Chapter Text
Luigi
I was back-to-back with my brother. Facing probably a dozen or two Koopa Troopers. For the most part, we made short work of them, but we were still taking damage. I punched one to my right as another from my left, punched me squarely under my eye, and knocked me back a couple of feet, and I knew immediately that, that was going to bruise.
My brother and I got sent out to take care of this mission, some of Bowser’s troops were spotted in outlying villages, taking off with supplies and threatening villagers for their town. If the intel was good, Bowser would be here, the furthest from the Koopa Kingdom than he has been in years. This information struck the trio as odd, even Peach shook her head and stated, “Typically Bowser only leaves Bowser Country for kidnapping me.”
It was summertime in the surrounding Kingdoms, and the Peach always made sure to stretch resources due to possible droughts and famine among her people. She feared that if Bowser took this land, it could bring undue stress to her people. I wiped the blood and sweat from my face, not realizing that in the heat of battle, Mario and I had separated some. I quickly glanced back, and I could recognize his red hat in the crowd of Koopas surrounding him. A cloud had drifted over, temporarily blocking the beaming sun. But as I turned back to return to the crowd I was fighting I noticed that they had parted. The cloud, I realized a moment too late, was Bowser’s Heli, the Koopa clown car. Bowser peered down with a hungry expression and then jumped from the height to come hurtling down towards me.
“Mario!” I screamed shrilly absolutely terrified for my life as Bowser landed hard enough to quake the earth and stone around me, a large crack had formed in the structure beneath me, and the terrain became uneven. Walking backwards I tripped and fell hard on my ass and hit my head.
“I’m coming Luigi!" Mario shouted emotionally, I could hear the panic in his voice, and as I looked up Bowser pounded the ground again. The structure gave way under his awesome power and I became covered in the rubble, wondering if this was it. Would this be the end?
Bowser’s form overshadowed mine, and he cocked his fist back, smoke pluming from his nostrils, his eyes filled with hatred and blood lust. Feeling weak and small and scared, I started to cry. The tears stung the opened wounds; I just covered half of my face with what little strength I had left, peering through my fingers and pleading.
“Bowser,” I saw as his red eyes dilate, and I could tell he was looking at me, his gaze boring into my eyes. “Please, have mercy.” He looked conflicted, as his fist became slack.
“Luigi! No, please!" Mario’s voice was desperate and raw. Hearing him like that, tore me apart from the pure heartbreak that surfaced as he feared for my life. It just furthered that fear of the end. Then I saw it, an emotion flashed across Bowser’s face, an unfamiliar and unreadable one. And he completely withdrew, turned his head to the side, hollering angrily.
“Troops! Grab our injured and retreat!" Smoke was rolling from his nostrils. Anger marred his face, and without looking at me, he mumbled under his breath so only I would hear, “Remember this.” And just like that the troops fell back, and the group retreated.
“He- he stopped?” I asked out loud confused, and to no one in particular as Mario rushed over to me.
~~~~~
We were back in the Mushroom Kingdom, our wounds getting attended to. Thanks to Prof. E. Gadd, who made specialized potions for my brother and me, recovery time was faster, and the pain was more manageable. Although it wasn’t an exact cure-all, yet, it certainly helped. Mario came over and sat down on my bed to check on me, his cheeks streaked with tears.
“I thought I was going to lose you.” His voice cracked and I took his hand to ground us in this moment.
“M- me too. B-but Mario?” Mario hummed in response and looked at me, “He stopped.” Mario’s face was deeply confused, his forehead scrunched and his eyes uncertain.
“B-Bowser…. Bowser stopped.” I clarified, uncertain how Mario would react. If he would believe me if it would make a difference.
“Luigi, what are you talking about? Did you hit your head?” Mario placed the back of his hand on my forehead and I smacked his hand off in frustration.
“No, Mario, listen to what I have to say.” I burst out and Mario clamped his mouth shut. As brothers, twins no less, we would often squabble or talk over each other. So one day, we made a pact to shut up when the other one needed them to listen.
“I-I begged for mercy, and not only did he hesitate, but he-he stopped.” Mario looked wounded and tormented, unsure of what to say for a moment.
“I believe you, Luigi, I do.” And I could tell that he meant it, “But I’m not going to let this one act of mercy forgive all of his transgressions. So excuse me if I’m skeptical.” Mario, kind of bit back as he pointedly looked at my wounds. I decided not to press the issue further, although I knew how strange the situation was, and so was everything since arriving in the Mushroom Kingdom.
~~~~~
After fully recovering, I decided to pick up a post with the Toad guards on the outer perimeter of the Mushroom Kingdom. I spent some time observing and training with them. They were trying to recognize a pattern of attack, they seemed sporadic. But I kept closer watch, and took better notes, and I recognized a pattern before they could, however, I kept it to myself for the time being.
I left Mario with a simple, vague note, letting him know not to worry, and that I would be back soon, but I would just need some time to myself. And I snuck out in the middle of the night, knowing that the guards were sparse at this time in the morning, and expecting to bump into some of Bowser‘s troops on the outer rings of the Kingdom. I walked up to a crowd of Koopa Troopas, some of them including dry bones. I felt a shiver run down my spine and my teeth chattered in fright. This was a terrible idea, I had no clue whether or not my plan would work in the slightest. I was going off of pure gut instinct. But, I had to try. For whatever unexplainable reason, I had to try.
“I- I-I’m here on b-behalf of King Bowser’s mercy. I w-would like to request a-an audience with him.” The Koopas all stopped in their tracks and gave me a skeptical look. One of the Privates called out for the Sergeant, asking their advice on what to do, the Sergeant stepped out and looked me up and down. I fell to my knees and held my hands up, palms forward, in submission.
“Cuff him.” I jolted in shock, but remained in my position, “If the human seeks an audience with His Majesty, then so be it.” The Sergeant announced as I was shackled.
“Don’t forget human,” The Sergeant spat the word out like it was poison, clear disgust on their features, “It’s your prerogative to be on your best behavior. It would do you well to remember your manners in front of His Grace. Especially seeing as you guys aren’t on the best of terms.“ The Sergeant explained, with a malicious grin, sucking his teeth, and glancing at the shine of his sharpened spear. He cackled evilly and another shiver, ran down my spine, still scared, but grateful that my plan seemed to be working thus far.
“Get that scum bag to his feet, Privates'. And let’s head out, His Majesty is going to want to see this.” The Sergeant turned without another look and began to walk back toward where they came from. One of the last remaining Privates punched me in my gut I coughed as the air was forced from my lungs, and tried to regain my breath before the same Private clocked me in the face before helping me to my feet.
“Private! That’s quite enough. I will be reporting this misconduct to His Grace.” The Sergeant barked, the Private stiffened with fear and looked at me with more hatred in their eyes. They snarled and I worried that they would get in one more good punch before finally leaving me alone, but they appeared to think better of it and stopped. Opting to just spit at my feet instead, calling me scum. Another Private hooked a chain to my cuffs and pulled me along.
~~~~~
My whole body trembled in fear as we approached the entrance of Bowser‘s castle. I kept to myself, running over what I was going to say, in my head again, and again. Hoping, desperately hoping, that it would be enough. I watched as the Sergeant approached Bowser’s throne and knelt with a small bow before addressing the Koopa King.
“Your Majesty, I’ve returned early from the mission with a guest who has requested your audience on behalf of your mercy.” I could hear Bowser make a noise of interest and frustration.
“Well?” He snapped, “It’s three in the morning this better be good Sergeant.“ Bowser hissed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The Sergeant stood up coming back into view, and called out pointing to the Private who earlier had maimed me.
“Private, bring the guest forward,” he said, “guest” sarcastically, and with malice. The Private did as they were told, bringing me in front of Bowser himself. The Private, just like the Sergeant, kneeled and greeted the King with respect and a slight bow. I remembered what the Sergeant had said to me, probably bitingly, about remembering my manners, and it sparked an idea, a theory I had to test.
“Your Majesty,” I greeted kneeling with a slight bow. I forced myself to speak as clearly as possible, not letting the nerves and anxiety creep into my voice as they often did. Attempting to disregard every fiber of my being which was quaking in fear. When I looked up, I saw an unrecognizable expression on his face mixed with pleased intrigue.
“You would dare to kneel before me, King Browser of the Koopas, and call me Your Majesty. When your loyalties lie with my arch-rival, Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom?” I flinched immediately regretting my decisions as he stood up from his throne, and stomped menacingly towards me, his footsteps thundering. I looked down at my quaking knees, biting the inside of my cheek to keep my teeth from chattering. I squeezed my eyes shut and felt a clawed finger tilt my chin up, I looked into his piercing eyes.
“I can’t tell if your tenacity is from unchecked bravery or just downright foolishness. But I guarantee you,“ his claw dug a little deeper into my flesh, and I winced “I will discover your true intentions.” Still holding me there in his clawed grasp, he turned his attention to the Sergeant.
“Sergeant, tell me how did this prisoner surrender?” He requested simply.
“Without a fight, Your Grace.”
“Then what happened to his face? “ Bowser‘s eyes shifted suspiciously towards the Private who had guided me before him.
“That Private went against my direct orders, and acted on gross misconduct Sire.“
“But Your Grace! He and his brother are our arch-nemesis!” The Koopa professed strongly.
“That is enough! You know our Kreeds Private! I would expect more of you. I will discuss your punishment shortly.” The troop fell silent and looked ashamed, and still angry, probably feeling the actions were righteous.
“Sergeant, I trust that you can get this prisoner to security level two in the meantime?” Bowser inquired now looking back into my eyes.
“Without a doubt, Your Highness.”
“Very well, get him out of my sight" With that Bowser released me and nonchalantly waved us off, turning his attention to the rogue Private. We had walked down the maze-like hallways for quite a ways, I turned to the Sergeant.
“What is he going to do to that Private?" I asked curiosity peeking, the Sergeant gave me a weird and disgusted look.
“What does it matter to you prisoner?” I flinched at the malice in his voice, and his words rang true, digging deeper than I would think. I couldn’t help but feel my gut clench in discomfort.
“I have no doubt whatever His Majesty has planned is nowhere near as bad as the treatments that you and your brother give our troops.” Embarrassed by guilt I hung my head and remained silent until we got to what I assumed was my designated cell.