**Preface** It was a day just like any other in the mushroom kingdom. The temperature was not too hot nor too cold. The skies above were blue and the clouds decorated the atmosphere like whipped cream. It was on this day like any other that the Mario Brothers received the usual invitation from Peach for tea time. The plumber duo trolled along the brick road leading to the capital. The siblings were so intimate with one another no words were needed on this trek. They just basked in this domestic scene and enjoyed the peace. It should not have felt like any other day for the plumbers. It was nearing the end of the month. This was a time that the green plumber always closely observed. However in a nearly two month reprieve from fighting Bowser, the younger’s vigilance relaxed. It was until the heroes sat for tea with the Princess that time of the month occurred to Luigi. “I need to go,” Luigi blurted out before sprinting away. The green hero was so hasty that he knocked over his chair. “Mario?” Peach knew Luigi had some eccentricities but this one was out of character. Luigi was far too socially anxious to be that rude. “Uhm,” it suddenly occurred to Mario what time of the month it was. “Stay here while I go check in on Luigi.” The red plumber paced himself as quickly as he could without it being a run. He could only imagine the looks Peach was giving him and what she was thinking. “Luigi!” Mario’s nervous voice bounced off the halls. Mario knew Luigi would be heading towards Peach’s private restroom. His face burnt red as he hoped Peach wasn’t following behind. He knew the way around these halls by heart after so many years. “Luigi!” Mario repeated his call as he rounded about his destination. “Here!” Luigi responded while Mario released the breath he didn’t even know he was holding. “It’s just you, right?” “The Princess is still in the tea room wondering what happened.” Mario said while gaining his breath. “We can just say I’m sick.” Luigi said as Mario’s tired gaze met the door. “Or you could just tell Peach the truth!” The red plumber knew what the reaction would be but just had to say it. “Mario, you promised to help keep my secret.” Luigi’s fright caused his voice to rise several octaves. “It would just be Princess Peach. I’m sure she can keep a secret too,” Mario reasoned. “You know what they say about how three people can keep a secret.” Luigi countered as Mario took in a deep breath. “Lucy-“ “SHHHHH!!! SOMEONE COULD HEAR!!!!” “But they will hear that one day,” Mario waited a beat for silence. “I gave you my word as your big brother to always keep your secret, but it’s been years at this point. I understand this started off as you trying to be like me, but at this point you’ve carved out your own identity. What’s the need for the facade?” Mario heard Lucy shift uncomfortably. “I’ve carved out an identity as Luigi, Mario’s brother. Not Lucy, Mario’s sister.” Mario could see the brick wall coming. “I’ll go back to Peach.” “Thank you,” Lucy said. She was grateful for the solitude. Lucy lingered in the lavatory for several minutes after that. She emerged with her heart heavy from Mario’s words. She was beginning to realize that he was right; they had been hiding the truth for years at this point. She slouched back to tea room. A mirror made her pause. Lucy realized in all these years she couldn’t remember the last time she had seen herself without her faux mustache. The plumber always was so meticulous in making sure the artificial hair seemed as natural as possible. Lucy took a quick look around. Mario’s words and her own curiosity possessing her. She enacted the procedure to take the piece off. She pinched it against her skin and started peeling it off. Her skin went red with irritation before fading. Without the mustache she was still convincingly male. She prodded her fingers around her lips to confirm the disappearance of the piece that had become natural to wear. Her face did have a decidedly androgynous appearance now. “I guess I’m just a very masculine girl,” Lucy said aloud to herself. She chuckled at her joke before her eyes caught sight of another figure in the mirror. She turned and her heart stopped. Standing before her was one of the many Toads that were employed in the castle staff. He stared at her the way a child would at a television screen. Neither said a word. Lucy nor the Toad had any idea of what to do. The Toad then realized why. That’s because the Princess comes up with the ideas. Lucy’s eyes widened as she tried to say something but it was too late for her to get a word in edgewise. “PRINCESS! LUIGI TOOK OFF HIS MUSTACHE AND SAID HE WAS A GIRL!” Lucy had no doubt the entire castle heard that. Lucy’s body was shooting towards the castle exit as the Toad ran off to the tea room. **Chapter 1** “PRINCESS! LUIGI TOOK OFF HIS MUSTACHE AND SAID HE WAS A GIRL!” Peach and Mario both nearly coughed up their tea. Peach turned towards the scream in confusion and Mario in expectant dread. The little Toad ran in panting not a few moments after. Peach set her tea aside and moved to inspect the Toad. She wondered if Bowser had done something to the water. “I’m sorry my dear, but could you elaborate?” Mario cherished the few moments of silence he was going to be permitted. “It’s like I said,” the Toad started as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I came here because the chefs asked me to see if you wanted anything else. That was when I saw Luigi in front of a mirror with his mustache in his hand talking about how he was a girl.” The Toad beamed at the princess, proud he could deliver such vital information. Peach just gawked at him getting no impression of dishonesty. Even with his face in his palm Mario knew when Peach started waiting for him to answer. “It’s true,” Mario felt great relief in his chest and a large weight settle in his mind. “My brother Luigi is actually my sister Lucy.” “Leave us for a moment,” Peach said to the Toad. “No, not right now,” Mario said as he got up. “Mario I-“ “Princess, please I need to go find Lucy. Later I promise,” Mario saw sadness, confusion, and hurt in her eyes as he passed. The sun was unbearable as Mario trotted down the road home. He fanned himself with his cap to no avail. His waterfall of sweat actually succeeded in taking his mind off what was to come. “Lucy,” he said softly as he knocked on the door. A minute of silence passed. Mario reached into his pockets for the key. “Lucy,” he said again as he stepped inside. He knew where Lucy was if she was home. “I hoped you’d outgrow this habit.” On her bed, Lucy had buried herself under blankets and pillows. The protruding mass gave her away. The younger plumber was motionless, hoping danger and trouble hunted by motion and would go away if she just kept still. “It’s just me. Will you please come out? Trust me, I want to be in bed too.” Lucy reluctantly came out at that. “Who knows?” Lucy wrapped her blanket around her shoulders. “As of right now, just Peach and the Toad.” “Didn’t you ask Peach to keep the whole thing a secret!?” “That would be something you have to do,” Mario replied curtly. “Besides, I’m sure that more than a few staff members heard that shout. And why should Peach have to play along?” “You said we should bring her in on the secret,” Lucy’s eyes were glassy. “Why is it wrong now?” “Because of how she found out and the fact you ran away instead of staying to explain.” “What did you tell her?” Lucy pulled the blanket over her head. “Nothing.” Mario plopped himself down next to his sister. “She didn’t have questions?” Lucy peered at him confused from under her hood. “She did but I asked for a rain check so I could come find you.” “So what now?” “We talk about it, sort out your fears, and you tell the truth,” Mario said simply. “Wh- Bu- I don’t-” Lucy stammered, retreating back under the covers. “You can’t run from this. The cat’s out of the bag. The revelation of your true sex won’t change who you are.” “Yes it will! Peach seems hurt from what you said. And I can’t even imagine what Daisy will feel when she finds out. I’ll die!” “Well, Maybe Daisy is bisexual Luigi.” “But I’m straight!” Lucy replied burning red. “Well our friends are good people,” Mario shifted. “They will understand.” “What, that your little sister idolized you so much she crossdressed to be more like you?” Lucy laid on her bed exhausted. “Yes, idolization is something we can all relate to.” Mario set his hand on Lucy comfortingly. “Fine I’ll go talk to Peach,” Lucy resigned. “But can we do it in the morning?” “Alright.” Mario withdrew to his own room. Neither plumber moved out of their space for the rest of the day. Both laid in bed too tired to sleep. Mario managed to get some rest by night, but Lucy was restless still. It was a red eyed Lucy that shuffled out of bed to make breakfast. After smelling the aroma of the food Mario made his way into the kitchen. He then checked the mailbox while waiting for the food to be prepared, picking up today’s newspaper. Lucy heard something between a sigh and a groan from her brother as he sat at the table. “What is it?” Mario just held the paper out for her. “MARIO’S YOUNGER BROTHER OR YOUNGER SISTER? LUIGI OUTED AS A TRANSVESTITE” The article cited a major rumor circling through the castle staff that Luigi is a cross dresser. The major draw was Peach’s refusal to comment citing she didn’t possess the facts and was waiting for the Mario Bros. themselves to make a statement. Both plumbers were glad they kept their address secret at times like these. “What are we going to do?” “Go to Princess Peach and tell the truth,” Mario said simply. “N-no,” Lucy was hysterical. “I won’t do that!” The green plumber rushed to her room. “Lucy!” Mario called out as he quickly trailed behind. Mario entered Lucy’s room to see her setting much of her wardrobe on her bed. She was amassing a collection of items hurriedly. “Lucy are you really going to run away?” his sister didn’t respond. “Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. It only makes it worse.” “Maybe, but I know that I can’t stay,” Lucy stared at Mario regretfully. “What am I supposed to do?” The elder’s voice had a hint of anger and disappointment at being saddled with this. “I can’t ask you for any favors after making you keep my secret for so long. Please tell Peach the truth because I’ll be leaving.” “Lucy,” his sister braced as if expecting a strike. “Come back when you feel ready.” “That’s it?” “I’m not going to force you to stay. I'm going to do what I think is right and you do the same.” Lucy felt horrible at her brother’s casual dismissal of her flight. That was almost enough to shame Lucy into staying. Almost. “I’ll be back soon.” “I’m going to rip the bandage off quickly. You take whatever you want before you go.” Lucy’s stomach dropped at her brother not seeing her off. She could only mutter a thanks as she went back to packing. Mario didn’t say goodbye as he exited. The green plumber paused to bury her head in blankets. After an eternity there she resumed her packing. The siblings had a philosophy of packing light. Lucy took what she needed and finished. The green plumber slung her bags over her shoulder and snuck out of the house, as if somebody was waiting to pounce. She took a long look at the road and scuttled in a direction away from civilization.