Reclusa

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Reclusa
Artwork from Mario & Luigi: Brothership
First appearance	Mario & Luigi: Brothership (2024)

Reclusa is the true main antagonist and final boss of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. It is an ancient entity which was responsible for brainwashing Cozette to become Zokket, and has manipulated the Extension Corps to resurrect it via separating the islands of Concordia and rendering its Bonds impossible, enforcing solitude for its own pleasures.

History

A millennia-old creature, Reclusa is said to have existed since before the dawn of time, though little else is known about its background. By the time of the game's events, it has retreated into an egg to recharge itself and eventually rise again. Under its influence, Zokket and the Extension Corps keep it dormant in their fortress, intent on fueling the egg with enough Glohm to reawaken it.

Reclusa is first shown in its egg form when Mario, Luigi and Snoutlet encounter Zokket in his fortress, lamenting that he does not have enough Glohm to repower Reclusa. After his defeat, Zokket gives the last of his energy to the egg, freeing Cozette but also reawakening Reclusa. Immediately, it captures the Concordians and enters the Soli-Tree, awaiting Mario and Luigi's arrival.

Reclusa's flowers surrounding its fortress send Mario and Luigi into a simulation of the Mushroom Kingdom upon their arrival, where they witness Princess Peach bonding with Bowser in a seemingly peaceful time, but they manage to escape much to Reclusa's chagrin. Deploying a horde of minions to defeat the heroes as it continues retreating, the Mario Bros. are narrowly rescued by Bowser, who is intent on defeating Reclusa as well.

While further retreating to the Soli-Tree, Reclusa engages in a battle with Mario and Luigi, ending with it feigning defeat long enough to reach his destination and become Weeping Reclusa. Easily defeating Bowser and his troops, Weeping Reclusa summons a dark fog that causes Mario and Luigi to fall unconscious, them being saved by Connie watering them with the energy of their Bonds and allowing them to enter the Soli-Tree.

Within the Weeping Core and eventually by itself, Reclusa engages in a long and grueling final battle with Mario and Luigi, eventually defeated by their hands. To the bitter end it does not regret its misdeeds, feigning remorse before destroying the battlefield floor in a final desperate act to defeat Mario and Luigi, this effort failing and ending with them smashing its screen.

Reclusa is last seen complaining about its failure to enforce eternal solitude upon Concordia, failing to understand the meaning of the world's Bonds. Connie confronts it, telling the entity that while one can do certain things alone, there are also many things that can be done with the power of teamwork. Further incensed, Reclusa continues to lament its failures, and is ultimately told by Connie to disappear as it has no place in Concordia. Reclusa ceases to be soon after, the Soli-Tree crumbling without it.

Trivia

• Reclusa is the first Mario & Luigi antagonist to not be associated with, or serve as a form of Bowser.
• Reclusa's name originates from "recluse", a synonym for the term "shut-in", or a person who functions alone and avoids socializing.