Champ : Wow... You actually are right for at least one of your predictions... XD Nice job ! Thank you for the nice review ! ^^

Previously, on the Mole, the nine players were competing in a challenge in which they all had an important part to play. Mario succeeded to find what were the answers to his question thanks to Pauline, Jojora and Toad whereas Birdo, Bootler, Donkey, Noki and Flurrie were buying time answering correctly to questions asked by Monty Mole. In the end, out of the fifteen thousand coins they could win in this challenge, they only added six thousand into the pot. After that mission, the players had time to gather their thoughts for the following execution questionnaire. Three persons were exempted during this elimination : Mario, Pauline and Flurrie. In the end, it all came down to Birdo and Donkey, the latter being the lowest scorer, thus making him the second victim of the Mole. Seven true players remain, who will be eliminated next ? And just who exactly is the Mole ?

First name : Birdo

Surname : Ribbon

Birthday : May 15

Job : Fashion Designer

First name : Bootler

Surname : Majordome

Birthday : September 6

Job : Butler

First name : Noki

Surname : Delphis

Birthday : August 7

Job : Air Hostess

First name : Toad

Surname : Phalloïde

Birthday : June 1

Job : Gardener

First name : Jojora

Surname : Teeheena

Birthday : December 27

Job : Sculptor

First name : Pauline

Surname : Celeste

Birthday : June 16

Job : Model

First name : Mario

Surname : Mario

Birthday : January 22

Job : Plumber

First name : Flurrie

Surname : Cumulia

Birthday : October 29

Job : Actress

9 : Hunting the Mole

It was morning. The sun shone brightly, like he usually did during Pipetown's summers. The players were looking a little downcast after Donkey's elimination. Or more exactly, the majority of them. Indeed, three particular girls did not mind his departure. They were Birdo, Noki and Flurrie. This tight group of three friends first thought Donkey was unlucky enough to be the next one to go home, and were a little baffled and sad at his sudden execution. But this morning, it had changed.

Flurrie : Of course, we really are disappointed to see someone going home during the executions, but overall, we are just glad it isn't us who go. I think Donkey's execution will probably gather everyone together rather than divide even more the group.

Noki : I don't want to speak ill of him while he isn't here, but you have to admit that part of our failures were directly linked to him. He brought a lot of drama into the game. Hopefully, it will be over now that he is gone, but knowing myself, I probably jinxed it once again. I also am wary of Jojora, because now that Donkey is gone and if she is the Mole, she can use his execution as an enormous pretext to sabotage or to bring more drama around.

Birdo : Since Donkey's execution, Noki and I greatly suspect Jojora of being the Mole. Let me explain myself... It is really unlikely that Donkey voted for her thus making him the second victim of the Mole. She sabotaged plenty of challenges, but she always blames the other people, like Flurrie for example, and gets away with this. Obviously, we said nothing to Flurrie because, well, for the final episode, there will only be two players and the Mole. We don't really want to leave someone behind but I guess we'll have to if we include her in our alliance.

The three of them were located at the hotel's terrace, enjoying drinks and ice creams.

"And to say that I had to lose some weight," chuckled heartily Flurrie. "Well, that's not for now, I guess."

"Meh, you are pretty, I don't think you should follow a diet. You're already beautiful like this, don't you think ?" rhetorically asked Birdo.

Noki giggled. "I don't know why us, girls, always talk about this." Flurrie put a hand to her chin.

"Well, it must be because we are filmed by those movie cameras. You know, we wouldn't want to look awful in front of millions of viewers."

"Wait, you said millions ?" inquired a fearful Birdo. "I-I have to check something in my bedroom, see ya later !" Birdo stood up and went inside the hotel.

"Huh ? What happened to her ?" Noki was apparently surprised by Birdo's change of attitude. Flurrie however, shrugged it off.

"It's nothing don't worry about her. She might have just realized that she was on television and well, you know how Birdo is, right ?" Noki laughed.

...

Elsewhere, more precisely near Gate 1, Jojora and her lackeys were discussing the plans of Flurrie's elimination. Pauline, Mario, Toad and Bootler were sitting underneath a palm tree, listening to her instructions. Toad took notice of this strange plant.

"I wonder what a palm tree is doing here... It seems out of place," he whispered to Pauline. The woman wearing red looked up and saw it too.

"Do you think it's a hidden clue ? I heard that the producers might have placed some in the game."

"I don't know... Maybe ? There's something weird here."

Pauline : When Toad told me that the palm tree was out of place, I agreed wholeheartedly. But what could that mean ? That was just a tree, right ? The Mole's identity wasn't engraved on it as far as I know, so maybe it wasn't directly pointing to the Mole. Or maybe we're over-thinking things.

Pauline nodded. "I agree, but what do you think it means ? Do you think there's an exemption in it ? Should we inspect this tree ?" Toad shrugged.

"I truly doubt that there's one, to be honest. No need to pull a Flurrie here." Pauline arched an eyebrow.

"No need to pull a Flurrie ? What does it mean ?" She was clearly confused.

"Well, you know, since she's such an exemption person and always tries to grab them," Toad smiled.

"Aaaah, I see... Good one !" laughed Pauline, a little too loudly. Jojora glared at her.

"Ah-hem... What's so funny in what I've said until now, Pauline ?"

Mario and Bootler also turned to see a blushing Pauline. Mario shook his head and quickly resumed the conversation. "You know, your plan is good, but awfully suspicious. I mean, sabotaging on purpose just to get a player out ? We already don't have a lot of money into the pot, so we can't throw up challenges..."

Bootler spoke up. "I do believe that Mario is right. Additionally, I remember having seen that Toad was clearly infuriated by the lack of money situated into the team pot. I highly doubt that he would help us sabotaging. Not to mention that it is against my principles."

"We don't need to throw up all the challenges. Plus it's just for one episode, that won't kill you. And finally, not everyone will have to look suspicious. Actually I only need one person," explained Jojora, making moves with her arms.

Mario looked at her. "Who do you suggest should be the focus of attention of this episode ?"

"Why, isn't it obvious ?" Jojora asked, matter-of-factly. "Bootler." Bootler shot up from his position.

"I am sorry but I do not wish to," he clearly stated. Jojora smacked her forehead.

"Listen, you just have to look suspicious for one episode, surely it won't kill you."

Mario took Bootler's defense. "Why wouldn't you do it ? That's your plan after all... Or maybe you don't want to be the suspicious one because you are the Mole..."

"First of all, that's stupid, if I was the Mole I wouldn't come up with a plan like this one. You all agreed to be part of this operation, so you can't back up now, okay ? Otherwise, I might have to resort to low tricks and trust me, I know how to be tricky. I say that Bootler should do it because Flurrie thinks he is a threat. The question is, why is he a threat ? Simple, to her, he could likely be the Mole. But she's not sure, so she is afraid that she could lose if he stays into the game. Do you get it now ? We have more chances to succeed if Bootler is the suspicious one. Oh, and he doesn't have to sabotage much... If there's an exemption at stake, he could lose money for it and that's about it. Then, Toad and Pauline could enter onto the scene, telling Flurrie that they highly suspect Bootler because he gives off a Mole-ish aura, you know ?" Jojora more or less yelled, aggravated.

Pauline stood up and brushed her dress. "Well, I don't mind doing this. As long as we put more money into the pot in the future, I'm fine with this."

But Toad was not seeing things like this. He still kept quiet about it.

Toad : It kind of bugs me to see that people are being so strategic about the game and throw challenges because they want someone out. I mean, what's the point of the Mole if everyone blatantly sabotages and admits it ? Also, I don't think it's fair to Flurrie...

...

All around the table, the eight remaining players were eating their lunch, with Monty Mole watching them. Mario could not help but comment the awkward situation.

"You know, that's a bit creepy... I don't really like when people who don't eat watch me eating."

"Hahaha, sorry Mario. Anyway, I'm not here to creep you out, so I guess I will say what I have to say already. Toady you will be competing in your fifth challenge. However, if you have watched the previous seasons, you will be familiar with this mission," explained Monty Mole, careful not to stare at anyone.

Pauline wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Oh, really ? I wonder what it is..."

Jojora smirked. "It's a clue hunt, right ? It's the only challenge, with the exemption of the final journey, which happened during both previous seasons." Bootler eyed suspiciously the blue fairy.

"And how would you know that, exactly ?"

Jojora folded her arms. "Let's say that I did my homework, unlike most of you."

"Sure," scoffed Birdo, rolling her eyes. "So what's this clue hunt about ? We'll have to run to different places to find clues and then we try to find a word or something ?"

"Not exactly," answered the host. "It's actually a challenge in which you can win a lot of money for the team, if you are noble or information about the Mole if you are selfish and witted."

"You forgot to say that we could lost a lot of money if we sucked at navigating," pointed out Jojora. Monty Mole chuckled.

"That is very true. Anyway I will let you finish your meal, meet me outside once you are done."

Jojora : That couldn't be more perfect than that, seriously. All I have to do is to find that clue, and nobody will be able to lay a finger on me and my plans. Unless the Mole plans to reveal themselves earlier than predicted. But I doubt they would do something as stupid as that.

...

As they were told, the players headed out after lunch, to meet with Monty Mole. They already knew what was in store for them, but they still needed more details, and those details would soon come from their host.

"So we meet again," started Monty Mole. It was noticed that Jojora bit her tongue, as if refraining from making a sharp remark. "You already know more or less what you are going to do, but I still need to specify some thing. You will have one hour to find the place where the clue is located and to come back here. You will all be provided with one clue, identical for all of you, of course. Now, here's the catch : if you take the clue, you will not, and I repeat, you will not add any money to the pot. However, if you don't take the clue you will add five thousand coins to the pot."

Birdo gasped loudly. "Wow, that means we can add up to forty thousand coins... That would be totally sweet !"

Monty Mole nodded and smiled. "Indeed Birdo. Forty thousand coins can be won if you choose to stay on this very spot for an hour. Now, what I need to precise is that if you happen to be late at the rendezvous point, after one hour has passed, you will lose ten thousand coins. Penalties are individual by the way."

"So supposing that we all come back late, we will lose eighty thousand coins ?"

"Well, not exactly. We would also need to have read the clue," remarked Mario.

Pauline's left eyebrow shot up. "And how exactly do you know that the clue is readable ?"

"And that's about all... Oh yes, the clues are here, on this table," pointed out Monty Mole. "Is there any question ? No ? Well then, let's start. You may go...now !"

Monty Mole went back inside the hotel, leaving eight players clueless on what they were going to do. Suddenly, Birdo took a step and took one envelope in her hand. She eagerly ripped it open and rapidly read its contents. She nodded to herself and took a few more steps toward the center-town. "Well guys, I'll be going now ! See ya !"

Toad was the next to reach for an envelope, but he was stopped by Jojora who asked him to wait a moment. Thus, this made Flurrie and Noki the next ones to venture into Pipetown. They chose to work together and waved briefly to the others. When they disappeared from everyone's view, Jojora spoke up.

"Here's the plan, I'll be the only one to look for the clue," she started before being interrupted by Pauline.

"Wait a moment, why would you be the one to look for that important thing ?"

"And why wouldn't I, exactly ? If four of us stay here, we'll win twenty thousand coins for sure, right ?" Mario shook his head.

"And why wouldn't you wait instead of looking for that precious clue ?" Jojora sighed.

"Because it's my plan. Any other question ?" As Toad was raising his hand, she continued. "Good. Now, first, we need to invent a story for Flurrie to believe. The four of you can think about it on your own. Say something like 'Bootler wanted to make us search for the clue, it was suspicious', or something along those lines. Secondly, I need help with this clue," as she pronounced those words, she showed them the clue.

Hello, here's the Mole ! I'll only say one thing : the clue is already in the palm of my hand !

Toad looked at the others' hands frantically. "Come on, reveal yourself !" He noticed the strange stares that were directed at him. "What ?"

"Never mind," brushed it off Bootler. "I think there is more than meets the eye in this clue. Something does strike me as strange, can you deduce what it is ?"

"No time for silly games !" exclaimed Pauline. "Just tell us already, please."

"If that is your wish. I think that we need to look for a miniature of a mole. In its hand should be the clue."

Mario scratched his chin. "No, that can't be it. Remember, we are looking for a place. Well, at least that's what Monty said. A miniature mole would be too small for us to notice. And I'm sure that there isn't a huge mole in this town, so that must be something else."

"Hey Pauline, maybe it could be the palm tree of this morning ? You know, it was suspicious."

Pauline shrugged. "You said yourself that there probably wasn't anything on it, though. Did you change your mind ?"

"Well, it was out of place and this clue mentions a 'palm', do you get it ?" Toad asked.

"Good thinking !" smiled Pauline. "Hey Jojora, Toad found where it is ! Go to Gate 1 and look for a palm tree !"

"Okay, well then, I'm gone ! Be careful not to say anything to Flurrie and the others ! And don't forget to make up a story to convince her to vote for Bootler either !" With that, she ran toward Gate 1.

Jojora : Those fools... I can't believe they didn't question me further... I mean, they don't see that I'm in total control of the game right now ? If I wanted to, I could keep the clue for myself. Of course I won't, unless they decide to break our contract.

Mario : I'm not sure it was a good idea to let Jojora go all by herself, maybe someone should have accompanied her. But then again, we would have lost another five thousand coins, so I guess it's better this way.

...

"Excuse me sir," politely asked Birdo. "May I ask you for your help ?"

Unfortunately, she was ignored. Grumbling to herself, she tried to think about her problem for a second.

Birdo : There was no way I could guess what this clue meant all by myself. I think it would have been more clever to look for it with Noki. Oh well, what's done is done, I suppose.

"Well, maybe I'll have more chances if I go to some place that gathers people..."

She crossed the road and walked a little distance before reaching what she thought was a bar and opened the door. She went to the bar, and noticed a single person, cleaning up glasses. They looked at her bewildered.

"Can I ask you what you are doing in a nightclub on this sunny afternoon ?"

Birdo blushed and quickly got out, feeling ridiculed. After some time, she looked annoyed at the cameraman who was following her. "I know that you are going to broadcast this on TV ! You always show the players' dumbest actions to the viewers, so no, I'm not going to ask you to remove it from the final montage !" She regained her composure and looked intently at the camera. "Or maybe I will. Please ?"

...

Flurrie and Noki were looking for the clue, but had no dice. They paused a minute and two and looked another time at the clue which was in their hand.

"It's in the Mole's palm, what does it mean exactly ?"wondered aloud Flurrie.

"I have no clue," admitted Noki. "I wish the messages weren't so cryptic sometimes."

"Well, that's the thing. I think they made it so we could understand it. That would be stupid otherwise."

"Yes, but it doesn't help much. Thankfully, we're not lost so we will add more coins to the pot. Should we go back ?" Noki besought.

"Yeah we should while we can," nodded the cloud spirit.

Noki : It was frustrating to finally have a chance at winning extra information on the Mole and to blow it. Such an opportunity won't present itself again before a long time... I guess it can't be helped, we should have thought about it before trying to look for the clue.

...

Jojora had run to Gate 1 in order to look for the clue, but so far, there was no sign of it. She first thought that Toad or Pauline had lied to her, but then she shook her head. There indeed was a palm tree in front of her, after all.

Somebody approached her from behind, somebody she did not know. She was going to snap at him when he offered his help. "You seem to be in a pickle, could I do anything to help you ?"

Jojora gauged him. "Would you happen to know if there is another palm tree somewhere around ?"

"A palm tree ? Strange thing to look for... But fear not, as I know there is another one near Gate 6 !"

"Really ? Oh thank you very much ! I would hug you if you weren't that ugly "

Without another word, Jojora departed to Gate 6 where she supposed the clue was waiting for her.

...

Back at the hotel's entrance, the four players left were debating whether they should follow Jojora's plan or improvise something on their own. Ultimately, it was decided to follow Jojora's instructions. Soon enough, when they saw Flurrie and Noki coming back from their clue hunt, they decided to put it in action.

"What !" exclaimed Pauline loudly, attracting Flurrie's and Noki's attention. "You want us to search now that there's less than half an hour left ? You must be mad !"

Toad joined in the charade, although he seemed clearly more somber than Pauline. "Yeah, she's right. I'm sorry Bootler, but only the Mole would want to take that risk."

"Or so you say," smartly answered Bootler, taking a glance at Flurrie's face. "I just think we could at least try to look there."

Pauline raised her eyebrow. "You know that, assuming we go to where you think the clue is, we won't have enough time to make it back in time ? Plus I sincerely doubt it is right."

"Guys, come on, it was just a suggestion, right Bootler ?" interfered Mario.

Bootler nodded with all his might. "Why, of course it was my dear. I was not forcing anyone to look for it, was it ? It was only a suggestion, as Mario said."

"Or so you say," mimicked Toad.

Bootler : It looked as though Toad was not even trying to play along. Maybe he does feel bad about what he is going, but he cannot renounce now that he is part of our plan. He must side with us until the next episode. Or else, Jojora will probably not give him the clue. I assumed that was why she wanted to look for the clue alone and I could be right, wouldn't you think so ?

It was then that Flurrie and Noki decided to show themselves, thinking they had heard enough. "Hey guys, we're back... Without the clue, unfortunately," Flurrie told them.

Noki laughed bitterly. "Yeah, that's too bad. I really wanted to get my hands on it."

After a few more exchanges, Flurrie moved away from the group, dragging with her Pauline. "Hey, could you tell me what happened with Bootler, we heard a little about it but I would want to know everything that happened."

"It's nothing, really," Pauline dismissed her, waving her hand. Then she looked at her interlocutor another time and divulged everything she knew. "Okay, Bootler was acting really strangely back then. He tried to have us look for the clue when he knew there wasn't much time left. He definitely knew there wasn't much time left, because he told us the clue was probably somewhere near one of the eleven gates and one time we went from the doors' location to the hotel and it took us twenty five minutes. And we weren't walking slowly."

Flurrie : Pauline just told me something really interesting. Maybe I'd want to share it with Noki or Birdo. Or maybe I wouldn't want to. It confirms my suspicions anyway, even if I'm not one hundred percents sure he is the Mole.

Pauline : Hopefully we were successful and she bought it.

...

Eventually, one hour passed. Seven players and the host were waiting for the last one to arrive. Birdo was fifteen minutes late. She was out of breath when she arrived, so Noki quickly gave her a bottle of water.

"Good ! Now that everyone is here, I shall announce the results of your mission. Let's start with Jojora. She was the only one who found the clue, so she doesn't add five thousand coins to the pot, but since she came back on time, she doesn't make you lose money."

The players clapped for her, seeing as she was the only one to find the true location, even if four players knew exactly how she pulled it out.

"Now, there's the matter of Birdo. She did come really near the clue location but never found it. Also, since she was late, she makes you lose five thousand coins."

Mario : It looked like Birdo did her best, I'm not going to blame her for a single mistake. Of course, this information will go into my journal, I guarantee it.

"Well, the other six, however, did not find the clue, nor did they arrived late. I'm happy to tell you that those six therefore add thirty thousand coins to your pot. Congratulations !" Monty Mole applauded.

Challenge's Results :

Money Won : Thirty Thousand – Five Thousand = Twenty Five Thousand

Team Pot : Fifty Nine Thousand coins.

The players all cheered, rather happy of the number of coins they had added to the pot. Some of them had mixed feelings, predominantly about the fact that Jojora had a bit of an edge on them.

"Well, the challenge is over, you may do whatever you please until tomorrow."

"Well, this episode seems like it will be less long than the previous two," pointed out Birdo.

Monty Mole laughed nervously. "Err... You can't really expect us to create amazing challenges like the previous ones each time, can you ? Not to mention that we needed to have this one now, it would have been worthless to have it during episode four or five. Crap, I've said too much already. Anyway, see you all !"

Bootler : If I can deduce what he meant with his slip-up, I could gain new information. The only problem is that his mistake was too vague for me to take advantage of it. Such a shame...

...

Jojora and her four allies were holding a meeting for the umpteenth time. She was gloating about her victory and the strategy she used in the Clue Hunt challenge, most to the annoyance of the others. Finally, Toad asked her the question they all had in mind.

"So ? What are you waiting for to give us the clue too ?"

Jojora smirked. "I'm not going to show you just yet."

She received baffled stares. Bootler broke the ice. "You really are smart and sly, despite your rudeness."

She smiled. "Why thank you. I knew you would understand my reasons."

Pauline was unnerved. "Wait, what is it all about ? We followed your plan, so give us the clue right there right now ! I even convinced Flurrie myself that Bootler was suspicious ! Do you want us to break off our alliance ?"

"Actually, I'm doing that for the good of this alliance you are talking about. I'm making sure that none of you will break the conditions of our pact once you are given the clue, and that is why I can't give it to you just now."

Before anyone could ask anymore questions, Bootler answered them. "Basically, Jojora does not give us the content of the clue because she is afraid we will give information to Flurrie afterward. I assume she will give it to us right before the third execution..."

"Yep, that's about it. I especially suspect you, Toad. I think you are more likely to jump ships than the other three. So yeah, I won't say it to anyone, and if I happen to hear that you talked to Flurrie or the two other girls during that episode – about the game of course - I won't tell you what's inside this envelope. I'm sure it would hurt your game if you were to break the promise you made yesterday."

Toad yelled. "That's blackmail ! You can't do that !"

"Or can I ? Anyway, I'm done here. You can do whatever you want to do." With that, she left them, a smug smile gracing her features.

Toad : I'm so mad right now ! I can't believe she deems me as not trustworthy enough ! That really kills me ! Why didn't I look for the clue all by myself ? And why did I agree with this stupid plan actually ? After this one, I'm done with coalitions. Well, I'm done making business with bad guys, that's what I meant.

...

All alone in her bedroom, Flurrie was reviewing her latest journal entry when suddenly, Noki and Birdo barged into her room.

"Flurrie, we have- Well, it would be more exact to say that you are the one who has a big problem," panted Noki, gasping for breath. Birdo nodded, still having trouble breathing.

"Actually, as I was going to the restroom, I overhead an interesting discussion between our five 'friends'... And-" She was cut off abruptly by Noki.

"They want to get rid of you !" blurted out the shell-shaped inhabitant of Delfino Island. "The five of them, and I mean by that Jojora, Mario, Pauline and even Bootler and Toad !"

Flurrie put her hand to her mouth. "Well, well, well, isn't that interesting...? I should have known it... Am I really a nuisance to you guys ? Because it seems that everyone wants me to quit this game..."

"Are you kidding me ?" shouted Birdo. "If anything, you shouldn't go ! My guess is that Jojora's so bitter after Donkey was eliminated that she wants you to go. But Noki and I don't want it to happen."

Flurri sighed loudly. "Listen, this game isn't as amusing as I thought it would be. I had a good reason to fill the form to participate, but with Jojora it's getting harder and harder to concentrate and almost everyone is lying to me, so I can't rely on anyone... Of course, I won't give up." She then whispered to herself. "At least, not yet."

"So, what can we do ? This show doesn't look like the Mole anymore with Jojora trying to rule it all by herself !"

"I actually wonder what her motives are... We have to discover who the Mole is, we shouldn't try to get rid of each other !" remarked Noki, visibly upset.

Birdo pondered. "Maybe... Maybe we ought to act as if we never knew a thing ? That way they will think that everything is going according to their plan ?"

"That won't be enough," stated Flurrie. "Just doing as if we didn't know anything won't change a thing. That could make things worse."

"I know what we could do !" exclaimed a shining Noki. "Listen, information is the key, right ? So here's what we are going to do..."

Well, sorry for the long wait and the short chapter, but I absolutely wanted to insert this challenge in my story. You know, tradition and all that stuff, lol ! ^^' *shot hung tazed*

I think this episode will be the shortest by far. I don't know why, but I don't have many ideas for challenges where you have 8 players. It's not like you can do a 4 VS 4 after all. ^^""" There are, like, too many players and not enough at the same time, an in-between number I guess...

Feel free to criticize and to leave a review, I would greatly appreciate it (as well as giving me tips as to how to write in a better way. XD). ^^

See you soon, hopefully ! ^^