Chapter Text
Luigi watched in horror as his brother lost his power-up. Mario was no longer able to fight fire with fire, instead having to opt for jumps and dodges.
Bowser howled with annoyance, swiping and biting at empty air where there had previously been his enemy.
“Stay still!” The Koopa snarled, retreating into his shell and spinning around the battlefield.
Luigi fought against his binds, the rope scratchy against his skin and the stone floor below looking further and further away the more he wriggled. He had to get free so he could help.
“Mario!” He grunted, still writhing.
“Stay there! You’ll break something from that drop!” Mario scolded as he kicked off a wall and leapt over the Koopa’s shell.
Bowser popped back out and ran at the hero, planning on colliding with him. Mario simply stepped to the side and let him run past harmlessly. He grabbed the King’s tail and swung him around.
Bowser howled as he skidded across the ground, smacking his head against a wall.
Unfortunately, it was a wall right beneath Luigi.
The Koopa stood up, gazing up at his captor with a knowing grin.
“Big mistake!” He called, reaching up and grabbing Luigi by the legs.
Mario froze, watching the Koopa with wide eyes.
Bowser pulled Luigi down, snapping the rope that suspended him.
He held the human in one hand and stuck out the claw of the other and held it to his neck.
“Careful now,” Bowser grinned. “One wrong move and-“
He tapped the tip of the claw against the jugular threateningly.
Mario inched forwards, eyes locked onto his vulnerable brother.
“Isn’t this so much more civil? We can breathe and just… chat.” Bowser teased nastily. “For example, I could give you a list of reasons why you should trade me the Princess for this loser – I mean, he is your brother, so you’d think he’d be more important – no?”
Mario’s jaw was clenched tightly, Luigi kept his eyes on him to try and assure him he was okay.
“Then again… maybe he isn’t… Maybe I should keep him?” Bowser cackled, “He’s a clumsy little guy but he could be an entertaining servant… or I could just bring him out and beat him whenever I’m bored.”
Luigi watched Mario get closer, feeling relief building up inside him.
Then, Bowser made a fatal error.
“Hmm? What do you think?” The King hummed as he looked over at Luigi.
Mario took his chance, he sprinted the short distance and leapt forwards – preparing to tackle the Koopa and force him to release his brother.
Bowser caught the motion out the corner of his eyes and swatted at the plumber in panic, forgetting his sharp claw was still out.
Mario was hit full force, flying backwards and rolling across the ground.
“Mario!” Luigi yelped fearfully.
He frowned when his brother didn’t rise.
He glanced at Bowser to see the Koopa’s jaw was hanging open and his eyes were wide with shock, he was staring at his claw.
Luigi followed his gaze and blanched.
Blood.
He struggled against the weak grip, falling to his knees briefly before shaking off the now slack ropes and darting towards his brother.
He fell down beside him, gaping as he realised Mario was choking and spluttering where he lay on his back.
His eyes fell on the gash across Mario’s throat, the blood leaking from it and bubbling in his mouth.
“Mario? Hey, hey, can you hear me? You need to calm down, do you have any mushrooms?” He croaked, trying to squash his panic.
Mario looked petrified, glassy eyes staring into Luigi’s soul – his mouth moving and horrible gurgling sounds pouring out.
“Mario, stop trying to speak… it’s okay, Mushrooms?” Luigi tried again, voice breaking. He used his hands to cover the wound and try to stem the breathing.
“N-None.” Mario wheezed out, wincing in pain at the pressure on his throat wound.
Luigi swallowed, mind reeling.
No healing items. A gruesome wound.
“Okay… Okay… don’t panic… w-we’ll get you out of here… I’ll carry you.” He tried.
“R-Run.” Mario gasped wetly. “Go… Before… he t-takes-“
“Shhhh, shhhh.” Luigi soothed tearfully, “Don’t speak… don’t waste your energy, okay?”
Mario shook his head stiffly, mouth moving frantically as he tried his best to portray his urgency – he spat out a sickening amount of blood.
“He’ll t-take you.” He whimpered desperately. “R-Run. L-Leave me.”
“No way, we’re getting out of here together.” The youngest smiled weakly. “Look bro, look! You’ve saved me already, no ropes. See? See? You’ve already saved me.”
Mario choked and shook his head, tears streaming down his face in fear.
Luigi knew he wasn’t truly safe – Bowser was still stood not far behind him. He knew he was likely to end up a permanent prisoner, but he could not leave his brother, not like this.
“Hold on… please… just- just hold on.” He begged through sobs. He began looking around, flinching when he found Bowser standing right behind him.
The King looked panicked – transfixed on the gory scene unfolding below him.
“C-can’t you do something!?” Luigi pleaded. “Get Kamek to heal him or-or… I don’t know!”
Bowser was completely frozen.
“Please! Help him! I’ll do anything! You can lock me up, beat me, torture me, kill me – anything just please save him!” He begged up at the Koopa.
Nothing seemed to register.
He felt hands clumsily grabbing at him, he looked back down to see Mario panicking – mouthing ‘no’ over and over.
“You can’t die.” He insisted desperately. “You can’t! Mario… don’t die, please… please.”
He watched as Mario’s face softened into a sad look.
“M-Mario… don’t… please-“
He was so pale now, his tired face was doing all it could to convey the love and regret the failing hero felt.
Luigi broke as he felt his brother fall limp, the shine in his eyes fading and leaving them dull.
“N-No… No!” Luigi screamed as he finally released the wound, he grabbed at his brother and shook him hurriedly. “Mario? Mario! C’mon, C’mon! This isn’t funny, get up. You’re not dead, you can’t be dead.”
He full on sat on Mario’s stomach, trembling hands gripping at the blood soaked clothes.
“Wake up!” He yelled at the pale face – completely unaware of his own tears pouring. “WAKE UP! WAKE UP!”
He shook his brother violently, when this didn’t work he released him and began pounding on his chest – hoping to get his brother to finally stop scaring him.
“You’re not dead. You’re not dead. Please stop this… please! It should’ve been me! You’re the hero, you always come back!” He whimpered, unable to breathe through his turmoil. “Stop it. Stop it. Mario, stop it. Get up!”
His words dissolved into painful sobs as he gripped Mario’s head, he leaned down and rested his forehead against his brothers – only crying harder at the coolness of it.
“No… No… This can’t be real… I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming… you would never do this to me… I have to be dreaming… wake up, wake up… I wanna wake up!”
He vaguely heard Bowser shuffling on the spot, but he ignored him.
His big brother died thinking he’d failed – thinking his twin was now to be enslaved and tortured by the enemy.
Luigi just couldn’t bear it.
“You can’t leave me here.” He whined desperately. “Y-You can’t… Please, I don’t wanna be here all alone… Mario… come back – don’t leave me! You promised you’d always be here! You promised!”
He cried brokenly.
He simply didn’t care what Bowser did to him now.
Nothing he could do would be worse than this.