"Should I remind you what your job is?" the second Mario asked his eldest son.

"I can't control Lu anymore, Dad," he replied. "I was almost close to losing him; So I decided to let him go a little."

"That's your problem, as soon as things get complicated you want to let them go," he growled. "Your brother is confused and it's your fault."

"But...

"A Luigi should always follow his Mario. If your brother is going off the rails, it is your responsibility to get him back on the right path. Don't you want the best for him?"

"Obviously yes, but I promised him that I wouldn't get too involved."

"Son, I'll be honest with you; I couldn't care less about your promise. Do you want the game to go to shit because of you?"

"No!" he shouted.

"Koopas aren't trustworthy, villains aren't chosen at random. I don't quite understand your brother's relationship with Bowser, but I don't like it."

"And you think I do?"

"Then fix it. You want to be like me, don't you?"

"What more could I want?" He smiled.

"Well, I guess you already know what to do." He turned his back on him, trying to leave the room.

"Thank you, dad. I needed this," Mario said suddenly.

"Do things right," he looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

That conversation kept spinning around in the head of the franchise's protagonist. His father was right, the game worked because previous generations had known how to keep everything out of the way and arranged it correctly.

He frowned; Giving Luigi space was not the answer, he had to keep him in his sights more than before.

On the other hand, Luigi was calm in his room; without having the slightest idea of the hell he was about to live through.

"Do you think we go out tonight?" Daisy asked, lying on the boy's bed.

"I can't today, I have a date with Bow," Luigi responded.

"Again!? At least tell me they'll do something fun this time."

"Well, since we can't go out much, we decided to have dinner in his bedroom, put the kids to bed, have some wine and do puzzles."

Daisy rolled her eyes and made a face. "Well, if that amuses you."

"I don't understand how it affects you if that does it or not," he looked at her.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "It's just... I'm happy for you and I would like you to live your first relationship to the fullest."

"And do the things that you would like to do?" He raised an eyebrow.

The girl looked down. "You're right, I'm sorry," she sighed.

Luigi looked at her for a few seconds, he had known Daisy since she was thirteen, he knew something wasn't right.

"Bella, is everything okay?" He went to her side.

"Yes," she lied.

"You know you can't fool me, tell me," he shook her slightly.

"It's just that I miss you," she confessed. "I understand that you're in a relationship now and you want to spend time with him, but then there's nothing for me anymore?"

"What are you taking about?" He laughed. "We're together right now."

"It's not the same. I'm talking about wanting to go out again, go to the movies, eat together, that kind of thing. Lu, I miss my best friend."

He let out a heavy sigh and hugged her shoulders. "Hey, what day is tomorrow?"

"Thursday thirty-one," she answered.

"End of the month, it's perfect," he smiled. "Do you remember our tradition?"

"Are you talking about our 'falling in love' dinner?"

"Well, obviously that title doesn't have much left anymore, but we can change it to our friends dinner. We won't kiss at the end, for obvious reasons, but we can keep it."

"And you won't have any problems with Bowser?"

"Are you kidding? He is the most understanding being that can exist," he sighed.

"Okay, we'll have dinner," she said quickly. "Now can we change the subject before you start talking about how amazing your boyfriend is?" She growled.

"I'm sorry," he giggled. "Tomorrow will be our day. I'll pick you up at seven." He kissed her hand.

"I'll be waiting anxiously," she smiled with a slight blush.

They heard the first bell.

"Let's go to class?" Luigi extended his hand.

"What a gentleman," she took it while she laughed.

"Well, you're still my fake girlfriend, I think it would be wrong not to be."

"You are a sweetheart," she clung to him.

Arriving at the classroom, they found a complete commotion. Everyone seemed annoyed, while Miyamoto just rubbed his temples in obvious desperation.

"Is everything okay?" Luigi sat down.

"The files were corrupted," Bowser growled. "We don't have the last level."

"What!? Just kidding, right?"

"Unfortunately, no," the teacher replied. "Again, I apologize, we have no idea what could have happened." He looked at them. "But look at this as a new opportunity. We will make a better track, more challenging than the previous one." He smiled. " And an even more epic final battle."

The scandal began again, but a sharp cry from Daisy silenced everyone.

"Thank you," the girl laughed. "Hey, Miyamoto's right, this could be something super exciting."

"Does she really excite you? You won't even be able to run it," Donkey Kong mocked.

"Don't be rude," Peach shut him up.

"I see your point," Daisy said next to Miyamoto. "Come on, guys! We do this for our fans, we can't disappoint them by doing a bad job. Maybe this was a sign of destiny to do a better job."

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

"I support her," Mario said. "It's nice to have someone positive in this place for a change." He smiled. "Thank you, Dais."

"Same thing," Miyamoto shook her hair.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. I'm an excellent motivator, I know that," she laughed. "By the way, yesterday I stayed up thinking and I have a question."

"Now I'm afraid," the teacher sighed. "Tell me."

"Bowser kidnaps Peach because he's in love with her, right?"

"Umm, yes?"

"So, if he kidnapped Lu in the movie, is it because he's interested in him? Because, I mean, I think it's clear to all of us why Bow has a human fetish."

Both the koopa and Luigi looked at her nervously.

Miyamoto let out a heavy sigh "Daisy, in the movie Bowser kidnaps a lot of people."

"I know, but in an interview they said that Lu was taking Pach's place, so I thought...

"Dais, stop saying stupid things," Mario interrupted her.

"I just wanted to lighten the mood," she pouted.

"And that was your strategy?" the professor raised an eyebrow.

"Obviously, bowuigi my parents," she said and then burst out laughing.

"DAISY!" the whole room shouted.

"Now go sit down," the teacher pushed her.

The girl obeyed and sat down.

"You're playing with fire," her friend scolded her.

"You're only going to make it obvious if you keep reacting like this," she responded.

At the end of the meeting, Luigi left with Bowser. However, they were interrupted by Mario, who tried to take Luigi with him no matter what; Unfortunately for them, the couple had a secret weapon named Daisy.

When the girl managed to distract the protagonist, the couple fled to the villain's room.

They spent the afternoon together and with the koopalings. When eight o'clock fell, the latter ran to lock themselves in their rooms.

Luigi let his body fall on top of his boyfriend's and let out a sigh. Part of him couldn't understand how something as beautiful as his feelings could ruin the game. He was aware that selfishness was bad, but how could they ask him to stay away from his moments of truest happiness?

"Hey," Bowser stroked his hair, "Do you think we go for a walk through the maze?"

"Sounds good," he responded with a tender smile.

The koopa took the crown and left the room with the human.

Great was his surprise when they found a huge party, which seemed just a few minutes away from starting, dominating the entire villains' common room.

"Bowser!" Kamek approached. "We weren't sure if you were going to come or not, good thing we saved a place for you."

"What is all this?" the king looked at him.

"Thevillains' gala"

"That was today!? Lu, we have to get out of here" he grabbed his boyfriend by the shoulders.

"What is happening?" Luigi asked.

"Something I would rather avoid," he hurried out of the place.

"Hey!" a tall man stood in front of them. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"

The koopa was quick to hide the human behind him.

Luigi felt his breathing hitch, he would recognize that nasal voice wherever he went.

"I don't know you," Waluigi said as he looked at Bowser in his human form. "But you look familiar to me. Those eyes, your bushy eyebrows, your clothes and... I've seen that crown before" he formed a mocking smile "In Miyamoto's office, Bowser, is that you?"

"And if yes, what does it matter to you?"

He laughed "Why so aggressive? Among villains we have to support each other. Did you forget?" he murmured "What are you hiding back there?"

"Nothing," he became defensive.

"You act as if no one knows that you put Luigi in your room whenever you can," he pushed him to reveal the aforementioned. "And what are you doing here?" He pulled him in amusement.

"Don't touch him!" Bowser shouted as he clung to him.

The villain was perplexed for a few seconds, but then returned to his classic cocky smile.

"So this is what people mean when they say that a picture is worth a thousand words," he stifled a laugh. "A villain with an ally, that's new."

"If you say something...

"Why would I? I have my affairs too," he shrugged his shoulders. "Anyway, if he's going to stay, I'll go and ask for one more plate to be put on the table."

"We're not going to stay," Bowser responded.

"Dressed like that, of course not," he laughed. "Girls," he called a couple of antagonists to separate the couple.

"Wait, what are you doing?" the koopa looked at them.

"Where are they taking me?" Luigi screamed with obvious fear.

They locked themselves with him in what appeared to be a warehouse full of clothes.

"Do we keep it green or do we do something new?" One of the girls asked her partner.

"Green is iconic, you can't take it off," the other replied. "Remember to look for something that matches Bowser well," she said while checking the boy's clothing size.

She came closer to peek into his pants.

"Hey!" Luigi separated suddenly. "You can't look out there."

"I have something!" the first girl was excited as she brought him a set of clothes.

"Do you put it on or should we put it on you?" asked the second one with a mischievous smile.

"I can do it myself," he hurriedly responded.

After a few minutes, it was ready. He looked in the mirror for a while, he had to admit to being impressed by his appearance. With a black jacket, a vest of the same color with green gradients and a black shirt with a black tie he looked just like an elegant villain.

The girls took it to fix his hair; When he finished, the boy could barely recognize himself.

"Is he ready?" Waluigi entered the room.

"He'll fit in perfectly," the girls responded with a smile from ear to ear.

"Perfect," the man smiled as he took the boy by the arms. "Are you ready?" He asked.

"Ready for what?" He walked next to him.

"Your first villain gala!" He opened the door.

The room was the same as before, but now it looked full of life; Ironic, since there were several non-living creatures.

The lights were mostly green and purple. Villains of great and small sizes lived together and laughed in a way that the ally had never seen before.

He broke out in a cold sweat, maybe he was starting to get along with some of his game, but facing a full room made him shake.

"Where is Bowser?" He looked at Waluigi.

"We had a little problem with him, he set a curtain on fire," he explained. "In the meantime, have fun, you're free."

"I think I'll wait for him in his bedroom, better," he tried to escape.

"Aww, are you scared?" he blocked his path. "Don't worry, I can introduce you to some people."

"Really?"

"Of course, but first let me start all this," he approached a microphone. "Good evening, worms of hell," he said. "What a joy to be able to see you one more year at this annual gala. This is a special edition, because it is our fifth anniversary," a series of applause could be heard. "The truth is we had planned a contest with pretty stupid prizes, but a special guest arrived by surprise," he formed a malicious smile. "One of the most famous faces, not only in Fungwarry, but in the entire world joins our celebration today," he looked at the brunette "Luigi."

A spotlight illuminated the boy.

His breathing began to hitch as he noticed all the eyes on him.

He could hear the villains whispering and criticizing his presence.

He tried to flee, but one of the guests appeared behind him.

"This is really unexpected," King Boo said as he surrounded the boy.

Luigi felt like he would faint at any moment. "I don't mean to bother," he stammered. "I got here by accident and...

"Accident?" Waluigi laughed. "Comrades, the rumors are true. Bowser, the great king of the koopas, one of our greatest representatives has found love. With an ally!" he pointed to Luigi.

"Rumors?" He mumbled "Are there people already suspicious?" He looked at them.

"It's not like you guys are discreet either," Doctor Robotnik mocked. "But hey, everyone here agrees on something...

"Anyone who is not a villain will be so engrossed in their thoughts that they will not even know what is happening around them," several said in unison and then burst out laughing.

"God, but look at this poor soul, he's full of fear," Lady Dimitrescu lifted Luigi's chin.

"That's because he still thinks like a hero," Waluigi got in between them. "I think it's time to welcome him properly, don't you think? Let the music start! Make him feel at home," he laughed.

King Boo and Doctor Robotnik pushed him towards the dance floor, in a few seconds it had been filled with people dancing or just chatting and laughing boisterously.

"Do you dance?" A woman approached from behind.

"No thanks," he separated nervously.

"But then who will teach you?"

"Believe me, I know how to dance," he tried to get around her.

"You can believe that," King Boo appeared in front of him. "But you don't know our dance."

"Do you have a dance?" He raised an eyebrow.

"It's a tradition, if you don't do it you wouldn't be disrespectful and we might get upset," Robotnik spoke.

"Get upset?" He looked at him nervously.

"Alright, that's enough of tormenting the boy" Kamek got in among everyone "Luigi, come with us."

The boy sighed in relief and followed the old man.

"Luigi!" Wendy smiled when she saw him.

"Must be kidding," Ludwig snorted.

"You were able to come," Junior was excited.

"Have you tried the food yet? It's delicious." Larry brought him a plate full of what looked like breaded human fingers.

"I'm not hungry," he swallowed.

"They're cheese fingers, don't worry," Iggy spoke. "They were only cheese fingers in the third year and they gave us indigestion," he explained.

"What?" he frowned.

"Iggy is kidding," Lemmy said with a nervous smile. "Anyway, the rubber eyes are tastier."

"What if we better hit the piñata?" Morton proposed as he pointed to it, it looked like Mario.

"Is that my brother?" He blurted out, annoyed.

"Let's discard the piñata," Roy forced a laugh.

"I don't think this is the place for me," Luigi sighed.

"Boy, the heroes are trampling on us all the time and believing themselves to be better than us. Don't we have the right to do the same thing even for just one night?" Kamek spoke.

"I guess," he bit his lip.

"We understand that you are afraid, but you gave us the opportunity to show you that it was not what you thought. Why don't you give it to others?"

"They don't want me here, I can tell."

"And that's why they lent you clothes so you would fit in?"

"Maybe they just want to make fun."

"Well, they are mockers, but they haven't done that for anyone before. Believe me, the respect they have for Bowser here is immense. They would never hurt you; it's just their strange way of welcoming you," he patted him "Give them a chance."

The boy grimaced and ended up releasing a heavy sigh. "Okay," he agreed. "This dance of yours. What is it like?"

"Oh, you should ask Ivy to teach you, she's the best," Wendy replied.

"By Ivy, do you mean Poison Ivy?" The children nodded. He sighed. "Okay. Can you take me to her?"

The children pulled him with excitement and took him to the woman.

The two talked for a few minutes before Luigi made the request. The boy was scared to death, but he had to admit that, beyond the woman's flirtatious air, Ivy made an effort to make him feel comfortable.

The dance was one in pairs; The steps ended up being easier than he expected and, in part, doing them was somewhat liberating. In a short time he felt safe to go to the dance floor with his partner and dance with the others. He even had the opportunity to change partners on more than one occasion!

The music was much more aggressive than what he was used to hearing, but he felt so free that he didn't care.

He did not realize at what moment he was surrounded by everyone on the track and made to spin around disoriented.

When Luigi felt that he would lose his balance, hands grabbed him by the waist. He looked up and saw his boyfriend.

"I'm sorry, did I take too long?" Bowser asked.

"You're just in time," he sighed.

"You look beautiful. Tell me, how much did those unfortunates manage to change you into what I wasn't here?"

"Do I look different?" He looked at him flirtatiously.

"I'm not in the best mood, if you look at me like that I don't think I can control myself for long," he returned the look.

"You did not answer my question.

He laughed, "No, Lu, you look the same as always." He kissed his hands.

The human stood on tiptoe so he could kiss him.

The koopa laughed "I warned you" and clung to him.

The party continued. Luigi and Bowser were able to dance as a couple for the first time inside Fungwarry; It felt like a dream.

Unfortunately, dreams don't last forever, and this one was interrupted by the door to the common room opening aggressively.

"Where is the he?"

The couple identified Mario's voice instantly.

Bowser rushed to take off his crown, while Waluigi and Kamek hid Luigi inside a suit of armor.

"I asked WHERE IS HE!?" He shouted as he made his way past the villains until he reached the king of the koopas.

"You shouldn't be here, it's not your area," Bowser said with a firm voice.

"Neither is my brother's and yet you receive him often, or am I wrong?"

"And if so?"

"You have no shame," he growled. "You don't care that you're ruining him."

"Your brother comes here voluntarily, Mario."

"I'm clear about that," he looked around. "Were you guys celebrating? I'm sorry to interrupt, just give me my brother and you can continue with whatever this is."

"Luigi is not here," Bowser took a step forward, thus forcing the youngest to retreat "And heroes are prohibited from entering here, it says so at the entrance."

"Okay, I'm leaving" he rolled his eyes "But don't let me know you were here, Luigi" he raised his voice "If not we'll have a problem" he walked towards the exit "Put on perfume or something, it smells disgusting" he said before leaving.

After a few seconds, Luigi came out of hiding. The villains looked at him with some pity and some even with fear.

Curious how a hero could reverse roles in such a short time.