Chapter Text
"I didn't start it!" Mario was furious that his father blamed him for what had happened at school. Some idiot was picking on Luigi, and Mario stepped in.
"The other boy has a lot going on-" his dad started, but Mario wasn't having it.
"I don't CARE! Luigi did nothing to that jerk and I was only defending him! Was I supposed to let that guy hurt my brother?"
"You are supposed to not start fights at school!" His dad shot back. "Why do you always have to cause trouble?"
Mario had enough. His dad always did this. No matter what Mario did, he wasn't good enough.
Without another word, Mario ran out the door. He couldn’t deal with this right now.
It was dark and a bit chilly in the streets of Brooklyn, but no way was Mario turning back now. His dad would be steaming for a while, and his mother was dealing with poor Luigi.
He didn't regret what he did at at school. He would do it again in a heartbeat.
Luigi was the only one who never told him what he couldn't do. I'm fact, because of his little brother, Mario wanted to do everything!
He would start a plumbing business with Lu, and they would be the best plumbers of all time. Plumbers made a lot of money right?
Mario sighed. He was getting colder, and he was lost. He turned around, deciding he had been out long enough, when suddenly...
"Waaah!" The boy fell. Where a manhole cover should have been was just a hole, and Mario fell down it.
Down, down he went, waiting for the impact of the ground. Instead, he felt like he was being pulled along a strange vortex.
"Mama Mia," He breathed. It was other worldly.
Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled to a giant dark cloud, before he was spat out.
Mario face planted in the dirt, quickly recovering before dusting himself off.
Where was he? Wherever it was was warmer than Brooklyn at least.
"Halt! Who goes there!" Mario turned to the strange voices.
Wait. We're they...turtles? Two with spears ran up to him. They both wore helmets and had blue shells, although only one had spikes.
"Golly, it's a child!" The other one said. "A human child at that!"
"Human?" The spiked turtle gave Mario a suspicious look.
"Y-Yeah. My name is Mario. I fell down this hole and ended up here. Wherever here is."
"Your in the Darklands," the first turtle said, lowering her spear. "My name is Shelly. This is Spike."
"Don't be nice to the human!" Spike snarled. "He could be a spy! Or...you know..." Shelly gave Spike a knowing look.
"Well, I think you should come with us. Kamek should be able to help you," Shelly said. Mario had a feeling Spike didn't like him.
"Oh, don't mind him Mario. He's just always ready for a fight," Shelly offered her hand(?) to Mario. She seemed nice for a talking turtle (Mario must have been dreaming or having a hallucination).
"I just wanna go home," Mario was feeling scared now. He wanted to wake up, but was beginning to think that this was too detailed for a dream.
"Kamek will help you," Shelly reiterated. "I promise."
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Kamek felt something in his gut when the two Koopa guards brought a human boy to him.
At this hour of the night!
But any anger fizzled out and was replaced by confusion when he saw the human.
The baby with the Yoshi! He had eluded him the night Kamek had tried to kidnap him and his brother, to eradicate any threat to the Prince of the Darklands.
Bowser didn't even remember.
Now this child was here, in his domain. He could slay him now and that would be it. But where was the other one?
The child didn't look like he had any power, but if he was foretold to defeat Bowser.
Humans were naturally evil. Maybe, if giving the correct upbringing, this human could be useful.
"Leave the child with me," Kamek ordered. Spike and Shelly left without a word. The boy immediately got into a fighting stance, as if ready for something.
"You have a fire in you lad," Kamek laughed. "What's your name?"
"Mario," the boy answered. "Those two turtle guards said you could help me get home?" Kamek felt he had to be careful with his words. The boy was smarter than he appeared.
He had to win his trust.
"I can try," Kamek said. "Where is your home?"
"Brooklyn!" Mario jumped, his eyes sparkling. "My home is in New York!"
"I've never heard of such a place," Kamek replied. He approached his crystal ball, glancing into it.
"Oh dear. It seems the pipe you came to this world in has vanished."
"What?" Any energy the child had drained away, leaving the boy pale.
"Some pipes are one way only. You must have came through one of those. Perhaps however, we could find another. It may take a while though," Kamek told the boy.
It was true, the pipe Mario had transported through was gone. But even if it remained, Kamek had no intention of letting the human go.
"A while?"
"It could take days, weeks. Years," Kamek told him.
"Years? No, I have to get home..." Mario was getting angry, due to fear perhaps. "My brother needs me! I can't just disappear!"
"Well, you have two choices," Kamek approached the child, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You can either go out on your own, search for a pipe that might get you home. Or, you can stay here. Under my teaching you could be something incredible. Maybe even make your family proud."
"My dad is never proud of me," Mario mumbled, looking to the ground.
"Well, he will be after you return. But until then, this shall be your home." Kamek turned away from the boy to hide the smile that was growing on his face.
"Okie dokey. As long as you promise to search for my home!" Mario insisted.
"Deal, but first," Kamek poofed up a contract. "Sign this," He handed the paper and a pen to Mario, who looked it over.
"As you live here, you will be known as Red," Kamek said. "It's...easier for the other Koopa's to understand." In reality, taking the humans name was another part of control over him.
Kamek was taking no chances.
The contract signed, Kamek took it from the boy.
"Welcome to the Darklands. Shelly!" The Koppa soilder burst in, saluting.
"Take Red to a spare room. Make sure he is comfortable," Kamek told her.
"Red? Oh. Come along!" Shelly waved for the human to follow her.
"I...thank you." Red said, before leaving. Kamek let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding.
Now, Kamek immediately began to search for a pipe to the human relm. Not so Ma-Red could go home, but so Kamek could find his brother.
It would be better to keep an eye on the other hero to be.
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Luigi had finally calmed down. He had been so upset, his mother trying to comfort him as Mario and his dad shouted at one another.
It was his fault. If he could just stand up for himself, Mario wouldn't have had to step in.
It got to much for Luigi, who hid away like the coward he was.
"It's alright," Mama cuddled him close. "Let it out."
A slam was heard, catching their attention. Sounded like someone had stormed out.
"I'll see if I can calm thing's down," Mama said, Lyigi just nodding. He would take a minute before talking to Mario.
He would tell his big brother that he was grateful for his actions, even if Papa wasn't. Why did Dad have to be so have on Mario all the time?
Time passed slowly before Luigi plucked up the courage to enter the living room. His uncles were out, and Dad and Mario were nowhere to be seen either.
Probably out a walk. To defuse. Luigi told himself not to worry.
But more time passed, neither of them to be seen. It was getting late. So late even Mama was getting worried.
Eventually, Dad returned, his eyes widened with worry.
Mario wasn't with him.
"I've looked everywhere..." Luigi had never seen his father shaking so much. "Has Mario returned here?"
"No," Mama's voice shook. Nobody slept that night.
Dad went out to search for Mario along with uncle Tony and Arthur to look in every nook and crany of Brooklyn they could think of while Mama stayed at home with Luigi.
The police were called, but no matter how far they looked, Mario didn't appear.
He just...vanished.
Luigi hoped it was just a cruel joke, or a bad dream. But as the years past, his brother was nowhere to be found.
Every night, Luigi cried himself to sleep, wondering what happened to his twin, hoping thst one day, he would see him again.
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Years past since Red made his home in Darkland. Bowser didn't like him at first, but Kamek convinced his King that they should keep the human.
It was the right call.
Although he lacked power in the magical sense, Red made up for it with determination and loyalty.
Also, he never gave up. No matter how many times he failed at a task, he kept picking himself up and trying again.
Shelly was acting like a proud auntie, cheering Red on as he past the Guantlet after several attempts.
The Guantlet was the toughest course a Koopa could take, but at least most of the residents of Darklands had protection.
Red was given armour, a blood red cape with a hood to wear, and a mask resembling a dry bones. The mask was black, so his blue eyes glowed as he wore it.
Kamek smirked with satisfaction. His risk had paid off.
At first, Red was constantly asking about a way home, Kamek quelling him woth the lie that he was searching. Over time, something shifted.
Red stopped asking, instead focusing on his training to be strong. Shelly was encouraging, but that didn't mean she was going easy on him in a fight.
"Easy Red," Kamek saw the human was angered after another loss. He had removed his mask, showing that a mustache had started to grow under his nose.
"I'll never be good enough!" Red spat, turning away. "My father always used to tell me I was trouble."
"Your father was a fool," Kamek placed a hand on Red's shoulder, causing the human to look at him. "You are powerful. Despite any failure that tries to stop you, you keep fighting. Just like Bowser. You could be his personal guard, but not if you give up. It wouldn't be like you Red."
"Does...Bowser need a personal guard?"
"Not really, he needs a friend more, but as I said, the King is stubborn," Kamek pulled away. "You belong here Red. You have come so far, why give up now?"
"You...are right," Red took a breath and stood up, replacing his mask. "Thank you Kamek."
"Of course." Kamek turned away from Red, gripping his wand. "The anger you have for your father...hold onto it. Use it. It will make you stronger."
"Yes," Red said, a growl in his voice. "I'll prove him wrong."
"Then get to it!" Kamek waved his arms up as he turned back to the human. "Show this Kingdom who you are!"
A powerful pawn, servant to King Bowser. Fuelled by hatred and anger for his past life.
Bowser would be unstoppable, all thanks to Kamek. And Red would be the key.
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Red was deep in thought as he had been summoned to Bowser's throne room.
It had been fourteen years since he joined the Koopa army, despite not being a Koopa himself.
Funny, the details were fuzzy, but it had been a while.
Shelly had taken him under her wing, but it was Kamek who taught him everything he had to know.
Now? He was Bowser's personal guard, which meant he was to keep the King out of trouble.
Right now, the castle was floating towards the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser wanted to impress Princess Peach, and thought the Super star was the best way of doing that.
Red just rolled his eyes. Hopefully Bowser's plan went off without any difficulties.
He had been on brake when Shelly told him that Bowser wanted to see him. Something about a new prisoner?
So Red entered, mask on, hood up. As he approached the King however, he froze.
Three Shyguys were there, along with Kamek and Bowser.
And a human.
Kamek was holding the human with his magic, the man whimpering a little as Bowser stood next to him with a smile.
"This is Red, my personal guard," Bowser turned the man to face him.
"T-That's nice," the man replied, obviously afraid. He was in overalls, his colour scheme green and his hat had an 'L' on it.
No. It couldn't be.
"Why don't you tell him your name?" Bowser told the human. "Or will I do it?" He toyed with the man's mustache.
"Luigi! My name is Luigi!" The human cried as Bowser let go, looking at Red with curious eyes.
"Luigi?" Red felt his breathing increase as he lost control of his thoughts, removing his mask.
"...Mario?" Luigi whispered. It was him. His little brother. Bowser nodded to Kamek who released Luigi, his brother stumbling before making a B line for Red.
"Mario!" Luigi hugged him so tight. Red hugged back, trying not to cry. His brother was here. He was safe!
Now, Red realised, he had no reason to want to go home. His brother was here now and, with a bit of convincing, he could make him join him.
He would never go without his brother again.