The Surge [SPM Halloween Story!]

(6) Kingly Advice

Luigi now trekked through the woods behind his house with his Poltergust's flashlight shining through the early morning darkness. Dimentio trailed along slightly behind Luigi, not wanting to get caught in the Poltergust's light beam.

The man in green had noted that the ghostly jester seemed to share the common specter's dislike of any kind of light. Luigi was also willing to bet that Dimentio would also be weak to any sunlight or concentrated flashlight beam from his Poltergust, but he didn't really want to test the theory.

Polterpup was told to stay behind by Luigi, who was specifically instructed to "guard the house". Dimentio questioned Luigi if it was necessary to tell the dog it was for a cause, but Luigi said that he wanted Polterpup to feel like he was helping too, even if he couldn't come along. Polterpup was very excited to protect the house until his owner got back, which made Luigi glad knowing he'll stay safe at home.

But for now, Luigi and Dimentio were on a mission. They were going to attempt to find King Boo in the woods, try and figure out what kind of ghost Dimentio was, and learn about what they could do about his unfinished business.

"So, let me try and comprehend this properly," Dimentio started. "This 'guy', King Boo, is supposed to be... your greatest enemy?"

Luigi hesitantly shrugged in response, a little scared from Dimentio's rather upset tonality.

"I-I mean... usually? I-in case you couldn't tell, I'm kind of scared of ghosts," Luigi stated, averting his gaze to the trail at his feet.

"Yes, I got that, but you're telling me that some GHOST that I have never even heard of is who you're most threatened by?" Dimentio questioned, floating up beside Luigi. "I'M a ghost right now and you don't seem half as scared of me!"

Luigi jumped a bit after Dimentio got up too close to him. The whole dark forest spooky vibe wasn't at all helping the man in green's nerves, especially not with Dimentio there with him.

"W-well, I-I mean, I've been talking with you and I-I guess I'm just not as-" Luigi paused, turning to look at Dimentio with narrowed eyes. "Wait, are you jealous that I seem more scared of King Boo than I am of you?"

Dimentio scoffed, rolling his eyes below his mask and waving him off as if he just called him crazy.

"What? Me, JEALOUS? HA! Preposterous," Dimentio laughed. "I'm just confused about how you could be scared of a ghost that hasn't even killed you before!"

Luigi snickered a little, earning an arched eyebrow from Dimentio.

"Oh my Grambi, you're jealous," Luigi said under his breath.

"I am not! I just want to know how HE is considered your biggest rival when I am quite LITERALLY the predicted counterpart of you, the man in green!" Dimentio exclaimed.

Luigi continued to snicker as he shrugged back, earning a scowl from Dimentio.

"I-I guess he's just my rival because I've fought against him more?" Luigi offered.

"Oh, well excuse ME for being killed in the mind of a vicious beast which I conjured up to act out my justice," Dimentio retorted, holding a hand to his forehead as if feigning being hurt.

"Plus he's tried to hurt my bro on a few occasions..." Luigi added.

"I LITERALLY KILLED YOUR BROTHER!" Dimentio shouted into Luigi's face.

Luigi held up his hands, side-stepping away from Dimentio while continuing along.

"If it makes you feel any better, I have even more rivals, technically..." Luigi stated with an awkward smile.