Punio was shocked that the Punies were locked in cages.

PUNIO:

Guys! Oh, thank goodness you're all still alive!

ELDER:

Punio, I'm so glad you're alive, too.

PUNIO:

We're here to rescue you!

ELDER:

That's cool.

PUNIO:

How are you so calm when you're life is being threatened!?

ELDER:

I'm just happy that we're all being rescued, But I suggest you free the others from the blue cage first before you rescue me from the red cage.

MARIO:

We'll do our very best, ma'am.

? ? ?:

Big brother, is that you?

PUNIO:

gasp* Petuni!

(Punio ran up to the blue cage where he saw his captured sister with Mario, Koops, and Flurrie tagging along)

PUNIO:

Don't worry, Petuni, we'll rescue you in no time!

PETUNI:

Thank you, brother.

PUNIO:

Come on, guys, let's go search in this room!

(Mario, Koops, Flurrie, and Punio made it to the other room only to find the "dead" X-Naut and Ms. Mowz)

MS. MOWZ:

Oh, well, isn't that a surprise, Super Mario! I'm so happy to see you again!

FLURRIE:

Wait, who the frick are you!?

MARIO:

It's Ms. Mowz the shameless flirt who kissed me on the cheek!

FLURRIE:

What are you even doing here, Mowz?

MS. MOWZ:

What does it look like, cloud lady? My sister and I were here stealing goods.

KOOPS:

Wait… you have a sister, Ms. Mowz?

MS. MOWZ:

Of course I do, she's on the other side of the tree. Now that I've collected all the things I need, it's time for us to part again, Super Mario.

(She kissed Mario on the cheek)

FLURRIE:

Did you kissed Mario!?

KOOPS:

Dang, she did it a second time!

MS. MOWZ:

The Chaos Emerald that you're looking for is at the bottom of the tree. Good luck finding it before the others do, Super Mario. May we meet again sometime!

(Ms. Mowz jumps out the window like a ninja again)

PUNIO:

Why would she kiss you?

(The X-Naut suddenly woke up)

X-NAUT:

Ow, my head… hey! You're that fat jerk who beat me up! Now I'm gonna beat you up and see how you like it…

(But Mario smooshed the X-Naut with his hammer which made him drop the red key)

MARIO:

Easy peasy!

KOOPS:

Lemon squeezy!

PUNIO:

But… Elder suggested to free the others before we freed her and we still don't have a blue key!

MARIO:

I guess we'll have to make do.

FLURRIE:

And I don't think it would really matter anyway. I'm sure she won't mind.

PUNIO:

You think so, guys?

(Mario, Koops, and Flurrie all nodded their heads. Punio then took a deep breath)

PUNIO:

Whatever you say, she's probably gonna kill me for this.

KOOPS:

Let's just hope she's thankful and maybe she'll help us free the others.

(Mario unlocked the red cage and Punio reluctantly got inside)

PUNIO:

Elder… we're back… we're here to rescue you…

ELDER:

FOOLISH CHILD! Punio! Sit down this instant and keep your mouth shut!

PUNIO:

Look, Elder, we're just rescuing you…

ELDER:

Stop your mumbling, you! And mind your elders! You whelp! How could you abandon your poor sister and run off like that!? Absolutely shameful!

PUNIO:

I'd never abandon my sister…

ELDER:

Oh, stop with the whining! You never interrupt an elder mid-lecture! NEVER! You wonder why the other Punies call you a "doofus" sometimes? That's why. And your time to be a doofus is over, because you have to lead our Puni tribe one day! That day is not far off! And THAT is why you need to listen! Now, first of all…

FLURRIE:

Uh, excuse me, Elder, I hate to interrupt you, but if you're gonna lecture Punio, can't you do that some other time?

MARIO:

Yeah, I need that Chaos Emerald that's at the bottom of your tree. Plus, he'd never abandon his sister, we didn't get the blue key yet, but we'll get to it.

ELDER:

Chaos Emerald? Bottom of the tree?

(Mario shows the Puni Elder the green emerald)

MARIO:

It looks exactly like this one!

ELDER:

Ah-ha! I saw a blue one falling in our tree! I thought it was some sort of shooting star!

MARIO:

Well, why don't we just get you out of here so you can help us free the other Punies, okay?

ELDER:

I guess… poor Petuni…

(Punio walked up to the blue cell)

PUNIO:

We'll free you, sis, don't you worry your pretty little head!

(As they got back to the living room)

ELDER:

So, I'm guessing your Marty?

MARIO:

Actually, I'm-a Mario.

ELDER:

Sorry about that, Marty-o, heh heh. Now, before you get that Chaos Emerald, you gotta find the blue key and rescue the Punies! Got that?

MARIO:

Yes, ma'am.

ELDER:

Good! I will assemble a squadron of the remaining Punies to tag along with you, cause you need their help. Here, I'm giving you the Puni Orb.

MARIO:

Okay?

KOOPS:

I'm new to this place, so what exactly does this Puni Orb do?

ELDER:

There are these pedestals that when you place the orb here, the pedestals glow which attracts the Punies 'cause they love the sight of it!

PUNIO:

The light is just so pretty, we all can't resist! She puts it on every night before we go to bed.

MARIO:

Is that it?

ELDER:

Yep, that's it!

PUNIPER:

Let's do it to it!

PUNIO:

Come on everyone, we can save Petuni!

(As they were about to head out on their journey, the Elder stopped Mario)

ELDER:

Wait just one second!

MARIO:

Now what?

ELDER:

One important thing: if you lose any of the Punies and have a hard time finding them, just come see me. What I'll do is, I'll give a whistle to call 'em back here. You got all that?

MARIO:

Yes, ma'am, I got all that.

ELDER:

Good. Now here's hoping you find the Chaos Emerald!

FLURRIE:

Thanks! Let's go, Mario!

(They all entered the pipe)

To Be Continued