Chapter Text
“He put up a fight?” The deep voice echoed caused Luigi to cower and shake.
“No Sire.” The koopa behind him answered loud and proud.
“Why’s he so roughed up then?” Luigi shook, because they kept shoving him to the ground, laughing at him and stabbing him in the back with the spear all the way here.
“He kept falling over Sire.” Luigi furrowed his brows, lying to the king has got to be punishable by death here.
A laugh boomed through the room and the bag he was was wearing was quickly snacked off his face, the straw material feeling like it left burn marks in its wake.
Luigi’s vision was flooded with glowing lava, steaming concrete, an army of koopa and the king of them all in front of him, looking down upon him like he was some piece of meat.
“So Greenie, like what you see? You better, it’s all you’re going to until Princess Peach marries me!” He shivered, that’s what this was, he was going to be held prisoner. A ransom so the princess will trade herself for his place. He won’t let that happen.
“SHE WONT! My brother will save me-!” His face was grabbed by large hardened claws, brought eye to eye with the king, an evil smile on his lips.
“Your brother-“ he growled, “isn’t coming, I doubt he’s even noticed you’ve gone.” Luigi blinks, that’s a lie, Luigi would go to the end of the world for his brother and knows Mario would do the same for him. He’s probably on his way right now to save him, blood doesn’t disappear.
“Liar!” The claws against his face tighten and he feels a trickle of warm liquid slip down his cheek. Blood. The plumber doesn’t do well with blood. Sure he’s fought many times but the sight of blood always makes him feeling queazy and light headed.
“You keep telling yourself that Greenie.” He smiled, a wide sadistic smile that made the man fear of what’s to come.
“Sire, should we take him to the cages?” CAGES!? Oh no, Luigi doesn’t do well in enclosed spaces and he doesn’t want to be put in a cage until Mario arrives.
“No, the princess’s room will do, you know we disband those idiot.” Luigi sighed, no cage, that makes him feel a little better.
Bowser chuckled.
“Ground rules Greenie-“
“Luigi-“
“GREENIE. No wandering the castle unattended, no escaping. Don’t enter symbolised rooms and for hells sake get a change of clothing, I don’t want you looking like a mess in my castle got it?” That sounded.. simple enough, he could do that, and he gets a room? He can do that, easy peasy!
His overall straps are grabbed abruptly and he’s even closer to the king than before.
“I said, got that?” Steam puffed out his nose and his eyes were blaring red like rubies. Luigi felt suddenly really hot as he rapidly nodded his head.
“Good.” In one quick action, Bowser throws him across the room with ease, his body fly towards the wall, but before he can collide his body in engulfed in a strange blue glow.
“Kamek, take our prisoner to the princess’s quarters, he’s not to leave without you okay.” Bower ordered, the magikoopa bowed and walked out the door, Luigi’s floating body trailing after like a balloon on a string.
Well, Luigi thought, all things considered, that went pretty well. At least he’s not dead, which was exactly how he thought that situation was going to pan out.
Why him though he groaned, sure he wasn’t busy today but he would’ve preferred to sit on his couch with polterpup and read a good book. Now he’s got no books, no polterpup and no couch to sink into. He felt like crying, this whole situation so overwhelming.
The magikoopa stopped in front of a large mahogany door with an carved symbol of a mushroom. He opened the door with a small push and Luigi is met with what he can only describe as a penthouse suite.
The walls were a warm red that complemented the black furniture and carpet. The furniture was also slick and glazed, polished black wardrobe, luxurious queen size bed with puffy pillows and a door that lead to a beautifully marbled bathroom. This room was better than his whole home!
His face must’ve shown his amazement as the magikoopa, Kamek, released him. Luigi dropped to the floor with a thud.
“We’ll at least you’re more appreciative than the princess, took a while for the king to bring it back to this condition after she destroyed it last time.” Bowser designed this? It’s stunning, Luigi didn’t think the koopa king could make something this beautiful.
Kamek seemed to get impatient with him though as he flicked his staff and the wardrobe flung open, revealing tens of.. dresses…
“Ah.. oh…” Luigi turned to the koopa with an awkward look.
“What? This is human clothing is it not?” The koopa seemed confused, eyeing Luigi like the plumber was up to something.
“Well.. uh.. not all humans wear-a the same type of clothing..” He tried to explain.
“Well why not, these dresses are the only thing the princess chooses not to destroy, they must be good for humans!” Luigi sighed.
“Okie Doki, how about, could I just get something like-a this? Please?” He pulled one of his straps forward, the magikoopa frowned.
“What do you think I am a clothes designer?? Whatever.” The wardrobe slammed shut and a second later it swung open again, revealing rows of black overalls with a red Bowser symbols on the back of the shirts. Oh boy.. better than the dresses he thought as he pulled one out to change.
———~———
Bowser paced in his study, pleased with how the plan was moving along, he’s already sent off the ransom letter telling the princess what she must do.
She must come to the Darklands unaccompanied and Mario was to know nothing off this, if word got out then Luigi will be killed. Probably not though, Bowser quite liked the green brother. He’s small, easily scared but also kind. Every time the three would fight Luigi would avoid directly attacking and stick more to helping his brother by keeping his army at bay or sneaking the princess away behind his back.
Also that look in his eyes when he held the humans face, terrified yet composed enough to not deny orders. This was already much easier and more fun that kidnapping the princess so she could destroy his carefully made room for her.
A knock at the door pulled the king from his thought.
“Enter.” He rolled his eyes, what now? Best not be bad news.
Kamek enters.
“Aren’t you supposed to be watching our newest prisoner?” He shugged.
“I cursed the door, won’t open until I return. I have news from the princess.” Bowser perked up at that, his plan was full proof and bound to work, now the princess just has to hand herself over-
“She said “go to hell”.”
———~———
Luigi felt the entire room start to shake, the overall falling off their hangers and onto the floor, the bedside table lamp wobbling and then falling to the ground with a smash. A loud voice erupted through the castle as he tripped onto the bed half dressed.
“WHAT!!!!”
———~———
“But what about the Greenie!? Has she told Mario?!” The king was enraged, desk flipped, chair in pieces. Kamek, unfazed, used to these rages, pulled out the princesses envelope and tried to pass it to the king.
“You read it. My hands are too hot.” The paper would fry in his hands right now, his raw magic seeping through his pores.
The magikoopa nodded and opened the envelope, he gave a small cough before starting.
“Bowser, I will not trade myself for Luigi, my kingdom needs me and I will not leave them for a-…” The king growled.
“GO ON.”
“A.. brutish monster who only cares about power and the size of his army-“
“SERIOUSLY!? I CARE ABOUT HER AS WELL!!!”
“By your request I will not tell Mario, as that was part of the deal I will reason that if I don’t inform Mario you will not hurt Luigi. If you do, Mario and I won’t stop until your kingdom is burnt to ash… kind regards, Princess Peach.” Kamek finished, folding the paper back into the envelope.
Bowser felt a little lost for words. She won’t do it? She won’t trade herself for a man that constantly puts his own life at risk to her her? He’s one of the hero’s of the mushroom kingdom for hells sake! This was some ploy, she’ll tell Mario, they’re probably on their way right now to save the plumber.
———~———
Mario sighed as he came home after a long day, hanging up his cap on the stand. Peach was sitting up in bed reading a book with her cute glasses on when he entered.
“Welcome back hun.” She smiled, she put the book down and moved the covers so he could slide in beside her.
“Glad to be-a back amore.” He quickly got comfy after his long day of helping the toads build their bakery.
As he was about to drift off he remembered that he had a question to ask her.
“Hey, did you-a see Luigi today? His cottage was empty and the toads said they hadn’t seen him all-a day?” She hummed before answering.
“I think he said something about staying with Daisy for a little while, new change of scenery or something like that.” Mario frowned, that doesn’t sound like this brother at all. If his brother had his own way he’d stay cooped up in his cottage with that ghost dog for the rest of his life. But if Peach says he’s gone to see Daisy then that’s good enough for him, lord knows Luigi could use some more social interaction in his life. Hope he’s okay.
That was Mario’s last thought as he fell asleep.
Not the same could be said for the princess. She felt horrible, lying to Mario, but if she didn’t Luigi would be killed. It won’t be long. Luigi is sneaky and nimble, he’ll get out of that hellhole in no time! She hopes…