Mario & Luigi

The Shaman of Shadows

Area 3: Windmill Ridge

3-5: The Mad Conductor

*The Village of Storms*

Luigi returned to the village and quickly ran toward the Grand Windmill. He trekked through the much quieter village and passed by its cautious inhabitants. The people were wandering the streets to survey the damage that had been done to their homes, but nothing was more attention-grabbing than the Grand Windmill, which was still blowing at high speeds. Only now, the tower's defenses were down.

Luigi approached the door and found it crowded with familiar faces. Merlair, Merleen, and Merlear had returned and were helping an elderly female electromancer as onlookers stood by, hoping they could be of assistance. Merleen noticed Luigi come up, "Ah, there he is! The true Green Thunder!"

The elder turned her gaze toward Luigi as she attempted to catch her breath. Her puffy, cloud-shaped silver hair bobbed between labored breaths. "Are you truly the Green Thunder?" she asked with hope.

Mario appeared alongside Luigi, "Good day, Ma'am!" Mario began. "We've been referred to as the Green Thunder and the Red Flame since we got here, but back home, we're called the Super Mario Brothers! We found this Merloom fella while we were cleaning the sewers beneath our kingdom. When he woke up, he attacked our home and cursed me and a lot of other people. So my brother and I, have come all this way to unplug this Conductor, stop Merloom, and help out your people as best we can!"

The elder relaxed with great relief, "Then what Merleen said must be true. Thank the stars above!"

"Excuse me, ma'am," Luigi said, stepping forward. "What were you trying to do?"

She took a deep breath, "I was trying to siphon the energy produced by the Conductor but his control is overwhelming. I almost felt his spirit laugh at me as I drew energy out of the tower. He wasn't inconvenienced by my actions at all! I am so overloaded I can not stop shaking!"

Luigi grew determined, "Tell me one thing, ma'am, do electromancers absorb electricity?"

The Elder seemed confused by the question, "To a degree, yes, but even the most talented ones can be overloaded. Especially if they lose focus. Electricity is not like fire or heat. It is wild and fast. Why do you ask?"

"When I fought the Wheezing Wizard, I couldn't use fire because he only absorbed the heat, and he was violent when I used the cold," Luigi explained.

"Ah, well, I would not worry about that," began the Elder. "Electricity can not be simply absorbed. Most strikes still make it to the ground. When a wizard takes a bolt only a fraction of that lightning bolt is absorbed and stored. We store it up for use in our spells. We can not use any kind of restorative magic with it. However, are you suggesting you want to try and... overload the Conductor...?"

Luigi clenched his hand at his side, and the Thunderhand gleamed, "Hmm, maybe..."

"Luigi, what are you planning to do?" Mario asked cautiously.

"Let's just say that the Mega Glove I bought gave me a little idea!" Luigi claimed as he adjusted his hat.

Mario vanished, and Luigi approached the Windmill's door. The Elder gave Merlear the word to open it. Merlear nodded and traced magical runes on the door with electricity, and then it opened. He stepped aside sheepishly, "Good luck, Green Thunder..., the Grand Windmill has all the magical technology you've encountered so far. You should be familiar with it by now, I would think. May the stars be with you and... get us out of here...!"

He walked away as Luigi thought about the fate of Mage Land, but there was little time. Luigi opened the door and shut it behind him.

Inside, the Grand Windmill was astounding. A marvel of technology and magic rolled into one. Unlike the other three forts he visited, this one was working properly and well-maintained. As he investigated, he watched as the millstone turned. There was no grain to grind, but that was to be expected. As Luigi watched the impressive millstone, a Peepa, surging with power, snuck up behind him and gave him a jolted shove into the grinder.

Luigi regained his senses just in time to see the millstone heading straight toward him but, Mario had his back. Mario transformed into a giant glove once more and propelled his brother out of the grinder. The Peepa, surprised, was dealt with afterward. "We need to be more careful, Weeg!" Mario said with a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for the save, bro!" Luigi said with an uneasy laugh.

Regaining his composure, Luigi began looking for a way to ascend. Platforms that stuck out from the wall formed a staircase. He began to climb them and found that they would retract, shortly after he stepped on them.

The second floor was a slow-spinning floor filled with the familiar gears and shafts. As he jumped to a pentagonal platform, three cultists intercepted him. He easily punched them out with the Mega Glove. Then he jumped and rode the gears to the third floor.

On the third floor, many platforms floated around the room, and Twisters danced on them. The Super Cape made navigating this floor easy for Luigi, and the ghosts that attempted to punch him out of the air were disposed of with cape spins. Using the Twisters, Luigi made it across the room, and landed on the base of a mechanical slope that would morph into a set of stairs and revert every few seconds. He climbed it and jumped at the last moment to reach its peak.

The fourth floor had ON/OFF Switches that made certain components vanish, and others take over in their stead. Blocks and platforms were also affected. More cultists appeared with a puff of smoke and stood guard over the switches. The Super Cape once again, made things easy, as he floated to each platform and defeated the cultists. He jumped from red to blue platforms until he wall-kicked his way up to the fifth floor.

The fifth floor was filled with crystal batteries that were set into generators. Like before, Luigi had to think about the pattern the jumping lightning made so he wouldn't get shocked. Peepas were present, but Luigi was ready for them this time. He quickly made his way through the maze, dealt with the Peepas, and reached a fire pole that led up to the next floor.

Finally, Luigi made it to the top. A wizard acting like a conductor stood with his back to him as he fed off the energy emanating from the windmill's components. He held a glowing rod that he would use to gather lightning bolts, and they would wrap around him like ribbons, charging him.

Luigi took a deep breath, and the Conductor paused. He turned to face Luigi. His white beard and moustache were spiked, and electricity danced between the hairs. His robes were unlike the other villagers. Neither were they yellow or green but a dark grey like a stormy sky. The Conductors Rod he held was a magic wand made from glass, and it gleamed with power.

He smiled at Luigi, and his beard poked outward, "Well, you must be the one they call, The Green Thunder," he chuckled.

Luigi readied himself, "Let's rumble!"

The Conductor laughed heartily, "Oh, poor choice of words!"

Luigi dashed to meet him head-on, but he dodged with a flash and waved his rod. A lightning bolt spell was cast from his rod, and Luigi narrowly dodged it. He laughed in amusement, "You know, it is not often I encounter someone with that kind of agility! My name is Merlimbus, but folks around here call me the Mad Conductor!"

"What were you trying to do here?" Luigi asked curiously.

"When Merloom rose me into this abominable state, I returned to this windmill, my windmill, to gather energy for him," Merlimbus stated. "When I was alive back then, I loved the technology of the outsiders. I was an instructor here in Windmill Ridge. I tried to get my students interested in the gadgets and gizmos I would find on my trips to far-off lands. Many times, I was successful! A new generation of wizards was about to be born! One that would use wondrous devices and magic together, but there was one who did not agree. Merloom hated technology and believed its presence here was poison. I tried to teach the boy that he was being silly, but he was obstinate."

"So why gather energy for him? Why work for him?" Luigi asked as he dodged another bolt.

"...Because it is what I was constructed for. It is the reason I exist in this state of being," Merlimbus began. "Puppets like me were forged in the likenesses of people Merloom bore a seething hatred for when he was growing up. I wanted to gather this energy to show Merloom the benefit it could have, but alas, it looks like I must use it now to face you in battle," he finished with sorrow.

Mario appeared, "Don't count on it, my brother's gonna pluck you from this windmill like a dead battery!" he taunted.

"You two have such a way with words!" said Merlimbus as he waved his rod.

A whip of lightning came from his rod, and he began trying to pelt Luigi. Luigi's agility managed to help him stay one step ahead, but just barely. He lamented how his rubber mallet would have come in handy right about now, but Mario's wooden hammer would suffice. He used the hammer to bat away the lightning whip and smash Merlimbus when he was within range. However, after enough blows, Mario's hammer was badly burned and in terrible shape.

Merlimbus rose and put himself back together. "Let us open a window, shall we?" he said with a wave of his rod.

The roof of the Grand Windmill opened like a blooming flower, and the wind picked up. The windmill blades spun wildly, still spewing the massive tornado into the sky. Luigi and Merlimbus were taken up, and miraculously, Luigi was not diced up by the windmill's massive blades as he passed through it. He managed to stabilize himself in the air with his cape. As he did so, he immediately had to dodge as a web of lightning tried to ensnare him.

Although he couldn't hear it, Luigi could see Merlimbus laughing. He took his hammer and began spinning. This silenced Merlimbus after he was pelted aside again and again. Luigi hit him like a spinning top with collision after collision.

Then Merlimbus surged with power as he cast a wind spell that reversed his spin just enough to remove the momentum. The two met face-to-face, "I like the loud thunderous hits from your hammer, but not on my head, thank you!" Merlimbus said angrily. "So let us change the tone!" he finished as he gained some distance.

Merlimbus cast a wind spell, and Luigi felt the sharp blades of compressed air hit his arm. He let go of Mario's Hammer, and the wind spell diced the hammer like a fresh onion. Its pieces were scattered to the wind as Luigi held his arm in pain. "It's all right, Weeg! We can finish this without it!"

Luigi thought hard as he weighed his options, "Let's see, I can't use the Bony Beetle Shell in this wind storm, and now the hammer's gone. All I can do is pelt him with melee attacks!"

"Just be careful, Weeg!" Mario warned.

Luigi went on the offensive and began flying around Merlimbus. Merlimbus grinned as electricity coursed all over his body. He waved his rod, and webs of lightning filled the skies like giant hands trying to grasp at Luigi. Luigi retaliated and landed powerful kicks and stomps that sent the old wizard reeling. Merlimbus took a stance, and he cast another spell. This time, his body became shielded with electricity. Although the wizard had taken considerable damage, he tried to hide it, "Let us see if you dare to touch me now!" he shouted.

Luigi paused but continued his flight. Merlimbus now attacked with powerful blades of win and Luigi needed to dodge just as carefully as with the lightning attacks. He spun and spun, but eventually, he got clipped by one, two, and three in succession. The pain was searing, and his Super Cape began to unravel and deteriorate.

Luigi regained his composure and took something from his pockets. An Energizer, one of the four potions Merlicity had sold him. He chugged the potion and was filled with strength. He even consumed the Rage Mushroom to add to it. Then he began charging the Thunderhand, only this time, the pose was different. Mario became worried, "Luigi! What are you doing?! You can't beat him with the Thunderhand!"

"I can, I will! I'll overload him!" Luigi said as he charged.

Merlimbus was intrigued as he wore a crooked grin, "Mwa-ha! The Thunderhand! Very well, then! Come at me, Green Thunder! Let us RUMBLE!"

Luigi took off like a jet with what remained of his Super Cape. Merlimbus raised his hands, inviting the attack to hit him. As Luigi barreled toward him, a magical gear-shaped ring appeared in his path, and gave him a more powerful boost. It was followed by two more in quick succession, and Luigi was jettisoned through like a missile.

"SUPER THUNDER!" Luigi cried as he made contact with Merlimbus.

Luigi crashed into Merlimbus and took one of the Grand Windmill's blades with them. With a thunderous crash, Luigi and Merlimbus crashed into the ground below. The Mega Glove amplified Luigi's power further by making his hand large enough to grasp Merlimbus's entire body. Luigi gave it his all. However, Merlimbus began to push back, "I-is this- ALL?!" he sneered through clenched teeth. Merlimbus grabbed Luigi's wrist with one hand while he placed his glass rod onto Luigi's cheek and began electrocuting him as well. It was a struggle. Luigi fought to hold on as his Super Cape finally burned away. Mario grew angry and grabbed Merlimbus's head from underneath him, as that was the only place Mario could be cast.

Merleen stepped forward from the crowd of onlookers, "EVERYONE! TOGETHER!" he said as he cast his lightning bolt and empowered Luigi with it. Like dominos, every villager began empowering Luigi with their own streams of lightning.

The tides turned as Merlimbus began to lose control, "W-wait! Wh-what are- you all d-doing?! I, I c-can not, CONTROL IT ALL! NOOooOOOooo!"

Merlimbus screamed in agony as he lost with a thunderous explosion that separated him from Luigi. Luigi was thrown into the door of the Grand Windmill, denting it. All was still for a brief moment, then Luigi began to stir. He staggered to his feet, shaking and chattering from the shock but Merlimbus lay still.

Luigi, breathing heavily, limped over to Merlimbus. He moved, but only slightly. He turned his face to Luigi, "Tell me, Green Thunder...," he said weakly. "Did the outside world improve on their technology?"

"Yeah, a lot since your day," Luigi managed to say.

He seemed at ease, "...That is good, now that I am free from Merloom's grasp, I want to see what technology lies in the heavens...!" he said with a final breath as he dropped his glass rod. It rolled gently away as his body turned to ash. The Poltergust responded and sucked up the ashes and his robe. The curse also followed, and a gentle breeze touched the Village of Storms. The storm was over, but Merloom's gloom remained.

The next boom that could be heard was the villagers crying out in cheer. Luigi was quickly surrounded by those he helped. The Elder, Merlair, Merleen, and Merlear came to congratulate and thank him with teary eyes.

"Thank you, so much!" Merlear said happily.

"That was quite a spectacle! You truly are the Green Thunder!" Merleen said with conviction.

"I never dreamed that a Sorcerer of Storms could be defeated in such a way!" Merlair claimed excitedly.

"Yes, a Sorcerer of Storms," the Elder reminisced. "I knew that grey robe. Few of us wear it nowadays. If you wore the grey robe in this village, it meant you were a master of both wind and lightning and thus a master of storms. You are truly the hero we believed you to be, and then some!"

Luigi brushed the back of his head with his numb hand, and he blushed. Other villagers quickly swarmed him, asking for his autograph and other such things. Then the Elder stood strongly and addressed her people. "Everyone, the Mad Conductor has been defeated and his curse broken! We have this man to thank for it! Now is the time to prepare for exodus! Gather all that you hold dear, for the Grand Windmill has fallen into disrepair and as our prophecies state, Mage Land's end is near!"

Before Luigi could respond, the villagers excused themselves hastily, knocking him over, and he could overhear Merlear, "What joy! I can now travel the world and see what gadgets and gizmos exist out there!" he said as he rummaged through his bag of tools, tomes, and toys.

"Yes, it's quite an exciting time, isn't it?!" Merleen said as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"I can't wait to meet new people!" Merlair said as she fidgeted in place.

With that, the three wizards vanished into the crowd with cheerful laughter. Mario managed to reform, albeit weakly, "Come on, Weeg... Let's go back. I need a rest."

Greaper appeared, he was ruffled, "Yes, and let's hope that there are no more lightning users, sheesh!"

"I can still feel my ecto jiggling, woo-ooo!" Boo wiggled.

"Jiggle all you like, I'm chattering like a wind-up toy over here!" Dry Bones claimed.

Luigi's hand recovered enough to use the Warp Whistle and return.

*Village of Ghosts*

Luigi was comforted by Merlessa as she bathed him in recovery magic. "So, the wizards are happy to leave?" Merlessa asked curiously.

"Yeah, they all seem quite happy to leave Mage Land behind!" Luigi claimed, still in shock.

Mario had long since recovered, "I told ya, Weeg, don't sweat it! We'll save Mage Land so these folks won't have to leave!"

Merlon mused quietly, as he took a breath from his pipe. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Luigi, you should see the Professor and get Merlimbus into a painting."

"Oh yeah! I nearly forgot!" Luigi said as he hopped to it.

Luigi went over to the Gadd and approached the Portriaficationizer. "Ah, Luigi, I was wondering when you'd come over here! We have a person's remains to lay to rest!"

Luigi saluted Gadd comically as the Poltergust placed its nozzle into the chamber. It emptied its contents into the strange machine, and a portrait of Merlimbus had been added to the collection. He seemed quite happy in the painting, as if being ran through the strange machine made his day. Luigi couldn't help but smile.

"Say, come over here and let's hear what those EVP's had to say!" Gadd suggested.

Luigi accompanied him to his computer. Gadd loaded the file and began to play it. A conversation could be heard. "Professor, what are these strange gadgets? What are they for?" said a child's voice.

Merlimbus responded, "Well, they are wind-up toys that I found during my travels outside Mage Land. Are they not intriguing?"

"Not at all, they look stupid," Merloom snarled. "Why do you have them? We are wizards, so what use do we have for machines?"

"Now, Merloom, don't be silly. This is from a people, from a culture that can not do as we do!" Merlimbus claimed. "These toys do not require any sort of magic at all!"

"SO WHAT?!" Merloom shouted angrily, as he slapped the toy from Merlimbus's hand. It could be heard breaking into pieces. "This..., technology is just a crutch so that those without magic can make themselves feel special! We do not need such garbage!" he finished as gasps could be heard.

"Merloom, I am disappointed in you!" Merlimbus said sternly. "Not only do you raise your voice to me in such an appalling way, but you wreck what does not belong to you! I will send you to see the Archon about this matter!"

The recording ended. "Wow, what a brat!" Gadd said in frustration. "Someone should've taught that boy some manners! I would be quite ruffled if someone showed such disrespect towards my inventions!"

"What a troubled bambino," Luigi lamented.

Luigi excused himself and walked over to the bed with a yawn. "I need a nap," he said to no one in particular. As Luigi lay in the bed, he began counting sheep on a whim. He yawned one final time before drifting off to sleep.

*End of Chapter*