Paper Mario X: The Thousand-Year Door
Chapter 50: Bomb's Away!
"Wow…there sure is a lot more cargo since the last time we've been here!" Kirby exclaimed, referring to all the crates scattered about the harbor.
"Who should we talk to first?"
"Um…that purple bomb-omb!"
Mario trotted up to Pa-Patch, who was keeping track of all the haul.
Mario: Hi!
"No matter 'ow much I work, life never gets easier for me, know wha' I mean?"
"Ah, yes. Yes I do…" sighed Link.
"Oh, like you really have a hard life!"
"I have to herd goats when I'm not saving the day! They butt hard!"
"HOLY SHIP!"
Everyone turned to where Kirby was pointing to see a bright yellow ship sitting in the harbor.
"Well THAT certainly wasn't there before…" Sonic said.
"But who does it belong to?"
"She belongs to Flavio, the merchant trader…" a Toad with torn yellow-orange overalls said, walking up to them. "He don't sail too often. Mostly he just hangs at Podley's joint in plaza…"
"You mean the place under the inn where Luigi's team was?"
"Where we were just at?!"
"…wow…"
"Looks like we're backtracking…"
"Wait! I want to talk to Bomberto!"
"Why?"
"He might have more info!"
"Kirby, Kirby, Kirby…"
Kirby nevertheless skipped up to the blue sailor bomb.
"Hello sea salt! Know anything about Keelhaul Key?" he asked cheerfully. Bomberto's face fell.
"Ooh…Keelhaul Key… Listen, mate…Don't ask me about that place. I got no need for a curse from the pirate king."
"Pirate King? What Pirate King?" Link wanted to know.
"I just 'aid don't ask me! Go ask that other sailor Bob-omb!"
Bomberto (somehow) pointed over to a bomb that looked exactly like him only a bit more innocent.
"I'm not liking the sound of Keelhaul Key very much anymore…"
"Sonic, you didn't like it when you first heard it was an island!"
"I can't help that, now can I?!"
"Whatever…HEY! YOU!"
They ran over to the bomb, who was looking quite perplexed.
"What do you know about Keelhaul Key?" Goombella inquired.
"K-Keelhaul Key?" the sailor shivered. "You mean the island where the treasure hoard of Cortez, the pirate king, is hidden? Keep an eye out or the pirate curse'll get 'cha!"
"…this is so unfair…"
Podley's Joint-
"Hey…Luigi, Malon, and Tails are gone!" Kirby noticed.
"They did have to hurry to Jazzafrazz Town anyway…" Koops input.
"I hope they have fun!"
"Guys focus! Which one of these people is Flavio?" Link wondered.
"Well, besides the fact he's in my book, maybe he's the red garbed pirate with a red skull gem singing a pirate song!"
"Sheesh, there's nice way to tell people things, ya know…"
Mario sighed and headed up to the guy. He tapped his shoulder to get him to quit singing.
"What do you want ah? Who, me, you ask about? Ah! I am called Flavio. I am, how you say? A trader. I am the richest man in Rogueport."
"Great! Spare some cash?"
"Link…"
"Monetary wealth gives me freedom, yes, and freedom gives me wealth of spirit! And yet…why is it that a man whose life is unchained must always long for yet more, ah?"
"Because people are selfish and greedy!"
"What is missing from my life? This tears at my very insides! I must know! What is it that I lack?"
He paused, as if he wanted the group to answer.
"Romance, definitely," said Kirby.
Mario: I'd say emotion.
"Probably thrills!" Sonic exclaimed.
"Money, maybe?" Link suggested.
"He's the richest guy in the city-I'd think he has enough money!"
"Oh yeah! Trash on MY input, of course! Why can't someone yell at Mario instead, ah?"
Mario: Cause I'm awesome!
"Well, I think its thrills, because sitting around doing nothing is lame and boring!" Sonic claimed.
"Thrills, you say, ah? I suppose one does need thrills every now and then…there is nothing like the feeling of being alone on a mountain, shivering to death…"
"What the?!?" "How is that a thrill?!"
"AH! NO! FOOLISH FLAVIO! Not CHILLS, you silly man! What I need are THRILLS!"
"Is he talking to himself?"
"Wait! Hold the horses! That is it!!"
He walked around to the other side of the table, the gang stepping out of the way.
"Now that I am thinking of it…I once heard of the treasure of Cortez, the pirate king…"
"Aw, no…" moaned the hedgehog.
"Yes! This is the answer! Oh, such happiness for Flavio! A hunt for pirate treasure! Why that just shrieks of romance and thrills and emotion and even money!"
"That's a good solution!" bragged Link.
"It's an adventure that has everything!" Kirby cheered.
"Including water…"
"Come on Sonic! You're…well, Sonic! You can't be THAT afraid of water!" Spike scoffed.
"Well, I am, and I don't know how I manage to even take a shower…"
"Okay, that's sad-"
"All right! No more word about it!"
Flavio whirled around to the group arguing behind him.
"Do you not know the tale? The pirate king's treasure? Hidden on Keelhaul Key?" he asked.
Sonic made a face. "I've heard enough thank you very much!"
"Ah! Well, tales say that the pirate king, Cortez, hid his hoard of pirate booty there."
"heh heh, pirate booty…"
"Nice, Kirby. Nice."
"For years, treasure hunters and ruffians have gone there in search of the loot…but not a single one of them ever returned! Oh, the horror makes my back tingle! People here whisper that the ghost of Cortez attacks all who seek his treasure…eek! It is because of those very rumors that people no longer go to Keelhaul Key."
"W-Well, it's just a rumor right?" Kirby asked.
"Rumors are always born from a shard of truth!" Goombella pointed out. "It's a rather famous saying…"
"But that will not stop Flavio! That treasure is there, yes! And I am going to prove it! For I am Flavio! Trader extraordinaire, millionaire, sailor of the seven seas!"
Mario held up his hand to inform Flavio about how they were hunting for "treasure" too.
"What is that? You are also looking for a treasure here in Rogueport?"
"Yepperdoodle!" Kirby chirped.
"Why talk such craziness? There isn't anything like that in this dull armpit of a town. You cannot be believing each stupid rumor about treasures some sea urchin spews out. No no no no no no NO!"
"Um, sorry to interrupt your rant, but the only reason I'll even go to Keelhaul Key is for a Crystal Star," Sonic explained.
"Besides, you're believing a rumor about the treasure on Keelhaul Key!"
"Ugh, we've found the Kolorado of Rogueport…" added Link.
"We even have a treasure map!" Kirby blurted out.
"KIRBY!"
"What?! He thinks were idiots!"
"W-Well…hand it over! Rather, I mean, show me!"
Mario sent a look to Kirby before pulling out the Magical Map and showing Flavio.
"You are having a joke on me. This map leads straight to Keelhaul Key! You swines! You mean to steal my treasure out from under me, you awful, awful men!"
"Hello? Some of us happen to be female, you know…" Ms. Mowz sniffed.
Sonic let out a sigh and grabbed Flavio's collar.
"Listen man! What part of "we're looking for Crystal Stars" don't you understand!?"
"Well now I am confused. You are looking for things known as the Crystal Stars?"
Sonic: Faints Anime style
"But now that I am thinking…a star-shaped stone WAS said to be in Cortez's hoard…Perhaps I could sell it for a staggering amount of cash? Yes, that would be…Ah! Stop such thoughts, Flavio. What you need is romance, thrills, and emotion. I cannot ignore what this business before me suggests…this must be fate at work! Flavio shall go with you to Keelhaul Key!"
"Oh GREAT!" "Just what we need…" "Kolorado de ja vu moment!" "Someone save us now…"
"Of course, the Crystal Star is yours, yes! But the rest of the treasure is mine!"
"We don't have a ship, so we'll just take yours then…"
"I will have a ship ready in no time! And it will be massive and glorious! Let us begin preparations immediately, shall we? I will volunteer myself as our intrepid leader! Yes!" Flavio pointed at Mario. "…and you will be captain!"
Mario jumped. Flavio turned to Link, Kirby and Sonic.
"You, first mate! You, manage the poop-deck! And you can be the lookout!"
"Grrreeeeaaatt…I get to stare at miles of water…" moaned Sonic, finally coming to.
"Ah! Danger and adventure tickle my nostrils! Come to the harbor right away!"
He grabbed the shiny red gem sitting on the table and took off in a flash. Everyone simply looked on.
"I already don't trust this guy…" Link seethed.
"Well, unless you want to call up the tuna-whale, we're going to have to take his ship!" exclaimed Kirby.
"Excuse me? A tuna-whale?" Flurrie wondered.
"It's a long, fearful story…" Sonic sighed. "Just…never mind. Let's head to the harbor…"
"I dunno…this Tuna-Whale sounds cool!"
"You'll have second thoughts Spike…"
Harbor-
Back at the ship, a variety of crew members were already aboard Flavio's ship. A Store and Inn Toad, the young green Toad with green overalls, the yellow-orange Toad, Pa-Patch, an awfully familiar figure, and the sailor bomb they had talked to earlier was standing next to the ship. Flavio stood in the middle of all the commotion, looking way too proud.
"Wow. Apparently a lot of people want to be cursed…" Goombella mused.
"Let's not mention the curse, m'kay?"
They climbed onto the ship to talk to Flavio.
"Ah. It's you…sadly, a slight problem seems to have popped up…but feast your eyes on this outrageously fantastic ship! She is a fine vessel, no?"
"Before you start a rant again, let's get to the actual problem," Spike muttered.
"Yes, yes, yes, of course. The problem that has sprung up. Here is the issue. We…have no navigator. He ran off, the dog. The navigator, of course, is the highest-ranked helmsman. They steer ships, you know. Now, here is the real problem. The waters around Keelhaul Key are deathly dangerous. We need an absurdly skilled helmsman for our navigator. It is a, how you say? A pickle."
"So that mean no sailing across the ocean?!"
"Don't get your hopes up."
"Oy, Flavio!" Pa-Patch called. "Heard you talkin' 'ere sir! If you don't mind me sayin'…I might 'ave a solution."
"Do not tease me, Pa-Patch! You can solve our problem? Then spit it out already!"
"Well, sir, I've 'eard talk of a famed…no, a LEGENDARY sailor livin' in Rogueport. Yeah, I think he's called Admiral Bobbery…a salty old sea dog, by all accounts. But…he's said to 'ave the Helmsmen's Touch, sir: he can make any ship bow to his will. Thing is, there ain't a soul wot's seen him on the seas as of late…"
"Drat. No sea sailing adventure after all…" Sonic said, "disappointedly".
"As is customary, my captain and his mini crew will handle all negotiations. That…would be you, Mario. That DOES sound fair to everyone, does it not?"
"No complaints!" "Aye aye sir!" "Sound fair sir!" "I'm on board!" "Good plan!" "Sure thing!" "Not really…" "Get OVER it Sonic!"
"…Then it is decided." Flavio decided. "You must find this Bobbery and bring him here. Our future sails with you!"
Plaza-
"Okay, where the heck are we supposed to look for this sailor guy?" Spike wanted to know.
"I could always sniff him out!" Ms. Mowz chuckled.
"That's a great idea! Let's try it!"
"I was just-"
Mario randomly used Ms. Mowz's ability, and she pointed…er, sniffed, eastward.
"To the east!"
Ms. Mowz stopped them with a snarl. "I am a treasure hunting mouse, not a random person finder! Now, if you want to head east, I don't care, but I'm not saying I'm right!"
Link shrugged. "Whatever! We haven't really explored the east area anyway…"
Eastern Area-
Everyone stood around in the easternmost part of town, curious as to what to do next. Goombella searched around and remembered the one locked door from long ago. She trotted up and knocked on the door.
"Hey Mario! Link! Remember this house?" she asked.
"Yeah, but it's locked!"
"Maybe Bobbery's in it!"
"How are we supposed to get into a locked house?" question Kirby. "They don't lock it for nothing!"
Ms. Mowz scoffed. "Ha! If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a thief! I break into places all the time!"
"We've definitely noticed…" groaned Flurrie and Goombella.
"Are you saying you can break us in?" wondered Vivian. Ms. Mowz gave an amused hum and nodded. Suddenly, Arfer walked over and tapped on Mario's shoulder.
"Hey Mario? Have you seen Swindle?"
"Is he that blue guy over that little ledge that most of us could fly over except for Mario who would have to use Spike and from there we can get onto the roofs and access Bobbery's possible house?" Kirby asked.
Everyone: What the…'-'*
"What the heck was that, Kirby?"
Kirby shrugged. "I have my moments…"
"Mmm hmm hm hmm! Took the thought right of my head darling," Ms. Mowz chuckled.
"Don't try to bust a move on me, missy!"
Ms. Mowz turned away. "What's up with him?"
"it's a phase…"
"Anyway, if that's how we're finding this Bobbery guy, then let's do it!" Spike exclaimed, having Mario jump onto his back. Flurrie carried Goombella and Koops, Vivian vanished and reappeared over the gap, Kirby floated over, Sonic jumped over, Link nearly missed the edge and had to grab Sonic before he fell, and Spike half struggled to fly Mario over. So they passed Swindle, climbed up the crates, went over a gap once again, and came to the roof of the locked house. Ms. Mowz investigated the chimney.
"Mmm hmm! The chimney is the ideal entrance…but the opening is too small. Any ideas?"
"I think Mario's on a roll!"
"Link, give it a rest…"
"No really look-"
He was cut off by Mario using his "tube curse" and rolling everyone into the chimney, perfectly fitting through the hole.
"Ah!" "Oomph…unh!" "Cough cough…when was the last time this guy had a chimney sweep?!" "My eyes!" "Ah, memories!" "ho ho ho!"
A old Bob-omb with a very wild moustache instantly turned to the sound of the thud and guffawed at the sight of people arriving in his house through a chimney…in the shape of a tube.
"What do you blokes want?" he instantly snapped. Sonic dusted himself off and shrugged.
"We're looking for a guy named Admiral Bobbery…heard of him?"
The bomb's mustache slightly twitched, but other than that, he showed no signs of knowing. "…never heard of the gent. Take your search elsewhere."
He trotted to the door, unlocked it, and gave a look that told them to get the heck out. Everyone but Link and Ms. Mowz left, the latter suddenly getting a whiff of treasure.
"Mmm hmm! I smell something in this room!" Ms. Mowz exclaimed. Link smirked.
"I'll just head in to get it…"
He snuck into the back room as Ms. Mowz kept the salty old sailor distracted. He returned with a simple Shine Sprite, upset because they already had more than they needed. The sailor spotted him and instantly barked at him.
"Away with you! NOW!"
"Holy holy I'm GOING!"
Link burst out the door, tripping over Kirby and flying into Mario.
"Sheesh Link, what took you so long?" questioned Sonic.
"Just nabbing a prize…" he muttered as Mario shoved him away. "But we have a problem now. If that guy isn't Bobbery, and we've been just about everywhere there is to be, then where the heck do we check?"
"We could ask Frankly…" Goombella suggested. "He has been living here for awhile and should know something…"
"Why is someone always suggesting something and it turns out to be right?"
"Don't question the magic, Koops…"
They turned the corner and stormed into Frankly's House so fast and unexpectedly, that the old mushroom jumped 5 feet.
"Hey old man, know where the Bobbery guy lives?" Kirby belted out the second Frankly regained his composure. He glanced at Kirby and raised an eyebrow.
"Bobbery…that old sea dog live in the eastside house right next door! They say he was a great and important sailor long ago…"
"I wonder what happened to make him stop?" Vivian pondered aloud.
"…and why he would lie to us in the first place!" Spike added.
Bobbery's Place-
Spike crashed through the door and everyone struck threatening battle stances.
"Drop the act, Super 'Stache!" he exclaimed.
"We know who you are, Bobbery, so give us the down-low!" Link shouted. Bobbery blinked.
"Harrumph! What poppycock…"
"Poppycock?" "These people sure know some strange words…"
"Tell me, What would you want with me if I were this chap?"
"That mustache, because the ladies apparently dig facial hair!" Sonic stated.
"hey! I was going to ask that!" complained Link.
"I don't need it because I already have a girlfriend…" Kirby boasted. Vivian put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.
"We need a navigator, and you're the only one who can pull off the job!"
"…So sorry but you'll have to look elsewhere. I shall set sail upon the sea…nevermore!"
"but…That's just not cool!" whined Spike. "You wanna see me beg or something? Is that it?"
"You have to come along!" Goombella cried.
"You're the only one who can get us safely to Keelhaul Key!" Link finished.
"Emphasis on safely…" added Sonic.
Mario: Oh yeah!
Bobbery shook his head at Mario. "Awfully sorry, dear boy, but when I say no, what I mean is…NO!"
Outside-
"What's the next move chief?" Spike asked Mario. "This salty dude is going nowhere fast."
Everyone put on thoughtful faces.
"I can't figure this guy out! What's his beef with the ocean anyway?"
"Maybe we should find someone who knew what happened to him!" Vivian suggested.
"How do you think we're going to pull that off?"
Vivian shrugged. "Just an idea…"
"Any better ones?"
"Naw…" "Negative." "Nope!" "Yeah! Wait, not really…"
"but even if we go hunt someone down, how will we even know where to look?" wondered Link.
"Man! Always a catch…" complained Kirby. "Well, we could go to the bar. After all, a few sailors and Flavio were in there. Maybe there's a sea tale they can share or whatnot."
"…" "Where's the idea juice?" "How is he so smart?!" "Incredible."
Kirby struck a pose. "I'm just that good!"
Everyone: Epic groan.
Bar-
A purple mowzer suddenly flew into the air, crashed into a wall, and scurried out the door with a pink puff growing at him.
"yeah! That's right, coward! Run you big meanie!" he shouted.
"All he said was "scram" Kirby…" Vivian pointed out.
"Yeah, well I'm trying to get a Crystal Star on a haunted island and I don't need any of his sass talk!"
The man behind the counter drying a glass laughed an amused chuckle. Link found him suspicious and strutted over.
"Hey guy. You must know all about these sea dogs, eh? Well, there's this one bomb named Bobbery and he won't go to sea and-"
"Well, I can't say that surprises me."
"…hah?"
Everyone gathered behind Link, interested in hearing the story.
"The real question is, are you REALLY sure you want Bobbery back on the water?" Podley continued.
"Of course!" "We need to mount an expedition to Keelhaul Key!" "…which we need to take a boat for…gulp…"
Podley let out a small sigh. "Rough seas out there. Most sailors would meet their end."
Sonic turned for the door, but Mario and Link grabbed him before he escaped.
"Not old Bobbery though…the fact of the matter is, Bobbery's tale is sad. Horribly sad, actually. You'll probably end up crying, but I'll tell it to you, if you really want me to. "
Sonic calmed down a bit as Link scoffed. "Pbth! There's no story too sad for the Link!"
"You were sobbing into tissues at Koops' story!"
"…"
"I'm already crying!" wept Kirby. "POOR BOMB!"
"He hasn't even started yet!"
Mario: Please do! I can take it.
"Bobbery's tale of woe goes something like this…"
Bobbery was once married. He had a wife of enduring beauty named Scarlette. The two of them were madly in love, the sort of love reserved for fairy tales. Now, Bobbery was a renowned sailor, so he was away from home for long periods. Scarlette never complained though, and always waited faithfully for Bobbery's return. And Bobbery…his eye never drifted. He loved only Scarlette, truly and deeply. So they lived and found happiness when they could, All was good, for a time…but not all good things can last.
"Oh no! Foreshadow!"
"Quiet! It's getting to the good part!"
"Well excuuuuuuse me!"
It was a particularly cold winter when it happened…Scarlette fell ill. A virus? A passing cold? No one knew, but it soon turned serious. Bobbery, at sea on a long voyage, knew nothing of his bride's suffering. By the time he returned, Scarlette had succumbed. She was gone. Bobbery, of course, blamed himself. "My loving wife perished because of me…if I were not at sea, I could have nursed her to health. I could have saved her." …he was overcome with such thoughts. They tormented him always, haunting his sleep. He has never gone out to sea since.
Podley turned back to the group to see some sobbing, some dropping a few tears, two looking pretty solemn, and two bawling their eyes out.
"Gee…what a downer. I guess that's a pretty good reason for hating the ocean…" trailed Spike quietly.
"That poor bomb!" Link and Kirby wailed, hugging each other for support. Mario just shook his head.
"Man…now I feel so bad for the guy! I wouldn't want to leave either!" Sonic admitted.
"That poor man!" "That's way worse than my problems!" "WAH-AHH!" "Get a grip, darlin'…sniff…"
"At least I still have Koopie Koo…" stated Koops.
"Too bad this isn't your tale!"
"Calm down Kirby…"
Podley gave a small nod. "You all know his tale now…So, tell me: do you still want him to return to sea?"
Mario: Yes…we have no choice.
Podley nodded and handed over a very old letter, surprising everyone.
"On her deathbed, Scarlette wrote Bobbery a final letter. You hold it in your hands."
"That's slightly disturbing…"
"I don't know what's written inside…but I can tell you what she told me as she lay dying: "If I should succumb to this plague, and if my love should blame himself for my death…then give this letter to him, so he may hear my voice." It was her last request."
"And you didn't respect it!" Kirby exclaimed, ready to perform a karate-chop on him. "JERK!"
"When I saw Bobbery in misery, trying to forget the pain as he mourned his wife, I just couldn't bring myself to present this letter to him. I've regretted it ever since. Please…take this letter and do the deed I was too cowardly to do: take it to Bobbery."
"We will, coward!"
"Kirby, honestly…"
"That was me, actually…"
"Sorry Link- you and Kirby are starting to sound the same."
"Pah! Trying to blame the trash-talk on me! Sigh…my life is so difficult…"
"Did you NOT just hear the sob story three seconds ago?!"
"Listen, Podley…" Spike suddenly said, breaking the conversation. "We'll deliver this thing. Try to feel better, okay? Let's roll, Big Blue."
"Yeah…this is getting to be too much for me! A simple search-and-find becomes a tale of a heartbroken sailor. What're the odds?"
Bobbery's Place-
Bobbery nearly growled at the sight of Team Mario once again.
"What?!? Oh, by Blabberton's beard! Not you again! No matter how many times you entreat me, my stance is firm! Now away with you!"
"Fine! Don't take this then!" Link snapped, stylishly tossing the letter to Bobbery.
"A letter? F-For me?" he stammered. Bobbery looked it over and jumped three feet--which is pretty high for a bomb. "What?!? Scarlette!!! This is Scarlette's handwriting!!!"
Bobbery literally tore open the envelope in a mighty rip and skimmed the letter, muttering, "Scarlette, my love…"
My love: If you are reading this, then I am no longer by your side. Because fate has stepped between us, I have decided to write you this letter. If you're reading this, I must have passed while were out to sea. I can only assume you will blame yourself for it, my sweet Bobbery. Although my life was short, you've given me more than a lifetime's worth of joy. Though you will mourn, I beg that you remember, that time, like love, is a tide. You are one with the sea, as you were once one with me. Don't lose both your life's loves.
"Time, like love, is a tide. You are one with the sea, as you were once one with me." Bobbery nearly whispered. He turned to the group. "A…A thousand pardons…but may I have a moment alone, if you please?"
"Go for it."
Bobbery wasted no time in trotting into the back room, leaving Mario to glance around the room. Oddly enough, Sonic seemed the most upset.
"You know, that really makes me think…" he mused.
"Why?" wondered Link.
"Because…this could just as well be us, you know? We'll be out adventuring, exploring, and having fun, and the moment we return someone could have…well, kicked the bucket."
"You're not one to be negative like that, Sonic…" Kirby trailed.
"I know, but ever since that little conversation with Tails, and Link's experience, and that one letter Zelda sent you, Link…I'm getting slightly concerned, is all."
Everyone, in the gut, knew that somewhere along the line Sonic was definitely right. But no one said anymore about it as Bobbery's voice rang beyond the door.
"Yes, love…my sweet, sweet Scarlette…I love you still."
He returned, a smile peculiarly evident under his 'stache.
"Now then! You were looking for a navigator I believe? Bound for Keelhaul Key?
Mario: Oh yeah!
"Harumph! If you think an old sea bomb like me is what you need, then let's shove off!"
"Admiral Bobbery! Yesssss!" everyone cheered. They paraded out the door, the sailor bob-omb right behind them.
"The ship's in the harbor, hm? I must inspect her before we leave. I shall meet you there."
Bobbery ran off, excited about his first adventure in years.
Several hours later-
Mario and co. had explored a bit in the west area, collecting a Shine Sprite or two to give Bobbery a chance to fully inspect the vessel. Then, they headed back to the harbor. The team proudly jumped on board, and Flavio was absolutely ecstatic.
"I knew you would get Bobbery on board, you mustached man you!"
Mario: Aw, it was nothing-
"Except a crushing life story and several rejections…"
"To you, I must say AHOY! I was wise to chose you as my captain! Ahoy to me, as well! What do you say? Should we set sail?"
"You know, I think I left my car running-"
"Sonic, you don't own a car…let alone old enough to drive one!"
Everyone quickly jumped on Sonic before he got any ideas of jumping off the ship at the last moment, ignoring the pricks of pain from his quills. The hydrophobic hedgehog let out a wail.
"Very well! To the sea! Raise the anchor and set sail for thrills and emotion! And romance! And money! Our destination is dread Keelhaul Key!" Flavio announced.
"WAIT UP!" Bomberto's little friend yelped before climbing aboard also. Sonic started to panic.
"Noooo! Let me off this thing!"
"Too late!"
The boat instantly pulled away from the harbor, getting farther and farther away from the dock. Flavio walked over and patted Sonic's back once everyone claimed it was safe to get off.
"Don't worry, me boy! You and Pa-Patch can be look-outs!"
"Like I said, staring at miles of water. Whoo."
-----
Once the boat was out of sight, an X-naut crawled out of a hiding place and glanced around before talking into a communicator.
"This is X-naut one here, come back, dude? I repeat, X-naut One here, over. Roger, reading you five-by. Infiltration is successful. X-naut Black is aboard vessel…Repeat: X-Naut Black is on board the vessel…"
-----
The figure ran out into the harbor at the last second, just before the ship disappeared off the horizon.
"No! No, no, no, no, NO! Ms. Mowz is with them now!" she complained. "Great. Now I have to get to them to get to her…I had a feeling this would happen…"
Her blue eyes gleamed with determination, with a hint of insecurity also. But they were hidden from the worlds by a helmet with a green visor. The helmet was connected to an orange Power Suit, which gave the woman within incredible access to a built-in arm cannon.
Samus Aran was going after them…whether she wanted to or not.
BUM BUM BAM! Well, what do you know? XD The figure wasn't all too obvious until the last chapter (ah, what people had thought...) Now Chapter 5 can officially begin and then I can get excited for Chapter 6!
