Okay, this chapter is really short, so I'm sorry, but more updates might be coming soon 'cause it's the holidays and I finally have time to write stuff! YAAAAAY! *does a happy dance*
Also, there's a poll on my profile to decide what story I should write next (if I ever finish this one :P)
Mario, Peach, Nastasia (c) Nintendo
Nyx, Raven (c) Me
Despite Peach and Mario's struggles, the two supernaturals carried them easily into the next room, dumping them unceremoniously on the hard stone floor. Mario stood up immediately, glaring daggers at Nastasia, who started placidly back. It was hard to tell her expression, with her eyes being hidden behind her red glasses, but the plumber let her know she had it coming. A gasp from behind him distracted him momentarily. He spun around, his expression changing in an instant as he caught sight of Peach, on her knees, bedraggled and coughing at the feet of the Night Princess, who was staring back at him coldly with fierce crimson eyes. Rage burned through him, a red haze threatening to encompass everything in his sight. With a wordless roar, he rushed at the vampire, all his frustrations, hatred and fears on behalf of his missing brother fuelling him.
"Stop!" A voice boomed through the room, echoing threateningly off the hard stone walls. The group looked up as a figure appeared through the shadows, stalking silently towards them. She was an imposing tall women clothed in a gown from centuries past. It was more elaborate than Peach or Daisy's, blue-black trimmed with white lace around the bottom and on the sleeves. Intricate swirling patterns of silver decorated the bodice, with a large red jewel embedded in the chest. Atop her inky head sat a tall, spiked crown, silver embedded with large black jewels. But what struck Mario the most was her resemblance to Raven, being nearly identical except for her eyes, which were the colour of a pale winter sky. Plus, there was something more haunting and ancient in her expression, like an old woman's who had seen much of life and was saddened by her memories. Nyx, he thought, the name sounding in his mind like a breeze. The vampires' ruler. Those piercing eyes glittered as Nyx raked the group with her stare, pausing to rest on Peach, then on Mario. She sniffed. "Nastasia. You may leave." The secretary curtsied hurriedly, before teleporting away. Raven, meanwhile, had begun to slink off into the shadows but stopped as the woman spoke. "Get back here," she murmured, so low that Mario had to strain his ears to hear. The vampire princess crept back, almost seeming to shrink into herself as she approached the Queen. Mario took the distraction as an opportunity to move closer to Peach, taking her hand and squeezing gently, giving reassurance. The princess shot him a grateful glance, moving closer and seeking comfort from his touch. He peered over the top of her head, interested by the interaction going on between the two vampires. Nyx was glaring down at her daughter, who was completely still, staring at the ground. Moments passed, with Peach and Mario both staring apprehensively at the two vampires, before Raven shook her head slowly, shutting her eyes tight. Mario was surprised to see her trembling slightly. Nyx's eyelids lowered, the blue flaring briefly before Raven suddenly turned and ran hurriedly back through the door they had just entered. Mario gaped after her, startled by her sudden departure. "Ahem," a quiet cough sounded. Mario and Peach both turned to stare at the Queen of the Night, who regarded them emotionlessly. "I take it you are here for your brother, are you not?" she inquired with an arched eyebrow. Mario stood up, pulling Peach along with him. They both stared, nervous but determined at the Queen, who gazed back coldly.
Swallowing back the sudden dryness in his throat, Mario spoke, soft but determined. "Yes. Where is he? We know you took him…Your Majesty," he added as an afterthought, deciding that flattery and not force would perhaps sway Nyx's hand. Nyx regarded him silently, her eyes cold and blue, before closing her eyes and turning away.
"Well I'm sorry, but you've wasted your time coming all the way here," she spoke over her shoulder. "Yes, we took him, no use in denying that, seeing as you recognize my dear daughter who took him and, in fact, you can have him back." A faint trickle of glee crept into Nyx's tone, the first emotion she'd expressed since Mario and Peach had arrived.
Mario took a cautious step forward. "We can?" The shadows around the room seemed to have darkened, stretching out around the couple as they waited for Nyx's response.
The Queen nodded, her back to them so they couldn't see her face. "Come closer…and I'll tell you where he is…" Her sentence ended with a faint hiss. Mario hesitated, cold dread beginning to trickle through his veins. For the first time, fear was beginning to outweigh the concern for his brother. Sweat began to break out on his forehead as he noticed the shadows, the way they seemed to be crawling, slithering up to him, creeping tendrils pawing at his feet and tugging at the bottom of his overalls. He swallowed, feeling a wave of dizziness assault him as he looked back up to Nyx. She was smiling back at him, her blue eyes glowing at the end of a long corridor of shadows as they reared up, fully formed, and leapt at him. A faint ringing scream echoed in his ears before the world spun about him and everything went black.