Sat quietly around the lantern Wario and Mario took a moment to breath and collect themselves. 

“Should probably bandage that head” Wario suggested “doesnt look good”

Mario pressed his hand to head and winced though only gazed at the lantern. At this, Wario looked up from his notepad, pen still in hand before resuming to his writing. 

“What are you writing?..” 

“I’m drawing the blueprints up so i can try and figure out how far down we fell”

Mario nodded and glanced away, rubbing his arms and leaning over himself slightly. 

“Can you tell me what we’re fighting here?..” Mario then asked “what you saw i mean”

As his inquirery fell on deaf ears, he watched as Wario's pen slowed down, his stare turning solemn. Though the moment was brief, he disregarded it with a contemptuous sneer.

“I didn't see anything, I thought I saw something. But whatever is down here it isn't good if its wrecking everything”

Mario blinked "can you tell me what you THINK you saw?"

He earned a glare.

"I'm just trying to figure out if i have a chance but fine, i'll drop it"

Mario looked back towards the lantern which remained still and silent.

"...if you fought Bowser and won, you'll be fine" Wario replied, scribbling. "i think we're on level 12, east end. If my memory serves correctly, if we keep heading down east and then west we should find a service elevator"

"service elevator?" Mario asked

"it's been out of commission for years but i think i could get it working for a single trip up"

Mario glanced up “what about my brother?”

“What about him?”

“Well, arent we going to look for them? You’re brother also i mean-”

With an air of nonchalance, Wario maintained an emotionless facade as he responded to the inquiry directed at him, as if it were a mere gust of wind grazing his chin. Throughout the journey, he had hardly deviated from this demeanor, exhibiting only anger and a scowl, but never a hint of concern.

“...you are way too calm for this” Mario huffed to which Wario seemed slightly offended by.

“What are you insulting me about now”

“Well! I havent even seen you bring up your brother once! I cant stop thinking about if mine is buried under rubble or something but you!-”

As the conversation ensued, Wario interjected with a sense of urgency. He asserted that the most prudent measure to take would be to seek assistance, rather than allowing their anxiety to impede their ability. Wario's trust in his sibling's ability to make wise choices was unwavering, and he believed that his brother reciprocated this same confidence in him. As tragic as it sounds Mario didn’t have this, the two had done practically everything hand in hand from the moment they could walk, together against the world and the hardships it threw.

“...well-my brother’s not-its not that i dont think he can look after himself its just…” He fiddled with his hands “he doesn’t-we-he’s scared of everything, ive always been the sibling that jumps first into things”

“...” Wario glanced away “i suppose you both have your issues but that doesn't make either one of you more equipped than the other”

After he folded the notepad and set it on the side he used a box cutter from his utility belt to cut away at his sleeve.

“You are fearless but it is blind. You jump into things before you even have chance to be scared while your brother lets that fear control him and overexaggerate the situation...although this means hes a quick analyste”

After severing his sleeve he grabbed Mario’s head and pulled it to him, irritated slightly that he had to be the one to tend to the wound himself. Mario didnt oppose, he would have but not for being transfixed in thought.

“...”

“But that’s just my opinion”

He narrowed his eyes and huffed through his nose.

“So you’re saying he’s tucked himself in a nice, little corner somewhere”

Wario couldn't help but chuckled "i hope"