Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this humble fanfic.
Rescue
By Healer Kira
Even when all hope seems lost, remember, there is a dark before a light, a night before the day...
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It was midnight.
Underneath the withered branches of a gnarled old oak tree, a man lay. His legs were hugged close to his chest, forehead on his knees, and the shaking of the man's green shoulders gave away the fact he was crying.
Mario just returned from saving the princess. Again. And, per usual, Luigi had been left behind.
It wasn't jealously that plagued the younger brother, no, it was loneliness. Just once, he would like to be noticed, remembered. Mario had jumped off after Bowser without even thinking of Luigi-
Was a simple goodbye too much to ask for?
He shouldn't be so harsh. Mario had taken him on a few adventures before- Big adventures! But then again, half of the times were just mistakes… Like when they went on the trip to defeat Cackletta, even though he had asked repeatedly to go, Mario had refused… then Bowser cut in and sucked him up in his airship.
If the giant koopa king hadn't intervened, he would have never obtained his beloved Thunderhand…
Would it be so hard for his brother to let him get some of the limelight?
Was it so hard for him to let Luigi go out and make a life for his self? Recently, he had heard news of a new store opening in BeanBean town. Job offers had been posted in the Mushroom Times, and Luigi had called- and gotten the job!
How excited he had been… Plus, a small cottage had been put up for sale on the outskirts of the town. He had bought it almost immediately, for a good deal as well.
But, as soon as he had spoken of moving , Mario had nearly jumped down his throat, immediately disapproving of the idea, saying it was completely ridiculous… ever since then, the red-clothed hero hadn't left Luigi alone for a second, as if afraid his younger brother would pack up and leave behind his back. Frankly, Luigi was starting to feel smothered…
Why couldn't his brother get his head out of his arse and let him go! He was tired of being in Mario's shadow all of the time; yet, it seemed like Mario was determined on keeping him there… It was as though he was in a prison.
Luigi's grip on his knees loosened, and slowly, he lifted his head, revealing red eyes and a tear- streaked face. Sniffling, he dried his eyes, sternly admonishing his self for the weakness. He couldn't show weakness now, not when he still had to think of a way to steal away to BeanBean Town.
"Luigi!"
He turned to the source of the sound, and a few moments later, a breathless Daisy ran up, dressed in yellow and orange shorts and tee.
"Luigi!" She exclaimed again, leaning against the oak as she gasped for air. "We've been looking all over for you!"
"Who's we?" Luigi asked, alarmed.
Daisy ignored the question, instead squinting at the man's face with a frown. "Have you been crying? She asked bluntly.
"Daisy, that doesn't matter right now; who's we?" Luigi asked urgently.
Daisy shook her head from side to side, then straightened, smiling at the man.
"Sorry, my mind gets a little scrambled when I'm tired. Me, Mario and Peach have been searching for you for hours; Mario got worried when you disappeared. You know, I probably should to go tell Mario you're okay." She began to walk back down the hill.
Luigi stood and grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. His face held a fearful look.
"Daisy, I need your help. I need to get away from Mario, and get to BeanBean Town. Can you help me?" If there was anyone he could trust, it was Daisy.
The princess stared at him quizzically. "Why do you need to get away from Mario?"
Luigi let go of her arm, and turned to face the stars behind him. Daisy took a few steps closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Luigi?" He could hear the worry in her voice, and sighed.
"Daisy, ever since we were children, I was always overshadowed by Mario. He was always considered braver, nobler, and stronger than me. I truthfully didn't mind; yes, at times I was jealous, but I still really didn't think much of it. I wasn't very brave, nor strong at the time. I'm still not."
Daisy started to say something, but Luigi continued on.
"As the years went on, and my brother became known as the hero of the mushroom kingdom, I began to become restless. I didn't want to guard the home front; I wanted to be out, in the thick of it! But though I wanted to go on adventures, my brother refused to allow me. He said I was not trained enough, and that he didn't want his 'little bro' to get hurt."
He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck absently."Gods i'm getting off track. It's just… well, long story short, I've always been in Mario's shadow, and I'm tired of it. I have a job waiting for me over in the BeanBean Kingdom, and I was planning on leaving a week ago, but Mario… he stopped me. I don't know why, but he says that he will not let me go. Like he still has authority over me! Ever since then, he has rarely left me alone… I had to climb out the window to get here. I would leave now, but I don't have any of my stuff. No money, clothes, nothing…"
"Luigi…"
She tugged at his sleeve and he turned, biting his lip, looking in her face for rejection.
There was none. A gentle smile was resting on her features. "Luigi. Stop worrying. I'll help you."
Surprise flitted across his face. "You… you will?"
"Of course! You're my friend Luigi. Of course I'll help you."
Luigi's uncertain frown slowly morphed into a grin and he impulsively threw his arms around the princess, hugging her tightly to his chest as he whirled around in circles, laughingly elatedly.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
She laughed with him, a joyful twinkling laugh that made his heart pound sporadically. Luigi slowly stopped spinning, and set the girl down to the ground, beaming. "Gods, I can't thank you enough, Daisy."
"You don't have to thank me Weegee; after all, what are friends for?"
Luigi's heart gave a pain throb, but he ignored it, instead giving her another grin before speaking of more somber topic.
"How am I going to get my stuff? I hadn't thought of taking it when I snuck out; there's no way I could sneak back in and get it without Mario noticing."
Daisy bit her lip, looking to the side for a moment before replying, "Do you have everything packed?"
Luigi nodded. "It's all in my suitcase on the bed."
Daisy grinned. "I'll creep in and get it then."
"You will? " "Of course!"
"But… well…" Luigi stuttered. "What?"
"Well if I'm not able to sneak into my own house, how do you think you are?"
"Luigi, do you have any idea how many times I've slipped out of the castle? If I can get past the dozens of guards that patrol my castle, I do believe I can sneak into a defenseless house."
"Well, if you're sure…"
"I'm sure."
"Daisy!"
A call echoed through the hills and the two simultaneously turned to the sound.
"Er, you want to go get that suitcase now?"
"Might be wise."
"Quick question, how will you help get me to the BeanBean Kingdom?"
"I'll tell you at your house."
"Good answer."
Without hesitation, the pair turned and ran from the scene. A few moments later, a man dressed in red arrived. He gazed at the tree for a moment before sighing and taking off north, towards the direction of the Mario Household.
The exact opposite direction that Luigi and Daisy had set off in.
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As everybody can see, I did not intend for this to turn into a chapter story. It just…happened. I just had an idea of a depressed Luigi, being comforted by a friend. In fact, I actually had to go back and change the beginning to match the rest of the story; that's why it sounds so off. I have not a clue on what this story will turn into- will Mario be evil or possessed by some darker being? Will there be LuigiXDaisy? What role will Peach have in all of this? Bowser? My (very few) readers, I do not know.
As justification for making Luigi so carefree and relaxed with Daisy, Let's just say they are very close friends. BFF's. They are comfortable enough with each other to bicker.
By the way, know that I will NEVER abandon any of my stories. No matter what. If I die, I will update from the grave. You have my word.
Anyways, I would be very grateful if the readers reading this would please review, with ideas for that will happen later on, and tips on where I could improve.
Edit- Yeah, i decided to come and revise this a little. i was tired of it not really fitting in with the rest of the story. Is it better now? Review!