Chapter Ten: Filth

-Dark Lands-

"How do I look?"

There was a pause, Mr. L straightened up the bronze crest of the Dark Lands, which was in the form of a medal that hung from his neck. He turns to see Bowser nod in approval "looking sharp."

With a smirk he glances over at Daisy who was sitting in a corner, obviously dragged in here. Since her last attempt to escape, she was placed under a more restricted watch.

"Well, my darling?" he asked again. She huffed; her arms crossed "you look like filth."

Ignoring her comment, Mr. L combed his fingers through his hair again, wondering if he should slick it back with some gel. Part of him still looks over for his hat, but he has to remember that Mario has it now.

He probably burned it already.

Bowser looks over to chuckle at Daisy comment "she's a fiery one…usually Peach would refuse to talk…let alone call her captors 'filth'…" she could only continue to sneer at the koopas comment. Mr. L took another breath, ignoring both of them.

He turned back to eye the king, his smile returning "do you think that the cape is too much?" Bowser looks down to what he was referring too, the deep green cape that was draped over his shoulders and his shell, fastened with the same crest, but gold.

"I never get to wear it… I was always too busy fighting…" he stopped himself, glancing back at Daisy, then continuing "… those heroes…"

Daisy watched the two exchanged looks with each other, like they were sharing some kind of inside joke. She only continued to glare in disgust. Mr. L ignored her continued stare "well, if things go well, you can wear it all the time…"

"What are you two going to do? Burn down the castle?"

Mr. L rolled his eyes, learning that ignoring Daisy was the best way to go. But he does know when someone is in denial…

He approached her, ever since his outburst he learned to be more careful around her, to not loose his temper again. But at least she now understands that Mr. L's temper is legendary… but why she continues to push his buttons, he will never understand. He knelt down, like he was some kind of love sick suitor, and picked the crown out of her hands "my dear… we would never burn down somebody's home…" he trailed off, standing up to place the crown back on her head. Daisy remained still, not wanting to struggle with him. Yet she continued.

"Then what are you planning to do?"

Mr. L leaned closer to gain her full attention, what remained of Luigi that he couldn't fully oppress was the desire to kiss her, to hold her and love her… and tell her that everything is going to be okay. But Mr. L is stronger, and knows that it wouldn't do anything constructive "we're going to just debate. Propose an alliance. Nothing too fancy…"

She stared into his eyes, but Mr. L hid the fact that those once soft and loving eyes shot straight through his soul "I don't believe you… after all these years of kidnapping and acts of war…" she whispered "I don't think someone so evil and vile can just give up all of that out of thin air…"

Mr. L should have been used to her angry outbursts, though he knew that his patience is wearing thin. But he kept a stoic face, not wanting her to know that her words can still cause harm to him.

"Have you ever thought that these supposed…villains… get tired of doing the same thing every time…" he backed away slowly giving her room to breathe "that they are tired of risking the lives of innocent soldiers who are only just doing what they are told…but you can ask your precious hero Mario the same kind of question too… maybe he might be just as tired of going to rescue the same princess… and for what? So they can all do it all over again later?"

Bowser instantly stiffens up at the mention of Mario, he had forgotten about the thing with the hero in red. The fact that he is king now… He needs to break the news to Mr. L soon, especially if they are going over to speak with them…

Mr. L's frown grew bigger "my dear… there is no evil…why can't you understand that…" Daisy sat up straighter in her chair "and stop calling me 'dear' and 'love'...who the heck do you think you are?!"

He leaned back in until he was face to face with Daisy, who also kept her face stone cold. Though part of his heart began to crumble when staring deep into her eyes revealed that she still somehow didn't recognize him…how? It was just a mask. Shaking off the thought, Mr. L continued.

"Who am I? I am your captor, and as long as you are in my world. I can call you 'dear' as much as I want… though I don't see why you are so upset… there are names worse that comes to mind, yet, as I am a gentleman I tend to hold my tongue…"

Daisy scoffed "you don't seem much of a gentleman…" she paused, and then smirked "by the way; your mask is stupid…"

Mr. L silently growled to himself. There was no way to win with Daisy, so why does he bother…

Bowser watched as Mr. L left them alone, possibly heading out to the throne room or his chambers. Glancing back at Daisy, he gave her an odd look. Yet he wondered…

"When Mr. L gotten close to your face…" he caught her attention now, probably not used to him actually attempting at a real conversation "did you think he looked like someone else?"

She looks away from him, which could had been a good enough answer for him, but for once she bothered to humor him "no…" At least it was something.

Bowser then decides to leave her alone, not wanting to insert himself between what remained of Daisy and Luigi's relationship.

...

Standing in the middle of the throne room, Mr. L took a moment to clear his thoughts. Though he wasn't startled by the familiar heavy footsteps that approached him from behind… "You okay…?" Mr. L sighed at the question, no he wasn't okay. But he wasn't the kind of person to admit to that, and Bowser knew that. Instead Bowser changed the subject…to something that is more important.

"Luigi…" he felt guilty for being the one to break the news, but it rather be him that the ambassador seeing it for himself "there is something you need to know…"

"Don't call me Luigi…" Mr. L didn't mean to sound so bitter, but that is what he is feeling "I am not Luigi anymore…"

Bowser narrowed his eyes "right, Mr. L… there is something that you need to know, before we go...something important…"

Mr. L decides to give him the attention "yeah…what is it?"

"Your brother got married."

Mr. L froze in his place, his eyes widen in shock. Bowser didn't mean to be so blunt, but he knew that Mr. L would appreciate that he didn't fluff it up.

"To… who…?" the ambassador found his voice, but he knew already knew the answer.

"The princess… Mario is a king now…"

Mr. L closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up at Bowser, who for once was actually sympathetic "you don't have to go…because he will be there…"

The ambassador shook his head "no… I'm going… I have to. It's what I am here for…it's just…"

Bowser remained silent while Mr. L gathered his emotions "he never told me… we were always apart of each other's lives… he never bothered… "He shrugged "but I guess that promise was made to Luigi…" he looks back at Bowser who finished his sentence "and not to Mr. L?"

The man nods "yeah…" he took another breath "then I guess that I have no more feelings towards the matter, that I should just carry on...yes...I will do that."

With that, Mr. L fluffed his jacked and once again fixed his hair "but now, Mr. L has a date with destiny…" he forced himself to smile, not letting Bowser know that he is having trouble stomaching the feeling that his brother just betrayed him. But he knew it was inevitable, Mario and Peach belonged together. All he wanted to do now is just wish them the best of luck...

"Alright then…" Bowser said, standing up straighter "let's do this…"

End of Chapter