Previously…

As the bros walked out the [𝐓𝐞𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐍𝐠 𝐚𝐑𝐞𝐀] they went to find an exit out of this place…or they might be trapped for eternity…?

And now…the continuation of chapter 5: “Strange changes”

Luigi and Mario walked in the darkness nearly for 15 minutes. Luigi looked back at Mario who seems to doze off and fall behind. He decided to help him keep up.

Luigi: “Bro are you alright..? You seem lost..” *He asked with concern*

Mario: “Huh-? O-Oh!…Sorry bro…I…I must’ve dozed off..hehe..” *He responded sounding a bit off*

Luigi: “If you say so bro..do you need me to carry you?..” *He asked*

Mario: “No..I-I’m good..thanks though..” *He replied*

As they continued forward Luigi couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about his dear brother. Perhaps he’s overreacting he thought. Then suddenly…a loud *thud!* was heard behind him.

Luigi: “MARIO?!” *He cried worryingly as he rushed to his brother*

Mario: *Softly panting while staring at the ground* “I’m…f-fine…I’m fine…g-go without me…I need a minute….” *He responded to Luigi outta character..?*

Luigi: “I’m NOT leaving you bro! H-Here…use it…” *He said while giving the inhaler*

Mario: *He gasped for air and got up* “T-…Thanks Luigi…” *He thanked cheerfully*

Luigi: “Heh…your welcome bro..now let’s-a-go” *He said with a little bit of confidence*

Mario smiled a bit then followed Luigi. It was a long walk…door to door…passage to passage…they searched…looked…everything..it was exhausting for the two…so they took a break for 5 minutes. Until…Mario was acting strangely…He held the knife he recently found then held it to Luigi’s neck who was asleep.

Mario…?: “Sweet dreams brother…” *He said in a eerie tone*

As he was about to end his only brother he snapped out of it and then collapsed onto Luigi causing him to jolt awake.

Luigi: “WAH?!— uh..?….Mario?…Brother?…” *He questioned worryingly*

Mario: “…mm…..nnnhh…..” *Unresponsive and keep making very tired noises*

Luigi: *He sighed* “Oh Mario…what am I gonna do with you…? Sleepyhead…heheh…” *He said to himself while chuckling a little bit*

Luigi held Mario close to him to make him feel comfortable. He places the nearest soft material of a ‘blanket’ on Mario, dusty and a little torn..but it’ll do for now.

Luigi: “Sleep well…brother…” *He quietly said rubbing his head a little while smiling softly*

Mario: “Zzz…Zzz…nnh……mm….” *Asleep. But smiles a bit from comfort of his brother*

[6 hours later…]

Luigi woke up to the sound of…screaming?…He looked confused. He then looks at Mario but…he’s…gone? He starts to freak out of where could he gone to. He stood up and runs to find him. Surprisingly he wasn’t too far.

Luigi: *uff* *huff* “Mario..?! Are you ok? Are you hurt? What happened?!” *He asked frantically and horrified*

Mario: “Hm..? O-oh…u-uhm…sorry bro…I didn’t mean to scare you..I’m okay..” *He calmly said*

Luigi: “Oh…g-glad your okay…are you…still tired?..” *He relievedly asked*

Mario: “Mhm…” *He answered quietly*

Luigi: “Cmon..lets go back to sleep…” *He said in a tired voice*

Mario: “O-okay…” *He responded*

And so they went back to sleep. But Luigi noticed Mario looked stressed and scared..he manages to calm him down to make him go to sleep. Then he passed out as well.

[Meanwhile in the testing area]

“???”: “Amazing…absolutely amazing…your way stronger than I thought…well…at least I’m making progress…you cannot escape this place easily you know…heheh…rest up…you’ll need it…” *said to a familiar face…?*

[Back with the duo…]

It’s been 20 minutes ans they decided to find the way out while avoiding obstacles in their paths…However…Mario was stumbling and nearly falling down each time he walks. Luigi is concerned about his health so he picks him up and carries him on his shoulders.

Luigi: “Mario…please…rest…your pushing your limit bro…its worrying…you know I care about your health…” *He said softly with concern*

Mario: “Nhhn…..I….k-know….*He coughs a little* I…I….just….—“ *He gets interrupted by Luigi*

Luigi: “I know bro…both of us wants to get out of here…I’ll get us out of here…no matter what happens…okay?…You rest up…*He said while walking still in a concerned voice*

Mario: “Mm…o-okay bro…” *He said while closing his eyes to sleep*

Luigi smiles softly then press onward. He starts to think of the good times. Playing games, Going on adventures, Saving the people, etc…He misses everyone…He just hope one day…just one day…they’ll get out of this hell.

End of chapter 5

(Edit: sorry if this one is rather short or rushed *or seemed lol*)

(Edit 2: also keep in mind there is another ‘foe’ gonna be appearing soon…or later..who knows?)

Your local storyteller signing off >:D