The Light Of A True Brother (REMAKE)

Hiya everyone! How are you doing? So my very first post on here that was my very first feature? Well...considering that was my very first Mario story, I looked back into it, I thought it seemed just a little too short. As for the cover image...oh boy. ○-○

Since I've gotten used to writing about this fandom, I thought I could make a remake of it for the #MidMonthRemakes contest. Honestly, I never thought about rewriting one of my posts, but the contest looked really interesting. I thought about what exactly I could remake, I looked at my first post...and that's when the idea sparked.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this! ^-^

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Mario was sitting against a tree on a hill, looking up at the starry night sky above him as he was hugging his knees. He wasn't much of a fan to be out in the night, but he thought it would be peaceful for him...especially with his feelings. There was one memory that's been haunting his mind for awhile. It's only been two weeks, yet he still can't let those dark memories go, the torture he has felt. What is that memory?

The memory of the haunted mansion, the trap that has been set for his little brother.

Everytime that memory came to his head, millions of thoughts would cloud his mind. That memory and those thoughts would be locked in his mind, and there was no exit for them. How could it happen? What was the purpose? Why did he have to do it alone? Was he the one who really started this?

"Was it really my fault...?" That is the one question that he's mostly thought about through the two weeks of thinking. When Luigi told Mario about the contest, and the mansion he 'won' without even entering in it. He knew something was suspicious. He told Luigi he wanted to check it out, and make sure it was true before he could move into it. Luigi offered to go with him, but Mario said he didn't want him to get in danger.

Even though Mario's thankful his brother didn't get hurt...the mansion still tortured Luigi to the point where he almost went insane. The illusions, the ghosts, the boos, the neverending darkness. Everything in that mansion scared him, scarred his pride and who he is. Luigi went through that torture...because of Mario, to find him and bring him home.

Mario snickered as he shook his head. That was what he loved about his brother, his loyalty. Even when he knew there was a small chance to save someone or no chance at all...Luigi would still take that risk, especially for the only family he has. Luigi having that trait made Mario...jealous. Luigi shares more loyalty than he does. Mario has loyalty...but he's only been sharing it with the people he saves, and barely to his brother.

He tightened his grip around his knees as he winced a little. He's been trying his best to stay by his brother, but when something happens...he's always pushed away from the person who gives him confidence, the person who makes him the hero he is today. He hates leaving, but Luigi still understands it...but Mario doesn't. He let out a small sob as he buried his head into his arm...until it turned into multiple sobs.

What is this pain? Is this what fear really feels like? He doesn't like it...and he doesn't want to feel this fear anymore. He wanted to stop thinking about it, but he couldn't. The memories, the horrible torture in those memories, the illusions, the lies, the pain! It was everywhere! Whether he was awake or dreaming...it would always be there, the neverending hurt, the neverending pain...the neverending memory. Even if he forgets it he know it'll still be there and haunt him.

Minutes of crying later, he could hear faint footsteps approach him. He stopped his sobs before he could get caught, but their were still tears falling down his eyes. He was hoping is wasn't who he thought it was...but it was.

"Mario...?"

"!" Mario froze hearing the familiar voice speak to him. He hesitated, but he lifted his head up a little and his eyes widened seeing his little brother standing over him with concern on his face.

"L-Luigi!" He quickly tried to wipe his tears away as he looked away from him. "H-Hey..."

"Are you okay?" Luigi knelt down in front of him, but Mario still didn't face him. Mario sniffled a little, trying to hold back his sobs.

"I-I'm...fine." He said. "It's nothing..."

"It doesn't sound like nothing." Luigi remarked as Mario growled a little. Luigi sighed. He knows his brother can be really stubborn, especially about his feelings. Seeing how red his eyes were he could tell he was crying. He went to sit beside him, but Mario still refused to look at him. Luigi wanted to say something to him first, but he put his hand on his shoulder for comfort as he didn't move from his spot.

"You know you can talk to me Mario." Luigi said with a stern look on his face. "You can't keep coming out here in the middle of the night by yourself when you and I know you're hurting. I'm here for you Mario. If you don't believe me let me prove it to you."

"..." Mario bit the bottom part of his lip nervously as he took a quick glance at his brother. He knew this was coming. Ever since that event, Mario's been sneaking out at night at this same exact spot to be alone and lost in his thoughts. He's been doing this and he could tell it's hurting Luigi. He sighed in defeat as he closed his eyes.

"Luigi..." He began. "...How?"

"How what?"

"How...can you be like this? How can you be calm after all that happened to us? How...?"

"What do you...o-oh..." Luigi's eyes widened a little now realizing what his brother meant, and where he got this topic from...and what was wrong. "...You're still thinking about it?"

"I just...I just can't let go of it, little bro." Mario said. He looked down at his hands. "Getting caught, King Boo...that painting." He shuttered at that last word as he clenched his hands into fists. "He tried to convince me that you were...gone. And it almost worked. The illusions he showed me...they scared me."

"M-Mario..." Luigi has never heard Mario say this. His older and bravest brother saying he was scared. He couldn't believe it. Then again...they're both human. Every feeling is a part of them. The happiest people can become the saddest, the fearless can become the most scared, even the strongest can become the weakest.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked. "I-I could've helped you!"

"I just thought that maybe I needed some time alone, you know." He said. "If I was by myself, maybe I could feel better...but I guess that just made it worse, huh?"

"*Sigh*." Luigi wrapped his arm around his brother's shoulders. "I'm not mad at you big bro. I'm just...disappointed. You can't shut yourself out like this. Being alone won't do anything for you. It's better to turn to the people beside you. I mean, you have me, Peach, Yellow and Blue, we're all here for you. You can't run away from your problem-"

"Oh! What do you know about not running away?!" Mario pushed Luigi's arm off him as he stood up as he glared at him. Luigi's eyes widened a little as he looked nervous.

"You've been scared your entire life!" He exclaimed. "No matter how many adventures you and I go on, you always get scared! Even over the small things you just run away! You don't even stand and fight! I've been fine on my own, but when you're on your own...you can't even last five seconds!" He clenched both of his hands into fists in anger.

"You're. Just. A coward!"

"!" Luigi had a hurt expression on his face as he put his hand on his chest where his heart is. He bit the bottom part of his lip as he stared at the deadly glare Mario was giving him. However, Mario gasped a little as his eyes widened as he put his hands over his mouth. He then growled as he put the palms of his hands on his eyes, and he slid back down against the tree.

"Luigi...I..." He sighed as he shook his head. "...Just leave me alone...please..."

"...N-No." Despite Luigi still feeling hurt about what Mario said to him, he still wanted to be there with him. He then had a determined look on his face. "I'm not going to run, Mario...especially when it's about you."

"...*sob*." Mario couldn't take it anymore. He once again started to let out more sobs as tears were falling from his eyes. Luigi gasped a little seeing this state his brother was in.

"H-Hey! Mario...!" Luigi quickly wrapped his arms around him in a hug as Mario's head was leaned against his shoulder. "It's okay. You don't have to hold your feelings in. Even when everyone says you're a hero, you're still human, and humans feel fear. You don't have to hide it. Hiding your emotions won't make you strong...it'll just make you weak."

"..." Mario didn't say a word for a moment...but he let out a small scream as he hugged his brother back tightly as he clenches his eyes shut as he cried into his shoulder. "I-I'm sorry. You're not the coward...I am. I-I can't even show how scared I really am when everyone expects me to be strong. How can I be scared when everyone calls me 'Super Mario'...?"

"I can teach you." Luigi said as he pulled away from him, but he still had his hands on his shoulders. "You have bravery, and I have fear. We can teach each other how to feel it. I'm not gonna leave you Mario...and I know you're not gonna leave me."

"...I hope you're right." Mario said.

"I know I'm right." Luigi smiled confidently. "You just have to have faith and everything'll be fine, okay?"

"Heh..." Mario smiled a little as he closed his eyes. "Thanks little bro. It's good to have a brother like you."

Anytime big bro." Luigi said, wiping a small tear that fell from his eye away. He looked up at the sky, and saw that it became more dark than it was before. He was also feeling tired as well. If he and Mario slept out here, it would be possible for them to both get a small cold.

"C'mon Mario, let's go home." When he looked down at his brother, he gasped a little seeing that he was already sleeping. Luigi sighed, but he still had a smile on his face. He understood why Mario feel asleep. He'd be tired too if he broke down like that. He put his arms around his waist, and lifted him up by his legs as his head was laying on his shoulder. At the corner of his eye, he could see the faint smile he had on his face and this caused Luigi to smile in relief.

"I love you big bro..." He muttered. He looked up at the sky as he saw the bright stars shine in the darkness. "I'm always here for you, even when we're apart. Never forget that." He then began to make his way down the hill, and towards their home. While walking down the path, he took another glance at his brother, who was still sleeping peacefully. However...he frowned as one thought came to his head.

He's never seen his brother break like this. It was as if he was a piece of shattered glass. Luigi was scared to see this side of Mario, yet he now knows he needs to get used to it. His role, his purpose as a brother means he needs to be there for his other. He knows now that he needs to be careful about what they both do.

Maybe Mario is right. Luigi may be a coward...but at least he knows how to deal with fear. He knows how to be brave as well, but he's not as experienced as him. Mario knows how to be brave, but he's barely experienced in fear. They both never experienced each other's main emotion.

Mario thinks Luigi has gotten over the mansion...not quite. Even though Luigi is calm when talking about the topic, once in a while he does shiver at the thought of going through that again...and the thought of being trapped in a painting. When he first fought King Boo, he was almost close to defeat, especially when he took on Bowser's form. Luigi thought he wasn't even going to make it.

He bowed his head down as he had a small look of sadness on his face. He stopped walking and he sighed as he ed a voice that had total fear into it.

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"Get me outta heeeere!"

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Luigi tightened his grip around Mario, but it wasn't tight enough to wake him up. He knew Mario was scared of that experience being in a frame but never has he expected Mario to cry. He thought Mario would be scared for one day and forget it the next...but it looked like he was wrong, considering Mario has been sneaking out to sit by himself.

"It's been two weeks...but it still feels like yesterday." Luigi said. "How long is it gonna take for the both of us to just forget it? I thought it'd be over by now...but I guess it's just starting." He sighed a little as he closed his eyes.

"Maybe if I'd actually made it in time Mario would still be okay." He said. "One night in that mansion...it felt like months! Heh...I've been talking to myself a lot ever since that happened. At least it makes me feel less lonely. Still...his tricks really got to me, especially that...grave."

Luigi shivered a little as he grit his teeth. It felt like someone was breathing down his neck. The illusion with Mario's tombstone right in front of him, that was something he wasn't going to forget for a long time. He knows it's going to happen soon, and to everyone else...but he doesn't want it to happen now. He wants to live long to be there to protect his only family...his inspiration to fight.

"!" He jumped a little as he felt Mario's hand hold onto his hand. Luigi glanced at Mario, but he saw he was still out like a light. He only smiled as he held onto his hand.

"Even when you're sleeping you still try to keep me safe." Luigi said with a small smile. He ed before the mansion they would always have fun times with each other. Go into town, explore, play games, whatever they could think of they would just do it. He missed those times before. But now that King Boo has happened...things have changed between them. Luigi shook his head trying to get rid of those thoughts.

"T-That's enough." Luigi said, continuing to walk down the path towards their home. "The past is past...so I can't bring it back. Even if I'm not ready I have to accept it. Mario, I promise. I'll do everything I can to help you get through this. You kept me safe before...now it's my turn."

Unknownst to him, Mario could hear those exact words Luigi has said to him. He didn't want to alert him too much, so he only moved his head a little trying to make himself more comfortable and he slightly tightened his grip around Luigi's hand.

'Thanks for being a true brother Luigi...'

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#Curatorreview

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A/N:

Phew! I'm actually really glad I gave this story a rewrite! I still like how it was back in 2019, short and sweet, but I'm still really happy how this new version of it came out. I also wanna say I'm MOSTLY glad about making a new cover image for it. Looking at the old cover image back then...I don't like it at all. I didn't put that much effort into it. I just put a picture, added text, and added a small flare. Looking back at that picture now...oh boy.

I'll say I really did improve on making cover images a lot. If you wanna check out the old story, here's the link to it:

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The Light Of A True Brother

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I really hope you guys like this remake. I just thought I'd go through some good ol' memories, and remake this. It kinda took a few days, because I couldn't exactly think about what the cover image would look like. Remaking my first post really showed me just how much I improved. I'm still trying to improve just a little more on my writing style. But for now I'm still happy about how it is.

(I felt a little bit of nostalgia rewriting this story, and reading the old version again. Seeing the two covers side-by-side now on this post...oh gosh. ○-○)

Anyway, see ya later and have a good day/night! ^-^