No Author's Note:

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So...enjoy the chapter :)

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

Chapter 14:
The Summer Ball

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It was finally time…

The Mushroom Kingdom's Annually Summer Ball had finally started.

Weeks of planning and preparation had come down to this very night.

The first hour of the night was already busy. The sun was starting to set, the quarter moon was coming up and the stars were starting to show. Music filled the air around the castle as guests from all around paired in numbers line up in front of the castle door.

Standing by the large entrance was Toadsworth, who was wearing his finest suit and tie as he greets each and every guest that enters through the castle. After greeting a pair of four that went by, Toadsworth turned his attention to the former man in red, now dress in a black tuxedo and a red tie.

"Why, hello there Master Mario; here to court the princess I assumed?"

Mario blushed slightly and scratches the back of his head. "You could say that."

Toadsworth chuckled. "No need to be embarrass, young sir, we're all friends here." He looks around and notice the plumber was all alone. "I do say… where is Master Luigi? Shouldn't he be with you?"

"Luigi says he'll come by later, but...between you and me, I don't think he's really coming."

"Hm, I see." Toadsworth was fully aware of the green plumber's dilemma and understood why he wouldn't come. "In that case, I'm sure he will be fine. Please, Good Master, come in; I'm sure the princess is waiting for your arrival."

Mario nods and entered inside the castle. He walked through the castle halls until he had reached the ball room where the party was being held in. Everyone in the room was having fun socializing among each other. Mario stood in the center, hoping to spot his date somewhere around the room.

"Hello there, Mario." Mario turns around to greet his girlfriend and paused. His eyes widen and his mouth went agape as the sight of her.

"Mamma Mia…"

Peach stood in front of him wearing the dress Daisy picked out for her. It was a classic red empire open back evening dress that hugs her body perfectly. Peach blush at Mario's constant stare,

"Mario, a bug will fly in if you leave you month open."

Mario blinked twice and closes his mouth. He blushes as he gave Peach an apologetic smile. "Oh, ah sorry, Peach; it's just that...you're so beautiful."

Peach blushed deeply. "Why thank you, Mario."

"Guessing by you two's blushing faces I take it that the dress worked well."

Daisy walked towards them, wearing a yellow embellished floral appliqué dress with a sweetheart neckline and jewel bust. Mario turned and greeted her.

"Oh, hey there, Daisy; you look beautiful too by the way."

Daisy rolled her eyes but took the compliment anyways. "Thanks Mario, but I wasn't wearing it for you."

"Daisy would like to apologize to Luigi for her constant behavior earlier and wants to make it up to him by promising to take their relationship more seriously." explained Peach.

"Peach's right; it's my fault. I thought I wasn't ready for a boyfriend. But instead of telling Luigi that I kept making up excuses which was wrong. Now, I just want to make it up to him and start over."

Mario smiled understandably. "Well, that's a good thing to hear, Daisy, and I'm sure Luigi would like to hear it, too."

"Speaking of which," Peach looks around. "Where is Luigi anyways? Didn't he come with you?"

Mario shook his head. "He said he'll catch up with me later, but truth I don't think he's coming."

Daisy frowned when he said that so Peach tries to cheer her up. "I'm sure he'll be coming." She suggests. "The party had just started, so he's bound to show up eventually."

"Yeah, and if not, you could always head down to our place and talk to him." Offered Mario.

Daisy nodded. "I guess you guys are right. Luigi's bound to show up sooner or later."

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Just outside of Toad Town, Luigi stood under the same meeting tree as yesterday. This time it was him waiting for Wendy to arrival. He was wearing a black tuxedo just like Mario only he had a green tie instead of red. It has only been a few hours since the Summer Ball had started and the sun had already set down. Luigi had never told her what time the Ball was starting at so it was safe to assume that they were going to be the last ones to come in.

He sighed deeply, anxiety running through his veins. Maybe she wasn't coming…maybe she had change her mind. That wouldn't be too bad; he could always crawl back to Daisy and begged that they be together again. Problem is… the results will most likely be the same whether he begged or not; they'll get together only to break it off a few months later.

He sighed again, frustration and depression making its way through him. Maybe he should just stay home…

"Well, looks like you make it on time after all,"

Luigi jumped slightly, he didn't even notice her approach. He turns around to greet his date only to get a complete eye opener instead.

"Mamma Mia…"

He was expecting a pink shell koopa in a small, pretty dress. Instead, what he got was a beautiful young woman. She had nice tan, nearly flawless skin with a small mole on her right cheek; light orange hair, plumed pink lips, a small nose, and bright blue eyes with dark eye lashes. She was wearing a gorgeous strapless, floor-length black evening gown with a crystal encrusted waistband, matching black shoes, silver bracelets and earrings, and a small black polka-dotted bow on the side of her head. (1)

Luigi couldn't stop staring…he just couldn't. It was like his eyes were glued onto her. She smirked; she was clearly amused by his reaction. But to him, that simple expression cause the spark in his heart to blossom into something more.

"So what? Are we going to this party or not?"

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Kammy was right; Luigi cannot keep his eyes off her. Wendy mentally slapped herself. She had transformed herself into a human only to make the flower princess jealous, not to impress the green plumber.

'Although... it does seem to have that affect on him,' she thought.

After a whole minute of staring and flapping his lower lip like a fish out of water, Luigi was finally able to tear his gaze away after an excessive amount of willpower.

"W-Wendy?" He said nervously. He swallowed hard. "I-Is that… you?"

Wendy grinned. "Of course it's me, can't you tell? You been staring at me like you never seen girl before."

Luigi's face was red as looked down to the ground. He was embarrassed to say the least, but that wasn't all.

"I-I'm sorry," he apologize. "It's just that…I never thought…"

"It's just that what?" Wendy interrupted. "You never thought you'll be seen with me?"

"N-No," Luigi said nervously. "It's just that I never thought…I'll been seen with… s-someone as beautiful as you."

Wendy blinked in surprise. She was not suspecting that kind of answer. Against her will, a deep blush started to form on her cheeks, one similar to Luigi's. She looked away so he doesn't see it.

"Yeah…well, you don't look so bad yourself."

Luigi nodded, pressing his two fingers together. For a while, the two stood there in silence, both trying to get their inner struggles under control. Wendy took a glance at her green crush. His focus was still on the ground. He didn't want to do anything until he could get his heart beat back to normal. Wendy silently watched him. Of course she wouldn't admit it out loud, but the green plumber did look handsome tonight with his black suit and neatly combed hair.

She shook her head to rid the slight blush and grabbed the plumber's hand. Luigi jumped at the suspected grab and look up to see Wendy partly dragging him back to town.

"We're not going to stand there all night, are we?" she said. "Come on, we have a party to get to."

"Oh right,"

Luigi followed behind her, a blush still present on his face. It grew slightly at the fact that Wendy was holding his hand. He bows his head down and closes his eyes as he let Wendy lead the way.

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The night was peacefully quiet, expect for the music bumping from inside the castle. It was late and no one was standing outside when Luigi and Wendy appeared at the castle front door.

Wendy was still leading the way. Luigi did nothing as he allowed her to drag him along. Upon reaching the castle door, he remembered what he got from the store earlier and forced her to stop.

"W-Wait,"

Wendy paused in front of the entrance. She turned to Luigi with a raised brow and hands on hips. "What is it?"

Luigi stood there nervously, fiddling around in his spot. He took a deep sigh to calm his nerves. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gift box.

"Here…"

Wendy was surprise that he actually got her something. She took and opened it slowly. She gasped in surprise when she saw what it was.

"Luigi, it's…it's…"

Luigi cast his head down, the blush from before returning to him. He knew what if was; after all, he bought it. Inside the gift box was a brand new beaded red necklace. (2)

"I notice you still didn't have a necklace yesterday, so I thought I get you a new one." He looks up at her. "I hope you like it, I saw it at the store today and I thought of you."

Wendy blushed when he said that. No one other than her father had bought her jewelry before. The sensation in her heart flickered pleasantly as she smiled warmly at him.

"It's beautiful, Luigi; thank you so much."

Luigi nodded, "H-Here, I'll put it on for you."

Wendy nodded. She turned and allowed the green man to place it around her neck. Once it was on, she twirled around in her spot in an attempt to display her new jewelry.

"So, how does it look?"

Luigi smiled, "Perfect."

Wendy blush as her heart skips a beat. "Well then, we better get in there, shall we?"

Luigi nodded. "Yes, we should."

He offered his arm to her and she took it quite fondly. Now hand in hand, the two walked inside the castle, unaware what the night will lead them.

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Ending Note:

(1) - Wendy's human form is the same as the show. The only thing that's different is her hair color. I don't know what crayon they use to color her hair but to me it looked like a very light orange color. Plus red hair looks good with that green dress she was wearing.

(2) - In case you haven't notice, Wendy had yet to get a new necklace until now. The thought of having Luigi be the one to buy her a new one seems pretty romantic in my head.

Next chapter is also a favorite chapter for obvious reasons.

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Review :)