HOW'S IT GOING! ^.^ I know it's been a while but I think Chapter 14 is LONG overdue :) But before we get to that I have some loose ends to tie up... Several weeks ago one of my AWESOME readers (you know who you are ^.^) pointed out a small item that may have caused some confusion... I've realized that I failed to point out who Phoenix, Karrie, Surge and Lilli are... ^^; THAT my friends is what happens when you start writing a story WITHOUT figuring out names for your characters first LOL :p SO I think it's about time I've explained :) Phoenix and Karrie are Parry and Koop's Father and Mother (also I believe you've all figured it out now but I DO realize that I forgot to mention that Koop and Parry were brother and sister as well ^^; ) And lastly Surge and Lilli are Dash's Father and Mother. Again I apologize for the confusion but I hope this makes the story a little LESS confusing :) Once again THANK YOU to my Readers and without FURTHER ADO ...CHAPTER 14 COMMENCE ^.^

The boat ride took a little over an hour and upon arriving Yoshi and Birdo made haste for Mario and Peach's Castle. Conveniently enough Mario and Luigi were both present, Even Peach and Daisy were there as well.

"Oh Yoshi, it's great to see You and Birdo!" Peach said with a smile as Yoshi and Birdo entered the Throne room. However Peach's face went from pleased to shock as she noticed the terrified look on her two friends' faces. Mario, Luigi and Daisy seemed to notice too, as they suddenly approached Yoshi and Birdo.

"Mario…..Luigi…..we…we need your help" Yoshi stuttered. All 4 Royals stared at Yoshi shocked, they had NEVER seen Yoshi so stressed before.

"What happened Yoshi?" Mario asked rather quickly. Luigi nodded in agreement.

"It's…..it's Shelly, she's been missing for almost 3 days now….." Yoshi gasped. All four of the friends jumped in shock. A few feet away behind a statue of Mario and Peach, Angela, Ilario and Azalea stared shocked.

"Something happened to Shelly?" Ilario whispered afraid. Angela and Azalea could only stare with fear.

"We've searched EVERYWHERE and asked EVERYONE….." Birdo's voice suddenly coming into view. Peach turned to Mario they both nodded.

"Don't worry, we'll have the entire Kingdom on lookout" Peach told both Yoshi and Birdo gently. Luigi and Daisy nodded in agreement.

"Sarasaland too" they both replied. Yoshi nodded.

"Thank you" he whispered grateful. Mario nodded at his longtime friend.

"No problem Buddy. In fact I'll have a search party sent out right now" Mario called for Toad, who arrived in a heartbeat. Mario gave his orders for a search party. Toad nodded in respect, giving a slight sympathetic glance to Yoshi and Birdo.

"Right away, King Mario" Toad scampered away. Meanwhile Peach was attempting to comfort Birdo.

"It's getting late, you both must be tired…why don't you both get some rest, we'll have Toadette check the guest room for you" As Peach talked to Yoshi and Birdo, Mario, Luigi and Daisy were talking.

"Who would kidnap Shelly?" Luigi whispered looking rather angry. Mario nodded in agreement, he too looked furious.

"I don't know, but whoever did it is in for some serious punishment " Daisy whispered furiously. "Doing something like this to Yoshi and Birdo is terrible!"

Meanwhile…..

SHELLY POV

I couldn't feel my legs, my head pounded and worst of all my stomach ached with obvious hunger.

"Where am I?"

At the moment everything was dark, was I asleep? Was I…..dead? Fear pulsed through me when I suddenly realized I could feel my body again, my eyes stung as a faint glow became visible through my eyelids. I slowly opened my eyes and to my shock I wasn't back in the forest heck I knew for a fact that I couldn't possibly be on my home island anymore… I was in what seemed to be a dungeon cell. I looked around with my eyes as I was unable to lift my weight, my body still felt incredibly numb and weak. As I observed my surroundings I became aware of my ongoing stomach pain. I couldn't recall the last time I had eaten, but my body obviously did as it ached with hunger. I struggled to sit myself up, which took several attempts. However I was finally able to sit myself up against the closest wall. I clenched my stomach with both my hands, wincing as the pain only seemed to get stronger with every second. I glanced around the room once again, desperate to see if there was ANYTHING I could reduce my overwhelming aches. Unfortunately there was NOTHING in sight. My stomach suddenly let out a weak growl. I clenched my stomach again in an attempt to ease the pain, but to no avail. I looked up at the wall to see a small window. Desperate to find some clue as to where I was I struggled to crawl over to the window, my energy diminishing due to hunger. However to my surprise my felt my left ankle catch something I glanced over, only to see that my ankle had been chained to the wall.

"Huh….." I whispered, staring at the chain attached to my ankle.

Elsewhere…..

A shadowy figure sat at a desk.

"Alert him now" a male's voice cackled. As several smaller figures nodded and left the room. Within a few seconds a loud thumping sound entered the room.

"What is it?" came a deep imitating growl.

"It seems that our young whelp has finally decided to wake up, your Gnarliness" the male voice cackled, pointing at a screen that showed Shelly struggling to sit herself up against the wall. The larger figure laughed, booming in the entire room.

"BWA HA HA HA!"

"Excellent, lets pay her a little visit" the booming figure laughed staring at the screen.

Back in the dungeon….

With much difficulty I sat myself up in an attempt to remove the chain, but of course that didn't happen… Even if I had any idea how to remove it, I didn't have the strength required to execute it. I gave a exasperated sigh, I was terrified. I had NO idea Where I was…WHY I was here and more than anything I just wanted to see my parents.

"…"

My parents, I couldn't begin to wonder how they were reacting to my being missing. The pit in my heart grew even larger than the emptiness in my stomach. My Mother must be terrified right now….and my Father, how was he reacting? I could only whimper with fear as I pondered that fact. I remained silent and motionless for a few minutes completely taken over by the seriousness of the situation.

THUMP THUMP THUMP!

I was suddenly thrust back into reality when a loud sound came into view. My heart was beating rapidly. I gave a shortened gasp of breathe, looking around for the source of the noise.

"Took you LONG enough to wake up" My heart stopped as I had been completely oblivious to the fact that the door had opened, I quickly turned around and was taken aback to what stood before me. "Three days…most would have woke up within HOURS" I was silent still staring at the sight.

"Three days…." a quick thought went through my head, I had been unconscious for THREE full days?! No wonder stomach ached so much. However the intimidating voice brought be back to reality.

"But it seems that my knock out gas has seen improvement.

"That….That voice…."

I then became completely aware of who this figure was…..I shook my head with disbelief.

"You…..You're Bowser….." I mumbled at least now having some understanding as to why my parents had been so afraid, when his name was mentioned.

"And YOU'RE the famously annoying Yoshi and Birdo's sorry excuse for a offspring, who can't FlutterJump and Tongue Sling" he laughed chuckling at his joke. That insult came like a slap to the face…..HOW did he know that much about me? Bowser then became silent and his gaze averted to my chest. "I can't tell you how many times your meddling parents spoiled my brilliant plans…." he growled, I felt my body tingle. "But NOT this time….." he whispered. "In just a matter of time I shall be the one who emerges victorious, and Yoshi and Birdo will bend and BREAKwhen they see that their ONLY Child has been the start of it ALL" I let out a heaved breath as I couldn't fathom what Bowser had meant by that….. I was going to be used in Bowser's plan? Was I going to be the downfall of my Parents? Possibly the ENTIRE Mushroom Kingdom, or even the World?

"I'm not going to help you…" I squeaked completely terrified at what the consequences for defying him would lead to. Bowser simply let out a chuckle.

"Not sounding so confident are we?" I didn't respond but I could feel my body trembling, which seemed to please Bowser as it obviously proved his assumption.

"I don't have to be…..I won't be used to hurt others….." I whispered struggling to keep my voice steady. Bowser again let out a chuckle.

"But you don't seem to get the situation…." Suddenly another figure stepped into the room, it looked like a Magikoopa and held what looked like a magic staff. Despite NOT knowing who this was I felt a familiar presence from him and a strong fear. The Magikoopa cackled sending chills down my spine. Bowser smiled. "Kamek can we proceed with the plan?" The Magikoopa who I guess was named Kamek gave a smile but shook his head.

"Not yet Your Gnarliness, the power is still too strong as of yet, we need a little more time for it's power to deteriorate before we can extract it" Kamek finished giving me a smile of insane evil. I felt as if my chest had been constricted. Bowser looked a little irritated.

"Very well…is there perhaps a way to speed up the process?" Bowser asked once again glancing at my chest, I backed away a bit. Kamek smiled and turned towards me as well.

"Yes, weakening the vessel that holds it will speed it up" he cackled. "If the vessel is weak it can no longer sustain itself and will be easily extracted" I gulped as both villains looked at me with eagerness. "Trust me Your Gnarliness I too cannot wait for the moment that I get to steal the Essence of being from the child of the insects that plagued me so many years ago" Kamek cackled.

"Steal the Essence of being?"

I gulped, they were going to take something out of me…..? I once again scooted away into the wall, my entire body trembling with fear that I had never experienced before. Bowser and Kamek simply bellowed and cackled in pleasure. I could only whimper and hold my legs in fear. Bowser suddenly turned to Kamek.

"What do you suggest for speeding up the process?" Kamek smirked at me, to my panic my stomach suddenly let out a growl of protest. I clenched my stomach wishing it had kept it's protests to itself until Bowser and his crazy lackey were gone. Both Bowser and Kamek smiled at each other.

"Well first off lets start with this" and before my eyes a bowl of fruit appeared in Kamek's hands, my stomach clenched and un-clenched as my eyes widened at the sight of it. Bowser laughed in amusement. Kamek seemed to advance me, despite my hunger some part of me screamed at me to keep my distance. Kamek stopped a few inches in front of me and as if out of thin air a chair appeared. Kamek simply placed the fruit on the chair, smirked at me and went back to join Bowser. "And THISwouldn't hurt as well" Before I had any time to react Kamek had flung his arm and I yelped in pain, as a ball of light from his staff collided with my body. Bowser and especially Kamek boomed and cackled in pleasure. I gave a choked gasp of breath as I had literally had the wind knocked outta me.

"Mama!"

A tiny voice in the back of my head sobbed. I curled myself into a ball and leaned against the wall despite the protest of my burning back.

"Well it won't be long before you have some company" Bowser's voice suddenly boomed, I squeezed myself into a tighter ball.

"You pathetic whelp" Kamek cackled, I squeezed my eyes shut not wanting to see their faces anymore. My body continued to protest against my clenched position but I wouldn't allow myself to move from that position. Despite the physical pain it was causing, it gave me mental comfort, that made me feel safe and some comfort was better than no comfort.

"Well let's move on with the second part of my brilliant plan" Bowser's voice boomed.

"Oh Yes LET'S" came Kamek's voice. I suddenly heard the loud slamming of the iron door and a swift clicking sound signified that the door was being locked. As the laughs and the footsteps seemed to die away. I hesitantly opened my eyes to my relief both Bowser and Kamek were out of sight. However I remained in my position for a few good minutes, terrorized at what I had just endured. I felt tears stinging in my eyes but suddenly another loud growl from my protesting stomach threw me out of my thoughts. I quickly gave my attention to the chair remembering the fruit. After cautiously looking around to make sure nobody was watching me, I struggled to my hands and knees and crawled towards the chair. Just as I was just inches from the fruit my mouth watering with anticipation… I was panicked when I suddenly felt a familiar tug at my left ankle. I quickly turned around to see the chain that confined me to this dungeon had reached out as far as it would go. Desperate and the continuous protest from the stomach, I tugged and pulled in an attempt to reach out for the fruit. However attempt after attempt I suddenly felt the little strength I had left in my body leave me. I collapsed to the ground stretching my hand out to the fruit just INCHES from me, but with one last tormenting growl of my stomach I felt unconsciousness take me into it's waiting arms.

"BWA HA HA HA!" *CACKLING*

WELL Shelly's SURE in a mess now isn't she? :o It's been a while since I've posted a long chapter :) Well I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 14 ^.^

Although once again this may be the last chapter for a few weeks (again hopefully no longer than a month) but I hope the long chapter makes up for that. As usual THANKS EVERYONE! YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!

Mario related material Property of Nintendo

Story and O.C Characters (meaning Shelly, Dash, Ilario, Angela, Azalea, Koop, Parry, Surge, Lilli, Karrie and Phoenix) Property of MCGoldYoshi (aka ME! ^.^ )