A Sign of Four

The moon hovered hugely and ominously over the mansion Luigi called "home". In spite of the way he'd acquired it, he'd gradually grown fond of the place. Ten years ago, at Master Hand's request, Luigi had repurposed the mansion into a battle stage for Brawl, the Hand of Creation going gaga over his brilliant ideas. Ever since then, it had become a popular stage for sparring and casual play, and Luigi even hosted a few parties there. But now, Master Hand had a surprise waiting for him in this mansion. What was it?

A pair of glowing red eyes materializing across from him answered his question. Luigi snapped into a combat stance, his heart doing about fifty, as the red eyes unblinkingly scrutinized him. Three more pairs of unblinking, glowing red eyes came into view, silently watching the man in pink. They were like a quartet of cats hiding in the shadows, watching their prey, studying it, taunting it, waiting to pounce. This prey, however, was a tough customer. He stood straight and tall, fists raised, a little shakily, of course, but he didn't so much as whimper—he didn't give them anything. He fixed them with a steely, piercing stare, his mind flitting through the possible ways he could go into this fight. When faced with multiple opponents, he tended to fight more defensively, using fireballs to keep them from ganging up on him at once, and once one of them was in close enough range, he'd whale on them. Whoever these red-eyed creatures were, Luigi would deal with them in the same fashion.

Master Hand hovered over the combatants, well out of view, watching as Luigi stared his foes down. So far, he was keeping his cool. But then again, this was only the beginning.

"Ready…" he commanded. "GO!"

The lead pair of red eyes gave a signal, and the four opponents darted quietly toward Luigi. It was then that he recognized the quartet.

They were a group of Dark Toon Links.

However, this fact didn't make Luigi hesitate. He was already launching his fireballs at them, discouraging them from making a direct charge. The lead Dark Toon Link signaled again, and his three buddies scattered.

Luigi glanced up as a Dark Toon Link hopped onto a platform above him and pointed his sword downward, ready to stab. Seconds before the blow, Luigi acrobatically flipped backward, kicking his attacker in the face along the way. The lead Dark TL lunged, but Luigi was ready for him, too, aiming a side kick at his midsection. A third Dark TL ran up from behind and got in a slash to the back. Ignoring the pain, the man in pink speared his hand at the little sneak, launching him diagonally. He barely dodged two more slashes from the fourth Dark TL and nimbly leaped toward another platform on the stage, the quartet giving chase. Luigi, however, kept them at bay with a backwards kick.

The lead Dark TL pulled out a bomb and flung it at Luigi, but he leaped aside and jumped onto the roof of his mansion. Two Dark Toon Links waited for him there, and they didn't look happy. With a battle cry, they charged him. In contrast, Luigi moved quickly and quietly, dropping his body low to the hardwood floor and executing his signature breakdance kick, popping the duo high in the air. As they tumbled into the sky, Luigi followed them, continuing his offensive with his Cyclone move. The two were sent in different directions.

He didn't notice the Dark TL below him until it was too late. The opponent thrust his sword upwards, striking Luigi in the abdomen. The plumber reeled in the air, allowing the lead Dark TL to leap in and assail him with a flurry of sword strikes. But Luigi regained his bearings and threw his combo-breaking jump-kick, followed by a quick string of karate chops, finally sending him earthward with a downwards twirling kick.

The other three Dark Toon Links rushed over and helped their leader up.

"Enough of this!" cried the lead Dark TL. "Let's finish him!"

A small smile crossed Luigi's lips as the foursome glared at him. Before they could even react, he crouched down, built up his power, and propelled himself like a rocket right at them!

The result was instantaneous. Two Dark Toon Links were hurtled into the blast zone, leaving the lead Dark TL and his remaining teammate gasping for breath on the ground. But two were easier to deal with than four.

Both Dark Toon Links hopped to their feet, one of them hopping out of sight. Luigi managed to throw two fireballs before the lead Dark TL snagged him with his grappling hook. Smiling mischievously, the lead Dark TL pummeled Luigi several times with the hilt of his sword and then tossed him forward, where the other Dark TL hit him with a Bomb, several overhead slashes, and finally a downward stab before the two of them slammed him to the floor. Then, Luigi kicked both of them off their feet and retreated to the roof. It was time to try out his brand-spanking-new tether grab.

It was about time he'd gotten a tether grab. His grab range had been notoriously poor from Melee until the fourth tournament. He could tell you about all of the times he snatched at an opponent, only to grab air as said opponent leaped out of his reach just in time. It wasn't like most tether grabs—he couldn't snag onto the ledge with it, but it would have to do—for now.

Determinedly, Luigi brandished his new Poltergust G-00, a 35th anniversary present from his friend and mentor, Elvin Gadd. Taking careful aim, he fired a plunger at the lead Dark TL, pulling him close, and then slammed him backwards with all his might. As the lead Dark TL tumbled helplessly through the air, Luigi fired another plunger at the other Dark TL, but instead of tossing him backward, he aimed skyward before forcefully releasing the suction, launching his opponent upward. Luigi brilliantly followed up his attack with three flip kicks and finished with a spectacular fiery uppercut, the flash of red-orange illuminating the gloomy surroundings for a few seconds. The Dark TL wailed as he toppled into the distance and disappeared as a tiny star.

Which left the lead Dark TL to deal with.

Luigi dropped down to the middle platform, cautiously searching for his remaining foe. Suddenly, something hard struck him in the jaw, sending him stumbling into a wall. It was a boomerang!

With a loud yell, Dark Toon Link pounced on his still-recovering foe with a kick to the face, knocking him onto his back. Luigi kicked hard from the ground and managed to get to one knee before Dark Toon Link came in with a savage forward smash. The man in pink rolled away, threw a handful of fireballs and jumped clear of another slash. He managed to get in his three-hit neutral attack, giving him just enough breathing room to decide his next move. As Dark Toon Link came at him again, Luigi bounced and flipped about his mansion, dealing out swift, harsh aerial attacks as his foe continued to slash away. This game of cat and mouse went on for about two minutes, the "mouse" beginning to enjoy himself, licking his lips as he steadily built up the damage on the "cat" with his n-air, b-air, u-air, f-air and the occasional heavy punch on the ground. The "cat" began to get frustrated, growling at the "mouse" and slicing haphazardly with his sword. By the time Luigi figured out how to end the fight, his body was covered in slashes, along with large bruises where the boomerang managed to hit him. The Bombs left light burns on him, and those red eyes were nothing short of unnerving. But he was going to win.

Cartwheeling clear of a Bomb, Luigi flipped his limber yet aching body onto a platform, Dark Toon Link in hot pursuit. As Dark Toon Link hopped onto the platform, he raised his sword overhead, a crazed expression on his face. "I've got you now!" he giggled.

Luigi steadied his breathing. "No," he said. "You don't."

He clenched his fist, summoned his strength, and—

KRIIINNNGG!

Luigi sent his Super Jump Punch flying into Dark Toon Link, knocking him into the sky and bringing the battle to a satisfying end.

"GAME!"

The man in pink dropped onto his bottom, composing himself and tending to his wounds. Those Dark Toon Links did a very good job of being terrifying! If this was only the first stage, then what—or who—could be more terrifying?

He found himself silently answering his own question as his hand instinctively reached to his scar. For a second, he remembered the moaning wind and the cold, and—and the grinning skull and…

Luigi set his jaw. Now wasn't the time to think of such things. He survived that, and he could definitely survive this. Humming a familiar tune to himself, he stood to his feet, nodded to Master Hand, and followed him to the next stage.

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