It was another lovely, sunny day in the Mushroom Kingdom. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and there wasn't a single cloud in the eternal blue sky. A truly beautiful day for all.

There was a celebration taking place at Princess Peach's Castle, at the heart of Toad Town. A grand gallery of astounding paintings had been donated to the Royal Family and were now proudly in display throughout the gorgeous Castle. A modest party had been thrown in honor of the generous, but anonymous addition to the Mushroom Kingdom's culture. Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and many others were invited as honorary guests.

Gathered together outside of the Castle, Peach and Toadsworth greeted each of the guests as they arrived in droves.

"Mario, Luigi!" She waved over the heroic brothers, who expectedly arrived first. "I'm so glad to see you!"

Both Mario and Luigi took off their caps as they nodded respectfully toward her. "It's nice to see you, too." Mario replied with a smile.

Luigi blushed a little and waved sheepishly, his shyness still getting the better of him from time to time.

Walking across the Castle Grounds just a few feet behind the brothers were Princess Daisy, Yoshi, Wario, Waluigi, Toad, Toadette and Donkey Kong. The eclectic group was more than capable of putting their differences aside whenever it came to fun and games, or needing to band together to stop a single evil force. Seeing everyone together was an energetic sight.

"I'm glad you all could come!" Peach beamed as she scanned the group. "Oh, but we seem to be missing one guest! I invited Professor Gadd as well. I wonder..."

A stiff breeze blew across the land, catching everyone off guard. The four cap wearing heroes/anti-heroes all clung to their beloved hats while Peach and Daisy pressed their dresses downward against the harsh wind.

Dark clouds quickly gathered in mass, casting darkness across the entire Kingdom. Bolts of purple lightning flashed through the clouds while thunder roared wickedly with each bolt.

Toadsworth scoffed in an irritated manner. "What in the blazes is this, then?"

A wicked cackled echoed across the land, sending a shiver up Luigi's spine. He froze, except for his trembling legs, as he instantly recognized the laugh. "No... It CAN'T be!"

The clouds above the Castle began swirling as an ominous figure emerged from the darkness: King Boo.

Cackling loudly King Boo used his dark magic to summon the newly acquired paintings from within the Castle, casting a spell on each portrait. With a wave of his small arm the paintings all flew down toward the guests, who were unable to move out of the way. One by one the guests were all trapped within each painting, with the exception of Luigi. The green clad hero managed to dive out of the way and avoid the flying traps. As he evaded the flying portrait he managed to push Peach down to the ground and to safety at his side.

The two watched helplessly as their family and friends were swallowed up by the paintings and pulled back into the sky toward the vengeful ghost.

King Boo cackled triumphantly as the cursed paintings spun around him in a circle. The captives within each painting yelled out and pounded against the canvass in a futile escape attempt.

Several other Boos gathered around the Castle Tower, all encircling their powerful Master. The Boos all cackled in diabolical unison as their power filled the charged air with darkness.

"Luigi!" Mario's voice called out for his brother as his painting spun wildly around the ghostly foe. "LUIGI!"

In another flash of lightning the paintings disappeared from sight and King Boo focused on Luigi.

Luigi got to his feet, slowly, keeping Peach behind him the entire time. He put one hand up as if he could somehow stave off the impending attack as King Boo approached him, closer and closer.

King Boo opened his gaping maw, revealing his sharp teeth, as he snarled at Luigi. But before he could attack he caught sight of something behind Luigi and Peach and quickly retreated to the sky. Taking shelter in the tallest tower of the Castle, long ethereal purple chains wrapped around the Castle, sealing in the dark power that fed King Boo.

"Luigi... What's going on?!" Peach finally asked as she clung to his arm desperately. "What made him flee?"

"I believe I can answer that, my dear!" A voice replied as it hastily approached. "That darn ghost is STILL no match for the Poltergust!"

Luigi and Peach turned to see Professor Elvin Gadd had finally arrived.

"Professor Gadd!" Luigi cried out, a little relieved to see the paranormal expert, but also worried about what Gadd was going to say.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I was tracking a bizarre paranormal signal and it led me right here! How convenient!"

Luigi pressed his palm to his face and sighed.

"Good thing I brought this!" Gadd held out a small red cube for Luigi to take. "This is my NEWEST model of Poltergust! I call it the 'Pocket Poltergust'!"

With a trembling hand Luigi took the cube and watched as it automatically unfolded into a full sized Poltergust within seconds in the middle of his hand. After almost dropping the suddenly larger device Luigi casually slipped it on over his shoulders, allowing it to rest against his back.

Gadd chuckled a little. "Now, now... Don't look to downhearted, kiddo! You've taken down that troublesome King before, you can do it again!"

Luigi sighed again, not happy about his next adventure amongst the Boos. "When will it END?"

Peach felt for Luigi, know how much he cared about Mario and the rest of their friends. "You can do it Luigi! I believe in you!"

Luigi forced an insincere smile and nodded.

"Now..." Gadd held out a small remote. "with the press of a button I can transport all the ghosts you suck up with the 'Pocket Poltergust' to my new and improved 'Ghost Containment Unit' in Evershade Valley."

Luigi took the nozzle of the Poltergust; his only weapon against his spectral nemesis, and gripped it tightly in his hand. His shaking, sweaty hand. He shut his eyes and thought of Mario and the others being taken away, trapped for all eternity. Luigi was their only hope! He must go inside!

"Chin up, son!" Gadd continued to try and assure Luigi in his abilities. "This will be easy! You've spent time in the Castle, you know every room better than those darn Boos ever could!" Reaching into his lab coat pocket Gadd then pulled another gadget into the open. A small watch. "Take this!"

Luigi accepted to offered item. "A watch?"

"Not just a watch! It's a digital transceiver! Just press the button on the side and we'll be able to speak to each and see each on the display! Much lighter and easier to keep track of than the GameBoy Horror or the DualScream!" Gadd joked lightheartedly as he rolled up a sleeved and revealed the watch's counterpart already on his own wrist.

Peach just grinned and shook her head a little at the odd discussion. "Luigi, I have faith in you!"

Slipping the watch on over his left wrist, Luigi took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay... I'm ready."

"Then go, my boy!" Gadd beamed with encouragement. "Stop King Boo's dark magic to free your friends from their portrait prisons! Then, once all the dark magic has been removed you can go to the top of the tower and take down that pesky King, once and for all!"

"I hope you're right..." Luigi pessimistically replied, his voice quaking with fear as he spoke. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Peach and Gadd waiting at the furthest reaches of the Castle Grounds as they watched Luigi slowly approach the front door of the possess Castle.

Luigi cautiously approached the large double doors of the Castle. There was no one in sight, not a single sound. He put his hand on the door knob and turned. Taking a deep breath Luigi prepared himself for the worst.

"Okay, here I go."

He pushed open the heavy door, revealing the darkened lobby within.

...to be continued...