Cradling Luigi's broken body in his arms Mario awaited his turn to be beaten to a bloody pulp. The heavy footsteps of the two Hammer Bros. grew closer, echoing louder in the stone dungeon with each stride forward. Closing his eyes Mario braced himself for a blow to the back or the head but instead he felt a firm but non aggressive hand on his shoulder. Turning his head slightly he locked eyes with the blue shelled Hammer Brother.

"Mario," he began in a low, remorseful tone. "we're here to help Luigi." Gesturing with his eyes toward the second Koopa who had accompanied him to the Dungeon. "By 'we' I mean me and my kid Brother."

At a loss for words Mario could only stare blankly at the hammer wielding Koopa as he tightened his hug around Luigi's shoulders. He could feel how cold Luigi's body had become and the shallow breaths that he fought to take with each desperate inhalation. A part of him wanted to believe that if he could just hold Luigi tight enough he could some how keep Luigi alive, keep him from bleeding to death right before his eyes.

"I know you don't trust us, and for good reason, but I'm not lying. We want to help Luigi." Motioning for his partner to join him the two Hammer Bros. one in blue and the other in green, set a stretcher down on the dungeon floor next to Luigi's body. "Please. Let us help."

Glancing down at Luigi's beaten, swollen, bleeding face and stifling a guilt riddled sob. Taking Luigi's dropped and blood soaked cap from the cold Dungeon ground Mario slipped back on over Luigi's hair as he nodded in approval to the two Hammer Bros. "Do it. Please."

Carefully, using the gentlest of motions, the two Koopas gingerly lifted Luigi's broken body from Mario's arms and laid him down on the stretcher. The duo picked up the ends of the stretcher and with synchronized movement lifted Luigi up from the cold, hard ground. Mario stood up slowly, his legs weak and his heart heavy, as he chose to follow the two Koopas rather than lead.

It was eerily quiet as the unusual group walked through the melancholy, dark Castle. The acrid smell of sulfur from the lava pits and dust didn't even phase Mario as he intently watched Luigi's slow breathing as he was carted off on the stretcher. Exiting the ominous stone structure was uncharacteristically uneventful, not a single patrolling guard in sight.

Turning toward the Mushroom Kingdom, to the humble Toad Town that seemed impossible far away from the Dark Lands, Mario could only silently wish for Luigi's survival as the events leading to the kidnapping played over and over in his mind...

Mario and Toadsworth had escorted Princess Peach to the Audience Chamber in the heart of Beanbean Castle. Prince Peasley had greeted them warmly and shown them to the Conference Room where Queen Bean was impatiently waiting. Lady Lima, the Queen's ward, was stoic in her presence until she saw Toadsworth tagging along with Princess Peach.

"Ah, Princess Peach!" Lady Lima exclaimed with enthusiasm as she entered the room. "And Master Mario, so wonderful to see you both again." Blushing she looked at Toadsworth. "You've even brought the ever charming Toadsworth as well!"

Toadsworth blushed as well as he locked eyes with the intriguing Lady Lima for only a moment before fulfilling his role. "Your Majesty Queen Bean, allow me to re-introduce Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom and Master Mario." Turning back to Lima he graciously nodded. "Lady Lima, a pleasure as always."

Taking their seats at the conference table Peach and Mario were informed by Queen Bean of their intentions. The Beanbean Kingdom was ready to wage war against the Mushroom Kingdom in an attempt to stop Bowser from attempting a take over of either Kingdoms.

"A shame, really." Queen Bean admitted. "But if this is the only way to protect my people, then so be it!"

"Please, there must be another way!" Princess Peach begged. "Let's discuss a compromise..."

Mario had tuned out the diplomatic debate as his thoughts turned to Luigi. The very mention of Bowser's name was enough to turn Mario's stomach as the threatening letter was still stinging every fiber of his being. Discreetly Mario penned a letter, while taking notes on whatever 'key' words uttered between the two Royals to ensure a sense of interest. After he finished his letter, his warning to Luigi, Mario motioned for Toadsworth to take the letter and send it as soon as possible!

As the ward excused himself from the room Mario couldn't shake the feeling that he was too late. Some how in his heart he already knew that Luigi was in danger.

"Mario, should we keep walking into Toad Town, or let you take Luigi the rest of the way yourself?" The blue shelled Hammer Brother asked quietly as he and his twin came to a halt at the top of the grassy hill.

"Huh?" Mario came back to reality and quickly understood what was being asked. He put his hand lightly on Luigi's chest to feel for any sign of life. "Oh, if you two are walking with me no one will bother you. Let's go."

Finally taking the lead Mario escorted the helpful Hammer Bros. through the frightened town, as they carried Luigi on the stretcher. A brave Toad who had witnessed their arrival hurried to the hospital to inform the doctors and nurses about the situation and not to panic.

As soon as the Hammer Bros. stepped inside the entryway of the hospital two doctors and four nurses rush to the stretcher, focusing on Luigi's condition and ignoring the two out-of-place Koopas.

"Mario!" Dr. Toadley, who was Luigi and Mario's own personal physician, was tending to the downed man. "good gracious, what happened?!"

"I... I don't know..." He sadly confessed as he watched the swarm of medical personal caring for his injured Brother. "Bowser... He did this."

The green shelled Hammer Brother found the courage to speak up. "If it will help my Brother and I can tell you... everything."

Mario and the medical staff alike shuddered at the thought. Shaking his head Mario declined. "No. I can't... I can't bear to know!" He clenched his hands into tight fists and as he stared upward at the ceiling and shut his eyes so tight tears began streaming down his face. "It should've been me!"

A Toad nurse aided the tension with an alarming observation. "Doctor! He's turning blue, he can't breathe!"

"Quick!" Dr. Toadley resumed control of the situation. "Get the gurney over here, we need to move him into emergency O.R., now!"

The scene seemed to unfold in slow motion as Mario watched the gathered doctors and nurses lift Luigi's fragile, nearly lifeless body onto the gurney. As Luigi's limp form was lifted up his iconic green cap fell away from his head, once more revealing the blood matted hair beneath. Seeing his little Brother rolled away through two large double doors and out of sight was too surreal, if not entirely impossible, for Mario to accept.

In silent shock the two good-natured Hammer Bros. stood idle as they watched Mario comprehend the devastation.

"Luigi," Mario walked over to the dropped cap and picked it up. He held it tightly in both hands as the full weight of the dire situation hit him right in the heart. "please pull through. I need you to live. You're my little Brother..."

..to be continued...