Mario The Music Box (Fanfiction)

Chapter 4: Awakening

                    Mario and Riba walked side by side, with his lantern's bright yellow glow to guide the way. Mario glanced at Riba. He had a nonchalant facial expression. Mario thought back to earlier events when Riba asked for help. He didn't know how to react or what to do. Riba was apparently "stuck" here, and he couldn't even clarify what's been happening here. He then decided to just have Riba go with him, at least until he figured out how to help him "escape"..... somehow. 

                   Darn! This frustrated Mario so much. What was Riba hiding from him? Why couldn't he leave this place? He then decided to stop to beating around the bush.

                    "Um, Riba, do you know what's been going on here?" Mario asked reluctantly. Riba stopped. He looked at Mario, his facial expression not changing.

                     "You can blame her," he simply said, with no hesitation. Mario looked at him with a stunned and confused face.

                     "Her? Riba what are you talking about-?" Riba continued on walking, while completely ignoring Mario, not stopping.

                     "Hey...." Mario said quietly. He looked to the side, and decided to follow Riba. He then walked up to him.

                     "I'm sorry if I brought up some bad memories. I just really need it for my investigation." Riba just looked at him blankly.

                     "I know Mario, I know," he replied. Mario huffed. This hopeless attempt of trying to figure out what was going on here was getting him nowhere! Riba was ridiculously hard to read, and everything he said was just like an unsolvable riddle! How could he do his investigation if he didn't have any leads or suspects? And Riba.... he seems so hopeless and apathetic. What happened to him? Mario felt so much sympathy for him. He wanted to help him escape this place, but how could he do that if he wouldn't cooperate with hi-

                    *maniacal laugh* "I must say, I'm not sure if I've ever had a host as incredibly naive and stupid as you..." Mario jumped back in surprise. He looked around in a panicked state. Riba glanced back at him with a frown.

                    "Hmm? What happened?" he asked. Mario held a hand to his head.

                    "Ah, sorry it's nothing-"

                    "Hmm? So we're resorting to lies now? Well, no judgement. *laughs* But take heed Mario.... I will have my revenge." Mario's eyes dilated in fear. He was frozen in shock. Who was that?

                    "Have you calmed down now?" Mario looked up at Riba. He had one eyebrow raised.

                    "Panic attack?" he asked. Mario quickly nodded. 

                    "Yeah.... sorry...." Mario was dumbfounded. Riba actually believed that? Well... he didn't want to freak Riba with whatever this weird "presence" he was feeling....

                     "How rude. I'm not just some 'weird presence', Mario. And you, may call me-"

                     "Alice." Mario glanced back at Riba with surprise. 

                     "W-what?" Mario asked. Riba simply looked back at him again.

                     "That's the person responsible for all this," he said as he narrowed his eyes.

                     He then continued, "I don't want to go into all the details, but if it helps, she's a spirit who messes with one's mind, and eventually, they die from the madness in this house." Mario had a stunned look on his face. A spirit? What in the world?!