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No Author's Note Today:

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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.

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Chapter 35:
Getting Involve

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By the next day, Bowser had already come up with a new plan to capture Princess Peach and everyone was called in to converse on it in the Conference Hall. Throughout the meeting, Wendy had a happy smile on her face and the noticeable hickey mark on her neck told everyone why. There were a few snickers around the discussion table but no one said a word. The only thing Bowser did was shot a quick glance at Luigi who just smile apologetically.

More than a few times, the human-turned-koopa had engaged in a glaring contest with his new-found rival – who unfortunately was sitting across from him. After their little 'talk' in the hall yesterday, he had gotten rather protective and possessive over Wendy, hence the mark. In fact, if he hadn't promise Bowser earlier he might have reconsider Wendy's offer the other night – key word, might.

Besides Bowser Junior, everyone knew what was going on between them and did nothing to intervene. This was a competition between two rival males; the winner will get the female.

After the meeting everyone was free to do as they want. Wendy gave Luigi a tour around the castle so he'll know his way around better. The green plumber may have travel through it while on a mission to save the princess, but he had never had the chance to walk around fully.

They explored the drawing room, the ballroom, and the storage room before pausing in the music room. From there, they saw Ludwig playing the violin as another Koopa sings to the song he was playing.

The Koopa that was singing was Ludwig's girlfriend, Kanary. The two of them have been dating for over two years now. She was one of their species with similar feminine appearance to Wendy. She had tan, yellow skin complexion like the rest of them with her head also being this color. She was a head taller than Wendy, with blond hair tied in a high pony tail. Her face was feline-shaped with hazel eyes, a flat nose and slightly curved red lips. She was wearing small silver bracelets around her wrists and a silver necklace around her neck.

Luigi and Wendy stood in the sidelines until the older couple was done with their current song. Once they were, Luigi encourage both Wendy and Kanary to sing a duet. They agreed and together they sang the song 'That Boy Is Mine'. After a few more songs, Luigi and Wendy bide them a temporary farewell as they move on with the tour.

They pass by the library and the garage before stopping in the sports room. The sports room was a very large room designed for indoor sports such as tennis and track. Larry was there when they entered. Upon seeing them, the youngest Koopaling challenged Luigi to a round of tennis, thinking it was going to be a quick and easy match.

Unbeknownst to him, Luigi was quite good with tennis. In fact, he was probably better than his brother. Their quick round turned into an all-out match with Wendy acting as a cheerleader. In the end, their match ended with a tie and the two shared a friendly hand-shake.

After the tennis match, Luigi and Wendy headed down the kitchen for lunch. Instead of having the minions do it, Luigi made lunch for the both of them as well as a fresh patch of chocolate chip cookies. The fresh smell of baked goods caught the nose of a certain young heir who just loves to steal cookies from others. But before Junior could snag even one, he was caught red-handed by Luigi.

Now being the nice guy that he was, Luigi offered to give him some in exchange for one small thing; an apology to Wendy for breaking her original necklace. At first, Junior refused. But after tempting him with his cookies, which he might add were double chocolate chips, he agreed and apologized slightly meaningful to Wendy.

After lunch, they resume with the tour. They ended up in the laboratory where Iggy and his pet Chain Chomp, Chomper, usually hang around. The glasses wearing Koopa invited them in so he could show off his inventions. Wendy showed little interested but Luigi was intrigued which made the tallest Koopaling giddy. Luigi also got along with Chomper who was actually very nice and quite playful.

About an hour or two later, they left and continue on exploring. They pass through the small court yard before finding their way to the recreation room where Lemmy and Morton were playing games. The recreation room was the perfect game room; it had table games, arcade games, food and drink machines, and a flat screen TV to play video games on. Connected to the recreation room was the theater room where everyone could watch movies in.

For the next few hours, that's where they remain. They had all the classics; Street Warriors, Mortal Konflict, Shroom Man, Space Wars, Monkey Kong, Yoshi Bros…all the old games Luigi grew up with as a child. Luigi and Wendy team up against Morton and Lemmy in the four player games. Even though they lose a few times, they still had fun which was what matters the most.

After dinner, they finish up with the rest of the tour with the indoor pool room, Kamek's personal lab/office, the weapons room (which he will steer clear of), Bowser's master bedroom (which he will definitely steer clear of), and the training arena behind the gym.

'And here I thought the Mushroom Castle was big,' Luigi had thought at the end of his tour.

It was true Princess Peach's castle grounds were large, but most of that space was taken up by the private golf course in the back. Bowser doesn't have a golf course on the count that his castle is surrounded by molten hot lava. But if you were to just compare the internal layouts of the two castles alone, he is sorry to say that Castle Koopa wins it hands down.

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By the following morning, Bowser's plan was put into play. Everyone had woken up early and had some of Luigi's yummy pancakes before they could depart from the castle. Standing by the door, Luigi was bidding his girlfriend a temporary farewell as she leaves with her father and her brothers.

"Be careful," He said to her. "Mario's jump can be pretty powerful."

"Don't worry about me," She said "I can hold my own against him."

Luigi nodded and place a small kiss on her cheek. "I'll see you soon."

Wendy smiled and turned to exit the castle. Luigi watch her go until he heard someone calling him.

"Hey 'Nova, come here fo' a sec,"

Luigi turned around to see Roy leaning against the side wall. "Okay, what is it, Roy?"

"Mind if I ask ya somethin'?"

Luigi shock his head. "Not at all,"

"Well, it's a bit private,"

"Oh," Luigi looked around, making sure they are out of hearing range. "Don't worry, no one can hear us. What did you wanted to ask me?"

Roy nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Well, there's dis girl..."

"Ooh, so you do have a girlfriend..."

Luigi smirked playfully. Out of all eight of Wendy's brothers, it was Roy he got along with the most. The two would spend a few hours of the day working out in the gym. Not only does it help form a friendly bond between the two of them but it also help increase Luigi's physical strength.

"No, I don't!" He yelped. Realizing he was too loud, he sighs deeply. "Okay look, dis is about girl. We're not datin' or anythin', but we sort o' been hangin' out a lot. Now, I'm not goin' ta lie, I do kind o' like her. She's tough, broad, feisty; heck, she even got dat guts ta stand against me."

"Sound like she's just your type, so what's the problem?"

Roy sighs. "The problem is…she isn't exactly like you and me?"

Luigi frowned. "What do you mean?"

"What are you dense?" Roy said frustrated. "I mean, she isn't a koopa."

"Oh…" He said softly.

Roy scoffed. "Oh? What you do mean 'oh'? Don't you get it? I'm sneakin' around wit' some girl dat's isn't in an alliance wit' us... If King Dad finds out 'bout dis, I'll be in trouble fo' sure."

"Calm down, Roy, I think you're overreacting." Luigi smiled. "Tell me, do you like her?"

"Ah uh'" Roy answered blankly.

"And does she like you?" Luigi continues.

"Yea', she said it herself."

"Okay, you care about her, right?"

"I guess…"

"And would like to continue 'hanging', correct?"

"Sure…"

"Then you should be with her, regardless of her race."

"But how could that possible work?" Roy asked. "I can see jus' how much o' a disaster it is jus' by thinkin' about it."

"You'll never truly know until you try. And besides love always find a way to work things."

Roy raised a brow. "...Uh, love?"

"Okay, maybe love isn't really the issue, but my case still stands."

"Hmm, you almost sound like yer speaking from experience."

"That's because I am."

Luigi pat him on the shoulder before turning to leave. Roy watched him go, thinking about the advice given to him. He shook his head and headed outside the door to join the others.

~XXX~

With Bowser, Wendy, and the others' gone, Luigi was left by himself, to roam the castle as he please. Unfortunately, he had the unpleasant chance of running into Kalvin again. But before anything could get started, Kammy appeared to break up the tension and was happy to have Luigi accompany her with a nice walk around the castle.

As they walked, the two engage in some light conversion. The female magikoopa was very fond of him since the beginning. She often comments on how charming he was, and what a lovely couple he and Wendy make. She also talked about how adorable their children will be which just leaves him blushing. They end their walk in the main hall, where Kalvin was causally leaning against the wall. Luigi's green head was almost red from all the embarrassing 'baby' talks he and Kammy shared.

"Thank you for attending me on our walk, Kasanova," said Kammy. "It's nice to see a delightful koopa like you spare some time with us older folks."

"You're welcome, Miss Kammy; my talk with you has been...interesting."

Luigi flush slightly while Kalvin just scoffs. Suddenly, the front door opened. Bowser came in with his Elite Trio carrying his unwilling but regular prisoner in a cage.

"Let go of me, Bowser!" said Princess Peach.

"I don't think so Princess." smirk Bowser. "You're mine now and so is the rest of your kingdom."

"You will never win. Mario will come. He always does."

"That's what I'm counting on."

"Excuse me, Lord Bowser," said Kalvin suddenly. "It's obvious to see you got your hands tied for the moment so why don't you allow me to handle the princess while you prepare the castle for that troublesome plumber?"

"Hmm," Bowser places a hand on his chin in thought. "Well, I could use an extra set of hands around here... Alright, Kalvin I'll let you take care of her. Make sure she doesn't escape, she could be a little tricky."

Kalvin bows to him. "Thank you, my lord." He turns to the Elite Trio. "You three, carry the princess to his majesty's throne."

The Elite Trio – Private Goomp, Sergeant Guy, and Corporal Paraplunk – nodded and began carrying the Princess to the throne room. Luigi step aside as he let them through. As they pass by, Kalvin shot Luigi a smug look as he follows behind them. Luigi grunt but didn't do anything as he watch the black koopa walked down the hall with the princess in tow.

"You know," said Kammy, regaining his attention. "If you really want to out stage him, I'll suggest you do something different."

"What do you mean?"

"Think outside of the box; do something no rookie has ever done before. That should get Bowser's attention."

Luigi place a hand on his chin in thought. He had to think outside of the box. Not only does he have to help save the princess, but he also had to look in Bowser's eyes while doing it. He smiled,

"You know what, Kammy; you just gave me an idea"

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Ending Note:

Two more chapters before we'll be moving on from the Darklands.

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Please... Review :)