Looking Backwards

## **Plot**

The season starts with Mario waking up in a mysterious looking rejuvenation tank. He takes off the mask attached to his face, but becomes embarrassed to see he is only in his underwear. He limps slowly out of the tank, unable to recall what happened to him from the events prior. He then walks out of the temple to learn that it is a resurrection temple. In the distance, he sees the Mushroom Kingdom, he makes his way there. He knocks at the door to the sheer joy and tearful reactions from the rest of the team. Rosalina reveals that is has been 3 months since he passed out, and she took him to the resurrection temple where has been healing ever since from his wound, which turns out to be a large gash on his back from Dimentio. Mario asks where Luigi is and Peach tells him that he has been in his room, and hasn't talked much ever since the incident, further adding that things have been bad ever since he was knocked unconscious. Bowser admits that he hasn't been as depressed as he is now, even after Bowserland. Mario goes up to see Luigi, who greets him with open arms and expresses full joy in seeing him. They catch up with each other, with Luigi expressing that he isn't so mad about him not telling him about the Direful Lights anymore and that he is just happy to see him alive. Mario says that they should spend some brother time together, offering to take him away from the kingdom for a bit since he has been sitting in his room for the past 3 months. Luigi agrees but is visibly underwhelmed.

Squirt is in class listening to his teacher talk about the events of the story, "*The Odyssey"*, pointing out how he became a hero for being brave and returning home after the Trojan War. Squirt snaps in class after noticing that nobody in his classroom seems to be remotely concerned regarding the events that happened 3 months prior. He goes to the front of the class and climbs atop the teacher's desk to express his anger and frustration, citing he almost died in another dimension and can't live the rest of his life thinking nobody else is grateful for what they had to endure. The class sits in silence, prompting Squirt to leave in more frustration. Mason, Toadette, and Mark catch up with him and ask him to stop but Squirt continues running.

Mario drives him to Fungus National Park, which according to a tour guide, is the biggest national park on the island, although a local points out it is the only national park. Luigi and Mario sign up for a hiking contest where unfortunately, Luigi takes a tumble, injuring himself causing Mario to become greatly concerned, although Luigi says he just got a small scratch on his elbow. They then decide to row canoes across rapids which Luigi once again has trouble with, rotating upside down with a cheep cheep in his face. Mario then decides to have them both go paragliding and it goes smoothly until Luigi doesn't realize he needs to be veering as well, causing them both to crash into a pine tree, crashing down below. Mario tells him that everything is okay and that they could just get a new one but Luigi snaps, saying how nothing has been okay ever since they escaped the Macroverse. He goes on to say that everyone has been treating him odd, like a child that can't do anything on his own, adding that there is this different "vibe" that the kingdom has, and it isn't good. He further adds that while he said he isn't mad over the Direful lights situation, he hasn't completely forgiven Mario, saying he just needs a bit more time. Mario tells him that they are all just traumatized after what happened and they just need more time to recover but Luigi barks back asking how much longer do they need and says he just wants things to be back to normal. Mario apologizes sincerely to him, admitting he has tried to act like everything is okay when in reality, it isn't. He asks Luigi that if he could just try to understand where he is coming from and says that he now knows for sure, it's better to acknowledge the problems that have happened rather than pretending they don't exist entirely and trying to move on so quickly. Luigi thanks him and they both share a warm embrace, with Mario acknowledging the tender moment.

Squirt heads to the castle where Peach is talking with Rosalina. She notices his expression and asks him what is wrong but he responds that he is angry that everyone is just casually living life as if nothing horrible had just happened. Peach sits next to him and admits while she too wishes everyone would acknowledge the events of wat happened, not everyone copes the same way they do, saying some people would rather move on and forget it ever happened. She mentions that she personally thinks that is a unhealthy mindset but they can't force everyone to feel bad for them as every person has their own life at the end of the day and they don't need to suffer the same things they did. Squirt realizes her advice and agrees, the two embracing a warm hug. Mason, Toadette, and Mark come in, prompting Squirt to apologize, citing his emotions got the best of him. They tell him he doesn't need to be sorry for having feelings, with Toadette calming him all the while revealing they have been in a relationship ever since the incident. They then hug with Leroy asking if he could join in but Squirt immediately brings him in, with no question.

The bros return back to the kingdom with Peach asking Mario how the trip went and he responds that it went perfect, eyeing Luigi giggling with the others.