The final events and the execution! Sorry for delaying guys! But I'm happy I was able to get this final part, before too much time passed after my promise.
Enjoy!
EPISODE 5 (FINAL PART)
Everyone looked at Tiny Kong with astonishment and shock. The question, on the piece of paper, was to be answered by her. She looked back at McHallyboo, almost shocked and a little surprised too at the question he had asked her.
"I'll repeat it," McHallyboo decided to say, after a long pause by Tiny Kong. "The question is, 'Are you the Mole of this game?'" Everyone was silent, as Tiny opened her mouth to answer.
Zess: I think we were all wondering: what would her answer be?
"If I refuse to answer this question..." Tiny began, "then my round is forfeited? Right?"
"I believe that is correct," McHallyboo only said with voice of declaration. Tiny faced the others, then made a face of certainty.
"Then I guess I'm going to have to forfeit," she said with a dejected sigh, as the other players faces turned to surprise.
"Wait, why?" Piantissimo asked. Her restraints were then released, as she got up, brushing her body and shaking her head. The money had been lost.
"I can't just answer that question," she replied. "Answering 'no' and then make everyone know that I'm not the Mole? That's not right at all. We should play this game fair." She then continued.
"And what if it declared that I wasn't the Mole, but then the machine incorrectly stated that I was lying?" she pointed out. "Then you'd all think I was the Mole! Which really...would ruin the game."
"There was still a chance the machine would be wrong," Snifit pointed out. But Tiny Kong seemed certain in her answer. Recovering back from the end of the game, she laughed just a little as she got up from the chair.
Snifit: Tiny said she didn't want to answer it because she isn't the Mole...but maybe she didn't want to answer it because she actually IS the Mole? I'm not sure.
"I think I'll keep my identity safe," she concluded with statement.
"The identity of the Mole?" Piantissimo questioned. Tiny glanced a slightly annoyed but smiling look at him, then joined the others. They all stared at her, unsure how to feel.
Dashell: That was suspicious, Tiny's action. I don't know what to think of it. I think most of us wouldn't have been bothered to answer that question.
"That's 5,000 coins down..." McHallyboo concluded, "since you were unable to answer all three questions." Tiny nodded, accepting it with defeat.
"I know. I really wish I wasn't asked that question." She seemed troubled by it overall.
Final Winnings: 5,000 coins
"Never the less, I would like to tally your final winnings, for this game of Truth and Lies are done," McHallyboo began in conclusion to them all. "Two of you succeeded in this game...while three of you did not. Because of this, there is a total addition to your pot of 5,000 coins. Your pot is now at 135,000 coins. Well done!" Knowing that they could have won much more, the players were slow to clapping. But then Zess spoke out loud.
"Well, out of a potential loss of nothing," Zess said with enthusiasm, smiling at the others, "it's definitely a score for us!" Even with the low win, her optimistic ripple spread through the group. The players couldn't help but clap with appreciation for their money additions.
Zess: It was a suspicious game. Everyone was suspicious. Even those who told the truth were suspicious as well!
Everyone smiled, but still with heavy and nervous thought about the game they had just played. The mission was done. And so were the final games of the episode. Only the quiz remained.
It was the next day. Most of the players were gathered together in one of the intersections, a four-way cross street that they all created together. It was almost as if each of the four players took their own street walkway to meet at their spot.
"60,000 coins," Zess remember with a laugh, recalling the words spoken by McHallyboo. "As if, on my mama's stove! McHallyboo was just taunting us with such a possibility. That game was tough as a door knob!"
"Pfft, I knew it was impossible to win the 60,000 coins in the last mission," Piantissimo muttered with disappointment. "Just impossible. And that last question." Everyone turned to Tiny, who was the answerer of the final question of the game. Her question was still stuck in her minds.
"Tiny, why didn't you answer that last question?" Zess wanted to speak out. "You seemed so sure answering that question...yesterday...in the cafe." Tiny turned to face all of them together.
Zess: She answered it to me! So I don't see how she couldn't answer it in the chair.
"Well, if one of you guys didn't give me that question about being the Mole," Tiny Kong said, annoyed and with a hint of accusation in her voice, "I don't think we would have done too bad. If I just didn't get that question!"
"You could have still answered it," Dashell pointed out. "Like how I cleared my innocence in the quote game. You could have made us know that you aren't the Mole."
"I just...don't want people to know if I'm the Mole or not," Tiny Kong said, a little crossly and testily to them. "I want to keep it a mystery. Does that not make sense to any of you?"
Snifit: Tiny and Dashell. They are two players who can stick out as the Mole very much. They had chances to prove their innocence...one didn't, but one did.
"Oh well," Dashell said, shrugging, and grinning. "At least I'm not the Mole, from the quote game." Zess snorted with a laugh.
"Humph! And that final quote in our quote game didn't exactly make you innocent, Dashell," Zess pointed out with a little grin. "You're still a possible Mole to me." Dashell just shrugged.
Zess: I have my eye on some people. The little Pixl is one of them...well, he's no little Pixl any more.
"Hmm, so it's like a big chance that one of you guys is the Mole," Zess said to the others, but then shook her head with a laugh. "But I just don't know which one of you is it. This game is tough and evil, isn't it?"
"Well, evil is a good word sometimes," Tiny told the others with a troubled face. "Whoever gets executed next episode though...will truly know how tough and evil the game is I guess."
"So will the people who continue as well," Dashell added.
Piantissimo: With the next quiz coming up, you had to have at least a sense of who the Mole is. Otherwise, you won't be making it to the next round.
"I'm going into this next quiz with a clear state of mind," Piantissimo said, almost as if showing off in his strategy to the other three. "Worrying is just another obstacle in your way, of the many already present."
"A clear state of mind, or blank?" Dashell said, folding his arms with a laugh. "There's a big difference. Just make sure your mind isn't blank on the quiz, opposed to clear. Clear is good. Blank is...execution." He chuckled, while Piantissimo frowned.
"Well, are you guys going to stay here, or go elsewhere?" Tiny spoke up. "Before the next quiz? I'd like to stay with one of you guys for the day to come. Just to discuss and stuff."
"Humph. Speaking which, I wanted to talk to someone about something. Before the next quiz." Piantissimo began to walk off, on one of the street crossings. In his hand was his journal.
"Okay..." Tiny began, laughing a little at Piantissimo's sudden departure. "What's that all about?"
"Maybe that's Snifit he's talking about," Zess wondered. "Or he's just trying to trip us all off. Which isn't a first, actually." She chuckled.
"Say, and I just realized...where's Snifit?" Tiny wondered out loud, looking around. "I haven't seen him all day...and Eclair!" Both Zess and Tiny turned a little to Dashell.
"Snifit's always gone," Dashell pointed out. "And Eclair..." His voice trailed off.
"Probably upset with that drama caused from the Lie Detector," Zess called out and deduced, with a shake of her head. "You young people and your young love! Always causing drama! Perhaps I can give you a love lesson or two." As Tiny giggled a bit, Dashell's face, for one of the first visible times in the game, turned red.
"No thank you," Dashell murmured. "We're not even at...that stage." Zess only chuckled.
"Love is a mysterious force, that can break all previous commitments and duties," she said, almost in a wistful tone. She smiled, then shook her head to face Dashell."
"I just wanted to say: whoever asked that final question about Eclair and you had no business butting into your relationship. That was wrong of them! A shame to ask!" Dashell nodded, a bit sadly.
Tiny: The game goes on...no matter the people we lost. Mimi, Dry Bones...who else will make the game even worse by leaving this game? Then it made me think back to our own families, who I just miss a lot.
"I wonder," Tiny Kong began, asking the others with realization, "if we're going to see our relatives in this game, like in both of the past seasons. Do you think so?" Zess and Dashell both wondered, and looked at her.
"With these walls of this building being like our prison," Zess said with a chortle, "I doubt it. We're trapped. This prison has us." But she smiled.
"Though, I must surely admit: it's the best prison someone could ever be in! I'll be darned and surprised if after you died, this wasn't heaven."
The creation of an ice cream store was inevitable. More than half of the players took a break that day, in order to savor their favorite flavor before the execution. As Snifit was thinking on one of the ice cream tables, Piantissimo went up to the player.
"It is odd that you are not eating free ice cream," Piantissimo said as he began to indulge in his waffle-cone ice cream "Even I, who must keep his shape to be the fastest runner in this world, has time to enjoy a dessert once in a while." Snifit looked at the ice cream menu, thinking.
"But what was even more of abnormal surroundings," Piantissimo brought up, "is the fact that yesterday McHallyboo had skipped you in the lie detector chair." Snifit's eyes turned wide.
"Oh yes...he did," Snifit said in realization. "How could...wait, why did I...get skipped?" In his look of confusion, Piantissimo was curious too.
"You just realized? Hmm," Piantissimo said to him with doubt, but then shook his head. "Actually, I don't think any of the others realized either. I was the only one acute enough to have realized, it seems." He flashed a smile to himself, as Snifit nodded.
"I guess I'm a forgettable player," Snifit said with a gloomy voice. Piantissimo shook his head.
"This game is not a popularity contest," Piantissimo said to him. "So do not worry if you are not the most shining star in this game." Snifit seemed lifted up just the tiniest of bit in spirit.
"True," Snifit said, feeling a bit better. "Even if I'm not that social, I can still win. You have the potential to win too, maybe, and you're not liked too much either!" Piantissimo's face immediately changed. His face was in a mix of realized disappointment, yet acceptance.
"Yes...the level you are liked by others," he said thoughtfully with the same face. "Things like that are too late to change in this game, is it not?
The view was indeed beautiful for one of the players. She sat, though a bit sadly, looking out into the sun that slowly set. Placed beneath her, bleachers existed. As she looked out into the track field, a melancholy look and glow on her face, Eclair breathed in, then out. The beginning of the game's stress was dawning on her.
"Say, are you going to run the track, or just sit here?" Eclair, face in surprise, turned to see Zess.
"Oh Zess. Hello," greeted Eclair, then smiled. "My dress...is not fit for exercise." Zess looked at her white-colored dress with admiration.
"Black lacing, polka-dots...why! That's a 1960's style dress, is it not? That's the time I grew up in!" Zess commented, then added with a laugh, "Definitely not made for track running."
"Yes, I would agree," Eclair said with a little smile. But her voice was sad.
"Say, what's the matter?" Zess asked her, in an understanding voice. She took a seat on the bleachers, next to the princess. "The irony of this game going against our good natures?"
"Well, in short words...yes," Eclair concluded, looking at the older toad lady. "But oh: I am supposed to be a princess. Princesses are not supposed to show feelings of upset or distress. We watch over others, not have others watch over us." After a surprised second, Zess put a hand on her shoulder.
"Sometimes...the highest of people needs a break sometimes," Zess said, as Eclair turned to her. "We all need someone to talk to." Zess smiled.
"Growing up, I was a bit of a show-offy girl," Zess told her. "I was the star of my cheerleading team! If you can imagine that yourself." At the though, Eclair laughed a bit. Zess looked out into the track field.
"I remember one day, I was feeling so down after one of my breakups..." Zess began to talk in a reminiscing voice. "Geez. Guys in the old days, I tell ya." She let out a hoarse laugh.
"But then I couldn't talk to my other teammates about my problems. No way!" she told her. "I was the cheer leading president! Who would take me seriously if I was down in the dumps? I was supposed to be a role-model!" Zess looked out into the field again.
"But well, they helped me through the problem! And then I realized that the guy was a jerk anyway, and another person awaited me," Zess told Eclair, then she smiled at her. "It doesn't matter who you think you are. Everyone needs someone to talk to. Just cause you have a certain role in life doesn't mean that you have to keep the image of that role in every step you take." She winked.
"It's good...to take a break once in a while." Eclair turned to Zess at her speech.
"Thank you for your words...Zess," she said, her voice with appreciation. She continued. "I feel much better. And..." Eclair paused for a second, as if thinking in her mind heavily. Then, she reached into her pocket, and took something out. Zess' eyes were wide: it was the Plus 1 coin she had given her.
"Please take it," Eclair told her, with a thankful look on her face. "I do not think it was a fair trade to give two clues for your Plus 1. I had..." As Zess looked confused, Eclair continued.
"I memorized those 2 clues in my head before I gave them to you. That...is the least of fair." It took a second for Zess to react, but she only shook her head with her own smile.
"You keep it," Zess replied, grinning a bit. Eclair's face was full of surprise.
"I don't need it: I accept it! You won it in this game of the Mole. Fair and square. And there's no such thing as unfair in this game. It's yours. What am I to do with it? Make it to the next episode, even if I don't know who the Mole is at all?" A bit stunned, Eclair only smiled back with appreciation.
"Plus, who needs to cheat their way anyway in this game?" Zess told her with a shake of her head, looking at the yellow sun. "It's not fun if you cheat anyway! And that's why I came here. Not for the money. Not for prestige. Heck, I've had chances of money and prestige in the past already, but I had given those up." She gave out a laugh, crossing her arms on the metal bleachers.
"For fun. Anyone who plays this game for another reason...why, they're just here for the wrong reason."
Everyone ate at the same restaurant as the day before. Six players, waiting for the impending execution, continued in small talk. Then the host caught the players' attention.
"It came to my attention," McHallyboo announced suddenly at the table, "that I skipped Snifit's round yesterday at the end of the game". It took a second for the others to realize that he was right.
"Oh yeah...you did," Dashell said with realization, as everyone turned to each other, and then at the player in the red suit, in surprise.
"For that error, I will reward you guys with 5,000 coins," McHallyboo continued as he told the group. "For being unfair on that."
Tint: Why was Snifit skipped anyway? It's something that makes me wonder. Is it important? Or...not?
Snifit: I think it's good that I was skipped. It keeps me under the radar. The less screen time you have, anyways, the more you under-the-radar go. I think?
"The pot now stands at 140,000 coins," McHallyboo informed them. "But one of you won't last to see the pot go higher." Everyone nodded, with acceptance. The fifth quiz of this game would take place after dinner.
"Some of you have prizes...as I went over before. Eclair, you have a Plus 1 to counter your Minus 1. You are now neutral." The princess nodded with confirmation, the coin in her pocket as she felt to make sure it was still there.
"Well earned too," Zess said with a smile from her side of the table. Eclair smiled back.
"And Snifit...you have a Minus 1," McHallyboo reminded him. Snifit nodded slowly, timidly. He was at a disadvantage.
Tiny: It doesn't matter that Snifit has a Minus 1. What if he's the Mole anyway, and doesn't need any points?
"I think I'm going home," Tiny whispered to Eclair. "I have no idea who I'm voting for on the quiz." As she laughed with frustration, Eclair couldn't help but smile sadly.
"I cannot say I am confident either," she voiced. "But perhaps your fast speeds will help you on your quiz, no?" Tiny gave her a hopeful look.
"Well, if anyone's gone," Dashell said, picking at his plate, "It's probably me. I already proved my innocence this episode, so now I'm going home. What a good chapter to go home! When I finally turn human." Zess shook her head at the human's statement.
"You're wrong in two ways," Zess reminded him with a little smile. "First, being proved you didn't say that quote doesn't remove you from the master list of being the possible Mole. You know that well from me, don't you? Second, maybe this change has revitalized you to look further into your true self. Keep fighting!" Dashell nodded, feeling in a better mood.
Piantissimo: Everyone was so optimistic at dinner and supportive. What is this? Are we supposed to wish each other good luck in this game, and let our opponents beat us because of it? It was just...strangely altruistic. And new to me...and it opened my eyes just a bit.
"Well, it looks like Quiz 5 is ready for you all," McHallyboo announced to them, looking down at his cel phone. "The quiz has been set up right outside this restaurant. Please leave one by one to take it." And then, as the end of the episode got closer, each of them was prepared to take the fateful quiz of Episode 5.
With a heavy breath, Tiny took her seat first in front of the table situated on the corner of the street block. Being outside, the air refreshed her mind. She stretched out her arms, before looking at Question 1 with questioning eyes.
1. When did the Mole exit the cabin at the beginning of the episode?
-First
-Second
-Third
-Fourth
-Fifth
-Sixth
Tiny Kong: I'm not one-hundred percent sure who I'll vote for, honestly...Zess has been up on my suspects though. So I might stick with her.
2. Which group of pathways did the Mole go down in the Tentway game?
-Paths 1-3
-Paths 4-6
Having a bit of trouble finding the table at first, Snifit was the second player to go outside and take the quiz. Being the first quiz in a while for him that would actually count in significance of his fate, he took it with a shaky hand.
Snifit: Tiny Kong is an ideal suspect for this game. She refused to answer her final question in the Lie Detector game. This was one of her biggest moves so far in the game, and it was a suspicious sabotage.
3. What happened to the Mole after their result from the Tentway game?
-Gained a tangible object for their individual self
-Cost or added money to the team pot
-Neither
Dashell was the third person to sit down for his quiz. Trying to discover the new maneuvering of the mouse with his hand, he was able to click his question well.
4. Is the Mole at the current state a human?
-Yes
-No
Dashell: Then Piantissimo, taking that 5,000 coins for his own...that was clever and tricky. And also...Tiny. Even without her strange sabotages, Tiny's attitude has definitely been suspicious. I wouldn't dare to give someone a Plus 1. They're both possible Moles to me.
Eclair made her way to the table, and sat down. Right when she did, she pulled out the Plus 1 coin from her pocket, and put it on the table. She answered with careful, rigid thoughts.
5. How many quotes did the Mole identify correctly during Who Said That?
-None
-One
-Two or more
Eclair: It may be surprising, but I am going to vote for Zess on this quiz. It is strange that she refused the Plus 1. I really think she has been playing a very kind game, but she might possibly be the Mole. She is a very pleasant person though, but maybe she is hiding the identity of the saboteur inside.
6. How many questions did the Mole answer successfully during the Lie Detector game?
-None
-One
-Two
-Three
Zess took her time on the quiz as she carefully chose each answer, the taste of the succulent food still lingering in her mouth. When she reached Number 7, she paused a bit with a little thought, then selected her answer for the question.
7. What did the Mole create on the first day of Episode 5, besides the general layout of the town?
-A cafe
-A track field
-Neither
Zess: I've been juggling a few choices in my head. Dashell has been one suspect of mine, and Tiny Kong recently too just a bit. Why, though I just can't go for both! That would be too risky, would it not? Or maybe it just be right to do. Tough to say.
Piantissimo took the next question with a mind of readiness, looking the question over.
8. What color are the Mole's current shoes?
-Red
-Blue
-Black
-White
-Other color
Piantissimo: You have to consider all possibilities of someone being the Mole. For example, Snifit. He may seem like he is back in the game from an execution break, but we never know if he could actually still be the saboteur.
9. Did the Mole enter the ice cream store at any time during Episode 5?
-Yes
-No
The Mole, eating the remains of their waffle-cone ice cream, clicked the answer to Question 10.
10. Who is the Mole?
-Dashell
-Eclair
-Piantissimo
-Snifit
-Tiny
-Zess
The section of the world where Execution 5 was chosen to take place at was more familiar to the players than any other place. It was the middle of the four-way crossing, in the little land of plaza tiles that connected all parts of the town's paths. Some of them, having conversed deeply with other players in that very spot, now sat in chairs and did not talk. Image-wise, the place was eerily appropriate: the crossway was in the center of a large X, marking just where a player would be crossed off for the game.
"X marks the spot," Snifit said in a whisper.
"Just hope it isn't you who's being marked," Dashell whispered. The six players sat rigid, as the elimination got ready. Then, McHallyboo came up to them, using one of the pedestrian crossings to make his way to the center of the execution. He stood besides the placed television to green them all.
"Welcome, players, to your fifth elimination of the game," McHallyboo announced to them all. "I would like to begin this elimination round by wishing you all the best of luck. And very soon, I will be entering your names one by one." Everyone, in their chair of the six on the street tiles, nodded nervously. A player would be soon gone.
"If it turns green, then you are safe and continue to Episode 6 of this game, and get one step closer to finding the Mole," McHallyboo began.
"Or being the Mole..." Piantissimo whispered, looking at the others.
"If, however, it turns red...your journey in this game is over," McHallyboo concluded. "You must leave the game." The six players, all taking a breath, were ready. For the fifth time of their game, they would have to endure the journey of one player's end.
"Let us begin with..."The host looked around.
Snifit," McHallyboo began. The player, having his name entered in for elimination for the first time in the game, took a small second to take in a deep breath. But it disappeared quickly over the typing of the host's name, as Snifit's name was entered into the computer.
S-N-I-F-I-T
He sat still.
...
...
...
...
...
...
GREEN
He gave out a small, silent sigh. Tiny Kong looked at him.
Tiny: He survived even with a Minus 1? Definitely something that was surprising.
"Zess." The player looked up as her name was called, and smiled a little nervously as the host began entering her name into the computer.
Z-E-S-S
Then, with a sudden click, he pressed the 'Enter' button, as everyone watched together for the player's results.
...
...
...
...
...
...
RED
There were gasps at the sudden red screen. It was Zess, the fifth executed player of the game, to be going home.
"Oh, it is my turn to leave." The old toad lady smiled as a few of the players were stunned at the result. It was her turn to leave the game.
"I am sorry, Zess, but you have been executed," McHallyboo spoke with a solemn voice. "Please, follow me to leave this game."
"And that I will." With an accepting face of appreciation, Zess stood up, then made her way over to grab her bag for the game. As she was passing away, she gave a little wink to the players.
"Good luck, you youngin's!" she voiced, as the sad faces of the remaining players watched the lady, who gave so much multiplied energy from her age, leave the game.
Passing by streetlight to streetlight, Zess followed the host as the two of them made their way to the end of the long street.
"Oh, there were no regrets at all, the game I played!" Zess announced to McHallyboo, her feelings exhubilant with memory of their past games. "I couldn't trade an ounce of this adventure for anything else! I truly enjoyed it!"
"How do you feel, being executed at the end of this fifth episode?" the host asked. "Are you upset?" Zess looked at the host, a little stunned at his sentence. She made almost a laughing mock to the host.
"Are you kidding me? Just getting this far, I've never felt more alive!" Zess let out a happy laugh to herself.
Everyone, sinking in the fate of the disappeared player, all thought of the departed chef together.
"She played the game...so much livelier than anyone," Tiny remarked. "I just couldn't believe how much power she showed from her heart. Zess was one of the strongest players here."
(Flashback Zess, beginning of Episode 4) "Come on guys! We shouldn't be smiling down. Let's smile up!" (the weary players look at her with hope)
"She was," Piantissimo spoke up with realization. "Whoever underestimated her...including me...that was pretty foolish, wasn't it?" Everyone else nodded with a smile. They all remembered their first individual thoughts about the executed player.
"I had thought she had refused the Plus 1 because she was the Mole," Eclair said softly. "But...she was not. She was here, truly for the fun."
"In the beginning, I don't anyone else here who would have surprised me making it to the point she did," Dashell nodded. Zess...she blew me away. Now...I'm surprised that she didn't make it further."
"What do you wish best for the other remaining players?" Zess pondered at the host's question, then answered with certainty.
"I want them to walk away knowing that life still goes on, no matter how old you will be," Zess continued to the host. "I may be nearing the age of sixty-five, but who's to say what my limit is?" The host grinned back at her.
"Indeed: you indeed did such incredible things," McHallyboo recounted to the player. "And do you think the other players will miss your wisdom in this game?"
"Well, I'm sure they'll be just fine without me," Zess said with a laugh, "but I'm happy to have shown them my good stuff. I would have loved to have done this when I was younger. But no difference!" She shrugged.
"I'm happy I did this all, before I shriveled up! That's all that counts!"
"I would have never guessed, when the rules of the Cliff mission were introduced, that Zess would have even consider the jump," Eclair said, her memory astonished. "And when she did, everyone was astounded."
Flashback Zess: "YEEEHAWW!" (jumps off edge of the high cliff, much to the players' incredulity and amazement)
"Everyone knew from that point that she wasn't any ordinary character," Snifit said, remembering the departed player with good thoughts as well. "Even I did."
"I remember her enthusiasm when she beat me in Lava Tile Isle..." Tiny Kong said with a laugh of remembrance. "She fought like...a real player! She out-beat three people in that game half her age!"
(flashback of Zess standing alone on the lava tile, stunned)
"Yes, including me unfortunately," Piantissimo snickered with an admitting voice, as the two of them laughed in the memory.
"And then when she didn't understand the rules during the 3-Door Monty, she was classic," Dashell chuckled.
(flashback Zess, confused in 3-Door Monty) "Hold on...we're supposed to find Boo? How are we supposed to do that? With a sign?" (the others in the white room laugh)
"She kept the game at its lively point, no doubt. So much zest..." Realizing what he said, everyone and Dashell himself laughed at his sentence.
"Indeed, Zess T...she lives to her name, does she not?" Piantissimo pointed out, as the others couldn't help but agree.
Zess and the host continued a pleasant small talk as they continued to the exit of the episode. Being the two oldest people to have ever stepped foot into the building, it was an adieu, even for both host and player.
"Well, it was a pleasure to have you here," McHallyboo said to Zess, with a tip of his hat. "I wish you the best of departure, Miss Toad." Zess looked impressed, her eyes widening.
"A formal goodbye by the host...wow, I'll be darned!" she remarked, grinning. Then with a turn away from the host, she faced the end of the street. The little sidewalk was no longer a sidewalk, but swirling bits and pieces of the world that the remaining players had all created together. The light of the vortex below was stronger than before: the shades of the remains that swirled through the air were now brighter in color, in a mix of grey and white blurs. It was a sight too great for the old toad to take in quickly.
"Well, if this isn't enough of an end to my adventure, I don't know what is!" Zess exclaimed.
"It's so much...brighter," McHallyboo realized, almost in a voice of satisfaction. "Perhaps this building isn't so dark after all." Then she turned to her.
"Are you ready?" McHallyboo asked her.
"Of course I am!" Zess was ready for the leap. McHallyboo stepped to the side, so she could make her jump to the other world: the real one.
"Okay...here goes!" She let out a scream, but it was one mixed with heavy enthusiasm as she plummeted down below. Her small body flung around the grey and white mixtures in the air, rotating more and more as she started to disappear from view slower and slower. The old toad let out her yell all the way through, similar to the one she let out as she jumped off the two-hundred and twenty-fix foot cliff in Episode 1. The spiral continued, as if sucking her into a part of the world that would end her life.
But for her, in her mind and after playing the game, her life had only just begun.
The five remaining players sat in the middle of the intersection amidst the chairs. The television, stil glowing red, reminded them all that the game was still deadly.
"Well..." Dashell tried to adjust his shirt collar, looking at the others. "It's down to the half of us, isn't it?" They all turned to him.
"Yes," stated Eclair. "This game...has become more difficult." She turned to the screen.
"But it's also easier to beat this game," Piantissimo spoke with a shrug of his shoulders, "And find the Mole."
"The Mole...who has been one of us since the beginning of the game," Tiny commented, eyeing the other players a little suspiciously. "Whoever it is among us."
"The agent," whispered Snifit.
All five of them nodded. And so the game's second half had begun.
And the toad of spunkiness and cheerfulness, Zess T, has been executed!
I always wanted to include a character like Zess in a Mole fanfiction. Seeing an elderly female player in a Mole game kinda warms my heart (there's a LOT in the actual Mole series!) And they tend to be suspected the most...hmm, I'll never know why!
And so indeed it has begun! Five players left. Just who is the Mole?
Also just wanted to add that TECHNICALLY the game isn't just half done. It's more than half (five-eighths of the way to be exact with 8 episodes). Well but like, ya know, I just wanted to make it a dramatic end of the chapter line COUGH ANYWAYS!
Dark Punxysaur: I don't know! The world of the Mole...or one of the players...must be cruel! xD
Princess Toady: -robotic voice- I. Am. Fraud. Am. Robo-Kris...cough...jk it's me, and whoa Im surprised I updated fast too, haha! Anyways, you seem to have very plausible points towards your suspect, and I commend you for good work and analyzing! I even like how you worded a variety of phrases in your review, such as "the inhabitant of Isle Delfino", heh. Well, good spot ons, and let's see how the rest of the season goes out! Also, reading about your dislike of some of the players, amen for your opinions! Like the phrase goes that I follow, "You can't like everybody!" But now that poor Zess is gone, you can't help but miss the hip grandma! -sniff- Right? Right?! Anyways, the Who Said That definitely brought flashbacks of our game, and I plan to one day make a Master Forum topic, in our game, with an analysis of each mission we played! So audience member can follow our journey : )
sixthsense6: Oh yus indeed! Interesting dynamic for the human and human, Pixl and Pianta matchup in this game. I wonder who will be leaving next.
Vivalahomestar: Yes, I must agree! The setting of such a virtual world...it just does give some strangely beautiful imagery. Which is strange to imagine: a very blank white atmosphere or just an endless green grass land being aesthetically beautiful? It's almost magical, but then quite daunting indeed. But what exists past the border in the created worlds such as Lineland Road and Delfino Plaza? When Snifit walked to the edge of the woods in Episode 3, it was said to be endless black. A bit daunting and eerie indeed...the limits of a fake world. Sorry for rambling! Anyways, thanks for your blurb compliment of words stating how one can still be the Mole even when "cleared" of being the saboteur : ) really appreciate it! You've done quite awesome stuff like that in your story, in terms of making a character so emotional, cough Mallow, Toadiko! Or such a certain characteristic, cough Mallow again, Shy Guy. Because then you think to yourself, "They can't be the Mole!" But ho ho, that just may be the trick ; )
NintendoMLP: Ah! For that is what I do when I review stories to. No worries on your reviews : ) Oh thanks for thinking the scene between Dashell and Piantissimo was great! I had no idea where I was going with it when I was writing it...and decided to make a bold move on it. I wanted to explore than dynamic of them thinking each other is the best. Oh goodness, about Dashell and Eclair's questions being about each other: you can blame the nosy other players on that, for butting into their relationship. I got your reply, don't worry! Im so late and I will try to get that clue to you by the time Episode 6 begins! And happy belated birthday to you! : D
Fanfict1315125: Oh indeed, interesting take on suspects! There seems to be some suspicious and well as clarifying events in the game that make someone either the Mole or not the Mole, be it a bribe, a question on a lie detector, or entering a tent full of penalties. But things can be a decoy. Everything might be a decoy. All could be a decoy! Muahhahaa...sorry if I made you more confused from this review reply, lol.
AdmiralBobbery: Oh good sir! No, no. I cannot take compliments like that. I'd probably explode...an action you'd know yourself so well! (okay, enough with the puns lol). It makes me appreciate that a lot to hear all that : ) So thank you! But also, don't limit your strengths to comparisons! You can be awesome yourself! I tend to do that a lot, comparing myself to such greats and thinking I wasn't too worthy...but you can also realize that you're really strong, individually yourself. : ) so good stuff, good stuff. And don't apologize for not reviewing! And take your time, no rush indeed, no rush heh.
Guest: Ah gotcha! And that story outline sounds quite of the marvelous outline. Tell me how it works out if it does! : 3 Yes, those quotes during the dinner game...you never know who said what for some of them, so it's all still a mystery! And suspects can be suspects! Dashell's answer...can still be just not as it seemed it to be. Also, going back to Season 2, it was actually Dixie Kong who Diddy brought to Delfino Plaza, since Dixie is his girlfriend. And nice suspects! I really like your list because I haven't seen that combo of suspects yet. And I hope your homework went well!
Luigenius: Ah yes, subtle sabotages! I think Yoshi was quite an expert at those, heh. Looking back, there was just some evil subliminal-ish work he did. And Zess! Actually, she wasn't in the negative; Giving her Plus 1 away, she was pretty much at zero advantage or disadvantage. But then she got executed so either way, so the result is that we cry together regardlessly : ( lol. Oh and hehe the clue! Gosh, so I was thinking of just releasing all 3 hidden clues to all the people who found the secret on my site, which includes you! Hehe, so hopefully they can help or point towards a suspicion or even confuse you more! (haha, I do hope the last one DOESN'T happen actually, lol)
PaloozaChu: Haha! Do you mean Dry Bones in the beginning of your first review? Yes indeed, I miss him! My tears will miss him as well as the game goes on without him... : ' ( Oh and haha! Human Dashell, right? But then you realize: maybe there are some flaws in the creation! Maybe it isn't the best. And Hally-sensei...that name is AWESOME! I approve it so much! Hehe...maybe I'll include it sometime in the story! Consider it a reference to you : )
FireKai: Ah true! It's surprising when you don't focus on someone at all as the Mole, and then suddenly you begin to suspect them in a season. Many times in the real Mole series for me! (sometimes it's either good or a downfall for me, lol). I remember Heather being a major one of mine in Season 2 US. And indeed, perhaps the trade was in Zess' downfall! But she fell with spunk and grace, at least! But yes, the Liar game, was definitely put in to bring pandemonium to the group. Not as much pandemonium erupted than it could have, fortunately, so I guess everyone is still alive. With only five players left, just who could the true saboteur be?
Moley Koopa: Yes, a good list of suspects! Except for Zess, who is much gone I believe. Ah, the lie detector game definitely has its suspicious moments, doesn't it? And that final quote! I guess we'll find out in the finale who truly said it. I guess there wil be even more mysteries in between. Also, so much for skype for both of us! Haha. My webcam is glitched anyway, because I have had the same laptop for the past 5 years (yikes!) If you ever have a Facebook feel free to friend me.
Perianth: "This time, with a real detector". Yes! Haha, it took me a second to get that. My Mole nerdiness still shines. A really awesome analyzation of the lie detector and the answers spoken. You got an interesting angle with the "Are you the Mole of this game?" question. Hmm, very smart, and you'll see if you're correct or not in the end! Anyways, thanks for the review and lol, I made sure to reply to you! And the new season is great of the Dutch Mole! That first twist...oh gosh, I was got so badly. I'm actually co-watching Season 11 as well, since I missed it and Im scared spoilers might arise in this season, so Im watching S11 simultaneously with multi-tasking fasion haha.
I just wanted to also say with a shout-out: I received my 300th review for this story! Wow! Thank you guys!
I would like to thank all my readers but especially my awesome wonderful reviewers for helping so much to this story. I feel like I've connected to a lot of you even personally, just from replying to you all! You're all beautiful! : ) Thanks so much for making this story possible! It would have gone nowhere without you guys.
Also, the poll results are in! There was a glitch on the last voter or two, so I'm sorry if your votes didn't go on. But these are the almost-final results asking: Who is the Mole?
Episode 5: Who is the Mole?
Piantissimo: 7 votes
Dashell: 5 votes
Snifit: 4 votes
Tiny: 4 votes
Zess: 4 votes (EXECUTED)
Eclair: 3 votes
According to the votes, Piantissimo stands ahead at 7! Followed by Dashell for second. Then falls a tie between Tiny Kong, Snifit, and the recently executed player as the possibility of the agent. And lastly, Eclair got last with 3 votes.
As the game goes on, Episode 6 only holds five players remaining. The game has narrowed down, and so have the suspects. What does Episode 6 have in store for these five remaining suspects?
Also, being back in college, I guess I won't be updating as ridiculously fast as I did over winter break. I still hope to upload soon though : ) but Im happy I was able to get an entire Episode into its finish by this month! OH, and watch out for a new Mole journal either by tonight or tomorrow!
Stay tuned for Episode 6!