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

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Chapter 55:
The Honeymoon's Over

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"Guess whose back," Morton announced as they entered the throne room.

It was probably the most impressive room out of the whole castle; if not, the most stylish. The ceiling was high and had a beautiful rock crystal chandelier hanging from it. The walls were made from the same silvery stone as the rest of the castle; about a dozen torches hang from them as well as several pictures of large Koopas similar to Bowser.

The windows, big and wide to provide more lighting, were decorated with red and gold colored curtains. The floor, made out of marble instead of stone, was partly covered by a long, luxurious red rug leading up to the high back red velvet throne that was stationed in the back of the room.

Bowser was sitting on say throne, talking to his son and Kamek when they heard the announcement. They paused from their conservation and turned to the approaching group. Bowser smirked and sat up from his seat.

"Well, well, if it isn't the happy couple." He greeted.

"I take it that your trip went well?" Kamek asked.

"Sure did," Luigi smiled. "Best vacation I had in years."

"Thank you for arranging this for us, Daddy." Wendy said. "We really appreciate it."

Bowser shrugged. "Don't mention it; besides the room, I only gave you two 10,000 coins to spent over there; not a big deal."

Wendy and Luigi froze when he said that; they weren't aware that they were given a budget.

"Anyways, there's a reason why I couldn't let you stay longer; Junior's birthday is coming up and we're planning on throwing him a party."

"Really?" Luigi questioned. "When is it?"

"July 19," Junior beamed. "I'm turning 13 that day and I want a huge party to celebrate."

"July 19...That's in two weeks."

"Yup, Dad figured you might need a little time to look for a gift I might like."

"Well, aren't that nice of him," He commented.

Bowser shrugged. "Anyways, we have a few guests are coming and you're going to have to meet them."

"Who's coming?" Wendy asked although she already had a suspicion.

"King Adrian and King Herold with their families," Kamek answered. "Flown is also coming,"

"Who are they?" Luigi asked.

"Close family and friend," Kammy answered.

"Adrian is my cousin and the ruler of the Kappa Kingdom." said Bowser. "Herold is an old buddy of mine; we known each other since we were kids. Flown is just another cousin."

"It's been some time since we last seen them; this party will be the first time we introduce both you and Kanary to them." said Kamek.

"Oh, in that case, I better make a good first impression,"

"Uh, you'll be fine," said Bowser. "Which reminds me… while you were away we got some news for you...two actually,"

Luigi tilted his head slightly. "What kind of news?"

"Bad news and good news, depending on how you look at it,"

"What's the bad news?" Wendy asked.

"The bad news is…Kalvin escaped,"

"What?!" They both jump from surprise. "How? When?"

"A few hours after you left," Kamek answered. "A squadron attacked the castle and released them before they can receive their…ultimate punishment. We manage to corner them but then Kamella appeared and teleported them out of there."

"Kamella?"

"A powerful magikoopa who serves under Clawd as his right hand koopa," Kammy answered. "We have a long history together against her."

"I think I met her before," Luigi thought. "During that one time in space,"

"That was the last we seen of her too until recently,"

"So Kalvin, Pompey, and the rest of them are back serving under Clawd," Wendy said with annoyance.

"Pretty much," Kamek said. "Although Kamella has oddly informed us that they're experiencing some setbacks so whatever plan they have has been delay for a few more years."

"Which also gives us more time to prepare for it," Kammy finished.

"Okay, now that the bad news is out of the way, what's the good news?" Luigi asked.

"Right, good news," Bowser shifted in his throne. "Well, it's about your brother,"

He raised a curious brow. "Is everything alright?"

The Koopa King shrugged. "If you count being an uncle in a few weeks alright, then yeah it is,"

"Oh, that," Luigi smiled. "I already knew about that,"

"Really?" said Roy "How?"

"Their picture is on every paper out there," Wendy answered. "It's pretty hard not to notice."

"Not just the paper, they're all over the TV as well. I can't find a descent channel without looking at those two." said Morton, annoyingly.

"Anyways, let's just take it easy for now." said Bowser. "You two seem tired; why don't you go try out your new room."

"Oh, allow us;" Kanary stepped in. "Ludwig and I are across from them, we'll show them to their room."

"Thank you, Kanary," Wendy said. "And you too Daddy,"

Bowser nodded. Once they were done, Luigi and Wendy followed Kanary outside the throne. When they were out of range, Luigi leaned towards Wendy and whispered,

"Did you know we were given a budget?" he asked.

Wendy shook her head. "No, I didn't,"

"How big do you think the bill is?"

She smiled. "I'm sure it isn't that bad; we did get couple's discounts, after all."

"True, but still…"

"You worry too much," Mr. L commented. "Even when you're finally getting lead, you're still a worrywart,"

Luigi frowned when he said that. Wendy noticed his expression and planted a comforting kiss on his cheek. "I'm sure we'll be fine; if not, we'll come up with something to repay him."

He smiled. "I guess you're right,"

…

…

"Here we are," Kanary announced once they got to the bed chambers in the north wing. "This is the room we all picked out for you. Ludwig and I are just across the hall from here."

"Uhm, I wonder why," Wendy said, as she glanced at her brothers.

They all either shrugged or looked somewhere. She rolled her eyes and entered inside her new room.

As soon as the door opened, Wendy and Luigi were completely awestruck. The bedroom was big, even bigger than their last room. It was functional, spacious, and had a sense of serenity.

They had a king size bed, a huge walk-in closet with a full length mirror, and private bathroom with a separate shower and bathtub. There was a cozy sitting area with a small sofa, an arm chair and a coffee table. Next to it was a small private desk with a lamp. Off to the side was a double door balcony large enough to place a small table and two chairs.

"Wow…"

"So, you guys like it?" Roy asked as he leans against the wall.

"Like?" Wendy questioned. "Like doesn't even describe how much I love this room right now."

"If I didn't know better, I say we were back at the hotel," Luigi commented.

"No man, this is even better than a hotel," Mr. L said.

"Well then, we'll leave you two alone so you can get settled in," said Kanary.

"Thanks again, everyone," Luigi said.

"No problem," said Ludwig as they leave.

"Oh, and Ludwig..."

The oldest Koopaling paused and turned back to him. "Yeah?"

Luigi ran over to his bag and dig through it. Once he found what he was looking for, he walk back and hand it to him. "Mind if you thank Kanary for letting us borrow it?"

Ludwig took the item and examined it. He smirked when he saw it was their book, "Will do,"

Luigi nodded and closed the door behind him. He turned back to the room and check out the drawers. They were already full with all their clothes from the last castle.

"It seems they unpack all our suitcases for us,"

"Looks like it," Wendy said as she steps out of the closet. "All my clothes are in there, yours too."

Luigi yawned and fell backwards on the bed. It bounced slightly under his weight as he settled into the softness of the covers. "I guess all we have to do now is sit back and relax."

"Maybe; or we could do something else," Wendy lay down next to him and trail a finger around his chest. "It's still pretty early so our honeymoon isn't over just yet."

Luigi raised an eyebrow and sat up from the bed. "Oh? Do you have something in mind?"

"Hmm, just this..."

Leaning forward, she captured his lips in a soft kiss. Luigi pulls her close as he kisses her back. He lay back down on the bed as Wendy climb on top of him, deepening the kiss as she did so. She started unbuttoning his shirt when a knock on their door got their attention.

"I'll get it," Luigi said.

Wendy puffed and rolled off him. He stood up and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll be right back,"

She nodded. Luigi quickly stroll over to the door. He opened it and was greeted by a familiar young koopa.

"Hey Junior, what are you doing here?"

The young Koopa was grinning. "You're in trouble,"

"I am?" Luigi frowned. "Why?"

"Dad got the bill,"

"Bill?" He questioned. His eyes widen with sudden realization. "Oh no…"

"Yup and he's not happy,"

"Mamma Mia," Luigi sighed; he was afraid this would happen. "Alright, we'll be there in a few minutes."

Junior smirked and left to tell his father. Luigi returned back in his room and saw Wendy lying on the bed, waiting for him to join her. He rubbed the back of his head and walked over to tell her the news.

"And just like that the honeymoon is over,"

'Yup,'

…

…

Bowser had his face buried in his claw as he tries to contain his frustration. Luigi and Wendy were standing in front of him, feeling nervous about his reaction. Kamek, who had just escort Junior out of the room, return to the king's side.

"Ok, I get that you went overbroad; if fact, I had expected it." Bowser said. He let his arm fall to his lap as he stare down at the couple before them. "What I don't get is how you two manage to almost double the amount you were supposed to spend."

Luigi and Wendy look at each other sheepishly. Originally, they didn't plan on spending so much while on their vacation. But after their first night together, curious sort of went out the window as excitement came through the door.

"Now, now, your Majesty, calm down; this isn't entirely their fault entirely," said Kamek "We didn't exactly tell them that there was a limit to their spending,"

Bowser turned to him with a look. "That still doesn't explain how they manage to rank up 19,124 coin bill,"

Luigi flinched while Mr. L whistled. "Wow, you two really went overbroad,"

"What about the discount?" Wendy asked.

Kamek look through one of the four pages they receive from the hotel. "You were given the couple's discount; without that, we could have been paying the full price of 24,974. However, it didn't apply to everything on the list such as the snorkeling and the scuba diving."

"You even rent a private island?" Bowser said. He had the other three pages in his hand. "Why would you rent a private island?"

"Uhm...To enjoy its privacy…?" Luigi said a bit wittingly.

"For three days?"

"That seems like a long enough time to full enjoy an island,"

The Koopa King rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, that island cost a pretty coin,"

"We're sorry, Daddy," Wendy apologized.

"Yeah, really sorry," Luigi bowed to show how apologetic he was. "We'll make it up you,"

That interested the King. "Oh yeah? How?"

"What?" Luigi said. He wasn't really expecting him to take it seriously. "Oh, I mean...uhm, well..." He tried to think of something he could do to repay the Koopa King for all their trouble. "I could...work around the castle until the bill is paid off."

Bowser placed a hand on his chin as he thought about the offer. "I guess that would work, but this castle is pretty new and I doubt there be only plumbing problems for a while."

"Good point," Luigi frowned as he tries to think of another solution.

"He could work for me,"

Everyone turned to the Magikoopa in surprise.

"Are you sure, Kamek?" Wendy asked him.

"I'm sure," He nodded. "I've been looking for an apprentice for some time now, and I'm sure Luigi would appreciate working learn under me."

"I gotta agree with him on that one," Mr. L commented. "Kamek is quite academic and have display some expertise at mechanic. You could learn a lot from him and possibly develop your own skills while doing it."

'Good point,' Luigi silently agreed with his inner self. In addition to becoming physically stronger, he also wanted to increase his intelligence. He didn't want to be all brawn if he didn't have the brains to go with it.

"What do you say, plumber?" Bowser asked him. "Think you could work under my head Magikoopa?"

"Sounds okay to me,"

"Alright then its settle," Bowser said as he leans back in his throne. "Until this bill is paid off, you'll be working under Kamek. Any questions before I let the two of you go?"

"Just one..." Luigi smiled. "When do I start?"

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Ending Note:

July 19 was the date 'Super Mario Sunshine' was release and Bowser Junior was first introduced.

New Characters are also being introduced. We'll be seeing them in just a few chapters.

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