It figures. We get a comfy place to sleep and I'm wide awake, Wario thought as he gazed up at the window. The sunset had faded as was replaced by a cresent moon surrounded by twinkling stars.
   I don't even know how long we've been down here. He looked at the door as a soft flickering light appeared underneath it and then vanished, followed by the soft creaking of footsteps heading downward.
   Ellen must have gotten our clothes. Not one to normally take an instant liking to people, Wario was more than a little surprised at himself. Something about the elderly woman made him feel comfortable.
   She kinda reminds me of Aunt Arianna.
   He sat up and sighed at the thought of family. I wonder if Mario and Luigi are okay.
   As exhaustion started to take over he laid back and just as he reached the edge of sleep, something pulled the covers up around him.
   Sweet dreams, Wario.
     "Ellen?" he muttered as he looked around. But no one was there.

   Luigi sat up in bed and pulled his knees to his chest, a soft sigh escaping him.
     "What's the matter, Weege?" Mario said, looking up from the book he was reading.
     "I can't sleep." came the soft reply.
     "Well then c'mere." Mario said, tossing the blankets aside. Luigi got up and getting into bed next to Mario, he leaned into his side as his older brother put his arm around him.
     "Now, what's keeping you up? Aside from the whole 'we're trapped in a castle in the middle of nowhere' thing."
     "It's just, do you think Tarn can be trusted?" Luigi asked hesitantly. "I mean, he's been really nice to us and he seems to hate Hagane and I just-" He started talking faster as he became more nervous, only to be stopped by Mario's gentle voice.
     "Weege?"
     "Y-Yeah?"
     "What does your heart tell you?"
   Luigi looked down and started twisting the edge of the blanket. "I think he's a good guy." he said softly. "And I, well I kinda.... I think I 'like' him."
     "It sounds like you already know the answer to your question then." Mario said with a smile.
   Luigi snuggled against Mario as he pulled the blankets up to block the cool night air.
   I just hope I'm right this time.... he thought.

   Waluigi let out a deep sigh of comfort. He hadn't slept this hard since this whole thing had started and he wasn't ready to get up just yet. Turning over, he cracked an eye open to look at his surroundings. What he saw made him freeze.
     "Wario, wake up!"
     "Mmmmph... leave me alone." Wario grumbled and started to pull the covers over his head. As he did he caught a glimpse of the bedroom.
     "What the hell?!" he said, sitting straight up.
   The room was a mess. Cobwebs were everywhere along with dust. Faint squeaking could be heard as a mouse ran across the floor and into a hole. The curtains were moth-eaten and the window was broken.
   Getting up, Wario hurried to the door and opened it.
     "Ellen?!" he called. Looking down he saw their clothes were back in place, cleaned and neatly folded. Grabbing them he tossed Waluigi's to him. "Hurry up and get dressed." he ordered. "Something weird is going on around here."
   After dressing the two headed down the stairs.
     "Ellen?!" Wario called out again.
     "Glen?!" Waluigi called. "Where could they-oh God...."
   Both brothers stopped when they reached the living room. The place looked worse then the attic. The bookcases held shelves that had cracked with age, their contents spilling onto the floor. The photos that had falled lay amongst shattered glass and dust and the fireplace was filled with cold ashes from fires long since extingushed. The couch was torn apart, its stuffing now home to mice.
   Going into the kitchen Wario saw the chairs were falling apart and there was mold and dust in the pot that had held soup the evening before. Meanwhile Waluigi had wandered down the hall and towards the bedrooms. Pushing on one of the doors he jumped slightly as it groaned from age. Getting it open he entered what could only have been Glen's room. The little bed was coated with dust and the small bookshelf had collapsed with age. A few toys lay scattered on the floor, one of which was a teddy bear that was missing one eye.
     "What in the world is going on?" Waluigi said softly as Wario came up behind him. "It's like it's been abandoned for years...."
     "I found this on the kitchen table." Wario said, holding up a piece of paper. "A note addressed to us."
   He handed the note to Waluigi, who began to read aloud;

   Dear Wario and Waluigi,

   By now you are probably wondering what has happened. It is a long story, but I shall try to make it quick and understandable.
   Many years ago my grandson Glen wandered too far away from his home and became lost in the labyrinth. His mother, Lorina, and his father, Jacob, searched for him day and night, only to return empty handed each time. As time passed Lorina fell ill and died of a broken heart. With her last breath she vowed that even in death she would not rest until her son was found. After her funeral, Jacob went out to search for Glen, claiming he too would never give up until their family was whole again.
   I in turn waited, hoping for the day that all of us could join together as a family once more in the great beyond. Then you appeared on my doorstep with the greatest gift.
   Now that we are together again Glen and I are going to the cemetery to join with his mother and father. As I finish this letter I cannot help but wonder if you are really who you say you are, or perhaps you are angels sent at long last to help ease our grieving hearts.
   May your journey be blessed, and never give up hope,
   ~Ellen.

     "I guess um, I guess there's no point in staying here any longer then." Wario finally spoke. "C'mon, let's get our stuff and get going."
   As Wario turned away and started down the hall, Waluigi bent down and picked up the teddy bear before following his brother. Once upstairs they found their backpacks had been stocked with fresh food and a canteen for each while clean bandages and medicine topped off the supplies.
   Wario got out the map and looked it over. "Looks like there's another way through the cemetery." he said.
     "Good, I wanted to go back there anyway." Waluigi said.
   Wario raised an eyebrow at this but kept quiet. Leaving the cottage, they found the passage of time applied to the outside as well. The grass was up to Wario's waist and weeds now overran the flowers and the pond was covered in algea. Reaching the path that led upwards, they turned and took one last look.
     "What a mess." Wario muttered.
     "I wonder if Lunaris knows about this place?" Waluigi said.
     "Good question."
   Walking up to the gate they reentered the cemetery. The cold fog was gone and there was no sight of the glowing forms.
     "According to this, the other gate is to the east." Wario said as he looked at the map again.
   Waluigi didn't reply. He was busy reading the names on the graves as they passed. After a few minutes he stopped and stared.
     "Wario, what were the names of Glen's parents?"
     "Jacob and um, Lorina, I think. Why?" Wario said, folding up the map.
     "I think I found them." Waluigi said.
   Going to his side Wario saw he was right. A headstone shaped like two hearts joined together was engraved with the names Jacob and Lorina. Another stone was next to it, engraved with the name Ellen.
   Wario tugged slightly on Waluigi's sleeve and pointed.
     "Bro, look." his voice was nearly a whisper.
   A smaller headstone was close by, and on it were these words:
   'Here lies Glen, beloved son and grandson. May he forever be happy in the great beyond.'
   Waluigi went over to it and kneeled down. He didn't even look up as Wario placed a hand on his shoulder.
     "At least we were able to help them." Wario said.
   Taking off his backpack, Waluigi pulled out the teddy bear and placed it so it was sitting against the headstone.
     "Goodbye li'l guy." he whispered as he stood.
   A breeze blew past them and Waluigi heard a child's laughter followed by a small voice.
   Goodbye, Mr. Waluigi.