Chapter 40 Two Brothers, Two Souls

It was late in the evening. All of the Koopalings had already spent the past three or so hours partying. Unfortunately, Lemmy couldn't really shake off the dark feeling in his gut throughout the celebration. The glances he got of Ludwig every once in a while hadn't helped.

So, now the soul swapped Koopalings had returned to their rooms. Ludwig, despite the very deep sense of turmoil, smiled and laughed.

"Now, if that wasn't the party of the year, I don't know what is!" He laughed and looked at Lemmy. "Did you enjoy it?"

"Uh, I guess." Lemmy felt mighty uncomfortable while asking this next question. "But…are you really sure that you're okay with me taking your special day?"

Ludwig snickered. "Sure, why not?" He shrugged. "I mean, I didn't really have any plans." He let out a breath. "Besides, with all the craziness that has gone on during these past few weeks, I doubt anyone really remembered."

Lemmy's heart split right down the middle. He was halfway tempted to not say this next part, but part of him knew it was necessary.

"Actually, I had asked the others for help to throw a surprise party for you."

Ludwig did a double take. "Oh." His shoulders slumped, his facial features drooped. "Well, see, I didn't know that, but…knowing you, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised." He let out a weary sigh. "You know what? It's fine."

Lemmy didn't buy that for one second. Who could; Ludwig's voice was the very definition of wounded. He racked his brain for something to say before a thin, tiny smile appeared on his face.

"Actually…there is one thing I can still give you."

Ludwig turned to Lemmy with an interested look. The second eldest took a seat on Ludwig's bed. The eldest followed suit, the interested look not falling from his face.

"It's…it's a card," Lemmy said. He reached into his hammerspace and pulled it out. "I made it myself. I even designed the cover. Granted, it was hard to do with my left hand, and we both know I didn't have professional level drawing skills before…" Lemmy felt a wave of embarrassment. "Actually, on second thought, you might want to skip the cover." He cleared his throat and opened up the card. "But, I also have a poem inside. I worked really hard on it, so…" He handed the card to Ludwig. "I hope you enjoy it."

Curious, Ludwig took the card. He began reading the poem out loud. "Although the two of us might fight, we both know that this is right. Our bond is wound up extra tight, it shows each time we talk." He started growing misty eyed. "I watch as you shine, and as you walk your walk. I can't help but yell this line, 'Ludwig, you've been my…'" Ludwig did a double take and squinted at the next word. "What does that say?"

"Rock."

Ludwig looked at the messily-written word before shaking his head. "Well, that's better than what I thought it said." He read through the rest. "Although our fight is quite unique, I want everyone to know this is true. I will walk with my head up high, and show the world the honor of being you. Happy birthday, Ludwig." If Ludwig was misty eyed before, now it looked like he would bawl like a baby. "Lemmy…I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," Lemmy said softly.

Ludwig cleared his throat. "Well, uh, thank you. I'll, uh…I'll hold onto this." He tucked the card away in his hammerspace.

And then, the two just…sat there. No words escaped from either of their mouths; heck, they could barely hear each other breathing. The silence weighed down on Lemmy; it felt like he had an elephant on his chest. He wanted to speak up and break the silence, but the weight of it was so heavy he didn't know if he could speak.

Then, much to Lemmy's surprise, Ludwig spoke up. "I heard what you said to Iggy in the lab yesterday." He faced Lemmy with a teary eyed, curious, sincere face. "Do I really mean that much to you?"

Lemmy felt tears build in his eyes. "Yes," he said. "You're my older brother; you always have." He nearly choked on hs own sob as he lowered his head. "And I was so stupid!" He wiped his tears away. "I mean, you would never do what I did on the battlefield!"

An interesting look flashed across Ludwig's face. With the furrowed brow and frown, he looked uncomfortable. One could even say he looked guilty.

"I've always looked up to you," Lemmy continued. "When I was little, I wished I could be you." He looked down at his hands. "I never imagined that wish would come true. And I'd take it back in a snap if I could." He whimpered. "I never wanted to take your life away from you. And…I understand if you don't like me after what I did." The next sentence hurt to say. "You can hate me, you can blame me, and I won't stop you." Lemmy lowered his head. "I just want you to know that I'm sorry." A tear trickled out of his eye. He didn't even bother to wipe it away.

"It's okay, Lemmy."

Lemmy blinked and lifted his head. The oldest Koopaling had his eyes directed to the floor as he spoke.

"It's okay. I mean, I'm alive, first off. All my mental faculties are in place. I still have my voice…" There was a pause, pregnant with emotion, before he spoke. "But…none of that, would mean anything to me if I didn't have you."

Lemmy's heart skipped a beat. He readjusted himself so that he was looking right at Ludwig.

The oldest sighed. "I've never really been appreciative of you in the past. And, I didn't go out of my way to keep it a secret either." His eyes filled with pain. "And honestly, looking back now…that is the biggest mistake I've ever made." Tears welled up in his eyes; it was a miracle his voice didn't break. "When I looked at you, I saw something that I couldn't be, and couldn't understand, and it drove me insane. Sometimes, I even thought you were going out of your way to annoy me. But that wasn't the case; it was never the case. You weren't trying to annoy me, you were trying to protect me." He looked his brother straight in the eye. "You stepping out onto the battlefield like that Lems, that wasn't you being stupid. That was you doing what you've always done." Ludwig smiled. "Helping me. Supporting me. Cheering me on." His face fell back down. "And I took that for granted. I took everything in my life for granted, but you most of all." Lemmy could see the pain in his eyes as he said the next part. "Out of all the people who I had hurt in my life, I can see now that you are the one I hurt the most." His lower lip quivered. "And the worst part is there is absolutely nothing I can do to make it up to you.' He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry Lemmy. I'm sorry I'm not the brother you needed me to be."

Lemmy's heart melted. He had never heard Ludwig speak so honestly to him. He had never seen his brother be so…vulnerable. With a twinkle in his eye, Lemmy grabbed hold of Ludwig's hand.

"Ludwig?"

The oldest looked up. The face he wore made it clear he was expecting anger. Instead, what he got was a smile.

"You are exactly the brother I need you to be. And you don't have to make anything up to me." Lemmy's smile grew bigger. "I'll still protect you. And this time…I'll do it with my life."

Tears streamed down Ludwig's face. He slowly but surely wrapped Lemmy in a hug.

"And I'll do the same for you!"

So, the two of them sat there hugging each other. Lemmy couldn't remember the last time Ludwig had hugged him like this. He didn't even care that Ludwig was in his body; he was just so overcome with emotion that he never wanted to let go.

Lemmy smiled. "This isn't the end of our lives, Ludwig, this is a new beginning." He held on tighter. "We can start something new. We can be something new."

Ludwig nodded. "You're right. I can be a new person, a new koopa." He chuckled. "Lord knows the old Ludwig isn't worth going back to."

Lemmy chuckled. He held onto Ludwig for a little while longer before they inevitably let each other go. Lemmy smiled on his brother, and Ludwig wiped away the tears in his own eyes.

Finally, Ludwig sighed. "Well, it's getting late."

Lemmy nodded. He got off the bed and made his way over to his. Meanwhile, Ludwig got under his covers.

"Tomorrow is another day," Ludwig said. "Hopefully it'll be better." He reached for the lamp on his nightstand. Before he switched it off, Lemmy spoke up.

"Ludwig?"

"Yeah?"

Lemmy let out a breath. "I…I love you."

Ludwig smiled a little bit. "I love you, too."

With that, he turned off the light.