Chapter 10- Unsatisfactory Results

He traverses the mansion once more back to the ruins of the maids' quarters and the water well. Luigi pulls out the Dual Scream and brings up the map that Gadd downloaded for him. If I am reading this correctly then the entrance to the woods should be on the other side of these perimeter bushes. He approaches the bushes and checks to see if there are any thorns before squeezing between two of them and emerging on the other side. Ha, short cut! He emerges into a different section of the backyard, but it reminds him a lot of the section with the now burnt greenhouse. The grass is lush, a couple of trees dot the surroundings, a small garden lines the side of the mansion, and there is a door on the side of the mansion. The major difference however is the dirt path that leads from the edge of the yard into the woods that stand behind it. Instead of going directly on the path, Luigi investigates the porch door using the key he gained from the giant, black boo. He opens the door to a small foyer at the base of some stairs. He walks up the stairs to the door atop and opens it without the need of a key. As soon as he steps through the door he curses, as he finds himself in the hallway where he captured Amelia. "Seriously? Well, I hope this will come in handy later. Maybe." Unsatisfied with the result of his curiosity, he retraces his steps to the backyard and takes the dirt path into the woods.

As he follows the path and steps into the woods, his heart begins to beat faster out of anxiety and fear. He tries to calm himself by taking deep breaths, but it does not quell the shaking of his knees. After a couple of minutes of walking, he finds a wrought iron gate blocking his path; behind it looms a church, its spire piercing the tree line. Luigi takes out the Dual Scream and takes a picture of the church then sends it to Gadd before walking up to the gate. Upon closer inspection, he can see that the lock has rusted and deteriorated thus the gate is open and unlocked. After taking a calming breath, Luigi reaches out a shaky hand to push open the gate. Before he reaches it, the gate swings open with a rusty squeal followed by a shrill chuckle. The plumber gulps nervously as he clinches his fists and eyes shut. "Not funny," he mutters through clinched teeth, trying to not let them get under his skin. After another deep breath, he walks through the gate and up to the church. He finds the door unlocked and steps inside.

The door creaks as it closes behind the plumber and booms as it shuts completely. He takes out his flashlight, as the church is pitch black; not even the moonlight can filter in as the stained glass windows are covered with vines on the exterior. Sweeping his light from side to side, Luigi can see that the large room has three columns of pews laid out before him. He takes a couple of steps down the aisle then stops suddenly when he hears a voice.

"Luigi! Turn back it's a trap! Don't come any closer," Mario muffled voice pleads.

"Mario?" The young plumber frantically shines his flashlight from side to side searching for the source of his brother's voice. In front of the middle column of pews, he sees a clearing and heads toward it. A couple of the pews have been removed and at the edge of the stage, where the preacher's alter generally stands, is an easel with a portrait on it. It is Mario, stuck inside a painting as Luigi has found him before.

"Bro no!"

As the younger Mario Brother runs up to the portrait, a ring of candles light up, surrounding them. Luigi's guard goes up and he grabs the end of the Poltergust, ready for battle. "Mario what's going on? Where are they?"

"Right here!" From behind Mario's painting King Boo appears with a smug grin, blue tongue hanging out. "Luigi it's nice to see you again, especially under these circumstances."

"Alright King Boo, this is between us, let Mario go," the green plumber demands.

"Let him go? I think you don't understand," King Boo retorts, "I want the set of the gullible Mario Brother paintings. Both of my adversaries locked in the same prison as I was; sweet, ironic justice."

"So the hard way once more," Luigi replies; "Alright, bring it on. I beat you once and I'll do it again." He aims the hose of the Poltergust at the spectral king.

"Not so fast plumber, unless you want your loved ones to suffer," King Boo warns. From off stage, Daisy walks in slowly holding a knife to her throat. "Holster that hose or Jezebel will slit the princess's throat."

Luigi's eyes dart over to Daisy, she is still wearing the lacey wedding dress he saw earlier. Her eyes glow yellow, a symptom of Jezebel's control over her. He inhales sharply as he darts between his girlfriend and brother; the fear for their safety weighs heavier and heavier on his mind by the second.

"I mean it plumber," King Boo warns a second time. "Put away that infernal hose or watch as Jezebel kills your precious brunette." Luigi places the hose back into its holster and lifts his arms up slowly, showing that he is unarmed. "Good, good, smart plumber; now let us go on a field trip." The spectral king motions to Jezebel and quickly she is behind Luigi, holding the knife to his throat. "I assume there will be no objections," King Boo quips then picks up the portrait from the stand and escorts everyone outside.

The phantom monarch leads the group to a small graveyard behind the church. They weave their way to the very back of the graveyard. King Boo points to a large gravestone with the name William Bogsworth III engraved in large print. He leans Mario's painting up against a grave across from the one Luigi is by. The royal boo then turns and addresses the younger plumber, "Drop the vacuum and back to the tombstone." Luigi complies. "Arms out and don't move," with a flick of his stubby arms dark vinesbind Luigi to the tombstone. The chain wraps around his wrists and ankles preventing him from moving. "That's better, now we can start the fun," the monarch boasts with a smug smile. "What kind of frame would you like plumber? One to match your brother's or perhaps an oval would suit you better?" Luigi does not answer, which causes the crowned boo to chuckle. "Aww not in the mood to choose? That's okay, I'll choose for you." Out from behind a gravestone, King Boo pulls out a rectangular dark wood frame. "I'd like my Mario Brother portraits to match anyway." He turns to Mario, "Don't you think it would be nice for you to match your brother hmm?"

"Doesn't really matter, all I know is you talk too much," Mario answers curtly.

"You are right Mario we should just get to the action shouldn't we," King Boo sets down the frame and turns to Luigi. "The first step in portraitization is making the materials malleable," he grins with teeth sharply gleaming then turns back to Mario. "Please do enjoy the show, I made sure you had the best seat in the house." The specter turns back around and floats toward Luigi.

"Leave him alone, don't touch him," Mario demands with no success as he is ignored. Luigi struggles against his restraints as the phantom king comes closer.