~Luigi's POV~
I woke the next morning, the sun hitting my face like a laser beam. The soft magenta covers were draped off the side as I snuggled in.
Wait...magenta?
I sat up, looking down at the bed. This wasn't the room Lupin gave me. I looked around, seeing some photos of Serenity with her friends, meaning only one thing.
I looked to my left, seeing an empty divet in the bed. She must have woken up before me. And that wasn't the only clue I got since I also heard the shower going. I was half-tempted to go in there as well but decided to get up and get dressed instead. We had a busy day ahead of us. Going back to Evershade Valley got my nerves going. But it also got me excited.
I hadn't seen Elvin since the Dark Moon was shattered. It was going to be nice to see him. But...knowing I couldn't, it filled me with dread. Knowing I couldn't go up to his lab for a quick chat filled me with sorrow.
I was a villain now. I was a darkened soul. I couldn't go anywhere near my friends from the past anymore. I couldn't reach out to Daisy to tell her I was okay, or to Peach to tell her to take care of my brother after their wedding.
I couldn't even contact Mario.
Did I want to be evil after all? Did I want this path to be right? Or did I just want to show Mario how it felt to be the shadow child? I don't know.
But what I did know...is I found true love with Serenity.
To her, this could have been just a one-time thing, but to me...I don't know. It felt like something more. It felt like she returned my unsaid feelings. Feelings that my heart was still trying to grasp. Feelings that confused the living hell out of me.
But I didn't care.
I was happy...I guess.
I took a deep breath before throwing on my leather jacket and leaving a note for Serenity on the bed, telling her I went outside for some fresh air and that I should be back shortly.
Then I left the house.
~Peach's POV~
"5 weeks, Peach! And still no sign of him?!" Mario yelled from the mirror, trying to get his princely suit fitted for our wedding...and his crown. "Where could he be?!"
"I don't know, hon," I said, walking forward with my cloak and ankle boots on. I was still wearing my usual pink gown. "The search party has looked everywhere. Boo Woods, Evershade Valley, even BeanBean Kingdom, and Sarasaland. He hasn't been spotted anywhere."
"I'm worried," Mario said, fear entering his eyes. "What if the Dark Tribe got to him? What if-?"
"Stop it right there," I said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "He's not dead. I can feel it in my gut that he's alive and okay. I mean, did you see that energy he blasted out?"
"I can't UNsee it," Mario sighed. "Where did that come from? He never had dark energy like that before."
"Maybe from being in your shadow for so long, his soul grew dark, taking his powers with him," I explained. "I mean, you always running off and making him stay behind hasn't really helped him much." Mario looked at me, confused, making me sigh in defeat.
"Forget it," I said, walking away. "You don't get it."
"Wait, are you saying I'm to blame for his powers being like this?" Mario asked as I opened the door. I looked at him, my eyes emotionless with my own worry.
"Babe," I began, "that's exactly what I'm saying."
And then I left the castle.
I walked through the brush of the Dark Forest, looking around for any signs of life here. I knew the Dark Tribe resided in here and if Mario's worries were correct, then may Luigi ran in here to get away and to never be found.
I took a few steps, the crunching leaves under my boots sent shivers up my spine. My eyes spotting darkened bark made me think of the fire that came through here many eons ago. I was glad to hear that no one was hurt. I was glad the Dark Tribe didn't get hurt. They may have been a group of villains, but the leader...I still considered her a friend, a best friend. Though she cut me out of her life once she learned who her mother was, I didn't care. If she ever disowned her mother's teachings, I would always welcome her with open arms.
Always.
I took a few more steps, being mindful not to run into any of the Dark Tribe before a twig snapped behind me. I spun around, my eyes snapping wide as I stared in shock. A shirt of green under a black leather jacket was wincing at the sound. Though I don't think he noticed me.
"Luigi?" I said, making his eyes graze mine before they widened.
(SONG: "I Know Those Eyes/This Man Is Dead" - The Count of Monte Cristo) [Semi-lyric change]
PEACH: My God, my heart beats faster/and my mind is racing./Could it be?/Could it be that you've come back to life?
He looked at me, fear in his eyes as he stood there in shock. But not soon after did they grow cold.
PEACH: I know those eyes/following me./Dark and familiar/and deep as the sea./I know that face/strange though it seems/younger and kinder/it haunts all my dreams./How can you stand there/a whisper from me?/Yet somehow be so far away?/In eyes once familiar/a stranger I see/with so many words left to say.
LUIGI: This man is dead/he is no more/he died a little each day./Like a thief/the mushroom kids/have stolen him away./The mind plays tricks/you are confused/the man you seek is long gone./Dead and cold/a story told/by those he trusted/those he loved/and those who then/moved on.
"Luigi, what are you-?"
"Don't play games, Peach!" Luigi yelled, making me jump out of fright. "I'm not the man I once was! I've changed! And here's hoping for my better...your detriment."
LUIGI: I am a ghost/(PEACH: There in that voice)/just a mirage/who chases
BOTH: Traces of you.
PEACH: Dark and familiar/and deep as the sea.
LUIGI: This man is dead/(PEACH: I know those eyes)/he is no more/and though it's.
BOTH: Torturing me./Can either of us really ever be free?/How can you stand there a whisper from me/when you are still so far away?/And why does the truth seem/too hard to be true?/With so much broken
LUIGI: And so much damage
BOTH: There are no words
LUIGI: Left to say.
In an instant, Luigi ran into the depths of the forest, leaving me behind, surprised.
"Luigi, wait!" I called, but he didn't stop or even listen.
(End of the song)
I watched as he disappeared, out of my sight for the second time. I was scared, seeing the hurt in his blue eyes and the anger in his face. I never saw him that angry before. I never saw him angry, period! It was a new side to him that frightened my core.
However, I did see his heart and soul, seeing that they weren't completely gone. Seeing that he still held a light to his heart that only Luigi Mario could handle. A light...that was brought on by love.
I knew what I had to do. I knew I couldn't keep this a secret, not from anyone.
I had to tell Mario.
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