Instability (Mario)

Chapter 1

"DIXIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!"

Toadette's agonized scream was heard throughout the entire observatory, waking up many annoyed captives. It was literally traveling through the air from her power- making everyone clasp their hands over their ears to avoid going deaf.

"Wh-what's going on?" Daisy yelled as her pillow was held over her ears.

"I'm not sure...!" Rosalina responded worriedly, doing the same. "What's happening...!"

The agonized scream wouldn't stop. It echoed through the halls, giving an ear-shattering effect. Probably a good move in battle.

Saiko was the closest to Toadette, and hearing the most noise- she should've been the most effected, but she just stared at Dixie's corpse in shock. Toadette dropped to her knees, her screams quieting to loud sobs and piercing shrieks.

"N-n-no, this cant be real," Toadette sobbed, leaning against the door in disbelief. "Oh my god, this can't be real..."

"D-Dixie?" Saiko gaped. "B-but... Saiko and Dixie were supposed to play... why did this happen...! Dixie... no! No! Who did this? Saiko's going to make them feel her wrath! Saiko's going to-" Saiko didn't even realize she was crying until the wet fluid dropped onto her knees. "Saiko's going to kill the person who did this to Dixie, promise..."

Toadette couldn't do anything but cry.

"Dixie..."

My best friend. My partner in crime, literally. She's gone...

Tears streamed down the normally uptight girl's face.

"You know you don't have to be... that in front of me, right?" Toadette had asked the monkey, who was currently transformed to a human form. "I don't care what you look like."

"But I care," Toadette remembered Dixie protesting. "I'm just so insecure about myself... it's not you, it's me."

"You know, anyone who judges you is going to be destroyed," Toadette reassured. "I'll go after them."

"Well, I don't know..."

"No ones going to harm my friends on my watch," Toadette had fiercely said. "Besides, we don't care. And I don't think the people in the prison do, either..."

"Eh... if you say so."

"Trust me... being monkey is pretty cool. They might've made fun of you, but that's pretty cool in my opinion."

"Eheh," Dixie had smiled up at Toadette. "Thank you. At least I have someone who won't judge me..."

All Dixie had ever wanted was to fit in..

Daisy was starting to make her feel good about herself too, Toadette thought bitterly. She was just starting to become more confident with her true appearance.. this is so unfair. Why couldn't they have spared you..

"What is that noise!" Pauline walked to the cell, irritated at being woken. However, when she saw the sight, her eyes widened. "Oh my god."

"...Captain," Saiko's fists clenched. "Permission to pursue the person who did this?"

"Obviously," Pauline nodded. "...oh god, that's just fucking sick. How lovely.."

Even she's affected by the sight, Toadette thought. Not even the head warden expected this...

Toadette tried to slow her tears, leaning against the door heavily.

"I'm going too," Toadette snarled, stepping into the blood splattered room and grabbing her fans. "I'm going to fucking kill them."

<><><>

"What was that noise?" Daisy had stepped out of bed. "I'm going to go find out."

"I'll come with you..." Rosalina said. "I don't want you to go alone.."

"Alright," Daisy grabbed her rapier and sheathed it. "Ready?"

Rosalina nodded, placing the crown on top of her head.

"Lets go."

<><><>

When Daisy and Rosalina made it to Toadette's and Dixie's cell, they found the door locked shut and Pauline standing there.

"What are you two doing up?" Pauline jeered. "Just because you're the ex-leader doesn't mean you get privileges."

"What happened here..?" Rosalina asked, ignoring the question. "Why are you by them...? Did you hurt them? If you did... I'll-"

"I didn't do anything," Pauline defended. "But something... something happened."

"What? What happened?" Daisy questioned impatiently.

"...Dixie was murdered," Pauline looked away. "I don't know what you guys were doing, but... while you guys were away, she was killed. It's... terrible in there."

"What!?"

"Why don't you take a look for yourself?"

Pauline unlocked the door, and Daisy pushed it open. As soon as she did, she gagged at the site, covering her eyes, while Rosalina stared in shock.

"This has got to be a dream," Daisy protested. "There's no way.."

"You're not the only one who wishes that," Pauline muttered. "We lost a warden. Now who's going to replace her?"

"Oh my gosh..." Rosalina looked away. "Dixie... I wish I could've saved you..."

"Such a painful death, too," Pauline commented. "Seriously, Dixie didn't deserve this as much as you guys did. Honestly. Although I wouldn't be entirely opposed if this psycho killed you, Rosalina."

"I didn't know... you were that afraid of a little competition..." Rosalina laughed softly. "But on a more important note...poor Dixie..."

"I will agree on that," Pauline nodded. "But at least Saiko and Toadette are going to hunt down the killer, which will be fun to watch on the cameras."

"Wait- so you knew they were going to-"

"No, we don't have it in the rooms," Pauline interrupted Daisy. "The hallways. I know who it is, and I'm pretty sure those two do. I have to go watch this, heh."

Pauline dashed away, leaving a worried Daisy and Rosalina.

"Let's go find them..."

"Yeah."

Hey everyone, and welcome to the first chapter of Instability! I spent a good 30 seconds trying to remember what the title of this was...

Question of the chapter: who do you want to have a character highlight (mini arc)?

Thanks for reading!