Champ : Thanks for the review, and you know, your suggestion was really good. ^^ I'm not sure I'll use it for this story though, but it certainly will help me for another one. ^^ Don't worry about the small size of your review, it doesn't really matter how long or short it is. ^^
Koopa2pa : Thank you for your review and the fact that you put this story in your favorites ! ^^ Nice suspicions, but unfortunately, I can't tell you if you misplaced people or not, because I am still unsure as to whom will make it to the next round. ^^'' I like reading your suspicions, that's funny. ^^
Ice Empoleon : XD for your comment about Noki. Yeah, in the actual show, I also hope that nobody will be able to see their loved ones, because they usually cry afterwards, and well, it's fun to watch *shot*. Okay, I'll really try to separate clearly each idea in the next explanation. Or maybe shorten it, that would be best...but that's not always possible. And yes, that made sense, you want me to have the characters comment on the explanation of the mission while the host is explaining it. ^^ Thank you for the review ! ^^
DryBonesKing : Thanks for the review! ^^ I actually thought the relative challenge could have been better, but oh wel... At least it pleased you. Cool suspicions too ! ^^ Maybe I should put up a poll... That could be a good idea... ^^'
Previously, on the Mole, the players finished their first mission of Episode Four. While it had begun rather well, the three last players had a bit of trouble -mostly Bootler and Jojora, who failed their challenge- and in the end, less than half of the coins at stake entered the Team Pot. The players were then delighted to see that they would be able to spend time with their loved one, even the ones for whom nothing was quite determined as the players who had to win against their opponents had lost. They chatted and mingled for the rest of the day while Pauline, Toad, Bootler and Grace broke into Jojora's room to look at the clue she had not shared during Episode Three. After the foursome went about their business, Jojora took Mario with her to her room and formed a coalition with him. What will happen next?
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
14 : In the Limelight
The sun was shining brightly that morning, as though it had secretly known about the players' next assignment and wanted to show them that it was more knowledgeable than them. Or was it? One of the player obviously knew as well. That person was the Mole... A faker... The rival of the Sun, in some sort of way.
Laughter rang in the hotel's lounge. It was breakfast, Monty Mole, the players and their loved ones were all sharing the same table, discussing slightly loudly and livening up the atmosphere. Mario, always focused when it came to the game, was secretly taking notes about the other players.
Mario : I think that now is the time to strike. What I mean by that, is that everyone has his or her guard down, so it will be easier to notice strange behaviors or to pick up on some Freudian slips... Or even small slips, I'm not difficult. I'm still a little confused as to who the Mole is, especially after Jojora showed me the clue. Was it the real one? I'm not sure... The worst thing being that if it's the real clue, then it points to Jojora who was the only one who had it in her hand. But if it was her, why would she give it to me? This game isn't for kids.
Luigi laughed when he looked at Mario. He then wiped his mouth. "I didn't know you loved this game more than me."
Mario groaned and turned his attention to his little brother. "Bro, you know why I'm doing that. I don't want to be the next one eliminated. Besides, I just need to investigate a little more and then I'll find out who's the Mole and come back home proudly and wave my check at you!"
"Really?" smiled Luigi, expectantly.
"No," answered Mario, crushing his brother's hopes. Everyone laughed at Luigi.
"You seem like you're having a great time in this game show, I wish I could play too," pouted Toadette. Birdo nodded.
"Well, it could be better without drama, but I won't complain today since we're all together." Most of the players chuckled lightly at her remark.
"Maybe we'll have our chance too, one day," dreamed Yoshi.
Noki raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean exactly?"
"Err... I was just saying that maybe we'll have an opportunity to participate in a game like this, one day," clarified Yoshi.
Pauline : I think this clue helped me figuring out who the Mole was... If I'm not mistaken, then I've been on the right track all along. I feel excited yet anxious at the same time... I only hope that I'm right. For now, I'm going to stick to my beliefs.
"So, what's the program for today?" asked Toad. "Do we get to relax or something?"
"Not exactly," answered Monty Mole. "I have a challenge for you, but it will wait until it's been two o' clock on my watch."
"I thought as much," smiled Bootler, looking content. "Well, if I may excuse myself..."
"I am coming with you," informed Lady Bow, following Bootler to his room.
"See you later guys!" waved Grace.
...
Bootler and Lady Bow went to the former's room, and sat down on the bed. Bootler took his journal out of the drawer of his desk. Lady Bow watched him with amusement in her eyes.
"Well, Bootler? May I know why you had to come to your room?" inquired the pale green ghost.
"Oh, it is rather simple. I need your opinion. Who do you think the Mole is, or who do you think the Mole could be?"
Bootler : I decided to ask my lovely princess to help me, because I want to know if with we are in tune or not. Although I am fairly sure that she cannot find out the Mole on her first pick, I think that her opinion matters.
Lady Bow pondered. "If I had to choose someone, at first sight, I would say...Noki. The girl seems a bit secretive and somewhat shady, in my opinion."
Bootler nodded and gave her his journal. He then asked her to read it entirely and to give him her opinions as to who the Mole was afterward. Lady Bow complied and began to read Bootler's journal. Once she finished, she told him who she suspected.
"I must be biased since I read your journal, but after that I'm more leaning toward Jojora, Toad and Birdo. Are we done here?" besought the Boo princess.
"I believe we are," nodded Bootler. "Thank you for your help, milady."
…
Birdo : So Noki and I had this genius idea! Well, more Noki than I, but whatever. We're going to use Pianta and Yoshi as informants. Actually, all they're going to do is talk and listen to the other loved ones, but it's great anyway, because we'll gain information on people that usually say nothing about themselves and who, unlike myself, are quite secretive. Like, for example... Bootler and Jojora.
Noki : Everyone knows that Birdo and I are tight, so they try not to say much when we are around, afraid that they might lend us a hand in finding out who the Mole is. We are currently trying to find alternate means to get what we want. Hopefully, our strategy works this time.
Noki and Birdo went to see Toad, who was sitting besides Toadette. Toadette was too busy eating, but Toad had long finished and was waiting impatiently for the next challenge. Birdo and Noki entertained him and also asked him things about the game, still waiting for something to happen. That thing happened as Jojora and Mario excused themselves from the table and went to their room. Birdo and Noki immediately winked at Pianta and Yoshi, who nodded in return. Monty Mole caught sight of their silent exchange and smiled lightly.
"Hey Luigi!" greeted Yoshi. "Do you mind if I sit next to you? You seem a little lonely, where's your brother?"
"Wow wow wow! No need to be so hyper! I'll never understand how you do this Yoshi, and I don't mind you, make yourself at home!"
On the other side, Pianta headed toward Chucklissa. "May I sit here?"
"Yeah, do as you wish. Jojora went somewhere with Mario, after all," replied the muscular woman.
"What an unlikely pair," murmured Pianta. Chucklissa chuckled.
"Yeah, well, they are in a coalition, you know... Since yesterday apparently."
Pianta was bewildered. "A coalition, you say? That's strange, I thought they would work solo. I mean, they do look like the type to do so."
"Huh, you think so? Jojora always preferred working with people rather than doing everything on her own," Chucklissa continued to work.
"That's interesting... So, what do you do for a living? We might as well try to get to know each other better, don't you think so?"
Birdo : Our plan seemed to work, and I definitely think it will help us later on, since Noki and I mostly suspect Mario and Jojora. Well, we also suspect Pauline Toad and Bootler, but we think the most suspicious ones are the hero and the fairy. Especially the latter since we sabotaged almost all of the challenge. Blatantly, sure, but it was still sabotage.
Meanwhile, Grace and Pauline were reviewing the latter's journal, trying to connect the dots. Grace helped in pointing out what could have been genuine mistakes and possible sabotages.
Pauline : Having our loved one around really helps, because we know for sure that they don't want to hurt us and that they're on our side. You can never trust anyone in this game... You have to suspect everyone, even a little, if you want to stay in it.
…
Soon, it was time for the players' next challenge to take place. Monty Mole led the way, as always, while the players and their loved ones followed closely behind him, talking animatedly. They went across Pipetown until they reached the Gates. There, Mario spoke up.
"So I guess it's time for us to make groups, huh?" he asked matter-of-factly.
"Will we play in this challenge as well?" asked Toadette, psyched up at the thought that she could partake in another game.
"That won't be possible," apologized Monty Mole, looking away from her. "Sorry, I don't design this game. Just so you know, though, you will be free to do what you want to do with the other guests. And trust be, you will soon forget this disappointing news." Toadette nodded, unsure of what should be her response to Monty Mole's puzzling claim.
Toad : I think it's our first time working together as a team. Usually, we're being separated in groups, and I think it's easier to pinpoint the Mole that way, so that's why I'm not too happy about the fact that we'll be working together. Must be me, though. I heard the others preferred this kind of challenge.
Mario : Finally! I've been waiting for a challenge like this! I'll finally be able to watch closely every player of this game. However, I think that it will be a tough challenge so I mustn't lower my guard.
"Let me tell you that we're going to Neon Heights! Isn't that great?" announced Monty Mole.
"You're kidding me, right? That's awesome!" cheered Birdo, clapping her hands together. "I've always wanted to go there!"
Monty Mole smirked. "Well, you'll still have to participate in our next challenge, so maybe it will not be as fun as what you would think. For the loved ones, however, it will be really great. You'll get to spend a good amount of time there, so feel free to do what you want to do!"
The loved ones cheered and laughed at the players' misfortune.
"Oh well," sighed Bootler, "I guess we will have our hands full ourselves."
"Pretty much," nodded Monty Mole. "Now, if you would so kind as to follow me..." The group of fifteen individuals entered Gate number seven and proceeded to the next junction where it took the warp pipe number four.
…
Monty Mole, the loved ones and the players emerged from the warp pipe which connected Neon Heights to Pipetown, looking filled with wonder. Numerous skyscrapers were standing tall before them, colorful flashing lights were emitted from various signs, and overall, Neon Heights seemed like a futuristic town, headquarters of the wealthiest chief executive officers.
The group was in awe, unfortunately, Monty Mole broke their moment of peace. "Well, we must go. I hope you will have a great time together! Meet us back at the hotel at 9:00PM."
"Have fun!" smiled Toad.
The players waved goodbye to the loved ones and followed Monty Mole to the building where the second mission of that episode awaited them. Guided by the host, they entered a purple and shiny building, on top of which a rocket had landed minutes before their arrival. They took their first steps inside the skyscraper giddily, except for the host who was accustomed to such a fancy environment, careful not to disrupt the peace that exuded from the place.
"Fancy place, eh?" grinned Mario. "I've never been here, to be honest with you guys. It's a brand new thing for me too.
Monty Mole chuckled. "Players, I'm happy to tell you that you are inside the world's most famous recording studio!"
Jojora : Great! This challenge must deal with music since we're in a recording studio. I love all forms of arts, so I think I've got this one in the bag.
"So, what will we do?" asked Jojora, eager to start the challenge. This change of attitude was noticed by the other players.
Bootler : For Jojora to change her way of acting just after having seen Chucklissa was strange as well as pretty ridiculous. One would expect the Mole to be consistent, however, I am not 'one'. Jojora has done suspicious acts of sabotage after suspicious acts of sabotage, she is one of my prime suspects. I will try hard to prevent any sabotage that could occur during this challenge, because I am sure there will be one.
Monty Mole was taken aback. "My, such enthusiasm coming from you, that must be a first!"
"Don't push your luck."
"Errr... Okay! Hmm, well, this challenge is pretty simple. You'll have to record a song in the room ahead of us. You will have to make a videotape, to remix the music of an actual song, not to mention that one of you will obviously have to sing. There will be no room for mistakes as you only have five hours before this challenge ends."
The players were baffled. Mario chimed in. "Hum... You mean that we'll have to do everything by ourselves? I mean, nobody else but the seven of us will be in that room?"
"You are correct, Mario. Well, there are computers that you can use in order to understand how to use certain devices that you will surely need to create your masterpiece, as well as instruction books," answered the host.
Birdo was confused. "How much money is at stake?"
"Thirty thousand coins, if you manage to charm the audience."
"Would it kill you to be, I don't know, a little more precise about that point?" questioned Jojora, irritated.
"Right. Well, once you've done your part, we will broadcast your creation and an audience will rate it afterward. We will put people who likes all kind of music at the bottom of the room, and people like critics at the very top of the same room. There are thirty levels, so if your performance satisfy the people seated at the sixteenth level and if no other level is satisfied, you will win sixteen thousand coins. But, let's say that you satisfied both the thirteenth and the fourteenth levels. Then you will win fourteen thousand coins. Was I clear?" besought Monty Mole.
"So what you're saying is that the different sums of money don't add up between each other," summed up Pauline. Monty Mole nodded.
"Well, I believe it is time to start your challenge. Good luck, players!" encouraged them their host.
Noki : I knew we definitely wouldn't be able to win thirty thousand coins, but I wanted to add a great sum of money to the pot. Of course, I didn't know that would be that difficult...
Birdo : Going into this challenge, I wasn't confident at all. I mean, just look at us. Do we look like singers or something? Also, I thought that Bootler wouldn't really help, I'm not even sure he knows what music is nowadays... Thinking about it, it would give him a good alibi for the mistakes he could make during the challenge...
"Here we go!" shouted the eager players.
…
Time Left : 5:00:00
When the door shut suddenly, the players were engulfed in darkness. Pauline already started to whine. "Great, now we need to find how to light the room. What a great start!"
"Hush!" told her Jojora. "It can't be that far, just touch the wall until you find something that looks like a switch or something." The players wasted some time searching for a nonexistent switch when Pauline realized that maybe it was automatic.
Bootler : So much for preventing any sabotage from happening.
"So, what do we do now?" asked Toad, after the light had started shining upon their head. He went to a nearby computer and started it. "We're not really experts on that subject, you know?"
"Thank you for such an interesting comment, Captain Obvious," snapped Jojora. "We're going to make a song, right? Then we obviously need one as well as a singer, that's our top priority. Oh, and I'm not singing."
Toad backed away a little. "No way I'm singing." He was soon followed by a "Ditto" from Mario and a "It would be my pleasure, if I were ten years younger" from Bootler.
Noki smiled nervously. "You know, I have a really tiny voice, so you may want to choose somebody else."
Pauline and Birdo shot annoyed glances at the other five players. "Well, it's between you and me, right? So, let's play rock, paper, scissors. The looser gets to sing."
Birdo groaned, unamused. "I'm not lucky..." After a tie, Pauline beat Birdo at this game, making the pink dinosaur the singer of this challenge.
"Well, that was a waste of time," commented Toad. "Now, I guess we'll do as her majesty said, so what song do you want to sing, Birdo? Oh, and do you have a great voice?"
Birdo had no idea about what she was going to sing. "It all depends on your point of view, I suppose. And I have no idea about my song choice."
Bootler was sitting comfortably on a chair, looking at the debate from afar. "You might want to remember that we do not have all day. Make a good and efficient choice soon or else we will not add the coins to our pot."
Toad : This whole time, Bootler was sitting there, doing nothing. I found that a little suspicious, especially after what happened during the second challenge of last episode where I really started to doubt him.
"I may have something to suggests you Birdo. How about Bad Apple?" put forward Toad. "I mean, it's not well known, but it's cool, I like it, and at least you will keep your dignity even if you fail epically."
Birdo furrowed her brow. "Are you implying that I will fail? I'll show you!"
"Hmmm... That's really not what I meant. If you failed – not saying that you will - then you would fail a little less singing Bad Apple than, let's say, Barbie Girl. Don't you think so?"
Mario agreed and gave Toad a thumb up. "He is right Birdo, don't forget that you don't want to look ridiculous in front of millions of viewers..."
"Thanks for the boost guys," replied a crestfallen Birdo. "Alright, let's look up the lyrics..."
As Birdo went to learn a little more about the lyrics, Pauline noticed that there was a fridge with drinks, located near the back of the room. Mario, Bootler and Jojora went with Birdo, since they had never heard a thing about the song, and Toad chose to read some instruction books to learn how to remaster a music. Noki ferreted around, trying to find something she could use to create a costume for Birdo.
"Mmmh, I like this tune," noted Birdo, pleased with what Toad had recommended her to sing. "Now here comes the hard part of this challenge... I need to memorize the song."
Noki came back and contradicted her. "Well, you don't have to memorize it. We just need to record you singing it. It's not like you will have to sing before the audience."
"Oh yeah, you're right! But what are you doing with this tape measure?"
"I'll try to make you a costume, just like the girl on the screen. We have enough materials to create whatever we want, so I might as well give it a try," shrugged Noki. Birdo was not comfortable with the idea.
"Why would you do that? I don't even look human and my skin is pink. A flashy pink one at that," retorted the pink dinosaur.
"Pauline can make you up, she knows how to do that," Noki pointed out smartly.
Noki : Sometimes, I wonder if Birdo really is a genuine player. I trust her...to an extent. We made an alliance and I won't break it but it's difficult to trust a player entirely. Each episode that we both pass makes me wonder if we pass it because we're on the right track, because we're lucky, or because one of us is the Mole and doesn't want the other to go.
Meanwhile, in another part of the room, Mario, Bootler, Jojora, Pauline and Toad were discussing the repartition of the jobs. "Jojora will make the videotape, Toad the remix, Birdo the song, Noki the costume, Pauline will make Birdo up and take care of the lighting, Bootler will create the decor and what will I do?" questioned the plumber dressed in red.
"You could be our supervisor," told him Toad. "You can also help Pauline, Bootler and Noki, they might need help sooner or later."
Mario sighed, clearly not appealed by Toad's suggestion. "I suppose I could, even if I had imagined that my part in the challenge could be a little more important."
"That's clearly not so bad, you'll be doing more than one thing so you should be a little more happy than that," reprimanded him Pauline, before going to where Birdo was sitting with her make-up case.
"Not to mention that I already need help. What am I supposed to draw on those panels?" inquired Bootler. "I am clearly not well-versed in that kind of thing."
Jojora : Bootler was slowing us down this whole time... Hard to thing that it was only a lack of knowledge, if you want my point of view.
"Just draw some Japanese-like backgrounds. Temples, things like that. Draw cliché manga things, that doesn't matter. I know how to make a videotape and trust me, I can erase all of the imperfections of your backgrounds. What am saying is-" she was cut in by Mario.
"Do your best." Toad and Bootler thought that Jojora would yell at Mario for interrupting her, but she did not. Instead, she nodded.
"Exactly."
…
Time Left : 03:29:52
Birdo had finished to record her song, and was now on scene, trying to lip-synch the song before the cameras that were being directed by Mario. "I'm not sure it's useful to make me do that. I mean, it's not like people will see anything, since I don't really articulate words like you guys," pointed out Birdo.
"Well, we still need you to be before the camera, at the very least. And you can try to make it look like you sing, by moving your head, for example," explained Mario.
Mario : I'm actually glad to see that they did not give me a particular job, because that way, I can move freely without being suspected by anyone of spying on them, while I actually take advantage of the situation. Birdo being one of my prime suspects, I'm glad I can observe her.
"Mario, help me!" exclaimed Pauline, in trouble with the spotlights.
"I'm coming!" shouted back the plumber. "Well, sorry Birdo, but you heard her, right?"
"Oh gosh, DIVE JOJORA!" screamed the damsel in red. Jojora, hearing the voice, dived to the side just as one spotlight crashed onto the floor.
Jojora, still shaken, glared at Pauline. "Did you try to kill me or what? Mario, take her place, I don't want to die because of her clumsiness!" she barked bossily.
Toad : Not only did Pauline almost hurt Jojora, but she also broke an expensive spotlight, and let me tell you that we could have used it. I was hoping we wouldn't have to pay back the ones in charge of the building.
Bootler had finished one background and was halfway done with the one he was drawing at that moment. He had taken his time for the first one, not wanting to disappoint his teammates. He was located near Noki and Toad, both of them working on their assignments. "Well, so far, there has been no real sabotage from the Mole. This is great," noticed Bootler.
"Oh, do you really think there hasn't been any sabotage yet? I beg to differ," winked Noki, sewing the sleeves of Birdo's costume. So far, she had successfully made the headband of the costume as well as a bow-tie that she would have to put on the dress later on. "Toad, could we hear what you have made so far?"
"Sure, why not? Let me just save it," murmured the mushroom. "There, let's play it." The music escaped from the computer Toad was working on, and went inside the players' ears, charming them. "I'm proud of the result."
Mario went to them. "Hey guys, just to remind you that we have still three hours and thirty minutes left, or something like that. Well, I'm off, so good luck."
Toad stood up too because he had seen Birdo beckoning to him. "Oh well, good luck guys. Birdo needs me." He took his computer and joined Birdo. "So, what do you want?"
"I thought of something. Maybe it would be good if we took the time to hear what we have prepared, so far. I already recorded the song and I think-"
'What do you mean you've already recorded the song? That's a little stupid, since you don't even know what the arrangement will sound like," interrupted her Toad.
"No kidding," retorted Birdo. "I just wanted to show you how I sing. That way, you'll make a music on which I'll actually be able to sing..." Birdo gave him a CD that he put inside his computer.
"I hope that's good," frowned Toad. Birdo also frowned.
"Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it," she rolled her eyes.
Toad put the palm of his hand on his forehead. "Err... I didn't mean it like that, sorry..."
Birdo : I doubt Toad's the Mole because of his bluntness. He clearly doesn't think before he speaks... Or at least, let's say that he isn't very careful of his wording, which could prove to be fatal, if he were the Mole.
On the upper level of the room, Mario was telling Pauline that it would be for the best if she switched position with him. "C'mon Pauline... You're not strong enough to carry these things. Let me do this, and you'll handle the camera."
"But I liked this job," whined Pauline.
Mario rolled his eyes, becoming more and more unnerved. "Yeah, yeah, you like it. But the fact is that you almost killed Jojora, so you clearly aren't the person who can handle this position the best, if you know what I mean." He paused and looked at her feet. "And you're still wearing high-heels? You do know that handling the lights involves running, right?"
"Yeah, but it seems funnier than only recording Birdo with the camera," she pouted.
"Too bad for you, but since you suck so much at this job, the others elected me to be in charge of it. And since they also elected me as the supervisor, you have to do as I say," concluded Mario.
Pauline : I make a tiny mistake and all of a sudden, Mario comes and makes it look like it's the end of the world. No one was hurt, I just dropped something because it wasn't loosely tied to the edge of the upper level. I wonder if it was the results of the Mole's sabotage...
"Oh well," chuckled the Mole to themselves. "The show has only begun..."
Sorry for the rather short chapter, it really seemed longer when I typed it. ^^'''''
The next one will definitely be longer (at the same time, it's an execution chapter).
I hope there are not too much mistakes, and I also hope that it is readable. (Hopefully I've improved my English since the beginning of this story).
I'll put a poll concerning this story on my profile, asking you to vote for the person you think is the Mole. ^^ The results will be revealed next chapter, I guess.
Until then, see you all ! ^^