Luigi's Shadow: Chapter 4

‘It must be night, at least I think it’sa night by now’ Thought Luigi. ‘It’s so dark here anyway but I’ma sure it’s gotten darker’ The treetops creaked and Luigi could hear the odd crack and rustle as he slowed to a walk. ‘I need to find somewhere to sleep...somewhere safe’ Putting his hands on his knees and panting slightly after his prolonged run he took in his surroundings. Apart from the trees he noticed what seemed to be light in the distance. Breathing deep he headed in the direction it was coming from.

Meanwhile, at a safe distance from Bowsers castle, Mario was questioning Kammy with no success while Yoshi was sleeping nearby.

“Tella me where they have gone Kammy” Mario was rubbing his temples, trying to fend off the headache that was growing from the lack of answers he was getting. “I would never betray Lord Bowsers position to the likes of you” Kammy snorted. “Just how many times are you going to ask me the same question plumber? I have important things to do” “Likea fixing Bowsers castle” Mario smirked. “Oh you plumbers have NO idea how long it takes to clean up after you stomp all over the place! Can’t you fight outside? Then I would have time to relax with some extra beauty sleep” Sighed Kammy. “Youa need it” Muttered Mario. “Eh, what was that?” “Nothing, just the usual WHERE ISA MY BROTHER!?” Yelled Mario, bowling Kammy head over heels. He noticed her crossed eyes and rolled his own. He was going to be at this a while. Looking round he noticed something amiss. “Yoshi?” There was no reply.

“WHERE IS GREEN ‘STACHE!?” Bowser knocked over half his army whilst the rest hid behind the surrounding trees. “AND WHERE DID KAMEK GO!? THIS IS ALL FALLING APART!” His army continued to hide or roll around the floor. They had been trying to catch up with Luigi and had gotten completely lost. Also without Kamek none of them knew how to calm the mighty Kooper King. “GRWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH” Bowser blew flames, setting alight the nearest tree and causing the koopers and goombas to run around in panic. Having calmed down slightly from this destruction Bowser looked around and took stock of their situation. They were lost, his army was in disarray, his right hand kooper missing and the prisoner gone. Bowser was dangerously close to going on a rampage but he managed to keep his cool. Without Kamek he was on his own to lead this rabble. “Hoi...KNOCK IT OFF!” He bellowed. They immediately stopped in their tracks. “Line up weaklings. Let’s get some order around here” His minions obeyed immediately, forming rows as best they could among the trees. Looking them over Bowser counted 10 koopers and 15 goombas. ‘I think that’s as many as I set out with’ Bowser shut his eyes ‘I should probably keep tabs on these things...bah, that’s what Kamek is for’ Bowsers ears then picked up a noise. “What is that?” He mused opening his eyes. “I-I can hear water” Offered a brave goomba. “Then let’s find it. I’m so thirsty I could drink a lake dry. You” He pointed at the goomba who had spoken. “Lead the way”

As Luigi got closer he could see a small clearing with a little river flowing through it. Diving forward he drank deeply quenching his thirst. When he had had his fill he stood up and gazed at the stars in the sky. It was as he thought night-time now and the light from the stars lifted his spirits a little after the dense forest. He jumped and whirled around. He thought he had heard someone call his name. “...Luigi” There it was again for definite this time, if a little faint. He panicked as he looked around for cover. There was a small cave just beyond the clearing. Diving in he hid around the edge of the entrance and listened for any sign of the one who had spoken.

“Seems like your friend took a walk plumber” “He cana take care of himself. You know what Kammy, I understand why you’rea keeping Bowsers location to yourself. I know how upset you’lla be when I beat him again” Mario snickered. “You take that back!” Kammy shrieked taking a swing at Mario which he easily avoided. “Lord Bowser would pummel you plumber” “Oh you justa keep that comforting thought Kammy, you’lla need it to calm down Bowser when he skulks back to the castle witha his tail between his legs” Kammy grinned “Well we both know that won’t be happening as long as you can’t find him...hey! Are you even listening to me?” “Thankfully I don’t think Ia need to anymore” Turning round Kammy found Yoshi with a full face. “PTOO” She ducked as something flew from Yoshis mouth over her head and landed at Mario’s feet. “Uuuuuuuuuurgh” Groaned the kooper. “Where am I?” Looking up his eyes focussed on Mario. “Oh no”

By now Luigi was slumped against the wall of the cave. He was so tired and yet he didn’t want to fall asleep in case Bowser, or worse, found him. Then he noticed a light shining in amongst the trees. Watching intently he noticed it seemed to be headed in his direction. His first instinct was to run but he ignored it. There was something about this light that seemed peaceful...almost friendly. How a light could be friendly he didn’t understand but after all he had been through he welcomed it. As it grew closer Luigi felt himself getting up and walking out of the cave. He didn’t try to stop himself, he didn’t want to. Approaching the light it flew around his head and landed in his hand. It was no bigger than his palm and was comfortingly warm. With a jolt he realised his feet were no longer on the ground. They were floating upwards through the leaves and branches. Luigi panicked and spun around trying to find a way down. The light in his hand pulsed brightly catching his attention. As he looked at it he felt calm again, the panic dissolved and he relaxed letting himself be carried higher. The light continued to pulse gently as they rose above the tree tops and looking around he saw the huge expanse of trees that made up the forest he was lost in. Dawn was approaching now and the sky was filling up with beautiful colour. Slowly turning around he could see something else amongst the trees in the dawn light. Facing that direction he discovered it to be what looked like a giant pyramid but with flat sides making steps instead of it being smooth. Without him noticing they had been heading towards it this entire time and soon he was back on the ground in front one of its massive walls. The light jumped out of his hand and after spinning around his head a few more times it disappeared into his chest. ‘I feel strangely safer’ Luigi thought. Rubbing his hand where the light had entered his chest he turned his attention to the wall. Running across its entire length he could see murals depicting all kinds of life from people and toads to koopers and goombas. Unlike present day however they all seemed to be living together in harmony. But before he could look any further he was distracted by a noise nearby.  Diving back into the forest he looked straight up into the eyes of Bowser. He froze with fear, his throat dry, as they stared intently at each other. Yet the longer he stared the more it dawned on him something was not right. Dodging about he saw Bowsers eyes were not following his movement. “Would you hurry it along? I want to get inside this place NOW!” Bowser was staring right through him. ‘What’sa happening?’ Puzzled Luigi. ‘Can he really not see me?’ “We’re sorry Lord Bowser but this guy’s heavy and he just won’t wake up!” Luigi spun around and saw something that made him drop to his knees. “Mama mia” Gasped Luigi as he stared at his limp form being carried by Bowsers minions. “A-am I...dead?”