A/N: Last we left off, Mario and Spike found themselves in the battlefield for what Mario declared to be their final time for a while. After entering, they meet again with Kris "Koppa the Quick" who revealed that he actually had 2 powerstars in his possession at the time of the race and stated that he set up a challenge for Mario to undergo in order to win the second. Unable to complete the challenge due to gravitational constraints, Mario was instructed to try the challenge again after he obtained wings. At a loss, Mario unsealed another door where he was forced to scale a giant fortress. Atop the peak, there was a giant cement–like creature named King Whomp. His defeat brought about the 8th star and also…Spike's death – along with the birth of a new blue-shelled Lakitu Having a plan, Mario kills himself by consuming a poisonous mushroom and we now join him after those events.
The struggle had gotten worse. Only another mission later and I was already dead again. Only this time, it wasn't just me. My friend was taken too, but only I was given the liberty to return. "What now?" I thought.
The place I was in after death was different than the one prior. So much had changed since last I saw Rosalina, princess and goddess of destiny. It was like a gravitated space, a place from which if an on-looker wanted to, he or she could potentially see the developments of the entire universe. Small buildings lined the floating, dark, grassy plane and as I continued further, I saw her come from one of the structures.
"P-Princes, thank goodness. What is this pl-" Without warning, a swift whack across the face knocked the words from my mouth.
"You address me without even an apology… the nerve!"
"But…what did I do?"
"I will not accept anyone taking his or her own life on account of that monster's treachery! I don't care how hard things may seem … that is the one thing that I cannot tolerate!"
I couldn't believe it – scolded, chided like a child by the goddess. Not since my mother had I ever. With no places to sit, I stood and reflected on her words.
"Princess, I'm … sorry. It was the only way that I could see you. I had to see you! I am more than sure you know what's going on down there."
I reached into my overalls and handed over the green mushroom. "...and even more, the reason that I am here."
She gazed around the room insightfully.
"This place, Mario – can you feel its energy? The warmth of all pure life forms generating, reverberating here at their origin and gathering place. Welcome, Mario…to the comet observatory.
It all made sense. I questioned why the place was so empty and weightless. It seemed like a new, more refined way of observing the universe.
Still amazed at what lay before me, I shifted from awe and a question sat on my lips.
"How…how did you do all of this since last I was here? I mean…it hasn't been that long, so how could all of this have come to be?"
"Time for you and other creature kind, Mario…is much more rapid in comparison. To preserve its structure, this place was built near gravitational rifts where time doesn't exactly cease to flow, but it is almost as if it doesn't exist at all. To put it simply, what has been days for you, has been more than a few years for me – the ultimate chrono-stasis.
Again, my attention shifted, not for a new thought, but to a nearby doorway that appeared to be recently used. I pointed.
"That, Mario, is where souls are brought to prepare them for leaving their world. That… is where your friend is now."
"In other words, there is still a chance."
"Stop there! If you are thinking what I am to believe then you are wrong. I AM sorry, but once a creature has died, there is no bringing them back, it is against the laws of the universe…the balance."
"Which makes me the exception."
"Correct. You are the hero chosen by divinity. Your courage is like none other, Mario. Please try to understand that in your lifetime, you will lose many people, but…"
"I CAN'T ACCEPT THAT! I need him. I need him by my side. I can't do this alone. I might talk a big game, but my courage is only as strong as the people around me…the people I fight for. I can't lose anyone right now!"
My sadness was shrouded by twice as much agitation. A line of tears began forming in my eyes. Rosalina's compassionate hand rested on my thigh.
"Mario," she started, "I see now. This isn't about the Lakitu is it? It's Luigi. You are worried about him aren't you?"
I calmed myself.
"It's not exactly that it has nothing to with Spike. It's just that this whole deal reminds me about him and what's going on. It's been…what… all of a day with the time difference in time from Bowser's worlds and reality. I think that I need to go home to see if he is there and okay."
"I can tell you, Mario, that his situation has not changed, but he is fine. Take a look."
Like before, Rosalina spread a visual across her clairvoyant window and I saw my brother in a dark forest surrounded by wilted trees. It was like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock film back in my original universe.
"Luigiiiiii!" I called before interrupted by Rosalina.
"Spare yourself. He cannot hear you, but as you can see, he has set up camp and has food and survival tools. He does not seem to have made it out of the forest. If he wants to escape that, he will have to enter the mansion and not run away."
"Why can't he just turn around and come home!?"
"You're not listening, Mario. That Sarrassaland forest is an enchanted one that preys on the fears of others. The mansion is a symbol of the light through darkness. If he enters the mansion and defeats those fears, he will find courage even greater than your own. Only then will he be freed."
"Thank you, Princess. You've eased my worry, but I still have to get there. I need to see for myself that he is okay. No matter what it takes I will get to that mansion so that I can be there to help him."
"How about this," she began, "I know of a scientist - a very kind, homely shut-in. He goes by the name of Elvin Gadd. If anyone can be of true assistance to your brother, it would be him. Currently, he is holed up in a laboratory in Mushroom Kingdom. After your return to Earth, I will contact him right away and send him to Luigi's aid."
"Elvin Gadd? E. Gadd? Like Egad!?"
She chortled, covering her mouth with slight fist,
"Yes, Mario. It's a coincidental joke. Are you ready to go?"
"No. I'm not. Not unless HE is going with me."
The expression on Rosalina's face went from joy to disagreement."
"Mario," she started in disappointment. "You ask far too much of me. Changing things for you alone has already shifted things on an insignificant scale, but to do this for another…"
"I figured you would say 'no' and for that reason. But I will assure you this much. If I don't leave with him, I am done with all of this."
Her lips parted as she inhaled her surprise. At the time, I regretted making that sort of threat immediately after I said it. But it was too late, I had to use it to my advantage.
"Mario," she began, "Is that... a stray from righteousness I hear? You dare threaten a goddess with the weight of the world? Please. Do not forget yourself."
"I haven't forgotten anything, highness. It's you who forgets. If you remembered, you would know that without him, I would not have gone on this far. Courage and foolhardiness are two separate situations. I am smart enough to know that without Spike, I will continue to die again and again."
The stress of a thousand galaxies seemed to punch her in the face. I knew my proposition was wrong, but the truth is, I was scared to be alone in the fight. He had been my companion since I started my journey – from the very moment. I couldn't be without him.
Rosalina paced back and forth for about half a minute in silence.
"Mario, you anger me, but you present a valid point. Perhaps if you had more power from the stars…no matter. That is neither here nor there. I will heed your request…"
I jumped up out of excitement.
"…BUT this will be the only time I will grant him a return. If he dies again, know that it will be your doing. Know that he will not get a third. If he dies again, Mario, his blood will be on your hands. Remember that."
"Thank you."
"Great! Then if you've no business left, get up!"
"Wait….wh-"
In an instant, I felt light headed with a migraine worse than the pounding of a gong. I opened my eyes, finding myself cushioned on a bed of grass and holding a waking Spike."
"MARIOOO!" He exclaimed before giving me a tight embrace."
"She is a woman of her grace. You owe her your thanks." I said.
"You mean Rosalina let me come back!?" I released him to a float. "I thought that the balance…nevermind. Thank you."
I was in shock. The fact that Rosalina imparted words about the balance was to be expected, but Spike too? Perhaps I didn't make the right choice back then.
"Well…while you owe her your thanks, I owe you an apology, Spike. I have treated you unfairly more than once on this journey and I'm very sorry. You are brave, respectable. And I can't do this without you. To put it short. I love you, buddy. And I'll never bad mouth you again."
A few seconds after my apology, silence held strong. I broke it. "Spike?" I called, but no response. He just stared at me like I was a ghost. The streams that followed were no surprise.
"OOOOOOOOOOH, MARIOOO" he gripped me tighter than before. "You've made me the happiest Lakitu on Earth. I love you too! I love you so much! I just thought you'd be mad if I told you. I don't have a lot of friends, so this is the first time I've got to hang out with someone like this. I mean. I know you were kinda mean, but I just figured it's because you didn't trust me and were stressed out! Best friends?"
I looked him in his eyes and thought that I had no real reason to have a problem with him. I never did. Everything was just getting to me - changing me. And the truth is…I didn't have many friends either. I smiled at him.
"Yeah…best friends" I said as I hugged him tighter than he was hugging me. I was glad to have met him.
"Hey Mario," he called "don't ever kill yourself for…" his words halted by an interrupting Lakitu's frantic and rapid word.
"Mario! Dad! Great… you're both with living. That's astronomically exciting. A pleasure you guys have returned! Yes, a pleasure indeed. I've been far too patient over here and I've been quite the busy Lakitu if I do say so myself Come, come, come!"
He pulled our arms and I pulled away.
"Spike," I called, "This Lakitu knows me and called you Dad. He's your son? I admit he looks just like you, but…"
"Oh him…" he said, pointing at the newfound Lakitu, "yeah that's junior."
I had the suspicion, but I didn't expect to be so on the nose. It was a bit surprising, but not shocking.
"I'm in thought, Spike, so if you're going to explain, don't wait on me to ask, bud."
"It's actually super simple. There are three Lakitu races…ethnicities if you will. There's the lowest of the low – green shelled spinies. They are what we call… the remedial variants. They aren't very smart and it takes them a full week to mature into a fully grown Lakitu. They have no ability to learn beyond a level just below average."
"Well that's something I never knew. It might cause me to look at them a little differently now. Fascinating."
I sat to the grass, preparing for Spike's next bit of information.
"Then there are the red shelled variants – me. We are not exactly average, but not geniuses either. We're pretty darn sharp and our capacity to learn is beyond measure. Takes us only 4 days to grow from foot soldiers to maturity."
"And where does that leeeeeave."
The Lakitu floated over and placed his finger over my lips, prompting a hush.
"I've got this one, Mario."
He proceeded in theatrics.
"I am the peak of Lakitu perfection - born with and dying with explosive power unknown by the common Lakitu before him – arrogance in its most prideful form – reaching full maturity in just under 2 days, unlocking any and all knowledge achievable by any Lakitu. A genius sporting adorableness all packed into a cozy cobalt shell…the one - the only – 1Piton… the blue-shelled Lakitu."
Spike and I both began clapping in amazement. It was a wonderful display. A bit on the haughty side, but harmlessly so.
"So," Spike began "Piton, huh? That's the name you've chosen for yourself? My, my. That's a clever one, son, definitely a name befitting a Lakitu."
"Thank you, thank you. Now! I've got a biiiiiiig surprise for both of you!"
"Well let's hear it!" I said.
"Okay. Well I remember how hard we fought to get that power star. And since Mario PROMISED that you guys would be back, I procured exactly six of them from this land while you were away." I gasped.
"That's amazing! Can we…" Spike interrupted me.
"Wait a minute, Mario. Blue-shelled Lakitu's aren't exactly philanthropists. Piton, what's the catch?"
"You know us so well. Certainly no slacker red shell, dad. I've placed all six of them in intricate fun little locations. And as a show of good faith, I'll tell you where the first one is."
"Mario You aren't saying anything. Blue Lakitus are just wired to BE this way. I'm okay with it – are you?
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"As I said, Spike, I love you and you have my word that I will never be rude to you. Because Piton is your son, that kindness extends to him. I'm okay."
All in agreement, we set off to grab the first of Piton's stars. The guy took the entire remnants of King Whomp's body and restructured an entire beige fortress with a red peak in his place.
We scaled the fortress and reached the peak in approximately 20 minute's time. There, after panting out all oxygen from our cells. We claimed the ninth power star. I caught my breath.
"Well that was all the workout I need for the next few days. My mustache is dripping. I'm going to assume that blue Lakitus are also sadistic pieces of cloud."
Piton chortled.
"You haven't even seen sadistic, buddy. Don't temp me, pudgy man."
"Climbing the platforms around this fortress winded me. I'm too tired to temp anything."
Spike glared over at me.
"Mario…don't you think it's time we headed out to…" I knew what was coming next, but I didn't want to hear it. I wanted to put it off for as long as possible.
"Uhm-uuuh…" I stuttered, "How about we go for the tenth star. Let's go!" I grabbed piton by the hand and jumped from atop the fortress, landing on its base platform. Spike didn't follow. He declared that he'd catch up later.
After traveling around with Piton for a while, we began to question where spike had gone until he flew out of nowhere with a sack in his grasp.
"Spike…" I questioned, "Where have you been. What's in the bag? We were starting to get worried about you."
"Oh yeah? Then why'd you run off in the first place?"
"I uuum…"
"You want to know what's in the bag, Mario?" He dropped the seemingly heavy sack in front of me and its opening unraveled.
"There, Mario. 100 coins one and all - Collected them myself. Absorb them so we can get that tenth star."
After touching them, the star formed and I absorbed it as suggested by Spike."
"Thanks. Spike Now let's say we go on the hunt for the eleventh."
Spikes face conveyed frustration. It seemed that Piton could also feel tension rising as he back himself into inconspicuousness.
"I know what you're doing, Mario."
"Explain"
"You're stalling. You remember what Toad said in the beginning of all of this."
"Refresh"
"Don't play ignorant, Mario. You know that once we collected our eighth star, we should've gone to rescue her from the door with the big star on it! We have ten now. You're scared."
"Well …Why aren't you!?"
"You don't think I'm scared? Me!? Of course I am. It's just…I've learned to be a bit braver when I know a friend's life is on the line. You almost getting killed woke the courage inside of me and I don't want to waste it on procrastination!"
The conversation got heated fast. I didn't want things to get worse because I feared breaking my promise to him.
"Okay. You're right. No sense in arguing with logic." I looked to the sky for an internal prayer, and it was quickly answered with confidence.
"Okay, Spike. Let's do this."
Spike looked over at Piton.
"You coming with?" He asked him.
"Oh n-n-n-n-n-no. I'm an intellectual. I mean, you can certainly relieve me of this place, but I think I'm going to set of on a solo expedition. I might have all of your smarts and more, but there's still things to discover out there. I Can't risk this brain, dad."
"I expected you'd say something like that. Alright then, Mario. Do your thing."
We grabbed on to Mario and closed our eyes until we found ourselves in the castle again, faced with the picture of the fortress. After a semi-lengthy goodbye to Piton, we were ready to unlock the door with the big star on it.
As we headed toward the door, something caught my periphery.
"Wait, Spike!" I exclaimed. "What is that?!"
"What is…"
He turned around and we both noticed a lone spotlight shining down on the center floor carpet.
"I don't know" he responded in bemusement. We walked down from the stairs to take a closer look. Me walking, and spike afloat, we placed ourselves in the center of the carpet. There were no celling windows, so it was curious that such bright light could be emanating from it.
"This is crazy." I said. And at once, we both looked at the ceiling, index fingers pressed against our brows. Lakitu began shouting my name in fear.
"MARIO!" he screeched. I looked over at him and noticed he began disintegrating before my eyes. My heart began pounding painfully as I looked at my feet to confirm the worst. I, too, had been disintegrating.
"Spike! What is this? What's happening to us!?"
"I don't know!"
There was no pain. There was only the mental unease that sent our minds affray. We panicked in a way that we hadn't in a while.
"I can't move!" I shouted. "Are we dying!? Is this because of the stars!?" Spikes smaller body had already vanished before mine – only a handful of particles remained in his stead.
I began to cry. I had no idea what was going on or why, but I was sure that I was dying. I had no green shrooms left. The last thing I could remember thinking of in that moment was my brother. I couldn't save him. I couldn't save the kingdom…my friend. Everything I worked for meant nothing.
I failed.
