Crystal Splezter, The 3rd Chapter

Stage 2: Anger

Plot: Mario's attempt to provide comfort only ends in disaster...

The Funeral was the last time he saw her.

That was Mario's last recollection of Meggy before Smg4 came to him with news of her outburst. She...couldn't have meant it...right? She was his best friend...

That was his hope today as he approached her house. Maybe she had some time to cool off? If not, he was positive he could get through to her, he always could! If there's one thing he knew, It was how to be there when it mattered.

Pizza box in hand, he approached the front door and knocked. He hated getting the kind with vegetables but it was Meggy's favourite.

Mario: Meggy? It's Mario. I, uh...I brought food! Your favourite pizza! I thought you could eat some while Mario begs for death...

Silence. That was the first concern. He knew from a prior glance in the window she was in the living room, why wasn't she answering?

He momentarily considered knocking first Tari instead before remembering she was away. He ruffled into his moustache and grabbed the house key Meggy gave him.

Unlocking the door, he walked in with the best attempt to be brave, smiling as usual.

Mario: Hey Meggy! I thought I'd come check on-

That smile instantly faded as he saw the sight before him...

Meggy was sat on the couch, surrounded by a dozen bowls of half eaten cold food. He could smell something foul but he couldn't tell if it was her or the food. When was the last time she took a shower?

Another worrying factor was the Tv, in the sense it was now barely one to begin with, Cracked in a dozen places and long since shut off, an entire corner missing which he quickly found by accidentally kicking it.

It makes sense why she'd never want to look at a tv ever again.

Mario continued forward and moved in front of Meggy, who finally looked up at him with bloodshot tired eyes. This gave the plumber hope.

Mario: H-hey Meggy...Mario brought you lunch. Just wanted to see how you've...been doing...

Meggy gave the box a blank stare and then looked up to Mario, beating an icy glare that could've frozen him solid.

Meggy: I'm not hungry...

Meggy rolled over onto her back and faced away, causing Mario to put the box down and try to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mario: Meggy...I'm worried about you. We all are. I know you're upset, but you have to try taking care of yourself.

Meggy didn't move. Mario moved his hand and started stroking her back.

Mario: Meggy...think about your family...Tari, your parents, they're worried sick about you. So am I...Is this really what Crystal would-?

(CRUNCH!)

Realising he'd crossed a line the second Meggy's hand launched onto his, Meggy was crushing his wrist as she turned around and looked Mario in the eyes, who looked the most terrified in his whole life.

Meggy: Don't you DARE guess this is what she would want! You think she wanted to die!?

Mario: N-no! Meggy, I never meant it like-!

Meggy: She was just a little girl!! My sweet, innocent baby girl and she's gone, all gone because of that monster!

Mario: Meggy, please! I know you're hurting but you have to-

Meggy: I have to what!? She was my daughter, the only one who kept me going after what Wren did, the only good thing to ever come out of that tragedy was her! Now all I have left is the pain!!!

Mario could feel his fingers turning blue, now desperately trying to pull away as Meggy kept him in an ironclad grip.

Mario: Meggy, please! You're hurting me!!!

Meggy: HURTING!?! I'VE BEEN IN AGONY!!!

Mario finally managed to pull his hand away, nursing his injury when Meggy started throwing bowls at him. Her aim wasn't as good as it used to be, not landing single hit.

Meggy: You don't know what it's like to lose a child, to feel the pain of wishing it was you and not them, the feeling of waiting for them to come back home and knowing they never will!!!

Mario was speechless. He wanted to yell back that Crystal was his niece too, that he's devastated as well, how he's strangled Luigi in his sleep thinking he was Mr Puzzles, how he wished he could've taken that shot instead of her. He wanted to scream that Tari was in the hospital with Meggy's other kids who she hasn't even looked at since before the funeral.

But he couldn't. He was too scared.

Meggy: Get out of my house...NOW!!!

Mario didn't need to be told twice, tripping over his own feet before bolting for the door. He scrambled for the door and was hit in the back of the head by a pizza box as Meggy threw it before the door fully closed.

Alone once again, Meggy fell back onto her couch as the adrenaline left her body...

Too weak to move, Too moved to speak...