Chapter 2: Negative Zone

"You'd think that since you rescue the princess virtually every day, you'd be practically dating her by now!" Luigi teased.

"Hey!" Mario blushed. "Nothing like that… besides… I got my eyes set on a beauty already."

"Yeah… Pauline. Look bro, I don't want to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but… I don't know about that girl."

"Yeah, yeah. That's what you keep implying…" Mario left.

"What's the point? He isn't going to listen to his kid brother…"

"Let me guess… Pauline was mean…"

"Very much so. Pauline was a spoiled, snobby girl who only liked Mario for his fame."

"Wow… So Luigi was right, but Mario didn't even listen!"

"Not exactly… watch what happens here next…"

"Mario, what's the matter?" Pauline grinned. "I bet you're exhausted from work."

"Nah, not too bad today. It seems that Bowser just gets easier and easier to defeat! Ha, ha!" Mario laughed joyously.

"So, Mario… you want to take a walk?"

"Sure, why not?"

"And they did take a walk… but guess what… Mario was watching Pauline in a new light… he wanted to see past his blind love into what his brother was seeing in her. And, he found it."

"So they broke up?"

"Sure did. Best thing that Mario could ever do! And he did end up with the princess."

"What about Luigi? Didn't he ever find love?"

"For awhile, no. But that was until he met Daisy."

"Gh-Ghosts?" Luigi shivered. "I am not going where there are any ghosts! Mario, you know I'm afraid of ghosts!"

"Luigi, you're afraid of everything…" Mario sighed. "Come on…"

"N-No way!"

"You don't care about saving the princess?"

"You do it on your own most of the time anyway, Mario…"

"Oh, fine…"

As Mario walked in, Luigi felt someone crash into him. "Oh, 'scuse me!" she jumped up in a hurry, her round brown eyes shining. "Pardon me, mister! I'm dreadfully sorry!"

"It's alright." Luigi looked at the girl. "What are you doing outside a…gulp…ghost house?"

"Saving my friend!" the girl crossed her arms. "You know, I was just sitting with my friend in her castle, minding our own dang business, and here comes this giant boo!"

Luigi held back his urge to shiver again. "Um… I don't think that's any place for—"

"Don't you say it, greenie!" the girl pointed and narrowed her eyes. She perked up suddenly. "What's your name anyway?"

"Uh… Luigi…"

"Cool beans! My name's Daisy! Now don't you go forgetting it!" And with that, she ran right into the haunted house.

"She's crazy…" Luigi bit his lip. He took one step, two steps, three steps, until he finally stepped into the ghost house. "I'll make sure she… doesn't get into any… trouble…"

"So what happened, Rosalina?"

"Luigi went in, only to witness Daisy and Mario fighting for the princess. They were fighting King Boo, who Luigi was too petrified to approach. Unfortunately, Luigi was seen by Daisy. And he was embarrassed for the rest of his days about how that girl saw him that day."

"Oh, no… but… don't they end up together?"

"Yes, they start becoming quite the couple. Daisy loved Luigi for his sensitive side, and Luigi loved Daisy for her energy and optimism… and tomboy-like behavior. They adored each other."

"Well that's good! Once people find love… they find purpose… don't they, Rosalina?"

"Not for Luigi… for the battles were getting fiercer and it was as if he were getting more timid… until finally…"

"I want to do something… go somewhere… can't you see it?" Luigi was talking to Daisy.

"You mean, on an adventure? You've been on some adventures!" Daisy reminded him.

"I know… it's just… I've never really… been a hero… like Mario… I wish…"

"Now pay attention here, Luma. To his wish…"

"I wanna be a great plumber… like my brother Mario."

"Luigi… there's more to life than plumbering and heroics…"

"You don't understand… I… nevermind." Luigi left.

Daisy sighed. "Oh, Luigi. Don't you see? I'll love you forever, no matter what you do."

"She speaks wisely, you know. She knew Luigi's purpose. It was not to be a hero, but to always be there for his friends and family… Daisy… Toad and Toadette… and Mario."

"Do they know it?"

"They most certainly do. They appreciate his company."

"Do they show it?"

"No… and that's why Luigi is so negative…"

"Hey Luigi, where are you going?" Toad bounded beside him.

"Yeah, where?" Toadette followed on the other side.

"I don't know… somewhere… out there…" Luigi gazed out before him.

"You're leaving us?"

"You guys don't need me."

"Sure we do, Luigi!" Toad grasped his hand.

"No!" Luigi pulled it away. "I'm nothing to this world, and I need to… I need to do something with my life!" And he ran off, faster than Toad and Toadette could catch up to him.

"Luigi, no!" they both called. But it was too late.

"No, he never found adventure, not anymore than he already had. And his brother continued his fame."

"No wonder Luigi feels like he isn't needed."

"Well, well, if it isn't the green one." Bowser growled as Luigi stared in fear. Bowser raised his claw. "I'll teach you and that stupid brother of yours!"

"Don't be talking about my brother like that!" Luigi faked courage.

Bowser's claw came down and scratched Luigi's left arm. He cried out in pain. "Don't go bothering me now as I capture the princess!"

"Don't worry… It's not like I'm the one that will stop you…"

"Now, little Luma, you must help this lost man."

"Alright! I'll do my best!"

"What's the point?" Luigi cried out. "No one needs me! No one cares!"

"What makes you think that, Master Luigi?" the small Luma descended to him.

"Ah!" Luigi was startled. "A Luma? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to grant some wishes!"

"Wishes? So where have you been all these years? I wished to be a great plumber… like Mario. Where were you then?"

"You have your own purpose, Master Luigi!"

"What are you talking about? I'm nothing but an insignificant speck in the shadow of my older brother… That's all I'll ever be… I'm pointless…"

"Pointless, you say? Do you mean to say you don't matter in this world?"

"Yeah. I don't. If I never existed… things wouldn't be any different…"

"You really think so, Master Luigi?"

"Yeah…"

"Then I'll have to show you what really changes…"