...

Author's Note:

Lucky you guys, two chapters up in one week.

...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story idea and any OC(s).

...

Chapter 44:
Recovery

...

...

It's been a little over a week since Luigi woke up and his recovery was going well. The doctor comes by every day to check on his condition since his awakening. Wendy was always by his side, ready to help when he needs her.

During the first few days, he was visited by the other Koopalings, some of them bringing more gifts. Luigi was a bit surprise to see how concern they all were about his wellbeing. He became increasingly surprise when some of the castle staff would stop by to visit him as well.

It was no surprise he was the hero around the castle, but he just didn't expect everyone to react like this – being so grateful. Gained they weren't ones to go over broad; they didn't throw him a huge party to celebrate or build a statue of him in his honor like they would do back in the Mushroom Kingdom. But they did give him the most important thing of all – their respect.

Now just because they follow Bowser's orders, doesn't mean they were all bad; they were simply loyal to him is all, much like the Toads were loyal to the princess. Despite their tough appearance, they do care for each others, especially their own kind. They look out for one another and watch the others' backs, or rather shells. And the fact that he was so willing to stay and help them was enough to show them just how loyal he could be.

At this moment, he was in his room with Wendy and the doctor. Today he was getting all his bandages removed including the one around his chest. The stab wound had completely healed but it left a rather noticeable scar in its place. Luigi didn't think much of it; to him, it was just one of several others he gotten over the years of becoming a hero.

"Okay, everything seems to be in order." The doctor said. "All your wounds have healed well, and your test results came out fine. Other than your weaken muscles, you're completely fine. Just continue with the physical therapy I've shown you and, you should be free to roam around before you know it."

Luigi nodded. Being in a coma for over two weeks had caused the muscles in his body to weaken and ache. The doctor had instructed him to do some daily physical therapy to help regain his mobility.

"Well then, I've done what I needed to do here" The doctor said as he grabs his suit case.

"Doctor, may I have a moment with you?" Wendy asked suddenly.

"Of course,"

Luigi tilted his head slightly in confusion. Wendy smiles and assures him, "Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

The two stepped outside the room. Luigi turned back to the bed, only to jump at the unsuspected voice.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Mr. L asked.

It was unsure why Mr. L was still hovering in Luigi's conscious. So far they only come up with two possible solutions for this – it just takes longer for some people...or he was going insane.

Most of the time, the Green Thunder would just remain silent as he now roam freely within Luigi's mind. Every once in a while, he would speak with the green man or share his opinion on something.

"I don't know," Luigi replies to him. It was still odd to be talking to a semi-conscious being, but since Mr. L was staying for a little while, he was quickly getting use to it.

"I'm sure it's nothing serious." He said as he fluffed his pillow. "Probably just talking about my health,"

"Hmm, I guess you're right,"

...

~XXX~XXX~XXX~XXX~XXX~XXX~XXX~XXX~

...

After closing the door behind her, Wendy turned to face the doctor.

"So…what would you like to talk to me about, Mistress?" the doctor asked.

"I just wanted to be sure if Luigi is going to be alright within the next two weeks. We have some plans coming up and I want to be sure that we're ready." She said.

"Ah, no need to worry, Princess; Luigi is recovering very well. In fact, he should have a clean bill of health by the time you're all ready to leave."

"Okay, that's good to know." She mumbled.

"Is there something else you're concern with?"

"Actually there is," She said, a bit hesitantly. "Hmm, I was also wondering if it would be okay for Luigi to do anything…strenuous while we're away."

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Strenuous you say?"

"Yes,"

"I see." He thought. "Well, I would like for him to take it easy for another week or so just to be sure. But I am entitled to tell you that Luigi has no further health issues to worry about so he'll be well enough to do whatever he pleases while on your trip...indoors and out."

Wendy nodded. "Thank you Doctor,"

"It's my pleasure, princess." He bowed "If you need me, I'll just be a call away."

The doctor turned and started down the hall. As he left, Wendy walked back inside her room. Luigi was lying on the bed with his shirt back on, relaxing. He sat up slightly when Wendy reentered the room.

"Is everything okay?" He asked her.

"Everything's fine, just wanted to make sure you'll be okay for our vacation." She said. "Doctor said you're going to be fine, but he wants you to take it easy before that."

"Dually noted,"

He lean back and placed his head on the pillow, sighing as he did so. Wendy smiled and joined him on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as they both try to relax. He had nearly fallen asleep when a knock on the door woke him up.

"I got it," He said as he sat up.

"You sure?" Wendy asked worriedly.

Since Luigi had started his physical therapy, he has been regaining strength in his muscles again, his legs especially. He could sit up and stand on his own, but walking – let alone running – was still a bit awkward for him. Every once in a while, he'll get a sudden wave of weakness and lose his sense of balance. Thankfully, Wendy was always nearby to catch him if he falls and help back him on his feet.

"I'll be fine," He said

"Don't fall," Mr. L said.

Luigi rolled his eyes, 'Thank you Captain Oblivious,'

He sat up from the bed, a bit wobbly at first before straightening. He smiled and started walking over to the door. Wendy kept her eyes on him, ready to jump in if need. As soon as he got to the door, he answered it revealing their surprise guest.

"Junior?"

The young heir smiled and waved nervously. "Uhm, hi…"

Wendy stood up from the bed and walked over. "What are you doing here?"

Junior shrugged. "Do I need to have a reason?"

"Uh, yeah, you do…"

"Oh fine," The koopa snorted and crossed his arms. "I wanted to see how Luigi was doing."

They both blinked in surprise. "You…wanted to see me?" Luigi questioned.

Junior turned his gaze to the ground and nodded. Wendy narrowed her eyes in suspension.

"Why?" She asked suddenly. "You didn't once ask about him when he was in a coma nor did you come to see him when finally he woke up." She crossed her arms. "After all this time, why did you decide to see him now?"

Junior didn't say anything; he just kept his glance on the ground.

"Junior," Luigi spoke softly. "Why didn't you come see me sooner?"

"Because…" He started but didn't continue.

"Because what?" Wendy pushed. Junior grunted out of frustration.

"Because… I didn't want to see ya like that okay!"

Luigi tilted his head. "See me like what?"

"You know…" Junior turned his back to them. "You, on the bed, just lying there; it bothers me,"

"It bothers you?" Luigi said surprise. He glanced at Wendy before turning back to him. "Junior, were you worried that I won't make it?"

The young heir scoffed and turned back to him. "And what if I was…You got something to say about that?"

Luigi didn't have anything to say about it. Instead, he did something that surprised both him and Wendy – he hugged him. Junior just stood there in complete shock, not sure what to do.

"You know, Junior; sometimes you act so grown up that I forget you're still just a kid."

"I-I'm… not a kid," The Koopa prince said as he wiggle his way out of Luigi's embrace. His face was turning red from embarrassment. He couldn't believe he let him hug him like that. "I'm almost thirteen you know."

"Still a kid in my book" Mr. L commented.

"Of course," Luigi smiled "But you are still too young to be exposed to this kind of violence. Have your father explained any of this to you yet?"

He shrugged. "Not really. He just said the guy responsible for all this will be dealt with by the time I take the throne."

"Well at least he has a goal in mind." Wendy commented.

"Listen Junior, I don't really know what's going on here myself, but I can tell you that I'm going to help your dad fight against Clawd." He placed a comforting hand on the Koopa's shoulder. "I see this place as my home now and you guys as part of my family. So if you need help for anything, I want you to know you could count on me, okay?"

Junior crossed his arms and turned away. It was still too early for him to even consider the green plumber as family, but at least he ensured him that he had someone else he could rely on.

"Sure whatever," He said. He picked up something from behind his back and offered it to Luigi. "Uhm here,"

The green man blinked. "What is it?"

"My get well present," He said. "They're cookies,"

"Cookies?" Luigi questioned as he took the container.

"Did you make them?" Wendy asked worriedly. Junior didn't know a thing about cooking and she didn't want Luigi getting sick by the very first dish he ever made. They had plans coming up – big plans.

However, Junior shook his head, putting Wendy's worries at ease. "No, I had the chief make them."

Luigi opened the container. He paused when he looked inside. "Uhm, Junior…there's only two left."

The Koopa Heir rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, I sort of got into it a little on the way here,"

"A little?" Both Wendy and Mr. L snorted.

"It's the thought that counts." Luigi said. "Thank you Junior, I really appreciate it."

Junior beamed and run off. Luigi re-entered the room with Wendy right behind him.

"Not much of a gift, if you ask me?" She said.

"Well, you know the saying, less is more…" Luigi said sitting on the bed. He opened the container and took one of the cookies. He offered the other to Wendy. "You want?"

Wendy sat next to him. "Sure,"

She took the cookie and ate it. It was good; not as good as Luigi's but still pretty good. Once she was done, she turned to Luigi with a smile.

"I got something for you too."

"You do?" He asked. "What is it?"

"First, close your eyes,"

"Please be what I think it is," Mr. L hoped.

Luigi ignored him and did what he was told. Wendy stood up from the bed and headed towards the closet. She returned a minute later with the gift in hand.

"Okay, you could look now."

Luigi opened his eyes and looked down at his present; a blue and green book with a black stripe going down the spine. "It's a journal…"

"Oh," Mr. L frowned. "Well, I guess that nice too,"

Wendy nodded. "Yup, I brought you it to replace your diary."

"My diary," He frowned. "Wait, how did you know I had a diary?"

"I sort of found it." She said sheepishly. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have looked into it. I just want to learn more about you and what you thought of me."

"Wendy…" Luigi leans over and kissed her softly on the lips. Wendy relaxed and return the kiss. They parted after a minute.

"It's okay, I'm not upset." He said. "I love my gift; I think it's perfect."

"Really?"

"Of course; I'll love anything you give me Orabelle."

Orabelle...that was the nickname Luigi's been calling her lately. Basically, he was calling her a beautiful seacoast. She smiled and placed her lips gently on his. Unfortunately, their moment was cut short when two unwanted visitors came busting in.

"You guys better pack your bags, we'll moving,"

Luigi and Wendy jumped out of surprise and pulled away. They look over to the door to see Lemmy and Larry walking in. Wendy growled, upset that their private time was interrupted.

"Don't you two know it's rude to enter someone's room without knocking?"

"And it was just getting good too," Mr. L said. "It just goes to show you should always lock your door."

Larry frowned. "What? It wasn't like you two were going anything…"

"Were you?" Lemmy questioned.

"Not yet, but they could've," Mr. L said. Luigi mentally shushed him.

Wendy crossed her arms. "Even if we weren't, that doesn't give you the right to just busting in my room like that."

Luigi stood up from bed. "What do you mean we're moving?"

Larry smiled "We're moving to another castle."

"We are?"

"Yup," Everyone looked up to see Iggy and Morton standing by the door. "King Dad said it himself. He wants everybody out of the castle in two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Wendy frowned. "But we're supposed to leave in a week and a half?"

Morton shrugged. "Maybe you can go after,"

"Why do we have to move?" Luigi asked.

"The Council Members doesn't think the castle's safe anymore." Iggy explained. "After what happened, they don't want us to sit around and risk another attack,"

"Especially after they found out that prisoner's death" said Larry

"Death?" Luigi blinked in surprise. "Wait, do you mean Kalvin and his henchmen?"

"That's right," said Lemmy. "While you were out, one of them agreed to talk. But before he could spill the beans, he just dropped dead."

"Kamek said he died because of some lame mark on his arm." Morton commented.

"It wasn't just a mark; it was a curse mark." Iggy described. "Kamek thinks it's a method of controlling them."

"How?" Luigi wondered.

However, Iggy shrugged "Don't really know but Kamek said if they all have them, then we won't be get any information from them. Apparently, the curse mark will kill them if they talk, willingly or not."

"I see"

"A mark that can kill someone," Mr. L said thoughtfully. "This Clawd guy take his secrets seriously."

"So, what's going to happen to them?" Luigi asked.

"Mostly they'll be sent to Koopatraz State Prison; it's a maximum security penitentiary where we keep most of our prisoners. If not that, then..."

"Creeek," Lemmy said as he crossed his finger through his neck as a demonstration.

Luigi nodded in silent understanding. Wendy frowned,

"But what about our vacation?"

"Hey, don't look at us," said Morton. "You'll have to ask King Dad about it."

"Anyways, we just came by to tell you the news. They'll be moving stuff in a few days."

"Well, thank you everyone for delivering the message," said Luigi. "Wendy and I should start packing ourselves."

"Yeah, we should get started packing too," said Iggy.

The others agreed and exit out of the room. Luigi was closing the door when a knock made him stopped. He reopened it for that person.

"Kammy,"

The purple koopa enter the room. "I heard you already retrieve the news."

Luigi nodded. "The others were nice enough to stop by and tell us."

"Although, we are wondering on the plans for our honeymoon" said Wendy

"Yes, I actually came by to inform you on that." She said. "You are to depart the same time you were told. We'll move all our stuff while you'll away and by the time you return, your new room will be ready for you."

"Sounds good," said Luigi

Wendy nodded. "Thank you, Kammy,"

"You're welcome" She said. "Now; I should leave you to start preparing your things."

...

...

...

Ending Note:

Koopatraz State Prison is a maximum security penitentiary that appeared in the Super Mario Brothers Super Show.

...

Review :)

...