Previously…

As they went to rest up, they all had one goal in mind…to find an exit and survive of what challenges awaits them…

And now…the continuation of chapter 12: “Burden”

As the survivors rested up and now can walk and find any exit of some kind. They’ve walked for a couple minutes…until Mario stopped walking and faces a wall looking distracted..or perhaps something was calling him?…He shook his head and ran to catch up with the others. Luigi looked suspicious but shrugged it off. All pressed onward while avoiding be detected by any creatures they’ve encountered before. It was successful they continued moving..until Mario stopped again..this time it was longer..til he snapped outta it and runs to catch up again. Luigi looks behind him giving Mario a confused look then kept walking. An hour or two had passed and still no exit..they’ve decided to look around for a bit. Mario walked a bit further away and tried to look for something, Luigi scans the area knowing it’s clear, Bowser and Jr went to search for supplies, and Kamek stayed with Luigi.

Luigi: “Hmm…have..you noticed anything..suspicious of Mario?” *He said confusingly turning his head to Kamek*

Kamek: “Hm..come to think of it…he has been acting strange lately when we took off..” *He answered with concern*

Luigi: “Should we check on him?..” *He asked*

Kamek: “I guess?…We should study his movements though…or he’ll spot us..” *He suggested*

Luigi: “Good idea.” *He exclaimed*

As Luigi and Kamek went to investigate what Mario was doing, they found out something insane they wished they’ve shouldn’t found out. As they hid they peeked around the corner seeing Mario in pain and mumbling to himself shaking uncontrollably. He started sobbing silently trying to hide himself. Luigi and Kamek followed Mario without making a sound.

Mario looked scared and traumatized, he found a blanket and covered himself to hide something from the others, as soon he was gonna leave both Kamek and Luigi corner him by surprise.

Mario: “WAH-?! MAMA MIA!—“ *He yelped as he fell backwards and hurt his head a little bit still covering himself*

Luigi: “Mario…as your brother…please show me what your hiding…you’ve been acting strange recently when we were walking…you haven’t spoken much..” *He said in a calm tone*

Mario: “I-I…I…..nnhh….n-no…I….I….I can’t…I don’t wanna be a burden to you with my problems…p-please f-forget about me….I—…nn…mm….” *He said in a trembling voice as he tries to hide any signs of pain*

Luigi: “Mario…your not a burden…please…it’s okay brother…just show me…Kamek can you please go?..I need to be with him alone..” *He asked calmly and politely*

Kamek: “Okay…I’ll check on lord Bowser..” *He said as he leaves the bros alone*

Mario: *He backs away to the wall covering his head and his body still shaking* “P…p…please….g-go….leave me….you’re gonna be scared of me….” *He said fearfully*

Luigi: *He sighs and approaches him slowly lifting his head gently to see his face* “Mario…brother…I would never be scared of you. Whatever your hiding I’m sure it’ll be okay…please…just show me…I promise I won’t tell anyone…” *He said in a calming tone trying to make him relax a bit*

Mario: *He tears up a little bit and reveals his head with small little devil horns before covering his head again looking down* “I….I……nnh…my head….s-still hurts….” *He whispered silently*

Luigi: *He looked stunned then reaches for his shoulder* “Brother…how long were you hiding this?….” *He asked*

Mario: “U-uhm….a…a…about…um…a f-few minutes ago?….” *He answered unsurely*

Luigi: *He sighed* “Can you take off the blanke—“ *He gets interrupted rudely by Mario*

Mario: “NO!— I…I mean….n…no……I….I don’t….I don’t want to…..*He starts to cry* I…hh…..I’m…I’m a burden…they don’t wanna see me li-like THIS….” *He cried and shivered feeling unwanted*

Luigi: “Hey…don’t say those things…the Mario I know is passionate, brave, hopeful..and is the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom…your number 1 bro…always were…no matter what happens…your still you…my brother…as well…” *He said with such confidence and courage to calm him down*

Mario: *He looks up at Luigi with tears in his eyes* “I……..I……..mmh….y-you’re right…b…but…what if I lose control of myself?…What if I hurt you?…” *He asked in a sorta panicked voice*

Luigi: *He sighed* “I’ll be fine bro…please show me…” *He politely demanded*

Mario: “O…okay….if you say so…” *He slowly takes off the blanket revealing an odd mix of angel and devil wings on his back but seems like they’re new so they can’t do much his left hand looking like a claw while his right hand his normal and his left eye is still covered*

Luigi: “Whoa…brother…I…wait turn around for me…I just wanna touch them…” *He said in a bit of shock and amazement*

Mario: “C-Careful…i-it still hurts…” *He said still shaken*

Luigi: “I will…” *He said as he slowly and carefully touches one wing as it twitched a little and moved*

Mario: “Mhh……gentle….” *He said with worry as his devil tail wags a bit back and forth*

Luigi: “Heh…I think you like this bro…here I brought extra clothes when I came to find you…” *He chuckled as he handed over Mario’s clothes*

Mario: “T…thank you…..Luigi……and….uhm…thanks…for…..well….freaking out…..I hope….I can be cured from this..” *He said happily and feels at ease*

Luigi: “Anything for my bro…although…how you have angelic wings?…You’ve ate— well bit into a devil mushroom…” *He said but also questioned confusingly*

Mario: *As he puts on fresh clothes he paused for a second* “…Maybe heaven gave me a chance before Kamek used that 1-up he had…? I’m unsure myself…you might have to talk to him…and ONLY him…” *He said as he got dressed and looked distressed a bit*

Luigi: *He sighed* “Still want the blanket on bro?..” *He asked calmly*

Mario: “Please…it’s actually a bit chilly…” *He answered politely*

As Luigi puts the blanket back on Mario the duo went to check up on the trio of what they’re doing but finds Bowser and Jr asleep meanwhile Kamek is still awake. Luigi waved catching his attention. Kamek looked at the bros confused.

Kamek: “Found anything wrong with him?…” *He asked*

Luigi: “…Follow us…we cannot let these two know..” *He said silently*

Kamek: *He looked even more confused* “Okay…?”

As they walked Kamek noticed something off about Mario’s back and but chooses to ignore it. They found a decent area not too far from Bowser and Jr, they stopped and Luigi looked at Mario. Mario returned his gaze to Luigi then looked at Kamek. He took a deep breath.

Mario: “U-Uhm….p-please don’t tell Bowser..o-or Jr…t-they would be..very confused…and well…I think very…very concerned…? I-..uhm…n-nevermind…j-just please don’t tell them…” *He asked still looking scared*

Kamek: “I won’t say a word…” *He calmly said*

Mario: *He looks at Luigi nervous then looks back at Kamek taking off the blanket from his head revealing small horns then proceeds to reveal his back just like he showed Luigi and covers himself once more looking away* “….mm..”

Kamek: “I…you…your…..transforming….? This…could be…well…bad…but somewhat good…” *He said in utter shock*

Mario: “Huh?….’good’ how…Kamek?…” *He asked confusingly*

Kamek: “Well…I’ve done some more digging on the side effects and mushroom itself to learn more and how to help you…but it seems your…well…part angelic…so there’s still hope…and you have a lot of hope…” *He replied as he share information*

Luigi: “So..that means my bro is a ‘demigod?’…part demon and angel?…If…I got it right..? Crud..” *He asked confusingly*

Kamek: “In a way…? Possibly…?..” *He shrugged*

Mario: “Mmhhnn……my eye…..” *He groaned silently*

Luigi: “Huh?— EEP—“ *He yelped as he stumbled a bit in shock*

Kamek: “Let me see…” *He demanded unfazed by Luigi’s shocked reaction*

Mario: “…O-Ok….” *He silently said*

As Kamek did a quick examination on Mario’s left eye it changed entirely from red and bloody to part white and strange liquid forms to strange color of blood. Kamek Luigi even Mario looks amazed, shocked, and mostly confused. Kamek got closer and takes some of the strange blood from Mario’s face and puts it in a small vial.

Kamek: “This will be some great research…” *He said as he patches Mario’s eye back up and cleaned the ‘blood’*

Luigi: “So it is true…?” *He asked*

Kamek: “Yes.” *He answered*

Mario: *He looked at the ground covering his head with the blanket looking troubled* “…”

Luigi: “Bro?…Are you alright?…You seem bothered..” *He asked worryingly*

Mario: “Mm?…Yeah…I-I’m fine…I still feel…like a burden…if I haven’t wondered alone none of this would had happened…I’m a total mess…a complete mess…I…I……..” *He started tearing up a bit unable to complete his sentence*

Luigi: “H-hey..! Don’t think like that..c’mere…” *He pulls Mario gently into a hug*

Mario: “A-ah—?….I…..I…..I’m sorry…….I…….I….nn…nhhn…” *Unable to say anything else he hugs Luigi back sobbing softly*

Luigi: “Shh….Shhhh….your okay….breathe….” *He said calmly*

Mario: *He yawns and bit Luigi’s shoulder by accident causing him to push him away* “A-ah!— N-No….n-no…no…..I…” *He tears up again*

Luigi: “Ah-?! Ow…w-wait bro! I-I’m okay! You only bit me a tiny bit..that’s all..” *He insisted as he tries to comfort his brother again*

Mario: “Stay away from me!…S-stay away…I…I can’t…be helped…..or cured….I’m a burden…” *He started sobbing uncontrollably*

Luigi: *He sits in front of Mario holding his hands looking at him* “Brother…what would a burden do if all was lost when you fought Bowser?…” *He asked*

Mario: “U-uh?…n-nothing…?” *He answered in confusion*

Luigi: “Who saved an entire galaxy..?” *He asked again*

Mario: “M-me…” *He answered a second time*

Luigi: “Who saved countless lives..? Who saved the princess?…The kingdom?…” *He asked a third time*

Mario: “I..—…..I did..!” *He answered positively*

Luigi: “Who’s-a number one?” *He asked again a fourth time*

Mario: “I-I am!” *He answered feeling like his old self again*

Luigi: “I can’t hear you bro! Who’s-a number one!?” *He asked one final time*

Mario: “I’m-a number one!” *He answered proudly*

Luigi: “That’s-a my bro! That’s the Mario I know!” *He exclaimed happily*

Mario hugs Luigi tightly thanking him for cheering him up then looks at Kamek who seems to look around while the brothers are having their moment. Luigi seems very happy to see his bro back to his old self. Cheerful, confident..etc. Things started to settle down and they head back where Bowser and Jr are waiting. As the trio met up with them Mario looked a bit worried then looked at Luigi. Luigi gave him a thumbs up. As Mario revealed what changed for him he showed Bowser and Jr like he did with Luigi and Kamek before putting the blanket back on once more. The two looked amazed yet speechless..in a good way.

Mario: *He looks at Luigi again like he was gonna say something* “..mhhn…”

Luigi: “Hm?..Need something bro?..” *He asked*

Mario: *He hugs Luigi looking sleepy* “Tired…..” *He said tiredly*

Luigi: “Heh…I think all of us are tired…..c’mon…let’s rest…” *He said in a sleepy tone*

As all of them were going to sleep Mario and Luigi stayed awake for a little longer. Mario looks at Luigi smiling softly as he inches closer to hug him before passing out. Luigi chuckled a bit and rubs his head lightly giving him a sign of comfort. Luigi soon after also fell asleep with Mario in his arms both of them happy..

End of chapter 12