surprised you all still have chores,” Peach said, raising an eyebrow.

 

“You and me both,” Wendy grumbled. “You’d think, being the princess of the Darklands, I’d be living the high life like you two. But nooo, my dad’s always saying, ‘Chores build character, chores keep you humble, chores teach you not to take things for granted.’ And I’m like, ugh! When I get my own territory and castle, I’m not lifting a finger or touching anything dirty ever again!”

 

“But are chores really that bad?” Daisy chimed in. “I mean, Bowser's got a point about them building character and responsibility.”

 

Wendy paused in her search and marched right up to the two princesses, thrusting her hand in their faces. “Do you see these nails?” She held out her hand, showing off perfectly manicured nails with a pink ombre that deepened into a rich wine red. The nails shimmered, reflecting pink and purple light, some adorned with jewels and flecks of gold. “These nails were done by the top nail technician in all of the Darklands. Even with my royal status, it's nearly impossible to get an appointment with her. And with the storm, it'll be weeks before I can book another one. These nails will NEVER touch dirty dishwater. You don’t ruin art like this by scrubbing pots and pans. So, if I have to catch as many boos as I can to keep them pristine, then that's what I'm gonna do. Now, let’s move!”

Wendy bolted into another room, leaving the two princesses behind. Just as Peach and Daisy were about to follow, a strange light from a window caught their attention. It couldn't have been moonlight—the storm outside was still raging. Curious, they moved closer to the window. Outside, three star-shaped lights darted around, hopping from one window to the next. They were Lumas, and they seemed frantic, searching for something or someone. 

There were three of them—two yellow Lumas and one black one, which still had a faint glow. Peach recognized the black Luma as Polari, Rosalina's most trusted advisor. What could he and the other Lumas be doing here?

Peach scanned the room, searching for a window she could open. The Lumas noticed her and followed, tapping on the glass as they moved along with her. Finally, she found a window that could be nudged open. Pushing against the strong wind and rain, Peach struggled to open it, and Daisy quickly jumped in to help. Together, they managed to crack it open just enough for the Lumas to slip through, getting little wet from the rain in the process.

Once inside, the little star-shaped creatures shook off the water as Peach and Daisy let the window slam shut behind them, driven by the storm's force.

 

“Polari, what are you doing here?” Peach crouched down to the black star’s level. 

 

“Oh Princess, thank goodness you are safe. Everyone has been beside themselves with worry for you.”

 

In that moment, Peach suddenly realized her kingdom was probably worried sick about her. Sure, getting kidnapped by Bowser or other villains was nothing new, but every time it happened, it was treated like a kingdom-wide crisis. By now, she would usually have been rescued by Mario, or at the very least, her whereabouts and condition would have been known. This was the longest she had ever been stuck in Bowser's castle, and it was also the longest she had gone without communicating with her inner circle. She couldn't even begin to imagine what Toadsworth, Chancellor Toad, and her advisors must be thinking right now. And her people—they had to be in complete turmoil, not knowing what had become of her.

 

“Oh my I’m—could you please let them know I’m alright and that I am not a prisoner here. I’m sure that’s what they are thinking given Bowser’s history.” 

 

“Are you sure Princess?” Polari glanced around, looking for any combatant who might be coaxing her to say this. 

 

“Yes, I’m sure. We were taken here against our will but the culprit isn’t Bowser. To tell you the truth, he has actually been incredibly hospitable towards us as we wait for the storm to pass.”

 

Polari couldn’t believe it, but looking around, he couldn’t find a reason to not believe the princess. “Alright, I believe you and I will forward your message to the mushroom kingdom.”

 

“Thank you.” Peach expressed her gratitude and stood upright. 

 

"However, that’s not the only reason I came to you. I bring troubling news, though based on what you just told me, it might be inaccurate now.”

 

“Oh? What is it?”

 

“I’ll let Rosalina explain.”

 

“W-Wait, Rosalina?! Here?!” Daisy stammered, wide-eyed.

 

The three Lumas floated closer, forming a glowing triangle. Magical beams connected them, and the space between began to shift and shimmer. Like a portal opening, the Comet Observatory appeared, revealing Rosalina.

 

"Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, I’m so relieved to see you both safe," Rosalina said warmly.

 

"Hiii," Daisy blurted, a goofy grin spreading across her face.

 

“Yes, we’re fine. But Polari said you have troubling news?” Peach asked.

 

Rosalina nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yes. In the last 48 hours, the Lumas have been in a panic—six of our star power-ups have been stolen. The culprits attacked the Observatory, nearly destroying half of it in their pursuit of the stars."

 

"That’s awful!" Peach gasped.

 

“We suspect Bowser, but…”

 

“No, it can’t be him. He’s been here with us the whole time, along with the Koopalings.” Daisy interjected. 

 

"Even so, we can’t rule him out just yet. The stolen stars are already on their way to his castle." Rosalina hesitated, a shiver running through her. Her expression darkened. "And whoever took them… they’re doing unspeakable things. The stars are being abused—misused in ways I can feel. They’re in pain. They’re terrified."

 

"Oh my stars!" Peach whispered, covering her mouth in shock.

 

"Please tell Mario quietly. Being in enemy territory with six stars heading your way, you're all in serious danger. The Lumas brought super stars with them—enough to help you escape so we can regroup and decide on our next steps."

 

“Unfortunately, that might not be enough stars,” Daisy added. “Luigi is here with us too.”

 

“Oh dear, that complicates things. If I had known…”

 

“It’s not your fault, Rosalina,” Peach said, offering comfort. “And I think you’re wrong about Bowser. I wanted to wait until I was back home, but we’ve been discussing a peace treaty. In his own way, he’s been open to it.”

 

Rosalina hesitated. “…I hope you’re right, Princess Peach. But please, stay cautious. With the stars these culprits have, they’re nearly unstoppable.”

 

“But wouldn’t the power wear off eventually? Can’t we just wait them out?” Daisy asked.

 

“Normally, yes. But… what they’ve done to the stars…” Rosalina’s voice cracked. “They’ve done something awful to prolong the stars’ power. I’m not sure they can even be saved anymore.”

 

“I’m sure we can still save them. Mario is our kingdom’s hero.” Peach comforted. 

 

“And with us here, we will make sure those jerks pay.” Daisy chimed in.  

 

“Thank you so much Princess Peach and Princess Daisy.” 

 

“D-d-don’t mention it, Rosalina.” Daisy said, red faced and clearly flustered by Rosalina addressing her directly. 

 

“Still, please take the stars the Lumas have. Who ever has those stars will be at the castle in a matter of days. And with the stars power in hand, who knows what they are capable of.” Rosalina warned. The princesses nodded in agreement. “I will work on returning you all home. And I will let Toadsworth know of your status.”

 

“Thank you so much Rosalina.” 

 

“And you as well Princess Daisy. I will inform your kingdom of your safety.” 

 

“Wha-me… pfft… you don't have to do that. I-I-I mean, if you want to you can I’m not trying to tell you what to do or anything, but don’t trouble yourself or anything. I'm totally cool, not in any danger at all. I Like it here even, that’s how cool I am here. Yep…I’m just, you know chillin. Yep, that’s… that’s all folks….just… I’m going to shut up now.” Daisy awkwardly Stumbled on her words before abruptly falling quiet. 

 

The image of Rosalina faded away and the Lumas fell out of their triangle formation. As instructed, the Lumas produced three small power stars. “They have been shrunken down for portability, but with a light but intentional tap they will grow back to size and strength.” Polari commented. 

 

The Lumas headed back to the window they came in from, with the Princesses following behind. “Are you sure you want to go back this way? Surely there is a safer way.” Peach asked. 

 

“Don’t worry about us Princess. Once we are above the clouds we will be alright.” Polari assured her just as they flew out of the window. 

 

They closed the window just as Wendy rushed in the room. “I heard the window! Did you see a boo?” 

 

“Sorry, no boos yet.” Peach answered. 

 

“AAARRRHHHGG At this rate we won’t find any of those white blobs. Iggy better not be sending us on some wild goose chase.”

 

“I’m sure we will find some. We just got to keep our eyes peeled.” Daisy said, now taking the lead, hoping Wendy didn’t suspect anything. The three of them left the room continuing their search. 

 

On the other side of the castle, Luigi was carefully combing through his assigned rooms, the children’s study. It was a smaller study from where they gathered after dinner, filled with mostly kids books and toys. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched. Sure enough, Larry and Bowser Jr. weren’t searching for Boos at all—they were just staring him down. Every step Luigi took, their eyes followed.

 

“Uh… make sure you-a two use your-a dark-light devices. Boos are-a harder to-a find than-a good tomato sauce, heh heh…” Luigi chuckled nervously, hoping to ease the tension between him and the two young koopas.

 

“Oh, I bet you’d love that, wouldn’t you!” Larry shot back. “Us turning our backs so you can suck us up in that little prison on your back.”

 

“I promise, I’m-a not going to-a suck you up with the-a vacuum.” Luigi tried to reassure them. “We are-a just looking for boos.”

 

The three of them continued in silence—Luigi searching while Larry and Junior kept a suspicious watch over him. The tension was thick, making Luigi uneasy with every step.

 

“Um, Larry, could you-a check that corner with your-a device?” Luigi asked as politely as he could, trying to sound casual.

 

Larry glared at him, eyes narrowed. Without breaking eye contact, he lazily pointed his device to the corner, flicked it on for a second, then turned it off, all while his gaze stayed locked on Luigi.

 

“Uh… you gotta leave it on a little long—”

 

“Riddle me this, Green Stache,” Larry interrupted, stepping closer. “You and my dad, huh? Got real close all of a sudden. Best buds now?”

 

“I-I guess,” Luigi replied, growing more nervous as the blue-shelled koopaling started circling him slowly.

 

“A little jaunt up a mountain and now you're pals? After years of fighting, you’re in our castle, eating our food, sleeping in our beds, and I’m supposed to just take orders from you? I don’t know about you, Junior, but this smells real fishy to me.” Larry pressed, his voice tainted with suspicion. 

 

“Well me and-a Bowser… we helped, well he-a more helped me, down the-a mountain you see.”

 

“Right… he ‘helped’ you down. He helped our enemy down the mountain. Just like you're helping yourself to our castle,” Larry said sarcastically, making air quotes.

 

“Well, no I wouldn’t—”

 

“So what is it then? Blackmail? You got some dirt on our old man, huh? Took some compromising pictures you plan to sell to the tabloids?”

 

“What? No! I—” Luigi tried to defend himself.

 

“Or did you poison him? Got him all weak and now you're keeping the antidote from him, forcing him to do whatever you want.”

 

“I would-a never do—”

 

“Or did you hypnotize him? That’s it, isn’t it? He doesn’t even know what’s going on because you used some of your human magic on him, and now our dear father’s trapped in his own mind while you’re pulling the strings like some kind of puppet master.”

 

Before Luigi could respond he felt the little pat of tiny fist hitting his leg. 

 

“YOU BETTER UNPOISON MY DAD!” 

 

Luigi now faced two little problems that seemed bigger than catching boos. He had spoken to all the other koopalings, even spent time with them in some way or another, except Larry. Since arriving and being given free rein of the castle, Larry had always watched Luigi with suspicion. Even when Luigi had fixed the bathroom toilet, Larry kept his distance, unlike the other koopalings who had warmed up to him. If they were going to be stuck together for the rest of the storm, Luigi had to find a way to show the little blue koopa that he wasn’t their enemy anymore. But first, he needed to mend things with Junior. The young koopa was still at that impressionable age, and despite the night they spent shining shells together, he still looked up to his father and the other koopalings for everything. Larry’s words held more weight than any of Luigi’s actions. But Luigi had to try to change that.

 

Luigi crouched down to eye level with Junior. “You don’t-a believe that do you?”

 

The little Koopa stopped is attack. “Well… I don’t know. I don’t know you. But I know your brother is a big meanie and therefore you must be too!”

 

“But what have I-a done that-a so mean?” 

 

“You might have hypno-poisoned my dad!”

 

“Hmm… well then let-a me ask you this; did-a your dad seemed poisoned or-a hypnotized at dinner tonight?”

 

Junior thought about it. “No…”

 

“And did he seemed poisoned or-a hypnotized when we watched the-a lightning show?”

 

“Uh…no.” Junior said, finally calming down. 

“And when we-a polished shells, did you Dad seem-a like someone else?” Luigi reminded the little koopa. 

 

“No, he’s always fun when we hang out!” he said excitedly as he remembered that night. 

 

“Exactly! See, if I was a bad guy, I-a wouldn’t let-a you have all that-a fun with your dad. I don’t want to hurt-a you, or Bowser, or-a anyone you know?”

 

“Promise?” Bowser looked up at Luigi.

 

“I promise.”

 

Larry looked on, unimpressed by the conversation. "Bravo, you convinced a toddler with your LIES! But that won’t fool me. I can see through your deception."

 

Just as Larry started to drill into Luigi again, the green plumber noticed something moving behind him. “Um… Larry…”

 

“I’m going to find out exactly what you’re scheming, and mark my words—"

 

“Larry, there’s… uh…” Luigi pointed to a stack of books floating just above Larry’s head. Larry didn’t noticed and continued with his rant. 

 

“Even if I’m the only one who hasn’t fallen for your tricks, I will find you out and—"

 

Before Larry could finish, Luigi quickly stood up and aimed the Poltergust right at him. 

 

“AHH, YOU SEE? I GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE TRUTH AND NOW HE’S TRYING TO SUCK ME UP WITH HIS VACUUM!” Larry yelled.

 

“Larry, you need-a to stand very, very still,” Luigi whispered, eyes focused on the space just above Larry’s head.

 

“Oh, so I’ll be easier to catch? See, Junior? What did I tell you?” Larry ranted.

 

Junior’s eyes darted nervously between Luigi, Larry, and the floating books, confusion and fear spreading across his face. Unsure who to believe, he froze. Luigi flipped on the dark-light device, revealing a boo hovering over Larry. Larry, ducking with his eyes squeezed shut, didn’t notice right away, but when the multicolored beam exposed the ghost holding the books, he finally looked up. The boo, realizing it had been spotted, dropped the books, barely missing Larry as he jumped out of the way.

 

In a panic, the boo tried to escape, but Luigi was faster. He switched on the Poltergust and caught the boo by its tail. The ghost struggled, dragging Luigi around the room, knocking over books and lamps. Luigi dug his heels in, slowing himself down to get a better grip. With one final pull—*poof*—the boo was sucked into the Poltergust. 

 

Luigi winded, looked over the check on Larry who was still startled from the boo encounter. “See… I’m-a no threat to-a you. I’m-a just trying to-a help.”

 

“Well…” Larry jumped up, trying to play it cool. “Just because you caught one little boo doesn’t—" Before he could finish, he felt himself lift off the ground.

 

Luigi quickly flashed his dark-light device, revealing another boo clutching Larry by the shell. “CLOSE YOUR-A EYES!” Luigi shouted. Larry, panicking, did as he was told. Luigi turned on the strobe, and the sudden flash stunned the boo, causing it to drop Larry. Luigi dropped everything and dove to catch him, but instead of gracefully catching him, Luigi painfully broke his fall with his own body. The boo floated around, still dazed and dizzy from the strobe.

 

As Luigi slowly sat up, he gestured to Junior. “Grab  the-a poltergust!” The little koopa rushed to pick up the machine, struggling both with its weight and trying to figure it out. Meanwhile, the boo was starting to recover.

 

“Flip-a the red switch!” Luigi called out. Junior fumbled but managed to do it, and the poltergust latched onto the boo’s tongue. The specter, suddenly aware of its predicament, thrashed wildly, trying to escape the vacuum’s pull. In a panic, the boo tried to phase through the wall, dragging Junior toward a bookcase. 

Just before Junior was pulled into the furniture, he felt arms wrap tightly around him—it was Luigi, holding on to the little koopa for dear life. “DON’T LET-A GO!” Luigi yelled, straining to pull the boo back from the wall. But this boo was stronger than the last. Just when it seemed like they were losing the tug-of-war, Luigi felt a tug from behind—Larry had joined in. 

The three of them pulled with all their might, the vacuum steadily drawing in more of the boo until—poof—the big white ghost was sucked in completely. The trio tumbled backward, crashing onto the floor now that the force pulling against them had disappeared.

Seeing the coast was clear, Luigi leaped to his feet. “Oh yeah! Oh yeah! We did it!” he shouted, bouncing and dancing in excitement. Junior quickly jumped up and joined in, celebrating alongside him. 

 

Larry dusted himself off and stood up. “Well… I guess… you’re not all bad.”

 

Luigi grinned, pleased with the small victory of earning some respect from the stubborn blue koopa. “Heh heh, thanks.”

 

“But don’t look too much into it,” Larry added quickly, crossing his arms. “I said you weren’t that bad. The jury’s still out on your pesky brother and his little princess friends.”

 

“Okie dokie,” Luigi replied, still beaming. “Come on, we-a got more boos to catch in the other rooms.”

 

“So, are we just gonna leave this boo here?” Junior piped up.

 

“What boo? That was all of them,” Larry said, confused.

 

“Nuh-uh, there’s a little one right here,” Junior pointed at the end table near the couch. “See?”

 

Both Larry and Luigi leaned in closer, but neither could see anything.

 

“How can you see anything, anyway? Boos are invisible when they’re hiding,” Larry scoffed.

 

“They’re not that invisible. You can still see their outline,” Junior insisted.

 

“No, you can’t. That wouldn’t make them invisible.”

 

“Yes, you can! Look, it’s moving now. You can totally see its tail.”

 

Luigi, equally perplexed, glanced at the table. All he saw was a few thin books—nothing unusual. But Junior’s focused expression made him curious. Luigi grabbed the dark-light device and shined it over the spot Junior had pointed out. To everyone’s surprise, the form of a small boo began to appear—no bigger than Luigi’s fist. The tiny ghost bashfully covered its face as the trio stared.

“See, I told you,” Junior said proudly, while Larry stood there slack-jawed in disbelief.

 

Junior stared at the little boo, noticing its shivering and scared demeanor. “This one’s not like the others. It’s too small and scared. Can I keep it?” He looked up at Luigi with excitement, his eyes practically sparkling at the idea of a new pet or friend.

 

“Um, I don’t-a know. You’ll-a have to ask-a your dad,” Luigi replied, trying not to crush the little koopa’s hopes.

 

“Aww,” Junior groaned, already guessing what Bowser’s answer would be. “Can we at least let this one go?”

 

“I don’t think we-a can,” Luigi said gently, lowering himself to Junior’s eye level. “How about this: I’ll-a label this boo jar as ‘Junior’s special boo jar,’ and when we meet up with your-a dad, I’ll help explain that you want to let-a this one go back-a home. Sound good?”

 

Junior thought for a moment. He really wanted to keep the little boo, but he knew it was probably best to let it go. His dad would either destroy it or at least scare it off. “Okay… but I get to let it free, okay?”

 

“Okie dokie,” Luigi said, smiling warmly. “Now let’s go-a find more boos.”

 

The three of them set off to search the other rooms, with Junior’s keen eyes leading the way. It quickly became clear that Junior had an unusual ability—he could see the boos even when they were cloaked, detecting the faint colors they emitted. Not only that, but Junior seemed able to see subtle shades and polarized colors that neither Luigi nor Larry could notice. With his help, they managed to catch four more boos.

 

The boo-catching, however, was punctuated by Larry constantly badgering Junior with questions about what colors he could see, which was starting to grate on Luigi’s nerves just a bit. Still, they made great progress as a team.

 

In Iggy’s lab, the scene was far from a ghost hunt. Ludwig sat slouched, bored, on the only comfortable piece of furniture—a beat-up couch—while Lemmy, balancing on his circus ball, juggled empty beakers. Iggy, however, was laser-focused on his experiments, his workbench cluttered with bubbling fluids and humming machines, creating a mechanical symphony that drowned out the silence.

 

“So, what now? Are we just not going on your little ghost hunt?” Ludwig finally broke the quiet.

 

Iggy, not looking up, responded, “Boos, dear Ludwig, not ghosts. There’s a distinct ectoplasmic difference in their molecular composition. But no, we are not.”

 

Ludwig got up and hovered over Iggy’s cluttered desk, staring at the colorful fluids bubbling away. “Then what was the point of splitting us into groups if you weren’t gonna participate? Why propose this whole wild goose chase just to hide in your lab like always?”

 

“The infestation of Boos is significant,” Iggy replied, adjusting his glasses, “ but our participation in this manual pursuit is entirely unnecessary. I’ve deployed the others to sectors of the castle where their ectothermic readings indicate activity. Subtly of course, since these interdimensional entities are likely spies.”

 

“That still doesn’t answer why we’re here. You set this up, so why aren’t we out there?”

 

Iggy turned to face Ludwig, a smirk forming on his face. “Because, Ludwig, we gain nothing from actively participating.”

 

“Come again?”

 

“Let’s break it down.” Iggy straightened up, gesturing with his hands. “A year off from chores? Laughable. Lemmy, destructive as he is, is banned from most chores anyway. I’ve engineered machines to handle any mundane task assigned to me, and you, well, we both know you’d still do the chores out of sheer frustration at how incompetently the others manage them. Therefore, a year of chore exemption is of no consequence to us.”

 

Ludwig paused, considering Iggy’s point. “Fair enough. But then why bother proposing this in the first place?”

 

“Motivation.”

 

Ludwig raised an eyebrow. “So, this was some elaborate scheme to get the others to collect Boos for your nerdy experiments, wasn’t it?”

 

Iggy waved the idea off. “Please, Ludwig, I’ve long since cataloged everything worth knowing about Boos. I don’t need more data.”

 

“Then what was the point?”

 

Iggy’s expression shifted, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “Believe it or not, not everything I do is driven by the pursuit of scientific discovery. Sometimes, my actions are… well, let’s say, multifaceted.”

 

“You? Multifaceted?” 

 

“Do you like playing house as we do?”

 

Ludwig blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”

 

Iggy, without looking up from his work, continued, “Do you enjoy pretending? You know, acting like we’re Lord Bowser’s adopted kids—eating meals together, spending time like one big oversized family. Do you like being in a family?”

 

Ludwig frowned, taking a moment before answering. He sat back down on the couch, thinking it over. “I suppose. Being in a family unit does have its advantages.”

 

“Even though we’re not a real family?”

 

“I’d argue we’re as real as any family in the Darklands… aside from being of royal lineage.”

 

Iggy nodded, taking off his glasses to clean them. “Good… I think so too.” He paused before asking, “How long do you think we can keep this up?”

 

Ludwig tilted his head, confused. “What do you mean by this?”

 

“This family charade,” Iggy said, his tone cold as he slipped his glasses back on. His eyes, sharp and serious, locked onto Ludwig’s. “How long before we’re forced back into our real roles?”

 

Ludwig sat up straight, sensing something unsettling in his brother’s voice. “Why would things change?”

 

“It’s no secret, Ludwig. We’re not really Bowser’s kids. We’re not his family, not even related. We’re his henchmen, his generals, part of his army. That’s what we were born to be. Just because Lord Bowser decided to raise us himself, instead of sticking to the old ways, doesn’t change that fact. Sooner or later, we’ll have to give up this ‘family’ act, drop the brotherly titles, and fight—and maybe die—for the kingdom.”

 

The room seemed to chill with Iggy’s words. He wasn’t wrong. The truth lingered in the air like a bitter draft. The koopalings were, first and foremost, soldiers—Bowser’s elite. Traditionally, koopalings were trained from hatching for warfare, never speaking to the king so casually, never sharing meals or living with him. But Bowser had broken that tradition. He’d raised them as his own, treated them like his children rather than his soldiers.

 

Ludwig felt the weight of Iggy’s words. The life they led—laughing, bickering, eating together, calling each other ‘brother’ and ‘sister’—was an unusual luxury. And, deep down, Ludwig knew Iggy was right. At some point, the reality of their roles might come crashing down.

 

“I know on the surface it seems like all my work is self-serving. And yes, some of it is,” Iggy admitted with a shrug. “But I always make sure it serves this kingdom, too. All the ‘nerd stuff’ you guys like to tease me about? It’s for a greater purpose.”

 

Ludwig crossed his arms, leaning in. “So, what’s the reason for all of this then? If there’s a bigger picture to your actions, why are you convinced things will change?”

 

Iggy didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turned to his desk and grabbed a container from his poltergust. He held it up, and the small screen on its surface displayed the number 4. “I found these Boos in my laboratory. At first, I just observed them. They weren’t just haunting my workspace, they were… investigating it. Spying. These Boos didn’t sneak into the castle on their own. I made sure our defenses were airtight. No, someone let them in.”

 

Ludwig frowned but said nothing, watching as Iggy turned again and retrieved a notebook from his cluttered desk.

 

“That’s not all,” Iggy continued, flipping through the pages. “I’ve been monitoring the movements of some of our Koopa Troopas—outside of their assigned duties. Too many of them have been gathering in unusual places. Not the usual hangouts, not the local watering holes, but abandoned buildings and random homes. And I’ve noticed something else. There’s been a surge in gossip, chatter around the kingdom. A lot of citizens aren’t pleased with how Lord Bowser is running things. Murmurs about replacing him—and us—are spreading. Disinformation campaigns are being circulated, too. Lies that Bowser’s a human sympathizer, that he’s negotiating with the Mushroom Kingdom to sell off parts of our land to Princess Peach.”

 

Iggy’s voice dropped as he spoke his next words. “With Bradley’s mutiny attempt, I think my hunch is right. We’re on the brink of a full-scale coup d’état.”

 

Ludwig’s expression hardened as he took it all in. The playful atmosphere they’d had earlier in the day was long gone. “A coup?”

 

“Yes,” Iggy confirmed. “And if it happens, we won’t just be playing house anymore.”

 

“So… what do we do? Shouldn’t we tell dad— Lord?” 

 

“At the moment… no. We know what he’ll do—he won’t believe us. Unfortunately, Bowser sees us as his kids first, which ruins our credibility with him.” Iggy’s tone was matter-of-fact, tinged with frustration. “No, I’ll take this information to General Blue Shell first. If it comes from him, Lord Bowser will take it more seriously. The General might also have more intel to fill in the gaps.”

 

Ludwig leaned forward, his interest fully piqued. “And what do you want me to do? Why are you telling me all this?”

 

Iggy looked at him, his eyes sharper than usual behind his thick glasses. “Prepare. Prepare for the worst and be ready to take charge. As the oldest, you’d be our first in command. You need to be ready to lead us, to defend this kingdom… even if it’s against our own people.”

 

The weight of Iggy’s words settled between them like a storm cloud. For once, Ludwig couldn’t find a sarcastic comeback. He simply nodded, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

 

“Let’s head back to the study. No doubt some of our teams should be finishing their hunt,” Iggy said, gathering his equipment.

 

Ludwig gestured to Lemmy, who was still juggling beakers while precariously balancing on his circus ball. “And what about him?”

 

Iggy gave a small shrug, his gaze momentarily softening. “I’ve already talked to him about all of this. He might seem carefree, but he’s just as aware of the situation as we are. He’d rather spend his time indulging in his joys while he still can. Honestly, who can blame him?”

 

With that, Iggy and Ludwig made their way out of the lab. Lemmy, still expertly balancing on his circus ball, followed behind without missing a beat.

 

Back with Mario and Bowser, the search continued, though they hadn’t seen a single boo. After splitting from Roy and Morton, they found themselves in the throne room, a narrow space lined with large stained glass windows. Mario had been here many times before—usually during a rescue mission for Peach—and knew it was filled with hidden dangers. He’d dodged countless obstacles, evaded traps in the walls and floors, and narrowly avoided falling into the lava that lurked beneath the breakaway floor. But now, the room felt different. In the dim light of their flashlights, it seemed small, cold, and almost… ordinary. Iron casted chandeliers hung motionless over their heads, their usual flames snuff out leaving the room in darkness. 

 

Bowser moved around the room, halfheartedly rummaging through pockets of shadow around his throne, lazily waving the dark-light device over various nooks and crannies without much care.

 

“Well, we tried. No boos around here,” Bowser grumbled, straightening up. “I’m heading back to the study. I’m done with this lame ghost hunt. Especially with the likes of you.”

 

“You barely looked,” Mario muttered, turning off his device. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was just as ready to be done working with Bowser. Any glimpse of decency he thought he’d seen was long gone. This whole search for Boos had shown Mario a side of Bowser he wished he hadn’t: a spoiled man-child pouting because things weren’t going his way.

Throughout the whole ordeal, which had only been a few hours, Bowser had done nothing but grumble, complain, and make snide remarks about everything Mario did. He barely lifted a claw to help. The few moments Bowser seemed even remotely useful—like when he encouraged Roy and Morton to search—were short-lived. Most of the time, Bowser let them work alone, leaving Mario to carry the weight of this overgrown turtle all by himself.

 

The pair turned toward the door to exit when Mario heard a faint creak coming from the chandelier above. “Wait…” he paused, listening intently.

 

“Geez, what is it n—”

 

“Shhh.” Mario’s eyes stayed fixed on the chandelier.

 

Bowser froze, mouth agape. “I know you didn’t just shush me, you little—”

 

“SHHH!” Mario repeated, narrowing his gaze.

 

Bowser was beside himself. How dare this little twerp shush the almighty King of the Koopas. He was just about to march over and give Mario the business end of his device when he heard the creak too. His eyes shot upwards. In the dim light, he saw the chandelier swaying ever so slightly, side to side. There was no breeze in the throne room, and those chandeliers were massive. But there it was, moving, as if someone was swinging on it.

 

Mario flipped on his dark-light device and aimed it at the chandelier. As the colorful beam washed over the fixture, a circular figure began to materialize. A large boo, roughly the size of Bowser, appeared. For a moment, it was easy to mistake it for King Boo. The boo, now exposed, attempted to flee.

 

“OH NO YOU DON’T! Boos… in MY CASTLE?!” Bowser leaped toward the ghostly figure.

 

“BOWSER, WAIT!!” Mario yelled, but it was too late.

 

Bowser launched himself through the air, fist balled and ready to strike. The boo didn’t rush away—it merely turned to face him. “TAKE THIS!” Bowser roared as his fist drove straight at the boo’s face. But instead of landing the punch, Bowser’s arm passed right through the ghost, phasing through its cold, spectral form. With nothing to stop his momentum, Bowser flew forward, completely through the boo. 

THUMP

 

The Koopa King landed face-first on the ground with a loud thud. Mario stood there, blinking in disbelief. How many times does someone have to tell him you can’t punch a Boo? All Mario could do was shake his head. He turned his attention back to the ghostly figure floating before him.

 

Mario remembered what Luigi had said: the strobe light normally didn’t affect Boos, but with Iggy’s recent modifications, it might just stun them long enough to make them more solid. The Boo, however, didn’t behave like the others Mario had encountered in the past—it wasn’t bashful or easily frightened. It didn’t hide or turn away. Instead, it lunged at him, mouth open wide, ready to swallow him whole.

Thinking fast, Mario activated the strobe. A bright flash of light erupted from the device, and the Boo halted in mid-air, stunned and dazed. Wasting no time, Mario flipped the switch on the vacuum strapped to his back and latched onto the Boo’s tongue. But just as he thought he had the upper hand, the Boo snapped back to its senses.

It panicked, realizing that its tongue was caught, and began thrashing wildly. Mario tried to dig his feet into the ground, bracing himself for the inevitable struggle. But what he wasn’t ready for was just how strong this Boo was. With tremendous force, the Boo spun around, sending Mario flying through the air, whipping him around like a rag doll.

 

“WHOOOOAA!” Mario shouted, gripping the vacuum hose for dear life as he was flung from around and around, desperately trying to keep the Boo from slipping away. 

 

Suddenly, Mario felt his chaotic ride come to an abrupt stop as two massive hands grabbed his legs—Bowser. The Koopa King looked absolutely furious. The Boo continued to thrash and pull with all its might, but Bowser's grip was unyielding. 

 

Mario, for his part, clung to the vacuum hose with every ounce of strength he had. As the Boo struggled, it began to lose ground. Slowly, bit by bit, more of its ghostly body was sucked into the Poltergust. With Bowser pulling Mario backward and Mario pulling the vacuum forward, the pressure mounted. The Boo's lower lip was the first to disappear into the nozzle, followed by its gaping mouth, and then an arm. Finally, with a loud schloooop, the entire Boo was yanked into the Poltergust.

 

The sudden lack of resistance sent both of them flying backward. Bowser landed hard on his shell, while Mario landed squarely on Bowser’s snout. Groaning, Bowser shoved Mario off and quickly scrambled to his feet.

 

“Is that Boo creep gone?” Bowser demanded, scanning the room making sure the Boo didn’t escape. Mario pushed himself up and checked the back of the Poltergust. The display clearly read: Boo Count – 1.

 

Bowser’s eyes lit up, and he let out a triumphant roar. “HELL YEAH! Take that, you invading little creep! That’ll teach you to sneak into *MY* castle!” he bellowed, almost as if he were scolding the vacuum itself. 

 

“Have you two been in the throne room this whole time? What were you even doing in here?” Roy interrupted, striding in with Morton from another room.

 

Bowser grinned and spun Mario around, pointing at the display on the Poltergust. “Your old man just caught a massive Boo. Probably bigger than King Boo himself,” he bragged, puffing out his chest. “Yeah, not bad for an old king like me.”

 

“Okay, sure, cool, whatever—hey, can I borrow that polter-suck-whatever thing?” Roy asked.

 

“Yeah—wait, why?” Bowser squinted.

 

“To catch more Boos, duh,” Roy replied nonchalantly.

 

Bowser hesitated for a moment, then handed it over. “Hmm… fine. But if you need any help, just shout, and I’ll come in. You know, since I already took down the Boo in here.”

 

Mario passed Roy the Poltergust, and the pair of Koopas headed back to the room they came from. A tense silence filled the air for a moment before it was broken by the chaotic sound of Boos screeching, the Poltergust whirring, and loud crashes echoing through the walls. Through the crack beneath the door, light flashed wildly as the dark-light device and strobe were deployed in rapid succession.

 

After what sounded like a small war, Roy and Morton casually strolled back into the throne room, looking as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Roy handed the Poltergust back to Bowser without a second thought.

 

“That should be enough to win, right?” Roy said with a cocky grin.

 

“Well, we’ll have to see what the oth—” Bowser’s words stuck in his throat as he glanced at the Poltergust’s display. The Boo counter read 27. Bowser had only contributed one.

 

“I doubt Wendy got more Boos than us. Boos ain’t pink, and she can’t take a selfie with one,” Roy snickered, Morton chuckling beside him. Neither noticed Bowser’s dumbfounded expression. “Come on, let’s head back. I wanna see Wendy’s face when she loses.”

 

Wendy and the princesses, however, were not in the study. Instead, they were in Wendy’s private and opulently decorated pool area, searching for and successfully capturing Boos. Out of all the Koopalings, Wendy had the largest living quarters, including her own pool, which had unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—become a hotspot for Boo activity. What should have been a terrifying sight to behold, Wendy saw as her golden opportunity to finally avoid chores and claim the royal treatment she believed she deserved.

 

With fierce determination, Wendy wielded the Poltergust like a seasoned professional, sucking up Boos left and right. Ten, twenty, thirty—no Boo was safe from her relentless pursuit. Maniacal laughter echoed through the cavernous pool room as the Boos, in a panic, tried and failed to escape Wendy’s wrath.

 

Meanwhile, Peach and Daisy were distracted by something on the floor—a small piece of hardened acrylic. In her frenzy, Wendy hadn’t noticed that she had chipped a piece of her prized nail art, the very manicure she had fought so hard to preserve. Her nails were her central motivation for catching the Boos in the first place, and now, unbeknownst to her, they were being destroyed with each swing of the vacuum.

 

Princess Peach gingerly picked up the broken piece of nail, glancing between it and Wendy, who was still consumed by her Boo-hunting. “Should we… should we tell her?” Peach asked, torn between wanting to help her but also not wanting to break her heart.

“No… let’s let her have her moment,” Daisy replied with a nervous grin, watching as Wendy’s laughter filled the air, blissfully unaware of her manicure’s slow demise.

 

After about half an hour, everyone gathered back in the study to compare their Boo counts. Iggy took charge, inspecting each Poltergust and reading the displays with meticulous care.

 

“Based on the ectoplasmic analysis I conducted a few days ago, there should be exactly 67 Boos in the castle,” Iggy announced confidently. He started with Luigi’s Poltergust. “Six Boos in total,” he said, nodding. Then he examined Mario’s Poltergust. “Twenty-seven Boos—impressive.” Finally, he reached Wendy’s. Roy stood nearby with a smug grin, expecting to hear a low number that would secure his victory.

 

“Thirty-four Boos,” Iggy declared, eyes wide. “It looks like Wendy is our sole winner.”

 

Roy and Morton stood there, jaws practically hitting the floor in disbelief. Wendy had far exceeded their expectations. Despite having won, however, Wendy wasn’t celebrating. She sat at the desk in the study, sobbing loudly.

 

“Isn’t that wonderful, Wendy? You won! No chores for the rest of the year!” Peach tried to cheer her up, hoping to lift her spirits.

 

“BUT AT WHAT COST? AT WHAT COST?!” Wendy wailed, gazing down at her once-perfect but now utterly destroyed manicure, her nails chipped and unrecognizable. 

 

“Good, great, fine and all—but are all the Boos gone from the castle?” Bowser asked, dismissively waving off Wendy’s dramatic plight.

 

“Yes,” Iggy confirmed, adjusting his glasses. “My ectoplasmic readers aren’t detecting any more temporal anomalies within the castle.”

 

“That’s what I want to hear.” Bowser exhaled in relief. “Now, since Wendy won, she’s free to go. Our… guests,” he glanced briefly at Mario, “are also dismissed. Iggy, Ludwig, I want you two to come up with a plan to extract any information from these Boos and figure out what to do with them afterward. Junior, it’s way past your bedtime.”

 

“But Dad, I need to ask you something first—”

 

“You can ask me after you’ve brushed your teeth and are in bed,” Bowser cut him off, turning back to the rest of the koopalings. “Everyone else, get to cleaning. I’ll be inspecting your work in the morning.”

 

Roy, Morton, Lemmy, and Larry all groaned in unison, dragging themselves toward the kitchen. Iggy and Ludwig headed straight to Iggy’s laboratory. Meanwhile, Mario and Luigi were just about to retreat to their rooms when Peach suddenly reached out, stopping them.

 

She looked around cautiously, ensuring Bowser and the koopalings had all left the study. Then, in a hushed voice, she said, “We need to talk—all of us.” 

Notes:

No head cannon notes today. But I will let you know we are about to be at the peak of the Bowsers castle arch. The next chapter is going to start the action. All the dominoes are in place, now it almost time to let them fall.

Chapter 21: Uninvited Guest

Summary:

Two days after a boo hunt, things go back to normal… as normal as it gets being Bowser’s house guest. However, tensions are high, secret plans are in place and pictures are drawn. It will take all of our heros cunning, skills, and problem solving skills to figure out this mys… wait… who is that? Over there?

It had been about two days since their little Boo hunt, and things had mostly returned to normal—or at least as normal as it gets in a giant turtle’s castle. Luigi kept himself busy with minor plumbing repairs around the place, while Princess Peach and Princess Daisy continued their negotiations with Bowser over the peace treaty. With Daisy involved, Mario felt like his presence would only be a distraction. Besides, his mind was elsewhere, dwelling on the conversation they’d had after the Boo hunt.

 

It had been in Mario and Peach’s shared quarters two nights earlier when the four Mushroom Kingdom citizens gathered.

 

“What is it, Princess?” Mario asked, sensing the weight of Peach’s concern.

 

“I wanted to wait until we had privacy,” Peach began, sitting on the edge of the bed. She pulled out three Power Stars from her satchel. “Daisy and I received some troubling news.”

 

Daisy jumped in, unable to hold back. “Rosalina sent her Lumas to deliver a message—and then, get this, she projected herself like a video call. She was right here! So tall and beautiful and you could almost smell her perfume… not that I would know that or anything, haha…” Daisy trailed off awkwardly.

 

Peach, unfazed by Daisy’s outbust, pressed on. “Three intruders have broken into her observatory and stolen several Power Stars.”

 

“Wha?” Luigi exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.

 

“And it appears they’re headed this way,” Peach finished, her voice steady but grim.

 

Mario jumped up, his face hardening. “This-a gotta be Bowser’s doing! Mama mia, just as I was about to-a trust he was-a turning into a good guy!”

 

“No, Mario, it-a can’t be Bowser!” Luigi protested, shaking his head.

 

“Come on, bro. How-a many times has he pulled stuff like this?” Mario shot back. 

 

“But— but it can’t be! Not after how-a nice he’s been to us! Why would he-a go through all that just to—”

 

“IT’S A TRICK!” Mario shouted, his frustration boiling over. After a moment, he took a deep breath, calming himself. He turned to Luigi, his voice softer but still firm. “He’s-a tricking you, all of us. He’s only pretending to be-a nice.”

 

“I don’t know…” Peach chimed in thoughtfully. “Bowser isn’t exactly the type to manipulate people like that. He’s more… direct.”

 

“And think about it,” Daisy added, leaning in. “There were, like, a million things Bowser could’ve never planned for: the storm, Bradley kidnapping both Peach and Luigi, you getting here in time to get stranded here. Even me being here—it’s all too random. If this is some grand scheme of his, it’s the worst-executed one I’ve ever seen.”

 

“Then… if not-a him… then who?” Mario questioned. 

 

“A lot of bad people could very much be the culprits. We more than anyone know just how many power hungry people are out there.” Peach answered. 

 

“Then… if it’s not-a him… then who?” Mario questioned, his brow furrowed with concern.

 

“A lot of bad people could be behind this,” Peach responded. “We, more than anyone, know how many power-hungry people are out there.”

 

“Then-a why are they coming here if they’re-a not Bowser’s minions?” Mario asked, his confusion growing.

 

“That’s the million-coin question, isn’t it?” Daisy said, leaning forward. “On the surface, it could easily be a rogue Bowser henchman or two. Bradley, that koopa troopa, was just trying to impress Bowser by going rogue. But it could also be someone else entirely—an enemy of Bowser.”

 

Peach nodded in agreement. “Yes, Bowser has plenty of allies, but just as many enemies. Not just with the Mushroom Kingdom, but with the Kongs, the Metro Kingdom, the Ice Kingdom, and even the Beanbean Kingdom. As bad as it would be if Bowser were behind this, it would be even worse if we’re getting pulled into an interkingdom conflict. Especially with all these rulers here.”

 

Mario hadn’t considered that. A full-scale war between kingdoms, and they were caught in the middle of it all. This would put Peach, Daisy, and Luigi in much greater danger than just a regular rescue. Especially if whoever was coming had power stars.

 

“That’s why the Lumas gave us these,” Peach said, holding up the three power stars. “If it’s Bowser’s doing, or a potential attack on his kingdom, we can use these stars to escape back to the Mushroom Kingdom. The stars will help us survive the storm, but…” She hesitated. “We only have three. That means one of us would have to stay behind. Or…” She paused again. “We can stay and fight. It’s not the best option, but at least with the stars, we’d have a chance. Still, one of us would be vulnerable. We’d have to figure out—”

 

“You-a three escape with the stars, I’ll stay back and deal with-a these bad guys,” Mario interrupted, standing tall.

 

“Absolutely not, Mario!” Peach said sharply, cutting off his suggestion. “This isn’t like dealing with Bowser. Whoever these people are, they’ve stolen multiple power stars.”

 

“Even with the stars, we’d only be on equal footing for a little while,” Daisy added, her expression serious. “Rosalina said they’re manipulating the power stars, making them last longer. Once ours wear off, they can just pop another one. Then we’re toast.”

 

Mario clenched his fists. “But we can’t-a just let them waltz in and do whatever they want!”

 

“We won’t,” Peach said softly but firmly. “But we need to think this through. We can’t be reckless. We need a plan, not just bravery.”

 

“What about asking-a Bowser for help?” Luigi asked. The group stared at Luigi, confusion plastered on their faces, as if the question was spoken in another language. 

 

“I-I-I mean he-a helped me down the-a mountain, and-and-and he helped us stay-a safe from the-a storm, so-so-so maybe he will-a help here.”‘Luigi further clarified, but to a still silent group. “Or we could-a tell him.”

 

“I don’t know…” Peach broke the tension. “We can’t rule anything out. As much as I doubt he’s involved, we can’t rule out that rogue actors like Daisy mentioned. Even his advisors like Kamek might be behind this.”

 

“But—but if it isn’t him, doesn’t he-a need to know? He’s got kids here,” Luigi pointed out, his voice softening. The koopalings had fought alongside Bowser before and could hold their own against any enemy. But despite knowing that, Luigi couldn’t help but think of Larry and Bowser Jr. as the kids they were.

 

“Who’s to say he doesn’t already know?” Daisy interjected. “He’s got his own network of surveillance, after all.”

 

“Who’s to-a say he’ll believe us?” Mario added. “He’ll probably think we’re-a plotting against him.”

 

“And who’s to say he’d even help us?” Peach chimed in. “It’s one thing when it was just you and him on the mountain. But let’s be honest, our relationship with Bowser isn’t exactly smooth.”

 

Luigi’s face scrunched up in thought, wrestling with the situation. After a moment, he perked up. “How about-a this: we wait and observe. See if-a Bowser starts acting funny. Then, the next time you-a meet with him about the peace treaty, you ask if he knows anything. If he doesn’t, you can-a share what we know. But if he does know-a something, we ask him what he knows first, then we tell him just enough. Keep it balanced, you know?”

 

The group exchanged glances, realizing that Luigi’s plan actually made sense. It allowed them to protect themselves while also maintaining leverage in both their safety and the peace negotiations. Sharing information, but in a measured way. 

 

The four agreed on the plan: observe Bowser for any signs of involvement, ready to use the stars to defend themselves if needed. If Bowser was innocent, they’d gauge how much he knew about the intruders and gradually share their own knowledge in future negotiation meetings. They also agreed that Mario should keep the power stars on him at all time. If anyone was going to get into battle with this threat it was going to be him. 

 

Two days passed and Mario began noticing unusual behaviors. Iggy and Ludwig, in particular, seemed different. Normally, Iggy was the loud, hyperactive scientist, always fiddling with new inventions at the dinner table, dragging other koopalings into his experiments, and tinkering well into the night. But since the ghost hunt, a strange quiet had fallen over his lab. There were no new contraptions sprawled across the table, and the cheerful chaos that usually followed him had been replaced with a gravity Mario had only ever seen in Bowser’s generals. 

Ludwig, too, was acting oddly. Although he was usually the more serious of the koopalings, now he seemed almost stone-cold. He barely acknowledged his siblings’ antics, not even cracking the faintest smile at their usual mischief. Even with Luigi, whom he’d worked closely with on a few plumbing repairs, he was distant, addressing him formally and only about the tasks at hand. It was as if he’d put up a wall between himself and everyone else—a shift that made Mario feel even more uneasy. 

And then, there was the staffing change. Bowser had already dismissed most of his staff before the storm, keeping only a few around for essential operations. Now, even those few were gone, replaced entirely by koopa troopas stationed at nearly every corner of the castle. It was a quiet but undeniable shift in the castle’s usual atmosphere. Yet, despite everything, everyone else seemed to act like nothing was amiss. Mario knew that on his and the others’ part, it was an act—keeping up appearances so Bowser and the koopalings wouldn’t suspect them of knowing too much. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that the others in the castle might also be pretending. Surely, they had to
realize this wasn’t the castle’s normal routine. Were they in on something too? Or were they planning something from the start?

Mario glanced over at Luigi, who was working tirelessly on a sink in one of the kitchens within the koopa troopa barracks. The barracks were a stark contrast to the grandeur of Bowser’s main castle—simple, practical, almost a relief from the overwhelming opulence they were used to. It was a functional space, designed to serve Bowser’s troops efficiently, without the heavy, imposing decor of the main castle.

Only a short underground tunnel separated the barracks from the rest of the castle, but it felt like a world away. They had been called here to fix a leaky faucet, an issue that would normally go unnoticed amidst the hectic routines of meal prep for Bowser’s entire army. But today, the kitchen was silent, save for the sound of the twins’ tools as they worked. The stillness unsettled Mario.

Bowser had dismissed nearly all the castle staff and even sent the soldiers from the barracks home, ordering them to wait out the storm with their families. But he hadn’t done the same for his forces elsewhere; those troops remained stationed across his kingdom. Meanwhile, here in the castle, it was still swarming with blue-shelled guards on patrol. Mario knew these soldiers well—they were the toughest in Bowser’s ranks, skilled and battle-hardened. Their presence wasn’t just for show.

Mario’s suspicions grew. Bowser knew something was coming. This much was clear. But what? And why would he station his strongest soldiers here, at the castle, while the rest of his army remained scattered?

 

  “Phew… oh yeah, oh yeah, finished!” Luigi declared, snapping Mario out of his thoughts. Luigi was uncharacteristically at ease, even around the blue-shelled soldiers and the strange quiet in the kitchen. In fact, he seemed almost comforted by their presence. Mario couldn’t help but notice how naturally Luigi had been fitting in with the koopas lately.

 

“Let’s-a go eat, Mario. I’m-a so hungry I could eat five pizzas by myself!” Luigi grinned, rubbing his stomach.

 

“Save me one, bro, heh heh,” Mario chuckled, reaching over to ruffle Luigi’s hat. He smiled, hiding his concern. Mario had gotten good at masking his thoughts when it came to protecting Luigi—he didn’t like worrying his brother. But deep down, he was already working out his own plan: if things went sideways, whether Bowser turned on them or some new threat emerged, he’d make sure Luigi got out safely.

 

They all had a plan to handle whatever might come, but Mario’s private addition was simple: he’d give Luigi a power star and tell him to run. Peach had firmly opposed him staying behind, and he knew Luigi would resist the idea too. But no matter what, Mario would find a way to convince him if it came to it. For now, though, he kept it to himself, playing along with Luigi, hoping his brother wouldn’t catch on.

 

The pair made their way to the nearest kitchen, their stomachs growling with the anticipation of a meal. Mario had to admit, he was just as hungry as Luigi—after all, they’d skipped breakfast, jumping straight into work that morning. He’d been looking forward to some of Luigi’s leftover spaghetti and meatballs from last night. Luigi had made the simple but delicious dish, and it hit the spot, just like the old days.

 

As they entered the kitchen, though, they were caught off guard. Bowser and Bowser Jr. were already there, sitting at the small table, eating lunch. Bowser had been deep in negotiations with the visiting rulers, hashing out the final details of the peace treaty with Peach. Mario had expected him to be holed up in his office or at least somewhere far from the guest quarters.

 

“Fancy meeting-a you here,” Luigi greeted. “Is it-a lunch for you too?”

 

“Yeah, needed a break from those needy so-called rulers,” Bowser grumbled, rolling his eyes. “Plus, I had to get my boy here something real to eat. Can’t trust those other koopalings to feed him anything but junk. Hope you two weren’t counting on the leftovers.”

 

Mario’s face fell as he realized the lunch they were eating was, indeed, the last of the spaghetti. He let out a soft groan, but before he could say anything, Luigi chimed in.

 

“No worries! We’ll-a just make some sandwiches,” Luigi said cheerfully, heading for the fridge.

 

Mario took a seat at the far end of the table, his eyes avoiding Bowser as he tried to mask his annoyance over the missing leftovers. He cast a few glances Bowser’s way, though, only to notice that the king seemed completely absorbed in Junior and, occasionally, in Luigi’s antics at the fridge. It was strange—not that he was distracted, but that his guard was down enough to miss Mario’s reaction entirely.

 

Bowser watched intently as Junior sat at the table, busy scribbling on some loose paper. The king didn’t seem to have a single worry about the visiting rulers, the peace treaty, or anything else besides his son at that moment. His eyes softened each time he looked at Junior, who narrated his drawing process at length, much to Bowser’s amusement. Every time Junior paused to show him a new addition, Bowser would clap and smile, saying, “Great job, son! Your drawings get better every time.” Junior would then ask what he should draw next, and Bowser would toss out another idea with genuine enthusiasm.

 

There it was again—that side of Bowser that Luigi must see: the caring, devoted father. This side only seemed to come out around Junior and, sometimes, Luigi. Mario hated to admit it, but seeing fathers like this was his weakness. When he saw someone being a good father, it was hard for him to view them as a bad person.

Maybe it was because of his own relationship with his father. Mario’s dad had been a loving parent, but not the affectionate type. He was often cold, blunt, and critical, especially toward Mario. True, Mario had been a challenging kid in his own way—always getting in fights, struggling with grades, and making decisions his dad saw as reckless. Dropping out of school after Luigi did, quitting his job, and starting a risky business venture with Luigi all sparked heated arguments with his father.. Mario’s dad had wanted him to get a stable job with benefits, something that would ensure security for their family. But Mario had bigger aspirations, even if he couldn’t quite put them into words. He believed that if he just worked hard enough, his dad would see it and finally say, “I’m proud of you, son.”

Instead, all he’d gotten were more arguments and criticisms. Now, seeing how naturally Bowser encouraged his son made Mario feel that familiar ache. He knew his dad loved him, but sometimes, he wished he could hear him say it. 

 

“Here you go!” Luigi placed a plate in front of Mario. The sandwich Luigi had made was no ordinary one. The moment Mario took a bite, he was transported back to Brooklyn—right to the bodega back home. It was the exact sandwich Luigi had made for him every day when he worked there: a Kaiser roll stuffed with pastrami and pepperoni, provolone cheese, coarse mustard, shredded lettuce, and tomato. Somehow, it tasted exactly as he remembered. But how? In all the years they’d been in this world, Mario had never been able to recreate it, not even close. Here in the Mushroom Kingdom, the closest they had to sandwiches were Peach’s delicate tea sandwiches.

 

“Aren’t we-a lucky the refrigerator had all your favorites?” Luigi said, enjoying his own identical sandwich.

 

“Luck? Ha! Ain’t got nothing to do with it. You told me about your time working at… what’s it called… a boogie? Anyway, you described what you used to do there and all the foods they had. It all sounded good, so I had the chef order everything to keep in stock. Been working my way through all those meats myself.” Bowser grinned, clearly proud of himself.

 

Luigi looked at Bowser in amazement. “You-a remembered all that?”

 

Mario was in disbelief, too. This was the same Koopa who, for years, forgot he even had a brother—and when he did remember, could never get Luigi’s name right.

 

“Of course! You made all that food sound so good, I just had to try it myself. Lucky for us, we found a human recipe book from the River of Weird Stuff that had a few of the things you mentioned.”

 

“River of-a wha…?”

 

“The real name’s the River of Enchanted Gifts, but I call it the River of Weird Stuff. It runs right under the castle. For centuries, strange objects just float down it, or we fish ’em out. With a little reverse engineering, we’ve figured out a lot of the things that end up here. Sometimes it’s the actual item, other times it’s a book or documents about it. Then Kamek and his little team of nerds work their magic, and boom! You got yourself a refrigerator, a piano, instructions to fix a car—stuff like that. That’s more Kamek’s department, though. Every kingdom has some spring or river where random things turn up. Mine’s got the best stuff.”

 

Mario hadn’t really thought about it before, but the Mushroom Kingdom was full of strange, enchanted items—floating bricks, magic boxes, power-ups—and yet, they also had things from back home. They had movie theaters and televisions, even some modern electronics. Who brought all that here? He’d always been so busy that he never questioned it, but now, hearing Bowser talk about a river of random objects, it started to make sense. If there really was a river with things from his world just floating in, it would explain why so much felt oddly familiar.

And maybe it even explained why there were other humans here. Peach and Daisy didn’t seem like they were originally from this world—or at least their ancestors weren’t. They were human, like him and Luigi. Professor E. Gadd was human too. Wario and Waluigi had ties to plenty of humans, and New Donk City had a human mayor in Pauline and mostly human citizens. Could it be that these rivers connected to his world? Could they somehow lead home?

Mario would be lying if he said he didn’t feel a little tug of homesickness at the thought. Life here had been good; his self-esteem was at an all-time high, but he missed his family. Just for a bit, he’d love to see them again, to tell them he and Luigi were alright. When they’d ended up here, they hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye, and he could only imagine the worry his family must have felt, wondering what had happened. And if Mario feared one thing, it was letting people down or having them worry about him.

 

“Well buddy…” Bowser turned towards his son who was still drawing. “I have to get back to work.” 

 

“But-but dad I’m not finished with my drawing.” Junior protested. “You know I don’t like to draw alone. And you need this drawing, it will have protection powers, in case one of those rules tries to turn on you.” 

 

“Why don’t you draw in Larry’s room?” Bowser suggested. 

 

“He said he’s busy today. Besides he always wants to use all my colors pencils, even though he has his own.”

 

Bowser looked at his son knowing he had to go and disappoint him just a little. “How about this, maybe you can wait till I get back and finish it.” Then his eyes glanced over at Luigi and Mario. “…or… you can ask our guest if they can watch you.” 

 

The young koopaling wrestled with the decision; he didn’t want to draw without his dad, and especially not with Mario—Luigi was fine. But he also didn’t want to wait till what could be assumed dinner time to finish. 

 

Bowser caught a glimpse of the clock. “Think it over bud, I got to go. I can’t be late to my own meeting.” He patted Junior on the head and headed out the door. 

 

Mario watched Bowser and Junior’s interaction, and whatever reservations he’d had about Bowser seemed to soften. The “monster” image he’d held for so long didn’t match up with the koopa before him. Even the spoiled, immature king he’d seen during the boo hunt seemed out of place now. Watching Bowser be a supportive, loving father made it hard not to feel a bit of empathy for him.

 

As Bowser and Junior finished their lunch and got up to leave, Junior tugged on Luigi’s sleeve, looking up with hopeful eyes.

 

“Can I draw with you?” he asked.

 

Luigi looked down at the small koopa, then glanced at Mario, who gave a small nod. They’d been looking forward to hanging out, just the two of them. Since arriving at the castle, Luigi had been busy with plumbing jobs, and aside from working together, they hadn’t had much time to simply relax together. But as Mario looked at Junior, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the little koopa. Junior was much younger than the other koopalings, and while he tried to act tough like them, he was still just a kid who wanted company.

 

Luigi smiled down at Junior. “Sure, you-a can. But you gotta let my bro join us too,” he said.

 

Junior narrowed his eyes, giving Mario a suspicious look. He still wasn’t fully comfortable with Mario, seeing him as the enemy. But his desire to draw seemed to win out over his hesitation. “Hmm… alright. But he has to use the plain pencils. Not my nice colored pencils.”

 

“Okie dokie!” Luigi cherped. Junior rushed over to the table to grab all his stuff before the three headed back to Luigi’s room. 

 

It didn’t take long for them to settle into Luigi’s green-themed room. Mario, Luigi, and Junior sat at a table under a large window, rain beating gently against the glass as soft music played from a shell-shaped speaker in the corner. The room was even greener than Mario had imagined, with “L” insignias decorating every surface. The closet door was slightly ajar, revealing a surprising amount of clothing—far more than Mario or even Peach had been given. This wasn’t just a guest room; it felt thoughtfully arranged, personal, and it raised more questions in Mario’s mind.

 

Mario had initially suspected Bowser of toying with Luigi or using him somehow. But seeing this space, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to it. Why was Bowser going to such lengths for Luigi? What did he have to gain by treating Luigi this way? Mario couldn’t piece it together, and the mystery gnawed at him.

 

As Mario’s mind wandered, he absentmindedly sketched a few stick figures while Luigi happily drew alongside Junior, fully absorbed in the activity.

 

Junior was coloring in a drawing he’d made of Bowser leading his army. He glanced up at Luigi and pointed to one of the koopas in the picture. “What color should I make this shell?”

 

Luigi leaned over and noticed that Junior had drawn him, Peach, Daisy, and even Mario as part of Bowser’s army, each wearing a koopa shell. Luigi chuckled. “Well, what’s-a your favorite color?”

 

Junior thought for a moment. “Uh, I like all the colors. But… I guess I like green a little bit more.” He looked down at his picture again, then pointed to the humans he’d drawn in his little army. “What about them? What colors do they like?”

 

Luigi looked at who he was pointing at. “Oh well Mario, he-a likes a red, and-a Peach, she’s likes-a pink, and-a Daisy, she likes purple. I like purple but-but-but guess what-a I like.”

 

“What?”

 

“Guess what-a my favorite color is.”

Junior thought about it, thinking it might be a trick question. “Um… green?”

 

“YIPPEE!” Luigi cheered.

 

That seemed to put a smile on Junior’s face. It put one on Mario’s face too. Seeing his brother genuinely happy always warmed Mario’s heart. Luigi was acting like a fun uncle to Bowser Jr. and Mario didn’t seem to mind that at all. The three continued drawing before moving to other activities. Luigi’s room was outfitted with games, books, and puzzles. Junior insisted they play some video games, many of them unfamiliar to the brothers. After a while, Luigi read to Junior one of the thinner books off the shelf. The days activities drew on much longer than anticipated. It had gotten close to dinner time when they finally agreed to head out. 

On the way to the dinning hall, they ran into Princess Peach and Daisy, as well as Bowser and Kamek. They looked exhausted, except for Kamek who seemed quiet pleased with himself holding what appeared to be a heavily marked up version of the Peace Treaty. Junior excitedly rushed over to his father to show him the drawings he made. Mario walked over to Peach.

 

“So…” he said, trying not to ask too many questions about their meeting in front of the others. 

 

“We… we had to concede some things.” Peach said, slight disappointment in his voice. “…but I think we got a Peace Treaty that will work for all of our kingdoms.” Her tone shifted optimistically. 

 

“Yahoo, way to go Princess.” Mario cheered softly giving Peach the biggest grin. 

 

The group headed towards the dining hall. Luigi walked with Bowser and Junior telling him all the things he, Mario, Junior did today, Daisy, Peach, and Kamek walked behind them still talking and planning for tomorrow's continued negotiations. Mario walked behind everyone, his pace slightly slower than everyone else. No one else seemed to noticed but the path to the dinning hall seemed different. There were no guards anywhere. Normally each doorway had someone guarding it, but at that moment they were gone. Some hall lights seemed to be off, dimming the walk. Random doors were left open, doors that had never been open we’re now complete open. Mario noticed some of the paintings and pictures on the wall were crooked. He nearly tripped over a rug corner that seemed to be curled upward and bunched up. 

The group past by the throne room, which again, was left wide open. Mario noticed that Luigi had stopped walking and was looking in the dark unlit room, squinting his eyes. 

 

“What is it, bro?” Mario asked, noticing Luigi’s eyes fixed on the throne room.

 

“Um… Bowser…” Luigi muttered, still staring intently.

 

“Huh?” Bowser turned around, following Luigi’s gaze.

 

“Were you-a expecting any guests?” Luigi asked, pointing to a dark silhouette standing in the throne room.

 

Mario squinted into the dim space, making out a figure that looked like a Koopa but as large as Bowser, with long, wavy hair.

 

“We’re not expectin’ no guests at this hour,” Bowser grumbled, striding over to see what Luigi and Mario were looking at. “Who the shell is in my throne room? It better not be that nutty King Goo—”

 

Before he could finish, General Blue Shell staggered into the hallway from a side entrance, blood dripping from several wounds. “Lord… Bowser… you… mustn’t… go… in…”

 

SSHHHHH

 

As everyone turned their attention to him, Mario noticed a small, lit Bob-omb making its way toward Luigi and Bowser.

 

“LUIGI!” Without thinking, Mario lunged at his brother, tackling him to the side, but he wasn’t fast enough to push him fully out of harm’s way.

 

BOOM!

 

Mario clutched Luigi tightly, bracing for the searing pain from the explosion. But instead of the expected blast, he felt… nothing. For a moment, he thought maybe adrenaline was numbing him. But as he opened his eyes, he looked up to see Bowser hunched over them, his massive shell shielding them both from the explosion.

 

“HA HA HA HAA. Still just as spry, even at your age,” the figure taunted, stepping into the light.

 

“KAMEK!” Bowser roared, straightening up.

 

In an instant, Kamek whipped his wand toward Junior. With a swift flick and a poof of blue smoke, Junior vanished. Bowser, furious, turned back to the figure in the throne room and unleashed a flurry of fireballs. But as the flames died down, the figure disappeared, leaving only a Double Cherry power-up in its place.

 

“Is that any way to treat a guest? Not exactly the Koopa hospitality I was expecting,” the voice echoed, elusive and taunting.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry! Why don’t you show yourself so I can ROAST YOU IN PERSON!” Bowser bellowed, smoke seething from his nostrils.

 

Mario and Luigi quickly scrambled to their feet, joined by Peach and Daisy. Mario scanned the room, trying to locate the source of the voice.

 

“Well…” the voice replied mockingly. “If you INSIST!” Suddenly, another figure dropped from the ceiling, claws gleaming and flames trailing behind, aiming straight for Bowser’s head. Bowser leaped back just in time, narrowly dodging the strike.

 

“Vashella!” Kamek gasped, naming the figure.

 

The intruder, Vashella, straightened up with a sinister grin. At first glance, she seemed dressed for a grand occasion rather than a battle—her long, form-fitting dress glittered with purple sequins. But a closer look revealed the bottom flared into a spiked metal ring. Her hair was long and wavy, swept back into a sleek ponytail, and atop her head sat a crown, gleaming with menace.

 

“Aww, Kamek, did you miss me? I’m shocked you’ve lasted this long,” Vashella sneered.

 

“And I’m shocked you survived that island we banished you to! Not surprised you didn’t learn your lesson, though!” Kamek shot back, his voice sharp.

 

“Oh, I’ve learned plenty.” With a wicked smile, Vashella drew a wand from the neckline of her dress. “For instance…” She waved the wand, sending a bolt of magical energy streaking toward Kamek. Bowser lunged in front of the blast, using his shell to absorb the impact. Without missing a beat, he spun around and unleashed a torrent of flames. But the fire fizzled out as it hit an invisible barrier Vashella had conjured with a flick of her wand.

 

“Still as predictable as ever,” she laughed. “As much as I’d enjoy this little dance, I’m a queen now—it’s beneath me to get my hands dirty.” She turned and strolled leisurely toward the darkened throne. Bowser, seething with fury, hurled fireballs and anything heavy within reach, but Vashella merely smirked, deflecting his attacks with ease as she settled into his throne, reveling in his helpless rage.

 

Kamek eyed her with disdain. “Quite bold, relying on that spell. The Invisible Shell Charm, is it? A novice protection spell at best. It has weaknesses.” Just then, the Koopalings stormed into the room in their flying clown cars, each ready for battle. “And it won’t hold against the onslaught you’re about to face.”

 

“Oh, I’m well aware,” Vashella snapped, her gaze icy. With a snap of her fingers, dozens of Koopa Troopas emerged from the shadows, each wearing brown leather vests. “You see, a queen never fights her own battles.”

 

The troops surrounded the group, weapons drawn, closing in with every movement they made. Peach stepped forward, her voice unwavering. “You think we’ll surrender so easily?”

 

Vashella’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Ah, the little humans my dear ex-husband has been ‘playing house’ with. And the princess who caught his wandering eye.” With a wave of her wand, she teleported, appearing inches from Peach’s face. “I remember when you first hosted the Interkingdom Games—your debut as Princess of those pitiful little mushrooms.” She leaned closer, her voice dripping with malice. “We were all so young back then, playing along like we were the best of friends. Putting aside our seething hatred for each other all for a couple of games and fun.” Her clawed hand grazed Peach’s cheek, her tone darkening. “When I saw you with my future king in that garden… the fear in your eyes, the scream you let out finding him there in your secret garden. This disrespect you showed towards a great koopa…”

 

Her smile twisted into something cruel. “I should have peeled your face off like a grape.”

 

A fireball flies towards Vashella, but she dodges it and teleports back to the throne. The vixen koopa spots who threw the fireball. “Oh lover boy…” she mocked, staring at Mario. “Hit a nerve?” 

 

Mario stayed silent, his fists clenched as flames ignited around them. His Firebrand power was surging, his urge to unleash a blazing attack on Vashella almost overpowering. But the army of rogue Koopa Troopas had closed in, their spears and knives held dangerously close to his and Luigi’s necks. One wrong move, and any of these renegade soldiers could strike a fatal blow.

 

Vashella sighed in feigned disinterest. “I tire of this… and frankly, taking over a kingdom is exhausting work. Especially when the old regime is still entertaining their human pets.” She snapped her fingers. “Kill them all.”

 

With her command, the rogue Koopa Troopas charged. The small battalions surrounding Mario and Luigi lunged, weapons aimed. Mario reacted quickly, ducking and pulling Luigi down with him, narrowly dodging the incoming blades. In a swift move, Mario spun around, his boot igniting with flames as he performed a sweeping kick, creating a fiery arc that knocked the attackers off their feet. The move triggered a mini fire tornado that sent the singed Koopas flying. At the same time, he pushed Luigi out of harm’s way.

 

Luigi sprang back to his feet, rejoining Mario as another wave of Koopa Troopas began to close in on them. Exchanging a determined nod, the brothers wordlessly agreed on their next move. Mario leaped high into the air, arching over the troopas and landing on one of their heads, bouncing off with precision. Luigi was ready—he intertwined his fingers, creating a foothold to catch Mario’s heel, then launched him back into the fray. Mario soared through the air, landing atop another Koopa with perfect aim, sending their foes stumbling in disarray.

Mario bounced once more, then Luigi leaped up and caught him by the legs. The two spun in a dizzying pinwheel, and with a burst of strength, Luigi flung Mario downward, propelling himself even higher in the process. Mario hurtled towards a group of Koopas, his fist ablaze as his Firebrand powers surged to their peak. With a resounding boom, he slammed into the troop, igniting a fiery explosion that sent Koopas flying in all directions.

Meanwhile, Luigi landed, bouncing off the heads and shells of another cluster of Koopas. With each quick leap, he knocked one Koopa after another, toppling or stunning them in rapid succession. His movements were swift and precise, each bounce adding to the chaos among their enemies as he kept them off balance, clearing the way for his brother. The two brothers fought in perfect sync much like they did when they would adventure together. 

The princesses and Kamek were locked in their own fierce battles. Daisy, ever eager and surprisingly well-prepared, tore off her princess gown to reveal athletic shorts and a tank top underneath. Her agility and training made her a formidable force against the rogue Koopa Troopas. She moved like a whirlwind, delivering swift kicks and punches, each blow landing with calculated precision. Peach, despite her delicate demeanor, proved equally capable. Still dressed in her elegant princess attire, she fought with practiced grace. Years of training to defend herself against Bowser’s army before Mario entered her life had honed her skills, and those instincts now guided her every move. Together, the two princesses formed a formidable duo, holding their own against the relentless surge of Koopas.

Kamek, meanwhile, had his focus elsewhere. Ignoring the foot soldiers, he targeted the four Magikoopas who had aligned themselves with Vashella. Their spells crackled through the air, but Kamek blocked and countered each one with ease, his magic rippling with the fury of betrayal. Every retaliatory strike from Kamek doubled in intensity, sending his former pupils sprawling as he vented his anger and heartbreak at their treachery.

Above the fray, the Koopalings unleashed their assault from their clown copters. First, they knocked Paratroopas out of the sky with precision shots, clearing the air. Then came a relentless bombardment of artillery, fireballs, and magic blasts, raining chaos down on the battlefield below.

It was Lemmy who spotted something unusual. He squinted down at the chaos below and pointed toward a much taller Koopa lurking near a pillar, more an observer than a fighter. “Hey, isn’t that Bradley?” Lemmy said, narrowing his eyes.

Wendy’s head snapped up at the mention of the name. “What?” she barked, her tone laced with irritation.

“Yeah, it is! Wendy, your boyfriend is down there hiding behind that pillar!” Lemmy shouted, grinning mischievously as his voice carried over the sounds of battle, catching the attention of the other Koopalings.

Wendy’s face turned a deep shade of red—part embarrassment, part fury. “HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!” she screeched, gripping the controls of her clown copter with a death grip. 

““Geez, Wendy, you picked the wimpiest guy out of the entire army,” Morton mocked, his deep voice booming. “Look how scrawny he is!”

“Ha! Figures. Only the puniest Koopa Troopa would look at Wendy and think, ‘Yeah, I wanna date that!’” Roy added, his laugh roaring over the battlefield. The other Koopalings joined in, cackling mercilessly at Wendy’s expense.

“SHUT UP! We were never a couple, you IDIOTS!” Wendy snapped, her face flushed with both anger and humiliation.

“YEAH, because I was just using her!” Bradley’s voice suddenly cut through the noise. He stepped out from behind the pillar, puffing out his chest with newfound bravado. “Like I’d EVER date a FAT COW LIKE HER!”

The laughter screeched to an immediate halt. Every Koopaling’s head turned sharply toward Bradley, their eyes blazing with seething fury. Morton cracked his knuckles, Roy adjusted his shades, and even Lemmy’s playful smirk faded into a cold glare. Bradley quickly realized the magnitude of his mistake.

It was one thing for the Koopalings to tease Wendy amongst themselves; it was an entirely different thing for anyone else to insult one of their own.

Bradley’s bravado disappeared as quickly as it had surfaced. “Uh… I-I didn’t mean—” he stammered, but it was too late.

“GET HIM!” Wendy shrieked, her voice trembling with rage.

The Koopalings roared in agreement, swarming into action. Their clown copters zipped through the air, unleashing an unprecedented storm of fireballs, cannon blasts, and magic spells aimed directly at Bradley. The cowardly Koopa Troopa bolted, zigzagging through the battlefield in a desperate attempt to evade their wrath.

Surprisingly agile, Bradley managed to dodge the initial barrage, though barely. Each near miss only fueled the Koopalings’ anger further. “Hold still, so I can BURN YOU TO A CRISPY EVENLY!” Wendy yelled, hurling a massive wand blast that scorched the ground inches from his tail.

The relentless pursuit continued, with the Koopalings pouring more firepower into chasing Bradley than they had into fighting the rogue Koopa Troopas. Finally, with one coordinated strike, the siblings unleashed a devastating combined attack—a fiery explosion of magic, artillery, and sheer force.

The blast hit Bradley squarely, sending him flying through the air with a scream before crashing through one of the throne room windows.

Wendy huffed, crossing her arms as she glared at the shattered window. Her siblings nodded in silent agreement, their anger momentarily satisfied.

While the Koopalings dealt with Bradley, Bowser tore through his former troops like a force of nature. With ruthless precision, he activated a series of hidden traps—cleverly concealed behind false floors and walls. Large groups of traitorous Koopa Troopas suddenly found themselves plummeting through trapdoors into the dungeons below. Another button press from Bowser turned part of the floor into a molten river of lava, while additional switches unleashed an array of deadly booby traps. Those who managed to evade the traps weren’t spared for long; Bowser’s raw power and relentless ferocity crushed the rest. Weapons seemed useless against him as he stormed through the traitors’ ranks, an unstoppable force of rage and retribution.

From the stolen throne, Vashella watched the carnage with unnerving calm. Amid the chaos, Mario noticed something strange—Vashella didn’t seem remotely concerned that her army was losing so decisively. Instead, her eyes kept darting to her left, as though she were expecting someone—or something—to enter from that direction.

BOOM. CRASH. POW.

Mario and Luigi fought back the advancing Koopas, but Bowser’s ever-changing battlefield made things even more perilous. Trapdoors, rivers of lava, and shifting hazards turned the throne room into a death trap. Mario found himself not only dodging enemy attacks but also scrambling to avoid the traps—and ensuring Luigi stayed out of danger too. Yet despite the chaos, Mario’s instincts told him to keep an eye on Vashella.

Then it happened—just for a fleeting moment. Mario spotted a figure emerging from behind the throne: a fifth Magikoopa. The Magikoopa leaned in and whispered something into Vashella’s ear. She grinned wickedly as she rose from her seat.

Mario’s mind raced, trying to piece it together, but there was no time to think. More Koopas charged at him, the battlefield became even more treacherous, and Bowser’s wrath continued to reshape the throne room around them. 

The enemy forces began to dwindle as the battle raged. Soon it was merely a few koopa troopas left who were swiftly dealt with or surrendered. 

“You really thought you could just march in here from what rock you’ve been hiding under, with my own troops and take control? Bowser scoffed at Vashella. 

“Oh you know me too well. You’re right, I did really think they would be enough to stop you.” Vashella responded sarcastically. “The thing is… that was merely the appetizer.”

As Vashella’s words hung in the air, three cloaked figures stepped from the shadows, their movements deliberate and intimidating. In unison, they cast off their cloaks, revealing themselves to be Koopalings—larger and more menacing than Bowser’s brood, but unmistakably of the same lineage.

The first was the shortest of the three, though he matched Roy’s height and bulky build. His face bore a striking resemblance to Bowser’s, with prominent features and a fierce scowl. Two stubby, curved horns jutted from his head, which was wrapped in an unnaturally pristine white bandana. His mouth bristled with four sharp fangs, protruding like weapons in their own right. Muscular arms rippled with power, the left adorned with a single spiked armband. His claws, massive and razor-sharp, flexed as he dug them deep into the metallic hide of a Comp-Comp beneath him, the creature’s body crushed under his weight.

The second figure was taller, standing a head above the first. A sharp Mohawk of electric blue hair ran down his head like a blade, accentuating his wild, feral appearance, flanked by two spikes perturbing from his head. Spiked white shoulder pads gleamed under the flickering throne room light, and his grip on a massive battle-ax—nearly as large as he was—suggested both strength and lethal skill. 

The last figure was a female Koopaling with wild untamed purple hair, choppy as if styled purely for battle purposes only. Her spiked shoulder pads mirrored those of the second figure, but her attire was more elaborate: a tarnished breastplate glinted on her chest. The most unsettling part of her, however, was the living weapon that encased her left arm. A Bullet Bill, clearly sentient was visibly distressed. Yet, her iron grip kept it locked in place, transforming it into a macabre accessory. In a satchel, it was clear that there were many more bullet bills waiting to be her next arm piece. 

The three Koopaling warriors stood in silence, their menacing grins plastered across their faces. Their piercing eyes swept over the room, daring anyone to make the first move. The air grew heavy as the group froze, all eyes locked on the new foes, trying to anticipate their next attack. Yet, Mario noticed something peculiar—something that sent a chill down his spine. The three warriors appeared to glow, their bodies radiating light as if encased in an aura of shifting, iridescent colors.

Vashella smirked, reveling in their unease. “Do you see?” she said. “These are the real stars of my army. Unlike the spoiled brats you raised, dear Bowser, my Koopalings are designed, bred, and trained for moments like this.” She gestured first to the shortest of the three, the one perched atop the Chomp-Chomp. “This is One,” she announced, then pointed to the axe-wielding warrior. “Followed by Two.” Finally, her hand swept toward the purple-haired female. “…And Three.

“You see, I didn’t burden them with cute, human-adjacent names as though they were our children, like you did, Bowser. No, they are soldiers—tools to serve me. Nothing more. Allow me to demonstrate their purpose.”

With a snap of her fingers, the three Koopalings launched themselves into the fray, charging headlong into Bowser’s horde.

Iggy, perched in his clown car, wasted no time firing a cannonball directly at Two. But with an almost lazy motion, Two raised the flat of his massive axe, deflecting the projectile back with such force that it struck Iggy’s clown car dead-on. The impact sent Iggy spinning uncontrollably, colliding with Lemmy’s vehicle in a deafening crash. Both Koopalings tumbled from the air, smashing into the floor below.

Ludwig and Wendy reacted quickly, channeling their magic wands to fire a combined spell at One. The energy blast hit its target in an explosion of light and smoke. For a brief moment, both Koopalings smirked, satisfied with their strike. But their triumph was short-lived. When the smoke cleared, One stood unharmed, spinning his Chomp-Chomp’s chain with terrifying speed. Before Ludwig or Wendy could react, One released the chain with a mighty swing. The Chomp-Chomp shot through the air like a wrecking ball, slamming into both Koopalings and sending them crashing into the nearest wall.

Larry charged forward, hoping to take advantage of the chaos. But One, still in motion, swung the Chomp-Chomp again, the heavy steel ball striking the propeller of Larry’s clown copter. The vehicle spiraled out of control in a violent blur, and centrifugal force flung Larry from his seat. Though he managed to land on his feet, his relief was short-lived. From opposite directions, two Bullet Bills streaked toward him, their trails of smoke leaving no room to escape. Larry leaped to avoid them, and though he avoided a direct hit he was caught in the blast, hurling him against a wall and into a dangling light fixture.

Bowser’s roar of fury filled the throne room as he unleashed a torrent of fire, engulfing the trio in flames. Morton and Roy seized the opportunity, leaping from their clown copters into the inferno, hoping to catch the three off guard. But instead of flinching or even shielding themselves, the trio stood motionless, the flames licking harmlessly at their glowing forms. Their eyes were fixed, cold and calculating, as they readied for the incoming attack.

Two acted first. With a swift motion, he swung his massive axe, the broad side striking Morton with the force of a sledgehammer, sending him flying like a ragdoll. Simultaneously, One spun his Chomp-Chomp in a vicious arc, the metal ball smashing into Roy’s shell with a sickening crack. Roy grunted in pain as he was hurled across the room. Before either Koopaling could recover, Three fired two Bullet Bills from her gauntlet. The sentient missiles homed in on Morton and Roy, their trails of smoke spiraling as they followed their targets. Both Koopas hit the wall hard, the Bullet Bills detonating on impact and leaving charred craters in the stone.

Bowser growled, but before he could react, Two darted forward with surprising speed, sliding beneath Bowser’s massive frame. With one clean sweep, he knocked Bowser’s legs out from under him, sending the Koopa King crashing to the floor with a deafening thud. In an instant, Two was above him, the blade of his axe hovering menacingly near Bowser’s neck.

As Bowser struggled to rise, Mario’s sharp eyes caught something—a glimmer in Two’s shell. The reason for their glow, their inhuman strength, and their invincibility became clear. Encased in the translucent shell of Two were two Power Stars. The tiny celestial beings squirmed desperately, their light dim and flickering, but their prison was fused to the Koopaling’s shell, unyielding.

Two raised his axe high, his intentions clear. Just as the blade began its descent, “THUNDER!” Luigi shouted as a bolt of lightning streaked across the room, slamming directly into Two’s face. For the first time, one of Vashella’s koopalings recoiled, staggering back slightly. Sparks danced across Two’s body, his expression twisting briefly in discomfort.

All eyes turned to Luigi, whose trembling hands still crackled with residual electricity. The effort of summoning his long-dormant abilities had taking its toll. His arms shook violently, the familiar sting of the electric power coursing through him reminding him why he had stopped using it all those years ago.

Two’s momentary grimace turned into a sneer. He scoffed, shaking off the attack, and turned back to Bowser, his axe rising once more.

“Wait,” Vashella commanded, her voice slicing through the tension. “Leave Bowser’s demise to me. Rid MY castle of those pesky humans.”

Without hesitation, the three Koopaling turned their glowing forms toward Mario, Luigi, and the princesses, their menacing grins returning.

“LUIGI, DAISY!” Mario without hesitation threw two of the stars he had on him. They both grabbed the stars and soon all three of them were glowing in a rainbow aura.  

Vashella’s koopalings lunged at them and Mario and Luigi jumped, dodging their attack. Daisy blocked the attack from Three then countered with a swinging kick of her own. Three didn’t even respond. Daisy jumped back confused and infuriated. The Power Stars were suppose to level the playing field, but they seem just as invincible as before. Three reached down to her sachle. It was leather and over sized. She opened it towards Daisy and inside was a void of impossible dimensions. Before she could process what she was seeing, a bevy of bullet bills came flying out. All Daisy could do is guard herself. The Power Star kept her protected but the force of the bullet bills kept her locked in a protective stance. 

One and Two didn’t charge Mario or Luigi directly. Instead, their sights were set on Princess Peach. This sudden shift in strategy forced Mario and Luigi into a defensive stance. The brothers had no choice but to react, constantly moving to shield Peach from incoming blows. The tactic was clear—they couldn’t overpower Mario or Luigi head-on, but by targeting Peach, they turned the brothers’ focus to protection rather than offense.

Mario and Luigi worked in tandem, deflecting, blocking, and intercepting every strike. One swung his Chomp-Chomp with brutal precision, while Two lashed out with his axe, each blow coming faster than the last. The brothers barely kept up, the relentless onslaught testing their limits.

Kamek, observing the dire situation, finally intervened. With a flick of his wand, a burst of shimmering magic exploded outward, sending One and Two skidding back across the battlefield. It wasn’t enough to disable them, but it gave the group precious seconds to breathe. Kamek raised a glowing barrier around himself and Peach, the translucent dome flickering as he strained to maintain it.

“Stay close,” Kamek panted, his voice tight. Peach nodded but could already see cracks forming in the magical shield. Kamek’s power was waning, and it was only a matter of time before the barrier gave way.

“FIRE!” Mario roared, summoning a fireball larger than he’d ever conjured before. The blazing orb hurtled toward Two, but the koopaling didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned into the attack, absorbing the flames without so much as a scorch mark on his shell.

Two charged at Mario with terrifying speed, his axe slicing through the air in deadly arcs. Each strike came with such force that Mario could only defend, his arms shaking under the relentless blows. The Power Star within Mario’s possession shielded him, but he could feel its protection straining against the sheer ferocity of the attacks.

Meanwhile, Luigi was struggling against One and his Chomp-Chomp. The massive ball and chain was a whirlwind of destruction, slamming into the ground with deafening force. Every time Luigi tried to counter, One closed the distance, forcing the green-clad plumber to stay on the defensive. Even when Luigi managed to create space, One hurled the Chomp-Chomp at him, the living ball barely missing as Luigi rolled to avoid its crushing blows.

From her vantage point, Vashella watched the battle unfold with wicked glee. Her heel was firmly planted on Bowser’s neck, pinning him to the ground as she toyed with a Power Star in her clawed hand. The star’s light flickered erratically, a stark contrast to Vashella’s radiant glow.

“This,” Vashella said, “is how you build an army. Your pride, your so-called hospitality—all wasted on forging alliances with weaklings. You’ve softened, Bowser. A king should take what he desires and rule with strength, not waste time forging bonds with lesser species.” She sneered, pressing harder on his neck.

“You wanted a human wife,” she continued, her tone mocking. “But instead of learning from the mistakes of your predecessors, you’ve inherited their failures. And now, your kingdom will fall. By morning, everyone will know the depths of your incompetence. And I—” she grinned cruelly, “I will be the one to pick up the pieces.”

Bowser’s growl rumbled low in his throat. “Bold of you… to assume… you’ll live long enough to see morning,” he spat, his voice strained under the supernatural weight of Vashella’s power. His claws scraped against the stone floor as he struggled to rise. “When… I get up… I’ll tear you limb from limb… before anyone even remembers you were here.” A twisted grin spread across his face. “I can feel that star… weakening already.”

Vashella’s eyes narrowed, and she pressed down harder, her heel digging into the scales of his neck. “Bold of you to think you’ll live long enough to see my power wane.”

Notes:

This chapter has been in the works forever. Oct-Dec are my busiest months at work. Working in the performing arts, the holiday season is the busiest time of year. This chapter is also one of the longer chapters, and with half of it dedicated to action (which I’m finding to be some of the hardest things to write) this chapter took much longer than anticipated to get out. I hope the wait wasn’t too long.

Chapter 22: I am my brother’s keeper

Summary:

The tables turn and turn again. And once the beast is unleashed, there isn’t much you can do but run.

Notes:

Content Warning:
This chapter contains depictions of intense violence, including graphic descriptions of destruction, injury, and death beyond what is typically portrayed. Reader discretion is advised.

In the Comet Observatory, high above the cosmos, Rosalina sat by the crackling fireplace, her ethereal gown shimmering in the dim light. Her usually serene expression was clouded with worry, one hand clutching her chest as if to steady her racing heart. Across from her, the faint outlines of three stars slowly took shape within the celestial glow. These were the stars she had bestowed upon Princess Peach and Daisy, returning home to recharge after their use.

When a Power Star is expended, it journeys back to the Observatory, where it can restore its energy and await the chance to guide another lost soul. Rosalina watched their forms solidify, relief tempered with concern. But then, a fourth star began to materialize alongside them—a star unfamiliar to her.

Her silver-blue eyes narrowed as the figure grew clearer. Who had carried this star? she wondered, a knot forming in her stomach. It must have been one of the stolen stars…

Suddenly, a sharp wave of pain tore through her, and Rosalina doubled over, clutching her chest. It was not her pain but that of the stolen stars—a desperate cry for help, reaching her through their shared connection. She gasped, her breath hitching as she felt the stars’ energy being wrenched from them, far beyond what they could safely give.

The stars’ light flickered faintly, their forms straining to reappear in the Observatory. But something was holding them back, tethering them to the mortal realm. Rosalina’s face twisted in anguish as she felt their suffering. Whoever possessed them was not simply using their power—they were deliberately draining every ounce of their life force.

Tears shimmered in her eyes as the connection pulsed with unbearable agony. “Please…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “… stay strong my little stars… help is on the way.”

————————-

Vashella struggled to keep Bowser pinned, her grip weakening as the Koopa King’s resistance grew. Her gaze flickered anxiously between the chaotic battlefield and the shadows behind the throne, as though anticipating something—or someone.

Meanwhile, Daisy’s strength was waning. The glow of the Power Star surrounding her began to fade, and Three showed no mercy, unleashing an unrelenting barrage of bullet bills. Daisy dodged as long as she could, but her footing faltered as the star’s aura disappeared entirely. Two bullet bills slammed into her, sending her hurtling upward before exploding against the ceiling in a fiery blast, leaving her to plummet back to the ground. 

“Oh no, Daisy!” Peach cried out, her voice trembling with panic. But before she or anyone else could react, Three turned her relentless assault toward Peach and Kamek with even greater intensity. Kamek quickly conjured another shimmering force field, encasing the two of them in a protective barrier. However, Three’s barrage of bullet bills came in fast and furious, striking the shield with unrelenting force. Each impact caused the barrier to flicker and strain, cracks of magical energy forming like spiderwebs across its surface. Realizing the shield couldn’t hold much longer, Kamek made a desperate move. With a flick of his wand, he unleashed a powerful burst of magic, detonating the incoming bullet bills in midair. The explosions lit up the battlefield in a brilliant burst of fire and energy, but the effort came at a cost. The shield shattered completely under the strain, leaving both Kamek and Peach exposed to the aftershock. A fiery blast erupted from the detonation, the shockwave slamming into them with devastating force. Both were hurled through the air, crashing hard into the nearby wall. The impact left them dazed as they slumped to the ground in a heap.

Mario wasn’t faring any better. Two’s ax pressed relentlessly closer to him, the weapon caught between Mario’s straining hands as he fought to hold it back. Across the battlefield, Luigi darted and dodged as One and the chain chomp closed in, their relentless attacks leaving him little room to breathe. The fading star power made it harder to evade each swing and bite, their strikes coming perilously close.

But Luigi’s attention kept flicking to Mario. He expected his brother to turn the tide, to find a way to win as he always did. Yet every time Luigi glanced over, the ax blade crept closer to Mario’s chest, and it became clear: this time, Mario wasn’t going to save the day. He was the one who needed saving.

Driven by instinct, Luigi leapt, narrowly dodging the snapping jaws of the chain chomp yet again. But instead of retreating, he landed on its metallic body, using the rebound to launch himself high into the air. As he soared above the battlefield, Luigi stretched his arms outward, clasping his hands together. Sparks of electricity flickered between his fingers as he reached the apex of his jump.

“THUNDER!” Luigi shouted, his voice ringing out across the throne room. A ball of crackling lightning formed in his hands before surging downward in a brilliant arc, striking Two square in the face. Though the attack didn’t harm him, the force of the blow was enough to stagger him, breaking his focus.

Mario seized the moment. Gritting his teeth, he shoved the ax blade away with all the strength he could muster, freeing himself from Two’s overpowering assault. Luigi smiled seeing his brother finally back on his feet. However this was short lived as Luigi vision was overtaken by the chain chomp just bounced off of. Luigi had no time to react, barely anytime to pull his arms in before the metal ball of teeth sunk its fangs into Luigi’s right arm.  The two came crashing down and the chain chomp landed on Luigi’s left leg. The pain was sharp and all consuming. His arm felt as if it was fire from the inside. His leg radiated pain was pinned, twisted and at awarkward unnatural angles, his other leg kicking desperately. His free arm dug frantically at the ground. Luigi screams with ever move the living ball of metal made. 

“LUIGI!!” Mario screamed, picking himself up and running towards his brother. But just as he approached, a cold sharp pain etched across Mario’s back. Then another over his weakened shoulder. Mario collapsed on the floor, the pain unbearable. He grabbed his arm to find blood, his white gloves, now colored red. Mario turned to see Two looming over him, his ax dripping with blood. But before Two could finish with Mario, his attention was drawn away— Bowser had broken free from Vashella’s heel. Her star had faded completely. Vashella’s koopalings stopped their attack on the brothers and rushed in blocking Bowser from advancing. 

Without hesitation, Mario rushed to Luigi, who remained trapped in the unforgiving jaws of the chain chomp. Luigi’s eyes were drooping, consciousness slipping away rapidly. Mario frantically tried to pry the chain chomp’s jaws open or at least lift the creature off Luigi’s mangled leg, but his efforts were in vain. Still, he persisted, ignoring his own pain as he struggled.

A looming shadow fell over the scene. Bowser stood over the brothers, his eyes blazing with fury. Mario looked up at him, his gaze silently pleading for help. Bowser didn’t hesitate. With a growl, he grabbed the chain chomp’s massive jaws, his claws digging into the living weapon.

After a tense moment of struggle, Bowser managed to force the jaws apart just enough for Mario to free Luigi’s arm from its iron grip. With a powerful heave, Bowser hoisted the chain chomp up, giving Mario the chance to drag Luigi to safety. Once the brothers were clear, Bowser unleashed a stream of fire directly into the chain chomp’s face. The creature glowed red-hot, thrashing violently as its chain rattled. Moments later, it went still. Bowser released the lifeless beast, now warped into a grotesque, melted ball of metal, and turned his attention back to Vashella.

Vashella was no longer alone—she stood with a magikoopa whispering in her ear, a sinister grin spreading across her face.

“Heh heh heh…wonderful!” She cackled.  “Well, Bowser, this has been fun,” she taunted. “But as much as I’d love to finish you off, I have more pressing matters to attend to. One, follow me. Two, Three, enjoy yourself but make sure they are all dead.” With that, she turned on her heel, following the magikoopa toward the exit.

Bowser responded not with words, but with fire. He launched a blazing fireball at Vashella, but Two stepped in, deflecting it with his massive ax. The two koopalings began circling Bowser like lions stalking prey. They didn’t attack but positioned themselves to block his path, ensuring he couldn’t pursue their mistress.

Meanwhile, Mario tended to Luigi. He pulled out two green mushrooms, the last he had, and quickly fed the first to his injured brother. As the mushroom’s power surged through him, Luigi’s breathing steadied, the bleeding stopped, and the sharp pain subsided. But the mushrooms, miraculous as they were, couldn’t heal all wounds instantly. Mario held the second mushroom tightly, waiting for his brother’s response. 

“Luigi? You-a okay?” Mario asked, kneeling beside his brother and offering him the second mushroom. Luigi declined the mushroom, but gave Mario a reassuring nod.

“Here.” Mario stood up and gently pulled Luigi’s arm over his shoulder. “Can you-a stand?”

Luigi made an effort, trying to put weight on his injured leg, but the sharp pain sent him collapsing back to the ground. “Luigi!” Mario shouted, scrambling to steady him but failing to catch him in time. Panicked, Mario pressed the mushroom into Luigi’s hand.

Luigi pushed it away. “No… I’m-a okie dokie… give it to… her.” With a trembling hand, he pointed toward a pile of rubble that had begun to shift.

From beneath the debris, Kamek’s blue hat appeared first, followed by Peach’s dirt-covered glove. Mario wasted no time rushing over, clearing away the rocks and bricks.

“Don’t worry about us. We’re fine,” Peach, covered in soot and dirt, assured him, pointing to Kamek’s wand, which had protected them from the falling debris. But her relief was short-lived as she suddenly gasped, her eyes darting around. “Wait! Where’s Daisy?!”

They all turned to where Daisy had last been seen. There, amidst the rubble, she lay motionless. Mario and Peach ran to her side, Peach falling to her knees and cradling her friend in her arms. Daisy’s shallow breathing was barely audible, her body limp and unresponsive.

Peach closed her eyes, her face taut with concentration. Like the brothers, she had abilities of her own—though she rarely used them. Her gift of healing was subtle and often reserved for Mario after his adventures, a private ritual shared between them. But now, in the heat of battle, she focused all her energy on Daisy.

As Peach’s body began to glow faintly, Daisy stirred ever so slightly, her eyes fluttering open. “Mario…” Peach said softly, her voice calm but urgent.

She didn’t need to explain. Mario immediately understood, handing her the green mushroom. Peach took it, her focus shifting to the battlefield. “I’ve got it from here,” she whispered. Her gaze locked onto Bowser and the two koopalings blocking his path. “Go. Get your brother.”

Bowser’s eyes followed Vashella as she made her way toward the exit, his fury palpable. The koopalings circled in closer, dodging every attack Bowser unleashed with precision and ease.

From the rubble, Kamek steadied himself, his expression suddenly shifting to alarm. He felt it—the magical barrier he had placed around Junior had been breached. “LORD BOWSER!” he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. “VASHELLA! SHE HAS FOUND THE PRINCE!”

The two koopalings halted their circling, exchanged a glance, and nodded as if silently agreeing to a contingency plan. Upon hearing the news, Bowser let out a guttural roar and charged toward the doorway. Three darted ahead of him, not to block his path but to follow Vashella in the same direction. This left Two standing alone, positioning himself squarely in Bowser’s way.

With a smirk, the glowing blue koopaling swung his ax toward Bowser, aiming for a decisive blow. Bowser twisted his massive frame, and the ax embedded itself deep into the hard exterior of his shell, becoming lodged. Before Two could wrench the weapon free, Bowser spun back around, now face-to-face with the unarmed koopaling.

Two snickered, his confidence undeterred, and threw a punch at Bowser’s face. Fueled by the power of the stars infused in his body, the punch should have sent the Koopa King flying. But Bowser didn’t budge, not even a flinch.

Two’s smirk faltered as he threw another punch. Then another. And another. Each time, Bowser stood firm, unreactive.

Frustration gave way to desperation as Two launched one final punch, only for Bowser to catch his fist in mid-air. Two swung with his other hand, but Bowser caught that too. The cocky smirk vanished from Two’s face, replaced by panic as he thrashed, trying to free himself from Bowser’s iron grip.

Bowser’s expression remained unreadable, his mouth slightly agape. A faint blue glow emanated from deep within, growing more intense by the second. Slowly, his jaw began to open.

Two’s eyes widened in terror as Bowser’s mouth unleashed a torrent of blue flames, engulfing the koopaling. The thrashing intensified as Bowser held him in place, the flames growing hotter, brighter—until they turned a searing white.

Normally, the power of the stars would shield their wielder from harm, their invincibility a constant, impenetrable force. But as Bowser’s white-hot flames consumed Two, the stars on the koopaling’s back slammed frantically against their enclosures. The shell around the stars began to glow red-hot until, horrifyingly, the flames broke through.

The stars’ invincibility shattered under Bowser’s unrelenting attack. Two’s form twisted and melted before the stunned eyes of everyone present.

Mario stood frozen, watching the unthinkable unfold. Since arriving in this world, the power of the stars had been a constant reassurance—a divine force that had allowed him to triumph over insurmountable odds. It was with the stars’ aid that Mario had bested Bowser time and again, their celestial strength his trump card when all else failed. But now, Bowser had done the unimaginable. He had overpowered the very power Mario once believed to be infallible.

When the flames finally subsided, all that remained were the charred arms of the koopaling Bowser had held. The rest of Two had been reduced to a pile of ash and burnt viscera. The power stars were gone, their light extinguished.

 

---

 

A gut-wrenching scream pierced through the great observatory as Rosalina collapsed from her seat. Tears streamed down her face as she experienced something utterly foreign to her—an unbearable void where her stars once were, the agonizing sensation of their very existence being snuffed out.

 

---

 

Peach gasped, her hands flying to cover her mouth as the mangled limbs were carelessly flung toward them. She had often heard Bowser make grandiose threats of obliterating his enemies, but he always stopped short, citing some reason or another to spare them. If Bowser had ever killed before, it was unknown to her—and she had certainly never seen it. Now, the grisly sight of what remained of Two, who had been standing just moments earlier, sent a wave of nausea and terror through her.

Bowser turned to the door through which Vashella had exited. Like a frenzied beast, he dropped to all fours and sprinted out, his growls echoing through the room. Kamek quickly conjured his magic broom with a flick of his wand and soared off to follow Bowser.

Mario stood frozen in the middle of the throne room, his mind struggling to comprehend what he had just witnessed. The horror held him captive until he realized something else was wrong. “Lu…Lu…LUIGI?!” Panic surged through him as he frantically scanned the room. His brother was no longer by his side.

Luigi hadn’t gotten far. Limping and barely upright, he clutched at anything within reach to steady himself as he inched toward the same exit Bowser and Kamek had gone through.

“Bro!” Mario rushed over, catching Luigi just before he stumbled. Wrapping Luigi’s arm around his shoulders, Mario steadied him. “What are you-a doing?”

“We gotta stop her. Sta per uccidere il figlio di Bowser! (Shes going to kill Bower’s son!)” Luigi’s voice trembled as he locked eyes with his brother, desperation welling in his gaze. Mario hesitated, taken aback. Despite witnessing the same unimaginable horror, Luigi’s thoughts were not consumed by it. His focus was entirely on Bowser Jr., Vashella’s next target.

“Lu…We…I…” Mario was at a loss for words. 

BUZZ BUZZ, BUZZ BUZZ

Their attention was momentarily diverted by a sudden vibration on Luigi’s wrist. It was coming from his watch, the seemingly ordinary timepiece he wore beneath his glove. A gift from E. Gadd as thanks for his ghost-hunting work, Luigi had never felt it vibrate before—he hadn’t even known it could.

Both brothers glanced at the watch, puzzled. The analog clock face had disappeared, replaced by a glowing message accompanied by a small mushroom icon:

76 Green Mushrooms now transferring

82 Red Mushrooms now transferring

Mario and Luigi exchanged confused looks. The watch buzzed again, and a new message scrolled across the screen:

Your watch has detected that you might be in distress. Based on biometric readings and proximity to known dangers, it will begin teleporting the necessary power-ups and supplies. Please ensure the pixelator is in an open space.

– E. Gadd

Mario furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of the message, but Luigi’s eyes lit up with realization. “Quick! We-a gotta go to my-a room!” he exclaimed.

Mario nodded, still unsure of what was happening, and helped Luigi as they hobbled down the battered hallway.

The castle was in shambles. Tattered walls and torn paintings loomed on either side as they moved as quickly as Luigi’s injured leg would allow. The distant sound of Bowser’s enraged roars echoed through the corridors, punctuated by the sound of walls crumbling. He was tearing through the castle, searching for Vashella and her minions with unrelenting fury. The destruction made one thing clear: Junior was already gone, taken somewhere by Vashella.

As the brothers turned the corner into the main entrance, they froze at the sight of a grisly scene. Blue-shelled Koopa Troopas lay strewn across the atrium floor, injured and groaning in pain. Their shields were dented, and their weapons discarded. It was obvious that Vashella had felt bold enough to storm through the front door—and she had been right. Her forces had overwhelmed Bowser’s guards so quickly that they hadn’t even had time to raise an alarm.

Carefully, the brothers navigated through the carnage. Groans of agony and labored breathing filled the air as some Koopas struggled to collect themselves. Mario clenched his fists, and Luigi’s expression was heavy with guilt, but neither was in any condition to help—not yet. For now, they pressed on.

The hallway leading to Luigi’s room was eerily untouched, a sharp contrast to the destruction in the rest of the castle. Mario and Luigi made their way to the door. When Luigi turned the knob, they were greeted by an avalanche of green and red mushrooms spilling out, piling at their feet.

The distinct whir of the pixelator echoed from within, spitting out one power-up after another. This was far more than what the watch had initially indicated. Luigi glanced at his watch and noticed an endless stream of notifications:

Additional mushrooms transferring…

Fire Flowers transferring… Ice Flowers transferring… Bubble Flowers transferring… Cape Feathers transferring… Mega Mushrooms transferring… Mini Mushrooms transferring… Super Leafs transferring…

Finally, another message appeared:

I’ve detected suspicious seismic energy coming from Bowser’s castle, as well as the sudden loss of celestial energy. I’m also picking up an unfamiliar energy signature. Sending additional power-ups your way. Luigi, my boy, whatever battle you’re in, could you gather some data for me?

– E. Gadd

Luigi and Mario stared at the room, now overflowing with power-ups of every kind. Luigi bent down, picked up a green mushroom and a red mushroom, and handed them to Mario. “Here.”

Mario, still fixated on the overwhelming sight before them, was jolted out of his daze by Luigi’s nudge. The adrenaline coursing through him was wearing off, and he finally began to feel the burning pain left by Two’s ax. He’d almost forgotten about his own injuries. With a wince, Mario quickly consumed the mushrooms, grimacing at their bitter taste.

Without a word, the brothers began stuffing their pockets with as many mushrooms and power-ups as they could carry. They both knew, deep down, that even with all these supplies, they were no match for the star-powered koopalings. But at the very least, these power-ups might keep them alive as they looked for a way to escape. 

At least, that was Mario’s plan.

Luigi, on the other hand, could only think about Daisy, who had barely survived Three’s assault. Bowser’s Koopaling brood, lying unconscious in the throne room. The injured Koopa Troopas scattered at the castle’s entrance. And Bowser Jr., whose whereabouts were still unknown.

Luigi found his work bag buried among the power ups. Instinctively, he empties it out and begins to fill it too with various mushrooms and alike. 

With their pockets and bag full, the brothers made their way back to the throne room. Luigi, now running on his own adrenaline and aided by the mushrooms he’d eaten, was walking on his own, though he still limped. The sound of Bowser’s rampage had grown fainter, more distant, but the castle’s destruction was evident all around them.

As they passed through the main entrance, Mario paused, realizing Luigi was no longer behind him. Turning back, he saw Luigi gently placing green mushrooms beside any conscious Koopa Troopa lying on the floor. Once he finished, he limped over to a nearby table, leaving a few red and green mushrooms there as well.

When Luigi finally hobbled back over, he was slightly out of breath. “Let’s-a go,” he said, his voice quiet but resolute. Mario nodded, wrapping his arm around his brother’s shoulders again. With Luigi leaning on him for support, the two plumbers quickly made their way back to the throne room.

Meanwhile, Bowser tore through the castle like a wild beast, smashing through walls and ripping doors off their hinges in his unrelenting fury.

“LORD BOWSER!” Kamek’s voice finally broke through the chaos as he soared in on his broomstick. “FOLLOW ME!”

Kamek, using a tracking spell, had pinpointed Junior’s general location. He could sense that the prince was still alive, but the signal was moving closer to the hangar where the Clown Copters were kept. Clearly, Vashella intended to escape with the prince.

Bowser charged after Kamek, their destination clear. When they arrived, the hangar doors were still closed, and Bowser’s Clown Copter sat untouched. Yet the room was eerily empty.

Then, the maintenance closet creaked open. One stepped out, holding a thrashing brown sack over his shoulder.

Kamek’s eyes narrowed. The Prince must be in there.

But before he could act, another door opened—the hangar office. Out stepped Three, holding an identical thrashing sack. Then another door opened, and Vashella emerged with her own bag.

Kamek’s magic flared. Junior’s presence was unmistakable—he was nearby. But before he could pinpoint the source, another Vashella appeared with another identical sack. Then another. And another.

Clones began flooding the hangar, each holding a moving bag.

Bowser, growling in frustration, swiped his claws at one of the Threes. Instead of deflecting the attack as the stars’ immunity would have allowed, the clone vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind a Double Cherry power-up.

Kamek’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. Vashella had used the Double Cherry to create these facsimiles, overwhelming them with distractions while making her true escape.

Kamek refocused his magic, following the faint signal of Junior’s energy, and came to a startling conclusion.

“LORD BOWSER!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “None of these clones have the prince! He’s beyond the hangar doors—they’re escaping on foot!”

Snarling in rage, Bowser unleashed a torrent of white-hot flames, obliterating dozens of clones in an instant. Kamek followed with bursts of magical energy, erasing wave after wave of facsimiles. But more clones poured in, their numbers seemingly endless.

Back in the throne room, Daisy stirred, her body weak and battered. Mario and Luigi stood over her anxiously while Peach held her head in her lap.

“Wha… what happened?” Daisy muttered, her voice faint as her eyes fluttered open.

“You got really hurt,” Peach said gently, steadying Daisy as she tried to sit up. “Don’t try to move just yet.” Peach reached into her pocket and handed her a red mushroom. “Here. This should help.”

Assured that Daisy would be fine, Luigi set off again, heading toward the sound of Bowser’s distant roars.

“Luigi, where are you-a going?” Mario called after him, quickly catching up.

“We gotta find Bowser Jr.! He-a must be so scared right-a now. And—and Vashella, she’s-a bad mama. I can’t-a think what she might do to him.” Luigi didn’t stop, his eyes scanning the halls for something as he exited the throne room.

“Luigi, you can’t-a fight them!” Mario pleaded, his voice unsteady. “They almost…” He faltered, unable to finish the thought. “Besides, it’s-a not our fight. We have to-a go!”

But Luigi didn’t seem to hear him. He kept moving, pushing open doors and glancing into rooms, his determination unshaken.

“Luigi, did you-a hear me? We have to-a go! We can’t-a stay here! Bowser, he can handle this. Didn’t you see what he did to-a that koopaling? He had a star! And Bowser just… just…” Mario’s voice cracked, the memory too fresh, too horrific.

“It’s-a somewhere around here,” Luigi muttered, more to himself than to Mario. He opened another door, peering inside. His face lit up. “I found it!”

Mario followed Luigi into a dark storage room, still trying to reason with him. “Lu, listen to me! You are-a going to-a get hurt if you—”

Vroom.

The sound of an engine roared to life, cutting Mario off. His brother’s silhouette illuminated in the dim room as Luigi started the engine of his own custom Clown Copter. The vehicle, gifted to him by Bowser to navigate the castle more efficiently, had the familiar half-sphere shape with green trim and glowing orange eyes. But it was unmistakably Luigi’s—its front was adorned with a sleek black version of his signature mustache.

“Quick! We-a gotta go!” Luigi urged, gripping the controls. “If we-a hurry, we can—”

“LUIGI, STOP!” Mario’s voice echoed, sharp and desperate, finally cutting through.

Luigi turned toward him, startled by the raw emotion in his brother’s voice. What he saw made him pause—fear, deep and unyielding, etched across Mario’s face.

“Mario…” Luigi began softly, but his voice trailed off. His thoughts returned to Junior—how much joy his father brought him, how happy he seemed here, and the bond they were forming. The image of the little koopa tugged at Luigi’s heart, filling him with both determination and dread.

But then he looked down at his own arm. The mushrooms had stopped the bleeding and dulled the pain, but the wounds were still fresh, his shirt sleeve still torn and bloodstained. He remembered their first adventure, Mario’s panic over his injuries. He couldn’t blame his brother for being scared now.

Still…

“Mario,” Luigi said slowly, his voice steady but full of emotion, “I know you’re-a scared. Scared I might get-a hurt. And I’m sc-sc-scared too.” He took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. “But… I can’t-a stop now. Because I’m more scared of what-a would happen if I… if-a we don’t try something. I can’t-a live with-a myself if I didn’t do everything I could.”

Mario’s shoulders slumped, his eyes cast down. For all his pleading, Mario realized he wasn’t going to change Luigi’s mind. Why should he? He would be, and has been, just as stubborn if things were reversed. 

Instead, he stepped forward, his expression hardening as he climbed into the Clown Copter behind Luigi.

“Fine,” Mario said firmly, gripping the side of the copter. “But we-a only help FROM A DISTANCE! Okie dokie?” 

Luigi nodded in agreement before putting the Clown Copter in gear. The vehicle levitated slightly off the ground before lunging forward. The copter darted through hallways and rooms at breakneck speeds. Led only by the sounds of battle, Luigi pushed the copter to its limits. Mario could only brace himself, gripping the side as he watched his brother maneuver the catacomb-like halls with an unexpected grace.

Within moments, they arrived at the scene. Bowser, still fueled by unrestrained fury, was battling through the double-cherry copies, thrashing his way through the mass of clones. The hanger had turned into a battlefield of squashed cherries and destruction. Luigi and Mario struggled to make sense of the chaos. It appeared as though Bowser was being overwhelmed by the copies, but each wave seemed to fuel his rage even more. A wave of copies piled onto the Koopa King, only for them to be flung in every direction in an explosion of fury.

Luigi extended his hand, preparing to conjure a lightning bolt, but the strain from his injury halted him. Mario reached out, placing his hand gently on his brother's arm. "You-a steer, I’ll fire," Mario said, summoning his own fireball.

Luigi nodded and swerved the copter into the thick of the fray. As he skillfully maneuvered, Mario cleared a path with his fireballs, blasting through the clones. Meanwhile, Luigi dodged the relentless copies that hurled themselves at the brothers. The assault felt endless, and now the cherry copies seemed to set their sights on Mario and Luigi, intensifying their attack. More clones poured out with every passing moment.

BZZZZSHHRRRR!

Kamek's burst of magical energy pushed the horde away from the brothers. "Clear a path for me!" he shouted, pointing toward the hanger office.

Mario and Luigi exchanged a quick nod before continuing their charge. Mario launched a barrage of fireballs, sending them hurling into the growing sea of clones, puffing them out with each blast. As soon as the path cleared, Kamek flew into the office on his broomstick. Inside, a red-cloaked magikoopa that had been by Vashella's side earlier was waving its wand over a double cherry, creating more and more copies of One, Three, and Vashella.

Kamek wasted no time, blasting the magikoopa’s clones before they could escape the office. The magikoopa turned, aiming its wand at Kamek, but before it could strike, Kamek flicked his wand. A surge of magical energy shot toward the magikoopa, turning it to stone. Kamek approached the newly petrified magikoopa and gave it a nudge. It toppled to the ground, shattering into hundreds of stone fragments. In an instant all the clones poofed out of existence leaving only Bowser and the brothers in the hanger. 

Kamek flew out of the office, waved his wand, and the hanger doors groaned open. As they slid apart, torrents of wind and rain surged into the room, forcing Kamek and Luigi to land. The storm outside still raged with relentless fury, but Bowser stood firm, his hulking frame unshaken as his glowing eyes pierced through the rain.

In the distance, three figures trudged through the mud and chaos, each carrying those unmistakable brown sacks. These were no clones—these were the real Vashella, One, and Three. Bowser’s gaze narrowed as Vashella glanced back, startled to see him standing. It was clear she hadn’t expected him to survive Two’s assult or the onslaught of double-cherry clones.

“THREE, FINISH HIM NOW!” Vashella barked.

Without hesitation, Three turned, charging back toward the hanger. She ripped open her enchanted satchel, unleashing an army’s worth of artillery: bullet bills, king bills, and more, all aimed directly at Bowser.

“Sire, she does not have the Prince with her!” Kamek said, his voice cutting through the storm.

Bowser bared his fangs, inhaling deeply as his eyes and the back of his throat glowed with an intense, fiery light. Three continued her barrage, launching wave after wave of projectiles. As the bullets bore down on him, Bowser drew in more power, his body radiating an almost unbearable heat.

FLASH!

 

A blinding light erupted from Bowser’s maw. For an instant, there was silence. Then came a deafening sonic boom. The blast tore through the bullet bills, not detonating them but vaporizing them entirely. Dirt and sand turned to glass, and even the storm seemed to halt, the rain and wind suspended in the wake of the devastating attack. The sky itself seemed to tear apart as Bowser’s energy beam roared across the field.

When the blast subsided, it left behind a path of absolute annihilation. In its wake, there was nothing—no artillery, no ground, not even Three. Her satchel, the infused stars, and every trace of her existence were simply gone. The blast only ceased when it struck a distant mountain, causing a landslide that sent rocks tumbling into the valley.

Luigi curled into a ball, pulling his hat over his head, while Mario instinctively shielded his brother with his own body. Mario’s wide eyes stared at Bowser in sheer terror. He had never seen anything like this before. His heart pounded, and for the first time in his life, he truly feared Bowser’s power.

Kamek, however, remained composed, scanning the scene until he spotted movement. “Sire, there! The Prince is there!” he shouted, pointing toward a warp pipe off to the side. Vashella, clutching one of the sacks, threw it into the pipe before leaping in after it.

One followed close behind, but before he could reach the pipe, Bowser turned his head, unleashing another blast of energy.

“LORD BOWSER, CAREFUL! SHE IS USING THE PRINCE AS A SHIELD!” Kamek warned desperately.

Bowser’s glowing mouth jerked upward, diverting the beam into the valley just short of the warp pipe. The energy seared the earth, grazing One and severing his arm. One shrieked in agony as he tumbled into the pipe. The blast continued skyward, dissipating the storm entirely. For the first time in weeks, sunlight broke through the clouds, casting rays of light across the battlefield.

But Bowser’s rage was far from spent. He let out a ferocious roar, columns of fire streaming skyward. The sound echoed across the castle, filled with fury and anguish. Mario stood frozen, trembling. Seeing Bowser like this—a force of nature, broken and unrelenting—shook him to his core.

“QUICKLY! GO! GATHER YOUR FRIENDS AND LEAVE!” Kamek shouted at the plumbers. “When Lord Bowser is in this state, he is uncontrollable and unpredictable. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE YOURSELVES. LEAVE!”

Mario snapped out of his daze, grabbing Luigi by the arm. The brothers climbed back into Luigi’s copter and raced toward the throne room.

“Peach, we gotta go!” Mario called as they entered.

“What? What do you mean? What’s going on?” she asked, confused.

“No time to explain! We have to—”

ROOOOOAAAAAAR!

Bowser’s enraged bellow reverberated through the entire castle, shaking its very foundations.

“Princess, I’ll-a explain later, but please—we gotta go!” Mario pleaded, his desperation evident.

Peach hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Alright… let’s go.”

The four of them piled into the Clown Copter. Daisy, still recovering, was gently placed at the bottom while Peach and Mario held on to Luigi. Luigi steered the copter through the massive hole Bowser had blasted into the sky. The storm had cleared, and the rising sun illuminated their path.

As they ascended, the Mushroom Kingdom came into view once more, its peaceful landscape a stark contrast to the chaos behind them. Luigi glanced back at the castle. Bowser’s column of fire still burned brightly, and his anguished roars echoed faintly. Junior was gone, and the thought made Luigi’s stomach turn. But he pushed forward, steering the copter toward safety.

 

 

Notes:

Head canon notes:
Mushrooms in this AU does not change the height. Instead they only provide heath benefits and are used in emergency situations.

Chapter 23: Restless and Waiting

Summary:

The Mario Brothers are back in the Mushroom Kingdom with Princess Peach and Daisy. But instead of a hero's welcome, they are met with chaos, suspesion, and fear as the Mushroom Kingdom hides in fear. After everyone calms down, the Toadstool Council have some questions for Luigi.

Their cottage felt quieter than ever. Mario woke up, brushed his teeth, and shuffled to the kitchen. The scars he’d earned from Two were just another addition to his collection, etched reminders of battles fought and barely survived, remained hidden under an unassuming red t-shirt that he wore to bed. 

Two’s final moments lingered in his mind, haunting his dreams and waking thoughts alike. The image of him disintegrating in Bowser’s inferno replayed over and over, the severed arms tossed carelessly to the ground. It was still more than what remained of Three—her entire existence vaporized in an instant, along with the power stars on her back. But what haunted Mario most was the power stars themselves, their radiant forms flinging themselves against their enclosure, desperate to escape. Four power stars, gone forever. He’d never thought of them as being so… alive. Not until that day.

Mario sighed, shaking off the memory as he made his way to the kitchen. Passing through the living room, he glanced at Luigi, seated in his usual spot by the dining room window. Two weeks had passed since they’d returned home, but Luigi had barely said a word.

The house had never felt so heavy with silence. But how could he blame him?

When they first returned, it was nothing short of chaos.

————————————————————

Two Weeks Ago

Luigi didn’t stop the copter until they reached Peach’s castle. The storm clouds from Bowser’s valley were far behind them, replaced by a dull, overcast sky. It was calm now, though the weight of what they’d left behind made the air feel oppressive.

The copter landed on the rooftop of Peach’s castle. Normally, guards or bustling Toads would be there to greet them. But as the brothers and princesses stepped out, the landing pad was eerily deserted.

Mario moved to help Luigi climb out, but Luigi swatted his hand away. “I’m-a okay. Help Daisy,” he muttered.

Mario nodded, quickly shifting his focus to Daisy. With Peach’s help, he supported her as they made their way inside. The walk to Peach’s chambers was a short one, but unnerving. Not a single soul stirred in the hallways. The castle was silent, save for the sound of their hurried footsteps.

When they reached Peach’s bedroom, they gently lowered Daisy onto the plush bed.

“I’m fine. Really, I am,” Daisy protested, attempting to wave them off. “Just a few cuts and bruises.”

“And possibly a concussion,” Peach countered, her voice firm. “You need to stay here. Don’t fall asleep.”

“Luigi,” Peach said, turning to him, “stay here with Daisy. I’ll find the castle nurse and figure out where everyone’s gone.”

Without waiting for an answer, Peach hurried out the door. The brother exchanged glances and without words agreed; Mario hurried after Peach while Luigi stayed by Daisy’s side. 

Peach and Mario hurried toward the throne room. As they made their way through the halls, they noticed emergency lights flashing—something neither of them had ever seen before. Mario hadn’t even known the castle had such lights. When they pushed open the doors, they were taken aback by the scene before them: the Toadstool Council, several of Peach’s generals, and Toadsworth were huddled around tables covered in maps of both the Mushroom Kingdom and the Darklands.

“PRINCESS PEACH!” Toadette was the first to spot them, triggering a wave of Toads rushing to their side.

“Are you alright, Princess?”

“Thank the stars Mario was able to rescue you!”

“It’s been so long! What happened?”

“Oh no, your beautiful dress—it’s filthy! What did that brute Bowser do to you?”

Questions flew at them in rapid succession, leaving no room for a response.

“Princess Peach…” The room quieted as Toadsworth approached them. “…it is truly a relief to have you back in the kingdom. All thanks, no doubt, to the tireless efforts of Master Mario.”

“It is good to be back, Toadsworth,” Peach replied, “but there’s no time to celebrate. We’re facing an emergency.”

“Indeed, we are, Princess.”

Peach’s expression brightened. Toadsworth must already know about Daisy’s condition. “Excellent. Then you know we need to send a nurse to my room immediately.”

“A nurse? My dear, are you hurt? My stars, that monster has gone too far! It’s a wonder you both made it out alive.” Toadsworth turned to address the gathering of Toads. “Quick, where is the nurse? We must tend to the Princess’s injuries at once!”

Before Peach could correct him, a swarm of castle nurses descended on her and Mario, inspecting them for injuries and hastily applying bandages to anything that looked remotely out of place.

“Wait!” Peach protested. “The nurse isn’t for me—I’m fine. It’s for Princess Daisy. She’s badly hurt and needs medical attention right away.” 

“Sarasaland Princess was mixed up in all this as well. My stars, this situation is worse than I thought.” Toadsworth commented. 

Peach could tell something wasn’t right. She looked around the room and, despite all the toads surrounding her, there were a lot more frantically working on other things. Their faces were full of fear and their movements were 

quick and deliberate. This wasn’t the usual fanfare that tends to greet her after a rescue. “Toadsworth, what's going on?”

“We are evacuating the kingdom into the emergency bunkers. It's been decades since we have activated them, but they should still hold steady against Bowser’s attack.” Toadsworth said in a matter-of-fact manner. 

“Wha…?” Mario exclaimed in shock.

“What do you mean, evacuating the kingdom? From what threat? Was Vashella located here?” Peach inquired. 

“Vashella? I don’t believe I know who that is, Princess. No, we are evacuating because of Bowser. We saw the fire. Bowser is in his monstrous rage state now. Surely because of Mario’s rescue of you.” Toadsworth turned to hold Peach’s hand. “I was afraid this day would come. I was hoping it would never come. I was hoping that Bowser would be fully defeated before it ever came to this. But it appears that the day Bowser rage over you takes hold has come to fruition.” 

“What are you talking about?” Peach asked, her voice heavy with fatigue.

“Follow me. I’ll explain everything in the emergency bunkers. The nurse will bring Daisy and your brother as well.”

Still bewildered, Peach and Mario followed Toadsworth as he led them through the castle. They descended the stairs into the basement and entered the wine cellar. Toadsworth stopped at a concealed door in the floor that Peach hadn’t known existed. He opened it, revealing a steep, dark staircase, and ushered them inside.

“This was built before your time,” Toadsworth explained as they carefully made their way down. “We’ve never had to use it, and we hoped we never would, but…”

At the bottom was a room that mirrored Peach’s bedroom, only without the natural light streaming through windows.

“Wait, hold on,” Peach said, finally stopping in her tracks. “What is all this? This is insane!”

“Let me explain.” Toadsworth lowered himself onto the edge of the bed, his expression grave. “We’ve long been aware of the power Bowser possesses. That raw, destructive force is something inherent to all giant koopas. In the past, the former Koopa Kings wielded it to wreak havoc on the surrounding kingdoms. It is a power that defies the natural order, and we’ve been preparing for its resurgence since before you were born.”

He glanced at Peach, his face softening for a moment before turning grim again. “When Bowser assumed the throne, we fully expected him to follow in his father’s footsteps. But when he didn’t, we dared to hope he was turning over a new leaf.”

Toadsworth’s expression soured further. “His proclivity towards you appeared to be the only thing restraining him from unleashing his full power. However, we hadn’t anticipated how often he would kidnap you.”

His gaze shifted to Mario. “Still, even after Mario rescued you time and again, Bowser still wouldn’t tap into his true strength. And we hoped—desperately—that Mario would end things once and for all before…” Toadsworth's sharp tone trailed off, his words heavy with the weight of unspoken fear.

“…Well, you’ve seen it now. We have some of the brightest minds in the kingdom monitoring the energy levels emanating from Bowser’s castle,” Toadsworth began, his voice steady but grim. “When those levels exceeded the threshold we deemed acceptable, our emergency response plan went into motion. Right now, the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom are being directed to underground bunkers scattered throughout the land. For those who can’t reach a bunker, we’ve advised them to seek refuge in the Choco Mountains. My stars, I just hope the bunkers will hold if Bowser comes this way.”

“But that’s just it—he’s not coming after me,” Peach interjected firmly.

Toadsworth turned to her, confused. “What do you mean, Princess?”

“He isn’t… I wasn’t his prisoner,” she said, her tone unwavering. “None of us were. We were his guests. He’s acting this way because—”

“Preposterous!” Toadsworth interrupted, his voice rising. “You, more than anyone, know how obsessive Bowser can be. Perhaps he treated you better this time, but the fact remains—those columns of fire appeared precisely after your return. That cannot be a coincidence.”

“But that’s not it at all!” Peach protested. “We were stuck there because of the storm, and—”

“The storm! Of course,” Toadsworth cut her off again, a flicker of hope lighting his expression. “If the storm reforms, it may give us a chance to keep him at bay while we formulate a plan.”

“But we don’t need a plan! I’m telling you, Bowser isn’t after—”

“Stay here, Princess Peach,” Toadsworth said firmly, already heading for the door. “I’ll check with the weather toads to see when the storm might return.”

With that, he disappeared through the door, leaving Peach both bewildered and frustrated.

She marched to the door, determined to follow and set the record straight. But when she turned the doorknob, it wouldn’t budge. She tried again, then again, but the door remained locked. She pounded on it, her voice echoing through the room. “Hey! Hello? Let us out of here!”

Mario stood in the middle of the room, his eyes shifting uncomfortably. The space, normally warm and inviting, felt cold and suffocating, more like a prison than the plush sanctuary it appeared to be. He had never seen Peach this upset. As her banging grew louder and her shouts more frantic, he hesitated before speaking.

“Princess… are you—”

“Hmm?” Peach snapped out of her frustration, turning to him. “Oh, Mario.” She sighed deeply and leaned against the door. “Don’t worry. He’ll let us out… eventually. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time he’s tried to keep me locked up after a rescue. Though,” she added with a bitter laugh, “it’s the first time he’s done so in a bunker.”

She brushed herself off and made her way to a seating area in the corner of the room, her composure slowly returning. Mario followed, sitting beside her in silence.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Mario’s mind raced as he tried to piece together everything that had just happened, but the enormity of it all weighed on him. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the faint hum of the emergency systems running overhead.

————————

Present Day

Mario snapped out of his daydream—if it could even be called that. He and Peach had been locked in that facsimile of her room for eight hours. They kept Luigi and Daisy in a separate room, never letting the two pairs reunite. Normally, when they were in the Mushroom Kingdom, the twins could be apart for hours, even days, without issue. The usual ping of anxiety didn’t surface when they were within the kingdom’s borders. But that day, in the underground replica of Peach’s bedroom, Mario had felt an unease he couldn’t shake. The separation gnawed at him, made worse by the knowledge that Luigi was still injured. In all his time in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario had never felt the same anxiety or dread he had experienced in those eight hours.

Now, back in the quiet of their cottage, Mario set about making breakfast for both of them. His cooking skills weren’t as refined as Luigi’s, but he could manage the basics. As usual, he brewed coffee first, letting its comforting aroma fill the kitchen. He toasted bread and spread a thin layer of apple jam on top, scrambled some eggs, and heated up a few sausage links in their toaster oven.

Balancing the plate and a steaming cup of coffee, Mario carried them to Luigi. His brother was already seated by the window, his gaze fixed on the mailbox outside. That’s all Luigi did lately—wait. Wait for mail, wait for the newspaper, wait for updates on the news. Anything that might provide some clue about what was happening in the Darklands.

While Mario was still in his pajamas, Luigi was already fully dressed, his green hat and overalls neatly in place. His left sleeve was rolled up to accommodate the plaster cast on the arm that had been caught in the Chain Chomp’s jaws. His foot rested in a medical boot where the Chain Chomp had crushed it. His face, hands, and arms were dotted with bandages and stitches, reminders of their last battle.

Beside him sat a small bottle of pills—ground-up red mushrooms encased in capsules. Mario set the plate and coffee on the table next to Luigi, who didn’t even glance up. His eyes remained glued to the mailbox, as if willing it to bring some kind of news.

Mario hesitated, then broke the silence. “Luigi… breakfast is-a ready.”

Luigi blinked, tearing his gaze away from the window. “Oh. Grazie, Mario,” he murmured, his voice distant. He picked up the fork and began eating without enthusiasm, his attention already drifting back toward the mailbox. It wasn’t long before he just stopped eating. 

Mario sat down across from Luigi, watching him in silence. This wasn’t like his brother. He had seen Luigi sad before—seen him downright depressed—but this was different. There was an edge of impatience to him this time, something restless and raw.

Mario could hear the rhythmic bouncing of Luigi’s good leg under the table, see the way his brother fidgeted with the fork in his hand. His eyes drifted to the nearly empty pill bottle sitting nearby.

“Luigi, how many of-a the pills have you-a taken?” Mario asked, his voice calm but concerned.

“They don’t-a work,” Luigi replied flatly, not looking up.

Mario sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s because you’re-a taking too many.”

The doctor had warned Luigi: red and green mushrooms couldn’t do all the healing for him. The pills could speed up the process, but only so much—his body needed time to recover on its own. But Luigi had grown restless since they’d come home, and his frustration seemed to reach a boiling point after they’d appeared before the Toadstool council.

———————————————————-

8 days ago

It took several days for life in the Mushroom Kingdom to settle into something resembling normalcy—though the undercurrent of unease remained. The emergency order issued by Toadsworth was lifted after a full day, allowing citizens to emerge from the bunkers. It took another three days for the armed guards patrolling the city to stand down. But once the immediate chaos subsided, the real questions began. The Toadstool Council launched a formal investigation, determined to uncover the events leading to Bowser’s unprecedented display of power and the circumstances of those harrowing weeks in his castle.

The hearings began with Daisy. Hers was brief, though not due to a lack of concern. The kings of Sarasaland had stormed into the Mushroom Kingdom, seething with anger. They demanded answers and sat in on her interrogation, more interested in determining if the Mushroom Kingdom’s actions—or inaction—warranted a declaration of war. The hearing devolved into a shouting match among the four kings, cutting Daisy’s testimony short.

Peach was next. She came prepared to discuss the peace treaty, but the council had no interest in hearing her out. Every attempt she made to explain was met with interruptions, criticisms of her perceived closeness to Bowser, and condescending remarks. The elders of the castle often infantilized her, and while Peach had once brushed it off, this time their dismissive attitudes struck a nerve. For the first time, she felt the full weight of her lack of agency, and it stung.

Mario followed. The council, typically quick to celebrate his heroism, had shifted their tone. Their questions were sharp, their criticism biting. While they stopped short of outright saying it, their disappointment was clear: they had expected Mario to eliminate Bowser or at least neutralize him permanently. Instead, they berated him for being too lenient. Mario endured it all in silence. No one seemed to remember that he was just a plumber from Brooklyn, not even himself. 

Luigi’s hearing was the longest. It spanned two grueling days behind closed doors, leaving Mario and Peach to wait anxiously outside. The council questioned Luigi exhaustively, dissecting every detail—not just about what happened at Bowser’s castle but also their time on the mountain, his date with Daisy, and the mysterious presence of E. Gadd at their cottage before the kidnapping. Of particular interest to the council was Luigi’s relationship with Bowser. Eyewitness accounts from the mountain, testimonies from Daisy, Peach, and Mario, and Luigi’s own behavior began to form a narrative that the council couldn’t ignore.

“So, to reiterate,” a council toad in green robes said sharply, his eyes narrowing at Luigi, who sat nervously fidgeting in his chair. “You encountered multiple toads on the mountain, and according to their testimonies, you acted… oddly boastful. You tried to emulate your brother’s heroic demeanor, but instead of asking them for assistance, you attempted to offer them help?”

“Y-y-yes,” Luigi stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“What made you think these lost toads would be receptive to your assistance?”

“Scusi?” Luigi blinked, unsure how to respond.

“I mean,” the toad continued, his tone growing harsher, “you’re not exactly the heroic type to begin with. Surely you’re aware of this?”

“Oh…” Luigi’s shoulders slumped as he sank lower in his chair.

“That’s why this council finds your account of what happened on the mountain so perplexing,” the toad pressed on. “You were in danger—severe danger. Between Bowser and the elements, you could have died. And yet, instead of seeking help from the toads you encountered, you chose to adopt some ‘hero persona.’ And in doing so, you ended up helping no one.”

“He did worse than that,” Chancellor Toad interjected with a scowl. “He just about traumatized the very toads he was claiming to help.”

“Let’s address that,” another toad in purple robes said, adjusting his spectacles. “Why exactly was Bowser following you, Luigi?”

“W-w-well, you see,” Luigi stuttered, his face flushing as he struggled to find the right words. “Me and-a Bowser… we-a agreed it would be a good idea to… to-a travel together.”

“A good idea?” The toad repeated incredulously. “You thought traveling with Bowser was a good idea?”

“Apparently it was,” another council toad in red robes cut in with a sneer, “since he—the bumbling, clumsy brother that he is—somehow managed to coax our kingdom’s greatest threat into following him like a little lost puppy.”

“He-he-he didn’t follow-a me—“ Luigi stammered, his face darting around looking for someone to believe him.

“Oh, so it was you doing the following? Is that how you managed to, as you say, travel with Bowser?” the red-robed toad pressed. “So tell us, Luigi: when did you betray the Mushroom Kingdom and start working as one of Bowser’s minions?”

Luigi felt his heart drop. The eyes of the council felt like knives. 

“WHAA?! No, no, no! I’m-a not working for-a Bowser!” Luigi’s voice cracked as he began to sweat. He clenched his hat tight in his first, his whole body shaking slightly from the stress of the relentless questioning.

“I’m sorry, Luigi,” a soft-spoken toad in yellow robes interjected, her voice calm but firm. She cast a disapproving glare at her red-robed colleague. “That line of questioning was entirely unprofessional.” She adjusted herself and turned back to Luigi. “But you must understand how this all appears from our perspective. Your story raises a lot of questions—questions we need answers to.

“For instance, you mentioned waiting at the cottage for Bowser’s airship to pick him up before making yourself known. That means you allowed an enemy warship to breach our borders, and you didn’t alert anyone. Surely, you can see how suspicious that looks on our end, can’t you?”

Luigi wanted to argue back, but no words came. He felt the weight of their accusations pressing down on him like a ton of bricks. The day dragged on as they grilled him relentlessly about the events on the mountain, dissecting every detail of his story, then turning his answers against him. By the time the hearing concluded, Luigi had retold his account four times, each version scrutinized to the point of exhaustion.

The following day was no better. This time, the council shifted their focus to Luigi’s time in Bowser’s castle.

“Let me get this straight,” the blue-robed toad began, his tone weary but sharp. “You claim you were kidnapped by this ‘Bradley’ character after wandering into the Darklands through a warp pipe that just happens to materialize right outside Bowser’s castle gates. Conveniently, I might add, despite there being no known warp pipes in that location.”

“But the-a warp pipes, they were-a acting funny—” Luigi started to explain.

“It’s a yes or no question,” the blue-robed toad interrupted curtly.

“…Yes,” Luigi muttered, slumping in his chair.

“From there, you are placed in a dungeon. Later, Princess Peach is brought in, also kidnapped. Then Mario battles Bowser,” the blue-robed toad continued, his voice tinged with exasperation.

“Which, I’ll remind everyone, didn’t stop Bowser permanently,” the red-cloaked toad interjected with a sneer.

“…Yes,” Luigi said, his voice growing quieter.

“After Mario temporarily halts Bowser’s plans—”

“B-b-but Bowser, he-a didn’t kidnap the-a Princess or-a me this time!” Luigi interrupted, his voice trembling and frantic.

“That has not been conclusively proven,” the yellow-cloaked toad said firmly, her calm demeanor only adding to Luigi’s anxiety.

“And be that as it may,” the blue-robed toad pressed on, “after Mario’s battle with Bowser, which left Mario injured, you then began working for Bowser’s koopalings?”

“Si…” Luigi muttered under his breath, barely audible.

“In what capacity?” the green-cloaked toad asked, leaning forward.

“As… as a plumber,” Luigi stammered, his words shrinking with every question.

“Doing what, exactly?” the green-cloaked toad pressed further.

“Fixing the-a toilets, and-a sinks, and-a shower,” Luigi replied, his voice a defeated whisper.

“And why? You were kidnapped, were you not? Why would you willingly agree to work for them?”

“B-b-because they-a asked,” Luigi said, his hands trembling in his lap.

“Do you normally do work for your captors? For free?” the green-cloaked toad snapped.

“N-n-no, b-b-but Ludwig, he-a paid me for the-a work,” Luigi mumbled, glancing nervously at the council.

“Ah, so betrayal does have a price,” the red-cloaked toad sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

“Councilman, please! Control yourself,” the yellow-cloaked toad said sharply, glaring at him before turning back to Luigi. “Let us stay focused on the matter at hand.”

Luigi slumped lower in his chair. The weight of their words—and their distrust—felt heavier with every passing moment.

“Your reason for working for our enemy still doesn’t make sense,” the blue-cloaked toad said, his tone sharp and unforgiving. “You’re not hurting for work here, nor are you struggling for money. And from your account, it doesn’t sound like you had to pay for anything while you were there. So why, after everything they had done, would you willingly work for them?”

Luigi sat in silence, the weight of their stares bearing down on him. The Toadstool council’s eyes felt like daggers, piercing through his very soul. He couldn’t tell them the truth—the real reason why he’d taken on the work. He couldn’t admit that fixing pipes had been his way of distracting himself, a means to cope with emotions he was only beginning to understand. How could he tell them he wasn’t with Daisy anymore? How could he admit, even to himself, that he might be attracted to men… that he might be attracted to Bowser?

Clearing his throat, Luigi forced out the only answer he could give, the closest thing to the truth that he dared to speak. “B-b-because they were-a nice to me,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. “A-and I wanted to pay them back, you know?”

The silence in the room was deafening. For a moment, all Luigi could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. Then, all at once, the council erupted.

“NICE? BOWSER? NICE?”

“Are you sure you didn’t suffer a head injury while you were there?”

“How is kidnapping you considered nice?”

“YOU SEE? PROOF THAT THIS BROTHER HAS TURNED!”

“You must be mistaking his actions for kindness! Just because he put you in rooms instead of the dungeon doesn’t make him nice!”

The council devolved into chaos, their voices overlapping as they shouted over one another. Accusations and criticisms flew across the room, each one sharper than the last. Luigi shrank under their verbal onslaught, his hands gripping the edges of his chair as he tried to endure it.

By the time the hearing finally ended, the council had gained nothing other than a heightened distrust of Luigi. It wasn’t a trial, so he was free to go, but the damage had been done. As he stepped out of the grand council room, the weight of the past two days crashed down on him.

Mario was waiting for him just outside the door, his arms open and ready. Luigi collapsed into his brother’s embrace, his tears soaking into Mario’s shirt. Peach stood beside them, gently placing a hand on Luigi’s back, her quiet presence offering comfort.

In all his life, Luigi had never felt so unwanted as he did standing in the halls of Peach’s castle.

After returning to their cottage, Luigi retreated to their shared bedroom. He stayed there the rest of the day and all through the next, leaving Mario and Peach to wonder if he had slipped back into his depressive state.

But to everyone’s surprise, on the second morning, Luigi emerged. There was something different about him—a new fire in his eyes, a restless energy that couldn’t be contained. His mind had fixed itself on one thought: Junior.

There was no time to feel sorry for himself, not when Bowser’s son was still in trouble. No matter how harshly the council had treated him or how unwelcome they’d made him feel, nothing would compare to the guilt he’d feel if something happened to the young Koopa prince.

Before the hearings, Luigi had hoped the Mushroom Kingdom’s leadership might help rescue Junior. He had naively believed that the council would listen. But after their brutal questioning and unwavering distrust, Luigi knew they wouldn’t lift a finger. If Junior was to be saved, it would be up to him—and somehow, he would make it happen.

Despite the fire in his heart, Luigi’s body was a different story. His injuries kept him grounded, the cast on his arm and the boot on his foot making it impossible to move freely. But his determination only grew. The council might have dismissed him as a fool or a traitor, but he had seen the truth—they hadn’t. And he wouldn’t let them stop him.

He knew he couldn’t do this alone. If he were to have any chance of rescuing Junior, he needed allies. He needed people who were there, who had seen the truth for themselves.

Luckily, he knew two such people. Two princesses who had stood beside him in Bowser’s castle, who had witnessed everything, who knew his heart: Peach and Daisy. The council wouldn’t help him—but with the support of the two princesses, maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to bring Junior back safely.

__________________________________________________________________

Present Day

Luigi sat up straighter as the mailman approached their cottage. It had become part of his new routine—waiting for news. The quiet days in the countryside were no longer a solace but a reminder of how little progress had been made.

Usually, when Mario was about to embark on an adventure, the entire kingdom rallied behind him. Toads would gather to supply him with power-ups, tools, and equipment, each item carefully chosen to aid him in his quest. He would receive detailed directions, maps marked with potential dangers and safe havens. In the days leading up to his departure, letters and packages would arrive from all corners of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond—tokens of encouragement from leaders, citizens, or anyone who wanted to support their hero.

Luigi assumed it would be no different this time. Surely, if people knew what was at stake—what Bowser Jr. meant not just to Bowser, but to the fragile peace they were all trying to build—they would offer their help. Surely, leaders would step up to support them, providing resources and guidance just as they always did for Mario.

He had been in regular contact with both Peach and Daisy, though their updates often brought more frustration than hope. Luigi knew the council wouldn’t help, but he had hoped Peach might know someone—anyone—who could lend a hand. With two weeks already gone since Bowser’s castle, time was slipping away, and Luigi’s fear for Junior grew with each passing day.

Unfortunately, Peach had her hands tied. Toadsworth now followed her everywhere, keeping a watchful eye on the princess. If not him, then one of the Toad Guards shadowed her every step. Worse still, the council continued to stonewall her at every turn. Her pleas to sign the peace treaty were met with stalling tactics or outright hostility.

The same council that once signed off on nearly all of Peach’s requests now treated her like a suspect in her own kingdom. Any mention of a treaty with Bowser sparked arguments or dismissals. Some councilors flatly refused to listen, viewing Bowser as nothing more than a monster. Others avoided giving her a clear answer, leaving Peach trapped in an endless cycle of dead ends.

Her attempts to rally allies outside the kingdom weren’t much better. Many feared getting involved in anything remotely tied to Bowser, worried about the political fallout. But Peach pressed on, hoping to find individuals willing to help even if entire kingdoms would not. She had reached out to Prince Peasley, Donkey Kong, Admiral Bobbery, Captain Toad, E. Gadd, and Cappy, each a trusted ally. However, Rosalina was no longer an option.

Since returning to the Great Cosmic Observatory, Rosalina had fallen into despair. She hadn’t witnessed Bowser’s actions firsthand, but she had felt them, her connection to the stars amplifying the destruction he caused. That alone had filled her heart with contempt for him. Daisy, who had been unconscious during the destruction, now divided her time between Sarasaland and the Observatory, caring for the grief-stricken Rosalina. For now, there was no convincing her to help. 

As for Daisy herself, she found her freedom more restricted than ever. The four kings of Sarasaland, already known for their overprotectiveness, used the recent incident as justification to tighten their control and argue endlessly among themselves about her safety. Any suggestion Daisy made was met with resistance, leaving her feeling powerless in her own kingdom.

Adding to her challenges, Daisy was still grappling with the lingering effects of her concussion—persistent headaches, nausea, and an overwhelming sensitivity to light. The harsh desert climate of Sarasaland, where her castle was located, only exacerbated her symptoms. Even staying indoors offered little relief.

The Great Cosmic Observatory, however, provided an unexpected sanctuary. Its dim, serene atmosphere was a stark contrast to the glaring sunlight of her homeland, and it became a refuge for Daisy as she recovered. More than that, it gave her a purpose beyond her own healing. With Rosalina consumed by despair over the destruction of her stars, Daisy took it upon herself to care for her friend.

Tending to Rosalina and escaping the stifling environment of Sarasaland gave Daisy a much-needed sense of agency. It also allowed her to focus on something other than her own frustrations and symptoms. Even as tensions mounted across kingdoms, Daisy found solace in ensuring that Rosalina wasn’t left to face her sorrow alone. However this meant that Daisy was also a dead end for help for now. Still Luigi and Daisy still spoke regularly. Daisy would update him on what her kingdom’s thoughts on Junior’s status, which seemed more in flux than the Mushroom Kingdom. However, as the days past, things seemed to stall as the Sarasaland Kings seemed to grow more singularly focused on Daisy’s recovery.  

Luigi’s hope is dwindling as he awaited the mail. They couldn’t save Junior alone, not in their current state. If neither the council nor the allies of the Mushroom Kingdom would help, who would?

Luigi rushed back into the cottage mail in hand. Nothing, again. Just flyers for things to buy and other junk mail. The green clad plumber felt helpless. No letters. No packages. No offers of assistance. It seemed that no one wanted to help the little koopa. 

“Anything for-a me?” Mario asked as Luigi re-entered the cottage.

Luigi didn’t respond, lost in his own thoughts.

“Luigi?” Mario tried again, his voice more concerned.

“Oh… um… no. Just-a junk.” Luigi muttered, tossing the handful of mail into the kitchen garbage bin.

“Oh… Okie dokie. I’m going to-a shower. I-a figured we can-a go and-a get-a lunch with-a the Princess. She said we—”

“Hold on, Mario.” Luigi suddenly froze, his attention snapping toward the faint sound of the mailbox door creaking open again.

“What is it?” Mario asked, watching Luigi rush to the window.

Luigi pushed the curtain aside and saw the mailtoad standing by their mailbox. “I’m just delivering this letter! Almost dropped it off at the wrong cottage, heh heh,” the toad called, giving a wave before hurrying back down the path.

Without hesitation, Luigi bolted for the door.

“Woah, woah, Luigi! Don’t move so fast—you’re still hurt!” Mario said, following close behind.

Luigi ignored him, heading straight for the mailbox. His hands trembled slightly as he pulled out the letter. Could it be from Peach? The Toadstool Council? Daisy? An ally finally willing to lend a hand?

He tore open the envelope right then and there. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the dark grey parchment inside, stamped with Bowser’s unmistakable seal.

Master Luigi,

I hope this message reaches you, as I fear communication between our kingdoms may become more limited in the days ahead. First and foremost, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude. Without your actions, my men would not have survived. Though we typically refrain from using Mushroom Kingdom power-ups, the ones you left for my soldiers healed their injuries and restored their strength. Your selfless act ensured Vashella did not completely decimate our defenses. I know I may never get the chance to thank you in person, and should we meet again, I will not mention this aloud—I am well aware of the Mushroom Kingdom’s tendency to punish any good deed extended toward Koopas.

I also want to update you on our current situation, as it is the least I can do. The search for the Prince continues. We know he is alive, thanks to a spell Master Kamek cast to spirit him away from danger, which also created a magical link between them. From interrogations, we have reason to believe Vashella’s attack was orchestrated to both kidnap the Prince and eliminate Lord Bowser and his forces. Her goal appears to be legitimizing her rule by using the Prince—perhaps through brainwashing or as a puppet—to sway our citizens.

As for Vashella’s escape, we have confirmed that she used her warp pipe potion to conjure a pipe. Fortunately, the other end of the pipe manifested in the Old Castle. While this is good news, we still have not located her or the Prince. We are pursuing two possibilities: that she either delved deeper into the Old Castle or managed to escape into the Darklands—or even beyond.

These efforts have stretched our already diminished forces to their limits, especially with Lord Bowser incapacitated. The attack you witnessed involved a power known to us as the ancient shell. This ability, possessed by all giant Koopas, allowed past rulers of the Darklands to grow in size and power as Bowser. It was once the foundation of our kingdom’s rule, but over time, its use dwindled, as it only fostered fear and distrust within our borders and beyond. By the time Lord Bowser ascended to the throne, the ancient shell was thought to be a myth. Clearly, it is not.
However, the cost of wielding this power has been steep for Lord Bowser. He has gone completely blind, though Master Kamek assures us this is only temporary. His body is gravely weakened, and the energy of the ancient shell continues to surge through him uncontrollably. To stabilize him and hasten his recovery, Master Kamek has placed him in a magic-induced sleep, which also prevents the power from unleashing indiscriminately. While Lord Bowser recovers, my men will continue searching for Vashella and the Prince. Though we face setbacks, we are somewhat on equal footing now—two of Vashella’s Koopalings and her entire army have been lost in the conflict.

I know you and Lord Bowser have grown close, and I will keep you updated on his recovery. I am certain he would want you to know. I will write again if there are any changes here, and I wish you a swift recovery as well.

Sincerely,

General Blue Shell

“Well?” Mario asked from the front door, an inquisitive look on his face.

Luigi glanced up, clutching the letter. “It’s-a… it’s-a from…” He hesitated, his voice catching in his throat. “It’s-a from General Blue Shell,” he finally said, the words spilling out in a flat, matter-of-fact tone.

“Oh,” Mario said, his expression immediately going blank. “What does the-a… the-a letter say?”

Without a word, Luigi limped over and handed the letter to his brother. Mario took his time reading it, his brow furrowing slightly before his face returned to neutral. “Oh,” he muttered softly.

“Oh?” Luigi echoed, confused by his brother’s lack of reaction.

“It-a looks like this-a Blue Shell guy has-a everything under control, yes?” Mario said, handing the letter back before heading inside.

“Yes, but…”

“Hopefully, the-a next letter says ‘they-a found the piccolo Koopa,’” Mario interrupted, his tone dismissive as he began clearing the kitchen table.

“But— but they could still use our-a help! The letter said—”

“The-a letter said they are on the case,” Mario interjected again. “Looks like they’ll-a rescue Bowser Jr. in-a no time. Hey, we should-a have a picnic in the garden! Could you-a find the-a basket? I think it’s-a in the closet.”

“Mario…”

“I’ll shower real quick, and then we can-a go.”

“Mario!”

“Maybe we can-a ask the-a Princess what kind of sandwiches she—”

“MARIO!” Luigi finally shouted, his voice echoing through the room. Mario froze mid-step, as the tension between the brothers hung heavy in the air.

Luigi had noticed a change in Mario since they returned home. His brother hadn’t seemed at all concerned about Bowser, Junior, or anything related to the Darklands. At first, Luigi thought it was because Mario was focusing on nursing him back to health, being his usual overbearing self. But over the past two weeks, Luigi realized he couldn’t bring up anything about the Darklands without Mario abruptly changing the subject.

Initially—wishfully—Luigi assumed Mario avoided the topic due to a lack of updates. But now, with this letter in hand providing a clearer picture of what was happening, Mario still wasn’t willing to engage. A picnic? That’s all Mario could think about?

“Mario… please-a listen to me,” Luigi pleaded, his voice trembling with urgency. “I know you. You-a don’t want to see anything bad happen to-a Junior. He’s… he’s just a kid. Bowser—his-a dad—he can’t-a save him. General Blue Shell, he needs-a help.”

Mario froze, his back turned to Luigi. For a moment, it seemed like he might respond calmly. But then he spun around, his face filled with frustration.

“HOW ARE WE-A SUPPOSED TO-A HELP, LUIGI?!” Mario snapped, his voice sharp and raw. “You can’t-a walk very good! Your arm is-a still in that cast! No one here wants to-a help you! So how? HOW ARE WE-A SUPPOSED TO-A HELP?!”

Mario’s voice cracked, as if the lid holding back weeks of bottled-up emotions had finally burst open.

“Mario… I—” Luigi began hesitantly.

“You-you-you what, Luigi? Gonna run to-a Vashella and do what? Bonk her on the-a head a few times?” Mario snapped, his frustration flaring.

“Well, I-I-I don’t-a know yet. Maybe—”

“Maybe? MAYBE?” Mario’s voice rose sharply. “You-a can’t rescue anyone with-a maybe! Did you-a not see who we are up against? Mama Mia, Luigi, you-a almost lost your—” Mario stopped himself, his voice catching on the unspoken words.

He slumped to the floor, his back sliding down the wall, his face buried in his hands. “You know… every ‘adventure’ I-a go on, every battle I-a fight, I always try to-a use my noodle to-a figure a way out. But if I couldn’t, there was-a always the stars. We were-a told that with the-a stars, nothing could-a hurt you. But after what…” Mario’s eyes widened, his thoughts dragging him back to that harrowing fight with Two. “That wasn’t true, Luigi. The stars can’t-a protect you… not against them.”

Luigi crouched down beside his brother. “…Mario…”

“You saw it too,” Mario said, his voice trembling. “But you-a still want to-a march over there, like some-a superhero. This-a fight, it isn’t ours. With help or no, we… we-a can’t win this one.” His voice cracked, tears welling in his eyes.

Luigi froze, startled by what he saw in Mario’s face—something he hadn’t seen in a very long time: fear.

“We-a barely survived, Luigi. This isn’t like-a saving the princess. Those-a big koopas… they can-a wipe us out.” Mario’s voice wavered, his words spilling out like a confession. “All those times I-a fought with Bowser, he was-a just toying with-a me. He could’ve… he could’ve killed me anytime.” He paused, his gaze dropping to the floor. “And Vashella… she’s-a worse. She will.”

Mario’s eyes locked with Luigi’s, his voice breaking. “No-a star can protect you, Luigi. And… and… I can’t-a lose you, okay?”

“Mario…” Luigi sighed, carefully weighing his words. “I get it… I really do. And… I don’t-a know what to-a do. I’m terrified too Mario. I’m-a not as strong as-a you, I’m not as-a brave as-a you. But you always told me that being-a brave doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. It means you do what’s-a right even when you are. I know I can’t-a fight her or her-a minions. But we have to-a do something. Anything. Not just-a for Junior, not just-a for Bowser, but for-a everyone. You and-a I both know Vashella isn’t going to-a stop with-a just the Darklands.”

Mario exhaled heavily, Luigi’s words sinking in. He knew his brother was right. He had faced power-hungry villains before, and someone like Vashella wouldn’t stop at conquering one kingdom. Eventually, she will come for the Mushroom Kingdom. 

“We just…” Luigi reached over and pulled Mario close, their foreheads gently touching. “We-a just need to use our-a noodles, eh? We’re the Mario Bros.! As-a long as we got each other, everything will be okie dokie.”

Mario couldn’t help but chuckle. It was such a corny line, but it was his corny line—one he’d said to Luigi long ago when they first arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom. Luigi pulled him closer into a hug, holding onto him tightly.

“Okay… okay… you’re-a right,” Mario sighed, finally conceding. For weeks, the image of Bowser as an unpredictable monster capable of destroying stars had haunted his thoughts. But now, sitting there on the floor with his brother, another image came into focus—Bowser as the beloved king of his people, Bowser as the dedicated father, and, begrudgingly, Bowser as Luigi’s friend.

Mario knew that if anyone else asked him to rescue their child, he wouldn’t hesitate. And then he thought of the mountain—how Bowser had helped Luigi down when Mario couldn’t. It was only right to return the favor, regardless of their tangled history.

After a long, silent embrace, Mario finally spoke. “We’ll go to-a the Darklands.”

Luigi’s eyes lit up with hope.

“We’ll-a go and ask if they-a need help. Okay? And…” Mario paused, carefully choosing his words. “If they-a do… then we’ll help.”

“YIPPEE!” Luigi cheered, his grin as bright as ever.

“But only if they-a need help,” Mario added, raising a finger. “And by help, I-a don’t mean charging in to-a fight Vashella. We-a gotta use our noodles this-a time, like-a you said.”

As Mario stood up, he reached out to help Luigi to his feet. Luigi took the hand, and as soon as he was standing, he pulled Mario into another big hug. “Thank you, Mario,” he said, his voice full of gratitude.

Mario squeezed his brother even tighter. “You know… you’re-a jerk for-a using my own words against me, right?”

“Heh heh, I know,” Luigi chuckled.

 

 

Chapter 24: The Journey West

Summary:

Our heros are back on another adventure back to Bowser’s castle. But this time, not to rescue a princess, but a turtle prince. Or, according to some, just to see if they need help rescuing a prince…. This isn’t going to be your typical Mario adventure is it…-.-

“We’ll-a leave in the morning,” Mario said, his finger tracing the route spread out on their small kitchen table. The map charted an indirect path to the Darklands—far from the usual route Mario might take. This path avoided heavily populated areas, winding through dense forests and open plains instead. Key points on the map were marked with warp pipes, most of them older and less frequented. They weren’t the fastest, but they’d lead to isolated locations close enough to the Darklands while keeping their movements discreet.

“Right. We’ll leave as scheduled for our ‘vacation,’ then reroute the ship here,” Peach said, pointing to a spot near Toastarena. “Luckily, I managed to convince Toadsworth that I’m heading to Sarasaland with Daisy. Toastarena is on the way”

“I’ll meet you three at the midway point,” Daisy added, her finger resting on a place called Toastarena. “I’ve already told the kings I’ll be staying with Peach a little longer. They’ll believe it.”

“From-a here, we go on foot,” Mario continued, his voice firm. “We should-a reach Bowser’s castle by evening.”

Luigi leaned closer over the map, his brow furrowed as he studied the route in silence. Mario watched him, sensing his unease.

“Lu…” Mario’s voice softened as he turned to his brother. “It’s-a the fastest route to Bowser. Trust me.”

Mario knew what was weighing on Luigi’s mind. Every day spent planning, every moment of delay, only reminded them of how much time had already slipped away. Two and a half long weeks since they returned, and Junior was still out there—taken prisoner by Vashella. Luigi nodded at his brother and with that the plan was in place. 

The next morning, Peach and Daisy were seen off by Toadsworth for their planned vacation. In Peach’s cruise ship, they changed into outfits more fitting for an extensive hike. Outfits that would have to be concealed under their dresses. 

The brothers set off to Toastarena on their own. After the hearings, the Toadstool council has not been very kind to the brothers, wishing Princess Peach to keep some distance between them, Especially Luigi. Mario himself have been relegated to supervised visit at the castle. Even meeting at their cottage required the princess to sneak out under the cover of night. 

The brothers set off early that morning. They planned to make the trip via Yoshi travel service. It was the most discreet and fastest way to travel through the rough terrain they had mapped out. The sun was not even up when the brothers set off. It would take them about 7 hours to make it to Toastarena. For the Princesses, the trip would be relatively easy and short for them. Peach’s cruise ship would take them to the only port in the Sand Kingdom. From there they would be chauffeured to Toastarena via carriage. It would be in the city of Toastarena where Peach would have to figure out a way to get rid of her chaperones. A task easier said than done. 

"Where are you going, Princess?" one of the Toad guards asked, catching sight of Peach and Daisy as they stepped out of their cabin. The two princesses were no longer dressed in their royal attire but instead wore practical tan colored safari style outfits, ready for the long hike to the Darklands.

"Oh… well, since we’re in Toastarena, I thought Daisy and I could go take in the sights," Peach said, her voice light and casual, though her tone carried a hint of nervousness.

"Alright," the guard replied, nodding thoughtfully. "I’ll inform the captain we’ll need extra time at this dock. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll gather a few guards and your entourage to escort—"

"No need!" Peach interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended. She forced a smile. "I mean, Toastarena is such a small town. I’m sure Daisy and I can manage on our own. No need to trouble anyone."

The guard shook his head. "Oh, no, Princess. I insist. Our finest Toads are here to ensure you both have a safe and relaxing trip. Besides, the sights around here are crawling with monsters. Just wait here, and I’ll gather the others." Without waiting for a reply, the guard hurried off.

Peach groaned softly, watching him disappear. "Well, this plan is off to a fantastic start," Daisy said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"They’re always like this whenever I leave the castle," Peach sighed. "Even if we weren’t on a mission, I wish I could travel freely, you know?"

Daisy shrugged, then paused, an idea sparking in her mind. "You know, if only you had a double or something—wait… THAT'S IT!"

Peach blinked. "What’s it?"

"We need doubles! Double cherries!"

Peach tilted her head, considering it. "That’s… not a bad idea. But…" Her enthusiasm faltered. "What if they ask the doubles questions? Or try to talk to them? Cherry clones can’t think or talk like us."

Daisy frowned. "Yeah… I didn’t think about that."

"Perhaps I could be of assistance," said a calm, familiar voice. Both princesses turned to see Granny Toad stepping into the room. The elder Toad, with her brown-spotted mushroom cap and long maroon robes, had been Peach’s chambermaid since she was a child. Granny had a knack for helping Peach navigate Toadsworth’s overbearing ways.

"Granny!" Peach exclaimed.

Granny Toad smiled warmly. "When you head out today, send back your doubles. I’ll take care of the rest."

Peach’s eyes widened. "You’d help us? What about Toadsworth?"

Granny waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, never mind that old fuddy-duddy. He means well, but he’s far too protective—always has been. I’ve helped raise you since you were no taller than a Goomba, and I’ve seen a fire in your eyes since you returned, like never before." Her expression softened. "You’re becoming the queen I’ve always known you’d be. I may not know what adventure you’re setting out on, and stars know I’m worried for your safety, but my heart tells me it’s important. So go. Find what you’re looking for. Let Granny take care of the rest."

Peach knelt, pulling Granny into a hug. "Thank you, Granny. I promise I’ll be back safe and sound before anyone notices. Okay?"

Granny smiled, patting Peach’s back. "I know, dear. Now go. I’m sure that guard is wondering where you are by now. Best not to let them grow too suspicious." 

The princesses stepped out of the cabin and joined their escort. Within minutes, the group arrived in Toastarena, greeted by the brightly colored, skeleton-faced locals who waved cheerfully as they passed. While strolling through the bustling marketplace, Daisy’s eyes caught the sign of a village general store. At the same time, Peach noticed something even more promising: two Yoshis napping under the canopy of a vibrant, adobe-style building. It was a clear sign—Mario and Luigi had made it to Toastarena.

The princesses exchanged a glance, silently agreeing on a plan that required no words.

“Oh, how delightful—a local shop!” Peach exclaimed loudly, ensuring her entire entourage could hear. “I’d love to pick out some souvenirs before we start sightseeing.”

“Of course, Princess,” replied a yellow Toad from her escort.

The group made their way toward the store. Peach’s sharp eyes scanned the area, searching for her hero. Sure enough, on the roof of the very shop they were heading to, she spotted the familiar red cap of Mario.

Inside the shop, which was as vibrant and lively as the town itself, Daisy and Peach feigned interest in the various trinkets and mementos on display. Carefully, they worked their way toward the counter where power-ups were prominently arranged.

“Why don’t I get everyone a souvenir?” Peach suggested with a bright smile.

The Toads’ faces lit up in excitement. “Oh, Princess Peach, that would be wonderful! You’re so generous!” exclaimed a blue Toad in the group.

 

As the Toads scattered around the store to pick out their gifts, Daisy quietly slipped over to the counter. Keeping a casual demeanor, she leaned in and whispered to the shopkeeper, “Two double cherries, please.”

The shopkeeper nodded, discreetly placing the power-ups into a small pouch before handing it to Daisy. She tucked them into her purse and, with a quick glance to ensure none of the Toads were watching, gave Peach a subtle nod.

Peach clapped her hands dramatically, drawing everyone’s attention. “Oh, Daisy, could you help me with… my corset? It’s feeling a bit tight, and I just can’t seem to loosen it myself.”

Daisy blinked in surprise before catching on. “Wha—oh! Uh, YES!” she said, quickly recovering. “Of course, Peach. Totally normal for me to help you with your corset… like we always do… yeah, heh heh.”

Her delivery was less than smooth, but the Toad guards, distracted by the colorful souvenirs, didn’t seem to notice. With the stage set, the two princesses began their escape plan.

In the dressing room, Peach took a bite of one half of her double cherry. The remaining half trembled before vanishing in a puff of pink, cherry-scented smoke. When the air began to cleared, a second Peach stood there, her expression vacant, betraying the lack of true life behind her eyes. Daisy, fanning the sweet-smelling smoke away, peeked out of the dressing room door.

“Is everything alright in there, Princess?” a guard Toad asked, noticing the smoke.

“Yes, everything is…” Peach paused, scrambling for an excuse. Then, inspiration struck. “Actually, no—everything is not fine. Poor Daisy seems to have come down with something. Her head is pounding terribly… you know, from the concussion.”

“Oh, of course! Shall we call for the ship’s nurse?”

“Oh, no, no! That won’t be necessary,” Peach said quickly, waving her hand dismissively. “But I do think we’ll need to cut our outing short and return to the ship immediately.”

“Certainly, Princess. I’ll notify the ship’s captain of the change in plans,” the guard Toad replied.

“Thank you,” Peach said before addressing the entire entourage with an authoritative but gentle tone. “One more thing. We must all be very, very quiet. Even the smallest noise above a whisper seems to worsen Daisy’s symptoms. Please refrain from talking as much as possible. When we return to the ship, Daisy and I will go straight to our cabins, and we are not to be disturbed under any circumstances. When we arrive in Sarasaland, please escort us to Daisy’s chambers as quietly as you can. I’ll stay with her there until she recovers. Please let the kings of Sarasaland know as well. I would hate for her progress to be undone by unnecessary noise.”

“Of course, Princess,” the blue Toad replied with a bow.

“You’re such a good and caring friend to Princess Daisy,” the yellow Toad said with admiration.

Peach offered a modest smile. “It’s what any friend would do.”

Peach hurried back into the dressing room where Daisy was putting the finishing touches on her cherry clone, fitting it with oversized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Wasting no time, Daisy took a bite of her cherry, and in a puff of pink, sweet-smelling smoke, her own clone appeared.

“Princess? Are you two alright in there? There’s a lot of smoke coming out, and it smells like cherries,” one of the guards called from outside.

Peach froze for a moment, then quickly replied, “Oh, that? Um… that’s just my dry shampoo! Cherry-scented. Got to look presentable for our trip to another kingdom.” She forced a light laugh, hoping she sounded convincing. “We’ll be out shortly!”

Turning to her clone, Peach whispered detailed instructions into its ear. Cherry clones could perfectly mimic the mannerisms, routines, and actions of their originals—but they couldn’t speak or think for themselves. Daisy did the same with hers, ensuring the doppelgängers knew to board the ship, head to Sarasaland, and remain in Daisy’s room with the door locked. They also instructed the clones to hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door to deter any interruptions.

“Alright, we’re coming out. And remember,” Peach called out, projecting her voice just enough to be heard, “no talking! Princess Daisy’s symptoms worsen with loud sounds.”

Before stepping out, Peach whispered one final instruction to her clone: wrap your arm around Daisy’s clone to comfort her and walk slowly, as though she were weak. Obediently, the clones followed the orders, linking arms and shuffling out of the dressing room in a quiet, rehearsed performance.

“Princess, your—” one of the guards started to speak, but another Toad shushed him immediately.

The entourage corrected themselves, nodding in solemn understanding as they escorted the clones out of the store.

From inside the dressing room, Peach and Daisy peered through a narrow crack in the door, holding their breath. They watched the cherry doubles exit the shop, followed closely by the entourage. The princesses stayed motionless as the group boarded the carriage. Only when the carriage disappeared into the distance did they exhale, relief washing over them.

“You two can come out now,” Daisy shouted, glancing around the now-empty store.

From behind a rack of brightly colored clothes, Luigi stumbled forward, brushing fabric off his face. Mario emerged from beneath a display table, dusting off his knees.

“How did-a you—” Luigi began, only to be cut off.

“Your hiding spot wasn’t exactly hidden, Weegie,” Daisy quipped with a smirk.

“Thankfully, the toads are easily distracted by shiny souvenirs,” Peach added, brushing off her khaki shorts. “Now that we’re all here, shall we get going?”

“Si, Princess,” Mario replied. “But do you-a want to rest-a first or pick up supplies?”

“I’m fine, thank you. I think it’s best if we leave now. Who knows how long those cherry clones will keep the toads fooled.”

Everyone nodded in agreement and stepped outside. The brothers quickly retrieved their yoshis, offering them to the princesses for the journey ahead. The group set off to the north, crossing the scorched sands of the desert under the fading heat of the sun.

The Toastarena sun blazed overhead, so fierce it felt as though it was just a few feet above their heads. Even the occasional breeze brought no relief, only swirling the dry, suffocating heat around them. The brothers had insisted that the princesses ride the Yoshis for this stretch of the journey, but Daisy could tell the heat was taking its toll on Luigi. She also couldn’t help but notice—he was still limping.

“Weegie, you sure you don’t want to get back on?” Daisy asked quietly, watching him struggle to climb a particularly steep sand dune.

“I’m-a fin—”

Luigi’s foot slipped, and he tumbled forward, landing face-first in the sand. The wind and shifting dunes muffled the impact, sparing him any further embarrassment. Thankfully, Mario and Peach were too far ahead to notice, which was a small mercy. The last thing Luigi wanted was to give Mario yet another reason to rethink this whole trip.

“Here…” Daisy hopped off her Yoshi and extended a hand.

“Grazie.” Luigi dusted himself off, trying to recover whatever dignity he had left.

“You sure you don’t want to ride?”

“No, no, I can-a walk. I’m-a fine… it’s-a just—” He trailed off as his injured leg protested with every step. Walking through the loose sand was proving much harder than he’d anticipated, and Mario and Peach were already cresting the top of the dune, getting farther and farther away.

Daisy didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the Yoshi’s reins, led it beside Luigi, and hoisted him up onto its back before he could protest.

“I can-a walk fine, really,” Luigi muttered.

“I know. I know, tough guy.” Daisy smirked. “But how about you ride just until we get over this sand dune, alright?”

Luigi glanced toward the top of the dune, where his brother was nearly out of sight. He let out a reluctant sigh. “…Fine.”

Daisy led the Yoshi up the slope with ease while Luigi held onto the reins. At the peak, they could see Mario and Peach already making their way down the other side. Daisy and Luigi followed carefully, mindful of the unstable sand beneath them.

“You-a didn’t have to do that, you know…” Luigi muttered.

“I know. But that’s what friends do. We help, even when we’re not asked.” Daisy grinned.

“…Is-a that why you decided to come with-a us to the Darklands?”

“Yes… and no.” Daisy’s expression shifted. “Like, of course I wasn’t about to let you or your brother walk back into a dragon’s den where you almost got killed without me. And besides, we’ve got unfinished business here, remember? But…” She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I also wanted—no, I needed—to get out of there.”

“What-a you mean?”

Daisy sighed. “You know what I mean. Peach has an overbearing Toadsworth? I’ve got four kings who are just as bad—especially Totomesu. Imagine how they reacted when I came back with a concussion. They about lost their marbles. I thought they were gonna launch a full-scale war against Bowser’s army. It took everything to convince them otherwise.”

“Heh, sounds like-a Mario.” Luigi chuckled.

“Yeah… but I get it. I’m the ‘heir of four kingdoms’ and all, so of course they’re protective. And someday—hopefully not soon—they’ll go to ‘the great desert in the sky’ or whatever, and I’ll have to take over. When my father passed, they kind of became my dads. They raised me, took care of me, taught me everything I know. And I love them for it.” She paused, her smirk fading slightly. “But sometimes… they can be a little much.”

Luigi fell silent. He had never heard Daisy open up like this before. He also realized—he had never heard her talk about her human parents.

“Oh… I’m sorry, I-a didn’t—”

“Oh, stars, don’t be.” Daisy cut in quickly. “They passed away a long time ago—before I was old enough to really remember them.”

“…What about your-a mother?”

“She’s still kicking. Just… not in royal life. It was too much for her, especially by herself. She writes occasionally and visits at least twice a year, but she prefers her quiet, unassuming life out on the outskirts of Sarasaland.”

“You-a not mad she wasn’t-a there for you?” Luigi asked, confused by the idea of a mother choosing to leave her child in the care of otherworldly creatures.

“Nah, I can’t be mad at her. She didn’t really choose to be queen. She came from humble beginnings—or so I’m told. When Pops croaked, ruling four different kingdoms and raising me was just too much. Plus…” Daisy hesitated. “I don’t think she ever really got over my dad’s passing.” Her voice dipped into something more somber, but only for a fleeting moment before she bounced back. “Anyway, she saw how much the kings loved and cared for me. It’s not like she just abandoned me or anything. Everything here was just… too new to her.”

Luigi’s ears perked up. “New to-a her?”

“Yeah, she was… she was a lot like you and Mario.” Daisy’s brows furrowed slightly as she searched for the right words. “She and my dad came from a kingdom I’ve never heard of. Can’t even find it on a map. And—get this—I don’t think they were even from the same place. My dad had a different accent from my mom. He once told me he was from a land called… Sydnee? And my mom’s from some place called…” Daisy paused, thinking hard. “Mil—Milwaukee? Ever heard of those places, Weegie?”

Luigi’s eyes widened in shock. He nodded, excitement bubbling up inside him.

“I-a know exactly where those-a places are! Though I-a never been there myself. But—but Sydnee, that’s-a big city in-a place called Australia! And-and Milwaukee, that’s in-a place called Wisconsin, which is-a state in-a America! That’s-a where me and Mario are-a from!”

Daisy’s looked confused. “Wha…? I thought you were from Brooklyn?”

“I am! Brooklyn is-a borough—it’s-a kinda like neighborhoods—in-a New York. It’s-a like New Donk City! And that city is in-a state called New York, which is-a like the Chai Kingdom in Sarasaland. And-a that state is in-a place called The United States of America. That’s where-a Wisconsin is too! But Australia? That’s-a whole other country! It’s-a like Birabuto Kingdom, but on the other side of the whole world! And I heard it’s-a got all kinds of dangerous snakes and-a bugs and-a jellyfish. And it’s hot—even on-a Christmas! Mama mia! But–but-but I also heard it’s-a very, very pretty. And-and—”

Luigi stopped himself mid-ramble when he noticed Daisy giving him a look.

“S-scusi…” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Daisy chuckled. “Heh heh. Had I known you were a walking encyclopedia on this stuff, I would’ve asked ages ago.”

They both chuckled as they finished their decent down the sand dune. They hadn’t realized that Mario and Peach were waiting for them at the bottom. 

“What-a took you two so long? And-a why are you back on the-a yoshi? Did you hurt your-a leg?! I knew I shouldn’t have-a gone this route!” Mario scrambled to find his map in his back pocket. “We can-a stop and I can-a look at the map for-a safer route–” 

“You ain’t gotta do all that.” Daisy interrupted. “We switched because I was getting bored of all the sitting around. Had to stretch my legs a bit. Besides, there’s nothing like sinking your own two feet in the sand.” Her fib seemed to placate Mario for now. Daisy gave Luigi a quick wink. 

After hours of trekking, they arrived at the first of many hidden warp pipes. Mario, familiar with this route from past adventures, explained, “This-a one leads us to the fungi mines. We’ll-a take it through the mines to the next pipe. But… we can’t-a take the yoshis with us. It’s-a too far. We will-a have to go on foot from-a here.” Mario looked up at the princess. “Is that alright with-a you?” 

“Of course Mario, I’ll be fine. Getting out and walking will be good for all of us anyways.” Peach smiled, finding the silver lining in their situation. 

Mario sheepishly grinned, worry still in his eyes, for he knew that this path wasn’t a simple hike, but a day-long journey. The princesses dismounted from the yoshis and Luigi handed them both a walking stick he managed to find by the warp pipe. They were well worn and polished, clearly not just fallen branches, but tools previous travelers have used before. 

One by one, they stepped into the warp pipe, emerging deep underground in the glowing fungi mines. The air was damp and earthy, the walls of the cavern illuminated by bioluminescent mushrooms. They traveled through the twisting tunnels for nearly an hour before reaching the next warp pipe.

This next pipe spat them out into a dense forest just outside the Beanbean Kingdom. The cool, shadowed canopy was a sharp contrast to the scorching desert and stifling mines they had just left. But there wasn’t time to admire the scenery—Mario pressed on with relentless determination, leading the group to yet another warp pipe hidden among the thick foliage.

Each pipe delivered them to a wildly different landscape: from frigid mountains to sprawling grasslands and even a misty swamp. Luigi couldn’t himself but marvel at how varied the world truly was, the sheer number of kingdoms and terrains surprising even him. He knew Mario had traveled extensively, but witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. He couldn’t deny he felt a little ping of jealous. All these fantastical places Mario traveled to, and he was at home.  

Mario, however, barely stopped to take it all in. His focus never wavered, and he navigated each twist, turn, and warp pipe with a confident energy that seemed inexhaustible. Unfortunately, his companions couldn’t match his pace. Even Daisy, known for her athleticism, found herself lagging after hours of trekking.

Luigi fared the worst, burdened by the pack of supplies he had insisted on carrying. What had felt light at the start of the journey now seemed to grow heavier with every passing hour.

By the time the sun began to set, painting the horizon in shades of orange and purple, the group neared the final warp pipe of the day.

“Hold up, Mario…” Daisy panted, finally breaking the silence. She leaned over, hands on her knees, catching her breath.

Mario turned to see the rest of the group bent over and gasping for air. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Heh heh… sorry, everyone. I’m-a not used to-a traveling this-a way with others.”

Luigi dropped the pack and flopped onto a nearby log, letting out an exaggerated groan. “You could-a slow down once in a while, you know.”

Peach gave a tired laugh as she sat beside him. “We’re making good time, though. But you’re right, let’s just rest for a moment before we continue.”

Mario nodded, taking a seat on a roc. “Alright, a quick rest. Then we’ll-a get moving. We’re almost there.”

Luigi pulled a few bottles of water from the bag and handed them out. As he passed one to Mario, he could feel his brother’s eyes on him, watching his every movement.

“Lu, how are you-a doing? Is-a your arm okie dokie? How is-a your foot? Is it—”

“I’m-a fine, Mario,” Luigi cut him off, his voice firm.

Before they left, Luigi had finally been cleared to remove his plaster cast, along with the stitches from his bite wounds. The bulky medical boot had also been discarded, allowing him to wear his usual work boots again. But beneath his gloves and clothing, a brace still supported his wrist and ankle. He had tried his best to conceal it, but no matter what, he still walked with a limp—a limp Mario had definitely noticed.

“Still… you-a shouldn’t push yourself,” Mario muttered.

Luigi didn’t respond, taking a long sip of water instead.

“Did you-a hear me? You-a barely got back on your feet. You shoul—”

“I heard you, Mario!” Luigi snapped, louder than he intended. Silence fell over the group as he glanced around, embarrassed for raising his voice. “S-Scusi…”

The sun had dipped below the trees, leaving the sky a deep purple with only the last remnants of daylight clinging to the horizon. They sat quietly, the only sounds being the occasional sip of water and the natural hum of the forest. After a few minutes, they stood and resumed their journey, though at a much slower pace.

The path ahead was quickly swallowed by darkness, forcing Luigi to pull out his flashlight. The weak beam barely cut through the inky black, the dense foliage seeming to absorb the light. They trudged forward, stumbling over roots and uneven ground, until finally, after another half hour, they reached the last warp pipe.

The pipe deposited them into a drastically different environment—gone were the thick trees and cool air. Instead, they stood on scorched rock, the air heavy with heat and the faint scent of sulfur. In the distance, the familiar stone facade of Bowser’s Castle loomed, its entrance shaped like his grinning face, illuminated by rivers of lava. Mario had seen this sight more times than he could count.

But something was wrong.

Instead of an imposing granite wall and a flowing lava moat, a massive tangle of thorny, writhing piranha plant vines surrounded the castle, forming an impenetrable nest. Their sharp red jaws snapped and hissed, blocking any approach. Worse yet, the usual guards posted on the battlements were nowhere to be seen—there was no way to signal them.

“Now what?” Daisy asked, scanning the dense mass for an opening.

“There’s got to be a way through,” Peach murmured.

Mario stepped closer, studying the tangled vines. The plants, sentient to some degree, remained still as he approached. But the moment he tried to gently push aside a few vines to create a gap, a row of toothy bulbs lunged at him, snapping their jaws just inches from his face.

Immediately, the rest of the piranha plants stirred, their attention now locked onto the group. Slowly, they began to advance.

“We’re-a going to have to-a fight our way in,” Mario said, backing up as the plants crept closer.

“Uh… Mario…” Luigi muttered, digging through the bag. “We-a only have-a one fire flower.”

Mario’s expression tightened. “What else do-a we have?”

Luigi rummaged frantically. “One ice flower, a bunch of-a mushrooms, and-a cape feather.”

Mario groaned. He had packed the bag himself—it wasn’t like him to be this unprepared.

Another piranha plant lunged. Mario dodged instinctively, flipping backward. Another snapped at him, forcing him to jump again—this time, he landed awkwardly against Peach.

Three more heads reared back, ready to strike. Mario quickly positioned himself in front of the others, his arm outstretched protectively. As the plants attacked, something inside him ignited. His eyes flashed red, and before he could think, a fireball formed in his palm. It was the firebrand power that still resided in him. He hurled it forward, striking one of the creatures dead-on. The piranha plant shrieked as it went up in flames, collapsing into a smoldering pile of ash.

“Way to go, Mari—oh?” Daisy’s cheer cut short as the charred remains of the plant trembled.

Suddenly, from the scorched vines, six new heads burst forth. Their once-red skin was now ashen gray with deep red spots. Without hesitation, they retaliated, spewing a volley of fireballs at the group.

Daisy barely managed to dodge before swinging her walking stick. With one clean strike, she decapitated the fiery bulb. But just as before, two more heads sprouted in its place.

Peach and Luigi did their best to fend off the relentless tangle of vines and snapping jaws. Thinking quickly, Luigi tossed Peach the ice flower while he grabbed the fire flower for himself. They launched their attacks in unison—icy blasts and searing flames striking the piranha plants head-on.

But just like before, instead of destroying the creatures, their attacks only made things worse. New heads sprouted in the charred and frozen remains, their colors shifting—some now glowed with frost, their teeth rimmed with ice.

Before Peach could react, one of the icy bulbs lunged from behind, slamming into her back. The force sent her sprawling to the ground, the impact stripping away her ice powers. At the same time, another piranha plant struck Luigi—this one sinking its teeth right into his rear.

“ACK! MAMMA MIA!” Luigi yelped, leaping into the air before landing with a graceless thud. Just like Peach, he lost his power-up the moment he hit the ground.

The two scrambled to their feet as the plants pressed in closer, their numbers seemingly endless.

Luigi clenched his fists. There had to be another way. And then it hit him—Thunderhand.

Closing his eyes, he focused, willing the ancient energy to course through him. Sparks flickered at his fingertips as electricity crackled to life.

But just as the power began to build, a sharp pain erupted through his body.

His arm, his leg—the lingering wounds from the chain chomp attack flared up, the electrical energy surging through them like fire. The pain was unbearable. With a choked gasp, Luigi crumpled to the ground, clutching his arm as his vision blurred. The sparks faded and so did his strength. It was no use. His body wasn’t ready.

Luigi swallowed hard. “I-a don’t think we can-a fight our way in…”

The four turned to find their exit completely sealed off, swallowed by a wall of writhing spiky vines. The piranha plants hissed and snapped, inching closer, their ever-multiplying heads twisting toward their trapped prey.

Then, suddenly—a brilliant light cut through the darkness.

A searing beam of magic sliced through the vines, forcing the monstrous plants to recoil with an ear-splitting screech. The light carved a brief path through the tangled mass, illuminating the battlefield.

Hovering above them, wings beating powerfully against the night air, was a lone Koopa soldier. A spear gleamed in one hand, and in the other—a Magikoopa’s wand. It was General Blue Shell.

With another precise strike of magic, he blasted back the vines, forcing them to retreat just enough to clear a way forward.

Mario tensed, instinctively preparing for a fight, expecting the General to turn his magic on them next.

Instead, Blue Shell landed, his grip on the spear steady, but his expression… softer. His sharp, disciplined stance eased ever so slightly as his gaze settled on the group—on Luigi.

The Koopa’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, with something almost like relief, he murmured—

“Master Luigi… you came back.”

 

 

Chapter 25: A Whole New World

Summary:

It’s a battle of the minds… and magic as E. Gadds joins the search for Bowser Junior. However, they seemed to more interested in proving theories and testing gadgets. Maybe they will find the Prince while they uncover earth shattering discoveries.

The castle felt eerily lifeless. The once-bustling entrance, usually teeming with merchants and chatter, was now unsettlingly quiet. Only a handful of silent guards stood by the various doorways, their presence doing little to ease the oppressive stillness. Perhaps it was simply the late hour—midnight was fast approaching—but even so, something about the atmosphere felt… wrong.

“I’m surprised my letter even reached you, Luigi,” General Blue Shell admitted, his voice low but steady. “Especially after hearing that the Mushroom Kingdom went into lockdown following Bowser’s defeat of Vashella’s Koopalings. Communication between our kingdoms was already strained, so forgive me for not expecting that message to find its way to you.”

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “Additionally, please excuse the lack of personnel. We’ve had to conduct a serious review of our ranks. Unfortunately, after your departure, we uncovered more of Vashella’s minions and sympathizers. Including those who actively participated in the coup, eighty-seven of our own are now imprisoned in the dungeons.”

Luigi grimaced at the thought. From his own two brief stints in those dungeons—and from the times he had walk past the empty cells to access the castle’s pipes with Bowser—he could only imagine how grim the conditions must be now.

“Could you brief us on the current situation?” Peach asked, her tone formal but firm.

The general paused, as if only now realizing the princesses were also part of this discussion. Until now, he had been speaking primarily to Luigi. Still, he answered.

“Certainly. As of now, Lord Bowser remains incapacitated. Master Kamek placed him in a magical sleep to accelerate his recovery. In the meantime, Lord Ludwig has assumed the role of interim king and general of the Koopa Army.

Prince Bowser is still missing—believed to be in Vashella’s captivity. According to Master Kamek, however, the prince is alive and does not appear to be physically harmed, though he is understandably distressed. When Master Kamek encased him in that protective bubble, he established a magical link with the prince—a connection forged through ancient magic. He can still feel what the young prince is experiencing.

Scared.

Confused.

Sad.

But alive.

I don’t claim to fully understand how his magic works, but if our eldest and wisest Magikoopa says the boy is still out there, I believe him.”

“How can we help?” Peach asked, getting straight to the point.

“I… it might be best if—”

Before General Blue Shell could finish, the deep tolling of bells echoed through the castle halls. A regiment of Dry Bones soldiers marched in, seamlessly swapping places with the guards already stationed at the entrances. The general straightened, as if reminded of another pressing matter.

“It might be best to ask Lord Ludwig tomorrow,” he said, adjusting his stance. “It’s late, and I must retire. Knowing the journey you’ve all taken, I suggest you do the same.”

“But we just got here. Surely there—”

“Princess,” the general interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. “Your willingness to help is admirable. But as I tell my troops, rest is the foundation on which great armies are built. We think clearer when we are well-rested. You will find your rooms unchanged. I assume you remember where they are?”

Before anyone could protest, he spread his wings and took off, vanishing into the upper corridors of the castle. The four were left with little choice but to comply. And, truthfully, none of them could deny how exhausted they were.

When they reached their rooms, the sleeping arrangements had shifted. Peach and Daisy opted to share a room, while Mario and Luigi took Luigi’s old quarters. Though unspoken, both Mario and Peach felt an instinctive protectiveness over their partners—Luigi and Daisy had left Bowser’s castle in the worst condition, and it was hard to shake that concern.

As the brothers settled in, Luigi’s room was largely as he had left it, save for the absence of the avalanche of power-ups that had once flooded the space. A few stray mushrooms and flowers still lingered in the corners, but what caught their attention was the soft, rhythmic beeping coming from the closet.

Luigi furrowed his brow and followed the sound. The beeping quickened as he neared the closet door. He hesitated before pulling it open. There, tucked away in the shadows, was the Pixelator—Professor E. Gadd’s teleportation device. The moment Luigi picked it up, the beeping stopped, and the screen flickered to life.

Mario stepped closer as the static on the screen cleared, revealing a familiar face.

“Ah! Luigi, Mario! I see you’ve retrieved the Pixelator from Bowser’s castle!” Professor E. Gadd greeted them, adjusting the camera in his dimly lit lab.

“Ah—y-yes… and-a no,” Luigi stammered. “We-a are back at Bowser’s castle right-a now.”

“Oh?” E. Gadd’s eyebrows raised in intrigue.

“Yeah… we all-a came to help—”

“We-a came to see if they-a want our help,” Mario quickly interjected, tempering the statement.

“Regardless of why you’re there, I’m just glad you recovered my equipment. That thing is expensive, you know!” E. Gadd chuckled. “But while you’re there, perhaps you can find some answers for me as well. You see, during your… altercation, there was a significant amount of seismic activity. Now, tell me—who exactly were you fighting?”

“Vashella!” Luigi exclaimed, his expression darkening. “She-a very, very bad-a Koopa! She-a attacked everyone… and she took Junior.”

“Interesting…” E. Gadd flipped through a stack of notes. “Walk me through the battle, would you? Spare no details.”

The brothers exchanged an uneasy glance. Reliving those harrowing moments wasn’t something either of them wanted to do, but despite their hesitation, they recounted everything.

Unlike the Toads, who had reacted with shock and disbelief upon hearing the full story, E. Gadd simply listened, nodding occasionally as he jotted down notes. When they finally finished, the professor paused, tapping his pen against the desk.

“…Hm. So Vashella didn’t expel an energy beam, like Bowser did?”

“Um… si,” Luigi confirmed. “She-a just fought with her claws. But mostly… she-a just watched.”

“And Bowser—he only unleashed that energy beam three times, correct?” E. Gadd pressed. “Once inside the castle, incinerating the Koopaling he was holding. Again outside, obliterating another. And finally, at Vashella, though the shot missed, clipping the last Koopaling and hitting a mountain instead. Correct?”

“Si, si,” Mario nodded. “When we-a left, he-a shot the rest of his beams into-a the sky.”

“You see, something isn’t adding up.” E. Gadd leaned forward, adjusting his glasses. “The seismic activity was only triggered by that last attack—when the beam struck the mountain. The first two didn’t register at all. My guess? His energy was still building at the time. That would explain why he was able to attack at such close range without harming either of you.

“But once he was outside? His power was no longer contained. That’s when the mountain strike caused an earthquake. My data only detected seismic activity at that point. However…”

He shuffled through another set of readings before looking back up.

“…There’s more. My instruments detected two seismic events. The first was the one triggered by Bowser’s beam hitting the mountain. But the second?” He tapped the paper. “The second one was much more subtle. In fact, I almost missed it.

“And it came from deep beneath Bowser’s castle.”

The brothers tensed.

“But that’s not all,” E. Gadd continued. “Seismic instruments don’t just tell me when something happens—they tell me where it’s moving.” He adjusted his glasses and leaned in.

“And the second reading? It was moving… in the opposite direction.”

The brothers exchanged uneasy glances, neither sure what any of that meant.

“I’ll have to make a visit and investigate further,” the professor announced. “I’ll need to bring my Size-mo-tron 5000—a new invention I’ve been working on. This will be an excellent opportunity to test it… without having to trigger an earthquake myself. Luigi, please inform the powers that be of my arrival.”

Luigi’s eyes widened in panic. “W-W-WHA?! W-wait! I don’t-a think that’s-a good id—”

“I’ll see you all tomorrow afternoon. Have a room ready for me—preferably one with enough voltage to charge my Size-mo-tron 5000. Until then!”

Before Luigi could protest further, the screen flickered off.

“Mamma mia…” Luigi groaned, rubbing his temples.

“That-a might make things… complicated,” Mario muttered.

Luigi slumped into a plush green chair in the corner of the room. The weight of the day crashed down on him all at once, exhaustion settling deep in his bones. But something else crept in too—doubt.

He wasn’t the one who went on adventures. Not normally. And when he did, he didn’t lead them. He didn’t initiate them.

Yet, here they were, back at Bowser’s castle. Because of him.

In the moment, all he could think about was saving Junior. It had been so clear, so urgent. But now that they were here—now that they had time to think—the gravity of their situation pressed down on him.

Saving Junior meant facing Vashella again… and possibly her remaining Koopaling. If they could even find him.

And Bowser? Who knew how long he’d be out? What if they were taking this on alone? What if Ludwig didn’t accept their help? They’d come under the assumption that showing up would be enough—that the Koopa Army would welcome their aid. But what if it wasn’t that simple? What if this whole thing was a waste of time?

“Luigi.”

Mario’s voice cut through the whirlwind of doubts swirling in Luigi’s mind.

“Hmm?” Luigi blinked, startled.

Mario sighed softly. He didn’t need to ask what was wrong—he knew his brother too well. Luigi didn’t have to say a word; the worry was etched across his face.

“Mario… do you… d’you think this-a plan… it’s-a stupid?” Luigi asked, voice small.

”…Yeah.” Mario said it without a second thought.

Luigi slumped deeper into the chair, his heart sinking. “Oh…”

“It’s-a just as stupid as every adventure I’ve-a been on.” Mario shifted to sit on the edge of the bed and patted the spot beside him. “C’mere.”

Luigi hesitated but shuffled over, plopping down next to Mario. “What-a you mean?”

Mario gave a weary chuckle. “Every adventure we’ve ever been on… they were all-a stupid. Reckless. Dumb.” He shook his head. “I didn’t know what I was-a doing half the time. I shoulda been a goner more times than I can count.”

“But… but-a you always make it back. You’re the-a Mushroom Kingdom hero.” Luigi sighed. “I was-a stupid to think I could-a do the same.”

“Hero?” Mario scoffed. “I’m-a no hero. We’re just a couple of plumbers from Brooklyn who-a ended up in a whacky world.” He turned toward Luigi, placing a hand on his chest. “You wanna know why I make it back every time?”

Luigi shook his head.

“Because of-a you, fratellino.” Mario’s voice softened. “You, the princesses, our friends… I don’t-a do this to be a hero. I do it because I can’t just-a sit back and-a watch people I care about get hurt. And-a every time I go out there, I think about getting home to-a you. Knowing I get to-a come home and-a see my bro? That’s-a what keeps me going.”

Luigi’s eyes stung, but he gave a wobbly nod. “So… what about-a this plan?”

Mario sighed, ruffling Luigi’s hair. “Unfortunately… you’re-a my twin bro. And we’re just alike. You can’t-a sit back and watch people you-a care about get hurt either… even if that person’s a certain big-a turtle’s figlio.” He gave Luigi’s shoulder a squeeze. “If you’re anything like me, I couldn’t talk you outta this if I tried.”

Luigi slumped his head on Mario’s shoulder and let out a relieving sigh. “Yeah… you-a right. We’re-a pretty dumb sometimes.” He chuckled. 

“Oh, absolutely.” Mario grinned. “But we-a dumb together.” 

After a pause, the two got up and prepared for bed. The day caught up with Mario first. As soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep. For Luigi however, sleep alluded a little bit longer. His mind, racing through scenarios like a rolodex. It would be a while before he finally succumbed to sleep. 

Morning broke, but the brothers were already up. They waited in the room for a koopa soldier or some escorte to get them or at least tell them if they are free to go. Unlike before, they were not sure how or if they could freely move about the castle. 

Knock Knock Knock

Mario opened the door to find General Blue Shell at the threshold. “Oh good, you two are already awake and ready. Fantastic. The princesses are already down the hall waiting for us. I will be walking you four to Ludwig’s office.”

There was no bustling breakfast banquet, no groggy Koopaling arguments echoing through the halls. As they passed the grand dining hall, its emptiness felt heavy—chairs neatly pushed in, plates untouched, the usual chaos replaced with an eerie stillness. The castle, once filled with life, now felt hollow.

It wasn’t long before they reached the tall doors of Ludwig Von Koopa’s office.

“Alright… let’s-a g—”

“I-I-I think I should-a go… alone.” Luigi cut Mario off, his voice wavering but determined.

“Wha—? Are you serious?” Mario blurted out, eyebrows raised in shock.

“Yes, I-I just… I think it would-a be easier if it-a comes from me, you know? He did-a hire me before… and…” Luigi’s voice trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Mario and Daisy exchanged uneasy glances, both unsure if this was a good idea. Ludwig wasn’t exactly known for his patience—or kindness. But Peach, after a thoughtful pause, nodded in agreement.

“You know what? I think that might be a good idea,” Peach said.

“What? No, no, no! Bro, I get that you wanna help, but-a think this through!” Mario protested, waving his hands. “This isn’t like-a dealing with Bowser. Ludwig… he’s brainy, yeah, but he’s also meaner. You can’t just-a be nice to him and expect him to listen. Especially now.”

“He’s right,” Daisy chimed in, folding her arms. “Ludwig is a lot more… practical. And ruthless. He wouldn’t hesitate to throw you in the dungeon if he thought you were inconveniencing him.”

Luigi gulped at that thought. There was a ring of truth in those words. Ludwig was always the serious and more cutting of the koopalings. Just briefly working for the blue koopaling Luigi saw and felt that. But before he could say anything in response Peach quickly stepped forward. 

“Then I’ll go with him,” she offered calmly. “Like Luigi said, they’ve worked together before, but you’re both right—Ludwig isn’t exactly trusting. Especially now. If it’s just Luigi, he might see it as weakness, but if we all charge in there, it might make it worse and he might perceive it as a threat. But if I’m there, I can act as a diplomatic branch… as insurance. Ludwig wouldn’t risk creating a diplomatic incident between our kingdoms. Not now.”

Mario frowned, mulling it over. As much as he hated the idea of Luigi walking in there, Peach’s logic was sound.

“Fine,” he relented with a sigh. “But if anything feels off, you-a get outta there, capisce?”

“Capisce,” Luigi nodded, trying to sound braver than he felt.

Peach gave Mario a reassuring look before following Luigi toward Ludwig’s office door. Mario and Daisy stayed behind, watching the two disappear inside, hoping this gamble would pay off.

Inside, the office was dim, heavy curtains drawn tight, allowing only a thin sliver of morning sunlight to creep through. The faint glow of a single desk lamp cast long shadows across the room. At the massive desk, Ludwig Von Koopa sat hunched over an array of maps, schematics, and worn documents. Stacks of books and scattered papers flanked him on either side, forming towering walls of research. A small cup of coffee, nearly untouched, balanced precariously at the edge of his cluttered workspace.

Luigi and Peach quietly approached the desk, but Ludwig seemed entirely absorbed in his work, his wild blue hair sticking out at odd angles as he scribbled furiously over a map.

“…Um… hello?” Luigi tried, his voice barely above a whisper.

No response.

He swallowed nervously. “M-Mister… L-Lord L-Ludwig—”

“WHAT?! Who is both—” Ludwig’s head snapped up, glaring, but his scowl quickly shifted to one of mild indifference. “…Oh. It’s you. You… um… LUIGI. The useful half of the annoying brothers.” He waved his claw dismissively before turning back to his papers.

Luigi winced but pressed on. “Yes… um… I was-a wondering if—”

“If you’re here about payment for the bathroom repairs, direct all invoices to the finance office.” Ludwig cut him off without looking up. “If you’ve already submitted it, follow up with them on your way out. We’re a bit behind on payments, thanks to the recent attack. Half the finance staff turned out to be traitors. Cleaning house takes time.” He huffed, flipping through another stack of papers. “But the Darklands always honors its financial commitments. You’ll be paid. Eventually.”

“No-no, that’s not-a why I—we—are here,” Luigi stammered, glancing at Peach for reassurance. “We… um… we came to-a help.” He finally forced the words out, his heart racing.

That made Ludwig pause. He slowly lowered his pen, his sharp blue eyes flicking up to meet Luigi’s, skeptical and calculating.

“Help?” he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief. “With what exactly?”

“Find-a Junior.” Luigi blurted out, his voice firmer than before.

Ludwig rolled his eyes and returned to his work, uninterested. “You do realize the storm is over, yes? And in case you’re under the delusion that you need to repay our hospitality, rest assured—you don’t. So if you’re hoping to earn favor with King Bowser, you’re out of luck. He’s indisposed at the moment.”

“We don’t-a want… ‘brownie points.’ We-a just want to-a help.” Luigi explained, his hands tightening into fists.

Ludwig finally looked up, his piercing blue eyes scrutinizing him. “Why?”

Luigi hesitated. “B-b-because it’s-a the right thing to-a do.”

Ludwig scoffed. “Thanks, but no thanks. This is Koopa business. We take care of our own, and we don’t need your little plumber heroics interfering. We’re already handling it. Bringing you and—presumably—your brother up to speed would waste more time than it’s worth.”

“But—but—but—” Luigi struggled for a rebuttal, but before he could find the words, another voice stepped in.

“If I may.” Peach’s voice was calm but firm, drawing Ludwig’s attention. “Our kingdoms are bound by a peace treaty, correct? That treaty includes cooperation—sharing resources, intelligence, and aid when needed. And one of our most valuable assets in situations like these is the Mario Brothers.”

Ludwig leaned back, arms crossed, giving Luigi another once-over. “Right… I’ve seen how your ‘resources’ operate. Unfortunately, barreling in like your red-capped hero tends to do is precisely what we can’t afford. You’ve seen what we’re up against. And with the prince’s life on the line, we cannot risk a couple of plumbers charging headfirst into a death trap.”

“We’re aware of the dangers,” Peach countered smoothly, “and we intend to handle them with strategy and precision.”

“And—and we-a got help from-a Professor E. Gadd!” Luigi added eagerly. “He’s-a real smart, you know! He’s the-a guy who made the Poltergust! He’s-a been studying the… uh… siz-a-mat-ic stuff that happened after King Bowser went all-a kablooie!”

Before Ludwig could respond, a new voice chimed in.

“Ah, so the esteemed professor is taking the seismology approach as well.”

Luigi and Peach turned to see Iggy standing behind them, adjusting his glasses with a glint of excitement in his eye. “Fascinating. If the esteemed professor has been working along the same lines as me, then perhaps a collaboration is in order. After all, I have a hypothesis I’m eager to test—and if he’s gathered any useful data, he may prove to be of some… value.”

Ludwig groaned, rubbing his temples. “Iggy, now is not the time for you to flaunt your nerd knowledge. Speaking of notes—where are yours? Have you actually figured anything out? It’s been weeks, and all you’ve given me is ‘they might be underground.’”

Iggy pushed up his glasses with an exaggerated smirk. “Precisely. Before the storm, I moved our most sensitive sensors to protect them from electrical damage. That means our data is limited, but all available evidence supports my theory that Vashella’s warp pipe led her underground.”

He grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. “Now, where exactly underground? That’s where things get interesting. I have a theory—one with world-altering implications. However, without the missing sensor data, I lack definitive proof.”

He tilted his head dramatically. “But… if a fellow scientist has gathered additional findings, I see no reason not to collaborate. You see, we each hold fragments of the truth. But together?” He clasped his hands with an air of theatrical grandeur. “We might just assemble the full picture. A picture that, naturally, will credit my groundbreaking theory.”

Ludwig crossed his arms, unimpressed. “…Right. And this has nothing to do with your ongoing feud with E. Gadd? You aren’t just looking for an excuse to show him up and prove you’re the superior scientist?” 

Iggy’s grin stretched wider, a poor attempt at looking innocent. “What ever could have given you that idea? I merely wish to exchange insights with a fellow man of science.” He adjusted his glasses, barely containing his excitement. “…And if—purely by coincidence, of course—my theories prove to be more accurate, my methods more precise, and my inventions more effective… well, so be it.” He shrugged, his voice with mock humility. “After all, we men of science are above petty rivalries. If I happen to expose every flaw in his outdated methodology and revolutionize the field in the process, I’m sure the good professor will accept it gracefully.”

Iggy turned sharply to Luigi and Peach, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “The professor—does he intend to grace our humble abode with his presence?”

“Um… t-t-today,” Luigi admitted hesitantly.

“WHAT?!” Ludwig’s shout echoed through the office.

“Splendid!” Iggy clapped his hands together. “I’ll inform the gate guards that we have a distinguished guest arriv—”

“Oh, no, he-a doesn’t travel like-a that.” Luigi quickly cut in, fishing something out of his pocket. He held up a small device. “He-a teleports with-a this. He said all I-a got to do is put it on a TV, and-a he can teleport right in.”

Iggy’s grin widened. “Oh, how serendipitous! As it so happens, I have a perfectly suitable television in my quarters.”

“WAIT! WE CAN’T JUST LET PEOPLE WALTZ IN HERE! WE’RE STILL ON LOCKDOWN!” Ludwig’s frustration was reaching a boiling point.

Iggy waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, don’t you worry your finely combed little head about that. I’ll simply add them to the guest registry. You focus on managing the kingdom, and I will focus on finding the prince.”

“Grrr… Fine. But if anything goes wrong, it—”

“It’s on my watch, I know.” Iggy cut Ludwig off with a dismissive wave before turning back to Peach and Luigi. “Shall we?”

With that, the three of them exited the office, stepping into the hallway where Mario and Daisy had been waiting just outside. Iggy wasted no time, his fast-paced steps making it clear he was all too eager to welcome the professor.

As they walked, Mario grabbed Luigi’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper, “So…?”

Luigi shot him a small smile and a thumbs-up. Everything was going according to plan.

They soon arrived at Iggy’s room, though laboratory would have been a more fitting word. Strange beakers filled with bubbling, multicolored liquids simmered atop Bunsen burners. Machines of all shapes and sizes hummed and beeped in the dimly lit room. The primary source of light came from countless computer monitors and flashing buttons on towering stacks of equipment. Books, papers, and loose blueprints littered the floor, flanking them on all sides, leaving only narrow pathways through the chaos.

Iggy, however, navigated the clutter effortlessly, weaving through the mess with practiced ease. He pushed aside a stack of books and a large, unidentified machine before revealing an old television set.

It was about 30 inches, encased in a brown woodgrain frame, with bulky knobs and a crooked antenna. Mario and Luigi hadn’t seen a TV like this since they were kids. It stuck out like a sore thumb among all of Iggy’s futuristic technology. With all the high-tech gadgets at his disposal, why did he even have something so outdated?

“Luigi, I’ll let you set up your device.” Iggy stepped aside, gesturing toward the TV with a flourish.

Luigi attached the device with practiced ease, just as he had many times while working with the professor. Once it was securely in place and the TV flickered to life, he sent a message to E. Gadd. The room fell into a tense silence, everyone holding their breath in anticipation. The only sound was the faint hiss of static from the screen.

After a long, weighted pause, the device sprang to life. The television began to warp and expand, its curved screen crackling with energy as sparks danced along its edges. The static grew brighter until, suddenly, a hand emerged from the glow, followed by the unmistakable tuft of E. Gadd’s wild hair. Slowly, the professor stepped through, accompanied by several pieces of equipment and a small suitcase.

Adjusting his glasses, E. Gadd took a quick survey of the room. “Hmm… this place seems… acceptable.”

“Uh… hello, professor. Um… this is-a Iggy’s—”

“Iggy Koopa! Nice to finally meet you in person,” Iggy interrupted, eagerly extending his hand.

“We’ve met before. You were considerably smaller then,” E. Gadd remarked, but made no move to return the handshake. Instead, he turned to Luigi. “Does this room have the voltage I require to charge my Size-mo-tron 5000?”

Iggy stiffened, clearly irked by the professor’s dismissiveness. “I assure you, my laboratory has more than enough voltage to charge and power anything you need,” he said, keeping his tone measured despite his annoyance.

“In that case, Luigi, help me set up the seismigrapher. Time is of the essence. This device can detect seismic activity from the recent past, but the window in which it can do so is limited—and we’re already at the tail end of it.”

“If I may,” Iggy interjected, adjusting his glasses with a smug grin. “I would be more than happy to assist you myself. It is my lab, after all. Besides, I’d love to compare notes.”

E. Gadd didn’t even look up from unpacking his equipment. “Unfortunately, that would not be the most efficient method. Luigi knows my work style and understands that I require as few distractions as possible.”

Iggy opened his mouth to protest, but before he could get a word in, the door swung open.

“I thought I heard an unusual number of humans chattering in here.”

Kamek entered the room, his sharp eyes scanning the group.

“I invited these humans to assist me in my scientific investigation of Vashella’s whereabouts and, of course, our dear prince,” Iggy declared, his grin stretching wider.

E. Gadd shot him a look—one that made it very clear he knew that was far from the truth.

Kamek huffed. “Fine. As long as the humans are accompanied by a guard… or you… I’ll allow it. But let this be a reminder—get my approval before allowing any more outsiders into the castle.” He adjusted his spectacles before adding, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be tending to Lord Bowser.”

Luigi perked up. “Um… M-M-Mr. Kamek, sir… how is-a Bow—uh, Lord-a Bowser doing?”

Kamek studied him for a moment before gesturing toward the door. “Why don’t you find out for yourself?”

Luigi shot a glance at Mario, who in turn looked to Peach and Daisy. They exchanged silent nods, quickly agreeing. Without another word, the brothers hurried after Kamek, struggling to keep up with the elderly yet briskly moving Magikoopa.

Iggy turned to E. Gadd with an impish smirk. “Looks like you’re stuck with me then.” He said, much to the professor’s chagrin. 

The brothers caught up to Kamek just as he reached the door to Bowser’s chamber. The elder Magikoopa strode in without hesitation, but Luigi lingered at the threshold, his breath hitching. Mario placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving him a small nod. Swallowing hard, Luigi gingerly pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

The chamber was dark and imposing, its grand walls lit only by a few flickering torches, their glow casting a reddish hue across the room. Yet their warmth paled in comparison to the eerie, undulating light that pulsed from the massive bed in the center. Nestled among layers of lush, crushed velvet blankets and pillows lay the King of the Koopas. With no visible wounds, one might have assumed he was simply asleep.

"He is healing well—as expected of our king," Kamek remarked.

Luigi’s gaze remained fixed on Bowser. A translucent sphere of light surrounded him, shimmering in an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of colors. It was the only true source of light in the room aside from the torches. Slowly, Luigi reached out, his fingers hovering just inches from the barrier. He hesitated—unsure if it would harm him, unsure if it was fragile.

"It’s quite alright," Kamek assured him. "Your hand will pass right through. The shell is not meant to keep us out, only to keep him in."

Luigi barely registered the words, his focus locked on Bowser’s motionless form. Only when Kamek set a bowl and towel beside him did he snap back to reality.

"Here. Don’t just stand there gawking—make yourself useful," the Magikoopa instructed.

Luigi peered into the bowl, finding a shimmering, gel-like substance inside.

"Use the towel to apply the salve to his eyes, head, and hands," Kamek explained. "It’s a healing and protective ointment that must be applied daily. It also keeps his skin from drying out while he rests."

"O-Okie dokie," Luigi murmured. He dipped the towel into the gel before cautiously extending his hand through the glowing barrier.

Mario held his breath. He wasn’t sure what would happen when Luigi breached the light, but his brother’s hand passed through effortlessly. With slow, deliberate movements, Luigi gently dabbed the salve onto Bowser’s forehead.

Kamek watched carefully before continuing. "Though we can pass through, Lord Bowser cannot—at least not yet. The barrier is like an eggshell, holding him in until he is strong enough to break free. Only then will he awaken and shatter the spell." 

Luigi nodded before turning back to Bowser. He studied the sleeping king, taking in the sight of someone so terrifying now lying there so still, so vulnerable. Mario stood behind him, his own gaze fixed on Bowser’s motionless form.

It was unsettling.

Mario had fought Bowser more times than he could count, but never once had he wished for something like this to happen to him. Their battles had always been fierce, but when Mario won, Bowser would simply retreat, living to fight another day. Mario had never given much thought to what happened after the fight was over. But now, seeing him like this—so weak, with his own child missing—it all felt… wrong.

No matter what Bowser had done in the past, this was more than he deserved. Especially now, when he seemed to be making a real effort to change.

Mario forced himself to stay, even though it was difficult to look at Bowser in this state. He stayed because Luigi needed to be here.

The room fell into silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts. When the moment passed, the three of them quietly gathered themselves and left the chamber without another word.

As they walked through the halls, heading back to Iggy’s lab, a question gnawed at Luigi.

“Um… M-Mister Kamek, sir… w-why did-a you let us see-a Bowser?”

Kamek glanced at him, his expression a mix of mild annoyance and something more unreadable.

“I-I-I mean, I didn’t think you-a liked us. And it’s-a not like there’s-a storm anymore, so—”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Kamek interrupted, adjusting his glasses. “I am Lord Bowser’s advisor. I have been his caretaker since he was a hatchling. I tend to his every need and carry out his wishes. It is also my responsibility to know his desires, even when he does not voice them.”

His gaze flicked toward Mario before settling back on Luigi. “And regardless of my own opinions… it would have been his desire to allow you into his chamber. Even if that meant letting your bothersome brother in as well.”

“Oh…”

Kamek’s words were sharp, but beneath them, Luigi could hear something else—something softer. The way he spoke of Bowser, the way he cared for him… it was more than duty. It was devotion.

He wasn’t just Bowser’s advisor. He was his family.

“Grazie… I-I mean, thank you.”

Kamek glanced back at them, then gave a small nod before leading them the rest of the way to Iggy’s lab.

Back in the lab, E. Gadd was finishing up the device’s installation when he noticed Mario and Luigi returning. “Ah, good—you’re back. Now, take me to the last battlefield where Bowser fought the giant female Koopa.”

“Not so fast!” Kamek interjected, stepping forward. “It’s bad enough that you arrived unannounced and uninvited, but I won’t allow you to wander the castle grounds freely. Especially you, Professor E. Gadd. Need I remind you that your so-called ‘inventions’—which you sold to us as tools and weapons—were nothing but failures?”

“Failures?” E. Gadd echoed, stroking his chin in mock contemplation. Then, with a dismissive shrug, he said, “Hmm… I don’t recall any of my inventions failing. Must have been user error.”

Kamek’s eye twitched, his patience wearing thin, but he pressed on. “Regardless, you cannot just waltz to the battlefield.”

“Oh, well, then let me thank you in advance for escorting us,” E. Gadd replied with a sly grin.

Kamek blinked. “What? No—I said no—”

“Fantastic! I knew you’d come around,” Iggy cut in, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Of course, I’ll accompany the professor as well. Five humans against one Koopa hardly seems fair, wouldn’t you agree?” He shot a smirk at E. Gadd, who scowled in irritation.

Kamek, catching on to how much Iggy’s presence bothered the professor, smirked. “Why, yes, Iggy. That’s a splendid idea. Your assistance will be invaluable.” His voice dripped with feigned enthusiasm.

Mario and the others exchanged uneasy glances. The tension in the room was palpable—the long-standing animosity between E. Gadd and Kamek, Iggy’s one sided rivalry, and the ever-present clash between science and magic.

After gathering all the necessary tools, the group set off. It would take some time before they reached the field where Vashella had vanished. When they arrived, the battlefield was a wasteland of burnt, charred trees and scorched vegetation. But what truly caught them off guard was the molten glass. The heat from Bowser’s attack had been so intense that the sand beneath it had melted into a thin, blackened sheet of glass. It crunched beneath their feet as they stepped forward.

Mario scanned the path of destruction leading back to the castle, his stomach sinking. Standing in the middle of the glass-laden earth, he traced the distance with his eyes. It hadn’t fully dawned on him just how far Vashella had been from the castle when Bowser struck. The realization hit hard—Bowser had unleashed this much devastation while never even leaving his fortress.

“M-M-Mario! Help!” Luigi’s voice snapped him out of his daze. His younger brother struggled with the heavy cart carrying the professor’s equipment. Mario rushed over, helping him unload the cumbersome machinery.

The device was a massive, intimidating machine with a laser-like attachment on top. E. Gadd clutched a controller that resembled a mix between a gamepad and a keyboard. As the machine powered on, it let out a deep hum.

“The Size-mo-tron 5000 tracks the past movements of inanimate objects,” E. Gadd explained. “Now, you mentioned that she escaped through a warp pipe, correct? If she used the same warp pipe potion that caused all those pipes to go haywire, that’ll actually work in our favor. You see, normal warp pipes aren’t long—they don’t physically connect two locations, they just teleport travelers between entry and exit points. But that potion? It changes the rules. It elongates the pipes, forcing them to dig deep underground. That digging disturbs the earth—and that’s what my Size-mo-tron 5000 can trace.” 

E. Gadd studied his control panel before pressing a large red button. The machine’s hum grew louder, its pitch rising as he adjusted a few knobs. The laser gun shifted, aligning itself with the exact spot where Vashella had vanished. Once positioned, he pressed a large blue button, and the laser fired.

Instead of striking the ground, the beam created a massive sphere around the target area. Inside, a holographic image of a warp pipe appeared—but just as quickly as it formed, the pipe began to sink into the earth. As it disappeared, the laser shifted its aim.

“What’s-a it doing?” Luigi asked.

“It’s retracing the pipe’s movement,” E. Gadd explained, his eyes narrowing at the readings. “And… it appears to be heading back to the castle.”

Kamek scoffed from atop his broom. “Wonderful. We wasted all this time when we could have been searching for the prince. We’ve already scoured the castle—Vashella is not there, nor underneath it.”

“Now, now, let the professor finish,” Iggy interjected, defending E. Gadd. “I’d like to see where he’s going with this.”

E. Gadd barely acknowledged them. “Luigi, grab the device—we need to follow the Size-mo-tron 5000’s trail!”

With a groan, Luigi complied, with Mario helping. They made the trek back to the castle just as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Once inside, the device pointed directly to the staircase leading below the castle.

“The trail continues down here,” E. Gadd confirmed.

“Absolutely not,” Kamek snapped. “That area is strictly off-limits to guests and no-shells.”

“Surely we can bypass such a needless rule?” Iggy suggested. “After all, this is about saving the prince.”

“It’s still a no.”

Peach tilted her head. “Wait—doesn’t Luigi have a shell? It was a gift from Lord Bowser, wasn’t it?”

“And Mario, don’t you have a Boomerang Flower?” Daisy added.

Mario checked his pockets. Sure enough, tucked among his other power-ups was a Boomerang Flower.

Iggy grinned. “Looks like they meet the requirements to enter.”

“That’s only two of them,” Kamek countered. “And we still can’t have random humans rifling around down there.”

“Well, Daisy and I can stay here with the professor,” Peach offered. “So you won’t have to worry about us.”

“It’s not ideal, but Luigi should be able to follow the data from the control panel,” E. Gadd added.

Iggy smirked. “I’ll personally escort them down myself, if that makes you feel any better.”

“It doesn’t,” Kamek shot back. “But… I’ll concede. However, I’m going with them. There are too many crucial and irreplaceable things below to leave them unsupervised.”

“Then it’s settled.” E. Gadd handed Luigi the control panel. “Use this to follow the device’s readings. You won’t see the Size-mo-tron 5000’s beam anymore, but it’s still active—tracing the warp pipe’s path. The end of the trail is close. Follow it to where it stops.” 

As the brothers and Kamek descended into the depths of the castle, E. Gadd monitored the device while Peach and Daisy observed from a distance. Meanwhile, Iggy pulled out his own device—one that looked eerily similar to E. Gadd’s.

Daisy narrowed her eyes. Something felt off. Why was Iggy so eager to work with E. Gadd? And why did the professor seem so annoyed by him?

“So…” Daisy approached, arms crossed. “Are you, like, a superfan of the old quack over there?”

Iggy barely glanced up. “Hmm? Oh, yes… and no. I’d say we have a friendly rivalry. I admire his work, but I wouldn’t call myself a fan.”

“But you’re basically his shadow. What gives?”

Iggy smirked. “Let’s just say I have my own hypothesis to prove. In fact, I already know where that warp pipe leads. And if I’m right… the truth will shake our world to its core.”

Daisy’s expression hardened. “Wait—you know where it goes? Then why make us go through all this?”

“As a scientist, my findings must be reproducible. Besides, if my hypothesis is correct, the only ones who can make sense of what’s at the end of that pipeline are Mario and Luigi.”

Daisy tensed. “What does that mean? You better not have sent them into some kind of death trap!”

“Oh no… well… that part I don’t know.” Iggy shrugged. “But they will.”

Daisy stared at him, distrust creeping in. Whatever unease she had before had just multiplied tenfold.

—

Meanwhile, deep below the castle, Mario and Luigi made their way down the staircase, Kamek close behind. Their pace slowed as they neared the dungeon.

Kamek stepped forward, unlocking the heavy iron gate. The door creaked open, revealing not an empty chamber—but cramped cells packed with Koopas.

The brothers froze. In the dim torchlight, the extent of their confinement was impossible to see. Only when Luigi’s flashlight flicked on did the truth become clear—eight to ten Koopas crammed into cages barely the size of the brothers’ bedroom. No space. No air. Nowhere to go.

Kamek barely spared them a glance. “It is a mercy that they are here. Past kings would have thrown the lot into the lava pits.” His voice carried nothing but disdain.

Luigi swallowed hard, lowering his flashlight to avoid their faces.

Mario pulled his hat lower, avoiding their eyes altogether.

They arrived in the grand chamber where Bowser had hoarded his hidden art collection. Mario couldn’t help but gawk. How did Bowser have such refined taste? The room felt like a museum, lined with stunning paintings, intricate sculptures, and elaborate tapestries. But there was no time to admire the artwork. They hurried through the mausoleum-like hall, the portraits and statues of past kings seeming to watch their every move.

Luigi kept his eyes locked on the device, watching the faint blinking light on the monitor. So focused was he on tracking the signal that he nearly walked straight into the far wall—the dead end of the pipe room. The device had led them right back to where they had last been.

“Absolutely wonderful,” Kamek scoffed, his frustration boiling over. “That old fool sent us on a wild goose chase, wasting precious time—time I could have spent searching for the prince! I knew this was a mistake. We never should have entrusted the fate of our kingdom to humans.”

“Hey now, my-a brother is-a just trying to-a help!” Mario snapped, his temper flaring.

“And your brother just wasted valuable time!” Kamek shot back. “I should have trusted my instincts. Lord Bowser is a great leader, but he’s too trusting—his fondness for humans clouds his judgment. And now, while we ran in circles, the prince may have perished!”

“That’s-a no way to talk about my-a brother!” Mario fumed. “He’s-a the only one-a who cared enough to-a do all this!”

As Mario and Kamek argued, Luigi remained fixated on the device. The blinking light marked the end of the trail—behind the wall of pipes and valves. He looked up, scanning the tangle of metal before him. Last time, he hadn’t had a chance to study the setup, but now he noticed something peculiar: one massive pipe burrowed deeper than the others.

Its angle, color, and design indicated that it wasn’t a sewage pipe, but it was far too large to be for water. Luigi traced its path with his eyes until he spotted a small, gated access tunnel leading to a cave. From within, he could hear the faint rush of running water.

“Uh… where does-a this go?” Luigi asked hesitantly.

Kamek followed his gaze. His expression shifted from irritation to realization, then to something almost unreadable. “…Why do you need to know?”

“The-a device… it-a says the warp pipe went there,” Luigi muttered, sensing the sudden tension in the air.

Kamek’s expression hardened. “That cannot be.” His voice was sharp with finality. “The so-called ‘genius’ professor is wrong yet again. That cave leads to the River of Enchanted Gifts. It is protected by an ancient spell—one that prevents any living or formerly living being from entering. To touch the barrier is to die instantly. That is how it has been for over a century. And even if Vashella had somehow breached the spell—which she did not—the river itself is a death trap. Koopas who enter never return.”

Before anyone could respond, the device in Luigi’s hands crackled with loud static. Through the interference, a voice struggled to break through.

“Luigi… can you hear me? This is Professor E. Gadd! Luigi, are you there?”

Luigi fumbled with the device, trying to find the right button. “Oh! Uh… yes! I-a can hear you!”

“Then why did you stop? You’re right on top of the warp pipe’s endpoint!”

“Well… you-a see… there’s-a ga—”

“We stopped because your defective inventions nearly got us killed!” Kamek snapped, snatching the device from Luigi’s hands. “Your machine traced the pipe to the sacred cave of the Darklands—the River of Enchanted Gifts. Nothing can pass through that barrier and live. If Vashella had truly gone this way, she’d be dead. And I can still feel Lord Junior’s lifeforce!”

“My inventions are 90% efficient! If my readings say the warp pipe led here, there is a 90% probability—if not higher—that it did!” E. Gadd shot back.

Just then, Iggy’s voice rang through the device’s speakers.

“Luigi. Put your hand through the bars of the gate.”

“WHAT?!” Peach and Mario exclaimed in unison.

“Iggy, this is NOT the time for some revenge plot or twisted experiment!” Kamek snapped, his patience at its limit.

“I have a theory.” Iggy’s voice was eerily calm. “And if I’m right—which I always am—Luigi will be completely fine.”

“A theory?!” Mario yelled. “My-a brother isn’t-a risking his-a life over some theory!”

“You have to trust me.”

“Trust?!” Daisy barked. “Trust is the last thing you deserve right now! You’ve been scheming since the beginning, running your own little experiments, treating us all like lab rats!”

“That’s hardly the case,” Iggy deflected.

“Then explain what’s going on!” Peach demanded. “What aren’t you telling us?”

“It will be easier to explain once someone puts their hand through the barrier. Luigi, Mario—even Kamek could do it. I just need proof.”

“And if you’re wrong?” Daisy challenged. “Then what? Someone dies?!”

As the argument grew more heated, Luigi barely heard them anymore. Something else had caught his eye. A rat. But not just any rat—a large, gnarly-looking rat. Not like the ones he had grown used to in the Mushroom Kingdom. It scurried past him, a scrap of food in its mouth, and squeezed effortlessly through the bars of the gate. And then—it passed right through the so-called ‘barrier.’

Unharmed.

Luigi’s breath caught. Two more rats followed, their slimmer bodies slipping through the gate with ease. They squeaked angrily at the first rat and darted after it—through the ‘barrier’ without issue.

Luigi’s mind reeled. How did those rats go through. But another thought came into his mind. Why can’t he see the barrier? Magic barriers always had some visible effect. Even the weakest ones shimmered faintly. But here? Nothing. No glow. No distortion in the air.

Had Kamek just assumed it was still there? Had they all?

The shouting behind him faded into background noise. Without another thought, Luigi reached for the gate, swung it open—

—and hesitantly stretched his hand forward.

He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself. Nothing. No shock. No pain. No sudden death. No magical flash. He opened his eyes. His hand was completely fine.

Luigi turned slowly, glancing back at the others—Mario, Kamek, and Iggy still locked in heated debate.

They had no idea.

Luigi took a deep breath, steadied himself, and stepped through the threshold of the gate. Once again—nothing. No shock, no sudden pain, no invisible force repelling him. He was fine.

Mario and Kamek were still caught up in their argument, oblivious to the fact that Luigi had already crossed over.

“Uh… hello?” Luigi called, glancing back at them.

“Iggy, this so-called ‘barrier’ is not one of your ridiculous science experiments. It is ancient magic—powerful magic, far beyond your understanding or that of E. Gadd’s faulty devices,” Kamek scolded, his patience wearing thin.

“Kamek… Mario… yoohoo?” Luigi tried again, waving a hand.

“I assure you, my calculations are correct. The barrier wouldn’t kill you! At worst, maybe a minor maiming,” Iggy continued, attempting to justify his reasoning.

“You-a go through, then,” Mario snapped, his frustration growing. “Or-a use one of your wacky inventions to-a test it first.”

“MARIO!” Luigi finally shouted.

Mario turned, the frustration on his face shifting into shock as he saw his brother standing several feet beyond the gate.

“Lu—?” Mario blinked in disbelief.

“What happened?” Daisy called, stepping forward.

“Um… I think-a the barrier… it-it might be-a down.”

Silence fell over the group.

Kamek’s eyes widened in alarm. “This is bad… oh no, no, no, this is very, very bad.”

And then Iggy burst into laughter. “HA! HA HA HAAA! YES! I WAS RIGHT! ALL MY RESEARCH, ALL MY EXPERIMENTS, AND NOW, FINALLY, IN FRONT OF E. GADD HIMSELF!”

E. Gadd’s voice crackled through the device, laced with unease. “Iggy… what exactly is happening?”

“I have just made the greatest scientific discovery of all time!” Iggy declared, practically vibrating with excitement. “We didn’t even need the professor’s device to locate Vashella’s warp pipe. I knew it the whole time! But if I had gone to Kamek with my theory, he would have dismissed me outright. No, I needed a third party—someone with no reason to be doubted —to reach the same conclusion I did.”

“And what conclusion is that?” Daisy asked, her confusion growing.

“That Vashella didn’t just escape our world. She left it entirely.”

A heavy pause.

Iggy smirked, pushing his glasses further up his nose. “And that’s not all. I’ve been developing a theory for years, but now—now I have proof. And not just proof—I have an audience of scientists and skeptics alike to witness it. Everything is falling into place!”

Mario and Luigi exchanged uncertain glances.

“What are you talking about?” Peach demanded.

Iggy’s grin widened. “Two years ago, Mario and Luigi suddenly appeared in the Mushroom Kingdom. Let me ask you two—did you arrive alone?”

Mario frowned. The memory of that day remained vivid. What had started as an ordinary plumbing job in Brooklyn had taken a bizarre turn. Investigating a pipe burst underground had led them into an enormous pipeline, one that should have simply rerouted them further down the city’s system. Instead, they had been pulled into a swirling vortex and spat out into a completely different world. Luigi had landed in the Darklands and been taken captive, while Mario had emerged in the Mushroom Kingdom.

“…Yeah, it-a was just us,” Mario confirmed.

“But you weren’t the only ones,” Iggy continued, his voice brimming with satisfaction. “Don’t you find it strange that there is no kingdom of just humans? All the humans, especially older ones, seem to come from kingdoms no one can find. For example; E. Gadd, tell me, where exactly are you from?”

“Syracuse, New York,” the professor answered matter-of-factly.

Mario and Luigi’s heads snapped toward him. “You’re-a from Upstate New York?” Luigi asked, stunned.

“But it’s not just the appearance of humans that caught my attention,” Iggy went on, his excitement unrelenting. “Humans who arrive here have an uncanny ability to adapt to our world, especially when it comes to technology. Mario and Luigi have barely been here two years, and yet they understand our machines, our gadgets, almost as if they’ve used them before. Why is that?”

Mario hesitated. Now that Iggy mentioned it, they had adjusted rather quickly to life here. Yes, the Mushroom Kingdom had villages that relied on simpler ways of living, but it also had sprawling cities that functioned much like New York. They had access to plumbing, electricity, transportation—things that shouldn’t have existed in a world so drastically different from their own.

“And where does all this new technology come from?” Iggy pressed. “The River of Enchanted Gifts. Every kingdom has one. Meaning every kingdom has a connection to another world. That barrier was the only thing preventing living things from passing through it. But now…”

“Now what?” Daisy prompted.

Iggy’s eyes gleamed. “Now, the barrier is gone.”

Silence once again took hold.

Iggy tapped his chin thoughtfully. “This explains so much. I suspected something was off when the Mario brothers first arrived. But it wasn’t just them—New Donk City suddenly elected a new human mayor. Wario and Waluigi showed up in the Darklands without anyone spotting them crossing the borders. And speaking of which…” Iggy adjusted his glasses. “Where did Wario and Waluigi disappear during the battle with Vashella? They didn’t leave with you, Luigi. And they certainly didn’t just waltz out of the castle unnoticed.”

Luigi pondered that question before flicking on his flashlight and shining it further down the cave.

“This is all still conjecture,” E. Gadd interrupted. “No one has successfully traced where these rivers lead. Those who have tried… well, they never return.”

“Exactly,” Mario said firmly. “It’s too dangerous to-a just walk—WHHAAA! LUIGI!”

Mario’s heart nearly stopped as he realized Luigi was already several feet ahead, moving deeper into the cave.

“I need to-a see this through, Mario!” Luigi called back, his determination outweighing his fear. “Just… give me thirty seconds. If you-a don’t hear from-a me…” He hesitated, then offered a nervous grin. “Uh… you can-a run in after me.”

Before Mario could protest, Luigi turned a corner and disappeared into the darkness.

Something deep in his gut told him that what lay ahead was bigger than anything they had ever faced before. If Iggy was right, then this wasn’t just about Vashella, or Bowser Jr., or even the Darklands. This could change everything.

As Luigi walked, he finally arrived at the River of Enchanted Gifts. Despite its grand name, the river was anything but magical—its waters were murky brown, littered with bits of junk that bobbed along with the sluggish current. Luigi followed the river’s winding path, his boots squelching in the damp ground. But as he pressed forward, he noticed the texture beneath his feet begin to change—soft dirt giving way to something hard and flat. Concrete.

His heart pounded as he took a few more steps and saw it. The other end of the warp pipe.

Next to it stood a rusty, worn-out ladder that stretched up toward the ceiling.

Meanwhile, back at the gate, Mario paced impatiently. Every second felt like an eternity. He knew he should have gone with Luigi—what if something happened to him?

Then, a scream.

Mario’s blood ran cold.

Before he could react, Luigi came barreling back, eyes wide, breath frantic.

“WHAT?! WHAT IS IT, LUIGI?!” Mario shouted, rushing toward him.

“MARIO… IT’S… IT’S… AND… THERE IS-A… I SAW—” Luigi gasped, still trying to form a coherent sentence. Finally, he just threw up his hands and shouted, “JUST-A COME WITH-A ME!”

Grabbing Mario by the wrist, he yanked him forward, dragging him down the tunnel at full speed. Kamek, still clutching his device, scrambled to keep up.

“Luigi, what is it? Is there a monster?” Mario pressed, stumbling as his brother practically hauled him along.

They raced past the river, beyond the warp pipe, and skidded to a stop at the base of the ladder. Luigi, still panting, jabbed a shaky finger upward.

Mario followed his gaze. “Lu… what is-a that? That can’t-a be a—”

BONK!

Before Mario could finish, something heavy crashed down on his head with a resounding thud! His vision blurred for a second, and in a poof! of blue light, his Boomerang Suit vanished.

“YEEEOOOCH!!!” Mario yelped, rubbing his head. “What-a you do that for?!”

“CAN’T-A FIT!” Luigi snapped, tossing aside the Koopa shell he’d been wearing. He gestured wildly at the ladder before grabbing Mario’s wrist again and practically shoving him toward it. Luigi scrambled up first, pressing his palms against the circular metal lid overhead. It was rusted and stubborn, but with a grunt and a final shove, it began to budge. A sliver of light seeped through the crack.

With one last heave, Luigi pushed the manhole cover aside, flooding the tunnel with sunlight. He hauled himself up, then turned back and yanked Mario through after him.

“Luigi, what is-a going on—”

“LOOK!!!” Luigi cut him off, grabbing Mario’s face and turning it toward the street.

Mario blinked in confusion. “What am I-a supposed to—”

Then he saw it. A street sign stood tall above them: Washington St. & Water St.

Mario’s eyes darted around, his heart pounding in his chest. And there it was—the towering steel of the Manhattan Bridge, stretching across the sky like a sight from a dream.

The familiar noise of traffic, the scent of city air, the distant wail of a siren.

They were standing on the ladder, still half submerged in the middle of the street.

They were in New York.

They were home.

Before either of them could fully process what this meant, a familiar pointed blue hat suddenly popped up between them. Kamek, still clutching the device, looked around frantically as the voices of their allies crackled over the speaker, overlapping in a chaotic mess.

“Is everyone alright? I heard a scream!” Peach’s concerned voice rang out first.

“Is it a monster?! I’m ready as backup—just tell me where to start punching!” Daisy added, her excitement unmistakable.

“What do you see? Give me details!” E. Gadd demanded, his scientific curiosity piqued.

“Are there giant human monsters?!” Iggy’s voice cut in, his tone filled with anticipation. “I’ve been dabbling in speculative evolution, and I must know if my hypothesis about advanced human adaptations is correct!”

Kamek ignored the chatter, his eyes beginning to glow as he scanned the street with his magic. His gaze sharpened, his expression turning into one of pure revelation.

“He is here,” Kamek whispered, his voice trembling with certainty. Then, louder, “The prince… IS HERE!”

Meanwhile, back in Bowser’s castle, a different kind of commotion was unfolding.

General Blue Shell stormed into the chamber where the remaining group was gathered, his breathing ragged as he pushed past the others. His urgent footsteps echoed against the stone walls.

“WHERE IS MASTER KAMEK?!” he bellowed, his voice carrying the weight of something dire.

Over the device, Kamek’s voice crackled back. “What is it?”

The general shoved closer to the mic, his urgency palpable. “Lord Bowser… he’s awake!”

 

 

Chapter 26: Journey to the Big Apple

Summary:

Bowser is awake and he is PISSED. But good news, there is a passage to the human world. All he has to do is march up there, get his son, and vanquish Vashella. He should be done by lunch...right? Does anyone have a map of this New York Kingdom? Maybe a guide?

“I’ve been asleep for two weeks, and we still don’t have MY SON?” Bowser growled, roughly wiping off the remnants of the magic healing salve from his face.

“Well—well—well, Your Grumpiness,” Kamek stammered, adjusting his glasses nervously, “we only just confirmed that the prince has left our world and was taken to the human world very recently. BUT—but—but I assure you, the prince is safe! A little distressed, perhaps, but safe.”

Bowser’s eyes flared. “Safe and home are NOT the same thing! He’s with my ex-wife—who, I might add, tried to KILL HIM while he was still in his shell! So forgive me if I don’t feel particularly comforted by your definition of ‘safe’!”

“Yes, yes, I completely understand your frustra—”

“DO YOU?!” Bowser roared, his voice shaking the room. “Because from where I’m standing, WE’RE STILL HERE TALKING IN CIRCLES WHEN WE SHOULD BE SENDING MY ARMY TO GET HIM!”

Bowser’s imposing form swayed slightly as he stood in the middle of his dimly lit bedroom, his body still weakened. Around him, a dozen Koopa nurses hovered, trying to steady him, but he batted them away. The sun had long risen, but thick curtains kept the room cloaked in darkness.

Kamek took a measured breath, speaking carefully. “Lord Bowser, I know you want to find the prince immediately. It is a desire I—and the entire kingdom—share with you. But you are in no condition to lead the search yourself. Your muscles have atrophied, your vision is still weak, and—more importantly—he is in a world unfamiliar to us. Charging in recklessly could put him in even greater danger. We have no idea how vast this ‘Manhattan’ kingdom is, what threats we might encounter, or how closely Vashella is watching. You know her, my king. If she feels cornered, she may lash out at the prince.”

Bowser’s fists clenched, claws digging into his palms, but he didn’t argue. 

“Lord Bowser!” General Blue Shell strode into the darkened chamber, his tone urgent. “We’ve conducted reconnaissance on the human world and made some discoveries.”

Bowser barely shifted from his spot, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. “Do any of those discoveries include the location of my son?”

The general hesitated. “Not yet, my Lord, but with the intel we’ve gathered, we can now form a proper plan—”

“Spare me until you have a complete plan.” Bowser’s patience wore thinner by the second. “I am sick of talking about getting Junior back." 

General Blue Shell dipped his head. “Understood, my Lord. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t warn you… that world—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And yet, strangely familiar.”

Kamek adjusted his glasses, his interest piqued. “Well, that would make sense. If this world is connected to the River of Enchanted Gifts, then much of our modern technology likely originated from there. Naturally, some things will seem recognizable.”

The general shook his head. “It’s more than that. There’s something unsettling about it… something that might become a problem going forward.”

Bowser’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”

General Blue Shell took a steady breath before explaining. “The human world is completely dominated by humans. Not just that there are a lot of them—I mean they’re the only intelligent beings. There are other creatures, but none of them can speak. They don’t build, they don’t govern… they exist purely as pets or pests.”

Kamek frowned. “That is… concerning.”

Bowser scoffed. “How is that a problem?”

Kamek folded his arms, his expression darkening. “When I was but an apprentice, I heard stories of the first humans who arrived in our world. They struggled to comprehend our kingdom’s diversity—not just in species, but in sentience. The idea that multiple kinds of beings could speak, create, and rule was alien to them. I fear the reverse may be true in their world. If we make ourselves known, at best, we alert Vashella of our presence. At worst, we risk stirring unnecessary—and distracting—conflict with the humans.”

The general nodded grimly. “And that’s not accounting for any potential variants of humans. The ones our scouts observed were slightly larger than the humans we have here, but not by much. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t bigger, more formidable humans we might have to contend with.”

Bowser let out a slow, rumbling growl. The situation was growing more complicated by with every bit of new information. 

“Agreed. If we are to move unnoticed in that world, we’ll need disguises. I can cast a transformation spell, but it will require a special pendant to contain its effects. I’ll need time to gather the necessary materials.”

Bowser let out a frustrated huff. “How much time?”

Kamek adjusted his glasses. “The spell must be imbued into an enchanted pendant. With the castle’s blacksmith among the traitors, I’ll have to forge it myself, in addition to casting the spell. It will be a time-consuming process, but—”

“HOW LONG, KAMEK?!” Bowser’s voice shook the room.

The Magikoopa winced but remained composed. “Two days. Three at most.”

Bowser let out a deep, guttural growl, his claws digging into the armrest of his chair.

“Your impatience is understandable, my Lord,” Kamek said carefully. “But consider this—those two or three days will also allow your eyes time to recover. Your vision is still weak, and light sensitivity remains an issue. You cannot rescue Bowser Jr. if you can’t even see the enemy holding him.”

Bowser’s scowl deepened, but he said nothing. He hated waiting, especially when it came to the well being of his son. But he hated failure even more.

Kamek headed towards the door. “I will begin the process and will try my best to get the pendent to you as soon as possible. Please my lord, have patience.” General Blue Shell followed quickly after, leaving Bowser to stew in his frustration alone in the dark. 

On the other side of the castle, Mario and Luigi were still reeling from their discovery. They had seen it—their world. After all this time, a path back to New York was right in front of them. But what did that mean?

Mario paced anxiously across Luigi’s room, his mind tangled in conflicting thoughts. Part of him was excited by the idea of returning home. Another part was panicked, scrambling to figure out how he’d even begin explaining to their family where they had been for the past few years. And then there was the most terrifying thought of all—Vashella roaming his home city… and Bowser inevitably following after her.

Luigi sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought, running through the same questions. Peach and Daisy, back in their princess attire, stood nearby, both watching the brothers in silence—until Daisy, never one for patience, broke it.

“So… now what?” she asked. “We know where Junior is, right?”

“It’s-a… it’s-a not that-a simple,” Luigi said with a sigh. “Our world… it’s-a not like this-a one.”

“Yeah, I know. You said it’s mostly humans,” Daisy said with a shrug. “So that just means we’re the best ones to go and get the little pipsqueak.”

Mario shook his head. “We-a only know that he’s-a there. But New York—it’s-a big place. You-a can’t just walk in and-a find someone. There’s-a no magic, no tracking spells. You gotta find-a people the old-fashioned way… and that-a could take forever if-a we don’t know where to-a look.”

Luigi frowned. “Plus… I don’t-a think they’re gonna let us help them.”

He had been right to assume they wouldn’t be included in whatever came next. The brothers barely had a moment to process where they were before Kamek yanked them back through the manhole. They had been rushed back to the upper levels of the castle and promptly escorted to their rooms while Kamek and Iggy hurried off to Ludwig’s office. Since then, no one had updated them on the situation—not even a quick visit.

Daisy, however, wasn’t one to sit around waiting for answers. “Well, we have to think of something. It’d be way better if we—the actual humans—went to the human world instead of Bowser and his goons.” She crossed her arms, then added, almost forgetting the urgency of the mission, “Besides, it’d be kinda cool to see where we come from. I’ve never seen more than five humans in one place before, let alone a whole kingdom of them.”

Mario rubbed his chin. “Hmm… if-a only there was a way to-a bring Vashella back-a here without-a fighting her.” A direct battle was out of the question—he and Luigi couldn’t take her and her remaining Koopaling on their own. But, as much as he hated to admit it, Bowser might stand a chance. The key was making sure that fight happened here, in the Darklands—not in the middle of New York City.

“I got it!” Luigi suddenly shouted, sitting up straight. “Maybe we can-a draw her out. She-a chases us, we-a lead her back here, and-a then—BAM! Bowser-a sends her back to-a that island she-a was trapped on.”

Daisy tapped a finger to her chin. “I don’t think Bowser’s just gonna banish her again… but that plan isn’t half bad. If we can lure her here, we won’t have to fight her at all.”

“But-a how?” Mario questioned. “We’re not-a the ones she wants. She-a barely knows who we are.”

The three of them continued to brainstorm, tossing ideas back and forth, trying to piece together a plan solid enough to convince Kamek and Bowser. They weighed every detail, every possibility, determined to make their case undeniable. But as they talked, planned, and debated, one person remained notably silent.

Peach.

She hadn’t said a word since they returned from the cave. She hadn’t even moved from her spot. While the others focused on the mission, her mind was lost in a storm of conflicting emotions. Guilt. Shame. And a fear she wasn’t sure how to face.

She should have been happy for them. Happy that Mario and Luigi had a way home, that they could finally see their family again. But she wasn’t. Instead, a pit had formed in her stomach, growing heavier with every moment they spent planning their return.

From the moment he arrived in her world, Mario had been her knight clad in overalls. He had saved her, time and time again, defending her kingdom without hesitation. And in that time, they had grown close—first as friends, then as something more. Though she was a princess, bound by duty and tradition, in her heart, Mario was already her beloved. In every way but title, he was hers.

But the truth—the ugly, selfish truth—was that she had always taken comfort in the fact that he couldn’t go home. She hadn’t even realized it until now. That safety net, the unspoken reassurance that he was here to stay, had allowed her to believe they had all the time in the world.

But now? Now he had a way back.

And she was terrified.

Terrified that Vashella might kill him in a world where Peach had no power to help. Terrified that once he returned, he wouldn’t be able to come back, or even want to come back. She had tried to make the Mushroom Kingdom feel like home for him and Luigi, but she knew—deep down—she could never truly replace the world they had lost.

As these thoughts swirled through her mind, guilt gnawed at her. How could she even think this way? How could she be so selfish?

She had always known this day might come. She had told herself she was ready for it. But now, sitting there, listening to them talk about going back to New York…

She realized she wasn’t ready at all.

“Princess?” Mario’s voice broke through Peach’s swirling thoughts.

“Yes, Mario?” she replied, forcing herself to focus.

“I-a asked if you-a would be the one to-a do all the talking? I’m-a no good with-a words like this, and-a Daisy… no offense.”

“No, you’re right. I’m no diplomat like Peachy here,” Daisy admitted with a shrug. “We’d send Weegie, but the old fart Kamek seems to be the one calling the shots on this one.”

Peach blinked, bewildered. She hadn’t been listening. “Oh… um… I’m sorry, what do you want me to do?”

Mario and Daisy exchanged a confused, worried glance.

“Just… to-a talk to Bowser and-a Kamek about-a letting us go after Vashella instead of him or any of the Koopas.”

Peach hesitated, forcing a smile. “Of course. I’ll do what I can to help.”

“Okie dokie! Now we-a just have to-a ask Kamek if-a we can go back through the-a castle’s lower level,” Luigi declared.

The four stepped out of the bedroom, bracing themselves for a confrontation—but no guards blocked their way. Cautiously, they made their way through the castle’s grand hallways, the air tense with uncertainty. As they crossed the atrium, the reason for the unguarded halls became apparent: a dozen blue-shelled Koopa guards stood clustered around the door to the lower levels, their presence a clear message. If they were going back down, they’d need permission.

As they continued, something caught Luigi’s eye—Professor E. Gadd was struggling to haul his equipment out of Iggy’s lab. Without hesitation, Luigi peeled away from the group to assist.

“Here, let me-a help you,” Luigi offered, bracing the bulky device.

“Thank you, my boy,” E. Gadd sighed in relief. “Though I’m surprised to see you’re still here.”

“Huh?” Luigi blinked, puzzled.

“Oh, they didn’t tell you yet? They’re kicking all guests out of the castle. So much for further testing,” E. Gadd grumbled, glaring at his equipment.

Luigi’s eyes widened as he glanced back, realizing Mario and the princesses had already disappeared around the corner.

“Help me move all of my equipment outside,” E. Gadd said briskly.

“Oh-oh I-I-I can’t. I gotta-a catch up to—”

“It won’t take long, especially with your help. My prototype copter device is self-flying and it’s almost here,” the professor assured him, brushing off Luigi’s concerns.

Luigi hesitated but couldn’t bring himself to refuse. “Okay…” He hurriedly helped E. Gadd move his equipment out of the castle, but by the time he rushed back inside, Mario and the others were nowhere to be seen.

Meanwhile, Mario, Peach, and Daisy arrived at Ludwig’s office, poised to knock—when the door suddenly swung open, and Kamek stepped out.

“Oh! Kamek!” Peach blurted, caught off guard. She scrambled to begin her pitch. “I know you and Bowser want to go after Vashella yourselves, but I have a plan—one where Mario and Lu—”

“Did the guards not tell you?” Kamek interrupted, raising a brow.

“…Tell us what?” Peach asked, a nervous edge in her voice.

“Lord Bowser has already left for the human world,” Kamek stated casually.

“WHAT?!” Mario’s jaw dropped.

Kamek sighed. “Yes, despite my urging, he left without informing anyone, determined to handle things quickly. This, despite the fact that the transformation pendant I crafted for him was completed far earlier than expected.” He held up a gold pendant with a ruby gemstone gleaming at its center. “A pendant that would’ve disguised him as a human. Had I known Kammy Koopa already had a pendant imbued with the transformation spell, I might have convinced him to wait just a bit longer.”

“You gotta let us go after him!” Daisy demanded, arms crossed defiantly.

“Unfortunately, I cannot do that,” Kamek replied coolly. “Lord Bowser left strict orders: no one is to follow him for at least 48 hours, and the lower levels are to remain heavily guarded until then.”

“Bowser isn’t going to-a last 48 hours in-a New York!” Mario protested. “The whole city will-a freak out the second he-a sets foot on the street!”

“Regardless,” Kamek said firmly, “I have faith in Lord Bowser’s capabilities. And I, despite my numerous objections, cannot disobey his wishes.” He began to turn away, but then paused. “However…” He glanced back, eyes glimmering. “He only said no one can follow him. Nothing about… encountering him through one’s own portal to the human world. Perhaps from another river of enchanted gifts in a different kingdom.” He shot Peach a meaningful look.

Peach’s eyes widened. “Peach Dew River…” she whispered, realization dawning on her.

“What about us?” Daisy snapped. “We don’t have to follow his orders! Why not just let us in?”

Kamek adjusted his glasses. “That’s due to Lord Bowser’s final instructions: all citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom must return home immediately. Specifically, he said—and I quote—‘I don’t want them playing all hero with my family, especially that Mario. If anyone’s going to save my son, it’s Junior’s own dad.’ End quote.”

“Wait, you can’t be serious!” Daisy exclaimed.

Mario glanced around, just now noticing Luigi’s absence. “Luigi?” he called out, but there was no answer.

“You gotta listen to us!” Daisy pressed. “Mario and Luigi are from that world! If anyone knows how to find Vashella, it’s—”

But Mario noticed Kamek’s wand lift, and his eyes went wide. “WAIT! WAIT! LUIGI—”

“It’s out of my hands,” Kamek said, flicking his wand.

A puff of magic engulfed the trio, and when the smoke cleared, Mario, Peach, and Daisy were gone—teleported away.

The world spun back into focus, and they found themselves standing on the front lawn of Peach’s castle in the Mushroom Kingdom, surrounded by blooming flowers and chirping birds. 

Moments earlier, Luigi finally caught up to the group—just in time to see Kamek teleport Mario, Peach, and Daisy away in a swirl of magic. He froze, instinctively ducking back around the corner to avoid sharing their fate.

Kamek sighed, adjusting his glasses before turning back toward his quarters. Luigi’s pulse quickened as he realized the old koopa was heading straight for him. Desperate for cover, Luigi spotted an oversized statue of Bowser looming nearby. With a panicked dive, he slipped behind it, pressing himself flat against the stone and holding his breath.

Kamek rounded the corner and stopped just short of Luigi’s hiding spot, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He let his gaze drift lazily over the hall, lingering a little too long on the statue where Luigi was concealed.

“If only I wasn’t so old,” Kamek mused aloud, loud enough for anyone within an earshot to hear. He turned a gleaming ruby pendant over in his hand, the gold chain catching the torchlight. “I might’ve caught up to Lord Bowser to give him this. It’s a shame—I can sense he’s still in the castle. Typical Lord Bowser likes to take his time. Still… this pendant would be so very useful to him.”

He eyed the hallway once more, as if addressing someone unseen. Then, with a casual hum, Kamek placed the pendant on a nearby end table—its ruby gem gleaming invitingly.

“Ah, well,” he said, patting the table and letting his gaze linger a moment longer. “If only someone younger and faster than me were to deliver it to him, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”

He resumed his slow march down the hall, his footsteps echoing off the stone. Once Kamek disappeared around the corner, Luigi eased out from behind the statue, swallowing the lump in his throat. Had Kamek known he was there? It sure seemed like it. But the pendant was left behind, and Luigi wasn’t about to question his luck.

Snatching it up, he hurried toward the grand vestibule, only to skid to a stop at the entrance. Bowser himself stood before a line of guards, a towering figure flanked by a massive suitcase shaped like a rectangular Koopa shell. The guards stood at rigid attention as Bowser delivered his orders.

“Remember, no one sets foot down there for the next 48 hours,” Bowser growled. “No Kamek, no koopalings—not even prison guards. The TRAITORS have enough food and water to last them two days, so there’s no reason to go down there.”

Luigi glanced from Bowser to the guards, noting how fixated they were on their king. The suitcase sat slightly ajar, lid propped open facing Luigi’s direction.

‘This is-a crazy! Luigi’ thought, but desperation drove him forward. He crept closer, ducking behind statues and furniture. With one final breath, he slipped inside the suitcase, curling up amid the plush, fluffy padding of Bowser’s disguise. Holding the lid shut, he clung to the inner pocket and tried to stay quiet.

Bowser continued, oblivious to the stowaway. “In this suitcase is my disguise for the human world. With it, I’ll finally get rid of Vashella and bring my son home. This shouldn’t take long, but if I’m not back in 48 hours, then—and ONLY THEN—can a small brigade and Kamek come after me. But don’t hold your breath on that.”

He reached for his suitcase, when he noticed the latch was undone. He clicked it shut without a second thought, muttering under his breath.

“Close and lock the door behind me,” Bowser commanded, stepping through the threshold.

“YES SIR!” the guards chorused, sealing the door behind him.

Inside the cramped suitcase, Luigi braced himself as Bowser’s heavy footsteps thudded rhythmically, each step jolting him around. The plush padding of whatever was inside softened the ride. 

‘Okay, Luigi… no-a turning back now!’ he thought. The rough ride carried them deeper into the castle—towards the cave where the river flowed.

A few more minutes passed before Luigi felt the suitcase come to a stop. That was when a terrible realization hit him—he had no plan for when Bowser actually opened it.

Meanwhile, the giant koopa stood before the ladder leading up to the manhole, rubbing his chin. The portal to the human world was even smaller than he’d anticipated. Even the ladder itself looked laughably undersized for someone of his bulk. He attempted to climb, squeezing his massive body onto the rungs with great difficulty. By the time he reached the manhole cover, it became painfully clear—there was no way he’d fit through.

With one powerful arm, Bowser popped open the lid, peering outside. It was dark. The perfect contrast to the daylight still shining in the Darklands. ‘Even better,’ he thought. He could tear open the hole wider without anyone noticing—

VRROOOOMMM!

Just as he was forming a plan, a car thundered past overhead. Then another. And another. Bowser ducked back down and let the lid settle back in place, frowning.

“Hmm…” He scratched his head, thinking. “Maybe… I could use the suitcase to stop one of those vehicles. Maybe even take one for myself!” He grinned. “I’m a genius!”

He reached for the suitcase and attempted to cram it through the manhole. Unfortunately, much like himself, it wouldn’t fit. The bulky, shell-shaped case barely managed to wedge a corner through the opening. Bowser twisted it, turned it, shoved it in every possible direction, but no matter what he tried, it refused to budge.

“Alright… new plan,” he grumbled, setting it back down. “I’ll just have to blow the hole wider. Should have a POW Block in here… maybe a few small bombs.”

Crouching down, Bowser flipped open the suitcase—only to be greeted by a very dizzy, disoriented Luigi, tangled among the soft pink fabric and explosives.

“M-M-Mama Mia…” Luigi groaned before toppling out onto the ground.

Bowser’s jaw dropped. Then—

“GREENIE?! WHAT THE SHELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY SUITCASE?!” he roared.

Luigi snapped out of his dizzy spell, looking up at the furious koopa towering over him. “Oh… um… hi-a Bowser. Heh heh…” He let out a nervous chuckle.

Bowser crossed his arms, his glare sharpening. “Greenie…”

“Well… um… you-a see…” Luigi stammered, scrambling for words. “We—I mean, I—well…”

“Spit it out, green bean!”

Luigi swallowed hard. “We-a came up with a plan! A-a plan that might-a actually work! You s-s-s-see, we—I mean, my-a brother and-a me—we were-a gonna lead Vashella back-a here! NOT THAT YOU-A COULDN’T DO IT YOURSELF! It’s just… we’re-a from New York. We know where to-a go.”

Bowser narrowed his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Look, I get it. You and your annoying brother are used to doing the whole ‘hero’ thing. But that ain’t gonna work here.” His voice dropped into a growl. “Junior is my son. And if anyone’s rescuing him, it’s me.”

Without another word, Bowser grabbed one of the bombs from his suitcase and spit a small flame at the fuse, setting it alight.

“Now… go back up to the castle and go home, Greenie. I got a hole to make bigger.”

“WAIT, WAIT, NOOO, DON’T!!!”

In a panic, Luigi lunged, grabbing Bowser’s arm and frantically blowing out the fuse.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” Bowser bellowed. “WHY DID YOU STOP ME?!”

“You-a can’t just-a blow up a city street!” Luigi sputtered.

Bowser scoffed. “Pfft! It’s just a little explosion! What’s the big deal?”

“The big-a deal is that it’ll cause a huge commotion! The-a police, the-a FBI, the-a army—everyone will-a swarm you before you even start looking for Junior!”

Bowser rolled his eyes. “Oh, c’mon. They wouldn’t do all that for one tiny bomb.”

“Yes, they-a would! My world—it’s not-a like yours! Bombs don’t-a just go off in the middle of the street without people freaking out!”

Bowser glared down at him, fangs bared. “WHO ASKED YOU?! AND ALSO—WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?!”

Luigi’s nervous tremble faded, replaced by an uncharacteristic firmness. He took a breath and squared his shoulders.

“Because you-a can’t find little Bowser if you-a don’t know where to-a go.”

Bowser paused, jaw clenched. As much as he hated to admit it, Luigi was right—he didn’t know the first thing about this world. Not its rules, not its people, not its consequences.

“Grrr… fine!” he growled, crossing his arms. “BUT I’m not going with your dumb plan. We need to figure out how I can get through that hole. None of this ‘lure Vashella’ nonsense.”

Luigi nodded thoughtfully, then dug into his pockets. Out came a handful of power-ups he kept on him just in case: a fire flower, a bubble flower, a green mushroom, and finally—a tiny blue mushroom.

“I GOT IT!” he exclaimed. “Eat-a this!” He held up the blue shroom proudly.

Bowser groaned at the sight of it. That cursed fungus. He remembered it well. Back in his first battle with Mario, it was used to shrink and capture him—one of the only times he’d been held prisoner in the Mushroom Kingdom. And more recently, it was the key to Bradley’s escape.

“Come on!” Luigi urged, practically hopping in place.

“Grrr… fine! But don’t expect me to stay tiny for long,” Bowser muttered. He snatched the mushroom and, with a reluctant bite, shrunk in a flash—reduced to palm-sized in a blink.

Luigi gently scooped him up, flashing back to that day when Mario had done the same after defeating the Koopa King.

“Here…” Luigi murmured, lifting his cap and tucking Bowser under it, nestling him snugly on top of his head.

“Greenie!!” Bowser squawked, his voice now squeaky and high-pitched. “Don’t forget my disguise, will ya?!”

Luigi looked down and spotted the frilly pink fabric peeking out of the suitcase. He couldn’t lug the whole thing with him, so he grabbed the outfit, balled it up, and tucked it under his arm.

With everything in place, Luigi climbed the ladder carefully. At the top, he eased open the manhole cover and peered out. The traffic light changed. The last car rolled by.

The street was clear.

Luigi hoisted himself out, boots hitting the pavement. He adjusted his cap slightly to secure the small, grumbling turtle under it.

They were here—New York. 

He quickly began walking, glancing around with growing urgency.

“Where are we going?” came Bowser’s small, muffled voice from under Luigi’s cap.

“Back to-a my parents’ home,” Luigi said, checking over his shoulder. “I don’t have-a much here—especially no money. It’s-a hard to get things done without it.”

“How long’s that gonna take?” Bowser grumbled.

“Not-a lo—” Luigi paused mid-sentence. “…Well, it might take a while. Normally, if I had a metro card, I could-a take the subway and be in Brooklyn in about thirty minutes. But, with-a no money… I’ll have to walk. That might take… a few hours.”

“A few— A FEW HOURS?! ” the tiny Koopa King roared, his voice squeaking from beneath the hat.

“We— I better get-a walking,” Luigi said, picking up his pace toward Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, back in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Daisy, and Peach had returned to the castle. The moment they arrived, they rushed to Peach’s private chambers, where she was now frantically dialing Kamek’s number.

The line rang. And rang. And rang.

“Geez, what’s that old geezer doing that he can’t answer a phone?” Daisy huffed.

Mario paced back and forth behind Peach, his nerves fraying with every unanswered ring.

Finally, a voice picked up—cheerful, professional, and thoroughly out of place.

“You’ve reached Bowser’s Keep, the most dangerous, harrowing castle in all the lands! Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”

“This is Princess Peach—I was just there! I need to speak to Kamek immediately! It’s an emergency!”

“Princess Peach, Princess Peach… hmm…” The voice on the line sounded as though it was flipping through a rolodex. “I’m afraid we don’t have a Princess Peach listed as an approved caller to Bowser’s inner circle. Perhaps you’re listed under a different name? If not, I’d be more than happy to send you the application to be added to Lord Kamek’s call registry—”

“Try Princess Toadstool! Just hurry!”

“Toadstool, Toa—ah, yes, here you are. And may I ask the nature of this call?”

“Luigi is still there! When Kamek teleported us back, he left Luigi behind! ”

“Oh dear. I’m terribly sorry your experience at Bowser’s Keep did not meet your expectations. Transferring you now. One moment.”

Smooth jazz hold music filled the line. Daisy groaned.

Finally, Kamek’s voice broke in. “Who’s this?”

“It’s Princess Peach,” she said quickly. “Luigi is still at Bowser’s castle.”

Mario and Daisy leaned in, listening hard.

“That can’t be,” Kamek replied flatly. “He hasn’t been seen in the castle since you all left. Have you spoken with the professor? Surely he is with him.”

“We have. He said Luigi stayed behind at the castle when he left.”

“Well then… if he’s not with the professor, and he’s not with you… the only logical place he could be is with… Lord Bowser.”

“ WHAT? !” Mario blurted, practically shoving his ear to the receiver.

“Yes…” Kamek muttered, holding his staff up as its orb began to glow. “Let’s see… ah,” He peered into the orb as it went from an opaque red sphere to clear ball. Then a figure appeared in it.  “Yes… hmm…” 

“What? What is it?” Peach demanded.

“It appears they’re both in the human world. However…”

“Yes?”

“Lord Bowser is… small? That’s… unexpected.”

“What do you mean ‘small’?” Peach asked.

“Exactly what I said. He’s no bigger than a Koopa egg… and riding on Master Luigi’s head. Odd choice in disguise, especially since I had finished the pendant. I thought Luigi would have used that instead. ”

Daisy blinked. “Wait, why would Luigi take the pendant? And how would he even know to take anything at all if you thought he left with the professor?”

“That’s not important right now,” Kamek replied briskly.

“Please—you-a have to let us-a go back and find-a my brother!” Mario pleaded.

“Unfortunately, orders are orders. And no one is going to use that specific portal to the human world again,” Kamek said with emphasis.

“But—but we-a have to—”

“ I GOT IT! ” Peach shouted, cutting Mario off. “Thank you, Kamek!” She slammed the phone down.

“Why’d you hang up?!” Daisy exclaimed.

“Because,” Peach said, grabbing Mario’s hand. “I think I know another way to get to your world.”

She bolted out the door with Mario and Daisy in tow, dashing through the halls, out the castle, past the walled garden, under the drawbridge, and to the banks of the moat.

The moat was fed by a stream, which trailed into a dense forest. As they followed the water’s path, it widened into a river.

“Where are you taking us, Peach?” Daisy asked, breathless after nearly an hour of fast-paced hiking.

“Kamek said their portal couldn’t be used, right? But if I read between the lines… there might be another way,” Peach explained. “I remembered—we always find strange things floating into the moat. This is Peach Dew River. It feeds the castle moat, and like Bowser’s River of Enchanted Gifts, it brings odd items downstream. I used to think it was just litter, but now…”

She suddenly pointed ahead. “AH-HA! There it is!”

They followed her to a narrow stream veering off the river’s path, leading toward a cave carved by the current.

“Toadsworth always dismissed the weird stuff in the river—he used to throw it all out. But when I was a kid, I’d collect anything that floated downstream. As I got older, I stopped collecting these items and paid no attention to them when they surfaced…”

Peach stared into the cave’s mouth. “…But now, I think it’s all connected. I think this river is connected to Mario’s world.”

They all stood at the cave’s edge, the soft echo of rushing water reverberating off the damp stone walls.

“Are you sure this leads to his world?” Daisy asked skeptically.

As if the universe had chosen to answer for Peach, a soggy pizza box drifted lazily out of the darkness and floated past them.

Mario’s eyes lit up. “YAHOO—It does!”

“What—what is it?” Daisy asked, leaning in.

Mario plucked the box from the water and turned it over. Stamped on the lid in faded red ink was a cartoon drawing of a winking, mustachioed man flashing an ‘OK’ hand sign. Beside him was a picture of a pepperoni pizza, and below it read: Pizza Wagon – Brooklyn, NY.

“I know-a this place! It’s-a right near my home in Brooklyn!” Mario beamed.

“Then that settles it,” Peach said firmly. “We can’t let them get too far ahead of us.”

Mario and Daisy nodded, and the three stepped into the cave. Mario reached into his pocket and pulled out a fire flower. A brief flash of light surrounded him as he transformed, conjuring a small fireball that hovered near his hand, casting a soft orange glow in the darkness.

The princesses gathered their skirts, trying to keep them from the damp floor, but it was no use. The ground quickly turned from stone to mud to waterlogged soil. As they moved deeper, the river’s banks vanished entirely, the path blurring into a steadily rising stream.

The walls of the cave began to close in, forcing them to walk in a tight, single-file line. Soon the water reached their knees. Sloshing sounds echoed around them as their steps stirred the riverbed.

Mario’s thoughts raced. How could I be so stupid? Even if this is the portal… this whole cave could be a trap. I’ve got no clue how far it goes, how deep it gets, or how tight it might become. I dragged the princesses into this without even knowing what’s ahead.

As if answering his dread, the water continued to rise—sloshing into his shoes, soaking his overalls, while the princesses’ dresses billowed out and floated behind them. Then, suddenly, they reached a solid stone wall.

“Dead end?” Daisy asked, frustration creeping into her voice.

Peach stepped forward and pressed her hands against the rock. She slowly felt along the submerged surface until her fingers brushed something—a gap, low in the wall, just beneath the waterline.

“There’s an opening,” she said. “The current’s still flowing through it. There might be another side.”

“But how thick is this wall?” Daisy asked, glancing at Mario.

Mario held up the glowing fireball, staring at it in thought. Then it hit him—one of the fireball’s magical properties: it worked underwater.

“I gotta idea,” he said.

Before either princess could stop him, Mario took a deep breath and dove beneath the surface.

Underwater, he fumbled through the cloudy current until he felt the narrow opening in the stone. Once he found it, he fired a small fireball through the gap. The glowing orb zipped through the opening and bounced off the interior walls of a tunnel. To Mario’s relief, the water was just clear enough—and the fireball bright enough—for him to glimpse the tunnel ahead. He watched the glowing orb travel several feet before vanishing around a bend.

He kicked toward the surface and broke through with a gasp. “I saw it!” he said, catching his breath. “There’s-a tunnel through the wall—it’s-a not that thick! I can—”

“We can swim to the other side. Together,” Peach cut in firmly.

“Princess, this could-a get very dangerous. You two should-a head back,” Mario pleaded. “You-a both have kingdoms—people who depend on you.”

“That’s exactly why we have to go.” Peach’s voice was steady. She had seen Mario’s scars, witnessed how much he sacrificed for her. Now it was her turn. “We’re here for the people we love. Vashella has to be stopped, and you can’t do it alone. We’re not going home until we’re sure she can never hurt anyone again.”

Mario had no argument for that. He turned to Daisy.

“Hey, don’t look at me. Y’all ain’t leaving me behind again,” she said, brushing wet hair from her eyes. “Just... don’t let me get knocked out in the first round, okay?”

Mario nodded. “Okie dokie.”

They each took a deep breath and dove under. The tunnel was tight—only wide enough for them to swim in single file. Mario led the way, fireballs lighting the submerged passage, though the princesses behind him could barely see it. The swim felt endless. Their lungs ached, the pressure above them oppressive. Waterlogged clothes tugged at their limbs with every kick.

Just when it felt hopeless, Mario reached the far wall—and the opening. He grabbed Peach’s hand, who reached for Daisy’s, and with one final burst of energy, they shot forward and out from under the wall.

Then came the frantic swim upward.

Lights shimmered above—dim, but real. The water here was deeper, like the far side of a dam. They kicked hard, lungs screaming, arms aching—

GASP.

They burst from the surface, gasping, soaked, but alive. For a moment, they just floated, catching their breath.

“There!” Mario pointed to a rusted ladder leading to a catwalk. “This-a way!”

They swam over and climbed up, collapsing onto the metal walkway. The princesses’ dresses were soaked and muddy, their bright pink and yellow now dull and grayish. Mario’s fire-form white and red outfit was stained a murky brown. Daisy wrung out her skirt with a sigh.

“Where are we?” Peach asked, eyeing the industrial surroundings.

Mario looked around. Pipes, concrete, rusted beams—it all clicked. His days working demolition for Spike, his plumbing contracts with the city, trade school lessons on sewage infrastructure. It hit him like a bolt.

“I think… we’re in a flushing tunnel. Part of the Gowanus Canal CSO.”

“The what now?” Daisy muttered, squeezing water from her hair.

“It’s part of Brooklyn’s storm drain system,” Mario explained. “C’mon—this way!”

They got to their feet and followed him down a rusted door, which opened to a ladder. From there: a platform, then narrow stairs, then another ladder, and finally a tight service corridor. As they moved, the walls began to show signs of graffiti—Mario smiled. They were getting close.

One final ladder led to a manhole. Mario climbed first, pushing it open. Light spilled into the tunnel—early morning sunlight.

He stepped up and turned to help the others out. They emerged into an alley in the industrial heart of Gowanus, Brooklyn. Smoke curled from distant chimneys, pigeons cooed nearby, and the air smelled like hot concrete and city rain.

“So…” Peach looked around. “Are we in the human world?”

Mario took a slow look at the skyline, at the familiar world waking up around him. His eyes sparkled.

“Yes,” he said with a wide grin. “Yes, we are.”

Notes:

Head cannon: It should be obvious but just in case it isn't. Unlike this movie, The Mario bros have not been back to New York in this AU. Additionally, all humans in the Mushroom Kingdom come from or are descendant of people from the human world. Their are many portals, passages, and areas that link the two worlds together, but they are mostly unknown.

Chapter 27: Now What?

Summary:

The boys are back home, and with a few extra guest. Now it's time to plan and prepare. Vashella is somewhere in New York and still has Bowser Jr. and its up to Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Daisy to rescue him.

 

“Huh… gold tester says it’s real,” the pawn shop owner muttered, squinting at the three gleaming coins in his hand. He turned them over, examining their weight, their shine, their strange lack of any identifiable markings. “But these machines can be finicky. I’ll give you… six hundred bucks for the set.”

He glanced up at Mario—still dripping, still smelling like the inside of a storm drain, and looking wildly out of place in his red overalls. “So what are these, some kinda collector’s item or something?”

“Eh… sorta?” Mario gave a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his neck. “Heh heh…”

The owner’s eyes narrowed. “They’re not stolen, are they? ‘Cause if they are—”

“No! No, no, no—they’re-a just… from my… grandmama?” Mario winced. Even he didn’t sound convinced.

“Your grandma gave you gold coins?” the owner asked, deadpan.

Mario nodded a little too quickly.

“Right. And I assume these heirlooms from your grandmama”—”

“Great grandmama,” Mario added without thinking.

The shop owner paused, unamused.

“—have absolutely nothing to do with the two girls in muddy ballgowns poking around my vinyl collection and totally not listening in?”

Across the room, Peach and Daisy froze mid-browse, suddenly acting very interested in an old ABBA record.

The shopkeeper exhaled through his nose. It was way too early in the morning for this kind of weird.

“So?” he said at last. “You wanna pawn ’em or sell ’em?”

Cash in hand, the three burst out onto the Brooklyn sidewalk. Their clothes were soaked, heavy, and reeking of canal water. They’d been walking for what felt like hours. At first, the quiet, early streets made the trip bearable—even if uncomfortable—but as New Yorkers started waking up, the glares and crinkled noses from passersby reminded them just how bad they smelled.

They needed dry clothes. Fast.

But for Mario, there was another problem: what was he going to say to his parents? It had been over two years since he last spoke to them—and now here he was, about to show up unannounced with two princesses from another world. How could he explain that? Tell the truth, and they’d think he lost his mind. Lie? Mario couldn’t lie to save his life—especially not to his mother. Still, whether he was ready or not, they were almost there. And their time was running out. They needed help, supplies, and most of all, answers.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood, Luigi trudged up to the apartment complex their parents still called home. It was around 7:00 AM—he’d been walking for nearly two hours. He figured his mom would already be up, making breakfast for his dad and grandpa. Maybe Uncle Tony and Uncle Arthur would swing by, like they always used to.

At least, that’s how it used to be. It’s been so long… who knows what’s changed.

“What’re we stoppin’ for?” came a grumble from beneath his cap.

“Oh—nothin’. Just-a catchin’ my breath.” Luigi exhaled slowly, removing his hat and carefully lifting out a small, scowling Bowser.

“Now-a look. You gotta do me a favor, okay? You-a see… turtles? They-a don’t talk.”

“What the heck is a turtle?” Bowser snapped.

“They’re like Koopas… but they don’t walk on two legs, they don’t breathe fire, and they definitely don’t talk.”

Bowser narrowed his eyes. “And?”

“I’mma need you to-a… act like a normal turtle,” Luigi winced.

“WHAT?! You want me—the KING OF THE KOOPAS—to crawl on all fours and act like some pet?!”

“Just-a for a little bit! Maybe an hour or two—just-a long enough for-a me to get a few things together.”

Bowser growled low and long, but finally grumbled, “Fine. But only because I don’t want Vashella’s goons finding me before we get Junior.”

“Grazie, grazie!” Luigi beamed, holding Bowser close. As long as he didn’t do anything too human, maybe he could pass as an exotic turtle. Hopefully.

Luigi reached the building entrance, punched in the old gate code, and stepped inside. Their apartment was on the sixth floor, fourth door on the right. It was quiet—most folks were still asleep or had already gone to work. As they approached the door, the familiar aroma of garlic, eggs, and coffee hit his nose. He smiled. Mama’s cooking. He gently knocked.

“Authur, I swear-a to the big guy upstairs, if you—”

“Uh… hi-a Mama.”

“OH! THERE’S MY BOY!” Mama Mario shrieked, yanking Luigi into a tight hug. “Two years and you can’t-a call your poor mother?!”

“Sorry, Ma…”

“Oh hush. Come in, come in! You-a must be starving.”

She ushered him inside. The apartment looked exactly the same—right down to the crocheted doilies and chipped espresso mugs. But something felt… off. Mama Mario wasn’t sobbing. Wasn’t even overly excited. Luigi had expected more from a woman who hadn’t seen her son in two years. Instead, she moved calmly to the kitchen. Then Luigi saw it. Hanging on the dining room wall was a photo—a new one. Of him and Mario. Standing in front of Peach’s castle. He scanned the room and found more: Mario fishing in Peach’s moat. Luigi planting tomatoes in their cottage garden. The four of them shopping at Coconut Mall. How did they get these?

“Breakfast is ready!” Mama Mario sang, setting down a plate of frittata, a cornetto, and a steaming cup of black coffee.

Papa Mario walked in, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “I thought I-a heard my boy in here.” He wasn’t crying either.

“Where’s your brother?” he asked casually.

“Oh, uh… Mario?” Luigi stammered. He hadn’t thought about what excuse he would give. “He, uh… still working. Yep. Working hard.”

“This early in the-a morning? That-a boy doesn’t know when to quit.” His father commented as he grabbed the newspaper. 

As if on cue, Uncle Authur and Uncle Tony walk through the door. “Hey Mia! I’m going to need that—“ Tony stops in his tracks when he sees Luigi at the table. “Holy cannoli do my eyes deceive me? Mr. Big shot over here finally came back to grace us with your presence.” Tony puts Luigi in a head lock and tussles his hat, causing Bowser to fall out onto the table. 

“What the hell is that?!” Uncle Authur shouted. 

“Oh, it’s-it’s-it’s a turtle heh heh. Just a turtle.” 

Bowser rolled over and proceeded to freeze, not sure what to do as a ‘turtle.’  

“What’s with all the spikes and… is that hair?” Authur poked at Bowser. 

“He’s… he’s an exotic breed. Yes, very rare, you know?” Luigi tried to bluff. 

“Hey no-a pets on the table!” Luigi’s mom shouted as she re-emerged from the kitchen, plates and coffee in hand.  

“Oh Scusi.” Luigi grabbed Bowser and placed him on his lap. 

Tony grabbed the seat right next to Luigi as his mother gave both uncles their plates. “So what got you back in Brooklyn? Needed a reminder of your humble beginnings eh? Still dressing like a shlub I see, with the overalls and the goofy hat. I see working for literal royalty didn’t give you too big of a head.”

“Wha…?” Luigi was completely confused as to what uncle Tony could be talking about. 

Just as the family was settling in for breakfast, outside, Mario and the princesses finally arrived at the apartment building. After a quick stop at a secondhand store, the three of them looked surprisingly average among the early morning Brooklyn crowd. 

Mario, still in his usual overalls, carried a bulky backpack stuffed with the princesses’ royal dresses. Daisy had found a teal tracksuit and some almost-matching sneakers. Peach wore a faded Milli Vanilli sweatshirt, dusty pink leggings, and a pair of scuffed tennis shoes that looked like they’d survived a few too many gym classes.

The clothes weren’t glamorous, but they smelled better than what they’d been wearing—and more importantly, they didn’t scream “royalty from another dimension.”

Before typing in the door code, Mario paused and turned to the princesses. “Alright, before we-a go in, we gotta get our story straight. My-a family’s not-a gonna believe a word about the Mushroom Kingdom, magic stars, or-a giant talking turtles. But they’re-a gonna ask questions, lots of questions. So—”

“Cover story, got it. Just follow my lead,” Daisy cut in smoothly.

Mario and Peach blinked at her.

“What? I was raised by four kings. You think I never snuck out of the palace? I got really good at covering my royal butt with a few well-placed white lies.”

Mario hesitated, then nodded. “Okay… just-a don’t go too crazy.”

They entered the apartment building and headed up the stairs. Familiar voices echoed from behind the door. Mario knocked gently.

“I’ll get it!” came Luigi’s voice from inside. The door cracked open. “Mar—” Luigi stopped himself just in time and whispered, “Mario! What are you doing here?”

“ME? What are-a YOU doing here? And-a where is Bowser?” Mario asked, eyeing his brother suspiciously.

“Who’s at the door?” Uncle Arthur called from the kitchen.

“Just a second!” Luigi called back, then lowered his voice. “Look, I’ll explain everything later. Right now… things are, uh… complicated.”

Mario stepped inside anyway, eyes scanning the apartment. “Complica—MAMMA MIA! WHAT IS THAT-A DOING HERE?!”

He was staring at a photo on the wall—a picture of him and Luigi, standing on the grand balcony of Peach’s castle.

“I don’t-a know!” Luigi said, panicked. “When I-a got here, all these-a pictures were already up!”

Before either brother could process the next question, Mama Mario bustled in from the kitchen. “OH! Finalmente! There you are!” she called to Mario. “You finally get off work to visit your poor moth—oh?”

She paused, noticing Peach and Daisy behind him.

“And who are these bella ragazze, eh? You should’ve told me you were bringing guests! Non mi sono nemmeno truccata né fatta niente! ( I didn’t even put on makeup or do anything!”) . 

Mama Mario pulled her son into a hug—but immediately recoiled, her nose wrinkling at the smell wafting off of him. Her eyes darted to the princesses and widened. They smelled just as bad.

“Oh Mario, mamma mia… puzzi da morire!” she exclaimed, fanning the air.

“That’s the-a smell of a hard day’s work,” Papa Mario called from the kitchen table without looking up.

Mama Mario didn’t let go, just pulled Mario closer with narrowed eyes. “Mario, non mi dire che hai fatto lavorare queste belle signorine nelle fogne con te?” (Mario, don’t tell me you made these pretty ladies work in the sewers with you?)

“Ma no, no! It-a wasn’t like that!” Mario stammered, throwing a helpless glance at Peach and Daisy.

Daisy stepped in smoothly, her tone confident. “It was our idea, really. We just wanted to see what Mario does in the city. One thing led to another and we, uh… fell into one of those…those…”

“MANHOLES!” Mario finished quickly. “Yes, they-a fell in a manhole and I was helping-a them out! Heh.”

Mama Mario raised an eyebrow but let it slide. “Dopo un disastro del genere, avete proprio bisogno di una doccia calda.” (After a mess like that, you really need a hot shower.) She turned briskly toward the hallway. “You two can-a use the bathroom in the master bedroom. You and Luigi, Mario, use the one next to your old room.”

Before they could protest, she snatched the backpack off Mario’s shoulders and plucked the crowns from the princesses’ heads. “Vado a mettere questi in lavanderia,” she said as she marched off. (I’ll put these in the laundry.)

Mario and Peach ended up showering first, leaving Daisy and Luigi to field questions from the family. To their surprise, there weren’t many. When they swapped places, Mario and Peach faced the notoriously nosey uncles… and again, nothing. The family seemed content just having everyone home.

Luigi stepped into the shared hall bathroom and looked around. Everything was just as they’d left it. Clean tiles, same soap, the worn blue towel with his name stitched in the corner. It was like time had frozen in the Mario household, just waiting for them to return.

“Hmph. How long do we gotta be here?” came a grumble from the shower caddy.

Luigi jumped. “Mamma mia, I almost-a forgot you were here.”

Bowser, tucked awkwardly between shampoo bottles, crossed his arms.  “Well don’t. I’ve got my own family reunion to get to—with my son, in case you forgot.”

“Not-a too long. We just gotta think of our next move—and grab a few things.”

“Like what?”

“Well… money, for one. If everything’s still-a the same, I got a piggy bank in my room.” Luigi turned on the water and stepped under the stream.

“Hm. What else?” Bowser asked, his shell clunking as he took it off to clean.

“Some-a clothes. Tools. Maybe a car. We can’t go after Vashella from here, and I don’t-a want my folks involved. So me and Mario—we got a work van. We can-a stay there.”

Bowser groaned. “Surely it won’t take that long that we’d need to camp out in a van.”

“Well… just in case.”

As Luigi lathered his hair, he noticed Bowser struggling to get a proper rinse in the shower caddy. He watched as the miniature koopa reached precariously over the edge of the caddy, trying to scoop up any amount of water in his hands; the water, barely splashing in his direction. With a sigh, Luigi reached over and placed him on his head.

“If you-a needed help, you could’ve just asked.”

“Hmph. I’m the Koopa King. I don’t ask for help,” Bowser muttered. “If anyone needs help, it’s you. You barely got any shampoo on your scalp. You missed this whole section back here—you’re worse than Junior.”

“What do you-a mean—?”

“Give me that shampoo.”

Luigi obediently squeezed a dollop of light blue shampoo onto his head. Bowser’s claws, surprisingly gentle, began massaging it through Luigi’s hair with expert precision. His nails scraped in just the right way, sending tingles down Luigi’s spine. It was the best scalp massage Luigi had ever received. And somehow, as he washed Luigi’s hair, Bowser managed to rinse himself clean too.

“Alright. Rinse.”

Luigi ducked under the hot water, letting the suds slide down his face—and over Bowser. His hair felt lighter, cleaner, almost new.

“Grazie, Bowser,” Luigi said as he lifted him down.

“It’s nothing. Don’t mention it,” Bowser scoffed, a little embarrassed by the gratitude. “Now get dressed. We’re burning ‘rescue my son’ time here.”

As Luigi stepped into their old bedroom—one towel wrapped around his waist and another around his hair—he found Mario already dressed.

“Whoa, I haven’t seen those overalls in forever,” Luigi remarked, eyeing his brother.

Indeed, they weren’t Mario’s usual bright blue bibs. These were the old work overalls from when they’d first started out on their own—faded red, paired with a worn light blue shirt.

“They’re the only ones I could find,” Mario replied, gesturing to the bed. “Yours are over there.”

Luigi glanced at his own set—faded light green overalls and the same light blue shirt. He set Bowser gently on the bed and started rifling through the dresser drawers for a pair of underwear.

Mario cast a side glance toward Bowser before narrowing his eyes slightly. “So… he was just in the shower with you this whole time?”

“Well… yeah,” Luigi said, not catching Mario’s tone. “I couldn’t just-a leave him with Ma.”

Mario gave Bowser one last look—who was busy examining the ceiling fan—then muttered, “I guess…” and walked out of the room.

Bowser’s small voice broke the silence. “This room… it’s not what I expected.”

“What’d you think it was-a gonna be?”

“Well, for one, I didn’t expect you to still be sharing a room with your brother.” He looked around again. “And all this stuff on the walls… how do you sleep with it all staring at you?”

Luigi looked around, his eyes landing on Mario’s half of the room: sports posters, little league team photos, old jerseys, a couple trophies, and a desk cluttered with textbooks and pipes. Then his gaze shifted to his own side—neatly organized shelves of fantasy books, movie posters, figurines, and various trinkets. A visitor might’ve guessed two teenage boys lived there—not grown men. Especially compared to Bowser’s castle, where everything screamed intimidation and ego.

“Well… I like it,” Luigi said, a bit defensively.

“Hmph,” Bowser snorted. “Well… get dressed already.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Luigi paused, tugging at the towel around his waist. “Uh… can-a you… turn around?”

“What?”

“Can-a you turn around?” Luigi repeated, a little sheepishly.

“I’ve seen your back before.”

“Yeah, but that-a was in the shower. There was a lot of steam. And you’re… eye-level with my hips now.”

“Ugh, fine. Make it quick.”

“Okie dokie.” The moment Bowser turned, Luigi slipped on his underwear, quickly threw on his shirt, then stepped into his overalls. Before Bowser could look back, Luigi scooped him up and set him gently on his shoulder.

By the time all four of them had showered, it was around nine o’clock. One by one, they filtered back into the kitchen, freshly dressed and hair still damp. In the living room, Uncle Tony and Uncle Arthur were gathering their things, getting ready to head out for work.

“Hey! Youz finally emerged from the throne room, your royal highnesses,” Uncle Tony teased as Mario and Luigi stepped into the living room. “Just in time to watch us head out.”

“Where are you-a going?” Luigi asked.

“Work,” Uncle Arthur replied, adjusting his jacket. “Some of us still got nine-to-fives to get to.”

“Yeah, maybe if we disappear for two years, we’ll come back with princesses too,” Uncle Tony chuckled, clearly proud of himself.

“I’m right behind ya,” Papa Mario said, stepping out of the kitchen with a brown paper lunch bag in hand.

Mario blinked. “Dad… you’re-a working again?”

Papa Mario waved him off. “Eh, retirement was for the birds.” He glanced at Mario, his tone turning pointed. “Hai intenzione di essere qui quando torno, o sparirai di nuovo con i tuoi amici ricchi laggiù? (You plan on being here when I get back, or are you going to disappear again with your rich friends over there?)”

Mario hesitated, shrugging helplessly. “I… don’t-a know.”

Papa Mario sighed and shook his head. “At least say goodbye to your mother this time, eh? And call once in a while. Don’t act like you’re too good to pick up the phone.” With that, he followed his brothers out the door.

“What did he mean by that?” Mario muttered under his breath.

Just then, Mama Mario returned from the laundry room, carrying the princesses’ dresses—freshly laundered and neatly pressed. Without a word, she hung them over the slightly cracked bedroom door and quietly slipped back into the kitchen.

She’d always been like this—constantly moving, constantly doing something. A homemaker through and through, her presence filled the house more than any voice ever could.

Mario scanned the living room again. The walls were lined with old family photos, but mixed in were new ones—pictures from the Mushroom Kingdom. Except… something wasn’t right.

None of the photos included toads. Or goombas. Or anything fantastical. No floating bricks. No Yoshis. No signs of magic or madness—just Mario, Luigi, and the princesses against very ordinary-looking backdrops.

One photo caught Mario’s eye. He remembered this one clearly—it was taken in Shiveria, right after the Bounce Ball Grand Prix. In the original, the background had been full of cheering Shiverians and colorful signage. But now, the image was cropped so tightly that only Mario, Luigi, and Peach were visible. No one else.

His curiosity piqued, Mario carefully took the frame off the wall and slid the photo out. The edges were worn—folded, frayed, and ripped in places, like it had been cut down and refit.

Then—YOW! A sharp pain on his ear.

“OWOWOWOWOW!”

“Don’t go-a messing up my photos!” Mama Mario scolded, tugging him by the earlobe like he was still a little boy.

“Sorry! Sorry!” he yelped.

“Now come to the-a table. Your-a breakfast is getting cold.”

All four of them sat down as their grandfather was wheeled to the table. Frail and lost in his own world, Mama Mario fed him gently between bites of her own food.

“Did you-a ladies get enough to eat?” she asked kindly.

“Oh yes, thank you so much,” Peach replied.

“Good, good. I know it’s-a no fancy food to what you are-a used to.”

“Oh no, it’s wonderful. You’re an amazing cook.”

“Oh, grazie,” Mama Mario smiled warmly.

There was no doubt now—she knew something. Maybe not everything, but something about where they’d been. The question was… how much?

Mario glanced back at the wall before finally asking, “Hey Ma… where did-a you get those pictures?”

“Oh, Wario and Waluigi dropped them off,” Mama Mario said casually, as if she were mentioning the weather.

Mario and Luigi both nearly choked on their coffee.

“WARIO?!” Mario barked, almost falling out of his chair.

“Yeah, they-a come by every few days to bring us updates on you two,” she explained with a wave of her hand, “since someone can’t-a be bothered to call.”

Luigi squinted at the pictures, a nagging suspicion tickling the back of his mind. Then it hit him: the photo album. Over a year ago, he’d kept a scrapbook filled with pictures and newspaper clippings of their adventures… and one day, it vanished. He’d assumed he misplaced it and hadn’t given it a second thought. Now, however, the truth clicked into place like a puzzle.

Mario, voice tight, asked, “What… what did-a they say we were doing?”

Mama Mario thought for a moment.

“They said you-a two landed a big contract, working as the ‘royal plumbers’ for the Princess… or Duchess of Morocco. Some-a top-secret thing — they said you-a had to sign an… NDNA? Whatever it’s called. And-a that you were-a given a nice house in the countryside near the castle to-a stay close for emergencies.” She smiled proudly, as if they had won the plumbing lottery.

Mario and Luigi sat there, stunned.

On one hand, Wario and Waluigi had given their parents a convenient — if ridiculous — cover story, sparing them a lot of worry. On the other hand, they’d made multiple trips back to the human world without so much as a whisper to Mario and Luigi that it was even possible.

Why? Why would those two help Mario and Luigi with placating their parents but not help them get home?

Sure, they all grew up in the same neighborhood, but “friendly” wasn’t exactly the word anyone would use. Wario’s mom had lived in the same apartment complex — loud, jealous of the Marios, and so unbearable that everyone avoided her, despite her pushing her son Wario and Mario’s family. Mama Mario tried to see the good in Wario's mother but still kept her distance and tried to keep thing cordial. 

Waluigi, for his part, came from money and only slummed it downtown to hang out with Wario. They had no reason to be visiting Mario’s parents out of the kindness of their hearts.

Mama Mario clapped her hands together, oblivious to the storm brewing behind Mario’s eyes.

“I’m-a just so glad you could finally put the past behind you and become friends with those two. It was-a so nice of you to lend them your work van.”

Mario froze, the color draining from his face.

The van.

Their pride and joy. The one they had scraped and saved years for, restoring it piece by piece. Mario wasn’t exactly neat when it came to his bedroom, but when it came to that van? It was spotless, sacred.

The idea of Wario — a walking disaster of crumbs, stains, and questionable smells — anywhere near that van made Mario’s blood boil so fast he nearly burst into flames. Any warm feelings he had left evaporated instantly. A small flame began to form in his hand but he snuffed it out, trying to contain his rage. 

Suddenly, from out the window, a familiar sound could be heard. The rumble, the kickback, the squeaky brakes; it was the van. “Speak to the devil, Wario must be-a here. When they’re in-a town they-a usually stop by for-a breakfast too. Let-a me grab their plates.”

Mario rushed to the window that faced the street. There it was, his yellow work can, double parked in a handicapped parking spot, the Mario Bros Plumbing logo emblazoned on the side. But even from their floor, he could tell that horrible things have happened to it; new dents and scratches on the paint job, fast food wrappers all over the dashboard, and even worse, the M in Mario was covered up by a crude spray painted W. 

The familiar obnoxious laughing could be heard coming up the apartment stairs. Then, without even as much as a knock, the front door swung wildly open. 

“Hey Mia, got our-a food ready for us?” Wario shouted, obviously to the four in at the dining table. “We got a job with that super rich wo-wo-wo-woah—“ the short yellow clad plumber stopped dead in his tracks as his gaze finally met four furious pairs of eyes. 

“What’s the big idea leaving me to-a carry all of Mario’s cra-AAAAHHH!” Waluigi shrieked see Mario and Luigi standing in front of him. 

“There you two are. Here sit, eat.” Mama Mario reappeared with plates of food for the two in hand. But in addition to the food, she also had her purse with her and began wheeling their grandfather out the door. “Alright, you all enjoy the-a breakfast. I got to take grandpa Mario to his-a doctors appointment.”

Mario and Luigi briefly tore their scowling eyes away from Wario and Waluigi to help their mother gather her things by the door.

Before stepping out, Mama Mario turned to her sons.

“Sarete a casa per cena, voi due?”

(“Will you two be here for dinner?”)

Mario hesitated. They hadn’t planned to stay long — especially with Bowser in tow — but one look at their mother’s hopeful face told him how much she missed them.

“Eh… um…”

Before he could answer, she pulled both of them into a hug.

“Va bene, ho capito. È tutto a posto. Avete delle persone molto importanti da proteggere, sì?”

(“It’s fine. I get it. You have some very important people to take care of, yes?”)

She looked at them both, eyes misty but smiling.

“Prendetevi cura di voi stessi, d’accordo? E prendetevi cura anche di quei due.”

(“Take care of yourselves, okay? And take care of those two.”)

Her gaze shifted over their shoulders to Peach and Bowser.

“Lei è proprio una ragazza in gamba, Mario. Così gentile, così dolce. Assicuratevi di trattarle bene, entrambi.”

(“She’s quite the catch, Mario. So kind, so sweet. Make sure they’re treated right — both of you.”)

She hugged them again, tighter this time. “Vi voglio bene, ragazzi miei.” (“I love you both, my boys.”)

“Ti voglio bene anch’io, Ma.” (“I love you too, Ma.”) Mario replied.

“Anch’io.” (“Me too.”) Luigi added softly.

She turned back to their grandfather. “Make sure you-a call, okay? I don’t-a just want pictures.” The room fell silent after Mama Mario shut the door. 

“Welp, we-a best be-a going. Gotta couple of jobs to-a finish you know,” Wario finally said, breaking the tense silence. “Let me just-a—”

“Oh no you don’t!” Daisy said firmly, both she and Peach grabbing the two by the shoulders and holding them in place at the table.

“Heh heh… you probably wondering how we-a got here and stuff…” Waluigi said with a sheepish grin.

“Among other things,” Peach barked back.

“Would you-a believe… dumb luck?” Wario added, trying to sound innocent.

Like a bomb going off, all four of them erupted at once, their anger boiling over.

Daisy: “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU TWO COWARDS JUST RAN OFF WHEN VASHELLA ATTACKED! YOU SPINELESS PIECES OF YOSHI SH*T!”

Peach: “How could you be so heartless? Taking advantage of Mario and Luigi’s mother, and hiding the fact you knew how to get back to their world?! This is a new low — even for you two!”

Luigi: “You two are no good! You lie to my mama, eat her food, steal my photo album, and tear up my pictures! And you’re still lying to her! She is-a the nicest lady ever, and you two are-a just awful!”

Mario: “VOI DUE SAPEVATE COME TORNARE A BROOKLYN E NON CI AVETE DETTO UN CAZZO?! SAPEVATE QUANTO VOLEVAMO TORNARE A CASA! LO SAPEVATE E NON CI AVETE DETTO UNA STRAMALDETTA PAROLA! SIETE SPAZZATURA! E IN PIÙ MI PRENDETE IL FURGONE?! COSA DIAVOLO GLI AVETE FATTO?! PERCHÉ È PIENO DI GRAFFI?! PERCHÉ CAZZO C’È DELLO SPRAY SOPRA IL LOGO?! COME OSATE ENTRARE IN QUESTA CASA, MANGIARE IL CIBO DI MIA MADRE, USARE IL MIO FURGONE COME SE FOSSE IL VOSTRO?!”

(“YOU TWO KNEW HOW TO GET BACK TO BROOKLYN AND YOU DIDN’T TELL US?! YOU KNEW HOW MUCH WE WANTED TO COME HOME! YOU KNEW AND YOU STILL DIDN’T TELL US! YOU ARE GARBAGE! AND ON TOP OF THAT YOU TOOK MY WORK VAN?! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO IT?! WHY IS IT COVERED IN SCRATCHES?! WHY THE F**K IS THERE SPRAY PAINT OVER THE LOGO?! HOW DARE YOU WALK INTO THIS HOUSE, EAT MY MOTHER’S COOKING, AND USE MY VAN LIKE IT’S YOURS?!”)

Bowser, annoyed with the bickering, jumped down off Luigi’s shoulder onto the table. With two fingers, he whistled, bringing the yelling to a halt.

“Now that I’ve got your attention, can we start looking for my son? You know—the whole reason we’re here in the first place?” Bowser asked.

Peach took a deep breath. “You’re right. We’ll address the lies and deception with you two later.”

“Oh good, then we oughta get—”

Daisy promptly shoved them back into their seats. “We said we’d deal with your lying later. But we’re not done with you yet.”

“Exactly,” Bowser growled. “You need to tell us where you’ve seen Vashella, since you two have clearly been back here for—”

He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed it: a shiny gold ring on Wario’s wrist, worn like a bracelet. But not just any ring—it bore the insignia of the old Koopa kings. The longer Bowser stared, the more pieces he noticed. A necklace. A pendant. Several more rings on both Wario and Waluigi—all unmistakably stolen from the underground mausoleum he and Luigi passed through on their way to the River of Enchanted Gifts.

“Where… did you get… that jewelry?” Bowser’s voice turned menacing.

His words made everyone lean in, inspecting the pair more closely.

“Um… we… found them?” Wario replied meekly.

“The only place you could have found it is in…” Bowser’s expression darkened as realization hit. “The lava pit.”

“What?” Waluigi blinked.

“Lava pit.”

“Heh, I-a didn’t find these in a lava pit, I just-a—”

“No. I’m throwing you two into the lava pit.”

“WHAT?!” Wario shrieked.

“When I rescue my son and defeat Vashella, you two thieves are going straight to the LAVA PIT!” Bowser roared, small flames bursting from his mouth.

“Let’s-a be reasonable,” Waluigi pleaded nervously.

“THIS IS ME BEING REASONABLE!” Bowser bellowed.

“Heh… good thing he’s still small,” Wario muttered under his breath to Waluigi.

“Just-a say the word, and he can be a seven-foot terror again,” Luigi said, holding up a fly swatter, ready to undo the Mini Mushroom’s effect.

“DO IT!” Daisy encouraged eagerly.

“Daisy, Luigi, no!” Peach interrupted. “Bowser, you’re right. We need to find Bowser Junior first and get back to our home before anyone enacts any kind of punishment on Wario and Waluigi.”

Her voice, calm but firm, finally brought a moment of peace to the chaos.

“You two are going to help us find Vashella. It’s the least you can do,” Peach demanded.

“Uh-uh, no way, man. I’m-a not risking my neck for-a some brat,” Wario replied crudely.

“I don’t recall you having a choice,” Bowser reminded them.

“Well… what do we get out of-a this?” Wario asked, clearly trying to strike a deal.

“Your deaths will be quick and painless. How does that sound?” Bowser growled.

“Err… I don’t-a like the… um… death part of that-a deal,” Wario stammered.

“TOO BAD!” Bowser barked.

“ENOUGH!” Peach snapped. “We can work out the details later. Right now, you two need to tell us where Vashella is. You’ve been here long enough since she fled—surely you’ve heard or seen something.”

Wario and Waluigi looked at each other and shrugged. “We haven’t seen her.”

“But surely you’ve heard something?” Peach pressed.

“Look, toots, New York… she’s a big place. And if it don’t make us money, we don’t-a typically go-a looking for it,” Wario said flatly.

“Maybe… if we knew her habits, her personality, we could figure out where she might be hiding,” Peach said thoughtfully, then turned to Bowser. “What about you? You knew her, right? Where would she go after being defeated?”

“Well, I’ve never seen her defeated—except when she was arrested and banished,” Bowser muttered, thinking. He paused, recalling his brief marriage to Vashella. “But I do know her personality. If there are two things she is, it’s manipulative and self-centered. Anyone around her is just a tool to be used. She’s got a knack for getting folks to do her bidding. Luckily, her selfishness is also her weakness. Most likely, she’s trying to build an army—but first, she’ll need money. It’s always been her go-to strategy: throw money at people to win them over, even when she was poor.”

“What do you mean?” Peach asked, intrigued by that last part.

“When I first met Vashella, she lied about her background. She convinced the entire Koopa court that she was of noble blood—something about a lost clan of giant Koopas. It was all a lie. Her family were farmers on the outskirts of the Darklands. But you wouldn’t know it—she carried herself like she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She charmed the nobles and treated everyone else like dirt. It should have gotten her arrested, but instead, it impressed my father. Our marriage was arranged. And once she had the title, she got worse. She was downright cruel to the castle staff, but always tried to sweet-talk me. Any time I confronted her, she’d turn that charm on me—and even on Kamek. She’s definitely doing the same thing now.”

“But how?” Daisy asked. “It’s not like we’ve seen any giant Koopas around here. And from what Mario and Luigi told us, I don’t think the people in this world would be too keen on listening to one either.”

“Though not as skilled as Kamek, Vashella is still quite the sorceress,” Bowser said. “Some kind of human disguise would be easy for her.”

“Hmmm… well, I guess we have no choice but to start looking for her,” Peach sighed, glancing out the window. “But this place is so big… I don’t even know where to start.”

“Heh, that’s easy,” Bowser scoffed. “Find where the richest humans live—she’ll most likely be there. Nobles, elites, anyone with money—that’s who she targets first. She’s spoiled rotten, so she’s probably holed up in some fancy castle or mansion.”

“But… New York doesn’t have castles… I don’t-a think,” Luigi chimed in.

“But we-a can start looking in the Upper East Side,” Mario added. “Lots of-a rich people there.” 

“Alright, then we start there. Mario will guide us, but it will take all of us to find Vashella.” Peach said with renewed vigor. 

“I can’t. I gotta gig tonight.” Waluigi said while looking at his phone. 

“Your ‘plumbing’ scam can wait.” Daisy rebuttal. 

“First off, rude! Second, this ain’t-a no plumbing job. I’m walking in a fashion show.”

The whole room gave the two a sceptical and annoyed look. 

“What it’s-a true!” Wario surprisingly came to his defense. “His-a lanky arms, freakishly long legs, and-a weird face is what those-a high fashion types like.”

“HEY!” Waluigi shouted, more offended by that backhanded compliment.

“You guys, if you're going to lie to get out of this, you could have made it more believable.” Daisy commented. 

“ITS-A TRUE!” Waluigi scanned the room until he found a stack of magazines. After a quick dig through, he opened up a fashion magazine Mama Mario had on the end table. There in the glossy was Waluigi, posing in an advertisement for a high end perfume. Everyone stared at the evidence in shock. 

“Well I’ll be…” Daisy muttered. 

“See, I do have a life outside-a plumbing. I am-a actually signed with-a Hale Thompson Modeling Agency and they booked-a me a gig walking the-a runway at the Valcura Archive Runway Show and Benefit at Bannerman Castle. And-a I am the showpiece model.” Waluigi said proudly. 

“WAIT! What was that name again?” Bowser asked. 

“What name? Bannerman Castle?”

“No, the name of the show?” 

“Valcura Archive Runway Show and Benefit?”

“Valcura… Valcura…” then it dawned on Bowser. “Valcura is the fake clan name Vashella used. In fact, this whole runway thing… she did this before.”

“What do you mean?” Peach asked. 

“One of the ways she recruits is through elaborate events; fashion shows being one of them. She uses these events to raise money for herself while appearing to be an elite. And again, she is self centered, she is most likely shopping for herself as well.” Bowser explained.

“I thought you said New York doesn’t have a castle!” Bowser questioned the group. 

“New York city doesn’t have-a castles. Bannerman Castle is an hour away from-a here on a separate island. It’s-a also no good to live in. It’s-a most used for-a tours and-a special events.” Luigi answered. 

“Abandoned or not, that castle sounds like the perfect place for a giant koopa to hide, especially Vashella.”

“Then that’s where we will go. The fashion show.” Peach declared. 

“Uh, this isn’t a public event,” Waluigi said. “You gotta be invited, loaded with moolah, or a model like me. Only the super rich and powerful types are gonna be there.”

“How much of this… moolah ... are we talking about?” Bowser asked.

“Tickets go for a thousand bucks a pop,” Waluigi replied. “And no, they don’t accept Mushroom coins.”

“Wait a minute! We could-a sell the coins for money!” Mario exclaimed.

“But we don’t have any coins on us,” Peach reminded him.

“Hmph… I guess I could part with a few of mine,” Bowser muttered.

“How many coins do you have?” Peach asked.

“And where do you keep them?” Daisy added.

Bowser puffed out his chest. “I carry at least 100 coins with me at all times. Never know when you need to buy a castle… or an airship.” He reached for his shell, then noticed everyone staring at him. “Um… do you mind?”

Everyone looked confused—except Luigi, who squinted knowingly.

“I gotta dig into my shell for the coins…”

“So?” Daisy asked flatly.

“So I have to take my shell off to do that.”

“Okay,” Peach said with a shrug.

“SO CAN YOU AVERT YOUR EYES?!” Bowser snapped. “Geez, I can’t take my shell off without you all ogling me. Bunch of perverts.”

Everyone quickly turned away as Bowser shuffled awkwardly. After a few clinks and grunts, he pulled out a small handful of coins and slung his shell back on.

“Here.” He held out the tiny golden pieces. “Is this enough to get us into the fashion show?”

Waluigi looked at the rice-sized coins with a raised eyebrow. “That-a chump change wouldn’t even get you on the boat.”

“The coins must’ve shrunk with you when you were miniaturized,” Daisy pointed out.

Bowser tucked the coins back into his shell. “Fine. I’ll just unshrink.”

“But then you’d be a giant turtle stomping around New York,” Mario reminded him.

“Wait—then how is Vashella going unnoticed?” Daisy asked.

“I already told you, she’s a talented sorceress. Almost as good as Kamek,” Bowser replied. “Conjuring up a disguise would be easy for her.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “If only I’d waited for that stupid pendant…”

“Pendant… pendant…” Luigi suddenly perked up. He remembered— the pendant Kamek left for him to grab!

Without a word, Luigi sprinted into the apartment’s laundry room.

“What is it, Luigi?” Mario called after him.

Luigi rummaged through the laundry basket and then reached for the small box their mom kept on the shelf above the dryer—the place where she stashed all the loose items she found in their pockets. He sifted through receipts, bottle caps, and a few forgotten coins… and there it was: triangular, gold, with rounded edges and a brilliant red gem at its center—the pendant.

Luigi scooped it up and hurried back to the others. “I-a almost forgot I grabbed this. Kamek left it on a table before I left.” He held it up. “Is this-a the pendant you needed?”

Bowser squinted at it. Luigi set the pendant down on the table. As soon as Bowser touched it, the gemstone lit up, casting a swirl of multicolored light across the room. Like a projector, it beamed an image onto the ceiling. There, hovering above them, was a familiar blue-hooded Magikoopa.

“Lord Bowser, I trust Master Luigi delivered the pendant safely,” Kamek’s voice echoed as if he were in the room. “Why are you all on the ceiling?”

“We’re not, you are!” Bowser barked. “This is the disguise thing, right?”

“Yes, Your Shortness. Simply wear it around your neck and you’ll transform—blending in with the surrounding population,” Kamek explained. “But be warned: the spell only works while the pendant is intact and worn. So try not to break it with your usual… enthusiasm. ”

“Yeah, yeah…” Bowser grumbled.

“Also, while transformed, you’ll lose access to your powers. No fire breath, no magic I’ve taught you—”

“Pfft, who needs that?” Bowser scoffed. “I’ve got brute strength!”

“...which will also be greatly diminished,” Kamek added.

Bowser’s confident expression faltered slightly. “Okay, fine. So I sneak in, find Vashella, take off the pendant, beat her down, grab my son, put it back on, and we’re home before dinner. Easy.”

“One more thing, my Lord,” Kamek added. “You can only transform four times. Each transformation has a limited duration due to the pendant’s constrained enchantment—I only had so much time to craft it.”

Bowser growled in frustration, clenching his fists. “Grrr… whatever. Doesn’t matter. After tonight, Bowser Jr. will be safe with his old man again.”

“Then I leave it in your claws, Lord Bowser. Should you need me, tap the pendant three times, and I’ll appear just as I am now. We eagerly await your and the young prince’s return.” With that, the light dimmed, and Kamek’s image faded into darkness.

The room was silent for a beat.

“So… now what?” Wario asked.

“Now we-a figure out how to get to the fashion show,” Mario said.

Everyone turned to stare at Waluigi.

“… Fine! I’ll see what I can-a do,” Waluigi muttered, pulling out his phone with a dramatic sigh.

“ DAMN RIGHT you will!” Daisy snapped.

“I’ll-a take Bowser to the other room so he can transform,” Luigi offered. “Don’t want the-a neighbors seeing or hearing him.”

Everyone nodded, and Luigi quickly scooped up Bowser and the pendant before hurrying to his shared bedroom. He placed the tiny Koopa King on the desk and shoved the furniture aside to make space.

“Alright. Unshrink me,” Bowser ordered, hands on hips.

“Um… okie dokie.” Luigi looked around, puzzled. “Uh… how?”

“You gotta hit me.”

“Hit you?” Luigi blinked. “With-a what?”

“Doesn’t matter! Just hit me!”

Luigi shrugged and grabbed the fly swatter from earlier. He gave Bowser a light smack, but the flimsy plastic just bent around his shell.

Nothing.

“Harder,” Bowser growled.

Luigi scanned the room, then grabbed a rolled-up newspaper and gave him a solid whack. Still nothing.

“That’s the best you got?” Bowser barked. “Come on, I know you can hit harder than that. Hit me like you mean it!”

“But you’re so small… I don’t-a wanna hurt you!”

“Luigi, no offense, but I seriously doubt you can hurt me. Even at this size. Now HIT ME!”

“I can’t! I—!”

“HIT! ME!!”

“AAARRHHH!” Eyes squeezed shut in a panic, Luigi threw a full-force punch, fist slamming into Bowser’s tiny stomach.

POW!

Bowser shot across the room like a ping-pong ball. But before he could hit the floor, the effects of the Mini Mushroom wore off, Bowser returned to full size mid-air and thudded onto the ground.

“OH MY-A STARS!” Luigi gasped, rushing over. “Are… are you okay?!”

Bowser clutched his stomach, wheezing loudly, curled over like a turtle flipped on his back. He gave a shaky thumbs-up.

“Ehhhuuhhh… ehhhkkk… never… better…” he croaked between wheezes.

It took Bowser a few minutes to catch his breath and get back on his feet. As he stood to full height, Luigi suddenly became aware of just how enormous Bowser truly was.

Sure, he’d known Bowser was big—but that was always in the context of the Dark Lands, or stomping through the Mushroom Kingdom, where scale was relative. There, Bowser didn’t seem that unusual. But here, in Luigi’s modest childhood bedroom, Bowser looked massive. His horns were nearly grazing the ceiling, and his frame looked way too broad to fit through the doorway.

Bowser reached down and picked up the pendant from where it had fallen. “So I just gotta put this thing on?”

“I guess so,” Luigi said.

The pendant’s chain was far too small for Bowser to slide over his head, and his shell and thick spiked collar made it impossible to clasp from the front.

“Hey, help me out, will ya?” Bowser grunted, kneeling down to give Luigi access.

Luigi stepped forward, trying to get around Bowser’s spiked shell, but the sheer size—and, frankly, the spikiness—made it nearly impossible to reach his neck.

“Hold up…” Bowser stood back up, then began removing his shell. Luigi instinctively spun around, covering his eyes.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

“What?” Bowser looked confused. “You’ve seen me without my shell before.”

“Yeah, but back in the other room you said—”

“I told them to look away,” Bowser clarified. “They’re not in my inner circle. Koopas only show their backs in certain situations: to mates, in private, or with their most trusted friends and comrades.”

Luigi froze.

“Oh… oh,” he said quietly, the realization sinking in. Bowser trusted him. Really trusted him. A warm feeling rushed through his chest, and Luigi couldn’t help but smile.

With a grunt, Bowser placed his now-enormous shell to the side and knelt again, this time with his back turned. “Alright. Pendant me.”

Luigi approached the exposed Koopa. Up close, he could see how Bowser’s scales faded from deep green to a golden yellow across his back. Muscles rippled beneath the surface—trapezius bulging above his choker, lats forming that dramatic V-shape Luigi had only ever seen on TV bodybuilders. But that hardness was softened by a layer of plush, insulating fat that made Bowser’s sheer mass seem… almost huggable.

Luigi hesitated for a moment, then leaned in, draping the pendant around Bowser’s thick neck. His hands brushed against warm scales, and he could feel the solid-yet-soft weight of Bowser’s body beneath him. There was something oddly comforting about it.

He snapped the chain into place and stepped back.

“Now what?” Bowser asked, glancing down at the pendant.

“I guess we-a wait or—”

Before Luigi could finish, Bowser began to hover a few inches off the floor. The pendant pulsed with a brilliant light, casting multicolored beams that filled the room.

The transformation began. Bowser’s scales smoothed into olive-toned skin. His horns retracted, reshaping into pointed human-like ears. His face elongated and softened into something closer to human. Claws morphed into thick fingernails. His tail vanished with a flicker of light.

When it was done, Bowser floated gently back to the floor. He was still tall—much taller than Luigi—but now looked like a towering human with draconic features. Luigi blinked, mouth agape.

Then it hit him.

“Oh no,” he muttered. “I-I’ll b-b-b-be right back!”

Without another word, Luigi bolted out of the room, brushing past the others gathered in the dining area. He made a beeline for his parents’ bedroom. There was no way Bowser would fit in anything he or Mario owned. But their dad, though not taller, was certainly broader. Maybe…

Luigi dug through the drawers until he found an old pair of light gray sweatpants, a worn-out “I ❤️ NY” t-shirt, a pair of oversized white briefs, and some flip-flops. It wasn’t glamorous, but it would do.

Luigi rushed back to the room, eyes firmly averted, holding out the clothes at arm’s length like they were radioactive.

“Y-y-you will need these, okay?” he stammered.

Bowser took the bundle and blinked. “Why would I need these? I can just throw my shell back on.”

“Well, you-a see—” Luigi peeked over and instantly regretted it. His gaze landed directly on a very naked human Bowser. His face turned red like a fire flower. “J-j-just put them on!”

Bowser shrugged. “Alright, alright.” He took the clothes without urgency, and Luigi bolted from the room, ears burning.

About ten minutes passed. Luigi returned and knocked gently. “You-a okie dokie in there?”

“Greenie, come in here. I got a question,” Bowser called from the other side.

Luigi stepped in, fully expecting to see a dressed, modest Bowser.

Instead— bam—another full-frontal view of Bowser’s very human form.

Luigi yelped, slapped a hand over his eyes, and whipped his head away.

“Okay! W-w-why are you still not dressed?!”

Bowser, unfazed, looked down. “So… when does it go back in?”

Luigi peeked between his fingers—then immediately regretted that too.

“Wha—AAAHHH—!” His voice cracked as his gaze locked, helplessly, on Bowser’s anatomy.

“I’m serious!” Bowser insisted, gesturing emphatically to his lower half. “Normally this part’s only visible when mating. I figured it popped out ‘cause of the transformation. But it’s been ten minutes, and it hasn’t gone back in! How are humans supposed to fight like this? I can’t walk around with my weak spot just dangling out!”

Luigi stood frozen, wide-eyed and thoroughly overwhelmed. He’d never seen another man naked—aside from the occasional shared bath with Mario. And now this—this towering, muscular, very exposed Bowser—was just standing there, completely casual about it.

“Greenie? Hello? You alive over there?”

“Y-yes! I’m-a here!” Luigi snapped out of it, but only barely.

“Well?”

Luigi forced himself to focus. “You-a see… for humans, it… it doesn’t go back in.”

Bowser blinked. “What?”

Luigi coughed awkwardly. “It-a just… hangs there. All the time. That’s-a normal.”

“Huh,” Bowser grunted. “That might be a problem when I fight Vashella. Gonna need to armor this thing up.”

He paused, then raised an eyebrow as he noticed Luigi’s face still burning red. “What’s got you so flustered?”

“S-sorry,” Luigi muttered, eyes locked on the floor. “It’s just… you-a look different now that you’re human.”

Bowser snorted. “Didn’t seem to bother you when you were naked this morning.”

Luigi’s voice jumped half an octave. “That was-a different! I made sure you couldn’t see anything! I put you up high and I made the-a shower very very steamy!”

Bowser smirked. “The shower wasn’t that steamy.” His gaze drifted down Luigi’s overalls. “Though I guess I wasn’t trying too hard to look.”

Luigi let out a helpless squeak and yanked his cap down over his eyes. “Mama mia…”

A few minutes later, Bowser and Luigi emerged from the bedroom. As they stepped into the dining area, the room fell silent.

Standing before them was Bowser—now in human form.

The transformation had done him no favors in the wardrobe department. The t-shirt clung to his bulging biceps and firm chest, but also soft torso, riding up to expose a soft, round belly that jiggled with every step. The sweatpants were far too short, stopping just below his knees, and the flip-flops barely contained his massive feet—his toes and heels hanging off the edges like they were trying to escape. The outfit left very little to the imagination.

Peach, Wario, and Waluigi starred in stunned silence.

Daisy raised an eyebrow, somewhere between amused and genuinely impressed that the now massive human could fit into such small clothing.

Mario, however, had to press both hands over his mouth to keep from bursting. The sight of the fearsome Koopa King waddling around in hilariously tight clothes, his gut peeking out from under the shirt, was almost more than he could handle.

Bowser lumbered over to the mirror mounted near the front door. He frowned, placed a hand on his belly, and gave it a cautious prod—alarmed by the way it wobbled. With a growl, he tapped the pendant around his neck. A shimmering image of Kamek appeared above it.

“Lord Bowser,” Kamek said, adjusting his glasses. “I see the transformation worked.”

“Not quite,” Bowser grumbled. “This ‘human’ body comes with a lot of extra weight. Especially around the stomach.”

“Sire,” Kamek replied, “the pendant transforms you into the human version of yourself.”

Bowser blinked. “That can’t be. I don’t have—” He stopped mid-sentence as the words sank in. His eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me fat ?”

“Um—uh—” Kamek began to stammer. “The communication spell might be weakening. I-I can’t hear you, my lord. Hello? Hello?”

“KAMEK! Don’t you dare pull that trick on me! Answer me— why is my human form so FAT?! ”

But before Kamek could respond, the projection fizzled out and vanished.

Mario couldn’t take it anymore. He doubled over and burst into laughter, falling to his knees, gasping for air. 

Wario and Waluigi let out nervous chuckles, casting wary glances at Bowser—still remembering the threat he’d made earlier. Bowser shot them a menacing looking, which shut Wario and Waluigi up, but not Mario. The human koopa king looked over towards Mario who was still cackling. “What's so funny huh? You’re not exactly the epitome of fitn—” Just as he turned, he heard a rip. The seam of the sweatpants began to tear at the crotch. This only caused Mario to laugh harder. 

“You… you… you look-a ridiculous HAHAHAHAAAA!” Mario could barely get the words out. 

“Alright, alright,” Peach said, clapping her hands to refocus everyone. “We can worry about Bowser’s wardrobe later. Did the coins de-miniaturize?”

Luigi reentered the room, carrying a hefty stack of oversized coins that looked more like dinner plates. “Here you-a go!”

Mario finally regained control of his laughter and inspected the haul. “If we-a got that much for the little ones, I’m-a sure this will cover the show.”

“Perfect!” Daisy grinned. “Then let’s get moving!” 

 

Notes:

Headcanon notes: I may have said this already for koopas the only part of their body that is considered private is their back, hence why they wear shells. Clothing, particularly human clothing is just trendy and fashionable and serve little to no function for koopas.

Author's note: I wanted to also give a nod to the Super Mario Bro. Super Show, particularly in Peach's Milli Vanilli sweater and the live action costumes of Mario and Luigi.

Chapter 28: Unfinished Business

Summary:

Hit the runway in style, in a castle no less. I hope this fashion show isn't a front for some kind of world domination ploy. I do like fashion.

Within the cold, shadowy walls of Bannerman Castle, Vashella watched. Her eyes flicked over a bank of monitors displaying live feeds of workers bustling around the castle grounds, setting up for the fashion show. Her gaze sharpened as she zoomed in on two crew members rolling out equipment near the main entrance.

“So, uh… do you know who this Vashella lady is?” a younger crew member asked, glancing around nervously.

Vashella tilted the camera, narrowing in.

“No clue,” the older tech replied, grunting as he adjusted a crate. “But she’s got deep pockets. This is the best-paying gig I’ve had in twenty years. I’m not about to ask questions.”

“Yeah, but… this is a lot for just a runway show, right? It’s not even fashion week. And they didn’t invite any of the usual people. Just… military brass and their wives?”

The older man paused. “You’re thinking too much. That kind of curiosity? It gets people fired—or worse.”

“Worse?” The younger one gulped.

The older worker leaned in slightly, his voice low. “I’ve done jobs for some shady folks. Corporate giants, foreign investors, even a mob boss or two. You start poking around in stuff that ain’t your business, you might end up taking a swim in the Hudson with cement shoes.”

The younger guy’s eyes widened. “Wait—are you saying this is mob-related?”

“I’m saying I don’t know, and I don’t want to know. Take it from me, kid: keep your head down, your mouth shut, and your curiosity on a leash. Whoever these people are, they pay on time and in cash. And like they say—don’t question the hand that feeds you.”

“I thought it was don’t bite the hand that feeds you?”

The older man hoisted one end of a massive red carpet onto his shoulder. “To folks like this? Biting and questioning are the same damn thing. Now if you’re done playing Nancy Drew, grab the other end of this rug and let’s get it to the front.”

Vashella leaned back in the worn leather chair, the dim glow of her monitors casting flickering shadows across her sharp features. Onscreen, two crew members wrestled with a length of red carpet, their laughter fading into the hum of construction. She watched them without blinking, a slow, satisfied smile curling at the corners of her lips. They were clueless. Just the way she liked them.

When she first arrived in this strange human world, she had felt… uncertain. Not afraid, never that—but wary. There were simply so many humans. And so few beings like herself. No talking birds, no goombas, no shyguys or dry bones. Just frail, fragile creatures with soft hands and suspicious eyes. She’d expected them to pose a threat—outnumbering her, unpredictable in their customs, and frightened of anything they didn’t understand. And fear, she had long since learned, was a double-edged sword.

Scared people were erratic. Unreliable. Fear made them run or rebel. But hope? Vanity? Greed? Those were the strings she could pull. If humans were all she had left to rebuild her shattered forces, then humans she would use. Not as prisoners—but as pawns.

She had woven glamour to mask her true form—a flawless illusion, human enough to blend in, yet regal enough to command respect. She fled here, to Bannerman Castle, a forgotten fortress stranded on a river island. Secluded. Defensible. Perfect for scheming.

What remained of her loyal minions was laughable. A magikoopa with a limp wand. A half-dead koopaling barely clinging to life. And Bradly—useful only because was alive and mostly uninjured. The rest had fallen in battle or jailed by Bowser’s remaining loyal guard. But she still had one crucial asset; Bowser Junior.

More trouble than he was worth, honestly. He screamed for days after they crossed over, his cries echoing through the stone halls like a tortured banshee. Now he just sulked and spat insults, crying at the mere sight of her or her minions. It was taking every shred of discipline not to silence him for good.

But no. Not yet.

Junior was leverage—against his father, against the loyalists of the Darklands, and against the very foundation of public opinion. He was the prince, the heir, the living symbol of Bowser’s legacy. Keeping him alive wasn’t mercy—it was strategy.

And when the time was right, his death would serve her, too. But only if it was staged perfectly. It had to look like the Mushroom Kingdom’s doing—or better yet, as if Bowser himself had cast his son aside, just as he’d betrayed his kingdom. That illusion of abandonment would fracture Bowser’s base, shatter the faith of his few remaining supporters, and clear the path for Vashella to seize power.

But first, the people had to be willing to follow her.

The fashion show wasn’t some frivolous event—it was a calculated distraction. A mask. A way to win the favor of the human elite, seduce their military brass, and gain influence not through conquest, but through culture. Let the generals and their wives sip wine, marvel at her spectacle, and applaud while she whispered promises in their ears. Let them believe they were being invited into something exclusive. A world they never knew full of wonders to exploit. 

Once she had the human army under her control, she would use them to crush Bowser’s remaining forces in open battle.

To the rest of the Darklands, it would appear as if humans were invading—and Bowser’s long-standing softness for them would be spun as proof of his weakness. His peace treaties, his affection for Princess Peach, even the humans he sheltered during the storm—everything would paint him as a traitor who sold out his own people.

The message would be clear: Koopas should never trust humans. Never again. Only a Koopa could truly defend the Darklands.

And Bowser… Bowser wouldn’t just fall on the battlefield. He would fall under the weight of public disgrace. Vashella would fan the flames of doubt until the Koopa King stood alone, exposed and reviled. When he was finally slain, no one would weep. His death would feel inevitable. Justified.

Naturally, with Bowser gone, the crown would pass to Bowser Jr. But as a child, he’d be unfit to rule—so Vashella would step in as his regent. His protector. His grieving guardian.

Then, and only then, would Junior meet with a tragic “accident.”

His death would secure her place as the rightful ruler. The sympathetic queen who had sacrificed everything and now had no choice but to lead.

And once her crown was secure, the purging would begin.

Anyone loyal to Bowser—his generals, his old allies—would be executed, cast into the lava as symbols of a fallen regime. Her human army, having served its purpose, would follow. Their elimination would be proof of her commitment to the purity of the Darklands. No more outsiders. No more compromises.

She would seal the portals to the human world. Anyone left behind—Peach, Daisy, the meddling plumbers—would be publicly executed. Their deaths would mark the end of an era.

Then, and only then, would the real conquest begin.

One by one, the kingdoms would fall. Until only one remained.

Hers.

Vashella smiled, fingers steepled beneath her chin.

It was all falling into place.Piece by piece. Move by move. The kingdoms would be hers. All of them.

But first…

“Geez that kid gets on my nerve!” Bradly declared as he entered the monitoring room. “He hasn’t eaten in like four days but every time I get close he tries to bite me.”

Vashella’s expression immediately sours hearing his voice. “Bradly… what are you doing back here?” 

“Oh I figured since I was done feeding the prince I would come back here and help—“

“Is that what I commanded you to do?” 

“Well uh… no… I just thought you—“

“Who said YOU CAN THINK?” Vashella roared. 

“NO ONE MISTRESS VASHELLA!”

“Then WHY AREN'T YOU STANDING GUARD?! You are the GUARD the little twerps room AT ALL TIMES! IF Bowser and what’s left of his army were to figure out how to get here THAT IS THE FIRST PLACE THEY WILL GO!” Vashella roared. 

“Um… about that… how would I fend them off again if lo— I mean Bowser were to show up with his army?” 

Vashella looks coldly at Bradly. “You don’t. The screaming when they skewer you alive will be warning enough to make our escape.”

“Oh…” he said, but then the words sunk in more. “…oh.” 

“Consider that a mercy should he find the Prince, compared to what I would do to you should you fail at your job.” 

Gulp. Bradly had no choice. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place with two giant koopas both wanting to rip him apart. He could only hope that Bowser wouldn’t find him in this strange world. 

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, a nearly seven-foot-tall human Bowser sat impatiently in a high-end suit shop, legs awkwardly folded in a chair far too small for him. He tapped his claws against the armrest, waiting for his rush-ordered suit to be finished.

Luigi, meanwhile, was gawking at the rows of fine linens and tailored suits, his eyes wide as he took in the luxury. Bowser noticed.

“You act like you’ve never been in a place like this. Weren’t you the one who suggested it?” he asked, breaking the silence.

“Oh no, I-a haven’t. I-a just walk past it all the-a time,” Luigi admitted sheepishly. “This place is too-a fancy for me… though it would’ve been nice to wear one of-a these.”

Bowser grunted, stood up, and reached into the pocket of his sweatpants. From it, he pulled out a thick wad of cash and walked over to the attendant.

“Make a second suit. For my ‘assistant’ over there,” he said, jerking a thumb at Luigi.

“Me?!” Luigi gasped. “N-no! I-a thought I was-a supposed to—”

“You want this ruse to work, don’t you?” Bowser interrupted. “You think I’d show up to an event like this without an entourage? Peach is already going, but she’s doing her own thing. I need someone playing my assistant.”

Luigi couldn’t argue with the logic. Originally, he, Mario, and Wario were going to sneak in disguised as plumbers sent to fix a problem that Daisy and Waluigi were going to cause backstage. But Bowser showing up with an assistant did make sense.

“I better-a tell Mario about the-a change of plans.” Luigi stepped outside to make the call.

While Luigi and Bowser waited, Mario and Wario found themselves somewhere Mario swore he’d never return to: the office of Spike’s Wrecking Crew.

Back when the brothers had just graduated trade school, Spike had given them their first job. But the experience was miserable—filled with demeaning tasks, constant arguments, and Spike’s relentless bullying, especially toward Luigi. Mario often had to step in to defend him, which only led to more tension and job threats. Eventually, they left on bad terms to start their own plumbing business.

And now, here was Mario, face to face with Spike again, watching the smug foreman lean back in his chair while Mario and Wario pleaded to be let back on the crew.

Waluigi had tipped them off: Spike’s Wrecking Crew had been contracted to fix up Bannerman Castle. If anything went wrong that required repairs, Spike’s team would be the first called to the scene.

Why a wrecking crew had been hired to handle maintenance was anyone’s guess—and not something worth questioning. The opportunity was there. Pure, serendipitous luck.

Mario felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He turned his back to Spike and Wario, trying to answer it discreetly as they continued negotiating.

“Look, Spike,” Wario said, gesturing with both hands, “you need plumbers for that castle job. It’s a big place, and word on the street is you don’t have the manpower to handle it all.”

“We happen to be three—”

“Two,” Mario cut in, slipping the phone back into his pocket. “It’s just gonna be us two. Luigi is… occupied.”

Spike didn’t miss the opportunity. “Heh, hopefully not plumbing, am I right? Haha.” He leaned back in his chair with that same smug grin. “Listen, I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to babysit a couple of hack plumbers. This contract’s worth more than any I’ve had before, and I’m not letting you two clowns screw it up. I can get any plumber in the city to take the gig. I don’t need Short Stack and Wide Load on my crew.”

Mario clenched his jaw. He was one insult away from snapping. Wario, on the other hand, didn’t even blink.

“That’s not what I heard,” he said calmly.

Spike narrowed his eyes. “I assure you, your little pointy ears heard nothin’. …What did you hear?”

Wario shrugged. “Just that you’re in bad with the union. Can’t find anyone who’s willing to scab for you.”

Spike growled. It was true, and they all knew it. Still, he tried to bluff.

“Even if that was true, I don’t need help from the likes of—”

His phone rang. He snatched it up.

“Spike’s Wrecking Crew—leave the home wreckin’ to us! What can I do for ya?”

A pause.

“Yeah… yeah… WHAT? …What do you mean there’s a flood in the models’ dressing room?! …Right… no, I completely understand… yes, we’re short-sta— …I mean, we’ve got people, just… yes… no, of course, we love having you as a client… I’m not being difficult, it’s just— …uh-huh… yep…”

Spike sighed deeply and lowered the phone. His eyes met Mario’s.

“I’ll send someone over right away,” he muttered into the receiver before hanging up.

Wario shot Mario a smug grin, already knowing exactly what that call was about.

“Goddammit…” Spike groaned. “Fine. Looks like I don’t got a choice. Get your asses over there and fix whatever the hell’s going on with the pipes. We’ll talk compensation after the job’s done. Capeesh?”

“Okie dokie!” Wario cheered. 

Just as Mario and Wario reached the door, Spike called out, “Make sure you two pick up MY company uniform before heading over. Can’t have you representing my business interests in those goofy-ass overalls.”

Several hours later, the plan was in motion.

A chartered ferry cut across the water, carrying Bowser, Luigi, and Peach among a crowd of wealthy military elites, arms dealers, corporate executives, and their glamorous spouses. Bowser and Luigi gathered on the top floor in a luxury cabin suite. Bowser refrained from talking while Luigi, playing the assistant, acted as a buffer to anyone asking question. Peach, however, remained below deck with the journalists, workers, and other non-elite guests.

She was in disguise—posing as a fashion journalist. They had all agreed this was the safest course of action since Vashella would easily recognize the real Princess Peach. With her hair tucked under a chic hat and a pair of oversized sunglasses shielding her face, Peach did her best to blend in with the crowd of reporters and fashion enthusiasts. Luckily for them, Vashella’s ignorance of human-world celebrities made the deception much easier to pull off.

Meanwhile, Waluigi and Daisy had already arrived on the island where the castle was located—an hour ahead of the others. After discreetly dosing one of the models with a few drops of ipecac, Waluigi waited. As planned, the model fell violently ill. At the same time, he clogged the dressing room toilet with wads of tissue paper. When the model rushed in to vomit, the already-overflowing toilet turned the entire area into a biohazard zone.

Amidst the chaos, Waluigi swooped in and convinced the overwhelmed showrunners that Daisy was a last-minute replacement model ready to step in at a moment’s notice. Desperate and distracted, they hired her on the spot without so much as a background check.

Now, he just had to turn the tomboyish Daisy into a convincing fashion model—and he had only a few hours to do it.

The last to arrive were Mario and Wario, now wearing the official Wreck-Em Crew uniforms. They took the standard public ferry to the island, arriving in Mario’s work van, delightfully trashed thanks to Wario’s slobbiness. 

When the ferry carrying Luigi, Bowser, and Peach arrived, they were greeted by a swarm of human staff and workers. The elites attending the runway show were quickly ushered onto a red carpet that led to a lavish entrance. Ornate gold pillars flanked either side of the path, and the decor shimmered with opulence.

But despite the grandeur, it was clear no one knew how to be on a red carpet. Even with Luigi’s limited knowledge of celebrity protocol, he could tell the guests looked awkward and out of place. The military brass—there as honored guests—behaved more like tourists, snapping photos with their phones more eagerly than the actual paparazzi on site.

The journalists in attendance were just as lost. The more questions the photographers shouted, the more confused they looked. No one at the event seemed to be famous—at least, not famous enough to sell magazines or stir gossip columns.

Inside, the venue was even more extravagant. Haute couture garments were displayed in glass cases like museum artifacts, each one illuminated by dazzling lights. At the center of it all stood an elaborate, maze-like catwalk that twisted and turned through the room.

Waiters began to flow through the space in steady streams, balancing trays of hors d’oeuvres and flutes of champagne. Luigi stuck close to Bowser, doing his best not to gawk. He clutched a clipboard and mimed the mannerisms of an assistant, scribbling occasionally with a pen though he had no idea what he was supposed to be writing.

Bowser, however, was hyper-focused. He was meant to be mingling with the guests to maintain cover—but instead, his eyes scanned the crowd with silent intensity. He was hunting for any sign of his son.

“This is a fancy shindig, huh?” a nearby guest said, speaking around a mouthful of mini sandwiches.

“Huh?” Bowser barely acknowledged him.

“I mean, this place is nice! I’ve been to military balls, gun expos, you name it—but this blows all that out of the water. You don’t see much of this in weapons sales, you know what I mean?” the man continued, completely missing Bowser’s cold, distracted demeanor. The man eventually took the hint and sheepishly sauntered away without Bowsee even noticing. 

Meanwhile, Peach was having her own trouble blending in. Maybe it was the difference between how the Mushroom Kingdom press operated and how things worked here—or maybe this event was just weird—but the journalists and paparazzi were clearly confused. The red carpet was quiet, awkward. Aside from one or two D-list celebrities, no one recognized any of the guests.

Photographers exchanged baffled glances, murmuring among themselves.

“What even is this guest list?” one paparazzo muttered, just loud enough for Peach to hear. “It’s all military nobodies. No way I’m making bank off this.”

“Seriously,” another griped. “They said celebrities would be here. Looks more like a bunch of generals. Who wants a photo of that? Where’s a movie star? Or at least a messy influencer.”

A journalist suddenly stepped up to Peach. “Do you know who any of these people are?”

Peach startled. “Oh—uh—I’m not sure?”

“Not sure of what?” the journalist asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Not sure… who they are,” Peach said with a nervous laugh, trying not to admit she wouldn’t recognize anyone here even if they were famous.

The journalist narrowed her eyes. “I haven’t seen you around the fashion circuit. What publication do you work for?”

Peach froze. The well-rehearsed cover story she and the Mario brothers had cooked up vanished from her mind. “Um… the… uh… Toadstool Times?”

“Toadstool Times?” The journalist blinked. “Never heard of it. Is that new?”

“Yeah… super new.”

The journalist glanced down at Peach’s lanyard. “VIP press pass. Impressive. Those are hard to come by. I’ve covered McQueen, Margiela, Schiaparelli, often at Paris and New York Fashion Week. I have developed personal relationships with the fashion houses and designers, but even I couldn’t get one of those for this show. You must be incredibly well-connected or well established. Tell me—how long have you been covering fashion?”

Peach swallowed. “Well… I’m… kinda new to all this. Heh heh…”

The journalist gave her a long, slow look before exhaling sharply. “Of course. It’s another one of those gigs. They’ll hand out press passes to anyone with a blog these days.” She said, rolling her eyes. 

Before Peach could respond, the energy on the carpet shifted. The paparazzi suddenly erupted in shouts and camera flashes—finally, a real celebrity had arrived. The journalist that was grilling her walked away to join the commotion. Princess Peach sighed in relief as she snuck her way away from the ruckus and into the backstage area. 

Meanwhile, the ferry carrying Mario and Wario finally neared Bannerman Island—but instead of docking, it came to a halt just offshore. A loud announcement crackled over the intercom:

“Attention: All staff and workers must report to Deck Level 1 to board the boat. I repeat: All staff and workers to Deck Level 1.”

“WAH—what… huh?” Wario jolted awake, snorting mid-snore.

“We have to-a get on another boat,” Mario said, already grabbing his tool bag.

“What do you-a mean ‘another boat?’ Ain’t we already on a boat?!”

“A different boat—to-a actually reach the island,” Mario replied flatly.

Still groggy, Wario grumbled but followed. They made their way to the lower deck where a small group of workers had gathered—about ten in total. One by one, they boarded a large motorboat waiting to shuttle them the rest of the way.

As the boat cut across the water, conversation stirred among the workers.

“I heard this Vashella lady’s some kind of royalty. Eastern Europe, maybe?” one said.

“More like mafia royalty,” muttered an older worker. “Best keep your head down.”

“The mafia doesn’t throw parties this big. Not with the military invited,” someone else countered.

“Whoever she is, she’s paying very well,” a third added. “Way above my usual rate. I’m not asking questions.”

“WHAT?! THEY’RE GETTING-A PAID?!” Wario frantically whispered, practically leaping out of his seat. Mario elbowed him hard in the gut.

Now wasn’t the time to blow their cover. This wasn’t about money—it was a rescue mission. And with all these people involved, they’d have to tread carefully.

The boat docked just close enough for the workers to disembark without getting wet. One by one, they made their way toward the castle. From the back of the press pool, Peach spotted them and quietly slipped away, circling around to the rear entrance.

She followed the line of workers at a distance, staying close but inconspicuous. At the back entrance, a security guard stood under the overhang, checking badges and directing workers to their assigned areas. Peach scanned the crowd, then whispered, “Pssst!” catching Mario’s attention.

Mario and Wario quickly stepped out of line.

“Mama mia, I-a didn’t even recognize you,” Mario said under his breath.

“Good. I’m hoping Vashella doesn’t either,” Peach replied in a whisper.

The three of them turned their attention to the line of workers slowly funneling into the venue. At the front, the security guard continued checking badges—or so it seemed. Something felt off. The guard wore an oversized hoodie, his frame smaller than most of the others. And the workers… something strange was happening to them. Each one paused, dazed, after their badge was scanned. A flash of light marked the moment—and that’s when Peach saw it.

“That’s not a flashlight,” she murmured.

The guard wasn’t scanning badges. He was casting spells. The “flashlight” was actually a wand—a Magikoopa wand. Peach leaned in as she watched him tilt the wand toward each person’s face. The flash was a spell, likely one used to enchant or control. And with each flash, the face of the guard illuminated just slightly enough for Peach to catch a glimpse of the guard’s true face.

Her breath caught. “It’s Bradley,” she whispered. “He survived. He’s working for Vashella again.”

Mario’s eyes narrowed. If Bradley recognized Peach or himself, everything would fall apart.

“We can’t go through there—look!” Peach urged looking around. “And it looks like it’s the only way in.”

Mario froze, trying to think. Stealth had never been his specialty. But they can’t brute force their way in either. 

“Just-a follow my lead,” Wario said suddenly, and before either of them could stop him, he marched straight back toward the line.

Mario reached out, hissing, “Wario! Wait—!”

Too late. Bradley had already noticed them. Ducking out again would only raise suspicion.

As the three of them stood in line, Wario leaned over to the man in front of him, who wore a Red Sox cap.

“Hey, I see you’re-a fellow Red Sox fan, eh?”

The worker beamed. “Oh yeah. From Boston. Gotta rep the team, no matter what.”

“Good, good… You didn’t hear this-a from me, but that guy over there—” Wario nodded toward another worker wearing a Yankees cap—“he said he couldn’t believe they let a ‘Masshole Chowderhead’ on this gig. His words, not mine. Typical Yankees fan, am I right?”

The Red Sox fan’s face turned a dangerous shade of red. He stomped forward. “HEY, YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THE SOX? I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID, PAL!”

“I ain’t your pal, buddy!” the Yankees fan barked back. “Turn around before you write a check your mouth can’t cash!”

“Oh, now you’re mad? What, still bitter about the Sox wiping the floor with the Yankees in the playoffs?” Red Sox guy shouted, jabbing a finger at his cap.

“Wiping the floor? That was a fluke and you know it!”

“A fluke?” That word set him off like a firecracker. “A FLUKE?!”

Within seconds, the two men were chest to chest, yelling. Others in the line tried to calm them, while some jumped into the fray. The once orderly line dissolved into chaos, a shouting match with no clear sides.

Bradley, clearly flustered, shouted over the crowd while waving his wand wildly. Whatever spell he had used earlier was clearly the only one he knew—because now all his shouting and waving about contributed nothing to quell the squabble. His hood slipped back slightly in the commotion, but he was too busy shouting to notice.

Mario and Peach seized their chance. While everyone’s attention was on the brawl, the two of them slipped past the checkpoint unnoticed. Wario followed behind—not stealthily, but boldly strolling in, grinning like a man who had just stirred the perfect storm. Sowing chaos, it seemed, was a talent he had refined to an art.

The three slipped into the backstage area, where the buzz of last-minute fashion prep filled the air. Statuesque models rushed around in various states of undress, assistants flitting between them with hangers, makeup brushes, and hairspray cans. The atmosphere was chaotic and glamorous all at once.

“Mama Mia…” Mario turned beet red and quickly averted his gaze as a few topless models darted past. Wario, however, did the exact opposite—his jaw slack, eyes wide, practically drooling.

SMACK

Both Mario and Peach delivered a synchronized slap to the back of his head.

“Worth it,” Wario muttered, still peeking.

Off to the side, Daisy and Waluigi stood near a rack of high-fashion outfits. Waluigi was already in costume, striking a dramatic pose as he examined Daisy with a critical eye. His ensemble was eccentric to say the least: bare chest bound in a cream-colored corset, black trousers cropped just above strange split-toe tabby shoes, and a matching hat tilted at an absurd angle. His hair was slicked back to a glossy sheen, and his face was painted with streaks of yellow, pink, and blue in a pattern that screamed “avant-garde.”

Daisy stood stiffly beside him, visibly uncomfortable. She wore a sheer nude top that left little to the imagination, a massive black skirt, and an exaggerated wide-brimmed black hat. Her golden, bejeweled gloves spiraled up her arms like armor forged by an abstract sculptor. Her shoes resembled sleek black animal feet with gold-plated toenails. Though the outfit was undeniably high fashion, Daisy’s frown made it clear she wasn’t enjoying how exposed she felt.

“Alright… then-a after this, you’ll-a get into the Moschino frame dress, and-a finish with the Alexander McQueen—are you-a even listening?!” Waluigi snapped, waving his hands.

“IT’S HARD TO PAY ATTENTION WHEN MY DRESS IS CLEARLY INCOMPLETE!” Daisy snapped back.

“Whatta mean ‘incomplete’?”

“JUST LOOK AT IT!” Daisy threw her arms out, fully exposing the transparent top. Waluigi barely blinked.

“Wait—DON’T LOOK, YOU PERV!” she shrieked, quickly covering herself again.

“Will you calm your-a self? Ain’t-a no one lookin’ at you like-a that, so don’t-a flatter yourself,” Waluigi said flatly. “Besides—look around.” He gestured to the rest of the room, where other models continued changing without a second thought.

“Oh, I’m-a lookin’. I’m definitely lookin’,” Wario grinned, eyes glued to the chaos.

SMACK.

Another slap to the head.

Waluigi ignored him completely and continued, arms crossed. “I know to-a you this is just a little mission or-a pretend or-a whatever, but this is-a my job and I-a take it very, very seriously. Now go-a practice your runway walk. You’ll look ridiculous if you can’t-a walk in heels. I have to-a make sure all my things are ready.”

With a dramatic flourish, Waluigi turned and sauntered off to check the wardrobe racks.

“Hmph. Walking in heels ain’t that hard and I am taking all this froo froo fashion crap seriously—Rude.” Daisy muttered under her breath, arms folded.

Peach stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Are you sure you’re alright with this? We can switch if it gets to be too much.”

“Nah, I’m good,” Daisy said, exhaling. “It’s just walking, right? Even if I’m showing a little more skin than I’d like, it’s nothing I can’t handle. This’ll be cake.”

“Alright. Then you know what to do.” Peach reached into her purse and pulled out a discreet earpiece. “Here. Keep this in during the show and report anything you see—especially if any of Vashella’s henchmen show up.”

Daisy took it and gave a confident nod, slipping it into her ear. “Gotcha. You can count on me.”

With a thumbs up Daisy turned back toward the chaos of the runway prep—ready, even if not entirely willing. 

Just as their conversation wrapped up, a frantic man in a black turtleneck and oversized glasses came sprinting toward them, clutching a clipboard like it was a life raft.

“Are you the plumbers Spike sent over?” he gasped.

“Uh… si—yes,” Mario replied, caught off guard.

“OH, THANK HEAVENS!” the man practically screamed, flinging his clipboard into the air before catching it again in a flail. “The back bathroom is flooding! We’ve held the water off so far, but it’s rising—and I am not emotionally equipped for this today!”

He paced in circles, muttering to himself while Mario and Wario exchanged a glance.

“I’m the coordinator for this show,” he continued, voice trembling, “and I planned every single detail with flawless precision. What I did not plan for was a growing swamp by the dressing rooms! These gowns—these pieces—are HAUTE COUTURE. On loan. From some of the greatest fashion houses in the WORLD.”

He paused only to take a breath, then kept going without waiting for a reply. “It was already a nightmare getting them here in a golf cart over gravel, and now they’re in danger, danger of water damage! Mud! MOLD!” He let out a theatrical groan. “I JUST CAN’T—”

He stopped mid-meltdown, eyes locking onto Princess Peach.

“…Who are you?” he asked suspiciously, pointing an accusatory finger.

“Me?”

“Yes, YOU! Who are you, and what are you doing backstage?!”

“I’m… with the press?” Peach replied, holding up a press pass as casually as she could.

The man groaned again, this one longer and more dramatic. “Oh GEEZ. As if I didn’t have enough to deal with today.” He rubbed his temples, exasperated. “Fine. You can do your little interviews, but only with models who are fully dressed. I can’t have some tabloid write-up interrupting my flowstate. And for the love of Chanel don’t talk to me. Don’t interrupt the crew. Don’t even breathe near a dress. And leave before the show starts. Oh, and that thing about the dresses being near impending doom… you can forget all about that. And if anyone else ask, I’ll lie and tell them nothing happened,”

He spun back toward Mario and Wario. “You two. The crew and security know you’re here. You have full access. Just fix the flood! If a single drop of water touches one of these masterpieces, I swear to Dior—” He cut himself off, clutching his chest. “Excuse me, I have a panic attack to schedule.”

And with that, he stormed off toward another fashion disaster in progress.

His frustration was their opportunity. With full access granted, the trio sprang into action. Walkie-talkies in hand, they split up to investigate, Mario and Wario heading to the back while Peach lurked around the dressing room before heading back out to the guest area. 

Mario and Wario made their way to the flooding bathroom. They sloshed through an inch of water pooling across the bathroom floor, making their way to the offending stall. The toilet inside was in a perpetual loop of refilling and overflowing. There wasn’t a visible clog, but behind the tank, the real problem revealed itself. It was Waluigi’s handy work for sure. The flapper was jammed open, the float valve disabled, and a small tube redirected the overflow to pour water straight onto the floor instead of into the bowl. It was deliberate, messy, and just clever enough to go unnoticed by non-plumbers.

Fixing it was easy, but with their cover solid and full access to the castle granted, Mario used the opportunity to explore. Wario reluctantly followed, offering up cover stories to any staff they encountered.

Despite the grandeur of the event, most of Bannerman Castle stood eerily empty. Mario moved quickly through the unused halls, searching for signs of Vashella. That’s when he saw it—a sudden flash of purple light coming from a utility closet. Then another. And another.

They crept toward the door and peeked inside.

A soft purple glow lit the small room. Inside, a red-cloaked Magikoopa with thick glasses frantically stirred a bubbling cauldron. He scurried to a stack of dollar bills, waved his wand, and the stack doubled. Again. And again. Wario watched the growing pile with near-hypnotic awe, drooling more than he had backstage with the models.

Suddenly, Mario heard footsteps. He grabbed Wario by the collar and yanked them behind a corner just as a towering figure entered—Vashella.

Mario held his breath. He couldn’t confront her now, not yet at least. 

“Is the potion finished?” she barked.

“It’s–it’s–it’s almost done, Your Highness!” the Magikoopa stammered. “It just needs—”

“IT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES OR I’LL THROW YOU INTO THE POT MYSELF!” Vashella roared.

“Your illusion spell is already weakening,” she continued. “The humans who arrived first are starting to question Bradley’s appearance. Luckily…” She grabbed a wad of bills. “They’re easily bought.”

“I assure you,” the Magikoopa said, “the Positively Persuasive Potent Potion is nearly ready. Once it simmers fully, it will allow you to convince anyone to do anything. But if we rush it, the strength—”

“And how much longer must I wait?” Vashella leaned in, eyes sharp as blades.

“Um… let me just check…” He stirred the potion, cautiously pulling out the spoon.

“Drink it,” she commanded.

“W-what?”

“You heard me. Drink it.”

“I—I already obey you! Surely we can test it on—”

“Your hesitation means you still have a trace of free will. If this potion works as you claim, it’ll simply remove the burden of doubt. So drink. For me.”

The Magikoopa hesitated… then gulped. He brought the spoon to his lips and swallowed.

A moment passed. Then his eyes glowed bright magenta. His arms dropped to his sides. The spoon clattered to the floor.

Vashella smiled.

“Be a dear and grab a glowing piece of coal,” she said sweetly.

Without hesitation, the Magikoopa reached into the fire with his bare hand and lifted out a glowing ember. The smell of burning flesh filled the room. Mario's eyes widened as he recoiled in silent horror. The magikoopa face remained blank as smoked threaded through his fingers. 

“Drop it,” Vashella said.

The Magikoopa obeyed, revealing a burnt and badly bleeding hand. 

“Bring the potion backstage,” she ordered. “Tell the waiters to serve it to all the elite guests.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” he replied in a flat, lifeless tone. With a flick of his wand, both he and the cauldron vanished in a puff of smoke.

Vashella exited the room the way she came, never noticing the plumbers hiding just a few feet away.

Mario waited until the coast was clear before switching his walkie-talkie back on.

“Vashella’s-a here,” he whispered. “She’s-a headed to the runway show. Whatever you do—don’t-a drink anything.”

“Okie dokie,” Luigi’s voice crackled back.

Out in the venue, Luigi and Bowser were doing their best to blend in while discreetly surveying the room. Something was off. Despite the high-profile setting, there were almost no staff present—just a handful of waiters with trays of hors d’oeuvres and drinks. There were no clear instructions, no signage, no fashion insiders giving commentary. Guests mingled in confusion, quietly realizing the crowd didn’t match the setting. The true fashion experts—those who’d arrived on the yacht—were noticeably absent.

A murmur of uncertainty grew among the guests.

Just then, a man in a black turtleneck stepped forward and called out, “Excuse me! Excuse me! If everyone could make their way to their seats—the fashion show is about to begin!”

As they entered the main hall, more waiters appeared—this time carrying trays of fluorescent pink drinks.

“Psst! Luigi, Bowser—over here,” Peach whispered from the back row.

The two made their way toward her seats. They sat in the last two rows closest towards the top of the runway. 

“You-a made it,” Luigi said, relieved. “They stopped most of the guests from coming in.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” Peach replied. “Looks like only the high-profile invitees were allowed through.”

Before they could say more, a waitress leaned in uncomfortably close, holding a tray of glowing drinks. Her eyes shimmered with a faint pink glow. “Beverage, anyone?”

“Uh… no thanks,” Peach said politely, her posture stiff.

“Sir?” Another waiter appeared beside Luigi, aggressively presenting his tray.

“N-n-no thank you,” Luigi stammered.

“I insist,” the waiter said, pressing closer.

“HE SAID HE’S NOT INTERESTED,” Bowser growled, baring his teeth—but the waiters didn’t even flinch.

“I think we’d better just-a take one,” Luigi whispered, noticing they weren’t moving on. Reluctantly, all three took a drink. Only then did the waiters back off and move to the next guests.

The lights dimmed, and a pulsing bass filled the room.A voice rang out from overhead. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fashion show of the year. Tonight, you’ll witness iconic archival pieces straight from the Paris runways. Custom replicas will be available for purchase. And for our esteemed military servicemen… a unique opportunity awaits. But for now—let the show begin.”

A spotlight lit the runway as the first model strutted out. The crowd gasped and applauded, sipping their glowing drinks—everyone except Peach, Luigi, and Bowser.

Next up was Waluigi. He hit the runway in full model mode, striking poses and soaking in the attention. But in doing so, he completely forgot his real job—scouting the audience for Vashella’s goons. Regardless, Daisy couldn’t help but admire his professionalism and seriousness he took this job, despite how silly and ridiculous it felt to her. It was a side of Waluigi Daisy had never seen before, a side she honestly didn’t think he was capable of. 

Waluigi made his way off the catwalk, coming pass Daisy who had been waiting in the wings.

“Well? Did you see anything?” she asked.

“Huh?” Waluigi blinked, already changing into his next look.

“What do you mean huh—you were supposed to—” she began, but before she could finish, a frantic coordinator shoved her forward.

“Go! Go! You’re on!”

Suddenly, Daisy was on the runway, her nerves firing. She steadied herself despite the awkward heels and sheer outfit, keeping her posture strong and expression neutral. Her eyes scanned the room. The first time out on the catwalk she barely saw anything except for the runway, her eyes still adjusting to the suddenly bright lights. Before she knew it, she was turning around and was backstage. 

Backstage, stage hands and assistants began pulling at her clothes and hair and they forcefully changed her outfit. Each outfit felt more ridiculous than the next. But each time she stepped out on the catwalk she saw a little more; the ornate paintings that covered the walls, the relatively small crowd that comprised the audience. By her third trip down the runway she was able to piece together a fuller picture of the room:

To her right: Peach, Luigi, and Bowser.

Above: flashes from the press and fashion fans relegated to the balcony.

To her left: a magikoopa, refilling the waiters’ trays with more pink potion, appearing and vanishing in puffs of smoke.

And in the far back—something else.

Behind a large, ornate painting, a hooded figure emerged: Bradley. He whispered something to the magikoopa, then slipped back through a hidden door. Just as Daisy reached the end of the runway, the door opened again—revealing not just Bradley, but one of Vashella’s remaining Koopalings… and Bowser Jr.

The door shut as quickly as it had opened.

Backstage, assistants swarmed her, adjusting, undressing, brushing, clipping.

“Um, I just—I need some water,” Daisy muttered, pushing her way past the stylists. She grabbed her earpiece and slipped behind a rack of clothes.

“Back wall, to my left,” she whispered into the mic. “There’s a hidden doorway. I saw Bowser Jr. He’s in there—with one of the Koopalings.”

“Are you-a sure?” Mario’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie.

“I only got a glimpse, but yeah. I’m sure.”

“I’ll see if I can-a find another way in. Maybe we can sneak the little guy out—”

“I’m going in after him,” Bowser said, rising from his seat and yanking out his earpiece.

“Bowser, wait—wait!” Peach hissed in a panic.

Luigi jumped out of his seat and followed. “Uh…uh… I-a don’t think it’s-a good idea to—“

“If my boy is here in the room just behind some fake painting, why delay the inevitable?” Bowser said, eyes locked on the painting. 

“But what about-a Vashella? Or her-a koopaling?” Luigi pleaded softly. 

“I’ll will deal with them all. I said I wanted to make this quick. Now that they are all together, I’ll finish this in no time.” Bowser began to tug on his pendant. 

Luigi reached out and grabbed Bowser’s hand. “But what about-a them?” he whispered, nodding toward the crowd. “These people… they-a won’t understand you. Not like-a I do. If-a they see who you really are…”

He trailed off, unable to finish the thought. A hundred worst-case scenarios flashed through his mind—panic, screaming, attacks, or worse. “If they-a see you as the-a giant Koopa you are, they-a might do more harm than Vashella. You-a gotta trust us. Trust me. We-a gotta stick with the-a plan.”

Bowser paused, still holding Luigi’s hand. As much as he hated it, Luigi was right. He didn’t know these humans—how they’d react to him, or how quickly fear could turn to violence. Vashella was using their ignorance as armor, and it was working. Every instinct in him roared to break down that wall and rescue his son, but reason told him it would only make things worse.

Before he could respond, the announcer’s voice boomed across the room.

“We will now take a brief intermission. Please enjoy more hors d’oeuvres and our house drink. Gentlemen guests, kindly make your way to our special presentation.”

A new set of doors opened at the side of the hall, leading into a darkened room. One by one, the generals and elite guests rose, eyes faintly glowing pink. In a daze, they marched silently through the open doors.

Bowser and Luigi exchanged a look—then followed, careful to maintain their cover.

“Hey—hey!” Peach’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie. “Where are you going?”

“I-I—I don’t-a know!” Luigi whispered frantically. “We have to-a follow, right?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Peach warned.

“What’s-a not a good idea?” Mario’s voice chimed in from another channel. He was still trying to find a way in from the outside.

“All the military guys and VIPs just got called into a special presentation,” Peach explained. “Luigi and Bowser followed them into another room.”

“WHAT?! LUIGI—DON’T-A GO IN-A THERE!” Mario shouted.

“We-a don’t have a choice,” Luigi replied, his voice low but firm. “If we-a don’t go in, they’ll-a know we didn’t drink the potion.”

No one could argue with that.

The two slipped in with the last of the crowd. Luigi trembled with each step, heart pounding in his chest. Beside him, Bowser walked tall and stone-faced. The new room was dim and sparse—several round tables with chairs, and a stage with a projector screen at the far end.

They took their seats.

Suddenly, the room went dark. A single silhouette stepped onto the stage.

“A beautiful human woman stands before you,” a voice announced, smooth and theatrical.

Confused murmurs rippled through the room.

Then the spotlight snapped on—and Vashella stood center stage, fully illuminated.

She wore no disguise. She didn’t need one. That strangely specific phrase she’d uttered moments earlier—“a beautiful human woman stands before you”—was all the potion needed to cement its illusion. And so, to every enchanted guest in the room, that’s exactly who she was.

What should have triggered gasps and horror passed with dull silence. The crowd sat motionless, their smiles vacant, eyes glazed in pink. They didn’t see a fearsome sorceress. They saw what Vashella wanted them to see. Only Bowser and Luigi saw her true form.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” Vashella began, her voice smooth and commanding. “Welcome to the real reason I brought you here. As much as I enjoy spectacle, there are matters far more urgent—and far more profitable.”

The projector whirred to life behind her, casting an image of a warp pipe across the screen.

“This simple pipe connects to another world,” she continued. “A world teeming with invaders—hoarding treasures that should be yours. If unchecked, everything you have ever loved will be gone. Those monsters will show no remorse. Those monsters are also keeping resources from you. Resources that would elevate your societies to their zenith. You want those resources, you need them! I want that for you. And that is why I need an army. And I’ve chosen you—the protectors of this world, the dealers of destruction—to reclaim what is rightfully ours. If you seek to protect what’s yours, if you seek to gain riches beyond belief, meet me at the pipe. Meet me at the precipice. Meet me… at” Vashella looks at her cue cards. “Kings Park Psychiatric Center 685 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn New York. That is where one of these pipes, these portals, are located.”

The crowd murmured, still groggy. Some blinked, confused. The potion hadn’t fully taken hold in everyone yet. Vashella narrowed her eyes.

“Still unsure? Drink more. Let your mind clear. Or perhaps…” She paused. “Perhaps revenge is a stronger motivator.”

That line made Luigi stiffen.

Revenge?

“What would you say,” Vashella said, her tone suddenly darker, “if I told you one of those monsters was already here? One of them, right now, among your wives, your guests… the workers and models backstage.”

—

Out on the runway, Daisy was mid-strut, her tightly fitted silver gown forcing her into more of a wiggle than a walk. She scanned the audience—mostly the spouses of the generals now—sipping drinks, completely entranced. In the side of the runway, she spotted Peach, her expression tense with worry.

Then Daisy saw it.

The painting covering the false door had been opened—just slightly. And slipping out from the shadows was a battle-worn but unmistakable figure.

One.

—

Back in the side room, Luigi crept to the exit and tried the handle. Locked.

“We got a situation here,” Daisy’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie.

“I can’t-a get the door open!” Luigi hissed, rattling the knob. Vashella’s eyes are now locked on him. 

“Screw this!” Bowser growled, storming up behind him. With one thunderous kick, he sent the door flying off its hinges.

The sound echoed through the venue like a gunshot.

Screams erupted. Models fled the runway. Guests in the balconies gasped and leaned over the railings, trying to glimpse the source of the chaos. But the high-profile guests in the main hall? They barely flinched—still under Vashella’s spell.

Then One stepped fully into the room—but he wasn’t dragging his usual battle axe. Instead, in a grim tribute to his fallen sibling, he pulled behind him a massive iron sphere lined with jagged, welded spikes—like something forged in a nightmare. It wasn’t the chain chomp that Three once wielded, but a warped imitation. He dragged it slowly across the floor, corrupted glee etched across his scarred face.

“HEY! EVERYONE! YOU GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE!” Daisy shouted from the runway. No one moved. Eyes pink. Minds poisoned.

One locked his gaze on her. His only remaining arm gripped the chain. He began spinning it over his head, the spikes whistling through the air.

Daisy turned to run—but the gown wouldn’t let her.

The spiked ball came flying toward her—

And then, in a blur, she was yanked from the runway.

The metal tore through the flimsy platform, splinters flying. But she was safe.

Daisy looked up—still breathless—and found herself in Waluigi’s arms. He was still dressed from the show, wearing a sheer gem-encrusted top, his chest glittering in the spotlight.

“T-t-thanks…” Daisy muttered, flustered and flushed.

“Uh… don’t… don’t-a mention it,” Waluigi said, just as flustered, eyes darting away. 

The crowd in the balcony erupted into panic, stampeding toward the exits with screams echoing through the castle. On the runway, One swung his weapon again—his bloodshot eyes now locked on Peach. She turned to flee, her hat slipping off and hitting the floor, but the rows of chairs and dazed generals’ wives blocked her path. She stumbled, trapped. Then—

BOOM .

A section of the wall behind Peach exploded in a blast of debris and dust. From the wreckage emerged Mario and Wario, each wielding massive sledgehammers. One didn’t flinch. With a grunt, he hurled his spiked weapon straight at Peach.

Mario moved on instinct—racing across the floor, he swung his hammer like a bat. CRACK! The spiked ball ricocheted through the air, crashing into the stone wall and lodging deep in the rock.

“Mario!” Peach gasped in relief.

From the stage, Vashella’s cold voice cut through the chaos. “Well, well, well… I’ll admit, I didn’t expect you all to find me so quickly. This world is so much larger than your tiny kingdoms. You were foolish to come here without—”

She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes fell on the tall figure in green—the one with the red hair.

“So… you did come,” she hissed. “And not only that, you’ve sunk low enough to wear a human disguise? Forsaking your Koopa form to masquerade as a lesser species?”

Then, to the generals behind her, she turned and pointed. “That man is not one of you. He’s one of the invaders! And the traitors beside him have sided with monsters! Seize them—seize the mustached ones and their little friends!”

Those under her control—military men, wealthy elites, models in designer gowns—rose slowly, eyes glowing pink. The potion had taken full hold. Like a horde, they staggered forward, arms outstretched.

Luigi and Bowser were cornered near the back wall, the enchanted guests inching closer with every step.

One yanked his weapon free from the stone, dragging it behind him with a guttural snarl as he stalked toward Mario, Peach, and Wario.

Across the room, Daisy and Waluigi backed away from a wave of zombified models in six-inch heels. Those who hadn’t had time to drink the potion had long since fled—but the rest were coming, slow and steady, like a spellbound tide.

Bowser scanned the chaos—models fleeing, the balconies emptied, and only the bewitched humans remained, their pink-glowing eyes fixated on him and the others.

Without a word, he unclasped the pendant around his neck and handed it to Luigi. “Hold this.”

A flash of light erupted as his disguise fell away. His tailored suit ripped at the seams as it tried to accommodate his hulking frame, though still without his shell. In one swift motion, Bowser shoved Luigi behind him, then whipped his tail low. It swept through the crowd like a scythe, knocking the hypnotized humans off their feet.

Grabbing Luigi by waist, Bowser leapt over the collapsing horde, landing with a crash near the back of the hall. With a roar, he charged the massive framed painting Daisy had mentioned. His shoulder slammed into it with enough force to splinter the false wall behind. It crumbled, revealing the hidden chamber.

But Junior wasn’t there. Just his bandana—crumpled on the floor.

“You won’t find him in there,” Vashella’s voice rang out, taunting.

Bowser turned. She stood across the room, on the stage, flanked by the magikoopa, Bradley—and Bowser Jr.

“Dad!” the little koopa shouted, trying to rush forward.

Vashella caught him by the shell. “Ah ah ah, we will have none of that. We have an appointment to keep.” She turned to the crowd. “My generals, my arms dealers—do you remember your orders? Leave One to finish them off. You know where to meet me: the pipe. Bring me your battalions, your weapons, your war machines. The invaders must fall!”

At her command, the enchanted humans ceased their pursuit and shuffled en masse toward the dock and the waiting yacht.

Only One remained.

Vashella leaned close to the magikoopa and whispered, “Make this a fair fight.”

The magikoopa flicked his wand. A spell burst forth, hitting One square in the chest.

Mario and Luigi watched in horror as the koopaling began to twist and convulse. His body expanded—once, twice, three times over. His claws elongated, his spine cracked and reshaped. His ball and chain grew with him, the spikes multiplying. In moments, he no longer resembled a Koopa. He was a dragon—towering, monstrous, smashing through the ceiling. The star on his back now looked like a mere spark on a mountainside.

Vashella turned back, smirking. “Bye bye for now… though without your little power-ups, maybe it’s… bye bye for good.”

With a cruel laugh, she vanished in a cloud of smoke—taking Junior, Bradley, and the magikoopa with her.

“JUNIOR!” Bowser roared, charging after them—

—but the monstrous One dropped his massive leg in Bowser’s path. Then, with a violent swing of his tail, he struck.

Bowser flew across the room like a cannonball, slamming into the stone wall with a bone-shaking crunch. Without his shell, the impact knocked the breath from his lungs, and he slid to the floor, groaning. The towering koopaling now loomed over what used to be the runway. Wario made a dash for the backstage area, but the collapsed scaffolding blocked his way. Waluigi and Daisy tried the main entrance where the guests had come in, but the beast was already there, blocking their escape. All Mario could do was stand his ground, hammer in hand, guarding Peach from the monster. Luigi rushed to Bowser’s side, trying to get him back on his feet.

One reached for his massive chain, the now-enormous spiked ball whirling slowly but menacingly through the air. The weapon tore through rows of chairs once surrounding the catwalk. Mario and Peach ducked just in time, as did Wario, Waluigi, and Daisy. The chain stopped inches from Luigi and Bowser, the ball embedding itself into the castle wall with a violent crunch.

Luigi helped Bowser stand just as One turned toward them. Before either could catch their breath, Bowser scooped Luigi up and leapt, rolling out of the way as One launched a fireball in their direction. Bowser retaliated with a blazing column of fire, striking One directly in the face. And that’s when Mario and Bowser realized something important: One was no longer invincible. Before, when the Stars on their back were still new, only Bowser’s rare, godlike firepower could do any damage. But now, One winced from a standard blast of Bowser’s fire breath.

Still, there was no time to celebrate. One yanked the embedded chain free and began spinning it again—lower this time, too low to duck. Mario readied his hammer, preparing to smack the projectile like a baseball, though its size now rivaled his own. He only had a heartbeat to act. He swung with his eyes shut, bracing for the worst—but the ball deflected off something else. When he opened his eyes, Wario was beside him, hammer raised—they had struck together. The moment of victory didn’t last long. One pulled the chain down hard, slamming the spiked ball into the floor where the plumbers stood. Mario and Wario dove in opposite directions just in time as the impact shattered the floor beneath them.

Bowser saw his opening and let loose another torrent of fire, striking One’s exposed back. “OVER HERE!” Luigi shouted to his brother. He clasped his hands together, ready to give Mario a boost. Mario nodded and sprinted over, planting his foot into Luigi’s hands. With all his strength, Luigi launched Mario high into the air, directly toward One’s face. Mario swung midair, landing a powerful hit to the beast’s jaw. One reeled, actually feeling the blow—but the retaliation was swift. One raised a massive claw and swatted Mario out of the air like a gnat, sending him crashing into a pile of broken wood and runway pieces.

One turned his gaze back to Bowser and charged. But Daisy and Peach had already sprung into action. Grabbing a set of heavy curtains from the edge of the ruined runway, they quickly fashioned a makeshift trip line across One’s path. Just as the monstrous koopaling barreled forward, the two princesses yanked the curtain taut. One stumbled, crashing forward, but managed to scramble upright just as quickly—this time dragging the curtain and the two princesses along with him through the rubble-strewn floor.

Wario and Waluigi joined in, hurling chairs and broken debris at the beast. But One barely flinched.

He opened his jaws and unleashed a torrent of flame straight toward Bowser. The Koopa King dove out of the way, narrowly avoiding the searing blast. One continued the barrage, sweeping his flame across the battlefield, inching closer to Bowser with every second. Then, suddenly, the fire stopped—and One howled in pain, clutching his eye.

Luigi had thrown a rock. A simple rock. And it hit dead-on.

One’s furious gaze turned to Luigi. The green plumber’s eyes widened in panic as he began to backpedal—then bolted. But One gave chase, quickly closing the distance. With a roar, the giant koopaling snatched Luigi up like a toy in one massive claw.

“LUIGI!” Mario shouted, still struggling to stand.

Luigi thrashed, trying to break free, but One’s grip only tightened. The pressure became unbearable as the crushing strength squeezed harder and harder. Bowser launched another fire attack, but this time One countered with flames of his own. The two infernos collided midair, a blazing standoff. Meanwhile, Luigi was still trapped—his ribs aching, his strength fading.

Then, a spark.

A snap.

In his desperation, Luigi released a small jolt of electricity—his Thunderhand. Latent power he had long neglected. A power he feared. But in this moment, fear had no place. He closed his eyes and focused, digging deep. He pressed both palms against the thumb of One’s fist and channeled the surge.

In an instant, a flash of blue light burst from Luigi’s hands. Bolts of electricity surged through One’s arm—and, unintentionally, through Luigi as well. The massive koopaling spasmed and cried out, loosening his grip just long enough for Luigi to drop free, dazed and twitching. Both of them staggered, off balance, struggling to stay upright.

Mario didn’t hesitate. He ran straight to Luigi’s side, ignoring his own pain. Bowser took advantage of One’s disorientation and launched a fresh torrent of fire straight at the koopaling’s back.

Once Luigi steadied himself, he and Mario shared a glance—then nodded in unspoken agreement. Together, they joined the assault. Mario unleashed a blazing firebrand while Luigi fired another blast of his Thunderhand. One was bombarded from all sides, unable to counter.

Bowser’s eyes began to glow—just as they had when he defeated the other fused koopalings. His flames grew brighter, more intense. Mario and Luigi pushed their powers to the limit, their attacks swelling with energy.

With a final burst, the combined power struck One dead center, knocking him back into one of the castle walls. The stone shattered on impact, collapsing in a rain of debris that swallowed the beast whole.

A massive cloud of smoke and dust billowed outward.

Then—silence.

The light of the moon poured in through the hole in the castle wall, illuminating the battlefield. One was gone.

“Is everyone okay?!” Peach called out, her voice echoing through the wreckage.

Mario and Luigi collapsed, completely spent but alive.

“Yeah… we are-a… okie dokie,” Mario wheezed, flashing a thumbs-up and giving his brother a wink.

“We’re-a fine, if anyone was-a wondering,” Wario called out, brushing dust off his sleeves.

“Same here!” Daisy added, though she winced as she stood.

Bowser, flat on his back, gave a weak thumbs-up and groaned in pain.

As the dust slowly settled, the group began to rise, bruised and battered but still alive. They gathered near the pile of rubble where One had fallen. To their surprise—he was still alive.

Barely.

The koopaling had returned to his original size. His body was charred, hair singed almost to the scalp, his once-imposing shell shattered into jagged fragments. His legs were pinned beneath a slab of stone. And yet, when he saw them, he still tried to swipe at them—weakly, blindly, defiantly. Even at death’s edge, he was trying to fight.

It was pitiful.

The silence lingered. No one moved.

“What do we do?” Peach asked at last, her voice small.

Luigi took a step forward, swallowing hard. He looked at the broken creature and felt a pang of sorrow. “M-maybe if we move-a the stone—slowly—we could—”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Bowser interrupted, his voice flat. “Except end it.”

“What?!” Daisy gasped.

“If we move the stone, he’ll die. If we leave him here, he’ll die slowly.”

Peach shook her head, desperate for another option. “No. I can heal him. We have power-ups. Super Mushrooms, even a fire flower—we can help him!”

“No mushroom will fix this. And he wouldn’t take your help if you tried,” Bowser said quietly, almost regretfully. “These koopalings were bred for war. Like the ones of old. They don’t know mercy. They don’t know surrender. Helping him would be an insult. Even if he lived, he’d only come after us again.”

They all looked down at One, still struggling, still swinging feebly at them. They knew Bowser was right.

With grim determination, Bowser stepped forward. “If you want a clean conscience, go back to the boat.”

His mouth began to glow.

“WAIT!” Luigi cried, rushing forward. “The star! Can-a we… can we at least save the star?”

Mario and the princesses stepped in closer, cautious now. On One’s back, the containment device had cracked open, and nestled inside was the Power Star—dim, flickering, its glow barely visible. It was too weak to escape on its own.

Luigi knelt down beside One, whose tired, furious eyes met his. The stare sent a chill down Luigi’s spine, but he didn’t look away. Carefully, he pried away the last bit of shell holding the star in place. It came loose with a faint shimmer.

Luigi gently cradled it to his chest.

For a brief moment, his body pulsed with the familiar glow of star absorption. Then it faded—and the star was gone.

Luigi let out a slow breath, a wave of quiet sorrow washing over him. But also… peace. The star was safe now, back with Rosalina.

Notes:

Sorry for the tardiness of this chapter. This became a very ambitious chapter on top of a lot of stress in my life. Also the fashions used in the illistratutions do come from real runways, notably Maison Margiela, Thom Browne, and Moschino. Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter and here is some headcanon notes.

Headcanon notes: Wario and Waluigi are not really friends. They just tolerate each other because of their proximity to each other. Waluigi has a rich life outside of Wario that he doesn't tell anyone. He is an avid pinball enthusiast, a fashion model, and semi-pro golfer.

Chapter 29: The Last Dance

Summary:

Its the final confrontation and the question remains, does this story end well or am I an angsty author who doesn't believe in happen endings.

“So you’re asking to borrow… what, a platoon of forty of my troops?” The commander thumbed through a folder of hastily assembled paperwork, eyes squinting under the harsh desk lamp. “For a civilian–military readiness demonstration?”

The general from the fashion show stood still, hands behind his back, the soft pink glow beneath his sunglasses faint but unmistakable. “Yes. A demo for potential vendors. A chance to display strengths, identify vulnerabilities. See where private partners can assist.”

The commander took a sip of the drink the general had brought. “What’s the scope?”

“One platoon. Light kit, live rounds. Static formations, tactical movement. Urban clearing posture, outer perimeter hold.”

“With live ammo?” The commander raised an eyebrow. “Seems excessive. Especially in an abandoned hospital… and for a demo?”

“There’s low-grade chatter from intel. A small terrorist cell might be squatting there. Low threat level—barely a blip. But it’s a clean way to kill two birds: demo our readiness and quietly sweep the site. Arms dealers and a few foreign observers will be present.”

“And this is all happening when, exactly?”

“0900 hours.”

The commander glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight. “You realize what you’re asking? Forty armed soldiers in a condemned facility. Hours from now. For a crowd of unvetted civilians. It happens to fall on a drill weekend, so the men are here… but this? This isn’t standard.”

Another sip dulled his apprehension. Whatever was in the drink made it harder to stay sharp.

“Why now?” he asked. “Didn’t you just return from that fashion show with your wife?”

“We did. Lovely time,” the general replied, voice flat.

“I heard there was an emergency evacuation.”

“There was. Gas leak. Strictly precautionary. All contained.” The general answered smoothly—too smoothly, as if rehearsed.

“But you still managed to smuggle this drink out?”

“My wife loved it. They had cases. I happened to have my canteen.”

The commander glanced at the canteen. It had an odd turtle shell pattern on it. “This isn’t standard issue.”

“It’s personal.”

A lie. The general didn’t do personal gear. But the commander couldn’t hold on to the suspicion. Not with that drink dulling his senses.

He looked up from his desk. His apprehension seemingly completely disappeared.“…Do you have any soldiers in mind?”

Back in Brooklyn, the sun had yet to rise. It was early—still dark—but the twin plumbers were already dressed and seated at the kitchen table, sipping quietly from their mugs.

“I thought I-a smelled coffee,” their mother murmured, appearing in her robe, hair tousled from sleep.

“Oh, scusa, Mama,” Mario said, setting down his cup. “We didn’t wanna wake you or Papa.”

“No, no… this is when I-a usually get up.” Her eyes scanned the table. “You-a eat yet?”

The brothers shook their heads. She didn’t say another word—just turned into the kitchen and started cooking. A few minutes later, she returned with plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast—quick, American-style, like she used to make when their father had early shifts.

“Eat, you two,” she said softly.

Mario and Luigi smiled and nodded, digging in. The three of them ate in silence. It wasn’t just to keep the house quiet. There was something else—a weight in the air. Calm before a storm. Their mother felt it too. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew her boys. She could sense something was coming. She didn’t press them. She knew they wouldn’t tell her—not to worry her.

When they finished, the brothers quietly cleaned their plates and grabbed their hats.

“Thanks for-a breakfast, Ma,” Mario said, facing the door. “Uh… we might-a be home late this time, so—”

Before he could finish, she was already wrapping them in a hug. She held them tightly—long enough to feel like forever, but still not long enough.

“I know you two will-a be okie-dokie,” she whispered. “Just be-a safe, my boys.”

“We will, Mama,” Luigi murmured.

“Yeah,” Mario added softly.

Outside, the van waited at the curb. Wario was in the driver’s seat, Waluigi leaning against the side. As Luigi headed to the back, Mario marched straight to the driver’s side and promptly kicked Wario out of his spot.

Inside the back of the van, Peach and Daisy sat in the usual princess attire they’d first arrived in, now cleaned and pressed by Mama Mario. Bowser, still in human form, wore a better-fitting track suit. The van rolled forward, the city fading behind them as the horizon began to blush with light.

It would be a few hours before they reached the abandoned hospital. A few hours until the generals arrived with their troops.

They stepped out and stared up at the looming structure. Cracked windows, rusted gates, and silence. Somewhere inside, Vashella and Bowser Jr. waited.

“So what’s the plan?” Daisy asked.

“Storm the building. Beat Vashella. Save my son,” Bowser said plainly. “Then Kamek uses the warp pipe to undo whatever spell she’s put on the military brass.”

“You make it sound so easy,” Daisy muttered.

“We-a really should have-a plan, Bowser,” Mario added with a frown.

“You guys just worry about finding Junior. Leave Vashella to me,” Bowser said, flexing his shoulders.

“You know more than anyone she won’t fight fair,” Peach said suddenly, her voice steady. “We should assume there’ll be traps, misdirection—maybe even illusions. We shouldn’t rush in blind.”

Everyone turned toward her. “Okay commander Peach.” Teased Daisy. 

Peach blinked. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

Daisy gave a lopsided smile. “Nah. You just sounded more like a general than a princess.”

“Well… maybe it’s time I do more than watch my heros.” 

Wario chimed in. “It sounds like-a you all have this-a figured out. You-a really don’t-a need us here—“

“Not so fast, big guy.” Daisy interrupted. “You two are on look out.”

“Is it-a really two person job?” Waluigi asked. 

“Didn’t know you were eager to tussle with Vashella yourself bean stalk.” 

Waluigi looked at Daisy’s self satisfied smirk, groaned, and sat back down in the van, resigning himself to lookout duties. 

“Atta boy.” Daisy cheered. 

“So how shall we tackle this?” Peach asked. 

Bowser took off his pendant, transforming back to his koopa self. His track suit stretched over his scaly shoulders. He handed the pendant to Luigi as he turned to grab his shell. “You and the pipsqueak brother look for Junior. This thing will glow the closer you are to him.” He pointed to the princess. “You two think you can handle the traitor Bradley and that magikoopa?” 

“Piece of cake.” Daisy exclaimed. 

“Then you two head to the right. Greenie and Pipsqueak will enter from the left. I’ll take the main entrance as that’s where she’ll most likely be.” Bowser commanded. “Everyone got that?”

“Okie dokie!” Luigi responded. 

“Let’s-a go.” Mario replied. 

With that, the group split off towards the hospital. It’s rusted metal fixtures, broken windows, and general overgrowth showed its dilapidated state. They knew they would have to tread lightly, not only to get the surprise on Vashella, but to keep themselves safe. 

Peach and Daisy followed the walls looking for a suitable window to craw through. Most of them were still intact or lead into rooms that were blocked off by debris and anbandon furniture. Eventually they found a suitable window to go through. After gingerly climbing through the window frame, the two princesses found themselves in an empty room. Peeling wallpaper and painted adorned the walls while dead leaves and plant debris scattered over the floor. 

The princesses made their way to the hall. Their footsteps light and deliberate. The smell of a small fire lead them through the dilapidated hallways. They soon found themselves on the backside of the hospital, almost back outside. 

The lone Koopa stood watch, his post more symbolic than serious. As the princess crept closer, she saw what he guarded: a massive warp pipe, unlike any she had ever seen. It filled the room, towering like a monument of green metal. Bradley leaned against it, barely holding himself upright. His eyes drooped, his hums off-key, every yawn betraying the exhaustion that had plagued him since the fashion show.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Mario and Luigi ascended toward the upper levels. The staircase groaned beneath their boots, many steps splintered or missing entirely. They climbed carefully, testing each creaking board, skirting holes where the stairs had collapsed. At the landing they found themselves in a long, abandoned hallway. Rusted medical carts, toppled cabinets, and broken stretchers cluttered the passage, but at the very end was a door that stood apart. Its wood was darker than the rest, polished almost, with a clear path cut through the debris leading right to it. The brothers exchanged a glance and nodded. That had to be Vashella’s chamber—or perhaps Bowser Jr.’s prison.

From their distance the door looked unguarded. No wires, no trip hazards, no traps they could spot.

“Hello?” A voice called faintly from within. Bowser Jr.’s voice.

“Hello? Can someone save me?”

Luigi bolted forward at once.

“Luigi, wait!” Mario hissed, but his warning came too late.

The green plumber reached the door unscathed. Mario hurried to catch him, but the instant Luigi stepped inside, the door slammed shut. Purple smoke burst outward, and when it cleared, the door was gone—leaving Mario staring at a blank wall.

“Luigi?” he called, panic edging his voice. “LUIGI!”

On the other side, Luigi spun around to find no doorway, only a grimy wall. He was in a bathroom—rundown but functional, as though still used. Relief flickered through him. At least he hadn’t been spirited to some faraway lair. Still, the unease gnawed at him.

“Greenie?” piped a small voice.

Luigi turned to the bathtub. Curled inside was Bowser Jr.

“Little Bambino!” Luigi cried, rushing to him.

Junior blinked in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

“We-a came to-a rescue you! Me, my brother, your papa—even the-a princesses. We’re all here for-a you!”

“My dad’s here?” Junior’s face brightened. Luigi nodded eagerly.

“I heard you-a calling for help.” Luigi explained.

Junior frowned. “I didn’t call for help. I was asleep. I’m always asleep here. They make me drink some icky stuff that makes me sleepy.”

The realization hit Luigi like a blow. He’d fallen straight into a trap. He scanned the room for a way out, but the bathroom had no door, only a single window. Frosted glass blurred the outside, though a crack let him peek through. Pressing his eye to it, Luigi froze. Somehow, impossibly, he was a full floor higher than when he’d entered. Beyond the glass stretched an inner courtyard. 

Luigi hopped down and continued to look around the bathroom, hoping to find a solution to this conundrum. 

Unbeknownst to him however, directly below his feet was Bowser and Vashella. Bowser's journey to Vashella was rather direct, not out of chance or luck, but by design. 

“Finally the king arrived, took you long enough.” Vashella mocks as Bowser enters the large operating theater. 

“Where’s Junior?!” Bowser shouted, uninterested in small talk. Flames began to glow from his mouth. 

“He’s close, very close. So I would advise you to be careful where you shoot your next fireball. This structure isn’t the most sound place and you might become the reason for your son’s demise.” She warned. 

Bowser looked around to see if Junior was in an obvious hiding place but nothing seemed out of place. “Typical. Spineless as usual.”

“I like to think of it as insurance.” Vashella retorted. “Whatever you plan on doing, you might want to make it quick. My guest from last night should be here any minute.” 

“Then what are we yapping around for?” Bowser launched forward, claws bared, towards Vashella. 

Vashella spun around deflecting his attack with her shell. Using that momentum, she kept spinning, landing a punch square in his jaw. Bowser jumped back recoiling from her attack, But unphased. He launched at her again, she swings but misses giving him the chance to land a punch into her stomach. 

“Is that… all… you got?!” She taunted even though she was struggling for air. 

Bowser growled as he charged again. The pair exchanged blows, each hit getting more intense than the other. 

On the other side of the hospital, Mario could hear the battle. The walls shook from the force as chunks of plaster and brick began to fall. It was imperative that he find his brother, as the dilapidated building couldn’t handle much more fighting. Mario darted from hallway to hallway, carelessly ignoring who might be just around the corner.

“Surprise!!!” Suddenly, the red Magikoopa appeared. With a flick of his wand, Mario found himself ensnared by bewitched ropes and wires. They coiled tightly around the red plumber’s arms and legs, leaving him immobile and struggling.

“Mistress Vashella will be so pleased that I got rid of two of the nuisances.” Mario’s eyes widened. It was clear he was talking about Luigi. “Can’t store you in the same place as the green one—not until I kill him first. Can’t have them helping each other.” The Magikoopa continued, speaking more to himself. “Though… with the green one and the brat placed precariously close to battlefield, it won’t take long before a stray fireball incinerates them both.” The Magikoopa raised his wand. “But I’ll make sure I kill you first.”

Mario felt the wires tighten, his breathing became labored. Now he knew where Luigi was—he couldn’t stop now. Mario began to feel that familiar heat rising in the pit of his stomach. His eyes glowed as the heat weakened the wires.

“Not so fast!” The Magikoopa flicked his wand and shot out an icy beam. But the heat radiating from Mario overpowered the spell. He tried again, but the ice crystals melted as soon as they formed. The heat burned through the ropes and melted the wires. With one swift push of his arms, Mario was freed.

The Magikoopa, startled, dropped his wand. He scrambled to pick it up, but before he could reach it, Mario launched a torrent of fireballs. The flames burned through the Magikoopa’s red robe all the way down to his bare tail. What little hair he had was singed away. The roasted Magikoopa ran shrieking, trying to extinguish the fire roaring on his back. Eventually, he threw himself out the window, tumbling three stories to the ground.

Mario followed, peeking from the third floor. He could see the Magikoopa sprawled out below—charred, dazed, and knocked out, but still alive. Mario returned to the room and picked up the Magikoopa’s wand. He didn’t really know how to use it, but perhaps he could use it to find Luigi and Bowser Jr. Without a second glance he set off again, this time to the battle where Bowser and Vashella were. 

Meanwhile, the princesses, still observing Bradley, schemed together to come up with a plan.

“How should we take him out?” Peach whispered.

“Hmm… we can take him from both ends. Come up around the warp pipe, you know?”

“Right… then what?”

“We…” Daisy glanced around their immediate vicinity. “We… hit him over the head with a rock!”

“Great idea…” Peach looked around. “I don’t have a rock near me.”

“Well then… here.” Daisy handed her a rock. “I’ll just go with my old-fashioned punch to the head on my end. You give that rock a good throw straight to his noggin. Just make sure you don’t hit me.”

Peach nodded, and the two set off toward Bradley. They crept along the walls, ducking behind piles of debris and discarded furniture that lined the room. The whole place looked like little more than a junk storage area, but with the massive warp pipes cutting through, the clutter served as perfect cover for their approach.

Reaching opposite ends of the pipes, the princesses split up, closing in on Bradley from both sides. As they got closer, they could see him more clearly now; the koopa had dozed off, slumped against the pipe. The two peeked around from opposite sides, locking eyes. Now was their chance—they had to strike together. Daisy silently counted down with her hand as Peach readied the rock.

3… 2… 1…

The princesses pounced. Peach hurled the rock, striking Bradley square in the head, while Daisy charged and slammed her shoulder into him. But the moment they landed their blows, Bradley burst apart into nothing but a puff of pale pink smoke.

“Wha—” Daisy froze, wide-eyed.

“GOTCHA!”

From above, Bradley appeared, standing atop the warp pipe with the same rope gun he’d used to capture Peach before. Before either princess could react, he fired, ensnaring them both in bewitched ropes.

“HA HA HA HAAA! You dumb broads fell so easily for my trap!” Bradley cackled, basking in his triumph.

The princesses struggled to free themselves, twisting and pulling against the ropes, but it was no use.

“Don’t wear yourself out, princess—you’ll be dead soon enough.” Bradley reached into his shell and drew a knife, the metal glinting in the dim light. “Vashella wanted me to keep the Toadstool Princess alive so she could deal with you herself. She didn’t say anything about the orange one.” He began to advance slowly, eyes locked on Daisy, knife poised. “Nothing personal, toots—but you’re about to be dead weight.”

Daisy, utterly unimpressed, turned her head toward Peach. “Princess Peach, be a dear and lift your legs off the ground for me, will ya?”

Before Peach could ask why, Daisy leaned forward, hoisting the tightly bound princess onto her back. Her eyes locked on Bradley’s as he hesitated, momentarily thrown off. That was all she needed. Daisy charged forward with full force, slamming her forehead square into Bradley’s face.

CRACK!

The koopa collapsed, clutching his shattered nose and howling in pain. His knife and rope gun clattered to the ground.

Daisy casually kneels to grab the knife. She angled the blade just right and sliced through the ropes binding her and Peach. Freed at last, Peach wasted no time—she snatched up the rope gun.

By the time Bradley calmed down, both princesses were standing over him. “W-W-WAIT! Let’s be resona—“ Peach pulled the trigger, ensnaring him in the same bewitched rope they were once in. 

“YOU STUPID BROADS! JUST WAIT TILL MISTRESS VASHELLA GET HER HANDS ON YOU! YOU’LL BE SORRY! I just… dang these ropes are tight… I just got to…HEY MAGIC BOY! HELP ME OUT OVER HERE!” Bradley shouted, hoping his voice would carry through the abandoned hospital. 

The princess, paying him no attention, studied the rope gun closely. “Hey it looked like it has a muzzle feature.” Peach pointed out. 

“Hmm, you don’t say. Well… let’s try it out.” Daisy encouraged. 

Peach pointed the gun back at Bradley, paying special attention to his mouth. “Hey don’t point that thing at me. It’s not nice to shot a man while he’s down you know. Hey ARE YOU LISTENING TO—“

With a pull of the trigger, smaller ropes shot out and wrapped themselves around the koopas mouth, finally shutting him up aside from a few groans. 

“Now what?” Daisy asked, glancing down at the writhing Koopa on the floor.

Peach’s gaze shifted toward the warp pipe. “I think we should see where this leads—find out exactly where Vashella was planning to send those troops.”

Daisy nodded, and the two approached the pipe. It was tall enough that the Toadstool Princess needed a boost from the Sarasaland Princess. With Daisy’s help, Peach climbed in and disappeared down the pipe.

Within seconds, Peach emerged into a familiar landscape—the Donut Plains. The tan-green meadows stretched endlessly around her. On one side loomed the dark forest that led toward the Dark Lands; on the other, gentle rolling hills veiled the Mushroom Kingdom beyond.

After a minute, Peach returned to the abandoned hospital.

“Well? What did you see?” Daisy asked eagerly.

“The Donut Plains,” Peach replied. “It makes sense strategically… and gives us even more reason to stop Vashella.”

“Right… but what do we do with him?” Daisy gestured toward the bound Bradley.

Peach sighed. “We’ll have to keep an eye on him, we can’t risk him escaping.”

“Babysitting him means we’re missing the fight,” Daisy groaned, crossing her arms. “Can’t be helped, I guess.” She turned toward the immobilized Koopa and, with surprising strength, hoisted him over her shoulder. “Let’s go, Peachy!”

The two princesses set off together, determined to find Bowser and stop Vashella once and for all.

At the center of the hospital, Bowser and Vashella were locked in an all-out brawl. The two colossal Koopas traded blow after blow, neither gaining the upper hand. Every strike was met with another, every roar with a counter. It was a fight on perfectly even footing, much to Vashella’s growing frustration.

As the battle dragged on, the confident smirk she’d worn began to fade. She had known Bowser was strong, but not this strong. In her mind, the Koopa King had gone soft, wasting his strength chasing love instead of conquest. Her entire plan—her entire belief system—was built on the conviction that Bowser was too weak to lead the mighty Koopa Troop. That he’d lost his edge, his ruthlessness, his will to dominate the Dark Lands.

That wasn’t just propaganda she’d spread to sow doubt and rally followers, it was something she truly believed. From the day they were married, Vashella had seen Bowser as a lesser ruler, one who leaned too heavily on his soldiers, on Kamek, and especially on the Koopalings. She, on the other hand, had always seen herself as the superior of the two, sharper, more cunning, more willing to get her claws dirty to achieve her goals.

So when Bowser refused to falter, when she realized she wasn’t winning as easily as she’d expected, it rattled her more than she’d admit.

For every blow she landed, she received one in return. She tried to tip the scales with every power-up her Magikoopa had prepared: Ice Flowers, Stone Mushrooms, Double Cherries, even counterfeit Power Stars. But none of it slowed Bowser down. He dodged most of her attacks, and when he didn’t, he simply tanked the hit and kept coming; unyielding, unstoppable, and angrier than she had ever seen him. 

But she still had one last trump card: Bowser Jr. was dangerously close to the fight. Bowser’s love for his son was his greatest weakness. One stray fireball, one misplaced, wall-shattering punch — and the prince could be buried under the rubble. The horror of having killed his own child would break Bowser, leave him desperate and careless, and give Vashella the opening she needed to finish him. Better yet, the resulting scandal would turn the Darklands against him and push the kingdom straight into her waiting hands. All she had to do was keep him fighting, keep him angrier and more reckless.

Their fighting shook the building, cause the brittle walls to form cracks and small pieces to fall. 

Back in the bathroom, Luigi could both hear and feel the battle raging below. The sounds coming from underneath made it clear this room sat directly above the fighting. The whole place struck him as odd. It looked more like a cozy hotel or a private home than a hospital ward. A clawfoot tub made no sense in a facility meant for patients who might be too injured to walk. There was a sink and a medicine cabinet, too—why would a hospital bathroom need a medicine cabinet? Everything felt vaguely familiar. He knew where each fixture sat, but he could not say why.

Luigi kept circling the room. He should have been looking for an escape, but the plumber in him kept noticing problems. The door sealed tightly, which would trap water if the room ever flooded. The walls were thin, as if only drywall had been used. Worse, the floor looked like drywall covered by a thin layer of tile. Luigi crouched to inspect the tiles and found they weren’t even properly set. He spotted a small comb on the counter, pried at an edge, and lifted one tile free with almost no effort, exposing the drywall below. The floor must be supported by flimsy wood and drywall. 

“What you looking at?” Bowser Jr. asked, watching him poke around.

“This-a bathroom is-a no good. It’s-a cheap and-a clearly thrown together,” Luigi muttered. He went to the sink and turned the faucet. Grey, murky water pooled in the basin and did not drain.

“What do you mean cheap? They told me we’re in a nice hotel,” Junior replied.

“Hotel?” Luigi echoed.

“Yeah. That Bradley guy said this is a nice hotel and that I should be lucky to sleep in one like this, even if it’s the bathroom. He said not to break anything because it will come out of his paycheck or something.”

“You-a think we are-a in a hotel?” Luigi asked.

“Aren’t we?” Junior looked genuinely puzzled.

Then it clicked for Luigi. They must have been keeping Junior in a magically recreated hotel bathroom each time they moved. To stop Junior from pointing out their location—or as some sick joke—the magikoopa responsible rebuilt the same room over and over. Whoever conjured it clearly knew nothing about construction, and even less about plumbing.

Luigi’s mind snapped into motion. Water that wouldn’t drain, drywall floors, and them sitting right above Bowser. “I GOT IT!” he shouted.

“What is it?” Junior asked, watching Luigi rush from faucet to faucet.

“We gotta flood this bathroom. Once the-a water soaks into the-a drywall floor, the-a tub’ll crash through and we can get out!”

Luigi reached into the back of the toilet and messed with the various part in the tank before stuffing an assortment of towels and toilet paper into the bowl. Soon the toilet began to overflow. The sink began to overflow at this point as well. Luigi turned his attention to the tub. The one place he needed to be dry was the tub. He reached up to the shower head and with all his might turned it to where all of the water would point away from the tub. 

Bowser Junior watched from the tub as the water slowly began to rise. Just as Luigi predicted, the water couldn’t escape under the door. As the water moved around, it picked up tiles exposing more of the subpar floor. 

The walls shook as the battle raged below them. However, the floor didn’t budge. Perhaps the floor was more solid than Luigi thought. 

Another rumble could be felt in the bathroom. The water sloshed around. But this time, Luigi felt the bathtub tilt. 

“That’s it.” An idea came to mind. “Junior, we-_ got to jump up and-a down to-a help us get through the-a floor.” He shouted. 

Junior grinned. “I can definitely do that.” With glee, Junior began jumping make it sure he slammed his little feet as hard as he can on the bottom of the tub. Luigi followed suit. As they did, the tub began to tilt further forward, the legs of the tub began to sink further into the floor. Luigi could hear the sound of wood bending and splintering. The combined weight of the water and their jumping was doing the work. 

But then Luigi was struck with another realization. If this plan works, that means they would be plummeting from the ceiling from a height of at least 10 feet. But this hospital has rooms that are multiple stories tall. In fact, Luigi has no clue how high they might be, or how much of a fall they will have. 

“Um… Junior I think we-a need to—“ but before he could finish, his mission was accomplished and the tub began to free fall through the floor. 

Back at the battle, Bowser and Vashella exchanged blows and tackles with increasing ferocity. Yet despite Bowser’s strength, Vashella was beginning to gain the upper hand. With her collection of power-ups, she was able to maintain her stamina, while exhaustion started to weigh down on the Koopa King. Their clash was so fierce that neither noticed the water beginning to leak from the ceiling above.

BOOM.

Bowser charged forward, ramming Vashella and pinning her against the wall. Chunks of plaster crumbled around them as flames seeped from his mouth. Vashella kicked back hard, forcing him off her—her claws tearing into his scales.

SMASH.

She countered, tackling him to the floor with a thunderous impact that rattled the walls. More water dripped from the ceiling, which had begun to bend under the pressure. But their focus was locked on each other. With Bowser pinned exactly where she wanted him, Vashella wrapped one clawed hand tightly around his throat and reached back into her shell for her final power-up—an Ice Flower. It absorbed into her, and Bowser could feel her grip grow bitterly cold. He tried to summon a fireball, but her hold on his neck was too tight. Frost began to form along his scales and within his throat.

Vashella grinned wickedly. All she had to do was hold him there, long enough to freeze his airway shut. He would suffocate on the ice—and she would finally win.

“This isn’t exactly how I wanted things to go…” Vashella hissed softly. “But getting my own claws dirty just proves who the superior truly is.” Her grip tightened further. “I wanted you to be the one to kill your son, but sometimes, the best-laid plans go to waste. Luckily, when that brat sees your severed head, he won’t put up much of a fight when I snuff him out.”

Bowser’s eyes widened.

“Any last words?” she taunted, pausing for effect. “What’s the matter? Ice got your tongue?”

“DAD!”

A familiar voice exploded from above.

Vashella snapped her head up—just in time to see Luigi, Junior, and a flood of debris crashing down through the ceiling. Bowser shoved her away, unintentionally sending her directly into the path of impact as he rolled aside.

The bathtub hit first—slamming into Vashella’s face and chest—followed by the torrent of water and debris. The wave carried her backward across the battlefield, violently smashing her against a weakened wall. Luigi clutched Junior as they tumbled out of the tub, rolling across the floor until they slammed against the opposite wall, dazed but alive.

“Luigi?” Mario called out as he stepped into the large room—just in time to see his brother roll across the floor, barely missing him.

Luigi slowly pushed himself up, still dazed and dizzy. He shook his head, trying to steady himself, before realizing who was standing by the door. “Mar—!” he started, but the word was cut off by a deep, echoing creak that rippled through the walls.

The ongoing clash between the two massive Koopas had weakened the already crumbling structure. The walls began to groan, then collapse—giant chunks of plaster, concrete, wood, and brick raining down in every direction. Mario bolted toward Luigi, but before he could reach him, an avalanche of debris came crashing down, burying Mario’s brother, Junior, Bowser, and Vashella beneath it.

The princesses, with Bradley in tow, arrived at the doorway just in time to be met by a rushing wave of dust that tore through the halls like a storm.

Mario shielded his eyes as the dust cloud enveloped him. Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, silence fell. He coughed, waving the air clear. “Luigi?” he called again, his voice echoing through the wreckage. The dust began to settle, revealing a massive mound of rubble where the others had stood.

“LUIGI!” Mario’s voice cracked with panic. He scrambled up the pile, frantically tossing aside rocks and broken bricks where he had last seen his brother.

The princesses finally made their way into what was left of the room. Seeing the desperation in Mario’s eyes, they didn’t need to ask what had happened. Without hesitation, they rushed to his side, helping him dig. Together, they clawed through the debris for what felt like an eternity. Mario’s chest tightened with every stone he moved, terrified of what he might—or might not—find.

Then, suddenly, the rubble shifted.

A familiar spiked shell broke through the dust. It was Bowser.

Mario and the princesses focused their efforts on clearing the debris around him. As they pulled the last of the stones away, Bowser pushed himself upright, bruised and battered but alive.

And there, beneath his massive frame, Luigi lay clutching Junior tightly—both of them shaken but unharmed. Bowser had shielded them with his own body.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then, as the realization set in, a wave of relief washed over the group. Everyone exhaled at once. They were safe.

Bowser tried to stand, but chunks of concrete still clung to his shell and tail.

“Whoa, whoa, easy there, big fella,” Daisy interjected, rushing toward him.

“Forget about me—I’m fine,” Bowser barked, brushing her off. “Is Junior okay?”

Luigi looked down at the small Koopa cradled in his arms. “He is… he’s okie-dokie.”

Bowser managed a weak grin. “Good…” He exhaled a long, shaky breath and pushed himself upright. “Let’s get out of this mess and go h—”

His words cut off abruptly. A sudden spray of blood spattered across Luigi’s face.

Before Junior could even look up, Luigi instinctively pulled him close, pressing the boy’s head against his chest. Bowser’s breath hitched—he reached for his shoulder, where a jagged piece of pipe jutted out, glistening red.

He dropped back to his knees, towering over Luigi and Junior.

High above them, standing on the rubble, was Vashella. Wet, disheveled, her eyes burned with fury. “YOU WILL NOT BEST ME!” she roared. “I’M THE SUPERIOR KOOPA!”

“JUNIOR… GREENIE… R—RUN!” Bowser commanded, his voice strained. He could barely turn his head toward her.

In an instant, Vashella was looming above him, a massive boulder raised over her head. Flames flickered at the corners of her mouth—she was ready to end him, right there, in front of everyone.

Bowser Jr. obeyed his father and sprinted toward Princess Peach, hiding behind her skirts. But Luigi didn’t move.

Without hesitation, the green-clad plumber slid out from beneath Bowser, stepping into full view of the furious queen. He threw out his arm, eyes glowing white, and shouted, “THUNDER!” A ball of lightning shot from his hand, slamming into Vashella and locking her body in place as electricity coursed through her.

“FIRE!” another voice shouted. Mario joined in, launching his own attack. Flames engulfed Vashella—her hair and what remained of her dress catching fire.

Amid the chaos, Daisy rushed to Bowser’s side and yanked the metal pipe from his shoulder. With a grunt, the Koopa King lifted his head, eyes glowing with that familiar fiery light.

Summoning the last of his strength, Bowser opened his jaws wide and unleashed a massive beam of energy straight through Vashella. Her arms gave out—the boulder she held crashed down on top of her, crushing what remained. The blast tore through the wall behind her, triggering a chain reaction. The already-weakened hospital began to collapse like dominoes.

“We’ve got to go!” Daisy shouted.

Peach scooped Junior into her arms. Daisy grabbed Bradley—who had been trying to sneak away—and Luigi and Mario hauled Bowser to his feet. Running on pure adrenaline, the group sprinted for the exit as slabs of concrete, brick, and wood crashed down around them. The doorway came into view. They pushed harder, legs burning, lungs aching. With one final leap, they cleared the crumbling hospital just as it collapsed behind them in a deafening roar.

For a long moment, they stood there, panting and coughing, staring back at the ruins as the dust began to settle—waiting for any sign of Vashella. But this time, she didn’t rise.

Bowser smirked faintly. “See? I told you I’d rescue my boy in no—”

Before he could finish gloating, his strength gave out. The Koopa King collapsed. 

Notes:

This is the second to last chapter of this fic. Sorry this took so long, life... its happening. Anyways, thanks for being patient. Also, I plan on redrawing a few of the illustrations from previous chapters. So be on the look out for that.

Chapter 30: It All Comes Out In the Wash

Summary:

Ding dong the witch is dead and now time to wrap everything up with a bow.

This is a very long chapter with an epilogue, so buckle in.

Bowser 

The sun rose over the gray stone façade of Bowser’s castle, its light creeping slowly through the tall windows of the Koopa King’s chamber. Warm rays spilled across the floor and over the massive bed where Bowser stirred, his eyelids fluttering open.

He tried to sit up—only for a sharp pain to remind him of his injuries. Grimacing, he sank back into the pillows, his eyes sweeping across the room.

In the corner next to his bed, curled up in an oversized plush armchair, sat Luigi. The green plumber was fast asleep, slumped over with a book still dangling from his hand. Bowser couldn’t help but smirk faintly at the sight.

It had been seven days since they returned to the Darklands; most of which Bowser could barely remember.

After he collapsed in that abandoned hospital, the enchanted soldiers and generals Vashella had under her control began to arrive. Fortunately, Bowser still wore the pendant that allowed him to communicate with Kamek. Luigi remembered how Bowser had used it before and quickly called upon the elder Magikoopa for help.

With Princess Peach’s guidance, Kamek located the warp pipe’s coordinates and, within minutes, appeared in their world alongside General Blue Shell and a squad of Parakoopas and Paragoombas.

Together, they carefully lifted Bowser and carried him back through the warp pipe. They also took Bradley and the unconscious Magikoopa into custody. The plumbers and princesses followed in Mario’s van, making their way back to the Donut Plains safely.

Kamek remained behind for a brief moment. With a flick of his wand, he undid the enchantment that Vashella’s underling had cast on the approaching shoulders. Reversal of the spell was light world. The potion was a  crude, poorly executed spell that was no match for his expertise. Before the generals could fully regain their senses, Kamek vanished through the warp pipe once more, sealing it shut behind him to ensure no one else could cross between worlds again.

Since their return, Bowser had been under one of Kamek’s healing spells. Bowser drifted in and out of consciousness, each day blurring into another. By his side through it all were Kamek, Bowser Jr., and Luigi. Bowser only caught glimpses of Luigi between his waking and sleeping spells, but those glimpses stuck with him. Whenever he opened his eyes, Luigi was there; tidying up the room, changing bandages, helping Kamek with potions, even assisting in bathing and rewrapping the Koopa King’s wounds. Bowser remembered it all, even if the medication left his mind hazy.

A small bell sat beside his bed, meant for calling assistance. Until now, he hadn’t been lucid enough to use it. Slowly, he reached out, gingerly holding the small bell in his massive claws, and gave it a gentle ring.

DING. DING. DING.

Luigi jolted awake, his book tumbling to the floor as he scanned the chamber in confusion. 

“Did I wake you?” Bowser asked with a smirk.

“You-a scared me,” Luigi replied, rubbing his eyes and collecting himself. “Wait, you are awake!” He said, excitedly. 

“I am…barely. You looked too peaceful over there. I thought I was the one being taken care of,” Bowser chuckled, while Luigi turned red with embarrassment. “Mind helping me out of this bed? I need to stretch my legs.”

Luigi's eyes widened with concern. “Oh… uh… is-a that such a good idea?”

“Better than lying here another minute. If I stay in bed any longer, I’ll go stir-crazy.”

Bowser swung his legs over the side of the bed and gripped the rails. Every movement sent a sharp pain through his shoulder where Vashella’s pipe had pierced him. His face twisted with effort, but he pushed through it. Luigi instinctively stepped forward to help, only to be waved off.

“Get me my shell,” Bowser grunted. “I’d like to have some dignity when I’m walking around.”

Luigi hurried to the enormous wardrobe. It was no ordinary closet—shells hung from massive iron hooks and rotated like the racks at a dry cleaner’s. One after another passed before him, each with its own color, shape, and pattern. Overwhelmed by the sheer variety, Luigi stood frozen in indecision.

Bowser came up behind him, rumbling a low “Hmm…” before pointing. “That one.”

Luigi followed his finger to a modest, well-worn shell—soft and leathery, the spikes dull and smooth from age. He lifted it, surprised at how light it was, and carefully fitted it onto Bowser’s back. The shell seemed to settle into place on its own, clinging effortlessly as if magnetized.

Bowser grabbed a cane resting beside the bed and started toward the door. Luigi darted ahead to open it for him.

Bowser had been doted on his whole life; Kamek made sure of that. Servants and attendants had always hovered nearby, ready to meet his every need. But this was different. Watching this human—his former enemy—rushing to make him comfortable stirred something unfamiliar. Luigi didn’t owe him anything. He wasn’t trapped in the Darklands, there was no storm keeping him there, they weren’t stuck on some mountain, he wasn’t bound by duty or loyalty. He could leave at any time.

And yet, here he was: tripping over himself to open doors, offering a steadying hand at every stair, fussing over every detail. Bowser hated to admit it, but he liked it.

He liked waking up to find Luigi quietly working, liked hearing him fuss over Junior and the other koopalings. He even found comfort in the plumber’s snoring as he dozed off in that chair each night.

Somehow, all of it—the care, the clumsiness, the gentleness—had begun to endear Luigi to him more than he’d ever expected.

The two of them stepped out into the garden. Unlike the carefully manicured grounds of Peach’s castle with its topiaries and flowered hedges, Bowser’s garden was wild and untamed. Jagged basalt stones framed winding, pale dirt pathways. There were hardly any flowers; instead, piranha plants, towering ferns, and creeping vines filled every patch of soil. A few fruiting trees broke up the greenery with splashes of color, their bright produce glowing faintly in the dim light.

They walked slowly, side by side, letting the silence linger. Luigi took in the sights with quiet wonder. During the storm, he’d only seen glimpses of this place through the castle windows. Up close, it was both strange and beautiful; alive in its own chaotic way.

At the edge of the garden, they came to a low brick wall overgrown with ivy. It only reached Luigi’s chest, but when he peered over it, the ground dropped steeply away. At the bottom of the slope flowed a glowing river of lava, a molten reminder that Bowser’s castle stood atop an active volcano. Beyond that, Luigi could see the glimmering skyline of Neo-Bowser City. And further still, dark gray clouds began to churn and twist ominously.

“Um… should-a we…” Luigi gestured toward the brewing storm.

“Eh, we’re fine,” Bowser said with a dismissive wave. “It’s nothing like the Great Storm. Just a little shower. It probably won’t even—” Before he could finish, the sky opened up and poured rain down on them.

Bowser blinked, grumbling. “…start raining.” He glanced around quickly. “Over there!”

He pointed toward what looked like a cave entrance. The two made a dash for it—well, as much of a dash as Bowser could manage in his current condition.

When they reached the opening, Luigi realized it wasn’t a natural cave at all. A sleek wooden-and-glass door stood in the stone face, framed by soft glowing lights. Next to it was a keypad. Bowser entered a quick code, and with a hiss, the door slid open.

Inside, the space looked nothing like Luigi expected. Smooth stone walls enclosed a cozy, spa-like chamber, complete with a steaming pool, racks of towels, and tables of snacks. Everything glowed with gentle, golden light.

“What is this-a place?” Luigi asked, eyes wide.

“Oh, this?” Bowser grunted, leaning on his cane. “It’s the grotto. Kamek had it built years ago. Supposedly the water has healing properties or something. I dunno. I don’t use it much. It’s boring—no TV, no movies, no fun snacks. Everything here’s ‘healthy’ and tastes like dirt. And the tub doesn’t even make bubbles.”

Luigi’s ears perked up at the words healing properties. “Well… if it’s-a supposed to help you heal, then maybe you should-a give it a try, no?”

“What? Nah, I’m fine,” Bowser said, waving him off. “I’ve got a better spa in the castle.”

“But we’re already here,” Luigi replied, glancing back toward the glass door where rain pounded in sheets. “And it don’t-a look like it’s-a stopping anytime soon.”

Bowser weighed his options. The rain showed no sign of letting up. He could wait it out by the door, but the nearby bench was hard and uncomfortable and his wet skin was getting cold. He could try to make a run for the castle, but they were on the far end of the garden, and he was already wetter than he should’ve been. Any more rain might loosen his bandages, or worse, running might reopen his wounds. The seating inside the spa, on the other hand, was actually comfortable; custom-built for him, even. Still, the thought of sitting in a hot tub all day didn’t appeal to him. The whole point of coming outside was to get out of his room, stretch his legs, get some fresh air, not just trade one form of sitting around for another. But as much as he hated to admit it, he didn’t really have a choice.

Bowser let out a long sigh. “Well… can’t be helped. Guess I’ll wait in the pool until the rain passes. Wouldn’t surprise me if this storm was Kamek’s doing just to get me in here.”

The two of them made their way toward the hot tub, its teal glow softly illuminating the dim stone walls. Luigi glanced around for anything that might make the space more welcoming. Spotting a box of matches, he struck a few and lit the candles and lamps scattered around the room, filling it with a warm flickering light.

As Luigi busied himself, Bowser slipped out of the soft shell he’d been wearing and carefully eased into the steaming water. The pool was cloudy, carrying a sharp medicinal scent that made the koopa king wrinkle his nose in disgust. He settled himself on the edge, keeping his right arm and shoulder out of the water to avoid soaking the bandages.

By the time Luigi returned, he had his arms full of towels and snacks. “I-a got you some things,” he said as he set them down neatly. “Do you-a need anything else?”

“Yeah,” Bowser rumbled with a smirk. “I need you to sit down and take a load off.” He patted the space next to him in the tub.

“Oh… um… I didn’t-a bring anything to change into,” Luigi replied hesitantly.

“Then just dip your toes in.”

Luigi shrugged. There wasn’t any real reason to say no. He slipped off his shoes and socks, rolled up his pant legs, and sat beside Bowser, letting his feet sink into the warm water. The scent of eucalyptus, mint, aloe, and other herbs filled the air—so strong it almost smelled like they were sitting in a giant cup of herbal tea.

“Hey, what kinda snacks you got over there?” Bowser asked, nodding toward the pile Luigi had gathered.

Luigi sifted through them, his brow furrowing. During his first stay at the castle, he’d become familiar with plenty of Darkland snacks and brands. Between that and Mario’s travels, he was no stranger to treats from all over the kingdoms. But these? These were new. The packaging was sleek, minimalist, almost futuristic. Labels read things like ‘Nutritional Sea Kelp Bar’ and ‘Mushroom-Infused Power Puffs.’

He picked one that looked like a candy bar and handed it to Bowser.

Bowser sighed. “Figures. Kamek still hasn’t changed out the snacks in here.”

“What’s-a wrong with them?” Luigi asked.

Bowser tore the wrapper open and handed it back. Luigi studied what looked like an ordinary chocolate bar, then took a bite—and instantly regretted it. It wasn’t sweet, it wasn’t savory… it was just dry. So dry it seemed to suck every drop of moisture from his mouth, crumbling into dust that nearly made him choke.

“See?” Bowser smirked. “Told ya that junk’s nasty. It’s all health crap Kamek orders. The whole place is a glorified health spa. All the food in here tastes like—”

Before Bowser could finish, Luigi shoved the entire bar into his mouth. His face twisted in horror, but he forced himself to chew and swallow every last crumb.

“Why the heck’d you do that for?” Bowser asked, staring in disbelief.

Luigi took a few gulps of water before answering. “Our-a mama always said not to-a waste food.”

“Hahaha!” Bowser barked out in laughter. “I wouldn’t even call that food.” He gave Luigi a playful pat on the head. “You’re a funny guy, you know that?”

“I am?” Luigi asked, a little confused but genuinely curious.

“Yeah. Funny in the stuff you do. Stickin’ around here this long, not wastin’ food, cleanin’ my room—seriously, it’s never been that clean before.”

“Oh, heh heh, it’s-a just how our mama raised us,” Luigi said bashfully.

“Then explain how your brother turned out to be a pain in the rear,” Bowser teased with a grin.

“Mario… he-a takes more after our papa. More than-a he wants to admit.”

“Well,” Bowser said, his voice dropping a little lower, a bit softer, “I think your mom did a much better job with you.” He paused for a beat, then added, “Speakin’ of a job well done—come here.”

Before Luigi could react, Bowser pulled him in by the shoulder and planted a big kiss on his cheek. Luigi froze, his entire face turning bright red, eyes wide as saucers.

“W-w-w-what was that for?” he stammered.

“I’m big enough to admit when I’ve been beat… and when I’ve been helped,” Bowser said with a half-smile. “As much as I could’ve handled my ex on my own—if she wasn’t cheating and all—you busting through that ceiling with that bathtub actually helped.”

“Oh?” Luigi blinked.

“And zappin’ her after she skewered me with that pipe? That helped too. You can say… you rescued me and my boy. So I figured, if a peck on the cheek’s from Peach is good enough for your lame brother every time he rescues someone…” Bowser smirked. “Might as well give you the same.”

“Oh… um… th-th-thank you,” Luigi stammered, completely at a loss for words. He could feel his ears burning and his face turning bright red.

“What’s the matter?” Bowser teased, a grin spreading across his face. “Cat got your tongue?”

“N-no, no, it’s-a just—”

Before Luigi could finish, Bowser tugged him in again, this time pressing his lips directly against Luigi’s. The kiss lasted longer than a peck, and when it ended, Luigi couldn’t help the big, goofy smile that spread across his face.

“W-w-wowie zowie…” he mumbled dreamily. “W-w-what was that one-a for?”

Bowser paused for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. “That one was… because I wanted to.” He reached out, taking Luigi’s hand gently in his. “C’mon, Greenie…you can’t be that surprised. I’ve been kinda sweet on you for a while now. You saving my boy… well that just sealed the deal for me.”

Luigi chuckled, still dazed. “Oh well… all in a day’s-a work,” he said with a goofy grin.

Bowser smirked, clearly pleased with the reaction. “You want another?”

“Y-y-yes please,” Luigi blurted out. “Very much please.”

Bowser leaned in again, and this time, Luigi met him halfway. Their lips pressed together once more, gentle, lingering, and sincere. Luigi’s eyes closed, his mouth opened more, letting Bowser in. He reciprocated the gesture. They barely came up for air before sharing another kiss, both of them smiling against each other. Luigi’s heart thumped wildly, like it was trying to escape his chest.

When they finally parted, they stayed close, eyes locked on each other’s. For no reason at all, both started to laugh softly, still holding hands, the air around them warm and easy.

“Hey, Greenie,” Bowser murmured after a moment, glancing toward the window. “I think the rain stopped.”

Luigi turned to look. Sure enough, the storm had passed, and sunlight was beginning to peek through the clouds again.

“Help me outta this thing, will ya?” Bowser said, gesturing toward the water.

Luigi smiled, cheeks still red. “Okie dokie.”

While Bowser dried off, Luigi slipped his socks and shoes back on. Once Bowser was ready, Luigi helped him fasten his shell, making sure it sat comfortably against his back. Together, they made their way toward the glass door of the grotto.

Outside, the rain had stopped, though dark clouds still hung low in the sky. Sunlight began to peek through in thin golden streaks, casting a soft golden glow over the damp garden.

Just as they were about to leave, something by the door caught Luigi’s eye—a bright red umbrella leaning against the wall. That hadn’t been there before.

Curious, Luigi reached for it, turning it over in his hands. His heart sank the moment he recognized it. The fabric was frayed near the edge, the same little scratch on the handle where it once got caught in the door of their house. It was Mario’s umbrella.

Mario 

For the past seven days, Mario had been busier than he ever expected. He thought that after defeating Vashella and finally returning home, life would slow down… but it didn’t.

On their first day back, the brothers traveled through the underground pipe beneath Bowser’s castle, returning to Brooklyn to properly say goodbye to their parents. This time, Mario made sure to bring enough gold to pay off their parents’ bills and help their father retire for good. They promised to visit and call more often, and for once, they’d be able to keep that promise. Kamek had constructed a new warp pipe that connected the two worlds, conveniently located near the brothers’ home in the Mushroom Kingdom. It was a practical solution; one that kept humans away from the sacred grounds beneath Bowser’s castle, which Kamek greatly preferred.

Back in the Mushroom Kingdom, however, things felt… off. Princess Peach hadn’t left her castle since their return. When Toadsworth learned what had really happened—and just how close she came to danger—he was furious. Now Peach traveled everywhere with an entourage of fifteen Toad soldiers, and Mario was temporarily barred from the castle altogether. Peach assured him it was only temporary, that Toadsworth’s overprotectiveness would fade, as it always did; but for now, Mario could only wait.

Daisy, on the other hand, had avoided a similar fate by simply not going home. Instead, she volunteered to serve as Peach’s representative in the ongoing peace treaty negotiations. The four kings of Sarasaland reluctantly agreed, unaware that Bowser was still in no condition to participate in any talks himself. As a result, Daisy now split her time between Peach’s and Bowser’s castles. With the exception of their trip to Brooklyn, Mario had seen more of her these past few days than he ever had before.

Another familiar face Mario saw often was Rosalina. She had promised to help Bowser get a wish granted if he followed through with the treaty; a gesture that served as both a thank-you for his attempt to save her stars and an incentive to ensure the agreement succeeded. But with Bowser bedridden and Peach unavailable, most of the negotiations fell to Kamek and Daisy. Over time, however, Daisy and Rosalina began spending more time together—discussing terms in the gardens, walking through the halls, and even dining side by side. Daisy seemed to spend more time with Rosalina than with Luigi. Not only that, Daisy seems a little… flustered around her. Stumbling over her words, going out of her way to accommodate Rosalina, and being overall weird around her. Daisy is acting like a school girl with a crush. But that can’t be, Mario thought to himself. Rosalina and Daisy are both women, and as far as Mario knew, they have never showed interest in other women. Besides, Daisy was Luigi’s girl. They had been going stronger than ever since that disastrous date. Mario logiced that after diving deep into Luigi’s head, the two of them must have gotten even closer… or at least he thought so. 

As for Luigi, Mario saw very little of him. His brother stayed by Bowser’s side nearly every waking hour, only occasionally leaving the Koopa King’s chambers to spend time with the Koopalings or entertain Bowser Jr. Whenever Mario asked him to come home, Luigi would simply reply, “I have to-a make-a sure he wakes up, Okie dokie.” Mario wasn’t exactly barred from waiting with him, but he could tell that being in that room wasn’t his place. 

Another familiar face Mario kept running into—much to his chagrin—was Waluigi. When they’d first returned to the Darklands, Wario had wasted no time in making himself scarce and hadn’t been seen since. Waluigi, however, had stuck around for reasons Mario couldn’t quite figure out. He didn’t seem to have any particular business there; he was just… lingering.

Mario had always thought of Wario and Waluigi as inseparable, but lately, things had shifted. Ever since the fiasco at the fake fashion show, Daisy and Waluigi had been talking—a lot. Far more than Mario was comfortable with. Daisy had always been vocal about her extreme dislike for those two, so it was odd to see her even tolerate Waluigi’s company. Sure, he and Wario helped them back in Brooklyn, especially getting them into the fashion show, so maybe that softened her view a little. But lately, Mario had started noticing things: Waluigi’s glances that lingered just a little too long, the way he carried Daisy’s purse without being asked, how he always seemed to be waiting around for her meetings to end.

Normally, Mario would’ve brushed it off as just Waluigi being weird—because, well, he was weird—but what really unsettled him was how Daisy didn’t seem to mind. She’d catch him staring and say nothing. She’d hand him her purse without hesitation. She’d leave a meeting and find him waiting, almost as if she expected it. They still traded barbs and insults like usual, but they never stopped talking. Mario couldn’t make sense of it… until one night.

It was the end of the sixth day back. Mario was heading toward his van to drive home… alone… again. Luigi had once more decided to stay behind to help look after Junior. The day had been a long and exhausting one; Mario had spent most of it acting as a courier between the two kingdoms, shuttling drafts of the peace treaty back and forth. Both councils—the Toad Council on one side and Kamek with Bowser’s top generals on the other—were trying to finalize the terms, which meant endless revisions. Everything was done on parchment, sealed with wax, and accompanied by ceremonial exchanges of rare treasures as gestures of goodwill.

Mario had been chosen as the “reliable” one to handle these deliveries, which meant he had to go through tight security in both kingdoms. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, his patience was frayed, his was sick of driving, and he was ready for something—anything—to take the edge off.

Just outside the castle grounds, he spotted a small hole-in-the-wall bar tucked between two shops. Inside, a few off-duty Koopa Troopas and Darklands locals were unwinding after their shifts. Mario took a seat at the counter and sighed.

“One-a Yoshi cider,” he told the bartender.

The bartender raised an eyebrow at the order but poured it anyway. Yoshi cider was barely stronger than soda, the lightest drink on the menu, but for Mario, who rarely drank at all, it was exactly what he needed: something simple, something sweet, and something to take the edge off a very long day.

Mario slipped into a quiet corner of the bar—out of the way, dimly lit, and blessedly peaceful. He wanted nothing more than to enjoy his Yoshi cider in silence. But that calm was short-lived.

A loud ding! and the rattle of a pinball machine broke the quiet, followed by an obnoxious “Wah-ha!” echoing across the room. Of course—it was Waluigi.

Mario groaned into his drink.

Moments later, the door opened, and Daisy stepped in. She scanned the room, looking for someone—though somehow, she didn’t spot Mario in the corner. Her gaze went straight to Waluigi instead.

“Geez, what’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?” Daisy called out, pretending not to notice him.

“You-a suppose to go to the bartender, princess,” Waluigi quipped, not even looking up from his game. “Or is the royal treasury run dry?”

Daisy pulled a few gold coins from her purse and slammed them down on the machine. “Not broke—just figured I’d give you a chance to be a gentleman for once.”

Mario sat perfectly still, pretending not to notice them but keeping his ears open. He knew he shouldn’t eavesdrop, but… well, curiosity got the better of him.

Eventually, Daisy and Waluigi moved to the bar—just across from Mario’s corner. The bartender poured Daisy a tall, golden-brown beer, and handed Waluigi a small, colorful cocktail.

“What the heck is that?” Daisy asked, eyeing the glass.

“A Negroni,” Waluigi said smugly. “A sophisticated drink. You should know, Princess.”

“Sophisticated? In this dump? No offense.”

“None taken,” the bartender said flatly.

“Speaking of dumps,” Waluigi went on, “what are you even doing here? Don’t you got a tea party to attend or something?”

“That’s Peach’s thing,” Daisy shot back. “And after the day I’ve had, I needed something stronger than herbal tea.” She took a long gulp of her beer.

“Aw, poor pampered princess had a tough day?” Waluigi teased.

“Like you have anything better to do,” Daisy snapped. “I know you’ve been just hanging around doing nothing.”

“I’m between jobs,” Waluigi said with mock dignity. “Being a model ain’t no 9-to-5. Not like you’d know what that’s like.” He smirked. “Besides, isn’t that Rosalina chick doing most of the work now?”

“We are sharing the work, thank you very much.”

Daisy went on about the peace treaty—how delicate the negotiations were, how much effort she was putting in—but as her drink emptied and another was poured, her words started drifting from politics to… Rosalina.

Mario, now halfway through his second cider, listened as Daisy’s tone softened.

“She’s just… incredible,” Daisy said, almost dreamily. “I mean, she’s Rosalina. You look at her and it’s like—she’s not even in the same league. You’d have to be some kind of god to stand a chance with her.” She swirled her beer and sighed. “Besides…”

“Besides, you-a got Luigi, right?” Waluigi cut in with a grin.

Mario’s grip tightened on his mug. This was it—Daisy’s chance to set the record straight, to reaffirm what he’d always believed: she and Luigi were still together.

“Well…” Daisy hesitated. Her head dropped onto her folded arms. “We’re not exactly… a thing anymore.”

Mario nearly choked on his drink. He coughed, his heart thudding in his chest. That couldn’t be right. Luigi would’ve told him. Luigi always told him everything. No, no, no. They wouldn’t have broken up, not after everything they had just gone through. Besides, they are perfect for each other. So why—why would Daisy say that? Why would Daisy lie?

Waluigi leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Heh… so you’re saying I might-a have a chance?”

Daisy lifted her head just enough to smirk. “You? A chance with me? Maybe when cows fly.”

“Heh, weirder stuff has happened around here,” Waluigi muttered, swirling what remained of his drink.

Daisy drained the last of her beer, set the mug down, and stood. “Are you coming?” she asked, her eyes flicking pointedly toward Waluigi’s half-finished glass.

“Coming where? I still got half a drink left.”

She sighed. “I’m giving you another chance to act like a gentleman. Or are you really gonna make me walk through the Darklands alone to get back to the guest quarters?”

“I dunno…” Waluigi tapped his cheek with a smug grin. “What’s in it for me?”

“Gross. I’m not that kind of princess,” Daisy shot back—then paused as a smile crept onto her face. “But… walk me to my room, and maybe you’ll find out what kind of princess I actually am.”

Waluigi’s eyes widened. In an instant he chugged the rest of his drink, slapped a handful of coins onto the counter, and scrambled after her as Daisy headed out toward Bowser’s castle.

Mario lingered a moment in the bar’s doorway, trying to steady himself before stepping into the cold Darklands night. When he finally walked out, he spotted Daisy and Waluigi ahead of him, strolling slowly side by side. Their voices were too soft to hear, but their body language said enough.

Then he saw it—Waluigi’s long hand drifting toward Daisy’s shoulder. And Daisy… letting it happen.

Mario’s heart hammered in his chest. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles hurt. How could they do that to Luigi? After the adventure they all just survived together, after everything Luigi had done for Daisy over the years—this?

He would never have believed Daisy capable of two-timing… but there it was, right in front of him. Luigi was in that castle right now, exhausted, doing everything he could to take care of Bowser and keep the peace treaty on track. And instead of supporting him, the Princess of Sarasaland was out here cozying up to Waluigi of all people.

And it wasn’t just Waluigi. Mario replayed the bar conversation in his head; Daisy spending all week glued to Rosalina’s side, the way she talked about her, the tone in her voice… the obvious flirting. Mario felt sick.

He wanted to storm over there right then, demand Daisy stop whatever she was doing and fix things with Luigi; haul Waluigi up by the collar and knock the smirk off his face. He knew Wario and Waluigi were scummy, but this was a new low even for Waluigi. Honestly, even Wario wouldn’t sink this far—and Wario had a long résumé of terrible behavior. Mario wanted to act. He wanted to do something. But he forced himself to stop. Luigi deserved to hear this from him first.

Mario hurried to his work van. At the slow, flirtatious pace those two were walking, he could easily beat them back to the castle. He drove fast but carefully, taking the back route toward the service entrance so Daisy and Waluigi wouldn’t see him arrive.

Once inside, he rushed through the dim halls of Bowser’s castle, weaving past servants and guards until he reached the massive doors of Bowser’s chambers. Two armored Koopas stood watch.

“Uh… is-a my brother in-a there?” Mario asked, trying—and failing—to keep the strain out of his voice. The guards exchanged a glance, then nodded and quietly pushed the door open for him. Mario slipped inside.

There, bathed in the warm lamplight, sat Luigi in an armchair beside Bowser’s bed, Bowser Jr. curled up on his lap. Luigi was reading softly to the little prince. He looked peaceful, serene, and most importantly happy. Suddenly, Mario’s throat dried up and he couldn’t say anything. 

“Oh, Mario… when did you-a get here?” Luigi whispered, lifting his eyes from the book.

Mario cleared his throat. “Just-a now.”

“What’s up?” Luigi asked, closing the book gently.

“Uh… nothing. No—actually, it is-a something. It’s—”

“Hold that-a thought,” Luigi interrupted softly as he stood, still cradling Junior. “Let me put him-a in bed with his papa.”

“But… I’m not tired,” Junior mumbled, already half asleep. “Just one more… yawn… story…” Before Luigi could say another word, the little koopa had drifted off, curled against Bowser’s side.

Luigi returned to the armchair, the exhaustion of the day heavy on his face. “What did-a you want to talk to me about, bro?” he asked, fighting to keep his eyelids open.

“You look like you’re about to-a pass out,” Mario sighed.

“No, no, I can-a… yawn… stay up. You had something important to-a say, yes?”

Mario’s gaze dropped to the floor. He exhaled slowly. “I do. But… it can-a wait till tomorrow. Get some-a rest.” He reached for the blanket draped behind the chair and tucked it around Luigi.

“But… yawn… what about you?” Luigi murmured.

“I’ll be-a back in the morning.”

“No, no… it’s-a too late for you to drive home,” Luigi mumbled, already settling deeper into the chair. “Sleep in-a my room tonight. I want to-a hear what you want to-a say in the mor—” Before he could finish, the green plumber slipped instantly into sleep.

Mario stood over him in silence. All he’d ever wanted was for Luigi to be happy. He could still remember the spiral Luigi fell into after that disastrous date with Daisy. And now, knowing he’d have to break his brother’s heart again twisted a knife inside him. But Luigi deserved the truth; about Daisy, and about Waluigi. Mario just hoped he’d find the right way to tell him.

After a while, Mario made it to Luigi’s room. The room Bowser had commissioned for him when they were stranded there during the storm. It was already well past midnight and Mario laid in the plush canopy bed. Despite his best efforts, he could not sleep. For the next few hours Mario rotated from laying in bed with his eyes wide open, pacing, and staring out the window. All while he rehearsed what he was going to say to Luigi, practicing how he would react to every conceivable reaction, pondering how he will confront Daisy and Waluigi. He thought about how this will effect Peach and Daisy’s relationship. The ripple effects of Daisy’s infidelity was almost too much to bare. As much as the plumber's mind spun around, eventually his body had enough. Mere minutes before the sun began to rise, Mario finally fell asleep. 

The sun drifted across the sky and finally slipped through the window of Luigi’s room. By the time its light hit Mario’s eyes, rousing him, it was well past noon. Mario bolted upright, startled by how late it was. He scrambled into his clothes and rushed out the door.

He sprinted back to Bowser’s chamber, only to find the guards gone and the door cracked open. Mario peeked inside. The room was empty.

“If you’re looking for Lord Bowser and Master Luigi, I think they went for a walk,” a castle worker said from behind him.

“What?”

“Yeah! Isn’t it wonderful?” she replied, beaming. “I knew Bowser was strong, but to think he’d be up and walking already—that’s nothing short of a miracle.”

“Do you-a know where they went?”

“Hmm… I think they headed to the garden. But that was a while back. And—oh dear—I hope they’re not still out there. Forecast says rain. Lord Bowser’s all bandaged and rain can’t be good for that.” With that, she hurried off.

Mario thanked her and bolted toward the garden. As he ran through a corridor lined with windows, he watched the sky darken until the clouds burst into a heavy downpour. By the time he reached the garden entrance, the rain was coming down in sheets—too thick to see through. He had no choice but to double back.

Mario sprinted through the castle again, out to his van, grabbed his umbrella, and tore back to the garden. He began searching, calling Luigi’s name, straining to see through the curtain of rain. Nothing. He pushed farther in, to the very back of the garden—and still no sign of either of them.

He was about to turn back when he saw it: a faint teal glow coming from a cave.

Mario approached slowly. A fogged-over glass door stood there, dripping with condensation. Through the haze, he could barely make out two figures sitting in what looked like a steaming pool.

He slid the door open just enough to see clearly. Steam rushed out. The air thinned.

And then Mario saw them. Bowser and Luigi wrapped in each other’s arms, lips pressed together.

His mind emptied. No words. No breath. No thought. 

He stepped back, closed the door, and let the umbrella slip from his hand. Moving like a ghost, he walked through the storm, down the halls, and back to his van. He sat in the driver’s seat, motionless, replaying the scene again and again. Surely he hadn’t seen correctly. Surely it was the steam… or the angle… or his tired eyes…Surely he hadn’t just watched his brother kiss his arch-nemesis.

But the image wouldn’t change. 

The rain finally stopped. Sunlight broke through. Mario had no idea how long he’d been sitting there.

A sound pulled him back: the castle door opening. Mario turned his head. Luigi stood there, clutching Mario’s umbrella, shaking like a leaf.

Mario got out of the van. His stare cut straight through Luigi—cold, intense, almost feral. Luigi had never seen Mario look like that.

Luigi swallowed hard. “H-h-h-h-hey b-b-b-b-b-bro. Th-th-there you are. I-I-I looked for-a you this morning, b-b-but you were asleep, a-and I didn’t want t-t-to wake you.”

Mario said nothing.

“I-I-I found your u-u-umbrella.” Luigi held it out with a trembling hand. “Though, uh… don’t think you-a need it now… heh.” His nervous laugh died instantly. “S-so um… w-what d-d-did you want t-to talk—”

“Let’s-a go home, Luigi,” Mario said flatly as he opened the passenger door.

“S-s-sure thing bro.” Luigi forced a smile that wouldn’t stick. His legs wobbled all the way to the van. Inside, Mario slammed the door behind him. Then he rounded the front, climbed in, and tore out of the castle courtyard without a glance at his brother. Mario kept his eyes on the road. But all he could see was red.

Luigi 

It was their fifth day back in the Darklands, and Luigi was gently combing through Bowser’s hair. The routine had become second nature by now. Luigi had barely left Bowser’s chambers since the second day—since the moment Bowser’s condition had suddenly crashed while resting. His injuries were far more severe than anyone initially realized. Ever since returning, Bowser’s recovery had been a cycle of hopeful highs and terrifying lows.

Luigi couldn’t bring himself to leave his side. If Bowser so much as stirred, Luigi wanted to be there.

By day five, Bowser was more stable. He even woke briefly now and then—still groggy, still weak, but awake. And though Luigi couldn’t actually heal him like Peach or the Toad doctors could, he made himself useful however the nurses asked. Some days that meant hauling out bundles of used bandages; other days, helping sponge-bathe the king; and on days like this, keeping his hair clean and brushed.

He also helped with Junior. Even with the castle staff eager to tend to the young prince, Bowser Jr. insisted on staying near his dad as much as possible. Luigi kept him entertained, reassured him, read him bedtime stories, and tucked him in each night beside his father—while Luigi took the armchair.

Today, though, Junior was napping, and Luigi focused on Bowser. He wasn’t alone. Daisy had stopped by to visit.

“How’s the treaty stuff-a going?” Luigi asked as he teased out the last stubborn tangles in the giant koopa’s hair.

“Hmm?” Daisy replied absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the window.

Luigi smirked. “How’s-a Rosalina?”

That snapped Daisy out of her staring. “She’s great! She’s really pushing things along, super organized, and she smells sooo good. I need to ask what perfume she uses. Actually no, she probably just naturally smells like that—” Daisy froze when she caught Luigi quietly snickering. “She’s cool. Treaty stuff. You know. Professional.” She cleared her throat a little too hard.

“Heh heh.” Luigi chuckled. “So you and Rosalina are getting along, hmm?”

“Y-yeah. You could say that.” Daisy’s cheeks warmed instantly.

“And…” Luigi pressed, leaning in.

“What?” Daisy braced.

“Do you-a like her?”

“No—I mean… yeah… but not like that!” Daisy sputtered. “She’s just really nice and we get along really well, that’s all!”

“She-a pretty,” Luigi teased.

“Pretty? She’s more than pretty, she’s gorgeous. And smart. And kind. And during all this treaty chaos, she’s been calm and patient and so level-headed.” Daisy let out a dramatic sigh. “I look like a clueless kid next to her. Most of this treaty stuff goes over my head, but she never gets annoyed with me. She’s sweet and kind and patient with me. And not just we me but everyone. Everyone loves her at the treaty meetings. I’m suprised no one has asked her out or courted her. Not that I even have a chance!” She paused… and then panicked again. “NOT THAT I’M TRYING ANYTHING! I already said it’s not like that!”

Luigi let out a few more chuckles at Daisy expense. 

The last few weeks had been some of the most stressful of their lives. Usually kept out of the biggest adventures, they had ended up in a whirlwind crisis spanning both their worlds. In many ways, they had done more together during that chaos than they ever had while dating. Even though the romance was gone, their bond had only grown. They were each other’s closest friends now.

And with that closeness came something heavy on Luigi’s conscience.

When they broke up, they’d agreed to keep it quiet. As far as everyone else was concerned, Luigi and Daisy were still very much together. But ever since returning to the Darklands, Luigi had been thinking… a lot.

“Daisy… can I ask you-a something?” Luigi said softly.

Daisy turned toward him. “Sure, Weegie. What’s up?”

Luigi hesitated, twisting his fingers together. “…Would you be okay if I told everyone we… broke up?”

Daisy blinked in surprise. “Where’s this coming from?”

Luigi looked down at his hands. “I don’t-a know. I just… after thinking on it, I don’t-a feel good keeping secrets anymore. You know?”

“And you started thinking about this because…?” Daisy prodded gently.

“Oh, nothing… it’s-a just…” Luigi’s voice shrank. “I don’t-a want to hold you back.”

Daisy exhaled and gave a small, fond smile. “Luigi… you’re not holding me back.”

“But if-a everyone thinks we’re still together, you won’t-a be able to find love. And I feel bad that you can’t-a even talk to anyone. All because you’re helping me keep my secret.”

Daisy’s expression softened. She stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug. “Oh, Luigi. It’s never a burden to help a friend. I’d keep a thousand secrets for you if you needed me to. That’s what friends do. So don’t feel like you have to rush. When you’re ready to tell people, I’ll be right there with you. A hundred percent.”

Luigi smiled and hugged her back. “Thank you, Daisy.”

When they pulled apart, Daisy studied him more seriously. “So… are you really ready to tell folks we broke up?”

Luigi inhaled slowly. “Yes. I’m-a ready.”

“And… what about…?” Daisy gave him a pointed, knowing look.

Luigi immediately turned red. “Oh—no! Not-a that. I’m not ready to tell anyone that… that I like-a men. Especially Mario. Not yet, at least.”

“No pressure. No pressure at all,” Daisy assured him. After a quiet moment, she reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

Her gaze drifted toward Bowser, still sleeping heavily in the massive bed. “Sooo… what’s going on with you and the big guy over there?”

Luigi’s blush deepened. “N-n-nothing. I’m-a just helping while he gets better.”

Daisy raised a skeptical brow.

“Promise!” Luigi sputtered. “There’s really nothing like-a that. I’m just trying to be a good friend.”

Daisy didn’t say anything—but her silence spoke volumes.

“R-really! There isn’t anything like-a that! He helped me a bunch and was nice to me, so I said— I said, ‘Luigi, you gotta make sure Bowser is-a okie dokie!’ Yes! That’s what I said, and—and—and that’s why I’m here… every day… all day…”

“Well…” Daisy grinned, leaning a little closer. “I’m sure he appreciates all the care you’ve been giving him. Who knows, maybe big old Bowser might have to repay your kindness someday.” She gave Luigi a sly wink, making his cheeks heat even more.

“Mama mia,” he muttered, pulling his hat down over his face.

“Oh come on, Weegie. You know the big guy’s got a soft spot for you. And you don’t seem to mind it either.”

“Th-th-that’s just-a koopa hospitality. He’s just being nice.”

“He’s more than hospitable. The guy had a custom room commissioned for you—green everything, custom furniture. Bowser was head over heels for Peach, but he never did any of the things I’ve seen him do for you. Hell, he even threw himself in front of that pipe spear thing for you. And after everything you’ve done for him? Old Totomesu would probably call it a battle-bond. I don’t know all the details, but when he realizes everything you’ve done, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t propose on the spot.”

Luigi swallowed hard. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about it himself. His feelings for Bowser had grown quietly over the months—the fascination on the mountain, the closeness during the storm, the long days of caring for him now. He had convinced himself it was one-sided, that he would always be happy just being Bowser’s friend. But looking back over the past few months, he couldn’t help but wonder… could Bowser feel the same way about him?

BANG. CLANK. BONG.

Both of them jumped at the sudden crash of metal and wood. Daisy hurried to the window overlooking the inner courtyard. Below—amid bustling koopas, confused goombas, and a completely overturned wheelbarrow of lumber and tools—stood Waluigi.

Of course it was Waluigi.

“Tsk… what is he still doing here?” Daisy muttered.

“Oh, Waluigi? Kamek’s been-a giving him little jobs. Apparently he-a likes bee keeping, so Kamek let him-a build a few-a hives near the castle.” Luigi said, returning to gently tending Bowser.

“What’s he doing now?”

“Beekeeping.”

Daisy turned slowly. “I’m sorry—what?”

“Yeah. Apparently he-a likes to beekeep. So they told him to build a few beehives by the castle so they can make their own honey… I guess.”

“Hmm…” Daisy looked back out the window.

Waluigi was bare-chested, his lanky frame surprisingly toned. The bib of his overalls being the only thing covering his torso. But even that came off as he latched his overalls as he worked in the heat and humidity. Daisy continued watching him… for a bit too long. Luigi definitely noticed.

He wandered to the window beside her. “You seem to-a like what you see,” he said with a cheeky grin.

“WHAT—NO, I WASN’T— I was just—!”

Luigi said nothing. Only smiled wider.

“It’s not like that,” Daisy insisted, crossing her arms. “The racket he was making just caught my attention. And his lack of a shirt— well… ptss… have some decorum, will ya?”

Luigi raised an eyebrow.

“I mean…” Daisy huffed. “He does have that athletic build. More than I expected. I can appreciate the work it takes to keep a six-pack like that.” She kept staring. “And I guess it’s… kinda neat he knows something other than being a jerk. Even if it’s beekeeping.”

Luigi remained silent. It was a very judgmental silence.

Daisy groaned. “Fine! I just… never pegged him as someone with hobbies. Or a life outside of Wario.” She watched Waluigi chat amiably with a goomba as he picked up scattered supplies. “And, okay—he’s not always a jerk. Especially when Wario’s not around. He has his moments.”

“He-a can be a nice guy,” Luigi said.

“Yeah…” Daisy admitted, though reluctantly.

“Maybe you-a give him a chance to be nice to you?” Luigi suggested casually, still combing through Bowser’s hair.

“Please.” Daisy scoffed. “He might have his moments, but he’s far from the gentleman a princess deserves.”

“Well… maybe let him try to be a gentleman,” Luigi countered. “He-a seems pretty interested.”

Daisy narrowed her eyes. “Why do you say that?”

Luigi shrugged. “Well… he’s been here the entire time you’ve been here. He never does that. And he only shows up at the castle when you’re around. I think he-a started to like you.”

Daisy looked back out the window. At first her face twisted in disgust—but it didn’t last. The irritation she once felt toward Waluigi just wouldn’t come up the same way anymore.

Luigi nudged her with a sly grin. “Of course… you will-a have to let Rosalina down easy.”

“You jerk.” Daisy punched him lightly in the arm.

Luigi laughed softly, then grew more thoughtful. “But you-a know… I think it’s okie dokie to not know right away. My bro would-a call it ‘playing the field,’ but I think it’s just getting to know people—and learning what you-a like. I mean… I don’t really know what I like yet and… and I’m okay with that. You know?”

Daisy looked at him, hearing the weight behind his words. “Yeah… I know.”

The two of them lingered in the chamber for a while longer, comfortable in the quiet. Luigi tidied up—folding blankets, organizing bottles and bandages—simply enjoying Daisy’s company until she finally had to leave for more treaty meetings.

Later that evening, Mario stopped by. Unfortunately for timing, it was also when Bowser Jr. made his nightly visit to his father. Mario arrived just as Luigi was finishing a bedtime story, Junior already drifting off mid-sentence. Mario clearly had something he wanted to say—Luigi could see it in the way he hovered, anxious, uncertain—but exhaustion won out. By the time Jr. was settled beside his dad, Luigi had slumped into the armchair, fast asleep. Mario pulled a blanket over him and left him to rest.

But sleep never came easy for Luigi anymore.

All night the machines monitoring Bowser’s health beeped, whirred, and chimed. Normally Luigi could sleep through a hurricane, but these sounds weren’t ordinary noise—they were reminders. Reminders of how close they’d come to losing Bowser. Reminders of how fragile his recovery still was. Reminders that if something went wrong now, Luigi wouldn’t be able to do anything.

So he stayed half-awake, listening to every beep, every shift, every steady rhythm. And because of that, real rest stayed out of reach.

The next morning fell into the usual pattern: helping the nurses, tidying the room, entertaining Junior, then watching over Bowser for any sign of change. Luigi kept glancing toward the door, waiting for Mario to return. They still hadn’t talked about whatever Mario wanted to say last night, and Luigi could tell—he felt—that something heavy was on his brother’s mind. But Mario was still asleep somewhere in the castle, and Luigi didn’t want to wake him.

Eventually the chamber was quiet again, and Luigi finally indulged in the rare luxury of reading while he waited. Bowser’s castle had an impressively stocked library. Unfortunately for Luigi, reading was also the fastest route to unconsciousness. Three pages in, and he was out cold.

He didn’t know how long he slept before the sound of a bell cut sharply through his dream.

DING. DING. DING.

Luigi jolted so hard his book flew off his lap. He blinked rapidly, scanning the room in confusion.

“Did I wake you?” Bowser asked, one corner of his mouth lifting.

“You-a scared me,” Luigi yawned, rubbing his eyes, and then froze. “Wait—you are awake!”

“I am,” Bowser chuckled. “You looked so peaceful over there. I thought I was supposed to be the one getting taken care of.”

Luigi turned scarlet. Before he could recover, Bowser added, “Mind helping me out of this bed? I need to stretch my legs.”

Luigi’s eyes went wide. “O-oh… is-a that such a good idea?”

“Better than staying here one more minute. If I lie in this bed any longer, I’m going to lose my mind.”

So Luigi helped him up—slowly, carefully—and the two made their way to the garden. Luigi admired the strange, exotic plants, but half his attention stayed locked on Bowser, watching every step like he might collapse at any moment. By the time the rain started, they had found their way to the grotto; another part of the castle Luigi didn’t even know existed.

While Bowser eased himself into the hot tub, Luigi gathered snacks and towels. Bowser was decidedly not impressed with the snacks, and judging by Luigi’s reaction to tasting them, neither was he.

The grotto had its mysteries and marvels, but nothing compared to what happened between the two of them.

When Bowser leaned in and kissed him, Luigi practically melted where he sat. The first kiss was quick, like a spark. The second lingered. The third… the third felt like the whole world could have fallen away and Luigi wouldn’t have noticed. Everything in him pulled toward Bowser, warm and electric and overwhelming. His heart was hammering so loudly he was sure Bowser could hear it. And when they finally parted, breathless, Luigi found only one thought echoing in his mind: I want to kiss him again… and again… and again.

He didn’t want to let go—not now, not ever.

The clouds finally broke, letting sunlight spill back into the valley. Luigi practically floated out of the grotto, still basking in the warmth of what had just happened. But the moment he reached the doorway, something caught his eye—something that sent him crashing back to earth.

A red umbrella.

‘No… no, it couldn’t be,’ he told himself.

But when he picked it up, the truth hit him like a Thwomp. His heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach. His blood turned to ice. His throat tightened. The world seemed to tilt and spin beneath his feet.

“What’s wrong with you, greenie?” Bowser asked, noticing the color drain from Luigi’s face.

“There you are, Lord Bowser! You had the entire castle in a panic.”

Kamek’s voice sliced cleanly through the heavy silence between them. “And I see you’re standing under your own power. Remarkable! Truly a testament to your strength my speed-ious-healingousness.”

“Uh… yeah. What’d you expect from the King of the Koopas?” Bowser replied, puffing himself up with clearly forced bravado.

“Of course, Your Excellency. I never doubted your resilience; not even during your brief episode of sickness and unconsciousness.”

“Yeah, that’s… right.” Bowser’s false swagger faded as he glanced back at Luigi, who was trembling like a leaf caught in a storm.

“Excellent,” Kamek continued briskly. “That means we can begin physical therapy immediately.”

“Wait—WHAT?”

Before Bowser could finish protesting, a squad of medical Koopas swarmed him, ushering him away with clinical efficiency.

“My recently-resurrectedness must begin recovery posthaste,” Kamek narrated as the King struggled against the surprisingly strong medics. “After all, YOU will be needed at the peace treaty negotiations.”

“H–hold on… I… don’t—hey—geez, you guys are strong!” Bowser’s voice was swallowed as they dragged him around the corner.

Kamek adjusted his glasses and turned to Luigi. “Once His Majesty completes today’s therapy, you may resume your conversation with him.”

Luigi could only nod shakily.

“Oh, and by the way,” Kamek added, already lifting into the air, “your brother was looking for you earlier.”

Luigi’s breath caught. “H–h–how long ago was-a th-that?”

“Not very long. He left the garden just minutes ago. I believe he’s waiting by the servant’s entrance—in a van, if I’m not mistaken.”

With that, Kamek glided away, leaving Luigi alone with the umbrella in his hands and dread tightening in his chest.

Luigi shakily made his way to the servant’s entrance. The entire time, a million different scenarios played out in his head; maybe Mario didn’t see anything, maybe he saw everything. Maybe he just dropped the umbrella but didn’t see the grotto, perhaps a castle worker dropped it off. What if he did see? Maybe he’ll be okay with it, maybe Mario will disown Luigi. Will mario even still be there? Perhaps he already left, perhaps he’s still waiting and will yell at him. 

Luigi struggled to breath, the closer he got to the entrance and more he began to sweat. The hallway and corridors wobbled and spun. When he finally reached the entrance, Luigi could see the van still parked outside through the window. He ducked, hoping Mario hadn’t seen him yet. He sat there on the floor, weezing in sheer panic. Facing off with Vashella was less nerve racking than this. He wanted to cry, he couldn’t stop shaking. He sat in the floor there, as castle workers passed by, giving Luigi strange looks. 

“1…2…3…4…” Luigi closed his eyes, pinched his hand, and began to count quietly to himself. It was a technique he learned in one of his many of his to be less cowardly and be strong like Mario. “5…6…7…8…” He began to calm down just a little.  “9…10…11…12…” he felt calm enough to finally stand up. He clutched the red umbrella tightly and stepped outside. 

As Luigi stepped outside Mac he could hear the van door open. Out stepped Mario, his stare cut straight through Luigi—cold, intense, almost feral. Luigi had never seen Mario look like that.

Luigi swallowed hard. “H-h-h-h-hey b-b-b-b-b-bro. Th-th-there you are. I-I-I looked for-a you this morning, b-b-but you were asleep, a-and I didn’t want t-t-to wake you.”

Mario said nothing.

“I-I-I found your u-u-umbrella.” Luigi held it out with a trembling hand. “Though, uh… don’t think you-a need it now… heh.” His nervous laugh died instantly. “S-so um… w-what d-d-did you want t-to talk—”

“Let’s-a go home, Luigi,” Mario said flatly as he opened the passenger door.

“S-s-sure thing bro.” Luigi forced a smile that wouldn’t stick. His legs wobbled all the way to the van. Inside, Mario slammed the door behind him. Then he rounded the front, climbed in, and tore out of the castle courtyard without a glance at his brother. Mario kept his eyes on the road. But all he could see was red.

Mario and Luigi

Just under an hour had passed, and they were finally beyond the Darklands. Traveling by van was a far cry from their usual walking route; this path wound through tiny villages, quiet farmland, and even a city or two. It also meant traffic—endless, crawling traffic—and Luigi could feel it stretching the trip into something nearly unbearable.

More unbearable still was the atmosphere inside the van. Every passing minute seemed to stoke Mario’s frustration, and Luigi could practically hear the anger simmering beneath his brother’s silence.

Two hours from the Mushroom Kingdom, they reached a stretch of road with fewer cars. Mario, clearly trying to make up for lost time, pressed the pedal with reckless determination. The road itself was poorly maintained, and at the speeds Mario was pushing, every pothole sent the brothers bouncing in their seats. Luigi clung to the door handle with both hands.

Out the passenger window, Luigi caught sight of the storm clouds that had passed over the Darklands. The rain shower seemed to be following them, creeping along the horizon in an ominous parallel chase. Mario saw it too. In that moment, it felt as though the battered old van was racing the storm itself.

“Um… Mario? Don’t you-a think we should maybe… slow down?” Luigi managed, bracing himself as the van hit another bump.

Mario said nothing. His jaw was tight, his grip locked around the wheel. He was focused on one thing—getting home, no matter what.

The sun dipped lower. Rain began to splatter the windshield—at first a light patter, then thick sheets that blurred the world ahead. Just as visibility dropped, a police Toad appeared at the edge of the headlights, waving glowing traffic wands and signaling them to stop.

Mario slammed the brakes. Luigi lurched forward, barely catching himself on the dashboard.

The reason for the stop became clear immediately: a river of water now cut across the road, rushing too fast and too deep to pass.

The police Toad approached the driver’s window, unfazed, as though this were an everyday inconvenience.

“Hey buddy,” he said casually, “hate to break it to you, but you’re not crossing tonight. This stretch floods if someone so much as sneezes, and our dam failed again. Should clear by morning, though.”

He pointed back toward the direction they had come.

“You might find an inn in one of the villages you passed. Or… ”he gestured vaguely west. “If you're brave enough, there’s a hotel in the Darklands. Up to you. Either way, turn back and check here in the morning.”

With that, he moved on to the next car, repeating the same resigned spiel.

Mario stared at the flooded road, jaw tight, before finally—reluctantly—turning the van around. Luigi kept his eyes on his brother, searching for some sign of what he was thinking. Above them, the storm clouds finally caught up, swallowing the road in gray.

The drive back toward the Darklands was much slower, calmer… but Mario’s anger only seemed to deepen with every passing mile. No more traffic, no more delays—just silence. Thick, suffocating silence.

It became too much for Luigi to bear.

So he did the only thing he could do to defuse the tension: he talked.

And talked.

And talked.

He talked about the weather.

“Wowie-zowie, the rain just-a suddenly stopped! I bet it’s-a reachin’ Princess Peach right-a now. She’s probably thinkin’ it’s-a big storm, but it’s-a really just a tiny shower. You should-a call her, let her know she doesn’t need-a to worry. Heh heh heh…”

He talked about every billboard they passed.

“D-d-did you try the new Yoshi Burger? I heard it’s-a good! It-a has…um…It’s-a normal burger but… um… with sliced apples? Sounds-a strange but… I kinda wanna try it…heh heh.”

He talked about anything he could think of—rambling, fumbling, filling the air with words—anything to dilute the tension pressing in on them. Anything topic, except Bowser.

And through it all, Mario just drove. Silent, simmering, unreadable.

They made it back to Bowser’s castle just as the sun slipped fully below the horizon. Rain began again—light, but steady—tapping softly against the van as Mario pulled into the servants’ entrance.

Luigi fumbled with his seat belt the moment they stopped. “I—I guess we-a should get inside, yes? You should-a take your umbrella. Don’t worry about me, the rain ain’t-a too bad and the door is-a right there and—”

But as he reached for the handle, Mario’s gloved hand came down on his shoulder, firm, pulling him back into the seat.

“Sit.”

The first word Mario had spoken in hours.

“We need to talk.”

Luigi froze. He shut the door and slowly settled back into the passenger seat. The two of them stared forward at nothing, the silence between them thick enough to choke on.

“Did you and Daisy… break up?” Mario finally asked, voice low and hard. He didn’t look at Luigi—just stared out into the falling rain.

Luigi swallowed. “Y-y-yes…”

“How long?”

“Wha—?”

“How long have you two been broken up?” Mario snapped, the tension in his voice finally cracking through.

Luigi shook where he sat, the tremors running through the whole van. “I—I—I… th-th-three months ago…”

Mario flinched. His eyes squeezed shut as if he’d been stabbed. His fingers dug into the steering wheel until the leather creaked.

After a long, shaky breath, he asked his next question.

“Do you… like women?”

Luigi nodded—then shook his head. “I—I don’t-a know…” he whispered.

Mario hesitated, jaw tightening. “Then…do you…”he paused, collecting his words.” …like men?”

Luigi jolted. Tears welled instantly, spilling over before he could stop them. “…yes.” His voice cracked, barely audible. He stared down at his lap as tears pattered onto his overalls. “Do you… do you-a hate me now?”

The question struck Mario like an arrow to the chest. His grip loosened on the steering wheel, the fire in his anger extinguished in an instant. Hate him? Why would Luigi ever think that?

And then—like gears finally locking into place—Mario understood.

Luigi wasn’t keeping secrets to be difficult, or to shut him out, or to spite him. He was hiding because he was afraid. Afraid of disappointing him. Afraid of making him angry. Afraid of exactly the reaction Mario had given him these past hours.

The realization hollowed Mario out.

His anger hadn’t just hurt Luigi—it had created the fear that kept Luigi silent. These last few hours all Mario could see was rage. But now he saw it from Luigi’s perspective for. Mario’s heart cracked under the weight of it. Luigi didn’t hide because he didn’t care. He hid because he cared too much. And the thought that his brother—his sweet, gentle, loyal brother—felt he had to fear Mario’s reaction in the first place…That was what hurt the most.

Mario's demeanor shifted, his voice calm. “You know… I don’t-a like mushrooms. I think they’re icky, mushy, just… bleh.” He let out a small, shaky breath. “But I don’t-a hate anyone who likes mushrooms.”

The moment Luigi heard those words, whatever dam he had left shattered. His soft crying exploded into full sobs. “I… thought… you’d… hate… me… if… you… knew…” he cried, gasping between each word.

“WHAT?!” Mario finally turned to him, shocked and devastated. “Why would-a you EVER think that?!” He reached across the console, gripping Luigi’s shoulder.

“Because… you… looked… so… mad… and… you… left… your umbrella… and you… saw…” Luigi pressed his hands over his face, unable to finish before another sob tore out of him. But he didn’t need to say it—Mario knew exactly what he meant.

“Luigi…” Mario’s voice cracked. Seeing his brother sob like this hit him with unbearable force. His own eyes blurred with tears.

“I—I wasn’t mad because of that. I was mad…” His voice cracked, trembling. “I was mad because you didn’t-a tell me. Because you didn’t-a trust me. I’m your brother!” Tears fell down his cheek. “YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO TELL ME EVERYTHING!!” Mario shouted.

Their eyes met—red, wet, and exhausted—and in that moment both brothers understood just how deeply they had hurt one another.

“MARIO!”

“LUIGI!”

They fell into each other’s arms, clinging tight, sobbing, apologizing over and over. The floodgates opened. Luigi finally told Mario everything: the breakup with Daisy, the slow realization he might be gay, the fact he still wasn’t entirely sure, the feelings he’d quietly carried since they were kids, why he bottled it up for so long… even his feelings for Bowser.

And Mario listened. Really listened. No judgment, no anger—just his brother, hurting, and finally letting himself be known.

They stayed in that van for hours, talking, crying, talking again. Piecing back together a bond they hadn’t realized had frayed.

By the time the rain had stopped and the storm clouds drifted away, it was nearly four in the morning. At some point, the brothers had dozed off, slumped against each other. Mario woke first, eyes still swollen, cheeks tight with dried tears. The world was quiet—except for Luigi’s soft snoring.

“Hey… hey, Lu. Lu, wake up,” Mario whispered, gently shaking his shoulder.

Luigi groaned, blinking himself upright. “Wha… time is it?”

“It’s-a late,” Mario said simply as he pushed open the van door. “Come on. We gotta go to bed.”

They stepped out into the cool post-rain air and headed toward the castle. Without thinking, they reached for each other’s hands, falling into step the way they did when they were little. Their breathing matched, their yawns matched—it all felt instinctive, like something inside them had finally clicked back into place.

When they reached Luigi’s room, they quietly changed into pajamas, brushed their teeth side by side, and slipped into bed—together, safe, and finally at peace.

Epilogue 

Almost a year had passed since Vashella’s fall. Her army of traitors were still being tried, one by one. Bradley had been sent to the same island where Vashella had been banished—but with far tighter security. The sentence was far more lenient than Bowser would have preferred. Still, part of the Peace Treaty he signed prevented him from tossing his enemies into the lava pit at a whim.

The Peace Treaty had reshaped life in the Darklands in many ways. Borders between the three kingdoms—the Darklands, the Mushroom Kingdom, and Sarasaland—were now open. Resources were to be shared, and the kingdoms were obligated to help one another. Yet, much to Princess Peach’s chagrin, the treaty said nothing about Bowser attempting to wrest control of small, unincorporated territories. Nor did it guarantee harmony between the kingdoms. Bowser could no longer outright attack the Mushroom Kingdom without breaking the treaty, but he could certainly compete against them by any other means—and that was exactly what he intended to do at the Interkingdom Games.

“ROOOOAAAARRR!”

Inside Bowser’s castle, chaos reigned. Koopa athletes scrambled to board Bowser’s massive airship, Koopalings fussed over their royal regalia, and Bowser himself was having… a challenging morning.

“Please, your Grumpiness, the royal tailor cannot work if you keep throwing tantrums,” Kamek pleaded.

Bowser stomped impatiently as a tailor Koopa stitched a final panel of fabric into his ridiculously ornate suit.

“I wouldn’t even be upset if he didn’t—OUCH! THAT—THAT RIGHT THERE! HE KEEPS POKING ME WITH THAT DAMN NEEDLE!”

“Apologies, your Expandingness,” the tailor stammered.

“You see, Lord Bowser,” Kamek said carefully, “this is exactly why I suggested you try on your regalia last week.”

“Well, it’s not my fault it shrunk! Must’ve been the wash or something,” Bowser complained, tugging at the ornate shirt.

“Sire, your regalia is dry clea—” Kamek began, but a glare from Bowser stopped him cold. “…never mind.”

“And where is Greenie’s regalia?” Bowser demanded.

“It’s already on board, my Lord,” Kamek replied.

“Good. And you confirmed he will be sitting at the Darklands pavilion?”

“For the hundredth time, yes, my Lord. Master Luigi will be part of your Royal Entourage.”

“And…” Bowser pressed, narrowing his eyes.

Kamek exhaled. “…and he will be introduced as his ‘Royal Consort to His Majesty, Trusted Companion, and Diplomat to both the Mushroom Kingdom and the Darklands, Master Luigi.’”

Bowser tapped his chin, pondering.

“Lord Bowser, please tell me you don’t want to change it again,” Kamek said warily.

“No, no… but do you think it’s too wordy? I don’t want my people to get bored halfway through his introduction. It’s missing… something. A little punch. Something like ‘His Awesomeness,’ or ‘Duke of Thunder,’ or maybe even ‘His Completely Better-Than-His-Brother-ness.’ Something to really stick.”

Kamek sighed, preparing himself for a long day.

Back at the modest home of Mario and Luigi, the brothers were busy packing as well. But while royalty across the kingdoms fussed over crowns and regalia, the twins were stuffing their bags with sports gear. During the Interkingdom Games, it is customary for royal delegates and their entourages to participate in the Royal Matches; friendly exhibitions between the monarchs, heirs, and honored representatives. As longtime members of Mushroom Kingdom entourage, the brothers had taken part in these matches ever since they arrived, even introducing a few new games themselves.

This year, however, marked a first: Mario and Luigi would be competing against each other. At first, the idea horrified Peach and the others. It would be incredibly cruel to put them against each other. Surely the brothers wouldn’t give their all if they were separated. Instead, dividing them only ignited the deep competitive streak the twins had harbored their entire lives. For all their loyalty, affection, and desire to see the other succeed, Mario and Luigi were also fiercely competitive with each other. Now they finally had a stage to unleash it.

Mario had spent months sharpening his athletic skills. Even during adventures, he used every spare moment practicing jumps, dives, and sprinting. Luigi, meanwhile, had taken a different approach. He dedicated himself to improving his go-kart, his tennis racket, and even the athletic clothes he planned to wear, this time incorporating a great deal of Darkland engineering. And after Bowser discovered just how competitive Luigi could be with Mario, he became thrilled, making it his personal mission to train him. Since then, Luigi felt faster, stronger, and even proud of the little muscle or two he now had to show.

Inside the house, Mario packed his tennis racket, golf clubs, and cleats. Outside, behind the house, Luigi was tightening bolts and installing last-minute modifications on his kart.

“You-a still workin’ on that, bro?” Mario called, poking his head out the bedroom window.

“EEEK!” Luigi yelped, leaping upright and throwing a tan tarp over the kart. “NO-A PEAKING!”

Mario chuckled. “So you’re-a not using the kart from-a last year after all?”

“No, no, I am using it,” Luigi insisted. “I just-a made a few… improvements.”

“I’ll say,” Mario replied, leaning to peek under the tarp, having crawled out the window to get a closer look. 

“SHOO! SHOO!” Luigi cried, yanking the tarp back into place. “The kart is-a the same! I just-a added some new parts… to make it run-a even faster. You can-a see it at the race—if you can-a keep up.”

Mario smirked. “Hmm. It’s-a not about what’s under the hood, Luigi. It’s about how-a you handle the wheel. If you-a came out to practice with me, you might-a have a chance to beat me.”

“Oh, just-a you wait and see!” Luigi declared, puffing out his chest. “I’m gonna go so fast, you’re gonna be like, ‘OH NO, NO WAY, HOW HE BEAT-A ME?!’ And I’m-a gonna say, ‘OH YEAH! Weegie Number One!’ You-a never stood a chance against my cart! It’s-a got a brand-new engine from Iggy Koopa and some new tires from the Professor! And you will be like, ‘Oh no, my kart can’t-a compete with your superior mechanical skills!’ Yeah! That’s-a what you’re gonna say—and that’s why you can’t-a peak!”

Luigi beamed proudly, completely unaware that he had just given away every part of the surprise.

Mario raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Uh-huh… so how are you-a getting it to the stadium?”

“Bowser is-a picking it up for me using his airship.”

“And when is he supposed to do tha—?”

As if summoned by cue, Bowser’s massive airship rumbled overhead, blotting out the sun above their little home. A loading platform descended, several koopa troopas aboard, all ready to collect Luigi’s belongings—kart included. A mustached clown copter drifted down and hovered right beside Luigi.

Luigi hurried toward it, but stopped and turned back toward Mario. “You know… you can-a still travel with us. To the same place, I mean. I won’t-a mind if you tagged along.” His voice softened—almost seeking permission.

Mario, halfway through the window, smiled warmly. “No, no… you and the big old koopa have-a fun.”

Luigi stepped closer to the window again. “You-a sure? Once we get to the stadium, I’ll be in the Darkland pavilion, and you’ll be in the Mushroom Kingdom pavilion, and we won’t-a be next to each other for the whole games and—”

Mario reached out and pulled Luigi into a tight hug through the window frame. “I’m-a sure, Luigi.”

Luigi hugged back, long and lingering. When they finally let go, Mario added, “Besides, I can always sneak over. And you can too.”

“Yeah… I know.” Luigi smiled faintly. “It just-a won’t be the same.”

“I know… but…” Mario tapped Luigi’s forehead and gave him a gentle peck. “It might be something better.”

“Alright. Go on, you,” Mario said, giving Luigi’s shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t keep that big koopa waiting. I gotta get going myself—you know, I promised Princess Peach I’d ride with her and she wants to leave—WHOA!!”

Mario glanced at his watch and nearly fell out the window. “I’M-A RUNNING LATE!”

He scrambled through the room, hurling the rest of his belongings into a suitcase with zero precision, then bolted out the door. He tossed the suitcase into a conveniently placed warp pipe and called, “Love you, bro! See you at the stadium!” before leaping in after it.

“Love you too, bro!” Luigi laughed, watching his brother’s legs disappear into the pipe.

Luigi climbed into his clown copter and rose up to Bowser’s airship.

“There you are, Greenie. Thought I might have to go down there and drag you out myself,” Bowser boomed from the deck, clearly having waited there the entire time.

“Sorry, you know how we-a get,” Luigi replied.

“Oh, I know,” Bowser scoffed. “And…?”

“Heh, Mario isn’t-a tagging along. He already promised Peach he’d travel with-a her.”

“Yes!” Bowser pumped his fist triumphantly.

“Hey now, don’t-a get too excited,” Luigi warned, wagging a gloved finger. “He’s-a my bro, after all. And sooner or-a later, you two will-a have to get along. You’re going to be-a seeing a lot more of-a him now.”

“Grrr… how much ‘later’ are we talking about?” Bowser muttered.

Luigi tugged Bowser down by the shell spikes and gave him a quick kiss. “Just-a don’t kill my brother at the-a games.”

“Hmph… fine. But I am going to destroy him in tennis,” Bowser grumbled—before leaning down for another kiss.

“GROSS! Get a room, you two!” Wendy yelled, having witnessed everything from a few feet away.

The pair chuckled, and Bowser signaled for the airship’s departure.

During the journey, Luigi changed into his ceremonial regalia. Once dressed, he paused before the mirror, hardly recognizing the man staring back at him. His doublet was quilted emerald green, trimmed with rich gold piping. The sleeves were stylishly slashed to reveal a layer of soft white silk beneath. His trousers were loose black breeches that tapered neatly at the knee and tucked cleanly into a pair of tall, polished boots. Around his neck hung a ribbon bearing a fiery red ruby, and across his torso draped an ornate sash gathered at both shoulder and hip, giving him the unmistakable appearance of a medieval nobleman. But one detail made him look undeniably Darklands royalty: the Koopa shell on his back. The same one Bowser had gifted him during his first stay in the castle; still shining just as brightly as the night he, Bowser, and Junior sat together polishing shells until dawn. His white gloves now bore black spiked bracelets, another unmistakable mark of Bowser’s lineage. And completing the ensemble was the crown. Small, elegant, forged from pure gold, studded with green and orange gems. Despite being metal, it felt delicate, almost too precious to touch. Luigi still wasn’t sure he deserved something so regal, especially since Bowser had insisted he keep it. Luigi smiled softly at the reflection. A blue-collar plumber from Brooklyn, dressed like a royal dignitary. If he hadn’t watched himself get dressed, he might not have believed it was really him in the mirror.

Meanwhile, back at Peach’s castle, Mario and Peach rode together in the convoy headed to the stadium. They sat side by side, simply enjoying being near each other. It had taken weeks before Toadsworth would let Peach out of his sight again, and even longer before he was comfortable letting Mario back into the castle. But watching Peach negotiate and strategize the Peace Treaty firsthand had softened the old Toad. He had finally begun to see Princess Peach as the queen she would soon become—and perhaps realized he didn’t need to dote over her quite so tightly.

This year, the Interkingdom Games weren’t held in the Mushroom Kingdom or the Darklands. Instead, they took place on neutral ground, in the farthest edge of Donut Plains between the two realms. As a gesture of goodwill, no single kingdom would host. All nations would gather somewhere shared, equal, and unclaimed. The stadium they approached had no name—yet. Part of the treaty established that the kingdom winning the most medals earned the right to name the stadium. It was a peaceful way to let Bowser—or any competitive kingdom—satisfy their urge to conquer something.

Upon arrival, athletes from every kingdom unloaded and began preparing for the opening ceremonies. Spectators filled the seats, buzzing with anticipation. High above them were the royal pavilions. Each had two sections: an upper, open balcony where thrones for each ruler and their royal entourage stood in full view, and a private lower chamber with food service, luxurious seating, and massive monitors showing the games.

Luigi followed Bowser and the Koopalings into the Darkland Pavilion. It reflected Bowser’s taste perfectly—polished marble floors, dark basalt walls, tall arched windows overlooking the stadium, gold trim on nearly everything, heavy silk curtains, enormous leather-wrapped couches, several giant monitors, and rows of servers waiting for orders. Luigi had seen royal pavilions during past Games, including Peach’s simple and refined one, but this was on an entirely different level. Grand. Imposing. Undeniably Bowser.

“Lord Bowser, if you would follow me to your throne, the opening ceremonies are about to begin,” a Koopa server announced.

Everyone began migrating to their seats. Luigi looked around for an empty chair in the entourage rows, the same area he would normally sit in the Mushroom Kingdom pavilion.

“Master Luigi, this way please,” the server said, gesturing him forward.

Luigi hesitantly approached and froze.

Right beside Bowser’s massive throne sat a smaller, elegant throne of his own. Bowser Jr.  was already occupied on Bowser’s opposite side. The Koopalings were in their assigned rows. This one… this one had a card with Luigi’s name on it.

This was for him.

He understood exactly what it meant to be given a throne in full public view. Important. Recognized. Equal. He was shocked, flattered, embarrassed by the attention… but mostly overwhelmed with joy. Bowser hadn’t just included him. Luigi was placed right beside the king.

Luigi took his seat. From his vantage point, he could see straight across to the other royal pavilions. The Mushroom Kingdom’s box sat directly opposite the Darklands’, giving him a clear view as Mario and Peach entered and settled onto their thrones.

Mario—decidedly not in his usual overalls—was dressed in full royal regalia. His doublet was made of shimmering silk, patterned in blue-and-white stripes, with short puffy sleeves that revealed a fitted long-sleeved undershirt beneath. Gold buttons marched neatly down the front. Draped over his shoulders was a red cape trimmed in white fur, fastened with a gold-embossed pendant set with a deep blue emerald. His trousers were puffy red-and-white pumpkin breeches fit for a medieval faire, and his work boots had been traded for gleaming gold shoes adorned with bright red rubies. Atop his head rested a crown of polished gold, studded with blue gems along the brim, the velvet cap beneath encircled by golden arches that met at a small, simple monde. Mario looked every bit the royal figure; regal, yet just a touch silly in a way that belonged uniquely to him.

Peach, meanwhile, wore a gown and crown reminiscent of her usual attire, but elevated in every detail. Embroidery covered the full sweep of her dress, and her bodice featured a panel of white silk accentuated with lace and ribbons. Her crown was a far more ornate version of her typical one, sparkling with intricate metalwork and additional jewels.

It seemed Mario was making his official debut as well. Typically, Toadsworth kept him in the back row with the council and attendants, far from the throne. But this year, Mario sat beside Peach, almost as her equal. Though Toadsworth would never state it officially, the meaning was unmistakable: in the eyes of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario was no longer just the princess’s heroic “knight in denim overalls.” He was something more; someone worthy of sitting at her side.

The ceremonies began in full splendor. Athletes from every kingdom paraded into the stadium, each carrying the banner of their homeland. The procession reminded Luigi of the Olympics in its grandeur—marching colors, proud smiles, and cheers echoing from every corner of the arena.

Then came the moment of royal introductions.

Luigi suddenly stiffened. This was the first time he would be introduced as part of the Darklands’ royal entourage. In past years, when seated in the Mushroom Kingdom pavilion, he and Mario were always announced together as “the heroic knights, friends of all Toads—Sir Mario and Sir Luigi.” But now… everything was different.

A rush of questions flooded his mind.

What will they call me? How will the crowd react? Will the Mushroom Kingdom feel betrayed? Will Mario?

Before the panic could fully settle, Luigi felt a warm, heavy hand close around his own. Bowser. Whether Luigi’s worry was written plainly on his face or Bowser simply sensed it, the gesture grounded him instantly. Luigi exhaled, letting the tension slip from his shoulders.

The herald’s voice boomed across the stadium.

“Now presenting the Royal Pavilion of the Darklands!”

A powerful cheer rose from the Darklands spectators.

“First, His Excellency the Royal Magician and Chief Advisor, Lord Kamek.”

Kamek rose, giving a dignified bow.

“Attending His Majesty, the Inner Court:”

“His Lordship Ludwig von Koopa — Master Strategist and Court Composer.”

“Her Ladyship Wendy O. Koopa — Mistress of Style and Royal Aesthetics.”

“His Lordship Iggy Koopa — Chief Inventor of the Darklands.”

“His Lordship Roy Koopa — Master-at-Arms and Weapons Marshal.”

“His Lordship Morton Koopa Jr. — Champion of Strength and Royal Enforcer.”

“His Lordship Lemmy Koopa — Court Jester and Director of Royal Entertainment.”

“His Lordship Larry Koopa — Attendant to the Heir and Keeper of the Prince’s Court.”

Each of the Koopalings acknowledged the crowd with bows or waves as applause rang out.

“Seated at His Majesty’s right hand—His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, Lord Bowser Jr.!” The stadium erupted, the cheers nearly shaking the pavilion.

Then Luigi felt it. A hush. A shift in the crowd. Thousands of eyes turning toward him.

The herald continued:

“And seated at His Majesty’s left—making his first formal appearance as a member of the Darklands court—His Majesty’s appointed Diplomat to the Mushroom Kingdom… Knight-Consort… Master Luigi.”

The title hung in the air, weighty, official, undeniable.

Luigi swallowed, then rose to acknowledge the crowd—heart pounding, cheeks warm, Bowser’s hand still resting reassuringly close by. But to his astonishment, the stadium erupted in cheers. Not confusion. Not jeers. Cheers. And just like that, the moment passed, the herald moved on to the next kingdom, and Luigi felt something inside him release. Whatever secrets or shame he had carried were gone—before his brother, before the Mushroom Kingdom, before all the realms. They all knew, and there was nothing left to hide.

The ceremonies carried on well into the night, with Pauline dazzling the stadium as the musical guest. The finale was a grand display of fireworks, but the elegant awnings covering each pavilion—excellent for blocking the sun—proved terrible for watching the sky. The moment the fireworks began, the Koopalings and every member of the Darklands entourage flocked to the pavilion’s edge in a chaotic pile. Luigi didn’t stand a chance, and neither did Bowser Jr.

Scanning for any possible vantage point, Luigi spotted it: the maintenance walkways high above the entire stadium, even above the royal pavilions and press boxes. During arrival he had seen the side entrances that led to them… and something bold and impulsive sparked inside him. With everyone distracted by fireworks and Pauline, he might just slip away unnoticed.

But then Luigi stopped. He couldn’t leave Junior behind—not when the little prince wanted to see the fireworks more than anyone.

“Psst.” Luigi whispered. “Junior—come on, follow me.”

They slipped out together. A walkway encircled the stadium, connecting every pavilion. Luck was finally with them—one entrance to the maintenance level stood open and unattended. They strolled casually toward it… then darted through the door as soon as no one was looking.

“Where are we going?” Junior whispered.

“To-a get a better view,” Luigi answered.

Junior’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

After climbing a short ladder, the two emerged onto the topmost walkway—practically on the stadium’s roof. From here, the fireworks exploded in perfect full view. Luigi sat on the sloped roofing, Junior settling happily in his lap as they both stared up in awe.

“Got room for-a one more?” came a familiar voice.

“Mario?” Luigi turned to see his brother’s head pop up over the edge of the ladder.

“I saw you and the little one sneak off,” Mario said, climbing up. “I figured you-a found the best spot in the stadium.”

“We sure-a did,” Luigi replied, smiling as Mario settled beside them.

But before they could fully relax, another voice chimed in.

“There you are!”

“Princess!” Mario yelped as Peach climbed up after him. “What are you-a doing up here?”

“Well,” Peach said primly, “as my newly appointed knight of the Mushroom Kingdom, I couldn’t very well let you wander off, leaving me unattended.” She brushed dust off her gown. “Besides… the view is much better here.” Her eyes lingered on Mario more than the sky, and he turned bright red.

“You didn’t forget about me, did ya?” Daisy called, hauling herself up next. Both princesses joined the group, settling in comfortably.

The hatch swung open once more. “So… this is where you two have been hiding,” rumbled a deep voice.

“Dad! Over here!” Junior waved excitedly.

Bowser climbed up onto the roof with surprising grace for someone his size, joining Luigi, Junior, Mario, Peach, and Daisy. The fireworks crackled across the sky, painting all their faces in shifting color.

Surrounded by everyone he loved—his brother, the princesses, Junior, the Koopalings below, and Bowser beside him—Luigi felt a peace he hadn’t experienced in years. As the final burst of fireworks boomed overhead, he knew something new was beginning. A new chapter. A new life.

Whatever adventures awaited him, he wouldn’t face them alone. With all of them by his side, there was nothing too great—or too small—that they couldn’t handle together.

The End

 

 

Notes:

Thank you for reading my little hyper fixation stint. I never expected people to read this so to those who have thank you.

There will be more to come, some short stories and one shot comics.

Notes:

Thank you for taking to time to read this fanfic of mine. I have complete many more chapters but I will be releasing them slowly as I make edits and corrections to them. I also plan to illustrate at least one picture per chapter.
If you like what you read, please share. It would be greatly appreciated.
Headcanon notes: This fic does not pull from one SMB source completely, but instead from the collective SMB universe, including the movie and games. I try to keep their dialogue mannerism as close to the games as possible but took some lore from the 2023 movie as well. Additional lore and overall rounding out of the world comes from bits and pieces from all games.