Chapter Five: The Letter

-Mushroom Kingdom-

Mario dreaded the day that he would walk into his home. It had been several weeks since Luigi left and he had been hanging out at the castle in the guest room that was given to him, and as tempted as he was, he wanted to walk into the room next door, the one that was given to Luigi. But he knew it would be a bitter reminder that the kingdom that they both risked their necks for was so willing to shun Luigi at the first chance they get.

But now Mario knew that it was inevitable to return home, though he never wanted to step into this house again.

Slowly unlocking the door, Mario slowly pushed it open. He let out a sigh, as he wasn't welcomed by Luigi, just dust. He inched his way inside, on the wall it was decorated with photographs of himself and his brother, along with other familiar faces, including the citizens that they protected…faces that he honestly want to forget. Staring at the wall he located the ones that had him and Luigi in them. Mario thought back when these photographs were first hung up, Luigi spent so much time arranging them because he wanted to show off these wonderful memories.

Despite the ghost of his brothers' voice telling him not to touch his photographs; Mario couldn't help but to reach out to remove one of the photographs. He remembered this one well; it was when Luigi rescued him from King Boo the first time.

It was taken outside of the rusted gates, which was all that remained of the mansion. Luigi was covered in ash and sweat, his clothes ripped in some places after his big fight with the Bowser suit, the vacuum was long gone. Mario remembered Luigi being so happy to have that heavy machinery off of his back. The older brother didn't look as shaken up, but Mario remembered that being dragged through that machine had tugged on him. He went back to study the relief that was shining on his brothers face.

Flipping the photograph back he removed it from the frame to read the description on the back of the photo, which was in Luigis handwriting that read 'Mario and I in front of the old mansion' on the bottom was the date. Mario sighed again and sat down on the couch. Not wanting to turn on the television, knowing that his brother would be a hot subject to talk about on the news.

Suddenly he was cut from his train of thoughts from an unusual tapping in the kitchen. Mario got up and quickly discovered that the tapping was coming from the door that led to the back yard. Mario slowly approached it but was forced to answer when the tapping got more erratic. Opening it revealed a very nervous goomba with a letter in his mouth. Mario narrowed his eyes, ready to fight "who are you and how did you get back here?"

The goomba shook in fear, clearly nervous that he was in the mushroom territory and on the heroes' doorstep "I-I have a letter for you…"

Mario quickly reached down and took it, realizing that it only had his name written on it. Mario analyzed the letter "where did this come from…" he looks up to see that the goomba was gone, probably had ran out of fear.

Mario closed the door behind him, and sat down at the kitchen table, the letter still in hand. Reading his name again, he now realizes that it was written with very familiar handwriting "Luigi…" he whispered, and quickly opened it.

'Mario' it read 'please don't worry about me; I am in a very safe place. Things are going to be okay now. I hope that I will see you soon, bro. I love you. –Luigi'

Mario took another deep breath, flipping the page over; he realizes that there was nothing else on it, not even a hit to where he is hiding. Nevertheless a load of pressure was lifted from his chest, at least he is safe. But he couldn't help to wonder what he meant in the very short letter. Luigi was never the one to be all cryptic, but he figured if Luigi had said anything else, Mario would still have to worry about him.

To ease his mind, he convinced himself that Luigi will probably write again. Maybe then he would get the answers he needs. He adjusted his hat, it could be worse…at least he's not working for Bowser or something…

-Dark Lands-

"It is done…" the goomba bowed, slightly out of breath. Mr. L looks down at the small creature with a nod "good… you're dismissed, solider."

Watching the goomba quickly leave the room, he understood the risk the creature took on his behalf. But Mr. L understood that if he had sent a koopa to deliver his letter, Mario would feel like he had to fight or he is being lead into a trap.

"Giving your brother a heads up?" a voice behind him boomed, not startled Mr. L turned to his king "no… I only told him that he doesn't need to worry about me. Mario tends to worry and I only wanted to give him a piece of mind…" he trailed off, turning back to look out of the castle window. Bowser nodded, not needing to press it further "are you ready for tomorrow…?"

Mr. L sighed "hopefully…" the king chuckled "well, it's going to be a big day for you…so you need to rest." Bowser gestured where his chamber was "it would be embarrassing to make your first appearance with bags under your eyes."

The formal mushroom hero shook his head, looking back at the king "I know…I just hope things go well tomorrow…"

Bowser nodded, confidently "it will…"

Mr. L smiled at him, then turning to leave to his chambers "goodnight Bowser…" the king nodded with a small goodnight and the two went on their separate ways.

…

Mr. L quickly entered the chambers and locked the doors behind him with a sigh. Approaching the full-sized mirror he glared at his reflection, no longer seeing Luigi. Good. Luigi would never think of doing what he's going to do tomorrow. Luigi is a sniveling coward that would rater hide in his brothers' shadow. He is Mr. L now; he has to be Mr. L. Only the darker identity can achieve what he and the king had dreamed of achieving.

Out of curiosity, Mr. L reached behind his head to untie the mask. He had stopped looking in the mirror without it on, and he had forgotten what he looked like without it. Removing the mask, Mr. L notices that there were no changes, he was still Mr. L, inside and outside. He sighed in relief. He rather wear this new identity than his old one. As far as he is concerned, as long as Luigi is gone, he will be okay. That is all.

Staring into his reflection his eyes were hard, cold and calculating. Trying to push his true self deeper into his mind, Luigi has to be gone. He has too. He is too weak.

Slipping his mask on with a sigh of relief, that's better. Mr. L gave his reflection one last confident smile and prepared for bed. He has a big day after all, and he needs to be his best.

-Mushroom Kingdom, the following morning-

Mario was awakened with a start, groaning at the sudden loud, urgent pounding at the door. But then he recognized that knock. It might be one of the toads, something has to be wrong. He gasped.

"The princess!"

Mario ran to the door, and opened it. He was shocked that it was Peach "wha…what?!" he never seen her panic this much before, his stomach began to twist. Peach grabbed his shoulders.

"It's Daisy! She has been kidnapped!"

Mario was confused, but still startled "by who?!" Peach shook her head "We don't know! He was too fast."

Mario began to panic "so it can't be Bowser…do you think it Tatanga?" Peach frowned "no… the Sarsaland citizens and their king weren't affected. Daisy is the only one that is missing…"

He sighs, not letting himself think about who it might be, though knowing the harsh truth, deep inside "we'll figure out what is going on…"

-Dark Lands-

When she woke up, Daisy was shocked to find that she wasn't locked in some cage. Looking around she figured it was a small room with a large war map sitting on the table. Daisy also realized that she wasn't even tied to the chair. Though something inside kept her rooted in her spot. She only had gotten kidnapped once before, so she never would've dreamed of it happening to her again.

The large doors beside her suddenly creaked open and she gasped that it wasn't Bowser, or Tatanga or any baddie she could recognize. But a man, a human man, wearing a nicely tailored black suit and a matching mask. He confidently walked into the room, an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Hello Princess."

Daisy narrowed her eyes at the strange man "who are you…and what am I doing here…"

The man sat at the other end of the large table and adjusted his suit, that enraging smirk still there "why, you are our guest…that's what."

Peach had told her several stories about her kidnappings, so part of Daisy was somewhat prepared "well I don't remember some creepy man inviting me anywhere…"

His chuckle made her want to punch him in the throat "now, there is no need to name call. You're here for something very special."

Daisy narrowed her eyes "if you don't know, I have a friend who gets kidnapped all the time. So I know that you want me to marry you…and the answer is no."

The man shook his head "no, my darling. I am not here to marry you… You're here for a treaty…"

"A treaty…?"

The man stood up to get closer to her, going on a knee he took her gently by the hand. Here, Daisy took the chance to analyze his face. He looked familiar, but she knew that he is not anybody she would befriend. Actually, he looked a lot like her lost love, Luigi. But this monster is not Luigi, she can tell. This man is a stranger.

The man looks up at her with those cold eyes "a peace treaty, between the Dark Lands and the kingdom Sarsaland…"

She narrowed her eyes at him "we will never join Bowser…"

The man stood up to his full height, and Daisy couldn't help but to feel intimidated by him. The man continued "oh…my darling. We tried the peaceful route, but the king wouldn't give us the time of day… So, if your daddy is smart he will sign…well, if he wants to see his little princess again…" he smirked and left the room.

"Wait…" she called out, hating how her voice sounded so weak "who are you…"

The man turned to smirk at her again "I am the voice of the Dark Lands… but you can call me Mr. L…"

With that, he left her alone. Not bothering to move, because she knew that she is not going anywhere.

End of Chapter