***

***

Finally, after much anticipation (at least on Morton's part), the big moment had arrived. The show didn't start for a few minutes, so Morton allowed himself to wander off a ways to calm himself down. He stared off into the darkness. Oddly, the mysterious void of the night didn't seem scary tonight so much as it did… calm. How far did the shadows reach?

A voice from behind made him turn around, startled that he'd wandered that far. From this view he could see the old mansion perfectly, the shadows somehow strengthened by the extra light. He could also see Larry and Breeze, who were setting up the cameras and lights. Wendy and Iggy were placing wires, setting them along the ground and attaching them to the cameras. Everything beyond the camera light was pitch, giving the mansion an isolated, eerie feel. He knew he should probably help get ready, but he somehow figured he just get overexcited and knock something over.

"It's less than five minutes till we air!" Larry sounded impatient.

"Ok, yes, affirmative, coming!" Morton called back. Larry sighed irritably. Taking one last glance into the void, Morton quickly returned to the front of the mansion.

Returning, he was immediately attacked with a fluffy white pompom. This, of course, was the makeup applicator, with which Larry was powdering his face with some difficulty. "Hold still, will you?" he muttered.

Morton pushed Larry away, brushing his face off quickly. "Thanks, but no thanks." He gagged as some somehow made its way into his mouth.

"But your face is still shiny!" Larry whined.

"No, negative, none for me, I'd rather not," Morton said firmly, still wiping his face. He'd figured that Larry would probably be a good photographer, but this was ridiculous. Shrugging, Larry took his place behind the camera.

Wendy handed him an earpiece. "Stick it in your ear," she instructed. Morton did as he was told. "You'll be able to hear everything Iggy and I say, and we'll be able to see you, even though we'll still be outside." She indicated a small screen, and handed identical earpieces to Larry and Breeze.

"On in 10… 9…" Breeze began the countdown. Morton took a deep breath. He noticed for the first time the little clouds that formed from his breath. "3…2…1…Now!"

"Salutations, greetings and hello!" began Morton. "Though I don't know what terrible accident could have made you mistakenly fall upon this late-night show, I hope you'll stay and watch. This is a tale of horror, a story of suspense and revenge. I am Morton Koopa Jr., and I'll be your host for tonight," he paused to let what he'd just said sink in. Iggy gave him the thumbs up. "Follow me as I step into this old mansion, shrouded for many a century in grave mystery."

He motioned towards the mansion's front door as he approached it. The door opened with an eerie creak and he stepped inside, closely followed by the unseen cameramen.

"Inside this house lies a mystery," Morton continued. "A fa-" CRASH! He was interrupted as the mansion's door slammed shut. "Erm, as I was saying, a family of Goombas used to live here. Of course, that was over four hundred years ago. Now, we'd be lucky if we found so much as a Buzzy Beatle living here."

He entered the first room he came to. Rusty cutlery and the rotting remnants of what seemed to have been a small table littered the floor and counter. He reached over to the counter, picking up a rusted old knife and disturbing 400 years' worth of dust bunnies in the process.

"This was the kitchen. The family would have eaten their meals here. Perhaps they would have discussed current events or gossip." He brandished the old knife, and it gleamed as it basked in the first light to enter the old place for so many years. "But little did they know that it just might have been their last meal. Ever."

"Morton?" came Iggy's voice through the earpiece, making him jump. "Commercial break. You're off the air now." 

"Whew," Morton let out a sigh of relief. He set the knife back down and sat down on a chair, which had somehow survived through all the years of decay. This proved to be a mistake; it collapsed under his weight and he quickly found himself on the floor. Breeze and Larry rushed over to help him up.

"Thanks," he said. "How are you two holding out?"

"Fine," said Breeze.

"This old place gives me the creeps," shuddered Larry. Breeze nodded in agreement.

"I don't really mind," said Morton.

"Commercial's almost over!" said his earpiece. It was Wendy's voice this time. Morton got in to position until Breeze gave him the signal to go.

"Welcome back," Morton greeted the audience. "As I've already told you, a family of Goombas lived here, some 400 years ago. They died a mysterious death, of which was totally unknown until some suspicious neighbours found their bodies in the basement, which is coincidentally our next stop."

Leading the way to the basement, Morton, Larry and Breeze carefully walked down the cold stone staircase.

"Morton?" Wendy's voice sounded distant. "The ratings are going way down. Spice it up a little."

"This is where the bodies were found," stated Morton in as menacing a fashion as he could manage. "Though the cause of death was unknown, it was apparent that it was unnatural. It is said that the Goombas' spirits are here still, seeking revenge on their murderer. Or maybe whoever else happens to end up here."

The camera panned around the basement. Though already fairly small, its stone walls somehow gave it the effect of being even smaller. The room also looked cold, though only Morton and the others could really confirm that. An odd little cavern led further, but it was dark and foreboding. Morton poked his head into the indent, but was not quite able to fit in. "Who knows what secrets this house holds?" he asked.

"The ratings are still dropping," Iggy informed him, though it didn't sound quite so distant as he headed back up the stairs.

"Here is the family room, or at least it is as far as I can figure." Ancient furniture was spread throughout the room, and an old lamp hung from the ceiling. A table was intact, dishes and silverware still laying on top. A fireplace stood in the corner, and the carpet felt fuzzy beneath his feet. Morton was about to say something when a strange noise caught his attention.