Oh, the consequences of playing Nintendo video games! All the hours of playing Nintendo Melee, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, and Mario Kart: Double Dash have corrupted my mind. So now...well, I'm sure you can see.

This is my first Mario story. I wouldn't have written it if the idea never came in my head...But since it did, I had to write it down or it wouldn't go away. Anyway, this takes place after Super Mario Sunshine, because I've never played Paper Mario, and I'm hoping this isn't an ordinary Luigi-centric story. We'll just have to see, won't we?

Just a note, the title is Italian. It means "Courage". It will also (hopefully) make up for the lack of Italian accent that is present in this story. See, I'm not entirely sure how to put in Italian accents, and I remember watching Mario cartoons where the Mario brothers had New York accents, so...Well, I'm just not putting in Italian accents. I hope the story won't suffer because of that.

But anwyay, on with the prologue.

Fibra

It seemed to have been hours since he had been minding his own business when out of nowhere two paratroopa had picked him off the ground and flew off with him. They had been flying so long, and he wasn't sure how much ground they had passed since his eyes were shut tight.

Heights was one on a big list of things he was afraid of.

There was nothing he could do as the winged-turtles continued to fly with him in tow. He was too petrified to move; just the thought of them dropping him with just a slight twitch was enough to immobilize him completely.

Soon, he felt the beating of the paratroopas' wings cease, as though they had gone into a glide. He felt that their altitude was decreasing as they began to hopefully approach the ground. Despite himself, he carefully opened his eyes as a giant familiar castle loomed in the horizon. Before he knew what was happening, the turtles flew towards it, swerving to just barely miss one of the tallest towers.

Before he could gasp, the turtles flew back, releasing him just as they once again barely missed the tower. Terror clamped up his throat, preventing him from uttering a sound. Fearing for his life, he didn't notice as he shot into the window of the tower the paratroopas missed until the hard concrete floor broke his fall.

Groaning, the man shook his head, slowly pushing himself up and dusting off his dark blue overalls. Removing his green cap, he carefully dusted that off before fixing it on his auburn hair. Just as he began to wonder where he was, his dark sapphire eyes caught sight of something on the wall he stood in front of.

Instead of the same concrete stone that created the floor, the wall was littered with pictures, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Initially, his sense of meticulous order overcame him, and awave of disgust for such a jumbled mess was all that occupied him. However, on a closer glance, he was able to realize what all that mess had in common.

His older brother, Mario.

Each picture, each photograph, each news clipping, all of them talked about something Mario had done that deserved and received special recognition, only adding to his glorious growing reputation.

He sighed softly, looking at each accomplishment of his older brother. He had never said anything, but he had always been somewhat jealous of his brother's amazing accomplishments. Bitter, even. Many times, he wished he wasn't always a step behind, that he wasn't always over shadowed by his older brother, that he could gain some recognition for once. Just once.

"He's such a nuisance, isn't he?" a deep, sinister voice said suddenly.

Stiffening terribly, he slowly turned around as dark crimson eyes shot through his soul from the darkness. He felt compelled to scream, but he found that he just couldn't.

"Don't be afraid, Luigi…" the voice said as the eyes continued to burn into his soul. "I don't aim to hurt you…..if you are willing to cooperate…."

Confusion filled the man as fearful sapphire eyes uneasily met the large fiery ones.

"I'm sure you are aware of how much I……loathe your brother for how he always interferes with my plans……And you……I can only imagine how one such as yourself might feel……Always remaining in his arrogant shadow, never to see the spotlight……"

He flinched a little, the vindictive words cutting into him hard.

"But, I have a plan to finally free our existences of the fool….."

The statement ignited some curiosity within him, and he looked at the pair of glowing eyes, silently urging him to continue.

"I am giving you, Luigi, an option……Either you help me finally destroy Mario, or you can join in his demise when I destroy the Mushroom Kingdom……"

He frowned a little at these words, uncertainty filling his being as he glanced back at the wall of Mario.

"Do not be mistaken, Luigi……This plan is guaranteed to work, and if you choose to oppose me, you will be destroyed as your brother will be……"

He looked back at the blood-red eyes, feeling exposed under the hard, piercing gaze.

"But, if you join me, you will be ensuring your safety and freedom from your soul's oppressor……"

Suddenly, a large golden-scaled claw extended out from within the shadows, stopping just in front of Luigi. "What is your answer?"

Rigid and a bit perplexed, he glanced back at the wall of Mario. His sapphire eyes settled on a picture of Mario with Princess Peach and a few Toads. Sighing softly, he then turned back to the claw in front of him. With a trembling hand, Luigi slowly took the claw, sealing the unwritten contract with Bowser, sealing his fate.

TBC

So, what did you all think? Sorry it's so short. Remember, this is just a prologue...Hopefully, there will be more to this. I have the whole story in my head, but it's just a matter of writing it down. Anyway, I hope you like it. Please review. If you didn't...Well, please don't flame me.

Well, later days.