"Mario... I want your honest opinion please..." Peach stated.

I've always hated when people would ask for an honest opinion. 

"Most people don't actually mean that when they say it," I pointed out, attempting to give her a goofy smile to show that I was joking.

I wasn't joking, but she didn't have to know that.

"I do," Peach breathed.

I shrugged.

"Then go ahead."

She folded her hands in front of her stomach, both her elbows bent at a perfect 90-degree angle. Her fingers were small and delicate, covered by her royal white gloves that were somehow still perfectly clean. Everything about her always screamed grace and elegance. I would constantly wonder what she was doing around a guy like me, who was practically the opposite of her. She was calm, cool, and composed whilst I was erratic, adventurous, and quite messy.

"Do you think we'll be able to fix this?" She asked.

I paused.

Did I think we'd be able to fix the growing void looming over us? Did I think we'd be able to stop Count Bleck from destroying everything?

What a silly question.

"I KNOW we'll be able to fix this!" I said with a confident smile.

I meant every word.

I've always managed to make things work, even in the most dangerous of my adventures. "There's no need to fear, princess. We'll save everyone. I promise."

Bowser met us back by Merlon's house to discuss the next steps. 

Although, if I'm being honest, something has felt a little... how do I put this? Off...

I don't wanna be the one to say it, but I wasn't exactly a Merlon fan. He was an ancient, right? So why couldn't he use his magic to just send me to Bleck so I could defeat him myself? Why did we have to follow all these rules? Because a dusty old book said so? 

At this point, I don't understand Merlon's plan for this group. Bowser's hardly helping at all anymore, I'm constantly worried about losing Peach, only Grambi knows what Luigi's doing right now, and I certainly don't see why we need to follow these...prophecies. It's inconvenient, it's messy, and who's got enough time to read through them all anyway? Also, get this: Merlon had each one of us "donate" something. We put them on these little pedestals. "To help appease the gods", Merlon says. "Keep things going". I think he's lost his mind, but, hey, he's the ancient. But I tell you what, if one more inconvenience shows up, I'm outta here. 

I meant that too. For this entire adventure, I wanted nothing more than to take Peach and Tippi and get outta there. I just wanna face Count Bleck myself without all these rules and restrictions. 

I donated a wrench, Peach donated a fancy parasol, and Bowser gave one of his ugly spiky chokers.

Not that any of this matters. It's all just stuff made up by Merlon and other ancients. 

What mattered was Luigi. I HAD to find Luigi. I still hadn't seen him since we left home, and I was growing more and more worried by the minute.  

. . .

Peach and Bowser were gone by the time I made it to the end of my journey. I was all alone while facing the count. It was just me and him. 

Merlon told me that this was it. This was my chance to save everyone and make everything right. With Tippi by my side, we were going to end this battle. 

However, the count seemed off as well. There wasn't anger in his eyes like I thought there would be. In fact, he looked like all of the fighting inside of him had long disappeared. He looked as if he already won, yet lost at the same time.

And... he was holding a book. That's right, he was sitting on one of his platforms and READING! While the world was ending, he was sitting around reading! Some people are unbelievable. 

"Um... I'm here to fight Count Bleck..." I muttered awkwardly, just making sure that I didn't come across the wrong person.

He closed his book and looked down at me with a strange look in his eyes.

"I'm Count Bleck," he said.

I knew that. But still... he wasn't acting like the scary dude I saw at Bowser's castle.

I tensed up slightly. Usually, when I get to the final boss, they look at me with anger. But the look in his eyes... it wasn't angry. It was something else.

He slowly floated down so he was standing in front of me. Upon instinct, I got into a fighting stance, which made him put his hands up as if he was surrendering.

"Count Bleck doesn't want to fight," he said.

I frowned, then looked at Tippi, who was silently fluttering next to me. It had been a while since she had spoken. 

She continued to stay silent. Great. Now would have been a really convenient time for her to use her tattle ability or something so I could figure out if something was wrong or not!

I paused, then let out a breath and looked back at him. "Then what DO you want-"

"Do you have skills, hero?" He asked.

"What? Of course, I have skills. I'm here to stop you!" I exclaimed.

"Hmm. Your fingers. There's some ink on your gloves. Are you a writer?" He questioned next.

I frowned. Why was he looking at my hands?!

What was with this guy?

"Um... I draw sometimes," I muttered, raising an eyebrow.

My brother and I have always been interested in art as a hobby. Back when we were just simple plumbers in Brooklyn, we would always stop to admire the artwork we passed by. It's fascinating what people can create when armed with nothing more than a pencil.

"Hmm, he draws sometimes too..." The count trailed off, tossing me the book he had been holding.

I felt my eyebrows knit together in confusion, then opened the book, looking down at the countless drawings.

"Wait... Luigi?" I asked, recognizing my brother's art style. "Where... where did you get this?!"

"Oh? You recognize his art?" Count Bleck asked.

"Of course!" I exclaimed, feeling the rage slowly bubble to the surface. "He's my brother! Of course, I recognize his art. Where is he?! Did you take this from him?! Is he alright?!"

The count shook his head, acting as if he thought this was ironic. He then took the book from me, opened it up to a specific page, covered the words written on it, and showed me a drawing.

"What do you see?" He asked.

I looked at the picture. It was a small black cartoon with an oddly shaped head. It wore a smile that almost looked... well... demented. 

"Um... a mischief maker. Someone who gets into trouble, but things always turn out okay." I shrugged.

"Yes! Exactly!" The count chimed. "How about this one?"

He turned the page and showed me what looked like a cartoon wolf wearing a suit and tophat. I scoffed and shook my head.

"Um, as fun as this is, there's a void looming over us. I have to stop-"

"Don't bother," Count Bleck interrupted. "You cannot stop it now. You're usually the quiet type, right?"

"What do you mean by 'You cannot stop it now'?! And I suppose... but what does that have to do with anything?! I'm talking now, aren't I?" I pointed out.

"Yes... I suppose you are. That's the problem, isn't it?" He breathed.

Was he talking in riddles or something? What did he mean?!

I knew this guy was weird, but this felt almost TOO weird for a standard final boss. Then again, I've come across a LOT of wackos in my time.

"Okay, I'm done with whatever this is. Where's my brother? Give him to me, and together, we'll stop you-"

"Luigi left," Count Bleck stated. "He gave me a gift, turned away, and ran."

I frowned. Sure, Luigi could be cowardly sometimes, but he wouldn't have just turned and run off. He was courageous. The Luigi I knew would face his fears, even when terrified. 

And what did he give to the count? His sketchbook? What did that have to do with anything?!

"Hero, I suggest you just cherish these last moments..." The count hummed, leaning forward slightly. "Count Bleck does sincerely apologize. If all goes well, then this will be a good thing, and I, Count Bleck, shall set you free."

"Blumiere, please!" Tippi suddenly exclaimed, fluttering forward. 

The count squinted at her, his expression softening for a brief moment. 

Then, his eyes narrowed and he turned away.

"You are far too late to stop this, Timpani." He huffed. "I hope the next world treats you more kindly than this one does..."

The world suddenly began to crumble around us. I gasped and covered my head while Timpani shouted and yelled, crying for Blumiere.

Oh dear Grambi, was I really too late?!

But I promised Peach that everything would be okay. I promised EVERYONE that everything would be okay! How could I have failed?! 

No, I didn't fail yet. 

A true hero never gives up. I could still stop this-