Hey... Sorry for the wait, but as it turns out, after Anya and the Yoshi left, our mystery visitor dropped by again, sure seems like she is quite lost.
?: I am so sorry for the trouble, sir.
No harm done, but due to this being a thing, would you do the honors of giving the basics?
?: I accept, Paper Mario belongs to Nintendo and the story edit and the involved OCs belong to Madnesz23, so leave a view and a comment on how the story is going and we will see you again.
(Alex)
Anya sighed in relief as the last of the new gear was made.
She didn't understand a lot of what Alex had said or even what he actually did speak, but the fact that he now had the mechanical arm in Koopian Steel and knuckles on his normal hand meant that he could use the ground pound as well. Amethyst's was a little more unique as her's involved her new claws to employ a dig motion, a difficult thing as Alex had talked it over with her and she seemingly agreed, but wished that it never came to using the new 'Burrow Strike' too much. Christian was more fortunate as his halberd blade was remade and now he can send a shockwave through the ground in battle, the same impact proving the same in ground pound statistic with Gus the practice dummy, but the guy didn't mind at all as he had seen some business from the party and was more than willing to help them out.
"So, what is the plan?" The Toad asked as they rested in the room that was getting crowded with seven people with Christian, Goombella, and Koops out to get some late shopping in to keep stock. The pleasant air in the room pausing for a moment as Alex removed his mushroom cigarette and thought, red smoke pluming out as he spoke, Amethyst speaking with Flurrie about a few tips in beauty.
"Well, due to yesterday's fiasco, we weren't able to see the Don, much less speak with him, but that is the least of our problems." He gazed out the window as he went on. "It could be just a thought, but the moment we got back to Rogueport, there were more... shady folks prowling around the plaza and the east side of town, big lumps in suits looking about and keeping an eye on the place like there was something out of the usual scene."
"Goodness, I sure hope they are not of the unruly type, such forceful souls." Flurrie comment as the Koopa shook his head as Amethyst sat next to Anya, the Toad slightly unease by her presence despite everything.
"Unruly is possible, they were piantas, dressed up to mean business so it is possible something big had occurred while we were gone or... someone somewhere had their sights set on something that could possibly be... troubling...
(Christian)
Though the trip was annoying, the Craw felt it wise not to question personal logic and suggestion.
When Goombella asked Alex for Koops and Christian's help in getting some supply so that they keep on going, he didn't deny the action and instead, went with it to spend some time to himself as the riddle was strange, Alex did kick back into gear, but it was egging his mind greatly, someone broken would mean that they were lost and crushed by something or that they had suffered from something that shouldn't have occurred at all if the conditions were different. He was so in thought that he jumped when Goombella shouted behind him. "HELLO!?"
"Gah!" The Craw nearly dropped his carried goods as he glared at the Goomba. "Real mature, Goombella, scare a guy who was thinking."
"It's beside the point, C-Christian." Koops said as he shuffled to the side with his things. "You were so focused that you didn't h-hear Goombella talking about Don Pianta."
"And it serves you right!" The Craw his head as they headed back to the inn to rest, the Goomba bouncing in her shoes.
"Well, I can listen in a better time, right now, we need to..." The small band stopped short as there were piantas blocking the way, a large number of them barring the way before Christian, understanding the vibe, quickly understood why Alex was looking off on the first day in Rogueport. "Oh Great Stars above, please let this be not so..."
(Alex)
The Koopa paused and Amethyst got the feeling as she asked. "What's the matter, sir?"
"I feel that Christian got into trouble again." Closing the lighter, Alex took off down the stairs and out the inn door to see what he was expecting, Christian was being taken away, disarmed and manhandled by so many piantas as the Koopa rushed over to Goombella and Koops who were sprawled on the stone to the east side. "What happened!?"
"Piantas... They were waiting at the archway and when they spotted Christian, they rushed us, bowling us over as they hauled him away, something about Don Pianta wanting to see him." Goombella said as she slowly got up with Koops being pulled off his shell by the leader. "Whatever it is, that was not a pleasant way to bring someone..."
"It's how you bring a suspect or criminal." Alex snarled as he clapped for the party. "We're heading for the east side, if anyone can help us get our friend back, it is the Robbo Thieves, they have had the most interaction with Pianta and will know how to get in." The party nodded as they had discussed the possible leads that the Don could have and the Robbos are rivals to the syndicate, but also part-time partners in ventures so it stands that they were one of the quicker ways and now, they were going to be used. Gus, spotting them, stood up straight before stepping to the side in fear as Alex radiated anger, not asking for tribute ever again as they moved past the Trouble Center and through a space between structures and through one of the doors to meet a snail-like individual as Alex cracked his knuckles as the individual spoke, the Craws readying for attack.
You want somethin', chump? This is the fortress of the Robbo Thieves. You lost? What business brings a chump like you to a place like this? Say it ain't a vacation."
"It ain't a vacation." Alex stated as he came closer, the leader feeling the hate seeping out of Alex's body. "I need in to Don Pianta's office."
"Whazzat? You wanna meet that lyin', cheatin', stealin', no-good, jerky-for-brains, Don Pianta?"
"If you value your skull, yes." This stopped the chat short as the leader dropped to the ground before recomposing himself and stating his end.
"Well, it won't be cheap, we need some protection money for Don Pianta and sixty-four coins will do it, if you want to meet him, pay up... please." The Koopa walked straight up to the leader who was now shaking in his boots as the eye and patch stared him down.
"If I wasn't worried for my friend, I would make sure your skull was going to hang near the port, but seeing as I need the info more than a decoration, here you go." Alex reached into the pouch and gave the coins asked for before backing off and asking. "Now, how do we get in?"
The leader cleared his throat as he explained. "There is a easy way to talk to the worm, a parlor run by that man is located next to an alley to his office, but the trick is to buy two things in order, Dried Shroom and Dizzy Dial to which the Boo clerk, sweet thing, will ask you your favorite color, answer yellow only, just yellow."
"Thank you for the info, we will be off now." Alex headed out with the party before the leader dropped to the ground and Craws surrounded him to rouse him back up...
(Christian)
Christian shook himself awake as he took in his surroundings, the ringing in his ears dulling as he could tell voices, none of them his friends. "The... was... push... easy."
"Good, now... see... much... takes to... give in..." Suddenly, a sharp feeling surged from his leg and he yelped awake, finding himself flanked by two yellow Piantas, one holding a bat, while an orange Pianta was sitting there on the left, watching with a look of both anger and interest. "So, whatz you got to say, criminal?"
"I am nobody's criminal, untie me now!" Another blow sent Christian howling as one of the thugs made a point.
"You's be disrespectful to da boss, you needs lesson in respect." The punishment continued as the lead spoke.
"If you want dis to stop, tell me where I can findz my daughter."
"Daughter!?, You lost me!" Another blow brought Christian closer as his legs were giving out, too much and he would be walking with a limp. "I swear, I don't know anything about a daughter, I've been working my tail off with someone else!"
"Well, that's too bad, guess you's going downtown and taking a drink with the fishes." The Pianta snapped and the goons lifted the chair, Christian struggling to escape. "Boys, take him out for a swim and then maybe, he will be more willing to give up his secrets."
"Sure thing, boss!" The thugs headed for the door, only for it to get busted down, blasting fragments all over the place as the thugs were soon done in by someone with a whip and a pair of claws as Christian was freed by someone with a glass patch.
"Why is it you get into trouble so much, you darn bird?"
"Sorry, Alex." Christian was helped to his feet by the partners as Alex walked over to the Don with a tone.
"Don Pianta, I presume?"
"What's it to ya?" The Koopa raised a hand and slammed it down, destroying the table that Pianta was seating behind and was the orange Don was gripped hard as Alex pulled him close with anger.
"Watch your tone, Don, I have a full mind to hang you by the toes and see if the fishes like the taste of plant." Though he wasn't scared outward, he was shaking inward. "You grabbed MY friend off the streets, You BEAT his legs to get answers, and you have the TONE to think that this is just a casual meet, your heart should warrant enough of a prize to get a point across." Quickly, the Don spoke, realizing that it wasn't just idle chatter.
"W-Wait, name your price, I will pay it, clean and simple!" But the Pianta was dropped to the ground as his goons was tossed over by him as the Koopa started.
"Well, for a start, we need blimp tickets to Glitzville, however, since I am running angry without a full reason, I need to inquire..." He crouched down and asked. "What is this about a daughter, we have had no interactions with you or anyone connected to you, start from the beginning and speak calmly."
"R-Right..." He cleared his throat as both stood up. "See, da thing is.. My own daughter... eloped wit' one of my young... associates. Dey vanished... but it wasn't too long ago dat dey did." He paused before rubbing the back of his head. "Come to think about it, dat was stupid on my part, assuming your friend was part of the whole 'vanishing' ploy."
"All is forgiven, I just need to get him back together from that act, but I am entrusting his care to the Goomba and green Koopa, seeing as they were with him to start with." Koops and Goombella saluted as Alex continued. "So you are trying to find your daughter and this associate and bring them back, correct?"
"So it's settled, yeah?" Alex nodded as Don Pianta pulled out a picture and showed it to the leader, a yellow pianta female in a white sundress and a blue pianta member seen in the photo. "Their names be Francesca and Frankie an' I am trusting you an' your friends in finding them, else..."
"Are you sure to be threatening a Koopa who just lead a takeover and could easily take you down in seconds?" Don stopped short as Alex finished the trail of thought. "Message is clear, we fail, our luck runs out, but don't judge a bunch of misfits as failures so quickly, sir." The gang left the office and Alex spoke to his now-limping Craw ally. "Beside the fact that that was the worst meeting ever, it should yield very well."
"Are you sure to be bringing Christian along, that treatment was too much for a simple find-and-report task." Amethyst said as she joined his side. "You should have bashed the guy a bit more, he didn't deserve to be let off the hook."
"No, it will be the regret that haunts him, that hurts more than any mortal wound, right now, we have a pair of piantas to find." Heading to the dock, they spotted a pair that looked like the ones in the photo and Alex approached before clearing his throat, drawing both of them to realize the party. "Are you two Francesca and Frankie?"
"Who told you dat, sir?" The blue one said as the cigarette was placed into Alex's jaw.
"Don Pianta wanted to know." That prompted a reaction from the yellow one.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! Daddy asked you to find us? And take us to him?!" Alex nodded as Francesca panicked. "Frankie, what should we do? If Daddy finds us now... Oh, I don't know...and the boat's coming any minute..."
"Dollface... Maybe we oughta head back and try to talk to da boss one
more time." But Francesca was more stubborn than the party guessed.
"No, Frankie! Don't say that! Don't you know what he'll do to you if
we do that?" The pair started to talk to each other, completely ignoring the party.
"Francesca... Babydoll... If we can just talk calm-like wit' da boss,
he'll understand."
"Oh, Frankie... My Frankie... Don't you love me?"
"Of course I love you, sugar cookie. More dan anybody in da whole world!"
"Then let's go, Frankie! Let's run! To the ends of the earth if we have to!"
"But, butter biscuit... Dey already found us out. We can't keep runnin' forever."
"We can, Frankie! The more you try to put out the flames of love, the hotter they burn! Until I marry you, no one will extinguish these flames of passion! NO ONE!" Francesca turned to Alex who was looking at them with a look of defiance. "Don't you see, Mister? I beg you: pretend you never saw
us! Can you do that?" Alex sighed as he puffed out another red cloud before he spoke.
"I wish I could just forget, ma'am, but when your friend is falsely arrested and beaten, I need to step in to make things right." Both looked at each other with now a look of regret. "Just setting that on the table, I will be heading back to the Don to see to something." He about faced and motioned the party to follow as they headed back in, Goombella adding some commentary.
"What are we going to do, boss?, we can't just talk to Don Pianta and not expect some form of trouble."
"Don't worry about that, I just gave the motivation for them, we will expect them to come by the office soon." Heading back to the office, Alex paused for a moment before entering to find the Don working to get a new table together for his business when he noticed the party back and sat down to address them.
"Oh. Look who's come back. Da tough-guy glass eye. You gonna brighten my mood? So give. What you got? You know da whereabouts of dese two runaways?"
"They're at the harbor, Don, but wait for a moment." He looked on the edge as Alex continued, sitting down to make small talk. "Were you aware that Frankie is interested in Francesca as a love?"
This stopped the Don's next words short as he processed the words before he went 'ohhh'. "Dis is news indeed, no wonder dey left, afraid of being accepted as a couple." He nodded a bit with crossed arms. "Reasonable, reasonable, but they should have talked to me first before all this dumb stuff." He turned to yell at the two goons, but then the door swung open and the pair had returned to reap the punishment.
"Daddy, wait!"
"Francesca!"
"Boss! Forgive me, Boss! I-I'm sorry! Truly, I am!"
"Frankie! So! Back you come, head hung low an' wit' your tail between your legs!"
What followed was a basic argue, one pianta trying to take the blame for the other until Don Pianta roared. "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! Enough! QUIET! BOTH OF YOU!" They quieted as Don looked at Francesca, rubbing his temple. "Francesca! My headstrong daughter... You used up your last favor long ago!" He then turned to Frankie, no less upset with him as he is upset with his daughter. "An' you, Frankie! You were like a son to me! Dis is how you repay your debt to Don Pianta? I feel such disappointment in you two, it's like a Poison Shroom in my gut." He turned away and folded his arms as the pair plead one more time.
"Daddy!"
"Boss!"
"I don't ever wanna see your mugs again! You hear me? Get outta my sight! Both of you! I don't care where, just go! ...That's what you expected me to say, huh? Well, that's what I'm sayin'! Go! Do what you want! Even if it means gettin' married!"
Francesca squealed in joy. "Oh, Daddy!"
Frankie started before he righted his words. "Dad! ...No! Wait, I mean... BOSS!"
"Thank you so much, Daddy! Thanks for your blessing!"
"Boss! I'll make your daughter a happy woman! I promise you! She'll want for nothin'!"
"Enough already! Just go! GO!" Quietly, he started to sob as the goons commented their own.
"Francesca... Seein' you dis happy makes me...happy too. Congrats, both of youse!"
"Frankie! Dis is great! It ain't quite what I promised, but hey! Things turned out OK, am I right?"
Francesca gripped Frankie's hands as she started to pull him away. "Good-bye, Daddy! Farewell! And thank you!" She left the office in a pleased mood as the party just watched, Flurrie and Amethyst wiping tears out of their eyes as Christian and Koops hugged each other like Anya and Goombella while Alex puffed out another cloud.
"All's well that ends well..." He got up and stood before the turned Don who noticed him with the smell.
"You still here?" Alex nodded as he turned around. "Hmph! Well, you found my daughter an' got her come back here... An' just lookit how things turned out! What a complete an' utter soap opera. But hey, a deal's a deal. You can have your blimp tickets, like I said." Pulling out several tickets from his new desk, he passed them over the wood into the Koopa's hands. "Who knew? Dat guy's got her smilin' ear to ear! She's... happy. Dat's good. Hey, I knew you were da guys for da job! Thanks a bunch, pals!" The Don shook his head as he pointed a finger at the party. "...But I don't wanna see dat gloomy faces no more! Don't ever come back here!"
"Worry not, we'll meet again and we will do another favor for you." The Don shook his head as the party left and Alex looked at his ticket in the metal hand, holding it up to the sun with a small smile. "Look out, Glitzville, we're coming for your hidden treasure." They headed for the train station and addressed the cheep-cheep blimp owner and boarded the blimp which headed out to the floating city where the third Crystal Star was located, the underbelly of the arena going to be exploited as the party intends...
?: Whoa, I didn't know Alex could be dangerous.
Yeah, he only gets that way when his friends are endangered or threatened, but he saw the situation and used it in his advantage, even got Christian healed up with the smoke before they headed out, so... Wait, are you blushing...?
?: W-What!?
...I am dropping it for now, but come here again with that glow and I may...
?: NO! (Quickly flees after the realm.)
Geez, it's just a joke, she gets so flustered, of course that is because... never mind, I will leave the idea to you guys to guess... See you later.