The Evils Within

Chapter 22

Luigi stood shocked at his ticked-off dopplegänger, watching his hand glow as he charged up another attack. Mr. L shot a beam of electricity to Luigi, who shifted to the side, barely avoiding it. Angry that his attack missed, he charged to Luigi, drawing his arm back as he prepared to strike. Pained as he was, Luigi stood his ground, grabbing his opponent's hands, keeping them away from his person. The force of the attack threw Luigi back to the walls of his brother's cell. Luigi let out a pained grunt.

"What is your problem? Why are you doing this?" he asked through his teeth, using all his strength to keep Mr. L restrained.

"If you were in my shoes, you'd be doing the same thing," Mr. L responded, struggling to break free from his double's grip.

Luigi was both shocked and confused by his response. He pushed him away. "No, I wouldn't! I could never bring myself to hurt them. I care about them!"

Mr. L scoffed, "This innocence of yours is merely a façade. I know how you really feel about them. How you feel devoid of your true abilities from underneath your brother's shadow or how you think you'd make a much better leader than the princess. Have you forgotten? I've been in your head for years. I've seen everything you've seen, heard every thought you've manifested, felt every emotion you've felt. There is nothing I don't know about you."

Luigi froze at this. He knew Mr. L wasn't wrong about his thoughts and feelings. He felt attacked. His mind raced as he glanced down to the Sarasaland princess. "...What about Daisy? She didn't do anything to deserve this."

Mr. L looked down to Daisy then back up to Luigi with a shrug. "Merely a precaution. You know what she's capable of and you're afraid of it. She is a rather... experienced fighter and leaving her out of all this would just get in my way," he replied. For a brief moment, his mind wandered. For a brief moment, he felt... bad, but he immediately shook it off. "But, this isn't about her, it's about us..."

Getting his mind back together, he noticed Luigi try to take advantage of his inattentiveness. Luigi slowly worked his way to help Daisy. Mr. L would not accept this and shot a bolt of electricity to Luigi's feet.

Luigi jumped in shock and snapped his attention to his alter ego.

"...or rather... you," Mr. L scowled. "I know what you want. This is what you want," Mr. L gestured to himself, "Attention, power... being player one. I've seen the scenario you've played for yourself time and time again. And I really liked it," He smiled, evilly.

Luigi shook his head, "What? No! You- You put that in my head, didn't you?" He questioned.

"Me? Oh no, no," Mr. L chucked, "I didn't put those thoughts into your head. All your twisted wishes, your selfish desires, that was all you," Mr. L smirked. Luigi refused to believe what he was being told. He thought he was being lied to, yet, deep down, he knew it was all true. His breathing quickened as Mr. L continued.

"I just sat back and enjoyed the show, hoping someday your wishes would come true. Then again, you being... you, I knew your wishes would never come to fruition. So, I wanted to take matters into my own hands, and I'm so close! And I know you can't do a thing to stop me." His smirk only grew.

Luigi's head was to the ground at this point. While his thoughts may have been a little screwed up from time to time, deep down, he knew he was still a good person. His motives, his intentions, his passions, they were all for the greater good, something his alter ego couldn't possibly understand. "But you're wrong, I will put a stop to you..." Luigi spoke up.

Mr. L scoffed once again, "Really? You really think you can stop me?" He laughed, "I would love to see you try."

Mr. L stood, opened armed, awaiting Luigi's attempt at an attack. Luigi charged a punch to Mr. L, striking him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain, having completely forgotten about their shared pain.