Chapter 7

If his ankle didn't ache, Luigi would probably be pacing around the room. He had a much nicer room than before, though it doesn't get much worse than a prison cell. The room was always lit up, thanks to the window flooding in the light from the lava outside. It was hot, but the robes Luigi wore definitely helped ease the hot suffering. It almost feels like they were made for him. They were made to help ease him, at least. But sitting in the room was boring. He tidied up his location, and put his iconic L shaped hat on his head. Luigi reached for his wooden crutch, and angled it just right to propel him off the bed. A quick hop later and he was getting ready to move. Something Luigi despised about this crutch– the noise! Sneaking around the castle was a nightmare. Luckily for him, most of the guards watching over his door could sleep through a volcano. And Luigi reasons that they probably have. He continued to awkwardly shuffle throughout the hallway, glancing at all the shut doors. One door caught his eye, and his ears. A slightly skewed door allowed copious amounts of light to bleed into the hallways. Bowser's recognizably loud voice echoed throughout the small opening of the door, and Luigi couldn't fight his nosiness. He awkwardly pushed himself against the wall and leaned his ear in.

"And you know I don't care for things like that," Bowser groaned. "But I don't know what else it could be."

"Oh, your majesty," Kamek sighed. "You know your emotions will be the better of you."

"They already have been!" An unfamiliar woman's voice piped up. "And gosh I am not letting another Koopa fall to the damn heart."

Luigi couldn't quite figure out who the woman was, but he absolutely could recognize Kamek. That quiet yet bitter voice was all too familiar with him.

"Quiet," Bowser snarled. "I know what this means. I know where this got me prior."

"Then why are you insisting you care for the human? He cares not for you. He is scared of you."

The human? Luigi thought. Are they supposed to be talking about me?

"Maybe he is scared of you, Lord Bowser," Kamek laughed. "It is better to be feared than loved!"

"Is it?" Bowser scoffed. "Because it feels like it really doesn't."

"Its because your heart is interfering," the woman continued. "And you need to silence that wretched thing."

"I guess."

"Lord Bowser, think about what happened with the other human."

"I remember what happened with the other human," Bowser growled. "And we don't discuss it anymore."

"It was what you had to do," the woman nonchalantly shoved off. "And you're a better koopa for it."

Another human? Luigi couldn't believe his ears. There was another human, and he had no clue about it? What on Earth were they talking about? He can't remember seeing another human, and nobody ever mentioned one to him. He looked down at his robes and his eyes widened. Was he wearing the clothes of a deceased man? The fear boiled in his chest. He knew he wouldn't rip it off, he would probably sweat to death. But it felt a little more constricting than before. His mind continued to wander, but he wouldn't be able to listen in much longer.

"Spying on dad too, huh?"

The voice jolted Luigi out of his skin, a loud yelp escaping his lips. He hurriedly stabled himself with his crutch and stared at the source. He was greeted with what looked like an extremely smaller version of Bowser. This creature was under Luigi's height, but looked exactly like the king himself. Luigi stared, completely in shock.

"Uh, no," Luigi stammered. The creature grinned.

"Yeah, then what are you doing here?"

"Trying to find a bathroom," Luigi blurted. The being laughed.

"You missed it four doors ago."

"Did I? They all look the same," Luigi awkwardly giggled. "Okay, well, you and I should go our separate ways, right?"

"Actually, I'm right where I need to be."

Luigi stared at him stupidly, before the light emanating from the door grew. He quickly spun around, greeted by Bowser, Kamek, and a creature who looked like Kamek but with purple robes. Luigi and Bowser's eyes met.

"What are you doing here?" Bowser asked. Luigi could feel his knees quaking.

"I… Well, I was just–"

"I'm walking the prisoner around," the small beast declared. "He couldn't find the bathroom four doors down."

Bowser glanced towards him and smirked.

"Say, Junior, wasn't I just teaching you where the new bathrooms were set up?"

"Pssh, no," Junior sneered. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Bowser and him shared another gentle laugh. Luigi was intrigued by the way Bowser handled this weird, miniature version of himself. It almost calmed him down.

"Sire," the woman spoke. "We need to discuss this plan of yours more."

"Right."

Bowser looked down at Luigi and Junior, and proceeded to pick Junior up.

"Luigi, you're coming with me," Bowser declared. "We are going to visit someone."

"We?" Luigi stupidly asked. "Why am I coming?"

"Why are you disobeying your king?" the woman snapped back. Luigi backed down immediately. His king? Pah. As if.

"Quiet, Kammy," Bowser warned. He looked back to Luigi.

"I have a mission for you,"

"Me?" Luigi whined. "I can barely walk."

"Stop whining and listen to your king!" Kammy snapped. She ended it with a muttered, "Makes my life easier when you do."

Luigi narrowed his eyes bitterly.

"I'm willing to make accommodations, you know this," Bowser continued. "But I need your help with something."

"What would that be?" Luigi asked. "Maybe I can prepare for it?"

"I heard the princess has a new ambassador," Bowser declared. "I sort of just need you to be there too. So it looks like I have one as well."

"Oh," Luigi said disappointedly. Though internally, he was kind of grateful.

"Don't look so disappointed. Maybe one day you could be my ambassador."

"Maybe," Luigi shrugged. Internally however, he knew he just wanted to go home.

"What about me, papa?" Junior asked, looking his father snout to snout. Somehow it didn't click to Luigi that this Junior person just called Bowser his dad. Though he shouldn't be surprised, they do look the same after all. Yet despite this hearing "dad" come out of the mouth of a small creature who probably wouldn't survive on their own is still extremely baffling.

"Of course you can come too. Just no fighting. The big event will be happening after."

"The big event?" Luigi inquired. Despite this, he never got a response.

"Get ready green stache," Bowser commanded. "All of you, get ready."

With a nod, people began to scramble off into different directions. Luigi was confused, he was interested in snooping around the castle, and now he was drafted in some sort of "big event."

"I'm sure this won't end well," Luigi said anxiously. "But hey, this may be a good chance to get a look around this old place, right?"

And with the thumping of an awkward crutch, Luigi made his way down the halls, hurriedly rushing past the copious amounts of people rushing the opposite way, and lulling behind to get a glimpse into some of the rooms unfortunate enough to leave their doors open.

—

Kamek quickly shoveled a ton of Koopa soldiers, along with Junior and Luigi, onto the ship. Luigi was astonished, looking at the massive wooden ship. Many Koopas, Goombas, and other monsters were walking around, guarding and talking and acting like they were friendly soldiers. His eyes quickly darted around, since Kamek wouldn't allow him to stay around for too long. Eventually, Kamek got Luigi and Junior to where Bowser was, and he spun around to face them. Junior sprinted towards Bowser, and he was picked up and placed on his shoulder.

"I know Bowser Junior knows why we're here," Bowser began. "But I know I didn't quite tell you, did I?"

Luigi looked up at him.

"Uh, no, you did not."

"I guess I better explain what I'm doing. I'm going to kidnap a princess."

"What?" Luigi gasped. Bowser immediately chuckled.

"I love hearing that reaction. What? Haha."

"That's, well, that's serious," Luigi stammered. Bowser shook his head.

"Sure, yeah. One might even say its bad. What if I told you she was an evil princess?"

"An evil princess?"

"Sure," Bowser continued, settling Junior down. He immediately sprinted off to go chase some Goomba soldier. "She's one cruel girl, that one."

"What'd she do?"

"She did a lot of things," Bowser answered. "She did a lot."

"Sure, but, like, what specifically?"

"She's an inexperienced princess for starters," Bowser explained. "But really, that isn't the biggest issue. The biggest issue is she is withholding land I rightfully won and sacrificed for in the war. Land I need to keep my people fed."

"The war?" Luigi asked. Bowser nodded.

"Yeah, the war. Broke out when the princess was a kid. I was a much more inexperienced Koopa myself."

"Never thought I would hear you say that," Luigi playfully sneered. A quick, threatening wand wave from Kamek shut Luigi up fast.

"And you'll never hear it again," Bowser laughed. "But that's all you need to know. She is a genuine parasite on this planet."

"A parasite?"

"Sure is. Some say she infested a peach fruit in her parasitic form, and killed it just to hatch as a humanoid. I wouldn't trust any poor sap going after her."

"Oh, wow," Luigi gulped. "She really did that?"

"So they say," Kamek interrupted. "But who cares, we aren't here to bash the princess."

"I am," Bowser announced. "She's holding my land that I won fair and square."

"And we will get it," Kamek assured. "After all, I know she isn't doing too hot in the ol' knight protection aspect of her castle."

Bowser nodded in his direction. His eyes trailed to outside the window, and smirked.

"I can see the trees becoming green."

"Means we are almost there," Kamek clarified, glancing to Luigi. "Means you need to get into position."

"Yeah, actually," Luigi trailed off. "What exactly am I supposed to be doing?"

"Actually, I really only need you to stay here until I call you. If I even need to call you."

"Man, I really did get the boring end of the stick, huh?" Luigi chuckled nervously. "Wow, that sucks that I have to stay here and hide."

"Quiet," Kamek hissed. Bowser glared at him.

"Get Luigi out of here," Bowser demanded. The difference in his personality made Luigi tense up a little bit. "Put him in the holding room."

"Yes sir," Kamek confirmed. His sight went to Luigi, and he waved his wand, picking the Italian up with his magic. In a blink of the eye, Luigi was in a brand new location, and Kamek set him and his crutch on a large, yet way too stiff, mattress.

"Stay," Kamek hissed. Luigi nodded nervously, watching him quickly escape from the room, slamming the door behind him. Stay? Was Luigi just brought along to sight-see? Well sights he was going to see, then. He hobbled off the bed and made his way to a window, peeking out of it. The window had no glass backing it, and the air felt a little different here. Maybe he was used to the lava induced stove he was currently residing in, but the air felt much more chilly. And despite this, the robes also seemed to be keeping him warm. A smile leaked from his lips as he waved his arm outside the window. A breeze greeted him, but the robes kept his skin warm. Comfortable, if you will. It was truly a sight to behold. Luigi peeled his arm back in and looked out the window.

I could climb out of this, he thought, sticking his head out the window. His eyes widened. The sights were lovely. He was greeted with a way different view of the world. The grass was perfectly mowed with flowers blooming from it (and there was even grass to begin with!). There were beautiful, pink, sakura looking flowers, and some sort of moving spotted mushrooms on the ground. He got lost in the beauty of it all. However, through the whirring on the flying machine's fans came a distinct voice.

"Princess! Its been awhile."

Princess? Oh Luigi had to see this. He took one glance behind him before adjusting his hat and slipping through the window. He skidded towards the bottom on the heels of his feet, using his crutch to awkwardly and clumsily land on some of the wooden bars fencing the people in.

"This your new bodyguard?"

Luigi glanced his head up, seeing a distant view a large, gray, castle. He wasn't kidding about the whole princess thing. But her castle looked a lot nicer. He began trying to stablize himself and swing back into the ship. He put his back against the wood, trying to listen in on the conversation.

"Well, he's certainly full of spunk. But he's sort of lacking in the height department."

Luigi leaned his ear closer. Who are they talking about? He could feel his curiosity consuming him.

"You should know better than most height doesn't determine someone's strength."

That must be the princess, Luigi thought. She sounds lovely.

"He's a weird one, isn't he? What's the M stand for on his head, huh? Meddler? Mushroom Muncher?"

The M on his head? Luigi gasped. There's no way…

"It stands for Mario, actually. And you'd so best to remember the name!"

Luigi choked. His brain immediately auto fired. Mario? Was he hearing that right? It didn't matter if he heard it right or not, his legs took hold and he immediately began rushing towards the source of the noise. He can't even remember if Bowser's minions saw him. His ankle throbbed but he didn't care. He limp-ran until he was in sight of the group, and he waved his arms out.

"Mario!"

Everyone looked towards him. A familiar voice echoed his name back, like a parrot.

"Luigi?"

Everyone gasped.

"Luigi!?"

Luigi waved his arms out like he was drowning.

"Mario! Mario!" he cried. Mario was completely in shock to see him. Especially with how seemingly happy he was. Mario slowly lowered his mask, and his brother's eyes lighting up made his heart flutter with excitement. He then tried to take a step towards him, but Bowser immediately cut him off.

"No way, mushroom scum," Bowser hissed. "You are not taking one more step to this ship."

It took Luigi a second to realize what he was doing.

"Bowser wait! That's my brother!" Luigi shrieked, trying to get his voice heard over the propellers. "Brother!"

Peach couldn't believe her eyes either. She went from disbelief to complete anger.

"I see you still think it okay to kidnap humans," Peach hissed, venom seeping from her lips. Mario hadn't seen this side of her before.

"I did not kidnap him," Bowser snarled. "He came to me through his own volition."

Luigi would have other words to say about that. But that didn't matter.

"I highly doubt it," Peach continued. "You love your power. And you love executing your power."

"And you're one to talk?" Bowser shot back. "I bet you made him your slave, you righteous acting little brat."

"Little brat? You mean Junior?"

Mario continued to glance between them as they hurled their insults. His eyes always trailed back to his brother, right there, right in his grasp. But what was he supposed to do? Luigi kept waving his hands, but Mario could barely hear him over the propeller.

"Mario," Peach spoke. Mario quickly spun his head around.

"I'm not waiting for Toadsworth this time. Bowser, give us Luigi and leave."

"Why would I do that?" Bowser asked. It almost sounded earnest.

"Because that is Mario's brother."

"Yeah, and I guess that's Luigi's brother too," Bowser continued. "But I don't see you giving up your toy."

"Toy?" Peach gasped, agape. "How could you call my knight in training that?"

"You mushroom people are parasites. Soon you'll infest your way in his ear and kill him from the inside out!"

"What?" Luigi and Mario both gasped, glancing over. Mario could almost see the steam exit Peach's ears.

"And what about you?" she snapped. "You eat humans for fun! You murdered and ate the last human for fun. Or did you forget that part?"

Another "What?" escaped Mario and Luigi's lips, this time their eyes landing on him. Fear overtook the both of them as they saw the fire billow against his snout.

"I could kill you for bringing that up!" Bowser howled, a blast of fire being thrown right at them. Peach grabbed Mario and held him close, and Mario assumed that was it for him.

"Bowser!" Luigi shrieked, taking his crutch and rushing down the ladder. When the flames settled, Mario and Peach was shocked to see Toadsworth, wielding a giant shield, in front of them.

"Not another breath," Toadsworth sternly stated. Peach couldn't of been more happy to see him.

"Shut up you blind imbecile!" Bowser growled. "No one cares about old news."

"Then what are you doing here?" Peach snapped back.

Bowser could feel the anger bubbling inside of him. Mario didn't care about their bickering anymore. He only cared about one thing. He saw his brother awkwardly dangling from the ladder.

"Salto!" Mario cried. His brother recognized it immediately, but everyone else looked at Mario curiously.

"Salto?" Luigi cried back. "No!"

"Basta saltare!" Mario screamed back.

Luigi looked at Mario with worried eyes, and nodded. Bowser finally realized what he was going to do.

"Kamek!" he shouted. Kamek emerged from the doorways and made his way to the fencing. Luigi untangled his awkward foot from the ladder and leaped. The breeze felt good on his face, but there was no way he was going to open his eyes. With a sudden jerk and the air failing to follow, Luigi peeked his eyes open to see he was hovering in midair. Mario and Peach gasped.

"Let him go!" Peach screamed. "You animal!"

"I'm the animal?" Bowser hissed, smoke escaping his snout. "I'm sure you'll say that to anyone other than your race, princess."

"We aren't discussing races. You're holding a man hostage."

"And you're not?" Bowser snapped back.

Mario's eyes kept on Luigi's, who was panicking in spot. Mario could hear the Italian blubber escaping his lips, please let me go, please let me go. It felt like Mario's heart was getting crushed all over again. And suddenly, it was over.

"I'm coming back for you, princess. You will give me that land."

"Over your dead body," Peach hissed back.

And almost in silence, Mario, Peach, and Toadsworth watched as Bowser fled the scene, his ship taking all the destruction with him. Mario heard one last shout from his brother before they basically vanished into thin air. Mario felt his stomach crumble, from despair or anger, he couldn't tell. All he knew is that his world felt like it was shattered. He fell to his knees, and he felt Peach and Toadsworth saunter nearby, Peach gently placing her hand on his shoulder.

"That brute," Peach hissed under her breath. Toadsworth nodded bitterly. Mario finally opened his eyes, shocked when a familiar green cap daintily placed itself right in front of his hands. He felt another tear begin to well up in his eyes.

"It must of fell off him when he jumped," Peach noted.

"Or when Bowser whipped him back," Toadsworth grumbled.

Mario stared at it. What else was he able to do? Shifting onto his calves, he held the hat to his face. That was Luigi's. He could see the awkward stitching. He trailed his pointer finger across the seams. The threads looked like they were about to come loose.

"Don't worry, Mario," Peach softly sighed. "We will get him back. I promise."

"Alive," Mario blurted out. At least he's alive.