Painting the Town Red

Victim 3: A Rose by Any Other Name Still Bleeds as Sweet

Suspects: Mario, Luigi, Waluigi, Wario, Peach, Rosalina, Yoshi, and Birdo

Victims: 1 Toad, Bowser, Daisy

Killer:

They are all dropping like flies!

The fact that there is social discord between them all also achieves my purposes. Unless they can pull themselves together, none of them will survive this night!

Ah Daisy, what a sweetheart. I'm glad I finished her off so quickly. She was smart to tear her dress, it would have been harder for me to catch her. I guess that's why I had no choice but to target her next. However, what I'm most proud of is that she never let out a sob. Granted, that was probably the paralysis solution speaking, but she was so strong.

But was I lucky to be able to get back with the rest of the group in that short amount of time. I thought for a moment I was caught. Ah, but they're all knuckleheads aren't they? To be a killer requires more than strength. Cunning. Ah cunning, my sweet friend.

Now there is one ready to take the blame. They turn aside from me to look. This will be easy to frame. And I mean framing for a lovely photo. Ah, memories. Beautiful, lovely memories. It shouldn't take long. She won't be able to hold her defenses for long.

Two down, seven to play.

One, Two, three, four.

Counting time is such a bore.

Mario:

Mario turned to see Rosalina crouched over an orange and red mess.

"Daisy..." He whispered.

"Daisy!" Mario shouted, beginning to sprint towards the doorway of the courtroom.

As he began to pass the hedges growing on either side of the steps, Mario paused.

A dull sheen came from the bushes.

An iron blunt.

A hammer.

Mario shook his head, ignoring the weapon for a moment, and began to climb up the steps to Rosalina, tears now blending with the blood around Daisy. The edges of Rosalina's gown were now just beginning to absorb the seeping liquid, staining the flawless blue seam an irrevocable earth brown.

Mario almost reached the top stair, when he suddenly slipped on the fresh, slick, yet sticky blood.

Mario caught himself, but his flawless white gloves paid the price. He did not see it, but he could feel the still warm lifeforce clinging to his palms and sticking between his fingers.

Dazed from the sudden fall, Mario slowly looked up.

And came face to face with Daisy.

Mario stared into the empty sockets for a solid three seconds before he felt a tug from behind him.

Once again, Mario found himself tumbling down the stairs he had ran up. He attempted to make himself impact in the most defended way. Landing on his shoulders and protecting his head.

Finally, after skidding on the cool earth for a few moments, Mario came to a stop.He didn't attempt to take himself out of the fetal position he had crawled into. In the dark, his vision danced with Daisy's eyeless sockets. Bowser's scarlet eyes. The toad's slit throat and slashed cheeks. Watching him. Telling the hero to play his part. Telling him to defend them.