Luigi laid on his bed with his eyes closed tight. His breathing was still labored and heavy, his chest rising and falling slowly. Mario returned to the room and placed a cold compress on Luigi's forehead in an attempt to soothe the raging fever that plagued him. Mario watched with concern as he saw how much Luigi was struggling to breathe.
Keeping calm and staying in control of his emotions, Mario proceeded to examine Luigi. From the large medical kit Mario pulled out a stethoscope and he gently placed the bell of the device on Luigi's chest to listen to his breathing and heartbeat. His heart was still racing, beating very fast and loud. But Luigi's breathing was worse. He had heavy congestion in both of his lungs with some edema. At least now Mario understood why Luigi was struggling to breathe. Taking a small penflashlight Mario re-examined Luigi's eyes. His pupils were still dilated but they were equal, round and reactive. However Luigi had no response to any form of stimuli, painful or reactionary. Mario just watched as Luigi laid perfectly still on the bed unaware of his brother Mario's presence.
Despite the routine examination Mario was still unsure of the cause of Luigi's illness. Mario decided he needed to seek help from someone with great knowledge of the Kingdom and all that existed in the Kingdom's realm. Someone who possibly knew of a rare illness or condition that can harm the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom. Only one person came to his mind: Princess Peach.
Though reluctant to leave his ill little brother, Mario knew he would be unable to treat Luigi by himself. Mario proceeded downstairs and exited the house locking the door behind him. He ran as quickly as could toward Peach's Castle, never looking back.
In the great castle the night was calm and the air was cool. Peach had resumed her place on her balcony to get a clear view of the brightly shining stars. But in the distance she saw a figure running frantically toward the castle. More curious than afraid, Peach watched as the figure came closer and closer. Just as the figure entered the courtyard Peach recognized the figure as her dear friend Mario! Even from such a great distance Peach could tell that something terrible had happened to worry Mario into such a frenzy.
But why was he running to her castle? And why was he running in such a panic? Before Peach had a chance to call out to Mario there was a knock on her chamber door. Peach left her balcony to answer the door. She looked back over her shoulder in time to see Mario enter the castle door in the distance.
On the other side of her door was Toadsworth, her Royal Chauffer. Toadsworth was holding a letter from the local doctor, apparently a plague of Poison Mushrooms had infiltrated the Kingdom and several of the local Toad's have fallen seriously ill! Peach was conflicted: find Mario and learn what has happened, or find a means to treat her people?
Worried for her Kingdom's health Peach quickly went to the Castle's Library in an attempt to research the effects and treatments for Poison Mushrooms. Peach knew Mario would find her soon.
Back at the house, Luigi laid alone in his bed. Or so it seemed.
From the window Kamek was spying on the ill plumber. Using his magic Kamek teleported into the unprotected room to take a closer look at Luigi. Upon his own examination Kamek laughed evilly to himself, the plan seemed to be working just as Bowser had predicted.
His mission complete Kamek used his magic to leave the room and fly off toward Bowser's newest base.
Luigi started to toss and turn in his sleep, the delirium from his fever was beginning to take effect.
From deep within the castle's Grande Library Peach and Toadsworth were relentlessly checking each bookshelf looking for any tome that would contain any knowledge whatsoever to aid the ailing Kingdom. Spying a rather old, worn leather book on a high shelf in the rear of the room, Peach climbed up and pulled it out carefully. As Peach began to blow off the layers of dust from the books title Mario burst in the doorway, his face a mask of worry. Peach was alarmed as she had never seen Mario in such an emotional state before. In her heart she knew something terrible had happened.
Through his gasping breaths, Mario explained to Peach and Toadsworth how he found Luigi unconscious and ill. With great dismay Peach and Toadsworth both knew that it was very likely that Luigi was also a victim of the Poison Mushroom plague.
Speaking in a low somber voice, Peach told Mario of the crisis brewing in the Kingdom. As Peach spoke Mario felt his heart grow heavier with fear for the life of Luigi.
In the distant, isolated mountains of 'Black Peak', Bowser anxiously awaited for Kamek's return. What news would his minion share with him? Are the Mario Brothers finally at the mercy of his forces? And would Peach finally be his and his alone? Bowser impatiently sat in his throne and watched the sky in the distance from a great window. It was late into the night but he was not tired. In fact he was willing to wait all night for news of latest plot, if necessary.
Now that he knew the cause of Luigi's condition Mario left the library in great haste, desperate to return to Luigi's bedside. Running faster than ever before Mario bolted from the Castle and headed for home. Mario put all his running and jumping skills through their paces, making his way down the trail in record time. Screeching to a halt at the front door of his house, Mario unlocked the door and sprinted up the stairs to Luigi.
Just as he had left him. Luigi was still unconscious and breathing heavily. Mario breathed a brief sigh of relief as he entered the room, Luigi was still alive. But for how much longer?
Mario instinctively put another cold compress onto Luigi's forehead. Luigi was burning up with a high temperature, the compresses seemed to have no effect on reducing the fever. Mario gently picked up Luigi's wrist and checked his pulse again.
His heart was still racing but now Luigi seemed to be in some kind if distress. Luigi began to restless turn his head from to side, his hands randomly clenched into fists while his arms and legs twitched in response to something that could only be seen his fever-induced nightmare. All Mario could do was watch his little brother grow weaker and weaker with each passing minute. He gently placed Luigi's hand back on the bed and sat on his own bed across from Luigi's.
In his mind over and over again, Mario kept trying to imagine a way that he could have prevented this incident, a way that he could have protected his brother. The guilt was beginning to drive him into a rage. He remembered Luigi's cap in his pocket, he removed it and held it lovingly in his hands. He started to examine it with his fingers like it somehow contained the answer.
...to be continued...