Chapter Seventeen: The Final Fight

-The Dark Lands-

The castle never looked so ominous, Mario mused. He had lost track of time, but all he needed to know that it was really dark out. Which in Bowsers kingdom it is usually dark out because smoke from the volcano usually blocks out the sun around this time of the day.

While his men were distracting the much bigger and stronger army, Mario found it easy to slip in past everybody. Now all he needed was to find a way to get inside…

There, a long vine that leads to the top, Mario smirked, they never really learn, do they?

-Inside the Castle-

Luigi sat on the floor next to the throne, silently staring at the sword that was given to him, admiring every little detail like it was a real work of art. His new wife sat beside him after she just finished handing out blankets to their unfortunate guests. Luigi knew that Mario will find a way in and that the king will be after Daisy, and he knew that Mario would in for a shock when he learns that his little wimp for a brother is now a powerful adversary and a king too. Luigi uncomfortably adjusted his mask, despite everything that had happened between him and his brother, Luigi dreaded the inevitable fight that will happen. He never wanted to harm his own brother. Never.

Slipping his sword back in its holster, he felt Daisy lean in to gently kiss his neck. Then resting her head on his shoulder, she shivered. Taking a blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders, he recognized that it was the same cream blanket that she used to wear when she visited the garden.

If Luigi closed his eyes, and strained his hearing, he could make out all the commotion outside. That's all he needed to know that Mario is here. Bowser quickly approached them, while also ordering for Kameks attention. Bowser pointed at the magikoopa "Kamek, take the citizens to our emergency bunker…" he then pointed at Luigi "you take Daisy to your chambers. It used to be one of my old panic rooms; you two should be safe there…"

Luigi stood up, taking Daisy by the hands "you said that you wanted me by your side…" the koopa king shook his head "yeah, but you're technically a king now. Luigi, you need to hide with Daisy...Now go!" Luigi glanced at Daisy who urged him to come with her. Not wanting to lose him again.

The man jumped at sudden sound of pounding on the large doors. They knew that they don't have much time left. Luigi reluctantly nodded, leading Daisy away. The koopa king watched as they disappeared down the hallway. He smiled to himself; Luigi doesn't deserve to fight his brother again. After all his little friend went through, the new king deserves happiness, and a new life with his queen.

Bowser turned his attention back to whoever was breaking down his doors, preparing for a fight. He had been waiting for this; he knew that Mario wouldn't give in so easily and now he is going to make the mushroom king pay.

"Open the doors!" Bowser commanded, and the doors slowly creaked open and he grinned. This time Mario brought an army, how cute.

He roared, sparks of fire crackled at the new arrivals and he couldn't help but to feel smug at the sight of several of the mushroom people flinch at his wrath. But without hesitation, someone called for them to attack and Bowser quickly realized that he was surrounded. But he wasn't fazed…at least…he didn't show that he was.

…

Fighting has become a blur, but there was one thing that the koopa king understood. That Luigi kept his word and hid with Daisy, his army quickly joined them. Thanks to Luigi planning ahead and raising an army of their own, Bowser smiled to himself. If Luigi wasn't focusing on bringing peace between everybody, he would have made a fantastic general.

But there was one that that confused him, Mario was nowhere to be seen. The coward. He roared again, giving a final burst of fire to scare away what remained of Mario's army. But then realization hit him, what if the mushroom king had found another way to get in, and was just using this pathetic army to distract him?

He wanted to turn to warn Luigi, but another wave of mushroom soldiers caught him off guard. Bowser felt a small wave of panic wash over him. He knew that he wouldn't last forever and that made him angry. Angry that everything will be in vain if Mario wins.

Bowser looks up to see a flash of a red cape, he growled as Mario landed in front of him, an ancient looking sword in hand. The koopa king instantly recognized it as the 'kings' blade' from the knights legend. The fire that decorated the large throne room reflected off of its pure white blade.

Bowser never thought he would see the blade in person, but he shook off his curiosity and Mario smirked at him. The mushroom king looked like he had lost a lot of sleep, thick rings lined his eyes and his hair looked unkempt under his crown. He looked nearly unrecognizable. In the back of Bowsers mind, he was happy that Luigi isn't here to see the poor state his brother is in.

"Give up Bowser!" Mario harshly shouted to him "you are not going to win…" the blade reflected the harsh light that surrounded them and Bowser barely got out of the way as Mario began to swing wildly.

"Hey!"

The koopa king glanced over his shoulder; he narrowed his eyes "I ordered you to hide with Daisy!"

Luigi quickly ran past him, catching Mario off guard and knocking him back. Luigi turned to stare hard at Bowser "like you said…technically I am a king... so I follow my own orders..." his eyes soften "like it or not…this is not just your fight…it's ours…"

Bowser was about to argue back but something in his friends eyes caught him off guard. He had never seen Luigi look this sad before, maybe because he had choose their cause over his potential happy ending, but the man was determined, Luigi continued "and I am not going to be the coward that hides from the fight…"

The koopa king couldn't help but to nod in respect "then it is an honor to fight beside you."

Luigi smiled at the king as he adjusted his mask on his head, though Bowser could still see that Luigis eyes reflected only sadness. Like he understood that this night would end in a tragedy. They knew that they were surrounded. They knew that they may not win...

...

Mario quickly recovered, opening his eyes he could see his brother, still dressed in black pants and a white dress-shirt, his jacket long gone. Luigi stood over him with a steely glare. Mario returned the glare, quickly jumping up and back. Prepared to fight his own flesh and blood.

Without a word he charged at Luigi who quickly retaliated, the knights' blade in hand. Mario glanced at Luigis sword, taking a moment to recognize what Luigi had. Mario raised his blade into the air, clashing it against Luigis, the blades sparking as they connected, after centuries of being apart.

Mario didn't hold back, seeing his brother with Bowser was the final straw. Everything seemed to be against him, even his own brother and he didn't understand why.

Why is that, when something good happens to him, something or someone has to go and try to ruin it? The king gritted his teeth, his vision going red. He could see Luigis lips move, probably to beg him to listen to reason, but he can't hear. All he could see now…is red.

The mushroom king was knocked back when Luigi kicked him squarely in the chest, then running away…the coward. Mario quickly sat up, ignoring the commotion around him.

Luigi knew that when Mario is pushed to the limits, there is nothing that would stop him. Not even his own brother. Luigi pointed at a random koopa "you there!" Luigi then pointed to the roof "make sure that the mushrooms didn't bring any extra reinforcements, if you find any report back to either Bowser or Wario…" The koopa quickly nodded, leaving Luigi alone to deal with Mario.

Mario was about to run and impale Luigi to the throne, but he was suddenly charged by Bowser. Luigi snapped back to the sight of Bowser rejoining the battle and quickly realized that Mario is going to get seriously injured if he doesn't calm down.

"Mario!" Luigi shouted, charging towards him, sword raised high. He deflected a blow from Bowsers chest, almost knocking the swords out of the older brothers' hands. Mario changed his focus backed on Luigi, choosing to fight him.

Bowser was knocked back, giving him the chance to look down one of the several hallways that lead to different wings of the castle, they both heard loud shouting and crying. Luigi glanced over where Bowser was looking and realized that his children may not be in the hiding in the panic rooms. Amongst all the confusion, the koopalings must've ran away to a different part of the castle, and not where they should go. "Get them!" Luigi shouted, Bower gave him a reluctant glance but nodded, speeding off to find them. He watched as Bowser ran deeper into the castle to rescue his children.

Luigi quickly glanced back but was too late to defend himself, as a searing pain began to shake his form, pushing him back. He looked down to see a loud gash across his chest, staining his white dress shirt with a dark crimson. But he had no time to truly register the pain as Mario came again, Luigi couldn't understand how he was able to block his blade with his own. But adrenaline rushed into his mind and he began to see past the fog of pain.

Mario growled, pushing the blade down harder, bringing Luigi to his knee. "Mario!" Luigi called again, hoping to get through to his brother "please! This could all end well if you just listen to reason!"

"No!" Mario shouted back, somehow finding his voice in the mist of his rage "you listen! I am not giving up my kingdom to that- that thing!" Mario jumped at him again, Luigi barely rolling out of the way. The youngest forced himself to stand "you're not surrendering to anyone…you're only destroying what we had always dreamed about…please…brother…" Luigi deflected another blow with his sword, his other arm wrapped around his torso.

He felt his knees began to grow weak as the rapid blood loss was starting to take a toll on his body. Luigi leaned against a large, wooden pillar. He could tell that Mario wasn't listening, at least, not anymore. The mushroom king could only see the offending mask that sat on Luigis face.

"You are no brother of mine!" Mario shouted, the blade shaking in his hand, he charged at him.

His eyes widen, as he was suddenly face to face with Mario, and he could only watch as the rage quickly drained from Mario's eyes, replaced with a look of pure shock and fear. The only thing that the youngest could feel was a warm liquid pool out of the sides of his mouth, and the coldness of Mario's blade.

Luigi now understood the feeling that was always nagging at him, something that was twisting deep in his core. The moment he had decided to join Bowser, somewhere in the back of his mind told him that it would never have a happy ending… and that for the common people, the only way they would truly fight for their cause is if there were ghosts attached to it.

Luigi's world began to dim…

End of Chapter