The sun had reached the middle of the sky. Hours had passed, and yet the sounds of arguing voices and a stifling, all-encompassing tension still filled the air of one particularly noisy Poshley Heights neighborhood.
Lord Crump fanned at himself with a gloved hand as he tried and failed to keep cool under the rising heat of the outdoors. As beautiful as the verdant greens and as refreshing as the pure air of the town were, these warm afternoon temperatures just weren't the best for a man in his attire. He had half a mind to step away and try to find himself a cold glass of lemonade, after which he'd grab a spot in the shade to relax and forget for just a few minutes…
Though, even moreso than the heat, the fruitlessness of the continuing squabble and the stubbornness of the opposition were starting to seriously get on his nerves.
He could hear the two enemy leaders screaming even then. Insults to the effect of "You USELESS bauble of a man!" and "You awful, decrepit wraith!" flew through the air, their barbed words representing the two groups' thirst for violence. Lady Bow and the other Boos pressed forward yet again, their urges clearly rising with every jab exchanged… and yet, Crump was already more than a little tired of helping Flurrie hold them back. He and the other X-Nauts waited lazily nearby while watching the chaos unfold, hoping all the while that their own leader would return soon with good news.
Bow had made it very, very clear to him and Flurrie – they weren't leaving until they struck some sort of deal with Goldbob and got the Poshley Heights top brass off their back. …And yet, all they'd done so far was go round and round in their negotiations, followed each time by even more aggression and yelling. He'd let Lady Bow know that Vivian and Grodus had left and were attempting to approach the problem from a different angle, but it didn't make the wait any less painful for any of them.
Letting out a loud sigh, Crump half-heartedly glanced at some of the others around him. If anyone could offer a distraction right then, he'd gladly take it, but…
Really, the other crew members were looking just as worn out as he was. Some of the Toads were napping in the sun, where they'd occasionally jolt awake after a particularly loud shout from one of the two sides. Doopliss and Petuni had essentially given up and wandered off somewhere to find a snack… Even Pennington looked deflated, having walked up to the pair and said something to the effect of "My dear ladies and gentlemen, let us not fight so!" only to get immediately shut down and berated by both sides at the same time.
…If he was being honest, Crump legit agreed with Bow that it'd be a lot quicker if they just took over the good ol' fashioned way. The only reason he hadn't lost his temper in the first place was because she already had, but…
"I cannot BELIEVE you! Just listen to me already!" Bow yelled as she slapped her fan against the ground for the umpteenth time. "I TOLD you, I come from generations of well-bred Boos! GENERATIONS! You do NOT get to imply that I'm just an ordinary Boo with a green paint job! Why would you even say that!? Keep on going and others might get the idea that you're projecting - did you paint yourself gold, hmmmm? Is that where this baseless accusation comes from!?"
"Wha-!?" Goldbob spat, "T-t-that's not the case at all! Of course not, I would never! How dare you suggest such a ridiculous thing!?"
"Well, I think you doth protest too much! You had to have gotten that idea from somewhere – care to explain? Or would it be inconvenient for you to do so, gweaah heh ha?"
Man. These two clowns were seriously starting to drive him crazy.
As Crump's gaze drifted listlessly down the street, the movement of something strange caught his eye. A white, fluffy plume, looking very much like a cat toy gone rogue, swayed in the wind…
He grimaced as he immediately recognized the person it was attached to.
A voice, haughty to the extreme and completely self-assured, called out from beyond.
"FLAVIO HAS ARRIVEEEEEDDDDD!"
The pompous merchant walked with swaying shoulders and a puffed-out chest out as he strode confidently along the streets of Poshley Heights, acting as though he already owned the entire world. Vivian trailed close behind him, her eyes locked onto the golden Bob-omb that waited before them – just as she had earlier, the shadow carried Grodus in hand while Bub trotted by her side. She was tired, hot, and sweatier than ever... but, there was no time to rest.
The upcoming conversation was critical to their plans. They had to make this work.
"What in Eldstar's name is the meaning of this!?" Goldbob's eyes narrowed immediately as he spotted the yellow-toned trader marching towards him, his stance instantly stiffening. His gaze drifted from Flavio to Bow, then to Vivian and Grodus, and then over towards his very own son. "Just what… what sort of nefarious plot is taking place here!? Bub! Come here, my boy! Get away from those wretched people…!"
"Um…" Bub glanced up at Vivian, giving her an uncertain look. She nodded to him, soothing his hesitation with an understanding smile. Reluctantly, though obediently, the small bomb trotted over to his father and took up his station at the golden Bob-omb's side.
"Honestly, now…" Goldbob grumbled as he peered down at his wayward child. Then, upon looking to the other new arrivals on the scene, he began to yell: "Of all the people to appear before me, I simply cannot believe this… You! Flavio! What, precisely, is a dubious peddler like you doing with my boy!? Answer me, quickly now!"
"Hmmmph! Flavio turns his nose up at you, you most silly of all creatures!" The merchant sniffed and folded his arms as he approached. "Your son came to me, you cad of a baron! That child has vision and can recognize greatness and fabulousness when he sees it! …Which I hear you have none of, no! Flavio scoffs at your lack of dreams!"
Bow looked between the newcomers with a sense of curiosity, her eyes meeting Vivian's gaze. The shadow gave a small, yet confident, nod of confirmation… and made clear her intent to bring things to a resolution. Though Bow clearly still had questions, that little gesture was enough – satisfied and tired of arguing with Goldbob herself, the ghost let out a little chuckle as she placed her faith in Vivian. Putting her fan away, she surrendered control and allowed the conflict to unfold without her interference.
Though Flavio had just started talking, Goldbob was already fuming.
"Did you simply come here to insult me!?" the Bob-omb stomped, rapidly losing his temper in the face of what was very obviously his least favorite plumed menace. "Why, precisely, are you here!? Should you not be in Rogueport, whiling the days away while drinking endless liquor and spouting off your ridiculous tales into the wee hours of the morning!?"
"Flavio's tales are not ridiculous! No, no, no - Flavio's tales are filled with raw passion, fury, and beauty!" the merchant growled. "Though, I come here not to tell any tales of valor today – no, not now! Rather, I am here to begin a most magnificent venture of fate! For Flavio has been offered a splendid partnership with these cretins' TV studio in a bid to bring his tales of glory to the entire world! …That is, in exchange for a few, erm… goods and services."
Bow nearly gagged. "You offered what to him…!?" Though she didn't outright reject the idea, she still turned and glared daggers at Vivian and Grodus. Yet, Vivian merely gave a shy smile and shrugged, thus earning her a resigned "tch!" from the ghost.
Regardless, Flavio barreled on, far too busy with his own extraordinary vision to pay the least bit of attention to the Boo lady's apparent displeasure. "And so, Flavio has arrived here in order to strike up a most fortuitous business deal with these admittedly awful, awful X creatures! The future, it beckons to us!"
"You… truly? You legitimately intend to work with these rapscallions…!?" Goldbob gaped, having clearly not expected this outcome.
Flavio paused for a moment as he drank in the delicious juices of Goldbob's bewilderment. …But Vivian quickly cleared her throat, sending him a clear signal. There was more that he needed to say.
The Rogueport merchant grumbled in response - and yet, he did continue to speak. "Ah, I suppose… ah. Right. …Flavio supposes that we are here to extend a most generous and undeserved hand to you as well, my not-so-dear Goldbob… if you are so interested. Not that Flavio has high hopes – you would not recognize opportunity if it bit you in your round behind…"
"They said they can even build me a customized train set!" Bub piped up on cue, excitedly hopping on his toes. Vivian couldn't help but smile – she could see genuine joy in the little bomb's steps as he made the announcement.
At that, Goldbob raised an inquisitive eyebrow. His enraged expression suddenly changed to one of perplexed realization.
"You… you can?" He looked to Grodus, cocking his head with a mystified expression, almost as though a veil had suddenly been lifted from his eyes.
"That is correct, yes. All we need are the materials… and, of course, some basic design information. My engineers are more than skilled enough for something of that level."
Goldbob let out a gasp and blinked. "You were capable of such a thing this entire time…? Well, why didn't you say so before!? I've been looking all over for a train set in this blasted place, yet not a single shop has been able to sell me one! And you didn't say a word? …Balderdash! The absurdity of it all, after all the time I've spent searching…!"
"Is that truly so very surprising?" Grodus questioned. "My second-in-command stated that we could build any variety of devices. Honestly, why are you acting shocked about such a thing now…?"
"…"
The golden Bob-omb gave no response to Grodus's inquiry. Instead, he merely looked down at the ground, hiding his mixed expression beneath the rim of his top hat.
Flavio snickered off to the side, clearly enjoying the look upon his rival's face. Meanwhile, Grodus had hopped down from Vivian's grasp and now sat calmly at Goldbob's feet, where he watched and waited as the golden one pondered his options…
Finally, after several seconds had passed, Goldbob let out a huge sigh and looked up, allowing his gaze to drift around the circle of actors and meet each of their eyes in turn. Then, he peered back at the crowd behind him – to the other rich folk. They said nothing in response, all quietly waiting for him, as their ringleader and one of the most powerful men in the land, to guide them forward.
Then, last of all, the golden Bob-omb met Flavio's eyes.
"…All… right."
Goldbob grumbled as he kicked at the ground. The crowd behind him began to murmur.
"All right, you do say…? Once more, ah, if you could say it louder…" A huge grin tugged at Flavio's lips. "Flavio wants to make certain that his ears did not whisper such beautiful words themselves…"
The golden bomb growled in response, though it didn't stop him from speaking up again. "…I said all right, you vapid charlatan! Your proposal of a truce and its potential benefits… have become too numerous to outright ignore. And so, despite my reservations… yes. We shall enter proper negotiations immediately!"
Vivian gasped as she covered her mouth. Did that mean…?
It did. Though he was clearly unhappy about it, Goldbob continued to grumble out his next instructions. "You, you bizarre, feathered merchant… Flavio! And the X-marked domed creature, and you, the mint-green troublemaker…" The opulent Bob-Omb finally sighed in resignation as he motioned with his head. "All of you, you simply must come and meet with me within the walls of my home, this instant. …We… hrrrmph. It seems that we really do have much to discuss."
He was saying it. He was really, truly saying it. Here, in front of all these people, Goldbob had actually backed down and was offering to negotiate a deal.
An end to their conflict with the Poshley Heights residents was in sight.
Finally drifting from his station before the filming site, Goldbob took Bub and began to resignedly walk back towards the main streets of Poshley Heights. As he went, he left his rivals with one last barb: "Though, I must say, I expect nothing but the best from all of you! If you disappoint me, we will have words…!"
The crowd of protestors looked at each other, their confusion clear. Yet, one by one, they began to follow Goldbob's example and clear out of the area. The wind had been taken out of their sails – and, with Goldbob now willingly negotiating an acceptable way to bring the more troublesome crew members under his leadership, there was nothing left for them to object to.
Vivian's gaze moved from the surprised Flurrie, to Bow, then across their entire staff… A bright, golden smile began to form upon the shadow's face. Proud, excited warmth filled her up from the inside, its floaty mass threatening to sneak out through the upturned corners of her mouth…
As the last of the Poshley Heights protestors left the area, she couldn't help but pump her fists and let loose a quiet "yes!" beneath her breath. …She wasn't quite brave enough to release a true cheer, but this turn of events was worth at least a little celebration. Besides, she clearly wasn't the only one who felt that way - several of the others around her began to hoot and holler as they finally realized what had just occurred before their very eyes.
Somehow, they had won. Vivian had done it.
Grodus could hear as the others around him collectively began to celebrate - the group's tension evaporated in a near instant, the tedious, hours-long standoff they'd been forced to endure having finally come to an end. The once-angry voices that had crowded the air quickly changed to jubilant ones, each and every one of them filled with hope and excitement for the future.
"Wait, really!?" they hollered. "Are we good…?" "Does this mean we're cool?" "It's finally over, yeeessss!" "C'mon, let's go! We've wasted enough time already!"
He watched as several of the crew members got up and even began to cheer. The Toads high-fived, the Boos snickered, the Bumpties began to chatter loudly while clutching their magnifying glasses… Though Bow seemed just a little miffed that the entire resolution had happened without her help, even she still perked up a bit as she followed along behind the loudly boasting Flavio. Vivian, who was floating nearby, was absolutely beaming as she observed the others.
Being surrounded as he was by the happiness of those whom he'd normally consider enemies…. Grodus couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. He had played a critical part in the negotiations as well, and fully intended to continue doing so, but…
It was a strange feeling. Very, very strange.
Still, it was perhaps a bit nice to see the same morale boost taking place within his own ranks. …No, to them, to the X-Nauts, this victory meant far more than just getting to continue along with their filming. Rather…
"Holy crud… you're telling me that we're gonna get bankrolled by Bow, Flavio, and Goldbob!? Is this even real life!?"
Crump cried out in pure excitement as he bounded over towards Grodus with his arms spread. Even without seeing his face, Grodus could tell – the man was about to burst with glee, almost like a child who just unwrapped their dream gift on Christmas morning.
"Things aren't over yet, Lord Crump. But… it does look as though we're headed in that direct- ah!?"
Grodus let out a startled cry as the man suddenly enveloped him in a tight hug.
"C-Crump…!?" The former overlord's voice broke out of shock, though even that did nothing to deter his underling's affectionate gesture.
"You did it, you really, seriously did it! Buh huh huh huh huh! Buh huh huh huh, BUH HUH HUH HUH HUH! Man, you are SO good!" Crump laughed cheerfully as he smooshed his cheek against Grodus, rubbing at him as though he were a beloved plush.
"S-stop, STOP! Put me down, this instant!" Grodus hollered as he began to wriggle about. "I must follow after the others for negotiations, I don't have time for this… this… whatever this is! Stop, cease this ridiculousness at once! G-gah! Lord Crump, UNHAND ME!"
Yet, Crump didn't let go just yet. He continued to hold Grodus tightly, all the while expressing his joy as loudly as possible.
It wasn't just the sudden physical contact that made Grodus uncomfortable.
No, it was something much deeper than that… Grodus still genuinely couldn't help but wonder why. Why, after everything that he'd said to his subordinate, after all that he had witnessed… why? Grodus had legitimately lost almost every ounce of power he had, and yet…
Why was Crump still there, by his side?
Grodus had, without a doubt, sincerely wished Crump dead not all that long ago. He had called him worthless, a traitor… and he had outright admitted to intentionally leaving him behind. Yet, here the man was, still cheering for Grodus while holding a completely honest admiration for him.
It made Grodus anxious. He didn't understand it at all. He simply couldn't.
If he were to simply ask Crump why he hadn't left him, why he'd stuck with him all this time… what sort of answer would he receive? Did he even want to know? Was it simply because the man had nowhere else to go? …Because being subservient to Grodus was all that he knew?
An unpleasant sense of bewilderment gripped at Grodus from the inside. "Put me down!" he demanded once more, a sudden harshness within his voice.
At that command, Crump paused like a scolded puppy and finally placed Grodus back upon the ground. However, he did so tenderly, being extra careful not to drop him… As Grodus's frame touched the dirt, that same confusion filled him further.
Was he feeling… nervous? Scared, even? He didn't know. Though he always acted with utmost confidence, he didn't know anything about these emotions, not really…
"Uh, sorry about that!" Crump scratched at the back of his head. "But, I mean… seriously, you did amazing with this! So…"
Grodus had to admit – even beyond this moment, he truly didn't understand people very well. He never had. It had been a permanent weakness of his, one that led him to typically find comfort in the cold, predictable numbers of computers, of mathematics, of chemistry, of physics… really, in any of the sciences. Times like these only served to highlight exactly how different his mind functioned from those around him - chances were he'd never be able to completely understand or accept the full extent of their emotions. To him, they were incomprehensible. But, right then…
He did feel that, for once, it was proper for him to say something.
And so, he spoke.
"You've done well, Lord Crump. …Thank you. For leading the X-Nauts when I could not."
Crump nearly froze as the unexpected words of gratitude reached his ears.
"B-buh!?" The large X-Naut gasped, his arms twitching as he seemingly held himself back from scooping Grodus straight back into his grip once more. …But instead, quietly, he turned around and quickly hid his face away from where his master could see.
"Y-yeah. Yeah…" Crump sniffled ever-so-slightly. "I did… I really did my best out there. Buh huh huh… huh huh huh… huh huh huh huh!"
When was the last time that Grodus had said anything particularly nice to this man? …Not even Grodus could remember. Perhaps… perhaps he really had treated his second-in-command a bit too harshly in the past. Even if just a bit, maybe he really should be slightly less cold to him…
Maybe. Possibly. …He'd consider it later.
His mind still an odd mix of emotions, Grodus stared off into the distance. It was there that the shadow… no. Vivian. Her name was Vivian. …It was there that Vivian was speaking to her friend, to that strange cloud woman. She continued to smile wholeheartedly, with a grin almost as bright as the sun itself.
He still didn't like her much, but... just this once, he may have also owed her some respect.
Finally.
Finally, after all that trouble, filming was allowed to continue. Finally, after all their efforts across the past several weeks, after all the sweat, love, tears, and hard work that they'd put in…
The very last scene had arrived.
Vivian - or, rather, Violet - smiled softly as she took a pen into her hand. She perched atop a chair and looked over her late husband's desk, a manuscript spread before her… though, for the moment, it was less of an actual manuscript and more just a pile of blank papers.
As she prepared to begin, her hand hovering just above the surface, she let out a massive, longing sigh. …She was remembering what she had lost, no doubt. Her husband was forever gone, and her sister imprisoned, but…
Now, after all that strife… she was free.
With a determined nod, she lowered the tip of her pen to the page and began to write her tale. This book was to be a memoir of her past – it was the physical manifestation of one final, longing look at the circumstances that made her who she was. It began as a story of loneliness and isolation. Then, it transformed into a story of love, then into one of loss… and then, eventually, into one of hope.
The camera panned across the bedroom as she buried herself in her work. Then, after just a few seconds of her scribbling against the paper…
"CUT! Most excellent work, all of you – that's it! We've done it!" Bow called out, signaling that the ending had arrived.
Violet – or, rather, Vivian – had finally reached the goalpost.
The crew shared a lively moment together afterwards, in which they ordered a pile of pizza and drinks to indulge in while playing games. Vivian gleefully partook, going through several rounds of the board game "Hint" alongside Flurrie, Doopliss, Petuni, and Pennington. Much to everyone's surprise – or, perhaps not – Pennington was always the first to guess at a culprit and, thus, always the first one out.
"Ah… yes, yes, of course that wasn't it! Just as I… suspected…" The penguin-like detective's brow was dotted with sweat as he flubbed yet another accusation and was eliminated from his third game in a row. "…Naturally, it would not be Miss Scarlet in the Foyer with the Fire Flower! I was most aware of that, of course. I… simply wanted to pave the way for your further success! As a master detective, it would not be fair of me to hog all the sleuthing glory, most certainly not…"
"Hey, you saw the final answer just now… right, Slick?" Doopliss snickered. "Would you mind handing out a teensy weeeeensy little hint? Just put it on a napkin and slide it over here all discreet-like, c'mon!"
"Uh, nooooo? That's CHEATING!" Petuni let out a growl. "Don't listen to him, don't, don't! If you're going to give out a hint, then give it to Petuni!"
"Oh my gracious, darlings…"
Flurrie shook her head as Doopliss and Petuni began to swarm the bewildered Pennington like angry bees, arguing all the while.
But Vivian just let out a little giggle – even though they were fighting, they still had a certain, precious sparkle in their eyes. …Everyone looked like they were having lots of fun. Vivian was too, of course, but she realized it the more that she looked around the room…
The crew was no longer segregated like they had been during their first meeting. The Toads chatted with the Boos, the Bub-ulb and Bob-omb with the X-Nauts… She could see crew members of various species drifting from group to group, happily mingling as they jumped between games. Even Grodus had a lighter air about him – though he wasn't playing any of the games, he looked strangely at peace, sitting upon a pillow while he and several of his men observed Crump's spirited bout of "Fightship" against one of the Toads. She and the rest of her group had gotten caught in playing "Hint" for a bit longer than she'd hoped – largely due to Petuni and Doopliss's squabbling and continued requests for rematches - but there was no question about it.
Everyone was finally getting along.
As she watched them, she could feel a slight sense of heaviness beginning to seep into her limbs. A yawn snaked up her throat and, despite her best efforts to hold it back, emerged from her lips.
"Haaaaaaaahhhhhh…" Vivian gave a little stretch as she covered her mouth. "Mmmm… I'm starting to get sleepy…" she mumbled, though she still scribbled at her notepad as she attempted to figure out the game's current culprit.
It had been another long day. …This one especially so. While she'd put on her bravest face in front of Flavio and given him the best, most dramatic show she could conceive of…
She'd actually been rather afraid.
So much had been riding on that single discussion. Thanks to getting Flavio involved, negotiations with Goldbob had apparently gone wonderfully, with them netting several contracts between the two rich men, Grodus, and Bow… and though it meant that their filming had been severely delayed for the day, they'd managed to solve so many problems at once. With their expanded network and increase in resources, Bow had even been talking about distributing their film overseas – previously, it had been expected to be a local release only. Flavio and Goldbob had apparently argued throughout the entire meeting, though their constant attempts to one-up and exert control over each other had proven to be an absolute boon for both Bow and Grodus.
As their final game of "Hint" drew to a close, Vivian bid the crew farewell and returned to her shed. They'd hear more details from Bow later – but, right then, she needed to rest.
The shadow hummed as she opened a newly-purchased treat bag and deposited its contents next to the parrot's food bowl – to hopefully be enjoyed by him over the course of the next few days rather than all at once – and then took a seat at her desk as he chirped delightedly behind her. After gathering her thoughts, she pulled her stationery from within the desk's drawer and began to write…
She noted down confident words detailing the upcoming movie premiere, then spoke of how hard she'd worked on everything, of what she'd had to do in order to keep the TV studio afloat… and of how proud she was of her own actions.
The shadow wondered… What would Beldam think if she saw her now? Would she be surprised? …Would she finally praise her?
…
And then, after a few moments of thought… she stood from her seat, crinkled up the letter, and then tossed it into the trash can.
"Skrawk? …Is everything okay, Vivian?" the bird cooed from beyond as he watched her actions. Yet, Vivian nodded, then smiled brightly at him.
"Yes! Everything is fine, hmm hmm hmm!" she giggled. Then, with finality, she placed her office supplies back inside her drawer and closed it.
Poshley Heights was the primary supplier of entertainment in their corner of the Mushroom Kingdom outskirts. Beldam was always watching TV these days… Certainly, if Vivian waited for long enough, her elder sister would see their movie on her own. And, even if she didn't, it was a guarantee that one of the Twilighters would view it and gossip about it. Word of Vivian's efforts would absolutely reach her.
And then, she hoped, Beldam would be the one to contact Vivian. …And, even if she didn't… Vivian would keep on shining. Beldam would be made to witness her growth, one way or another.
This time, Vivian would let her hard work speak for itself.
Chapter image: www tumblr com/thegroduschronicles/765897678305492992