"Take that!" Goombella flipped back after bashing her head on Beldam.
Beldam keeled back and covered her head then tripped over Vivian who was defeated shortly after the fight started. "Ow!"
Beldam stood back up with a cackle then a growl. "Ooh, we might have been a touch overconfident." Beldam stared at the group of three who were battle ready still. Mario leaned forward threateningly making Beldam recoil and bump into Marilyn who was laying on her back. Koops, despite how wimpy he may look, laid a good beating on her. "Marilyn! Vivian! Get up! We might've won if you two had pulled your own weight! You two had better prepare for a WORLD-class punishment session when we get home!" Both sisters looked eat each other with clenched teeth and ducked heads as they were recovering. "Hurry away!"
"GuuuuuUUUH," Marilyn grunted sadly.
"Y-yes, sis," Vivian trailed behind but noticed as the gold necklace Beldam had taken away from her fell from her hat. Vivian turned back to retrieve it but then she saw Mario picking it up. He gave her a soft, pitying frown and seemed to be hoping she'd stay. Vivian pulled the photo from her hat and looked at it. Mario and Koops's half bent faces, Her erased smile, and Goombella's perfect grin. Even little Punio had the happiest smile despite now looking scarred at her.
"Vivian…" Goombella called.
Vivian looked back at her sisters who were hightailing it without even looking back. Vivian started to cry again, then threw the photo behind her as she ran.
Mario walked forwards a little ways to pick it up. He looked up and watched as Vivian was getting smaller and smaller. Then disappeared behind the hills.
Koops approached Mario and took the photo from him to see it. "Aw, gee… Goombella was right. This was my fault… sorry guys."
"No, Koops, I think you did the right thing," Goombella assured bumping into him affectionately, "If she didn't want to keep it, that's her choice… But it looks pretty bad. Can you fix something like that?"
Koops shook his head, "No, but I can reprint it. My camera has a memory function so I can digitally send photos to people."
Goombella nodded. "That's good. I'm pretty sure this isn't the last we're going to see of them."
Koops looked over the hills Vivian and her sisters retreated to. "Do you think she got in trouble because of us?"
Goombella looked that way as well. Mario was still watching the hills as they talked. "I have a feeling…but we can't worry about that now. She'll be okay. If she's survived her sisters this long then she'll be okay."
"Yeah, we need to hurry!" Punio said racing up to them. "We need to get Madam Flurrie to blow away the thingy!"
"He's right, Mario. Ready to go?" Koops asked. Mario still looked out towards the hills. "Mario?"
Mario turned and nodded then started to head back to Madam Flurrie's home. Koops, Goombella and Punio followed behind.
Once they had reached Flurrie's home they let themselves in and knocked on her bedroom door. Punio cleared this throat. "Excuse me, Madam Flurrie? We found your necklace; would you like us to give it to you or…"
"Oh! You delightful creatures, you! Please, just leave it at the door there. Oh, I am quite beside myself, truly!"
Mario left the necklace at the door on the ground and stepped back a few paces. Everyone waited patiently as the door cracked open and a grayish blue hand reached out and pat the ground to look for it. the hand found its prey and dragged it in then complete silence followed after the closing of the door.
"Oh, splendid. SPLENDID! My oh-so-ravishing necklace. I am awash in joy!"
*Click! *
"What was that?" Koops asked nearing the door a little.
They heard a mechanical rev as the chandelier above them retracted and the light in the room disappeared. Suddenly a pink disco ball was in its place and some music began to play as Madam Flurrie flung the doors wide open.
Koops took several steps back and looked at Goombella who was equally confused. "What is going on?" He mouthed. Goombella shook her head.
Flurrie was done basking in her pink light as she looked straight and gasped. "Oh…my…word! Mario, is it not?" She asked as she sashayed forward. "Are YOU my little necklace hunter?" Mario took a few steps back as well. Punio tried to cut in, but Flurrie barely heard him over the music. "Well, my my my… aren't you a FINE specimen of a man. Yes, indeed!"
Mario looked at Goombella and Koops who were looking back at him. Goombella rolled her eyes and Koops snickered a little.
Flurrie applied a fresh coat of lipstick and snapped her little mirror shut. "I simply MUST thank you for your gracious favor. But how, you may wonder… Hmm. Perhaps if I… grabbed you and gave you a little sugar? That would suffice don't you think?"
Mario widened his eyes. And shook his head in begging protest "Mm! Mm! Mm!"
Koops and Goombella stepped in front of him. "Excuse us, miss, uh, Madam… Flurrie… If we could just…"
Flurrie quieted Koops with a single motion then lifted both her hands. "Now now, I simply CAN'T take no for an answer. Here I come, handsome. Pucker up!"
Goombella widened her eyes as she saw Flurrie ready to charge. "Uh oh…"
Flurrie rushed forth between them, nocking them both over like bowling pins and accidently spinning Punio in the process as well. She locked lips with Mario and gave him the biggest kiss he'd ever received from a woman. It basically sucked the life from him. He waved his hands and tried to get someone to help but the force she had impacted everyone had them stunned. She let go and giggled, then dropped Mario on the floor. "Oh, my… Mario you are simply the cutest thing I've EVER laid eyes on.
Koops helped himself off his belly then shook his head and looked at Goombella who was rolling off her back. "How could she be so ladylike but so barbaric?"
Goombella shook her head for a second time. "I don't know but she's got spunk, I'll give her that."
Mario stood up and tried to clean the lipstick off his mouth as he protested Flurrie's compliment. However, Flurrie digressed, "Oh yes, yes you are. And that's that. Now," She clapped twice, and everything returned to normal. "To business. It is true you are looking for the Crystal Stars, mm? The very same spoke of by those dreadful lowlifes in Rogueport?"
"Yes, ma'am," Koops confirmed, "Punio here says you can help us."
"Hmm," She looked like she was considering it. "A danger-filled search for beautiful jewls… She clapped her hands together again. "How absolutely marvelous! And here I was thinking how frightfully bored it had become. Besides, that cute bushy mustache of yours has be absolutely swooned! A man as… MANLY and you must attract all sorts of trouble. So, I dare say, I shall be joining you on your little adventure. I assume that's fine."
"Well that's…" Goombella almost made a snarky comment but Koops hushed her.
"We'd be honored, Miss Flurrie. Err, Madam…Flurrie. Sorry."
"It's quite alright dear, call me what you like! We will be traveling together afterall! Now tell me, what's the name of such a polite young man?"
"Koops, ma'am. I'm a photographer…sorta," Koops smiled.
He let go of Goombella once she struggled out of his grip and glared at him. "Oh, and who is this firebrand? Such a firry young girl."
Goombella fixed her uniform. "I'm Goombella. An Archaeology student at the University of Goom… Oh, and go goombas." Mario noted her introduction was less enthusiastic than the last time.
"Well, it's a fine day to make new friends. And remember old ones," Flurrie tickled Punio with her finger.
"This is great! Good thing Flurrie likes you Mario. And even more importantly, she's joining us! Come on, let's go to the Great Tree already! Everyone's waiting!"
Punio ran ahead and tried to push open the door but to no avail. Eventually, Mario came behind him and pushed it open for him. Then held the door for the rest of the party.
"Thanks, Mario. Let's go!" Punio ran ahead again, moral soring hire than ever.
Flurrie giggled, "Oh, my dear Punio. How I have missed the cute little Punis. It will be nice to go back."
"After you, miss Flurrie," Koops motioned.
Flurrie smiled at him and took the lead. Then the party continued their journey for the Crystal Stars.