YOU ARE WHAT GIVES COLOR TO THE WORLD

This is an idea that's been in my head for the last month about a hypothetical scenario for a future Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel, but Illumination doesn't have the cojones to do it, so I wanted to do it myself. Actually, I wanted to draw this as a mini comic, but while writing the script, it turned into this, so here it is.

P.S.: Sorry about the grammar and spelling mistakes. English isn't my first language.

1

I See Red

Mario's glassy eyes stared horrified at the devastated Mushroom Kingdom, or at least, what remained of it: the red sky above the burning houses, fire consuming everything in its path, panicking Toads fleeing and crying while their town burned to ashes; dark smoke covering the palace, towers engulfed in flames, the once white bricks slowly turning black.

They had lost.

He had lost.

No. Not yet.

He knew he had to do something, but he couldn't leave…

The red-clad plumber turned his gaze to the still form of his little brother, lying limp on his arms, green cap missing, chest unmoving; cuts and bruises covering his pale face, which despite that, remained with a peaceful expression, as if he were just sleeping.

Mario wrapped Luigi's body tightly between his arms, burying his face in the croak of his little brother's neck; eyes closed tightly to hold back tears, gritting his teeth to hold back a sob. He didn't want to leave him, he couldn't.

With a trembling lip, he looked at Luigi's lifeless face. The hot breeze brushed through both of their hair, also taking away the single tear that managed to escape the red-clad plumber's eye. Luigi didn't even flinch.

Mario held Luigi's limp hand while supporting the latter's head with the other one. He promised to him they were going to stick together, that he would never let go of his hand again like that time both were sucked in by the warp pipe. He promised he would keep him safe, he never thought this time it would be the other way around. If only he had listened…

It's my fault.

He had been reckless and impulsive. He had been so focused on getting rid of the problem quickly, that he didn't stop to think about the consequences. Now innocents had paid the price, including his beloved brother.

It all happened so fast. He didn't even hear that Bullet Bill coming his way, and then he saw Luigi, also coming his way…

Mario tightened his grip on Luigi's hand, refusing to let go of him, but deep down he knew he couldn't stay. He had to avenge his brother and the kingdom, he had to fix his mistake, but he didn't want to leave his Luigi. He promised to keep him safe… He had already broken that promise, and now with all the pain of his soul, he was about to break another.

I'm sorry.

Mario tenderly pressed his forehead against Luigi's, feeling cold instead of warmth. This was his apology for what he did and for what he was about to do. Taking one last look at his brother's still form, he said his final goodbye…

And let go of his hand.

"Please, take care of him," Mario asked Princess Peach, who had come in next to him.

Now on her knees, the princess took the green-clad plumber's body into her arms, his head now resting on her lap. She looked at him with watery eyes, and then turned back to Mario with a concerned look.

"Mario, where are you going?" She asked, even though she already knew what Mario was up to, but a part of her wished she was wrong, "What are you going to do?"

Mario took his singed cap from the ground and straightened it on his head with determination.

"I'm putting an end to this," he replied. There was no light in his eyes anymore, there was nothing inside him but grief and rage; there was nothing else in his mind but revenge; the pieces of his broken heart were beating erratically, pushing him to do whatever it takes to finish Bowser once and for all. He was going to make him pay for what he did to Luigi.

Without anyone being able to stop him, he took a Super Feather, yellow cape puffing out of nowhere around his neck, and took off.

"Mario!" Peach called out, but it was already too late. Mario was gone. She couldn't let another one of her friends get killed. The young monarch turned to Toad and Yoshi, gently placing Luigi's body on the little mushroom man's lap, "Please, take him to the safehouse at the Mushroom Forest and watch over him. I need to retrieve something from the castle that could help him."

"It is dangerous to go in there right now," Toad replied. He knew what the princess wanted, but if the item was still there inside the palace, it would be too risky for her, especially with the place still being on fire, "I'm coming with you."

"Thank you, but I need you to take care of Luigi while I'm gone," she resolved, "You're one of the only few I trust enough to take care of something this important, and Mario trusts you as well."

After processing the princess' words, Toad nodded and gave her a determined look.

Yoshi also exclaimed something in his language to assure Peach that she could count on him as well. She tenderly caressed the creature's muzzle.

"Don't worry little guy," Donkey Kong said, stepping in, "I'll go with her."

Thanking his offer with a nod, the princess took out the last Fire Flower she had with her, the plant quickly turning the pink of her gown into white and red.

"Stay safe you all," she said, "We'll be back very soon."

And with that, she and DK left at full speed. Despite her determination and courage, Peach was afraid. She not only feared for her kingdom's fate, but also for Mario's life, for what he was about to do. She knew he wasn't thinking straight, he was blinded by grief and rage, and she knew what people were capable of while being like that. That's why she was going to fix this, she was going to bring back the person Mario loved the most in this and any other world. Mario needed Luigi. There cannot be a Ying without its Yang, there has to be a balance.

And Peach was going to restore it.

She wouldn't let Luigi's sacrifice be in vain. The green-clad plumber had saved her and the kingdom several times along with his brother. She was going to repay them.

Peach was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't realize that they were already at the steaming gates of the castle. It was time, the moment of truth. She prayed the special Power-Up was still in the castle, it was the only thing that could save Luigi now, and therefore, save Mario as well.

"Hang on guys," she said.

And then, she and DK disappeared behind the thick wall of smoke.

I'll probably make a part two of this (I already have a draft), and eventually I'll make art of this as I originally had planned (in fact, I've already started, since the cover for this fanfic was made by me). Thank you so much for reading! Don't forget to follow, favorite and comment. Until next time!