A/N: Thank you to my kind reviewers and to those who followed/faved. Just to let you know, originally I'd put Luigi's thoughts italicized and underlined and Mr. L's just italicized. I think ffn edited it out, but hopefully it'll show up for this chapter.

He looks…

Hmm?

Eh, who knows, he's wearing a mask.

Luigi couldn't help but stare at Dimentio; Mr. L was right, something seemed different about the magician. Now that Dimentio wasn't tormenting him at every turn, whispering disturbing wishes and causing what Luigi would describe as delusions, he didn't seem nearly as malicious. Somehow the mocking tone the jester had always sported had dissipated. The glint in his gold eye made the mask look far more merry. Paired with his large smile, the jester seemed to be glowing with mirth. Luigi swirled the wine in its glass without the intention of taking another sip.

"You're looking rather inebriated," Dimentio commented. The timbre of his voice seemed to change. It was as if the usual pitch of his voice had dropped down a few notes.

Luigi felt the corners of his lips curve up. "Just a lil."

"Perhaps once you've finished, you'd like to clean yourself," Dimentio took a bite of shrooms. "Then, I'll find something for you to wear."

Luigi nodded and scanned the room—dimension. Everything was a little fuzzy, and his stomach was full for the first time since the near-apocalypse. It didn't take much to satisfy his previously-starved body. The dimension seemed so artificial somehow. It held wilted greenery, and there was a touch of an echo with every word spoken. He couldn't help but remember the way Mr. L had painted the fallen Sammer Kingdom; how empty it was. His mind traveled to Count Bleck and Tippi—Lord Blumiere and Timpani. Relax, I'm not the thought police.

It's just, their sacrifice is totally in vain. But they did it together...It just makes me think about Daisy. I loved her, I was sure I loved her. And I—

Don't think about her, don't! You're gonna blow this. Besides, Bleck and Tippi would've died along with the rest of the worlds anyway. They just bought everyone more time. Just chill, how are you this worked up while this drunk?

Do you trust him? Do you? Because, I don't know. I can't, right? But he's over there just like...

I dunno...Just...ugh. Listen. Actually just listen this time. We have no choice but to go along with this bullshit. It's better that we play along, and really even if there's no way out, would seeing the creation of a perfect world be so terrible? Maybe your hero panties are getting in a twist, but I think you soiled those when you murdered your lover earlier. And yeah, that was you. Just remember, dark isn't always so bad.

There was a hesitation in Mr. L's argument. Plus, blowing stuff up and smashing stuff can be fun.

WHAT? You're serious right now? You sound like a teenager! "Blowing up stuff?" "FUN?"

Dead serious. Besides, you've always liked building and creating, and yet you do NOTHING with it. We can finally do things we want to and not worry about doing "good" and getting no recognition for it. Back at the clinic, didn't that sting?

Yes.

"Where can I wash up?" Mr. L asked, quickly noticing that there had been a period of silence.

"I'll draw a bath and then bring your clothes. I must apologize, for I must depart shortly. I have projects to attend to in preparation for tomorrow; we have a big day ahead of us."

"What are we—"

"All in due time!" Dimentio interrupted, smile growing impossibly large. Abruptly, he rose from his seat and Luigi did the same. The jester floated to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "How are you faring, fair Luigi?"

Luigi couldn't help but be startled, but managed to somehow keep his balance. "Hah, I'm better than I was before." It wasn't a lie.

"Care to unwind with a warm bath?"

"I-I yes. Please."

With great clamor, the dimension began to table began to fall apart. Luigi had never seen wood splinter in such a dramatic way. Slowly, but surely the wood prickled upwards. It was like watching someone bash a violin against a wall in slow motion. Dishes crashed to the floor and disappeared before they could shatter. The gloved hand atop Luigi's shoulder began to tremble. Luigi found himself wondering if Dimentio could have absorbed his tremor. The mischievous glint disappeared from Dimentio's eye, and his smile flickered once more. And then the floor split and a chasm formed. Water trickled in, coming from seemingly nowhere. The greenery seemed to turn brown and shrivel and was reflected in the water.

Dumbly, Luigi stared into the murky-looking water.

"I've finished the bathroom, and the bedroom is just behind those curtains."

"Woah."

Dimentio took a bow. "If you find this impressive, I assure that this is just the hors d'oeuvres of what I can create." Without another word, he snapped his fingers and disappeared. A ringing filled Luigi's ears as he stripped down, out of his bloody clothes. Slowly, he entered the steamy bath water. His wounds stung. Releasing a slow breath, he dipped the back of his head into the water. He was now in a backfloat position. Even with his ears submerged, the ringing would not cease.

"So, tell me this story about your adventure." Daisy had said. Following The-Almost-End, the two plumbers and two princesses had sat together for tea. All Daisy was aware of was the fact that the trio had been missing for weeks, and that Peach had been kidnapped again.

And Mario and Peach began to fill her in. Peach had done most of the talking, and Mario would support her stories. Luigi stared at a painting on the wall, trying to ground himself. It was an image of Peach and Mario. In it, Peach was bending down to kiss Mario on the nose. It was painted shortly after one of the more recent encounters with Bowser.

"And when did you meet back up with Luigi?" Daisy asked.

The room went silent. A ringing filled Luigi's ears. Heat creeped up Luigi's neck as he felt all eyes on him. "This should be good." Mr. L had said in Luigi's mind.

Mario had cleared his throat. "We met back up in The Underwhere of all places."

Luigi slowly looked up at Daisy. The princess of Sarasaland had opened her mouth again. "Aha ha ha, are you ashamed of yourself, Dear Luigi?"

Luigi shook his head to himself, and clapped his hands together. "That's right!" He rubbed the back of his neck in a more 'Luigi-esque' style, before adding, "Can we get more of these biscuits? I'm-a so hungry."

He couldn't help but notice how Daisy avoided his gaze.

Daisy in her orange dress.

Daisy in her racing outfit.

Daisy in her bathing suit.

Daisy holding his hand.

Daisy wearing no clothes.

Daisy sleeping next to him.

Daisy looking fearful.

Daisy cold and lifeless on the floor.

MML

Luigi was in a luxurious bed. He was aware of his body being surrounded by warmth and comfort. The room was silent, and he had no recollection of going into it. His surroundings were dark, and for a moment he wondered if he could've been at home. For the first time since his return from the final battle, he felt warm and safe. How is that even possible?

Because I know how you feel, too. And you're not alone anymore.

You were there with me through all of that too. You tormented me just as much.

It's not like I could speak freely. It's more complicated than you apparently realize, but I'm supposed to be a part of Dimentio's will. If I weren't playing d-man's advocate for him, what do you think he'd do to me.

Luigi snapped his fingers.

Exactly.

Luigi's headache returned.

I've known you our whole life, Luigi. We were destined to do more than play second banana to Mario for all eternity. We're more than the green-wearing guy whose name nobody can bother to remember. We were destined for greatness. There's a prophecy literally written about us. Sure, Dimentio is using us. He'll probably try to kill us once we're no longer useful. But hey...can you really go back to your old life after you've committed a murder? Especially the murder of such a beloved political figure?

I…

You can't. You tried being the nice guy. Years and years of trying. You never got any recognition for all of the good you did. Time after time, we were left in the dust while Mario rode off into the sunset. How many times have you been called a coward? How many times have you been called lazy? Is all the mockery worth it? Are any of those toads back home really worth protecting?

"I…Just want to go to sleep." Luigi mumbled. "I want to wake up from this nightmare."

Too bad you had to wish for some excitement when things were going pretty well, huh?

Luigi glared into the darkness. Shut up.