Sister - Anonymous_DarkLight - Super Mario Bros. (Video Games) [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Luigi asked, walking alongside Mario. Peach and Daisy followed close behind, talking animatedly.

Today was the day that he and Mario would introduce their friends to a very special person. Why was Luigi so nervous about this? Well, that was because this special person was quick to mistrust people, even if they were their friends.

Mario nods reassuringly. “I'm sure. What's the worst that could happen?”

Luigi cringes at that. If anything, they’ve just jinxed it.

The group soon arrived at the bros' house. It was a small, two-story house made mostly of wood. A couple of scratches marred the wood and the door, telltale signs of past experiences. Mario and Luigi led the way inside. Entering the living room, they paused. “I'll be right back,” Luigi said, already disappearing upstairs.

He hurries up the stairs, his steps echoing in the quiet house. Reaching the second floor, he locates the third door and knocks.

"Come on in, Lu. I heard you coming up the stairs," a soft voice says from behind the door. A hint of laughter dances in the tone. Luigi enters, and is greeted by a swift pillow to the face. He lets out a surprised grunt as the plush surface connects.

With a sigh, Luigi removes the pillow from his face, letting it fall to the ground. “Really, Phoenix?” He says, a hint of mock annoyance in his tone.

His assailant explodes in a fit of giggles, "Of course!" Her bright, pale yellow wings flare with excitement at her sides. Dressed in her usual black shirt and magenta pants, her hair secured in a matching magenta ribbon ponytail, she presented a familiar picture – all except for the missing black fur boots. Phoenix looks at his unimpressed expression, pure glee etched into her features. “C’mon, don’t give me that. You should’ve expected that by now.”

Luigi rolls his eyes. "Oy. Could you at least save the pillow tossing for after you meet Peach and Daisy?" he questioned, shaking his head. Phoenix simply raised an eyebrow. Weeks of planning seemed to have completely slipped her mind.

“Sure,” she shrugs. Her smile drops, her head flopping back against her remaining pillows. The thought of meeting strangers seemed to drain the life out of her.

Luigi walks over and sits down at the edge of the bed, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, alright, pillow warrior. Truce?" He waits for her reaction, then continues with a gentle nudge. "Seriously though, the princesses are good people. You might even find you have things in common."

“Like what?” Phoenix inquires, her voice sounding deflated. Her expression mirrors her disinterest.

Luigi pauses, considering it for a moment. "Actually," he begins, "you have more in common with them than you realize. You and Peach both have a creative streak, you and Daisy enjoy a good challenge, and none of you tolerate bullies. You might be surprised at how well you get along."

Phoenix gives only a noncommittal hum, her brow furrowed in thought. After a long moment, she lets out a breath that seems to hold all her apprehension. Sitting up, she mutters a simple, "Fine," as she stands and stretches. Luigi smiles at her, a hint of relief mixed with his pride. His eyes crinkle at the corners. Their steps echoed on the stairs as Luigi and Phoenix descended, each fueled by a distinct anticipation. They step into the living room, and are immediately greeted by the sight of chaos. The living room resembled a warzone populated by giggling goofballs. Cotton and feathers snowed from ripped pillows, blanketing the furniture in a layer of white mayhem. Daisy, perched precariously on the coffee table like a feathery Valkyrie, brandished two pillows like oversized boxing gloves. Mario, resembling a startled badger, cowered under the kitchen table, a single, lonely pillow clutched in his sweaty hand. Peach, caught in the crossfire, windmill-ed her lone pillow at Daisy with the grace of a drunken ballerina, sending a flurry of cotton snow angels across the floor. It was, in essence, domestic bliss at its most gloriously deranged. Luigi clovers his mouth, trying to stifle a chuckle. I left them alone for ten minutes! He thinks.

Phoenix, meanwhile, is doubled over with laughter. Wiping a tear from her eye, she grabs a stray pillow and dives into the fray, a valiant defender against the oncoming feathery barrage aimed at Mario. The next hour or so is pure pillow pandemonium. Peach and Daisy duke it out for a while, before the latter is declared the victor. In her moment of triumphant glee, Daisy then attempts to duel Phoenix. She's quickly dispatched, Phoenix easily crushing her opponent with experience in both real battles and pillow fighting.

Now having claimed victory, Phoenix stands atop the couch with her wings spread out wide. She scans the room, taking in the mess of pillows, feathers, and people, searching for her next adversary. Her gaze locks with Luigi’s, who’d been attempting to clean up a pile of stray feathers. She chuckles, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips. As soon as he stands up, she dashes toward him with her pillow in hand.

* * * *

Phoenix sat atop the roof of her house, her gaze fixed on the setting sun. She watched as swirls of orange and pink bled into deep blues, nighttime finally settling in and bringing a crisp breeze. She heard footsteps approaching from behind her.

“I see you’ve decided to join me,” she says, not bothering to look back. She knows it’s her older brother, so there’s no need to check who it is.

“I have,” Luigi sits down beside her. He points his gaze towards the sunset as well, taking a deep breath of fresh air.

Phoenix merely quirks up an eyebrow, "Any reason in particular? Or have you just come to admire the setting sun?" she says, only partially teasing her brother.

Luigi chuckles, glancing at her. “I was actually going to ask what you thought of the princesses,” he says, leaning back.

Phoenix smiles, her usual easy-going attitude shifting into something more genuine and softer. “They’re pretty cool. You were right, for once."

Much to her glee, Luigi only pretends to be offended. He was actually right.