Chapter Text
“Beware, beware, be skeptical. Of their smiles, their smiles of plated gold. Deceit so natural. But a wolf in sheep's clothing is more than a warning.” -Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Set it Off
It all started on a normal day. Well, doesn't any life-altering and shattering events in life start out this way? Smg4 was bored and it had been a while since anything interesting had happened. Sure, he destroyed Smg3’s studio the other day and Smg3 was probably up to something, but I digress, nothing was happening at the moment. Now in the canon world, Smg4 wouldn't have come up with the idea, but this is a darker Alternate universe so Smg4 has got to get hurt emotionally somehow.
Smg4 sighed as he lazily twirled in his computer chair, trying to think of something, anything to do for content for another video. He got a great idea just as he glanced at his bed as he spun. He would pull a sleeping prank. He would pretend to be asleep to see how his friends would act around him if they thought he was sleeping and couldn't hear or see them. It was brilliant. They’d probably do nothing short of friendly things. What's the worst that could happen?
Smg4 jumped off his chair and grabbed his camera and a blanket as he headed for the living room area to set up for his recording. He placed the camera where it wouldn't be noticed, then curled up on the couch. The crew should be back any minute now. This was going to be a fun prank.
Meggy and the others enter the room only to sigh in relief when they see smg4 is asleep.
“Thank god the loser is out. I didn’t want to pretend to be nice to him.” Saiko huffed.
‘Huh..? What did I do to you Saiko?’ Smg4 thought with confusion.
“I know, right? I can't believe we have to pretend to be his friends to get money.” Tari whined.
‘What? They are using me?’ Smg4 thought in despair.
“Don't worry guys. Soon I’ll get him to add us to his will, then we can get rid of him and pin the death on Smg3 or someone.” Meggy cheered.
‘WHAT?!’ Smg4 was alarmed.
“What about Mario? My brother won’t be happy if something happens and might get in our way.” Luigi pointed out.
“Then we kill him as well,” Bob replied.
“Good idea. I’m tired of pretending to like that idiot anyway. Can you believe he really thinks I like him? What a loser.” Meggy smirked.
‘Oh no… Mario will be devastated when he finds out. Well, when I show him the recording because like hell am I letting him near these heathens!’ smg4 angrily thought.
“Thank god. I was tired of pretending to care for him. Try living with him.” Luigi sighed.
“Then it's settled. We keep guilt-tripping smg4 into giving us money and convince him to add us to his will so we can finally get rid of him.” Meggy affirmed.
“Speaking of nuisances, my dad recently said he would give everything to Jub Jub. So can we pin his death on Smg3 as well?” Boopkins asks.
“Sure.” Meggy smiled.
‘What the heck is wrong with these people?!’ Smg4 just wanted them to leave already so he could send the tape to the police… and maybe the media in case Bob uses connections to get out of court. He had to do something about this.
Thankfully the gang left the room right after that conversation. Something about buying more poison for Saiko to use? That’s not good.
Smg4 gets up and slowly walks to his camera. He turns the recording off and takes it to his room. Smg4 stares at his computer screen for at least a good hour lost in thought as the video is being uploaded to be sent to police and media networks. Eventually, he wipes at his face only to get his glove wet.
“Oh… I’m crying… huh,” he muttered with no emotion.
He felt broken. He just found out his friendship with almost everyone he cares about was just lies. Fake. Just nothing but a scheme to get his money. He honestly felt tired and drained. He didn't feel like smiling or being happy. He just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry himself to sleep. Was this what depression felt like? No. He can't be depressed. He’s Smg4. He makes videos and goes on adventures. He doesn't have time to be held back by depression…
But then again, his friends were using him. What's not to say his fans wouldn't feel the same way? What if they agreed with his friends and their actions? What if all he was good for was his content and money? Smg4 sighs sadly as he grabs his phone and flops onto his bed. The video had been transferred to his phone a while ago so he might as well text it to Mario and then sleep away the pain. Yeah, that sounded nice…
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Meanwhile…
Mario had just gotten a role in a play. He was practicing for it when his phone went off.
“Huh? Thats weird. Mario doesn't usually get videos texted to him from Smg4…” Mario said as he pulled out his phone and saw the message.
Mario clicks the video but accidentally puts it on full volume, allowing everyone in the room to hear it.
It was a bunch of shuffling noises till a door was heard opening.
“Thank god the loser is out. I didn’t want to pretend to be nice to him.” Saiko huffed.
“I know, right? I can't believe we have to pretend to be his friends to get money.” Tari whined.
“Don't worry guys. Soon I’ll get him to add us to his will, then we can get rid of him and pin the death on Smg3 or someone.” Meggy cheered.
“What about Mario? My brother won’t be happy if something happens and might get in our way.” Luigi pointed out.
“Then we kill him as well,” Bob replied.
“Good idea. I’m tired of pretending to like that idiot anyway. Can you believe he really thinks I like him? What a loser.” Meggy smirked.
“Thank god. I was tired of pretending to care for him. Try living with him.” Luigi sighed.
“Then it's settled. We keep guilt-tripping smg4 into giving us money and convince him to add us to his will so we can finally get rid of him.” Meggy affirmed.
“Speaking of nuisances, my dad recently said he would give everything to Jub Jub. So can we pin his death on Smg3 as well?” Boopkins asks.
“Sure.” Meggy smiled.
The gang leaves the room and a troubled and broken-looking smg4 gets up to grab the camera.
Mario drops his phone as his hands shake. “Mario may be dumb but he’s pretty sure that ain’t okie dookie for friends to say…”
Jub Jub is sitting in the corner looking sad about what his brother said in the recording. “Jub jub…”
“What the hell was that?!” Belle yelled as she walked over the Mario and glared at the phone on the ground. “Who does that to their friends?!”
Mario sniffs as he starts crying. “Mario’s… friends don't care for him..? They hurt Smg4… They… they…” Mario’s hands grip into fists as he gets angry. “Mario is gonna do something very illegal.”
“Easy there, moron. You shouldn't go off and let them know that you know what they are up to.” Belle points out.
“But Mario wants to commit arson!” Mario huffs.
“Mario… you should stay away from them till they are dealt with. You don't live with any of them, do you?” Whinpu asked.
“Mario lives with Luigi… that stupid jerk!” Mario frowned.
“Yeah… no. There’s no way you are going back home to that piece of trash. What kind of brother is okay with killing their sibling?! Jub Jub, you too. You are not going back home till your brother is dealt with as well.” Belle declares.
The play producer, who has been silent the whole time, speaks up. “There might be a change in plans…”
“Huh?” Belle goes. “You don't mean..?”
“Yep. In light of recent events, I need to change my revenge a bit. I’m not exactly thrilled about what I just heard either. The play will be about the same story but with a toxic friend twist. And Mario? Can you be so kind as to let us play that video at the end of the play? You can even invite your friends so the crowd will see them after they see the clip.” The play director says.
“Mario can do that… but Mario doesn't understand. Why do you care?” Mario questions.
“Because,” Smg3 jumps out of his disguise, “only I am allowed to fight or hurt Smg4. Not those stupid fakes. Now my rival is broken. Maybe even more broken than I’d even want him. I wanted him to feel the pain he made me feel over the years, but I think dealing with the aftermath of toxic friends might be more than enough suffering for him. He’s probably feeling worse than I ever had.”
“Smg3?!” Mario gasped.
“Yeah yeah, it's me. Now stop gawking. I need to avenge my rival and then maybe kidnap him since I am somehow the safest hands for him. Never thought that would happen.” Smg3 replied.
“Mario won't let you kidnap him. You will hurt him” Mario yelled.
“No, I won't. He’s already broken as it is. I’m more likely to keep him locked up like a princess- well prince in his case. He might be a threat to my plans, but I don't want to eliminate him anymore. He’ll even get a nice room. Besides, do you really want your friend to stay where he is currently?” Smg3 huffed as he rolled his eyes.
“No… Mario doesn't want his friend to stay in that castle near his friends.” Mario relented in defeat.
“Okay, so opening night you will invite the whole cast to the show. There, I will separate Smg4 from the others. Maybe tell him he gets to sit up next to the director since he won a raffle or something. Then, while everyone in the crowd is attacking the others after the end of the play and video, I will take SMg4 somewhere safe. Maybe I’ll give him something to drink to make it easier to get him there.” Smg3 explained with a grin.
“Mario doesn't like this but it beats letting Smg4 stay where they can still hurt him” Mario huffed in annoyance. “Mario will help. But only if Smg3 doesn't hurt Smg4 at all.”
“I won't hurt Smg4, Mario. There’s no point in breaking something that is already broken. If anything I need to fix him because if he has lost that snarky and cocky attitude of his I might lose it.” Smg3 then goes red as he realizes what he said. “I mean… It's not like I care about the idiot. I just like arguing with him occasionally. And he's fun to annoy. Yeah. That's it. And he’s my rival so I don't want to share him with others.”
Smg3 is pouting with his arms crossed.
“Uh huh, sure boss. So we are redirecting our target to everyone but Smg4 and Mario now?” Belle asked,
“Yep. Originally they were just in my way but now it is personal.” Smg3 growled.