A/N: I'm not exactly sure how this story is going to turn out. I started this while I was feeling extremely bitter. Well, whether you enjoy it or not, please review and tell me what you think. Enough talk, on with the story. This story takes place based on Paper Mario.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Belladonna. She is my own creation.

Chapter 1: Another Party Disaster

It was another beautiful day in the famous world known as the Mushroom Kingdom. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing. The citizens of Toad Town were walking around, a cheerful smile on every face. To add to the usual hustle and bustle of the kingdom, it was known that the Princess Peach was holding a huge gala that night. Everyone who was anyone was invited, and in the Mushroom Kingdom, that literally meant everyone.

One residence in particular was excited about that night's party. In the home of the famous Mario Bothers, much preparation was being done for the bash. Both brothers were eagerly awaiting the moment in which they would enter the elegant castle, to find their beautiful loved ones, and to dance the night away.

"Hey Bro! Are you ready for the party tonight?" called Luigi from the living room inside the small, humble house where he lived with his brother. He stood before the mirror on the mantle, smoothing his mustache. Despite how far off the party was, he wanted to be ready for the moment they left.

"Yup! It's sure to be a success! We know Bowser isn't going to bother us, because I defeated him again two days ago. And Peach has hired a band and the most popular caterers!" Mario exclaimed, thrilled about the party. It was spur of the moment, but Bowser always ruined every party that was planned.

"Well, we have about six hours before we have to be there," said Luigi, glancing up at the clock that was hanging over the mantle. "I might as well go shopping. We're out of milk, short on butter, and there's a few more things I need to pick up."

"Oh, come on Luigi! We're going to a party tonight! You can do all that tomorrow!" said Mario, strolling into the living room. He bumped Luigi out of the way and stared admirably at his own reflection. He straightened his hat, and then satisfied, he went over and flopped on the couch. Lazily, Mario turned on the television, and immediately a game show was blaring out.

Luigi fixed a stern eye on his older brother. "I've got time on my hands, time which I can use to take care of these small errands. I figure you want breakfast tomorrow? Besides, it's good to get things out of the way early, so you don't forget to do it later." He opened his mouth to say more but Mario interrupted him.

"Spare me the lecture. You want to behave like a housewife? Go ahead. Just leave me out of your mothering." Mario chuckled, looked over at his younger brother, and rolled his eyes at the look Luigi was giving him.

Luigi glared fiercely at Mario, his pride hurt. "I'm not behaving like a housewife. It's called common sense, and that's something you lack."

Mario snorted. "I lack common sense? Who's the one always saving the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser? And who is the one that saved your hide? And on more than one occasion I might add."

"Who's the one who had to save you from King Boo?" Luigi shot back. He was extremely irritated now, and he could feel tears of humiliation ready to leak out of his eyes. "I'm going to the store." As he passed the television, he turned it off, which only infuriated Mario.

"Whatever, Mr. Housewife!" he called angrily. Luigi replied by slamming the door as hard as he could. Consequently, he slammed it hard enough to shake the house, and knock the clock off the wall. "Poor kid's too serious," Mario sighed. He shrugged, sat back, and turned the TV back on.

Luigi stormed down the streets of Toad Town, attracting stares from the citizens. He was sick and tired of being shoved aside while Mario soaked up all of the glory. He was just as good as Mario, even more resourceful! Heck, he could jump higher too! It was bad enough being labeled a sidekick, but then Mario figured he could make fun of him? It wasn't fair!

Luigi felt too angry to shop at that moment, knowing he'd just snap at everyone he saw and sound exactly like his cousin Waluigi. Shuddering at the thought of being compared to his undesirable relative, he walked past the store, turned down several allies, and then reached Northern Toad Town. Luigi immediately dashed to the flower garden. He desperately needed to relax and simmer down.

As he sat amongst the begonias, and the petunias, and various other flowers, Luigi felt a strange sort of peace wash over him. The flower garden was a place he always went to just to calm down. It was his sanctuary. Others might laugh, but he could hear the soft whispers of the flowers, and see the secret smiles on their faces. Everyone thought only Bub-ulbs could think and feel, but if you asked Luigi, he'd claim all flowers had souls.

'It doesn't matter,' he thought, humming to himself and caressing the petals of a daffodil. 'I'll do what I always do, no matter what anyone says. And as for Mario, I'll just ignore him until he apologizes.'

With these thoughts in his mind, Luigi yawned and stood up, feeling rather serene. He rather reluctantly left the garden to complete his errands. He reached the store, walked in, gave the shopkeeper a cheery greeting and smile, and then went to the dairy section for some milk.

Mario was still chuckling about earlier, but after Luigi came home and gave him the cold shoulder, he got very ticked annoyed. Luigi had never acted this defiant towards him before. He'd always just laughed with Mario, and even cracked a few jokes of his own. This time, however, he seemed almost hurt. But Mario wasn't going to apologize for a small joke. Luigi would soon come to his senses and everything would be fine again.

The Mario Brothers started their final preparations for the celebration. Neither said a word to the other, didn't even so much as make a sound. It was so quiet that one looking into the window would think they were going to a funeral instead of a party.

They walked to the revelry in silence. When they got there, Mario found Peach and Luigi found Daisy. Mario led Peach as far away from Luigi as he could get and vice versa.

"What's wrong Mario?" asked Peach, tilting her head to look at him better, concerned reflected in her cerulean blue eyes. "You seem so…moody. What happened?"

"Luigi's an idiot, that's what happened," said Mario grumpily. "He can't take a joke. I made a tiny crack at how serious he can be and he blows up at me!"

"Perhaps he's just jealous," Peach said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" asked Mario, a little confused.

"Well, you've always been some great hero," said Peach softly. "And Luigi gets almost no recognition. And a number of people do make fun of him."

"I guess I never thought about that," murmured Mario, looking guilty. "Perhaps I should go apologize…"

Just then, they both heard a harsh cackle that came from above the crowd.

"Gee, you seem awfully cranky Luigi," said Daisy. "What's up?"

"Mario's a big jerk!" growled Luigi. "He made a bunch of nasty remarks about my habits earlier. He even had the nerve to call me a housewife! So, I'm not talking to him."

"Don't you think your overreacting, just a little bit?"

"No, not really."

Daisy rolled her eyes. "You're such an idiot sometimes Luigi! Did it ever occur to you that Mario didn't really mean what he said? That it was all just a joke and that this is a complete misunderstanding?"

"Well no, but…"

"But nothing! This is foolishness! Now, you're going over there and talking to Mario! No ifs, ands, or buts! Come on!" Daisy started to drag Luigi over to where Peach and Mario were standing when they both heard a cruel, feminine laughter coming from above them.

Everyone at the party looked up the sound of the insane laughter. And they all gasped at what they saw.

A black and purple vortex was swirling above the vast crowd. It spun and spun, faster and faster. And then suddenly, it disappeared, leaving a girl in its wake.

She was a strange girl, stranger than anyone ever seen in the Mushroom Kingdom. She had lavender hair that went halfway down her back. She wore long, billowing black robes that contrasted with her pasty white flesh. But it was her eyes that got the most attention. Navy blue irises with cold, black pupils. Eyes that seemed to be made from the stuff of nightmares.

Mario and Luigi rushed forward immediately, their differences forgotten with this new potential threat before them. "Who are you?!" yelled Mario, instantly on guard.

The young woman chuckled. "Manners, manners. My name is Belladonna. I am a sorceress, and I am also the new ruler of this pathetic kingdom. I take it you're the famous Mario Brothers I keep hearing about?" She gave them a curious, amused look.

"Yes we are!" declared Luigi with pride in his voice. "We're also going to kick your evil butt out of here!" he added rebelliously.

Belladonna growled, the smirk dropping off of her face in a flash. "I thought I told you to mind your manners! I'm about to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!" She fixed those terrifying eyes on him. Then she whispered, "Come hither."

Luigi found that as he looked at those eyes, he couldn't move, though instinct told him to get the hell out of there. And when she whispered, his body obeyed, though his mind screamed, 'no, no, NO!'

When Luigi was close enough, the evil sorceress attacked. Her hair shot forward in long coils. It wrapped itself around Luigi, fully binding him, and lifted him into the air. Luigi struggled fiercely, but to no avail. Belladonna let out a shriek of laughter.

"LET HIM GO!" yelled Mario, concerned for his brother's well being, and trying to figure out the best way to attack this monstrosity.

"Certainly," replied Belladonna, a gleeful look in her eyes.

From there, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. A twist of lavender locks, and then the loud snap that echoed throughout the room. The hair releasing Luigi, and his almost graceful fall to the floor. And his landing on the floor, where he lay crumpled and unmoving.

"LUIGI!" Mario ran over to the still form of his younger brother. He noticed Luigi's neck at a weird angle and realized Belladonna had broken his neck. Earlier he swore he would never speak to Luigi unless Luigi spoke first. Now he could never speak to Luigi ever again, thanks to the cruel sorceress floating above them. Without realizing it, he was crying, his salty tears staining Luigi's still warm face.

"Luigi!" mocked Belladonna cruelly, sneering at Mario. "How...touching. But is it just brotherly love that makes you weep or," she smirked, "something more?"

"YOU MONSTER!" roared Mario.

"I'm a monster?" said Belladonna. "No, actually, I'm a ruler. After all, you know what they say. All is fair in love and war. And this isn't love…although, I do love torturing you."

"The Mushroom Kingdom will never be yours!" he said trembling with rage. "Not if I can help it!"

"You're threatening to be a problem? I'll fix that!" Her hair came to life again, and this time it grabbed Princess Peach. "You really have to learn to hold your tongue…and to submit to your superiors."

"Mario..." whimpered Peach. Even without the hair, she was paralyzed with fear.

Belladonna spoke, suddenly business like, making every word sharp and cold like a sword. "Stay out of my way. Otherwise the Princess will meet with a fate more painful than your brother's. You'll get her back in two weeks time, after you've given up the kingdom." That being said, she disappeared, taking a wailing Peach in her wake.

End of chapter one! Well, what do you think? Please tell me. And if you're going to criticize, make it constructive. I have no time for flames of absolutely no value. Thank you for reading thus far, and please review!