One Month Earlier…
"Snowy! You home yet?" Elder Troopa called, walking through the front door with some mail in his hand.
"Elder Troopa!" Snowbell replied, running down the stairs. "Oh, man, have I got a story for you!"
"I've got something important to tell you, too. But first, we need to talk."
"We do? About what?"
Elder Troopa held out a sheet of paper. "This is our water bill," he grumbled.
"Oh, snowflakes…"
One Incredibly Long Lecture Later…
"…Furthermore, it's bad for the environment. Water doesn't grow on trees, so I want you to take shorter showers. Got it?" Elder Troopa asked.
"Gotcha," Snowbell mumbled, a glazed look in her eyes. Elder Troopa raised an eyebrow before he spoke again. "Like I was saying, I've got something important to tell you. While you were gone, I spoke with the Professor."
"And?"
"Apparently, that Luigi feller has a housemate. She's a fish out of water, just like you. Since neither of you have too many friends, I was thinking you two could go out and do kid stuff."
"Oh, uh… That's cool, I guess…"
Elder Troopa titled his head. "What's the matter, Snowy?"
"I'm a little nervous. I didn't have friends in the future, so I'm not experienced."
"You'll get it, kid. You have a chance at a better life, so take it."
"Yeah, okay," Snowbell said. "Anyway, I have a story for you!"
"Let's hear it," Elder Troopa said, smiling.
Presently, at Snowbell's House…
"Does it have to be today?" Snowbell asked. "Can't it be next week, or-"
"No! You''re not putting this off any longer!" Elder Troopa barked. "You're going to make friends, and you're going to like it whether you like it or not!"
"But I'm scared…"
"You fought a flaming ghost, a crazy wizard, and an undead king, and you're afraid of making friends? Kids these days, honestly!"
"I'm from the future!"
"Same difference! Now go!"
Snowbell pouted and left the house. "I really hope I don't screw this up…"
Soon…
Snowbell arrived at E. Gadd's Lab. Waiting outside were E. Gadd and Melody.
"Glad you could make it, Snowbell," said E. Gadd. "This here is Melody. She's a ghost that I revived with one of my inventions."
Melody narrowed her eyes. "Professor, she's not going to believe th-"
"Wow, really?" asked Snowbell. "That's cool. I'm from seventy years into the future. Well, an alternate future, anyway."
Melody leaned into E. Gadd's ear and whispered, "Is she mocking me?"
"No, she's telling the truth. You can get the whole story from her when you're out and about," said E. Gadd. "Anyhoo, I won't hold you whippersnappers back any longer. Go enjoy your day."
E. Gadd retreated to his laboratory, leaving Snowbell and Melody alone.
"So what do you want to do?" Snowbell asked.
Melody took a good, long look at Snowbell's outfit and said, "I know exactly where I want to go."
Snowbell and Melody stepped into a Super Bell Subway station. Upon entering, a pre-recorded voice said, "Welcome to Super Bell Subway! We're happy to have you aboard and hope you enjoy the ride! No dogs allowed."
"What is this place?" asked Snowbell.
"It's a subway station," said Melody. "Luigi lets me borrow his pass, so we get to ride for free."
"It's so… big," Snowbell said, marveling at the infrastructure. "What are we riding, though? And who was speaking just now?"
"The voice thing is a little hard to explain, so I'll get the Professor to do it when we get back. As for what we're riding, I'll show you."
Melody led Snowbell down a stairway labeled "Mushroom City". Once they reached the bottom, the girls were met with a railway, and within seconds, a train zoomed into view.
"Agh! What is that?!" Snowbell exclaimed, leaping backwards.
"Shh! Don't make a scene!" Melody said, grabbing her shoulders. "It's just a train. It's going to take us where we need to go."
"Is… Is it alive?"
"No, it's a machine. Now come on." Melody stepped onto the train, and Snowbell reluctantly followed. Soon after, the doors closed.
"Man, it's like I've been eaten," Snowbell said, observing every inch of her surroundings.
"Snowbell? You might want to sit down," said Melody, settling into her seat.
"What for?"
Snowbell toppled over when the train kicked into gear. Melody threw her palm into her face. "Here, let me help you."
After Melody pulled Snowbell into the adjacent seat, they sat in silence. Snowbell continued to stare at the train's interior, while Melody gazed out the window in deep thought. After a few minutes, Melody finally spoke. "Subways looked much different back in my time. I'm impressed by how much progress we've made."
Snowbell smiled. "I'm impressed by how much progress we lost."
Melody looked at Snowbell. "Lost? Shouldn't the future be advanced, or something?"
"Not in my timeline, it's not. Didn't E. Gadd tell you that story?"
"No, he didn't! All he told me is that you and I are somehow alike."
"Huh, that's weird. I guess he thought you wouldn't believe it."
"That's what I said earlier," thought Melody. "So what happened?"
"I'm glad you asked," Snowbell grinned. She proceeded to explain how she hailed from a ruined future, traveled back in time to defeat Queen Boo, and ultimately saved the balance of the elements. She also told the story of how Future Kamek tried to restore the original timeline, and how she had to put a stop to it. By the time she was finished, Melody's eyes were wide. "Goodness, you've… been places," she said. "What was your future like, exactly?"
"Everything was wasteland, and there were less people. Like, a lot less people. There wasn't much food, and we had flaming Chain Chomps to worry about, so life was hard. It was a little easier for me because of my powers, but as for everyone else…"
"Whoa, hold on. You have powers?" Melody asked.
Snowbell dropped a friendly sigh. "Didn't E. Gadd tell you anything about me?" She reached over Melody's lap and put her palm on the window, causing a thin layer of frost to form. "Ta-da!"
"Ice powers, huh? Very impressive!"
"Thanks!" Snowbell said, smirking. "It's great that people in this time period actually like my powers."
"Was that not the case in the future?"
"Remember what I said about my life being easier? I could skate on lava and freeze Chomps, and they… couldn't. They weren't too happy about that."
"I see…" Melody said, frowning. "But hey, at least that's over with right?"
"Yeah, I guess it is," said Snowbell, a solemn look crossing her face. Melody raised a concerned eyebrow. "Are you alright?"
Before Snowbell could answer, the train slowed to a stop. An automated voice said, "We have arrived at our destination. Please disembark in an orderly fashion."
"Alright, will do!" Snowbell replied. Melody stifled a laugh and said, "Come on, let's get above ground."
"Holy Monty Moley! What is all this?!" Snowbell exclaimed. She had just exited the station, and was laying eyes on Mushroom City for the first time.
"It's a city," said Melody, catching up to her. "Are you impressed?"
"This is crazy! Is that another train?" Snowbell asked, pointing at a Wiggler bus.
"Not quite. It's called a bus, but it serves a similar purpose."
"And what are those?" Snowbell asked, pointing at the buildings.
"Skyscrapers. People work in those."
"Can I go in one?"
"Not today. We have somewhere to be," said Melody, taking Snowbell by the arm. Snowbell's eyes glittered as she took in all the sights, and they almost popped out of her skull when she saw something in the sky. "WHAT. IS. THAT?!"
Melody glanced upwards. "That? That's a plane. They're like buses and trains, but in the air. They can take you just about anywhere."
"That's so cool! Is there one for the water too?"
"Two, actually. One for above the water's surface, and one for below."
"What about snow, lava, and mountains? And what's with all these tiny buses?"
"Those are cars. And I can teach you all about vehicles later. For now, we need to focus on this," Melody said, pointing at a building ahead of them. Attached to it was a sign that read "Mushy's".
"What is this?" Snowbell asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"A mall!" said Melody.
In the Clothes Department…
"So… why did you bring me here?" asked Snowbell. She found the racks of clothes to be far less interesting than the hustle and bustle of the streets.
"To get you a new outfit, of course," said Melody. "The one you're wearing is a bit worn."
True to Melody's word, Snowbell's clothes were faded, dusty, and torn slightly. Snowbell hadn't noticed because by her future's standard, her clothes were decently intact. "Where I'm from, we didn't change clothes much because they were hard to come across. How often do people do it here?"
"Every day. We do it to show off and look nice. It's called fashion."
"But what's the point? How does that help with anything?"
"You'll understand soon enough. Now come. I found something you'd look good in."
Melody handed Snowbell some clothing and sent her to the dressing room. A minute later, Snowbell reappeared in a white knee-length dress with a cerulean sash and an azure bow. "This feels weird," she said.
"Nonsense! You look beautiful," said Melody.
Snowbell smiled and looked away, her face reddening. "Thanks."
Melody chuckled. "Come on. Let's find some more."
One Shopping Spree Later…
The girls left the store toting bags full of clothes, with Snowbell wearing a brand new cyan shirt, cobalt sweatpants, and turquoise sneakers.
"You know, that getup is quite similar to your old one," said Melody.
"Eh, it's a good look for me," said Snowbell. "So where do we go next?"
"Beats me. I was going to let you decide."
"I don't know a thing about this place, remember?"
"Oh, right… Well, we could go to the museum, or the hot spring, or-"
"Hot spring?" Snowbell asked.
"It's a pool of hot water," said Melody.
Snowbell's eyes twinkled. "Hot water?!"
Soon…
Melody and Snowbell were wading in the Mushroom City Hot Spring, wearing a ruby two-piece and a sapphire one-piece, respectively. Accompanying them were a number of Toads, Piantas, and Nokis. "See? I told you a swimsuit would come in handy," said Melody.
"This is so great! And we can stay as long as we want?" asked Snowbell.
"Technically you can, but if you stay too long, you'll burn."
"Oh, that's not a problem for me. My ice powers can freeze lava." She poked the water's surface, creating a little ice cube that quickly melted. "So, you used to be a ghost, huh?"
"That's right. I was dead for nearly twenty years before I… "met" the Professor. I then spent another twenty-five years in his gallery before I was revived."
"What were you doing in there for twenty-five years?"
Melody stared at the water and sighed. "I was trapped in a painting," she said.
Snowbell gaped. "How'd that happen? Was it…?"
"Yes, it was the Professor's doing. See, we haven't always been on good terms. He used to be a ghost hunter, and he captured a lot of ghosts, including myself. Then he turned us into paintings."
"And he just left you that way for twenty-five years?"
Melody nodded. "If it wasn't for Luigi, I'd probably still be hanging from a wall."
"That… really sucks. Shouldn't you be upset with him?" Snowbell asked.
Melody shrugged. "I'm not sure how I feel about him, to be honest. I was upset, but then he gave me my body back. It's all very complicated."
A silence followed. Melody glanced at Snowbell and saw a sullen look on her face. It reminded her of the expression she made on the train. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," Snowbell said, nodding.
"What happened on the train?"
"What do you mean?"
"When I said all that time travel stuff was over with, you didn't look happy. Why is that?"
"Err… It's just…" Snowbell grimaced. "It's just that when I erased the future, I erased almost all memory it, too. So it's like nobody knows what I really did, y'know? To me, I saved the planet, but to everyone else, I just beat a ghost."
"So what you're saying is that you feel unrecognized?" asked Melody.
"Yeah, pretty much. I know I'm not supposed to feel that way, but…"
Melody placed a hand on Snowbell's shoulder. "It's okay, I understand. You just want to be appreciated. There's nothing wrong that. But there isn't much you can do. Are you the only person who went back in time?"
"No. Elder Troopa came, too. He's like a father to me."
"Then there is someone who understands! Instead of focusing on all the people who don't know, focus on the person who does!"
Snowbell gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, maybe I should think of Elder Troopa. And Rosalina, too."
"Rosalina?" Melody asked.
"She's a lady who travels through space. She didn't come back with me, but she used some kind of spell to tell her past-self what I did. So she basically knows."
"You've met Rosalina?!" Melody exclaimed.
"Have you?" Snowbell asked, blinking.
Later that Noon…
Snowbell and Melody were walking down the pathway to Luigi's Mansion, chatting up a storm. "So then I played a scary piano tune, and he jumped out of his skin! You should've seen the look on his face," said Melody.
"This Luigi person sounds like a good guy," said Snowbell.
"He is. I'd introduce you to him, but he's on a golfing tour right now."
"That's a shame. He has a nice castle."
"It's actually called a mansion. And speaking of which, we're here."
The girls looked across and saw the mansion looming overhead. "I guess it's time to part ways, huh?" asked Snowbell.
"Oh, you don't have to leave yet. There's something I'd like to show you."
"Oi!" a voice called from behind. The girls turned around and saw E. Gadd approaching. "How'd your day go? Did you youngsters have fun?"
"Absolutely!" said Melody. In the corner of her eye, she saw Snowbell take a step back.
"Good to hear! Luigi will be thrilled!"
"That he will!" Melody felt a pair of cold hands on her arm. Snowbell was practically hiding behind her now. "Anyway, Snowbell had a question for you."
"I did?" asked Snowbell.
"Yes! Professor, could you please explain to her how pre-recorded voices work?"
E. Gadd smiled. "I'd be happy to."
One Incredibly Long Lecture Later…
"…and that is precisely how pre-recorded voices work," said E. Gadd.
"Thanks. I think she gets it now," said Melody. Snowbell didn't speak, and hadn't moved from her spot.
"Anyhoo, I need to get back to my research. Have a nice evening, you two."
E. Gadd returned to his lab, and once he was out of sight, Melody turned her attention to Snowbell. "You're sheepish all of a sudden. Something the matter?"
"I just don't see him the same way is all," said Snowbell.
"It's not like that anymore. You can trust him."
Snowbell stared at Melody. "What happened to the others?" she asked.
"Others?"
"The other ghosts. Were they revived too?"
"No, the device exploded after it revived me. The other ghosts are still paintings, save for a certain creep who better not show his face around here again…"
"I see…" Snowbell said, scratching her chin. Melody raised her eyebrow. "A penny for your thoughts?"
"What's a penny?"
"…Never mind."
"Anyway, what was that thing you wanted to show me?" asked Snowbell.
An insidious grin spread across Melody's face. "Video games."