Princess...............my princess....................................I'm sorry I couldn’t………………….protect you.
Luigi............................wherever you are.............be brave.
"MAARIOOOO!"
My eyes shot half way open. I could hear Luigi's voice crying out over the static hissing that rang in my ears. A second later I saw a light green plant hover above me. It broke into hundreds of tiny pieces, glittering as it fused into my body. Immediately, I could feel my limbs growing lighter as the hissing in my ears fell silent, the throbbing pain in my head was leaving, and I could see my nose returning to its original hue. No longer needing to squint from the bright lights, I leaped triumphantly off the bench.
In his panic, Luigi collapsed on the floor, weeping into my pant leg. I assume he saw Bowletta, Fawful, and the princess. "M-mario!" he cried. "Toadsworth is gonna kill us!"
"It's okay, Luigi," I pulled my whimpering brother up and looked into his moist eyes. "He's not going to kill us." Although, I only wish to calm my brother down, he was right. Toadsworth was going to mercilessly chew us out when he finds out about Peach.
Luigi clung to my sleeves, trembling. “It was awful. Like a horrible nightmare that briefly haunts the mind.”
"Don't worry, Weegi!" I hugged my little brother in hopes of soothing him. "We'll go out there and save the princess together, just like the old days!"
Luigi smiled back and wiped a tear off his cheek. "You're right, big bro!” He paused for a moment. His eyes widened in anxiety. "But are we leaving now? Out in the dark?"
Dark, I asked myself. What time is it? I looked up at the clock; 10 PM. Luigi despised going outside at night, and I felt that he had been through enough for one day. I smiled. “Not at this hour, Weej, we’ll head for Beanbean Castle in the morning.” Even though I was not tired, I believed it would be wise for me to rest a little bit more, and allow the herbs time to take full effect.
Luigi and I lied on the soft cushiony benches. The Toads at the Mushroom Embassy were more than willing to lend us a room in the building for the night. I gazed toward the soft glow of the nightlight across the room. I slowly turned my focus to Luigi, curled up in the bench next to mine. “Weegi,” I whispered. “You still awake?”
He turned over to face me. “Yeah. I just can’t seem to fall asleep.”
“Me neither.” I pause for a short while. “Luigi, I can’t thank you enough for coming with me. Throughout our mission here, you have shown me how strong you have become. I’m proud of you, Weej!”
“Oh, knock it off, Mario,” he chuckled. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“I only speak the truth, Luigi;” I curled a warming smile. “You’re the best little brother a plumber could ask for.”
Luigi sniffed like he was crying. I could see a smile curl under his mustache. “Thank you, big brother.”
I pulled the cover over my shoulder and snuggled into my pillow. “Goodnight, Weegi.”
“Goodnight, Mario.”
Once again, I was in the empty realm where I had spoken with the magikoopa. Okay, Kamek, where are you?
“Mario?” a hand rested on my shoulder. I turned around. To my side was the tall form of my brother clad in his usual green hat, shirt, and his dark blue overalls. “Mario, what’s going on?”
“Ahh, I’m glad both of you could make it!” that familiar voice called out.
Luigi shrieked. “W-w-what is th-that?” Across from us, a pair of glasses hovered in mid-air. The red and white robed magikoopa faded in from behind the glasses. A smirk crawled around his wrinkled lips.
“Wait,” Luigi peeped. “You’re the magikoopa I spoke with earlier. What is all of this?”
“A bond!” the reptile preached. “A psychic link weaves the two brothers of destiny together. Its strength varies. Only the mighty Star Spirits above know its secrets.”
I had a faint idea of what he was talking about, but Luigi looked clueless. “Say what?” he asked.
“Yoshi lore speaks of an infant fallen from the sky many, many years ago. With a mysterious psychic phenomenon, the child tracked his missing sibling.”
“So, what you are saying is that a link between me and Mario was awakened when you hypnotized me?”
“Reawakened,” Kamek corrected, “in a more specific term. That bond is currently allowing the two of you to enter the same dream realms.”
“Umm, is this good or bad?” Luigi asked with uncertainty.
“You need not worry, heroes. After Luigi left his hypnotic trance, the bond’s strength slowly began to wane. I predict that it will return to its slumber shortly after dawn.”
“Once again, Kamek,” I smiled, “It was very noble of you for helping us out!”
“Good luck, boys! And you tell Bowletta that no one manipulates the Koopa King’s body!” After that, the magikoopa vanished again.
“Will do,” I chuckled. Kamek’s words made me wonder if he used to be one of Bowser’s minions.
