Chapter 12: The looking glass

Bowser, Mimi, and Tippi have arrived back at Merlon's house to ask for anything that might aid them in seeing hidden things.

"Hmm, I may have just the thing that could help." Merlon said, looking through some drawers. "Ah, here it is."

Merlon had pulled out a regular looking magnifying glass.

"We're looking for hidden objects, not microscopic objects." Bowser said.

"Maybe if you'd give me a chance to explain." Merlon began. "Anyways, this magnifying glass will give the person who looks through it the ability to see hidden things. It is like Tippi's locate ability except more powerful."

"That's pretty neat." Mimi said. "And you just keep something like that for things like this?"

Merlon nodded. "Of course, you never know when you might need it."

"What would happen if Tippi uses her ability through the magnifying glass?" Mimi asked.

"The hidden object would be shown for all to see." Merlon responded.

"Thanks Merlon." Mimi said.

The three of them left Merlon's house and they headed back to Castle Bleck to reveal whatever was hiding from them.

Castle Bleck

Luigi was kicked in his stomach and fell to the floor on his back. He quickly picked himself up.

"You won last time because of your fire burst." Mr. L said as he grabbed Luigi by his neck and slowly lifted him in the air. "But not this time!"

'I can't lose here!' Luigi thought, trying to loosen Mr. L's grip.

Luigi's eyes began to glow yellow and he broke free from Mr. L's grasp. Before Mr. L could react, Luigi punched Mr. L in the stomach with such tremendous force that Mr. L was sent flying and fell down to the ground, knocked out cold.

Luigi's glowing eyes faded and he fell to his knees in great pain.

"What's… happening?" Luigi asked.

"Ahahaha!" Dimentio laughed as Luigi screamed in pain. "Your screams match those who are having their city destroyed by a monster. It's truly a beautiful sound."

"But… didn't I win?!" Luigi asked.

"Of course you did." Dimentio responded. "You won with the help of the fragment of me I implanted in you, which is also your final trial."

"What are you… saying?!" Luigi yelled.

The pain was becoming too great; Luigi was losing touch with his body.

"Haven't you noticed that most of these trials were all physical?" Dimentio asked.

Luigi had stopped moving and was locked in place on the floor, though he was still alive.

"Then, that means…" Luigi began.

"Yes." Dimentio said. "These trials' purposes were to enhance your physical abilities to be worthy to host my mind."

"I thought you'd said I'd be free if I completed the trials!" Luigi yelled.

"And I am keeping that promise if you survive and keep your mind inside your body." Dimentio stated.

Dimentio placed his right hand on Luigi's head. "Prepare yourself, Man in Green."

Dimentio bridged their minds together. There was now a battle between the two, mentally.

Castle Bleck: different hallway

"Are we there yet?" Mimi asked in a bored tone.

"No." Bowser and Tippi said in unison.

After five times of answering the same question, they arrived at the door leading to the next hallway. They entered through the door and bowser looked through the magnifying glass. As he looked through, he was shocked to see Dimentio, Luigi, and Mr. L.

"Tippi, use your power quickly!" Bowser demanded.

"Right." Tippi said, using her ability through the glass, revealing everyone in the hallway.

"W-what's going on?!" Mimi asked.

"Yeah." Bowser said. "Why are there two Lugis?"

Tippi and Mimi went up to Dimentio and Luigi and began to examine the two.

"They look like they're in a trance." Tippi stated with a worried tone.

Luigi's mind

"Ah, now this is the life." Luigi said, taking a sip of his strawberry and banana smoothie. "The sun is shining; Daisy and I are relaxing on some beach chairs with some ice cold drinks. Man, how could Isle Delfino get any better?"

"So, this is what you want most of all, isn't it?" Dimentio asked, standing next to Luigi. "The perfect place with the perfect person."

"Who could ask for more?" Luigi asked. "Your trials made me realize how important my life is. I'm not about to lose everything to you."

Luigi stood up.

Dimentio smiled. "Well, let's just see how this plays out then."