Brother's Loyalty: Endgame

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Oh, yeah! One down, four more to go!

And it looks like I'm next in line to be rescued.

Yeah? Where are you, Brad?

Ninth floor. At least Wolfgeist entertained Thad with his piano. The boss ghost I was gifted to is giving me the silent treatment. I can't wait for Luigi to get me out of here.

He'll come sooner than you think. But right now, let's see where my lil' bro is headed to next...

...

Luigi slid down to a seated position inside the elevator, leaning his back against the wall. Gooigi sat beside him, and while he couldn't physically express worry, it showed in the way he rubbed the small of his companion's back. Thad plopped himself down on Luigi's other side, and Polterpup paced back and forth, occasionally woofing with concern.

After some unbearably long minutes, Luigi stirred, having fully composed himself after the battle with Wolfgeist. Thad climbed onto his lap, and Polterpup dashed into the space the Toad had vacated. Gently, Thad rested his head against Luigi's chest, feeling it rise and fall and listening to the still-brisk heartbeat. It didn't matter anymore that he was stuck in a hotel of horrors. It didn't matter what Hellen had done to him, Brad and Chad before they were sealed away. With Luigi, he knew he'd always be safe.

"You're okay, Thad," Luigi said softly, reassuring himself as well as his charge. "You're okay."

By the time the elevator reached the basement, Thad had dozed off. Luigi held him close, like a child, as he disembarked and strode toward Gadd's lab.

Gadd turned as Luigi entered. "Welcome back, youngster!" he greeted.

Luigi put a finger to his lips. "Shh—he's sleeping," he cautioned.

Gadd's eyes widened when he saw the slumbering Toad. "Relief, huh?"

"Maybe," said Luigi, remembering how Mario had conked out after that final battle in 2001.

"Stay here for a sec," said Gadd, racing outside.

He returned seconds later with five sleeping bags, which he leaned against a wall. He took the white sleeping bag and rolled it out. "Here," he said to Luigi.

Carefully, Luigi lowered Thad onto the sleeping bag, and Gadd fetched five pillows, placing one under Thad's head.

"There we go," said the Professor. "I'll have some snacks waiting for him when he wakes up."

"Thanks, Professor," said Luigi.

He tiptoed over to the storage unit and emptied the Poltergust, his eyes sweeping over the three boss ghosts.

"No hard feelings?" he asked.

Soulffle grumbled something.

"Nah, we're cool," Kruller assured him. "It takes two opposing forces to cause friction, and all that."

"This isn't actually that bad," smiled Wolfgeist. "I'll have all the peace and quiet in the world to write my newest symphony."

"Glad to hear it," said Luigi.