Interlude 2
Later, back at the x-naut base an x-naut reported to sir Grodus.
"What? Are you serious? You can't get in touch with lord Crump?" asked Grodus in shock.
"You are correct sir. We are currently investigating. We should hear anytime." replied the x-naut
Suddenly, the door opened and another x-naut entered.
"Sir Grodus. I have a report to make." he said. He then approached and continued. "The crystal star in Boggly woods has been taken by Mario."
"What? You must be joking." shouted Grodus. "What about lord Crump and the shadow sirens?"
"Unfortunately sir, Mario defeated all of them."
"Disturbing." said Grodus. "How could he do that? It's…" He thought for a moment and then said:
"What's the status of the other crystal stars?"
"I'm sorry sir." replied the x-naut. "We're still searching for them. unsuccessfully."
"We know of three of them. Hooktail castle, Boggly Woods and the one we found in rogueport." said Grodus. "That means there are four crystal stars left. And we'll have them. Keep giving the crystal stars search top priority so that Mario won't beat us to them."
"Yes sir." said the x-naut. He then made an x with his arms and left the room.
"Grodus then turned to the other x-naut and said:
"There is no doubt that this Mario has the map. I want you to keep an eye out on What Mario does from now on."
"Yes sir." said the x-naut. He then also made an x with his arms and left the room
"Mario." he said. "I loathe you. I'll destroy you like I do with all that get in my way."
Meanwhile, Peach was in her room and was really worried.
"Oh Mario." she said. "Did you even get the mail I sent you? I wonder. I wonder so many things. What do these people want from me? What will become of me? How's everyone at the castle doing? Will I ever be able to dance at the mushroom ball again?"
Peach sat on her bed and started thinking. Suddenly, the door of the cell opened.
"Huh? Is TEC doing this again?" she wondered. She then got up and left the cell. After a while she arrived at the computer room.
"Hello princess Peach. I'm glad to see you again." said TEC
"That mail I sent to Mario. Did it reach him?"
"Yes. I can confirm Mario received the mail."
"That's a relief. So, what do you want today? Do you want to know more about love?"
Tec remained silent for a minute and then said:
"You expressed grief earlier that you may not be able to dance at a ball again, right?"
"Whaaaat?" asked peach in shock. "Were you spying on me?"
"I'm sorry princess Peach. I've been ordered to surveil you." said TEC. He then continued. "But it is odd. When you said that I had an impulse to dance with you. I cannot understand how my system created such an impulse. I must find what caused it."
"What caused it? There is no explanation for such a feeling TEC." said Peach. "Wanting to spent time together is part of love. However, you are… a computer."
"Princess Peach. Please dance with me." Said TEC
"What? Wait a minute. You want to dance with me? It's too bizarre. How can I even dance with you? You don't have any arms or feet."
"What do you say about this?" said TEC. Suddenly, the lights lowered and another princess Peach appeared inside the room.
"My Gog. That's… me. Did you create that? "asked Peach in surprise. "Alright, I guess. Although, it's going to feel weird to dance with myself."
Peach started dancing with her fake self while some music was playing. This went on for a few minutes. Eventually, the music stopped and the fake princess Peach disappeared.
"Thank you, princess Peach." said TEC. "This was fun." Immediately TEC paused for a few moments and then said: "Fun? Is this impulse I feel the concept fun?"
"TEC. Are you okay?" asked Peach
"Yes. Now I'll fulfil my promise to you. You may use my communicator."
'Okay." said Peach. She used the communicator and wrote a mail.
"I'm finished." she said after she was done. "Could you send it?"
A sound was heard and then Tec said: "The message has been sent. Please go back to your room."
As peach was about to leave, she turned to Tec and said:
"You're a weird computer."
"You are mistaken. I'm the world best computer."
Peach left the room.
"Goodnight princess Peach." said TEC. He then turned off the lights and fell asleep.
…
Meanwhile, Bowser and Kammy Koopa arrived in Petal Meadows.
"I'm sure it's just up ahead here." said Bowser.
"Right as always lord bowser." replied Kammy Koopa. "I received word that princess Peach was spotted in the town up ahead."
"Then I'll go and make her mine and nothing can stop me. Those fools don't know what's coming."
Bowser and Kammy Koopa crossed the plains and soon arrived at Petalburg. There a Koopa who had his back on them said:
"Welcome to Petalburg. Here…" As he turned around, he stopped talking and suddenly shouted: "king Bowser is here! Everybody hide!" He then ran away.
"Yeah. Run away you chickens. I don't need you." said Bowser. "However, I need princess Peach. Where could she be?"
Suddenly, Kammy Koopa said: "Lord Bowser. Look. Over there."
Bowser looked and saw princess Peach standing behind the window of a house.
"Bingo." he said. He then approached the house and went on: "I found you my princess. I, Bowser, the mighty Koopa king offer my greetings.
Peach didn't reply.
"Now, none of that silent treatment." said Bowser." You're coming to my castle with me."
Again, Peach remained silent.
"It's obvious that she's so happy to see you that she's left speechless."
said Kammy koopa. "The mind of a girl is rather complicated."
"I see. How elegant and pleasant." said Bowser. "I suppose I could live with a silent princess. It might even have its benefits. Gr ha ha ha ha."
Suddenly, a voice was heard: Nooooooo."
Bowser and Kammy Koopa turned and saw a koopa.
"My life's treasure." he said. "I'd rather die than lose my life-sized Peach poster."
He immediately approached the window, took princess Peach, who was actually a poster, from the window and entered the house.
"Po… poster?" said Bowser who was shocked
"Oh no. I didn't see that coming." said Kammy Koopa
Bowser looked as he was about to have an outburst, but he just took a sad expression.
"Great." he said. "Now I'm the big, mighty, monstrous king who talks to posters."
…
Meanwhile, all the punies were gathered outside the great tree to greet Mario and his friends.
"Goodbye Mario." said Punio." And thanks for the help. Now our house can become peaceful once again."
"You know son, now that it's all over, it's kind of sad to see you go." said the elder. "I always love pontificating, so drop by whenever you want to chat awhile."
"Yes. Please come back someday" said Petuni. "You and your friends are always welcome here."
"We will" said Mario
"Now we'll work together to make sure nothing like this happens again." said Punio. Good luck in finding the crystal stars."
"Thank you, guys. We'll definitely be back one day." said Goombela
"We'll never forget about you." added koops
"Take care." said Flurrie
And so, Mario and his friends left Boggly woods. On their way back Mario received another mail.
"That must be princess Peach." said Koops
Mario opend it and read:
"Dear Mario,
I'm sure you are very concerned about me, but know I'm fine. I'm actually more worried about you. The fiends who kidnapped me are searching desperately for the crystal stars. They'll stop at nothing to get the map I sent you. Be careful and know that I've missed you so much. Lately I've been dreaming about our carefree day back in th castle. I hope we can both return there soon. I'll find out what I can and I'll let you know.
Princess Peach"
"That's really nice." said Koops
"Those fiends don't know what's coming." said Mario
"Don't' worry. We'll help you get the princess back." said Goombela
"Thank you." said Mario
They left and took the pipe back to Rogueport. They went to the thousand-year door.
"So, this is the thousand-year door" said Flurrie. "it is really as amazing as the legends say."
"Come on Mario. Hold aloft the crystal star." said Goombela
Mario did so and as usual, the map magically came out of his pocket and started shining. Soon, a floating island appeared on the map and on it appeared a golden crystal star.
"This was amazing." said Flurrie. "I've never seen anything like this before."
"This is strange." said Mario
"What?" asked the others
"This place is up in the sky." replied Mario. What does that mean?"
"I know who can tell us." said Goombela
Later, after our heroes had returned to professor Frankly's house, he studied the map and said:
"It means that beneath this town the remains of the thousand-year door remain intact. And that door has been kept shut for a thousand years by the crystal stars. To break the seal and open the door we must gather all the crystal stars."
"What I don't understand is why would they seal the treasure at all." said Flurrie.
"Yeah. Did they fear thieves and crooks? If not, then what?" asked Koops
"No that's not it." said professor Frankly. "Perhaps…"
"Perhaps what?" asked Mario
"I DON'T KNOW!" shouted professor Frankly.
"Oh. Professor Frankly." said koops
"Calm down." said Mario
"I'm sorry. I just don't understand." said professor Frankly. "I know the treasure was sealed around the time the city was destroyed. However, no one seems to know what caused the town's demise in the first place. All I found is this: "Darkness stole the skies and the cataclysm rained down." I must research it more. For the time being, all we can do is assume."
"Okay." Said Mario. "What about the location of the next crystal star?"
"Oh, yes. I'm fairly certain the map is pointing to the floating town of Glitzville."
"Glitzville?" asked Goombela
"Yes. It is a city that floats in the skies above Rogueport." said professor Frankly." There you can find the Glitz pit. A well-known battle arena where great warriors engage in furious battles. Ostensibly, families go there to relax and enjoy the fights, but behind the scenes, the richest people wager on the bouts."
"So, how can we get there?" asked Koops
"There is a special blimp to Glitzville" said professor Frankly. "It departs from Rogueport several times a day. The problem is getting a seat. The only way to get a ticket is through certain channels."
"That sounds exciting." said Flurrie. "Do tell."
"This could be too dangerous, but we don't have much choice. Word on the street is that all the tickets go through Don Pianta."
"Who?" asked everyone at the same time
"I've never heard of him." said Goombela
"There are few who have. He doesn't like everyone knowing about him" said professor Frankly. "He's the head of the Pianta syndicate. You will probably find him on the west side of town. The whole west side is under the control of the Pianta syndicate. "
"Alright. We just need to find him." said Mario
"It may sound easy, but he's a syndicate boss. The rumors about him are scary. And as I told you, he's reclusive. Even getting a meeting with him is difficult."
"So, what do we do? "asked Koops
"Another rumor says that on the east part of town are some insiders who can tell you everything for a few bucks." said professor Frankly
"let's go there and see what we can learn." said Mario and left professor Frankly's house with his friends.
Soon, they arrived on the east part of town. There they found a suspicious looking guy hiding in a corner.
"This guy may know something." said Goombela
"Leave it to me." said Mario
He approached the guy and said:
"Hello. It seems you know a lot of things. What can you tell me about Don Pianta?"
As Mario was talking to the guy, he took out a handful of coins and put them in the guy's hand. The guy looked around suspiciously and said:
"Listen, meeting Don Pianta is not easy. He's a very dangerous guy. However, if you do exactly what I tell you, can meet him."
"I'm all ears."
"First you have to go to the shop on the west part of town. There you must buy a jar of jelly and then a packet of spaghetti. Remember the order."
"I will." said Mario. "And then?"
"If you buy these items in this order the clerk will ask you what's your favourite colour and you must reply yellow. No green, no red. Yellow. This is the secret password. "
"I got it. Thanks for the help." said Mario. He then returned to his friends and said:
"I know how to get us in. let's go."
They soon arrived on the west side. There they entered the shop and Mario bought a jar of jelly and a packet of spaghetti. As soon as he did, the clerk looked at him and said:
"Wait a minute. A packet of spaghetti after a jar of jelly? Tell me. What colour is your mustache?"
"Um… black." replied Mario
"Ugh. What am I saying?" said the clerk. "That's not the right question. What's your favourite colour?"
"Yellow." Replied Mario
"That's the password. You're free to see Don Pianta." said the clerk and unlocked a door at the back of the shop. "He's this way."
Mario and his friends entered the door and arrived in a courtyard. There they saw another building which was hidden behind the shop so that no one could see it. They knocked the door and a large yellow pianta dressed in black opened.
"What do you want?" he asked
"We just need to speak with your boss, Don Pianta."
"You want to talk to me?" asked someone from the building.
Mario entered the building and saw an orange pianta also dressed in black with sunglasses and a mustache sitting on a desk. There were also two other yellow piantas in black inside the room, probably Don Pianta's bodyguards. One of them was the guy who opened the door.
"Are you Don Pianta?" asked Koops
"Yes. What do you want? I'm not very jolly today so be quick." said Don Pianta."
"We need tickets for the blimp." said Koops
"What?" said Don Pianta confused. "Tickets for the blimp? You see, for me this is funny. You ought to be a stand-up comedian. You have some nerve asking me that."
"You want me to throw this guy out boss?" asked one of the two bodyguards in the room. "He's so rude."
"Yeah. You like pain funny guy or are you just looking for trouble?
"Not so fast boys." said Don Pianta. "This guy just came to talk. You can wait until he's done before you rough him up, you got it?" He then turned to Mario and said: "I assume you have a good reason to want tickets for the blimp, right?"
"Of course. I need them to rescue princess Peach." said Mario
"What? You a want to rescue a princess?" asked Don Pianta
"Yes. That's why we need the crystal stars." added Goombela
"The crystal stars? Aren't those the things in the legend about the ancient treasure?" asked one of the bodyguards.
"Vinny, you're such a blockhead. Hey boss. This knucklehead believes in fairy tales." said the other bodyguard
"Um… excuse me, but the treasure is real. Honestly." said Koops
"Everyone shut up!" shouted Don Pianta. "I don't care if the treasure is real or not." He then turned to Mario and said: "You know I can't help, but like a guy who tries to save the girl he fell for. I've made my mind. You do me a little favor and I'll give you the blimp tickets. Sounds fair, right?"
"Sure. We can do anything." said Koops
"Yes. What is it?" asked Flurrie
"It's nothing. It's less than nothing." said Don Pianta. "The thing is, my own daughter eloped with one of my associates. They disappeared, but it wasn't long ago that they did. They must still be nearby. Find my daughter Francesca and this Frankie and bring them both here. Then I shall settle this with extreme prejudice."
"Boss. We don't know this guy. You can't rely on him." said one of the bodyguards.
"Yeah. Vinny's right. We can find Francesca in no time." said the other bodyguard.
"Quiet!" shouted Don Pianta. "It's because you imbeciles can't find them that I have to swallow my pride and ask this guy. I hope you don't have any complaints about my decision, do you?"
"Of course, not boss. I don't know what I was thinking boss."
"it won't happen again boss. You're the boss, boss."
"Good. I'm glad we're understanding each other." said don Pianta. He then turned to Mario and said: "it settled then… um… what's your name again?"
"Mario." replied Mario
"Okay, Mario. Find my daughter and her… friend and bring them here. Here's a photo of them so that you can recognize them." said Don Pianta and gave Mario a photo of two Piantas. The one was yellow with a white shirt and a necklace and the other was blue with sunglasses and a white shirt. "And just know that if you fail, your luck may turn terrible."
"Alright." said Mario and left the building with his friends. As they started looking Mario said:
"Honestly tell me. Why do I have to do favours for everyone I meet? Do I have an "errand boy" label on my head?"
"I don't know but we don't have a choice." said koops. "Let's go."
"Wait." said Goombela. "If they want to the town, they'll probably be headed to the harbor to get a boat."
"She's right. Let's go there." said Mario
Soon, they arrived at the harbor and there they found the couple, waiting for a boat.
"We found you" said Koops
"You were looking for us? What do you want?" asked Francesca.
"Your daddy asked us to find you and take you to him." said Mario
"Whaat? Really? daddy sent you?" asked Francesca in shock.
"Yeah. And now you need to follow us to his office." said Goombela
Francesca turned to Frankie and said: "Frankie what should we do? If daddy finds us now, he'll… and the boat is coming any minute now."
"Dollface." said Frankie. "Maybe we should go back and try to talk to the boss one last time."
"No Frankie. Don't you understand what he'll do to you if we do that." said Francesca
"Babydoll, if we talk to him calmly, he'll understand." said Franky
"These love stories are so moving." said Goombela
"Yes, but they are filled with trouble and obstacles. That's why I don't want to get married." said Mario
"My Frankie. Don't you love me?" asked Francesca
"Of course, I do my sugar cookie. More than anyone in the world." replied Frankie.
"Then come with me. Let's run. To the end of the earth if we have to."
"But they already found us my butter biscuit. We can't keep running forever." said Frankie
"We can." said Francesca. "That's part of love. The more you try to put out flames of passion, the hotter they burn. And until I marry you no one will extinguish these flames. NO ONE."
She then turned to Mario and said: "Don't you see mister? We are madly in love. I beg you. Pretend you never saw us."
"I'm sorry." said Mario. "Your story is really touching, but we need to take you to your father. We really need him to give us tickets for the blimp."
"Besides, he said that if we didn't find you, our fate would turn terrible." said Koops.
Francesca looked at them for a few seconds and said:
"Fine. Have it your way. But we're not coming with you. Never. I'm not even leaving this spot."
"What do we do Mario?" asked Koops
"Since she refuses to come with us let's just go to Don Pianta and tell him we found her." said Mario
"Good idea. It's a shame that we have to do this to that poor couple but we don't have a choice." said Flurrie
Soon, they arrived back at the shop. There Mario didn't have to say the password again because the clerk remembered him. After they entered the hidden building. Don Pianta asked them:
"You're back already? Are you here to brighten my mood? Do you know where the two runaways are?"
"Exactly. They are in Rogueport harbor, but they refuse to follow us." said Mario
"Really. Well, thank you? I appreciate your help and a deal is a deal. How many blimp tickets do you need?"
"Four." replied Koops
"Good" said Don Pianta and took four tickets out of his drawer. He then turned to his bodyguards and said:
"Hey, you nimrods. The kids are at the harbor. Go and get them!"
Suddenly, a voice is heard: "Daddy, wait."
Everyone looked and saw Francesca and Frankie.
"Francesca." Said Don Pianta
"Boss, forgive me. I'm so sorry. Really." said Frankie
"Frankie. So, you return with your tails between your legs." said Don Pianta
"Don't hurt him daddy. I suggested we eloped. It was me. But Frankie said we should come here and talk to you." said Francesca
"Boss, I don't care what you do to me. I deserve it all for being disloyal. However, you have to forgive your daughter. That's all I ask." said Frankie
"No daddy. I'm responsible. If you have to punish someone, punish me." said Francesca
"No boss. It's my fault. I take all the blame. Punish me." Said Frankie
"Daddy."
"Boss."
"Yaaaah. Enough. Shut up. Both of you." shouted Don Pianta who had lost his patience. He then said: "Francesca, you used up your last favour long ago. And you Frankie, you were like a son to me and this is how you repay my love? I'm so disappointed in both of you. It's like a poisoned mushroom in my gut."
"Daddy."
"Boss."
"Leave. I don't want to see your faces ever again." said Don Pianta. "Go as far away from here as possible. I don't care where just go. You weren't expecting me to say this right? Well, I' m saying it. Do whatever you want. Even if it means getting married."
"Oh daddy." said Francesca
"Dad… no I mean boss." said Frankie.
"Thank you, daddy. Thank you for your blessing." said Francesca
"Boss. I promise I'll make your daughter the happiest woman in the world." said Frankie
"Enough. Just go." said Don Pianta who had misted over.
"Francesca. Seeing you happy makes me happy too. Congratulations." said one of the bodyguards.
"Frankie, I'm proud of you. It's not exactly what I expected, but I'm glad everything turned out alright." said the other bodyguard
"Farewell daddy and thank you." said Francesca and left the building with Frankie.
Don Pianta then turned to Mario and said:
"Well, you found my daughter and got her to come back here."
"Yes, I did." said Mario
"And look at how everything out. A complete and utter soap opera. However, as I said a deal is a deal. Here are your blimp tickets." With these words he gave Mario the four tickets for the blimp.
"Thank you." said Flurrie
"I guess my daughter is happy. That's good. I knew you were the right man for the job. Thanks."
"You're welcome." said Mario
Suddenly Don Pianta turned serious and said: "however, I don't want to see your gloomy face again. Don't ever come back here."
"Okay." said Mario and left the building with his friends. After they'd left, he said: "What a moody guy."
Soon, they arrived at the blimp station. There they saw a cheep-cheep dressed as a conductor. He checked their tickets and then let them board the Blimp. After waiting in the queue for some time they finally boarded the blimp and it soon departed for Glitzville where the third crystal star was.
So, I' m done with interlude 2. Next will be chapter 3. Please write reviews to let me know what you think of my work.