A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Mario made some changes to the tradition of MAR10, as he wanted that day to be dedicated to him alone. Fed up with Luigi being isolated and ignored at parties in his honor and that his importance was always diminished when celebrating MAR10 Day, he let everyone know that these events had to be in honor of both of them, not just for him. This chapter will be on the occasion of April Fool's Day, which this year is the day after Easter. Surprised, right? Happy Easter Monday! Let's begin.

Chapter 22: An Unwelcome April Fools prank

(''Home (Music Box)- Undertale OST'')

It was a rather cloudy Monday morning in the Mushroom Kingdom. It was also April 1st, the day when people started playing tricks.

The day before, Mario and Luigi had spent Easter with Yoshi and Poochy, and luckily without Kamek to cause trouble.

''Mario!''

Mario had just finished taking a shower when Luigi called him in an alarmed tone before he could put on his gloves and hat. Worried, he ran down the stairs to join his brother. That morning, Luigi was dressed as a chef, with a green apron, a small hat and a green chef necktie and had no gloves on.

''Luigi! Has something happened?'' asked Mario.

''Mario! I have bad news! The breakfast has all burned!'' Luigi cried desperately.

''What?!'' exclaimed Mario. ''Oh, no...''

Luigi laughed. ''April Fools!'' he said.

(''Home (Music Box)- Undertale OST-s'')

''Wait, what?'' said Mario, surprised. He didn't expect it.

''I was kidding! I didn't burn the breakfast, it's in the oven!'' replied Luigi, taking off his hat and opening the oven to reveal the breakfast, cooked to perfection.

(''Sweet Sweet Kingdom- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe OST'')

Finding out that Luigi had played a prank on him, Mario laughed too. ''That's a good one! I didn't expect that at all!'' he chuckled.

''Here, it's for you.''

The older brother wasted no time in eating and enjoying his breakfast. After he had finished eating, he saw Luigi's apron, on which was written ''KISS THE COOK'' in white, and he burst out laughing again.

''I suppose you liked it, didn't you?'' asked Luigi.

Mario responded by giving his brother a tight hug and a big kiss on both cheeks. ''Your cooking is as great as ever, Lu! Thank you!'' he said.(1)

Luigi laughed and ruffled Mario's hair. ''I'm happy to hear that!'' he said happily. ''Let's go to Peach's castle. I think there's going to be a party, and if not, our friends will be there.''

''I guess so. After all, Easter was only yesterday.'' Mario said. He went to the bathroom to put on his gloves and hat, then let Luigi know something. ''Hey, Luigi! I'll leave you the bathroom, so you can get dressed undisturbed.''

''Thank you, I'll join you shortly!''

A couple of minutes later, Luigi came out of the bathroom with his usual clothes. They left the house, but Luigi began to get nervous. He had always been the butt of the jokes, and even though he knew Mario wouldn't play cruel pranks on him, he was worried that someone else might do it.

''Is everything alright, Lu?'' asked Mario, noticing the look on his face.

''I'm fine. I was just thinking.'' Luigi replied.

''You worried?''

''Maybe a little. I just hope they don't prank me like this.''

''They won't do it as long as I'm there.''

''I hope so.''

(''Sweet Sweet Kingdom- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe OST-s'')

(''Princess Peach's Castle- Super Mario Odyssey OST'')

Mario and Luigi arrived at Peach's castle, and their friends were waiting for them. After the Easter party the day before, it was the second day in a row with a party at the castle, not that it was a bad thing.

''No offense, but this place is saccharine.'' Wario said.

''Wario, please.'' Mario said.

''Did someone do an April Fools joke?'' Starlow asked.

''Well, yes. Toad tricked me into thinking that the Hammer Bro had destroyed my instruments,'' replied Toadette.

''She looked rather annoyed when I explained to her that I was joking.'' Toad said.

''In hindsight, it wasn't a good idea.'' Yellow Toad said.

(''I ate the cake!'') Yoshi said suddenly.

''Yoshi! You and your appetite!'' Blue Toad scolded him.

(''Just kidding! April Fools!'') Yoshi chuckled.

Mario and Luigi burst out laughing at their old friend's prank.

''Is there something funny about it?'' Daisy asked.

''Oh, I played a similar prank on Mario this morning. I made him believe I had burned his breakfast. It wasn't true, of course.'' replied Luigi.

''It was fun, actually. Your prank too, Yoshi.'' said Mario.

''Bah, I hate it when they play these pranks.'' Wario complained.

''As long as it's a harmless joke, I don't think there's anything to worry about.'' Peach said, and went to talk to Mario privately. ''Let's go, Mario.''

Waluigi, meanwhile, stood aside and looked bored, as if he didn't want to be at the castle. He despised Mario, and especially Luigi, and was very jealous of their greater popularity. Even though Luigi had an inconsistent popularity and reputation in the Mushroom Kingdom, at least he wasn't as openly loathed as his rival.

''Stupid cheaters... What am I going to do in this useless party?'' he muttered.

''We hear you, you know.'' Toad said, but Waluigi paid no attention and sneered under his breath. He saw Luigi joking around with his friends and took a package that he had planned to give him.

''Waluigi, maybe you shouldn't do that.'' Wario said.

''Oh, shut up, Wario. What do you think I'm doing?'' Waluigi asked.

''If Mario finds out you did something to his brother, he's going to beat you up.'' Wario said.

''What do you know? You're not Luigi's rival.''

''I'm not. But I know Mario well enough to know what makes him mad.''

''Oh, leave me alone.''

Wario snorted. ''Fine. But don't come and complain to me if he catches you.''

Waluigi sneered again under his breath, and Luigi was unaware of what was going to happen.

''So, Mario, how are things going with Luigi?'' Peach asked Mario.

''Doing good. This morning, he was wearing an apron with the words ''KISS THE COOK'' when he made me breakfast.'' said Mario. ''He's really good at cooking, and when he wears this apron I always give him a brotherly kiss.''

''A gesture of appreciation?'' Peach asked.

''Sì. You know, kissing the cook is like a thumbs up. It means you enjoyed the meal'' Mario explained..

Peach laughed a little and kissed Mario on the nose. ''I imagined it.'' she said.

''Next time you make one of those cakes of yours, I'll do it with you, Peach.'' Mario said, looking into her eyes.

The princess smiled. That plumber in red always made her feel so good. Mario sighed too, enjoying the moment.

(''Princess Peach's Castle- Super Mario Odyssey OST-s'')

(''A-wa-wa-wa!- Super Mario Galaxy 2 OST'')

"IAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNuoooo!"

A shrill scream interrupted the moment, and Peach shook her head in frustration. ''Oh, my goodness, did the Toads break the oven again?''

''Does this happen often?'' asked Mario.

''In the kitchen, yes. If I'm not there, my attendants can't even knead a dough without hurting someone.'' said Peach.

''I have to go! Maybe something happened to Luigi!'' said Mario.

He ran back to the main hall to follow the noise. Someone was screaming like a little girl. and there were some strange Bob-ombs around the castle.

''What are Bob-ombs doing here?!'' exclaimed Toad.

''HELP!'' shouted Luigi. Six white Bob-ombs with a lit fuse were chasing him around the room.

''What's going on here? Oh, criminy!'' exclaimed Professor E. Gadd, shocked by what he was seeing.

At one point, Luigi was cornered and let out a scream as the Bob-ombs exploded in his face.

(''A-wa-wa-wa!- Super Mario Galaxy 2 OST-s'')

When the smoke cleared, he was all scorched, though unharmed, but he trembled like a leaf in terror.

''April Fools!'' shouted Waluigi, laughing loudly.

Luigi slowly stood up and burst into tears, running out of the room.

Waluigi realized that everyone in the room was glaring at him. ''What? I was joking.'' he defended himself.

(''Good-Bye Sadness- Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. OST'')

The screaming had stopped, but Mario couldn't find Luigi. ''Luigi? Where are you?'' he asked. Eventually, he found him near the steps, sitting crying in a fetal position. ''Luigi! You look awful!'' he exclaimed.

''Hey, Mario...'' Luigi murmured.

''Luigi, what happened? I heard you screaming.'' Mario asked.

"Ghost... Bob-OMB..."

Mario was confused by what he heard. ''Ghost Bob-omb? What?''

''Ghost-like Bob-ombs chased me... They exploded in my face!'' sobbed Luigi, throwing his arms around his brother's neck. ''Why me?''

Mario hugged Luigi, letting him cry on his shoulder. ''Oh, Lu... Everything will be fine. I'll take care of that. Let's go back to the others.'' he told him.

In the castle's main hall, Wario could only facepalm. Sometimes, he could only question his partner's intelligence, and that was the case.

''If I find out who did it, I'll kick their butt!'' Daisy snapped.

(''Good-Bye Sadness- Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Bros. OST-s'')

Meanwhile, Mario returned to the room with a weeping Luigi in his arms, and he had a furious look on his face. He didn't know who it was that had done this, but he got an idea.

''WARIO!'' he screamed.

Wario looked around confusedly, not expecting to hear Mario scream. He turned his gaze to Waluigi, who ignored him.

''WARIO! VIENI QUI!'' Mario screamed again.

''I think he means you.'' Peach said to Wario.

(''Ingo's Theme- The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time OST'')

''What do you want?'' Wario asked, annoyed.

''What is the meaning of all this?! Luigi said ghost Bob-ombs exploded in his face. You gave him Bob-ombs with a lit fuse, don't deny it!'' Mario accused him.

''It wasn't me!'' Wario exclaimed.

''Don't lie! Spit it out!'' shouted Mario.

''Ask that to the imbecile with the disproportionate jaw!'' replied Wario. He was referring to Waluigi, and seeing that he was not moving, he pushed him forward. ''Move!''

''You little whippersnapper!'' Professor E. Gadd snapped. The Polterpup, who was standing next to him, would gladly have bitten Waluigi, except he had no teeth.

''That was a joke!'' said Waluigi.

(''Well, then don't play these jokes anymore!'') Yoshi shouted.

Mario grabbed Waluigi by the straps of overalls, forcing him to kneel down so that he would look him in the eye. ''Do it one more time and I'll make you pay,'' she said, and pushed him away, knocking him to the ground.

''That's why no one likes you, let alone me, Waluigi! Be gone!'' yelled Daisy, grabbing Waluigi by the ear and kicking him out of the castle.

''How would you feel if I did that to you?'' added Mario.

''Jerk. I told him not to do it because you'd catch him with his hands in the cookie jar, but does he ever listen to me? No!'' said Wario.

Mario nodded, and Wario proposed to him an idea for a prank to play on Waluigi during the night.

''OK, but we'll have to wait for him to fall asleep to do that. Let me know when to meet you at your house.'' Mario said.

''Let's go home...'' Luigi murmured, still in tears, and his older brother nodded.

(''Ingo's Theme- The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time OST-s'')

Mario immediately took Luigi home and stayed close to him throughout the day until night came.

''Why did Waluigi do this to me?'' asked Luigi.

''Waluigi is an idiot, you know that.'' Mario said.

''I don't know how he knew I'm afraid of ghosts. I know a lot of people know that, but...'' Luigi said.

''I'm going to make him pay for it tonight.'' Mario declared.

''No, Mario. It's not worth being so vindictive.'' Luigi told him.

But the older brother didn't feel the same way. ''It is worth it if someone wrongs you like this.'' he replied, and hugged Luigi. ''Ignore that scoundrel, he's nobody.''

''I'm not going to get you in trouble because you're acting vindictively towards those who bully me. Do you remember when we used to go to school?''

Mario knew what Luigi meant. When they went to school, Luigi was often bullied and Mario had a reputation for being an aggressive and touchy student, as every time his little brother was beaten up or insulted, he found out, got mad and attacked those who were responsible, often getting into trouble with both the school and his father, who couldn't stand his overly impulsive approach and his tendency to beat others up just for making him cry or for one glare too many. Sometimes, he would accuse him of being bad influence on Luigi and hindering his independence, and when such things happened, Mario was often grounded by his father. The typical punishment was to keep him in the bedroom without allowing him to be with Luigi for a while. On the surface, this punishment was nothing, as it did not involve loss of privileges or other humiliating things, but both Mario and Luigi hated it.

''Don't think I've forgotten.'' Mario said. ''Anyway, it was cruel of Waluigi to pull that prank on you.''

''At least I know you'd never pull a prank on me on me like that.'' said Luigi.

Mario nodded. He knew him too well, and he knew that if he played such a joke on him, Louis would never forgive him. ''You're right.''

''And then there's what happened three years ago. Just thinking about what happened exactly three years ago makes me want to scream until I lose my voice. You and Nintendo made us believe you were dead that day!'' Luigi added in agitation.(2)

Mario nodded again. When all this happened, he too believed the rumors, and he had fooled everyone into thinking that he died of heart failure. It was a joke, but everyone only found out about it on the morning of April 1, the next day, and when Luigi found out that he had tricked him into thinking he was dead, he was furious.

(Flashback)

Three years earlier...

(''Tears of the Light- Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep OST'')

On the night of Wednesday, March 31, 2021, Mario was coughing heavily. Luigi had noticed that his condition had been deteriorating for some time, and he hoped that was not the case. Their friends had told them to inform them in case Mario died in the night, as they had come to believe the rumors. However, he believed that this story was all a bad joke for April Fools' Day. It seemed to him like a wave of hysteria born from fake news.

''Mario...? Are you okay?'' Luigi asked, hesitantly, as he sat down on Mario's red bed.

Mario looked at the alarm clock. It was ten minutes to midnight. ''I think that's it, Luigi. I'm going to die soon.'' he said.

''Don't say that, please!'' Luigi cried, resting his brother on his lap.

''It no use, Lu. It has all been announced.''

''You can't believe what they say on the internet! They always say false things!''

''There will be a positive thing about that. At least you'll never be in my shadow again.''

Luigi began to cry. He wanted to be considered a true hero, but he didn't refuse to accept a life in which he didn't have Mario by his side.

''I'm going to die soon, but don't grieve me, Luigi. I... I knew one day I was going to die anyway.'' Mario said, placing a hand on Luigi's cheek.

''I refuse to accept it, Mario! We must die together, not be separated by death!'' Luigi cried. ''What will become of the Mushroom Kingdom? What will become of us?''

Mario wiped the tears from his brother's face. ''The Mushroom Kingdom already has someone who can take my place. That person is you.'' he told him.

''Mario... What are you saying?'' the younger brother asked.

''I don't have children, little bro. We are both unmarried and childless, so there is no one else who can take my place. As a result, you are my universal heir.'' replied Mario. ''It's your turn to be the Player 1 now.''

But Louis didn't want to think about that, not when he was about to lose the one who had always been close to him. He squeezed his brother's hand, crying profusely. He looked at the alarm clock. It was only five minutes before midnight, and he felt like Mario's body was getting colder.

Mario's breathing became heavy. ''Luigi... Before I go, I must say my last goodbye. Thank you for always being by my side at all times. You've been an amazing little brother. I will always love you.'' he said.

''I love you too, Mario...'' Luigi sobbed, unable to say anything else, and rested his head on Mario's chest. However, he raised his brother's head back up and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

''Come on, Lu. You've been able to protect the Mushroom Kingdom even without me. You must be strong.''

''But I'm nothing without you... You're the best big brother in the world.''

The clock was ticking, and the plumber in green looked at the alarm again. One minute. Overcome with despair, he began to face what seemed to be reality, and this led him to yearn for one last embrace. He hugged Mario tightly, and he hugged back.

''I can barely feel my heart. But at least I know everything will be fine here. This world is in good hands... The Mushroom Kingdom is in your hands. I have no regrets. Protect everyone for me.'' said Mario, breathing heavily.

''I promise.'' whispered Luigi, giving Mario a kiss on the forehead, feeling that this was the last time he could give him a brotherly kiss.

The plumber in red pressed a kiss on his brother's cheek, and Luigi felt like his heart was about to break in two.

''Thank you, Luigi...''

After these words and an exhaled breath, Mario stopped moving. And then came a thunderstorm. Midnight had come. Too shocked to speak, Luigi went to check Nintendo's social media or other sites, but found nothing about Mario, either there or on the official wiki. It was as if all traces of him had disappeared from the face of the earth. Devastated, he had no choice but to inform everyone.

Luigi didn't know how much time had passed since then. Ever since all this had happened, he had the impression that all traces of red had disappeared, and since he had informed everyone of the tragedy, he had no good memory of what had happened, and when Mario's funeral took place, it seemed as if time had passed in a flash. Unable to handle the circumstances, he fell to his knees and burst into tears, clinging to Mario's grave as if it were his own body and crying over his brother's red hat, which was on the ground in front of the grave. His screams were so loud that they drowned out any sound made by the others as they cried with him. Even Bowser had come for the funeral, which was a surprise. What was not a surprise was the fact that everyone was present for the funeral.

(''Tears of the Light- Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep OST-s'')

(''Sad Song- Super Mario RPG Switch OST'')

The next day was Thursday. On the morning of April 1st, everyone went to visit Mario's grave. The atmosphere was too heavy and gloomy to be normal, and the Mushroom Kingdom seemed unrecognizable. It was still raining, but the sky was no longer completely covered with clouds. Luigi didn't seem aware of what was going on, as if everything but Mario had become indifferent to him.

A loud bang startled the plumber. A bolt of lightning had struck the grave, and this left everyone very confused. Suddenly, the grave and the surrounding area were surrounded by a reddish-orange glow that became more intense.

(''Sad Song- Super Mario RPG Switch OST-s'')

('' Ending ~He's Alive!~- Rayman 2 OST'')

''What happened?'' asked Toad, confused.

''Maybe I'm imagining things.'' said Luigi gloomily.

''No, we see that too.'' Peach said.

The grave was engulfed in flames, and then exploded, sending Mario's hat flying. The smoke cleared, revealing Mario, who jumped into the air and grabbed his hat.

''APRIL FOOLS!'' Mario said in a loud voice.

''MARIO!'' everyone screamed.

Peach flung her arms around Mario's neck and showered his face with kisses, blushing him and making him redder than his cap, and Bowser was so jealous that he made a face as if he wanted to break something. Everyone else celebrated loudly.

('' Ending ~He's Alive!~- Rayman 2 OST-s'')

Luigi couldn't say anything else for some time, as he was too shocked by all this. He couldn't believe it. Everyone thought Mario was dead, and now it turned out that it was all a prank? He was still crying, but he felt a great anger build up in his bowels. He couldn't stand it. Mario had given everyone a fright, and he refused to accept that he had treated this as a joke. His breathing became heavy, and everyone stepped aside.

''Luigi...?'' murmured Daisy, worried.

(''Loss of Me- Final Fantasy IX OST'')

Mario didn't expect what was going to happen at all. Luigi approached him and pulled him towards him by his overalls straps. ''YOU IDIOT!'' he screamed, slapping him in the face. ''DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MUCH YOU SCARED ME?!''

''L-Luigi-'' said Mario, but his brother interrupted him by briefly grabbing his nose.

''SHUT UP, MARIO! DON'T MAKE EXCUSES!'' Luigi yelled, shaking him hard. ''HOW COULD YOU FAKE YOUR DEATH AS A JOKE?!''

''Luigi, you're hurting me! Let go of me!'' Mario cried out, shocked by his reaction.

''IF YOU TRY AND DO THAT AGAIN, I'LL RIP YOUR HAT OFF!'' Luigi threatened him.

''No! No! Everything but my hat! Please!''

Everyone was perplexed to see the scene. They had never seen Luigi so angry, especially ''Has he gone mad?'' Red Toad asked.

''How do you think he would react?'' replied Blue Toad.

''He has a point. All this time, all of us, except Luigi, believed Mario was going to die, and even I fell for it.'' said Peach.

''He's killing him!'' a Purple Toad complained.

''Luigi always refused to believe these rumors until midnight came, and Mario showed no signs of life until now. It made us think he had died of heart failure, and now we find out that this was all an April Fools joke. I don't blame him for being so angry.'' said Yellow Toad.

Although some of Mario and Luigi's friends considered Luigi's reaction justified, including Yoshi, Starlow, and Toadette, some people felt that he had gone mad, as he was constantly oscillating between despair and screams of anger in a short amount of time.

''Is it me or are those mood swings?'' Toad asked.

''Do whatever you want, everyone. Just go.'' said Luigi.

''Let's go. Let's leave them to talk in private,'' said Peach.

Yoshi, Daisy, Poochy, Professor E. Gadd, and the Polterpup were hesitant to leave, as they were worried about Luigi, but decided to leave them alone, thinking it was the best thing to do.

Luigi dragged Mario back home home by the wrist, and he was so angry with him for the prank that he didn't speak to him for the rest of the morning. Even when they had lunch, he ignored him, acting as if he didn't exist, and when they finished eating, he turned his back on him.

Mario was very hurt by Luigi's behavior, as he didn't think he would take the joke so badly. However, he had made a serious mistake: he had made a mistake in underestimating the impact this joke would have on his brother. By the time 3 PM came, he was fed up with this attitude. ''Oh, come on! This is getting ridiculous!'' he complained. ''Why don't you talk to me?''

Luigi turned around and looked Mario in the face. ''I told you not to believe those rumors, but no, you never listen to me.'' he said coldly. ''No, I can't understand you. I thought you were better than that.''

''Luigi, it was just a joke! Everyone knows it by now!'' said Mario.

''Do you realize you scared me half to death? Do you know that I thought you were dead when you stopped moving last night?'' asked Luigi.

''I just wanted to make a joke on you and everyone else.'' Mario explained.

''Mario, you can't pull a prank about your death! Pretty much everyone has fallen for it! I thought it was all fake, but then you stopped moving and breathing, and I thought you were dead for real!'' Luigi scolded him.

(''Loss of Me- Final Fantasy IX OST-s'')

''If it makes you feel better, you can get back at me. Do whatever you want, you can even rip my hat as far as I'm concerned.'' sighed Mario. ''I should take a shower soon.''

''OK.''

Luigi went to the bathroom and giggled under his breath. He picked up the bottle of shampoo and came up with an idea. He put hair dye in it and waved the bottle to mix it all up, then left the bathroom and went to read a book in the kitchen.

In the meantime, Mario went to the bathroom to take a shower, and twenty minutes later, he was done. When he dried himself and got dressed, he had the feeling that something was wrong. He looked at herself in the mirror and let out a horrified screamed

''AAAAAAHHHHHH!''

(''Run Amok- Kevin Macleod'')

Luigi heard his brother's scream and laughed. Soon after, she heard his footsteps as he ran into the kitchen.

''Luigi! Explain this!'' Mario shouted.

Luigi looked at Mario and burst out laughing. His brother's chocolate brown hair was dyed red. ''What did you use today?!'' he chuckled.

''Was it you?'' Mario asked sternly.

''Yes! Look on the bright side, your hair matches your hat and shirt perfectly!'' the younger brother replied.

''I don't want to be stuck with red hair! I want my hair to go back to normal!''

''I'm sorry, Mario, but this hair dye is permanent!''

''UGH! LUIGI!'' Mario grunted, angry about the prank.

''April Fools!'' said Luigi.

Mario's anger began to fade, but it didn't quite subside. ''It's not permanent? The hair dye can be removed?'' he asked, suspiciously.

''It's not permanent, big bro It's just a temporary color. To remove hair dye like this one, all you need to do is shampooing again.'' Luigi reassured him, emptying the bottle of shampoo into the toilet and pulling the drain. ''Go ahead and shampoo. In the meantime, I'll take a shower too.''

The plumber in red nodded and calmed down. He left his brother to take a shower, took off his clothes up to his waist, took another bottle of shampoo and washed his hair again, trying to wash off the hair dye.

(''Run Amok- Kevin Macleod-s'')

(''La Pace- Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories OST'')

After about ten minutes, Mario stopped shampooing and was relieved to see that his hair had returned to its original color. Luigi finished the shower a few minutes later, and after getting dressed, they went back to the kitchen.

Mario laughed. ''You really caught me, Luigi!'' he said, amused by the prank he had pulled before. But Luigi was sad again. ''Luigi? What's wrong with you?'' he asked.

''I'm sorry.'' said Luigi.

''No, I'm the one who should apologize,'' replied Mario.

''I'm serious, Mario. I'm sorry I made a big deal out of it, yelled at you, dyed your hair and tricked you into thinking it was permanent.'' said Luigi, full of shame and with tears in his eyes.

''I forgive you.'' Mario reassured him. ''And I'm sorry I faked my death as a joke. I didn't realize how you were going to react, and I was stupid to think you'd take it well. I shouldn't have underestimated the impact it would have on you.''

''It's all right, Mario.'' Luigi said, and hugged Mario to let him know that he had forgiven him.

(Flashback end)

Remembering everything, Mario looked at Luigi with sadness. ''You know, when you found out I was dead, you told me you'd rip off my hat if I did something like that again.'' he said.

''Mario, I said that because I was angry. When you worry a lot about someone, it makes you angry, and I thought I had lost you for real.'' Luigi explained to him.

''I know. I'm so sorry.'' said Mario.

Luigi hugged Mario and began to cry. ''Don't ever do that again. I'd rather die than live without you.'' he sobbed.

''Oh, Lu... don't cry.'' Mario whispered to him. ''Hey. Wario and I are planning to play a prank on Waluigi'' he said, after letting him go.

''When are you going to do it?'' asked Luigi.

''Tonight. We'll wait for Waluigi to fall asleep, then Wario will call me to meet him at his house. Last April Fool's Day, Waluigi pulled pranks on us that we didn't like at all.''the older brother said.

''What happened that time?'' asked Luigi.

''He tricked Wario into thinking that someone had stolen all his treasures and all his money. Wario was so enraged that he strangled him into unconsciousness. And with me... well, Waluigi played a prank on me where he burned my hat with a Lava Bubble.'' explained Mario.

''No! Not the hat! Our hats are our trademark!'' shouted Luigi.

''Luckily, you sewed it up after the fire ruined it. Thanks again. I love you.'' Mario said, hugging him again.

''I love you too, Mario. Please, don't leave me.'' said Luigi.

''I've never left you, and I won't leave you.'' Mario reassured him.

''Grazie.'' Luigi murmured, kissing Mario's cheek multiple times.

(''La Pace- Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories OST-s'')

Later that night...

(''We're Off Again! DX- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions OST'')

Hours later, night fell, and Luigi went to sleep. Mario gave his brother a goodnight kiss on the forehead and waited. Eventually, at 2 AM, he received a call. It was Wario. ''Hello?''

''Mario! It's Wario!'' Wario said.

''Wario! Is Waluigi asleep?'' asked Mario.

''Yes! He's fallen asleep! Quick, come to my house and let's put the plan into action before he wakes up!'' Wario replied.

Mario went to Wario's house, where they began to plan everything. ''OK, Wario. What do we do?'' he asked.

''I guess you want to make him pay for it.'' Wario said.

''Yes. After the prank he played on me last year when he burned my hat and after disguising the Bob-ombs to scare Luigi by making him think they were Boos, he can't get away with it.'' said Mario.

''I agree. Last year, he made me believe all my treasures and all my money had been stolen, and I've been waiting for this moment all year.'' Wario said, with a mischievous grin.

''What's the plan?''

''Let's turn on all the lights to wake him up and make him believe that his house is on fire!'' shouted Wario.

''No, I don't like to play such dark pranks!'' exclaimed the plumber. ''What if we told him he has a dentist appointment?''

''I wouldn't mind the idea, but it might get suspicious. He didn't book a dentist appointment.'' Wario replied.

''Okay then... how about you put a whoopee cushion under him while he's sleeping?'' Mario proposed.

''That's too soft!'' his rival replied.

''Do you have a better idea?'' Mario asked.

''I propose to put a spider in his underwear!'' Wario said. ''Waluigi is afraid of spiders.''

''You're not going to use a real spider, are you?'' said Mario, unconvinced.

''No way! We're going to use a fake spider. And then we're going to put pieces of paper with eyes drawn on them all over his bedroom. That will give him the impression that someone is staring at him.'' Wario proposed.

''Sounds uncomfortable, but I like the idea.'' Mario said, nodding. ''You think about the spider prank. I'll take care of the pieces of paper.''

(''We're Off Again! DX- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions OST-s'')

''It's decided then! Let's get to it!'' Wario declared.

(''In The Hall of the Mountain King''- Kevin Macleod'')

Mario and Wario took some pieces of paper and prepared the prank. Wario began to rummage around the house for the fake spider, and in the meantime, Mario began to draw eyes on all the pieces of paper.

Five minutes later, everything was ready, and the pieces of paper were in place. Wario grabbed Waluigi's pajama pants and shoved the fake spider into his underwear. Since he was fast asleep, he didn't notice anything.

''OK. Now let's wait for a reaction.'' Wario whispered, laughing to himself.

Waluigi began to squirm and scratch as if he was itchy, and Mario and his rival waited. Then he began to feel uncomfortable and mumble something in his sleep, and finally, he lurched awake

''What's going on here?! Who's staring at me?!'' shouted Waluigi, looking around. ''And why is my whole body so itchy?''

''Look below you.'' Wario said.

Waluigi pulled up his pajama pants and saw a protruding paw. He lifted his underwear slightly and saw that he had a fake spider on him. ''WAAAAAAHHHHHH! A SPIDER!'' he screamed, and began to freak out.

''APRIL FOOLS!'' Mario and Wario said, laughing.

''What?'' said Waluigi, confused.

''Did you really think you'd get away with it after the prank you played on me last year? You made me believe that someone had stolen all my treasures, and I fell for it!'' Wario said.

''And you burned my hat! And this year, you scared the Luigi half to death by disguising Bob-ombs to make them look like Boos!'' added Mario. ''Wario and I have been wanting to get revenge on you for a year, especially after what you did to my brother this morning!''

''Come on, it was just a prank!'' Waluigi said.

''Don't ever play these pranks again! I warn you, Waluigi, if you do it again, I'll smother you with a pillow!'' Mario threatened him.

''You guys stink!'' shouted Waluigi. Fed up with his nonsense, Wario stuck the fake spider onto his face, and the rival in purple squealed like a girl as he tried to get it off.

''You're right about that, Wario. Waluigi really is an idiot.'' Mario said, and Wario couldn't help but laugh.

When he finally managed to get the fake spider off of him, Waluigi made an offensive gesture to them.

''Go to sleep and don't be a pain!'' Wario snapped, throwing the pillow in his face, then turned off the light, left the room with Mario, and slammed the door.

(''In The Hall of the Mountain King''- Kevin Macleod-s'')

''I think Waluigi learned his lesson. What do you say?'' asked Mario.

''I'm happy with the prank!'' Wario said.

''Good! A successful prank!'' said Mario, fist-bumping Wario, and they both laughed loudly. ''It's almost 3 AM. I'll go home and get some sleep. Good night, Wario.''

''I'm going to sleep too.''

Mario and his muscular rival in yellow went to their respective homes to go to sleep. Back home, Mario considered getting a Super Leaf, but decided against it and simply went to bed holding Luigi in a protective embrace. He felt his brother curl up on him, and kissed his forehead before falling asleep.

A/N: Wario and Waluigi sure are pranksters, huh? Considering the prank Waluigi played on Luigi and the pranks he played on Mario and Wario last year, he looks good! What do you think of Mario and Wario's prank? Did you like this chapter? Let me know! See you in the next chapter!

(1): The origins of the phrase ''KISS THE COOK'' are uncertain, but it is thought to have originated in nineteenth-century Italy, where giving a kiss to the cook was considered a sign of appreciation of the meal at the same level as a thumbs up. Since the 1950s, this phrase has often appeared on aprons and is still used today.

(2): This is a reference to memes on March 31, 2021 that claimed that Mario would die. This is due to the fact that the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. would end on March 31, the day before April Fool's Day, and not only that: on that day, the servers of a battle royale similar to Pac-Man 99, which was Super Mario Bros. 35, would be shut down, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection of three main-line 3D games, Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy, would only be available for purchase until then. Fans lost their minds when they found out all of this despite the February 2021 Nintendo Direct, and this sentiment was further reinforced on December 10, 2020, when a trailer announced that Sephiroth, the villain of Final Fantasy VII and Cloud Strife's nemesis, would become a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as the trailer has a point where Sephiroth attacks Mario with his katana, the Masamune, and an angle makes it look like he had pierced him, killing him, but he actually only lifted him off the ground by the right strap of his overalls. It's not the only trailer for the game where something happens to him, given in a trailer that Ridley announced before the game's release, Ridley destroyed Mega Man, grabbed Mario, snapped his neck, and implicitly broke his skull as well, which was shown in the Metroid manga when Samus had a PTSD-induced hallucination. The official wiki even went so far as to completely ignore Mario's existence on April 1st as an April Fool's joke. I never believed this stuff.