"Wait...so that makes you Peach's uncle?! She's never mentioned you before."

"No she probably wouldn't. She doesn't know that I'm her uncle. Let me explain."

Years and years ago, my brother and his wife were scientists who happened upon the Koopa Empire during our research of dimensional rifts. When we arrived, we weren't treated harshly but we weren't welcomed with open arms, either. The Koopas were confused by us, but intrigued. We were invited into the palace of Emperor Regnis. I was astounded ad enamored by the people and their ways. My brother, on the other hand saw them as nothing more than savages and convinced our entourage to seize the land for ourselves and rule according to the human ways. I was against it from the start. I argued and fought, but my brother was crafty and with his silver tongue convinced everyone to join him. By this time I had become friends with the Emperor's son Rigel and aligned my self with them and their cause. Rigel and I were inseparable on and off the battle field. We were brothers in everything but blood and after years of grueling and senseless war, we emerged victorious. However, both sides suffered a heavy loss. Rigel lost his father and I, my brother and sister in law. The Toadstools had taken Peach under their wing, deeming me unfit as I was nothing more than a traitor. I hid my identity and sometimes would sneak in just to see her, never revealing who I was. Peach being the kind, friendly girl she was, never seemed to think twice about it and even enjoyed when I would sneak her into the Empire to play with Rigel's son, Bowser. The two became fast friends and we were like one big blended family. Until I found out about you.

Apparently, you had been found somewhere in the Grasslands and you were brought to the new Emperor to be dealt with, to be made an example of. Rigel assured me that he'd lock you in a cell, but it would only be for show for his people. I thought we would take you in and bring you into our family. Rigel had other ideas. He'd gotten the idea in his head to use his DNA to make you a hybrid, making you the perfect blend of both human and Koopa. By the time I had discovered you, you had been the victim of some strenuous and cruel tests and experiments and it put a huge strain on Rigel's and my friendship. You were such a shy and timid child even back then, but the experiments traumatized you. You had trouble sleeping and eating and you would never speak. You were constantly afraid and shied at the slightest touch.

By this time, my intel had informed me that another human child had been found on the Island of Yoshi.

Having had enough, i waited until you'd gone to sleep one night and snuck you out, leaving behind not only my friendship with Rigel, but Bowser as well. The Toadstools had figured out that I was taking Peach out of the territory and security was raised so I couldn't bring you to her. So, I decided to go to the Island of Yoshi and raise the two of you together as brothers. Little did I know that it would turn out that you were brothers. You were named Mario and Luigi after my father and uncle. Just when I thought we could find peace, Rigel began to attack not just Peach's territory but all of the neighboring territories in order to lure me out . I imagine he wanted to make me pay for what I had done. By that time, Mario was already a great fighter from his time with the Yoshi, so I left him to take care of you both while I went into hiding to keep Rigel off of your trail. I always planned on coming back, but by the time I had, you two were gone.

Luigi sat with his head in his hands, mind reeling from what he'd just heard. "After we left the island, Mario did more and more adventuring while I stayed at home. He'd be gone for such long stretches of time and each time he'd come back he'd be..." Luigi paused for a second to collect his thoughts. "It was like he had less time for me. Like I didn't matter that much anymore. He'd get angry or frustrated every time I did something that bugged him or I refused to go with him on his adventures. Like...I was holding him back."

"Yeah?" D.K. piped up. "Well, where were you when he locked up my grandfather, beat him and tried to do the same to my father?"

"He did what?!"

"D.K., I told you. Luigi isn't like his brother. He's always been more timid and afraid. He couldn't have helped even if he had known."

"I had no idea! I swear! Are you sure it was him?"

"Short, fat guy, bad mustache and worse fashion sense?"

"No, yeah...that's him. I can't...he's always playing the hero. This is so unlike him!"

"Believe it. He tortured my granddad for years."

"It's true, I'm afraid. In retaliation, the original Donkey Kong kidnapped Paulina, his girlfriend at the time and used her as leverage in fights."

"...the original Donkey Kong?" Luigi asked.

"I'm the third. My Dad's D.K. Jr."

"Oh, I see. So this is all before we met Peach?"

Musso just nodded in response.

"After all that time...all the speeches he gave me about how 'evil' Bowser is and how he's a monster. This is unreal."

"I'm sorry that you had to find out this way, but you deserved to know the truth. Bowser is flawed, yes, but Mario is no saint."

"I've gotten to know Bowser a bit better. He's definitely got some major issue, but now that he's got a kid, he's mellowed out a bit."

"Bowser has a child?" Musso asked, shocked at the news. "That's...that's wonderful! Is it a boy or a girl? Is he...in a relationship?"

Luigi gave a soft smile at that. 'Even after all of this time and everything that's happened, he still just wants Bowser to be happy.' he thought.

"He's got a little boy. Let's say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He used Peach's DNA to make him. Unlike his father, though, he loves him like nothing I've ever seen before."

The old man just shook his head and chuckled. "That boy...even accidentally following in his father's footsteps. Wait, so that means...We're both related by blood to Bowser's son."

"That's right, the little guy even has my name. He's Bowser Luigi Koopa Jr."

"Luigi...that was my father's name." Musso whispered, wiping a stray tear.

"Well, I guess that makes you like a Grandpa now," D.K. chuckled clapping the old man on the back.

"Who's a Grandpa?" a small new voice called out.

"Diddy! Buddy! Glad you made it. Have a seat. You'll never guess what's been going on. It's legit bananas!"