Mario and Luigi: Darkness In Light

Chapter 13: Close Calls

Luigi yelled as he finished off the last of the enemies around him as he was catching his breath. However, he didn't notice another one was coming up behind him, but Peach yelled as she slapped it away from him as he quickly turned around. Luigi smiled as he gave her the thumbs up telling her 'Thank you'.

"Is that all of them?" Peach asked as she and Luigi looked around. Despite the fact most of the toads looked scared, they didn't look hurt. The houses didn't look damaged either.

"It looks like it." He said as he looked up at the sky trying to search for the airship Mario was on, but it was nowhere to be seen. Peach noticed the worry in his eyes, and she walked over to him as she put her hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be okay, Luigi." She said. "He can handle Bowser." At these words, Luigi only shook his head.

"No.." He said as he put his hand on his chest. "Something's wrong."

What do you mean?" She asked as Luigi turned towards her.

"I don't know how, but...I can just tell something's wrong with him. Something bad happened!" He said.

"Is he hurt?" Peach asked worried.

"No, at least...that's what it feels like." He answered. "Mario's...not himself. He's different."

"Different how?" She asked.

"Salem."

The duo both turned, and they saw Lucian in his other form walking towards them as he had a serious look on his face. It almost looked as if he was angry, yet determined.

"What did Salem do this time?!" Luigi asked concerned, yet angry at the same time.

"I can sense Salem's power has gotten stronger, but it is not with his temporary forms, nor is it his own strength." He said.

"Then what did he...?" Peach began ask, but she gasped as cupped her hands over her mouth in shock as she realized what Lucian has meant.

"Salem...has his hold on Mario as we speak." As Lucian finished that sentence they both had shocked looks on their faces, but Luigi's turned into anger as he clenched his fists.

"I'm going after him!" He exclaimed as he tried to run off, but Peach put her hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"Hold on, Luigi. How exactly are you going to find him?" She asked as he glanced at her. "Who knows how high the ship is now. And besides, they must've flown very far from here."

"Then what else are we suppose to do?!" Luigi asked. "I promised Mario I would beat Salem if he couldn't. I can't break that promise!"

"I think I have spotted the ship fly east from here." Lucian said. "I can also sense Mario and Salem are not alone."

"Bowser.." Luigi muttered to himself, but he still had a determined look on his face. "I have to find Mario before Salem does something else to him. I know Bowser's our enemy...but that doesn't mean he deserves to get killed by him."

"Do you wish for me to accompany you, Luigi?" Lucian asked. Luigi thought about it for a moment...but he shook his head.

"I can handle it, Lucian." He said. "Besides, I think most of the toads here need more attention than I do. I can find Mario on my own."

"Very well then, but do be careful, Luigi." Lucian warned him. "Salem and Mario's strength combined...it is very likely he will attack without hesitation."

"Got it." Luigi nodded his head, and he ran off as Peach and Lucian looked back at the town.

"Luigi...is someone I have never seen before." Lucian said as Peach looked at him. "His loyalty for his brother is a trait I have never witnessed. I have never witnessed this much loyalty from a person."