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No Author's Note Today:

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Enjoy the chapter :)

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

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Chapter 23:
Koopa Temper

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Luigi panted heavily as he delivered several blows to the punching bag in front of him. Roy was with him, holding the bag for the green hero. It's been two weeks since the two started training together. Luigi's strength has increase since they've started, but not as much as Roy would like. Right now, the purple koopa was trying to figure out some way to speed things up.

"Alright plumber, that enough of that,"

Luigi paused from his assault on the bag and turned to Roy. The purple koopa walked over and picked up the punch mitts he took out earlier. Once they were on, he stood in front of Luigi.

"Okay, new plan," He said, "I want you to punch these mitts as hard as you can. Think you can do dat?"

Luigi nodded and took his fighting stance. Once they both were ready, Luigi started punching the mitts with all his might. Regardless of him trying, Roy had a feeling the green plumber was still holding back.

'Hmm, I'm gonna try somethin' He thought. "Come on, plumber, you can do better than dat."

Luigi didn't say anything but try hitting harder. There was a slight change in his punches but still not enough.

"Come on, is dat all you got? A three-year old hits harder than you,"

Luigi flushed at the insult. He tried to push himself to hit even harder. Unfortunately, he ran out of stream and had to stop for a moment to catch his some breath.

"Seriously though, is dat all you can give me? Makes me wonder how we lose to you in da past?"

Luigi grunt slightly under his breath. He wasn't sure why, but Roy's petty insults were starting to get to him. Normally, he wouldn't let things like that get to him. He clenched his fists, trying to contain himself. As he did that, he felt a slight tingling sensation in his hands.

After a few minutes, Luigi took a deep breath and resumed training. Roy continued to throw insults at him, causing the green man to become increasing irritated. Unbeknownst to the plumber, Roy wanted him to get mad.

"Wow, no wonder those Mushroom Heads gave you up. If you can't do better than dis, den there's really no point o' havin' you around."

Luigi growled loudly which caused Roy to smirk. Just as he suspected; the angrier the plumber get, the harder his punches were. Luigi might not think it, but he was really trying to help him. Sure mentioning his old home might be a little low, but if it'll help him with his training, he'll do.

"Now I know what da letters really stands fo'" He said. "And it matches you two so well; M is fo' Marvelous while L is fo' Los-"

He had taken it too far. Something he realized too late. Before he could finish his sentence, a boxing glove came into hard contact with his face. He stumbled backwards and fell down to the ground. For a moment there, he just sat there stunned. He had to shake his head to clear the dizzy spell that had formed. He held his hand up on his bruise cheek and look back at his assaulter.

Luigi stood in front, taking deep shallow breaths. His arms were shaking slightly out of anger. Roy just sat on the floor, surprise that the green-clad man had actually stuck him.

'Well, well, looks like I hit a soft spot,' He thought. His arm fell down and he smirked. "Wow that actually hurt."

Luigi turn his gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry."

"Fo' what?" Roy said as he stood up. "Dat was a strong punch you hit me wit'. Strong enough to even knock me back, even if you did catch me off guard."

Luigi didn't say anything to that. Regardless of what the purple koopa say, he was disappointed in himself for losing his temper so easily. Roy frowned at the plumber's silence. He let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his bald head.

"Look plumber, I know you're tryin' and all, but around here bein' nice all da time isn't gonna cut it. Sometimes you need a little Koopa temper to get things done. Besides, isn't Wendy teachin' you to be more confidence?"

He nodded.

"Okay then, think o' dis as yur confidence training. The way I see it, we might be able to use yur temper as an advantage."

"Really?" Luigi questioned.

"Yup, you might not have notice but each punch you toss me was stronger than da last. Now we jus' have to try and recreate it," Roy adjusted his mitts and patted them down. "Come on; break time is over. We're tryin' dis again."

Luigi held his gloves up and ready himself. He started with a slow set of punches and built his way up as he goes. He tried to get angry while doing so, but couldn't bring himself to stay at that point. When he noticed him struggling, Roy stood him to stop.

"You're not mad,"

"I'm sorry," Luigi apologized. "I just can't bring myself into it."

Roy frowned. "Obviously you need a bit o' motivation; somethin' dat's sure to get you fumin'…Try thinkin' o' somethin' that gets you mad."

"Like what?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, anythin'"

"Well, I can't think of anything,"

"Really?" Roy snorted in disbelief. "I was sure you'll have plenty of things to be mad about. For example... a certain kingdom filled wit' little mushroom caps runnin' around all carefree."

Luigi flinched at the mention of his old home. Roy inwardly smirked. He casually continued on talking, like it was nothing.

"Yeah, it's a shame they jus' let you go like dat. After everythin' you've done, dis is how they repay yah?"

"Okay, I get it," Luigi mumbled under his breath. Unfortunately, Roy couldn't hear him.

"I mean really, all they ever did was run around like chickens wit' their heads cut off while Bowser simply strolls in and out wit' da princess in hand...sometimes literally!"

"Alright Roy, I get it." Luigi said louder.

"And who does she thank after rescuin' her? Not you apparently. Nope, all credit goes to yur brother, even if you did do half da work."

"I mean it Roy," That this point the purple koopa was ignoring him.

"And now he's king while you're back to bein' jus' an ordinary lousy plumber. It's sad really; I always thought you'll end up wit' dat flower princess from Sarasaland… Guess I was wrong."

"Roy…" Luigi tries to warn him but Roy continue to ignore him. He clenched his fists, feeling the sensation in his hands again.

"I heard she choose some real skinny guy to be her boyfriend. I wonder what they're doin' now? Probably gettin' busy, just because they can… Mario too; dat guy gets all da hot chicks. After all, he is Mushroom Kingdom's only he-…"

"SHUT UP!"

At that loud exclaim, Roy finally stop from his constant chatter. He looked back at the green plumber to see his handiwork. Luigi was fuming; his arms were shaking and his eyes were glued immensely on the ground.

'It doesn't take much, does it?' Roy thought adjusting his mitts once more.

"So…you're ready to go again?"

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Training lasted longer than usual. By the time it finally ended, Luigi felt completely worn out but at the same time feeling satisfied. He didn't know just how angry and frustration he had buried inside him until Roy tried this little angry training with him. In the end, he was just happy to finally blow off some steam.

He looked down at his hand. He recall feeling a sensation ran through him during his training. It was strange yet at the same time familiar. He wasn't sure what it was.

At this time, he was walking back to his room when he heard some yelling in the hall. He paused for a moment, wondering where it was coming from. Once he was sure on a direction, he headed there curious to see who it was. As he got closer, voices got louder and he was able to recognize them.

"What's your problem, Pompey? All day you've been acting like a jerk."

"My problem is the koopa standing in front of me."

Luigi turn the corner to see Wendy and her friend Pompey. The two were the ones arguing. Why? Luigi wasn't sure, but Pompey seemed upset about something.

"And what exactly did I do to earn your attitude?" Wendy asked annoyed.

Pompey puffed and narrowed her eyes. "I think we both know what you did, Wendy."

"You're still on this?"Wendy grunted in frustration. "Argh, for the last time Pompey, it wasn't my fault!"

"Oh, like hell it wasn't!" At that outburst, Pompey shoved Wendy backward. The pink koopa stumbled and fell onto the ground. At first she was surprise, but she quickly sober up to look back at the PomPom with a narrow glare. Pompey stood over Wendy, not feeling threaten by her glare. But before she could saw or do anything, someone stepped in to break the two girls up.

"That's enough,"

Wendy and Pompey turn to see Luigi walking towards them. The green plumber had decided to step in the moment things started to get physical. He paused by Wendy's side and started helping her back on her feet.

"Are you alright?" He asked her.

Wendy was confused at first before shrugging it off. "I'm fine."

Luigi nodded and turn his focus on Pompey. He stepped in front of Wendy so he could confront Pompey himself.

"Look," He started. "I don't know why you're upset with Wendy, but that doesn't give you the right to push her like that."

Pompey puffed in anger. "What? You want to play husband to your little wifey now? Just get lost plumber, this have nothing to do with you."

She was right; he didn't have anything to do with. However Luigi wasn't going to get lost anytime soon. After the day he had, Luigi's patience was wearing thin.

"Actually, it does." Luigi said. "Wendy's my partner and the only good thing in my life right now. When you mess with her, you're also mess with me so I'll back off if I were you."

Wendy stood behind Luigi, surprise to see he was actually willing to start a fight, just to defend her. Her face turned red when he openly admitted she was the only good in his life. She couldn't really have that much of an influence on him, can she?

Pompey puffed, anger written all over her face. "Well, someone developed a backbone,"

"You're right, I did. And it's about time I start using it."

"Is that so?" Pompey scowled. "Well then, I don't know what to call you now – a gentleman or an idiot."

Luigi grunted in annoyance. It was clear to say that Pompey was the kind of girl who doesn't know when to quit.

"You know what; I've had just about enough of this." Wendy moved from behind Luigi to confront her best friend. "Pompey, you can stay mad all you want because frankly, I don't care anymore. If you're going to continue blaming me for something that wasn't my fault, then you might as well get your butt out of here."

"You can't be serious,"

"The princess asked you to leave," Luigi said. "You should follow her orders."

Pompey scoffed but did nothing more. "Fine, whatever," She turned and started leaving. "I'll see you two losers later,"

Wendy puff as she watched her now ex-best friend walk off down the hall. It was sad really, that their friendship might be over just because of something that happened years ago. But as Wendy said before, it wasn't her fault regardless of what Pompey thinks.

"Are you okay?"

Wendy glances slightly to the plumber behind her. She sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine. I can't say the same with Pompey through."

"Why was she so upset with you anyways?" Luigi asked.

Wendy sighed, "It's a long story, one that is private."

Luigi nodded and say no more, she has a right to keep her part of her life a secret.

"So…" Wendy said, suddenly. "I'm the only good thing in our life right now?"

Luigi blinked in surprise. Flush and embarrass, he turn away from her. "It's true. After all, you're the one teaching me how to stand up for myself."

"Well it's a good to see my lessons are getting through to you."

"You're a good teacher; and a beautiful one too."

Wendy flushed. "Don't be such a smooth talker,"

"I only speak the truth."

"Whether," She turned and started walking in the opposite direction. "You smell sweaty; go take a shower."

Luigi smiled and started following behind her. "As you wish,"

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Ending Note:

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