A/N: Almost fell behind after spending a lot of time with my Nintendo Switch. I'm loving it already! But for now, here's another chapter of Hidden Bravery!
Disclaimer: Been the same since the prologue: I still don't own anything but the story plot.
Chapter 30: What Does it Mean?
Location: Mario & Luigi's House
That night, the Mario Bros. landed the helicopter and returned to Peach's Castle. After a busy day, the Mushroom Princess decided to reward everyone with some dinner and cake. Once everyone was finished, Sonic, Tails, and Amy departed for Mobius to meet with Blaze, Rouge, Cream, and Cheese, as well as to get some well-deserved rest. The two mustached heroes and the Polterpup then retreated to their home after giving their farewells to Peach. By the time they got home, they changed into their pajamas and went to the bathroom to brush their teeth. Colombo already made himself comfortable by jumping into the green clad man's bed.
As soon as Luigi was finished, he gargled his mouth and turned to Mario who was standing in front of the left vanity sink.
"Do you think Yoshi and the others are going to be okay?"
Mario spit out his toothpaste before answering. "As much as I hate to worry about our dino friend, I'm sure he's okay. Knuckles and Eggman, on the other hand, you know how Sonic describes both of them as short-tempered. I mean, did you see how red they were?"
"Well, yeah. Knuckles is red, after all. And Eggman wears red, too."
Mario rolled his eyes. "Very funny. But seriously, they must have been stuck in that creepy ship."
"Wasn't that the Haunted Shipwreck we infiltrated?" (1)
"It looked like that one. I don't know any other ships we found during our adventure in Sparkling Waters."
Luigi gulped and shuddered. "If so, we're going have to go back to swimming again. I've already had enough back in Vanilla Dome."
"Oh, come on, Weege. Swimming's not that bad."
"It is if you're Sonic or myself."
"I'm sure we can ask the princess to let him borrow a life jacket, unless he's going to bring his blue one he used in the Olympics. And I'm not that worried for his sake. It's the fact that he's uncomfortable and not willing to swim. As for you, you're decent enough."
"I guess the main concern are those… Boos. Man, I hate those ghosts so much!"
"Hey, just be grateful that we haven't ran into a single one every time we visit Boo Woods. And why are you making a big deal out of them if you're catching ghosts in the first place?"
"It's not the Greenies, Slammers, and the rest of the Evershade ghosts I'm afraid of. It's my crippling fear of Boos that make me terrified, especially after the first mansion adventure."
"Sigh, I guess so. But no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you, Luigi," Mario gave him a reassuring smile.
"Thanks, Mario," he grinned back.
The two exited the bathroom and went in opposite directions to their separate bedrooms.
"Good night, Luigi," Mario yawned.
"Good night, Mario," Luigi replied.
They closed their doors and got into their covers as they drifted off to dream land. However, one of them was about to experience a nightmare to forget.
The sky was a sea of blood red, covered by dark, thick clouds that whirled around in circular motion. And in the middle of it, a small, ominous hole of purple and black was floating there. It didn't have the strength to pull in nearby objects like the black holes found in the galaxies, but it was as menacing as the Void that could obliterate a single dimension. This was the Oblivion. And as time passed by, it started to grow. Slowly but surely, the end of all worlds was imminent.
Down in the area below, someone stood on a lonely hill as he witnessed another act of destruction. In the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom, the city of Toad Town was wrecked. Tons of Toads panicked with fear as they fled for safety. Lightning struck more areas while the citizens tripped on the ground. It was utter chaos that befell the kingdom once again. The man had seen enough and ran down to step into action.
He reached the square where most of the collateral damage took place. He inspected his surroundings: broken, shattered glass windows and fallen debris from the buildings, uneven potholes on the concrete paths, burnt patches of flowers and grass, the destroyed spires on Peach's Castle; there was too much chaos going on.
And the source of all of it was floating high, his back facing towards the man as he admired the spectacle of the Oblivion.
"Hmm hmm hmm…" he snickered to himself. "Ah, what a perfect way to start the end of this pathetic, little world." He turned around to face the man who angrily scowled at him. "My plan is almost complete. With the seven Chaos Emeralds in my possession, and all the ghosts and robots by my side, I am the most powerful living being in existence! And once I get rid of every disgusting world for good, I shall construct a new empire to my liking. What's best about it is that you won't be here to interfere with me."
"Why?" he muttered. "Why are you doing this?!"
"It's simple to explain. In fact, I already did."
"And where are my friends?!" he shouted.
"Oh, you mean… these people?"
The villain waved his magical scepter around to reveal everyone: his brother, the princesses, the Toads, and his animal friends from the other world. They were trapped inside a large, purple bubble.
"Luigi!" Mario called out.
"Mario! Peach! Daisy! Everyone!"
"I had a feeling you care about them so much. You would want them to be safe, don't you? Because that's the kind of person you are."
"What the hell are you trying to get at, you jerk?" Sonic jeered with his hands against the impenetrable wall.
"I'll give you a choice, Luigi. I'll spare your friends and let them live. That is until the Oblivion sucks them up to nonexistence. All you have to do is surrender and become my permanent slave."
"What?!" the green clad man yelled in shock.
"Don't do it, Luigi!" Daisy begged him.
"If you don't fall under my rule, I'll personally let you witness me strangle each and every individual in this bubble to death with my immense power. You don't want me to cross that line, now do you?"
"N-no…" Luigi stuttered.
"Then I suggest you commit to the former. Join my side, and they will survive for now."
"Luigi, don't listen to him! Don't let your guard down that easily! He's going to abuse you again and I don't want that to happen!" Mario pleaded.
"But I don't want to see you guys dead, especially if it's my fault!" Luigi started to let out some hot tears.
"Luigi, it's not your fault in the first place!" cried Tails.
"Yes is it! You guys are captured and I didn't do anything to stop that from happening, lest the kingdom from being ruined. And whatever I choose, you guys will have to suffer for it! And that's not fair! I'd rather die than to let that happen!"
"Luigi, don't say that!" worried Peach.
"Your choice, Green 'Stache. Become my slave, or lose your friends. Which will it be?"
Myster Edge gave Luigi an insidious, evil grin as he stared heavily at the green hero. Luigi bit his lip as he was torn to either watch everyone he knew perish in a quick second, or force himself to work for the enemy.
"Why me? Why me of all people?" he whined to himself.
"I don't have all day, you fool. Make a decision, NOW!"
Luigi glared at Edge for a second. He shut his eyes tightly as more tears flowed down his cheeks. He curled his hands into fists and exhaled deeply.
"Let them go…" he spoke softly at first. He raised his voice when he repeated his statement. "Let them go, and promise you won't harm them anymore."
"Luigi, no!" Mario smashed his fist on the barrier.
Edge chortled maliciously. "That's all I wanted anyway."
Edge released everyone from the temporary prison as they fell onto the ground. Before anyone could make a move or even get up, Edge struck a lightning orb to Luigi's chest. He screamed internally as he dealt with the familiar sensation of being shocked by the shadow figure. Not a single yelp or cry escaped his mouth as he decided to be punished. When Mario caught a glimpse of this torture, he got up from his feet and ran towards his younger brother. But Edge flew down to block his path. His scepter was held behind him, aiming at Luigi who was continually stunned.
"You do anything to help him, and I will end your life sooner rather than later," he threatened.
Sonic jumped up to defend Mario. "Hey! Don't even think about killing him or Luigi!"
Tails hopped in and stood on the red man's left. "Why do you want to hurt Luigi so badly? Why do you want him as your subject, you sick bastard?!"
"There's someone out there that I'm trying to bring back. He is the key to complete this action."
"Bring back? Like from the dead?" grunted Mario.
"Exactly. He would look great by my side, especially when I use his soul to resurrect him."
The three widened their eyes in surprise and anger.
"Resurrect?! You're going to sacrifice Luigi to bring someone back to life?!" bellowed Sonic.
"And who are you planning on reviving?" asked Tails.
"Let's just say he's very, very familiar with you, Mr. Red Hat."
"Me?" Mario raised an eyebrow.
"And he's also related to your pathetic brother."
His face became red. "Don't call my brother pathetic. And who the hell are you talking about?"
"That's a secret to me, and me only," he sneered.
This made Mario more infuriated. He had to be held back by Sonic and Tails. "Listen here, Myster Edge. I swear to God, if you do anything to Luigi, I will-"
"Just be lucky and grateful that this son of a bitch is willing to prevent you and your wimpy friends from dying early," Edge interrupted rudely. "Now if you'll excuse me…"
Edge walked away from the trio as Mario growled with ferocity. He started to leak out a tear, unable to take in what just happened. The villain finally stopped the pain he instigated to Luigi. The green plumber collapsed into unconsciousness as he laid on the ground.
"Luigi!" Daisy cried in anguish.
The purple shadow levitated him with his scepter. Luigi remained unfazed from this.
"I hope you enjoy your last moments before the Oblivion consumes you all! And you can experience it without your green friend! HAHAHAHA!"
Edge waved his staff once more to teleport himself and his new slave away, leaving the remaining others to stand in silence, awe, and hurt. Mario was the most affected as he wished what he just saw didn't happen. But it did, and he was left to face the reality that his brother had left him and everyone else so that they wouldn't decease.
"Luigi…" he stifled a sob as he fell onto his knees. Sonic and Tails looked at him sympathetically. Colombo walked up to him slowly and nudged his head in his lap. The rest of the group was in utter distress as they didn't know what to do.
Meanwhile, Edge transported into the Oblivion and he was now all alone with the one he desired. He dropped Luigi onto the dark, cold floor.
"Wake up," he ordered.
Luigi didn't budge at all.
"I said, WAKE UP!"
He shot another lightning orb at him.
"YAAHHH!" he woke up from the intense pain.
"Get the hell up, Greenie."
The man's hands, arms, and legs were shaking vigorously as he struggled to stand up.
"GET UP NOW!"
"I-I'm g-getting up… n-now!" he stammered.
"Finally. Now you're all mine."
"W-what do you want from me?"
"Are you trying to tell me that you didn't even hear a single word I mentioned to your little buddies?"
Luigi glowered. "You were paralyzing me with your damn lightning attacks!"
"Pfft. Guess I'm gonna have to repeat it again since you're a horrible listener. I just wanted you to join my side for personal reasons. You're the best vessel for the resurrection I plan to perpetrate."
"Wait… You're going to use my body to bring someone back alive?!"
"Now you get the big picture, you worthless worm!"
To say Luigi was more offended than frightened was an understatement. His mind was focused on the rebirth of an individual. It reminded him of the story Mario told him when a thousand-year old demon's soul possessed the body of Princess Peach to be revitalized as the malignant Shadow Queen. (2) The question is, who exactly is Edge seeking to resuscitate?
"Now, I just have to do one small action. Don't even think about running because you don't have anything to help. And besides, I'll just restrain you regardless."
Luigi couldn't help but swallow some fear down his throat.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt as much as my lightning attacks."
"That's what you say," he mumbled in his head.
By then, Edge shot a laser from his staff using the powers of the seven Chaos Emeralds. It hit Luigi, but it didn't hurt. Well, at first it didn't.
"Huh?! Ack!"
He gasped and felt a strong sensation. He felt his insides tingle, but he couldn't feel his arms or legs to move or withstand the agony. It hurt so badly he felt like his body was going to implode. Soon, a shining, gray article started to emerge from his torso. Luigi began to dry heave the moment a part of it came out into view. Edge beamed sinisterly at the sight of this object while, at the same time, spectated the physical image of the green clothed Italian suffering again. Once it flew out of Luigi's chest, his body became numb once again and fell onto his knees, his hands clutching over his heart as he wheezed heavily.
"What… was… that?!"
Edge didn't answer as he summoned the item to his reach. He let it float above his left hand as he still held his staff in his right. Luigi eventually caught his breath before realizing what was in front of him. His eyes enlarged in fright, shock, and disbelief.
"W-WHAT?! Is that…?!"
Edge interrupted the green man as he began to chant:
"Bring this entity back to life.
Summon the shadow within this light.
Take this soul, be revived, you shall,
To stand by my side, this I vow!"
A stunning, white light glistened intensely from the gray object. It was so bright Luigi he had to shield his eyes with his hands. Not apprehending what was happening, a floating figure appeared, making Edge smirk.
"Welcome back. It's good to see you again after so long."
The entity turned to the Shadow Spirit, copying his look. "The feeling is mutual, Edge. I am grateful to see you, too."
That voice. Luigi instantly recognized the dark, evil tone. When he removed his hands from his face, his eyes widened yet again. His jaw started to twitch at the sight of him, as for he was at a loss for words. But he did say two of them.
"I-I-I-It's… YOU!"
The figure turned around to give Luigi a disparaging smile. "Ah, Luigi. It's good to see you again."
"B-but…"
Edge didn't let Luigi get another word out of edgewise. "Now then, take over this being! For you shall control his body to rule by my side!"
"NO!" he cried out.
"YES! Now go!" he retorted.
"As you wish, my dark friend," said the entity.
The entity zipped right at him at such a speed Luigi couldn't do anything to budge or dodge his impending fate. All he could do was scream.
"AAAAHHHH!"
"Luigi! Luigi! Luigi, wake up!"
"Wah! Huh?!"
The younger brother was shaken as he sat up quickly in bed, startled by the nightmare.
"Luigi, I heard you screaming in your sleep when I was awake. Are you okay?"
He looked at his brother who was already in his day clothes, except this time he was sporting a red t-shirt with short sleeves rather than long ones. He also saw Colombo with his head tilted, wondering what was wrong with his owner since he was woken by him. Luigi took off his nightcap and ran his bare hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry, Mario. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"You didn't, Weege. I was going to wake you up to get ready and eat breakfast. But before I could even go upstairs to do that, I heard noises in your room, and I got worried. Do you want to talk about it?"
Luigi felt unsure to speak. What was he about to say? Everything he remembered just to make his brother more concerned than he is right now? Should he keep it to himself instead? He didn't know what to say or think.
"It's… it's nothing," he denied. "Can I just take some time to shower please?"
Mario frowned when his sibling refused to explain his problem. He had a brotherly instinct that something was up. He just didn't know what and Luigi wasn't making it any better. Nonetheless, he didn't want to further upset him.
"Um, I guess so. I checked this weather this morning. It's supposed to be hot and humid in Sparkling Waters, so that's why I chose short sleeves for today. I suggest you do the same. And when you're done, breakfast is ready downstairs in the kitchen."
"Okay. Thanks, Mario."
He rubbed Luigi's shoulder before turning to the door. "Come on, Colombo. I got your food ready for you."
The Polterpup jumped off the bed and followed the red clad man. Before he left the room though, he looked back at Luigi who was going through his dresser. He whimpered softly as he walked out.
For Luigi, he got his towel and clothes in his hands and headed for the bathroom. After removing his pajamas, he stepped in the shower. But when he turned on the water, he didn't wash his hair or body. He just stood there, aimlessly looking at nothing without saying a word or moving a muscle. His mind reverted to the haunting scene that played in his mind that night. It was a nightmare, alright. But it terrified him to think of the possibility it could be a sign of foreshadowing. If it is, then that led to several questions.
"What does it mean? Is this part of Edge's plan? And how does he know him?"
He continued to ponder with dread as the hot water streamed down his body.
END OF CHAPTER
I didn't want to get right back into the main plot just yet, and this is what I came up with. For Luigi's horrid nightmare, did it signify anything? Or was it just a bad dream? Nonetheless, what was that all about?
Next time on Hidden Bravery, Luigi and Mario will reunite with Sonic and Tails to make their way to Sparkling Waters. But what is in store for our heroes?
Please review, follow/favorite, and I'll see you in the next one! This is TGN, signing off.
Post-Chapter Notes:
(1): Haunted Shipwreck is the ghost level in Sparkling Waters in NSMBU. This is where Yoshi, Eggman, Orbot, Cubot, & Knuckles are imprisoned.
(2): (SPOILERS!) In Paper Mario: TTYD, the purpose of Peach being kidnapped was to have her body used to revive an ancient demon's soul that was locked up in the depths of the underground palace for a thousand years. The Shadow Queen, in Peach's body, was the final boss of this RPG.