It was an odd trek to Boggly woods. The roadway there was fairly unused; the road of dirt being splotched in various grassy patches. It wasn't until we made it close to the woods that things became significantly stranger. The road began to turn white as the sky darkened above us…but we weren't anywhere near the sun setting for the day, which meant we were approaching the white and black forest of mystery.
Eventually, we stood in front of a large monochrome forest. Trees blocked any view into the depths of the forest, and the darkened sky didn't make our visibility any better.
"You can lead us through that right?" I asked Punio, who had taken up a spot-on Peach's shoulder, Peach rubbing his strange angler like ball all the while.
"No problem! This forest is my home after all." He hopped off her shoulder and then moved forward, "Just follow behind me and we'll be in the heart of the forest in no time!" He started his way into the thick of the forest and I put Peach on lead as I moved back to talk to Goombella.
"Mind keeping track of our path into the forest? Might come in handy on our way out." She held up a blank parchment and a pen.
"Way ahead of you."
Meanwhile
In the depths of the woods, three shadows slithered across the ground before the inky blackness rose and morphed into the shape of the shadow sirens.
"Alright dearies." Beldam started, turning to her sisters. "Our goal is capturing that troublesome boy and the princess. Then we relieve them of their map and exact our sweet revenge!" She gave a wicked chuckle as Vivian awkwardly giggled and Marilyn just grunted, "Vivian! Give me the sketch of that boy!" Vivian looked panicked at this command.
"Huh!? B-But I don't have it! You said it was too important for a failure like me and swiped it from my hands before we got here." Beldam growled at her comment.
"Such impudence! How dare you talk back to me like some rebellious child!"
"B-But I never had the sketch. I swear, you had it before we left."
"SILENCE! How dare you blame your older sister for YOUR mistake!" As Vivian shivered, Beldam noticed something hanging out of one of her dress pockets. She quickly snatched it up to the surprise of Vivian.
"H-Hey!"
"Quiet you boil brain! Because of your incompetence, I will be confiscating this! Maybe now you'll learn your lesson." Vivian inched back with a dejected expression and quietly tried to hold in her tears as Beldam turned to Marylin, "Now, let's find that sketch. Then we can pay that boy back triple what he gave us!"
"Guh!"
Soren
It was strange to find a light through the thickets after wandering the forest. Given the monochrome texture of the forest, it was strange to find any kind of light in this place. We stood in a round clearing, on top of a sheet of white grass surrounded by black bushes and trees. Above us was a lightly tinted sky that seemed to illuminate our area as well as the clear path forward. Punio jumped happily in front of us.
"There, we're through the forest! Now we just have to get to the Boggly Tree."
"Amazing." Peach commented looking around. "The interior forest in so pretty." I had to admit that it had a certain beauty to it. It reminded me of a muted color painting that had a perspective of 3D depth when looked at in a certain way.
"Wait, this isn't the center of the forest?" Koops asked.
"Well, it is and it isn't. The forest is big, but once you get past the first layer it becomes easier to navigate." I looked over the observable path and found various heights and even taller trees on our way forward.
"Easier in what sense?" I asked.
"You don't get sent back to the entrance?" Punio offered.
"…I still reserve the right to put an asterisk next to the word 'easier'."
"Soren." Goombella said grabbing my attention. She pointed forward and to the right where I could see three familiar witches standing on the path.
"Oh crap." I grabbed Peach by the arm and pulled her into a nearby bush.
"W-What's happening!?" Koops asked looking worried.
"Those are the witches who tried to kidnap the princess a few days ago. We beat them but that doesn't mean I want to run into them again." After that e-mail from Alice about a sleep spell, I wasn't eager for a rematch with them.
"Seems like they're arguing about something." Goombella said as she squinted to get a better look at them. I motioned for everyone to lay low and slowly moved forward, keeping myself behind every tree and bush I cam across until I got close enough to hear them.
"…You dolt! Without that sketch we can't tell if we run into the boy! How are we supposed to get him without that picture!"
"B-But I remember what he looks like."
"Like I can trust that pea-brain of yours! You have the memory of a goldfish." That smack to her head must have done more damage than I expected…works for me though. "Bah, it matters not! As long as he is traveling with the Princess, he'll be easy enough to find." Yeah, she definitely sticks out of a crowd…I think I got what I need though. This should make things easier.
I walked up to the witches confidently with the others by my side. They quickly stopped their bickering and turned to us. Vivian gave a surprised gasp and Marylin looked confused.
"What do you whippersnappers want!?" Beldam asked in an annoyed tone. She really didn't remember what I looked like, and with Peach in my full-body black cloak we were basically strangers to her.
"B-Beldam! It's-"
"Quiet ugly! I wasn't talking to you! In fact, after all your defiance, I don't want to hear another word out of your mouth for the rest of the day!" Vivian went quiet instantly and looked at the floor. I feel bad for her…and that I'm taking advantage of her spot on the totem pole to pass by them.
"Sorry, we were just passing by. Is there some kind of problem?"
"Nothing concerning you children. Just move along and leave us be."
"Guh!" Marylin grunted, visibly annoying Beldam.
"Quiet everyone! I will not tolerate back talk! Now go find that sketch and bring it to me. NOW!" Both sisters jumped before scrambling past us and searching every bush and tree.
"Lost a sketch?"
"Yes. A very important sketch. Should you find it, return it to me immediately." I gave her a thumbs up.
"We will. See you gals later." As we walked away, Peach gave a slight yelp as she tripped forward making me move quickly to grab her.
"Your cloaked friend is rather clumsy." Beldam commented.
"It's just not easy on grass." I returned with a chuckle pushing her forward. After getting far enough away from them Peach let out a sigh and whipped off the cloak. "You wear a dress usually, how did you trip?" I stuffed the cloak back into my pack as Peach pouted at me.
"It's different. My dress doesn't tangle around my feet."
"Seems like an excuse." She gave a sharp 'hmph' making me chuckle before we continued into the woods.
After an easy* trek through a good portion of the forest, we came face to face with a tree the size of a castle tower.
"Here it is!" Punio yelled. "My home!" My eyes immediately caught sight of the one non-natural part of the tree; a large metal security door.
"Does it naturally come with a burglar deterrent?" I asked pointing to the door.
"What? This shouldn't be here." Goombella gave a quick knock against the door.
"Seems solid. I don't think we can bust this down."
"Even then we'd need serious explosives." I said and I watched Goombella go into thought. "Don't even think about it."
"M-Maybe there's a back entrance or something." Koops offered.
"For a tree?" Goombella asked and Koops shrugged.
"Actually-" Punio started. "-the tree does have another entrance. It's a secret way in that I don't think even those creeps know about." Punio moved over to one of the roots of the tree and followed it up to a condensed area covered in tree branches and leaves, "It's right through here." He hopped towards the covering and smacked against a branch before falling backwards.
"You sure?" I asked a bit worried, "I don't want to headbutt a tree if I don't have to." Punio shook for a moment before trying again and getting the same treatment.
"Please stop." Peach asked. "I'd rather not see someone so cute get hurt." Punio moved back down the branch and towards us.
"It…has been a while since anyone has used the passage…must have gotten covered over time."
"So, all we have to do is cut it apart!" Peach said turning to me with an expectant look. I responded by pulling out my sword made of WOOD and thunking it against the nearby giant root to punctuate its dull edge. "Well, then what if we moved the branches." That wasn't a bad idea. I moved up the root and towards the wall of branches and roots. Getting a closer look, I found that the branches blocking the secret entrance were about as thick as my neck and sprouted giant leaves that I couldn't remove by just pulling.
"This isn't good." I was going to need to break these branches…but my sword isn't enough…even both of them wouldn't have enough force to break this.
"Hey Goombella?" I yelled down.
"If I were to use a blunt object to break a tree branch, how would I make that possible?" Goombella thought for a moment and tapped her hard hat before looking back up at me. "Wind force could increase the speed of your strike and deliver a more impactful blow."
"…Anyone got wind in a jar or something? Maybe a wind flute?"
"I didn't bring it on my trip." Peach answered. Didn't expect a serious answer from her.
"Oh, I know!" Punio answered. "We should see Madame Flurrie!" I slid down the root and picked up Punio.
"Who's Madame Flurrie?"
"She moved into the forest a while ago. She's a nice lady who has weird powers. Apparently, she can control the wind!" Wind powers? If she blows behind me, I might be able to smash that branch…I wish Gareth were here, he could have done this no problem.
"Well, she's our best shot then." I said in resignment. "I'm guessing you know where her house is?" Punio nodded and jumped out of my hand.
"She's near the edge of the center, but the opposite end from where we came in. Follow me!" Before we followed, I pulled Peach to the side.
"Do you seriously have a wind whistle?" She nodded.
"If you play it, you make a tornado."
"That sounds like too much wind."
"It has turned over a few houses when it was used last time." Kind of glad she didn't bring it now.
Meanwhile
Standing on a lone hill in the forest was a beautiful vista. Columns stood beside a double door, leading into a velvet covered interior that led up a small set of stairs towards a pair of mahogany double doors into an immaculate bedroom. In that room sat a woman at a vanity, working on her makeup and complexion. She gave a content sigh.
"Ahh! These woods are the most wonderful in all the world. Yes Indeed!" She picked up a hair brush and began to brush her purple curls, "Building a house here was just the FINEST idea I ever did have. Oh my, yes! " She set the brush down as daintily as she could and began to rummage through her jewelry drawer, "This place is so different from the bright flashbulbs of the world I'm used to…such peace, this negative image of the real world soothes my body and soul. But what's even better is that I, Madam Flurrie, grow ever more lovely here!" She pulled out two green orb earrings and tacked them on, "Plus, those squishy, adorable little punies that live in that tree are SO nice to me!" She stood up and moved over to a nearby closet, pulling it open to reveal a long line of dresses and elegant clothing, "But…I suppose if I stay here too long, I'll begin to crave hustle and bustle before long! Oh! Oh, my! It's happening even as I begin to speak! Already I feel the need for drama! " She pulled off a short purple dress and a pair of matching heels, tossing them onto her silk sheeted bed and closing the closet, "That moment of exhilaration when the spotlight shines down on the stage…on me! Surely I was born to be…an actress for the ages!" As she spoke, she slipped on her dress; the hem of the skirt coming to her knee, "It's settled, then. I shall rise again! But…before I make my stage comeback…I simple must whip my body and mind into shape." She turned back to her vanity, opening up a drawer filled to the brim with all kind of facial moisturizers, compacts, and smaller makeup tools, "I'll just have to put on some makeup and make my beauty even more beautiful." She then reached for a small box on the table, the size of it only able to hold a single item; but upon opening it, all she found was the outline of a necklace that had been placed in it before.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! It's gone…gone I tell you! My…M-My…"
Soren
You know, I expected a more colorful house in the middle of the monochrome forest…but I don't think I was expecting a vacation house that a celebrity would own.
"Wow…she must be really rich." Koops commented as we all stood outside the vista. I turned to Goombella.
"Hey Goombella, who is Madame Flurrie?" She was searching through her various books for any information, looking slightly distressed about this gap in her knowledge.
"I've heard the name before…but I can't seem to find anything in my books…and I can't seem to remember it…what was it!?"
"Calm down Goombella." Peach said trying to divert her from her mental crisis, "We can just head in and find out." Peach looked at Punio who was on her shoulder, "This is where she lives right?" He nodded.
"Yep, she lives in this big house! I know she'll help us out." Before we even stepped forward, a voice rang through the air making all of us jump.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" It was a mature woman's voice…but she sounded very distressed. I bolted forward and swung the door open into what I could only assume was a living room. Nobody was there, but at the back, up a pair of stairs, was a set of double doors. I rushed over and put my hand on the knob, trying to turn it but finding it locked shut.
"Is everyone okay in there?" I asked knocking on the door. A shrill shriek hit my ears making me step back.
"No! You mustn't come in here!" Everyone else had caught up at this point but Punio moved forward a bit more.
"Uh…Madame Flurrie? Are you there?"
"Oh! Wait a moment…that cute little voice…is that you, Punio? Oh, it's been an AGE since I saw you last! You poor dear! Is there something you need?" Punio shook a bit at the cute comment before replying.
"Uh, well, the thing is…we have a problem that only you can help us with, ma'am. The great tree's entry hole is blocked. There's this stupid door we can't seem to open. My puni friends are inside, so they're in a pickle, and my friends need these Crystal stars…it's a train wreck, really. If you don't help us, we can't get into the tree, and then we're done for!" To me that sounded like a lot to put on the woman, but she gave out a small sigh of relief.
"Is that all dearie? You came all the way here just for that? My adorable little Punio…you know I would do anything in my power to help you. However, lamentably…I'm in a bit of a bind myself. I just cannot come out."
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"It's somewhat embarrassing…but I never go out without my favorite necklace. Unfortunately, I just can't find the blessed thing! I suspect I dropped it on my daily constitutional. I'll simply be scandalized if anyone saw me without it, so I shan't be going out."
"S-Seriously?" Koops asked a bit befuddled by her dilemma.
"All this over a necklace?" Goombella asked equally confused.
"I absolutely MUST have that necklace to highlight my beauty, and that's that!"
"It must be a very important necklace for you to be this distraught about it." Peach said.
"Oh, it is darling…one of my hallmark accessories."
"You know-" Koops started, "I think I saw something sticking out of that old witch's pocket when we crossed paths with them." The Sirens have the necklace? That's not exactly going to be something easy to get from them.
"Please, if you have any information on my necklace then you must help me! Please, be a dear and bring it back to me! If you do I will be more than happy to assist my dear friend, Punio. "
"Alright." I replied. "We'll find your necklace and bring it back to you. I'll make sure of it."
"OHHH! Thank you dear!"
"This is weird." Goombella commented.
"Honestly…I can understand it a little." I replied, patting my signature jacket. "Alright. Koops, you're with me. Goombella and Peach, stay here with Punio and Madam Flurrie. I don't want the Sirens knowing that Peach is here. Could get more dangerous if they find out." Peach pouted at this decision. "Sorry Peach, they've got shadow magic. My sixth sense isn't going to kick in every time."
"Fine…but next time I want to beat them up!"
"Alright." She gave me a big smile as I turned to Koops. "Alright man, let's go!"
"R-Right!"
Meanwhile
Beldam cackled to herself as she held a piece of paper. Vivian gave a slightly miffed look towards her sister.
"I TOLD you! Blaming me for the sketch…and YOU had it!"
"Silence you twit! Now's not the time to get hung up on stupid details! We must study this sketch!" She moved over to a nearby tree and stuck it up for all three of them to see. On it was a rough sketch of Soren, sporting his messy brown hair and green eyes with a confident smile. "This child is the one who smacked me on the head!? He doesn't look very manly at all!"
"I don't know…he's kind of cute in a way." Vivian said bashfully.
"That's because your taste is as bad as your looks!" Beldam glared at the picture intensely, "Wait a moment…we've seen this face before…" As the wired connected in her brain, her frown became a full scowl with matching growl, "IT'S THAT BOY WHO CROSSED A LITTLE BIT AGO!"
"Guh! Guhhhh!" Marylin grunted out.
"Vivian! Why didn't you tell me that was him! He just walked by us and you said NOTHING!"
"B-But…you told me to stay quiet…"
"This is undoubtably your fault! I'll be sure to punish you thoroughly later!"
"Th-That's not fair! You told me-"
"Silence you nitwit! Don't you dare cop an insolent attitude with me!" Vivian just stood there aghast at the blame being heaped on her, "In fact, since this is all your fault, I think I'll be keeping that necklace you found!" Vivian looked down at the ground, her hat covering her face as she felt her eyes well up with tears, "AND, since you caused this problem, you have to figure out how to find this Soren wimp!" Vivian didn't even reply to her, she just stood there, trying to hold in the feelings of insecurity and undeserved blame that threatened to bust open her dam…but if she did that, Beldam would just punish her even more. She desperately wished that life would throw her a bone right now.
Soren
I was right, Beldam was holding onto the pearl necklace while she berated the youngest witch Vivian. As glad as I was to find them still in the spot we left them, the fact that they knew what I looked like now was not going to make this very easy.
"Koops, you ask them for it." Koops gave me a wide-eyed look of fear before shaking his head frantically. "Come on, it's not like they remember you."
"B-But what if they do?"
"…Say your name is Doops?" Based on the look he was giving me, I could guess that wasn't convincing.
"GUH!" The loud grunting of Marylin had us turn to see the large witch pointing at us. Both witches turned to look at us, making me realize that we weren't hiding behind a tree anymore.
"Excellent work Marylin! That's how you do your job Vivian! Now grab them!" Marylin slinked into the ground before popping up in front of us and lunging to grab me. I quickly slid to the ground, slamming my back onto the grass before Koops pulled me out and back up, giving me an opportunity to draw my wooden sword as Beldam and Vivian moved up to join their sister.
"I won't be grabbed that easily!"
"Then we'll just have to destroy you and take everything we need from your remains!"
I have to remember that message I got from Alice. Beldam could knock me unconscious if I'm not careful and I can't let the sisters get the drop on me either.
"Marylin, strike them down!" Marylin gave a loud clap with her hands and I felt the hair on the back of my neck suddenly stand on end. I pushed Koops away and stepped to the side as two bolts of lighting struck our previous spots. "Vivian, burn them alive!" Vivian swung her open palm before pointing at us. At the end of her finger, a blast of pure fire shot forward and towards me, forcing me to brace for impact as the blast hit my body and made me fall back. As I got up, I was surprised to find no scorch marks on my clothes but I could still feel my skin burning slightly. "I said burn them, not scorch!"
"S-Sorry, I don't want to burn clothes…it's indecent." Well…guess I'll be thankful for that. As the two argued, I rushed in and smacked Marylin across the face with my blade as Koops rolled in and took her off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground with enough force to make me stagger slightly. I looked to see Beldam scowling at me before raising her hands up as a cold wind began to blow at us.
"Koops, baseball!" Koops receded into his shell and hoped into the air. I reeled back my blade like a bat and swung with all my force, smacking Koops through the air and crashing into Beldam. Vivian yelp and coward slightly as I moved into to strike, taking her down. Koops took a moment to recover from his dizziness as I moved in towards Beldam as she staggered to get up. Considering how crotchety she looked, I was almost surprised she survived that attack. Before I could get close enough, she swung her arm, creating a few icicle spears that rose up from the ground in front of her to block me.
"Damn."
"GUH!" I felt a sudden force slam into me and make me stagger to the side before getting slapped across the chest and fly backwards from the witches. As I got back up, Koops came hurling at me, making me catch him which slammed me back onto the ground.
"What is this shell made of?" I asked ask Koops scrambled off of me.
"Sorry."
"We won't lose to you again child!" Beldam yelled. She then gave a toothy grin, "Besides…are you sure you want to take us on with your friend in our clutches." I rushed towards Beldam as Marylin moved in to block my route. She reeled back to punch me, as I kept rushing before moving into a block. She threw a punch, smacking against my blade and activating my counter badge. I spun around and landed a blow directly on top of Marylin, dealing her own force back on her and knocking her unconscious. Both Vivian and Beldam reeled back to ready another spell before I crouched to the ground and placed my palm onto the dirt.
"Earth Tremor!" The ground shook before sending both witches into the air. As they flew, Flurrie's necklace fell out of Beldam's robe, prompting Koops to rush in and leap to grab it as the two witches crashed onto the ground.
"F-Foolish child…do you not-"
"Yeah, that doesn't work on me." I interjected. "I know for a fact that the girl you have right now can probably do more damage to you than you can to her. So I'm not too worried…if you were to try anything though-" I crouched down to meet Beldam in the eye with as much intimidation as I could muster, "I wouldn't hold back." She just returned with a scowl before she turned into a black mass and fell into her own shadow. Marylin followed her as Vivian slowly tried to get up, groaning all the while. She readjusted her hat before looking around for her sisters.
"Beldam…Marylin?" As she surveyed around I…kind of felt bad for her.
"Um…I think they took off." At the sound of my voice, she jumped as she turned to look at us. "Oh and um…sorry about earlier…I didn't want to deal with your sisters unless I had to." She gave a heavy sigh, hanging her head low.
"Yeah…I can understand that." With a dejected whimper, she followed her sisters into the shadows.
"What was that about?" Koops asked and I shrugged.
"I um…know what it's like to be the youngest." I replied.
"I grabbed this by the way." He held out Flurrie's necklace.
"Nice job. Now we can head back to Flurrie." We turned to go back to Flurries and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Koops' queasy remains nearby, "You know, maybe we should work on your queasiness before we use that move again.
"Sorry…I get dizzy easy."
"Noticed."
Stepping back into Flurries' house, we found Peach, Goombella, and Punio sitting down and enjoying tea.
"Oh, there they are!" Goombella said scrambling from her seat and knocking over her teacup, making Peach huff a little. "Did you find the necklace?"
"Yep, had to take out the witches but they weren't too much trouble."
"Did I hear that right!?" Flurries' voice cut across the room and had us turn to the door she was beyond. "You've found my necklace?" I walked up to the door which was now cracked with a hand stretched out to receive something. I placed the item into her open palm before it shot back and slammed the door.
"I wonder what kind of person she is." Peach asked. I was a bit curious too.
After a few seconds I heard a deep feminine squeal before the doors shot open making me jump back as Flurrie strut through the doorway towards us. Her skin was a strange light purple that almost meshed with her short purple hair; her eyes were a deep green that seemed locked on me as she moved. She wore a purple dress that came down to her knees, a pair of matching long gloves and heels. She definitely gave off the confidence of a movie star…although she was a bit…thicker than I would have expected. Compared to Peach she was definitely taller than her, or even me, and more muscular. I could definitely see her playing a brawler in her movie career. Although that idea goes out the window the minute she pulls out a fancy folding fan and took up an elegant stance as the lights in the room began to spin and change like a disco.
"Oh darling, you must be Soren! Thank you ever so much for returning me my necklace. I don't know how I'll ever repay you!"
"Diva…definitely a diva." I quietly said to myself. Honestly with her bombastic personality I didn't even notice she was wearing the necklace. Honestly the most noticeable part of her had to be her bright red lipstick that clashed with her purple skin color.
"I simply MUST thank you for your graciousness! " Before I could reply she suddenly rushed forward at a speed I couldn't believe and embraced me. "Such a cute little boy! Here comes the kiss of your life!" I vigorously shook my head as she puckered her lips and approached my face. It didn't help that her grip was like a bear trap. Before she planted her lips on mine, I felt my face suddenly pulled to the side by Peach as Flurries' lips landed on my cheek and leaving a big red kiss mark. When she finally pulled away, I fell to the ground and gave an exhausted sigh. Flurrie gave a small twirl as she touched her necklace.
"I owe you one Peach." I said standing up.
"Glad to help." Peach replied. Suddenly Flurrie turned to us and giggled.
"Oh you are just the CUTESTS little ting I've ever laid eyes on! "
"I'm really not." I replied stepping back from her a bit. She quickly closed the distance though.
"Yes you are, and that's that! So tell me, are you truly looking for the crystal stars? The very same ones spoken of by all of the lowlifes in Rogueport?" I nodded, "Mmmm…a danger-filled search for beautiful jewels…how absolutely marvelous!" She gave another twirl and I swear I could feel the wind kick up a little bit around my feet, "And here I was thinking how frightfully bored I was! It's time for a change!" She turned back to look at me and I saw her face flush a bit, "And besides, I do declare…I feel obligated to help out such cute creatures and you, Soren, are CUTE! " There's a point where that stops being a compliment for guys and I think we reached it, "An adventure such as yours must attract all kind of trouble and I couldn't bear to see you roughed up! So I daresay I'll be joining you on this little adventure. I assume that's fine, Soren? " Not like I have much of a choice anyway.
"Okay, but maybe cut down on calling me cute." She gave a giggle before ruffling my hair and making her way to the door outside as the others followed.
"Now, let us make our way to the great tree and help out the adorable punies! " As we all made our way out, I pulled Peach back for a moment to get her opinion on Flurrie.
"What do you think?" She looked at me for a moment, squinting in focus as I stood there confused.
"…No question. You are cute." Ugh.
"Not what I was asking at all."