Chapter Five

There were three memories that trickled to consiousness as soon as Mario heard those words. The first had been a random memory from childhood; childishly fighting over a Sacajawea dollar that was found in the brickyard. The second was in Mario's prime, where he had broken his leg playing 1-on-1 with his brother. The final comes to mind years later when Mario had seen his sibling last. Luigi had slammed the door in Mario's face after a simple argument. Mario had remembered every feature on that angry head; from the simple black mustache to those dark green eyes which gave the most unpleasant look at the time. Mario cherished this final memory he had of Luigi. There was immense pain and regret to think that this is the way that Mario acted; not knowing this is the final contact that he would ever have with his own flesh and blood.

Soon, Mario came out of a trance seconds later after Grey's last statement, only to realize that the last memory Mario had had of his brother was the one that Grey had witnessed.

"Luigi... he's alive?" Asked Mario with full intent on finding him. "I must know where he is."

Grey replied with sadness. "I brought him here into this world when he supposedly died that day. However, he has fallen into the hands of our enemies. His whereabouts are unknown."

Mario had almost fallen to the ground in disbelief. "Why do you toy with me like this?"

Grey tried to comfort Mario. "Your brother is still alive. I can sense his presence, but this is all. If you wish to recover him, you must go to the Encampment of Corruption."

"With just my fists?" Questioned Mario, who was determined to go, though challenged by his lack of weaponry. "Do you have something else around that corner that can help me out?"

The mushroom shook his head. "I have nothing else that may be of assistance to you. However, there are some things along the way. Head west towards the Encampment and you will find a thick tall tree. At the base of that tree, there is an oddly colored patch of soil. It will be up to you to figure things out from there. If we see each other again, I will tell you more about this land."

Mario felt more confident than ever, aside from Grey's last statement. Mario was determined to find and solve the mystery if he hopes to survive, and if he hopes to save Luigi. As he prepared himself for his perilous journey, he thought to himself. Thoughts of uncertianty and uncontrollable amounts of fear rolled through his mind. "How am I supposed to take in all this information from a crazy mushroom?" He thought. "I'd do anything for my brother... though I didn't think I'd be doing this."

Mario, finally ready for his journey, gave a salute to the stunted fungus and started off heading west. He looked on, then around his person, then up at the sky. Colored a brown-stained green, he saw no sun, yet it was as bright as dusk. Mist and dust choked the poorly lit atmosphere. His healed wounds no longer brought forth pain, and all that was left was ripped, blood-stained clothing. As he walked, he continued contemplating what was taking place before him.

Before he knew it, Mario had already traveled the length of 8 miles. Being from Brooklyn, and not able to afford a personal vehicle, walking was natural to him. However, fatigue was beginning to set in. After another four miles or so, Mario stopped and looked up from the water depravated desert. Among the light mist, he spotted a pointy object towering into the sky. As he got closer, he realized that this was the huge tree that was mentioned.

As he corrected his direction, he came upon a strange mound in the ground, which changed a deep crimson color on the surface towards the top. Earth covered the thing halfway up the side, which was bare and had a thorny surface. It was round and bulged about 3 feet from the surface. Judging from his environment, Mario tried to steer clear of the potentially dangerous situation. His efforts were in vain as he passed to the left. The bulge exploded into motion, throwing forth a giant cloud of dust. Harsh screams bellowed from the center of the dust cloud. Before the dust could settle, a large, four-legged creature charged Mario. He was able to dodge, and prepare for what has come next. He noticed it had a neck that curved forward and a beak that could crush just about anything. As it began to approach, he palmed his wrench. When it neared, he swiftly parried the attack, smacking the thing on its hard back. Immediately, the massive quadriped stopped and pulled the wrench out of Mario's hands, chopping the one inch shaft of steel in two. He knew then that he needed a different strategy. After nimbly dodging a couple more charges, Mario made his way to a rocky hill where he hopes he could gain the advantage. Foolishly, the thing followed, where it was hit by a barrage of rocks and was sent flying down the hill. It had retreated to its impenetrable shell, no longer a threat to Mario. He climbed down from the pile of boulders and continued on, leaving the wrench he once was able to weild.

Upon arriving to the towering wood, he inspected the ground at the base. He quickly found a discolored patch of soil. He then wondered what to do about this, seeing as something was definitely strange about this place. He decided to rest, and think upon it. He found a good place to sit, in between two roots, where the surrounding soil has become soft. After a good hour, he finally had a feasible solution to the problem at hand.

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