Boos used to be the most haunting thing in Luigi's life—King Boo being the most terrifying. Imagine for a second that you've lost control of your body, of your mind, of your whole identity. And that you're conscious through all of it. Your mind represses it all to protect yourself, but then it all comes rushing back. Bags, nearly as dark as the mask the brainwashed Luigi had worn, now formed under his blue eyes. The color had drained from Luigi's face, perhaps from the lack of sun. The pudge in his lower stomach had dissipated, making his overalls sag in the middle. He had developed a bit of a tremor, and now wore two long-sleeve shirts just to keep warm.

"Let's-a go!" Mario called, knocking loudly on Luigi's door. "The appointment is in fifteen minutes."

He was meeting with Dr. Toadley today.

While he was mostly known for being a physician, the doctor also specialized in psychology, hypnotism, and rehabilitation.

We deserve to be free. Don't do anything to waste our potential.

Luigi rubbed at his arms, and nodded to himself.

The only strange behavior Mario had seen was the fact that he had become a recluse. As long as he didn't say anything regrettable, he would be fine.

"Let me be in control then," he said under his breath.

There was a beat of silence in his head.

Don't screw it up, then.

The constant throbbing in his brain let up a little. Every second of his life, his thoughts and actions seemed to be at gunpoint. The threat of his alter ego loomed gravely over the younger Mario brother at all times. It didn't even sound like his voice most of the time. He couldn't even pinpoint the exact day it began. Since the day they saved the worlds, he had always had a headache. He had assumed its origin was the explosions he endured along with the multiple brainwashings. But gradually, his darker thoughts began developing a unique voice. A voice that was not Luigi's or within his control. And from there it—

They arrived at Dr. Toadley's clinic. Everything seemed so sterile and bright. The purple glossy floors reflected the fluorescent lights, and Luigi could barely see without squinting.

"You look pale," Mario commented, concern furrowing his thick brows. "Are you okay?"

"Uh huh, just a little headache."

If Mario wasn't satisfied with that answer, he didn't let on. A toad nurse walked past the green-clad plumber and went up to his more famous brother.

"Mr. Mario! What brings you here? I hope all is well!"

"Yeah! I'm well, the appointment is for my brother." He gestured to Luigi.

Bet you she doesn't remember your name.

Luigi sighed, the blank look on her face told the same tale. Suddenly, he couldn't help it. "That's right, Toadella! Nice to see you again."

She went red in the face. Toadella looked to Mario, as if to pass a message to him. Without his permission, Luigi felt his mouth form a smirk.

They'll remember your name when—

Suddenly, Luigi clapped his hands. "Dr. Toadley must be surprised to see both of the Mario bros. Today, only probably expecting little old Luigi. Is the doctor ready for us?"

The stunned toad glanced down at her clipboard. "Yes, yes, come this way!"

Didn't it make you angry that you know all of these toads' names, and they all look the same and dress the same, and there are two human plumbers and they can't be bothered to learn yours?

"That's rude." Luigi whispered to himself.

Dr. Toadley was truly an enigma. He was the highest revered doctor in the kingdom, and yet he often turned to the occult to get his diagnoses through.

I've changed my mind...heh, or our mind. I'm taking over, you're not smart enough to handle this.

Luigi crossed his arms. Handle what, exactly? He rubbed his forehead with the heel of a gloved palm.

If I go down, you're going with me.

Snap.

The sound made him visibly startle, and he felt the heat rush to his face. Mario gave him a concerned look, but fortunately they were cut off when Dr. Toadley cried out a nonsensical word. The two brothers walked through the door, leaving the nurse behind them. Dr. Toadley faced his crystal ball, his back to the duo.

"GRAVE ILLNESS!"

The brothers stood there patiently. Eventually Dr. Toadley would elaborate. They hoped. Well, maybe Mario hoped.

"Did I say a grave illness? Yes I did. And is it affecting the green one? Yes it is. Will there be catastrophic events to follow if it is not treated? Yes, absolutely."

Even if Luigi wasn't fighting with his alter ego on a daily basis, he imagined his head would be hurting just from listening to this guy speak.

What a quack.

"QUACK?" Dr. Toadley spun around, pointing his finger at Luigi. "Did you call me a quack? Yes you did. Does this offend me? Yes it does." He crossed his arms like a petulant child.

Mario looked like the picture of confusion. "I didn't hear anything…"

"Perhaps I imagined it...maybe I did." He eyed Luigi with what could only be perceived as suspicion.

You need to be quiet. I won't get rid of you, but if you don't shut up, he's gonna do some wacky stuff on us.

Luigi once again felt a release of pressure.

"Doctor, my brother never leaves our house, and he barely eats."

"He has left today, it appears."

"This is the first time in months. I'm worried."

Luigi cleared his throat. "I just like to live a boring life, Mario. I've had a little too much excitement, heh."

Mario frowned.

"Are you interested in my therapy or hypnosis services?" Dr. Toadley asked.

"No thank you." Luigi said.

Mario faced him. "Yes, Luigi, I think you need to—"

"SILENCE!" Dr. Toadley demanded. "I cannot force him." In a mumble he said "It's against the law."

MML

They went back to the house.

"At least call Daisy." Mario muttered.

Right, because what you need right now is a woman who constantly toys with your heart. Great advice.

"She doesn't—!" Luigi cut himself off, realizing that Mario was still in the room. "Uh...she doesn't want me to call her."

"Why are you being like this?" Mario said, raising his voice. Luigi had never known his brother to take on such a tone. "She misses you! Everyone's worried about you!"

"Most people have no idea who I even AM!" Luigi yelled back.

That's right.

"You didn't even recognize me when all that changed was my CLOTHES!"

Give it to him.

Mario grabbed his arm. "Luigi, your voice sounded different and you had a mask on. You acted nothing like yourself then."

"Like MYSELF? And what would that be like? Cowardly, anxious, INFERIOR TO HIS BROTHER?"

Just a little more. You can do this. Let go, Luigi.

Mario suddenly hugged him. "No. No, no, no. That's not how I see you, bro. That's not what I meant. I'm sorry I wasn't there."

Remember when he didn't even hesitate to attack you when Dimentio combined with you?

"I was so afraid, I'd lose you." Mario said, blinking back tears.

Yeah, then he'd need a new sidekick. Don't buy into this.

"I'm sorry, Mario. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'll call Daisy tomorrow. Let's just forget about this, okay?"

Mario lingered in the embrace, but slowly released his brother. "I love you, bro."

"Love you too, Mario.

No, no, silly. You have to denounce love. This time, instead of being Mario's backup, you are to bring about the backup plan. Don't fail us, now.