All right, fellow readers. This is the 66th chapter of this story!
Now, before we can begin this chapter, there are two things that I'd like to make note of that include some cultural references in the next couple of chapters.
The first one will include a reference to the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which will mention a Goomba being the first to walk on the moon on July 21st, the same date as it happened in the real world.
The second one will make 'reference' to the whole Cuban Missile Crisis, with the missile being replaced with the big bomb cannon, and armies of other species seeking the big bomb cannon for their own malicious and evil purposes.
This will also explain why it became a secret to all non-Bob-ombs, and this happened during the same period as the Cuban Missile Crisis, with Bobbery recalling it quite clearly since it happened during his service days.
These will be clarified in the next couple of chapters or so, but I just want you all to know about this ahead of time.
Anyway, for this chapter, Andrew and his seven friends explain to Professor Frankly what they went through on the Excess Express and how they helped avert a gooey train explosion and drove off some Smorgs afterwards, making sure everyone made it to Poshley Heights safely. All while Frankly meets Ms. Mowz in person for the first time.
Additionally, Frankly confirms that the last Crystal Star is on the moon, where Peach is being held hostage, and that Andrew could kill two birds with one stone. Professor Frankly will require time to look into finding out how to get to the moon aside from a rocket.
This'll give Andrew and his friends some time to search through the Rogueport Sewers for the remaining Shines Sprites, get the Up Arrow from Hooktail Castle to allow Merlon to Ultra Rank Andrew's team, and Andrew get a brand new bat to replace his Super Bat.
Other stuff that'll occur include Frankly mentioning how they are using a cannon to get to the moon, Koops questioning if they want to remain alive, and Bobbery revealing to Andrew that he knows about the cannon since he's been to Fahr Outpost and he didn't mention it in front of Frankly since he was following a protocol.
And a few other things will occur too. How will this go for them? Read and find out, now!
BACK AT PROFESSOR FRANKLY'S HOUSE - ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROGUEPORT:
Meanwhile, at Frankly's home, the professor himself was just occupying his time by skimming through some more books, which related to the legendary treasure behind the Thousand-Year Door, and the cataclysm that struck a thousand years ago.
He still hasn't found anything new that he hasn't known already, nor was it something that Andrew and his friends didn't know. But of course, it was just to kill time while waiting for Andrew and his six friends to make it back to his house after having gotten the sixth Crystal Star.
By this point, Professor Frankly was confident that Andrew was doing well on his journey, and that he got a good three days of relaxing on the Excess Express with his friends before making it to Poshley Heights, where they would get to the Poshley Sanctum and find the Garnet Star that was in there.
After a couple of days had gone by, Professor Frankly was expecting Andrew, Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, and Bobbery to make it back to his house at any moment.
He was especially certain that they had gone to the Thousand-Year Door already to drop off the Garnet Star and get the location of the last Crystal Star on the Magical Map.
Suddenly, right on cue, someone had knocked on the door. By this point, it had become something of a routine, as he knew exactly who that could be.
"Come on in, Andrew!" Professor Frankly called out. "The door is unlocked."
"Wow," Andrew opened the door and poked his head in. "How did you know that it was me?"
"Well, Andrew. After having done this for a while, it has become something of a routine by this point," Professor Frankly explained. "Not that it matters. You came back safe and sound. I suppose your friends came back with you, didn't they?"
"Yeah," Andrew nodded as Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, and Bobbery poked their heads into the house. "They're all here with me."
"Good. Very good. Excellent," Frankly then encouraged. "Come on in, folks."
Andrew nodded as he entered the house. Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz followed him as the eight traveling heroes came into the house. As soon as they were inside, Professor Frankly looked at Andrew and then asked him.
"Now, I suppose you folks had a great time on the Excess Express," Frankly wondered. "And you got to Poshley Heights safely, correct?"
"Yeah. We did make it safely," Andrew nodded. "Well, there was quite a bit of chaos that happened on the Excess Express while we were on it for a three-day trip."
"Oh? You did?" Frankly then raised an eyebrow at this. "What kind of chaos took place? What happened?"
As soon as Frankly asked that, he skimmed all of Andrew's friends that were in his house before he took notice of Ms. Mowz, someone that he had never met before. Getting confused by her presence, Professor Frankly felt like asking the muscular man.
"Hmmm? And who is this white Little Mouser supposed to be?" Frankly questioned. "Is she a new friend of yours?"
"You can say that," Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. "This is Ms. Mowz. She's the globe-trotting badge thief, and we encountered her three times before encountering her on the Excess Express. She also runs the badge shop called Lovely Howz of Badges in the Rogueport Plaza."
"And lemme tell you, she's the biggest floozy I have ever met, Professor!" Goombella felt like shouting.
"Besides that," Andrew continued while ignoring Goombella's comment. "She 'actually' helped us with averting all of the possible chaotic disasters that could've happened on the Excess Express."
"Well, that's very good," Professor Frankly then turned to Ms. Mowz. "Although I've never been to the Lovely Howz of Badges store, I've heard rumors about it plenty of times. Still, it is great to meet you in person, Ms. Mowz."
"Yes. It is quite a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Professor Frankly," Ms. Mowz greeted him with such a sly tone.
"Right," Professor Frankly said awkwardly before deciding to move on. "Anyhow, you said something about a couple of disasters nearly striking the train. What happened?"
"Well Professor Frankly, it started after I got the Train Ticket from Don Pianta, and my friends and I mentioned how we can get the sixth Crystal Star from Poshley Heights," Andrew started to explain. "But it turns out Beldam had overheard us. She's the leader of the Shadow Sirens and Vivian's oldest sister. She planned on slowing us down and getting the Crystal Star before we got to the sanctum."
"That's right," Goombella agreed. "When we got on the train, we 'totally' found a note threatening us not to proceed further, or we'll be met with a sticky yummy threat. As in a sticky yummy explosion that could've bombed the train to smithereens! We figured that it was either Beldam or someone that is working for her."
"Oh, my! That sounds rather bone-chilling and unfortunate," Frankly felt a shiver crawl down his spine. "And you managed to put a stop to it, right?"
"Yeah," Koops nodded. "We solved a couple of mysteries on the train, and we found out three stolen items were to be used to make the sticky yummy bomb explode! Man... Sure am glad that we stopped it before it was too late... I could never imagine becoming a dead Koopa covered in sticky yummy syrup from the blast..."
"Well! I do love experiencing some drama in my time, but this was something else, Professor Frankly, sir," Flurrie exclaimed. "Thankfully, we did avert such a disaster from striking when we caught our culprit red-handed. I daresay, it was marvelous that we ceased him and kept him from blowing up the train! I do believe we've done a good thing for all those poor souls on the train!"
"That's right! By the way, Prof, the culprit claimed to be some guy named Zip Toad," Yoshiam jumped in. "Or at least that's what he was disguised as. Turns out he was that scumbag named Doopliss, and he was the one who almost blew up the train! He's the slimeball that stole Presto's name and identity! And I guess that he is with the Shadow Sirens now. If I had known who he was, I would've pummeled him right on the spot!"
"Hrmmm... I see," Professor Frankly frowned. "So after you helped avert a train explosion, did something else happen?"
"Yes, Professor," Vivian nodded. "As it turns out, we had to deal with these Smorgs in the station to lower the drawbridge, and they stowed away on the train and struck the passengers the following morning. My sister Beldam was the one who summoned those Smorgs with one of her spells since I've witnessed her do it before. And they kidnapped all of those poor passengers."
"Smorgs? Oh my," Professor Frankly adjusted his glasses. "Hrmmm, now that you mention it, I have read some books on these Smorgs before. 'Apparently', they were the minions of this demon's spirit a thousand years ago, of which they were assigned to guard special places and keep trespassers out. They also multiply quickly, and as a group, they become aggressive and kill their prey at all costs. I'm certainly surprised that you folks managed to drive them off."
"Aye. That's precisely what we did, Professor Frankly," Bobbery proclaimed. "It was no easy feat, but we were able to have at it with the scoundrel that abducted those unfortunate passengers. I must say, it was certainly a travesty. But I am certain that it was quite providential that we came to their aid in due time, and we were successful in driving those louts off, eh?"
"Well, that's quite good, I suppose," Frankly sighed in relief. "And everyone made it to Poshley Heights safely. And did you guys get to the Poshley Sanctum, where the Crystal Star was?"
"Hmm mmm mmm mmm, yes, Professor. Yes, we did," Ms. Mowz commented. "Although I must say, when we entered the Poshley Sanctum, we were too late as the Shadow Sirens had taken the Crystal Star from the sanctum and made off with it. Hmm, or at least, that's what we thought at first."
"Wuh? What does that mean?" Frankly was still puzzled. "They didn't make off with the Crystal Star, did they?"
"No they didn't," Andrew explained it to him. "Because as it turns out, the Crystal Star that the Shadow Sirens took from the Poshley Sanctum was a fake. The real one was hidden deep in a secret room of the sanctum, which was beyond the painting that we got into."
"Ah, good. For a moment there, I thought this would've been it since those goons would have finally gotten one of the Crystal Stars," Frankly was relieved to hear that. "And I suppose that you folks were successful with obtaining the real Crystal Star?"
"That's right. We managed to claim the real Garnet Star from the sanctum, and we made it back to Rogueport sometime later," Andrew confessed.
"Very good. Very good," Professor Frankly moved on. "I'm guessing that you folks already went to the Thousand-Year Door, correct?"
"Yes, we did," Andrew took out the Magical Map. "And we got the location of the final Crystal Star on the map."
"That's wonderful news!" Professor Frankly yelled excitedly. "We only need one more, and then we'll officially have all seven Crystal Stars."
"Yeah, but there's one problem that we're having," Andrew proclaimed. "We're uncertain if this is really where the last Crystal Star is located. And we need you to look it over and confirm to us where the last Crystal Star can be obtained from."
"Huh? Is that so?" Professor Frankly raised an eyebrow at this. "Well, I am the one who inspects the map to let you folks know where you need to head anyway. So if you would kindly hand over the map, I can look it over and see if the location of the final Crystal Star 'really' is where you need to go."
"Got it," Andrew then handed the map over to Professor Frankly.
He then put the map on the desk. He then looked at the map to see if it was 'really' the correct location. The muscular man waited patiently along with his Goomba, Koopa, Wind Spirit, Yoshi, Shadow Siren, Bob-omb, and Little Mouser friends. They could only hope that he could resolve this issue quickly and that if that's where they need to go, they would like to know how they can get there.
A few minutes later, Professor Frankly was heard grunting while studying the map closely.
"Hrmm..." Professor Frankly then said. "Well, it's official. The map doesn't lie."
"What is it, Professor?" Andrew queried. "Did you figure it out?"
"Yes, I have. If what this map indicates is true, the location of the final Crystal Star is..." Professor Frankly paused for a second for a dramatic effect before finishing his sentence. "The moon."
"The moon?!" All eight of them yelled simultaneously.
"Isn't Princess Peach also on the moon?" Vivian had to query nervously while twirling her fingers.
"Yes, Vivian," Andrew nodded. "From the e-mail I got from her, Princess Peach is on the moon. And 'apparently', so is the last Crystal Star."
"Still, this just seems wrong on, like, SO many levels," Goombella remarked in a sassy tone.
"Oh, boy..." Koops frowned as he admitted. "Something about this doesn't sit well..."
"I daresay, this doesn't bode well..." Flurrie crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Yeah!" Yoshiam yelled before asking. "...Seems suspicious, huh?"
"Great gobbledy!" Bobbery felt like commenting. "...This seems a bit...off."
"Something about this doesn't seem right..." Ms. Mowz had to cross her arms at this as her tail was twitching.
"You can see why we're confused by this coincidence Professor," Andrew proclaimed. "We could end up killing two birds with one stone by getting the last Crystal Star and Princess Peach from the moon."
"Hrmmm..." Frankly decided to bring up something else that came to his attention. "The problem here...is how does one get to the moon? Quite a conundrum."
"Wouldn't the choice be obvious for us?" Andrew brought up. "Why don't we take a rocket ship to get to the moon, as the astronauts have done in the past?"
After all, that's what Neil Goomstrong did when he arrived on the moon during the Goompollo 11 mission, where he was the first Goomba to have set foot on the moon on July 21st, 1969. Andrew thought. Surely it would make sense if we could end up doing the same.
"Yes. I was wondering the same thing. But I'm afraid taking a rocket ship to the moon is not possible," Professor Frankly shook his head. "There is no location in the Rogueport region that could supply a rocket ship for all eight of you to get into, just so you can get to the moon safely."
"Well that stinks," Andrew frowned and huffed. "Well, how can we get to the moon then?"
"Hold on, Andrew. Hold on," Professor Frankly insisted. "Give me a moment to look into this. Excuse me, please. This shouldn't take long."
Professor Frankly then walked over to his shelf, where he grabbed a book that had the kind of information that he needed in regards to how to get to the moon since they had no access to a rocket ship.
Once he grabbed it, he walked back to his desk opened the book up, and skimmed through it. Seeing that he had some ground to cover by looking for the right page, Professor Frankly gave them a heads-up on it.
"Ermmm..." Professor Frankly started. "Looking into this may take a little time, so come back in a bit, all right?"
"All right. If you say so," Andrew grabbed the map and pocketed it before turning to face his friends. "Come on guys. Let's go exploring the Rogueport Sewers some more while we wait for Professor Frankly to find the answers that we need on how we can get to the moon."
"You betcha, Andrew!" Goombella winked at him. "We can 'totally' find some other neat stuff while Professor Frankly looks into this situation! Let's go for it!"
"Ummm... Good call there, Andrew," Koops nodded. "Perhaps we can look into that mystery Merlon mentioned earlier. You know? The one at Hooktail Castle? Where we found out that my dad was alive and well once he got out of Hooktail's belly?"
"Why, I must say, that this would be a marvelous treat for us, Andrew," Flurrie gleamed joyously. "I do believe we shall find any more of those precious Shine Sprites too that we've forgotten about in the Rogueport Sewers. It would be rather fortunate for us to stumble upon them."
"Aw yeah! Rock on, Presto!" Yoshiam jumped and threw the goat with his right hand. "Maybe we might find something cool while working up an appetite! Then afterwards, we can go to the Rogueport Inn where I can eat some more fruit, and you can get changed into another cool outfit, man! Let's go for it, dude!"
"That's a nice idea, Andrew," Vivian smiled. "It would be best if we kill some time while Frankly here looks into the solution of having us get to the moon since we can't take a rocketship there. Let's see what we can find."
"What a very smashing idea you got there, Andrew," Bobbery proclaimed. "Old boy, I believe that we might stumble upon something that would prove to be beneficial to us in the long run, eh?"
"Hmm mmm mmm mmm... Yes, I agree Andrew," Ms. Mowz said coyly. "We might find a couple more badges and other valuables such as Shine Sprites. Then we can look into this mystery that you spoke of that's at Hooktail Castle."
"Excellent," Andrew smiled before motioning them to the door. "Looks like we know what we can do while we're waiting. Let's go!"
It didn't take long for all eight of them to leave Professor Frankly's house for a bit to allow the Professor to look into the book to see if there was any way for them to get to the moon. In the meantime, Andrew was going to stumble upon quite a few important things that'll assist himself, and his seven friends. That was a given...
IN THE ROGUEPORT SEWERS:
After a bit of traveling downward into the sewers, Andrew and his friends ended up in the sublevel 2 area of the Rogueport Sewers, just a little to the left past the eastern corridor that has the pipe leading to the Thousand-Year Door.
They then ended up in another room containing a canal along the south wall and two large blue switches, which were super switches on both sides of the large yellow block in the center. Andrew also saw a Shine Sprite block to the right near where a pipe was supposed to be.
Deciding to make quick work out of the giant yellow block, Andrew got out his Super Bat and proceeded to bash it to rubble with his Super Bat swing, demolishing it in seconds. From there, he was able to jump onto the block in the center that was moving up and down.
Using that to his advantage, Andrew jumped onto both super switches one at a time and performed his Spin Jump on both of them. In a matter of seconds, two blue pipes appeared on the far right and far left ledges in the room.
His friends were impressed by what he had done as he then jumped back up onto the right ledge and claimed the Shine Sprite that was there when he jumped and punched the block. As soon as he put the Shine Sprite in his backpack with the rest of his Shine Sprites, he jumped back down to regroup with his friends.
"Well, that takes care of that. I got another Shine Sprite, and I had just activated two blue pipes that probably lead to places we've already been to," Andrew dusted his hands upon putting his Super Bat away. "So guys, what do you think?"
"Wow... That was unexpected," Koops remarked honestly. "Finding another Shine Sprite is one thing. But finding a couple of blue pipes... Gee whiz, that's something else, Andrew."
"I'm honestly not too surprised by this. I've heard all about these pipes from the ones that are located in the Toad Town Sewers," Andrew felt like sharing. "Based on what I've heard, the blue pipes in those sewers are used to get to locations that you've already visited. I'm pretty sure these blue pipes follow a similar purpose."
"Omigosh! You're so 'totally' right, Andrew! And y'know? I've read some books on these blue pipes in particular," Goombella shared with him. "The blue pipe to the right leads to Petalburg. While the blue pipe to the left leads to the Great Tree."
"Hey! That does sound convenient," Andrew smiled at that. "We could use these pipes at some point when it comes to needing to visit one of those locations again. But only when we need to."
"Yeah. That sounds nice... Especially if I were to see how Petalburg's been doing," Koops smiled before he suggested. "Anyhow, I don't think there's anything else here. Let's explore somewhere else, Andrew..."
"Great idea, Koops," Andrew gave him a thumbs up. "Let's get going."
And so the eight heroes left the eastern blue pipe room to explore somewhere else in the Rogueport Sewers. After a bit of traveling, and ending up in the Sublevel 1 western entrance room, the group went down the green pipe that was below that led them to the Sublevel 2 western corridor.
After getting to the ground below, Andrew took notice of a paper thingy in the way of a pathway that led to a Boat Panel. Seeing that it would have to be blown away, he knew exactly who could get the job done.
"Looks like we'll have to blow this paper thing away to move on," Andrew turned to his Wind Spirit friend with benefits. "Flurrie, if you wouldn't mind doing the honor."
"Why, I would be glad too, sweetums," Flurrie floated up. "We shall see what secrets lie beyond this point!"
With that, she took a deep breath and unleashed her Gale Force move on the paper, which caused it to flap back and forth before it was completely blown away. Another pathway was revealed as a result as the eight of them went right through it.
"Well guys, looks like we can check this place out," Andrew smiled before praising Flurrie. "Excellent job, Flurrie. We couldn't be able to do it without you."
"My, my! I was most overjoyed to provide some help, Andrew my darling," Flurrie gushed as she blushed slightly. "I do believe that we shall find something soon. Perhaps some more Shine Sprites to collect."
"It's likely," Andrew shrugged.
"Hey, Presto! Check that out!" Yoshiam got his attention as he was staring right at a Boat Panel. "It's a Boat Panel! Awesome! Now we can cruise on through this water canal, right?"
"That's right, Yoshiam," Andrew smirked. "You guys know what to do. Let's get this over with."
"I am most willing to oblige with you, old boy," Bobbery gave him a nod. "Granted, it ain't the same as sailing on an actual boat, if I may add. But perhaps this'll be just as sensational, since it's likely we might stumble upon something useful, eh wot?"
"That's right," Andrew stood on the Boat Panel. "Let's get going."
All seven of them nodded as they grabbed onto Andrew. He then transformed into a paper boat, as he started sailing across the canal in the sewers, with his friends attached to him. He wondered where this canal would lead them...
Eventually, the sailing trip came to a stop in another strange room where they turned back to normal on a boat panel. In the room were a few Spanias. Spanias were orange-colored Spinia but with two spikes on their flat heads.
Nonetheless, Andrew was able to dispatch them on the spot, thanks to his Spike Shield badge, with Koops giving him a hand. Once they were taken care of, Andrew noticed three Shine Sprites in front of them. Two of them were reachable by regular jumping, and the third one in the center required using the Spring Jump to reach.
In a matter of seconds, Andrew jumped and plowed into each of the blocks that they were in, as he managed to obtain three Shine Sprites from this room. He put the three Shine Sprites with the other ones that he had so far.
He then took notice of a Defend Plus badge on the northeast platform above, which required getting onto the platform that was moving back and forth to get it.
On the northwest platform that could be reached with some stairs was another strange enemy. It was called a Spunia. A Spunia was a pink-colored Spania, but it was much tougher than its other two relatives.
Needless to say, Andrew relied on the assistance of all seven of his friends to dispatch it. Thankfully, there was only one, and with some teamwork, the Spunia was taken care of shortly afterwards.
With the assistance of Koops and Yoshiam, Andrew made it to that moving platform with Yoshiam carrying him and Koops on his back. Once the platform was close enough, Andrew had Koops retreat into his shell before he jumped and kicked him towards the Defend Plus badge.
Koops was successful in grabbing the badge and he then went back to Andrew, like a boomerang. Andrew grabbed the badge and put it into his badge kit. Once he put that into his backpack, he jumped back down onto the ground with Koops and Yoshiam as they regrouped with the others.
"Wow. This was quite a find," Andrew had to blink. "I never knew that this room existed. And that there was a creature known as a Spunia. It was pretty strong."
"I must say, dealing with that cad was rather somewhat of a travesty, Andrew," Bobbery proclaimed. "Still, we had the fortitude to prevail against it, and we were successful in disposing of it."
"Yeah! I mean, that chump was tough," Yoshiam admitted proudly. "But we're tougher!"
"That's true," Andrew nodded. "Still, it's a surprise that I've never been in this room before. How mysterious."
"I'll say! It's an undiscovered chamber of purpose unknown," Goombella felt like gleaming ecstatically. "THIS is why I love archaeology!"
"We know, Goombella," Andrew shook his head while smirking.
"And we were able to claim three more Shine Sprites, too," Vivian remarked. "Does that mean we have 19 Shine Sprites currently?"
"Yes we do, Vivian," Andrew confirmed. "We have 19 Shine Sprites at the moment."
"Hmm mmm mmm. Yes, this was a fairly nice treat. Not to mention the badge that we found," Ms. Mowz said in a musing tone. "Well dearie, now that we've gathered the valuables here, perhaps now would be a good time for us to check out the mystery at Hooktail Castle that you mentioned to Merlon earlier."
"Good idea, Ms. Mowz," Andrew agreed. "There's no telling when Professor Frankly will be ready to share with us the answer as to how to get to the moon. So we better get this done while we're waiting."
"Ummm... Gee whiz, I didn't think we'd have to go to Hooktail Castle again so soon," Koops frowned. "Man... I've been dreading the moment that I'd have to return there..."
"I know, but this is important," Andrew proclaimed. "We can get this done and over with, and then we can return to Merlon as to what we found in that castle."
"Mercy me! That is a rather bold, but brave choice, hon," Flurrie admitted. "Very well, then! Let's go and get this done and over with! Come along now, dearie!"
"You got it," Andrew then walked back over to the Boat Panel. "Let's go."
And so the eight of them left the room with Andrew going into Boat Mode again, as they were now heading to Hooktail Castle to solve the mystery that Merlon spoke of earlier. They were going to be in for a big surprise when they saw it for themselves...
AT HOOKTAIL CASTLE:
After quite a bit of traveling on their part, the eight traveling heroes were successful in making it into Hooktail Castle. Specifically, into the spike pit trap room where Andrew, Goombella, and Koops were nearly skewered alive by the spiked ceiling. Thankfully, the spikes were gone, and there was no other way to activate the trap now that they had already used the Black Key that was in the treasure chest.
"Pardon me for asking, dearie, but whyever did you bring us here?" Flurrie felt like asking. "I take it that there must be something in here that could bestow the answer upon us, will it not?"
"Yeah, Flurrie. There is," Andrew then walked to the other end of the room. "This was the room that Goombella, Koops, and I had to escape from being skewered at one point when collecting the Black Key."
"Ummm... Yeah," Koops shivered. "I still feel the heebie-jeebies just from thinking of it..."
"Yeah. So do I, y'know," Goombella agreed. "But we were 'totally' able to make it out alive. And that's what matters."
"Uh-huh. Besides, look what I found," Andrew then pointed to the cracked wall at the end. "There's a cracked wall over there. And that means we'll have to blast it away."
Andrew then turned to face Bobbery. "I believe you know what must be done, right Bobbery?"
"Aye! I'll blast away this crack in the wall effective immediately, old boy," Bobbery lit his fuse and marched over to it. "Just leave it to me!"
Andrew stepped back and watched Bobbery use his Bomb move on the cracked wall. As soon as he exploded, there was a hole through the wall that was big enough for all eight of them to get by.
"All right! Way to go!" Yoshiam cheered as Bobbery regenerated and landed right next to Andrew. "Now we can check this room out! C'mon, Presto! Let's go!"
"Yes. I can smell something nearby in this secret room, sweetie," Ms. Mowz agreed with a smirk. "Let's check it out."
"Good idea," Andrew walked through the hole with his seven friends.
They ended up in the secret room, which had nothing but a blue cube block above. But there was 'definitely' something nearby.
"Huh? What do you know," Andrew blinked. "Is this a part of Hooktail Castle?"
"I guess. This is a hidden room in Hooktail Castle. Who knew there was a room in here?" Goombella did something similar to a shrug. "Well... I guess secret rooms are supposed to be secret..."
"Gee whiz," Vivian seemed intrigued by this. "There's just gotta be a secret in here, right Andrew?"
"I'm pretty sure there is," Andrew then noticed the blue block switch in front of him. "And whatever it is, it might be revealed if I activate that switch."
Without saying anything else, Andrew walked over and jumped into the blue switch. As soon as he did that, the switch vanished as purple smoke poofed into the center of the room. Moments later, a brown treasure chest appeared in the center, getting him a little curious.
Andrew then walked over and opened the chest. As soon as he did, he reached into it and pulled out what appeared to be a white arrow pointing upward. This was known as an Up Arrow.
"Huh? That's strange," Andrew looked at it closely. "This is a white arrow pointing upward."
"Oh! I think that's an Up Arrow!" Goombella proclaimed before asking. "But what d'you suppose that's for?"
"I don't know," Andrew scratched his head. "I don't understand the first thing about it..."
"Maybe Merlon might know the answer to this mystery," Goombella then suggested. "Might be a good idea to head back to Rogueport and have Merlon examine it for himself, don'tcha think?"
"Good idea, Goombella," Andrew smiled as he pocketed the Up Arrow. "Well, let's get out of here guys."
All of them were eager to take their leave as they exited from Hooktail Castle, and were en route to Merlon's house in Rogueport to have him observe the Up Arrow for himself...
BACK IN ROGUEPORT - AT MERLON'S HOUSE:
It took no time at all for Andrew and his group to make it back to Rogueport. Once they did, they headed straight for Merlon's house and opened the door to give him a visit. Merlon was rather surprised to see the eight of them back so soon. This left him rather perplexed by what they wanted.
"Why Andrew? You're back rather soon," Merlon remarked. "What brought you back here? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, there is," Andrew then went and took out the Up Arrow. "We'd like you to be able to examine this for us."
Andrew then went and showed Merlon the Up Arrow, as the Shaman decided to examine it for himself. Taking it from his possession, Merlon was rather confused by this.
"What's this?" Merlon queried. "An 'UP' Arrow?!"
"That's right," Andrew nodded. "Do you know anything about it?"
Merlon didn't answer right away as he spent the next few moments or so thinking about it. As he was doing that, he started uttering to himself in regards to the Up Arrow that he was given.
"An 'UP' ARROW?! ...Up?" It was then he came to a revelation. It was all coming back to Merlon, as he figured out what the Up Arrow meant exactly. "Of COURSE!"
For a brief moment, Merlon floated up into the attic, which got the eight traveling heroes a little confused.
"Ummm... Wuh?" Koops was scratching his head. "Where did Merlon go?"
"I dunno," Andrew shrugged. "Do you think that maybe he figured it out?"
"It's likely," Goombella answered. "We're about to find out in a second!"
Before Andrew could comment on that, the house started shaking and they heard the sound of a flower pot being smashed onto the floor. Moments later, a red crystal ball fell from above. This was known as an Ultra Stone, which caught Andrew's attention.
"Whoa," Andrew had to blink in amazement at that as Merlon floated back down next to it. "Is... Is that an Ultra Stone?"
"Yes! This is the Ultra Stone!" Merlon confirmed. "So THAT is what the star sign meant!"
"I see," Andrew rubbed his chin before asking. "Tell me something, where did you get that Ultra Stone from?"
"I picked this up at a flea market years ago and forgot it was in the attic!" Merlon exclaimed. "With this, I can power up your partners even more!"
"Whoa! That's cool!" Andrew was rather amazed. "So my friends will be Ultra Ranked as a result?!"
"That's right," Merlon then grabbed the Ultra Stone and removed his blue crystal ball from his table, replacing it with the Ultra Stone.
"That's great," Andrew beamed. "What do you guys think? Isn't that amazing?"
"Totally," Goombella was overjoyed as she gleamed. "That is something that I look forward to, Andrew! I can hardly wait!"
"Yeah. Pretty cool, Andrew," Koops gave him a thumbs up. "This is very great, for sure..."
"My, my! I am most awash in joy for certain, Andrew," Flurrie boomed joyously. "I do believe this shall be a wonderous thing to have ever happened to us!"
"Aw yeah! This rocks, Presto!" Yoshiam was jumping up and down. "Now we can be even stronger. This is a wicked cool thing to have happened to us, dude!"
"Yeah. This was nice, Andrew," Vivian smiled in admiration. "I think it'll be sweet for all of us to be Ultra Rank like this. I 'really' look forward to it."
"I must say, this has been a rather smashing breakdown, Andrew," Bobbery proclaimed. "Old boy, whenever the time may come, I shall also look forward to being given yet another endowment bestowed upon the likes of me. Provided that you do it once you're ready if you please?"
"Hmm, yes. I also look forward to this as well, my sweet," Ms. Mowz mused. "Whenever you might be ready, Andrew, I'll be more than happy to accept this little gift that you will present to me."
"I'm glad to hear that, guys," Andrew was happy to hear that from his friends.
"We are cooking now!" Merlon declared as he was now standing behind his table again. "Let me know when you want me to power up your allies more!"
"Will do! We'll be back later," Andrew told him while tugging on his handkerchief. "Right now, we have some more business to take care of."
"Very well," Merlon nodded in understanding. "Then I shall wait until you're ready."
"All right," Andrew motioned his friends to the door. "Let's go, guys. I gotta drop off my Super Boots at the Rogueport Inn."
With that, Andrew left the house and headed for the Rogueport Plaza. Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz followed right behind him, as they were about to find another treat for Andrew as soon as he dropped his Super Boots off at the Inn...
It didn't take long at all for Andrew to go into the Inn and drop his Super Boots off where his luggage was along with his black combat boots and his wooden bat.
Andrew had informed the Innkeeper that he'd be back shortly to get changed up after he found out from Professor Frankly where he and his friends had to go next. The Innkeeper was perfectly all right with that and informed him that she'd be waiting, which satisfied Andrew as he left the Inn.
He then walked out of the building to regroup with his partners, who were waiting for him right next to the door. They were quite surprised to see that he got done with dropping off his Super Boots that quickly.
"Jeepers, Andrew! That was 'totally' fast," Goombella explained. "It didn't take ya long at all, did it?"
"No Goombella. It didn't," Andrew shook his head. "I just told the Innkeeper that we'll be back after we find out where we need to head next, where I'll change up into a fresh outfit afterwards."
"Well, you've made quite impeccable timing, my sweet," Ms. Mowz decided to point out something to him. "I 'actually' found something that could be useful to you. Look up there!"
Andrew then followed the direction Ms. Mowz was pointing in and saw what it was for himself. On the raised platform was a giant brown treasure chest, and it was something that he never took notice of before.
"Huh? A giant treasure chest?" Andrew raised an eyebrow. "How come I never noticed it before?"
"Beats me," Goombella proclaimed. "But it might be a good idea to get it down from there and claim what's in there."
"Mercy me! I must concur!" Flurrie yelled. "Andrew, my darling? I do believe that your glorious Spring Jump is needed to get that chest down here."
"You got that right, Flurrie," Andrew smirked while giving her a wink. "And that's exactly what I'm gonna do!"
Flurrie watched him in amazement along with the others as Andrew walked underneath the platform that the giant chest was on. After jumping, he crouched onto his knees before activating the springs in his boots. He was then propelled upward where he plowed right into the platform. It was strong enough to knock the giant treasure chest off to the side.
"Well, that did the trick," Andrew rubbed his temple.
"Wow... Man, wonder what could be in there..." Koops seemed curious about this.
"Only one way to find out," Yoshiam then encouraged. "Go ahead and open it up, man!"
"Right," Andrew nodded as he walked over and opened up the giant treasure chest.
As soon as it was opened, Andrew leaned in and checked to see what was in there. What he saw in there left him completely surprised.
"HOLY COW! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" Andrew yelled with a rather eager tone.
"What is it, Andrew?" Vivian was curious. "What's in the chest?"
"I'll show you," Andrew then grabbed what was in there and showed it to his friends. "This is what was in there."
His friends were shocked to see what it was. It was a bat. Specifically, it was the Ultra Bat. 'And' unlike his other bats, this bat was completely yellow with two red thin stripes on the base of it. It also looked like it was made of metal, considering how shiny it looked.
"By Crackifer's cookies! Old boy, would that happen to be a new bat that you are in 'possession' of currently?" Bobbery had to query.
"I think so," Andrew felt the bat for himself. "And judging by how shiny it looks, it must be brand new."
"Omigosh, Andrew!" Goombella jumped as she shouted. "That's an Ultra Bat!"
"An Ultra Bat," Andrew smiled. "That's pretty cool. Let's see how it looks when I'm holding it correctly."
Andrew then held the Ultra Bat correctly like any baseball player. As he did so, a piece of paper had fallen off the bat that got his attention.
"Hmm? What's this?" Andrew picked up the piece of paper. "Hey! These appear to be instructions on how to use the Ultra Bat!"
"Wowsers!" Goombella blinked at this. "Don't leave us hanging Andrew! What does it say?"
"Well, it says that the way to use the Ultra Bat is the same as how I used the Super Bat previously," Andrew then had to remind them. "Remember? I can twist myself around and swing the Ultra Bat in circles."
"Ummm... Amazing..." Koops gawked in awe. "That's pretty neat."
"Yeah. But there's more," Andrew continued to read. "With the Ultra Bat Swing, I can bash down giant stone blocks that are in my way. And with this bat, I can break down small stone blocks too."
"Oh, what a marvelous surprise, dearie," Flurrie swooned. "I do believe that the Ultra Bat shall prove to be useful for us!"
"Yeah!" Yoshiam agreed. "That's gotta be the most coolest and radical thing that we found, Presto! Way to go!"
"Of course," Andrew then read some more. "And by the way, the attacks with my bat have gotten stronger with the Ultra Bat, and I can do the Ultra Bat Swing in battles too."
"That's nice, Andrew," Vivian grinned. "I think it was a sweet gift that you found in that chest."
"I must say, it was rather fortunate that we stumbled upon such a confounding present such as that one, old boy," Bobbery agreed.
"Yeah, I know," Andrew smiled. "I am gonna make full use of this bat."
"I can tell, Andrew," Ms. Mowz then decided to bring up. "Now, aren't you gonna drop your Super Bat off at the Inn?"
"I can do that later," Andrew put his Ultra Bat away. "Right now, we better head back to Professor Frankly's place. I think he's found a way to get to the moon by now. Let's go."
"Right," all seven of them said simultaneously as the eight heroes headed back to Frankly's place.
They were about to find out if he found out how they could get to the moon.
All eight of them had arrived at Professor Frankly's house shortly afterwards, as they opened his door and made their way into the house. Professor Frankly was at his desk, and it looked like he found the answer as to how they could get to the moon.
"Hey Professor Frankly," Andrew called out to him. "We're back."
Professor Frankly looked up and saw them. He was glad that they had come back in the nick of time.
"Ah! Excellent timing!" Professor Frankly remarked. "I finally have it, Andrew! I found a way that might just get you to the moon!"
"Well don't leave us hanging," Andrew encouraged with his friends being as curious. "How can we get to the moon?"
"Here's the thing. You must go to Fahr Outpost," Professor Frankly exclaimed, getting a curious look from Bobbery. "And you must use the cannon there. And it will blast you."
Andrew had to check his ears to see if he heard him correctly. Did Frankly just say that they have to use a cannon to get to the moon? Surely, he must be joking right now, right?"
"Excuse me," Andrew had to ask softly. "Did you say we're using a cannon to get to the moon?"
"That's right," Frankly confirmed it with a nod, indicating that this was no joke.
His friends all had different reactions to this too. Yoshiam, in particular, seemed rather over the moon with the concept of being blasted from a cannon straight to the moon.
"Whoa! We're using a cannon to blast ourselves to the moon?" Yoshiam was then whooping and cheering eagerly. "YEAH! EXTREEEEME!"
Andrew had to shake his head at this. It was obvious that Yoshiam would treat this like it was a joy ride when it was something that was not to be taken lightly at all. His friends exchanged similar looks. Then again, Yoshiam was the one who would be willing to surf on the water with a Koopa shell, most of all Koops's shell. So it was no surprise.
Then there was Bobbery, who seemed oddly tolerant of using a cannon to get to the moon. It didn't take long for him to respond to this concept as well.
"So we're to use a cannon to reach the moon, are we? Sounds capital!" Bobbery's tone of voice sounded like he was hiding something from the others.
It's as if he knew something about the cannon in Fahr Outpost. But he decided to keep his mouth shut about it for the time being, fearing that it would cause some catastrophe if it leaked out into the wrong hands.
The rest of them seemed rather concerned about needing to use the cannon to get to the moon, and what could happen to them as a result. Koops, in particular, was the most worried about this idea, as he knew that it could 'possibly' lead to some disastrous outcome for all eight of them.
"Umm... Excuse me? We're using a cannon to reach the moon?" Koops then had to ask the all-important question. "Don't we want to live?"
"Koops has a point, Professor," Andrew agreed and spoke up. "How will we know that we'll survive the impact of landing on the moon if we're shot out of a cannon that's aiming us for the moon? It's like I said, it would've been far safer if we were to use a rocket ship to get to the moon instead."
"Yeah. Uh, hello?" Goombella raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that, like, dangerous?"
"I have to concur with them there, sugar," Flurrie then queried. "Is that entirely safe?"
"They're right, Professor," Vivian frowned at this. "Doesn't that seem...unsafe?"
"Whatever you say, darling..." Ms. Mowz rolled her eyes and did that thing with her fingers near her head, indicating that she thought this plan was crazy and absurd.
"I know how it sounds, really," Professor Frankly reacted to their comments, while ignoring Yoshiam's eager anticipation to be blasted from a cannon, and Bobbery's rather strange tolerance of doing so. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of all the details..."
Professor Frankly then took a deep breath and added. "Accounts from Fahr Outpost speak of a device that can launch anything, anywhere. Even to the moon!"
Bobbery 'really' looked like he was just dying to say something. Unfortunately, he didn't say a word about it. He didn't want to blurt something out in front of the Professor, and possibly cause everything to go downhill for everyone. Fortunately, Koops decided to step up and ask about it.
"Um...OK. Well, where is this certain death...er...Fahr Outpost, anyway?" Koops had to correct himself when he let that little hint slip out, indicating that this might result in the death of all eight of them.
"Yeah," Andrew stepped up and asked. "Where is Fahr Outpost? And how do we get there?"
"I believe there's a pipe to Fahr Outpost somewhere beneath Rogueport..." Professor Frankly answered.
"All right! We get to use a pipe to travel somewhere again," Andrew smiled. "It's been a while since we've done that."
"Yes. But I'm not sure of the exact location," Professor Frankly then shared. "Yes, I believe it was hidden for some reason."
"What do you mean?" Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"If my information is correct, you need something called an Ultra Bat to get it," Frankly revealed to them.
"An Ultra Bat?!" All eight of them asked in unison.
"You mean this?" Andrew then took out his Ultra Bat and showed it to him. "I found this in a giant chest in the Rogueport Plaza a few minutes ago. I believe this is what you're referring to, right?"
"Ah! Yes! That is! Well! I see!" Professor Frankly seemed amused that Andrew found the Ultra Bat on his own. "That certainly changes the subject, now, doesn't it?! Well, use that Ultra Bat to find the pipe to Fahr Outpost, then. Get to it!"
"No worries, Professor! We'll get on it!" Andrew declared. "Looks like we're heading off to Fahr Outpost!"
"You got it, Professor!" Goombella beamed. "Fahr Outpost, here we come!"
"Yes, sir, Professor Frankly!" Koops nodded hesitantly, seeing that he had no choice but to go along with this. "We're off to Fahr Outpost!"
"We are on our way, Frankly!" Flurrie bellowed cheerfully with a salute. "To Fahr Outpost we go!"
"Yeah! You got it, Prof!" Yoshiam whooped while pointing forward while marching in place excitedly. "Fahr Outpost! Chaaaarge!"
"If you say so, Professor!" Vivian nodded, looking determined to get this over with. "Let's find Fahr Outpost, Andrew!"
"Hmm... Yes... I see!" Bobbery nodded before declaring without sounding suspicious. "Quite so! Destination: Fahr Outpost!"
"No problem at all, sweetie!" Ms. Mowz delivered a wink in his direction. "Fahr Outpost, it is!"
"Well, looks like we better get going," Andrew proclaimed.
"Oh wait..." Professor Frankly got them to stop. "One more thing you should be aware of..."
"What is it, Professor?" Andrew seemed curious about this.
"The Bob-ombs who live there are...sort of a surly bunch," Professor Frankly exclaimed.
"Surly bunch?" Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. They may not let you use their cannon," Professor Frankly warned them. "You may have to negotiate with them."
"Oh, well that's just great," Andrew sighed, feeling that he'll have to cross over specie barriers just to convince the Bob-ombs to let them use their cannon.
"In any case, that's your problem!" Professor Frankly proclaimed. "Good luck! Get that last Crystal Star!"
"Well thanks for the encouraging comment, Professor," Andrew said with a rather sharp sarcastic tone before rolling his eyes. "Come on, guys. Let's go to the Inn so I can drop off my Super Bat and then change into a fresh outfit before we can move forward to Fahr Outpost."
All seven of them nodded as they followed Andrew out of the house, and they made their way back to the Rogueport Plaza and to the Inn.
Bobbery, meanwhile, was having some thoughts cloud his head. Should he 'really' trust Andrew with the secret that he withheld from Professor Frankly when he mentioned the cannon? Should he clue the muscular man in with regards to how he already knew about the cannon in Fahr Outpost, and that he's been there before?
Considering Andrew's good intentions, and how they need to get to the moon to get the Crystal Star, it might be the safe option to do so after he was done in the Inn.
Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to let Andrew know about how I already know of the Big Bomb Cannon in Fahr Outpost. Bobbery thought. After all, I have been to Fahr Outpost during my days in the service when I was a wee young Bob-omb, if I may add. Surely, I suppose cluing him in on it wouldn't prove to be disastrous in the slightest.
Keeping that thought in mind, Bobbery accompanied the others as they headed straight for the Rogueport Inn for Andrew to take care of business first...
AT THE ROGUEPORT INN:
"It's nice of you to come back again, Andrew," the innkeeper greeted more casually. "Did you end up getting what you were looking for?"
"Yes I did, ma'am," Andrew nodded. "My friends and I have to go to Fahr Outpost, and find some way to get to the moon."
"I see. How fun," the innkeeper seemed amused. "Well, I'm sure glad that you've been making some good progress with your journey. And with a group of friends accompanying you too."
"That's right," Andrew had dropped his Super Bat in the corner with his luggage where his Super Boots were located. "And I'm here to get changed into a new outfit that'll be perfect for going to Fahr Outpost."
"Fine by me, dear," the innkeeper smiled sweetly. "Say, I also noticed the Little Mouser that was accompanying you. Tell me, would that happen to be Ms. Mowz? The manager of the Lovely Howz of Badges? Is she traveling with you now?"
"That's right," Andrew nodded. "You know about the Lovely Howz of Badges?"
"Of course I do," the innkeeper revealed. "It's right next door to the inn. You just go out that door and you'll find the store nearby."
"Well, that helps a lot," Andrew smiled. "Thanks for that, ma'am."
"Don't mention it, Andrew," the innkeeper told him. "You just be careful and have fun with traveling with your diverse group of friends."
"Yeah. I'll be sure to do that," Andrew then decided to bring up. "Anyway, looks like I don't have much more to do on this journey, so after I get the last Crystal Star and the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, I'll probably be all set to take my leave from here."
"I see. Well, no matter. That's not a problem at all," the innkeeper said. "You can take all the time you need to before you get the last Crystal Star and get Princess Peach back to Rogueport safely."
"Will do. Thanks for that," Andrew smiled as he walked over to his luggage. "Anyway, I'll just be finding a good outfit to wear before I get changed up in the bathroom. And I'll leave my other clothes behind so you can get them washed, OK?"
"You got it, dear," the innkeeper smiled. "I'll be sure to wash your clothes while you're busy finishing up your journey. You don't have to worry about that at all."
"I know," Andrew said. "Thanks again."
The innkeeper just smiled as she walked off to get some fresh sheets for the beds nearby, while Andrew dug through his luggage to find the perfect outfit that he could wear. It took him several minutes, but he was successful in finding the right clothes to wear.
Once he picked out a pair of pants, a fresh pair of boxer shorts, a pair of socks, an undershirt, and a zipper hoodie that had some fluffy wool on the rims and the inside of the hood to keep him warm, he headed to the bathroom to get all changed up.
He made sure to take off the badges from his overalls which he'll pin on the inside left side of his hoodie once he's done. Otherwise, the badges won't take effect, since he's not wearing them on his person.
And after he's done changing, he'll leave his other clothes to be washed by the innkeeper, like she had stated. Needless to say, the others were gonna be in for a treat once they saw Andrew with the new outfit that he was going to wear once they got to Fahr Outpost.
For a change of pace, Andrew's friends decided to go upstairs for a change to see if he was all ready to change up. Goombella, in particular, was the one to call out to Andrew, in hopes that he would answer her.
"Hey, Andrew?! Aren'tcha done yet?!" Goombella yelled as she reached the top of the stairs along with the others. "We're kinda worried about ya since ya been changing up for a bit."
"Oh, Goombella! You're just in time!" Andrew called out from the bathroom. "I'm all set with changing into a new outfit!"
"Well come out and show us already, Mr. Hotshot," Goombella proclaimed as the bathroom door opened up. "We've dealt with this before, y'know? So we might as well see what you're omiiiigooooosh!"
Goombella got to see what Andrew was wearing and was amazed. Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz were also amazed by the outfit that he was wearing too, considering the stares that he was receiving.
Andrew was still wearing his blue ballcap and yellow-orange handkerchief. But now he was wearing black denim jeans for pants, an olive green undershirt that exposed parts of his six-pack abs to his friends, and he was wearing a long-sleeved black zipper hoodie with his badges pinned on the left inner flap of it.
Regardless, he was still quite the charming handsome man that his four female traveling friends saw him as. All seven of them liked what they were seeing. Andrew couldn't help but admire the looks he was getting as he smirked in their directions.
"Well, guys? What do you think?" Andrew asked them, placing his hands on his hips. "Don't I look great in this?"
"Andrew? Do I 'totally' have to say it by this point?" Goombella asked him rhetorically with a smirk. "Everything you wore looked amazing on you! What you're wearing is no different! You're the only man that I know of 'personally' that doesn't dress up in such a gnarly manner!"
"Ummm... Wow... Looking good, Andrew," Koops blinked before smiling and giving him a thumbs up. "Man, you've worn some snazzy clothes before, but gosh. This might be something else... You must be an expert on what proper clothes you should wear... If that makes sense..."
"By the stars! I do believe you look marvelous, Andrew!" Flurrie had to gleam in excitement. "I daresay, there shan't be a single outfit out there that you mustn't look good in, darling! You are as charming and handsome as I've always imagined in our previous travels to obtain the Crystal Stars. And that shan't ever change through my eyes in the slightest!"
"Aw yeah! Looking cool, Presto! Dig the outfit, man!" Yoshiam smirked while throwing the goat with both hands. "Anything you wear looks wicked awesome when you do it! This is why I think you're the coolest, dude! Nice looking clothes you're wearing!"
"Yeah. You look nice, Andrew," Vivian told him meekly. "Not that you didn't look nice before. It's just that, well, you look 'really' handsome and...dreamy with that outfit. I...I love it. You look wonderful and good-looking. I hope that's good enough for you, Andrew."
"Great Goobery! Old boy, your choice of garments is nothing to be trifled with!" Bobbery decided to make his comment. "I must say, those clothes certainly are the bee's knees, Andrew. Though I must wonder how in the world did you ever gain possession of such a fine choice of trappings for clothes. Regardless, I believe it looks smashing, and I couldn't 'possibly' conjure up the thought of some other bloke wearing the outfit that you're wearing dear boy. Very impressive."
"Hmm mmm mmm mmm... I must say, I am rather impressed by your clothes, dearie," Ms. Mowz gave him a sly compliment. "I can see why you have become quite a chick magnet around these parts. Your choice of clothing might have something to do with it. That being said, you look wonderful, Andrew. I couldn't have pictured it any better myself, my handsome muscular cheese hunk of a superstar. You're looking dreamy, sweetie. Love the outfit."
"Oh, you guys," Andrew said shyly. "I can always count on you to compliment my variety of different clothing. Really."
"We're used to it by now," Goombella added. "So we 'totally' know what to expect."
"Yeah. That's true," Andrew admitted.
"Anyway, we're all set," Goombella then had to ask him. "You ready for us to find the pipe leading to Fahr Outpost?"
"Wait! Before we head there, there's one thing that I'd like to settle," Andrew then turned to face Ms. Mowz while pointing at the door to the left of the Inn. "Ms. Mowz? The Lovely Howz of Badges shop is just past that door, isn't it?"
"Yes. That is correct, sweetie," Ms. Mowz confirmed. "That's where the Lovely Howz of Badges is located."
"Would you mind if we go into the badge shop for a few moments or so?" Andrew asked. "I don't think it would hurt to check it out. Plus, I would like to see what kind of badges they have that I can afford."
"Well, all right. If you say so, Andrew," Ms. Mowz shrugged as she walked to the door and opened it up. "It's just past this door. Follow me."
"Got it," Andrew nodded as he followed Ms. Mowz through the door, along with the rest of his friends.
Once they walked through the door, they were on the pathway on the second floor, as they walked over to the building that was next to the rooftop of Zess T's house.
"It's inside this building, right?" Andrew pointed to it.
"That is correct," Ms. Mowz nodded. "Feel free to poke around for any badges that catch your best interest."
"OK," Andrew then faced his other friends. "Come on, guys. We better check this out."
They nodded as the eight of them set foot into the Lovely Howz of Badges store to see it for themselves. What they saw left them speechless.
The setup was pretty simple. Badge deals were hanging out in the window nearby, and right behind the counter that some of the badges were on was another counter that had a bunch of cases that came in different colors.
Andrew could only assume that that's where the badges are stored for safekeeping until they are put on stock on the counter in front. There was a shelf with a bunch of books to the left of the back counter with those cases. Above the cases was a big wooden vent, and in the back was a door leading to a flight of stairs to the floor above it, which consisted of an apartment.
Andrew was convinced that it was Ms. Mowz's apartment when she wasn't traveling to find new badges. He was also convinced that because of her job, she was barely able to spend any time at home.
I have to give Ms. Mowz some credit for starting this business. Andrew thought. After all, based on what she told me, Ms. Mowz didn't exactly have a luxurious childhood, since her family was poor.
Andrew shook his head and kept that thought in his mind before he found himself commenting on the place. "So this is the Lovely Howz of Badges..."
"Ummm... Gosh. Wow. This is what the Lovely Howz of Badges looks like," Koops had to comment. "Man, never thought it'd be as simple as this. Sure looks like Ms. Mowz has a living with this store to run."
"Wowsers," Goombella blinked. "I 'totally' had expected it to look like this. But still, I gotta hand it to Ms. Mowz, she 'really' knows how to decorate. It's small, but it's 'totally' adorable."
"Yeah," Andrew nodded as he then noticed another Little Mouser working as the badge clerk.
He had pale yellow fur, had the traditional black bandana over his white eyes like all Little Mousers have, he had blue shoes, the inside of his ears were cyan, and he was wearing a red ballcap with a white right over his face. Lastly, he had the regular tail that most Little Mousers do.
"Why, I'll be," Flurrie seemed curious by the yellow Little Mouser nearby. "I do believe that that would happen to be the store clerk of this badge shop, is it not?"
Before Ms. Mowz could answer, the badge clerk took notice of Andrew and he decided to welcome him.
"A big welcome to you!" He greeted back in an overly enthusiastic and loud manner. "Welcome to the Lovely Howz of Badges! Welcome!"
"Uh, yeah," Andrew tugged on his handkerchief in response. "It's a pleasure to meet you too."
"He's with me, dearie," Ms. Mowz spoke up and approached him. "We're on good terms together."
The badge clerk instantly recognized her and greeted her instantly.
"Ms. Mowz!? It is you!" The badge clerk greeted. "Welcome back! It's nice to see you pop up into the store again!"
"Hmm mmm, I do agree with that," Ms. Mowz decided to introduce him to Andrew and the others. "Andrew, this here happens to be Antoine. He's an old...apprentice of mine, and he works part-time at this lovely badge store that I started up."
"Is that so?" Andrew remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. We've been rather close friends since high school," Ms. Mowz revealed. "He is just as fascinated with badges as yours truly. Heck, that's how we were able to hit it off when we crossed paths. Antoine also has this dream to open his 'own' badge shop someday, so that's why he's working at my badge shop."
"Jeepers! So he's using this job to learn the business?" Goombella was rather shocked by this. "Talk about motivation!"
"No kidding," Yoshiam agreed with her. "That sounds pretty cool, I guess."
"Yeah. That's nice to know," Andrew nodded.
"Anyway, you know me as Antoine, but I don't recall hearing your name!" Antoine proclaimed before asking. "So uh, what would your name be?!"
"Right. Well, I'm Andrew, and these guys are my friends who are traveling with me," Andrew introduced before directing him to the rest of his group. "The Goomba girl is Goombella. This Koopa is named Koops. This glamorous Wind Spirit woman is Madame Flurrie or just Flurrie. This little Yoshi kid is known as Yoshiam. This cute Shadow Siren girl is Vivian. And this Bob-omb is Admiral Bobbery or just Bobbery."
"Nice to meet ya!" Goombella beamed.
"Yeah... It is nice to meet you, sir," Koops said bashfully.
"I daresay, it is a rousing pleasure to meet you, Antoine," Flurrie declared.
"Yeah. It's cool to meet you," Yoshiam told him casually.
"It's great to meet you, sir," Vivian told him rather meekly.
"Indeed. I must say, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my good sir," Bobbery proclaimed.
"Yes! So tell me, Ms. Mowz," Antoine started. "What brings you here with these nice people!?"
"Well, the answer is simple, sweetie," Ms. Mowz proclaimed. "I happen to be traveling with Andrew here since he's been collecting a ton of badges. He's also been collecting the Crystal Stars, and he's earned my respect. So I am providing my assistance to this handsome muscular superstar."
"Yeah. That's true," Andrew rubbed the back of his head while blushing. "She's been helping me with my quest."
"Well, she couldn't have been in better company then!" Antoine then moved on. "So! What can I do for you?!"
"Well you see, Antoine sir, I'm interested in the kind of badges that you might have in stock," Andrew got to the point. "You see, I am wondering if there are any badges that might prove to be useful to me in getting the last Crystal Star."
"Very well! I understand!" Antoine explained. "The special deals we have are on the counter nearby! All other badges that we have are at my disposal! So feel free to take your time with picking out which one strikes you fancy!"
"All right," Andrew nodded. "That sounds fair enough. Let's see what I can find."
The next few minutes were spent with Andrew taking a good look at the badges that were available for the picking, and purchasing. In the end, he found himself getting plenty of badges.
The badges that he bought that caught his attention included the Piercing Slam badge; which was a cyan bat-shaped badge with a diamond in the center, the Fire Swing badge, which was a bat-shaped badge that was engulfed in flames, the Sleepy Stomp badge, the Pretty Lucky P badge, the Power Rush and Power Rush P badges, the Shrink Stomp badge, the Damage Dodge P badge, and the Attack FX P badge.
In addition, Andrew was able to make a profit himself by selling some of the badges that he had that he did not need. Particularly the HP Plus Badges that he's collected. He also sold the Happy Heart badge that he had, seeing that he hadn't had any use for it.
In the end, Andrew made quite a bit of money from the badges that he had sold to the Badge Shop. And in return, he also spent some of his money just to get the badges that he had obtained.
"Thank you so very much for this!" Antoine thanked him. "Are there any other badges you'd like to buy or sell?"
"Nope. That's just about it," Andrew shook his head. "I've done all of the spending and loaning away badges for a profit that I needed to do."
"Come again!" Antoine said as a result before facing Ms. Mowz. "And Ms. Mowz, I take it that you'll be traveling with Andrew here, right?!"
"You would be correct, Antoine," Ms. Mowz nodded. "I don't know when I'll be back. But I promised Andrew to help him with obtaining the final Crystal Star and rescuing the Mushroom Kingdom Princess."
"All right then!" Antoine then asked. "Well, with you gone for a lengthy 'period' of time, who will run the shop in your absence!?"
"Why, you, of course. But that was already obvious," Ms. Mowz told him. "You've already been running the store quite all right when I'm on my globe-trotting hunts for badges. Therefore, I'm putting you in charge of the store in my absence."
"Me!? You're putting me in charge!?" Antoine was shocked to hear that. "Are...Are you sure about that, Ms. Mowz?! I've only learned the fundamentals of running the badge shop! How can I be able to manage the Lovely Howz of Badges store while you are away?!"
"Don't be silly, Antoine. I chose you because you're the best candidate. And don't worry. I know you can do it, sweetie," Ms. Mowz told him. "You've been dreaming of opening your 'own' badge shop one day, yes? Well, this is the perfect opportunity to put that goal of yours to the test. You've done some outstanding work for this store so far. So I have no doubts that you'll be successful. Trust me. I have complete confidence in you, Antoine."
Antoine realized that she was right. It has been his dream to open his 'own' badge shop that could be as successful as the Lovely Howz of Badges store. He and Ms. Mowz went into business together because of their mutual fondness for badges.
Surely, this would be the perfect chance for him to show just how capable he is to run the store on his own with no frets or problems, right?
"Very well then, Ms. Mowz! In that case, I'll be more than glad to run the shop in your absence!" Antoine told her. "You just handle things with Andrew there, and I'll make sure the store stays running in tip-top shape! Don't worry about anything! The Lovely Howz of Badges store is in good hands! Just leave it to me!"
"And I already know it, dearie. Good luck," Ms. Mowz did a back flip and winked at him before staring at Andrew. "Let's go, Andrew. We got to get the last Crystal Star and save Princess Peach."
"Right," Andrew then looked at his other friends. "We better get going, guys."
They nodded as the eight of them left the badge shop, allowing Antoine to handle the shop on his own while Ms. Mowz was away on a longer basis.
Once they left, they cut through the Rogueport Inn and went downstairs before they went out the door and were back on the ground.
Andrew knew that it was about time for them to find the pipe that led to Fahr Outpost.
"Well guys, perhaps now's a good time for us to find the pipe that leads to Fahr Outpost," Andrew motioned his friends to follow. "Let's get going."
All of them agreed as they followed to the West Side of Rogueport. Bobbery, meanwhile, felt something tick inside of his head. Perhaps now was as good of a time as any for him to tell Andrew the truth about how he knows about the Big Bomb Cannon and that he's been to Fahr Outpost before.
"Harumph! A thousand pardons, old boy," Bobbery got his attention. "But I hear tell that just convincing the fellow Bob-ombs of Fahr Outpost isn't gonna be as facile as it seems."
"I guess so," Andrew shrugged. "According to Professor Frankly, the Bob-ombs of Fahr Outpost are of the surly bunch, and they may not let us use their cannon."
"Aye! And there's a pretty good explanation as to why that's so, Andrew," Bobbery then came out and confessed. "For you see, I am quite fully aware of the Big Bomb Cannon that is in Fahr Outpost. And I've been to Fahr Outpost before, if I may add."
"You do?" Andrew stopped and looked at him along with the others. "How?"
"Remember when I told you how I was in the Navy during my days in the service?" Bobbery wondered as they nodded. "Well, during those days, I've been to Fahr Outpost to deliver some fresh cargo to one of the blokes who live there, when it occurred?"
"It?" Andrew queried. "What's it supposed to be? And when did this occur?"
"It was during the Fahr Outpost Big Bomb Cannon Crisis that took place from the 16th to the 28th in October of 1962. And it was during the Icy War, if I may add," Bobbery started to explain. "I was with a few other fellow lubbers who were in the Navy as well at the time. 'And' we washed ashore and set foot onto Fahr Outpost to deliver some rather fragile cargo to one of the blokes who reside there. Now, I must say, I have heard about the Big Bomb Cannon before, so you can take it from me that I was rather impressed, eh? And that was when I caught a good glimpse of the Big Bomb Cannon up close, if I may add."
Bobbery then cleared his throat before he continued. "But alas, a counterspy had flown over Fahr Outpost and caught a glimpse of the Big Bomb Cannon, and took pictures. And I do believe that it occurred on the 14th of October, two days before the start of the Fahr Outpost Big Bomb Cannon Crisis taking effect."
"Omigosh! Really?!" Goombella yelped. "Who was the person?!"
"That I do not know, Goombella. But one thing that I am most certain of what that the counterspy was most definitely a Koopa of the Koopa Air Force," Bobbery proclaimed. "And before long, the Fahr Outpost Big Bomb Cannon Crisis took place when word leaked out. And if I may add, the services of other species had found out about it. Koopas. Boos. Shy Guys. Little Mousers. Even Pirahna Plants. All of whom were seeking the use of the cannon."
"Ummm... Wow," Koops gulped. "Gee whiz, must've been tough, wasn't it?"
"Oh, my! Mercy me!" Flurrie gasped. "That mustn't have been good, was it!?"
"It wasn't," Bobbery shook his head. "I hear tell that those other species had sought out the Big Bomb Cannon and were keen on using the cannon for their own malicious and foul purposes."
"Whoa! No way! Really?!" Yoshiam blinked at that. "Whoa, man! That must've stunk, big time."
"Aye. And that's why after the crisis was resolved, the Bob-ombs had pledged to keep the cannon from falling into the wrong hands and to keep it a well-kept secret," Bobbery explained. "So that such a disaster can be averted and shall never take place again."
"That's why the pipe leading to Fahr Outpost is blocked off," Vivian gasped at this. "Because other species could find out and use it for horrible things."
"Precisely what I meant. The Bob-ombs of Fahr Outpost had to make sure no enemy forces could penetrate through the blockade and claim the cannon for their 'own' heinous desires," Bobbery told him. "And it is something that we Bob-ombs have pledged to keep a secret from any non-Bob-ombs, in hopes that no one else shall ever find out about it."
"Hmmm, that sounds intriguing," Ms. Mowz mused. "Still, it's clever to know that you took extra precautions to prevent it from happening again."
"So you knew about it all along," Andrew finally commented on it. "And you never mentioned anything when Professor Frankly was suggesting that we'd use it to get to the moon."
"In my defense, old boy, I was only following Big Bomb Cannon Protocol," Bobbery confessed. "Be it that I shan't give the reveal that I know of its existence, on account that some horrid group of cads would take full advantage of it, and would use it to bring forth the apocalypse unto the world, if I may add."
"That's understandable," Andrew then had to bring up a serious manner. "But you were still willing to tell me and my friends here about it. Why?"
"Andrew, old boy, I am already aware that you have good intentions with collecting the last Crystal Star and planning to save the world and her Highness of the Mushroom Kingdom," Bobbery told him sincerely. "You are quite the finest chap that I've ever met, and I happen to trust you well enough to know the secret. Provided that you don't go treason and use it for evil."
"Don't worry, Bobbery. I have no interest in committing evil acts of terror, or for creating the apocalypse," Andrew assured him. "We only need to use it to get to the moon, save Princess Peach, and get the last Crystal Star. That's it. The same goes for the rest of my friends, isn't that right, guys?"
"That's right," Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, and Ms. Mowz all said simultaneously, which was enough proof to convince Bobbery.
"Very well then. We'd best shove off for Fahr Outpost then," Bobbery also added. "And also, Andrew? If the Bob-ombs surely do need some further negotiation and deny there is a cannon, feel free to let me know on the double. I shall step in and settle out any and 'all' negotiation issues and have the Bob-ombs of Fahr Outpost form a potential alliance with the likes of you."
"That would be great," Andrew smiled. "Thanks for that, Bobbery."
"Believe me, dear boy, the pleasure was all mine," Bobbery remarked proudly.
"Well, now that we got that squared away, I guess we better get going," Andrew pointed out. "Let's find the way to Fahr Outpost."
All seven of them nodded as they headed to the West Side of Rogueport. Flurrie did feel like commenting on what she just heard, though.
"I must say, I do NOT fancy the thought of there being an apocalypse occurring like the one in a movie that I starred in," Flurrie proclaimed honestly. "That would be unfortunate."
"And the movie you're speaking of is Apocalypse Goom, right?" Andrew wondered.
"By the stars, that is 'absolutely' correct," Flurrie nodded. "Let's make haste and find the way to get to Fahr Outpost!"
"Right," Andrew nodded. "Let's continue."
The eight of them continued onward to get into the Rogueport Sewers through the sewer grate within the West Side of Rogueport to find the pipe that leads to Fahr Outpost...
IN THE ROGUEPORT SEWERS:
It took no time at all for the eight traveling heroes to make it into the sewers through the sewer grates with Paper Mode. 'And' with Yoshiam's help, the eight of them made it across the gap to the area where the room with the pipe leading to Twilight Town was. Andrew took notice of the stone block from earlier that was blocking the passageway, which led to the pipe leading to Fahr Outpost. Andrew had to make sure of Bobbery himself just to reconfirm his suspicions.
"Is the pipe just behind that stone block over there, Bobbery?" Andrew had to ask while pointing to it.
"Indeed. The pipe leading to Fahr Outpost is past that blockade," Bobbery confirmed. "Now you just have to clear it out, if you please?"
"No need to worry," Andrew took out his Ultra Bat. "I'll bash it away to smithereens with the Ultra Bat. Just leave it to me!"
With that, Andrew gripped the bat and approached the stone block. Once he was in front of it, Andrew took the Ultra Bat and started bashing the stone block.
In a matter of seconds, the stone block was turned to rubble, which was easily kicked to the side thanks to the muscular man himself. He then dusted the bat off and directed them through the passageway.
"I believe we can get by here, guys," Andrew motioned them to follow. "Let's get going."
They nodded as they followed Andrew through the passageway until they came to a dead end. In the center of the room was a pipe. Similar to the pipes that lead to Petal Meadows, Boggly Woods, and Twilight Town, respectively, this pipe had the most peculiar design.
It was cyan, and the pattern on it made it look like it was made out of ice, with block-shaped ice cubes creating the pattern by seeming stacked up. Andrew was more than convinced that this pipe would get them straight to Fahr Outpost. Andrew put on his Fire Strike badge first, by pinning it where his other badges were located.
"Well, looks like this pipe will lead us to where we need to go," Andrew walked up and jumped onto the pipe. "You guys ready to get this over with?"
"Totally!" Goombella beamed as she ran over and jumped onto the pipe with Andrew. "Let's see if we can use that cannon so we can get ourselves to the moon! Let's roll!"
"Ummmm... I'm ready too," Koops gulped before joining them on top of the pipe. "Even though this might be our deathbed, I'm willing to get this over with. Let's do this quickly... Ugh..."
"My, my! I am most certainly ready for this!" Flurrie yelled as she floated over and joined them on the pipe. "I daresay, this shall be a fascinating experience for us! We must make full use of the thrills that shall come from it! That we must!"
"Aw yeah! I'm more than looking forward to this!" Yoshiam jumped up and down before joining them on top of the pipe. "I wouldn't miss this kind of extreme sport for anything, dude! Let's get cracking!"
"OK. I'm ready too, Andrew," Vivian said meekly as she floated over and joined Andrew and the others. "Let's get this done with so we can get to the moon, claim the last Crystal Star, and save Princess Peach! Let's go!"
"Aye! I'm as ready as I'll ever be, old boy!" Bobbery declared as he walked over and joined them on top of the pipe. "We'd best get to it while the day is young, if I may add. And I shall make sure to forward all negotiations between us and the Fahr Outpost Bob-ombs! Let's shove off!"
"Hmm mmm mmm mmm... Yes, I do look forward to this," Ms. Mowz said slyly as she walked over and jumped onto the pipe to join everyone else. "Let's be quick and make sure that we can use that cannon so we can get to the moon. Shall we get to Fahr Outpost, sweetie?"
"All right, guys. I'm glad to hear it," Andrew smiled and nodded. "Fahr Outpost, here we come!"
And with that, Andrew went down the pipe, along with Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, Yoshiam, Vivian, Bobbery, and Ms. Mowz. The eight heroes had to wonder how things would turn out in Fahr Outpost, and if Bobbery would be needed to help clear bridges between them. Regardless of that, all eight of them were destined to use the Big Bomb Cannon to get them to the moon, so they could get the final Crystal Star and hopefully save Princess Peach.
There was no doubt about it. The final Crystal Star; the Crystal Star, was just within their reach once they got to the moon.
And one thing was 'definitely' for certain. The eight traveling heroes were just about to start the seventh part of their adventure...
END OF CHAPTER 66...
Yeah. That's it for this chapter. Wow. This chapter has gotten long because I've been adding some character depth to the partners who are traveling with Andrew. Still, I hope you all have enjoyed the chapter.
That's right. I added some extra character depth for Bobbery and Ms. Mowz here, which I think I did a good job of doing. I had Andrew and his friends visit the Lovely Howz of Badges to show that the badge clerk, named Antoine here, has known Ms. Mowz since high school, and he's as fascinated with badges as she is, hence how they crossed paths like this.
Based on a Tattle Goombella made of the Little Mouser, I gave him some traits and made him seem relevant, being that he'll be in charge of the store while Ms. Mowz travels with Andrew to get the last Crystal Star and save Princess Peach. Needless to say, I did a good job with handling this part.
As for Bobbery, having him be in the Navy made sense in the first place. But what I did here was give him some extra depth as to how he knew about the Big Bomb Cannon, and why he acted like he didn't know anything about it as in the game.
This also puts the concept of the Big Bomb Cannon and why the Bob-ombs kept it a secret into better context, seeing how they can't let it be used for evil, possibly because of what happened during the Fahr Outpost Big Bomb Cannon Crisis in 1962.
I hope that this will give a better explanation as to why that's so. By the way, the Icy War that Bobbery mentions is a parody of the Cold War, in case you're all wondering. And the Apocalypse Goom movie Flurrie starred in is a parody of Apocalypse Now.
Anyway, the next chapter shall be the start of Chapter 7, with the first part being the most infamous part of the game; finding General White. Let me just say that this'll 'really' put Andrew's patience to the limit, and he showed signs of how agitated and furious he was about the whole ordeal as many people were about playing through that part of the game.
As for waking him up, Andrew will try every obnoxiously loud gimmick in the book, down to playing loud heavy Thrash Metal.
Aside from that, Bobbery is the one who'll help with the negotiations, the group sees Goldbob again in Poshley Heights before starting the hunt for General White, Andrew will find two more Shine Sprites, which he'll use all 21 of them to Ultra Rank his seven friends. And a few other things will occur. How will this go for them? Find out next time, readers!
For now, only if you want, you can leave a review and let me know what you think of this overall.
Otherwise, that's all that I have for now. So until next time, I hope you look forward to Chapter 7. And on that note, thanks again for reading, everyone!