Previously…

As Bowser watches the duo sleep he couldn’t shake off the feeling something or someone is watching them…

And now…the continuation of chapter 10: “Reunion Rumble.”

It’s been quite some time since the trio rested up from what occurred to Mario. Bowser tiredly looks at him shivering from that horrible experience he had endured. Bowser shook his head feeling a bit guilty for not taking Luigi seriously sooner. As Bowser looks at Luigi he’s shockingly awake?… Bowser is confused ‘why is he awake..?’ He thought.

Bowser: “Luigi?…Why are you up?…” *He asked*

Luigi: “I detected movement in the area…” *He answered coldly*

Bowser: “Who the hell is insane enough to be near us at this— well I wanted to say ‘time’ but most of the clocks are broken…” *He exclaimed with annoyance*

Luigi: “Koopas…” *He said under his breath*

Bowser: “Pardon?…” *He questioned with confusion*

Luigi: “I said…koopas…I just need to identify what kind of koopas…” *He replied coldly again*

Bowser was confused…koopas? Here? As Bowser was gonna say something he felt a shiver on his arm. It was Mario. He seemed very cold and scared. Bowser sighed and places a nearby blanket on him to calm him down. Mario looks relieved and stopped shivering.

Luigi: “He’s still traumatized huh…? I can’t blame him…I’m going to find out who’s nearby us…this won’t take long…if it turns out for the worst…tell Mario I’ll miss him…” *He exclaimed with a cold and serious voice*

Bowser: “…Luigi…You can’t be THIS stupid to wonder off alone when something horrific can happen to you..! You were crying your eyes out when you saw Mario trapped your very damn lucky I saved his life or he would’ve been done for.” *He angrily exclaimed at Luigi*

Luigi: *He clutched his fist tightly exploding from anger* “AND YOU?! YOU DIDN’T TOOK ME SERIOUSLY WHEN I DETECTED HE WAS IN DANGER! WHAT GOOD HAVE YOU DONE?! NOTHING! NOT A DAMN THING! YOUR JUST GONNA SLOW US DOWN YOU DAMN KOOPA!” *He gets on his knees hands clutching trying to calm him from shouting at Bowser from all the anger built inside him*

Bowser looks defeated at Luigi’s harsh words, he was correct he couldn’t stop thinking harshly to himself. Bowser got up holding Mario whose now awoken from the shouting..still tired… he places a hand on Luigi’s shoulder kneeling to his level. Luigi looked back at Bowser upset and started sobbing uncontrollably apologizing to him.

Bowser: *He sighs and hugged Luigi with his other arm due of holding Mario* “Your fine Luigi…all three of us what to escape….I feel your pain…” *He said calmly*

Luigi: *He starts to calm down* “Mm…..”

Mario: *He yawns tiredly but gets down* “That was some crazy fever dream…hehe…” *He mumbled to himself*

A voice was heard nearby their location. ‘That was no fever dream’ they said. As Mario, Luigi, and Bowser turned to their direction a familiar face was revealed. It was Kamek..? ‘Why is he here?’ They thought. Then another familiar face emerged from the shadows..it was none other…than Bowser Jr! Bowser himself was stunned, speechless, and had mixed emotions. Without a second thought he immediately hugged his son and he hugged him back.

Bowser Jr: “Father!..” *He tearfully exclaimed*

Bowser: “Jr…” *He silently said with tears running down his face*

Luigi: *He smiled a bit to see a nice reunion of father and son* “Awwh~ how cuuutee!” *He happily exclaimed*

Mario: *He smiled warmly then looks at Kamek confused what he said before* “…”

Kamek: “The mushroom you ate…was real…that dark red mushroom…and you were indeed trapped by him in that machine…” *He calmly explains*

Mario: “So…this…demon tail…is real?…” *He looks at his devil tail wagging side to side then back at Kamek*

Kamek: “As for your left eye and mouth…? Yes. You have fangs now…and as for your eye…let’s just say it looks…demonic enough…” *He answered cautiously*

Mario looked devastated then looks at his hands which are normal but in shock what might happen to him. Kamek sighs and pat his shoulder causing Mario to look up at Kamek.

Kamek: “I cannot guarantee…what may or may not happen to you Mario…but…I’ve done some research on that mushroom you took a bite of…not a whole bite…god forbid what will happen there…anyways…uhm…’The Devil’s Blood’ or ‘TDB’ for short…has an unknown origin…but I have discovered it came from a very…very dangerous and dark place nobody ever dared to go by…it’s island’s name is ‘Blood hell hills’ or ‘BHH’…that place is far cursed…dark…and too many dangers…it’s no level to go there…you Mario… *He paused himself* well…forever cursed I’m afraid.. *He said in disappointment*

Luigi: “WHAT?!” *He exclaimed in utter shock*

Bowser: “…” *Nothing but shock*

Bowser Jr: “W…What…?” *He questioned in a startled voice*

Mario: *Covered his mouth in disbelief and horror holding back tears* “…”

Kamek: “I’m deeply sorry Mario…I tried everything…I looked everywhere…I even asked that weirdo your brother met while saving you from the mansion. He had nothing.”

Mario: *Silent for a moment* “It’s….It’s alright…I’m glad you’ve tried your best Kamek…” *He oddly replied calmly*

Luigi wasn’t having with this ‘kindness’ nonsense from his brother any longer. He snapped.

Luigi: “MARIO! ARE YOU INSANE?! YOUR LITERALLY A DEMON NOW AND YOUR TELLING HIM HE DID THE BEST HE COULD?!” *He yelled*

Mario: *He jumped then turned around to Luigi scolding him* “Brother! At least he tried! Have some respect for him at least! We’re stuck in this hellhole and you think it’s okay to yell at someone who haven’t tried their BEST?!” *He yelled back*

Luigi: *He yelled even louder* “LIKE I BELIEVE HIM?! YOUR AS NAIVE AS YOUR ALWAYS ARE!” *He said angrily*

The two brothers started fighting causing Bowser Kamek and Jr to leave the room they were in and waited outside.

Mario: *He grabs Luigi by the neck and pinned him down* “HOW DARE YOU CALL ME NAIVE! AT LEAST I HAVE COMMON SENSE UNLIKE YOU! YOU NEED TO CALM YOUR ASS DOWN BEFORE I DO SOMETHING TO YOU! Don't push my limit! UNDERSTOOD!?” *He yelled demanding Luigi’s response*

Luigi: *He growled angrily grabbing Mario’s arm tightly with his metal arm causing it to snap and kicked him to the wall*

Mario: *He screamed in pain as he went flying to the wall* “A-AH!?—…” *He looked at his arm then at Luigi*

Luigi wasn’t done yet. He went into attack mode and sprinted at his brother causing Mario to go flying from wall to wall from each empty room. Mario’s head is bleeding but attempted to stand up and defend himself as Luigi got closer and closer to attack again. Mario manages to move out the way but was unsuccessful of fighting back because he still cares for Luigi. He accepted his fate dying in his brother’s hands as he cannot escape Luigi’s grasp. Mario tried to call his name but continued getting choked out and coughing out blood. Then suddenly Jr steps in attempting to help Mario out, he punched Luigi’s ankle causing him to yelp in pain and throw Mario across the hallway. Luckily Bowser caught Mario before he hit the ground, Luigi picked up Jr about to blow his head off…until he had a memory…a memory he remembers…being small and little…he sets Jr down back to his normal self. Except with a headache.

Jr: “Mister Luigi…?” *He questioned in a trembling voice with confusion*

Luigi: “Mm….my head…what ha— *He cut himself off seeing Mario deeply injured* what…have I….what have I done……..I’m a horrible person….I don’t deserve a brother!…I don’t deserve to……to…..” *He can’t finish his sentence and started crying*

Jr: “…You..must been through a lot…” *He said in a upset tone*

Luigi: *He nods his head still crying*

Jr: *He climbs onto Luigi’s lap and hugs him* “You need one….especially when your losing it…” *He said quietly*

Luigi: *He calms down looking down at Jr smiling a little bit and pats his head* “Heh…thanks…Jr…” *He said in a sad yet calmed voice*

Jr: *He nudges his stomach playfully* “Don’t get used to it you dork!” *He giggled*

Luigi: “oof— heyyyyy well you’ve fallen victim to the tickle monster! Hehehaha!” *He playfully teased*

Jr: “Nooo not the tickles! *He tried to escape but Luigi already got him* n-nooooo s-stoooop iiiittt” *He wiggled while laughing*

Luigi: “Hehehe! Gotchu!” *He laughed a bit before hugging him again*

As Bowser looks at Jr and Luigi he looked a little happy. But when he returned his gaze onto Mario he just now feel horrible for him. Beaten, bloody, Bruised, even a bone or more were broken. Mario seems to have a hard time breathing properly and continues to cough out blood. Mario had enough concussions to look up at Bowser. He tried to reach him but hurts himself in the process. Bowser brings Mario over to Kamek to get him fixed up. Kamek sees many problems that could go wrong..but he does his hardest to heal him the best he could. Luigi walks in with Jr and sat him down. There was a long pause.

Bowser: *He shook his head in disappointment* “Luigi…” *He said sounding angry*

Kamek: *Nothing to say but focusing on Mario’s health*

Jr: “H…He’s calm now father..he doesn’t mean it and you know it!”

Bowser: “I know Jr…I know…” *He said while taking a deep breath*

Luigi: “…I can tell your angry…I’ll…wait outside…” *He said in disappointment to himself as he left the room*

Bowser: *He sighed* “Jr…watch Mario for me…I’m just gonna talk to him..”

Jr: “Okay..!” *He replied*

As Bowser left the room Kamek and Jr stayed by Mario’s side watching him if he’ll ever wake up. Mario’s hand twitched a bit and forced himself to wake up. Jr lifted his head happy to see him okay. Kamek lays Mario’s head back down due of so much blood loss. Mario winced in pain but manages to stay awake.

Jr: “Mister Mario….?” *He questioned*

Mario: *He adverted his gaze to Jr like he wanted to say something* “…?”

Jr: “I’m no doctor or expert but can I help?…This is taking foreverrrrrrrr” *He groans in annoyance by Kamek*

Kamek: “Healing takes time young sir.” *He calmly replied*

Mario: *He giggled a bit but his voice is almost so damaged he just ends up coughing* “….”

Jr: *He held Mario’s right index finger cuz of how small he is looking a bit upset*

Mario: *He slowly takes his hand away and then pat his head as slow as he could due of so much pain but smiled a bit* “…..”

30 minutes later…

As Luigi and Bowser talked outside the room, Kamek seems to be done healing Mario. Jr is asleep on Mario’s stomach hugging his finger. Mario is also asleep. Kamek laughed a bit and went to Luigi and Bowser telling them to be quiet and come inside the room. They entered and sees both Jr and Mario asleep. Bowser smiled while nodding his head, while Luigi looked…happy…but also very sad. He seems bothered.

Luigi: “…He looks so peaceful…and happy….even in dire times like these…” *He said in a upset voice*

Bowser: “He has something called ‘hope’ Luigi…he always finds hope…” *He replied calmly*

Luigi: “I…know…” *He said desperately*

Mario: “Nn….mm…hm..?” *He groans silently making noise and wakes up only happen to see Jr asleep on his stomach. He giggled and pats his head lightly not trying to wake him*

Kamek: “Mario…can you speak..? Stand…? I’ve done the best to make you recover..” *He asked*

Mario: *He holds onto Jr and attempts to stand up. Weak and shaking he decides to sit back down* “….”

Bowser: “Well..if he can sorta stand…can he talk?…” *He asked Kamek*

Kamek: “W-Well it depends…? Uhh try to say something..anything really..” *He said to Mario*

Mario: “L…….ui………— gi…….” *He attempted to say his brother’s name ‘Luigi’ but his voice is kinda broken but able to speak*

Luigi: “Hm?…Yes Mario?…” *He asked confusingly*

Mario: “C….o…me…….h…e….re….” *He said very weakly and tiredly*

Luigi walked and kneeled down to his brother confused what he wanted. Mario sets Jr down next to a pillow then hugged Luigi with all his might. Luigi is upset and burst into tears sobbing and hugging him back. Mario made Luigi look at him wiping away his tears and smiled a little bit. Luigi looked confused and sad…but a little bit calmed down. Mario winced a little bit ignoring the slightest bit of pain he is in but, he only looks at Luigi…then yawned tiredly. Luigi lays Mario back down so he can rest.

Luigi: *He sighed* “Night…Mario….” *He said to him silently*

Mario: “L….u…i….g…i….?” *He said still in a weaken state*

Luigi: “hm?..” *He turn his head confused*

Mario: “I…….lo….v…….e……y…ou…….lit…tle….bro……” *He said tiredly but also sounded very calm before drifting to sleep*

Luigi: *He looked happy and kneeled down to him rubbing his head lightly* “I…love you too…big bro…” 

Mario: *asleep but heard Luigi’s voice and smiled a bit in his sleep* “Mm….”

As Luigi gets up he went to get something to eat because he haven’t ate anything. Bowser sits down next to Mario and Jr while Kamek is trying to figure things out. Luigi scanned everything top to bottom to make sure he finds what is correct to eat and what isn’t. He stumbles upon a normal looking red mushroom, he looked skeptical and then took a closer look. He scanned it and looked scared. The mushroom is called ‘The Mimic’ and can take any forms of a mushroom, Luigi kicked it away looking a bit angry. Maybe he’s overthinking that damn scientist is here? It didn’t take long for Luigi to detect danger. He looks at a screen to know who was in danger. Everyone else is asleep except Mario who seems scared and panicked. He was too weak to fight back or defend himself. Luigi waste no time bolting back to them but when he arrives he sees his poor brother getting choked out unable to fight back even if he tried. Luigi went to assist Mario by making the figure fly to a nearby wall and caught Mario before he went unconscious. He looks up at Luigi tired, and has minor damage..not too much injuries. Mario looked happy…Luigi looks at Mario slightly smiling and carries him back to bed. As Luigi sets his brother down and walk away again he heard a voice…it was Mario’s. ‘I wonder what he wants’ he thought.

Mario: “L…..u……i…..g…i…?” *He weakly asked*

Luigi: “Yes bro?…Do you need anything?…” *He questioned*

Mario: “U….p……h….h…hu…n…g…ry….” *He answered in a weak voice*

Luigi: [in his mind: ‘He’s hungry in a state like this..? I don’t wanna say ‘no’…but…oh what the hell…get a grip Luigi!..’] *He sighed* “Alright…but I’m gonna carry you. You can hardly walk on your own..” *He said with concern*

Mario: *He nods ‘ok’* “h….u…n..gr….y…..”

Luigi: *He picks up Mario and walk away to find food for the both of them*

[A few minutes passed]

As Luigi scavenged for food he found a few that could help for a while and possibly some resources would come in handy. Mario stayed on Luigi’s back looking around in case they ran into any problems. Luigi found all kinds of things! Medkits, plenty of bandages, a lot of food that could last them a week or more. Although he made sure they were good and not expired or gone bad most importantly if they had any side effects. None of the food he found were bad or expired. Mario’s hunger got more intense and his sanity was becoming low. Luigi notices this and hand over a normal red mushroom and Mario ate it without a second thought. He felt a bit better. So the duo went back to Kamek, Bowser, and Jr. Upon their arrival they’re still asleep and Luigi lays Mario down.

Mario: “L………u…i…gi?….” *He questioned while coughing*

Luigi: “Yes bro?…” *He replied while putting everything away*

Mario: “A…….Ar…e……y…..ou……st…i…ll….ma…d…at me…?” *He asked in a sad tone*

Luigi: *There was a long pause* “I….no….no no…..I…I was just…worried about you bro….even if…and I do mean ‘if’ we managed to get rid of that…demonic mushroom you ate you’ll…still be a demon….I just…care for you…I don’t want you to suffer……” *He answered upsettingly*

Mario: *He giggled a little bit* “O…oh…..L…u…i…gi…..yo…u….sh…ou….ld….kn…ow…th….at I’m….th….e o…ol…d…er…bro…th….er….a b….bi..t c…o…o co…o s…u..re b….u…t………I….I ap…pre…ciate…..it….li…tt….le…br…o….” *He coughs hurting his voice while talking to Luigi*

Luigi: *He sighs calmly and hands Mario a glass of water* “Here….maybe it’ll help your voice a bit..” *He suggested in a oddly upset tone*

Mario: *He drinks the water slowly from not wanting to hurt himself again then looks at Luigi*

Luigi: “..? Um…need something bro?…” *He asked confusingly*

Mario: *He hugged his arm still tired* “Mm….”

Luigi: *He smiled a bit* “Rest bro…” *He said as he lays him down*

As Mario drifts to sleep Luigi stayed awake. He made sure nobody was hurt especially Mario. He cannot bear to watch his brother get hurt again or possibly die…he checked the time and notices it was late. Luigi decides to sleep next to Mario to make sure he was safe.

???: “Perfect…since all of them are sleeping…this is my chance to get that short plumber…Mario…” *He drags Mario slowly away from Luigi so he wouldn’t notice and carries him to a far away location unable to he found*

Mario: *woke up scared* “Y…you a-again…” *He stuttered fearfully*

???: “Awake already?….doesn’t matter…don’t worry about our little ‘deal’…Mario…” *He said as he tied him down to a metal table*

Mario: “Wh…what are you gonna do to me?….P-please h-have mercy!…I-I’ll do a-anything!…Please..!” *He begged as he tried to free himself but it was no use*

???: “Ohhh Mario…you will do ANYTHING for me here…they’re too far away to even hear your cries…” *He said lifting his head then released his hand from hid head*

Mario: “Please…..mercy…..I don’t wanna die…” *He plead for his life to be spared*

???: “Hmm~…I’ll think about it…but for now… *He pressed a button* you’ll listen to me….understood?..” *He demanded*

Mario: *He tears up a bit* “Please…..w-will I….I see them again..?” *He asked fearfully*

???: “Yes..you will…but for now.. *He clicks the button again causing an injection to be inserted to Mario’s arm* sleep well~..”

Mario: “NNH?!….wh..at……*He yawned* did….you….do…?” *He tries to fight going to sleep but fell victim to the injection*

???: “Sleep well Mario…in the meantime… *He releases him putting him in a testing tube* you’ll stay here..”

[Meanwhile with the others]

Jr rushes to Luigi Kamek and Bowser shaking them to wake up. Kamek woke up first, then Luigi, and Bowser. All confused of why Jr seems so distressed and scared. Luigi notices Mario is gone and asked Jr where he went. Jr wasted no time explaining what happened to him. Bowser and Luigi looks pissed while Kamek seems worried and shocked.

Luigi: “This damn scientist….I’m gonna…UGHH!…” *He punched the wall pissed*

Bowser: “This bastard will die by my hands….I’ve had enough…” *He said in a angered voice*

Kamek: “I…I’ll see what I can do…” *He said worryingly*

Jr: “Follow me I…I know where he is!…” *He exclaimed fearfully*

Luigi: *He sighs* “Alrighty…lead the way…” *He said trying to calm down*

As they followed Jr to go after Mario. It didn’t took too long for them to find Mario inside a testing tube. Luigi looked angry…Bowser looked furious and Kamek looked scared. Luigi and Bowser went to free Mario while Jr stayed behind Kamek. The duo broke the tube setting Mario free. He wakes up looking at Luigi and Bowser then sat up like a lifeless zombie. Mario looks at both of them…then out of nowhere he pounces onto Luigi like a predator attacking it’s prey. Luigi looked confused and startled at this turn of events. Mario just stares at him with his right eye now looking hollow and dead..? Bowser is skeptical but on high alert. Luigi attempts to get Mario off of him but nothing happened Mario just stares at him. Bowser manages to get Mario off of Luigi. Both of them stared at each other for a few seconds then looked at Mario.

Bowser: “Did he ate a mushroom again?…” *He asked with confusion*

Luigi: “Uhm….I don’t think so… *He scans him and notices he got an injection that causes him to be violent or unresponsive* this damn scientist…” *He said angrily*

Mario: *He jumps off of Bowser and lands on Luigi’s back*

Luigi: “WAH-?! Ouch!..Mario what is wrong with you?! Speak to me!” *He demanded*

Mario: “Must…….obey……..can’t…..take….this anymore…” *He said almost unresponsive*

Luigi: “M-Mario! Look at me!..*He grabs Mario and held him down* look at me…it’s me…Luigi…brother…”

Mario: “Lui…gi…? M…my head…where am I?….why’s my vision blurry?….”

Luigi: *He sighed* “Cmon bro…let’s go…” *He said with annoyance*

Mario: *He yoinks his arm away from Luigi in fear* “I…I can’t go…” *He said in a sad voice*

Luigi: “What do you mean brother?…” *He asked confusingly*

Mario: “H…He told m-me I must…listen to him…a-and I-I’ll get to b-be freed once he is done…I can’t go!…He’ll hurt me….he’ll even hurt you….please….go without me….” *He said in the most scared voice*

Luigi: “Mario….” *He had nothing else to say*

Mario: “Please Luigi……*He held his hands* please….listen to me…just this once…I’ll be okay…you do trust me..do you?….” *He asked*

Luigi: “Well…y-yes but not with a psychopath like him..” *He answered worryingly*

Mario: “Please…go…I promise…I’ll…be okay…go without me…he wants me for…something…okay…?” *He plead for his safety*

Luigi: “…okay…if you say so… *He kneels down and hugs Mario* please be careful…” *He said with worry*

Mario: *He hugged him back* “Don’t worry….I’ll be fine…” *He assures him*

As Luigi walks away he took one last look at Mario tearing up…Mario waves ‘bye’ also in tears but looks down..Bowser stayed while Luigi and Kamek went back except for Jr and Bowser. Mario was confused and most importantly…worried..and afraid…Bowser stayed by his side and Jr hugged his leg. Mario looked happy and upset at the same time…Bowser held Mario like a child while Jr crawls onto his stomach. Mario said nothing but started to cry and hugs little Jr in a state of panic and fear. Bowser gets up holding the two in his arms and walked back to get Mario fixed up.

[Hours passed]

It’s been 3 whole hours since Mario was held captive…now freed by Bowser and Jr. Mario is now resting from all the pain he went through…luckily Kamek fixed him up good as new..all Mario needed was sleep. Luigi sat next to Mario, and so did Jr. Bowser sat down and Kamek still researching stuff and possibly finding a way out.

End of chapter 10

(Note: Sorry if this chapter got delayed)