Stolen Hope - A Super Mario Bros Fanfic

Chapter 4 - Bound and Broken

A chilling breeze raked through the air of the dark chamber. The grey stone-bricked walls looked even more dull under the faint flames hanging upon the walls, their light crackling echoing across the walls. The dark corridor housed a small, enclosed area, thick steel bars separating it from the ominous hall. Within the small, caged area, a human lay, his back on the ground, unconscious. 

The figure seemingly began to stir, his eyes slowly opening towards his hazy surroundings. His head was pounding, yet he couldn’t remember why. Hu..uh..where..? His thoughts ceased as he tried to stand, realising his movements were drastically restricted. Although everything felt exhausted and drained of energy, there had to be another reason for this. While still laying on his back, he peered down. His eyes were welcomed with seeing thick, metal chains, wrapping around him like a cocoon from ankles to just below his shoulders, their tight grasp enveloping him. Eyes widening, a sick sensation began to boil in his stomach, now realizing he was also gagged and trapped who-knows-where. He began to struggle against his chains, attempting to break free of his current captor while trying to piece the puzzle together

“But I can’t leave you here! You’re far too important to the kingdom to lose, and far too important for me to los-”

He froze. It was all coming back now, a sharp pang of fear cutting through him like a knife. One thought had crossed his mind, now plaguing his brain with questions. LUIGI! He struggled harder, trying to pull his arms out from above, but to no avail, the chains' grip was too tight to pull out of. He was at least able to shift himself into a sitting position, the wall behind supporting him. His head darted around the room, scanning for Luigi. Breathing a sigh of relief, he noted that they were nowhere in sight, however, he recognized the area too well for his liking. There was no doubt about it; this was Bowser’s dungeon, although it felt much scarier being within the cell. This is where Peach is often kept, having came here countless times to save her. 

Oh Mario, look where your reckless behaviour led you this-a time. 

Although he held hope in being rescued, he hated and feared this feeling of...helplessness. First the mansions, now this? His job was to save others, not sit around and await rescue. A muffled groan barely escaped his lips, his sick stomach worsening as he continued to fight against the chains. He even tried using his fire abilities, the chains revealing their seemingly fireproof qualities. What if Luigi didn’t make it away? What if he got captured too? If you hadn't escalated that figh- 

His thoughts were cut off by footsteps he could hear from across the hall. He quieted his thoughts and movements, trying to make out the faint voices to get any leads on his brother's whereabouts. A loud, furious growl sounded, unmistakably Bowser.

"WHAT! YOU BOUGHT HIM HERE?? ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Bowser yelled angrily.

"Calm down my lord, he's not roaming free in the castle! We've put him down in the dungeon for a reason and put extra restraints on him too", replied a much calmer, yet raspy voice, who Mario guessed was Kamek

"But what about green stache? He'll bring an army right into our home base!" Bowser argued in response.

"We'll get to that, trust me my lord, it has been accounted for." 

Mario gulped at the words, hoping his brother was still safe. Mario grew anxious as the footsteps grew louder, clearly approaching the cell. 

Kamek was the first to come into Mario's view, glaring daggers towards the plumber. 

"Well well, finally awake I see. Not so fun behind bars eh?" He taunted, cockiness in his tone. Mario could only return his glare with one of searing rage. 

"So it's true then.." The large, scaly beast stated, now peering in the cell to see Mario. "After all this time, just like that huh? We've fought for so many years, yet a single raid takes you down?..." he trailed off. "Kamek! Open the door, I want to greet our..guest…..personally."

The koopa wizard opens the door reluctantly to let his king into the cell, the rivals meeting each other's glares. Bowser reached down, one hand reaching to untie the gag, the second being placed under the hero's chin, angling him to meet eye to eye; face to face. Once the gag came off, Bowser began to speak. 

"So how does it feel plumber boy? Such a shame you can't get in the way of me and Peach anymore", Bowser stated, clearly trying to get under Mario's skin, all while still holding his head up firmly.

"I won't be trapped here forever, Luigi will come to save me, you Koopa Creep!" he retorted back, earning a shallow claw slash to the cheek, Bowser pulling his hand away.

"Oh he won't be coming anytime soon," Kamek chuckled, "According to reports from the patrol, he didn't get away. He was thrown off a cliff. Luigi was last seen falling down with a loud crash when he hit the bottom of the fall. He's dead"

Mario's eyes widened, clearly stunned and frozen in place. They might as well have thrown him right into lava. 

"No….you're LYING!" Mario spat, anger pulsing through his veins rapidly, now struggling against his bonds once more. He desperately wanted to tear the cocky grins from their faces. "You're making up lies to make me lose hope! Luigi can't have-a died you sick-"

Mario was cut off, Bowser firmly pressing the gag cloth over his mouth and tightly tying it back. 

"Enough of that plumber, I've heard ENOUGH from you today" Bowser scolded sarcastically, seeming pleased at Mario's fury. Bowser removed Mario's signature cap from his head, receiving an infuriated, muffled grunt in protest. He was taking it as a trophy of sorts, also returning Mario's chilling glare. Bowser turned to face Kamek, walking towards him.

"So you really got Luigi killed?" The giant reptile questioned, amusement edging his tone.

"This was gathered from the scene, it seems so." Kamek stated. He reached into his pocket hidden under the robe to reveal a small piece of green fabric. While Bowser chuckled in amusement, leaving the cell, hat in hand, Mario sat, his heart breaking. 

No..no no this can't be happening. I..I couldn't..save him..

He held himself together, not wanting to break in front of his nemesis.

"Have fun down here chump," Bowser taunted with glee, "while you stay down here, I'M going to write a letter to my future wife. Best birthday present EVER!"

The two walked back down the hall, footsteps climbing the stairs. Silence once more. Mario rolled over onto his side, facing the wall and curling up as much as his bonds allowed. A shallow whimpering lightly echoed across the walls. It was no longer the helplessness pulling him down, it was now the crushing weight of failing the two he swore to protect. Quiet sobs and sniffles replaced the silence as our hero lay, broken and defeated, darkness consuming his thoughts.

Might need to do another edit later, but I think this came out pretty well, poor Mario ;-; . Thanks for reading!, I'll hopefully have the next part out in a week!