Chapter 21 - Truth

A/N 23rd June 12 - Parts of the middle and last sections of this chapter has been revised in response to critique. It in no way affects the plot.

Keeping his eyes on the mountain range ahead, Tatanga plotted his approach. He set his course and stayed vigilant at the controls, running through the landing sequence in his mind.

He spotted a thin vortex snaking up from one of the mountain tops. A fleeting apparition at first, it faded and then reappeared stronger and wider, whipping up cloud around the upper reaches of the atmosphere before vanishing again. Tatanga nodded with satisfaction. The koopas were testing the Wormhole Machine, and that meant the next phase of construction was underway; a phase he needed to supervise himself.

He engaged the ship's thrusters and the Pagosu II climbed, preparing for its vertical descent. Hovering over the complex of peaks and plateax he locked on to his allocated landing pad. Then he eased the power on his jets, landing next to two of Bowser's enormous airships docked at the platform's edge. Ready to launch at a single command, their courses depended on the piece of information he carried from Princess Daisy.

Thunder crackled above as Tatanga disembarked; he looked up to see the whirling funnel in the sky had returned, lightning now flashing within its core. The alien raised his eyebrows. Considering the damage Mario had caused to the machine, it was working at a higher capacity than he'd hoped. Fuelled with anticipation he hurried up the steps from the landing pad, across the pipes and plateaux towards the elevated platform where the device had been reconstructed. Surrounded by Kamek and his team of koopas and overseen by Bowser himself, the machine's power strengthened until the space inside its glass globe began to shimmer with a ghostly light.

Tatanga pushed past the koopa scientists and checked the readings on its control panels himself. Though it would never regain its original strength it would be more than enough to change the spirit back into its ethereal form. The test completed, the koopas cut the power and Tatanga stooped down to examine the latest modifications to its internal mechanisms. Once vapourised, the spirit would need to have its allegiance realigned before being synced with Mario. So far all Tatanga could see were four metal tubes extending from inside the machine's workings, as yet unattached to anything else. He looked up. "Where is the conditioning module?"

Kamek stepped forward and cleared his throat. "It's being tested in the laboratory, along with the containment chamber. They are ready for your inspection, Ambassador."

Tatanga turned and looked over the koopas' heads at Bowser, tilting his head in appreciation. "Excellent work," he said.

Bowser shut his eyes and raised his chin. Unfamiliar with koopa facial expressions, Tatanga interpreted it as one of pride, but it was followed fast by a piercing stare. "Well?" said Bowser. "Has the green guy talked?"

With a smirk, Tatanga nodded. "The spirit went to Boo Woods with Mario," he said, "to find Professor Gadd."

Those words, exactly as Daisy had spoken were met with a roar of triumph. The Koopa King snapped his claws at Kamek and without another word, lumbered down from the platform and across the complex towards the airships. The Magikoopa circled on his broomstick, shouting commands to koopas on the ground. Within minutes, countless shelled troopers poured from pipes everywhere and filed into the two vessels. Then, with Bowser aboard one and Kamek the other they cast off, sails billowing, propellors spinning, towards the Mushroom Kingdom.

Tatanga watched them recede into the distance, and then made his way to the castle laboratory.

Luke stretched on the sofa as he emerged from sleep, an uneasy feeling hanging over him. A cold draught freshened his face and he lifted his head to discover the front door had been left wide open. He sat up and looked around. The fire in the wood burner was out. Their bags were packed, standing against the wall.

"Mario?" He stood up, approached the open door and peered outside. The mists of yesterday had dispersed, but the ghostly Mansion still flickered, semi-translucent on the other side of the clearing.

"Ah, you're up." The plumber appeared from the side of the shack, his eyes fixed on the ground as if looking for something. "There's-a breakfast in-a the kitchen. Help yourself."

Luke relaxed. "Are you okay? What are you doing out here?"

"Just-a confirming my suspicions."

"Suspicions?"

"That Gadd was kidnapped by koopas, and-a Bowser is nothing if not predictable." Mario beckoned to Luke. "See how the Professor was dragged through here..." He pointed to a faint trail in the dirt flanked by round, claw-edged footprints. Though some of it had been covered by Luke's own prints and Yoshi's from yesterday, it was clear enough now Mario had pointed it out. "...and see how it stops here..." Mario walked to the centre of the clearing and looked up into the sky. "Here is where Bowser would have come down in his-a Koopa mobile and flown away with him." He kicked at the ground in exasperation.

"Then you know where Bowser has taken him?"

"Hmm." Mario lowered his eyes. "Go and get-a your breakfast."

Luke hugged himself against the cold air. The uneasy feeling returned. Knowing Mario had probably become aware that he was being 'watched' made Luke nervous. He knew he'd have to tread carefully today. "I'm not hungry," he said.

"No? Then it's-a time to make yourself useful." Mario straightened his cap and walked past Luke back into the Professor's hut, the blue Yoshi bounding across the clearing after him. By the time Luke had followed them in and closed the door, Mario was already half way down the stairs. "In-a case we find-a no ice flowers, we need back-up to help us get out of these woods," he called back over his shoulder. "I want-a to show you something."

Luke galloped down the stairs after the plumber and followed him into the lab.

Mario headed straight for the workbench where Poltergust 3000 now lay, its pipe and nozzle hanging down to the floor. "You said Luigi used this to shoot ice at the Boos. But all I can do is-a make it blow air. Do you know how it works?"

Taken aback by the question, Luke ran his hand through his hair. "Uh... He had to vacuum up an ice elemental ghost to make it do that... I don't know where you can find one except in the Mansion..."

By the look on Mario's face Luke guessed exploring the Mansion was not an option.

"... but it can catch Boos without ice," he added. "I...I mean the ice just stopped them from moving. They're afraid of the Poltergust. If you turn it on and point it at them they keep their distance. Luigi had to chase them from one room to the next to catch them."

Mario laid his hands on the Poltergust's red casing, a stunned look on his face. "You really did see everything that happened at the Mansion, didn't you?" he said in a low voice.

Staring at the floor, Luke nodded.

"It's okay, I'm-a not mad at you. It's just..." Lost for words he threw up his arms and then shook his head with a sigh. "Okay. Let's-a do this." Mario picked up the Poltergust and slid his arms through the leather shoulder straps. He fumbled with the hose, trying to force it into the holder on his back with the nozzle facing downward.

Luke watched him struggling with it for a few moments before stepping forward to take the hose from Mario's hands.

"It folds away like this..." he turned it until it was facing up and then slipped it downwards over Mario's shoulder until he felt it click into place. "Then to release it, just pull it upwards..."

Mario practiced a few times, and then nodded his thanks. "Come on," he said. "It's-a time to go."

For the most part, Daisy knew how to deal with Toads. She understood their customs and quirks, their neverending hospitality and unbridled enthusiasm for, well, just about anything. It hadn't surprised her when she learned on her arrival about how many were involved in the search for Luigi, or how they'd wanted a party to celebrate his safe return.

But Princess Peach had forbidden it; the Mushroom Kingdom was on high alert. Now Daisy peered out of the barred window of her emergency quarters over the empty streets of Toad Town. Situated in the castle Keep, these safe rooms served as a secure bolthole when the castle was under threat, and on rarer occasions, doubled up as a dungeon for its prisoners. Despite the hasty decoration with oil lamps, tapestries and plush furniture, the Princess of Sarasaland felt like a captive herself.

Instead of what should have been a carefree few hours walking the castle grounds and chatting with her dear friend Peach, Daisy and her attendants had instead been interrogated over and over about how they'd found Luigi, unconscious and half buried in the desert. But the answers only raised more questions. How had Luigi travelled so far with no provisions and no water? What had happened on his journey that his clothes were so ripped and bloody, that he'd collected so many cuts and bruises? More curious still, some of his wounds had been attended to; the bandages were fresh and clean. Why then, had he been found so far from anywhere, with no possessions on him except a single wrench?

She flopped onto the pink chaise longue, elbows on knees, chin resting on fists. The journey had taken its toll this time and it was partly her fault. The moment she'd found Luigi she'd ordered the camp to pack up and move on, forcing her convoy of Bunbuns, Gao and Yoshi to travel while the sandstorm still raged. Daisy herself had refused to leave Luigi's side, walking next to his stretcher as her Bunbun sentries carried him, swaddled like a corpse to protect against the flying sands.

Though now she'd showered away the grime of travel and had swapped her traveller's robes for her favourite regal gown Daisy still felt tired and grubby. She'd hardly touched the traditional welcome meal Peach always laid on for her and her party. She'd noticed Peach too had eaten very little, preoccupied as she was with the security of the Mushroom Kingdom. Daisy felt for her, knowing the burdens of ruling a kingdom all too well, and although Daisy preferred to tackle stress with conversation she understood Peach's need for solitude. When all theories of how Luigi came to be in Sarasaland had been exhausted, she tactfully suggested they retire to their seperate quarters and rest.

A quiet knock broke the silence. Daisy nodded to her lilac-robed Pionpi attendant to answer it. The little round-eyed creature glided to the door and pulled it open with a bow.

"Peach!" Daisy rose to her feet. "Any news?"

Peach stood in the doorway, Toadsworth just behind her. To Daisy's relief her eyes looked brighter than they'd been at dinner. "He's awake and ready to answer questions," she said. "I'm sure he'll want to see you."

Her heart beating faster, Daisy smoothed down her skirts and joined Peach in the corridor. "How is..." her eyes widened when she saw the extraordinary looking Toad at Peach's side.

"This is Dr. Toadley," said Peach. "Doctor, this is Princess Daisy of Sarasaland."

"Pleased to meet you, your Highness." Clad in a purple cloak and bejewelled mushroom cap, his eyes peering out from behind a cloth mask Dr. Toadley looked more like a magician to Daisy than a medic.

She responded with a courteous nod.

"How is he?" said Dr. Toadley, repeating her unfinished question. "He is greatly bruised, and has many cuts and burns. But his skeleton is in tact and his inner workings are in good order. He is feeling as well as can be expected. Come. His room is this way."

The two princesses followed Toadsworth and Dr. Toadley through the oil-lit corridor to a small room at the end. Before she'd even reached it Daisy could see through its wide open door that it had been converted into a temporary medical room. Her footsteps quickened with anticipation and as she reached the doorway she gasped with joy.

Relaxed and alert, Luigi lay propped up in bed and if it wasn't for the bruises on his face, he appeared as well as she'd ever seen him. He looked straight at her, and to her delight seemed genuinely happy to see her. She stepped forward and then stopped herself, looking to Peach for permission. Peach nodded and Daisy ran over to greet him, clasping his shoulders and giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Oh! Ha-ha... Ow..."

Withdrawing, she saw that his face had flushed, partly with embarrassment, partly in pain. "Sorry..." She perched on the stool beside him, and slipped her hand into his. Luigi squeezed it and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Master Luigi!" Toadsworth hobbled into the room. "Goodness gracious you had us all worried out of our minds! Welcome back!"

Peach and the doctor followed him in. "How are you?" said the Princess. "No, no don't get up..."

Luigi had already wriggled into an upright position and played nervously with the collar of his nightshirt. "I'm okay..." he looked up at the barred window and back at Peach. "I... think?"

"I'm sorry to have to put you in here," said Peach, sitting at the foot of the bed, "you've not done anything wrong. It's just that since you went missing we've been on high alert, and set up emergency quarters in the Keep."

A Toad nurse scurried into the room carrying a blue and green pile of neatly folded clothing. She placed it on a chair in the corner, before nodding respectfully at Peach and leaving.

Luigi sat up straighter. "You found my hat!"

"We did," said Peach with a smile, "although your clothes were beyond repair, I'm afraid. I sent Parakarry back to your house for a fresh set. I was hoping you wouldn't mind."

"Mario is not back?" Luigi turned to Daisy, a worried look on his face. "I must find him..."

"Luigi," said Peach, her voice solemn. "Now we're all here, I need to know what happened to you, and any information you might have to help us defend the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Of course," said Luigi, his tone matching her concern. "Tatanga is here. He is looking for the boy Luke. And Daisy too. I must warn Mario..."

Daisy's eyes widened. "Tatanga? But that's crazy!"

Luigi whipped round and glared at her as if she'd betrayed him.

"Daisy," said Peach. "Let him speak."

Luigi waited until he was sure he had everyone's attention. "Yes. Tatanga. He is looking for Luke. And Daisy. I escaped and hide in his astro... er... space-a-ship. Daisy shoot him down, now we are here."

A stunned silence followed. Peach and Toadsworth exchanged glances before looking to Daisy for an explanation. For a moment she was lost for words, only able to stare at Luigi in disbelief. "Luigi, where did all this come from?" she said at last. "I found you unconscious in the desert, with no possessions except a wrench. Tatanga hasn't been anywhere near us!"

"But how... why do you say this? You no remember?" Luigi looked perplexed. "You found me in-a the wreck. Tatanga escaped. I tell you where Mario is. So you can warn him..."

Daisy felt his eyes searching her. The story was ridiculous yet he seemed so certain. Unnerved, she glanced over her shoulder to see Dr. Toadley whispering to Toadsworth. Both were shaking their heads.

"Luigi," she said, "sweetie... There was no wreck! Even if we had the weapons with us to shoot down a space-ship, the chances of you surviving it are..." she didn't even want to think about the odds. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Before Luigi could answer, Toadsworth toddled forwards and leaned on his stick. "Now then, Master Luigi. The doctor says your unconsciousness was brought about by a very strong sedative. You were drugged. You've been out cold for most of today, and goodness knows for how long before Princess Daisy found you. I wouldn't be surprised if your memory is a little muddled. So, let's see if we can work this out together."

Luigi looked doubtful, but he nodded in agreement.

"Give him the wrench, Daisy," said Peach, "it might help him remember."

Daisy took the wrench from the pile of clothes on the chair and gave it to Luigi. She watched him turn it over in his hands.

"I... took it with me. From Toadington's house." Luigi looked up. "To fix a leak. The little koopa... took me to a field. Then Bowser's army... came with ropes..."

Toadsworth nodded. "And it seems you put up quite a fight. We found a few damaged koopa shells in that field, I can tell you!"

"...And did you see Tatanga then?" asked Peach.

Luigi shook his head.

"What happened next?" said Toadsworth.

"I don't know. I fell from a tree. I hit my head. I...I wake in a dungeon."

Peach clasped her fingers together. "Do you know which castle?"

"No. But is in a mountain." Luigi looked back to Toadsworth. "There was Kamek... and Tatanga. Tatanga want me to say where the boy Luke is."

Toadsworth's moustache twitched. "From the evidence in the field, we know that it was Bowser who kidnapped you, not Tatanga. Wasn't it Bowser's troops you rescued Luke from in the first place?"

"Yes..."

"Then are you sure it wasn't Bowser who wanted the information from you? Think carefully. You did say you hit your head..."

Luigi frowned. "It was Tatanga." His voice was firm.

Peach raised her hand for silence. "Toadsworth, Mario is convinced that Bowser employed an accomplice to build the Wormhole Machine. Even though he destroyed it, Mario won't rest until he's found that person to stop them from rebuilding it. Mario said the boy came here through the wormhole. Supposing that accomplice is Tatanga? It does seem to fit..."

"Supposing that accomplice is Fawful!" said Toadsworth. "We need evidence."

"Let's hear the rest of what Luigi has to say." Peach turned to Luigi. "Go on," she said.

"I escape," said Luigi, his eyes fixed on Peach. "I run through lava cave and pipes inside-a the mountain and come out at the top." He fell silent for a few moments, his brow furrowed with concentration.

"Take your time," said Peach.

Luigi gave her an appreciative nod before continuing. "Then I find-a the space-a-ship and hide in it." He let out a nervous breath. "Then... bad air... come out of the walls... make my head hurt... is all I remember. I wake in Sarasaland." He turned to Daisy again, desperation rising in his voice. "You said you shot Tatanga down. You said you found me in-a the wreck... Please... please remember!"

"There was no wreck, Luigi," Daisy stroked his arm. "There was no space-ship. You never woke once in Sarasaland..."

His breathing turning erratic, Luigi looked back at Peach. "You have-a to believe me. I have-a to warn Mario. Tatanga is here. He is-a looking for Luke!"

"Luigi..." Daisy took his hand again but he pulled away and rubbed at his temples in frustration.

"Look," he said. "I have evidence. It no prove Tatanga but it prove I tell the truth. Daisy. In-a the tent. You asked there was a... on my leg. A chain. From the dungeon." He lifted the bedclothes and looked under them at his legs. "Is gone..."

"Master Luigi, I think you need to rest," said Toadsworth.

"No!" The sharp tone in the plumber's voice startled everyone. "It was there." Luigi's face hardened at the effort of putting his words together. "When... I wake in the dungeon, there was a chain on my leg. It was short..." he showed its length with his hands, "...and fix-a to the floor. So I could not jump." He waved the wrench at Toadsworth. "I unscrew it with-a this. Is how I escape. But I could not take it off. I ask-a Daisy, she said she could not take it off."

He stared at Daisy with pleading eyes. "Daisy. You said it had a lock, and the Toads here can break it open. You remember?"

The lump in Daisy's throat prevented her from answering. There'd been no chain on his leg when she found him. He was wrong, so wrong...

"Dr. Toadley," said Luigi. "You see it. You took it off, yes?"

Dr. Toadley looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry, Luigi. There was no chain."

Luigi stared ahead, every muscle in his face slack. "No," he said, his voice weak, "รจ impossibile..." He paled and slumped back into the pillows piled behind him, his eyes dull, their pupils shrinking to pinpricks.

"Your Highness Princess Peach." The doctor moved to Luigi's side. "With respect, I think that is enough. The sedative is still in his system and his mind is not clear."

"It is clear!" Luigi sat bolt upright and threw the wrench at Peach. She shrieked, dodging it as it skidded across the stone floor.

"Easy now..." The doctor put his hand on Luigi's shoulder to calm him but the plumber sent him flying into the wall with a swipe of one arm, his other elbow knocking Daisy in the face.

"MASTER LUIGI!" Toadsworth banged his stick on the floor. "Kindly restrain yourself! You're bigger and stronger than all of us. Please don't force us to do it for you."

Luigi hung his head and uttered a strangled moan, hiding his face in his hands.

Dr. Toadley picked himself up off the floor and leaned on the bed, wheezing. "Go," he said. "Everyone. Please. I will call you when he's feeling better."

Bit of a long chapter, this I just realised, but not one that could easily be condensed. They won't get any longer than this, I promise! As ever, all feedback, both positive and negative is very welcome!

If you're still following this story, thank you, and there'll be a new chapter very soon. :)