"Do you think we did the right thing?"
"Hard to tell at this point. We have to observe it for a while longer."
"What does that mean?"
"He means that the repercussions of our actions are as of yet untold. We have to hope that Ludwig and Peach can maintain the peace. Junior may yet be a powerful threat."
"That's not what I asked. I asked if what we did was the right thing."
"Father was corrupt. We needed to get Ludwig on the throne."
"We knew it might happen, but it was a side effect. Should we have eliminated Mario in such a way?"
"It was necessary. Luigi was not reaching his potential with Mario always being the hero. We cannot doubt our actions now. Ludwig's official coronation is at the end of the month. Is there anything we need to address about this?"
"Junior may be a threat to our plans. Do I have permission to eliminate him if he proves to be a persistent obstacle?"
"Yes, but please, do not do it unless it proves absolutely necessary. Are there any other notes of interest?"
"Luigi is currently in Brook of Lyn. My informant has informed me that he plans on leaving in the morning."
"That's no good. Waluigi's Koopa Troopa Squad won't be leaving till dawn. They will never make it in time. We need him in the custody of Mushroom Kingdom for now."
"Don't worry about it. I've asked someone to hold him in Brook of Lyn long enough for Waluigi to get there. He won't suspect a thing."
---
Luigi walked up to the counter, handing the keys to the desk person. "Thank you for allowing me to stay here. Last night was my last night here. I have business to take care of now." He walked away with the shroomer following him out.
Outside of the hotel, they were stopped by a lady in a pink skirt with a purple blouse. "Luigi! I haven't seen you in years!" She said, rushing up to hug him. Then she looked down at Toad. "What's with the shroomer?"
"I'm his bodyguard." Toad said before Luigi could stammer a statement. "Who are you?"
"I'm Pauline." She cocked an eyebrow. "You honestly don't know who I am?"
"Not really."
Luigi grinned, stepping in between the two. "Now, now, Pauline. Don't be so harsh. You know it's rare for television broadcasts to carry internationally." He sighed. "You already know that your station only broadcast throughout Olengla and Kongo Bongo Island."
"I thought my fame preceded me."
"You'd be surprised at how many people still think that it was Peach that Cranky Kong kidnapped." He pushed Toad back a little. "How did you find out I was here? Why did you come by, anyways."
"Wanted to try and get the best camera man I ever had back. Ever since Mario dragged you away, I've gone through an entire string of 'em, but none of the have the guts that you do. I miss my driver, but I heard that Waluigi is doing the military racket now, so I doubt I'll be getting him back."
"Tempting, but I can't stay in Olengla too long. Got things to do, places to be. You know the spiel." Luigi stepped around Pauline, Toad following him.
Pauline turned around. "Oh, what could be so important that you can't at least share a drink with me and discuss it?"
"Well…" He glanced at the shroomer, who just shrugged. "I don't suppose it could hurt. Know of any low key bars?"
---
The man walked into town flanked by three Koopa Troopas. The purple cap hid his eyes in shadow and a cigarette dangled from the edge of his mouth. "Fan out. I want Luigi found as soon as possible. Make sure that both Toad and Luigi are brought back unharmed if possible. Use force only if it's necessary."
"Yes sir!"
---
Luigi laughed, holding another fizzing drink in his hand. "Oh, I remember that one. Do you think that anyone ever caught him?"
"There are rumors, but we have no solid proof. People are still scared to visit that part of town even though the attacks have stopped." She looked at Toad, sitting solemnly with a glass of water. "Why don't you have a drink. I am buying, after all."
"I don't drink." The shroomer stated. "I like to keep a clear head."
Pauline frowned. "Oh, loosen up."
"Honestly, I don't think Master Luigi should be drinking right now either." Toad replied. "In fact, we should be moving on. We have to be somewhere."
Before Pauline could reply, Luigi smiled and stood up. "He's right. Places to be and all that. Besides, ten of these is enough for me. A few more, and I might start on being drunk."
"Fine." She hiccupped, as she stood up too. "I'll go pay this. Please wait here for me." She walked off, leaving the two guys.
Luigi smiled, looking down at Toad. "That's cute." He said, sitting back down.
"What?"
"The way you were looking at her." The man in green laughed. "I'd say you have a crush on her."
Toad just looked away.
---
"Luigi and Toad left this bar about ten minutes ago accompanied by a female. The female has yet to be identified. Two Green Scales are currently following them."
"Excellent. I will move in myself." The man in a purple cap said. "I will meet everyone back at camp."
---
"We're being followed."
"What?" The woman said, looking back at the shroomer.
"We're being followed. By Koopa Troopas. I suggest we take cover."
Luigi looked back to see the Green Scale units. "Greens…not the best shadow units. Must be getting harder to train Blacks."
"I know of a warehouse near here." She ran down an alley. "Follow me."
Toad and Luigi looked at each other for a moment. "This is her element." Luigi said before they both ran after her.
---
"They went into that warehouse over there. We know of Luigi's reputation as a fighter, so we did not pursue inside, though we are making sure the exits are blocked off. Is there anything else you need, sir?"
"Tell your partner that I want you to head back to camp. I will take care of everything from here." The large man walked towards the warehouse. "This shouldn't take too long."
---
"Damn." Luigi said as he glanced out from behind a box. "It's Waluigi."
"Really? What's he doing here?" Pauline said from behind a nearby column.
"Given that he's in the military and I am a hero, already trained, he's probably here to bring me into custody. Probably Toad too."
"What are you going to do?"
"Not sure yet. May just shock him." Luigi started to charge electricity in his hand.
"Wow…you've really learned some new tricks." The reporter said, glancing at the energy between his hands.
Luigi glanced around the boxes again to see Waluigi getting closer. Toad was nowhere to be seen. "Yeah. Let's just hope that they are useful tricks." He stepped from behind the stacked boxes and launched an electric ball at the purple-clad man.