Night Horror

Chapter 14

It didn't take Mike too long to get to the 11th floor (Twisted Suites) and 12th floor (The Spectral Catch) cleared out. He was currently on the 13th floor (Fitness Center). He was starting to get worried though. He hadn't seen Toad or Mario. Peach had shown him pictures of everyone before Violet had surrendered herself.

So where are they?

Mike frowned in worry. The whole purpose of Violet surrendering in the first place was so that he could find her friends. But he wasn't having too much luck. He was afraid that if he was taking too long. But his fears were soon dashed when he saw a swimmer ghost in the pool. On the other side was a painting.

Toad.

"Finally!" Mike breathed.

Just as he said that, Mike barely managed to dodge a volleyball coming at him. He ducked under a pile of towels. He peeked out at the ghost.

He asked, "I guess you aren't gonna let me have that painting, are you?"

That's when the swimmer ghost threw another volleyball at him. Mike ducked again.

He added, "Guess that's a no."

Quickly summoning Goolet, (no idea how it was still Goolet Elvin never fully explained it to him), she went to the valve across the pool. Mike was still ducking from volleyballs as Goolet used her gooey Poltergest G-00 to open the drain. The swimmer ghost got stuck as Mike went down into the swimming pool. Taking the glasses off of him, he flashed the Stroboscope at him and started to capture him. The swimmer ghost struggled against it and managed to get himself out at last minute.

He whispered, "Dang it!"

Mike quickly left the pool before it filled back up with water. He tried a few more times. Finally, the third time he was able to get the ghost and the 14 button. Mike picked up the 14 button, smiling a bit.

He muttered, "Hang on Violet. I'm coming."

He crossed the pool after calling Goolet back. Mike shined the Dark-Light Device on Toad's painting, releasing him. Toad landed on his head.

Toad muttered, "T - thanks..."

Mike cringed a bit as he helped Toad to his feet. "Guess Violet would've done a better job..."

Toad perked up, "Wait, you're here instead of Violet? I knew she turned chicken!"

Mike made a disapproving face. "She did not turn chicken!"

Toad shook his head, "I know I'm a coward but she's worse than me! She ditched you, didn't she?"

Mike's heart just froze. He looked away from Toad. The silence between them had been awkward to say the least. Finally, Mike spoke.

He huffed, "You are a complete jerk! She surrendered herself so that I come and find you!"

Toad gawked at him.

She couldn't have... Could she?

Before Toad could say anything, Mike had already walked off. Without saying another word, Mike got Toad back to the lab. He took the elevator up to the 14th floor (The Dance Hall). Mike was still furious about Toad saying those awful things about his daughter.

Where does he get off?! Hopefully Mario is a bit nicer...

The elevator doors opened on the 14th floor. Mike stepped out and started to look around. There was pink neon everywhere. It reminded him of discos back a long time ago. He walked down the hall, seeing record players on the walls.

Quite interesting.

That's when he got to the end of the hall. He saw a long case of stairs that led to a door. He went up the stairs and entered onto a stage. There were stereos everywhere and Mario's painting on the right side of a DJ stand. In the middle of the stage, there was the 15 button. This felt very suspicious to Mike. He went for the button until he was attacked by a DJ ghost. Mike ducked out of the way quickly.