Set Fire to the Rain
"I should've just come out and said it," said Mario. "Why didn't I?"
"M, stop beating yourself up over it," said Link. "You did what any sibling would've done—try to shield him from a harsh blow."
"But I didn't! I said that he was ranked low, but not that he was in last place! It didn't make it less painful."
"At least you didn't outright lie to him," consoled Link. "You only left out certain details. Look, I'm not judging you. I know why you couldn't shatter his hopes like that. On the first day, he was so eager and confident and full of life…"
"…and now this," finished Mario, taking another sip of his drink. "These stupid gamers dropped him to the bottom like worthless trash, and it hurt his morale! It—it made him remember that he was in my shadow. Just when he claws his way out—they throw him back in."
"How is he?" asked Link.
"He's doing okay." Mario dropped his eyes. "He knows that I lied, though."
"And?"
"He told me that he wasn't angry—but I know better," said Mario. "I just bet he's anticipating our next rendezvous on the battlefield."
"You two are the best brothers I've ever known," Link said encouragingly. "You'll be fine."
"I just want him to know that I did it to protect him," Mario said softly. "I didn't want to torture him by keeping his ranking a secret."
"I think he knows why you did it," said Link. "He probably just has a hard time grasping that you did it."
"Yeah. Maybe."
"Look on the bright side, though," smiles Link. "You two are brothers, for better or worse. He loves you to death. I see it. And given a little time, he'll work past this. I guarantee it."
"Wow, maybe you should have the Triforce of Wisdom," joked Mario.
Link blushed. "I'm known more for my courage," he explained, "but thank you."
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Flashback
"Bro, I need to tell you something."
"Sure, Mario. What is it?"
"I—um—I sneaked a peek at the tier list, you know, to view my rankings. But then I saw yours."
"And where did they put me?"
"There's not an easy way to put this, but—you were placed very low. I'm so sorry. I know you came here to make something of yourself."
"Why am I not surprised? After all, I'm just the second player, always in your shadow! I—could use a stiff drink right now."
"I'll join you."
"Th-thanks, Mario."
End flashback
The room was empty, save for Luigi and the Polygon. There was no escape for the 3-D humanoid as Luigi's angry blows thudded into its stout frame. The plumber's cries bounced off the walls of the Training Room as he trumped his sparring partner's defenses over and over. Sweat flew off his face, yet he continued to concentrate his emotions on the Polygon, impeding its attempts to take an offensive stance. He had to show everyone that the suits at Nintendo had made a grave mistake.
It had been hours since he saw the list. Hours since he saw his poor ranking. And hours since his own brother lied to him about it. He said he was ranked low, but he didn't say he was last!
The unflinching truth had brought him to his knees, and Mario had rushed over. Yet he couldn't look at him. He knew what he had done. Luigi had drilled his stare into his elder brother until he was forced to look him in the eyes and confess.
"I—wanted to tell you," he'd muttered, like that was an excuse.
"I know," Luigi had responded curtly. At least he tried to prepare him; he couldn't rule that out. But he'd kept an important fact from him—the fact that he was now considered the worst fighter in the tournament! Oh—he was going to make sure Mario remembered this lie by omission. They had a matchup scheduled for later that afternoon, and Luigi was going to make good use of it, if you know what I mean.
Still, Luigi had accepted Mario's embrace, wanting his comforting arms despite his fib.
"I don't care what that thing says—you're as much of a hero as me!" declared Mario.
Luigi couldn't help but smile at that.
That was hours ago. Now, he was destroying a Polygon, imagining that it was one of two certain A-tiers thumbing his nose up at him, or a maker of that list—or that secret-keeping, fame-hogging big brother of his. Stars, why did he get all the fame?
Luigi yelled something without words and offered the Polygon one last smashing blow. The Polygon was now sagged against a wall, recovering from the beatdown. It muttered something under its breath before limping out of the room, leaving the plumber to his own devices. His body was trembling, his breathing ragged. His spar with the Polygon hadn't exhausted his energy. There was so much anger toward different people. There were so many questions in his head. Why was he last? Why can't he emerge from the shadows? Why didn't Mario just say he was last? Why were certain Smashers too good for him now?
He needed a raw, powerful release.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Luigi saw Mario standing there, a warm smile on his face.
"Hey, Bro. How's it going?" asked Luigi.
"Good, I guess. And you?"
Luigi shrugs. "It's as good as it gets, thanks for asking."
Mario strides towards his brother. "Look," he says. "I know I should've told you that you were in last place. But I didn't want to be the one to take away your happiness."
"I know."
"I just wanted it to hurt less."
"Well, it didn't." Direct, matter-of-fact.
"Walking to your room, I was prepared to tell you. I was thinking of a way to gently break it to you. But then I saw you, dancing to your songs on the stereo, and I just—couldn't."
"Hm. Very kind of you."
"I should've, though."
"Yes, you should've."
"L—don't hate me."
Luigi strode closer to his big bro. "I don't."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely positive."
"Can you ever forgive me?"
Luigi blinks. "We'll see."
First, however—a spar to get the last of this out of his system.
Please R&R.
