Author's Note: Sorry for being a day late! I just moved and genuinely lost track of what day it was. The next part should actually be up on Sunday though!
Episode 7 Final Part (5)
Shy Guy peaked out of the bathroom where he saw Mallow. He opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly they heard a loud thud from the governor's room. "We need to go," he said to Mallow.
"But what about Mona?" asked Mallow.
"We're no use to her if we get caught too. Let's head downstairs and act casual," said Shy Guy.
"Should I leave?" Toadiko asked over the earpiece.
"Right now," said Shy Guy.
In the governor's room, Mona tried to make a break for it as soon as she'd processed what happened. But right as she thought she was clear, the Pokey leaned out to stop her, causing her to trip and land with that thud.
"Are you out of your mind!" screamed the Pokey. "You've ended the governor's game!"
"Actually, I'm still fine," the governor murmured from his pile of bones. "But jeez, that really smarted."
Mona rolled out of the way of the Pokey and tried to run again, but the Spike grabbed her arm. "Where do you think you're going?" he snapped. "You better wait here until the police get here!"
"Hey, it's not like that!" Mona snapped back, tugging at the Spike's arm. "It's for a game!"
"What in the heck are you going on about?" asked one of the Goombas.
"She's right," wheezed Governor Skullington. "I was warned about this."
The governor's friends snapped their gazes to him. "What do you mean?" said the Pokey.
"Really, it's fine," said the governor.
"I'm glad you understand," Mona began.
"But you should really still call the guards."
"Nope! Absolutely not!" Mona finally managed to yank her hand out of the Spike's grasp and immediately bolted for the door.
The Spike and the Pokey followed right behind her, shouting "Guards! Guards! Grab that waitress!" as soon as they got onto the balcony.
Mona tore down the steps, skipping three or four at a time. "Yo, are you guys out yet?" she called into the earpiece.
"Fortunately yes," replied Toadiko.
"But that was so dumb," said Shy Guy.
"Now's not the time to scold me!" said Mona, finally reaching the ground floor. She started weaving past confused guests and packed tables as she made her way towards the door.
"Now is exactly the time!" Shy Guy said with a huff.
"Just wait until I'm safe at least!" said Mona, bursting through the door. The Chargin' Chucks, who had already been listening to the commotion on their radios, immediately stood up as she entered the garden. "I've got trouble!" She pushed herself to run faster and faster. The hedge maze was only a few feet away. If she could get in there then maybe –
"Oof!" Mona felt the wind get knocked out of her as one of the Chargin' Chucks slammed into her side at full force. She was immediately sent flying onto the grass, rolling a few feet before finally coming to a stop. She struggled to get her breath back before she could get up, but by then the Chargin' Chucks were already on either side of her.
"You're one of those blokes from that Mole show, aren'tcha?" asked one of the guards. Mona weakly nodded.
"Good to know," said the other guard. The each grabbed one of her arms and hoister her up onto their shoulders. "We've been told to put you in a special cell."
As it turns out, the "special cell" was a small gardening shed near the edge of the property. With the door padlocked and a Chargin' Chuck stationed out front, Mona was firmly trapped for the time being.
"Mona? Do you copy?" asked Mallow from the earpiece. This was the tenth or so time one of her allies had called to her, but the first where she wasn't perched right by the ear of one of the guards.
"Hey, yeah, sorry," whispered Mona. "You probably guessed, but I've been caught."
"Where are you being held?" asked Shy Guy.
"Some dinky shed on the other side of the hedge maze," said Mona. "They went around the right side of it, if I'm remembering right."
"Hang tight Mona, we'll be there!" said Mallow.
"Just as soon as we get out of the hedge maze," said Toadiko.
"Hold on what? Are you guys lost in there?" Mona said with a groan.
"Look, we were running pretty fast and weren't thinking about where we were going," said Toadiko.
"Plus, Shy Guy's great at mazes, so we should be out in no time!" said Mallow.
"Um, maybe wait until we're actually out to sing my praises," said Shy Guy. "In the meantime, try and see if you can find a good way out, Mona. Once we get there, we can help distract any guards and help you escape."
"I know we have a couple more hours, but don't take too long," said Mona.
"Hang in there!" said Toadiko. And with that, the chatter on the earpiece died, leaving Mona in silence.
Mona: Alright Mona, time to figure out how to get out of this mess.
She looked around the shed. It was pretty unremarkable, especially considering how lavish the mansion was. Pots, bags of soil, and tools laid haphazardly around the floor. Shelves lined the walls, and they were covered in a thin layer of dirt. But right behind her, she found exactly what she was looking for: a small window right above the top shelf.
Mona tentatively placed her foot on the bottom shelf. It creaked a bit, and the pots rattled slightly, but if felt like it could holder her weight.
Mona: I was tempted to climb out right then and there, but the mix of guilt from already messing up and the caffeine dying down told me I should probably wait. I probably only have one shot at this, so I might as well count on my friends.
Mona, set on her plan, simply sat down on the dirty floor, thankful she didn't own the now filthy outfit.
Mona: Hold on. I just had another thought. If I'm here, then the Mole's part of the group that's supposed to save me. Can I really trust them? I mean, it's two players and one Mole, but still. Am I better off trying to leave on my own?
She stood up, approached the shelf… and then sat back down. After a moment, she stood up again, but quickly sat back down.
"Guys, please hurry," she grumbled to herself.
Ten minutes later, a small, puffy face peered through a row of hedges. "I see it!" Mallow whispered to his companions.
"As in the exit, or the shed?" asked Shy Guy.
"Both!"
Two other faces quickly peered through. "That would seem to be it," said Toadiko. "Mona," she said into the earpiece. "We're here. Do you have a way out?"
"Do you guys see that window at the back?" The trio carefully crept out of the hedge and maneuvered to the back, where they saw what she was talking about.
"Got it," Mallow whispered.
"I'll end up making a bit of noise when I climb out," said Mona. "I don't think it'll be awful, but enough that the guard should probably be distracted while I do it."
"We'll think of something," said Shy Guy.
"Hmm, should I try and distract him?" asked Mallow.
Shy Guy shook his head. "No offense Mallow, but the guards at the door were less interested in you than they were in how much you'd make their boss happy."
"None taken," said Mallow. "In that case, I'd say it's up to you to give them the ol' razzle dazzle."
Toadiko barely managed to suppress a laugh. "Razzle dazzle?"
"You know, be charming!"
"Understood," said Shy Guy, hiding a grin. "I think I've got a character prepared for this."
Toadiko nodded. "We'll head to the back to help Mona then. Good luck!"
After what felt like ages of guarding the shed with nothing to do, the Chargin' Chuck finally heard some loud rustling in the nearby hedges. "Hey! Who's there?" he barked.
Out of the hedge stumbled a Shy Guy, swaying side to side as he moved. His bow tie was barely hanging on to his neck, and even his mask was slightly crooked. He looked up at the Chargin' Chuck, narrowing his eyes like he was struggling to see. "Oh hey man! Some party, huh?"
The Chargin' Chuck crossed his arms. "Rounding up rowdy partiers is something, I guess," he muttered. "Who are you?"
"The name's Shy Guy Maskio, pal!" Shy Guy said, stumbling ever closer.
The Chargin' Chuck raised an eyebrow. "That name sounds familiar," he muttered.
"Uh, duuuh," said Shy Guy. "You probably saw it on the guest list."
"I haven't read the guest list, bub."
"Uhhhhh, you seen any of my movies?" asked Shy Guy.
"Wait, you're an actor?" asked the Chargin' Chuck, scratching his chin. "You know, you do look familiar, now that I think about it."
"Hold on, maybe this'll jog your memory." Shy Guy cleared his throat, stood up straight, and fixed his mask before suddenly taking the same villainous stance he'd taken in the last mission. "You're too late, Queen K! The Eternal Emerald is all mine!" he cackled.
The guard's eyes widened. "No way… you're Goldemask!"
"The one and only," Shy Guy said with a wink.
"Dude, you're like the best villain of the past five years. No, the past decade!"
"You're too kind." He fidgeted slightly as he heard a bit of creaking coming from the shed.
Shy Guy: This was it. Make or break. Was the charming act enough to distract him?
"No, for real!" insisted the Chargin' Chuck. "I can't believe I met you out here. What a coincidence! Hey, uh, I'm sure you get this all the time, but could I get your autograph?"
Shy Guy: Please Mona, tell me you made it out.
Shy Guy shrugged. "You got a pen and paper?"
The Chargin' Chuck pulled a small notepad and pen out of his pocket. "We're supposed to use these reports, but I don't think the governor will mind if you use a page."
Shy Guy grabbed them and gave them a fancy scribble. "Always happy to help out a fan," he said.
Just then, a whisper buzzed in his ear. "All clear. We're heading out."
Shy Guy tried to hide his smug grin. "But hey, I better head back to my hotel. The road's thattaway, right?" he said, pointing off towards the bottom of the hill.
"That's right! Thanks so much, Mr. Maskio!"
Shy Guy waved as he walked away. "No, thank you!"
Shy Guy: Most of the mission was a bit of a chaotic mess, but hey, at least I got my cool heist ending. Plus it really did warm my heart to meet a fan.
At the stroke of midnight, Anderson entered the hotel's darkened lobby. "Players?" his voice echoed throughout the room. "Don't tell me you couldn't find your way back." He walked farther into the room. "Hello?"
A lamp clicked on, bathing a set of couches in warm light. "Oh no!" Mona cried playfully. "We've been caught red-handed!" Laughing with her was the rest of the quartet, safely in the lobby on time.
Anderson raised his eyebrows. "Well, well, well, it seems you all have done it! Of course, all you all can prove is that you made it back. We'll need a bit of help to prove your crime."
Suddenly, the rest of the lobby's lights flicked on and the front doors slid open. Walking in, now fully reformed, was none other than Governor Skullington. "Ah, so these are my four intruders, eh?"
"Governor Skullington was kind enough not only to volunteer himself for assassination, but also to testify about what transpired," explained Anderson. "So, governor, were you assassinated tonight?"
"That I was!" he proclaimed, prompting the quartet to fly into whoops and applause. "Well don't look too happy about it!" The group immediately stopped, prompting the governor to cackle and snort. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Tonight was quite the adventure and you should celebrate your success."
"So how did they do it?" asked Anderson.
"Well I really only saw the tall one there," he said, pointing to Mona. "She was my waitress, but suddenly she set her tray down, started saying some weird things, and then bapped me over the head with a bottle of delicious Chuckola Cola! It was a real noggin-buster, that it was."
"To be fair, that wasn't really our plan," said Mallow.
"Ah yes, I remember her mentioning you, your highness," said the governor. "I can't believe it! Not only was I assassinated today, but one of my assassins was a prince! What a story!"
"So… no hard feelings?" asked Toadiko.
The governor cackled once again. "Not at all, not at all! Especially not when I get an audience with Princess Peach out of it!"
"I'm glad we could make this deal, governor," said Anderson. "We'll be in touch."
Governor Skullington turned to leave. "You best be! Thanks again for the fun night!"
With the governor gone, the room settled into a cozy silence for a few moments before Anderson spoke up again. "Now then, I'm sure this is a given, but I may as well make it official: with your successful assassination, the four of you have earned 40,000 coins for the team pot!"
Team Pot
174,000 coins
plus
40,000 coins
Result: 214,000 coins
Possible: 420,000 coins
"And with this victory, you all have really increased your ratio," said Anderson. "For the first time in a while, you have over half the possible coins in the pot!"
Mona grinned. "Not bad at all!"
"Looks like the Mole's getting soft!" cheered Mallow.
"That's one way of thinking of it," said Anderson. "But you're still down 206,000 coins. And with only 80,000 coins left to win, the most the winner could go home with is 294,000. That's quite far from the 500,000 you may have thought you were getting at the start of the game."
Toadiko: I know Anderson's just trying to get under our skin, but when you put it that way, I really do feel like we've let the Mole get to us too much. They stole over 200,000 coins from us. That's more than a lot of us will ever see at once.
"Whether you view this as a victory or a failure is up to you," said Anderson. "Perhaps that's something you can mull over as you try to sleep tonight."
Day three's attitude was substantially more relaxed than day two. Whereas before they felt like the execution could come at any moment, or not for a day, all four players came to the same conclusion. Since the last two episodes were split between these four days, and they'd made it all the way to day three, the execution had to be today. Unless Anderson planned to cram Episode 8 into a few hours the next day, this was it for Episode 7. This was it for the final four. One player would be gone by the next morning.
And yet, rather than the prospect of the end stressing everyone out like it had the day before, each player had found peace with it today. Perhaps it was because there were fewer unknowns, or perhaps it was the thrill of the previous night's mission. The reasoning varied from player to player.
The quartet used the day to tour the city of Villepario, visiting shops, restaurants, corny statues, and more. They took a visit to the pier where they got to stare off into the horizon. Perhaps the game's finale laid out there. Or perhaps it was here in the city. All they could do was wonder.
By late afternoon, they'd still received no word from Anderson, but after mulling it over together, they had a sense for what was coming. Anderson liked after dinner executions, so that was likely what awaited them in a couple hours. For the time being, they returned to the beach where they'd met Anderson for Cultural Criminal and took a stroll.
It was Toadiko who finally broke the silence. "I'm really going to miss this group. Sure, I miss everyone we've lost so far, but there's something that feels special about the final four. Something more intimate."
There was silence for a moment before Mona replied. "I know what you mean. This episode has felt so much more… final than the others. It feels like we've truly been through a full adventure. I mean, we haven't, but whoever leaves tonight only misses a day. And that day's probably just gonna be one big mission."
"Mole," said Toadiko. "If you're not me, I wonder how you're feeling right now. Do you feel the same way?"
There was a long pause, perhaps the one moment of tension the group had felt that day. "It's okay," Toadiko finally said. "I won't make anyone speak up." She giggled, getting a giggle out of the others. "So I'll just call someone out for not speaking. How do you feel, Shy Guy?"
Shy Guy sighed. "I don't know. I mean, I enjoy everyone's company, but there's a part of me that can't shake the game."
"Hey, it's not like I can either," said Mona.
"None of us can," said Mallow.
Shy Guy shrugged. "Well in that case, yeah. Putting aside the distrust, the lies, and the strategizing for a moment… I like you guys. And it's weird that when we meet up for the finale, people like Wolley and Mario- heck, even Timpani won't understand how it feels to be so close to the end." He scratched his chin for a moment, trying to put his thoughts together. "I think that, even if I didn't like you guys, we'd have his bond just because we went through this together."
Mona raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you don't like us?"
Shy Guy shook his head. "No, I do. I'm just saying, I think a lot of our feelings are because we've made it this far."
There was another brief pause before Mona spoke up. "What do you think, Mallow?"
"I, uh, this is going to sound a bit naïve," said Mallow. "But I want to say that I forgive the Mole."
"Wha- why?" asked Mona.
"Because he's the Mole, obviously," Toadiko said teasingly.
Mallow chuckled. "Well if you think I'm the Mole, then consider this me begging for forgiveness. But really, the Mole's been through the same adventures we all have, even if they had a different role to play. If Shy Guy's right and it's the experiences that bring us together, then the Mole is just as much a part of this as the rest of us."
Mona put her hand on her hips. "Unless they've been faking the whole time. Can you really say you had the same experiences if you were someone different the whole time?"
"Every role carries a kernel of its actor, no matter how small," said Shy Guy. "That's something an old acting professor told me, and it's how I'm looking at all of you. We're all wearing masks, whether we want to admit it or not, but some real part of each of us has been on this journey."
"What exactly do you mean?" asked Toadiko.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say I forgive the Mole," said Shy Guy. "But I forgive the actor who plays them, so to speak."
Toadiko grinned. "That's a beautiful way to put it. I agree."
Mona shrugged. "I mean, the Mole's put us through a lot of rough stuff. But on the other hand, I guess I'm close friends with worse people, so what's wrong with a little forgiveness."
The final four stood on the beach as the sun sunk lower in the sky, staring at their travel companions. For just a moment, the Mole felt at home among their targets. The staring lasted for what felt like an eternity before Mona suddenly lunged forward.
"Group hug! Come on, let's cap off this moment!" She grabbed her three smaller companions, crushing them in a powerful bear hug.
"Nope, too much," wheezed Shy Guy. "I was already hitting my social limit."
Mona finally let them go, leaving the group in a mix of smiles and pained breaths. "Alright, sun's getting pretty low," she said once everyone had caught their breath. "I guess it's time to head back?"
Shy Guy nodded. "So it is."
Toadiko wiped a tear from her eye. "Here we go."
Mallow stepped forward. "Oh boy."
After a dinner ate quickly and mostly in silence, Anderson led them back into the lobby without a word. There was a mutual understanding between the host, the Mole, and the three remaining players. They all knew what was coming. Set up at the four clusters of couches were four laptops and draped above the welcome desk was a massive screen for a projector.
"Three of you have done well to make it this far," Anderson said once everyone was seated. "To make it to Episode 7, you have to have a strong understanding of the game, its players, and the Mole pulling its strings. I suspect most, if not all of you already know who the Mole is, but if you want to make it to the finale, then you must know not only their name, but what they have done, and you need to know it well. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the penultimate execution."
Execution Quiz #7
#1 – In what position did the Mole get to Anderson before Cultural Criminal?
- First
-Second
-Third
-Fourth
#2 – What was the Mole's role in Cultural Criminal?
-Thoughtful
-Justice
Toadiko: Did Shy Guy get away because he was a cunning enough Mole to trick the others, or because one of the justice players was the Mole? Or was it completely unrelated?
#3 – In what order did the Mole leave the rooftops during the chase in Cultural Criminal?
-First
-Second
-Third
-Fourth
#4 – Where was the Mole when writing in their journal after Cultural Criminal?
-In their bed
-At a table
-On the balcony
-On the roof
Mona: Maybe the Mole wanted some distance to think about the next mission. Or maybe they thought they'd be less suspicious if someone could see them.
#5 – How many exemptions has the Mole earned?
-0
-1
-2
-3
-4 or more
Shy Guy: The Mole doesn't need exemptions. So when they see one, they can nab it from other players, or choose to act like a hero.
#6 – What was the Mole's disguise during the assassination?
-A royal servant
-A waiter
-The Mole did not wear a disguise
Mallow: There were so many moving parts in the challenge. How much you were able to do really depended on who you met, and how well you could act your way out of something.
#7 – What was the Mole's role in the final plot?
-Stand by to run
-Draw the governor out
-Act as bait for the governor
-Attack the governor
#8 – What was the Mole's interaction with the guards?
-The Mole was captured by the guards
-The Mole tricked the guards
-The Mole did not interact with the guards
#9 – What did the Mole say on the beach?
-The Mole started the conversation
-The Mole asked for forgiveness
-The Mole explained why the final four feels special
-The Mole asked for their actor to be forgiven, if not the Mole itself
Mona: They were listening to that conversation?
Toadiko: I think I know who it is, but this question still hits me with such a powerful weight.
#10 – Who is the Mole?
-Toadiko Shroomose
-Mona Martin
-Mallow Nimbus
-Shy Guy Maskio
By the time the players finished, they noticed that four chairs had been pulled up by the front desk, and a projector was now displaying the all too familiar image of a green thumbprint. Below the screen stood Anderson, mostly draped in shadow, holding a laptop – a laptop that would soon tell them the Mole's next victim.
"I will now type your names into this laptop. If a green thumbprint appears, then you will continue to the finale. If a red thumbprint appears, then you are the Mole's seventh victim. For the last time, we will begin with an exempted player."
Shy Guy walked up and handed Anderson the final exemption. As he did so, the screen went black, awaiting Anderson's input. He began to type.
S
H
Y
G
U
Y
.
.
.
.
Exempted
"If Shy Guy is the Mole, then nothing has changed," said Anderson. "If he is not, then it is between our two unsafe players." He cleared the screen, then reached into a hat and pulled out a name. "Toadiko."
T
O
A
D
I
K
O
.
.
.
Green
Toadiko breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"Our first two finalists are Shy Guy Maskio and Toadiko Shroomose. Who will join them?" He cleared the screen and pulled out another name. "Will it be Mona Martin?"
M
O
N
A
.
.
.
.
.
.
Red
Mona slammed her fist onto her thigh. "Dang it! I was so close!"
"Mona, you are the Mole's seventh victim," said Anderson. "As you said, you were so close, but alas, one of you had to leave before the end."
Mona slowly stood from her chair. "I was so meticulous. I put more effort into the journal than I have most things in my life." She let out a defeated sigh. "I'm not gonna lie, it stings."
"Mona," Toadiko said quietly.
Mona shook her head, not facing the rest of the group. "It's alright guys. I'll be alright." She looked back over her shoulder. "Like I said, I'm only missing one day."
"We're gonna miss you," said Mallow, slumped over in his chair.
"I don't know what we're gonna do without your energy," said Shy Guy.
Mona tried her best to grin, but her smile was clearly faltering. "Thanks guys. I'm gonna miss you all too."
"It's time to go," Anderson said sadly, handing Mona her bag. He led her towards the front door, but she turned back one last time.
"Yo! Things are going to get way more intense from here on out," she said. "Even when you're finally kicking the Mole's butt, don't forget that we've all been through this crazy, crazy journey together." With a final wave, Mona stepped out into the street. The automatic doors soon closed behind her, leaving the lobby empty, save for Anderson and the final three.
After a moment's somber silence, Anderson returned to his place in front of the remaining trio. "She's right, you know. The game will only get more intense over the course of this last episode. In the course of one day, we will bring this game to a close. And if you haven't realized it already, everything has changed radically. Even if you know who the Mole is, they are no longer your only threat."
The trio looked back and forth at each other nervously.
"Not only will you have to conquer my remaining challenges, and not only will you have to conquer the Mole, but if you want to win this game, you will have to conquer your fellow player."
Author's Notes: And with that, Episode 7 finally comes to a close! Mona, one of the game's most fun, most passionate characters unfortunately didn't make it to the finale. Her energy will be missed, but there's also no way I wasn't going with Shy Guy, Toadiko, and Mallow as the final three. That's something I'd settled on ages ago.
Also, I hope the beach scene wasn't too sappy! XD I don't blame you if you think it was, but I felt I needed to write it for a few reasons. Most obviously, I think the final four is pretty special in games like this, particularly when their episode gives them a lot of downtime to spend together. I also felt like I needed to say goodbye to this episode in a special way. I ended up taking my college-spanning hiatus right between part 1 and part 2, meaning this episode has been waiting a whopping four years to finish. And beyond that, moving from Episode 7 to Episode 8 is super special to me. Episode 7 was planned pretty late into the story (its location was settled on sometime during Episode 5, and many of the details weren't worked out until I actually started writing the episode), but much of Episode 8 was conceived of all the way back in Episode 1. So, Episode 7 needed an emotional sendoff because its end represents me finally reaching a part I dreamt up nearly ten years ago. If you can't tell, I'm super excited for next episode!
Princess Toady: Haha no worries about the short review, they don't all have to be long! It was certainly fun thinking of how the players would strategize for the assassination, but at the end of the day, these guys were a bit too passionate about their strategies. And as you predicted, it certainly was quite the sad execution, though it sets up some interesting dynamics for the finale. I'm very curious to see your analysis of the final three!
Krisetchers: I spend more time than I care to admit thinking of pointless details like that XD I've definitely had moments where someone thought something was a clue because it was very detailed, when really I was just having too much fun with it. The mission itself certainly was chaotic, and it's always fun to see which actions readers see as suspicious. And I can tell you right now that they'll (hopefully) only get harder to analyze going forward ;)