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What Lies In The Dark

Chapter 14


Fox gripped the book tightly with one hand, as he sat alone in his dorm. He sat up against the wall on his bed, with the book firmly in his lap. The other hand was above his head, as he steadily held a flashlight. With the power still off in the mansion, Fox had to continue his reading with the small amount of light he could find.

After the incident in Master Hand's office, Fox had left and headed back to his dorm. Master Hand wasn't pleased that the murderer had struck again, and this time had killed two smashers. Marth had explained to Master Hand about there being two murderers. At first, he didn't believe him, but once Fox had agreed with Marth, and explained the situations that have been happening, Master Hand believed every word they said. Which meant, Master Hand knew about Falco's book. Luckily he let Fox keep the book, and try to figure out more about the murderers, which is what he was doing now.

The young smasher briefly stopped from reading, and just glanced at the pages. Would destroying the book really help them? Would it really get rid of the murderers and everything that is happening? Fox didn't believe so; then again, he hasn't tried. He feels as if once the book is activated, there is no turning the back. He was stuck with the book until the end. Even if the book is destroyed, the killings might keep on happening. Without it, he might not be able to prevent the deaths from occurring, like he had saved Nana's life.

Fox lowered his arm that held the flashlight and scanned the dark silent room. The flashlight shined onto the wall across from him, causing large shadows to stretch across the room. The moon shined through the partially opened window, and the only sound heard was the constant ticking of Fox's wristwatch.

He thought about what had happened today, how he had saved Nana's life. Marth had explained to Fox, that in the book both Ice Climber's were killed. Fox had managed to change the book, and save one. He remembered when he sent Roy to save Luigi from his destined death, but had failed. Luigi's body was found outside, next to the mansion, just below the attic balcony. What if Fox was the only one who could save his friends? Because Fox had discovered the book, and so-called activated it, he was the only one who could prevent things from happening.

Of course, he figures this out now. After half the smashers have been murdered already.

I'm here, for a reason. And I finally know that reason.

Fox felt a smile creep in his lips. Falco knew what he had to do, way before Fox finally came to his senses. He finally knew now, and was also determined to end this. He had to save the rest of his friends. He had to at least try. He was ready to get this over with, and uncover the two murderers.

It was time to end this.

A knock came to the door causing Fox to shine the flashlight by the door. The door steadily opened, as Young Link entered the room carrying a book of his own. Fox carefully sat Falco's book next to him, taking a moment away from the horror story as Young Link ran to his side.

" Fox! I think I uncovered something…" Young Link stopped short, once realizing Fox's bounded up leg. " W-what happened."

" I encountered the murderer." Fox answered. " Ganondorf and Popo are dead."

Young Link's blue eyes widened astounded. He swallowed. " And Nana?"

" She is safe…"

Young Link took a deep breath and immediately opened the book to a certain page. He held it firmly in his hands and sat down on the edge of the bed, careful of Fox's leg. Fox shined the flashlight onto the pages, carefully reading over what the young elf had discovered.

" Look at this." Young Link pointed to a sentence in the middle of the page. " It seems there are two men who own this mansion. Mark Handler, and Craven Handler."

" Mark Handler…" Fox whispered.

Young Link nodded. " Name sound familiar? It's Master Hand. It seems Master Hand was human before he was cursed and turned into what he is now. Craven Handler is his younger brother."

" Craven Handler…" Fox repeated. " It's Crazy Hand."

Young Link nodded. " That's what I thought."

" Any pictures?" Fox questioned.

Young Link nodded and flipped to the next page. Fox took the book from Young Link carefully glancing down at the picture of the two Handler brothers. While Fox concentrated on the book, Young Link grabbed the horror story and silently read with the available light he had.

Fox squinted as he shined the light down onto the page. The two brothers were tall but one was a little taller, as they stood side by side. The tallest brother had dirty blonde hair, while the other was bleach blonde. Both brothers had green eyes, and their clothing was diverse from each other. The taller brother was well dressed, and wore a neatly pressed suit while the shorter brother just threw on a sweater and some long jeans.

" How did you find out about this?" Fox questioned, softly.

" Mr. Game and Watch was reading it and had left it out." Young Link answered. He was silent for a moment, before turning his attention to Fox. " Fox, have you seen Roy?"

Fox shook his head. " No." He answered. " Why?" This time, Fox lifted his head from the book.

" Because, the book focuses on him." Young Link answered. " I remember last Master Hand had sent him to the basement. This is where he is in the book…"

Fox immediately jumped up, despite the sudden pain that erupted in his leg. He grabbed the book from Young Link, and swiftly glanced over the pages Young Link was on. Surely enough, the book focused on Roy in the basement of the mansion. Fox frowned and got on his feet, gripping tightly to the flashlight. He wasted no time, as he opened the door and ran down the hallway.


Roy gripped tightly to his flashlight, as he opened the door leading to the basement. He stopped at the bottom step, his breathing heavy as he briefly scanned the room, using the flashlight. All he had to do was put the power back on. How hard can that be?

The young redheaded prince stepped down and walked across the basement, shining the light in every direction. Every time he is alone in the mansion, something bad happens. This time was probably no exception. The murderer could be anywhere…probably watching him right now.

Roy's hand began to shake, as he kicked boxes and old rusty tools out of the way. Everything was down in the basement. Millions of pipes had gone in and out of the walls, and the washer and dryer were in the corner, so the smashers could do their laundry. You could control the heat in the basement, along with the water and power.

" Turn the power back on…" Roy muttered to himself. That was all he needed to do.

Roy bit his lip as he lowered his head, ducking underneath a low pipe that had water dripping from it. He spotted the power box over in the far corner. Roy felt a small smile form across his lips as he ran over to the box, and opened it revealing the power circuits.

He studied the box carefully, keeping the flashlight steadily on the circuits so he could see. After trying the first one, and noticing that nothing had happened, Roy tried the second one.

The sound of a tool being kicked behind him, immediately caused Roy to turn around. He kept his back pressed against the wall, as the flashlight shined in the still dark basement. His heart raced, as his anxious blue eyes searched the room. No movements were made. No sounds were heard.

Roy steadily turned back around, and continued to try the rest of the circuits. He listened carefully, once hearing another frightening sound from behind. Roy held his breath, once hearing the sound of chains behind dragged on the ground.

Once the prince had turned around once more, his eyes widened, as he let out a long terrifying scream.


Fox never knew he could run so fast in his life, as he speeded down the hallways to the basement. He had to find Roy before it was too late. The murderers were going to strike again, and like Fox had feared, Roy was the next one on their list.

Fox's mind raced, as his heart beat violently against his chest. He found it hard to breath, as his heart steadily burned from running so fast. He wasn't giving up and wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon. He was going to save Roy from his destined death. He was going to stop it from happening.

Before Fox knew it, the smasher was already on the first floor, right in front of the door leading to the basement. He wasted no time, opening the door and ran downstairs, his feet pounding loudly on the steps. Fox suddenly remembered he had no weapon, so knew if the murderer was here, he would have no way of defending himself. It was too late to turn back now.

Roy's life depended on him.

Once in the basement, Fox listened carefully. He shined his flashlight around the room, and spotted a figure standing in the back corner. Fox steadily made his way through the small like maze, pushing boxes and tools out of his way. Once he saw the person wearing a dark hood, Fox immediately grabbed a tool.

Fox tossed the tool in the figure's direction, causing the murderer to immediately turn once being fired upon. Fox's eyes widened once he spotted Roy being strangled. A thick metal chain was wrapped around his neck, choking Roy to death.

" Roy!" Fox cried.

The murderer let go of the chain, and walked closer to Fox. Fox stepped back and grabbed another tool off the ground, prepared to throw it. He briefly turned his attention to Roy, who was lying motionless on the ground.

Fox's heart raced as he thought of the unthinkable. " No…" He whispered.

He made a fist with his hand and tossed the tool once more, causing the murderer to block it away. This gave enough time for Fox to jump up and swing around kicking the murderer in the face. The murderer grunted deeply as he fell to the side, knocking his head against one of the low pipes. The murderer fell to the ground, which gave Fox the opportunity to uncover this hidden killer. Before Fox had the chance, the murderer slapped his hand away and ran disappearing into the darkness.

Fox dropped the flashlight and ran over to Roy's side, removing the chain from around the prince's neck. He shook Roy, calling his name numerous times, but Roy only laid on the ground motionless, his eyes closed.

" No…Roy…I'm sorry!" Fox cried. " I'm so sorry…"

Tears rolled down Fox's eyes as he grabbed tightly to Roy's shirt. He shook his head, calling Roy's name once more, but the prince wouldn't budge. Fox hated to admit that he had failed to save Roy in time. For the prince, his best friend, was gone.

Fox brushed away the tears and immediately stood to his feet, with newfound anger. The murderers didn't make him weaker by killing off his friends; they had made him stronger. He wasn't going to let this happen again. He was finally going to put an end to this. He was going to kill those bastards for what they had done.

They had finally crossed the line.

Fox McCloud wasn't going to play around any longer.


A/N:

Wow, Fox is pissed! You all probably hate me now…I'm going to run away and just end the author's note's now. Heh.

Very quick, hopefully this turned out well, sorry if they're any mistakes. I tried. I wanted to get this up sooner but I was in New York for the weekend!

Also, you guys won't be disappointed. I promise. And in the next chapter, one of the murderers is revealed! Yah! The moment of truth…but you still have to wait.

Until Next Time!