Chapter Text
Bulbfish Island was an oddly cozy place.
Mario kind of liked the warm lights that shone in the dark, the way the town felt like a seaside community from back in the human world.
There was something about it he just couldn’t explain.
He enjoyed their time there, every moment of investigation and meeting the locals.
Though, he found himself concerned by how many of the villagers had been affected by the Glohm.
One of which was a friend who disowned his friend group – saying he was unimportant. For a strange reason, this one had struck a chord.
Still, there was one moment that had Mario burning with rage – feeling sick with anger at the unfairness of it.
Watching that couple being taken away and locked up for a crime they didn’t commit.
He and Luigi had tried to protect them, insisting of their innocence but no one would listen. They were outsiders, their prisoners were outsiders and so they couldn’t be trusted.
Mario hated that mentality.
Of course, he jumped straight into action – not allowing this injustice to continue.
Even going so far as to do all the stupid tasks the guard wanted them to do in order to get the spare key.
He’d grown angry once more when the guard became aggressive.
Poor Luigi had ended up crumpled on the ground – yeah, they got the spare key regardless, but his little brother had been hurt!
Mario wanted to march right over to that nasty guard and give him what for, but Luigi had laid a hand on his arm and soothed him.
“Didn’t you see?” He’d asked quietly. “The weird glow? The strange look in his eyes? I think he’s been infected.”
This had scared Mario because how could it have happened right in front of them without them knowing?
“I don’t understand how.” Mario had frowned, looking around suspiciously. “Is it in the air? Does it just… travel like a virus? How do we know we’re safe?”
“I guess we don’t.” Luigi swallowed fearfully. “I guess there’s a chance one of us will end up like them.”
Mario swore right then and there that Luigi was not going to be a victim. He would fight tooth and nail to ensure his brother didn’t end up like one of those poor people.
He honestly didn’t think his heart could handle gazing into the face of his little brother and seeing nothing but a desire to be alone – to see the stoniness that came with it.
No, it wasn’t going to happen.
Still, the brothers had a job to do and so, they headed underground armed with the key.
Their first priority was freeing the captives and unlocking any doors that blocked their way. There were monsters down there, but they dealt with them quickly – not wanting to risk the captives running into them.
Before they knew it, they had arrived in a back room, wide and full of storage crates.
Ecks and one of his minions were speaking.
“Sir! We’ve performed Glohm-ray experiments on several islanders.” The minion reported robotically.
Ecks seemed pleased with this.
The twins crept closer as the two spoke of how they’d tested it on other islands and that, soon, Shipshape would be next.
The mention of the Island their friends made into a safe haven had both brothers dashing at the duo, ready to defend this world from their awful creation.
Ecks screeched in surprise and grabbed the minion, intending on flying off with him.
“Fight you coward!” Mario snarled at them. “Stop running away and face us!”
“What is the point of this Glohm-ray anyway?” Luigi called out, equally fed-up with the endless game of cat and mouse.
“You wanna fight so bad?” Ecks cackled almost giddily. “Fine! Fight each other!”
Luigi’s eyes widened as the ray was pointed straight at him and the trigger pulled, he watched as the beam of sickeningly dark light shot towards him almost in slow motion.
He didn’t want to become one of them. There was no cure, no fix.
He yelped in pain as something collided with his side before the beam could touch him. He grunted as he skidded across the dirt.
“What?” He groaned, propping himself up on his side and looking at where he’d been standing.
Ecks cackled maniacally.
Mario was crouched on the ground, his head ducked down. There was a strange aura around him, almost like…
“No.” Luigi gaped as he realised what had just happened. “No, M-Mario?”
The eldest looked up at his brother, a look at annoyance on his face.
“What do you want? Get out of my face.” Mario growled.
Luigi stared, feeling terribly sick.
“No… No, why would you take the hit for me?” He pleaded desperately. “You’re the hero! You can’t be taken out, who’s gonna save the world now? Mario, why?”
“Shut up, stop whining at me.” The hero scoffed, clenching his fists. “I’m so sick of people constantly whining at me!”
Ecks laughed again as he watched Luigi’s face crumple in defeat.
“Well! That’s fixed that little problem!” He whooped excitedly. “Zokket’s gonna be so impressed! Have fun you two, play nice!”
“No!” Luigi yelled as he jumped to his feet and chased after them. “Bring my brother back!”
But it was no use, they were gone.
Luigi panted hopelessly before turning to face his brother.
Mario just looked furious, annoyed at the very presence of another person.
“Mario?” Luigi stepped closer cautiously. “C’mon… we still gotta-“
“I said, leave me alone!” Mario snapped, kicking a small stone at his twin. “Get lost, you’re good at that.”
The eldest turned to head back into the depths of the underground but Luigi ran forwards and grabbed his arm.
“C’mon bro, I’m your brother! We’ve got people to help, please… you can break free! I know you can!” He nodded confidently.
Snoutlet slipped out from under his cap and winced as Mario slowly turned to glare at Luigi.
“Uh… I don’t think he wants to be touched right now.” He tried but Luigi shook his head.
“Mario. Look at me.” He frowned sternly. “You’ve got this. Break free, everyone still needs your help.”
Mario glared back.
“Luigi-“ Snoutlet tried again only to squeak.
In the blink of an eye, Mario had grabbed Luigi’s arm and used his body to flip the taller twin right over and onto his back.
Poor Luigi wheezed hoarsely from where he lay, completely winded and disorientated.
“Woah! You okay!?” Snoutlet checked as Mario sauntered past.
Luigi reached out and grabbed Mario’s ankle.
“St-Stop!” He coughed but the eldest was always stronger than his twin.
Mario yanked his leg free and stomped on the outstretched arm. Luigi yelled in pain, withdrawing it and clutching it to his chest protectively. The eldest then kicked Luigi’s shoulder twice and ran off, ensuring his victim was too stunned to follow.
“Luigi?” Snoutlet hovered above his friend worriedly. “Hey, you okay?”
Luigi just stared up at the ceiling, his face blank.
“Mario just attacked me… he-… he actually hurt me and meant it.” He wheezed numbly.
“I mean… not really? Well, yeah he did but it’s not him… it’s the Glohm!”
“Did you see the way he looked at me?” Luigi continued, face crumpling in pain. “I’ve never seen that look before… not even against Bowser… It’s like… It’s like he wanted to kill me.”
Snoutlet stayed silent, not knowing what to say.
“What are we going to do?” The human asked fearfully. “We can’t do this without him…”
“There’s no cure… I’m not sure what we can do.” Snoutlet shook his head sadly. “I think… I think we’re on our own.”
Luigi frowned at that before forcing himself to sit up.
“No.” He huffed before struggling to his feet.
“What?”
“No. I’m not leaving Mario like this!” The human insisted bravely, glancing the way Mario disappeared. “There’s gotta be a way to get through to him, I know it.”
“Uh… I think all he wants to do is beat something up.” The pig winced as he followed the human back into the dark underground.
“Fine. He can beat me up.” Luigi nodded sternly. “If that’s what breaks him out of this then he can hit me as hard as he likes.”
“He’ll kill you.” Snoutlet gaped, unsure of the wiseness of chasing the older brother. “And I don’t think that’s gonna help.”
“I’m not gonna fight him.” Luigi scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I’m just gonna talk. Remind him of who he is and what he means to me.”
“Yeah, that worked so well last time.” The little pig snarked. “Just so you know, I am not staying in your hat – I want to come out of this alive and in one piece.”
“Stop following me!” Yelled a voice from the shadows. “You’re always following me, I’m tired of it.”
“Mario?” Luigi froze, looking around. “Where are you? Come out here and talk to me!”
“Leave me alone! Why do you insist on invading my space and nagging constantly! Everyone is always talking, always looking – always up in my face.” Mario snarled, sounding like he was getting further away. “I just want to be left in peace!”
Luigi hurried to follow the voice, not willing to lose his brother in this maze.
“We follow you because you’re our hero!” He called out hopefully. “You’re strong and dependable! You never say no to a cry for help! That’s just who you are.”
“Please don’t rile him up.” Snoutlet whimpered.
“You’re loved by everyone because you’re a good guy!”
“I’m sick of being pushed around. Being taken advantage of.” The voice was above them now. “Why can’t people just fix their own problems!? Mind their own business? Nobody helps me, nobody saves me. I do everything on my own.”
“That’s not true! I’ve saved you!” Luigi scolded, still trying to work out exactly where his brother was hiding.
“King Boo… being in that painting was the only peace I’ve ever had.” The voice groaned.
Luigi noted that there was no dismissiveness to it, he was acknowledging Luigi’s part in rescuing him.
He assumed this was progress.
“Don’t be silly, you’ve never liked being alone or anywhere quiet.” Luigi chuckled fondly. “You’re always moving around, doing something… you’re always making new friends. I mean… you and I have never been apart for long! It’s a twin thing I guess.”
“Never had time on my own – so why can’t I have that now?” Mario sounded genuinely distressed. “Why won’t people just give me a break?”
Luigi frowned sadly at that, he knew that actually was one of Mario’s biggest issues. No matter how hard he tried to have a break or a vacation, something always happened.
“I know… it’s hard being needed all the time… It’s hard that even when you go away trouble still follows you.” He nodded in understanding. “But… it’s just how our lives are… maybe one day we’ll actually get to relax for longer than a day, but we gotta finish this adventure first.”
“Stop talking! You never shut up!” Mario yelled, “I wish you’d just back off and give me some space!”
“I’m not going anywhere.” The youngest nodded confidently. “I’ll never leave you.”
“Guess I’m gonna have to make you.”
Snoutlet whimpered, not liking the threat.
Luigi spun around as Mario jumped down from above and landed in front of him.
“You wanna pester me? Fine, let’s go. I’ve always been a better fighter than you.”
Mario grinned nastily as he squared his shoulders and stretched his neck, he fell into a fighting stance.
“I’ll even let you go first – hit me.”
“No, I’m not gonna hit you.”
“Hit. Me.”
“No.”
Mario clenched his jaw in annoyance.
“C’mon! Hit me! Attack me! I’m everyone’s punching bag! JUST HIT ME!”
“No!” Luigi backed away, refusing to hurt his brother. “You’re not yourself! Mario, c’mon… you’re stronger than this! Better than this! You gotta break free!”
Mario snarled like a hungry animal and dashed forwards.
Luigi leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding a vicious tackle.
“Stop!” Snoutlet squealed as he flew above the battle. “Mario! Don’t!”
Luigi dodged as Mario tried to punch him over and over, eventually the younger twin sidestepped and tripped his brother. Mario grunted as he landed on his knees, he threw himself back up and glared at his victim.
“Mario. You would never hurt me.” Luigi insisted calmly. “Even when you were teaching me how to fight, you refused to ever lay a hand on me. Don’t do this… you’ll never forgive yourself.”
“I’m gonna kill you. Finally, I’ll be left alone with nobody to annoy me.”
Luigi smiled sadly.
“I’m not gonna let you do that.”
Mario yelled as he once again threw himself at his rival, clawing at air as Luigi continued to dodge him with ease.
“I know you bro, I’ve fought by your side for years.” Luigi soothed, trying to calm the enraged hero.
It didn’t work.
Mario feinted punching right and quickly switched to the left, his fist connecting with Luigi’s jaw.
The taller brother held his chin and backed away, glaring back at his brother.
“That was a dirty trick!” He snapped, Mario just smiled cruelly.
“Pathetic.”
Luigi squeaked as he hurriedly dodged another attack, he began to realise just how fast Mario truly was.
“Luigi! You gotta run away!” Snoutlet insisted desperately, “This is stupid!”
“I’m not stupid!” Mario snarled up at the pig as he threw a stone up at him.
“I didn’t say you were!” The pig yelled back, quickly sheltering among the beams.
Mario faced Luigi again, panting with fury.
“I’m not stupid.” He stated again.
“No, you’re not” Luigi agreed with quiet certainty.
They watched each other tensely for a moment.
Mario rubbed his nose before reaching back and pulling out his hammer, he gripped it purposefully.
Luigi swallowed, not liking the introduction of weapons – still he pulled his own hammer out too.
Mario ran at him, weapon at the ready – Luigi slipped to the side, preparing to trip his brother again and confiscate the hammer.
Mario had already worked out his plan.
He jumped over the leg that shot out, turned and slammed the hammer against his brother’s side.
Luigi stumbled in pain, falling over his own feet and landing face first in the dirt.
He held his ribs tightly, breathing now a painful burden.
“Mario… stop… I’m not fighting you.” Luigi whined, glancing up at his brother as he stalked towards him.
Snoutlet flew down and fluttered around Mario’s head, pulling his attention from the injured human.
“I won’t hurt you.” Luigi cringed as he rose to his feet.
Mario turned to face Luigi again, Snoutlet was quick to hide.
“That’s enough.” Luigi panted, watching his brother warily.
Mario seemed to relax for a moment.
Then he ran forwards and leapt into the air, hammer prepared to swing down.
“LOOK OUT!” Snoutlet yelled from above.
Luigi sidestepped and swung his own hammer, meeting the oncoming weapon with deadly accuracy.
Mario screamed with rage as his hammer disappeared behind him, the force of the counter being enough to disarm him.
Luigi shook out his wrists and put away his weapon.
The eldest was now blind with anger, he leapt onto Luigi and knocked him flat on his back. With his knees he pinned him down, digging into flesh painfully. He rose his fists and let loose.
Luigi did his best to protect himself against the barrage of punches.
He used his forearms to cover his face and throat – he couldn’t help but notice these hits weren’t as hard as they could be. Maybe he was finally getting through?
“You’re gonna leave me alone, permanently!”
Luigi shut his eyes and yelled back.
“Do you really want that? To never see me again?”
The hits weakened and slowed.
“You really want to be alone? No friends, no family? To be invisible and forgotten?” Luigi shouted, still protecting himself despite the beating coming to a halt. “No! You don’t!”
Snoutlet watched from above, tensely hoping against hope.
“Mario isn’t that person. He loves his friends, and he loves me! He would never hurt us!” The youngest continued to cry, now falling apart. “I hate you! I hate you for taking my brother and making him a monster! I hate you for how my brother’s gonna feel when he’s back, knowing he fought me, that he tried to kill me just might destroy him and it’s all your fault you stupid Glohm!”
Luigi was full on sobbing now.
“Just… Please Mario! Come back! I’m not angry with you or scared of you! None of this is your fault! I don’t want this! I don’t want you to be sad or guilty or-or angry! You’re my big brother and you’ve always done so much to protect me, you’re my hero… I can’t save Concordia without you… I can’t leave this underground or this island or this world without you! I-I need you.”
The weight on top of him slipped off, breaking Luigi out of his ramble.
He glanced to the side to see Mario knelt beside him, eyes wide and wet.
No aura, no glow, no anger.
Just love and concern.
“L-Luigi?” Mario whimpered, eyes scanning his twin shakily. “No… I-I did this? I-I hurt you…”
Luigi pushed himself up into a sitting position, unable to look away from his devastated brother.
“Mario? Are you… you?” He asked hopefully.
“I’m so sorry… so, so sorry! Luigi… I-I hurt you… look at you! You’re so bruised and-and… no… no, no….” Mario’s tears fell down his face as he crumpled with exhaustion and guilt.
“You’re back!” Luigi beamed happily, throwing himself at his brother and hugging him tightly. “Mario! You’re finally back! I knew you’d break free! I knew it!”
Mario was shaking terribly.
“You’re so strong bro! You broke free of the Glohm!” Luigi continued to praise. “You did it!”
He deflated a little as his brother continued to cry, his arms wrapped securely around Luigi as if afraid he’d disappear.
“I’m so stupid.” Mario scolded himself wetly. “I’m so stupid and awful… what have I done?”
“What? No!” He pulled back to gaze at Mario urgently. “This isn’t your fault! You were hit with that ray gun thing! You didn’t know what you were doing!”
“I attacked you. I fought you without mercy and- oh my… what if I had killed you!?” Mario paled considerably, looking like he might actually be sick at the very thought.
“You’d never!” Luigi cooed gently. “Mario please don’t blame yourself… You’re back, we’re together again – that’s all that matters.”
The older brother allowed his twin to collapse onto him again, clinging tightly.
“You saved me.” Mario breathed, rubbing his brother’s back. “Without any regard for your own safety… without any hesitation or doubt… You rescued me little brother.”
“You came back.” Luigi mumbled fondly. “You came back… you’re back.”
“Yeah… yeah I’m back…”
Mario held his brother as his mind swirled. He’d taken that hit to protect Luigi, but it had backfired. He never could have predicted he would become so angry, bitter and violent.
His mind had no recollection of inflicting the wounds.
He remembered the beam of light, being trapped in darkness and growing frustrated at his helplessness.
He remembered his knuckles hurting.
Then, Luigi’s voice… it brought light with it and…
He’d been freed.
He felt the crushing guilt for what he’d done though, he suspected he didn’t know the full extent. Still, Luigi was desperate to move on – for Mario not to be consumed by it all.
He wouldn’t be.
He swore right there and then he would never let his brother get hurt again. He’d never let him feel so afraid and alone, so hurt and lost.
Never again.