Chapter Eleven: Up for Debate

-Mushroom Kingdom-

Mario's smile stretched from ear to ear, as he surveyed the large hall that was full of so much festive and cheer. Outside there was still snow, but it should begin to melt in about a week or so. But that didn't stop the ball's decorations from having its bright and happy décor, adorned with fresh flowers and fruits…

Peach loved her parties, and she always looked forward to this particular one, so Mario went out of his way to obtain the fresh flowers. The look on her face was worth all the secrecy and stress. She really needed such a pleasant surprise. After all that had happened.

"It's so wonderful to see everybody so happy" she whispered in his ear. Mario nodded "yeah…they really needed this."

With rumors that there is a new villain that challenged the crown passing around in town, everybody was forced to be on their toes. Especially since Mario was defeated by this powerful new monster. But they knew their neighbors in the Sarsaserian kingdom were in a state of morning, and he knew that they would be that way until their beloved princess, Daisy, returns to them. He felt a pang of guilt go through his chest, knowing well that rescuing her has proven to be much difficult with Mr. L standing in his way…

Though, no matter how angry and confused he is, there is one thought that was constantly returning…Luigi wasn't here celebrating with them.

Peach continued to smile at him, understanding his turmoil but determined to make her husband happy "and I can't get over how beautiful these flowers are… where did you get them?"

Mario couldn't help but to smile back "I had them shipped from Yoshi's Island…" she gasped "all the way from there?" Peach watched his smile grew even wider "oh yes… but it was worth it, to make my Queen happy…"

Taking her hand he gently kissed it, causing her to giggle and blush slightly "oh you are such a ham…"

…

The entire hall suddenly grew deadly silence, even the paid musicians stopped playing at the sight of a tall, dark figure standing at the entrance way.

Peach gasped, glancing over at Mario "is that…"

Mario stood up, glaring across the room at the new patron "Mr. L…"

The mushroom king watched as Mr. L took proud steps towards them, his back straight and his head held high with an air of confidence and arrogance.

Mr. L silently took in the surroundings of the large room and felt a slight chill go up his spine. The last time he was in this room, he…Luigi ran away from knighthood. Mr. L shook off the bad memory, reminding himself to focus at the task at hand, which was one of the most important things he has ever done in his entire existence. So many lives were riding on this; he could feel the pressure from the sheer magnitude press on his chest and at the base of his skull.

Mario stood up from his throne, Peach joining by his side. Seeing his brother and Peach again made the ambassadors heart ache. Not realizing how much he missed them… Silently he bowed, that smirk still plastered on his face. Eyes cold and calculating.

"What do you want…?"

Mr. L stood up straight, his hands to the side to show that he did not mean harm "I am here to speak for the Dark Lands…" he quickly stole a glance around the room and gazed at the scared and worried looks on most of the faces of the patrons, though he instantly picked out some very familiar faces which made a surge of nerves twist in his stomach.

Mr. L forced himself to continue "to honor the crowning of the new king and queen… I offer the Mushroom Kingdom a truce…"

Mario raised an eyebrow "truce?"

Mr. L stared hard at him "an alliance of sorts…"

The king stood up, despite the height issue, Mr. L could always feel intimidated by his brother. Even when they were little, Mario always seem larger than life, he couldn't explain it. It suited Mario to become a king. The title fitted him well.

The kings glare shot through Mr. L like a bullet "and why would we agree to join a kingdom that we were our adversaries for centuries?"

Mr. L couldn't help but to return the glare "if we were allies, we wouldn't have to worry about any princesses getting kidnapped..." he took a breath, not wanting to lose control of his temper in front of his audience "plus, whatever reason this tension began in the first place should be left to the history books, because of some antique grudge there are innocent citizens being pushed into a corner like animals because people assume that they are always up to no good…"

Mario crossed his arms, looking down at Mr. L "if we agree to join you, how can we know that you won't betray us when our backs are turned? How can we trust your king…or you? How can I know that my people are safe?"

Mr. L felt a small pang of betrayal, but kept his voice steady "believe me, there are bigger monsters on the horizon than to worry about your fellow neighbors"

Mario didn't budge "no, the biggest threat is you and your false peace treaty. If you honestly came with the intent to maintain your peace, then why did you kidnap the Sarsaserian princess?"

Mr. L took a step closer, mentally preparing for this fight "the circumstance around the princess kidnapping differ than the one here. I understand that the mushroom citizens are used to such devices, but the other kingdom does not. They were our adversaries long before the Mushroom Kingdom was even established and we needed something to show that the Dark Lands could become a powerful ally or a dangerous enemy, I can assure you when Sarsaland is willing to comply with our recommendations, and they will see their princess safely returned." Mr. L took a breath "over the centuries the Dark Lands had grown tired of waiting…"

Mario scoffed "so kidnapping Queen Peach for all these years were only a marketing tactic? Years of King Bowser trying to take over these people, causing so much property damage and above all else threaten the safety and lives of the mushroom citizens?"

Mr. L felt his ears burn, his face slowly turning red, but he pressed on "if she had only given the time of day to just listen to our plea civically, none of that would had never happen. But no, she refused to leave her precious pink bubble to properly practice politics. Not even stepping up to Queen Statics in the first place, leaving no real ruler, just an open throne that was worth fighting over.

An alliance was supposed to fix that because once upon a time the mushroom and the dark kingdoms were once on the same side; before the toadstool family took over the throne and turned the koopas into monsters. King Bowser had seen an opportunity to rekindle that kind of friendship but that soon turned sour and soon it became a race about who could claim the throne…"

Mario continued to glare at him "the same king you are defending had tried numerous of times to take over everything, and not only I risked my life, but the life of my only family and the lives of others…how can I forget that? How could you expect me to forgive somebody who had done so much to harm so many?"

Mr. L paused; he knew that this argument was to come. Luigi would've backed down, afraid to fight his brother… but he is better than that. He is stronger than that. He looks up at his brother, now a king who has the responsibility of thousands of lives weighing on his shoulders. But Mr. L was unafraid…

"I'm not asking you to forgive Bowser. I'm asking you to help protect thousands more. The borders between the kingdoms are incredibly dangerous for both sides and many lives are at risk because of it and many families were separated. How could you turn your back to the people who needed you the most?"

Mario narrowed his eyes "there are many things that you left to grasp… Mr. L…" he turned to sit back on his throne "I am sure that Bowser had many chances over the years to redeem himself, but as long as that princess is still held captive…I can't imagine that I can trust a strange kingdom… that doesn't practice what it preaches…"

Mr. L crossed his arms "I can't imagine a man who is so arrogant about his crown that can't see past to understand the incredible tension between Sarsaland and the Dark Lands that was there for years. If using force was the only chance we can get for them to let up with their borders, then we had to take it."

"By using blackmail… is that the only thing you fools had left?" Mario lifted his head high, mimicking his formal brothers' weak attempt to look intimidating "come back when you had honestly proven to be capable to handle a real alliance…"

Mr. L frowned "isn't crawling here on our hands and knees enough for you? We haven't even given a glance at the formal princess for months and we had done our best to clean up our messes from our past failures. But I guess that isn't enough for you…"

Mario leaned in from his chair "no… not at all. It doesn't even begin to scratch the surface…"

The ambassador felt his heart race "you are a fool for not listening! You don't want us to continue to be your enemy, brother… you are just as foolish as the formal princess and every fool king before you."

Mario jumped out of his chair, landing gracefully in front of Mr. L; the king grabbed the ambassadors' shirt and pulled him close "how dare you insult my queen and her lineage in front of me…" Mario hissed, Mr. L continued to glare, unmoved "how dare you continue to bastardize the koopa kingdom for your own selfish qualm…brother."

"I want you and your filthy peace treaty out of my kingdom…" Mario continued to glare into the others eyes, he let's go and casually turns to his throne. Mr. L felt rage build up his spine, his fist shaking. His eyes darken as he glared at his formal brother.

Mario sat back into his throne, feeling a horrible pain of guilt press into his chest. Part of him believed that he didn't need to lose his brother, but now his kingdom comes first. He has no other choice. The king and queen watched as their once friends fists begin to spark magnificent green lighting in his fists.

"You don't want us as an enemy…" Mr. L repeated, the air around him seem to darken, the brilliant lightning casting harsh shadows across his face "you don't want me… as an enemy."

With a sudden burst of light, Mr. L disappeared with relevant ease. Leaving Mario and Peach to silently mourn the loss of their friend…

...

Bowser watched from the distance. The plan was that Mr. L would be the one to surprise everybody. Knowing that they wouldn't even spare a glance at any time unless they made a scene, despite the loss, Bowser felt proud for his new friend who fought to the bitter end. It showed him that Mr. L was willing to lose everything for a real purpose. It was a shame that his talents were just wasting away behind his brothers' shadow for all those years.

Mr. L silently joined him on the side, his body looking frail and exhausted. Not saying a single word as they stood out in the snow, secretly observing the party slowly picking itself back together, many of the partygoers praising Mario for defeating the mysterious Mr. L and the evil Bowser.

Bowser knew that he could withstand the cold for several hours, but he knew that Mr. L would need to return to a stable shelter soon, unless he wanted to risk losing his best fighter. He watched as the human cross his arms, trying to act like the bitter cold wasn't bothering him…

So they just stood there without a sound. But finally the silence had gotten to the best of the king. Bowser has to say something, anything. Though he couldn't come up much to comfort his friend…

"I am… sorry about your brother…"

Mr. L remained still, like he had ignored the kings' comment, but then Mr. L sighed "I don't have a brother…Luigi had a brother…" his body stiffened, the cold starting to get to him.

"Luigi is dead for all I care…"

The ride back home felt empty as Bowser silently mourned the loss of his friend.

End of Chapter