Chapter Fifteen: Invasion Part 1

-Mushroom Kingdom-

News that Sarsaland signed the treaty shortly after the kings' death was all that Mario needed to know about what really happened. Daisy gave up, she signed the treaty. Mr. L had won… Bowser had won…

When ripples of the aftermath reached the Mushroom people, they were terrified. The dark lands had grown bigger, they believed. Now they are the ones that are in the corner. It made him angry. He hadn't been a king for a year and everyone seemed to be pointing the finger at him. That it was somehow his doing and he is getting real tired of it.

But what can he do? If he attacks he might be raging war not just against Daisy, but maybe his own brother. How can he?

Mario hated the feeling of being stuck. If he signed the treaty, they would accuse him of siding with Bowser and giving up. But if he doesn't do anything, they would accuse him of being a coward. There was no way for him to win. No way to get out of this either, and he knew that Peach is under just as much pressure but all eyes are on him. They blamed him for Daisy, they blamed him for Mr. L, they basically blamed them for everything. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

He sat in his private office; stacks of papers littered the desk and around him. A mug of coffee sat beside him, its warmth abandoning it hours ago.

A gentle knocking at his door had brought him out of his thoughts, he watched as his queen entered the room. Her face twisted with concern.

"Mario… why aren't you in bed, love?"

He sighed, shaking his head "I'll be there in a few minutes…" he knew that she wouldn't buy it, she know that he would be up all night in here. She sat in a spare chair next to his desk. Reaching over to hold his hand, Mario looked away, almost ashamed about the situation that he had put himself and his queen in, he had to remember that she is suffering just as much as he is.

"I am sorry… Peach, I think we have to invade."

She was silent, but she didn't let go of his hand "I know… the council men had been debating this for awhile…" Mario took a deep breath, squeezing her hand "well, I don't think we can avoid this anymore…"

Mario stood up, fixing his suit and his crown. He writes a quick order on a sheet of paper, and slipping it into an envelope. Opening the door he called for a servant that was standing nearby and handed him the letter "take this to Toadsworth" he whispered "immediately…"

The servant silently nodded and quickly disappeared around the hallway, leaving him alone.

-Dark Lands- The Next Day-

When Luigi woke up this morning with Daisy in his arms, he felt like he could rule the world.

He smiled down at her; he wished he could just lay there and just watch her. To memorize every delicate feature on her face. With her, Luigi felt like he was in this wonderful dream that he wish he could never wake from. Having her in his life again made him want to stop time and just live in this one perfect moment.

Yet, he reluctantly removed his arm from her and slipped out of bed, he knows that Bowser wanted his audience on time and Luigi is no exception. Quickly and silently he had gotten ready for the day ahead. Slipping on his mask and fixing up his suit, he glanced at the mirror flashed a typical Mr. L like smirk. He hoped that today, like any other since he allowed himself to be Luigi again, would be a good one.

…

The great throne room was in the good kind of quiet. As the servants bustled around, tending to every detail as they went about their daily jobs. Luigi quietly walked in, not to disturbed any of the workers. Sometimes he loved to watch them go about their lives, he doesn't know why. Maybe it was from all those years of fighting them, it just seem so new to him that they could do simple everyday tasks just like everyone else. It was so normal, yet it is strangely calming..

He turned his attention to see Bowser, comfortably sitting on his throne. Years ago, it would've been a dreadful sight for him, but now he couldn't help but to smile at his friend.

"Well, you're in a good mood…" Bowser calmly stated, dismissing another one of his advisors, one he didn't recognize.

"Is that so…?" Luigi replied getting on one knee to bow, the king laughed "yeah, I heard that you and Daisy are a thing again…" the man looks up at him, slightly confused "you know?"

Bowser laughed again "yeah, well the entire castle know, you guys aren't very subtle…the entire castle heard you…" Bowser taunted, Luigi felt his face warm up "oh… I…heh…I apologize..."

Bowser crossed his arms "also, consul members from Sarsaland had finally made friendly contact. Since Daisy is in need of a suitor since she is next in line. They recommended that we find a man from over here to show that your treaty is a true act of peace…so I recommended a certain somebody…" he trailed off. Luigi held his breath "oh…oh my…"

Bowser raised his hands in the air "well, since you two were together for…how many years now? I thought that it was about time that you make such courting a legit thing, and not just a fling behind everybody's backs…"

"Wait… so we can be together… for real…?"

Luigi jumped at the new voice, turning to see that Daisy was standing behind him. Her face broken to a large smile, Bowser nodded "you can now… since your man here is now a notable political figure…"

Luigi was startled when Daisy practically jumped into his arms. Showering his face in kisses, and the weight of what Bowser just did finally hit him. He and Daisy are now a official couple. A smile broke across his face as he held her tighter. They could be together, for real… and maybe forever if she takes him as a husband.

Though their moment of bliss came to an end when a very distressed looking Kamek came rushing down the hall. He stopped, to gain his breath. Quickly and nervously he approached the throne. Bowser already did not look pleased, for the past few months he had gotten used to Kamek being the bearer of bad news.

"My lord… I bring terrible news from the Mushroom borders…"

Bowser stood up from his seat, whatever joy he was feeling moments ago had disappeared. Luigi held Daisy tighter, so much so that she could hear his racing heart beat. This must be bad, like, really bad. Daisy silently watched as Kamek takes out a letter that had been opened.

"It appears that King Mario is rallying the troops. He may be planning to invade…sir…"

The room fell into that uncomfortable silence, one that Luigi couldn't help but to break. "It couldn't be true! Mario wouldn't do that… he…" Luigi felt his chest twist in panic. He glanced back to see Daisy look just as worried. Bowser gave him a guilty look "we both knew that this would happen…" he crossed his arms "I just hope that it would not all be for nothing…"

Never in a million years would Luigi believe that Mario would raise an army…against his own flesh and blood. He felt Daisy wrap his arms around him, holding him close. Whispering in his ear that everything would be okay, and he wished he could believe her, wish he could say it back but unfortunately he knew it would be false.

Hopefully everything that was sacrificed won't be in vain.

End of Chapter