Krisetchers : Thanks for your review ! And don't worry, you're not too late ! *throws mole gun in a lake* I'm glad to see that you were surprised by the way this challenge ended. It was kind of hard to write about, so I'm happy you liked it. I see why you wouldn't want Mario to win this thing. ^^ To be honest, I wanted to eliminate him at the end of episode 7, but since not many people actually rooted for him, I decided to give him 6th place. Thanks and good read !

Koopa2pa : Good to see that you're back ! ^^ I'm glad you still like the story. Yes, the characters are pretty diverse, though I want to shoot myself when I see what I did to Flurrie. I totally butchered her character. Oh well. Thank you for your review ! ^^

Previously, on the Mole, the players were searching the many rooms of Toadette's Conservatory in order to find musicians and music instruments to earn up to twenty five thousand coins. The candidates had a bit of trouble understanding their clues, notably Noki, however, they all managed to bring back the musicians they were told to find, ensuring the addition of twelve thousand five hundred coins into the team pot. Three of them correctly identified the instrument that their musician played, those three being Birdo, Jojora and Toad. It was also revealed that Bootler's musician was actually the runner-up of the second season of the Mole and that he would have helped the players if only they had pronounced the name of the game show in front of him. Later, the players were mingling, preparing themselves for the upcoming quiz. Theoretically, everyone could have left the game seeing as nobody had won the sole exemption of episode six. In the end, it was Birdo who fell victim to the Mole's curse, leaving only Bootler, Jojora, Noki and Toad in the competition. Only four remain, who is the Mole ?

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

24 : Fine Arts

Bootler : I am very fortunate to be here today. I cannot describe how happy I feel to be one of the four privileged players who reached the stage of this game. Like each game, it had its highs and lows, even though, all in all, it was an unique experience. I do feel bad for all the players that I have outsmarted and outlasted, however, I also feel proud for that same reason. I am also quite looking forward to what is going to happen in the later episodes of the competition. Milady, it is all thanks to you that I am currently here, I will see to it that you are not disappointed in my performance.

Jojora : In the final four, just as planned. Birdo didn't have what it takes to be the winner of this game, she was relying a little too much on luck. I wasn't particularly shocked when she was eliminated. Actually, I was glad, because that only meant that she wouldn't sabotage the last games we'd be playing. I am now one hundred percent sure I know who the Mole is.

Toad : Birdo being executed really shocked me. I mean, come on, she had a plus one! It's this kind of thing that lets you survive an episode even if you're on the wrong track - most of the time. I'm just baffled. She wasn't supposed to be eliminated. Not to mention that her execution raises another issue : there wasn't any tie, meaning that Birdo's score was two points lower than that of the second-least scorer.

Noki : I still don't understand what happened... Birdo had a plus one, so I never imagined once that she would leave the game! It's all my fault, I didn't get the meaning of the clue in time. I realized what it meant when I was taking the quiz, so I changed my answers to match my discovery, but Birdo had already taken the questionnaire at the time so there was nothing I could have done to save her... I won't give up, though! I'll follow her advice, try to believe in myself...and hopefully win this game. But for now, I have to rethink my entire strategy.

…

Four players were remaining, it was only a matter of days before one of them would be uncovered as the Mole and another as the victor of this wonderful adventure. Conscious that the end was near in sight, the four participants were determined to do their best, during the challenges and the quizzes. Those four people were Bootler, Noki, Jojora and Toad. Each of them have had many suspicious moments throughout the entire game, however, only one of them was the true saboteur, the Mole. For now, the players' heads were buzzing with thoughts, wondering what the Mole had in store for them. That is, except for the Mole, who knew exactly how they were going to act for the remainder of their saga.

"It's kind of lonely without Birdo," remarked Toad, eating a grapefruit. The players were once again reunited around the table of the dining room.

The Mole, could they be parading as the happy-go-lucky yet forgetful mushroom, known as Toad?

"Don't remind me," replied Noki absent-mindedly, picking at her food. "I wish she were still on the show."

Or would they rather use the disguise of the shy, weak and intelligent inhabitant of Delfino Island, known as Noki?

"Told you it wouldn't be me," shrugged Jojora. She looked at her competition, all the while grinning slightly.

And how about the harsh and arrogant, yet clever blue fairy, known as Jojora? Surely, she could get the job done.

Bootler remained as calm as ever. "You should not assume that victory is yours just yet. Trust my experience..." When Bootler noticed the confused expression of Jojora, he developed. "You should never take things for granted, for the Mole might be playing you at this very moment." Jojora rolled her eyes.

Dedicated, focused and mysterious, such are the qualities of the old ghost, known as Bootler. Would he be uncovered as the Mole?

Monty Mole smiled to himself. "Only one of these four players is the Mole. Another would be the winner while the last two would meet the same end as the six previously eliminated players. One question. Who is the Mole?" he whispered to the camera, before turning to the players.

"I'm fairly sure I know who the Mole is. I've known them for a long time," added the blue fairy.

Toad and Noki looked at each other, confused. "Right."

Bootler put his silver cutlery next to his plate, indicating that he had finished eating. "So, what are we going to do, today?" he asked Monty Mole.

"I'll tell you once everyone's finished," replied the host. "So if I were you, I'd eat as fast as possible so we can start the challenge."

"We've done a lot of things so far," recalled Toad. "Sorting out luggage, looking for a treasure chest, competing against our loved ones, etcetera... This game is really full of surprises."

"Yes," nodded Noki. "But they aren't all pleasant. I don't think Kooper liked getting a minus one on the first quiz. He could have gone further into the game if he hadn't opened the envelope."

Monty Mole chuckled. "He knew that he was taking risks since he had more knowledge than any of you about the whole show, I think he saw it coming."

Jojora raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't he have been at an unfair advantage?"

"He was eliminated first, doesn't that answer some of your concerns?" retorted the mole, smartly.

"During the short time he was with us," started Toad, "he never felt confident. He told me that contrarily to what everyone was saying, he was not advantaged. He then told me that no matter how much you know about the show, you could still be executed first."

"Hmmm... I guess it makes sense. This game revolves around the Mole's identity, not around the many twists which can occur," pointed out Noki. "I remember that I was suspecting Donkey from the second challenge to his demise," she went on, laughing. "We've all come a long way since then."

"And that is why you are all deserving to be here, for the penultimate episode of this game. It's also good to see that you remember what has happened throughout the competition, it might come in handy someday," concluded the host.

Bootler : For our host to make such a strange statement out of the blue, it was very peculiar. I was convinced that our next mission would deal with what previously happened in the game.

Soon, Jojora wiped her mouth with her napkin and Monty Mole took that as a cue to start the next challenge. "Well, now that you're finished, we can focus on your next challenge! I need two people who are feeling artsy. You have one minute."

Immediately, Jojora raised her hand. "I volunteer, I'm sure I can win this challenge hands down."

"But what if the people who don't volunteer actually are the ones who should be creative?" suggested Noki.

"Reverse psychology?" questioned Bootler. "It might be the case."

"Nonsense," declared Jojora. "They've used so much reverse psychology to have us screw up in so many challenges that I think we should send the most artistic ones there this time. Any objection?"

"Not that you're likely to hear them out," muttered Toad.

Jojora caught that. "You're correct." The mushroom could only roll his eyes.

"I'll be in the other group, then."

"Ten seconds remaining," reminded the host.

"And I'll join Toad," stated Noki, positioning herself by his side. Bootler nodded and joined Jojora.

"We decided that Jojora and myself were feeling artsy," the butler summed up.

"That's great!" clapped Monty Mole. "Let's go then! Next stop, Koopa's Tycoon Town!"

Bootler : I had a feeling that we had made the wrong choice.

…

The players and their host made their way to Gate number eight and suddenly stopped at once. Monty Mole spoke up.

"Jojora and Bootler, please follow me, I'll explain the rules of your challenge."

"What about us?" inquired Toad. "Don't we have a mission?"

"Yes you do have one, but for now I only need Jojora and Bootler. You won't play in the same mission," told them their host. Jojora and Bootler followed the host, leaving Noki and Toad by themselves.

"Weird."

"I also find it strange that we don't get to accompany them or even hear what they will be doing," voiced Noki. "I mean, our challenge also conveniently takes place in Koopa's Tycoon Town, so I don't really understand why we should be waiting here."

Toad sat down on the pavement. "I think..." He stopped for a moment, looking at the sky.

"Yes?" encouraged him Noki, patiently.

"I think we should be extremely careful during our own part of the mission. I'm pretty sure Monty will purposely omit some details when he gives us the rules and everything we need in order to win."

Noki : Monty Mole was acting all mysterious, we had every reason to be wary of what was to come. Besides, he had already lied to us on several occasions, so we knew better than to trust him completely.

…

After Jojora and Bootler had put on artist clothes, stained with colorful paint, as well as a beret, they emerged from the warp pipe located in a little park. Koopa's Tycoon Town was a very popular city, full of hotels. The traffic was important so they really had to be careful when crossing the many streets of the town. Finally, they reached a green building located just behind a two star red hotel. Monty Mole waddled toward the door and it opened automatically, allowing the two players to walk inside.

The interior of what seemed to be an art gallery was well-furnished. Bootler and Jojora went up the stairs – made of wood, like most of the things present in the art gallery – and were led to a room resembling a garbage dump. Confusion was written on their face.

"What is the meaning of this?" inquired Bootler, surprised. "Why is this room full of...rubbish?"

"I'm more shocked to see that nobody seems to care that this place is full of trash," commented Jojora.

Jojora : I mean, what kind of art gallery was that? Wouldn't they want to clean the place so that it would attract customers?

"Welcome to the first challenge of episode seven! I like to call this game 'Arts and Craps', funny name, no?"

"Oh, it's sooooo lovely. Not," Jojora answered sarcastically. Monty Mole looked blankly at her for a moment, and then he resumed his explanation.

"Well, whatever, I suppose. This mission is worth twenty thousand coins and you will have approximately three hours to complete it," he carried on, walking toward the piles of garbage.

"Three hours? That is quite a lot of time," noted Bootler.

"Three hours to create a master piece, using only the things located in this room."

"What? Are you kidding us Monty? You can't create a masterpiece with crap like that! I mean, most of these things aren't usable!" yelled Jojora, thinking this challenge was stupid.

Jojora : You can't honestly expect us to devise a work of art with such poor material. It was as if Monty Mole wanted us to lose the challenge.

"You will create your masterpiece in the room located to your right," The host pointed at said-room. "You can only be in this room, or the one in which we currently are. Do you have any question?"

Bootler scratched his chin. "As a matter of fact, I do. How will you determine whether we win the coins or not? You never told us."

Monty Mole smacked his forehead. "Sorry about that, I had completely forgotten. Well, when your set time has elapsed, a critic will come and rate your creation. If you manage to score ten points over twenty, the challenge is in the bag. In the opposite case, you simply lose. Any other question?"

Jojora shook her head and started rummaging through the jumble. Bootler sighed and helped her.

"Remember, you have three hours!" shouted Monty as he left the building.

Bootler : Even with Jojora by my side, I was not confident that we would be able to score enough points with the art critic. Monty Mole did not give us a clue as to what she should aim to create, so it was a hard challenge since we had little to no directions.

…

Noki and Toad had been sitting for a good fifteen minutes when Monty Mole finally came back, urging them to follow him. They both complied and ran after the host.

"This way!" exclaimed the host. "If I were you, I would change clothes as fast as possible."

Toad and Noki decided to hurry but could not suppress an exclamation when they found what they needed to wear. "I knew this was a trap," commented Noki, shaking her head strongly.

Once they had changed clothes, they went out of the warp pipe to meet up with Monty Mole. "So why do we have to hurry?" half-yelled Toad, the noise of the traffic covering his voice.

Monty Mole looked at his right, then at his left, and decided it was safe to cross the street, motioning for Toad and Noki to follow him. "Do you remember how you decided to elect Bootler and Jojora as the two artistic members of your group?" he asked, without waiting for a reply. "Well, that was a trap."

Noki faced Toad. "Sabotage." Toad rolled his eyes.

Toad : There was some sort of consensus concerning this task. Noki, Bootler and myself thought that we should elect the two players who weren't feeling artsy. However, in the end, Jojora simply decided that no, we should choose herself and somebody else because that was what she wanted. You simply can't do as if nothing happened, especially in the penultimate episode of this game.

Finally, the players and Monty Mole reached the same place where Jojora and Bootler had been brought to a few moments ago. This time, Monty Mole led the players to the back of the building. Climbing up the other staircase, they arrived in another room which served the same purpose as Jojora's and Bootler's.

"I believe now is a good time to explain the true rules of the challenge," announced the host. "As I said earlier, this mission is a big trap."

"In what way, exactly?"

"We told Bootler and Jojora that they were to create a masterpiece with junk located in the other room. We told them that they had three hours to do so, and that an art critic would come afterward to rate their work."

"We?" inquired Noki.

Monty Mole chuckled. "I, if you prefer. But it really was the producers' idea."

Toad smiled and sat on a nearby chair. "So, where's the lie?"

"Oh, come on, don't tell me you haven't realized yet? Okay, let me enlighten you. The art critic won't rate their creation, they'll just determine which one is better : theirs or yours?"

"Oh my god," moaned Noki. "There's no way we'll win this challenge..."

Monty Mole laughed. "Just for your information, you are not allowed to step in any other room than this one, or the one with the materials. You have approximately two hours and thirty minutes to complete your part of the challenge. Good luck!" Monty encouraged them, before leaving the building.

"I have a feeling that we're doomed," Toad whined. Noki sighed and walked toward the other room.

"Shall we begin?"

…

Jojora was pacing in the room, her mind furiously working out a solution. Bootler simply sat on a table, waiting for the blue fairy's plan. The minutes were ticking away and the pair still had no idea as to what they should do.

Suddenly, Jojora stopped moving. "Symbolism!" she yelled. "We need to work on symbolism so that our masterpiece will have some kind of value."

"May I ask why we should focus on symbolism?" Bootler raised an eyebrow.

Jojora looked at him, startled. "Huh... I'm not sure how I should respond to that. I mean, isn't it obvious? Do you think we can make something pretty with what's in the other room?"

"I suppose you are correct," mumbled Bootler to himself.

Bootler : Jojora was in charge during the mission. I know nothing when it comes to arts. I can appreciate the beauty of it, as well as understand basic principles, however, that is all. There was not much I could do but depend on Jojora and hope that we would succeed.

Jojora found a pen in the room, and started to draw something on a piece of paper. Bootler glanced at it from his position and congratulated her. "You really are good at that."

"Well, what did you expect? I've graduated from a very prestigious college," she answered, not bothering to look up from her work.

Bootler nodded, although she could not see him. "Well, you know, you are labeled as a sculptor, so I assumed that you only knew how to sculpt."

This time, Jojora decided to look at the old Boo. "Honestly Bootler, I thought you were more clever than that. Yes, I'm specialized in sculptures. Ice ones, to be exact. That doesn't mean that I don't know jack about the other forms of arts."

Jojora : I've always thought that Bootler made it this far because of his intelligence, but maybe there's more than that.

"I see..." The butler paused for a moment. "Hmm, if you do not mind me asking, what are we going to symbolize?"

"Well, you know, things like love, life, or whatever. But that's a bit simple. I'd like to make something a little more sophisticated than a heart, if you see what I mean," replied the blue fairy.

"Yes, I doubt we would score many point if we were to go with a simple heart," agreed Bootler.

Jojora rubbed her temples. "So, my idea, is to represent the cycle of life."

Bootler was taken aback. "That is a nice idea, but how would you do that?"

"Well, for starters, our masterpiece must be round. We're representing the cycle of life, which I believe would be some sort of circle. We rose from earth and return to it as we begin to age."

"This concept is hard to grasp for me," chuckled Bootler light-heartedly. "However, I thought once we died, we would go to the sky."

Jojora pondered for a moment. "Depends on your beliefs, I suppose. Though I can safely say that your physical body won't grow wings to reach the firmament. Your spirit might go somewhere else... Don't you have friends who could give you the answer?"

"No. As I told you, as a Boo, I cannot comprehend this matter."

"Lucky you, I guess," shrugged Jojora. "Anyway, let's return to the initial topic of discussion. We'll divide our work in three parts. The first one, on the bottom left corner, will be a shade of orange and brown. Brown for the earth, orange for the rising sun. The second part will be a shade of green and light blue, for the grass and the sky. The last part will be a dark shade of blue, or simply black with some spot of lights, to symbolize the starry sky. That's the basic draft, we can always add details later on."

"I think you got it covered," replied Bootler, mouth agape. "I cannot believe it only took you such a short time to come up with that very good idea."

…

Toad and Noki were looking for something to use for their work in the piles of useless items. Both of them were not optimistic about the challenge's outcome, for they knew that the other group would probably beat them, anyway.

"This sucks," Toad could not help saying. "I mean, why bother?"

"At least, we will have tried. Besides, it could be funny and useful for the future!"

"Mmh-mmh," replied Toad, absent-mindedly. "In this case, what do you want to do?"

Noki stopped searching through the various objects on the floor and thought for a moment. "We'll do something unique," she decided.

"That's a bit...vague."

Noki giggled. "Well, I'm not sure myself, so..."

"I remembered something. One day, I was visiting a museum, and there were those pieces of abstract art. Basically, it was very random, but people still claimed that it was art. Maybe we should stop worrying so much and just give it a go," explained Toad.

Toad : We couldn't beat Jojora at her own game, so I proposed that we should simply create something really different from her, to have a chance to beat her. Well, her and Bootler, but I doubt he's doing most of the work.

Noki : I wasn't sure it was a good idea or not. Toad had a point, but I thought we wouldn't win with an abstract work of art. At least, it was better than nothing.

"Oh, I have an idea!" Toad exclaimed, suddenly. He knelt down and picked up a vase, vase that he showed to Noki.

"Please elaborate," she demanded, laughing.

"Okay!" he chirped happily. "Well, we've got this vase and this fishbowl, over there," he pointed at the other side of the room. Both of them went to the other side to retrieve the item. "And let's take this pink towel too!"

Noki was puzzled. "I don't really understand what's going on. Can you explain, pretty please?"

"Oh yes! Sorry, I was a little excited. Well, instead of doing abstract art, let's make something related to symbolism!"

"That's the exact opposite of what you just said, though, why the sudden change?" she inquired, still confused.

"Because of my new idea. Look, this fishbowl is spherical, like a head. The towel is pink, like the brain – well, I think it is pink. So we put the pink towel inside the fishbowl to symbolize a head."

"Oh, I see! You're so smart, Toad!" cheered Noki happily. "What about the vase, though?"

"It's easy. We'll put the vase inside the fishbowl. And inside the vase, we'll put random stuff. That will symbolize the nonsensical ideas that sprout in the human brain!" exclaimed the mushroom.

"Humanity has gone mad," realized Noki. "Is that the meaning of our chef-d'oeuvre?" Toad nodded.

"I think we have a chance to win this game, now." The both of them decided to return to their room at the same moment Jojora and Bootler chose to leave theirs.

…

"Weird. I could swear that I heard voices," muttered Jojora.

Bootler ignored her and floated toward the many objects littered on the floor. "Let us search for a base for our workpiece."

"There was a fishbowl here... Don't tell me someone took it?" asked the fairy, unnerved. Bootler raised an eyebrow.

"Do not be foolish. Who would take such an useless item?" Jojora crossed her arms.

"You're right. Let's find something else."

Bootler let out an exclamation as he found something. "How about a tire?"

Jojora shook her head. "Nah. Too black and thick."

"We have tools. We could cut it."

"Still, I think we should try something else... Something like- Is that a computer screen?" she asked rhetorically. "Yes it is! I' know what to do wit it!" Jojora walked back to the room with caution, leaving Bootler alone.

Jojora : I didn't want him to screw up, so that's why I decided to go back to the room alone. That way, I wouldn't be distracted and would succeed more easily in my own task.

Bootler found a bag full of earth that he kept as well as a tin of deep blue paint. Before leaving, he spotted a white towel that he took with him.

"That be enough for the top part," he assessed. Feeling pleased with himself, the old Boo made his way to the room where Jojora was. He opened the door just in time to see Jojora smash the screen of the computer.

"Okay, now I need to clean this mess," remarked the inhabitant of BeanBean Kingdom. Bootler was almost speechless.

Bootler : I entered our room and found out that Jojora had destroyed the computer screen. Why did she do that? We could have obviously used the screen to our advantage! And I did not see the point in removing the computer's screen.

"I...found something," he simply declared, resisting the urge to ask her why she had destroyed part of the computer.

Jojora turned to him. "Good, leave it here, I'll remove the shards in the meantime. Try to go back there and find something red. I want to make arrows to show that it is a cycle."

"Alright, I will see what I can do," stated the Boo before leaving the room.

Jojora was removing the shards from the inside the computer screen when she realized something. "Shoot! The computer frame is rectangular." She stood up and ran toward the door. "Bootler, bring back the tire from earlier, please, we'll need it too!"

Bootler easily retrieved the item and snatched green paper as well as glue to use for the grass. "Hopefully, that will be sufficient..." He then decided to hand everything to Jojora.

…

"Woah!" shouted Toad, as he had trouble balancing the items he had in his hands. "Help me?"

Noki smiled and took the vase from his hand. "I think we'll have time to spare..." Toad put the fishbowl on a table and placed the pink towel inside, in a way that would reproduce the folds of the brain.

"Yeah, it does seem likely," acquiesced the mushroom.

Noki set the vase on the pink towel. "What are we going to do?"

"I guess we'll wait. Say, do you mind getting something to put in the vase? I think you'd choose good items," smiled Toad, honestly.

"Okay, I'll be back soon," she confirmed. Noki went to the other room and was a little puzzled when she saw that some things had disappeared from the piles of items, notably the big computer screen. Nevertheless, she picked up a fake pink rose, a green rake, a yellow plastic phone, a red pipe as well as a blue syringe. After that, she went back to the room where Toad waited, and gave him the items.

"I guess that will work," he shrugged nonchalantly. "It won't convey the message we were originally going for, but it works too." They put the items in the vase in a random fashion. Satisfied with their work, they began to relax.

"That's the kind of thing my sister would have loved to do," sighed Noki. "It has been such a long time since I last saw her..."

Toad looked surprised. "You have a sister? I never knew that. I also miss my brother, now that you mention it."

"I guess it's natural to miss your family in a game like this," Noki daydreamed.

Toad : It's kind of hard to believe that we've been together for quite some time now but we're still complete strangers. We don't know each other.

"Well, I think I'll go in the other room to find other items because our vase is kind of empty," Noki winked at Toad. "Do you want to come?"

"I'll pass," refused the mushroom politely.

"Okay, see you soon!"

The blue-shelled girl opened the door and started looking for something to use, when suddenly she met Bootler's gaze.

"Noki?" questioned the butler.

Noki put her hand on her mouth in surprise. "Oh my god, it's Bootler from the opposing team!" she exclaimed.

This caught Bootler's attention. "What do you mean, Noki?"

Noki : It was a very bold move, but desperate times call for desperate measures, don't they?

"Bootler, you need to stop working on your project."

Finally, I present you the first part of episode 7 ! Sorry for the long wait and the fact that it is short, however, I really wanted to put a little cliffhanger at the end of the chapter.

Will Bootler listen to Noki's pleas ? Only time will tell.

Also, sorry if this challenge resembles the one that Krisetchers used in his first season. I often put an art challenge in my Mole stories and it was the last time I could make one. ^^'

I hope you still enjoy the story ! ^^

Oh, and I have a new poll concerning the Mole's identity on my profile, feel free to leave a vote ! ^^ For the anonymous reviewers, you can just say it in your review, I'll tally it at the end of the episode. ^^

Well, until next time !