Flurrie winked at the hero of the kingdom, "Oh, Mario, you are just the cutest little thing I've ever laid eyes on."

Luigi teased, "He is the cuter one of us."

Mario was flustered, "Oh ha ha, very funny."

Flurrie asked, "So, tell me, are you truly looking for the Crystal Stars? The very same Crystal Stars spoken of by the lowlifes in Rogueport? Hmm... A danger-filled search for beautiful jewels... How absolutely marvelous! And here I was thinking how frightfully bored I was! It's time for a change! And besides, I do declare... That plush moustache of yours has completely swooned me!"

Goombella chuckled, "That part is debatable."

Koops and Punio both laughed at that.

Flurrie continued, "A man as manly as you must attract all sorts of trouble, and I want to keep you safe! So, I daresay I'll be joining you on this fine little adventure. I assume that's fine, Mario?"

Mario groaned as she blew a kiss at him. This was just his luck.

Luigi teased, "Don't worry, Malleo, I won't tell the princesa."

Mario told him, "Thanks, Weegie, but I think you are going to enjoy this way too much."

To that, Luigi nodded. Mario rolled his eyes.

Punio chuckled, "Well, this wonderful! It's so nice that Flurrie likes you, Mario. Really, it's great! And even more importantly, Flurrie's chosen to join us! Let's go to the Great Tree!"

Everyone nodded in agreement as they headed that way. When they got back to the Great Tree, Madame Flurrie used her wind power to blow way the wall. That's when they saw the sign that said, 'Secret Entrance'.

Punio gushed, "That's the Secret Entrance! We can finally get inside! Here I go!"

Punio went into the small hole.

Flurrie stated, "Aren't Punies just the most precious things? Mario, I feel I must ask... Did you know that I used to be a rather famous actress?"

Mario admitted, "No, I didn't know that."

Flurrie nodded, "Yes, I was a diva of the stage! I was known as Madame Flurrie all over the world."

Luigi breathed, "That is pretty cool."

Flurrie replied, "Why thank you!"

Koops asked, "But then what happened?"

Flurrie paused for a minute before she explained, "But...the filthy air outside the spotlight repelled me. So I came to the woods. And soon enough, I glimpsed the beauty of these Punies and their little pure hearts... It reminded me of my own innocence as an actress. And that made me realize... I shall ever love the stage! I must feel the spotlight shine on me again! I must!"

Goombella reassured, "You will, you just got to give it time."

Flurrie smiled at her. "I know you are right but I feel like these Punies helped me find my true self. That's why I must help them however I can before I go on my own adventures."

"Mario? Can you hear me?" The door opened and the light went green. Punio gushed, "Check it out! I was able to open it from the inside! C'mon! Over here!"

Mario told the group, "Time to help the Punies everyone!"

The group nodded as they walked over to Punio and went through the door.

Punio looked around, "Uh... Hmm? Weird... Normally, everyone is right here... What the hey?" Punio shouted, "Hey! Elder! Everybody! Come out! Hello?

That's when the other door opened and X-Nauts came out of it. The X-Nauts came over, making Punio retreat back a bit.

One of the X-Nauts (Dan) demanded, "Wah! Who are you guys?! How did you get in here?"

That's when the other X-Naut (Billy) realized something, "Whoa! Dude! Aren't they... Aren't they that Mario and Looigi guys?"

Luigi was about to protest until Dan interrupted, "What?! They are?! We'd better get them, then!"

Billy reminded, "But, dude, Lord Crump told us to tell him immediately if we found Mario and Looigi. Remember? He also said that about that girl that recently escaped that too."

Luigi perked up and whispered, "Girl that recently escaped?"

Dan huffed, "You idiot! Use your head! If we capture them, we'll get all the credit, man! Duh!"

Billy replied, "Oh, yeah... Right on. Let's rock these chumps!"

Dan said, "One, two, three...break!" It didn't take long for the heroes to defeat the two. Dan took a few steps back, "C - Crud! That stung, man!"

Billy took a few steps back too, "Dude, maybe reporting back to Lord Crump isn't such a bad idea, after all!"

The two X-Nauts ran out and locked the door behind them.

Mario stated, "Well, that just happened."

Punio gushed, "Wow, you guys are really strong!"

Koops frowned, "Yeah but where did all your friends go anyways?"

Goombella asked, "Good question. And what girl would they talking about? Were they talking about Violet?"

Flurrie was confused, "Violet? Who's Violet?"

Luigi explained, "Violet is my girlfriend. She's got the Aurora Nine, which gives her ice powers. Compared to my brother and me, where we have the Firebrand and Thunderhand respectably."

Flurrie looked at the man in green and replied, "Wow, the way you speak of her; sweetly and kindly - you really love her, don't you?"

Luigi confirmed, "Of course I do. It just feels like we were written for each other. I'd do anything to make sure she is safe."

Flurrie said, "I know, my dear. I know."

That's when Punio saw someone behind some trees. "Finally, someone shows up! What are you doing hiding back there? Come out, for Pete's sake, I found us a powerful alley!"

The other Punie said, "They are...huge! Uh...are you sure they won't try to eat us?"

Punio saw another Punie hiding and asked, "Huh? Hey! Who's that? Who else is back there?"

That's when other Punie peeked around the trees, seeing the group. They were in awe and distrust of the bigger people.

...

Wishmaker1028: You could say the heroes are making them feeling Punie! Hahaha! I'm sorry, I had to! But with that, chapter 20 is done! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!