Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Discovery
Smash Mansion
Mushroom Kingdom 64 training room
Sparring had always been a great release of stress for Luigi and Daisy. Many trying a time, many an argument, had been settled by way of light contact drilling in boxing, Karate, and even Judo. Almost always, the end saw the couple coming away with more of an appreciation for each other.
But Daisy couldn’t see herself appreciating anyone after having to fight in a dress and heels.
“Hate this,” muttered the tomboy.
“Dear, please don’t be a child when I’m trying to help you,” boomed Peach’s voice from nowhere.
Daisy’s neck hairs stood on end. Peach was her dearest friend, but knowing she and Mario were watching from an invisible auditorium and speaking to her as if they were omnipotent unnerved her.
“Martial arts are-a fine,” Luigi explained from the other side of the arena, “But the more you have in your toolkit the more likely you’ll win.”
Daisy nodded, her face stern.
“Alright,” Peach’s voice continued, “So, manifesting your attacks, as you know, requires little more than imagination. Let’s start simple. Imagine plucking a turnip from the ground as I do.”
Daisy imagined a single stalk before her, plucking the thing out of the clay earth. She examined it, one with a smiley face.
“Weird,” Daisy remarked, tossing the turnip up in the air, “I’ve never been to Subcon, and yet I was able to…”
“And yet you’ve seen me compete how many times? How quickly you're adapting to your power set shows just how at the forefront of your mind this all is,” Peach explained her voice bubbly with encouragement.
“That’s my girl,” Luigi cheered.
“Butter me up all you want, you still gotta explain why I’m in this, dre-“ Daisy began to demand.
“The lace is barbed,” blurted Peach.
Daisy’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
“Yep-a,” Luigi smiled, casting a thumbs up.
“Dude, that’s cool as shit! Why didn’t you tell me?” she snapped.
“Trade secret,” blurted a tired sounding-Mario over the stage mic.
An evil grin spread to her face, “C’mere Wegee, I got something for you,”
Luigi chuckled but gulped. He knew that fake, terrifying coo anywhere. He wiped the stress from his mind with a sigh dutifully heading within striking range of his beloved.
“Okay so,” Peach began, sounding just as evil, “What I do is squat and spin the skirt of the dress. The result is rather like a saw blade adjacent.”
Daisy grabbed the waist of the skirt, preparing to spin the barbed fabric.
“Yahoo!” she squealed, giving it a spin.
All 360 degrees of barbed lace connected with Luigi’s ankles.
“Yow!” he squealed, hopping up and down in pain.
“It’s quite empowering isn’t it?” Peach chuckled.
“Yeah! Maybe I can get used to wearing a dress in battle after all.”
“Good girl!” cheered Peach, “We overcame that hurdle, I think we can shut down the simulation for today. What do you think Mario dear?”
“Yeah babe,” Mario grunted.
In a flash, the world dissolved around them to the all-white training room. Daisy’s eyes widened, a smile forming as she clenched her fists.
“Damn, I feel good!”
Luigi threw an arm around her shoulders as they left the training room.
“I can do this!” she squealed.
“Yes, you can!” Luigi agreed, nodding enthusiastically.
“You know what I like to do when I feel powerful,” purred Daisy, playfully nibbling at the white glove on her shoulder.
Luigi blushed a deep red just as Mario and Peach appeared, having teleported away from the auditorium.
“Daisy,” Mario joked, “Are you being a deviant with my pure, innocent brother again?”
The princess of Sarasaland rolled her eyes, “Hey, Weegee can get just as nasty,”
“I…did not need to know that?” Mario’s face turned white with realization.
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” Daisy sang mockingly.
Peach giggled, “Oh come now, let’s stop with these childish games and go for lunch.”
“Woo hoo,” Daisy cheered, “I’m gonna put the supposed infinite food of the self-serve to the test. I hope they made lotsa spaghetti,”
“I think I’m in love,” Luigi whispered.
Of the other three, the only person who caught the quip was Mario, who quickly covered his mouth to shield the snort-laugh that would’ve given a mule a run for its money.
“What’s gotten into you,” Peach asked, eyebrow raised as the couples began their trek towards the cafeteria.
“Nothing,” Mario blurted, “It’s just…uh…nice of you to invite us for lunch, eh Luigi?”
Both girls opened their mouths to protest, before Luigi blurted, “Agreed!”
Her heart still pumping, Daisy took Luigi’s in hers, their trek to the cafeteria beginning in truth.