T Plus 24 Days
Falco slowly rolled over in his bed as his alarm clock went off and reached a wing over to silence it. Slowly, he dragged himself out of his comfy bed and limped toward the shower, feeling awful from head to toe. The skin around his left pectoral felt tight, and the area throbbed incessantly. Pausing before a mirror, the avian grimaced at the sight of the leering King, forever branded on his chest. For a second, he wondered if infiltrating this fan club had been a good idea, but then he reminded himself that he was doing it to keep Luigi safe.
His muscles ached, the site of the imprint ached—and his heart ached from what he was forced to say last night. Having to renounce Luigi and everything even remotely associated with him wasn't what he was expecting during his initiation. But it wasn't completely true, right? He was just pretending, wasn't he? Falco shook his head and stepped into the shower, turning the water to as cold as he could bear and beginning to wash the fatigue off of him. If Gadd or Luigi saw that video, then he hoped they wouldn't take it the wrong way.
By the time Falco was done showering, the pain had mostly abated. The avian carefully dried himself off, dressed and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. Chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs were on the menu this morning, and Falco needed some fuel after last night's events. After piling his plate high with everything but the eggs, he plunked himself down at a booth and ate.
"Hey."
Falco raised his head and saw Marth, Roy and Rolf seated at a booth nearby, waving him over. Smiling a little, he grabbed his plate and utensils and sat with them.
"You look awful," said Rolf. "What happened?"
"Long night," said Falco. "Leave it at that."
"Bad dreams, or…"
"Something like that," said Falco.
"Don't take it so hard," said Marth. "With time, Luigi will come to forgive us—completely."
"How did you know?" asked Falco.
"I can barely sleep nowadays," sighed Marth. "Thinking about what we did to him makes me sick. I'm supposed to be setting an example for my people, and I was acting like a spoiled child because…" He trailed off. "Maybe they were right to exile me. I'm spoiled, selfish and naïve."
"No, you're not," said Roy. "You made a mistake, but you learned from it. And not only that—you came forward and confessed."
"The fact remains that I still participated in this mess," said Marth. "I'll have to live with that forever."
"So will we," Falco said softly.
"And, like I said before, recent events have reminded us why we were initially drawn to Luigi," Marth went on. "Then, we became too self-absorbed to care, and we drifted apart from him. If there's a new Smash tournament on the horizon someday, then we should do everything we can to earn back his trust."
"Hear, hear," said Rolf.
"Is there—any news on the rescue mission?" asked Roy, changing the subject. "Before I dropped off, Luigi texted me, saying that he and Mario are halfway through World 1."
"I haven't received an update yet," said Falco. "Maybe the reception's a little spotty."
"Yeah. Maybe," said Marth.
Seconds later, everyone's phones hummed, chirped or chimed.
"Spoke too soon," said Falco, fishing out his cell phone. "Okay, here we are. The Mario Bros cleared World 2, and they're about to face the World 3 miniboss." He sent Luigi a text back.
"I think we should text Peach," Marth was saying. "That turtle never considers confiscating her phone."
"Good idea," said Roy, quickly firing off a text to the distressed monarch.
"Things are progressing slightly faster than last time," observed Rolf.
"Because last time, they were still recovering from—what those four guys did," said Marth as his thumbs flew across his phone's keyboard. "Plus, they were blindsided. Here, they were at least prepared for the initial attack."
Falco's phone hummed as Luigi responded to his text. How did the meeting go last nite?
I'll tell u when u get back, Falco replied. Luigi didn't need to be thinking about such things at the moment. Just focus on beating that turtle!
And helping my bro!
Of course.
"Guys, Peach just texted me back," said Roy. "She assured us that she's okay for the time being, but she could be lying."
"She doesn't want us to worry about her," said Marth.
"But we've become her friends," said Rolf. "Of course we'll be worried about her."
"Or maybe she just doesn't want too many people risking their lives for her," said Falco. "Two people already doing so is bad enough."
"That's Peach for you," said Marth. "Virtuous and just and selfless—just like her heroes."
He glanced down as his phone chimed, frowning.
"What is it?" asked Roy.
"It's—from Koopa," said Marth.
"What does he want?" huffed Falco.
"He wants me to meet him at the castle tomorrow," said Marth.
Falco looked down as he also received an incoming text. Roy and Rolf did so, as well.
"He wants us to meet him there, too," said Roy.
"He says—that there are some people he wants us to meet," said Falco. "The Bennigan Bros are gonna be there, too."
"What on Earth could he be planning that involves us?" Rolf wanted to know.
"And should we tell the Mario Bros about this?" asked Marth.
"Hey, guys," called Dorf. "He's not gonna trap you or anything. He'll tell you everything when you arrive, okay?"
"Okay," said Falco.
"He invited you, too?" asked Marth.
"Yeah."
"How about Wario? Is he coming, too?" asked Rolf.
"You can bet on it!" crowed Wario.
"Okay—let's—tell him we'll be there," said Falco. "Whatever we find out—we'll pass it along to the Bros."
"Good idea," said Marth.
They were interrupted by another text from Luigi. He and Mario had beaten the World 3 miniboss after a decisive battle, and they were now continuing on their way.
"Thank God," exhaled Roy.
"Say that again," said Falco. "Thanks for allowing me to sit with you guys, but I really got to get a jump on the day." He gobbled down the rest of his food. "See you guys later."
"See ya, Falco," said Marth.
Falco smiled at them, rose and disposed of his trash before walking out of the cafeteria.
1.1.1
"Good morning, my dear brother," said Master Hand.
"Good morning," Crazy Hand sang out. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, I did," said MH. "I meant to ask how your meeting with Sakurai went."
CH huffed. "It was a disaster," he replied. "He was dodgy and defensive. I thought that he'd give up information when the opportunity rose to save himself, but I guess I was wrong. For all of his faults—he's surely a guy with a sense of loyalty."
"That's why good planners always have a Plan B," MH said craftily.
"We'll get some of the conspirators to turn on him?" asked CH.
"Something along those lines," replied MH.
He leaned over and pressed a button on his intercom. "Bring them in," he said.
To Crazy Hand, he added, "It's about time those two finally get their dues, don't you agree?"
CH nodded, a little vigorously, and MH took note of that.
Hardly a minute later, Lauren and Eden walked into the office, escorting the two Steves. They were flanked by Jimmy, Timmy, Remy and Rory.
"Gentlemen," greeted MH, staring hard at the two Steves. "Nice to see you again. Please, have a seat."
Glowering at MH, the two Steves obliged.
Meanwhile, the six people who had escorted them took seats along the sides of the office.
"Do you know why you're here?" asked MH.
"Enlighten us," sneered Stevie.
"Don't be a wiseacre," warned MH. "You're here because you have a lot to answer for. You attacked four Smashers unprovoked, to the point of landing them in the hospital. You tried to run from the punishment you knew you'd face. And—you participated in a plot to manipulate me into unjustly nerfing one of my Smashers. Not to mention that you've bullied this Smasher long before then. In addition, another of my Smashers fears for his life because of you."
"Chad?" scoffed Steve. "He should be afraid. He betrayed us."
"I'd like to think that he came to his senses," MH said smartly. "Either way, I will not tolerate this kind of behavior in my tournament. If you have anything you'd like to say for yourselves, then now is the time."
The two Steves exchanged a look.
"Yes, my dear Master Hand," purred CH. "I'd love to hear how these two plan to explain their heinous acts." He then gave a secret wink to the two Steves.
A wink which Eden saw.
She nudged Lauren, who nodded. The little Mii in the Mario cap had seen it, too.
So had the other four.
"Well?" MH asked sweetly, addressing the two Steves.
"Well—what's there to explain?!" snapped Stevie. "That plumber was always beating us with those godforsaken combos, and we were sick and tired of it!"
"So—instead of practicing, you chose to attempt to subvert this tournament," MH said evenly.
"Subvert it? No," said Steve. "Improve it? Yes."
"We can hardly say that it's improved," said Lauren. "Only hours after the new patch was released, life in the tournaments for Luigi became a living Hell. You used your matches against him as an excuse to torment him. You cornered him in the Training Area and beat him bloody. You launched a smear campaign against his brother. And when three Smashers tried to help him, you attacked them, as well. So—exactly how has this tournament improved?"
"At least we put that green piece of [bleep] in his place," hissed Steve.
"Yeah!" Stevie led the charge. "And let's not forget how Mario brutally attacked us!"
"What Mario did was wrong," said Rory. "There's no denying that."
"However, I have already dealt with that matter," said MH, "and his 'attack' was a scraped knee compared to what you did to Luigi. While I don't agree with Mario's action, I can understand why he reacted like that."
"What we want to know is—why this animosity with you all and Luigi?" asked Eden. "He has enough on his plate to deal with as it is. The regular princess-snatchings, the Toads barely knowing him, the constant worry that…" She trailed off. Now wasn't the time to go there.
"Worry that—what?" asked MH.
"Never mind," said Eden. "It's none of our concern."
"It is if it's a threat to one of my Smashers," said MH.
Eden heaved a sigh. "I'll tell you later, okay?"
"Okay," said MH, "but I'd also like to know why you've targeted Luigi like this. He's done nothing to you to warrant such treatment."
"He didn't deserve those combos," growled Steve. "He's nothing but a green loser who's scared of everything except the air he breathes! He's a self-centered a—hole who demands attention, and if we had our way, then he wouldn't be in this tournament at all!"
"A lot of people would beg to differ," said Lauren.
"We shouldn't have lost to him!" yelled Steve. "He's Player Two, God—mit! He had some b—s, stealing the victory from us time and time again!"
"Wow," Eden huffed in disgust.
"If anything, he brought this on himself," Stevie chimed in. "We had good reason for what we were doing, and that's the truth!"
"You and the truth, sitting in Master Hand's office, trying not to squirm," said Chad as he bravely strode into the room, the two Steves' eyes widening in disbelief. "I live in the presence of great truth. And that is the truth that you left behind in the Training Area, when you chose to cold-bloodedly and viciously attack Luigi!"
"Wh—what is he doing here?" Steve wanted to know.
"I'm here to see justice done," Chad smartly replied. "Master Hand, are you aware that Steve and Stevie tried to attack me the day after the new update patch went into effect? I was able to handily defend myself, but if Eden hadn't shown up, then things would've gotten ugly."
MH stared hard at the two Steves. "Is that true?" he asked.
"Uh—we—he…" stammered Stevie.
"Are you also aware that they attacked me again the day after that when I was relaxing in my room?" Chad went on. "On that occasion, it did get ugly, as I was robbed of my ability to defend myself." He raised his head and stared defiantly at the Hand of Destruction. "Isn't that right, Crazy Hand?"
CH was blindsided. "What?" he asked.
"What?" Chad parroted in a slightly high-pitched voice. "You mean to tell me that you've forgotten? You wanted me to go to Shane's housewarming party, remember? I didn't feel like it, so you and the two Steves persuaded me. And that's not the only thing you persuaded me to do, oh, no. You wanted to keep me as your little lapdog, so you retained evidence of my involvement in Project Nerf to hold over my head."
MH blinked. "Now why—would he do that?" he asked innocently. Swinging his gaze over to CH, he added, "Is it because he was in on Project Nerf all along?"
"What are you talking about?" asked CH, slightly panicked.
"There's no use trying to play innocent, dear brother," purred MH. "We have invoices from various hotels, reservations which you paid for throughout last month. We have receipts from the restaurants the conspirators dined at, in which you footed the bill. We have records of ACH deposits and checks that you sent. And—there's your meeting with Mr. Sakurai."
"You were spying on me?" CH asked incredulously.
"I wouldn't call it spying, but don't you find it strange that I sent you to talk to him? Thanks to some helpful anonymous tips, I began to theorize that Mr. Sakurai was either aware of the plot or participated in it. By sending you to Nintendo HQ under the guise of confronting him about it, I figured that you'd panic over being found out. I was able to record the intimate conversation between you two. And while you were distracted, we were able to dig up additional evidence. Why you'd plot against one of your own Smashers is beyond me."
CH spluttered. "It's—it's my nature, okay?" he managed to reply. "I'm the Hand of Destruction, for God's sake! I get a thrill out of chaos!"
"It would seem so," MH said calmly, "because you manipulated Jimmy, Timmy, Remy and Rory into attacking Mario, which caused him and Luigi even more grief. And it was you who dispatched the two Steves to attack Link, Zelda and Peach during their free-for-all. Care to explain why? Is it because they unearthed evidence against you? Is it because Peach tried to warn the man she loved of an impending attack?"
"Is it all of the above?" Chad chimed in.
"I—I can explain…" CH started to say.
"Don't bother—we know what you're gonna say," eyerolled Chad. "You're gonna make it seem like the two Steves threatened you, which is why you hid them away in the aftermath. But we know everything now. And yes—I held a meeting in Sarasaland, leading most of the conspirators in confessing everything to Luigi and his loved ones. They were more or less willing to forgive us for what we've done, but I highly doubt that they'll forgive you." Narrowing his eyes, Chad leaned toward Crazy Hand and added, "You've lost your leverage over me. I'm not your lapdog anymore. And there's no way in Hell I'm participating in your—Operation Ballot Box!"
"Operation what?" breathed MH.
"Oh? He's not told you?" asked Chad. "Crazy Hand has big plans for the Smash Ballot. Particularly—for someone not to win the Ballot."
Lauren and Eden exchanged horrified looks. "Daisy," they breathed in unison.
"Bingo," said Chad.
MH cast a piercing gaze toward CH. "You planned to tamper with my Smash Ballot—just to get to Luigi?" he asked.
"Why should she be in Smash?" CH practically squealed. "She's whiny and obnoxious and abrasive…"
"And she deserves as much of a chance as the other suggestions coming my way," MH said sternly.
"Please, don't hate me," murmured CH.
MH sighed. "I don't hate you," he said. "You're my brother, and I love you. But I'm disappointed in you. I've trusted you to help me organize this tournament since Melee, and you go behind my back to do something like this."
"I had good reason," CH said hotly.
"There's never a good reason to target a Smasher for the sake of chaos," intoned MH.
With a flick of his fingers, he enclosed CH in a sphere, cancelling out the latter's powers. "I'll decide your punishment after Mario, Luigi and Peach return. Until then, however, you'll be detained in your own office. If you behave and admit responsibility, I might keep you on as assistant master-of-ceremonies. But we'll just have to see."
CH said nothing as Timmy and Jimmy led him out.
"What shall we do with them?" asked Rory, indicating the two Steves.
"They'll remain detained in their rooms," said MH. "Make sure security on them is tighter than ever before."
"You got it," said Eden as she and Lauren hauled the two men to their feet.
Steve and Stevie glared hatefully at Chad, but the New Englander stared them down.
"You and Crazy Hand no longer have power over me," said Chad, "and I'm not afraid of you."
The two Steves bowed their heads, for they knew that Chad was right.
Without another word, Eden and Lauren escorted the two Steves back to their rooms as Remy and Rory followed close behind. Chad exhaled as he watched them go.
"It's not over yet, though," warned MH.
"It isn't," conceded Chad, "but at least it's the beginning of the end."
1.1.1
In his room, Falco gently pressed an ice pack against the brand on his chest, breathing through the pain as it throbbed in time with his heartbeat. However, the ice pack soon did its job, the pain gradually dulling. Sighing in relief, Falco wrapped a bandage around the mark, and then he pulled his shirt back on over it, followed by his flight jacket. The bandage was specially designed for sports and strenuous activity, so it wouldn't chafe too badly. Besides, he didn't need his "identification card" giving him problems when he was trying to fight somebody.
With his TV on mute, Falco sat at his desk and booted up his laptop. Almost instantly, he logged onto the fan club website and browsed through the chat forums. Whenever he saw new activity on these forums, he made sure to join in. As always, he opened a chat window and kept it active as he explored the site, waiting for someone to join in.
The avian jumped slightly at video call notification chime, but then he composed himself and answered the incoming call.
It was Professor Gadd.
"Professor," greeted Falco. "Hi."
"Good morning," Gadd said crisply.
"Uh—listen, Professor," said Falco. "I don't know if you saw the video of last night's meeting yet, but if you did, I just want you to know…"
"I get it," Gadd broke in. "You did and said what you had to, in order to maintain your cover. Didn't stop it from smarting, though. You're lucky that Luigi hasn't seen it—at least, I think he hasn't."
"I don't think he has, either," said Falco. "Last I checked, he and Mario are halfway through World 3." He leaned back, hands crossed behind his head. "So—to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"First, I wanted to check on you and see if you were okay," Gadd replied, "and second—I hoped to show you these." He turned the camera toward several sheets of schematics.
"Uh—define 'these'," said Falco.
"Why—the blueprints for the new Poltergust, of course!" Gadd said brightly. "Here's my early vision for it."
"Very nice," mused Falco as he looked over the schematics.
This new Poltergust was shaping up to be even more innovative than the current 5000 model. It had a U-shaped apparatus with a tank mounted on top, easily adjustable and flexible-looking straps with silver buckles on them, and a nozzle/wand component that appeared more ergonomic. The flashlight had several small ridges along its body, and the vacuum had a lever of sorts about an inch or so away from the Strobulb button. Towards the end of the nozzle was a trigger-like component. The last schematic showed the accompanying Dark-Light Device.
"Drawing it is the easy part," said Gadd. "Making it is harder—but isn't that the beauty of science and invention?"
"It is," replied Falco.
"Would you like a quick rundown on what does what?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Okay, here we go," said Gadd. "I've decided that this lever will control the vacuum. I think that pulling back on a lever will be less taxing on Luigi's fingers than holding down a trigger all the time. This lever will have a rubber grip, so if his hand starts sweating, his fingers won't slip. The material I have in mind will also absorb his sweat, so it won't get all slimy and gross and smelly. Of course, the red button activates the Strobulb."
"What about that red thing further down?" asked Falco.
"That—will trigger a to-be-determined projectile function," explained Gadd. "It'll come in handy when the heat gets too much for him."
"You said something about a jet of air," said Falco. "Where are the controls for that?"
"It will be located somewhere on the apparatus," Gadd told him.
Falco whistled. "This is shaping up to be the Poltergust of his dreams," he mused.
"No doubt," laughed Gadd.
Falco glanced down at an incoming text.
"Okay," he said. "The Bros have stopped at a Toad House. They're getting ready to fight the boss of World 3. Does—Luigi text you during these missions?"
"Infrequently," replied Gadd. "His last text was before the fight with the World 3 miniboss."
"Should I update him on the new Poltergust?" asked Falco.
"Be careful. We don't want him getting his hopes up too high. And maybe—wait until later. He needs to focus on this. Just this."
"All right," said Falco.
He texted Luigi back, How're u holding up?
Doing OK, Luigi replied.
Prof says hello, wrote Falco.
Tell him to hold on. I'll text him as soon as I can.
K.
Falco pocketed his phone. "A word about the nozzle," he said. "Don't make it too long. If Luigi trips over it during a heated battle, then that's no bueno."
"I was just gonna say that," said Gadd.
Falco's attention was diverted by a notification on the website.
H.G. wants to chat with you.
"Wow. What does she want?" muttered Falco as he clicked "Accept".
Gadd frowned. "Falco?" he asked. "Is everything all right?"
"Uh—yeah—yeah," murmured Falco. "It's the fan club president. She invited me to chat with her."
"And are you?"
"I don't have much of a choice, now do I?" Falco retorted.
Gadd bit his lip. "Share you screen with me," he said.
Falco obliged.
"I need to find out who she is," Gadd said in a low voice. "Why she's obsessed with King Boo. Why she made this fan club. Our best bet is to go after the root of the problem."
H.G.: Morning, SpaceAce!
SpaceAce: Morning, H.G.
H.G.: Just wanted to see how you're doing.
SpaceAce: I'll live.
H.G.: You were a bit out of it last night.
SpaceAce: Just trying to adjust to my new ID card.
H.G.: Apologies for that. It's a rite of passage for all new members.
SpaceAce: Understandable. Thanks for checking up on me. I really appreciate the concern.
H.G.: You're welcome. Also, heads-up on our next meeting. It will be held at 5p.m. instead of the usual 7p.m. We're going on a field trip immediately after.
SpaceAce: Oh, yeah. Where to?
H.G.: The annual JuBoolee in Boo Woods. They're celebrating the 60th anniversary of our King's coronation.
SpaceAce: Sounds like fun! I've always wanted to go to a JuBoolee.
H.G.: Same here.
SpaceAce: Are we carpooling, or…?
H.G.: My darling assistant, thehelp, has agreed to provide transportation. I also recommend that you buddy up with somebody.
SpaceAce: Will do.
H.G.: Before I go, I also want to tell you that you may physically interact with your fellow members outside of our meetings. However, you can't discuss anything related to our King.
SpaceAce: That's understandable. Thanks for the info.
H.G.: Not a problem. Cya next week!
SpaceAce: Yeah, cya. Well, I won't actually see you, but y'know.
H.G.:
H.G. has left the chat.
Falco looked back up at Gadd, who was a little pale.
"She's bringing that fan club to Boo Woods," gasped the eccentric professor. "They could meet up with the Boos and—dear Lord! Falco—are you going?"
"I would explore a haunted mansion myself if it meant unearthing intel to keep Luigi safe," said Falco.
"Then I'm going to the JuBoolee as well," resolved Gadd.
"They know you," cautioned Falco. "You've lived there for most of your adult life."
"I'll take my chances, thank you," said Gadd. "Do you know what could happen if H.G. and her fan club make contact with the Boos?"
"Of course," replied Falco. "They could get together and try to break him out."
"And do you honestly think I'll just sit there and let that happen?" Gadd hotly challenged.
"No, you won't," said Falco. "But—we can't be seen together, or this whole thing will be blown out of the water."
Gadd nodded. "Be careful next week, yeah?"
"You be careful," Falco shot back.
He started at another notification. "A new video's been posted," he said.
"Click on it," said Gadd.
The avian clicked on the "Videos" tab and quickly found the newest offering, which was titled "here he is".
"I don't like the sound of that," said Falco.
"Just—click on it," said Gadd.
Falco hovered his cursor over the video, unsure.
He nearly jumped out of his seat when he heard Gadd pound on his desk. "For God's sake, man, click the blasted link!" snapped the professor.
"Okay, okay!" Falco snapped back, clicking on the video and maximizing it to full screen.
The video began to play, showing the interior of a room Falco had never seen before. On the lower right-hand corner were the words "Cam A", indicating that this was some sort of camera footage.
"What in the world…?" muttered Gadd. "What is that?"
"I wish I knew," replied Falco.
This room was brightly lit and brightly colored, containing a couch and a flat-screen TV with a coffee table in between them. Various snacks sat on the coffee table, from chips to Oreos. Looking closer, Falco could see a movie of sorts playing on the TV.
As Falco and Gadd watched, the video then switched to "Cam B", and what they saw made their hearts stop cold in their chests.
There was Mario, seated on a bed, stripped to the waist and covered in bruises, a Toad tending to him. His cap was off his head and laying next to him on the mattress. The man in red looked pained and p—ed off, not to mention exhausted. Had they been going all night? Did they even stop to sleep?
"Oh, my God," breathed Falco. "That's—that's one of the Toad Houses."
"They're just—watching him," added Gadd. "Watching both of them at this very second. And they're not even aware."
"I gotta warn them," said Falco, whipping out his phone.
"Wait," said Gadd.
Falco hesitated.
"The video—it's showing a new camera view," said Gadd.
Sure enough, Falco and Gadd were watching footage from "Cam C". And there—
—there was Luigi.
He was also stripped to the waist, eyes closed, dancing to the music playing around him. Bruises also peppered him, but he seemed not to be bothered by them. Gadd and Falco could barely move or breathe as they watched Luigi rock, dip and sway his upper body to and fro, hips swiveling and shimmying, a strange smile on his face. Strands of hair were stuck to his forehead, and his cap was slightly askew. He had no idea that a bunch of people who idolized his archnemesis was currently watching him dance.
And then the camera slowly zoomed in on his upper body, bringing every last pore and muscle into focus, until only the area from his collarbone to his hips was in view, save for brief flashes of his chin, lips and moustache.
"Who is doing this?" Gadd demanded of nobody in particular.
"Are they gonna do this at every Toad House they stop at?" asked Falco.
The two could hear Luigi's increasingly labored breathing along with the music in the room. They saw his shoulders flex and roll. They saw the sweat collecting on his skin, the droplets leaving dark trails on his skin. Several droplets even splashed onto the camera lens.
"All right," said Gadd. "All right—I think I've seen enough. Get out of there, please."
Falco exited full-screen mode and saw that several members have commented on the video. Many of them left heart emojis, smiley-face emojis, wink emojis and even yum-face emojis. The avian decided to leave a comment of his own, settling for a laconic "Nice".
"Who uploaded that video?" asked Gadd in a softer tone.
"Not one of the members I met last night," said Falco. "Looks like the uploader was someone named—KBoo2U. H.G. made no mention of that person last night. Maybe they're an admin or something."
"Maybe they are," echoed Gadd.
"Should I—ask them about KBoo2U?" asked Falco.
"It's your infiltration," Gadd told him. "Proceed in however a way you see fit."
"Eh—I'll ask them about it later," said Falco. "I need to take a look-see at my schedule for today."
"Uh-oh," Gadd said suddenly.
"What is it?" asked Falco.
"The video—go back to full-screen for a second."
Falco did so, and he noticed that the scene had changed. Luigi was now on a recliner, breathing heavily, chest heaving, sopped with sweat. Another Toad was at his side, armed with a first-aid kit. Falco's guess was that the Toad finally convinced Luigi to have his own injuries looked at. Gently, this Toad dabbed at Luigi's skin with a sweat towel before treating his bruises with a cold compress and ointment. The man in green stared straight ahead, his eyes bright, the camera beginning to zoom in on his face. Falco saw restlessness and determination in Luigi's facial expression, and the sight of him made the avian's heart skip a beat.
"Look at him," mused Gadd. "He's bruised up, and yet he wants to get right back in the game."
"For Mario," said Falco. "Luigi—he must've had the Toads tend to Mario first."
"Putting others before himself, as always," said Gadd. "It's one of his best qualities—and also one of his main flaws. Such a trait could be the death of him if he isn't careful."
Falco nodded distractedly, speaking up only when the video ended. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"If only," said Gadd. "If only Luigi had someone to help him should he have to strap on the Poltergust once more. Someone who'd always have his back, someone who'd save him if he fell into ghostly traps. Someone who'd make sure he didn't overexert himself. Because when it comes to protecting people, Luigi all-but neglects himself. In 2001, I had to order him back into the lab on several occasions, and two years ago, I made it a point to recall him to the Bunker at certain intervals. But maybe if he had a companion…"
"Me," offered Falco. "Once I've mastered enough ghost-wrangling skills, of course. And Polterpup. He loves Luigi to death, and he won't stand by idly as ghosts try to hurt him."
"I know the two of you will help him out, but I was thinking along the lines of a—personalized assistant. H.G. has an assistant, right? Well, maybe Luigi should have a ghost-hunting assistant, too. Even the playing field."
Falco chuckled. "Good luck putting that in a want ad," he said.
"I don't plan to hire one, Falco," clarified Gadd. "I plan to create one. And I know just the starting point."
"Which is…?"
"The ghost energies I've been studying! Once I've completed my research and experimentation, I'll use those energies to create Luigi's very own companion! They'll be inseparable! Joined at the hip!"
"You mean that this—companion—will be sentient?"
"I haven't decided yet," said Gadd, "and I need to concentrate on one thing at a time. I'll finish the new Poltergust first, and then I'll start on a ghost-hunting companion."
"Very well," said Falco. "I'll leave you to it."
Gadd nodded. "Good luck with your future endeavors, Falco," he said.
"Good luck to both of us," added Falco.
They exchanged goodbyes before ending the call, and then Falco logged out of the fan club website before heading off to check his matchup schedule.
1.1.1
"Welcome back, Amy!" Rory exclaimed as his sister dashed into his arms. "Thank God you're all right!"
"It's good to be back," Amy replied as the two hugged.
Brother and sister separated, the former taking in the fading bruises on the latter's face.
"Hey," said Amy. "It's okay. I gave just as good as I got."
"There's no doubt in my mind that you did," said Rory. "I still wish I was there, though."
"You were," Amy assured him, indicating her baton, "in spirit."
Rory couldn't help but chuckle.
"Just—don't hurt him," said Amy. "That's all I ask of you."
"Of course," said Rory.
He slung an arm around her shoulders and led her to Master Hand's office for her debriefing.
Once Amy was situated with a tuna salad sandwich, some potato chips and a glass of Kool Aid, she told Master Hand, Jimmy, Timmy, Rory and Remy about her adventures in the MK.
"For the first few days, I kept tabs on Mario, as instructed. He went to Peach's Castle to smooth things over with the Toads, and I can safely say that he won their trust back. In the days between the meeting in the castle and the 30th anniversary of Peach's first rescue, he laid low, and I was able to enjoy a few tourist attractions. As you recall, he agreed to let bygones be bygones for my sake, seeing that he also has a younger sibling. The day after the meeting, I toured Boo Woods, hoping to gain some perspective, and let me tell you, I gained more perspective than what I bargained for. Later that night, Luigi friended me on Facebook, and we exchanged a few messages. The two of us crossed paths the next afternoon at a dance studio, after I toured the Gadd Science Museum. That night, after Rory emailed me the information Mario wanted all along, the two of us—settled things—in Mushroom Park. And then Luigi treated me to a late night meal, where I told him everything. He even gave me a ride home when all was said and done."
Jimmy exhaled. "We're glad that drama is over," he said. "While you were gone, we managed to ensnare Crazy Hand and Mr. Sakurai in our trap."
"So I heard," said Amy.
"I sent my dear brother to meet with our financier regarding 'rumors' about the new update patch," explained MH. "Our inside man, Jeff, recorded their conversation. And earlier this morning, I finally confronted him about it—along with the two Steves. Chad helped out toward the end, telling the three of them off for bullying him. However, I had Charlie sent away for her own safety. Once all of the perpetrators are properly dealt with, she can come back. I wish Chad had accompanied her, but I must admit it was satisfying to see him stand up to those three."
"What happens now?" asked Amy. "Is CH out? Are the two Steves out?"
"My brother will remain in his office for the time being," replied MH, "and I'm keeping the two Steves in their rooms. I'd like to wait until the Mario Bros return with Peach, so they, along with Link and Zelda, can have their chance to confront those three. I'll consider allowing my brother to keep his position if he cooperates. As for the two Steves—we'll just have to see."
MH's phone buzzed. The Hand of Creation paused to read the incoming text. "Okay. Mario and Luigi have just beaten the World 3 boss, and they're taking a short break before venturing into World 4," he said.
He texted them back before leaning back in his chair. "One of these days, I'm gonna cobble something together which will help them on their journey," he said. "Something which will—allow them to use their Smash skills to overcome obstacles. Can't you just imagine Luigi sailing across chasms with that Green Missile? Or Mario having access to his pyrokinesis without requiring a Fire Flower? Or—wait for it—what if I smuggle something out to Peach so she can attempt to rescue herself? And if she happens upon the Bros in the middle of her escape attempt, the three of them can team up and whale the snot out of that turtle. Imagine it."
"Master Hand—that'll be a dream come true," smiled Timmy.
Suddenly, MH lurched, coughing up more of that black substance into a bucket.
"You're still coughing that stuff up?" asked Remy.
"I am," replied MH, "and I don't think stress has anything to do with it anymore."
"But it is causing you to act aggressively and lash out at people," said Amy.
"Well, I haven't yelled at anyone lately," said MH, "which means that my body is trying to eject whatever this is before I lash out again and inadvertently burn important bridges."
"Both Bros are still a bit sore about it," sighed Amy.
"I know," said MH, "and I also know that it'll be a while before things are truly back to normal between us. Whatever this black swarm is—it was still no excuse for me to go off on Mario."
"Well—the four of us don't have that excuse," said Remy, "because we're not throwing up any black substance—that we know of."
"The best we can do for the time being is to keep our distance," Jimmy intoned.
"Thanks for your help, Amy," said MH, "and I must say—you really held your own against Luigi. If I decided to hold another Smash tournament, then would you consider joining it?"
"If I get to use the baton Rory gave me," said Amy.
"Done," said MH.
"I really hope you and the Bros work things out," said Amy.
"Same," said Rory.
"I'll spend the night here," Amy told him, "and I'll head back to Seattle tomorrow with a story to tell."
Timmy nodded. "It's a good idea to lay low until the dust completely settles."
"But I owe you guys thanks," said Amy. "It was one Hell of an adventure."
"When you leave tomorrow," said Remy, "don't think of it as 'goodbye'. Think of it as 'until we meet again'."
"I think I'll do that," said Amy.
"Despite the circumstances, it was my pleasure sharing this endeavor with you," said Rory. "I still feel bad that you got hurt."
"Rory, c'mon. I got to battle Luigi. The Luigi. To me, it was an honor. And I hope to face him on the Smash battlefield one day."
"You know," said MH, "give it a few years, and that just might be arranged."
"All right," said Amy. "I'm gonna head upstairs and crash. I've had a long few days."
"Very well," said MH. "Thanks again, Amy."
Amy smiled, and then she turned and headed toward her room.
The end of one thing was the start of something new.
1.1.1
As far as the Smashers were concerned, the rest of the day was devoted to fighting matches and checking up on the Mario Bros' progress. From time to time, they'd receive text messages from Mario, Luigi and Peach, and they'd always text them back. Even those who still didn't think too highly of Luigi did their part, sending him encouragement and well-wishes. A few even sent out care packages to the nearest Toad House. Master Hand got in on the action, as well, continuing to brainstorm ways to accelerate these rescue missions and stop Koopa from carrying off the object of his desires in the first place. But deep down, he knew that not even someone as godlike as him could stop the King of Koopas from taking what he wanted. It would eventually fall to Mario to set things right.
Maintaining contact with friends and Smashers alike, Peach and the Bros remained optimistic, assuring everyone that they'd be back sometime tomorrow. Again, one would think that Koopa would try to cut off Peach from the outside world, but no. Because of this, people were able to pass along updates regarding the Bros' journey to her. These contributions got Peach wondering if she could develop a mobile app that could be used for this particular occasion. A lot of people relied on smartphones nowadays, and her kingdom needed to stay up-to-date with the times.
But the Smashers weren't the only ones monitoring the Bros' progress. Koopa was also receiving round-the-clock updates, via the Koopalings and Kamek. He was also warned that the Bros would be loaded for bear when they arrived, what with the princess-snatching turtle getting involved in a plot to nerf Luigi's down throw rather than buckle down and practice. Anything less than a full-on beatdown was off the table. Despite this, Koopa simply laughed. He could take anything those plumbers saw fit to dish out.
However, things took a bit of a turn later in the afternoon. Reports came in that the Bros just barely managed to clear World 4, and that they'd probably wind up spending the rest of the day recovering in a Toad House, which would cause an obvious delay. Almost instantly, the Bros' phones blew up with frantic and worried texts, with Mario trying to calm everyone by stating that some of these reports were greatly exaggerated. Yes, they took a lot of hits, but they'd be moving again in a few hours. He also sent out selfies of him with Luigi, the two of them smiling and striking iconic poses. Nobody bought it, however, suspecting that the Bros were more injured than they let on. They adamantly insisted that they remain in the Toad House for the remainder of the day, get something to eat and get some rest, as they'd no doubt have more energy in the morning.
It took a lot of convincing, especially on Luigi's part.
"You wanna look after your brother, right?" they'd ask him. "Then you'll do a better job once you're well-rested and have some food in your belly!"
Eventually, the Bros conceded, and the Toads who contacted the Smashers promised to make sure that the two wouldn't try to escape in the night.
News of this delay soon reached Koopa, who grinned delightedly.
"Excellent," he said. "It'll give the remaining Worlds time to beef up their defenses."
"I'll let them know," said Kamek, flying off on his broom.
"And," Koopa went on, turning toward Peach with a flirty gaze, "it'll give us some extra time together. Let's make the most of it, shall we?"
Peach met his sultry gaze with an icy, regal one.
Mario—Luigi—I know you want to save me as soon as possible, but the Smashers are right, she thought. World 4 was tough, and it's only gonna be tougher from here. Please—just spend the night at the Toad House. I'll need you at full health and full strength when you arrive…
1.1.1
While everyone was avidly following the ongoing rescue mission, the Toads in the MK received an unexpected development.
Starting at mid-morning, there were reports of a young woman jogging purposefully through the kingdom, heading in the direction the Mario Bros had gone. This woman was clad in a Mario costume, slightly modified to accommodate physical activities like running and quite possibly fighting. The sleeves were shortened, the neckline was cut slightly lower, and it was refashioned into a two-piece outfit which bared her midriff, rather than a one-piece pantsuit. Also, it was repurposed with a utility belt, which carried a flashlight, a hammer, a bottle of sunscreen, a cell phone, bug repellant and a canteen filled with water, among other things. The woman also wore a beige backpack suitable for a long hike, which carried snacks, drinks, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries and extra charging devices for her phone. In lieu of boots, sneakers were on her feet, and she also packed several pairs of socks and extra sneakers, in case the pair she was wearing became too worn out. Her red hair was in a bun, hiding beneath her red cap, and a focused expression was on her face as her arms and legs pumped. Around her neck was a silver necklace with an Invincibility Star charm on it, which bounced as she ran.
The woman was none other than Vanessa, and she'd decided that she wasn't about to sit around helplessly while her new friend was at that turtle's mercy. After powwowing with her husband and children, she'd pulled out her Mario outfit, giving it the above-described action makeover. After that, Theo had lent her one of his utility belts, which fit perfectly around her waist. The flashlight was Anna's idea, and the hammer was Ethan's idea, with the rest being common sense. In case she lost her phone signal, Vanessa had decided to bring along a CB radio, as well. And of course, she made sure she had some extra cash on hand.
"Just be careful, all right?" beseeched Theo as Vanessa finished suiting up.
"Of course," smiled Vanessa.
"Don't worry, Mom," said Ethan. "We'll back you up. Koopa invited all of us to his castle tomorrow."
"Yeah—he did, didn't he?" mused Vanessa.
"I hear he invited the BBs and the other conspirators, too," added Theo. "He says he wants us to meet some new friends of his."
"He knows that Mario and Luigi are on their way to confront him—and yet he's inviting us over anyway," murmured Ethan. "Is he using us as collateral or something?"
Vanessa shook her head. "That's beneath him. He wouldn't do anything like that," she said.
"I guess he enjoys living dangerously," shrugged Theo.
Vanessa pursed her lips. "What's his play?" she asked. "And how do we factor into it?"
"We're gonna find out," Theo said determinedly. Taking Vanessa's face in his hands, he added, "Go get him."
"Will do," said Vanessa.
The two shared a passionate kiss, and then Vanessa hugged and kissed Anna and Ethan. With a confident smile, she turned and embarked on her self-imposed mission.
All throughout the morning and into the afternoon, Vanessa ran with long, graceful strides and silent footfalls. The brim of her cap protected her against the sun's glare. It was a normal autumn day, with the high temperature expected to be around the mid-70s. There was also a gentle breeze, cooling her from time to time. She plugged in her earbuds, selected one of her workout music playlists and lunged into her run, breathing slowly and deeply. Toads gawked at her as she ran past them, but she paid them no mind, thinking about Peach and what she was no doubt going through in that castle.
Vanessa ran on her own time, resting when she needed to, taking occasional drinks from her canteen and eating a snack every so often. She called Theo and the kids every hour on the hour to pass along the latest updates and information. When there was a store or a mini-mart nearby, she made sure to browse their wares, and when there was a restaurant nearby, she took the opportunity to enjoy a sit-down meal. People would ask her about her getup, and she'd explain that she was simply going for a hike. It would placate them, but for how long, she didn't know.
Now, it was nearly sunset, and Vanessa could see a small town up ahead. She could feel the sweat pouring down her face, neck and between her breasts, soaking her outfit. Once she reached that town, she'd find a restaurant to eat and a modest hotel to spend the night. She didn't want to overdo it, after all.
Her phone rang, and she answered with a breathless, "Yeah?"
"Vanessa," Peach's dulcet voice spoke into Vanessa's ear. "I just got word. Are you—are you trying to rescue me?"
"What are you talking about?" asked Vanessa. "I'm just going for a hike."
"I don't buy that for a second," Peach retorted. "Whatever you're thinking about doing—don't. Just—don't."
Vanessa sighed. "I just—don't wanna be a bystander anymore," she said.
"Vanessa—Mario and Luigi are halfway there. They're resting up at a Toad House right now. In the morning, they'll start through World 5, and maybe they'll make up the time they lost today."
"What if something else happens?" asked Vanessa. "They could get separated, or…"
"I have faith in them. They'll handle it," Peach said gently. "And let me tell you something else—they've done this for 30 whole years. They're practically experts at it. I beg you—let them take care of it. Don't get yourself hurt or worse on my account. That turtle—he's unpredictable. He has standards, yes, but he's still unpredictable."
"I'll take that into consideration," said Vanessa. "I'm approaching a small town as we speak."
"Good. Stay there, and find a place to stay overnight. I want you to head back first thing tomorrow morning, okay?"
"All right," sighed Vanessa. "You win."
"Please, don't do something like this again," said Peach.
"I won't."
"God willing, I'll see you tomorrow. If not—maybe the day after that."
"See ya," Vanessa replied before hanging up.
The sky had turned pink by the time Vanessa jogged into the small town. She shuffled to a stop at a bench and plunked herself down, huffing for breath. Various Toads stopped what they were doing and saw her, plastered thickly with sweat, flushed, her outfit cleaving to her skin, making it transparent.
"Oh, my God!" one Toad exclaimed. "There you are! You're all over the news!"
"Hi," greeted Vanessa.
"What were you thinking?" asked another Toad. "I see you came prepared, but even that wouldn't have been enough! C'mon—let's get you something to eat!"
Vanessa followed the Toads to a diner, where the dinner rush was about to begin.
The hostess gawked when Vanessa arrived. "The—the running woman!" she exclaimed.
"Apparently, I'm a celebrity now," said Vanessa.
"I don't know whether to call your actions brave or foolhardy," the hostess went on. "Please, follow me."
Vanessa followed the hostess to a private booth, where she shrugged off her backpack and made herself comfortable.
One of the Toads who'd led her to the diner signaled the hostess.
"Whatever she orders—it's on me," they said.
The hostess nodded.
After ordering her food, Vanessa took out her phone and texted her husband and kids, telling them that the Toads had stopped her out of fear for her safety.
"At least I tried," she said, a little glumly.
Shortly after her drink and appetizer arrived, her phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Vanessa—what in the Inferno were you thinking?" Mario's usual falsetto voice was slightly higher. "Luigi and I turned on the TV, and there you were! We just…"
"Mario, I was just going for a hike," said Vanessa.
"Going for a hike, my foot!" retorted Mario. "Why would you need a hammer if you were just going for a hike?" His voice softened and deepened. "Vanessa, we appreciate that you wanted to help. But we've been at this for 30 years. Whatever that turtle throws at us—we can take it. But as someone lacking experience, you could've put your life at risk. If the Toads hadn't stopped you when they did—if Peach hadn't contacted you…"
"Okay, okay. You got me," said Vanessa. "I'll eat dinner, I'll stay at a hotel, and then I'll head home tomorrow."
She heard Mario exhale. "You're a brave woman," he told her, "but please, let us handle it. Peach isn't in immediate danger, anyway. The worst he does is just—put her in a cage. I think. She—doesn't like to talk about her time 'in another castle', and I don't blame her. But villainous turtle that he is, he has lines he won't cross, and I think he genuinely loves her in his own twisted way. He'd never harm her for any reason. And the same turtle who regularly grabs her is the same turtle who regularly competes against me in sports."
"How do you play sports with him and compete in Smash with him?" asked Vanessa. "Knowing that he disturbs life in your new home twice a week?"
"There's a saying I'd like to go by," said Mario. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, but if your enemy just so happens to be a giant, spiny-shelled, fire-breathing turtle, then keep them super-duper close."
"Hm. That's deep," said Vanessa. "Are you turning in now?"
"Just about. Dio, you had us worried sick!"
"I'm sorry. I was just trying to pitch in."
"That's understandable. Night-night, Vanessa."
"Good night."
Vanessa had eaten about half of her appetizer and was waiting for her entrée when her phone rang again.
"Look, I'm sorry for worrying you, okay?" she huffed in exasperation.
"Worrying you? Why, Vanessa, you didn't worry me at all," chuckled Koopa. "I had no idea you were that eager to pay me a visit. Did you receive my invite earlier this morning?"
"I did."
"So all you had to do was just wait a day. And if you're that worried about Peach, I assure you, she's fine. It's not like I did anything Mario wouldn't do." Koopa let out a guffaw. "She's in a nice little room of her own. She gets to use the gym. I organized a little spa day for her and got her nice and relaxed. We're just about to share a nice dinner together. You and those plumbers can sleep soundly tonight."
"So—you made some new friends," said Vanessa. "Who are they? What exactly is your plan this time around?"
"You'll find out who my new friends are when you meet up with them tomorrow," Koopa said craftily.
"Master Hand won't be too happy that you ensnared some of the Smashers in—whatever this is," cautioned Vanessa.
"What is he, my dad?" scoffed Koopa. "He can't tell me what to do. Listen—thank God you're okay. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. You—didn't run into any of my minions, did you?"
"No. The Toads didn't let me get that far."
"Talk about a close call," said Koopa.
"To be fair, I had a hammer with me. I would've whacked most of them aside."
This elicited a rumbling chuckle from the hulking reptile. "I can totally see you doing that right now," he said. "Where are you now?"
"In a restaurant, eating dinner," replied Vanessa.
"Adventuring takes a lot out of you, I'm sure," said Koopa.
"It does. That's why I packed extra snacks and drinks. But the Toads have convinced me to leave Peach's rescue to a certain pair of seasoned professionals."
Koopa laughed again.
"Then, it's off to one of the hotels in town to take a nice bath and get some shut-eye," Vanessa went on.
"Do me a favor and tell me which hotel you're staying at," said Koopa. "I'll send someone to pick you up in the morning."
"Much appreciated. Look at that—my main course is coming. See you tomorrow."
"Looking forward to it," said Koopa.
Vanessa ended the call and smiled as her entrée was set before her. She sanitized her hands, picked up her silverware and dug in.
Her rescue attempt hadn't ended the way she'd hoped, but it was the thought that counted.
1.1.1
Another day in the fourth Super Smash Bros tournament had come to an end. After freshening up and eating dinner in the cafeteria, the Smashers changed into their night clothes and sent one final text to the Mario Bros, Peach or all three before turning in for the night.
Chad had turned off his lights and snuggled into bed, only for a chill to pass through him. He suddenly sensed that he was no longer alone.
He sat up and looked around. His room was empty and just as he'd left it in the morning. But something—something was off.
Wait a minute—
Several items were missing!
One of his cans of deodorant, one of his combs, and a pack of his breath mints, among other things!
But he made sure to lock his door before departing for his matches. There was no way someone could've broken in and stolen those items. And the lock had been perfectly intact when he'd returned.
Was he seeing things?
Chad closed his eyes and opened them again. But his missing items were still missing.
High-pitched giggling sounded in his ears, making him jump. The chill crawling along his skin intensified.
Oh, no—
Could that possibly be…?
The giggle sounded again. And again. The chill enfolded him like a blanket, his heart pounding faster and faster as more objects disappeared before his eyes.
I'm dreaming, aren't I? There are no Boos near the Smash Mansion. How could a Boo have found their way in, anyway? There's a stage representing that mansion, but the Boos there are simulated, aren't they?
Chad lay back down and squeezed his eyes shut, praying that he'd wake up.
Then, his pillow turned ice-cold, more high-pitched laughter shrieking in his ears.
With a cry, Chad bolted upright, staring wide-eyed at his pillow.
A Boo leered back at him.
"Hello, Chad," they said. "Mind if we spend the night here?"
"Yes, I do," Chad said sharply. "Now get the [bleep] out of my room!"
Another Boo materialized. "We don't like people giving us orders," they sneered.
More and more Boos appeared, surrounding Chad and beginning to close in on him.
"Oh, God…" Chad choked out as the Boos cackled and licked out their tongues.
This was no dream. This was really happening!
Desperately, he snatched his flashlight from his nightstand and waved it at the Boos.
"Get back!" he cried. "Get back, all of you!"
A Boo barreled into his arm, making him drop the flashlight, which then disappeared.
And then the Boos moved into his personal space, cackling and giggling in his ear, glaring at him with their beady eyes and perpetual frowns, licking at him with their long tongues and making random objects disappear. Chad swatted and punched at them, but it was no use. He was completely at their mercy.
"What do you want from me?" he demanded of them. "What do you want?"
There was no answer, save for sinister giggling.
Chad curled up on the bed and endeavored to take his mind to a happier place as the Boos took over his room.
It was gonna be a long night.
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