"The two shades of green."

Chapter 17

"A way to bring him back."

It was magnificent to Mario how the room he was in, filled with all kinds of beeping electronic devices monitoring his heath, could feel so utterly empty at the same time.

It didn't make sense for him to feel that way.

But, to be fair, nothing really does anymore.

The fact that he is in the state he's in, didn't make sense.

The fact that Peach still had so much faith in him after everything he's done, didn't make sense.

The fact that he wasn't able to save the day that one time, when he did it so easily so many other times in the past, didn't make sense.

The fact that this nightmare seemed to have no end, didn't make sense...

He allowed himself to believe that one day he'll wake up and Luigi will be right beside him again, smiling, his eyes as bright and happy as ever.

Because, with everything being so lacking of sense and logic, this couldn't be anything more than a demented dream.

A nightmare born from his guilt, shame and his immense desire to be punished.

One day, when he finally pays triple for every minute of pain his little brother felt because of him and his actions, his eyes will open again and he will be met with a worried and disheveled looking Luigi, sitting by his side.

His beloved little brother will then erupt in happy tears and embrace him tightly, muttering how he was scared half to death that he'll never wake up again.

And Mario would return the hug with all his strength, breathing in the familiar scent of his brother like a drowning man would air. He'd press his ear to Luigi's chest and simply listen to his Pure Heart beating against his earlobe. He would insist on them staying in this position for a prolonged period of time, despite his little brother insisting he go see a doctor, not wanting the sensation of having his little brother perfectly alive and safe in his arms, to end.

Having his brother back… without him being replaced by that damned side effect of Nastasia's hypnosis… would break open the dam.

Mario would bawl into Luigi's shoulder, hugging him tighter than he ever had before out of fear that, if he let go for so much a second, those beautiful blue eyes would fade into the silver orbs of a dead man.

His baby brother, bless him, would get concerned by his abrupt show of emotion and ask if there is anything he can do to help.

Mario would then laugh the first genuine laugh ever since the nightmare began, kiss his magnificent sibling on the forehead and tell him to simply be himself.

That's all he wants.

For Luigi to be himself.

The hero of the Mushroom Kingdom could feel tears tickle down the sides of his cheeks, and wished he could hide his eyes in his hands.

'Grambi…' He thought, choking down the sob trying to force its way through his throat. 'Please let there be a way to bring him back…'

'I can't bear looking at that familiar face and seeing a stranger staring back at me…'

'Please… Please, he can't be gone for good.'

For him to be so close… so close… and yet so far…

It was ripping the red clad plumber apart.

A broken sob escaped his throat and his chest hurt from all the pent up cries he tried to suppress.

'Please… please…' He cried quietly, not wanting to disturb anyone. 'I just want my baby brother back…'

'There has to be a way to fix this.' The elder hero thought, half determined half desperate. 'There always is! We… we just have to search the archives! This… Luigi can't possibly be the only one who faced this type of situation! There… there must be a way.'

Oh, there is.

Mario froze.

The voice came back.

As quiet and raspy as ever.

He wondered why it never said anything when he had visitors…

He wondered if the others could even hear it.

He prayed they didn't.

'…What?'

There is a way to bring your beloved baby brother back, hero. It whispered quietly, sounding both far and near him at the same time. Only you won't like it.

'I… I don't care!' He was well beyond being picky regarding the possible methods. What mattered is whether or not they work. 'It doesn't matter what it is, I'll do it!'

Anything to make this nightmare finally end.

Don't be so quick to make promises you can't keep. It hissed into his ear sounding scolding. You might not be able to forgive yourself.

'Quit stalling!' The red clad hero was losing his patience. 'I don't care what it will do to me! If doing it would bring Luigi back, I'd gladly sacrifice my own life!' He then gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. 'Now stop those delaying tactics and tell. Me. What. To. Do!'

There was nothing for a good few minutes afterwards, the only sound heard being Mario's ragged breathing echoing through the dark infirmary.

He was beginning to fear that it left him again when its wheezing voice once again filled his ears.

Mario, Mario, Mario… It sounded as if it was shaking its head in disappointment, and the red favoring hero noticed it was the first time since their previous conversation that it called him something other than 'Hero'. Have you learned nothing from your brother's fall? At that moment the strapped hero wished the voice had a body to go with it, so he could punch it in the face. One would think that would teach you to listen more to what others have to say.

'Nothing you say will change my mind.' Mario might not have been in his peak physical condition at that moment, but he was as stubborn as ever. Perhaps even more so.

Even if I told you, you'd have to beat him to get what you want?

The elder brother's blood went cold and his throat instantly became dry.

There was no way he-there was no way the voice just said what he thought it did!

'What are you-'

I warned you, Mario. It said gravely. You're not going to like what I'm going to say next.

The bound man's head was spinning and he felt like throwing up with every word the voice whispered.

Think with me, Hero. It ordered, the sound of its voice moving back and front between his ears to imitate a human pacing. The only way Mr.L will ever willingly become your brother again, will be when he's forced into that role. And what is the one emotion that is most commonly associated with dear little Luigi?

'Fear.' Mario thought between the ragged breaths he took to calm his raging stomach. 'It's fear.'

That's right. The 'pacing' stopped. You know Mr.L was never afraid of you, not even when you nearly killed him during the hunt from the Pure Hearts. It is not within his nature to fear his enemy, no matter how strong he is.

Mario feelt simultaneously sick and lightheaded, as if his brain couldn't decide whether it wanted to faint or throw up.

So you see, Hero… It tried to sound sympathetic but the scratchiness in its tone ruined the effect. In order for him to slip into your little brother's persona, you'll have to give him a reason to fear you.

Mario's brain finally decided on passing out but not before hearing the voice one last time.

And there is nothing more fear-inducing than pain.


JulieArchery107: Welp…that went dark. Sorry for the long wait!