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Author's Note:
"You never know what you have until you lose it, and once you lose it, you can never get it back." - Unknown
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Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story idea and any OC(s).
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Lost
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It was my fault.
Whether you or anyone else believe it or not, it was.
No, Bowser didn't finally rule over the Mushroom Kingdom. And no, Princess Peach didn't get force into marrying him either. But compared to this major screw up, it sure would have been better if she did, even if it was for a short time. I mean, she could always divorce him, right? Maybe poison his food or something? You only with him until his game end anyways. Not only that, she'll probably gain control over the Koopa Kingdom, finally ending the war between hers and theirs.
I know it sound cruel even for me. But you will think the same way too if you were force to live in my shoes and relive the mistake you caused to the one you cared most.
Since the day I strictly called 'The Incident', I had change a lot compared to who I used to be. I mean I still save the Princess every third day of the week, and the entire world at least once a month. Difference between then and now is that I'm more careful; cautious even.
Before 'The Incident', I was reckless; a loose cannon. I would always run head first into battle without even taking a second thought. I would always live up to my title, Super Mario. I was everyone's hero; everybody's savior. But that, and all of reality, came crumbling down that day - literally.
On one hand, I am a little grateful for it. It showed me that I wasn't all that great, that I wasn't all that super. I was human just like everyone else; only with special abilities that stand me out from the rest.
Regardless of my abilities, I wasn't invincible... I wasn't immortal. Every time I head out to save the Princess from the monster koopa king that was Bowser, I should consider myself fortunate to survive it. Every time I go out to save the world from some super villain who wanted to take over, I should get down on my hands and knees, thank King Grambi for the life I have lived, and thank Queen Jaydes for not ending my games early.
It was luck that carry me out this far, but now... my luck has run out.
I rarely interact with anyone anymore, especially Peach; the woman I once called the love of my life. I don't get out of the house much either, only for my adventures and grocery shopping of course. Other than that, I just say home and take full responsibility for my mistake.
Everyone, including Luigi, said it wasn't my fault; that it was just an accident. But I never believe them for I knew better. If Luigi didn't push me out of the way of that falling ceiling, this would have never happen. And to make matters worse, they all look at him like it was his own fault; like he was the cause of all this.
My anger flared whenever I see those accusing looks of theirs. And the fact Luigi believes it as well only cause my anger to flare up even more. It wasn't his fault this happened. He was always the cautious one, wanting to take the time to think about his option before making a single move. I'm the one that ran fist first, brains last and he's the one who had to suffer for it.
And how dare they even think so lowly of my brother. After all he's been through, after all the times he risks his life to save theirs (and mine); this is how they repay him? By tossing him aside likes a useless doll. I have half a mind to let Bowser win over the kingdom for once, just to teach them a lesson. The more I think about it, the more I'm actually considering on letting it happen. I may have been cocky and arrogant before and I'll admit that. But I'm a lot more observant now to see they depended too much on me to save them and the princess.
I mean, this is a kingdom after all. Don't they have some sort of military to protect the castle and its people, like they do back in the Beanbean Kingdom? Are they really that weak (or that lazy) to allow Peach to get captured every once a week? Or are they just too confident in my abilities that they don't see the need for it?
Well, whatever it is, I don't have time for it any more. I have Luigi to take care of now. I can't always waste my life to stop an army of Koopas and Goombas from attacking a bunch of prideful, arrogant, ungrateful little...
"Mario...?"
I jumped slightly from my seat on the couch. Realizing I was in my living room with the TV on, I looked over to my side. Luigi sat next to me and he had a concern look on his face.
"Are you alright?" he asked me. "You looked sort of angry."
I let out a deep sigh in order to calm my nerves down. I didn't want Luigi to think I was angry that him or anything. I smile softly at him.
"I'm-a fine, bro. I was just... thinking, that's all"
Luigi's concern face disappeared and was replaced by a curious one. "Okay, what were you thinking about? Do you want to talk about it?"
I shook my head. "No, I'm-a fine...really." Then I turned my full attention on him. "How about you? Are you tired? Do you want to take a nap?"
Luigi shook his head quickly. "No, no, I'm-a fine." He said.
"Then how about some tea? I'll go get us some tea."
I made a move to get up from the couch, but Luigi stopped me before my butt was even in the air.
"No, no, I can get it."
I looked at him with uncertainty written on my face. "You sure? Because I don't mind doing it"
That was the truth. Ever since the Incident, I had offered to do everything he couldn't do anymore, and that includes the cleaning. It helps make me feel a little bit better; however, it makes Luigi feel like a burden, something I don't want him feeling.
"I'm sure." He said as he wheeled (yeah, I said it - wheeled) his chair around and toward our kitchen.
I sat back down on couch, but not fully. I kept a close eye on him, ready to jump to his aid when needed. I watch him closely as he placed the bus tub Princess Daisy got him on his lap with the tea pot and our favorite mugs inside. Once he was sure it wouldn't fall and was well balance, he wheeled himself back to the living room where I was waiting. He poured some tea into my red mug and I thank him, smiling softly.
This was the mistake I made; causing my little brother to become paralyze from the waist down. Every day I have to live with it and I have accepted it to be my full time job. I guess it's like the saying goes...
You never know what you had until you lost it - Or in my case, what my brother had lost. And once you lose it, you can never get it back.
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Ending Note:
I had this one-shot for maybe a year or so but I never posted it up because I felt like I could do more with it. Maybe later I'll be able to transform it into a short story.
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Review :)