Part I

They're fools.

The three of them. Complete and udder fools.

Did they honestly think they could get away with this? Sneaking around. Gathering research. Making plans to betray their king. And what for? A snot nosed brat, that once use to be the sidekick of superstar Mario. King Boo was disappointed, really. He thought his ghostly pals were brighter than this. More intelligent, honestly. How could they possible expect to get far without King Boo finding out? He's always been there, sneaking, lurking...listening. There's nothing that the ghostly king does not know when it comes to his mansion. Especially now that there's little, human feet running up and down the mansion's hallways.

After accidentally turning the youngest of the Mario brothers back into a clueless 12 year old, King Boo has entrusted one of his royal subjects to watch over the little nuisance until he figured out a plan to turn him back, and then have him mounted on his wall, right next to his older, red clad brother. However, he's attempts were all in vain, as he just couldn't figure out how to turn the green hero back, heck he didn't even know he turned him into a child in the first place. Now finding out his supposed friend was planning on betraying him, planning on rescuing Mario and releasing him from his painted prison, King Boo could easily feel the frustration and anger build and bubble from inside of him. Whirlinda was suppose to be torturing the young boy. Punishing him. Releasing all of his pent up anger on the young hero. Considering Luigi was the reason Whirlinda had lost his wife to that bloody painting, forever this time. The boy was suppose to be scared – no – petrified of the ghost who was temporally watching him.

It never happened.

Perhaps in the beginning.

Now? No.

As a matter of fact; King Boo swore the child was – dared he say- trusting of Mr. Whirlinda. He can clearly see the two's relationship building with each and every passing night that the boy stays. Even Whirlina seems fond of young Luigi, considering all things. The king of the ghosts just about gags when he sees his friend coo and coddle at the young man, drying his tears when he gets scared by his own shadow, making sure he get a well balanced meal – three times a day; even playing with him out in the fenced in yard with the ghostly dog, Spooky. It's almost like Whirlinda has adopted him as his own son. Ugh. Just the thought alone makes King Boo want to burn out his beady eyes. Not standing the betrayal anymore, Boo had all intentions on separating the two, planning on Biff Atlas or Nana the scarf knitting granny to take over Whirlinda's responsibilities, at least they'd be giving the little brat some well deserved torture. However, before Boo could demand the changes, he caught an act that intrigued him immensely.

Lurking about the dark hallways on the first floor of the mansion, King Boo could hear the sounds of pitiful cries coming from inside the ballroom. Obviously coming from the young Luigi. Though he was more than likely crying about being scared of one of the ghost mice that crawl about the floors and walls, the sound of the sobbing child was like music to King Boo's non existent ears; but the next sound was something the king was unfamiliar with – the sound of smacking. Okay, now he was invested. Turning into his transparent form, King Boo floated through the ballroom's closed doors and coming face to face with a scene that brought a giant smile to his ghostly face. There, in the middle of the dance floor, was Mr. Whirlinda, sitting upon a velvety chair, with young Luigi draped over his filmy lap. The boy wailed hysterically as his guardian lifted up his left hand and brought it down upon the lad's uncovered bottom, causing the skin to burn and present the color of red.

"Ow!" Luigi howled. "I-I'm s-sorry! So sorry!"

"You know better, young hero." Whirlinda scowled, bringing his hand back down with another stinging swat. "You know you are not suppose to be sneaking outside. Especially in the front yard and by yourself."Another smack landed down. Hard.

"Ah! I'm sorry! J-Just w-wanted..." the distressed boy hiccuped. "J-Just wanted f-fresh air!"

"Then what do you do when you want to go outside?" The ghost waited about a minute for an answer, when he didn't get one right away, he continued his assault on the young man. "Luigi!" Whirlinda warned.

"Ouch! Find you! Find you!" Luigi sobbed, his little legs kicking rapidly.

"That's right." Whirlinda sighed. "What would have happened if someone other than Miss Clairvoya found you sneaking around? What if King Boo caught you? What if he thought you were trying to escape again? We both would be in a huge amount of trouble!"

"Sorry! Sorry! Won't do it 'gain! No more!"

It took everything in King Boo not to burst out in hysterical laughter. Whirlinda was holding back on him, actually causing the young one a great deal of pain, and for once not actually gooing and gahing at the brat. Though Boo himself would have picked a harsher punishment, though he did instruct child sized discipline when Luigi was placed with Whirlinda. Each to their own he guessed. Lost in his own thoughts, King Boo failed to notice that the hysteric wailing had calmed down to nothing more than soft sniffles and hiccups. Raising a brow, Boo brought his attention back to the two, noticing that the punishment had come to a halt, and now Whirlinda had the child setting up in his lap instead of over it like before. Luigi's pants were now corrected as he was brought into a tight embrace, his face hiding in the crook of the ghost's neck, letting out pitiful whines and whimpers. And what did Whirlinda do? Why he was back to his foolish self, of course! He gave in to those teary, blue eyes, and quivering bottom lip. So there he was, rocking and comforting the enemy, whispering soft praises into his ear and shushing anymore sad whimpers that pushed past the boy's trembling lips.

Unbelievable.

Whirlinda was becoming soft. His motivation to act upon revenge was no longer there, it was replaced by compassion and an parental aura that made the king sick. This is not what he wanted! He wanted the brothers to suffer! He wanted to win! Not give Luigi a new parent to protect and coddle him! This all seemed like a dream come true for the green hero, all he needed now was his brother, and then their happy little family would be complete. Boo rolled his beady eyes. Not that Mario would want that anyway. The man was very prideful as well as independent; he was not one to be held and to be cuddled like his little brother. He laughed at the thought. Seeing Mario laying over one of his ghost's lap, receiving a sound thrashing and then being brought up for a comforting hug. Why that would be punishment enough for – wait a minute.

That's it.

A hug, evil smile formed on the kings face as he quickly floated back down to the basement, where his quarters were located. He just thought of a perfect plan. A plan that was going to effect everyone.

Luigi.

Mr. Whirlinda.

And more importantly – Mario.

This was going to be good. For King Boo that is.