Okay, here's the final chapter! I have to admit, it's very short, but it has a very good ending. Here comes the surprise!

Chapter 22: Returning Home (Final Chapter)

Mario ran quickly through the short hallways in the hospital, and to the door. He pressed his ear against the entrance door, and heard nothing. Then, he turned the handle, and heard a big gasp from outside. Smiling, he pushed the door open, showing his face to Dry Island. In front of Mario were about 200 people, possibly all of the Dry Island residents. When they saw him, they all shouted and cheered. Mario was then picked right up, and carried away slowly.
"Yahoo! He's back!" were the kind of cries from the crowd of people. Finally, Mario was dropped right in front of the former mayor, Jim.
"Hello, vice-mayor. We've been excitingly waiting for your return from the hospital," Jim said.
"Jim! All of this… I can't believe what you've done here!" Mario exclaimed.
"Yeah. While on our travels with Mayor Luigi, we happened to find a few treasures, and well… we made use of them. Our town is no longer a deserted dusty old town!" Jim said happily. Suddenly, everything went silent. Mario heard a roaring motor in the distance.
"Hey! Is that… MY PLANE?" Mario shouted.
"Ha ha, yes. Also on our travels, we found a deserted plane in the water, and it was broken, so we fixed it real good. I guess it was yours, huh?" Jim laughed. But then, Mario's smile faded.
"So that means… I'll have to… leave," Mario sighed.
"Yes, unfortunately. But, all of your friends are waiting at the plane for you, so why don't you go along?" Jim said sadly.
"Wait. Aren't you all coming too? Maybe to say good-bye?" Mario quietly asked.
"Oh, we'll meet you there. Just go join up with your friends and wait there for us. We'll be… um… preparing… something," Jim said. Mario smiled and knew what they were "preparing" would be great, probably a ceremony.

And so, Mario ran happily towards the roaring of the plane, eager to meet his friends. But, as Mario turned into an empty alleyway between two buildings, he knew something was wrong. Suddenly, the air started to fog up, and Mario couldn't see anything in the dark alleyway. Then, he heard a strange, crazy voice.
"Hahohehahoohiha! I've finally got you, Mario!" The strange voice cackled. Slowly, Mario turned around, and gasped at what he saw.