Hello

"It's been weeks now," fretted Master Hand, "and he still hasn't talked to us."

"Has he spoken to Mario?" asked Crazy Hand.

"Yes, and they exchange postcards and letters," Master told him. "How come he can't trust us like he trusts him?"

"We haven't given him a reason to, poking our noses in affairs we can't go back and change instead of directly addressing what's going on out there," said Master Core. "I tried to call him—kept getting kicked to voicemail."

"It's like what Peach said," said Master. "He'll talk to us when he's ready."

The phone rang.

"Magic words," said Crazy.

Master picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Thank you for giving me time, Master Hand."

Master gasped. "Luigi?!"

Hello, it's me.

I was wondering if after all these years, you'd like to meet,

To go over everything;

They say that time's supposed to heal you, but I've not done much healing…

"Hey, MH. It's been a long time since I've heard your voice," said Luigi. "Is everyone okay?"

"Oh, yeah. Everyone's fine," Master responded. "They're asking the same thing about you, though."

"I know. I'm getting letters, cards, trinkets—but nothing from you." So many roiling feelings were behind those words.

"L, we're not upset. I know you think we are, but we're not. We blame ourselves. For everything," sighed Master.

"Well, I have to take some of the blame for this mess," Luigi said softly. "It wasn't fair for me to run away from you and make you worry like that."

"You ran away from us because we weren't paying enough attention to you," sighed Master Hand. "We were too busy probing into the whole tier list chaos of tournaments past."

"Why were you looking into my past with Douglas and Fox?" Luigi wanted to know.

"We were searching for a root to all of this nonsense," explained Master, "and I observed that on the very day the tier list came out, those things started happening to you."

"Yeah. We were all a big, happy family until then."

"Why didn't you come to me when Falcon got drunk and insulted you?" Master wanted to know. "Engaging him in an unsanctioned fight like that was wrong."

"Yes," said Luigi, "but it felt so deliciously right."

"You must've knocked quite a few back, because I wouldn't expect you to react in such a fashion," Master Hand told him. "Why choose aggression when there's assertion?"

"I was asserting myself, Master Hand," Luigi said fiercely as the memories came back. "From the arcade days up till that point, I could handle being taken for granted. But the final straw was coming here, hoping I could show them all that I was my own person, and then getting a big middle finger in my face from Mr. Sakurai himself. Then, that racer comes barging in, reeking of alcohol, and says that I'm a loser. A last place loser!"

"Okay, L, calm down. I'm not accusing you of anything. I kind of got why you did it, which is why I didn't punish you."

"How did you know about that, anyway?" Luigi wanted to know.

"I watched some of it," confessed Master.

"I should've known. Well, it worked, didn't it? After a while, he got it through his head that I wasn't a loser or a n—b, and after I laid him out to dry in a few matches, I got all that anger out of me. So, we decided to start off fresh."

"Wait. He called you a n—b?" gasped Master.

"Yep. He did. But I got past that."

"I see," said Master Hand. "So, my bounty hunter friends tell me that you're headed for Vegas."

"I am."

"Just—be careful. And Godspeed."

"Thanks, Master Hand."

"We're truly sorry we weren't there for you, but we are now," intoned Master. "You have to let us come in and help. You have to."

"I—I'll try," Luigi said.

"Don't try, L. Do."

Hello, can you hear me?

I'm in California, dreaming about who we used to be,

When we were younger and free;

I've forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet.

"Still, we wish you'd told us," said Master. "That way, we'd have some clue as to where you're headed and why."

"I just—didn't think you'd understand."

"We do, L. We do now."

Luigi drew a shaky breath. "I want us to start over, Master Hand," he said, his voice permeated with emotion. "I want us to trust each other again."

"Of course," nodded Master. "Could you meet us halfway."

"Of course," whispered Luigi.

"Where are you calling from?" asked Master.

"Best Western in Sacramento," smiled Luigi. "I'm making a few side-stops along the way."

"Please come home to us soon," said Master.

"I will. I promise."

There's such a difference between us,

And a million miles—

A Toad came to fetch Mario after his last battle for the day, an excited look in his eyes. "It's him!" he cried.

Mario wasted no time taking the phone the Toad proffered to him. "Bro? Is that you?" he gasped.

"I miss you, too, Big Bro," replied Luigi. "I saw a musical at the Community Center Theatre in Sacramento earlier tonight. And you'll never guess what it was."

"What was it?"

"West Side Story. The first musical we ever saw together. It was like I was young again, growing up in the Big Apple," smiled Luigi. "Maybe I'll bring you along next time."

"I'd like that very much," Mario said softly.

Hello from the other side…

I must've called a thousand times…

To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done,

But when I call you never seem to be home…

"Look, Mario, you have to stop blaming yourself every time something happens to me," Luigi said after a beat.

"I can't help it," said Mario. "I love you so much. And I want to shield you from anyone trying to harm you. Even before that, you've held so much inside you, and maybe that's because I didn't lend you an ear when you need it."

"Right now, the fact that I'm hearing your voice is the only thing that matters," Luigi told him. "I'm crashing at the Red Lion Hotel tonight. It's right across from Cal Expo. Maybe I'll hit Arden Fair Mall tomorrow before continuing on my way."

"Are you comfortable?" asked Mario.

"Even more comfy, thanks to you," said Luigi. "Sometimes, I think about Val, and I feel bad about leaving him like that. But he texts me sometimes to let me know he's all right."

"What's your plan now?" asked Mario.

"I land in Las Vegas, and go through the same drill. And who knows? Maybe I'll gain another ally."

"Or a familiar face," piped up Mario.

"I mean what I say. You're not responsible for any of this. And while I wished for more of your comfort when I was uncovering all of this, I can never hold it against you."

"Thanks, Bro," sighed Mario. "It's just—I keep thinking about that Star Gate's treatment of you. And the Chaos Heart business. And your hidden power in Brawl. If I had allowed you to vent…"

"Don't start," warned Luigi. "What happened has happened, and the best you can do is stop stressing over it."

"Yeah. Guess so. It was so nice talking to you, L."

"You too, Bro. And—thank you for that letter."

"You're welcome."

Hello from the outside…

At least I can say that I've tried…

To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart,

But it don't matter; it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore…

The next day, Peach was primping when Mario walked in and handed her the phone.

"Weegee called."

Peach put the phone to her ear. "Luigi!" she cried excitedly.

"Hey, Princess. Any kidnappings lately?"

"No, thank God."

Hello, how are you?

It's so typical of me to talk about myself; I'm sorry.

I hope that you're well.

Did you ever make it out of that town where nothing ever happened?

"Perhaps that overgrown turtle's having some guilt weighing on him?" asked Luigi.

"Guilt over what? Partaking in the Daisy bashing? Probably," scoffed Peach, "or he's scared to taste my frying pan and other handy gadgets!"

"It must feel really good to hand his tail to him here," mused Luigi. "That's been the case for me since Melee."

"You can say that again," chuckled Peach. "Now, enough talk about my kidnapper. Let's talk about you. How was L.A.?"

"Lively," replied Luigi. "I'll probably come back sometime."

"Well, the next time you're going to go on an unannounced road trip, could you at least talk it over with us?" asked Peach in a half-stern tone. "You barely gave us a full day's notice."

"I know, and I regret that," sighed Luigi. "How can I make it up to you?"

"We'll discuss that later," said Peach. "Do you need me to send you more items?"

"Not yet, but thanks, though."

"When you come back, I insist that you see Dr. Mario, and then Dr. Toadley back in our home world," said Peach. "Am I clear?"

"Yes, Princess."

"A lot of people did a lot of awful things to you, and it's best that you get those feelings out in the open," Peach went on. "I think—I think you need to see a psychiatrist. But that's too far in the future."

"It is. But I'll think about it. All right?"

"All right."

"Stay safe, Princess."

"You, too, L."

It's no secret that the both of us

Are running out of time…

Ness and Lucas sat, awaiting a Team Battle, when a Mr. Saturn walked up to them. "Phone for you," it said.

Ness answered it. "Hello?"

"How's my psychic pal doing?"

"Oh, my gosh! Luigi!"

Luigi smiled. "I ran into somebody you might know," he said.

"Who?" asked Ness.

"Porky," explained Luigi. "He was in league with the bullies I'm after. And he was going to hurt you and Lucas."

"Did he hurt you?"

"We had a fight, but I was able to overpower him," Luigi assured him. "He told me that you two were the reason why he was going after me. Because—we're friends and all."

"That must've made you very upset," reasoned Ness.

"I was, and his words also had me worried for your safety. If I hadn't caught him in L.A., then…"

"Yeah. Good save," shuddered Ness.

"You're a very strong friend of mine, you know," Luigi told him. "I mean, not only did we start off as secret characters together, we also—basically saved Smash together. Do you remember?"

"I remember it well," smiled Ness. "You, me and Triple D were destined to be 'The Three Musketeers'. Too bad that didn't pan out…"

"You knew what he did, too?" asked Luigi.

"After you two fought, I saw that video."

"Well, we needn't talk about that anymore," Luigi said to him. "What I'm trying to say is that since you and Lucas have looked out for me, I'm going to return the favor and look out for you."

"I'm happy you called, L."

"So am I."

Hello from the other side…

I must've called a thousand times…

To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done,

But when I call, you never seem to be home…

"How have you been holding up since I left?" asked Luigi.

Ness sighed. "It's difficult to say. You left so suddenly. Only a few words to us, and then bam."

"I had to do what I had to do," said Luigi.

"I'm happy that you're standing up to these people," said Ness, "but all of us miss you and worry for you. In spite of the haters you have breathing down your neck, just remember your friends."

"I certainly will."

There was a pause as Ness passed the phone to Lucas.

"I thought you were a goner, L," said the blonde psychic.

"Nope. I'm alive and well. What made you think that?"

"Rumors," explained Lucas.

"Well, those rumors are lies," said Luigi. "Not even a thousand men can cut me down."

"You missed some exciting matches," Lucas told him. "Want me to tell you about them when you get back?"

"Sure."

Hello from the outside…

At least I can say that I've tried…

To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart,

But it don't matter; it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore…

"Are you by yourself?" asked Lucas.

"Right now, yes. I'm resting at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove, California. But in L.A., I made a new friend named Val. He saw me through some tough times there."

"We'd like to meet him," said Lucas.

"I'll arrange something."

"Sammy told us that you're going to Vegas."

"I am," said Luigi. "Disrupting the stronghold there will be a critical hit."

"And from there?"

"I'll be headed east, for New York City. I heard that the bullies established their main command center there."

"Didn't you grow up there?"

"I did. I'll know that city off the top of my head."

"The best of luck to you, L. Just—try not to be a lone wolf about this, all right?"

"All right."

More days, more phone calls. More tearful conversations. More how've-you-beens. More catching up. More speeches and admonishments on how Luigi was missed and why he took off on his mission so suddenly. It was Luigi who initiated all of the calls, for since he and Val parted ways, he experienced storms of emotions, from loneliness and longing to guilt and remorse. What he'd seen and experienced so far sufficiently shook him up and left him with the urge to let everyone know that he was still standing—and to finally break his silence toward Master, Crazy and MC. So, as he traveled southward, he called whenever and wherever he could. In restaurants, in hotel rooms and at phone booths (where they still existed). To the Smashers he'd known since the good old days and to the newcomers. And after each call, Luigi felt soothed, forgiven, comforted—and loved.

Hello from the other side…

I must've called a thousand times…

To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done,

But when I call you never seem to be home…

Early one morning, Luigi called Daisy from a hotel room in Galt.

"L, I'm overjoyed to know you're safe," she said.

"Same here," Luigi said. "Look outside; the sun's coming up."

Daisy peered out her bedroom window, smiling at the sunrise. "It's so beautiful," she breathed.

"And so are you."

The two lovers continued to chat up one another as they watched the sun climb higher in the sky.

"Hey, listen, L," Daisy said finally. "I want you to know that however you decide to approach this situation, I'll support you."

"Thanks, Daisy. I—I don't want to miss this."

"Miss what?" questioned Daisy.

"This," replied Luigi.

And Daisy knew exactly what her beloved was talking about.

Hello from the outside…

At least I can say that I've tried…

To tell you I'm sorry for breaking you heart,

But it don't matter; it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore…


I wish I owned the lyrics to this wonderful song.