Author's Notes: I am sorry for the delay! I would have gotten it soon, had It not been been for the fact that things have been very busy. I appreciate those of you who were patient enough to wait. You won't go unrewarded. Hopefully, this chapter will open some jaws… now let's see if your predictions were correct, shall we?

Chapter 17: Behind the Masque

"Stop it, STOP IT!" Eddy commanded.

His invisible adversary seemed to calm down. He was no longer getting hurt anymore. Eddy looked over the side of the rails and spotted the huge cannonball monster, which was coming closer and closer to the house.

"What the heck is that?" Eddy asked, raising an eyebrow. He looked in the opposing direction, spotting a few blasts of fire, some of which shot up into the skies.

"Whoa!" he called out. "What's goin' on down there!" he shouted, rushing over to the other side of the roof and looking down into the front yard. In the front, he spotted Double D shouting some incoherent spells while shooting and dodging blasts and streams of fire.

"It's that guy we saw at that diner yesterday!" Eddy shouted.

Before he could say more, he could feel a strong hand grip his shoulder. Eddy gave a quick growl and grabbed the arm behind him.

"Not now, I'm busy!" Eddy shouted. With a simple spin, he threw Jib off him, presumably sending him far away. A crashing sound on the other side of the roof confirmed just how far he had thrown him.

Eddy turned back and looked toward the side of the roof. "Quit buggin' me, this is serious!" Eddy exclaimed.

He focused his attention back toward the front yard, keeping a careful eye on the fight...

"BLOO!" Mac shouted, rushing toward the back.

"Hey, Mac!" Bloo shouted. "It's coming back!"

Mac looked up and realized the monster had Goo. "What happened to Vivian and Eduardo jr?"

"That's the bad news." Bloo said. "They kind of left."

"What?" Mac asked back, annoyed.

"But they got rid of Terrance, too!" Bloo shouted. "…that's good, right?"

"Ok, but now we got to stop that thing alone!" Mac shouted, pointing up at the giant monster that still held Goo.

"Uh… good point. So you think we should run, scream, pass out?" Bloo asked.

"If we leave, that's the end of Foster's!" Mach shouted. He stood right in the pathway of the cannonball creature. "Go ahead and run if you want, but I'm gonna do this."

Bloo's eyes narrowed. "…ok, fine." he said with his arms folded. "I'm in. But only 'cause I'm gonna be friend of the month for this!"

"Whatever." Mac said. He and Bloo both looked back up at the monster, before quickly rushing at it, screaming all the way...

Eduardo jr coughed as he climbed out of the water. Vivian and Terrance were right behind, slowly crawling out of the lake.

"Bloo…" Vivian and Eduardo jr growled under their breath.

Terrance was the first to get up. "Ok, I'm cool with all the mischief and stuff, but this is getting too annoying to stick around for."

"So then that's it?" Vivian asked.

Terrance immediately took off running away from the house. "You freaks do what you want, but I'm not interested in any of this junk anymore!"

He turned around to face them both. "Look, you two. You got me really ticked today. So seriously, you two… I'll be back."

Vivian and Eduardo jr only glared at him in response. Terrance growled back, before turning around and sprinting away from the house.

"One down." Eduardo jr said. "But we got to get back to the house."

"Oh no!" Vivian shouted. "We left the house unguarded! C'mon!"

The grabbed the smaller yoshi, quickly rushing back toward the house in distress...

Double D quickly dodged another blast of flame, making a quick dodge to his left. His hands were lit aflame the entire time. With every counter-punch he delivered, another of his fire-clones vanished into the air, giving a very big flash, almost the same as a firework would make.

Frankie, who was still watching the whole fight from behind the window, covered her eyes from the otherwise blinding lights of the battle.

Double D finally slowed down after a few fist-throws. He realized he has defeated nearly ever clone there, save for about 3 more.

"…I see." he thought. "The fire-clones are just like mirrors. They look just like him, but at the same time, they break as easily as one."

"Done yet?" Masque asked. "The people I usually train with break all of the clones by this point."

"I don't understand it." Double D said. "What was the point of using them when you knew I was going to destroy them?"

"To wear you down." Masque said. "My real attack has yet to be revealed."

"Your attacks are just like mine." Double D stated, holding up his flaming fists. "I know what kind of power you can wield."

All of the Masques looked around. "That's where you are wrong. My power is different then yours. Stronger and more efficient, if you will."

Double D remained still, looking ready to strike.

"But really…" Masque sighed. "You look stressed… let's both calm down and talk like real men, shall we?"

Masque rose his right hand a snapped his finger. Just like that, all of the fire clones vanished into the air. At the same time, Double D's hands also returned to normal, still giving off a bit of smoke. His eyes widened and he gave a gasp.

"My fire! He put it out!" Double D thought. "He must be on a completely different level!"

Masque sighed, seeming to enjoy the sudden silence as opposed to the noise of the battle.

"…how did you do that?" Double D asked.

"Child… my dear child." Masque said. "How many questions do you have?"

Double D still held a face of complete awe.

"…you want answers?" Masque asked. "Is that it?"

"Yes." Double D said.

Masque gave a chuckle. "I knew this would come eventually." he looked back up into the sky. "…you see… my hatred for this wretched building began soon after the first kid was born. I lived in this very town. My family was a kindly old group, but none I was too proud off… there was that woman… that woman who kept trying to get rid of me… and her first born son. I think you know him…"

Double D's eyes widened. "Terrance?"

"He was so young and gullible then." Masque went on. "I tried to teach him in my younger days… but that woman! She said it was the last straw, and then I was just gone, before I could even meet Mac!"

Frankie covered her mouth.

"Then I decided to search for a new place… so I came here. It seemed nice enough… but of course, some people here had other ideas…"

Flashback

"So, what can we call you?" Madame Foster asked, looking at the young adult, who had the same trademark mask.

"Um… Masque?" he thought it up on the spot.

"Well, hello there, kid? Looking to adopt a friend?" Foster asked.

"…sort of… I was ditched by my family, so I'd like to find a friend for company." Masque replied quietly.

"Oh… you poor dear." Foster said. "Oh, please, please, come in! I'm sure there is someone here who's about to help!"

The old woman walked into the foyer, with the younger Masque in tow. A younger Herriman also awaited inside.

"Good day, my kind sir. Are you here to adopt?" he asked.

"…in a way." he replied softly.

"One moment, sir…" Herriman said. "Please wait here."

Herriman and Foster walked away, toward his office. Masque stood alone in the foyer. As he did, he began to look around. Sunlight poured in through great windows, the warm lights raining down on him from above, and reflecting off the perfectly polished floor. There was no sound in the room, except for the grandfather clock, which was slowly ticking away.

As he made a turn, he spotted a young girl, no older then 12 years old, walking down the hallways. She had a small mop and a bucket with her. She has a small, innocent expression as she walked, as her long orange hair flowed behind her, tied back a bit by a little red ribbon. She came to a stop nearby him.

For a minute, their eyes locked. She peered up to the taller man in the masque, as he looked back down at her childish, curious gaze.

Finally, someone broke the silence.

"Hello, mister." little Frankie said.

"Hey." he said back, a bit quietly.

They remained gazing at one another in a bit of curiosity. It wasn't often a masked adult man would come in to her house.

"…so, are you here to adopt?" She asked curiously.

"…sort of." he replied.

"Cool." She said. She walked around the room with the mop, washing the floors as she continued. "Is the friend for your kids? Can I meet them?" She asked.

"No, no…" he said. "It's for me."

She gave him a very curious look, tilting her head to the side. "…but… aren't you… you know, a little old for an imaginary friend?" She asked.

Masque looked down. "Is that it? I just want one friend… even at this age, is that so much to ask?"

She looked down. "Sorry, mister. No, you can't be too old for a friend."

Masque smiled under his mask. "Thanks… I hope I can find one here."

She smiled back. "Maybe." She said, before returning to her cleaning.

At the same moment, the door to the office opened up. Herriman didn't walk out, only Madame Foster. Masque and Frankie both looked toward her, Masque with hopeful expression under the mask.

But Foster only gave him a saddened expression in return. "…sir… I'm sorry, I really am… but you see, none of the friends we have are… able to leave."

"…what?" Masque asked. "But, why?"

"You have to understand." She said. "We are having some problems with our forms… the paperwork. It's a bit messed up at the moment, dear. Herriman can't do much of anything when there is too much chaos… you understand, right? Perhaps… some other day."

Masque looked down. "Yes, I get it. I made a mistake."

He turned backward and began to walk back towards the doors.

"Wait, mister." Frankie said, running toward the man.

He looked back to see the little girl run, before coming to a stop near his feet. They looked at one another. "We can be friends, right?" She asked.

"…I don't know." he said. "I have to be going now."

"Deary, she's offering friendship." Foster said. "You may as well accept it."

Masque nodded. "Sure, we can… but I must be on my way."

"Here…" She said. She reached backward, placing her hands in her hair. After a few seconds, she took the knot out of her ribbon and pulled it free of her hair, letting it flow down to her shoulders. "You can have this."

"You really want to give that to me?" Masque asked.

"Sure, mister." She said. "I have a million of them."

He smiled, as the little girl put the silky ribbon into the palms of his hands.

"Aw, isn't that sweet?" Foster asked.

"Thank you, little girl." he said.

"I'm Frankie." she said.

"My name is… Masque." he replied.

"Cool." She replied.

He looked towards the door. "…well, I have to be going now. See you both later."

"Ok, see you around, deary." Foster said.

"See ya!" Frankie replied.

End Flashback

Double D gave a distraught face. "That's the reason you have decided to destroy this place? Are you mad!" he shouted.

"No, no…" Masque stated. "But… there's a lot more too it to that."

"Oh, he's not kidding." Frankie said angrily.

"The true reason I came to hate this place was because of the events that came 4 years after that. By then, I was a well known and wanted criminal…"

Flashback

16 year old Frankie turned around and spotted Masque at the end of the roadway.

"Grandma!" She shouted in distress. "That guy on the news!"

"What is it?" Foster asked, walking toward Frankie. The terrified red-head pointed toward the end of the road, where Masque stood.

"Oh my goodness!" Foster shouted.

Masque began to run down the roadway, racing toward them and the house.

"He's coming!" Frankie shouted. "Someone do something!"

The man rushed toward them, coming to a stop a few feet away. "I remember you all from before!" he shouted. "I came back! I need a friend, please?"

"Get away, you criminal!" Foster shouted, stepping in front of Frankie. "I would never give one of the friends here to you! I have a mind to report you!"

"Just one!" Masque shouted, getting closer and closer. "I need one!"

"Not in your life!" Madame Foster shouted. "Never!"

Masque growled. "You said you would! Remember?"

"I don't remember who you are, buster!" Foster shouted, waving her cane. "But you better get out of here now!"

"Wait!" Masque said. "I do have a friend here! I can take her!"

Both Foster and Frankie gasped.

"NO!" Foster shouted, rushing at Masque with her cane.

"Stay out of this, old woman!" Masque shouted, giving a simply dodge and letting her fall to the ground. She gave a shout of pain upon hitting the pavement.

"Grandma!" Frankie shouted.

"You're not the one I wanted to see, it's you I'm after!" Masque shouted, running past the fallen old woman with no concern. Frankie gasped and turned around, bolting toward the house. She didn't get too far, because Masque was faster, and grabbed her from behind.

"Frankie!" Foster shouted in horror.

"Please, I'm desperate!" Masque shouted.

"Let me… go!" Frankie cried, trying to break free. "You're hurting me!"

"Frankie, don't you remember me?" Masque asked.

"No, no!" Frankie shouted. "Leave me alone!"

Masque held on a bit tighter. "I came for a friend! I won't leave without one! Frankie, say goodbye to this house!"

"You rapscallion!" Foster shouted, getting back up. "Leave my grand-daughter alone, you-!"

But she gave a sudden gasp. A quick press against her shoulder made her fall down onto the ground, making her lose her consciousness.

"GRANDMA!" Frankie shouted again.

"Please, Frankie!" Masque shouted. "I'm desperate, just hear me out!"

"Not after what you have just done!" Frankie shouted.

"But-"

Before he could say more, a strong fist met his face. He broke free of Frankie and flew backward, over Foster's fallen body, and onto the ground. He rolled on the ground, before coming to a stop near the exit.

"Get out of here!" Frankie shouted.

Masque growled and took off running, headed down the street.

Frankie turned back toward her grandmother. "GRANDMA!" she shouted, rushing to her side.

She looked back toward the house. "Someone call the police! Hurry!"

Frankie looked back toward the exit. She gave a quick gasp, spotting a small ribbon that he had dropped, lying on the ground and waving against the breeze. "It was him!"

Meanwhile, Masque continued to run, breathing heavily as he did. "That… woman and that little… brat! They betrayed me!"

He rushed behind a building and continued to run in the alleyways of the city. "They lied after all this time! I can't believe it! I swear! I SWEAR UPON MY LIFE!"

His face was covered with sweat and he was breathing heavily as he ran. "I'LL GET BACK TO YOU, FOSTER'S HOME!"

End Flashback

Double D's eyes and mouth were wide… "…I was right… you are mad!"

"MAD?" Masque shouted, his hands were fists. "Mad was being betrayed by that horrid brat and that rogue, old hag!" he shouted.

"That's it!" Frankie shouted. She grabbed the edge of the windowsill, and thrust herself from the window, landing on the yard in front of her.

"Frankie, that's dangerous!" Double D shouted

"Come to join us at last?" Masque asked. "Now I can end the story. You see, just yesterday, I met up with this old witch. She said she saw great potential in me, and gave me my fire powers, in exchange for the defeat of her enemies and a star or something."

"Beldam." Double D thought. "…she's recruiting people now?"

"…and now I am here to do what she said, the star thing and all." Masque said. "More importantly though, I'm here to destroy the house, and make Frankie fulfill her promise!"

"That won't happen!" Frankie shouted. "Don't even think about it!"

"I understand most of this!" Double D shouted. "You want revenge, and you're working with a mortal enemy! And now, I think I know who you are behind that mask!"

Masque gasped. "What?"

"You may not have realized it, but you have given so many secrets and hits about your past." Double D stated. "The dead giveaway was mentioning Terrance and Mac!"

Masque stood there, keeping a serious expression.

"You said you hated the family!" Double D shouted. "And I seem to recall Mac saying that someone he knew left when he was young. I think you know what I mean!"

Masque looked down a bit.

"It's over!" Double D shouted again, pointing at the man. "You are Mac's father!"

At first, Masque said nothing. He looked back up at Double D. "…you guessed?"

"I knew it!" Double D shouted.

Frankie was too shocked to give a response. Her eyes and mouth were left wide open.

"So this is your conclusion?" Masque asked again.

"Of course it is!" Double D shouted. "In the end, it was obvious!"

"You think you are so smart, you know?" Masque asked. "It will be nice to end your existence once and for all, you pest!"

"TAKE THIS!" a voice echoed from above.

Everyone looked up to see a rock, recently shot out of a slingshot from Eddy, headed directly toward Masque's face. Masque couldn't defend himself in time. In the next second, the sharp rock struck him right in the face. He groaned as it struck him quickly and strongly. As it did, the mask, that had for so long clung to his face, flew off. It spiraled in the air, before striking the ground on it's side. It fell backward, coming to a slow and final stop on the pavement nearby.

"Score!" Eddy shouted, posing a victorious strike. "I knew I could get him while he was blabbing on and on!"

"You…" Masque replied, facing the other direction. To everyone's surprise, his voice changed from his normal male voice to a much higher-pitched, demonic voice. "…you have made the largest, and last mistake of your LIFE!"

He turned around to face Double D and Frankie. Double D gasped as Frankie let out a horrified scream.

They were greeted by yellow eyes, with very small black pupils that looked like those of a serpent. His face was completely pale, an almost perfect white. He had no eyebrows at all. His lower mouth was a bit smaller, but fixed with an evil grin. Two enormous fangs hung from either side of his mouth. A tongue also hung out a bit, a forked tongue at the end like a snake's.

Frankie looked to be on the verge of hyperventilating at this point. Eddy, who was watching from the top of the roof, dropped his slingshot onto the roof, by his feet. Double D could only stand there in sheer shock and complete surprise.

"…he's not Mac's father." he stated. By now it was apparent that Masque wasn't even a human, much less biologically related to Mac. "…but then… who… who…"

"I only said you guessed… I never said you were right." Masque said.

The sock-headed boy was stammering at this point. "…who… and what… is this guy?"

Author's Notes: Just when you though you knew who it is, I have thrown another twist into the story. Was it close to what some of you may have thought? Well, anyway, the finale of the battle is on it's way next! Until then, please review! More on the way soon!