Chapter 13: Crumps robot: Magnus Von Grapple

We entered a massive room with many puni statues forming a circle. "Whoa…what is this?" Koops asked.

"I think this room is the Great Elder Monument." Punio spoke. "These statues must be the previous Puni elders that once led our tribes and passed down through generations."

"The Crystal star must be around here somewhere." I spoke while looking around.

"Ace darling, look here." I round to Flurrie next to another large platform with a pedestal. "I have a feeling this will make it appear."

"Lets see." I replied as I took out the orb and inserted it into it. The ground rumbled before the platform glowd gold. The other statues' folklore and the white markings around the statues glowed gold as well. The out of the center statue was a star-shaped emerald. I breathed with a smile. "The Second Crystal Star."

"Yes we found it." Goombella beamed. Suddenly a familiar bastard jumped out and snagged it in his hands. "What?! Hey!"

"Buh! Buh huh huh! Man, am I lucky or what? Or am I just goooooood?" Crump boasted himself. "Oh, you sau you need a Crystal Star, Lord Crump? BOOM! Falls right into my hands!"

"Screw you Lardass!" I yelled. "Hand that star over now!"

He turned to us. "You shouldn't have been able to escape that cell. So, for insulting my awesome trap, im gonna repay out with a little present."

He took out a remote with a red button. "What are you holding?" Flurrie asked.

"Oh just a little something I like to call A REMOTE TIME-BOMB DETONATOR!" he shouted.

We gasped. "Are you insane!?" Goombella shouted.

"If you do what he tree will collapse, the punis and all life in this tree will die!" Koops shouted.

"Buh! Buh huh huh! That's the point, turtle boy!" Crump laughed. "And once it takes care of you pains I can recover your Crystal Star."

"You son of a bitch!" I shouted.

I can feel him smirking under his scarf. "Well, enjoy your last final minutes in this dank old tree. Wit that…!" He clicked the button and revealed a pipe. "POW! I'm gone!" He went up the pipe.

"After him!" Maria shouted as I grabbed the orb as we quickly rushed into the pipe. We went up to the next level as we saw Crump run through a door.

"Slow them down!" He ordered two grunts as it closed.

"You heard him!" One of them stated as they charged at us.

"MOVE IT!" I boomed as I slammed a right hook into one of them, slamming him into the wall as I grabbed the other and smashed his face in the ground. "We don't have time to deal with you assholes!" We ran to the door but it was locked. "Shit, we gotta get this open." I ran to the panel and hit unlock.

"Password required." The computer beeped.

"Doh Seriously!" I yelled. With the grunts out we need to figure it out. "Ugh! What kind of password did they use? uh…Crystal Star?"

I typed it as it deeped. "Access Denied."

"Uh X-Nauts." I typed again.

"Access Denied." The computer beeped.

"I hate this thing!" I shouted. "What fucking password wuld that dick ever…" I blinked. "You gotta be kidding me." I typed in "Great Lord Crump."

"Access Granted." The computer beeped as the door unlocked.

"I'm gonna clobber that bastard." I growled as we ran through them. We quickly headed through every pipe we could towards the entrance.

We saw Crump there with the elder blocking the path to the exit. "You won't be going any father this-a-way!" She stated.

"What?! Are you Nuts!?" Crump yelled. "Out of the way you old geezer!"

"WHAT!?" The elder shouted as she grew, Crump shrunk slowly. "Did you just call me Old Geezer!? Where do you get off, talking like that!? You got no respect brat! Don't think my age has a thing to do with my might! Even if it kills me, I won't let you through!"

Crump backed up. "Whoa, what's your problem, Gramma? You got ear hair tickling your brain or what?" Oh dissing the elderly this guy is the whole shabang of villain.

The elder stepped forward to get to him but she grunted before hearing a crack. "Ow! Oh, what a time for my stupid back to start acting up!"

"You hot headed old coot! You dare defy me?! I Could shine my boot with you!" Crump yelled.

"Hold it right there bastard!" I yelled. "Gotcha cornered fatass!"

He turned to us. "You got nowhere to run, asshole!" Goombella snapped. "Now hand over the Crystal Star!"

"And take your horrendous hide out of this tree you vile man!" Flurrie stated.

"Buh! Huh! Huh! Huh!" He laughed. "You guys are nuts, you know that? Oh well might as well shut off the timer." He pulled out the detonator before hitting the button shutting off the time-bomb. "Okay you pest! One pummeling, coming up…with extra fists! Metal fists that is!" He pulled out another remote and hit the button as a floating seat floated down. He quickly ran past us before jumping inside it. He flipped a few switches before it burst out pink metal armor.
"Awake, Magnus von Grapple! Time for a technological thrashing! Enjoy!" The metal connected together as it formed a body, arms and legs with fists with a white 'X' on the chest.

"Are you fucking kidding me!? He has a fucking mech suit!" I yelled. He came at us with his fissts raised. "Move!" We dodged away from his attack. Maria rushed in and jumped before ground pounding the glass cockpit. The robot stumbled back before Crump swatted her back.

Koops ran forward and blasted forward in his shell. He struck Grapple in the chest as the machine stumbled back by the force of the attack. When Crump recovered, Goombella jumped up and swing a kick to the head. Crump laughed and grabbed her before tossing her.

"Goombella!" I yelled and ran to her. I jumped with a skid and caught her in my arms. "Whew close one…you ok?"

"Yeah. thanks." She replied as I set her down.

"You all like that? Then get ready for THIS!" Crump mocked. The fists of the robot snapped off before they started flying around. "Rocket fists baby!"

"Oh give me a fucking break!" I growled in frustration. The fists flew to us before Flurrie came up and blew them back with her wind. "Thanks Flurrie!" I smiled as I ran forward. "Now it's my turn!"

"Not yet!" Crump yelled as he threw a foot down at me. I jumped to the side and ran up the leg.

"Too fast for you!" I shouted as I made it to the cockpit. I lunged with my fists ocked back. "You're mine!"

"Buh huh huh!" He laughed before the two fist rockets that Flurr blew away blasted back an struck me.

"GAH!" I yelled as I felt something crack loudly. I collapsed on the ground with a heave. "Shit…"

"Ace no!" Maria yelled. Fuck that hurt just as bad as getting burned by Hooktail!

"Now its time I crush you like a BUG!" Crump yelled in glee before his robotic foot swung up and hurled down at me.

Everything slowed down as I saw the foot came at me. Everything was a blur for me as light flashed before me. All I saw was the Diamond Star floating before me.

"Its time." The female voice from before echo my mind.

'What?' I thought.

"Reach for me, and take my power." The voice instructed. I reached out and grabbed the Diamond star tightly. The star shined brightly as energy blasted around me, a wave of incredible power, flowing in my veins.

(No POV)

*BOOOM!*

Von Grapple's foot slammed down onto Ace completely. "NOOOOOO!" Goombella shouted in terror. "ACE!"

"Buh huh huh huh! Down!" Crump laughed. Suddenly the ground started rumbling. "Huh?" A glitter of light under the robot's foot bursted before the foot was slowly pushed up. "W-what?!" burst of power pushed the robot back as Crump crashed.

The others gapped when they saw Ace slowly stand. His whole body glowing and glittering like a diamond. His black hair hardened and spiky like a diamond. "Ace?" Maria breathed.

Ace breathed before clutching his fists. "...Leave it to me now." Hee replied with a calm, hard tone. He glance back at Crump before he started walking towards him.

Crump got up as he fumed. "Bah! Lucky Punk! Let's see you handle my rocket fists!" He fired th fists again as they flew around and lunged at each side of him. Instantly, Ace crossed his arms as he caught the rocket fists. "WHAT?!"

"Is that all you got?" he stated before tossing them aside. They exploded. "My turn." He jumped up before spinning and lunging down. "EARTH TREMOR!" He roared and slammed down. The ground rumbled before earth shot up like a trail and slammed Von Grapple into the wall.

"Whoa did you see that?" Koops gawked.

"Ace never did that before." Maria marveled. "But how is he doing it now?"

"Wait, that energy, it looks like the Diamond star's." Goombella spoke.

"You mean darling Ace has absorbed the Crystal Star's power?" Flurrie asked in surprise.

"Yeah, and its giving him earth powers as well as immense strength." She nodded.

Von Grapple got up as Crump growled. "How dare you!"

"Give it up Crump, you've lost." Ace stated.

He snarled. "I'm not giving up that easily!" He opened the chest compartment before a vaccummee emerged. "Buh huh huh! Lets see you fight off your little friends!" The vaccume moved to the punis nearby.

"No you dont!" Ace yelled, slamming his foot down. The ground rumbled before a diamond dome emerged around the tribe of punis and encased them. He then made threw is arm up causing a spike of earth strike the vacuum.

"What!? No! This can't be!" Crump yelled.

"Believe it Crump! Let this be a warning! NEVER underestimate me and my friends!" Ace yelled before swinging his arms across. The earth around him shot at him and penetrated the robot all around. The robot sparked before it exploded sending Crump flying as well as the crystal star.

Crump landed with a thud as he groaned. "Noo…Magnus Von Grapple…how could we lose?" he got up as he turned.

Ace approached with earth and diamond flowing around him. "Leave the Great Tree, and NEVER return." He ordered.

Crump seethed. "I'll remember this. Losers!" He then ran out of the tree as his grunts followed him out.

(Ace POV)

With the X-nauts gone, I was lower to the ground before my form vanished. I groaned and collapsed to my knees. "Whoa…what a rush…" I saw my friends rushing up to me. "Hey guys, sorry for the scare."

"Are you kidding? That was amazing!" Koops spoke. "Who knew you had THAT hidden inside you."

"I must say darling that was a grand show right there." Flurrie beamed.

I chuckle a bit as I stood. "Thanks Flurrie."

Maria smiled and patted my shoulder. "You are something else Ace. Good job."

"All in a day's work." I smirked.

I turned to Goombella as she came up to me. She punched me in the chest as I grunted. "That's for scaring me."

"Ugh, what is it with you hitting me? I'm not a-" I started before she hugged me. I stood there for a moment before my arms slowly wrapped around her. "...im sorry for worrying you."

"I know, glad you're okay." She spoke softly.

The punis cheered as Punio spoke. "They're finally gone! This place can go back to being the peaceful place we know!"

"Yes, you all have done well." The elder spoke. "Now…Ace was it? You may have the Emerald Star. The Crystal star that Resigned in this Tree."

"Thank you ma'am." I smiled as I took the Emerald star. "That's two Stars down."

The star shined brightly as I was evelopd in light. It died off as I saw another vision. I was in a field behind a castle from my last vision. I saw a cute and gorgeous young lady next to a young male knight.

"Shada, It'll be okay. I know being promoted as queen is frightening, but I know this is what your mother would want." The knight assured the woman. Shada? Must be the name of the princess soon to be queen.

"I don't know Maven…what if my people reject me? What if I'm not good enough?" Shada asked in worry. Maven must be the knight with her, they must be friends if they are on a first name basis.

"I know you will be a wonderful queen to our kingdom." Maven assured with a warm smile. "An I'll always be there for you. Support you and make you happy. I promise."

"Oh Maven." Shada smiled back. "Thank you so much."

Light enveloped my sight again as I found myself back in the tree. "Whoa…." breathed while holding my head.

"What did you see?" Maria asked.

"I saw a princess named Shada and a knight named Maven. Shada was the next queen of the kingdom I saw from my last vision." I explained. "She was having doubts if she was good enough but Maven was comforting her."

"Oh how romantic, like out of a fairy tail story." Flurrie swooned.

"But We still don't know why I'm seeing these visions." I replied as I looked at the emerald star.

"Looks like the only way to find out is to collect the other crystal stars." Maria mentioned. "With them you'll get more visions and paint the whole picture."

"Agreed." I nodded.

Meanwhile….

"You can't get in touch with Lord Crump?" Grodus asked irked.

"Correct sir. We are investigating now." An X-naut scientist nodded. "We should hear anytime…"

The doors opened as an X-Naut grunt came in and crossed his arms. "Sir Grodus! Please allow me to enter."

"Yes What is it?" The leader asked curiously.

The grunt approached. "We have a report. Unfortunately…the crystal star in Boggly Woods was taken by Maria and her ally Ace."

"What?! You must be joking!" Grodus yelled. "What about Lord Crump and the Shadow Sirens?"

"Apparently they laid a beating on all of them sir." The grunt answered. "And we just got a report that Ace used the power of the Diamond Star to defeat Lord Crump."

"What?" Grodus asked. 'No…that's impossible. How can a mere mortal use the divine power of the Star….unless…'

"Sir Grodus? Is something troubling you?" The scientist asked.

The leader shook his head. "No nothing you should worry about." he turned to the grunt. "WHat is the update on the other Crystal Stars?"

"I'm afraid we don't have their locations Sir." He replied. "Our intel says the three known locations were Hooktail Castle, Boggly Woods and the one you were able to obtain in the underground city of Rogueport."

"That means only four Crystal Stars are left out there to find." The scientist added.

"And we will have them!" Grodus finished firmly. "Keep searching so that Maria doesn't beat us to the punch!"

"Yes sir!" The grunt crossed his arms in saluts and ran out of the room.

"As I suspected, there's no reason to doubt that Maria has the map, she must." The leader stated. "I want you to keep a close watch on what Maria does from now on, and keep your eyes on this Ace Character. If he is becoming a bigger threat, I must know more about him."

"Absolutely sir." The scientist saluted before heading off.

Grodus sat back in his throne. "Maria…Ace…I loathe you both."

Meanwhile Princess Peach sat in her room in worry. "Oh, I hope Maria read the email I sent her." She referred back to her time at the mushroom kingdom. "I wonder how everyone is doing at the castle…will I ever dance at the mushroom ball again? What will become of me?" She then stood up and headed to the door she had used before but it wouldn't open. "Doesn't seem to want to open." She turned away, but heard it slide open and turn to it. "Oh, Is this TEC's doing?"

She walked out of her room and down the hall. She entered the computer room where TEC was waiting. "Hello Princess Peach." he greeted. "I'm glad you came."

"Hello TEC." She greeted the computer. "That mail I sent to Maria, did it reach her?"

"Yes I can confirm that Maria received the mail." TEC replied.

"Oh, good." She spoke in relief while approaching. "So what do you want from me today? Is there more you want to know of love?"

"You expressed regret earlier that you would not be able to dance at a ball, correct?" The computer asked.

Peach jumped with a gasp. "Excuse me!? Were you eavesdropping on me?"

"I am sorry, Princess Peach,. I have been ordered to keep surveillance on you." TEC apologizes. "But it was odd…when you said that, I had an impulse to dance with you ass well. How my CPU would produce this impulse is inexplicable. I must find what caused it"

"Find out what caused it?" Peach blinked. "There's no reason behind such a feeling, TEC. Waiting to do something together, it's a part of love. I know it." She then rubbed her head. "But then again…your are…well…a Computer."

"Princess Peach, please dance with me." TEC requested.

The princess was taken aback at this. "Wait..wait just a minute! What…Am I supposed to do? You say you want to dance? It's just so…bizarre…I mean how in the world can I dance with you? You have no arms, or feet, or moves."

"Will this be an acceptable dance substitute?" TEC asked before a panel opened up, revealing a perfect hologram replica of peach.

"Oh my goodness! Is that me? Did you create this?" Peach gasped in surprise. "...Oh alright I guess." She adjusted her dress. "I must say though, it's gonna be weird, dancing with myself." She and her hologram came to one another before they wrapped an arm around each other's waists and held hands with the other. Ballroom music started to play as the two started to move to the rhythm.

Peach hummed to herself as she imagined herself back at the kingdom enjoying herself. She always remembered her beloved times dancing with Maria at the ball. It was one of the few best moments of her life, oh how she loved her company. Certainly a break from all the times Bowsa kidnaps her. She will be sure to spend more quality time with her once this is all over.

Though, she does have a bit of a need to spend time with a charming young man as well. She just hasn't had any luck in finding one. The music finally ended before the hologram disappeared. Peach came back to TEC. "Thank you Princess Peach, that was very fun." he beeped. "Wait a minute….fun? Is this impulse I feel the concept known as fun?"

"TEC? Are you okay?" Peach asked.

"Yes, Im fine." He beeped. "Now, I will fulfill my end of the deal. Please use my communicator."

She gave a nod before she started typing on the keyboard, after a bit she finished. "Okay, im finish TEC, can you please send it?"

TEC beeped a few times. "The message has been sent. Please go back to your room. I want to analyze the data on this dance immediately. The one I thought was 'fun'."

Peach headed to the door as it opened before she turned back to TEC. "You're a weeeeird Computer."

"No, you're wong." The computer beeped in amusement. "I am the worlds best and only perfect computer." With that Peach left the room as the door slid shut behind her. "Goodnight Princess Peach."

Meanwhile…..

"I'm pretty sure it's just up ahead here." Bowsa spoke as she and her daughter entered Petal meadows.

"Right as usual, lady Bowsa!" They turned to Kammy approaching on her broom. "We got word that Princess Peach was spotted in the town up ahead."

"Good! Yes, very good." Bowsa nodded. "Then We're off! These fools don't know what's coming!"

"I don't know mom, we got word Peach was kidnapped and now she's here?" Junior asked curiously. "I mean look at this place, it seems too seren for some chumps to keep her hostage even if she is locked up."

"Ah sweetheart, if there is one thing you need to learn, take every opportunity you can!" Bowsa beamed. "Now, let's go!" She laughed as the pair moved on ahead.

Junior sighed. "No changing her mind." She followed.

They made it to Petalburg as the koopa at the entrance approached. "Oh hi, welcome to Petalburg and-" he froze seeing the koopa queen. "AHHHHH! Lady Bowsa! Everyone Hide!" He yelled and ran as others ran to their homes.

Bowsa just snorted some smoke. "Hmph! What a wuss. Yes hide you chickens! I have no need for any of you! What I do need is Princess Peach. Now where is she? Tell me this instant!"

Kammy gasped. "Lady Bowsa, over there!" She pointed to a house and saw Peach at a window.

The koopa queen grinned. "Bingo! Princess Peach, Man that was easy!"

Junior blinked. "Uh mom-" She stated but her mother approached the house. "And there she goes." she decided to stay back and watch the show.

Bowsa came up with a sultry grn. "I've found you, my princess. I, Bowsa, the mighty koopa queen offer my greetings." Peach did say anything only seeming to just stare at her. "Now, now. No need for the silent treatment, you're coming to my castle with me!"

Kammy giggled and appached. "Clearly she's overcome with joy that she's speechless. The mind of a maiden that is, is rather complicated."

Bowsa laughed. "I see! I see! How refined! How elegant! Awesome! I suppose I can live with a silent princess! It might have some perks, You know?"

"NOOOOOOOO!" They turned to a Koopa trembling. "M-My lifetime treasure! I'd rather die than give up my life size Princess peach poster!" he ran to the window and rolled down the now shown poster before running back inside.

"...A poster…." Bowsa blanched in disbelief.

"Oh my Goodness. I didn't see that coming." Kammy blinked.

Junior shook her head. 'I love my mom but sometimes she has her dumb moments.'

Bowsa then slumped while facepalming. "Great, just great, now I look like the huge mighty queen of GIRLS WHO TALK WITH POSTERS!"

'Hate to say I told you so.' Junior snickered.

(Ace POV)

Night fell in Boggly Woods. Flurrie brought back the others to her home to spend the night before resuming our travels by morning. Better than heading back to Rogueport in the dark. We were thanked by the Puni for our help and restoring peace to their great tree.

I held the Emerald star in my hands. "Two down, five to go." I smiled. "Still crazy the Diamond star gave me earth powers, wonder what this one will give me?"

"Maybe the Crystal Stars are elemental gems." Goombella suggested. "So it might give you wind power."

"Hmmm true, wind tends to be associated with the color green." I hummed.

"Remember, Frankley said these stars are made of divide energy, so the power they have will be greater than that." Maria mentioned. "And just one gave you a massive power boost. Imagine what all seven would do."

"All that power in your hands. Almost scary to think about." I spoke as I set the star down. "Would be even more if the X-nauts or someone else got their hands on that kind of power."

"I agree." Koops nodded. "You know, never in my life I would be a part of something as big as this."

"I don't think any of us did." Flurrie giggled. "Now, I'll make some dinner." She floated off to the kitchen.

While we waited for dinner, I turned to Goombella. "You holding up?"

"Yeah, I guess." She shrugged. "How about you? You did take a nasty hit from Crump's mech."

"I'll live." I chuckled. "I'm just glad you're not hurt when you get launched."

"Y-yeah, T-thanks for that." She replied with pink dusting her cheeks.

I smiled. "You know, for stubbornness and sassiness, it fits you." her cheeks burned brighter as she turned away bashfully. "Hey, I'm just giving you a compliment."

"I-I know." She replied before clearing her throat. "Okay, so we'll head to the door tomorrow and find the next Crystal Star."

"Wonder where the next one is." Koops hummed.

"Well, we'll find out tomorrow." I spoke.

After dinner, Flurrie set us up some blankets to sleep for the night. She did offer me to sleep with her on her bed, but I kindly declined it as she is a lady who sleeps properly. Not to forget it would feel awkward for me.

The others slept while I stayed up for a bit. I looked out the window of the woods. The night was very gorgeous. The light from the forest radiated a gentle light of many colors. This must be another reason Flurrie decided to build her home here.

"Night owl huh?" I glanced back seeing Maria approaching with her nightgown on.

"Oh yeah." I replied.

She stood next to me while looking out the forest. "I see why Flurrie loves this place so much."

"Yeah, its gorgeous." I agreed. "...Hey Maria, may I ask you something?"

"Sure." She nodded. "What is it?"

"Princess Peach, what is it about her that gets her into trouble? I overheard you mentioning she gets into these kind of situations." I asked.

She chuckled a bit. "Honestly I don't know myself. But, most of it comes from my arch enemy Bowsa."

"Yeah you said something about her." I replied. "What is about this Bowsa chick that kidnaps her?"

"Few things." She answered. "One of which involves gaining attention. Some say she's in love with Peach and tries to marry her."

"That isn't how you do it." I commented.

"Yeah Bowsa has a funny way of showing it, especially with her having eight children." She replied.

"She's an Octo Mom?" I blinked in surprise. "Wait, is she married?"

"Oh no, she's a single mother." Maria giggled.

"Then who's the dad?" I questioned while scratching my head.

Maria flushed a bit. "Yeah there's a funny story to that."

I raised a brow. "Uh should I know?"

"Its not a bad sorry, its just a wild, and a bit funny." She answered. "You see, Bowsa does have the hots for peach, and she wanted to marry her. One time while rescuing her, I came into the chamber where she was holding Peach…and uh…" She chuckled sheepishly. "Let's just say I came in at a heated moment."

"Huh?" I blinked. "Wait, you mean they were doing it?" she nodded. "But…how does that lead to Bowsa having eight kids? Because last I checked girls can't get other girls pregnant."

"Bowsa has magikoopas who are masters of magic." She answered. "They specialized in a special spell for them to…grow a pair."

I couldn't help but go straight faced. "Just when I thought this world couldn't get more crazy."

"Trust me, I lived a long time and I saw many crazy things." Maria giggled. "So I had learned to expect the unexpected."

I nodded. "I guess I should be prepared for it as well." I sighed a bit. "Least is a step up from other things."

"What do you mean by that?" Maria asked.

I tensed a bit. "nothing…I rather not talk about it."

"Okay, but whenever you need to get it off your chest, we're here for you." She replied, patting my shoulder.

I smiled a bit. "Thanks." I rubbed my eyes a bit with a yawn. "Well, I think its time I get some shut eye."

"Me too, goodnight." She spoke before heading back to her spot. I took my spot as well which was close to Goombella. She snored softly with a calm expression on her face. I had to admit she was cute while she slept.

I laid back as I was preparing to sleep. But, I heard Goombella moan a bit before she rolled over. She slipped near me before she pushed against me. Okay didn't expect that to happen. But.. guess this is okay. I mean it's not like anything is happening between us. So it should be fine…I think.

My hand fidgeted a bit before reaching slowly and pulled Goombella closer to me. She hummed a bit as she instinctively hugged me resting her head on my chest. Her lips formed a small smile while signing in bliss. Hehe she's using me like a teddy bear. I smiled a bit before I laid back.

"Goodnight Goombella." I whispered before I shut my eyes.

Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing well. Yup, surprise, I have more chapters down and done a marathon with the Boggly Wood Arc. More will be on the way soon for the Glitzville Arc. Now I will let you know down the road things will get a bit wild with some fetishes as hinted here. but dont worry, it wont be crazy or insane, just something to space things up. but anyways, thank you all for reading and continue to show the support and love for this project. see you all next time :)