Chapter XXVIII: The Dream World of Subcon
It was decided that Luigi would have to fall asleep so that he can go to Subcon and confront Wart. It was easier said than done, however, because Luigi just can't seem to nod off.
"Plumber's Log. Two hours in and Luigi is still wide awake," Mario said jokingly.
"That...is not funny," Luigi scowled.
"You'll have to fall asleep eventually," said Waluigi. "And then you'll go to Lala Land. Which is also known as Subcon? Heheheh."
"That's not funny either!"
"This isn't working. Let's give him some warm milk," Wario suggested.
"I think some aromatherapy might do the trick," Amy noted.
"But I don't have any of those candles," Luigi sighed.
"I do. I brought some along. You know, in case you were stressed out or something. Would someone mind lighting it for me?"
"No problem," Mario offered. "Hand one over here, Chicky."
Amy pulled a candle out of her suitcase and gave it to Mario. The older brother lit it using his Firebrand, then placed it near Luigi so he could enjoy the soothing scent. Wario decided to warm up a glass of milk for Luigi, hoping that it would speed up the process. Then everyone left the room.
"You know, I just remembered something," said Purpley. "Didn't Luigi tell us about the time he beat Wart?"
"Yeah. I could've sworn he did," Pinky agreed.
"Now that you mention it, yes. He did," said Mario. "Granted, he was probably just recalling the dream we had and didn't think it was a true story. You guys do tell each other about your dreams, right?"
"Sure."
Mario went back into the bedroom to check on Luigi half an hour later. He was relieved to see that he was sound asleep.
"Okay, guys," Mario said when he returned to the kitchen. "Luigi's sleeping now. Let's go ahead to go to sleep so we can join him."
Sometime later, Luigi awoke from his slumber...or so it would seem. He opened his eyes and saw that he wasn't at home anymore. He found himself on top of a large grassy hill that overlooked a plain that featured a few rivers and waterfalls. Up in the sky was a strange red door floating in mid-air. Luigi stood there and wondered why a door could possibly be there when it suddenly opened...
"Clear a runway!" Mario screamed as he came out and stepped into thin air.
Luigi was deep in thought and didn't even realize what was going on, until Mario landed right on top of him anyway.
"Hey! Get off!" Luigi shouted angrily and shoved Mario off him.
"Sorry about that. I didn't remember that big drop right there."
"Make way for Chicky!" Amy called as she, too, came out of the sky door and plummeted, landing on both brothers.
"This is getting silly!" Luigi snapped. "I'm moving away from that door before I get clobbered a third time."
Soon enough, all four yoshis arrived as well. Luigi got out of the way so none of them fell on him.
"Well then. Is everyone one here?" Mario asked.
"Waluigi isn't here," Oshi pointed out.
"Neither is Wario," Yosheta added
Everyone watched the door for a bit, expecting Wario and Waluigi to come. However, they never showed up.
"I think I was right," Mario theorized. "They're not able to come because they're not exactly buddy-buddy with Luigi."
"Hold on now," Amy spoke up. "They might not even be asleep yet. Isn't Waluigi a bit of a night owl?"
"We can't stick around and see," Luigi said seriously. "We've got to get this done as quickly as possible."
Purpley gazed around at the new land. "So this is Subcon, huh? Looks kinda fun!"
Mario shrugged. "I don't think it will be for long. I'm sure things will turn nightmarish eventually."
And so, Luigi and his friends left the hill and began their journey through the dream world of Subcon. They didn't get far when Pinky spotted some cherries. Subcon is known for its large amount of vegetables, but cherries were also a common sight here.
"Oooh, cherries!" Pinky squealed happily. "They're one of my favorites!"
"What a coincidence," said Mario. "I'm a big fan of them too. Give it here!"
"No way! I saw it first!"
Luigi paid little attention to Mario and Pinky's squabbling over cherries. The only thing that was on his mind right now was rescuing Blacky and he had no intention of letting anything stop him from doing so.
The adventure through Subcon was a long one. After walking the plains, they traveled across a desert, scaled a raging waterfall, trekked over a frozen tundra and climbed through some caverns. It was tough, but using the power of teamwork, the party prevailed. Those that had trouble with some enemies got help from those that were faster or stronger. Those that had difficulty making certain jumps got assistance from those that had better springs.
Up ahead was a large forest. Luigi and friends noticed that it had gotten progressively darker during their trip.
"It's getting a little hard to see," Purpley said after nearly tripping on a rock.
"I thought so too," Amy agreed. "What time do you suppose it is?"
Mario rubbed his chin. "Strange. I'm not sure if day and night pass here like it does on Plit. I don't think it was like this last time."
"Hey!" Yosheta gasped. "What's that over there?"
Just a few yards away was something that looked like a pink yoshi. Everyone slowly walked up to it to have a look.
"It's a Birdo," Mario said as he knelt down and gently shook it. "I think it might be unconscious. I hope the poor thing is alright."
"Oooh..." the Birdo groaned. "What happened...?"
"Hey there. Are you okay?" Luigi asked.
"Luigi? You've finally come?"
"You were expecting me?"
"Yeah. I've got a lot of things I need to tell you. I'm not sure where to begin..."
"Wait. I know you," Yosheta piped up. "You tried to help us find my father before, didn't you?"
"Indeed. Since you know who I am, let me tell you this. You and Luigi also battled me as Robrido in the Beanbean Kingdom."
Luigi was a little surprised. "Ah, so that was you?"
"It's true. I'm the one that helped you a few years ago and I'm also the one that fought you a few days ago."
"I remember that," Yosheta mused. "Why didn't you say anything when you got out of it?"
"I'm terribly sorry about that," Birdo sighed. "I felt so bad for what I did that I couldn't face anyone. Before I got a hold of myself so I could thank you, I was captured again and taken back here."
"Captured again?" Mario asked. "By who?"
"Wart, of course. You and Luigi may have banished him from this place nearly twenty years ago, but he's come back in recent times. He tried to enslave my kind again, but some of us got lucky and were able to escape from here and start new lives on Plit."
"That would explain all the Birdos that popped up lately, huh?"
"I happened to be one of them, but Wart managed to catch me. When he found out that I was acquainted with Luigi, he came up with a plan to use me as a tool to get revenge on him. That is the reason for Robirdo."
"Well, don't worry about that!" Luigi boasted. "I've come to settle this once and for all!"
"I'm afraid it's not that easy. Unless you brought some ammo here or something, it just isn't going to happen. His magic is much stronger than it was in the past and the perpetual darkness that he has cast over most of the land has made it so it is impossible for vegetables to grow."
"So it isn't supposed to be this dark?" Purpley shivered. "Spooky..."
"There's no turning back now. All you can do is press on and hope for the best." Birdo paused for a moment to ponder on the situation. "Listen, fellas. Up ahead in the next desert is the Grand Chasm. I've arranged an Albatoss ride for you there. They'll take you straight to Wart's castle."
"Oh. That's handy. Grazie."
"I wish you luck, Luigi. I really do. But I honestly don't think there is anything you can do."
"Nonsense, Birdo!" Luigi said bravely. "Good always prevails over evil. It may take awhile, but it always does."
Birdo smiled a little. "I have to hand it to you. You've gotten a lot more courageous over the years. If you honestly believe you can do it, I suppose I should give you a chance."
Oshi backed up Luigi's bold claim. "Don't worry about it. Luigi can do just about anything."
"Well, I'm not gonna get anything done by just standing around here. I mean, now that you've tied up all the loose ends..."
"Not so fast!" Mario pointed out. "There's still one thing I don't get. What about that voice you've been hearing in your dreams?"
"C'mon, Mario. I doubt Birdo would know anything about that."
"Actually, I do," Birdo admitted. "I apologize about that. While I've been trapped here in Subcon, I tried to warn you about the upcoming dangers through your dreams."
"Aww..." Luigi frowned. "If I had known that, maybe I wouldn't have been so frightened."
"I really am sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any harm."
"It's fine. You were only trying to get some help. And that's just why I came. Let's go, gang. We've got to stop Wart."
"Good luck, Luigi. And all of you, please be careful."
Luigi and friends said good-bye to Birdo, then walked through the woods in silence.
On the other side of forest was another desert. What Birdo said was completely true. In the middle of the desert was a wide chasm with some Albatoss, large red birds, waiting patiently for the party. The Albatoss allowed everyone to ride them and they flew over the canyon, up to the dark sky and right to Wart's castle which sat among the clouds.
Luigi wasted no time on getting started. He tugged on the handle of the huge wooden doors...only to find that they were securely locked.
"Oh, dang it," the hero muttered. "It won't open."
"I see," Mario said thoughtfully. "Anyone have any ideas?"
"What's this thing?" Pinky asked. Her attention was caught by something that was near the doors. It appeared to be an NES controller.
Amy was interested in what Pinky found. "That could be the key to get in. We probably just have to put in a certain button sequence. But what..?"
Mario began to press buttons. "I think I've got it. Start, then up, B and A."
"No, don't!" Amy shouted and shoved Mario away from the controller. "Something scary might happen!"
"Oh, sure," Mario said sarcastically. "Like pressing the wrong buttons will kill us or something. It's not like you know the code either."
Mario had a point. No one had any clue what the code was. Everyone quieted down and thought about it.
"I have an idea," Luigi stated and approached the buttons. "Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start."
A loud click was heard and the large heavy doors slowly swung open. Luigi cracked the code!
"Wow, Luigi. How did you know that would work?" Purpley asked.
"That little trick works for lots of stuff," Luigi chuckled, but then his smile faded. "I doubt video game knowledge is gonna help with this though..."
Everyone peered into the inky darkness inside the castle. It didn't look like there was anything in there at all. Luigi was feeling the pressure and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"How can I do this? Fire and ice were ineffective and lightning probably won't work any better."
"I bet this would be easy if you had a heart fruit," Oshi said, trying to cheer up Luigi.
"Fear not, guys," Mario assured everyone as he reached into his overalls pockets. "I brought along something that should tip the scales in our favor."
Luigi was a bit skeptical. "Oh really? What do you have?"
"Peppers." Mario showed Luigi the spicy things.
"Peppers?" everyone asked in surprise.
"Sure. I think we can stand a chance if we pump up our power with these babies."
Luigi still didn't understand what Mario was talking about. "Wait. We eat them?"
"Of course! How else do we use them?"
"Well, they are veggies. I thought we were gonna use them as ammo."
"Interesting idea, but isn't that a bit rash? We would be in deep trouble if they end up powering him up."
Amy decided to share her thoughts. "I've heard about these things before. Red raise attack power and green raise defense power. Am I right?"
"Yeah. That's what they do," Mario confirmed.
"So how about you guys eat one color and use the other on Wart? That way if Wart does get a boost, the boost you have will cancel it out."
"You know, she might be on to something," Luigi said, impressed with Amy's logic.
Mario agreed. "Yeah. I guess that seems fair. Let's try that."
"Okay then. Mario and I will go inside and deal with this beast. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask the rest of you to stay put here."
"Huh? Why?" Oshi asked. "We came here to help."
Pinky was confused as well. "You don't even want us to help you fight this guy? Why did we come all this way then?"
"I appreciate the concern, but I just don't want any of you to get hurt. Just giving me your support is all the help I needed. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Luigi. I completely understand," Purpley smiled. "Now go get 'em."
After the yoshis and Amy wished them luck, Mario and Luigi entered Wart's castle. Although the halls were lined with torches, it was still difficult to see. The brothers tiptoed down the corridor and tried to find any signs of Wart.
"Mario," Luigi whispered. "As soon as you see Wart, eat the green peppers."
"Green ones, huh?" Mario said quietly. "I suppose defense is the way to go."
"That's what I think anyway."
"By the way," Mario continued as he pulled two blue peppers from his pocket. "I've brought a couple of these too. I just discovered them recently."
"Blue peppers? What kind of boost do those give?"
"A speed boost. That's what."
"Ah. That might come in handy."
While Mario and Luigi were discussing their battle tactics, a familiar laugh echoed down the hall. The pair spun around in surprise and the great Wart stood before them.
"Well, well, well," Wart chuckled. "Nice of you to come, Luigi. Tell me something. Exactly what do you plan on accomplishing here? You can't possibly intend to fight me again."
"I only had one reason and just one reason," Luigi said bravely. "And that was to save my friends. But I've got a new reason too."
"Yes. To free this land," Mario went on. "If this darkness is allowed to spread, everyone and everything in Subcon will d-"
"Silence!" Wart bellowed. "I should have dealt with you like I did with the others!"
Mario growled and gave Wart an intimidating look. He certainly wasn't too happy about what the fiend just said.
"I must admit, I commend your bravery. However, you are also a fool. Two mere humans have no chance against me. Have you forgotten that I had given the two of you a sound beati- Ugh!"
Wart's speech was cut off when Luigi tossed a red pepper into his mouth. While Wart was recovering from the shock, Mario and Luigi used this opportunity to gobble up all their green peppers along with the two blue ones.
"Blargh! What was that?!" Wart shrieked. "Where did you get that from?!"
The enraged tyrant skipped his speech and began to attack. Using their newfound speed boost, the brothers dashed around the halls and looked for chances to fling more peppers into the frog's maw. However, Wart knew exactly what they were trying to do and keep his mouth closed tightly.
"It's no use!" Luigi shouted to Mario. "He won't open up!"
"Onto plan B then!" Mario called back. "Eat the rest of the peppers!"
Mario and Luigi ate the rest of the red peppers, then tried to attack Wart physically. But even with the heightened strength, it didn't seem to do any good. The power boosts eventually faded away without any progress in the battle at all.
Wart showed no mercy. He unleashed a flare spell on Mario, then finished him off with a flurry of lightning bolts.
"Mario!" Luigi wailed when he saw his brother collapse.
"Well now, Luigi..." the antagonist taunted. "Do you have the guts to take me on without that brother of yours?"
"I will NOT let you get away with this!"
"So be it."
Wart summoned an ice storm upon Luigi. The hero somehow managed to endure the brutal attack, but it still took its toll. Luigi was hurt badly and could no longer remain on his feet.
"This is your last warning. Let me be and I may allow you to leave in one piece."
Despite the great pain he was in, Luigi refused to back down. "Ugh...never..." he grunted.
"I see. Well, so long," Wart said as he charged up his finishing blow...
