Author's Note. (IMPORTANT)

Hello! It's wonderful to see you again. I just can't stay away. Can I? Ha... Anyway. I'm a real sucker for numbers, so for my 10th story on this site. I thought I'd reboot the first two stories I have ever written and published here. (But you'd probably know that already. I mentioned it in my last story and in the description of this one.) Looking back through the original works was such a nostalgic trip for me, and it was a blast seeing how much I have grown as a writer. I mean, the original stories were published back in 2012.

Anyhow, before we begin. I want to thank the people who have supported me on this site. It kept me going and I always get so exited when I see a new review. I know that it's simple, and a little silly, but I means so much to me. I'm not going to give names, you know who you are. ;)

Thank you again, I hope you enjoy the story.

And I'll see you in the next chapter.

-HowlingMisfit

The Other Path

"Do you know what?"

"What?"

"I don't think that I can ever get tired of the sunrise..."

"Really now?"

"Yeah...I never seen anything so beautiful in my life."

Chapter One: Forgotten Faces

Despite the festive lights that surround him, and the happy chatter of his friends, old and new. Luigi felt alone. Though this is a feeling that was alien to him, and yet, he couldn't stop to think that maybe he had always been alone. That maybe he had spent his entire life like this and never really cared to notice. He shook off the thought with a sigh. Knowing that they were toxic. He should be celebrating after all.

He leaned into his palm, elbow on the table next to a plate of untouched pasta. This new hallow feeling had started about a few days ago and it hasn't let up since. It's grip only growing tighter, and Luigi wonders how long it would take for him to be unable to breathe. He eyed the scene in front of him with a metallic taste in the back of his throat. This party wasn't helping his mood either. This party was to celebrate those heroes, after all.

They just got back from saving all the different dimensions and destroying the Chaos Heart, and the folks here in Flipside decided that this was the best way to thank them. Luigi stole a glimpse at the plate next to him, not even sorry that this food may go to waste. He knew he should be having a good time too, but he had a sinking feeling that he shouldn't be here. That he wasn't one of these fabled heroes.

"Bro..?"

The new voice startled the man in green, and whatever train of thought he had left him in the cold. Luigi snapped back into his normal, happy self; greeting Mario with a weak smile. Though whatever attempts he made to look as if everything was normal was in vain. Mario always had the ability to see right through him. His brother was no fool. Sometimes it seems like he knows more about Luigi than Luigi himself.

"Are you okay...? You only grabbed a plate and went into a corner." Mario whispered, not wanting to draw attention, something that Luigi was grateful for. The younger brother sighed, carelessly pushing the pasta around on the plate with his fork "I'm fine, just tired..." he lied, though he knew that Mario wasn't having any of it. He felt his brother sit next to him.

"I'm...sorry...what they did to you was unforgivable..." Mario began, and Luigi knew that he was talking about Mr. L. Maybe what he's feeling is the after effects of being under mind control. Though the thought of fighting his own brother made him sick enough. He can't even begin to think about how he was used. But this wasn't what he's dealing with right now. Mr. L was far from his mind.

Mario rested a hand on his back. "Nastasia says that there may be some side effects from her brain washing, and to come to her if you're having any problems..." he whispered, Luigi nodded. Though he knew that he could never come to her. But that wasn't his problem, even though he doesn't know exactly what's really eating at him. Luigi turned to fully face his brother. To think of it, he doesn't really know anything.

"Mario...what was...he like?"

Luigi pushed his plate to him, hoping Mario would take it away. Mario looked confused "who...?"

Luigi sighed "you know...him..." this time Luigi was truly afraid to draw attention to them, silently berating himself for asking Mario here, of all places. It finally clicked in Mario's mind about just who his brother was taking about.

"Oh...Mr. L. Right..." Mario began, and Luigi swore that he was reluctant to even talk about the supposed mechanic, but this is his brother, Mario isn't scared of anything. "He was...I don't know how to describe him. He was like you but..." Mario shook his head "you were in a lot of pain, Luigi. I think it's best that you forget about him and move on. It's for the best."

Luigi sighed, defeated "okay bro, but just one more thing...what happened during that final fight?"

It could've been a trick of the light, but Luigi swore he saw something change in his brother's face, and it seemed that Mario may had been too tired to recall the fight that happened only days ago. "Dimentio took over the Chaos Heart and the void...and he knocked you out. You were out of it for the entire battle, but don't worry. You didn't miss much" Mario chuckled, patting Luigi on the shoulder "now lighten up, the battle has been won; and everybody is safe and sound. No need to be moping around like it's the end of the world."

Luigi took a deep breath and smiled, not wanting to let his brother down he stood up. "You're right, bro..." he picked up the plate of pasta, taking a small bite "it's time to party!"

Mario stood up next to him, giving a quick side hug before joining the other heroes. "Now go talk to some of Blumeire's formal minions, you might even make some new friends..."

With that Luigi watched as Mario left him alone again. Which was a good thing, as Luigi didn't want his brother to see a good plate of pasta tossed in the garbage can.

End of Chapter