**Chapter 3** “I’m here to see the Princess of Sarasaland.” Mario was quickly admitted, Daisy was expecting him. Mario had never been to Daisy’s castle. This thought struck him as he quickly ushered to the princess. He was unable to take in any of the architecture as oceans of sweat poured. Mario realized the noise of humming machines meant the castle was air conditioned and he wondered how long the walk actually was. His mind was finally taken off the interview just as Daisy met the entourage. Mario also wondered for the first time how Daisy was so pale, was not Sarasaland a desert? “How are you so pale?” “My parents kept me locked in the castle all day studying and under their watch,” Daisy’s voice held a twinge of disgust. “Is it true? The initial story and Peach’s statements to the press.” “Can you be more specific? I have no idea how the story might have mutated.” “Is Luigi a girl, firstly? Then is what Peach said true?! That Luigi is actually Lucy who had penis envy of her brother and is now hiding who knows where now that her game is up!!” “It was hero worship, not ‘penis envy’.” “So it’s true,” Daisy’s voice a thick whisper. “All this time I’ve been having dinners and dates with a depraved lesbian,” Daisy’s hand went to her head as she swooned from a massive headache. Several attendants rushed forward before Daisy shooed them away to give her and Mario privacy. “Lucy’s not a lesbian.” “So this was all a game of pretend for a little girl who never grew up! I was never anything to Lucy but the placeholder princess in a rousing story! A platform for her to believe she was her brother!” “Lu- you know what yes!” Daisy recoiled, she never heard of Mario losing his cool before. “Lucy thought of you as a friend, but she did use you. Lucy was so obsessed with being me that she used you like an accessory, I am sorry. It’s also my fault for not just outing Lucy. You have every right to be mad at me, for helping to hide the truth, and at Lucy, for running away and tricking you.” Daisy took a calming breath and Mario thought for a moment she was understanding. “For years Luigi has helped me work through my insecurities. Peach is thought to be my best friend, she even acts like we are, but we never spent much time with one another unless one of the Mario Bros. were there. And when we did Peach always prattled on about herself and always led conversation. I half suspect I was just a fancy Toad to her. She never bothers to visit me in Sarasaland and didn’t take me seriously enough to tell me the truth. She said, “I’ll send Mario or Luigi.” Peach was too wrapped up in her own problems to take me seriously. I was never anything but decoration.” Daisy just glared at Mario in simmering rage. She leaned against the wall slinking to the ground, too angry to even stand. “And you. I had loved you the day when you rescued me. That small amount of time we spent together was very dear to me. Then, I meet Lui- no Lucy. I believed I had found my true love but I was just a hand me down between siblings.” Daisy cursed under her breath. “Get out, but before you do. Tell your pink bitch that I’m done being her sloppy recreation and the friendship between us and our kingdoms is done. Then tell your green dyke sister that I never want to see her again,” tears were streaming down Daisy’s face. Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces. “Daisy, Lucy-” Mario motioned towards Daisy. “Never had a cock just like she never loved me, hmmmm.” Daisy erupted up and slapped Mario, hard. The red plumber could feel his teeth vibrate from the blow. He stumbled back on his rear and felt blood flow from his cracked lips. “Get out!!!!” Daisy’s eyes were puffy, as were his since he had been hit repeatedly. Snot and tear water was inseparable. Mario turned and slunked out of the castle, Sarasaland, and Daisy’s life. **Chapter 4** Mario nursed his cheek. The flesh was turning bright crimson red, Daisy’s hand print visually evident. Mario hadn’t talked to Peach since last week, he would have to let her find about Daisy’s rejection of them all on her own. She was, Peach called Daisy to see how Mario’s talk went. “Daisy, how are you?” “You pink whore, what did I tell Mario?” “What!?” No one had ever spoken to Peach like this. “I’m done living in your shadow, never talk to me again.” Daisy hung up. Peach tried to call again but it was for naught, Daisy blocked her. The princess just dropped the phone to the ground and tried very hard not to cry. Mario ignored the looks from the mushroom citizens. There were now two theories amongst the populace. Mario took advantage of Lucy’s infatuation with him to create their brand, or Lucy was a deranged nut with gender dysphoria. Mario consoled himself that at least some good had come out of this. Waluigi was now going straight. Waluigi had started advertising his new bank. The purple plumber had used what money he had “acquired” over the years to start the business. Mario recounted the meeting he had with him the other day. “It’s true,” Mario said as soon as he walked in. “Yes,” Waluigi confirmed. “I can’t be the evil counterpart to an identity that doesn’t exist. So I am going straight and carving my own identity.” “I thought you said you were becoming banker?” “Yes I did,” Waluigi said unsurely. “Then how are you going straight?” The two men laughed. Waluigi's bank was quickly finding itself full of customers. Recently, Waluigi sponsored a sleuth of businesses that have hit the ground running. Waluigi was not flaunting his wealth around the city, his reform did curb his ego. Wario had also gone straight, sort of. Mario’s evil double had become jealous of all the attention Lucy received. His usual antics did not garner him attention anymore so he took to cross dressing of all things. Now Wario does stand up at local clubs on the weekends, yes, in a mini skirt, wig, and effeminate voice. Mario tried getting a ticket out of morbid curiosity but every show had been sold out. Apparently, after initial interest faded, everyone agreed Wario was an amazing comedian. Now rumor has it even Peach is trying to get a ticket. No one had heard from Bowser. “Dad, when are we going to kidnap the princess again,” Bowser Junior asked his father. “When everyone stops being so weird. All this media attention around Luigi is ridiculous.” “Is Luigi really a girl?” “Junior, you know the media can never be trusted they are all a bunch of liars. Now stop bothering me and let me watch my shows.” Mario had nothing to do but grieve. His sister was off who knows where as Daisy said.