WHOA Unusual timing... I apologize in advance for the late chapter, but computer problems have been a hassle lately... ^^; BUT enough of that, let's get back to business... :)

"WOW….I-is it j-just me or does it always seem to be dark when we c-come here…." Luigi stuttered, as the group of 6 came to Professor E Gadd's lab door.

"Relax Weeg it's evening…It's suppose to be dark!" Mario chuckled, despite the obvious nervousness that was in his voice. Mario rose his fist and knocked on the door. Several silent moments went by and no sound came from the lab. All 6 friends glanced at each other slightly confused.

"Didn't the Professor say he'd be waiting for us?" Yoshi whispered, his voice uneasy.

"He said he'd be expecting us…." Birdo mumbled, nodding at Yoshi. Several more minutes of silence went by before Mario rose his fist again.

"May…Maybe he didn't hear us the first time…?" Mario mumbled, again knocking on the door.

Again…nothing….

At this point the group seemed both nervous and yet a bit frustrated.

"Something about this just doesn't click…." Daisy's voice suddenly sounded. "The Professor said he'd be expecting us within the next two hours….and we're here precisely two hours from that time…Surely he didn't forget about us."

"That doesn't sound like the Professor…" Luigi responded shaking his head. "It's almost as if…"

CRACK!

BOOM!

Luigi's voice trailed off as a loud crash of lightning erupted into the sky, blinding the group of 6. Everyone shielded their eyes from the blinding light. Upon disappearing the group was left unable to see, as their eyes struggled to adjust themselves to the transition of light to dark.

….

"AaaaaaaHhhhhhh!"

Everyone except for 1 flinched as the familiar scream of one of their own echoed into the night.

"M-MARIO!"

Luigi's voice suddenly echoed as the lighting had turned to normal. However 1 of the group was nowhere in sight.

"M-Mario?" Peach's voice suddenly squeaked, as she looked around panicked. Yoshi, Birdo and even Daisy looked around anxiously.

"Wh-where….D-did he g-go?" Yoshi also squeaked, trembling from shock.

"H-he just disappeared…." Birdo whispered, staring at where Mario had stood, not even a minute ago.

*GHOST LAUGH*

Everyone's thoughts were suddenly cut short as they realized that they were surrounded.

"G-gh-ghosts…." Luigi stuttered, as the group was forced closer together as the ghosts drew closer.

"This isn't how I expect to be welcomed back…" Peach whimpered, as she felt her back bump into Daisy's. Luigi felt Yoshi's shuddering back bump into his. While Yoshi felt Birdo bump into him, also grabbing his arm in the process. The now group of 5 shivered completely overwhelmed as the ghosts closed in on them.

"If only I had my Poltergust 5.….." Was Luigi's last thought when suddenly all the ghosts screeched in fear and scattered. A overpowering flash of light had caused the entire group to shield their eyes once again. Only this time when the light disappeared, the group was surprised to see that no one else from their group had gone missing. Not only that but the ghosts were nowhere in sight.

"This is simply not your night is it?"

The entire group felt their hearts race as the sound of a familiar voice caught their attention.

"PROFESSOR!"

The group all gasped at the same time. Quickly turning to see a very amused E Gadd standing behind them, strapped to his back a familiar device.

"You saved us Professor!" Birdo gasped, still slightly shook up from the recent events.

"I was wondering what was taking you Youngsters so long to get here so I thought I'd go looking for you…" E Gadd said, pulling the vacuum device off his back. "Seems like the ghosts were already giving you all quite the welcome." The group of 5 frowned at the Professor's finishing statement.

"But they've got Mario…." Luigi gasped, frowning at the rest of his friends. E Gadd looked surprised as he acknowledged that there was indeed a missing person from the group.

"Goodness...It seems those ghosts never give up…" E Gadd stopped for a moment before starting again. "Well it looks like you have an even greater reason to explore that mansion…Searching for that Star….AND looking for your brother…." E Gadd finished looking over more at Luigi. At those words Luigi began to tremble. "Ah DON'T tell me you're already trembling Sonny?" E Gadd gasped shaking his head at Luigi.

"Don't worry Luigi, we're all going in together….Those ghosts WON'T stand a chance!" Yoshi said reassuringly, nodding at Luigi.

"That's right Sweetie! We'll save Mario and send those ghosts back to where they belong!" Daisy chimed in. E Gadd gave a thoughtful smile at the group.

"You all have just given me an idea…" He spoke, his voice seemed excited. Peach opened her mouth to speak before E Gadd continued. "Let's all head into the lab….I should have something for all of you….

"WOW Professor these are wonderful!" Peach gasped completely in awe. Exclamations came from the rest of the group as they all, examined the Professor's handiwork.

"Impressive aren't they?" E Gadd chuckled. "You all get your own Poltergust 5001 ! Each designed uniquely of course!"

"We'll save Mario in NO time!" Birdo laughed, as she examined her personalized Poltergust 5001.

"Well I couldn't just send you all out into that menacing Mansion with NO protection could I?" E Gadd asked. "Without a doubt that Mansion is going to be full of ghosts….We can't have another repeat of earlier….." Silence came over the room as the group frowned at each other, recollecting earlier events.

"Mario….." Peach's voice whispered, her voice sounded broken.

"We're gonna find him Peach!" Daisy said firmly, giving Peach a reassuring nod. Birdo also gave Peach a nod of encouragement. Peach gave a grateful smile.

"Let's go bust those GHOSTS!" Yoshi's voice rang. The entire group gripped their Poltergust 5001s and started for the door.

"HOLD IT FOR ONE SECOND YOUNGSTERS!" E Gadd's voice suddenly called, causing the group to stop. "I know you're all in a hurry, but let me explain something to you about your Poltergust 5001s." Everyone stared confused. "Seeing as I only had an hour to make them…." E Gadd paused for a moment. "I have to warn you….They're only able to capture the common ghosts around the Mansion…." E Gadd paused once again, this time he seemed a bit uneasy. "Meaning you won't be able to catch any Boos with your versions….." Everyone stared silent. "Only Luigi's Poltergust 5000 has the capability to capture those ghosts….Along with any other high ranked ghost you find in there…." E Gadd finished. The 5 friends turned to look at one another.

"What happens if more than one Boo or higher ranked ghost ambushes us?" Yoshi suddenly asked, his voice obviously nervous.

"We wouldn't stand a chance….." Peach finished. E Gadd gave a smile.

"That's what your flashlight function is for….." E Gadd started. "Your Poltergust 5001s are only unable to catch Boos and higher ranked ghosts, they're more than capable of stunning them long enough for Luigi to catch them….Light effects Boos and high ranked ghost just the same as any other ghost, high rank or not…..You'll be fine Youngsters! I have complete confidence in you!" E Gadd finished smiling confidently at the group. Nobody spoke for a moment, the group simply smiled at the Professor. "Well I think it's time you all got a move on! GOOD LUCK YOUNGSTERS!" Giving one last nod to the Professor, the 5 friends exited the lab, making their way towards the Mansion of horror that awaited them.

Whew not even in the MANSION yet and Mario has ALREADY been abducted by ghosts... *Facepalm* 3 TIMES the charm. Well at least Yoshi and the others have their own Poltergusts (Authors note: I give credit to RS-V22 for the customized Poltergust idea, :) It's nice to give credit where credit is do. *nod* ) And hopefully they'll find NOT only Mario but a Star too! ^.^ Again Thanks everyone for your continued support! See ya next CHAPTER!