CHAPTER 8

Clare and her party were still searching for the Star of Truth. Jonathan had no luck, either. However, something in Tatiana's sight was shining a brilliant blue. As Clare was notified by Tatiana, she was destined to know what it was. When Clare went a bit closer to the light, it turned out to be the Star of Truth!

"What glory!" shouted Madeleine Cookie. "The Star of Truth is finally back in our grasp!"

"Not exactly, little tiny fellow." said a strange voice.

"Oh, not again…." said Clare.

"That's right." said the villainous Nedrick. "I've got the Star of Truth. If any of you want to retrieve it, you're going to have to fight against me."

"We've come on the orders of Pitaya Dragon Cookie, the legendary Greenish Red Dragon." said the villainous Leonidas of Dragalia Lost. "Bowser want each and every one of you annihilated.

"And that girl right there," spoke Bowser Jr, "she's to die by the hands of my own father!"

Clare later gasped.

"As the tradition says by Bowser's law book, 'He who comes into contact with His Majesty's possessions must face the penalty of death'." said La Signora of the Fatui.

"Who are these people?!" asked Clare. "And why do they even want me dead?! Why do they wish me dead?!" asked Clare in exclamation.

"I am Nedrick, Prince of Alberia in my world." said Nedrick as he introduced himself. "I have been ordered to be accompanied by La Signora of the Snezhnaya Fatui of Teyvat and the Ruler of Valkaheim Leonidas for the annihilation of Clare Hutchinson…which is you right there, I am assuming. The girl who just won't shut the hell up!"

"Stop!" yelled Clare.

Everyone remained silent.

"Give us the Star of Truth right now." said Wind Archer Cookie. "The world will face depression if the stars and the Star Crystal are not obtained."

"Wind Archer Cookie's right." said Robin. "We need those stars back."

"Or what are you going to do?!" asked La Signora. "Use your stupid legendary ranged magic? Or perhaps your brute Cookie strength?!"

The villains all laughed at Wind Archer Cookie, mocking him and harassing him.

"That so does it with you!" yelled Wind Archer Cookie. "Lumine, help me out here!"

"I'm on it, Wind Archer Cookie!" yelled Lumine. Both characters combined their wind-like powers and knocked out all three of the villains cold. However, the Star of Truth was still not yet obtainable. Red Velvet Cookie's Cake Hound Chiffon was guarding it under Red Velvet Cookie's orders.

"That does it." said Clare.

"Clare, what on earth?!" Red XIII wondered in exclamation.

Clare later took Lumine's sword.

"What are you even doing?!" asked Lumine.

"STOP IN THE NAME OF THE CAKES!" Yelled Red Velvet Cookie.

"Red Velvet Cookie, give back the Star of Truth right now, or we have to eat your cake arm." threatened Red XIII.

"You…you dare to eat my cake arm of Red Velvet?!" asked Red Velvet Cookie. "Seriously, it's…it's slick like velvet! Stop threatening the life out of me, you…you….you Lab Rat Dog!" yelled Red Velvet Cookie.

Red XIII was not having any of it anymore. He roared, and viciously attacked the heck out of Red Velvet Cookie. However, both his Cake Hound Chiffon and him managed to escape. Then, the Star of Truth was later retrieved.

"I'll take this back to Mario at the Central Plaza right now." said Pure Vanilla Cookie.

"But there's still more to do out there." said Clare.

"I know!" said Jonathan. "There's the Star of Passion, and the Star of Resolution, the Star of Abundance, and the Star of Freedom, too!"

"Jonathan's right." said Red XIII. "I'll lead you to the Land of Passion next."

Everyone then headed off to see Hollyberry Cookie and get information on the Star of Passion's whereabouts.

Back with Bowser, he was furious with Pitaya Dragon Cookie and Petrine. However, he was even more furious with Sephiroth. The reason why he was furious was because he was not happy that they did not bring Clare back to him. But Bowser, being a reluctant ruler of bad to his henchmen, didn't want to fire them. He had better plans. He would check his crystal ball for Clare's whereabouts. However. He wasn't all that pleased when she was discovered.

"Goddamn it, what is it now?!" asked Petrine.

"That girl and her friends!" yelled Bowser in a complaining mood. "They are headed eastbound!"

"The Land of Passion…" thought Pitaya Dragon Cookie.

"Pitaya Dragon Cookie, stop." said Bowser. "You've got some more work put into your little Cookie body."

"Grrr…." growled Pitaya Dragon Cookie.

"Don't you growl at me." said Bowser.

"What is it, King Bowser?" asked Devin as she walked into Bowser's room.

"That Clare girl and her friends…they are headed to the Land of Passion." said Bowser. "...I have an idea." he later proclaimed. "Get the Black Knight. He's the most passionate person of mine."

"Anyone else, King Bowser?" asked Devin.

"I…would like it if Izuka made some Feral Ones with the laguz we kidnapped." said Bowser. "After all, Feral Ones are just sub-humans permanently shifted into their animals forms…lifespan shortened and everything!"

"And where we sending thes….laguz changelings?" asked Devin.

"I want to send them as a present for Hollyberry Cookie." said Bowser. "Everyone, we've more work put upon us. Let's go!"

Everyone later went straight to work.

Back at Riverton Public School with Ms. Frye and the school resource officers, they were discussing Principal Hampshire's whereabouts. However, as School Resource Deputy Officer Brian noticed something posted on the school news board, he began to read.

"What is it?" asked Officer Tony.

"Miss Frye, who posted this?" asked Officer Brian to Miss Frye.

"Mr. Stark posted that on there a few hours ago, like two or three hours ago, that is." said Miss Frye. "However, he is assisting Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana at this very moment as we speak."

"Where is Mr. Stark now?" asked Officer Tony.

"Mr. Stark is in the World of Gaming hidden behind Clare's locker." answered Miss Frye.

"What?!" asked Officer Brian and Officer Tony.

"Seriously?" asked Officer David. "Worlds hidden behind the lockers?!"

"That's the most absurd thing I have heard in my life." said Officer Tony.

"I think the principal has something to do with this by the looks of what Mr. Stark had said on this note on the news board." said Officer Brian.

"So what's going to happen if the principal's responsible for this mess?" asked a student.

"If Principal Hampshire is truly responsible for all of the mess she put her own students into…then we will have to fire her for putting her students in danger." said Officer Brian. "I am having a word with the school's police chief about this after I exit. But please…be careful out there, everyone. We sure don't want the school closing down because of Principal Hampshire." The school resource officers later left the school. Miss Frye was still praying for her colleague Mr. Stark and Clare, Jonathan, and Tatiana. The students also hoped that the school would not face a permanent closure because of Principal Hampshire.