The Evils Within

Chapter 2

Luigi found himself awake, not in the box of the previous night, but through his own eyes. He couldn't control what he was doing, he was essentially trapped in another prison.

Tonight, he was in Peach's castle and it was in terrible condition. The castle was on the verge of collapsing. Someone had attacked, but it wasn't anyone that had attacked before.

Peach was cowering behind her large chair in the throne room, a dark purple bruise surrounded her left eye as she hugged her crown tightly to protect it. Footsteps could be heard entering the room.

Frightened, her breathing quickened, looking around the room for somewhere to run to. There was nowhere to run. All that was around her were two potted plants on either side of the room and a large stained glass window with her portrait embezzled in it. The thought of breaking the vases that held the small plants, but that would draw attention to the cramped space between the wall and the throne. She thought about going for the window, but the fall was approximately three stories, so she would definitely sustain some injuries.

She stayed put as the steps grew closer and closer. Tears began to flow down her cheeks before the footsteps stopped. Did he leave? Was she safe? Before she could sigh in relief, her throne exploded, sending debris throughout the room. In the wall, towards the ceiling, through the window, some even into Peach's arms, causing scratches and cuts.

Peach turned around, still seated on the ground, slowly crawling towards the wall that was now behind her. The white glowing hue emitting from his hands subsided as he approached Peach.

"Please! You don't need to do this! What has gotten into you!?" Peach pleaded. Of all people to storm the castle, Luigi would be the last for her to expect.

Ignoring her pleas, he stopped in front of Peach, hands angrily balled into fists. "I'm not going to tell you again, hand over the crown!" He shouted. Internally, Luigi was questioning his motives. What was he doing? What was he saying? Why is he doing this?

Peach turned her body away, still looking to him, but holding her crown away from him. "I will do no such thing. I don't hand my crown out to anybody, I'm the respected ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom!" She responded.

He scoffed, "Respected? Ha! Don't make me laugh. How could anyone respect a ruler who gets kidnapped every other week? You can't protect your own kingdom, let alone yourself!" Those words bounced around inside Luigi's head for a little while. He remembered having similar thoughts every time his brother risked his life to rescue Peach. They were quite harsh now that he actually said it out loud.

"I can and have been protectin-" Peach began, but was immediately cut off.

He shook his head, "No you haven't. Mario has. You can't just leave the safety of your kingdom in the hands of... one person... You've got to take matters into your own hands. This kingdom deserves someone like that, not someone like you," he scolded, having crouched down to her eye level.

Peach needed a second to think. It was true. She'd interject, but she knew he was right. The kingdom does deserve someone better.

"I'll make this easy for you. Hand over the crown and I'll make sure not to destroy your kingdom anymore. I'll make sure everyone's safe," he crossed his fingers behind his back, holding out another arm for the crown. "But if not... it's bye-bye Mushroom Kingdom."

Peach looked to the crown and back to him. She didn't want to risk it. Sure, the kingdom does need a better ruler, but she wasn't sure if it was a good idea to let him rule. She was also afraid. Afraid of what he might do to her.

She made up her mind. Releasing the tight grip from the crown, she slowly and reluctantly handed over the crown.

Luigi was screaming to himself to stop. He didn't know what he was doing. He watched, feeling a single tear roll down his cheek. Externally, he glared at it before agitatedly wiping it off. He plucked the crown out from Peach's hand, and immediately blew a hole in the wall with another ball of lightning.

Peach gasped, "But... but you said you wouldn't-"