Tiers and Hopes, Book 2

Innocence Lost?

It was lunchtime. Wireframes were the cafeteria helpers, serving up the day's lunch special to Smashers in need of nourishment. They sat with friends, chatting about this and that while noshing on their food. Still blissfully unaware of the new tier list.

"...and then he asks, 'What do they feed you Mario Bros, anyway? Gullible soup?' If it weren't for the situation, then I would've laughed aloud! I mean, what kind of insult is that?" Luigi was saying. "I was nearly petrified, but at the same time, I was so fired up—then he pulled me onto the roof and got into that suit. Sucking up the spiked balls and launching them back at him was improvisation, really—but at least it helped me realize that it was just a suit. Otherwise, it would've been Game Over for..." He trailed off and cleared his throat. "During that battle, he did things. He spewed fire. He threw those spiked balls. He sucked me into his mouth and sliced me with his fangs. He punched me and slashed with his claws. But I kept on fighting. By the time I finally managed to suck him in, I was nearly dead on my feet. It didn't matter when I saw him in front of me, dizzy and shaken but alive. In his arms, I felt so safe—so safe..."

Luigi gazed at his listeners. It had been weeks since the adventure, but the adrenaline still flowed. Along with the fact that he'd beaten his worst fear and proved to God and everyone that he was somebody. But there was the downside of the adventures—the nightmares of what had transpired and what would've transpired if not for his intervention. Thanks to frequent appointments with Dr. Toadley and talking it over with trusted ones, the nightmares and flashbacks were abating.

The Smashers gazed back at him, digesting his story. This man was the ultimate brother! Constantly shelved in favor of the elder, but refusing to give in to jealousy! Ghosts made his skin crawl, but he still faced hordes of them for the sake of his sibling's well-being! Would any other brother be willing to do that? Probably not.

"You sure showed them," crowed Fox.

"I did," replied Luigi, looking him dead in the eye. Fox caught the unsaid message, I sure showed you and Falcon, too. While the man in green was talking about the adventure and gesturing, the vulpine felt like most of the story was directed at him and his racer friend. And perhaps it was. Two years ago, he'd thought low of Luigi. Falcon had thought of him as "the last-place loser" and a n—b. And the King of all Boos had considered him laughable. And yes, he'd been unnerved in the beginning, but his strength and courage grew and grew and grew. Mario's voice in his head, encouraging him. And so, he sweated and bruised and bled and fought—and won. Later, those pent-up feelings were released via tears and laughter. He'd make the trek all over again—heck, he'd make the trek twenty times over—just to be in Mario's arms. His strong, red-sleeved arms—

"Poyo!"

Luigi shifted his gaze to Kirby, gripping the table and hanging on to his every word.

"That's right, Kirby. I did it. I set my mind to it, I poured my heart and body and soul into it, and no matter how scary it got, I just kept going. For Mario."

"Poyo poyo poyo poy," said Kirby.

"You knew I could do it? Aw, thanks, Kirbs," blushed Luigi.

"Poy popoyo poyo poyo."

"I'm happy you always believed in me. Even during that." He fired a quick look at Falcon and Fox.

"Poyo—poyo poyoyo poy poyo poyo popoyo," entreated Kirby. The puffball didn't want the past to complicate Luigi's relationships. Melee was a clean slate, and everyone was starting fresh.