Author's Note:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea.

Chapter 11:
The Mystery Traveler

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After going through the third door to the pixilated Bitlands, Tippi instantly gets captured by a geeky chameleon named Francis, who retreated back towards his fortress. Barry, a pixl who had witneesed the kidnapping from behind a bush, informed our heroes Mario and Peach, on how to reach Fort Francis. While skeptical about their chances, he asked them come back and tell him if they do manage to save Tippi.

Mario popped his head from the warp pipe before maneuvering the rest of his body. Once he was out, he offered his hand out to Peach, who accepted it, and helps her out of the wipe as well. After passing through an underground area (that looked like the level 1-2 in Super Mario Bros.), Mario and Peach now stand in the middle of a clear plain. To the left of them, Peach spotted something up ahead.

"Mario, look..."

In the distance, the two can see a large stone castle stationed just ahead of them.

"You think that's the castle Barry was talking about?" asked Peach.

"Looks like it." said Mario. "Come on."

The two started to make their way towards the castle. But they only took a few steps when they heard a scream.

"Aahh!"

Mario was the first to stop in his tracks. Peach followed soon after him.

"Did you hear that?" Mario asked.

She nodded. "I did."

"Somebody, help!" Scream a cry in the air.

"There," Mario pointed out. "This way!"

Mario and Peach ran to the source of that voice, which was in the opposite direction of where they were going. Within a few minutes, they located where the cry for help was coming from.

In an empty field, there was a small group of Toopa Strikers kicking their shells to back and forth between themselves. What wasn't so fun about their little game was the scared green man, stuck in the middle of them, trying to dodging their shell attack as the Strikers continue to play and laugh at him.

One of the Strikers also tries to trick him by kicking the shell upwards and kicking it so hard, it caught on fire. The man scream as he narrowly dodged the fierce attack, nearly getting caught. Both Mario and Peach could see that the man was being harass, and decided to do something about it.

"Stay back, Princess." said Mario. "I'll deal with them."

Mario leaps into action like the hero he was, ready to save the day. The Strikers were too busy laughing and having fun with their unwilling victim that they didn't notice Mario's approach until after he jumped on one of their heads. It was then the Strikers turn their attention on him, instead of the man they were tormenting with.

The Toopa Strikers try to fight the man in red, but this was Super Mario they were facing; the local hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. It didn't take him long to defeat those Toopa Strikers and return to the man's side. When he got there, he saw Peach was already assuring the man that he was safe.

"Don't worry," She encouraged. "You're safe now."

"A-A-Are y-y-you s-s-sure?" The man said fearfully.

The man was wearing similar clothing to Mario, only in different colors. His long-sleeved shirt was green instead of red and his overalls were unfaded dark denim jean, compared to Mario's royal blue, with light yellow buttons. On his feet were dark brown hiking boots with red and white striped socks that could be seen because his overalls only reach above to his ankles. Even his cap was similar to Mario's cap, being green instead of red and having an "L" as its signature. He also was carrying a green backpack on his back. He was shaking slightly as he covers his face with his bright green hat.

"We're sure." said Mario, dusting his hand like he just done a dirty job's work. "Trust me; those Toopa Strikers won't be bothering you anymore."

The man lifted his hat up slightly so he could have a look around. Seeing no danger present, he let his arms fall down to his sides and slowly stood up, smiling fondly at his heroes.

"Thank you both so much." he said.

Mario blinked before his eyes widen in surprise. "Hey, I remember you." He said. "You're the guy that bumps into me earlier."

The man blinked and looked away. "Yeah, uhm...Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about." Mario shook it off. He didn't think he's see him again, and here of all places. "So, what are you doing all the way over here?"

The man looked back at them and gave them a worried look. "I don't know. I was taking a hike when I suddenly gotten myself lost. I wondered around for a bit trying to find my way back home. When I come across this field, those Strikers spotted me and attack me. I am so lost now; I'm not sure what to do."

"Oh, you poor dear." said Peach. "I know, why don't you come traveling with us for a while?"

Both Mario and the man blinked at that question.

"You sure, Princess?" asked Mario. "I mean, we still have to save Tippi from that Francis guy and I'm not sure how long it could take."

"I'm sure it will be fine. Besides, he's lost and he needs our help; isn't that what heroes do right? Help others in need?"

"True..."

"Oh, I don't know, Miss." said the man. "After all, this friend of yours sounds really important and the last thing I want to be is a burden to you both."

"You'll be no such thing. You're just a lost traveler we're escorting back home. Isn't that right, Mario?"

"Um, right!"

The man frowned for a second before smiling softly. "Well, if you both insist. Thank you."

"Hey, no problem; it's what we do." said Mario, smiling fondly at the man. "Now, let's get moving. Tippi's waiting for us."

Peach nodded and request the man to follow. The man smiled and started walking behind them.

"My name's Mario by the way," said Mario "And this pretty lady here is Princess Peach Toadstool." Peach blushed at the comment. "What's your name?"

"My name is Luigi," the man said "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

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Moments ago...

When Luigi and Dimentio arrive at Bitland, Luigi was surprise. He never seen a world like this before; it was so… pixilated.

"Okay, Luigi. This is where we part." announced Dimentio. "The heroes are to pass by here any moment now so I suggest you prepare yourself."

"You're right." said Luigi. "But wait. How am I going to gain their trust? I mean, walking up to them and asking to travel with them isn't really the best approach. They might get suspicious."

"Relax, Luigi; gaining their trust shouldn't be too hard. Just play innocent, like a lost, defenseless traveler. That should get their attention."

"A lost, defenseless traveler... Got it; thanks Dimentio."

"No problem. Now if you will excuse me, I must ready my post. Until next time, Ciao!"

Once Dimentio left, Luigi adjusted the backpack he was carrying and started walking around. As he walked, he tried to figure out how he was going to appear in front of the heroes.

"Hmm, how am I going to fool those heroes?" He said/thought to himself. "I could probably look lost and weak, but I'm going to need something to assure that."

Luigi continues walking to an open field. Looking up, he saw a group of Toopa Strikers playing a game. Luigi stood there watching for them for a few minutes before an idea form in his head.

"I know exactly how I'm going to fool them."

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~XXXXX~

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'Dimentio was right; act likes a lost, defenseless traveler and they'll give you their trust easily.' Luigi thought as he trail behind the heroes. 'And now that stage one is completed, stage two can come into process. All I have to do is keep a close eye on them; learn all their secrets and report everything I learn to Dimentio. After that, I'll have some time to myself before I can head back home.' He smiled satisfied with the details of his plan. 'Simple.'

Focusing back on his mission, his eyes fell on his two traveling companions who were walking in front of him. He had notice the disappearance of the rainbow butterfly and had concluded that this Tippi character must be her. He glanced over to the Princess, noticing how pretty she was.

'Wow... She's more beautiful in the light than in the dark. The sunlight really shows how bright her hair is.' He thought, a blush forming on his face.

He shook his head to rid the blush. He turned his gaze to Mario, taking note of the way he walks. Mario's stance was strong and oozing with confidence, like he could take on anything that comes at him.

Luigi's was different. Although his stance wasn't as strong as Mario's, it wasn't weak, but lend more in the hesitant, cautious side, like he was unsure whether to make this move or not.

Of course, there was a reason for that; he was an undercover agent of Count Bleck spying on their enemies, the Heroes of Prophecy. He had every reason to be cautious around them if he doesn't want to be discovered within their presence.

'Mamma mia, I only been with him for a few minutes and yet I already feel like I'm in his shadow. It's a good thing I don't have to stay for too long.'

Luigi smiled at that thought.

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