(As Long as We're Together) Everything's Gonna Be Okay

Mario Gets Egg on His Face, Luigi Gets in Bigger Trouble with Mimi

Mimi sits on the bed, and Mr. L hates how she looks more resigned than mad.

"You remembered being your brother's support system."

"No." He says immediately, squeezing her shoulder. "It was just a flash, that's all."

"Do you mean that, or are you trying to spare my feelings again?" Mimi knows she has no right to be this bitter, but she can't help it.

"Mimi, I promise you, that was it." He can say that much, can't he? "There haven't been any more memories."

"But you wish there was." Mimi can read between the lines just fine.

"Yes I do." They both know it, and Mr. L isn't dumb enough to say otherwise. "I know that's not what you wanna hear, but it's true."

"Okay, Mr. L, you need to listen up." Mimi straightens herself up. "I want you to remember everything as much as you do. Your life here, your friends, even your brother. Because I want to believe you'd still want to be my friend, regardless."

"Are you sure?" Mr. L asks.

"Of course I am."

Mr. L chuckles in relief. "Good. Because I stole the maps from the castle. I'm going back up to Star Hill."

Mimi's face falls. "The princess declared it unstable, and that they were gonna burn the maps to discourage anyone from going up there."

"I am aware." Here we go. "That's why I broke into the castle and stole them back before they could."

Mario's at the meeting point when the fatter man in yellow arrives.

"What do you want?"

"Why did you turn down the settlement?"

Wario laughs. "Is that a trick question? My microgames have made more than that in a year. "

"What if I tell them to go higher?"

"I'm not even going to ask how you have that kind of sway, and just remind you how bad it would look for you to be seen talking to me. What do you say we leave it in the hands of the proper authorities, and I'll just be on my way."

Wario starts to leave, but Mario won't let him, "Why is it so hard to believe I just wanted to see how you're doing?"

That makes the other man stop. "And why would you want that?"

"Because when I heard you turned it down, I thought maybe you had at least one shred of decency to drop the whole thing."

"And what possessed you to think that?"

"Because I remember when you first came here." Mario replies. "You seemed sincere about helping the Sammer Kingdom."

"Until I got a better offer." Wario shrugs.

"I was there." Mario reminds him. "You were plenty mad that you couldn't do more after I forced you to quit the committee."

"What made you think this was a good idea?" Wario's not even acknowledging anything Mario's saying.

"Because I care about this kingdom, and I want to believe you do too. Just admit that all of this is a waste of everyone's time, and I can get you back on the committee."

"You what? " Mimi stands up, back to being in complete shock. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Mimi, come on. It's an outdated map, another one I drew myself, and the current one that anyone can track down. It's not like anyone will notice!"

"You wanna say that again, but slowly this time?"

"I drew another map that looked nearly identical, made copies of the other two, and replaced them. They'll destroy that, and there we go! Off the hook!"

"This isn't about you getting caught!" Mimi screeches. "And let me guess, you don't even care about backup, you're just gonna go up there alone?"

"Yes I am!" Now Mr. L's getting fired up. "I'm going back up there, Mimi, and whatever I get from that, you're just gonna have to deal with it. It's on me, not you."

"So all the work you've put into your new life here, into our friendship, into repairing the one with your brother, that all means nothing now?"

Mr. L rolls his eyes at her, making Mimi yell, "You could die if you go back up there! You could lose everything!"

"I already went up there, and I was no worse for wear!"

"And that was after the princess had a team of Toads scour over every inch of your map to make sure you were safe! I'm not gonna watch you do this to yourself!"

Mr. L walks right up to her. "This is the part where you admit this has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with you not wanting me to remember."

Mimi's face flushes red in anger. "Did you not just hear me say I want you to remember? I want to know when you say you care about me, it's because you mean it, not because you're clinging to sanity with one of the few people you do remember! But willingly going back up to Star Hill that's been declared unstable, I can't let you do that."

"Then leave." Mr. L states, ignoring Mimi's hurt look. "Go, right now, and tell the princess what I did."

"You know I would never do that." Mimi insists. "But I still want you to give the maps back. Let them be burned."

"No." Mr. L won't budge. "I'm going to remember everything, regardless of what it means, and you are not going to stop me."

"Fine, you got me. I did like being able to help someone in need." Wario admits. "But I liked the money even more. And you made it clear I couldn't keep a job while working the committee at the same time."

"But you were still willing to let your plan go on without you. You were going to sign over your rights for the budget plan. I was glad you were finally trying to work with me instead of against me. I was already picturing the newly rebuilt Sammer Kingdom, and maybe even getting you to help with other kingdoms too. Making a difference. I'm still willing to make that happen."

"I turned you in."

"But you know I never embezzled anything." Mario says. "You're just doing all this because I got in the way of a bigger price tag. Well, message received. Am I mad? Of course. But I don't like leaving things like this."

Mario takes a step closer, "We were making something happen. Something bigger than ourselves."

Mr. L pulls the maps out from under his bed. "I know there's more risks this time. I could die from unstable terrain. Or anger the star spirits for disturbing their home."

Mimi looks hopeful, but Mr. L can't let it stay on her face, "But I don't care. I'm going up there, so you can either send me back up there, or you can be blind as I climb up there alone."

"How much bigger are we talking here?" Wario asks, and then in a sudden attack, shoves Mario to the ground, knocking the recording device out of his pocket and promptly stepping on it. "Bigger as in buttering me up?"

Wario clicks his tongue, "So, so stupid. You really thought I'd fall for the sudden change of heart? All this gutless flip flopping can't be good for me."

"You disgust me." Mario seethes. "You're not getting so much as one coin from us."

"Oh yes I am." Wario stands over him, sneering. "And when I do, it will be you begging me for aid, not that I'd ever give it to you."

He walks away, giving a mock salute.

"Ciao."

Mr. L stands up, his hand drawn map in hand as he folds it up and puts it in his pocket and attempts to walk out of the room.

"No, wait." Mimi grabs his arm, and they're both surprised when she says,

"I'll get you up there."