Hey y'all,

No author's note right now but there is an ending note.

I hope you enjoyed enough spring break and this chapter.

...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story idea.

Chapter 18:
Play Date

…

…

Boo Woods;

Luigi's Mansion

…

…

Dimentio smiled as he watches the brave but foolish heroes enter through the balcony door and stand before him. He especially love how his two faithful minions patiently waited in their hiding spot, not making a single move towards them until he gives the signal. It was a good thing they were so patient. As an entertainer, he felt that it was right to greet his guests with a proper…introduction.

"Hello there, hero and heroines," he greeted. "What a fine day we're having, yes?"

There was nothing fine about this day. The sun was in hiding, blocked by large grey clouds. Thunder and lightning can be seen and heard in the background. There was no rain yet, but in due time it will start. And when it does, it will come down heavily. Mario, Peach, and Daisy stood in front of the jester, determined as ever.

Mario narrowed his eyes. "We know what you're up to, Dimentio. And we're going to stop you."

"Oh, is that so? Well good, I wouldn't have spend time explaining it to you."

"We're not going to let you recreate the Chao Heart," Peach

"Really?" Dimentio chuckled. "Well then, let's get this little play date started, shall we? Shade… Mr. L…?"

The two minions jumped out from their hiding spots and surrounded the heroes from the front and back. Shade stood guard at the door while Mr. L stood in front of the heroes. Mario stood firmly in front of the girls; determine to get his brother back.

"Luigi…I know you're in there, bro… Don't let Dimentio control you."

Dimentio laughs. "You silly red man, do you honestly think that talking to him will change him back to normal?" He shook his head. "If you're that desperate in getting your brother back, then all you have to do is ask."

The others were confused by his statement. Dimentio snapped his fingers. A dark sphere of energy appeared in his hands.

"Here,"

He tossed the sphere to Mario. The red hero was skeptical as he caught it in both hands. Once caught, the dark energy disappeared and a small, shining yellow orb was held in his palm. Mario frowned and look back that the jester with a suspicious look.

"What's this?"

Dimentio answered him, pretty much nonchalantly. "Your brother's soul"

"His WHAT?!"

From complete shock, Mario nearly dropped the golden ball he was holding. But he quickly caught it and held it more firmly.

"I'll be more careful with that if I were you," Dimentio warned. "That's the only thing that could get him back to normal."

"What were you doing with his soul?" Daisy glared.

"Nothing, really; I just needed an empty body to fill in my artificial soul."

"Artificial soul?" Peach

"Yes, indeed. You see, the reason why 'Luigi' here has been following all my orders so willing is simply because he's not 'Luigi' anymore. I switch his soul out for one I made. He may be 'Luigi' on the outside, but on the inside he's a completely different person… one that will follow my orders without any hesitation."

The heroes were silent as they let the information sink in. So, the man they were trying to save, the same one that was sent to assassinate Daisy and try to kill Mario in cold-blood, wasn't really their friend Luigi. Instead, they facing someone entirely different; someone they have never (in a sense) met before and were completely unpredictable.

A cold shiver of realization ran down their spines. They weren't facing against kind-headed Luigi, or the cocky Mr. L they fought from before. They were up against a cold, emotionless clone who wouldn't think twice about killing them.

"From the looks on your face, you finally realize what you're going up against." Dimentio smirked. "And as much enjoyment it would be to watch my most faithful minion killed his hero 'brother' and the sand princess, I must sadly take my leave. We have recent located the whereabouts of Ancient Ruins and Fawful is en route on pinpointing its exact location."

Dimentio turned to his minion. "Mr. L, I am sure you know your two targets?"

"Yes, master. I am to kill the primary target Mario then the secondary target Princess Daisy."

Daisy took a step back in fright as Mario grew tense. Dimentio grinned.

"Very good. And be sure to add the Mushroom Princess on that list."

Peach gasped and took a frightful stepped back. She never thought she'll be so scared to be in the same room as her green friend.

"Yes, master."

"Excellent. Now I must take my leave. Destroy them on your own term, I will not stop you. Once you're done, clean up and meet with the rest of us."

The jester turned to the others. "Have fun…Ciao!"

The jester left and a cold, dark smirk appeared on Mr. L's face. With his master no longer holding him back, he could do whatever he pleases.

Mario stood in front of the princesses protectively. The first time he faces against Mr. L, he was nearly killed. The only reason he was alive now was because Dimentio was holding him back. Now that the jester's gone, nothing could stop Mr. L from downright killing him.

Mario shuttered at that thought. Ever since the Chaos Heart situation, he hoped he would never fight against his brother again. His wish didn't come true as he was once again up against his brother who was also his would-be-killer. The only good thing about this is was the fact that it really wasn't his brother he was fighting.

He subconsciously held the soul closer to his body as he backs the princesses away from the murderous man. Their small retreat was cut short by the sound of Shade's growl.

Mario's eyes switch back and forth between Mr. L and Shade. Suddenly, Mr. L leaps towards them, his hand sparking with his Thunderhand. Mario and the princesses separated into two ways. Mr. L turned to Mario, his primary target.

Mario stumbled back and took a fighting stance. He held his brother's soul in hand and had his Firebrand on the other. Mr. L rushes towards him, throwing punches and kicks in his wake. Mario did his best to avoid them. Dodging and blocking every hit that came to him. It was difficult doing it all with one hand, but Mario was determined to protect his brother's soul from harm.

When an opening presented itself, he threw a fire ball. Mr. L jumped and created some distance between him and his target. Mario grunt in frustration. He wasn't sure how he was going to stop him.

A scream from the sidelines drew his attention. Mario turned behind him to see Peach and Daisy stepping back into a corner by Shade. The Shadowpup growled at them menacingly, threatening to hurt them with his sharp canine teeth and claws. Peach and Daisy back away from him until their backs hit the balcony railing.

Mario gasped and turned around to help them. He paused mid-step when a lightning ball was thrown at his foot. Mario scowled and turns his attention back on Mr. L. He couldn't help the princesses unless he dealt with Mr. L first.

"Let them go, Mr. L. This fight is between you and me."

Mr. L smirked. "Wrong, Mario. You heard my master. He wants you and the princesses dead"

"Okay, but… what about Spretto? I don't recall Dimentio mentioning him."

"Shade… is my back-up. He is here for when I need him."

"Well, do you need him now? If not, is he allowed to harm the princesses? Didn't Dimentio tell you to do it, not him?"

Mr. L was silent for moment. He knew the hero was only trying to save the others, but he does have a point. Dimentio assigned him the mission of kill the three of them, not Shade; the Shadowpup has no real reason to harm them.

"I know what you're trying to do, Mario." He said. "You're trying to save the others. Stupid considering that they too will meet with death once I am done with you."

Mario grunt in frustration.

"But," Mr. L continued "as futile as your attempt was, I must admit you do have a point."

Mario looked at him confused. Mr. L turned to Shade and called out to him. "Shade,"

The Shadowpup cease his growling and turned to green mechanic.

"Leave them be,"

Shade tilts his head to the side in questionable gesture. "The Master assigned the mission of killing them, not you. I will deal with the secondary targets once I'm done with the primary one."

Shade frowned in disappointed but nodded in understanding. He back away from the princesses and disappeared, allowing Mr. L to do as he pleases. Satisfied, Mr. L turns back to his first target.

"Happy?" he asked, just for the heck of it.

Mario stood in front of the princesses protectively. Now that Shade was out of the way for the time being, he could focus his attention on one problem.

"Very,"

"I'm glad." Mr. L regains his fight stance. "Let's continue, shall we?"

Mario took a stance as well. Although, he hesitant when he glance down at the soul in his hand. He turned to the others and tossed the soul over to them.

"Quick… catch,"

They both jumped and Peach caught the soul in both hands. The soul brightened at the new presence before dimming down. Both princesses glance at the soul before looking back at the hero questionably.

"Take the soul back to Cybele; she might know how to change Luigi back"

"But Mario, what about you?" Peach asked out of concern.

"I'm the primary target; I'll distract him long enough so you two can escape."

"Mario, we can't leave you here. He'll kill you."

Mario glance back at them and smiled. "I'll be fine. Besides, if this is the only way to get Luigi back, then I'll gladly give up my life to restore his."

Peach and Daisy frowned at his statement, however they did not argue with him. Quickly, they made their way to the balcony door. Mr. L watched them go, but did nothing to stop them. He could always get to them later. Once the princesses were out of harm's way, Mario focus on his opponent and took out his hammer.

"Okay Mr. L, it's just you and me now."

The green man smirked and chuckled darkly, his hands sparking with lightning again.

"No Mario, it's just me."

…

...

...

...

Ending Note:

Transformers quote at the end.

It's been a long while since we seen the soul (13 chapters to be exact). It's the key item in getting Luigi back to normal.

As previously stated in the story, this Mr. L isn't the same as the Mr. L in the game. He's a completely different being made to follow Dimentio's orders without thought.

...

Review :)