"You know—I think I learned something tonight."
The Gloomy Manor's lab was once again open for business. Greenies and Slammers dutifully cleaned up the destruction they'd caused while under King Boo's influence, and some Sneakers and the Grouchy Possessor helped repair the machinery. Luigi sat in one of the swivel chairs, Mario holding his hand as he and Gadd tended to his wounds. The Toad Assistants had returned to their respective locations to oversee cleanup efforts there.
"What's that?" asked Gadd, in response to Luigi's comment.
"I used to think that all ghosts are out to frighten and hurt people," mused Luigi, "but that's not particularly true, is it?"
"No," replied Gadd. "Not at all."
"From now on," vowed Luigi, "I'm gonna keep my mind wide open when it comes to the paranormal. It isn't wise to judge a book by its cover, after all."
"True," said Mario.
"And—think about it," Luigi went on. "I faced my fears twice. This time, I was battling ghosts even before I found out that King Boo had grabbed Mario. I think that deep down, I wanted to prove myself as a reliable and capable person."
"You are," said Gadd. "I didn't just call you because you were the only person I knew with the proper experience. I called you because I knew I could depend on you to get the job done, despite your fears." He paused to let his words sink in before giving Luigi a wink. "Told ya."
Luigi settled back, his angular face beginning to sport a contemplative look.
"Professor," he said after a while, "what if I joined you here in Evershade Valley for a few months, maybe more? The place is starting to grow on me, and perhaps—I can help out with your research."
"Oh, Luigi—I'd love that!" Gadd said happily. "I could always use some extra hands. But you're not doing anything strenuous until the worst of your injuries have healed. Understood?"
"Understood," said Luigi. "Now that I've seen that not all ghosts are ill-tempered and hostile, I can learn not to fear them so much. And I guess—I've come to accept dealing with ghosts as part of who I am. After the mansion incident in 2001, I tried to distance myself from it, but now—wrangling ghosts could be a perfect side-job."
"I agree," said Gadd.
"Me, too," Mario chimed in.
Polterpup entered the lab and hopped onto Luigi's lap.
"Hey there, puppy," said Luigi as he rubbed the paranormal pooch's back.
He fished out another of those golden bones and fed it to Polterpup.
"Professor—has he lived here all his life?" he queried.
"I believe so," Gadd replied.
After Mario and Gadd finished dressing his wounds, Luigi cuddled with Polterpup.
"He's taken a liking to me, and I to him," he said softly. "My guess is that he just wants someone to play with besides ghosts."
"Really?" asked Gadd.
"And to be frank—I've always wanted a dog," Luigi went on, "preferably a puppy. Puppies are so adorable, don't you agree?"
Gadd and Mario exchanged a look. They knew exactly what Luigi was suggesting.
"I'll get the adoption papers drawn up, shall I?" Gadd spoke up.
Luigi smiled. "Thank you, Professor," he said. "Thank you!"
Gadd then sat in a chair next to Luigi. "When the last Dark Moon piece came through that Pixelator and not you…" he began.
"Hey," said Luigi. "Everything worked out fine."
"You don't understand," said Gadd. "I thought it was my fault. I had so much faith in the Pixelshifter, you see."
"I can tell," said Luigi.
"Before I realized that King Boo had f—ed with it, I feared that you were stuck somewhere in cyberspace because it had malfunctioned," Gadd went on. "Putting two and two together only made things worse, because I had no idea that he was capable of doing something like that. I mean—I thought I knew him, but I didn't really, did I?"
"None of us did," mused Mario.
"And then his voice began taunting me and the Toad Assistants about what he could be doing to you and what he planned to do to all of us." Gadd closed his eyes and swallowed. "During that madness, I just prayed with all my might. If King Boo had—if you'd—if anything had happened to you, then it would've been my cross to bear. I don't need the death of someone who's become like a son to me on my conscience."
"Professor, people like me don't die so easily—wait, what?"
Gadd smiled. "That's right, Luigi—you're like the son I never had. Someone who I took under my wing and someone who I helped learn about the risks and joys of ghost-wrangling and paranormal research. Someone who I saw my younger self in—someone who I wanted to help work past their fears, like I eventually worked past mine."
Luigi's lips trembled. "You—you've become my mentor, you know," he said. "I may find you annoying at times, but I know that at the end of the day, your heart is in the right place."
Gadd blushed and looked at his feet.
"I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for you," Luigi said warmly, "and I just wanna take the time to say—thanks."
"It's been my privilege," Gadd said humbly.
Polterpup woofed happily and raced out of the lab, breaking the moment.
Hand-in-hand, Luigi, Gadd and Mario returned to the Bunker, where the man in green relinquished the power-enhancing gem to the Professor. Quickly, Gadd placed the gem in a secure area, resolving to do research on it at a later date. Then, Luigi emptied the Poltergust 5000 for the final time, sending King Boo into the Boo Canister, where he'd remain until Gadd finished constructing a special containment unit for him. After making sure that the Tough Possessor was no longer a threat to themselves or others, Gadd released them from the Vault and allowed them to return to the Treacherous Mansion.
With that taken care of, Gadd headed back to the Gloomy Manor and fixed the Mario Bros a hot meal.
"You know something, Luigi?" asked the Professor as they ate. "I think we're gonna have such wondrous adventures together!"
Only two chapters left...