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Sharing a body with someone else give you a deeper understanding of them. Helping was the sprout, making Luigi's mind an open book to him. Dimentio learned that all Luigi wanted to be appreciated like his older brother. He had helped out on so many of their adventures, even saving Mario a few times, and they didn't even realized that he was Mr. L.
In his new world, no one would ever forget about Luigi.
-
Luigi's first honest interaction with Bowser was when he was disguised as Princess Peach going on a date with him in her stead. While this wasn't the first time he's been disguised as her this is the first time something hadn't gone immediately wrong.
Bowser looked nervous, fidgeting with his claws. It was a look the plumber had never seen on the Koopa King before. "So um... how've you been recently? Everything alright with the kingdom?"
"The kingdom and I have been fine. Thanks for asking. We'd be doing better if we didn't have to worry about someone constantly attacking us." Luigi raised his voice and tried to mimic Peach's sass.
"Are you sure you're okay? Your voice sounds kinda off." Bowser pointed out.
"Just a sore throat," Luigi reassured, clearing his throat for good measure.
"If you want, Kamek know healing magic." Bowser offered.
"Thanks, but the palace doctor said it should go away on its own in a few days." He reassured.
"If it doesn't, just tell me, alright. With my army protecting your people, you'll never have to worry again." Bowser exclaimed.
"I fear that will only cause the poor Toads more fear. Kidnapping a monarch isn't the best way to happy thoughts of you in it's people especially if it's a repeated offence." Luigi reprimanded.
Bowser looked genuinely sad at that, making Luigi sad in return. Why was Bowser surprised by that? Wasn't his plan to rule over the world through fear with Peach at his side? Or had they all read him wrong?
Luigi grabbed one of Bowser's claws, rubbing the back of it. "Did someone tell you that this was the way to go about things? Could you not tell that all you were doing was pushing me? He prompted.
"No. The closest thing I had to a parental figure was Kamek. And considering that she had to manage an entire kingdom and raise its its next monarch with little experience in either. You can probably see why that was a struggle. Violence is just always how we've done things." Bowser admitted.
Luigi frowned, "it seems to me like you're not actually a bad person. You're just doing what you think is best for your kingdom and don't know any other way to do things. It seems like you truly care about your children as well. You've also shown in the past that you can do good if only to stop a greater evil."
"Are you saying that, even after all I've done to you, you'd still be willing to give me a chance?" Bowser exclaimed hope clear in his voice.
"Of course, you just need someone to show you how and support you the entire time. There's also something I need to admit as well." Luigi stated.
"That you've always believed that I was a good person deep inside and feel like you can finally admit to the feeling you've been hiding from yourself." Bowser rushed out.
"Kind of. But there's also something else." Luigi took off the veil, revealing his face.
"Luigi! Gah, how many times have you tried to pull this trick on me? I can't believe I fell for it. Were you just playing with my emotions as well?" Bowser growled.
"No! I truly meant it when I said you could change with some help and that I want to be that helping hand. Peach would probably think that it was some kind of trick, and Mario doesn't trust you as far as he can throw you. But I know what it feels like to be told that you can only be one thing, so I know that the first person you need to prove wrong is yourself." Luigi declared.
Bowser snickered. "Alright, I'm willing to give this a chance. But I'm not the one explaining this to your brother."
Luigi grinned ear to ear. And Bowser had to admit that it was kind of cute. "Thank you. I promise you won't regret it."
Bowser scoffed, "I better not."
-
"Are you really sure this is a good idea? I just don't want you to get hurt." This was the third time Mario has asked that.
"I can take care of myself. I thought you'd trust me by now. Besides, if anything happens I'll make sure you know where I went." Luigi reassured.
"You're not the one I don't trust. You had one nice conversation with our arch nemesis and you suddenly think he can change?" Mario pointed out.
"You're arch nemesis. And don't you think it's at least worth a shot? The kingdom wouldn't be in danger anymore and we could finally live a normal life like you always wanted." Luigi pleaded.
Mario took one look at the puppy-dog-eyes his brother was giving him and folded. "Fine. But if Bowser tries anything, I'm ending it."
Luigi got up to hug Mario. "Thanks, bro. You're the best."
-
Bowser and Luigi had been hanging out for a month now. Over the course of the month, the two learned to be comfortable in each other's presence. No longer did an air of awkwardness hang over them, threatening to ruin the moment.
Of course, something had to go wrong eventually. That was always his luck. As Luigi was headed to Bowser's palace a voice of someone long since thought dead rang out. "Well hello, my dear Luigi. I hope your life wasn't to boring without me."
"Dimentio! What are you up to this time?" Luigi demanded taking a fighting stance.
"Come now, that's no way to greet a friend. I just want to help both of us out." The jester coed, grabbing Luigi's check with a floating hand.
Luigi slapped it away. "Like I'd fall for that. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way. But something tells me you're gonna pick the hard way."
"Aw, how cute. Little Luigi thinks he take me on all on his own. Cute but naive. You do realize I was going easy on you back then right?" Dimentio taunted.
"What you fail to consider is that I've grown a lot stronger and braver since we've last met. I know I can beat you once more." Luigi declared.
Dimentio let out a dramatic sigh. "I feared that you'd be stubborn. That's why I'm taking the choice out of your hands."
He snapped his finger and Luigi feel the floral sapian sprout take over his mind. How did Dimentio plant it without him knowing?
"You should have known that you were never the one in control here. And I was actually going to let you keep your freedom if you behaved. Oh well. Caio now." Was the last thing Luigi heard before losing control. Dimentio admired his new toy with a smirk. stage one of his plan was now complete.
-
Bowser was worried, it wasn't like Luigi to be late. He turned to one of his minions, "you get Kamek." He ordered. The minion nodded and and ran off.
Soon enough Kamek appeared in front of him. "You asked to see me, sir."
"Go see what's taking Luigi so long then report back to me. Try to make sure he doesn't see you." He ordered.
"Of course sir. No one leaves the Koopa King waiting." She said with a bow.
She was gone before Bowser could defend Luigi. The plumber probably got sidetracked by something dumb and they shouldn't assume bad intention.. He still couldn't stop himself from glancing at the clock his concern growing by the second. He didn't want Luigi to think that he still thought lowly of him even after everything he's done for him. But at the same time, Bowser has learned to trust his instincts.
Thankfully kamek returned quickly with a picture. Dimentio with Luigi sitting on his lap a sprout growing out of the plumber's head. The plumber had a blank expression staring of into nothing.
"I thought we killed that loser a while back. And now he's kidnapped and brainwashed Luigi. Ready the army we have to save Luigi from that creep." Bowser growled.
"Yes sir. Should I tell Mario about what happened?" Kamek ased.
"Hell no. He'll be pissed when he finds out I couldn't protect his brother. Besides we can handle Dimentio ourselves." Bowser growled.
The army was ready in no time headed on the quickest route to Dimentio's lair. An old castle he restored.
-
Dimentio sat with Luigi still sat in his lap playing with the other's hair. It was kind of nice just being there with him. he was planning how he'd take over the worlds knowing that it should be a easy enough task. Of course, he'd have monuments and holidays in both of there honers. Even if he didn't more of the sprouts, there were other ways to get people to worship them both.
"Tell me about how you love me." He commanded.
"I love you now and forever, master." Luigi said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Aw aw aw, what have I told you? You are to refer to me love. Try again." Dimentio coed.
"I love you now and forever, love." Luigi said.
"Much better. You're learning. Aren't you happy that I took over your mind?" Dimentio asked.
"My life is so much better with you in it, master," Luigi said.
"Not as fast as I'd like unfortunately." Dimentio frowned.
"I do not mean to disappoint master. All I want is for you to be happy." The apology was hollow but Dimentio didn't seem to mind. He knew that in time he'd have the perfect lover.
Then he heard several airships coming towards them. Alright, no more Mister Nice Guy. Time to show the heroes what he was truly capable of.
"Stay here. I have something I must attend to." He commanded.
-
"Search the entire place for them. If something looks suspicious then inspect it. Nothing in this place is how it seem." Bowser commanded, his voice ringing through the ships' speakers.
Dimentio was surprised to see Bowser and his forces as the other didn't even seem to care about Luigi seeing the plumber as weak. And he didn't see Mario either meaning that the plumber hadn't force him to come. Did Bowser really see him as that much of a threat? He was almost flattered by the thought. He summoned a bunch of clones and left. The turtle wasn't worth his time of day.
"Kamek create a magic shield to protect as many of our forces as possible from their attacks," Bowser commanded.
Kamek did so the giant circular barrier protecting the troops from the star-shaped projectiles. "The real one isn't here sir." Kamek informed.
"He must be inside. The clones won't disappear until he's dealt with. Everyone with armor follow me inside; everyone else stay inside the shield." Bowser commanded.
Bowser and his troops stormed inside the castle splitting up to look faster. Bowser made sure wreck as much of the place as he could on the way. He and Kamek eventually made it to the room housing Luigi.
Dimentio appeared sound annoyed as he said, "Bowser to what do I owe the pleasure? I mean, I haven't even done anything especially nefarious yet, and you still managed to find and attack me."
"Look punk, you can either give me back Luigi and I call of my army, or you can refuse and I blow this place to kingdom come and make sure you stayed dead this time." Bowser growled.
Dimentio let out a boisterous laugh. "You honestly think I'm scared of you or your pathetic excuse for a army. If I wanted to I could have my clones destroy the magic barrier and kill everyone on the airships. Besides, what makes you think that you deserve my Luigi?"
Bowser let out a laugh of his own. "You're Luigi. You really are a clown. I care about him because he's the first person to show me genuine kindness and because of that I'm trying to become a better person. Compare that to you who has to mind control him because you know you have no hope in winning his heart fair and square."
Dimentio looked pissed at that. "How dare you. First, I am a jester learn the difference. And second, once Luigi sees the world I've created for us he'll thank me. That's it I've had enough of you." He threw a magic blast which Kamek countered with one of her own.
"He can't really do that if he isn't here. I was using our little talk to distract you so kamek could switch Luigi out with a doll made by the Mushroom Kingdom as merchandise." Bowser pointed out.
And surely enough when Dimentio turned to where Luigi once was there was now a life-sized doll. He hadn't expected a dunce like Bowser to come up with such a clever plan. No a plan like that is trickery 1-0-1 and something even a third rate writer could come up with. The only reason it got him was because he underestimated his opponent. He should have known better.
"Now I don't have to worry about him getting hurt in the crossfire. Plus since he could be in any of my several bases or even in the safe hands of his brother you can't teleport him back." Bowser continued.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill right now," Dimentio demanded.
"Because Kamek already put the magic blocking cuffs on. A new invention for people like you." Bowser pointed out.
Dimentio was so distracted by Bowser that he forgot that the other was even there. How could he be so calise?
"Your plan worked great Kamek. Couldn't have done it without you." Bowser praised.
'Of course, he wasn't the one to come up with the plan. It all made sense now.' Dimentio thought to himself as they dragged him away.
"Of course sir. It's my duty serve the Koopa King. Even if I'm not fully on board with you and Luigi hanging out all the time I won't question your judgment." Kamek declared.
-
Peach and Mario were at a festival celebrating his first ever defeat of Bowser when one of the life-sized Luigi dolls turned into Luigi. They both recognized the sprout growing from Luigi's head. They took him to the palace and carefully removed the sprout causing Luigi to groan in pain and blink the dazed look away.
"What happened?" Mario demanded.
"It's Dimentio he's back. He's planning to take over the worlds with me at his side. But Bowser saved me. He must have realized something was up when I was late to our date." Luigi explained.
"Playing dead does sound like something he'd do. I'm just glad you're safe. I guess this prove that Bowser can change after all." Peach stated. She had been on his side if only because it meant that Bowser would leave her and the kingdom alone.
"Fine, I'll admit that he's showing some promised. Dimentio didn't make you do anything to bad right?" Mario asked.
"He kept having me call him 'love' which was weird, but other than that no. Bowser found me pretty quickly." Luigi explained.
"That's good to heat. Unfortunately, it looks like we just switched one villain out for another." Mario joked and they all laughed.