15
"The question is how do we get up to it?" Luigi asked.
"That's a good question." Mario said, as both of them focused their attention upwards at the Crystal Star.
"Well, we can't climb up the rocks." Luigi said. "They're too steep."
"Let me try!" Mario said.
Luigi watched as his brother attempted to climb the rocks. He did manage to make it up a few feet, but ultimately found himself sliding back down to the bottom. Mario was frustrated.
"Damn! That is steep!" he said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Well, duh." Luigi said. "Isn't that what I just told you? Look at it! There's no way for either of us to get up that tall rock! It's practically vertical!"
"Yes! I get it!" Mario said furiously.
You could've just listened to me! Luigi thought, looking at his brother with a teasing expression. Mario just glared back.
"I don't see you attempting any of this!" he said. "I had to do it to escape death!"
"Hold on!" Luigi said. "I think I know what to do. Look around you and tell me what you see."
"All I see are giant diamonds on the cave walls." Mario said. "What could they possibly be used for?"
"Just look." Luigi said. "You might feel stupid when you realize it."
Mario looked up at the giant diamond structures, but did not quite understand what Luigi was trying to tell him. He could not see how they would help them reach the top.
"I hope you're good at long-jumping." Luigi said.
"Wait a minute!" Mario said, looking up at the diamond structures again. He suddenly realized that each of them had flat tops.
"Are you saying that we have to jump across each of those outcrops in order to get the star?" Mario asked. "They look like they're too far apart."
"What other options do we have?" Luigi asked. "There's really nothing else we can do."
"But then how do we get to the top of the giant rock structure if the diamond platforms are too far away from it?" Mario asked.
"There are some dead piranha plant roots hanging from the ceiling." Luigi said. "We just have to swing across…without falling."
"I've already had to do that once." Mario said. "But not high up like that!"
Luigi looked up at the dangling plant roots and gulped. His life was definitely in danger now. Of all the athletic events he attended, Luigi somehow always struggled with rope swinging. If he was to fail now, there would be no second chance, and Mario would have to go on without him. He became extremely tense.
"Well? Are you going to lead the way?" Mario asked.
"Yes." Luigi said reluctantly. "I think that's a good idea."
Luigi directed Mario's attention toward a low diamond formation near the entrance and climbed onto it. Mario followed and waited for Luigi to jump to the next 'platform'.
"Come one, Luigi!" Mario said. "I know you can do this!"
"I'm scared of heights!" Luigi said.
"Luigi!" Mario yelled. "You're only a few feet off the ground! How could you, of all people, be afraid of just a few measly feet?!"
"There's hardly any room to walk!" Luigi said. "It's almost impossible to do a running jump!"
"You can do it!" Mario said. "I've seen you back at the gym."
"Fine, I'll do it!" Luigi said.
Luigi readied himself and examined the platform in front of him. He then jumped towards the ledge and managed to grab the edge of the next diamond platform, but suddenly found himself struggling to get up.
"HELP!" Luigi cried.
"Pull yourself up!" Mario called out from behind. "Remember the pull-up bar? Think about that!"
After Luigi heard his brother's comment, he suddenly gained more energy and climbed on top of the diamond platform. He wiped the sweat from his face and sighed in relief. Looking back, he saw that Mario already found his way onto the first giant diamond.
"Excellent, bro!" Mario said. "The rest should be easy!"
Luigi looked ahead and saw that the diamonds on the cave walls were getting higher up ahead. The gaps between them were also smaller, but challenging nonetheless.
"It's not as easy as it looks!" Luigi said.
"Don't worry, Luigi. I've got your back." Mario said as he watched Luigi pick something up from the platform.
"Here, Mario! Catch!" Luigi said, tossing his brother a chunk of loose diamond. Mario caught it and gave Luigi a strange look.
"Why are you giving me this?" Mario asked.
"It's a gift for Peach!" Luigi said. "Give it to her when you see her again!"
Mario looked at the diamond chunk and immediately thought of the diamond gift Luigi had given Daisy a few years back. It brought a smile to his face, but at the same time, he had an envious thought on his mind; for the first time, Mario felt inferior to Luigi when it came to the subject of maintaining a relationship with a woman.
Luigi really has grown up. Mario thought, starring into the diamond with teary eyes. He grew up too fast... I grew up too fast... We both grew up too fast!
"Are you coming, Mario?" Luigi asked.
Mario looked up at Luigi with tears running down his face.
"Is something wrong, brother?" Luigi asked. "You don't look too happy."
"No. No." Mario said. "Nothing's wrong. I'll catch up to you in a moment."
"Okay." Luigi said.
Mario starred into the diamond again and envisioned a bright future with Princess Peach. He wanted to be with her again and wanted to start a new life with her. He wanted to start a family with her and work a full-time job making hefty amounts of gold coins. But more importantly, Mario wanted to keep her safe and happy.
As tears continued running down Mario's face, one managed to land on the diamond in his hands. He wiped it off and wiped his face before he put the diamond inside the rucksack on his back. Mario then looked up ahead and saw that Luigi was already on the next platform. He jumped and grabbed the second platform before climbing up onto it.
"I'm coming, Luigi!" Mario called out. "Wait up!"