Chapter two: Gathering

(Luigi's Mansion)

The Restorer machine started working as soon as Melody's picture was sent into it. Luigi knew that they could do nothing now, so he decided to follow a bulge in the pipe going from the slot area to a windowed tank.

As E. Gadd continued working with the control panel, Luigi looked through the window, into the tank. His eyes widened when he saw a lone, blue, unconscious figure in a red nightgown floating inside. The ghost's flowing blonde hair revealed her as Melody. Suddenly, Melody started spinning around, the natural pink colour returning to her face and hands, replacing the pale blue Luigi remembered her having.

The machine made a funny noise as Melody vanished from the tank. Luigi saw that something was moving inside a pipe as it tore towards the end of the machine, which was another tank, this time with a door on it. The object in the pipe was sent into the other tank, causing dust to shoot from the slots on the door.

Luigi and Prof. Gadd were silent, staring at the tank, wondering if the machine had worked. Suddenly, the door burst open, and a figure was sent flying from the machine, through the air, screaming. The female figure landed on the ground, rolling on her side until she hit the wall.

Luigi looked at the girl that had emerged from the machine. Just by looking at the familiar red nightgown and the long, blonde hair told Luigi that it was Melody, but what was different about her was that her face was no longer blue, but pink. Her eyes were bright blue, and he saw that she had a pair of feet wearing fuzzy slippers, only one of the slippers had been tossed aside as she was rolling along the ground.

Luigi grinned as he turned to the short, elderly professor still standing behind the controls. "It worked! Professor, it actually worked!" He said.

E. Gadd sighed. "I'm glad about that, but it's not the person we were hoping for." He replied.

Luigi pondered for a few seconds. "How long until we can use the machine again?" He asked.

The vertically challenged professor shook his head. "Not for a long time, Luigi." He replied. "I've spent so much effort trying to prevent Melody's picture from being put into the machine that it's overheated."

Luigi sighed as he turned to look at Melody, who was shaking her head back and forth to regain her senses. "Well, maybe she can help us." He suggested as he walked over to her.

The green-clad man stood over Melody, who was still sitting against the wall. When she finally regained her senses, Melody looked up and found herself staring at the man who had imprisoned her a while ago. She blinked three times...

And screamed.

"IT'S YOU!" Melody shouted in horror, trying to back away further.

Luigi nodded. "Yeah, it's me. But I think you should thank the professor and I."

"W-Why?" Melody demanded.

Luigi held out his hand. "Here, let me help you up." He offered.

Although hesitant, Melody placed her hand on top of Luigi's. However, she saw her hand, causing her eyes to spring open in shock. She was too wrapped up in her hand to notice Luigi helping her to her feet. When she was on her feet, Melody continued looking at her hand.

"My hand...It's not blue." Melody said in astonishment. "My fingernails are back."

Slowly, Melody felt her face, feeling that she had normal skin again. Looking down, melody saw one slipper and one foot sticking out from under her gown.

"I...I'm human again!" She cried.

Looking up, she saw Luigi and E. Gadd. She looked from one to the other, a questioning look on her face. "You brought me back. Why?"

Luigi filled melody in on everything, such as why he imprisoned her and the rest of her family in the first place. He continued by saying how he got his new mansion that so happened to be in the exact same spot where Melody had lived before she had become a ghost. He finished when he said why he had brought her back.

"So you're telling me that you need help saving your girlfriend from a pack of evil beings?" Melody asked.

Luigi nodded. "Yes. Are you willing to help me?"

Melody paused. "Well, I don't know. I mean, you turned me into a painting." She replied. "But…I'd LIKE to help someone as popular as you considering I'm a bit of a fan."

Luigi's eyes widened. "You know about me?"

Melody nodded. "Even as a ghost, I followed every last one of you and Mario's adventures! When you entered the mansion a while back, I was so excited that I'd actually be able to meet you, but that creep King Boo ordered me to attack you." She explained.

Luigi nodded in understanding. "Was anyone else in your family not too keen on fighting me?" He asked.

"Well, Biff, Slim and Shivers for sure. I'm pretty sure Sir Weston didn't want to fight either, but from what I heard, you started a fire in the cold storage."

Luigi nodded, somewhat feeling sheepish about doing that. There was nothing more strange that having a ghost like Sir Weston scold him for starting a fire.

"Hey, I'd love to go, but I can't help you dressed like this." Melody explained. "I'll need to buy a new wardrobe."

Luigi nodded. "I have a spare outfit in the laundry area. You can change into that, then we'll go to Toad Town to get you a new outfit."

After receiving directions, Melody nodded and rushed off. Luigi turned around and saw E. Gadd staring at him strangely. "What?" Luigi asked.

"How do you think she'd be able to help us?" The professor asked.

Luigi smirked. "I've got something that Mario once used that she could use and could prove helpful."

(Mushroom Kingdom)

Soon, Luigi and Prof. Gadd were walking through Toad Town with Melody. She felt a little strange walking around in a green shirt and blue overalls, but she didn't say anything. Several of the town residents asked who Melody was or where she came from. Melody simply replied that she was new in the area. Soon, Luigi and the professor led her to the fashion store. Luigi gave her a couple hundred coins to get a new outfit with, and said that he and the professor would wait outside for her to come back out.

The plumber and professor waited outside the store for a good fifteen minutes until Melody emerged from the store, clutching a bag in her hand.

"Thanks for giving me the money for my new outfit, Mr. Luigi." Melody said.

"No problem." Luigi replied.

"Well, where to now?" E. Gadd asked.

"We need some more help." Luigi replied. He was silent for a few seconds. "We might need one of the mushroom soldiers to help, but there's only one that I can think of that would be willing to help us at all."

"Who?" Melody asked.

"I'll tell you later. For now, we'll look around and see if there's anyone else we could recruit. It'll give Melody a tour of the town at the same time." Luigi explained.

E. Gadd and Melody agreed as they walked off. The three walked past the post office and continued going down, Luigi explaining to Melody what and where everything was. Soon, they had walked into an area of Toad Town that had a lot of houses. Luigi looked around. A lot of the residents were walking around and talking, but something unusual caught his eye: A yellow, male Shyguy sitting on the grass, looking depressed.

"I wonder what's going on over there with the kid." Luigi wondered as he, E. Gadd and Melody walked over to where the Shyguy was.

"What seems to be the problem?" Luigi asked the shyguy. "You look down."

The shyguy sighed. "I just got thrown out of Shyguy's Toybox." He explained. "It's because I tend to inadvertently cause damage wherever I go."

"Um…You don't MEAN to, right?"

"Of course not! I can't help it!" The shyguy said. "I was born with super strength! I punch something ONCE and it crumbles to dust!"

Luigi suddenly felt sorry for the poor guy. Thrown out of his home at such a young age because he accidentally caused collateral damage. He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt the professor tugging at his sleeve. Luigi looked down at the elder man.

"He's got strength, Luigi." E. Gadd said. "Maybe he can help us, taking Biff's place."

Luigi pondered this for a little bit until deciding that it was a good idea. He walked over to the young Shyguy and tapped on his shoulder lightly.

"O-Oh! A-Aren't you Luigi?" The Shyguy asked.

Luigi nodded. "What's your name, boy?" He asked.

The Shyguy sniffed. "Sonar."

"I believe you're doing nothing on purpose." Luigi replied. "Listen, I know of a way you can show those Shyguys what you're made of."

Sonar looked up, listening intently. "Y-You do?" He asked.

Lugii nodded. "Why not help my team and I on this adventure?" He asked. "I could use a little muscle."

Sonar continued staring, but Luigi would bet that he was brightening beyond belief. "Really?" He finally asked. "You'd take me along?"

"That's if you want to." Luigi replied. "If you don't want to, that's fine."

"Oh, no! I WANT to come along!" Sonar replied, leaping onto his feet.

Luigi smiled. "Great. Welcome aboard, Sonar." Luigi stood up straight, looking down at Sonar. "You'd better come with us. We need to get going."

Sonar nodded as he followed Luigi over to E. Gadd and Melody.

"So, Luigi." Melody said. "Who's this guard you want to recruit?"

(Forever Forest Guard Post)

"N-N-NO WAY!" Fice T shouted, waving his arms. "Me? Go with you guys? S-Sorry Luigi, but I'm NOT going!"

"Why not?" Luigi asked. "It would be a great chance to overcome your fears."

"T-They're not fears!" The mushroom guard said nervously. "They're just dislikes!"

"Hey, I'm afraid of ghosts, too." Luigi replied with a shrug. "And I'm LEADING this adventure."

Fice T bit his lip, trying to come up with a reasonable reply. "W-Why me?"

"Because I know that you're the only guard willing to leave his post." Luigi replied simply.

Fice T was silent for a few seconds before hanging his head, knowing that Luigi had him there. "Well, could you at least tell me what this adventure is all about?" He asked.

"Daisy's in danger." Luigi explained. "I got a note from a group of evil beings, saying that they would soon have her. I need to find out why they want her, and I know that I can't do it alone."

"W-Why can't you get Mario?" Fice T quickly asked.

"While he's vacationing in Hyrule?" Luigi asked flatly.

Fice T fell silent, staring off into space, a scared look in his eyes. It was as if he couldn't think of a way out of this, and he'd have to go along after all.

"Think of it this way. What if Peach found out that one of her guards helped save her cousin?" Luigi asked.

Fice T stood in silence, his face suddenly softening and losing it's fear.

"Okay!" Fice T said. "I'll come! I'll come!"

Luigi smirked as he turned to Melody. "I knew that would get him."

Melody replied with a snicker.

(Goomba Village)

"What're we doing here?" Sonar asked as he looked around the two-building area they appeared in. The group had come from a Warp Pipe. Fice T was the last one out, falling out of the pipe, landing on his back.

"There's someone here that I want help from." Luigi replied as he walked over to the bigger house.

Luigi gently knocked on the door, knowing that a pair of elderly folk also lived in the house.

A middle-aged Goomba with a mustache appeared at the door and looked up. Instantly, his face opened into a smile. "Luigi! Fancy seeing you all the way out here!" Goompapa greeted. "How's everything going?"

Luigi shook his head. "Not good as of lately." Luigi replied. "I've got to go on an adventure without Mario's help, and I'm wondering if Goombario can tag along."

Goompapa's face fell. "I'm sorry, Luigi." He replied. "Goombario just left for Goomba Camp." Seeing Luigi's face fall, he continued. "May I ask what this adventure is all about?"

As quickly as he could, Luigi filled Goompapa in on what was going on. Hen he was finished, Goompapa looked like he was in deep thought. "Daisy's in trouble, eh?" He said finally. "Maybe I can help you after all. Just wait a moment."

With that, Goompapa disappeared into the house. Luigi waited for a moment until Goompapa came back to the door with a young, girl Goomba wearing a red bow and holding a doll of Princess Peach (how she was doing it with no hands Luigi still didn't know).

"Luigi, I'm sure you remember Goombaria." He said.

Luigi nodded. "Yes. She and Goombario came in second for that dancing competition last night." Suddenly, Luigi's eyes sprang open, realizing what Goompapa was getting at. "You mean-"

Goompapa interrupted with a nod. "Yes. Her headbonk has become almost as good as Goombario's."

"Daddy, what are you two talking about?" Goombaria asked.

Luigi looked down at Goombaria. "Goombaria, I'm going on an adventure to save Daisy." He replied. "I'll need some more help, so I was wondering if you wanted to come along."

Goombaria's eyes bulged, hearing Luigi's request. "Really? I can go on an adventure with one of the Mario brothers?" She asked excitedly.

"Not only that, but save the princess as well." Luigi replied.

Goombaria's eyes sparkled. "Really?" She asked. She turned to her father. "Can I, daddy?"

Goompapa smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes. You're going on your first adventure, and can have an incredible story to tell your brother when he gets back." He replied.

Goombaria lit up even more at the thought of Goombario's face when he found out she had gone on an adventure. She quickly looked up at Luigi and jumped up and down excitedly. "I'll go! I'll go!"

After saying a tearful goodbye to the rest of her family, Goombaria followed Luigi over to the rest of the team by the Warp Pipe.

"Six people." E. Gadd stated. "I think that's enough."

Luigi shook his head. "Actually, I've got one more person in mind, but somehow, I think I'm going to regret it."

(Diamond City)

"Are you out of your mind, shorty?" Waluigi demanded.

Luigi had told everyone that his final stop was the home of the Wario brothers. He knew for a fact that Waluigi could jump higher than he could, and decided that his skills would prove useful.

Hearing Waluigi, Luigi shook his head. "No, but I think I'm getting there." He said.

"Why would you want my help, of all people?" Waluigi asked.

"Because I know that you can jump higher than anyone else on my team." Luigi explained. "Your skills would prove very valuable."

Waluigi paused. "True..." He said. "But what's in it for me?"

"Think about it." Luigi replied. "Going on an adventure without Wario, trouncing the villains and most of all, helping to save Daisy."

Waluigi raised an eyebrow. "Did you say Daisy?" He asked. Truth be told, he actually had a crush on Daisy, but was always upset that she was Luigi's girlfriend. He figured that helping Luigi just this once might impress Daisy enough to notice him.

"Yes." Luigi said. "And as a bonus, I'll let you keep whatever you want that we find searching through the mastermind's base or castle, wherever that is."

Waluigi pondered for a little while longer until he looked at Luigi. "Okay. Count me in." He said. "We'll call it a truce for now."

Luigi smirked. "Great. My team is now complete. Let's get going. The rest of the gang's waiting at my mansion."

Waluigi's eyes bulged. "Since when did you get a mansion?"

(Luigi's Mansion)

E. Gadd, Melody, Sonar, Fice T, Goombaria and Waluigi stood in a room in the basement, listening to what Luigi had to say.

"Now, what do you guys impose we do? We have no clue where to start looking." Luigi said.

"Well, we could always search around just outside Toad Town." Goombaria suggested. "The first boss is usually around the starting point in video games."

Waluigi smacked his hand against his forehead.

"You know what? That's actually not a bad idea." Luigi replied.

"Wait a minute." E. Gadd said as he walked over to Luigi, made him bend over and whispered something into his ear.

Luigi's eyes widened. "Good grief! I forgot about that!" He said.

Turning around, Luigi charged back upstairs, leaving the rest of the team standing in silence.

Goombaria was the one who broke the silence, turning to Sonar. "Read any good books lately?"

A few minutes passed. Suddenly, Luigi came rushing back downstairs, clutching a pair of gloves.

"Melody," Luigi said, looking at the former ghost. "I've got something that you can use."

"Really?" Melody asked. "What is it?"

"Here. Catch." Luigi said, tossing the gloves at Melody, who caught them easily.

Melody stared at the gloves strangely. "What do these gloves do?"

"Mario used those on our last adventure." Luigi explained. "They're called the Firebrand."

"Yeah, but what do they do?" Melody asked as she slid the gloves on. As soon as they were on, Melody felt a strange energy going through her hands.

"They allow you to create fire." Luigi explained. He held up one of his hands, creating a small ball of electricity. "I have my own, only it creates lightning." He said. "Mario didn't want his Firebrand because he could already do that whenever he picked up a Fire Flower."

Melody stared at Luigi, wide eyed, until staring at her gloved hand. She concentrated on it, and quicker than she thought, a ball of fire lit up in her hand.

"Wow!" She said in awe. She clenched her hand, extinguishing the flame.

"Okay. We're all ready." Luigi explained. "Let's go!"