"Sal, you're a genius!"
"Yes. I know. No need to remind me."
"Remind me not to inflate your ego again."
"Ha. No. I won't."
Chapter 21: The String Is Broken
Mario's grip on the flag pole was so tight, that his arm was shaking. The breeze that was emanating from the Void felt like it was trying to rip off his mustache. It made his eyes sting trying to stare up at his brother.
The Chaos Heart had twisted Luigi's body to protect the void. His arms and legs were spread out like a human meat shield. It was the Chaos Heart's way of reveling in it's victory. Mario glared up at the sight, not caring how the heavy winds and harsh light made his eyes burn.
"Luigi!"
Mario's grip suddenly went limp, causing him to slide about a foot before he caught himself and climbed back up. His muscles began to burn at the strain. But he pressed on.
"Luigi!" Mario called again, Luigi continued to stare off into nothing. It reminded Mario of the statues that decorated Peach's castle, cold and lifeless. But he ignored it. His brother is in there somewhere. He just has to keep going.
"Listen please, I know that you're angry. But this isn't you anymore, this is the Chaos Heart. So I need you to listen."
Mario was suddenly cut off when he had to suddenly dodge a strong blast of magic. But his grip on the flag pole was stronger. Dimentio floated up to him. Arms casually crossed behind his back. He leaned in, as if he was analyzing some small and weak creature.
"Look at you, hanging on to your precious brother. It's sad really." He floated closer when Mario instinctively tilted his head away. It was difficult to be near Dimentio. It was like he puts off this uncomfortable electric field that makes your stomach turn. When he first encountered the masked creature. He couldn't describe the energy that Dimentio constantly projected. But now he knows, after everything Mr. L had scarcely talked about his time with him, after witnessing the scars, the panic attacks and nightmares. After seeing him again after years of constantly pushing this face far from his mind. He know what it is.
It was pure evil. It was like Dimentio was made out of pure evil.
Mario somehow dodged another blast of magic. His grip on the flagpole unmoving. Dimentio floated back, raising his hands in the air. Conjuring up the largest sphere of energy he had ever seen.
"And now." Dimentio's voice boomed over the harsh wind that rippled through his robes. "It has been fun, hero in red. But I'm afraid that your time is up!"
"I don't think so!"
Dimentio was knocked when a equally impressive sphere of dark energy that only the Chaos Heart is known for knocks the wind out of him. Dimentio spun out of control until he found his balance again. Mask twisting into an angry, almost deformed frown he looked down to see who had dared to strike him. He spotted who it was and the mask turned back into a smile. Grabbing Mario's face, he twisted his head to look down what Dimentio was so amused about. The madman began to cackle.
"Look at that, Mario!" He pointed down to the ground. "My little bird's feathers are all puffed up!"
Mr. L stood down below, trying his best to look fearless. But Mario knew better, he could see though the mask of bravery that Mr. L desperately clung on to. No wonder why Dimentio found it so amusing.
"Awe, look. He's trying to flap his wings." Dimentio lets go of Mario's face. Clasping his hands together. "He's trying to fly, but I've already clipped his wings."
"I'll show you a Grambi-be-dammed bird." Mr. L bared his teeth. Body glowing in a similar dark mist like Luigi. Before Dimentio could respond, Mr. L braced himself. Leaning forward to concentrate his newfound energy to the heart shaped scar onto his back. Suddenly the mist that surrounded him began to spark and gather at his shoulder blades taking the form of feathers. Green lightning held the dark grey feathers together, finally taking the shape of wings.
"Have at you." Mr. L glared up, letting the mist also form a black mask onto his face. Before Dimentio could react, Mr. L took to the air. Colliding into the jester at full force. Knocking him away from Mario and Luigi.
Instead of watching Mr. L fight Dimentio. Mario chose to continue to focus on Luigi, seeing that this was his last chance.
"Luigi, please..." Mario felt a lump form in his throat. Maybe he just needs to accept that his brother is gone, Mario shook his head at the revelation. Denial pushing it back down once more. But his mind is spinning, there's only so many times he could say sorry. Maybe Luigi couldn't even hear him anymore.
Maybe the Chaos Heart was too powerful this time.
"Luigi." Mario finally lowered his head, defeated. "I did this to you, this is all my fault." He was rambling, no one could hear him. He knew that. "But the truth is, I still need you. I couldn't do this alone and the thought of losing you..." Mario didn't bother stop the stream of tears that came down his cheeks, not caring who would see him. "I'm scared, Luigi. I'm so scared."
A very old memory surfaced.
...
Outside of the Segale home, there was a vicious thunderstorm that disrupted the usual nightlife here in Brooklyn, a storm that is common during the summer time. Lightning flashed through the windows, creating sinister looking shadows across the furniture and the few toys that the young Segale Brothers own.
In his bed, a very young Luigi hid under his blanket. Lightning flashed and the youngest squealed again.
"Luigi?" A small voice came from the twin bed next to him. Mario may have been two years older at the age of eight, and should have a room of his own. But there wasn't much space in this tiny two bedroom apartment that their parents own. Not like it bothered him. He couldn't even think to leave his baby brother alone. Especially during storms.
"Luigi. It's just thunder and lightning." Mario rolled over to face the large bundle of quivering sheets. A tiny face poked through, eyes watery.
"Bu- but what if it gets me?" Luigi squeaked back. The six year old yelped again when another crash of thunder rattled the window.
"We're inside." Mario sighed. "It can't get us and Mama and Papa wouldn't let it in."
Luigi shook his head. "It could open a window. I can see it. It has a scary face."
Mario sat up, looking at the window. Lightning flashed again but it only caused shadows to grow slightly bigger before going back to normal.
The twin beds that they have are just too small for them to share one. A few years ago Luigi would've been able to just crawl into bed with him. But they're just too old for that. Usually Mario would just push the beds together, but the small table that sat in between them was too heavy. That and Mama wouldn't like them rearranging their room.
Instead Mario just reached across the gap between the beds. "Luigi, I'm here. You don't need to be scared because I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
Luigi poked his face out from under the blankets. His hand shooting out to take Mario's. "Promise?"
"Promise." Mario smiled, squeezing Luigi's hand to reassure him.
...
Luigi remained silent, staring out into nothing. All that greeted Mario was the sounds of Mr. L and Dimentio fighting and the Void. He looked away, the idea that he has to say goodbye was just too much.
"Mario?"
His eyes snapped open, looking up at Luigi to see that his brother was looking back. His eyes were still glowing, but Mario could recognize the wide eyed look that Luigi would give him when he needed him. Without saying another word, Mario gave himself another chance, reaching out to Luigi for the final time.
This time Luigi took his hand.
There was a flash of bright white, Luigi's eyes returned to normal before rolling into the back of his head. Leaving Mario to grip onto the flagpole with one arm and a barely conscious Luigi with the other. Despite the horrible strain on his body, Mario felt a great wave of relief and joy wash over him.
Slowly, so he wouldn't harm Luigi. Mario carefully slid down the flagpole. When they reached the ground, Luigi stood for a minute, before collapsing into Mario's arms. Carrying Luigi down from the tower, the others ran over to greet them.
"You did it!" Merlee gasped. "I thought he was too far gone." Mario took a knee, adjusting Luigi to where he was more comfortable before sitting down fully. Just as exhausted himself.
"Of course." Mario gasped, Luigi tried to pick up his head to address Merlee but removing the Chaos Heart on his own had weakened him. Mario glared up at Merlee, clearly still angry that she suggested to push his brother into the Void. "I would never give up my brother for anything."
"Mario?" Luigi's voice was only a whisper. Mario frowned, he didn't look very good right now. But after he just went through, of course he's going to look terrible. Mario told himself that he's going to be fine. That this nightmare is almost over. Luigi sighed. "I'm sorry..."
"No." Mario shook his head. "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just glad you heard me. I don't know why, but you did."
"Of course I did." Luigi smiled up at him. "I love you."
"Love you too, bro." Mario laughed, pulling Luigi closer to squeeze him tight.
Suddenly two very heavy gusts of wind past through the group. Which brought Mario's attention away from Luigi. He smiled wider to see that Peach had ran up to them to see if they're okay. He sighed in relief, knowing that she was here too, and that his family is safe.
There was another loud explosion in the air near the Void, causing Mimi to shout at the fight. "Kick his ass, Mr. L!"
"Yes! Give that wee little man a good chunkin'." O'Chunks shouted up at the display, picking up Mimi and placing her on his shoulder. Nastasia stood next to them, silently watching alongside with them.
"Crush him!" E. Gadd called out. Happy to see that there is hope after all. "Break him down to nothing but basic molecules!"
They flew by again, this time Dimentio had summoned thick, unruly vines that disrupted the ground beneath them. They twitched, and slithered around like snakes. Despite the poor attempt to intimidate them, they continued to cheer Mr. L on. No longer afraid of the madman.
Dimentio turned to see that the Chaos Heart was still floating by the Void. Just as powerful as before, the angry twisted frown that he wore turned into a smile. "Ah. So Lady Luck shines through once again."
Mr. L tried to stop him from taking the Chaos Heart, but a stray piece of paper latched onto his ankle. He quickly picked it up, pouring over what he would call mathematical poetry. It didn't take him long to understand that this was from E. Gadd, telling him what he needed to do to stop this.
Dropping the paper he looked up to see that Dimentio had taken on new form.
He could feel his stomach drop.
Dimentio had grown larger and he became more ghost like. His body was nothing but mist save for his hands and mask. It was the same mask that had haunted him for years. Despite having all this great power, Mr. L felt weak and useless once again. Felt like he was still trapped in that cage.
He couldn't help it, he screamed.
End of Chapter.
A/N: Mr. L and Dimentio fought in a similar way in the original story. (But with more cheese) But now this fight has some more weight to it. They have more history together other than 'hey, remember that one time you killed me? Have at you!' Also, my interpretation of Dimentio kind of scares me a little bit, and I don't scare very easily. You may not feel the same way, but I have to write this thing. I have to get in that things head. Lol