Chapter Thirteen: The Treaty

-DARK LANDS-

Mr. L knew that he was going insane, and his thoughts were proven when he had started seeing Mr. L, the identity, in the mirror. Though, he kept his slow decaying mind to himself. Since today was a big day for him. Daisy had agreed to sign his peace treaty. The treaty that he had written himself and had labored over every little detail until he had achieved an airtight agreement, perfection.

Glancing out from behind the curtains, he gazed across the main hall of Bowsers castle, which was filled with cheerful faces. For once it was properly cleaned up and decorated. Mr. L never seen a party thrown in the main hall before, it was almost surreal. But it felt right. It had been so long since these people seen any kind of celebration. It was a wonderful feeling...

Glancing in one of the halls mirrors, he quickly adjusted his mask, which was not the usual rag tied in the back of his head. It was almost like a costume mask that sat comfortably on his face. His suit contained simple green details here and there and his shoes were shined to perfection. His mustache was trimmed and neat and his hair was slicked back for once. He looked like a man with a purpose.

He looked over to see Bowser wearing the same cape the other night, his mane also slicked back and his shell and horns polished. He then quickly located Daisy, who too was cleaned up and dressed for the occasion. Though she could wear a plastic bag and still look just as stunning, he sighed to himself.

Mr. L watched Bowser slowly approach him "you guys ready?" Bowser turned to Daisy "I think it would be best if Mr. L goes out first… it was his treaty after all."

Daisy nodded halfheartedly, though understanding why Mr. L should go first. She looks over to him, wondering if he was just as nervous as her. She couldn't tell what he felt, and as far as she understood nobody could tell what the masked man was feeling and it drove her insane. He surrounded himself with a thick and protecting wall, like he was hiding something. She has to know... but she doesn't know how. She could just remove the mask, but something tells her that if she does, she still wouldn't get her answers. Since Mr. L's mask is a part of his face, she doesn't know how. But it was.

Mr. L took a deep breath, straightening himself out. Waiting for the signal to start walking on to the stage, he knew that there was lots of media coverage out there, wanting to see that they had kept their word about the princess being safe… and to get a good look at the new ambassador. Part of Mr. L wished that Mario was there, but he knew that the king refused to acknowledge that Daisy was going to give in and join Bowser and Mr. L. Mario could be incredibly stubborn.

Soon he saw Kamek wave his hand at Bowser, who in turn places a hand on Mr. Ls shoulder. Almost causing the man to jump "it's time…go." Mr. L silently nodded and took another deep breath, stealing a glance at Daisy, who he noticed was silently trying to study him. He smirked.

"Yes, I know I'm that good looking…" he winked at her, then proceeded to walk on stage, leaving Daisy growl at him, but kept her composure as she soon followed him to the stage, then followed by Bowser.

Being nearly blinded by the bright camera flashes had reminded Mr. L of the first time he and Mario had rescued the princess. Most of it was shining on Mario because the princesses' arm was around him. But he didn't mind it, it still didn't bug him. He almost wished that Mario was here, because all this attention he was getting was so foreign to him, it made him squirm.

As all three of them walked out on the stage, everybody stood up and remained standing for both the Sarsaland and the Dark Lands anthems were played. Bowser sat next to Daisy, while Mr. L stood, pulling out the treaty that was copied onto an official scroll.

Mr. L felt himself swell with pride as he began to read it out loud to everyone. It was the moment he was looking forward too since he had first written this…Whatever nerves he had simply melted away as he read it with more confidence having memorized it word for word.

Daisy watched as Mr. L finished with a breath, realizing how exhausted he really looked. The room was silent as he laid out the scroll in front of the two. Bowser was the first to sign, proud of his friends work. Daisy however, hesitated for a moment; she glanced up to see Mr. L go into a cold sweat, his hands shaking. If she didn't get kidnapped and forced to live in a strange place for Grambi knows how long, Daisy would've felt bad for him, but her mind was set. She would feel nothing for this man. Despite that in this moment, he reminded her of someone special...

She looks down to see that she had finished signing her name.

...

The rest of the night was spent in celebration. But Daisy felt like she had let her kingdom, her father, everybody down. Of course she smiled for the camera and many koopas and goombas came up to her to thank her for what she is doing. But inside she felt just as hallow.

Finding a seat away from Mr. L and the others, she decided that it was best to sit and stare out the window. She smiled to herself, seeing the Mushroom Kingdom in the distance. But then she remembered how Mario failed to rescue her. Suddenly she noticed that there was a hand on her shoulder.

"Daisy…?"

She felt a chill run up her spine, because it almost sounded like Luigi. But no, it was Mr. L. She shrugged his hand off of her shoulder "what do you want…"

Mr. L paused, wondering if he should even bother. But he did. "I wanted to thank you…" Daisy watch him, shuffle uncomfortably in his spot. His behavior seemed so familiar, it hurts her heart. Whatever barrier that was protecting Mr. L seemed to have a window just for her..."Thank you for…everything."

They were silent for a moment. Mr. L wanted to say something more, but a very old looking koopa suddenly approached him. It caught her off guard, she never seen a koopa this old. Despite her being of nobility, the koopa gently took her hands into his and patted them gently "ah… princess… I am sorry about your father…"

She looked away for a moment, before nodding "thank you…"

The koopa smiled "I never met the man, but I am sure he was a wonderful king and father…"

Mr. L silently watched the exchange, watched as Daisy finally cracked a real smile at a distant memory of her father. The koopa continued "and thank you for opening the borders, I am going to see my son first thing in the morning…"

Daisy frowned "I'm sorry… but I don't understand." The koopa only continued to smile at her "my son…we were separated for years and I was too weak to try to cross to go after him…he ran away to Sarsaland to marry his love…" he let go of her hands to pull a letter out of his shell "this letter took years to reach to me, but now I have a granddaughter. I don't have a picture of her, but I can imagine her being the cutest thing."

She looked over at Mr. L, who smiled at the koopa "congratulations, I hope you two won't be separated again. The old koopa bowed slightly to the ambassador wishing Mr. L the best of luck, and then to the princess before he shuffled away, the letter held close to his heart.

Looking up at Mr. L she finally caught a real glimpse of emotion; though it may have been a trick of the light for all she knows. He looks back at her, that smirk returning.

"As I was saying…princess… may I have this dance?"

Daisy was caught off guard, usually Mr. L would say something to make her angry and then avoid her for the rest of the day. Maybe, she decided to guess, maybe there was less stress on him since he got one major problem taken care of. Maybe there is more to Mr. L that she had given him credit too. Though she would give anything to see Luigi again...

Silently taking his hand, Mr. L led her to the dance floor, just as a slow ballad began to play. Mr. L glances over to see Bowser dancing with his daughter Wendy. They both exchanged smiles from across the room while the koopa princess went on about how she she had made the most beautiful bow for herself.

Then they decided to leave for the gardens, Mr. L realized that Daisy may not like being around so many creatures that she had fought against for years. Looking back at the ballroom, Bowser gave him thumbs up.

He glanced back at Daisy, and chuckled slightly. "What is it now?" Daisy frowned at him, and he shook his head "nothing… this situation had just reminded me about the time I met the love of my life…"

"You of all people had the ability to love?"

They were sitting on a bench now. Daisy eyed him wearily. Mr. L decided to enlighten her. His heart both swell and broke at the same time, but he continued.

"It was at a party like this…" he began "it was after some hero just got knighted after one of his many great feats and we were all celebrating…"

Daisy began to space out, letting Mr. L's story play out in her mind. Her heart racing because of how painfully familiar it sounded.

"Heh... and there she was…standing across the room. It was obvious that she was new there and wanted time to be away from all these new strangers, but I couldn't help it. When I saw her she took my breath away, as I never seen a flower so beautiful before, she was almost like a dream…I wanted to talk to her; I needed to talk to her. There was just something that pulled me to her, despite how scared I was. But I became brave, just for her."

"What did you do…?" Daisy trailed off, Mr. L answered it, with a lonely, distant smile.

"I asked her… if she wanted to dance…"

Daisy wanted to cry. No, no, no, no, no. That wasn't his story. It would never be his story…because that is her and Luigis story…that is how they met, it was during the after party of Mario's knighting ceremony, shortly after Mario rescued her for the first and last time.

"You're not him…"

Mr. L gave her a sad look "Daisy…please..."

Daisy stood up abruptly, her body shaking with rage "you're not him! You can't be him." Mr. L stood up, a look of panic on his face "Daisy, let me explain!"

"No!" Daisy pushed him back "stay away from me! You're not Luigi!"

She stormed off, Grambi only knows where she went, but at that point he wouldn't be surprised if she decided to leave all together. She can now. She can leave. She can leave all this hurt behind…

Mr. L sat back down, his world beginning to spin. She was right, he is not Luigi. Not anymore. Because he succeeded in killing Luigi…it's just Mr. L now. It is all his fault that Luigi is dead, because he only wanted to be stronger. He now knows that Daisy would never be his because her heart belonged with the man that he used to be. She will never be with him, never. She didn't love him.

She loved Luigi.

Mr. L stood up, despite his world spinning and clashing around him. He knew he can't be here anymore; he can't be a part of this celebration any more. Mr. L can't be a part of anything…

Quickly nodding to Bowser that he is leaving, Mr. L quickly disappeared around the corner; trying to make it into his room without stumbling everywhere.

Trying not to give away that his world is crumbling around him.

End of Chapter