Chapter 6 Creeping Shadows

Lemmy smiled as the Koopalings knocked on one last door. While he wasn't collecting anymore candy, he was happy to see that his siblings had made bank.

"Well," Iggy said as the door was closed. "I believe we can qualify tonight as a success."

"You can say that again!" Larry whooped and drove his fist straight into his bag. It emerged with enough candy to make his teeth rot out of his head. He cheered and threw the candy up into the air, causing it to shower down like hail. Larry even had the same reaction he would have to hail when the candy hit his head. "OWW!"

Wendy laughed. "Just for future reference; candy is solid."

Lemmy's grin grew even bigger as all of his present siblings laughed. It warmed his heart to know that they were enjoying themselves. Halloween was a great time of year, and the moments that the Koopalings spent celebrating it were precious.

"Okay, okay," Iggy said, holding up his hands to quiet down the laughter. "Let us start heading back to the castle." He began leading the way due north. However, he stopped when his eyes fell on Lemmy. "Lemonade, why are you not in possession of your bag?"

Lemmy chuckled. "Roy took it."

Larry smirked. "Ahh. Stealing your sibling's loot to add to yours. I want to try that!" He made a grab for Morton's bag, but the burly Koopaling stopped him by planting his hand right in the center of his face.

Lemmy rolled his eyes and he giggled as Larry pulled himself free from morton's grasp and adjusted himself. "No, Larry, that's not what happened. He took my bag because it was getting too heavy for me. He said he would go a different route with Celia so that he could collect even more for the both of us."

Iggy nodded, his mouth in a firm line. "Hmm. While that is considerate, I would argue that it is quite stupid."

Lemmy blinked. "Stupid?"

"Indeed. Now that he has separated himself from the group, we are required to locate him and his girlfriend before we can go back home." He pointed toward a street lamp, which just went out. "And we need to do it quickly; Stonebrim is very dangerous after dark. Especially on Halloween night."

Wendy gasped. "Are there...boos?"

"No, I was thinking more like muggers and bandits; people who wish to do harm to innocent civilians."

Lemmy felt shudders run up and down his spine. "Oh no!" He looked down the path his younger brother had gone down. Street lamps went off one at a time down the street, plunging that section of the town in shadow. Lemmy gulped. "I shouldn't have let them go by themselves!"

"Oh, Lemmy," Wendy said. She went up and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure Roy and Celia will be fine."

"Yeah!" Larry grinned. "Roy's a big dude! He can sucker punch any old thug in the gut before they can get to him!"

Lemmy perked up. "Really?"

Larry smirked. "Yeah, really."

Lemmy instantly felt better. "You're right." Really, he didn't know how he didn't realize this before. With the size Roy was, he could send even the worst, most nasty criminals crying home to their Mama. "You're absolutely right!"

"But still, I suggest we go find them," Iggy said. He marched forward. "Everyone, follow me. And make sure you stay close."

Lemmy grinned, and not just because following Iggy's footsteps in a single file line was like playing a game of Follow the Leader. All of his fears from before were gone. Roy was probably searching for the five of them right at that moment. All they needed to do was locate each other and then they would be golden. They could go back to the castle and enjoy chowing down on the mountains upon mountains of candy they had all collectively accumulated.

At the back of the line, Lemmy hummed a happy tune, just to help his happy mood rub off on his siblings. They all looked worried, if the visible shudders and shakes they showed in their arms was any indication. They looked terrified. Spooked out.

And one look at the scenery revealed the reason why.

Lemmy gulped. "Is...is Stonebrim always this dark?" Even with the light of the crescent moon, it was like they were walking into the pits of Tartarus. The streets were cloaked in shadow, stretching themselves out across the landscape to purposely mess with any possible pedestrians. The unlit street lamps looked like demonic arms shooting up out of the ground. The jack-o,lanterns on every house stoop grinned wickedly at the Koopalings, looking like they were ready to gnaw on their bones with their sharp, jagged teeth. Even the silver light of the moon gave off an eerie feeling to the crisp, October air.

"It...it's okay," Iggy said. He turned to face the others. "We...as long as we stick together, we will be alright."

Lemmy sucked in a breath. For the sake of everyone's safety, he hoped that would ultimately turn out to be true.

They continued trekking. Lemmy's heart thumped in his ears. Combined with the crunch of gravel underneath his feet, it made him extra uncomfortable.

"Lemmy, don't be afraid."

Lemmy looked up at Morton, who was directly in front of him. He pulled off his hood and gave the littlest Koopaling a smile. A wobbly smile, but a smile nonetheless. "It'll be okay."

Lemmy smiled back. "Thanks, Morty."

They continued the search. After a little bit of their eyes not providing them with any leads, they started to call out the name of their brother. "Roy! Roy?" The loudest voice in the group was easily Lemmy's.

"Maybe we should split up…?" asked Wendy after a bit.

"Absolutely not!" Iggy exclaimed. Even he couldn't keep his voice from cracking. "Too dangerous!"

Lemmy nodded. He liked that, even though he was afraid, Iggy was still speaking sensibly in this situation. The group took two steps forward, and Lemmy felt something that made his blood run cold. That being, someone placing their hand on his shoulder.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" Lemmy screamed. He turned and saw a big, burly koopa in a cow costume. "Stranger danger! STRANGER DANGER!"

The others all turned and approached the Koopa. "Who...you aren't a thief, are you?" asked Larry.

The koopa blinked. "A thief?" He laughed. "No. I have committed many sins, but thievery is not one of them."

"Then who are you?" asked Lemmy, shivering even in his warm cat costume.

"The names Tack. I live in the house right there." He pointed toward the house right on the curb. "I just wanted to let you kids know that it is half past ten. It isn't safe to be out at this time."

Larry snickered. "Gee, thanks Captain Obvious." This got him an elbowing by Wendy.

"Oh, but we can't go home yet!" Lemmy said. "We haven't found our brother!"

Tack blinked. "Your brother." He put his hand to his chin. "Was he wearing a police costume, by any chance?"

Lemmy's heart skipped a beat. "Yes! He was accompanied by a girl in a grim reaper costume!"

Tack looked concerned. "Oh, I didn't see her. I did see him; he was running down the street less than fifteen minutes ago."

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Why would he do that?"

"Beats me," Tack said with a shrug. "But he looked scared."

"Scared?" Lemmy asked. He took a step forward as Iggy kneeled down in the street. "Why would he be scared?"

"Uh, guys?" Iggy said. He pointed toward a spot in the road. "Come look at this."

The others gathered around. Lemmy really had to squint to see it, but there was something on the ground. It looked like some form of liquid, a very dark and thick liquid.

Larry made a face. "Uh, what is that?"

Iggy placed two fingers in the liquid and held it up to his face. After sniffing it, his eyes grew wide.

"Blood."

Lemmy gasped. "Blood?"

Iggy nodded as he got a hand wipe out of his hammerspace. "Yes." He stood up and faced the others. "We need to find Roy and Celia quickly."