Bro or Foe?

## **Plot**

The kingdom is in a panic as Bowser roams through the streets but the bros insist he means no harm, although Bowser threatens those who dare come near him. Mario tells him that if he has that attitude, nobody will ever come near him. Bowser becomes annoyed by Mario's advice and begins nagging on him for protecting those who "kill one's parents". This causes both Mario and Bowser to bicker and argue about one another. Luigi tells them to cut it out but they both persist. Peach arrives to see what is happening and immediately knows what is happening. She tells them both that they need to bring it inside the castle which they just go inside only to continue arguing. Luigi has enough and demands they both get along just like they said they would back at the lowlands. Mario apologizes for his behavior and tells Bowser that they need to end the arguing. Bowser scoffs but agrees and is about to ask what they need to do next but Leroy comes out of nowhere and asks Mario if Bowser is the "ugly fire-breathing jerk" he was talking to him about. Offended, Bowser demands to know why Mario called him that which leads to even more fighting. Luigi and Peach glare at each other, realizing it is going to be a long day.

A montage of Mario and Bowser helping each other out ensues, with the duo having to cross a river full of cheep-cheeps. Bowser must help Mario cross by becoming a bridge but Mario can't cross due to his spiny shell. Bowser sucks in his thorns but just as Mario is almost done crossing, he accidently kicks Bowser in the head, provoking him to get revenge by protruding out his spikes which in turn, poke Mario in the bottom, causing him to yelp in pain. They both begin to wrestle each other, with Luigi and Peach facepalming nearby.

The next exercise involves the two having to climb up a mountain using teamwork. Bowser has trouble grabbing onto the rocks but Mario leaps above him, being skilled in jumping and such. He reaches out for Bowser's hand. He grabs Mario's hand but ends up squeezing it a bit too hard, causing Mario to yell in pain once more but falls down, bringing down Bowser with him.

The last exercise has them both use their fire power to light up a pathway that will go invisible if they don't keep their flames on. Mario torches all the lights on his side one by one but Bowser snickers, lighting his entire row in full from his fire breath. This makes the path unstable as the lights need t gradually be turned on, and the two fall to a pit below.

Mario and Bowser walk exhausted with Luigi and Peach admitting it could've been worse but could've been a lot better as well. Bowser tells Mario if he was stronger they both could just have done the trials better which initiates yet another argument. Luigi has had enough and becomes extremely angry, firing up in a pit of rage and fury. He tells them both off, asking what is so hard about not getting along and why they can't just move on from the past so they can prepare for a better future. He leaves them both, with Peach residing nearby, wondering the same thing. Bowser walks away and sits down. He begins to silently tear up leading Mario to question him on why. Bowser then answers that no matter what he does, everything always ends up being bad. Mario tells him that it is partially his own fault, he should've known better to not just continue bickering and arguing. He apologizes to Bowser and tells him that he is still very sorry for what happened to his parents, and even though he can't relate due to not even knowing his own, it doesn't mean he can't resonate with him. He gets up and gives Bowser his hand which Bowser grabs onto it, gently this time. The two walk over to the team and tell them they have made up, for real this time. They all share a group hug with Leroy asking if he could join in with Peach stating, "At this point, you are my child, get used to it".