Luigi lay back on the grassy hill just outside the house he shared with his brother. His green shirt and hat blended with the grass he lay against, only his blue overalls really marking him as distinct from the background of the Mushroom Kingdom grasslands.
Blending with the background...that was him, wasn't it? Not that he minded, really. Mario was the one who really wanted to be a hero, who reveled in the adventure and danger of every time Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach...or whenever someone else showed up to do so and they had to fight them, or even team up with Bowser to save Peach only to then fight him. Luigi would be just as happy to stay at home and take care of the house, so Mario would have somewhere safe and clean to relax in once the battle was over…
Stay at home...yes, Luigi would be very happy to stay at home. The dangers Mario reveled in...they terrified Luigi. Each time they had to go into battle, he had to fight against the shakes, the shivers, and the heart stopping terror. Mario always believed in him, of course, and always encouraged him. That encouragement was often enough to help him overcome the fear - at least visibly - and he had contributed to those struggles and victories. But…
When Mario wasn't able to support him, the fear was crippling. That truly came to a head in Luigi's mind in the BeanBean Kingdom, when the only way he'd been able to do what was necessary to save Mario from being turned into a bean had been being hypnotised into believing he was Mario. Mario was the hero. Mario was the brave one. Luigi? He was the coward who just wanted to take care of the homestead, that's what everyone knew. ...well, everyone who actually knew his name, anyway. Even Bowser really only knew him as 'Green Mario'.
That didn't bother him, though. He didn't want the spotlight. He didn't need fame. But...he wanted to be able to support Mario more. Mario was reckless and headstrong, convinced he was as invincible as if he had grabbed a Starman...or convinced he had 99 1-Ups. He charged into danger without thought to his own safety...and that scared Luigi almost as much as going into the danger himself.
He pushed himself to join Mario on each terrifying journey...because what scared him far more than the journey was the thought that if he didn't, one day a Toad would arrive at the house to tell him Mario wasn't coming home…
"I...I don' wanna hold Mario back anymore," Luigi said to himself, closing his eyes as his moustache quivered. "I don' wanna be crippled by fear...don' wanna be a coward…I…" He opened his eyes, staring up at the nighttime sky. A star streaked slowly across the sky, a shooting star waiting for a wish.
Sitting up, Luigi locked his eyes on the star. "I don' wanna be another Mario, my brother does a good enough job of that. But...I don' want fear ta cripple me no more. I wanna be stronger, braver...I wanna be a better Luigi!" With all his heart, he sent that wish up to the shooting star…
Which turned and shot back into space.
Luigi sighed, lowering his head. "Yeah...even Star Road can't grant that wish…"
"But maybe I can help."
Luigi let out a shocked scream at the sound of that soft voice right behind him, dashing to hide behind the nearest tree.
A soft giggle started to ease his fears. "Goodness, I see why you made such a wish…"
Curious, Luigi nervously poked his head out to see who had spoken. Silver tiara, pale blonde hair, one bright blue eye visible in that pale face, floating in the long flowing blue dress… Luigi let out a sigh of relief. "Rosalina," he gasped out as he walked back out onto the hill. "You scared'a me…"
"So I see," Rosalina murmured warmly, floating over to meet him. "And I see why you wished so fervently my little Luma friend felt compelled to report it to me."
Luigi tensed up, his eyes wide. "Y...you know my wish?" he whimpered, shaking in embarrassment now.
Rosalina smiled warmly as she rested her hand on Luigi's shoulder. "There is no shame in wishing for self-improvement, Luigi," she offered warmly. "You have proven in the past to be capable of overcoming your fear when it most mattered, and other times with a little help. All you're asking for now is that help...to become strong enough to face it on your own. You are asking for courage...and I can see that you are courageous, that you can face this side of yourself, and conquer it when needed."
Luigi smiled warmly, though he ducked his head to hide his blush. "Aww...I'ma not so great…"
"Maybe others do not see the greatness in you, but I do," Rosalina replied warmly. "And I know Mario does as well. Why else would he accept no one else to have his back in true adversity?"
Luigi's smile faded. "I...I just wish he didn' have to kick me in the heart ta get me goin', ya know?"
"And as I said, I think I can help with that."
Luigi's head came up. "Ya...ya mean ya can help me be braver?" he gasped eagerly, clutching his fists together in front of his rather slim chest.
Rosalina lifted a warning hand. "Not exactly. I, myself, can't do anything for you...but I know of an individual who has truly conquered fear, to the point that nothing can stand against him. A hero like no other...and yet, one who in his own way is much like you, Luigi. In his quest for strength, he lost something...but I believe with his guidance, you can gain the courage you need, and not lose yourself. The journey will be perilous, and time consuming...but I believe you have it in you to overcome, if it is your desire."
Luigi turned this over in his mind. To go off to meet this stranger and train for who knew how long… He didn't want to leave his brother alone for that long, but...but to be more than he was now…
"Just let me leave a note for Mario!" Luigi said urgently as he dashed back into the house, where Mario's snores gently filled the domicile.
Rosalina giggled softly to herself. "There is greatness in you, Luigi...and I know you will overcome what awaits you."
Luigi raced back out of the house with a smile. "I'ma ready to go!" he declared happily.
"Then let's go," Rosalina replied warmly as she waved her wand, wrapping them both in starlight before whisking themselves off to their destination.
On the table inside, the note waited for Mario to read it.
Dear Brother,
Rosalina's taking me on a training journey, so I won't be so scared all the time! I might be gone for a while, but I know you can take care of yourself. There's a pot of pasta sauce in the fridge, it should last several days of mushroom pasta, the shopping list is under the Blue Shell fridge magnet, and coupons are in the second drawer to the left of the stovetop. Oh, and we use Bright Shell laundry detergent, not Shroom Clean.
Take care of yourself, Bro
Love, Luigi.
As the starlight faded, Luigi found himself standing in front of an incredibly dilapidated apartment, in the middle of an apartment building that looked to be in even worse condition, amidst a city that looked like it had been through so many wars the residents had stopped trying to clean up between them because they'd only just finish cleaning up after one when the next one hit. "Mamma mia…" Luigi murmured in fearful awe as he tried not to look at the dark alleys, the crushed cars...or what he was certain were bloodstains. "What'a happened here?"
"Probably just about everything you could imagine, and a good dozen things you'd never dream of," Rosalina replied. Then she frowned as she checked the stars. "Wait, it's Tuesday. Make that two dozen." Seeing Luigi looking ready to bolt, she rested a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, you're trying to conquer fear. If you can manage to live a day facing the fears this place will confront you with without running and hiding, what fear will the Kingdoms back home have left to confront you with?"
Luigi swallowed nervously. "I...I understand…" he managed to say. "Is...is the one I'm here to see…?"
"He's probably the most terrifying being to ever walk these streets," Rosalina answered firmly. "Those that know his true nature are wise to run and hide when his temper awakens. There is nothing in this or any world I have seen that he could not conquer. Under his tutelage, you are certain to conquer fear itself…" Seeing Luigi now looking ready to faint dead away, she hid a smile as she knocked on the door.
After a time, the door opened...and Luigi found himself looking at a slimly-built bald man wearing white socks, blue jeans, and a red and grey sweatshirt with 'Oppai' written on the front in yellow, with what looked to Luigi like half-closed eyes underneath it, also in yellow. "Yo?" the man greeted in a dull, uninterested monotone. "What do you want?"
Luigi managed to get his breath back as he clutched at his chest. This man didn't seem so scary…
"We have come a great distance," Rosalina offered warmly. "My companion has great inner strength, but finds himself crippled by fear far more than he wishes. I had hoped you might train him, so that he could conquer that fear and be the hero he is capable of being."
The man scratched his bald head. "I dunno...I've kinda already got an apprentice…"
"I will pay you five three-ounce solid-gold coins per day," Rosalina countered.
"You'll have to buy your own futon, I'm all out," the man responded immediately.
"I can provide him one," Rosalina replied warmly, waving her wand to conjure one into Luigi's arms. She then handed over 150 Mushroom Kingdom coins. "First month in advance," she said warmly. "I suggest getting the money changed once a day, just to keep prices from collapsing. After the first month, five will arrive each day in your mail, whether you get mail that day or not."
The man whistled as he examined the coins. "Nice." He then turned to Luigi. "Well, come on!" he insisted, beckoning him in. "Let's find you a spot."
Seeing Rosalina nodding encouragingly, Luigi followed the bald man inside. "T-thank you for taking me on!" he insisted eagerly. "I...I hope I don't dissapoint…"
"You're determined to try," the man replied readily. "That alone is the makings of a hero. I'll just see if you can be one on your own."
Luigi shivered, half in excitement and half in fear. "And...who are you? I'm Luigi!"
The man smiled. "Me? ...I'm just a guy who's a hero for fun…"
