The First Encounter (Luigi x Waluigi)

Where it all Ends

Behind Luigi stood a plumb, short man, his mischievous grin splitting his stubby face. With his big pink nose, zigzagged mustache and yellow-and-purple outfit, it was hard to take him seriously.

Next to him, a lanky man smirked, with one hand on his hips and the other twirling his handlebar-esque mustache. He wore a purple, long-sleeved shirt and navy overalls, and his long ears were particularly pointy.

"It's-a me, Wario!" said the short man.

"And me, Waluigi!" said the lanky man.

"And together," they both said, "we challenge you all to a tennis match!"

Mario nudged Luigi. "Why do they look like-a the ugly versions of us?"

"I don't know," said Luigi, "but their sight sure makes me wanna laugh. There's no way anyone will take them seriously!"

"Hey green boy!" said Waluigi, crossing his arms, "If you've got somethin' to say to us, then step right up!"

Sudden adrenaline rushed through Luigi. His heart pounded against his chest, threatening to rip out. He walked up to Waluigi and stood, with only a few inches separating their faces. Despite the thousands of people staring at him, all his previous fears seeped away. Nothing could stop him.

"Luigi's not afraid," he muttered.

Waluigi's eyes widened. "What did you say?" he roared, his spit flying.

Without breaking eye contact, Luigi wiped the saliva off his cheek and smiled wryly. "What, did you not hear me? Do you want me to clean the wax off your elf ears?"

"Pretty bold, coming from someone who was about to piss his pants just from seeing a big crowd."

Wario snickered. "Yeah! Who do you think you are, buster?"

Mario stepped next to Luigi and shoved Wario. "Watch it, butthole!"

"Now listen here," said Waluigi, "Wario and I are gonna take you down. I'm number one, and no one is gonna change that."

"Not if I have something to say about it," said Luigi.

As the four engaged in an intense stare-down, Toad broke the icy silence, "Well, it looks like we've got new challengers, everybody! Will our Mushroom Kingdom champions be able to defeat them?"

Waluigi grabbed an extra tennis racket from the bench nearby. "Consider this the start of our rivalry," he said.

Luigi scoffed. "You? My rival? Don't make me laugh!"

Waluigi replied with a low growl before heading to the tennis court. Wario grabbed a tennis racket, stuck his tongue out at the brothers, and followed his companion. As for Mario and Luigi, only a determined nod was exchanged between the two. Luigi had never felt so bold, resolute, and stubborn all together, like the crooning of a terrifyingly beautiful chorus.

He had always thought that having an arch-nemesis would brew unwanted hatred and disasters; yet a part of him, a very small part, might just enjoy those consequences.

Luigi's eyes fluttered and looked back at the diner. His mind has taken him for a long trip along the memory lane.

Waluigi was holding a vanilla pastry bag, his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth in concentration as he piped white flowers on the cake. "Get your head outta the clouds, green boy, and come help me with the decorations," he grumbled.

Luigi laughed. "Alright alright, I'm coming!"