Interlude 5
Back at the x-naut base, lord Crump was talking with Grodus through a monitor.
"You failed again lord Crump. You sicken me." said Grodus
"Look, I'm sorry. Seriously, it wasn't my fault. We thought we had the guy cornered, but…"
"Enough! Stop talking." said Grodus. "You just stand by until my next order. And lord Crump? Think of this as your last chance. Understood?"
"Roger that." said lord Crump and closed the monitor.
"You there." said Grodus and an x-naut came in front of him.
"What is it sir?" he asked
"Tell the shadow sirens to attack Mario again. And tell them not to fail this time." said Grodus
"Yes sir." said the x-naut. He then made an x with his hands and left.
"I have one crystal star in my hands and Mario has five." said Grodus to himself. "I must take some measures."
Meanwhile, princess Peach entered the computer room.
"TEC called me in here again. I wonder what it is this time." she said to herself.
TEC didn't say anything. Instead he made a weird noise.
"TEC, was that noise you. What's wrong? Asked Peach
"I… must request that you do something more dangerous this time." replied TEC
"Dangerous. What do you mean?" asked Peach
"I want you to get in sir Grodus' room and get a data disk." said TEC
"A data disk? Why would you need that?" asked Peach
"Although I can view any information from computers on the network, I am unable to access information from computers that are not linked to the network. But I must know everything. I need to know the information in that data disk.
"But how will I get in his room?" asked Peach. "Wil lo be disguised again?"
"No. not this time." said TEC. "Only when sir Grodus is in there can someone enter. When he's' elsewhere, there are guards that permit no entry. I don't want to ask you something so dangerous, but now I have no one to ask but you."
"I don't mind TEC. Really. Ask me anything." said Peach
"Very well. First take the elevator and go one floor up like last time." said TEC
Peach left the computer room, took the elevator and went one floor up. When she arrived, she heard TEC's voice:
"Now, you must go to the left. The opposite direction of sir Grodus' room and enter the room with the green lamp above it."
Peach did what TEC told her and entered a lab.
"Now, I'll have you make a potion that will make you transparent." said TEC
"You mean...a potion that will make me invisible?" asked Peach
"That is correct." said TEC. "You will enter sir Grodus' room by becoming completely invisible."
"Okay. How do I make it?"
"First you must place the four potions on the desk inside the concoctinator." said TEC. "It's that machine on the back, but even I don't know where to set each potion. There should be memos left by the x-naut researchers. Use them as references and set the potions in the right positions."
Peach looked at the desk. There were one green, one blue, one red and one orange potion. She also looked at the machine. It had a conveyor belt and four places for the potions. She started looking for memos. She found one that said:
"Place two potions between the green potion ad the red potion.
"So, I have to place them on the opposite ends." said Peach. She then found another note.
"Don't place the red potion on the far right."
"So, I have to place the red potion on the far left and the green potion on the far right." said Peach and did so. The she found the last note.
"Place the blue potion next to the green potion."
And so, Peach placed the other two potions and the order was: red, blue, orange, green.
"Are you sure they are correct?" asked TEC
"Yes." said Peach
"Very well. Then press the button at the beginning of the conveyor belt."
Peach did that and a beaker started moving on the conveyor belt.
"Press the button where the beaker stops to dispense the potion." said TEC
Peach did that and soon the beaker was filled with a pinkish liquid. The beaker then moved into an oven
"Now I'll heat the potion for thirty seconds." said TEC. The oven heated the potion and thirty seconds later, it came out complete and had a green colour.
"By my calculations, it must be finished, but... Are you sure you did it correctly?" asked TEC
"Yes." said Peach
"Very well. Then please drink it. All of it."
"Drink it? Is it safe? It smells… really funky."
"Please, you must drink it."
Peach drank it and she became invisible. However, her clothes could still be seen.
"Congratulations" said Tec. "You've successfully made yourself transparent. However, I must ask you to take off your dress. Even the potion cannot make it invisible."
"What? That's preposterous. No way." said Peach. She remained silent for a moment and then said: "Fine, I guess. If it's the only way." She then went aside took off her dress and crow and hid them behind some boxes.
"Now, when you enter sir Grodus' room, first locate the data disk and then insert it in the computer and link it to the network. When you're done, come back to this room and I'll show you how to make yourself visible again."
"That's a complicated plan." said Peach
"I suppose." replied TEC. "Now go."
Peach left the lab. An x-naut was outside and was confused to see the dooρs opening by themselves.
"Now, what just happened? How did the doors open even though there's no one here?" he said. "A malfunction or am I totally losing it here? Peach went to sir Grodus' room. The guards were confused that the doors opened by themselves, but no one could imagine it was Peach invisible. She entered the room. She went through another door which was behind Grodus' throne and found herself in his private room. It had a white carpet, a big aquarium with many fish, a computer and a bookcase with many boxes. Peach noticed something protruding out of one of the boxes. She took it and said:
"This look like the data disk TEC wanted." she said
She inserted it in the computer and connected it to the network.
"I did it. Yes! I did it" she said. "It's working."
Soon, all the information from the data disk was linked to the network.
"Now, I'll go back to the lab and become visible again, but first I'll put this where I found it." said Peach. She then took the data disk and out it back in its position.
"There we go. As I was never here."
She then left the room and returned to the lab.
"Thank you, princess Peach." said TEC. "I received the data I desired."
"Well, I'm glad." said Peach
"Now I'll teach you how to become visible again. It's quite simple. Just drink the green potion. You'll become visible instantly."
"Okay. Just wait a moment" said Peach. She then took her dress and crown and wore them.
"Okay, now I'm ready. The green potion, right?"
She drank it and became visible again.
"Oh, what a relief. I feared I'd never become visible again."
"There was never any danger of that." said TEC. "Now please come back to the computer room."
Peach returned to the computer room.
"By the way, what is that data?" she asked
"I'm still analyzing it" said TEC. "it's heavily encrypted. But if my calculations are correct…"
"If they are correct… what?" asked Peach
"No. I cannot afford any mistakes or assumptions. I'll let you know when I've analyzed it. You can use my communicator if you wish."
"Okay. Tell me immediately after you've finished analyzing the data, okay?" said Peach. "I'll use the communicator thanks."
She wrote a message and said:
"I'm finished. Could you send it?"
A sound was heard and TEC said:
"The message has been sent. We're done for now. Please go back to your room."
Peach was about to leave when TEC said:
"Thank you, princess Peach."
"Why you're welcome TEC." said Peach and left.
"Princess Peach. I will protect you." said TEC. He then turned off the lights and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Lord Crump was in Twilight town and soon Bowser with Kammy koopa arrived there. When the people saw them, they fled.
"Blargh. Why is the light here so weird? It's spooking me out." said Bowser
"My lord, the light is odd because this is Twilight town." said Kammy koopa. "There should be treasure here. Let's find one of the fools that live here and make him talk."
"Sound like a perfect plan. Let's do it." said Bowser
However, they couldn't find anyone. Only lord Crump was left. As Bowser and Kammy koopa passed by him, they heard them say:
"Darn it! Bedlam said they lost the superbombomb somewhere around here. And I have to find it. This stinks. This deal is bad! Bad! Bad! Baaaaaaaaad! The faster I find it, the faster I can make my comeback."
He suddenly noticed something on the ground and he picked it up. It was the superbombomb.
"Yeah. I'm the man. I found it. With this we can crush Mario and get all the crystal stars in one shot.
When they heard him mentioning the crystal stars, Bowser and Kammy koopa approached.
"You there. Suspicious guy." said Kammy koopa. "You know about the crystal stars, right?"
Crump looked at them and said:
"Oh what? What's the deal turtle boy? You are looking for the crystal stars too? Great. This will help the Crump comeback. So, let's get to it. Tell me what you know. Now!"
"Uh, actually it is you who'll spit every bit of information out of your big ugly head." said Bowser. "And if you don't, I'll show you no mercy."
"Whoa there big guy." said lord Crump trembling, but he regained his calmness and said:
"Wait. What am I afraid of? You? Ha ha ha ha. Now you'll see. All troops report."
Immediately, about a hundred or more x-nauts appeared.
"Buh! Buh! Buh buh buh! What do you have to say? Kind of a lot of dudes, huh? You still want to talk?"
"You dare scoff at us?" said Kammy koopa. "Koopa clan, form up.
Then about a hundred or more hammer bros, koopatrols and magikoopas appeared.
"Whoa. Well played." said lord Crump
"Well. How will it be tough guy?" said Bowser
Lord Crump thought and then said:
"Oh, I gotta laugh. That's why I keep one of these around. Sorry suckers. Eat this dorks. Superbombomb."
He then threw the superbombomb at Bowser. It bounced on his nose and fell on the ground in front of him.
"Huh? That was it? That was your great weapon? it didn't even go off" said Bowser. "Gra ha ha ha ha! That's how you do it amateur. Watch and learn.
He then blew the superbombomb with his fire breathe causing it to start shaking and smoking.
"Oh crud." said lord Crump
Then the superbombomb went off causing a massive explosion that took out both armies.
Now let's go back to Mario and his friends at Keelhaul key. Everyone had boarded Cortez's ship.
"You have proven to be a worthy fighter amigo." said Cortez. "You may use the ship whenever you like. I'll take you from Rogueport to Keelhaul key and back in no time."
"Finally, we can get home." said a toad
"Yes. I've missed it so much." said Flavio who was still on land with Mario and his friends.
"Mario." said someone.
Mario turned around and saw Francesca, Frankie, Pa-Patch and a few toads were still on the island.
"We will stay here." said Francesca. "It's been tough at times, but I'm sure we'll be alright. I can make a happy life here with my sweet Frankie."
"I'm sure you will." said Koops
"Mario. Give my regards to the boss, will you?" said Frankie
"Of course." said Mario, but below his breath, he said: "I'm sorry, but I'm not going near that creep again."
"We'll stay here too." said Pa-Patch. It's perfect without any ghosts, don't you think?"
"I'm sure they'll be fine." said Flurrie
"Yeah. Now's the time to go back home." said Bobby
"I agree." said Flavio and they all got on the ship.
"Ready amigos? Lets' cast off." said Cortez and the ship left Keelhaul key. This is the last page of Flavio's diary on the journey.
Month: ﺖ day: סּ
And thus, our adventure came to an exciting end. We left Keelhaul key and soon saw Rogueport harbor. I didn't find the treasure, but I'm satisfied nonetheless, no matter how strange that sounds. I have found something even more precious than doubloons. Yes. The joy of the crew that is finally home. And I know it is all thanks to me. To all sailors who travel the seas, Flavio blesses your way
Flavio
"It's good to be back home." said Flavio when they arrived at the harbor. "And it is all thanks to my efforts, no?"
"Sure, master Flavio." said a toad. "However, we must leave now. May fortune bring us all together again."
With these words, the whole crew left.
"What? Where are you… You're leaving already? Aww." said Flavio. "Well, that's life captain Mario."
"That reminds me." said Cortez. "If you ever wish to go back to Keelhaul key again, just come here and shout my name. I'll come and take you there faster than the fastest winds."
Yeah. Your time in the spotlight is over giant skull. Get over yourself" said Flavio. "Well, Mario, I'm sure you can't wait to continue your own adventure."
"Of course." said Mario
"One day, you may even become richer and more successful than me. You probably won't, but you have to shoot for the stars. And since my adoring fans left, I'll be going as well. If you see me in town, I'll allow you to say hello to me. Goodbye for now."
Then Flavio left.
"Okay. What do we do now?" asked Ms. Mowz
"Yeah. We don't know what to do." said Bobbery
"Simple. We just go to the thousand-year door and then we go to professor Frankly." said Vivian
"Who?" asked Bobbery
"We will explain on the way." said Mario
"Yes. Let's go." said Koops
As they were on their way Mario received a mail.
"I bet it's an e-mail from princess Peach." said Goombela
"It is indeed." said Mario and read:
"Dearest Mario,
I have good news. I don't know where I'm being held, but here's a friendly computer called TEC here. By cooperating with him, I've acquired some of the x-nauts data. TEC is currently analyzing it and strange sound, I trust him. Once his analysis is complete, I'll be able to provide you with more information about these fiends' plans. Keep collecting the crystal stars.
Sincerely,
Princess Peach
"That's great." said Koops
"I wonder what that data is." said Goombela
'We will find out soon." said Mario. "Now for the thousand-year door."
They went to the door and Mario did the same thing again. Eventually, a building appeared on a town on the map and on it appeared an orange crystal star.
"Let's take it to professor Frankly." said Mario
After our heroes took the map to professor Frankly, he looked at it and said:
"Great news my friends. The next crystal start is in Poshley Heights."
"And why is that great news?" asked Bobby
"Wait a tick." Said Bobbery. "I've heard that's where all the rich and famous live."
"Exactly." said professor Frankly. "The crystal star is in a shrine dedicated to the stars there. It's called Poshley sanctum.
"Great. How do we get there?" asked Mario
"That's the best part. You get to ride the most famous train in the world." said professor Frankly. "The excess express. After a relaxing and luxurious three-day excursion, the next crystal star will be ours. Getting those stars has been backbreaking work, but this time, it'll be a cinch."
"It sounds expensive." said Goombela. "How do we get tickets?"
"Hmmm. It's not easy. Perhaps you should ask don Pianta for help with that too."
"What? No can do. That guy's ruthless." said Bobbery
"And he said he'd kill us if we went there again." said Flurrie
"Where do you know him from?" asked Vivian
"Long story." said Mario. "Anyway, we must risk it."
"Okay. If we don't have any choice." said Bobbery
"Good. We may not have much time let so hurry. I'll learn what I can." said professor Frankly
Mario and his friends left professor Frankly's house and went to don Pianta's shop. There Mario said the password again and the clerk let them pass. When they entered the office, they realized something was not right. Don Pianta was lying on a bed and had a worrying blue colour. His two bodyguards were at his bedside and looked depressed.
"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Francesca" said don Pianta in his sleep
"What is going on here?" asked Mario
"Poor boss." said the one bodyguard. "He's been sick with loneliness since his daughter skedaddled. We are trying to help him, but we can't' do much."
"The underboss is gone, the boss is in shambles. What's the syndicate to do?" said the other bodyguard. "Competitors are stealing jobs from us left and right. But enough about our problems. What can we do for you?"
"We need tickets for the excess express." said Bobby
"What? Tickets for the rickets train around?" said bodyguard 1
"You want tickets for the rolling wingding?" said Bodyguard 2. "Well we can't do much about that. You must speak to the boss."
However, don Pianta was not able to speak. All he was able to say was:
"Francesca."
"I can't see the boss like that." said bodyguard 1
"if only we knew where Francesca and Frankie are, we could take the boss to see them." said bodyguard two
"We know where they are." said Koops. "They are on Keelhaul Key."
"What? Really?" said bodyguard 1 "Repeat that!"
"You know where they are? I swear, if you are lying, I'll turn you into confetti." said bodyguard 2
"It's true." said Mario
"Great. Then go and bring them here." said bodyguard 1. "We'd go ourselves, but we can't leave the boss unprotected.
"if you bring them here, we'll do what we can to get you tickets for the train. Deal?"
"Deal." said Mario
"Are you mad?" said Goombela after they left the office. "How do you except us to get to Keelhaul key? We don't have much time."
"You forgot what Cortez told us?" said Mario. Then they went to the harbor and Mario shouted:
"Cortez!"
A few seconds later, Cortez's ship appeared.
"You want to go to Keelhaul Key amigo?" asked Cortez
"Yes." said Mario. "Make it fast"
Immediately the ship left and soon it arrived at Keelhaul Key. Mario and his friends disembarked and soon found Francesca and Frankie and few steps outside the camp.
"Hey Mario. How's it going?" asked Frankie
"Bad news. Don Pianta is sick." said Mario
"What?" said Frankie
"Oh, poor daddy. And at a time like this." said Francesca.
"What do you mean?" asked Bobby
"Well, I lost the wedding ring Frankie gave me. I can't leave before I find it. Otherwise something may eat it." said Francesca. "I'm sure it's somewhere between here and that skull rock."
"Listen, my little coconut." said Frankie. "Shouldn't we forget about the ring for now and check on the boss?"
"How can you say this Frankie?" said Francesca. "This ring is the symbol of our love. We must find it. Unless, you don't love anymore."
"Of course I love you my bacon burger." said Frankie
"None of that sweet talk now. You're going to have to say you love me 100 times."
"100 TIMES?" said Frankie in shock
"If you love me, you must do it."
"This is getting too weird." said Goombela
"Of course I love you my sugar stack. Now please let's go."
"NO! You have to say it 99 more times Frankie."
"Fine you crazy dame."
Frankie then said: "I love you." 100 times. When he was finally done, he said:
Hfffffffff. Offffff. There, Ι said it."
"Oh Frankie. You are such a silly billy." said Francesca.
"Alright. Now let's find that ring my cream puff." said Frankie
"If don't help this will never end." said Mario. "Let's look for it too."
"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack." said Flurrie
"I can help." said Ms. Mowz. She then smelled the air and started walking around. Mario and the others followed her. She soon reached a bush and searched. She then returned to her friends and said:
"Here it is. I found it."
Indeed, she was holding a ring in her hand.
"Great work" said Bobby
"I'm used to finding stuff." she replied
"It was a good idea to take you in our team." said Mario
"Maybe." whispered Goombela who still didn't like Ms. Mowz for some reason.
Then they returned to Francesca and Frankie.
"Here's your ring." said Mario
"That's it." said Frankie. "You found it."
Francesca took the ring and wore it.
"Now we can go home mot daddy." she said
"Yes, my cheese an' cracker." said Frankie
They all went to the dock and Cortez took them back to Rogueport.
"Let's go to daddy immediately." said Francesca
"You got it." said Frankie
Mario and his friends went to don Pianta's office with Francesca and Frankie and found him like they had left him. Sick on the bed.
"Daddy! Daddy! Wake up. Open your eyes."
"Boss!"
Don Pianta didn't respond at first. He then slowly opened his eyes. Then his colour returned to normal and he said:
"Francesca? You came back for me? And you too Frankie?"
"Yes daddy. As soon as we heard you were ill, we dropped everything and left." said Francesca
Mario coughed.
"Kids. I was wrong." said don Pianta. "I was a stubborn old man. Forgive me. I know I may regret this, but I want you to stay here. I can't live without you crazy kids. It seems even don Pianta, the don of ultimate death, can't escape his old age. That's it. I'm gonna retire."
"What?" said everyone at the same time.
"Yes. And I want you to be my successor Frankie."
"What? But you've still got it in you boss" said Frankie. "And…me? Are you sure?"
"Yes. I've been thinking about it for some time." said don Pianta. "You are perfect for the job. Take care of Francesca and the syndicate as I did." He then turned to Mario and said:
"And you Mario… It seems you have done another favor for me."
"yeah. About that..." said bodyguard 1"
"Oh, this is going to be beautiful." said don Pianta. "What did you two do?"
"Well, we promised him tickets or the excess express if he brought your daughter here." Said bodyguard 2
"That's it? You had me worried or a minute there." said don Pianta. "How many do you want? One? Two? Ten? Help yourself."
"This time we need eight." said Mario
Don Pianta opened a drawer in his office, took out eight tickets and gave them to Mario. He then said:
"Now that I've retired, I'll get out of here." said don Pianta
"But boss…" said Frankie
"No "but" Frankie." said don Pianta. "You're the new boss. You'll be fine." He then left the office
"Don't worry Frankie. We can do this. I'll keep you in line." said Francesca
"I know you will my little bean." said Frankie
"Frankie, cut it out with this nonsense. Just call me Francesca." said Francesca
"Huh? F... F… F... Francesca?"
"Yes. Or miss boss. Tee hee hee."
"Underboss... I mean boss. You have our loyalty." said bodyguard 1
"Yes. We'll always be by you side." said bodyguard 2
"Thank you, Mario." said Francesca. "For everything."
"You're always welcome here. You're like a brother to me." said Frankie
"Okay." said Mario and left the office with his friends.
"We did it. Now we can go to Poshley heights." said Bobby. "the sixth crystal star is as good as ours."
"Mwee hee hee hee. I hard hat my uglies."
The all turned around to see who said that
"So, the crystal star is in Poshley heights, isn't it? That's a nice piece of information. Thank for telling me."
Then Beldam came out of the shadows.
"Beldam." said Vivian
"Normally, this is where I'd deal with you and this awful traitor Vivian, but something tells me trying this alone might be unwise, so you live for now. Instead I'll beat you to Poshley heights and get the crystal star. So long fools." She then disappeared in the shadows
"That's bad." said koops
"We have to get to Poshley heights before my sister." said Vivian
"Let's go." said Mario
They asked directions to the train station. The barely made it before the train left. They gave the conductor their tickets and boarded the train. Soon the train left for Poshley heights.
So, I'm done with interlude 5. Next will be chapter 6. Please write reviews to let me know what you think of my work.
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