DryBonesKing : I'm glad you were a bit surprised. ^^ Yes, this was only the first part of the quiz. They will take the next part in the next chapter, then their scores will be added and the person who scored the lowest will leave. I'm glad you like the story and thanks for your review. ^^
Krisetchers : Lol, it was nothing compared to your stories, though. XD I couldn't resist, your mission was so awesome that I thought I needed to mention the tranquilizer room somewhere. At first, there was nothing in the last room. ^^ Thank you for your time ! ^^
Ice Empoleon (1) : Wow... That's awesome ! I always like your reviews because you have really really really awesome theories ! That was really great to read ! ^^ I also liked the quick summaries at the end of Mario's and Noki's suspicious acts.
Ice Empoleon (2) : Haha, glad you were surprised ! ^^ Birdo didn't lose her exemption, though. And yeah, I know I put a little too much exemptions in my stories. In my first Mole story two exemptions had been given when it was the final 4 (so there were 5 people, with the Mole). And in my second Mole story that I still haven't finished yet, I've already given the players the opportunity to win at least 7-8 exemptions. Do you think I should reduce the number of exemptions in play, should I make another English Mole story ? Nice theories about Toad and Bootler ! ^^ Thank you for your reviews too ! ^^
Previously, on the Mole, the players were inside King Boo's Mansion, and had to get to the throne room. In order to do that, they had to go through different deadly rooms. Although the rooms in themselves were not dangerous, as they were purely illusions, the players would lose five thousand coins and be eliminated from the challenge if they fell into a trap. Worth thirty thousand coins at first, the challenge's value quickly dropped to fifteen thousand coins as Jojora, Noki and Bootler all succumbed to the traps. Mario was the one who led the team to victory, having found out the correct path out of the labyrinth formed by the rooms. Mario was offered an exemption but declined it, showing true team spirit. After that, the players were shocked to learn that one of them would go home during the night and scrambled to stay in the game, most of them recollecting their thoughts. However, it was later revealed that Monty Mole had lied and that the players had only taken the first part of their quiz. Another mission is coming their way, will the players be able to win it?
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 : Mario
Surname : Mario
Birthday : January 22
Job : Plumber
18 : Sleuthing Skills
The sun rose more quickly than ever, or so it seemed for the players, whose night had been particularly short. The three survivors were more tired than the others, but surprisingly, Birdo was the first to get up.
Birdo : Saying that last night was short is an understatement. I didn't fall asleep until it was one or two in the morning. I was actually nervous about the execution... I know that I don't particularly have to worry, since I have an exemption, but it had me thinking... Who is the Mole? Try I as might, I still haven't found out the answer to that question. And... It's scary. It's scary to think that we're past the halfway point and we've no definite suspect.
Birdo freshened up and put on her trademark red bow on her head. She also took her huge diamond ring and told Noki in a whisper that it was nearly time to wake up. Noki nodded her head slowly but quickly slipped back under her blanket, avoiding the light coming from the sun.
Birdo closed the door carefully and made her way to the lobby, where she found Monty Mole, sipping a cup of tea. "Hi Monty!" she greeted energetically.
Birdo : You know how it's strange, when, sometimes, you feel so tired that you're actually in shape? That's what happened to me this morning.
Monty Mole only replied by motioning to the table on his right. Birdo looked puzzled at first, but she shrugged it off, being accustomed to the host's strange behavior, and examined the table. "Is that a train?"
"Well, what do you think it is?" smiled Monty Mole behind a book entitled The Pennington Miles.
Birdo chuckled. "It's definitely a train. But what does that have to do with anything? That was my question."
"Eh, you'll see. Feel free to check it up closely," responded the host. Birdo sent him a look of confusion and complied, manipulating the train in her hands, trying to find out the meaning of its presence in the lobby.
Birdo : You never know what to expect in this game, so, in a way, I was preparing myself for the next challenge.
"Well, I hope the others will hurry up a little, we don't have all day," Monty Mole mostly stated to himself.
…
A little while later, everyone sat around the lunch table, happily chatting with each other. The previous night had been particularly eventful for them all, except for the Mole, that is, and they were more ready than ever to play to the best of their abilities.
"Mmmh, that is exquisite!" announced Bootler. "What is it?"
Monty Mole looked at him carefully. "I'm not sure you want to know that... It might be good, true, but it's made with some nasty things."
Bootler made a face and pushed away his plate. "I think that I am done for today." The others laughed at him.
"Come on Bootler, you have to enjoy yourself once in a while! I'm sure Monty was kidding, right?" reassured Noki.
"No, I wasn't. Poutine is a dish known for being gross, but good when you taste it."
"Oh," paused Noki. "Well, I'm not sure I want to eat anymore," she continued as she mimicked Bootler.
Jojora rolled her eyes. "Well, more for me! You guys are cowards. It's food and it's edible, you can eat it, you know?"
"Yeah, right. I personally think this food's only use is to have food fights, but that's only me," chimed in Toad.
"So, what will we be doing today?" asked Birdo, changing the topic of discussion.
"I'm interested myself," Mario supported her.
"Well, I'm not sure," Monty Mole replied enigmatically. "I'd rather ask you all a question, if it's okay with you."
He received various answers, going from 'Sure!' to 'Whatever.' and concluded that the players agreed to his proposal. "Well, you've all known each other for a while now. I wanted you to tell me who you thought was the more honest player."
Jojora : I already smell something fishy and let me tell you that it really smells.
"It depends. Game-wise or life-wise?" inquired Toad. "They are different things, after all. I mean, I don't trust Jojora one bit in this game, but I know for a fact that she isn't like that outside of it."
"That's a good remark, Toad, but I don't really have an answer for you. I just want you to tell me who you think is the most trustworthy person here," repeated the host, a smile on his lips. "Who wants to start?"
"What, we have to tell it in front of everyone else?" questioned a bewildered Birdo. Monty Mole nodded.
"Well, I might as well start," Mario resigned himself. "That's a really hard question, but if I had to entrust someone with a secret, I would pick Bootler. Not only is he calm and collected, but his personality inspires me confidence. And I'm not saying that just because he's the oldest, in case you were wondering."
"My turn!" exclaimed Toad. "I think the person I would trust the most is Mario, just because you know, he's our hero. Not to mention that he's a very good friend!"
"It's obvious who everyone will choose. C'mon, Mario's the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. He has to be the most honest person of the world. Well, except for Peach, maybe," added Birdo in an afterthought. "I think Mario is the honestest player."
"As much as I would like to disagree with everyone else, I have to say Mario," replied Jojora.
"Yes, me too! I remembered how he cleaned our isle and restored the Shine Gate! Just for that, I think Mario is a honest person."
"At this point, my words will seem like I am bangwagoning, but it is not the case. I also think that Mario is definitely someone that you can trust. He may have had his suspicious moments throughout the game, but do note that we all have. I am not saying that he is not the Mole, but he is honest."
Mario : I was honestly surprised at the results of Monty's question. I never thought they thought I was that great... To be hon-I mean, to tell the truth, I was expecting them to treat me like an equal but... I guess you can never have a break, can you? Oh, but I'm not complaining. Okay, I'm complaining a little. Because it means that my notoriety is a double-edged sword.
Monty Mole nodded at the results. "Well, it seems like everyone deems you as the honestest player, thus, you will have a special role in today's challenge."
"Wait, you never said that the person everyone chose would have a special role," interrupted Birdo, dumbfounded.
Noki : I should have known that something was up when he started questioning us... There's always something up with him. Except that time, when he asked us who we wanted out of the game.
"Now I did," responded Monty Mole, a sly smile on his face. "The challenge will start as soon as everyone has finished lunch."
As soon as Monty Mole said those words, the players ate in silence, very quickly. They were more than ready to tackle their next mission, anxiousness and excitement building in their inside. However one of them was faking those feelings. That person knew exactly what was awaiting them, for they were the Mole...
…
Once again, Monty Mole led the little group to Square Pipe. There, they went through Gate Eight causing a few players to groan. "Why the long face?"
"We've been here yesterday," pointed out Mario.
"But we're going to a totally different place today. Don't forget that there are many connections to the Party Worlds here. We won't go anywhere near King Boo's Mansion today, that I can assure you of."
"That's a relief. I didn't like it," told them Noki.
"Meh, I found his mansion classy. A bit old, sure, and not as beautiful as Joke End's perfect architecture, but still classy," stated Jojora while shrugging.
"Here you go! This pipe!"
"Sweet, you didn't lie after all!" cheered Noki.
"Did I ever lie to you guys?" chuckled the host.
"As a matter of fact, you did," remarked Bootler, joining him in his laughter. "Before we enter this pipe, I will ask the dreaded question. Do we have to do some cosplay today?"
"None of you will have to, except for Mario! Mario, don't take too long or we'll leave you behind!" teased Monty Mole.
"I'll try!" smiled the plumber dressed in red.
"See you later!" waved Noki politely.
…
Monty Mole and the players minus Mario, who was currently busy putting on a costume, jumped out of a warp pipe and looked at their surroundings. From afar, they distinguished blue mountains -on top of which seemed to be everlasting snow- so high that their peaks melted away into the sky. Beautiful green grass swayed gently thanks to the cool breeze generated by the movement of the grand Perplex Express. The players were in awe at that amazing sight.
Bootler : You will not see me often excited, that is for sure. But I have always wanted to ride in one of those magnificent trains. It is a dream becoming true. I do not go out much often as I have duties I must attend to most of the time.
Toad : Okay, that was just awesome! I can't believe I'll ride in the Perplex Express! We've never really gone inside the real Perplex Express during our parties. It was a replica. I kind of understand them, though. I mean, our parties can be a little...hectic, sometimes.
"Wow... That's so cool!" cheered Noki excitedly.
Jojora rolled her eyes. "It's a train. I don't see why everyone here is super excited, but whatever."
"It isn't any train. I mean, this one is full of surprises," Toad retorted enigmatically.
"Let's focus, people!" Monty Mole interrupted immediately. "I need to explain the rules before Mario comes here, or else it will jeopardize your chances to get an exemption!" The word 'exemption' was enough to silence them all. "Now that I have your full attention, let's proceed to the rules of your challenge."
"Yes, that would be great!" replied Bootler.
"This mission is called 'Jewelry Robbery'. I'll start by explaining Mario's role, it will be easier that way. Mario will play the role of the detective. He will have to interrogate everyone as well as inspect the train to find out who, out of the five of you is most likely the thief. If he guesses correctly, he wins an exemption and adds twenty thousand coins into the pot."
"That sucks! Why would we be interested by that mission if only Mario can win an exemption?" asked Jojora, unnerved.
"Patience, I'm going to explain that point. If nobody decides to steal Holly Koopa's jewel, which is the color of an exemption, then the money and the exemption will be lost."
"So what you mean is that we have to steal this 'jewel'? It's compulsory, we don't have any other choice?" questioned Birdo.
"Correct, unless you want to lose everything. Now, I'm going to assume that one of you steals the exemption and that Mario picked the wrong person as the robber. You will lose twenty thousand coins, but the person who has the jewel gets to keep it, ensuring their safety for this Episode."
Each player sent the others looks of uncertainty. An exemption at this stage of the game was crucial, they were not sure they would play fair to obtain it.
"Just so you know, you will have a total of two hours to accomplish your deed. Note that you will also have to hide the jewel somewhere in the train. At the end of the two hours, we'll release Mario from the conductor's car, and he will have one hour to interrogate everyone and look for clues. You should be careful, as he can also question the passengers."
"That doesn't seem easy," noticed Toad.
Jojora : I was glad that it was Mario who was selected by us, because he's not the type to sabotage. I still think someone will screw that mission up, though. Looking at their faces, I knew it wouldn't be easy.
"Before you enter this train, let me give you some explanations about its structure. Mario will be confined to the first two cars ; the locomotive and the kitchen car. He won't be able to go to the others car, for I will tell him that the mission concerns something totally unrelated to the actual mission," declared Monty.
"You're such a liar!" giggled Noki heartily.
"Hey, this game is all about deceit!" Monty Mole defended himself, raising his hands in the air. "Anyway, this train is particular, but I'll let you find out about that yourself. The first car, starting from the end, contains the passengers in economy class. It's also where your seats are. The next car contains the shopping area. You could always bring a souvenir or two home. After the shopping area comes the restaurant car. And finally, last but not least, after the restaurant car comes the first class car where Holly Koopa is located," detailed the host.
"Thank goodness Mario will be occupied, that will make the challenge ten times easier since he will not be able to know who took the exemption," smiled Bootler.
"As long as you never walk to him with an exemption in your hands, that is," completed Monty Mole. "I think now is a good time to start your challenge, isn't it?" The players nodded and let Monty Mole show them the way. Mario arrived shortly afterward to receive his own instructions.
Mario : I felt uneasy about this mission, since I was kind of unaware of what the others were doing. Thankfully, they would succeed...
…
Toad was the first to set foot in the grand economy class car. He was astonished to see that the true Perplex Express was nowhere near the same as the one he and his friends had used during their previous parties. The material used to make the entire train was of an exceptional quality and the whole vehicle was so clean it sparkled.
"That's amazing!" daydreamed Noki, making her way to the seats. "I wish I could be able to afford a billet. Outside of the game, I mean."
"Maybe you will, you never know," shrugged Toad. Noki shook her head.
"Well, I know I won't..."
Jojora sat in a seat and looked closely at her surroundings. "I really thought it would be better... I mean, isn't that supposed to be something luxurious?"
"What did you expect?" asked Bootler, somewhat abruptly. "This is a train, not a castle. You cannot compare incomparable things. I suppose you have never gone inside a train, or have you?"
"Of course I did! But I really don't see why I should be, like, totally super excited because, it's, like, super awesome!" Jojora replied, her voice mimicking that of a hyper teenager. "You can't even sleep in that train. There's nothing special."
Birdo sat with Noki, admiring the scenery. "Still, you probably won't get to board this train again in your life. If I were you, I would enjoy the ride while it lasts."
"Except that you aren't me and that I have another business to attend to. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Jojora exited the economy class car, leaving the four other players by themselves.
Noki : Sometimes, I really think that this adventure would be ten times better if Jojora wasn't part of it. Of course, you will never see me telling her that because it would be plain rude and inappropriate but that's what mostly everyone thinks and- Wait a minute, you're not recording, are you?
Bootler : As bad as Jojora can be, you have to admit that she is a very good player. Well, maybe I am mistaken when I am saying that, as she could very well be a good Mole, however, you cannot deny that she has been solely focused on this game since its very beginning.
"Mole-ish business, I bet," threw in Toad. The four players sent each other awkward looks.
"The exemption!" yelled Noki in realization. One after another, the four players rushed to the door in hopes that they would still be able to win the exemption.
…
Jojora : Actually, I didn't plan on stealing that jewel right away, because otherwise, the others would know that I was the thief and I could kiss it farewell. I just gave them enough incentive to look for it. That way I wouldn't be the only suspect.
Toad : I was pretty sure there would be some sabotage during that mission. Especially since it involved an exemption. However, I couldn't particularly blame the others for acting Mole-ish as I was also aiming to win that exemption.
Jojora scanned the shopping area with her eyes, trying to find a hiding place for the jewel she wanted to claim as her own. She noticed small holes near one of the shops and assumed that she could hide it there. Looking around the car, she noticed that the shopkeepers were busy because of the customers.
"Well, it will be easier that way..."
She did not waste time and made her way to the next car hastily. She was already gone when the other four entered the shopping area. Some of them immediately chased after Jojora while Birdo decided to stay behind.
Birdo : I highly doubted that the others would be able to steal Holly Koopa's jewel in one try, so I told myself that I could take my time. Plus, unlike the others, I already have an exemption. I don't need two of these things now, do I?
Taking her time looking at the merchandise, her eyes came across a sheet of paper which was stuck on the wall and seemed oddly out of place. "Hey, what is that?" she asked the nearest shopkeeper, who was named Thriff.T.
"That? Why, it's a schedule informing the passengers of the times during when the cars move around. See, every half a hour, someone on this train - I don't exactly know who it is but I'm kind of assuming that it's the conductor – pushes a button, triggering a switch of the cars. We often hold organized activities which consist in figuring out who has supposedly killed someone. It's all fake, of course, but it entertains the passengers. Not to mention that the person who cleared the mystery leaves with a price!" explained the lively Toad.
"I see... Can I have a copy? That might come in handy," explained the pink dinosaur.
Farther ahead were Bootler, Toad and Noki. All of them were in the restaurant car, eying each other warily. As they were going to enter the first class car, someone called Toad. It was a Toadette with two purple pigtails and pink hearts on her cap. "Toad! What are you doing here? It's been centuries!"
"What the- Waitress? What are you doing here?" asked a baffled Toad. "I thought you worked for Don Pianta in the Excess Express!"
"I dunno," she replied with a giggle. Toad rolled his eyes.
"Of course you know. Spill the beans."
"Fine. Well, you see, the Don is kinda busy renovating his train, so he found us jobs here and there. Not that I needed his help, every customer seems to like me!" she laughed.
Toad : Not for her efficiency, that's for sure.
"Oh, I see. I'm playing in a game, you see. The Mole. You know what's that?"
"Oh yeah! I've been contacted by some weird guy... I think his name was... I don't remember. Monty Python?"
"Monty Mole," Toad corrected.
"Yeah right. Something's gonna happen today, but I forgot what it is."
"You're still as absent-minded as the last time I saw you. We're having a challenge right now, so I can't talk to you, plus I'm supposed to play a game so... I won't be able to contact you for a while. Maybe I'll see you later if we're lucky, but if we don't, take care!" Toad told her quickly before leaving. Noki was spying on them.
Noki : I find it really strange that Toad knew that girl. For all we know, maybe she has been hired by the producers to help him sabotage the challenge. Toad isn't my biggest suspect, but I wouldn't trust him entirely, to be honest with you all. Although, if I had to tell you the entire truth, I would say that we're all suspicious in our own ways...
In the last car, the first class one, Bootler and Jojora were looking for Holly Koopa and her jewel. They found her in the middle of the car, happily eating a sweet. Holly Koopa looked like a rather wealthy Koopa, wearing an expensive white hat which protected her from the sun, bright pink shoes as well as an expensive ring on her right hand. She was particularly coquette. On the table at which she was seated was an expensive emerald, the jewel the players needed to steal in order to win the money or a possible exemption.
Bootler floated around, talking to people while Jojora immediately headed back to the second class car.
Bootler : I needed a strategy. I could not simply wait for her to leave and steal her emerald afterward.
"Good afternoon, my good sir," Bootler addressed a Shy Guy. "May I ask you some questions?"
"Sure, fire away," responded his interlocutor.
"Are you a habitue?" questioned the butler.
"Yep I am!"
"Would you tell me if that Holly Koopa has a weakness you are aware of? I am playing a game which consist in stealing her emerald and I am in a dire need of information. How may I distract her long enough so that I am able to take her jewel and hide it somewhere?" interrogated the Boo.
"I know that she likes sweets but that's about it. That's the only thing that would make her move from her seat. That or natural needs."
"Thank you very much, you were very helpful!"
…
Remaining Time : 1:33:07
A little while later, Jojora hid in the first class car, trying to find a good way to steal the emerald. Unfortunately for her, a worker found her suspicious and told her to go away from there. She went to the restaurant and found almost everyone there, with the exception of Bootler.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to look for ways to grab that girl's jewel!" she reproached, annoyed.
"We're relaxing, can't you see it?" retorted Toad. "Each of us has been playing a different game from the beginning, I don't see why we should follow your orders."
"Whatever. See you at the reunion show, guys." She left without saying anything else.
"Right, see ya on the bench of losers!" whispered Toad, which made Birdo and Noki laugh.
"I really hope she'll get executed next," told them Birdo. Toad nodded in approval.
"Yeah. There's a difference between playing the game and being an ass." It was Noki's turn to agree.
"Pauline was a good player, always focused. But she wasn't bad compared to Jojora," she confirmed.
"The worst being that she could very well be the Mole," Birdo sighed.
Toad : Noki and Birdo are really close, and that, since the beginning of the game. I actually wouldn't be surprised if one of them was using the other to look less suspicious.
As to Bootler, he was in the car where Thriff.T sold his goods, interrogating him and writing down some information as the talkative Toad let his tongue loose.
…
During that time, Mario was in the kitchen and followed Monty Mole's instructions. He had been told that he needed to help the cooks prepare the meals that the passengers ordered and that his sole part of the mission would determine whether or not they would proceed to its second phase.
Mario : I didn't know what the others were doing. All I knew was that I had a very important job to do, so I did it to the best of my ability.
...
Remaining Time : 1:29:47
Bootler wanted to go back to the first class car but the door he was facing did not want to let him pass. Puzzled at first, Bootler quickly realized that the cars were switching positions.
"I see... That is what it does. I wonder how much that will affect the mission," murmured to himself the ghost.
When the door deigned to open itself, Bootler found himself in the economy class car.
Bootler : That was certainly frustrating. How could one devise a plan to steal the exemption without knowing exactly how everything would go? It was impossible, in my honest opinion.
He walked to the next door, opened it and found himself in the restaurant. Farther ahead was the kitchen and its access was restricted. Naturally, he deduced that the first class car was the first car. He wrote it on a piece of paper and decided to talk to the staff.
Toad was located in the first class car, with Jojora. They were both spying on each other and could not do much while the other was here. Jojora groaned and left the car, leaving Toad all alone. He was trying to come up with a plan.
"I can't bribe anyone here because they'd think that I'm a thief or something... I could steal the emerald, but I would need to be alone, otherwise I might be caught," he reasoned.
Jojora went back to the shop and saw Noki there, talking to an employee and buying what looked like a souvenir or two. She shrugged and walked to the economy class car where she noticed Birdo, reading a magazine.
Jojora : This challenge sucked. There were just too many people to make a move. I mean, sure, we would get the money, but hello! An exemption is much more important than twenty thousand coins. At least, in my opinion. Oh, and to those who think that I actually meant what I said during the first challenge of this episode. Let me tell you that I lied. I didn't get the exemption and I'm not stupid enough to let another one go away just because I promised something to some people.
…
Remaining Time : 1:04:15
The coast was clear. A lone figure stood up next to Holly Koopa and began to fill their glass with water, very slowly and then gulped it down in one go. They repeated that action a few times before Holly Koopa rose urgently from her seat and raced to the bathroom.
The player who did it chuckled a little. "Way too easy..."
They glanced around the room and picked the emerald when no one looked at them. After that, they exited the car and smashed the emergency alarm which made a loud noise, alerting everyone that something was wrong. Amidst the panic, the thief took their time and hid the jewel where no one would supposedly look for it, and waited patiently for the cars to switch position, before joining the crowd.
Soon, it would be Mario's time to uncover the truth lying behind that mystery.
Next time, it really is the fifth execution, so stay tuned ! ^^
Also, I read this chapter another time before submitting it, so you should find less mistakes (hopefully). If you find a recurrent mistake, please mention it in a review, it would be most appreciated. ^^