Welcome to the next to final chapter of Chills of Autumn! It's been a great run but now we are nearing the end. After this we have a short epilogue, but this is going to be the big chapter before this story is truly over. Can Luigi get to Daisy in time? Will Mr. L be defeated or will this fic have a very bad ending? Here we go… ^_^
The forest was a dark place. Unlike the corn maze, little light seemed to leak from the thick naked branches above. This place was a dark fortress, and as they walked through the trees, everyone was tense and waiting for any traps. For like a fortress stronghold, this forest could have defenses-although they had yet to run into any.
"This doesn't feel right." Peach said softly as they rested in a clearing where tiny blue mushrooms were softly aglow. She was calmed by their gentle glowing, but couldn't shake the feeling of dread in her heart. What if at this very moment Daisy was dead? What if we're too late?
"Peach." Mario sat down on the ground next to her.
She looked at him, staring at his blue-sky eyes, noticing the dark shadows under them, "Mario. What if…"
Mario held up a gloved hand, "No Peach. Don't say another word. We will find Daisy. I won't let that fiend hurt anymore of our friends."
Peach felt tears prickle in her eyes and one race down her cheek, "Mario. We couldn't save Y-Yoshi…nor anyone else. What makes you think everything will be all right? In the… end…what if we fail?"
He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, brushing a strand of blonde hair away from her tear streaked face, "Where is that woman that always has a smile for her friends? Who never gives up hope no matter what? Is she still in there?" Mario wiped a tear from her face with the gentle brush of a glove finger and she blinked up at him, more tears escaping from her eyes.
"Oh Mario." Peach sighed wearily, leaning back against a tree, "I'm uncertain. I don't think any of us will be the same after this."
"No." Mario gave her a serious look, eyes looking deep into hers, "I won't let him get away with this. We will be happy again. We won't stay in a pit of despair this monster has dropped us in. I will fight for your happiness, as I've always done."
Peach gave him a small smile, but her eyes still sparkled wet with sadness, "I don't know what I would've done without. This world needs more heroes like you Mario…and Luigi."
Mario squeezed her hand gently in his, "I love you Peach, and I promise this. I will never let you go. I will always be your side."
"D-do you really mean it?" Peach sat up, her dress making a slight sound against bark, "You….love me?"
Mario chuckled and his eyes twinkled at her under his hat, "I've always loved you Peach. When I first laid eyes on you, I was a lost man."
Peach gave him a genuine smile, life returning to her eyes, "Oh Mario…"
They moved then, at the same time, slowly faces moving in closer…and Peach's eyes closed as his lips neared her own.
"Hey love birds."
They quickly pulled away, Peach's eyes flashing open in surprise. The two glanced at Roy who was standing with Lemmy atop his shoulder, giving them a sly grin, "Time to head out. Save the smooching for later, yeah?"
Peach blushed and got to her feet, brushing some crisp leaves off her clothes, "Alright then."
Everyone stood up, Pauline stretching out her arms with a wide yawn. Larry doing the same. Soon it would be morning, Iggy had a watch on, and everyone had been surprised to see that it was hours past midnight. With this realization there was also a feeling of joy, that soon dawn would rise and the darkness would be light. Though they still had a few hours to go.
"Should we split into two groups?" Pauline suggested as they all met at the center of the clearing, "We can cover more ground that way."
"No way!" Miles protested, "We'll be picked off!"
"There's only one guy!" Pauline argued.
"What if he has like minions or something?" Jackie said.
"No." Luigi shook his head, "Mr. L was a minion himself, I think he's a one man operation."
Mario nodded, "We should be careful nonetheless. I don't want to lose anyone else."
"That guys so going down." Roy growled, punching his fists together in emphasis.
"It's a pity ve did not think to bring our vands." Ludwig sighed, "I don't feel that vhat melee skills I have are reliable enough."
"Together we can put the fight to him." Pauline said with ferocity, "I won't let that punk get away with this."
"Why are you 'Little Miss Vengeful'?" Waluigi sneered, "You didn't even lose a friend!"
Pauline reddened and brought up a fist, but was stopped by Mario stepping in front of her, "Enough. Let's not fight with each other."
"Let's keep moving." Luigi said quickly.
"I agree." Peach said but frowned, and glanced at Jackie who had Pip in her arms, blowing air into the little one's belly to make him giggle. Would Mr. L really try and harm a child? We have to be careful; this is a new face of an old enemy.
00oo00oo00oo00
Daisy squealed, arms flailing, as she was sent tumbling down a small hill and stopping next to a thick bush. She quickly reached her feet, glaring at the figure walking down the hill towards her, a wide grin on his face.
"Who do you think you are?" Daisy asked angrily brushing her brown hair out of her eyes.
He just laughed and shook his head, "It seems like you're not the joking sort."
Daisy shrieked in anger, "You threw me down a hill! You murdered some of my friends! There's nothing funny about that!"
"I beg to differ." The man grinned wickedly, "I enjoyed every moment of it. You know what I did after I killed your green friend?"
Daisy backed up in fear, pressing her back hard into the thick bark of a nearby tree, "Shut up!" She tried to be brave but her heart was beating so hard she could hear it echoing in her ears.
"I laughed." Mr. L told her stepping closer, "I've never felt more alive than the day I killed for the first time. Do you know what it's like to realize your power over another? If it pleases me to do so, I can take someone's life from them. It's so easy." He laughed loudly, "So easy, it's ridiculous. Seeing the life just drain out of them."
"Shut up!" Daisy screamed her eyes flashing with rage, "You bastard!"
Suddenly he rushed forward and before she could react, she was up in the air, pressed painfully against rough bark, feeling her breath catch in her throat. Daisy kicked out as she felt his hands grip around her neck.
"Have caution princess when you insult me." Mr. L grinned madly, "I may take offense."
After seeing spots dance in her vision, Daisy gasped suddenly for air as she was released from his grip, falling hard to the ground. The girl curled up in a ball, hands to her throat, tears filling her eyes. She thought for sure she was a goner. I could still be.
"Get up Daisy, we can't let them find us just yet."
Daisy stood up with a moan, feeling a sudden headache burst alive in her forehead. Whenever she was really stressed out she would have these horrible headaches, unfortunately they came at the most inconvenient times.
"Aww." Mr. L said in false concern, sick sweetness oozing from his voice, "Are you hurt Miss Daisy? I thought the Sarasa princess was stronger than that. I have to say, I'm disappointed."
Daisy felt tears bite her eyes but felt anger like a fire in her heart. The brunette angrily brushed tears away with a fist and glared stonily at the man, who grinned in return, "You will pay for all you've done. I will see you hang!"
"Ooh!" Mr. L gasped suddenly, in obvious mockery of the girl, "I'm sooo scared."
She would later remember this memory with pain, but also with a sense of pride. Without another moment's hesitation, the girl launched herself at the man. He was taken by surprise as her nails raked across his face; and he screamed in rage as she assaulted him with a swift punch to his shoulder. Daisy quickly pulled herself forward with a powerful thrust of her fist, but found herself flying past him and as she did so, felt him grab onto her other arm.
It was at that time she heard a definite SNAP.
Daisy screamed in pain as he bent her arm at an odd angle, breaking bone. The pain was agonizing and she felt darkness come from all angles of her vision, feeling ready to faint. Unfortunately she had broken bones before in sports so the pain was not enough to make her faint. Instead the girl lie on the ground, hugging her broken arm to her chest, hot tears falling down her face.
"Now where were we." He quickly grabbed onto her shoulder roughly and once again they were moving through the dark trees.
00oo00oo00oo00
They started past some dead looking trees and treaded on rockier ground when they heard the scream.
Peach gasped loudly her eyes wide in fear; she quickly looked at Mario who had been walking next to her, "Mario! That was Daisy!"
"No!" Luigi yelled and no one could stop him as he began running straight through the trees.
"Luigi, come back!" Mario shouted, quickly racing after him, "We have to stay together!"
"I'm not wasting anymore time!" Luigi yelled back as he disappeared up ahead of them, "I won't let that bastard lay another hand on her!"
Everyone quickly followed after Mario who was now a red blur up ahead; the koopalings were falling behind-not as fast because of their shelled bodies. They were stopped altogether when Roy tripped sending a screaming Lemmy flying into some bushes, and causing everyone to run into him.
"Oof!" Larry said as he fell forward on his face, "T-that hurt."
"Roy, you oaf!" Ludwig screeched as he reached his feet.
"Eh, shuddup, beaver teeth." Roy shot back, stomping a foot as he reached his feet.
"Stop fighting!" Jackie yelled, an annoyed look on her face, "You idiot's are wasting time! Let's get a move on!"
"She's right!" Marni said, "We have to hurry."
"Let's save our angry faces for that jerk." Pauline said, "I can't wait to slam his face into the ground."
The group began moving again, everyone moving at a fast walk. Soon they would catch up to Mario and his brother, and then the battle would begin. At this point everyone wanted a piece of the elusive cloaked killer.
00oo00oo00oo00
"Luigi!" Mario broke through some thick creepers that were blocking his path and around a thick thorny bush. He had lost sight of Luigi after several minutes of pursuit, his brother's green form disappearing after taking a run downhill.
He ran around a thick tree when he saw his brother looking down at something on the ground, "Luigi?"
The man turned around and Mario saw that something was in his hands, "M-mario." His voice was shaky. When he stepped closer he saw exactly why Luigi looked so pale. In his hand was what appeared to be a shred of clothing, a piece of Daisy's blouse.
"Don't worry Luigi." Mario rested a hand on the man's shoulder.
Luigi pulled away, "Don't worry? Mama mia Mario! Daisy was dragged off by a psycho and you're telling me not to worry?"
"We will find her!" Mario said firmly, "Let's just stay together from this point on, okay?"
"Fine!" Luigi said bitterly, "But I get to make the first blow when we find him."
Mario nodded but Luigi was already running forward again. With a sigh he quickly followed after.
00oo00oo00oo00
After walking for a long time, Daisy was startled when she felt the grip on her arm lessen, then release completely. The girl stumbled then sat hard on the ground, looking up at Mr. L who was smiling as he glanced around at the dark trees, "I think we've came far enough."
"Why are you running?" Daisy asked sharply as she watched him, "There's no escape for you now. Mario and Luigi won't stop until your dead. I can't wait until they get here. Luigi is going to beat your face in!"
She was annoyed when he laughed, "You just don't get it, do you?" His dark eyes shone brightly in the light streaming down from the branches above, "Your precious Luigi can't defeat me. If he wants to live."
"You're a liar." Daisy told him, "You were defeated once, and you can be defeated again."
He laughed again, almost hysterically, except for his calm composed form, which was currently leaning against a tree, "I wasn't killed. You're mistaken I'm afraid. I was cast away into a dark place, but I was not killed. I was weakened enough to be trapped, but not for long."
"There has to be a way." Daisy said, almost as if she was asking herself, "There's always a way."
"Not this time." He grinned under his mustache, "Now we must wait for the heroes to arrive. This should be fun."
"Why lead them out here? Why not finish this earlier?" Daisy asked.
He shrugged still keeping a wide grin on his face, "I enjoy letting the game last. It will be frightfully boring when this is over."
"You won't be here to be bored." Daisy snapped holding her hurt arm against her chest, glaring from under a single strand of her hair, "You'll be dead."
He came close all a sudden, moving so fast that she had little time to react. His face was up against hers and she felt her throat knot up in fear, "No matter what happens, I'll make sure one thing."
She gasped as his nails dug into her un-broken arm, "That in the end, no matter who wins or loses." She felt his hot breath on her ear and shivered, "I'll find a way to drag your precious Luigi to hell with me."
00oo00oo00oo00
Pauline stepped through the trees with Peach following close after, the rest of their group closing in. She was nervous, all of them were, but Pauline was also very angry. The thought of burying her fist into the killer's face was a gleeful vision.
"Pauline?" Peach's voice broke her free from her daydream, and the girl looked her way.
"Yeah?"
Peach looked thoughtful then continued, "Can I ask you something?"
Pauline gave her a curious look then nodded, "Sure, hit me with it."
"…Do you…love Mario, enough to…" Peach stammered and felt herself sigh. She just couldn't ask what needed to be known. Luckily Pauline knew exactly what she was talking about.
"I love Mario, yes." Pauline sighed, "But in a different way." She grew silent for a moment then nodded, as if she was confirming something to herself, "When I saw Mario again…after so long…I-I felt sad." She looked at Peach who had a sad look on her face, "I felt that I had been separated from someone I had been with for so long, so long they became family." Here it comes.
"-But I know what I want now. A brother." Pauline said. Peach looked at her in surprise, "I used to have a brother, he was like Mario in so many ways…ways I only just now realized. I was attracted to him because…the… loss of my little brother…N-nathan…was too much." Peach felt tears burn in her eyes as she saw one slip down Pauline's face, "I needed him, but in a way that was more demanding of me than just a soulful man and woman sort of connection…I wanted him to replace someone. Now I realize that I was wrong to think this. To blame him for my unhappiness."
"Pauline." Peach said softly, but the girl continued.
"I lost my job because after he left…I lost it completely." Pauline shook her head, a curl of brown hair falling over her shoulder, "I couldn't handle it. I felt as much heartbreak as the day Nathan died. I gave up." Pauline stopped and looked at Peach, a sad smile on her face, "I see how he speaks to you. I see how much you care for each other. I have a confession to make." She sighed, "He has never looked at me the way he has looked at you. I can't love him…I can't give him all my love. One day I'll find someone, but Mario…"
"Pauline, you don't have to tell me this." Peach said softly.
The girl sighed in return, "I shouldn't have yelled at you either. I'm sorry. I was just in a conflicted sort of mood."
Peach gave her a small but kind smile, "Pauline, I'm sorry too. It must have been stressful and confusing, when you first saw me. I never really knew about you. He mentioned an old girlfriend...I-I…I'm sorry. I just don't know what to say."
Pauline just rolled her eyes, "No need to say anything. Let's just get this sick adventure over with already." She smiled at Peach who returned it.
00oo00oo00oo00
Mario and Luigi walked on through the forest, both tense. Luigi's heart was racing furiously in his chest. He was afraid of what he would find once they found Mr. L. What if that monster…killed Daisy?
No. He told himself as they walked, She's just fine. I have to have faith.
"Luigi." Mario said stiffly. Luigi looked up ahead and heard voices. The brothers shared a glance then raced forward.
Luigi was the first to break through the trees and saw Mr. L standing over Daisy, "Daisy!"
She looked at him with relief clear on her face, "Luigi!"
Mr. L turned to smirk at them, "The heroes have arrived! Took ya long enough."
Daisy tried to stand but was stopped by a swift kick to her side. The girl gasped in pain and fell onto her shoulder, the villain's boot resting on her ribcage.
"Leave her alone!" Luigi snarled and stepped forward, summoning his green flames again, the embers casting long shadows on the ground.
Mario also summoned his powers, and red flames flared up on his palms, eyes narrowed as Mr. L stepped in front of Daisy.
"Let's begin." Mr. L laughed and both men tensed as dark flames ran up and down his person. He tossed the axe away and soon his whole body was aglow with a blackish green energy, but you could still see the man inside, the man who was laughing madly in glee as he raced forward to meet his foes.
Mario leaped back as a wall of dark flames assaulted him, tossing several of his own fireballs at Mr. L as he dodged his attacks. Luigi raced right into danger, green flames launching forth like cannon ball fire.
Daisy screamed as a black fire lit up the earth around her, and quickly looked around, but finding nowhere to run. Suddenly Luigi leaped over the fire and landed next to her. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and Daisy buried her head into his chest as he leaped to safety. They landed farther off from the battle near a grove of white barked trees.
"Oh Luigi!" Daisy cried and hugged him tightly with her one good arm, "I'm so glad you came."
"Are you alright?" Luigi looked her over and his eyes landed on her limp arm, "Daisy! Your arm."
"H-He broke it." Daisy gave him a small smile, "Don't worry Luigi, I've broken bones before. I'll live."
"I'm going to break every bone in his body." Luigi growled
Luigi turned to head back into battle but Daisy grabbed onto his arm, "Wait!"
"Daisy, I have to go. I have to finish this." His blue eyes looked into her sad ones.
"B-but, you can't!" Daisy cried, "You'll be killed. He told me that if he dies…so do you. I c-cant lose you Lou!" He saw tears well up in her eyes and quickly pulled her into a warm embrace.
"No matter what happens." He whispered, his breath tickling her ear, "I will always love you."
"Please don't go." Daisy sniffled, furiously wiping away the tears escaping from her eyes, "I-I couldn't bare it if I lost you."
Luigi pulled away and looked away from her eyes, lest the despair in them, break him down too, "He must be destroyed. If I don't do this, no one is safe. If I'm taken down with him, it will be for the good of us all."
As he turned to race back into battle, Daisy opened her mouth…but couldn't find the words to bring him back. She didn't know how to help, how to save the life of the one she loved. For the first time in her life, Daisy Sarasa felt truly helpless.
Please, Grambi save us.
00oo00oo00oo00
The group heard the sounds of battle and everyone moved quickly in the direction of the noise.
"It is so on!" Roy roared, every muscle in his body feeling pumped and ready for action.
Chaos erupted as the koopalings dashed into battle, little Lemmy taking up the end with Bowser Jr. Peach moved to stop them but felt Pauline pull her back.
"They're just kids!" Peach turned on Pauline who shook her head.
"This is their choice." Pauline said, "We can't stop them. Are you ready to fight?"
Peach stared for a moment then shook her head, "I'm afraid not. I will only get in the way. What can we do to help?"
Pauline looked past the battle, "Well for one, we can go get that girl over there to safety."
Peach looked to where she was looking and gasped, "Daisy!"
Quickly the girls raced towards the girl who was staring at the battle taking place. Daisy heard footsteps her way and turned, her eyes wide in surprise, "Peachy!"
"Oh Daisy!" Peach threw her arms around Daisy, pulling back when the girl cried out in alarm, "Daisy…your arm!"
Daisy sighed heavily, "The bastard snapped it."
Pauline made a face but moved closer to look at it, "Ouch."
"We have to get you to a doctor." Peach cried when she saw blood on the elbow area of Daisy's arm, "It looks serious."
"We can't Peach." Daisy pointed out, "We're in the middle of a battle."
"You're not!" Peach said, stressing the 'not', "We have to get you out of here."
Pauline placed a hand on Peach's trembling shoulder, "Calm down Peach! She'll be fine. We have to be here for Mario and Luigi."
Daisy nodded in agreement and the girls turned to watch the battle.
00oo00oo00oo00
Mario couldn't wipe the sweat that was dropping down his forehead and stinging his eyes as he jumped from side to side. Mr. L was fast…too fast. He gave him no time to do anything but throw in a few fiery punches and at the same time to dodge balls of black energy.
Luigi wasn't faring much better, the whole side of his body was aching from the sideways jumps he was doing, his calves burning as he jumped high in the air again. Mr. L matched his battle style well, jumping at just the right moments.
Suddenly they heard voices and footsteps and soon several koopas evened out the battlefield.
A spiked shell went flying through the air over Mario and he looked in awe as it spun-slammed into Mr. L who screamed as he was sent flying backwards. The koopa in the shell appeared when he had hit the ground, and a smug looking Roy sneered at Mr. L who was reaching his feet, "Can't take a shell shot little man?"
Soon there was an abundance of shells soaring through the air. Since koopa shells belonging to dragon koopas were defensive against both physical and magical attacks, Mr. L's fireball attacks had little effect.
Roy led the attack feeling rage build in his chest as he eyed the man. They had never found Wendy, and he knew somehow that she was gone. Roy had always felt a sort of 'big brother' relationship with all his siblings, even though he wasn't necessarily the oldest, so the loss of his sister hit him hardest of all. The others weren't even sure she was gone, but he was sure she was.
I'm going to rip your head off. Roy sent himself towards Mr. L again, propelling himself forward by the sheer force of his body, the spikes shining wicked sharp under the moonlight.
Mr. L was assaulted by many an attack and soon he was screaming in rage. Suddenly there was a flash of neon green and he disappeared.
Everyone stopped, looking around in confusion.
"Eh…that was random." Waluigi commented, scratching his neck.
"Where'd he go?" Larry blinked in the darkness.
Luigi quickly looked to where Daisy was and was relieved to see she was walking towards them cautiously, with Peach and Pauline behind her, "Daisy, thank-a-goodness!"
"Lou." Daisy stepped up to him, "Are you okay?"
"We're all fine." Luigi said, "But Mr. L got away."
"We noticed." Pauline sighed.
Suddenly there was a shrill scream and everyone looked to where it was coming from. It was Jackie, the koopa they had found in the maze right before escaping. She was standing a bit off to the side, a look of horror on her face.
Mario was the first to reach her side, "Jackie, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry! I'm so stupid! I couldn't stop him." Jackie wailed, tears falling down her face.
"What happened?" Peach ran up with the others. The koopalings and Marni and Miles were also standing nearby.
Jackie sniffled loudly, her eyes red and puffy, "H-he took him!"
"Took who?" Pauline asked but Peach already knew the answer.
"No!" Peach cried, "He wouldn't!"
Mario realized who they were talking about immediately, "He took Pip."
"Coward!" Daisy screamed to the sky.
00oo00oo00oo00
They looked everywhere for the child or Mr. L, but they could not be found.
"That poor child." Peach sobbed, "How can anyone hurt a child?"
Pauline wrapped an arm around the crying princess, "We don't know if he hurt him or not Peach."
"He broke Daisy's arm. And he killed my friends." Peach cried, "What is he not capable of doing?"
Pauline said nothing, knowing she had no answer to give.
"What does he want us to do?" Daisy sighed.
"I know." Everyone looked at Luigi.
"He expects us to go looking for him and Pip. Since he can't tackle us all in a big group, he is going to pick us off one by one. We can't split up to search."
Daisy scowled, "Fine, then let's do the opposite of what he wants us to do."
"Vhat do you propose?" Ludwig asked.
She nodded, "Let's leave."
00oo00oo00oo00
After discussing it for a while most of the group decided that it was a sound plan. Some were against it because there was a chance they would endanger Pip's life, though Pauline argued that he was already in danger. This act would make Mr. L show himself, hopefully with Pip intact.
Soon they were out of the woods, and everyone gasped as they saw the pink-purple tint of the dark sky. Soon it would be dawn.
"I'm so tired." Marni said when she saw the sky, "We've been here all night." Miles kissed her softly on the cheek and she smiled.
Mario stepped up onto a hill, watching the sunrise in silence. Peach stepped up next to him, discreetly latching onto his hand. He felt her hand in his and squeezed hers gently.
Together they stood there, hand and hand. Peach closed her eyes as a cool breeze whipped up her hair, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on her face-combating the chills of autumn.
"Hey." Luigi stepped up to them, Daisy sniffling behind him, "Any sign of them?"
Mario looked at his brother and Luigi saw the sad look in his eyes, and kept his silence.
"I'm sorry." Daisy wiped the tears from her face as she stood next to Mario, "Maybe it was a stupid idea."
"We'll find him in the end." Luigi said, fists clenched at his sides, "I won't let that monster get away with what he has done. There will be justice."
"A monster? That's creative." Everyone turned quickly at the voice.
At the edge of the corn stood no other than Mr. L, with a squirming Yoshi child hanging from a hand.
"Pip!" Peach cried in horror.
Mario and Luigi stepped closer, the others staying behind, though Roy looked ready to thrash somebody.
"Drop the kid L." Mario demanded, raising a fist in the air.
Mr. L grinned, "Come and get him."
Together the Mario brothers raced forward, Mario keeping his eyes on both Mr. L and the child dangling from one foot in his hand. Pip was crying his eyes out, little arms flailing about. Peach felt fear like ice in her heart as she watched them.
Suddenly Mr. L threw the kid off to the left and with a cackle, disappeared into the maze.
They both paused at the edge of the corn. Peach had already reached Pip, and had the crying Yoshi gripped tight in her arms. Luigi nodded at Mario, "This is just a game to him. Let's be careful Mario."
"Stay here, with Peach." Mario said firmly, and before his brother could protest…disappeared into the corn.
00oo00oo00oo00
"Come out L." Mario yelled as he traveled through the corn, "We end this now!"
"You're almost there." Mr. L's voice teased from somewhere up ahead. Soon Mario had found himself on a straight path through the corn, he paused when a figure stepped towards him, wearing a sinister smile on his face.
Mr. L held his arms out "Kill me Mario. I bet you would enjoy that." He walked/stumbled towards Mario, clearly tired.
Mario shook his head slowly, "No. I don't enjoy hurting others. I don't want to kill you, but if I must-then so be it."
"Even after all I've done?" The man laughed, "I killed your best friend, the green lizard thing. Your stupid cousin. The koopa girl. So many you don't even know about."
"Wendy." Mario mumbled sadly and looked up angrily at Mr. L, "Why are you doing this?"
"I'm tired of talking." Mr. L said, "If you're going to 'defeat' me, then get on with it already. Of course, you won't really win much but the death of your only brother."
Mario tensed, "What do you mean by that?"
"Simply enough…killing me will kill Luigi as well."
"You…lie." Mario glared at him, fists clenched at his sides.
Mr. L stepped forward with a noise of disappointment, "Don't you understand hero? You're brother isn't going to make it home. I guess you're going to have to make someone else heat up your lasagna."
"SHUT UP!" Mario screamed in rage and threw himself forward. Mr. L went forward as well, a fist pulled back.
They both aimed hard punches at one another, each one hit and soon they were leaping back, both gasping for air.
"Y-you…aren't that bad-d a hit." Mr. L wheezed as they went at each other again, "I-I'm glad we got to have another battle."
Mario said nothing and Mr. L was caught by surprise when he felt a swift kick to his knee. With of cry of anger and surprise, the fiend fell to the ground and Mario dived down to continue his attack.
Blood coated Mario's knuckles but he couldn't bring himself to stop. This ends now!
Soon Mr. L was silent on the ground and Mario pulled back, knees shaking as he stood straight. With a look of disgust and disbelief he looked down at the still figure lying on the ground. It's over.
"It's never over." He looked down in surprise as Mr. L looked up at him, blood dripping down his face from his mouth as he spoke.
"No." Mario said softly, "I think it is." With that the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom and various other lands, pulled back his fist for one final strike. He did not miss.
00oo00oo00oo00
Luigi was standing next to Daisy and Peach when he felt a horrible pain rush through his body. He gasped and fell to his knees, the girls crying out in shock as he did so.
"Lou!" Daisy bent down next to him, "What's wrong?"
"I-I…can't…" With those final words Luigi felt himself fall into darkness, and then there was nothing but the sound of Daisy's voice as she screamed his name one final time before he fell into oblivion.
No this is NOT the ending. Not yet! :) So no one freak out…yet. Lol.. Can't give too much away. Next chapter is the epilogue. I hope you all enjoyed this story! I sure did enjoy writing it. If there are any mistakes (there probably are) its because I'm too lazy to reread what I write, this monster is 12 Pages Long! TWELVE. That's a big chapter for me.
This big chapter is a gift to all my lovely readers! You guys make the magic happen with your support. Thank you! Once again, if you have the time, please check out the poll on my profile, it's about a future story I may write.
Reviews are like pizza! Or possibly something with pasta. Curse you Mario and your influences! XD