~
The trio quickly made their way out of the air vent, and made a short drop to the ground below. They removed Luigi's hat, and found themselves back in the halls of mirrors. "Not again!" groaned Mario. They heard a loud buzz, and looked up, fearfully.
"Well, well, well," spoke Bowser slowly, obviously very angry. "It seems my little plan has failed. Oh no! What shall I do?" he cried sarcastically. "Let's see. I could kill you all now and be done with it. Or I could put you back in your cells and torture you some more.."
"No please!" cried Luigi, getting on his knees. "Anything but that!!" Peach gasped, realizing she made the same mistake. Mario rolled his eyes. "Limp noodle," he muttered under his breath.
Bowser grinned. "Anything, Luigi?"
"Yes!!" he shouted right before Peach slapped her hand over his mouth.
"Very well. You and Peach may go, but Mario must stay here." Everyone fell silent and gaped.
"But you asked if I would do anything!" yelled Luigi. "You're asking Mario!"
"On the contrary, my little green friend. I'm asking you to leave him." No one moved.
"I can't leave you," said Luigi loudly. "You're the one that saved me." Mario didn't answer.
"Ahem!" Luigi looked to Peach. "I helped too, you know." Luigi looked down at the ground.
Mario spoke quietly. "Go. You don't want to be in that room again." Luigi looked up. "No," he said plainly. He looked to the ceiling and yelled at the top of his voice.
"NO! I will NOT leave! I'm going to stay right here! And so is Peach!…..huh?" He looked around and caught Peach jumping for the air vent. "Oh, uh….yes. I'm staying too." Luigi glared at her. "No, I mean it!" she said. "I am staying!' she shouted. At that moment, a mirror came crashing down, shattereing into thousands of pieces. Random? I don't think so….
Mario tried to convince his brother other-wise. "Luigi, think! You don't want to go back to that room."
Luigi took a deep breath. "I'd rather be there than desert you." Strangely, another mirror fell from its place. They looked around, confused. Then it hit Peach. No, not the mirror. She understands now…(finally.)
*(That does it!! Listen, you!! I know where you live, and I've seen where you sleep! I swear on everything holy, your mother will CRY when she's seen what I've done to you!!!)*
Methinks this is my cue to leave…. *exits quickly*
The Mario brothers stare at the Princess. Luigi shakes his head. "Anyhow…..I'm not leaving."
"Yes, you are!" pushed Mario. "You'll die of fright just being in that room!"
"I'm not going!"
"Oh, yes you are!"
"Oh, no I'm not!"
"Oh, no he's not!" joined Bowser.
"Oh, please shutup!" mimicked Peach. To their surprise, the mirror that had last fallen down returned to it's normal form on the wall. Peach kicked herself mentally and whispered something to Mario.
"What are you telling him, you anorexic fruit?" roared Bowser. Peach clenched her fists but remained calm. The she whispered to Luigi. Both their eyes lit up with understanding, and Luigi spoke.
"Oh, but Mario, I have to stay here. With out you, I'm just a plumber that no one cares about." A mirror crashed on the floor. "With you I have more popularity, a warm place to stay, and a brother who loves me….and I love him." Added Luigi with flair.
"What?" shouted Bowser in the microphone as two more mirrors fell. "Luigi, uh…you don't really feel like that, right?"
"Of course I do! Mario is the best brother anyone could ever have!" Three more mirrors. It grew lighter in the corridor.
"No, but…" Bowser fumbled for words. "Remember the time….I mean,…." He grinned as he had an idea. "Wanna know what Mario said about you?" Luigi and Peach looked at the older plumber, who looked away, whistling nervously. Luigi looked at him suspiciously.
"No, I don't want to know." Five more mirrors, seven more….now it seemed it was as bright as day.
"AARGGH!!" Bowser roared as the three covered themselves for protection and all the mirrors came crashing down……
~
*Yes, yes, I know. This chapter was short and mushy, and that bit of insult Peach said was from Tommy Boy. Please keep reading*