Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bowser couldn’t understand how the scribbles were stuck on his skin. He hadn’t even drawn or coloured that day and yet, multicoloured shapes and lines were painted across his arms and legs. Disappointed with the mess he’d somehow made, Kamek sent Bowser to bath, but the water did nothing to the drawings. The colours refused to smudge or fade, let alone wash away, but maybe if he scrubbed harder ; if he used a different gel, it’d have to come off… right?

”The marks are magic.” Kamek explained, later that night, when he’d worked out what was wrong. ”Someone else scribbled on their skin, but it showed up on your scales. I can’t tell, who this someone is, or how the both of you are linked, but your bond is unbreakable by any magic I know of. The only way to remove the scribbles from your scales would be if your bondmate removes them from theirs.”

And his bondmate did. The next, Bowser woke up with no scribbles on his scales. By magic, they’d disappeared without a trace or any proof that they’d existed, and Bowser continued his life as the orphan heir of the Darklands.

However, the story didn’t end there. As Kamek said, they were bonded for life, so scribbles came and went as Bowser’s bondmate pleased. Sometimes they were just swirls, simple patterns, or accidentally marks, whilst other times they were like any other child’s drawings (just not on paper). Then, almost a year after the first scribbles appeared, came one simple word.

Hi

To say Kamek was excited would’ve been an understatement. “This proves your bondmate knows of your connection! I wonder if anything you’ve done has showed up on their skin, too. Oh, why hadn’t I thought of testing your bond before? The first thing we should’ve done was see if it went both ways! You need to say hello back!”

“Are-are you sure?” A shy Bowser asked. “The-the-they c-could be anyone.”

“Don’t be silly, little Prince - you must be bonded for a reason - they’re not going to hurt you. Besides, your bondmate is a child like yourself and is likely to be kingdoms away - they’re incapable of harming you.”

So Bowser wrote hi with a blue felt tip pen, which was soon replied with a wavy sprawl of i Luigi.

At first, words were few and far apart, but the older Bowser grew, the more frequent and plentiful they were. Luigi, the someone behind the scribbles, claimed they were soulmates, and on the night of their seventeenth birthday wrote I don’t care, who you are or where you’re from, I love you and I’ll find you. Soulmates are written in the stars! We’re endgame. ; if that hadn’t solidified Bowser’s love for them, he didn’t know what would.

Since that night, the two never went to bed without touching up the hearts on their left wrists. Luigi would draw a green heart and Bowser would draw a black heart the same size, which overlapped one side, so that they were “always connected” and “felt loved”. Whenever he was upset, Bowser traced the hearts and a smile would form on his lips. He loved Luigi and Luigi loved him. It was a fact that could never be broken.

The first night the heart wasn’t redrawn, Bowser wasn’t concerned. Luigi must have passed out from a long day and forgot - it was an easy mistake. It was when their last heart faded and the days flew by without any word from Luigi when Bowser grew concerned. It wasn’t like they would ignore him, especially for longer than a day, so why weren’t they replying to Bowser’s worried pleas? Something must have happened to his soulmate. Something was wrong. Was Luigi okay and where had they gone?

Chapter Text

Please tell me you’re okay! burned his thigh. It was an ugly sprawl of red — not red like love, but red of worry — and Luigi’s skin throbbed in reply.

Luigi didn’t know how long he’d been lost in the dark overgrowth, how long since he’d fallen through the pipe and lost sight of Mario, but it was long enough for him to be missed. If only he had a pen or something to write with - his soulmate always knew what to do and gave almost as great advice as Mario and his Mama. Luigi wished he could reassure his soulmate that he was okay, or at least - alive, and feel his love and support as he trekked through this horrific place. Instead, all that he could feel was his worry.

…

“What is your name?” The large, dragon creature growled, his breath burning the bridge of Luigi’s nose. As if the zombie turtles and masked people hadn’t been enough, he was now going to be eaten by their gigantic leader!

“Uh... Luigi.” He squealed, shaking and shuddering in the magic’s grip.

The turtle-dragon thing looked straight through his soul and smoke hissed from his nostrils. “And what do you think you’re doing in my kingdom, Luigi?” He spat, stabbing him in the chest with his claw.

“I-I do-don’t know, I-I-I swear—“

The monster interrupted Luigi’s stutters with a deep growl. “There’s a human travelling with the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, has a moustache, just like you.” He spat. “Do you know him...?”

“No! No!” Luigi lied, frantically trying to escape the monster and his servant’s (?) magic, as he screamed and waved his arms. He couldn’t let them hurt Mario - he couldn’t! Not his brother!

“Ah, a tough one, I see. Maybe this will get you to talk!” He roared, pulling on a strand of Luigi's mustache.

Luigi gasped, panting rapidly. “Do you think I know every human being with a moustache ; wearing an identical outfit with a hat with the letter of his first name on it? Because I don’t!” He exclaimed.

The beast pulled out the strand of hair. Luigi shrieked. “Do you know him?” He roared, again, tugging on Luigi’s whole moustache.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!” Luigi yelled. “I know him! Yes! I know him!” He sobbed, crumbling under the pressure. “Yeah, he's my brother, Mario, and he's the best guy in the world!”

“See?” The beast huffed. “That wasn’t so hard was it, Luigi?” He taunted, before throwing him to the ground. “Get him outta my sight!” He exclaimed. “We'll see how tough this Mario is when he watches me kill his brother!”

…

The cage cold and damp… surprisingly considering it was hanging over a steaming pool of thick lava! Luigi gasped, falling back and rocking the rusting cage. He panted, quivering and shaking, and bit his nails. “Wh-where am I?” He whimpered, hiding behind his hands.

A blue star span around in its cage. “Home!” It grinned, its laughter sounding like a child’s.

In another cage, a crowned Penguin looked on, exhaustedly. “Pay him no heed. He is cute, but he is...” The Penguin whistled and made a ‘crazy’ sign.

“In an insane world, it is the sane who is called crazy.” The star sung and Luigi gulped.

“How-how long have you guys been in here?” He asked the prisoners, his eyes wandering to each and every cage in the horrific dungeon.

The star creature swung its cage back and forth. “Time, like hope, is an illusion!” It exclaimed.

“Please!” The Penguin whined. “We are depressed enough!”

“There’s gotta be a way outta here!” Luigi panicked, gripping onto the bars of his cage and shaking them.

“There is no escape. The only hope is the sweet relief of death.” The star sung, joyfully.

The prisoners moaned. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me!” The Penguin exclaimed.

’Because there’s a human travelling with the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom…’ — hey! That was it! Surely, the Princess of a kingdom would have an army and it sounded like they were already on their way! “What about the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom? Can’t her army save us?” Luigi asked, holding his breath, as he waited for the good or bad news.

“Princess Peach? She’s coming?” A Penguin gasped and several penguins began chattering quietly amongst themselves.

The Penguin King laughed. “As if the toads could do anything productive!” He exclaimed. “The best they can do is gossip King Bowser to death!”

Peach? As in Mario’s soulmate Peach? The brothers had thought she was joking when she’d claimed to be the princess of mushroom-like creatures, but what if she wasn’t? What if Mario was with her right now?! “Princess Peach is my brother’s soulmate!” Luigi gasped.

“Soul…mate?” The Penguin King asked. “What’s a soulmate?”

“You don’t know what a soulmate is?” Luigi gasped, waving his arms. “A soulmate is the person, who completes you, the one, who loves you no matter what, and always knows what to do! It’s the person, who’s destined to be with you, your love is unbreakable and written in the stars, and no one can stop it! When you write on your skin, it appears on your soulmate’s - that’s how we know who our soulmates are! When Mario writes on his skin, it appears on Peach’s skin and when Peach writes on her skin, it appears on my brother’s skin!” Luigi explained, excitedly.

Chatter roared between the prisoners as they ‘ooh’ed and ‘aww’ed at the idea of soulmates. “Tell us more!” The Penguin King exclaimed.

“Yes!” Another Penguin agreed. “Tell us about the Princess and Mario!”

Now that he could do.

Chapter Text

Please tell me you’re okay!

What’s wrong?

Where are you?

Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?

Just tell me, where you are, and I’ll find you. I won’t rest, until you’re safe in my arms. Don’t give up. I promise everything is going to be okay. They won’t get away with what they’ve done to you!

Is this my fault? Did I do something wrong?

Tell me you’re alive I need a sign

Don’t leave me like this Lu

I’m sorry. I miss you so much. Whatever I said, I didn’t mean it. You know I care about you, Lu. You’re my best friend. You make the world a better place. You make my life worth living.

I love you

…

“Sire?”

“What?” Bowser snapped, baring his teeth at his adopted Father. “Can’t you see I’m busy moping over here?” He exclaimed from his throne. It had been over a week since Lu’s last message and his mind was starting to wander to some… troubling thoughts. What if Lu was ignoring him on purpose, or even worse - what if Lu was dead?

“Apologises, your grumpiness, but there’s chatter amongst the prisoners, and the guards are worried there will be an uprising.”

Bowser laughed, dryly - as if the prisoners were his biggest worry! He had more important things to find out like who the fuck was with Peaches and what had happened to his soulmate? “So?” He spat.

“So?” Kamek echoed. “Are you going to do anything about it?”

“Do I have to?” Bowser groaned. He didn’t feel like doing anything. Life without his soulmate made everything meaningless. The super star was supposed to be an engagement gift once he found them, but now they could be dead. The love of his life was gone and he was powerless to do anything about it.

“Yes, your laziness.” Kamek told him. “You have to do something about it.”

“Ugh - fine!” Bowser groaned. “Show me the problem.”

Levitating beside his throne, Kamek waved his wand, and projected the dungeons in front of them.

”Once, Peach went through a phase, where she only talked in flower symbolism, but Mario could only find half of the meanings, the other flowers not existing, where we’re from, so there he was, unable to sleep at night as he read every single book and article on flowers he could find to impress her!” The green human laughed. “It went on for weeks, until Peach just straight up told him that she loved him, and they’ve been sickly inseparable ever since!”

The other prisoners ‘awww’ed.

“Wait - does that mean the red human and Peaches are dating?” Bowser gasped. “How are we only finding this out now?” Why hadn’t Peaches told him about her boyfriend? They were supposed to be friends!

“It seems the human is telling the truth - his brother is in fact dating the Princess.” Kamek confirmed. “Your guess is as good as mine to why she never told us.”

Bowser grunted.

”Tell us more about the Princess!” A Penguin pleaded.

“Yes!”

“Yes, tell us, Luigi!”

“Well,” The green human chuckled, “There was this time, where a toad was teaching Peach how to fish, but he got sucked underwater, and she…”

“What did they call the human?” Kamek asked.

Bowser raised his eyebrows. “Uh - Luigi - why?” What was so special about it? It was just a name.

Sighing, Kamek rubbed his forehead, and gave him a dirty look. “Like Luigi as in your soulmate Luigi?”

“Well, yeah, but—“

“As in Luigi, your ‘one true love’, who’s been writing on your scales for over two decades and you never shut up about, the Luigi, who you want to give the super star to, but has suddenly gone missing, the Luigi you threatened to kill and then put in your dungeon? That Luigi? I bet he loves hanging above lava and thinks you’re the best soulmate in the world.” Kamek deadpanned.

Oh. Oh shit. “Koopas.” Bowser hissed. If the green human was his Luigi, he was screwed. Who was he kidding - of course it was his Luigi - he was screwed! He was in so much trouble! What had he done?

“Koopas indeed.” Kamek dug. Asshole.

It wasn’t like he did it on purpose! Bowser hadn’t tried to hurt his soulmate - he’d just gotten confused! That was all! He was confused! How was he supposed to know the human was his soulmate? His name is Luigi goddammit - it was obvious! What was he going to do? What the fuck was he going to do? Fuck it! Fuck! He was screwed! He was so screwed!

“Sire, are you okay?” Kamek asked him.

“Do I look okay?” Bowser snapped. “Of course, I’m not okay! I told my soulmate I was going to kill him in front of his brother - that’s not okay! That is not okay!”

Kamek held back a snigger. “Murder certainly doesn’t scream ‘I love you’, your honour.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Bowser exclaimed. “Lu’s going to hate me! You saw how scared he was! What if he can’t forgive me? Wh-what if he doesn’t believe I’m sorry and doesn’t want to be my soulmate anymore?” He cried. “I’ve ruined everything!”

“Lord overdramatic, do calm down!” Kamek shushed. “You are acting like a child! Luigi loves you - he’s going to get over this and you will too! Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to rescue your beloved soulmate from the dungeon you stupidly put him in, so you can apologise for your idiocy!”

Bowser traced the heart on his wrist and sniffled. Kamek had better be right - he couldn’t live in a world without Luigi. He loved his soulmate so much.

What had he done?

Chapter Text

“Uggh?” Mario groaned, his head spinning as he sat up in the grass. What just happened? Where was he? Holding his hand against his thumping forehead, Mario stood up and gasped at the forest surrounding him. He wasn’t in Brooklyn, anymore.

Suddenly, a pail creature with a white and red mushroom stuck to its head jumped up from behind a bush. Mario screamed and stumbled back - he was definitely not in Brooklyn, anymore!

“Do not touch that mushroom! You’ll die!” The creature screamed, pointing at a blue mushroom. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He chuckled, looking at the mushroom more closely. “That one's perfectly fine.” He explained, patting the mushroom.

“Th-that’s a little mushroom m-man!” Mario exclaimed, backing away further and pointing at the creature. “A little mushroom man talking to me!”

Oh, dio, now he was hallucinating. He had to be hallucinating, right? This was a dream. He must have drowned or hit his head on a pipe because what he was seeing couldn’t be real. Surely, it wasn’t real? It couldn’t be!

The creature just grinned at him. “Pleased to meet ya! I'm Toad!” He exclaimed, before skipping gleefully in the opposite direction.

“Uhh… Mario.” He replied. The little mushroom man froze and Mario felt uneasy in his silence. “Are you—“

“Your name’s Mario?” Toad screamed as he turned back to face him.

Jump scared, Mario stumbled backwards, screaming and falling over. “Ye—“

“Like, Mario, Mario?” He yelled, standing over him.

Mario pressed his hands over his ears and used his elbows to protect his face. “I-I guess.”

“Like the Princess’s Mario?” Toad exclaimed. “You’re Mario Mario?”

Peach. “Sh-she’s here? Peach is here?” Mario gasped, moving his hands from his face. No way…

“Yes!” The Toad beamed, jumping in the air and fist bumping the sky. “I will take you to her at once!”

All this time… all this time, he thought it was a running joke between them that she was a Princess and because he hated mushrooms, her kingdom was called the Mushroom Kingdom, but now he was in the Mushroom Kingdom (it existed!), and a talking mushroom man called Toad (Why did he look like a mushroom and not a frog? It made no sense - he was so confused!) was going to take him to his soulmate Actually-A-Real-Princess Princess Peach Toadstool! (OOOH - Toadstool - Toad was short for toadstool!)

“So this is, uh... This is, this is not a dream?” Mario asked as he followed Toad.

In one swing, he turned around and whacked Mario’s arm with his walking stick. “That hurt, right?” He grinned, innocently.

“Yes!” Mario exclaimed.

“Definitely not a dream.” Toad confirmed.

Mario’s gut twisted. “That means my brother is really in trouble.” He gulped, hugging himself. “H-have you seen him? He looks exactly like me, but tall, and skinny, and green. See, last time I saw him, he-he was falling through a pipe. It was foggy and-and I believe there was lava...” He trailed.

Toad gasped. “Uh, that... is not good. Umm... Your brother has landed in the Dark Lands. They're under…Bowser's…control.” He warned, voice low.

Mario frowned - that didn’t sound good. “Bowser?”

“He's the most evil, wretched creature alive!” Toad exclaimed.

Peach had grown up here for most of her life - she had to know what to do! Mario couldn’t wait to introduce his two favourite people to each other, but first he had to visit his soulmate in her castle and rescue his brother from the greatest evil to exist!

Mario adjusted his hat. “Let’s-a-go to the palace!” He exclaimed. It looked like they had a long walk ahead of them, but it didn’t matter. The end goal was in sight and he was going to reach it!

‘I’m coming for you, fratello! Nothing can hurt us as long as we're together!’

Chapter Text

“Council, your attention.” General Toad clapped his hands, before slamming them down on their map. “Bowser has found the Super Star and is heading towards our kingdom. Its power will make him invincible. We will be destroyed.” He warned everyone.

The other Toads gasped and a Green Toad fainted. “Princess! What are we going to do?” A Yellow Toad cried.

Standing up from her throne, Peach walked down the stairs and rested a hand on the Yellow Toad’s shoulder. “I will not let him hurt you.” She promised him. “We are going to stop Bowser.”

“How?!” The Yellow Toad cried. “Look at us. We're adorable!” He and the other Toads made puppy eyes, making it almost impossible for Peach to hold back a smile.

“I'm going to convince the great Kong army to help us.” She explained, keeping a straight face. “Together, we'll annihilate that monster!”

“Their mad king doesn't make alliances! The Kongs will never agree!” General Toad exclaimed.

“I can convince him.” Peach argued. She didn’t have a choice - with the Super Star’s power, there was no way their Kingdom would be able to hold off Bowser’s forces without the Kongs. She had to try! “I'll leave for the Jungle Kingdom in the morning.”

The Toads chattered amongst themselves and Peach sighed, running her hands through her hair. Running a Kingdom was hard enough, but with the constant threat of the Darklands hanging over them, it was difficult to say the least! If only there was peace between all the kingdoms and the world would be a perfect place! No more kidnappings, false alarms, and panicking Toads - everyone would live in harmony and help each other!

Suddenly, the heavy double doors were pushed open ; revealing four Blue Toad guards and a Red Toad with a backpack on.

“Sorry to interrupt the meeting, but a special guest has arrived at the castle.” One of them explained.

“Presenting, our future Prince Consort, Mario Mario of Brooklyn!” Another guard announced, moving out of the way to reveal a human. He had blue eyes, brown hair, and pail skin, and was wearing a red hat and overalls. He smiled and gave her a timid wave. Was this her Mario?

Peach’s throat dried and she gulped. It had been a while since she was last lost for words. He’d came. Mario had found her. He was here. He was finally here.

“Amore mio?” He murmured. The Toads were silent as he slipped past them, slowly walking closer and closer towards her. It was him. Toads - it was him.

“Mario!” She cried, running up to him and pulling him into a hug. “You came! You found me! You’re here!” She laughed, holding onto his hands as she pulled away. “You’re really here! How? How did you find me?”

“I, err, fell through a pipe?” He replied, sheepishly, and shuffled his feet.

It was a good enough answer for her. “I’m so happy.” She smiled, her glee written across her face like how the stars painted the sky.

Mario squeezed her hands. “I’m so happy, too, Princess.”

“Awww! I love happy endings!” The Red Toad screamed, jumping for joy, and waving his arms.

Mario flinched and Peach laughed. “You’ve made a loud little friend, haven’t you?”

“Tell me about it.” Mario sighed. “Princess, this is, err, Toad - he’s the one, who found me, after I fell through the pipe. He said you’d know how to save Luigi.”

“Luigi’s in danger!” Peach gasped. Her soulmate’s brother was the sweetest, kindest, and most caring human alive - only a monster would have the courage to hurt him!

“He’s in the Darklands!” Toad exclaimed.

All the Toads in the Council gasped, some of them fainting, whilst others shaking or hiding behind their hands.

“It’s highly likely Prince Luigi is in King Bowser’s evil clutches.” General Toad told them. “There’s no telling what Bowser is capable of, especially with the Super Star - you must save him at once!”

“But he’s a lunatic!” A Toad exclaimed.

“A psycho!” Another agreed.

“He will eat us for breakfast if we resist his evilness!” Another Toad squealed.

“How will we save him?” A fourth Toad cried.

“We will find a way.” Peach promised.

“We have to!” Mario added, fire burning in his eyes. “I’m not abandoning my fratello when he needs me the most!”

“Mario will come with me to the Jungle Kingdom and with the Kong Army, we will defeat Bowser, saving our kingdom from his destruction and rescuing Luigi from his clasp!” Peach declared.

The Toads cheered, the room erupting with joy and celebration.

Convincing the Kong’s to do anything was easier said than done, but she didn’t have a choice - she had to do it for the safety of her people, Mario, and Luigi.

’Get ready, you giant grumpy Turtle - I’m coming for you!’

Chapter Text

With the first clash of chains came chaos. The dungeon erupted in heavy breathing, panicked sobs, and repressed sniffles, as his cage was pulled upwards by two guards.

Squeezing shut his eyes and holding his breath, Luigi curled himself into a ball and hoped for the best. He didn’t want to think about if the monster had his brother, if the monster was going to torture or kill him that night, but his mind wandered to those thoughts despite his pleas for it not to. The dragon King was going to eat him, wasn’t he? That was why he was being raised to the surface - the cooks needed to prepare him for dinner!

“Release him!” A voice ordered and Luigi heard the key turning inside the lock. He fell out of the cage, his face slamming into the floor, and when he looked up, the voice belonged to no one other than the beast’s servant wizard magic man creature thing. “How are you feeling, little one?” He asked.

Luigi gulped, biting his lip, and held back a sob. Was he going to use his blue magic on him again? He was going to hurt him, wasn’t he? Maybe he was going to torture him for information about his brother or even worse - take him back to the monster king. He didn’t want to go with the sorcerer - he wanted to go home!

“Come here—“

“N-no!” Luigi exclaimed, shuffling back from the creature’s outstretched hand. “Don’t touch me! Per favore! D-don’t hurt me! Lasciami in pace!” He sniffled, covering his face with his hands. “Per favore, non farmi del male! Per favore! Voglio solo andare a casa!” He cried.

“I don’t know what you’re saying.” The creature told him. “I mean no harm.”

“H-how do I know you’re not lying?” Luigi sniffed. “Come faccio a fidarmi di te dopo quello che è successo prima?”

“If I was going to hurt you, I would have already.” He replied. “Would you like a tissue?”

Luigi frowned. “W-what?”

“I’ve heard humans dry their eyes with tissues.” He explained, simply.

“I-I don’t understand…” Luigi murmured.

“What is there to understand?” He replied. “I asked you for a tissue. You may have a tissue or you may not. Are you going to stand?”

“O-okay.” Luigi stood up, his legs wobbling like crazy, and he hugged himself. “Is-is there somewhere we’re going?” He asked the wizard.

“The King has requested to speak to you.” He replied, casually, and Luigi’s face fell.

Oh, dio, oh no, oh no, oh no! Why? What had he done wrong? What now? Dio - he was going to be eaten, wasn’t he? He’d been right, this was it - the beast was going to eat him! What was he going to do? What was there to do? He couldn’t fight the King - he was massive!

“Luigi?” The creature questioned. “Are you okay? Can you breathe?”

“S-s-s-sì-sì-sì.” Luigi forced out, his heart beating out of his chest, and his head thumping. He couldn’t breathe, but he couldn’t admit that to the enemy, could he? He had to pretend he was okay and find a way to escape!

The sorcerer brought him back to the throne room. ’The place where it all began…’ The large throne loomed over him, the King’s face engulfed by shadows, and Luigi shivered. His feet stomped with every step, shaking the floor, and Luigi backed away.

“Please don’t hurt me!” He begged, covering his face with his arms, and falling to the floor. “Non avvicinarti! Per favore! Please!”

Kneeling in front of him, the beast pulled Luigi’s hands from his face, and brought his claws dangerously close to his cheeks. Luigi held his breath, waiting for the moment he shredded his skin, but it never came. Instead, the King dabbed his face with his fingers, brushing away the tears from his eyes, and cupped his cheeks in his paw. “Don’t cry.” He cooed in a low rumbly voice. “I’m not going to hurt you - I promise. You’re safe.”

Luigi wasn’t safe, that was the one thing he was sure of, but at least he wasn’t dead. Why was the King being nice to him? It had to be a trick, but why?

“You said you were going to kill me.” Luigi reminded him, courage overtaking his nerves, as he pushed the Kings paws off his face. “How could I possibly feel safe with you?”

Flinching, the King frowned, and backed away. “Th-that’s… true.” He replied, sheepishly. The sorcerer gave him a death stare. “It-it was a mistake, okay?” He exclaimed. “I’m sssssssooooooor, sooooooor, soooor—“

“Sorry.” The sorcerer supplied.

“Yeah, that.” He agreed. “Sorry.”

The sorcerer sighed. “And what are you sorry for, sire?”

The King grunted, mumbling under his breath, as he crossed his arms, and pouted. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

“And?”

“Threatening to kill you and leaving you in the dungeon.” Bowser huffed, before turning to the sorcerer. “There! I said it! Are you happy now? I told you it wouldn’t work! Lu hates me! He’s never going to forgive me!”

Luigi spotted a heart on the King’s wrist as he flapped around his arms and fainted.

Chapter Text

“What’s wrong with him?” Bowser cried, rocking the limp body in his arms. “W-what di-did I-I do? Why’s Lu not moving?”

“I think he fainted, Sire.” Kamek explained.

Bowser scowled, hissing at him, and bared his teeth.

“I don’t know what you want me to do about it - you’ll have to wait for him to wake up.” Kamek told him, letting out a frustrated sigh, and shaking his head. “What did you expect to happen? Humans are fragile - you have to be careful with him.”

“I was careful!” Bowser protested.

“Then why is he still scared of you?” Kamek asked.

“If you’re not going to help me, leave!” Bowser exclaimed. “I don’t need your advice, anyway! I’ll get Lu to like me on my own - just you wait! He’s going to love me!”

“Sure he will.” Kamek sighed. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Good!” Bowser snapped. “Then go!”

“I will.” He huffed, and in a swirl of his wand, Kamek was gone, leaving Bowser on his own to deal with Luigi.

Cupping his head in one paw, Bowser used the other to brush through his hair, and stared lovingly at his sleeping figure. His soulmate wasn’t a Princess or a girl, but he was beautiful just the way he was. Once (if) he forgave him, Luigi would make a perfect Queen. Bowser couldn’t wait to propose to the human and plan their wedding ; if only he’d wake up…

“I love you, Luigi. I’m… sorry we had to meet this way.”

Their relationship was a fairy tale. It had never felt real, it was too good to be true, but Luigi kept coming back, writing and drawing with every day that passed and promising to do it for the rest of his life. Bowser didn’t have to force him to spend time with him, he was the one person, who genuine liked him, who liked him for all that he was, and who didn’t bash him for his flaws. Bowser wrote to Luigi with his walls down, he always felt like himself when they were together, but most importantly, talking to Luigi made Bowser feel safe. There was nothing safer than his soulmate’s love.

’How could I possibly feel safe with you?’

Bowser hadn’t expected to be the villain in their story. He didn’t like it one bit. It wasn’t fair - why couldn’t he have nice things? Why did the one good thing in his life have to fall apart? He didn’t deserve Luigi, he didn’t deserve his kindness, his love ; he should’ve seen it coming. Monsters didn’t deserve soulmates. Why would they? They’re monsters, beasts incapable of being loved ; he was a monster.

Luigi stirred in his arms, twisting his face into a strange expression, and blinked. “Uuggh?” He groaned, adorably confused. “What?”

“You, err, passed out.” Bowser told him. He gulped, staring down at the little human he loved so much, but didn’t love him. It took a special type of person to frighten their soulmate. Bowser wished he could go back in time and fix his mistakes, but Kamek would refuse if he asked. He didn’t want to live without Luigi, but what other choice was there? His soulmate was so scared of him that he fainted! Luigi fainted!

“You’re an idiot.” Luigi chuckled, shaking his head and snapping Bowser out of his thoughts. “You are such an idiot, amore mio.”

Bowser tried to speak, but the sound refused to exit his mouth.

Luigi sighed. “I can’t believe you wanted to kill me - I told you my name! You said my name!” He exclaimed. “A human called Luigi turned up to your castle and your human soulmate Luigi was missing - I thought it wouldn’t take a genius to put two and two together, but I was obviously wrong! You were asking me where I was, while hanging me over lava!” He exclaimed.

“You never told me you were a human!” Bowser argued. “How was I supposed to know what you looked like? You never told me!”

“My favourite colour is green!” Luigi pointed out. “I am dressed head to toe in green!”

“So?” Bowser huffed. “I’m yellow and my favourite colour isn’t yellow.”

Luigi rolled his eyes. “Sii felice di essere piccante. Se non fossi il mio tipo, non te la caveresti, mostro uomo.” He muttered to himself. “You are such a himbo.”

Huh? Bowser raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“My soulmate is a himbo.” Luigi laughed. “Certo che lo saresti. Cosa mi aspettavo?”

“I’m sor—“

“I love you.” Luigi smiled.

What? “How?” Bowser asked.

He frowned. “Oh tartaruga, sai che ti amo. I’m not… happy with what happened, I wasn’t expecting our first meeting to be like this, and it’s not what I wanted, but I could never be mad at you for long. You are my soulmate. Human or not, you are the man I’ve fallen in love with over two decades, and life is too short to hate your lover. Ti amo. You being a dragon turtle isn’t going to stop my love for you. Ti amo. Ti amo. Ti amo.” Standing up in his lap, Luigi placed his hands on his cheeks, and planted a soft, affectionate kiss on his lips. “Please believe me, amore mio. I’m not going to lie and say that I wasn’t scared of you, but I forgive you.”

“But I… I hurt you.” Bowser protested, his voice breaking.

“I know.” Luigi replied, softly. “A volte il destino è strano. You are my world. Il mio mondo. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t.” Bowser gulped. “I’ll never leave you.”

Luigi smiled. “Good. You better keep your promise.”

“I-I will.” Bowser promised. “You have my word, Lu. I love you.”

“I love you more.” Luigi beeped his nose and kissed him ; a blush spreading across his cheeks.

“I’m so lucky.” Bowser breathed. “Why am I so lucky?”

“I don’t know, but I’m glad you are.” Luigi wrapped his arms around his thick, muscly neck, and hid his face in his left shoulder. “I couldn’t wait to meet my soulmate. I’m glad I’ve got you. Finally, we’re together - just as we should be.”

Chapter Text

I forgive you

Smiling sheepishly, Luigi watched Bowser turn around and walk towards him, grabbing and pulling him into a kiss. A green felt tip pen dropped to the floor, long forgotten, as Bowser scooped Luigi up bridal style and carried him to their bedroom.

…

Fear didn’t disappear overnight, but feelings didn’t, either, and Luigi hadn’t spent his whole life waiting to meet his other half for said other half to throw everything they had worked for away. The Koopa King, or Bowser, was grumpy, rash, and at times, temperamental, but behind his beastly ways was the soft and gentle giant he’d fallen in love with long ago. It did help that, once he saw past his scary persona, Luigi could appreciate how hot his soulmate was.

His size, his horns, his neck, his tall, his arms - dio - his arms - how was it possible for arms to be so rich with muscle, so thick and juicy and squishable and perfect for cuddles and throwing him around? They were perfect! More than perfect! Infinity perfect! Of course, Luigi couldn’t forget his cute puff of red hair, his chokers and spiked bands, and those piercing red eyes. Sure, Luigi had been fantasying about a human the whole time, and yeah, having a gigantic beast as a boyfriend was going to be weird as fuck, but normal was overrated! His soulmate was his soulmate, regardless of what he looked like. Besides, Luigi could get over the fact they weren’t the same species if it meant his soulmate was so fine. Monsters were hot and Bowser was no exception. The King was killing it in the looks department! Killing it! Luigi wondered what he was hiding behind that cloaca…

“I love you.” Bowser murmured, his chest rumbling as he played with Luigi’s hair. He was sprawled in Bowser’s lap, his large body acting as a comfortable pile of pillows, and Luigi wore a blissful expression on his face. “My human.” His dragon purred.

Luigi nuzzled his face into the scales above Bowser’s knee. “Il mio re. My King. I love you, too, my soulmate.”

…

“No looking.” Bowser reminded him, making sure Luigi held his hands over his eyes, as he gently pushed him along. Luigi didn’t know where they were going, only that his soulmate had a surprise for him, and his chest filled with a giddy excitement only describable by a child.

“I know, I know, okay.” Luigi laughed, trying not to stumble over his feet.

Bowser stopped moving him. “Okay. We’re here. Y-you can open your eyes now.”

Luigi blinked, bright beams of light entering his vision, and he squinted. However, after overcoming his initial blindness, he was met with a magnificent sight! A bright yellow-white star hovered over its stand, shimmering and gleaming like an expensive treasure or the real thing. Its light was almost magically, his eyes unable to look away from its beauty, and Luigi gasped. “It’s incredible.” He smiled. “It’s so beautiful, amore mio.”

“This is what we call the Super Star.” Bowser explained. “I want you to have it.”

“Really?” Luigi exclaimed.

Bowser smiled. “It’s a gift from me to you. A Super Star for my Super Star.”

Luigi blushed. “I-I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I love it.” The star floated towards him and landed in his hands. It was warm, but not as scorching as the lava around them, and its glow was even more captivating close up. “Wowee.” He breathed.

“I know we didn’t start on the best foot, but I want you to know I was always thinking about you since your first scribbles. You’ll always be the guiding light in my life, Lu, and there’s no one I’d rather have as my soulmate. You are the world to me, and with this Super Star, we will have the world.” Bowser took his tiny hands in his large paws and smiled with his fangs peeping through his hardened lips. “Luigi, I promise to protect and cherish you for the rest of our lives. I’m so grateful that the universe brought you to me, so that we could finally be together as the stars planned. I will never stop loving you with all my heart.”

It took everything for Luigi not to fall to the floor and melt into an ugly crying mess. Instead of bawling, he sniffled, and held Bowser’s paws as tight as he could. “Nor will I, amore mio. My whole life, I waited to find you, my beloved soulmate, and now that we are together, we can finally plan our future together and live the life we’ve always dreamed of having. There’s no place I’d rather be than by your side.”

“Luigi Francesco Mario, will you devote your life to the people of the Darklands as Queen Koopa? Will you marry me?”

Luigi gasped. “Yes!” He squealed, unable to contain his happiness as he jumped in the air. “Certo, ti sposerò, amore mio! Siamo alla fine dei giochi e tu sei tutto per me!” He beamed.

Bowser kissed him, and in that moment, everything else lost its meaning and didn’t matter anymore. Luigi finally had his soulmate and no one, not even his brother, would be able to take Bowser away from him.

Chapter Text

They waited until nightfall - not that it would make much difference, considering the sky was always dark - but it was better than ambushing the Castle when everyone was awake. Both he and the Princess wore long coats, his a dark red and hers a bright pink, which contained four fire flowers, an ice flower, a red mushroom, a blue mushroom, and a boomerang flower. Their jobs were to break out Luigi and, if necessary, hold Bowser, until reinforcements arrived. Meanwhile, Prince Donkey Kong and his army would cause a distraction and create a path for them to save Luigi. As long as everything went to plan, Mario would have his brother back that night!

“The Prince says the Kongs are ready to go.” Peach announced, joining Mario at his look out post. “I’ve gathered a small group of Kongs to help me get to the dungeon. If our Lu isn’t with the penguins of the Snow Kingdom, they may still know what happened to him. You’ll be more stealth if no Kongs accompany you. If you bump into any trouble, go tiny or use your boomerang flower. Regardless of what happens, the ice flower must be saved for a confrontation with Bowser. It’s his only known weakness.”

“Got it, Principessa. You can count on me.” Mario promised.

She smiled, pulling him into a hug. “Be careful, my loyal knight, and good luck.”

…

Mario jumped over pools of lava, dodging their scorching splashes and puffs of steam, ran across rickety bridges, and bounced over the shells of Koopa guards. His determination strengthened with every turn of the winding corridors, his movements agile with his soulmate’s training ; nothing was going to stop him from saving his brother.

’Nothing can hurt us as long as we're together!’

…

He had to open thousands of doors to find him. Mario almost missed him with the lights off, but there, in the centre of a giant’s bed, huddled between pillows and blankets, was his brother.

“Luigi!” Mario cried. Huffs and grunts escaped his lips as he climbed the great wooden frame. “Luigi!” He cried, again, but his brother didn’t stir. Mario’s heart missed a beat. He crawled up to him, and felt his pulse. He was alive, but far too hot for a human. The Darklands was making his precious baby brother sick! “Don’t worry, Lu, I’ve got you. I’ve finally found you, fratello.” Mario tried to smile, but little relief reached his face. His heart beat was yet to return to a resting rhythm, and each of his breaths caught in his throat. What had that beast done to his brother? Was he hurt? Tortured? Drugged? Mario shivered.

Sitting Luigi up in his lap, Mario took the blue mushroom from his cloak, and slowly fed it to him. In a matter of seconds, a tiny Luigi slept peacefully in his palm. “Let’s go home.” Mario whispered as he placed his brother safely in his pocket.

Luigi was going to love the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario couldn’t wait to show him everything. He finally had his two favourite people in one place. No one would be able to lay their grimy hands on them again, especially that evil monster Bowser. They could be a family. They would be safe.

Chapter Text

“Stand back, Princess.” A Kong grunted.

Clenching her jaw, Peach dusted off her dress, and buttoned up her coat. “No, let me help.” She reached forward for a chain, and pulled in time with the other Kongs.

Slowly, the clashing of spears and screams of war were drowned out by the gleeful cheers of the penguins. Bowser’s dungeon was built deep underground with thousands of cages hanging over a magma chamber ; all of which stuffed with the Snow Kingdom’s inhabitance, and the rest of the Darkland’s prisoners of war. With each grunt and pull, the spots of blue grew, until Peach could make out their small figures against the black and red abyss.

“We’re almost there.” She murmured to herself, leaning back as she gave an almighty pull to her chain. Peach searched each swaying cage for a flash of green with no success. Maybe his cage hadn’t been brought up yet? Peach reached for her cage, and pulled it over the edge to safety. “There you go.” She smiled, breaking open the cage, and kneeling to give both the penguins a hug. She patted them on the head as she stood up. Then, her smile widened at the sight of a golden crown. “Penguin King!” She called, brushing through the crowd to greet him. “I wish we didn’t have to reunite in such circumstances.”

“Princess.” He nodded, adjusting his crown. “Thank you for rescuing my people. It takes the strongest diplomat to earn respect from the Kong Army. I assume you’re here for Luigi, too.”

“Yes, ‘you know of him?” Peach’s eyes sparkled with hope. “Were you kept in the dungeon together? Is he still here?”

“I’m sorry, Princess.” He sighed. “He was moved over a week ago. Kamek, the King’s Magikoopa Advisor, brought up his cage for questioning, but Luigi never returned.“

Peach gulped. Oh Luigi… She hoped he was okay. Bowser was a monster, but he wasn’t a murderer. He wouldn’t have killed Luigi. Surely not? A shiver travelled down her spine at the thought of Bowser laying his claws on her soulmate’s sweet brother. “Thank you for the help, King. Gather your people, and take orders from Prince Donkey Kong. I must find Mario and Luigi.”

The Penguin King nodded in reply, and Peach pulled up her coat sleeve. Luigi was in the dungeon, but he disappeared over a week ago. Kamek took him. Peach wrote on her arm. She hoped Mario would have better luck in finding his brother. They couldn’t leave the castle without him. If they did, it would destroy Mario, and herself.

Peach wiggled between the Kongs and freed prisoners, and ran up the stairs back to the castle. Instantly, she was met with chaos ; spears and arrows flying in all directions, Kongs bashing Koopas against the walls, and Koopas trying to sweep their legs. Peach grabbed the boomerang flower from out of her inside pocket, and joined the fight.

…

On my way out of the castle now. Luigi is safe in my pocket, but he’s so hot and out of it. I don’t know what they did to him, but he’s sick.

As much as Peach was relieved Luigi had been found in one piece, her stomach twisted at the rest of her soulmate’s words. My castle has an infirmary, where he can recover under the best care. She reassured Mario, knelt behind some barrels to write.I’ll meet you outside, my dear. Focus on Luigi’s safety and get out of the way. He needs you more than me.

Peach peeped up over the barrels, and shot her fire flower at the enemy troops. True leaders fought with their people, and Peach was determined to leave no one behind.

Chapter Text

Luigi’s head hurt. He groaned, squinting open his eyes, and frowned at the pastel coloured walls surrounding him. Bowser’s castle wasn’t draped in soft pinks, calming blues, and cheerful yellows — it was shrouded in bold fiery reds, bright oranges, and a charcoal black — his King would’ve thrown up from the sickly sweetness of the room’s colour palette! Heart racing, Luigi shot up into a sitting position, and took in his surroundings, ready to defend himself if necessary. A strong stench of lavender and lemon caught the back of his throat, itching his nose, and burning his eyes. Luigi sneezed. Where was he and why did it smell so terrible?

“Mamma Mia…” Luigi breathed, running a hand through his hair. “Cosa è…” His eyes widened at a drip placed in the back of his arm. “Eh?” He pulled it out, and climbed out of the bed, stumbling into the centre of the room.

It had to be some sort of hospital or infirmary. Rows of bed lined the walls, each with a fluffy mushroom-shaped pillow, and pink white-laced sheets. However, the room was eerily empty, and the only sound was his panicked breaths.

“Merda!” Luigi hissed. He darted towards the blue cabinet, painted with white clouds, and searched each drawer for a pen. They contained nothing more than spare sheets. “Cazzo, cazzo, cazzo!”

Something grabbed his shoulder. Luigi reacted. He flinched from the foreign grasp, and turned around, swinging his arms in, what he hoped to be, the right direction.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Someone panicked — someone familiar — and shrieked, “Aspetta! Aspetta! Per favore! Lu! It’s me! You’re safe! It’s me!” Mario raised his hands by his head. His face was pale, his eyes were wide, and his chest jerked back and forth with his sharp, heavy breaths.

“Mario?” Luigi breathed. He relaxed, letting his guard down, and pulled his brother into a hug. “You’re okay,” He murmured, softly and with a genuine relief, “You’re here.”

“I’m here!” Mario grinned, squeezing him back, before pulling away with brightened eyes. “I’d never leave you! I’ll always save you, Lu! You’re my brother! I’m so happy you’re okay, and we’re together again! You’ve missed so much! We need to catch up!” He grabbed Luigi’s hand, and began to drag him towards the exit. “Come on! We need to tell Peach that you’re awake! I can’t wait for you to meet her!” He squealed.

Luigi tripped over his feet. “H-huh?” He yelped, struggling to keep up with his older brother. “Wait—“

“Peach is a real princess and this is her kingdom! Can you believe it?” Mario continued, light and giddy. He skipped down the corridor, high-fiving, fist-bumping, and patting Toads on their heads as they passed. “I knew my soulmate was amazing, but, geez, Lu, she’s perfect! She’s so brave and confident, and yet, so sweet and gentle and caring at the same time! What else could you want in a woman? She’s so beautiful!” Mario gushed. “I’m so happy we’ve found each other.”

Luigi’s heart twisted in his chest. He hadn’t seen his brother so giddy in a long time… He couldn’t bring himself to hurt him. “Me, too.” Luigi murmured, smiling back, sadly. He needed to get back to his own soulmate, but how? Now that they were back together, Mario was never going to let him out of his sight!

“Everyone’s getting ready for the party! There’s going to be food, music ; dancing!” Mario laughed, doing a quick spin. “We’re celebrating our win against the wicked King Bowser! The penguins and the Kongs will be there, too! The party’s going to be huge!”

Luigi held back a protective growl when his soulmate was called ‘wicked’. “The Kongs?” He smiled, politely, keeping the venom out of his tone.

“Oh, right, you don’t know — sorry!” Mario laughed, scratching the back of his neck. “I guess I got so excited that I forgot to explain! The Kongs are like… humanoids! Yeah! They’re talking apes, gorillas, monkeys…?” Mario’s face cringed as he tried to explain. “They live in the Jungle Kingdom, and are a warrior race! They helped us save you and the other prisoners of the Darklands and take down Bowser!”

“T-take him down?” Luigi gasped, his eyes widening. No. No. No. Not his soulmate. Not his beloved. Not his king. What had his brother done?

“Yeah!” Mario beamed, not noticing Luigi’s horror, as he reached out to squeeze his hand. “He’ll never be able to hurt you again, Lu, I promise! We took care of him! Let’s just say things got a little frosty!”

Giant koopas struggled with the cold. If their temperature dropped too low, their body couldn’t regulate it, and heat themselves back up. “You did what?” Luigi gasped, flinching away from him.

Mario frowned. “H-hey! Hey! Lu! It’s okay! We saved you! It’s okay now! We’re together, again! Peach knew that his weakness was ice, so she found us ice flowers! They’re this type of power up that—“

“You froze him?” Luigi cut him off, sharply, his heart beating so fast that it threatened to pierce out of his chest. “Y-you used a power up on him that—“

“Froze him, yeah — for a moment ; enough time to stop him.” Mario’s smile faltered. “Are you okay, Lu? I’m not hurt — see?” He continued, sheepishly. “We’re okay. We’re safe. He can’t hurt you.”

’My love…’ Luigi gulped. “Thank you.” He forced out, wanting nothing more than to rip his idiot brother’s face off. He needed to get back home. He needed to get back to the Darklands. Fast.

Chapter Text

At first, there was nothing but a numb blackness — not quite sleep, not quite death — his limbs felt too heavy to move, but at the same time, his mind felt all ‘floaty’ as if it wasn’t tied to his body, anymore. Voices were distant, muffled and warbled ; merging into one. It was too much effort to decipher who they belonged to. Then the darkness began to lift.

His eyes flickered open, sluggish and unfocused, as fluorescent light seared through his half-lidded gaze. He groaned, but the sound came out as a fragile rasp. Pathetic. His breath hitched, shallow and unsteady, and a shiver traveled down his spine. He felt— cold. Why was he so cold?

He was shivering violently, his muscles jerked without rhythm, and every motion sent a bolt of dull pain through his joints. His chest was tight, causing a difficulty in breathing to the point where his lungs burned, and his heart skipped beats.

A warm hand touched his forehead. “He’s waking up.” A voice perked up — clearer than before. “Stay with us, my boy. You’re safe, now.”

Safe. The word echoed without meaning. His teeth chattered uncontrollably; even if he wanted to respond, his jaw was too tight and heavy to relay his thoughts.

The owner of the voice was holding his hand, rubbing it briskly; trying to coax warmth back into his stiff fingers. “That’s it, keep coming back to us, my boy. That’s it… I knew you could do it.”

Bowser groaned. “Kamek?” He squinted his eyes at the elderly magikoopa. “Where’s— Luigi?”

As if the light behind his eyes had been forcibly switched off, Kamek’s expression darkened, and he bowed his head. “Luigi’s… gone, Sire.”

Gone? Bowser’s stomach twisted, and he let out an inaudible groan.

“The Kongs attacked the castle, freeing all our prisoners, and weakening our military. The Princess of The Mushroom Kingdom and her soulmate were with them. After you were… immobilised, the fighting diminished, and Luigi… Sire, we searched everywhere, but he is nowhere to be found.”

“Prepare a fleet of ships to the Mushroom Kingdom.”

“Sire—“

He snarled, steam puffing from his nose, and his eyes darkened. “I’m going to burn it to the ground. Personally.” His voice cut through the air — sharp like a knife and with the dominance of a commanding ruler. “I won’t stop, until Luigi is back in my arms.”

Kamek sighed. “Sire, please… think clearly. You are in no state for war. We should wait, until you’ve recovered to—“

“Prepare my ship.” He growled. “Now.”

Giant Koopas had evolved to be extremely loyal and protective by nature, and with his possessiveness over Luigi flowing through his blood and rooted deep in his bones, Bowser couldn’t wait to save his Queen. He needed Luigi back now. It was time he showed Peaches how powerful he could truly be.

Chapter Text

Forty-eight hours in the Mushroom Kingdom passed by in a blur. Luigi was swept up in the castle’s whirlwind preparations for the upcoming celebration. Without a moment to himself, he fetched decorations from high shelves the Toads couldn’t reach, learned how to bake traditional Mushroom Kingdom treats, and finally had the chance to properly meet his brother’s soulmate, Princess Peach. He gathered every scrap of information he could about Bowser and the Darklands, but the terrifying “war criminal” everyone described was nothing like the man Luigi had been writing with since he was old enough to hold a pen.

On the subject of pens, he continued searching desperately for one without success. No matter how dazzling the Mushroom Kingdom appeared on the surface, Luigi knew he had to return home to his fiancée, and honour the promise he had made: to become Queen Koopa. It was too late for that, however, because the party had already begun.

The castle gardens glowed with fairy-lights, draped in a delicate palette of baby pinks and blues, tables bowed under the weight of towering cakes, and guests from across the neighboring kingdoms danced and mingled, while a Toad orchestra filled the air with lively music.

Earlier that afternoon, Peach had taken the brothers to be fitted by a tailor Toadette, who, after taking their measurements, dressed Luigi in a deep dark green suit jacket with matching trousers, and a white shirt left open at the collar, while Mario was fitted with a burgundy suit, a black shirt, and a red bowtie. Peach, radiant as ever, wore an elaborate pink gown, her golden hair styled in a half-bun, and was deep in conversation with the Penguin King and the Kong royal family. Luigi, meanwhile, lingered by the punch table with a lost, distant look.

Grand gatherings were never really his scene, and after the chaos of the past few weeks, it all felt overwhelming. The last thing he wanted to be dragged off to was a party celebrating his ‘rescue’ when he shouldn’t have been rescued in the first place! He just wanted a quiet night in his soulmate’s arms, in the Darklands, where they both belonged! Was that really too much to ask?

“Do you see the lights?” Mario’s friend, Toad, had appeared at Luigi’s side, bouncing excitedly. Out on the horizon, faint red glimmers flickered like fireflies. “Did the Princess plan fireworks or something?”

“I— um, I think the fireworks were supposed to—ah finish the night?” Luigi fumbled. His collar felt damp against the back of his neck. “I don’t know what the lights are.”

The sparks grew brighter as they floated toward them, until Luigi could just make out dark silhouettes breaking through the clouds — ships…?

The colour drained from Toad’s face. “Oh no.”

A chorus of shrill Toad screams erupted around the gardens as panic spread through the crowd.

They were being ambushed.

Bowser had come for his Queen.

Chapter Text

The first thing Mario did when he saw the approach of the Koopa army was find his brother. He shoved through the panicked crowd, and spotted Luigi doing the same. However, instead of fleeing with the Toads, Luigi was forcing his way toward the incoming bombardment.

“Luigi!” Mario shouted. He lunged forward, grabbing his brother’s wrist and yanking him back. “Lu, we need to—”

“—Stop them!” Luigi cut in. (Mario was going to say ’leave’, but he supposed ’stop them’ worked, too.) “They’re here for me. I need to find Kamek and—”

“Kamek?” Mario almost screeched. His brother couldn’t fight a mage that powerful! Not even the Kong Army could land a blow on King Bowser’s most trusted advisor. “We’re not going anywhere near that guy! If they’re after you, we need to get inside the castle and wait for Peach’s orders!”

“We don’t have time!” Luigi’s voice cracked with urgency as he looked frantically at the sky. “If I don’t fix this now, people are going to get hurt!” He twisted his wrist free, but Mario clamped down harder, digging his fingers into his fragile flesh.

“Lu!” Mario growled, but Luigi shoved him back, causing him to stumble back into an abandoned table. By the time Mario scrambled to his feet, Luigi was already pushing through the mob.

“Go to the castle with Peach and DK!” Luigi called over his shoulder. “I need to do this. I’m sorry!”

“Luigi!” Mario roared. He tried to fight his way forward, but the press of bodies swallowed his brother whole. In the space of a heartbeat, Luigi was… gone.

’So much for sticking together.’ Mario thought bitterly, his chest tight with anger and fear. He’d only just got Luigi back — what in the Mushroom Kingdom was wrong with him?