A lone human quietly walked down the halls of the dark mansion, playing his flashlight beam across the walls. When nothing appeared, he was about to relax—until he considered the ceiling and floor, and quickly checked those as well. Fortunately, there were no signs of any ghosts...yet. To many, the place seemed to be deserted; already giving it a haunted air. Some, like the toads and Mario, had excused that. There were no such things as ghosts, right? Of course not. It wasn't that simple; then again, there were ghosts in their world, so why hadn't they considered that? Mario had gone on adventures with Boos, there was the whole 'Big Boo's Haunt' incident, and plenty of other happenings...in this world, there really wasn't anything you could say for certain didn't exist. If you hadn't seen it yet, it didn't mean it wasn't there, right? That was the way Luigi thought of it.

Luigi didn't want to spend his weekend clearing out a haunted, freezing mansion of ghosts, turning on the electricity, collecting Boos to weaken their supreme overlord, and spending time with enemy ghosts in general. But at the very least it gave him time to think about things like that. He enjoyed pondering such matters, though sometimes the answers he came up with terrified him. Still, it would not drive away his curiosity. How could ghosts physically hurt him? Were they really ghosts at all? What happened if...somehow...they died? COULD they die? What happened to the ghosts he vacuumed up? He never saw them come out as paintings...were they sentient creatures like the painting ghosts and the Boos? Were the Boos even ghosts at all? Why didn't the Boos look the same as the portrait ghosts, then? Why didn't the ghosts escape from his vacuum? And why, oh WHY, couldn't he and his brother defeat the Boos like they had before?

Well, perhaps because of that 'strength in numbers' Boo magic E. Gadd had told him about. Luigi admired E. Gadd; he was so much braver around ghosts than himself.

Creee-ee-eeeeEEEE!

Luigi flailed around wildly, trying to shake the ghost bat that had tried to nest into his hair. After it was vacuumed up, he straightened out his cap before continuing on. He really shouldn't have gotten so lost in thought, but it was hard not to. The green plumber shielded the flashlight's beam halfway so that he could see where he was going, but so that any ghosts in front of him would still be visible. He took a few glances at the surroundings.

This place would be pretty nice...if it wasn't filled with hostile ghosts. And it appeared overnight...how did that even happen? Did the ghosts create it? Did they build it, or use magic? Am I dreaming, or is...this just an illusion...?

Luigi sat down and sighed. He couldn't continue in such a distracted manner. A few minutes of rest would be nice, but he hated to do so. Mario was depending on him! He straightened his hat for what seemed to be the hundredth time that night and stared down the dark hallways, worried but mostly terrified. Would he ever come to the end of this place? Would he make it through alive? Were there any allies in this place at all, besides the occasional Toad? He was so alone...nothing in here could help him, or grant him any comfort...

He slumped further down the hall, almost asleep. He knew he couldn't...doing that would leave him a target for ghosts...but...

A foreign melody drifted through the night from one of the rooms. It made him feel sleepy, but at the same time he felt compelled to find its source. He stayed there, eyes closed, wondering what to do before pushing himself up, flashlight in hand. The music sounded strangely familiar; where was it coming from? Without thinking any further on the matter, he attempted to locate the sound. He didn't notice that no ghosts bothered him on his quest, or that his hand went through a wall that he brushed into. There were no distractions, no other thoughts; everything just felt...natural. The thought of the musician being an enemy did not even cross his mind as he grew nearer and nearer.

Finally, he came to a stop in front of a plain yet slightly fancy door. There was a small, golden label next to it.

Conservatory

Luigi shuffled through his various keys to find one that would fit in the door. It didn't take him long; unused keys felt different than ones that weren't...perhaps because of the ghosts in their room? He fit the key in the door and opened it slowly; then after he stepped into the dark room, he pulled the key out and guided it quietly shut before examining his surroundings.

Though the room was dark, it generally wasn't unpleasant. The music had stopped, but there was a feeling of hesitation in the room. The green-clad man nervously surveyed the room, before noticing some of the instruments. He paused for a moment to consider what he should do, but instinct took over faster than thought, and he slipped over to the closest instrument. He picked up the sticks on top of the xylophone and before he knew it, he was playing a little tune. When he left it several minutes later, the sticks kept playing to yet another vaguely familiar tune. Luigi hesitated. He brought the GameBoy Horror up to scanning level, but upon attempting to scan it, it gave him an error message. Luigi eyed the xylophone suspiciously, but after some thought, he felt a bit guilty for doing so. Instruments were supposed to be things of beauty, not terror. It felt wrong to think of them as such.

Luigi walked over to the drums and played the same music, which yielded the same result. As he lifted his hands, the music from the drums synced with the tune the xylophone was playing. Luigi stared at it, analyzing, before simply grinning at it knowingly and moving on. Music in a place like this...it was rather relaxing. The rest of the mansion was a representation of fear and despair, but this single room was a haven away from such things. Luigi plucked absentmindedly at the harp strings, too lost in his own thought to even wonder how he could play all these instruments. His tune switched to the one being played by the other instruments, and the green-capped hero couldn't help but smile at that.

Finally, he reached the piano. It had never occurred to him that that was the last thing in the room. The piano was so common of an instrument, yet still the most grand and complex. He let himself sit down on the bench, but only on the edge—the memory of the haunted piano in the previous Boo hideaway was still fresh in his mind.

Then he stared at the keys and realized that they weren't playing with the rest of the instruments. Why weren't they? Surely the piano deserved to have a part in the piece as well? He lifted his hands to attempt to play, but his confidence wavered. All of a sudden, he wasn't quite sure of how he had played the other instruments. But the piano called to him...it felt familiar...and he raised his hands to the keys.

But as his fingers were just about to make contact, a spectral—somehow, familiar—presence became known to him. He glanced to the side to see a beautiful spirit materialize on the other half of the piano bench. As soon as she had completely appeared, she started to play. The only other instruments still playing were the harp and xylophone; it appeared that the instruments knew their parts...or she was playing them, as well. Luigi would have stopped to think about this, to wonder how it was possible, but it was impolite not to give full attention to the musician. The piano took the lead with the other two in accompaniment, and Luigi simply listened. The music was odd, but peaceful...It was unlike anything he had ever heard before; could such music put spells on people? It did indeed seem to have put a spell on him, as he soon realized that he felt too calm.

But was that a bad thing? He'd forgotten his very mission in coming here and practically anything else...but by doing that, the negativity he had felt outside drained away. It sparked a bit of fear inside him, yes, though that was nothing compared to the...other things he felt. All he could do was lift his eyes from the keyboard and try to make eye contact with the ghost. To him, those glowing orbs had always been a good window to the soul, but alas, his 'friend' had hers closed as she played the piece. He started to think about what that could mean; then the music got ever a little softer, and the distractions were quite literally spirited away from him.

All too soon, the song ended, and the ghostly musician turned to him and finally returned his curious gaze. She seemed like a genuinely good being, from what he could tell. As the trance-like state lifted form his mind, Luigi thought about what he should do next. He wasn't quite sure, actually. Should he flee, or stay? It seemed rude to capture the ghost who had given him a much-needed break…

That piece…do you know what it's called?

Luigi was slightly startled by the sudden question, but decided that it was safe to answer. "No…I don't. But it was beautiful."

The ghost smiled at him. It's a piece called 'Oranyos'. Not many have heard it, and those who have passed away long ago. You are, perhaps, the only one who shall hear it, for the last one who remembered it lived almost five centuries ago.

The green clad human said nothing, instead watching as the ghost rearranged her sheet music. I keep a copy of the piece on my piano so that I may keep the song alive, even when nobody else remembers its beauty.

She gestured toward a shelf of music next to the piano, and Luigi's eyes followed. It was hard to imagine an entire shelf full of sheet music, yet here it was in front of him—and in very good condition, as well. I have always loved music. It brings me peace, something that the other supposed residents of this place do not seem to appreciate. But their preferences do not matter to me—just the music. The female ghost sighed before she straightened up and continued talking. My name is Melody Piantissima. It bears similarity to both my love of peace and my love of music.

Luigi racked his brain to try and remember where he had heard her name, but nothing came to mind. He had no time to continue his thoughts, however.

If it is not too much trouble, may I ask of your name? She inquired curiously.

Pause.

"My…my name is Luigi."

Melody looked somewhat surprised.

Luigi…that was the name of my music partner…I wonder what happened to him; how could I have possibly forgotten...

The musician turned away, suddenly sullen. Luigi considered saying something to her, but couldn't think of anything that might help. Instead of words, he placed his hand on her shoulder, sliding over on the bench to be closer. Despite him being a human and her being a ghost, Luigi's hand didn't pass through the spirit. Normally, he would've taken time to question this more seriously, but now was not the time to consider that. The air was laced in silence, though somehow, it was not a negative type of silence...It felt like hours had passed before Melody once again turned to Luigi. Her eyes glistened with both gratitude and memories long forgotten.

Thank you for listening to me. For a moment, Melody stopped speaking; then decided that she would continue. You are, perhaps, one of few people to show me true compassion. I thank you for that.

"You're welcome," Luigi responded modestly. "You're one of the few ghosts here who was nice to me."

For once, Melody smiled, though after a few seconds it became almost sad. I can understand that you might not like the result, but you must return me to a painting if you wish to progress through here.

If one spirit remains, more will flock to its presence. I am not like the others; I will not hate you for sealing me away. I have been alone for longer than anybody could wish. Even if you are not the one to return me to a painting, I will wind up there eventually; you must understand that. Before you give me peace, however, would you consider a favor or two for me?

Luigi nodded, half out of curiosity, half out of sympathy.

Please take the music on my piano and preserve it. I do not want the piece that I have protected for this long to be forgotten again.

He nodded again. "I promise. What's the second one?"

Melody once again turned away to stare at the beloved piano keys, leaving Luigi mystified. The two on the bench were drenched in quietness, with only the sound of occasional whispering in the background...or was it wind? Finally, the ghost decided she could stand the quiet no longer. She 'stood' up, took the sheet music off the piano, and handed it to Luigi before bowing her head. Time is passing quickly. You must continue your quest before you grow weary. She waved her hand toward the vacuum. Please finish me and be on your way.

Luigi glanced at the sheet music, and then turned back to her. "You had something else to say..."

It is not as important as the quest you have ahead of you.

"Please tell me...I'm not leaving until you do..."

The ghost musician was startled out of her calm demeanor for a few moments; then regained her composure. This human's determination reminded her of someone she'd known very well…With that bittersweet memory resurfacing, Melody couldn't help but tell him. ...Since you really wish to know, I ask that perhaps...you might visit me in my painting, wherever it may be.

Luigi smiled at her reassuringly, his response simple. "I will."

Thank you for your kindness. I could not have asked for more. Melody once again gestured toward the Poltergust. Now, I am truly finished with my work. Thank you for your favors, and I wish you good luck on your journey...

The conservatory was once again silent as Luigi replaced the nozzle to the Poltergust. A familiar presence, come and gone completely as the lights slowly glowed brighter. The green clad man stared back at the piano as the rain poured down hard outside. One person—well, ghost—that had been nice to him was gone. He fingered the key he had just gotten. He had to move on now; he had to save Mario.

Although she had been a ghost, he couldn't help but be thankful to Melody for their meeting. Luigi gently folded up the music and placed it in a side pocket on the Poltergust so that it wouldn't get lost or damaged; he didn't make promises lightly. The hero set out into the dark mansion corridors once more, having tackled one obstacle and ready to move on to the next. One thing still eluded him, however—no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't put his finger on where exactly he had heard Melody's name before. It sounded familiar…too familiar to be a coincidence. Luigi shook his head. He could think about that later. He had a mission to complete. Perhaps he could ask E. Gadd or Mario at the end of this. The green-capped plumber left the conservatory behind as he continued through the mansion...

But as he had folded the music up, he'd missed a set of names written at the top of the page.

Written and Composed By: Luigi and Melody Piantissima

Note: The title of the Piantissimas' piece came from the Greek word 'Oyranos', meaning 'heaven' or 'sky'.