Beanbean Outskirts...
The trio made their way to Chucklehuck Woods to get the reserve to turn Queen Bean back to normal.
They ran into things like Parabeanies[Beanies with wings] and Sharpeas along the way, but they weren't much of a threat. Luckily for them, Aaron knew most of this kingdom like the back of his hand, meaning that getting to the woods wasn't gonna be an issue.
They went up some ledges onto a cliff, went across a bridge and on the cliff on the other side and across from the cliff they were on, was the gate to Chucklehuck Woods, with two Beanish in suits.
They did a Spin Jump across to the gate and on of the Beanish folk said, "Travel is permitted only for select individuals in order to guard the Chucklehuck Woods ecology."
Mario showed them the Beanbean Brooch he was given from Lady Lima, making the other Beanish say, "Oh! The Beanbean Brooch! The mark of special guests of the Beanbean Castle!" "Very well, then! We shall permit you to enter these woods!"
The two moved as the gate lowered.
"We hope you will enjoy a taste of the incredibly full-flavored Chuckola Cola while you are here." "We will. Thanks!" The trio said as they went to Chateau De Chucklehuck. They have to go through there in order to get to the woods.
When they walked in said chateau, they saw some cutouts that showed how Chuckola Cola was made. I'll explain it: It all starts by getting the main ingredient in Chuckola Cola: Chuckola Fruit, which only grows in Chuckola Woods. Next thing you do is place on fruit into a barrel filled up with syrup. This part doesn't make a lot of sense, but the next thing to do is tell funny jokes to the fruit in the syrup until it laughs making soda bubbles in the brew. It all depends on the quality of the fruit and the jokes that will affect the brewing process.
"'The premier form of Chuckola Cola, absolutely overflowing with gags, is known as the Chuckola Reserve.'" Aaron read on the last sign, "(to the Bros) I've had Chuckola Cola for a while. I wonder what the reserve tastes like."
The three went down a hallway, which led to a bunch of barrels. There was an opening, which they went into, but now they're in a huge maze.
On the other side of said maze, we see Mario and Luigi exit the maze, but someone else behind them.
It's a Beanish that has upper portion of his face is concealed by a purple mask and a grey beret with a green tuft sticking out or the top, while the lower portion shows him to have an unusually large mouth, usually in a large, toothy grin. He's wearing a long sleeved shirt with purple and grey stripes, white gloves, and a pair of dark grey pants that are oversized at the waist, and his shoes seem to blend in with said pants.
Feeling something was wrong, the Bros turned around and saw the Beanish. He got spooked, sped past them, and climbed on some crates onto the barrels.
"There you guys are." Aaron said, coming out of the maze. The Bros shrugged it off and the three used the High Jump to climb on top of the crates and onto the barrels. Once they were on top, they went through a passage through the wall.
On the other side of the passage, they saw the Beanish again who was thinking out loud.
"Ooooh! Boo! Blast! Criminy!" he said, "The famous shadow thief, Popple, has been caught in full sight!"
"Popple?" Aaron said, getting his attention. "Cripes! You think you're ready, do ya? Well nobody's more ready than me, see? I'll show you!" Popple ran off and the trio followed him.
"You know him? Luigi asked. "Yep, he's the so-called, 'shadow theif' of the Beanbean Kingdom. Somehow I keep running into him." "And he's supposed to be a shadow thief?" Mario asked. "I know, right?"
Popple then said, "Rookie! Rookie! Shake a leg!" "Yes, boss!"
When the three caught up to him, 'Rookie' showed up. Said person looked a lot like-
"Bowser?!" The trio said.
It was Bowser, but he has on a blue cat burglar-styled mask on.
"Ok, Rookie, it's your time, see? I want you to squash those red, green, and black drips there!" "Yes, boss!"
Mario, Luigi and Aaron went to 'Rookie' and tried talking some sense into him, but it wasn't working.
"Red and Green...I feel like I know these two from somewhere...Weird..." 'Rookie' said. "Whaaat?! Rookie! Are you saying you're acquainted with these palookas?" "Yeah, something about them feels reeeeeeeeal familiar...It makes me feel...Real Mad!"
"Quit your babbling, you! (to the trio) You three ugly mugs came here for the same reason as us! You want the fabled Chukola Reserve! Boo! Boo, I say! You really think you can beat me to the punch? Well, open up those ears, punks! I, Popple, shadow thief, filcher of the world's riches...bet you that I get to the Chuckola Reserve first! Rookie, go to it!"
'Rookie' readied his claws as the trio got into battle stances.
Play the Battle Theme 'Popple and Rookie DX' here.
The battle started with Popple rushing at Mario, but before he could do something, Popple got whack by his hammer.
'Rookie' then pulled out hammers and threw one at each member of the trio, only for them to be hit away by their own hammers.
They did the Super Splash move on Popple making 'Rookie' say, "How dare you guys try to mess with Boss!" He then threw more hammers and they got whacked away.
They did the Super Bounce move on Popple and 'Rookie'. Popple rushed at Luigi, only for him to be jumped on.
'Rookie' suddenly said, "For some reason, fighting these guys makes my gut flare up something fierce!" He suddenly spit out a ball of fire at Aaron making him jump over it.
"Whoa! That was spicy!" 'Rookie' said. "Great work, Rookie! You just keep at it, see?" He did it again but at Luigi this time.
After getting jumped on by Mario, Popple was K.O.'d. "Boss! Noooooo!" said 'Rookie'.
The trio dodged more of the attacks. He breathed fire at Aaron, then at Mario. He also threw more hammers at the three. They still haven't got hit.
On that topic, 'Rookie' was K.O.'d by Luigi's hammer.
The trio wins again!
Cut the music!
Popple and 'Rookie' were lying on the ground. Suddenly, Popple got up and angerly said to 'Rookie', "Rookie! You bloated idiot! Who took you in when you were dazed and lost on the mountain? Me! You worthless vermin!"
"So that's where he ended up..." Luigi said.
"I'm...so ashamed..." said 'Rookie'. "Meh! I don't care, see? We're fine as long as we get the Chuckola Reserve! Let's not mess with these three knuckleheads. We'll scram and hurry on ahead! Yeah..."
Popple sped off and 'Rookie' followed him.
"Hey!" Mario said, before the trio went after them.
Popple and 'Rookie' were already gone. Man, those two were quick.
Mario, Luigi, and Aaron still continued on their way. A big barrel was blocking their way, so they pushed it out of the way, but when it hit the crates, it broke open and out came three men.
They're also Beanish, but these have on powdered wigs and suits with different colored shirts under the jackets. The one with the red one's Cork, the one with green is Cask, and the one with the black one's Cap.
Cork, realizing they were out of the barrel said, "'Ave I been saved? Rescued? Moi? Zut alors! (to the trio)'Allo! I am zee maitre of zee chateau. Cork, zat is me!" Cask said, "And moi, I am zee petit brother of Cork, my name eez Cask!" Cap said, "As for moi, I am Cap. Zee youngest of us trois!" Cask said, "We were stoofed into zese barrels by two tres bizarre characters. Are you zee ones 'oo saved us?"
Mario nodded then said, "I think the 'bizarre characters' are after the Chuckola Reserve in the woods." "We're on our way to get it too." said Luigi.
Cork said, "Ah, oui. Mmm...'Owever, zere eez one problem." "And that would be?" Aaron asked. Cap said, "Zee problem eez, whether or not zat legendary soda even truly exists...Why, even zee three of us 'ave never seen nor drunk zat famed drink, zee Chuckola Reserve." Cask said, "Behind Chucklehuck Woods eez a sanctuary no one can touchez! Getting zere eez not easy."
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Aaron said, "It might be a challenge, but we can make it." "Oh yeah." said Mario after a jump, "We've jumped and stomped on a lot of enemies." "And we hammered large rocks in our way into pebbles." Luigi said, after hitting his hammer on the ground. "So yeah, I think we can make it without a problem."
Cork thought for a second then said, "Mmm...Perhaps vous could get through zee woods...But not with zese moves alone. (to his brothers) Cask, Cap, perhaps with zat wonderful 'ammer..." The two thought about it then Cask said, "Oui. Tres bien, mon frère." "Indeed, little old moi was thinking zee exact same thing!" Cap finished.
"Eh-hem! Pardon moi!" Cork said as he, Cask, and Cap walked past the trio and into the next room. Said trio looked at each other then followed them.
In the next room, they saw Cork, Cask, and Cap finish talking.
Cork noticed them come in and said, "After 'aving a tete-a-tete with mes frères just a moment ago, we 'ave decided! To thank vous for 'elping us, we 'ave decided to teach you three 'ammer techniques!" Cask said, "These are techniques that 'ave been perfected and refined and passed down 'ere at zees chateau." Cap said, "If you master zese, zey should 'elp you in your bon voyage in zee woods."
Cork then asked, "Do you wish to try to master zese 'ammer techniques?" "Mhm./Oh yeah./Of course." The trio answered.
Cask said, "First, Monsieur Green, give me your 'ammer." Luigi did so. "Mmm...Oui, I see. With zees 'ammer you can make your frère to get into hard to reach areas." "Really? How?" "Watch zis."
Cask turned to Cork and hit him with the hammer, which made Cork half his size! The trio was surprised.
"Et voila! Zat is zee secret 'ammer technique! Swing zee 'ammer 'igh and watch it plongez down with zee joie de vivre of zee woods!" Cork jumped a bit to show that he was okay, then Cask continued, "Anyone with such a technique will become micro-sized. Oui. Tres, tres petit. Anyone zis size would feel like a mouse. You could go into tiny holes for micro-adventures!"
Whoa, Cask, let's keep it rated T, okay?
"To return to normal, just swing zee 'ammer again in a superb whack d'amour!" He whacked Cork again and he returned to normal size. "Allez! Go! Try it!" Cask said, giving Luigi back his hammer.
The younger brother turned to Mario, whacked him, and he was half his height!
"Oh! Incroyable! To think you could produce zee joie de vivre of zee woods on zee first shot! Eh...Alors, perhaps you should try to put 'im back to normal."
Luigi hit Mario again. You know, not a lot of people would trust their brother to do something like this to them.
"Excellent! Magnifique! Vous could be a genius!"
Cork said, "Now zen, Monsieur Red, give me your 'ammer zis time." Mario did so. "Now, when something seems out of reach, you can use zis technique shall do zee trick!" "What is it?" "Watch zis."
Cork turned to Cap and whacked him with Mario's hammer. Cap ended up with abdomen and arms folded like an accordion!
"Crashing down on a gust of wind with zee power of zee earth! Anyone struck with zis 'ammer will be extendable as zee rubber bands. Good for zee grabbing distant items and reaching small areas!" Cap demonstrated by reaching and grabbing a Chuckola Fruit from a crate n the other end of the room. "To return to normal, just hit again with great force!" He hit Cap again and he was back to normal. Allez! Go! Try it!"
Cork gave Mario back his hammer and said brother whacked Aaron and his body was folded up!
"Ah, bon! Zee power of zee earth crashes down in a burst of wind! Zat was perfect! Ah oui, now hit again to return him to normal."
Mario did so and Aaron's folds were gone. "Fantastique!"
Cap then said, "Monsieur Black, et eez your turn. Lend me your 'ammer." Aaron did so. "Now, say if something were in zee way and zere was nowhere to go but under. Vous could use zee 'ammer to make it 'appen." "How do I do that?" "Wacth zis."
Cap hit Cask with Aaron's hammer which made Cask go deep into the ground!
"Ah, with zee strength of zee ox, and speed of zee dragonfly! Whoever eez struck by zis 'ammer will be completely buried and 'idden in zee ground. Of course, in zis state, moving is possible. One feels much like a mole. Why, vous can even sneak under fences for micro-adventures. To come back above ground, just jump." Cask demonstrated by doing so. "Allez! Go! Try it!"
After he was given his hammer back, Aaron whacked it down onto Luigi and he was dunked into the ground!
"Étonnant! Such strength and speed! Ah oui, now just pop up out of zee ground again!"
Luigi did so. "Éblouissant! Éblouissant indeed!"
Cork said, "Now it eez time to put zese new 'ammer techniques to zee test!" Cask continued, "Use zee techniques you learned to get zee three cola goblets in zee room next door. Zee three goblets of which I speak are two of zee Beanbean Kingdom's greatest treasures!" Cask finished, "Zee sparkling glass is brilliante! It eez zee perfect reward for you who have gained zese techniques. So, monsieurs! Procure zee three goblets!"
The trio headed into the next room over.
In there, they first came across a small archway with a metal floor in front of it. They knew Luigi couldn't make it in because the metal would be in the way, so Luigi hit Mario with his hammer and the older brother went into the opening in the wall. A few seconds later, Mario came out with a red sparkling goblet.
That's one down.
Mario was it back to normal and the trio went to get the next goblet, which was on the other side of a metal fence. Aaron hit Luigi into the ground and said brother went under the fence, popped out of the ground, and got the green cola goblet. He hit the button that was on the wall with his hammer which made lowered the fence into the floor.
That makes two.
The trio went to the last goblet, which was on the other side of some spikes. Why are there spikes in the chateau? No idea. They could use the Spin Jump, but the platform on the other side of the spikes is too small for three people to fit on. Mario then hit Aaron with his hammer and the Italian told Aaron to stretch and grab onto the handle on the platform where the black goblet was. Aaron did so, and when he was on the platform, he grabbed the black cola goblet, turned off the spikes by hammering a button on the wall, and went back to the Bros.
With all three goblets, they then went back to Cork, Cask, and Cap.
"Oh, you got zee Red Goblet, zee Green Goblet, and zee Black Goblet!" Cap said when he and his brothers were shown what the trio gathered, "Monsieurs, you are amazing!"
Cask said, "Incroyable! Zere is nothing left for us to teach you! You 'ave mastered zee 'ammer techniques perfectly!"
Cork said, "Well, monsieurs, you may enter Chuckhuck Woods in search of zee famous cola, Chuckola Reserve!"
The three brothers then excused themselves then left the room. As for the trio, they left the chatuea and went into the woods to get the reserve.