Luigi's Nightmares

Gearing Up

Charlie had just finished doing a security sweep of the Smash Mansion when she heard a voice behind her. "Excuse me..."

The Mii whirled, fists raised, but then she relaxed when she saw who it was.

"For God's sake, Mario! Do not sneak up on me like that!" she cried.

Nintendo's mascot and Smash's unofficial spokesperson and third-in-command smiled at Charlie. "Sorry about that," he said.

"That's okay. Now, how can I help you?"

"Well, it's like this. I—need a favor."

Charlie nodded. "Okay."

"It appears that my bro is doing his Classic Mode route," said Mario. "Is there any way that I can, you know, spectate?"

Charlie blinked. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about," she said. Briskly, she began walking down the hallway, with Mario close behind.

"Look, I just don't want him going through this by himself," said Mario. "I need to send out my support and love to him, and watching him fight has always been the best way. I mean, after what happened in August..."

Charlie gave him a look. "How do you know about this, anyway?" she challenged.

"Let's just say that being Nintendo's mascot has its perks," winked Mario.

"Perhaps that's code for saying that you were eavesdropping," said Charlie.

"Actually, there's, uh, two of us," confessed Mario. "Me and..."

"Daisy," realized Charlie.

"I think that if he looks over and sees both of us sitting there, rooting for him, it'll give him the courage he needs to complete his route," explained Mario.

Charlie blew out a breath. "You do realize the position you're putting me in," she said.

"You've been here since the fourth tournament, Charlie. You're among those who helped him through that nerf nonsense in 2015. You know that all Luigi wants to do is prove himself and face his fears. But he can't do that by himself."

"Most Miis would've reported you to Master Hand," chided Charlie.

"Most younger brothers would've fled for their lives instead of trudging through a haunted mansion to save their elder brother," countered Mario. "And most elder brothers would've left the younger brother to fend for himself instead of regularly checking up on his well-being."

"You didn't let me finish," said Charlie. "I said most Miis. But I'm not most Miis, now am I?"

Mario beamed. "You're a true friend, Charlie."

"I can't promise you anything, though. Get Daisy and meet me in the lounge in ten minutes."

Mario nodded before speeding off to Daisy's room.

Meanwhile, Luigi was running through an obstacle course as if his life depended on it. If he slowed for even a second, then the purple—thing—behind him would swallow him up. As he ran, he hopped up platforms, collected gold, and destroyed the boxes blocking his path. There were turquoise boxes which revealed more gold, and there were purple boxes which set off explosions, clearing away dozens of boxes at a time. He also saw rectangular structures surrounded by electricity, structures which he'd try to avoid. Non-electrified rectangular structures could lower at any moment, obstructing his escape. To get past them, he either had to quicken his pace, or attack and destroy the structures. By the time he got to a cannon, Luigi's lungs were heaving. He jumped into the cannon and then blasted his way to the finish line.

"COMPLETE!"

"Despite this, I'm really happy you brought back the Bonus Stages," said Luigi. "It just wasn't Classic Mode without them."

"I'm flattered you think that," said MH before teleporting Luigi to the men's locker room.

Shower and hair-washing accessories were already waiting for Luigi. "What's this?" he asked.

"I thought you'd might like to freshen up before your final boss," explained MH.

"Thank you, Master Hand," said Luigi.

MH warped away, and the plumber undressed, hopped into the shower and lathered up his body and hair, humming a little tune. He rinsed and then lathered up a second time, enjoying the suds and the scent and the comfort. Finally, he rinsed again, wrapped himself in a towel, dried himself off, styled his hair and pulled on a fresh pink shirt and burgundy overalls with a pink ball-cap and white gloves.

Luigi stepped out of the locker room to find MH waiting for him.

"Are you ready for the final boss?" asked the Hand of Creation.

"I am," Luigi solemnly intoned.

"I must warn you, though," said MH. "This one is the embodiment of mortal terror. He'll make Boos look tame."

"Who or what can be scarier than Death ripping your soul out of your body?" asked Luigi.

MH chuckled and scooped Luigi up in his palm. "You're about to find out."