A/N: Hey, guys! In the last chapter, an Easter special, Peach went to Yoshi's Island with the Toads to organize an Easter party after an unexpected event at the castle, and Mario and Luigi went to help them. Kamek caused a lot of trouble for them, and even injured Poochy, Yoshi's dog friend, but the problem was solved! The third installment in this one-shot series is for the 15th anniversary of Mario Kart Wii and was requested by breath20k. Before we begin, I remind you that the timing issue was difficult, as last week I released the Easter special, and the anniversary of Mario Kart Wii was one day after Easter. For this reason, the chapter came out a week later than the anniversary date. End of premise, let's start.

Chapter 3: Coin Runners at Funky Stadium

It was a Tuesday afternoon in the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi had gone to check their mail when they saw a particular letter.

''Hey, it's a letter from Diddy!'' exclaimed Mario, opening the letter.

Louis took the letter and began to read it. ''Let's see...''

''Mario, Luigi, are you there? My uncle DK informed me that Funky is planning an event this afternoon. Meet us at Funky Stadium.

-Diddy Kong''

''Funky Stadium, huh?(1) This sounds interesting.'' said Luigi when he finished reading.

Mario and Luigi went to their garage and took their bikes. ''Hey, Luigi! Last one is a rotten mushroom!'' Mario jokingly said, taking off at high speed.

''Hey, wait for me, Mario!'' exclaimed Luigi, caught off guard.

The two brothers raced around Toad Town to the stadium, jumping on houses' rooftops and dashing on the grass.

''Have you ever wondered why Funky is rarely here with us?'' asked Luigi, when he caught up to his brother.

''Good question. According to Donkey Kong, he doesn't like traveling too far from the island where the Kongs live. Even Dixie, Diddy's girlfriend, competes with us more often.'' Mario replied. ''Come on, I think I know what we're going to do!''

Within ten minutes, they reached the stadium, and some of their friends, including Donkey Kong, his nephew Diddy, and Funky himself were waiting for them. The Funky Stadium was filled with ramps, including half-pipes and large ramps at the corners where the competitors started.

(''There you are! We were waiting for you!'') said Diddy.

''It's about time! Lakitu and I have been planning this event for quite a while, only you were left!'' said Funky. The tone of his voice indicated that he was looking forward to starting this event.

''What is it about?'' asked Mario.

(''A challenge of Coin Runners in the stadium. I see that you also have your bikes with you.(2)'') replied Donkey Kong.

''Listen, Funky, why are you so rarely with us? And when was this stadium built?'' asked Luigi.

''Ah, I see. I had this stadium built fifteen years ago. If I don't go to the Mushroom Kingdom much, it's because I don't like it in places too far from the island, and I'm not one to go on an adventure.'' explained Funky.

(''You could do that more often, you know.'') said Donkey Kong.

''Listen, dude, I'm not like you, OK?'' said Funky. ''Anyway, I'll take care of the commentary.''

''Let's get ready, Luigi.'' Mario said to Luigi.

Inside Funky Stadium, Mario and Luigi were positioned in opposite corners, and Lakitu, who was the referee in sports competitions, including kart racing, was at the center. The corners featured large jumping ramps, and there were several half-pipe ramps scattered around the stadium, a perfect place for skateboarding or motorcycle competitions.

''Here we are, folks! Here is your commentator, Funky Kong! Today's competition is Coin Runners. Here are our competitors: Mario and Luigi!'' Funky began, and the audience cheered for both, even if it seemed that for Mario the exultation was stronger.

''Hey, Luigi, prepare to lose!'' said Mario in a taunting tone.

''We'll see, Mario! Get ready!'' replied Luigi.

''Remember, you'll have three minutes.'' said Funky.

(''Course Intro (Battle)- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

Mario and Luigi started the engines of their bikes and prepared for the start.

''3...''

''2...''

''1...''

''GO!''

(''Funky Stadium- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

Both bikes sped down the ramps and then jumped, with the brothers overtaking each other halfway through the jump.

''YAHOOOO!''

''They're off! Let's start the show!'' Funky announced.

Through his video camera, Lakitu recorded everything, and the big screen kept an eye on the position of Mario and Luigi, also counting the coins in their possession. Under the rules of Coin Runners, anyone hit by an item lost half of the coins they had.

The first thirty seconds had a fairly limited use of objects, as Mario and Luigi focused more on cutting each other off in an attempt to prevent the other from getting the coins, and the bumped into each other a couple of times. Mario had ten coins, while Luigi had eight.

Luigi took three more coins, but was hit by a Green Shell and lost six of his eleven coins. He managed to avoid falling from the ramp he was standing on, but he could not recover one of the coins he had lost in time.

''Excuse me! Coming through!'' said Mario.

''Oh yeah? Take this!'' replied Luigi, throwing him two Green Shells. The first one missed him, but the second one hit him and caused him to lose five coins. They hit each other a couple more times, and with two minutes to go, Mario had twelve coins, while Luigi had eleven.

''OK, folks, they look like they're on par! None of them are going to give in!'' said Funky.

Luigi threw a Red Shell, but Mario made a tight turn that caused the shell to crash against the ramp, then took a banana peel and threw it forward. He then avoided the explosion of a Bob-omb, and when he took the half-pipe, he raised his legs and jumped, dodging an approaching Green Shell. The public cheered loudly.

''WOW! What a radical dodge!'' shouted Funky, excited.

''Great! Way to go, Mario!'' Peach cried out, just as excited.

''Yes, not bad. Nice trick.'' said Daisy.

''So cool! I would like to do something like that!'' exclaimed Toad.

A minute and a half was left. Lugi was now ahead with fifteen coins, while Mario had thirteen.

''OK, half time! Luigi has a slight advantage, but let's see what happens!'' said Funky.

Thanks to a Boomerang Flower, Mario took five coins from a distance and destroyed a Red Shell.

''I'll get ya!'' shouted Luigi, successfully hitting Mario by throwing a banana at him, causing him to lose nine coins.

''Okay, this is serious now!'' said Mario in response, throwing a Bob-omb. Luigi reached the half-pipe ramp, and when the Bob-omb approached, he jumped off the bike, avoiding the explosion, much to everyone's shock. When he got back on the bike and posed, he received a burst of speed.

''WHAT THE HECK DID HE JUST DO?!'' screamed Funky. ''Replay! Show the replay!'' He was clearly hyperventilating, and Daisy got a little too excited. The big screen showed the replay of Luigi's dodge and what was happening was briefly overshadowed. Everyone in the audience was amazed and cheered louder than when they had cheered during Mario's dodge.

''Nice dodge!'' commented Peach.

(''Pretty cool, uh?'') said Diddy Kong.

''That was epic!'' said Toad.

Mario was a little irritated, but continued to search for objects and found a Fire Flower, firing three fireballs that Luigi was barely able to dodge. Only a minute was left on the timer. He now had twenty-seven coins, while Luigi had twenty-six.

(''Funky Stadium- Mario Kart Wii OST-s'')

''One minute to the end! There's not much time left!'' said Funky.

(''Funky Stadium (Fast)- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

The competition between the two bros became more heated. Mario threw a Bob-omb that exploded in Luigi's face, causing him to lose thirteen coins and almost causing him to fall off the bike. ''SORRY!'' he shouted loudly, trying and failing to hold back laughter.

''OK, now you'll pay for it!'' snapped Luigi. In revenge, he used a Blooper, which sprayed ink on Mario and blinded him.

''Hey, I can't see a thing!'' exclaimed Mario, trying to get the ink out of his face. He was so caught up in this that he paid no attention to the track and slipped on a banana peel, losing fourteen coins. ''Oh, no! I didn't see that!''

The throwing of objects became more frantic as the brothers tried to find the scattered coins. Thirty seconds later, Mario had twenty-three coins and Luigi had twenty-five.

''30 seconds left!'' said Funky.

Mario and Luigi dashed in the same direction in an attempt to get a row of coins, bumping into each other and pushing each other with one arm in an attempt to push the other away. During one of these collisions, Mario was making a wheelie, so he lost almost all his speed and had to take another way.

''20 seconds left!'' said Lakitu out loud.

Both brothers threw themselves at a green shell, but blocked them with their banana peels. Mario had thirty-two coins, while Luigi had thirty-three.

''Only 15 seconds left!'' shouted Funky. ''All together now!''

Mario and Luigi both prepared a Bob-omb while trying to grab nearby coins. Funky, Lakitu and the audience were counting down.

''10!''

''9!''

''8!''

''7!''

''6!''

''5!''

''4!''

''3!

''2!''

''1!''

''TIME!''

(''Funky Stadium (Fast)- Mario Kart Wii OST-s'')

Mario and Luigi had managed to dodge their respective Bob-omb with a skillful drift, but when five seconds were left on the clock, they had collided in the opposite direction in an attempt to get a row of coins after they both did a stunt on the half-pipe ramps, and the impact was so strong that it caused them to fall off their respective bikes. Luigi was in the middle of a wheelie, so he was thrown away with greater force and hit his head against the ramp behind him. Time ran out before they could even get back on their bikes.

Now that time was up, the stadium seemed relatively quiet.

''Who won?'' asked Peach.

''Are you hurt, Luigi?'' asked Mario, a little worried.

''I'm fine. I would worry about you.'' replied Luigi.

''It's nothing. I just fell off.'' said Mario. ''I wonder who is the winner among us, though.''

''OK, time is up!'' said Funky. ''The winner is...''

(''Battle Finish (Draw)- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

The big screen showed the coins that Mario and Luigi had in their possession. To everyone's surprise, they had the same amount of coins: thirty-five coins each.

''I DON'T BELIEVE IT! IT'S A DRAW!'' screamed Funky. The audience was going wild.

(''Battle Results- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

''Well, I'm surprised.'' commented Mario.

''Seems right to me.'' said Peach. ''They were on par throughout the competition, no one ever dominated the other.''

''You did good, Mario.'' said Luigi.

''Thanks. You did good too.'' replied Mario, and he shook his brother's hand.

Seeing the two brothers exchange this gesture of fair play, the audience applauded.

(''They're great, huh?'') asked Diddy.

(''I agree, little buddy. You know, Diddy, I'm sure you could learn a lot from them.'') said Donkey Kong.

(''They are great friends, but even better brothers.'') said Yoshi, impressed.

''Exactly.'' added Peach, and Daisy agreed. ''They were amazing, both of them.''

''Well, dear spectators, the match is over! Lakitu here, signing off!'' said Lakitu.

''And that's all for today! Greetings from your Funky Kong!'' Funky added.

(''Battle Results- Mario Kart Wii OST'')

(''Results- Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 OST'')

Coin Runners was over, and it was time to go home: it was almost sunset.

''I don't know about you, folks, but this was radical!'' exclaimed Funky.

(''You should it again sometime. Come back again for a few races with us.'') said Donkey Kong.

(''Yeah, you should!'') added Diddy.

''I'll have to think about it.'' replied Funky.

''Luigi, you know that you and your brother are really competitive?'' asked Toad to Luigi.

''We are brothers. It is normal that we get competitive. Sometimes, it happens that we get too caught up in the competition, but who doesn't?'' Luigi replied.

''It's certainly not the first time the two of you have gotten carried away.'' said Daisy.

''And if happens that my brother and I get overcompetitive with each other, I remind you to watch about what you say because I don't want a controversy to occur like in that tennis tournament when I beat him in the singles final. It's been a long time since then, but the controversy outside the Mushroom Kingdom is still heated. You were also involved in all of this for a while.(3)'' Luigi told her.

Daisy remembered. When this incident happened, she took it really badly, getting mad at Mario and yelling insults at him. Even after the award ceremony, she was still bitter about it, and it took some time for her to calm down and forgive Mario, but even then, she didn't make up her mind until Luigi spoke to her and convinced her to do so. ''I know. It had caused quite a stir, but that time, what I did was uncalled for. It wasn't one of my best moments.'' she admitted.

''Then let's try to avoid a repeat of what happened back then. I don't want to find hate mail all over the house and my phone full of messages from keyboard lions.'' commented Mario.

''Well, it was a good competition! You were great, both of you!'' said Peach.

'We have to go now. See you around!'' said Daisy, and everyone left.

(''Results- Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 OST-s'')

(''File Select- Super Mario 63 OST'')

Now alone with his brother, Mario began to look at him to try to find any wounds.

''Don't worry about me. I'm fine.'' said Luigi.

''Luigi, you hit your head against a ramp when we collided with seconds to go. I have to check if you are injured.'' Mario reminded him. He kept searching and saw a small bruise on Luigi' temple. ''You have a bruise here. Stay there, I'll take care of it.''

Luigi felt some ice on his forehead and saw that Mario was dealing with the wound. It was a minor bruise, but his brother was particularly protective, and even a small bruise was cause for concern. ''Mario, I said I'm fine! Ouch!'' he exclaimed.

''Sorry. I don't care that it heals in a short time, I don't want it to get worse.'' said Mario.

It didn't take long for the wound to heal. After a minute, the bruise was already gone, and the skin around it was beginning to return to normal.

''Thanks.'' said Luigi.

''Oh, that was nothing. I don't want you to be hurt when we're competing with each other, I'd feel guilty.'' Mario replied.

''You don't have to worry about that. Nothing that time and a mushroom can't fix.''

''I know, but I don't want there to be any messes. Then you would do the same for me if I had a bruise as big as my nose.''

Luigi chuckled a little at hearing these words. ''I guess you're right.'' he said.

But the man in green did not notice that his brother had moved his arm towards him with a mischievous look. ''Come here!'' Mario, taking the hat off Luigi's head, blocked him with a headlock and gave him a noogie.

''Hey, not fair! Mario, let me go!'' shouted Luigi. He attempted to squirm to get himself free, but he fell to the ground, dragging Mario down in the process, and it took twenty seconds for him to let go. ''Well, we are competitive, brothers are always like that, and we, as bros, are no exception.''

''Right. Even though competitiveness can cause tension, we will always be bros.'' said Mario, holding his brother in a hug and giving him a kiss on the forehead, right where the bruise used to be. ''You know I love you, right?''

''Of course I know that, I love you too.'' replied Luigi, resting his head on Mario's shoulder and feeling his fingers stroking his hair.

The hug lasted two minutes, and when Mario pulled away, he saw that the bruise had healed completely. ''Here you go. See? That's better now.''

''Thank you, Mario. You're a great big bro.'' said Luigi, putting his hat back on his head and getting up, when he saw that the sun was setting below the horizon. ''Well, I'm going to make something for dinner now.''

''What are you going to do for dinner?'' asked Mario curiously.

''Some nice pasta alla carbonara!'' declared Luigi.

''Woohoo!'' Mario licked his lips in excitement.

''Good, huh? I'm going to get to work in the kitchen now! See you later!'' said Luigi, getting on his bike and starting the engine.

''Okie-dokie! I'll join you in an hour! See you later, Luigi!'' said Mario, seeing him heading home.

A tie was like making a compromise: it doesn't displease either of two. Well, in most cases, anyway. Mario and Luigi had spent a pleasant afternoon in a healthy competition. Some more, some less, all the brothers are competitive with each other, but the bond between Mario and Luigi was too strong to be broken by a competition. But what else will they compete in?

(''File Select- Super Mario 63 OST-s'')

A/N: The chapter is finished! I know, the timing with an Easter special was really bad, but I hope you don't mind! Let me know what you think of this one-shot! See you soon!

(1): Funky Stadium is one of the battle arenas in Mario Kart Wii. Funky Kong originated in Rareware's Donkey Kong Country series, but became a playable character in Mario Kart Wii, Mario Super Sluggers, and Mario Kart Tour, and Dixie also returned in the latter game.

(2): In Mario Kart Wii, it's possible to use bikes, which usually have a lower weight and lower speed compared to their kart variants in exchange for slight improvements to other stats, can not do super miniturbos and those with outward drift are difficult to use because they drift in the opposite direction from the turn, but they can make wheelies to increase top speed, at the cost of losing much of the acceleration if the bike gets bumped. The vehicles that can be used change according to the chosen difficulty level, measured in engine capacity: solo karts for 50cc, solo bikes for 100cc and both kart and bikes for 150cc and Mirror Mode. The bikes were originally intended to be in Mario Kart: Double Dash!, but were postponed due to doubts. They were then reused in Mario Kart 8 and its remake, where it's possible to use another new vehicle types, ATVs, which work similarly to karts. In the Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peach uses a motorcycle, standing out from Toad's monster truck, Kong's dune buggies, and Mario's simple kart.

(3): A reference to Mario Power Tennis and Luigi's victory scene. This scene became controversial because of the part where Mario ends up stepping on Luigi's foot, but that's all I can say about it. I will talk about it in more detail in case I make a one-shot about it.