**Chapter 6 Part 1** Mario slammed the food behind him as he tumbled inside. He has completed his plumbing job for the day. It wasn’t as though he needed the money. He needed a reason to get out. The gang hasn’t been the same since Lucy left. Peach and him were still on their break. Daisy wanted nothing to do with him. Wario and Waluigi were living their best lives so he didn’t want to interrupt. It’s been radio silence from Bowser. He wasn’t kidnapping anyone or causing evil. The only acknowledgment the Kingdom’s greatest knight received anymore was pity. Public opinion had softened for the Marios. The real story has been slowly accepted by the citizenry. Yet Mario had come to question the story. Mario thought he was letting Lucy live as she liked, allowing her to accept the consequences. However, what if he liked the gesture? Lucy was devoting her entire life to emulating Mario. He was the gold standard of existence to her. Mario never really minded that, he was only ever annoyed when Lucy was too clingy asking to come on all his adventures. Mario pinched his temples to squeeze those thoughts out. He knew where this road led. Lucy herself was proof of that. The plumber needed stimulation. Isolation does nothing but torture. Mario toyed with his phone. Sonic is busy with the restoration of his brand. It was always awkward with his former rival. He hadn't seen him since Smash. He wouldn’t see him again until the next Olympic Games. It didn’t feel right to call the rest of his buddies from Nintendo and the industry. He didn’t want to destroy their image of him. What!!? Why was Mario so concerned with his image in the eyes of his colleagues and friends. He was there for Sonic when he needed him. He organized the Olympics and his Smash invite behind the scenes. When the Legend of Zelda stalled Mario made sure the next game revitalized the franchise. Mario recently helped Fox get back out to the public. It’s not unreasonable for him to turn to them. His reputation as the father of gaming meant too much to him. To show weakness would tarnish it. The red hero couldn’t bear that. Maybe in the end he really did take advantage of Lucy. He allowed his little sister’s adoration to spiral out of control, doing nothing to ensure it remained and he could enjoy it guiltlessly. Now he had a sister lost in the world somewhere. A lover with a broken heart. He lost a friend. The only thing left was a dark empty house. “I need a shower.” He needed something to relax. He was halted by a knock. “Mario! Mario!” The familiar sounds got him rushing. He yanked the door wide open. Mario swallowed Lucy up in his embrace. “Aggh! Mario!” Lucy was barely able to squeak that out. The hug was like a boa constrictor. “Another minute.” He let her go after twenty seconds of thrashing. He eagerly took in the sight of her. The mustache was gone. Her clothes were the same. Her hair grew out. Her breast binder was off so the outline of bosom was visible. She tilted her hat slightly up. He loved her new look. It was still Lucy but she finally made peace with her identity. “I’m so happy you are home.” Mario eyes were glossed over. Lucy had to choke back tears. She left her brother like this for so long. “Mario I’m-“ “No!” Lucy staggered back as if struck. “No matter what I’m your brother I’m here for you. You don’t owe me an apology so don’t say those words.” “Too bad because I’m giving one. I made you play along with this lie for so long. I caused you so much grief. I-“ “You came back, that’s all I care about.” Mario beckoned her inside. “I’ll make your favorite spaghetti. If you want I can run to the store to buy some snacks.” “No spaghetti is okay.” Lucy savored every bite of pasta. Her brother’s cooking was as good as always. A hero’s welcome could never compare. She licked her fingers of all sauce. “So I want to talk to Peach first,” she said, keeping her eyes on her fingers. “I’ll call her.”