Mario.exe

After Toad finished speaking, he turned back to Luigi, his expression grave.

"The world you came from... what we call the Third Dimension... in the two years you've been gone..."

He paused, as if gathering his thoughts, then continued.

"Mario has reshaped that world entirely. The Third Dimension is no longer just a physical or spiritual plane—it has become a realm that transcends all known concepts of reality. It is now a universe composed of infinite dimensions, each containing infinite universes, and each of those universes containing infinite parallel realities. This world no longer obeys the laws of physics or logic. It is the embodiment of 'infinity' in every possible form."

Luigi's eyes widened in horror, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of what Toad was saying. The world he once knew—the Mushroom Kingdom, his home—was now something beyond comprehension.

Princess Peach stepped forward, her voice calm but filled with a deep sadness.

"Every part of that world contains infinite universes, and each universe contains infinite dimensions. There is no limit to the layers or levels within that world, making it something that surpasses even the concept of 'infinity' itself."

Her words sent a shiver down Luigi's spine. The more she spoke, the more he felt the weight of what had happened in his absence. His hands trembled as he listened, his fear growing with every word.

Princess Peach continued, her voice steady but heavy with emotion.

"Time and space as you know them no longer exist in that world. Everything happens simultaneously—past, present, and future are completely intertwined. Movement and stillness are meaningless here, as everything exists everywhere and everywhen at the same time."

Luigi swallowed hard, his throat dry. He managed to stammer out a question, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I-Is there... anything else?"

Princess Peach nodded solemnly.

"Yes. This world transcends the very concept of reality. The laws of logic, mathematics, and physics no longer apply there... Even abstract concepts like 'existence' and 'nothingness' have lost their meaning in this world."

Luigi's heart pounded in his chest as he listened, his fear mingling with a growing sense of despair. He couldn't imagine what such a world would be like—how anyone could survive in a place where the very fabric of reality had been rewritten.

Princess Peach went on, her voice taking on a somber tone.

"That world is now inhabited by versions of us—the ones you know, the ones you may have seen die. Mario has brought them back to life... but they are like him now. They have transcended human understanding and are under Mario's control. He has become the embodiment of abstract concepts like 'infinity,' 'eternity,' and 'nothingness.' And every one of our original counterparts there is capable of creating or destroying infinite universes with a single word... just like Mario."

Luigi's legs felt like they might give out beneath him. The horror of what he was hearing was almost too much to bear. He stammered, his voice trembling.

"J-Just in two years... he managed to do all this?"

Princess Peach nodded, her expression grim.

"Reaching that world is impossible for any finite being, as it requires understanding and transcending all physical and spiritual concepts... But we are a special case. As versions of ourselves who have ascended to other dimensions, we possess comprehensive knowledge that we will share with you... But for now, rest. There are two more challenges you must face before... before you can enter that world, Luigi."

Luigi's mind raced as he tried to process everything he had just heard. The world he once knew was gone, replaced by something incomprehensible and terrifying. And now, he was being asked to face challenges that would prepare him to confront Xeno Mario in this nightmarish realm.

He looked at Princess Peach and Toad, their faces filled with a mixture of hope and fear. They were counting on him—not just to save their world, but to undo the damage he had helped cause. The weight of the task was overwhelming, but Luigi knew he had no choice. He had to try.

Luigi followed Princess Peach and Toad to the Mushroom Kingdom Palace, the familiar sights of the kingdom surrounding him. The vibrant colors, the cheerful Toads bustling about, and the towering castle in the distance—it all felt so much like his original world. Yet, there was an underlying tension in the air, a reminder that this dimension, while safe, was still under Xeno Mario's control.

As they entered the palace, Princess Peach turned to Luigi, her voice gentle but firm.

"You know this place well, so feel free to rest in any room you like. You'll need your strength for the challenges ahead."

Luigi nodded silently, his mind still reeling from everything he had learned. He wandered through the grand halls of the palace, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors. Eventually, he found a quiet room and stepped inside. The room was cozy, with a large bed, a bookshelf filled with old tomes, and a window that overlooked the kingdom. Luigi sat down on the edge of the bed, picking up a book from the shelf. He tried to lose himself in its pages, to find some semblance of peace, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the horrors he had witnessed.

As night fell, Luigi finally lay down to sleep, exhaustion overtaking him. But his rest was far from peaceful. Almost immediately, he found himself trapped in a nightmare.

In the dream, he was back in Bowser's Castle, standing on the edge of the lava pit. Mario was there, reaching out to him, his hand slipping from Luigi's grasp. Luigi tried to hold on, but it was no use. He watched in horror as Mario fell, his screams echoing in Luigi's ears. The dream shifted, the scene tearing apart like fabric, and in its place appeared the grotesque, wide smile of Xeno Mario.

The nightmare twisted and warped, the world around Luigi turning into a chaotic swirl of red and black. He tried to run, but his legs wouldn't move. Xeno Mario's laughter filled the air, a deep, guttural sound that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Luigi's heart pounded as he struggled to escape, but the nightmare only grew more intense.

Suddenly, the scene changed again. Luigi found himself in a dark, empty space, and standing before him was Mario—his Mario, the one he remembered from before the betrayal. Mario looked normal, his face kind and familiar. He reached out a hand to Luigi, his voice calm and reassuring.

"Oh, are you looking for someone?"

Luigi stared at him, his mind racing. This couldn't be real. He stammered, his voice trembling.

"Y-You... you're... this isn't possible. You're—"

Before he could finish, Mario's smile widened, stretching unnaturally across his face until it became the same horrifying grin that haunted Luigi's nightmares.

"Dead? ...Yes."

Luigi woke with a start, his body drenched in sweat and tears streaming down his face. He sat up in bed, his heart racing as he tried to calm himself. The nightmare had felt so real, so vivid. He clenched his fists, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him like a physical force.

Luigi lay back down, staring at the ceiling. He knew there was no going back, no undoing what had been done. The past was set in stone, and all he could do now was move forward. But the thought of facing Xeno Mario again filled him with dread. How could he possibly confront the monster he had helped create?

As he closed his eyes, trying to will himself back to sleep, one thought kept repeating in his mind:

"What's done is done... there's no way to change it."

To Be Continued...

The screen faded to black, leaving only a single line of text:

"The game is far from over..."