Chapter 1:
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“Keep up the good work,” Luigi said in front of the group of Pink Shyguys. There were several targets set up. The masked soldiers were instructed to first fire their slingshots at the targets, then they were ordered to ride on autobombs and fire projectiles at the targets. So far every shot was a bull eye or close to it.
“Hey Luigi,” Morton approached him while chewing gum. The smacking and snapping was loud and Luigi was worried it would distract his troops. “There is a phone call for you.”
“Who is it from?” Luigi did not remove his focus from the Shyguys.
“Mario, he says it’s urgent.”
“I’ll get it,” he turned to one of his men. “Sergeant Shooters, you are in charge until I return.”
“Yes General,” the Shyguy saluted him.
“Morton, weren’t you supposed to supervise some of the reconstruction of the castle roof with Roy?” Luigi asked.
“I was,” Morton nodded. “But Roy has that temper you know? He is always quick to blow a fuse, just the littlest thing sets him off and he turns red, and then he starts to yell and wave his fists around.”
“Morton,” Luigi placed his hand over his face. “What did your brother say to you?”
“He said my gum chewing was annoying and then boom he got mad and started to shout, just like I told you. He gets upset over the littlest things and just goes off like a Bomb-omb.”
“I see,” Luigi had a feeling it was about the gum chewing. “If you need something to do you can make sure the Chomps have been fed.”
“I guess,” Morton shrugged. “Maybe I can also play with the puppy Chomps.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Luigi nodded. Morton liked to talk big and strives to be as strong as Roy, but he always had a soft spot for puppy Chomps, Baby Bloopers, Micro Goombas, Baby Cheeps, just about all baby creatures.
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The phone was still off the hook when he picked it up. “Hello?”
“Hey Weegie,” Mario greeted. “Didn’t you get a new cell phone recently?”
“I did, but it’s in our room. I was training some soldiers.” Mario knew about the no cell-phone rule during training.
“Sorry, didn’t know if you were with some troops or not,” Mario said. “I know I should be over to help finish the repairs.”
“Yeah, Bowser said you were the only one who wasn’t off the hook.” He remembered the reasons why Bowser didn’t force the rest of his new troops to work on the castle. His king had said something about the star alien having to return home, the little prince was reunited with his parents, although several cloud like people did come over to help with the repairs, Maria was in the hospital, and Peach was never made part of the troop. Mario had come over to help in the past before visiting Maria and trying to sneak in Bowser who was also concerned for her.
“I knew I should have been there an hour ago. I just had this bombshell dropped on me.”
“What happened?” Luigi pulled out a chair. From the tone of his brother’s voice he knew it was something he was going to take better while sitting.
“I don’t know where to start.” He swallowed. “We have been living a lie for years.”
“Start from the beginning.”
“Okay,” Mario paused to take in a deep breath. “You know about me donating blood for Maria because we are the same blood type? We match even more than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“A DNA expert ran some more tests. Maria and I have the same biological parents. We have the same parents as she does, Luigi, she’s our sister.”
Luigi let those words sink in. “You know that is impossible right?”
“I thought so, but the clues match up. We never knew who are real parents were.”
“Yeah, but our parents were reptiles, she’s a mammal.”
“She has two older twin brothers who were murdered years ago who have the same name, and the day of their death is the same as our birthday.”
“Yes,” Luigi felt his stomach tighten up. “The Yoshi did say our hats belonged to them and that I smelled like the human baby.”
“Before he wiped some of my memories, Kamek confessed something to me, something I haven’t told you before. He said he was responsible for getting rid of the human Mario and Luigi.”
“That meant he just…” Luigi didn’t finish. He thought of the other possibilities besides murder and he factored in the facts about Kamek. He was a crazy and a high skilled Magikoopa. “He got rid of our humanity. We never hatched.”
“Our parents are alive and in this place called Brooklyn.”
“We have a sister,” Luigi felt his hands shake. No wonder Maria smelled like family when he temporarily turned her into a Koopa. “We have a sister.”
“No wonder I felt uncomfortable when Bowser kissed her.”
“I have to tell everyone,” Luigi swallowed. “I have to tell Wendy, I have to tell mom-“
“Mom?” Mario growled. “You mean Kammy Koopa? That witch lied to us our entire lives. She kept us from our true family. She was never our mother.”
“She raised us,” Luigi felt some bile in his stomach. Their mother did keep them away from their real mother and continued the lie, but she did raise them and love them.
“That means squat. I never want to see her again.”
“Mario wait.”
“No more lies. I will honor my commitment with the castle, but then I’m through with the troop, never again.”
“You wait.”
“I have put my foot down.”
“I think we should talk about it. I will be there before the next visiting hours. I want to see my sister. We can talk then.”
“We can try to talk but it won’t change my mind. I’ll see you then. Take care bro.”
“Take care,” Luigi hung up.
-
Luigi felt several emotions as he made his way to mother’s room. There was anger and confusion, and he felt let down and betrayed. As angry as he was he still felt like he couldn’t cut his mother out of his life. This was the same woman who handmade their costumes for candy gathering and costume parties in the past, who had fresh baked brownies and cookies ready for them when they got home from school and sat at the table with them and helped with math homework, write out book reports, work on science projects and helped them study for tests. She wrapped them up in every blanket they had and held them in her arms when they had the chills and fever.
Kamek was on his hands and knees, scrubbing the floor in the hallway. Bowser gave him and Kamella a wollup of a punishment when he found out they had erased some of Mario’s memories.
Luigi pretended not to see Kamek and stepped on his back.
“Hey,” Kamek screamed.
“Whoops. I guess I didn’t see you there,” Luigi smirked before he knocked on the door to his mother’s room.
“Who is it?” Mother asked.
“It’s a me,” Luigi said.
“Come on in.”
“We have to talk,” He stepped inside. “I know everything.”
“Everything?” Mother was feeding tiny slivers of meat to some underdeveloped piranha plants. “Everything covers a lot of ground, could be a bit less vague?”
“About us,” Luigi scowled. “I was once human. You kidnapped us when we were babies, transformed us into Koopas and told those who tried to rescue us that we were dead. My parents believed we were dead. My sister believed we were dead. I have a sister.”
Mother didn’t say anything. She just stared at her plants who either looked confused or where tisking her.
“Mother?” Luigi asked. “Or should I call you by your real name, like Mario is doing?”
Mother sighed. “It is true.”
“Why?”
“Years ago when you were just infants Kamek saw a prophecy on his crystal ball. You and Mario would have been the ones to stop Bowser from his take over of the Mushroom Kingdom. You would have been the ones to save the seven kingdoms from his children. You would have been the ones to save Dinosaur Land.”
“Wow,” Luigi blinked.
“Kamek wanted to kill you,” she gave her plants several pats on the heads. “I didn’t want that to happen, even though you would have been threats to our prince I just couldn’t allow him to kill something so young and helpless. You were just babies. It was even worse than putting down a Puppy Chomp for being a runt, or for throwing a way plants because they are not able to reach their full size.”
Luigi couldn’t argue with that. His mother always had a soft spot for those who were small and weak, and those who may have seemed to be unwanted.
“I couldn’t let him kill you. I asked my crystal ball if there was some way they would also save Bowser.”
“You saw the Smithy Gang attack?”
She nodded. “There was also the Shroob invasion. I doubt you remember them. You were barely two years old when they came, but they looked like purple mushrooms with red eyes and claws for hands. You both were assisted by your older selves.”
“I kind of remember being held by a green shelled Koopa with a moustache,” Luigi rubbed the top of his head. I think I remember being in the belly of this giant Yoshi monster.”
“There was another vision. A shadowy figure in a cape and top hat who wielded a large black heart was in the third one. You have to watch out for him.”
“You told Kamek these visions and he kidnapped us instead and then one of you transformed us into Koopa hatchlings.”
“We both did. For a permanent transformation you need two powerful Magikoopas who were in sync with each other. Even if I couldn’t see anything I would have made up something.”
“You really wanted us alive?”
“You can say I was desperate for children. I never told you why I never was able to have my own children.”
Luigi shook his head.
“It was an accident when I was sixteen. I was trying to perform a complicated spell and it backfired. I was in a coma for a week and when I woke I found out that all my ova have been destroyed.”
“Ouch. I can understand why you went through all that, but why didn’t you ever tell us the truth?”
“I was afraid that I would lose you, that you would have run off and left me. I was afraid you would disown me, like Mario had. That is what you had told me was true.”
“It is. He’s being stubborn again. I’ll tell him what you have just told me. He might come around. He did eventually after that one time when we were fourteen and we wanted to go see a concert and you wouldn’t let us.”
“This is different, although he might if he knew about this,” she waved her wand over her crystal ball. “Take a look.”
Luigi stared into the crystal ball. After the smoke had cleared he watched as a human couple, along with several toads fight against the shambling figures of zombies, creepy bird women and what appeared to have been vampires. There was also a large monster covered with fur. It had four heads connected to long necks and a long tail covered in spines. He watched as the toads were killed and the large monster held the human man by its claws. The vampire leader demanded to know where the woman’s twin sons were located and when she refused the vampire ordered the large monster to kill the man.
“What was that?” Luigi asked.
“That was what would have happened if the Yoshis had succeeded and Kamek never caught you. After the Shroob invasion your parents sent you to Brooklyn where you would have lived until you came across the Mushroom Kingdom. Your parents fought against another menace shortly after and your father was murdered.”
“My father would have been killed?” Luigi scratched his head. “Why didn’t they try to go after the vampires and zombies after we were taken?”
“They were too heartbroken. Your mother blame this land and they left not long after the funeral took place.”
“Would my human mother have been killed?”
His mother shrugged. “I am not certain. All I know is that in this scenario your father was killed when you were a toddler. Maria was never born.”
“Wow,” Luigi’s knees felt weak. “I mean both is bad and heartbreaking, but my father is alive and I have a sister. I need to tell Mario. I have to see my sister. I have got to get her a gift. I just need to borrow one thing.”
“What?”
“This,” Luigi searched amongst the books for the large family photo album. “This.”
-
Luigi did tense up when he had entered the Mushroom Kingdom along with Wendy. Every Toad he had come across had scowled at them, but no one dared to shout at them or tried to throw rocks or dirt clods at them. Maybe they knew by his hat that he was related to Mario and Peach considers him a good friend.
“Are you certain this is a good idea?” Wendy asked. She was carrying a potted lava plant with a ribbon tied around the pot.
“I am coming to see my brother and my sister,” Luigi kept the photo album under his arm and carried a box of chocolates in his hands. “I need to smack my brother upside the head for being stubborn and I want to see my sister.”
“You did see her before,” Wendy said. “You used the wand to turn her into a Koopa.”
“I didn’t know she was my sister. Imagine if all of your older brothers were turned into humans and raised as humans and you just discovered they were your brothers.”
“It’s a lot to for the brain to digest.”
“Tell me about it.” He said as the entered the hospital. “Maria’s room is on the third floor.”
It wasn’t difficult to find where Maria’s room was. There was a small sign on the wall next to her door, and her door was covered with get well soon cards and pictures drawn by kids.
“Why aren’t they inside?” Wendy asked.
“Beats me,” Luigi knocked on the door. “Maria,” Luigi swallowed. “It’s your other big brother.”
“Come on in,” Maria said. “Just be careful.”
Luigi nearly dropped the chocolates when he opened the door. The walls were covered with more get well cards and drawings. Several bouquets covered every possible table space. Stuffed animals were placed under the tables, on chairs and at the foot of Maria’s bed. The ceiling was covered with aluminum helium balloons.
“Whoops,” Wendy stared at the gift she had brought.
“You don’t have to say whoops,” Mario accepted the gift. “I will make room for it.”
“Has anyone brought chocolate?” Luigi asked.
“Several,” Maria smiled weakly. “Peach is keeping them nice in cool in the royal fridge. Pauline bought me a bottle of wine.”
“Where did you get all of this?” Wendy asked.
“She and Pauline are pretty popular here,” Mario explained. “One does become popular when they rescue their beloved princess over and over.”
“You deserve much of that credit,” Maria said.
“Can you believe little miss humble over there?” Mario pointed at her with his thumb.
“I can believe it,” Luigi carefully set the chocolates next to Maria’s water pitcher. “How long do you have to stay here?”
“Hopefully they will let me out tomorrow,” Maria gave him double thumbs up. It was still hard to believe that she was their little sister. Her hair was the same color brown as theirs and when she was a Koopa she stood at Luigi’s height. He did have to wonder if he were human would they have shared any other features.
“Good,” Luigi pulled the photo album out from under his arm.
“What is that?” Maria raised her eyebrows.
“Photos of me, Mario and our mother.”
“No,” Mario held up his hands. “Kammy Koopa is not my mother, she never was my mother.”
“She loves you,” Wendy scowled at him.
“Considering what she did?” Mario shook his head. “No. Don’t even try and show me those pictures. Because I won’t look at them and even if I did I won’t tear up.”
“You don’t even know why she did it,” Luigi growled.
“Can I see?” Maria asked.
“Sure,” Luigi handed her the photo album and turned back to his brother. “Did you know Kamek wanted to kill us when he captured us?”
“What?” Wendy’s jaw dropped.
“We were the ones who were going to be constantly rescuing Peach and other worlds from the Koopa Troop. It would have been us if Yoshi had managed to save us. Mother wanted us to stay alive. She wanted children. She even admitted she would have made up something just to keep Kamek from killing us.”
“Oh,” Maria gasped. She wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. “Baby Koopas are so cute. You guys were adorable as babies.”
“And they grew up handsome,” Wendy brushed the end of her tail against Luigi’s.
“Kamek wanted to kills us and she wanted us alive,” Mario frowned. “Why didn’t she send us back to our parents?”
“Because she was and still is part of the troop and wasn’t going to betray her prince and she wanted children. A magic accident made caused her to be infertile.”
“Poor Kammy,” Wendy said.
“A-ha,” Maria was grinning. “And we have here the obligatory naked and running from the bathtub picture.”
“Uh yeah,” Mario blushed and chuckled. “There is some embarrassing pictures of Luigi. I think there is one of him on the training potty.” He chuckled some more. “It is tragic what had happened to her, but nothing compares to what she did to our parents, or sister and our family.”
Luigi inhaled. “I saw something in her crystal ball. It is what would have happened if we were never captured. Our parents would have sent us to Brooklyn and not long after that our Father would have been killed.”
Mario blinked. “You are kidding right?”
“I’m not,” Luigi shuddered. “I wish I was. Mario, our sister would have never been born.”
“Here we are,” Maria pointed at the photo album. “Luigi on the potty, and on the next page we have your third birthday party and that is one nice cake.”
“I forgot about our third birthday,” Mario said. “Was it a party?”
“Maybe amongst family,” Luigi peered over Maria’s shoulder. He stared at the picture of him and Mario, both wearing over size party hats. In the next picture their mother was carrying out large cake with three candles. The frosting was chocolate and there were several candy piranha plants decorating the cake. “That cake did look delicious.”
“It must have been,” Maria pointed at the following picture. Both brothers had their snouts covered in chocolate. “I wonder what’s next.” She turned the page. The first picture had them in water wings and inner tubes and the next had them dressed up as Shyguys. The next pictures was based on the Xmas. They both received big wheels and teddy bear pajamas.
“I’m going to die from the cute.” Maria gasped. “What else.”
Time passed through the pictures. The brothers slowly grew up. There were images of them playing in the mud, getting slurped by Chomps. There were pictures of them at carnivals and beaches and several different theme parks. There were pictures of the boys playing pirates, cowboys, exploring the moon. There was the pictures of their first day of Kooptergarden and the first grade. There was one of them each taking turns holding baby Ludwig.
“Holy cow,” Maria nearly dropped the book. “How old was Bowser when he became a father, cause you guys look like you were only six.”
“We were,” Luigi said. “Bowser was only fourteen.”
“Fourteen?” Maria repeated. “Fourteen? I know that’s not impossible, but dang.”
“Mom was older than him by a couple of years.” Wendy said.
“It is kind of odd when you think about it,” Mario flipped through a few more pages.
“You still aren’t mad at her,” Luigi asked.
“I kinda heard your arguments,” Maria said. “And I know why you are angry at her. I’m pissed too since she kept you both from my family, but seeing these pictures. All I can see from her is love. She loves you. She made sure you had the best she could give.”
“She did love us,” Luigi said. “She still does, remember all the times she nearly collapsed on the floor because we got sick and she sat up by our beds? Remember all the stuff she baked for us. You remember the time she used her wand to shrink a Chomp down to the size of a thimble because it was about to bite you.”
“I remember,” Mario closed his eyes. There were tears at the corners of his eyes. “I’ve been an ass.”
“You were just angry,” Maria said. “It was a gut reaction.”
“I know,” Maria squeezed his hand. “I know you guys will be here tomorrow when I check out, could you take me to your castle?”
“Why?” Luigi asked.
“There are several reasons, one is to help you visit Brooklyn.”
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