Chapter Sixteen: Invasion Part 2

-Mushroom Kingdom Borders-

He hadn't been back here since the last time he fought Mr. L and lost... Mario looks back at his army; but this time he isn't alone…Mario was never used to this nervous feeling inside of his chest. Usually his choices were ones that he would defend to the death. But now…he wasn't so sure…but he knew that inside there will be a fight to the bitter end.

The Dark Lands had grown silent, almost peaceful. But he felt his stomach drop by the ominous glow that began to grow in the distance. His throat became incredibly dry; this was supposed to be a surprise attack! All they had planned was to storm the castle and rescue Daisy…and capture his so-called brother who started this never ending nightmare. Put him on trial, convict him and lock him away forever where he can't pull a stunt like this again...

But now Mario is staring at one of the biggest armies that he had ever seen. Which only one thing could happen… they're might be a spy among his ranks. The king turned his yoshi around to look at his army. Some even consisting of very familiar faces, his eyes then began to look for his counterpart, Wario, who he just noticed was missing… he was earlier but now… His eyes widened.

"That-that traitor!"

-Dark Lands-

Luigi watched as several members of the village that surrounded the castle silently crossed the to the Waffle Kingdom. Carrying whatever they could on their backs, using only the lights of candles to protect them from the harsh night. His heart began to ache for them; they were the only people he could evacuate at a short notice. He looked over to see that older koopa from that party hold what he guessed was his daughter-in-law and his beautiful granddaughter. Luigi knew exactly where the old koopas son is and it broke his heart further. They were together again, they were happy...now the poor koopas son might loose his life, and never see his family again...

Bowser had ordered his army to surround the borders that lead to the Mushroom Kingdom, knowing well that Mario is going to storm the borders. It was the koopa kings way of saying that they are not giving up that easy. That they will not be taken by surprise, not this time, and not ever again… Luigi was given the task of making sure that the citizens had crossed safely, and he did his job well. The Waffle Kingdom had welcomed them with open arms as they were also allies.

...

Running back into the castle, he met up with Daisy and Bowser, but he was surprised to see that Wario was here too, talking to Kamek. It made sense now; Wario was Kameks reliable source of information. He laughed to himself, after all these years; he and Mario just assumed that Bowser was just physic.

Luigi looked around and his smile faded away, watching as the windows were sealed, along with the massive gate that lead into the castle. He looked around to see some of the citizens and workers huddled into a corner, they couldn't be a part of group that left and their homes are too far away from the castle. They were stuck here until this nightmare is over.

Luigi felt a shiver run up his spine as he watches Daisy offer comfort to those who needed it. He knew that Mario is coming after him… and he always knew that since the moment he walked in here with good intentions, Luigi was a dead man walking.

Bowser approached him with a hand on his shoulder "Luigi… I have something to give you…" he ushered the smaller man to follow him, which Luigi complied without hesitation. The koopa king led him to his office, where he took out a very old looking box. Bowser then took out an old looking sword; he turned around to show it to Luigi.

"This sword belonged to a very brave knight… the Mushroom Kingdom had the kings sword and had engraved it to represent the traits of knighthood… but we have the very weapon that the slain knight had used… now I believe that it is time to see the outside again…"

Bowser handed Luigi the sword, and he gently took it. He had heard of that legend, but he didn't know that there was really any proof that it had really happened...

The sword itself was in perfect condition, despite being kept in that old box. Its handcrafted blade stood out proudly, showing off its very detailed carvings of flowers and a single koopa shell. The blade itself was a pure white and when he twisted it in the light, it flashed a hint of green.

He smiled "it's…beautiful…"

Luigi was startled once again by Daisy, who snuck up behind him to put her hands on his shoulder. He then began to feel guilt, he knew that this fight will end badly and he felt afraid to leave Daisy alone, or leave her with nothing. There has to be something...and idea crossed Luigi's mind, something that he should have done a long time ago...

Slipping the sword into its holster, that is now secured on his person. He took Daisy by the hands "Daisy…" he kissed her hands and she felt her cheeks burn, he continued "listen, please. This fight may not end very well and I… I want to know if anything happened… I want to know that I had left you with everything that I could possibly give…"

"What are you saying?" Daisy felt her heart break at the thought of Luigi leaving her again, he held her hands tighter. Luigi took a deep breath...

"Daisy…will you marry me…?"

She held her breath "now…?" Luigi let out a small laugh "now, after the fight, after a year…it doesn't matter to me…I just want you to know that I am never going to leave you again…" Daisy wrapped her arms around him, holding him tighter, her smile breaking through her tears of joy "now…" she whispered, kissing him.

Luigi glanced back at Bower "can you marry us?" Bowser shrugged "now?" Luigi nodded, he shook his head "of course…we need witnesses though…"

He quickly left the room and gained Kameks attention "we need a few people…" Kamek gave him an odd look "why?" Bowser shook his head "Luigi and Daisy are going to exchange some vows before we leave for battle…" Kamek stood up straighter, cracking his knuckles "right…coming right up."

…

It was a simple yet very quick ceremony. But Daisy wasn't a very flashy kind of girl; she didn't need to be spoiled by all the bells and whistles and she knew that Luigi wasn't the kind of person to show off. She also knew that marrying her would make him king, but the crown didn't matter to him. He had explained to her, all he wanted was to make her happy.

She quickly stole a few glances around the room, recognizing some people, most of them were citizens of Bowsers kingdom but she recognized some from hers. She brought her attention back to Luigi and gave him a large smile. Squeezing his hands tighter, Luigi smiled back at her and she mouthed an 'I love you'.

"I now pronounce you king and queen" Bowser looked funny wearing those reading glasses, as he read from a tiny scroll that was meant for smaller, claw-less hands. Luigi smiled at him, he remembered the first time he saw those tiny reading glasses and couldn't help but to laugh right at it, and he was lucky that Bowser had a good sense of humor about it. Or he would've become very crispy...

Luigi shook off the memory and chose to concentrate back at Daisy as he slipped a small golden band on her finger, and watched as she did the same. Daisy looked back up at him, the light behind her giving her the appearence of a halo. His heart skipped a beat, he could never figure out how he had gotten this lucky.

"Now go and kiss her, because we have a fight to win."

The small audience clapped loudly as he held her close, marveling that every kiss still felt so new and exciting. He could almost feel her heart race. She smiled up at him again. Reminding Luigi that there is just one more thing to fight for, to live for.

The new king and queen looked passed their small audience to the doors that led to Luigi and Bowsers final battle. Now unafraid of what kind of a future lies just beyond the wooden doors.

End of Chapter