Chapter 8: Revelation

Luigi went to bed, not long after he had finished fixing the pipes in the basement and dungeon. He was exhausted when he returned to the room he shared with Wendy, almost too tired to notice the surprise that was waiting for him. There was a brand new light green shirt that was neatly folded up, along with a pair of blue overalls. There were also a few black leather bands with spikes, five of them to be exact, one to wear as a collar, two to wear on his upper arms, and the last two to wear on his wrists.

He didn't think to set the alarm to wake up early the next morning. It just felt natural to him. He was an early riser and would be awake at seven, sometimes even earlier than that.

He didn't want to wake Wendy. She had crawled in few minutes after him and slept with her arm across his chest. If she was still tired then he was going to let her continue to sleep. He gave her a small kiss on the cheek before he slipped out of bed. He had to admire the material. It was similar to memory foam he had heard about, comfortable for him to rest on, and strong enough to not be damaged by his spikes. It was even stronger than the bed he slept on at Yoshi's.

The table in the dining hall was set when Luigi arrived. He was going to see if there was something like a bagel and he would have brewed himself some fresh coffee, but he can smell the coffee had already been made. He could also smell sausage patties, eggs, orange slices and pancakes. He could also smell coffee with a distinct hint of cinnamon in it.

Luigi wasn't surprised the food was already cooked and set out for him. What did surprise him was the sight of Larry seated at the table, already halfway finished with his breakfast.

"Good morning," Luigi greeted.

"Morning," Larry said around a mouthful of food.

"Do you usually wake up this early?" Luigi took a seat at the table.

"Nope," Larry wiped his mouth and took a long drink from his glass.

"You have something special planned for today?" He wondered if it was going to be a repeat from last night. The food was delicious and there was plenty to go around.

Wendy wasn't kidding about having a bigger appetite. He ate even more than Mario usually did. The lack of conversation made him nervous. Things started with Tethys talking about her family, Iggy brought up his latest invention he was working on, some kind of weapon, until Larry hushed him. A few minutes later Bowser had toasted to the newly wed couple and asked what kind of training Luigi wanted to do. Luigi was honest when he brought up jumping and his fire breath, things were quiet afterwards, until Roy, Morton, Larry, Lemmy, and Junior decided to have a belching contest.

"How many pancakes would you like, Master Luigi?" A Shyguy asked him.

"I think I will start out with four," Luigi was startled from his thoughts of the previous evening. "Make that four pancakes and four sausages."

"As you wish, Master Luigi," the Shyguy placed four of the cakes on Luigi's plate. Another Shyguy placed the sausages, while a third spooned the scrambled eggs and a fourth added the orange slices.

"You'll get used to it," Larry said as he placed the last bite of food into his mouth. "Then when you go on a real adventure you grow to appreciate and respect all the work these guys do for you."

"A real adventure?" Luigi asked. The closest thing to an actual adventure he had seen Larry and his siblings do was hold down the different forts for Bowser.

"Master Luigi?" A blue shy guy tapped him on the shoulder. "What would you like on your pancakes?"

"Butter and syrup," Luigi said. His eyes widened when the Shyguy raised the lid of the tray and exposed several small bottles, and tubs. "Maple syrup." He added.

"How much butter and syrup?"

"I'll get it," Luigi held up his hands and placed the butter on the cakes and poured a little of the maple syrup on top before he handed it back to the Shyguy.

"We got everything and anything you need to put on pancakes and waffles," Larry said. "Maple syrup, chocolate syrup, blueberry syrup, all kinds of syrups, honey, cinnamon, peanut butter, jellies, whip cream, you name it."

"Wow," Luigi blinked and turned to see a green Shyguy was now standing next to him. "Yes?"

"What would you like on your eggs?"

"Mama-mia," Luigi gasped, earning a chuckle from Larry. "Pepper and ketchup will be fine, and I'll do it." He didn't remember the various condiments from the night before, except for the pepper grinder.

"See what I mean?" Larry slid his chair back and stood up.

"I see," Luigi nodded. "Is one going to come around with a beverage cart, cause all I would like is a cup of coffee."

"That will be easy," Larry cupped his snout. "Luigi wants coffee." He shouted at the top of his lungs. "See there is nothing to it."

"Larry," Kammy entered the dining hall. "The Goombas have your things prepared. Are you certain you wish to go?"

"It is not about choice," Larry told her. He took a deep breath. "It is something I have to do."

"Something you feel like you have to do," Kammy pulled at the collar of Larry's shirt, exposing the scar that was across his shoulder. "You might not be lucky this time."

"I'm older now," Larry batted away her fingers. "Iggy made me some new toys, and I do have to. You weren't there the last time. You didn't see there faces, they fear that was in their eyes and the gratitude that came after when the threat was over." His eyes sparkled with the moisture that had gathered. "You didn't meet her. You didn't know her. She is the one I have to do this for."

"Let me come with you."

"I was able to fight by myself and I was only thirteen the last time."

"When a threat returns they are usually stronger than before. Let me come with you."

"No," Larry stepped away from her.

"I will send one of my students to go with you then." She tapped the end of her jagged and worn fingernails against her chin. "Lets see, who should I send?" She pursed the tip of her beak while her forehead wrinkled. "I'll send Kamron. He's one of my best students in the classroom, but he is only book smart, some outside learning would be good for him."

"Fine," Larry sighed in defeat. "Just don't tell my father."

"Try to be safe," Kammy pulled the second youngest Koopaling into an embrace.

"Okay," Larry hugged her back. "I have to go, before anyone wakes up."

Luigi had watched the exchange out of curiosity. He wondeedr what was so important for Larry to leave without him telling anyone. He also wondered how the young Koopa received such a scar.

"I worry about them all," Kammy said softly. "They may not appreciate it, but I am always watching out for them."

Luigi wanted to say something, but his coffee had just arrived and he held up two talons to indicate he just wanted two spoons of sugar. He had a feeling Kammy wasn't finished talking.

"I would have worried about you and your brother if things went a little different in the past."

"What?" Luigi had no idea what she was talking about.

"Oh never mind," Kammy removed his hat and handed it to him. "Remember not to wear your hat when you eat."

"Sorry."

"And make sure you clean your plate."

"Yes ma'am," Luigi took a large bite out of his stack of pancakes.

---

Returning to his house was even more nerve racking for Luigi than heading towards Dark Land. He kept telling himself it was stupid, being afraid of his own brother like that. Mario wasn't going to disown him because he was magically transformed. Mario wasn't going to like what had happened to him, nor was he not going to like the fact that Luigi got married to Wendy Koopa.

Luigi had nearly forgotten how nervous the shopkeeper in Marrymore was when he was in there. He hadn't thought about how the Toads reactions would be when emerged in the middle of town. Several toads just stared at him as he walked by. A few whispered, wondering if he was a real Koopa, or just wearing a well designed costume.

"Go away Koopa," a toad child, no older than six was standing in the middle of his sand box. "Go away," he scooped up a handful of sand and threw towards Luigi's direction. "Go away."

Luigi shielded his eyes, even though most of the sand was scattered by the wind to actually do any damage to him.

"Trevor," a portly female toad ran out of her house and grabbed the boy. "What did you do?" Her eyes narrowed at Luigi.

"I didn't do anything," Luigi lowered his arms.

"Why are you here?"

"I live here," well he used to live here. "My brother still lives here."

"Lying Koopa," she inched back to her house while holding her son tight to her chest. She never removed her eyes from Luigi. "Your not supposed to be here."

Luigi didn't wait for the door to slam before he increased his speed. He wanted to get away from the stares, the whispers, and the finger pointing. He wanted to get back to his and Mario's house.

He wasn't the only one to pay Mario a visit. Toad and Toadette were approaching the house from the opposite end of the street.

"A Koopa," Toadette squealed as she pointed at Luigi.

"And he's dressed like Luigi," Toad blinked his beady eyes and tilted his head. "I have never seen this one before."

"Do you think he is after Mario?" Toadette asked.

"Guys it's me," Luigi held up his hands.

"He sounds like Luigi," the girl said.

"I am Luigi," he smiled. Having the strangers fear was bad enough, seeing the look of fear in the eyes of his friends, was a stab. "Please don't be afraid."

"What is going on?" Mario stepped outside of his house. He was still in his pajamas and he was rubbing his eyes. He liked to sleep late, but this was ridiculous.

"We are not sure," Toad looked ill.

"Mario, it's me," Luigi turned to his brother.

"Welcome back Weege," Mario yawned. He blinked his eyes twice. "Weege?"

"Yes?" Luigi twitched his tail.

"What the hell?" Mario stood there, mouth agape and pointing at him. He almost looked like that stupid gorilla that kidnapped his ex-girlfriend.

"Its me, your brother." Luigi was shaking.

"What is this?" Mario walked, no he limped towards him.

"Mario don't." Toadette jumped in between them. "Your leg."

"What happened?" Luigi asked. "Did you hurt yourself when you fought Bowser. You didn't mention this in your letter."

"No," Mario looked as ill as Toad. "You didn't mention this in your letter either."

"I said I went through some changes," Luigi crossed his arms. "And injured leg or not, you were still asleep at this hour?"

"I was eating breakfast," Mario frowned. He locked his eyes with Luigi's. "Luigi?"

"Yes, Mario?"

"Who did this to you?"

"It is a bit of a long story," Luigi glanced over to their two toad friends. Toad was just staring at them with his mouth hanging open and Toadette had a few tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes. "Maybe it would be best if I told it inside."

---

"After I finished fixing the pipes I went to bed," Luigi stared into his glass of Fresh Juice. He explained what had happened while the others had listened on.

"Wow," Toadette breathed before she stared at the kitchen table.

"You are married to the enemy," Toad repeated. "And they think you are also the enemy, well the enemy to us."

"You are married," Mario's eyes and widened to double their size when Luigi had informed him of what had happened. "You are married?"

"Yes."

"To Wendy Koopa," Mario continued.

"I think we have established this," Luigi said.

"Did you say I do?" Toad asked.

"Yes. I said I do. She hand fed me a calzone and we had sex, there are you satisfied."

"No," Toadette closed her eyes. "I wish you hadn't said the last part."

"Were you drugged?" Mario asked. "Cause that is the only thing that would explain why you agreed to marry her."

"I didn't have anything to eat or drink before, and she didn't give me any injections of anything. She did have this nice scent to her," Luigi smiled.

"You sound like you love her," Toadette said. "Do you?"

"I'm not sure," Luigi buried his face with his hands. "I know she is in love with me."

"What about Daisy?"

"Daisy is a good friend," Luigi sighed. "I still am not certain if there is anything. I like her, but I don't know if I am in love with her." He placed his head on the counter. "I don't want to hurt her, and I don't want to hurt Wendy."

"Cause you know she is going to flip out on you." Toad said

"That's not it," Toadette shook her head. "Luigi cares for her."

"You are kidding," Toad winced.

"She isn't," Luigi glared at him. "I do care."

"What are you going to do?" Mario asked. "You are not going back to Dark Land are you?"

"Bowser still thinks I betrayed you," Luigi took a sip from his glass. "And I still going to train, but first I need to see Dr. Gadd."