Chapter 32: He's Near

At the camp spot, the group is surprised to see the Super Mushroom trophy, which Samus accidentally left behind, cloaked in green light.

"The trophy!" Samus exclaimed. She's half-relieved and half-worried, as leaving the trophy alone would not end well if the group delayed their return even more.

"Samus, wait! It might not be safe to touch!" Popo exclaimed, trying to stop the woman.

Samus pauses a bit when she's just one step close to the glowing trophy. Hearing the boy's words, she becomes hesitant in grabbing the Super Mushroom trophy. Suddenly, a cluster of green light is formed behind the trophy, taking the shape of a person. It then results in a holographic projection once the process is complete.

"...L…Luigi?" Samus said. Everyone else gasps at the surprising sight, a holographic Luigi.

"That trophy can do that too, huh?" Popo wondered.

Samus then picks up the Super Mushroom trophy before beginning to converse with the holographic Luigi.

"Luigi…? But… how?" Samus said.

"What you're seeing right now is a representation of my memory recorded by this trophy. I know your name, Samus. Hmm… It seems that I'm finally able to conjure this form." the holographic Luigi said.

"Memory? Finally? What do you mean?"

"Look. I'll go straight to the point. Luigi, um, my real self, is currently on the run. I can feel his presence. He has reached this area. I don't know what exactly happened, but he's just around here now."

"Luigi… is nearby? No… that can't be true…"

Mario then steps forward, near Samus. "Forgive me for butting in, but the last time we saw him, he just suddenly vanished. There's no way he can be found easily now."

"Ah. Mario, right? Listen, as I said before, I'm representing Luigi's memory that is recorded by this trophy, which belongs to him. I'm bound to him even if he's not holding the trophy. That's why I can feel his presence if he's close enough. Unfortunately, since he's far away from this trophy for a long time, I can't tell what's actually happening to him aside from me sensing his location." the holographic Luigi said.

Popo then asks, "How close is he to our spot?"

The hologram closes his eyes briefly, then opens them again before answering, "Shouldn't be too far from where you're currently standing."

"How is that even possible?!" Marth asked.

"Hush, Marth. Once we find Luigi, I'm sure he'll explain everything." Popo said.

The hologram closes his eyes again, trying to concentrate in tracking the real Luigi in the forest.

After waiting for a while, Samus asks, "So, how about now?"

It takes a few seconds later for the holographic Luigi to stop focusing and then answer Samus's question.

"Hm..."

"He…

…

…

…should be much closer. I can't really gauge how far exactly, but I can sense it."

"Closer, huh?" Samus said.

"Unfortunately, my time is almost up. I can't stay in this form for too long. You can either wait, or you can try searching, but keep in mind that doing the latter option might put more distance between you and Luigi instead, since I can't help you anymore for now and I sense that Luigi is currently running frantically, so he can randomly switch directions."

"Huh?! Please! Please detect him just one more time!"

"I'm sorry, um, Samus. It's up to you now." the hologram said before converting itself back into a cluster of green light that is then absorbed by the Super Mushroom trophy.

"NO! I need more information!"

Popo then walks up to her and says, "Miss Samus. I think that would be enough. You know, I think the hologram's presence itself might alert Luigi to our location."

"But… I'm not convinced yet…" Samus said.

"Just follow his words. We can either stay… or wander around the forest. Take your pick."

Samus is left speechless.

Jeff then comments, "She's having a mental breakdown. I suggest we stay and watch our surroundings. Luigi might pop out any minute now."

"Hmph… if only she didn't come with us to see Mew…" Mario regretted.

"Mario, Donkey Kong, it's not your fault. …It's my fault. I shouldn't have dragged Samus along when Marth called us back then…" Popo said.

Marth approaches Popo and says, "But then again, we have no idea that it would lead to… that. The whole timeline thing, you know."

"You know what… let's not discuss this any further… Samus is still in complete denial…"

Link then asks everyone present to eat their breakfast, since the whole encounter with the holographic Luigi wastes more of their time, even delaying their breakfast time.

Meanwhile, someone is running through the forest. In the middle of the wilderness and complete helplessness, all that person cares about is finding someone else to properly communicate with. That person happened to see a small glimmer of light in-between the thick trees, and that's why that person is making a beeline for the light's source, despite the light already going away.

Back at the camping spot, Link has just finished whispering something to Popo. Both are at the beach, further away from the group.

"Ah, I see. So that actually happened because of Samus's subconscious wish? But… won't that make her… a key trophy holder alongside Luigi?" Popo said.

Link simply nods in response.

"Let me guess. Their bond has become strong enough for the trophy to allow Samus to be its holder as well? Even despite knowing each other for a short time?"

Link nods again.

Popo then realizes something. "Oh, yeah… Samus has just told me about her dreams, both having Luigi in it. I can only assume that they stay bonded even in dreams… As ridiculous as it sounds, that's the only better evidence for her subconscious wish…"

Link stays silent as usual.

"Then again, she told me that the first person she has met for a long time is Luigi. Hmm…"

The two end up being silent for a moment.

"Link, let's go back to the camp. I'll think about this later." Popo said.

After Popo and Link return to the camp, they're surprised by a sudden appearance of someone. Someone that they're familiar with.