The Evil Within

## **Plot**

Mario sits in his room, fiddling with his regained powers and wonders to himself how exactly he got them back. Luigi suggests that maybe he tapped into his inner strength but Mario insists that he has done that many times before and nothing ever happened. Rosalina is confused as well, ultimately leading to the conclusion that Mario must have been so distraught and overwhelmed with emotion, that his body somehow made its own firepower, and when it combined with his inner strength, they somehow morphed and became a whole new firepower. Mario even mentions that this fire feels a lot more intense than the one before Dimentio blasted him. Rosalina asks him if he thinks he will adjust to them soon to which Mario insists he will be fine and that his body will adapt to the power in due time. Rosalina nods and she along with the others go downstairs to give the bros some time to discuss about what happened.

Luigi tells Mario that he personally thinks that he isn't too strong at the moment to be wielding such power. Mario becomes confused by this, asking what he means. Luigi further explains by asking that what happens if Mario is unable to control the power, what happens then? Mario becomes silent, unable to give a clear answer. Luigi further continues, asking what if he accidently hurts someone, or worse; kill. Mario tells him not to worry, as he is sure his conscience will get the best of him before any of that could ever happen. Luigi sits down on his bed, looking anxious at the floor. Squirt walks in asking how he is doing and Luigi tells him how he is feeling about Mario. Squirt reveals he too feels the same way but that they both should feel happy that he regained his powers to begin with. Luigi says he does feel happy, but only wants Mario to be safe, as he hasn't had any power let alone a stronger power for months. He then begins to tell Squirt repeatedly to "let him out", which confuses Squirt. Luigi continues to repeat the phrase, every time getting louder and louder, scaring Squirt out of the room. Mario comes upstairs to find Squirt running out of the room and asks what happened. Squirt explains prompting everyone to go into the room only to find Luigi acting totally normal, he himself asking if everything is okay. Squirt becomes confused, asking him why he kept saying what he said but Luigi becomes only more confused.

Back at the Macroverse, Dimentio continues his scheming alone in his tower while he watches high above the landscape. He mumbles to himself that the bros will eventually meet their maker, in due time. He also continues to wonder how Mario was able to regain his powers within the void, saying out loud that was thought to be impossible, especially for a human being. One of his guards tells Dimentio that "The plan is almost ready", which prompts Dimentio to chuckle and say he is excited.

Mario takes Luigi out for lunch and suggests that he is probably just still stressed from what happened but Luigi assures him he is fine. Mario continues to ask him if everything is okay but all he gest in return are dry mouthed responses from Luigi which further angers Mario, causing him to briefly lash out, giving everyone in Gary's hub a scare. Luigi walks out with a wide grin and begins to act not like himself, leaving Mario to question himself about Luigi. He thinks Luigi is putting on a façade to hide away the pain even though Luigi persists that isn't the case. Mario tries to stop him dead in his tracks but realizes he might end up hurting him in the process so he chooses not to. The bros return to the castle with Mario clearly showing emotion on his face that something isn't right. Luigi walks up to his room and locks the door, leaving the team to question what is happening. Peach asks if there was anything the two did in the void that might have upset him but Mario answers that they did nothing, only hoping they both can escape, which they did with the help of Lizel and Fawful. Lizel suggests that she thinks it is just trauma, and that he is trying to hide the pain which Mario agrees heavily on. Fawful doesn't think that's the case, saying Dimentio must have tapped into him, somehow controlling him from the Macroverse but the others shoot down the idea, saying if that were the case, he would have done extreme things by then. Bowser suggests they should hold him down by having him watch 10 hours of "Oh My Goshens", a reality sitcom he and Squirt got sucked into, saying the ending will "break" him, only realizing that it's a terrible idea given the blanks stares by the team. The only plausible explanation Rosalina gives is that he really is just trying hard to hide his feelings, and that Mario should do his best to cheer him up but Mario admits that he himself may need some help. When asked what he means, he quickly dismisses anymore curiosity and bolts upstairs. He tells Luigi that they both are going to have to "talk". Luigi asks what he means but Mario doesn't answer, only prompting they both go outside for some fresh air, before catapulting themselves into the sky. Luigi demands to know what is happening with Mario telling him that if he doesn't open up about his feelings and save them both from falling to the ground, they will both die. Luigi insists that he isn't hiding anything but Mario tells him that there is no way someone could just be "okay" after being traumatized like that. Luigi persists he is okay but Mario has them both fall faster, causing Luigi to yell at him to stop which causes Mario to revert and tell him to do the same. Just before they hit the ground, Mario stops them both with his power, revealing he is now able to manipulate air, not just fire. Luigi yells at him, asking if he thinks that is a smart way to make someone connect, but Mario becomes more furious, grabbing him by his overalls and yelling for him to stop hiding his feelings and talk. Peach comes outside to see what is happening and asks Mario what he is doing. Mario then slowly turns around, revealing his bloodshot glowing fiery eyes and ominously asks Peach in a demonic voice if "she wants to be next". Peach is horrified at the sight and runs back to tell Rosalina that Dimentio did something bad to both of them, and that they are both acting not like themselves. Rosalina comes outside to find the bros gone, and tells the others they need to find them fast.

In the kingdom, Mario goes around asking everyone how they're doing, but acting extremely aggressive at random points and unknowingly sets things on fire, prompting the entire kingdom to worry about him. The team goes to Squirt's house to find Richard telling them that Squirt hasn't been home all day, which confuses the team even more, saying he said he was going to head home. Richard and Lily assure them he hasn't returned at all the whole day but Lily is planning on making more missing posters for him, as being the head chief, everyone is on the lookout. The team head back to the castle to tell Bowser about what's happening but are terrified to find that he too is nowhere to be found. Rosalina then utters that "he is here", prompting the team to stay alert. Luigi begins to do the same as Mario although clearly having a better handle of his own powers. Rosalina heads towards them and pins down Mario, who begins to act violently, demanding to be let go. She tells him to remain calm and she stares into his eyes, which his irises are becoming clearly possessed by that of Dimentio's magic. She puts her wand on his forehead and this opens a gateway between the real world and the Macroverse using her magic. She speaks to Dimentio to let him go but Dimentio insists he is only "having fun" before using Mario's body to punch her out of the way. Mario uses his power to fight the team, prompting them to dodge his attacks. Luigi also joins in, attacking the others. The news headlines jokingly report that the bros have turned against them but Peach tells them that isn't the case and to stop reporting false news. Peach and Rosalina demand to know where Squirt and Bowser are but Dimentio doesn't budge, saying he has no idea where they have gone, leading the girls to believe he is playing yet another unfunny game. Lizel and Fawful then begin to say they could try something but aren't too sure it will work. Lizel uses her staff to suck Dimentio out of Mario, while Fawful distracts Luigi. Lizel is successful in her attempts and draws Dimentio's possession out of Mario, laving Mario's body to fall to the ground. Peach quickly goes to him and begs for him to wake up while Fawful becomes distracted by what's happening, leaving himself vulnerable to Luigi's attack. They quickly go over to Luigi but he seemingly "snaps" out of presumably Dimentio's trance as well, letting the team know he feels much better and has control over himself. Rosalina asks him if he really means it and Luigi answers with a stern "Yes". Mario begins to wake up, completely clueless as to what just happened and becomes horrified to see what he caused around the kingdom. The team tells Mario not to worry about it as he couldn't control himself, Mario feels sorry as he told them, especially Luigi, that he could handle the new power. They also tell Mario that Bowser and Squirt have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. This confuses Mario who immediately thinks Dimentio is to blame, with the rest agreeing. Rosalina tells them that they should find out if they are still located on Earth before they open up the rift once more, the team agrees, anxiously waiting the next move.