Chapter Text
Eyes darting to each creature shuffling around him, Luigi tried to stop himself from hyperventilating.
The creatures in colored robes and creepy white masks barely looked his way, working to rig the airship for smooth travel to, where he could only assume was, Bowser's castle. Warily, he watched the figures - Shy Guys, he remembered Mario mentioning to him - flit about the deck, tying down loose items and adjusting the sails.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a red Shy Guy shuffling up to him. Startled, Luigi growled deeply and bared his fangs at the creature, hunkering himself further into a protective ball. He noticed the creature flail slightly, dropping a thin blanket where it stood before it darted to the upper deck.
Luigi looked at the blanket, realizing in the back of his mind that the creature had been trying to give it to him to provide some comfort in this whirlwind situation.
However, rational Luigi was taking a backseat to any thoughts or decision-making. His omega brain kicked in to ensure the man could protect himself from the strange figures and dangerous situation - to simply survive. Luigi thought less about the situation and focused more on how to protect himself from what could happen.
Presently, he scooted himself into the cabin of the airship - likely the Captain's quarters, but there were no inhabitants so it was instantly safer than the wide open deck he was on. Pressing himself into a corner, where he could see both the door and out of the windows (though he could only see the further darkening sky out of them), Luigi removed his gloves to ensure he had full dexterity of his hands. He may not have claws, like omegas of old, but the instinct remained to use his nails as weapons as needed. Further, he removed his hat, removing the obstacle to his field of vision.
Thankfully, the sane part of his mind pushed him to put the items in his front overall pocket and not leave them on the unfamiliar floor. Luigi would have a caustic meltdown if he lost the hat that his mother lovingly made for him (and his brother) for opening their plumbing business.
Noting his surroundings, Luigi rolled and cracked his neck, ensuring he was limber enough to protect himself or run away should the need arise. The sky grew darker, nearly ink black, and Luigi's eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room.
A short knock ripped Luigi's attention back to the door, causing his muscles to tense to prepare against the intruder.
The door pushed open slightly, enough to push through a tray of meager food before closing shut, a light click sounding the door was latched but not locked.
The omega relaxed again, and cautiously crawled closer to the tray. Laying on a plate was a slice of bread slathered in creamy butter, a small bowl filled with wild berries, and a glass of Moo-Moo milk.
After a light sniff to check for any dangerous substance, Luigi dove into the meal. He had dinner hours ago, and he spent most of his evening in the garden, weeding and tilling the soil to prepare for his summer vegetables. Though he enjoyed his time out in the fresh air, he was now sore, exhausted and famished from the hard work.
The omega finished the bread in two bites, dumped the bowl of berries straight into his mouth, and chugged the entire glass of milk. Leaving the dishes back on the tray, he scooted back into the corner.
Resituated, Luigi leaned into the corner - resting but ready to jump and attack or run should anything happen. As the hours ticked by, his eyelids drooped further, continuously falling asleep for a moment, only for his body to jolt awake and check for enemies.
Knock knock.
Luigi startled awake, body springing into a crouch as he watched the door slowly swing open and the same red Shy Guy from before shuffled just inside the doorway with its arms up.
Hackles raised, the omega growled at the creature, watching it tremble in fear as it tried to mime its message to him.
That was when he felt it - the airship was descending.
The Shy Guy shuffled forward a few steps nervously beckoning him to follow itself out of the door and onto deck. Luigi's growl shifted into a grumble, telling the creature to stay back but promising to follow. His instincts said to grab the meager blanket he napped with - it would provide some protection against the outside forces, though ineffective as it was.
The pair shuffled onto the open deck, watching as the crew finished the landing procedures and ultimately stood in formation.
Luigi stumbled as the airship landed on the dock, causing his Shy Guy to hold up his arms in an attempt to steady him, but didn't touch as the omega growled defensively. It made a warbly sound, conveying it only wanted to help, but respectfully stood a few feet away.
The leader of the ship, dressed in white robes, a large hat with a black brim, gold epaulettes and a badge on its chest, marched to the front of the assembled crew before walking down the plank to the dock, saluting the awaiting female paratroopa official.
“General Guy, report.”
Startling Luigi, a gravelly, almost broken, voice responded. “Complications. Princess ran. Captured hero instead.”
The omega thought about how Shy Guys usually interacted and realized the rough voice was probably due to disuse - most communicated in their native tongue or gesticulated to get their point across. His eyes slid over to his guard, remembering how it had tried to communicate with him.
The paratroopa frowned disdainfully, eyes gliding over to the mentioned prisoner. Her eyes widened, not because it was Luigi of the infamous Mario Brothers, but because she saw he was an omega who was distressed and borderline feral. The official had barely knew that Mario had a brother, much less that he was an omega. Probably why he was always kept in the Mushroom Kingdom, never with the Red Menace when he attacked the castle.
“General, he's an omega, there are rules in how they are treated.”
The general warbled, annoyed, as it responded, “In Captain's Cabin. Didn't know till lift off.” Though agitated, the paratroopa understood where it came from - most Shy Guys were beta and often couldn't pick up on the deeper scent cues of alphas and omegas.
Shaking her head, the official directed her words to the Shy Guy acting as the omega's guard. “He is to be escorted straight to the throne room to His Majesty. Ensure the captive is kept calm.”
Fat chance, the omega thought bitterly, baring his fangs at the paratroopa.
His guard warbled to get his attention, leading him to the plank, where it descended first. It patiently stood to the side as it waited for Luigi to follow suit. Wild eyes flicked between each of the creatures as the omega nervously walked down the ramp.
The paratroopa official sniffed the air when the pair got close enough, realizing just how volatile the situation could become if the omega felt too threatened and fully succumbed to his feralness. Said omega growled angrily back, hating that he was being assessed. The official slightly lowered her head, to offer solace, and lowered her voice to speak to him. “Luigi, you will be meeting King Bowser in the throne room and then assigned a room to rest for what remains of the day.”
The omega felt the rational part of his brain whisper, ‘A room, not a cell. Perhaps omega safety is more important than locking down a prisoner.’ His feral part took back over, decidedly ignoring the observation and steeled himself as he watched his guard lead him and the detached General and crew to the throne room.