"My name is Professor Elvin Gadd. Nice to meet you." They shook
hands.
"Oww.......my head....it hurts," the plumber groaned.
"Not very surprising considering that
I found you unconscious in the mansion's parlor. You were lucky. It would've been very uncomfortable if those three
orange ghosts got their hands on
you. They are gone for right now. We should be save in my laboratory."
"Laboratory?" His eyes caught a variety of strange gadgets standing
around the room. Many of them were closely relevant
to all sorts of appliances and for unknown uses. If he wouldn't have known better, this professor may qualify for
a crazy scientist.
"Yes, this is where I reside to consume
my study on the supernatural." Gadd showed Luigi his nifty machinery and some other boring paper work scribbled
on documentaries. "By the looks
of you, you don't seem to be a fella devoted to this."
It certainly wasn't at this time, because he had other thoughts
that dearly bothered him."No, it's just.
I'm worried. To be honest, I'm...looking for someone. I was supposed to meet my brother at the mansion."
"But, why here? Choosing this as your meeting place just got to
be the last to decide
on," The gnome poured a cup of green tee and took a sip. "You are
well informed that
Forever Forest is full of phantoms and other lost spirits. This
mansion, " Gadd paused
and restated his thought. "no, this whole area is haunted by those
who used to make a
home here some decades ago. I wouldn't even live here if I won a
huge house in a
lottery."
The young plumber literally gulped at those words.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh..nothing, " he answered nervously. "It just so happens......never
mind. So, have you
seen my brother? His name is Mario Mario."
"Mario? " He raised his eyebrow. "Say, do you happen to be Luigi?"
"Yes, I'm his younger sibling."
"Hmm, well, I did hear a strange Italian accent coming from the
house earlier," Supposed
the professor, looking out of the weary window.
"That must've been him!" shouted Luigi anxiously.
"Possibly. Now that I think of it, THEY may have been freed after
all. Your brother is in
grave danger so long they are on the loose. That scream can only
mean that they must've
found him."
"You're not telling me that he's..." He was terrified for the fate
of the other hero.
"I'm not sure. I, myself have been trying to tame those mischievous
ghosts. Sadly to say,
I failed. My body is too aged to do anything. All I can do is lend
a hand. You probably
can make a better hunter though, since your youth is still fresh.
You may still have a
chance to save him, but be aware that you are dealing with strong
ghosts."
Luigi's silence left him alone for a moment of thought. * Me? Hunting
for ghosts? What
if I'm too late? What if that those gruesome creatures already.....
I don't even want to
think what they did to him! *
The chain of images blurred his mind and Luigi reluctantly allowed
them to show more.
*I've got to be positive! It's alright.
He's okay. Mario.....hold on, I'm coming to rescue
you!*
"I can do this! Professor, please tell
me what I need to do."
"That's the spirit! Now follow me to my main lab. You will need
a weapon to defend
yourself on this journey." Gadd shuffled through a whole bunch of
gadgets until..
"ACK! OH MY GOODNESS!! WHERE IS IT??!!! " Gadd literally screamed
his head
off, jumping like a mad dodo "Oops! Never mind, I found it."
Luigi: *Sweatdrops* Uh....
From the pile of junk he drew something particular. He proudly presented:
"This is the
Poltergust 3000; A genius invention of mine."
"It's... a vacuum." Luigi took the little machine and wore it like
a handy backpack with
the neck in his hand.
"Ah, it may seem so, but it's specialized to catch the supernatural."
"Are you saying that this house appliance can suck up ghosts?" he
questioned, not
believing the scientist.
"You got it sonny! This baby is equipped with all the things you
need to get around
unwanted visitors. It has a reverse and can shoot elemental....
~*BLAM!!!*~ 0_o .........
Gadd's face was covered in black smock
when Luigi accidentally pushed the fire switch
on the vacuum's neck.
"Um...before you embark into the mansion, I think that you ought
to undergo a little
training. Please follow me." Gadd wiped off the dirt and guided
him into the training
room.
In the specialized area, Luigi conducted his first test with the
Poltergust 3000. Every
single ghost that neared him swam within a tidal wind into the vacuum.
Though he still
had some difficulties getting the hang of it, with some aiming,
dragging and pulling, he
managed the deal quite well. Luigi was the born ghostbuster!
Over the monitor, Gadd congratulated the newborn hunter. "Bravo
my boy! You were
great! But, this doesn't mean that this adventure will be a cinch.
Now listen, all you need
to know is you've got to keep your watch. These ghosts are not to
be taken lightly."
"I still don't like this whole idea...."
"Would you care to take a look in the gallery? You may find some
useful information.
Besides, I'd like you to show something really special,"
Gadd led Luigi to another section of his underground laboratory,
only to be hit by another
surprise....
"AHHHH!! OH NO!!!! MY PAINTINGS????!!!!! THEY ARE........G-O-N-E!!!!!!!
BUT! HOW CAN THIS BE?! THEY WERE RIGHT HERE!!" The now panicking
scientists stumbled over to every side in the room, looking for
what's has been stolen.
But to no luck for each wall's treasure he examined had been taken
away or literally
wiped out.
"The walls, were there originally paintings? They are...empty,"
Noticed Luigi as he
passed by the halls.
"Wrong. My gallery used to have the most fascinating paintings you
could've ever
imagined, " A sobbing Gadd walked up from behind and guided his
hand across a blank
painting. "I guess they broke free and are now at large."
"Broke free? How? Paintings can't walk....or do they?" He turned
to the tiny man for an
answer.
"The portraits are actually ghosts. Only in a more concealed form.
Oh grieves! My poor
sour work, gone down the drain! *Sigh* I believe I'll have to deal
with it later." The two
returned to the main lab to consult with the final agenda. "As you explore the mansion
you will encounter many unusual phenomenons. And things may get
rough. Don't be
afraid. I'll be there to help you. You can contact me using the
Gameboy Horror. " He
handed a small rectangular communication device into the hunter's
palm.
Luigi made his way toward the exit stairs.
"Oh and before I forget! " Gadd stopped him for a "tiny" request.
"while you will look
for your brother, do you mind if you could catch any Portrait ghosts
you come across?"
"I'll try."
"Ah yes, you see history is repeating itself, sort of."
He turned around. "What do you mean?"
"I once used to be a lad just like you. But Luigi?" Gadd walked
across the lab. "I believe
that you have a problem with paranormal creatures. Am I right?"
The plumber blinked. "What makes you think that?"
"Come on! I can tell from a person who fears dead people! Actually,
let's say, is witlessly
afraid of their flowing souls. It's the clattering of your teeth,
the shaking in your boots,
that trembling feeling against your will that tells me that you
dislike ghosts. And most
remarkably, are those anguished eyes of yours...It's as if you lived
in that fear for
years....."
Time paused the moment until Luigi choose to speak.
"I...hate ghosts.....It's always been like that, ever since I ...
I was very young. Mario
always used to scare me so bad that I became restless for a whole
entire week! It even
became a long lasting effect.... "
"It's fear from the past, I assume. Well, have faith Luigi and make
sure you are all right.
If you're in trouble I'll be here to back you up. "
"Those words....." Luigi immediately froze the second he realized
that exact phrase that
escaped Gadd. He was once promised these words some time ago, but
the situation
brought him back to reality.
"Now go find your brother before I fear the worst may happen."
Luigi gave a slow nod and climbed out of the lab.
Outside, Luigi stood in front of the mansion. Filled with fear,
yet determination the
mansion gladly accepted Luigi's new arrival. Again, a horse whisper
could be heard in
the sky.
"Mario....you and I, together.....you'll be okay....... I'll be
there to back you up... I
promise.......as much as you have promised me a long time ago........"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Awe! Man! This chapter is so messed up! I'll tell you why,
it's sooooo UGH. Hey it turned out better
than before, but still! I became so eager that I rushed through!! I hope I'll get better with this. If not, I may start to give
up on this. WAAHHH!!! -_-"