"So, you found me out," Kamek squeaked, hovering over the group on his trademark broomstick. "I suppose it was only a matter of time."

"What's your game, Kamek?" Mario growled.

"Well, after what I did to your cowardly brother I suppose I could give you an explanation. You see, I have raised Bowser since he was a child. I always taught him to be ruthless, to get what he wanted, even if he had to take it by force. But somewhere along the way he got soft. Personally, I blame that pretty princess of yours. After sitting on the sidelines all these years, I finally decided to take action."

"So you took over his mind? What kind of father are you?"

Kamek's face twisted into an ugly sneer. "Only one who wants what's best for his child. Bowser couldn't rule as a supreme leader, so now I will make him. Bowser!"

Bowser burst through the guest room door, snarling. He rushed at Mario, who deftly leapt out of the way. Bowser crashed into the far wall, but that didn't seem to phase him. He picked himself up and went after the plumber once again.

This time Mario was ready. He took a flying leap and landed on Bowser's head, hard. The force of the blow knocked Bowser off his feet, and he landed with a thud on the cold stone floor. Mario resumed a fighting stance, waiting to see if Bowser was down for the count.

A few tense seconds passed. The Koopa Kids were frozen, staring at Bowser to see what he would do next. Bowser stirred and sat up, holding his head..

Wendy took a few hesitant steps toward her adoptive father. "Bowser? Are-are you alright?"

"Ugh," Bowser groaned. "Where am I?"

Wendy gave Bowser a puzzled look. "You're in your castle. You've been here this whole time."

"Last thing I remember I was having a horrible nightmare. I dreamt that Kamek had pointed his wand at me and was saying these weird incantations. Then I woke up here. What happened?"

Wendy glared coldly at Kamek. "I think we should let Kamek tell you."

Bowser scratched his head. "Kamek?"

"That was no dream you had, Bowser. That was Kamek's spell worming its way into your mind. He's been controlling you for the past weeks."

Bowser looked up at Kamek with a mixture of sadness and confusion. "Is this true?"

"Yes. I can't believe you are the Koopa I raised. Look at you, felled once again. And by who? Some human in a red suit. A nobody. I wanted you to be something. Not just a king, but the ruler of our world! And you squandered your talents by kidnapping a pesky princess and having Mr. Moustache over here beat on you."

"Well," Peach interrupted. "It's been a fine family reunion, but we all know who the enemy is now."

"That's right," agreed Mario. "It's time we took some action!"

The red glow that had surrounded Mario in Bowser's bedchamber had returned. He was already charging up a fireball, his aim directed towards Kamek's smug face.. Behind him, Bowser took a deep breath, his eyes lined with tears, ready to release a terrible flame on the Koopa who had once meant so much to him.

Before either of them could fire, Kamek shot an electric blast at Wendy's feet. She jumped away just in time, and it hit the floor, making a crack in the fire in his eyes, Bowser shot a thick stream of flame straight at Kamek. Kamek swerved on his broom, avoiding any marks except a slight singe on his robe.

It was Mario's turn next. He fired a relentless barrage of fireballs at Kamek, and Kamek zoomed in a circle around the room, deftly avoiding each one. Mario swore and charged up another blast while Bowser checked on Wendy.

"Are you alright my dear?" Bowser asked timidly, helping Wendy back to her feet.

"I'm fine, just a little shaken up," she answered.

"Enough of this!" came Kamek's familiar squeak. "If I can't make you see what a pathetic bunch you are, then I'll just have to dispose of you! Then I can rule over Bowser's land and the Mushroom Kingdom. Or better yet..."

Kamek let out another high pitched laugh and began reciting incantations. He pointed his wand at Wendy, shooting a bright stream of light, and her face went blank. Within seconds she was snarling and running straight towards Mario and Peach. Peach leapt out of the way as Mario jumped onto her head. Wendy stumbled backwards and fell against a wall. Ludwig and Iggy came to her aid.

"Wendy!" Bowser roared. "That's my kid, you Koopa scum!" Bowser rushed at Kamek, but once again he swooped out of the way.

Peach let out a cry of frustration. "Don't you get it? We must work together to bring Kamek down!"

Kamek flicked his wand at Peach. "That's enough out of you!" Another flash, and soon Peach's expression was as blank as Wendy's had been.

"No…" Mario's voice was barely a whisper.

"He's coming around! Luigi, can you hear me?"

Luigi's eyes felt like sandpaper, and his eyelids were so heavy that he wasn't even sure they would open . He fought against the feeling and was able to lift his eyelids enough to let in a small sliver of light. Even that was too much for his senses, and he quickly shut them again.

His first effort at waking up having failed, Luigi attempted to respond to the question. His mouth was as dry as cotton, and he could barely use his tongue or lips to form words.

"Yes," Luigi responded in a creaky voice.

"He's alive. You're alive!" the voice exclaimed.

Luigi tried opening his eyes time, he was able to see a purple 's face slowly came into focus. "Waluigi," Luigi responded.

"I thought I'd lost you," Waluigi continued. "Don't you ever, ever do that to me again! I'm so mad I could kill you! But I'm just so relieved that you're alive and safe." Waluigi hovered over him, his big eyes rimmed with red, his expression one of pure relief.

Luigi had a hard time remembering what all the fuss was about, but as he was beginning to piece it together he saw was Peach doing in his memory? Then it started to come back to him. He saw Peach fighting Koopa Troopas with surprising ease, Peach dragging him out of Bowser's burning bedchamber, and Peach's face when he was left cruelly stabbed. He picked up his right hand and placed it on his stomach. Luigi could feel a small lump, most likely from a bandage.

"Peach," Luigi responded. "Is she alright?"

Luigi noted the confused look on Waluigi's face. "Peach?" he asked. "I haven't seen her yet. I thought she went to the castle with you and Mario."

That meant she was probably still in that hellhole. Luigi began struggling to sit up. Hot pain shot through his entire body, and he collapsed back into the closed his eyes for a moment."I need to save her. She saved me."

"The only thing you're going to save is your strength. You need time to heal."

Luigi knew Waluigi was right, but that didn't make him any less anxious. He had no idea what Bowser was inflicting on Peach, and after he saw what almost happened, he didn't want to just hoped his brother could save her this time. Once again he was frustrated at his lack of ability. He pounded a weak fist into the bed.

Waluigi's voice softened. "I know how hard this must be for you. I felt the same way when you were taken. I just had to trust that Mario would handle things the way he always seems to. It was awful."

"So I just have to lie here and do nothing," Luigi said, making no attempt to hide the bitterness in his voice.

Waluigi reached down and gently combed his fingers through Luigi's hair. "Don't think of it as doing nothing. Be here for me, Luigi."

Luigi's eyes filled with tears. Waluigi had been through so much. They all had, and it had all started with Luigi. "It's my fault. All of it. If I had only been stronger I-"

"Shh," Waluigi soothed, wiping away a tear that had slipped from Luigi's eye. "Don't say it. Don't even think it. You are strong, Luigi, stronger than you even know. We all see it in you."

"Then why was I the one to be taken?"

Waluigi shrugged. "Wrong place, wrong time? Bad luck? Who knows? The only thing that matters right now is that we're together."

Luigi nodded. Waluigi always seemed to know what to say. Luigi had no idea what he had done to deserve Waluigi's love. Maybe it didn't matter. "I love you," Luigi whispered.

"I love you, too," Waluigi replied, pressing a soft kiss onto Luigi's forehead. Waluigi sat in a chair next to the bed and took Luigi's hand."Rest now. I'll be right here if you need me."

Luigi gratefully closed his eyes. He was glad to have Waluigi, a man who, despite his reputation, had a kind and loving side that showed itself whenever Luigi was around. Luigi knew that whatever happened Waluigi would be there for him. That would have to be enough for the time being.