Yoshi: Aw…
Peach: This was fun!
Daisy: And Interesting!
Luigi: And confusing!
Peach: But mostly fun!
Yoshi: We're rambling on.
Dil: If you don't know already from the clue last chapter, you'll figure out who the killer is.
Yoshi: Peach we should disclaim.
Peach: Yep.
Peach & Yoshi: Dil doesn't own anything except his ideas.
Dil: Let's start one of the last chappie.
Yoshi, Luigi, Peach, and Daisy: (sob)
The Shadow of a Stranger
Chapter 14: Confrontation
"This way!" Peach said pointing down the hall.
The three friends stopped at a door. Mario looked at Yoshi and at Peach.
"Whatever I do, save Daisy first worry about me later." Mario said.
"But what if-" Peach was cut off by Mario.
"No matter what!" Mario ordered. Peach frowned but nodded. Yoshi nodded too.
"Let's go!" Yoshi said. Mario nodded and opened the door. As the three brave souls climbed the stairs the others searched.
"Mario?" Luigi called.
"Peach?" Toad and Toadette said in unison.
"Yoshi?" Junior called out.
"Guys, Where are you?" Dixie yelled.
"It's no use!" Toad sighed. "There not here."
"Let's check the attic!" Luigi suggested. "They might still be up there!"
Everyone nodded and ran towards the stairs. Since they were searching on the top floor they were close. Luigi reached it first.
"The ladder's down!" He exclaimed. "They were already here!"
"Let's look around." Toad said. "They might of found a clue."
Luigi sighed then headed up the ladder. "Oh my gosh! Waluigi!" Luigi said at the top.
The others raced up to see what Luigi was talking about.
"It's another door." Peach said when they reached the top of the stairs.
"Hm…" Mario said turning the knob a few times. Finally it opened up.
Mario, Peach, and Yoshi all stepped into the room in the tower. It had many bookshelves and chairs and an arch that led to a walkway that leads to the other tower.
"Mario! Peach! Yoshi!" a captured Daisy called out from a cage.
"Daisy!" Peach smiled and ran over to her. The others followed.
"What happened?" Yoshi asked.
"I don't know. All I remember is waking up and being here and he was standing there." Daisy said.
Mario used his Fireballs to try to break the cage. "Come on!"
"Who is he?" Peach asked referring to what Daisy said.
"Him! Behind you!" Daisy said pointing.
Everyone turned around and looked straight at someone they thought they'd never see again.
"B-B-But your dead!" Yoshi said. Gasping.
"You just died!" Peach exclaimed.
"So, you're the one behind this…" Mario said peering at his enemy. "Dry Bones!"
Dry Bones laughed. "Of course it was I! How could you not figure it out sooner!"
"But how?" Yoshi asked.
"Killing is easy when you're a master of Magikoopa Magic!" Dry Bones laughed. "I can use it to make ten of me. Make me more powerful. Make me immortal!"
"So that explains how he kidnapped me!" Daisy said. "But why?"
"You know a evil person never tells their secrets." Dry Bones said. "But since your all going to die I guess I'll tell you."
Dry Bones cleared his non-throat and continued.
"I used to be the Koopa King until Bowser came along and took over my palace turning me into a mere koopa. I ran off with many of my loyal followers. Then Bowser sent Bounty Hunters and killed all but one of my followers and myself. A Magikoopa, He taught me magic, after resurrecting me as a Dry Bones. Then I became friends with you guys knowing you knew Bowser. When he became kind I planned my revenge for this day and if you guys got in the way, I'd kill you." Dry Bones said.
"But why do you want the Ruby Mushroom?" Peach asked.
"With its power I can become the Koopa King again!" Dry Bones said. "It's been fun chatting with you but sadly I'm going to have to kill you."
Dry Bones murmured something and two swords appeared. Dry Bones grabbed them and ran towards the four.
"Get down!" Mario said pushing Peach and Yoshi down. Mario ducked then ran towards Dry Bones head butting him in the rib. Dry Bones dropped a sword and Mario grabbed it.
"Damn you!" Dry Bones muttered.
"Just wanted to make it fair!" Mario smiled while start to jab at Dry Bones.
Dry Bones dodged and blocked everything Mario did.
"You'll be smiling!" Dry Bones threatened while starting to take offense.
"This should work." Peach said rubbing the bars of Daisy's cage with a nail file.
"Hey!" Yoshi whispered to Peach. "I found the keys!"
Yoshi ran over to the cage and put the key in the keyhole. There was a click and the cage opened. Daisy ran out and hugged Peach.
"Thanks guys!" Daisy said.
"I'm just glad your safe!" Peach said.
"Guys!" Yoshi sweat dropped. "I know this is a really good girl moment but something's happening."
Peach and Daisy turned to see Mario being over powered by Dry Bones and they were currently on the walkway.
"Mario!" Peach said while running towards the walkway.
Dry Bones grinned and muttered something then continued. Peach has fell straight into his trap.
Peach reached out but stopped because something blocked her way and the second she hit it shattered to pieces like a mirror or window.
"Huh?" Peach asked. Dry Bones smiled and muttered something else. Then the shattered pieces aimed straight for Mario!
"Mario!" Peach, Daisy, and Yoshi all screamed in horror as the pieces stabbed Mario in the Leg. Mario dropped his sword and it slid across the walkway.
Peach stuck her hands over her mouth and cried. Yoshi and Daisy ran over to Peach as she fell to her knees.
"You see, Peach?" Dry Bones called out to her. "It hurts to lose something."
"You Idiot!" Daisy yelled at him. "You lost a kingdom to Bowser. She lost the love of her life!"
"No… she didn't…" Said a weakened Mario.
Peach's head jerk up and watched Mario crawl over to her. Mario tried to grab the sword but Peach grabbed it and got up.
"Dry Bones!" Peach yelled pointing her sword at Dry Bones. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Dil: Shut up and take like a man.
Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Yoshi: I'm not a man!
Everybody: (Stares at Luigi)
Luigi: He he… he
Daisy: Anywho… About how many chapters are left.
Dil: Either 1 or 2 of the story and the epilogue.
Peach: Well hopefully it's 2
Luigi: Yep!
Daisy: Please R&R
Yoshi: G'day Chaps!