Christian: "I am back for another..."
I see that, Craw, I would ask for you to sit down and wait until after the chapter to make your comments.
Christian: "...Spoilsport..."
Now on to the story, leave a comment and some likes on your opinion of the story.
"Whuh-Whuh-WHAAAAAAT?!"
"Professor, do take a breath and calm down, that was too much for our numbers." Alex spoke as he shook the ringing out while the others got up from the floor from shock of the professor's screech, but the old Goomba just continued.
"Th-That was written in Princess Peach's e-mail? The legendary treasure is actually the spirit of an ancient demon... And those fiends want to use the power of the Crystal Stars to resurrect it? How bone-chilling... Sadly, it DOES seem to be consistent with what I've uncovered..." Alex shrugged as the others glanced at him with resign before the Shadow Siren questioned.
"What have you found out, Professor?"
"Hrmm... This is rather long, so you'd best listen well." Frankly then did something odd as he glanced to his ceiling and shouted. "Are all of you ready? And you there! In front of the screen! You listen up, too!" Alex motioned at Frankly before sighing aloud as Anya and Christian groaned at the same time.
"You know, this is going to get out of hand if SOMEONE mentions some otherworldly being or several and doesn't have the reasoning to explain it." Alex shook his head as Frankly shook his head and spoke.
"OH, NEVER YOU MIND! Don't worry about such trivial details. Just listen!" The party looked amongst themselves and looked back at Frankly. "The great cataclysm that I read about in that book may well refer to this demon... It says that a monster destroyed a large town that once stood on in this very area. It ALSO says that the seven Crystal Stars were actually CREATED by this monster... AND that this thing used the power of the Crystal Stars to try to control the world..." Alex nodded as the elder Goomba continued. "According to this book, the demon was defeated in the end by four heroes. But only the beast's physical form was destroyed... Its spirit could not be eradicated. So, the heroes used the Crystal Stars, which they had stolen from the demon... And they cast the evil beast into the depths of a vast maze, and sealed the exit... From this, I gather that the Crystal Stars cannot distinguish good from evil. So, if they're all united, they could either seal away or resurrect the demon. It seems that who wields the Crystal Stars determines if they're used for evil or good."
Christian then asked as he waved a hand. "If that is the case, then shouldn't we stop and keep the Stars we have out of the wrong hands?" Alex shook his head and everyone turned to hear what he has to tell as he started.
"Not possible, Christian, the Crystal Stars may be powerful, but what of any lingering magic of their?" The question was big and everyone understood what it meant. "What if the seal on this demon is weakening, its end coming within days, maybe weeks so it is better that we have the Stars on hand before our world ends with this threat." The Koopa turned to Frankly and asked. "So, Professor, where do we need to head to next?"
"Hrmm... According to the map, it appears to be somewhere on Keelhaul Key."
The Shadow Siren was the one to respond as she rested a hand to her cheek in thought. "Keelhaul Key?"
"I'm none too familiar with the place, but I've heard countless unsavory rumors. You know, the usual stuff... Vengeful spirits full of hatred, evil curses, things like that... I'm sure the sea salts down by the harbor know more. You should head there first." Alex nodded as he took the map and returned it to his sachet as he spoke.
"Come on, let's see what the salts have to say." They agreed as they headed on to the port, the party chatting a bit as they walked passed some folks before Alex stopped short, turning on his heel to look at a large reptile as the same returned the look. Silence filled the zone as all seemed to stand still before both, in a burst of speed, charged and fists clashed into each other, emitting enormous shockwaves across the square and blasting everyone back as the metal fist and the large fist kept even ground before the noose crashed to the ground in a series of fragments from how close it was to the shockwave. Christian quickly sprung to his feet and fully took in the attacker, the Koopa King himself Bowser who was locked in a fist struggle with Alex before Anya shouted in shock.
"REALLY, NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU, ALEX?!" Nothing was said as the struggle continued, but before any could jump in, the struggle stopped and both Koopa switched hands to shake, both smiling and laughing.
"Your Kingship, what an honor to see you again, sir!"
"As is with you, dear mechanic!" Both laughed to everyone's confusion before Bowser smiled with a release and spoke. "I'd hate to ruin what you guys are doing, but I was actually looking for a suitable mechanic to fix up my Koopa Copter."
"Say no more, free of charge as I share with YOU what we are doing!" Both headed off with gleeful smiles as the party and Kammy were left speechless before Christian shook off the surprise and spoke.
"Follow them, we need Alex!" They gave chase to the west side of town where the duo headed off to...
"...And that is why we are here, sir." Alex said as Bowser listened to the Koopa while also helping in flushing out the Copter from any excess water, Alex rolling out from under as he wiped away some smudge from his scalp. "I didn't expect you to be in Glitzville, but that's what we get for searching on Peach's behalf."
"Peach sent you on this adventure, what about Mario?" Bowser asked and Alex chuckled a little as he continued, the sound of wrench twisting and drill working filling the empty garage because once Bowser's in town, people running screaming.
"The princess has him on TIME-OUT, he is not to do this, otherwise Toadsworth will inform her about ANYTHING he did while searching for her." With that, Bowser unleashed a hefty laugh and started to slap his leg in joy.
"That is just priceless, I just can't see that guy being that loyal.. or patient!" He continued to laugh as Alex gave his own laugh to tone, both sighing as the silence filled in before Bowser asked. "So... Life in the Mushroom kingdom treating you well?"
Alex rolled out to give Bowser a solid look. "it is quite the nice turn, I didn't take it too much to heart because... reasons." He rolled back in as Bowser jumped out and sat down on the bench that surprisingly withstand his massive size and weight.
"I respect that, you have seen a lot more suffering and have served as a loyal pair of eyes, hands, and voice to my kingdom's plea, never taking time for yourself, I never actually apologized back then too, but... you know... conditions..."
"No harm, no foul, you are a king foremost and you have to ensure that it stays afloat, it is fair to not acknowledge one soul among a hundred others, but you know..." Alex rolled out and sat up, his repairs completed, but his heart was not done. "...I have started to open up to the party here, those that I have found trust and fostering care with them, even Christian of all people, he is headstrong so much that I often wonder if he hears me or he just nods!"
"I hear that loud and clear." They bumped fists in kinship before Bowser huffed and tapped on the ride. "So she's ready for action?"
"She should be able to get you straight up to Glitzville and beyond, just ease up on the thrust, too much will blast you into space and I haven't been able to make out a proper propulsion unit to bring anyone back down from that height."
"Got it and Alex?" To the Koopa's nod, Bowser pressed for more. "You are looking for these 'Crystal Stars', they any worth in the long run?"
Alex slightly shook his head as he explained. "Sorry, Milord, so far, all the information on them is vague and we are racing to beat the X-Nauts to them in the first place, so it is possible, just not proven yet."
"Right, marshmallow-looking space flunkies that play the drama game too often, I will dispense some SERIOUS firepower if I come across any in my travels, you get Peach back in one piece and do it with skill, Alex!"
"Safe travels, Bowser!" With that, the Koopa Copter took off as Alex waved good-bye as his allies found him. "Took you all a long time, you sure you all didn't stop for a snack?"
"Who do you take us for, gluttons!?" Christian yelled, though the candy on his beak told Alex enough as they ALL did, but that was beside the point. "So... Bowser's out for now?"
"For now, and we still need to find out what the salts know so that we can see to keelhaul Key." On que, Koops returned with Goomba and Flurrie behind him as he panted a bit, Alex glancing at Christian who raised his hands in apology as the Koopa started.
"There's a-a ship in port and its captain i-is a guy named Flavio, we think we s-should talk to him a-about going." Alex rested a hand on Koops' shoulder as he spoke.
"We will all go, but first some rest, it was actually a taxing day than I had originally thought." To the collected sigh of relief, Alex lead them back to the inn, Toadsworth out for a bit so Christian and Vivian decided to share a room for now as night fell, Vivian's sleep somewhat bothered as she rolled and turned in her sleep before she slipped under the sheet and quickly returned to sleep, still having a bit of a fearful rest as the pain, minor, returned to seemingly twist and turn her body...
Christian: Oh shoot, what is happening and why are Alex and Bowser...!
Too much exposition! (Slams Christian into the rift with a Home-run Bat before looking at the object and throwing it into the rift as well as it closes) Sorry, I have NO idea where THAT came from, but thank you for reading and I will see you all later, bye!