Luigi shook with a mix of hatred and fear. His brother and mentor could possibly be dead while King Boo sat there laughing. This was the last straw. Luigi balled up his fists and lunged at King Boo. Catching the king off guard, he was able to hit him square in the jaw sounding off a loud crack. Luigi didn't know if the crack was from the king's jaw or his own knuckles. King Boo gave him a quick look of surprise before it turned into his usual grin.
"So, Baby Luigi finally decided to grow a pair and fight back."The king mocked.
"You killed them!" Luigi growled. He tried to swing at the king again, but the other Boos held him back. The king let out a boisterous laugh.
"Relax Luigi. They aren't dead...yet."
King Boo grabbed a torch and flew over to the two ice blocks. The king lifted the torch up to the ice. The ice started to melt from the top and eventually, Mario and E. Gadd's heads and necks were free from the ice. Mario and E. Gadd still looked unconscious. Luigi wanted to get closer to check his friends but the Boos holding him prevented him from doing so.
"So, they're alive?"
"Obviously. Can't have a dead audience, now can we?"
"Audience?"
King Boo gestured to the empty picture frame on the wall. "After all. I need someone to witness me make my greatest painting yet." Luigi shivered. He knew King Boo would want to make him into a painting sooner or later.
"What do you think of the frame I picked out?"
"It's terrible." The king let out a dramatic gasp.
"How dare you insult it! It's the epitome of class! You have no taste in fine craftsmanship, Luigi."
Luigi sighed. In all honesty, he did like the frame. The frame's pattern was elegant and expensive looking. He just wished that the picture frame wasn't about to become his personal prison. Luigi must have struck a nerve with King Boo because the king had already started a rant about fine art. Luigi was only half listening as King Boo droned on and on about art styles and someone named Vincent Van Gore.
…
Mario felt cold. The cold was the only thing he could register in his mind. His mind felt hazy. Why was he cold? Where was he? He could hear voices in the back of his mind, but he couldn't understand what they were saying. Mario suddenly became aware of the fact that he couldn't move. His mind went frantic, why couldn't he move?!
Mario tried to lift his head. All his muscles were stiff and it felt like he was trying to lift a heavy dumbbell with his neck. He let his head fall and rest on the ice again. The sounds around him were becoming clearer. He heard a small groan to his right. With great difficulty, he turned his head to face the sound and finally opened his eyes. What he saw confused him. It was the professor up to his neck in ice. The professor's head slightly moved but didn't lift. Mario looked down at himself, he appeared to be in the same situation as the professor. Well, that explained why he was cold. Mario was aware that he wasn't shivering. Should he be shivering? Well, that's not a good sign. A loud laugh and talking from across the room caught his attention. Mario fought to lift his head to see who was talking. He was able to lift his head just long enough to catch a glance at King Boo and Luigi…...wait a second…...KING BOO AND LUIGI?! Mario's memories rushed back and hit him all at once. The ice, the professor, King Boo, Luigi, it all made sense now! Mario felt overwhelmed with all of this sudden information. Luigi was alive and across the room from him! Mario tilted his head so he could listen in on the conversation. He listened to the king's ranting for a couple minutes. Ewww was Luigi getting an art lecture? Mario decided it was time to make his presence known.
"I'm more of an abstract fan myself."
Both King Boo and Luigi quickly turned to face him. Luigi had a look of pure joy on his face. Never had Mario been so happy to see his brother. King Boo also had a wide grin.
"Mario!" Luigi excitedly exclaimed.
"Well look who's finally up. I must say you and the old man put on quite a show in the freezer"
Mario looked from Luigi to King Boo and growled: "You're lucky this ice is holding me back."
"Well, that is the point." The King retorted with a sarcastic tone.
Mario rolled his eyes and briefly tried again to free his arms from the ice. He gave out a frustrated grunt when he was unsuccessful. He angrily looked up at the king who had a very amused look on his face.
"Let us go and I might go easy on you." Mario spat.
"Ha! Stupid plumber! You're lucky I even let you and that old loon live."
"So why did you let us live then?" Out of the corner of his eye, Mario saw that E. Gadd was now awake and listening to them.
"I'm glad you asked. It's great to have a participating audience."
"What do you mean?" Mario was afraid to find out the answer to that question.
"You two lucky souls are alive to watch me make a painting of a certain brother of yours." The king smiled very pleased with himself.
"You wouldn't!"
"Mario, you of all people know that I would."
King Boo turned away from the Mario and turned to the other Boos and Luigi.
"UnderBoo fetch the frame. I think it's about time I get painting."
…
UnderBoo reluctantly did what the king had ordered and flew to get the frame. The pleading look on Luigi's face made him regret every second of it. UnderBoo battled his conscience trying to justify why he should just do as he was told and ignore the guilt. It wasn't like he had a choice in the matter, right? This was the ultimatum the king gave him. His choices were either to betray Luigi and participate in turning him into a painting or face the unspeakable consequences of betraying his own kind. This wasn't fair. He felt like he was trapped between a rock and a hard place, a choice between friend or family. The war in mind continued as he lifted the heavy frame off the wall and carried it over to the king.
The king then instructed more Boos to hold up the frame while UnderBoo prepared it. UnderBoo touched the empty surface of the frame with his tail and the surface of the picture began to ripple like the surface of a pond. He could feel Luigi staring at him from next to the king. UnderBoo purposely avoided looking back at Luigi. He couldn't bear to look Luigi in the eyes. He didn't want to see the look on Luigi's face when he realized that there was no hope for him. UnderBoo stuck his hand through the surface of the painting frame. The surface rippled around his arm. On the other side, his hand appeared as an oil painting looking version of itself. He pulled his hand out. The painting was ready. UnderBoo gave a nod to King Boo and flew off to the other side of the room. He looked at the two partially frozen heroes that were looking at the king with pure rage and an idea struck him. Perhaps he could help Luigi after all.
….
