Brace yourselves!
The net was removed from the tennis court, and in its place was a small, circular stage. Above this stage hung a sea-blue banner which read, "POWER TENNIS TOURNAMENT, 2004". A mic stood in the center of the stage, and Toadsworth presently walked up to the mic to address the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," Toadsworth began. "The award ceremony for the Power Tennis Singles Tournament is about to begin. But first, as the tournament's co-coordinator, I would like to introduce our main coordinator—our very own Toadstool Princess—Peach!"
The spectators rose to their feet and applauded as Peach glided onto the stage, still in her short-sleeved tennis dress.
"Thank you," said Peach. "That was some fantastic tennis playing out there, wasn't it?"
Cheers of assent.
"These tennis tournaments are just another way for our constituents to come together, make new friends and escape the realities of their day-to-day lives," said Peach. "The trophy at the end is only part of the deal. However, now is the moment to acknowledge the victor's hard work, dedication and determination in getting to this point. And to help me present the trophy to this year's victor is my good friend—Princess Daisy of Sarasaland!"
With a peal of laughter, Daisy skated onto the stage, clad in her orange tank top and dark orange short shorts. When she reached the mike, she hopped off her skates and addressed the crowd.
"Hello, everybody!" she exclaimed.
Cheers all around.
"Nothing gets my blood pumping like a good tennis tournament," said Daisy, "but nothing causes my heart to soar like presenting a special trophy to a special someone. This year's victor truly deserves his trophy, because not only did he persevere, but he also defied expectations, as well as two unsportsmanlike opponents, to reach this shining moment."
Two Toads wheeled the shiny, golden trophy onto the stage, which Daisy carefully hefted in her arms before striding back to the mic. "So if you please, ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together and give it up for your 2004 Power Tennis Singles Champion—Luigi Mario!"
Everyone cheered enthusiastically as Luigi happily bounded onto the stage, once again wearing his polo shirt. He shook hands with Toadsworth and Peach before giving Daisy a sweet kiss.
"Good job, sweetie," said Daisy as she presented Luigi with the trophy.
"Thanks, Daisy," Luigi softly replied.
Daisy then kissed him on the cheek, making him blush.
Luigi then stepped up to the mic, raising his trophy aloft as everyone cheered. Not for Mario, but for him. The man in green was now blushing for a different reason—sheer happiness. It took a lot of sweat, a couple of bruises and even a black eye, but he'd done it. He'd taken the singles bracket of the Power Tennis tournament by storm. He had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Oh, yeah!" he shouted. "Luigi time!"
More applause.
"I'd like to start by saying how honored I am to accept this trophy after many years of hoping and practicing," said Luigi. "The road to victory wasn't easy, but I had a lot of people helping me through. First of all, there's my Flower Princess, Daisy, who powered me from start to finish with her love and support. Grazie mille, Princess."
Daisy blew him a kiss. "You're welcome, L," she said.
"Second, I'd like to thank Waluigi, Opal and Koopa for playing their best and their hardest, even though Opal was the only one who took her loss in stride. I really enjoyed playing with you, and I hope I do so again. I'd also like to thank Peach and Toadsworth for hosting these wonderful tournaments and giving me and my friends the chance to show our skills. And last but not least, I'd like to thank Mario, my big bro, for encouraging me whenever the going gets tough and helping me realize that I'm better than I think I am. He also played an awesome game and gave me one Inferno of a challenge, making our final match an unforgettable one. I love you, Mario. Always have, always will."
"D'awww…" said the audience.
"And a special thanks to everyone in the stands who cheered me on and gave me the energy to keep going," Luigi concluded. "Wow—this is arguably one of the best days of my life! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He covered his mouth to keep from bursting into tears. Once he calmed down, he raised the trophy aloft a second time, his face aching from smiling so much. Several photographers arrived on the scene, taking pictures of Luigi posing with his hard-earned trophy. After a few solo photos, he had a few pictures taken with Peach and Toadsworth, followed by a few pictures with Daisy. Once the photographers were finished, Luigi took a black Sharpie and autographed the lens of one of the cameras broadcasting the action to TVs around the MK.
Mario stood nearby, watching the ceremony, applauding with everyone else. However, an unpleasant feeling welled at the back of his throat, those treacherous thoughts churning in his mind.
God—mit! Why did I lose my championship title—to him, of all people?! Who brought this kingdom back from the brink? Me, that's who! Who's Player One in this story? Me! I'm-a number one!
The man in red tried his hardest to be a good sport, but the ugly thoughts just kept on coming. Despite his best efforts, he felt angry, frustrated and upset. More specifically, he was fuming. Why was he fuming? He should be happy for his little brother! It was about time he had his share of the spotlight!
However, losing his title still stung—especially since he lost it to his own brother.
Meanwhile, Luigi laughed softly, twirling and leaping with his trophy and soaking in the audience's cheers. He was so happy that he could burst. It felt so good to hear everyone chanting his own, God-given name. They no longer saw him as just "Mario's little brother" or "that green guy". At long glorious last, they saw him as—Luigi.
"Yes!" Luigi cheered emphatically, flashing a peace sign.
"We love you, Luigi!" someone shouted.
Luigi blew a kiss toward the stands. "Same here," he said.
The cheers crescendoed as Luigi brought his trophy to his lips.
Everything was perfect.
…
Then—
"Yeah! Yay! Wah-hoo!"
Luigi turned as Mario walked onto the stage, applauding. But by the look on his face, Luigi could tell that his big bro's heart wasn't quite into it.
"Whoo-hoo! Hey, Luigi!" said Mario, and something about the tone of his voice just seemed wrong.
His words sounded forced and passive-aggressive.
Mario now joined his brother on the stage, giving him a rough slap on the back. "Nice job!" he said, and it was here that the red flags really started going up. "Way to go! You're number one! Man, I am so happy for you!" He "playfully" ruffled Luigi's hair, and at that point, the man in green could keep silent no longer.
But before Luigi could give his bro a piece of his mind—
He felt it—
Sudden, sharp pain and pressure coursing through his right foot. Almost as if—someone was—stepping on it—
Oh, no.
No, no—
Mario couldn't be—
He couldn't be doing what Luigi thought he was doing.
Mario was many things, but a sore loser wasn't one of them.
Right?
Right?!
The pressure and pain increased, and it was as if his foot was being ground into the floor.
So, Luigi glanced down, and—
There was the evidence, clear as day.
There was Mario's foot, directly on top of Luigi's. Stepping on it and grinding it into the earth.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh—
Luigi snapped his head up, giving Mario a look of unadulterated disbelief as the latter continued to press his shoe against the former's foot. All of the joy he'd felt at his victory was dissipating fast. Mario just had to soil it, didn't he?
His older brother, the very person he'd looked up to since he was a boy, who loved him so much and who cared so much about him, was currently acting salty over losing the championship title to him, expressing his displeasure by grinding his shoe into Luigi's foot.
Wow.
Oh, wow.
Oh, wow.
Oh—wow—
Gradually, the cheers died down as the spectators saw what Mario was doing. Frankly, they couldn't believe their eyes.
Daisy was beside herself. Peach didn't know what to think. Skye and her children were pale and ashen. Opal had a hand pressed over her mouth.
A leaden silence had fallen over the Peach Dome.
And when Mario saw the disbelieved and devastated expression on his younger brother's face—he laughed.
Wha-AAAAT?!
Let's see how things turn out between them.
Please R&R.